Tonight, Raw is live in the “Mile High” City and six nights away from Elimination Chamber! We know that WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton’s “Elimination Chamber Gauntlet” is over after he faces Sheamus tonight. Will the champion get another much-needed win for momentum, or can Sheamus build some of his own as he looks to the challenge at the pay-per-view.

Last week, The Wyatt Family and The Shield had an incredible stand-off! What will the rivals do to antagonize each other this evening as they prepare to square off in six-man action at Elimination Chamber?

My favorite women’s wrestler of all-time, Lita, was announced for the Hall-Of-Fame. Will we get another inductee?

Finally, as always since it is the last show before a pay-per-view, my picks will be provided below!

All this and much more, so read on!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for February 17th, 2014 – “Chamber Bound”

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

A still shot of the main-event from last week is shown, between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and John Cena. This was a mistake, as they quickly cut to the arena live. Out first is John Cena! Now they recap the match.

Cena puts over Raw and the hometown fans, as well as the stakes for the Elimination Chamber – which includes a match with #1 Contender “The Animal” Batista at WrestleMania XXX. Cena then rips Orton for his lack of push going into his big title defense at E.C.

Another competitor, Cesaro (with Zeb Colter), interrupts Cena and reminds him that he also beat Randy Orton on the last Smackdown. Cesaro declares that he will become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion and “the new face of America.” Cena reminds Cesaro that this is his “first dance,” (to use an overused cliche) and there is a plethora of other wrestlers Cesaro must go through first. “Don’t write checks with your mouth that your body can’t cash,” Cena warns.

Both Sheamus and Christian walk out and proclaim virtually the same as above, then their main man walks out. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton runs down the statistics of facing the other four. Of course, best for last, Daniel Bryan enters. The crowd is pleased as is he, and much like the everyone else, he says that it will be him standing in the ring at Elimination Chamber, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and move onto WrestleMania.

Pyro suddenly blows and the Director Of Operations, Kane, walks out. He reveals that The Authority has left him in charge, so he books Cesaro to take on Cena, and Bryan facing Christian!

Later tonight, Roman Reigns will wrestle Mark Henry, and Los Matadores & Sin Cara team to go against The Wyatt Family!

Back live, Christian immediately assaults Bryan, stomping away on the outside and hurling him into the steel steps!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – Christian VS. Daniel Bryan

(Note: Kane is watching by the announce table.) Christian works over Bryan’s left shoulder with an armlock, but Daniel comes back with a knee-to-the-gut. He hits a few uppercuts, but gets punched hard when running off the ropes. He goes back to a grounding armbar, then gives Bryan a shoulder block take down. Christian slams Bryan then clamps on another arm submission. Daniel battles out, but runs back into another shoulder block.

Christian is atop Bryan and mount punches him, but Bryan reverses into a half-crab. Christian scurries to the ropes. He spins Daniel around with a Tornado DDT out of the corner, then drops headbutts on Bryan’s shoulder. Christian gets booed big when he yells “I should be the champ!” He poses again, but turns around into Bryan who chucks him to the outside and follows up with a suicide dive!

Ads.

Daniel is battling back with kicks to Christian’s legs, but misses a front dropkick as Christian clutched the ropes. Another break, strangely-timed, follows. My Dad says this was their WWE App clip they aired by mistake. (The Canadian channel, Sportsnet 360, went to break early.)

Commercials.

Bryan still fighting back with multiple kicks, hitting a final one to Christian’s head and getting a near-fall! Daniel soars off the top rope but Christian counters and gets a two-count of his own! Daniel counters and turns Christian around in the corner. He kicks away again and runs with a front dropkick! He runs again, but gets double-kicked. Christian flies off the middle rope with a spinning back elbow, then goes for the Killswitch, but Bryan counters into a Crossface attempt. Christian gets out of that and tries another Killswitch, but Bryan counters again and rolls him up backwards for the victory!

