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Last night at the Royal Rumble, Asuka's moment as the first Women's Royal Rumble winner was overshadowed by the debut of Ronda Rousey as a member of the WWE.
We are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Jonathan Coachman.
Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the ring.
Stephanie welcomes everyone to Raw. She says it has been a historic week for WWE. Last week they celebrated 25 year of Raw. Tonight, they kick off 25 more. Last night we saw the first ever Women's Royal Rumble Match. Sasha lasted almost an hour. Nia Jax proved why she is an unmovable force. We saw Hall of Famers like Lita, Jacqueline, Beth Phoenix, and Trish Stratus. When all was said and done, the game changed when we had the surprise entrance of WWE's newest superstar Ronda Rousey.
Tonight is about the winner of the historic Rumble match. Stephanie brings out Asuka.
Asuka points to the Wrestlemania sign.
Stephanie says that this would be the time when she would ask Asuka about the title she wants to wrestle for. Alexa Bliss may not be the champion at Wrestlemania because she will defend the title in the first Women's Elimination Chamber Match.
Asuka speaks in Japanese and then points to the Wrestlemania sign. She says she will become the champion at Wrestlemania because NO ONE IS READY FOR ASUKA.
Sasha Banks comes out to the ring.
Sasha apologizes for the interruption but she has something to get off her chest. Last night was a dream come true and women got to main event the Royal Rumble. Last night, she got to share the ring with 29 incredible women and one of them was you. Sasha says she wants to congratulate Asuka on her victory. Sasha mimics Asuka and she proved that she can go the distance. Sasha says she is ready for Asuka . . . tonight.
Stephanie makes the match official between Sasha and Asuka.
Michael Cole reminds us about Shinsuke Nakamura's decision to face AJ Styles at Wrestlemania. Michael mentions the road to determine who faces Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania starts tonight. We will have qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber match.
Match Number One: Braun Strowman versus Kane in a Last Man Standing Match to Qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match
Before the match even starts, Braun goes under the ring to bring weapons into the ring.
We go to commercial.
The match is joined in progress and Kane sends Braun into the ring post. Kane grabs a kendo stick and hits Braun in the back. Kane with an uppercut and they go into the crowd. Braun with a knee and punches. Braun sends Kane into the dasher boards and then into the tech area. Braun hits Kane with a chair. Braun sends Kane into the barricade by the announce table and then he runs a case into Kane's head.
The referee almost starts his count but Braun grabs a chair. The announcers leave the area and Braun hits Kane in the ribs with the chair. Braun pushes the stage with the announce table onto Kane.
The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Officials call for paramedics.
They bring out a stretcher for Kane.
Braun comes back out and Corey asks Braun what did he just do. Braun says he did his job. Kurt said 'last man standing' . . . and that is what he did.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the announcers standing behind what is left of the announce table.
We are told that Kane is being taken to a medical facility and he is having problem breathing.
We see Kane being stretchered out and we see Braun walking in the back.
Kurt Angle stops Braun and he wants to know how many times do they have to have this conversation. You continue to put people in danger and he asks for a break.
Braun says Kurt is right. He says he could do more and he was the last man standing. He says he will be the last one standing after the Elimination Chamber and he will be the last man standing after Wrestlemania.
Elias is in the ring and he wants to know who wants to walk with Elias.
Elias says he sings for himself and he likes the sound of his voice. He says he was disappointed that he was eliminated in the Royal Rumble by John Cena, but John will get what is coming to him. He will not dwell on the past but look to the future. The Elimination Chamber is on the horizon and the winner will face the Universal Champion. Elias says he has to defeat the Woken One Matt Hardy to get into the Elimination Chamber and he has written a song.
We are back and the announcers are sitting at ringside watching a monitor.
Match Number Two: Matt Hardy versus Elias in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
They lock up and Hardy with a clean break. Matt blocks a kick and Hardy with a punch and he cackles. He tells Elias he will be deleted. They lock up and Elias with a side head lock and take down. Matt with punches and a belly-to-back suplex. Matt with a kick to the midsection. Matt goes for a Side Effect but Elias escapes while an announce table is being built. Matt avoids a splash in the corner and he chops Elias. Matt with a neck breaker and he gets a near fall.
Matt with a cravate. Elias with a punch but Hardy with a kick and he tries for a Twist of Fate but Elias escapes and he clotheslines Matt. Elias with punches in the corner. Elias with a kick in the corner and he wrings the shoulder into the ring post. Elias wrings the arm into the ring post again.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Elias works on the arm while some production crew members work on the new announce table. Matt with a punch but Elias with a knee. Matt with another kick but Elias with an arm wringer. Matt and Elias exchange punches until Matt connects with a series of head butts and a back elbow. Matt with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Matt with a clothesline into the corner and he sets for the bulldog but Elias sends him into the ring post. Matt goes to the turnbuckles and he connects with an elbow to the back of the neck.
Hardy with a Side Effect for a near fall.
The lights go out and back on. Elias with a jumping boot followed by Drift Away for the three count.
Winner: Elias
Bray Wyatt appears on the TitanTron and he laughs.
Matt laughs back from the ring while resting on the bottom rope.
We see Miz on Instagram about how Roman does not deserve a rematch tonight while he is owed respect. Miz says he will be owed a standing ovation when he defends his title, much like the one Tom Brady gets when the Patriots beat the Eagles.
We go to commercial.
Coverage Continues on Next Page
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