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The WWE Universe was expecting a great episode of Raw this week after a lot of build-ups last week, and that's exactly what they got.
Apart from average and below-average matches between Kurt Angle and Chad Gable, and Ricochet and Jinder Mahal, the night was packed with some great action and segments.
Kurt Angle finally announced who he’s like to face at WrestleMania 35 in his last ever match in the squared circle.
The Women’s Tag Team Championships found new challenges, while old challengers were not resting easy. And the Universal Champion, the challenger, and The Chosen One, all made their points in one night to make the show a huge hit.
While all that was made possible, there were still a few shocking moments from the show which surprised us all and made us reevaluate the storylines in progress.
Let’s take a look at 5 shocking moments from the show, and share your favorites in the comments below!
#5 Kurt Angle’s announcement
Kurt Angle made out to the ring early in the show to announce who he would like to face at WrestleMania 35 in his final match. The Olympic Gold Medalist made clear he was allowed by the McMahons to choose anyone for his final match at The Showcase of the Immortals.
After having said that, Angle still picked Baron Corbin to face as his last opponent. He claimed that he’d picked Corbin because of how difficult Corbin had made his life in the past year.
This was a shocking pick, as there were many other superstars who could have been better picks for Kurt Angle to choose from. Names like John Cena, Shelton Benjamin, and even Finn Balor were floating through the internet, but Angle chose Corbin.
The reason could be Corbin’s value on the main roster, where he is basically a filler character and has failed to win matches in the past year since his character change.
If Angle is going to win his final match, it makes sense that Corbin will be taking the final pin from the legendary superstar.
#4 Baron Corbin’s loss
A while after Kurt Angle chose the former Acting General Manager Baron Corbin to face at The Showcase of Immortals, Corbin battled against the man who Angle fought and defeated last week on Raw, Apollo Crews.
While The Lone Wolf dominated and nearly took the victory after connecting with The Deep Six, he was surprisingly rolled up for the pin by Crews who took the victory.
This booking made no sense whatsoever as Corbin should have been built at this point to seem like a threat. All Corbin is doing since the past year is taking multiple finishers from the ‘good guys’ on Raw and making a fool of himself.
While Apollo Crews is a class performer, he shouldn’t have picked up the victory at this point when WrestleMania 35 is so close and Corbin has a decent match to compete in while Crews will find a place in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal if he gets lucky.
#3 Divas of Doom issue a challenge
Since Fastlane, tensions between Beth Phoenix and the team of Nia Jax and Tamina have been rising. The inclusion of Phoenix’s longtime partner Natalya to the mix has helped the Hall of Famer even the odds out.
While the build-up, which was bridged by last week’s brawl between the two teams, seemed to signal towards a battle between the two teams at WrestleMania 35, WWE quickly watered the raging fire.
Instead, Phoenix and Natalya walked out on Raw last night to demand their own shot at the WWE women's tag team champions.
The Glamazon challenged the champs to a match at WrestleMania with insults thrown back and forth that led to a brawl between the four.
As all four women seemed like babyfaces before last night, it made little sense to engage the two teams so soon. Nia Jax and Tamina soon made their presence felt too, which now signals towards a multi-tag team match at WrestleMania 35 for the Women’s Tag Team Championships after a team from SmackDown Live are added.
#2 McIntyre’s victory
While it may not come as a shock to many, but Drew McIntyre defeated Seth Rollins on Raw last night. However, the shock comes in the fact that it was Brock Lesnar’s distraction which helped McIntyre win the match, otherwise, it seemed like McIntyre was down and out for good.
The match was probably the best these two have had as the heat was on full display. The Scottish Psychopath looked vicious and ruthless with The Kingslayer often unable to match up but refusing to give in.
The match could have ended in a better way which could have also helped set up McIntyre’s match for WrestleMania 35 as no plans seem to be in place at the moment.
With Baron Corbin coming out to attack a fallen Rollins after the match, and Ambrose coming in the make the save, we aren’t quite sure what the plan for Ambrose, Reigns, and McIntyre are for WrestleMania as yet.
#1 Ronda dismantles Dana Brooke before turning on security
Ronda Rousey was informed by officials that extra security would be on site to ensure that the champion does not create chaos once again as she has been for the past couple of weeks.
Brooke, on the other hand, was focused on making her dreams come true and winning the Raw Women’s Championship for the first time ever.
It took mere seconds for Brooke to come back to reality as The Baddest Woman on the Planet trapped her in an armbar for a tap out for a quick and decisive victory.
Rousey kept the submission hold on for a long time even after the bell had rung, and officials had to rush in and force her off before she broke Brooke’s arm.
In a shocking turn of events, the security tried to get their hands on Rousey who slapped and punched one security officer to the ground, before her husband Travis Browne took another man out.
He then pulled Rousey into the crowd and the two seemed to walk out of the arena, leaving many questions unanswered at the end of the night.
