Raw Review 03/16/2020
RAW REVIEW 03/16/2020
Tonight Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center. Stone Cold Steve Austin will be live but what will the Texas Rattlesnake have in store for us? Plus, what will Edge have to say after Randy Orton ran away from him last week? Also, what will happen when The Undertaker and AJ Styles meet face to face to sign their WrestleMania Match contract. Finally, The Man Becky Lynch is here but will she have to say to her WrestleMania opponent Shayna Baszler?
Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Jerry “The King” Lawler, Tom Phillips, and Byron Saxton as they are in the ring.
Raw Kick-Off:
Byron tells us that even though there isn’t an audience the WWE SuperStars are still ready to perform! King then reminds us that Stone Cold Steve Austin is here tonight! We then take a look back at AJ Styles comments about The Undertaker last week. Byron tells us that The Undertaker is here tonight as is AJ Styles and they will sign their contract to make their match official. We are also told that The Rated R Superstar Edge is here and here he comes!
In-Ring Segment: Edge
Edge says it’s been a strange few months for him and his wife Beth, he then calls for the footage of the events. Edge says it’s been a long time coming. He tells how 21 years ago when he met Randy he knew his paths would be entwined. He tells how they disliked the same people and even have the same man who pushed them and showed them what they could be, Mick Foley. He says the lesson he took from Mick that Randy didn’t was grit. He says it took grit for him to stand up after 9 years and come back at the Royal Rumble. He then says Randy is an entitled brat, even though he is one of if not the best to ever do it, this was handed to him on a silver platter. Edge says it makes Randy sick that he could work for this and get everything he did. He tells how he was raised by a single mother who broke her back for him. He says Randy doesn’t love him, he’s jealous because he can’t do what he can do and it tears Randy apart. He then tells how Beth came here two weeks ago to retire for him again because she didn’t feel it was fair for someone to have to retire from what they love and do not once but twice. He says Randy pulled him out of a hole and away from making a horrible decision. Edge says at WrestleMania if Randy has the guts it’s Edge vs Orton in a Last Man Standing Match. He says he writes the story and this isn’t a tragic story it’s a redemptive story and at WrestleMania, Orton won’t stand back up.
My Opinion:
Wow, those were strong words from Edge tonight. He laid his heart out there and I hope Orton accepts this match. Edge and Orton are going to tear each other apart in that one but it will show who the better man is. Edge is back and I hope it’s for a long time and he can once again prove why he is one of the best to ever do this. I can’t wait to see how Orton responds to this.
Earlier Today: Becky Lynch
We are shown Becky Lynch pulling up to the Performance Center in a semi-truck! Lynch will be live on Raw tonight!
2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match:
Obviously given the circumstances surrounding the world right now Raw is going to be a little different tonight, with that being said at this point in the show we are being shown the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match! In this one, Brock Lesnar went on to eliminate 14 SuperStars in a row. Drew McIntyre would go on to Eliminate Brock and after surprises like the return of Edge and much back and forth and opportunity for many men to win the match Drew Mcintyre would go on to win this one! This was Drew McIntyre’s first Royal Rumble win and granted him his opportunity at The Beast Brock Lesnar and the WWE Championship. The two are set to clash at WrestleMania 36 that as of right now will air April 5th from the WWE Performance Center.
My Opinions:
I really enjoyed this year’s Royal Rumble match to me, it felt like a tale of two matches, we saw the dominance of Brock Lesnar but then once he was eliminated the match got very competitive and it was really anyone’s to win. I thought everyone fought hard in this one and there were a lot of great individual stories told throughout. I was very happy to see Drew Mcintyre win this one and I’m glad he is finally getting the opportunity he so rightly deserves. Although this year’s WrestleMania may not feel the same he still has the opportunity to go out there and make history, in the midst of what will be a very interesting event, to say the least, a McIntyre win would be a bright spot.
***As mentioned it is reiterated that WrestleMania will come from the WWE Performance Center on April 5th. As The King said the show will go on.
In-Ring Segment: AJ Styles vs The Undertaker Contract Signing:
King announces it is time now for the contract signing between AJ Styles and this man The Undertaker. Out comes Undertaker!
Undertaker isn’t in his normal trench coat but instead in a skull cap with his straps pulled down. Undertaker flips over the table and destroys the contract signing set as Raw goes to break!
As Raw returns, we are told The Undertaker was incensed because no contract was present to be signed. We then take a look back at the budding rivalry between Undertaker and Styles. We then see The Undertaker still in the ring. AJ Styles music then hits but Styles doesn’t come out. The music plays again but still no sign of Taker. Styles then comes up on the screen with The O.C. Styles says he has the construct right here. He tells he was the one who challenged Taker to a match and they sit in the performance center where hundreds of people come through hoping to be like Taker but not them because they didn’t come through here. He then tells that Taker keeps interjects himself into a world that doesn’t want him. He tells how Taker continues to interject himself into WrestleMania season. He then blames it on Taker’s wife again. He says Undertaker, Mark, you are a shell of yourself. He says he doesn’t have any sympathy for the old guy because not once but twice Taker has stuck his nose in O.C. business. He tells about Super ShowDown and then the match at Elimination Chamber. Styles says at WrestleMania Taker can’t hide and we know he can’t run. He says he will be doing everyone a favor when he finally has Taker rest in peace. Styles then signs the contract and tells Anderson to take it to Taker. Anderson refuses so he asks Gallows but he refuses. Styles then forces them to go take it out to Taker. Here comes Gallows and Anderson.
Anderson and Gallows walk down to the ring and set the contract down and back away. The lights then go out and Taker is behind Gallows and Anderson. Taker then pushes them into the apron. He throws Anderson into the steps and then unloads on Gallows. Taker grabs Anderson and throws him into the barricade. Taker then hits him with a big boot to the face. Gallows is then thrown into the barricade. With both men laid out Taker signs the contract and then shoves it into Anderson’s mouth. Taker then walks up the ramp and stares at Styles who is still on the screen.
My Opinion:
That was awesome! Taker got his hands on Anderson and Gallows and made a statement tonight. I think Styles is really barking up the wrong tree making this so personal as Taker really looked angry tonight. With this match now officially happening there is no telling what will go down. If Styles is looking to end the Undertaker it seems like a hard task to accomplish when you know Undertaker won’t go down without a fight. I’m excited to see the continued build and the ultimate showdown come April 5th!
Match 1: Rey Mysterio vs Andrade w/ Zelina Vega
Mysterio starts the match with a drop toe hold. Andrade gets up and is able to get the advantage, he beats down Mysterio and is in control. Andrade drops an elbow on the back of Mysterio. Andrade gets Mysterio to his feet and hits him with a chop. Mysterio fights backs and hits him with big strikes. He then sends him flying across the ring. Mysterio goes to the apron but is slowed down by Vega. Mysterio fights off Andrade and looks to fly but Andrade is able to kick him in mid-air and drop him. He covers but Mysterio kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade is in control and has Mysterio on his shoulders. Mysterio is able to fight off and knock Andrade to the mat. Mysterio gets on the apron and then flies off the ropes to hit the seated senton. He is able to hit a dropkick but it’s not enough to put Andrade away. He misses on a moonsault but is finally able to hit the drop toe hold to get him on the ropes. Andrade gets up and hits a back elbow. He covers but Mysterio stays in the match. Andrade hits a suplex and another to follow but misses on the third. Mysterio again gets him in the ropes and this time he hits the 619! Mysterio drops the dime and covers for the 1 2 3!
Winner: Rey Mysterio
My Opinion:
A huge win for Mysterio tonight! This definitely has to put him back in contention for the United States Championship. Every time these two step in the ring together they create magic and I’m sure very soon we will see them face off again. I’ve loved all the matches that Mysterio, Andrade, Carrillo, and Garza have been having. I really do hope we get a Fatal Four Way or something between them in the near future as I think that would be a classic!
In-Ring Segment: Becky Lynch
Lynch tells Baszler that as long as she is holding the title nothing in Baszler’s world makes sense. She says Shayna has been trained that she can bully her way to the top. She tells how she made Shayna question the whole natural order of things and as long as she is the champ then Shayna’s whole world is a lie. Lynch says she is the prey that killed the predators. She says Shayna knows she is a different proposition and it enrages Shayna and her little buddies. She tells Shayna she wants her to think what it’s going to feel like when she beats her. She says at WrestleMania she will prove that Shayna’s whole life is a lie and it will hit her like a truck. We are then shown Shayna watching backstage.
My Opinion:
Lynch looks ready to fight and I love it! She and Shayna are going to have a very hard-hitting match and in this one, we will find out who the better woman is. They have both said and done a lot to each other since their rivalry started but there is no doubt their time for talking is about over. There is a lot on the line in this one but it seems right now Lynch is the one prepared for the moment. But given the circumstances, there will be no crowd noise and this is going to come down to how can win a fight so in that sense Shayna has to have an edge right now.
