Raw 2/22/2021: Strowman vs. Lashley Main Events; Riddle vs. Morrison; Plus More!
Here's what's on tap for tonight's Raw:
Miz TV: WWE Champion The Miz presents a special "championship episode of Miz TV
The fallout from Elimination Chamber as we continue the Road to WrestleMania
Non-Title Match: John Morrison vs. Riddle (WWE United States Champion)
Non-Title Match: Asuka (WWE Raw Women's Champion) & Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (WWE Women's Tag Team Champions)
We're in the ThunderDome at Tropicana Field on the heels of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. We see highlights of last night's Elimination Chamber event.
MIZ TV IS STARTING THE SHOW!! John Morrison is here to introduce the NEW WWE CHAMPION......THE MIZ!!! The Miz grabs a mic and welcomes us to Miz TV "Champions Edition". How do you like me now? Miz says he first stepped in a WWE ring 15 years ago and we all thought he would be fired within 3 months. Fast forward to now and he's on the flagship show as champion. Miz claims all the top stars from his era are long gone but he's still here. He name drops Batista, Triple H, Cena, Lashley, Edge, and maybe a few others I didn't catch. Miz addresses Edge now. Miz says he called his shot. He did exactly what he said he was going to do. Miz talks his achievements and becoming a two-time grand slam champion. Miz claims he's holding the title because he deserves it and demands respect. HERE COMES BOBBY LASHLEY AND MVP!! MVP is on a crutch. MVP congratulates Miz on his win. MVP says Miz conveniently left out the part where Lashley destroyed Drew McIntyre before Miz came out to cash in. Miz says he was just about to do that. Miz tries to say him and Morrison have partying to do. MVP says hold up. They had an arrangement. Morrison cost Lashley his United States Championship. Miz promised Lashley a championship match if Lashley helped him. Miz says he has no time to defend with WrestleMania and Miz & Mrs. coming up. Lashley is pissed now. Lashley tells Miz he has one hour to come to his senses or Miz will have a new reality show about Lashley whooping his ass! Lashley claims he will destroy Miz if he doesn't get what he wants and it'll be AWESOME!!
Riddle is backstage with the Lucha House Party. They congratulate Riddle. Riddle thanks them for their support. Riddle names the eagle on his championship Travis. He had a friend named Travis. LHP tells him his match against Morrison is next on the other side of the arena. No worries though....Riddle has his scooter to ride to get there. That match is next!
Highlights of last night's triple threat when Riddle won the title.
Non-Title Match
John Morrison vs. Riddle (WWE United States Champion)
Riddle takes down Morrison right away and goes for an arm bar. Morrison escapes. Lock up and Morrison with an elbow and kick to the gut. Morrison with another kick but misses a standing Shooting Star Press. Riddle goes for a submission but Morrison quickly gets to the ropes. Morrison goes for strikes but Riddle blocks them all and tries an ankle lock with no luck. A kick by Morrison but then a gutwrench suplex by Riddle. Both men trade blows now. They jockey for position and Morrison thumbs Riddle in the eye. Morrison with a dragon sleeper on Riddle. Riddle is sent to the outside. MORRISON WITH A CORKSCREW DIVE OVER THE TOP ONTO RIDDLE. Morrison tweaked his knee there. Back in the ring, Morrison goes to clothesline Riddle but Riddle takes him over the top to the apron. They trade kicks and RIDDLE SUPLEXES MORRISON ON THE APRON AS WE GO TO A BREAK.
We're back with Riddle pummeling Morrison. There's a countdown clock in the corner for Miz to answer Lashley. Morrison fights back and gains a near fall before using a chin lock to wear down Riddle. Riddle fights to his feet and Morrison takes him to a corner. They trade punches. Pele kick by Riddle. Forearms by Riddle in the corner and another suplex. Riddle misses the PK and tries a standing moonsault with no luck. RIDDLE WITH A FLOATING BRO ON THE OUTSIDE. Riddle with a German with a bridge for a near fall. Morrison backs Riddle to the corner and delivers shoulders to the gut. Riddle battles back. MORRISON RUNS UP THE TOP AND HITS A SPANISH FLY!! 1...2...NO!! Riddle counters Moonlight Drive with BRO TO SLEEP!! Morrison lands a kick. Sunset flip by Riddle but Morrison hits another kick to the face. RIDDLE BLOCKS STARSHIP PAIN AND HITS MORRISON WITH A BRO DEREK FOR THE WIN!! Good back and forth but the right guy got the win.
