Raw is War


St. Petersburg, Florida
February 8, 2021
Results from wrestleview.com

In memory of “The Natural” Butch Reed: 1954 – 2021.

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

A video kicks off the show highlighting Drew McIntyre and Sheamus’ friendship through the years before Sheamus turned on him last week.

WWE Official Adam Pearce is in the ring, and he welcomes back to the ThunderDome Shane McMahon. McMahon says it is good to be back on Raw as we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. He is here to make a blockbuster announcement about the main event of Elimination Chamber. Pearce says Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber. McMahon says six men will enter and eliminate each other one-by-one. The final remaining superstar is the WWE Champion.

McMahon asks who will be in the match. Pearce says all the opponents will be former WWE Champions including Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, The Miz, and Sheamus. McMahon commends Pearce on the amazing idea he had for this main event. McMahon’s music plays, and he walks off.

AJ Styles’ music hits, and he makes his way to the stage with Omos behind him. McMahon sees his former opponent at WrestleMania 33 and smiles. McMahon then salutes his old doorman from Raw Underground. Styles congratulates Pearce on his idea while getting in the ring. Styles says Drew McIntyre has to defend the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber – that’s genius. The chances of McIntyre losing the championship are “phenomenal.” It’s the perfect time, too. It’s the Road to WrestleMania. It’s the perfect timing for Styles to become a three time WWE Champion. Styles says he always thought Pearce was kind of a dumbass with his decisions, but that’s neither here nor there now. Omos and the future WWE Champion will give him a snippet of what will happen with the Elimination Chamber tonight. Styles kicks Pearce out of the ring.

Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Styles, next.

-Commercial Break-

Shane McMahon is in the garage getting into a limousine when WWE Champion Drew McIntyre stops him. McIntyre doesn’t mind the Elimination Chamber match, but he wanted to have a singles match against Sheamus. McMahon says they needed something big for Elimination Chamber and there’s nothing bigger than McIntyre in the match. If he wants to prove he’s a fighting champion, that’s how he’ll do it. McMahon gets in the limo and drives off.

AJ Styles w/ Omos vs. Jeff Hardy
They lock up, and Hardy wrenches the arm before clubbing him. Styles gets to the ropes to break the grip. Styles grabs a waistlock, but Hardy turns it on him before applying a side headlock. Styles tries to whip Hardy off, but Hardy holds onto the headlock. Styles finally whips him off, but Hardy shoulder blocks him down. Styles angrily kicks and punches Hardy to the corner. Styles hits a running forearm and clubs away at him. Hardy sidesteps a second charge and kicks Styles. Hardy bounces Styles off the turnbuckle and shoulders him in the corner. Hardy hits a snapmare followed by a low dropkick for a one count.

Edge will give us a WrestleMania update tonight.

Styles powers Hardy to the corner and whips him to the opposite corner before delivering a shoulder to the midsection. Styles has a whip reversed, and Hardy connects with a back body drop. Hardy splashes Styles for a two count. Hardy bounces Styles off the turnbuckles a few times to take him down. Hardy drops a leg for a two count. Hardy kicks Styles and whips him, but Styles kicks him. Hardy quickly takes him down again. Hardy punches away at Styles in the corner. Styles reverses a whip to the corner, but Hardy slingshots over him. Hardy’s knee gives out on the slingshot and he collapses in pain. Hardy rolls out of the ring to recover. Styles goes outside and chop blocks Hardy down. Styles gets in the ring to break the count-out before going back outside and hitting a knee breaker. Styles then lifts him and swings Hardy’s injured leg into the ring post.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Styles attacking Hardy’s injured knee. Omos smiles and nods at what he’s seeing. Styles grabs the leg, but Hardy fights back with an enzuigiri. Hardy limbs over to the corner, but Styles catches him with the Calf Crusher. Hardy screams in pain and grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Styles grabs the leg again, but Hardy punches him back. Styles reverses a whip, but Hardy collapses in pain again. Styles sets up for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Hardy limps and falls into the ropes to counter him.

