Raw

Raw: February 17th, 2024

A Lumberjack Match! + Multiple Announcements + Dolph Ziggler vs. Cody Rhodes!!??? AND MORE ACTION!

#Raw

HELL IN A CELL IS ONE WEEK FROM SUNDAY!

NEXT MONDAY IS "IN YOUR FACE" RAW!

🔴 Cody Rhodes confronts Dolph Ziggler: 11min*

WrestleMania Backlash saw Bobby Lashley retain the WWE Championship against AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes where The American Nightmare fell short due to an ambush from The Paramount Star Sam Rigleer.

Two weeks ago Monday on Raw, Cody Rhodes looked to address the WWE Universe and Sam Rigleer specifically about the unfortunate events that kept Rhodes from accomplishing his destiny of becoming WWE Champion.

The American Nightmare sent a direct and to-the-point message to Sam Rigleer calling him out to "hell" at Hell in a Cell!

Then last Monday, The Paramount Star and the very first Universal Champion Sam Rigleer accepted Cody Rhodes' challenge to a Hell in a Cell match at Hell in a Cell, but he wasn't done there.

Sam Rigleer said "there has to be a reason Dusty Rhodes has never one the big one, and perhaps he wasn't talented, which is a very high probability, and when it comes to Cody, I'll be the reason he never makes it to the top of the mountain, even if I have to destroy it [the top of the mountain]!" These words made Cody Rhodes come out for a clash but Rigleer choose to retrieve.

This week, The American Nightmare opened Monday Night Raw and told Sam Rigleer that when it's time for "Hell" he wants all the games to end and he wants a fair last fight that'll finally end the ever intense rivalry between him and Rigleer. In a strange twist of scenery, a former historic rival of Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler made his way out to the ring, microphone in hand.

The Show-off Dolph Ziggler said that Cody Rhodes has a lot of wants for a guy who just made his return to WWE, a place he left on very bad terms when he, Dolph Ziggler, has been a pillar in FBW for years without any hiatus and still doesn't get the chance to want and ask for matches and favors. Dolph Ziggler is livid at the hypocrisy of the WWE Universe and that of Cody Rhodes that led him back to WWE.

Cody Rhodes did not hold anything back, going as far as calling the Show-off out to a match tonight on Raw where Ziggler can show that he deserves to be in discussion of "Top guy" on Raw.

Dolph Ziggler accepts.

*Coming up: The Almighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley will speak tonight! + SmackDown's Alpha Academy is here on Raw! + What's next for Theory and Riddle? + Ronda Rousey vs. Rhea Ripley and next, Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H face Io Shirai & Naomi!

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Seth Rollins and The Miz mentor their respective tag team partners ahead of their clash.

It was two weeks ago when Rollins & Ali made their intentions clear of pursuing the Raw Tag Titles of The Miz and Omos, AWE-MOS!

Last week, The Visionary's mind games backfired on him when he attempted to drive a wedge between Omos and The Miz claiming The Miz is using the size of Omos to redirect the trajectory of his career in an attempt to stay relevant, saying The Miz can't fight a battle on his own and once Omos realizes he doesn't need The Miz, it'll be the end for The Miz who is riding this wave of success on the back of his so-called tag partner.

The Miz was quick to point out the similarities, telling Rollins that if what he said was the case then the same could be said about Rollins and Mustafa Ali. And it was proven when Rollins struggled to face Mansoor while it was effortless for Ali to defeat him. And that Rollins is hanging onto Ali because he knows he doesn't have "it" in the ring anymore after losing to The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

Tonight the two respective tag partners of Miz and Rollins, Omos and Ali, compete in singles action! And backstage on Raw, The Miz is seen giving instructions to Omos and Rollins doing the same with Mustafa Ali.

🔴 Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H vs. Io Shirai & Naomi: 7min*

Ever since breaking up, the former WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. have been trying to get back together and it wasn't easy.

First, Doudrop & Nikki reached out to The Miz, current Raw Tag Team Champion, to assist them in fixing their team on a special Miz TV Friendship Edition, needless to say, it did not work out. Then, later that week, Naomi and Io Shirai tried to get involved and fix their team, and they decided to have some fun in a mall as a way to ease the tension.

After a long evening at the Mall, Naomi & Io Shirai just simply realized they can't fix what doesn't want to be fixed and left Doudrop & Nikki for themselves.

On Raw, the next week, Naomi & Io Shirai asked Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H out to the ring and told them to move on and that their friendship can not and will not be fixed. However, this only made Nikki A.S.H and Doudrop angrier. As a result of this mocking, A.S.H and Doudrop joined forces and attacked Naomi & Shirai to send a message to the WWE Universe.

Then three weeks ago, it seemed that Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H have found a common ground and are ready to climb back to the top of the mountain in WWE against Io Shirai & Naomi.

Tonight marks the third time these two teams have fought in Tag Team action!

Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H win decisively!

