WWE Raw was aired live from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The show featured a battle between Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre that will probably culminate in their story. Also, Becky and Nia squared off to gain momentum before WrestleMania XL. The Judgment Day competed against Imperium and much more. Let’s recap the Raw episode from March 04, 2024.
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins Promo
The show kicked off with The American Nightmare. Cody made his entrance to a thunderous crowd ovation. He discussed his upcoming WrestleMania main event match against “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns.
Rhodes mentioned a distraction in this, which is The Rock. The crowd chanted, “Rocky Sucks”. Cody discussed Rock’s Instagram post, where he disrespected Rhodes and his dog. He said that The Rock presented a new challenge on SmackDown, which involved his friend.
Seth Rollins walked down the ramp with the crowd, singing his theme song. Seth asked Cody what he was thinking.
Rhodes replied that Seth had a bigger opponent in Drew McIntyre, and Cody wouldn’t be disappointed if Seth backed off from his war against The Bloodline.
Rollins praised Cody for giving him the way out, but he claimed that some things are bigger than them. He wanted to take the power from Roman Reigns and give it back to the people.
While speaking about The Rock, Seth gave him a new name. He called him Diarrhea Dwayne. Rollins talked about Rock’s Instagram post, claiming he would take the title away from Seth if he wanted.
Rollins dared him to do that. Seth shared the great news he received earlier. Seth Rollins is now medically cleared to compete.
Rhodes said that they will be on SmackDown this upcoming week to give a clear answer to The Rock’s challenge.
Grades: B+
Analysis: Kicking off things on Monday Night Raw was a brilliant segment. They have hyped the upcoming SmackDownwell. Seth Rollins has been medically cleared to be back in the ring.
Non-Title Match
Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio
Michael Cole and Oat McAfee acknowledged Sting’s retirement match on commentary and said it was epic. Dominik tried to run away in the match and escaped Gunther’s chops.
JD McDonagh moved away from a chop outside the ring, and Gunther’s hand struck the ring post.
Mysterio continued the attack on the weak hand. Dom climbed to the top rope, but Gunther caught him and delivered a brutal chop to the chest.
Gunther’s chop fest continued. He ripped off Dom’s shirt and delivered chops. The Ring General applied the Boston Crab.
McDonagh’s interference gave an advantage to Dominik, who delivered a springboard crossbody block.
Mysterio went for the 619, but Gunther chopped him again. Covered by The IC Champion, but he declined the victory and lifted Dom’s shoulder.
Dominik countered a Powerbomb into a sunset flip for a two-count. 619 connected by Mysterio but Gunther escaped the Frog Splash.
The Ring General delivered a Powerbomb and submitted Dom with a Boston Crab for the victory.
Winner: Gunther
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a decent match. Dom is continuously improving in the ring. Gunther was excellent, as always.
Backstage: We saw that Damage CTRL was here. Adam Pearce was not happy about it.
Tag Team Match
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
Damage CTRL was at ringside for this competition. Stark and Baszler dominated Carter early on.
Zoey delivered a superkick, while Shayna delivered a running knee. Later, Carter and Chance delivered a Spanish Fly on Stark.
They successfully hit the After Party, but Baszler pulled Chance out of the ring to break the pinfall.
Shayna applied the Kirifuda Clutch at ringside while Zoey got a roll-up win in the ring. After the match, Dakota got in the ring.
A match was set for the upcoming Raw for Women’s Tag Team Championships between Kabuki Warriors and the team of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
Winners: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Grades: C
Analysis: Baszler and Stark’s team has much potential if used correctly. They are next in line for the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Backstage: Judgment Day was checking on Dominik. Priest said they will take care of Imperium while McDonagh will care for Gunther next week.
Andrade came there and said, “See you soon” to Mysterio.
Singles Match
Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax
Next up was Becky and Nia’s match. In the beginning, we see Jax using her power to dominate Becky. The Man tried some kicks and a dropkick to keep Jax down.
Nia delivered the running hip attack and Stink Face in the corner. Becky bounced back with a missile dropkick that sent Nia out of the ring.
Becky landed on a baseball slide and jumped off the apron. Jax caught her and slammed her down with a Samoan Drop.
After the break, Jax delivered a front superplex and a diving leg drop for a near fall. Becky countered the sidewalk slam into a head-scissor takeover.
Nia quickly came back with a Samoan Drop. Jax missed The Annihilator, and Lynch applied the Dis-Arm-Her.
Nia was close to the ropes, and she survived. As Jaxwas recovering at ringside, Liv Morgan landed on her with a flying forearm out of nowhere. The match ended with a disqualification in Nia’s favour.
Morgan came face-to-face with Lynch, who cost her a match the same way last week. As they were arguing, Jax pulled them out of the ring.
The Irresistible Force sent Becky to the floor and delivered a leg drop on Morgan.
