3/6 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller’s report on John Cena’s return, Seth invites Logan Paul, Jey-Sami, Belair-Carmella

WWE RAW TV REPORT
MARCH 6, 2023
BOSTON, MASS.
AIRED LIVE ON USA

Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Mike Rome

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[HOUR ONE]

-After the “Then, Now, Together, Forever” (creepy) brand stamp, they showed a black SUV arriving earlier in the day. Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso exited the vehicle. Heyman told Jimmy that Roman Reigns told him explicitly to solve the Sami Zayn problem. He said Sami “escaped” and thus survived, which means he’s at Raw tonight. He said that’s an opportunity for The Bloodline. He said Solo will solve the Kevin Owens problem and Jimmy will solve the Sami problem “once and forever.” Jimmy said, “Yeet.” Heyman then told his phone to “call Roman Reigns.”

-They went live to a wide shot of the arena as Kevin Patrick introduced the show.

(1) KEVIN OWENS vs. SOLO SIKOA

As Owens made his ring entrance, Graves hyped that John Cena would be on Raw later. Patrick hyped that Becky Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus would be there. Graves hyped that Seth and Logan Paul would go face-to-face later, too. Patrick hyped Sami vs. Jimmy Uso in the main event. Solo then made his entrance. Owens attacked Solo before the bell as he entered the ring. They brawled to ringside. Solo threw Owens into a ringpost and threw him into the ring. The ref then called for the bell.

Owens tackled Solo immediately. Solo took over shortly thereafter and stomped away at Owens in the corner. Owens rallied and landed a senton, then charged into Solo at ringside when Solo bailed out. Jimmy Uso ran out to ringside to thwart Owens’ momentum. Solo landed a hip attack in the corner. Owens rolled to the floor. Solo gave him a hip attack against the barricade. Both collisions looked a little weak or off-target. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]

Owens eventually fought back. He went for a Stunner, but Solo blocked it. Owens turned to punch Jimmy when he stood on the ring apron. He turned and superkicked Solo and then hit his signature cannonball in the corner. Owens leaped off the top rope with a swanton for a near fall, broken up by Jimmy. The ref DQ’d Solo.

WINNER: Owens via DQ in 10:00.

-As Solo and Jimmy attacked Owens at ringside after the match, fans chanted “Sami! Sami!” Solo cleared the ringside table. Sami showed up just in time. He tossed Solo into the ringpost and tackled Jimmy into the announce desk. Sami swung a chair at Solo, but Solo ran. Same with Jimmy. Sami entered the ring to cheers from the fans. Owens was sitting in the corner, exhausted, looking up at Sami. Sami offered his hand. Owens assessed the situation, then pulled himself to the floor. Fans booed. Owens walked to the back. Sami’s music played.

(Keller’s Analysis: The match itself was pretty good. The Sami-KO reunion being teased but not realized makes sense at this stage of the march to WrestleMania.)

-Patrick hyped that Bobby Lashley would be out next. [c]

-After clips of last week’s Muscleman Dance video by Bray Wyatt and then Uncle Howdy attacking Lashley, Lashley spoke backstage. He said he’s tired of “the little kid games” and asked what it would take for Wyatt to face him like a man.

-Byron Saxton interviewed Carmella backstage about facing Bianca Belair later. Carmella said Adam Pearce gave her this match to get her out of his “nonexistent hair.” She said if Pearce was any good at his job, this would be a no. 1 contendership match so if she won, she’d be added to the WM match. Chelsea Green walked up to Carmella and bonded with over their feelings for Pearce. Pearce was shown looking at his phone as he approached the scene, but when he saw it was them, he turned and left. Green pitched to Carmella that they go above Pearce’s head and speak to his superior to get the WM title match changed. Carmella said she liked that and invited Green to be in her corner. Green was excited. She asked Saxton if he was still standing there, listening to their private conversation. Carmella insulted him and told him to leave.

(Keller’s Analysis: Carmella and Green have a fun dynamic playing off of each other. Pearce was funny there turning away as soon as he saw them chatting. That said, it’s quite the coincidence that this would be the one time in Raw history Pearce wandered into the background of an ongoing promo.)

-Belair made her ring entrance, twirling her braid, smiling intensely, blowing kisses, and skipping to the ring like an 11 year old. [c]

-Patrick plugged Cena’s appearance later.

