WWE Monday Night RAW 03 18 2019

WWE RAW Results
March 18, 2019
Chicago, Illinois
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Renee Young
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

Brock Lesnar’s music hits, and the WWE Universal Champion makes his way to the ring to loud boos. Lesnar is accompanied by his advocate, Paul Heyman. The boos continue as they get in the ring. Heyman goes to speak, but he’s cut off by the loud boos from the Chicago crowd. Lesnar laughs and holds up the WWE Universal Championship, drawing further anger from the crowd. A “Burn it down” chant picks up. Heyman says, “Ladies, gentlemen, things that live in Chicago…” The crowd then speaks with him as he introduces himself and Brock Lesnar. The crowd is loud tonight.

Heyman says this appearance was necessitated by Seth Rollins. Rollins has spun a tale of propaganda. Rollins said that his client, Brock Lesnar, has a stylistic problem with competitors of Seth Rollins’ size and move-set. Here is where Rollins proved himself to be a fool. When Lesnar faced AJ Styles, who won that match? Brock Lesnar! When Lesnar faced Daniel Bryan, who won that match? Brock Lesnar! When Lesnar faced Finn Balor, who won that match? Brock Lesnar! Now Rollins wants to pick a fight with Lesnar on the same night he has to fight Drew McIntyre, who is a career killer. Not a career killer like Lesnar, but a career killer nonetheless. What in the world is Rollins thinking?

Drew McIntyre’s music hits, and he comes out to boos from the crowd. McIntyre is happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves. McIntyre tells Chicago to shut up and listen. Last week, he brutalized Roman Reigns. When Dean Ambrose tried to help, he brutalized him too. McIntyre suggests Heyman start looking for a new opponent for Lesnar because after he brutalizes him tonight, he won’t make it to WrestleMania.

All of a sudden, Seth Rollins cracks McIntyre from behind with a steel chair. Rollins hits him a few more times and looks at Brock Lesnar. Rollins then goes wild and bends the chair over McIntyre’s back with multiple shots. Lesnar looks stunned. Rollins gets in the ring, and Lesnar immediately gets out. Lesnar walks around ringside while Rollins invites him in the ring. Lesnar gives his title to Heyman so he can get in the ring, but Heyman talks some sense into him. Lesnar takes the title, holds it up, and walks off to loud boos from the crowd.

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey defends her RAW Women’s Championship against Dana Brooke later tonight. We’ll also hear from Batista on his thoughts about Triple H.

Replays are shown of Lio Rush distracting Finn Balor on RAW, causing him to lose the WWE Intercontinental Championship to Bobby Lashley.

Bobby Lashley is seen warming up backstage. Lio Rush comes up to him and straps the WWE Intercontinental Championship around his waist.

Finn Balor’s music hits. He’ll be in tag team action with a mystery partner, next.

-Commercial Break-

Over the weekend, Finn Balor and Stephanie McMahon spent time in Abu Dhabi in support of the Special Olympics.

Finn Balor wishes Chicago a Happy belated St. Patrick’s Day. The luck of the Irish was not on his side last week when he lost the Intercontinental Championship to Bobby Lashley. This stubborn Irishman doesn’t plan on being a former champion for too long.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley’s music cuts him off. Lashley comes out looking furious with Lio Rush by his side. Rush says it looks like the leprechaun is upset because Lashley has his pot of gold around his waist. Before they get this tag team match started, Rush wants Lashley to show the people his new favorite pose. It’s something they haven’t seen in a long time: a championship. Lashley holds up the Intercontinental Championship. Balor tells Lashley to enjoy it while he can because he plans on getting his hands on the title real soon. As for his partner, Rush will remember who he picked. This man plans on getting his hands on the both of them: Braun Strowman. Rush looks terrified.

Finn Balor and Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush

Braun Strowman will start against Bobby Lashley. They lock up, but they’re at a stalemate. They try again, and Lashley shrugs him off and poses. Strowman then shoves him down and poses. Lashley tries for a shoulder block, but Strowman absorbs it and takes him down.

