WWE Raw live results: IC title contender’s gauntlet match
Date: March 11, 2024
Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX
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Show Recap —
Rapper Travis Scott (wearing an old-school Steve Austin DTA shirt) was shown arriving at the arena and embracing Jey Uso. (Gunther was also shown.)
Drew McIntyre/Seth Rollins segment
Drew McIntyre entered. He called Seth Rollins a selfish, delusional, hypocritical junkie for giving himself two main events at WrestleMania. Drew was getting “What” chants so he told the crowd to say “What” if they were glad he took out CM Punk and they did. The crowd chanted for Punk and McIntyre said he was the only one keeping Punk relevant.
McIntyre spoke briefly about The Rock before he was interrupted by Rollins. Rollins dared McIntyre to attack him again with another Claymore Kick. Rollins got on his knees and dared him again but McIntyre didn’t bite. Rollins called him a coward so he turned his back but McIntyre still didn’t bite.
McIntyre just wanted Rollins to listen to him. McIntyre said Rollins was right when he said he had to get over the Bloodline. He wanted to drop Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa when they got involved in his business again but he didn’t because he was focused on the World title.
McIntyre urged Rollins to take his own advice but he didn’t because the only person Rollins cared about was himself. (McIntyre did a funny impression of Rollins in here. Not because it was totally accurate, but because he mocked his stupid laugh.)
Rollins said McIntyre was starting to remind him of Punk. Rollins thought Punk was the biggest hypocrite in the world until he met McIntyre. Rollins said McIntyre might as well have been an honorary member of the Bloodline at this point. Rollins thought McIntyre would gladly take their help if it meant beating him and standing tall with The Rock.
Rollins said that wouldn’t happen because he and Cody Rhodes would take down the Bloodline on night one. On night two, Rollins would beat McIntyre once again and the only thing he would hear was the people singing his song.
McIntyre figured Rollins wanted him to put him out of his misery right now but he wouldn’t do it because he wanted to beat him at WrestleMania instead. Rollins said McIntyre was upset because out of everything going on right now (the Bloodline, his knee injury), McIntyre was the least of his worries. McIntyre didn’t take the bait and he went to the back instead.
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Damage CTRL was shown arriving at the area.
WWE congratulated themselves on reaching 100 million subscribers.
There was a good Chad Gable video package focusing on tonight’s gauntlet match.
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Becky Lynch defeated Liv Morgan (15:27)
Lynch entered before a break and stood around for a while before the match started. They still went to break less than two minutes into the match after Morgan hit a rough-looking suicide dive. Lynch came back with exploder suplexes but as she came off the middle rope, Morgan nailed her with a Codebreaker. They exchanged strikes until Lynch hit another Codebreaker for two.
They battled on the apron which led to Morgan hitting a sunset flip powerbomb to the outside. Morgan rolled Lynch into the ring but only got a two count. Lynch countered an Oblivion with a Man-handle Slam but Morgan rolled out of the before she could make a cover and just in time for another commercial break.
Lynch applied an armbar but Morgan countered and hit a tornado DDT. Morgan hit Oblivion but Lynch rolled out of the ring. Morgan tried something off the top but Lynch caught her and hit a Man-handle Slam for the pinfall win.
(The crowd was quiet when this started but they got into it the more it went, particularly after the sunset flip powerbomb.)
Lynch’s demeanour here was all business, including during her entrance and after she won.
— Rhea Ripley entered to confront Lynch. Morgan had some words for Ripley as she left.
The crowd chanted “Mami” as she congratulated Lynch on the win. Ripley asked if it was worth it and Lynch nodded. Ripley said Lynch kept getting into fights and leaving it all in the ring. We were getting closer to WrestleMania but Lynch kept fighting no matter what.
Ripley knew Lynch wanted to prove that she was still the best but deep down, she knew Ripley was better. Lynch kept picking fights so she would have an excuse when she lost at Mania. Lynch wouldn’t be The Man but would be a disappointment.
