The March 19th, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s show:
Brock Lesnar Attacked A Defenseless Roman Reigns
RAW GM Kurt Angle came down to the ring and announced that Roman Reigns’ suspension is still in effect and that he is not here tonight. Angle added that Brock Lesnar still hasn’t arrived but assured everyone that the Universal Champion will be here tonight. Angle went to discuss Braun Strowman’s Tag Team Battle Royal victory last week, but Roman Reigns was shown in the crown. Reigns grabbed a microphone and hopped in the ring as Angle stated that he was trespassing.
Roman said that he didn’t care that he was trespassing and added that somebody has to be here to represent the main event of WrestleMania. Angle said that Lesnar will be here but he is running late tonight. Reigns didn’t like that he was suspended for telling the truth. Angle said that he understands that Reigns is upset, but that he needs to be patient and wait three weeks until WrestleMania 34. Roman stated that he still doesn’t care and that he is not leaving the ring until he faces Brock Lesnar tonight.
Reigns grabbed a steel chair and took a seat in the ring. Some “U.S. Marshals” came down tot he ring and handcuffed Roman Reigns after reading him his rights. Reigns started elbowing the U.S. Marshals in the face and stomping on them. Brock Lesnar’s music hit and Lesnar rushed the ring as Reigns was handcuffed. Lesnar hit a German Suplex on Reigns and then beat him down with a steel chair. Paul Heyman held up the Universal Championship as Lesnar hit Roman with another German Suplex.
Brock hit another German Suplex and then hit Roman with the chair one more time before getting out of the ring. Lesnar took off his shirt and rean back into the ring. Lesnar hit Reigns with the chair a couple more times and followed it up with another German Suplex. Lesnar got out of the ring, got back into the ring and planted Reigns with an F-5.
Reigns was loaded onto a stretcher as the crowd chanted “you deserve it!”. Lesnar sprinted back down to the ringside area and shoved the stretcher over.
Opinion: Only two more episodes of RAW until WrestleMania 34. That means there will be roughly 30 minutes more of this hot-garbage storyline that I have to sit through until the PPV. WWE will desperately try to get you to get on Reigns’ side a couple more times before the PPV, in a pathetic attempt to get you to cheer for Reigns when he wins the title.
The match will generate a general boo from the WrestleMania crowd and then Reigns will get booed out of the building after he wins. The following night on RAW, Reigns will once again be booed and WWE’s response to that will be months of boring television with Reigns as the Universal Champion. I’ve just accepted it at this point. I’d like to think that the WWE Championship match will go on last at WrestleMania 34, instead of this tragedy as the main event. However, it would be fitting to hear Michael Cole shouting “THE BIG DOG HAS RECLAIMED HIS YARD!”, or something equally as nauseating as WrestleMania 34 goes off the air.
Kurt Angle Announced That Alexa Bliss Will Defend Her Title Against Nia Jax At WrestleMania 34
RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss came down to the ring with Mickie James. Alexa said that she was joking around with Mickie last week and that it was just “girl talk” when they were insulting Nia Jax. Bliss said “I’m sorry” before adding that she was sorry that she didn’t speak the truth sooner. Alexa noted that she doesn’t feel any remorse for what she said about Nia Jax and that she loved every second of humiliating her. Bliss called Nia dumb for thinking that they were actually friends. Bliss stated that it felt good to drop “300 lbs of sad loser”. Alexa then vowed to end Asuka’s undefeated streak and Asuka came down to the ring.
Bliss controlled the match early and beatdown Asuka in the corner. Alexa threw Asuka out of the ring and then distracted the referee, which allowed Mickie James to connect with a cheap shot. Bliss got out of the ring and bounced Asuka’s face off the ring apron before throwing her back into the ring. Bliss went for the cover but Asuka kicked out at two.
Alexa applied a Chin Lock but Asuka quickly broke the hold. Bliss connected with a Dropkick for a two count and then went right back to the Chin Lock. Asuka battled to her feet and connected with a Hip Attack in the corner. Asuka connected with a knee to the face for a two count. Asuka hopped onto the second rope but Mickie James hopped up on the ring apron and distracted her. Bliss shoved Asuka out of the ring and Mickie once again hit her with a cheap shot.
Back in the ring, Alexa applied the Chin Lock once again in the middle of the ring. Asuka once again broke the hold and threw Bliss to the mat. Alexa battled back and threw Asuka out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Alexa Bliss was still in control and was setting up to leap off the top rope. Asuka joined Bliss up there and went for a Superplex but Alexa blocked it. Bliss then slammed Asuka to the mat for two. Bliss threw a tantrum and smacked the canvas a few times after Asuka kicked out.
