WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 03.02.26

Good evening and welcome to another WWE Raw review. With Elimination Chamber behind us, we’re continuing our road to WrestleMania. Will tonight be the night that things finally start to get exciting? Our Tribal Chief is here, Danhausen is here, and Seth Rollins is back.

The last week in WWE: Raw / NXT / Evolve / Impact / SmackDown / Elimination Chamber / Lucha Libre AAA

The last week in the SmackDown Rewind: SmackDown 11.18.99 / Survivor Series ’99

Then, Now, Forever, Together.

Here’s a video package on Elimination Chamber, the celebrities that attended it, the matches that happened at it, people reacting to it, headlines from WWE’s favorite media sites about it, and a very nice, very evil crate.

This is Indianapolis, Indiana and the Gatebridge Fieldhouse, host of WWE Raw live on Netflix and presented by DoorDash. Arrivals! WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee arrive with their gold. The Judgment Day are all smiles. Gunther exits his bus. Plus, Roman Reigns will be live tonight.

The Vision (Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman) – or what’s left of them – have appeared at ringside. Paul threatens to “whip this out” and wants to talk about Seth Rollins. The fans sing Seth’s song to annoy Heyman. Seth has stolen WrestleMania from Logan Paul, says Heyman, and they’re going to stomp Seth’s ass next time he appears in a WWE ring. Austin Theory says some things and then Logan says the show is on hold until Seth appears.

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce does his customary interruption and tells them to move it along. Agreed. Heyman tosses a mic at Pearce and Pearce thinks Rollins should be left to him because he isn’t medically cleared to compete. A Masked Man appears and security chances him. As all this happens, Another Masked Man appears and Logan Paul chases him. A Third Masked Man is chased off by Theory. That leaves Paul Heyman alone, looking worried. Masked Man #4 walks the aisle. As Heyman pleads with him, Fifth Masked Man appears behind him, unmasks to be Seth Rollins, and smacks Heyman across the back with a chair. More masked men than the Americano family. As the fans sing, Seth hits Heyman with the Stomp. Seth leaves through the crowd and medics run out to check on Heyman. This was good. I’m so tired of The Vision and now “Adam Pearce stops the Vision segment,” but I liked the execution here.

We see a replay of what happened. Backstage, security loads a bloodied Heyman into an ambulance. Logan and Theory run up to check on him. Logan goes to get the car. A car pulls up and Big Jim Uso smacks Austin Theory around. The ambulance driver turns out to be L.A. Knight, giving us a “yeah” and speeding off with the ambulance. These wacky wrestlers. This was a very Attitude Era segment which… I liked it.

Gunther vs Dragon Lee

I’m glad there was a second ambulance, because I don’t like Dragon Lee’s chances. Lee attacks during Gunther’s entrance which also doesn’t seem smart. Lee is backdropped into the timekeeper’s area as we head to break.

Back from break, the match is underway and Gunther is yanking at Lee’s mask. We look at the welts on Lee’s back as Gunther rips again at his mask. Gunther kicks away at Lee and taunts him a bit. Lee counters Gunther into a pin attempt and is chopped right on back down. Gunther tries for the apron sleeper, Lee ducks a knee and dropkicks Gunther down to one knee and then outside before leaping onto him with a suicide dive. Unfortunately for Lee, Gunther catches him, drops him on the apron and chops him into a commercial break.

We return to our third segment for some reason of this match, Gunther trying to powerbomb and Lee springing out. Lee batters Gunther with a basement dropkick and then runs into a slam, Gunther getting a two count. Gunther power bombs Gunther twice and pulls him up before the three, smiling. The Ring General rolls Lee outside and power bombs him onto the apron and then onto but not through the announce table. Chad Patton begins counting and Gunther stops it at seven to try for another power bomb, Lee reversing with a sunset flip. The referee counts again and they both beat the count. Lee leaps outside with another suicide dive, knocking Gunther onto the table. The fans chant that it is awesome as Dragon hits Operation Dragon on the outside and rolls back in. Lee tries for another Operation Dragon but Gunther hits the sleeper, ripping off Dragon’s mask and Dragon tapping in panic.

Gunther defeats Dragon Lee by submission. Well, this was very long. I liked the end game and appreciate Dragon fighting for AJ Styles’ honor, but I’m not sure we ever needed to stretch Gunther vs Dragon Lee over three segments.

Kairi Sane is being yelled at by Asuka backstage. Kairi remembers Asuka saying that she did good last week, Asuka smacks Kairi around and leaves. Up walks WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee, telling Kairi to blink twice if she needs help. Asuka yells KAIIIRIIII. AJ will join us next.

Here’s a look at Undertaker telling Demolition that they’re being entered into the 2026 Hall of Fame.