Hardy hits Styles with a jawbreaker, inverted atomic drop, double leg to the midsection, low dropkick, and a splash for a near fall. Styles blocks a kick, but Hardy hits a mule kick. Hardy kicks him and hits an inverted falcon arrow for a near fall. Styles grabs his nose in pain. Hardy pulls Styles up, but Styles kicks him in the injured knee. Styles sets up for a Styles Clash, but Hardy fights it and hits the Twist of Fate! Hardy scratches and claws his way to the corner and pulls himself to the top rope. Hardy goes for a Swanton Bomb, but Styles moves. Styles then puts the Calf Crusher back on and really cinches it in. Hardy screams in pain, but he has no choice but to tap out.

Winner by Submission: AJ Styles

Riddle will battle Keith Lee later tonight.

Footage is shown of Bobby Lashley brutally beating Riddle last week on WWE Raw.

We see Keith Lee warming up backstage when Riddle walks up to him. Lee mentions Riddle has a black eye. Riddle says laughter is the best medicine and binge watched all the “Air Bud” movies. Lee says Bobby Lashley must have knocked a screw loose in Riddle. Riddle says people thought it was ridiculous that a dog could play basketball, but that didn’t stop Air Bud. Riddle wants the United States Championship and will win it. Lee says he’s tried a few times, so maybe it’s time for someone new to do it. Lee has what it takes to beat Lashley and can beat Riddle tonight. Riddle says, “Let the better man win,” and walks off.

The New Day make their way to the ring. Kofi Kingston returns to action, next.

-Commercial Break-

WWE Official Adam Pearce is walking backstage when an angry Sheamus walks up to him. Sheamus isn’t happy to be competing in the Elimination Chamber when Drew McIntyre promised him a singles match. Pearce is no different than the other empty suits that give him, a four-time World Champion, no respect. Sheamus will destroy everyone in the Elimination Chamber now.

Mustafa Ali will be on commentary for this match.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. RETRIBUTION (T-Bar and Slapjack) w/ Mustafa Ali and Mace
Xavier Woods starts against Slapjack. Slapjack takes him down with a waistlock, but Woods takes him down with a headlock. Slapjack fights up and wrenches the arm. Woods twists out and chops the chest. Woods hits the ropes, and Kofi Kingston tags in. Woods does a head-scissor and holds Slapjack up for Kingston to hit for a two count. Kingston chops the chest, but Slapjack takes him down with an uppercut. T-Bar tags in and clotheslines Kingston down. Kingston goes for a monkey flip, but T-Bar holds him up and grabs the face. Kingston punches T-Bar in the face and hits the ropes. T-Bar catches Kingston and puts him on his shoulders. Kingston slides off, but T-Bar slingshots over him. T-Bar hits the ropes and catches Kingston trying a leapfrog. Kingston slides down for a roll-up, but T-Bar reaches down and slams Kingston. Mustafa Ali is angrily shouting on commentary. T-Bar charges Kingston, but Kingston holds the top rope down. Kingston then sidesteps Slapjack, and Woods knocks Slapjack off the apron. Kingston then hits T-Bar and Slapjack with a trust fall.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see T-Bar beating Woods down in the corner. Slapjack tags in and viciously knees Woods down. Slapjack applies a neck vice, but Woods gets out with a jawbreaker. T-Bar tags in and knocks Kingston off the apron before hitting Woods with a clothesline for a near fall. Slapjack tags back in and slams Woods for a near fall. Ali screams, “Tonight is your night to eat!” Slapjack goes for a suplex, but Woods floats through and rolls him up for a two count.

Kingston tags in and hits a top rope clothesline on Slapjack. Kingston hits T-Bar before hitting some chops on Slapjack and a dropkick. Kingston takes T-Bar down on the apron before hitting Slapjack with a leaping clothesline. Kingston hits a Boom Drop and taunts Ali. Kingston ducks a clothesline from T-Bar and hits him with Trouble in Paradise. Slapjack tries to attack Kingston, but he counters him. Woods tags in before tagging Kingston back in. The New Day hits Daybreak for the win!

