Welcome to Ringside News’ results for Monday Night Raw on March 5!
On tonight’s show, Ronda Rousey is back to address what happened last week. Things seemed to have been smoothed out between Rousey and the WWE brass, only for HHH to deck Kurt Angle on his way out. Rousey has more to say to Triple H and Stephanie tonight, which will inevitably lead to a match between her and Kurt with HHH and Stephanie. WWE announced today that Ronda would be appearing on every Raw from now until ‘Mania, so it’s very hard to see how they will keep her relevant but outside of a ring until April 8th.
Asuka will once again put her undefeated streak on the line against Nia Jax on tonight’s show. It’s unclear why WWE keeps booking this match because it seems that they will keep Asuka undefeated, meaning it’s the proverbial booking corner and I don’t see why they keep doing it. Jax is unlikely to break Asuka’s streak tonight, so expect a count-out or DQ finish.
Elsewhere on tonight’s show, Seth Rollins and Finn Balor are butting heads as to who will face The Miz at WrestleMania. Both men defeated Miz last week, leading us to assume it will be a Triple Threat at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Championship. Kurt Angle is set to address the situation tonight. Also on Raw tonight, Braun Strowman looks to hurt Elias again, Paul Heyman may address Lesnar’s absence last week, and more. That’s our preview for tonight, remember to download the Ringside Talk app and join the conversation. Enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with General Manager Kurt Angle making his way to the ring as we get a recap of the entire Ronda Rousey situation.
Kurt thanks the fans for the reception but says he has to get serious. He says he has had to swallow his pride many times since returning to WWE as GM. He says last week went too far because Triple H sucker-punched him, and he can’t pretend to the fans or the locker room like everything is fine. So he calls-out Triple H and tells him to face him like a man. Angle takes off his blazer and waits but he doesn’t get The Game.
Stephanie McMahon tells Kurt to calm down and that Triple H isn’t even here yet. The fans boo. She says Angle has five kids, one of which is only a year old, and surely he wants to buy his kids everything. And he’s divorced, so his alimony payment must be pretty high. The fans boo her again. She turns a leaf and says let’s not forget Kurt is an Olympic Gold Medallist and a Hall of Famer, but those things don’t pay the bills. She says Triple H was provoked; Angle ruined the biggest contract signing in history. So Triple H simply got even last week. She tells him to think with his head.
Before Kurt can respond Rowdy Ronda Rousey comes out to a great reception. Ronda circles the entire ring, high-fiving every fan with a big smile on her face. She climbs into the ring and hugs Angle, then gives Stephanie a handshake. The fans chant “Ronda Rousey”. Ronda says what Triple H did to Kurt was enlightening. Now she knows the people who brought her to WWE are not who she thought they were but that’s fine, she’s dealt with difficult people her entire life. Stephanie says that being a boss isn’t always popular but she isn’t like that. She takes a dig at the audience and says the people here don’t get it because all they do is take orders. Stephanie then reminds Ronda that they gave her a great contract, with her first match at WrestleMania. Ronda says that’s correct and that it says in her contract she gets to choose that opponent. Before Ronda can choose however, Stephanie gets excited and asks for a drumroll, she gets cut off by Ronday saying “you!”.
The fans chant “YES!” and Stephanie looks terrified but out comes Triple H. He comes to the ring saying “this isn’t going to happen”. He tells Kurt to put his medals away and stop pretending he’s tough. Kurt responds by saying HHH wasn’t even supposed to be here. He says “so what?”, then says Stephanie is an executive and she won’t be competing. Angle says Stephanie has two contracts, one as an exec, and one as a Superstar. The fans cheer as Angle announces Ronda Rousey Vs. Stephanie McMahon. However, he’s not done, he adds himself and Triple H to the match!
