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The first live event on the road to WrestleMania 35 concluded last night in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and it was quite a star-studded affair indeed.
The house show was headlined by a Fatal 4-way title match that featured Dean Ambrose who mysteriously seemed to have adopted a babyface persona. The tag team titles were also on the line as top names of the Raw brand kickstarted the road to WrestleMania is solid fashion.
Let's not waste any more time and jump right into the results (Special thanks to Ross Millsap):
Former WWE writer buries Judgment Day HERE
#1 Bobby Roode & Chad Gable (C) vs. The Revival (RAW Tag Team Championships)
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The Raw tag team titles encounter kickstarted the in-ring proceedings of the night as the reportedly unhappy duo of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder looked to capture the tag team straps from Roode and Gable.
Both teams put on a solid opener as the fans in attendance were invested in the action from bell to bell. In the end, the babyface team of Roode and Gable retained their titles. It should be noted that Wilder addressed the rumours of The Revival's WWE departure by screaming 'release me' in a jestful way during his entrance. Was this another hint of the impending release of the former NXT Tag Team Champions?
Result: Roode and Gable def. The Revival to retain the RAW Tag team titles
#2 Nikki Cross vs. Tamina
The eccentric Nikki Cross followed up the engaging opening match with a single bout against the 41-year-old Tamina Snuka. The former NXT star made quick work of Tamina and picked up the win in a blink-and-you-miss match.
Tamina got a lukewarm response while Cross was the all-out favourite in the match.
Result: Nikki Cross def. Tamina
#3 Elias vs. Apollo Crews
It was time for the WWE Universe in Saskatoon to walk with Elias as the Drifter was in the ring to do his usual shtick. He roasted the fans before being interrupted by Crews.
The match was pretty decent as there were quite a few cheers for Crews too. Elias even took a page out of the Undertaker's book by using the iconic Old School.
Crews, popularly known as Uhaa Nation in the indies. picked up the win in the third match of the evening.
Result: Apollo Crews def. Elias
#4 Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman
No prizes for guessing how this one went. The Monster Among Men demolished the former Raw General Manager with relative ease. Strowman was unsurprisingly over with the fans and got great reactions in a winning effort. The match marked the end of the first half of the show as it was time for a much-needed intermission.
Result: Braun Strowman def. Baron Corbin
#5 Health Slater, Rhyno and Titus O'Neil vs. The Ascension and Rezar
A 6-man tag team match followed the intermission that pitted the lower mid-card talents of RAW against each other. The first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions Slater and Rhyno teamed up with Titus O'Neil to take on the heel team of Ascension and Rezar of AOP.
Rhyno won it for the babyface team with an eye-catching Gore.
Result: Heath Slater, Rhyno and Titus O'Neil def. The Ascension and Rezar
#6 Natalya & Bayley vs. Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan
The women of Raw took center stage next as Canada native Natalya teamed up with Bayley to take on Riott and Logan. The fans were vocal in their support for Bayley and Natalya as the babyfaces notched up a win with a Double Sharpshooter against the Riott Squad members.
A great finish to a solid match that warmed up the fans before an explosive 4-way main event.
Result: Natalya & Bayley def. Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan
#7 Bobby Lashley (C) vs. Finn Balor vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Intercontinental Championship Match)
With the level of talent involved, the fans expected an edge-of-the-seat thriller in the final match of the night and they weren't disappointed indeed.
All four superstars put on on a well-worked main event to send the fans home satisfied. Lashley managed to retain the title after he pinned Ambrose, who was taken out by a Claymore kick.
It should be noted that Ambrose reportedly worked the match as a babyface, which is interesting considering he is on his way out of the WWE. Will Ambrose continue to be a face on WWE TV until his inevitable exit? Only time will tell.
Despite the notable absence of Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks, who were advertised to be on the show, the event managed to keep the fans hooked. A steady start on the road to WrestleMania 35.
Result: Bobby Lashley def. Dean Ambrose, Finn Balor, and Drew McIntyre
