Raw tonight is in Austin, Texas and with Roadblock: End Of The Line in 2 weeks, the build will continue for all the big matches. Will Jericho be looking for revenge after Seth's attack last week? What match will Charlotte & sasha be having for the title rematch? Who will try and take down The New Day and their pursuit of Demolition's Tag Team Record? Keep it here for all the latest.
We open with a 'Previously On Raw' package..
Seth opens by saying he wants Triple H. He started The Shield as a group a few years ago and, when the time came, he was the one that disbanded the group. In hindsight, it may have been a bad move, but he got to the WWE World Heavyweight Title by doing so. But earlier this year, after his return to the company after injury, HHH turned to Kevin Owens as the company guy instead. He'd love to call HHH out now, but that's now how things work. What Seth needs to do is to beat Kevin Owens and win the Universal Title. That's what may make Triple H appear again. But he can't do it unless he removes Chris Jericho from the equation, proven last week when Kevin struggled on his own. Owens's music hits and he comes out on the stage. Seth asks Kevin about how Chris is and how their friendship is. Owens says that Seth may think it's funny that he and Chris had a fight light week, but at least he has a friend, unlike Seth. The most important fact is that best friends make up. Chris has been focusing on recovering and Kevin was focused on giving Chris 3 gifts for Christmas. Seth hopes this covers for all his help in Kevin's title matches. Kevin says that he's the only true fighting champion. He was focused on the wellbeing of Chris last week, which caused him to lose to Roman. He's Fight Owens Fight. Seth challenges him to a title match tonight. Owens refuses, saying not only is Seth not worthy of a title shot given that Kevin beat him 2 weeks ago, but he's been put in a match by Foley against Sami Zayn tonight. The first gift is getting Jericho a US title shot against Roman Reigns tonight. The second gift is that Jericho will face Rollins at Roadblock. And the third gift is match that's happening right now against... this guy...
WELL... Big Show is back! He's heading to the ring and will be facing Seth next.
Back from ads and the match is starting. Kevin is watching this match from ringside.
Match 1 - Seth Rollins vs. The Big Show
Decent little back and forth between the two. Kevin keeps barking orders at Show and eventually Show snaps, chokeslamming Owens off the apron, over the ropes and into the ring. Show then walks out and gives Seth the count-out victory.
WINNER by Count Out - Seth Rollins
Seth takes advantage of this by giving Owens a Pedigree, and then celebrates in the ring.
Later tonight is Owens vs. Zayn & Reigns vs. Jericho for the US Title.
They hype 205 Live and Rich Swann winning the Cruiserweight Title last Tuesday. He's apparently in action later on.
205 Live video package for Jack Gallagher. He debuts on Raw next.
John Cena hosts Saturday Night Live this Saturday night.
Back from break and Jack Gallagher is mid-way through his entrance. He's facing Ariya Daivari.
Match 2 - Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari
Pretty quick match. Gallagher gets the win with a running dropkick.
WINNER - Jack Gallagher
They shake hands afterwards, only for Daivari to attack him in the knee a few times.
Later tonight, Sheamus & Cesaro face Anderson & Gallows with the winners taking on NEw Day for the Tag Belts
Titus O'Neil backstage promoting his 'Tussle In Texas' match with Mark Henry, which is coming later.
Kevin Owens backstage with Foley complaining about being put in a match against Sami tonight. Foley says it's happening no matter what. Foley heads off and then Jericho appears
Enzo & Cass backsatge talking and they notice Lana & Rusev arguing. Enzo wants to get involved. They go over and Rusev asks them to stay out of their business, with Enzo saying that his shouting at her made it their business. Lana says that they are just trying to help. Rusev says that perhaps she is better off with a worm like Enzo. Lana reminds him that she is his wife, then takes off her ring and throws it at Rusev, falling to the ground. Rusev storms off. Enzo shoos off Cass and Enzo acts charmingly, wondering how she is doing. hard to tell if he's trying to chat her up or actually is concerned.
Sami Zayn's music hits and Sami makes his way out. He faces Kevin next.
Back with Lana & Enzo and she's concerned with their relationship.She says that Rusev needs to be taught a lesson and wants someone to make her more important, which hopefully in turn will make Rusev care for her more. She invites him to come to her hotel room tonight, Room 704... Lana heads off and Enzo dances like a certified G.
Sami is in the ring and Kevin makes his way out for action.
Match 3 - Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Very good match.Owens wins with the pop-up powerbomb.
WINNER - Kevin Owens
Chris Jericho backstage and Roman comes in his locker room saying he'd better get ready for tonight. Chris says tonight may be his lucky night. Roman says tonight may prove how he's just one of Owens's lackeys. Well, that was a disappointing promo.
Sasha Banks is talking next.
The Rock is on the cover of Sports illustrated this month.
Video recap of Sasha winning the Raw Women's Title last week. Charley interviews Sasha, who says it was great to win in her hometown and celebrate her win with Ric Flair. She says that she knew why he helped Charlotte win at Mania, and knows that he's sincere in his congratulations. Charlotte apparently tweeted how Flairs are stronger than Iron and she's coming back for her title. Sasha likes that and challenges Charlotte to an IRON MAN match at Roadblock in 2 weeks. History will be made once again.
They recap Charlotte turning on her own father back in May. She wants to publicly apologize to Ric later on.
Rich Swann is making his way out for action after the break.
