WWE Monday Night RAW Delivers Explosive Action from Cleveland Arena
The February 9 edition of WWE Monday Night RAW was broadcast live from the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, delivering a packed show filled with high-stakes matches and dramatic returns. The event featured the first set of Elimination Chamber qualifiers from the RAW brand, marking a crucial step toward the upcoming premium live event.
AJ Lee Makes Fiery Return to Confront Becky Lynch
The show opened with Becky Lynch addressing the WWE Universe, only to be interrupted by the surprising return of AJ Lee. The Black Widow appeared on RAW for the first time in weeks, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two superstars. Lee made a compelling case for becoming the next challenger to Lynch's WWE Intercontinental Championship, strongly hinting at a potential title match at the Elimination Chamber event.
Elimination Chamber Qualifiers and Championship Matches
In a triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match, Rhea Ripley emerged victorious after delivering a thunderous Riptide on Lyra Valkyria. The intense battle between Ripley, Valkyria, and Ivy Nile showcased the high stakes involved in securing a spot in the women's Elimination Chamber match.
The main event featured another triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifier with LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Penta competing for a coveted spot. After a masked man from the Royal Rumble attacked Austin Theory, LA Knight capitalized by hitting the BFT on Theory to secure the win and qualify for the Chamber.
Tag Team Title Defense and Surprising Outcomes
Jey and Jimmy Uso successfully defended their WWE World Tag Team Championships against the formidable challengers Otis and Akira Tozawa. Despite a valiant effort from the challengers, Otis missed a crucial splash attempt, allowing The Usos to execute a double spear followed by their signature 1D finisher to retain their titles.
In tag team action, Original El Grande Americano and Je'Von Evans defeated Los Americanos following an impressive display of coordinated maneuvers. The match concluded with Evans hitting a Plancha on Rayo, followed by Original El Grande Americano's diving headbutt to seal the victory for their team.
Controversial Finish and Championship Announcement
A singles match between former mentor and protégé Nattie and Maxxine Dupri ended controversially when Nattie repeatedly punched Dupri, leading to a referee count of ten and a disqualification victory for Dupri. AJ Lee rushed to the ring to assist Dupri but was subsequently attacked by Becky Lynch, further escalating their rivalry.
In a major championship announcement, it was confirmed that CM Punk will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at the Elimination Chamber premium live event before potentially moving on to WrestleMania 42.