Winners by Pinfall: The New Day
Mustafa Ali is furious with T-Bar and Slapjack. The New Day celebrates on the ramp. Woods wants to fight Reckoning.

Footage is shown of Bianca Belair winning the Women’s Royal Rumble 8 days ago. She’ll be on Raw tonight.

“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair makes his way to the ring in a custom suit. Lacey Evans soon follows behind him. Evans will face Flair’s daughter, Charlotte, next.

-Commercial Break-

WWE congratulates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on winning the Super Bowl last night. They showcase the custom WWE Championship.

Damian Priest is backstage talking with Bad Bunny.

“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is in the ring with Lacey Evans. Flair says people want an explanation. Flair doesn’t take orders from women, especially his daughter. Instead of hearing about him and Tom Brady, he’s hearing about how great his daughter is. We know she’s the Queen with 13 World Titles and doesn’t need him. Flair has Evans, who has what it takes to be a great WWE Superstar. She needs guidance and wisdom. Charlotte may be the best female superstar today, but he’ll continue to train Evans. This relationship is casual, but if she’s overwhelmed with his charm then that’s to be expected. They’re putting Asuka on notice. They’re coming for the Raw Women’s Championship.

Lacey Evans says she respects Ric Flair and treats him like the legend that he is. She would never treat her father like Charlotte treats hers.

Charlotte Flair’s music cuts her off, and she makes her way to the ring. Ric goes to hold the ropes for his daughter, but Evans pulls him back. Charlotte says if Evans really wanted to learn, she’d go to Orlando and learn in the WWE Performance Center. Instead Evans wants to use her dad and wear her robe. She’s seen this a million times. What does Ric need Charlotte to do? Does he need validation? She never said he doesn’t want her help. Charlotte has been protecting this legacy for the last 7 years. Ric is surrounded by “Yes” people. She doesn’t care who he manages… just don’t bring her down with him.

Evans just wants to listen and learn from him. Why can’t they work together? Evans would be a way better partner than Asuka. Ric loves that idea. Charlotte says she didn’t come this far to come this far. She’s been trying to prove to Ric and everyone at home that she can do it on her own. Charlotte calls Evans, “Charlotte 2.0.” Charlotte already has a tag team partner and it’s Asuka. Evans says her sights are on the Raw Women’s Championship. Charlotte says she hopes her father takes her right to the championship. Evans says Ric was told if she beats Charlotte then she’ll be next in line to face Asuka for the title. Charlotte wants to go right now, so Evans punches her. Evans brings her outside and drives her into the steel steps. Evans accepts the match (that was already advertised as happening).

-Commercial Break-

The Miz and John Morrison are talking with Angel Garza backstage.

Lacey Evans w/ Ric Flair vs. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte powers Evans to the corner and shoulders her a few times. Evans quickly attacks Charlotte’s injured shoulder from the attack and wrenches the arm. Charlotte twists through and applies an arm bar. Evans whips her to the corner, but Charlotte rolls up the turnbuckle. Charlotte hits a slingshot roll-up and kicks her. Evans quickly takes her down, but Charlotte quickly bounces back with a dropkick. Evans goes to the apron to recover and snaps Charlotte’s arm off the top rope. Evans sweeps the legs and hits a sloppy slingshot elbow drop. Evans stretches Charlotte, but Charlotte takes her down. Charlotte grabs the leg, but Evans gets to the bottom rope. Evans kicks Charlotte in the knee. Charlotte wrenches the arm, but Evans fights back and twists the arm. Evans takes Charlotte down, but Charlotte kips up and gets in her face. Evans tries again for the same result. Evans pulls her down by the hair, but Charlotte gets up and reverses a whip. Evans stops herself and does the Ric Flair strut. Charlotte avalanches Evans and hits an exploder. Evans rolls out of the ring to recover. Charlotte then struts like her father. Charlotte teases a plancha, but Evans pulls Ric in front of her. Charlotte puts the brakes on, so Evans sweeps the feet on the apron.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Evans trying to apply a cross arm bar. Charlotte fights it, but Evans takes her down. Charlotte eventually gets up and stomps her. Evans quickly knees her in the injured shoulder. Evans takes her down and hits a neckbreaker for a two count. Evans goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but Charlotte gets the knees up. Evans grabs her knee in pain.