-Commercial Break-

During the commercial: Strowman knocks Lashley off the apron, but Lashley gets back in the ring and punches him. Strowman takes him down and tags Balor in. Balor comes off the middle rope with a sledge to the shoulder. Lashley soon sends him to the corner, blocks a kick, and knocks him to the floor. Balor gets back in the ring, and Lashley slams him down. Rush tags in.

Back from the commercial, Rush kicks Balor before tagging Lashley in. Lashley quickly stops Balor from making a tag and applies a chin lock. Balor fights up, but Lashley takes him down with a reverse STO for a near fall. Rush tags in and goes for a sunset flip, but Balor rolls through and dropkicks him. Lashley quickly tags in and punches Balor down. Lashley then manhandles him and takes him down with a chin lock. Balor fights up and tries for a tag, but Lashley stops it. Balor boots him back and tries for a tag, but Lashley slams him into his corner. Lashley charges, but Balor sidesteps him and sends him shoulder-first into the ring post. Rush tags in, jumps over Balor, is scared back by Strowman, and takes a falling elbow drop from Balor.

Strowman tags in, and he quickly grabs Rush and wildly flips him over. Strowman then throws him across the ring twice! Rush is drooling in pain.

Strowman clubs Rush in the chest and lifts him up, but Lashley spears him. Balor attacks Lashley and gets him out of the ring. Rush then knocks Balor out of the ring. Rush quickly goes to the top rope and hits a frog splash, but Strowman powerfully kicks out. Rush looks terrified as Strowman gets to his feet. Rush runs away, but he’s cornered by Balor. Balor catches Rush, but Lashley knocks him down. Strowman then shoulder blocks Lashley into the crowd. Strowman gets Rush in the ring and shoulder blocks him down. Strowman then kills Rush with a chokeslam. Lashley walks off on his partner. Strowman then hits an emphatic Running Powerslam on Rush for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Finn Balor and Braun Strowman

Seth Rollins takes on Drew McIntyre later tonight. Ronda Rousey will also defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Dana Brooke.

Replays are shown of Ronda Rousey absolutely demolishing Dana Brooke last week on RAW. Rousey then attacked a referee.

The commentators talk about how Ronda Rousey was fined by WWE last week.

Ronda Rousey is walking into the arena with her husband, Travis Browne. Referee John Cone informs her that she is late. In addition to her fine, WWE management has increased security. Rousey ignores him and keeps walking.

Alexa Bliss makes her entrance. She’ll have Elias on A Moment of Bliss, next.

-Commercial Break-

A Moment of Bliss w/ special guest Elias

Alexa Bliss says the WWE Universe is still buzzing about her hosting WrestleMania. She then throws it to Michael Cole to talk about WrestleMania. The commentators then talk about the WrestleMania 35 card.

Bliss talks about what a great talkshow host she is. Bliss claims she inspired Lily Singh, who now has a talkshow. Bliss then introduces her guest by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen… Elias.”

Elias comes out strumming his guitar to a good reception from the crowd. Elias greets the crowd. Bliss flirtatiously introduces herself and welcomes him to the show. Bliss says this is a safe place. They’ve both been interrupted in the past, but she assures him that no one will interrupt his big announcement. Elias says he will be the headlining musical act at WrestleMania in the greatest city in the world, New York. Chicago boos that. Bliss mentions last year’s WrestleMania. Elias says that’s the reason his whole year has been about interruptions. Last year serves as inspiration for this year. Elias is thriving now. If his performance at WrestleMania was a game winning field goal… he’d make it every single time. The crowd loudly boos that as the Chicago Bears were eliminated on a missed field goal.

No Way Jose’s music hits, but Otis and Tucker lead out the conga line. No Way Jose is actually not there. Bliss says this was supposed to be a talkshow gag, but they were supposed to come out at the end. All of a sudden, one of the conga line members hits Elias. It’s revealed to be No Way Jose. Jose gets in the ring and waits for Elias.

