WWE is full-speed ahead on the road to WrestleMania, and tonight they had a stop at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan for another edition of Monday Night Raw.
Let’s head to the action!
Raw kicked off tonight with a replay from Smackdown last week when Jimmy Uso called out his brother Jey to talk. He, however, got Sami Zayn instead and they had a heated exchange about the issues within The Bloodline. Jey ended up showing up and he watched Zayn Helluva kick his twin brother Jimmy in the face.
We were now live in the arena and Jimmy Uso made his way to the ring with Solo Sikoa. Jimmy acknowledged that the world thinks there are issues in The Bloodline, but he said it is nothing more than family fighting like normal.
The crowd then began chanting for Sami Zayn and Jimmy said if anyone comes for one member of The Bloodline, they come for every member. He said they have taken out Kevin Owens and Zayn and next at WrestleMania he said Cody Rhodes has no chance of beating Roman Reigns in the main event. Jimmy was then interrupted by The Street Profits, who began to mumble some things that nobody could understand.
Montez Ford then made the point that Jey Uso is once again nowhere to be found, and he said The Bloodline thinks they can run the WWE, but they can’t even run their own family. All four men then began trading blows, with The Street Profits getting the advantage and it was now time for this tag team match!
Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa vs. The Street Profits
Uso and Sikoa tried to get early control, but The Profits’ teamwork allowed them to get an advantage over Sikoa. Dawkins got the first big move of the match when he hit Jimmy with the 360 splash into the corner.
Upon return from the commercial, Sikoa was in full control hitting Dawkins with a Samoan drop and then hammering him with fists in the corner. Sikoa then demolished Dawkins in the corner with the running hip attack and he then super-kicked Ford off the apron.
He attempted a second hip attack, but Dawkins cut him off with an elbow and he got Ford into the match. Ford was on a mission, he was taking on both of his opponents single-handedly and hit Jimmy with a diving crossbody from the top for a two-count.
Ford was continuing his attack, but Sikoa got a sneaky tag and was able to take advantage by throwing Ford out of the ring, super-kicking Dawkins and then landing the Samoan Spike to get the victory.
It's @FightOwensFight here to save the day!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ylmnqaXjtJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2023
Even though The Bloodline got the win they weren’t done, Sikoa attempted to hit Ford with a hip attack with a steel chair. However, out from the crowd came Kevin Owens and he super-kicked Sikoa and hit Jimmy with a stunner before running to the back.
Winners: Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso
It was now time for the VIP Lounge with MVP and Omos, they were awaiting a response from Brock Lesnar after Omos challenged him to a WrestleMania match last week. However, before MVP and Omos could even come out, Lesnar was already on his way to the ring.
MVP followed him out and Lesnar spoke saying he has no beef with him, but he is all about business and he said he wants to listen to what MVP has to say about this Omos match. Even though MVP was worried about entering suplex city, he still got in the ring to talk business with Brock.
MVP said Lesnar is the beast incarnate and no man has a chance when facing him, but he said Lesnar could not handle Bobby Lashley and he will not be able to handle the giant Omos. He said a beast can beat a man, but a giant slays the beast.
Brock Lesnar and MVP. Credit: WWE
Lesnar laughed and applauded MVP saying he gave him goosebumps, and he said he accepts the challenge for Mania. He said he just wanted a handshake and toast with MVP to make the match with Omos official.
But, Lesnar did not want any champagne and instead pulled a flask out of his pocket to make the toast he wanted. MVP then made the mistake of refusing a shot from the flask, but Brock forced him to take a shot of “white lightning!”
MVP couldn’t handle the lightning and spit it back into the face of Brock, so Brock hit MVP with an F5 to return the favour. At WrestleMania Brock Lesnar versus Omos is now official!
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos. Credit: WWE
Cody Rhodes vs. Chad Gable
This match started with both men going back and forth, but Gable made the mistake of going to the top for a moonsault. Cody stopped him on the top and landed a reverse superplex dropping Gable on his face, this sent us to a commercial break.
As we returned from commercial, Gable was somehow back in control by attacking the left leg of Cody. He landed multiple dragon screws but made the mistake of going to the top again and this time he missed a diving headbutt.
