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What is arguably the most important RAW of the year is now in the history books and the road to WrestleMania is nearly complete. With no further obstacles remaining, Monday's most talented Superstars await only the Super Bowl of Wrestling this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
At WrestleMania 35, legends will be made, history will be written, heroes will be honoured, and new champions will be crowned. Tonight's RAW served as the gateway to the stepping stones of history. The go-home edition of WWE RAW featured the penultimate chapter in WWE's Road to WrestleMania feuds, some of which have been more than a year in the making.
From WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle's final match against former RAW GM Baron Corbin to the returning Roman Reigns' intensely violent feud with the Scottish Psychopath Drew McIntyre to the first ever all female main event at WrestleMania, WWE left no stone unturned as the company heads toward Sunday's show of shows.
There were epic returns, tearful hall of Famers, demons, all-out brawls, and arrests. We unpack all that and more in this special WWE RAW: Top 10 Moments From The WrestleMania 35 Go-Home Show.
#10. Kurt Angle Tribute
By now most wrestling fans know about the storied career of WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, who will wrestle his last ever match against Baron Corbin this Sunday at WrestleMania 35.
Fittingly, respectfully, and appropriately WWE decided to pay tribute to the Olympic gold medalist with an impeccable career retrospective video package. The video montage featured some of Angle's greatest career moments and included memorable matches against Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar, the late Eddie Guerrero and of course, that unforgettable moment in history where the Olympic legend won a gold medal with a "broken freaking neck."
As the video came to an end, the American hero received a standing ovation from the WWE faithful in America's capital city. Angle, overwhelmed with emotion, was reduced to tears in what was announced as the Hall of Famer's last ever appearance on Monday Night RAW.
#9. Drew McIntyre Attacks Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns' return from his battle with leukaemia is hands down the feel-good wrestling story of the year, if not the greatest real-life story in wrestling history. Reigns, once widely maligned by wrestling fans everywhere, now finds himself in the peculiar position of being a beloved fan favourite. Seemingly everyone loves Roman Reigns, everyone except for Drew McIntyre, whose targets are set on the Big Dog.
It was McIntyre who was supposed to be the next man up in Roman Reigns' absence. McIntyre; however, never quite lived up to those expectations and Reigns returned much sooner than originally anticipated.
Things came to a head between the two tonight on RAW. During a backstage segment with Charly Caruso, Reigns was asked about rumours that questioned his readiness for single's competition. As Reigns dispelled those rumours, he was blindsided and attacked by the physically imposing McIntyre. While viciously attacking Reigns, McIntyre spewed, "You should have said no, Roman. You should have said no."
#8. Braun Strowman gets creative
Braun Strowman truly detests Saturday Night Live, probably more than any man with the exception of President Donald J. Trump, a frequent target of the show.
Having recently encountered SNL performers Michael Che and Colin Jost, who have made Strowman the butt of their exceptionally brave humour, Strowman seems hell-bent on evening the score with brute physicality.
While Che and Jost will be at WrestleMania 35 this Sunday, they were nowhere to be found during tonight's go-home show. That didn't stop Strowman from getting creative, however.
Strowman took two terrified unknown wrestlers that he pretended were Che and Jost, annihilated them in and out of the ring before mercifully ending the match with a ferocious double powerslam.
#7. Seth Rollins embarrasses The Beast
Seth Rollins made his way to the ring with what may have been the biggest pop of the night. Rollins showed no fear, as he stood toe to toe with Brock Lesnar, arguably the most feared man in wrestling.
Rollins took the microphone and became the voice of wrestling fans everywhere, "Nobody wants you here." The Architect continued, "I'm going to beat you. I'm going to take your title and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."
Then things turned physical. Rollins, at first seemed over-matched but used a low blow to gain the advantage over the champion. Rollins then took advantage of the maimed Beast and hit him with a devastating curb stomp before grabbing the Universal Championship, hoisting it high in the air, and leaving the ring a confident man just in time for WrestleMania 35.
#6. Beth Phoenix Steals The Show
If anyone rivalled the crowd reaction given to Seth Rollins, it was WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix. Involved in an 8-woman tag team match, Phoenix was far and away the most popular performer in the ring. Each time she entered the match, the D.C. audience roared in approval.
Phoenix also had one of the evening's most memorable spots and it occurred outside the ring. As she and Tamina Snuka scuffled, the Glamazon speared Snuka through the outside barrier and into the Washington D.C. crowd.
