WWE Monday Night Raw 3/4/2024

WWE Monday Night Raw 3/4/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/wwe-monday-night-raw-2262024.html 

We see clips from earlier of Jey Uso and Nia Jax arriving.

Cody Rhodes comes out to talk. He talks about The Rock. He said he called the fans methheads. He complained about The Rock talking about his dog and he said Rock didn't accept his challenge for a match. He said The Rock called his fans crybabies and asked if we had any crybabies here.

He said The Rock talked about his friend, Seth Rollins and brought him out. Seth asked Cody what he's thinking. Cody said Seth offered to have his back against The Bloodline. Cody said he understood if he wanted to focus on Drew and didn't want to be in the tag match.

Seth said he will take care of Drew and said some things are bigger than this. He said taking care of The Bloodline is the biggest thing he can do. Seth said Roman is close to having absolute power and said he's kind of over The Rock. The crowd chants "Rocky sucks" and Seth says he does. He said he hasn't been The Rock for a long time nor the people's champ for a long time. Seth said he's going to call Rock "Diarrhea Dwayne". 

The crowd actually chanted and Seth said it sounds like the fans agree with him. He said he dares Rock to try and make things go away like he says he can. He said The Rock hasn't been cool in 20 years. Seth said he received 100% medical clearance though and that's cool. Seth said he will be on Smackdown to confront The Bloodline.

Seth said he has Cody's back and asked if he had his. Cody then said he is coming to Smackdown with Seth to stand against Bloodline.

Gunther and Dominik Mysterio are getting ready in the back.  

Gunther vs Dominik Mysterio

They mention Sting retiring and put him over. Gunther throws Dom then Dom hits chops on him. They go out and Gunther chops the post when Dom moves. Dom bangs Gunther's hand off the post then stomps it. Gunther sleepers him. Gunther hits a big chop and Dom goes out.

We go to break and return. Gunther chops him down then crabs him. JD distracts Gunther and Dom dropkicks him off the apron. Dom then does a triangle dive to him outside. Gunther hits a big lariat on Dom for 2.

Dom sunset flips him then hits a 619. Gunther hits a shotgun dropkick then hits a big powerbomb. Gunther then crabs him and wins it.

The announcers really tried to put Dom over here. IT was weird as it was a heel vs heel match so someone was going to get cheered. I thought it was mostly one sided with Dom not really having a chance against Gunther. Dom did sell big for the chops though.

Damage Ctrl laugh in the back. Adam Pearce goes up to them and asks what they are doing here. Kai said the women's tag champs can be on any brand they want. Pearce said he wants to get ahead of any chaos because he doesn't want none. Kai said it would be a good time to scout Zoey and Shayna. Shinsuke Nakamura then walks up to Pearce and said they need to talk. Pearce if it's about the Intercontinental Title. Pearce said if he wanted to know about the IC title match at Mania, meet him in the office.

We see an interview from earlier with Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Chance said Zoey and Shayna have been impressive, but they had a taste of the gold are getting back up top. Carter said they will do whatever it takes to get a shot at The Kabuki Warriors at Mania.

Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark

Carter rolls up SB and Damage Ctrl is at the commentary table. SB blocks an armdrag and stomps Carter's arm. Carter hits up kicks on Zoey and Zoey kicks her. Carter is hung on the top rope and takes a flying knee from SB.

We go to break and return. Zoey superkicks her Zoey takes a double spanish fly from the top. Carter has Zoey in fireman's carry. Chance jumps off Zoey's back and hurricanrana's SB. Chance is thrown up to the 2nd rope then Zoey takes a 450 + neckbreaker for 2. Zoey then rolls up Chance to win it here.

I thought they did too much with a spanish fly being kicked out of. This was short and I don't like the faces losing here.

Damage Ctrl get in the ring after and have words for SB and Zoey. They said they will leave them crying just like they did to Bayley. SB grabs the mic from Kai and said they will see them next week.

Judgment Day are in the trainers office. Dom is in pain. Priest said him and Finn will make things right with Imperium. Priest says JD will make things right with Gunther. Andrade comes in and says good luck. JD asks about Gunther again.

Nia Jax vs Becky Lynch

Becky hits boots to the gut then is sent into the buckles. Nia hits corner spears then slams her. Nia corner splashes her then hits an elbow drop. Becky gets on her back and sleepers her. Nia throws her off and rubs her butt in her face. Nia chokes her on the ropes then Becky clips her.

Becky top rope dropkicks Nia and Nia goes out. Becky baseball slides her. Nia catches her off the apron and samoan drops her on the floor.

We go to break and return. Nia drops her down from the top then hits a nice 2nd rope legdrop for 2. Becky headscissors her then Becky does a flipping la silla for 2 off the top. Nia samoan drops her and misses a banzai drop. Becky armbars her then Nia carries her to the rails, slamming her into them. Liv Morgan then jumps off the rails to forearm Nia. Becky is disqualified. Liv has words for Becky after. Becky grabs her then Nia pulls Liv out. Becky kicks Nia then is thrown back into the post. Nia legdrops Liv.

