WWE Monday Night Raw Review – February 27, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Raw with Lita & Becky Lynch arriving at the arena before we head to a video of the confrontation between The Usos & Sami Zayn on last week’s Smackdown.
Jimmy Uso grabs a mic and says he’s seen everyone talking about the problems within The Bloodline. He says it might look that way from the outside in but families fight all the time. Jimmy says if you come for one member of The Bloodline then you come for all of The Bloodline. He says Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn have been unsuccessful at attempting to bring them down then says Cody Rhodes will not beat Roman Reigns. Jimmy promotes Reigns’ appearance on Smackdown this coming Friday and says he & Sikoa are here to remind everyone who runs Raw.
Street Profits’ music hits, and they head down to the ring with a mic in hand. They mock Jimmy & Sikoa, then make fun of Jey Uso’s absence from ringside. Street Profits call him out and say he can’t blame him for staying away because he’s tired of keeping The Bloodline together. Ford says Jimmy & Sikoa have the nerve to come on their show to do Reigns’ dirty work. Jimmy tells them to keep Reigns’ name out of their mouth, and The Profits say they want the smoke. They then go after Jimmy & Sikoa and send them out of the ring.
Tag Team Match
The Bloodline (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa) vs. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Jimmy Uso & Angelo Dawkins lock up. Dawkins whips Jimmy into the corner, but Jimmy comes back with an open palm strike and tags in Solo Sikoa. Sikoa delivers a chop but Dawkins comes back with a dropkick and tags in Montez Ford. Street Profits deliver a double dropkick before Jimmy tags in and delivers a right hand.
He follows it up with a headbutt but Ford delivers another dropkick and tags in Dawkins. Dawkins delivers a splash in the corner then follows it up with an enziguri and a right hand. Sikoa tags in and pounces at Dawkins with a right hand that sends us to a break.
After the break Sikoa delivers a Samoan Drop to Dawkins. He fires off right hands, then delivers a hip attack in the corner. He delivers a superkick to Ford on the apron before he turns into a back elbow from Dawkins. Jimmy & Ford tag in.
Ford fires off several right hands, then follows it up with an uppercut and a lariat. He then hits a back suplex and a standing moonsault, then goes for a pin but Jimmy kicks out.
Ford delivers an enziguri and ascends to the top but Jimmy meets him there. Ford headbutts him off the top and delivers a From The Havens then goes for a pin & Jimmy kicks out and Ford delivers a thrust kick and a knee. Jimmy fires back with an enziguri, but Ford fires back with a spinebuster.
Sikoa makes the blind tag as Dawkins tags in. He gets Jimmy in an electric chair position as Ford ascends to the top but Sikoa saves Jimmy. He then delivers the Samoan Spike to Dawkins for the win.
Winners: The Bloodline
After the match The Bloodline continue to beat down Street Profits. Sikoa grabs a chair and places it over Ford in the corner and looks to charge at him but Kevin Owens runs in out of nowhere and catches him with a kick. He then delivers a Stunner to Jimmy and retreats.
We are back from the break, Brock Lesnar’s music hits and he heads to the ring, where the VIP Lounge set has been laid out. Lesnar sits on one of the couches as MVP head down with a mic in hand.
MVP says he didn’t envision Lesnar accepting his challenge on behalf of Omos, and Lesnar invites him to join him in the ring. MVP declines to do so, and Lesnar says he has no problem with him. He says he’s here on business and came to the ring to hear his pitch for a WrestleMania match with Omos, promising no suplexes will be given out.
MVP gets in the ring and sits down on the other couch. Lesnar says he wasn’t insulted by what he said last week and tells him to give him the pitch. MVP says Lesnar is The Beast and if his opponent is hit with an F5 or suplex, then they are done. He says if you put your hands on a giant, then the giant puts his hands back on you. He says a beast can subdue any man but a giant will conquer a beast.
Lesnar tells him he made a damn good case and accepts his challenge, then says they should shake on it and drink on it. The pair shake on it and MVP pops open a bottle of champagne. Lesnar tells him not to do that, then says he grows the good stuff. He pulls a canteen out of the inside pocket of his vest and makes a toast. He takes a swig of his canteen then offers it to MVP. MVP says he would rather drink the champagne, and Lesnar shoves the canteen against his chest. MVP takes it out of fear of being attacked and asks what’s in it. Lesnar says it’s White Lightning and MVP takes a sip. He finds it too strong and spits it out in Lesnar’s face. He tries helping Lesnar wipe his face, but Lesnar pushes his hand off before hitting him with an F5.
2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes vs. Chad Gable
Cody Rhodes delivers a drop toe hold then he gets Chad Gable up on his shoulders but Gable escapes and delivers a right hand. He delivers a boot and ascends to the top, but Rhodes meets him there and delivers an inverted superplex that takes us to a break.
After the break Gable delivers a dragon screw to Rhodes. He ascends to the top and looks for a diving headbutt but Rhodes moves out of the way and delivers his signature slap. He follows it up with a powerslam and a Disaster Kick then goes for a pin but Gable kicks out.
