"Under New Management"
February 8, 2021
Hour One...
SEGMENT: The Miz is alongside John Morrison for MizTV tonight to announce the new General Manager for Raw. Without waiting, The Miz invites Adam Pearce to the ring. The Miz asks why JBL for the SmackDown's General Manager, that was announced Friday on Fox. Pearce reminds Miz that JBL is the longest reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history, and as one who was given that opportunity from SmackDown, JBL will be able to give others that opportunity. The Miz asks about Raw's GM and Pearce introduces... Jason Jordan! Jordan is the new GM of Raw. Before Jordan can speak, Miz immediately questions Jordan's plans for improving Raw, seeing as he was just mediocre in the ring. Jordan's about to speak, until Miz goes on about the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania on the horizon, that Jordan lacks experience. Miz brings up Morrison has more years in the business, that he's more qualified. Jordan shuts Miz up, saying that Raw will have a younger generation feel that's been lacking for some time. Jordan says it begins tonight. Jordan first mentions his plans for Raw's Elimination Chamber, that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship in the Chamber and qualifiers will determine the participants. But, back to the younger generation, someone needs a voice, therefore he has made a signing. Melina's music hits and both Miz and Morrison's mouths drop. Melina comes and after an awkward greeting, clarifies that she has a client who will one day be something Morrison never was, a WWE Champion. Jason Jordan and Melina introduce Raw's signing... ANDRADE! Andrade comes to the ring and Morrison's upset. Jordan mentions Andrade's about to qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match and to clear the ring as Ricochet comes out.
MATCH: Andrade vs. Ricochet (Elimination Chamber qualifier)
~ With Melina watching, the newly signed Andrade and the high-flying Ricochet are putting on a heck of a performance in the ThunderDome. A back and forth commences before Ricochet tries a 630, but Andrade lifts the knees up. Ricochet creates distance in the opposite corner, but gets a running double knee strike in the corner before Andrade picks Ricochet up and hits a La Sombra. Andrade's the first to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. ~
BACKSTAGE: Jason Jordan gets an interview with Charly Caruso, who begins by congratulating Jordan on his promotion. Caruso asks what else to expect in this new regime. Jordan admits he's making moves to acquire and showcase the young generation of WWE. Jordan anticipates that in 2021, Raw takes the sports entertainment world back. When asked what this means for tonight, Jordan mentions the Elimination Chamber qualifiers will continue, but up next, Asuka's next challenger is determined in a triple threat match between three competitors who have never held the Raw Women's Championship.
MATCH: Lacey Evans vs. Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler (#1 contender match)
~ Ric Flair is getting involved with this match, and he trips up Shayna Baszler at the wrong time. Baszler tries going after Flair, but the official holds Baszler back and sends Flair to the back. Flair argues, as does Lacey, but Lacey Evans just clocks Shayna from behind. As Flair tries to stay, Charlotte Flair comes and argues with her dad. Nikki Cross comes from behind and jumps on a distracted Evans, trying a sleeper, but Evans throws her off. Evans charges and Nikki pulls the rope down as Evans crashes to the floor. Charlotte then runs down to the ringside area and exchanges words with Lacey, before Baszler grabs Cross in the rear naked choke. Lacey tries getting in but Charlotte grabs Evans and throws her into the steps as Cross taps. Baszler's next in line! ~
BACKSTAGE: 24/7 Champion R-Truth is searching for Jason Jordan's office when a door opens on R-Truth's face and Akira Tozawa pops out with a referee! Tozawa makes the cover and is the NEW 24/7 Champion.
BACKSTAGE: Melina is with Andrade where she's interviewed by Charly Caruso. Caruso asks about Melina's return and she puts the focus on Andrade. Melina says Andrade is the younger generation. Melina takes a shot at his ex-manager who ran away from WWE and left him dry. Melina lets everyone know that 2021 is Andrade's year and he will be WWE Champion soon.
AD: In a qualifier, Randy Orton battles Sheamus in the main event. But up next, the Raw Tag Team Titles are on the line when The Hurt Business defends against Braun Strowman and Jeff Hardy.
Hour Two...
MATCH: The Hurt Business(c) vs. Braun Strowman & Jeff Hardy for the Raw Tag Team Titles
~ Benjamin and Alexander are having issues with communication early on, in alignment with last week and MVP puts a pin in it quick. The Hurt Business begins working as a cohesive unit again, isolating Hardy, until he makes the tag. Strowman comes in as a locomotive and is looking to hit a Running Powerslam on Benjamin but Alexander makes the blind tag on the boot, right before the move. Strowman goes for the cover but Alexander dropkicks Strowman in the face. Strowman tries getting up before Alexander kicks Strowman in the butt, sending him into the corner. Hardy tags himself in and goes up top, but he's caught in mid-air with a dropkick. Alexander quickly lifts Hardy up for a Lumbar Check as he gets the win and retain the titles. ~
BACKSTAGE: John Morrison goes to Jason Jordan with The Miz asking for a spot in the Elimination Chamber to be given him. Jordan refuses, but instead, puts him in a qualifier. The Miz chimes in, reminding Jordan that Morrison is a veteran and deserves respect. Jordan says he won't be getting any special treatment, and as a veteran, has to prove he belongs in this era of Raw. When Morrison asks for his opponent, Jordan gives no specifics.