Winner: Nia Jax
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a fun match. The ending was the main highlight. Liv got her revenge on Becky by costing her the match.
Even after Becky’s victory at Elimination Chamber, her path didn’t seem easy for WrestleMania.
Gauntlet Announcement
Next week, six superstars will compete in a Gauntlet match. The winner will face Gunther for the IC Title at WrestleMania.
These include Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bronson Reed, Chad Gable, JD McDonagh, and Ricochet.
Singles Match
Andrade vs. Apollo Crews
It was Andrade’s first singles match back in WWE. They began with headlocks and shoulder tackles. Both even used chops against each other.
Apollo delivered a top-rope superplex. Andrade replied with Three Amigos for a near fall.
Andrade struck double knees in the corner, followed by a Hammerlock DDT for the win.
Winner: Andrade
Grades: B
Analysis: Andrade is as agile as he was in his days in NXT. It looked good to see Crews getting some TV time after a long time.
Backstage: Sami Zayn was interviewed. He talked about his path to WrestleMania and the gauntlet match next week. Ivarcame up, and a match was set between the two.
Undisputed Tag Team Title Match
Finn Balor and Damian Priest vs. Imperium
The match began with headlocks and dropkicks. There were several tag exchanges, and both teams took turns dominating.
Finn delivered the Scissor Kick to Kaiser for a two-count. Kaiser and Vinci sandwiched Balor with stereo dropkicks.
Imperium delivered a High/Low on Finn, followed by a Scoop Slam by Vinci. Balor fought back with punches. Damian Priest finally got the tag.
Priest laid out Ludwig with a flat liner. Damian delivered a flapjack to Vinci. Priest delivered a Broken Arrow on Kaiser for a near fall.
Balor hit a Slingblade but soon met with a rolling Death Valley Driver by Vinci. Finn bounced back with a Slingblade and Coup de Grace on Giovanni.
Balor went for the pinfall, but Kaiser saved the match. Later, Balor laid out Kaiser with a somersault senton to the outside.
In the ring, Priest pinned Vinci after hitting the South of Heaven chokeslam.
Winners: Finn Balor and Damian Priest
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a brilliant tag team match. Finn Balor and Damian Priest have collaborated well and share great chemistry.
Singles Match
Sami Zayn vs. Ivar
Soon, Zayn sent Ivar to the outside and delivered a somersault senton. Sami couldn’t lift Ivar for the Exploder Suplex back in the ring.
Ivar blocked the tornado DDT and delivered a cannonball off the apron. Ivar delivered a massive superplex off the top rope, but Zayn somehow turned around and landed on top of Ivar for a two-count.
Sami delivered a tornado DDT. Ivarcountered a Helluva Kick into a spin kick. Ivar landed a Tyler Driver for a near fall. Zayn came to. Life with a sunset flippowerbomb for a two-count.
Zayn finally somehow delivered an Exploder Suplex in the corner. Ivar replied with a seated senton. Sami escaped the Doomsault and delivered the Helluva Kick for the win.
Bronson Reed came out after the match and delivered a Tsunami on Zayn.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Grades: B+
Analysis: Excellent match between Sami Zayn and Ivar. Surprisingly, Ivar will not be in the gauntlet match next week. He’s been awesome in the last few months. Sami got the necessary win.
Singles Match
Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
The show’s main event featured the clash between Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso. Jey got the upper hand early and sent McIntyre to the outside. Drew sent Jey over to the commentary table.
Uso delivered a diving crossbody block back in the ring for a two-count.
The Scottish Warrior attempted the White Noise from the middle rope, but Jey countered it with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall.
Jey went for a splash, but Drew got his knees up. McIntyre hit Uso with a spinebuster for a two-count.
Drew landed a beautiful-looking textbook vertical suplex on the floor. Back from the break, they exchanged punches and Jey connected with a Samoan Drop for another near fall.
Uso continued the assault with a hip attack in the corner and a suicide dive to the outside.
Solo Sikoa came from the crowd. The distraction allowed McIntyre to hit Future Shock DDT for a near fall.
Cody Rhodes came out and took out Sikoa. Jey delivered three superkicks and a Spear.
As Jey prepared for splash, he noticed Jimmy Uso sneering at him. The distraction allowed McIntyre to get the win with a Claymore Kick.
Jimmy grabbed a chair and entered the ring. Seth Rollins came in support of Jey and delivered a superkick to Jimmy.
Rollins turned and met with a Claymore Kick out of nowhere. McIntyre lifted the World Heavyweight Championship to close out the show.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was yet another excellent main-event match between Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso. The Bloodline continued their interference, but Seth and Cody were there to even the odds.
Overall, it was an amazing WWE Raw episode on this exciting Road to WrestleMania. The IC Championship has a direction.
The feud between Jimmy and Jey has been cooking. Drew McIntyre is unhappy with Seth Rollins’ involvement in The Bloodline business.
