WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: February 8, 2021
A.K.A. The One Where Lana Gets Revenge
Results:
- A.J. Styles def. Jeff Hardy
- New Day def. Retribution
- Lacey Evans def. Charlotte by disqualification
- Damian Priest def. Angel Garza
- Keith Lee def. Riddle
- Lana def. Nia Jax in a Tables match
- Naomi def. Shayna Baszler
- Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre goes to a no-contest
The Main Event: Undecided
We’re now a week removed from the Royal Rumble, and who Edge & Bianca Belair will face at the event is still unclear. Edge made an appearance on Raw this week. He made it clear he won’t be deciding his Wrestlemania opponent until after Elimination Chamber. Edge cut a great promo on an interrupting Miz. The Rated R Superstar’s promo game is on fire currently.
"I think at a different level than you. You're content with being awesome? I'm not. Did that 20 years ago … I NEED to be champion!" – @EdgeRatedR to @mikethemiz #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/aqqyFRmjeJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
The field for the WWE Championship elimination chamber was announced Monday night as well. It will be all former champions trying to take the belt off of Drew McIntyre. He defends against Sheamus, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, & The Miz. Why is The Miz in there when he has the Money in the Bank briefcase. Good question, but we will choose to ignore it! Shane McMahon returned to announce this match and not mourn the death of Raw Underground.
Bianca Belair also delayed her decision for who to face at Wrestlemania. She ran down the pros and cons of each potential opponent, but will wait to decide. The best choice for her remains a legendary confrontation against The Boss Sasha Banks.
The #ESTofWWE @BiancaBelairWWE is here on #WWERaw, so naturally she needed to be welcomed by Raw #WomensChampion @WWEAsuka… pic.twitter.com/H2cxzaUp7D
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
The Undercard:
Lacey Evans continues to get under the skin of Charlotte Flair. She was pulling out Ric Flair moves, and had Ric at ringside to bother Charlotte. That caused Charlotte to snap, refusing to lay off Evans and getting disqualified.
There is no tactic @LaceyEvansWWE won't use…
Wonder who she learned that from? 🤔#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7FZNMbsx2T
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
Lacey will be the one to get a shot at Asuka at Elimination Chamber. Would it be too wild to believe Lacey wins, setting up a title match versus Charlotte at Wrestlemania?
Just in: @WWEAsuka will defend the #WWERaw Women's Title against @LaceyEvansWWE at #WWEChamber! pic.twitter.com/nx4lHFnbhE
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
Damian Priest had a match against Angel Garza, but the big story is his continued friendship with Bad Bunny. The famous musician joined Priest at ringside and messed with Miz & Morrison. As we start to build to Wrestlemania, it looks more and more like we’re going to get a celebrity tag match between Priest & Bunny and Miz & Morrison.
#BadBunny is always one hop ahead. #WWERaw @sanbenito pic.twitter.com/bArDOoUXGP
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
Lana got her revenge on Nia Jax and on tables. Strangely, Lana versus Nia Jax & tables is one of the longest-running feuds in WWE over the past year.
SHE DID IT! @LanaWWE PUT @NiaJaxWWE THROUGH A TABLE!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/NEAdPkNptI
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
Finally, another match for Elimination Chamber was announced. Bobby Lashley will face Riddle & Keith Lee in what should be a banger of a United States Championship match.
BREAKING NEWS: @fightbobby will defend the #USTitle against @SuperKingofBros and @RealKeithLee at #WWEChamber! #WWERaw @The305MVP pic.twitter.com/b6Bdmd6P0l
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2021
Grade: B-
The matches on this week’s episode made for an enjoyable show. Wheels are turning to get things set up for Wrestlemania, and some of the feuds look really enticing. However it’s hard to not feel like the build-up for Elimination Chamber feels like running in place. The show itself will be fine, but we’re too excited thinking past it to really appreciate it.