-Commercial Break-

Elias vs. No Way Jose

We join this match in progress. No Way Jose is doing an airplane spin to Elias and the only ones cheering are the conga line. Jose hits a rolling senton and punches him in the corner. Elias reverses a whip to the corner, but Jose slingshots over him and hits an arm drag. Elias gets up, but Jose hits another arm drag. Elias punches out of an arm bar and takes him down. The conga line are chanting Jose’s name… but quite literally no one else is. Jose takes Elias down with a pair of clotheslines and a hip toss neckbreaker. Jose clotheslines him in the corner and goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Elias moves.

Elias punches and boots him down before hitting a clothesline. Elias takes him down and drops a knee. Elias goes to the top rope, almost loses his balance, and hits a flying elbow drop. Elias hits Drift Away for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Elias

We’ll hear Batista’s thoughts on Triple H later tonight. We’ll also see Ronda Rousey defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Dana Brooke.

Kurt Angle’s music hits, and the WWE Hall of Famer makes his way to the ring to loving chants of “You suck” from the Chicago crowd. Angle will announce his WrestleMania opponent, which is also his final match, next.

-Commercial Break-

Kurt Angle thanks the crowd in Chicago and says his farewell tour continues in Chicago. He will have a match tonight. WrestleMania is 20 days away, which is where he’ll compete for the last time. A loud “Thank you, Kurt” chant picks up. Angle thanks the crowd. Angle says he wants to thank the McMahon family for allowing him to pick his opponent for his farewell match. There are so many superstars that he’d love to face, but only one that he wants to beat. This man has made his life a living hell since he became the General Manager of Monday Night RAW. That man is Baron Corbin. The crowd immediately boos. Nothing would make him happier than to make Corbin tap out at WrestleMania. Then he can end his career as the happiest man in the world. Oh it’s true… it’s damn true.

Kurt Angle vs. Chad Gable

Chad Gable shakes Angle’s hand and tells him that he’s a hero of his. They lock up, and Angle backs him to the corner before giving a clean release. Gable applies a side headlock, but Angle whips him off. Gable quickly shoulder blocks him down. Angle gets to his feet and applies a waistlock. Gable reverses it and takes him down. Angle grapevines the head, but Gable kips up out. They’re at a stalemate. Gable quickly takes him down and applies a front facelock. Angle fights up and shoulder blocks him down. Gable quickly elbows him, but Angle quickly comes back with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Gable quickly rolls out of the ring to recover.

Gable gets back in the ring and grabs Angle’s arm. Gable takes him down and attacks the arm for a two count. Angle sends him sternum first into the turnbuckles and controls him with a front facelock. Gable fights up, but Angle stops him and sends him into the ropes. Angle charges, but Gable sends him out of the ring. Angle gets in the ring, and Gable starts to attack the leg. Angle fights out and clotheslines him over the top rope.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Angle hit two clotheslines and soon applies an Angle Lock. Gable gets out and rolls him up for a two count. Angle hits a German Suplex, but Gable gets out of a second one and applies an Angle Lock to Angle! Angle twists out and tries for an Angle Slam, but Gable counters into a DDT for a near fall. Gable goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but Angle moves. Angle applies the Angle Lock and grapevines the leg. Gable has no choice but to submit.

Winner by Submission: Kurt Angle

Angle helps Gable to his feet and raises his arm. Baron Corbin’s music interrupts him. Corbin walks off to the stage. Corbin says when he took Angle’s job as General Manager, it felt good to laugh at him and humiliate him… but not as good as it’ll feet to humiliate him in his farewell match. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your career. All people will remember is what you did in your last match. The crowd boos Corbin and chants for John Cena.

Ronda Rousey will defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Dana Brooke.

Video Package: Drew McIntyre viciously attacks Roman Reigns last week on RAW. Dean Ambrose came to Reigns’ defense, but lost in a Falls Count Anywhere match to McIntyre.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley make their way to the ring.