Asuka applied an Ankle Lock to Alexa in the middle of the ring. Alexa crawled to the ropes and Asuka had to break the hold. Alexa grabbed her ankle as the referee started counting. Alexa and Mickie started walking up the entrance ramp and Bliss was counted out. Nia Jax’s music hit and Nia charged down the ramp. Nia leveled Mickie on the entrance ramp and then chased Alexa around the ring. Bliss jumped over the barricade but Nia caught her by the hair. Nia slammed Mickie into the ring post as Alexa Bliss escaped through the crowd. Nia chased after her and the two ran backstage.
A few minutes later on RAW, Kurt Angle was interrupted by Alexa backstage. Bliss demanded that Nia Jax should be arrested. Kurt Angle stumbled ridiculously through his promo before finally gathering himself. Angle stated that the RAW Women’s Champion should be a role model and not a bully. Angle announced that Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at WrestleMania 34.
Opinion: I like this storyline. Nia Jax impressed me a couple of weeks back by conveying real emotion and breaking down after Alexa Bliss pointed out every one of her flaws under the guise of an inspirational speech. I liked Alexa being revealed as a vile person last week when she was unaware that the cameras were rolling. I’m enjoying it and hopefully Nia gets her WrestleMania moment on April 8th. I’m not expecting a five star match or anything like that, I just think this storyline is being executed well. The evidence was in the cheer Nia Jax got when she came down the entrance ramp tonight.
Braun Strowman Will Have To Find A Tag Partner Before WrestleMania 34
Braun Strowman came down to the ring and the crowd greeted him with “get these hands!” chants. Strowman said that he won the RAW Tag Team Battle Royal last week by himself and that now he is going to WrestleMania 34. Braun noted that management informed him that he has to have a partner. Strowman stated that he knows he can win the tag titles by himself, but was interrupted by Sheamus and Cesaro.
Sheamus said that Strowman was out of his mind for thinking that he could beat The Bar by himself. Cesaro said that it takes a long time to form a great team. You have to train together, eat together and sleep together. Strowman and the crowd cracked up when Cesaro said that he sleeps with Sheamus. Sheamus grabbed the microphone and told everyone to grow up and that Cesaro simply meant that they room together. Strowman told them to shut up and announced that RAW GM Kurt Angle told Braun that he has a match against either Sheamus or Cesaro. Strowman asked who wanted to get these hands before throwing the microphone out of the ring.
Both Sheamus and Cesaro hopped up onto the entrance ramp at the same time. Sheamus held back as Cesaro got into the ring. Strowman beat the hell out of Sheamus in the corner before launching him out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Strowman was still kicking Cesaro’s ass. Strowman slammed Cesaro into the barricade and started chasing after Sheamus. Cesaro tried to jump off the steel steps onto Strowman but Braun caught him and slammed him into the barricade again.
Back in the ring, Strowman charged at Cesaro in the corner but Cesaro dodged it and Braun slammed into the ring post. Cesaro unloaded a flurry of uppercuts. Cesaro connected with an uppercut off the second rope for a two count. Braun connected with a massive right hand and then got out of the ring. Strowman leveled Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and got back into the ring. Cesaro tried to hit a Crossbody off the second rope but Braun was ready and planted him with a Powerslam for the victory.
Bayley & Sasha Banks Couldn’t Get On The Same Page And It Cost Them
Sasha Banks and Bayley teamed up to face Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Sasha Banks came down to the entrance ramp with a microphone and said that Bayley was her best friend and that they need to fix their issues. Banks said that Elimination Chamber was every woman for themselves and that she wasn’t to hurt Bayley’s feelings. She was trying to win the RAW Women’s Championship.
Banks brought up Bayley refusing to tag in after Elimination Chamber and then turning her back on her again the following week. Banks said that was two times Bayley left her and then forgave her because she considered Bayley as her sister. Bayley grabbed a microphone and admitted that she was angry following Elimination Chamber and that is why she didn’t tag in. Bayley added that she actually helped Sasha win her match the following week and just took off after the match was over.
Bayley said that she cannot get over what Sasha did to her at the Elimination Chamber. Bayley stated that the glare in Sasha’s eye and the smirk she gave after screwing her over ate at her core. Bayley claimed that she cannot get that picture out of her head and asked Sasha why knocking her off the pod was so easy, like it meant nothing.