I liked the match. Nia's been on a roll since she returned and her and Becky are usually safe for a good match. It's too bad we didn't get a finish, but I wondered how they would get around this one since neither needed to lose. Liv interfering makes sense since Becky interfered in her match.

Ricochet talks to Adam Pearce in the back. He aid he has done everything that has been asked of him but said closed mouths don't get anything around here. Pearce said he has a plan with Gunther and it should satisfy anyone who wants a title shot at Mania. He tells him to trust him.

The Judgment Day go up to Pearce. Priest says JD should get a shot at Gunther. He tells Jd to make his sales pitch. JD says he will do his talking in the ring and the feed cuts out while he's still talking.

Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch argue in the back. Becky claps for her saying this is her revenge tour. Becky said she did what she did to get back at Nia, not to get at Liv. Liv doesn't accept it and Becky said they should fight about it instead of cry about it. Liv says she would love to. Rhea Ripley walks by and laughs at Becky.

Adam Pearce said it's been a challenge to find an opponent for Gunther and he thinks he has come up with something. He mentions Sami Zayn, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bronson Reed, JD McDonaugh and Chad Gable. He said those 6 will fight in a gauntlet match for an IC Title shot at Gunther at Wrestlemania.

Andrade vs Apollo Crews

This is Andrade's in-ring return to WWE. The Judgment Day are watching this in the back. They shoulder battle and Andrade face kicks him. Crews hits a nice dropkick. Andrade gets stuck up top then Crews superplexes him. Andrade holds on and hits three amigos.

Andrade hits a spinning back elbow for 2 then corner meteora's him. Andrade does a hammerlock ddt and wins it.

Crews looked more impressive here than Andrade to be honest. It was short and not exactly a showcase for what Andrade can do.

Sami Zayn is interviewed in the back. He said a lot is on his mind. He said a path for Mania would present itself and it has. He said the gauntlet match is the only thing standing in his way. He said this is the only path to Mania and said it's do or die. He said it's the most important match of his career.

Valhallah and Ivar comes in. Val calls him pathetic. Ivar said it's time to put an end to Sami's delusions. Ivar said he knows he can beat Gunther but says Sami knows Sami can't beat Gunther. Sami said he can Ivar and challenges him to meet him in the ring if he wants to prove him wrong. Ivar said he can forget about Mania because he won't make it to next week.

They have a graphic up for Butcher Vachon.

Candice LaRae and Indi Hartwell talk in the back. Candice wants a shot. Indi said they will get one next time and Candice says there may not be a next time. Natalya and Tegan Nox both say they tried to throw each other out of the battle royales. Nat says they need to get hungry and forget their manners. LaRae said she may be onto something.

Maxxine Dupri and Ivy Nile comes in. Max says she will come out of this looking fine and fierce. LaRae said she doesn't need a pity party from someone who can't lace her boots. Indi said she will talk sense into her.

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) vs Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci)

Finn bangs Kaiser's head off the buckles and hits punches. Kaiser hits mounted shots on Finn. Vinci sunset flips Finn and Finn rolls through it, hitting a low dropkick on him. Priest pounds on Vinci in the corner.

Priest face kicks Kaiser then misses a corner move. Kaiser nails Priest off a distraction then Finn knees Kaiser on the ropes. Priest knocks down Kaiser with a punch. Finn scissors kicks Kaiser and hits elbow shots to the head.

Priest abdominal stretches Kaiser then throws Finn into the post. Finn then takes a double basement dropkick in the corner. We go to break and return. Finn does a slice on Kaiser. Vinci is tagged in. Vinci dropkicks Priest off the apron then Finn takes a high/low for 2.

Vinci slams and elbow drops Finn for 2. Vinci lariats Finn. Finn bicycle kicks Kaiser and tags out. Priest hits shots on Kaiser then claps his ears. Priest does a lifting flatliner for 2 then pops-up and throws down Vinci.

Priest hits corner elbows on his opponents then throws Vinci out. Priest falcon arrows Kaiser for 2. Priest misses a corner splash and Finn rolls up Kaiser for 2. Finn sling blades Kaiser. Kaiser side finlay rolls Finn then Finn cradles Vinci for 2. Finn sling blades Vinci then john woo's him. Finn hits a top rope double stomp on Vinci for 2.

Priest throws Kaiser over the top by the throat. Finn top rope con hilos Kaiser. Priest hits a stiff lariat on Vinci then hits a south of heaven chokeslam. Priest wins it.

It was another heels vs heel match which changed things a little. It was a decent match as expected with a fast pace. Priest had a real stiff lariat here and did a job in the finishing stretch.

They announce Paul Heyman for the WWE Hall of Fame.

