Official Raw Thread 3/6/2017: New Universal Champion .....

[Will]

Monday Night Raw


Goldberg raises the stakes for anticipated WrestleMania clash with Brock Lesnar

Goldberg clearly didn’t need any help defeating Universal Champion Kevin Owens last night at WWE Fastlane, but he nevertheless received an assist from The Prizefighter’s jilted best friend, Chris Jericho, who distracted Owens and left the champion vulnerable to a swift Spear and Jackhammer that signaled the end of his title reign.

In that instant, Goldberg made his anticipated rematch with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania a Universal Championship Match, bolstering The Beast Incarnate’s desire to defeat the iconic Superstar on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

A hotly anticipated rematch just got even better. We’ll hear from the new Universal Champion tonight.


Seth Rollins grants an exclusive look at his rehabilitation

During a tense confrontation with Triple H on Raw this past Monday night, Seth Rollins affirmed that he will be at WrestleMania. However, it remains unclear as to whether the injured Architect is ready to get back into the ring.

Rollins is clearly still suffering from the injury to his right knee, sustained when Samoa Joe ambushed the former WWE Champion — an assault masterminded by The Cerebral Assassin himself. Eager for retribution against both The Game and The Destroyer, Rollins is working harder than ever to get back into fighting shape.

We’ll get an in-depth, exclusive look at Rollins’ rehabilitation tonight on Raw, giving new insight into what lies ahead for “The Man” at The Showcase of the Immortals.

Rich Swann challenges The King of the Cruiserweights


Immediately following Neville’s WWE Cruiserweight Championship defense against Gentleman Jack Gallagher at WWE Fastlane, Rich Swann congratulated The King of the Cruiserweights for his victory — a gesture that wasn’t exactly appreciated by the conquering monarch. Even less appreciated? Swann’s revelation that he will be challenging Neville for the WWE Cruiserweight Title on Raw, live in Chicago.

Eager to regain the crown jewel of the Cruiserweight division since falling to Neville at Royal Rumble, Swann will bring the fight to the so-called king like never before. Can Neville handle Swann tonight?



Roman Reigns: Monster hunter

Even though he’s been utterly victimized by Braun Strowman in recent weeks, Roman Reigns soundly defeated The Monster Among Men last night at WWE Fastlane, becoming the first Superstar to conquer the behemoth via pinfall.

Strowman is no doubt fuming following this defeat, and will be on the warpath tonight on Raw in The Windy City. Will Reigns cross paths with this rampaging goliath?


Controversy continues to swirl around Raw Women's Champion Bayley

Raw Women’s Champion Bayley might have snapped Charlotte Flair’s pay-per-view undefeated streak at WWE Fastlane, but she didn’t necessarily do it alone. As was the case on Feb. 13, when The Huggable One pinned The Queen to begin her title reign, The Boss ultimately helped tip the scales in the lovable Superstar’s favor.

In light of the circumstances of that victory, Bayley’s Road to WrestleMania might be bumpier than anticipated. Expect tensions to rise in the Team Red Women’s division tonight.

[bigshab421]

No doubt will be a boring Raw. The crowd will most likely be raucous after last night.

[TheHitmanKid]

I did enjoy Romans match. So I'm excited to see what he will create with the Undertaker.

Nia Jax....her match yesterday against Sasha was so boring because of her. She tried to be this dangerous strong character but man it didn't not come off that way yesterday.
They tried... Now let's bring Kharma back

[ARUN]

I hope Balor comes back tonight.

[J12]

It's like CM Punk was a fortune teller or something.

[bigshab421]

Mar 6, 2017 10:42:59 GMT -5 J12 said:

It's like CM Punk was a fortune teller or something.

I would love to hear his thoughts on the garbage that is going on now with Goldberg, Brock, Shane, Taker, etc...

[ClashOfStyles]

Mar 6, 2017 10:42:59 GMT -5 J12 said:

It's like CM Punk was a fortune teller or something.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Explain?

