KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT 3/19: Will Lesnar show up? Will Reigns be suspended? Will Braun Strowman reveal his partner for WrestleMania?

KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
MARCH 19, 2018
DALLAS, TEX. AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK

Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman

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NOTE: If you have questions or a reaction to tonight’s Raw, send it to wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com for the Mailbag Segment of the #WKPWP taped tonight and available a couple hours after Raw ends. Search “Wade Keller” to subscribe to our podcast just about anywhere. Choose the red logo for the “Post-Shows” early this week and the blue logo for the “Flagship” and “Interview Friday” later this week.

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[HOUR ONE]

-Kurt Angle’s ring entrance opened the show. Cole noted 16,268 fans sold out the arena. He noted that they are just three weeks away from WrestleMania and Angle would team with “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey against Triple H & Stephanie McMahon. Angle welcomed fans to Raw, but said he unfortunately had to start with bad news. Crowd boos. He said Roman Reigns’s suspension is still in full effect. The crowd bursts into cheers. Angle kept a straight face. He said Reigns would not be at Raw. He said Brock Lesnar has not made it to the arena yet, but he was assured by Mr. McMahon that Lesnar would be there later.

Angle shifted to talking about Braun Strowman winning the tag team battle royal last week, but did so without a partner. He said he has to come up with what he’ll do about this. Reigns showed up through the crowd. Mix of cheers and boos. He had a live mic in his hand and entered the ring. More boos than cheers. Angle asked what he was doing there. Angle said he is suspended and this is trespassing. Reigns said he doesn’t care. He said Lesnar has no-showed the last few weeks, so someone has to represent the main event of WrestleMania. Angle said Lesnar will be there, but he’s told he’s just running late. He told Reigns to get out of the arena because he’s suspended. Reigns asked, “For what, telling the truth?” (Not a great acting moment there.) Angle said if he wants to get his hands on Lesnar, he will get that in three weeks. Scattered boos. “Instead you’re blowing off your steam and you want to kick Brock Lesnar’s ass anytime you want. Be patient. It will happen. Do you understand me?” Reigns said he understands, but he still doesn’t care. He said, “This is Dallas, Texas.” Cheap pop. He said he’s made a lot of memories there and he won’t leave the ring until he’s made another tonight. He told Angle to tell whomever he has to in the back that he isn’t leaving “my ring” until he faces Lesnar tonight. Angle left the ring and headed back.

Reigns sat in the ring on a folding chair. Graves said this isn’t a good career move for Reigns this close to WrestleMania even if he is all fired up. Cole said you have to give Reigns credit for at least showing up for work. The camera stayed on Reigns as he sat and waited for security to walk out. They were wearing “U.S. Marshall” t-shirts and protective vests. (Just like Reigns when he wrestles! They’re kindred spirits!) Three of them told Reigns to leave the ring. One read him his rights. Another had handcuffs. As the guy said if he can’t afford a lawyer, one will be appointed, Reigns got cuffed. Reigns began ordering the Marshalls around about how they should leave the ring and not touch him. “Get out of the way. Get your ass out of the way. Don’t move,” he said. When one guy touched him by the arm to led him away, Reigns recoiled and told him he warned him not to touch him. The Marshall did again. Then another Marshall. He elbowed them and bashed them. Cole said Reigns has had enough and now it’s come to this. Graves said things aren’t going well for The Big Dog if he has assaulted law enforcement officers.

Lesnar came out to his music and Paul Heyman followed behind him. A handcuffed Reigns tried to hit Lesnar with a chair, but Lesnar suplexed him. Then Lesnar hit him with a chair a few times. Cole exclaimed that Reigns was defenseless. He called Lesnar “merciless.” Then a German suplex. Cole said, “This is nothing short of a street mugging! Lesnar picked his spot.” Lesnar stood over Reigns. No real crowd reaction at this point. He bashed Reigns again. Then another suplex. Coach said if this is Lesnar “picking his spot,” he picked it perfectly. Cole said it was an iniquitous attack from Lesnar. (Word of the Day, everyone!) Cole called it a cowardly attack. Lesnar took off his shirt and put the Universal Title over his shoulder. Cole said, “Explain this to me!” Reigns appeared to be on his way out when Lesnar returned to the ring and gave Reigns an F5. He threw the chair and looked mad. Coach said he just explained things loud and clear: “He’s seen enough, heard enough, put up with enough from Roman Reigns.” Cole called it disgusting. Coach said it is “intensity personified” from Lesnar. A stretcher was carried out past Lesnar and Heyman on the stage.

