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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 4:46:51 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 4:47:12 GMT -5
Event | Date | Main Event Match | Royal Rumble | January 27, 2019 | Men's Royal Rumble Match | Monday Night Raw | January 28, 2019 | Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins | Smackdown Live | January 29, 2019 | AJ Styles vs Rey Mysterio | Monday Night Raw | February 4, 2019 | Braun Strowman vs Finn Balor | Smackdown Live | February 5, 2019 | Daniel Bryan vs Jeff Hardy | Monday Night Raw
| February 11, 2019 | Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan vs Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans | Smackdown Live | February 12, 2019 | Andrade, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton vs AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy and Mustafa Ali | Elimination Chamber | February 17, 2019 |
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 4:47:32 GMT -5
Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar Raw Women's Champion: Ronda Rousey Intercontinental Champion: Bobby Lashley Raw Tag Team Champions: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable
Male Superstars
Superstar | Alignment | Notes | Akam | Heel | Inactive; Knee injury | Apollo Crews | Face |
| Baron Corbin | Heel |
| Bo Dallas | Face |
| Bobby Lashley | Heel | Intercontinental Champion | Bobby Roode | Face | Raw Tag Team Champion | Braun Strowman | Face |
| Bray Wyatt | Face |
| Brock Lesnar | Heel | Universal Champion | Chad Gable | Face | Raw Tag Team Champion | Curt Hawkins | Face |
| Curtis Axel | Face |
| Dash Wilder | Heel |
| Dean Ambrose | Heel |
| Dolph Ziggler | Face |
| Drew McIntyre | Heel | Men's Royal Rumble winner | Elias | Face |
| Fandango | Face | Inactive; Shoulder surgery | Finn Balor | Face |
| Goldust | Face | Inactive; Knee surgery | Gran Metalik | Face |
| Heath Slater | Face |
| Jinder Mahal | Heel |
| Kalisto | Face |
| Kevin Owens | Face |
| Konnor | Heel |
| Kurt Angle | Face |
| Lince Dorado | Face |
| Lio Rush | Heel | Manager of Bobby Lashley | Mojo Rawley | Heel |
| No Way Jose | Face |
| Rezar | Heel |
| Roman Reigns | Face | Inactive; leukemia | Rhyno | Face |
| Sami Zayn | Heel | Inactive; Shoulder surgery | Samir Singh | Heel | Manager of Jinder Mahal
| Scott Dawson | Heel |
| Seth Rollins | Face |
| Sunil Singh | Heel | Manager of Jinder Mahal
| Titus O'Neil | Face |
| Tyler Breeze | Face |
| Viktor | Heel |
| Zack Ryder | Face |
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Female Superstars
Superstar | Alignment | Notes | Alexa Bliss | Heel |
| Alicia Fox | Heel | | Bayley | Face |
| Dana Brooke | Heel |
| Ember Moon | Face |
| Liv Morgan | Heel |
| Mickie James | Heel |
| Natalya | Face |
| Nia Jax | Heel |
| Ronda Rousey | Face | Raw Women's Champion | Ruby Riott | Heel |
| Sarah Logan | Heel |
| Sasha Banks | Face |
| Tamina | Heel |
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Other On-Air Personnel
Charly Caruso | Face | Backstage interviewer | Corey Graves | Heel | Color commentator | JoJo | Face | Ring announcer | Michael Cole | Face | Lead commentator | Mr. McMahon | Face | WWE Chairman | Paul Heyman | Heel | Manager of Brock Lesnar | Renee Young | Face | Color commentator | Shane McMahon | Face | WWE Minority Owner Smackdown Tag Team Champion | Stephanie McMahon | Face | Chief Brand Officer WWE Minority Owner | Triple H | Face | Executive Vice President WWE Minority Owner |
Free Agents Superstar | Alignment | Notes | EC3 | Heel | Unassigned to a brand | Lacey Evans | Heel | Unassigned to a brand
| Lars Sullivan | Heel | Unassigned to a brand | John Cena | Face | Appearing on both brands | Nikki Cross | Face | Unassigned to a brand
| Otis Dozovic | Face | Unassigned to a brand | Tucker Knight | Face | Unassigned to a brand | The Undertaker | Face | Inactive; Appears on both brands |
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 4:47:53 GMT -5
WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan Smackdown Women's Champion: Asuka United States Champion: Rusev Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Miz and Shane McMahon
Male Superstars Superstar | Alignment | Notes | Aiden English | Heel |
| AJ Styles | Face |
| Alexander Wolfe | Heel |
| Andrade | Heel |
| Big E | Face |
| Big Show | Face |
| Cesaro | Heel |
| Daniel Bryan | Heel | WWE Champion | Epico Colon | Heel |
| Eric Young | Heel |
| Harper | Heel | Inactive; wrist surgery | Jeff Hardy | Face |
| Jey Uso | Face |
| Jimmy Uso | Face |
| Kane | Face | Inactive | Karl Anderson | Face |
| Killian Dane | Heel |
| Kofi Kingston | Face |
| Luke Gallows | Face |
| The Miz | Face | Smackdown Tag Team Champion | Mustafa Ali | Face |
| Primo Colon | Heel |
| R-Truth | Face |
| Randy Orton | Heel |
| Rey Mysterio | Face |
| Rowan | Heel | Inactive; torn right bicep | Rusev | Face | United States Champion | Samoa Joe | Heel |
| Sheamus | Heel |
| Shelton Benjamin | Heel |
| Shinsuke Nakamura | Heel |
| Sin Cara | Face | Inactive; knee surgery | Tye Dillinger | Face |
| Xavier Woods | Face |
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Female Superstars Superstar | Alignment | Notes | Asuka | Face | Smackdown Women's Champion | Becky Lynch | Face |
| Billie Kay | Heel |
| Carmella | Face |
| Charlotte Flair | Face |
| Lana | Face | Also manager of Rusev | Mandy Rose | Heel |
| Naomi | Face |
| Peyton Royce | Heel |
| Sonya Deville | Heel |
| Zelina Vega | Heel | Also manager of Andrade |
Other On-Air Personnel Byron Saxton | Face | Color commentator | Corey Graves | Heel | Color commentator | Dasha Fuentes | Face | Backstage interviewer | Greg Hamilton | Face | Ring announcer | Maryse | Heel | Inactive; Manager of The Miz | Mr. McMahon | Face | WWE Chairman | Shane McMahon | Face | WWE Minority Owner Smackdown Tag Team Champion | Stephanie McMahon | Face | Chief Brand Officer WWE Minority Owner | Tom Phillips | Face | Lead commentator | Triple H | Face | Executive Vice President WWE Minority Owner |
Free Agents Superstar | Alignment | Notes | EC3 | Heel | Unassigned to a brand | Lacey Evans | Heel | Unassigned to a brand
| Lars Sullivan | Heel | Unassigned to a brand | John Cena | Face | Appearing on both brands | Nikki Cross | Face | Unassigned to a brand
| Otis Dozovic | Face | Unassigned to a brand | Tucker Knight | Face | Unassigned to a brand | The Undertaker | Face | Inactive; Appears on both brands |
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 4:54:57 GMT -5
January 27, 2019 from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona Cruserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy(c) defeats Akira Tozawa, Hideo Itami and Kalisto After an Itami clothesline to take Tozawa out of the ring followed by a Salida del Sol from Kalisto to Itami, Murphy sneaks back in to the ring and delivers Murphy's Law on Kalisto in order to get the pinfall. United States Championship: Rusev(c) w/Lana defeats Shinsuke Nakamura Growing too distracted with attempting to intimidate Lana while in position for the Kinshasa, Rusev catches Nakamura with a leaping sidekick on the run and gets the pinfall to retain the United States Championship. Raw Women's Championship: Ronda Rousey(c) defeats Sasha Banks In a competitive back and forth match, the Bank Statement is rolled through by Rousey for a pump handle slam and then her signature armbar, Banks fighting valiantly but eventually having no choice but to submit. Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Miz and Shane McMahon defeat The Bar(c) The Miz is in the match for a long time before tagging Shane in, whom fights hard but ends up double teamed. Miz ends up sacrificing himself to a Brogue Kick, allowing Shane to roll Sheamus up for the shocking three count. Women's Royal Rumble Match: Charlotte Flair last eliminates Alexa Bliss With a final four of Flair, Bliss, Shayna Baszler and number one entrant Bayley, the dominant run of NXT Women's Champion Baszler after eliminating Bayley comes to an end at Flair's hand. Bliss then returns to the ring after having gone under the bottom rope, trying to pull a fast one on Flair only to end up being tossed out by 'The Queen'. (Full results below). WWE Championship: Daniel Bryan(c) defeats AJ Styles In an intense match up with near falls and close call submissions galore, a Phenomenal Forearm from Styles that takes too long to set up is stopped by Bryan hanging him up on the ropes and hitting the running knee for the pinfall. Smackdown Women's Championship: Asuka(c) defeats Becky Lynch Perhaps opening her mouth too much, 'The Man' seemingly has Asuka on the ropes but after confronting Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey backstage earlier, Rousey comes down to the ring and has an exchange of words with Lynch, which leads to the Asuka Lock being applied, Rousey watching from the apron as Lynch eventually passes out to the hold. Rousey quietly leaves afterward as Asuka celebrates the victory. Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar(c) w/Paul Heyman defeats Finn Balor Attempting to regain the championship he never lost, Balor comes back from a dominant start from Lesnar and manages to nearly pull off the upset on numerous occasions. After dropping Lesnar with a DDT in reversal of the F-5, Balor races to the top rope for Coup de Grace. But, Lesnar is up as soon as Balor jumps from the top rope, 'The Beast Incarnate' catching him and hitting the F-5 to put Balor away and retain the Universal Championship. Men's Royal Rumble Match: Drew McIntyre last eliminates Seth Rollins Making up the men's final four is McIntyre, Rollins, Finn Balor and John Cena with Cena being tossed out by McIntyre. Having surprising fans by entering the match after taking the beating he did from Lesnar, Balor puts up a good effort in the Rumble as well but ends up being ejected by Rollins after The Stomp. The number one entrant, Rollins, ends up falling to number nine, McIntyre, in the end though as he falls to a Claymore Kick off the apron. (Full results below).
Women's Royal Rumble Full Results
Draw | Entrant | Brand/Status | Order | Eliminated By | Time | Eliminations | 1 | Bayley | Raw | 27 | Shayna Bazler | 55:25 | 2 | 2 | Nikki Cross | Free Agent | 10 | Bayley
| 15:42 | 1 | 3 | Lacey Evans | Free Agent | 1 | Nikki Cross | 0:32 | 0 | 4 | Dana Brooke | Raw | 3 | Toni Storm | 3:10 | 0 | 5 | Alicia Fox | Raw | 2 | Toni Storm | 1:43 | 0 | 6 | Toni Storm | NXT: UK | 12 | Tamina | 12:11 | 2 | 7 | Lana | Smackdown | 4 | Ivory | 3:28 | 0 | 8 | Mickie James | Raw | 8 | Lita | 8:08 | 1 | 9 | Ivory | Free Agent | 5 | Mickie James | 1:23 | 1 | 10 | Tamina | Raw | 13 | Nia Jax | 7:15 | 1 | 11 | Zelina Vega | Smackdown | 6 | Bayley | 1:19 | 0 | 12 | Sarah Logan | Raw | 7 | Nia Jax | 1:50 | 0 | 13 | Nia Jax | Raw | 14 | Charlotte Flair | 4:48 | 3 | 14 | Lita | Free Agent | 11 | Nia Jax | 3:28 | 2 | 15 | Mandy Rose | Raw | 9 | Lita | 1:05 | 0 | 16 | Charlotte Flair | Smackdown | —
| Winner | 39:20 | 5 | 17 | Ruby Riott | Raw | 20 | Charlotte Flair | 10:04 | 1 | 18 | Liv Morgan | Raw | 15 | Victoria | 1:48 | 0 | 19 | Victoria | Free Agent | 16 | Billie Kay Peyton Royce | 5:01 | 1 | 20 | Billie Kay | Smackdown | 17 | Alundra Blayze | 4:39 | 1 | 21 | Natalya | Raw | 22 | Alexa Bliss | 10:02 | 0 | 22 | Peyton Royce | Smackdown | 18 | Alundra Blayze | 2:19 | 1 | 23 | Alundra Blayze | Free Agent | 19 | Ruby Riott | 1:33 | 2 | 24 | Naomi | Smackdown | 21 | Trish Stratus | 4:50
| 0 | 25 | Sonya Deville | Smackdown | 23 | Shayna Baszler | 5:43 | 0 | 26 | Trish Stratus | Free Agent | 24 | Shayna Baszler | 5:10 | 1 | 27 | Alexa Bliss | Raw | 29 | Charlotte Flair | 8:51 | 1 | 28 | Ember Moon | Raw | 26 | Charlotte Flair | 5:10 | 0 | 29 | Shayna Baszler | NXT | 28 | Charlotte Flair | 7:42 | 4 | 30 | Carmella* | Smackdown | 25 | Shayna Baszler | 0:59 | 0 |
*R-Truth attempts to take Carmella's spot, confused about what Royal Rumble he is in.
