Raw 3/15/2021: One Title Changes Hands; Matches made for Fast Lane & WrestleMania!
Here's what's on tap for tonight's Raw:
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day vs. The Hurt Business (champs)
WWE United States Championship Match: Mustafa Ali vs. Riddle (champ)
What's next for WWE Champion Bobby Lashley?
Non-Title Match: Asuka (WWE Raw Women's Champion) vs. Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax (WWE Women's Tag Team Champions)
We're in the ThunderDome and Fast Lane is this Sunday! COMMENTARY ANNOUNCES BREAKING NEWS THAT BOBBY LASHLEY WILL DEFEND THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST DREW MCINTYRE AT WRESTLEMANIA!!
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP make their way to the ring. MVP says this is an official announcement from the Hurt Business. MVP reiterates that we have entered the Almighty Era. After 16 years, Lashley finally had an opportunity to take the WWE Championship, and Lashley says he did. Lashley says he did exactly what he said he was going to do. Lashley says he destroyed Drew McIntyre at Elimination Chamber and promises to do the same at WrestleMania. After that, he'll destroy everyone on Raw and reign supreme! Lashley says because this is the Almighty Era.
The Miz and John Morrison are here to interrupt. Miz says he should be facing Drew McIntyre but he had to come out here and say that speech was remarkable. Miz isn't here to take the spotlight but simply to congratulate. They're in favor of the Almighty Era. Miz claims he was proud to share the ring with Lashley the past couple weeks. Miz says their rivalry is just getting started and should climax at WrestleMania. Miz mocks Stone Cold and wants the crowd to give him a "hell yeah" for a rematch. Morrison gives him the "hell yeah". Miz talks about defending the title while sick. Miz says Lashley should face him at full strength. HERE COMES DREW MCINTYRE!! McIntyre walks right past Miz and Morrison in order to stare down Lashley. McIntyre says he hasn't had a chance to formally congratulate Lashley. McIntyre says they've had similar journeys and explains in detail. McIntyre discusses them both scratching and clawing to the top. McIntyre discusses beating Brock Lesnar. MVP tries to interrupt but McIntyre won't allow it. McIntyre and MVP trade insults. Miz says McIntyre still needs to worry about him. McIntyre forgot Miz was standing there. McIntyre gives Miz two options. 1) McIntyre can turn to Lashley and Miz will attack from behind or 2) Miz can just leave. McIntyre promises to hurt Miz if he doesn't leave. McIntyre mentions beating Sheamus at Fast Lane. McIntyre calls Lashley a big, bald, bitch!! McIntyre turns to Miz and LASHLEY ATTACKS MCINTYRE FROM BEHIND! Lashley leaves and MIZ ATTTACKS MCINTYRE AND SHEAMUS ATTACKS LASHLEY ON THE RAMP!!! Security has to pull Sheamus off of Lashley.
After a break, commentary talks about what just happened. Sara interviews Sheamus. Sheamus plans to beat McIntyre this Sunday and he wants him to be 100% so he has no excuses. Sheamus wants Lashley in order to show McIntyre what he can't do at WrestleMania.
Commentary hypes Asuka's return tonight before hyping both championship matches tonight.
Drew McIntyre vs. The Miz w/ John Morrison
The ref checks on McIntyre and he claims he's good so we're starting. The bell rings and Miz attacks right away! McIntyre takes Miz to the corner and turns the tide. McIntyre beats down Miz in the corner and lands a big chop before throwing Miz across the ring. McIntyre charges into an elbow. Strikes by Miz but it only pisses off McIntyre. GLASGOW KISS BY MCINTYRE!! McIntyre continues to beat down Miz, Miz tries to escape to the outside but McIntyre with a Camel Clutch like submission in the ropes. They go outside where McIntyre sends Miz into the barricade before hitting a few chops. McIntyre puts Miz back in the ring and Morrison tries to keep McIntyre from getting back in. McIntyre stomps on Morrison's shades but the distraction allows Miz to take advantage. McIntyre turns Miz inside out and then hits a reverse Alabama Slam!! McIntyre sets up for a Claymore but Morrison pulls Miz out of the ring. THE REF EJECTS MORRISON! We go to a commercial break.