The fans go crazy and Ronda looks very happy. Stephanie gets in Kurt’s face and shouts at him, then swings for a big slap but Ronday catches her hand and stares her down. Triple H steps in and pulls Stephanie out. He then turns to hit Kurt again but Angle blocks it and tees-off on HHH. The Game kicks Angle in the corner but Angle goes for the ankle lock. Triple H kicks him off and he headbutts the turnbuckle. Meanwhile Stephanie runs back in and forearms Ronda from behind. Stephanie then high-tails it. HHH grabs Angle for a Pedigree but Kurt reverses and applies an ankle lock. Eventually Steph pulls her husband from the ring and tends to him, but then Ronda grabs her by the hair and drags her back into the ring. Ronda lifts Stephanie and hits her with a Samoan Drop. Angle and Ronda leave the ring and pose on the stage as referee’s check on Triple H and Stephanie.
Later tonight, John Cena will once again address his Road To WrestleMania. Up next, Asuka will face Nia Jax.
*Commercial Break*
We return and get entrances for Asuka, then Nia Jax. We see Mickie James and Alexa Bliss watching the match on a monitor backstage.
Asuka Vs. Nia Jax
The match gets underway and Jax pushes Asuka to the corner and hits a running hip strike. She lands a headbutt before throwing Asuka across the ring, and the Empress rolls from the ring. Alexa and Mickie give a quick interview while Jax is shown bringing Asuka back into the ring.
Jax slams her to the mat, but the undefeated Asuka locks her in a submission. Nia escapes the hold and pushes her back to the corner. Jax picks up her opponent and spins her around a few times before letting her fall to the mat.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Asuka hit a nice shining wizard for a two count. Jax takes control again and floors Asuka with a body attack in the middle of the ring for another near fall. Nia lifts Asuka and hits a Samoan drop for another close two count.
Asuka avoids a leg drop and gets Jax into an armbar. She tries to escape the hold several times before lifting Asuka off the mat and slamming her into the corner. Asuka refuses to break the hold and Jax eventually crashes back to the mat. She manages to lift Asuka up one more time, but Asuka pulls her back down into the armbar. After holding out for a while on the ground, Jax is finally forced to tap out.
Winner: Asuka
After the match Asuka celebrates and leaves. Nia is sitting in the ring, holding her arm. She leaves the ring with no music playing and the fans applaud her. The commentators say this is a devastating loss and will have repercussions for Nia.
Later tonight, John Cena talks his WrestleMania plans and Elias battles Braun Strowman in a Symphony of Destruction match.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see The Revival in the ring, awaiting their opponents. Sheamus and Cesaro come to the ring and we see that The Revival requested this match after last week when The Bar said there’s nobody left to face them. If they score a win tonight they get a title shot at WrestleMania.
The Revival Vs. The Bar
Dawson and Sheamus start the match andthey fight for control with some holds and reversals until Sheamus hits a shoulder block that floors Scott. He tags in Cesaro for a double kick to the gut. Sheamus clocks Dash on the apron, but that just allows Dawson to fight back with some stiff strikes.
Dash comes in with a sunset flip for a quick two count. Cesaro tags in and immediately gets hit with a double team suplex for a two count. The Revival begin to mount some offense but The Bar slides out and regroups outside the ring as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Sheamus and Cesaro back in control. Dawson hits a jawbreaker and tags in Wilder. They take out Sheamus’ knee and elbow with vicious offense moves. The Celtic Warrior makes the hot tag to Cesaro, but his rampage is stopped quickly with a DDT from Dawson. Cesaro hits a big uppercut before he tags Sheamus, who unleashes some knee strikes on Dawson.
Dash runs in and saves Dawson from being hit with The Bar’s finisher. Then Sheamus gets knocked out of the ring by Dash. Dawson hits Cesaro with a superplex before Wilder nails him with a frog splash for a very close two count. Sheamus saves his partner from the Shatter Machine, then tosses Dawson out of the ring and Cesaro is able to hit the Neutralizer for the pin and the win.
Winners: The Bar
A surprising finish, it’s really unclear who will face The Bar at WrestleMania, unless it’s The Hardy Boyz.
