Detailed Results
RAW kicks off with RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon as Stephanie welcomes everyone to RAW before saying that RAW General Manager Mick Foley was feeling “overworked” and “tired” last week and that is why he “embarrassed” himself at Samoa Joe’s contract signing. The Commissioner then says that she has given Foley the night off so that, when he returns, the GM will have his “priorities in order”, saying that she is running RAW here tonight. Stephanie is then interrupted by Roman Reigns, who tells the Commissioner that he’s not waiting until Fastlane, he wants to fight Braun Strowman right here, right now. Stephanie then polls the crowd on if they want to see that match here tonight with the fans roaring their approval. Stephanie then tells Roman that the fans don’t care about him and they don’t care about putting Roman in harm’s way but she does. Reigns says that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him and he especially doesn’t care what Stephanie thinks. Stephanie then reveals that Braun Strowman is already scheduled for a match tonight when Braun faces off against “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry! Roman responds by saying that, maybe, he will come out there and watch the match in person.
Stephanie then tells Roman Reigns that Roman can’t just do whatever he wants, saying that, if Reigns puts his hands on Braun Strowman tonight, then maybe she will take away Roman’s match against Strowman at Fastlane or maybe she will take away whatever opportunity Roman has at WrestleMania. Roman doesn’t back down from the Commissioner before RAW Tag Team Champions Gallows & Anderson interrupt, coming out to the stage. Karl Anderson says that they couldn’t sit back and listen to Roman disrespect Stephanie any longer. Luke Gallows then quotes the Rolling Stones, telling Roman “you can’t always get what you want” before Gallows offers to go two-on-one against Roman Reigns here tonight. Stephanie then decides to make this 2-on-1 Handicap Match official before Gallows & Anderson make their way towards the ring. Roman would then decide to strike first, battling the RAW Tag Team Champions on the outside before referees are able to restore order.
Per the orders of RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, the opening match of the night would see Roman Reigns face RAW Tag Team Champions Gallows & Anderson in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. During the match, Roman Reigns would catch Karl Anderson with the Superman Punch before Luke Gallows enters the ring as Gallows & Anderson would administer a two-on-one beatdown on Roman Reigns. This would lead to the referee calling for the disqualification, but the RAW Tag Team Champions weren’t through as the champions would try for the Magic Killer. However, Reigns would battle back, knocking Gallows to the floor with the Superman Punch before dodging a steel chair shot from Anderson by dropping Anderson with a big boot. Roman then grabs the steel chair, standing tall as the RAW Tag Team Champions retreat up the ramp.
The New Day were on RAW as Kofi Kingston, with Big E & Xavier Woods in his corner, would go one-on-one with Bo Dallas. In the end, it was Kofi Kingston hitting the S.O.S. on Bo Dallas, pinning Bo for the win.
With a shot at the Cruiserweight Title coming up at Fastlane, “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher would go one-on-one with Noam Dar, with Alicia Fox in his corner, in Cruiserweight action on RAW. In the end, it was Jack Gallagher connecting with the running dropkick in the corner, pinning Noam Dar to pick up the win. After the match, Neville would come out to the stage, holding up the Cruiserweight Title belt as Jack Gallagher stands in the ring, ready to fight.
After months of vignettes promoting her transformation, the moment was finally at hand on RAW as the makeover from Emma into Emmalina would be revealed. Emmalina would come out to the stage before saying that they have waited seventeen weeks for the makeover from Emma to Emmalina, proclaiming “here I am”. Emmalina then says that, now, they will see the “makeover from Emmalina to Emma” before walking to the back, much to the disapproval of the fans.
A massive collision would then take place on RAW as “The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman would go one-on-one with “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry. During the match between the two titans, Mark Henry would use his superhuman strength to get the better of Braun Strowman, nearly hitting Strowman with the World’s Strongest Slam. However, Braun would show just that as Strowman hits “The World’s Strongest Man” with a dropkick before managing to deliver the running powerslam to Mark Henry, pinning Henry for the win. After the match, Roman Reigns would march down to the ring for a piece of his Fastlane opponent as Roman would hang Braun up on the top rope before hitting the Superman Punch. However, Strowman would not go down and Reigns would connect with a second Superman Punch that knocks Braun down to one knee. Roman then charges at Braun in the hopes of hitting the Spear, but Braun would grab Reigns and plant Roman with the running powerslam! Strowman then stands over Reigns, shouting at Roman that Reigns “can’t win”.
