Monday, February 25, 2019

Raw Deal - Raw recap for February 25, 2019

The cold open starts with Roman Reigns' announcement from October that his leukemia has returned.

Roman Reigns shows up for the first time since October to start tonight's show. Instead of the usual boos and jeers, however, Roman Reigns is received with a standing ovation. Roman Reigns gives high-fives to everyone in the front row. Afterwards, Roman enters the ring. The crowd chants "Welcome back!," then Roman thanks the fans. Roman admits that he has missed the fans, as there is no other job or fanbase like the WWE. The crowd responds by chanting "This is your yard!" Roman says this used to be his yard, but now "this is our yard." He says he is a man of faith and always believed in God and that God has looked out for him, but before his October announcement, he was scared, insecure and had no idea if he wanted to make the announcement. Roman admits he had no idea how the fans would react, and by the time he got home, the outreach was enormous. He says the amount of thoughts, blessings and prayers has been overwhelming, and he thanks the fans for that. It was not just WWE fans, but everyone who was sending love and support, and says that it was so big "God's inbox was full." He says he can do anything with the amount of support and love everyone has given him. He says that the support gave him new life and new purpose beyond leaving his mark in WWE, and says he wants to raise awareness to those in need just like he was. He then thanks the crowd once again for all their support.





Aleister Black and Ricochet beat The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder).



Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Baron Corbin, who initally denies saying anything insulting about Roman Reigns and his battle with leukemia, then blames his stress at the time for his comments and says nobody can understand what he was going through. After being questioned He hopes that his and Roman's paths do not cross, for Roman's sake.



Celebrities send birthday well-wishes to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.



Elias is in the ring. He is interrupted by Lacey Evans walking down and then up the ramp before he can say absolutely anything. Elias tries to say something again, but he is interrupted by Dean Ambrose. Ambrose says all the celebration has got him in a festive mood, and tonight, he feels good and positivity is running through his veins. He wants a rematch with Drew McIntyre, and he wants it to be a no-disqualification match. Elias then plays his guitar, and says he should be on his second standing ovation by now before passive-aggressively mocking Atlanta, Georgia. Ambrose asks Elias about what he knows on guitar, then Elias goes for a cheap guitar shot before getting hit with Dirty Deeds.



"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan) ends with Becky Lynch showing up, attacking a security guard and then attacking Natalya. Security, officials and referees all have to keep Ronda and Becky apart as Ronda gets some hits in on Becky, and police eventually show up and arrest Becky while officials have to keep Ronda away from Becky, who is handcuffed as she is taken to the back.



After the commercial break, officials help Natalya and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey to the back, but Ronda returns to the ring and calls out WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, saying it is time to end it between herself and Becky. Stephanie McMahon shows up, and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey demands that Becky Lynch be reinstated. Stephanie says that Becky has been arrested and charged, and while Ronda wants the charges dropped, Stephanie says it is not that simple. Stephanie says that Becky is unprofessional and that she is a victim of her own actions, but Ronda tells her that a reinstated Becky is what she, the fans and the "ginger douche in cuffs" wants. She also asks Stephanie to think about what this would mean for her three daughters, but Stephanie says it is "a hard no." Stephanie tries to leave, but Ronda gets in her way and demands that Becky be reinstated. Stephanie goes on to say that Becky and Ronda are disrespectful and cut from the same cloth, but Ronda says she has bled enough to be set for life after the UFC, and says that if Vince makes the tough decisions, then it is time to make the right decision. Ronda then leaves the WWE Raw Women's Championship, which she says has been made into a gaudy accessory that has been made to be defended against "the chosen," on the canvas of the ring before storming off to the back.



Jinder Mahal is in the ring with The Singh Brothers (Samir and Sunil Singh). Jinder asks what "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair has ever accomplished, and says that he was not invited to Flair's birthday party and that you cannot have a celebration without him. He announces that he has challenged any wrestler who has been invited to the party, saying that the party is officially over. The challenge is answered by Kurt Angle.