Men's Royal Rumble Full Results
Draw | Entrant | Brand/Status | Order | Eliminated By | Time | Eliminations | 1 | Seth Rollins | Raw | 29 | Drew McIntyre | 1:02:35 | 3 | 2 | Andrade | Smackdown | 9 | Rey Mysterio | 18:02 | 1 | 3 | Titus O'Neil | Raw | 1 | Andrade | 0:34 | 0 | 4 | Samoa Joe | Smackdown | 7 | Big E Kofi Kingston Xavier Woods | 13:15 | 1 | 5 | Jinder Mahal | Raw | 2 | Samoa Joe | 1:24 | 0 | 6 | Big E | Smackdown | 11 | Dean Ambrose | 16:13 | 1 | 7 | Hornswoggle | Free Agent | 3 | Drew McIntyre | 1:56 | 0 | 8 | Dean Ambrose | Raw | 13 | Seth Rollins | 14:52 | 2 | 9 | Drew McIntyre | Raw | —
| Winner | 46:35 | 6 | 10 | Tye Dillinger | Smackdown | 4 | Bobby Lashley | 1:48 | 0 | 11 | Bobby Lashley | Raw | 8 | Kevin Owens | 9:26 | 1 | 12 | Shinsuke Nakamura | Smackdown | 5 | Kurt Angle | 3:35 | 0 | 13 | Kofi Kingston | Smackdown | 12 | Drew McIntyre | 7:40 | 1 | 14 | Kurt Angle | Raw | 6 | Drew McIntyre | 4:03 | 1 | 15 | Rey Mysterio | Smackdown | 15 | Mustafa Ali | 11:01 | 1 | 16 | Xavier Woods | Smackdown | 10 | Dean Ambrose | 4:08 | 1 | 17 | Elias | Raw | 14 | Finn Balor | 4:40 | 0 | 18 | Kevin Owens | Raw | 21 | Randy Orton | 14:44 | 1 | 19 | Mustafa Ali | Smackdown | 18 | Lars Sullivan | 7:08 | 1 | 20 | Finn Balor | Raw | 28 | Seth Rollins | 23:32 | 2 | 21 | Jeff Hardy | Smackdown | 17 | Lars Sullivan | 4:46 | 0 | 22 | Randy Orton | Smackdown | 23 | Braun Strowman | 10:56 | 1 | 23 | Rusev | Smackdown | 16 | Lars Sullivan | 2:00 | 0 | 24 | Lars Sullivan | Free Agent | 25 | Braun Strowman | 12:25 | 4 | 25 | Apollo Crews | Raw | 19 | Velveteen Dream | 5:01 | 0 | 26 | Big Show | Smackdown | 20 | Lars Sullivan | 4:52 | 0 | 27 | John Cena | Free Agent | 27 | Drew McIntyre | 13:38 | 2 | 28 | Velveteen Dream | NXT | 24 | John Cena | 7:27 | 1 | 29 | Baron Corbin | Raw | 22 | Braun Strowman | 1:52 | 0 | 30 | Braun Strowman* | Raw | 26 | Drew McIntyre Finn Balor John Cena Seth Rollins | 7:50 | 3 |
*Strowman attacks R-Truth and takes his spot in the match.
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Post by tg11 on Jan 27, 2019 6:52:04 GMT -5
Royal Rumble Review
- Seth Rollins being the Iron Man of the Royal Rumble Match by lasting the longest without winning the 2019 Royal Rumble Match definitely has to be commended. I mean he basically set the record for longest time in the Royal Rumble Match breaking Mysterio's record. Daniel Bryan's record set at GRR I don't really count that because GRR was not even an actual PPV and it was just a Network special. However, Rollins' record to me has more weight and validity. However, seeing Rollins last that long only not to win at least to me is shocking especially lasting from #1 and making it to the Final 2 only to get eliminated by McIntyre definitely ends the PPV on a sour note. Furthermore, this more or less makes Drew McIntyre in the sense of solidifying him now as a main event guy going forward. With McIntyre winning the Rumble he has one of 2 choices: either jump over to Smackdown Live in this diary and challenge the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan or stay on RAW and challenge Brock Lesnar the WWE Universal Champion. It begs the question of when McIntyre makes his WrestleMania decision but also I wonder where Rollins goes from here? An even more staggering result that has to be commended or respected is that Drew McIntyre breaks Roman Reigns' record of most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble Match with 14 eliminations. All in all, I have to say is wow because by doing that it also solidifies Drew as the future of this business.
- Finn Balor honestly could have beaten Brock if he had went full on Demon and he turned into The Demon King. As The Demon King he has never lost in matches where he has put on his Demon paint and if he had put it on against Brock I honestly think he could have beaten Brock to become WWE Universal Champion. However, seeing Brock beat Finn to me anyway was definitely predictable to say the least or it was expected. However, Finn definitely took Brock to the limit though. So does a loss really hurt Finn Balor here? For me anyway I will say yes and no. No because of the fact that Brock is so dominant of a champion that really it wouldn't have mattered just who they put up against him and yes for the simple fact that this loss could actually hurt Balor's progress as far as being a main event guy especially on RAW.
- Asuka successfully retaining the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch is not even the story here. The real story being why was Ronda Rousey even at ringside during this match or better yet why would she continue to get involved in Becky's business? This happens at TLC and Becky gets screwed out of the title. It happens again here at the Royal Rumble PPV and Ronda gets involved yet again this time without even touching Becky and Asuka takes advantage to get the win. If anything Asuka should be thanking Ronda Rousey for the assist. I can definitely bet that after this all signs point to Becky/Ronda for WrestleMania 35 in this diary. I think we more or less just got a Ronda Rousey heel turn here and a Becky Lynch face turn all at the same time in this match.
- Daniel Bryan successfully retaining the WWE Championship against AJ Styles yet again just goes to show us that AJ now has to go to the back of the line. I mean really how many opportunities has AJ had to beat Bryan and he comes up short every single time. I mean yes technically he had Bryan beat here but still Daniel Bryan finds ways to win his matches as champion whether we like it or not and Bryan this time he could have resorted to cheating but he didn't. It begs the question of who Daniel Bryan defends the WWE Championship against at the next PPV, Elimination Chamber? Will Bryan have to defend his title inside the Chamber? I wonder where AJ goes from here?
- I mean we get everything in the 30-Women Royal Rumble Match that being the surprises here and some of the surprises I really enjoyed such as NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm, Lita, Ivory, Victoria, Trish and Alundra Blayze of all people she shows up. I admit it because I definitely would mark out for all and even marked out for Shayna Baszler the NXT Women's Champion showing up in the match and actually lasting until the Final 4 which that in itself is shocking to me. Even more shocking is Bayley being the Iron Woman in this match lasting from #1 and going 55 minutes setting the record for the longest time in a Royal Rumble Match for the women. Bayley pretty much made history in that regard and for that I really do applaud. The Queen Charlotte Flair winning the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble Match she again makes history and why? She and her father 2 time WWE Hall of Famer The Nature Boy Ric Flair are the first father and daughter to be Royal Rumble Match winners. Ric winning in 1992 and then his daughter Charlotte winning it all these decades later in 2019 is nothing short of special. Not to mention Charlotte being a 7 time WWE Women's Champion and she wins the Royal Rumble Match too on top of it is also special because of the fact that in Women's wrestling she has virtually done it all. Charlotte with her winning the Rumble now it begs the question of which title she goes after at WrestleMania 35...does she go after the RAW Women's Championship by jumping brands to go over to RAW to face Ronda Rousey again in a Survivor Series rematch? Or does Charlotte stay on Smackdown Live and challenge Asuka for the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship?
- The Miz and Shane McMahon winning the Smackdown Tag Team Championship by beating The Bar is definitely an upset. Shane being the Smackdown Live Commissioner and he wins gold but with all people The Miz is shocking because I didn't even think Miz and Shane would be able to get along much less co-exist to become Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions but what does this mean for the Smackdown Live Tag Team division now after this? The Bar definitely won't take this lying down but I wonder what the other tag teams on the blue brand will think about this? Better yet I wonder what Shane's father The Chairman Mr. McMahon and Shane's brother-in-law the COO Triple H what they think about this?
- Ronda Rousey's undefeated streak was ended by Sasha Banks on RAW considering Sasha Banks and Bayley beat Rousey and Natalya in a Tag Team Match. However, in singles competition Rousey's undefeated streak continues with her retaining her title yet again in another title defense this time beating Sasha Banks in what I thought was a classic. I mean I definitely expected Ronda to spam still the champion but if Sasha had beaten Rousey to end Ronda's undefeated singles match streak then that wouldn't have surprised me either. However, it seems more or less the fans are turning on Ronda Rousey so it begs the question of if you decide to finally pull the trigger on a Ronda Rousey heel turn. I mean the fans more or less turned her because of Becky Lynch all the way back in October at Evolution and then at Survivor Series they turned on her even more when she was supposed to face Becky in a Champion vs Champion match but Becky got injured and Charlotte had to replace her. When Charlotte put a chair on Ronda's neck and stomped on the chair crushing Ronda's throat the fans loved it and then at TLC when Ronda got involved and cost both Charlotte and Becky the Smackdown Live Women's Championship they more or less turned on Ronda again. Honestly, Ronda is better as a heel anyway than as a babyface because as a babyface yeah sure she was loved for a while until the fans turned on her.
- Rusev retaining the WWE United States Championship against Nakamura here at the Rumble is not surprising to me given the fact that Nakamura has more or less been floundering for almost a year now. I mean Rusev was never in danger of losing that title and let's be honest Nakamura he has fallen so hard and so far off the card that it is almost sad to watch really. I mean given last year Shinsuke Nakamura was a main event guy he won the 2018 Royal Rumble Match and headlined WrestleMania 34 in the main event against AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. A year goes by and he is not even in the main event anymore but he is in the mid-card going after the WWE United States Championnship and loses that even. I honestly have to say that for Nakamura at this point it is probably best for him to turn back into a babyface. It is probably the only thing that can help his career at this point because this heel turn of his has been nothing short of an epic fail and has been for a while.
- Buddy Murphy retaining the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a Fatal 4 Way against Itami, Tozawa and Kalisto is nothing short of special. Let me tell you why? Murphy won the title back in October at WWE Super Showdown in his home country of Australia and he has held on to the title ever since beating all comers who have even tried to take that title from him. He has beaten them all and the odds were stacked against him in this match. He was facing not 1 not 2 but 3 other men in this match and had less than 25 percent odds to retain. What happens? He still retains the title whether by hook or crook. He still found a way to win regardless and that being said if he has a lengthy title reign with the WWE Cruiserweight Championship it wouldn't be shocking or surprising especially because of the fact that he has made the title relevant. He has made the title mean something again and for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship for the 205 Live Division he has made it newsworthy.
- Overall, this was a great Royal Rumble PPV. I do know that if this show resembles anything like tonight in real life I know I would be thoroughly entertained.
- DAMN GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK A.J.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 10:12:53 GMT -5
January 28, 2019 from The Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona A night removed from a historic Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, Monday Night Raw begins with the winner of the eponymous men's match last evening, Drew McIntyre. Possessing a proud grin, 'The Scottish Psychopath' enters the ring with a microphone in hand as he asks the Phoenix crowd if they're believers yet. "I forewarned everybody that I was going to win the men's Royal Rumble match and I did just that." He mentions how it was only a little under five years ago when he left the WWE with his head hung low, embarrassed of what had come of him. "But after traveling the world... after having gone down and dominated the ranks of NXT... I returned to this ring nine months ago and now I stand here before you with a World Championship match at WrestleMania." After garnering some cheers, he tells the audience he isn't going to allow anybody to hop on his bandwagon. He says that he doesn't care and it does not matter what they think because this is all about him. "Now, the question to be asked I am tasked with answering is whether I will challenge for the Universal or WWE Championship at WrestleMania and I have been thinking long and hard over the last twenty four hours as to who I will destroy on April 7th..."
Before McIntyre has the opportunity to say anything more, Seth Rollins' music interrupts. "Seth competed for over an in the Royal Rumble last night," Cole points out. "But would come up just short as he was the last man eliminated by Drew McIntyre." Rollins enters the ring and stares McIntyre down, silence between the two for a while before Seth finally speaks. "You probably think I'm out here to complain about how I should be in your shoes right now, don't you, Drew?" McIntyre says he knows Rollins wishes he was, to which Seth doesn't deny that. "But I'm out here for two reasons, actually. The first is to say congratulations, believe it or not. I may have entered that match number one, I may have been in that ring for over an hour but I was also the twenty ninth man eliminated... and it was you who took me out, Drew." Rollins says that while he is congratulating McIntyre on his victory, he also would like to point out that it was just seven nights ago here on Raw when this happened: He gestures up to the titantron, showing footage of himself beating McIntyre with a roll up. Back live, McIntyre asks what Rollins' point is. "You got lucky last week but that's the past, that's not important, that doesn't matter anymore!" Seth smiles and tells Drew to put his money where his mouth is, that's what his point is. He says that all he wants is the opportunity to prove to McIntyre and the world once again that he deserves that spot at WrestleMania just as much as Drew does. "So what I'm saying is... you versus me tonight one more time." While the crowd approves of the idea, McIntyre takes his time to think about it before nodding, telling Rollins he'll be proud put him down like a dog and show exactly why he is going to be a World Champion at WrestleMania.
Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Sasha Banks and Bayley defeat Alicia Fox and Mickie James After coming up just short in their respective matches last night, Banks and Bayley look to punch their ticket to Elimination Chamber. Despite Fox and James' attempts at finding a way to a cheap victory, Banks ends up putting the veteran James in the Bank Statement and forces her to tap out.
Seen backstage is Paul Heyman as he is standing next to Charly Caruso, whom asks about the possibility of his client having to face somebody like Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania. "You think that concerns me? You think that concerns Brock Lesnar? You think that either of us were worried about any of the thirty superstars in last night's Royal Rumble match?" He scoffs and said his client is on a well deserved vacation after beating Finn Balor last night and doesn't care who he has to face come WrestleMania. Heyman suddenly stops speaking as he is approached by Stephanie McMahon. The two shake hands with Heyman asking McMahon how she is doing, to which she says she's good but she doesn't think Heyman's client will be able to say the same. "I hope he didn't plan that long of a vacation because your client will be competing at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view." Heyman doesn't take the news seriously but recognizes that McMahon isn't joking. "Brock Lesnar will be defending the Universal Championship inside of the Elimination Chamber against five other superstars that will be determined starting tonight. Let him know for me, will you?" McMahon smiles and walks away, leaving Heyman looking absolutely shocked.
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Finn Balor defeats Mojo Rawley A night removed from his brutal battle with Brock Lesnar himself, Balor looks to get another chance at the Universal Championship. While Rawley uses his power to target the bandaged mid-section, Balor turns momentum in his favor and ends up hitting Rawley with a sling blade, a corner dropkick and the Coup de Grace to get the pinfall.
