WWE Raw: Kane and Brock Lesnar in wild brawl
Tuesday 2 January 2018 08:40, UK
Brock Lesnar and Kane had to be separated by almost the entire Raw roster as their rivalry boiled over in Miami.
The Universal champion was introduced n typically grand style by his advocate Paul Heyman, who told the crowd they were witnessing the start of the 'Year of the Beast' on the first Monday Night Raw of 2018.
But Kane - who alongside Braun Strowman will compete for Lesnar's title in a triple threat match at the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia later this month - had other ideas, and levelled the champion with a chokeslam.
The drama, however, did not stop there, as Lesnar sat up and laughed before sending the Big Red Machine flying to the outside with a clothesline over the top rope.
The majority of the Raw men's roster was then required to separate the pair as they brawled around ringside at the conclusion of the show.
Reigns makes Intercontinental title defence
Roman Reigns made the latest defence of his Intercontinental championship with a win over Samoa Joe in an excellent match.
The champion went into the contest knowing a disqualification would see the title change hands, after he lost to Joe by that verdict for shoving the referee last week.
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There was an uncomfortable moment for Reigns towards the end when he collided with the official after a push by his opponent, and it appeared for a moment that he would be disqualified.
But the match continued and the Big Dog was able to pick up a decisive win with a huge spear after breaking out of the Coquina Clutch.
Asuka puts down title marker
Kurt Angle opened the show by confirming the women's Royal Rumble match will be contested over the same rules as the men's - with 30 competitors, and the winner getting a title shot at WrestleMania.
As it stands, Asuka is a Rumble entrant and Alexa Bliss is the Raw women's champion but that could change between now and the January 28 pay-per-view, at least if their match on Raw is anything to go by.
With Bliss' acolyte Nia Jax delivering chicken soup to an ill Enzo Amore - who missed his Cruiserweight title match against Cedric Alexander as a result - the champion had to go it alone against the Empress of Tomorrow in a non-title match.
And it was Asuka who came out on top, forcing Bliss to submit with her armbar.
Balor reunited with Gallows and Anderson
The year 2017 saw no shortage of wrestling reunions and it appears 2018 will be no different, with Finn Balor reuniting with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
The trio joined forces to take on Elias and the Miztourage and collected the win after the Good Brothers hit a Magic Killer on Bo Dallas, followed by a Coup de Grace from Balor for the victory.
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