WWE RAW Coverage & Discussion Thread - February 27th, 2017
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Seth Rollins Addresses His Condition
For the first time since being injured at the hands of Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins comes to Raw to address his condition. Will The Architect miss his second WrestleMania in a row? Also on Raw, Goldberg returns just six nights before challenging Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship at WWE Fastlane.
:raw:
We are in Green Bay, Wisconsin and your announcers are Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.
Bill Goldberg's music plays and he walks through the back and then makes his way to the ring.
Bill thanks Green Bay and he says last week, Kevin Owens came out in his nice little shirt, his nice little suit, and his nice little spotlight and he did what he does best. He talked and talked and talked and talked until he couldn't talk any more and he talked some more. Goldberg says he will not do that even if he is in a good mood. He says he is six days out. He says he has never made a promise that he did not follow through with. Bill promises at Fastlane, spear, jackhammer, one two three and Goldberg becomes Universal Champion and he takes it into Wrestlemania where he will face Brock Lesnar.
Bill says that he promises everyone in the arena and everyone watching, his wife, his son, and Kevin Owens that he will deliver so he will see him on Sunday.
Kevin Owens does not wait for Sunday and he makes his way onto the stage.
Kevin says that it is good that Bill is in a good mood because he is in a good mood too. When he was in his nice suit and his nice spotlight, he got a lot off his chest, but there was one thing missing. Bill was not there. He can tell him something to Bill's face. Kevin says he made a promise when he came to the WWE. He said when he came to the WWE, he would grab it by the throat and show everyone what he is about.
On his first night, he beat John Cena. He beat the poster boy for the last decade on night one. Then he beat the crazy guy Dean Ambrose. He beat the Flavor of the Month, AJ Styles. The architect, he beat him. The Big Guy, Roman Reigns. He beat him too. Kevin says he will not bring up what he did to Chris Jericho because he does not matter.
Kevin tells Bill no matter how loud these sheep chant your name (and they chant his name), you're next. Kevin says that he is not saying in the same cute way that Goldberg does because it is his catchphrase. You are next in the evolution of Kevin Owens as Universal Champion.
Bill says that everyone should give Kevin a hand for his rousing speech. Bill says it pissed him off, so why wait until Sunday. He wants to give Green Bay something.
Kevin says he does not speak Neanderthal and fight here right now. Kevin says let's do it in a Green Bay Street Fight.
Kevin stops and says that Green Bay does not deserve to see him fight. They will fight, this Sunday and he cannot wait for the moment when the referee counts to three and he stands over Goldberg with the Universal Title. Kevin says the Goldberg chant dies on Sunday.
The New Day walk in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and the New Day make their way to the ring.
Xavier says as your hosts for Wrestlemania, they have a lot on their plates.
Kofi says you shouldn't be concerned with what is on their plates.
Big E says you should be concerned about what is in your bowls.
Xavier says you want much more than Booty-Os.
Kofi says y'all want that ice cream. Kofi talks about New Day Pops, a mouthful of magic.
Big E says they have to take the shine off the Shining Stars first.
Before the match, The New Day is handed an envelope. Xavier says they are not going up against them. They have a later tonight against The Big Show.
Xavier opens the envelope and Big E reads that they are facing Rusev and Jinder Mahal
Rusev and Jinder Mahal (with Lana) vs Xavier Woods and Big E (with Kofi Kingston)
Woods with a waist lock but Mahal with a waist lock. Woods with a head scissors and forearm in the corner. Big E tags in and hits a shoulder in the corner. Woods with an Honor Roll for a near fall. Woods with a drop kick off the apron to stop Rusev from interfering. Big E with a splash on the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev with a front face lock on Woods. Woods gets to his fet and he hits a jawbreaker. Woods is caught by Rusev when he tries to make a tag. Rusev puts Woods against the ropes and connects with knees and hits a Fallaway Slam for a near fall. Mahal tags in and he kicks Woods and hits a leaping knee drop and gets a near fall. Mahal wtih a rear chin lock. Mahal with a knee and Rusev tags in and hits an elbow drop. Rusev runs Woods into the corner and connects with shoulders. Rusev with a punch.
