WWE Monday Night RAW 02 18 2019

WWE RAW Results
February 18, 2019
Lafayette, Louisiana
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Renee Young
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

In memory of Pedro Morales: 1942 – 2019.

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

We go live into the arena to see Triple H, the WWE COO, entering the ring. Triple H asks if the crowd can feel it in the air. You can feel the electricity. We are on the Road to WrestleMania. The last 24 hours should be proof enough of the excitement going on. Last night history was made. Sasha Banks and Bayley made history inside the Elimination Chamber when they became the first-ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Finn Balor beat “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush to become the new Intercontinental Champion. Kofi Kingston… a “Kofi” chant picks up. Kingston captured the heart and imagination of the world when he came so close to becoming WWE Champion last night. Then Becky Lynch came around and showed the whole world that she will not let a 60 day suspension or a knee injury prevent her from getting Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. Corporately, he has to say if she does that again she’ll be arrested and prosecuted. Personally, he has to say it was pretty damn cool. Speaking of pretty cool, it was released on ESPN this morning the first of the announced inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame for this year is D-Generation X! Triple H, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and “The 9th Wonder of the World” Chyna.

If that’s not enough to prove we’re on the Road to WrestleMania, he’ll pour gas onto the fire. His responsibilities don’t end with RAW and Smackdown. He oversees WWE’s third global touring brand, NXT. A light “NXT” chant fires up. It is his pleasure to introduce them to some people making their debuts tonight on RAW tonight from NXT. They’ll all be in action tonight. This man has redefined what aerial combat is — Ricochet! A video package highlights Ricochet. In addition to Ricochet, we’ll be seeing a man who is one of the fastest, most destructive strikers he’s ever seen, “The Dutch Destroyer” Aleister Black! A video package highlights Black’s NXT career. The next man is known as Johnny Wrestling. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano will be here! We now see a video package highlighting Gargano’s NXT career. Finally, this man is sadistic and remorseless, as well as being the NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa. We now see a highlight package of Ciampa’s NXT career. Triple H says in NXT, they believe the future is now. They’ll see the future tonight.

Now all hell is about to break loose. A table match is about to happen right now featuring the former General Manager of Monday Night RAW Baron Corbin and his opponent, Braun Strowman!

-Commercial Break-

Tables Match
Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin

The bell rings, and the crowd is chanting, “Get These Hands.” Strowman grabs him, but Corbin punches him in the injured ribs. Strowman knocks him out of the ring and sends him into the barricade. Strowman grabs a table from under the ring, but Corbin strikes him from behind and sends him ribs-first into the barricade. Corbin puts the table back under the ring. Strowman punches Corbin, but Corbin drives him ribs-first into the barricade a few times. Strowman reverses a whip into the barricade, and Corbin collapses in pain. Strowman head-butts him and grabs a table from under the ring. Strowman puts the table in the ring, but Corbin kicks him in the ribs as he gets in. Corbin targets the ribs and rips Strowman’s shirt off. There is kinesio tape all over the ribs. Corbin gets him out of the ring and continues to attack the ribs. Corbin then stands on the ribs. Corbin drives him ribs-first into the LED apron and taunts the crowd. Corbin punches the ribs and goes for a suplex on the ramp, but Strowman counters. Strowman then hits a suplex onto the ramp. Corbin screams in pain.

Strowman has a tough time getting to his feet. Strowman knocks him up the ramp, where there are more tables set up. Strowman sends him into the LED wall of the set before clearing off the commentary table. Strowman lifts Corbin up, but Corbin slides off and sends him ribs-first into the commentary table. Strowman writhes in pain while we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Strowman avalanche Corbin in the corner. Strowman charges again, but he hits the ring post shoulder-first when Corbin moves. There is a table set up in the corner of the ring. Corbin tries to drive Strowman through, but he puts the brakes on and takes Corbin down. Corbin slides off a Powerslam attempt and hits an out and in clothesline. Corbin punches away at him. During the commercial, Corbin hit Strowman in the ribs with a steel chair. Strowman is outside of the ring trying to catch his breath. Corbin bounces him off the barricade and grabs a kendo stick from under the ring. Corbin then cracks Strowman in the ribs with the kendo stick. Corbin gets on the apron and leaps, but Strowman grabs the top half of the steel steps and hits him out of mid-air! Strowman then hits him two more times with the steps!

Strowman drives him into the barricade and puts him in the ring. Corbin punches him and goes for another out and in clothesline, but Strowman scoops him up and hits a Running Powerslam through the table for the win!

