WWE Raw Live TV Review: Final Raw before WrestleMania 34 with John Cena awaiting an answer from Undertaker, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle meet face-to-face with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor

By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live on April 2, 2018 from Atlanta, Georgia at Philips Arena

[Hour One] Michael Cole welcomed viewers to Raw. He is normally joined on commentary by Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman, but he noted that Coachman was in the ring (don’t panic). Cole also noted that the venue was sold out with 13,371 fans in attendance…

Coachman stood in the ring where a table and chairs were set up. Coachman introduced Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, then Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey. The crowd chanted for Rousey and all four wrestlers took their seats while Coachman stood behind a podium.

Hunter took issue with the fans chanting for Rousey, which led to more chants. Rousey flashed a big grin. Hunter said it’s unfortunate because the fans really want to like Rousey and that roar will be come a deafening silence after Sunday. Hunter implied that Angle is the weak link. He brought up the three I’s and said he never agreed with intensity or integrity, but he never got the intelligence coming from Angle.

Hunter said Angle set up Rousey for embarrassment and a loss on the big stage. Hunter asked Angle why he did that. Angle started to talk, but Rousey interrupted to ask why they would sign her with ulterior motives. Stephanie said Rousey is a little rough around the edges, but she and Hunter will shine her up and rebuild her after they beat her on Sunday. Rousey said she gets the Q&A format. She said she asked the question and wants her answer.

Powell’s POV: I’ll have to remember Rousey’s line for the next Paul Levesque conference call.

Stephanie and Hunter spoke about how Angle cost Rousey and WWE millions of dollars. Stephanie said Rousey works for her and she will ask the questions. She asked who the hell Rousey thinks she is. “She’s Ronda Frickin’ Rousey,” Angle said before adding that “she will make you tap out.”

Triple H said there’s a massive learning curve. He said they make the rules and she’s going to lose. Coachman asked fan questions submitted via social media. The first was about the importance of winning. Stephanie said it’s important for bosses to put their employees in their place. Angle said Rousey is the baddest woman on the planet “and will make you tap out.”

Coachman asked them for final thoughts. Stephanie said Rousey will lose on Sunday and her very first loss will be to her. “And we all know, the world knows, how you handle losses,” Stephanie said. “Nice jacket by the way.” Rousey asked Stephanie if she’s right or left-handed. Rousey said she wanted to know if she’d still be able to sign her checks after she rips her arm off.

Coachman asked for a pre-match photo op and said it wouldn’t be like boxing or UFC, it would be classy. Rousey and Angle went to the middle of the ring and then Hunter and Stephanie followed. Angle and Hunter went face-to-face and eventually shook hands. Stephanie offered Rousey her hand, but Ronda didn’t shake it. Stephanie started jawing at her. Rousey took a step forward and the crowd roared. Steph moved to the side and so did Rousey.

Angle tried to get between Rousey and Stephanie. Hunter picked up a microphone and struck Angle with it. Rousey grabbed Hunter by the throat. Stephanie picked up Rousey and dumped her through one of the tables and then stood over her and talked smack…

Powell’s POV: A very good angle with the crowd hot for the babyface duo and very much into hating on Hunter and Stephanie. I haven’t been a fan of everything they’ve done with Rousey thus far, but it’s been gold when all four participants in the mixed tag match have shared the ring.

Cole said they would be back in 30 seconds after they take a look at “another stellar WrestleMania matchup.” A WrestleMania ad focussed on the Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn match…

Cole hyped Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns both appearing, and Graves said time is running out on John Cena’s WrestleMania challenge for Undertaker. Bayley was shown walking backstage. Cole hyped her match against Sonya Deville for after the break…

The WrestleMania video aired. We are six days away…

1. Bayley vs. Sonya Deville (w/Paige, Mandy Rose). Neither entrance was televised. They showed Bayley at ringside admiring the Andre the Giant trophy that goes to the battle royal winner. Deville caught Bayley with a punch and a kick and was jawing at her heading into a break. [C] In the end, Bayley avoided a high kick and then rolled up Deville for the win…

Bayley defeated Sonya Deville in 9:50.

