WWE Monday Night RAW Results
January 26, 2015
Stamford, Connecticut (WWE Headquarters)
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show showing footage of the winter storm that has hit the northeast. The Road to WrestleMania has hit an unforeseen roadblock. Tonight, Monday Night RAW will emanate from the WWE World Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
The RAW video plays, and we’re brought into the control room where they tape the RAW Pre-Show to see Michael Cole and Booker T. Cole talks about the winter storm that could be historic. There is a travel ban on the roads that go into effect at 9 PM EST, so the live show from Hartford will be postponed. As Vince McMahon says, “The show must go on.” Tonight, they’ll show the entire WWE World Heavyweight Championship match from last night. We’ll also have an exclusive interview with Brock Lesnar. The entire Royal Rumble match will be played in its entirety as well.
JBL is seen on the roof of the WWE World Headquarters. Snow is falling on him, and he claims it is 85 degrees… in Tahiti. JBL says wooly mammoths died in weather that was warmer than what he’s standing in.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman
This is a replay from last night’s Royal Rumble. I was there live and just saw myself in the crowd. The crowd is loudly chanting for Brock Lesnar. The bell rings, and Lesnar immediately goes after Rollins. Rollins scurries out of the ring. Cena tries to attack Lesnar, but Lesnar gives him a German Suplex. Lesnar stares at Rollins as he stands over Cena. Lesnar hits a second German Suplex on Cena. Rollins tries to blindside him, but Lesnar catches him in position for the F-5. J&J Security run in, and Lesnar gives them a double German Suplex! Lesnar kicks them out of the ring and turns into an AA attempt from Cena. Lesnar slides off and shoves him into a kick from Rollins. Lesnar brings Rollins into the ring the hard way. Lesnar knees him in the ribs a few times, and Rollins drops to the mat in pain. Lesnar then gives him a German Suplex. Lesnar turns his attention to Cena, and he gives him a German Suplex as well. Heyman smiles maniacally at ringside as the crowd roars in approval. Lesnar kicks Rollins before giving Cena a traditional suplex that sends him flying across the ring. Lesnar gives Rollins another German Suplex that spikes him on his shoulder. Lesnar hits Cena with another traditional suplex before hitting one on Rollins. Lesnar is slowly making his way around the ring before punching Cena in the ribs. An “ECW” chant breaks out. Lesnar then applies the Kimura Lock on Cena. Cena powers Lesnar up and hold him. Rollins goes to the top rope and takes both men out with a flying knee to the head!
Rollins kicks away at Lesnar, as he is dazed on his knees. Rollins punches away at him until Lesnar makes a quick comeback. Cena punches away at Lesnar. Cena and Rollins give Lesnar a double-team suplex. Cena catches Lesnar with an AA. Rollins throws Cena out of the ring and covers Lesnar, but he kicks out at one. Cena quickly gets back in the ring and punches away at Cena. Lesnar immediately knees Cena in the ribs. Rollins tries to attack him, but Lesnar knees him in the ribs and throws him out of the ring. Lesnar then hits Cena with a traditional suplex that sends him out of the ring. Lesnar goes outside, and Rollins dropkicks him into the ring post. Lesnar holds his shoulder in pain and kneels next to the steps. Cena then gives him a dropkick. Cena chases Rollins back into the ring. Cena hits him with a pair of shoulder blocks that the crowd loudly boos. Cena hits Rollins with a back suplex powerbomb, and he smiles as the crowd loudly boos him. Cena goes for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but he’s able to counter a kick from Rollins. Rollins lifts him back up and hits a second back suplex powerbomb. Cena goes for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle again, but Lesnar comes back in the ring and gives him a German Suplex. Lesnar hits Cena with a second German Suplex, and Rollins kicks Lesnar in the head. Rollins hits the ropes and knees Lesnar in the head to knock him out of the ring. Cena catches Rollins with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
Rollins elbows Cena in the face before going to the second rope to hit a blockbuster, but Lesnar breaks up the pin. Lesnar clubs Rollins a few times before throwing him out of the ring. Cena punches back at him before hitting a clothesline, but Lesnar doesn’t go down. Cena tries a second time for the same result. Cena finally takes him down after a third time. Rollins pulls Cena out of the ring and waits for Lesnar to get up. Rollins springboards off the top rope, but Lesnar catches him and hits an F-5! Cena quickly gets back in the ring and breaks up the pin. Lesnar hits Cena with a German Suplex, and he is really dominating this match. Lesnar leaves the ring and dismantles the commentary table. Lesnar annihilates a TV monitor on the steps. Lesnar gets in the ring, and Cena hits him with an AA, but Lesnar quickly pops up. Cena hits him with another, but Lesnar again pops up. Cena hits a third AA and covers, but Rollins pulls him out of the ring and sends him into the steel steps. Rollins gets in the ring and hits Lesnar with a Curb Stomp, but Cena breaks it up the pin! The crowd chants, “This is awesome!”
