Challenge Accepted.
One night after WWE Elimination Chamber, the 1083rd edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. On a historic night in sports entertainment, the WWE would revolutionize the entertainment world with the unveiling of the over-the-top WWE Network, a 24/7 streaming service that will open fans to over 1,000 hours of footage from WWE, WCW, and ECW, including over 400 pay-per-views! To celebrate this monumental night, WWE would pull out the big guns for RAW as, for the first time since 2007, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan would appear on RAW as the WWE Hall of Famer would help ring in the WWE Network with his huge return to the company where it all began for him.
After interference from Director of Operations Kane and The Wyatt Family directly helped Randy Orton retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship inside the Elimination Chamber, “The Viper” now has to look towards April 6 in New Orleans where Orton will step on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania, to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Title against “The Animal” Batista. What will the champion have to say about his controversial title retention at WWE Elimination Chamber? What will John Cena and Daniel Bryan have to say about being screwed out of the title by The Wyatt Family and Kane?
Match Results
- Alberto Del Rio (with Randy Orton) def. Batista by roll-up.
- Non-Title: Big E def. Cesaro by DQ after Jack Swagger interferes.
- Sheamus def. Christian by pin following the Brogue Kick.
- Daniel Bryan def. Kane by pin following the running knee.
- Emma def. Summer Rae by submission to the Emma Lock.
- Non-Title: The Usos def. The New Age Outlaws by Jimmy Uso pinning Road Dogg following the Superfly Splash.
- Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan) def. Roman Reigns (with Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins) by DQ after Dean Ambrose interferes.
Detailed Results
On a night where the unprecedented WWE Network would go live across the country, RAW kicks off in spectacular fashion as the one, the only, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan returns to the WWE, appearing on RAW for the first time since 2007! With chants of “Hogan” resonating throughout the Resch Center, the Guest Host of WrestleMania proclaims that tonight marks the “turning point” of his career because he is “officially home”. Hogan continues, saying that, thirty years ago, he was part of the very first WrestleMania and, tonight, history will be made again, saying that the Hulkamaniacs were a huge part in helping the launch of the WWE Network. Hogan then says that he can watch matches featuring Bruno Sammartino, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock and all their classic matches. “The Hulkster” continues, saying that he is so happy to be back in the WWE and he is so happy to be the official Guest Host of WrestleMania. Hogan then concludes, asking “whatchya gonna do when Hulkamania, the WWE Network, and WrestleMania XXX runs wild on you, brother?” The Hall of Famer then poses for the crowd, soaking in his return to the WWE.
As he counts down the days until he challenges Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, the opening match of the night would feature Batista as “The Animal” would go one-on-one with the man he defeated at WWE Elimination Chamber, “The Mexican Aristocrat” Alberto Del Rio. Just as Batista was set to hit the Batista Bomb on Alberto Del Rio, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Randy Orton, would come out. Orton would distract his WrestleMania opponent long enough for Del Rio to surprise “The Animal” with a roll-up, picking up the quick win over Batista. After the match, Orton says that Batista has always been “easily distracted” and Batista losing to Del Rio is “one of the funniest things” he has ever seen. The champion continues, saying that it is also funny how the WWE fans have reacted to Batista’s return, bringing up the fact that the fans have been “booing the hell” out of Batista, saying that Batista is probably even “sorry” that he came back. Batista says that Orton could not be more wrong, saying that he loves the business and the fans are just being “honest”, something Orton knows nothing about. “The Animal” then says that none of that matters because he cannot wait to beat the hell out of someone he used to call a friend, a man who has become a “whining, sniveling, kiss-ass suck-up”. Batista continues, saying that they are looking at the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, telling Orton and everyone else to “deal with it”.
After successfully defending the Intercontinental Title against Jack Swagger at WWE Elimination Chamber, Intercontinental Champion Big E would go one-on-one with Jack Swagger’s tag team partner, Cesaro, with Zeb Colter & Jack Swagger in his corner, in a non-title match. During an intense match, Cesaro would toss Big E to the outside and Jack Swagger would attempt a cheap-shot behind the back of the referee, but Big E would dodge Swagger before taking Swagger out with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Cesaro would catch Big E in the Cesaro Swing, spinning the Intercontinental Champion around, but before Cesaro could put the finishing touches on Big E, Swagger inexplicably gets in the ring and locks the Patriot Lock in on Big E, resulting in the disqualification! After the match, Cesaro glares at Jack Swagger in disbelief and frustration, but after a face-off between The Real Americans, Big E attacks Swagger and Cesaro jumps Big E, planting the Intercontinental Champion with the Neutralizer, effectively saving his tag partner.
