Here are your quick and dirty, editorial-free WWE Raw results for February 20, 2017. Monday’s episode featured a match between Braun Strowman and the Big Show, and a No. 1 contender’s bout for the tag titles.
Be back here tomorrow for the full Best and Worst of Raw column.
WWE Raw Results:
— The show opened with a recap of the Festival of Friendship from last week. Kevin Owens was then introduced, and he was sitting on a chair in the middle of the ring, dressed in a suit, with a spotlight on him. He said he doesn’t believe the hype surrounding Goldberg, and he never did. He has a game plan for Goldberg, and he’s going to prove everyone wrong again. He doesn’t have to beat Goldberg at Fastlane, he just has to outlast him. He waited his entire life to be the champion, and he’s not giving it up. He’s going to prove to Goldberg and everyone that superheroes don’t exist. “And as far as Chris Jericho goes … ” Owens then dropped the microphone and walked out.
1. No. 1 Contender’s Match: Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated Cesaro and Sheamus. Cesaro went for the giant swing on Cass, but Enzo jumped on him. Cesaro dumped Enzo and turned around into an East River Crossing and got the pin. Enzo got back on the microphone after the match and taunted Cesaro and Sheamus, but got hit with a Brogue Kick by Sheamus.
— Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa were supposed to have a match. Kendrick cheap-shotted Tozawa during the handshake, then rammed Tozawa’s neck into the turnbuckle and locked in the Captain’s Hook, all without the bell having rung. The referee finally got Kendrick to break the hold, and he left to the back. Backstage, he said Tozawa has a lot to learn. Tonight was the first lesson, and it was about respect.
2. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows defeated Roman Reigns. Reigns lost by disqualification in this handicap match when he hit Anderson with a steel chair that The Club introduced into the match. Reigns hit Gallows with a Superman Punch and Anderson with a spear after the match.
3. The New Day defeated Rusev and Jinder Mahal. Lana revealed before the match that she had stolen the plans for the New Day ice cream. During the match, Xavier Woods startled Lana with his trombone to retrieve the plans. New Day hit the Midnight Hour on Jindel Mahal to get the pinfall.
— Neville and Jack Gallagher had a contract signing for their Cruiserweight Championship match at Fastlane. Gallagher signed the contract, then Austin Aries introduced Neville. Neville came out, signed the contract, and tried to leave, but Gallagher invited him to stay and enjoy a cup of tea like proper gentlemen. Neville accused Gallagher of being a stereotype, and said the fans aren’t laughing with him, they’re laughing at him. Gallagher said Neville thinks he’s better than everyone else, and he won’t stand for it. Neville got in his face and they scuffled. Gallagher hit a headbutt and Neville tumbled out of the ring. Gallagher kept him at bay with his umbrella and Neville took a powder.
4. Nia Jax defeated Sara Pierce. Jax made short work of the local talent and hit the Samoan Drop for the quick pin.
— Bayley came to the ring and talked about her childhood as a fan and how important this championship is to her. She said Charlotte isn’t going to ruin the best week of her life by making up some fake scandal.
Stephanie McMahon came out and insinuated Bayley wouldn’t have won the title if not for Sasha’s interference. She said people like Bayley because she’s morally upstanding and sincere. She wondered if Bayley was going to throw all that away to hold a title she didn’t really earn. She said the Bayley she knows would do the right thing and relinquish the Raw Women’s Championship.
Bayley looked like she was about to hand over the title when Sasha Banks came to the ring. Sasha said she wasn’t doing to let Bayley give everything away, and to listen to the crowd. Bayley said the title should represent prestige, not controversy. She said there’s only one answer: hell no. She pinned Charlotte, for the third time, and it wasn’t because of Sasha. It was because of the fans, and she will fight for them and defend the title any time, any place.
Charlotte finally came out and apologized to Stephanie on behalf of the entire women’s division. She said she doesn’t want Bayley to give up the title, because she’s going to take it back at Fastlane. Sasha talked some smack and Stephanie made a match between Sasha and Charlotte.
5. Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte Flair. Bayley sat in on commentary for this match. Dana Brooke jogged to ringside to interfere, but Bayley jumped her. Charlotte got momentarily distracted by what was happening outside the ring, allowing Sasha to lock in the Banks Statement and force Charlotte to tap.
6. Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn. Samoa Joe attacked Zayn during his entrance and tossed him into the ring. Zayn insisted on still having the match and Owens brutalized him, then pinned him after a pop-up powerbomb.
— Michael Cole interviewed Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman backstage. Lesnar ran Cole off and stared into the camera while Heyman warned Goldberg about what will happen at WrestleMania, and that he should be worried if he goes into WrestleMania as Universal Champion.
7. Braun Strowman defeated The Big Show. Big Show became the first person to kick out of the running powerslam, but a second powerslam was too much, as Strowman got the pin.
— After the match, Reigns hit the ring and attacked Strowman. Reigns went for the spear, but Strowman dropkicked him. Strowman hit the running powerslam on Reigns and posed over him to end the show.