-Commercial Break-

Baron Corbin is talking to The Revival backstage. Apollo Crews walks up to Corbin and says he wants to face him tonight before Angle beats him. Crews goads him into accepting the match. Crews said he made that difficult. That’s why no one likes Corbin. Corbin asks The Revival if they like him, and they say, “Hell no.”

Charly Caruso mentions to Sasha Banks and Bayley that The IIconics think they’re ducking them because they’ve appeared on all shows except Smackdown Live. Banks is angry. Bayley says they’ll defend against anyone that wants it. That’s why they’ll make an appearance on Smackdown Live. It’ll be iconic. Banks says as for WrestleMania, they look forward to facing…

Natalya’s music hits to interrupt them. Beth Phoenix soon joins her side. Phoenix says she appreciates Banks and Bayley. They’ve done a lot to bring respect to the championships. She’d have loved to have that opportunity when she was competing full time. However, she was content being a commentator until she saw Nia Jax and Tamina trying to set them all back with their jealousy and pettiness. Nia and Tamina did something else, too. They awoke the dragon and got her thinking… maybe her and Nattie’s dream can still become a reality. Phoenix loved her WWE career and accomplishments, but there’s just one thing missing. Since they’re saying they’ll take on all comers anytime, any place, anywhere, she is ready to step out of retirement, stand beside the very best in the WWE, Natalya, and challenge the two of them for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.

Bayley says that’d obviously be a huge honor, but does she really want WrestleMania? Doesn’t she want more time to prepare? Phoenix has been retired six years and competition has evolved. Natalya says to Bayley that she’s talking about Beth Phoenix, the Glamazon and a WWE Hall of Famer. Phoenix won the Women’s Championship in Chicago. Natalya says Phoenix isn’t afraid of someone like Bayley. Banks says they live and bleed for this business. Phoenix is the lady riding Natalya’s coattails to WrestleMania. Natalya slaps her. Banks then takes Natalya down and punches her. Phoenix throws Banks off and goes face-to-face with Bayley. Phoenix then shoves Bayley down.

-Commercial Break-

Sasha Banks w/ Bayley vs. Natalya w/ Beth Phoenix

The bell rings, and Banks takes her down with a Thesz Press and some punches. Natalya gets out, but Banks kicks her. Natalya sidesteps her and spikes her on her tailbone. Natalya steps on her and hits a low dropkick for a near fall. Natalya applies an abdominal stretch and grabs the leg for good measure. Banks gets out and rolls her up for a two count. Banks throws her to the corner and hits double knees. Natalya soon sidesteps her and hits a discus clothesline. Banks quickly rolls out of the ring to recover.

Nia Jax comes out to the stage. Nia sarcastically applauds Beth Phoenix for coming out of retirement. Jax isn’t jealous of Phoenix. She’s done more than Phoenix did in her entire career. Phoenix is only back because Jax is getting recognition. She’s the prettier, stronger version of The Glamazon. Tamina then sneaks up from behind and sends Phoenix into the ring post before attacking Bayley and Banks. Jax says she’ll see them all at WrestleMania.

Winner by Disqualification: Sasha Banks

Mojo Rawley is talking to himself in the mirror. Rawley says potential isn’t any good if you don’t do anything with it. Rawley asks himself why he can’t figure it out.

Ricochet makes his entrance. He’ll be in action, next.

-Commercial Break-

Ricochet vs. Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers

Mahal powers him to the corner, but Ricochet soon comes back with a hurricanrana before dropkicking him out of the ring. Mahal gets out of the ring, and Ricochet fakes a dive. Ricochet shoulders Mahal, but he has a whip to the corner reversed. Ricochet kicks him back, but The Singh Brothers grabs his ankle. Mahal then clotheslines Ricochet down. Mahal digs his knee into Ricochet before hitting a scoop slam for a two count. Mahal applies a chin lock to Ricochet and holds it on for a while. Ricochet fights up, but Mahal continues to control him. Finally, Ricochet hits an enzuigiri and a rolling dropkick.

