WWE Monday Night RAW: Live coverage and results - 17th February 2014

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to yet another fascinating episode of Monday Night RAW! With just six days to go for the Elimination Chamber PPV, we’re live tonight from Denver, Colorado.

This week’s show opened with Cole welcoming us to the show, and Cena came out to loud jeers! We then saw replays of Cena beating Orton last week on RAW. The crowd was firmly against Cena and Cena played up to the crowd. Cena then hyped up the Elimination Chamber PPV, and said the structure can end the career of a superstar. Cena said he was ready to sacrifice whatever it takes to main event WrestleMania 30 against Dave Batista. Loud “Cena sucks” chant started, and Cena said every participant in the chamber match has momentum except for the WWE World Heavyweight champion, Randy Orton. Cena mentioned Daniel Bryan, which led to big “Yes” chants. Cena said that this Sunday, there is a good chance that we’ll see a new WWE World Heavyweight champion, and that brought out Cesaro and Zeb Colter. Cesaro said that he will become the new face of the WWE and the face of America!

Cena then congratulated Cesaro for beating Orton, and said that on Sunday, the stakes are higher. Cena then told Cesaro he has never been in a chamber match, and that brought out Sheamus! Sheamus said that on Sunday, he will beat everyone else and that brought out Captain Charisma! Christian then warned Sheamus that on Sunday, he will beat him down! Randy Orton then came out to loud boos, and kissed up to The Authority. He said that he will beat every one of them at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Orton started mouthing off, and that brought out the final participant of the chamber match, Daniel Bryan to a humongous “Yes” chant by the Denver crowd! Bryan acknowledged the reaction from the live crowd, and put over the chamber match. Daniel Bryan then said that he will become the WWE World Heavyweight champion and led the crowd to yet another big “Yes” chant, which brought out the corporate monster, Kane!

The crowd started a big “You sold out” chant at Kane, as he said The Authority gave him one more chance to rectify his mistakes. He said he was in charge of the WWE tonight, and made Cesaro vs. John Cena and Christian vs. Daniel Bryan and Kane will be at ringside, and that match was up next!

Christian ambushed Bryan and started beating him around the ringside. The crowd started a big “Let’s go Bryan” chant as Christian rammed him against the steel steps!

Analysis: That was a good opening segment, hyping up the Elimination chamber match in six days. Daniel Bryan is undoubtedly the odds on favorite to win the chamber match, as the WWE would be looking to add him to the main event match at WrestleMania to calm the fans down. Three big matches were announced for the episode, which also gave away PPV caliber matches for free. Christian might have also just turned heel by attacking Bryan, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens next.

Christian vs. Daniel Bryan

Christian vs. Daniel Bryan

Big “Daniel Bryan” chants as Bryan and Christian locked up. Christian went to work on Bryan’s arm, but Bryan came back with a knee to the gut. Couple of uppercuts by Bryan but Christian stopped him right in his tracks with a big right hand. Christian continued to work on Bryan’s arm and planted Bryan for a 2 count. Christian continued his offense and delivered a big shoulder for yet another 2 count. Daniel Bryan reversed Christian’s offense into a half Boston crab but Christian rolled out of the hold and attacked Bryan’s shoulder. Christian delivered a tornado DDT for yet another nearfall! Christian drilled Bryan with a couple of headbutts to his shoulder. Bryan turned the tables by throwing Christian out and connected with the suicide dive as WWE went into commercial.

Back from the break as Christian was still in control. Bryan turned the tables by taking Christian down with a couple of clotheslines. Bryan delivered some stiff kicks to Christian’s torso and then to the back of his head for a nearfall. Bryan then went for the swandive headbutt, but Christian got his knees up in time for yet another nearfall. Bryan then delivered a running dropkick, but Christian countered with a spinning elbow from the middle rope. Bryan then went for the LaBelle lock, but Christian countered by drilling Bryan shoulder first into the turnbuckle and went for the Killswitch, but Bryan reversed it into an inside cradle to pick up the victory!

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Rating: ** ½

Post match, Kane announced that Bryan still had one more match against himself!

Kane worked on Bryan’s left shoulder as WWE went into commercial.

Analysis: That was a decent opener, with both the performers getting just about 10 minutes. These two are arguably the best workers in the company at the moment, and could’ve done more with additional 5 – 10 minutes.

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Kane started things off with a suplex from the apron! Kane was firmly in control of the match, beating down Bryan, but Bryan made a comeback with a missile dropkick from the top rope. Bryan tried to get his offense in but Kane shoved him off the apron. Kane whipped Bryan into the barricade and wrapped his shoulder around the ring post. The referee counted to five but Kane didn’t let go, leading to a DQ win for Bryan.