We return as they recap Swann's title win last week. He's facing TJ Perkins. They also announce that The Brian Kendrick is getting his rematch on tomorrow night's 205 Live.
Match 4 - Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins
Good match. Swann wins with a pretty stiff head kick.
WINNER - Rich Swann
Bayley with some Bayley Bears backstage, she's in action next.
Back from commercials and Bayley is making her entrance. She's taking on Alicia Fox. Apparently this started because Bayley gave Cedric one of her bears... SMH...
Match 5 - Bayley vs. Alicia Fox
Quick match. Bayley wins with the Bayley To Belly.
WINNER - Bayley
Enzo backstage, talking with Cass. Cass says she's trouble. Lana apparently texted Enzo with a very hot looking photo, and runs off. Rusev comes in asking where Lana is and Cass says it's none of his business where she is. Rusev says he'll find her later, but he'll go to Foley now, and asks for a match with Cass.
The 'Tussle In Texas' between Mark Henry & Titus O'Neil is next.
EMMALINA RETURNS NEXT WEEK!!! FINALLY!!!
Titus O'Neil is out first for our next match, followed by Mark Henry.
Match 6 - Titus O'Neil vs. Mark Henry
Titus taunts Henry with a turned upside down Longhorns hand gesture. Mark Henry gives him the World's Strongest Slam... THIS WAS OVER IN 30 SECONDS!!! WHY THE HELL DID THIS MATCH EVEN HAPPEN?!?!?!
WINNER - Mark Henry
Enzo struggling to get an Uber driver for tonight and a limo pulls up backstage... AND OUT STEPS RIC FLAIR!!! He offers the certified G his limo to get a ride to Lana's hotel room. WOOO!!!
Reigns vs. Jericho for the US title is next.
The champion Roman is out first. We then see Jericho backstage and Kevin comes in saying he'll do all he can to help his friend. Chris stops him saying he can do it himself, wanting him to stay away from him and out of his business tonight. Jojo makes the introductions.
Match 7 - United States Championship - Roman Reigns (c) vs. Chris Jericho
Good match. Owens comes out and Chris wants Kevin gone. This involvement allows Roman to hit the Spear for the win.
WINNER and still US champion - Roman Reigns
Another recap of Charlotte disowning her father. Not a different clip... THE EXACT SAME ONE!!! Charlotte's apology to Ric is later.
Big Cass is making his way out for action, he's facing Rusev next.
Back from break and Rusev's music hits... and NO-ONE'S APPEARING... Cass ponders this, then asks people around ringside for a phone he can use. Cut to the hotel corridor and Enzo turns off his phone. Lana opens the door in a racy nightwear combo. They go in and Lana and Enzo drink a glass of champagne. Lana is getting frisky and wants Enzo naked, just like he was was a few weeks back. She then shouts for Rusev, who shows up and they have a good old-fashioned hotel brawl. Apparently... all of this is PG... Rusev drags Enzo out of the room and he and Lana go back in the room, Lana putting a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door as she closes it. Enzo is laid out on the carpet.
Tribute To The Troops is next Wednesday.
New Day are at ringside watching tonight's tag match as whoever wins faces them for the tag belts next Monday. Anderson & Gallows are out first, followed by Cesaro & Sheamus. They in turn show how both teams lost to New Day over the last 2 weeks with shady tactics executed by New Day.
Match 8 - #1 contenders match for the Raw Tag Team Championships (winners face New Day next Monday) - Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
OK match. The two teams go outside, and New Day get into scuffles with both teams, causing the DQ.
DOUBLE DQ
I guess we'll see what happens to the Tag title match set for next week over the next few days.
Charlotte's out next to apologize to her father Ric.
Enzo & Cass singing to promote Sing... dear god.
John Cena hosts SNL on Saturday. And just confirmed for next week, New Day will be defending their Tag Titles against BOTH Anderson & Gallows AND Cesaro & Sheamus.
Charlotte's music hits and she makes her way to the ring. They recap her tapping out last week and Ric congratulating Sasha. Apparently Charlotte has accepted Sasha's proposal for a 30 minute Iron Man match at Roadblock. Charlotte says she made the biggest mistake of her life 6 months ago, and they show her ditching Ric... AGAIN!!! ... WE GET IT!! SHE WAS A BITCH WHEN SHE DITCHED RIC!!! She says how she was ashamed with herself when Ric celebrated with Sasha last week. All she wanted was her father's approval. She always wondered if she was good enough for the Flair legacy. She feels that she failed herself as Ric's daughter when she saw what happened last week. She wants to offer Ric an apology and asks him to come to the ring. WOOOO!!! And Ric heads to the ring.
Charlotte says she's sorry and they go to hug... and Charlotte slaps him. She shouts how SHE is Flair's daughter, not Sasha, and she is DISGUSTED by what he did last week. Sasha comes out to retaliate for what happened. They brawl around ringside and, despite officials trying to stop her, Charlotte throws Sasha into one of the ringposts. Ric looks on from the ring, appalled at what he's seeing her daughter do. She then drags Sasha into the ring and gives her Natural Selection. She then taunts her father, asking him what he thinks of her girl Sasha now, and leaves the ring as Raw goes off the air, celebrating what she's done to the champ.
That's all for this week. I'll be back next week as Raw heads to Philly for the go-home show before Roadblock. So until then... ASHLEY OUT!!!