Winner via Pinfall: Daniel Bryan

Post-match, Kane congratulates Bryan on his win, but then announces Bryan has to wrestle again – “against … me!”

Match #2: Single – Daniel Bryan VS. Director Of Operations Kane

Kane begins attacking Bryan, then we go into another badly-timed break.

Ads.

Kane is all over Daniel returning from commercials. Bryan catches Kane with a jawbreaker using the ropes, then dives off the top rope with a front dropkick. He begins the kicks again, to many “yes, yes, yes” calls from the fans. Kane counters a kick with a choke, then shoves him out to the barricade. Kane wraps Bryan’s left arm around the post, and pulls at his face too. Charles Robinson, the referee, counts to five then gives Kane the dq signal for not breaking the illegal hold.

Winner via Disqualification: Daniel Bryan

Post-match, Kane continues the assault, then declares “yah, I know, I’m disqualified.” He walks off, pleased with his work.

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is with The Shield. Ambrose puts over his skills of beating up Mark Henry, which Roman questions. He knows he can do better than Ambrose. Rollins declares “we are always on the same page.” The United States Champion calls “Bray Wyatt and his little family, they’re an ‘illusion.'” Reigns finishes, “we don’t experience fear and we don’t back down. Believe that and believe in The Shield.”

Commercials.

Match #3: Single – Fandango (with Summer Rae) VS. Santino Marella (with Emma)

Santino tries comedy to start, but Fandango (thankfully) isn’t buying it. It’s a bit of back and forth until Santino goes for The Cobra. Rae hops on the apron for a distraction, which Emma dilutes by spinning her around on the floor. Marella comes out and attempts to kiss Emma, but Fandango interjects with a baseball front-slide. He follows up with a front-suplex slam and the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Fandango (with Summer Rae)

(The best part of this match was J.B.L.’s line regarding the Denver Broncos and the Superbowl Champions Seattle Seahawks – “careful, Richard Sherman might pick off your dance partner!”)

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Rene Young catches Mark Henry in the hallway. She asks about his upcoming bout with Roman Reigns, to which he replies “It’s not about titles, it’s not about winning. It’s not about losing. It’s about inducting someone into the Hall Of Pain, ’cause that’s what I do!”

The Shield make their way to the ring prior to the break.

Ads.

Match #4: Single – Roman Reigns (with Shield partners United States Champion Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins) VS. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry

Reigns slugs away to begin, but gets whipped into the ropes and big-booted! Henry headbutts Reigns in the corner after a splash, but Roman fights back and impressively Samoan Drops Mark for a two-count! Henry catches a boot, but Reigns shoves him off. He leaps across the ring with the Superman Punch and subsequent Spear to finish Henry quickly and suddenly!

Winner via Pinfall: Roman Reigns (with Shield partners United States Champion Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins)

Post-match, Ambrose attacks a downed Henry, feeling he had to prove something to Reigns who looked on. The lights then go out and The Wyatt Family appear on the titantron.

Bray creepily sings “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Down in my heart. Down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay. As our day of reckoning inches closer, I can’t help but feel this ‘child-like’ excitement building up in me. The clock is ticking. Your defeat, it will not come in vain. Your shot of bones will plague the streets of my kingdom. And from my throne, I’m gonna turn them all. I can’t help but wonder Shield, I must ask you, ‘was all of this worth it?'” Harper inquires, “are you willing to die for this?” Bray completes, “because if you’re not, you’ve already lost.” Reigns challenges them to come on out, and Bray concurs. Rowan warns them to “run,” then their music plays.

The Shield await in the ring as The Wyatt Family saunter to them in the dark. The lights come on and The Family climb the apron. This is much like last week. Bray enters the ring and Reigns approaches him first. Harper and Rowan follow, as do Ambrose and Rollins. Again, The Wyatt Family backs out, to a chorus of boos, while Bray says “this day belongs to me.”

Commercials.