Lesnar rolls out of the ring to recover. Heyman talks strategy to him, and Lesnar is on his feet now. Lesnar walks around ringside until Cena takes him out with a spear through the barricade! Cena slowly starts to get into the ring when he notices Lesnar getting to his feet. Cena then viciously sends him into the steel steps! Cena cannot believe that Lesnar is still getting up. Cena then cracks him in the head with the steel steps. Rollins hits Cena with a baseball slide. Lesnar is bleeding from the shoulder blade on top of the commentary table. Rollins then drops an elbow from the top rope through Lesnar on the commentary table! The crowd chants, “Holy Sh*t” and “This is Awesome.”
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see that Cena has already rolled Rollins into the ring. Rollins catches him with an inside cradle for a near fall. Rollins kicks him in the head and picks up another near fall. Cena pulls himself up in the corner and catches Rollins in an AA attempt. Rollins flips through to his feet and goes for a hurricanrana, but Cena counters into a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall! Heyman is flipping out at ringside for a doctor. Rollins has rolled to the apron. Cena grabs him and pulls him to the top rope for a superplex, but Rollins blocks it. Rollins does a sunset flip and runs across the ring with him for a turnbuckle powerbomb for a near fall! Both men are down as replays are shown of the latest exchange. Rollins goes for a Curb Stomp, but Cena counters into an STF! Rollins claws to the bottom rope, and J&J Security breaks up the hold. J&J double-teams Cena as doctors and EMTs bring out a stretcher for Lesnar. In the ring, Rollins and J&J Security hit Cena with a Triple Powerbomb for a near fall!
-Commercial Break-
Rollins picks up his Money in the Bank briefcase and waits for Cena to get to his feet. Rollins goes to hit Cena with it, but Cena gives him a back body drop over the top rope! J&J Security try to attack Cena, but he overpowers them. Cena then gives them an unbelievable double AA! Rollins runs in with the briefcase, but Cena catches him with an AA for a near fall! At ringside, EMTs are loading Lesnar on the backboard of a stretcher. A “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks,” chant breaks out. They trade punches with the crowd doing the “Yeah” and “Boo” chant. Cena goes for an AA, but Rollins rolls off and kicks him in the midsection. Cena tries to catch him with another AA, but Rollins slides off and hits an enzuigiri. Rollins connects with the Curb Stomp for a near fall! Rollins cannot believe it.
Rollins goes to the top rope and hits an amazing twisting 450 splash! Lesnar all of a sudden gets in the ring and gives Rollins a German Suplex! Lesnar then takes Cena out with a German Suplex, and Cena falls out of the ring. Lesnar goes to give Rollins another German Suplex, but he backflips through and lands on his feet! Rollins picks up the briefcase and hits him in the face with it, but Lesnar quickly pops up! Rollins hits him in the face again and sets up for a Curb Stomp on the briefcase. Lesnar counters the Curb Stomp and catches him with an F-5 to retain the championship!
