Raw was live last night in Portland, Oregon. We are on the Road to WrestleMania and the road for Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, the road has one destination in sight, Championship opportunity.

   Raw kicked off with Stephanie McMahon and the winner of the 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble Becky Lynch. Stephanie is ecstatic about the upcoming fight between Becky and Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. However, Stephanie shows concern to Becky because of her knee injury.

   She asks that Becky get medical attention and clearance to compete. However, Becky does not want to because she knows if she sees a doctor, the doctor will not allow her to compete at WrestleMania and realize her dream.

   Stephanie gave Becky an ultimatum, either see a doctor or be suspended. Becky being driven by her heart, ignores Stephanie’s ultimatum. Stephanie had no other choice and suspended Becky Lynch until she gets cleared by doctors to compete.

Ronda Rousey v. Liv Morgan

   Ronda Rousey is disappointed by Becky’s actions because her chance at history is gone. Her attention had to change direction to The Riott Squad. Her opponent Liv Morgan gave a good fight, but it did not match the fight of the Raw Women’s Champion. Ronda was able to defeat Liv. However, before there was time to celebrate, Sarah Logan attacked Ronda from behind.

Ronda Rousey v. Sarah Logan

   Ronda Rousey is always up for a challenge no matter the competitor. Ronda yet again, let her emotions speak for her and she dominated Sarah Logan. Ronda eyeballed Ruby Riott to see if she would step up. Ruby declined, but backstage in an interview, Ruby stated that the only reason she will get in the ring with Ronda is if it is going to be for the Raw Women’s Championship.

Heavy Machinery v. Lucha House Party v. The Revival v. The B-Team Fatal-4-Way to Determine #1 Contenders for Raw Tag Team Championship

   These four teams have an opportunity that they have been looking for. Each have a claim to be the next contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Heavy Machinery is the new guys on the block and they have made their presence known.

   Each team had a significant chance to pick up the victory. However, The Revival was able to capitalize on a small mistake by Heavy Machinery and hit Shatter Machine for the win. The Revival are now the #1 Contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Kurt Angle Announces His Future

   Kurt Angle will go down as one of the greatest wrestlers ever to grace a wrestling ring. His achievements and accomplishments are second to none.

   Kurt came out to the sold out crowd in Portland and gave a heartfelt speech reflecting on his career. Kurt stated that he had defeated all opponents that have ever crossed his path. However, the one opponent he could not beat was father time.

   Before Kurt could continue, he was interrupted by Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre. They would come down to beatdown Kurt until Braun Strowman came down to save Kurt.

   We never got a clear answer on what Kurt’s message was going to be, but a tag team match between the four men was made for later in the night.

Sasha Banks & Bayley v. Alicia Fox & Nikki Cross: Qualifying Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

   These two teams look to be the final team from Raw to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match to crown the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Before the match, Nikki & Alicia attacked Bayley & Sasha and left them laying and questioning if they could compete. Bayley & Sasha however are able to show how much heart they have and compete.

   The two fought the odds and defeated Cross & Fox. The Boss & Hug Connection have their date with destiny at Elimination Chamber with their eyes set on becoming the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Elias v. Jeff Jarrett

   For the first time in 20 years, Jeff Jarrett had a match on Monday Night Raw. Over the past few weeks, Elias has continuously gotten one up on Jeff Jarrett. Elias’ new found attitude against the WWE Universe is confusing but it works for him.

   Elias yet again interrupted a Jeff and Road Dogg concert in the ring. Jeff had enough of the interruptions by Elias and took the fight to him. However, Elias was able to fight the odds and pick up the victory.

   After the match, Road Dogg got payback on Elias, which led to Jarrett to smash a guitar off the back of Elias.

Finn Balor v. Lio Rush

   The last week for Finn had ups and downs. Finn had an opportunity at the Universal Championship however was unsuccessful. Then, the next night, was ambushed and attacked by the Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley.

   Nursing injuries, Finn continues to fight. This time against Bobby Lashley’s hype man Lio Rush. In a competitive match, Finn was able to pick up the victory over Rush after hitting a Coup de Gras for the pin and win. Finn is a fighter, and will not stop fighting until he get to Bobby and the Intercontinental Championship.

EC3 v. Dean Ambrose

   EC3 made his debut on Monday Night Raw. Before the match, he was a guest on Alexa Bliss’ A Moment of Bliss. She asked him what makes EC3 a name to be remembered. However, before he could answer, Nia Jax, Tamina and then Dean Ambrose came out to interrupt. Dean made wise jokes towards EC3 before EC3 attacked him setting up this match.

   The match was a fairly quick one as EC3 was able to roll up Dean for the pin and win. EC3 starts his Monday Night Raw career 1-0, but what is his next step?

Kurt Angle & Braun Strowman v. Baron Corbin & Drew McIntyre

   Angle & Strowman look to get their long, overdue revenge on Corbin & McIntyre. The two teams battled back and forth in a very competitive match.

   However, Braun got his team disqualified when he laid his hands on Baron when he was not the legal member of his team. That did not stop him though. Drew and Baron attacked Kurt and looked to chokeslam Kurt on the steel stairs like they have done to Braun in the past. However, Braun again saved Kurt and chokeslammed Drew and then Baron. Kurt and Braun stood tall to end Raw.

Conclusion

   It was not a bad episode of Raw, just a really casual and confusing episode. Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle both compete on Raw in 2019? Also, Seth has been put on the shelf for upwards of a month due to an injury in the attack by Brock Lesnar a week ago.

   However, a bright spot is Becky showing an attitude very similar to Stone Cold Steve Austin. This character development wants us to see even more and leaves us emotionally invested in the Monday Night Raws heading towards WrestleMania 35.

David Jacobus
Staff Writer