SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE LIVE EVENT REPORT
FEBRUARY 1, 2019
SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA
REPORT BY MIKE MCGUIRE, PWTORCH CORRESPONDENT
First, I want to give major props to the WWE crew that braved the Saskatchewan cold to bring two shows to our area. The wind here alone makes things treacherous and, with 10-15 inches of snow falling over the couple of days, they have to drive our highways. It’s a journey a lot of locals would skip if they didn’t have to. Onto the show…
Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks were advertised, but didn’t make the show. Assuming it might have been a flight issue, but not sure. Instead of Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship, Finlay came out as the authority figure and made a match between Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, Dean Ambrose and Lashley as a Fatal Four-way.
As a replacement for Sasha, Natalya came out as Bayley’s surprise tag team partner – a great sub here in the frozen Canadian tundra.
Something really stood out to me about tonight though:
While it’s no secret Dean Ambrose is leaving, he performed as professionally as one could. The show needed him to work as a face, so he did. He cut a great opening promo, and worked as though he was still interested in giving the best he could. Even though he took the pin, he was quite enjoyable and made me realize how big of a star he could have been.
Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush announce Rollins is not in attendance. Enter Ambrose, McIntyre, and Balor all wanting a shot at the Intercontinental Title. Finlay came out and announced the main event will be a Fatal Four-way for the title.
(1) Bobby Roode & Chad Gable beat The Revival to retain the WWE Raw Tag Team Titles. Dash Wilder openly yelled, “Let me go! Release Me!” during the Revival’s entrance. At first I laughed, but as I watched Gable run the game, Roode work as the wiley veteran, and even Dawson do his best to perform, Wilder’s comments reflected his performance. I’m not saying he was terrible, but with five people in there (refs matter, dammit!), it was clear he just doesn’t want to be there. It was disappointing as this was the first time I got to see the Revival up close and was looking forward to it.
(2) Nikki Cross defeated Tamina via quick roll up.
(3) Apollo Crews defeated Elias. Elias worked heel, but was still largely over with the crowd.
(4) Braun Strowman defeated Baron Corbin.
(5) Heath Slater & Rhyno & Titus O’Neil defeated Rezar & The Ascension (w/Drake Maverick).
(6) Bayley & Natalya defeated Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan (w/Liv Morgan). This ended with triple sharpshooters applied by Bayley and Nattie.
(7) Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) defeated Dean Ambrose and Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre when he pinned Ambrose to retain the Intercontinental Championship. Post-match shenanigans saw Lashley attack Balor, only for Finn to turn things around and hit the Coup de Gras to send the fans home happy.
Ring announcer: Dasha Fuentes
Attendance: (Pre walk-up numbers) 3500
Show length: 2.5 hrs
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