“Light It Up” brings out WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee, skipping with her new belt. “I’m not entirely sure how we got here.” She didn’t know if she could still go – the fans chant “you’ve still got it” – but the fans knew she could still go and believed in her. “You remembered me when some people wished you’d forget.” Becky is the best of the best and she beat her, and now that Becky is behind her she has WrestleMania ahead of her. She’s not waiting until then though, she’s going to be a fighting champion. She wonders who might think they are championship material and asks the women to come at her, saying she’ll be defending the belt next time we see her.” Nobody comes out, but this feels like something that is going to involve Nattie.

Earlier today: Penta walks upon Original El Grande Americano. Americano tells Penta that he’s first in line when Penta wins the Intercontinental Title. As Penta leaves, El Grande Americano and Los Americanos ask when Original Americano is ending his charade. El Grande Americano says we’ll see who the real Americano at AAA Rey de Reyes is, but Original Americano says, “I’ll see uno of you TONIGHT.”

Via video package, Liv Morgan talks through to camera to Stephanie Vaquer. Stephanie tried to embarrass and belittle her, but Stephanie doesn’t know her struggles. She knows she is privileged and it happened because she is a star. Alright.

Original El Grande Americano vs Rayo Americano (with El Grande Americano and Bravo Americano)

I’m afraid my brain is going to break the 38th time I type “Americano” for this. El Grande Americano has changed to an a black and gold outfit while Original is in the classic red, white and blue. Rayo shoves Original as Corey Graves describes the Rey de Reyes event. As Bravo distracts Original with dancing, Rayo knocks Original down and drops knees on his wrist. Original hits a cannonball on the outside and dances towards Bravo. The Grande Americanos argue on the outside and Rayo leaps right onto Original’s head, then tossing him into the ring post and sending us to a break.

Rayo and Original are trading blows as Cole tells us the other Americanos have been causing trouble the entire break. Original hits a few nice belly-to-belly suplexes and tries for a moonsault, Rayo trying to boot him but being caught in an ankle lock. Rayo rolls out hits a Meteora, trying to tape Original up top but being suplexed off. Original tries to unmask Rayo and then Bravo, El Grande Americano headbutting Original in all the chaos while the referee is distracted. Rayo flies with a headbutt but only gets a two as Original Americano has a lot of reserve strength. Original rolls Rayo into a suplex and a pin to get the win.

Original El Grande Americano pins Rayo Americano. The Americano stuff is a hit hotter with a more involved crowd on Lucha Libre AAA, but this was mostly fine.

Judgment Day clubhouse. Raquel Rodriguez is tossing some darts and Liv suggests challenging AJ Lee. Finn Balor tells JD McDonough and Dominik Mysterio that he isn’t happy with the Chamber results but he’s accepting of it. JD says they’ll be there to celebrate with Dom tonight while Finn is a little more hesitant.

Royce Keys has possibly been locked in the podcast room with Stephaie McMahon for two weeks.

And now, the WWE Highlight of the Night presented by Planet Fitness. Oba Femi destroys Miz on SmackDown.

Rusev interrupts the segment to hop on the announce table and yell. He’s tired of listening about Oba (the fans chant for “Oba”) and he challenges him right now and he’s not getting off the table until Oba shows. Oba Femi does indeed strut his way out. “You spent all this time talking, why don’t you come in here and make something happen?” Rusev obliges and stands face-to-face with Oba, throwing the first punch. They trade haymakers and Oba splashes Rusev. Oba rocks Rusev with kicks but walks right into a slam. Oba clotheslines Rusev outside and we’re stopping there since Oba’s music plays. I’m down to watch a full match.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria are talking backstage, Bayley questioning their place in WrestleMania season. Lyra says Bayley isn’t missing Mania again and suggests Bayley going for AJ Lee’s title. Bayley remembers costing Lyra a title match against Becky and thinks maybe they should both go talk to Pearce. Iyo Sky walks out of Pearce’s office and gives them both a look.

Celebrities! The Club 520 Podcast crew are ringside. Tyrique Tucker of the Indiana Hoosiers is ringside. The stars love Raw!

WWE World Tag Team Champion Big Jim Uso vs Austin Theory

I swear I missed a plot point in a U.S. ad break because I could have sworn L.A. Knight kidnapped Paul Heyman in an ambulance and Theory has decided to stay behind for a match an hour later instead of following his original plan of going to the hospital. Theory hits Uso with a discus punch and works over Jimothy for a bit. Jim leaps onto Theory and tosses him into the announce table as Cole mentions Theory could step into a leadership position in The Vision. Well yes, when the group drops to two wrestlers, the odds go up. Big Jim heads up top and Logan Paul, also not caring about Paul Heyman, is here and the referee throws things out. WWE World Tag Team Champion Main Event Jey Uso’s music hits and he comes in with crutches, hanging one to his brother and they attack. I fear we’ve figured out what we’re doing with these four men for Mania.

Big Jim Uso defeats Austin Theory by disqualification. At least it was quick. You’ve gotta get these men to Mania and together is one way to do it.

