Raw Thread

Ryback defeats Luke Harper with a Meathook Lariat followed by Shellshock

There was a table with food. Damien Sandow was quietly making The Miz's plate. Miz used improper grammar, then a P.A. walked up to Miz and said his friend is a really big fan. Of Sandow's. Miz ripped up Sandow signing the photo. Miz then told Sandow they know how this story goes: he threw a bone to a nobody, and now he wants to throw it away because of his ego. Miz told Sandow to stop mimicking him, calling him the worst stunt double ever. Miz told Sandow that he's fired. Sandow grimaced, then Miz said he is really big into philanthropy, so he's re-hiring Sandow as his personal assistant. Miz said he has a match tonight against Sin Cara, so he wants Sandow to assist him right now. And stop mimicking him. Sandow returned to the fruit table to get Miz's shake ready.

John Cena was randomly sitting down, then he randomly stood up. Erick Rowan walked in to talk to Cena. Rowan said he's been treated like an animal his whole life. And no one has ever stood up for him. So, he would like to thank Cena for standing up for him. Rowan said his time away perhaps made him a changed man. "Thank you, John," he said. Rowan said he would like to do Cena a favor tonight when he takes on Rusev. Cena told Rowan just to be on his game because Rusev is a dangerous man. He told Rowan not to take him lightly. Rowan extended his hand and Cena shook.

Paige defeats Alicia Fox with a roll up in the corner

Paige let the Bellas know about her win, then Fox blindsided Paige from behind. Suddenly, Nikki "Bella entered the ring with Brie and they pulled out a foreign substance. Nikki sprayed Paige adding 'color' to her english skin, then they left the ring as Paige recovered from embarrassment in the ring. (This and the Bellas in particular is everything I hate in WWE Women's Division, looks over wrestling skill)

Before the match started, Rusev gave Rowan a taste of his own medicine by blindsiding Rowan before he could enter the ring, giving him the Curtis Axel treatment from the Rumble. Rusev continued to beat up Rowan as the referee reprimanded him. But, Rusev continued to assault Rowan. Captain Booker said this is not a match, but a message to John Cena. Rusev then put Rowan in The Accolade and tried to force him to pass out.

Lana entered the ring and invited everyone to a movie premiere. This film is not your typical fairy-tale ending, but a movie showing the cold, bleak future of any man who opposes the super-athlete, Rusev. They cut to a "movie trailer" showing Rusev destroying all Americans who have stood up to Rusev thus far. A man in a faux Russian accent narrated Rusev's dominance.

Back in the ring, Rusev fired himself up and posed in the ring with his music before the giant Russian flag dropped. Oops, the flag was caught in the banner holder. The crowd laughed at Rusev and Lana as WWE showed the flag stuck in the rafters. JBL said that could be an omen for Fast Lane.

Roman Reigns was sitting at his stall looking like he just woke up from a nap. Or watched a bad match. Or ate something bad at catering. Daniel Bryan then walked in and talked to Reigns, who said Seth Rollins has what's coming to him. Bryan said he hopes Reigns doesn't plan on getting his revenge at Fast Lane, because he will be facing him at Fast Lane. Reigns asked if that's a threat. Bryan said it's not. Reigns stood up to tower over Bryan, noting he will be at WrestleMania whether Bryan or the world likes it or not. "Now get the hell out of my locker room," Reigns growled. "No problem," Bryan quietly replied.

Very fun RAW. I'll just start my two cents by saying that Curtis Axel is the biggest underdog of 2015. Man got screwed!

I feel that even though they're trying to put a bandaid on the Royal Rumble situation with this Fast Lane main event, they're potentially hurting both Bryan and Reigns. If Bryan wins then he looks like kind of a jerk for taking Roman's title shot that Roman won fair and square. If Reigns beats Bryan, then Reigns is for sure going to be hated. However if WWE's plan is now to turn Roman heel vs. Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania than that could work.

Either way it seems the direction is for Reigns to turn heel. They've planted the seeds for Roman/Rock at some point if the stars align. Reigns can always blame Rock for getting involved and being the excuse the Authority had to put his title shot on the line. The way he told Daniel Bryan to get out of 'his' locker room was very heelish. Having Big Show beat him was not the way I would have gone. That program needs to end fast. Bryan/Rollins was every bit as good as expected. This should have been our WrestleMania main event IMO.

I'm loving the Ziggler, Rowan, Ryback group. For years I've never understood why only heels would be in factions, and the babyface's always seemed to be loners. I just wish they would individually get some more favorable booking though.

Raw opened with the standard video package and Michael Cole introducing the show from the home of the National Champion Ohio St. Buckeyes. After a pause, The Shield's music played, generating a lot of loud noise for Roman Reigns's arrival in the crowd. The noise sounded like a combination of piped-in sound, screams and shrieks, and some scattered boos. Reigns walked through the crowd to the ringside area as WWE recapped last week's main event - Daniel Bryan beating Seth Rollins with help from Roman Reigns to set up Bryan vs. Reigns in a #1 contender match at Fast Lane.

Once in the ring, Reigns surveyed the crowd, which was again mixed with a lot of different noise. Reigns said that this time last week, he stood in the ring the winner of the 2015 Royal Rumble match (more noise). See, when you win the Rumble, you guarantee your spot in the main event of WrestleMania, which says he fights and beats Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Title (more noise).

But, also this time last week, The Authority made it clear they don't want him in the spot. So, now he has to prove himself by winning the Rumble, beating Bryan at Fast Lane, and go on to WrestleMania to breat - beat - Brock Lesnar for the title. He said he doesn't care anymore who gets in his way. "And you can bet your ass that you can believe that," he closed.

Daniel Bryan's music played to bring out Reigns's PPV opponent in two weeks. "Yes!" chants from the crowd as Bryan made his way out. Once in the ring, Bryan waited for "Yes!" chants to pick up. He told "big dog" Reigns to go easy. He said he didn't come out here to fight him, but to thank him. Bryan said now it's the two of them fighting at Fast Lane to advance to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Pause for crowd noise.

Bryan said he gets it that Reigns is bigger than him and stronger than him, but they're about even on looks. Reigns smiled and circled the ring. But, the reality is that when it comes to wrestling, he is the better wrestler than Reigns is. (Roman shouldn't feel bad, Bryan's a better wrestler than 90% of the roster)

The Authority's music interrupted the discussion at this point. From the stage, Stephanie McMahon spoke while standing next to Triple H, Big Show, and Kane. Steph side-noted that Fast Lane is available for free on WWE Network for new subscribers. Zero crowd reaction. Hunter said it's the same PPV where he calls out Sting (strong reaction), but he has not heard a response from Sting. He demanded an answer by the end of the night.

Steph spoke next that she doesn't appreciate what Reigns did last week on Raw, costing Seth Rollins the main event, and speared an innocent bystander, Big Show. Reigns said he did it because he could, angering Show. Steph then addressed Bryan, saying he's sick and twisted for putting Kane into a casket two weeks ago on Smackdown. (What was he supposed to just let Kane put him in the casket?) Bryan said he was put in that match by The Authority and he thought they would appreciate it considering her husband's history with caskets (long time fans will get that one). Hunter stood motionless on the stage trying not to sell anger toward Bryan. Steph said they could trade barbs all night long, but she wants to see action, so it's a tag match, and it's next.

Ryback defeats Seth Rollins, Ryback hits a Powerbomb then looks for a Death Valley Bomb when Mercury & Noble attack causing a dq (at this rate we might as well change the name of the show to Monday Night DQ) they attack Ryback allowing Seth to hit Avada Kadavra followed by a Curb Stomp