[J12]

Mar 6, 2017 11:09:47 GMT -5 ClashOfStyles said:

Mar 6, 2017 10:42:59 GMT -5 J12 said:

It's like CM Punk was a fortune teller or something.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Explain?

One of Punk's biggest grievances was Vince McMahon's tendency to fall back on Attitude Era stars, to a fault - usually at the ultimate expense of the guys that they need the other hundreds of nights a year. Last night was probably one of the biggest examples of that booking strategy to date. He predicted that it would be a huge detriment to the business over time, and he's been correct - mostly in the form of ratings.

At some point, the well is going to run dry of these legacy acts, and when it does, they're going to have to book their big shows using only the talent on their roster - a roster greatly damaged by being positioned as inferior to said legacy acts.

[ClashOfStyles]

Mar 6, 2017 11:43:16 GMT -5 J12 said:

Mar 6, 2017 11:09:47 GMT -5 ClashOfStyles said:

I'm not sure what you mean here. Explain?

One of Punk's biggest grievances was Vince McMahon's tendency to fall back on Attitude Era stars, to a fault - usually at the ultimate expense of the guys that they need the other hundreds of nights a year. Last night was probably one of the biggest examples of that booking strategy to date. He predicted that it would be a huge detriment to the business over time, and he's been correct - mostly in the form of ratings.

At some point, the well is going to run dry of these legacy acts, and when it does, they're going to have to book their big shows using only the talent on their roster - a roster greatly damaged by being positioned as inferior to said legacy acts.

Thanks for clearing that up. I totally agree with Punk there 100%. Vince refuses to believe in the talent and value of his current roster. He used Lesnar, Goldberg, and Taker to sell the Royal Rumble PPV, only for them to be in it for less than 15 minutes combined. Whether he likes it or not, Owens, Zayn, Rollins, Ambrose, Wyatt, Strowman, Rusev, and Cesaro are all the future of WWE. Not Brock Lesnar, not The Undertaker, and CERTAINLY not Goldberg, who is somehow holding RAW's top championship heading into the biggest show of the year. It was different with HHH last year, who was a part time guy holding the title to drop it to a full time guy a couple months later, but Goldberg is a part timer holding the belt just to drop it to another part timer, Brock Lesnar, at WrestleMania. Let's be honest here, Brock isn't losing the championship until at least SummerSlam. Over reliance on part timers is killing WWE, and it's starting to show.

[bigshab421]

How crazy would it be if Owens gets his rematch tonight, but Lesnar distracts Goldberg and KO picks up the W.

I know it won't happen but that would add a ton of heat to the Lesnar/Goldberg feud. Which quite frankly, does not need the title.

[Will]

Mar 6, 2017 12:22:32 GMT -5 ClashOfStyles said:

Mar 6, 2017 11:43:16 GMT -5 J12 said:

One of Punk's biggest grievances was Vince McMahon's tendency to fall back on Attitude Era stars, to a fault - usually at the ultimate expense of the guys that they need the other hundreds of nights a year. Last night was probably one of the biggest examples of that booking strategy to date. He predicted that it would be a huge detriment to the business over time, and he's been correct - mostly in the form of ratings.

At some point, the well is going to run dry of these legacy acts, and when it does, they're going to have to book their big shows using only the talent on their roster - a roster greatly damaged by being positioned as inferior to said legacy acts.

Thanks for clearing that up. I totally agree with Punk there 100%. Vince refuses to believe in the talent and value of his current roster. He used Lesnar, Goldberg, and Taker to sell the Royal Rumble PPV, only for them to be in it for less than 15 minutes combined. Whether he likes it or not, Owens, Zayn, Rollins, Ambrose, Wyatt, Strowman, Rusev, and Cesaro are all the future of WWE. Not Brock Lesnar, not The Undertaker, and CERTAINLY not Goldberg, who is somehow holding RAW's top championship heading into the biggest show of the year. It was different with HHH last year, who was a part time guy holding the title to drop it to a full time guy a couple months later, but Goldberg is a part timer holding the belt just to drop it to another part timer, Brock Lesnar, at WrestleMania. Let's be honest here, Brock isn't losing the championship until at least SummerSlam. Over reliance on part timers is killing WWE, and it's starting to show.

