WWE Raw took place live from Cleveland, Ohio, as the road to WrestleMania 42 continued to take shape. The show featured a major championship challenge, multiple Elimination Chamber qualifiers, and a tense confrontation between two of the most prominent women on the roster.
The night opened with Becky Lynch storming to the ring in a foul mood. Lynch said she had planned to make a major announcement following the Royal Rumble, but instead found herself distracted by the presence of AJ Lee backstage. She accused Lee of constantly interfering in her business and ruining her opportunities.
Lee interrupted and said she was not there for Lynch, explaining she was simply supporting Maxxine Dupri ahead of her match. Lynch dismissed that explanation and accused Lee of constantly talking and inserting herself into situations. Lee fired back, reminding Lynch that she had beaten her in the Women’s WarGames match and cost her the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Lynch demanded to know what it would take to get rid of Lee and asked if she wanted her life ruined in front of her hometown crowd at Elimination Chamber. Lee suggested Lynch was either having a breakdown or challenging her to a match. She admitted it had been over a decade since her last singles match and said it would have to be special. Lee called Lynch one of the greatest of all time and said beating her would make her the number one contender to the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Lynch initially refused, claiming Lee had done nothing to earn a title shot and was not even an active Raw roster member. After more back and forth, Lynch relented and agreed to defend the championship against Lee at Elimination Chamber.
WWE World Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs Alpha Academy
Jey Uso started the match against Otis, with the two showing mutual respect before locking up. Akira Tozawa entered the match and briefly gained the upper hand, scoring a quick near fall on Jimmy Uso.
Tozawa kept the pressure on, hitting an enzigiri and later flying out of the ring to wipe out both Usos on the floor. Otis added his power to the mix, landing heavy slams and double clotheslines as Alpha Academy controlled the action.
The challengers came close to an upset when Tozawa connected with a top-rope senton, but Jimmy kicked out. The Usos regrouped, and after a chaotic closing stretch, they delivered a double spear followed by the 1-D to secure the win.
Winners: The Usos
After the match, the champions were interviewed by Byron Saxton. Jey praised Alpha Academy, while Jimmy encouraged his brother to enter the Elimination Chamber qualifiers and chase a singles opportunity.
Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio then made their way to the ring. Dominik presented Morgan with roses and chocolates before she addressed the crowd, calling herself the greatest Royal Rumble winner and Intercontinental Champion of all time. She claimed both Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill were afraid of her and insisted that whichever champion she chose at WrestleMania would lose their title.
Vaquer interrupted and accused Morgan of talking too much. After a tense exchange, Dominik translated Vaquer’s Spanish comments, claiming she had insulted Morgan. The confrontation escalated when Vaquer slapped Dominik across the face.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Triple Threat Match: Rhea Ripley vs Ivy Nile vs Lyra Valkyria
Ivy Nile started aggressively, sending Lyra Valkyria out of the ring and focusing on Rhea Ripley. She showcased her strength with a double German suplex that stunned both opponents.
Valkyria responded with high-flying offence, including a crossbody and a shotgun dropkick. Ripley broke up a pin attempt and delivered heavy strikes, while Nile continued to display her power advantage.
Late in the match, Valkyria nearly secured the win with Night Wing, but Ripley broke the fall and hit Riptide on Valkyria to earn the victory.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Backstage, tensions continued within The Judgment Day. Finn Balor complained about being treated as an afterthought and demanded a World Heavyweight Championship match.
Balor then interrupted the scheduled appearance of CM Punk, claiming he had left Punk laid out two weeks earlier. Adam Pearce arrived with security and reminded Balor that Roman Reigns vs. Punk for the World Heavyweight Title was already set for WrestleMania 42.
Punk came out anyway and confronted Balor, daring him to fight. Balor refused unless the title was on the line. Despite Pearce’s objections, Punk insisted, and the match was eventually made official for Elimination Chamber.
Punk later told Michael Cole he was not jeopardising his WrestleMania main event, but building momentum as a fighting champion.
Backstage, Paul Heyman discussed Bron Breakker’s injury, with Pearce acknowledging Breakker as the future of WWE and urging The Vision to focus on their own matches.
Nattie vs Maxxine Dupri
The bout quickly spilt outside the ring, with Nattie using the environment to her advantage. The fight escalated around the announce desk, and neither woman returned to the ring before the referee’s ten-count.
Winner: Double countout
After the match, Nattie locked in the Sharpshooter on the announce desk. AJ Lee rushed out to help Maxxine Dupri, only for Becky Lynch to attack her from behind and drive her into the ring post.
Je’Von Evans and OG El Grande Americano vs Los Americanos
Je’Von Evans teamed with a masked partner as the high-energy duo took on Los Americanos. The match featured quick tags and aerial offence, with Evans hitting a cannonball and OG El Grande Americano delivering multiple suplexes.
In the closing moments, Evans connected with the OG Cutter, and his partner followed with a flying headbutt to secure the victory.
Winners: Je’Von Evans and OG El Grande Americano
After the match, a masked attacker tried to unmask OG El Grande, but the attempt was foiled as chaos broke out at ringside.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Triple Threat Match: LA Knight vs Austin Theory vs Penta
The main event featured LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Pentabattling for a spot inside the Elimination Chamber.
The action was fast-paced, with Knight and Penta initially teaming up against Theory. Penta impressed with his aerial offence, while Knight delivered his signature power moves.
Theory nearly stole the match after interference from Logan Paul and Bronson Reed. As chaos unfolded, a hooded figure attacked Theory, allowing Knight to recover.
Knight capitalised on the distraction and hit the BFT to score the win.
Winner: LA Knight
The show closed with Knight celebrating his victory as the Elimination Chamber field continued to take shape and tensions rose across multiple divisions heading towards WrestleMania 42.
Next week, WWE Raw will take place live from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. There are currently two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches scheduled, as Gunther, Dominik Mysterio, and Je’Von Evans will compete in a Triple Threat to determine the next entrant in the men’s match, and in the women’s division, Nattie, Asuka, and Bayley will do battle.
