3/14 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller’s report on Kevin Owens’ response to Steve Austin, RK-Bro’s title win celebration

KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
MARCH 14, 2022
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. AT VYSTAR VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

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[HOUR ONE]

-A graphic on the screen acknowledged the death of Scott Hall, age 63. He was removed from life support earlier today by his family.

-The “Then, Now, Forever” opening aired.

-They moved to a video recap of Kevin Owens inviting “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to join his KO Show at WrestleMania followed by the response by Steve Austin that was first posted on social media last week.

-Owens made his ring entrance as they showed a wide angle of the crowd. Jimmy Smith and Corey Graves discussed KO getting what he asked for “and he now finds himself in the spotlight in Dallas, Tex.” Owens opened with an acknowledgment of Scott Hall by saying, “Hey yo.” He said he is a happy Canadian because he is going to WrestleMania. He said as far as he’s concerned, he’s not just going to WM, he’s going to the main event of WrestleMania Saturday because his guest is “the greatest of all-time, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.” He said for a minute it looked like all hope was lost, but he used his superior Canadian intellect and thought about what he could do. He said the entire world will get to watch the “most stupendous KO Show of all time as I decimate and smear Stone Cold all over Texas.” He said people will be saying “Oh hell no” after he’s done with Austin. He said he will open a can of Canadian beer, even though he doesn’t like beer, after beats the living hell out of him at WrestleMania. “And that’s the bottom line because KO said so” He then turned and gave a stunner to a camera man in the ring. Graves said KO knows what he’s doing by trying to get under the skin of Austin. Byron Saxton told KO to be careful what he wishes for. Graves said it’ll be the most stupendous KO Show in history.

(Keller’s Analysis: They went to a wide shot late in the segment showing the cameraman in the ring, which they usually don’t do, so that tipped off that he’d end up involved somehow. That’s basically the promo Owens would have given if this was being billed as an actual match. They’re trying to get everything they can out of a non-match by essentially treating it as a match in every way other than there being no referee or rules or pinfall/submission in play. I wonder if it will close out the night. I hope not. That slot should absolutely go to one of the women’s title matches.)

-Finn Balor made his ring entrance. [c]

(1) FINN BALOR vs. DAMIAN PRIEST

Priest’s ring entrance aired. As Balor and Priest were about to lock up, Austin Theory walked out. They went to a replay of the angle with Theory and Pat McAfee on Smackdown last Friday. He joined in on commentary and talked about facing McAfee at WrestleMania. Smith asked if he is hesitant to face a former pro football player who is fit and strong. Theory said he got lucky on Smackdown. Saxton said he beat him up. Theory said he won’t stand a chance against him inside the ring. A minute into the match, Priest gave Balor a released Razor’s Edge onto the announce desk. They cut to a break. [c]

Back from the break, Priest was in control. When Balor made a comeback and climbed to the top rope, Theory leaped up onto the ring apron to DISTRACT him. Priest tried to blindside Balor, but Balor blocked him and then round-kicked him in the head. Balor then gave a missile dropkick to Theory at ringside. Saxton said Theory had it coming. Priest gave Balor a Reckoning as soon as he re-entered the ring.

WINNER: Priest in 8:00.

-After the match, Theory gave Balor an ATL and then took a selfie over him. Graves said McAfee should just stay home WrestleMania weekend.

-Kevin Patrick interviewed Seth backstage. He asked Seth if he there have been any new developments or is he still not a part of WrestleMania. Seth glared at him. There were “Cody” crowd chants (either live or piped in).

-Commander Azeez made his ring entrance. Graves said there will be over 14 feet of humanity going to battle next. [c]

(2) OMOS vs. COMMANDZER AZEEZ (w/Apollo Crews)

Azeez and Crews made their ring entrance after the break. Smith said the scariest things in combat sports is when you cross paths with someone who matches your strengths. He said Azeez’s usual confidence might fade opposite someone who is his size. They glared at each other, but also seemed to respect each other’s stature. They locked up mid-ring. Azeez charged at Omos, but Omos checked him through the ropes to the floor. Azeez returned quickly to the ring, but Omos clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. Azeez snapped Omos’s throat over the top rope and took over with a barrage of offense including a corner splash. He set up a suplex, but Omos reversed it and gave Azeez a vertical suplex. The announcers sold it as a huge deal. Then he gave him a lift-and-drop throat slam. Afterward, Omos chokeslammed Crews into the ring. He pounded his chest as his music played. Smith asked what man can challenge Omos one-on-one. Graves said there’s not one.

WINNER: Omos in 2:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Does that line that there isn’t anyone who can beat Omos one-on-one indicate he’s going to be in a handicapped match at WrestleMania or is that an Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal reference.)