Cody then went for Gable’s leg and locked him into a figure-four-leg-lock, but Gable made it to the ropes. Cody got the idea of going for the disaster kick, but he was caught in mid-air with a German suplex.
Gable hit Cody with a cliffhanger DDT and then a picture-perfect moonsault from the top rope for a two-count. Gable tried to get some pointers from Otis on the outside, but Otis was not paying attention so Cody hit Gable with a suicide dive and then sent Otis into the crowd.
Back in the ring, Cody hit gable with a Cody Cutter from the top rope and then finished Gable off with a Cross Rhodes to get the victory.
Reigns and Rhodes on Smackdown this Friday. Credit: WWE
Cody grabbed a microphone after the match, to say that Mania is 33 days away and he has yet to stand in the same ring as his opponent, Roman Reigns. Cody said he is very excited that Reigns is on Smackdown Friday because he will be there too!
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Baron Corbin now requested a backstage interview, but before he could even talk Byron Saxton cut him off to talk to Kevin Owens instead. Owens said all he wants is to see The Bloodline fall and he does not need any help doing that.
The Judgement Day had some words for us now, and Dominik started it off by taunting his dad for refusing to hit him this past Friday. Rhea Ripley said she hasn’t said anything to Charlotte because she knows she is already intimidated and that Charlotte has accepted that Ripley is taking her title at Mania.
Finn Balor called out Edge once again, saying their feud STILL is not over (sadly) and he has challenged Edge to one final match at WrestleMania.
Maximum Male Models were attempting to recruit Otis once again and they said if he gets himself a match for tonight they will be in his corner.
Asuka vs. Carmella
Asuka standing off with Belair. Credit: WWE
Asuka and Carmella have been at each other since Carmella’s return and tonight they got to go one-on-one. Carmella got the initial advantage after a sneaky kick and then hit Asuka with a bronco buster in the corner.
Carmella ended up sending Asuka to the outside and drilling her with a super-kick as we head into the commercial. As we head back into the action Mella was still in full control, but she started gloating a little too much and Asuka responded with a flurry of strikes.
However, Asuka made the mistake of going high-risk and missed a missile dropkick allowing Mella to gain control. After a string of reversals between both women, Asuka locked Mella into submission to make her tap out for the win.
Asuka then called out her WrestleMania opponent, Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. Belair made her way to the ring with a purpose and she said at Mania that she and Asuka will tear the house down. Mella then hit Asuka from behind taking out Belair as well in the process, so I’m sure Belair will have a bone to pick with Mella now.
Winner: Asuka
Piper Niven vs. Candice LeRae
Piper Niven and Candice LeRae were set to go one-on-one and trailing behind LeRae was Nikki Cross, who has been following her for weeks. Niven used her size advantage from the start catching LeRae in mid-air and crashing her with a senton.
Niven lost focus for a moment when she attacked Cross on the outside and when she got back in the ring LeRae rolled her up to steal a victory.
Winner: Candice LeRae
Byron Saxton was interviewing Johnny Gargano backstage speaking about him accepting Otis’ challenge for tonight. Gargano was quickly interrupted by J-Day and Balor said if Gargano can beat Otis tonight he will face him next week…interesting.
The Miz hosting WrestleMania. Credit: WWE
Miz TV was next on the agenda and The Miz said that this was a special WrestleMania edition of the show (whatever that means). Miz said he had a very special announcement and he was set to announce the host of this year’s WrestleMania who is…himself!
The Miz will be hosting WrestleMania this year live in Hollywood, and he said there is nobody else that deserves to host except him. As Miz began to run through this year’s Mania card he was interrupted by Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins!
Rollins said he is there to congratulate Miz, but Miz said Rollins has been raining on his parade for weeks now. Rollins said he didn’t want to ruin the moment, but he needs a favour because he’s been trying to get in contact with Logan Paul.
Rollins wanted Miz to facetime Logan Paul for him, but Miz refused and said that Rollins will not even be at Mania. So, Rollins simply super-kicked Miz right in the chin causing him to drop his phone, which Rollins gladly picked up.