Charlotte chops away at Evans’ chest. Charlotte approaches her in the corner, there’s a pause, and Evans slaps her in the face. Charlotte then big boots her down for a two count. Evans rolls out of the ring to recover. Charlotte gets on the apron and yells at her father. Evans then runs around Ric to take Charlotte down by the arm. Evans gets her in the ring and picks up a near fall. Evans sets up for a Figure Four, but Charlotte kicks her away and hits a spear. Charlotte angrily stares at her father and tells him to humiliate her on his own time. Charlotte then unloads on Evans with kicks and punches in the corner. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner by Disqualification: Lacey Evans
Ric gets in the ring and grabs Charlotte to stop her from hitting Evans. Charlotte swats her hand away and taunts him. Ric helps Evans up.

We’ll hear a WrestleMania update from Edge, the winner of the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble.

-Commercial Break-

WWE honors Rosa Parks on her birthday.

WWE Hall of Famer Edge makes his way to the ring. Edge says last week was a hell of a long week, but it was amazing. It started with him winning the Royal Rumble. That leaves him with a massive decision. Which champion will he face at WrestleMania? Edge came to Monday Night Raw to see the lay of the land and finish his business with Randy Orton. Then he went to NXT and SmackDown. Edge was face-to-face with all three champions.

Now the landscape has changed since Drew McIntyre has to defend the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber. Edge knows Roman Reigns and Finn Bálor are champions, but he knows anyone can leave as the WWE Champion from Elimination Chamber. Edge likes his odds against any of them. Edge doesn’t like McIntyre’s odds. It doesn’t make sense for him to decide who he will face until after Elimination Chamber. He’ll wait for the dust to settle…

The Miz, John Morrison, and Angel Garza make their way to the ring. Miz sarcastically says that was a great speech that reeked of awesomeness. Edge has always been the Ultimate Opportunist. Miz knows he’s waiting for the ultimate opportunity to strike. Miz has always been a “stratagize,” so he wants to strategize. Whatever title Edge goes after, Miz will be there with the Money in the Bank contract. Miz will leave WrestleMania as champion. Miz coldly welcomes him back.

Edge asks if Miz knows who he is talking to. Edge put the Money in the Bank briefcase on the map. Edge knows when he holds up the briefcase that he needs to have eyes in the back of his head. Edge has been trying to keep three champions on high alert and Miz is telling him what he’s going to do. Edge is playing high stakes poker while Miz is playing Old Maid. Edge needs to see this story through and needs to be champion. Does Miz notice the difference between them? Edge walks off.

-Commercial Break-

Bad Bunny makes his way to the ring, complete with pyro. Damian Priest soon follows.

Angel Garza w/ The Miz and John Morrison vs. Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny
Priest kicks Garza back to start the match. Priest stomps him in the corner and uppercuts him. Priest sends him to the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Garza hits the ropes, but Priest hits a spinning wheel kick. Priest presses him agains the ropes, so Miz and Morrison distract him. Garza hits a throat thrust and a stiff clothesline. Garza dropkicks him for a two count. Garza chokes him on the ropes before the referee backs him up. Miz kicks Priest in the head while the referee is distracted. Bad Bunny angrily gets on the apron, so Garza throws his pants at him.