-Backstage Owens approached Seth and said he knows it’s a tough time, but tough times don’t last. KO said it doesn’t have to be this bad. He said he was in his position but then he thought of an idea. He said Seth is a visionary, so get a vision. He said he beat Triple H, he beat Brock Lesnar, he cashed in MITB, and he even lost to him. “You and I created a WrestleMania Moment,” Owens said. “Maybe we can do that again.” He suggested they build something together. Seth suddenly got a vision and got very excited. He smiled and walked away. KO said, “I think I helped!”

-Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan made their ring entrance. [c]

-A commercial aired for “Corey & Carmella” on YouTube.

(3) QUEEN ZELINA (w/Carmella) vs. LIV MORGAN (w/Rhea Ripley)

As Zelina and Carmella made their way to the ring, they cut to a clip from earlier where Zelina told Carmella that ever since she started the “risque reality show with Corey,” she’s been distracted. She told her to start focusing on WrestleMania and their tag team titles, “or else.” Graves plugged the Triple Threat tag match at WrestleMania for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. After some back and forth action, Morgan landed a sunset flip for a two count. They continued to battle for leverage on the mat with Liv scoring two more near falls. Carmella DISTRACTED Liv from the ring apron. Zelina then powerbombed Liv off the second rope. Both were down and slow to get up. Carmella celebrated at ringside. Ripley approached her. Carmella fretted and leaped into Corey’s arms. Corey told Ripley, “She didn’t do anything; she was trying to help her partner.” Liv caught a DISTRACTED Zelina with her finisher for the win. Smith said “WrestleMania momentum” was on the side of Liv and Ripley.

WINNER: Liv in 3:00.

-Seth Rollins danced his way onto the stage. Graves said he has an idea for WrestleMania.

-A commercial for NXT tomorrow night advertised a special Miz TV with new NXT Champion Dolph Ziggler. [c]

-Extended clips aired of the latest angles with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.

[HOUR TWO]

-Seth’s music faded. He exuberantly said he has a plan to get himself to WrestleMania. He said with less than three weeks to go, he thought all hope was lost. He said then his best friend KO reminded him who he is. He called KO to the ring. Owens came out to his music. He said he can’t wait to hear his idea. Seth said KO has a talk how, The KO Show, and his guest at WrestleMania is going to be Austin. He cackled and said, “What if I also had a talk show, like Freakin’ Speakin’ with Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins or bring back “The Rollins Report.” He said, “What if my guest was ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.” KO said no way, he can’t have a talk show with his guest. “That’s nonsense; this is not a good plan,” he said. He told Seth to go to the back and “see Becky and the baby.” Seth proposed they have a match tonight, and the winner gets Austin as their guest at WM. KO said no. He said he had the idea first and he’s his guest, so get his own idea. “Why are you doing this to me?” he asked. Sonya Deville walked out and said she kind of likes Seth’s idea. She said she’d give them some time to get ready for the main event tonight. Seth said if he beats KO, he will replace him at WrestleMania. Owens slammed the mic down. Seth celebrated.

(Keller’s Analysis: This just feels like a time-filler. No one is buying that KO is going to lose the chance to interview Austin. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Cody Rhodes show up on the stage to end Raw and tell a distraught Seth after his loss that he has an idea for a WrestleMania-worthy match for him.)

-They went to the announcers on camera who threw to Miz and Logan Paul beating up Rey & Dominik three weeks ago and the fallout since them.

-The Mysterios made their entrance. Graves hyped the tag match up next. [c]

-Graves hyped the Owens vs. Seth main event.

(4) REY & DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN & CEDRIC ALEXANDER

As the match was about to begin, Miz’s music played. He made his way onto the stage. “Just when we thought it wasn’t about The Miz,” said Smith. Graves said it’s always about the Miz. Saxton asked if Miz can just mind his own business. Logan Paul joined Miz. Graves said it’s a dynamic duo. He said every tag team “has a Marty (Jannetty), but this is a tag team of two Shawns (Michaels).” Miz and Logan joined in on commentary. Miz talked up Logan. Rey got a hot-tag and went on a flurry of offense against Cedric. Logan said Rey is short and tiny. Rey landed a tornado DDT for a near fall, broken up by Shelton. Rey landed a 619. Dominik then landed a frog splash on Cedric for the win.

WINNERS: Mysterios in 4:00.

-After the match, Miz and Logan attacked the Mysterios. Graves said Logan is trying to make believers out of the entire WWE Universe. Miz held Rey, but Rey broke free and kicked Miz out of the ring. Dominik and Rey surrounded Logan, then attacked him. Miz saved Logan from a double 619 set-up. Miz and Logan retreated.

