WWE RAW Review (03/27/2023)
Kicking off this week’s Raw with The Miz welcomes fans to Miz TV then brags about being the host of WrestleMania 39. He then introduces Women’s Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch & Lita & Trish Stratus and they head down to the ring.
The Miz says he’s going to start with Lynch, as she has a match with Iyo Sky slated for later tonight. He asks Lynch what it felt like being unable to take down Damage CTRL on her own, and Lynch says The Miz is an insecure man. Miz gets defensive before Lynch says Damage CTRL put her on the shelf and ensured she couldn’t take care of her daughter. She says Damage CTRL kept coming back like the vermin that they are and there are 2 people she respects more than anyone else in the business. She says when people fight for her, she fights for them.
Miz then asks Stratus & Lita why they chose to make their return now only to be Lynch’s back up and Lita says she doesn’t feel like anybody’s back up.
Damage CTRL’s music hits and Bayley says she has something to say as they head to the ring. Bayley says she’s sick of Stratus,Lita & Lynch acting like their upcoming match is just that. She says she is sick of Stratus & Lita pretending that they mean something, as they have become irrelevant. Stratus says Lita holding the Women’s Tag Team Titles means something now, and Bayley says she dreamed of facing Lynch,Stratus & Lita at WrestleMania at 1 point in time. She says that Damage CTRL’s dream has shifted to taking them down. Lynch says she took both Dakota Kai & Sky and turned them in lackeys. She says she thought things would end on multiple different occasions but now, things must end at WrestleMania.
Women’s Tag Team Champion Becky Lynch vs. Iyo Sky
Becky Lynch delivers a right hand to Iyo Sky as she follows it up with several boots and a splash in the corner, then hits a kick and a pair of Bex ploders. She ascends to the top and looks for a leg drop, but Kai and Bayley pulls Sky out of the way. Lynch goes after Bayley but Sky blindsides her and delivers the double knees. She follows it up with a dropkick and goes for a pin but Lynch kicks out.
They go back & forth with right hands before Sky catches Lynch with an uppercut. Lynch fires back with a shoulder tackle and a right hand then delivers a kick to Sky’s jaw and a lariat. She delivers a kick and Sky rolls to the outside but that doesn’t slow down Lynch as she delivers a baseball slide dropkick under the bottom rope. She then tosses Sky back in the ring and hits a modified inverted DDT but Sky manages to hit the double stomp that sends us to a break.
After the break Lynch delivers a superplex. Sky fires back with a pair of German suplexes, but Lynch hits a suplex of her own and ascends to the top. Sky meets her there and sends Lynch crashing to the outside then delivers a springboard moonsault off the ropes to take Lynch down. She gets Lynch back in the ring, then sets up for the Over The Moonsault.
Lynch moves out of the way and looks to lock in the Dis Arm Her but Sky rolls her up. Lynch reverses the fall but Sky kicks out before Lynch then hits the Man Handle Slam for the win.
Winner: Women’s Tag Team Champion Becky Lynch (11:31)
Rate: 7
We are back from the break we head to a video hyping up Asuka ahead of her match with Bianca BelAir for the Raw Women’s Title at WrestleMania.
We then head to a video of Cathy Kelley is with Seth Rollins backstage from earlier today. Kelley asks if Rollins has any words for Logan Paul before their match at WrestleMania but before he can respond, Mustafa Ali appears. He says he wants to help Rollins see the more positive side of things, and says Paul’s millions of fans can’t wait to see if he’ll land another sucker punch. Rollins laughs and asks Ali if he remembers begging him for a fight. Ali says he’s here for him and Rollins says good things come to those who wait. He then throws out a challenge for a match.
Seth Rollins vs. Mustafa Ali
Match starts off with a lock up then Seth Rollins whips Mustafa Ali into the corner but Ali fires back with a right hand. Rollins hits a lariat then fires off several stomps in the corner. Ali ascends to the top but Ali knocks him down and delivers a right hand to his spine. Ali hangs upside down before Rollins delivers a Curb Stomp that sends him crashing down to the mat then he delivers a 2nd one for the win.
Winner: Seth Rollins (2:08)
Rate: 5
After the match Rollins grabs a mic and addresses his upcoming match with Logan Paul at WrestleMania. He says if he can’t beat Paul in Los Angeles then he is the joke, not Paul. He says while Paul has gotten the better of him on numerous occasions, it all comes back around. He says a little birdie told him that April 1st is Paul’s birthday, and fans will be serenading him all night but it won’t be signing Happy Birthday. He then calls on Phoenix to give Paul a preview and fans begin singing his song once again.
