wrestling / TV Reports
Acero’s WWE Raw Review 3.11.24
Image Credit: WWE
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HELLO ALL! I missed the opening segment with Drew and Seth, but it looks like they’ve decided to be a tag team and go for the titles!
No? That’s not it? Ah well, I’ll fix it in post!
A video package for the upcoming Gauntlet Match tonight, this one focusing on Chad Gable. Pretty well done, and if each person gets one, then damn do they know what they’re doing.
Becky Lynch vs Liv Morgan
Becky with a waist lock, gutwrenches and slams Liv down. Liv stands, side headlock, shoulder tackle off the ropes. She hits the ropes, dives over Becky, Becky hits the ropes, gets a shoulder tackle. Becky slides outside, Liv side steps, enters the ropes, suicide dive to Becky!
We come back to Liv hitting a few shoulder tackles. She kicks Becky in the face, another, big kick to the side of the head, kip up and Becky is hurting in the corner. Liv with a bak elbow, rolls out of. The corner, tries for a splash, Becky side steps, kicks off the 2nd rope, and hits a Becksploder. Becky grabs Liv for another one, sending her flying into the ropes. Liv rolls outside. Becky with a baseball slide, this time connecting. Becky to the apron. She launches herself off with a right hand. She sends Liv into the ring Becky to the top rope and jumps right into a Codebreaker from Liv Morgan! Both women down!
Liv up first, eats a right hand, gets one of her own. Becky hits a right, they trade blows back and forth. Another Codebreaker off the ropes form Liv! Cover! 1..2…NO!!! Becky kicks out of the corner, tries to work the arm, ends up on the apron. Kick to Liv. She pulls Liv to the apron. Suplex attempt but Liv holds on, blocks it, hits some right hands. She pushes the chest, Becky with a right, locks the waist, tries for a German off the apron. Liv ohlds onto the ropes, hits a back elbow, another, kick to Becky.Liv with a Sunset Flip powerbomb to Becky off the apron! She rolls Becky into the ring. Cover. 1..2…NO!!!! Becky is up, Liv rolls her up. 1…2..NO!!! Liv tries for ObLIVion, but Becky blocks it! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Liv rolls out of the ring!!!
We come back to a rollup for liv! It gets 1..2.NO!!! Becky slams Liv down and gets an arm bar! Liv turns this into a pin! 1.2…NO!!! Liv tries for some Rings of Saturn! Li rolls this into a pni! 1.2….NO!!! Liv up and hits a DDT!!! OBLIVION!!! BUT BECKY ROLLS OUT THIS TIME!!! Liv rolls out, grabs Becky, slams her head on the apron a few times.
Back in the ring, Liv rushes the corner, Becky dodges, big kick from Liv. Knee to Becky. 2nd Rope! She hops off….right into a MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover! 1`..2…..3!!!
Winner: Becky Lynch
The match started off a bit rough, with a scary suicide dive and a lot of repetition, but quickly got better and impressed both myself and the crowd. Good shit, girls.
Total Rating: ***1/2
Match Time: 15:20
Becky Lynch nods in respect to Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley’s music hits to break the moment. Liv shouts to Rhea that everything she loves will be hers again soon.
Rhea laughs this off and enters the ring to stare Becky down. She’s got a mic. She congratulates Becky. She asks if that win was worth it. But Becky fights any time anywhere, right? Rhea knows why. It’s not for her family or for her fans. Becky knows deep down that Rhea is better. After Mania, Becky will be nothing but a disappointment.
Becky, a bit disheveled, says before the Rumble, she looked Rhea in her eyes and says she might be better than her. Becky says when the world is behind her, she’s good. When it’s against her, she is great. Becky doesn’t care if it has to be her vs the whole world, because if it is, the world doesn’t stand a chance.
We get a special announcement from both Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce. They want to make history at Mania, so it is their honor to announce that at Wrestlemania XL, The Judgment Day will defend their titles against five of the very best teams in WWE today in a special match – a six pack Ladder Match.
