Sports Al Dente WWE Raw Review

Tonight, we see the road to WrestleMania heat up and with only two more episodes of Raw until ‘Mania, the card is sure to take shape in the coming weeks. With Ronda and Lesnar both promised for tonight, we will see questions answered. Other questions sure to be answered tonight: Who will be Braun’s tag partner at Mania?  Will we see the aftermath of the Ultimate Deletion?

We hope to see these questions answered as we break down the Raw recap.

Opening Segment

Brock Lesnar opens the show escorted, of course, by Paul Heyman. We get a recap of what happened last week. Heyman says the Reigns’ suspension has been lifted and he claims that Roman isn’t in the building tonight. Heyman says that Roman isn’t man enough to show up to “take another beating” from Lesnar.

Reigns interrupts Heyman with a steel chair in hand and hits Lesnar with multiple chair shots. Brock then takes advantage and hits Reigns with multiple chair shots and multiple shots from the steel stairs. Lesnar finishes with an F-5 onto the stairs.

Nia Jax vs. Mickie James

We get a recap from two weeks ago, where Nia overheard a conversation between Mickie and Bliss that was degrading Jax.

James is accompanied to ring by Bliss. We come back from commercial to find Jax dominating the match. The two go back and forth until Nia catches James, turns it into a huge Samoan Drop and pins her for the win.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Training Package

We get a video recap from Elimination Chamber. A montage of the couple working out in their home, the gym and the Performance Center. Steph claims that Ronda is prepared and that Ronda should be afraid of Stephanie. They say they’ll humble both Rousy and Angle “the same way they’ve humbled every other WWE superstar.

Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak & TJP

Drake Maverick is at ringside for commentary. The two teams go back and forth until Ali hits the 054 to finish the match quickly.

This match turned out to be an ad for 205 Live and the championship match at Mania.

Miz TV w/ Finn Balor and Seth Rollins

Miz scolds the Miztourage for failing and bailing on him for the last two weeks but is interrupted by Rollins who claims he can help. Rollins says that the Miz should be thanking Axel and Dallas because, without them, he wouldn’t have the Intercontinental Championship. Bo claims that Miz is a “phony A-lister who can’t fight.”

Miz says he was firing the Miztouarge up and that he’s a better IC Champion than Savage, HBK and Mr. Perfect. The Miz seems to be cornered by the four men when the Miztourage attack Balor and Rollins. The Club helps to even the odds, leaving the three men alone, who trade blows.

Asuka vs. Local Talent

Asuka hits a single high head kick for the win in a short squash match.

Ultimate Deletion Recap

Matt Hardy claims the great war is over and that he will be in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Bayley and Sasha Segment

We get a recap of what happened between Sasha and Bayley in the last few weeks. The two trade barbs in the locker room area, eventually coming to blows as the two throw punches and each other.

 Braun Strowman vs. Sheamus

The Bar asks Braun to give the name of his tag partner. Braun claims he will give an answer if Sheamus wins the match. Braun takes control early as we cut to commercial. Sheamus targets the arm and knee.

The two trade control over the period of the match. The match ends after a Strowman Powerslam.

Ronda Rousey Segment

The segment opens with Kurt Angle bringing out Rousey. Ronda calls Stephanie “trust fund tough”. Rousey is interrupted by Absolution.

Paige claims that this is her house and she offers Ronda some backup. Ronda says “she’s good with an Olympic god medalist watching her six.” Paige offers Ronda to be a member of Absolution, but Rousey refuses. Absolution attacks, but Rousey gets the upper hand and the three scamper away.

The Club vs. The Miztourage

We come back from commercial to find the match already started. The Miztourage take control early, cutting the ring in half. Gallows gets the hot tag, taking control. The Club hit the Magic Killer, getting the win.

Elias vs. Rhyno

Elias opens the segment, in the ring, with his guitar.  Elias sings, disses Cleveland multiple times but is interrupted by his opponent, Rhyno. The two go back and forth early. The match is finished early after a Driftwood by Elias.

John Cena vs. Kane: No DQ Match

Before the match, we got a recap of the last few weeks of Cena calling out the Undertaker. Kane takes control early in the match. The two fight in the tech area and Kane suplexes Cena onto a steel barricade. The two roll back in the ring and Cena takes control. Cena hits Kane with a Chokeslam and continues to mock the Undertaker. Kane throws Cena through a table and almost gets the three count. Cena pins Kane for the win after an Attitude Adjustment through a second table.

Cena cuts another promo asking for the Undertaker and still gets no answer.

Conclusion

What a good night of wrestling. Although we did not see a lot of stories develop, we saw some great segments and good matches. We did see the Bayley-Sasha storyline progress and will see how it continues next week and at WrestleMania.

I was really expecting the Undertaker to show tonight, but unfortunately, he did not.

Overall, it was a good night. I was just expecting more progress in these storylines.