Lynch said she planted a seed of doubt weeks ago when she said Ripley might be better. That seed grew into a tree with roots and vines that wrapped around the whole world. Ripley had to remember that when people believed in her, she was good, but when people doubted her, she was great. Lynch said if it was her against the world, the world didn’t stand a chance.
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Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis announcement
They announced that Damian Priest and Finn Bálor would defend their tag titles in a six-pack ladder match at WrestleMania. Teams would have to qualify for the match over the coming weeks.
Judgment Day were shown in the back and they were not happy about this announcement. They left to find Pearce and Aldis.
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They showed pictures of The Rock, Bad Bunny and (naked) John Cena at the Oscars last night.
Travis Scott was shown in the front row.
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri (2:03)
Dupri went for her version of the Caterpillar on Hartwell but LeRae got in her way. LeRae confronted Dupri and told her that she shouldn’t be doing the Caterpillar and the fans were booing her because she didn’t belong here. LeRae said the internet comments were nothing compared to what the other women in the locker room were saying about her.
LeRae also said that Dupri should be glad her dead brother wasn’t there to see what a disappointment she was.
An upset Dupri went to leave but a confused Hartwell booted her. LeRae knocked Nile off the apron and told Hartwell to pin Dupri, which she did to pick up the win.
(The referee just stood there instead of counting out LeRae who was not the legal wrestler.)
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[SECOND HOUR]
Bálor, Priest and JD McDonagh confronted Pearce and Aldis. Bálor hated ladders and they hated this idea. Pearce said they could cement their legacy by winning but Damian Priest said they’ve already proven they were the best. Priest wanted to know whose idea this was. Pearce and Aldis resisted but Pearce admitted the idea came from R-Truth and The Miz.
Priest thought that was stupid and wanted them in a match tonight. Pearce said they were out doing media. Truth barged in at that moment and Pearce was stunned. Truth acted like he didn’t know what day it was. Priest told Pearce to put them in a match.
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Cody Rhodes sit-down interview
Michael Cole showed a video package of the closing segment from Smackdown before introducing Rhodes.
Rhodes said he wasn’t sure if The Rock actually was his boss but, either way, it sure did feel good to slap your boss. Rhodes said Rock was one of his favourite wrestlers in the past and Rock knew exactly what the slap was — a receipt.
Cole asked why Rhodes would risk so much before his match against Roman Reigns. Cole mentioned that Rollins was the last man to beat Reigns but by disqualification. Cole wondered if Rollins wanted to prove he was the top guy by finally beating Reigns. Cole asked Rhodes if he could trust Rollins.
Rhodes said people change. He left WWE and smashed the throne only to return and work with the man who sat on that throne. He even teamed with Jey Uso. Rhodes was glad to team with Rollins and called it his only chance to get a fair shot at Reigns on night two.
Rhodes recalled Cole asking him before if his story ended with him coming up short. Rhodes asked Cole if he looked nervous or frightened. Rhodes admitted that he was nervous and afraid. But the story was no longer about Reigns and himself. The story was about everyone who followed him through to the absolute end.
The story was about a fan named Hannah who was blind but went to the show and cheered for him just so she could feel it. It was about his friend Harley who went through spinal fusion surgery but still sat in the front row so he could get the weight belt.
It was about fans like that and fans from his own family. Like the sister that The Rock didn’t mention who was the original shotgun rider with their dad.
The story was about his mother — the only parent he had left. He couldn’t hand the title to Dusty but he could hand it to Michelle. (Cody got very emotional here and the crowd chanted for him.)
The story was about his number one fan, his wife Brandi Rhodes. She took a chance on him when he wore a goofy mask and took RKOs every night. If anyone deserved this it was her.
The story was beyond him. But it was up to him.
Rhodes said we were in the last inning. Rhodes told Cole that for the first time, he would be able to say that a Rhodes was the Undisputed Universal Champion and that Cody Rhodes finished the story. Rhodes hugged Cole before leaving the ring.
