WWE Fastlane
March 5, 2017
Milwaukee, Wisconson
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa defeated Noam Dar and Brian Kendrick on the WWE Fastlane Kickoff Show.
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The show kicks off with a video package that highlights the biggest matches that are to come. Tonight, Bayley defends her WWE Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair, Roman Reigns takes on Braun Strowman, and Goldberg looks to become the WWE Universal Champion as he takes on the champion, Kevin Owens.
We go into the arena to see a big pyrotechnics display. This is the final PPV event before WrestleMania.
Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe
Replays are shown from three weeks ago on RAW. Samoa Joe criticized Sami Zayn in a sit-down interview. Zayn responded, and Joe attacked him from behind.
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. Joe stares a hole through him while an “Olé” chant fires up. They lock hands, and Joe kicks him in the back of the leg. Zayn quickly goes to the corner to recover. Zayn comes out of the corner and hooks a side headlock. Joe whips him off and doesn’t go down on a shoulder block. Joe takes him down before striking away at him. Joe quickly applies a knee bar, but Zayn gets out. Joe jabs away at him before sending him into the ropes, but Zayn slingshots over him. Zayn goes for an arm drag, but Joe doesn’t go over. Zayn soon comes back and takes him down with a head-scissor takeover. Zayn punches away at him until the referee pulls him back. Joe turns him in the corner and punches him in the face. Joe kicks and punches away at him. Zayn comes back with a chop and some punches. Joe reverses a whip to the corner and hits a back elbow. Joe then takes him down with a quick enzuigiri. Joe is taking his time with him. Zayn tries to fight back, but Joe takes him down and applies a bow and arrow stretch. Zayn rolls out and picks up a one count. Joe quickly chops him down and jabs away at him. Zayn tries to fight back, but Joe quickly chops the knees and picks up a two count. Joe applies a surfboard stretch, but Zayn fights up and clotheslines him down. Zayn tries to get fired up. Zayn goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Joe elbows out. Joe tries to walk away, but Zayn catches him with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Zayn goes to the top rope, but Joe cuts him off. Zayn pushes him off and jumps over him. Joe quickly hits him with an inverted atomic drop. Joe immediately follows up with a big boot and a senton splash for a two count. Joe sends him to the corner and connects with a powerslam for a near fall.
Joe goes down to a knee and stalks Zayn. Joe jabs away at him and works away at him. Joe hits the ropes, but Zayn collapses to the mat. Joe just looks down at him. Zayn then catches him with an inside cradle for a two count. Zayn hits him with a boot and takes him down. Zayn goes to the top rope, but Joe cuts him off. Joe goes for a superplex, but Zayn fights out. Zayn goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Joe doesn’t go down. Zayn sweeps the feet, and Joe hits the top rope face first. Zayn goes for a Helluva Kick, but Joe takes him down with a one-armed slam. Joe then catches him with Coquina Clutch, and the referee calls it.
Winner by Referee’s Decision: Samoa Joe
Mike’s Thoughts: This was a good PPV debut for Samoa Joe. Sami Zayn was a great opponent for him. Joe looked dominant throughout and didn’t have to sell too much. I’m not sure what the plan is for Joe at WrestleMania, but they just did a really nice job making him look like an unstoppable, dangerous monster.
Charly Caruso asks Bayley about nerves before her big match. Bayley says she has tons of nerves and talks about Charlotte Flair’s undefeated PPV record. Bayley challenges Charlotte to leave Dana Brook in the locker room to find out who the better woman is. Nia Jax walks up to her and says she’s going to rip Bayley’s best friend to shreds. If Charlotte doesn’t take the title from her, she will.
Enzo and Cass make their way to the ring. Enzo does his usual shtick while the crowd sings along. They play up to the Milwaukee crowd. They came out swinging like a Milwaukee Brewer. Enzo calls them the “Mr. Clean Tag Team.” They claim they’re too sweet, but pretty soon it’ll be “Bada boom – realest champs in the room.” There will be only one word to describe them: S-A-W-F-T!