Segment #4: Locker Room Promo

The Brotherhood, Cody Rhodes and Goldust, are doing, well, some brother bonding over WWE’s new Lego playset. Wade Barrett comes in and delivers some “bad news” by kicking over their construction. (Pointless!)

Match #5: Single – Jack Swagger (with Real Americans partner Zeb Colter) VS. Kofi Kingston

Back and forth to begin, then Swagger takes over with wrestling, clutching Kofi in surfboard. He tosses Kofi into the ring post then splashes him with a Swaggerbomb for two! Jack in complete control, until Kingston counters a whip with a springboard dropkick! He hits another kick using the ropes, then springboards again with a chop. Kofi hops over Swagger and double-boots him in the corner. He splashes onto Swagger’s back for a close one! Kingston takes Jack down with the S.O.S. pinning combination, but Swagger places his foot on the ropes at the last second! Swagger rolls out of a crossbody into the Patriot Lock Ankle Lock, which forces Kofi to give up!

Winner via Submission: Jack Swagger (with Real Americans partner Zeb Colter)

Post-match, Intercontinental Champion Big E. walks out and stares down Swagger, who he will meet Sunday at Elimination Chamber for the I.C. Title.

Ads.

Match #6: Two-On-One – Intercontinental Champion Big E. VS. Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre (Non-Title)

Big E. dominates this bout, despite Colter trying to distract him with commentary on the microphone at ringside. (This was actually quite funny!) Big E. polishes off the “Two-Man Band” with a couple of belly-to-belly suplex, splashes, and The Big Ending!

Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Big E.

Segment #5: Video Promo

Lana tells us that Alexander Rusev is “not here to make friends. He will achieve great accolades. He will make history.”

Commercials.

Segment #6: Video Promo

WWE continues to celebrate Black History Month with a montage of Ron Simmons’ (Farooq’s) career.

Segment #7: Video Promo

Clips of previous Elimination Chamber matches airs to push the bout heavily.

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is with John Cena. She questions him on his contest with Cesaro, and he replies “right now, the WWE is filled with promising young superstars. And I see Randy Orton clinging to that championship as the only source of his identity. Every single WWE Superstar knows that I mean this when I say it. They think that they have what it takes to be the ‘next generation?’ Well they will go through me to prove it. Cesaro is no different. The fate of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is decided in the Elimination Chamber. Tonight, well, we see what Cesaro is made of.” John Cena then makes his entrance to face Cesaro, next!

Ads.

Match #7: Single – John Cena VS. Cesaro (with Real Americans partners Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter)

Lockup and quick rollup from Cesaro to begin, then he clamps on a hammerlock to wear Cena down. he switches that into a standing side headlock, which Cena counters into one of his own! Both run off the ropes with a leapfrog by Cesaro, but he gets hip-tossed and takes a break outside.

They face off again, with Cena taking Cesaro down by a wristlock. Cesaro counters into another headlock and takes him down. Cesaro catches Cena off the ropes with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two-count! He hits a harsh uppercut, then locks in an arm stretch. Cena counters with another hip-toss, but Cesaro counters again by pulling the ropes down and sending Cena tumbling to the floor.

Cesaro chucks John into the barricade, but is jawbreaked with the ropes by Cena. Cesaro comes back with a dropkick for two, and does the same jawbreaker on the ropes to Cena. He flies off the ropes with an elbow drop for two! Cena counters again with a full-nelson neckbreaker for another near fall!

Commercials.

Cena breaks out of a submission, then hops on Cesaro and spins him around with a hurricanrana! Cesaro catches Cena with a fall-away slam and another near fall! He measures Cena, then clamps on a sleeper and grounding rear chinlock. Cena backs Cesaro into the corner to break out and begins to come back. He hits a couple shoulder block tackles, but is caught in a Big Swing position. John reverses into an STF try, which Cesaro gets out of and tossed over with a gutwrench suplex! 1 – 2 – Cena kicks out!

