The February 11th, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Triple H & Stephanie McMahon Gave Becky Lynch An Ultimatum
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon kicked off this week’s episode of RAW and hyped up the Elimination Chamber PPV this Sunday night. Triple H rolled footage of Becky attacking Stephanie McMahon and then Triple H on last week’s episodes of RAW and SmackDown.
Becky Lynch came down to the ring and vowed to hit Stephanie harder next time. Triple H told Lynch that the doctors looked at her and said that she only needs a couple weeks of rehab. He added that her match against Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania was still on.
Stephanie and Triple H then demanded an apology from Becky. Stephanie told Becky to not be stubborn and Lynch told Stephanie to shut her face. Lynch claimed that the McMahons have been screwing people over and refused to apologize. Lynch then told Triple H to take his apology and shove it up his arse. Triple H asked Becky if she really wanted to throw away her opportunity and gave Lynch until the end of the night to apologize.
.@BeckyLynchWWE's suspension has been lifted and her match at #WrestleMania is back on. But there's one condition. She MUST apologize to @TripleHÂ & @StephMcMahon. #Raw pic.twitter.com/qpi2FmxVc8
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
I enjoyed this promo because it got me invested in the rest of the show. I’m looking forward to seeing what Becky decides to do, it wouldn’t make sense for her character to apologize.
You might want to run that one by @BeckyLynchWWE again, boss man. pic.twitter.com/KkO8ukhqn7
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 12, 2019
Sasha Banks & Bayley Will Be The First Team In The Elimination Chamber Match
Sasha Banks & Bayley battled Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan and Nia Jax & Tamina tonight on RAW. For the second week in a row, Sasha Banks was a nonfactor in their match. Banks got “injured” during the match and was taken backstage by WWE officials.
Bayley tried her best to compete in the match and hit Liv Morgan with an Elbow Drop off the top rope. Eventually, Nia Jax isolated a beaten down Bayley in the ring and planted her with the Samoan Drop for the pinfall victory.
As a result of the loss, Sasha Banks and Bayley will be one of the first two teams in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match this Sunday night.
No hugs tonight. ?#RAW @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/M54jDG2kUl
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 12, 2019
Did @NiaJaxWWE & @TaminaSnuka just get one step closer to becoming the first-ever @WWE #WomensTagTeamChampions?@SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE will have to enter the Elimination Chamber FIRST this Sunday! #RAW #WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/zYGK7QVmKJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
Kevin Owens Will Return In A Month
Kevin Owens sent in a video from at a bowling alley with his family during tonight’s episode of RAW. Owens noted that he had spent the last four months with his family while he recovers from knee surgery.
Owens stated that he doesn’t know which show he will be returning to because the McMahon family hasn’t told him yet. Kevin then informed the WWE Universe that it has been difficult for him to watch RAW and SmackDown because he feels like he is watching other people what he does best. Kevin then said that he will be back in about a month.
Only one more month before #TheKevinOwensShow RETURNS to either #RAW or #SDLive… @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/6kBP8IGZeh
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
Owens’ return should provide a boost to whichever show he returns to. I’d like to say the same thing about Sami Zayn, but before his injury, Sami wasn’t being booked well at all. Owens has gotten in much better shape during his recovery and I’m looking forward to him coming back. When WWE gave him the opportunity, Owens was consistently in very good matches and always knocked it out of the park with his promos.
Happy to see @FightOwensFight still living his best life. ? pic.twitter.com/qI20sAC1CT
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 12, 2019
Dean Ambrose Told Rollins To Slay The Beast
Seth Rollins came down to the ring and took a look at the WrestleMania sign suspended above the ring. Rollins said that this past year has been absolutely crazy and that he was glad to share it with the WWE Universe.
Rollins claimed that he had to go home for a couple weeks after Brock Lesnar hit him with six F5s. Seth boasted about still being here after taking six F5s and stated that he can defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
Seth added that if WrestleMania is the last match of his career but was rudely interrupted by Paul Heyman. Paul introduced Brock Lesnar but the Universal Champion didn’t emerge from backstage.
