Detailed Results
Before RAW officially gets underway, RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon is backstage with RAW General Manager Mick Foley as Stephanie is about to give Foley his “performance review” for 2016. Before the performance review, Stephanie addresses the big rumor that The Undertaker is going to be making an appearance on RAW with Stephanie mentioning that it was Foley who started that rumor. The Commissioner then points out that, the last time she saw The Undertaker, he was on SmackDown LIVE, saying that nobody knows The Undertaker better than Mick Foley. The GM says that he doesn’t have any “concrete” evidence that The Undertaker is going to show up, he has a “very strong feeling” that The Undertaker will be on RAW. Seth Rollins then enters the office, letting Stephanie and Foley know that he is entering himself into the Royal Rumble Match!
Braun Strowman then barges into the office, demanding that he fight either Roman Reigns or Goldberg here tonight after both men hit him with a double Spear last week. Seth Rollins then gets in the face of “The Monster Among Men” but Strowman continues to demand either Reigns or Goldberg with Foley explaining that Goldberg is not even in the building and Reigns is scheduled for a match already. Seth then chimes in, saying that he thinks that he can “help” Braun with what he wants and this is when Rollins catches Strowman with a right hand, sparking a brawl between Seth and Braun! Stephanie and Foley then call for assistance as referees flood the office to break up the fight. Stephanie then tells Foley that the GM needs to address the Undertaker rumors while she handles the situation with Braun Strowman. As the Commissioner leaves the office, Foley assures Stephanie that The Undertaker will be on RAW tonight.
RAW then gets underway with United States Champion Roman Reigns as, less than three weeks before he faces Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Championship with Chris Jericho locked in a shark cage at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns would have the unenviable task of defending the United States Championship in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match against both WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and his best friend Chris Jericho in a match where, if either Owens or Jericho defeat Reigns, then that individual will win the title! However, with the match set to get underway, Braun Strowman would march towards the ring with his sights set on Roman Reigns. Reigns would leave the ring to try and get Braun before Braun gets him, but when the United States Champion gets back into the ring, he is attacked by Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, who is joined by Braun Strowman as Reigns finds himself on the receiving end of a three-on-one beatdown.
This is when Seth Rollins would rush to the ring with a steel chair, hitting Braun Strowman with the Van Daminator before delivering chair shots to the back of Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. Seth then catches Strowman with a chair shot before Roman Reigns hits Strowman with a chair shot to the back and the two former Shield teammates follow this up with a double chair to Braun’s back, sending Strowman out of the ring. RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon then comes out to the stage, determined to restore order, as Stephanie says that she promised a Handicap Match for the United States Championship and it will happen tonight. The Commissioner then makes an impromptu one-on-one match between Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman!
In an impromptu match made by Stephanie McMahon moments earlier, two of the thirty Superstars confirmed for the Royal Rumble Match would go one-on-one as “The Architect” Seth Rollins would take on the task of squaring off with “The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman. During the David vs. Goliath affair, Braun Strowman would climb to the second rope for a superplex, but Seth Rollins was able to knock the giant to the mat, hitting the frog splash on Braun, but Strowman kicks out with authority. With Braun hobbled on the outside, Seth would climb to the top rope, launching himself at Strowman on the outside but Braun moves out of the way as Rollins lands on the barricade. Braun then sends Seth over the barricade to the concrete floor before Strowman drags Rollins back towards the ring. However, the referee would reach his ten-count as the match is declared a double count-out. After the match, Strowman grabs a steel chair but Seth is able to keep “The Monster Among Men” out of the ring, grabbing the chair for his own protection and swinging it at Braun, keeping Strowman at bay.
Backstage, Bayley and Sasha Banks are discussing Bayley’s upcoming match for the RAW Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair at the Royal Rumble when they are confronted by RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Charlotte says that no one has beaten her for the title on pay-per-view and Bayley will be no different before the champion gets in Sasha’s face. This is when Nia Jax shows up as Nia kicks the injured knee of Sasha before Charlotte attacks Bayley, sending the #1 Contender head-first into an anvil case as Nia delivers a kick to Sasha’s knee. The champion then laughs and pats Nia Jax on the back, but Nia turns on Charlotte, shoving the champion against some crates before walking off, letting Charlotte know that she has no interest in an alliance.
In Cruiserweight action, RAW would see “The Extraordinary Gentleman” Jack Gallagher square off with Drew Gulak. In the end, it was Jack Gallagher hitting the running dropkick in the corner as Gallagher pins Drew Gulak to pick up the win.
