WWE RAW Results 2/25: Flair’s Birthday, Reigns Returns

Reigns says, “I miss y’all. I’m serious — I missed y’all. There is no other job like this. There’s no other fanbase like you guys.” Reigns looks at the sky and looks down. The crowd chants, “This is your yard.” Reigns continues by saying, “I’m ad libbing a little here, but I used to say this is my yard but this is OUR yard!” The crowd cheers. “I said this before: I’m a man of faith. I’ve always believed in God. I’ve always believed that he’s favored me and looked out for me, but… but I’m not going to lie. Before my announcement in October, I was terrified y’all. I was scared and insecure and I didn’t know if I wanted to share that secret with the world.” Some boos pick up, and then Reigns smiles when he realizes they were booing cancer. A “Roman” chant picks up. “I was scared to tell everybody because I didn’t know how you would react. Thank you. By the time I got home, the outreach — I mean between people texting me, calling me, tweeting me, Instagramming me, Facebooking me — if there was a way to get to me, y’all figured out how to do it. The amount of thoughts, the amount of blessings, the amount of prayers that you sent my way is completely overwhelming and god-sent. Thank you so much!
“I’m telling you — it wasn’t just WWE fans. It was everyone. It felt like everyone who liked me, people who didn’t like me, everyone was at my aid. Everyone was surrounding me with love and support. I’m telling you so many people prayed for me, God’s voicemail was full to the max. I truly think he was in his head thinking, ‘What is going on down there? All for this one guy — all these people?’ That was the magnitude. That is how strong it was to be surrounded by y’all’s love and y’all’s grace. And to be able to feel that, the strength you gave me, I can do anything with that strength and love.” Reigns pauses and leans on the ropes while the crowd cheers him. “That overwhelming support that you gave me, it gave me strength, it gave me new life, it gave me a new opportunity, and it gave me a new purpose. In WWE, a lot of your purpose as a young superstar is to win titles, climb that mountain, to achieve the top and put your flag in. That’s still very important. For me, the only thing that is important is that I have the ability to step into this ring every single night. If I can do that, I’m going to use this platform — this giant WWE platform that is global and everyone can see — I’m going to use it to raise awareness and support those that are in need just like I was.” Another “Roman” chant fires up.

Reigns continues, “Well we advertised it as an update, so should we give the update?” A “YES” chant fires up. “So when I made my announcement, I said that I was going to swing for the fences. We did better than that y’all. We didn’t just swing for the fences — we hit a home run. So when I tell you this, I am so grateful, I am so humbled, I am so honored to announce this…” The crowd is buzzing. “We’ll get to that later. Let’s crawl before we walk and walk before we can run. The good news is I’m in remission y’all!” The crowd ERUPTS with glee. Reigns looks visibly moved by the reaction. Reigns says, “So with that being said, THE BIG DOG IS BACK!” The crowd erupts for him and starts to bark. “And just one last time –” A “Welcome back” chant cuts him off. Reigns says, “Before I go, I’m going to say it probably a whole bunch more times, but I’m going to say it one more time: thank you so much, y’all. I love y’all.” Reigns salutes the crowd and his music plays.

Tonight, we’ll celebrate Ric Flair’s 70th birthday. We’ll also see Ronda Rousey and Natalya take on The Riott Squad.

While Reigns is walking up the ramp, Seth Rollins’ music plays and they embrace on the ramp. Rollins is smiling with tears in his eyes.

Non-Title Match
RAW Tag Team Champs The Revival vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black
The Revival attacks them from behind and knock Ricochet out of the ring. Black backflips over them, and Ricochet connects with a springboard cross-body block on them. Ricochet hits Scott Dawson with a neckbreaker before hitting Dash Wilder with a hurricanrana and a dropkick. The Revival are outside the ring. Black feigns a dive to the floor. Ricochet then hits a suicide dive on Wilder. Black then hits Dawson with a somersault senton.
We come back from the break to see Wilder applying a wristlock to Ricochet. Ricochet flips through a back suplex and tags in Black.