Reigns was strapped to a back-brace and carried toward the back. He winced in pain. Cole said it was tough to watch. Lesnar’s music played again and he ran out. Cole said Lesnar should be arrested, not Reigns. “Come on, now!” Cole exclaimed. The medics and refs fled. Lesnar pushed Reigns over. Cole asked for someone to come out and do something about it.

(Keller’s Analysis: A heck of an angle if Reigns was popular and Lesnar was seen as a heel. The crowd response in Dallas for an angle like this should be a wakeup call that Vince McMahon has a massive big-money heel in Reigns if he directs storylines that direction. He’s just not a sympathetic or likable character. When he was ordering the law officers around, he just came across like a controlling jerk who was in no position to tell them how to do their jobs. It just doesn’t work with him in this role. Cole was good here, but it was all for naught if the crowd reaction – and history – is any indiction. This went on long enough that it lacked credibility that nobody came out to save him.) [c]

-The announcers commented on clips of the previous segment. They showed Reigns being put into an ambulance.

-They went to the announcers. Cole used a bunch of superlatives about what happened. Graves wondered what lengths Lesnar is willing to go to in order to retain his title at WrestleMania. Cole shifted to hyping Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka. He said they thought they’d see this match at WrestleMania at one point. He also plugged that Miz & Asuka takes on Strowman & Alexa on Mixed Match Challenge.

-A video package aired on the Bliss-Nia Jax angle last week. Alexa and Mickie made their ring entrance. [c]

-Alexa said she and Mickie did say some bad things about Nia last week and they didn’t know Nia or the world were watching. She said it was just “girl talk” that go out of hand. She said there’s nothing left to say but “I’m sorry.” She said, “I sincerely apologize… that I didn’t speak the truth sooner.” She laughed and said, “Me apologizing, let’s be real.” She said she didn’t lose an ounce of sleep or feel an ounce of remorse. She said Nia was humiliated in front of the entire world “and I loved every second of it.” Mickie and Alexa laughed. (I wish Mickie underwent more of a transformation as a character in becoming Alexa’s sidekick agreeing with her shallow cruelty again.) Alexa thanked the fans for letting her vent. She said she feels like she just dropped 300 pounds of “sad, pathetic loser.” She said she’s now ready to end Asuka’s losing streak. [c]

(1) ASUKA vs. ALEXA BLISS (w/Mickie James)

The match was in progress after the break with Bliss yanking on Asuka’s hair. The announcers wondered what a loss here would do to Asuka’s psyche. Mickie got in a cheap shot as the ref was talking to Alexa about breaking clean in the ropes. Asuka eventually broke free from a headlock and took control. She climbed to the second rope. Mickie jumped onto the ring apron. Asuka went after her. Bliss hit Asuka in the throat and knocked her down, then kneed her hard to the floor. Mickie dropped a fist on her head as the ref backed Alexa away. Cole called it a cheap shot. He said he can’t believe Mickie went back to being friends with her. Graves said they are a real life version of Regina George and Karen Smith, Mean Girls. Coach said nobody knows who those are. Graves said: “Everyone does, it’s a great pop culture reference. That’s why I’m here.” [c]

Back from the break, Asuka set up a superplex. Cole said Asuka’s two-and-a-half year undefeated streak is on the line. Bliss countered into a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall. Asuka eventually applied an ankle lock mid-ring. Bliss teased tapping, but eventually rolled through and then grabbed Mickie’s hand. The ref made them break. Bliss then did grab the bottom rope to force a break. Mickie pulled her to safety at ringside. Mickie led Bliss to the back as the ref counted her out.

