Backstage, JBL tells Corbin that he’s done with him. Corbin’s losses are tarnishing his hall of fame legacy. Corbin begs JBL to reconsider. He claims he can do better. JBL says you can’t polish a turd. He knows because he tried. JBL storms off while Corbin looks like a sad puppy.
Do not get in @PiperNivenWWE's way!@MiaYim @CandiceLeRae #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/q7F3auV9cH
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 7, 2023
Alpha Academy vs. Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander w/MVP
Gable takes down Alexander. Gable rides Alexander. Alexander escapes and tries a springboard, but Gable reverses it into a German suplex. Otis tags in and runs over Alexander. Benjamin tags in and blasts Otis with a head kick. Benjamin tries a running knee, but Otis turns it into a slam. Death from above by Benjamin. Benjamin surprises Otis with the dragon whip.
Otis pushes his way out of Benjamin’s suplex. Otis misses a splash in the corner. Benjamin tags in Alexander, who clears the ring. Neuralyzer by Alexander. Alexander tries a dive, but Gable turns it into an exploder out on the floor. Benjamin breaks up the pint. Alexander avoids Gable’s moonsault and hits the Lumbar Check for the win.
Winners- Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander
Backstage, Green tells Pearce she is on her way to the ring, and she better get what she asked for, or she’s going to get him fired.
Chelsey Green vs… Asuka
Green dropkicks Asuka in the back. Raquel Rodriguez, Carmella, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, and Natalya all surround the ring. Green works over Asuka. Green is distracted, jawing at the Elimination Chamber competitors around the ring. Asuka gets to her feet and unloads a flurry of strikes. German suplex by Asuka. Asuka runs into a big boot. Green charges in, and Asuka tries a flying armbar, but Green falls awkwardly to the mat. Asuka turns it into the ring of Saturn. Green submits.
Winner- Asuka
?@WWEAsuka #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/IAiYvXbmy7
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 7, 2023
After the match, Bianca Belair walks out on the ramp and asks which one of them has what it takes to win the Elimination Chamber. She’s been in the Chamber before, and she won. She’ll be waiting for whoever wins at WrestleMania.
In-Ring Segment: Cody Rhodes
Rhodes asks the crowd what they want to talk about. Last week he came out here and spoke respectfully about his current WrestleMania opponent, Roman Reigns. The crowd starts to chant, “Sami.” The crowd read Rhodes’ mind. Reigns is putting the titles on the line at Elimination Chamber against Sami Zayn. Rhodes expects to be standing across the ring from Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. He wishes Zayn good luck.
Paul Heyman interrupts. Heyman notes that they have been busy the last week or so. On behalf of the Tribal Chief, Heyman congratulates Rhodes on winning the Royal Rumble. Rhodes says he has the utmost respect for Heyman. Rhodes tells the story of when his family went broke, and Heyman offered his father, Dusty Rhodes, a guest spot, and that gave Dusty his confidence back.
Both Heyman and Rhodes are getting emotional. Rhodes thanks Heyman says Rhodes caught him off guard. Heyman says this isn’t about him or Dusty. This is about Rhodes. Heyman notes that Rhodes came from the bottom and came all the way to winning the Royal Rumble. Will WrestleMania lead to a victory for Rhodes, or will he get just this close to crumble under the spotlight? He has to stand in the ring with Roman Reigns.
Check out last week’s coverage: WWE Raw Results (1/30/23)
Watch out! @HeymanHustle just made it personal between @CodyRhodes and The Tribal Chief @WWERomanReigns for #WrestleMania!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Ww44HOK9bn
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2023
Heyman notes that just down the road, Rhodes’s father Dusty trained and prepped people to compete at the highest level. He trained and prepped Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bayley, and even Reigns himself. The one person Dusty didn’t train and prep is Rhodes. Maybe it was because Dusty wanted Rhodes to make it on his own. Maybe. Heyman can’t convey in words how much he loved Dusty.
He can also tell Rhodes to his face that his father loved him. The last time Heyman spoke to Dusty, he told him that Rhodes was his favorite son… but Roman Reigns is the son he always wanted. Heyman smiles and drops the mic. Rhodes gets in Heyman’s face. Rhodes says he is just trying to win wrestling championships. Everyone is trying to make this personal. Fine. Rhodes isn’t going to take this out on Heyman, he’s going to take it out on Heyman’s boy Reigns, personally.
