WWE RAW aired live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Becky Lynch put her RAW Women’s Championship on the line against Asuka during tonight’s show.
WWE RAW Results (2/10)
- Becky Lynch def. Asuka to retain the RAW Women’s Championship
- Street Profits def. Mojo Rawley & Riddick Moss
- Riddick Moss pinned Mojo Rawley to become the new 24/7 Champion
- Angel Garza def. Cedric Alexander
- Rhea Ripley def. Sarah Logan
- Ricochet def. Bobby Lashley
- Aleister Black def. Akira Tozawa in a squash match
- Rollins, Murphy, and AOP def. Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and Viking Raiders
Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s episode of RAW:
Shayna Baszler Took A Bite Out Of Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch defended her RAW Women’s Championship against Asuka in the first match of the night. Kairi Sane was ringside for the title match.
Match Recap: Asuka controlled the action early and applied Headlock. Becky quickly escaped and applied a Headlock of her own. Asuka broke free but The Man leveled Asuka with a shoulder tackle and flexed for the crowd. Lynch followed it up with a couple Clotheslines and then a Dropkick. Becky went for a Clothesline off the apron but Kairi shoved Asuka out of the way and took the impact. Asuka capitalized with a boot to the back and rolled Lynch into the ring.
Asuka launched Becky into the ring post and went for the Hip Attack but Becky got out of the way. Lynch applied the Dis-Arm-Her on the ropes and followed it up with a Reverse DDT on the apron. Asuka once again battled back and planted Becky with a Superplex for a near fall. Lynch hit a Leg Drop off the second rope but Asuka immediately went for the Asuka Lock but Becky countered into a roll-up for a two count. Lynch then hit a Rock Bottom for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Shayna Baszler attacked Becky from behind. Baszler locked in the Kirifuda Clutch for a moment before whipping her to the canvas. Shayna then took of her mouth piece and bit her neck like vampire. Shayna had blood all over her face and exited the ring. Lynch was then taken backstage by WWE’s medical staff. Lynch refused to get in the ambulance and opted to steal it instead.
Opinion: Baszler versus Lynch at WrestleMania has been rumored for some time now. I’m looking forward to see how this feud develops over the next couple months before the biggest PPV of the year. It sure as hell started off different with Baszler taking a bite out of Lynch as if she were some kind of zombie vampire. Asuka and Becky had another very good match tonight as well.
MVP’s Plan Backfired
Drew McIntyre was a guest on MVP’s VIP Lounge tonight on RAW. MVP congratulated McIntyre on eliminating Brock Lesnar, winning the Royal Rumble, and earning a title shot at WrestleMania. Drew joked that every time someone says WrestleMania he has to point at the sign.
MVP told Drew that he needs to focus on the prize and not what all the “non VIP” people have to say. MVP claimed that some people are saying that McIntyre is not ready to be WWE Champion yet. MVP added that his in-ring career is behind him and offered to become McIntyre’s business manager.
McIntyre asked the crowd and they booed. Drew stated that he doesn’t need someone thinking for him and a business partner to kiss his ass. MVP said he has never been an ass-kisser but he is an ass kicker. Drew was about to the leave the ring but MVP grabbed him. McIntyre hit MVP with the Glasgow Kiss and then the Claymore Kick. McIntyre then mocked MVP’s ballin’ pose to end the segment.
Charlotte Still Hasn’t Accepted Rhea Ripley’s Challenge
Rhea Ripley was interviewed backstage tonight about Charlotte still not answering her challenge. Sarah Logan interrupted and said that Ripley cannot just do whatever she wants and show up on RAW. Logan then marched to the ring and demanded a fight with Ripley. Charlotte stood on the entrance ramp for the match.
Match Recap: Ripley hit Logan with a Clothesline while staring at Charlotte on the ramp. Rhea connected with a Dropkick as Flair clapped. Rhea followed it up with the Riptide for the easy pinfall victory.
After the match, Rhea demanded an answer from Charlotte for the title match at WrestleMania. Flair pointed out that Ripley has to defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair at TakeOver this Sunday and Rhea could possibly lose the title. Charlotte then shouted “woo!” to end the segment.
Randy Orton Brutally Attacked Matt Hardy
Randy Orton came down to the ring during the final hour of RAW. Orton stood silently in the ring for a bit as the WWE Universe relentlessly booed him. Randy stated that he still owed everyone an explanation for brutally attacking Edge two weeks ago on RAW.
Orton paced the ring before saying what he did hurt him more than it did Edge. Matt Hardy interrupted and the crowd chanted “delete!”. Matt said he wanted to know why Randy attacked Edge and got into the ring. Hardy added that everyone knows their history and the crowd chanted “Lita!”. Matt pointed out that there was a time that he hated Edge more than anyone but before that they were best friends that wanted to live out their dream of being WWE superstars.