Winner and still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Brock Lesnar
Match Rating: ****
The entire Royal Rumble match will air later tonight. We’ll hear from Roman Reigns, as he will address the WWE Universe’s reaction. Seth Rollins will be interviewed, next.
-Commercial Break-
Daniel Bryan will face Kane in a Casket Match this Thursday on the live Smackdown.
Michael Cole interviews Seth Rollins
Michael Cole is sitting down with Seth Rollins. Cole mentions that Rollins was responsible for bringing The Authority back and was rewarded with an opportunity at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Royal Rumble. Cole asks if he feels like he truly deserved that opportunity. Rollins says his performance last night will speak for itself. Not only did he deserve to be in that match, he did everything he could to win that match and walk out as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Still photos are shown of Rollins’ highlights from the match. Rollins hit Lesnar with a Curb Stomp. Cole asks if he thought one of those Curb Stomps would have ended the championship reign of Lesnar. Rollins says it’s put down everyone before Lesnar. He figured not one, but two would put him down, but they didn’t. Another photo is shown of Rollins dropping an elbow on Lesnar through the table, which broke Lesnar’s rib. Cole asks if he figured it was over then. Rollins says the crazy thing about triple threat matches is not only do you have to worry about the champion, but there’s another challenger. Rollins was looking to eliminate Lesnar and get him out of the match. He was on the top rope and very comfortable there. All that mattered was putting his elbow through his heart to take him out of the match.
Another photo is shown of Rollins’ corkscrew 450 splash on Cena. After that, Lesnar came in and beat him. Rollins says he knew that was going to be the end of that match. When he hit the Phoenix Splash, he figured Lesnar was out and Cena was down. Cole asks what would happen if he met Brock Lesnar one-on-one. Rollins admits that he may have underestimated Lesnar last night. Rollins says Lesnar underestimated him as well. Lesnar may be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, but what he doesn’t have is something he still has. The Money in the Bank contract is Plan B. Cole says he’s interested in hearing what Brock Lesnar has to say, as he’ll be on next. Rollins says he’s not going anywhere. If Lesnar wants to take his seat on this set, he’ll have to kick him off it. Rollins smiles smugly as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole interviews Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar walks up to Seth Rollins and says that he’s in his seat. Rollins gets up and dusts off the chair before knocking it over and walking out. Lesnar smiles as a production assistant picks the chair up. Paul Heyman also comes in. Lesnar says someone is a little upset because they got their ass beat last night. Lesnar says he feels rather good. Cole congratulates him on the victory. Doctors report that he has suffered a broken rib. Lesnar says he’s suffered a lot of injuries throughout his career, but when the time comes to win, he’ll get through it. That’s exactly what he did last night.
Cole asks Paul Heyman if he feels like all this has come about because they’re at odds with The Authority. Heyman wonders who thinks they’re at odds with The Authority. This is a mutually exploitative industry like any other form of sports or entertainment. The Authority needs a box office draw to headline Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. The answer is Brock Lesnar. The Authority has a problem with someone like The Undertaker, John Cena, or Sting. The answer to that is Brock Lesnar. As long as The Authority continues to pay what Brock Lesnar is worth, then he is for hire. They exploit The Authority, and The Authority exploits them. Sometimes negotiations get tense, but it’s business. Cole mentions that Lesnar has been on a roll since 2012. He’s had incredible matches with Cena and Lesnar, but the highlight was at last year’s WrestleMania. Lesnar will always be known as the man who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak. A video is then shown of Lesnar beating The Undertaker down and ending the streak at WrestleMania XXX.
Cole says Undertaker has made an entire career out of psychological warfare. It didn’t affect Lesnar. How did he overcome the intimidation factor of The Undertaker? Lesnar says he did it the same way he overcame all of the odds stacked against him his entire life. He’s won the NCAA Heavyweight Championship, the UFC Heavyweight Championship, and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Lesnar says he respects no one at any time. He is The Beast, Brock Lesnar, plain and simple. Heyman wonders why anyone was surprised by the result then and last night. John Cena is the face of a generation. So what? Seth Rollins is the future of WWE. So what? Lesnar is a once in a lifetime athlete. There is no one with the credentials that are carried and accomplished by Brock Lesnar. That’s why he says his name the way he does. He’s once in a lifetime. What he brings into the ring in every single match makes them can’t miss and must see. People will only get to see an athlete like that compete once in a lifetime.
