WWE RAW Live Coverage - February 26th, 2024
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Cody Rhodes takes on Grayson Waller in the wake of WWE Elimination Chamber
At WWE Elimination Chamber, Grayson Waller was excited to bring his “The Grayson Waller Show” home to Australia. The show was destroyed, however, when Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins took offense to Austin Theory emulating The Rock. Feeling disrespected, Waller has how called out The American Nightmare.
:raw:
– The opening signature gets us started. We then see live shots of various Superstars, including Becky Lynch, arriving to the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. for tonight's show.
– A lengthy video package recapping Saturday's WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth premium live event airs and then we shoot live inside the SAP Center where Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcome us to the show. Dominik Mysterio then comes out and introduces the WWE Women's World Champion.
Ripley makes her way out and heads to the ring. She settles inside and welcomes us to "Monday Night Mami." She talks about going Down Under with WWE for her homecoming in Australia this past weekend and successfully defending her title.
As she talks about her journey to WrestleMania XL, the theme for her opponent on "The Grandest Stage of Them All" in 40 days in Philadelphia, PA. hits. Out comes Becky Lynch to a big pop. "The Man" settles in the ring to chants of "Becky! Becky!" and then proclaims that "The Man has come around to San Jose!"
Lynch talks about heading to WrestleMania to fight Ripley. She says they both had a big weekend in Perth. She mentions how it was nice her family and hometown crowd got to see her win, because now they don't have to travel all the way around the world to see her lose at WrestleMania. Dom-Dom tells Lynch "No one talks to Mami like that!"
"The Man" tells Dom-Dom to pipe down and if Mami doesn't make you, "The Man" will. She talks about her many accomplishments in recent years and mentions how she's gonna add "beating Rhea bloody Ripley." Ripley asks if Lynch is done. She says first of all don't ever disrespect her Latino Heat like that ever again.
Ripley congratulates Lynch on winning the Chamber match. She says it's about time she stopped disappointing her and finally doing something to get close to this level. She says Lynch thinks she's the backbone of this division. She mentions how "Mami is always on top." The two stare each other down as Ripley's theme plays again.
As Ripley walks off to the back, Lynch stares her down from the ring and then out of nowhere, Nia Jax appears behind Lynch in the ring. She proceeds to beat Lynch down while Ripley watches on. Nia stops and tells Ripley they are far from over. She hits a big leg drop to Lynch and then pulls her into the corner. She goes for her finisher but officials run out.
Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The theme for Sami Zayn hits and out he comes for our first match of the evening. He heads to the ring to a big pop from the San Jose crowd as he prepares for his scheduled showdown against Shinsuke Nakamura. As he settles in the ring, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
When we return, Jackie Redmond catches up with a fired up Nia Jax who talks about attacking Lynch moments ago and how she's gonna do ten times worse than that to Liv Morgan when they square off later tonight because it should be her at WrestleMania, not Becky.
Back inside the arena, the rock violins play and out comes "The King of Strong Style" for his scheduled match against the fan-favorite Sami Zayn. Cole talks us through highlights from Raw two weeks ago where Nakamura beat Zayn after a distraction from Drew McIntyre.
As we return live, Nakamura finishes up his ring entrance and then the bell sounds to get this one started. Nakamura comes out strong but Zayn takes over. As the action spills out to the floor, we see Zayn in control of things but clutching his ribs in pain. On that note, we head into a mid-match commercial break as our opening contest continues.
Zayn is on the defensive when we return, as Nakamura is working over the injured ribs of Zayn, whipping him into the turnbuckles with authority. Fans chant "Ole! Ole!" to rally behind Zayn, who turns Shinsuke inside-out with a big lariat. Nakamura focuses on Zayn's ribs to take back over. They spill out to the floor as we head into another mid-match break.
This time when we return we see much of the same going on, with Nakamura taking it to Zayn. Zayn fights back with a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Nakamura takes over again and connects with a Kinshasa for a close near fall. He hits another one and Zayn still hangs in there. Zayn fights back and hits a Helluva Kick for the win.
Winner: Sami Zayn
– We see a video package looking at the history of the rivalry between New Day and Imperium. After that, we see the digital exclusive segment of New Day getting ready for their Street Fight against Imperium for tonight's show.
Chelsea Green vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Back live, the theme for Chelsea Green hits and out she comes to WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin doing her custom introduction. As she settles in the ring for our next match of the evening, we head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
When we return, Green is on the mic and she mentions issuing a complaint to WWE management and says she's competing tonight in protest. She calls the Raw G.M. "Pea-head Pearce" and says she only lost the Last Chance battle royal last week because of his last minute decision to add Raquel Rodriguez.
Green babbles some more about how Rodriguez got the special entry into the match and still went on to travel all the way to Perth to lose, like the local San Jose Sharks. The fans boo loudly. Green vows to prove Rodriguez is a loser and then Rodriguez's theme hits for a big pop.
