Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
The post-Royal Rumble edition of WWE Raw was a very important show for the red brand that featured several standout moments throughout the entire show.
The Jan. 29 edition of WWE Raw saw a lot of noteworthy moments including solid in-ring work and important storyline developments. And with the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in about a month, the red brand has a big roadblock in the middle of the road to WrestleMania.
The picture is becoming clearer for the Elimination Chamber and it will continue to become clearer in the coming weeks. Let’s take a look at five key takeaways from the Jan. 29 edition of WWE Raw.
5. Asuka vs. Sasha Banks Greatly Impresses With Hard-Hitting Affair
Two of the most important factors in the women’s revolution have been Sasha Banks and Asuka. Banks was at the forefront of the revolution a couple years ago and was part of some of the biggest moments women’s wrestling has ever seen, but as of late, Asuka has been in a similar position.
The Empress Of Tomorrow is still undefeated in the WWE, including her time in NXT, and she added a major accolade to her already-impressive resume by winning the first-ever all-women’s Royal Rumble match. Last night’s Raw began with Asuka and Stephanie McMahon in the ring before Banks joined the party.
The Boss challenged Asuka to a match later in the night and the match would be made for the first time between the two. The match itself started out a bit slow, but once it got going, it was arguably one of the better one-on-one women’s matches the WWE has seen in a while. Both women went at each other to the point where you actually thought Asuka could finally lose.
It was a crazy, hard-hitting match and the punishment both women took, especially Banks, was something to behold. But just when it looked like Banks might pull out the win, The Empress Of Tomorrow managed to turn the tide back in her favor and made Banks tap out. It was a very good showing by both women and it was a match that could have easily been a WrestleMania match.
Two of the best women’s competitors the WWE has ever seen put on a very good, impromptu match last night that ultimately helped both individuals.
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4. Roman Reigns Likely Done In The Intercontinental Championship Picture
The Intercontinental Championship has been in a good place over the past few months with the emergence of two solid title holders. The Miz and Roman Reigns have both done great things with the Intercontinental Championship, but last night probably signaled the end of one of those superstars’ time in the picture for that title.
The Miz regained the Intercontinental Championship on Raw 25, but Reigns invoked his rematch for last night’s Raw following the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. And much like the week before, The A-Lister and The Big Dog put on another stellar match that went back and forth with tense moments towards the ending.
The Miztourage greatly affected the match with their interference, and Miz took full advantage. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel’s interference towards the end helped The Miz manage to retain his championship. And with the loss, Reigns’ time in the Intercontinental Championship picture has likely come to an end as WrestleMania season gets going.
The Big Dog was a very good Intercontinental Champion, but everyone knew it was only a temporary thing and he would be on to bigger and better things at WrestleMania 34, namely Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship. He did a great job with the Intercontinental Championship, however, and helped both the title and Miz in the long run.
The Intercontinental Championship is back with The A-Lister as The Big Dog is likely headed towards another WrestleMania main event.
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3. Braun Strowman Keeps Getting Better And More Dominant
No superstar in recent memory has caused and wreaked as much havoc in the WWE than Braun Strowman has. His track record of destruction has continued to grow over the past year or so, but last night furthered it with a new level of destruction he hasn’t exhibited before.
Following an impressive showing at the Royal Rumble in a Triple Threat Match with Brock Lesnar and Kane, Strowman would battle Kane last night in a Last Man Standing match to determine which superstar would qualify for the Elimination Chamber match in about one month. And while the match would be short, it would be highly impactful.
The Monster Among Men and The Big Red Machine battled through the crowd and made their way to the stage where Strowman had big plans for Kane. He figured the best way to keep Kane down would be trap him under part of the stage where the announce table was, and that’s exactly what he did. It was something Strowman hadn’t done before and it was awesome to see.
Strowman is headed to Elimination Chamber and Kane headed to the hospital following last night’s encounter, although he kayfabe walked out of the hospital as told by the announce team. In the grand scheme of things, just when you think Strowman can’t do more damage or look more dominant, he continues to surprise us.
He is The Monster Among Men and he continues to impress in dominating and destructive fashion.
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2. First Women’s Elimination Chamber Match Continues Women’s Evolution
Women’s wrestling is arguably at its all-time peak in the WWE right now and has been in that position for some time now. Innovation and history continue to be made as women are being put in positions they haven’t had the opportunity to be in over the years.
The latest example was the first-ever all-women’s Royal Rumble match, which was won by Asuka. That coincides with the debut of Ronda Rousey in the WWE and excitement continues to build for the women’s divisions. Another historic first was announced last night as the show opened up with Stephanie McMahon.
Stephanie congratulated Asuka for winning the Royal Rumble match and announced that, for the first time in WWE history, there will be a women’s Elimination Chamber match at the upcoming pay-per-view in about one month. Many believed this moment was coming, but that doesn’t make it any less important and continues to show how women’s wrestling is evolving.
This should be an awesome match with many impressive spots and great action with the Raw Women’s Championship on the line. This match will also greatly affect the course of WrestleMania 34 and what fans can expect from the Raw Women’s Championship picture at the granddaddy of them all.
The women’s evolution just keeps on evolving and the next major step takes place in about one month inside the Elimination Chamber.
Photo by WWE’s Twitter
1. John Cena’s Win Hurts Finn Balor’s Recent Momentum
John Cena has been in a part-time role in the WWE over the past year or two as he takes on new challenges outside of the WWE. But even while not being on TV like he used to be, Cena still produces and takes part in matches that many fans call dream matches.
And last night saw another match that many consider a dream match between Cena and Finn Balor, two of the four final participants in the Royal Rumble match the night before. This match’s stakes were high as the winner would advance to the Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34.
As most expected, Cena and Balor put on a stellar match that went back and forth. Big Match John told a great story in the process as he just couldn’t put away the leader of the Balor Club. But finally, after an AA from the top rope, Cena got the win over Balor. The match was solid, but many believe this wasn’t the way the match needed to go.
Balor has had a wave of momentum as of late since reuniting with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and he had a very impressive showing in the Royal Rumble match. It would have made perfect sense for him to be in the Elimination Chamber match, but it appears as if he won’t be in the match now. This doesn’t look good for Balor’s main event quest either.
Next: WWE Raw Review For Jan. 29 Show
Cena can still produce high-quality matches and is still a valuable commodity in the WWE, but last night, it came at the expense of someone who needs to sustain momentum.