Adam Pearce is interrupted by Danhausen, who sees through the glasses and thinks he is Steve Austin. Danhausen has a list of demands including a Triple H pointing photo, a blimp, a Hall of Fame entry this year and a personal camera boy along with his face on the trucks. Judgment Day walk up on this all and Danhausen curses Dom who laughs it off. More of this. Danhausen is going to work fine if you get him show his personality and humor.

Jackie Redmond introduces Rhea Ripley in the arena, who enters with Iyo Sky. Rhea says Iyo has been her opponent, partner and most importantly love best friend. She holds her face and thanks her. Iyo congratulates Rhea on winning the Chamber and says she will hold down Raw and Rhea needs to go to SmackDown and win the Women’s Championship. You know who is happy Iyo is staying behind on Raw? Cathy Kelley. Rhea looks into the camera and says she’ll see Jade Cargill on SmackDown and at WrestleMania she’ll be leaving as the new Women’s Champion.

Next week, Seattle. We’ll have a gauntlet match to determine the #1 contender to the Women’s Intercontinental Title with Iyo, Bayley, Lyra, Raquel, Asuka and Ivy. Oba and Rusev battle as well.

WWE Intercontinental Title: WWE Intercontinental Champion & AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio (with Finn Balor and JD McDonough) vs Penta

The great Alicia Taylor gives us the championship introductions. I imagine the cursehausen does not help Dom. We have seen this singles match five times in 2025-26 on Raw with Dom being 5-0. Dom takes the early lead on Penta. Penta slingblades Dom and levels him with a kick to the back of the head. Penta boots Dom in the face and goes up top for a rana, Dom fighting out and DDTing Penta onto the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring) before covering for a two count. Dom blasts Penta into the timekeeper’s area and we head to break.

Penta crossbodies onto Dom when we return, stringing together kicks and the corner stomp on him for a near fall. Penta nails a backstabber for another pin attempt. Penta calls for the Destroyer, Dom turns it into a Driver for a two. Dom sets up and hits the 619 and goes up for the frog splash, leaping into Penta’s arms for the Sacrifice. Penta hits the Penta Driver and Dom JUST kicks out.

Penta goes shoulder-first into the post and Dom calls for the bell hammer, JD going for it and Finn telling JD that Dom said he can do it by himself. Penta leaps onto JD and Finn and heads back in with a kick to Dom. Dom misses a second 619 and Penta hits the Destroyer, getting the pin and the title.

Penta pins Dominik Mysterio to become new WWE Intercontinental Title. Good for Penta. He’s been over since day one and it’s good to see him finally get the belt. Another good match between two guys who have great chemistry together. Also, Danhausen is 1-0 with curses thus far.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves greet us from ringside and run down the Rhodes-McIntyre situation.

OTC1 Roman Reigns joins us in-arena to end our night, getting the large pop and fingers in the air. After a round of “OTC” chants, Roman asks for acknowledgement. This immediately brings out WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk with his own acknowledgement. We talk about Roman’s “tweet” and Punk says he doesn’t hold grudges about what people say about him. Punk tells Roman that his bags under his eyes are going to help carrying Roman’s bullshit to Mania for seven weeks. Punk remembers the Shield debuting in Indianapolis. Roman says Punk brought the other two but not him.

Punk thinks he’s already won at Mania because Roman hates him. “I got you right where I want you, I made you this emotional lady. I’m in your head.” Roman: “I do hate you but this is what you’re missing, Phil. If you didn’t have that title, I’d be indifferent to you. You wouldn’t exist. You wouldn’t even be on my radar. Phil, let’s remind you real quick we brought you back here to entertain the 30–40-year-old virgins that live with their mom and dad.” Roman thinks Punk being champion is too much responsibility for him. “We can’t trust you, Phil. You’re a liar. You got them thinking you’re having a good time here, you’re a locker room veteran and leader.” Roman says he’s going to send Punk down to NXT to train the next generation and then he’ll smash them when they come back up.

Punk has some arguments. Roman is alone on his bus, there’s no more Shield, no Wiseman. “I’m in the locker room hanging out with your cousins.” “You’re gonna retire me? Brother, you just made the list. You went from getting beat at WrestleMania to now I’m going to bury you. Then you won’t be all alone anymore, because I’m going to bury you next to your father.” Punk drops the mic and leaves. Credits roll.

So, uh is Paul Heyman alive or did L.A. Knight just kidnap him and ride off into the sunset in the ambulance with him? Why does nobody from Pearce to the announcers to even the Vision care about their kidnapped bloodied Wiseman?

The Punk/Reigns segment was good. Not as good as the last one, but it was good. We ended with Roman shit talking and Punk taking the talk right to hell, which is a good layer. I think the main review of this show is that it was good but – get ready to be shocked – too long. Some of these matches didn’t need to go as many segments as they did. At the same time, we couldn’t find a single moment to make room for a women’s match in our 2.5 hour program. That said, Dom/Penta was good as always and Americano/Americano was fine. I’d say seek out those and the main event promo on YouTube if you’re skipping the entire show.