WWE RAW PRIMER 3/19: Ultimate Deletion segment with Woken Matt and Bray Wyatt, will Lesnar no-show again, Asuka’s streak at stake, more Braun

RAW PREVIEW
MARCH 19, 2018
DALLAS, TEX. AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTorch contributor

ANNOUNCED BY WWE.COM

• The Great War between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt has lead to tonight’s Ultimate Deletion.
• The Beast Brock Lesnar finally emerges.
• Asuka puts her streak on the line against Alexa Bliss
• Will Braun Strowman take on the Bar at WrestleMania?

“ULTIMATE CLEANSING”

The time hath finally arrived. Since the body and spirit of a one Matthew Hardy has become WOKEN, the intensity and bizarreness of his feud with Bray Wyatt has escalated to an eleven. Even with the Eater of World’s tendencies to rant on about being the “chosen one” it seemed that he had finally met his match when it came to the powers beyond human nature. Problem is, that the last few in-ring encounters between these two weirdos has not really delivered to the entertainment level that the promos before it had. However, a basic singles match was never going to be fulfilling for characters that are this unique, and thus this evening we will be graced with the WWE’s first take on…. THE ULTIMATE DELETION. Can Wyatt finally end the Great War and continue down his path of conquering the machine? Or will it be aged Hardy who stand atop the mountain, creepy laughing and preparing to take over what’s left of the universe? Could this possibly lead to some type of faction for the two men? As a Wyatt loyalist and a big fan of Matt, I have my fingers crossed that it leads to something meaningful for the future. If not, at least we’ll have tonight.

“I AM WHO AM”

Last week Vince McMahon promised that the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar would be making an appearance in Dallas for tonight’s episode of Raw after no-showing the previous two. This occurred after Roman Reigns stormed backstage (on air) to demand some answers from the chairman as to why Brock gets to decide whether he should show up for work or not. Unfortunately, this got the Big Dawg temporarily suspended, but he is still scheduled to appear this evening as of now. Vinnie Mac did admit that Brock gets more special treatment than most of the roster, but that is simply because he has earned it with his dominance. One can’t argue that. No matter what happens Brock will be walking into Mania with the same title he walked out of there with one year ago. He is the ultimate baddie. The final boss of any level. He is the milestone that Roman will have to beat. I give credit to this interesting angle for being just that: interesting. It’s certainly different, and I applaud the WWE for telling a different story. The question is will we finally get a traditional face-off to get the fans excited for the clash in New Orleans? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

“TWISTED SISTERS”

-While it’s clear that Royal Rumble winner Asuka has decided to challenge the Nature Girl Charlotte at WrestleMania, the Raw women’s scene remains up in the air. Champion Alexa Bliss will be in singles action against the Empress tonight, but it’s Nia Jax that she is worried about. The Samoan Giant had some very hurtful things said about her by Bliss, and whatever was left of their once strong friendship is now a thing of the past.

-Speaking of giants, a particular giant known as the Monster Among Men is currently the #1 contender for the tag team championships. You didn’t read that wrong. He ALONE is the #1 contender after winning a tag team battle royal seven days ago BY HIMSELF. The Bar Cesaro and Sheamus have been the cream of the crop in the tag division, but even they understand what a threat a guy like Braun can be on his own. Will the Monster be getting a tag partner? Or will the Europeans be planning on how they can avoid these hands?

-The drifter Elias seems like he has nothing to do for the show of shows, and a partnership with Strowman could get him his first taste of WWE gold. That is of course, if he doesn’t smash a guitar across his partners back and all.

-Elswhere in the mid-card, Finn Balor and Seth Rollins continue to strengthen their disdain for one another ahead of their triple-threat match with the Miz and his Intercontinental Championship.  The A-lister’s impressive title run already has the odds stacked against him, but with rumors that the match may be getting more participant s he better be holding that title close for the next month.

-The franchise John Cena is scheduled to be in Dallas this evening. Dallas, which just happens to be the home of the deadman he continues to call out for the showcase of the immortals. Will we be hearing a gong tonight, or is Cena really just going to have to purchase a ticket on April 8^th?

-Ronda Rousey is supposed to be back tonight to help build to her mixed-tag bout against Triple-H and Stephanie McMahon. Raw General Manager Kurt Angle will be her partner (in case you are coming in late) and I’m sure the two could benefit from a little together time to build up some chemistry, or possibly help Ronda with her Samoan Drop.

Stacked show tonight in Texas. Still plenty of road ahead of us towards Mania. You watching?

NOW CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK’S SHOW: KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT 3/12: Reigns complains about being disrespected by Vince McMahon for Lesnar situation, plus Asuka, Miz TV with Seth and Balor, Tag Team Battle Royal