WWE‘s latest edition of Monday Night RAW went down on (2/27/23) from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Becky Lynch and Lita are the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after defeating IYO SKY and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL with some assistance from Trish Stratus!
Live Coverage
The show begins and we see a video package highlighting the issues between The Bloodline and Sami Zayn. We see the events that occurred on this past Friday’s edition of SmackDown, where Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn brawled while Jey Uso decided to not get involved.
We then head to the arena where Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa make their way down to the ring. Jimmy says he’s seen the talk online and he’s seen everyone say that The Bloodline is falling apart but that’s not true because all families have disagreements. Jimmy says if you come for one member of The Bloodline, you come for the entire Bloodline. Jimmy runs down all of The Bloodline’s victims thus far, most recently, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Jimmy says the same will happen to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 where Roman Reigns will not ‘get one’ over on The Tribal Chief. Jimmy says Roman will be at SmackDown on Friday night but tonight, he and Solo are ready to remind everyone who runs RAW. The Street Profits’ music hits and out come Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins.
Angelo makes fun of Sikoa not wearing shoes and Montez makes fun of Jey not being there with Jimmy. Montez says if he were the glue of The Bloodline like Jey, he’d be tired of The Bloodline too. Montez says Jimmy can’t run RAW because he can’t even run his own family. The Profits say they want the smoke and the brawl is on! Montez and Angelo stand tall and it’s announced that these four competitors will throw down in tag team action after the break!
Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa
Jimmy and Angelo start this one off. Jimmy trips Angelo to the mat and makes a quick tag to Solo. The youngest member of The Bloodline tosses Angelo to the corner but he gets slammed by Angelo, who makes the tag to Montez. The Profits nail Solo with a double-team move but Solo launches Montez to the opposite corner and makes the tag to Jimmy, who plants Ford and applies a head-lock. Montez powers out and makes the tag to Angelo, who sends Jimmy to the corner and crushes him with a corner splash. Uso grounds Angelo with a head-lock and makes the tag to Solo, who wallops Dawkins with a massive lariat as we head to a commercial break.
Back from the break and Solo has Angelo down in the corner. Solo goes for a corner splash but Angelo dives out and drills Solo with a flying elbow. Solo and Angelo make tags to Montez and Jimmy, respectively. Montez slams Jimmy and nails him with a standing moonsault and goes for the cover but Jimmy kicks out. Montez nails Solo with a kick on the apron, goes up top, and looks for his patented splash, Jimmy stands up, but Montez crushes him with a diving cross-body and goes for the cover but Jimmy lifts the shoulders after a two-count! Montez plants Jimmy with a spine-buster and makes the tag to Angelo. The Profits go for a double-team move but Solo knocks Ford off the top rope, makes the self-tag on Jimmy, and wallops Angelo with the Samoan Spike for the 1-2-3!
Winners – Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa
After the match, Jimmy and Solo continue the attack on the Profits. Solo grabs a steel chair and sets it up on Dawkins in the corner but Kevin Owens comes out of nowhere and takes out both Solo and Jimmy! Kevin escapes before The Bloodline can grab him and Jimmy and Solo do not look happy back inside of the ring.
Our commentary team of Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick announce that MVP will host the VIP Lounge alongside Omos, who will be looking for Brock Lesnar to respond to Omos’ WrestleMania 39 challenge. The VIP Lounge will go down after the break.
