WWE RAW RESULTS

MY WINNERS, GRADES, AND REACTION

It's WrestleMania week, starting with the go-home show for Raw. While little major wrestling was expected for the final night of this WWE season on the red brand, it was likely to be a huge show defined by the matches set for The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Following up on last week when Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka to become SmackDown women's champion, Stephanie McMahon was set to open the show with a major announcement for Sunday's main event before Charlotte, Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch teamed up against The Riott Squad.

Batista promised to deliver a final message to Triple H, who put his career on the line in their coming Showcase of the Immortals clash. Brock Lesnar was also expected to appear to face down Seth Rollins one last time before Sunday.

The card also included a big eight-women tag team match as Beth Phoenix returned to the ring just days before getting a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships, competing with the current champions against Nia Jax, Tamina and The IIconics.

Finally, in the defining match on this edition of Raw, The Revival was forced to put its title on the line against Aleister Black and Ricochet, who defeated the titleholders the previous week in dominant fashion.

This episode did not have much left to set up, but the show had to deliver on proving why everyone should be tuning in on Sunday.

STEPHANIE MCMAHON ANNOUNCES WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENT WILL BE WINNER-TAKES-ALL

Stephanie McMahon opened Raw to make clear that the WrestleMania main event is to be winner-takes-all.

Whoever walks out victorious on Sunday will become undisputed women's champion of both Raw and SmackDown.

Grade: C

Analysis: This was an expected move after last week's title change. Charlotte would not have won the title if it didn't matter for the forthcoming match. It was the only announcement that would make sense this week.

There were better ways to sell this, though. The Billionaire Princess did not have to be the one to deliver the message. It would have been more interesting with The Baddest Woman on the Planet, The Man and The Queen agreeing to this stipulation on their own.

Having one undisputed women's champion does not make sense for the constantly expanding roster, but it may be a part of WWE's attempt to refresh how both brands operate in the Superstar Shake-up that follows 'Mania.

SETH ROLLINS MAKES A STATEMENT AT BROCK LESNAR'S EXPENSE

Paul Heyman called Seth Rollins an afterthought with Brock Lesnar looking forward to his future, but The Architect took offense.

He stormed the ring and made clear he was certain he would beat the odds at WrestleMania. He then connected with two low blows, a superkick and The Stomp to lay out The Beast Incarnate.

Backstage, Charly Caruso questioned why Rollins would use low blows Monday when he would get disqualified for them on Sunday.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was an impactful way to add a spark to this limited feud. The Architect looked good here while using any trick in the book to stand out.

It was a great way to showcase what Rollins will do to win and what it will take for him to bring down the WWE universal champion.

BAYLEY, SASHA BANKS, NATALYA AND BETH PHOENIX VS. IICONICS, NIA JAX AND TAMINA

Nia Jax and Tamina refused to tag in throughout this match, leaving Peyton Royce and Billie Kay scrambling to keep the babyfaces contained.

Despite their best efforts though, Beth Phoenix got rolling and would not be denied as she tackled Tamina through the barricade before hitting the Glam Slam on Royce for the win.

Results: Phoenix, Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley def. The IIconics, Jax and Tamina by pinfall

Grade: B-

Analysis; This match was a fun enough TV clash, though it was disappointingly limited. Jax and Tamina never got involved, yet most of the contest was still Royce and Kay isolating one of the faces until The Glamazon got the hot tag.

Phoenix looked great for someone who has barely stepped into the ring in six years. While the whole focus was clearly on establishing her as still being dominant, it worked well without feeling put on.

BATISTA TAUNTS TRIPLE H ONE LAST TIME

Batista came out to a raucous reaction from the Washington, D.C. crowd, and he cut to a video package in which his victories over Triple H over the years were highlighted.

He then told Triple H to "kiss his ass" and walked off.

Grade: A-

Analysis: This match has the least relevance to WWE as a whole and will likely struggle to stand up against the rest of Sunday's performances because both men are so close to the end of their careers.

However, this was a fantastic last segment for this rivalry. It was simple and effective in a way that was memorable without being ridiculous.

APOLLO CREWS VS. JINDER MAHAL (LUMBERJACK MATCH)

Apollo Crews and Jinder Mahal fought, with many of their expected competitors watching the competition outside the ring. The former connected with a frog splash for the win.

Afterward, a fight broke out between the competitors. Titus O'Neil looked good before getting taken down by Mahal and The Singh Brothers, who were thrown out by Crews who stood tall on his own.

Results: Crews def. Mahal by pinfall

Grade: D

Analysis: The only thing accomplished in this segment was showing how few top stars from Raw are set to compete in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Sunday.

While it was great to see Crews building some momentum, he was showcased as completely outshining this entire field.

It is hard to care about a match with this many wrestlers when it feels like Braun Strowman is the only star legitimately set up to win the contest.

REY MYSTERIO COMES TO THE AID OF KURT ANGLE AGAINST BARON CORBIN

Kurt Angle came out to thank the fans for their support over the years before a special video package was shown highlighting his spectacular career. However, Baron Corbin ruined the moment by insulting the legend.

The Olympic Gold Medalist challenged Corbin to fight him early, but The Lone Wolf was not interested.

Rey Mysterio changed the conversation as he ran out and said he would fight Corbin instead. The veterans sent the big man running, unhappy with the idea of fighting either.