Over the next few weeks, teams will compete to win their way into the match.
The Judgment Day is shown backtage not liking this decision at all.
Travis Scott is in the crowd, and gets mad love from the locals.
Maxxine and Ivy Nile vs Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
After some back and forth ass-kickery, Maxxine looks to hit the caterpillar. Candice stands in front of her to stop the move. Maxxine turns, Candice corners her with some choice words. She tells Maxxine it’s not just the crowd that hates her, the women in the locker room hate her, too. In fact, she wishes Maxxine’s dead brother was here to see this. Maxxine takes offense to that, says she’s not doing this, and looks to leave but
Indi with a huge kick to Maxxine! Candice shoves Ivy out of the ring then yells for Indi to pin Maxxine. She gets a 1..2…3!!
Winners: Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
I mean, I feel like they could have gotten the same feel across without the mention of the dead brother, and that’s not coming from a position of thinking it’s “too much.” I’d argue it’s the opposite, in that it wasn’t needed at all. Not because it’s tasteless, but because it added nothing.
Total Rating: NR
Match Time: 1:59
Backstage, Aldis and Pearce continue to talk about the tag team match come Mania. In comes Finn Balor and Damien Priest, upset about the ladder match. Finn doesn’t like ladders. JD McDonagh says he is afraid of heights.
Priest wonders whose idea this was. Nick says it’s better left unsaid, but Priest wants to know. Finn had ideas, and no one ever listened. Pearce says it was maybe Miz and Truth. Priest wants them tonight. Pearce says they’re doing media.
Truth pops into frame, says whats up, y’all needed him? Pearce says he should be doing media, and Truth says, nah, that’s on Monday, bruh. Pearce says…it is Monday. Lol.
Pierce still wants the match, but Miz isn’t here. Truth wonders what he’s so mad about.
A recap of Smackdown with Cole in the ring.
Afterwards, he introduces Cody Rhodes who comes out to much fanfare.
Cole asks him why he slapped The Rock.
Cody says it feels good to slap your boss. Before the red carpet premiers and all the glitz and glamour, The Rock was a wrestler. As a wrestler, he knows what that slap was – it was a receipt.
Cole wants to know why Cody agreed to the tag match on Saturday. Why would he put all of Sunday in jeopardy. So much could go wrong. Cole thinks, more importantly, why would Seth Rollins agree to this? Hear him out – he and Seth have a long history. Rollins has made it very clear that he wants to be at the top in the WWE. Seth is the last person to beat Roman cleanly. How can he trust Seth?
Cody says people change. It wasn’t too long ago Cole was in a Plexiglass enclosure heckling all the boys. He teamed with Jey Uso, he smashed the thtrone of the guy that hired him back. Rollins and he have not always gotten along, but he has always had Cody’s respect.
WE go back to October where Cole asked him about his story. Cody asks him if he looks nervous or frightened? Cody is nervous, scared, and he knows people cant believe it. He has every reason to be afraid. He cant say, hey he’ll get em next year, cuz he already said that. The story is no longer about Reigns and Cody, it’s about all of us who have followed him to the absolute ends. The story is about a blind girl named Hannah, who came just to feel it. Someone who had spinal fusion in the crowd who just wanted the weightlifting belt.
It’s about his sister that The Rock did NOT mention. About his mother, the only one he’s got left. He cant hand it to Dusty Rhodes, but he can certainly hand it to his mom. Or how bout his number one fan, his wife, the most beiatufl woman on the earth. She took a shot on him while wearing a mask and eating RKOs. If anyone deserves it – the story is beyond him, but it’s up to him.
They are no longer in the third inning, they are in the final inning. Cole gets to say, for the first time in the WWE history, that a Rhodes is undisputed WWE Champion. Cole gets to say at Wrestlemania 40, Cody Rhodes finished the story.
Ricochet gets a video package. Then JD.