Kurt Angle beats Jinder Mahal with the ankle lock. After the match, The Singh Brothers (Samir and Sunil Singh) - who were knocked off the ring apron near the end of the match - get German Suplexed.



It is announced that Nikki Bella has won the Women's Image Award for Best Actress in a Reality Series for Total Bellas.

It's time for A Moment Of Bliss. Tonight's special guest is Finn Balor. She tells "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey not to let the door hit her on the way out and says she would not disrespect a women's title like Ronda did. After saying that she is waiting in the wings in case the McMahon family need her for a WrestleMania match, Alexa introduces Finn Balor. As Alexa tries to get Finn Balor to show off his abs, Lio Rush shows up and says the whole talk show is a sham and that Bobby Lashley deserves to be Intercontinental Champion, not Balor. Finn says that Bobby Lashley knows where to find him if he wants a title rematch, but Lio Rush says he will get Lashley - who is preparing for Braun Strowman - his rematch even if he has to pry the title from Finn Balor himself. Finn takes that as Lio Rush challenging him for the Intercontinental Championship, and while Lio tries to backpedal, Finn says that should happen tonight and Alexa questions if Lio Rush thinks he isn't man enough to get the job done. Lio Rush reluctantly accepts the challenge and says he will go to the back to prepare, but Alexa says the match is right now. Lio Rush then asks for a proper entrance, but Finn's music plays before Lio can get in the ring.



Despite hurting one of his knees during the match, Finn Balor retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Lio Rush.



Backstage, Tucker is met by The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), who proceed to mock Otis. Tucker warns them that Otis has a nasty temper and does not like being made fun of. Otis shows up, Tucker tells him what The Ascension said, and Otis blows The Ascension away.



Before the next match, Bobby Lashley chews out Lio Rush, then asks Lio he can trust him before they head out to the ring.



Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman ends before it can begin after Strowman decimates both Lashley and Lio Rush before the bell can ring.



Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Seth Rollins, who says that tonight is a great night and that he is walking out of WrestleMania as Universal Champion. However, all that is secondary tonight, as Roman Reigns is back and tonight is all about love and celebration.



"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is seen coming out of a limousine backstage.

WWE looks back on the final hours of Martin Luther King Jr.'s final hours as part of Black History Month.





Drew McIntyre beats Dean Ambrose in a no-disqualification match after Elias shows up and hits Ambrose in the back with his guitar. After the match, Baron Corbin and Bobby Lashley show up, then they and Elias team up with McIntyre and take the boots to Ambrose before having their way with him. Suddenly, Seth Rollins shows up with a steel chair, and Roman Reigns tags along. Roman and Rollins then lay waste to Corbin, Lashley, Elias and McIntyre.



Bayley beats Nia Jax after Bayley kicks Nia's hand off of Sasha Banks and Sasha sends Tamina into the guardrail. Before the match, it is announced that Bayley and Sasha Banks will defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Tamina at Fastlane.



The WWE Superstars are on the stage as WWE COO Triple H and Stephanie McMahon show up. Triple H says that with Mondays being as hectic as they usually are, tonight was definitely one hectic night, but none of tonight's happening pale in comparison to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair's 70th birthday celebration. Stephanie introduces "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Kurt Angle and Sting as special invited guests. Triple H says a lot of good things have been said about Ric Flair and that there is not much more to add, then a video package of Ric Flair's career and his influence transcending wrestling is played. After a specially-made World Heavyweight Championship with special side plates commemorating all of Flair's reigns with the title is unveiled, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is introduced, but fails to show. Suddenly, someone is seen dragging a cameraman to Ric Flair's locker room, then pulling a laid-out Flair out of the room. That person is none other than Batista, who asks Triple H if he has his attention. Triple H runs to the back and finds Ric Flair, and medical attention is called for Flair to end the show.



Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!

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