Black hits Wilder with some elbows and takes him down with a leg sweep. Black connects with a sliding knee and big boots Dawson. Black catches Wilder with a springboard moonsault block for a two count. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable are seen watching backstage. Dawson tags in, and they try to double-team Black. Black gives Wilder a German Suplex while Dawson hits a sunset flip. Dawson catches Black with a big DDT for a near fall. Dawson lifts Black up in the electric chair, but Ricochet knocks Wilder off the top rope. Ricochet then hits Wilder with a moonsault off the apron. Dawson rolls Black up, but he kicks out. Black connects with the Black Mass for the win.
Winners: Ricochet & Aleister Black 

Is WWE Teasing A Roman Reigns-Baron Corbin Feud?
Charly Caruso is backstage and mentions that The Revival have lost another match. She then brings in Baron Corbin. She mentions that Corbin made light of Reigns’ leukemia. Is he concerned what will happen when he sees Reigns next? Corbin says everyone lives in the past. Corbin claims that he never said those things. She mentions she has footage. Corbin says some things sound bad out of context. At the time, he was stressed being General Manager and an active competitor. She asks if his responsibilities were more difficult than Reigns’ fight against leukemia. Corbin says for Reigns’ sake, he hopes their paths don’t cross.

Shawn Michaels is seen backstage, and he embraces Johnny Gargano.

Elias will be out, next.

WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg sends a special birthday greeting to Ric Flair for his 70th birthday.

“Ladies and gentlemen… Elias.”

Elias goes to strum the guitar, but Lacey Evans’ music immediately cuts him off. She struts down the ramp before walking back up and to the back. Dean Ambrose’s music then hits. All this celebrating has Ambrose in a festive mood. It has Ambrose reminiscing about the past. Ambrose feels good, so that means he’s dangerous. Ambrose wants a rematch with Drew McIntyre… only this time he wants a No Disqualifications match.

Elias begins to strum his guitar, so Ambrose gets in the ring and asks if he’s being played off like the Academy Awards. Elias says if it was the Academy Awards, he’d be on his second standing ovation now. Elias says he was about to sing a song about how much he loves Atlanta. It’s fully capable of hosting the Super Bowl. Winning it is a different story. The crowd boos. Ambrose doesn’t know why Elias is in a bad mood. He’s here to request a song. Does he know Yankee Doodle or Thunderstruck? Or is it time for Dirty Deeds? A “Dirty Deeds” chant picks up. Elias says he could play anything. Elias goes to hit him with the guitar, but Ambrose ducks and hits Elias with Dirty Deeds! Ambrose then walks off to his music.
The Riott Squad now makes their entrance while Elias comes to. They’ll face Ronda Rousey and Natalya.
WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is backstage for Ric Flair’s 70th birthday party.

The Riott Squad vs. Natalya & RAW Women’s Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Still photos are shown of Becky Lynch attacking Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at Elimination Chamber.

Natalya starts against Sarah Logan. Logan quickly hits a spinebuster and powers her into the ropes. Logan punches away at her before elbowing her in the back. Ruby Riott tags in, and she stomps Natalya in the corner. Riott hits a snapmare and kicks Natalya in the back for a two count. Natalya powers Riott into the corner and tags in Ronda Rousey. The crowd boos while she gets in the ring. They hit a double-team suplex before Rousey knocks Liv Morgan off the apron. Riott quickly slams Rousey down with an STO before stomping her. Logan tags in and stomps before tagging Riott back in. Riott stops Rousey from making a tag, but she fights her off.

Natalya tags in and hits a clothesline on Riott. Riott reverses a whip to the corner, but Natalya comes back with a slam onto the tailbone. Natalya hits the ropes, but Morgan sweeps the feet. Natalya and Rousey hit the Hart Attack on the floor. Logan dropkicks Natalya while Rousey puts Riott in the ring.
We come back from the break to see Riott applying a chin lock to Natalya. Natalya fights up, but Riott slams her down for a two count. Riott powers Natalya to the corner and tags Logan in. Riott whips Logan into Natalya. Natalya elbows Riott before kicking Logan. Logan stops her from making a tag and drops an elbow. Logan then applies a modified cloverleaf. Logan lets go, and Rousey avoids a cheap shot.

