While we are on the road to WrestleMania 41 the European tour is also officially underway as WWE Raw heads to Forest National in Brussels, Belgium to deliver a red-hot episode from the red brand.
Announced in advance of Monday’s show:
- John Cena and Cody Rhodes are under the same roof
- Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor
John Cena kicks off WWE Raw on Netflix
For the first time since turning his back on the fans at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto, John Cena arrived on WWE Raw to kick off the show. The entrance was not like we are used to as Cena made a dead walk to the ring as WWE Universe booed him.
The fans rocked the arena with “Let’s go Cena” and “Cena sucks” chants.
Cena immediately broke the line of kayfabe saying that he is neither a heel nor a baby face but just a human being. He also said how the fans have been awful to him for the last 25 years. Cena also told fans about how they don’t support him and just use him for the failures of their lives. Cena told fans that he was breaking up with them before Cody Rhodes arrived on the scene as well.
Rhodes asked Cena to go find the real John Cena saying he doesn’t want to face a “whiny b*tch” at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.
Ludwig Kaiser vs. Penta – No Holds Barred
Ludwig Kaiser who is in pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship has been tangling with Penta on various occasions ever since he made his debut to WWE here on Raw. Penta attacked Kasier on the Mar. 3rd edition of WWE Raw leading to this No Holds Barred match between both of them.
The brutality was on full display from both Kaiser and Penta who are very familiar with this kind of matches in their past. Penta eventually pined Kaiser to win the match after hitting a diving destroyer on a steel chair to end an incredible battle between both of them.
Penta appeared in a post-match interview with Cathy Kelley saying he has his eyes set on the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Result: Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser
Ratings: 7 /10
Backstage segment ft. The Judgment Day on WWE Raw
WWE Raw then went backstage where Dominik Mysterio asked Finn Balor about adding Penta into Judgment Day as a replacement for JD McDonagh. Balor infuriated and denied the idea, telling Mysterio that he cannot add someone who eyeing his Intercontinental Championship — also calling Mysterio a snake in the process for thinking about doing this.
Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile
Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile on the Feb. 17th edition of WWE Raw to become the No. 1 Contender for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She then challenged Lyra Valkyria on the Feb. 24th edition of WWE Raw where got attacked by Nile after she lost the match.
American Made and Chad Gable were continuously causing distractions at the ringside before Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee arrived on the scene to make the numbers even. Meanwhile, Kai took the advantage inside the ring and pinned Nile to win the match.
Result: Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile
Ratings: 6 /10
Women’s World Championship Contract singing for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas
WWE Raw then featured a contract singing segment for the Women’s World Championship between Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 41. Both womens signed the contract saying that they would walk out of WrestleMania as the champion.
Rhea Ripley then arrived on the scene and laid both Sky and Belair — stacked on each other on top of the table. Ripley the signed the contract and took it along with her.
Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory
Jey Uso walked out with fire for his match against Austin Theory after meeting his WrestleMania 41 opponent backstage. Jey picked up the win just a few moments into the match before he got attacked by Gunther — who once again tried to choke him out but this time Jey countered.
Result: Jey Uso defeated Austin Theory
Ratings: 6 /10
Key Notes and Observation:
- The electricity and moment that is created every week and Jey Uso walks out is pure incredible.
Backstage segment ft. Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Bianca Belair
Rhea Ripley then appeared in a backstage segment with GM Adam Pearce who took the contract from her. Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Ripley once again had a brawl backstage where Ripley stood tall.
The Creed Brothers vs. LWO
A guy wearing a Lucha mask attacked Rey Mysterio last week here on WWE Raw during his tag team match. There were rumors that it was Chad Gable but he denied saying he did not do that. American Made once again tried to help Ivy Nile in her match earlier on the show but Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio arrived on the scene to help Dakota Kai which led to this tag team match.
Lee and Mysterio dominated Julius and Brutus Creed to pickup the win.
An anonymous person with a Lucha mask attacked Lee and Mysterio after the match. It was clearly Chad Gable.
Result: LWO defeated The Creed Brothers
Ratings: 6.5 /10
Seth Rollins arrives on WWE Raw on Netflix
After defeating CM Punk last week here on WWE Raw in a highly controversial manner Seth Rollins arrived on Raw to address the whole situation with Punk and the returning Roman Reigns.
Rollins talked about heading to WWE SmackDown this Friday to meet both Punk and Reigns who will be on that show.
Backstage interview segment ft. AJ Styles
WWE Raw then went backstage where AJ Styles appeared in an interview segment where he met Karrion Kross who talked to him about how many (17) years did it take for him to get to WWE compared to Logan Paul.
Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor – Intercontinental Championship
Finn Balor who’s in pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship got himself a match last week here on WWE Raw – courtesy of his Judgement Day friend Dominik Mysterio.
Mysterio and Carlito also arrived on the ringside during the match to help their friend Balor. The ringside distraction accidentally cost Balor the opportunity to win the match thus Breakker retained his championship.
Carlito and Mysterio tried to attack Breakker after the match but Penta arrived at the ring and took them out with a little help from Breakker. Penta and Breakker then a had little faceoff while Penta gave back the Intercontinental Championship to Breakker.
Result: Bron Breakker defeated Finn Balor to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Ratings: 8 /10
WWE Raw, Mar. 17: Results Highlights
No Holds Barred match:
Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser
Singles match:
Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile
Singles match:
Jey Uso defeated Austin Theory
Tag Team match:
LWO defeated The Creed Brothers
Intercontinental Championship:
Bron Breakker defeated Finn Balor to retain
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE Raw
The European fans are rocking the show as WWE’s Europe is going on to deliver weekly bangers. And speaking of bangers, for those fans who were talking about they are not feeling the WrestleMania season — I just wanna ask them how are they now feeling about after this epic WWE Raw. The show featured incredible matches stacked from top to bottom.
Bron Breakker has managed to walk out as the still Intercontinental Champion but he already has his next opponent eyeing him in the form of Pénta. John Cena and Cody Rhodes also had an incredible face-off. WWE is still holding tight on Cena’s heel turn but I am eagerly waiting for that one big moment like Elimination Chamber which will take this Cena and Rhodes feud to the next level.
My Ratings for the show: 7 /10