After the break, we will hear from John Cena.
*Commercial Break*
John Cena comes out to a decent response from the fans, it seems Roman really has taken over as the main heel. Cena comes to the ring and he says he wants to talk about SmackDown and how he found his path to WrestleMania. He says he doesn’t take his status as a free agent lightly. He knows if he tried to give this promo on Tuesday that he would be interrupted by Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, or someone, so he decided to give it tonight. He says the fans aren’t going to like what he has to say but it needs to be said.
Cena declares his intention to win the title at Fastlane on Sunday and become the first 17-time WWE Champion. He talks about what the critics will say when he beats AJ Styles and steals his WrestlleMania moment. He suggests Styles use his rematch clause right away to make the match at WrestleMania a Triple Threat between himself, Styles and Nakamura. I like this version of Cena who keeps pitching matches for himself but not getting any. Bizarrely, Cena is interrupted and Goldust makes his way to the ring.
Goldust quotes Marlon Brando from On The Waterfront, and says he always wanted his golden moment but it never quite worked out. He says he wants to have a WrestleMania moment, too, and he will do it by stopping John Cena from going to WrestleMania. He says he is going to become the director of this motion picture and he lays out Cena with a right hand. We head to a break with John on the mat and a match about to happen.
*Commercial Break*
John Cena Vs. Goldust
We return to see this first-time ever match underway, and Goldy is in charge. Cena blocks a punch, throws some of his own but Goldust gets a Manhattan Drop and a forearm off the ropes for a quick cover. Another Manhattan Drop, Goldust bounces off the ropes but a double clothesline lays both men out!
Goldust ducks Cena and floors. While lying on the mat, Goldust takes the chance to rub Cena’s chest because why not. That backfires though because it fires Cena up, he hits the ropes, but Goldust catches him with a snap powerslam to counter the shoulder block!
Goldust gets down to Cena on the mat, rubs his hands up John’s chest again, and again that gets Cena up, he ducks the powerslam this time and grabs a sleeper hold! Goldy breaks with a low blow that referee Chad Patton doesn’t see but it’s not enough to finish the match! Cena lifts himself and ducks a clothesline to hit his shoulder tackles, then a back drop, followed by a Five Knuckle Shuffle and the AA for the win!
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Cena celebrates as the commentators hype Fastlane, this Sunday.
We see Kurt Angle backstage on the phone but he’s interrupted by Elias. He says he knows Kurt is busy, so he thinks Kurt should ban the Symphony of Destruction match tonight. Elias says it sends a bad message because there will be musical instruments around the ring for them to use when music should really be a positive thing. Angle says he will consider it, then quickly says nope. Elias says that’s fine, whatever happens Braun is on him. Angle says he recalls Elias running away last week but that won’t happen tonight because their match will be Falls Count Anywhere.
Later tonight, we get the third annual Mizzie Awards and Paul Heyman will be here, but up next, Bayley will talk about her friendship with Sasha Banks.
*Commercial Break*
Hillbilly Jim is the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2018!
Bayley makes her way to the ring after the break. She here’s to talk about what is going on with Sasha Banks. She says she knows it was every woman for herself but what Sasha did was…Absolution interrupts before she can continue. Paige mocks her and says she is a stupid little kid and not a real wrestler. She says Bayley needs to learn a lesson and Mandy Rose steps in to face the Hugger.
Bayley Vs. Mandy Rose
Mandy forces the Hugger into the corner. Collar and elbow again, Bayley with a wristlock, into the armbar, into the ropes, shot off, drop down, Rose counters the leapfrog with a double leg into the corner and a scoop slam into a cover for two. Into the corner, Bayley with shoulder thrusts, tube man elbow, but Mandy rolls outside to regroup with Absolution and we go to break.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Mandy has Bayley locked down with a reverse chinlock, wrenching her around a little to sink it tighter. The Hugger fights to her feet, body blows, Rose fires a kick back and follows it with a delayed vertical suplex lift dropped into a forearm to the face! Only good for two, Bayley with some forearms and a backslide, small package, Mandy ducks a lariat and hits a wicked running knee strike for a near-fall.
