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From Lacey Evans' surprise announcement to an important gauntlet match, this week's edition of WWE RAW featured many contrasting moments.
The Red brand delivered a newsworthy go-home show before Elimination Chamber. However, WWE tends to make questionable booking decisions while creating some buzz, which could be felt throughout this week's episode.
It had less filler content than usual, thanks to the gauntlet match that took up a huge chunk of last night's show.
Let us know your thoughts about this particular episode in the comments section below.
Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE RAW (February 15, 2021).
#5 Bad Bunny became the new 24/7 Champion on WWE RAW
Bad Bunny has been a valuable asset for WWE in recent times, and he was awarded a title win this week.
While Bad Bunny's WWE appearances have primarily aimed to create some mainstream buzz, Damian Priest has benefited in the process. The former NXT star's debut received a lot of attention thanks to the rapper's presence by his side.
This week, Bad Bunny was involved in a backstage segment with Mandy Rose. There were a few romantic connotations teased during their interaction. It reminded the viewers of Mandy's role in her newsworthy angle with Otis.
Rose has advanced beyond cheesy storylines. However, it wouldn't be surprising if WWE's higher-ups put her in a romantic storyline just to create some buzz during WrestleMania season.
After Mandy left the scene, Damian Priest joined the rapper backstage. It wasn't too long until the 24/7 title shenanigans interrupted their conversation. Akira Tozawa had pinned R-Truth to become the new 24/7 Champion. Tozawa accidentally bumped into Priest, which is when the latter attacked him backstage.
Priest advised Bad Bunny to score the pin and become the new 24/7 Champion, which is exactly what the rapper did. Bad Bunny has been quite impactful when it comes to WWE's merchandise sales. This is why the company has to capitalize on his 24/7 Champion status to create some new merch, right?
#4 The Miz gave up his WWE Elimination Chamber spot, and Kofi Kingston capitalized on the opportunity
The Miz kicked off this week's WWE RAW with a major announcement for the Elimination Chamber match.
The A-Lister gave up his spot in the bout for a couple of smart reasons. The Money in the Bank briefcase already gives him an easier way to become the WWE Champion. Instead of fighting for the title inside the Elimination Chamber, Miz chose to give up his spot to someone else.
As expected, Miz's generosity was nothing but a cover for his ulterior motives. The A-Lister wanted John Morrison to take his place. Morrison could handle the weight inside the ring, which would allow Miz to remain a fresh competitor if he wanted to cash-in the MITB contract.
Kofi Kingston wanted the spot as well, given that he is one of the more recent former WWE Champions. Adam Pearce booked Miz and Kofi in a one-on-one match to decide the final Elimination Chamber competitor from RAW.
It looks like KofiMania Part Two could be a major arc on the Road to WrestleMania 37, as Kofi has earned his spot in the Elimination Chamber match. Due to exhaustion from his qualifying match against The Miz, he was eliminated in the gauntlet match by AJ Styles later on in the episode.
Keep in mind that Mustafa Ali could ambush Kofi and replace him from the Elimination Chamber match at the last minute. But for now, would you like to see another KofiMania storyline this year?
#3 WWE RAW's Lacey Evans is pregnant
Lacey Evans dropped a huge announcement during this week's WWE RAW.
The Sassy Southern Belle teamed up with Peyton Royce to take on Charlotte Flair and Asuka during the episode. Throughout the match, Lacey avoided a confrontation with Charlotte. The situation changed when Lacey was eventually tagged into the match, and Charlotte was the legal woman from the opposing team.
However, Lacey refused to fight her rival and walked off with Ric Flair. The Sassy Southern Belle revealed she couldn't wrestle as she was pregnant. At first, this seemed like a classic cheesy wrestling angle that WWE had booked to create more buzz.
However, reports indicate that Lacey's pregnancy is a legitimate one. As a result, someone will replace her in a title match against Asuka at Elimination Chamber. While Lacey Evans is married in real life, it was insinuated in kayfabe that Ric Flair might have been the father.
As a whole, this was a soap-operatic twist that not many viewers liked to see on Monday Night RAW. It ended up being a newsworthy moment regardless of the quality.
#2 Alexa Bliss hinted at Bray Wyatt's rebirth and haunted Randy Orton in the main event of WWE RAW
Alexa Bliss cut a cryptic promo from the Firefly Fun House this week, which could have indicated that Bray Wyatt will be returning to WWE soon.
As everyone is aware, The Fiend was burned by Randy Orton at TLC. But The Fiend is no man, which is why fans have speculated about his return in the past few weeks.
Bliss stood between a pentacle symbol this week, which is a symbol associated with occultism. After all, magical elements have been a recurring aspect of Bray Wyatt, Alexa Bliss, and Randy Orton's storyline.
Bray Wyatt's supernatural alter-ego may return in a different form at Elimination Chamber. However, Alexa Bliss had plans of her own for Randy Orton during this week's WWE RAW.
In the gauntlet main event, Randy Orton entered and faced Drew McIntyre at one point. Orton lost the match after being counted out, thanks to a surreal interruption from Bliss.
Her face gradually appeared on the ThunderDome's screens, which cost Randy Orton a chance to enter the Elimination Chamber match from the last position.
Alexa's demonic tricks may have been a sign of things to come. It will be interesting to see what happens in this storyline once Wyatt eventually returns to WWE RAW.
#1 Sheamus pinned Drew McIntyre and won the gauntlet match to gain a huge advantage at WWE Elimination Chamber
All the participants of WWE RAW's Elimination Chamber bout competed in a gauntlet match this week. The winner of this gauntlet contest would become the final entrant in the upcoming Chamber match.
Not only was Sheamus the last entrant in the gauntlet contest, but he would also win the entire match to gain the aforementioned advantage at Elimination Chamber. AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, and Randy Orton were also a part of the match.
Drew McIntyre had managed to survive till the end, but the WWE Champion could not overcome the threat of his former friend. McIntyre looked exhausted as Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick to successfully pin The Scottish Warrior.
McIntyre has been booked like a beast, especially after his match with Goldberg. So it was certainly a major accomplishment for Sheamus to defeat the current WWE Champion. The Miz could still cash-in at Elimination Chamber, as WWE has made it seem like the odds are stacked against Drew McIntyre.
After all, there are a lot of factors surrounding RAW's Elimination Chamber match. However, most fans and critics still believe that McIntyre is favored to retain at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
Do check out the latest edition of 'Legion of RAW' with Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE Head Writer Vince Russo in the video embedded above.