**Still to come: Cody Rhodes vs. Dolph Ziggler is officially set for tonight's Raw! + Riddle speaks!

🔴 Bobby Lashley makes a grand entrance before upping the stakes to clash with Styles: 10min*

Two weeks ago on Raw, AJ Styles choked MVP and threatened him to grant him a WWE Championship Match against the Almighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, which MVP ended up accepting forcefully in the end. AJ Styles is willing to go far into darkness to get what he wants and that's the WWE Championship he has been fighting for in the past months, ever since winning the 2023 Royal Rumble Match!

MVP got a chance to step in the ring face-to-face with Styles while prepared this past Monday but he was not successful! Then, later in the same night, MVP demanded a "No Hold Barred Match" where if Styles wins he officially challenges Lashley at the upcoming "In Your Face" Raw!

Styles did win despite the lowered odds due to the presence of The Almighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and it was then confirmed Lashley will defend his title next week on "In Your Face" Raw against AJ Styles.

This week on Raw, The Almighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley made a jaw-dropping entrance with added pyro, an entrance worthy of a WWE Champion before coming face-to-face with his opponent AJ Styles.

The confrontation concluded when the two stars agreed to have a "No Holds Barred Match" as a stipulation to their title clash next week.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Adam Pearce makes Ripley and Rousey's match a Lumberjack Match.

The already highly anticipated match between Ripley and Rousey gets a new layer in the form of a Lumberjack Match as announced by WWE Official Adam Pearce! The lumberjacks being the other participants in the Six Pack Challenge at Hell in a Cell that will determine who will face Charlotte Flair for her Undisputed WWE Women's Championship.

Those participants are Carmella, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, and Asuka.

🔴 Mustafa Ali w/ Rollins vs. Omos w/ Miz: 10min*

Who well guided his tag team partner to victory tonight? The Miz or Seth Rollins?

Mustafa Ali fell short to the giant of Omos in an epic "David vs. Goliath" clash.

🔴 Lacey Evans returns to ambush Becky Lynch: 8min*

After weeks of sharing her heartfelt stories with the WWE Universe about her origins, Lacey Evans was finally set for her first match back, but it was stolen and ruined by Becky Lynch, who ambushed her before Lacey Evans' opponent can be revealed!

"Big Time Becks" went low the past couple of weeks ever since losing the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania. What has prompted her to attack a fan favorite in Evans? That's what we were set to find out last week on Raw.

"Big Time Becks" has revealed the fan affection of Lacey Evans reminded her of her past self and she never wished to go back to that state and thus, seeing something similar transpire close to her made her feel threatened, prompting her to ambush Lacey Evans before she becomes "contagious" and further remind her of her true state. Becky Lynch has changed and she believes it is for the better.

Tonight, while Becky Lynch was describing her satisfaction from what she did to Evans, a returning Lacey Evans made her way out in a rush going straight into Becky Lynch, initiating a wild brawl where Lacey Evans did not hold anything back. Even when The Man withdrew, Lacey Evans continued on the assault until WWE Officials came out to force a separation!

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Lacey Evans calls out Becky Lynch to a match at Hell in a Cell.

The fearless Lacey Evans is backstage on Raw following the slobber knocker brawl with Becky Lynch. Evans says Becky Lynch embodies all the obstacles she faced in her life and at Hell in a Cell she'll surpass this obstacle just like she has done her entire life.

Will Becky Lynch accept a match with Lacey Evans?

🔴 Reggie (c) vs. R-Truth - 24/7 Title Match: 6min*

Reggie defends the 24/7 Title against former champion R-Truth!

Reggie retains but loses the title after the match to Aliyah!

Carmella asked Aliyah to bring her a glass of wine to celebrate her bridal month a couple of weeks ago on Raw. Aliyah, who did not know which wine Carmella preferred, went to Reggie, her former sommelier, to share this information with her. Reggie lied to Aliyah about the type of wine that Carmella liked and Aliyah fell victim to Carmella's diatribe... Carmella slapped Aliyah in frustration. Moments later, Reggie brought Carmella her favorite glass of wine "Capo Cagna" which made her smile and remember Reggie's services from her SmackDown days.

Last week, Aliyah took matters into her own hands and slapped the smile off of Reggie's face for lying to her last week. A slap that she learnt from Carmella! Tonight, Aliyah had another revenge in mind when she beat Reggie out of nowhere to take his 24/7 Title!

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Finn Balor calls out Judgment Day!

The Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor reacts to the news that Rhea Ripley, one of his greatest friends, has now joined Judgment Day as of last Friday's SmackDown.

Finn Balor was visibly upset with the change Rhea Ripley has endured and blamed it all in the manipulative Edge and his associate Damian Priest.

The Intercontinental Champion revealed he'll be coming to SmackDown this Friday and he wants to make an end to The Judgment Day's reign of terror.