After the match, Rose attacked Bayley and then Deville joined the attack. Sasha Banks ran out and cleared Rose from the ring, then Bayley tossed Deville to the floor. Banks smiled and nodded. She told Bayley to raise her arm. “I just saved you, raise my hand,” Banks said. Bayley implied that she didn’t need the help. Banks grabbed her by the face, then Bayley snapped and punched her. They traded punches until the Absolution duo attacked them and left both women lying…

The broadcast team hyped Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for later in the show. They also hyped an in-depth look at Asuka and Charlotte… [C]

Powell’s POV: A nice match between Bayley and Deville. The post match angle made Banks look less likable than Bayley for grabbing her by the face and telling her to raise her hand. I hope that’s not a swerve. Banks is a pure heel and it would be nice to finally see her in that role on the main roster.

The broadcast team pimped WrestleMania and the usual WWE Network offer of the month being free for new subscribers (and people who cheat the system by signing up repeatedly), then set up a video package that focussed on Asuka’s storyline streak of 265 wins and no losses during her 908-day run with the company…

Powell’s POV: A good video on Asuka. Hopefully they don’t try to follow that up with a recap of the wasted year that it’s been for Charlotte since she moved to Smackdown. Quick, name a good and truly memorable Charlotte moment that wasn’t tied into good news about her father’s health since the Superstar Shakeup. That’s on creative, not on Charlotte.

Graves gushed about the birth of The Miz and Maryse’s daughter and a story that People did on them. Cole hyped the Intercontinental Title Triple Threat match for WrestleMania… Finn Balor made his entrance heading into the break… [C] The Miz made his entrance to sit in on commentary, and then Seth Rollins made his entrance for the match…

2. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor. Rollins pointed at Miz before heading to the ring. Miz said the birth of his daughter was the greatest moment of his life. He said the birth of his daughter made him more focussed than ever. Meanwhile, Rollins and Balor were having an even match when they cut to commercial a few minutes in. [C]

Cole asked Miz if he was going to change his rule breaking ways. Miz said he is a new man after having his daughter and pointed out that he hadn’t badmouthed either one of his WrestleMania opponents.

[Hour Two] They went to a split screen shot to air an AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura commercial while also showing the match. Rollins caught Balor with a suicide dive heading into a regular break. [C] Rollins caught Balor with a superkick for a good near fall. Fans chanted “this is awesome.”

There was another good near fall for Rollins off an inside cradle. Rollins caught Balor with a high knee for another two count. Rollins performed a frogsplash, but Balor countered into a pin for a two count of his own. Rollins caught Balor on the apron and wanted to hit him with a Buckle Bomb into the barricade (which caused the Balor injury at one point), but Balor avoided it and performed a sling blade. Back inside the ring, Rollins caught Balor with a Stomp and pinned him…

Seth Rollins beat Finn Balor in 22:05.

Powell’s POV: The competitive match you had to assume since it involved two babyfaces heading into a Triple Threat with a heel. I had a tough time getting invested early simply because there was nothing at stake, but the hard work of the wrestlers certainly drew me in. This was very good. So good that I’m sure it will lead to a lot of “third wheel” talk regarding Miz heading into the Triple Threat. Miz being Mr. Nice Dad was interesting. I hope all of his talk from Miz about being a new man is a setup for him doing something villainous. After all, does anyone want to think about heel Miz having a soft side?

The broadcast team recapped Stephanie putting Rousey through the table earlier. They also spoke about the battle royals and the WWE Cruiserweight Championship match being on the WrestleMania Kickoff Show (the second hour of the Kickoff Show will air on USA Network). They hyped the Cena segment for later in the show, and said there would be an in-depth look at Lesnar vs. Reigns after the break… [C]

Powell’s POV: No complaints about the battle royals or the cruiserweight title match airing on the Kickoff Show. 205 Live is improved, but last week was the first exposure that Raw viewers had to the cruiserweights since the creative change. Meanwhile, the battle royals are simply “get everyone on the show” matches.