WINNER: Asuka via countout in 12:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: There wasn’t any way they were going to do a clean finish here, nor should they have.)

-Nia ran out to her music and knocked Mickie over and chased Bliss into the ring. Bliss kicked herself free and tried to scurry over the ringside barrier. Jax grabbed her. Mickie ran up and hit Jax. Jax threw her into the LED ring apron. Bliss fled through the crowd. Cole said Jax was emotionally hurt, heartbroken, embarrassed, and angry. Coach said all of those emotions are visible on her face. Jax chased Bliss to the back around the side of the stage.

-Cole said John Cena wants an answer from Undertaker. [c]

-Backstage Angle was on his cell phone and for some reason they decided to show viewers him having a private conversation. (This is on the top five list of dumb production shortcuts WWE lazily relies on.) Bliss ran in and asked Angle if he saw what Jax did. Angle said everyone saw last week what she said last week, including his daughters. He said the WWE Raw Women’s Champion should be a role model, not a bully. He said he knows what he’ll do about Nia – he said he’s giving her a match against Bliss for the title at WrestleMania. Bliss’s heart sank and the camera stayed on her as she began to unravel a bit as it sunk in.

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NOTE: If you have questions or a reaction to tonight’s Raw, send it to wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com for the Mailbag Segment of the #WKPWP taped tonight and available a couple hours after Raw ends. Search “Wade Keller” to subscribe to our podcast just about anywhere. Choose the red logo for the “Post-Shows” early this week and the blue logo for the “Flagship” and “Interview Friday” later this week.

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[HOUR TWO]

-Strowman’s made his ring entrance. Graves said everyone in the WWE Universe would love to be chosen to be Braun’s partner. He bragged about winning the tag team battle royal last week by himself. He said he carved a path of destruction and now he’s going to WrestleMania. He said management informed him before Raw that he has to have a partner. He said he doesn’t feel he needs a partner because he is a monster among men. Out walked Sheamus and Cesaro. Sheamus said he’s out of his mind if he thinks he can beat both of them by himself. He said it takes years to develop their chemistry. He said they eat together, travel together, train together, and sleep together. The crowd laughed. Strowman laughed and said, “You two?!?!” Sheamus told everyone to grow up because he obviously meant room together. Sheamus went on and on and said the beating Lesnar gave Reigns is nothing compared to what they’ll do to him and his partner at WrestleMania. Braun said Angle told him he gets a match against one of them right now. He asked who wants “to get these hands.” Sheamus pretended to tweak his knee as he entered the ring, so Cesaro had to wrestle.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good babyface mic work from Braun, and good heel mic work from Sheamus & Cesaro.)

(2) BRAUN STROWMAN vs. CESARO (w/Sheamus)

They cut to an early break with Strowman in control. [c]

Back to the match, Cesaro leaped off the second rope onto the back of Strowman. Strowman took over at ringside and threw Cesaro back into the ring. Cesaro side-stepped a charging Strowman and so Strowman went shoulder first into the ringpost. The announcers talked about Strowman getting a partner. Coach said he doesn’t have any friends that he knows of. Strowman made a comeback and punched Cesaro out of mid-air. A Sheamus distraction gave Cesaro a chance to roll to ringside and recover a bit. Strowman chased after him and ended up colliding with Sheamus when Cesaro moved. Graves said Strowman knows he’s been in a fight tonight, which was the giveaway that Cesaro was about to lose. Strowman then powerslammed him out of mid-air. (They need to stop having Graves GIVE AWAY EVERY FINISH these days by giving credit to the guy who’s about to lose “for putting up a good fight” right before he loses. It’s so Vince McMahon to have his announcers do that and drive into the ground.)

WINNER: Strowman in 9:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: It looks like they’re going to milk the mystery of who is going to be Braun’s tag team partner. That’s smart.)

