WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 03.16.26

Oh hell yeah, it’s 316 Day and time for another Monday Night Raw on the Road to WrestleMania. Big thanks to Garth for doing a great job filling in for me last week. Might I recommend checking out his reviews of JCW Lunacy?

The last week in WWE: Raw / NXT / Evolve / Impact / SmackDown / AAA Rey de Reyas Part 1

Then, Now, Forever, TOGETHER.

This is San Antonio, Texas, and the Frost Bank Center for Monday Night Raw. We’re live on Netflix and presented by DoorDash. Michael Cole and Corey Graves greet us from ringside with a sold-out crowd.

Arrivals! WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee! Maxxine Dupri with Akira Tozawa and Otis! Judgment Day with a birthday cake for JD McDonough! WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer!

The Masked Man Dance Troupe comes out and does their little routine, Seth Rollins taking center ring. He has a new graphic with a bad AI masked man on it. It reminds me of a render WWE 2K26 would use instead of just using a photo render. Seth says that he created The Vision and he will be the one to kill it. Seth, the injury bug is doing it for you. If you stand yourself next to Paul Heyman, consider yourself “marked for death.” We hear boos and turn our camera to the stage, seeing Paul Heyman with a busted-up eye and an unshaven face. Lucky us, we almost went weeks without Paul. We can’t miss you if you won’t go away. Seth taunts Paul who walks slowly to the ring but not as slowly as Iron Sheik in the Gimmick Battle Royal. Seth promises to pay Heyman back for his betrayal ever day until he leaves the business.

Paul retorts and tries to continue to get FAFO over as a thing, turning it into FA-F5 and introducing Cowboy Brock Lesnar. The Masked Men get in the ring with Seth and Brock takes 500 years to get to the ring before tossing around various masked men and scaring off others. The three remaining masked men attack Brock and he tosses them off, leaving just Seth. “Holy shit,” chant the fans as the lights go out.

Oba Femi’s music hits. Okay, now I’m interested. Oba gets the customary chanting as he cool struts down the ring towards Brock, Seth smiling in the corner. Oba is an extremely over gentleman as the fans chant for him and he stares down Brock. Brock tries to attack and Oba easily lifts him up and powerbombs him with the Fall to Grace. He puts one boot on Brock’s chest and Points To Sign. The Seth stuff was dumb, but everything Oba was exceptionally cool. At this point, let him destroy Brock at Mania while the fans chant for him and strap a rocket to his ass.

Here’s a look at the ending of last week’s Raw with CM Punk and The Usos. They do some weird color grading for the segment. Tonight, Roman Reigns will address CM Punk’s comments.

Here’s a look at the Americanos at AAA Rey de Reyes Part One, a fun show with a great review on this site by Niz.

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

For the purposes of calling this one, we’re going with “Grande Original’ and “Grande Nuevo.” Original hits a Liger kick and a back bodydrop to start hot. Nuevo dropkicks Original into the announce table and brings him back in with a hard slam into the ring post. Nuevo leaps in and is caught in a Northern Lights pin attempt by Original. The Grande Americanos trade chops before Nuevo is suplexed over the top onto Rayo and Bravo and we take a commercial break so that Penta and Stephanie Vaquer can sing about their taxes.

Nuevo is chopping away at Original as we return. The fans sing “Ole, Ole” for at least one of the Americanos. Original suplexes Nuevo twice in a row, ducks and elbow and tosses him. Original leaps on Rayo and kicks Bravo before catching Nuevo with another suplex for a two count. Nuevo lifts Original onto the top rope and rolls through for a two and gives us Shocked Look. Nuevo is suplexed into the corner and Original moonsaults over him and catches his ankle for an ankle lock. Nuevo breaks with a rope grab. Original suplexes Nuevo into a pin that the referee misses due to Rayo distraction. As Original battles Rayo, Bravo rolls in and puts the steel plate in Nuevo’s mask. Original heads up top and leaps with a headbutt, right into the metal plate and knocking himself out. Nuevo covers for the pin.