The broadcast team set up the Lesnar vs. Reigns video package…

Backstage, Paul Heyman was talking on his phone (sadly, it’s not the giant ’80s version) when Kurt Angle approached him. Angle said he was being pulled in a lot of directions, but as general manager the most important thing is to make sure the WrestleMania main event stays intact.

Heyman said they would do it Angle’s way by saying nice things about Reigns and save it for the ring at WrestleMania. Angle asked Heyman to not say anything that would incite Reigns to injure Lesnar. Heyman laughed at Angle for being worried about Lesnar’s wellbeing. Angle asked him not to add fuel to the fire. Heyman went back to laughing once Angle walked away…

Sheamus and Cesaro made their entrance. Meanwhile, Cole hyped the NXT Takeover: New Orleans event for Saturday night. Cole teased the possibility of finding out who will team with Braun Strowman at WrestleMania after the break… [C] An ad hyped Shane McMahon returning to Smackdown on Tuesday…

Sheamus and Cesaro stood in the ring for a promo and said Braun Strowman needs to listen up. They decided they don’t care who his tag partner is. They said it doesn’t matter because it’s a tag match and Strowman’s partner would eventually have to tag into the match.

Strowman made his entrance and said if they were trying to say he doesn’t play well with others then they were right. He said management made it clear he had to have a tag partner if he wanted a tag title shot. “So I got one,” Strowman said. “And I was just talking to him in the back and he doesn’t appreciate what you two clowns are saying.”

Sheamus said that he could come out and tell them to their face. Strowman said the partner would do that if the partner gets a match with one of them. Sheamus agreed to that stipulation. “Good, I’ll go get him,” Strowman said. “Oh, and I’m gonna warn you, he’s a lot like me, just a little different.” Strowman went backstage and then his entrance music played again.

Strowman walked out wearing a white shirt and black glasses. “My brothers’ Braun, I’m Brains, and I’m about to come down and knock you upside your head,” Strowman said before heading to the ring. The Bar attacked him and put the boots to him until he shoved them off and started working them over on his own. The Bar left the ring and Strowman’s music played…

Powell’s POV: The broadcast team made it clear that Strowman still needs an actual partner for WrestleMania. This was corny, but I like the idea of this being a WrestleMania Sunday surprise.

A Shattered Dreams Production with Goldust focussing on Andre the Giant and plugging the Andre the Giant documentary on HBO that will air Tuesday night. They cut to “Woken” Matt Hardy, who spoke about how he’d been training to win the battle royal. Hardy said Goldust didn’t have to wait until WrestleMania because he’s scheduled for deletion. Cole said Hardy vs. Goldust was up next… [C]

3. Matt Hardy vs. Goldust. Hardy avoided a top rope elbow drop from Goldust. Hardy went for a Twist of Fate, but Goldust countered into a rollup for a two count. Hardy came back with a couple of strikes and hit the Twist of Fate for the win. Cole said Goldust had been deleted. After the match, Hardy approached The Dre trophy yelled, “Procure” repeatedly and stood in awe of it…

Matt Hardy defeated Goldust.

Graves hyped a sit-down interview with Nia Jax conducted by Renee Young. They cut to Alexa Bliss and Mickie James playing Mean Girls. Bliss wondered if Jax will end up blubbering again. “Did you say blubber?” James asked. They both laughed and they got the word graphic treatment with “blubber” popping up on the screen… [C]

Powell’s POV: I could be wrong, but I came away from the Hardy and Goldust match feeling like they are trying to soften the word “delete” to simply mean “defeat” so that viewers won’t be disappointed that Bray Wyatt being “deleted” isn’t actually leading to anything.

An ad aired for NXT Takeover: New Orleans that ran through some of the matches…

Powell’s POV: Join John Moore for his live review of NXT Takeover on Saturday. Meanwhile, I will be covering the ROH Supercard of Honor simultaneously. Obviously, I will be watching both events that night and I’m really looking forward to both shows.