Cole says Lesnar is now on a collision course with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XXXI. Lesnar laughs and says Reigns’ name. Lesnar says he’s happy for Reigns and hopes he’s up for the challenge. Lesnar says he’s on a roll. When a steamroller has momentum, get out of his way. Heyman asks what else Cole has. Cole asks if Reigns can stop his client. Heyman simply says, “No.” Cole asks when he’ll talk to Reigns. Cole says he’ll talk to him later. Lesnar says he’s looking forward to meeting him.
The entire Royal Rumble match will be shown, next.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole, Booker T, and JBL are back together. They talk about the weather outside before turning to Brock Lesnar. Booker T says Brock Lesnar truly is a beast. JBL says Roman Reigns has a chance, but not a great one. The match last night was one of the greatest things he’s ever seen in this business.
This is a reposting of the great Adam Martin’s recap of the Royal Rumble from last night. I sat through it live. I don’t think I can do that again.
30 Man Royal Rumble Match
1. The Miz
2. R-Truth
Miz with a big boot on R-Truth early. Truth fires back with a sidekick.
3. Bubba Ray Dudley
Bubba with a high back body drop on Miz. Truth is sitting up top when Bubba plants Miz. Truth off the top rope with a flying head-butt to the crotch of Miz! Bubba calls for the tables and gets a loud “TABLES” chant started up in Philadelphia. Bubba and Truth with the 3D on The Miz. Miz gets tossed out as time expires.
The Miz is eliminated.
4. Luke Harper
R-Truth is eliminated.
Harper and Bubba exchange shots. They attempt clotheslines and both stay up. Harper with a big kick to the head of Bubba and Bubba responds with a big clothesline.
5. Bray Wyatt
Harper and Wyatt double-team Bubba. Harper drops Bubba with a huge big boot. The crowd in Philadelphia chants “WE WANT DEVON.” Bubba gets tossed over.
Bubba Ray Dudley is eliminated.
6. Curtis Axel
Erick Rowan walks out and attacks Axel sending him into the guard railing. Rowan enters the ring and stares down Harper. Harper and Rowan look at Wyatt. Wyatt smiles. Wyatt and Harper then attack Rowan. Rowan is not officially in this match. Rowan splashes Harper in the corner and tries to toss him out. Wyatt tosses Harper and Rowan over.
Luke Harper is eliminated.
7. The Boogeyman
Wyatt and Boogeyman try to freak each other out. Wyatt quickly tosses him over.
The Boogeyman is eliminated.
8. Sin Cara
Wyatt with Sister Abigail on Sin Cara and tosses him over.
Sin Cara is eliminated.
Wyatt grabs the mic and says this is Bray Wyatt’s year.
9. Zack Ryder
Ryder catches Wyatt with a dropkick and corner splash. Ryder with his boot in the corner. Wyatt recovers and then quickly tosses Ryder over the top rope.
Zack Ryder is eliminated.
10. Daniel Bryan
Bryan with a huge jumping clothesline that levels Wyatt. Wyatt with corner dropkicks to Wyatt that connect multiple times. Bryan with big kicks to Wyatt. Bryan with a top rope hurricanrana on Wyatt as time expires.
11. Fandango
Fandango with a quick dropkick on Bryan. Bryan with a big kick to the head of Fandango. Bryan puts Fandango on his shoulders, does a few spins and is unable to eliminate him.
12. Tyson Kidd
Kidd takes out Bryan with a huge flying dropkick. Kidd props Fandango up on the top turnbuckle. Bryan dropkicks Fandango in the back. Kidd with a corner shot on Fandango. Kidd and Bryan exchange kicks and uppercuts. They collide with a double cross body.