W: Riddle via pin @ 11:05
The countdown continues and Miz has about 30 minutes to give Lashley a championship match.
A vignette airs for RHEA RIPLEY!! SHE'S COMING TO RAW!!
Highlights of Bad Bunny performing on SNL with his 24/7 Championship. Damian Priest and Bad Bunny are walking backstage when they get interviewed. Bunny says this is just the beginning. R-Truth is hiding with a ref but Priest spots him. Truth tries to play it cool and says he just wanted an autograph. Truth calls him Bugs Bunny and Priest corrects him. Truth bails.
Commentary rehashes the confrontation between Miz and Lashley from earlier tonight. Miz has 22 minutes left to make a decision. The Miz is backstage complaining to Adam Pearce. Pearce asks if Miz made the deal. Miz says nothing is in writing. Pearce tells Miz he needs to take on all challengers. Miz says he will when the time is right. Pearce says Miz can make whatever decision he wants but the clock is ticking.
The New Day vs. Mace & T-Bar w/ Retribution
Woods and T-Bar are starting and T-Bar with a big knee to the midsection before clubbing the back of Woods. Woods grabs an arm and pulls him to the New Day corner. Tag to Kofi who comes off the top with a double axe. T-Bar over powers him and slams Kofi. Mace tags in and repeatedly bashes Kofi's head into the mat and then a big boot by T-Bar! T-Bar tags back in so he's legal again and hits a back breaker on Kofi for a near fall. T-Bar with a big boot to Woods knocking him off the apron. MACE AND T-BAR WITH A DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM TO KOFI!! Commentary calls it High Justice. Ali wants more punishment dished out. T-Bar charges Woods and is low bridges outside. KOFI WITH TORUBLE IN PARADISE TO MACE!! TROUBLE IN PARADISE TO T-BAR AND NEW DAY WINS!! The New Day celebrates their way up the ramp and Ali is pissed!
W: The New Day via pin @ 2:51
Ali grabs a mic and rips each member of Retribution a new one for their failures. Ali walks off on them!
Bobby Lashley and MVP are walking towards the ring. What's Miz's decision? It's next!
We get answers from Adam Cole on NXT this week plus Kross vs. Escobar in a No DQ match!
More highlights of the Miz/Lashley confrontation earlier tonight.
Adam Pearce is in the ring now. Pearce introduces Bobby Lashley and he makes his way to the ring with MVP. Lashley is wearing his gear ready to go. Pearce then introduces The Miz. Miz is still wearing his suit and has Morrison with him. Lashley looks pissed when he sees Miz in his suit. Miz and Morrison grab mics. Pearce asks Miz to give his decision. Miz says he needs more time and Lashley says quit stalling because he's wasting Lashley's time and money. Miz pleads his case about multiple people coming after him. MVP says Miz doesn't have a deal with other superstars but he had a deal with Lashley. Miz wants to wait until he can give his best effort and he claims the championship deserves the best match. Miz suggest moving the match to next week. HERE COMES BRAUN STROWMAN!! Strowman has a mic and says if anyone is getting a championship match then it's him. Pearce says Strowman can't do whatever he wants. Strowman rips Pearce. Miz tries to stir the pot between Strowman and Lashley. HERE COMES SHANE MCMAHON!! Shane grabs a mic and tells everyone to chill out. Shane asks Pearce what he's doing around here. Shane tells Braun he can't just storm down and demand a match. Shane reiterates only former WWE Champions could compete in the chamber and Braun wasn't a former WWE Champion. Strowman says this whole thing sucks and he wants a title match tonight. Shane says that idea sucks. Braun says he'll take a match against Lashley then. Shane makes that match official. Shane will up the stakes. If Strowman beats Lashley, then next week it'll be Miz vs. Lashley vs. Strowman in a triple threat next week for the WWE Championship. Strowman turns to Shane and says that's the smartest decision Shane has made and LASHLEY CHOP BLOCKS STROWMAN FROM BEHIND!
Commentary talks about everything that just happened.