We're back with McIntyre pounding on Miz in a corner. Miz avoids a slam and spikes McIntyre with a DDT! Only a 1 count! Miz tries the Skull Crushing Finale but McIntyre avoids and hits a clothesline followed by a belly to belly throw! Another throw! Kip up! McIntyre throws Miz to the outside of the ring. McIntyre drives Miz into the barricade and then the apron and keeps repeating both. McIntyre breaks the count and slams Miz's face off the steps repeatedly! FUTURE SHOCK DDT BACK IN THE RING! MCINTYRE SETS UP FOR AND DELIVERS A CLAYMORE!!! McIntyre thinks about a cover but picks Miz back up. McIntyre points at the camera and then the WrestleMania sign. MCINTYRE LOCKS IN THE HURT LOCK ON MIZ AND MIZ TAPS OUT!! Post match, McIntyre tells Lashley the title belongs to him!
W: Drew McIntyre via submission @ 11:17
Commentary says the next stop for Drew McIntyre is Sunday at Fast Lane against Sheamus.
Commentary congratulates 24/7 Bad Bunny on winning his first Grammy last night. Bad Bunny is walking with Damian Priest backstage.
Highlights of what happened with Braun Strowman and Shane McMahon last week. I'm alright if I don't have to see this again. Braun Strowman plans to confront Shane next!
Back from a commercial, Braun Strowman is in the ring and demands Shane McMahon come out right now! Shane comes out and stops at the top of the ramp saying that is close enough. Shane says Braun keeps coming out and demanding things. Last week he wanted an apology. Strowman says he's been bullied his whole life. Strowman says Shane isn't smarter than him. Shane finds Braun's comments disgusting and claims he would never make fun of him. Braun says they both know that McMahons don't apologize. Braun says Shane is scared and knew his mouth would write a check his ass couldn't cash. Braun says Shane doesn't have the guts to say something to him. Braun says he knows Shane wants a match with him but doesn't have the balls. BRAUN CHALLENGES SHANE TO A MATCH TONIGHT! Shane says Braun can't handle him. Shane runs down Braun and says he's stupid in like ten ways. Braun wants an answer to his challenge. SHANE ACCEPTS!!
Backstage, Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose are talking with Lana and Naomi. R-Truth interrupts wanting them all to give him a "hell yeah" since its 3/16 day. They tell him 3/16 is tomorrow. Truth chugs Stone Cold's IPA before saying that's the bottom line. These two teams have a match later tonight.
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler head to the ring. They're on commentary for the next match.
Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke vs. Naomi & Lana
Naomi and Dana start. Dana with a shoulder tackle. Naomi catches her with an elbow and Mandy tags in. Mandy with a fall away slam on Naomi. Mandy and Dana isolate Naomi in the corner with quick tags. Mandy with a running knee strike to Naomi for a near fall. Mandy tags Dana but slams Naomi before leaving. Dana with a near fall. Naomi tries to battle back and hits a jaw breaker. Lana tags in. Lana with a head scissors into a Russian leg sweep. Lana builds momentum and plants Mandy with a bulldog. Lana with double knees to the back of Mandy and then follows with a neck breaker! 1...2...Dana breaks it up. Things break down and Mandy with a suplex on Lana. HERE COMES ASUKA!! ASUKA LAYS OUT SHAYNA ON THE RAMP WITH A KICK!! Officials is out to separate them! Mandy rolls up Lana for a near fall. Mandy tags Dana. LANA WITH A FACE BUSTER TO MANDY! DANA RUNS IN AND HITS A SWINGING NECK BREAKER TO LANA TO WIN! This was bad. The best part was Asuka and Shayna brawling.
W: Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke via pin @ 4:31
The New Day are getting ready for their title match when Riddle approaches them. Riddle wishes them luck. New Day want to become 11 time champs. Riddle says they can all ride off together once the three of them win. Riddle proposes them all getting matching tattoos.