13. Stardust
Stardust gets into a few brawls including with Fandango. Fandango avoids elimination. Stardust also avoids being eliminated as well. Bryan tosses Kidd out.
Tyson Kidd is eliminated.
Bryan with a suicide dive (through the middle rope) to Wyatt on the outside. Wyatt exited the ring under the ropes. Both are legal. Wyatt sends Bryan head first into the steel steps.
14. DDP
Stardust attacks DDP right away. Diamond Cutter on Stardust! DDP with another Diamond Cutter connecting on Fandango from the top turnbuckle. Diamond Cutter on Wyatt!
15. Rusev
Rusev levels DDP with a huge kick and tosses him out.
DDP is eliminated.
Fandango is eliminated.
Rusev and Wyatt have a stare down. Bryan with a double dropkick on both! Bryan with chest kicks to both Rusev and Wyatt. Rusev with a huge kick to Bryan. Bryan on the ring apron. Bryan with a shot to Rusev. Wyatt with a shot knocking Bryan out.
Daniel Bryan is eliminated.
16. Goldust
Goldust with a snap powerslam to Rusev and shots to Wyatt in the corner. Stardust nearly eliminates Goldust. Stardust and Goldust exchange shots.
17. Kofi Kingston
Kofi with a cross body on both Goldust and Stardust. Wyatt catapults Kofi who hangs on. Kofi gets clotheslined over and still hangs on. Kofi with a springboard shot to Wyatt.
18. Adam Rose
Kofi gets tossed over and Adam Rose’s entourage catches him! They toss Kofi to the ring apron. Adam Rose then gets quickly tossed over.
Adam Rose is eliminated.
Rusev with a huge kick to Kofi on the ring apron.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated.
19. Roman Reigns
Stardust and Goldust attack Reigns. Reigns fights off both quickly. Reigns tosses Goldust out and clotheslines Stardust out.
Goldust is eliminated.
Stardust is eliminated.
20. Big E
Big E goes after Rusev with a huge overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Rusev comes back rolling into Big E in the corner with tons of force.
21. Damien Mizdow
The Miz walks out and tells Mizdow to go to the back. Miz is trying to take his Rumble spot. Miz gets knocked to the outside when trying to enter. Mizdow runs in attacking Big E. Rusev quickly tosses Mizdow over the top rope.
Damien Mizdow is eliminated.
22. Jack Swagger
Swagger with a Swagger Bomb to Rusev in the corner.
23. Ryback
Ryback with a big spinebuster on Rusev early. Rusev is cleaning house on Big E and Reigns. Rusev levels Ryback with a big clothesline. Ryback with big kicks to Rusev.
24. Kane
Kane works over Ryback in the corner trying to toss him over.
25. Dean Ambrose
Ambrose levels Wyatt with a clothesline. Ambrose with a shot on Kane off the top rope.
26. Titus O’Neil
Titus gets tossed out immediately.
Titus O’Neil is eliminated.
27. Bad News Barrett
Barrett tries to eliminate Ambrose and Reigns interferes. Ambrose tries tossing Barrett out.
28. Cesaro
Cesaro tosses out tons of uppercuts when he enters. Cesaro with a big uppercut on Ambrose. Cesaro tries tossing Ambrose out and Ambrose hangs on.
Big E is eliminated.
29. Big Show
Big Show enters, everyone goes to attack him and he powers out. Kane plants Ambrose with a quick chokeslam. Big Show with a chokeslam on Reigns.
Ryback is eliminated.
Jack Swagger is eliminated.
30. Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler with big dropkicks on Kane, Big Show and Wyatt. Ziggler with a double DDT on both Kane and Big Show. Ziggler dropkicks Barrett out.
Bad News Barrett is eliminated.
Cesaro swing on Ziggler and Cesaro nearly eliminates Ziggler who hangs on. Cesaro and Ziggler exchange shots on the ring apron. Ziggler superkicks Cesaro off the apron.