Rusev wtih an Irish whip but Woods gets a boot up and then he kicks Rusev but Rusev keeps Woods from making the tag. Rusev goes for a Fallaway slam but Woods lands on his feet. Rusev blocks a kick but Woods with an enzuigiri. Big E and Mahal tag in and Big E with two overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Big E ducks a clothesline and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Woods does a Sexy Party and then he hits the Warrior Splash. Rusev is knocked off the apron. Mahal with a super kick to Big E but Woods makes the tag. Woods with a cross body for a near fall. Rusev with a round kick to Big E to send him to the floor.
Rusev yells at Kofi while Mahal is rolled up in an O'Connor Roll and Woods adds a Backlund bridge and Woods gets the three count.
Winners: Big E and Xavier Woods
After the match, Mahal and Rusev argue in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole mentions they will announce another new inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Michael mentions Fastlane and we take a look at how Anderson and Gallows got opponents for Sunday.
Enzo and Colin are in the locker room. Enzo says he will use the titles to pick up women. He says he will wear the title belt everywhere.
Colin points out that Gallows and Anderson have won titles all over the world while they have never won a title together. He says it changes on Sunday. Colin says he has to focus on his match with Luke Gallows.
Sheamus is yelling at Cesaro but Cesaro tries to explain things metaphorically.
Samoa Joe stops by and he says it has been a long time since he has seen Cesaro, but he is the same guy trying to figure it out.
Cesaro says he can handle this. He has always been able to take care of Joe.
Joe asks Cesaro if he is busy trying to grasp the brass ring.
Cesaro says Joe is holding Hunter's jockstrap.
Joe walks away and Sheamus says he would like to kick his ass, but Cesaro says he has it under control.
Stephanie is signing something and Mick Foley comes in. She says that she needs to apologize to Mick. She goes through the lengths he would go through adversity and fear. That was the Mick Foley she hired to be General Manager. Stephanie says 17 years ago tonight, her husband ended Mick's career and she is not going to apologize for that. She says that Hunter gets stronger while Mick has gotten weaker. She says that Mick is a shell of himself. She says Mick does not measure up to his own expectations. She says that Mick has to realize that with every step he becomes more pathetic and more feeble.
We go to commercial.
We are back with comments from Brian Kendrick. He says he tried to take Tozawa under his wing to become something special in the WWE. Tozawa turned his offer down. He had to be taught a lesson. Lesson one . . . then Lesson Two. Brian says he hopes Tozawa is learning his lessons.
We are told that on the Kickoff Show, we will see Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa against Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar.
Akira Tozawa vs Noam Dar (with Alicia Fox)
They lock up and Tozawa with a clean break but he screams at Dar. Dar with a sunset flip but Tozawa rolls through and kicks Dar and follows with a back senton for a near fall. Dar with forearms and Tozawa with chops. Tozawa gets Dar to cover up on a chop and Tozawa with a jab. Dar with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and Tozawa goes to the turnbuckles and Fox distracts Tozawa. Dar with a kick to the leg and that is where Dar turns his focus for a moment. Dar with an arm bar.
Dar with a head butt to the midsection but Tozawa with a rana and forearm to knock Dar off the apron. Tozawa with a suicide dive. Tozawa goes up top and leaps over Dar when Dar moves. Tozawa with a snap German suplex for the three count.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
After the match, Brian Kendrick attacks Tozawa and sends Tozawa into the ring post and then he hits a running boot from the apron and Tozawa hits the ring post.
Kendrick gets a mic and he says that is Lesson Number Three. Even though you might win your match, you need to have eyes in the back of your head and you don't. Even when the match is over, it's not over. He asks Tozawa if he has any questions. He says that he hopes Tozawa is learning his lesson.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Samoa Joe asks Mick Foley if he is not having a nice day.
Mick says he is not having a good seven months. However, he says that Stephanie was right about what she said. Thirteen years ago, he believed in Joe, but Joe is just a puppet of Triple H.
Joe says no one tells him what to do.
Mick tells Joe that he has a match against Cesaro tonight.