We head backstage after the break, where Becky Lynch offers a respectful handshake to Liv Morgan. They shake, and Nia Jax comes running in to shove Becky into Liv. She slam Liv onto a nearby box then drops Becky onto and through a table.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
The Kabuki Warriors vs Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Asuka and Zoey to start. Zoey takes early advantage, tags in Shayna. Kick from Asuka, again, another to the chest. She goes for a head kick but Shayna with an Ankle Lock. Asuka pulls towards the corner and tags in Sane, who hits a clothesline and a pin for 1…NO! Tag to Zoey. Kabuki Warriors are outside, Zoey springboards and dives onto both on the outside!!!
We are BACK and Zoey has Kairi up in the corner. Sane hits a headbutt to Zoey, knocking her down a peg. Stomp to Zoey’s face! Cover! 1.2…NO!!! Tag to Asuka. Tag to Shayna. Backhand from Asuka, kick, tries for another backhand, Shayna ducks, ASuka tags, codbreaker attempt but Shayna stops her, only for Sane to hit a standing Blockbuster. Tag to ASuka. Double kicks from both girls. Cover! 1..2…NO!! Tag to Zoey! ASuka knees out of a Z360, hits a German! Tag to Sane! Shayna is off the apron. Sane to the to prope! Zoey shoves Asuka, Sane rolls through, kick from Zoey, tag to Baszler. Z360 to Sane!! Shayna waits, running knee! COVER! 1..2……NO!!! Asuka breaks it up! Big kick from Zoey. ASuka is outside. Zoey flies over the top rope and Asuka moves! Zoey eats shit!
IN the ring, Sane hits a back fist, Shayna blocks! THE CLUTCH! Sane rolls into a pin, Shanya shifts her hips and gets the clutch in again. She turns against the ropes, and Dakota kai is there to garb her leg!
Sane with a backfist! Tag to ASuka! HUGE KICK ACROSS THE FACE! Tag to sane! Sane to the top! Insane Elbow! Cover! 1..2…3!!!
Winner: The Kabuki Warriors
A solid enough affair with nothing of note really happening in the first, but a good closing final minutes to save it.
Total Rating: **
Match Time: 10:21
Backstage, Andrade comes up to Judgment Day, and Rhea is quick to say that she invited him. She would like to talk to him next week when Dom is around.
Andrade says he is all about business.
Finn says he’s known him a long time, and Andrade does bring a lot to the table. Priest wants to focus on the tag title match. Starts tonight, with him handling Truth.
R-Truth vs Damien Priest
The bell rings just as Priest attacks Truth with the case. Priest takes this to his advantage and attacks with stomps. Out come D.I.Y. to even the odds. Truth escapes a Razor’s Edge and hops on the apron then flies with a clothesline.
We are back to Priest hitting a high Flatliner. Cover for 1..2.NO!!! Shoulder tackle from Truth! Another! Protobomb! FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE!!! Priest to the shoulders. ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!!! COVER!!! 1….2….NO!!!! STF TO PRIEST!!
Balor and JD are here to attack D.I.Y.
Truth releases the hold, climbs to the top rope, and dives onto everyone!!!! He damn near hits the announce table as the crowd chants HOLY SHIT. Lol.
Truth slides back in, big clothesline from Priest! Straps are down! GOOZLE!!! South of Heaven! Cover! 1….2….3!!!
Winner: Damien Priest
Oh what fun…
Total Rating: **
Match Time: 7:03
D.I.Y. run in to protect Truth, but here come JD and Finn to attack! They stomp Gargano out as Priest chokeslams Ciampa on the apron. Finn to the top rope. COUP DE GRACE TO Gargano!
Becky Lynch is in the med room. She wants a Last Woman Standing Match against Nia next week.
Jey Uso is out to have a little chat wit the fine folks of [insert city here].
He wants to talk to his big brother Jim. He came to RAW for a fresh start, but Jimmy won’t let him go. So how bout this, brother v brother, twin v twin, blood v blood, Uso v Uso, Me vs Me, Jimmy vs Jey at Mania.