-Graves plugged The Ultimate Deletion. They cut to Woken Matt in his house with his wife Queen Rebecca playing the piano and King Maxel and Lord Wolfgang, his children, there too. He then ordered Vangaurd 1 (his drone) to check for visitors because they were expecting one. He requested Señor Benjamin to prepare the battlefield for annihilation. [c]

-A Smackdown commercial showed Shane McMahon taking a leave of absence, then Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn attacking him in the ring and backstage. The narrator asked if Daniel Bryan can regain control of Smackdown Live.

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NOTE: For another perspective on tonight’s Raw, check out the premiere of PWTorch contributor Zack Heydorn’s “alt perspective” in-depth report and viewpoints on tonight’s show: CLICK HERE.

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(3) TITUS O’NEAL & APOLLO vs. THE REVIVAL (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)

The match was joined in progress. The Revival isolated Titus, who eventually tagged Apollo. Dash attacked Titus at ringside, which led to Apollo leaping onto him at ringside. When he climbed to the top rope seconds later, he landed a crossbody block on Dawson, but Dawson rolled through for a near fall. Dash blind-tagged in and went after Apollo. They double-teamed him with the Shatter Machine for the win.

WINNER: The Revival.

-After the match, Charlie Caruso interviewed Revival mid-ring. She asked what their path is to WrestleMania now that Braun is challenging Sheamus & Cesaro for the WWE Raw Tag Team Titles. They said since Braun won their tag team battle royal last week, they’re going to enter the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania and be the first tag team to win that match.

-Cole threw to a video feature on Mark Henry being the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. Cole then listed everyone being inducted this year. [c]

-A video aired on WWE celebrating Women’s History Month.

-They went to the announcers on camera. Cole said “Empowered” debuts on WWE Network with a special dedicated to the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble earlier this year as part of the”WWE 24″ documentary series. Cole plugged the tag team match up next, saying Bayley and Sasha have to try to get along.

-Bayley made her ring entrance. Sasha explained why Bayley has been in the wrong, but since she considers her her sister, she forgives her. Bayley admitted she acted impulsively but she didn’t cost her her match, but actually helped her win last week. She said when the match was done, she took off because she can’t get over what she did at Elimination Chamber. She said it’s not what she did, it’s how she did it. She said she knows Sasha does what she has to do to win her matches “but that look on your face after you did it, the glare in your eyes and the smirk that you had ate at my core.” She said she literally grabbed her hand and kicked her down the pod and watched her fall and then smiled. She said she can’t get that picture out of her head. She said she’s supposed to be her best friend, “so why was knocking me down so easy, like it meant nothing?” She was interrupted by Absolution’s entrance music just as they were about to get somewhere. Coach said he wanted to hear the answer.

Paige stood on the stage and said it’s time for a match, so she’s sorry for interrupting, but it’s time for real women to show how real women settle a score.

(4) SASHA BANKS & BAYLEY vs. MANDY ROSE & SONYA DEVILLE (w/Paige)

The heel duo cleared the ring seconds into the match. They cut to a very early break. [c]

Coach talked about how Sonya was so happy to have wrestled at MSG over the weekend and that a year ago she wouldn’t have believed she’d be performing there. Sasha took a beating, but eventually crawled over and reached for a tag. Bayley didn’t reach her arm out at first, which gave Deville a chance to catch up to her. Seconds later Sasha did leap to her corner and Bayley tagged her on the back to enter. Cole said she had to think about it. Bayley aggressively attacking Deville with some hard-hitting offense for a near fall broken up by Mandy. Sasha jumped in to attack Mandy. Bayley put Deville in a backslide, but the ref was tending to Sasha and was late to make the count. Bayley turned and yanked Sasha around. They argued with each other, fended off Mandy together, but then were both knocked down by Deville. Deville then kicked Bayley in the head for the win. Coach said sisters often fight, but most often they make up – and now it’s time for Bayley and Sasha to do that.

WINNERS: Rose & Deville in 10:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Bayley made some counter-points to Sasha, but then undid them when she refused to tag Sasha at first, proving Sasha’s point. I think the debate shouldn’t be which of the two are going to turn, but instead should shift to whether either will come out of this likable enough to remain a babyface. Maybe they have to become a heel team.)

