RAW before the RUMBLE -- 1.21.19
 

Oh cool we havent seent his!

They're running out of hands.

What time does AEW come on?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hopefully <a href="https://twitter.com/FinnBalor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FinnBalor</a> doesn’t touch any vehicles or else the Royal Rumble won’t have a main event <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAWTonight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAWTonight</a></p>&mdash; WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWECreative_ish/status/1087506782665261062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"lol" @ the RR graphic of "Smiley Finn" vs. "Dead Serious Brock"

Time to see if Finn can swim with Heyman.

That pinstripe suit and purple pinstripe tie Paul got going is really messing with my eyes right now.

Really think Finn Balor should be a heel....... I say that all the time..... (without ever seeing him as a heel)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good camera work right here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/g2UhbZL3iX">pic.twitter.com/g2UhbZL3iX</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana ���� (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1087517662916345856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Used to "hang on every word" that Paul Heyman said..... now it is just "background noise"....

HOLD THE PHONE!

"Even Miracles Fear Brock Lesnar"

That's a good line.

Vince McMahon has CENA NUFF of Brock Lesnar

Nice color coordination, Vince.

Very blue.

Lol. "I never read the Bible"

Yeah, his promos do tend to have a feeling of sameness in tone and/content but he's still the best in the WWE when it comes to selling a match on the mic.

David ate Mushrooms?

He was reincarnated at Finn Balor?

I'm just lost.

I have to say WWE have done a brilliant job building up this Rumble. You can tell it has been all hands on deck in order to fill that giant baseball stadium!

* Rusev winning his third WWE United States Championship is brilliant. He may have already been the champion before, but this is his first time as an American hero! Given that sex appeal is selling for WWE again, I hope Lana comes out dressed as a sexy Uncle Sam (Uncle Lan?) and Shinsuke Nakamura's jaw hits the floor. Putting last year's Royal Rumble Winner in what might be the opening match is such a good move, because it emphasizes how much everyone has grown over the past year to overtake him. Prestige, people! The only two Superstars that have beaten Rusev for his championships are John Cena and Roman Reigns. I hope they promote Nakamura as being on their level if he does the same!

* I'm absolutely loving this Shane McMahon & The Miz Best in the World tandem. I see people on the internet bashing Shane McMahon, but he is a star, people! Remember when he boosted WrestleMania 32's ticket sales? You can't try and fill a giant baseball stadium without Shane McMahon in 2019. This will be a great learning experience for Sheamus & Cesaro.

* Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks is a dream match for many people. It's time for Sasha to step up and remind Ronda that she was one of the two biggest female stars in the company for a few months in 2016. It wouldn't surprise me to see WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg show up and add some edge to Sasha to get into Ronda's head.

* Becky Lynch has made it very clear that the blue belt is her belt. Asuka won the belt without pinning her. Genius! There is so much tension for this match and I expect Becky to have that entire stadium on her side. It'll be a good test to see how Becky does in giant venues and whether her fan reactions hold up. It doesn't matter who walks out champion -- we all win!

* Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles is a dream match in any era. Bryan has been fantastic since turning heel, and AJ is really getting something out of having Vince McMahon awaken his anger. I feel like AJ Styles needs to win his third WWE Championship here in order to validate his new direction, but don't be surprised if AJ Styles loses control of his temper and gets himself DQ'd and Vince hurts himself in the scuffle!

* I wish I knew more about these competitors Buddy Murphy, Akira Itami, Hideo Tozawa and Kalisto. But this is going to be a colorful whirlwind that is going to blow everyone's socks off, I'm sure!

* Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor snuck up on us, didn't it? Surprises are everywhere in WWE. Last year the internet wanted this match so bad, and now they finally get it, with the brilliant strategy of Brock vs. Braun also being promoted. I can't believe people think Vince McMahon does not still have it. I'm looking forward to this match perhaps more than anything else on the card. I expect a huge entrance for Finn and The Demon to possibly show up and conquer The Beast!

* There are so many angles the Women's Royal Rumble could take! Charlotte is in there, but Carmella has the number advantage! Nia Jax won the Evolution Battle Royal, so she is a threat. There are bound to be legends and surprises. Naomi is there and she won at WrestleMania. I wonder if they will even tease Sasha Banks vs. Bayley for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania? I honestly have no clue who is going to win, but this second installment of the Women's Royal Rumble legacy is bound to be massive.

* And speaking of unpredictable: How about the Men's Royal Rumble? Rey Mysterio and John Cena are in as former Royal Rumble Winners. R-Truth has the coveted #30 spot. Former champions like Jinder Mahal, Jeff Hardy, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Bobby Lashley have entered. And we're bound to get some surprises, like Randy Orton or Braun Strowman. I cannot wait.

Vince's recollection of David and Goliath of course involves performance enhancing mushrooms

BRAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!

:lol: at Vince randomly insulting the crowd.

This segment makes zero sense

Omg, are we going to get a Triple Threat for the Universal Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumbe?

I wish Vince called himself "The Mac Daddy" more. It would suit him and it's a legitimate expression.

Braun: "Somehow I'm going to see you on the other side"

Everyone else: "I am entering myself into the Royal Rumble!"

So Finn Balor vs Brock Lesnar is about Braun Strowman

Sounds about right.

Red trunks, black jacket.

Finn's in an nWo Wolfpac mood tonight.

Has anyone heard anything about the condition of Jason Jordan's neck? I want "Cowboy" James Storm to sign with WWE and join Bobby Roode for a feud against American Alpha. Dream match right there!

