WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: February 1, 2021

WWE Raw Results: February 1, 2021

A.K.A. The One With The Rumble Fallout

Results:

• Bobby Lashley (c) vs Riddle goes to a no-contest in a United States Championship match
• Xavier Woods def. Mustafa Ali
• Damian Priest def. The Miz
• Hurt Business (c) def. Lucha House Party to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships
• Naomi & Lana def. Charlotte & Asuka and Sexy Muscle Friends to earn a Women’s Tag Team Championship opportunity
• Carlio & Jeff Hardy def. Elias & Jaxson Ryker
• Alexa Bliss def. Nikki Cross  
• Edge def. Randy Orton

The Main Event: Competitive Edge

Fresh off of his Royal Rumble win from the #1 spot, Edge was all over this week’s episode. Drew McIntyre opened the show with his WWE Championship in tow, and Edge came out to confront him. Based on the promo, it doesn’t seem like McIntyre is who Edge will challenge at Wrestlemania. That could be Sheamus, who turned on his friend McIntyre during the same segment.

That match may happen at Wrestlemania or beforehand, but we know for sure it is happening.

"You want the match? You've got it."@DMcIntyreWWE is more than willing to step into the ring and put his #WWEChampionship on the line against @WWESheamus. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/qo8ggfg5zE

— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021

Edge had lots of backstage segments as well. He gave Damian Priest high praise when he saw him backstage.

Amazing.@ArcherofInfamy just got words of encouragement from @EdgeRatedR. What a first night on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/WzjQ2KQxST

— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021

Edge fought Randy Orton in the main event, and Orton’s feud with the Fiend seems to be continuing. The Fiend made no appearance at the Royal Rumble, but on Raw his friend Alexa Bliss provided the distraction. Orton had the match well in hand before Bliss provided a creepy distraction.

An unnerving distraction, to say the least, for @RandyOrton…#WWERaw @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/paRiHFui8X

— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021

One Spear later and Edge was 1-0 on his road to Wrestlemania.

The Undercard

Alexa had her own match right before the main event against former best friend Nikki Cross. Bliss had her shapeshifting gimmick on full display, switching between Funhouse Bliss and regular Bliss throughout the match on her way to a win. What is the endgame for Bliss with this character. Will she run through the Women’s division on her way to a Women’s Championship match at Wrestlemania?

😱 😱 😱@AlexaBliss_WWE is taking these mind games to a completely new level. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7b1RIqxCmJ

— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021

There was a triple threat tag match to find new contenders for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Lacey Evans continued to be a pain in the side of Charlotte, distracting her alongside her dad Ric. The surprise winners were the team of returning stars Naomi & Lana. Will they become the latest thrown together team to win the Women’s Tag Titles?

We got Carlito on Raw in 2021. Similar to MVP’s Rumble return, here’s hoping this leads to an extended run for Carlito in WWE. He looks amazing and is in great shape.

.@litocolon279 back in action on #WWERaw?!

NOW THAT'S COOL! @JEFFHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/qtI34WQfKO

— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021

Damian Priest appeared on Raw this week, and may be on the red brand going forward. Bad Bunny was a guest on MizTV after he dismissed Miz & Morrison at the Rumble. He brought out his friend Priest, and Priest picked up his first win on the main roster. 

Riddle got his United States Championship match versus Bobby Lashley, and it was not pretty. Lashley was unhinged, refusing to let go of a Hurt Lock, causing a disqualification. MVP seemed to not be pleased with Lashley’s behaviour. Is WWE moving towards dissolving the Hurt Business? For the benefit of all the guys involved, I hope not. They’re all better as part of the larger group instead of solo or tag acts.

Grade: B

The first show after the Royal Rumble helps set the stage for Wrestlemania, and this week gave us some indication of the direction WWE is taking. Edge is likely to challenge Roman Reigns in what should be a fantastic match. Sheamus has his eyes set on McIntyre in what should be a deeply personal match. The matches on the show were good, especially Edge-Orton and Woods-Ali. Overall a good start on our way to Wrestlemania.