With his movie, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, set to be released soon, RAW would see a rare appearance from “The Heartbreak Kid” as WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels would make his return to RAW! HBK says that he has missed coming out there and seeing the fans on a regular basis, saying that things tend to pick up around January in WWE. Michaels then says that he has a lot of “fond memories” of the Royal Rumble and, this year, the Rumble is in his hometown of San Antonio. The Hall of Famer then says that, twenty years ago, he won the WWE Championship in his hometown at the Royal Rumble. HBK then runs down a few of the names entered into the Royal Rumble Match such as Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, and Seth Rollins before commenting that he is much more comfortable sitting on the “outside looking in” when you look at that stacked card.
This sparks a “one more match” chant from the crowd before HBK says that, as excited as he is about the Royal Rumble, he is there to talk about his new movie, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. After promoting his movie, the Hall of Famer is interrupted by Rusev, who comes down to the ring with his wife Lana and Jinder Mahal. Rusev says that Lana should be in the movie, but HBK says that the movie is already done. Rusev argues that they can use their “stupid CGI” to put Lana into the movie before commenting that, without Lana, Shawn Michaels’ movie will be as forgettable as Michaels’ career. This brings out Enzo & Big Cass with Enzo struggling to get into the ring, calling Shawn Michaels “the realest guy in the room”. Enzo then comments on Lana’s acting ability, saying that Lana can act like she’s not “repulsed” by Rusev every morning. This would ultimately lead to a face-off between Big Cass and Rusev with Rusev saying that, if Big Cass wants a match, he’s going to get one but it’s going to be against Jinder Mahal.
With Enzo Amore and Shawn Michaels in his corner, Big Cass would go one-on-one with Jinder Mahal, with Rusev and Lana in his corner, on RAW. During the match, Rusev would get on the ring apron to aid Jinder Mahal, but this is when Shawn Michaels would get involved, dropping “The Bulgarian Brute” with Sweet Chin Music on the outside! This would allow Big Cass to hit the Empire Elbow on Jinder Mahal, pinning Jinder for the win.
The self-proclaimed “King of the Cruiserweights” was in action on RAW as Neville would go one-on-one with Lince Dorado. In the end, it was Neville utilizing the Rings of Saturn to make Lince Dorado tap out to pick up the win. After the match, Neville would attack Lince Dorado from behind, again locking Lince Dorado in the Rings of Saturn but Rich Swann would make the save as the Cruiserweight Champion takes it to Neville. The champion then goes for the Swann Kick, but Neville ducks out of the way, making a quick escape from the ring.
After getting attacked by Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax earlier in the night, Sasha Banks and Bayley enter Stephanie McMahon’s office as Sasha demands a match pitting them against Charlotte and Nia next week. The RAW Commissioner tells Sasha to take the “bass” out of her voice when she talks to her because she’s the “legit boss” around here. Sasha responds by getting in the face of Stephanie before Bayley steps in and Stephanie tells Bayley that she’s lucky that she lets Bayley have her title match at the Royal Rumble after Sasha got involved last week. The Commissioner then says that, even though Sasha is not 100% cleared to compete, they are going to get their tag match, but it will be right here tonight! Stephanie then tells Sasha and Bayley to get out of her office.
With the other half of the RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro a guest on commentary, one-half of the RAW Tag Team Champions Sheamus would go one-on-one with Luke Gallows, with Karl Anderson also a guest on commentary. During the match, Karl Anderson would attack Cesaro at the announce position, distracting Sheamus in the ring as Luke Gallows looks to take advantage, but Sheamus manages to stay in it. Meanwhile, on the stage, Cesaro nearly locks in the Sharpshooter, but Anderson is able to escape. However, this would distract Luke Gallows and Sheamus would take advantage, scoring with the Brogue Kick and pinning Gallows for the win.
With the promise to Stephanie McMahon that The Undertaker would make an appearance on RAW, RAW General Manager Mick Foley would make an appearance in the ring. The GM says that he carries the scars and the lifelong injuries sustained during his wars with The Undertaker to the grave and he is calling upon The Undertaker for “one more encounter” right now. When The Undertaker does not show up, Foley starts to recall the days of seeing Paul Bearer roll up his sleeves to show him the hair standing up on his arms when The Undertaker would enter the arena. However, the GM is interrupted by the lights going out in the arena only for RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon to come out to the ring. Stephanie says that she “sincerely apologizes” for Mick Foley’s failure to produce The Undertaker before saying that she has “no choice” but to give Foley his performance review right now.