Rousey tags in and clotheslines Logan before hitting a pair of judo throws. Rousey punches away at her in the corner, but Riott attacks from behind. Rousey punches away at Riott too before knocking Morgan off the apron. Rousey hits a flying leg drop, but Riott breaks it up. Natalya gets Riott out of the ring and hits a Discus Clothesline on the floor. Rousey hits Piper’s Pit on Logan…

… and Becky Lynch runs down to ringside. A security guard stops her, but she motions that she’s part of the show and is let through. Lynch attacks Natalya with the crutch to cause a disqualification.
Winner: Natalya & RAW Women’s Champ “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey by Disqualification
Rousey runs over and hits Lynch with the crutch before they begin brawling. Agents, security, and referees break it up. Rousey attacks the security guards in the ring. Rousey tries to get out of the ring and attack, but Atlanta Police restrain Lynch and escort her to the back. The crowd is buzzing for this. Near the ring, agents tackle Rousey to keep her from attacking. The police handcuff Lynch and escort her to the back.

Rousey Confronts Stephanie McMahon About Becky Lynch
Natalya is still being helped to the back. Ronda Rousey marches down to the ring and shouts that it’s time to end this. She calls out Vince McMahon!

Stephanie McMahon’s music hits instead, and she comes out looking none too pleased. Rousey says she knows Stephanie is out to do her father’s bidding. She demands that Becky Lynch be reinstated. Stephanie says reinstating her is the least of Lynch’s problems. Becky Lynch has been arrested. Rousey tells Stephanie to have her family drop the charges and reinstate Lynch. Stephanie says it is not that easy. Rousey’s opponent at WrestleMania is Charlotte Flair. The crowd loudly boos. Stephanie says it is not how she wanted it, but Lynch is a loose cannon and unprofessional. Becky Lynch did this to Becky Lynch. Instead of being on the Road to WrestleMania, Lynch is on the road to jail.

Rousey says Stephanie always claims to do what’s best for business. Everyone wants this, even the ginger douche. It could be the first ever women’s main event in WrestleMania history. This means a lot to Stephanie’s legacy and her daughters. A light “Triple Threat” chant picks up. Stephanie apologizes and says it is a hard no. Rousey says that is not good enough. She demands that Lynch be reinstated. Stephanie is furious about Rousey’s demand. Her father had it right. Rousey and Lynch both have bad attitudes. Nobody is bigger than the WWE. Rousey says Stephanie doesn’t control her. Rousey says she’s bled enough to be set for life. She’s not Stephanie’s worker. She’s Ronda Rousey and is the RAW Women’s Champion. She’ll carry the title as long as she defends it against the best of the best. Instead she’s defending against the chosen one. Now the title is a gaudy accessory. Vince claims to make the tough decisions. Now he has to make the right decision. Rousey lays the title at Stephanie’s feet and walks off. Stephanie looks stunned.
Stone Cold Steve Austin sends a message to Ric Flair, wishing him a happy birthday.

Replays are shown of Ronda Rousey laying the RAW Women’s Championship at Stephanie McMahon’s feet and walking off.

Stephanie McMahon is holding the RAW Women’s Championship when Triple H walks up to her.

Jinder Mahal is in the ring with the Singh Brothers. Mahal says there is so much talk about Ric Flair’s birthday, but what has he ever done? The biggest travesty is Mahal wasn’t invited. You cannot have a celebration without the Modern Day Maharaja. That’s why he was backstage and challenged any WWE superstar that was invited to Ric Flair’s birthday party. This party is over.

Kurt Angle’s music hits, and the WWE Hall of Famer makes his way to the ring to a great ovation!

Jinder Mahal with The Singh Brothers vs. Kurt Angle
The bell rings, and The Singh Brothers distract Angle. Mahal big boots Angle down for a two count. Mahal knees Angle in the back and stomps him. Mahal punches him to the corner before calming himself down. Mahal hits a snapmare and applies a chin lock. Angle has not connected with a move yet. Angle fights up, but Mahal powers him down for a two count. Mahal then reapplies a chin lock. Angle fights up, blocks a punch, and punches back. Angle then hits a German Suplex. Angle takes a moment to recover before hitting three rolling German Suplexes. Angle then knocks The Singh Brothers off the apron. Angle gets out of the Khallas and applies the Angle Lock for the win.
Winner: Kurt Angle by Submission 
Samir Singh runs in, and Angle kills him with a German Suplex. Sunil Singh receives the same result.
Ric Flair’s 70th birthday Celebration will take place later tonight.