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
The New Day vs. The Hurt Business (champs)
Woods and Cedric start it off with Woods taking Cedric to the mat. Both men trade counters. Cedric with a shoulder tackle off the ropes. More counter wrestling. Woods gets a near fall off a roll up before taking Cedric down and working on an arm. Kofi tags in and hits Cedric with an uppercut but Cedric answers with a kick. Kofi with a unique roll up for a near fall. Shelton tags in. CEDRIC MONKEY FLIPS KOFI INTO A SPINE BUSTER BY SHELTON!! Near fall for Shelton! Shelton knocks Woods off the apron before scoop slamming Kofi. Cedric tags in as they continue isolating Kofi. On the outside, Shelton sends Woods into the steps. Shelton tags back in and hits Kofi with a back elbow for a near fall. More quick tags by the Hurt Business. Cedric with shoulders to the gut of Kofi in the corner. Woods is back on the apron now. Kofi leaps off the second rope with a stomp! Tag to Woods! Woods builds momentum and cleans house! Cedric falls draped on the middle rope and Woods with a kick to the back. Woods counters a suplex with an elbow. Cedric rolls out of the ring. THE NEW DAY DIVES TO THE OUTSIDE BUT HURT BUSINESS TURNS THE TIDE. THEY SEND WOODS INTO THE ANNOUNCE TABLE AND KOFI INTO THE STEPS as we head to a commercial.
Back from the break, Cedric and Woods trade blows in the middle of the ring. Woods with a big forearm but Cedric with a clothesline. They trade blows again. CEDRIC WITH A MICHINOKU DRIVER!! 1...2...NO!! Woods hits a super kick! Shelton and Kofi back tag in. Shelton avoids a spring board by Kofi and hits a kick to the face! KOFI COMES BACK WITH A SPRING BOARD RANA!! 1...2...NO!! Shelton sends Kofi into the ropes and shoots him up in the air but KOFI HITS SOS!!! 1...2...NO!! Kofi sets up for Trouble in Paradise but Shelton ducks it. Kofi hits a kick on a charging Shelton. Kofi goes to the top but Shelton runs up and pulls Kofi off!! 1...2...Woods breaks it up. WOODS TORNADO DDTS CEDRIC ON THE FLOOR OUTSIDE!! In the ring, KOFI HITS SHELTON WITH TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Woods tags in. KOFI TAKES OUT CEDRIC OUTSIDE. WOODS WITH AN ELBOW DROP. Kofi tags in. WOODS HOLDS SHELTON AND KOFI COMES OFF THE TOP WITH A STOMP TO WIN!! The New Day are 11-time tag champs!!
W: The New Day via pin @ 13:17
The New Day are celebrating and HERE COMES AJ STLES AND OMOS! Styles has a mic and congratulates the New Day. Styles asks how many times they've won tag gold before saying he doesn't care. Styles says Omos and himself don't have plans for WrestleMania. Styles runs down his championship victories. Styles says Omos has an idea. Omos says they want to be tag team champions!! Styles says they don't know what Omos is capable of. Styles says they are officially challenging the New Day for a title match at WrestleMania!! Kofi questions if they're a real tag team and Woods accepts on their behalf! I'll be open minded but I can't say I love the thought of that match.
The Miz and John Morrison are backstage when they run into Damian Priest and 24/7 Bad Bunny. Priest says Miz has looked awful lately. Miz says they wish they had half of his success. Miz says Priest is off to a good start but hasn't won anything yet. Priest says maybe he cant start now and gets in Miz's face. Miz and Morrison leave. R-TRUTH is here carrying a smoking skull championship belt. Truth has lots of Stone Cold merchandise he offers including offering them a beer. Bunny asks Truth what he wants. Truth wants his baby back. Bunny respects Truth and GIVES HIM THE 24/7 CHAMPIONSHIP BACK!! Truth celebrates and the jobbers chase him down the hallway!
Jaxson Ryker w/ Elias vs. Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny
Ryker attacks Priest right away in the corner. Priest blocks a suplex and HITS THE BROKEN ARROW! HIT THE LIGHTS BY PRIEST AND IT'S OVER! After the match, Elias attacks Priest!! Elias grabs a guitar but Bad Bunny stops him. Elias picks up Bad Bunny for a slam but Bunny escapes. PRIEST WITH HIT THE LIGHTS ON ELIAS!
W: Damian Priest via pin @ 0:36
John Morrison comes out to distract. THE MIZ HITS BAD BUNNY IN THE BACK WITH A GUITAR!! Miz and Morrison leave as Priest checks on Bunny.
Commentary talks about what just happened with Bad Bunny.