Winner: Braun Strowman

Later tonight, NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano take on the RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival! We’ll also see “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott in a rematch from last night’s Elimination Chamber event. Coming up next, we’ll take a look at the Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins match at WrestleMania 35.

Paul Heyman comes out to the stage and sees Braun Strowman. Heyman congratulates him on a good match and tells him to go to the back. Strowman grabs him by the collar, and Heyman shouts that he’s only an advocate. The crowd is chanting for tables, but Strowman releases him and walks to the back. Heyman goes to talk, but he’s too shaken to say anything. Heyman says he needs a minute.

-Commercial Break-

Paul Heyman is in the ring and says he is not surprised by Braun Strowman’s actions. Everyone is jealous of his client. Brock Lesnar is the greatest champion in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment and MMA. At his own expense, he put something together to educate the fans. This is the story of a real life Beast.

Video Package: Paul Heyman narrates the story of Brock Lesnar — this WrestleMania is the most interesting one because the hero in Seth Rollins has no hope. The package ends with Lesnar conquering Undertaker’s streak. To be continued…

Heyman reminds the crowd that Lesnar conquered The Undertaker’s streak. They boo, but they can’t do anything about it. Heyman asks how many actually believe Seth Rollins will emerge from WrestleMania as the Universal Heavyweight Champion. The crowd gives a light cheer and starts a small “Burn It Down” chant. Heyman says there isn’t enough fire in Rollins’ soul to burn down Suplex City.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor makes his way to the ring.

-Commercial Break-

Finn Balor is in the ring. Balor says it’s been a while since he’s held one of these championships and it feels good. After growing up and watching greats like Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, and Ric Flair, it has been a dream to hold this championship. Balor is proud to continue the legacy as the Intercontinental Champion. Balor plans on defending this title…

Lio Rush’s music hits, and he walks out to the stage. Rush says Balor doesn’t deserve to be the Intercontinental Champion. Bobby Lashley does. Lashley then attacks Balor from behind and stomps him. Lashley powers him into the corner and stomps away at him before standing on him. Rush gets in the ring, and he stomps Balor down. Rush orders Lashley to pick Balor up. Lashley hits Balor with a scoop slam, and Rush goes to the top rope. Rush then catches Balor with a frog splash.

Ricochet’s music hits, and he makes the save. Ricochet hits Lashley with a snap kick before catching Rush with a moonsault off the apron. Ricochet hits a springboard dropkick on Lashley, knocking him out of the ring. Ricochet stands tall in the ring with Balor.

-Commercial Break-

Finn Balor and Ricochet vs. Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley

Ricochet will start against Lio Rush. Rush shoves him, so Ricochet shoves him back. Rush applies a side headlock, but Ricochet pulls him off before applying a side headlock of his own. Ricochet cinches it in, but Rush whips him off. Rush ducks a clothesline and does some misdirection. Ricochet lands on his feet to counter a hurricanrana. Ricochet blocks a kick, flips him over, flips over his back, and hits a handspring head-scissor takeover. Ricochet then dropkicks Rush down. Lashley looks disappointed as he tags in.

Ricochet and Lashley circle the ring. Ricochet applies a side headlock, but Lashley slams him down. Lashley wrenches the arm and shouts at Rush. Lashley takes him down and twists the arm. Ricochet flips out to remove the pressure and punches him back. Lashley stops a whip and sends Ricochet to the corner. Ricochet kicks him back and hits a rolling dropkick. Lashley leaves the ring, and Ricochet teases a flip to the outside. Lashley looks startled. Rush comes over to Lashley to talk strategy. Lashley gets back in the ring and tags Rush in.

Balor tags in and locks up with Rush. Balor powers him to the corner, but Rush avoids a strike. Rush avoids him and desperately tags in Lashley. Lashley viciously takes him down and kicks him in the corner. Lashley hits a huge suplex for a near fall. Lashley applies a chin lock and really cinches it in. Balor eventually fights up, but Lashley takes him down with a reverse STO. Rush tags in and kicks Balor before choking him on the bottom rope. Balor comes back by rolling through a sunset flip and dropkicking him in the face. Balor takes Rush down and stomps away at him. Lashley is furious. Balor puts Rush in the corner and chops him down. Balor whips him to the opposite corner and chops him a few times. Balor then takes him down with a Sling Blade. Balor dropkicks him into the corner. Lashley distracts him, and Rush chop blocks the knee. Lashley tags in, goes outside, and sends Balor into the barricade. Lashley gets him in the ring and targets the back. Lashley then goes back to the chin lock. Balor fights back and knocks Rush away as he tries to enter the ring. Lashley quickly hits Balor with a scoop slam for a two count.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Lashley applying a chin lock on Balor. Balor fights up, but Lashley stops him from making a tag. Balor boots him and punches Rush on the apron. Lashley stops a tag and drives him into the corner. Rush tags in and applies a chin lock to Balor. Rush then slaps Balor in the face a few times and talks trash. Balor quickly grabs him and hits a falling elbow drop. Balor nearly tags in Ricochet, but Rush stops him. Rush gator rolls Balor to his corner and tags Lashley in. Lashley stares at Ricochet and talks some trash. Balor gets out of a powerbomb, sweeps the feet, and hits a double stomp to the midsection.

