WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 6

Monday's WWE Raw did well to expel the stench of the Fastlane pay-per-view by charging toward WrestleMania 33.

During a show where storyline development trumped in-ring action for the most part, the red brand revealed much of what it has planned for The Show of Shows. Undertaker stepped out of the darkness to take issue with Roman Reigns, Bayley found out the challengers she will face at WrestleMania, and Kevin Owens made it official—he will fight his former best friend at the April 2 PPV.

The build to these bouts featured intense moments and verbal low blows. Chicago witnessed all of that plus Goldberg's first night as universal champion and some strong work from the cruiserweights.

The following is a breakdown of what unfolded on the first Raw after Fastlane, from best friends bickering to The Deadman making his WrestleMania intentions clear.

Chris Jericho Confronts Kevin Owens

Chris Jericho demanded answers from Owens, wanting to know why he betrayed him weeks ago. Owens emerged to explain himself. He said they were never best friends and Jericho was just a means to protect him.

KO claimed he had mercy on Jericho during the attack weeks ago.

The two squabbled until Jericho challenged Owens to a match at WrestleMania. KO said he would eventually look to reclaim the Universal Championship from Goldberg but would first focus on Jericho's U.S. title.

The two brawled briefly before Samoa Joe pounced on the champ. Sami Zayn soon arrived and used a steel chair against the heels.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "He took his knife and stabbed it into the back of Jericho. And he twisted it in, man."—Jericho.
• "I did not stab my best friend in the back because you were never my best friend."—Owens.
• "You were a tool, and I used you."—Owens.

Grade

A

Analysis

WWE was smart to kick off Raw with these two enemies, allowing the audience to soak up a positive of Owens' loss—the fact that he's now in the midst of a terrific rivalry.

The great chemistry Owens and Jericho had as allies has translated to their feud. The latest stage of their story suggests excellent theater is ahead.

Jericho managed to be funny and moving at the same time. Owens was the most focused and compelling as he's been in a long time. Their clash will be one of the highlights of WrestleMania.

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Zayn had Owens reeling early.

KO, though, soon took over, overpowering his longtime foe. A handful of power moves later, and Zayn was unable to get off the mat. Owens won after delivering a second pop-up powerbomb.

Result

Owens wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Zayn nails Owens with a tope con hilo outside the ring.

Grade

C

Analysis

The sentiment of the result makes sense. Owens got a dominant win to recover from his title loss on Sunday. His momentum meter went up as he heads toward WrestleMania.

As for Zayn, he has settled into the role of WWE's resident stepping stone. If he's going to face Samoa Joe down the road, this match did him no favors in looking like a legitimate threat.

It's odd that WWE keeps returning to this match when their bout at Battleground last year was billed as the ultimate end of their rivalry. The company should be saving their encounters, spacing them out and making them feel special.

Neville vs. Rich Swann (Cruiserweight Championship)

Rich Swann rode high-octane offense to early control of the match, but Neville slowed him down.

The champion overwhelmed and overpowered the challenger for long stretches. Swann kept fighting back, though. Swift kicks left Neville woozy.

The King of the Cruiserweights, however, was able to clamp on the Rings of Saturn for the victory.

Austin Aries interviewed Neville after the bout. The champ proclaimed no one was on his level. He angered Aries to the point that the former Ring of Honor world champion clocked him with a forearm.

Result

Neville wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Neville spikes Swann's head into the ring apron.
• The crowd chants "Austin Aries!"
• Swann hits a swanton from the top rope to the outside.
• "I have laid waste to pretender after pretender."—Neville.

Grade

A-

Analysis

A solid, hard-hitting match preceded an electric post-bout showdown.

Neville continued his hot streak. He has thrived in the ring of late, and his heel turn has been a major boost for him. And just when it looked like Neville had run out of viable foes, Aries stepped into the picture.

He has been teasing a shift from the commentary desk back to the ring. It's a welcome move. Aries' persona has grown far more interesting during his days as an announcer, and now the cruiserweight division will benefit from bringing him aboard.

Goldberg and Brock Lesnar Face Off

Goldberg reflected on his Universal Championship win for only a moment before Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar arrived.