WWE RAW Tag Team Championships Match
Enzo and Cass vs. Anderson and Gallows (c’s)
Karl Anderson will start against Big Cass. Cass quickly gets him in the corner and chops away at him. Cass punches him down and tags Enzo in. Cass throws Enzo into Anderson. Gallows runs in, so Cass clotheslines him over the top rope. Cass then presses Enzo and throws him over the top rope onto Gallows. Enzo celebrates at ringside before putting Anderson in the ring. Gallows quickly distracts Enzo, and Anderson takes him down. Anderson floors him with a running knee and punches away at him. Gallows tags in, and he kicks Enzo before clubbing him down. Gallows uppercuts him and taunts the crowd. Gallows slams him down for a two count. Gallows applies a chin lock, but Enzo fights up. Gallows takes him down and tags in Anderson. Anderson slams him down and hits four knee drops for a two count. Anderson applies a chin lock and keeps Enzo grounded. Enzo fights back, but Anderson clubs him down. Enzo gets away from Anderson, but he’s soon taken down. Anderson pulls him out of the ring, and Enzo comes back with an enzuigiri. Enzo then sends Gallows into the ring post. Enzo goes for the tag, but Anderson cuts him off for a near fall. Anderson punches away at her before tagging Gallows in. Gallows peppers him with strikes for a two count. Gallows sends him to the corner, but Enzo sidesteps an avalanche. Enzo then avoids an elbow drop. Anderson is tagged in, and Enzo avoids him in the corner.
Big Cass is tagged in, and he shoulder blocks Anderson before hitting a fall-away slam. Cass splashes him in the corner and hits a second fall-away slam. Cass splashes him in the corner again and hits a sidewalk slam before dropping the Empire Elbow. Cass big boots Gallows off the apron, and Anderson rolls him up for a two count. Cass big boots Anderson and tags Enzo. They hit Bada Boom Shakalaka, but Gallows pulls Enzo out of the ring. Cass and Gallows brawl at ringside. Gallows sends him into the barricade. Enzo then wipes Gallows out with a dive off the apron. Anderson knees Enzo in the face and covers him. Enzo gets his foot on the bottom rope, but Gallows pushes it off. The referee counts the pin.
Winners and still WWE RAW Tag Team Champions: Anderson and Gallows
Mike’s Thoughts: Not really much of a match. Enzo in the ring just doesn’t work out for me. The guy just doesn’t look great in the ring, but he’s a hell of a talker. Anderson and Gallows have been made to look so weak in the last few weeks. They needed a good win, so they got it. Other than that, it was a match that was fine for RAW, but there was nothing special.
Mick Foley is backstage talking with Stephanie McMahon on the phone. Her flight is delayed and won’t make the show. Foley tells her to relax because he’s in charge, but she doesn’t trust him at all. Foley listens as she berates him before disconnecting.
Video Package: Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
The bell rings, and Banks quickly goes on the offensive with some punches before Jax throws her off. Banks sidesteps her and continues to punch before Jax pushes her off. Banks hits a pair of dropkicks, but Jax doesn’t go down. Jax then takes her down. Jax hits a backbreaker before bending her over her knee. Banks fights out and goes for a roll-up, but Jax simply takes her down. Jax talks a little trash before covering for a two count. Jax stretches her out on the ropes before kicking her in the back. Jax puts her in the corner and drives her hip into her face. Jax then applies a surfboard stretch. Banks kicks her in the head to get out. Jax quickly throws her across the ring and stands over her. Jax then stretches her out some more before picking up a two count. Jax reapplies a surfboard stretch before slamming her down. Jax puts her in the corner and tries to whip her, but Banks hangs on. Jax quickly drives her into the turnbuckle and applies a torture rack. Jax does a few squats to showcase her power. Banks somehow turns it into a guillotine choke. Jax powers out, but Banks hooks it back on. Jax powers out, but Banks catches her with a sleeper hold. Banks keeps it applied, but Jax soon slams her off. Banks catches her with an elbow and a kick. Banks goes for a head-scissor, but Jax holds on. Banks then hits a DDT and applies the Bank Statement. Jax powers up and gets her off her feet, but Banks fights off. Jax then slams her down. Jax drops a leg. Jax picks her up by the hair and slings her around. Jax goes for a Samoan Drop, but Banks slides off and rolls her up for the upset.