Arriving after the break is Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey, the WWE Universe happy to see her as she comes to the ring, saying that it has been exactly one year since she made her WWE debut. "And who would have thought after just one year I would be standing here as your Raw Women's Champion? Well, to be fair, I kind of did..." She laughs and says that she has had tough battle after tough battle and last night was no different against a game Sasha Banks but she managed to come out of that one on top as well. "But what a lot of people are talking about in regards to me last night isn't that I beat Sasha Banks... they're talking about what I did to Becky Lynch." Rousey shrugs her shoulders and says that it's pretty simple: She doesn't take crap from anybody and anyone that has her name in their mouth is going to get it. "Because last night after my match with Sasha, Becky had the nerve to walk up to me and say how lucky I was that she wasn't participating in the Women's Royal Rumble match... because she thinks she has what it takes to beat me... well, Becky, now because of me at WrestleMania you're not going to be doing anything but sit in the back and watch me defend my championship on the grandest stage of them all!"
As Rousey holds her belt up above her head, the music of her friend Natalya hits to her confusion. Natalya makes her way down and apologizes for interrupting Ronda, saying she just wants to say something. "You and I are great friends, Ronda. But you and I both are bred the same way and that is that we both want to be the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be." Natalya continues to talk about their friendship and how she doesn't want to let the Raw Women's Championship come between them, but she would love to have the chance to face Ronda one-on-one. Rousey seems open to the idea, telling Natalya that she agrees that she would hate to have this friendship be hurt. "And if anybody deserves a match against me that I haven't faced yet? It's you, Nattie." The two then hug one another, the crowd beginning to buzz as Becky Lynch comes in to the ring and hits Rousey from behind - knocking her on to Natalya! "What in the world is Becky Lynch doing here?!" Asks Cole. "I know she and Rousey have their issues but she's a Smackdown Live superstar!" Lynch continues to attack Rousey with Natalya trying to pull her away. Backstage officials come rushing down to the ring and get Lynch away. Rousey gets back up and tries to go after 'The Man' but Natalya holds her friend back. As Lynch is removed from the ring, she points at Rousey and tells her that this isn't over between them!
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley w/Lio Rush defeats Apollo Crews A rematch from last week, albeit with bigger implications, sees Lashley dominate the beginning of the match but becoming a bit too overconfident as Crews hits him with an enzuigiri and starts to turn things his way. After Rush tries to get involved for the second week in a row, Crews knocks Rush off the apron and slams him in to the barricade. Lashley takes advantage once again thanks to Rush, hitting Crews with a Spear and it leads to the pinfall.
Lashley is joined by Rush after the match and they proceed to stomp on Crews together. Running down from the back to cheers from the crowd, however, is Kevin Owens! After making his return last night in the Royal Rumble match, Owens clotheslines Lashley and tosses Rush out of the ring. He then goes for a superkick on Lashley but 'The All Mighty' rolls out of the ring. Owens calls for a microphone and says that he hasn't forgotten about what Lashley did to him a few months ago. "I'm coming for you, Bobby...I'm also coming for the Universal Championship because I too have an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match!" He throws the microphone back down, Lashley and Rush looking on as Baron Corbin's music hits. 'The Lone Wolf' arrives with a smile as it appears he will be Owens' opponent.
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Kevin Owens defeats Baron Corbin In his first singles match back since injury, Corbin targets the knees of Owens that Lashley injured to put Owens out in the first place. K.O. comes back from Corbin's initial dominance, eventually hitting a cannonball in the corner and the Pop Up Powerbomb, collapsing in to the cover while holding his right knee for the three count.
Backstage, Charly Caruso is once again standing by and this time with Nia Jax and Tamina. She thanks the duo for their time and mentions how they will go against the team of Ember Moon and Nikki Cross next week in a Women's Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match. "That's not a team, Charly," Jax says with a laugh. Tamina says that her and Nia, that's a team. They've been a duo for quite a while. "Throw whoever you want against us, especially a random pairing, they won't stop us." Jax says as Ember Moon walks up to the two. She tells Jax to watch herself because it wouldn't be the first time a team of hers beat the two of them. Tamina steps forward and asks where her partner is to back her up, which prompts Nikki Cross to run on to the scene and crash in to the set behind them. Laughing wildly, Cross leans over Moon's shoulder and it brings a look of total confusion across the face of Jax and Tamina. "Let's get out of here..." Jax says to Tamina before leaving.
The roar of 'The Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman echoes throughout the Talking Stick Resort Arena and Strowman stomps his way to the ring. "Last night I was supposed to have a match with Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship but Mr. McMahon decided I wasn't going to get what I earned because I disrespected him!" He says that because of that, Lesnar is still the Universal Champion and now he is demanding an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match so he can finally beat Lesnar, even if he has to go through four other men, and claim the Universal Championship. This soon brings out the WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon and he stays atop the stage while shaking his head. "You're a tough guy aren't you, Braun? You're a tough guy and you're tough to deal with." McMahon says that he understands Strowman's frustration but maybe he shouldn't have done what he did. However, he does agree that Strowman is worthy of an opportunity. "But since you seem to be blaming me still, I'm going to make it a little harder on you. You will get your qualifying match but you'll have to win a handicap match to get in." McMahon steps to the side and Jinder Mahal's music hits, 'The Modern Day Maharaja' coming out along with The Singh Brothers. McMahon says that if Mahal and The Singh Brothers win, Mahal is in the chamber. He wishes the three luck and send them to the ring.
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Handicap Qualfying Match: Braun Strowman defeats Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers Having to fend off three men, despite The Singh Brothers clearly being over-matched, they get their licks in on Strowman with the assistance of Mahal. Eventually though, Strowman's power becomes too much and after tossing Sunil out of the ring, Braun chucks Samir over the top rope and on to his brother. Mahal tries to come at Strowman but after bouncing off the ropes, comes back to the Powerslam from Strowman and it leads to the pinfall.
In the back is Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins, the latter thanking Ryder for the save last week and saying it is good to know somebody has his back, it's been a rough couple years since he came back. Up to them comes The Revival, Dawson asking Ryder who he thinks he is. "Standing up for this guy?" Wilder asks with a laugh. "Who even are you?" Ryder laughs and says that is funny, because if they have any guts, they'll head down to that ring and find out exactly who he is. The Revival tell Ryder that he's on and walk away, Hawkins looking to Ryder and asking if he realizes how many matches in a row he has lost.
Tag Team Match: Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder defeat The Revival A losing streak of over 220 matches, Hawkins looks to right the ship with his former tag team partner in Ryder against a game Revival. Dawson and Wilder control the match but as they seem to be toying with Hawkins, out from the back comes the Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable. With The Revival distracted, Dawson is tossed out of the ring by Ryder and Hawkins, Wilder left to fall to a double DDT with Hawkins getting the pinfall!
Roode and Gable run in to the ring and jump to their feet in celebration, Ryder as well as he aids a stunned Hawkins back to his feet. Gable, Roode and Ryder then lift Hawkins over their shoulders - celebrating as if he just won the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, The Revival look on from the outside in absolute disbelief at what just transpired.
Introduced out of the break to the crowd is Elias, 'The Drifter' sitting in the ring under his spotlight per usual. After playing for a bit on his guitar, he says that last night wasn't his night. "But I have a feeling that Elimination Chamber upcoming could be... if I can play my cards right tonight." He says that he has a song he wrote earlier about the Elimination Chamber match but as soon as he begins to play, sirens are heard as Dean Ambrose has arrived. 'The Lunatic Fringe' comes down to the ring and tells Elias that he isn't here to listen to Elias' songs, he's here to stop him from ever playing again because his ears are bleeding. "Just like my ears bleed every time I have to hear all of these filthy, disgusting people..." He looks out to the booing crowd and turns his attention back to Elias afterward, saying that he's also here to stop Elias from entering the Elimination Chamber because that final spot belongs to him.
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Dean Ambrose defeats Elias In quite the competitive match, Elias seems to have Ambrose put away after knocking him off the top rope but Ambrose is able to get his foot on the bottom rope. After rolling out of the ring, Ambrose teases destroying Elias' guitar but allows 'The Drifter' to take it away. Rolling back in to the ring, Ambrose catches Elias as he returns with a boot to the stomach and Dirty Deeds and it allows him to hook both legs and get the one, two, three.
After a commercial break, Alexa Bliss is seen talking with Lacey Evans backstage and tells her what she did last week was uncalled for. "Interrupting my time? My moment? But you know something? It reminded me a lot of me." Evans says she'll take that as a compliment, but grows a disgusted look across her face as up behind Bliss comes Otis Dozovic. He makes some noises that make Bliss have the same look on her face as Evans, Tucker Knight arriving on to the scene to get a hold of Otis. "I leave him alone for one minute and this is what happens!" He tells Dozovic to snap out of it and apologizes to Bliss and Evans as he walks away with him. The cameras follow, Heavy Machinery stopping in their tracks as Lars Sullivan stands in front of them - breathing heavily as he looks back and forth to the two. He says no words as Heavy Machinery continue on their way as Sullivan scowls.
Transitioning elsewhere, Seth Rollins is seen preparing for his upcoming match when in to the room walks Triple H. Rollins stands up and the two stare down, Hunter mentions how he went to the ring last month and told Rollins he wanted to see the old him. "And you went in to that Royal Rumble match last night and when you went all the way from number one until the end I thought you had it... I really did... but you came up just short." He gets in Rollins' face and says that he needs to keep his foot on the pedal by going out there and beating Drew McIntyre. "Don't let me down... and more importantly... don't let yourself down."
Singles Match: Seth Rollins defeats Drew McIntyre via disqualification After going to battle last week, Rollins and McIntyre do it once again and Rollins tries to pull off a roll up victory for the second week in a row but McIntryre kicks out. After Seth misses The Stomp, he follows Drew to the outside and ends up taking a steel chair to the stomach - prompting the referee to call for the bell and the disqualification.
McIntyre doesn't stop there as he raises the chair high above his head before leveling Rollins in the back with it. After appearing to be walking away, 'The Scottish Psychopath' returns and continues his ruthless assault with the chair! "Is this really necessary?!" Questions Young. Drew is finally pulled away backstage officials as they run down for the second time tonight. Rollins is checked on but McIntyre decides to push Jamie Noble aside and drag Rollins back in to the ring by the hair, holding him up on a knee and shouting in his face. "I told you I was going to put you down like a dog!" He yells before backing away and returning with a vicious Claymore Kick. McIntyre gets back up on a knee and stays looking down at Rollins' lifeless body as the officials slowly get back in to the ring, trying to get Drew to back down. He does so slowly, but the damage is done as the show comes to an end.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 27, 2019 10:13:23 GMT -5
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Post by tg11 on Jan 27, 2019 10:44:57 GMT -5
- McIntyre more or less proved why he deserves to go to WrestleMania 35 in the main event on RAW. Yeah sure he may have lost the match against Rollins by DQ but he sent a strong message in the process by beating the holy hell out of Seth Rollins post-match by leaving him laying. With me when I look at McIntyre and him being the Royal Rumble Match winner I don't think it really matters to Drew McIntyre who he faces at WrestleMania 35 because McIntyre is in the main event but McIntyre still hasn't made his WrestleMania decision so it wouldn't surprise me if McIntyre shows up on Smackdown Live as well considering he won the 2019 Royal Rumble Match meaning he could show up on both shows to tease both champions. Furthermore, I can expect McIntyre to cross paths with WWE Champion Daniel Bryan on Smackdown Live.
- Lars Sullivan showing up on RAW like he just did makes me wonder if Lars will officially be a RAW guy? Or if he decides to show up on Smackdown Live too because Lars really hasn't committed to either show and neither have Heavy Machinery, Lacey Evans or Nikki Cross for that matter. Alexa Bliss crossing paths with Lacey Evans yet again surely means that either they are gonna feud with one another or they end up becoming a tag team. I go for the latter in that Bliss and Evans become a tag team.
- Triple H face to face with his former protege Rollins made sense because of their history with one another in The Authority but also who will forget their feud with one another heading into WrestleMania 33 when Rollins actually beat Triple H. So whenever I see these 2 cross paths I am always reminded of that.
- WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar having to defend his title inside the Elimination Chamber is a first for Brock and why? Brock has never ever competed in an Elimination Chamber Match because usually at around that time Brock usually takes the PPV off. So to see Stephanie announce that he will defend the title inside the Chamber I do have to wonder how Brock will react? I don't think Brock is gonna be happy.
- For the Elimination Chamber seeing the 5 superstars qualify that of course being: WWE Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, Dean Ambrose, Braun Strowman and Finn Balor in there right alongside Brock...I can't wait to see this match. If anything the Elimination Chamber will end up turning into Suplex City but then again every match Brock is in is Suplex City so it is only a matter of time before Brock is face to face with all 5 Elimination Chamber participants.
- Bayley and Sasha Banks qualifying for the Elimination Chamber to crown the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions was definitely what I expected...so it begs the question of which 2 other women's tag teams from RAW qualify? Or which 3 Smackdown Live women's tag teams qualify for this Chamber? If anything this is the match I am probably looking the most forward to
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 28, 2019 20:32:36 GMT -5
January 29, 2019 from The Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona Seen walking backstage to begin the show is Daniel Bryan, the WWE Champion with his head held high as he stops in his tracks, the WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon standing before him with a smile. "Daniel Bryan! Congratulations on retaining your WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble!" Bryan asks McMahon what he wants because he knows he wouldn't be approaching like this for no reason. McMahon says Bryan might be getting to know him too well, but nevertheless, he is here to inform him about his next defense of the WWE Championship. "See, Brock Lesnar is going to be defending the Universal Championship inside of the Elimination Chamber... and the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions will be determined inside of the Elimination Chamber... and, call it overkill, but I'm Vincent Kennedy McMahon, damn it! You're going to defend your WWE Championship inside of the Elimination Chamber as well!" Bryan doesn't seem to have a good or bad reaction to the news, McMahon saying that anyway, there are six matches scheduled for tonight and five of them will determine his opponents at Elimination Chamber. McMahon then walks away with a smile, Bryan still appearing to have no care for the news.
Transitioning back inside of the arena, the music of the winner of the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble match, Charlotte Flair, hits. Letting out a celebratory 'Woo!' to the crowd after entering the ring, saying that this past Sunday she did what thirty other women had in mind. "And how fitting it was for me to enter at number sixteen, right?" She says that when she drew that number, it was destiny and now she has earned her way to a Women's Championship match at WrestleMania. She smiles, saying that as of right now she could have a rematch from last year's WrestleMania as Asuka is the Smackdown Women's Champion or she could head over to Raw for a rematch from Survivor Series against Ronda Rousey. "So what am I going to do? Where will I go? Who will I face? Well..."
