With another huge news in-store for the women’s division in the WWE, Stephanie McMahon opened this week’s WWE Raw. It was the blockbuster announcement of the Elimination Chamber for the female superstars, she stole the spotlight, once again.
Asuka appeared in the opening segment, as well in a huge reaction from the WWE Universe which was a good thing for the Royal Rumble winner.
Good and newsworthy opener for #RAW. We’re getting the first-ever all-women’s Elimination Chamber with the #RAW Women’s Championship on the line in four weeks. Tonight, we’re getting Asuka vs. Sasha Banks. Not much follow-up on Ronda Rousey yet.
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 30, 2018
Following this segment, there were multiple big matchups on the night, as the qualifying rounds for Chamber. Two big championship matches were also in-store on the night, as well. The Last Man Standing match between Kane and Braun Strowman was a slobber-knocker from the monster men on Raw.
In the end, Kane put over the behemoth, once again by digesting big assault. We might not get to see him on WWE Raw from now onwards.
Quick and to the point #LastManStanding match with Strowman and Kane. Kane hasn’t looked good at really any point of his comeback in October, so I imagine this is the last we’ll see of him for some time. Strowman continues to look dominant. #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 30, 2018
In the second matchup between Elias and Matt Hardy, it was good to see the heel superstar getting the shot to Elimination Chamber match, whereas, Hardy continued his rivalry against Bray Wyatt that might have in-store a big-time culmination.
The crowd was chanting, ‘this is awesome’ during the Reigns vs Miz rematch which was quite right considering they delivered an A-star match. The champion retained in a predictable style to pave the way for Roman Reigns to get inserted into the Elimination Chamber and then head into the main event of Wrestlemania 34.
Tremendous match between Asuka and Sasha Banks. Banks, with the right opponent, can look great. However, she’s a complete danger to herself when she tries anything fancy. She nearly killed herself (again) attempting a suicide dive. It has to be addressed and stopped. #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 30, 2018
The singles match between Sasha Banks and Asuka was a solid one too. It was a good singles contest on WWE Raw after quite sometimes from the Raw women’s division. The night ended in a first-time ever contest between John Cena and Finn Balor that handed away Cena another chance to head into Wrestlemania 34, as the Universal Championship’s contender.
Anyway, this was a tremendous #RAW effort; way better than #RAW25 was. Great action and good storyline advancement. #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 30, 2018
Overall, it was a solid effort from the WWE Raw officials to deliver a jam-packed show. To some, it was far better from last week’s 25th anniversary while comparing the contents. Check out the Twitter reactions from the show, here:
Win or lose, that was a BOSS performance by @SashaBanksWWE! #RAW @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/lTC9eLLPOg
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
An INCREDIBLE performance by both Superstars, but @WWEAsuka walks out of Philadelphia with her undefeated streak INTACT! #RAW @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/HWw6KTOKVe
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
NOW’S THE TIME TO CELEBRATE! The first-ever Women’s #EliminationChamber Match will take place at #WWEChamber!!!! @WWEAsuka @StephMcMahon #RAW pic.twitter.com/UstPOes0cH
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
Yep. That’s John Cena singing fly eagles fly. ? #RAW #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/1coB0NsBmM
— Matt Deason (@MattDeason) January 30, 2018
YOU CAN’T SEE FINN!!!!!#RAW #WWEChamber @JohnCena @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/sCx51ZEK43
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
Final women’s match on #Raw was awesome tonight,had me hook line and sinker brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) January 30, 2018
Absolutely brutal. #RAW pic.twitter.com/oELgymdOrr
— Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) January 30, 2018
What a match. A fantastic #Raw ends with John Cena knocking off Finn Balor.
— Cageside Seats (@cagesideseats) January 30, 2018
Anti-climactic #RAW after Rumble.
— Justin LaBar (@JustinLaBar) January 30, 2018
How is Sasha not dead? #Raw pic.twitter.com/CPCuP6z48o
— WWE Critics (@WWECritics) January 30, 2018
One eye on #WrestleMania…
One eye on @FinnBalor…#RAW #WWEChamber @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/Krococcl0P
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
Only thing that will beat Asuka… #WWE #Raw pic.twitter.com/KI4PYNp6L9
— Scott Fishman (@smFISHMAN) January 30, 2018
I shouldn’t be surprised, but what a great match. @WWEAsuka and @SashaBanksWWE just brought out the best in each other. So so good. They are my favorites. #raw pic.twitter.com/l9nlrKZMLx
— Sam Roberts (@notsam) January 30, 2018