Winner by Pinfall: Sasha Banks
Mike’s Thoughts: Not really a great match. Nia Jax has a good look for a monster woman, but she just isn’t polished enough for the main roster. Some of her offense looks fine, but some of it (particularly her strikes) look pretty rough. Banks pulling out the upset after being brutalized throughout the whole match was what it was. I think Jax should have attacked her after the match to keep that monster aura going, but they didn’t go that route.
Rusev and Jinder Mahal were arguing in Mick Foley’s office on the Kickoff Show. Foley said he would give each of them a singles match tonight. Foley said they can go down to the ring together to figure out who goes first. Rusev and Mahal are not on the same page at all.
Jinder Mahal and Rusev make separate entrances. They start brawling in the ring. It goes outside, and Mahal sends him into the ring post. Mahal then knees him in the head and gets in the ring. He’ll face Cesaro first. Cesaro makes his entrance with his tag team partner, Sheamus.
Jinder Mahal vs. Cesaro w/ Sheamus
They circle the ring, and Mahal taunts the crowd. They lock up, and Cesaro applies a waistlock. Mahal hooks the arm and applies a hammerlock. Cesaro takes him down, but Mahal quickly gets to the ropes to keep him back. Mahal kicks and punches him back before sending him hard into the corner. Mahal forearms him in the back a few times before Cesaro comes back with a forearm to the face for a two count. Cesaro then hits a double stomp before hitting a deadlift gutwrench suplex for a two count. Cesaro applies a side headlock before being whipped off. Cesaro counters a leapfrog into a backbreaker for a near fall. Cesaro grabs his lower back in pain. Cesaro catches him on the apron and goes for a deadlift superplex, but his back gives out. Mahal sweeps the legs and dropkicks him in the back. Mahal works on the back before clotheslining him down for a two count. Mahal applies a stretch, but Cesaro fights up and goes for a suplex, but he can’t get him up. Mahal takes him down with a running knee for another two count. Mahal continues to attack him before Cesaro comes back with some uppercuts. Cesaro tries for a suplex again, but his back is too hurt. Mahal sends him hard into the corner and digs his knee into his face. Mahal tries for a suplex, but Cesaro counters and finally connects with a suplex. The crowd is completely dead for this. Mahal gets to his feet first and punches him. Cesaro comes back with some uppercuts before starting the Uppercut Train. Cesaro drops him onto the middle rope and hits the Swiss-19. Cesaro hits a cross-body block off the top rope for a two count. Cesaro goes for a Cesaro Swing, but Mahal grabs the bottom rope. Mahal quickly takes Cesaro down. Rusev finally gets to his feet at ringside. Cesaro floors Mahal with a Very European Uppercut for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Cesaro
Rusev gets in the ring and looks down at Mahal. Rusev sends him shoulder-first into the ring post before viciously punching away at him. Rusev shoulders away at him in the corner before superkicking him down. Big Show’s music hits, so that’s who Rusev will be facing.
