by With just weeks to go until WrestleMania, WWE continued to expand the map on Monday night’s Raw. That meant changes to matches, teasing for new pairings, and the continuation of multiple storylines.
In the main event, Kevin Owens took on The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa in a street fight. Owens again refused help from anyone in the dressing room and again paid the price by being left humiliated by Sikoa and the Usos.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
Kevin Owens falls victim to The Bloodline again
Solo Sikoa defeated. Kevin Owens via pinfall in a street fight. Earlier in the night, Owens made it clear he didn’t want any help from Cody Rhodes or Sami Zayn when he faced Sikoa in the main event. The match featured some big moments, including Sikoa ramming Owens from the top rope onto a bridge of six chairs. Owens charged back and chased Sikoa backstage, where he was quickly hit by stereo superkicks from The Usos. The Bloodline then dragged Owens back to the ring, allowing Sikoa to hit a Samoan spike and score the pinfall while Owens lay in the ring while they celebrated.
This was a show that wasn’t dominated by a single storyline, but cast a wide net to build multiple stories ahead of WrestleMania. The main event was mainly symbolic for Owens. Yes, he has the ability to hold his own against everyone on the list, but his unwillingness to accept help – whether from Rhodes or his best friend-turned-enemy Sami Zayn – will be his undoing if he keeps trying to take him out The bloodline. Owens was left in what appeared to be his own vomit in a puddle after the match, overpowered by Sikoa and the Usos. With just weeks to go before WrestleMania, he will have to accept help or continue to end up on the losing side of the equation. Grade B
What else happened at WWE Raw?
- Edge opened the show by accepting Finn Balor’s challenge for a match at WrestleMania. He then upped the ante by saying the match would be at Hell in a Cell. Balor accepted before sending The Judgment Day into the ring to attack.
- Judgment Day def. Dexter Lumis & Johnny Gargano via Pinfall when Damian Priest beat Lumis with South of Heaven. Lumis and Gargano saved Edge from Judgment Day’s attack before the match.
- Brock Lesnar and Omos faced each other. Lesnar stared at Omos, measuring him before Omos put a fist in Lesnar’s face and finally shook his hand. Omos refused to let go, leading to a brief scuffle in which Omos threw Lesnar out of the ring. Lesnar landed on his feet but walked away.
- Defeated Cody Rhodes. LA Knight via pinfall to Cross Rhodes. After the match, Rhodes clipped another impassioned promo about his upcoming WrestleMania match with Roman Reigns. Later in the show, Paul Heyman said that since Reigns will be on Raw, Rhodes will be forced to acknowledge Reigns next week.
- Defeated Bronson Reed. Elias via pinfall with a tsunami.
- Austin theory def. Angelo Dawkins via Pinfall with A-Town Down. After the match, Theory locked Dawkins in the STF until Montez Ford ran to the save.
- Rey Mysterio refused to accept a challenge from Dominik Mysterio for a WrestleMania match. Dominik accused Rey of never having been there when he was a kid and accused his father of running away again, saying the only thing Rey ever taught him was not to be a man.
- Seth Rollins defeated. Baron Corbin on Pinfall with a stomp. The match came about after Miz interrupted a backstage interview with Rollins and Corbin showed up to ask both sides to enter WrestleMania. Miz offered to “put in a good word” for Corbin if he beat Rollins. The last stomp from Rollins came as he jumped off Miz’s back.
- Defeated Bianca Belair. Chelsea Green via pinfall with CODE. After the match, Asuka saved Belair from an attack by Green and Carmella. Asuka ten danced with Belair’s title belt before showing the champion a sip of blue mist.
