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8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (2/19)

rollins reigns raw

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The February 19th episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. It was the final episode of RAW before the Elimination Chamber PPV this Sunday. Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s episode of WWE RAW:

Seth Rollins Defeated Roman Reigns To Advance In The Gauntlet Match

Photo Credit:WWE.com

WWE RAW kicked off with Roman Reigns coming down to the ring with his typical mixed reaction from the crowd. Reigns was interviewed before the Gauntlet match and was asked if he had any concern competing in the match just six days before the Elimination Chamber. Reigns stated that he wasn’t concerned about tonight, but admitted he was concerned about the Elimination Chamber match because he has never been in one before.

Reigns listed the competitors in the match and claimed that none of them could defeat Brock Lesnar besides him. Roman bragged about almost defeating Lesnar at WrestleMania but Seth Rollins prevented it by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.Rollins’ music hit and he made his way to the ring.

Rollins faced Reigns in the first bout in the Gauntlet match. Seth and Roman locked up to start off the match. Reigns wrestled Rollins to the canvas and applied a side Headlock. Rollins broke free for a moment but Roman brought him right back to the mat. Seth broke free again but Reigns leveled him with a shoulder tackle. Rollins responded with an Arm Drag and then a roll-up for two. Rollins went for a backslide pin but Roman kicked out. Reigns and Rollins had a stare down as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Reigns was back in control and had Rollins back in a Headlock as dueling “lets go Rollins!” and “Roman sucks!” chants echoed throughout the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Seth broke free but Roman hit an elbow to the face that knocked Rollins back down to the canvas.

Reigns launched Seth into the turnbuckle and followed it up with a Tilt-A-Whirl Slam for a two count. Rollins hit a Blockbuster off the second rope and followed it up with a Slingblade. Rollins connected with a flying Clothesline and hit another Clothesline that sent Reigns out of the ring. Seth went for a Suicide Dive but Reigns caught him with a right hand to the face. Seth draped over the middle rope which allowed Reigns to connect with the Drive By.

The action returned to the ring with the Big Dog in control. Reigns connected with a Clothesline and brought Rollins to the corner. Reigns clubbed Rollins across the chest eight times and then blasted him in the face with a right hand that knocked Seth to the mat. Reigns went for the Superman Punch but Rollins kicked him in the knee. Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb but Reigns leaped out of the corner and hit a Superman Punch and both Superstars fell to the canvas as RAW went to another break.

When RAW returned, Rollins was on the top rope and went for a Frog Spash but Reigns got out of the way and Seth crashed to the canvas. Roman and Seth got back to their feet and traded punches. Rollins sidestepped Reigns and sent him out of the ring. Rollins connected with the Suicide Dive this time and then ran back into the ring, leaped through the ropes and connected with a second Suicide Dive in a row.

Back in the ring, Rollins leaped off the top rope but Reigns was ready and hit a Superman Punch for a two count. Reigns geared up in the corner and went for the Spear but Rollins countered into a knee to the face. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp but Reigns countered into a roll-up. Rollins kicked out and rolled up Reigns for the pinfall victory.

This was a hell of a match to kick off this week’s RAW. Seth Rollins advanced in the Gauntlet Match, but it is hard to imagine he will go much further after such a grueling match with Roman Reigns.

Seth Rollins Defeated John Cena To Advance In The Gauntlet Match

Rollins faced John Cena in the second bout of the Gauntlet match. Rollins connected with a boot to the face right away and went for the cover but Cena kicked out at two as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW came back from the break, Cena had taken control and had Rollins trapped in a Headlock. Rollins escaped but walked right into a Clothesline from Cena. John applied another Headlock in the middle of the ring and held Rollins in it a for a minute. Rollins wiggled free but Cena threw him out of the ring. Back in the ring, Cena connected with three Belly to Belly Suplexes in a row for a two count as RAW went to a break.

Cena was still in control when RAW returned. Rollins was running on empty and Cena lifted him up on his shoulders. Rollins countered the Attitude Adjustment into a DDT for a two count. Rollins missed with a right hand and Cena lifted him up and the air and connected with a variation of a Stunner for a two count.

Cena connected with a right hand and dropped Rollins back to the mat. Seth slowly made his way back to his feet and hit another punch to the face. Seth got pissed off and started trading punches with John. Cena hit a shoulder tackle for a two count. Cena knocked Rollins off the ring apron and the referee began counting. Rollins got back into the ring at the count of 9 as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Seth connected with a Slingblade for a two count. Rollins hit a forearm and then connected with a Suplex. The action spilled outside the ring. Cena charged at Rollins but Seth leaped out of the way and Cena crashed into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Rollins locked in a Crossface in the middle of the ring.

