{"id":38829,"date":"2019-02-19T20:38:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T01:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=38829"},"modified":"2019-02-19T20:41:29","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T01:41:29","slug":"raw-highlight-rundown-nxt-takes-over-2-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2019\/02\/19\/raw-highlight-rundown-nxt-takes-over-2-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Raw Highlight Rundown &#8211; NXT Takes Over (2\/18\/19)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite a weak crowd in Lafayette, this week\u2019s <strong>Monday Night Raw<\/strong> had a real surprise for all the fans as they went with an out of the box idea. Debatably, the top four superstars of WWE\u2019s <strong>NXT<\/strong> brand made their main roster debuts as <strong>Aleister Black<\/strong>, <strong>Ricochet<\/strong>, NXT North American Champion <strong>Johnny Gargano<\/strong>, and NXT Champion <strong>Tommaso Ciampa<\/strong> all made an appearance and competed on the same night. It was truly a different feel, so let\u2019s take a look at the best highlights and our MVP of the week.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The One and Only Arrives<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38832\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38832\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38832\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2019\/02\/078_RAW_02182019cm_1574-462c91c69b49d1cd84c8330fa04b2451-e1550626588780.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38832\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the <strong>Elimination Chamber<\/strong>, <strong>Finn Balor<\/strong> won his first championship since relinquishing the WWE Universal Championship all the way back in 2016, defeating <strong>Bobby Lashley<\/strong> and <strong>Lio Rush<\/strong> to become the newWWE\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intercontinental Champion. Last night on Raw, it was Finn\u2019s time to finally gloat about being champion, rather than saying why he will someday be champion. However, what followed was Lio Rush, saying how he doesn\u2019t deserve to be Intercontinental Champion, but Bobby Lashley does. \u201cThe All Mighty\u201d would follow up by attacking Finn from behind, as it would become a 2 on 1 assault of the new champion. Then, would be the big moment, where \u201cThe One and Only\u201d <strong>Ricochet<\/strong> would make his official main roster debut to save Finn Balor from the onslaught, wowing the crowd and giving them just a slight glimpse of what he brings to the table night in and night out. This would lead to a two on two match where Ricochet would continue to show off his incredible ability, showing why there simply has not been anyone that can do what he does in pro wrestling before. This led to an amazing sequence towards the end of the match, where Ricochet would be getting chased by Lashley, just do moonsault over him from the barricade, leading to Lashley being taken out by Finn on a missile dropkick into the barricade. Following this would lead to Ricochet laying out Rush with a superhero like springboard uppercut, followed by his famous 630 Splash for his first victory in his debut. What was a story between Finn and Lashley led to the coming out party for \u201cThe One and Only\u201d Ricochet. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ricochet teams up with Finn B\u00e1lor in first Raw match: Raw, Feb. 18, 2019\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QujN7Jl3yZQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Elias Fades to Black<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38835\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38835\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38835\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2019\/02\/167_RAW_02182019cm_4101-fce045996352af725f25c7793a197a52-e1550626604286.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38835\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Per usual, <strong>Elias<\/strong> had his normal in-ring performance for the WWE Universe. And like that, he had it interrupted by someone. Instead, however, of being interrupted by a washed up veteran, Elias was interrupted by the debuting \u201cDutch Destroyer\u201d, <strong>Aleister Black<\/strong>. Black would get his complete attention stealing entrance, rising from the depths of darkness to have the first match of his WWE main roster career. And before the bell even rang, Black would let Elias know that it was simply his time to \u201cfade to black\u201d. Black would get the offense going early, including his signature moonsault feint where he would sit in the middle of the ring to show he fears no man. The former NXT Champion would hit a few of his key combinations, including a sliding knee then left the crowd in awe. After lots of back and forth action, there came a point where Black would launch himself from the top rope at Elias, just to be caught right in the skull by a perfectly placed knee for a long two count. Finally, Black would get to his feet, finding just enough time to hit Elias with his signature Black Mass kick, ending the match and making it be known that Aleister Black is finally here to stay, and everyone should be afraid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aleister Black debuts on Raw against Elias: Raw, Feb. 18, 2019\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R9L9t_DccJ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Rousey vs Riott<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38836\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38836\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38836\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2019\/02\/181_RAW_02182019jg_5188-5a4e8e0d5d1e9d57221532e0217279f9-e1550626619759.