(2) BIANCA BELAIR vs. CARMELLA (w/Chelsea Green)

During Carmella’s ring entrance, they aired a clip of Carmella knocking Asuka into Belair last week on Raw. Belair got in early offense. Carmella took over. They cut to a split-screen break at 2:00 with her celebrating at ringside. [c/ss]

Belair pounded away on Carmella in the corner with ten punches as the fans counted along. When Green ran into the ring, Belair chased her down and threw her into the time keeper’s area. Carmella then rolled up Belair, who was yelling down at Green while standing on the ring apron, and got a two count. Belair came back with a quick K.O.D. for the win.

WINNER: Belair in 9:00.

-As Belair began to celebrate, Green attacked her from behind. Asuka then walked to the ring and sprayed Green in the face with blue mist. Green and Carmella retreated. Asuka then looked down at Belair as fans chanted “Asuka! Asuka!”

-Sami approached Owens backstage and said he’s not sure what else to say or do. He said they share in common a desire to get rid of The Bloodline. He said it’s too much for one person to do. Owens told Sami he’s been fighting The Bloodline on his own for eight months, so he knows it’s a job for more than one man. He said maybe together they could take them down, but he’s forgetting one key part: “I don’t want to do this with you.” Owens told Sami to go ask for Reigns’s forgiveness and stroke his ego and he’ll probably embrace him like he always wanted. He told Sami he doesn’t care what he does, but just leave him out of it. Sami soaked up the words and threw his hands up and turned and left, but he looked despondent about it.

(Keller’s Analysis: Even though viewers want to see Owens team with Sami, Owens makes his case logically and it’s hard to hold it against him at this stage. Their performances were really good here.) [c]

-A vignette aired on the Charlotte defense against Rhea Ripley.

-A recap aired of the Seth Rollins-Logan Paul exchange over Miz’s phone on last week’s Raw.

-Miz stood mid-ring and said he’s going to moderate the Seth-Logan exchange “with the utmost professionalism.” He said if anyone has an issue with that, they shouldn’t have used his phone to set it up. He then introduced Logan. Logan came out to boos. Seth came out and fans sang his song. Logan heard enough and told the fans to shut up so the show could move forward.

REPORT CONTINUES BELOW…

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[HOUR TWO]

Seth said they’ve had run-ins, but haven’t been formally introduced. Logan took digs at Seth and said he’s already better than him at his profession. He said he doesn’t blame Seth for not liking him because of that. Seth said people don’t like Logan because he’s a coward and a troll and a fraud and a human dumpster fire. “And we don’t want you in our house!” Seth yelled. Fans cheered. Seth said he’s done talking and wants to fight. Miz said it’s up to him as moderator if anyone fights. Logan interrupted and said Miz shouldn’t speak for him. He then said he’s a premium act and he won’t fight for free, especially in Boston. “Get real!” he said. He said if the stage was bigger and the money was bigger and there was more star power, he’d consider it. He looked over at the WrestleMania sign.

Miz said he is the host of WrestleMania and he could make Seth vs. Logan an official match for that event. Seth asked what he was waiting for. He then threw Miz out of the ring so he could “go get it done.” Logan knocked Seth over from behind and went for a stomp, but Seth moved. Seth shoved Logan into the corner of the ring. Miz intervened. Seth superkicked Miz. Logan then knocked Seth down with a right roundhouse punch. He let out a yell in celebration as Seth was out flat on his face. Logan bent over and said, “Hey buddy, when you wake up, let me know about WrestleMania. Oh, one more thing. Bye bye, bitch.” He dropped the mic and left.

(Keller’s Analysis: That was about right in terms of setting up the match. Logan’s a natural heel and fans are behind Seth as the guy who could get rid of Logan. Miz was sufficiently obnoxious here leading the discussion.)

-They went to Graves and Patrick at ringside reacting to the previous segment. They plugged Cena appearing later again. Then they talked about the Cody Rhodes-Roman Reigns segment on Smackdown. Then they threw to last week’s segment on Raw with Brock Lesnar and MVP.

-Omos made his ring entrance. [c]

(3) DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. OMOS

As Ziggler made his entrance, they showed a clip from earlier of Mustafa Ali informing Ziggler he got him a match with Omos. Ziggler looked less than pleased and walked away. Ali said, “Hashtag, be positive; hashtag, I believe in you!” Ziggler caught a charging Omos with a boot, but Omos brushed it off and landed his own big boot. He followed with a double-arm slam for the win.

WINNER: Omos in 1:00.

-MVP spoke afterward alongside Omos and said Omos will “tame the Beast at WrestleMania.”

