Fastlane was unfortunately not so much a Pay-Per-View/Network “special,” as it could’ve just been a wrestling-version of Monday Night Raw. It was really a filler show before the biggest one of the year, which now the “road” to starts tonight!

We know the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at WrestleMania (for now), as it was a very-decisive finish last night (no spoilers for those who have not seen the show and are still wanting to), so what path will the combatants take to get there?

It was made known last week that a “prestigious” award would be handed out tonight in honor of the late Vincent J. McMahon; who is going to be the admired recipient?

For a while now, we have not had a Hall-of-Fame announcement, so with only Raw and Smackdown main-shows between now and WrestleMania, hopefully tonight more inductees will be revealed.

All this and much more, so read on!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for February 22nd, 2016

Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming

A recap of the main-event of Fastlane is aired, then the regular Raw video plays. Michael Cole acknowledges us from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The lights are dimmed and the ring is decked in a carpet with the Vincent J. McMahon trophy. Before we get to it, footage of Brock Lesnar attacking Dean Ambrose

Segment #2: Arena Promo

Vince McMahon struts out and puts over the history his family has had in this business. He doesn’t give a long speech and instead just brings out the person who is going to get the award; that person is his own flesh-and-blood, Stephanie McMahon..

The fans drown him and her out with boos, but go ballistic when another McMahon returns! “Here Comes The Money” interrupts Stephanie’s acceptance, and out hops Shane McMahon! The elder sibling makes his long-awaited return (close to ten years, I believe) and is received with “yes,” “holy s—t,” and “this is awesome” chants! Shane does not shake Vince’s hand; he gives props to the crowd for his reception, and then has a family conversation.

He insinuates there is much more to the story and rips on Stephanie for not being deserving of the award. He cites the decline of WWE with ratings, stock, and recent injuries as proof that Triple H and Stephanie “have been running this company into the ground.” Stephanie argues back that Shane has not been here all these years, but Shane exposes a deal that he and Vince made years ago. Steph questions their father if it is real, and Vince admits to it. He makes Stephanie leave and is alone in the ring with Shane, who berates Vince for tarnishing the McMahon “legacy.” He wants to keep the WWE well and wishes for “control of Monday Night Raw.”

Eventually, Vince gives in and will give it to him, only if Shane can win one more time. He challenges Shane to take a match at WrestleMania; if he wins, then he gets Raw; if he loses, Shane has to give up everything he keeps in a lockbox to Vince. Shane accepts, and Vince throws two more curves at him – it will be against The Undertaker inside Hell In A Cell!

Commercials.

Match #1: Six-Man Tag-Team – Adrian Neville and The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and United States Champion Kalisto) VS. Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E., and Xavier Woods)

Kalisto and Xavier begin with wristlock trades and an armdrag. The Tag Champs gather on the outside for a break.

Ads.

Woods and Kalisto continue to wrestle, then Big E. and Neville go at it with Big dominating. He and Kofi give Adrian mudhole-stomps in the corner, then Kofi wears Neville down with an arm/neck wrench. Kingston catches Neville and dropkicks him, then switches with Xavier, who dropkicks Neville against the middle rope.

Commercials.

New Day are still in control over Neville, giving him a splash and legdrop combo. The Luchas break up the pin, and Woods is tossed over the top rope onto the steel steps. Neville attempts a tag, but Kofi jumps in and holds him back. Neville fights off and gets the hot-tag to Sin.

The Dragon takes over and rockets through the ropes onto Kingston against the barrier. He springboard-moonsaults back in the ring, but can’t take it thanks to Big. This breaks down, with E soaring through he ropes to the floor, Neville 450-splashing from the apron, Kalisto using Neville to splash on Woods, and Cara going for a Swanton in the ring.

Kofi moves and tears at Sin’s face, then hits him with the Trouble In Paradise Tornado-Kick and covers for the victory!

Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Roman Reigns is checking his cell-phone for updates on Dean when JoJo walks up. She wonders how he is feeling after making the main-event to WrestleMania, but also with his concern about his friend. Roman says it is all about him and Triple H; the other issues that have happened between him and Ambrose and him an The Authority “make no never-mind.”

Up next, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman may give answers to Brock’s assault of Dean.

Ads.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

Despite this not being the end of the show, Paul calls this “the main-event,” as no matter where he is, Brock Lesnar “is the main-event!” Heyman reviews the conclusion of the Triple-Threat at Fastlane. He suggests Dean Ambrose’s actions during the match were barbaric, as it went from a wrestling match to a brawl. This is why “The Beast” assailed Dean, and Paul E. says he needs a new challenge at WrestleMania. He dares anyone to “step up” by visiting Ambrose in the hospital.

A whining sound his heard and an ambulance enters the garage. Driving it is Ambrose himself, who struggles to the ring. Dean falls in front of the ring and Lesnar steps on and over him. Ambrose yells at “The Beast,” challenging him to a No Holds Barred Match at WrestleMania; Brock responds with an F-5 on the floor and Paul confirms it is on!

Commercials.

