#the women’s rumble was def the highlight of last night

[alikaheroes]

My RAW Story, February 26, 2018 #WWEAnaheim

Once again, WWE captured my heart when I went to Monday Night RAW from Anaheim at the Honda Center. Being there live is incredible. From the little behind the scenes things that occur during commercial breaks and between matches, to seeing just how handsome the guys are in person and how pretty the women are, to just...everything! 

Traffic was crazy so didn't get there as early as planned (making sure my section was the right one, there is no worse panic than that before RAW yikes!) BUT made it just in time for the start of RAW (Tazawa vs Davari and Goldust vs Hawkins were the dark matches so I was good lol) 

The HD jumbo tron at the Honda Center is huge and BEAUTIFUL! One of the clearest RAW pictures I've ever seen (I guess I need to update to 4K next haha). Alexa Bliss vows to end Asuka's streak I was happy when the show opened with the women. What was ironic about seeing Alexa and Mickie was that my last RAW in September was the one that set up their feud in the fall of 2017 so was cool seeing them as friends now. I popped LOUD when Asuka's music hit. I wish I could've seen her full entrance but just to SEE her after following her since her NXT days was incredible. The crowd literally had an "Oh no she di'dn't" moment when Alexa mocked her language! I remember encouraging Alexa to hit her because duh! And it was fun to be in an "Asuka's gonna kill you" chant. Though I would've liked to see their entrances too, seeing Sasha and Bayley run out to help got me even more hype. This night would be amazing! 

Sasha Banks, Bayley & Asuka def Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Mickie James During the commercial, Alexa ran to the gorilla position, maybe to put something down or get a drink of water, but the heels stayed around at the ramp and then their music hit again after JoJo announced to the crowd that there would be a tag match next. They also played the Snoop 2K18 ad and to see his cousin Sasha in the ring when it got to her part "One word, Banks" made me grin from ear to ear. 

The ladies had a very good match, but the best moment was when, after getting screwed over at both the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, Bayley FINALLY stood up to Sasha by ignoring her tag and backing away. Asuka's "idk what's going on with you two but I'm just here to own it" attitude was a nice added touch to it. I was also surprised at how MASSIVE the boos were for Sasha tonight. Heel heat!! 

They play WWE commercials during mainstream commercial breaks and there was an ad to Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling" and they showed Lonzo Ball and his family AND THE BOOS OMG! 

John Cena addresses his Road to Mania I love John Cena and I haven't seen him since a RAW I went to in January 2012 so that was a HUGE thrill. My first time in a "Let's Go, Cena", "Cena Sucks" dueling chant which was pretty cool. But when he announced he'd love to face The Undertaker. The Pop. Hands down the loudest pop I've EVER been involved with in my life!! I could've cried I was so excited then he trolled us to show disappointment and wow, what a moment. Bravo, Cena. You are a true master! 

Bray Wyatt vs Heath Slater They played the "Thank You" WWE Network promo and wow that is just a great highlight of 2017. This year looks even more promising. Back to the action...when Heath and Rhyno came out, I was worried that this would take time away from a talent I'd want to see. I was very happy to see Bray live (haven't seen him since early 2014). Holding up my cell phone light with the other fireflies is unlike any other experience and as a Bray fan, it made it even more special. 

After his beatdown of the other two and his "look what you made me do" I couldn't help but smile and laugh! Too perfect! I was disappointed Matt wasn't there, but seeing Bray (who can be rare for RAW) made it special. Oh and after his promo, Bray tossed the mic across the ring and I laughed too hard. 

The Miz vs Seth Rollins They played a promo for the Mixed Match challenge and yes I fangirled over seeing my faves Finn and Sasha! So Miz comes out and his comments about Anaheim being a glorified suburb had me ROLLING!  I went to college in the OC so I can relate to that sentiment (it's safe tho!). Then he cut one of his best promos ever. I've been a MizFit for years and you can definitely feel the passion in his words about being close to history and making the title relevant again (take that, Brock!). 

I knew his opponent would be one of 3 rumored: Braun, Seth, or Finn. I preferred Seth or Finn and when Seth's music hit I screamed. Felt good too since I was wearing his shirt! 

BURN IT DOWNNNNNN!! And the match was incredible! Seth did a spot where he jumped out the ring and landed flat and I remember flinching, thinking "DON'T MISS WRESTLEMANIA AGAIN OMG PLEASE!!". I remember clapping extra hard to get him going and it's funny it felt like we were giving him strength and power from our claps alone so I did mine even more aggressively. Wrestlers feed off that energy. I haven't said "Come on, Seth!" as much as I did and to see Miz kick out the falcon arrow, the crowd went NUTS! And to see him do the frog splash made my Eddie Guerrero heart flutter! 

Now during all this, I saw the crew remove a black square from the ramp and I immediately knew that meant Finn would come out next. That's where his fog comes out from and I was able to prepare to see one of my faves. Yes!!

The Miz vs Finn Balor FINNNNNNN! I was screaming, reaching out to him as he stretched out his arms in our direction. I remember trying to get a clear shot of him on my camera but I was shaking so much in excitement and to do the arm thing in an arena with the Balor Club is incredible. It was my 2nd time seeing him but it's always special since he's one of my favorites and knowing how bad I'd been dying to see him since the NXT days (NXT never came out west and he was injured for six months) made it that much better. 