Back from the break and Brock Lesnar’s music hits and the ‘Beast Incarnate’ is wasting no time and not even waiting for MVP and Omos. Brock lays back on one of the couches and out comes MVP, who was set to host the ‘VIP Lounge’. MVP says when he invited Brock to RAW and the ‘VIP Lounge’ this isn’t exactly how he envisioned it. Brock sarcastically apologizes for being early and invites MVP into the ring but MVP says he’s OK just talking from a distance. Brock says he has no beef with MVP and he’s just about business. The crowd chants ‘Suplex City!’ and MVP tells them to stop. Brock says he’s there on business and he’s here to listen to MVP and be a guest on the ‘beautiful’ set of the ‘VIP Lounge’. MVP asks Brock if it’s OK if he comes in the ring and asks Brock to assure him that he won’t be suplexed. Brock gives the OK and MVP says he knows Brock is a man of his word and gets in the ring before having a seat on the opposite couch from Brock. MVP looks nervous and Brock says he’s open to the idea of him fighting Omos but he needs MVP to sell him on the idea. MVP says Brock is the ‘Beast Incarnate’ and if Brock gets his hands on somebody, it’s all over for them. MVP says Brock couldn’t have his way with Bobby Lashley at Elimination Chamber and he certainly wouldn’t be able to do anything to Omos because Omos isn’t an ordinary man. MVP says the beast can destroy any man but the giant will subdue and conquer the beast.
MVP says he can take almost anyone he wants to ‘Suplex City’ but he wouldn’t be able to do that to Omos. Brock says he got goosebumps from that sales pitch from MVP and high fives him. Brock says the pitch was ‘damn good’ and says he accepts the challenge. Brock says not only does he accept the challenge but suggests that they shake hands on the deal and give a toast to Brock Lesnar vs. Omos at WrestleMania. Brock says it’ll be Brock Lesnar vs. Omos with MVP in his corner at WrestleMania 39. Brock says he’s just a simple farmer and he grows the ‘good stuff’ and they’re gonna drink the ‘good stuff’. Lesnar has a flask in his pocket and takes a sip, MVP says he only wants champagne but Lesnar shoves the flask at MVP and says MVP better not make him drink alone. MVP takes a sip from the flask and Brock says it’s called ‘white lightning’. MVP accidentally spits the drink in Brock’s face and MVP looks a nervous wreck. MVP whips down Brock and hands him a handkerchief but Lesnar plants MVP with an F-5.
We then see Cathy Kelley backstage, who introduces Becky Lynch and Lita. The WWE Hall of Famer says it was always a dream of hers for there to be Women’s Tag Titles and even though her best days are behind her, she still wants some gold. Becky says she doesn’t usually play well with others but there’s nobody she’d rather capture the WWE Women’s Tag Titles with than Lita. Becky and Lita exit and we see Cody Rhodes walking through the backstage area and Cody will face Chad Gable after the break.
Cody Rhodes vs. Chad Gable (with Otis)
Rhodes sends Gable to the corner to start. Rhodes rolls Gable up but Gable rolls out and looks for the ankle lock but Rhodes kicks him face-first into the corner. Rhodes puts Gable on the top turnbuckle and plants Gable with a top rope DDT. Gable rolls to the outside to recover and we head to a commercial break. Back from the break and Gable is working over Rhodes’ left leg. Gable goes up top and looks for a diving headbutt but Rhodes rolls out of the way and drills Gable with a shoulder block. Rhodes plants Gable with a power-slam and the Disaster Kick before going for the cover but Gable kicks out. Rhodes locks in the figure four leg-lock but Gable drags himself to the ropes and grabs the bottom rope to force the referee to break up the hold. Rhodes springboards off the middle rope and looks for the Cody Cutter but Gable catches Rhodes and plants him with a German suplex. Gable looks for the backslide but turns it into a DDT, then goes up top, and drills Rhodes with a moonsault and goes for the cover but Rhodes lifts the shoulders at two-and-a-half!
Gable nails Rhodes with a chop to the chest, Rhodes does the same, Gable does once more, as does Rhodes, and Rhodes dumps Gable to the outside. Rhodes dives through the middle ropes and cracks Gable with an outside dive and Otis is distracted at ringside by Maxine Dupri. Rhodes directs Otis’ attention back to Dupri, Otis tries to attack Rhodes but ‘The American Nightmare’ sends Otis over the barricade. Rhodes rushes back into the ring and plants Gable with the Cody Cutter followed by the Cross Rhodes for the 1-2-3!
Winner – Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cody grabs a microphone and says we’re just 33 days away from WrestleMania. Cody says he’s yet to stand in the same ring as his opponent for WrestleMania, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Cody says he knows Roman will be at SmackDown this Friday night and that excites him…because he will be too! Cody exits and we head to a commercial break.
