WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 16

All the marquee bouts earned ample attention and big moments on the March 16 edition of WWE Raw. WWE nailed the build for WrestleMania's biggest matches but fumbled when it came to the midcard and The Show of Shows' supporting cast.

Sting emerged from darkness. Brock Lesnar promised to kick ass. John Cena and Rusev churned up the hostility between them.

These were all eye-catching, attention-grabbing wins. 

It was when it was time to get fans hyped about the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, the Intercontinental Championship match or the tag title match that Monday's Raw failed. Lazy storytelling in those cases contrasted the night's highlights. 

The top-heavy edition of Raw both heightened excitement about WrestleMania and dampened it.

The Authority Open the Show

Credit: WWE.com

The Authority stood in the ring seething before the members spoke their mind.

Seth Rollins talked angrily about Randy Orton betraying him. Big Show apologized to Rollins for allowing Randy Orton's attack to happen; Kane promised The Viper would pay. 

Rollins accepted Orton's challenge, but only if he would face him Monday night on Raw. The Viper had no issues with that.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"For important people like me, who actually made it out of Iowa and made something with their lives."—Rollins.

"I know I'm considered the secret weapon of The Authority."—Jamie Noble.

"I've got enough venom for every member of The Authority."—Orton.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This mostly served as a setup for how the night ended. On it's own, it was fine, just another long promo to kick off Raw.

More tension between Big Show and Kane point to them colliding sometime soon. Could we be seeing yet another Big Show turn?

AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella

With Brie Bella and Paige watching at ringside, Nikki Bella briefly dominated AJ Lee. AJ used her speed and a wrist lock to take control. 

Damaging AJ's arm had the Divas champ back on top. Nikki focused on the wounded wing, twisting and pounding on it throughout the match.

Nikki responded to a flurry from AJ with a forearm smash and a Rack Attack for the win.

Result

Nikki wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Women just typically hate each other. I get this from my wife."—Booker T.

AJ slows Nikki with a guillotine choke. 

Brie slams Paige's face into the ring post.

Grade

B

Analysis

Even though the bout featured some sloppy moments, it was refreshing that WWE allowed the women to work longer than usual. That allowed them to build to the climax, to get the crowd behind them.

Brie hurling Paige into the ring post was a welcome sight. It's viciousness like that which is too often missing from the women's division.

The Miz vs. Ryback

The Miz announced that he would fire Damien Mizdow if his personal assistant didn't assure him a win at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

He then took on Ryback as Mizdow held his coat. The Miz's strikes didn't stun The Big Guy as much as they angered him.

Ryback overpowered the self-proclaimed A-lister, finishing him off quickly.

Result

Ryback wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Fans cheer for Mizdow during The Miz's entrance.

"Little geography lesson. We're in Iowa. People are a little slow here."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Ryback tries to get Mizdow to hit The Miz.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The match was nothing special. It was essentially the same action from Thursday's SmackDown. The Mizdow-Miz antics offered all the highlights.

Having Mizdow make the Battle Royal ultimatum is really smart. It adds another subplot to the feud and will make Mizdow's eventual babyface turn even more powerful, giving him one more reason to rebel.

John Cena-Rusev Contract Signing

A focused, angry John Cena looked over what he called the most important match contract of his career. He talked about not wanting Rusev to represent the United States as champion anymore.  

An unknown man in a suit accompanied Rusev. He introduced himself as Rusev's attorney, claiming he wouldn't fight at WrestleMania.

Rusev said that Cena was weak, that he didn't deserve another chance. The Bulgarian Brute went on to disparage the U.S., as Cena glared at him.

After flipping over the table, Rusev fled. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"You let that chant fill you with pride. You let that chant fill you with excitement. You let that chant fill you with love for the United States of America."—Cena to fans chanting "U.S.A.!"

"This is not a contract; it's a declaration of independence."—Cena.

Fans chant, "We want Lana!"

