WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 14

"WrestleMania 32, brought to you by lethargy," or so the script should read for lead commentator Michael Cole after the March 14 episode of Raw.

Roman Reigns returned from injury, but WWE's lead hero was greeted with overwhelming jeers as he pummeled its greatest villain.

Dolph Ziggler showed great emotion as he stood up in the face of The Authority but was smacked right back down in an attempt to remind us all that no one gets over on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

Ryback set up an uninteresting match with Kalisto for the United States Championship, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens failed to maintain their intensity from a week ago and injury greatly hampered the effectiveness of AJ Styles' revenge on Chris Jericho.

Even the much-hyped confrontation between Shane McMahon and Undertaker fell flat.

In fact, the only Superstar who feels like a star at this point is Dean Ambrose, who received the biggest pop of the night for a promo with Brock Lesnar and a backstage segment in which Mick Foley passed him the proverbial torch in the form of a barbed-wire baseball bat.

With only 20 days until the most important show of the year, WWE Creative needed to hit the ball out of the park—a grand slam if you will—but failed to pick up a single base. 

The apathy with which fans were approaching WrestleMania 32 remained intact, uncertainty about the direction of the product overtaking the excitement and anticipation that typically accompanies the event.

How did each individual match and segment grade out? Why did it or did it not work? Take a look for yourself with this recap of the March 14 episode of WWE's flagship show.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: The New Day vs. The League of Nations

Rusev and Alberto Del Rio attempted to do what Sheamus and King Barrett could not on Saturday as they attempted to wrest the WWE Tag Team Championships away from The New Day, this time featuring Big E and Xavier Woods.

Del Rio isolated Woods, even trapping his arm in a top-rope-assisted cross armbreaker.

Woods made the hot tag to Big E, who exploded into the ring and put Rusev down with two straight belly-to-belly suplexes. The Bulgarian Brute fought his way back into the match, but Woods delivered a big DDT that nearly ended his championship aspirations.

Rusev put Woods down for a near-fall, but a late distraction from Kofi Kingston at ringside led to the master of the trombone scoring a schoolboy rollup and holding the tights for the pinfall and successful retention of the tag titles.

After the match, The League beat down The New Day, leaving the champions lying in a heap amid a chorus of boos.

Result

The New Day defeated The League of Nations.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The match was very good, on par with the rushed Roadblock bout from Saturday, but it still feels like these two teams are capable of a true show-stealing performance. This was not it.

The beatdown after the match was excellent, though, as Kingston showed great intestinal fortitude while he battled through the pummeling dealt to him by his rivals. The crowd was receptive and, as predicted, New Day makes a perfect babyface act.

Suddenly, the tag titles feel important again.

Dean Ambrose Promo

Fresh off his disappointing defeat at the hands of Triple H at Roadblock this past weekend, Dean Ambrose addressed the WWE Universe on his shortcoming.

A huge "let's go Ambrose" chant broke out as The Lunatic Fringe relived his biggest match to date. "Triple H learned what happens when you take me lightly," he said.

The Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar, and advocate Paul Heyman interrupted to a huge ovation.

"If Brock Lesnar comes down to that ring, you will not make it to WrestleMania," Heyman warned before pronouncing the upcoming Street Fight between the two at the Showcase of the Immortals the real main event of the night.

Lesnar stalked to the ring, against the advice of Heyman, and circled it like a hyena waiting to pounce on its prey. A defiant Ambrose taunted Lesnar, who charged at the ring only to retreat when Ambrose showed no fear and jumped at him.

They stared each other down to end the segment.

Grade

B+

Analysis

After weeks of focusing on Ambrose vs. Triple H as Roadblock approached, this was a great way to get heat back on Ambrose's upcoming match against Lesnar.

Heyman was gold on the microphone as usual and did more to make the Street Fight at WrestleMania feel like a credible main event match than WWE Creative has in weeks.

The reaction from the fans to Ambrose was spectacular, his loss this past Saturday doing nothing to hurt his standing with the audience. And he was presented in a fashion that suggests his fear-no-man attitude will continue.

If so, management can expect his popularity to grow until it can no longer deny him a sustained main event push.

Sin Cara vs. Ryback

Ryback wore Sin Cara down early, using his strength advantage as he worked a chinlock.

The dynamic masked luchador mounted an energetic comeback but wound up in the grasp of The Big Guy, who put him away with Shell Shocked.