Cesaro is eliminated.
Kane tosses Ziggler over and Ziggler lands on the ring apron. Ziggler is up top and Big Show catches him with a KO in the air. Ziggler is out on the mat. Big Show and Kane pick up Ziggler and toss him over the top rope.
Dolph Ziggler is eliminated.
Kane and Big Show pick up Wyatt and toss him out.
Bray Wyatt is eliminated.
We are down to Kane, Big Show, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Reigns has blood on his face. Ambrose with a shot on Kane and Reigns with a shot on Big Show. Reigns and Ambrose try to eliminate Big Show. Kane cuts it off. Big Show with a chokeslam on Ambrose. They toss Ambrose over the top rope.
Dean Ambrose is eliminated.
The crowd in Philadelphia isn’t liking who is left. Kane and Big Show are trying to toss Reigns over. Big Show appears to also try and toss Kane over. Kane and Big Show get in a shoving match and exchange shots. Kane and Big Show are against the ropes. Reigns walks up, grabs both Kane and Big Show and tosses them over the top rope.
Kane and Big Show attack Roman Reigns. The Rock’s music hits and he hits the ring. The Rock with big right hands to Big Show to drop him near the ropes. The Rock plants Kane with a spinebuster and connects with The People’s Elbow. Reigns with a shot to Big Show and The Rock with a Rock Bottom. The Rock exits the ring.
Rusev is back in. He was never eliminated. Reigns avoids a kick from Rusev as he jumped back in the ring. Reigns catches Rusev with a big spear and then tosses him out.
Winner of the 2015 Royal Rumble: Roman Reigns
After the match, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walk out upset. They stare down both The Rock and Roman Reigns in the ring. Triple H and Stephanie head to the back as The Rock and Reigns embrace inside the ring. Rock leaves the ring and Reigns gets up on the top turnbuckle. Reigns points at the WrestleMania sign as pyro goes off to close the show.
Daniel Bryan will be interviewed later tonight. Roman Reigns will be interviewed, next.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole, Booker T, and JBL welcome us back to the show. JBL talks about how he still can’t feel his feet. Cole asks JBL what he took from the Royal Rumble match. JBL says you saw Roman Reigns come of age. He’s the man heading into WrestleMania.
Byron Saxton interviews Roman Reigns
Byron Saxton congratulates Roman Reigns for winning the Royal Rumble match. Reigns says last night was incredible. There are some big audio issues going on. Saxton says some think he’s not ready to main event WrestleMania against Brock Lesnar. Reigns says everyone is entitled to their opinion. He’s never claimed to be the most experienced guy in the locker room. Reigns says he’s always been able to react and handle the deep end. His father Sika saw that he was scared to swim, so he threw him into the deep end. Reigns sunk to the bottom, but he scratched, clawed, and swam up to the surface. That’s how he learned how to swim. That’s how his wrestling career has been. He’s fine being thrown into the deep end to swim with sharks. Saxton asks if the Philadelphia crowd treated him unfairly. Reigns says he was hoping for a warmer response, but we’re in the blizzards. Life isn’t fair. All those fans in Philadelphia paid their hard earned money to watch. You can cheer and boo whoever you want. As long as he can perform and do his thing, he’s happy. No one is worried about fair.
Saxton says critics believe the higher-ups of WWE have handpicked him for success. Reigns says if he was handpicked, then he thanks them for the opportunity. You still have to capitalize and deliver. He has to perform and deliver. Regardless of what happens, if you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. Only time will tell. Saxton says Reigns eliminated Kane and Big Show, but they returned to put him in peril. Reigns then got assistance from The Rock. Reigns says he never really put it out there, but he’s proud of his family. He’s proud of his father Sika, his Uncle Afa, his cousins Yokozuna, Rikishi, and The Usos, and The Rock’s grandfather, Peter Maivia. That’s the blood that flows through his veins. He was born into this business. He looks forward to headlining WrestleMania in front his father. There is nothing more special. He’s also looking forward to meeting Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania. Reigns also looks forward to meeting him tonight.