(Rhodes was terrific here.)
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There was a video package for Ricochet and JD McDonagh.
Lynch and Morgan shook hands in the back. They were attacked from behind by Nia Jax who also put Lynch through a table.
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(I wonder if this is the first time Raw has started with three straight women’s matches.)
Asuka & Kairi Sane (w/Dakota Kai & WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky) defeated Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships (10:23)
Asuka set up Stark for Sane’s elbow drop but she slipped out and superkicked Asuka. Stark gave Sane a Z-360 and Baszler hit a running knee strike but Asuka broke up the cover. Asuka took out Stark while Baszler put Sane in the Kirifuda Clutch. Dakota Kai grabbed Baszler’s leg from outside the ring and Baszler let go for some reason.
The distraction allowed Sane to hit Baszler with a back fist and Asuka followed with a kick to the head. Sane finished her off with an Insane Elbow for the pinfall win.
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Andrade approached Ripley and Judgment Day. Ripley said Dominik Mysterio wasn’t there tonight but he did speak highly of Andrade. Ripley invited him to talk business when Dom returned. Andrade was on board because he was all about business. After he left, Bálor said he agreed with Dom about Andrade. Priest was fine with that but wanted them to focus on Mania. Priest said he would handle Truth tonight.
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There was a video package for Shinsuke Nakamura and Bronson Reed. They showed pictures of previous Intercontinental Champions and Chris Jericho was among them.
Damian Priest defeated R-Truth (8:02)
Priest decked an unsuspecting Truth with a right hand as he entered the ring with his music still playing. It was so unexpected Cole didn’t even seem to notice because he was in the middle of an ad-read. (The ref then did the dumb thing where she started the match anyway even though one guy was down.)
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano entered to cheer on Truth who avoided a Razor’s Edge outside the ring and followed with a running clothesline off the apron. Priest hit Truth with a flatliner after a break for two. Truth followed with John Cena’s comeback sequence including an AA for a nearfall. The crowd actually thought Truth might win there.
They also cheered loudly as Truth put Priest in an STF. Truth let go upon seeing McDonagh and Bálor attack DIY. (Second time tonight a wrestler let go of a hold for no good reason.)
Truth went to the top and took out everyone with a dive. However, it was one of those dives where he basically split the group of bodies and planted hard against the mats. The ref checked on him and he continued but Priest hit a clothesline and South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall win. (Hopefully, Truth is alright.)
— Bálor and McDonagh laid out DIY after the match.
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[THIRD HOUR]
They showed a picture of Logan Paul with KSI and MrBeast at UFC 299.
Oddly, they also showed Rhea Ripley with Buddy Matthews at the event too.
(Not only did they show an AEW wrestler, but we’re supposed to think Ripley is with Dom and, earlier tonight, they made sure not to mention that Dom was away because of his wedding.)
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Becky Lynch challenged Nia Jax to a last woman standing match next week.
Jey Uso promo
Jey entered to a big reaction. Jey said he came to Raw for a fresh start but the Bloodline wouldn’t let him go. Jimmy wouldn’t let him go. Jey proposed brother vs. brother, twin vs. twin, blood vs. blood, Jey vs. Jimmy at WrestleMania. Jey told Jimmy to accept his challenge so he can knock the Yeet out his ass.
(Jey cuts a promo unlike anyone in WWE and the crowd was into it. He got straight to the point and it was also way shorter than the usual in-ring promo, which is another plus.)
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There was a Gunther video package.
Jackie Redmond interviewed Gunther. She said some think he’s become overconfident and was underestimating tonight’s contenders. Gunther didn’t care if anyone thought that. He was focused on his legacy. He beat Ricochet 640 days ago to become champion and has elevated the title to new levels. The best of the best would lay it all out there tonight just to face him at Mania and that was an affirmation of the work that he’s put in. It took a lot to be in his position and wished good luck to tonight’s winner.
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They announced Muhammad Ali for this year’s Hall of Fame.