-Graves plugged Cena wants an answer from Undertaker next. [c]

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NOTE: If you have questions or a reaction to tonight’s Raw, send it to wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com for the Mailbag Segment of the #WKPWP taped tonight and available a couple hours after Raw ends. Search “Wade Keller” to subscribe to our podcast just about anywhere. Choose the red logo for the “Post-Shows” early this week and the blue logo for the “Flagship” and “Interview Friday” later this week.

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[HOUR THREE]

-A clip aired of a boyishly young Cena winning his first title match at WrestleMania 21 back in 2005 over JBL.

-Cena made his ring entrance to a mixed response. He said hi to Dallas for a cheap pop. He said Undertaker has gone into hiding in shame. He said Undertaker doesn’t believe he belongs in WWE anymore, but as long as there is a WWE, then the name Undertaker has meaning and he belongs. He talked about fans being so invested in his streak. He said the answer to his challenge – get ready – has been nothing. He said it’s insulting to him and to the fans who turned him, “with help from an overweight mortician,” into a God. He said he doesn’t care anymore if his answer is yes or no, just have the decency to respond. He told him to do “that stupid stuff” you do. That drew some boos. He said just do something, anything. The fans chanted “Do something!” Nothing happened. Cena said that was the very moment Undertaker let down everyone who believed in him. “You are not a god and right now you should barely be able to call yourself a man.” He waited and suddenly Kane’s music played. Cena thanked Kane and asked if he was sent to give fans the message they deserve. Kane chokeslammed Cena. The announcers wondered what that meant.

(Keller’s Analysis: Cena got a mixed response. He came down really heavy on Taker, and fans didn’t seem to like that, but fans also seemed to want to see Taker respond to the challenge at the very least and chanted along. Having Kane “answer” the Cena challenge with a  chokeslam is a creative way to delay the payoff another week.) [c]

-Cole threw to a video recap of the Reigns-Lesnar angle at the start of the show.

-Miz and Miztourage made their way to the ring. [c]

-As he waited for Bray’s arrival, Woken Matt fed a giraffe and said, “You like carrots like I like green beans.”

-Miz and Miztourage stood in the ring. He complained that he wasn’t on the cover of the WrestleMania magazine, unlike A.J. Styles and Brock Lesnar. He said he doesn’t even get a singles match. “No respect!” he said. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel repeated it. He asked if he is the bad guy here. Miz said Seth Rollins and Finn Balor don’t like each other, and he’s going to send Tyler Black and Prince “Nevitt” back to the bingo halls after WrestleMania “so they can ‘too sweet’ all you little indy fans.” He said he will gain respect from everybody when he emerges from WrestleMania as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion ever.

-Cole said a lot of people respect Miz, but his complaining undercuts that. Graves said the fans just envy him and how rich and famous he has become. He said Balor Club is like WWE Walmart. After Balor Club’s ring entrance, Seth Rollins walked out onto the stage. [c]

(5) FINN BALOR & LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON vs. MIZ & MIZTOURAGE

Seth joined the announcers on commentary as the match began after the break. He said the IC Title is the one title he hasn’t won. Seth said he wants to leave another WrestleMania with the title. Cole said Miz has been a great IC Champion with eight title reigns. Seth said Miz is self-serving and he doesn’t bring legitimacy to the title “because he doesn’t defend it with honor.” (Bingo. Perfect babyface line from Seth.) [c]

Back from the break, Balor was in control. Axel interfered and knocked Balor off the top rope. Seth said that’s what he has to prepare for. Miz begged for a tag and then went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Balor rolled him up instead. When Miz went for a roll-up, Balor pushed off and sent Miz into Axel who was on the ring apron. Balor then schoolboyed Miz for the win.

WINNERS: Balor Club in 12:00.

-Afterward, Miz, Dallas, and Axel triple-teamed Balor. They fended off Anderson and Gallows, then went back to attacking Balor. Seth hesitated, but eventually made the save. Seth and Balor had a brief tense staredown.

-Another Woken Matt video aired as Hardy rowed a boat on the Lake of Reincarnation.