El Grande Americano pins Original El Grande Americano. This was good in spots but really, let’s wrap all this up.

A car pulls up and out walks OTC1 Roman Reigns, checking his phone and coming across WWE World Tag Team Champions The Usos. He tells them he knows it felt good and that they did the right thing. He grabs the camera and tells all of the Bloodline that they should be upset about what Punk said. He tells them they can have Punk any time except for WrestleMania weekend.

Here’s a look at sports teams saluting Stone Cold on social media. You can celebrate with 31.6% off WrestleMania tickets AND on WWE Shop. Buy your Danhausen shirts!

And now, the WWE Highlight of the Night presented by Intuit TurboTax: Judgment Day beats up Finn Balor last week on Raw.

In a vignette, Liv Morgan tears a Finn Balor t-shirt. “This has been my plan since the day I joined Judgment Day.” She’s enjoyed watching him fall from grace, he’s soft, he’s washed up and it made her sick calling him her family. “Without Finn, we are better than ever. Watch us.”

We take a look back at Rey de Reyes and Dom’s battle with Vikingo.

The Usos and Roman are in their locker room. Jimmy says Punk has nothing on Roman. Roman says he paid his dues and his children get time with him and he doesn’t care if people call him a part-timer because he is a full-time father. How are we supposed to hate this man? Jey says Punk still owes them an apology. Roman doesn’t need an apology, but the Usos do and he’s going to go get it for the family. “What’s the worst that will happen, CM Punk beats me up?”

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee vs Bayley

The feminine screams are still very, very loud for AJ, probably only defeated by the Rhea screams. Bayley won this title shot by winning last week’s gauntlet match. The great Alicia Taylor gives us the championship introductions. This match last happened in 2013 on NXT. This is AJ’s first Raw match since her unplanned retirement match in 2015 teaming with Paige and Naomi against Natalya and the Bella Twins. Somehow here we are in 2015, and five of the six are still around and the sixth has returned from her own career-ending injury.

Bayley can’t help but smile as they lock up for the first time. AJ leaps from the top onto AJ with a crossbody and dropkicks her to the outside. Bayley takes a moment to yell at Michael Cole as is tradition before running back in and locking up with AJ and Netflix sending us to a break. After that break, AJ counters a Bayley-to-Belly with a bulldog. AJ is a house of fire with clotheslines and elbows. Bayley grabs a half crab on AJ before being booted out. Bayley tries for a Rose Plant and AJ rolls it into a pin attempt. Bayley successfully lands a Bayley-to-Belly for a two. Bayley Points To Sign and slaps AJ who slaps back, trading blows on their knees. AJ hits a Shining Wizard. Bayley tries for the elbow and AJ rolls and hooks the Black Widow, Bayley trying to hang on but tapping.

AJ Lee defeats Bayley by submission to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title. This started a bit slow (a lot slow) but got rolling towards the end and it’s cool to see AJ in a Raw match for the first time in a decade. AJ didn’t look bad here, especially when things got warmed up, and I’m sure Bayley absolutely loved it.

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is arguing with JD McDonough when WWE Intercontinental Champion Penta struts up. He’ll defend his Intercontinental Title next.

We return from break to find Becky Lynch attacking AJ Lee, tossing her into the entrance tron. Becky has snapped, yells Cole. Becky tosses AJ from barricade to barricade, busting AJ’s elbow open and yelling at girls at ringside. The ref squad pulls Becky away, but she grabs the Intercontinental Championship and smacks AJ on the forehead with it. Where is Adam Pearce? What a slacker. AJ-Becky was 100% the Mania plan months ago, so now we’re right on the way to that.

Here’s a look at SmackDown and Randy Orton attacking Cody Rhodes. Jelly Roll was also there for reasons.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: WWE Intercontinental Champion Penta vs Dragon Lee

Penta’s pyro just continues to grow. We’re in open challenge mode this week. What do you think this is, SmackDown? Lee last won a singles match on Raw in September when he defeated JD McDonough, while this is his first one-on-one match with Penta. We join the match in progress after a break. They strut together after a lockup, then Penta offers a kick right to Lee’s ribs. Lee ranas Penta to the corner and smacks him with a pendulum dropkick. Penta punts Lee in the head in the corner. Lee dives onto Penta and rolls him back in, Penta taking the momentum with his own leap onto Lee and taking a break in the program.