"I saw that guy parking cars earlier. He's not a lawyer."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

"You hear that accent? That guy's not from Russia; he's from Texas."—Booker T.

"Their children will grow to be failures."—Rusev on Americans.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Great move by the WWE to have Cena talk more about the United States Championship here. This can be more than America versus Russia; it can be a way to elevate that title.

Having Cena hungry to hold it is a good way to do just that.

The acting was over-the-top at times, but this feud has more animosity than most. There is plenty at stake. In addition, Lana not being around adds some mystery to the narrative, as fans await to hear why Rusev has kept her offscreen.

The New Day vs. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd

Los Matadores watched from ringside, scoring a great view of Cesaro swinging Kofi Kingston around and Tyson Kidd dropkicking the high-flyer in the head. 

Kingston hit Kidd with a Trouble in Paradise, but he soon felt an uppercut to the back of the head that did him in.

Los Matadores soon brawled with both teams. El Torito tossed Cesaro from the ring with a headscissors takedown.

Result

Cesaro and Kidd win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"We can even clap better than New Day."—Cesaro and Kidd.

Grade

D+

Analysis

This is an indication of how much time the tag team match will get at WrestleMania. There is no real story here, no motivation beyond the titles. Unfortunately, the announcers also mentioned that Jey Uso is hurt, so there will likely be no Usos either.

The build has been lazy for this upcoming bout, offering no subplots and no real bad blood. 

And whoever made the decision to have El Torito manhandle one of the tag champs needs to take a refresher course in wrestling booking. That is a surefire way to cheapen a championship reign.

Brock Lesnar Interview

Brock Lesnar bragged about beating Undertaker and demolishing Cena. He said to prepare for more destruction. He then warned Roman Reigns about what's coming to him at WrestleMania.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"It's a day that I get to show up, kick somebody's ass and get paid to do so."—Lesnar.

"Undertaker didn't stand a chance against me."—Lesnar.

"This isn't a fairy tale. There's no fairy-tale ending. There's no happy, feel-good moment."—Lesnar.

Grade

A

Analysis

This pre-taped interview was simple and powerful, much like Lesnar's offense. This is the best job WWE has done selling this match with anything other than Heyman.

The company has done a tremendous job in reminding us of how much a monster Lesnar is; its ability to convince fans that Reigns is a warrior capable of toppling him hasn't been nearly as successful.

Big Show vs. Erick Rowan

Big Show ambushed Erick Rowan before the match started. He knocked out the big man and left him writhing on the mat.

Big Show walked away from the ring.

Result

The match never starts.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Big Show hits a diving elbow drop.

Grade

F

Analysis

Making Big Show look dominant is a waste of time. He's plenty established. The idea of him playing a big role in the Battle Royal is enough to make one sleepy.

Big Show needs to be pushed down the card and be the one putting guys over, not stomping on guys like Rowan with not an ounce of momentum to their name.

Battle Royal Demonstration

Kane announced that he invited all the Superstars in the ring to show them what would happen in the Battle Royal. Mark Henry said he was going to be in that bout.

An impromptu Battle Royal broke out. Curtis Axel refused to enter.

Kane and Henry were the last two men standing. Axel tried to toss both men out, but instead he took a flight out of the ring courtesy of The World's Strongest Man.

Result

Henry "wins" the unofficial match.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

None

Grade

D-

Analysis

What a tepid, boring build for this match.

This only served to make the Battle Royal less appealing. Why focus so much on Henry and Kane? Pointing a little of the spotlight toward new stars would have been far more exciting.

If Henry, Kane and Big Show are the biggest stars of the match at WrestleMania, fans are going to either boo or fall asleep. WWE can't go that route.

Paul Heyman Rants Again

Paul Heyman warned that Brock Lesnar would not abide by WWE's rules, that fans were stuck with Lesnar as the WWE champ.

He played up Reigns' accomplishments before telling the No. 1 contender that he couldn't beat his client.