Sara is backstage with Bobby Lashley and MVP. MVP says he will be damned if Sheamus thinks he can get away with blindsiding Lashley. MVP guarantees that Sheamus won't be 100% for Fast Lane. Then, what happens to Sheamus tonight will happen to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania!
Shane grabs a mic before we start. Shane says he needs to warm up and does push ups on the outside of the ring followed by jumping jacks. Then Shane does hop scotch. Strowman chases Shane around the ring and finally catches him. Strowman sends Shane into the barricade. STROWMAN GOES FOR THE STROWMAN EXPRESS BUT SHANE HITS HIM IN THE FACE WITH A CAMERA!!! Shane with kicks and punches and another camera shot to the face! Shane clears the announce table. Shane hits Strowman in the face against with the camera and Strowman is out on the announce table. SHANE CLIMBS TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND ELBOW DROPS STROWMAN THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!!! Shane screams "stupid" at Strowman. Shane grabs a bucket from under the ring and pours green slime all over Strowman. Shane grabs another bucket and pours more green slime on him! Shane tells Strowman to never challenge him again.
A vignette for Rhea Ripley airs. It still says coming soon.
A video package shows what happened to Randy Orton last week with Alexa Bliss.
Alexa Bliss is backstage on her swing. It's time for her favorite game. The game of truth. Bliss says if Randy Orton wants her out of his life, he has to kick her out. He can do that this Sunday at Fast Lane. Not sure what that means.
We recap the announcement that Molly Holly is going into the Hall of Fame.
Non-Title Match
Asuka (WWE Raw Women's Champion) vs. Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax (WWE Women's Tag Team Champions)
Asuka goes crazy attacking Shayna and Nia the match begins!! We officially start and HIP ATTACK TO SHAYNA!! HIP ATTACK TO NIA!! Asuka is on fire until Shayna hits a knee strike to the face of Asuka. Shayna mounts and punches Asuka. Asuka turns the tide and they brawl on the mat. Nia tries to get involved again and Asuka with a kick to Nia. Asuka drop kicks Nia from the apron dropping Nia. ASUKA TRIES THE ASUKA LOCK! SHAYNA COUNTERS INTO THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH!! ASUKA STACKS HER UP TO PIN HER!! Baszler tries a post match attack but Asuka turns it around and delivers several kicks to Shayna's face before sending Shayna face first into the bottom turnbuckle. Asuka removes the turnbuckle cover. Asuka takes out Shayna's mouth guard and then uses her boot for force Shayna's face into the exposed turnbuckle. Asuka goes to stomp Shayna's face into the turnbuckle but the referee intervenes.
W: Asuka via pin @ 1:29
Mustafa Ali is talking to Retribution backstage saying he won't fail tonight. Riddle comes zooming by on his scooter. Their title match is next!
Commentary runs down the Fast Lane card. Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon is added!
WWE United States Championship Match
Riddle (champ) vs. Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution
Ali gets the early advantage with a kick and he pounds on Riddle in the ropes. Riddle quickly turns it around with a gut wrench suplex and uses a knee to send Ali to the outside. Riddle goes out to get Ali but Ali pulls him into the announce table (which has been set back up by the way). In the ring, Ali lands a big kick. Ali charges and both men end up on the apron. ALI WITH A SWINGING NECK BREAKER TO RIDDLE OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!! We go to a commercial.
We're back with both men slugging it out in the middle of the ring. Ali puts the boots to Riddle in the corner. Ali sends Riddle sternum first into the opposite corner and follows with a neck breaker. Riddle fights back with chops but Ali hits Riddle in the throat. Ali uses the apron skirt to trap Riddle and deliver a series of strikes. Ali from the apron leaps through the middle rope and hits another neck breaker! 1...2...NO!! Ali goes for a cover but Riddle rolls through and delivers a kick. Riddle with a pele kick to the face! Running forearm by Riddle and then a suplex! BROTON BY RIDDLE! Riddle with a slam for a near fall. Ali counters the final flash knee with a kick. Ali has Riddle rolled up but T-Bar had the ref distracted. RIDDLE ESCAPES AND HITS ALI WITH BRO DEREK TO WIN!! Post match, Ali is pissed and screams at T-Bar.