-Cole hyped a Ronda Rousey video was next. [c]

-A long video aired on Rousey’s career with a lot of UFC footage and commentary, and with Angle by her side with new training content. She talked about how people saw her as a bitch, but she said people need to get over a woman who has confidence. She said she was the best. She said when she lost her last match, she thought God hated her, but her husband convinced her that she is more than a fighter. Then she said she once thought UFC was all she cared about, but the path was all leading to WWE, and WrestleMania is where she was always meant to be.

-Cole hyped Mixed Match Challenge.

-Another Ultimate Deletion video aired. Bray arrived at the gates and Matt appeared via a projected hologram and welcomed him. It shot out of Vanguard 1, the drone. Rebecca Hardy played a piano at ringside as Bray entered the ring. [c]

[OVERRUN]

(6) MATT HARDY vs. BRAY WYATT

They circled each other and laughed. They wrestled a bit. When Bray brought a chair into the ring, Matt said, “Vanguard, initiate!” Bray asked, “Initiate what?!” Pyro blasted and Bray asked, “What the hell is that?” Matt then attacked Bray with a chair as an overhead camera showed the pyro blasting. Matt yelled “Deletion!” Matt bashed Bray in the back with a chair; Bray retreated through a field. Matt followed. They fought to a shed in the woods. Matt leaned against the outer wall and asked Bray if it reminded him of anything. Bray kneeled and smiled. They flashed back to Bray in his shed on a rocking chair talking about Sister Abigail. Matt attacked Bray. Bray shoved Matt hard into the wall several times with a kendo stick. Bray then let out a yell and looked into the sky. He had images of a burning house in his head – we knew this because the screen showed us. Bray went looking for Matt in the fog of darkness. He asked, “Where are you, Matt?” They went to the “Land of Obsolete Men,” a graveyard. Matt hid and several images of Bray ran through the maze of human-sized grave marker symbols looking for him. Bray said, “I’m coming, Matt.” The fought each other and brawled some more.

They brawled into the facility on the Hardy Compound where a ring is set up. They brawled by a white grand piano. Matt then hit Bray with a ladder. Hardy was about to run over Bray with a riding mower, but Bray bridged up into a crab position. Matt stopped in his tracks as Bray stood. Bray gave Matt a DDT on the ring apron and then made the cover on the floor for a two count. Bray punched away at Matt and said his ultimate solution is different. He dragged him by his arm and said, “Let’s go home, Matt, and finish it, Matt.” He dragged him outside. Vanguard 1 scanned for subjects. It located Bray and Matt with night vision. Bray dropped Matt off of his shoulders. Matt coughed. Bray kicked him in the ribs. Matt made some Shane McMahon noises. Matt struggled and said, “It can’t end this way!” Bray set up a Sister Abigail into the boat. Bray grabbed Vanguard 1. “It can’t end this way!” said the screen. Bray said he’d deal with him later and let him go. The boat was tipped over. Bray lifted it. Señor Benjamin was underneath and threw him a globe. Jeff Hardy then sang, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” Matt then gave Bray a Twist of Fate for the three count.

WINNER: Hardy.

-Matt then charged at Bray and used the oar to knock Bray into the lake. He asked Señor Benjamin to retrieve Bray from the Lake of Reincarnation. Benjamin went looking for him, but he said, “He’s not here, Mr. Hardy.” Matt laughed and said, “Delightful! The great war is ovah. Bray Wyatt has been deleted.” He yelled “Delete!” over and over as celebratory music played.

END OF SHOW.

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Join Wade Keller and guest cohost Rich Fann of the PWTorch Livecast’s “Deep Dive” podcast within minutes of Raw ending tonight for the Wade Keller Pr Wrestling Post-show. You can stream it live HERE and call in at this number: (347) 215-8558. You can also download the show later. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts or any podcast app by searching “Wade Keller.” Subscribe to the red logo for the Raw and Smackdown post-shows and subscribe to the blue logo for the Podcast One shows later in the week – “Thursday Flagship” and “Interview Friday.”

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