Rhodes locks in a Figure 4 but Gable grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Rhodes delivers a right hand to Gable’s head and looks for a 2nd Disaster Kick, but Gable catches him with a German suplex. He follows it up with an elevated DDT and a moonsault off the top then goes for a pin but Rhodes kicks out.
They go back & forth with chops before Rhodes sends Gable out of the ring and catches him with a tope suicida. Gable calls for Otis but Otis is distracted with something. Rhodes points to where he is looking as the referee begins a 10 count.
He tosses Otis in the barricade and gets back in the ring, then delivers the Cody Cutter & Cross Rhodes for the win.
Winner: 2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes
After the match Rhodes calls for a mic and says WrestleMania is 33 days away. He says he has yet to step in the ring with Roman Reigns and says he is ecstatic that Reigns will be on Smackdown this coming Friday because he will be there too.
We head backstage to Byron Saxton is with Baron Corbin. Saxton says Corbin requested this time, but Saxton cuts him off and runs over to Kevin Owens. He asks Owens if he’s worried about consequences from The Bloodline due to his actions tonight, and Owens says he isn’t. He says everything happening to The Bloodline was because of the consequences of their actions.
We are back from the break, we head backstage to Judgment Day. Damian Priest tells everyone to rise for Judgment Day, and Dominik Mysterio says he had a little family reunion with Rey Mysterio on this past Friday’s Smackdown. He rags on his father, then says he will be on Smackdown this Friday with Rhea Ripley during her match with Liv Morgan. He says he will show the world what a coward is. Ripley addresses Charlotte Flair and says she didn’t have to say a word to her because she knew when she stepped in the ring with her. She says she saw acceptance in her eyes and says she will walk out of WrestleMania as Smackdown Women’s Champion. Finn Balor then addresses Edge and says their issues aren’t over until he says so. He challenges Edge to a match at WrestleMania to put an end to things for good.
We then head over to Otis. Maximum Male Models approaches him and Maxxine Dupri asks Otis if he’s had a chance to consider her offer. She says the 3 of them would love to see him in action tonight, and he goes looking for Adam Pearce.
Carmella vs. Asuka
Match begins with a lock up then Asuka fires off several right elbows then follows it up with a series of kicks and knees. She looks for an Ankle Lock but Carmella escapes and delivers several rapid fire back elbows and a senton. Asuka delivers a knee to Carmella’s head before Carmella rolls to the outside for a breather. Asuka chases her back into the ring and charges at her but Carmella sends her to the outside and delivers a kick to her head that takes us to a break.
After the break Carmella slaps Asuka while Asuka laughs. She delivers a series of kicks and a German suplex, then sends Carmella to the outside and hits a kick off the apron. They get back in the ring and Asuka looks to go flying off the top but Carmella rolls out of the way and delivers a kick to Asuka’s head. She rolls up Asuka but Asuka manages to lock in her arm and shoulder submission for the win.
Winner By Submission: Asuka
After the match Asuka calls Raw Women’s Champion Bianca BelAir to the ring. BelAir’s music hits and she marches down to the ring. BelAir says she doesn’t like Asuka’s tone and says she hopes Asuka is there to talk about how they will tear the house down. Before Asuka can respond. Carmella attacks them from behind.
Candice LeRae vs. Piper Niven
Candice LeRae charges at Piper Niven then Niven catches her with a shoulder tackle and a right hand but LeRae delivers a kick to the back of her leg. Niven looks for a senton but LeRae rolls out of the way. Niven plants her and hits a running senton then gets her in a chinlock.
She whips her into the corner face first, then pushes her to the outside. She tosses her back in the ring, then whips Cross into the barricade and gets back in the ring. LeRae rolls up Niven for the win.
Winner: Candice LeRae
We head backstage to Byron Saxton is with Johnny Gargano. Gargano says he is proud of LeRae for winning, then says Otis approached him about having some hot action in the ring later tonight. Judgment Day then walks in and Gargano makes fun of them. Damian Priest looks to attack him but Balor stops him from doing so and says Otis will flatten him like a pancake but if he doesn’t, he will next week. Gargano accepts his challenge.
The Miz welcomes the WWE Universe to MizTV then says before he brings out his celebrity guest, he wants to talk about Maryse and what was in the envelope she gave him. Miz says Maryse has given him so much, then says he wants to bring out the host of WrestleMania 39 to help him make the announcement: himself. He says he will make his hosting duties memorable, then says he’s irked that his wife had to even ask for him to be granted the job as host because no one else can do it like him. He says nothing can bring him down.
Seth Rollins music and he makes his way to the ring. Miz asks what Rollins is doing, interrupting his special moment and Rollins says he doesn’t want to rain on Miz’s parade. Miz says he has been doing that the past couple of weeks, and Rollins says he has delivered Curb Stomps because he has been a jerk and a b hole. Miz says he is an A person, not a B one before Rollins says he’s been trying to get ahold of Logan Paul. He says he knows Miz has his number and was wondering if he could do that for him. Miz pulls out his phone, but tells Rollins he won’t do it and brags about being the host of WrestleMania.