Alexa Bliss makes her way to the stage. She’ll host A Moment of Bliss with Finn Balor as the special guest.

A Moment of Bliss with Finn Balor 
Alexa Bliss starts off the segment by saying, “Bye, Ronda.” She says to not let the red carpet WWE rolled out for her hit her in the butt. She then says tonight’s show will be extraordinary because she’s interviewing the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Finn Balor comes out and shakes hands with Bliss. She mentions that he looks great with the title, but it covers his abs. She says if he shows her his abs, she’ll show him…

Lio Rush interrupts. Rush says this show is a sham. Rush wants the title back, even if he has to pry it out of Balor’s hands. Balor asks if Rush is here to challenge him for the Intercontinental Championship to prove to Bobby Lashley that he’s better than him. Rush says that’s not what he meant. Balor accepts Rush’s challenge. Rush is confused. Balor says he beat him for the title, so Rush should challenge to win it back. Balor asks the crowd how they feel about the match, and they like it. Bliss asks if Rush is man enough to do the job himself. Rush says he can beat him and is going to the back to prepare. Bliss says he doesn’t have time because his match is right now.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match 
Finn Balor vs. Lio Rush 
Balor powers him to the corner, but Rush avoids him. Rush hits a head-scissor takeover and a dropkick for a no count. Rush talks trash, and Balor smiles. They lock up again, and Balor applies a side headlock. Rush tries to whip him off, but Balor keeps it hooked. Rush gets out and connects with a step-up enzuigiri. Rush dropkicks him out of the ring and teases a dive, but Balor gets in the ring and elbows him down. Balor stomps him out of the ring and hits a baseball slide. Balor goes for a running kick from the apron, but Rush kicks the feet. Rush hits an Asai Moonsault before connecting with a pair of suicide dives. Rush gets him in the ring and goes for a frog splash, but Balor gets the knees up.
Balor is shaking feeling into his knee. Balor chops the chest and grabs his knee. Balor whips him to the corner and chops him again. Rush slingshots over him, but Balor takes him down with a Sling Blade. Balor goes for a running dropkick, but Rush dropkicks him in the hurt knee. Rush kicks away at the knee and applies a hold. Rush attacks the knee, but Balor takes him down with a step-up enzuigiri. Balor blocks a kick and clubs him before hitting a falling elbow drop. Rush flips through a reverse DDT and kicks him in the head for a near fall. Balor avoids a moonsault and turns him inside out with a clothesline. Balor goes to the apron and climbs the ropes, but Rush cuts him off. Rush goes for a super hurricanrana, but Balor counters. Rush quickly kicks away at the knee to keep Balor down. Balor counters a stunner attempt into the 1916. Balor goes to the top rope and hits the Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor retains the Intercontinental Championship
Later tonight, we’ll celebrate Ric Flair’s 70th birthday. We’ll also see Braun Strowman take on Bobby Lashley.

The Ascension makes fun of Tucker of Heavy Machinery, who is walking alone backstage. They make fat jokes about Otis, and Tucker warns them that Otis will be upset about it. Otis walks up, and Tucker snitches on The Ascension. Otis then runs them over. Otis says, “That’s what you get for messing with Heavy Machinery!”
Replays are shown from earlier tonight of Roman Reigns announcing that his leukemia is back in remission. Reigns then embraced Seth Rollins. Photos of the headlines that are popping up about Reigns’ announcement are shown.

Bobby Lashley is furious with Lio Rush backstage. Lashley says Rush can’t do anything right. Rush was supposed to get a title shot for Lashley, but instead got one for himself. Lashley says he can’t be worrying about Rush when he faces Strowman. Lashley asks if he can trust Rush, and Rush says he can.

Bobby Lashley with Lio Rush vs. Braun Strowman 
Lashley attacks Strowman while he’s making his entrance. Lashley kicks him in the knee and elbows him. Lashley punches him down and attacks the back. Lashley then applies a neck vice. Lashley sends Strowman into the corner and signals for a suplex, but he can’t get him up. Strowman then hits a release suplex. Strowman charges, but Lashley elbows him. Strowman comes back with a big boot and clubs him down. This match has not started yet.

Bayley will take on Nia Jax later tonight. Coming up next, Dean Ambrose takes on Drew McIntyre in a No DQ match.