Aj Styles: aj styles to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame, Undertaker announces
Undertaker walked into the Raw that aired Feb. 23 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta and announced that AJ Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after AJ Styles officially retired. The moment capped a show built around a tribute to The Phenomenal One and set the tone for a night of qualifying matches and heated confrontations.
Undertaker’s announcement and the disrupted tribute
After AJ Styles officially retired, Undertaker arrived to announce that The Phenomenal One would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The planned tribute did not proceed cleanly: Gunther interrupted Corey Graves and Michael Cole at the top of the show, taking exception to the tribute. Raw general manager Adam Pearce ordered Gunther out of the arena; The Ring General left under protest, only to be ambushed by Dragon Lee after they were separated backstage. Dragon Lee’s attack on Gunther was noted as the second time he had hit Gunther in as many weeks.
Jey Uso wins Triple Threat to qualify for the Elimination Chamber
Jey Uso overcame Bronson Reed and the "Original" El Grande Americano in a Triple Threat match to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Americano showcased his strength by taking Reed out of the contest with an enormous German suplex, and moments later Uso speared Americano and landed an Uso Splash to pick up the win. The victory sent Uso into the Elimination Chamber match on Saturday and, per the show’s buildup, into position for a world title shot that could headline WrestleMania for a second consecutive year.
Reed at one point appeared to suffer a wrist or forearm injury that would take him out of the contest and require medical attention at ringside. The broadcast also noted recent results: on Feb. 16, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and LA Knight lost to Bronson Reed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory; on Feb. 9, El Grande Americano and Je'Von Evans defeated Los Americanos.
Cody Rhodes, The Vision and The Usos collide in the opening segment
After Dragon Lee and Gunther were separated backstage, former undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes appeared and made his way to the squared circle for the scheduled opening segment. The Vision, led by Paul Heyman, interrupted Rhodes before he could speak and cut a promo. The Vision attempted to ambush Cody Rhodes, but they retreated when The American Nightmare got backup from World Tag Team Champions The Usos. The Usos backed up Cody Rhodes against The Vision, changing the course of the opening confrontation.
Liv Morgan selects Stephanie Vaquer for WrestleMania 42
Women's Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan, flanked by her beau Dominik Mysterio, revealed which champion she would challenge at WrestleMania 42 and chose Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Mysterio called out both women's world champion Stephanie Vaquer and WWE women's champion Jade Cargill before Morgan spoke. Morgan apologized to La Primera and said that WrestleMania 42 was about telling her story; she then blasted Vaquer with the microphone, beat her down and left her lying following an ObLIVion.
Nattie stops Maxxine Dupri after a vicious ringside knockout
Nattie attacked Maxxine Dupri from the opening bell and ultimately defeated Maxxine Dupri referee stoppage after ruthlessly knocking her out at ringside. The show noted that their prior encounter on Feb. 9 had ended in a double count-out.
The Feb. 23 Raw at State Farm Arena in Atlanta mixed the Hall of Fame announcement from Undertaker with qualifying stakes for the Elimination Chamber and storyline shifts for WrestleMania 42, leaving multiple angles — from Jey Uso’s Chicago-bound victory to Liv Morgan’s chosen opponent — in motion heading into the premium live events to come.
