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6 Takeaways From WWE RAW (2/12)

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Robert Lentini

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The February 12th episode of WWE RAW aired live from the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:

The Miz Will Be The First Entrant In The Elimination Chamber Match

John Cena kicked off this week’s episode of WWE RAW. Cena pumped up the crowd by bringing up that they are now on the road to WrestleMania. Cena noted that WrestleMania can make a Superstar’s career, bring a legend back from the dead and be the most important moment in the life of a WWE Superstar.

Cena added that the truth is that he has two win the Elimination Chamber match. Cena stated that if he doesn’t win the match, for the first time in 15 years he would not be sure if he has a road to WrestleMania. Cena vowed to win the Elimination Chamber match and go on to make history against Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania.

Intercontinental Champion The Miz interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp alongside Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. The Miz mocked Cena for thinking that he is going to main event WrestleMania. Miz stated that it is not 2013, this is 2018 and it is the year of The Miz.

The Miz called Cena the “founding father of Suplex City” and then vowed to go on and main event WrestleMania. The Miz held up the IC Title and stated that he will become the first person to hold the IC Title and the Universal Championship at WrestleMania. Cena claimed The Miz wouldn’t have a chance against Brock Lesnar.

The Miz stated that he matches up much better against Brock Lesnar than Cena ever did. Miz said that he wins in WWE because he does whatever it takes. The Miz brought up outsmarting Cena in the main event of WrestleMania in the past. John Cena responded to that by challenging The Miz to a match tonight.

Cena added the stipulation that the loser of the match has to enter the Elimination Chamber match first. The crowd chanted “yes!” as Miz chuckled into the microphone. The Miztourage attacked Cena and slammed him to the canvas. The Miz removed his ridiculous robe and accepted the challenge. The Miz demanded that a referee come down to the ring to start the match. RAW GM Kurt Angle then came down to the entrance ramp and made the official after telling Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel to leave ringside.

The match started with The Miz trying to go for a cover right away but Cena kicked out at two. Miz bashed Cena in the face a few times and went for another cover but Cena kicked out once again as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, The Miz was still in control. The Miz knocked Cena out of the ring and followed him out to the entrance ramp. Miz launched Cena into the barricade and brought Cena back to the ring.

The Miz controlled the next few minutes of the match but Cena finally battled back by connecting with a Tornado DDT for a two count. The Miz quickly responded with a Sleeper Hold and brought Cena back to the canvas. John showed off his incredible strength by powering to his feet but Miz was resilient and didn’t let go of the hold. Cena fell back to the mat as Miz had the Sleeper Hold locked back in as RAW went to another commercial break.

When RAW returned, Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Cena countered with an Arm Drag. The Miz quickly locked in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Cena countered into the STF in the middle of the ring. The Miz was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold.

The Miz climbed up to the top rope and went for a Crossbody but Cena caught him and rolled through. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment but The Miz broke free and connected with a DDT for another two count. The Miz charged at Cena but John was ready and connected with an Attitude Adjustment for a two count.

Miz once again applied the Figure Four in the center of the ring. Cena once again reversed it into the STF but Miz was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold. The Miz then connected with a Skull Crushing Finale and went for the cover but Big Match John kicked out at two. Cena and The Miz battled on the turnbuckle. The Miz went for a Skull Crushing Finale but Cena countered it into an Attitude Adjustment off the second rope for the pinfall victory. The Miz is now the first entrant in the Elimination Chamber match.

Cena and The Miz put on a very good match to kick off this week’s episode of RAW. The Miz will now enter the Elimination Chamber match first and Elias will be the last entrant. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman are also in the match. The final entrant will be determined later tonight when Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy and Apollo Crews face off in a Fatal 4-Way match.

Seth Rollins Was Given A Shot To Make It To Elimination Chamber

RAW GM Kurt Angle announced that Ronda Rousey will be signing her RAW contract at Elimination Chamber.

Angle announced that Jason Jordan will miss WrestleMania due to a neck injury. The crowd chanted “yes!” and Angle got pissed off. Angle scolded the fans for being amused that Jordan is going to miss WrestleMania. Angle added that as a father he hopes that the fans can give Jordan his best wishes for his return.

Seth Rollins came down to the ring and brought up missing WrestleMania due to injury. Rollins stated that right now he doesn’t have a match at Elimination Chamber. Seth added that he wanted to be the man one more time and that he wanted Brock Lesnar and wanted to become Universal Champion at WrestleMania.