Winner by DQ: Daniel Bryan

Rating: *

Post match, Kane continued to punish Bryan, whipping him into the steel steps and stomping on his arm. Bryan was riding in pain as Kane took the mic, and said that he knew he got disqualified.

Analysis: That was an interesting turn of events. This might lead to an injury angle just days before the Elimination Chamber match. Daniel Bryan will go into the PPV as the underdog, and my guess is that Kane will cost him the WWE World Heavyweight championship, leading to a Bryan – Kane match or Bryan – Triple H match, both of which shouldn’t happen in my opinion. Anyway, we’ll have to wait and see how this angle unfolds.

We then saw highlights of last week match between Ambrose and Mark Henry. Renee interviewed The Shield backstage, and asked Reigns what he thought about his match with Henry. Ambrose interfered, saying he was surprised Henry even showed up, but Reigns cut him off saying he lost last week. Ambrose asked Reigns if he can do better, and Reigns said he could. Rollins once again played it down and plugged in their match with The Wyatts in six days. Ambrose said The Wyatts are an illusion, and Reigns said they’re not afraid of anyone.

Analysis: We might witness The Shield getting dissolved at the Elimination Chamber PPV, leading to the rumored triple threat match at WrestleMania. WWE is interested in pushing Reigns as a mega face, and it looks like they’ve prepared the foundations for the same.

Santino vs. Fandango

Santino vs. Fandango

Santino started things off with Fandango and did some comedy, but Fandango dropped him and went for the pin attempt. Fandango connected with a clothesline, but missed with a big knee. Santino made a comeback with a hip toss and then a headbutt, and Emma and Summer went at it on the floor. Emma spun Summer around and dropped her, leading to Santino flirting with Emma. Fandango took advantage of the distraction and covered Santino to pick up the victory!

Winner: Fandango

Rating: ½ *

Analysis: Nothing much to say here. This seems to be the routine for both teams, and they could do so much better. I hope this leads to a match where they’re given more than 5 minutes at least.

WWE plugged in a graphic of Theodore Roosevelt for the President’s Day.

Mark Henry vs. Roman Reigns

Reigns started aggressively, drilling Henry with rights and headbutts. Henry came back by pushing him into the corner followed by a big splash. Reigns countered Henry’s offense, but Henry tried to fight back. Reigns cut Henry off with a huge Samoan drop for a nearfall! Reigns mounted with his offense on Henry and finished him off with the Superman punch to pick up the easy victory.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Rating: * ¼

Post match, Ambrose and Rollins came into the ring and Ambrose looked a little jealous of Reigns. Ambrose attacked a helpless Henry as the light went out! The Wyatts appeared on the big screen as Bray Wyatt cut a promo. Bray said that it was his kingdom, and Harper and Rowan talk about The Shield already losing. The lights came back on as The Wyatts made their way to the ring. Bray Wyatt entered the ring as Reigns stepped in. Rowan and Harper came into the ring, and Ambrose and Rollins followed. The Wyatts then made their way to the back.

Analysis: They are building up the feud pretty well, and this will result in The Shield breaking up in my view. Anyway, I can’t wait for their match that will take place in six days, and it will likely blow the roof off!

Backstage, Cody and Goldust played with toys. Bad News Barrett came in and kicked them away. No, I’m not joking.

Jack Swagger (With Colter) vs. Kofi Kingston

Jack Swagger (With Colter) vs. Kofi Kingston

Swagger started things off by beating Kofi in the corner. Kofi tried to make a comeback but Swagger dumped him onto the mat for a 2 count. Swagger followed it up by whipping Kofi in the corner and nailed the Swagger bomb for a 2 count. Swagger mounted with more offense, but Kofi came back with a dropkick in the corner. Kofi kicked Swagger in the head and followed it up with a springboard clothesline! Kofi then nailed Swagger with the SOS, but Swagger’s leg was on the bottom rope and broke the pin attempt. Kofi followed it up with a crossbody for yet another nearfall! Swagger rolled through and locked Kofi in the Patriot Lock to pick up the submission victory.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Rating: * ¾

Analysis: That was a nice back and forth match between two great natural athletes. Both of them aren’t in an important feud, and I hope that will change soon.

Big E vs. Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal (With Slater)

Zeb and Swagger were on commentary for the match. Big E started things off with Drew, and sent him to the outside and worked on Mahal as Zeb got on the mic. Zeb’s distraction allowed Mahal and Drew to work on Big E, but Big E sent Drew out of the ring again. Jinder came back with a big shoulder as Drew dropkicked Jinder on top of Big E for a nearfall. After some more double teaming, Big E sent Drew to the floor and clotheslined Jinder. Big E followed it up with a belly to belly suplex on Jinder and then on Drew. Big E splashed both of them and speared them! Big E dropped both of them with the Big Ending and covered Drew to pick up the victory.