Match #2: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)

Prior to this, The Dudleyz come to the stage and talk about what their new goal is. They claim they had to make us remember that they are nine-time Tag-Team Champions and not a “one-trick pony” with the tables. They also rip on Jimmy and Jey’s father, Hall of Famer Rikishi, and Konnor and Viktor hit Jimmy and Jey to start.

Ascension control for a bit, but the twins make a comeback, double-teaming both Konnor and Viktor. They finish this one with a top-rope splash on Viktor by Jey!

Winners via Pinfall: The Usos

Post-match, The Dudleyz approach but back away.

Later tonight, The Wyatt Family will face off against Kane, The Big Show, and Ryback again.

Ads.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Chris Jericho makes his entrance and talks about his familiarity with A.J. Styles. He puts over “The Phenomenal One” for beating him at Fastlane and giving him great matches, then calls him out to talk in person.

Styles answers and meets Jericho in the ring. “Y2J” congratulates A.J. on living up to his moniker, and predicts he will become a WWE Champion one day. Both shake hands, but are interrupted by The Social Outcasts. They can’t figure out this potential new team, but want to try and wrestle them!

Commercials.

Match #3: Tag-Team – Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles VS. The Social Outcasts (Curtis Axel and Heath Slater (with Social Outcasts members Bo Dallas and Adam Rose)

A.J. and Heath are in the ring, with Styles hitting Slater down. he tags in Jericho who dropkicks Heath and then gives him a suplex. Chris switches with A.J. , who is teamed-up on by the Outcasts. Axel puts him to the canvas, then Heath is in and gives him a big side-kick. He tries a backdrop, but Styles flips out and gives him a Pele Kick.

A.J. slaps hands with “Y2J,” who comes in and is all over Curtis. He does miss the Lionsault, but moves shortly later and locks on the Walls of Jericho. A.J. slingshots from the ring to the floor on top of Rose, Bo, and Heath, while Axel taps to Chris!

Winners via Submission: Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles

Segment #6: Office Promo

Stephanie is not looking pleased, but her husband, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, cheers her up by putting Shane down verbally, and letting her tell Roman Reigns the news for him.

Ads.

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Stephanie tells Roman that he will be meeting Sheamus later tonight, and cannot visit his friend Ambrose.

Segment #8: Locker Room Promo

Goldust tries to apologize to R-Truth for costing him his match at Fastlane. Truth doesn’t want to hear it or accept the cake; instead he tricks “The Bizarre One” and shoves the cake into his face.

The Wyatt Family and Kane, Ryback, and The Big Show make their entrances for their upcoming match.

Commercials.

Match #4: Six-Man Tag-Team – The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erik Rowan) (with Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman) VS. The Big Show, Ryback, and Kane

Both teams are even early until Ryback bulldozes through The Family.

Ads.

This goes back-and-forth until Big Show is taken out. Ryback suddenly exits to the back, leaving Kane to get planted with Sister Abigail by Bray for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: The Wyatt Family

Commercials.

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

JoJo wonders why Ryback left, and “The Big Guy” explains that it had nothing to do with Kane or Show; he just wants to take control of his career and “look out for number one” now.

Match #5: Single – Sasha Banks VS. Naomi (with Team B.A.D. partner Tamina)

A lockup and headlock begins by Sasha, then Banks turns Naomi into a half-abdominal stretch and a couple of pin combos.

Ads.

Sasha hits Naomi to the mat, then rapidly hits forearms and kicks. She plants Naomi with a double-knee Thesz Press, but is yanked off the top turnbuckle by the arm. Suddenly, Becky Lynch charges out and attacks Tamina, allowing Banks to make Naomi give in to the Banks-Statement Crossface!

Winner via Submission: Sasha Banks

Post-match, Divas Champion Charlotte fake-cries over the partnership of Sasha and Becky; she informs them that Triple H has made a #1 Contender’s match between them at one point, then gloats with her father, Ric Flair.

The Godfather is divulged to be the second inductee for the Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

Roman Reigns makes his entrance in preparation for his contests with Sheamus, next!

Match #6: Single – Roman Reigns VS. Sheamus (with League of Nations members King Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio)

Sheamus takes control right away by working over Roman’s left arm. Reigns punches back, but is dropped onto the top rope and Sheamus goes back to the left arm. Roman uppercut-slaps Shamus then clotheslines him to the floor; Reigns follows with a leaping punch from the stairs! He puts Sheamus back in the ring then cautiously follows after looking at the League of Nations, who distract the referee and attack Roman.

Ads.

Both deliver fists and forearms, then Roman manages a Superman Punch a bit later. Sheamus ends up on the floor, where he is Speared by Reigns. As Roman gets back in the ring, Triple H’s music plays.

The WWE World Heavyweight Champion walks out in his leather jacket and jeans, with a new t-shirt. He is back in “Cerebral Assassin” mode. He completely demolishes Roman, hitting him with the ring bell against his throat and then busting him open after ramming his head face-first against the commentator’s table. “The Game” concludes the beating with a Pedigree on the steps, then gives Roman his own “Superman” sign and “Suck It.” He poses with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as referees and agents tend to Reigns to close the show.

Winner: No Contest due to Interference

End of Raw.