Bayley and Sasha Banks vs Charlotte and Nia Jax (with Dana Brooke)
Sasha and Nia start things off and Nia sends Sasha to the mat. Sasha with a wrist lock but NIa sends Sasha to the mat again. Nia kicks Sasha in the head. Sasha with a kick and she tries for a wheelbarrow move but Nia pushes Sasha away and sends her into the turnbuckles. Bayley tags in and Nia with a slam. Nia stands on Bayley's ankle but Bayley gets to her feet and connects with forearms. Nia goes for a suplex but Bayley lands on her feet and Nia misses a charge into the corner. Bayley with punches in the corner. Sasha with a tag but Bayley wtih a drop kick and Nia stays on her feet. Nia with a clothesline to Bayley and an elbow to Sasha.
Charlotte tags in and she chops Bayley. Charlotte with an Irish whip and chop for a near fall. Bayley with forearms and an Irish whip. Sasha tags in and they hit a double hip toss followed by Meteora by Sasha for a near fall. Charlotte with a knee but Sasha with a head scissors and drop kick for a near fall. Sasha with a straitjacket choke. Sasha sends Charlotte into the turnbuckles and Bayley tags in and she chops Charlotte a few times.
Dana tries to interfere but Bayley sends Charlotte to the floor. Bayley with a belly-to-belly suplex to Dana on the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Nia tags in and she tries to slam Sasha but she lands on her feet. Sasha with drop kicks but Nia stays on her feet. Nia with a head butt, but Sasha moves when Nia charges into the corner. Sasha with a chop and she goes for an arm drag using the ropes but Nia does not go down. Nia with a series of elbow drops and she gets a near fall. Charlotte tags in and she hits a splash into the corner and follows with knees to the back. Charlotte with a figure four head lock. Charlotte rolls Sasha around and then she tags in Nia.
Nia with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Charlotte runs into boots and then Sasha avoids Nia. Bayley tags in and hits double sledges and an elbow to the back followed by a sliding clothesline. Bayley with a shoulder into the corner followed by a back elbow. Bayley gets a near fall. Charlotte sends Bayley to the apron and connects with a forearm. Bayley with a stunner on the middle rope but Nia tags in. Nia stops Bayley on the turnbuckles but Bayley leaps onto Nia's back and applies a sleeper. Bayley with a forearm to Charlotte on the apron and Nia with a body block and then she knocks Sasha off the turnbuckles. Nia catches Sasha off the turnbuckles and then she slams Sasha onto Bayley and then Nia with a leg drop to Bayley for the three count.
Winners: Nia Jax and Charlotte
Mick Foley is in the office and he tells Braun Strowman he cannot give him any competition tonight.
Braun says he wants a contract. He has been taking Roman down week after week. He wants a contract for his match against Roman Reigns at Fastlane so Roman does not tuck his tail and run away.
Foley says Roman will not tuck his tail and run away. He will do a contract signing.
Strowman says he wants Roman's name on a contract or else.
We go to commercial.
Luke Gallows (with Karl Anderson) vs Colin Cassady (with Enzo Amore)
Gallows with kicks thanks to a distraction from Anderson on the floor. Colin punches Gallows but Gallows with a kick and punches to Colin. Gallows with an elbow and a clothesline. Gallows gets a near fall. Gallows with a reverse chin lock but Colin with punches. Gallows with an uppercut but Colin grabs Gallows by the throat but Gallows avoids a choke slam. Gallows with a round kick but he misses a boot to the head. Colin with an elbow and then he punches Gallows. Colin with a running shoudler tackle and splash into the corner.
Colin with a Fallaway slam and another splash into the corner. Colin with a side slam and then he hits the leaping elbow drop. Anderson attacks Enzo on the floor but Enzo sends Anderson into the ring steps.
Colin with a running boot to Gallows and he gets the three count.
Winners: Colin Cassady
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Titus O'Neil and Sheamus from earlier tonight talking about becoming a tag team after Joe is done with Cesaro.
Titus O'Neil vs Sheamus
Titus attacks Sheamus before he enters the ring and Titus sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier and apron.
They get into the ring and Titus attacks Sheamus again. The referee checks on Sheamus and the referee starts the match.
Titus with a splash in the corner but Titus argues with the referee and then Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back and Corey Graves is in the ring and he shows us a video package of recent events involving Seth Rollins.
Corey brings out Seth Rollins and Seth's leg has a brace on it and he has a crutch to help him come to the ring.
Corey asks Seth about his knee. Seth says it is alright. The tear was more significant than the first diagnosis. With him coming back soon, the rehab has been intense. It is what it is.