-A video package aired on Edge’s promo last week. Graves said he’d be live on Raw next.

-Saxton touted the latest WWE videogame. [c]

-The announcers talked about Sharmell being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by her husband Booker T.

-Edge’s ring entrance took place. He came out to new music that begins with his voice, “You think you knew me? You never did.” Edge had the blue light shining on him. He said for the last two weeks his synapses have been firing to a degree that it took a while for him to decipher the code of what he has become. He said that’s above what the fans can understand, but he’ll grant them mercy because they’re simple. He said he is better than everyone. He said he’s better than the fans, but that’s a given. But he means he’s better than every person in the entire industry. He said since he came back two years ago, he hasn’t shown that aptitude. He said the Edge that came back aiming to appease the fans was weak. He said he has now realized the fans don’t matter to him.

He said in trying to appease all of them, he took his eye off the prize and allowed Randy Orton to tear his triceps from the bone. He said he allowed Seth to cost him the Universal Championship and walk into his home and piss into his territory. He allowed Roman Reigns, a man who can’t lace his boots, to stack pin him at WrestleMania. He said A.J. Styles would leave that Edge in the dust. “But that Edge is dead, baby.” He said he now sits atop his mountain of omnipotence. He said won’t be judged by anyone in the locker room, including Styles.  A “You suck” chant rang out briefly. Edge said they are two generational talents who will battle for the first time ever on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.” He looked at the WM sign. “Then A.J., you will be judged.”

(Keller’s Analysis: This version of Edge just feels too jarringly disconnected from the Edge fans have come to know otherwise the last two years. The other Edge felt authentic. This feels like a performance for drama class. His turn was too sudden. He provided a backstory here and performed well, which he always does, but there needed to be a chapter that we witnessed that triggered this version of Edge manifesting.)

-A clip aired of Becky Lynch yanking on Bianca Belair’s braid, then Belair whipping her with the braid. It made a loud noise. Graves said that wasn’t not an added sound effect.

-Sarah Schreiber interviewed Belair and asked about Becky saying her hair is an unfair advantage in their match. Belair said she only used it when Becky wrapped her head around the ropes first. She said the real advantage is the sound of Becky not running her mouth. She said Raw has been so peaceful since she cracked Becky in the throat. She said tonight she’ll give Becky a preview of what she’s in for when she faces Doudrop later. Belair said she’ll shut Becky up for good at WrestleMania.

-Belair made her ring entrance, twirling her braid over her head as she danced into the ring. [c]

-A vignette aired advertising Veer is coming to Raw. No date was listed. “It’s just a matter of time,” said the narrator.

(5) DOUDROP (w/Nikki A.S.H.) vs. BIANCA BELAIR

As Doudrop made her entrance, a soundbite aired with Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop. Doudrop said if Belair dares to try to use her hair as a weapon, she’ll rip the braid out of her scalp with her bare hands. Belair went for a K.O.D. on Doudrop a couple minutes into the match. Smith asked if this is the definition of a trap fight. Graves said Doudrop has the ability to damage Belair headed into WM. Belair leapfrogged Doudrop at ringside, but Doudrop caught her. Belair slipped free and then shoved Doudrop into the ring apron. She shoved Belair hard into the ring apron and then went for a flip splash. Belair moved, so Doudrop crashed upside down against the ring barricade. They cut to a break. [c]

After the break, Belair made a comeback and lifted Doudrop onto her shoulders, then delivered the K.O.D. for the win.

WINNER: Belair in 7:00.

-Afterward, Becky showed up and yanked a celebrating Belair to the floor where she threw her into the ringside steps. She was fuming mad as she slammed Belair into the announce table. Becky set up a chair at ringside, then rammed her face into the chair. Becky pulled her braid through the chair and then yanked on her braid, sending her face-first into the ringpost. Becky leaned over and said, “Next week, the hair, bitch!”

(Keller’s Analysis: Becky’s voice sounded good there, which is promising for her to able to do some promos in the next two weeks.)

-A video recap aired of the Ronda Rousey-Charlotte angle on Smackdown.

-Randy Orton and Riddle made their way to the ring with the Raw Tag Team Title belts. [c]

[HOUR THREE]

-Orton and Riddle stood in the ring as they aired clips of last week’s Raw Tag Team Title win. Smith said the match was an instant classic. Riddle told Orton he keeps replaying what happened last week over and over in his head. He said they did it and they’re going to WrestleMania. “We did it!” he said. Orton said Riddle is right. He said earlier in the day in the locker room, he was doing a little math. He said this is his 18th appearance he has had at WrestleMania. He said this will be the sweetest because he’s never entered as a tag champion. He thanked Riddle for his friendship. They hugged. Riddle thanked Orton for getting popcorn. He asked if it came from a local popcorn store. Orton said it came from the concession stand. Riddle thanked Orton for the bubble gum, too. Riddle said there’s a third gift that goes with the gum. It was in a little green bag. The Street Profits interrupted before Riddle could reveal what was inside.