Kurt Angle said that he can’t just give Rollins an opportunity because there was already a Fatal 4-Way tonight to determine the final entrant. Angle contemplated for a moment and then asked the crowd if they wanted Seth to have an opportunity to make it to the Elimination Chamber match. The crowd chanted “yes!” and Angle announced that Rollins will be joining the match.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Rollins back in the main event scene on RAW every week. It was great to see Ambrose and Rollins team up again, but the nostalgia wore off quickly. With Ambrose and Jordan now out due to injury, there isn’t much for Rollins to do on RAW now. I’m assuming that someone is going to attack Ronda Rousey at Elimination Chamber. I can’t imagine we are just going to see her sign a piece of paper on a PPV.

Bayley Picked Up A Big Win Over Sasha Banks

Bayley faced Sasha Banks tonight on RAW. Bayley got a great reaction from her hometown crowd. Sasha controlled the match early and thew Sasha to the corner. Bayley battled back and connected with a Dropkick.

Bayley locked in a Chin Lock, Sasha broke free but Bayley hit a shoulder tackle. Sasha threw Bayley to the canvas and hit a knee to her face for a two count. Banks threw Bayley out of the ring and then Dropkicked her off the ring apron.

The action returned to the ring with Banks in control as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Banks was still in control and took a break to taunt Bayley. It instantly backfired as Bayley connected with a Clothesline. Bayley unloaded with a flurry of right hands and then drove Sasha to the corner.

Bayley beatdown Sasha in the corner and followed it up with a Side Suplex. Bayley kneed Sasha in the face and then climbed to the top rope. Bayley climbed to the top rope and went for the Elbow Drop but Banks got out of the way. Sasha quickly locked in the Bank Statement but Bayley made it to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Bayley tripped Banks up and Sasha fell face-first into the second turnbuckle. Bayley and Sasha battled on the turnbuckle. Sasha pushed Bayley off to the mat but Bayley got right back up and connected with a Bayley to Belly off the top rope for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Bayley and Sasha had a stare down in the ring. It looked like they were about to shake hands but Nia Jax attacked them from behind. Jax planted both Bayley and Banks with a Samoan Drop and posed in the ring. Nia Jax was interviewed on the entrance ramp after the attack. Jax vowed to end Asuka’s streak at Elimination Chamber.

Both Bayley and Nia Jax are Superstars that I think should key figures in the RAW women’s division. WWE completely messed up with Bayley and it looked like they had given up on her just as recently as a few weeks ago. Bayley has had a good few weeks on RAW. She stood up to Sasha Banks backstage and then backed it up tonight in the ring. It is going to take some time to undo the damage done by WWE making her look like a buffoon in 2017. Nia Jax should be dominant every week in my opinion. Instead of flirting with the now unemployed Enzo Amore, she should be dominating on RAW every week. I’m looking forward to her match with Asuka at Elimination Chamber.

Alexa Bliss Is Trying To Get Mickie James Back On Her Side

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Mickie James and Bliss had a conversation backstage. Mickie didn’t understand why Alexa helped her out last week when Absolution attacked her. Bliss stated that she said some things to Mickie a couple of months ago that she didn’t mean. Bliss noted that she said those things because she was jealous of her. Alexa complimented Mickie on looking great and balancing being a mother and a WWE Superstar. Mickie thanked Bliss but said she is coming after Bliss’ RAW Women’s Championship at Elimination Chamber.

Bliss and Deville started off the match. Alexa beatdown Sonya and then tagged in Mickie James. Deville and Rose took turns beating the hell out of Mickie in the corner. Mandy tagged in and Mickie connected with a Neckbreaker. Paige and Alexa Bliss started arguing and Deville tripped up Bliss on the apron. Mandy Rose planted Mickie back in the ring for the pinfall victory. After the match, Mandy Rose and Deville attacked Mickie in the ring. Bliss hopped into the ring and fought them off.

Bliss seems to be trying to get Mickie on her side in an effort to gain an advantage in the women’s Elimination Chamber match. Both Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose of Absolution are in the match, so Bliss is trying to repair an old friendship to even the odds.

Braun Strowman Played A Tune For Elias

Elias got a great reaction from the crowd as he strummed his guitar int he middle of the ring. Elias asked the crowd “who wants to walk with Elias?” and the entire crowd cheered. Elias called the crowd pathetic and said that the best thing about San Jose is that it is an hour away from a real city. Elias then corrected himself and said that every city in California is a toxic dump.