Rusev w/ Lana vs. The Big Show
Big Show immediately big boots him down before chopping away at him. Big Show shushes the crowd before chopping him again. Rusev gets out of the ring to recover. Big Show follows him out and shoves him into the barricade. Big Show gets him in the ring and takes him down. Big Show stands on him and chokes him on the ropes. Big Show head-butts him down. Big Show sends him to the corner for an avalanche. Rusev can’t get anything going here. Big Show chokes him on the ropes and hits the Final Cut for a two count. Big Show kicks him in the ribs, but Rusev starts fighting back. Rusev goes for a clothesline, but Big Show doesn’t go down. Rusev tries again for the same result. Rusev hits the ropes, and Big Show clotheslines him twice. Big Show avalanches him in the corner and hits the ropes, but Rusev chop blocks the knee. Rusev kicks away at him for a two count. Rusev works over the knee. Big Show gets out and hits a sidewalk slam for a two count. Rusev quickly gets out of the ring to recover. Big Show pulls him up to the apron, but Rusev snaps him off the top rope. Big Show goes for a Chokeslam, but Rusev gets out and kicks him in the head. Rusev kicks him in the head a second time before hitting one more for good measure. Rusev picks up a near fall. Rusev stomps the spine and goes for the Accolade, but Big Show pushes him out of the ring. Rusev quickly gets back in, and Big Show floors him with a Chokeslam. Big Show pulls the straps down and hits a second Chokeslam. Big Show then picks him up for one final Chokeslam. Big Show puts him in the corner and balls up his fist. Rusev just sits in the corner. Big Show hits a Knockout Punch and picks up the decisive victory.
Winner by Pinfall: The Big Show
Mike’s Thoughts: Wow — that just would not end. That was just brutal. That was a time waster if there ever was one. Seeing Jinder Mahal wrestle a singles match on a PPV, even though PPVs aren’t what they used to be, is just unacceptable. Seeing him get more offense than Rusev was rough too. Rusev was really demolished throughout his match against Big Show. I wonder if Rusev is going to be suspended or something. Yikes. This sucked all around.
Charly Caruso is backstage with Kevin Owens. Owens says Goldberg hasn’t beaten anyone other than Brock Lesnar in years. Owens has been beating everyone. Goldberg doesn’t have a chance against him tonight. He’s the best, and not even the mighty Goldberg can change that. This is the Kevin Owens Show tonight, tomorrow, and for as long as he wants it to be.
Austin Aries will be on commentary for the next match.
Video Package: Austin Aries will be coming to the Cruiserweight Division
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
“Gentleman” Jack Gallagher vs. Neville (c)
They circle the ring, and Neville pushes him. They circle the ring again before Neville twists the arm. Gallagher comes back by wrenching the arm, but Neville pushes him into the ropes. Gallagher pulls him to the middle of the ring, but Neville gets out. Neville sends him to the corner, but Gallagher does a handstand in the corner. Gallagher feigns getting down before staying up. Gallagher then boots him down. Gallagher sends him into the ropes and goes for a dropkick, but Neville takes him down. Gallagher quickly comes back and dropkicks him out of the ring. Neville takes a moment to recover before pulling him out of the ring and sending him into the barricade. Gallagher landed on his head. Neville gets him in the ring and hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Neville boots him in the head and stands on his head. Gallagher soon comes back with some punches, but Neville cuts him off and suplexes him down. Neville hits a running forearm in the corner for a two count. Neville taunts the crowd and stands on the back of his head. Neville elbows him in the head and applies a modified camel clutch. Gallagher fights up and forearms away at him before dropkicking him down twice. Neville goes outside the ring, and Gallagher throws himself through the ropes to take him down. Gallagher gets him back in the ring and puts him on the top rope. Gallagher then hits him with a super back suplex for a near fall. They take their time to get up. Neville flapjacks him onto the top rope and takes him down. Neville goes for a German Suplex, but Gallagher gets out. Neville quickly comes back with a German Suplex that spikes him onto his head! Neville hits a Phoenix Splash for a near fall. Neville argues with the referee about the count. Neville kicks him back a few times. Gallagher comes out of nowhere with a head-butt. Neville boots him back, and Gallagher head-butts him a second time for a near fall. Gallagher goes for a corner dropkick, but Neville moves and superkicks him to the apron. Neville goes for a superplex, but Gallagher punches him off. Gallagher gets him on the top rope and head-butts him! Neville is out. Gallagher goes for a superplex, but Neville counters into a front superplex that put Gallagher right on his face. Neville then hits the Red Arrow for the win.