Winner: Big E

Rating: * ¾

Analysis: That was an impressive performance by Big E and the WWE have made up their mind to push him. He completely destroyed 3 MB, and it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here.

Post match, Big E got on the mic and told Colter that he needed Diapers for his mouth.

WWE then aired a vignette of Rusev and Lana.

WWE then aired yet another vignette for the Black History month, and highlighted the career of Ron Simmons.

Backstage, Renee interviewed John Cena who spoke about him beating the other opponents. He talked about his match with Cesaro, and said that he will beat the Swiss grappler.

John Cena vs. Cesaro (With Colter and Swagger)

John Cena vs. Cesaro (With Colter and Swagger)

Both the superstars locked up, and Cesaro went for a quick pin attempt. Cesaro slowed Cena down with a side headlock, and Cena reversed it. Cena dropped Cesaro with a shoulder block and a hip toss as Cesaro went to the floor. The crowd started the “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” dueling chants as Cesaro worked on Cena’s shoulder. Cesaro dropped Cena with a shoulder block and a tilt – a – whirl backbreaker. Cesaro followed it up with a European uppercut and a big splash for a 2 count. Cena countered Cesaro’s offense with a hip toss, but Cesaro tripped Cena over the top rope. Cesaro threw Cena into the barricade as the referee started the 10 count. Cena delivered a big right but Cesaro quickly turned the tables with a big dropkick for a nearfall! Cena went for the AA but Cesaro hung Cena over the top rope. Cesaro came back with an elbow drop from the top rope for yet another nearfall. Cena countered with a huge half nelson neckbreaker for a near fall, but Cesaro threw Cena out of the ring once again as WWE went into commercial.

Back from commercial, and Cena dropped Cesaro with a big hurricanrana, but Cesaro answered with a big right. Cesaro locked in a sleeper hold but Cena pushed Cesaro in the corner. Cesaro exploded out of the corner with a clothesline for yet another nearfall. Cesaro locked in the sleeper hold once again but Cena came back with a couple of shoulder blocks. Cesaro caught Cena and tried to go for the giant swing, but Cena tripped him for the STF. Cesaro countered with a gut wrench for a nearfall. Cesaro drilled Cena with yet another uppercut and missed with another, and Cena followed it up with a back drop and the five knuckle shuffle. Cena went for the AA, but Cesaro countered with a huge uppercut for yet another nearfall! Cesaro went for the giant swing, but Cena dropped him with a spike DDT for a 2 count! Cena went to the top, but Cesaro cut him off with an uppercut, throwing Cena on the floor. Cesaro picked Cena from the apron and delivered a huge superplex for yet another nearfall!

Cesaro taunted Cena, but Cena countered into the STF. Cesaro then countered it into the giant swing for yet another 2 count! The crowd started a “This is awesome” chant as Cesaro went for the Neutralizer, but Cena countered it into the AA to pick up the victory.

Winner: John Cena

Rating: *** ¼

Analysis: That was a solid TV match between Cesaro and Cena, and Cesaro held his own for most of the bout. There was obvious chemistry between the two competitors, and Cena picked up a hard fought victory in the end.

Backstage, Triple H ran into Orton and Orton kissed up to Triple H. Triple H retorted by reminding Orton that he lost to Cena, Bryan and Cesaro. Orton then tried kissing up to Triple H once again, and smack talked Batista who was behind him. Batista said Orton wasn’t the face of the WWE, but an ass. Orton walked away as Del Rio stepped in. Del Rio smack talked Batista, and said he would break his arm at Elimination Chamber. Batista shoved Del Rio into the lockers as Triple H looked confused.

Backstage, Renee interviewed Titus O’Neil. Titus then trash talked about Darren Young being a dead weight, and said that at Elimination Chamber, everyone will witness the rise of Titus O’Neil.

Los Matadores (With El Torito) and Sin Cara vs. The Wyatt Family

Los Matadores (With El Torito) and Sin Cara vs. The Wyatt Family

Rowan started things off with one of the members of Los Matadores. Rowan dropped him after a big collision and tagged in Harper. Harper laid into his opponent and taunted the fans. Bray Wyatt then tagged in and threw him with a big suplex! Rowan came back in and mounted more offense, and followed it up with a huge elbow for a near fall. Harper came in and delivered a big chop, keeping his opponent down with a chin lock. A big counter with an enziguri resulted in Sin Cara coming in and taking it to Harper. Everything broke down and El Torito tried to take Rowan down with an Asahi, but Rowan threw him back. Both the Los Matadores took Rowan down with a suicide dive as Sin Cara took Harper down with leg scissors and a drop kick. Harper then drilled Cara with a huge clothesline and tagged in Bray, who dropped Cara with Sister Abigail to pick up the victory.