In a special backstage interview, Michael Cole would interview “The Destroyer” Samoa Joe on RAW. When Cole brings up the possibility that Triple H brought Samoa Joe to RAW because Triple H is “scared” of Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe says that Triple H doesn’t need to justify himself to anyone. Joe then says that a lot of great athletes have come out of NXT but none of them are on his level. Joe continues, saying that he has laid a path of destruction around the world for eighteen years and WWE was too afraid to bring him in before saying that he’s proven that he’s a “very dangerous man”. Samoa Joe then says that it doesn’t matter who they put in front of him because he will destroy them all and he proved that two weeks ago when he re-injured Seth Rollins. Cole then mentions that Seth Rollins has vowed to come back and slay “the king” Triple H. Appearing to lose his patience, Samoa Joe asks Cole if this interview is about him or if it’s about Triple H, saying that he keeps hearing Triple H’s name brought up. Joe then states that he has no qualms about putting Seth Rollins back on the shelf.
Samoa Joe then says that, for eighteen years, he has beaten everyone that has been put in front of him. Joe then says that he is there to “wreck shop” and “take everything” before saying that he’s not a “flash in the pan” who’s just happy to be on RAW like Sami Zayn, he is on RAW to “make a statement”, saying there is no one on the roster who can stand toe-to-toe with him. Michael Cole then brings up a list of people who have been in Samoa Joe’s position before, mentioning Shawn Michaels, Batista, Randy Orton, and Seth Rollins and saying that Triple H’s relationship with those Superstars went incredibly “sour”. Joe says that all of those men needed to be “propped up” and had their hands held to “get the job done”, saying that he is not one of those men because he doesn’t need Triple H. Joe continues, saying that he gets the job done all on his own and Triple H finally has someone he can “rely on” because he knows what is “best for business”. Joe then says that, if anyone gets in his way, they will learn why “the creator unleashed the destroyer” before Samoa Joe exits the interview.
After coming up short against United States Champion Chris Jericho last week, “The Underdog from the Underground” Sami Zayn would go one-on-one with “The Bulgarian Brute” Rusev, with Lana in his corner. During the match, Rusev would charge at Sami Zayn but Sami would move out of the way and Rusev would land face-first on the top turnbuckle. On the outside, Rusev would drop Zayn on the apron before sending Sami back into the ring but when Rusev gets back into the ring, Sami is able to catch “The Bulgarian Brute” out of nowhere with the Helluva Kick, pinning Rusev to pick up the upset win.
After the match, Sami Zayn is interviewed on the stage about his big win with Sami taking the time to address Samoa Joe’s comments. Sami says that Samoa Joe is “no Sami Zayn” because Sami Zayn doesn’t do what he’s told and he doesn’t “take shortcuts” and he sure as hell doesn’t “sell out”. Sami then starts to discuss WrestleMania before he is interrupted by the music of Samoa Joe. This turns Sami’s attention to the entranceway, but Samoa Joe would emerge from the side of the stage, blindsiding Sami Zayn! “The Destroyer” would pummel Sami Zayn with right hands, waiting for Sami to get up before striking with more right hands to Zayn before sending Sami face-first onto the LED board on the stage. Joe then traps Sami in the Coquina Clutch, choking Zayn out and leaving Sami laid out on the stage.
Following the announcement earlier in the day from FOX Sports, it would be confirmed during RAW that the latest inductee into the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame will be legendary manager, referee, and General Manager Theodore Long. Managing the likes of Ron Simmons, Butch Reed, Mark Henry, Sycho Sid, and others as well as being the longest tenured General Manager in SmackDown history, Theodore Long will be “thuggin’ and buggin’” his way into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31 in Orlando.
In Cruiserweight action, Akira Tozawa would go one-on-one with Ariya Daivari with The Brian Kendrick a guest on commentary. In the end, it was Akira Tozawa snapping off his German suplex with the bridge, pinning Ariya Daivari for the win.
After a night of highlights showcasing their friendship, RAW would be home to the Festival of Friendship presented by Chris Jericho as pyro would go off before a group of Las Vegas Showgirls come out to the stage, followed by United States Champion Chris Jericho. The jovial Jericho would then introduce his best as WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens would come out to the stage, appearing reluctant to take part in the festivities. Complete with blinged out hat and jacket, Chris Jericho would be escorted down to ringside by the Showgirls before Jericho enters the ring, followed by Kevin Owens. Jericho then presents Owens with the “Art of Jericho”, proclaiming “sculpt it in, man”, revealing that the art piece depicting their intertwining friendship cost him $7,000. The United States Champion then unveils the “Creation of Kevin”, a modified version of the “Creation of Adam” painting. Owens comments that he has two kids so he can’t hang the painting in his home, pointing out that Jericho isn’t even wearing pants in the painting. Jericho responds by saying that it’s “art”, so he doesn’t need pants before saying that “true art grows on people”.