While she was temporarily incapacitated, Phoenix recovered and after a devastating Glam Slam, scored the pinfall victory over Peyton Royce of the IIconics. The bout ended with Phoenix and her partner Natalya staring down two of their WrestleMania 35 opponents in Sasha Banks and Bayley.
#5. Rey Mysterio Returns To RAW
The legendary Rey Mysterio had not wrestled on RAW in 5 years, but after Baron Corbin disrespectfully interrupted Kurt Angle's video tribute, the honourable Mysterio simply couldn't sit idle and tolerate such disrespect.
Mysterio made his way to the ring and challenged Corbin to a match, vowing to teach his younger opponent a thing or two about respect. While Mysterio ultimately came up short in his efforts, he looked better than he ever has in a wrestling ring, showed superb agility, and superior athleticism against a man who played in the National Football League.
#4. Batista Returns To D.C.
Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista returned to his hometown of Washington D.C. and received a hero's welcome.
Batista, who is only a few weeks removed from assaulting a 70-year-old legend on his Birthday, played the role of the babyface in his hometown. He slapped hands on his way in and out of the ring and took in all the love.
When the crowd finally quieted down some, a career highlight reel played. At the video's conclusion, Batista took the microphone and addressed his WrestleMania 35 opponent, "Hunter, kiss my a**."
#3. The Demon Has Been Summoned
Bobby Lashley has used every underhanded tactic available in his feud against Finn Balor. While Balor was able to defeat Lashley in a handicap match to initially capture the Intercontinental Championship, it was nearly impossible to predict when Lashley's very own minion, Lio Rush, would strike. It was ultimately Rush that gave Lashley an advantage over Balor. Lashley used that advantage to recapture Intercontinental gold.
While Lashley and Rush made their way to the ring to gloat and predict WrestleMania 35 success, they were unprepared for what Finn Balor had in store. Balor appeared on the jumbotron only to announce that he would be wrestling as The Demon this Sunday at WrestleMania.
Both Lashley and Rush appeared distraught as Balor transformed into the more sinister Demon character before their very eyes.
#2. Stephanie McMahon Makes A Historic Announcement
Stephanie McMahon promised to start RAW off with a historic announcement and WWE's chief brand officer did not disappoint. Despite a very poor attempt at an April Fool's joke (McMahon initially inserted herself in the WrestleMania 35 main event), McMahon did honour her promise and unveiled wrestling history at the show's opening.
McMahon announced that both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships would be defended during the historic all-female WrestleMania 35 main event. The winner of the match will take home both titles and be recognized as the undisputed women's champion for both the RAW and SmackDown brands.
#1. Ronda, Becky, Charlotte Melee
RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey, SmackDown Champion Charlotte Flair, and Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch were set to team up against the Riott Squad, but with one very important stipulation. If any competitor turned on another during the match, then that individual would be removed from the WrestleMania 35 main event.
This proved to be a difficult task to accomplish. There is obvious heat between the three that transcends the WWE storyline. Lynch, after all, was admittedly jealous of her former best friend Charlotte Flair and claimed that Flair received opportunities because of her last name. Rousey is angry with Lynch for bringing her husband into their social media feud. Flair, arguably the most accomplished female wrestler in history, feels slighted and disrespected and finds herself once again in someone else's shadow.
As Rousey tapped out Liv Morgan, the match came to its conclusion with all three women surviving without being removed from the WrestleMania 35 main event. Then all hell broke loose, as the three bitter rivals engaged in an all-out brawl. First, WWE security made their way to the ring, however, their efforts were unsuccessful and the melee continued. Then Washington D.C.'s finest came to the rescue.
Flair initially complied and exited the ring, as both Lynch and Rousey continued to brawl against the wishes of the Washington D.C. police force. Both women were eventually handcuffed, taken into custody, and led out of the ring. While Rousey and Lynch were cuffed, Charlotte Flair made a cunning and calculated attack. She too was inevitably arrested and all three women were led to the parking lot to be placed in squad cars.
Police made the terrible mistake of placing both Lynch and Rousey in the backseat of the same vehicle. Still handcuffed, the two women brutally kicked one another until Rousey kicked out the back window of the vehicle sending shards of glass onto the floor.
The RAW Women's Champion then made her way to the driver's seat of the police car and drove the vehicle straight into another police car before taking a vicious knee to the head by SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair. Inevitably, all three women were arrested just before the historic first ever all-female WrestleMania main event.