Non-Title Tornado Tag Team Match
The Hurt Business vs. Lucha House Party
MVP joins commentary. LHP attacks right away. The Hurt Business quickly regains control. Big clothesline from Shelton to Metalik and Cedric works on Dorado with a basement drop kick. Shelton with a back drop to Metalik and Cedric kicks Dorado out of the ring. Cedric suplexes Metalik for a near fall. Dorado is back but Shelton cuts him off with knee strikes. Shelton holds Dorado who gets kicked in the head by Cedric. Dorado is thrown out of the ring and THB double teams Metalik. Snap suplex by Shelton and a knee drop by Cedric. On the outside, Cedric sends Dorado into the barricade and into the apron. Metalik fires back on Shelton in the corner. Cedric stomps Dorado in the other corner. Shelton comes out of the corner with a power bomb to Metalik!! 1...2...Dorado breaks it up. Dorado battles back and tries to cover Metalik. THB stomp Dorado in the corner. This is a mugging. LHP breaks up another double team and Cedric is sent outside. TORNADO DDT TO SHELTON AND THEN A SPLASH FROM THE TOP!! 1...2...Cedric saves it! LHP isolate Cedric now. Cedric back drops Metalik to the apron and hits him with a back elbow. DORADO WITH A RANA TO CEDRIC FROM THE TOP!! Metalik tries a stomp from the top but no one there. Benjamin launches Metalik!! SHELTON THROWS DORADO INTO CEDRIC FOR A KNEE STRIKE AND SHELTON HITS PAY DIRT TO WIN IT!! The Hurt Business dominated most of this.
W: The Hurt Business via pin @ 5:52
Commentary talks about Damian Priest and Bad Bunny. Highlights of Bad Bunny winning the 24/7 Championship last week. Priest vs. Garza is next!
Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny (24/7 Champion) vs. Angel Garza
Priest with a huge clothesline right away. Priest backs Garza in the corner and beats him down with strikes. Priest with a back elbow off the ropes for a near fall. Garza pulls Priest into the middle turnbuckle. Garza with two clothesline to take Priest down. OFF GO THE PANTS!! Garza throws them at Bad Bunny. Garza mounts and pounds Priest. Basement drop kick by Garza followed by a boot in the corner. Garza locks in a Camel Clutch. Garza breaks to stomp Priest before going back to the Camel Clutch. Priest fights free and gets to his feet. Garza with a strike that pisses off Priest. Priest with a shot to the shin of Garza and a kick. Bell clap by Priest and another kick to the head! Priest with a big elbow in the corner. BROKEN ARROW!!! 1...2...NO!! Garza tries to crawl under the bottom rope but Priest pulls him back. Garza with strikes. Garza sets up Priest for the Wing Clipper but Priest blocks and Garza clothesline Priest out of the ring. Garza talks trash to Bad Bunny and invites him to get into the ring. Priest is back with a kick to the face. SPINNING HEEL KICK BY PRIEST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! HIT THE LIGHTS (RECKONING)!! IT'S OVER!! Long than it needed to be and I'm surprised how much offense Garza got in.
W: Damian Priest via pin @ 6:15
Post match, HERE COME THE 24/7 JOBBERS!! Priest fights them off!
Randy Orton is up next!
Another Rhea Ripley vignette airs. Coming soon!
Commentary talks about Orton's problems with Alexa Bliss. We see highlights of the gauntlet last week where Bliss cost Orton.
Randy Orton is backstage talking about failure. Orton says he should of won the gauntlet match and because he didn't he was the first to be eliminated last night in the chamber. Orton says whenever a problem arises, he takes care of it. The Fiend was a problem and Orton lit him on fire. Highlights are shown. Orton says The Fiend is no more and he's not coming back. Orton says he's in limbo and is unable to focus because he's distracted by Alexa Bliss. Highlights of the Bliss promo from last week. Orton starts having pains in his chest and then starts choking and coughs up the same black stuff that Bliss did last week. Reminds me of Papa Shango and the Ultimate Warrior back in the early 1990s.
Commentary talks about Asuka/Charlotte vs. Lacey/Peyton last week and we see the pregnancy announcement.
WrestleMania 37 is in 47 days!
Non-Title Match
Charlotte Flair & Asuka (WWE Raw Women's Champion) vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (WWE Women's Tag Team Champions)
Asuka and Shayna start. Both ladies trade counters for some chain wrestling early on. Asuka tries an octopus but Shayna with a stretch muffler. Asuka backs Shayna to her corner and tags Charlotte. Shayna escapes and tags Nia. Nia and Charlotte trade blows. Charlotte gets rocked with a stiff one. Chops by Charlotte. Shayna comes in and she's suplexed out of the ring. Charlotte knocks Nia out of the ring as well as we go to a commercial.