Hardy added that alongside Jeff, Edge, and Christian they revolutionized the Ladder Match and invented the TLC Match. Hardy claimed that any hate that he had for Edge disappeared when he had to retire from injury and that he could not imagine if wrestling was taken away from him before he was ready. He then asked Randy what is wrong with him and Orton responded by going for an RKO. Matt blocked it and beat Orton down in the corner.
Orton quickly battled back and planted Hardy with the RKO. Randy rolled to the outside and grabbed two steel chairs. He placed Matt’s head on one of the chairs and hit him with the other one (Con-Chair-To). Orton then exited the ring but stopped on the entrance ramp. Randy smiled as RAW went to a break.
Opinion: This was a terrific promo by Matt Hardy as his time in WWE seems to be winding down. Matt’s past with Edge is well documented and it was smart of WWE to use that in this storyline. Orton got even more heat tonight and Edge has even more of a reason to get revenge.
Ruby Riott Returned To Put Liv Morgan In Her Place
Ruby Riott made her return last week and attacked Liv Morgan. Tonight on RAW, Riott was interviewed backstage.
Riott stated that she knows the real Liv Morgan and she is like a puppy that needs to be walked around on leash. Ruby claimed that Liv will always be a follower and she came back to put Morgan in her place.
Becky Lynch Warned Shayna Baszler
Becky Lynch returned to the arena in the ambulance later in the show. Her neck was bandaged as she hopped out of the ambulance and marched into the arena.
The Man came down to the ring with a pissed off look on her face and without the RAW Women’s Championship. Becky grabbed a mic as the crowd chanted her name. Lynch demanded to know where Shayna was so she could bash her face in.
Becky added that she doesn’t care how tough Shayna is or who she hangs around with. Lynch vowed to break Shayna down week by week and that she is looking for her.
The Monday Night Messiah & His Disciples Picked Up Another Win
Seth Rollins, AOP, and Murphy kicked off the show to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Rollins said he was proud to stand here as your Monday Night Messiah and that name has grown on him. Seth claimed that he was here to make the tough decisions for everyone and lead them into the future. Seth rolled footage from the 6-man Elimination match as Tom Phillips accidentally referred to Murphy as Buddy.
Seth bitched about Joe, Owens, and the Viking Raiders interfering in his match and costing him an opportunity at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Rollins vowed to preach a message of unity and will not leave the ring until that message is heard. Kevin Owens interrupted and the crowd loudly chanted “KO!”.
Rollins warned Kevin to not get in over his head or he will get taken out. Owens told Seth that he sounded stupid and now looks stupid on top of it. Kevin added that he is not alone and the Viking Raiders theme hit. Erik and Ivar came to the ramp and then marched to the ring with Owens. A brawl broke out as Rollins stood alone in the ring. Samoa Joe snuck up behind Rollins and locked in the Coquina Clutch before AOP broke it out. Owens hit Murphy with a Stunner as AOP and Rollins retreated. Later on RAW, Owens, Joe, & the Viking Raiders battled Rollins, Murphy, & AOP in an 8-man tag team match.
Match Recap: Rollins tried to cut another promo before the match and a brawl broke out as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Erik slammed Murphy to the canvas. Joe and Owens then took turns beating down Murphy. Akam tagged in and planted Erik with a Spinebuster. AOP, Rollins, and Murphy took control and isolated Erik in the corner of the ring. Ivar tagged in and leveled Murphy with a Clothesline as RAW went to a break.
Back from commercial, Kevin Owens was isolated in the ring as Akam beat him down. Murphy tagged in and stomped on Owens’ midsection before throwing him to the outside. Seth hit Owens with a cheap shot as the ref was distracted. Owens shrugged it off and hit Murphy with a Fallaway Slam into the barricade. Back in the ring, Akam prevented Owens from making a tag and Rezar tagged in.
Rezar dropped an elbow and went for the cover but Kevin kicked out at two. Murphy tagged in and applied a Headlock as the crowd got behind Owens. Kevin broke free and connected with a DDT. Samoa Joe and Rollins tagged in and Joe beat Seth down in the corner. Joe followed it up with a Senton and Seth rolled out of the ring. Viking Raiders knocked AOP out of the ring and joined Joe in a triple Suicide Dive.
Rollins hit Joe with a Superkick but Joe was able to lock in the Coquina Clutch. Seth broke free but Joe hit him with a Uranage. Another brawl broke out and Owens made his way to the top rope. Owens took everyone out besides Joe, Rollins, and Murphy with a Cannonball. Murphy tagged in and Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch. Murphy tapped out but the ref was distracted by AOP. Rollins hit Joe with the Stomp and Murphy pinned Joe for the victory.
Opinion: The main event capped off a very solid edition of RAW this week. The feud between Shayna Baszler and Becky Lynch should be great as WWE builds towards WrestleMania. However, the storyline between Orton and Edge has been excellent so far and was once again the best part of RAW in my opinion.