Rollins used the passed-out Miz’s face to get on the phone and he called Logan Paul himself. Paul was very surprised to get Rollins on the phone and not Miz, and Rollins invited Paul to Raw next week to go face-to-face with him.
Seth Rollins calling Logan Paul. Credit: WWE
Paul said he will be there, and Rollins told him “bye-bye bi***!” He then curb-stomped Miz and he now has his sights set on Paul next week.
Backstage, Austin Theory was mad that nobody is talking about him and people are too worried about John Cena returning next week. Theory was gloating about his chamber win and beating Edge last week, Theory said he will greet Cena in his hometown next week and he will be demanding respect from him.
Bobby Lashley vs. Elias
Prior to the match, we had some clips of the Firefly Fun House and Bray Wyatt continuing to send messages to Bobby Lashley. Lashley used his rage from Wyatt on Elias and started the match by running through him.
Lashley quickly hit a flat liner, and a spear and then made Elias tap out in seconds with the Hurt Lock. Lashley then began to talk and said he is not happy because at Elimination Chamber he overpowered Lesnar.
He said he does not want to go from Lesnar to Wyatt’s silly kid games and he said if Wyatt doesn’t stay quiet he will hurt him. As Lashley walked up the stage, a video began airing on the screen and it was one of Wyatt’s weird videos.
Do the Muscle Man Dance with … @fightbobby?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/POdMZG25j5
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2023
This one seemed to be a workout tape of some sort, but after the fun was over the clip cut to Wyatt telling Lashley to run! We are definitely building toward Lashley vs. Wyatt in Hollywood!
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Otis vs. Johnny Gargano
As MMM promised Otis they were in his corner for this match against Johnny Gargano. Otis overpowered Gargano from the jump, and Garganos only hope was to use his speed and agility.
Gargano tried to jump to the outside, but Otis caught him with a slam and then MMM tried to attack Gargano. However, Dexter Lumis emerged from the crowd to help Gargano and then Gargano weirdly lured Otis to the outside by sitting next to Maxxine Dupri (poor Candice).
Gargano hit Otis with a DDT on the apron and then a slingshot DDT back into the ring to get the victory.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
Backstage, Paul Heyman was in attendance and he was there to chat about Cody Rhodes coming to Smackdown Friday. Heyman said Rhodes is a raw talent and he is going to invade Friday night, so Heyman said let’s raise the stakes. Heyman gave two options: Rhodes confront Reigns or Reigns confront him.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Damage Ctrl (C) vs. Lita and Becky Lynch
AND NEW Women’s tag champs. Credit: WWE
Becky Lynch was going for Women’s tag titles with her childhood hero, Lita, but Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai will not be an easy matchup. Lita and Lynch were showing some chemistry early hitting Sky with a double suplex and then a double hip toss.
Lita then used the back of Lynch to hit Damage Ctrl with poetry in motion and then Lynch sent us into a commercial by taking out both of her opponents with a senton to the outside. Lynch remained in control as we returned and she hit Kai with a leg drop over the back of the head and then hit Kai and Sky with a double DDT.
Lynch then hit a flipping stunner and locked Kai into the Dis-Arm-Her, but Sky quickly broke it up. Kai then threw Lita into the announce table while Sky hit a springboard moonsault to the outside onto Lynch.
Damage Ctrl then narrowed their attention to Lynch and they kept her stranded on their side of the ring. Lynch was fighting for a tag and she finally got Kai down, but she took herself out in the process.
Bayley then took out Lita while the referee was distracted and didn’t allow her to get the tag. However, the number’s game did not last as out came Trish Stratus to take out Bayley, another Hall of Famer!
Lita then got the tag and she wanted the win, she was able to hit Sky with a Twist of Fate and she went to the top for the moonsault. Bayley tried to interfere again, but Trish got her again and knocked her out with a Chick Kick!
At the same Lynch took out Kai and Lita was able to land the Litasault and we have NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions!
Raw, February 27th, 2023
This show was incredibly dull and had two bright spots in the entire three hours. Those being the fantastic match between Cody Rhodes and Chad Gable and then the surprise return of Toronto’s own Trish Stratus. Everything else on this show felt incredibly forgettable.