Lesnar and Goldberg stared each other down. Heyman talked up Goldberg's accomplishments but promised a WrestleMania victory for his client.

The Beast Incarnate F-5'd Goldberg, leaving him lying in the center of the ring.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "This title belongs to you as much as it belongs to me."—Goldberg to the fans.
• Goldberg nods and smiles as fans chant "CM Punk!"
• "They can all look at you and say, 'There's Brock's bitch.'"—Heyman.

Grade

B

Analysis

WWE finally showed a touch of vulnerability for Goldberg. It says a lot about how this feud has been booked so far that a single F-5 felt so significant. Goldberg has been unstoppable to this point.

This segment was a decent start to the build to WrestleMania. WWE will have to lean on Heyman a lot more going forward, using him to add context to the battle and sell us on what feels like an obvious win for Lesnar.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass (Raw Tag Team Titles)

Backstage, Enzo Amore and Big Cass crossed paths with Cesaro and Sheamus. They briefly argued before The Realest Guys in the Room headed to the ring.

Amore and Cass tried to rev up the crowd with Michael Jordan references.

Cesaro and Sheamus soon arrived to watch the action up close. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson focused their attention on Amore, slugging him in their corner. Big Cass responded with a flurry full of high-impact moves.

Amore spilled Cesaro's coffee, leading to a brawl between everyone. The fight continued backstage.

Raw general manager Mick Foley announced that Cesaro and Sheamus would take on Cass and Amore next week in a No. 1 Contenders' match.

Result

Cass and Amore win via disqualification. Gallows and Anderson retain the titles as a result.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Actually, it's a cup of coffee."—Cesaro in response to Amore's "cuppa haters" line.
• "We didn't come here looking for pity in the Windy City."—Amore.
• Sheamus Brogue Kicks Amore off Cesaro's back.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The chaos surrounding the match was more intriguing than the match itself. The Club vs. Amore and Cass just isn't ever going to tear the house down.

Raw wisely set up a bout for next week, one that will help round out the WrestleMania card. This three-way rivalry is moving along at a good pace. The intensity between everyone has been solid.

More personal issues between the teams would boost this narrative, though. And no, spilled coffee on Cesaro's suit doesn't count.

Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa

Ariya Daivari and Akira Tozawa traded chops to the chest to open the contest.

Things turned one-sided shortly after that. Tozawa steamrolled over his opponent. The Japanese pit bull then called out Brian Kendrick.

Kendrick said he would reveal whether he would answer Tozawa's challenge on Tuesday's 205 Live.

Result

Tozawa wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Be careful what you wish for."—Kendrick.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Raw again only offered brief glimpses of Tozawa. His matches against Kendrick should be really good, but getting to that point hasn't been nearly as satisfying as it could be. These two need time to explore the dynamic between them.

With their feud getting some attention at this point, does it mean they are going to get a spot at WrestleMania? That would be a welcome surprise, giving the cruiserweights more than one contribution to the card.

The New Day vs. The Shining Stars

The New Day introduced fans to the group's "pop-cycle."

The Shining Stars held their own early on. The duo focused too much on Xavier Woods at ringside, though, allowing the former tag champs to take over. Midnight Hour earned The New Day a three-count.

Result

The New Day wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "This pop-cycle represents the WWE Universe and your ice-cream dreams."—Kofi Kingston.
• "We can host a quinceanera. We can host a bris. And in a few short seconds, we'll be hosting our feet up the buns of The Shining Stars."—Big E.

Grade

C

Analysis

The New Day is in a holding pattern until it hosts WrestleMania. It's good that WWE is consistently giving the trio airtime, but this kind of match does little to showcase the former champs.

Without a rivalry, The New Day has little momentum. Even its full-tilt comedy antics aren't enough.

Bayley Addresses Her WrestleMania Situation

Foley congratulated Bayley on retaining the Raw Women's Championship at Fastlane.

Bayley expressed her discomfort with how she kept the belt, namely with Sasha Banks' help. She looked ahead to WrestleMania. Banks showed up to say she wanted to take on Bayley at The Show of Shows.

Charlotte Flair popped in to interject her own thoughts.

Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon stepped in, claiming that Flair deserved a title shot, not Banks. She booked a match between Banks and Bayley. A victory for The Boss would make the WrestleMania championship match a Triple Threat bout.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "It just doesn't feel like she should. It doesn't feel right."—Bayley.
• "I was robbed of my title and I was robbed of my PPV streak."—Flair.
• "All you Chicagoans are just alike. You're all like CM Punk. You're all losers."—McMahon.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Hats off to McMahon for cutting the CM Punk chants off at the knees. She made the fans who hang on to that chant look foolish.

The finishes of the last two title matches have been awkward, but WWE recovered here by setting up quite the intriguing Triple Threat contest.

Bayley isn't delivering top-level mic work, but it may not matter in the end. She's still popular and still manages to connect with the crowd. Plus, she'll be working against a top-flight heel in Flair.

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

Credit: WWE.com

Flair sat in on commentary as Bayley and Banks locked up.

The champ and The Boss focused on mat wrestling in the early going. Neither woman was able to gain an advantage.

Flair and Dana Brooke marched down to the ring as the bout grew more intense. Banks twice clamped on the Bank Statement, and Bayley couldn't withstand the pain the second time.

After Banks knocked into The Queen, Flair blasted Banks and held the Raw women's title in the air.

Result

Banks wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Bayley misses a crossbody and slams into the canvas.
• Flair kicks both Bayley and Banks to the mat.

Grade

B-

Analysis

While not nearly as electric as their best battles, the story and stakes were solid. The bout played up Banks and Bayley's familiarity with each other. The friends were reluctant to go all out; they anticipated each other's moves at every step.

That will leave plenty on the table for WrestleMania.

Flair vs. Bayley vs. Banks is a fine choice for the event. One has to wonder, though, what will happen to Nia Jax. Raw didn't address her place in the title picture at all.

Triple H Interview

Credit: WWE.com

Triple H appeared via satellite, speaking with Michael Cole and the commentary team about Seth Rollins. The Game insulted Rollins. He warned him that he would regret coming after him at WrestleMania.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I didn't have to make up names for himself. I didn't have to call myself the man because it was obvious."—Triple H.
• "All that will be waiting for him will be a nightmare."—Triple H on WrestleMania.

Grade

C

Analysis

Triple H delivered strong mic work here, but his focus and the setting were both odd choices. He spent a good amount of time talking up the quality of WWE's medical staff. And why not just go with a taped promo if there was going to be such minimal interaction between Triple H and Cole?

This feud will get really good when it hits a high gear, but this wasn't an example of that.

Samoa Joe vs. Chris Jericho

Credit: WWE.com

Jericho was able to evade Samoa Joe briefly, but The Destroyer's power was too much for him. Joe took Y2J's best shots before putting him to sleep outside the ring with a Coquina Clutch.

After the bout, Jericho landed a Codebreaker to fend off Joe.

Result

Joe wins via count-out.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Jericho dropkicks Joe off the ring apron, but the big man remains on his feet.

Grade

C+

Analysis

It looked as if WWE asked these men to rush through this bout. Running out of time at the end of the show, Joe overcame Jericho in a match missing several notes.

This didn't come off as a big win for Joe or a showcase of Jericho's heart. It was just there, which is hard to believe considering the stars involved.

Braun Strowman Calls out Roman Reigns

Credit: WWE.com

Braun Strowman charged out to the ring to demand a shot at Roman Reigns.

Undertaker emerged instead. The Deadman stared down Strowman as the crowd roared behind them. The Monster Among Men responded by slowly fleeing.

Reigns showed up to offer a staredown of his own. In response to The Big Dog's disrespect, Undertaker chokeslammed Reigns to close the show.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Roman, Chicago doesn't like you, and neither do I."—Strowman.
• "With all due respect, this is my yard now."—Reigns to Undertaker.
• Fans chant "Roman sucks!"

Grade

A-

Analysis

It doesn't really feel like WrestleMania season until Undertaker arrives.

WWE brought him aboard, setting up an expected clash with Reigns—but with a twist. Strowman's involvement leaves open the possibility that a Triple Threat match is on the way. That would be a sure sign Undertaker is on his last legs if WWE doesn't think he can handle a one-on-one contest anymore.

The minimal verbal element left fans to fill in the gaps themselves, creating intrigue for the next stage of the road to WrestleMania.