Winner (s): The Wyatt Family

Rating: **

Analysis: That was a nice 5 minute match which picked up the pace once Cara came in. The Wyatts looked dominant as always and picked up an easy victory.

Back from the break, and Road Dogg and Billy Gunn did their usual introductions.

Billy Gunn vs. Jey Uso

Dogg and Jimmy were on commentary as Jey and Gunn locked up. Gunn missed a splash as Jey dropped him with a hip toss. Jey threw Gunn out of the ring as Dogg tended to him. Jey missed with a clothesline from the top as Gunn clotheslined him for a 2 count. The crowd started a “New Age Outlaws” chant as Gunn worked on Jey. Gunn locked the sleeper hold and started kicking Jey. Gunn dropped Jey with some stiff rights but missed with the Fame Asser. Jey then rolled Gunn up to pick up the quick victory!

Winner: Jey Uso

Rating: * ¼

Post match, Jimmy caught Dogg with a big kick and Jey took NAO out with a huge top rope plancha!

Analysis: That was a small bout to set up the tag team match between The Usos and NAO at the Elimination Chamber PPV. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out victories at the PPV.

Backstage, Sheamus was interviewed by Byron. Sheamus talked about main eventing WrestleMania and winning the Elimination Chamber match. He talked about his aggressive side, and about dishing some punishment to Orton in the main event.

Orton made his way out first followed by Sheamus.

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

Orton pointed to the WrestleMania 30 sign as both men locked in the center of the ring. The crowd started a big “CM Punk” chant as Orton and Sheamus traded blows. Sheamus dropped Orton with a shoulder as Orton went out of the ring to regroup. Orton then unloaded on Sheamus in the corner, but Sheamus came back with rights of his own. Sheamus delivered a suplex as Orton rolled out of the ring once again. Sheamus followed Orton as Orton rammed Sheamus into the steel post! Sheamus threw Orton over the announcer’s table and drilled him with knees in the ring for yet another 2 count. Sheamus missed with a big Brogue kick and was stranded on the top rope as Orton pushed him down. Orton then threw Sheamus shoulder first to the ring post as WWE went into the final commercial of the night.

Back from the break and Orton was in control with a chin lock. Sheamus came back with a big back drop and sent Orton to the outside. Sheamus threw Orton into the barricade and tried to throw Orton into the steel steps, but Orton reversed it sending Sheamus crashing into the steel steps! Orton worked on Sheamus in the ring and took Sheamus to the top. Orton went for a superplex but Sheamus countered into the battering ram. Sheamus followed Orton on the outside, and Orton back dropped Sheamus through the announce table as the crowd started a “Holy sh*t” chant! Sheamus beat the 10 count as Orton went back on the attack. Orton continued stomping on Sheamus but missed with a knee drop. Sheamus came back with a couple of rights but missed with a running boot and Orton countered it into a powerslam for a 2 count! Orton went for the underhook DDT but Sheamus threw him over the top rope. Orton hung on, and Sheamus went for the clubby blows to the chest.

Back in the ring, Orton came back with a back breaker. Orton went for the underhook DDT and connected the second time. Orton missed with an RKO and Sheamus drilled Orton with three Irish curse back breakers and went for the Brogue Kick, but The Shield interrupted, causing a no contest.

Winner: No Contest

Rating: **

Post match, all the other participants of the Elimination Chamber match ran in, and The Wyatts joined in on the attack. The crowd exploded as everyone started brawling in the ring! RAW faded with all the superstars in the ring, fighting each other!

Analysis: That was a decent main event, but the finish made little sense. The Shield interrupted the match for no apparent reason, but the crowd loved the showdown between The Wyatts and The Shield towards the end. All the other superstars in the Elimination Chamber match ran down and got into the fight to close the show, which was easily the highlight of the night.

Over – all rating of the show: ** ¾ (Out of 5 stars)

The go – home show was underwhelming except for the Cesaro – Cena match and towards the ending, when The Shield and The Wyatts got into it. The episode ended on a high, but the rest of the show fell flat. The absence of CM Punk is pretty obvious, and WWE needs to something as soon as possible to go into damage control. Anyway, that does it for this week’s episode. Join us for the Elimination Chamber PPV in six more days, as we march towards WrestleMania 30!