(Keller’s Analysis: It makes sense to give Omos a somewhat meaningful and certainly decisive win on Raw to build him up for Lesnar if they’re going to utilize Lesnar’s WM pay on a match with Omos. Ziggler is beyond it mattering much if he loses like this since he’s a mid-card utility veteran at this point.)

-The Maximum Male Models were discussing Otis’s “it factor.” Baron Corbin walked in and assumed they were talking about him. He said he’s been on a losing streak lately gambling. Mace cut him off and said they weren’t talking about him. They pointed at Otis with Chad Gable down the hall. Corbin asked what Otis has that he doesn’t. Mansour listed some key traits including hair. Maxxine Dupri said Corbin can be of value to them by solving an issue they have. She sent him after “the short ugly one.” She said if he gets rid of Gable, they’ll consider taking him on as a client.

-Finn Balor made his ring entrance with his cohorts. [c]

-Heyman talked with Jimmy backstage. Solo was standing to the side expressionless. Heyman said Jimmy is “the one” who will make sure the Tribal Chief never has to hear the name Sami again. He said if Jimmy fails, the Tribal Chief will blame him.

(4) JOHNNY GARGANO (w/Dexter Lumis) vs. FINN BALOR (w/Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley)

Balor controlled the opening couple minutes. Graves obsessed about Lumis being a menace to society for a minute. Gargano made a comeback and sent Balor out of the ring with a kick. Balor turned to face Dexter. Gargano dove onto Balor as they cut to a split-screen break at 3:00. [c/ss]

After Balor took control again after a distraction by his cohorts, he climbed to the top rope. Edge’s music played, which froze Balor in place on the top rope. Edge snuck behind Balor and shoved him off the top rope. Gargano then landed a Final Beat DDT for the win.

WINNER: Gargano in 10:00.

-Afterward, Dexter attacked Priest at ringside. Edge showed fire and speared Balor mid-ring.

-A video recap aired of the Cody-Reigns segment on Smackdown last Friday.

-They went to Graves and Patrick at ringside. They announced the “King & Queen of the Ring” event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 27.

-Saxton interviewed Edge backstage outside his locker room. Edge said he and Balor are starting to affect each other’s careers and he doesn’t have time for that, so it’s time to solve the issue. He said next week he’ll be in the ring to settle this. “Let’s see if you have the same stones,” he said.

-They replayed Candice LeRae rolling up Piper Niven for a win after Nikki Cross distracted her. Then a clip aired of Niven attacking LeRae backstage afterward. Patrick said LeRae has suffered a shoulder injury as a result.

(5) PIPER NIVEN vs. NIKKI CROSS

Cross attacked Niven before the bell. Niven told the ref to ring the bell. Graves questioned that decision. Cross leaped off the top rope onto Niven when the bell rang. Niven rolled to ringside to catch her breath. Back in the ring, Niven headbutted Cross. Cross fired back with a dropkick to Niven’s leg. Cross went for a neckbreaker, but Niven blocked it and landed a turning one-armed slam for the clean win.

WINNER: Piper in 1:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Fans don’t seem to have a sense of investment in either of these characters at this point.)

-In the parking garage, Rick Boogs was trying to lift a truck. He said if it had a handle, he could’ve done it. Elias walked up to him. Boogs screeched in Elias’s face; Elias winced. Elias said Boogs has to get to the ring and prove himself. He told him to challenge Bronson Reed to a match. He pointed at Bronson chatting with someone backstage. Boogs went over and challenged him. Bronson walked up to Elias and said, “You want to fight me? It’s your funeral next week.” Boogs walked out smiling and said, “I did it.” Elias was upset that Boogs misunderstood what he said. He said he has a lot to learn.

-Grave said Cena would be out next. [c]

-Graves said Becky G would be performing “America the Beautiful” on night one of WrestleMania. He plugged her album.

-John Cena made his ring entrance. He was covering his face and he was clearly teared up. He said, “Stu has the day off and he’s a little older and needs a rest, but he should be here to see this. This is good.” Cena then ran to the ring.

[HOUR THREE]

Austin Theory came out. He told Cena that he’s the reason he’s a WWE wrestler. He said he used to watch Cena on his mom’s TV. He said he has a gift for him bigger than any movie he’ll be in. He said that gift is a match with him at WrestleMania. Fans chanted “Yes!” Cena thought about it for a few seconds and then said “No.” He said he’s not interested in his “gift” because he hasn’t earned the right to give it. Fans “ohhh’d.” He said he’s been watching him and listening to him “and I don’t care.” He said just like every person in the arena, they don’t care about him. Theory said, “That’s not true.”