Elias asked the crowd what WWE stands for and they all chanted “walk with Elias!”. Elias stated that he liked the sound of that and added that he also liked the sound of his own voice. He asked the crowd to shut their mouths and performed a song. The crowd started to boo once Elias began singing. Elias said he won’t sing anymore if they keep booing and the crowd broke out in a “yes!” chant.

Elias performed a song bashing all the other Superstars in the Elimination Chamber match. Braun Strowman was then announced and he appeared on a stool with a microphone on the entrance ramp. Strowman brought out a gigantic bass guitar and broke one of the stings while playing it. Strowman sang a tune and then marched down to the ring with the bass guitar on his shoulder.

Strowman clubbed Elias across the chest and knocked him to the mat. Braun then planted Elias with a Powerslam and posed for the crowd. The crowd chanted “one more time!” as Elias crawled up the entrance ramp. Strowman grabbed the gigantic bass and started marching towards him. Braun broke it over the back of Elias on the entrance ramp and posed for the crowd one more time.

Both Braun Strowman and Elias are very entertaining and have incredibly bright futures in WWE. I never thought that Elias had this much potential in NXT. His weekly musical performances have become a highlight of RAW and the crowd is clearly behind him. They boo at the appropriate time, but Elias has just gotten himself over organically. It is fun to watch because he is a legitimate heel. He comes down to the ring and mocks the crowd every week. He is entertaining while doing so and the crowd loves it.

As for Braun Strowman, the guy is just money at this point. Braun Strowman playing a cello or bass guaitar (whatever the hell it was)? Sure! He pulled it off, as ridiculous as it was. I’m sure some curmudgeons that write about wrestling will complain about him not being a “monster” while playing the cello and singing. He is capable of more that shouting “YEAH!!!!!” and walking away. He has also been entertaining with Alexa Bliss on the Mixed Match Challenge. Strowman has a giant personality too and I’m glad he is showing it.

The Final Spot In The Elimination Chamber Match Is Still Up For Grabs

Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy and Apollo Crews faced off in a Fatal 5-Way to determine the final participant in the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Crews got in some offense early but Balor booted him in the face and he fell to the floor outside the ring.

Rollins cleared the ring of everyone beside Bray Wyatt and made his way up the turnbuckle. Crews got back in the ring and attacked Rollins. Hardy and Balor joined them in the corner. Bray threw Balor out out of the ring and then Clotheslined Matt Hardy. Bray grabbed Rollins and delivered a Neckbreaker. Wyatt then hit Crews with a Senton as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Bray Wyatt was still in control of the match. Matt Hardy got into the ring and started clapping for Wyatt and the crowd joined in on the fun. Hardy bashed Wyatt’s head off the turnbuckle as the crowd chanted “delete!”. Hardy followed it up with a Side Effect to Wyatt and then to Balor. Matt climbed to the second rope and dropped an elbow across his back. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but Rollins leaped into frame with a Clothesline to Hardy.

Seth Rollins connected with a double Blockbuster to Crews and Wyatt. Rollins hit three Suicide Dives and then shifted his focus to Crews in the ring. Rollins hit a Suplex, rolled through and connected with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Bray Wyatt got back into the ring and hit a ridiculous Clothesline to Rollins that turned him inside out for a two count.

Balor charged back into the ring and hit a Slingblade and then Dropkicked Wyatt to the corner. Balor climbed to the top but Rollins met him up there. Rollins went for the Phoenix Splash but Wyatt got out of the way. Matt Hardy hit Twist of Fate on Wyatt but Balor broke up the cover with a Coupe de Grace. Rollins hit a Curb Stomp onto Balor and went for the cover but Crews broke it up.

The crowd chanted “this is awesome!” as every Superstar was on the canvas or on the floor outside the ring. Crews and Rollins battled in the ring. Crews hit a Fallaway Slam and followed it up with a standing Moonsault for a two count. Crews hit another one but Rollins once again was able to kick out at two.

Hardy and Crews battled on the turnbuckle. Bray dragged Wyatt to the floor and connected with a Sister Abigail outside the ring. Wyatt and Crews then battled on the turnbuckle. Rollins and Balor came up from behind and Powerbombed Bray Wyatt as he Superplexed Crews at the same time. Rollins and Balor then pinned Bray Wyatt at the same time and the referee counted to three. RAW went off the air with Balor and Rollins arguing and the ring and the final participant in the Elimination Chamber match is still undetermined.

RAW had some awesome matches tonight on the show. The Fatal 5-Way main event was very entertaining. The ending was a bit lame but I’m assuming it will be announced that Balor will face Rollins next week to determine who will go on to the Elimination Chamber match.

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