Paige’s music hit and Absolution came down to the entrance ramp. Paige called Sasha and Bayley “whiney little girls” and Absolution matched down to the ring. Sasha Banks and Sonya Deville started off the match. Banks slapped Sonya in the face and launched her into the turnbuckle. Deville knocked Bayley off the ring apron and threw Sasha out of the ring as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Mandy Rose had Bayley trapped in a Chin Lock. Bayley broke free and slammed Rose’s head into the turnbuckle. Sasha tagged in and Bayley went for a cover on Rose. Banks shoved Bayley off Mandy and went for the cover. Rose kicked out and knocked Banks to the corner. Deville tagged in and stomped on Banks in the corner of the ring. Sonya slammed Banks to the mat and connected with a knee to her back for a two count.
Mandy Rose tagged back in and locked Banks in the Abdominal Stretch. Deville and Rose took turns beating down Banks in the corner. Sasha broke free and crawled across the ring. Deville grabbed her but Sasha was able to break free and tag in Bayley. Bayley planted Sonya with a Suplex and followed it up with an elbow for a two count. Mandy Rose and Sasha battled in the corner as Bayley rolled up Deville. The referee was distracted by Sasha and Mandy and didn’t see it right away. Bayley got pissed off and got in Sasha’s face and the two started arguing. Deville attacked them both from behind and then booted Bayley in the face for the pinfall victory.
Opinion: I was interested in this storyline for a bit, but I’ve completely lost interest. I want to see Bayley get pissed off during these segments. There is just not nearly energy in these promos to get people invested in my opinion. I don’t even think this is going to wind up leading to a match at WrestleMania 34. Bayley might just eliminate Sasha during the women’s Battle Royal or vice versa.
Kane Chokeslammed John Cena
John Cena stated that as long as there is a WWE, the name Undertaker has meaning. Cena asked the Dallas crowd how they felt about a match between The Undertaker and John Cena. The crowd chanted “yes!” and then Cena asked again and they got even louder. Cena said that The Undertaker’s response to his challenge last week has been silence.
Cena said that is the biggest mistake The Undertaker has ever made. Cena called it disrespectful of The Undertaker to not get off his ass and give a response. John continued and claimed that it was disrespectful to every single fan The Undertaker has. Cena noted that without the fans, there would have been no WrestleMania streak and no Undertaker.
The crowd started to chant “we want Taker!” and Cena held up the microphone. Cena stated that everybody would understand if The Undertaker is retired, but he hasn’t said it yet. Cena added that The Undertaker is not the god that the fans made, he is now the man that he has allowed himself to become and that man is a coward. Cena shouted into the microphone “The Undertaker is a coward” and demanded a response. Cena said that he would settle for a casket rolling down the ramp or some lightning, anything besides The Undertaker sitting there and doing nothing.
The crowd then started to chant “do something!” as Cena stood in the ring. The crowd then went silent and Cena said that was The Undertaker letting everyone down that has ever believed in him. Cena added that The Undertaker is not a god and that he should barely be able to call himself a man right now.
Kane’s music hit and Kane made his way down the entrance ramp. Kane got into the ring as Cena got escited. Cena asked Kane for The Undertaker’s response and tried to hand Kane the microphone. Kane Chokeslammed Cena and exited the ring.
It was later announced that Cena will face Kane next week on RAW.
Opinion: John Cena cut another very good promo tonight and continued to take shots at The Undertaker. I’m guessing that we will see The Undertaker once before WrestleMania 34. There is nothing like a Kane sighting to slow everything down to a halt and ruin whatever momentum there was. It was a complete buzzkill when his theme hit, but other than it was another entertaining promo by Cena.
Seth Rollins Saved Finn Balor
Intercontinental Champion The Miz came down to the ring alongside Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas. The Miz complained about not being on any promotional material for WrestleMania 34 and shouted that he doesn’t get any respect. The Miz bitched about AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar defending their titles in singles matches at WrestleMania.
The Miz stated that he exposed Finn Balor and Seth Rollins last week on Miz TV. The Miz referred to Rollins and Balor as “Tyler Black” and “Prince Devitt” and poked fun at all of their little indie fans. Gallows & Anderson interrupted and came down to the ring. Finn Balor then joined them for a 6-man tag match. Seth Rollins joined commentary for the match.
Finn Balor was trapped in the corner early and The Miz & The Miztourage beat him down. Karl Anderson finally tagged in and beatdown Axel. Anderson knocked Dallas off the ring apron and then connected with a Crossbody on Axel for a two count. The Miz tagged in and planted Anderson with a DDT as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Balor tagged back in and cleaned house. Finn flipped onto Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel outside the ring. Balor threw Bo back into the ring and climbed to the top rope. Axel shoved Balor and he he fell crotch-first onto the top turnbuckle. The Miz tagged in and went for a roll-up but Balor kicked him and The Miz slammed into Axel on the ring apron. Balor rolled up The Miz for the victory.
