It’s WWE Raw with a huge 6-Man Gauntlet Match, Becky Lynch facing Liv Morgan, and more.
This week’s Raw took place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on commentary.
There was a Drew McIntyre-Seth Rollins promo exchange to start the show. Drew was angry about Rollins taking the WrestleMania 40 Night 1 tag team match with Cody Rhodes against The Rock & Roman Reigns. Drew called Seth a junkie. Seth said that Drew was sounding like CM Punk. Seth said he always thought Punk was the biggest hypocrite in the world until he met Drew. Seth correctly pointed out that Drew won matches against Cody and Jey Uso because of The Bloodline. Drew told Seth there was nothing he could say to provoke him to try to take out Seth because Drew wanted Seth to be at his best. Seth said that on the list of things he’s worried about going into WrestleMania, he’s got The Rock, Roman Reigns, his broken back, his blown out knee, and what he’s worrying about the least is Drew McIntyre. That led to Drew going back to ringside and Seth dared him to come into the ring, but Drew walked away angrily instead.
Match #1:Becky Lynch defeated Liv Morgan by pinfall. It was a three segment match. Lynch won clean with a Manhandle Slam.
After the match, Rhea Ripley made her entrance. Liv Morgan was still at ringside, so Liv warned Ripley saying that she was going to take everything from her.
Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch had a chat in the ring. Ripley claimed she knew Lynch wanted to prove she was the best, but Ripley said that Lynch knew that Ripley is better than her. Lynch talked about how she planted a seed of doubt toward Ripley in the past. Lynch said when people believe in her, she’s good, but when people doubt her, she is great. Lynch said if it has to be her against the whole world then the whole world doesn’t stand a chance.
A video aired featuring Raw GM Adam Pearce and Smackdown GM Nick Aldis with a huge announcement. Aldis said that at WrestleMania 40, the Tag Team Champions Damian Priest & Finn Balor will defend the Tag Team Titles against five of the best teams in WWE for a Six-Pack Ladder Match. Teams will compete to earn spots in the match and the winners will become the Tag Team Champions.
Match #2: Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae defeated Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri by pinfall. LeRae got in Dupri’s face saying she doesn’t belong here and mocked her for having a dead brother. Indi hit Dupri with a boot to the head for the win. It was only a two-minute match.
Cody Rhodes did a sitdown interview in the ring with Michael Cole. When Cole asked Cody about if he can trust Seth Rollins, Cody said that people change while mentioning Cole’s change, Cody’s change and Cody even teaming with Jey Uso in the past. Cody said the story is no longer about Roman Reigns’ championship and himself. Cody said that the story is about the fans who have followed him to the absolute end. Cody spoke about a fan named Hannah, a friend named Harley and even his own family like his sister. Cody said that his mother is the only one he’s got left. Cody said he can’t hand it (the WWE Title) to Dusty Rhodes, but he can certainly hand it to his mom Michelle Rubio. Cody said that his number one fan is his wife Brandi Rhodes, who Cole hired. Cody said that she took a shot on him while wearing a goofy mask and taking RKOs every night.
As the interview continued Cody said that last year at WrestleMania, Reigns said they were in the third inning. Cody said they are in the last (ninth) inning now. Cody told Cole he was so glad they got this moment because Cole would get to say that a Rhodes was the Undisputed WWE Champion. Cody told Michael that at WrestleMania 40 he’ll get to say that Cody finished the story. Cody shook hands and hugged Cole. When Cody went on the apron, he pointed at the WrestleMania sign.
Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan had a staredown backstage. Nia Jax attacked both women. Jax knocked Morgan down. Jax picked up Lynch and slammed her through a merchandise table. Some WWE Officials walked into the picture to break it up.
Match #3: The Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane (w/IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) defeated Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark by pinfall to retain the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Kai grabbed Baszler’s leg while Baszler was applying a submission hold. The referee never saw it. Sane got the win with an Insane Elbow.
The Judgment Day was shown in their clubhouse. Andrade walked in and Rhea Ripley told the guys she invited Andrade. Ripley said that Dominik Mysterio wasn’t there tonight, but in the future, they could talk business. Andrade said he was all about business and left.
Match #4: Damian Priest defeated R-Truth by pinfall. Truth did his John Cena moves during the match. Priest won with South of Heaven. After the match, The Judgment Day’s Priest, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh attacked Truth and the #DIY guys Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano.
Jey Uso did a promo saying he came to Raw for a fresh start from The Bloodline, but brother Jimmy won’t let him go. Jey suggested brother vs. brother, twin vs. twin, blood vs. blood, Uso vs. Uso, me vs. me and Jimmy vs. Jey at WrestleMania. Jey wanted Jimmy to accept his challenge.
A video aired about GUNTHER’s record-setting 640-day reign as Intercontinental Champion. GUNTHER was interviewed after saying good luck to whoever wins the Gauntlet Match.
Match #5:Sami Zayn won the 6-Man Gauntlet Match to earn an Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania 40. The Gauntlet Match went about 43 minutes.
– Ricochet beat JD McDonagh with a Shooting Star Press.
– Bronson Reed beat Ricochet with a Tsunami splash.
– Sami Zayn beat Bronson Reed with a sunset flip Powerbomb.
– Sami Zayn beat Shinsuke Nakamura with a Helluva Kick
– Sami Zayn beat Chad Gable by countering a move and sitting on top for the pin.
After the match, GUNTHER had a staredown with Zayn to end the show.
Next Week On WWE Raw
Here’s what WWE is advertising for the March 18th edition of Raw.
There will be three Tag Team Title Qualifying matches:
* The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. Alpha Academy (Otis & Akira Tozawa)
* DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed)
* The Miz & R-Truth vs. Indus Sher (Veer & Sanga)
* Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing Match
That was all for this week’s show.