WWE Raw live results: John Cena returns in Boston
Date: March 6, 2023
Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA
The Big Takeaway —
Jey Uso made his choice.
********
Show Recap —
Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa were shown arriving at TD Garden earlier today. (For our benefit, Heyman waited until after they got out of the private confines of their vehicle to speak to Jimmy.)
Heyman said Sami Zayn managed to escape them on Smackdown which meant he was here tonight. That led to a loud chant for Sami. Heyman said Sikoa would solve the Kevin Owens problem, while Jimmy would solve the Sami Zayn problem once and for all. Heyman called Roman Reigns after Uso and Sikoa left.
Kevin Patrick announced a sold out crowd tonight in Boston.
Kevin Owens defeated Solo Sikoa via disqualification (11:22)
Owens attacked Sikoa before the match began but Sikoa cut him off and sent him into the ring post. The referee started the match once they hit the ring where Owens tackled Sikoa. However, Sikoa cut him off again and took control. Owens came back with a clothesline, a senton and a clothesline outside the ring.
Jimmy Uso ran out to distract Owens, so Sikoa brought him down from the top rope with a slam and followed with a running hip attack. Sikoa hit another running hip attack, this time against the barricade, which led to break.
Sikoa hit a Samoan drop but Owens dodged a corner splash and hit DDT. Sikoa blocked a stunner before Owens knocked Jimmy off the apron.
The distraction didn’t help because Owens hit Sikoa with a superkick, cannonball and senton bomb. Owens made a cover but Jimmy attacked him for the DQ.
— The Bloodline attacked Owens after the match as the crowd chanted for Zayn.
They were going to put Owens through a table but Zayn sprinted out (without his music) and attacked both Bloodline members as the crowd loudly cheered him on. Zayn grabbed a chair but the Bloodline bailed through the crowd.
With Owens down in the corner, Zayn offered his hand. Owens rolled out of the ring instead and the crowd booed.
********
They aired a replay of Bobby Lashley’s encounter with Uncle Howdy on Smackdown.
Lashley cut a promo in the back. He was tired of playing Bray Wyatt’s kid games. He went to Smackdown to face him man-to-man, but Wyatt wasn’t a man because he sent a man in a mask instead. Lashley wondered what it would take to get Wyatt to face him. (Wyatt’s logo flashed repeatedly in the background as Lashley spoke.)
********
Byron Saxton interviewed Carmella. She planned on embarrassing Bianca Belair tonight and deserved to be added to the WrestleMania match after she wins. She talked about Adam Pearce’s incompetence and Chelsea Green showed up to agree with the sentiment. Green also agreed to accompany Carmella to ringside. They dismissed Saxton.
(Pearce was about to walk by them in the background by coincidence, but when he noticed who was there, he turned around and walked in the other direction.)
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Carmella (w/ Chelsea Green) in a non-title match (8:58)
This actually went through a break after Carmella yanked Belair off the top rope. Belair countered Carmella a few times before hitting a backbreaker and moonsault. Green blatantly distracted the referee so Belair went after her but that allowed Carmella to hit a superkick for two.
Green seemed like she wanted to attack so Belair invited her into the ring and immediately tossed her out of it. Belair also chucked her into the timekeeper’s area. Carmella tried to catch her off guard using a cradle with her feet on the rope but Belair kicked out and hit KOD for the pinfall win.
— The heels attacked Belair post-match but stopped upon hearing Asuka’s music. Asuka went to blow mist on Carmella but she ducked and Green got misted instead. They bailed.
The crowd chanted for Asuka as she stared off with Belair.
********
Zayn found Owens in the back. Zayn told him that the Bloodline was too much for them as individuals. Zayn said this wasn’t a ploy to make everything okay between them again, he knew it would take more than this. But Owens had to listen to him when he said they have to fight the Bloodline together. Zayn knew how dangerous they were because he was part of the Bloodline.
Owens knew that already. He remembers it all very well and reminded Zayn what he did to him in this very arena (at Survivor Series). Owens made it clear: “I don’t want to do this with you.” Owens suggested Zayn go back to Roman Reigns. Either way, Owens didn’t care what Zayn did and told him to leave him out of it.
********
There was a Rhea Ripley video package.
[SECOND HOUR]
Miz TV — Seth Rollins and Logan Paul face-to-face
Miz rambled for a bit before introducing Logan Paul. Miz offered a handshake but Paul acted like he didn’t see it and posed on the turnbuckle. Seth Rollins entered before Miz could introduce him.
The crowd loudly sang Rollins’ music as Miz told them to stop. Rollins encouraged them to continue so they did. Paul told them that their segment had a time limit so they should shut up.
Rollins mockingly introduced Paul who got “Logan sucks” chants. Rollins introduced himself to Paul and Paul said he knew exactly who he was. Paul said Rollins was the guy who he dumped at the Royal Rumble and whose head he stomped in at Elimination Chamber.
Paul wondered what Rollins’ problem was. Perhaps it was because Paul was as good as Rollins in one year when it took Rollins 20 years. Paul said he worked smarter, not harder, and was on his way in while Rollins was on his way out. Paul said he would hate him too if he was Rollins. The crowd chanted “f—k you, Logan.”