Rose unleashes some mounted forearms and goes for another cover but Bayley kicks out. Mandy looks for a takedown but Bayley is in the ropes and able to kick her off and pass her around to hit the middle rope Stunner. Bayley smashes Rose’s face into the turnbuckles over and over again followed by a Saito suplex. Bayley looks for a second suplex, but Sonya Deville attempts to interfere. Bayley isn’t phases and hits a diving corkscrew forearm smash from to Rose. Bayley catches Rose with a roll-up for the win!
Winner: Bayley
As soon as the ref counts three, Deville immediately runs into the ring to attack Bayley. Sasha Banks runs down to make the save and we’re left with the two in the ring. Sasha holds her hand in the air, then goes for a hug but Bayley pushes her away and walks off.
The Commentary team talks about the Symphony of Destruction match for later and then we see a Women’s History Month vignette about Eunice Kennedy Shriver to send us to break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Nia, who is icing her elbow backstage and looking disappointed when Alexa Bliss and Mickie James roll up. Alexa sends Mickie away and sits down next to Jax, saying she knows she’s unbelievably disappointed that she lost at Elimination Chamber and tonight and isn’t going to WrestleMania. She knows how disappointed she is in herself and says it must be embarrassing but she doesn’t want Nia to feel like a failure. She tells Jax she has friends and even though she’s not on the WrestleMania card she knows she will be next year and shouldn’t be ashamed. She should be proud of everything she’s accomplished in such a short time, and look at what she’s overcome. Her entire life she’s been an outcast, bullied and scorned because she’s so much bigger than the other kids. Even now, she sees how people look at Jax in the airport and says she can’t let this keep her down because everyone will lose all respect for her, and that gets Nia full-on crying.
Back at ringside, the commentary team asks if Ronda Rousey did the right thing at the start of the show tonight and recap that segment for us before hyping the WrestleMania match between the four.
Braun Strowman appears in a selfie promo about how Elias is gonna get these hands and start the countdown to his extinction. We cut to Elias walking backstage and we go to break, that match is up next.
*Commercial Break*
We return for a musical performance with Elias, who’s sitting by the stage at a piano. The stage is also littered with bass, guitar, violins, etc. Elias introduces himself and plays the piano. He gets a great reception when he asks who wants to walk with him. He then says he loves the piano because it’s classy and elegant, unlike this trashy town. He gets up and walks over, plays some drums, then grabs a guitar and walks to the ring as he performs. He sings about hating the town and beating Braun. He asks for the lights to be dimmed for a proper intro, but he uses the dark as a way to run from the ring.
We see him running through the backstage area to his car and getting inside. He starts it and tries to drive, but then he sees Strowman holding the back of the car off the ground so he can’t drive it away. The Monster Among Men chases Elias back into the arena. They make it back to ringside and the bell rings.
Braun Strowman Vs. Elias
Braun beats Elias all the way down the ramp and into the ring. Elias hits a chop block and smashes his guitar on the back of Strowman. He climbs to the top rope and hits a huge elbow drop for a one count.
Strowman brings Elias onto the stage and clears off the announce table. Elias rakes the eyes, but it’s not enough to stop Braun from throwing him through some guitars on stands. The Monster Among Men picks up a standing bass and smashes it across the back of Elias. He ends up slamming a piano onto Elias before covering him on the stage for the pin.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match we get replays, then referee’s tend to Elias and put him on a stretcher.
Michael Cole and Co. talk about the rest of the show tonight and then we get a couple of promo’s for the Mixed Match Challenge tomorrow night.
*Commercial Break*
Bray Wyatt makes his way to the ring for a match against Rhyno.