Gunther gets his own video package, then he is backstage with Jackie to talk about his legacy and facts. 640 days ago, he beat Ricochet to become champion and took on the responsibility for himself and the legacy of the title. Tonight, the best of the best will leave it all out there to compete against him. He is flattered. Such an affirmation of the work he’s put in. So good luck to whoever wins.
Guantlet Match
Ricochet vs Chad Gable vs Bronson Reed vs Shinsuke Nakamura vs JD McDonagh vs Sami Zayn
JD and Ricochet to start.
Ric and JD go at it for a bit till Jd hits an elbow, monkey flip sends him flying. Dropkick from Ricochet. Jd tries to leave the ring, Ric grabs him, whip to the ropes, ric holds on, then sends JD flying outside. Ricochet hits the ropes, slides under, JD slides in, Ric hops to the apron, shoulder to the stomach, springboard crossbody but JD knees the midsection. He shoves Ric out of the ring. JD leaves the ring and sends Ric into the barricade. He rolls Ric back in and follows then eats a hard back elbow. Backbreaker from JD. Cover for 1.2..NO!!! JD argues with the ref a bit then drives an elbow into the side of the face of Ricochet. He chokes Ric up on the bottom rope. JD points to the sign. Quick suplex to Ric. Leg drop to Ric. Punch to the face by JD. He corners Ric, right to JD, another, an uppercut, kick from JD, whip to the ropes, springboard back elbow from Ric. Crossbody from the top! Springboard monsault, but the knees are up again! BRAINBUSTAAAAA. Cover for 1..2..NO!!! JD with a slap to the face. Ric fires back, another slap form JD. They trade elbows. Kick from Ric, POISON RANA! Ric hits the ropes, standing Spanish Fly and JD gets a cover for 1..2..NO!!!
We are BACK and Ricoxhet and JD are on the apron! Ric hits a DVD on the apron!!! The ref starts the count! Ric slides in at 5. JD waits till 9! Slides in! Ric with a moonsault ot the back!!!! He locks the head! Supelx! Another! Cover! 1..2……NO!!! Ric gets JD to the shoulders, JD rakes the eyes, he slides Ric into the post! Cover for 1..2.NO!!! JD corners Ric, stands, Ric fights back, right hand, he shoves JD, and he chokes himself on the top rope! Ric with a Shooting Star Press! COVER! 1….2…3!!!
Ricochet eliminates JD McDonagh at 11:57
Here comes Bronson Reed. Ricochet is ready, as he dives from out of the ring into Bronson! He rolls Reed in, heads to the top rope, big dropkick to Reed! He ends up outside. Ric flies over the to prope onto Reed!!! Big kick to Reed from Ric, he springboards into a catch. Reed slams him into the corner, then hits a powerslam. Cover for 1.2..NO!!! Ric runs up the chest of Reed, enziguri, to the shoulders, beats on his head, spins, but Reed catches him and slams Ric down hard, then hits a senton! Reed to the top rope! HUGE TSUNAMI! Cover! 1..2…3!!!
Bronson Reed eliminates Ricochet at 14:17
Here comes Sami Zayn! Reed stops the momentum with a big chop, but Sami flies off the barricade with a moonsault as we go to break.
We come back and Reed spins into a suplex to Sami. He covers for 1..2.NO!! Sami pulls himself up in the corner. Gives Reed a back elbow. Sami to the top. He flies, Reed with huge slam. Big Elbow drop to Sami. Cover for 1..2.NO!! Reed sits Sami on the top rope. Reedclimbs and gets Sami onto his shoulders. Sami slinsk down into a SUNSET FLIP POWER BOMB! Sami with a pin! 1.2….3!!!
Sami Zayn eliminates Bronson Reed at 21:04
Reed is pissed! He attacks Sami from behind, then hits him with a Tsunami! Shinsuke watches on with a smile. He enters the ring, goes for a Kinshasa, but Sami rolls him up for 1.2..NO!!! Stomps from Shin. Sami rolls out of the ring. Sami runsh and high kicks Sami onto the announce table.