Cena said they don’t care about him because they don’t believe him because he doesn’t believe him. He said he’s “a generic kid wearing fancy sneakers wearing sunglasses indoors.” He said he’s got nothing in his heart. He said he’s not talking to him from a high place. He pointed at a fan sign that said “Austin Theory is a John Cena Wanna Be.” He said he’s his ghost of Christmas future. He said he’s in his Ruthless Aggression phase, and that phase almost got him fired. He said he didn’t believe in himself and the opportunities he was given weren’t enough. He said he has no heart and no soul. “You’re a pair of trunks away from being a jobroni,” he said.

Cena said he wants to say something good to him, too. He said he has the best name in WWE history. He listed Steve Austin, The Rock, and Undertaker. He said there is no name better than Austin Theory. Fans booed. “Because that’s exactly what you are – a theory,” he said. “In theory, you should be great.” He said he’s everything a WWE executive looks for and everyone should be there to see him. He said no one cares, though. He said on behalf of Boston, they’d like to give him a gift. He told him to shut up, turn around, and leave the ring “and we will let you walk out of here in one piece.” Fans chanted, “Cena! Cena!”

Theory pouted mid-ring with his head hanging. He then looked up and said, “I ain’t going anywhere just like that bald spot on your head isn’t going anywhere.” Cena took his cap off and showed he’s got it combed over. Cena added, “I’m proud of the senior circuit, baby!” Theory said he makes everything so good, but he looked around and saw shirts that say “Never give up.” He asked if Cena is saying he’s giving up when he says no. He asked the fans if they want to see Cena at WrestleMania. Fans cheered. He told them to shut up because he said no. He said what he’s realized with Cena being his childhood hero is that you don’t want to meet your heroes because all they do when you meet them is disappoint.

Cena soaked up Theory’s words. He said he’d rather be bald than have them pipe in fake crowd noise for his matches because no one cares. He said he’s a dumb son of a bitch. He said he didn’t say no because he gave up, he said no because he’s not ready. Cena said he’s putting his back against the wall. He said if they have a match at WrestleMania and he wins, Theory is done and he loses everything. He said if Theory beats him at WrestleMania, he also loses everything. He said he has to go on Raw the next day and face the most ruthless, critical audience in WWE “and they will eat you alive.” He said they see what he sees, that he is full of crap. He said he has left him no choice because he brought the fans into it. He said he wants to know what Boston wants. Cena thanked his family for being there tonight because it means a lot to him

He then formally asked the fans if they want him to wrestle Theory at WrestleMania. Fans chanted “Yes!” He said his hearing is going, so he asked them again. Fans cheered louder. Cena walked up to Theory and said he might not care about Theory, but he’ll never let the fans down. He said he made the biggest mistake of his life because the match is on. He said he doesn’t have it in his head, his heart, or his crotch. He popped him in the crotch area with his finger. Theory flinched. Cena said, “You really need to work on that last bit.” He dropped the mic and left. Cena turned around on the stage and told Theory he isn’t ready for the WrestleMania stage. He said Boston deserves to see someone who is. He then introduced Cody, who walked out in his suit. He shook hands with Cena, then hugged him for a while as his music played.

(Keller’s Analysis: There were aspects of that I didn’t like at all, because it felt too meta, like a speech Vince McMahon would give wrestlers about becoming marketable and exuding confidence on camera and in the ring. When Cena came around to talk about the outcome of the match mattering, I liked it better. The part about Theory not being able to survive the Day after Mania crowd at Raw if he were to beat Cena didn’t make sense to me. Overall, though, it came across like a big-time match between a rising star and a top act of the past with a “passing of the torch” or “validation” vibe to it. It was clever to have Cena share a moment on stage Cody too for a variety of reasons, main one being it was just fun seeing a past WM main eventer give a little visual rub to this year’s top babyface at WrestleMania.)

-They went to Graves and Patrick at ringside. Graves said if it’s a dream, don’t wake him. He was acting like he was near fainting. He said it is now truly all or nothing for Theory at WrestleMania.

-Cathy Kelley interviewed Sami backstage about facing Jimmy. Sami said he wishes he could say KO was just being stubborn, but he is right about what happened last time they were in that arena at WarGames. He said Jimmy once had his back, and now he’s in charge of ending him. He said he won’t let Jimmy end him because he isn’t going anywhere until he sees the end of the Bloodline.

