As WWE continues to build toward WrestleMania 40, the promotion appeared to use Raw on Monday night to plant the final seeds for one of the year’s biggest matches. As Jey Uso was on the verge of ending Gunther’s record-breaking run as intercontinental champion in the show’s main event, Jimmy Uso intervened to cost his twin brother the title.
Jimmy’s interference came as Jey seemingly had the title won. Jimmy then added insult to injury by continuing to assault his brother after the match ended. This will almost certainly lead to the Usos facing off in singles action at WrestleMania, which takes place on April 6 and 7 from Philadelphia.
CBS Sports and Tag360 media was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Jimmy Uso costs Jey Uso the intercontinental championship
Intercontinental Championship — Gunther (c) def. Jey Uso via pinfall to retain the titleafter reversing an Uso Splash into a pin. The main event saw Uso ready to end Gunther’s record-setting reign as champion after hitting an Uso Splash late in the match. But as the referee counted the pin, the bell began ringing prematurely. It was revealed that Jimmy Uso was ringing the bell to cause a distraction. Jey eventually dove onto Jimmy outside the ring and attempted another splash onto Gunther, only this time the champion put his knees up and rolled up Jey for the victory.
After the match, Jimmy entered the ring and continued attacking Jey, saying he would “always be the big brother.” Jimmy hit Jey with a pair of splashes before the show went off the air.
While it doesn’t feel ideal to relegate the record-setting intercontinental champion to a bit player in the Uso vs. Uso storyline, WWE had to find a “big moment” to set up a seemingly inevitable match between the two. It has been a long, long road to pay off this part of the story of The Bloodline and the Usos facing off will be one of the biggest matches at the upcoming WrestleMania 40 event. Grade: B
What else happened on WWE Raw?
- Drew McIntyre def. Cody Rhodes via pinfall with a Claymore. Rhodes seemingly had the lengthy show-opening match in hand when Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa ran in for a distraction. Rhodes handled Uso but was blindsided by a Samoan Spike while the referee was distracted. This all allowed McIntyre to hit a Claymore to score a big pinfall victory heading into the Elimination Chamber. Later on, Rhodes told Adam Pearce he didn’t need anything and was “fine” after the attack. Seth Rollins then appeared, saying nothing to Rhodes but patting him on the leg before walking away.
- Raquel Rodriguez won a “Last Chance Battle Royal” to earn a spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber match. The “final four” came down to Michin, Zoey Stark, Rodriguez and Shayna Baszler. Stark and Baszler had worked together throughout the match, including teaming up to eliminate Michin. Rodriguez survived the double-team, eliminating Baszler and then Stark to punch her ticket to the Elimination Chamber. Chelsea Green snuck into the ring, having not been eliminated earlier, to try and steal the win but was tossed by Rodriguez.
- Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley were interviewed remotely ahead of their upcoming match at Elimination Chamber.
- UFC lightweight Michael Chandler was introduced at ringside before cutting a brief promo demanding Conor McGregor get back in the Octagon for their long-anticipated fight.
- Nia Jax took out the six women scheduled for the Elimination Chamber match. The women had come face-to-face in a series of promos and interruptions before brawling. During the brawl, Jax made her way to the ring before laying waste to everyone in sight.
- Chad Gable def. Ivar via submission with an ankle lock.