Cena throws Cesaro into the corner and brings him down with backdrop. He goes for 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but Cesaro counters by tossing him up in the air and hitting him with an uppercut! He signals for the Big Swing but Cena reverses again into a giant DDT! 1 – 2 – Cesaro kicks out! Cena ascends the turnbuckle, but Cesaro uppercuts him off, sending him crashing to the floor!

Cesaro brings Cena back in the ring via a suplex from the apron and over the turnbuckle! 1 – 2 – Cena kicks out to Cesaro’s surprise! He tries another STF, but Cesaro counters into the Big Swing! Cesaro spins him around for 14 revolutions, but still only gets two!

Cesaro goes for The Neutralizer, but Cena gets out of it. Cesaro nails a big boot after landing on his feet from an Attitude Adjustment, but is put down with a hard clothesline. Cena delivers the A.A. and gets the hard-fought victory!

Winner via Pinfall: John Cena

Ads.

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton is sucking up to C.O.O. Triple H., happy with everything they have done and will do, then recalls their history together. He rips on Batista, then Dave shows up and calls Orton the “ass” of WWE. Orton backs away and Alberto Del Rio approaches. He threatens Batista that he will “tear them off,” referring to his arms. Batista shoves Del Rio into the equipment and walks off, to the displeasure of “The Game.”

Segment #10: Backstage Promo

Rene Young interviews Titus O’Neil about his match with former tag-team partner Darren Young at Elimination Chamber. O’Neil puts himself over big time and rips on Darren for not being a great tag-team partner.

Los Matadores make their entrance prior to the break.

Commercials.

Match #8: Six-Man Tag-Team – Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando) and Sin Cara (with El Torito) VS. The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erik Rowan, and Luke Harper)

Longer match than I thought, but in the end, it is The Wyatt Family that comes out on top as expected following a Sister Abigail from Bray onto Cara.

Winners via Pinfall: The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erik Rowan, and Luke Harper)

Ads.

Match #9: Single – Tag-Team Champion “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn (with New Age Outlaws and Tag-Team Champion partner “Road Dogg” Jesse James) VS. Jey Uso (with Jimmy Uso)

(Note: James and Jimmy Uso are on commentary, and it is announced that these two teams will square off at Elimination Chamber for the Tag-Team Championship.) Lockup between the two and Billy shoves Jey into the corner. He kicks Jey in the gut and rams his head into the top turnbuckle. Jey counters a run and hip tosses and armdrags Billy down. He leaps over Billy off the top, but gets turned inside out by a clothesline! 1 – 2 – Jey kicks out! Gunn punches away and takes control with a grounding rear chinlock. Billy punches away again, then goes for the Fameasser, but Jey moves and rolls up Gunn for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Jey Uso (with Jimmy Uso)

Post-match, Jimmy takes out Jesse with a superkick, then Jey soars over the ropes with a diving plancha!

Segment #11: Locker Room Promo

Byron Saxton is with Sheamus, who puts over himself, the Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania XXX. He warns Randy that he will give “The Viper” an “antidote – good ole fashioned, blunt-forced trauma, Irish style!”

Commercials.

It is announced that this week on Smackdown!, Sheamus will take on Christian.

Match #10: Single – WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton VS. “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus (Non-Title)

Lockups between the two, and Orton breaks it off to start again. A slugfest ensues, with Sheamus getting the better of it. He suplexes Randy, and Orton slides out of the ring for another rest. Sheamus gives chase, but is kicked and run into the ring post. Sheamus returns the favour, slamming Orton’s head off the announce table, then dropping knees on his head inside the ring. Sheamus tries for the Brogue Kick, but Orton moves and gets caught up on the ropes. Orton axe-handles him and then runs him into the ring post.

Ads.

Orton still in control and wears Sheamus down with a grounding rear chinlock. Sheamus battles back and puts Orton to the floor. He whips him into the barricade. Orton reverses another whip, sending “The Celtic Warrior” into the steel steps! Sheamus gets some momentum back with the Battering Ram shoulder block off the top! Orton rolls to the outside and backdrops Sheamus through the table! Sheamus manages to slide into the ring just prior to the 10-count being up!