John Cena made his entrance

[Third Hour] Cena entered the ring for a promo. An Undertaker chant started. Cena said he hated to say it, but he was wrong. “I was wrong because we’re out of time and there’s still no answer,” Cena said. He added that “silence means no, no Undertaker.” Cena said he’s not upset by that news because he did everything he could to get Undertaker to do something.

Cena said he was going to WrestleMania fired up. He said he doesn’t understand how people can’t understand that he’s going as a fan. He said Michael Cole told him that’s stupid and he could enter the battle royal or be Braun Strowman’s partner or get himself added to one of the other matches. Cena said he lost to Roman Reigns, he lost at Survivor Series, he lost the Royal Rumble, he lost the Elimination Chamber, and he lost at Fastlane.

Powell’s POV: Wow, what an f’n loser! Er, um…

Cena said that after all that, he would be taking a spot from a hard working superstar who busted his ass and deserves it. He said he called out Taker as a last chance. He said it’s a match where no one gets held back and it would have been two larger than life superstars duking it out at WrestleMania.

Cena said it’s no secret that he has a lot going on in his life. He said maybe he believes this WrestleMania is the perfect time for a change. The live crowd chanted for Undertaker. “I hope he hears you,” Cena said. “I don’t think he does.”

Cena said he’s going to WrestleMania as a fan and he’s damn proud of it. He spoke about being proud to watch gifted performers like Rollins and Balor to whip up the best WrestleMania ever. He said he’s humble enough to admit that they don’t need him to do it. He said he’s damn proud that Daniel Bryan is back where he belongs. Cena said he’s proud that AJ Styles will finally get the WWE Championship WrestleMania moment that he deserves.

Cena said he’s proud that WrestleMania falls on the same day as Rusev Day. He said he’s proud to see Elias even though he knows what WWE stands for. Cena said the women’s division proves that success is not based on gender. “So ladies and gentlemen, I am going to WrestleMania as a fan and I am damn proud of it,” he said.

Cena said he wanted to apologize about Undertaker. He said he did everything he could in the ring and on social media to summon the Undertaker. He spoke about the recent Raw crowds and included Atlanta. Then he stopped and asked if they really tried. “Eh, it will never work, I don’t think you guys can be loud enough.”

Cena said it sounded like Atlanta was as serious as a Dallas warmup. He told the fans that if they want to summon Undertaker than they needed to give it all they have. The fans responded with loud cheers. Cena pumped them up again by saying that if you want the lightning, you need to be the thunder. Once the fans stopped cheering they chanted Undertaker loudly.

Cena let the chants fade and boos started. “You hear that, Undertaker, that is four weeks straight of an entire audience, people around the world pouring their hearts out for you,” Cena said. “And you don’t have the common decency to do a damn thing.” Cena said Taker could ignore him all he wants, but the second he ignores the people he is a dead man walking.

“Hey, Undertaker, it’s obvious that you left your hat in the ring, but it’s obvious to everybody here that you left your balls at home,” he added. The fans chanted for Cena instead. Cena’s music played and he looked dejected as he left the ring. Cole assumed that was it as Cena left the ring and headed backstage…

Powell’s POV: A very cool segment with Cena doing a great job of working up the live crowd before WWE pulled the rug out one more time. With this being the go-home show, this is the first time it really felt like a now or never moment. Of course, it’s not because there’s still time left in the show, but Cena did a good job of creating that vibe. I wonder how many fans gave up and moved on for the night. I doubt there are many, but I’m sure there are some.

The broadcast team recapped footage from the opening segment. The broadcast team hyped WrestleMania again… [C]

Roman Reigns was shown sitting inside his locker room. Kurt Angle entered the room and said he already had one WrestleMania match that won’t happen (Taker vs. Cena) and asked Reigns not to make it a second one. Angle said he spoke with Heyman, who agreed he wouldn’t do or say anything to incite Reigns. Roman asked if Angle really believed him.