Reigns came out, sending a message to The Beast Incarnate. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Brock Lesnar is coming to WrestleMania to make war, war on Roman Reigns."—Heyman.

"What happens when reality bitch-slaps him in the face and gives him a prison beating."—Heyman.

"T-shirts don't beat Brock Lesnar."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Fans chant "Daniel Bryan!" during Reigns' speech.

Grade

B+

Analysis

WWE is saving the face-to-face confrontation between Reigns and Lesnar for next week. On Monday, the company instead went with another promo from Heyman. He was great, as he always is.

There wasn't a whole lot of new elements to the match, though. Giving Reigns a "I can. I will" T-shirt doesn't count.

Six-Man Tag Team Match

Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose and Daniel Bryan teamed up again to face Luke Harper, Bad News Barrett and Stardust. With the Intercontinental Championship hanging on his back like a backpack, R-Truth watched all the action from ringside.

The babyfaces bickered with each other, but they remained in control early on. 

A kick from Stardust opened the door for the heels to gain their own momentum. Barrett, Harper and Stardust took turns pounding on Ziggler. Soon the action turned chaotic with all the wrestlers slugging it out.

Barrett went for the Bull Hammer; Ambrose countered with Dirty Deeds for the win.

Stardust tried to escape with the IC title, but Ambrose caught him. The usual hot potato with the belt ended with Barrett elbowing everyone in sight and taking back his prize.

Result

Ziggler, Bryan and Ambrose win via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Ziggler hits Stardust with a nasty DDT.

Stardust knocks Ziggler off the ring apron with Beautiful Disaster. 

Ziggler accidentally superkicks Bryan.

Grade

B

Analysis

The match was solid fun, but the overall effect of the in-ring happenings was up-and-down.

Barrett lost again, continuing his baffling streak. However, WWE finally made him look good once the bout ended. His rampage was the best thing WWE has done for him in a long time.

The horrendous commentary really hurt the action, though. It's hard to defend talking about floaties and rambling on rather than calling the action. The announcers didn't take things seriously until the end, missing out on plenty of opportunities to build up the Ladder match.

Bray Wyatt Has More Words for Undertaker

Bray Wyatt ranted about Undertaker as he dumped ashes from the urn onto his hands. He threatened The Deadman, calling himself "The New Face of Fear" yet again.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Last year, we saw a broken streak and a broken, empty soul."—Wyatt.

"WrestleMania will be your requiem, your final resting place. But it also be my coronation."—Wyatt.

Grade

B

Analysis

Like the Paul Heyman promo, the lines and delivery were great, but this was a lot of the same stuff we have heard from The Eater of Worlds. 

Some nice production value made this a bit more visually interesting than usual. This is the cool-down segment between last week's rocking chair on fire and whatever WWE has planned for these two on the go-home show.

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins

Backstage, Seth Rollins slapped Jamie Noble after the security guard questioned him. J&J Security then quit. This followed Big Show and Kane saying that neither of them would be at ringside.

Rollins later revealed that all the infighting had been a ruse. The Authority marched to the ring. Orton waited for them with a steel chair in hand. 

Sting soon emerged in the ring, cracking his bat over anyone within reach. He laid out Noble with a Scorpion Death Drop; Orton hit Mercury with an RKO.

Result

The match never starts. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Fire you and send you back to whatever backwoods True Detective hellhole you came from."—Rollins to Noble.

"Welcome to hell, Randy."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

"What an incredible moment with WrestleMania looming."—Micheal Cole.

Grade

A

Analysis

After making Rollins look so foolish last week, WWE wisely made him pull off a cunning trap. In the end, though, this was about Sting. Having him stand next to Orton was a powerful lasting image. 

WWE has done a great job of making Sting look formidable despite his age. 

Too bad, all the WrestleMania matches aren't feeling as must-watch as Sting vs. Triple H. It's as if WWE Creative has poured a good majority of its heart and energy into promoting Sting's debut, and there is nothing left for the tag team scene or the men entering the Battle Royal.