Roman Reigns returning to WWE Raw was the prime attraction of this week. The other big reason to tune into the show was Ric Flair’s 70th birthday celebration. Plus, we expected multiple championship matches to get officials on the show for Fastlane pay-per-view. Here’s what happened on this week’s edition of WWE’s flagship show hosted by the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
WWE Raw kicked off with Roman Reigns as the crowd greeted him with a loud ovation. He gave high five to the fans and embraced The Rock’s mother before entering the ring. The crowd continued to buzz around this return as he informed being back in remission. He might soon be back in action with that being said. Seth Rollins greeted Roman Reigns while he was heading back to the locker room.
More updates on Roman Reigns’ return
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival was in action against Aleister Black and Ricochet. Black was in full control of the match hitting some back elbows and a big boot. He hit a springboard moonsault to Dawson before Wilder tagged in and formed a double team. Black came back with a German Suplex while Ricochet sent Wilder off the ring. The Black Mass connected to Dawson handing over the win to the NXT names.
Elias was out on WWE Raw to strum his guitar and insult the Atlanta crowd. Lacey Evans was out first to cut him off and strutted back to the locker room. Dean Ambrose was out next to interrupt Elias wanting a No Disqualification match against Drew McIntyre. Elias wanted to hit Dean with a Guitar shot but received a Dirty Deeds instead.
The Riott Squad was in action on WWE Raw against the team of Ronda Rousey and Natalya. Riott and Logan controlled the match for a long extent before Rousey made the tag. She hit Riott with Piper’s Pit when Becky Lynch showed up and hit Nattie with the crutch. Rousey ran down to her and hit her back creating a brawl. The security team interfered and took her back to the back.
Ronda Rousey was still standing inside the ring wanting Vince McMahon to come out. She wanted the suspension on Becky Lynch to be lifted. Stephanie McMahon came out instead informing that Lynch is out for jail. Rousey refused to compete against Charlotte at Wrestlemania. She laid down WWE Raw women’s championship to Stephanie’s feet before walking off.
Jinder Mahal appeared on WWE Raw declaring frustrations about not getting invited to Ric Flair’s birthday party. He demanded someone be out for competition. Kurt Angle accepted it setting up a match on the show. After taking some punches, Angle hit three German Suplexes followed by the Ankle Lock for the submission win.
A Moment of Bliss was the next segment on WWE Raw with Finn Balor as the special guest. Miss Bliss started to flirt with Balor when Lio Rush interrupted and challenged him for an Intercontinental title match. Balor accepted to make the match official. He countered a stunner from Rush into 1916 followed by the Coup De Grace to retain his title.
Bobby Lashley was furious after Rush came up short in his match. The former IC champion was out next to have a match against Braun Strowman. But he attacked the monster from behind even before the match started. Strowman countered with a releases suplex and ran him over with a shoulder block. The match never officially happened.
Dean Ambrose was next on WWE Raw in a No Disqualification match against Drew McIntyre. He was in control until Elias hit him with a guitar shot. McIntyre hit Ambrose with a Claymore kick for the victory. After the match, Bobby Lashley came out with Baron Corbin for a 4-on-1 assault. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns came out to clear house sending the heels away. Ambrose was laying in the ring as the Shield brethren left the ring.
Bayley was in one-on-one competition against Nia Jax on WWE Raw. Jax set Bayley up in a Tree of Woe before avalanching her. But she tried to take cheap shots on Sasha that caused her the match. Bayley kneed her and gave the top rope elbow to get the win.
Ric Flair’s birthday celebration was the main event segment on this week’s WWE Raw. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were out first to introduce Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Sting. Ric Flair was out next as his music played. But he never came out. The camera went to backstage showing Batista in the locker room dragging out an unconscious Flair. Triple H ran to the locker room to get some medical attention for Flair as the show came to an end.