Winner and still WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
Mike’s Thoughts: The finish was pretty good, but this match kind of dragged for most of it. Both men certainly worked hard, but the cruiserweights are fighting an uphill battle with the way they’re presented. Gallagher took some nasty bumps, a few of them on his head. After the match, Gallagher’s body was visibly marked up. You won’t last long taking bumps like that.
Paul Heyman is backstage with Charly Caruso. Heyman says his client has the right to be here tonight, but whether he shows up is privileged information. No matter who wins, the winner is his client. If Goldberg wins, he’ll have to face his client at WrestleMania after having his weaknesses revealed. If Owens wins, Lesnar will beat Goldberg before going after Owens. Lesnar will be the ultimate winner.
The New Day talk about their desire for ice cream
“OHH MILWAUKEE — DON’T YOU DARE BE SOUR! CLAP FOR YOUR WRESTLEMANIA HOSTS AND FEEL THE POWER!”
The New Day comes out with an ice cream cart. They roll it around ringside and passionately kiss it. Xavier Woods says when they first had the idea for Booty O’s, the only thing they had was a t-shirt and a dream. Everyone made their voices heard. Big E sings Randy Orton’s theme, but they stop him. Woods says the dream turned into a reality. Kofi Kingston says they stand before them with a t-shirt and a dream. An ice cream dream. Big E starts singing again, but they stop him. They accuse him of being drunk. They say the WWE Universe has an opportunity to make their voices heard. Woods says their voices will be heard because they want this bad. Woods then talks about the cart and how beautiful it is. They want ice cream at WrestleMania because New Day rocks.
Video Package: Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
They lock up, and Strowman immediately powers him to the corner before throwing him across the ring. Reigns gets to his feet and gets a waistlock on, but Strowman swats him away and sends him out of the ring. Reigns gets on the apron, but Strowman knocks him off. Reigns just stares at him. The crowd is very against Reigns. Reigns snaps Strowman off the top rope and punches away at him. Reigns goes for a Samoan Drop, but Strowman stops it. Reigns fights back at him and hits the ropes before clotheslining him over the top rope. Strowman lands on his feet, pulls him out of the ring, and sends him into the ropes, but Reigns leaps over them. Reigns jumps off the steps and punches him. Strowman stays on his feet and charges, but Reigns moves. Strowman hits the steps headfirst. Strowman quickly cuts him off and puts him in the ring. Reigns knees him as he gets back in the ring and punches away at him. Strowman powers him out of the corner and slams him down with what the commentators called a spinebuster for a two count. Strowman splashes him in the corner and throws him down. Strowman kicks and slams him down. Strowman applies a neck vice, but Reigns fights up and goes for a Samoan Drop. Strowman slides off and hits a Samoan Drop on Reigns. Strowman hits a big splash for a two count. Strowman goes to a chin lock. Reigns appears to be fading away. Reigns eventually fights up. Strowman sends him into the ropes, but Reigns hits him with a clothesline. Strowman doesn’t go down. Reigns tries again for the same result. Finally, Strowman floors him with a reverse chokeslam for a near fall. Strowman tosses him out of the ring. Reigns tries to fight him off, but Strowman swats him down. Strowman clears off the commentary tables at ringside. Strowman goes for a Powerslam, but Reigns slides off and sends him into the ring post. Strowman counters a Drive By Dropkick and sends him into the ring post. Strowman puts him in the ring and charges, but Reigns moves. Strowman hits the ring post shoulder first. Reigns punches away at him and clotheslines him in the corner. Reigns then clubs away at him. Strowman gets out, but Reigns finally hits him with a Samoan Drop for a near fall.