The Miz and The Miztourage attacked Balor after the match. Dallas and Axel beatdown Gallows & Anderson outside the ring and Rollins came down to the ring. Rollins hit the Curb Stomp onto The Miz and then had a stare down with Balor. Seth told Finn that he owes him one as Rollins’ music hit.
Bray Wyatt Was Deleted
Bray Wyatt arrived at the Hardy Compound for the Great War. Wyatt approached the gates with his lantern and was greeted by Vanguard 1. Matt Hardy’s face appeared on the drown and he informed Wyatt to follow the music.
A piano could be heard in the distance and Bray started walking towards it. Reby Hardy played the piano as Matt Hardy danced along inside a ring. Bray joined Hardy in the ring as Matt shouted “Bray Wyatt, I knew you’d come!”. RAW went to a break as Hardy and Wyatt stared at each other.
When RAW returned, Vanguard 1(drone) was circling the ring as Bray and Matt chuckled. Matt shouted that the time for laughter was over. Vanguard 1 initiated attack mode as Hardy planted Bray with a Russian Leg Sweep for a one count. Matt took off his jacket and shouted “delete!” a few times. Wyatt went for a Sister Abigal but Matt blocked it. Bray leveled Matt with a Clothesline and shouted that he was a god.
Bray said that he forgot to give Matt a housewarming gift and grabbed a chair from under the ring. Bray gave the chair a smooch as Hardy told Vanguard 1 to initiate. Vanguard initiated “Boomstick Protocol” and fireworks started going off beside the ring. Hardy grabbed the chair and started hitting Bray with it.
Wyatt rolled out of the ring and Hardy followed him. They then entered “Dilapidated City” and Hardy asked Wyatt if it reminded him of anything. Hardy started laughing as footage of the Wyatt compound that Randy Orton burnt down flashed on the screen. Hardy hit Bray with a kendo stick and tried to hit him again but Wyatt blocked it. Wyatt grabbed the kendo stick and slammed Hardy into the building a couple of times.
Bray took his eyes off of Hardy and Matt escaped into the darkness. Wyatt followed him to the Land of Obsolete Men. Matt hid as Wyatt chased him all around. Hardy eventually escaped once again and Wyatt continued his search for him.
Hardy tried to attack Wyatt but Bray was ready and launched him into a tree. Bray slammed Matt into a garage door and it opened. Matt crawled into the Dome of Deletion as Wyatt continued to beat him down. Bray tried to slam Matt onto the piano but Hardy blocked it. Matt grabbed a ladder and struck Wyatt with it a few times.
Matt debated whether to choose the “chair of wheels” or the “mower of lawns”. Matt chose the mower of lawns and rode towards Bray. Wyatt got up in his spider pose and the mower of lawns stopped.
Bray beatdown Matt and said that this was Matt’s ultimate deletion. Wyatt dragged Matt back outside and to the Lake of Reincarnation. Hardy shouted at his friend, Skarsgard the Dilapidated Boat, that it cannot end this way. Vanguard 1 initiated into Attack Mode and flew at Wyatt as he set up for the Sister Abigail. Wyatt grabbed the drone and said that he will deal with it later.
Bray flipped over Skarsgard and found Senor Benjamin under it with a globe in his hands. Senor Benjamin threw the globe at Bray and he caught it. Senor Benjamin started singing “he’s got the whole world in his hands” and Brother Nero Jeff Hardy appeared next to Wyatt. Brother Nero sang “he’s got the whole world in his hands” as well. They then disappeared and Matt Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for the pinfall victory.
Wyatt said that this wasn’t over as Hardy shoved him into the lake. Hardy asked Senor Benjamin to retrieve Bray Wyatt’s carcass from the Lake of Reincarnation. Senor Benjamin said that he wasn’t there and Matt Hardy declared that the Great War was over. RAW went off the air with Matt Hardy shouting “delete!”.
Opinion: I hope that the Great War is not ovah because I really enjoyed this. This feud has absolutely sucked up until tonight. There needs to be more ridiculousness like this every week from the “Woken” universe. I’m sure those that only watch WWE and live inside that bubble found this to be stupid. I thought it was great and WWE could use more creativity on their shows every week. As for the entire episode of RAW, it was another letdown leading up until WrestleMania 34. WWE stated that Ronda Rousey was going to be at every RAW up until WrestleMania and she once again wasn’t live on the show tonight.
What did you think of this week’s RAW? Let us know in the comments below.