After the break Corey Graves,Adam Pearce and a referee are waiting in the ring. Graves introduces Omos & MVP. Graves then looks to introduce Brock Lesnar but MVP grabs a mic and says there is 1 final opportunity for everyone to see the specimen that is Omos. He says he will give Lesnar credit for standing toe 2 toe with some of the greatest at WrestleMania, but Omos is like no man he’s faced. He says Lesnar can’t suplex or F5 him. He directs Omos to step on the scale, and the referee announces he has weighed in at 410 pounds.
Lesnar’s music hits and he appears. He wastes no time and attacks Omos. He sends him into the corner and picks up the scale. Omos catches him with a kick then picks up the scale, but Lesnar rolls to the outside before he can utilize it.
We then head to a video hyping up Charlotte Flair ahead of her match with Rhea Ripley for the Smackdown Women’s Title.
We then go backstage to Byron Saxton is with the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble Winner Rhea Ripley. Saxton asks Ripley for a response to Flair’s words on Smackdown this past Friday and Ripley says that while Flair has an unmatched legacy, it will not define her own destiny. She says she has to beat Flair, and she needs her Smackdown Women’s Title to fulfill her destiny.
8 Man Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) & Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford),Ricochet & Braun Strowman
Chad Gable & Angelo Dawkins lock up to get this match started as they go back & forth with submission holds before Dawkins delivers a shoulder tackle and an arm drag. Gable fires back with one of his own before Ricochet tags in & he catches Gable with a dropkick, then tags in Braun Strowman. Strowman delivers a splash and tags in Montez Ford. Ford delivers a chop but Gable delivers a shoulder tackle that sends us to a break.
After the break Erik sends Ford crashing into the mat and cinches in a chinlock. Ford escapes and Erik catches him with a knee then tags in Ivar. Viking Raiders rain down right hands on Ford & Erik tags back in. Erik delivers a knee to Ford and goes for a pin but Ford kicks out. Otis tags in and delivers a splash then delivers an elbow drop as we see Maxxine Dupri watching on from backstage.
Ivar & Dawkins tag in & Dawkins delivers a flying back elbow and an enziguri then delivers a right hand. Ivar delivers a boot and tags in Erik. Erik delivers a right hand before Ivar hits a lariat. Erik goes for a pin but Ricochet delivers a Shooting Star Press to break the fall.
Strowman levels Erik’s teammates with shoulder tackles on the outside before he plants Erik with a spinebuster. Ricochet tags in and gets up on Strowman’s shoulders before he delivers a Swanton Bomb. Ford then follows it up with From The Heavens for the win.
Winners: Street Profits,Ricochet & Braun Strowman (11:23)
Rate: 6
After the break we head to a video hyping up Bianca Belair ahead of her Raw Women’s Title defense at WrestleMania.
We then head to a video from United States Champion Austin Theory from earlier today in the ring before the show. Theory says according to John Cena, he will lose everything on Saturday. He says while Cena thinks he has exposed him on the mic, he really just exposed himself. He says while Cena intended to hit him with the reality that no one believed in him. He says Cena is probably wondering why he’s in an empty arena, and says it doesn’t matter if he’s in an empty arena or in front of fans because he’s not doing it for them. He says he will make Cena believe in him and make fans stop believing in Cena.
WrestleMania Qualifying Match
Mia Yim & Candice LeRae vs. Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville
Match starts off with a lock up then Sonya Deville shoves Mia Yim into the corner and mocks her, but Yim plants her and delivers a running boot. She looks for a cannonball but Deville moves out of the way and tags in Chelsea Green. Green slaps Michin, then tags Deville back in. Deville delivers a pair of right hands and tags Green in.
They look for a double vertical suplex on Yim but Yim reverses it into a cutter and tags in Candice LeRae. LeRae delivers a crossbody off the top rope then delivers a running back elbow and a step up senton. Yim tags back in and they deliver a double team maneuver.
Deville levels LeRae but Michin catches her with a dropkick. Green distracts the referee, allowing Deville to take a cheap shot at Yim & Green hits the Unprettier for the win.