Reigns gets himself to his feet and punches the mat. Strowman sidesteps a Superman punch and clubs him in the chest. Strowman viciously slams him down for a near fall. Strowman puts him in the corner and goes for a big boot, but Reigns moves. Strowman hooks his leg on the top rope and falls out of the ring. Strowman grabs his knee in pain. Reigns hits him with a Drive By Dropkick, but Strowman is still standing. Reigns goes for a spear through the barricade, but Strowman counters into a Powerslam through the commentary table! Strowman puts him in the ring and gets in, but Reigns surprises him with a Spear for a near fall! Reigns cannot believe it. Strowman gets to his feet and throws Reigns to the corner. Strowman goes for an avalanche, but Reigns moves. Reigns hits a Superman Punch, but Strowman is still standing. Reigns hits a second Superman Punch, and Strowman goes into the ropes. Reigns hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but Strowman viciously swats him down. A light “Thank you Strowman” chant fires up. Strowman goes to the top rope and stands on it! Strowman dives off, but Reigns moves. Reigns then spears him for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Roman Reigns
Mike’s Thoughts: Well, they did it. They had Roman Reigns beat Braun Strowman clean. Reigns took a good beating throughout the match, but his selling just isn’t good enough for the crowd to connect with him. I know they’re building Reigns up strong for The Undertaker at WrestleMania, but they could’ve gotten around pinning Strowman. This company routinely comes up with screwy finishes for RAW main events. They could’ve worked out of this one. I’m not saying Strowman is buried. Strowman can easily come back from this. It just wasn’t necessary for him to be beaten. Oh well. The match itself was fun with Strowman having an answer for everything Reigns tried.
Mick Foley catches up with Samoa Joe backstage. Foley says he’s running the show tonight. If Stephanie McMahon were here, she wouldn’t want him getting involved in Kevin Owens’ match. The Kevin Owens he knows wouldn’t want Joe involved. Foley wants this to be the last time he sees Joe’s face. If he sees Joe anymore tonight, there will be hell to pay. Joe just walks off.
Video Package: RAW Women’s Championship Match
WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match
Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley (c)
Charlotte Flair came out with Dana Brooke, but she quickly sent her to the back.
The bell rings, and they lock up. Flair powers her to the ropes and gives a break. Flair takes her down for a one count. Bayley takes her down, but Flair quickly pops up. Flair applies a side headlock. Bayley whips her off, but Flair shoulder blocks her down three times. Bayley takes her down and covers for a one count. Bayley grabs the arm and cradles her for another one count. Flair knees her, but she has a whip reversed to the corner. Flair rolls up the turnbuckle and lands on the apron before shouldering Bayley. Bayley quickly comes back by knocking her to the floor. Bayley takes her down with a hurricanrana at ringside before putting her in the ring. Bayley goes to the top rope for a cross-body block to pick up a two count. Flair quickly grabs the ropes before Bayley can hit Belly-To-Bayley. Flair goes outside to recover. Bayley follows her out, and Flair clotheslines her at ringside. Flair gets her in the ring and picks up a two count. Flair punches away at her and kicks her in the chest. Flair then taunts the crowd. Bayley makes a comeback, but Flair soon takes her down. Flair drops some knees for a two count. Flair grapevines the head and rolls her around. Flair goes to strut, but then she stops. Bayley fights back, but Flair gives her a neckbreaker for a near fall. Flair attacks her on the apron before rolling her into the ring for a two count. Flair applies a dragon sleeper, but Bayley fights it. Flair quickly takes her down for a near fall. Flair goes to the top rope and hits a moonsault. Flair quickly follows up with a senton splash for a near fall. Flair puts her in the corner and chops her down. Flair continues to chop her until Bayley comes back with a clothesline. Bayley chops her down a few times before slamming her down. Bayley shoulders her and hits a running back elbow. Bayley follows up with a back suplex for a two count. Bayley puts her in the corner and gets her on the top rope. Bayley ties her up in the tree of woe. Bayley whiff on a strike and drops an elbow. Bayley goes to the top rope, but Flair cuts her off. They fight on the apron, and Flair pulls her into the turnbuckle. Flair gets on the top rope, but Bayley hits a super hurricanrana. Bayley goes to the top rope for an elbow drop for a near fall. Flair takes a moment to recover after pulling her out to the floor. Bayley tries to get in the ring, but Flair attacks her. Flair hits her with Natural Selection for a near fall. Flair goes for a Figure Four, but Bayley kicks her out of the ring. Flair quickly grabs her and slams her on the floor.