One night after The Wyatt Family not only cost him the WWE World Heavyweight Championship inside the Elimination Chamber, but also cost him a main event spot at WrestleMania, John Cena would appear on RAW to address The Wyatt Family. Cena proclaims that, with the WWE Network now live, their “future is now”. Cena says that, if any Superstar in the back wants to carry the WWE into the future, then they will have to go through him to prove it. Cena continues, saying that he knew that he would come face-to-face with The Wyatt Family eventually, but he never expected it to be inside the Elimination Chamber. Cena then dares Bray Wyatt to make another “bold move” right here tonight. It would not take long for Cena to get his wish as Bray Wyatt makes his way to the ring with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan in tow. Bray then sits in his rocking chair in the entranceway, saying that this world has an “infection” and the “virus is the human race”. Bray continues, saying that it makes sense that Cena would place himself in the role of the “hero”, saying that Cena is “full of empty promises”. Bray then says that he tells the fans that everything will be alright as long as he is around, but Cena is a “liar”, saying that he stands for everything that is “real”. Bray continues, saying that his name is Bray Wyatt and they are the “reapers that bring death to this era of liars”. As The Wyatt Family surrounds the ring, Cena says that, if they decide to make their move, then it’s “go time”. The Wyatt Family does not back down and Cena tries to take Luke Harper & Erick Rowan out, but the three-on-one advantage would overwhelm Cena as The Wyatt Family beats Cena down. Having apparently injured his leg, Cena uses the ropes to climb to his feet and, on one leg, Cena charges at The Wyatt Family again, but the trio easily beats down the hobbled Cena. Just when it looks like The Wyatt Family would leave, Erick Rowan gets on the apron, distracting Cena long enough for Bray Wyatt to launch himself at Cena, taking Cena down before kneeling at Cena’s side and screaming “follow the buzzards”.
Still feeling the effects of the Elimination Chamber Match one night earlier, two new rivals would go one-on-one on RAW as “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus would face “Captain Charisma” Christian. At the end of a punishing match, it was Christian coming off of the middle rope and finding himself on the wrong end of the Brogue Kick from Sheamus as Sheamus pins Christian to pick up the win.
Earlier in the night, cameras caught The Authority arriving to the arena with security in tow. Renee Young confronts Triple H & Stephanie McMahon to get their thoughts on the launch of the WWE Network, but the interview is broken up by a livid Daniel Bryan who, while being held back by The Authority’s personal security, screams at Triple H, asking what he has to do, saying that he will fight Triple H at WrestleMania and he will fight him right now. A calm and condescending Triple H tells Daniel Bryan that they have had this discussion before, saying that he will “try to find a spot” for Daniel Bryan on the WrestleMania card. Stephanie McMahon then steps in, saying that Daniel Bryan needs to focus his aggression on a man who “deserves it” when he faces Kane.
Backstage, The Shield appears to be in disarray as Seth Rollins questions Dean Ambrose on his whereabouts at WWE Elimination Chamber when he essentially disappeared following a brawl into the crowd with Bray Wyatt. Ambrose says that he is getting sick of explaining himself and if they don’t “trust” him, then he is out of there. Ambrose then walks away before Rollins tells Roman Reigns that he doesn’t know if he believes Ambrose’s story. Rollins & Reigns are then confronted by The Wyatt Family as Bray Wyatt says to not let them interrupt. However, Reigns says that they have already interrupted and that is a “big problem”, saying that they could settle that right now or Bray can “man up” and face him one-on-one, adding that, if Bray leaves the “family” behind, then he will leave the “hounds” behind. Bray calls Reigns an “interesting creature” before accepting his challenge!
After getting screwed out of the WWE World Heavyweight Title yet again by The Authority’s Director of Operations, Kane, at WWE Elimination Chamber, Daniel Bryan would go one-on-one with Kane on RAW. During the match, Kane plants Daniel Bryan with a chokeslam, but Daniel Bryan kicks out of the pin, which shocks Kane. Shortly after this, Daniel Bryan would hit the running knee on Kane, pinning the Director of Operations for the win. After the match, Daniel Bryan says that he confronted The Authority earlier and he found out that Triple H is a “coward”. Bryan says that he challenged the COO to a match at WrestleMania and Triple H hid behind his wife’s skirt, saying that Triple H does not care what the fans want. As the crowd erupts in “yes” chants, Daniel Bryan tells Triple H to give the people what they want to see, a match between Daniel Bryan and Triple H at WrestleMania!