Next week on Raw in Raleigh, NC:
- Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax in a last woman standing match
- New Day vs. Otis & Akira Tozawa – WM40 ladder match qualifier
- DIY vs. The Creed Brothers – WM40 ladder match qualifier
- R-Truth & The Miz vs. Idus Sher – WM40 ladder match qualifier
They also plugged CM Punk’s return to Raw in Chicago in two weeks.
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Sami Zayn won a Gauntlet Match to earn an Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 40 (41:36)
– Ricochet defeated JD McDonagh
Ricochet tried a flying crossbody but McDonagh caught him mid-air with a gutbuster. Ricochet tried a comeback minutes later but McDonagh got his knees up on a lionsault attempt. McDonagh followed with a brainbuster for two. Ricochet fired back and hit a poisonrana but McDonagh followed with a Spanish Fly for two.
Ricochet hit a DVD onto the apron following commercials. McDonagh slid into the ring to break the ten count but Ricochet hit him with a lionsault. Ricochet followed that with a Northern Lights Suplex and floated over into a vertical suplex for two. McDonagh raked Ricochet’s eyes and chucked him into the ring post for two.
Ricochet shoved McDonagh off the top and hit a shooting star press for the pinfall elimination.
(They gave these guys a lot and they had a fun first match as a result.)
– Bronson Reed defeated Ricochet
Ricochet took the fight to Reed and instantly attacked with consecutive dives. Ricochet tried something fancy but Reed slammed him and hit a senton. Reed followed with a Tsunami for the pinfall elimination.
– Sami Zayn defeated Bronson Reed
Zayn hit a moonsault off the barricade which led to break but Reed was in control after the break. Reed had Zayn on his shoulders while standing on the middle rope but Zayn slipped out and hit a sunset flip powerbomb for the pinfall elimination.
As Nakamura entered for the next match, Reed decked Zayn from behind and hit a Tsunami.
– Sami Zayn defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura tried to take advantage and immediately went for Kinshasa but Zayn countered into a cradle for two. Nakamura used kicks to take over and kicked Zayn over the announce table. Nakamura was in control after a break but Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Nakamura went for something off the ropes but Zayn ducked and immediately hit a Helluva Kick for the pinfall elimination.
– Sami Zayn defeated Chad Gable
Zayn was down as Gable entered but Gable stopped himself from taking advantage. He urged Zayn to get up and helped him to his feet. Zayn fired up and they went at it but Gable immediately hit consecutive German suplexes. Gable applied an ankle lock outside the ring but Zayn kicked him into the steel steps and he sold it like he was dead.
After a break, Gable hit an exploder suplex off the top for two. Gable went for a moonsault but Zayn got his knees up and caught him in a rollup for two. Gable hit forearms and a slap so Zayn slapped him back. They traded slaps and forearms until Zayn booted Gable. Gable reversed a Blue Thunder Bomb into an ankle lock but Zayn got a rope break.
Zayn blocked a Chaos Theory attempt and hit an exploder. He limped (because of his bad ankle) while trying the Helluva Kick so Gable was able to avoid the kick and apply the ankle lock again. Zayn couldn’t get a rope break because Gable pulled him to the middle of the ring. Zayn tried kicking him off but Gable held on. Zayn tried getting to his feet so Gable hit a German suplex.
Gable went for a moonsault but Zayn dodged it and hit a Helluva Kick (while limping). Zayn took too long to make a cover which allowed Gable to reverse his cover into a crucifix pin for a nearfall.
Gable dropped his straps and hit a bridging German suplex for two. As soon as Zayn kicked out, Gable applied the ankle lock again but Zayn reversed into a cradle for the pinfall win.
Zayn wins the gauntlet and will face Gunther for the IC title at Mania. This was really good. Gable sold the loss well.
The ref raised the hand of Zayn who couldn’t even get to his feet. Gable helped Zayn to his feet and was about to leave but Zayn hugged him.
Gunther walked out to pose on the stage as the show ended.