John Cena will have a Fast Lane announcement, next. Audio issues interrupt the commentator saying that.
-Commercial Break-
Footage from the Royal Rumble Fallout show is shown. John Cena says he had a chance to win the championship and head into WrestleMania. The world tonight saw that Brock Lesnar is his own entity. Seth Rollins gave it his all as well. Rusev comes in and grabs the microphone. Rusev yells in his native tongue. Cena shoves him, and Rusev shoves him back. Referees run in to pull them apart. Michael Cole says The Authority had planned this match for WrestleMania, but we’ll instead get it in four weeks at WWE Fast Lane. Booker T says this will be John Cena’s toughest test. JBL says this will be Rusev’s toughest challenge as well.
A replay is shown of Sting making an appearance on Monday Night RAW last week to help John Cena win his match. If Cena lost, he’d be removed from the title match at the Royal Rumble. Cena won and got Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback their jobs back. Triple H sent out a tweet earlier today. Triple H will call out Sting for a face-to-face confrontation at WWE Fast Lane.
The next inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame will be announced, next.
-Commercial Break-
Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the next inductee into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2015.
Roman Reigns will meet Brock Lesnar later tonight.
Dean Ambrose is seen walking through the snow and entering the WWE World Headquarters.
Daniel Bryan will be interviewed, next.
-Commercial Break-
Dean Ambrose is seen fiddling with an air conditioning unit. It reads 63 degrees. Ambrose complains that it’s cold. Byron Saxton asks how he got from Hartford to Stamford. The audio buzzing issues fire up again. Ambrose says after last night, he wanted to clear his head and take a nice walk. Saxton asks why he’d do that all the way from Hartford, and he’s not even dressed for a blizzard. Ambrose says he caught a ride from Philadelphia to Hartford. They love him in Philly. He found out RAW was emanating live from Stamford. He hitchhiked and made it to headquarters to prove a point to everyone that his adventure is not unlike the Road to WrestleMania. It’s full of twists, turns, and dangerous conditions. He loves dangerous conditions. No matter who or what is in front of him, he’s going to make it to WrestleMania. Ambrose then walks off looking for posters of himself.
Renee Young interviews Daniel Bryan
Renee Young says the man she’s interviewing was one of the most newsworthy superstars to come out of the Royal Rumble. Renee says around this time last year, he banded together with the WWE Universe to create a little thing called the YES Movement. That brought him to WrestleMania XXX where he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. She wants him to talk about that run. Bryan says it was amazing. He dreamt of being in the main event of WrestleMania since he was a kid. That was never supposed to be him. The Authority never saw that as his position because of his size and face. He didn’t even get a chance in the Royal Rumble last year. Power is never where it seems to be. The millionaires and billionaires think they have the power, but the people really do. That happened last year. The Authority didn’t want to give him that opportunity, but the fans did. The fans got him an opportunity at WrestleMania. He won not just for him, but also for the fans.
Renee says after he won, he was soon brutally attacked by Kane. Kane injured his neck and put him out of action for months. That force The Authority to strip him of the title. Bryan says that was devastating. When you dream of it so long and it’s taken away, it’s brutal. Bryan felt like he let the fans down. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Ever since they stripped him of the title, he focused on getting healthy and getting the title back for the people. Renee mentions that he was eliminated early on from the Royal Rumble, and the fans were really disappointed. What’s Bryan’s reaction to their reaction? Bryan says the fans were disappointed that Roman Reigns won. He was disappointed by that, but not because of Roman Reigns. It’s because it wasn’t him. This entire time that he’s been injured, he thought if he could get back in time for the Royal Rumble, he could win and get the chance against Brock Lesnar. Bryan wanted that match. Bryan never lost that title. Lesnar is the ultimate Goliath, and he’s the ultimate David. Bryan felt like that was his opportunity. Bryan says he failed, and that’s on him. Reigns saw an opportunity and took it. He had the opportunity, and he didn’t take it. Granted, he didn’t have The Rock helping him out. Reigns took advantage of the whole situation. If Reigns could make all the sacrifices guys like him, Dolph Ziggler, and Dean Ambrose has made, he has no doubt he can have a great match against Lesnar.