MATCH: Drew Gulak vs. Elias
~ With Jaxson Ryker ringside, Elias is getting his butt whooped on the mat and Gulak's got moves Elias hasn't seen. But it's a guitar shot by Ryker as Gulak begins to close that causes a disqualification. ~
BACKSTAGE: Andrade and Melina are leaving the arena as Sheamus is arriving. Sheamus stops them and welcomes Andrade to Monday Night Raw. Sheamus says his warm welcome will come at the Elimination Chamber. Sheamus clarifies he'll beat Randy Orton tonight, qualify for the Chamber, and defeat his best friend Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship. Melina tells Sheamus he and Orton are both stuck in their old way of doing things. But Andrade is a part of the new generation and this is his year.
MATCH: Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose vs. Lana & Naomi
~ Dana Brooke is holding her own until Naomi gains some momentum for her team. Dana Brooke is in trouble and goes for a tag, but Rose backs up and walks down the steps, checking her nails. Dana's in trouble and gets up to a Rear View by Naomi and the blondes lose. ~
BACKSTAGE: R-Truth is trying to find Akira Tozawa now, not Jason Jordan's office. But in another part of the arena, Akira Tozawa gets thrown into a nearby table by Tucker! Tucker gets the official to count and Tucker is the NEW 24/7 Champion now.
MATCH: AJ Styles vs. Damian Priest
~ AJ Styles comes to the ring with Omos and mentions he needs to get involved in the Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship but wasn't put in the qualifier, so he'll be hosting an open challenge to get a qualifier next week. The one who answers? Another new signing, Damian Priest! Priest throws Styles around but gets outsmarted several times by one of the world's best performers. Styles tries a Phenomenal Forearm but is caught by a sit-out chokeslam, and Priest nearly puts him away. Few minutes later, Styles gets the swing and tries a Styles Clash but can't pick Priest up. Priest tries a back-body drop, but Styles lands on his feet. Styles runs towards Priest and gets a boot to the face, followed by Hit the Lights and Priest wins his Raw debut! ~
BACKSTAGE: After leaving her partner high and dry, Mandy Rose is walking backstage when Charly Caruso confronts her. Caruso asks about Mandy's actions, but Mandy says she only has one message for Dana: Mandy's riding solo.
AD: Carlito's Cabana returns with guest, The Hurt Business' own MVP!
Hour Three...
SEGMENT: The ring is set for Carlito's Cabana and after a jab at MizTV from earlier, Carlito introduces his guest MVP. MVP makes sure to state that Bobby Lashley retained his United States Championship last week, just like Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander retained the Raw Tag Team Championships. Carlito mentions beating MVP last week, but MVP says he shouldn't get too cocky because it was a fluke. MVP suggests Carlito stays out of his business, because Monday Night Raw is his business, The Hurt Business. Carlito says it isn't cool, and begins chewing an apple. MVP quits Carlito's chewing, saying he shouldn't do that during a pandemic. MVP says if Carlito has something and infects the MVP of WWE, he'd be hurting Raw's ratings drastically. Carlito continues chewing and as MVP reaches for his mask, Carlito spits in MVP's face! MVP gets frustrated and charges with a lariat, but Carlito ducks and hits a Backstabber. Carlito stands tall over MVP.
BACKSTAGE: Lucha House Party are laughing at what just went down in the ring and The Hurt Business overhear this. Cedric Alexander challenges the Lucha House Party to a match next week to shut them up, and LHP quickly agree.
MATCH: Kofi Kingston vs. John Morrison (Elimination Chamber qualifier)
~ The Miz accompanies John Morrison and awaits before The New Day's music hits. Xavier Woods comes out, but halts at ringside and points to the ramp... it's KOFI KINGSTON! Kofi returns from injury and after barely missing the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Kingston is giving his all against Morrison. It's a Moonlight Drive countered into a Trouble in Paradise that secures Kingston a spot in the Elimination Chamber. ~
BACKSTAGE: R-Truth is searching, pulling an official around by the shirt collar, and finally finds Akira Tozawa! R-Truth attacks Tozawa and rolls him up, but the official notices there's no 24/7 Championship. R-Truth gets upset and apologizes to Tozawa. R-Truth tries getting Tozawa to answer who is 24/7 Champion, and Tozawa is speaking Japanese but nothing correlates before Truth decides to run off.
AD: Next week, the final two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches continue. So far, Kofi Kingston and Andrade have qualified to face WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Also, MVP says he'll bring back the VIP Lounge.
MATCH: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus (Elimination Chamber qualifier)
~ Orton and Sheamus go head-to-head and they're battling it out. Orton continues looking around for a possible appearance by Alexa Bliss or The Fiend, which keeps Sheamus in the match. Orton goes for an RKO but is really paranoid looking around, allowing Sheamus to take over. Sheamus gets some offense together and then awaits for Orton to get up after White Noise so he can hit a Brogue Kick, but Orton sidesteps it and hits the RKO! Orton looks around and skeptically covers Sheamus and gets the 3-count. Raw goes off the air with Randy Orton looking over his shoulder to be targeted, but nothing happens. ~
