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

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.