Rhyno W/Heath Slater Vs. Bray Wyatt
Wyatt attacks Rhyno right at the bell, slamming him in the corner and unleashing lariats. Bray shouts at Slater, then hits Sister Abigail for a crazy quick win.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
After the match,Bray calls out Matt and says this war isn’t over. Matt Hardy appears on the screen and says Bray is right, the war is far from over. He challenges Bray to The Ultimate Deletion and we see clips of him preparing the “battlefield”, which, if you’ve seen any of the other Deletion matches, looks pretty much the same. It’s outside Jeff’s house with tribal prints in the grass and Hardy symbol headstones. Matt laughs to end the segment and Bray is smiling in the ring.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back and it’s time for the Mizzies! The Miz welcomes the crowd to the 3rd Annual Mizzie Awards. The Miz says this is a cherished institute that celebrates the best of WWE. The Mizzies recognize true greatness, not acclaimed movies that no one has seen. The real “Darkest Hour” is that “The Shape of Water” won over “The Marine 5.” Miz wants to honor the best of WWE.
The first award is for the Superstar who is best at patting themselves on the back.The nominees are Seth Rollins, who bragged about being in a match for over sixty minutes… and lost, Kurt Angle, who took years to be a good father to Jason Jordan, Finn Balor, who held the WWE Universal Championship for a day. The Miz is also nominated. The Miz asks who they think it should be. The winner is… a tie. Seth Rollins and Finn Balor win! They can’t accept their awards because they weren’t invited.
The second award is for the worst decision by a Raw General Manager. The nominees are Kurt Angle for bringing his bastard son Jason Jordan to Monday Night RAW, Kurt Angle for letting Finn Balor and Seth Rollins into the Elimination Chamber match, and Kurt Angle for failing to name a WrestleMania opponent for the Intercontinental Champion. The winner is… Kurt Angle! A graphic says, “Applause.” Miz says Angle cannot accept because he’s too busy kissing up to Ronda Rousey. Having a Mizzie on his resume will help when he’s unemployed after WrestleMania. Miz wants to have a Lifetime Achievement Mizzie. This man is the main event wherever he is on the WrestleMania card. This man is also 55 days away from beating Pedro Morales’ record.
Seth Rollins interrupts and says the fine people of Milwaukee were begging for him to hit the music because he’s dragging. Finn Balor’s music hits to interrupt him. Rollins isn’t happy about that. The Miz cuts them off and says they don’t deserve a shot at him at WrestleMania. No matter how many great performances Rollins puts on, he still loses. As for Balor, he’s done nothing since winning the Universal Championship for a day. Balor talks about being “over.” This isn’t Japan. It takes more than a hand sign that isn’t even his to be over. The Miz says they beat him in basically a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. Miz challenges them to a 3-on-2 Handicap Match right now. Rollins says if that’s what it takes to shut Miz up, they’ll do it.
*Commercial Break*
3-On-2 Handicap Match
The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas Vs. Seth Rollins & Finn Balor
Finn Balor starts against Curtis Axel. Balor takes him down and wrenches the arm. Axel fights up and backs him into the ropes. Axel knees him in the midsection and sends him into the ropes. Axel goes for a sunset flip, but Balor rolls through and dropkicks him for a two count. Balor wrenches the arm before tagging Seth Rollins in. Rollins comes off the top rope with a club to the arm. Axel quickly comes back and tags in Bo Dallas. Rollins attacks both and hip tosses Dallas before dropkicking him. Rollin scares Miz off the apron before getting blindsided by Dallas.
Miz tags in and hits a running boot on Rollins. Axel tags back in and takes him down for a two count. Axel applies an arm bar. Rollins fights up, but Axel takes him down. Axel then dropkicks him. Dallas tags in and applies a chin lock. Rollins fights up and boots Dallas back. Balor is tagged in, and he takes out Dallas and Axel. Balor hits a double stomp and scares Miz away. Balor hits a running chop and sends him to the corner for another running chop. Balor then slingshots over him, but Dallas boots him back. Dallas goes to the top rope, but Balor hits an enzuigiri. Miz then distracts Balor. Balor chases him, avoids a clothesline from Axel, and eats a clothesline from Dallas.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Balor hit a jawbreaker on Axel. They then take each other out. Rollins tags in, as does Miz. Rollins hits a superplex and follows into a falcon arrow for a near fall. Rollins superkicks him and knocks Dallas off the apron. Miz rolls him up for a two count. Rollins superkicks him and hits a suicide dive on The Miztourage.