Flair goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but Sasha Banks runs down. They brawl in front of the referee, who doesn’t call for a disqualification. Flair sends her into the ring, but Banks rolls back out. Bayley hits Flair with a Belly-To-Bayley on the floor. Bayley gets her in the ring, but Flair rolls her up with a handful of tights. Banks lets the referee know she’s holding the tights. Bayley then hits Bayley-To-Belly for the win. This is Charlotte Flair’s first PPV title match loss.
Winner and still WWE RAW Women’s Champion: Bayley
Mike’s Thoughts: I’m glad they kept the title on Bayley rather than continue to play hot potato with the title. However, they did a really good job establishing Charlotte Flair’s PPV title win streak. Why end it on this show and not at WrestleMania? They built it up for a while now. Just didn’t feel like the right time for this. I do like the storyline of Bayley thinking she’s winning on her own, but each time she does, she has a major assist from Sasha Banks. The match itself was pretty good. The finish was clunky with the referee looking right at the brawl with Banks and Flair and not calling for the DQ.
A replay is shown from Monday Night RAW when Seth Rollins vowed to Triple H to be at WrestleMania.
We’ll take an exclusive look at Seth Rollins’ rehab tomorrow on RAW.
Video Package: WWE Universal Championship Match
WWE Universal Championship Match
Goldberg vs. Kevin Owens (c)
JoJo does the introductions in the ring. It’s 10:58 PM EST. There are lots of cheers, but some boos for Goldberg. Kevin Owens gets a mixed reaction. Owens kisses the title. Goldberg says, “Kiss it goodbye, boy!” Before the bell rings, Owens goes outside the ring to play some mind games. Owens walks around and takes his time getting in the ring. Owens then quickly gets off the apron to continue playing games. Owens gets on the apron and teases getting in a few times. The referee is still waiting to start this match. Owens gets in the ring, but immediately rolls out to the delight of some in the crowd. Finally Owens gets in the ring.
Chris Jericho’s music hits, and he comes out as the bell rings. Goldberg immediately spears him down before hitting a Jackhammer to win the title in 21 seconds.
Winner and new WWE Universal Champion: Goldberg
Goldberg celebrates with his newly won WWE Universal Championship. Goldberg will face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania with the title on the line. Goldberg hugs and kisses his family at ringside.
Mike’s Overall Thoughts: Well, pretty much exactly what everyone thought would happen just happened. Goldberg easily ran through Kevin Owens after Chris Jericho made an appearance to distract him. It’s the right move. I know some people wanted him to have a longer match, but Goldberg involved in a long match would hurt his aura. The guy easily defeated Lesnar at Survivor Series and embarrassed him at the Royal Rumble. You really thought he’d go toe-to-toe with Owens? Come on. Now they can build their super main event up for WrestleMania. It is a marquee match for sure. As for Owens, he’ll be busy with Chris Jericho at WrestleMania. Overall, the show definitely dragged at times for sure and felt like Sunday Night RAW. I must say, the Reigns/Strowman match overdelivered. I wasn’t big on the finish, but it was a great match. This Goldberg match brought some much needed star power to the show, so in that way it delivered. The rest was hit or miss to make a so-so to ok PPV rating for me.
Quick Match Results
* Samoa Joe def. Sami Zayn via Referee’s Decision
* Anderson and Gallows def. Enzo and Cass to retain the RAW Tag Team Championships
* Sasha Banks def. Nia Jax
* Cesaro def. Jinder Mahal
* The Big Show def. Rusev
* Neville def. “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
* Roman Reigns def. Braun Strowman
* Bayley def. Charlotte Flair to retain the WWE RAW Women’s Championship
* Goldberg def. Kevin Owens to win the WWE Universal Championship
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV