Raw Review 03/06/2017

Last night marked the final stop on The Road to WrestleMania. Tonight we see the fallout from FastLane. Now that Goldberg is the WWE Universal Champion how will he move forward as he is set to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Kevin Owens was distracted last night by his former best friend Chris Jericho and it ultimately cost him the title. Will we finally see the former best friends go at it? Plus Bayley retained her WWE Raw Women’s Championship but did so in questionable fashion. What will Charlotte do next in her quest to regain the title? On the same note who else will be coming after Bayley with WrestleMania less than a month away. Roman Reigns conquered the Monster Among Men but is there a greater challenge awaiting The Big Dog? What will Braun Strowman do to rebound after a clean loss? We will also see tonight how Seth Rollins rehab is going has he gears towards being at WrestleMania. Tonight will show us a greater picture of what is ahead for WrestleMania. Many questions hopefully will be answered.

Raw is live tonight from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton.

In Ring Segment: Chris Jericho
Jericho says tonight Chicago is the sight of the resurrection of Chris Jericho. Jericho says Owens had it coming last night. He says how Owens betrayed him and ripped out his heart. He asks why Owens did that and calls out KO. Out comes Owens.
Owens says after what you did last night you think I am going to give you the answer you are looking for. Jericho says he wants no bs and wants the answer. Jericho says he has been at home and he is angry and hurt and betrayed. Owens says that Jericho was never his best friend. Owens brings up how he stabbed Sami Zayn in the back as well. Owens says Jericho was just a tool and he used him. Owens says he had to do whatever it took to retain the title after he won it. He says he looked for someone who had been there before and to be gullible. Owens says Jericho was a perfect tool but he outlived his usefulness. He says when Jericho accepted the Goldberg match he became a burden not a tool. Owens says he would have beaten Goldberg if it wasn’t for Jericho. He says Jericho outsmarted him. Owens claims he spared Jericho and let him walk away. Owens states that letting Jericho walk away was the biggest mistake of his career. He tells Jericho the biggest mistake he ever made was to cost him the title. Jericho says he liked having a best friend. Jericho says he has a lot of friends and doesn’t need Owens. Jericho says that costing Owens the title was just the beginning. He states Fastlane was the start but that road will lead to Owens vs Jericho at WrestleMania. Owens says he is glad Jericho brought that up because he will get the title back but ever since last night all he wants is to take the title away from Jericho. Jericho says it is on. Jericho vs Owens for the United States Championship. Jericho tells Owens why wait for WrestleMania let’s do it right now. Owens says nothing is stopping him and charges the ring.
Samoa Joe enters the ring and helps Owens fend off Jericho. Out comes Sami Zayn. Zayn comes out with a chair and takes out Samoa Joe. Zayn takes it to Owens and they go at it. Joe comes to and helps Owens but Jericho grabs the chair and lays out Joe and Owens.
My Opinion:
What a way to start Raw. I really loved that. Jericho was so over and him and Owens killed it on the mic. I can’t wait for their match at Mania and I love that the U.S. title is on the line as it heightens the stakes. Samoa Joe and Zayn getting involved was a good touch as well.

Match 1: Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
Owens backs Zayn in the corner and takes it to him. Owens is able to get a kick to the face but Zayn fights back. Zayn lands flush punches to Owens in the corner. Zayn and Owens go to the outside and Zayn beats on Owens in the corner. They get back in the ring and Owens lands a cannonball. Owens goes to the outside and Zayn takes him out diving over the ropes. Owens takes out Zayn with a pop up powerbomb. Owens pounds on Zayn. He is able to hit a somersault and land on the back of the neck of Sami Zayn. Owens drops Zayn on his knee. He hits a second pop up powerbomb and picks up the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
My Opinion:
This was good in terms of Owens needed the win and needed to regroup. He has to stay dangerous heading into WrestleMania. I don’t like how Zayn seems to always be going down so easy and always being thrown around. Although this doesn’t hurt Zayn and it just helps set forth that Owens is on a path of destruction.

Match 2: Neville (c) vs Rich Swann:
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Swann starts hot with two clothesline. He hits a dropkick and Neville goes to the outside. He throws Neville into the barricade. Neville fights back but Swann is able to keep his balance on Neville’s throw. Neville throws Swann into the ring as we head to break.
As Raw returns Neville has Swann in a chinlock. Swann tries to fight out but Neville sends him back to the mat. Neville grabs Swann on the apron but Swann lands a series of rights. He is able to hang Neville up on the ropes. Swann goes to the top and takes out Neville on the outside with a swanton. Swann and Neville bring it back to the ring. Neville strikes Swann but Swann is able to hit a headscissors. Swann drops neville but is unable to get the 3 count. Neville is able to hit a suplex on the top. Neville and Swann end up on the outside again and Neville throws Swann into the barricade.
As we return Swann lands a huge forearm. Swann lands a huge kick but only gets a two count. Swann misses and Neville takes advantage. Neville locks in The Rings of Saturn and Swann taps out.
*** Neville tells Aries that he has done what he said he would do. Neville says to everyone who doubted him look at him now. Neville says he laid waste to pretender after pretender. He says there is no one on 205 Live that holds a candle to the King of the Cruiserweights. Aries suggest himself as being on Neville’s level. Neville says he can’t be serious. He tells Aries to go back to the announcers desk. Aries says he is just trying to do his job. Neville asks what he is going to do about it. Aries says he has more of a statement and goes after Neville. Aries goes to the top and Neville.
Winner: Neville: Still Cruiserweight Champion
My Opinion:
I loved this match. Neville and Swann took each other to the limit. The Rich Swann we saw tonight is the one I always want to see. I think Neville is great but it hard when he is the only heel and not that great at it. I loved Aries taking out Neville. I thought it was perfectly done and I hope we get this match at Mania. It will be one match that people won’t boo that’s for sure.

Backstage Segment:
Sheamus says that Enzo and Cass choked last night. Cass tells them to watch their match tonight. Sheamus says they will and they will be right here if they win. Enzo says they are gonna win and tells them they have nothing to celebrate.

In Ring Segment: Goldberg
Goldberg says the title belongs to the WWE Universe. He says he couldn’t have done it without them. He says he is very humble. Goldberg says he has some information he wants to share that he has never made public. He stops as the crowd chants CM Punk. Heyman comes out and interrupts.
Heyman says he will not go down to the ring and congratulate Goldberg because there is someone else who should come shake his hand and he did not come here alone. Heyman introduces Lesnar.
Heyman and Lesnar make their way into the ring. Heyman says that Lesnar came here to congratulate him. He says Lesnar understand how happy Goldberg may be. He says that Lesnar may be the only person happier about Goldberg being champion. Heyman says Lesnar will shake his hand because Goldberg has shown he is just as much of conquerer. Heyman states the obvious that there can only be one winner. Heyman tells that he makes spoilers not predictions and that at the end of the match at WrestleMania there will be a new WWE Universal Champion. Heyman says at the end everyone can look at Goldberg and says there he is Brock’s bitch. Lesnar then F5’s Goldberg.
My Opinion:
I loved it so much. Goldberg didn’t really talk which was good because you don’t want to wear it out with still weeks to go. Heyman was on tonight and the ending part couldn’t have been better. Lesnar looks focused and it is go time.

Match 3: The Club (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) (c) vs Enzo & Big Cass:
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Gallows strikes Enzo right away. Enzo is able to land a dropkick on Gallows and Cass gets the tag. Cas comes in hot but Gallows backs him in the corner and Anderson gets the tag. Anderson kicks Cass but Cass is able to hit him with a knee. Anderson and Gallows go to the outside. Sheamus and Cesaro come out to spectate as Raw heads to commercial.
As Raw returns Anderson flattens Enzo. Gallows gets the tag and lands big rights to Enzo. He continues to land the rights. Gallows tries to slam Enzo but Enzo is able to turn it into a DDT. Cass gets the tag and hits two fallaway slams and a big splash. He hits the Empire elbow on Anderson but Gallows breaks up the pin. Gallows goes to the outside and Enzo takes him out. Enzo spills Cesaro’s coffee. Cesaro goes after Enoz but ends up hitting Anderson. The bell is rung for the interference. All three teams go at it. Enzo tries to jump on Cesaro but Sheamus takes him off with a brogue Kick.
Winners: Gallows & Anderson: Still Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
These matches just seem to be all the same. It is the same moves and the two teams together just aren’t fun to watch. Sheamus and Cesaro getting involved added some spice and hopefully for the tag team divisions sake there will be a big tag team match for the titles at Mania but it is hard to live up to the expectations of the Attitude Era teams.

Hall Of Fame Announcement: Ravishing Rick Rude

Backstage Segment:
Enzo and Cass and Sheamus and Cesaro are going at it arguing. Foley says they will settle it next week and the winners will face Gallows and Anderson at Mania. Steph comes up to Mick and tells him to follow her to her office.

Match 4: Akira Tozawa vs Ariya Davari
Davari backs Tozawa in the corner and hamers on him. He whips him in the corner and and flips Tozawa. Davari hits a knee to the back of Tozawa’s neck. Davari lands a series of chops but Tozawa lands a few of his own. Tozawa is able to catch Davari with a right. Tozawa lands a big suicide dive and takes out Davari. He brings him in the ring and looks to go t the top. Davari rolls and is able to land a right. Tozawa regains composure and hits a big suplex for the win.
*** Tozawa calls out Kendrick and tells him to fight him face to face. Out comes Kendrick. Kendrick tells him he can’t make promises but he will have an answer tomorrow night. Kendrick tells him to be careful what you wish for.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
My Opinion:
I like that Tozawa is developing him character and becoming fun to watch. I love Davari as well I think he is very underrated. For Tozawa’s sake fighting Kendrick is huge and will help him get to the level he needs to be. Hopefully all the Cruiserweights can bring it together and make the division great again

Match 5: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) vs The Shining Stars (Primo & Epico)
Epico hits Kofi with a codebreaker. Primo gets the tag and gets his shot on Kofi. Epico takes Big E off the apron. Big E takes Epico out and Kofi takes Primo out. Kofi tags Big E. They double team Primo and get the win.
Winners: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E)
My Opinion:
Pointless to me but it is what it is. This Raw was so good but they need to do way with these kind of matches. This is where it loses people. It was interesting all night and then they tune it down. They don’t need to tone it down. They need to keep it hot and keep you interested from 8 – 11:05

In Ring Segment: Bayley
Bayley says she wishes she could call herself a champion today. Bayley tells how Sasha came out last night and interfered. Bayley states that she needs to keep going and look to WrestleMania. Bayley says she promised herself that she would be on the show at WrestleMania. She claims it doesn’t feel right. Foley tells her that it doesn’t matter how you get there but where you are going. He then asks who her opponent will be. Sasha comes out.
Sasha says let’s talk about WrestleMania. She states that her and Bayley always wanted to tear down the house at Mania. She proposes the match to Bayley. Foley says he would like a second opinion. He asks the crowd and they love it. Out comes Charlotte.
Charlotte says just like that the plan is crystal clear. Charlotte claims that Sasha didn’t think Bayley was good enough to beat me. She states that Sasha uses Bayley and pretends to be her friend. Charlotte calls herself the victim in this. She claims she was robbed of her title and her ppv streak. Mick says he understands. Here comes Stephanie. Steph says Foley is not the boss she is. Steph says the crowd is predictable. She says the crowd is a loser like Punk. Stephanie says the Women Champions match will go to the one who was robbed Charlotte. Steph says Bayley will defend against Charlotte at WrestleMania. Mick says you can not leave The Boss out in the cold and says Sasha deserves her shot. Foley says Charlotte and Sasha should face next week to see who faces Bayley. Steph says Sasha will have the opportunity. Steph says if
Sasha wins the match will be a triple threat. Steph says Sasha will face Bayley right now.
My Opinion:
This was such a good segment. Stephanie was on fire and I loved that she acknowledged CM Punk. I think they should have had a clearer way for the promo to work because it took a couple different turns. I love that this match is happening tonight as they need these kind of matches in the coming weeks before Mania. People will only watch if you give them something to watch.

Match 6: Bayley vs Sasha:
If Sasha wins she will be added to the Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania.
Sasha gets Bayley in a wrist lock but Bayley is able to reverse. Bayley gets her to the mat and gets a chinlock in. Sasha fights out and the two lock up again. Sasha gets another wrist lock and pulls Bayley’s arm. Bayley flips Sasha and the two get to a vertical base. Sasha tries to flip Bayley but Bayley fights her off. Sasha lands a nice deep armdrag and Bayley goes to the corner. Bayley gets a wrist lock of her own and lands an armdrag from the second rope. Bayley lands a big splash but can’t get the three. Sasha takes Bayley off her feet and tries a series of pins but can’t get the three. Sasha lands a hurricanrana and Bayley goes to the outside. Sasha dives off the apron and takes out Bayley. Sasha brings it back into the ring and lands a big clothesline as Raw goes to break.
Sasha tries to pin Bayley a couple times but Bayley kicks out. Bayley uses the ropes and breaks the hold. Sasha lands a right hand but Bayley comes back. Sasha is able to hit double knees but Bayley kicks out. Bayley looks for a crossbody but Sasha gets out of the way. Sasha locks in the Banks statement but Charlotte tries to stop it. Sasha kicks her off the apron and locks it back in. Bayley taps this time.
*** Charlotte comes in and attacks Sasha. She grabs the title and holds it up high.
Winner: Sasha Banks:
Now will Be a Triple Threat match for the Raw Women’s Championship
My Opinion:
Awesome match between these two. I love Bayley but I am stoked for the Triple Threat. This is going to be a good one. I think all three women will provide a perfect mix and we will have a Women’s match that will go down as one of the best Women’s matches.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Roman how he feels about Braun saying he is going to finish what he started. Roman says he will see him in the ring tonight.

Triple H via satellite:
Triple H says you have to take your hat off to WWE for taking care of their talent. He says we have to hope Rollins listens to the experts. Triple H says Rollins is showing nothing but stupidity for trying to make it to WrestleMania. Triple H states Rollins just lies to himself. Triple H tells he never had to call himself anything because people just knew. Triple H says if Rollins shows up to Mania and calls him out it will be the last thing Rollins ever does in a WWE Ring.

Match 7: Samoa Joe vs Chris Jericho
Joe backs Jericho in the corner and hammers on him. Jericho is able to land an elbow. Joe throws him in the corner and lands an enziguri. Jericho goes to the top and hits a crossbody. Joe quickly sends Jericho to the mat and hits a senton. Joe stomps on Jericho. He lands a few forearms and takes him to the mat with an armbar. Jericho tries for a pin but Joe kicks out. Jericho looks for the walls but Joe flips him. Jericho hits an enziguri a dropkick and a right hand and sends Joe out of the ring. Jericho hits a springboard dropkick but Joe is still on his feet. Joe gets the cocida clutch locked in on the outside. Joe lets go and gets back in the ring before the 10 to pick up the win.
*** After the match Joe brings Jericho into the ring. Jericho is able to hit the codebreaker and send Joe to the outside.
Winner: Samoa Joe via count out
My Opinion:
I wish the match would have been longer. These two really could give us a great match but were given no time. This is why I think they need to get rid of dumb matches. I have two from tonight that could’ve gone and give these guys more time but for what it was it was good. They got their spots and who knows maybe we will see a longer rematch.

In Ring Segment:
Braun says Roman got lucky last night. He says he needs Roman to come out like a man so he can rip him limb from limb. He states that Chicago doesn’t like Roman and neither does he. Roman’s music plays but then The Undertaker’s music hits!
Undertaker enters the ring and Braun steps out. Undertaker goes to leave but out comes Reigns. Roman says Braun called him out. He says with all due respect this is my yard now. Undertaker stares at the WrestleMania sign and choke slams Roman.
My Opinion:
Wow! I felt it coming I think we saw him vs Roman but now that we know it’s officially on it is awesome. I love Taker and I hope he can go out there and have a great match. Just his presence gives you chills and lets you know it is WrestleMania season. I think this will be great for Roman now that he can become a heel and we will see who’s yard it is.

Final Thoughts:
This Raw with the exception of two matches was awesome. It was entertaining and kept you hooked. It really felt like WrestleMania season. The Undertaker showing up was insane it is great to see him and to know he will be at Mania. I look forward to him vs Roman as I see it as nothing but a benefit to Roman and helping him become a heel. Lesnar looked focused and Heyman killed the promo. I like the direction of the build up for him vs Goldberg. Owens and Jericho kicked it off right. The women did awesome tonight as well. We had some huge matches announced. We now know the U.S. title match and the Women’s title match. Plus Roman vs Undertaker seems to be happening. This Raw was great and it did well showing we are on The Road to WrestleMania.
Overall Rating: 8/10