Rollins throws him out of the ring and goes for a suicide dive on all three, but Balor blind tags in. They argue. Balor hits The Miztourage with a summersault senton. Balor hits Miz with a Sling Blade and dropkicks him into the corner. Balor gets to the top rope, but Rollins blind tags in. Rollins hits Miz with a Curb Stomp for the win.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Finn Balor
Kurt Angle’s music hits, and he says he already has a match at WrestleMania. Now it’s time for The Miz’ match. Miz won’t be competing against Seth Rollins or Finn Balor. Miz starts to laugh. Miz will be competing against them both in a triple threat match. Miz’ face turns sour.
The commentators run down the WWE Fastlane card. Paul Heyman will respond to Roman Reigns, next.
*Commercial Break*
Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring holding the Universal Championship and going through his usual spiel. The crowd boos Brock Lesnar’s name. Heyman is here to deliver a message on behalf of his client. Heyman is holding the title because Lesnar has allowed him to put his hands on the title. After Lesnar defends the title at WrestleMania against Roman Reigns and if he chooses to defend it on SummerSlam, he’ll come back on television and, if he’s allowed to, he’ll lay the Universal Title down in the ring along with the UFC Title!
Roman Reigns has a lot to say about Brock Lesnar and criticized his schedule. Heyman says, “Hey Roman — what’s the biggest victory of your career? Last year in the main event of WrestleMania when you defeated The Undertaker.” Did anyone say that Reigns beating Undertaker meant nothing because The Undertaker only wrestles one night a year. If anyone said that, that statement is bullshit. The Undertaker is 365 days a year. If you beat him, props to you. Brock Lesnar is Brock Lesnar 365 days a year. Reigns isn’t beating him. If Reigns doesn’t like what he’s saying, he can do something about it next week when he brings out Brock Lesnar. This title belongs to Brock Lesnar.
Heyman then goes to leave, but stops. Heyman mentions that Reigns called Lesnar a “bitch.” Heyman holds up the Universal Championship and says this is Lesnar’s bitch. Reigns is eying up Lesnar’s bitch. Reigns thinks this business is his life blood. Heyman says this is not a belt or a strap. It means you’re better than anyone else in the world. The title means you’re the number one on the face of the planet. It’s not how bad you want the title. It’s how bad the title wants you. If you want to be the champion, you have to be prepared for anything. If you get a phone call on the night before WrestleMania that something bad happened to your father, you still have to show up to WrestleMania. Then you need to go to RAW and show it off. If you’re not needed for Smackdown, you can go back to your family that needs you. The title is everything you are. Next week in Detroit, his client will be here. Reigns can say anything he wants to Lesnar’s face. You don’t want to shoot on the microphone with Paul Heyman, and you don’t want to shoot in the ring with Brock Lesnar.
Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he makes his way to the ring. Reigns gets in the ring and gets in Heyman’s face. Heyman takes the Universal Championship and hands him a microphone. Reigns says this is what he’s talking about. Reigns said a lot of things. Some of them were harsh, but they were true. What does Lesnar do? He sends Heyman out for the rebuttal. Reigns says, “Brock really is a bitch, isn’t he?” Reigns asks that Lesnar shows up. The crowd wants the champion to show up to work. They want Lesnar to actually want to be here. If Lesnar is going to be in Detroit, he better not be dressed for a promo segment. He better come dressed for a fight. Heyman quickly hurries away.
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will go face-to-face next week on RAW. That’s it for tonight’s show. Let us know what you thought and remember to come back for your wrestling news everyday! Safe travels.
