8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (2/19)

By
Robert Lentini
-
rollins reigns raw
Photo Credit: WWE.com

The February 19th episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. It was the final episode of RAW before the Elimination Chamber PPV this Sunday. Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s episode of WWE RAW:

8Seth Rollins Defeated Roman Reigns To Advance In The Gauntlet Match

WWE RAW kicked off with Roman Reigns coming down to the ring with his typical mixed reaction from the crowd. Reigns was interviewed before the Gauntlet match and was asked if he had any concern competing in the match just six days before the Elimination Chamber. Reigns stated that he wasn’t concerned about tonight, but admitted he was concerned about the Elimination Chamber match because he has never been in one before.

Reigns listed the competitors in the match and claimed that none of them could defeat Brock Lesnar besides him. Roman bragged about almost defeating Lesnar at WrestleMania but Seth Rollins prevented it by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.Rollins’ music hit and he made his way to the ring.

Rollins faced Reigns in the first bout in the Gauntlet match. Seth and Roman locked up to start off the match. Reigns wrestled Rollins to the canvas and applied a side Headlock. Rollins broke free for a moment but Roman brought him right back to the mat. Seth broke free again but Reigns leveled him with a shoulder tackle. Rollins responded with an Arm Drag and then a roll-up for two. Rollins went for a backslide pin but Roman kicked out. Reigns and Rollins had a stare down as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Reigns was back in control and had Rollins back in a Headlock as dueling “lets go Rollins!” and “Roman sucks!” chants echoed throughout the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Seth broke free but Roman hit an elbow to the face that knocked Rollins back down to the canvas.

Reigns launched Seth into the turnbuckle and followed it up with a Tilt-A-Whirl Slam for a two count. Rollins hit a Blockbuster off the second rope and followed it up with a Slingblade. Rollins connected with a flying Clothesline and hit another Clothesline that sent Reigns out of the ring. Seth went for a Suicide Dive but Reigns caught him with a right hand to the face. Seth draped over the middle rope which allowed Reigns to connect with the Drive By.

The action returned to the ring with the Big Dog in control. Reigns connected with a Clothesline and brought Rollins to the corner. Reigns clubbed Rollins across the chest eight times and then blasted him in the face with a right hand that knocked Seth to the mat. Reigns went for the Superman Punch but Rollins kicked him in the knee. Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb but Reigns leaped out of the corner and hit a Superman Punch and both Superstars fell to the canvas as RAW went to another break.

When RAW returned, Rollins was on the top rope and went for a Frog Spash but Reigns got out of the way and Seth crashed to the canvas. Roman and Seth got back to their feet and traded punches. Rollins sidestepped Reigns and sent him out of the ring. Rollins connected with the Suicide Dive this time and then ran back into the ring, leaped through the ropes and connected with a second Suicide Dive in a row.

Back in the ring, Rollins leaped off the top rope but Reigns was ready and hit a Superman Punch for a two count. Reigns geared up in the corner and went for the Spear but Rollins countered into a knee to the face. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp but Reigns countered into a roll-up. Rollins kicked out and rolled up Reigns for the pinfall victory.

This was a hell of a match to kick off this week’s RAW. Seth Rollins advanced in the Gauntlet Match, but it is hard to imagine he will go much further after such a grueling match with Roman Reigns.

Back