Rollins said Paul forgot something: that he was the scum of the earth. Paul was a coward, a troll, a fraud, and a human dumpster fire. Rollins told him, “we don’t want you in our house.”
Rollins said he didn’t come here to talk, he came to get his pound of flesh. Rollins got ready to fight but Paul turned him down. Paul didn’t fight for free and certainly not in Boston. He wanted a bigger stage.
Miz said, as host of WrestleMania, he might be able to make a match between them. Rollins sarcastically asked him if that was true and chucked him out of the ring to go make it happen.
Paul kicked Rollins and tried a stomp but Rollins tackled him. Miz attacked Rollins from behind so Rollins superkicked him. The distraction allowed Paul to drop Rollins with a right hand. Paul told Rollins to let him know about Mania — after he wakes up. Paul ended with “bye, bye, bitch” (the same line Rollins used last week).
Paul was really good here.
********
Earlier today, Mustafa Ali was being annoying to Dolph Ziggler and let him know he got him a match tonight against Omos. Ali was in the crowd for the match, acting like a fan and holding up a “We love Ziggler” sign.
Omos (w/MVP) defeated Dolph Ziggler (0:49)
Omos won immediately with a tree slam.
— MVP said Omos would tame the beast Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
********
Maxxine Dupri and Maximum Male Models were backstage fawning over someone off-camera. Baron Corbin showed up and thought they were talking about him. He appreciated the kind words after the hard luck he’s had lately.
They let him know that they were talking about Otis (who was doing poses with Chad Gable). Corbin wondered what Otis had that he didn’t. Mansoor said ‘hair’ for one thing. Dupri said she’d consider taking on Corbin as a client if he could get rid of Gable. Corbin happily accepted.
(In previous weeks, Mansoor and Mace did not seem on board with Otis but they were completely into him here.)
********
Heyman hyped up Jimmy Uso. He was confident that Jimmy would be the one to take out Zayn so Reigns wouldn’t even have to hear the name “Sami” again. Heyman didn’t let Jimmy forget that it was still his duty to bring Jey back into the Bloodline.
Johnny Gargano (w/Dexter Lumis) defeated Finn Bálor (w/Rhea Ripley & Judgment Day) (9:33)
Gargano hit a dive but Bálor was in control following a break. Gargano fired back and hit a spear for two. Bálor hit a slingblade but Gargano came back with consecutive superkicks for two.
Dominik Mysterio tried to interfere as Ripley distracted the ref but Gargano wiped him out with a dive. Damian Priest followed Gargano around ringside until Bálor cut him off in the ring with a foot stomp and dropkick.
Bálor went to the top but froze when Edge’s music hit. Priest and Ripley went to the stage to cut off Edge but he entered through the crowd instead and shoved Bálor off the top. Gargano followed with One Final Beat for the pinfall win.
— Priest tried to go after Edge but Lumis knocked him down. Edge hit Bálor with a spear and let him know “this isn’t over.”
The crowd was quiet for the match but was happy to see Edge.
********
There was a video recap of the Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns segment from Smackdown.
They announced King and Queen of the Ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 27.
Saxton caught up with Edge for an interview. Edge said he cost Bálor a match he never should have lost — no disrespect to Gargano — because Bálor cost him a match he never should have lost (against Austin Theory). Edge informed Bálor that he would be alone in the ring next week and invited him there to see what kind of man he was.
********
Piper Niven defeated Nikki Cross (0:56)
They said this was a first-time-ever match.
Cross acted crazy and attacked Niven before the match. Niven gave the ref the go-ahead to start the match and Cross hit a flying crossbody. Niven regrouped outside the ring, fended off Cross’ offence and hit a Black Hole Slam (which they completely mistimed) for the pinfall win. Niven had a busted lip, likely due to Cross’ wild pre-match attack.
********
Rick Boogs was trying to deadlift an 18-wheeler backstage when he was approached by Elias. Elias had more advice for Boogs and suggested he go up to Bronson Reed and demand a match. Boogs played along and walked up to a nearby Reed. Reed immediately went up to Elias and accepted his challenge. Elias was baffled at Boogs because he wanted Boogs to have the match. Boogs acted dumb and said he just did what Elias asked.
[THIRD HOUR]
Becky G will perform America the Beautiful on night one of WrestleMania.
John Cena / Austin Theory segment
Cena entered to a big reaction and he was emotional at the response. Cena hit the ring but Austin Theory entered before he could say or do anything.
Theory said he remembered watching WWE with his mom and said Cena inspired him to become a WWE superstar. Theory had a gift for Cena, something so big it would eclipse any movie role.
Theory’s gift was a United States title match between them at WrestleMania.
Cena said no. Cena couldn’t accept his gift because he didn’t earn the right to give it. Cena has been watching Theory and he just didn’t care and the crowd didn’t care about him, either. “We don’t believe you, because you don’t believe you.” Cena said Theory had no heart.
