Photo by WWE’s Twitter
The first WWE Raw of February wasn’t overly entertaining and tended to drag on at times, but there were a few noteworthy developments including some solid in-ring work.
The Feb. 5 edition of WWE Raw saw several women’s division segments, which was a nice touch with the first-ever women’s Elimination Chamber match looming. Outside of the women, the men had a more up and down night.
Some segments and matches fell flat, but other matches stood out and were impressive. With that being said, let’s take a look at five key takeaways from the Feb. 5 edition of WWE Raw.
5. Bayley Has Impressive Night Despite In-Ring Loss
The career of Bayley has been at a crossroads for some time now. She has proven in the past to be as talented as any woman in the WWE, but over the past few months, she hasn’t been in a very good place and the WWE universe has been losing interest in her.
The WWE needs to get Bayley back on track, and last night might have just signified the company has that in mind. Ever since her feud with Alexa Bliss and subsequent injury in the middle of 2017, Bayley hasn’t been in any kind of prominent role and her character was heavily criticized.
Last night saw her in a solid backstage segment with Sasha Banks where, instead of sounding like a charity case, she sounded confident in her quest to end Asuka’s undefeated streak later in the night. And in Bayley’ s match with Asuka, both women greatly impressed and proved a lot, especially Bayley who was in need of a big performance.
Bayley went toe-to-toe with The Empress Of Tomorrow, but in the end, she tapped out and Asuka remained undefeated. Even in defeat, Bayley greatly impressed and showed brighter days are likely ahead of her. Between the match with Asuka and the backstage segment with Banks, Bayley had one of her best nights in months.
The potential is still high for Bayley and thankfully, last night might have been the turnaround she needed to get things rolling again.
Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
4. A Sasha Banks Heel Turn Could Be Imminent
The Boss Sasha Banks has been at the forefront of the women’s evolution over the past few years. Whether it was her time in NXT or the main roster, Banks has proven to be arguably the best women’s competitor in the WWE.
But over the past few months, she has felt a bit stale at times given how much change has happened in the women’s divisions. One way to reinvent herself in the current landscape of the WWE has been teased a bit as of late, but it has been especially teased over the past couple weeks including last night.
Banks was a great heel in NXT, but she has been a babyface on the main roster over the past couple years. But it might be time for Banks to turn heel given the recent developments with her character. After losing a tough battle to Asuka the night after the Royal Rumble, Banks has been consumed with re-watching the match and thinking what she could have done differently.
This took place last night and as Bayley joined the picture, Banks took subtle shots at Bayley by insinuating she couldn’t beat Asuka. It’s not much, but some of Banks’ recent actions could be foreshadowing a heel turn in the near future. And with the first-ever women’s Elimination Chamber match and WrestleMania 34 on the horizon, that might be the perfect move for her.
The Boss needs a change, and that change could already be in place and she could be ready to return to her heelish NXT routes.
Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
3. Jason Jordan’s Involvement In Raw Tag Team Championship Match Furthers Storyline With Seth Rollins
Many were surprised to see Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins as a team, much less the tag team champions. But Jordan’s legitimate, shoot injury issues have halted his in-ring action over the past few weeks and, in turn, his and Rollins’ tag team title reign.
Injury issues aside, Jordan and Rollins have had quite the history in recent weeks and despite them owning the Raw Tag Team Championship, it seemed likely they would blow up at each other sooner than later. Last night saw a big development of that taking place as Jordan once again got in the way.
Rollins and Jordan were set to get a tag team championship rematch against The Bar last night, but Jordan was unable to compete in the match. This led to Roman Reigns replacing Jordan in the match and for a moment, it seemed like Rollins and Reigns could be ready to win the tag team titles.
But as the match broke down towards the end, Jordan made his way to the ringside area. He eventually had an interaction with Sheamus and Cesaro, leading him to take a shot at them and accidentally get Rollins and Reigns disqualified. They were obviously furious at Jordan, but this turn of events just furthers Rollins and Jordan’s current storyline and both men could be on a collision course for WrestleMania 34.
Jordan vs. Rollins at WrestleMania 34 seems likely and last night only helped further back up that premise.
Credit: WWE.com
2. Predictable Universal Championship Match At WrestleMania 34 Gets One Step Closer
It’s been the assumed Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 34 for months. But despite the predictable nature of this would-be match, the WWE appears to be all in for it, including a step towards it last night.
Everyone has assumed we will see Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34, and last night saw Reigns get one step closer towards that match. The Big Dog had an Elimination Chamber qualifying match with Bray Wyatt last night to open up the show.
And the two put on a very good match despite it being predictable as to who was going to win. Wyatt looked impressive and probably had his best match in months, but in the end, Reigns won and joined the Elimination Chamber match where the winner goes on to WrestleMania 34 to battle Lesnar for the Universal Championship.
The WWE could always throw a curveball in the equation, but it’s practically a 100 percent certainty that it will be at least Lesnar and Reigns battling it out for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34. Maybe someone else could get thrown in the match, but at least two parts of the encounter are seemingly set in stone.
Reigns’ likely Elimination Chamber win is getting closer and closer after his win over The Eater Of Worlds last night.
Photo by WWE’s Twitter
1. Men’s Elimination Chamber Match Taking Shape With Elias Sitting Pretty
Heading into last night, three of the six men to compete in the Elimination Chamber match in a few weeks were already official. But as last night progressed, two more additions were added and one person already in the match got a big break.
Elias defeated Matt Hardy the night after the Royal Rumble to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match, but he improved his odds last night after a big win in the main event. The three men already in the Elimination Chamber match battled it out last night for the right to enter the chamber match last.
Braun Strowman, John Cena, and Elias all wanted to improve their odds of winning the chamber match, so the best way to do that was to win the Triple Threat Match last night. It seemed like Elias would be the last person to emerge victorious last night, but in the end, Elias pinned Cena to win the match and earn the right to enter the chamber match last.
Both Elias and Cena would feel the wrath of a few Strowman running powerslams after the match, but Elias’ win was a big one. Five of the six entrants in the chamber match are set with Roman Reigns and The Miz joining the fold, but next week will see a Fatal 4-Way to determine the final entrant in the match between Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy, and Apollo Crews.
Next: WWE Raw Review For Feb. 5 Show
We all want to walk with Elias, and Elias is walking into the Elimination Chamber match as an on-paper favorite.