The Profits challenged them for a tag team title match at WrestleMania. Orton said they had to jump through hoops and even win a spelling bee to get the tag titles. He said they can enjoy some popcorn, but the answer is no. Montez Ford began to talk when an “RK-Bro” chant broke out. He said RK-Bro owes them a match. He said they’re way past asking for opportunities around there. He said, “We’re telling you we’re facing you at WrestleMania.” Orton said Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Vince McMahon have never told him what to do when he was in the ring, and they aren’t either. He told them to turn around and leave, or else he’s going to listen to the voices in his head and make them leave. Riddle stood between them. He told Randy they made a good point because they did beat them. “We’ve got to face somebody at WrestleMania,” Riddle said. “It’s the right thing to do.” Orton said they’re lucky his friend is so cool. “We accept,” he said.

Ford thanked Riddle for talking some sense into him. He said they’ll show them how to throw a party “that’s not so much *sniff* … ass.” Riddle told Ford not to disrespect Orton, whom he said worked so hard on the party. He said he didn’t want to wait until WrestleMania. Angelo Dawkins said they were up for that. Orton interrupted him beginning their catch phrase and said they’re ending the segment their way. They closed with their catchphrase. Smith said Riddle and Ford are battling next. [c]

-Smith read a statement by Styles from Twitter saying he is coming back to Raw next week to address Edge.

(6) RIDDLE (w/Randy Orton) vs. MONTEZ FORD (w/Angelo Dawkins)

Graves said the match was made official during the break. (That seemed to be a little passive-aggressive in tone in response to Smith, before the break, prematurely declaring it would take place.) They battled to ringside at 2:00 where Ford got the better of Riddle. [c]

Back from the break, Riddle caught Ford with a surprise RKO. Otis attacked Orton at ringside, DISTRACTING Riddle. Chad Gable then threw Dawkins into the ringpost. Otis pulled Riddle out of the ring and rammed him into the ringside barricade.

WINNERS: No contest in 8:00 when Otis and Gable interfered.

-Gable and Otis attacked Ford in the ring after the bell.

-They went to the announcers at ringside who talked about the death of Scott Hall. Smith quoted Hall saying, “Bad times don’t last, bad guys do.” Graves said his presence is felt up and down the roster through today. Saxton said they idolized Razor Ramon/Scott Hall for all his contributions to the industry. Graves began crying as he threw to a video package on Scott Hall. Nash was shown saying, “You can’t teach somebody to cool, and Scott was always cool.” They went to a wide shot of the arena after the video package. [c]

-The announcers plugged the debut of Steve Austin’s new beer.

-A recap aired of the Seth-KO segment earlier setting up the TV main event.

-Backstage, Patrick interviewed Seth about his opportunity tonight. Seth was excited. He said he’s about to punch his ticket. He said WrestleMania needs him as much as he needs WrestleMania. [c]

-Graves commented on a replay of what Becky did to Belair. Smith said Belair was taken to the hospital and has suffered throat trauma.

(7) SETH ROLLINS vs. KEVIN OWENS

Seth and KO were arguing as fans were singing his theme song. They fought back and forth for a few minutes. Owens landed a fallaway slam at ringside and then landed a senton on the floor. They cut to a break. [c]

When Owens went for a Pop-up Powerbomb, Seth blocked it and sent Owens into the corner. He landed a slingblade. He connected with a springboard flying knee next. Seth dove through the ropes and speared KO into the barricade at ringside. Seth knocked KO over the announce desk, but Seth took a hard fall also. Owens beat a countout, but Seth immediately superkicked him. Seth landed a top rope splash for a near fall. They showed fans reacting to the near fall on replay. Seth yelled, “I need this!” Owens countered Seth with a superplex and scored a near fall. Seth lifted his knees on a top rope senton attempt. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” KO set up a Stunner, but Seth escaped and shoved him head-first into the turnbuckle instead. Seth scored a two count, although the ref was late with the count. Seth complained, then went for a stomp. KO moved and hit a Stunner for the win. Smith declared Owens is going to WrestleMania. He said both men left it all in the ring.

WINNER: Owens in 16:00.

-Seth sat in the ring and looked up at the WrestleMania sign in despair. Graves said all of Seth’s hopes and dreams for a WrestleMania were “dashed tonight.” (See what he did there?)