Cena escaped but Rollins connected with an Enziguri and followed it up with a Frog Splash for a two count. Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment and went for the cover but Seth somehow kicked out at two. Rollins hit a Superplex off the second rope and rolled through for a Falcon Arrow for another two count.

Rollins went for the Curb Stomp but Cena countered into the STF in the middle of the ring. Rollins fought through the pain and grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold. Cena locked in the STF once again in the middle of the ring. Seth once again was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Cena and Rollins battled on the top rope. Cena lifted Seth onto his shoulders but Rollins battled free. Cena hit a Crossbody but Rollins rolled through and hit Cena with an Attitude Adjustment. That was not a typo, Rollins planted Cena with an Attitude Adjustment for a two count and the crowd went crazy.

Rollins went for the Phoenix Splash but Cena got out of the way and hit Rollins with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena went for another AA but Rollins escaped. Rollins then hit a Curb Stomp for the pinfall victory.

Seth Rollins has now defeated Roman Reigns and John Cena in the Gauntlet match. Both of the matches were great and Rollins has been in the match for over an hour now. The first hour of RAW tonight was freaking awesome.

Elias Finally Eliminated Seth Rollins In The Gauntlet Match

Seth Rollins faced Elias in the Gauntlet match next. Elias tried to go for a quick cover but Rollins kicked out as RAW went to a break. Elias locked in a Half Crab as John Cena was interviewed backstage by Renee Young. Cena praised Rollins for his effort tonight. Cena once again said that he needed to win the Elimination Chamber Sunday because he doesn’t have a road to WrestleMania.

Back in the ring, Rollins broke free and connected with a Superkick for a two count. Elias rolled out of the ring and Rollins leaped on top of him. Rollins grabbed his knee in pain and Elias brought him back to the ring. Elias connected with the Drift Away and Rollins was finally eliminated after an hour and five minutes.

The WWE Universe gave Rollins a big hand as he made his way up the entrance ramp.

Rollins had a great showing tonight on RAW and reminded everyone how great he is. Seth has been in the tag division for a bit on RAW, but I think it is time for him to get back in the main event picture. I wouldn’t mind seeing Rollins go after the Intercontinental Championship as well if he doesn’t win the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday.

Finn Balor Defeated Elias To Advance In The Gauntlet Match

Finn Balor
Finn Balor

Elias and Finn Balor faced off in the Gauntlet match. Elias controlled the match early as Rollins was interviewed backstage. Seth noted that he defeated two of the best Superstars off all-time tonight but that doesn’t mean anything come the Elimination Chamber.

Elias and Balor traded punches in the ring. Balor connected with a boot to the face and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Balor connected with a Clothesline and then sent Elias to the corner. Balor booted Elias in the face and knocked him out of the ring. Finn followed him out there and hit a Dropkick that knocked Elias into the barricade. Back in the ring, Elias planted Balor with a Powerbomb for a two count as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Elias was still in control and had Balor in an Arm Bar. Finn escaped and connected with a Double Stomp to Elias’ midsection. Balor followed it up with a Dropkick in the corner and then hit the Coup de Grace for the Pinfall victory.

The Miztourage Helped The Miz Eliminate Finn Balor

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Balor faced The Miz in the next bout of the Gauntlet match. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel started running down to the entrance ramp and Balor got distracted by them. The Miz then cowardly attacked Balor from behind and controlled the first few minutes of the match.

The Miz slammed Balor into the barricade outside the ring and then stomped on his arm as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Balor was back in control and connected with an elbow for a two count.

Finn hit a couple of chops to The Miz’s chest in the corner. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Balor countered into a roll-up for two. Balor flipped on Dallas and Axel outside of the ring and then booted Miz in the face. Balor hit a Dropkick to Miz in the corner and punched Axel off the ring apron. Bo Dallas distracted Balor on the turnbuckle and the Miz took advantage and crotched Balor on the top rope. The Miz then hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the pinfall victory.

The Miz once again weaseled his way to a victory. Unfortunately for The Miz, he know had to face Braun Strowman to determine the winner of the Gauntlet match.

Braun Strowman Won The Gauntlet Match

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Braun Strowman was the final entrant in the Gauntlet match. The Miz immediately tried to run away but Strowman caught him in the crowd. Braun launched The Miz over the barricade and back towards the ring as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Strowman was in complete control and launched The Miz across the ring. Braun casually threw The Miz across the ring again and then posed for the crowd. Renee Young interviewed Finn Balor backstage. Balor was pissed off about The Miztourage being involved in the match tonight, but noted that The Miztourage will be locked out of the Elimination Chamber match. Balor vowed to win on Sunday and go on to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

The Miz fought back and was able to knock Strowman out of the ring. Braun shrugged it off and ran over Miz and knocked him to the floor. Back in the ring, The Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale out of nowhere for a two count. Strowman kicked out with so much force that The Miz flew out of the ring and into the arms of Dallas & Axel. The Miz returned to the ring and was promptly planted with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory to win the Gauntlet match.