The luchadores are trading blows when we come back. Penta nails Dragon Lee with a wild kick to the head, signaling for the Destroyer. Lee kicks his way out, floating over into a rollup but grabbing Penta for a Styles Clash and a two count. Lee leaps into the Penta Driver and that’s not enough for a three count either. Lee kicks Penta to the outside and corkscrew suicide dives onto Penta and the announce table for a “holy shit” chant. Lee rolls Penta in and can’t get a three with Operation Dragon. “This is awesome” chant. Lee runs into a Mexican Destroyer and that’s your three count.

Penta pins Dragon Lee to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Great match. These two have a good history of matches together and this is another of them. Penta continues to roll along as one of WWE’s hottest stars and Lee looked good in defeat.

Heyman is sitting gingerly on a couch when he’s joined by The Vision (Austin Theory & Logan Paul). Theory says they’ll take care of Seth, Paul tells them that’s a terrible idea because they have no leverage or power. “We need titles.” He suggests getting in contention for the Usos’ titles. Theory continues to try to get “pressure” over as a thing that he says and it is as out of place as ever. Logan promises to get L.A. Knight too as a bonus.

Maxxine Dupri vs Nattie

These two haven’t been given much time to do anything to advance this story thus far (a minute and a half each of the last two matches), so my expectations are low here and not necessarily because of the participants. Nattie stomps away at Dupri to start, hanging her up in the ropes. Maxxine tries the ankle lock, Nattie rolls her into the ropes, and they roll through several pin attempts. Maxxine knocks Nattie down with a big kick and a splash in the corner. Maxxine lowers the strap and hits a nice legdrop on Nattie for a two. Another ankle lock by Dupri, Nattie rolls her off. Maxxine leaps off the top and misses, being smacked down with an Anvil-like lariat and hooking the Sharpshooter. Maxxine can’t make it to the ropes and taps.

Nattie defeats Maxxine by submission. This was fine for what it was. Maxxine continues to improve and Nattie is Nattie. I don’t know where either woman goes from here.

Randy Orton joins us via a low-res interview that I assume was filmed with a potato, though he’s on a call with someone else instead and tells the person on the phone that he appreciates what they’re doing and he’ll see them soon. He tells Cole he had a conversation with someone who made him think about life and made him understand who he is. “I’m a killer. Hey Cole, wrestling has more than one royal family.”

Dragon Lee’s neck hurts and Je’Von Evans pops in with excitement. Kofi Kingston interrupts to tell Je’Von that as a former WWE Champion, it’s all about who you associate yourself with. Some will lift you up while some will – get ready – DRAGON you down. Je’Von says he’s good. Grayson Waller pops up and says he doesn’t see what Kofi sees in him. Danhausen appears and says he could replace Woods in New Day. They do not want Danhausen to join the New Day. “Three words before I leave – you are cursed” and Kofi pulls Waller in front of the curse point. Grayson Waller is cursed.

WWE Women’s World Championship: WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs Raquel Rodriguez (with Liv Morgan)

Listen, now is as good of a time as ever to pivot Raquel into the Stephanie/Liv match but I don’t think they’ll do it. Raquel pounds away in the corner and Stephanie dodges a big kick, rolling Raquel into a two count. Big clothesline from Raquel. Raquel tries for a powerbomb, Stephanie slips out and dropkicks Raquel outside. Vaquer drops a knee across Raquel’s throat and argues with Liv before being pulled into a shot into the post by Raquel for another break.