Back from the break, Nia throws Asuka to the tag champs corner and tags Shayna. Shayna gets a near fall. Shayna works on the left arm of Asuka. Nia comes back in as Shayna stomps Asuka's arm. Nia ties up Asuka's arm in the ropes to continue working on it. Shayna tags back in as they continue to isolate Asuka. Shayna tries another arm stomp but Asuka rolls her up for a near fall. Charlotte tags in and puts the boots to Shayna in the corner. Charlotte takes Shayna to another corner but misses a charge. Shayna with kicks to Charlotte's legs. Nia tags back in. Nia and Shayna try a double suplex by Charlotte lands on her feet. Nia sends Charlotte to the corner but she lands on her feet on the apron. Big boot to Shayna. Charlotte charges into a POWER BOMB BY NIA!! 1...2...NO!! Nia with a chin lock on Charlotte. Nia in control as she tags Shayna back in. Shayna looks for a modified chicken wing on Charlotte and backs her into the corner. Nia back in now. Nia sends Charlotte to the corner but Charlotte knocks Shayna off the apron. Charlotte with a sunset bomb to Nia. Not sure she got it all. Shayna tags in and knocks Asuka off the apron. Charlotte with a Figure Four on Shayna!! Leg drop by Nia to break it up!! Charlotte kicks Shayna away and tags Asuka. Asuka with a missile drop kick to Shayna. Nia tags in. ASUKA WITH A HIP ATTACK TO SHAYNA AND ONE TO NIA!! Nia charges but hits Shayna instead. CODE BREAKER TO NIA BY ASUKA!! SHINING WIZARD!! 1...2...NO!! Things are breaking down. ASUKA GOES FOR THE ASUKA LOCK ON SHAYNA WHEN CHARLOTTE KICKS ASUKA IN THE FACE INADVERTANTLY WHEN SHAYNA DUCKS!! Charlotte takes Shayna to the outside. NIA LEG DROPS ASUKA TO GET THE WIN!! The miscommunication leads to the down fall. I feel a Charlotte heel turn coming.
W: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler via pin @ 12:20
Post match, Charlotte tries to help Asuka up but Asuka refuses! Charlotte leaves the ring as Asuka gets to her feet.
Highlights of Shane McMahon's announcement earlier. Commentary hypes tonight's main event.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus
Sheamus goes on the attack right away. To the corner they go and Hardy with a head scissors but Sheamus is right back up and continues his attack on Hardy. Hardy fights back with right hands and arm drags Sheamus out of the ring. Sheamus jumps back in and Hardy stomps him in the corner. Sheamus fires out of the corner with a clothesline. Hardy back drops Sheamus to the apron. Sheamus looks to club Hardy but Hardy fights free and knocks Sheamus to the floor. Hardy follows and leaps off the steps with Poetry in Motion to knock Sheamus into the barricade. We go to a commercial.
We're back with Sheamus pounding Hardy with elbows on the mat. IRISH CURSE BACK BREAKER TO HARDY!! ANOTHER ONE!! A THIRD ONE!! 1...2...NO!! Sheamus continues the beat down. Hardy with right hands and a jaw breaker to try a come back. Sheamus avoids Twist of Fate. Hardy escapes a back suplex and side steps Sheamus. Sheamus runs into the ring post shoulder first. WHISPER IN THE WIND BY HARDY!! Both men trade punches now. Hardy with a clothesline and inverted atomic drop. Double leg drop by Hardy and a basement drop kick. Hardy tries a splash but Sheamus gets the knees up. Near fall for Sheamus. Sheamus charges but Hardy with a kick. HARDY GOES TO THE TOP AND HITS A SPLASH!! 1...2...NO!! Hardy with a mule kick. Sheamus hits a kick out of the corner. HARDY HITS A TWIST OF FATE!!! Hardy goes to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus is up. Both men trade counters. Hardy ducks a Brogue kick and rolls Sheamus up for a near fall. SHEAMUS WITH A PUMP KNEE STRIKE AND FOLLOWS WITH A BROGUE KICK TO WIN!! Solid stuff here.