Cena wasn’t trying to talk down to Theory because he knew where he was coming from. Cena pointed out a fan’s sign that said Theory was just a Cena-wannabe.
Cena was his ghost of Christmas future and said Theory was at the “ruthless aggression” phase of his career. But that phase of Cena’s career almost got him fired because he didn’t believe in himself. “You’re a pair of trunks away from being a jabroni.”
Cena said Theory name was appropriate, “because that’s exactly what you are — a theory.” In theory, he should be great. In theory, he was everything an executive would look for. In theory, everyone should be there to see him. But still, no one cared and he was wasting their time.
Cena and Boston had a gift for Theory: shut up and walk away and they would let him leave in one piece. The crowd chanted for Cena.
Theory responded, “I ain’t going anywhere just like that bald spot on your head ain’t going anywhere.” That got a good reaction. (Cena took his hat off for a moment to reveal his bald spot.)
Theory pointed out Cena’s “Never Give Up” shirt and wondered if Cena was giving up. It was right what they say: never meet your heroes because they always disappoint.
Cena told Theory he’d rather be going bald than have them pipe in crowd noise because nobody cared about his matches. Cena called him a dumb son-of-a-bitch. He didn’t say no because he was giving up, he said no because he was trying to save Theory because Theory wasn’t ready.
If Cena won at WrestleMania, Theory would lose everything. If Theory won, he would still lose everything. If he won, he would have to go out there alone every night and prove it to the fans but Theory was full of crap.
However, Theory left him no choice. Cena asked the crowd if they wanted to see him against Theory at Mania. They cheered and chanted “yes.”
Cena said he didn’t care about Theory but he could never give up on the fans. Cena said Theory just made the biggest mistake of his life because their match for the United States title was now official. Cena wished him luck because he didn’t have the brains, the guts, or the balls. Cena smacked him low before leaving.
Cena went to the stage and said the fans deserved to see someone who did earn their WrestleMania moment: he introduced Cody Rhodes. They hugged.
********
Cathy Kelley interviewed Zayn. Zayn noted that Jimmy Uso was the one who always had his back and now he was the one whose task it was to end him. Zayn looked at the camera and warned his dawg that tonight would not be his night.
********
Chad Gable (w/Otis) defeated Baron Corbin (2:12)
Corbin was bragging so Gable picked his ankle and applied an ankle lock for the submission win. (The crowd chanted “we want Otis” earlier in the match.) Corey Graves mentioned that this ended Gable’s losing skid.
********
There was a Top Gun spoof with Miz and Maryse.
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul was made official for Mania.
Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus segment
Lynch and Lita entered with their tag team title belts and they spoke about their title win. Lita said IYO SKY and Dakota Kai didn’t make it easy, but it was worth it. Lita thanked Lynch for giving her the opportunity to fight for the belts.
Lita had one more person to thank and Trish Stratus entered. Stratus said she would always have Lita’s back and was happy to see her and Lynch beat Damage CTRL. Stratus recalled warning Bayley months ago in Toronto.
Damage CTRL interrupted. Bayley said Lita and Trish were the reasons they were wrestlers but Damage CTRL could also be the reason they never wrestle again.
Stratus challenged them to a six-woman match at WrestleMania and Bayley quickly accepted.
SKY and Kai seemed surprised. They turned around to attack the babyfaces but were sent out of the ring. Bayley tried to attack Lynch but they got rid of her too.
********
Next week on Raw:
- Edge calls out Finn Bálor
- Elias vs. Bronson Reed
- Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green (non-title)
********
They went to break, plugged NXT, did the entrances, and went to break again 40 seconds into the match. It felt like they were back for two minutes.
Sami Zayn defeated Tag Team Champion Jimmy Uso (w/Solo Sikoa) (10:35)
(Zayn got the win but this was all about the post-match angle.)
After the early break, Zayn booted Jimmy and hit a tornado DDT for two, followed by a flying crossbody for two. Jimmy tossed Zayn from the ring and tried distracting the ref but the ref caught Sikoa setting up for a Samoan spike so he ejected him from ringside. Zayn followed with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two which led to another break six minutes into the match. When they returned, Zayn came off the top but Jimmy caught him with a superkick.
The fans began cheering because Jey Uso appeared in the crowd. Jey ran down and climbed onto the announce table.
Jey seemed encouraging Jimmy but the distraction allowed Zayn to roll him up for the pinfall win. Zayn was elated with the win while Jimmy was distraught.
— Jey entered the ring. Jey held Jimmy by his shirt and contemplated his next step for a while. Jey left his brother in the ring and faced off with Zayn at ringside.
Jey told Zayn he trusted him and gave him a hug which got an insane crowd pop. The crowd chanted “Ucey” as Jimmy looked dejected. Jey and Sami held up their fingers as the crowd “holy shit.”
Jey then superkicked Sami which also got a massive reaction. Jey screamed at Sami that this was about family. “You thought I was going to choose you?!” The Usos hammered away on Sami and were soon joined by Sikoa.
Cody Rhodes ran down (to his music) and the Bloodline backed off as he checked on Zayn.
This was pretty incredible.