-Chad Gable and Otis made their entrance. [c]

(6) CHAD GABLE (w/Otis) vs. BARON CORBIN

Early in the match they cut backstage to the MMMs striking hilariously ridiculous poses as they watched the match on a monitor. Corbin held Gable in an inverted body vice mid-ring and trash-talked toward Otis. Gable suplexed his way out of it and then downed Corbin with forearms and knees and a rolling German suplex. Corbin avoided a moonsault by Gable, then gave him a backbreaker. As he gloated, Gable applied an anklelock for the tapout win.

WINNER: Gable in 2:00.

-They went to Graves and Patrick at ringside again. Graves said it’d be a dream for Otis to join MMM. They threw to a video package on Lita & Becky Lynch winning the WWE Tag Team Titles.

-Becky and then Lita made their ring entrances. Becky said they’re in Boston as “the new tag team champions of the world.” Lita thanked Becky for the opportunity to team with her. She said there’s an equalizer they want to thank. Trish Stratus made her entrance. Trish said she wouldn’t have missed last week’s match for the world. She was interrupted by Bayley’s entrance theme. Bayley, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai walked out.

Bayley said she’d love to steal others’ spotlights if it means they can add to their trophy case. She said she sees right through them. She got in their faces and called them selfish. Bayley said Lita and Trish are the reason they’re in the ring now, but they’ll be the reason that Lita and Trish never come back.

Trish said Bayley is good at interrupting, but not good at listening. She said she can quickly go from “am retired to was retired.” She challenged them to a three-on-three match at WrestleMania. Bayley said, “We accept!” Sky and Kai weren’t happy with Bayley declaration, but then turned and tried to attack Lita, Trish, and Becky, but they were ready for them. Becky and Bayley exchanged words mid-ring. Bayley swung at Becky. Lita and Trish punched her. Bayley bailed out. Trish’s music resumed playing.

-Patrick and Graves hyped next week’s Raw line-up: Edge calls out Balor, Elias vs. Bronson, and Belair vs. Green.

-They showed Jimmy Uso with Solo backstage heading toward the entrance. [c]

(7) JIMMY USO (w/Solo Sikoa) vs. SAMI ZAYN

Jimmy’s ring entrance took place first. Then Sami’s. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Sami went after Jimmy aggressively at the start and clotheslined Jimmy over the top rope to the floor. Jimmy took control at ringside as fans sang the “Olé” song. Sami backdropped a charging Jimmy into the time keeper’s area. [c/ss]

Jimmy took over during the break. Sami made a comeback after the break including a crossbody block off the top rope for a near fall. Solo signaled he was about to give Sami the Samoan Spike at ringside. The ref saw the wind-up and ordered Solo to return to the back. As Jimmy protested, Sami gave him a Blue Thunder Bomb for at two count. They cut to another split-screen break at 6:00. [c/ss]

They battled back and forth during the break. Both ended up down on their backs after Jimmy superkicked Sami out of mid-air as he leaped off the top rope. At that point, Jey Uso made his way down the steps of the arena through fans. Jey stood on the announce desk. Jimmy looked up and smiled. He ducked a Helluva Kick and superkicked Sami. Sami countered Jimmy’s attempt at a Samoan Drop into a sunset flip for a three count.

WINNER: Sami in 10:00.

-Jey watched from the announce desk, but he didn’t give away how he felt. Sami’s music played as he watched the Usos from the aisle. Jey jumped off the announce desk and entered the ring. Jimmy and Jey stared at each other. Jimmy looked pleadingly at Jey for a sign of unity. Jey stepped toward him, put his hands on his shoulders, and stared into Jimmy’s eyes. He pulled on his shirt and began to break down, as if he was struggling with pent up emotions. He then let go and brushed past him. He sneered as he looked back over his shoulder at Jimmy, then rolled out of the ring.

Jey looked at Sami as he passed him, then back up at Jimmy in the ring. The arena was tense. Sami stared at Jey. Jey hugged Sami. Fans exploded with cheers. Sami got excited and jumped up and down. Jimmy kneeled in the ring and looked crushed. Jey and Sami raised their fingers in the air. Sami yelled up, “It’s not too late, Jimmy. It’s not too late.” Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Jey then superkicked Sami. Jimmy broke into a smile. Jey yelled at Sami and said, “It’s family!” He threw Sami into the ring and battered him with a barrage of punches. Solo joined in. Fans booed. Cody’s music played and he ran out. The Usos and Solo retreated as the show ended.

(Keller’s Analysis: Fans were crushed by Jey’s decision there.)

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