Rollins delivers a kick to Miz’s face then grabs his phone and unlocks it. He Facetimes Logan Paul, and Paul picks up. Rollins says Miz is out of commission then asks how Jake Paul is doing after his fight yesterday. Rollins challenges Logan to meet him face 2 face next week and Paul accepts. Rollins looks to leave the ring, but decides against it and delivers a Curb Stomp to Miz.
We head backstage to Cathy Kelley is with Damage CTRL. Bayley expresses her confidence in Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai retaining their Women’s Tag Team Titles then United States Champion Austin Theory then approaches Kelley and asks why they are being interviewed while he isn’t. He says he is upset that John Cena is being talked about rather than him then says he will be there when Cena appears on next week’s Raw.
Bobby Lashley vs. Elias
Elias wastes no time as he delivers a splash and several right hands but Bobby Lashley fires back with a bodyslam and sends him to the outside. We see Rick Boogs watching on and taking notes backstage as Elias sends Lashley crashing into the barricade and tosses him back in the ring. Lashley delivers a flatliner and a Spear then locks in the Hurt Lock for the win.
Winner By Submission: Bobby Lashley
After the match Lashley then grabs a mic and says he is not in a good mood. He says he won his match at Elimination Chamber because Lesnar delivered a low blow to him, then says he doesn’t have time for Bray Wyatt’s kid games. He puts Wyatt on notice, telling him to keep his name out of his mouth otherwise he will hurt him.
A video of Bray Wyatt doing the muscle man dance then begins to play as flashes of Lashley doing the dance appear. Wyatt then tells Lashley he should run.
We head backstage to Chelsea Green complaining to Adam Pearce about being sent to Ottawa, Illinois and points out her mistake. Carmella then appears and says Pearce wanted to see her. Pearce tells her she has a match against Carmella last week, then leaves to take a call. Carmella and Green then bond over how rude Pearce was being.
Otis vs. Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano delivers a series of forearms. Otis fires back with a backfist and a splash, then delivers a 2nd splash in the corner. He charges at Gargano but Gargano sends him into the ring post shoulder first. He follows it up with a pair of dropkicks and an enziguri then delivers a kick to his jaw.
Otis rolls to the outside and gets some encouragement from Maxxine Dupri. Gargano looks to go flying, but Otis catches him and sends him onto the announce desk. Ma.çé & Mån.sôör try interfering but Dexter Lumis appears and drags them out of the arena. This allows Gargano to connect with One Final Beat puts away Otis.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
Women’s Tag Team Titles Match
Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai) (c) vs. Becky Lynch & Lita
Iyo Sky & Lita lock up to kick this match off then Lita delivers a shoulder tackle, then tags in Becky Lynch. Dakota Kai tags in and they lock up before Lita delivers a back elbow and looks for Twist Of Fate. Sky & Lynch tag back in, and Lynch & Lita hits Sky with a double suplex. Lita tags in and delivers a double arm drag with Lynch.
Kai tries interfering, but Lita stacks her & Sky on top of one another in the corner and delivers a splash off Lynch’s back. Damage CTRL roll outside for a breather but Lynch levels them with a cannonball off the apron that takes us to a break.
Back from the break Lynch delivers a leg drop to Kai off the top rope. She then delivers a reverse DDT flatliner combination to Damage CTRL then delivers a kick to Kai’s face and follows it up with Diamond Dust. Lynch locks in the Dis Arm Her but Sky breaks the hold with a dropkick.
The action spills to the outside where Sky delivers a moonsault off the ropes to Lynch. She tosses Lynch back in the ring and delivers a dropkick then tags in Kai. Kai delivers a boot and a Scissor Kick to Lynch then goes for a pin but Lynch kicks out.
Kai delivers a Scorpion Kick then hits a few elbows. Lynch & Kai level one another with a double clothesline before Bayley tosses Damage CTRL one of the Women’s Tag Team Titles. The referee catches her and tosses the Women’s Tag Team Title out of the ring allowing for her to pull Lita off the apron.
Trish Stratus’ music hits and she heads down to the ring to make her return as she levels Bayley and encourages Lita before Lynch makes the hot tag to her. Lita delivers a hurricanrana and Vertigo. Sky looks for the Over the Moonsault but Lita ducks it and delivers a Twist Of Fate.
She ascends to the top and Bayley tries knocking her off it but Stratus levels her with a Chick Kick. Kai tries interfering but Lynch locks in the Dis Arm Her and Lita delivers the Lita sault to SKY for the win.
Winners & New Women’s Tag Team Champions: Becky Lynch & Lita (NEW CHAMPIONS!!!!)
Next Week’s Raw
Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor
Non Title Match
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca BelAir vs. Carmella
Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa
WrestleMania 38 Card (April 1st & 2nd)
Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. 2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes
Smackdown Women’s Title Match
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble Winner Rhea Ripley
Raw Women’s Title Match
Bianca BelAir (c) vs. Asuka
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