I've said this on the fastlane thread but I'm going to say it again. They are ruining our main events like SummerSlam survivor series etc.. I get that they are considered draws but come on WW you have to start building up and preparing new main event calibre stars. When did this trend start? 2011 or close to that and it was fun and entertaining at the beginning with Kevin Nash and Sting for example but now it has become a drag.

[Rob]

Yeah, No. WWE can go themselves. Enjoy your -1 rating WWE!

[Escape The Rules]

Looking forward to seeing the new Universal Champion tonight, fight me!

[The American Daydream]

I'll laugh if Goldberg gets "You Deserve It" chants.

Whatever bookers who decided to give a former average football player a 100+ undefeated streak made Goldberg and I blame them and that darn WCW.

*shakes fist*

Regardless, KO is still hands down the star of the show and will be the light in what is sure to be a very dark RAW but can we all stop and agree that Cesaro had the most boring match of the night? I'm starting to think he has a few small injuries that are bothering him or he's just fed up with management or something because lately (aside Cesaro/Joe) I can't even watch him wrestle, he's just missing the quick pace, fan engagement and excitement he normally has. Could have been him working with Jinder Mahal, but he's been looking pretty off lately.

[Dan]

It's going to be interesting to see what route they go with the Goldberg vs Lesnar build over the next few weeks. They still can't really have them engage physically with one another, it needs to be kept for the big Show, and we've already endured the promos. I expect Undertaker to be staring down Reigns to close the show though.

[Deleted]

Alright It's time for the Weekly Predictions and here we go
-Kevin Owens opens the show to complain about Jericho and Goldberg Bonus: Jericho runs out and either does a promo or fights Owens
-Goldberg and Heyman promo, Then Brock comes down for a Stare Down Bonus: Lesnar F5s Goldberg.
-Big Show vs Mid Card Jobber Bonus: Handicap Match
-Random Cruiserweight Match
-Stephanie Castrates someone
-Sasha Turns Heel
-#1 Contender Tag Title Match
-Neville Retains against Swann
and Finally
-I Fall Asleep halfway through the show.

Bonus:
New Day Promo shilling the PPV and Ice Cream
Hard Body Mahal and Rusev have a match

[Triple S]

I'll DVR it and skim through it tomorrow. Going to watch ROH "The Era of Honor Begins" tonight instead. Screw Goldberg and this Mania build-up.

[Wrestlaholic]

I can't see where they're going to go with Lesnar/Goldberg, the feud is boring me now. The title in Goldbergs arms doesn't make that match interesting, as someone suggested above, Goldberg really would be better losing the title. I don't know who will win at Wrestlemania, my guess would be Lesnar given he hasn't beaten Goldberg, but given Goldberg has been built to be this dominator and Lesnar has been made to look so weak their entire feud, for Lesnar to walk out with the title (which to me is bizarre and knowing he won't be sticking round each week after Wrestlemania) it all seems pointless. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise us...

[Chip]

Wrestlemania isn't for wrestling fans anymore. It's for Vince to go full-blown pop culture and get the BRAND out there across the world as much as possible. It's not this big build for the active roster anymore. It's just a big event that half the audience is made of people who ONLY watch Wrestlemania because reasons.

I have a strong feeling RAW is going to blow ass tonight

[McBlake]

Mar 6, 2017 12:34:20 GMT -5 bigshab421 said:

How crazy would it be if Owens gets his rematch tonight, but Lesnar distracts Goldberg and KO picks up the W.

I know it won't happen but that would add a ton of heat to the Lesnar/Goldberg feud. Which quite frankly, does not need the title.

So Lesnar to screw himself out of the title picture going into Mania? WWE have done some brain dead things lately but that would just be bizarre.