Reigns asked if Lesnar was really there. Angle said he was. Reigns said he wasn’t going anywhere. Reigns said he respects Angle and was willing to hear Heyman out, but he’s tired of the six years of disrespect for him, the others in the locker room, and everyone else who sits in the arena. Reigns said one word of disrespect and he would head out there regardless of the peace treaty. Reigns told Angle to take his peace treaty and bring to the pawnshop where he sold his gold medals…

Elias sat in the ring and strummed his guitar. Elias said he had the greatest performance of a lifetime in store for everyone at WrestleMania. He said he had a song and gave the fans his usual orders. Elias started strumming the guitar, but he was interrupted by Heath Slater’s entrance music…

4. Elias vs. Heath Slater (w/Rhyno). Rhyno wore an “I Walk With Slater” t-shirt. Elias hit Draft Away for the clean win…

Elias defeated Heath Slater in 1:10.

Powell’s POV: So that happened. I got nothing.

Braun Strowman was shown walking backstage when he spotted Curt Hawkins, who was wearing a “Pick Me Braun” shirt. Hawkins pimped the idea of being Strowman’s partner. Strowman asked him what his won/loss record is. Hawkins said that if Strowman picks him it could be his big break. Strowman ran him head-first through a wall and said, “There’s your big break.” Cole assumed that meant no…

The broadcast team hyped some of the WrestleMania Week programming…

Renee Young conducted the sit-down interview with Nia Jax “earlier today.” Jax said you define you. She said she knows who she is and who she is not. She said she’s not a goddess and doesn’t claim to be. “I’m just me,” she said. Young told her the women in the locker room admire her and her accomplishments. Jax said she’s just disappointed that she trusted someone. She said Bliss was her best friend and she actually made her doubt herself.

Jax recalled Bliss labeling her a desperate, needy, gullible loser who can’t face the truth. She said those comments took a toll and shattered a little of her self confidence. She said she looked in the mirror and told herself that she is Nia Jax and she doesn’t take this shit (censored). She said she is strong and confident. She said she’s different and she is big, but she is proud of who she is. She said she won’t feel sorry for who she is and what she’s accomplished. Jax said Bliss said she wouldn’t make it in WWE. She looked into the camera and told Bliss that she’s nothing but an insecure little girl. She said she will squash her like a bug at WrestleMania…

Bliss and James made their entrance for a tag match against Asuka and Dana Brooke… [C]

Powell’s POV: There it was. I wrote last week about how we were missing that Jax promo that fans can relate to and connect with. It wasn’t perfect and I wish she had made an effort to rally the fans somehow, but it did humanize her and made her out to be the better person in the feud.

5. Asuka and Dana Brooke vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Brooke crashed and burned on the lifted knees of James heading into the break. [C] The heel duo isolated Brooke. Asuka eventually checked in and worked over both heels until James cut her off with a kick to the head and got a couple of two counts. Asuka came back and applied the Asuka Lock on James for the win…

Asuka and Dana Brooke beat Alexa Bliss and Mickie James in 10:35.

Afterward, the heels attacked Asuka and then performed a double DDT on Brooke. Nia Jax’s music played and she ran to the ring. Bliss tried to run. Jax grabbed her by the hair. James hit Jax from behind. Bliss escaped and then Jax worked over James and left her lying with a Samoan drop. Jax glared at Bliss, who showed fear while clutching her title on the stage…

Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman were shown walking backstage. Angle asked Heyman to remember what they spoke about earlier. Heyman said he was going to the ring and assured Angle he would speak positively about Reigns… [C]

Powell’s POV: Wow, the third hour still sucks even on the WrestleMania go-home show. Let’s recap the last hour-plus of this show, shall we? Cena failed to get Taker to return, Matt Hardy beat Goldust, Elias beat Heath Slater, and now this women’s tag match. We still have the overrun to go, but no matter what I pray that Fox TV bids big and kills the third hour forever.

[Overrun] Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman made their entrance. Sheamus, Cesaro, Titus O’Neil, Apollo, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Heath Slater, The Revival, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson came out and stood on the stage. Heyman said that Angle proved to be a lousy mentor for Ronda Rousey (remember that?) and now he is overcompensating.