We are BACK and Shin is kicking the chest in of Sami. He gets. Few more but Sami eats them, catches a third attempt, and Shin hits an enziguri. Sami bounces off the ropes over Shin, then spins him into a blue Thunder Bomb! Sami lifts Shin, Shin spins with a kick, misses the first, but lands the second. Shin to the corner. He calls for the finish, but Sami catches him, tries for an Exploder. Shin escapes, scissor kick to Sami! Shin to the 2nd rope, flies off, roll through!!! Sami with a HELLUVA KICK OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!
Sami Zayn eliminates Shinsuke Nakamura at 28:25
Gable comes out as Sami stirs on the ground. He yells for Sami to get up! He wants Sami on his feet. He wants to win the right way. He holds Sami up, says let’s do this for Mania let’s do this face to face. Sami is up, smacks himself a bit, wakes himself up, and…
GABLE WITH A GO BEHIND! GERMAN!!! ANOTHER GERMAN!!! He goes for a third, Sami blocks, hits some elbows, switch, Gable picks the ankle, Ankle Lock! Sami scurries to the bottom rope. Sami to the apron. Shoulder to Gable! Gable slides out, grabs the ankle again, and we get an ankle lock on the outside! Sami kicks him into the steps!
WE come back from break and Gable is climbing the corner. Sami stops him, pulls him in seated position then hops up to try and back suplex Gable. Gable fights back with elbows, Sami lands on the mat. Gable with a moonsault, KNEES UP!!! ROLLUP!!! 1….2..NO!!!! Damn, looks like he might have hit Gable in the chin! Gable up, Sami up. Right hand to Gable. Another. Gable gets one, another. They go back and forth but Galbe takes over, hitting a bunch of big blows and a slap. Sami fights back, GABLE WITH THE SLAPS! Sami fires back, they tire each other out, going shoulder to shoulder. Bi kick from Sami, waist lock, tries for Blue Tunder Bomb, Gable land son his feet, picks the ankle. ANKLE LOCK!!! Gable screams that he needs this more than Sami. Sami reaches for the ropes. Sami gets to the ropes! Gable releases the hold. He drops to his knees in frustration. Gable stands, he knows what to do, he locks the waist, Elbow from Sami, another, Gable locks the waist, to the corner, rol through, EXPLODER FROM SAMI!!! Sami hobbles to the corner, waits, runs, Gable drops, trips Sami! ANKLE LOCK!!! He rolls to the center! Sami reaches for the ropes, almost gets it! Chad pulls!!! Back to the center! Sami rolls to his back, up kick, Gable holds on!!! Sami nearly taps! Crowd is ALIVE! Sami to his feet, Gable locks the hips! GERMAN TO SAMI!!! He lcimbs! Gable to the top rope! MOONSAULT! SAMI ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!! Gable pulls himself up! He rus! Weak Helluva Kick to Gable in the corner! Sami crawls to the a cover! 1….2….NO!!!! Gable reverses into a crucifix pin! 1..2…..NO!!!!
Both men down. They are both up to their knees. Gable locks the hips from the ground, pulls himself to his feet, Sami elbows out but Gable hits a bunch of crossfaces to Sami, beatin that ass like a mufucka!
Gable drops the straps! THIS IS HIS MOMENT!!! Chaos Theory! Bridge! 1…2….NO!!! ANKLE LOCK AGAIN!!! Sami screams in agony. He rolls through into a rollup!!! 1….2…..3!!!!!
Winner: Sami Zayn
Damn, for the final two alone, that’s a solid four star match. Wonderful story, and if it lead to nothing, I’d be a bit more upset, but something tells me Gable is going to use this for a (hopefully) significant push. IF, however, that doesn’t happen, then we could have done with a more finite finish.
Total Rating: ***3/4
Match Time: 41:33
Gable cannot believe it. He stares at Sami, seemingly upset, lifts Sami up by th waist, turns, Sami pulls him in for a hug. Sami whispers some shit to him.
Gunther’s music hits, and here is the IC Champ. He stares Sami down. Sami stands tall with the Mania sign behind him. Gunther smiles.
End Show