W: Sheamus via pin @ 10:18
Ric Flair confronts Charlotte backstage. Charlotte says she can't focus on her other matches because of Ric and Lacey Evans. Charlotte says it's not funny. She's busting her ass to protect their family name. Charlotte tells Ric to go home. Ric says he saw potential in Lacey and Ric thought he could motivate her. Ric says he never said he was the father. Ric would like to think he helped push Charlotte to the level she's at. Ric says he wasn't trying to trash the name of Flair. Charlotte doesn't appreciate it Ric building the brand on her time. Charlotte again tells Ric to go home. She's thankful for everything Ric has done for her but she wants a chance to just be Charlotte Flair. Charlotte says she loves him before leaving. Finally something decent from this whole thing. I can't remember the last time Charlotte put this much emotion into a promo. Feels like forever ago.
Commentary talks about what happened with Randy Orton earlier today where he was choking on something.
Naomi & Lana vs. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke
Naomi starts with Dana and takes her to the corner where Lana tags in. Lana with a bulldog for a near fall. Nia and Shayna are watching backstage. Dana tags Mandy. Dana slams Lana and a knee strike by Mandy for a near fall. Mandy puts the boots to Lana in the corner before tagging Dana. Dana with a hand spring back elbow before tagging Mandy right back in. Lana tags Naomi. Lana tags out Dana. NAOMI AND LANA WITH A SIMULTANEOUS FACE BUSTER TO MANDY TO WIN!! Well that was short.
W: Naomi & Lana via pin @ 1:37
Bobby Lashley warms up backstage.
AJ Styles and Omos make their way to the ring. Styles is in action next!
WWE Black History month vignette airs.
AJ Styles w/ Omos vs. Ricochet
This could be great if given time. Styles charges right into a kick by Ricochet. Ricochet sends Styles out of the ring. Styles runs back in and into a slam. All Ricochet early on. Styles counters a suplex and Styles with a snap suplex of his own sending Ricochet into the corner! Near fall for Styles before going to a chin lock. Ricochet fights to his feet but Styles with a nice drop kick. Styles with straight kicks to Ricochet's head. Ricochet blocks a third one and fires back with aggression. Styles with a shot to the throat. Styles front face suplexes Ricochet on the top rope and tries the Styles Clash like a few weeks ago. Ricochet avoids and rolls up Styles for a near fall. Ricochet with a German and a bridge! 1...2...NO!! Ricochet goes to the top but Styles avoids a 450. Styles counters the Recoil and hits a knee strike to the face! STYLES CLASH AND IT'S OVER! Too quick for my liking.
W: AJ Styles via pin @ 3:49
Post match, Omos gets in the ring and slams Ricochet with ease.
The Miz and John Morrison talk backstage about the best possible scenario in the main event. They says a Lashley win would be best. Strowman approaches them. Miz and Morrison quickly leave. The main event is next! Still no Drew McIntyre tonight? Maybe he'll show up during the main event.
Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley w/ MVP
If Strowman wins, next week's championship match becomes a triple threat
The Miz makes his way to ringside before the match starts. They lock up and go to the corner. Clean break. Lashley avoids as strike and slams Strowman. Standing switch and Strowman takes Lashley down. Pin for a one count. Strowman mounts with punches and sends Lashley to the corner. Strikes and Strowman squashes Lashley in the corner before tossing Lashley out of the ring. Strowman goes for the Strowman Express but Lashley side steps Strowman and Strowman goes into the steps. Lashley takes control. Lashley with a drop kick to the left knee of Strowman. Flatliner by Lashley! 1...2...NO!! Lashley sets up for the Hurt Lock but Strowman blocks it. Lashley tries a suplex but no luck. Strowman with some heavy blows and a clothesline. This time Strowman splashes Lashley in the corner. STROWMAN RUNNING POWER SLAMS LASHLEY!!! 1...2...NO!! Strowman looks stunned! Strowman tries another but Lashley escapes. LASHLEY SPINE BUSTERS STROWMAN!! LASHLEY WITH A SPEAR!! LASHLEY WINS!! Wow! I'm impressed.
W: Bobby Lashley via pin @ 4:18
Lashley attacks Strowman post match!! LASHLEY LOCKS STROWMAN IN THE HURT LOCK!! Strowman is out! THE MIZ RUSHES THE RING! LASHLEY WITH A SPINE BUSTER TO MIZ!! SPEAR TO MIZ!! Lashley and MVP stand over Miz. Lashley holds the title up to end the show.
Next week:
WWE Championship Match: Bobby Lashley vs. The Miz (champ)
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