Vaquer hooks a sleeper when we return, Raquel powers her to the corner to break it. Stephanie crossbodies Raquel as Cole jokes about being able to buy Meta glasses like Raquel’s at a corner gas station in a few months. Raquel misses a corner book, Stephanie dragon screws her leg and nails a Meteora. Raquel dodges a Devil’s Kiss and hits a beautiful inverted vertical suplex on Stephanie. Stephanie gets the Devil’s Kiss on her second try as Liv jumps on the apron. Raquel boots Stephanie and the music of Iyo Sky hits and she chases Iyo around the ring. Raquel pounces Iyo right over the announce table, Vaquer leaps onto Raquel and tosses Liv into the timekeeper’s area. Stephanie goes up and leaps into Raquel’s arms for a spinning slam. Stephanie slips through a Tejana Bomb and rolls up Raquel for the win.

Stephanie Vaquer pins Raquel Rodriguez to retain the WWE Women’s World Title. This was chaotic and a lot of fun. Raquel continues to develop into a fantastic performer and I’m sure we’re going to find a tag team match.

Lyra Valkyria is telling Bayley that she was amazing tonight, and Bayley is not feeling it. Lyra says they’re going to do it together and get to Mania as The Kabuki Warriors walk up. Asuka says they messed up her chance to become champion. She notes that they are not ready for Asuka and Kairi tells them to stay away before being yelled at. Also of note, you can see The Vision talking to a dejected Maxxine in the background.

Cole confirms that Femi vs Lesnar is official for Mania, complete with one of the three different graphics styles they’re using because they can’t make up their mind. Brock will be here next week. Also, next week, The Vision face The Usos.

Those Usos are walking and come across L.A. Knight. He didn’t like his name being in the Vision’s mouth but he can’t help but notice the Usos getting cozy with Roman. Knight has not watched this show in years. Jim tells him it is family business and to mind his business. Knight says he loves them but he can’t be on the same page with them when it comes to the Bloodline.

WWE Fact of the Night: Roman Reigns will main event Wrestlemania for a record 11th time.

OTC1 Roman Reigns is here to wrap things up tonight. Many fingers rise to acknowledge the Tribal Chief. He says he closes the show and you have to forgive Phil because he gets confused because he’s not here for the main event on “his show.” “The water is warm, why don’t you come on out here and let’s handle some business?”

WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk does indeed join us, taking his time greeting fans around ringside as if it isn’t already 10:24 p.m. Let’s go, Punk. “Welcome to my ring,” laughs Roman, “welcome to my main event.” Punk tells Roman he isn’t bothered by being called his government name but says he won’t call Roman “Joe” because it would be an insult to another Joe that he loves. He knows he has already won WrestleMania because he’s in Roman’s head as the fans sing for Roman. Punk tells Roman that he’ll do what he needs to do to get the advantage. He didn’t want Jimmy and Jey caught in the crosshairs but he deserved what he got last week, just from the wrong messenger. “Who’s the real Tribal Chief?”

Roman: “I’ve heard this garbage for five years straight. You are trite, you repeat the same shit over and over and over. He’s a part timer. Good! Maybe you should figure out what the top dollar players do, maybe you should go ask your wife.” Boom. “Don’t waste my time, Phil.” Punk stops Roman from leaving, grabbing a mic. “I tell you when you can come and when you can go and young boy, now isn’t the time.” He Points To Sign and tells Roman this will be the last time he’s able to main event as he’ll GTS Roman and beat him on the grandest stage of them all. The Grand Old Opry stage? Roman says enough is enough and calls Punk delusional. “You’re a tryhard that’s making us all look terrible because you’re old.” Punk lunges with a punch and out runs Adam Pearce to pull him off. Oh, now Pearce is around. The credits pop up and Roman taunts the camera, calling Punk “nothing” as Pearce and crew escort him to the back. Seems like a bit of an anti-climactic end to the episode, but a very good segment.

We end with a graphic, “In Loving Memory of Davey Coates, 1962-2026.” Davey was a longtime production team member of WWE, acting as international touring manager.

A very good episode this week. Punk-Reigns continues to be good and a bit insidery on the mic. Penta-Lee was very, very good and worth checking out. The opening segment was hot and its undeniable how big Oba is becoming. AJ-Bayley was good as was Vaquer-Rodriguez. I’d recommend this week or at least getting to those YouTube videos.