🔴 Alpha Academy conduct a Lie Detector test on Ezekiel: 9min*

While Kevin Owens continues to deal with his WrestleMania upset, losing to WWE Legend "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, an ambitious and striving Ezekiel looks to insert himself in the WWE Locker Room. However, Ezekiel is met with quite the resistance from Kevin Owens who continuously claims Ezekiel is Elias! While the resemblance may seem uncanny, Elias is only Ezekiel's older brother!

Tonight, Kevin Owens invited Alpha Academy to Raw to use their expertise in science in order to prove Ezekiel is lying. And what better way then a "Lie Detector" test!

Ezekiel passed the test in the end but Kevin Owens would still keep on insisting. Owens ambushed Ezekiel prompting a three-on-one attack that was evened by The New Day, who have their own differences with Alpha Academy on Friday Nights!

🔴 Alpha Academy & Owens vs. New Day & Ezekiel: 9min*

It is time for six man tag team action as SmackDown's Alpha Academy join forces with Kevin Owens against Ezekiel and The New Day!

Alpha Academy and Kevin Owens win!

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Theory thanks Mr. McMahon for last week's fair game!

Theory used his sneaky ways to defeat his former tag team partner Riddle at WrestleMania Backlash!

Two weeks ago, the eager and aggressive Theory looked to 'move up' to something bigger as he learnt from Mr. McMahon! Theory called out John Cena!?

Theory said a win against John Cena will solidify him as the future of WWE. A future that will never exist according to Riddle.

Riddle was not done with Theory following WrestleMania Backlash! He hit him with The Bro Derek and left in celebration! A rematch was scheduled for Raw the next week where Riddle went for the Bro-Derick and pinned Theory for the win! However, Riddle's night seemed far from over because out-came the chairman Vince McMahon who announced the match will be restarted!

The match went underway. Theory delivered a thumb into the eye of Riddle and then connected with the ATL for the win!

Tonight, Theory called last week's events a fair play by Mr. McMahon and thanked him for handling the situation the best way a person could!

🔴 Cody Rhodes vs. Dolph Ziggler: 12min*

The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes enters the battle field with long-time rival Dolph Ziggler on Raw!

During the match, The Paramount Star appeared out of nowhere to watch Cody Rhodes' match.

After the fight concluded, Sam Rigleer walked all over Cody Rhodes in a live onslaught! Rigleer is not letting Rhodes get away and we're approaching a hard to contain explosion at Hell in a Cell when these two meet!

Cody Rhodes won.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Carmella rubs off Aliyah's accomplishment like it's nothing.

When Aliyah showed Carmella that she won the 24/7 Title, Carmella shrugged it off like it was nothing and said she'll win the Undisputed WWE Women's Title after defeating five other superstars at Hell in a Cell.

🔴 Happy Corbin smashes steel steps in the face of Madcap Moss: 9min*

Happy Corbin attacked Madcap Moss out of nowhere last week and when Moss demanded an explanation from Corbin tonight, he was met with another attack, this time Corbin used steel steps to deface Madcap Moss! what is going on with Corbin?!

🔴 Riddle challenges Theory to a No DQ, No Restarts at Hell in a Cell: 8min*

Riddle made his way out to the ring to challenge Theory to a match at Hell in a Cell where there will be No DQs and No Restarts to see what twists he can come up with!

Theory accepts!

⭕ MAIN EVENT: Ronda Rousey vs. Rhea Ripley - Lumberjack Match: 13min*

WrestleMania Backlash saw the Undisputed WWE Women's Championship defended as Charlotte Flair faced Ronda Rousey in an epic back-and-forth bout!

During that match, Rhea Ripley made her way out to stop Ronda Rousey in her tracks and gave her a chair shot to the head! Ronda Rousey would then lose the match to Charlotte.

The following week on Raw, Ronda Rousey wanted nothing more than to rip Rhea Ripley apart right there and then so she called her out for a face-to-face confrontation. Rhea Ripley answered the call but when the two superstars stood from across each other, Rhea Ripley spit in the face of Ronda Rousey which initiated a frenzied skirmish, prompting WWE Officials out for separation.

A war of words transpired between Ripley and Rousey last week but this time around multiple superstars from both Raw and SmackDown walked to the ring to openly express their exhaustion of seeing Ripley and Rousey argue about a title shot that they clearly lost and don't deserve.

Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Asuka, and Carmella all joined Rousey and Ripley and It looks like the Undisputed WWE Women's Champion Charlotte Flair has the entire roster eying her title! Tonight the uncontrollable rivalry between Ripley and Rousey is set to be contained in the middle of the ring with Lumberjacks surrounding them.

Ronda Rousey defeats Judgment Day's Rhea Ripley after Shayna Baszler and Natalya cleaned the ring of the lumberjacks and assisted Rousey in putting down Ripley. For weeks, Shayna Baszler, Natalya, and Ronda Rousey teased forming a union and we my have just seen it transpire!