Back from the break and we see Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio of The Judgment Day backstage. Dominik calls out his father Rey once again, Rhea says she’s going to take out Charlotte Flair once and for all at WrestleMania, and Finn makes a challenge to Edge for WrestleMania.
We then see Maxine Dupri, Mace, and Mansoor backstage. The trio approach Otis and Maxine says if Otis can find a match tonight, they’ll be in his corner, because they want to take a closer look at him.
Asuka then makes her way down to the ring and she’ll face Carmella after the break.
Asuka vs. Carmella
Asuka unloads a bevy of shots on Carmella right as the bell sounds. Asuka drops a heavy kick on the back of Carmella and looks for the ankle lock. Carmella kicks Asuka back and lands a few back elbows onto a cornered Asuka. Carmella nails Asuka with a boot to the face and hits Asuka with a bronco buster before going for the cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka nails Carmella with a super-kick and goes for a cover of her own but Carmella lifts the shoulders. Asuka rushes at Carmella but Carmella ducks under the kick and Asuka goes spilling to the outside. Carmella drills Asuka with a super-kick on the outside and we head to a commercial break.
Back from the break and Carmella has control back in the middle of the ring. Asuka cracks Carmella with a bunch of shots and drills Carmella with a sliding knee as Carmella was trying to retreat to the outside. Asuka goes up top and looks for a missile drop-kick but Carmella evades and nails Asuka with a super-kick and goes for the cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka cradles Carmella but Carmella kicks out. A series of roll-ups ensue and Asuka locks in the arm-bar out of nowhere and Carmella has no choice but to tap out!
Winner – Asuka
After the match, Asuka screams in Japanese and calls out Bianca Belair. The RAW Women’s Champion wastes no time in making her way out and rushes the ring. Bianca says she doesn’t know what Asuka said but says she didn’t like her tone. Bianca says she’s here to remind Asuka that she’s the EST. of WWE and you can’t spell WrestleMania without EST. Carmella comes from behind and shoves Asuka into Bianca before exiting.
Piper Niven makes her way down to the ring and she’ll face Candice LeRae after the break.
Candice LeRae (with Nikki Cross) vs. Piper Niven
Candice rolls Piper up but Piper kicks out. Piper plants Candice with a slam then a senton and goes for the cover but Candice kick out. Piper applies a sleeper hold and fires Candice face-first into the corner. Candice trips Piper into the middle turnbuckle then goes up top but Piper dumps her to the outside. Piper tosses Candice back into the ring and launches Nikki Cross into the barricade. Candice rolls Piper up and gets the 1-2-3 after the distraction!
Winner – Candice LeRae
We then see Johnny Gargano backstage with Byron Saxton. Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest, Finn Balor, and Dominik Mysterio of The Judgment Day interrupt. Damian calls out Johnny and Finn says Otis is going to crush him tonight and if he doesn’t, he’ll finish the job himself. Johnny tells Finn that he’ll see him next week.
The Miz makes his way down to the ring and he’ll host ‘Miz TV’ after the break.
Back from the break and The Miz welcomes us to ‘Miz TV’. Miz talks about how great his wife Maryse is and says the anniversary gift that she gave him last week is the best gift he’s ever received in his life. Miz announces that he’ll host WrestleMania 39. Seth Rollins’ music hits and out comes the former Universal Champion. The crowd is singing Rollins’ theme song and Miz tells everyone to shutup. Rollins says he’s only here to congratulate Miz. Rollins says the only reason he attacked Miz was because he was being a jerk. Rollins asks Miz to call Logan Paul for him and Miz takes out his phone but declines to do so. Rollins drills Miz with a super-kick and grabs Miz’s phone. Rollins puts Miz’s phone up to Miz’s face to unlock it and he FaceTimes Logan Paul. Logan answers and Rollins asks Logan how his brother Jake Paul is doing after losing his boxing match last night. Rollins tells Logan to show up on RAW next week and Logan accepts. Rollins says ‘bye bye bitch’ and hangs up on Logan before he starts dancing and leading the crowd in a sing-along to his theme song. Miz tries to crawl to his phone but Rollins stomps him and makes his exit.
