WWE Raw results: The Rock returns, Triple H's No 1 contender to be decided at Fastlane, AJ Styles makes Raw debut

Full results from the first Raw since a dramatic Royal Rumble saw Triple H crowned WWE World Heavyweight champion

Tuesday 26 January 2016 08:22 GMT
Comments
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns react to the news they'll face Brock Lesnar at Fastlane in a No 1 contender triple-threat match
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns react to the news they'll face Brock Lesnar at Fastlane in a No 1 contender triple-threat match (WWE.com)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Rock dominated Monday's WWE Raw, bringing electricity to a show that fizzled often. His back-and-forth with The New Day will undoubtedly be the talk of the night, for better or worse, writes Ryan Dilbert of Bleacher Report.

The Brahma Bull can still clearly improvise like no one else. He's a massive star with out-of-this-world charisma. But his contribution to Raw was both a missed opportunity and a segment that turned oddly cruel at times.

Flaws emerging even in triumphant moments was a theme that ran throughout the night.

A lack of logic hurt the show's climactic announcement. Raw's best match stumbled here and there. And WWE got the result right with Bray Wyatt's latest clash, but got there in unimpressive fashion.

After Monday's Raw, fans now know who will headline Fastlane. They know progress in the women's division is stalling. Looking at what else Raw revealed, the following is a recap and report card of the post-Royal Rumble Raw.

The Authority Celebrates Triple H's Championship Win

Vince and Stephanie McMahon kicked off the show by gloating about Roman Reigns' loss at the Royal Rumble. Vince mocked the fans. Stephanie followed suit, saying that thinking anyone other than Triple H would win was just a pipe dream.

Triple H strutted in with his new title in hand.

The Game broke down why Reigns' arrogance is his downfall. He barked about Roman Reigns' disrespecting him.

Stephanie announced the Fastlane main event would decide who challenged her husband for the world title. By the end of Raw, The Authority would select the wrestlers who will compete in that No. 1 contender's bout at Fastlane.

Dolph Ziggler vs Kevin Owens

Dolph Ziggler played the bullet train that crashed into a wall.

The babyface had Kevin Owens reeling early. Owens soon took control, though, after slamming The Showoff into the ring post. Owens pounded Ziggler, managing to thwart each of his rallies.

(WWE.com)

A pop-up powerbomb ended the battle.

The Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) vs The Dudley Boyz

Heath Slater interrupted his promo to taunt Flo Rida. His fellow Social Outcasts goaded the rapper into coming into the ring.

Bo Dallas, calling himself "Bo Rida," challenged Flo Rida to a rap battle. After losing that contest, he and his teammates had to face The Dudley Boyz.

Slater tried to interfere once the match began, but Flo Rida tossed him into the ring to take some punishment from The Dudley Boyz.

Curtis Axel fared better in the ring than Dallas did on the mic, but not for long. He failed to get up from the Dudley Death Drop.

AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho

AJ Styles and Chris Jericho fought to a stalemate early on. Jericho gained control and took to mocking the newcomer as he hammered him.

The fast-paced match saw the two men trade dropkicks, slip out of each other's holds and launch themselves at each other. Styles suffered through the Walls of Jericho for an unimaginable amount of time. The Phenomenal One then won a battle of counters, to roll up Jericho to win his Raw debut.

Styles shook Jericho's hand after the match.

Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch pounced on a cocky Sasha Banks as soon as the bell rang.

The Boss, though, punished Lynch with a violent attack. Banks controlled the action, both outwrestling and outfighting her foe. She seemed to have Lynch beat with the Bank Statement.

Charlotte ran in, attacking Lynch first and then flooring Banks.

(WWE.com)

Kane vs Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt struggled with Kane, who battered him with strikes. It took some distraction from Luke Harper and Erick Rowan to turns things around.

And they did, in an instant. Wyatt hit Sister Abigail to get the three-count.

The Wyatt Family took some post-bell shots before towering over Kane.

(WWE.com)

The Rock Returns

WWE teased that The Miz was the rumored big returning star. The Rock soon appeared, pushing the heel aside before he visited folks backstage.

(WWE.com)

The Rock hung with Rick Ross, Big Show and Lana. He made Big Show cry and left Lana red-faced talking about their apparent tryst.

Once in the ring, The Rock talked up his WrestleMania appearance. He joked around with fans dressed as Superstars before The New Day interrupted.

(WWE.com)

Kofi Kingston mocked The Brahma Bull for not being a champion anymore. He and his teammates bantered with The Rock until The Usos ran in and attacked.

The Rock helped his cousins take out Xavier Woods.

(WWE.com)

Natalya and Paige vs Alicia Fox and Brie Bella

Alicia Fox and Brie Bella double-teamed Natalya early. Paige fared better than her partner. She finished off Brie with the Ram-Paige.

Fox then carried of Brie in her arms as the babyfaces celebrated.

(WWE.com)

The Miz vs Kalisto

The Miz dominated Kalisto at first, bashing him with hard strikes and slowing down the match by keeping the action on the mat.

The U.S. champ, though, fired back with bursts of high-voltage offense. He landed his finisher to counter The Miz's and score the win.

(WWE.com)

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns vs Rusev and Sheamus

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns used frequent tags to take control of the match early. The Lunatic Fringe skittered around the ring, looking unstoppable until The League of Nations ambushed him.

The heels then isolated and battered Ambrose.

(WWE.com)

The Lunatic Fringe took a wealth of punishment before finally tagging in Reigns. The Big Dog then cleaned house. Even with distractions around him courtesy of Alberto Del Rio and King Barrett, Reigns knocked over Sheamus to get the win.

Reigns and Ambrose then powerbombed Rusev through the announce table.

(WWE.com)

Stephanie McMahon then announced Ambrose, Reigns and Brock Lesnar would meet in the main event of Fastlane.

Bleacher Report's five-star Mobile App 'Team Stream' helps you follow the world of sport 24-7: Download it here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in