Renee says Reigns will have a lot of obstacles in his way, but Bryan has an obstacle on Thursday. Bryan will face Kane in a Casket Match on Smackdown. Bryan says the match favors Kane. He’s been in those matches and won. Bryan says he won’t be denied. After last night, he’s got a smile on his face, but he’s mad as hell. He’ll do anything his body can do to end this with Kane. Bryan needs to end this to go on to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion again.
Roman Reigns will face off against Brock Lesnar, next. Renee Young incorrectly stated that would happen on Thursday.
-Commercial Break-
Snow is seen falling outside in Stamford, Connecticut.
Michael Cole interviews Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns are seated side by side. Paul Heyman walks in and shakes hands with Roman Reigns. Heyman congratulates him and asks if he can ask the questions here tonight. Reigns says he has nothing to hide. Cole walks off, and Heyman sits in his seat. Heyman says he asked Lesnar about this before because they were listening to what he was saying. Heyman says he’s known Reigns’ family longer than he has. He has known Reigns’ father since he was a kid taking pictures, and he always respected them. Heyman took Yokozuna’s first publicity pictures. He managed his Uncle Fatu before he was Rikishi. He took his two sons, Jimmy and Jey, come to the ring for the very first time. Heyman says everything about Reigns’ family is like a bird to air. It’s in a Samoan’s blood to go into the ring. Heyman has known Reigns since he was a little boy when his dad was in Pensacola. Heyman says he is proud of what Reigns did last night. Heyman also knows Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. More importantly, The Rock knows Brock Lesnar.
Here’s the part of his family history that is not told down to the next generation. In 2002, The Rock ruled the roost around here. The Rock was the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World. The Rock was laying the Smackdown all across the globe. Everyone’s fantasy was that would last forever until that ran up against the reality of the new guy, like Roman Reigns, the next big thing, like Reigns could be, in a rookie named Brock Lesnar. When that rookie got his hands on The Rock, Brock Lesnar took at will the WWE Championship away from The Rock. Heyman says surely Reigns remembers their rematch. Actually he doesn’t because one match against Brock Lesnar was all he could handle. They never had a rematch. Heyman says he doesn’t understand why The Rock didn’t tell him what he’s up against at WrestleMania. Why would his blood not tell him not just who he’s fighting, but what he’s fighting? Heyman gets it. He’s the one to beat the one in twenty-one and one.
Heyman’s question is, with all due respect, how is he going to handle disappointing his family when he loses to Brock Lesnar because he can’t beat Brock Lesnar? Not today and certainly not at WrestleMania. The audio completely drops out here. Reigns says he’ll answer that to Brock Lesnar, and he turns to face him. Reigns says he knows who he is and what he is. He knows what he’s signed up for. Reigns doesn’t think Lesnar does. Reigns says he’ll beat him at WrestleMania and take that title. Lesnar knows it, and he knows it. Lesnar just stares back at him. Reigns says if he can’t, he’ll take a piece of Lesnar with him. Reigns believes that, and so should Lesnar. Lesnar snaps to his feet, and they go face-to-face. They shake hands. Lesnar says he doesn’t respect Reigns. Reigns says, “But you will.” The stare into each other’s eyes as the segment ends.
Michael Cole, JBL, and Booker T give their opinions on that exchange. Booker T says it’s time for him to step up. Reigns needs to show what he’s made of. JBL says Reigns looked into the eyes of the beast and didn’t blink. Cole says after what we saw last night, he doesn’t know who can stop The Beast. JBL says he may hold that title until he retires. They then sign off this very unique episode of Monday Night RAW.
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