Stephanie tells Foley that the GM has made a lot of good decisions as the RAW General Manager, but she feels it’s “two steps forward and two steps back” with Foley, pointing out that Foley put the whole Cruiserweight Division on the line at Survivor Series and he’s let his personal feelings get in the way when it comes to Sami Zayn and, now, Braun Strowman is out of control. The Commissioner then says that, worst of all, Foley “allowed” SmackDown LIVE to beat RAW in the ratings before saying that, tonight, Foley created “empty buzz” because The Undertaker is not there. Stephanie continues, saying that Foley said that she should “trust” him before asking what Mick has to say for himself. Foley then starts to apologize but that is when the unmistakable gong sounds in the arena, followed by smoke billowing from the stage, signifying the arrival of The Undertaker! “The Phenom” then makes his legendary and chilling walk to the ring as flames erupt from the stage and Mick and Stephanie watch in awe.
The Undertaker first glares at Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon before stating, “I’m back”, and making the blockbuster announcement that he will be entering the Royal Rumble Match! The Undertaker then states that he answers to “no one” and he goes where he wants to go, stating that “no one controls The Undertaker”. The Undertaker then gets right in Stephanie’s face, repeating “no one”, letting the Commissioner know that not even a McMahon controls “The Deadman”. The Undertaker continues, saying that he has returned to the city where his undefeated WrestleMania streak met its “demise” but his journey continues to the Royal Rumble, proclaiming that he has “dug 29 holes for 29 souls”. The Undertaker then says that, after he wins the Royal Rumble Match, he will return to the main event of WrestleMania before looking at Stephanie and saying that, if anyone gets in his way, they will “rest in peace”!
As she prepares to face Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Championship in less than three weeks at the Royal Rumble, Bayley would team with “The Boss” Sasha Banks to face the team of RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. During the match, Nia Jax would knock Sasha Banks off of the ring apron, taking Sasha out of the match and, in the end, it was Nia Jax squashing Bayley with a big leg drop, pinning Bayley to pick up the win for herself and Charlotte Flair.
Titus O’Neil would again confront The New Day in the ring on RAW in another attempt to join The New Day, apologizing for his actions last week. The New Day responds by showing embarrassing footage of Titus O’Neil from 2010 where Titus tripped and fell down while trying to run with a keg as part of a challenge in the original NXT. Kofi Kingston then reveals a keg full of “Booty Juice” at ringside, offering Titus a shot at “redemption”. While it initially appeared as though Titus beat the challenge, the referee argues that it didn’t count because Titus dropped the keg before crossing the finish line. The replay supports the referee’s claims and Titus responds by shoving Kofi Kingston before Kofi challenges Titus to a match.
After The New Day again publicly embarrassed Titus O’Neil, RAW would see The New Day’s Kofi Kingston, with Big E & Xavier Woods in his corner, go one-on-one with Titus O’Neil. In the end, a distraction from Big E & Xavier Woods would allow Kofi Kingston to catch Titus O’Neil with Trouble in Paradise, pinning Titus to pick up the win.
Then it was time for the main event as, a few weeks before he challenges Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Title with Chris Jericho locked in a shark cage at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns would have the task of defending the United States Championship in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match against both WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and his best friend Chris Jericho where, if Owens or Jericho defeat Reigns, then whoever scores the fall will win the title. Before Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho can even get into the ring, Roman Reigns attacks the best friends, putting his focus on Chris Jericho as the champion tries to lock Jericho in the shark cage on the stage.
However, Kevin Owens intervenes and Owens & Jericho send Roman Reigns face-first into the shark cage, knocking the cage off of the stage. Owens & Jericho then bring Reigns to ringside, sending Roman into the steel steps before rolling Reigns into the ring. The referee then checks on Roman Reigns with the champion insisting that he is ready to compete and the referee rings the bell to get the title match officially underway. During the match, Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho would go for the Pop-Up Codebreaker, but Roman Reigns would counter with the Superman Punch to Chris Jericho, following it up with a Superman Punch to Kevin Owens as well. Jericho then avoids the Spear before going for the Codebreaker, but Roman counters, ultimately hitting Jericho with the Spear but Owens pulls the champion out of the ring at the last second! Roman then goes for the Drive-By to Kevin Owens, but the WWE Universal Champion moves out of the way before catching Reigns with a super kick.
Owens then looks for a powerbomb on the ring apron, but Reigns counters before hitting the Drive-By to Owens. Roman then catches Jericho with the Superman Punch, but as Reigns tries to get back into the ring, Owens grabs Roman’s ankle. This allows Jericho to hit the Codebreaker before Owens lifts Roman up and drills Reigns with a powerbomb on the ring apron! Owens & Jericho then manage to get Reigns back into the ring, savoring the moment before Owens send Reigns to Jericho, who hits Roman with another Codebreaker, this time pinning Reigns to become the brand new United States Champion! The WWE Universal Champion and the new United States Champion then celebrate together in the ring with their gold proudly on display as Chris Jericho adds to his legendary resume by winning his first United States Title.
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