Heyman swore to tell the truth. Heyman recalled telling fans that Lesnar would conquer Undertaker’s undefeated streak the last time WrestleMania was in New Orleans. The fans booed. “You booed it then, you still boo it now, and I told you it wasn’t a prediction, it was a spoiler,” Heyman said. Heyman said Lesnar did just that and they laughed at each and every single one of the fans.

Heyman said everyone acts like it’s Roman’s destiny to beat Brock Lesnar and win the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania. He said you can’t help but be impressed by Reigns. He said you have to respect his bloodline, his string of victories, and his badassery. Heyman said the truth is that Lesnar will F5 Reigns and pin him 1-2-3 on Sunday. “And that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler,” Heyman added. “It’s the truth.”

Heyman said there are acts of God and accidents that happen. He spoke about Lesnar blowing out a knee or breaking his hand on the face of a sparring partner. He said if that happens that it’s the last time fans will see him and Lesnar on Raw. Heyman said he would save his goodbyes for his personal social media. Heyman mentioned Lesnar saying hello to fans from UFC.

Heyman said the image of Lesnar not respecting wrestlers and fans is 100 percent true. Heyman said Roman’s only choice on Sunday night is to accept defeat. Heyman said Roman’s ass is owned by Lesnar. Heyman said Reigns has to go home to his wife, kids, father, cousins, and uncles and say he was conquered by Lesnar. “Because the truth, as I swear and affirm, you ain’t the Big Dog, not against Brock Lesnar.” Heyman concluded by saying the truth is that Reigns is just Lesnar’s bitch.

Roman Reigns made his entrance to massive cheers (late April Fool’s joke). Reigns ran into the wall of wrestlers. Lesnar smiled and waved at him. Reigns asked the wrestlers if they were really going to stand there “and protect that part-time bastard.” Reigns told them to think about it. The wrestlers talked amongst themselves and eventually separated to let Reigns pass.

“Think about it, think about it real hard, boy,” Lesnar said from the ring while Reigns was at ringside. Reigns entered the ring. Lesnar ended up dropping down and rolling to ringside. Lesnar picked up his title belt and smirked at Reigns, which drew boos. Lesnar grabbed a chair and then walked up the steps and entered the ring. Cole excitedly noted that Reigns was not backing down.

“Victimize him,” Heyman said. Reigns ran at Lesnar and hit him with a Superman Punch. Reigns performed the same move two more times. Lesnar got back to his feet and Reigns dropped him with another Superman Punch. Lesnar struggled to get back to his feet and then Reigns put him down with another Superman Punch.

Reigns picked up the WWE Universal Championship belt and received a mixed reaction. Roman held the title belt in the air while Cole questioned whether it will be Reigns or Lesnar as Roman looked at the WrestleMania sign. Lesnar stood up and gave Reigns and F5 on the title belt. “One moment, and just like that The Beast struck,” Cole said. Lesnar went to ringside while Graves said Lesnar survived five Superman Punches and still delivered the F5. Lesnar’s music played as he and Heyman walked up the ramp together while Reigns sold pain in the ring. Cole hyped WrestleMania on WWE Network…

Powell’s POV: I am legitimately shocked that Raw went off the air without something involving Undertaker. They spent weeks teasing it and then had Cena deliver a strong promo to work up the crowd and then the show ended without any sign of Taker. Yes, they can still deliver him on Smackdown tomorrow night if they want to, but it’s stunning to me that the story of the go-home edition of Raw is that Undertaker did not appear. It’s not that the final angle between Lesnar and Reigns was bad or that they didn’t deliver good hype for several of the WrestleMania matches, but it’s bizarre that there’s a dark cloud hanging over the final Raw before WrestleMania. I will have more to say in my members’ exclusive audio review later tonight.

Check out the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast With Jason Powell below. My first guest on the new weekly series is former WWE creative team member and current NWA producer Dave Lagana. If you enjoy the show, subscribe in iTunes and all of the major secondary apps. Look for the second edition later this week.