***As Raw returns we take a look back at the exchange between Charlotte Flair and Reah Ripley from Raw last week and their exchange on NXT!
Backstage Segment: Kevin Owens
Charly welcomes Kevin Owens. She asks him about Seth Rollins challenging him to a match anytime anywhere. Owens grabs the mic and accepts the challenge. He tells Rollins that after today’s announcement he’s decided it is going to happen at the Performance Center. He says Rollins has had his goons the last couple of months but here at the Performance Center, he has the home-field advantage. He says he went through his hardest experiences here. He says before he was in WWE people said he didn’t belong here including Rollins. He tells how he has met so many great people here who are like brothers and mentors. He says he will make history here again and he will beat him here at the Performance Center at WrestleMania!
***Brock Lesnar and Drew Mcintyre will be live on Raw, next week!
***Also appearing live will be Randy Orton to address Edge’s challenge!
In-Ring Segment: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Austin makes his way in the ring and takes down two beers! Austin says it’s good to be here tonight and coming through your television screen. Astin declares that from here on out the 16th day of March is a national holiday. He says if you wanna what 3:16 day is all about, give me a Hell Yeah. he then says it again and Byron stands up and says Hell Yeah! Austin says What? Byron then says Hell Yeah again! Austin says he appreciates the enthusiasm. Austin says 3:16 is about when someone gives you a load of crap you give them a finger. He says 3:16 today is when you open up a can of Whoop Ass on anyone you want. Byron is on commentary giving Austin numbers on his rules. Austin says 3:16 day is about taking the speed limit as a suggestion. He says it is about drinking beers and burping and no one gives you crap about it. He says it’s also about when your boss works for you. He says 3:16 day is when you have a beer instead of your morning coffee. He says 3:16 day is when 4 letter words are all acceptable. He says it is a day when you can whoop anyone’s ass and get away with it. Austin then asks Byron if he would like to come down and celebrate 3:16 day with him. Austin jokes with him and tells him he appreciates his help and his work. He tells Byron he could have been a little easy with his judging. Austin says he appreciates all the depth and levels of fabric Byron brought to the broadcast tonight. He says here’s to you one hundred percent unadulterated jackass. He then gives Bryon a Stunner! Now here comes Becky Lynch!
Lynch brings down a cooler filled with beer. Austin tells her last time you were in the ring you hit me with a Stunner. Lynch tells him she respects 3:16 day and what it stands for after Austin questions her. They then cheer’s and share some drinks! Byron is hit with another Stunner as Raw goes off the air!
My Opinion:
That was a great way to end the show! Stone Cold knows how to entertain and he did just that tonight. It’s always a pleasure to see him come back and I always look forward to it. Seeing Austin and Lynch in the ring together was awesome as well! Seeing Stone Cold throw back some beers and raise hell will never get old! Also, a big shout out to Byron for being awesome during this!
Final Thoughts:
All things considered, this was a super entertaining show! I thought Edge’s promo at the beginning was absolutely awesome! If Orton agrees to the Last Man Standing Match with him it is going to be a clash for the ages! I cannot wait to see how Orton responds to just a deep and direct message from the Rated R Superstar. I really dug The Undertaker and AJ Styles segment from tonight. Taker made his point laying out Gallows and Anderson after Styles continued to anger Taker. Styles is looking to end him but it seems Taker is angry and will come to WrestleMania looking to prove a point and take out Styles! I’m super excited for this match and I think it will be something very special. I really loved everything that Becky Lynch had to say, she seems focused and ready for a fight. There isn’t much she or Shayna can really say more but when they do finally meet face to face for the Raw Women’s Championship you know neither will hold back and it’s going to take a lot for both to keep the other down! We only got one match on the night excluding the airing of the Men’s Royal Rumble from this year which I didn’t mind because I loved it this year. But when it came to Mysterio and Andrade they did very well, all things considered. They are both amazing wrestlers and their rivalry has been a treat to watch. I hope we continue to see them have matches as they always push each other to the limit. Finally, the ending tonight was classic and special as it always is when Stone Cold comes home to the WWE! He entertained as he did and gave everyone a special moment in the ring. It was a perfect way to end the night. Overall I enjoyed this one, for the foreseeable future this is what wrestling is going to be like but they are making the most of it. I hope everyone enjoyed it and tonight could help give a bright spot in the tough times we are in right now. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy through these troubling times. I’m excited for NXT and SmackDown this week as the WWE continues to do what they do best, entertain. All the best to everyone!
Overall Rating: 10/10