Garza ties the legs up, but Priest fights out and viciously forearms him. Priest kicks away at the midsection and stuns him with a right hand before flooring him with a clothesline. Priest signals for the end and hits a running back elbow in the corner. Miz and Morrison distract Priest, so Garza clotheslines him over the top rope. The referee admonishes Garza, while Miz and Morrison double-team Priest. Bad Bunny taunts them with the Money in the Bank briefcase and slides it in the ring. Morrison goes after it, and the referee sees him in the ring with the briefcase. The referee ejects Miz and Morrison from ringside.

Priest hits Garza with a clap to the ears. Priest follows up with the Reckoning for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest

Charly Caruso is backstage with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. She asks him about the Elimination Chamber. McIntyre says to expect the unexpected like what Sheamus did to him last week. Sheamus threw away a 20 year friendship when he could’ve just asked for a shot. McIntyre has a lot of choices to make. It may seem like he’s backed into a corner and would crack under the pressure, but he’s not. When he’s backed into the corner, he becomes like a rabid animal. If you challenge him, he’ll rip your damn face off.

Riddle makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Keith Lee, next.

-Commercial Break-

Asuka will defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Lacey Evans at Elimination Chamber.

Charly Caruso is backstage with Bianca Belair, the winner of the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble. Belair says she is the EST of WWE. She’s the smartEST so she won’t make her decision yet. Belair says she’d be a fool to underestimate Asuka. In order to be the EST of WrestleMania, she has to beat the best.

Raw Women’s Champion Asuka walks up to her and congratulates her on the Royal Rumble win. That doesn’t mean she’s ready for Asuka. Belair says she is ready for Asuka, but Lacey Evans isn’t. Belair tells Asuka to handle her business at Elimination Chamber. If she does, she may be seeing a little more of Belair on Raw.

MVP is on commentary for this match. MVP is holding Bobby Lashley’s WWE United States Championship. Lashley is not there.

Riddle vs. Keith Lee
Riddle gives Lee respect before going for a flying arm bar. Lee doesn’t go down and powers Riddle up with one arm. Riddle tries to extend the arm, but Lee curls him up to his feet. Riddle tries for a takedown, but Lee deadlifts him and tosses him aside. Riddle looks frustrated. Riddle grabs him, but Lee takes him down again. Riddle ducks a right hand and punches away at the body. Riddle clubs and forearms him to the corner. Riddle goes for a running forearm, but Lee catches him by the throat. Riddle kicks the arm away and kicks away at Lee. Riddle charges, but Lee sends him flying with a Pounce. Lee picks up a near fall for that.

Lee strikes away at him and hits Grizzly Magnum. Lee then viciously whips him hard into the corner. Riddle collapses in pain. Lee grabs him, so Riddle tries to fight back. Lee simply forearms him in the face to take him down. Riddle tries to fight back again, but Lee counters back with a strike combo. Riddle flips through a German Suplex and hits an overhead kick. Lee is stunned, but still standing. Riddle attacks him in the corner and hits a running forearm. Riddle goes for an exploder, but Lee powers out and hits Grizzly Magnum. Lee goes for a Spirit Bomb, but Riddle gets out and leaps off the second rope with a knee to the face for a one count. Riddle hits a running kick to the face and goes to the top rope for a Floating Bro. Riddle connects with Floating Bro, but Lee kicks out at two.

Riddle hits a trio of Brotons on Lee and gets fired up. Lee blocks a Final Flash and gets him up for a Spirit Bomb. Riddle fights it and applies a triangle. Riddle takes him down to a knee and cinches it in. Lee powers him up and slams him into the corner. Riddle pops out and hits a Final Flash. Riddle charges, but Lee crushes him with a Spirit Bomb for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Keith Lee
Bobby Lashley blindsides Riddle and Lee after the match. Lee angrily charges, but Lashley kills him with a one-armed slam. Lashley applies a Hurt Lock to Riddle before throwing him down and shouldering Lee off the apron. Lashley takes Lee down at ringside and sends him headfirst into the ring post. Lashley grabs the steel steps and smashes them into Lee’s face. Lashley poses on the commentary table and holds up the United States Championship.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre faces Randy Orton in a non-title match later tonight.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown of Bobby Lashley destroying Keith Lee and Riddle moments ago.