Chris Jericho then says that they are “magical” before bringing in “Friendship the Magician” as Friendship does some magic tricks for Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho but Owens doesn’t seem impressed by the magic tricks, saying that his nine-year old son can do the same tricks. Jericho agrees and responds by putting Friendship the Magician on the List of Jericho before telling Friendship to “hit the bricks”. Jericho then tells Owens that he is going to do what he should have done last week and that is make sure that Goldberg doesn’t even make it to Fastlane. The United States Champion then calls Goldberg out, saying that Goldberg is going to get “it”. Goldberg’s music then plays, but it’s not Goldberg who comes out as, instead, the man who made a career out of imitating Goldberg during the Attitude Era makes his return as Gillberg comes out, complete with sparklers. However, as Gillberg makes his way down the ramp, Kevin Owens attacks the parody of Goldberg, tossing Gillberg into the ring apron. Owens then gets back in the ring as Jericho applauds Owens’ attack. The WWE Universal Champion then says that he doesn’t understand because he thought that the whole Festival of Friendship thing was a ploy to get Goldberg to come out so they could beat him up before Fastlane.
Jericho says that he did all of this for Owens before Jericho gets serious, saying that getting to work with Kevin Owens had made the last year one of his favorite years of his entire career. Jericho then says that he’s had a lot of friends and a lot of partners in his career but he’s never had the chemistry with them that he’s had with Kevin Owens and he wanted to thank Owens for that. Jericho then says that Owens is going to beat Goldberg at Fastlane because he is going to have Owens’ back, saying that he will “always” have Owens’ back because Owens is his “best friend”. Jericho continues, saying that Owens is his “brother” and telling the WWE Universal Champion, “I love you man”. Owens then says that he loves Jericho too before the best friends hug. Owens then reveals that he also got Jericho a present but admits that it’s not as good as all the gifts Jericho has gotten him. The WWE Universal Champion then hands Jericho a box and the United States Champion opens the box, revealing that Owens got Jericho a brand new List of Jericho! However, Chris Jericho’s mood changes when he notices that his name is the only one on the new list before Jericho turns the list over, noticing that the list he is holding says “The List of KO” on it.
Then, just as Chris Jericho realizes what is about to happen, Kevin Owens attacks his supposed best friend! Owens then stomps Jericho out of the ring before throwing the “Creation of Kevin” painting out of the ring. The WWE Universal Champion then exits the ring, tossing the List of Jericho at Jericho before tossing the United States Champion into the barricade. Owens then grabs Jericho, driving Jericho into the ring apron with a vicious powerbomb. Back in the ring, Owens would take a page out of Chris Jericho’s playbook by sending Jericho face-first into the Festival of Friendship sign in the ring, sending glass flying all over the ring! As referees rush the ring to check on Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens picks up his WWE Universal Title belt as Owens casually tips over the other art piece before leaving the ring, walking up the ramp without a bit of remorse.
After a confrontation earlier in the night, RAW would see Enzo Amore, with Big Cass in his corner, go one-on-one with Cesaro, with Sheamus in his corner. In the end, it was Cesaro catching Enzo Amore with the pop-up European uppercut, pinning Enzo for the win. After the match, Sheamus would try to fight Big Cass, but Cesaro would hold Sheamus back.
Backstage, RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is on her way towards the ring for her title defense when she is confronted by longtime rival Sasha Banks. Charlotte says that, if this was her company, she would ban Sasha from the arena for “destroying morale” because Sasha is a constant reminder of how easy it is to see someone “fall”. Sasha responds by saying that Charlotte knows that she got Charlotte just as good as Charlotte got her, saying that she will do it again any place at any time. The champion tells Sasha that she doesn’t get to “talk the talk” when she isn’t even able to “walk the walk”, telling Sasha that she is going to sit and watch her do what Sasha cannot do and that is “win”.
Then it was time for the main event as, in a rematch from the Royal Rumble, Bayley would challenge Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Championship. During the match, Charlotte Flair would work on the neck of Bayley before bringing the challenger to the outside, hitting a moonsault off of the barricade onto Bayley. Despite the punishment, Bayley would battle back against the champion, delivering a suplex to Charlotte Flair before paying homage to “Macho Man” Randy Savage with an elbow drop from the top rope, but Charlotte kicks out. Bayley then scores with a hurrincanrana to Charlotte off of the top rope, but the champion manages to kick out again. This is when Dana Brooke would return to RAW as Charlotte’s protégé would try to distract Bayley, but Bayley would knock Dana off of the ring apron. Bayley then locks in the Figure Four Leg Lock on Charlotte, but Dana Brooke is able to rake the eyes of Bayley behind the back of the referee.
This would allow Charlotte to lock in the Figure Eight on Bayley but this would bring Sasha Banks down to ringside as Sasha hits Dana with a crutch to take Dana out before Sasha jabs Charlotte with the crutch behind the back of the referee! Unaware of the interference, Bayley would capitalize, hitting Charlotte with the Bayley-to-Belly as Bayley pins Charlotte to become the brand new RAW Women’s Champion! After the match, Sasha Banks would raise the hand of the new champion before Bayley celebrates the biggest win of her career with the fans in Las Vegas. Bayley then stands proud in the middle of the ring, holding the RAW Women’s Title high, having achieved her lifelong dream of becoming the Women’s Champion.
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