Ricochet ducks a right hand and hits a head-scissor takeover. Ricochet hits a running shoulder block and hits a springboard clothesline. Ricochet hits a standing shooting star press for a two count. The Singh Brothers pull Mahal out of the ring. Ricochet then hits a cartwheel Fosbury Flop on Mahal and The Singhs. Ricochet gets Mahal in the ring and goes to the top rope for the 630. Ricochet picks up the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Ricochet

WWE honors Sue Aitchison, who is receiving the Warrior Award at the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremoney.

RAW Women’s Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey makes her way to the ring. She’ll defend her championship against Dana Brooke, next.

-Commercial Break-

Seth Rollins is interviewed backstage. Rollins is dedicating his match against Drew McIntyre to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. It’s also for Brock Lesnar. Rollins is going to burn Suplex City to the ground.

Elsewhere backstage, Dana Brooke is interviewed by Charly Caruso. Charly basically says she has no confidence in Brooke. Brooke says it’s the Road to WrestleMania. She may not be better than Ronda Rousey, but she just has to be better for three seconds.

RAW Women’s Championship
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Dana Brooke

The bell rings, and Brooke blocks a kick. Rousey immediately knees her in the face, knees her in the ribs, and applies the arm bar for the win.

Winner by Submission and still RAW Women’s Champion: “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Rousey refuses to let go of the arm bar. Brooke is screaming in pain. Referees run down to help, so Rousey releases the hold and pushes the referee. Security runs down. Rousey kisses her husband Travis Browne. Rousey immediately takes down one of the security guards. Browne demolishes one of them with a forearm. Browne pulls her into the crowd, and they walk off together.

In the ring, Brooke is clutching her arm in extreme pain. Replays are shown of how quickly Rousey annihilated her.

-Commercial Break-

Replays are shown of what just happened with Ronda Rousey, Travis Browne, and the security guards.

Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews

The bell rings, and Corbin soon takes him down with a shoulder block. Crews dropkicks him and kips up. Corbin slides out of the ring, and Crews hits a moonsault block off the apron. Crews gets him in the ring, but Corbin quickly forearms him down. Corbin drives him headfirst into the corner. Corbin goes for an out and in clothesline, but Crews avoids it. Corbin then takes him down and applies a chin lock. Crews fights up and flips through a chokeslam, but Corbin comes back with a Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin punches Crews while the crowd chants, “We want Cena.” Crews clips through the End of Days and rolls Corbin up for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Apollo Crews

Angle comes out to the stage to celebrate with Crews while Corbin stares irately at them.

We’ll hear from Batista, next.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown of Triple H agreeing to face Batista at WrestleMania, but it has to be a No Holds Barred match.

Batista is live via satellite from Tampa, Florida. Michael Cole thanks Batista for joining them. Cole wants to know why he’s so angry with Triple H. Batista says he just doesn’t like the guy. Since he’s left, all he’s wanted to do is come back and have that one last match with him. Now here we are. Cole says that’s a vague answer. Where does this go back to? Evolution? Batista sits quietly before saying it goes back way further than that. Batista keeps hearing that he owes his career to Triple H. Before Evolution, Triple H groomed him to be his muscle. Triple H uses people to protect him and make him look good. DX and Evolution are the same thing. Triple H used him like some big meathead, holding him down and underestimating him.

Cole mentions that Batista quit in 2010 and walked out at the height of his career. Does he blame Triple H for that? Batista says, “Yeah, why shouldn’t I?” Batista also doesn’t like people saying he quit. Imagine having a buddy who is also your boss and jealous. Batista felt like he never got a fair opportunity. Triple H didn’t think he was a big enough star to be on top of the company. Since then, he’s left and is world famous. Batista is now in a position of control and is getting what he deserves. Cole says he’s known Triple H for over 20 years. He’s been nothing but fair to him. Look what he does for NXT Superstars. Batista asks what is wrong with Cole. Triple H is known as the Cerebral Assassin. Triple H has them fooled. Triple H is the most selfish, insecure, jealous control freak he’s ever met. Batista says one day, hopefully soon, Vince will wake up and fire Triple H to end his professional career. At WrestleMania, he’ll end Triple H’s in-ring career. Interview over. Batista orders the camera crew out of his office.

