Bobby checks in on all of the action from the 3/5 WWE Raw! Was the show Good, Bad, or Ugly?

New Week, new action.  We are getting so close to WrestleMania at this point we can taste it.  Monday Night Raw needs to set the pace and go back to the Good things they were doing until their failure of a show last week.  The Good times were rolling, but can the Raw Brand bounce back before the big dance?

GOOD

Roman Reigns

In what used to be a heavy series of boos from a bitter crowd, the new trend is that of love and respect for the “Big Dog.”  Reigns after showing the world how big his heart really is in his fight for his life, has solidified the love of the Wrestling Community and it shows.  He has already made his official return and already made a big splash with his “Shield Brothers” last week.  What did he want here this week?  He wants the return of the Shield full time.  Out comes Seth Rollins to a hot crowd.  After mutual respect and admiration it finally came out in the open, Reigns laid it out.  Shield one last time.  The WWE Universe has spoken.  We want the Shield, Roman needs the Shield.  It’s now or never and of course it’s a Yes!  Ambrose is summoned, and never disappoints.  Out comes Ambrose.  Ambrose is still a shifty heel and made everyone wonder the outcome especially how he hung back on the ramp.  No one will find out right away though as Elias smashed Ambrose with a guitar before we got his answer.  To Be Continued.  Good buildup here for a huge reunion.  Ambrose still had everyone wondering by his hands off reaction to the aid of his Shield Brothers. 

Drew McIntrye, Bobby Lashley and Baron Corbin vs. (I.C. Champion) Finn Balor, Braun Strowman and Kurt Angle

Everyone here in this match are future Hall of Famers (Angle of course aside).  Everyone brings something special and different.  McIntyre if he develops a feud with Reigns could propel him where he belongs at any moment.  Strowman only has to be given the slightest nudge to be Main Event Ready, hell all involved for that matter.  Balor/Lashley, Balor/McIntyre make a great base for the Intercontinental Championship picture, where several people could be included and make an impact.   This was a solid tag style match that showcased everyone and gave a quality variety to the audience.  Side note, Corbin working with Angle was great to watch, he really sold and they had a clear chemistry in there.  It was a lot to like.  Lio Rush getting involved has been fantastic and it would be interesting to see him pic up Corbin and see a Lashley/Corbin team become more official.  Lio Rush got murdered by Baron Corbin.  If he ever gets up he is not human.  Lashley hits a vicious “spear” on the I.C. Champ, Finn Balor for a decisive victory.  Score 1 for the Good column.  The heels continued the beat down on the losing team causing all kinds of damage.  It looked like no one was going to be able to stop them.  Balor out on his feet getting punished by Corbin, Lashley and McIntyre.  Game over this is a big, nasty team of heels.  They work well together and if written and marketed right, they can be a destructive stable. 

Triple H

No surprise here, this is a personal matter for DX and soon to be Hall of Famer/COO of the WWE HHH.  He is here to handle a freak in the pro wrestling and now acting world, Bautista who viciously and without cause aside from provoking HHH, attacked Ric Flair prior to his 70^th birthday party celebration.  Bautista is just heeling out right now even just down right insulting the City of Philadelphia.  HHH is a boss and when he talks, we/you should always listen.  Same goes for a lot (ie. Jericho, etc) but especially HHH.  What he says has tremendous value no matter what or who you are in the Wrestling Universe (fan or worker).  Even when completely working it comes off in a professional shoot like fashion so few have mastered.  He blends the story with reality and makes you believe.  HHH sucks you in and by far may be the most powerful force in the business.  No matter what this will be a Good moment in history.  The Game, The King of Kings, is here.  *Next Week Face to Face HHH and Bautista (card subject to change) 

Tag Team Gauntlet- Heavy Machinery vs. The B-Team vs. The Ascension vs. Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins

There was a lot going on here.  So many personalities and very gimmick heavy talent all in one place.  It had a retro feel and made me miss old school wrestling.  Otis vs. The World, Otis destroyed all comers.  This was Good fun, the crowd was into it, and Heavy Machinery is slowly becoming more than a flavor of the month type of team.  It seems that they been locked to win when they compete and have the attention of the audience as well as their hard to get approval.  This was all Heavy Machinery, well Otis especially who swept the board.  Heavy Machinery Win!  “Flawless Victory!”

Elias vs. Dean Ambrose

As it came as no surprise, after attacking Ambrose before a possible historic return to the Shield, Ambrose came out quickly into Elias’ act and came out swinging.  This of course was physical and pretty clean.  Both guys are Good at what they do and have contrasting styles.  This looked really solid but the crowd was dead quiet at times.  Elias hit a sick knee, off a botched spot off the top by Ambrose followed by a “Drift Away” fisherman neck-breaker for the clean, impressive victory.  Ambrose laying out in the ring, his Shield Brothers made their way to the ring.   The crowd was out of it here but the action was solid.  It didn’t blow anyone away but it was action packed and clean work.  Also, huge win for Elias, as Ambrose is a top star even in a slump. After Ambrose seemed to shrug off the reunion of his bros, he was later enticed by the strong crew of Corbin, Lashley and McIntyre who attacked the outnumbered Reigns and Rollins.  Ambrose came in and went berserk ultimately reuniting and completing The Shield!  They have their rivals and their mission, now it is time for the Shield to shine.  Good all-around once again!