As it appears Flair is about to announce her decision, Becky Lynch arrives to a big ovation from the crowd. 'The Man' marches down to the ring and doesn't waste any time getting to her point, saying that she wants her hands on Ronda Rousey before Charlotte gets another chance at the Raw Women's Champion. "I don't know what it's going to take and I don't care... I don't care if I have to beat you and everybody else to get my hands on her." Flair tells Lynch that she gets it, because she was a part of that Tables, Ladders and Chairs match too. So she knows that Lynch isn't happy about being cost the Smackdown Women's Championship not just once, but twice. "But I'm not giving up what I earned by winning the Women's Royal Rumble Match. I have my shot at WrestleMania. I don't care what you have to do and I don't care if you don't like it if I decide to face Ronda Rousey." The two draw close to one another but they are interrupted by the arrival of The IIconics, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce coming out to mock Flair and Lynch over their argument with Kay saying that nobody cares about what they're on about. "What everyone cares about is who is going to be the first ever Women's Tag Team Champions... us!" As The IIconics mention how they are going to take part in the Elimination Chamber match and continue talking about how great they think they are, Flair and Lynch have a conversation off the microphone. Flair then turns back to Kay and Royce and suggest that they come down to the ring and have a match with herself and Lynch. "See, Becky and I are all about history making... so why not add becoming the first-ever Women's Tag Team Champions to that list?" Lynch looks determined and as soon as The IIconics try to make excuses to not accept the challenge, she tells them if they don't come down to this ring, she's going to come up there and drag them down here! Kay and Royce then hesitantly begin to come down the ramp.
Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair defeat The IIconics Taking out her frustrations over the last forty-eight hours, Lynch is very aggressive in the match and Flair has to try and keep things in order after The IIconics take advantage of Lynch's recklessness. 'The Man' takes some exception to Flair being involved as much as as she is and ends up tagging herself back in after Natural Selection to Kay in order to apply the Dis-arm-her and force Billie in to submission and get the win for the team herself.
Following a break, Dasha Fuentes is standing by backstage with the Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka. She thanks her for her time and says that while she retained her title against Becky Lynch this past Sunday, everyone seems to be questioning if she truly deserved to win after Ronda Rousey's interference. "Becky wasn't ready for Asuka! Nobody is ready for Asuka!" She says she won and now Becky is running to compete for the Women's Tag Team Championship because, as one could guess, "Nobody is ready for Asuka".
The commentary team at ringside then announces the five WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches set to take place tonight: AJ Styles versus Rey Mysterio, Rusev versus Andrade, Shinsuke Nakamura versus Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali versus Samoa Joe and Randy Orton versus one of the members of The New Day, whom we will find out later.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Mustafa Ali defeats Samoa Joe A rematch from last week, Joe looks to defeat Ali again and head to the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. He attempts to apply the Coquina Clutch to once again submit Ali but seems to take too much time as Ali is able to use his feet to push in to the corner turnbuckles and land down on top of Joe for the sudden three count!
Joe is absolutely furious after the bell, Ali rolling out of the ring and backing away from his raging opponent. The referee looks to try and calm Joe down as he throws a fit on the outside, tearing apart ringside by pulling apart the announce table and kicking over the steel steps.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) defeats United States Champion Rusev (w/Lana) Re-igniting a rivalry from last summer, the contest doesn't get very far as Samoa Joe returns to the ring just a couple minutes in to the match and in the midst of arguing with the official, Lana approaches and Joe gets in her face. Rusev is distracted by the situation and it allows Andrade to roll him up for the pinfall.
After the bell, Andrade and Vega are quick to leave with Andrade having gotten his spot in the Elimination Chamber. Joe then continues his rage from before as he hits the ring and turns his attention to an assault on Rusev, tossing the United States Champion to the outside and hurling him in to the barricade and stomping away at him before putting on the Coquina Clutch. He drags Rusev down to the floor and refuses to let up despite multiple referees coming down to try and stop him. Joe doesn't release the hold until Rusev has passed out, 'The Samoan Submission Machine' with an angry look across his face as he gets back up and walks away.
"Awesome!" Is heard coming out of the break and the crowd cheers for the arrival of one half of the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions, The Miz. He holds his belt above his head before pointing behind him, Shane McMahon's music hitting as the other half of the champions arrive. The two of them proceed to head down to the ring together, Miz with a huge smile on his face as he presents McMahon with a microphone while holding one of his own. "Wow... just, wow!" Miz says with a smile across his face, saying he knew this would be a great friendship but this is far more than he ever expected. "Becoming Smackdown Tag Team Champions with my best buddy and solidifying ourselves as 'The Best Tag Team in the World' was one of the greatest moments of my entire career this past Sunday at the Royal Rumble." Shane says that he appreciates the kind words of Miz and while he was incredibly hesitant to accept his proposal to be tag team partners in the first place, he must admit that he was wrong to feel that way initially. "But let me make it clear to you and to everybody else... we wouldn't have even become the Smackdown Tag Team Champions if it weren't for you sacrificing yourself in front of me in front of that Brogue Kick from Sheamus." Miz plays it off like no big deal but Shane continues to praise him for what he did, Miz quick to respond it would have never happened if McMahon had never agreed to be his partner so he considers what he did this past Sunday no big deal.
As the two go back and forth exchanging compliments to the other, The Bar comes out from the back with Sheamus telling the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions to cut it out. "This mushy... buddy-buddy crap... it's making us sick to our stomachs!" Cesaro says that a real tag team like himself and Sheamus don't need to tell each other how great the other one is because they know. "The two of you aren't a real team. The two of you don't deserve to be standing there with our championship belts!" Miz says that obviously the Smackdown Tag Team Championship doesn't belong to them considering they lost this past Sunday. Sheamus is quick to respond that they want a rematch and they want a rematch right now. Shane says that as much as they would love to beat The Bar once again, the new way of things around here is no more automatic rematch clauses. "You have to earn your opportunity at us," Shane says with a smile. "And considering I still have some power around here despite being one half of the Smackdown Tag Team Champions, I'm going to give you that opportunity." He says that next week, The Bar will compete in a number one contender's match. Sheamus and Cesaro don't seem happy about the idea, saying that it is complete nonsense. "Hey, you could just not get any opportunity at all!" Shane says, to which the former champions say they'll take the opportunity and they'll take another one right now to teach Miz and McMahon a lesson right here and now about what a real tag team looks like. After reminding everyone that they don't just set The Bar and that they are The Bar, Sheamus and Cesaro hit the ring and the two teams brawl. After taking Miz down, Cesaro holds Shane up for Sheamus, whom after taking some time to pound his chest comes charging for a Brogue Kick only for Miz to come in and pull Shane free - Cesaro taking the boot from his partner right to the face! Miz then hits Sheamus with the Skull Crushing Finale! The Bar roll out of the ring and it allows the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions to stand tall together, holding the belts up over their heads.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Jeff Hardy defeats Shinsuke Nakamura After competing for the United States Championship last year, Hardy and Nakamura look to earn an opportunity at the WWE Championship in a competitive contest, Nakamura looking to be poised for the win as he goes for the Kinshasa but Hardy side-steps him, instead hitting a Twist of Fate. Hardy then makes his way to the top rope and nails the Swanton Bomb and it leads to the victory for 'The Charismatic Enigma'.
Seen walking through backstage is Mr. McMahon when he is stopped by The New Day, whom offer him some pancakes and try and get him to do some dancing with them. "Uh, thanks but no thanks... Gentlemen, what is your decision? Who is going to be facing Randy Orton tonight?" The trio seem to have not made up their mind as they can't give McMahon a straight answer. Therefore, the Chairman says he'll make the decision for them. He looks to Big E and sees him eating pancakes from his singlet and is disgusted, then turning to Kingston and seeing him also eating some of it. "Uh... I guess that leaves you, Xavier." He says to Woods, whom nods and thanks McMahon. The Chairman walks away shaking his head, Woods telling E and Kingston that Vince is old, he doesn't understand. McMahon is heard from a distance saying that he heard that, Woods wincing and apologizing.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Randy Orton defeats Xavier Woods (w/Big E and Kofi Kingston The slow, deliberate pace of Orton is combated against by Woods' quickness. After a rolling thunder clothesline with Big E and Kingston cheering him on, Woods heads to the top and walks along the ropes for his signature elbow but Orton gets back up, yanks him off and nails the RKO in mid-air! He then covers for the one, two, three.
After a break, Naomi and Carmella are seen talking with each other about the situation Naomi has had recently with Mandy Rose and her husband Jimmy Uso. Up to the two of them soon comes Mandy Rose herself along with Sonya Deville, the prior mentioning her win over Naomi last week. "And now, Sonya and myself are looking to become the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Things are going great!" Naomi crosses her arms and tells Mandy that things are earned around here and just like Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch had to earn their spot in the Elimination Chamber earlier, so are Rose and Deville. Naomi looks to Carmella and suggests that they go talk to the McMahon family and see what they can do about getting a match next week with 'the homewrecker and her bodyguard'. Naomi and Carmella head off, Rose and Deville looking none too impressed at what happened.
Transitioning elsewhere in the back, Dasha Fuentes is standing by again and introduces her guest at this time to be AJ Styles. He comes forward and Fuentes mentions how he came up just short this past Sunday against Daniel Bryan once again and asks how things are going to get any easier if he is to beat Rey Mysterio tonight and enter the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. "I don't expect things to get easier, Dasha," He replies. "I don't expect anything to be easy in this business because nothing is... and with the way things are around here now you have to earn things and I understand that I have to earn another shot at the WWE Championship." He says that facing a legend in this business like Mysterio will not be easy just like everything else but he is going to go out there, look to get the job done and move on to Elimination Chamber and finally reclaim the WWE Championship. "And no, it won't be easy. But that's what I plan on doing, Dasha."
Seen looking in the mirror at himself after the break is EC3, posing and admiring his looks. His smile fades, however, as approaching behind him in the mirror is Lars Sullivan. EC3 slowly turns around and the former NXT superstars stare each other down. EC3 puts his hands up, going to say something but instead keeping his mouth shut and walking away. Sullivan then stares at himself in the mirror, scowling and breathing heavily.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: AJ Styles defeats Rey Mysterio A fast paced back-and-forth bout with a blend of high flying and technical. Styles targets the leg throughout. He goes for the Phenomenal Forearm but Mysterio hits a mid-air dropkick. After a hurricanrana from Rey, he goes for the 619 but Styles manages to catch him, pull him in to the ring and deliver the Styles Clash. After Mysterio kicks out just in time, Styles quickly transitions in to the Calf Crusher and due to his leg being targeted throughout, the pain is too much for Mysterio and he has no choice but to submit to the hold.
Following the great battle, Styles staggers back on to his feet and falls against the ropes in celebration of the win. After the commentary team highlights the finish of the match via replay, Styles looks to the top of the stage as the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan makes his way out, applauding slowly and perhaps even sarcastically. While Bryan stares down his final confirmed challenger at Elimination Chamber, Smackdown Live comes to an end.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Jan 28, 2019 20:33:40 GMT -5
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Post by tg11 on Jan 29, 2019 19:53:15 GMT -5
- Daniel Bryan the WWE Champion having to defend his WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber makes sense considering Brock Lesnar the WWE Universal Champion is being forced to defend his title inside the Chamber as well. However, Bryan will be lucky if he even makes it to WrestleMania 35 as WWE Champion considering Bryan he has like 16.66666666666666% odds to retain the title inside the Elimination Chamber considering he is going up against 5 other guys in there. Bryan has Elimination Chamber experience and Bryan back in 2012 when he was the then-World Heavyweight Champion he had to defend his title inside the Chamber and he did it successfully. Furthermore, it all comes down to luck but also it comes down to just who the other 5 participants are inside the Elimination Chamber.
- Charlotte Flair being the 2019 Royal Rumble Match winner doing something her father The Nature Boy Ric Flair did and that is win a Royal Rumble Match Charlotte is going to Mania but just who will she face? I mean McIntyre over for the Men he won the Royal Rumble Match and he still hasn't decided yet either, so I wonder if Charlotte will make us wait too? Or will she finally make her decision? Just when she is about to tell us Becky Lynch interrupts which makes sense given the history.
- Just when Charlotte and Becky are about to get into it they get interrupted by The IIconics which is what I definitely did not expect but the fact that it built up towards a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber qualifying match was kind of predictable. However, seeing Becky and Charlotte beat The IIconics to qualify for the Chamber is definitely again not what I would have expected given the fact that I didn't even think that Charlotte and Becky would be able to co-exist during this match especially given their obsession with not just the title but also their obsession with WWE RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey but also their obsession with the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship given that Asuka is still the champion.
- It begs the question of who Asuka will defend her title against at Elimination Chamber because she still doesn't have an opponent for the PPV - Mustafa Ali beating Samoa Joe to qualify for the Elimination Chamber is a shocking upset. It has gotta be probably one of the biggest upsets in WWE history given Joe's background but also just what he has done in this business and to be beaten by someone who is not in his league is just shocking to me. I just can't see Joe letting this slide meaning I can see him beating the holy hell out of Mustafa Ali to the point that Mustafa won't be able to compete inside the Chamber and Joe ends up taking his spot anyway.
- Andrade qualifying for the Elimination Chamber by beating WWE United States Champion Rusev is not shocking but what was was seeing Samoa Joe show up during this match and Rusev essentially being distracted by Joe long enough for Andrade to take advantage to get the win. However, seeing Joe post-match beat the holy hell out of Rusev and then locking in the Coquina Clutch on Rusev was awesome. I think all signs will probably point towards Rusev/Joe for the WWE United States Championship at Elimination Chamber and if that happens then it makes sense given what just happened.
- That is probably the 2nd time in how many days that Cesaro has taken a Brogue Kick from his own partner Sheamus...first time was at Royal Rumble when The Bar lost their WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships to Miz & Shane and then the 2nd time here on Smackdown Live. I mean if you are trying to build up seeds or trying to plant seeds for The Bar to split up as a tag team I would say the seeds were definitely planted. Only a matter of time before Cesaro turns on Sheamus or the other way around and Sheamus turns on Cesaro. So, it only begs the question of who The Bar face next week to get their shot at the titles?