Ricochet tags in, as does Rush. Ricochet hits a pair of clotheslines followed by a neckbreaker. Ricochet shoulders him before hitting a springboard dropkick. Ricochet then dropkicks Lashley off the apron. Ricochet hits a Fosbury Flop on Rush before running from Lashley. Ricochet moonsaults over Lashley, and Balor dropkicks Lashley into the barricade. Ricochet hits a springboard uppercut to Rush and goes to the top rope. Ricochet hits a 630 for the win!

Winners by Pinfall: Finn Balor and Ricochet

Later tonight, we’ll see “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott.

Triple H is backstage talking with Natalya when Drew McIntyre walks up to him. McIntyre says he couldn’t help but notice he rolled out the carpet for the NXT superstars. McIntyre told him that he would do whatever it takes to prove himself. Seth Rollins has Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. McIntyre wants to face Rollins and prove that he deserves the main event. Dean Ambrose walks up and says he’s not doing anything tonight. Ambrose asks, “What about me?” Ambrose then slaps him in the face and walks off. Triple H asks if he still wants Rollins or does he want to change the match. McIntyre says, “Change the damn match.”

-Commercial Break-

Lucha House Party is making their entrance.

Video Package: Vince McMahon suspends Becky Lynch for 60 days and replaces her in the WrestleMania main event with Charlotte Flair. On Saturday at a WWE Live Event, Lynch attacked Flair. Flair then attacked the injured knee. Last night at Elimination Chamber, Lynch attacked Flair and Ronda Rousey with a crutch.

Michael Cole announces that WWE management has said that if Becky Lynch does that again, she will be arrested and prosecuted.

Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins vs. Lucha House Party

Gran Metallik and Lince Dorado represent LHP. Ryder soon tags in and takes them down before being knocked out of the ring. Dorado tags in and hits Ryder with a hurricanrana. Dorado tags in and picks up a two count. They do a slow motion double dropkick spot on Ryder before trying for a double-team suplex, but Ryder counters with a double neckbreaker. Hawkins tags in and punches Metallik off the apron. Ryder forearms Dorado down before hitting a dropkick. Hawkins does a backslide, but Dorado kicks out. Hawkins hits a sit-out slam, but Metallik breaks up the pin. Ryder knocks him out of the ring, and Dorado dropkicks Ryder out of the ring. Hawkins kicks Dorado in the head before Metallik distracts him. Dorado then hits a hurricanrana for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Lucha House Party

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey defends her RAW Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott later tonight. Coming up next, we’ll see Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano take on The Revival.

Charly Caruso comes out onto the stage and introduces Heavy Machinery. She asks Otis and Tucker what the WWE Universe can expect from them. Tucker says they are “blue collar solid.” They like to go to the gym and eat red meat. Otis screams, “Steaks and weights, Chucky!” Tucker says Otis has his back.

Lacey Evans makes her entrance and walks up the ramp by Heavy Machinery. Heavy Machinery then does a strut down the ramp to try to impress her.

-Commercial Break-

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano are talking about showing the world who they are when Bobby Roode and Chad Gable come up to them. They’re confused as to why they have a match with The Revival. Chad Gable says everyone starts from the bottom. Gargano says they’ve run NXT for two years and are here to take over. The Revival walk up to them and says it’s been a while. They had some insane matches back in the day. Gargano says they’re here to make an impression at their expense. Scott Dawson says they’re The Revival — they don’t need luck.

RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival vs. NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano

It’ll be Johnny Gargano starting the match against Dash Wilder. They lock up, and Wilder wrenches the arm. An “NXT” chant picks up. Gargano twists out and takes Wilder down. Gargano applies a front facelock and covers him for a one count. Ciampa tags in and takes Wilder down before applying a front facelock. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable are seen watching backstage. Ciampa chops Wilder before tagging Gargano in. Wilder quickly slams Gargano in the corner and tags in Dawson. Dawson bounces Gargano in the corner and chops his chest. Dawson stomps and punches him in the corner. Gargano slingshots over him, avoids a strike, and hits a hurricanrana. Gargano then dropkicks Wilder out of the ring. Gargano hits a suicide dive on Wilder. Ciampa then big boots Wilder, Gargano superkicks him, and Ciampa sends him into the steps.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Gargano fight up from a chin lock, but Wilder knees him. Dawson tags in, but Gargano counters a double-team suplex. Gargano kicks Dawson while hitting Wilder with a tornado DDT.

Ciampa tags in and clubs Dawson down twice. Dawson reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Ciampa kicks him before hitting a pair of German Suplexes. Wilder runs in, but Ciampa back body drops him over the top rope (sort of). Ciampa hits Dawson with a third German Suplex before kneeing him in the face for a near fall. Dawson elbows him in the face and tags Wilder in. Dawson hits a German Suplex before Wilder does a jackknife pin for a near fall. Dawson tags back in and trades forearms with Ciampa. Dawson punches him and tags Wilder in. They send Ciampa into the ropes for Shatter Machine, but he counters into a jackknife pin for a near fall. Gargano dropkicks Dawson out of the ring. Gargano tags in and hits a slingshot DDT on Wilder for a near fall. Dawson pulls Ciampa off the apron and sends him into the barricade. Gargano quickly kicks Dawson. Gargano and Wilder trade pins. Wilder knees Gargano out of mid-air trying another slingshot DDT. Dawson tags in, and The Revival hits an electric chair bulldog… but Ciampa makes the save!

Ciampa sends Wilder out of the ring, and Dawson sends Ciampa out of the ring. Gargano twists out of a suplex and lands on the apron. Gargano kicks Wilder, but he eats a forearm from Dawson. Gargano catches him with a slingshot spear and tags Ciampa in. Ciampa and Gargano hit a running knee/superkick combo for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano

Finn Balor is backstage talking with Ricochet when Charly Caruso walks up to them. She mentions that Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa just beat The Revival, but she doesn’t want to talk about their accomplishment. She then asks Balor about winning the Intercontinental Championship and how Ricochet feels about debuting. Balor says tonight is all about Ricochet. Ricochet says you can play out your dreams, but they never come out like you planned. Once you do it, it’s better than you ever thought. You haven’t seen the last of Ricochet. He’ll prove why he’s the one and only Ricochet.

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is seen warming up backstage. Elsewhere, we see Ruby Riott preparing with The Riott Squad.

-Commercial Break-

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley make their entrances. They high five some fans around the ring and get in the ring. A quiet “You deserve it” chant picks up. Banks and Bayley wait for it to get louder, but it doesn’t. Bayley says she was at a total loss for words. She can’t believe they’re here as the first-ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. A light “YES” chant picks up. Banks says it’s amazing how far they’ve come. They made history in NXT and now they’re making history here. Bayley says they went from hating each other to loving each other. Bayley says this is just the beginning. They plan on being champs for a very long time. Banks says they will defend the titles against past, present, and future superstars including on Smackdown and NXT. Bayley says these titles are special to the entire Women’s Evolution. Banks says you can bank on that. They hug.

Nia Jax and Tamina make their entrance. Jax begs them to stop. Nobody wants to sit and listen to this nauseating love fest. Jax congratulates them on winning the titles, but she just doesn’t get it. This is the best Bayley will ever get, but Banks only cares about herself. We also know that anytime she wins a title, she loses it on her very first defense. Tamina says they got lucky last night. Tonight, their luck is about to run out. Banks and Bayley prevent them from getting in the ring. Jax and Tamina walk off.

Video Package: D-Generation X are the first inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2019

Dean Ambrose takes on Drew McIntyre, next.

-Commercial Break-

WrestleMania 35 is 48 days away. It will take place in New Jersey, not New York like the advertisement says.

Dean Ambrose vs. Drew McIntyre

The bell rings, and McIntyre immediately starts punching away at him. McIntyre pushes him away and hits a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre punches away at him before chopping him twice. McIntyre slaps him in the face, so Ambrose chops him. McIntyre quickly scoops him up, but Ambrose gets out and delivers a back elbow. Ambrose then pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Ambrose knocks him back and hits a suicide dive. Ambrose gets him in the ring, ducks a clothesline, and hits a neckbreaker. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but he jumps over McIntyre. McIntyre then levels him with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre waits for him to get up and hits a second Claymore Kick for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Video Package: Part two of the story of Brock Lesnar narrated by Paul Heyman. This is when Lesnar decided to own the World Title and he runs down the list of everyone he defeated. Seth Rollins is willing to lose it all to win it once. That makes Rollins the most dangerous opponent for Lesnar. Lesnar will have to think back to being a child on the farm. He won’t have to knock Rollins down; he’ll have to put Rollins down. That’s not a prediction. It’s not even a spoiler. It’s the end of the story of a man named Seth Rollins.