Bobby Lashley vs. Elias
Elias nails Lashley with a splash but Lashley slams him right down to the mat. Lashley fires Elias to the outside and Rick Boogs is watching backstage and writing down notes. Lashley sends Elias into the barricade and back into the ring, where he plants Elias with a flatliner and a spear before sitching in the ‘Hurt Lock’ and Elias goes out cold!
Winner – Bobby Lashley
After the match, Lashley grabs a microphone and says he’s in a bad mood. Lashley says he had Brock Lesnar beaten at Elimination Chamber before Lesnar took the coward’s way out. Lashley says he’s done playing games and if Bray Wyatt doesn’t keep his name out of his mouth, he’s going to hurt him. Lashley makes his way out but Bray Wyatt appears on the big screen. We see Bray’s old ‘Muscle Man Dance’ video and the current iteration of Wyatt appears on the screen and tells Lashley tor un.
We then see Chelsea Green backstage in Adam Pearce’s office. Green is still complaining about being sent to the wrong airport last week and Carmella comes in but Pearce leaves after saying he has a phone call. Carmella and Green both complain about Pearce and we head to a commercial break.
Otis (with Maxine Dupri, Mace, and Mansoor) vs. Johnny Gargano
Otis wallops Gargano with a lariat and a standing splash. Gargano kicks Otis back and drills him with a back elbow. Gargano super-kicks Otis out of the ring and dives over the top rope but Otis catches him and fires him into the announce table. Mace grabs Gargano but Dexter Lumis appears in the crowd and chokes Mace. Mansoor attacks Lumis but he’s quicky dispatched, Gargano nails Otis with a kick, a DDT on the apron, and plants Otis with a floating DDT over the top rope back into the ring for the 1-2-3!
Winner – Johnny Gargano
Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) (with Bayley) (C) vs. Becky Lynch & Lita — WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Lynch and SKY start this one off. Lynch makes a quick tag to Lita as SKY tags in Kai. Lita slams Kai and Kai makes the tag right back out to SKY. Lita tags in Lynch, who scoops and slams SKY and goes for the cover but SKY kicks out. Lynch and Lita nail both champions with some double-team offense and Lita goes up top for her patented moonsault but SKY slides to the outside. Becky leaps off the apron and takes out both members of Damage CTRL and we head to a commercial break. Back from the break and everyone’s brawling. SKY nails Lynch with a springboard moonsault on the outside and tosses Lynch back into the ring and goes for the cover but Lynch kicks out.
SKY makes the tag to Kai but SKY cracks Lynch with a super-kick on her way out, Kai makes the cover, but Lynch lifts the shoulders after a two-count. Kai slams Lynch and goes for another cover but Lynch kicks out once more. Lynch knocks SKY off the apron and trips Kai to the mat to try and create space to make the tag to Lita but Bayley trips Lita off the apron and Kai makes the tag to SKY. Damage CTRL plant Becky with a double slam and SKY goes for the cover but Lynch kicks out at two-and-a-half! Trish Stratus’ music hits and the WWE Hall of Famer rushes the ring and takes out Bayley at ringside! Lita and Stratus embrace, SKY makes the tag to Kai, and Lynch tags in Lita. SKY tosses Lita into the ropes but Lita plants her with a hurricanrana and an STO before going for the cover but SKY kicks out. Lita goes up top but SKY trips her back down to the mat and goes up top herself but she misses the moonsault. Lita plants SKY with the Twist of Fate and goes up top, Bayley gets on the apron but Stratus dispatches of Bayley. Kai tries to trip Lita but Becky holds Kai down and locks in the Disarm Her, Lita lands the moonsault on SKY and gets the 1-2-3! New champions!
Winners – Becky Lynch and Lita (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
After the match, Lynch, Lita, and Stratus all celebrate in the ring as the show goes off-the-air!