- Jeff Hardy qualifying for the Elimination Chamber by beating Shinsuke Nakamura is definitely expected. My, my how the mighty have fallen considering just look how far Shinsuke Nakamura has fallen here in WWE. Former Royal Rumble winner...former WWE United States Champion...hell main event guy and now a complete afterthought completely forgotten about. His heel turn has been nothing short of a disaster...may as well turn him back into a babyface at this point. Only thing that can save him at this point whereas Hardy the last time he was in a Chamber Match was 2009 so he hasn't been in an Elimination Chamber Match in over 10 years. Not to mention Jeff Hardy is a former WWE Champion former World Heavyweight Champion...hell Jeff in this business he has done it all except main event Mania. Well, he gets his chance inside the Chamber.
- So Naomi and Carmella are a tag team now? Since when? Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are a tag team and have been ever since coming on to the main roster so seeing them go up against Naomi and Carmella should be interesting to say the least especially if it is for a spot in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber
- AJ Styles vs Rey Mysterio at least for me is a Dream Match so to see it happen here on Smackdown Live is going to be awesome and I can't wait - Randy Orton qualifying for the Elimination Chamber by beating Xavier Woods of The New Day is definitely not shocking or surprising given the fact that Orton has been on a roll as of late. Not to mention Orton out of anyone in the Chamber so far Orton has the most experience inside the Chamber and not to mention the man is a 13 time World Champion 2 time Royal Rumble Match winner Money in the Bank winner you name it Orton has done it all in this business. Plus the last time Orton main evented Mania was 2 years ago, WrestleMania 33 when he faced off against Bray Wyatt. So, it should be interesting to see if he wins this Chamber Match.
- EC3 and Lars Sullivan crossing paths yet again...surely that is not a coincidence - In the main event AJ Styles beats Rey Mysterio to qualify for the Elimination Chamber so Styles basically has a 2nd chance yet again to win back the title. However, to do so Styles is gonna have to go through 5 other guys including the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. Seeing Bryan post-match come out to sarcastically congratulate Styles made sense given their rivalry.
- However, what was a huge missed opportunity was seeing the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble Match winner Drew McIntyre. McIntyre should have showed up on Smackdown and he should have crossed paths with Daniel Bryan to remind him that he won the Royal Rumble Match and that McIntyre could very well choose Bryan. It would have made sense for him to cross paths with Bryan which you definitely missed the boat on this one.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 1, 2019 11:33:53 GMT -5
February 4, 2019 from The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon After Michael Cole gives the welcome to Monday Night Raw from commentary alongside Corey Graves and Renee Young, ring announcer Mike Room introduces Paul Heyman to everybody, the advocate for the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar standing in the center of the ring with a microphone in hand. After he gives his introduction to those in attendance, he mentions how last Monday night he was given the news by Stephanie McMahon that his client was going to have to defend the Universal Championship inside of the Elimination Chamber. "Now, my client has never participated in an Elimination Chamber match - believe it or not - and while it is absolutely ridiculous and absurd to force him to compete in that match, it is not a disadvantage for Brock Lesnar as it will be for the likes of Smackdown's WWE Champion Daniel Bryan." Heyman explains that putting 'The Beast Incarnate' in such a brutal structure is asking for trouble. "Brock Lesnar is the most dangerous man to step foot in this ring with his bare hands and now you want to place him in a match that has the nickname of 'The Devil's Playground'?! Are you kidding me?! Brock Lesnar will walk through the valley of shadow and death and fear no evil for Lesnar is evil itself... so, to Mr. Strowman, Mr. Owens, Mr. Lashley, Mr. Ambrose and most recent victim Mr. Balor... pray for survival because at Elimination Chamber you damn sure won't be winning! And that's not just a prediction... that's a spoiler."
Heyman prepares to leave the ring but stops himself as the music of Bobby Lashley hits. The Intercontinental Champion arrives along with Lio Rush, the pair marching their way down and in to the ring together and standing across from Heyman. "Paul E, Paul E, Paul E! Wow! This is... this is surreal!" Rush says while looking back and forth between Lashley and Heyman. "I'd say this is a type of moment that these people should be taking pictures and handing down to their grandchildren because we have two of the greatest managers, greatest hype men of all time sharing the ring together!" Heyman laughs and asks Rush if he is being serious because he's okay with taking that compliment for himself because he has been in this business for thirty years and Rush isn't even thirty years old. "Look, kid, I get it. You think you've got the world by it's tail because you're managing a freak athlete and now he's a champion! And with all due respect to you, Mr. Lashley, as great of a competitor you are and perhaps the biggest obstacle Brock Lesnar will have to hurdle inside of that Elimination Chamber... you're still nothing compared to Brock Lesnar!" Lashley takes exception to that and steps forward with Rush's microphone, telling Heyman that he's going to find out first hand how All Mighty he is. He starts to corner Heyman but out from the back comes Kevin Owens, standing atop the stage as he tells Lashley as much as he would love to see him shut Heyman's mouth, he doesn't feel like waiting for their match later tonight. "Since you're already out here, since you're already fired up and since I've been waiting since October to get my hands on you I say we do this right now!" The crowd approves of the idea and Heyman takes the opportunity to escape from the ring, Lashley and Rush talking with each other before the Intercontinental Champion removes his belt from around his waist, motioning for Owens to come down to the ring for the match.
Non-Title Match: Kevin Owens defeats Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) Looking to, at long last, gain some revenge on Lashley for injuring him last fall, Owens has to fight through 'The All Mighty' targeting his legs and using his power. The match goes a while, lasting through a commercial break after a Lashley powerslam on the outside. After deciding to take time to pose, however, Lashley ends up being hit with a superkick by Owens and fall in to Rush on the apron. Owens proceeds to roll the Intercontinental Champion up from behind for the three count.
Lashley and Rush are furious over the loss while Owens celebrates on his way up the ramp. The cameras then cut backstage to show Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, the prior still excited about finally winning a match last week. The two end up being approached by the team that they upset last week, The Revival. "Hope you sent a gift basket to Gable and Roode after that stunt they pulled last Monday." Wilder says. Dawson adds that Hawkins and Ryder would've never got away with a win if it weren't for them, to which Hawkins - appearing more confident than ever - responds by saying they'll do it again tonight and won't need the help of Roode and Gable to do so. Ryder pats Hawkins on the back in agreement, The Revival saying they'll see them out there.
Tag Team Match: The Revival defeat Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder Prior to the match, the Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable make their way out to commentary, almost prompting another surprise win for Hawkins and Ryder as the bell rings. The match is competitive from there with a Rough Ryder from Zack on Wilder but not realizing Dawson is the legal man, which leads to Dawson knocking Hawkins off the apron and in to the barricade. Ryder charges but is tossed in to the ring post, coming back to the Shatter Machine that gives The Revival the pinfall victory and, perhaps, a message sent to the Raw Tag Team Champions.
Making his way out following the commercial break is Seth Rollins, the runner up in this year's Men's Royal Rumble Match. He speaks to the crowd first about what happened last Monday on Raw, showing highlights on the titantron of how he was facing Drew McIntyre when he was assaulted with a steel chair by 'The Scottish Psychopath'. Rollins says that he is still hurting from that but he came here for one reason and one reason only. "And that reason is to issue a challenge to Drew McIntyre to a rematch because I may be banged up but I'm pissed off and I want a piece of you, Drew! I want my revenge!" Rollins asks what it's going to be and holds his hands out in anticipation, only to not get McIntyre but instead Triple H. 'The King of Kings' arrives and steps in to the ring with Rollins, telling Seth he's trying to find the right words.
"When I challenged you at the end of last year and when I challenged you last week you answered strongly but both times you came up just short..." He quickly says he understands Rollins had to enter number one in the Royal Rumble and he lasted all the way to the end and he understands he didn't lose last week but in the end he did not win. "And winning matters, Seth... and in many of ways... see, Drew McIntyre may not have won the match last week but he was the one standing tall at the end of the night, wasn't he? You may have lasted over an hour in the Royal Rumble match but at the end of the night Drew McIntyre won, didn't he?" Hunter says that his point is that McIntyre came back to him and joined NXT just a couple of years ago and rapidly moved his way up the ladder and now, just two years later, is on his way to the main event of WrestleMania. "Seth, I've seen you at your highest and I've seen you at your lowest. Hell, I've had a lot to do with your highs and lows. But what i'm trying to say is that Drew McIntyre has that drive to be the top dog and I don't know if you've got that anymore and I don't know if I should allow you to have another match with Drew." Rollins says that he is sick of Hunter questioning his heart, questioning his drive, questioning if he has what it takes. Seth says he may keep coming up short but when he comes up short he always comes right back and if he has to come back time and time again he'll do it. "I don't care if you think it's a good idea or not for me to step back in the ring with Drew... I care. I want that match and I want to prove to you and to everyone else that I've got the same if not even more drive than him and every single other superstar in the back!" Rollins brings up how Triple H said not to let him down last week and he did just that and it hurts. It hurts even more that he let himself down and he needs that revenge and redemption. Triple H takes a moment and tells Rollins he's going to give him that opportunity, perhaps against his better judgment. "But I'm going to make it not for tonight... but rather Elimination Chamber... and it's going to be a No Holds Barred Match." Rollins says he appreciates it, but he really wants a match right now. Hunter runs his hand across his face as Rollins continues to plead his case, to which Hunter says to give him a couple of minutes, he's going to go to the back and find somebody right now.
Singles Match: Seth Rollins defeats Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers) Aiming to take out some aggression, Rollins takes his time doing damage to Mahal but after The Singh Brothers get involved with tripping him up, Mahal turns things in his favor. 'The Modern Day Maharaja' uses his size and power to take over the match but eventually his cockiness gets the best of him and Rollins mounts a comeback. After taking out The Singh Brothers with a suicide dive, Rollins returns to the ring and ducks a clothesline, hitting Mahal with a kick to the stomach and The Stomp. He hooks both legs and gets the pinfall.
Rollins doesn't get much of a chance to celebrate the victory, however, as Drew McIntyre ends up sliding in to the ring and nailing Rollins with the Claymore Kick! The crowd boos as McIntyre stands over Rollins' body and pushes his hair back. "You want another match with me?!" He questions. "Bad decision, Seth! Bad decision!" He then leaves the ring and heads to the back.
Seen walking through the back after his attack on Seth Rollins moments ago is Drew McIntyre, the Men's Royal Rumble winner being approached by Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers. "Drew, Drew!" Mahal says while putting his hand up to resemble peace. "I would like to thank you for helping me out there." McIntyre scoffs and asks Mahal what he is talking about. "Help you? I wasn't helping you... I was sending a message to Seth Rollins. You know... the guy you didn't beat and I'm going to destroy." Mahal laughs and tells McIntyre he is still a very funny guy and suggests that they get the band back together. He turns to Samir and Sunil and asks if they would like to see 3MB start to get together and the two of them praise how big of fans they were. "You want to get the band back together, huh?" McIntyre asks, rubbing his chin before leveling Mahal with a headbutt! The Singh Brothers are shocked as McIntyre walks away.
Transitioning elsewhere backstage, Charly Caruso is standing by with Alexa Bliss. Thanking her for her time, Caruso asks Bliss about who she is going to be teaming up with next week against Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan of The Riott Squad. Bliss says that it may come as a surprise as to who her partner is, gesturing her hand out and having Lacey Evans approach step forward. "That's right, Charly. I saw a lot of myself in Lacey a couple of weeks ago... now, I'm looking to mentor her and in return guide her to being one-half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions." Evans says as 'The Lady of the WWE', it'd be fitting that somebody as great as herself and Alexa to put their names in the history books. The two then smile to one another and walk off together.
Women's Tag Team Elimination Chamber Qualfying Match: Nia Jax and Tamina defeat Ember Moon and Nikki Cross After questioning Moon and Cross as a team last week, Jax and Tamina are surprised by the cohesiveness of the pair. Cross goes wild on Tamina after she takes Moon out from behind on the outside but after chasing Tamina in to the ring, Cross is ran over by Jax. After a boot to the face from Tamina that sends Cross falling to the outside, Moon leaps off the top rope at Jax but is caught and laid out with a falling powerslam that leads to her getting the pinfall.
The theme music of Dean Ambrose hits coming out of the break, WWE's 'Moral Compass' coming down to the ring with a microphone in his hand. "You all thought I was done, didn't you?" He asks while shaking his head. "You all thought that I was done... you figured that after I had my Intercontinental Championship taken away from me... after I was eliminated in the Royal Rumble match... after the rumors on the internet..." He shakes his head and says he has unfinished business and that includes becoming the Universal Champion at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. He says that as WWE's 'Moral Compass' he sees it as his duty to take the Universal Championship away from Brock Lesnar. "But not for you people... no, no, I'm not like everybody else saying they want to take that title to give you a fighting champion that is here every single week! I want to take it because I deserve it..." He continues on by berating the fans for turning on him and not backing him when he was the WWE Champion a little over two years ago.
As Ambrose keeps ranting, he and the Portland crowd are surprised for the arrival of former Raw General Manager and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. With the serenading of 'You suck!' chants to the theme music of Angle, he makes his way to the ring wearing his ring gear with a shirt over it, making it clear right off the bat to Ambrose that he isn't just out here to talk. "Dean, as the General Manager of Raw, I had the pleasure of watching you week after week and even teaming up with you at one point. To see what you have become? It hurts." He says that there is nothing he believes he can do to change the way Ambrose is now, but he believes that he can teach him a lesson in this ring. "See, I used to think a lot like you about the WWE Universe but the fact of the matter is that without them you have nothing, Dean." He gets cheered and looks out to the audience, suggesting to Ambrose that since he didn't have a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber, he's challenging Ambrose to a match for his spot. Dean laughs and taps his microphone, saying he has been dubbed 'The Lunatic Fringe' for years now and he may be crazy, but he's not that stupid. "Why in the world would I put the spot I earned and deserve on the line, Kurt? And better yet - why would an old man like you want to put his career at risk against me?" Angle steps up and questions if Ambrose is afraid of this old man, which prompts Ambrose to go for a cheap shot only for Angle to block the arm and strike with a headbutt! Ambrose falls to the mat and rolls under the bottom rope, stunned by what Angle just did. "I think Kurt Angle may have just set something off in Dean Ambrose!" Says Graves. Dean, while seething at the mouth, removes his jacket and enters the ring, yelling for a referee to get down there now!