Video Package: Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton

Randy Orton says Drew McIntyre took the WWE Championship from him, but he always finishes his unfinished business. Whether it’s kicking legends in the head, RKOing anyone who stands in his way, or setting The Fiend on fire, he will stand tall. He’ll do the same tonight.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler make their way to the ring. Jax will face Lana in a Tables Match, next.

-Commercial Break-

Tables Match
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler vs. Lana w/ Naomi
Lana quickly attacks Jax at the sound of the bell, but Jax crushes her with two vicious powerbombs. Jax applies a wild stretch muffler and slams her head into the turnbuckle. Jax lifts her up to slam her over the top rope through a table, but Lana hangs on. Jax goes for another powerbomb, but Lana bends back and pulls her over the top rope. Jax quickly takes her down and goes for a leg drop on the apron, but Lana moves. Jax holds her tailbone and screams, “My butt! My hole!” Lana then pushes her through a table propped up on the barricade.

Winner: Lana

Shayna Baszler attacks Lana, but Naomi takes her down.

-Commercial Break-

Shayna Baszler vs. Naomi w/ Lana
Naomi quickly bends under a clothesline to start the match. Baszler goes for an arm stomp, but Naomi kips up. Baszler takes her down again and stomps the arm. Baszler controls her for a bit before Naomi makes a comeback. Baszler counters into a Kirifuda Clutch, but Naomi rolls over to the bottom rope. Baszler goes outside and kicks Lana in the knee before kneeing her in the face. Baszler tells Lana to mind her own business before throwing her into the barricade. Naomi rolls Baszler up as she gets in the ring for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Naomi

Video Package: The Elimination Chamber match

Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. He’ll face WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, next.

-Commercial Break-

Bobby Lashley will defend the WWE United States Championship against Keith Lee and Riddle at Elimination Chamber.

Non-Title Match
Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
They lock up, and McIntyre powers him to the corner. Orton pops out and goes for an RKO, but McIntyre pushes him off. McIntyre hits the ropes for a Claymore Kick, but Orton gets out of the ring. Orton gets on the apron, but McIntyre knees him in the face. McIntyre goes for a draping DDT on Orton, but Orton gets out. Sheamus all of a sudden runs down to distract McIntyre. Orton attacks McIntyre from behind and drives him headfirst into the ring post. Orton then sends McIntyre shoulder-first into the ring post.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see McIntyre fight out of a chin lock, but Orton takes him down and throws him out of the ring. Sheamus is shown watching with extreme interest at ringside. Orton bounces McIntyre off the commentary table before hitting a back suplex on it. Orton gets McIntyre in the ring for a two count. Orton cinches in a chin lock, but McIntyre soon fights up. McIntyre powers out of it. They exchange punches back and forth. Orton kick McIntyre in the midsection and uppercuts him. McIntyre punches back at him and reverses a whip. McIntyre lowers his head and eats a kick. McIntyre ducks a clothesline and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre grabs Orton and hits it again.

McIntyre hits a neckbreaker and kips up. McIntyre looks fired up. McIntyre goes for a Future Shock DDT, but Orton counters into a jackknife cover for a two count. Orton grabs him, but McIntyre hits a spinebuster for a near fall. McIntyre goes to the top rope, but Orton punches him in the head to cut him off. Orton climbs up and connects with a big superplex. Orton takes a moment to recover and pins McIntyre for a near fall.

Orton lifts McIntyre up, but McIntyre connects with a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre charges, but Orton puts him on the apron and hits a draping DDT. Orton signals for the end. Orton sets up for an RKO, but McIntyre pushes him off and hits a Future Shock DDT. Orton slowly gets up and tries for an RKO, but McIntyre pushes him off… and right into the path of a Brogue Kick meant for McIntyre! McIntyre then floors Sheamus with a Claymore Kick.

Winner by Disqualification: Randy Orton