The road to WrestleMania continues to follow last night’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
After defeating Sheamus in a barrier-free fight at Fastlane, Drew McIntyre can now focus on his title fight against WWE champion Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania 37. Tonight’s show will feature Lashley taking on Sheamus in untitled action for the second week. consecutive. Lashley defeated Sheamus in the main fight last Monday.
The female champion of Raw Asuka is also scheduled for an untitled fight tonight. She will face Peyton Royce on the show. On Raw Talk two weeks ago, Royce made a promo about not getting the opportunities she thinks she deserves. Royce told WWE to give him a match against Asuka.
Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz will also take place tonight. The New Day (Kingston & Xavier Woods), who defeated The Hurt Business (Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander) last week to become Raw Tag Team Champions, is defending their titles against AJ Styles & Omos at WrestleMania.
Fastlane saw “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt return helping Alexa Bliss defeat Randy Orton. It was the first time The Fiend had appeared since Orton burned down in his Firefly Inferno match three months ago. WWE is announcing that Orton will be calling The Fiend to Raw tonight.
In addition, Rhea Ripley will make her debut as a member of the Raw list. Our live coverage starts at 8 pm Eastern Time.
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Show recap –
WWE champion Bobby Lashley (w / MVP) defeated Sheamus in an untitled match (11:38)
They were having a round-trip dispute until Sheamus was momentarily distracted by Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin arriving at the side of the ring, which allowed Lashley to knock him out of the ring.
Alexander simultaneously distracted the referee and Lashley while Benjamin wiped Sheamus. Lashley seemed confused about why his friends were there when they went for the break.
Alexander and Benjamin applauded Lashley while MVP also looked a little confused. Lashley remained in control and hit a powerlam for two. Alexander tried to give words of encouragement, but Lashley told him to leave his apron.
Sheamus used the distraction to mount a comeback. He hit Lashley before hitting a flying clothesline outside. Sheamus hit another in the ring for two and a lifting knee for two.
Sheamus appeared to be preparing for the Chute Brogue, but was distracted by Alexander. This allowed Lashley to hit a spinebuster and apply Hurt Lock for submission.
Alexander and Benjamin attacked Sheamus after the fight, while Lashley remained confused. McIntyre ran and fought Alexander and Benjamin. He challenged Benjamin to go after him, but he backed away.
McIntyre confronted Lashley in the ring while MVP held Lashley. MVP wanted Lashley to wait until WrestleMania while McIntyre begged him to take a hit, even putting his hands behind his back. Lashley finally left.
It was refreshing to see Raw start with a wrestling match without a long promotion to set it up (even in the fight itself it seemed like a backdrop to an angle).
Tom Phillips announced that Randy Orton would call the Demon tonight. He said they would show a repeat of the Demon’s new look. In fact, what he said was, “We are going to take you back to your heinous resurgence from the depths of hell.”
Lashley told Alexander and Benjamin that he didn’t need their damn help. MVP told them that they tarnished Lashley’s image, making it look like he couldn’t beat Sheamus alone. He called it a shame, just as it was a shame that they lost the tag titles. He said that this did not reflect well on Lashley and wanted to know what they would do to make up for it.
There was a video package for Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton with the return of the Fiend. Byron Saxton repeated the phrase “the depths of fiery hell” that we just heard before the break.
Raw female champion Asuka defeated Peyton Royce in an untitled fight (11:11)
They aired a clip of Royce’s Raw Talk promotion during his entry.
Royce was more offended than you expected (many of whom did not look well), but Asuka set up a recovery after a break (on a small screen in the upper left because they were displaying replays) and had a count of two after a German Suplex and brilliant wizard.
Royce blocked a rear fist (which looked good) and hit the Widow’s Peak for two. Asuka dodged a circular kick and hit a Codebreaker to almost fall. Royce used a double foot to step on top of Asuka’s back for two.
Asuka applied an armbar before making the transition to an Asuka Lock to finish. The announcers overcame Royce’s effort.
Rhea Ripley entered while Asuka celebrated. Ripley called Asuka one of the greatest champions in WWE history. Asuka looked flattered, which was funny.
Ripley remembered Charlotte Flair challenging Asuka to a title fight while Asuka was on the shelf after having her teeth pulled out. Ripley said that Charlotte was not here now because she was recovering from COVID.
Ripley wanted an answer. She challenged Asuka to a title fight at WrestleMania. Asuka said that Ripley was not ready before accepting the match. They both looked happy.
Adam Pearce approached McIntyre from behind. They talked about Sheamus before Pearce notified McIntyre that Benjamin and Alexander challenged him to a handicap match.
Pearce noted how it might not be such a good idea so close to Mania. McIntyre accepted with the following stipulation: if he won, Alexander and Benjamin would be banned from the ring in Mania. Pearce accepted the payment.
[Second hour]
They said that Asuka vs. Ripley for the title was made official for Mania.
MizTV
Miz said the last thing he needed at this time of year was to be ridiculed by Damian Priest and Bad Bunny. Miz and John Morrison put on Bad Bunny’s success, but Miz said he didn’t belong here. It is one thing to do a performance, but he is walking behind while not showing respect for him.
Miz called himself twice the Grand Slam champion and Morrison noted that John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Undertaker could not say the same. Miz continued on how he and Morrison are not respected enough. They showed a WrestleMania poster that excludes the two, but includes Bad Bunny.
Miz reached her limit last week. They showed a replay of Miz attacking Bad Bunny with a guitar. Morrison said that Bad Bunny should jump back to any hole it came from.
Miz and Morrison have a new music video dedicated to Bad Bunny premiering next week. They showed a clip as a preview / warning to viewers.
Miz also challenged Bad Bunny to a fight at WrestleMania. Miz threatened to end his career.
The Miz defeated Jeff Hardy (4:20)
Before the match, Hardy said that we know that Morrison will get involved as soon as Miz has problems and suggested that he go to the defense. Morrison left voluntarily.
They had a balanced fight that Miz won clean after throwing Hardy at the post and hitting a Skull Crushing Finale.
Bad Bunny broke a guitar on Miz’s back after the match. (It was a good look and it didn’t happen accidentally with the WrestleMania signal behind them.) Bad Bunny grabbed a microphone and said, “I accept your challenge, bitch.”