Ambrose's Elimination Chamber Spot on the Line: Dean Ambrose defeats Kurt Angle Perhaps getting more than he bargained for, Ambrose is met with a challenging bout with the Hall of Famer. Angle controls the match frequently on the mat and frustrates Ambrose. After Dean misses on a corner clothesline, he is hit with a series of German Suplexes that Angle follows up with an Angle Slam attempt. Ambrose slides out of it but is tripped in to the Ankle Lock. As it appears Ambrose is on the verge of tapping out, however, he ends up rolling through and sends Angle crashing face first in to the turnbuckles. Dirty Deeds comes immediately after that and Ambrose gets the pinfall to keep his spot in the Universal Championship Elimination Chamber Match.
Transitioning backstage, Charly Caruso is standing by and introduces Braun Strowman as her guest at this time. 'The Monster Among Men' steps forward and Caruso asks Strowman about his rematch from a couple of weeks ago against Finn Balor tonight. "If it weren't for Brock Lesnar, I would have squashed Finn Balor like a bug!" Strowman says confidently. "Tonight, I'm going to beat him like I should have two weeks ago and I'm going to make it clear that I shouldn't have had my Universal Championship taken away from me and I would have beaten Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble!" Before Strowman can say anything more, he ends up being confronted by Lars Sullivan. The two behemoths stare each other down, prompting Braun to ask if Lars has a problem. Getting nothing but heavy breathing in response, Strowman questions Sullivan again. 'The Freak' then slowly backs away, leaving Braun looking a bit confused.
Tag Team Match: Heavy Machinery defeat Heath Slater and Rhyno Attempting to follow up their successful in-ring debut over The Ascension two weeks ago, Knight and Dozovic get a quick, albeit, tough battle with the first ever Smackdown Tag Team Champions. After a missed Rhyno Gore sends the veteran in to the ring post and knocked to the outside, Slater is left to fall victim to The Compactor which leads to the three count.
Seen preparing backstage is Natalya when she is approached by her friend and current Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey. "I know people may consider it bias, but I'm going to be in your corner for your number one contenders match." Natalya says she appreciates Rousey's support and she wouldn't accept it if she didn't know full well what The Riott Squad likes to do. "But I don't want your help winning. I want to beat Ruby on my own." Rousey says she understands, she just wants to make sure she has the chance to do just that. The two hug and then walk off together as Natalya's match is coming up next.
#1 Contenders Match: Natalya (w/Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey) defeats Ruby Riott (w/The Riott Squad) Trying hard to stick to her word, Rousey remains an enforcer on the outside with Logan and Morgan. However, after Riott tries to get a cheap victory with her feet on the ropes, the Raw Women's Champion brings it upon herself to point it out to the referee. She then gets on the apron as Riott is yelling at her, Logan and Morgan coming up from behind and pulling Rousey hard to the floor. Riott then turns to Natalya and is dropped to the mat and placed in the Sharpshooter! Despite the desperate attempts to get to the ropes and the encouragement of her Riott Squad sisters, Ruby eventually has to tap out.
Logan and Morgan hit the ring as soon as the bell sounds but Rousey is not far behind them to come to the assistance of Natalya. After clearing the ring of all three Riott Squad members, Rousey aids Natalya back to her feet but the new number one contender is quick to pull back. "I told you I've got this!" Nattie says to her friend. While Rousey looks confused, Natalya exits the ring and begins to head to the back. Nonetheless, the two friends will now face off at Elimination Chamber.
After a commercial break, Elias is introduced to the crowd as he sits in the center of the ring. He gives his usual introduction to the audience and asks, as always, who wants to walk with him. "Last week, things didn't go the way of Elias... from coming up short in the Royal Rumble match to a loss at the hands of Dean Ambrose... it's not looking too great right now for me." He says that a few days ago he felt beaten down and defeated, but he woke up today and feels like there is a brightness at the end of this dark tunnel and he has written a song all about positive vibes. He clears his throat and plays a few notes to get his guitar in tune before settling in, saying to the Portland crowd that he is very happy to present this song to them. However, he ends up being interrupted by the catch phrase "I am in the top one percent!", which signals the arrival of EC3. The crowd gives a loud, albeit mixed, reaction for EC3 as he heads down to the ring and stands face-to-face with 'The Drifter'. "Elias, you my friend are correct! There is brightness at the end of that dark tunnel and that brightness comes in the form of 97% charisma and 3% body fat... the top one percent... EC3." Elias nods and says he has been hearing a lot about EC3 since he was introduced as one of the new talents to the main roster but this is the first time he has graced the ring. "Why is that? With all that confidence I'd think you would have been out here the first chance you got." EC3 says that he pick and chose this particular spot because he knows that Elias can captivate a crowd with one strum of his guitar. "So... I figured I'd steal your spotlight and why? Because EC3 is changing the game, Elias." Not appearing too impressed, Elias says that he stole the spotlight from the wrong person. As soon as Elias removes his guitar from over his shoulder, however, EC3 blasts him with a boot to the face! After a series of stomps to the body, EC3 drags Elias back up and is met with a series of punches. A kick to the stomach, however, allows EC3 to hoist Elias off of the mat and deliver The One Percent in the middle of the ring! "EC3 has finally arrived in the ring and has arrived in a big way!" Graves says. With a gigantic smile over his face, EC3 emerges back to his feet and holds his hands out proudly to the mostly booing audience.
Standing by backstage once again is Charly Caruso and this time she has Finn Balor as her guest, asking about getting another shot at beating Braun Strowman and proving he belongs. "When Mr. McMahon told me he didn't believe in me I made it my mission from now on to make people believe, alright? I made Brock Lesnar believe at the Royal Rumble, Charly. I made Braun Strowman believe two weeks ago, too. Tonight, I will beat him." Balor says not only will he beat Strowman but he will go on to Elimination Chamber and beat everybody in route to finally re-claiming the Universal Championship. "And in doing so... I will make all of them believe." Balor then walks away with the main event versus Strowman coming up next.
Singles Match: Braun Strowman defeats Finn Balor Balor targets the legs of Strowman and tries to knock him off his feet repeatedly, as 'The Monster Among Men' uses his size and power to his advantage every time he is up. The match goes to the outside and Balor ends up rattling Strowman a bit by hitting him in to the barricade, ring post and steel steps. After going back in to the ring, Balor ends up taking the big man down with a sling blade and heads to the top rope for the Coup de Grace, only to be caught by the legs on the landing, Braun getting back to his feet and delivering a huge powerslam. After Balor stuns him by kicking out, Strowman hits not just one, but two more powerslams before covering for the pinfall.
Strowman stands back up over Balor's body and lets out a roar, raising his fists over his head but slowly lowering them as Bobby Lashley comes down from the back looking determined with his manager Lio Rush hyping him on the way to the ring. The Intercontinental Champion leaps in to the ring and charges right at Strowman, the two with a long exchange of fists back and forth. Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens eventually join the fray with all hell breaking loose as Balor eventually joins the battle as well. As the five superstars continue to brawl inside of the ring, Paul Heyman comes out to the stage with a smile on his face watching on as Monday Night Raw draws to an end.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 1, 2019 11:34:16 GMT -5
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Post by tg11 on Feb 2, 2019 14:23:57 GMT -5
Braun Strowman carries momentum heading into the Elimination Chamber by beating Balor in the main event but by Braun doing this it has to make him the odds on favorite to walk out of Elimination Chamber the new WWE Universal Champion. However, seeing the melee ensue post-match between Strowman, Owens, Balor, Lashley and Ambrose while Paul Heyman looks on laughing makes me wonder why Brock Lesnar the WWE Universal Champion did not get in on this. However, Lesnar hardly shows up on RAW anyway so I know I definitely would love to get Brock's thoughts himself on being in the Elimination Chamber given the fact that Brock has never been inside the Chamber since he has come back to WWE. Not to mention I know I would definitely love to get Brock's thoughts on his Elimination Chamber opponents as well.
An EC3/Elias feud is definitely an unexpected feud that's for sure but at the same time seeing EC3 feud with the likes of Elias almost guarantees EC3 will be a heel which is where he does his best work.
Natalya beating Ruby Riott to become the new #1 Contender for the RAW Women's Championship almost guarantees that Natalya will turn heel in the build up towards Elimination Chamber. Meaning I can see Natalya turning on Ronda and it is only a matter of time given how at the end of this match when Ronda tried to help Natalya...Natalya practically slapped her hand away and told her that she's got this. Yeah it is only a matter of time but I do know that 2019 Women's Royal Rumble Match winner Charlotte Flair of Smackdown Live I definitely know Charlotte was watching this match given the fact that Charlotte could chose Ronda by jumping brands over to RAW.
Heavy Machinery look like they will be mainstays on RAW in the Tag Team Division considering they just beat Heath Slater & Rhyno who are no slouches themselves and are former Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions in their own right. With Heavy Machinery now on RAW with this win they could even be in consideration for a future RAW Tag Team Championship match but I do know that the RAW Tag Team Champions Roode & Gable are definitely going to be keeping their eyes on them as well as every other tag team.
Lars Sullivan face to face with Braun Strowman is definitely no coincidence. I think you are trying to build towards Lars and Braun as a feud and if you are then I say that's great because I want to see these 2 monsters go at it.
Ambrose beating WWE Hall of Famer and former RAW GM Kurt Angle to retain his spot in the Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Universal Championship just makes me wonder where is Ambrose headed direction wise? I mean Ambrose's heel turn for the most part has been a disaster because it had so much promise before but now as a heel he more or less has become pathetic.
Nia Jax and Tamina beating Ember Moon and Nikki Cross to qualify for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber makes sense. Why? Nia and Tamina are not just a team they are family and they are cousins too on top of it. So you know there's a bond there which probably makes them the favorites in this Elimination Chamber to become the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions because not only are they the biggest tag team in this match but also probably the strongest hands down.
Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans as a tag team I called it and I was definitely right on my prediction. Better question is will they qualify for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match?
Drew McIntyre running into the Singh Brothers and Jinder Mahal backstage was awesome. If anyone knows the 3MB history these 2 were bound to cross paths sooner or later and the fact that they did was awesome. What I loved probably about this segment was not only the history ties behind it but then seeing Drew lay out Jinder Mahal with a headbutt and The Singh Brothers in shock was even better because Drew McIntyre is probably on the roll of his life right now.
Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins at Elimination Chamber in a No Holds Barred Match is probably the best match on the card right now definitely the most personal if you ask me. I mean here you have the Royal Rumble Match winner for the Men's Royal Rumble that being Drew McIntyre facing off against the Royal Rumble Iron Man the runner up Seth Rollins and this match being so close to Mania too I wonder in what kind of shape will McIntyre be in post-Elimination Chamber or even Rollins for that matter?
Seth Rollins is also on a roll and with him beating Mahal he basically goes into this match against McIntyre at Elimination Chamber with a lot of momentum. Seeing McIntyre lay out Rollins post-match with a Claymore Kick basically just builds towards their match even more but I can just bet both champions the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan and the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar have their eyes also not just on this match but also on McIntyre since he hasn't made his WrestleMania decision as to which champion he'll face.
The Revival beating the reunited tag team of Hawkins and Ryder basically just solidifies The Revival as still being #1 Contenders for the RAW Tag Team Championship but seeing Hawkins and Ryder back together again reminds me so much of The Edgeheads when they were aligned with WWE Hall of Famer the Rated R Superstar Edge and now all these years later seeing them back together gives me some La Familia vibes.
Kevin Owens beating the WWE Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley basically just reaffirms Owens getting his revenge on Lashley. I mean Lashley put Owens on the shelf for months and Owens of course hasn't forgotten that nor should he. Seeing the 2 of them go at it before the Chamber just means that it is only a matter of time before Lashley defends that title against Owens and Owens is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 4, 2019 6:44:08 GMT -5
February 5, 2019 from The Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington Following the opening Smackdown Live video, the cameras head in to The Angel of the Winds Arena where the voice of Tom Phillips from ringside welcomes everyone to the show alongside Corey Graves and Byron Saxton as we are in for a night jam packed with action. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan will square off with Jeff Hardy, a new number one contender to the Smackdown Tag Team Championship will be determined, Randy Orton will take on Mustafa Ali, a qualifying match will take place for entry to the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber and right now, AJ Styles and Andrade will face off!
Singles Match: Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) defeats AJ Styles As one could expect, the match between the great in-ring competitors is back-and-forth, fast paced and intense. Styles attempts the Phenomenal Forearm but Andrade side-steps it, AJ rolling back up and hitting a Pele Kick. Looking to go for the Styles Clash after that, Andrade manages to slip free. He slides under the legs of Styles and pulls him in to a roll up and it leads to the sudden three count!
Following a commercial break, AJ Styles is seen walking through the back clearly upset with his loss to Andrade moments ago when he is approached by Mr. McMahon. "Are you happy with that performance?" McMahon questions, not even letting Styles respond before saying he still isn't seeing that animal come out of Styles and it's really disappointing. "You may have hit me in the face back on Christmas... and you may have shown me something inside of you but ever since then it has... it has crawled right back in!" Styles tries to respond but McMahon says he doesn't want to hear any excuses and tells Styles to get out of here and think about what he needs to do because if he plans on becoming the WWE Champion inside of the Elimination Chamber, he's going to do need to better than what he just did. "Get out of my sight." Styles looks frustrated but listens to what the Chairman said and storms off.
Seen elsewhere in the back is Becky Lynch when she is approached by the Women's Royal Rumble Match winner and her tag team partner at Elimination Chamber, Charlotte Flair. The two stare one another down with Flair telling Lynch that she has been looking for her. "Because I've been thinking about my WrestleMania match and..." Before she can go any further, the two are approached by the Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka. "At the Royal Rumble, Becky was not ready for Asuka!" She then looks to Flair and says that last year at WrestleMania, but says she wouldn't be if they were to face at WrestleMania for a second time. "So, do you run away and fight your friend's battle? Or stay and face me?" She smiles and says that since then, still nobody has been ready for Asuka and now nobody is challenging her. "So, do you have the guts that nobody else has?" The Smackdown Women's Champion then walks away, Lynch crossing her arms and questioning if Flair has made up her mind, only for 'The Queen' to clarify that what Asuka has to say means nothing to her.
Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Naomi and Carmella defeat Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville After recruiting Carmella to team up against her recent rival and partner in Rose and Deville, Naomi has to rely on Carmella heavily as she is cut off from the corner by the opposing team. A comeback against Deville leads to a tag to Naomi, however, and she comes in full force. After Deville hits a spinebuster to put a stop to things though, she crawls to make a tag to Rose only for Mandy to drop down from the apron to the confusion of everyone. As she walks away from the ring, it leaves Deville to fall to a superkick from Carmella which allows Naomi to get the pin.
While Rose continues to walk away from the ring, Naomi and Carmella celebrate the win despite being rather confused themselves. Deville, however, is the most unsure about what just happened with her best friend and tag team partner.
Walking through the back after a commercial break is Mandy Rose when she is approached by none other than Stephanie McMahon. "Mandy, what was that all about?" McMahon asks. "You just gave up a shot at being one half of the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions." Rose says she knows what she did, but she says that she isn't interested in being anything other than the Smackdown Women's Champion. "Not half of anything, Stephanie. I keep hearing Asuka say that nobody is ready for her but I am!" McMahon crosses her arms and says that she isn't sure if she agrees with Rose's thinking but she respects it, but if she wants a shot at Asuka she is going to have to earn it. Rose says that's fine and McMahon tells her that she'll have a number one contenders match next week. "The winner will go on to the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to take on Asuka... your opponent? Sonya Deville." Rose looks shocked over the announcement as McMahon wishes her luck and heads off.
Singles Match: Randy Orton defeats Mustafa Ali In the second of three WWE Championship Elimination Chamber preview matches, Ali and Orton have a physical contest with Ali surprising the veteran by almost putting 'The Viper' away repeatedly. After a springboard where he rolls over Orton's head, Ali gets back up and turns straight in to the RKO which leads to the hook of the leg and one, two, three for Orton.
The music of United States Champion Rusev hits and he makes his way out not looking happy along with his wife Lana. The couple enter the ring together, 'The Bulgarian Brute' saying last week he was looking to make his way to the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match when he was cost his match by Samoa Joe. "And then Joe did this..." He gestures up to the titantron and shows the footage of Joe attacking him after costing him his match with Andrade and causing him to pass out to the Coquina Clutch. Back live, Rusev shakes his head and says that clearly, Joe was upset about losing his match with Mustafa Ali. "You wanted to take it out on me because I was next up, Joe? Well, I'm the United States Champion!" He raises the belt up to the cheering crowd and says he isn't backing down from a fight, so he's calling Joe out!
After waiting for a few moments, Samoa Joe's music hits and he steps out to the stage with a scowl, staring down at the ring and not heading any further down. "You think I just came after you because it was convenient, Rusev?" Joe asks with a laugh, shaking his head and wagging his finger. "No, no, no. Yes, you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time after I was robbed of entering the Elimination Chamber but an opportunity presented itself for me to come after you and that United States Championship..." Joe smiles and says that he is aware that he has to 'earn' his opportunity but he promises he will do because he was told earlier by Triple H that next week there will be a fatal four way match between himself, Rey Mysterio, Shinsuke Nakamura and Xavier Woods to find out who will get a shot at Rusev. "And Rusev, my friend, it damn sure won't be any of those other three and I will become the new United States Champion by choking you out once again..." With a smile on his face, Joe returns to the back as Rusev shakes his head at Joe not wanting to come down to the ring.
Seen backstage is The Bar, Sheamus and Cesaro, as they are approached by Smackdown Tag Team Champions Shane McMahon and The Miz. "Alright, so who is it?" Asks Sheamus. "Who are you putting against us? One of them?" He points behind McMahon and Miz to the teams of The New Day and The Usos hanging out with each other, Kofi Kingston looking up and saying they've got some filming of UpUpDownDown to do. Xavier Woods plugs his YouTube channel some more with McMahon saying it's actually neither of them, but rather a team that they feel deserves a chance. Cesaro asks who it is, to which Miz tells them to go out there and find out. "I mean, if you don't just set the bar - you are The Bar - then you'll go out there and prove it no matter who your opponents are!" While Sheamus and Cesaro don't seem too pleased with not knowing who they are facing, they head off anyway for the match.
Smackdown Tag Team Championship Number One Contenders Match: Sanity (w/Eric Young) defeat The Bar Caught off guard by their opponents, The Bar go hard at Sanity with Wolfe and Dain overpowering the powerful in their own right Sheamus and Cesaro. After a missed Brogue Kick, Sheamus is clotheslined over the top rope and Cesaro attempts a springboard uppercut but is caught in mid-air by Wolfe and hit with the Devastation, resulting in the win for Sanity.
Seen watching on a monitor backstage and applauding are Shane McMahon and The Miz as they know who they will be facing at Elimination Chamber. "Sanity has yet to make the impact they wanted on Smackdown Live," Says Phillips. "But perhaps this is exactly what they need!" Back inside of the arena, Sanity celebrates the big victory as The Bar's non-winning ways continue.
Walking through the back after the break is Rey Mysterio when he is suddenly stopped in his tracks by Shinsuke Nakamura, whom has a smile on his face as he tells Mysterio it appears they'll be competing in the same fatal four way next week. Mysterio says he is looking forward to it but Nakamura has a much more harsh response. "I remember when you returned and embarrassed me on Smackdown 1000... now, knee to face..." Mysterio says we'll see about that next week but Nakamura throws a knee up in to the stomach that drops Mysterio to all fours. Nakamura then hits him with a Kinshasa that slams him in to the equipment nearby! Backstage officials arrive on to the scene to pull Nakamura back, a smile on his face as he walks away from a hardly moving Mysterio.
Seen walking elsewhere in the back is WWE Champion Daniel Bryan when he is approached by Dasha Fuentes, whom excuses herself and asks about his upcoming match with Jeff Hardy. "I've been preaching health and environment for over two months now," Bryan says. "And there may not be somebody more of a harm to themselves and the environment than Jeff Hardy." He says he could dive deep in to all the things Jeff has done and how bad of a role model he is but the best thing he can do is go down to that ring and beat him. "Because I am the person every single person should be looking up to... a healthy, intelligent, responsible and inspirational champion." He then continues on his way with the main event coming up next.
Non-Title Match: Jeff Hardy defeats WWE Champion Daniel Bryan Slow and methodical at first, the match picks up the pace with Hardy flying across the ring and getting Bryan on the ropes numerous times. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock but Hardy is close enough to the ropes to force the break rather quickly. Bryan grows very agitated and a relentless attack on Hardy in the corner with the referee pulling him away multiple times allows 'The Charistmatic Enigma' to shock the WWE Champion with the Twist of Fate. Jeff then races to the top rope and hits the Swanton Bomb, hooking both legs off of it and getting the three count on Bryan!
The Washington crowd cheers as Hardy staggers back on to his feet, having his arm raised up following the huge victory. "Jeff Hardy just pinned the WWE Champion!" Says Saxton. After replays of the finish, Hardy celebrates the win atop the turnbuckles with the WWE Universe as Bryan sits against the announce table on the outside looking furious over the defeat. Phillips sings things off from commentary as Smackdown Live comes to a close.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 4, 2019 6:45:06 GMT -5
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Post by tg11 on Feb 4, 2019 8:21:12 GMT -5
- Andrade beating AJ Styles in the opening contest definitely has to be considered a shocking upset. In my opinion it is an upset but then again Andrade has beaten how many former World Champions since coming on to the scene? I mean he has beaten Rey Mysterio and now AJ Styles. If anything, Andrade is definitely on a roll which means he could be in line for a push here on Smackdown Live. It is only a matter of time.
- I don't know what Mr. McMahon is trying to do to AJ Styles...is he trying to get AJ Styles to turn heel? Or is he trying to get AJ Styles to attack him again? I mean I don't know what Mr. McMahon is trying to do here but if we get a Styles/McMahon feud then I am all for it especially if it means AJ Styles feuding with The Boss similar to an Austin/McMahon feud. Or AJ Styles ends up feuding with the whole McMahon family...if you are trying to build up to that then I guess I can see what you are trying to do.
- Asuka being the Smackdown Women's Champion wants competition whether if it is Becky Lynch or the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble Match winner Charlotte Flair...Asuka wants a fight which just goes to show us just how much of a fighting champion Asuka is.
- Naomi & Carmella qualifying for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber by beating Rose and Deville is definitely a shocking win for me. Why? It is shocking for the simple fact that Mandy Rose essentially turned on her own partner...on a woman who she supposedly calls her friend. She just left Sonya out there high to dry and leaves the match allowing Sonya to get pinned. I think it is safe to say Mandy Rose wanted no part of Naomi hence why she left Sonya out there high to dry or if this leads to a Sonya Deville face turn then I guess I can get behind that.
- Mandy explaining why she turned on Sonya makes sense now...she did it out of greed and her own ego. She doesn't want the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship but wants the Smackdown Women's Championship. Of course because she is self-absorbed not that I blame her but then Stephanie putting Mandy Rose in a #1 Contender's Match against Sonya Deville...winner gets to face Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka at Elimination Chamber and honestly this is a match that I can't wait to see. Why? Because of the history between Deville and Rose breaking in together along with Paige in Absolution and also because of the fact that both of these women have future champion written all over them.
- Orton gains even more momentum heading into Elimination Chamber by beating Mustafa Ali just goes to show me that Orton may be the man who gets it done inside the Chamber. I mean Orton has the most Elimination Chamber experience (2003, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) and also Orton has been winning match after match. Orton has won a Chamber before and not to mention Orton hasn't been WWE Champion in a while. Mustafa Ali did take Orton to the limit but he's nowhere near ready to be in the Chamber.
- I think we get Samoa Joe vs Rusev for the WWE United States Championship at Elimination Chamber and if we do...then it is a match I know I can't wait to see - Sanity becoming the new #1 Contenders for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships by beating The Bar is also another shocker...why? Sanity ever since coming to the main roster have more or less become disappointments. They are not the most feared entity anymore or they should be striking terror into the hearts of the Smackdown Live superstars but have not done that. With them becoming #1 Contenders maybe just maybe they should do that now but I wonder which members of Sanity will go up against Shane & Miz? Will it be Dain & Wolfe? Or will it be Dain & Young? Or will it be Young and Wolfe? Sanity has the Freebird rule
- However, I can see Miz turning on Shane at Elimination Chamber costing them the titles and why? The program is obviously Miz vs Shane for Mania 35 so the seeds will more or less be planted anyway at the PPV with Miz turning on Shane and Sanity winning the titles.
- I think after what just happened we get Mysterio/Nakamura next week on Smackdown Live or if it doesn't happen there we get the match at Elimination Chamber - Jeff Hardy in the main event beating the WWE Champion "The New" Daniel Bryan is a shocker. However, can it be considered an upset? Not really because Hardy is a veteran and he has done it all in this business. Not to mention Jeff Hardy is a former WWE Champion...former World Champion and also Hardy hasn't been WWE Champion in over 10 years. The last time he won the title was 2009 but Jeff Hardy he has never main evented a WrestleMania before. Just let that sink in. Hardy is a future first ballot WWE Hall of Famer and he has virtually done it all except main event Mania. I would say this is Jeff's chance but can he get it done in the Chamber? I mean Jeff Hardy has Elimination Chamber experience (2008, 2009) but then again Daniel Bryan is gonna be a marked man in this Chamber match.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 10, 2019 10:16:29 GMT -5
February 11, 2019 from The Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan The Monday Night Raw opening video airs with the cameras coming inside of The Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan where Michael Cole gives the welcoming from commentary alongside Renee Young and Corey Graves. The theme music of the Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey hits to kick things off this week and she arrives to a big ovation from the WWE Universe. Rousey heads to the ring and says that last week she found out who she would be facing at Elimination Chamber this Sunday when one of her best friends in Natalya defeated Ruby Riott. "I stood in Nattie's corner and I told her that I would stay out of her way and let her get the job done on her own. I had no choice but to even the odds against Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan on the outside of the ring but I did do something I said I wouldn't do when I got in the face of Ruby Riott." She says that as a competitor and as a champion she couldn't take it watching Riott try to cheat to win and talk to her the way that she did, but she understands that Natalya didn't want that. "That's why I'm asking you to come down here, Nattie, so I can apologize to you and wish you the best of luck in our match this Sunday night."
Waiting for a few moments, Natalya eventually answers Rousey's call and heads down to the ring but rejects both a hug and a handshake offer from the Raw Women's Champion. "Ronda, I told you I didn't want your help winning and I didn't need your help winning." Rousey says she understands and she apologizes, but Natalya doesn't seem to want to accept it. "The bottom line is that this Sunday at Elimination Chamber it is you versus me, Ronda, for the Raw Women's Champion and friends or not... I'm going to win - on my own - and take that title away from you." Rousey nods, telling Natalya if she doesn't want to accept her apology, doesn't want to hug or shake hands over it then that's fine. "But when I tap you out at Elimination Chamber on Sunday night I hope you don't let it effect our friendship because that is exactly what is going to happen." The two draw closer and lock eyes, the stare down eventually being interrupted by the music of Sasha Banks, whom arrives from the back along with Bayley. One of the six teams set to compete for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship this Sunday night inside of the Elimination Chamber, Banks mentions that and how she has unfinished business with Rousey and that just a couple of weeks ago, her and Bayley beat the two of them. "So what do you say we have ourselves a rematch so Bayley and myself can show why we are going to become the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions?" Rousey and Natalya have a brief exchange before the latter agrees on behalf of the both of them, saying she has unfinished business with them herself. Rousey doesn't appreciate Natalya speaking on her behalf but appears ready for the match.
Tag Team Match: Sasha Banks and Bayley defeat Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey and Natalya Much like their match a few weeks ago, things are very competitive and back-and-forth. Rousey and Natalya show much more disconnect, however, and after Piper's Pit from Rousey to Bayley, Natalya tags herself in. She heads in to the ring and prepares to go for the Sharpshooter but Rousey takes exception to the tag. The argument allows Banks to come up from behind and knock Natalya in to Rousey, sending the Raw Women's Champion from the ring. Natalya is then rolled up by Bayley and it gives The Boss 'N' Hug Connection the pinfall victory.
As Banks and Bayley celebrate the victory on their way to the back, Rousey and Natalya get in to each other's faces once again, jawing back and forth with Natalya eventually shoving the champion backwards. Rousey tries to remain calm but Natalya continues to push, prompting Rousey to finally push back. The referee from the match and multiple offers come down to the ring to try and separate things with Natalya eventually leaving the ring while looking none too happy.
Seen walking backstage with a smile on his face is EC3 when he is approached by Charly Caruso, whom questions his actions last week interrupted and attacking Elias. "I'm in the top one percent, Charly. The top one percent of many things... including being a show stealer." He says that your typical, average superstar can't do something like that. "Elias just happens to think he deserves the spotlight when... well, he doesn't. Out with the old, in with the new! That means out with Elias and in with E.. C... 3." He begins to walk away but ends up being approached by none other than Elias himself, 'The Drifter' throwing his guitar to the side and teeing off on EC3 with punches to the face! The two brawl back and forth with backstage officials quickly arriving on to the scene to break things up between them.
Back inside of the arena, the theme music of Kevin Owens hits to cheers from the Grand Rapids crowd. Owens makes his way down and in to the ring, microphone in hand as he says that coming back at the Royal Rumble, he intended on going after Bobby Lashley and the Intercontinental Championship and he assures the crowd that he will still do that. "But this Sunday... I have the opportunity to get back what was taken from me two years ago: The Universal Championship." He adds that he never got his rightful rematch for that championship and all of the frustration he feels after all of that time and all of the frustration of being injured will all be balled up together at Elimination Chamber on Sunday. Before he is able to go much further, Dean Ambrose's music interrupts and WWE's 'Moral Compass' shows up atop the stage, shaking his head as he says it's so embarrassing to hear Owens like this. "Where is the old K.O., huh? Where is the K.O. that would tell these people to shove it?!" Ambrose heads down to the ring and with a grin, stepping in with Owens and getting a response from Owens that he is more focused than ever before. "I'm not a man of the people necessarily, Dean, but I'm also not a man that has time to waste..." He says that while he was out, he realized that at any point and time it could all come to an end and Ambrose should know exactly what he means. "I do understand what you mean, Kev," Ambrose replies. "But while I was gone I took notice of these people not giving a damn about me... not caring that I was away for eight months!" He says that this Sunday he is just as focused on becoming the Universal Champion like Owens is but the difference between them is that he is going to win. "Just like I'm going to win our match right now..." Ambrose then throws a cheap shot at Owens and lays in to him, K.O. eventually responding with a knee to the stomach and a toss over the top rope! He then yells and motions for Ambrose to get back in to the ring for the match.
Singles Match: Kevin Owens defeats Dean Ambrose A re-igniting of a rivalry from three years ago, the two have a highly competitive match, each getting their share of dominance in over the other with Ambrose looking very frustrated after Owens gets his foot on the bottom rope following Dirty Deeds. After a short while more, a second Dirty Deeds is attempted but Owens is able to pull himself free and deliver the Pop Up Powerbomb, allowing him to make the cover, hook the legs and get the one, two, three.
After a commercial break, Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable arrive from the back and head to the ring together, Roode saying that tonight there will be a glorious opportunity. "Because Chad and myself went to the McMahon family and said we want some competition this Sunday night on the Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show." Gable says that the decision was made that four teams would compete for an opportunity. "So, between Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, The B-Team, The Revival and Heavy Machinery... who is ready, willing and Gable?!" They then exit the ring as the competitors begin to make their entrances.
Raw Tag Team Championship Number One Contender's Match: The Revival defeat Heavy Machinery, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder and The B-Team A frenzy of a match, each team gets a bunch of offense in and time to shine. Ryder and Hawkins think they have the match won after a Rough Ryder to Bo Dallas, but the referee indicates that The Revival had made a tag. Wilder and Dawson hit the ring from behind and take out Hawkins and Ryder, allowing them to hit Dallas with the Shatter Machine and get the pinfall.
Seen talking together backstage is Sasha Banks and Bayley, still happy about their victory earlier and discussing taking that momentum in to this Sunday at Elimination Chamber. They are then approached by Nia Jax and Tamina, the prior stating that if Banks and Bayley think they stand a chance against the most powerful team in that match, they're mistaken. The two teams jaw back and forth a bit until Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans step up together, the latter saying that this arguing is not very lady like. "Besides, 'The Lady' and 'The Goddess' are going to be the first ever Women's Tag Team Champions." They are then approached by the trio of The Riott Squad, Ruby laughing as she tells Bliss and Evans they have to get through Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan first. As all four teams are yelling across at each other, they are approached by Stephanie McMahon, whom demands order from the teams. "Liv, Lacey, Riott Squad... you've got your match to get through first before either of you can say that you are going to become the Women's Tag Team Champions... and don't forget about the three teams from Smackdown Live, either, ladies." She wishes the participating teams luck and asks everyone to go their separate ways.
Elsewhere in the back, Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley is seen preparing for his upcoming match with Lio Rush hyping him up while wandering around. "Tonight, you're going to take it to Finn Balor! Tonight, you're going to prove why you're the Intercontinental Champion! Tonight, you're going to show him and everyone else why you're the biggest threat to Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship! Tonight, you're going to show everyone what 'The Allmighty' Bobby Lashley is all about! Let's do this!" The two then head off together for the upcoming match.
Non-Title Match: Finn Balor defeats Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) via disqualification A battle of power and speed, a lengthy match with near falls including after a Spear from Lashley and a top rope DDT from Balor. The contest goes through a commercial break with Lashley's dominance on the mat eventually leading to a come back from Balor. Rush tries to get involved but Balor manages to avoid a Lashley clothesline in the corner and deliver a sling blade and corner dropkick. Finn then races to the top rope and delivers Coup de Grace! Before he can get the pinfall, however, Rush ends up jumping in to the ring and diving on to the cover to cause the disqualification.
The crowd boos as Rush pummels the back of Balor, Finn eventually getting back to his feet and cornering Rush. Lashley gets back to his feet before anything can be done to his manager, however, and the two begin a double team. The roar of Braun Strowman is heard, however, and 'The Monster Among Men' proceeds to storm down from the back to even up the odds! After blasting Lashley with a boot to the face and tossing Rush over the top rope in to 'The Allmighty', Strowman grabs a microphone and demands that Lashley get in the ring and have a match with him now. He and Rush seem to have no interest in having that happen, however, and begin to make their way to the back. Mr. McMahon's music hits though and the Chairman of WWE comes out to a big ovation, standing atop the stage as he says he likes the sound of what Strowman proposed. "Mr. McMahon, with all due respect," Rush argues. "Your Intercontinental Champion, 'The Allmighty' Bobby Lashley tweaked his ankle in his match with Finn Balor and he doesn't want to risk hurting it any further before Elimination Chamber this Sunday!" McMahon looks up and down at Lashley and says he understands, so Bobby should go to the back and get that ankle of his checked out. The two then begin to leave together but McMahon grabs Rush by the arm, telling him that he seems fine though. "So while 'The Allmighty' Bobby Lashley goes and gets himself looked at by the trainers... we're going to give Braun Strowman his match against you, Lio!" The crowd pops for the announcement, Rush and Lashley livid as a big smirk forms across the face of Strowman in the ring!
Singles Match: Braun Strowman (w/Finn Balor) defeats Lio Rush The WWE Universe is delighted for the match up, Balor staying in Strowman's corner and encouraging 'The Monster Among Men' as he chases Rush around the ring. The two go to the outside and Balor blocks Rush, allowing Strowman to take his opponent by the neck and hurl him back inside. Strowman tosses Rush around a bit before having his eyes raked. After a series of high flying moves that seems to be giving Rush some hope, he ends up being caught off the top rope and hit with a running powerslam. Strowman isn't finished there, however, as he hits two more before getting the pinfall.
Strowman gets to his feet and holds his fists up over his head, Balor stepping in to the ring after and stepping up to the big man. After losing to Strowman in last week's main event, Balor lets Strowman know that he'll see him this Sunday. "And I'm walking out of the Elimination Chamber as the Universal Champion!" Strowman laughs about it and Balor exits the ring, motioning for the title around his waist while Braun simply responds by doing the exact same.
After a commercial break, Mr. McMahon is seen walking through the back happily when he is approached by WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. "Mr. McMahon, I've been meaning to talk to you..." McMahon asks if Angle saw what just happened out there, laughing and saying he just had to shut Lio Rush up for one night. Angle says he did see it but he wants to talk to McMahon about his future in the WWE. "Last week, I obviously couldn't keep up with Dean Ambrose and I just..." He trails off as the two end up being approached by Lars Sullivan, whom breaths heavily while towering over Angle. Saying no words, however, 'The Freak' ends up continuing on his way. McMahon says that he couldn't keep up with Ambrose and he's honestly not sure if Angle can keep up with all of the other young talents, using Sullivan as an example. Angle says that all he really needs is one more chance to prove himself. "I'll think about it... and we'll see what we can do next week." McMahon pats Angle on the shoulder and tells him to get himself ready over the next seven days, because he's not going to make this easy on him.
Transitioning elsewhere in the back, Drew McIntyre is seen in the locker room area when in to the room comes Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers. "How dare you..." Mahal says as McIntyre gets up and in the face of 'The Modern Day Maharaja'. Mahal says that for McIntyre striking him last week, he has gotten a match between the two of them set up tonight. "And now you'll have your chance at a WWE Champion before you go to WrestleMania!" McIntyre grins and says that Mahal being a champion is an absolute joke and vows to decimate him tonight. "And after I'm done with you, it's Seth Rollins... and after I'm done with Seth Rollins... I'm on to WrestleMania where I will become either the WWE or Universal Champion." Mahal urges Samir and Sunil to follow along and they head off as Mahal faces McIntyre - next.
Singles Match: Drew McIntyre defeats Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers) Despite some surprising early offense and control for Mahal, McIntyre ends up hitting a huge spinebuster that turns the tides for him. The Singh Brothers end up getting knocked off the apron hard to the floor for their troubles, McIntyre proceeding to hit Mahal with the Claymore Kick afterward and get the pinfall victory.
McIntyre emerges back to his feet and has his arm raised as the winner but he quickly steps to the ropes and demands a microphone. "Hope that everyone was watching that..." He says, particularly naming Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan. "Or anybody else that may cross my path because that was just an example of what is to come for whoever dares get in my way of becoming a World Champion..." He stops speaking as Seth Rollins' music hits, tossing the microphone aside and turning his attention toward the stage. Rollins, however, ends up coming in to the ring from behind with a springboard forearm to the back of the head. He stays on the attack of McIntyre and eventually goes for The Stomp only for Drew to roll out of the way just in time and escape from the ring. "Seth Rollins wants to prove himself after being the runner up to McIntyre at the Royal Rumble," Says Cole. "And he'll get his chance this Sunday at Elimination Chamber!" McIntyre slowly backs up the ramp as Rollins leans across the ropes, telling 'The Scottish Psychopath' there will be no running this Sunday night.
Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan (w/Ruby Riott) defeat Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans Bliss starts things off with Morgan and ends up in trouble early, eventually leading to her making the tag to Evans, whom ends up suffering the same fate as her partner. Bliss, however, doesn't seem too interested in making a save or a tag out after Evans gets a chance as Bliss instead drops herself to the floor and watches as Evans is left to be double teamed by Morgan and Logan, eventually falling to the Jersey Codebreaker of Liv, which gives The Riott Squad members the win.
As The Riott Squad celebrate having clinched the final Raw spot in the Women's Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber, Evans crawls to the ropes and looks confused to the outside at Bliss, 'The Goddess' smiling as she walks away from the ring and toward the back.
After a commercial break, Mike Rome introduces Paul Heyman to the crowd as he stands in the middle of the ring with a microphone in hand. After giving his usual introduction of his own, he says that we are six days away from the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. "And featured at that event this Sunday night are three Elimination Chamber matches but only one includes the most dangerous superstar to ever step between these ropes... the most lethal man to ever step foot in to an octagon... the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Champion..." He gestures toward the stage as he officially introduces Brock Lesnar. 'The Beast Incarnate' makes his way down, standing at Heyman's side in the ring as the advocate continues on by saying how brutal the Elimination Chamber match is. "And think about who is challenging for the Universal Championship... you've got a former WWE Champion in Dean Ambrose. Already unpredictable, now with a new attitude even more so." He brings up Finn Balor, having just given Lesnar a hell of a fight at the Royal Rumble, looking to prove even more than ever that he belongs. Kevin Owens, just back from an injury and looking to redeem himself and re-claim the Universal Championship. "Bobby Lashley, a fellow man that has conquered in WWE and mixed martial arts... but he has never conquered Brock Lesnar... and then you have Braun Strowman. 'The Monster Among Men'! How many times do we have to talk about Braun Strowman?!" He compliments Strowman in how impressive he is and how much of a thorn in the side of Lesnar he has been over the past couple of years but he has never gotten the job done and none of the five challengers will be able to get the job done this Sunday inside of the Elimination Chamber.
The music of Braun Strowman hits and perhaps taking exception to Heyman's words, he is quick to tell him that this Sunday will be different because he will take down Lesnar and he will take down his other four opponents. "But I don't feel like waiting for Sunday, Brock! I feel like kicking your ass right here and right now!" He slams his microphone down on the stage and begins to march toward the ring only for Bobby Lashley to come running from behind and jump Strowman before he can enter the ring! "Seems like that ankle of Lashley's is doing just fine!" Calls out Young. Lesnar watches from inside of the ring with a smile, only to be hit from behind by Kevin Owens! K.O. takes it to the Universal Champion in the corner as Lashley and Strowman continue to battle on the outside. Dean Ambrose soon comes racing down to the ring and he jumps in to Strowman and Lashley before joining the fight in the ring. Finn Balor is not too far behind to get in on the action, all six superstars eventually switching up who they brawl with. Referees, security and backstage officials all come running down to the ring to try and get control of the situation. "We can expect this type of chaos this Sunday at Elimination Chamber!" Says Graves. As the hectic battle continues, Monday Night Raw comes to an end.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 10, 2019 10:17:01 GMT -5
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