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From Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton's non-title match to an important Elimination Chamber announcement, this week's edition of WWE RAW featured many contrasting moments.
As usual, RAW isn't exactly the easiest show to sit through, even though there are always a few notable moments from the Red brand's episodes. Alexa Bliss has been the most newsworthy highlight on RAW in recent memory, and she was absent from last night's episode.
As a result, other storylines got the spotlight this week, which will be further discussed over the next few slides.
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 8, 2021).
#5 Shane McMahon returned for a major Elimination Chamber announcement; Edge surveyed the WWE Title scenario in a segment with The Miz
Shane McMahon kicked off this week's WWE RAW with Adam Pearce.
It was announced that Drew McIntyre would defend his WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber against a pack of former WWE Champions. Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, The Miz, AJ Styles, and Sheamus were revealed as participants of the said match, apart from Drew McIntyre.
Shane-O-Mac's return was short-lived as he immediately left the arena after a backstage segment with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre and Sheamus were originally going to wrestle each other with the WWE Title on the line at the Elimination Chamber event.
However, the one-on-one bout between Sheamus and McIntyre was changed to an Elimination Chamber match to increase the stakes.
Edge's appearance on RAW resulted in a brief in-ring segment with The Miz and John Morrison. Edge revealed that he wouldn't make his decision for WrestleMania until Elimination Chamber was over, especially after Shane McMahon and Adam Pearce's announcement at the beginning of the show.
The Miz said he was going to cash-in his MITB contract regardless of which man stood as the WWE Champion at WrestleMania. Edge reminded The A-Lister that he had put the Money in the Bank briefcase on the map, and he was fully aware of what The Miz could do at The Show of Shows.
It made sense for Edge to draw out his eventual World Title challenge, even if WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns seems to be the most likely candidate at the moment.
The Miz always makes the mistake of boasting about his intentions with the MITB contract, which fits in with his character but also reduces his chances for a successful cash-in in the future.
#4 Keith Lee and Riddle fought each other in a hard-hitting match, as Bobby Lashley and the WWE United States Championship picture was highlighted in a major way
From an in-ring standpoint, Keith Lee and Riddle's one-on-one match during WWE RAW was the best bout of the night.
Their match came about when Keith Lee also expressed his interest in facing Bobby Lashley in a singles clash. To achieve that, he had to go through The Original Bro on this week's WWE RAW.
Lee and Riddle displayed a hard-hitting showcase that proved why both of them belong in the United States Championship scenario. Towards the end, The Limitless One was able to overcome The Original Bro for the victory.
Both men even showed respect to each other, but their moment was short-lived as Bobby Lashley entered the frame and beat up the babyfaces.
Bobby Lashley looked absolutely dominant to the point where one could even argue that he has the momentum to face Brock Lesnar at this stage. That wasn't the case before Lashley joined forces with MVP and The Hurt Business several months ago.
A triple threat match between Bobby Lashley, Riddle, and Keith Lee has been announced for the United States Championship at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Without a doubt, the U.S. title scene was the biggest positive from a rather underwhelming episode of RAW.
#3 Lacey Evans bagged a WWE RAW Women's Championship match against Asuka at Elimination Chamber
Ric Flair and Charlotte Flair's storyline heated up during this week's episode of WWE RAW.
Charlotte was scheduled to wrestle Lacey Evans in a one-on-one match. Before that could happen, The Nature Boy made it clear that he wouldn't take orders from his daughter, labeling his relationship with Lacey Evans as a "casual" one.
The Queen came out to confront her father, but the conversation immediately shifted to The Sassy Southern Belle's true intentions. It was revealed that Lacey Evans would get a RAW Women's Championship match against Asuka at Elimination Chamber if she could defeat Charlotte in a singles match.
While Lacey didn't exactly pin or submit The Queen, Charlotte lost her composure and got herself disqualified after she snapped against her opponent. Technically, Lacey won the match here, which means that she will now face Asuka for the RAW Women's title at the Elimination Chamber event.
The Sassy Southern Belle has immensely benefited from Ric Flair and Charlotte's storyline, even though it is unlikely that she will become the new RAW Women's Champion at the upcoming WWE pay-per-view.
As a result, one has to wonder if Asuka should have been booked in a multi-person Elimination Chamber match instead of Drew McIntyre, as the latter already had a pre-established rivalry with Sheamus.
#2 Lana overcame her bully, Nia Jax, in a silly and entertaining Tables match on WWE RAW
Lana's storyline against Nia Jax has become a long-term angle at this point, and both of them were involved in a pretty newsworthy match during this week's WWE RAW.
Not everyone is accustomed to WWE's silly shenanigans, but Lana has become synonymous with that trope over the years. She faced her biggest antagonist, Nia Jax, in a Tables match. Anyone who has watched WWE RAW over the last few months is aware of how tables have played a huge role in Lana and Nia's storyline.
Let's just say it was Lana who pushed Nia Jax into a table this time around. During this fiasco, Jax uttered a phrase that may not fit within the PG standards of today's product.
Shayna Baszler also faced Naomi in a losing effort soon after, but that was completely overshadowed by Nia Jax's arc with Lana on WWE RAW.
It was a bad night for the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. But looking at the brighter side of this situation, Nia Jax has become a trending sensation on social media.
#1 The Celtic Warrior's plan backfired during Drew McIntyre's non-title match with Randy Orton on WWE RAW
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton's non-title match was the main event of this week's WWE RAW.
Many fans had expected an appearance from Alexa Bliss, but as mentioned earlier, she was absent from last night's episode. McIntyre and Orton had a decent back-and-forth match, and Sheamus decided to show up during the clash.
Towards the end, Sheamus entered the ring to deliver a Brogue Kick to Drew McIntyre. The Celtic Warrior accidentally caught Randy Orton with his finisher instead, as McIntyre retaliated with a Claymore Kick to his former friend.
The match ended without a clear winner, but Drew McIntyre stood tall at the end of the show.
All three men will be part of the same Elimination Chamber match, and it will be interesting to see how other participants of the said match will influence the WWE Title scene next week.
Randy Orton's popular feud with Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss should become the main focus on the Road to WrestleMania 37, sooner rather than later. Although Orton technically has a shot at the WWE Title, his supernatural storyline probably indicates that he won't become the Champion anytime soon.
Do check out the latest edition of Legion of RAW as embedded above, where SK Wrestling's Greg Bush joins Dr. Chris Featherstone to cover the major moments that went down during this week's RAW.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