Reigns wasn’t the same and relied on The Shield to get through it. Now The Shield is no more. McIntyre now has Seth Rollins attacking him from behind like a coward and viciously assaulting him. Rollins is just like the crowd: deluded and living in a fantasy world. Last week, McIntyre revealed the truth when he dropped Reigns. This is his yard now.

McIntyre wants to take a moment to speak to Roman Reigns. Not Roman Reigns, the superstar, but Joe, the man. That’s what Reigns told them to call him when his leukemia came back: Joe, the husband and father. Now he’s Joe at home because of him. If Reigns wanted to be an inspiration to the people, he has a challenge for him. McIntyre is challenging Reigns to a fight at WrestleMania. McIntyre knows the answer already, as do the people. McIntyre tells Reigns to look at his wife and children. McIntyre is asking him to say no to it. McIntyre tells Reigns to choose his family and not the people because they don’t give a damn about him. McIntyre swears that if Reigns fights him at WrestleMania, all bets are off. What he did to Reigns and Ambrose will be like nothing. McIntyre will maim and destroy him. Reigns may have beaten leukemia, but on the Grandest Stage of Them All, Reigns will never beat him.

Seth Rollins appears on the titantron. Rollins says that’s why he did what he did to him earlier tonight. Replays are shown of Rollins viciously beating McIntyre with a steel chair earlier tonight. Rollins says that was for his brothers. This is for him now.

Rollins makes his entrance and immediately gets into a brawl with McIntyre that needs to be broken up by referees.

-Commercial Break-

Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins

We join this match in progress. McIntyre takes him down and applies an arm bar. Rollins fights up, but McIntyre takes him down with a back elbow for a two count. Rollins tries to fight back, but McIntyre takes him down with two vertical suplexes for a two count. McIntyre clubs him down and reapplies the arm bar. Rollins fights up and kicks him in the face before throwing him out of the ring. McIntyre quickly pulls him out of the ring, but Rollins comes back with some punches and chops. Rollins avoids being run into the steel steps and goes for a moonsault block, but McIntyre swats him away!

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see McIntyre pick up a near fall. McIntyre chops and stomps on Rollins’ back. During the commercial break, McIntyre hit a massive belly-to-belly overhead suplex. McIntyre goes for a powerbomb, but Rollins counters into a hurricanrana. McIntyre rolls out of the ring to recover. Rollins goes for a suicide dive, but McIntyre catches him and slams him into the barricade.

McIntyre grabs a steel chair and thinks about it. McIntyre smacks the ring post with the chair, and Rollins dropkicks him down. Both men get back in the ring before being counted out. Rollins immediately clotheslines him out of the ring and hits two massive suicide dives. McIntyre gets in the ring, and Rollins hits him with the Sling Blade. Rollins follows up with a superkick for a near fall. Rollins sets up for a powerbomb, but McIntyre avoids it. McIntyre hits a back body drop, but Rollins lands on his feet. McIntyre catches him with an inverted Alabama Slam for a near fall.

McIntyre puts him on the top rope and punches him. Rollins slides off, but McIntyre punches him down. McIntyre pulls him up to the top rope, but he soon head-butts Rollins off. All of a sudden, Rollins scales the ropes and hits a superplex followed by a falcon arrow for a near fall. Rollins sets up for the Stomp. All of a sudden, Brock Lesnar’s music hits. The WWE Universal Champion makes his way to the stage with Paul Heyman. McIntyre then levels Rollins with a Claymore Kick for the win.