John Cena returns to WWE Raw.
WWE Raw announced the return of John Cena, which coincided with reports that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was also backstage. While McMahon’s presence on WWE Raw will no doubt lead to panic among wrestling fans, media, and talent, McMahon’s visit was reportedly not related to any creative direction or even a television appearance. McMahon’s presence, albeit temporary, is the latest development in what seems like an inevitable return to creation.
Raw also featured another instantly classic segment from The Bloodline as Jey Uso turned heel drastically. After appearing to side with Zayn, Jey quickly super kicked Sami as The Bloodline devastated Zayn. Cody Rhodes came to Zayn’s rescue as the show went off the air in an incredibly passionate closeness to the show.
Raw also announced a confrontation between Logan Paul and Seth Rollins. WWE Raw also announced that Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair is taking on Carmella in non-title action and Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy Uso.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw averaged 1.77 million viewers.
WWE Raw Results March 6, 2023
- Kevin Owens beats. Solo score
- Bianca Belair defeated. carmel
- Omos beats. Dolph Ziggler
- Johnny Gargano beats. Finn Balor
- Piper Niven beats. Nikki Cross
- Chad Gable beats. Baron Corbin
- Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy Uso
WWE Raw Rankings
- February 27, 2023 | 1.77 million
- February 20, 2023 | 2.006 million
- February 13, 2023 | 1.812 million
- February 6, 2023 | 1.866 million
- January 30, 2023 | 2.114 million
- WWE Raw Venue: TD Garden (Boston, Mass.)
- WWE Raw tickets distributed: 13,072
- WWE Raw Tickets Available: 71
WrestleMania is in Inglewood, not Hollywood (Pro wrestling bits)
WWE Raw Winners and Ratings
Kevin Owens beats. Solo Sikoa by DQ
Before the show, Paul Heyman gave a tough pep talk to Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso before pulling out his phone and saying “call Roman Reigns.” On a busy show like tonight, the only thing that would make it busier is Reigns.
Because WWE had to protect both Solo Sikoa and Kevin Owens, a disqualification was almost inevitable.
Sami Zayn reached out to Kevin Owens, which Owens declined. As he should have. Similar to builds like Rey Mysterio-Dominik and Reigns-Cody, WWE takes its time telling a compelling story.
Backstage, Kevin Owens doubled down and told Sami Zayn to leave him out of Zayn’s revenge tour. Fans booed.
Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa Grade: B-
Bianca Belair defeated. carmel
WWE did everything to make fans think Carmella was going to lose. Carmella was cornered by Chelsea Green, and she even rolled up Bianca with her feet on the ropes. Belair still prevailed.
Asuka, who struggled to walk in heels, spat a blue mist in Chelsea Green’s face (which should lead to more Chelsea Karen content) and fans sang for Asuka on Belair when the two got together. are faced.
Bianca Belair vs. Carmella Grade: B-
Seth Rollins comes face to face with Logan Paul
Fans sang the hell out of Seth Rollins’ theme song. It was as if some of them had paid a ticket to do just that. They certainly get their money’s worth.
Logan Paul walked in and barely had to try to be the most hated heel in this business. There is a very short list of heels in this company that get more heat than Logan Paul. Dominik Mysterio is on it, MJF may or may not be. Paul should be considered as a potential WrestleMania headliner next year. When they’re in cantankerous Philadelphia.
Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins was made official for WrestleMania, but not before Paul knocked out Rollins with a very realistic punch.
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul Segment Rating: B+
Omos beats. Dolph Ziggler
While a squash match against Omos wasn’t ideal for Dolph Ziggler, WWE also used the match to further their current feud with Mustafa Ali.
Mustafa Ali hilariously led a facetious pep section for Dolph Ziggler.
As expected, Ziggler was crushed quickly and mercifully.
Omos vs. Dolph Ziggler Rating: C
Johnny Gargano beats. Finn Balor
Corey Graves is so good at making Dominik Mysterio look like an ex-con in an over the top way.
The second biggest pop of this match came when Gargano knocked out Dominik with a dive. The biggest pop came when Edge’s theme music hit.
Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano Grade: B
Piper Niven beats. Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross jumped on Piper Niven, like a wolverine, to start this match, and Niven sold it well. It may not have all been sold because Niven appeared to have a bloody nose.
The end of this match was completely botched as Niven hit a Boss Man Slam, essentially a deadlift Cross. Niven was visibly disappointed with the spot.
Piper Niven vs. Nikki Cross Rating: C-
John Cena returns and destroys Austin’s theory
John Cena received a pop monster from the Boston crowd and he seemed legitimately moved by it. Theory’s music played as Cena stopped, and he got tremendous heat for it.
Austin Theory challenged John Cena to a WrestleMania match and Cena responded by saying “no”. He then hit him with this bar: “I’m not interested in your gift, because you haven’t earned the right to give it.” Cena called Theory a “generic kid” at the time.
Cena eviscerated Theory by comparing him to Ruthless Aggression John Cena. Cena doubled down saying that nobody cares about Theory and he’s wasting his time. It felt like a promo designed to inspire Austin Theory to take it to the next level. For the next few months, Theory can only sink or swim after a promo like that.
Theory made fun of John Cena’s baldness and persuaded Cena to reveal his infamous baldness. Cena responded by saying WWE had to air fake crowd noise for their matches. My God.
Cena even said if Theory won or lost
To Theory’s credit, the place blew up when Cena asked them if they wanted to see Austin Theory vs. John Cena at WrestleMania. Cena agreed saying “I may not care about you, but I will never give up on them.” A lukewarm endorsement of the theory to say the least.
John Cena vs. Austin Theory Segment Grade: A-
Chad Gable beats. Baron Corbin
Not so long ago, this match was played for King of the Ring. Gable and Corbin have both been stagnant (at best) since then. It’s about WWE, not about either talent.
The most on or around man in this match was Otis, who received chants of “we want Otis”.
Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin Grade: C+
Stratus, Lita and Lynch Challenge Damage CTRL for WrestleMania
Fans jumped on Trish Stratus’ entry but didn’t seem to be as excited about Lita, Lynch and Stratus vs. Damage CTRL. Maybe they were still recovering from the Cena segment.
Lita and Lynch will not be defending the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania, which will open up the possibility of dropping them on Raw After Mania.
CTRL damage against Stratus, Lita and Lynch Segment Grade: C
Sami Zayn defeats. Jimmy Uso; Jey Uso turns heel
Solo Sikoa was ejected from this match, suggesting that Zayn passed.
WWE did a good job using the Bloodline storyline to promote SmackDown this Friday, where Jimmy Uso has a deadline to deliver Jey.
Jey Uso received a massive pop as he showed up in the crowd. He seemed crestfallen to see Jimmy lose, but it was still unclear which side he was on. Jey cleared things up by kissing with Sami Zayn, which led to monster Boston pop and chants of “Ucey!” and “Holy [expletive!] Then Jey super kicked Sami Zayn and the Bloodline jumped on Zayn. This brought out Cody Rhodes, in a monster pop, to fend off The Bloodline. Incredible segment.
Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy Uso, post-segment grade: A+