WWE Raw
02/27/2023 – Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
German first broadcast: 03/01/2023 (ProSieben MAXX)
Commentator: Kevin Patrick & Corey Graves
Raw kicks off with an Earlier Today video: we see the arrival of Becky Lynch and Lita. The following video summarizes the current events of the Sami Zayn/Uso’s storyline of Friday Night SmackDown.
In-Ring: Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa enter the ring for the first match of the night. Jimmy knew people thought there were cracks in the bloodline, but it only looked like it from the outside. The Bloodline was a family and the family fought all the way – the audience chanting “SAMI ZAYN”. Jimmy says Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn failed when they attacked her.
Jimmy then addresses Cody Rhodes and asks fans if they think Rhodes could pull off a win over The Bloodline – the audience cheers. Jimmy says hell no, he won’t.
The Street Profits interrupted. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins threw some insults at the Bloodline, mentioning that Jey Uso got a 90 rating in the upcoming video game. (Jimmy got an 89.) Jimmy then issues a warning that they better not say a word about Roman Reigns. Without warning, The Street Profits smash Jimmy and Sikoa, knocking them both out of the ring.
1. Match
Tag Team Match
Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso def. The Street Profits: Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins after a Samoan spike by Sikoa vs. Dawkins (11:34)
After the match, Sikoa wraps a chair around Ford’s head and then goes to the other corner. Sikoa goes for action, but Kevin Owens rushes into the ring and superkicks down Sikoa and then Jimmy. Jimmy is stunned by a KO.
A video shows scenes from last week of MVP Brock Lesnar challenging Omos at WrestleMania. A graphic questions whether Lesnar would show up to respond to the challenge.
In-Ring: MVP’s VIP-Lounge mit Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar comes out and shakes hands with some ringside fans and politely says, “Hello.” Lesnar steps into the ring and awaits MVP.
MVP enters the stage and Lesnar nods his head to his music. Lesnar invites MVP to get in the ring as well, but he politely declines. Lesnar has no problem with MVP and is here for business – the audience is chanting “SUPLEX CITY” but MVP doesn’t want them encouraging “The Beast”. Lesnar assures MVP there will be no suplexes tonight – crowd boos.
MVP happily steps into the ring and Lesnar immediately reminds him that he called him a coward. However, Lesnar was only joking. As the game progresses, MVP reminds everyone that Lesnar is inferior – except for Bobby Lashley. Lesnar was wrong if he thought he could handle a giant the way he handles everyone else. A giant can fight back and Lesnar is unable to match the “Nigerian Giant” Omos.
Lesnar gives MVP a high five and accepts the challenge. Lesnar and MVP want to toast with champagne, but Lesnar doesn’t have the same taste as he does. So Lesnar pulls out a hip flask and takes a long gulp. MVP wants to continue toasting with the champagne, but Lesnar convinces him to drink his White Lightning instead.
MVP takes a sip but gets disgusted and spat it in Lesnar’s face. Lesnar uses MVP’s tissue to wipe his face and hits him with an F5.
Backstage: Cathy Kelley questions Lynch and Lita about their tag team title match. Lita wants to make history again while Lynch tries to check something off her bucket list. Lynch is aware that Bayley could interfere in the match, but then they will take care of her too.
Before the next match: Rhodes hands his weight-lifting belt to a young fan before a hug.
2. Match
Cody Rhodes def. Chad Gable (w/ Otis) after the Cross Rhodes – at the end of the match Otis was staring at the crowd until Rhodes approached him, Otis lunged at him realizing Rhodes wasn’t Gable but Rhodes backed away sent him over the ring barrier (10:34)
Post match: Rhodes grabs a mic and reminds us we’re 33 days away from WrestleMania. “I’m thrilled that Roman Reigns is on SmackDown this Friday – because I’ll be there too!” said Rhodes.
Backstage: Byron Saxton tries to interview Baron Corbin, but is cut off again because Saxton wants to interview a nearby Kevin Owens instead. Owens claims that The Bloodline is suffering the consequences of their actions and that they are not alone. KO has been fighting The Bloodline alone for months and still doesn’t want any support.
Video: Now we see a Titanic movie parody starring Bianca Belair and Montez Ford.
Backstage: We see the cheerful members of Judgment Day. They talk while footage of Ripley and Dom on SmackDown from the previous week is shown. Dom says Ripley has a match against Liv Morgan on Friday and he’ll be there, so maybe he and Rey Mysterio can talk. Ripley doesn’t want to comment on Charlotte Flair and Bálor spoke about his attack on Edge after last week’s Main Event, while we also see related scenes. According to Bálor, if Edge accepts his challenge to a WrestleMania match, she could end things for good.
Backstage: Maxxine Dupri and the Maximum Male Models approach Otis. Dupri would be happy to see him in action tonight if he had a match – Mace & Mansoor are far less enthusiastic. Otis says he could make it happen and leaves the scene to find Adam Pearce.
