WWE Raw: Women's Royal Rumble match announced

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon made a special announcement Monday, declaring that for the first time ever, the WWE will hold a Women's Royal Rumble match.

McMahon made the announcement, that closed out Raw, following a Tag Team Match between Bayley, Sasha Banks and Mickie James against Absolution consisting of Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.

The match ended in a disqualification that led to a brawl featuring Raw's women's division with the fighting coming to a stop once McMahon's entrance music began playing.

"All of you have inspired people all over the world with your courage, with your passion, with your unbridled talent, but that's not enough," McMahon said and challenged the women to make history once again with an all female led Royal Rumble match.

The announcement came as a surprise to the Superstars in the ring which also included Asuka, Nia Jax, Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox who were seen celebrating and even shedding a few tears.

Also on Raw, general manager Kurt Angle announced who reigning Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will be defending his title against at the Royal Rumble after last week's No. 1 contender match between Braun Strowman and Kane ended in a double count out.

Angle's solution was to announce that Lesnar will be taking on both Strowman and Kane in a Triple Threat Match before he quickly left the ring.

Lesnar then clotheslined Strowman out of the ring and delivered an F-5 to Kane before he exited the arena alongside his advocate, Paul Heyman. To The Beast's surprise however, Kane was able to sit right up after receiving the finishing maneuver.

The Royal Rumble which begins the road to WrestleMania and will feature Superstars from both Raw and Smackdown, is set to take place Jan. 28.

Other moments from Raw included Seth Rollins defeating Jason Jordan; Finn Balor and a returning Hideo Itami defeating The Miztourage; Cedric Alexander becoming the No. 1 contender to Enzo Amore's Cruiserweight Championship after defeating Drew Gulak; Asuka defeating Fox; Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus and Samoa Joe defeating Dean Ambrose, Rollins and Jordan; Woken Matt Hardy discussing his Great War against Bray Wyatt; a returning Revival defeating Heath Slater and Rhyno; and Elias declaring himself for the men's Royal Rumble match.