Raquel Rodriguez makes her way down to the ring, MCAS be-damned, and settles inside the squared circle for this women's singles showdown. The bell sounds and we're officially off-and-running with this one. Within all of a minute or two, Rodriguez squashes Green and gets the win with her finisher.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez
– Jackie Redmond is backstage with Sami Zayn. She asks what it meant to finally get a win under his belt tonight against Shinsuke Nakamura. She mentions how they've spoken the past couple of weeks and things haven't been going his way. Zayn says he can't even imagine what would have happened if he lost tonight. Thankfully he doesn't have to.
As he continues talking, Imperium walks by and stares him down. They keep walking and then WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER stops and grills him before walking past as well. Zayn looks at GUNTHER as he walks away, looks at Redmond and smirks. We head to another commercial break.
– When we return from the break, Cathy Kelley is backstage with Cody Rhodes. "The American Nightmare" talks about issuing a challenge to The Rock and says he looks forward to his rebuttal this Friday night on WWE SmackDown. He then mentions his main event tonight against Grayson Waller.
– Back inside the arena, Imperium's theme hits and out comes GUNTHER, accompanied by Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser. GUNTHER talks about his record reign as I-C champ and mentions potential opponents for his defense at WrestleMania XL. He names Sami Zayn, Chad Gable, The Miz and R-Truth as names he's heard fans wanting to see.
– The Judgment Day theme hits. Out comes Damian Priest, Finn Balor, JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio. Priest gets in GUNTHER's face as the seven men stand across from each other. We find out that The Judgment Day is looking to add the I-C title to their collection. Dom steps forward and there is a pull apart.
As The Judgment Day walks off, Imperium hangs back and stays in the ring. We see The New Day walking backstage as we head to another commercial break. The scheduled Tag-Team Street Fight is up next.
Street Fight: New Day vs. Imperium
When we return from the break, we see The Judgment Day walking backstage when Rhea Ripley approaches Dominik Mysterio and questions their decision to start an issue with GUNTHER and Imperium. Dom says he's got this. She says he better. The Judgment Day tells Dom he better go smooth things over with "Mami."
As he goes to do so, he runs into Andrade El Idolo. He tells him long time no see and says he'll see him around. We shoot back inside the SAP Center where The New Day's theme hits and out comes Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods in jeans and San Jose Sharks hockey jerseys.
The Tag-Team Street Fight immediately gets underway on the entrance ramp. The four men brawl all over the place. A table is pulled out and the fans roar. The New Day members each hit diving high spots from the ring to the floor on both Imperium members as we head into a mid-match break as the match continues.
We return and see much of the same going on until Imperium begins taking over. Kaiser pulls a table out from under the ring and the crowd roars, so he puts it back under the ring and pulls out a chair. New Day take back over and set up multiple tables. We see Woods put Imperium through a table.
From there, the heel duo take over again, with Vinci pushing Kingston off the top through another table on the floor, setting Vinci up for the win in a very physical match. Afterwards, we go backstage and Chad Gable makes his pitch to Adam Pearce why he should get the I-C title shot.
Winners: Imperium
– Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler make their way out to the ring for our next match of the evening. As they do, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler vs. Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae
When we return, we see earlier today footage of Stark and Baszler complaining about Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae getting a title shot at the Chamber PLE instead of them. Now Hartwell and LeRae make their way out to the ring.
The bell sounds and we see LeRae and Baszler kicking things off for their respective teams. LeRae jumps into the early offensive lead over Baszler, and even knocks Starks off the apron. LeRae launches herself out to Stark on the floor.
Back in the ring, she goes for a tornado DDT but Baszler counters with a big knee and then takes over on offense. Hartwell tags in and fires up on offense, taking it to Stark, who also tags in for her team. Baszler ends up blind-tagging in and choking out Hartwell for the win.
Winners: Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler
– Backstage, we see Drew McIntyre walking the hallways as Michael Cole talks about him punching his ticket to WrestleMania XL with a win in the Men's Elimination Chamber match over the weekend. As he gets ready to come to the ring, we head to another break.
– When we return, we see R-Truth sitting by himself in his custom Judgment Day t-shirt. Up walks DIY and The Miz. Truth still thinks they are D-Generation X. They do the "Are you ready?!" thing. Truth says he sees what they're doing trying to regenerate something. He says that's what they are, Re-Generation X. They all head off together.
– We go back inside the SAP Center where Drew McIntyre's theme hits. Out comes "The Scottish Warrior" as Michael Cole promotes McIntyre vs. Seth "Freakin'" Rollins for the WWE title at WrestleMania XL.
McIntyre talks about winning the Chamber and mentions suffering a burst eardrum. He says a doctor told him he might not make it to WrestleMania. He says he told the doctor what do I look like, CM Punk? I'm making it to WrestleMania! He then sits down cross-legged like Punk to further taunt him.
He says he's got more business to deal with and calls out the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. On that note, the theme for Seth "Freakin'" Rollins hits and out he comes as fans sing along with his music. He talks about McIntyre getting the job done. McIntyre mentions Rollins' issues with The Bloodline.
McIntyre tells Seth it's not worth it. He's got an injured knee, an injured back and now he's dealing with Bloodline issues that should be left on SmackDown. He says we've seen this 100 times before. They'll be tearing the house down at WrestleMania and The Bloodline will come out at the end and taint his victory.
