Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for WWE Monday Night RAW (2/20/23)!
We will bring you the full results of tonight's episode of Monday Night Raw.
Here's what's on deck:
Preview
WWE Raw (2/20)
- WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Edge
- Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
- Mustafa Ali vs. Dolph Ziggler
- Sami Zayn starts the show. He explains that he feels gratitude towards the audience for the reactions they've given him, and he's also filled with guilt for failing at the Elimination Chamber event. Sami Zayn says he's learned that the story is never over in WWE. he calls out Kevin Owens. Owens makes his way down to the ring to confront Sami.
Sami Zayn thanks Kevin Owens, and he apologizes to Kevin Owens. Sami Zayn says that even though they are past the point of words, they share the common mission of taking down The Bloodline. He says that he and Kevin can take down The Bloodline together.
Kevin Owens says he only saved Sami Zayn at WWE Elimination Chamber so that his family wouldn't have to see him suffer at the hands of Roman Reigns. Kevin also says he's done with Sami Zayn and his emotions have not changed since WWE Survivor Series.
Kevin walks away after telling Sami that if he wants any help, he needs to ask his buddy Jey Uso.
Sami Zayn goes to leave but is attacked from behind by Baron Corbin as Monday Night Raw enters a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Both men continue to brawl throughout the commercial break. Baron Corbin starts to cut a promo on Sami after the commercial break, Adam Pearce allows Zayn to go to the ring, and a match is made official.
Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin
Starting the match, Zayn beats up Baron Corbin on the floor. He throws him in the ring, allowing Baron Corbin to get in some offense. Zayn eventually makes his comeback but is cut off by a Chokeslam Backbreaker as Monday Night Raw goes to another picture-in-picture break. Throughout the commercial, Corbin maintained control of the match. Back from break, some back-and-forth action was cut off as Sami Zayn hit an abrupt Helluva Kick for the victory.
Winner: Sami Zayn by pinfall.
- Up next, we will hear from Rhea Ripley.
- Ripley said she's moving on from Elimination Chamber and focused entirely on Charlotte Flair. Ripley says that Charlotte can continue to live in 2020 if she feels like it, but now she is the best woman here. Ripley says she doesn't make the same mistakes twice. Ripley says that her place is on top of Charlotte's crumbled queendom. Both Ripley and Dominik Mysterio say they will be on SmackDown this Friday
- Footage replays of Logan Paul costing Seth Rollins the WWE United States Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber, followed by footage of Edge accepting Austin Theory's open challenge for the WWE United States Championship.
- Cathy Kelley interviews Austin Theory. He is mad that John Cena's return on March 6 has all the headlines and says that tonight he will beat a Hall of Famer and go on to WrestleMania.
Mustafa Ali vs. Dolph Ziggler
A quick back-and-forth sprint of a match would see Mustafa Ali pick up a victory when he countered a Fame Asser attempt with a crucifix pin. After the match, he over-excitedly celebrated, saying that Dolph Ziggler was right and that good things will happen as long as he thinks positively.
Winner: Mustafa Ali by pinfall.
- Cody Rhodes comes out for his first promo with Roman Reigns as His official opponent for WrestleMania. Paul Heyman immediately cuts him off. Paul Heyman says that Roman Reigns will defeat Cody Rhodes, but just in case Cody Rhodes does win, Heyman reminds Cody of the grueling schedule expected of a champion. Paul reminds Cody that his father was never there for his eldest children and even alludes to the fact that he would have no problem keeping Brandi Rhodes company while Cody Rhodes is away.
Cody Rhodes later says that he will eventually meet Roman Reigns face to face, and he promises to beat him at WrestleMania.
Asuka vs. Nikki Cross
Bianca Belair is ringside for this match. Early on, Cross is in control and lands a Reverse DDT on the apron. Asuka hits a Triple German Suplex. Cross continues to fight back, Asuka hits a slam from the top rope but only gets a two-count. Nikki counters the Asuka Lock and hits the cradle shock for two. Asuka eventually gets the win with her new Double Armbar submission.
Winner: Asuka
- After the match, Bianca comes into the ring to confront Asuka. Asuka spits up her blue mist. Bianca looks on, startled.
- Cathy Kelley interviews Carmella, who says she will deliver a receipt to Asuka. This transitions into an interview with Seth Rollins, where he is very much leaning into the Joker gimmick that Rollins played during the commercial for Wrestlemania 39. Seth promises to hurt Logan Paul and says that since Logan Paul is not here tonight, he will hurt The Miz because Miz wants to take credit for Paul's WWE career.
- A recap is shown of Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar at WWE Elimination Chamber. MVP is shown calling Brock Lesnar a coward. Omos is standing beside MVP. MVP says Omos wants to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and invites Lesnar to Monday Night Raw next week to answer the challenge.
Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
Seth Rollins starts the match by attacking The Miz wildly. Miz eventually gains control and hits his Basement DDT. The action goes back and forth, but eventually, Seth Rollins takes control and delivers multiple Curb Stomps to the Miz, resulting in a referee stoppage.
Winner: Seth Rollins by referee stoppage.
Carmella will face Asuka next week. Chelsea Green is complaining about WWE's Talent Relations Department.
Bayley hosts Ding Dong Hello. Damage CTRL are her guests. She asks her group how they feel about being champions. Dakota praises their run. Becky Lynch comes out, and she said she wants to be Tag Team Champion, and she's not alone. She eventually brings out Lita. Becky and Lita continue to taunt the Tag Champions until Bayley begrudgingly accepts a match for the Tag Team Championship.
Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed
Gable can get Reed in the ankle lock. Reed eventually gets out of it. Maximum Male Models come out to distract Otis. This distracts Chad Gable. Chad Gable eventually gets hit with the Tsunami, which earns Bronson a victory.
Winner: Bronson Reed by pinfall.
- Elias comes out and asks who wants to Walk With Elias at WrestleMania. Bobby Lashley comes out and beats Elias up. Afterward, he said no one gets out of The Hurt Lock.
- Byron Saxton interviews Edge. He says he wants to win gold and doesn't have much time left.
WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Edge
Edge had control of most of the match, outsmarting the young United States Champion. Edge countered Austin's rolling dropkick into a Powerbomb for two. He got out of A-Town Down and hit an Impaler DDT. Edge went for the Spear, but Finn Balor came down to stop him from winning. Austin Theory took advantage of the distraction and won the match after hitting A-Town Down.
Winner and still champion: Austin Theory by pinfall.
- After the match, Finn Balor nailed Edge with multiple Coup de Graces.