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38836\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has become a custom for <strong>Ronda Rousey<\/strong> since winning the Raw Women\u2019s Championship to defend the championship the night after a PPV, and she continued that custom last night as she had a rematch with <strong>Ruby Riott<\/strong> for the championship. This match, unlike their Elimination Chamber match, was far more competitive. Riott owned most of the match as she had her outside help of the <strong>Riott Squad<\/strong> by her side. As the match continued to go on, Ruby continued to bring it to Rousey, not allowing her much offense at all and having one of her overall best outings as a part of Monday Night Raw. As they got close to the end of the match, Riott would connect with a Riott Kick, which would lead the crowd and everyone at home to the edge of their seat as it was very possible the match was over. Rousey, to her credit, managed to kick out and continue her title reign. As the match continued, Rousey finally started to fight back, leaving Ruby with continuous shock on her face when she couldn\u2019t get the job done. Riott would get to Rousey on the top rope after both<strong> Sarah Logan<\/strong> and <strong>Liv Morgan<\/strong> manages to distract the champion. Riott would connect with yet another Riott Kick, where Rousey would kick out again. She would finally bounce back, getting Ruby into her patented armbar, but Sarah Logan would save her from the ultimate end. This is where Rousey would get to the top rope and launch herself onto the Riott Squad on the floor, getting Ruby back into the ring, flipping Riott on to her back and connecting with the armbar to get the victory. Rousey would lay out Logan and Morgan after the match when they tried to attack her, and it looks more and more that she is not only ready for <strong>Charlotte Flair<\/strong>, but any possible matchup with \u201cThe Man\u201d <strong>Becky Lynch<\/strong> when the time comes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott - Raw Women&#039;s Championship Match: Raw, Feb. 18, 2019\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5sljJIxEHPE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Raw MVP: #DIY<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38834\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38834\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38834\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2019\/02\/129_143_RAW_02182019cm_3003-210a23404a3b601fb4d56c8467715637-e1550626633379.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38834\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When <strong>Triple H<\/strong> announced at the beginning of the show that his four stars from NXT would be making their main roster debut and competing at the same time, he didn\u2019t specify in what match. We would learn as the night continued that the former team of <strong>#DIY<\/strong>, <strong>Johnny Gargano<\/strong> and <strong>Tommaso Ciampa<\/strong>, would take on the new Raw Tag Team Champions, <strong>The Revival<\/strong>, in a rematch from their MOTY at <strong>NXT Takeover: Toronto<\/strong> all the way back in November of 2016. The reigning champions of NXT had changed in a\u00a0huge amount of ways since that match, as both had become major single stars for the NXT brand, including having NXT\u2019s Rivalry of the Year in 2018 against each other. Now, carrying the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship, they were out to prove that not only were they the real deal, but NXT is the top brand. It was a surreal scene to see both Ciampa and Gargano make their entrances on Raw, but here it was. These two teams showed that you can\u2019t really ever lose chemistry, going in there and putting on a show. The back and forth action all night long would lead to another mat classic on back to back weeks for The Revival, but it was truly about the \u201cnew guys\u201d last night. Ciampa and Gargano worked well as a team once again, having each others backs from the ring bell. There was the great sequence in the match where The Revival seemed to have catch Ciampa in the Shatter Machine, but instead, Gargano hit <strong>Scott Dawson<\/strong> with a superkick, while Ciampa caught the legs of <strong>Dash Wilder<\/strong> to go into a perfect bridge for a close pinfall. Gargano would hit his springboard DDT which won him the NXT North American Championship at <strong>NXT Takeover: Phoenix<\/strong>, but again would only get a near fall. The match would continue the crazy back and forth action as \u201cJohnny Wrestling\u201d and the self-proclaimed \u201cGreatest Sports Entertainer of All-Time\u201d would finally hit the #DIY superkick and knee combination to win the match. While all very impressive wins for the NXT call-ups last night, Gargano and Ciampa not only showed why they are the two best things going in wrestling today but why NXT is the number one brand in the WWE today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tommaso Ciampa &amp; Johnny Gargano battle The Revival in Raw debut: Raw, Feb. 18, 2019\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b73kY-BL8CM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Raw had many unexpected matches and fun segments, <strong>SmackDown LIVE<\/strong> is on right now and should follow the closing moments of Elimination Chamber where <strong>Kofi Kingston<\/strong> was just a second away from achieving his dreams. The Highlight Rundown will be back tomorrow at its normal time. Enjoy the show.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite a weak crowd in Lafayette, this week\u2019s Monday Night Raw had a real surprise for all the fans as they went with an out of the box idea. Debatably, the top four superstars of WWE\u2019s NXT brand made their main roster debuts as Aleister Black, Ricochet, NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano, and NXT [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2921,"featured_media":38833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,25,3],"tags":[433,163,183,120,403,1775,111,68,180,217,116,622,2537,524,401,70,1778,1284,2851,897,2073,75,9297],"class_list":["post-38829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-raw","category-wwe-universe","tag-aleister-black","tag-becky-lynch","tag-bobby-lashley","tag-bobby-roode","tag-charlotte-flair","tag-elias","tag-finn-balor","tag-johnny-gargano","tag-lio-rush","tag-liv-morgan","tag-nxt","tag-nxt-championship","tag-nxt-north-american-championship","tag-raw-tag-team-championship","tag-raw-womens-championship","tag-ricochet","tag-riott-squad","tag-ronda-rousey","tag-ruby-riott","tag-sarah-logan","tag-tommaso-ciampa","tag-triple-h","tag-wwe-intercontinental-championship"],"modified_by":"Jamie Greer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2921"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38829\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}