Orton stomps away a bit more, but Sheamus gains a little more momentum, running into Orton in the corner, however, Randy catches him off the ropes with a powerslam for two! Orton tries for the Slingshot-DDT, but Sheamus tosses him over and then pounds away on his chest with hammer blows against the ropes. He goes for it again, and this time, plants Sheamus face-first after the Slingshot-DDT.

Orton is in the zone and goes for the R.K.O., but Sheamus gets out of it. He hits three Irish Curse backbreakers and fires up for the Brogue Kick! Just now, The Shield run in and attack Sheamus!

Winner via Disqualification: Sheamus

Post-match, all Elimination Chamber competitors run out and brawl with The Shield, then The Wyatt Family suddenly appear! They now slug away at The Shield, and the big melee closes the show!

End Of Raw.

This week was a pretty good one going into the Pay-Per-View. Definitely set the tone more and finally a few more matches for the card. A few grievances here/there, but in general, enjoyed tonight’s Raw. Onto the analysis:

Excellence: The hot-start to the show! Even though what everyone said was the ‘norm, it was still a “bang-on” beginning to get Raw rolling. This type of hot-start should happen much more often! Bryan VS. Christian was great; and it will be interesting to see if Christian keeps getting booed, or it was only because he was facing the fan’s #1 guy right now, Daniel Bryan!?

Anything Roman Reigns does right now, whether it’s wrestling or promos, is basically gold. Much like D.B. and The Wyatts, he can do no wrong. As well, another awesome, eerie prophecy from The Family. These guys really have a great ability to make you feel extremely weirded-out!

Pretty good match between Swagger & Kingston, and LOVED the verbal spouting Colter did during Big E.’s match. Another man who is beautiful on the microphone!

Getting more intrigued week by week on Alexander Rusev and Lana. I’ve seen them on NXT and he’s going to be another “dominant monster” type, but I really am interested in seeing how far they’ll push him right off the bat and who they will pair him up with for his first feud. (Which, hopefully, will begin next week after Elimination Chamber.)

Amazing match between Cesaro and John Cena! However, that should’ve been the main-event, and Cesaro should’ve gone over to build him even more a legitimate threat.

Bogus: Thought that Kane/Bryan was a waste – should’ve been built more, perhaps to the Pay-Per-View after WrestleMania? Same with Marella/Fandango – please no more between the two! Also again, why have all these General Managers when it seems that the power is being passed around on a weekly basis? Have just one person making all decisions!

Could’ve done without The Wyatts taking on Matadores/Cara – we all knew The Family was going to win. Would’ve been better for them not to wrestle at all. Again, where was Paul Heyman. I know Brock Lesnar is only slated for a number of dates, but I think Heyman needs to be on T.V. in some capacity to keep reminding us of his client and his client’s mission.

Really disappointed in Gunn/Uso match – thought it was going to be the sleeper of the night bout, but was just too “laid-back” and “going through the motions,” it seemed. Glad they have a Tag-Title match at the PPV though. Same with Orton/Sheamus – wasn’t into it and that should not have been the main-event.

Really, really, upset that The Brotherhood was used in that manner tonight. Same with them only being on the pre-show to Elimination Chamber. They should’ve easily been included in the Tag-Team Championship match, and/or a much more prominent role on Raw than the throw-away backstage segment. Very disrespectful to two men who were “going great guns” for the last few months and the fans still love.

The ending seemed a bit rushed, and should’ve been left alone to the Elimination Chamber participants.

Elimination Chamber Predictions: Batista will soundly defeat Alberto Del Rio; Big E. retains his Intercontinental Championship; The New Age Outlaws keep their Tag-Team Championship by nefarious means; The Shield/The Wyatt Family – draw, no conclusion of some sort (cannot pick a winner and both these teams deserve the win); my hope is Daniel Bryan winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Until next week, where the official Road To WrestleMania will begin, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!