In her debut match on RAW, Emma, with Santino Marella in her corner, would face Summer Rae, with Fandango in her corner. In the end, it was Emma locking in the punishing Emma Lock on Summer Rae, forcing Summer to tap out to pick up the win.
After narrowly retaining the WWE Tag Team Titles at WWE Elimination Chamber, WWE Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws would face The Usos in a non-title match on RAW. However, The New Age Outlaws would opt to do their signature introduction and that would cost them as The Usos would take the champions out before Jimmy Uso lands the Superfly Splash on Road Dogg, pinning Road Dogg to pick up the win for The Usos in record time.
After he was isolated by The Wyatt Family during the 6-Man Tag match between The Shield and The Wyatt Family that ended with Bray Wyatt pinning him for the win at WWE Elimination Chamber, The Shield’s Roman Reigns would face The Wyatt Family’s Bray Wyatt on RAW and both men would make good on their promise to leave their respective teammates in the back. During the match, Roman Reigns sets up for the Spear to Bray Wyatt, but the lights would go out and Luke Harper & Erick Rowan would appear at ringside. However, just as quickly as Harper & Rowan would appear, Seth Rollins would rush in the ring before launching himself onto Harper & Rowan, taking the two men out! Meanwhile, in the ring, Bray Wyatt would attempt to take advantage of the distraction by rolling up Reigns, but Reigns would kick out, catching Bray with an uppercut before Bray tosses Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post as Reigns falls to the floor. Harper & Rowan would then target Seth Rollins, but Dean Ambrose would charge to the ring, sparking a brawl between the four men on the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Roman Reigns would hit the Superman Punch on Bray Wyatt, but Luke Harper would get on the ring apron and Reigns would knock Harper down before Ambrose takes it upon himself to hop into the ring and attack Bray, resulting in the disqualification. With the match concluded, an all-out brawl breaks out between the two factions with The Shield getting the better of the situation, sending The Wyatt Family packing.
For the first time since destroying Big Show at the Royal Rumble last month, “The Beast” Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman by his side, would appear on RAW. With a table set up in the ring, Paul Heyman says that Brock Lesnar should be in the main event of WrestleMania before saying that Lesnar is not in a “good mood”. Heyman continues, saying that Randy Orton and Batista should get their title match “out of the way” and the winner should defend the title against Lesnar at WrestleMania. Heyman explains that The Authority will let Lesnar make history, but in a “different way”, revealing that The Authority has given Lesnar an “open contract” to face anyone he wants at WrestleMania! However, Heyman comments that the open contract is merely a “consolation prize” for Lesnar and what Lesnar wants is “history to conquer”. Heyman continues, saying that everything that Lesnar set out to do, he “conquered” it. Heyman says that Lesnar wants to “conquer” the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and walk out of WrestleMania with both titles slung over his shoulders and the only reason that Lesnar cannot conquer that history is because of The Authority’s refusal to give Brock Lesnar what he wants. Heyman then says the open contract does not mean a thing to Brock Lesnar, so, as far as the open contract goes, they are giving The Authority a “no thank you”. Heyman continues, saying that Lesnar does not have to choose his WrestleMania opponent, demanding that The Authority give Brock Lesnar “history to conquer” or they can forget about having Brock Lesnar compete at WrestleMania!
Having said their piece, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman were set to leave the ring when both men were stopped in their tracks by a sound that has not been heard in an arena in nearly a year as the unmistakable gong of The Undertaker sounds as “The Deadman” appears on RAW for the first time since April of last year! “The Phenom” stares daggers through Brock Lesnar as he makes his methodical entrance to the ring as Lesnar watches The Undertaker with a puzzling look on his face. The Undertaker gets right in the face of “The Beast”, glancing at the WrestleMania sign before locking his gaze back on Brock Lesnar. It does not take a single word for Brock Lesnar to understand exactly what is going on as Brock signs the open contract for the WrestleMania match. Heyman explains to The Undertaker that Lesnar has signed the contract, asking “The Phenom” to do the same. With pen in hand, Undertaker stabs the hand of Lesnar to the contract, signing his name before grabbing Lesnar by the throat and drilling “The Beast” through the table with a chokeslam! The Undertaker then looms over the prone body of his next WrestleMania adversary, Brock Lesnar, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that The Undertaker is ready to put the infamous streak on the line against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX!
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