Corey asks Seth where is his head at now. Seth says that is tricky. He says if he is being honest, this sucks. He felt the same snap in his knee and maybe he deserves this.
Corey asks Seth to explain what he means by 'I deserve it'. Seth says two years ago he was holding the title over his head at the end of Wrestlemania and it was the greatest moment of his career. What did I sacrifice for that? Seth says he pointed so many fingers and made so many excuses. Seth says he told the world he did not sell out, he bought in. Seth says he should have known better. Triple H stabbed him in the back. He was supposed to change and be something better and something different. Somewhere along the way, he lost sight of that. Seth says he has been feeling like this is his fault.
Corey asks Seth about having to miss Wrestlemania for the second year in a row. Will you be at Wrestlemania? Seth says right now it does not look great. It does not look like the doctors are going to clear him for Wrestlemania.
Triple H's music plays and he makes his way onto the stage and he walks to the ring. Hunter says he does not think he means it but Hunter says it is good to see Seth. Hunter says the last time he saw Seth, he did not think we would see him again.
Hunter points to Samoa Joe on the other side of the ring and he asks Seth if he knows Joe. Hunter says that since Seth gave a wishy-washy answer earlier, he will give Seth the answer. Hunter says Seth will not be at Wrestlemania. Hunter says if Seth knows what is good for him, you won't be at Wrestlemania. Hunter asks if Seth is coming to the realization that he deserves this? You knew this day was coming and you knew damn well what you were getting into. Hunter tells Seth he made him the man and the face of the WWE. You were the biggest star to come around in a long time. You shoved the title in everyone's face. You told them you were the man.
Joe gets on the apron while Hunter tells Seth that he did this for him. You bit the hand that feeds you. What did you think was going to happen? Were you going to go your merry little ways? You are not stupid like these people. You know how this works. Hunter says he used Seth up and spit him out. Hunter tells Seth to man up and get over it. When he was doing that to him, you were profiting along the way. Hunter says he told everyone that you were the future, but you are the past. You are another washed up and beat up Superstar who is worthless.
Hunter tells Seth to salvage what is left. You need to make the right decision. This is the most pivotal decision you have to make. Do not come to Wrestlemania. Do not call him out at Wrestlemania because he is done playing with Seth. He is done warding you. If you show up at Wrestlemania, Hunter swears if you show up it will be the last thing you ever do in a WWE ring.
Seth tells Hunter a month ago he told his wife that he had nothing left to lose and that couldn't be any truer now. Seth vows to be at Wrestlemania and if it is the last thing he ever does, Seth swears to Hunter that it will be the last thing that you ever do.
We go to commercial.
Epico and Primo vs Big Show
Show sends Primo to the mat and Epico tags in and they both lock up with Show. Show sends both men to the mat and then Show sends Epico into the turnbuckles and chops him. Show with another chop and then he hits a shoulder on Primo. Epico and Primo double team show. Primo tags in and comes off the turnbuckles into a chop. Show pulls Epico onto the apron and back into the ring. Show punches Epico and then he choke slams Primo for the three count.
Winner: Big Show
Tony Nese is in the locker room and Neville stops by. He mentions their tag match against TJ Perkins and Jack Gallagher. Neville tells Tony the purpose of this match is to put Jack Gallagher in his place before his Cruiserweight Title match on Sunday. That sideshow made a mockery of their contract signing so he will enjoy proving that he is not ready for the title and proving he is the King of The Cruiserweights.
Tony says that is what it is about for Neville, but he will do what is best for the Premier Athlete.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package about Austin Aries.
Tony Nese and Neville vs TJ Perkins and Jack Gallagher
Neville attacks Gallagher as the bell rings and sends him to the floor. Perkins with a bulldog. Perkins collides with his partner to knock him off the apron. Neville chokes Perkins. Neville with an emphatic tag to Nese. Nese goes for a German suplex but Perkins counters with a victory roll. Perkins with a jumping back heel kick and then Gallagher tags in and hits a few drop kicks. Gallagher with a cross body and Neville breaks up the cover. Gallagher with a head butt to Neville. Perkins with a Detonation Kick to Nese followed by a running drop kick into the corner followed by a side Russian leg sweep into a submission hold and Neville decides not to help Nese get out of the hold and Nese has to tap out.