:lol:

Paul chiming in.

Something about Finn just seems so "slimy"..... think he would make a very good heel.....

I would love to see a Braun Strowman/Finn Balor team. The Monster Club could be one of the greatest tag teams in the modern era. Can you imagine Braun Strowman in Finn Balor make-up? Cute!

Is Bálor wearing lipstick?

Finn Balor can do his pencil pose and Braun could pick him up and impale their opponents as a trademark/finishing maneuver.

Cherry chapstick is my guess.

Wait?

Braun's cleared?

Still messed up and having nerve related issues in his hands.

Another person on the roster from NXT has similar nerve issues to the point WWE was preparing another job for him in the company.

Vince just said "get err dunnnn", clearly he is on top of what's going on in pop culture lol.

My guess is Braun is going to make Finn look believable at beating Brock so when Brock wins on Sunday Finn won't lose face.

C'mon Cole.

Not like Finn's the ONLY guy who uses the Sling Blade.

RIP Finn

Good teamwork, Brock.

Did Brock just suplex Finn on his neck

Yyyyyyup

Balor vs Braun was pretty good overall even with all the shenanigans involved.

Balor about to get the clean win on Braun when Brock F5s him

Decent

Hate it whenever commentators say "HE'S IN THE DROP ZONE!"

20 minute promo followed up by a 10 minute match ending in no contest...

NEW ERA!

Balor is the winner via DQ.

Normally when someone has the upperhand on RAW before the ppv they lose, but with Brock, all bets are off on that formula

Balor wins via DQ. it's not a no-contest. Brock attacked Balor and only Balor.

Same difference, not a real finish.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“It’s about health and fitness, hanging and banging, riding and sliding, food and fun, fashion and passion ... WBF Body Stars, you’ve gotta want it!” <a href="https://t.co/LlXnvjKf1p">pic.twitter.com/LlXnvjKf1p</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansatin/status/1087406787857342464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nicholas versus Rush is the match we deserve

I should mute this.

Then again, is Ambrose hiding under the pedestal?

Smiley!

I totally forgot about him.

Lol Bobby Lashley vs Mini Me Bobby Lashley

Some good ole' black on black violence for MLK day

Ouch at that insult by Lio Rush.

Pose off?

*click*

This is making me hard

Pose Offs are lame

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FinnBalor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FinnBalor</a> takes Brock Lesnar down. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/lTwr1rtsD9">pic.twitter.com/lTwr1rtsD9</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana ���� (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1087524022223540224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I hope Lio Rush pulls out a gun and doesn't know which one to shoot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don't think this was suppoost to happen. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/F1O1k1xp5R">pic.twitter.com/F1O1k1xp5R</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana ���� (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1087529330413129748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

You're only allowed to win if you're #27

This show is really boring, not good headed into the Rumble

Rollins doing a promo honoring MLK is kind of funny considering last year's MLK episode had him bring back the curb stomp and a few years before that, hit a curb stomp on Big E.

Well, there's your final two. Thanks, Vince

LOL so wait, they are face to face and they go to commercial? Are they just gonna look at each other and not fight for 3 minutes until they are BACK on the air?

WWE telegraphing Rollins and Drew as the final two in the Rumble

I wish AEW was on

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Apollo grabs another WWE Superstar like a bowling ball. This man has to be stopped. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/7TXWuX9dT2">pic.twitter.com/7TXWuX9dT2</a></p>&mdash; Brad Shepard (@TheBradShepard) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBradShepard/status/1087532218816389120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Where's the titties. Oklahoma City the new Saudi Arabia?

If they were smart they wouldn't dare.

Calm down STD

Makes sense to give the Men's Rumble to RAW since Smackdown is likely taking the Women's one considering the rumors of Ronda's title match at Mania.

Shouldn't you still be somewhere jerking off to the Patriots victory

British folks have a gecko as well.

Is there a favorite from Smackdown this year?

Has Seth retired the Ripcord Knee / King's Landing?

Whenever they allow Renee to speak, she's pro Rollins. Wonder what the hubby thinks about that

Dang! Rollins finally gets a pinfall victory over McIntyre.

Drew McIntyre "just another guy" now

Just another guy who's going to face Cena at Mania!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seth Rollins beats <a href="https://twitter.com/DMcIntyreWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DMcIntyreWWE</a> which increases his chances of winning the Royal Rumble by 0% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAW</a></p>&mdash; WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWECreative_ish/status/1087536781698969601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Want to see Kofi Kingston win the Rumble and challenge D Bry for the Dub Dub E Championship at Mania. Don't care if it doesn't close the show! The man needs a Wrestlemania moment.

He has gained momentum though.

Whoa. The Bros are wrestling

Someone call ICE

:wtf: Graves comments about Kalisto's head ... nevermind it was a dig at Buzzfeed.

Singh Bros actually wrestling and they are doing a bunch of chin locks and other incredibly boring shit... What`s the point.........

back to the same vignettes for the 298735th time... been watching this Raw for like 10 mins and just feeling p*$$ed off

edit: oh ok nvm... thought they were just gonna play all of the "coming soon" vignettes again

Outside of a good Braun-Balor match, you haven't really missed anything interesting.

Vince probably thinks that EC3 promo is the greatest piece of work Kevin Dunn has ever done

Burying EC3 before he even has his 1st main roster match

Dumb shit if Braun doesn't continue after Corbin

Vince has had a lot of dudes flexing their bodies for the camera tonight lol

That vape commercial. Fucking hate it with a passion. Those horns trigger me