During the commercial break (they played a promo for the XFL but I didn't pay attention because I was too busy staring at Finn) he literally went to every side and threw up a "Too Sweet"--most guys either talk to the refs, do stretches, or just watch the ads but he took time paying to the fans and it just shows what a class act he is. ️

And in the middle of all this I literally missed him doing the arm thing in front of Seth. LOL. So when the Miztourage beat him down I called for Gallows and Anderson and BOOM the Good Brothers ran out (the guy behind me said "hey yeah, you're right!) and it hit me that I was seeing a Bullet Club beatdown with Gallows, Anderson, and Devitt at the Honda Center for WWE...something 2014 me or 2015 me never would have dreamed of!

The match was incredible. I'd playfully yell, "WATCH OUT MIZ" whenever Finn would approach him from behind. I had a lot of "Come on, Finn!" moments and the two count followed by a SWEEEEEET was even sweeter. He hit the Coup De Grace and life was good (also his jacket was on the floor the whole time and I'm just like wow you don't see that on TV). 

He usually does two arm things but that night he did 3 and I just loved it, and waved goodbye as he walked to the back. They did the WrestleMania countdown (41 more days!!) and I of COURSE pointed to the WrestleMania sign! 

Roman Reigns Promo on Brock Lesnar The commercial SAID there'd be a Brock vs Roman face off next. Roman is one of my favorites so I couldn't believe I saw Miz, Seth, Finn, and Roman ALL in a row! I would FINALLY see Brock, someone I'd never seen before, too. Right? HAHAHAHA!!! 

Roman came out and I totally fangirled, screamed. I mean come on. He's Roman! The crowd booed him and I did an over the top cheer because I love the dude. And that's when we learned Brock wasn't there even after being advertised. I was so annoyed. Then Roman cut the promo of his life. He captivated the audience. It was a pipebomb. The booing stopped and it became more cheers, oohs, and aaahs. Roman cut a promo that got fans interested in the match and turned haters into supporters. He said EXACTLY what many of us were thinking and to be such a Roman fan and to witness such a beautiful developmental moment for him and to be in a hostile crowd and watch it transform into a supportive one. Just. Wow. I'm so proud of him I can't even!! 

The Bar vs Titus Worldwide I noticed Charly Caruso sitting ringside so knew she'd be doing an interview. JoJo walked to the ring to announce The Bar. I knew it was them as the production guys circled the camera getting ready for their spiral entrance and it is even more epic in person! During the commercial, Cesaro literally did push ups and him and Sheamus chatted and joked around. It was so cool to see! Titus Worldwide had fun and it was great to see a 2 out of 3 falls match even though it was won after just 2 .

They announced Jarrius "JJ" Robertson for the Hall of Fame and wow what a beautiful and inspiring story. He received a standing ovation. Well deserved. ️️

Braun Strowman vs Elias It seems like every hour they change the ring, roll off the top layer and reveal another clean ring. I didn't notice that last time. But in the dark as a WWE ad was playing, the production guy put a stool in the ring and in the corner I could see Elias scurry to the ring literally 15 seconds before JoJo introduced him. And he has a great voice live! Before the match started, Braun dos crouching stretches in the ring and I just close seeing these little behind the scenes tidbits. Elias' match with Braun was great (the fire extinguisher!!) and the crowd popped when Braun went to the Announcer's Table! It was my first time seeing a fight spill to the backstage area live so that was cool and so was the loud GET THESE HANDS chant. 

The Authority, Ronda Rousey, and Kurt Angle Hearing "Bow Down to the King" live is incredible and I choked laughing when they showed Ronda slam Triple H through the table from the night before and in the ring Triple H immediately turned his entire body around in disgust! I was waiting for Kurt's music and the "You Suck" (missed that) BUT was happy to see Ronda come down angry. I've never seen her live so it's cool I've seen both Ronda Rousey from the world of MMA and Floyd Mayweather from boxing in a WWE ring in Anaheim (Floyd was a little over 10 years ago in 2008). "Bad Reputation" is such a jam live and Kurt was hilarious with wanting to keep his job and Ronda threatening Stephanie was too funny. Triple H's sucker punch rocked (I saw a meme become born before my eyes) and it ended very nicely! 

Dark Match-John Cena & Roman Reigns vs The Bar JoJo announced this match earlier and that made me happy since I didn't see either one wrestle. The Bar stood by the bell area and had a hilarious bit where Sheamus' mic didn't work and he incited a "You Look Stupid" chant. Cesaro's mic worked but when Sheamus had it, it didn't which was very funny! Solid match with Cena and Reigns winning. Cena took time to talk to a kid in his green shirt after the match and he took a selfie with a fan at ringside by the ramp. Roman acknowledged a girl who had a sign for him and signed some things in the front row, himself, shining that gorgeous smile of his. 

JoJo thanked us all for coming and we were on our way. Cena, Finn, and Sasha went to LA for SmackDown (Cena's challenge and then the Mixed Match Challenge) while the others went to the airport to head home until Friday where they'll be back on the road doing the fly in, eat, check in hotel, gym, arena for practicing moves, rehearsing, makeup, etc., wrestle, leave, and drive or fly to the next city, sleep in hotel and repeat. You really have to respect all that they do for us fans. I can't put into words the respect I have for the wrestlers. An incredible show with solid builds and seeds planted for WrestleMania from Roman vs Brock, to (maybe) Cena vs Taker, Sasha vs Bayley, Asula vs Alexa, Miz vs Finn vs Seth, Ronda/Kurt vs The Authority. Whew! Great seats, awesome crowd, and fun times! Thank you, WWE! #WWEAnaheim was an absolute thrill!