Winners: TJ Perkins and Jack Gallagher
We go to a video package for the announcement of Beth Phoenix as the newest Hall of Fame inductee.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bayley and Sasha deal with their injuries from last night. Sasha says that she meant what she said.
Bayley says that she knows Charlotte has some tricks up her sleeve especially around pay per views.
Sasha says she will be in Bayley's corner on Sunday.
Stephanie shows up and asks if Sasha thinks Bayley cannot win on her own? Does she want to steal Bayley's spotlight? Stephanie says that Sasha will have a match against the most dominant female in the WWE, Nia Jax. Stephanie tells Sasha to stop worrying about Bayley's back and worry about your own.
Samoa Joe vs Cesaro
Joe runs Cesaro into the corner and he connects with punches. Cesaro with a deadlift side salto and then he hits a running European uppercut into the corner. Cesaro is sent to the floor and he appears to have hurt his knee. Cesaro with a cross body. Cesaro with European uppercuts followed by a drop kick. Joe with a running knee buster and we go to commercial.
We are back and Joe with a running back elbow into the corner followed by an enziguri. Joe goes for a suplex but Cesaro blocks it and he hits a suplex of his own despite having the injured knee. Joe with a forearm but Cesaro wtih a European uppercut. Joe with kicks to the leg and he applies a knee bar. Cesaro counters and tries for a sharpshooter but Joe with forearms. Cesaro with a jumping European uppercut. Cesaro with European uppercuts in the corner. Cesaro tries for the Alpamare Water Slide but he cannot fully hit the move. Cesaro gets a near fall. Cesaro goes for the giant swing but Joe kicks Cesaro in the leg.
Cesaro with a double stomp for a near fall. Joe counters the Gotch Neutralizer and Cesaro lands on his feet. Cesaro goes for a springboard move but Joe stops him. Joe with a uranage for the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Joe is interviewed after his match and he is asked about making an impact so fast. Joe says he came here to hurt people. He took care of a seasoned grappler and a freak athlete, but Cesaro is not him. This serves as a reminder to everybody in the back. It does not matter what you have accomplished or who you are. It does not matter how much these people love you. Cesaro, Sami Zayn, or Seth Rollins, when you come up against the Destroyer . . .
Sami Zayn's music plays and he attacks Joe from the side. They fight on the floor by the stage and they exchange punches. Zayn with punches adn officials come out to try to separate them. Joe with a jab because security failed at its job. Joe sends Zayn onto the stage. Zayn gets away and he hits a dive onto Joe and then Zayn punches Joe.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Samoa Joe will face Sami Zayn on Sunday.
Mick Foley is in the ring for the contract signing between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman.
Mick says this is being done so Roman does not back out of the match. Mick says he cannot think of a circumstance where Roman would back out of the match.
Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring.
Braun says you brought the paperwork and the table. Your work is done here so leave . . . or else.
Mick says he knows this is a big career moment for Braun, and his time on Raw might be limited. However, Braun will respect what he has to say.
Braun says he would have stood next to Mick and respected him, when he was competition. He says Stephanie is right that Mick is pathetic. He is giving Mick the respect that a broken down suburban dad deserves.
Mick says he is sick of being treated this way. You may not respect him as he is now. You respect him as a legend. You will learn to respect him . . . or else.
Strowman knocks the mic out of Foley's hand and . . .
Roman Reigns' music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Braun stands on the floor and Reigns kicks Strowman. Strowman sends Reigns over the ring steps but Reigns with a Superman punch off the ring steps. Reigns goes for another Superman punch but Strowman catches Roman and sends Roman into the ring post. Strowman sends Roman into the crowd. Strowman with punches. Strowman sends Roman into the sound equipment. Reigns with a punch and he slams Strowman's head into the dasher boards. Roman with a Superman punch off the aisle and then he hits a spear through the barricade and a member of security.
Roman goes into the ring and he gets ready to sign the contract and Strowman asks if that is all you got. Roman with another Superman Punch. Strowman grabs Roman and he sends Roman into the corner and the top turnbuckle comes off the ring post.
Strowman walks up the ramp as Reigns is tended to by the officials. Roman gets up and he signs the contract.
We go to credits.