Raw Tag Team Title Match- The Revival (C) vs. Ricochet and Aleister Black

Two of the top shelf talent from NXT pinned the Raw Tag Team Champs last week in a non-title contest but this week it does count.  Much like last time and almost any time these guys are working (all 4) this was solid all around.  Ricochet when let loose just tears through the air with non-stop offense and surprises.  Black is a megastar waiting to explode!  He will be a champion if there is any justice in this business.  The Revival finally have their gold, it is a way of WWE saying, we heard you, we saw what you do and here you go, let’s see you run with it.  So far so Good.  Dawson is a stiff bastard but damn he is Good.  Everyone here is special and unique bringing major qualities to the show.  Black is just plain sick and aside from being outdone by Ricochet who is not from this planet, very few can out do him.  Former champ’s Roode and Gable made their way down during the action as they have direct interest in this match.  Gable is a really talented but Roode really needs to be onto some bigger things.  Roode as a heel in the hunt for Gold would be a huge success and needs to be done.  Roode and Gable attack the Revival outside of the ring causing a D.Q. and first loss for the NXT Team of Aleister Black and Ricochet.  The two teams went at it ending in a stalemate and most likely a set up for a match next week, which should be Good. 

Vacant Raw Women’s Championship w/ Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley

In a half-ass title forfeiture that they forced down our throats, we have a vacant title in the hands of a McMahon and the Queen Charlotte Flair hot on it’s trail.  Out comes the “The People’s Champ, The Man!” Becky Lynch.  Hobbling to the ring, Lynch will not stop until she gets back the title or dies trying.  She is for the people, everyone loves her and Charlotte’s overconfidence may be her weakness.  Fastlane is going to be interesting.  Ronda Rousey wants no part of Lynch it seems as she took a very cheap but effective shot at taking out Lynch completely with a brutal assault on “The Man.”  Lynch signed off that WWE is not responsible for any damages Lynch suffers.  Lynch vs. Flair at Fastlane for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship but a very pissed off Ronda Rousey demanded her title back because she never lost it.  Stephanie gave it back clean and changed the stipulation at Fastlane to if Becky Lynch wins at Fastlane against Charlotte, they will have a “triple threat match” for the title at WrestleMania.  Rousey then cheaply did a “scripted” shoot but it was her best work.  Rousey went crazy, and both said no more pretending and “beat the hell out of Becky Lynch.”  This was by far the very best that Rousey looked in the ring and not being afraid to be stiff is a really Good look from her!  Let’s see more of this “step on Becky Lynch’s face” Ronda Rousey.  Good stuff Ronda Rousey.

BAD

Natalya vs. Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad

Ruby Riott and the Riott squad especially Sarah Logan have shown their worth in and out of the ring.  They really are diamonds in the rough and have been complete work horses every week having to carry half assed matches and keeping everything rolling when times have been tough.  Natalya is tremendously overrated and although was trained well just always looked awkward in there.  This match again was that same outcome.  Natalya wins with a reversed roll-up after a quick, pointless match against a hated rival.  Lacey Evan then did her now famous “catwalk” on the ramp to try to get the crowds forgiveness.  It worked but still this was just not Good. 

UGLY

(Tag Team Champion) Sasha Banks vs. Tamina Snuka

Watching Tamina Snuka sometimes is like getting dizzy from drinking in the worst way possible.  I get motion sickness and giggly.  Sasha Banks is so Good too but this was just such an Ugly Match.  The end spot was well done though, with Nia Jax interfering and Banks getting hit with a Superkick if you can call it that from Tamina for the Win.  Hopefully the Tag Team Title Match will be short and the Boss n Hug Connection can move on to better things. 

FINAL

• Good- 7
• Bad- 1
• Ugly- 1

Overall

If my calculations are correct, we had a much better Raw this week, and without any time to lose.  They all count from here out, including Fastlane.   We had a Bad and Ugly turn here and there but Raw was solid.  An extra applause to Ms. Rowdy Ronda Rousey who seemed to find her voice this week.  That was a Great turn of events and should only lead to better things if it becomes the norm.  Raw rocked!  Good show!

With a solid start, SmackDown who barely causes any heartburn with the fanbase is next up to the plate.  The Tuesday iconic WWE show should be a Good one but crazier things have happened.  Of course we always have NXT.  RIP to a real legend and a hell of a great guy, King Kong Bundy.  Thank you for your kindness.