Heyman laughed and stated that Brock Lesnar is not here tonight. Heyman told Rollins that Lesnar is a career killer and claimed that Seth was on a suicide mission. Paul added that if Seth tries to take the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, he will be the architect of his own demise.
Rollins told Heyman that he was right, but added that he simply does not care. Seth added that Lesnar has held the WWE hostage for two years and he will not stand for it anymore. Rollins claimed that he will sell his soul to the devil and burn in hell if it means that Brock does not leave WrestleMania as the Universal Champion.
"You will be the ARCHITECT of your own DEMISE."
Did @HeymanHustle just SPOIL the #UniversalChampionship match between @WWERollins and @BrockLesnar at #WrestleMania? #RAW pic.twitter.com/A3UcFeuaz3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 12, 2019
Dean Ambrose then came down to the ring and asked Rollins for the microphone. Ambrose told Seth to slay The Beast and then left the ring. Ambrose then defeated EC3 via a roll-up in a quick match.
Thanks, Dean. pic.twitter.com/ca9kn3hdOM
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 12, 2019
Ambrose getting involved was the most interesting moment of this promo. It is the same build up to every Brock Lesnar match and I couldn’t be more bored with it. Rollins will have to overcome the odds to defeat Lesnar. While Brock isn’t on RAW, Heyman will pump him up and claim that Seth doesn’t have a chance at winning. Heyman is a great promo, but I’ve heard this material before and I would like to see something new for this build. It doesn’t look like that is going to be the case and I’m not all that excited for the match at WrestleMania.
The feud between Ambrose and Rollins was incredibly disappointing and now Ambrose is set to leave WWE in April. It came off as just a genuine moment, with Ambrose wishing Rollins well. As for Ambrose’s match against EC3, WWE once again continued the tradition of having NXT call-ups lose. Nikki Cross lost to Ruby Riott during tonight’s show as well. It doesn’t make any sense to me why EC3 needs to lose in only his 2nd match on the main roster.
Dean Ambrose shows his support towards Seth Rollins #deanambrose #sethrollins #raw #MondayNightRaw pic.twitter.com/WSpfI8FfB6
— the_markangelo_99 (@mark_angelo_99) February 12, 2019
The Revival Won The RAW Tag Team Championships
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable defended their RAW Tag Team Championships against The Revival tonight on RAW. The Revival earned the title opportunity on last week’s show.
The Revival controlled the match early and isolated Chad Gable in the ring. Wilder and Dawson tried over and over to put Gable away but Chad continued to battle back. Bobby Roode finally tagged back in and beat down Wilder and Dawson.
Gable lifted Wilder up in a German Suplex as Roode connected with a Blockbuster off the second rope. Chad went for the cover but Dawson broke it up at the last second. The Revival then hit a Powerbomb/ Clothesline on Gable but Roode broke up at the cover as the crowd chanted “this is awesome!”.
Wilder and Dawson once again isolated Gable in the ring and hit the Shatter Machine for the pinfall victory. The Revival are the new RAW Tag Team Champions. After the match, The Revival cut a promo backstage and called themselves the best tag team in the world.
The #TagTeamTitles are on the LINE! Will @WWEGable & @REALBobbyRoode be able to hold on to Tag Team gold on #Raw?? pic.twitter.com/RdNGczKk2y
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
It took a while for the crowd to get into it, but this was a great match. I can only hope that WWE takes the tag team division seriously going forward. They have some great teams on both RAW and SmackDown but have barely utilized them as of late. The Revival has deserved better for some time now and it was great to see them become champions tonight on RAW.