Charly Caruso asks Seth Rollins if he has any regrets over choosing to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Rollins says you could say many things about Paul Heyman, but you can’t call him a liar tonight. Every single thing he said about Brock Lesnar is the truth. Where Heyman has it mixed up is Rollins isn’t walking into WrestleMania with a death wish. Rollins is walking in with an acceptance of his fate. Lesnar needs to accept his fate because at WrestleMania, it’s all over for him. His reign of terror is done. As for Rollins’ fate, whether he leaves on his own two feet or on a stretcher, he promises to leave WrestleMania as the Universal Champion.

Dean Ambrose walks up to him looking very sore. Rollins asks if he could help him with something. Ambrose asks where he was out there. Rollins asks if he’s completely lost his mind. Ambrose puts on a weird face and says, “Eh…” and walks off.

A guitar chord strums. Elias will be out, next.

-Commercial Break-

“Ladies and gentlemen… Elias.”

Elias says he is a musical genius and will sing a song for himself. Hopefully he slips into a state of mind where he forgets anyone in the crowd exists. Elias tells them to silence their cell phones, hold the applause, and shut their mouths.

Aleister Black’s music hits to interrupt him. Black makes his entrance and gets in the ring. Black says if silence and deep sleep is what Elias craves, he can help him. Tonight, Elias will fade to black.

Elias vs. Aleister Black

The bell rings, and they lock up. Elias knees and chops him. Elias sends him into the ropes, but Black puts the brakes on. Black teases a dive, but he springboards off the ropes and sits cross-legged in the ring. Elias looks confused.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Elias beat Black down. Elias sends him into the ropes and forearms him down. Elias shouts at the crowd and covers for a two count. Elias talks trash to the crowd before applying a chin lock. Black twists out of it, but Elias takes him right back down with another chin lock. Black fights up and punches out. Black forearms him three times before kicking the legs and kneeing him in the head. Black catches him with a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Elias sidesteps him, but Black elbows him. Black boots him back and comes off the second rope, but Elias knees him out of mid-air for a two count. Elias cannot believe it. Elias talks more trash, but Black wipes him out with the Black Mass for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Aleister Black

Coming up next, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey defends the RAW Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott.

-Commercial Break-

Next week on RAW, we’ll celebrate the 70th birthday of “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

RAW Women’s Championship
Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad vs. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (c)

The bell rings, and Rousey immediately hits her with two judo throws before punching her in the corner. Riott quickly gets out of the ring to recover. They lock up, and Riott takes Rousey down for a one count. Riott kicks Rousey before wrenching the arm. Rousey counters into a triangle choke attempt, but Riott rolls her over for a near fall.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Rousey fight out of a hold from Riott with a big suplex. Rousey gets Riott in the ring, but Riott spears her for a near fall. Riott applies a chin lock, and a “We want Becky” chant picks up. Rousey fights out of the chin lock, and Riott slaps her. Rousey takes her down and gets fired up. Rousey hits some takedowns and elbows her in the corner. Riott quickly counters and drives her into the turnbuckle. Riott hits a big cannonball off the middle rope for a near fall.

Rousey blocks a Riott Kick and tries for Piper’s Pit, but Riott fights out. Riott hits the Riott Kick for a near fall. Riott talks some trash, but Rousey slams her down with a gut-wrench suplex. Rousey goes to the top rope and knocks Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan off the apron. Riott cuts her off and hits a second Riott Kick for another near fall. Riott cannot believe it. Riott goes to the top rope for a senton, but Rousey counters into an arm bar attempt. The Riott Squad pull Riott out of the ring, so Rousey hits them with a big cross-body block to the floor! Rousey gets Riott in the ring and counters a head-scissor into a reverse Alabama Slam into the turnbuckles. Rousey then applies the arm bar for the submission.

Winner by Submission and still RAW Women’s Champion: “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Liv Morgan tries to attack, but Rousey grabs her. Rousey boots Sarah Logan back and hits Morgan with Piper’s Pit. Rousey then hits Logan with a judo throw. Rousey stands tall as RAW ends.