The penultimate episode of WWE Raw ahead of Royal Rumble was scheduled to see the in-ring return of Alexa Bliss. The former Women’s Champion was set to return to action against Asuka while also continuing her recent issues with Randy Orton.
1. Randy Orton Introduces a Mask Gimmick
The Viper kicked off this week’s show wearing a mask and showing the scars from last week’s fireball attack at the hands of Bliss. Orton came to the conclusion that he blamed The Fiend for her actions and stated that his injuries wouldn’t prevent him from competing in Royal Rumble in less than two weeks’ time.
2. Charlotte Flair def. Peyton Royce
Peyton Royce attacked Flair on the entrance ramp and jump-started the match, before Ric Flair and Lacey Evans made their way out to the ring with Evans wearing Flair’s entrance robe. The distraction wasn’t enough to cost Flair the match, and The Queen went in to pick up the victory following The Figure 8. After the match, Flair refused to break the hold to send a message to her father.
3. Mace def. Xavier Woods
After a loss to T-Bar last week on Raw, Woods took on Mace this week and made quite the impression by punching Mustafa Ali in the face. Ali had earlier sent a message to Kofi Kingston who was sidelined with a broken jaw, Mace looked to give Woods the same injury before the numbers game once again helped Retribution to victory with Mace delivering a spinning sidewalk slam.
4. Alexa’s Playground
Alexa Bliss welcomed Asuka to her playground, where she announced her entrance into the Royal Rumble while also talking to an imaginary friend believed to be The Fiend. The Raw Women’s Champion was obviously terrified and fled the ring after the rocking horse started to move on its own.
5. Shayna Baszler def. Mandy Rose
Nia Jax was on commentary as part of the match as Baszler looked to make quick work of Rose. After working the arm throughout the match, Baszler picked up the win via The Kirofuda Clutch.
After the match, Nia Jax and Baszler had a disagreement at ringside which allowed Dana Brooke to kick Jax into her partner.
6. AJ Styles def. Ricochet
Ricochet could qualify for Royal Rumble with a victory over AJ Styles after an altercation with The Phenomenal One backstage. Omos once again made his presence known as he caught Ricochet to prevent a crossbody on Styles. Ricochet put up a good fight but Styles was able to create a Styles Clash from nothing to pick up the win.
7. The Dirt Sheet: Gillberg Returns
The Miz and John Morrison welcomed Gillberg onto The Dirt Sheet despite promoting Goldberg. A shocking version of Drew McIntyre also made his way to the ring in an ill-fitting wig. Miz later declared that he would cash in on the winner of the match to end the segment.
8. The Hurt Business def. Lucha House Party and Riddle
Earlier in the night, Bobby Lashley stamped on Riddle’s foot backstage, but Riddle claimed that he would still wrestle the match. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin struggled to co-exist throughout which saw Benjamin physically push Alexander out of the ring at one point. After a number of issues between Benjamin and Alexander, Lashley tagged himself in and hit a spear on Gran Metalik before locking in The Hurt Lock for the win.
After the match, Riddle ran in and hit Lashley before running up the ramp.
Backstage: Drew McIntyre sent another pre-recorded video in for this week’s Raw where he announced that he would return next week.
9. Jeff Hardy def. Jaxson Ryker via DQ
After their match last week Hardy and Ryker faced off again with Elias getting involved and costing Ryker the match. After the match, Ryker sent quite the message to Hardy with a powerful slam.
10. Alexa Bliss def. Asuka
Bliss was in a playful mood, but The Empress wasn’t in the mood to play games and took the fight to Little Miss Bliss. Midway through the match, the lights went down, and when Raw returned Alexa Bliss looked completely different.
Bliss performed Bray Wyatt’s stretch in the corner before looking to lock in the Mandible Claw. Bliss then delivered Sister Abigail to pin the Raw Women’s Champion.