The celebration is ON for @ScottDawsonWWE & @DashWilderWWE, because #TheRevival is on TOP of the #RAW tag team world! pic.twitter.com/rZFK17uiEn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 12, 2019
Vince McMahon Suspended Becky Lynch & Announced Charlotte Will Take Her Place At WrestleMania
Becky Lynch ran into Finn Balor backstage and Finn gave her some advice. Balor told Becky that he had seen pride get the better of many a man, and hoped that it wouldn’t get the better of The Man.
As @BeckyLynchWWE weighs her decision about whether or not to apologize to @StephMcMahon & @TripleH, @FinnBalor stops by to give The Man some advice on #Raw. pic.twitter.com/o9305prD8z
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
Charly Caruso later tried to interview Becky backstage and asked what she would say to her fans if she doesn’t apologize to the McMahons. Becky told her that was none of her business and walked away.
Sorry @CharlyCarusoWWE… ???? pic.twitter.com/ico3kAKQgy
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 12, 2019
Ronda Rousey confronted Becky Lynch backstage. Rousey told Lynch that they could break ground for women anywhere if Becky swallows her pride and apologizes. Rousey then called Lynch a coward if she doesn’t apologize.
"Stop whining and start apologizing, even if you don't mean it."#RAW #WomensChampion @RondaRousey wants @BeckyLynchWWE at #WrestleMania more than anything. #RAW pic.twitter.com/VFvhxznuWS
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
Alexa Bliss approached Becky Lynch and told her not to apologize. Lynch claimed that Alexa just wanted her place at WrestleMania and Bliss responded that she just wanted to see Becky be true to herself. Becky didn’t buy it and once again walked away.
"There is not a genuine bone in your body." – @BeckyLynchWWE@AlexaBliss_WWE SINCERELY wants #TheMan to hold onto her pride and not apologize… #RAW pic.twitter.com/btXtye8hZk
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 12, 2019
Becky Lynch came down to the ring at the conclusion of this week’s RAW. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H joined her as Becky paced back and forth. Stephanie and Triple H asked Becky if she was going to apologize for her actions or throw away her moment in history.
The crowd booed and Triple H told Becky to not let strangers dictate her future. Becky said she still doesn’t trust Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Lynch then said she was sorry to the both of them before adding that nobody is taking her dream away from her. Triple H extended his hand and congratulated her on going to WrestleMania.
Triple H and Stephanie left the ring as Becky began to cut a promo on Ronda Rousey. RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey interrupted and marched to the ring. Vince McMahon interrupted and claimed that Becky has a bad attitude and so does Ronda Rousey. Vince stated that he was “The Man” and suspended Lynch for 60 days and her suspension would end 5 days after WrestleMania.
Vince then announced that Charlotte Flair will take Becky Lynch’s place at WrestleMania. Charlotte came down to the entrance ramp and stood next to Vince on the entrance ramp. Vince then raised Charlotte’s hand and claimed that she was going to win the title at WrestleMania.
"You're not the man. I'M THE MAN."
Uh-oh. @VinceMcMahon is LIVE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/8uAnaRBfTV
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
I’m guessing that a ton of people are flipping out online, which is a good thing. Obviously, Becky Lynch will find her way back into the main event at WrestleMania. The only question is will it be a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania, or will the storyline lead to another match between Becky and Charlotte to determine who will be in the match.
It will be fun to see Corporate Charlotte piss off the crowd and how Becky will intervene, even though she is “suspended”. WWE has been hyping up Ric Flair’s Birthday Celebration on RAW in two weeks for the past few episodes. That segment just a got a whole lot more interesting with tonight’s development. There are still a couple of months to kill until WrestleMania. Becky once again has to fight to get what she deserves and it will make the moment that much better at WrestleMania.
.@BeckyLynchWWE said the two words that @StephMcMahon & @TripleH wanted to hear all night on #Raw. pic.twitter.com/JDIkB9pcnr
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! @VinceMcMahon has suspended @BeckyLynchWWE for 60 days and replaced "The Man" in the #Raw Women's Championship Match at #WrestleMania with @MsCharlotteWWE! pic.twitter.com/XT1rHM3EtF
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2019