Strowman was interviewed after the match and vowed to win the Elimination Chamber match and defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Strowman then charged back to the ring and attacked The Miztourage. Strowman planted Axel and Dallas with a Running Powerslam as The Miz escaped to the entrance ramp. The Miz ran backstage and Strowman chased after him. Strowman caught The Miz and threw him down the entrance ramp towards the ring. Strowman hit The Miz with a Running Powerslam and posed in the ring.

The Gauntlet match last two hours and was awesome. Rollins stole the show in the first hour with his performance and back to back victories over Reigns and Cena. I really enjoyed the backstage interviews throughout the match with the participants that were just eliminated. It was a great way to get everyone’s thoughts leading up to the Elimination Chamber PPV this Sunday. I thought WWE hit out of the park tonight with the Gauntlet match and I’m looking forward to this Sunday even more.

Nia Jax Attacked Asuka

Renee Young interviewed Asuka about her match against Nia Jax this Sunday. Asuka stated that it was her destiny to win the title at WrestleMania. Nia Jax attacked Asuka from behind but Asuka was ready for it.

Asuka connected with a couple of kicks but Nia planted her with a massive Samoan Drop. Nia hit three Leg Drops in a row and then posed over Asuka. Nia Jax will face Asuka this Sunday at Elimination Chamber. If Nia Jax wins, she will be added to the title match at WrestleMania.

Asuka struggled with her promo tonight and it was tough to watch. The crowd certainly didn’t help with the “what?!” chants while she was trying to talk. However, I’m never going to complain about Asuka cutting a promo on WWE television. It may be rough at times but it is what it is. I’d say the same for Nakamura or any other Superstar that English is not their first language.

Sasha Banks Led Her Team To Victory

Mickie James, Sasha Banks and Bayley faced Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose and RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss in the main event. Bayley was trapped in the ring to start off the match as Mandy Rose beat her down. Bayley battled back and slammed Mandy’s face into the top rope.

Alexa Bliss tagged herself in and continued to beatdown Bayley. Deville tagged in and applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Bayley escaped and tagged in Sasha Banks but the referee didn’t see the tag. Mandy tagged back in and knocked Sasha out of the ring.

Bayley then tagged in Mickie James and the referee saw it. Mickie Clotheslined Mandy to the mat and then booted Sonya off the ring apron. Mickie climbed to the top rope and leaped onto Mandy. Deville got back into the ring and Mickie greeted her with a Neckbreaker. Deville distracted Mickie again and Mandy connected with a knee to the face.

Mandy Rose applied the Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring. Mickie broke free but Rose hit a Gutwrench Suplex for a two count. Deville tagged back in and Mickie launched her across the ring. Deville blocked Mickie from tagging out and slammed her to the canvas for a two count.

Mandy tagged back in but was knocked to the mat alongside Deville with a double Neckbreaker. Bliss and Banks tagged in and Sasha booted Alexa in the face. Banks leaped off the ring apron and took out Deville with Double Knees. Back in the ring, Banks hit Double Knees to Bliss in the corner and connected with Double Knees off the second rope. Mandy Rose ran into the ring but Bayley took her out with a Suplex.

Bliss slammed Banks face-first into the second turnbuckle and then dragged her back to the middle of the ring. Sasha locked in the Bank Statement out of nowhere and Alexa Bliss tapped out. After the match, a brawl broke out and Rose and Deville attacked Bayley and Banks. Bliss looked on and nodded her head in the ring.

Rose and Deville then turned their attention towards her and Alexa backed into the corner. Mickie James sprinted into the ring and helped out Alexa. Mickie and Bliss planted Deville with a double DDT and knocked Rose out of the ring. RAW went off the air with Bliss and Mickie James walking up the entrance ramp together.

The Gauntlet match took up the first two hours of RAW and wore the crowd out. They barely made any noise during tonight’s main event even though it was a decent match. Tonight’s episode of RAW was a rare example of WWE doing a go-home show for a PPV the right way. The first ever women’s Elimination Chamber match is this Sunday and tonight highlighted the potential alliances that will form during that match. The men’s Elimination Chamber match was showcased tonight in a terrific Gauntlet match in which every Superstar performed in the ring and cut a promo.

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