W: Riddle via pin @ 8:51
Randy Orton is asked by Sara what his reaction is to Alexa Bliss' challenge at Fast Lane. Orton says he heard Bliss dare him to kick her out of his life. Orton says that is EXACTLY what he plans on doing!
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring. We'll hear from him after a break.
Commentary says WrestleMania ticket on sale date has been delayed as they wait for more information. A new sale date should be revealed soon. Then commentary shows us New Day defeating the Hurt Business for the tag titles before being challenged by Styles and Omos.
McIntyre is in the ring with a mic. McIntyre says he hasn't showered yet because he's been paying attentions to details on the show. He mentions the guarantees MVP is throwing out. McIntyre has his own guarantee. McIntyre vows to beat the hell out of Sheamus at Fast Lane. McIntyre is here to watch Lashley vs. Sheamus. He'll be on commentary.
"Rise Up" by Will Rousch is the official theme of Fast Lane.
Non-Title Match
Bobby Lashley (WWE Champion) w/ MVP vs. Sheamus
Lashley takes Sheamus to the corner right away and delivers shoulders. The ref pulls Lashley back and that allows Sheamus to take advantage. The ref pulls him back as well. Lashley plants Sheamus with a slam before dropping some bombs. Lashley beats on Sheamus in the corner. Lashley charges into an elbow by Sheamus. Lashley leap frogs Sheamus and chokes him across the middle rope. Sheamus avoids a suplex and chop blocks Lashley's knee. Sheamus with knees to the head of Lashley. Now Sheamus with elbows to the head of Lashley. Lashley fights back with his own elbow and Lashley hits stalling vertical suplex on Sheamus while staring down McIntyre. Lashley takes Sheamus to the outside in front of McIntyre. Sheamus tries to send Lashley into the ring post but Lashley counters and sends Sheamus into it. Back in the ring, Sheamus gets the upper hand and clubs Lashley on the apron. Sheamus tries Ten Beats to the Bowers but Lashley fights it. Clothesline by Sheamus. Sheamus leaps off the apron but Lashley catches him and belly to belly suplexes Sheamus on the floor!! Lashley gets in the face of McIntyre as we head to a commercial.
We're back with Lashley wearing down Sheamus in the ring with a submission. Lashley throws Sheamus out of the ring and follows after him. Lashley drives Sheamus into the barricade twice and then into the apron before tossing him back in the ring. Lashley with elbows to the head of Sheamus in the corner. Lashley with a running shoulder to the midsection of Sheamus. Lashley goes for it again but Sheamus side steps Lashley who hits the ring post shoulder first and falls to the outside. Sheamus goes out after him and hits an arm breaker on the floor. Sheamus goes to the top and hits a flying clothesline but Lashley kicks out at 1! Sheamus continues to work on the arm of Lashley and delivers elbows to the face as well. Lashley fights back and charges but Sheamus throws him over the top in front of McIntyre. Sheamus hangs up Lashley on the top rope. SHEAMUS WITH TEN BEATS TO THE BOWERY NOW!! IRISH CURSE BACK BREAKER BY SHEAMUS!! Lashley kicks out at 1 again! SHEAMUS WITH ANOTHER IRISH CURSE BACK BREAKER!! 1...2...NO!! Sheamus locks in a modified Cloverleaf! Lashley escapes with kicks. Sheamus runs into a power slam by Lashley! 1...2...NO!! Lashley with a clothesline. Lashley lowers his head and eats a boot by Sheamus. Sheamus misses a Brogue Kick but avoids the Hurt Lock! Flatliner by Lashley! 1...2...NO!! Lashley puts Sheamus on the top turnbuckle and goes up with him. LASHLEY SUPERPLEXES SHEAMUS!! Lashley goes for a spear but Sheamus with a knee strike!! WHITE NOISE!! 1...2...NO!! SHEAMUS GOES FOR A BROGUE KICK BUT LASHLEY SPEARS HIM IN MID AIR FOR THE WIN!!
W: Bobby Lashley via pin @ 17:39
Lashley stares down McIntyre. Lashley locks the Hurt Lock on Sheamus and McIntyre gets in the ring. Lashley breaks the hold. MCINTYRE HITS LASHLEY WITH A CLAYMORE!! Lashley falls out of the ring! McIntyre stares down Sheamus as the show ends!
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