Grade: B

Analysis: The video package alone made this whole segment worthwhile. It was a great way to highlight the career of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Corbin had to come out to continue to build up anticipation for Angle destroying him at 'Mania.

What was odd here, though, was the inclusion of Mysterio. Last week, WWE announced Angle vs. Mysterio on Raw, but that plan clearly changed, leading to this reunion of two longtime friends and rivals feeling awkward.

RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE REVIVAL VS. ALEISTER BLACK AND RICOCHET

The Revival showcased its best tactics to survive the power and speed of Black and Ricochet.

While Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder were clearly outmatched often in this contest, they stayed in it just long enough to find an avenue for victory.

After a scuffle outside, Dawson managed to catch the leg of The One and Only as he tried to return to the ring to fight Wilder, forcing a count-out victory for the champions.

Afterward, the faces let out their frustration on The Revival, hitting a 630 splash on Dawson.

Results: Dawson and Wilder def. Ricochet and Black by count-out to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Grade: B

          

Analysis: This was a fun match that could have been even better with more time. Unfortunately, because it had no relevance to 'Mania, the two teams did not get their chance to truly shine yet. It's a shame both may be left out come Sunday.

It feels like the end of The Revival's tag team run is rapidly approaching, as the NXT stars will likely gain the gold right after they officially become members of the main roster after The Show of Shows.

RONDA ROUSEY, BECKY LYNCH AND CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS. THE RIOTT SQUAD

Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch were all interviewed backstage, promising they would not be the first to flinch, as the first to turn on the other two women in the tag team match would be taken out of the WrestleMania main event.

While tempers flared often, they did not turn on one another. A blind tag from Rousey allowed her into the match to make Liv Morgan tap out quickly to the armbar. As the bell rang, The Baddest Woman on the Planet attacked The Queen, starting a furious brawl.

Security had to calm the situation by detaining the women involved. Rousey and Lynch were both handcuffed, with Charlotte attacking each until she was restrained as well.

Even in handcuffs, the three caused further damage backstage as they tried to attack one another repeatedly.

Results: Rousey, Lynch and Flair def. Riott Squad by submission

Grade: A-

Analysis: While the tag team match was nothing special, it told its story well with Lynch attempting to win all on her own before Rousey ran in and stole both women’s' thunder with a quick submission. What followed was the perfect way to sell the heat in this feud.

It was ridiculous and over the top in the best way possible, as the women destroyed everyone in their path. Backstage was especially spectacular, as the three destroyed cars and hit knees out of nowhere just to do any kind of damage.

This was a great final moment for this contest, which should get even more physical at WrestleMania.

HEAVY MACHINERY VS. BOBBY ROODE AND CHAD GABLE

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable continued a disappointing losing streak, as they could not manage to find their rhythm together.

Gable forced a tag in late, only to get caught and hit with The Compactor to seal the win for Otis and Tucker, helped by a surprise appearance from Lacey Evans.

Results: Heavy Machinery def. Roode and Gable by pinfall

Grade: D

          

Analysis: What was this match doing on the Raw before 'Mania? It did not stand out and hardly mattered.

Roode and Gable are seemingly falling down the ranks, potentially headed for a breakup, while Heavy Machinery may become relevant after The Showcase of the Immortals.

None of this will matter come Sunday, though, so it was an unnecessary segment on a bloated show.

BRAUN STROWMAN VS. LOCAL COMPETITORS

Tyler Breeze and EC3 were laughing about Colin Jost and Michael Che's work on Saturday Night Live this week when Braun Strowman arrived.

The two directed The Monster Among Men's anger at two local jobbers, and Strowman decided to name them Che and Jost and challenge them to a match.

The giant destroyed the two men before hitting them with simultaneous running powerslams to take the victory.

Results: Strowman def. local competitors by pinfall

Grade: D+

Analysis: This is such a waste of great talent, as The Monster is above these handicap squash matches. He makes them entertaining, but nothing is accomplished with bouts like this anymore.

It might all be worth it if Strowman wins the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Sunday, but it feels far more likely that the SNL duo will somehow get him eliminated.

FINN BALOR ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE DEMON

Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush showed no fear in addressing Finn Balor until he appeared on the TitanTron and revealed he was bringing back an old friend for WrestleMania: The Demon.

Grade: C-

Analysis: WWE has never been great at presenting Balor's alter ego. This was a clear example of that, as this was just about the least interesting way the company could have announced The Extraordinary Man was bringing back the paint for 'Mania.

At least it's now official, and there is some reason to tune into this repeat title match.

REY MYSTERIO VS. BARON CORBIN

Baron Corbin brutalized Rey Mysterio in his return match to Raw, and The Lone Wolf was too much for the luchador.

While Mysterio did his best to get close to the victory, he ran into a Deep Six for the three-count.

As Corbin headed up the ramp gloating, Kurt Angle took out his rival and made him tap out on the ramp to the Ankle Lock.

Results: Corbin def. Mysterio by pinfall

Grade: C-

Analysis: This was an unremarkable main event that felt like it did not accomplish what it promised. It was supposed to establish just how dangerous Corbin is as he managed to defeat The Master of the 619 clean, but no one bought it.

It did not help that Mysterio is supposed to be in a major match at WrestleMania but was treated as an afterthought, or that this was put on last on the final Raw before The Show of Shows when the biggest moment of the night happened one hour earlier.