After that, Rollins says Drew may be right. But what if he's wrong? Rollins says some risks are worth taking, and this is one of them. He says if he doesn't deal with them now, it's only a matter of time before they come after the WWE World Heavyweight Championship whether he has it or Drew does. They wish each other the best.
Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan
We see footage of what transpired earlier in the show with Nia Jax attacking Becky Lynch. After that, the theme for Nia Jax hits and out she comes for our next match of the evening. As she settles in the ring, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
Back from the break, we hear the theme for Liv Morgan hits and out she comes to continue her "Liv Morgan Revenge Tour." The bell sounds and we're officially off-and-running with this one. Jax dominates from the word "go," and is taking it to Liv in the early goings.
She hoists her up and she screams as she slings her into the ropes in awkward fashion. We head to a mid-match commercial break as the action continues. When we return, we see Morgan slowly fighting back into competitive form. Jax starts to lose her cool but before she can go overboard, Becky Lynch hits the scene and brawls with her.
No Contest
– The passing of pro wrestling legend Ole Anderson is mentioned as Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are shown on camera at the commentary desk. They mention his time in the Minnesota Wrecking Crew and the Four Horsemen. We head to another commercial break.
– Back from the break, we see Austin Theory and Grayson Waller backstage. Waller talks about how he's gonna disrespect Cody Rhodes tonight. We head to another commercial break.
– When we return from the break, we see Raw G.M. Adam Pearce backstage. Becky Lynch approaches him and says she's not going to be able to move on to her WrestleMania XL title match until she finishes her issues with Nia Jax. She wants a match with her next week. He makes it official.
Liv Morgan comes in and is pissed. She confronts Lynch, telling her she was in the middle of something out there. She says not everything is about her. She storms off.
– It is announced that "Main Event" Jey Uso will be the special guest on The Jackie Redmond Show this Thursday. After that, Redmond is backstage with Uso, who talks about coming up short every time he tries to better his situation. Drew McIntyre comes in and taunts him and they end up in a wild brawl.
Cody Rhodes vs. Grayson Waller
Back inside the SAP Center, Grayson Waller's theme hits and out comes the host of "The Grayson Waller Effect" accompanied by Austin Theory for our main event of the evening. As he settles inside the ring, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
When we return, Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax and "Main Event" Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre is announced for next week's Raw in San Antonio, TX. The theme for Cody Rhodes hits and out comes "The American Nightmare" for our final match of the evening.
The bell sounds and we're officially off-and-running with this one. We see some general back-and-forth action early on and then Waller starts to pull ahead. Cody begins making a comeback and hits some of his trademark spots, knocking Waller to the floor.
Cole mentions Paul Heyman has been spotted backstage as we head into a mid-match commercial break as our main event continues with Cody in the offensive driver's seat and Waller recovering with Austin Theory at ringside.
As we settle back in from the break, the commentators remind us and confirm that Heyman has been spotted backstage. Waller whips Cody into the ropes, and Cody dives through them to splash onto Theory at ringside. Back in the ring, Waller takes advantage of Cody's distraction and clotheslines him.
Rhodes fights his way back into the offensive lead moments later and takes back over. He hits a Cody Cutter and follows that up with his Cross-Rhodes finisher for the pin fall victory.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
– After the match, Cody Rhodes is celebrating his win when Paul Heyman emerges to the top of the stage with three security guards by his side. He introduces himself, only for Cody to cut him off. He says he doesn't give a damn what his name is and says if it's a Bloodline set up, bring it on.
Cody stands with a chair in the ring. Heyman tells him to calm down. He says he's the only Bloodline member here tonight. He mentions the security guards are off-duty officers. He tells Cody he needs to take The Rock's name out of his mouth.
He says because his Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has authorized him to know if you back away from this challenge to The Rock. He says he's begging with him please, pretty please with a cherry on top, withdrawl the challenge to The Rock ...or else.
Cody sits in the chair he was holding. "Or else? Or else what, Mr. Heyman?" He says he hasn't trashed Rock on this mic or in the media yet because he, like everyone else, was fans of The Rock. He says he's done and fed up with being nice. He says if it's a Bloodline set up, like he said, "come and get me."
Heyman says he has a better idea. Heyman walks up to the ring apron and gets ready to walk in the ropes, and as always he says, "May I?" Cody stops him. "No. No you may not." Heyman's off-duty officers start to enter the ring. Cody stops them and says let me make myself clear. If one more person steps closer to him, he's dropping everyone.
Paul says he respects that. He says unless he's that person, right? Cody says wrong and starts blasting the officers with chairs. Heyman jumps off the apron and grabs one phone. "Call Roman Reigns." He pulls out a second phone. "Call The Rock." Cody responds. "Go ahead, Mr. Heyman, because The Bloodline is not hunting me. I'm hunting The Bloodline."
"The Wise Man" of The Bloodline walks backstage talking to both phones. Cody beats up the off-duty officers with his chair some more. Cody stands tall as his music plays again to end this week's show as Cole promotes The Rock on Friday's SmackDown. That's how this week's broadcast wraps up.