3. Match
Asuka defeated Carmella via submission in Asuka Lock (8:45)
After the match, Asuka calls out Bianca Belair, who immediately comes out to her music. Belair wants Asuka to let everyone know that they will be knocking down the house at WrestleMania, because if she said otherwise, Belair would remind her why you can’t spell “WrestleMania” without “EST.” Carmella then shoves Belair at Asuka – Belair is furious.
We see a short hype video about Bronson Reed.
Before the next match: Candice LeRae is followed to the ring by Nikki Cross.
4. Match
Candice LeRae def. Piper Niven via rollup – Nikki Cross watched the match from ringside, at the end of the match Cross was promoted by Niven against the barricade, after which Niven returned to the ring and faced Cross, LeRae took advantage of this distraction to win the match to decide (2:33)
Backstage: Saxton interviews Johnny Gargano, who is proud of LeRae and her victory. The Judgment Day members show up and Gargano pokes fun at the fact that they’re going through a gothic phase. Bálor warns Gargano that he will be taken apart by Otis tonight. And if that didn’t happen, Bálor would finish the job in the coming week.
In-Ring: WrestleMania Edition von MizTV
Miz would like to introduce us to the host of WrestleMania. A big drum roll is made to reveal that the presenter will be “The Miz”. He introduces some of the main event matches before being interrupted by Seth Rollins.
The audience sings along to Rollins Entrance Theme while the Moneymaker tells everyone to shut up. Miz is upset because Rollins has kept getting in his way for the past few weeks. Rollins recalls beating up Miz a few weeks ago for being an idiot.
Later in the segment, The Miz describes himself as an “A-type,” followed by an “AS*HOLE” chant. Rollins explains his presence today as he hasn’t had any success reaching Logan Paul so far and figured Miz might be able to help. Rollins wants Miz to call Paul, but Miz says no.
Miz sees Rollins as a clown who has nothing to offer for WrestleMania. The Miz then receives a superkick. Rollins takes The Miz’s phone and holds it in Moneymaker’s face to unlock it. Afterwards, Rollins calls Paul via video chat and asks him how his brother is doing. Rollins invites Logan Paul to appear like a man on Raw next week. Paul accepts the invitation. Rollins says “Bye-bye, b*tch” before ending the call. After that he dances around a bit until The Miz takes a stomp.
Backstage: Kelley interviews Damage CTRL about today’s title match. The women are completely unconcerned. After they leave, Austin Theory turns to Kelley. He thinks it’s appropriate for Kelley to interview the Women’s Tag Team Champions, but he’s upset that people are talking more about John Cena than him and his recent success. Theory plans to meet Cena in person in Boston next week.
Video: We relive the events surrounding Friday Night SmackDown’s Bray Wyatt.
Rick Boogs follows the match backstage and takes some notes
5. Match
Bobby Lashley def. Elias via submission in Hurt Lock (1:32)
Post match: Lashley leaves the ring, but Bray Wyatt appears on the video screen and performs the “Muscle Man Dance” with images of Lashley. Wyatt warns him he had better run away. Annoyed Lashley walks away.
Backstage: Chelsea Green yells at Adam Pearce once more. Carmella comes in and Pearce sets for next week: Carmella vs. Bianca Belair and walks away. Carmella and Green seem to form a friendship.
Otis makes his way to the ring with Maxxine Dupri and the Maximum Male Models.
6. Match
Johnny Gargano def. Otis (w/ Maxxine Dupri & Maximum Male Models) after the One Final Beat – Mace grabbed Gargano during the match, after which Dexter Lumis, who suddenly appeared in the front row of the ring, grabbed Mace and dragged him into the crowd, Gargano used the distraction to hit Otis with a DDT on the apron before ending the match with his finisher (2:52)
Post match: Gargano and Lumis give Dupri a thumbs up from across the ring.
Backstage: Paul Heyman, interviewed by Cathy Kelley, is delighted that Cody Rhodes will also be on Friday’s SmackDown. He loves that Rhodes will confront Reigns. Corrected Kelley as Rhodes didn’t say he was going to confront Reigns, just that he was there as well. Heyman knows better, though. Rhodes will confront Reigns or he will be confronted by Reigns.
Confirmed for next week’s Raw:
John Cena returns!
Singles Match
Kevin Owens vs. Solo Score
Face-to-Face Segment zwischen Seth Rollins & Logan Paul
Singles Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Bálor
Non-Title Match
Bianca Belair vs. Carmella
Video countdown: 33 days until WrestleMania.
7. Match
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Becky Lynch & Lita def Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (c) after Lita’s toprope moonsault vs SKY – at the end of the match Trish Stratus’ entrance theme sounded, she came out and supported Becky Lynch & Lita in the fight against Damage CTRL, Stratus stopped Bayley from interfering again while Lynch disarmed Kai (13:22) – TITLE CHANGE!
Neue WWE Women’s Tag Team Champs: Becky Lynch & Lita
Post match: Lynch, Lita and Trish celebrate in the ring. This week’s edition of Raw ends after fireworks.
More videos are coming soon…