Winners & Gets Into The Fatal 4 Way Tag Team Match At WrestleMania 39: Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville (2:58)
Rate: 4
Dominik Mysterio grabs a mic and says it takes a real lowlife to hit your own child. He says he thought Rey Mysterio was a deadbeat father before, but now, he’s just a deadbeat. He says everyone will know what a failure Rey is when Damian Priest beats him tonight and he beats him at WrestleMania. He then throws it to a video of what occurred between the Mysterio family this past Friday on Smackdown. Dominik then asks what kind of father hits his son and what kind of mother allows it to happen. He says he should’ve told Angie to shut up a long time ago then says he wishes Eddie Guerrero was his real father and Rey never existed.
Rey Mysterio vs. Damian Priest
Rey Mysterio delivers a kick to Damian Priest’s face then he follows it up with a neckbreaker before he ascends to the top and delivers a senton. He then delivers a springboard moonsault and goes for a pin but Priest kicks out.
Priest plants Rey with a flatliner then looks for a kick. Rey moves out of the way and sets up for the 619 but Priest delivers a clothesline and goes for a pin & Rey kicks out and Priest sends him face first into the top turnbuckle.
They teeter on the top turnbuckle before Rey hits a hurricanrana and dials it up for the 619. He ascends to the top but Dominik pulls him down and causes the disqualification.
Winner By DQ: Rey Mysterio (3:11)
Rate: 3
After the match Dominik continues to beat down Rey. He rains down right hands then fires off several more as Priest holds Rey in place. Legado Del Fantasma’s music hits, and they run down to the ring to provide Rey with a helping hand.
We then head to a video hyping up the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
We then see several Superstars checking their name to see if they’re in the match, including Good Brothers,Rick Boogs & Elias.
Non Title Match
Intercontienetal Champion Gunther vs. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler wastes no time as he delivers a dropkick and a DDT to Gunther but Gunther plants him before executing a chop then he drapes Ziggler across the top turnbuckle and stomps on his neck that sends us to a break.
We are back from the break Ziggler delivers a headbutt and a kick to Gunther’s midsection. He follows it up with the Famouser but Gunther catches him with a chop and follows it up with a German suplex then he delivers a powerbomb follow by The Last Symphony for the win.
Winner: Intercontienetal Champion Gunther (5:47)
Rate: 5
After the match Gunther grabs a mic and calls out Sheamus & Drew McIntyre. He tells the two of them to take a look at Ziggler because that is the fate that awaits them at WrestleMania.
2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa
Cody Rhodes & Solo Sikoa lock up to get this match started then Rhodes looks for a shoulder tackle but Sikoa blocks it. Rhodes then delivers his signature slap and a dropkick, but Sikoa catches him with a Samoan Drop. They spill to the outside before Rhodes sends Sikoa’s leg bouncing off the ring post.
Sikoa then plants him with a belly 2 belly suplex and sends him crashing into the announce table face first. Rhodes returns the favor then sets up for a tope suicida but Sikoa sends Rhodes crashing on top of the announce table that takes us to a break.
After the break Sikoa delivers a splash in the corner. He hits a headbutt and a series of right hands then delivers another headbutt. Rhodes delivers an elbow and a scoop powerslam then delivers the Disaster Kick and the Cody Cutter. He follows it up with Cross Rhodes and goes for a pin but Sikoa gets his foot on the bottom rope to break the fall.
Rhodes then ascends to the top and sets up for a moonsault but Sikoa rolls out of the way. He sets up for the Samoan Spike but Rhodes manages to deliver the Cody Cutter.
The Usos’ music hits and the brothers head to the ring. This allows Sikoa to hit Spinning Solo and go for the pin but Rhodes kick out. Sami Zayn’s music hits and he & Kevin Owens head down. They brawl to the back with The Usos allowing Sikoa to set up for the Samoan Spike but Rhodes escapes and hits Cross Rhodes for a 2nd time for the win.
Winner: 2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes (12:54)
Rate: 7
WrestleMania 39 Card (April 1st & 2nd)
Night 1 (April 1st)
United States Title Match
Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Night 2 (April 2nd)
Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. 2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes
Nights TBD
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 Lensar vs. Omos
Intercontienetal Title Triple Threat Match
Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
6 Woman Tag Team Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch & Lita & Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley,Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai)
Hell In A Cell Match
Finn Balor vs. Edge
Fatal 4 Way Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) vs. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs. Braun Strowman & Ricochet
Fatal 4 Way Tag Team Match
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya & Shotzi Blackheart vs. Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler vs. Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles Match
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) (c) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