Drew McIntyre is interviewed. He said he didn't think Seth listened to him about being aware of The Bloodline. He says Seth is a spotlight junkie. He said he can't help himself and doesn't focus on what's important.

He said he will put Seth down at Mania as the title deserves better than him. Drew said all he wanted from Jey was an apology all this time. He said there's no chance Jey beats him tonight.

Rhea Ripley talks to Damage Ctrl in the back. She tells Iyo to stay out of her territory. Iyo laughs at her.

Sami Zayn vs Ivar

Valhallah puts the antlers on Michael Cole and he calls the match with them on, getting a big pop. Ivar pushes Sami over then Ivar cartwheels out of a face kick. Ivar spinning slams Sami for 2.

Sami hits punches back and lariats him over the top. Sami tope con hilos him then Ivar throws him out on his tornado ddt attempt. Ivar cannonballs him off the apron.

We go to break and return. Sami rolls on Ivar when he does a 2nd rope crossbody, reversing it. Sami tornado ddt's him and takes a spinning high kick. Ivar tiger drivers him for 2.

Sami sunset bombs him off the 2nd rope for 2. Sami exploders him into the counter. Sami runs at him and takes a butt drop in the corner. Ivar misses a top rope moonsault then Sami hits a helluva kick. Sami then wins it.

It was a shorter one but it made sense with Sami being in trouble near the end then Ivar making his comeback to win it. They didn't really go for an epic and it needed more time, but they did good with what they had.

Bronson Reed bodyblocks Sami after then top rope splashes him. 

Gunther is interviewed. He gives credit to Dom for stepping up today but knew the outcome already. Gunther is okay with the gauntlet match. He says it should be stacked for this title. He said the winner of it doesn't earn a title match, but a chance to be outclassed and humiliated. Chad Gable comes in. He said he's sick of th esmile on his face and can't get over what he did to him after his last match. Chad said the gauntlet match is his path to redemption. He said he wants to take the title from him, which will take the smile from him and put it on his daughter's face. He said this match just means more. Gunther then laughs and walks away.

Jey Uso says all he has heard Drew do is whine and complain, saying he wants an apology for him. Jey said he's sorry for what he's about to do to him and said Jey don't play.

The ring announcer said they are filming a special entrance for Netflix. They told the crowd to cheer and had a logo on the tron that said "Netflix 'N' Kill".

The New Day, R-Truth and DIY are playing the WWE video game. Miz walks in. Truth said he's playing as his hero, John Cena against DX (who are DIY, who he says loves playing with themselves). He said they love playing as themselves. Miz said he got R-Truth's revenge ideas on Judgment Day, which included dropping slime on them and feeding them bread. Truth said this was in case one of them had a gluten issue. Miz said they need to take their tag titles. Truth then wants to do a Regeneration X pose and they all do it, then keep playing video games.

Jey Uso vs Drew McIntyre

Jey hits shots on Drew then spinning enzugiri's him off the apron. Jey bangs Drew's head off the commentary table then Drew spins him onto the table. We go to break and return. Jey enzugiri's him from the apron then top rope crossbodies him for 2.

Jey tries to go up and over but gets kicked. Drew hits mounted punches on Jey then running back elbows him. Drew hits chops then Jey running ligerbombs him for 2. Jey comes off the top and takes double knees. Drew spinebusters him for 2.

Drew lariats him over the top then suplexes him on the floor. We go to break and return. Drew drives Jey's back into the rails and apron. Jey hits a stiff double boot out of the corner then hits punches. Jey superkicks him and uppercuts him. Jey samoan drops him.

Jey corner hip attacks him then topes him. Jey goes up to the 2nd rope and Solo Sikoa hops the rail. Drew future shock ddt's Jey for 2. Cody Rhodes then comes down. Cody and Solo fight. Solo is lariated over the rail and Cody fights him in the stands. Drew goes for the claymore kick but takes superkicks instead. Jey spears him then Jimmy Uso shows up. Jimmy stares him down then Drew claymore kicks Jey. Drew gets the pin.

It was a shorter main event with 2 commercial breaks. Not their best stuff but okay as a house show type of main. Lots of shenanigans here with Jey getting cost the victory again by Bloodline. I did like how they tied in all of the various storylines here though with Bloodline, Drew, Seth and Cody all being involved.

Jey grabs a chair after then Seth Rollins runs down and superkicks Jimmy. Drew claymore kicks Seth and talks trash, telling him to do the right thing. The crowd chants "CM Punk" and Drew says this is bigger than Punk, it's about the world title.

Overall thoughts: It was fine but not great. We didn't really have any truly great matches here and in general, it felt like they told the roster to take it easy with Mania approaching. I think that extends to the booking as well as they pretty much have Mania set up, but there's a month left of TV, so nothing too crazy is probably going to be happening. I thought it was mostly a filler episode here and wouldn't recommend it.