After the match, Kalisto checked on his fallen partner in the ring while Ryback grabbed a microphone.

"Size...matters," he exclaimed before challenging the United States champion to a title match at WrestleMania 32.

Result

Ryback defeated Kalisto.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was fairly generic for the most part. Ryback looked strong in victory, and his challenge to Kalisto set up a championship bout for WrestleMania.

For the third straight segment, a match or promo had a direct effect on something occurring at the April 3 event. That is the definition of efficiency.

Triple H Promo

Stephanie McMahon hit the ring and introduced WWE world heavyweight champion Triple H to the fans.

The Game cut a longwinded promo about his match with Roman Reigns when Dolph Ziggler interrupted. The Showoff refused to give up, no matter how many obstacles The Authority put in front of him. He "busted his ass for too long" to roll over and play dead because things are difficult.

He insisted that guys like him and Dean Ambrose were "screwed by the system" and reiterated that he will not quit.

The promo ended with an arrogant Triple H applauding Ziggler, The Showoff responding by calling Stephanie egotistical and idiotic, and the Billion Dollar Princess booking a match between her husband and Ziggler for the night's main event.

Grade

B

Analysis

This writer's admitted appreciation of Ziggler wanted to do cartwheels at the mere suggestion that The Showoff may be in line for a major babyface push, but we have all been here before with the character. He stands up to management, gets a few high-profile matches out it and then descends back down the card, not better or worse off than he was before.

This feels like the same sort of situation, especially since Roman Reigns is still the No. 1 contender and Triple H's opponent at WrestleMania.

Would Ziggler deliver a phenomenal performance later in the night? Probably, but would it generate any momentum that WWE Creative will follow up on effectively? Of course not.

And this Ziggler fan will find a corner to sulk in.

Sami Zayn vs. The Miz

Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens joined the announcers as Sami Zayn squared off with The Miz, the result of last Thursday's edition of Miz TV and the tag team match that ensued.

Former WWE champion Miz taunted the fans as Zayn looked to recover, then tried for the Skull-Crushing Finale only to be rolled up for a quick two-count. His corner clothesline put Zayn down, but only momentarily.

The Montreal native exploded with a series of clotheslines. Outside the ring, Miz attacked Owens only to fall victim to the Helluva Kick and another loss courtesy of the former NXT champion.

Result

Sami Zayn defeated The Miz.

Grade

C

Analysis

If there is anything this writer hates, it is the tired old finish that sees one wrestler fall for a distraction from another Superstar and lose as a result. Here it was in full force, with Miz dropping a match to Zayn courtesy of Owens popping his nose into the bout late.

Of course, it is necessary if both competitors are to challenge Owens for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, but that does not make it acceptable.

Perhaps WWE Creative should not book itself into a corner as it has a habit of doing.

Brie Bella and Alicia Fox vs. Naomi and Tamina

Before the Divas tag match could get underway, Lana made her way to ringside, almost certainly to prevent her rival Brie Bella from scoring a victory.

Naomi and Tamina worked over Alicia Fox until a hot tag from Bella resulted in an energetic sprint toward the finish. Lana watched as Brie unloaded with a series of kicks—reminiscent of her husband Daniel Bryan's—and nearly picked up a win.

Naomi broke up a pin, though, and a distraction by Lana led to a double-team slam from Team B.A.D. for the win.

Lana was clearly satisfied as the segment came to a close.

Result

Naomi and Tamina defeated Brie Bella and Alicia Fox.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Naomi and Tamina coming up with inventive double-team maneuvers to embrace their status as a duo is a nice touch, but they are clearly at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to the Divas division.

As for Bella's feud with Lana...does anyone really know why it exists outside of a few barbs exchanged between the two three weeks ago? It is a hollow program, and as a result, fans have not had the opportunity to get emotionally invested in either of the women.

The Usos vs. The Social Outcasts

The Dudley Boyz sat in on commentary, keeping their lethargic feud with The Usos alive.

No matter how many times Bubba Ray Dudley tried to interfere, it did not matter. Bo Dallas and Adam Rose, two former NXT stars once destined for great things, have descended so far into the role of jobbers that they could not capitalize.

The Usos delivered the Superfly Splash to secure the pinfall victory, while their rivals hightailed it up the ramp.

Result

The Usos defeated The Dudley Boyz.

Grade

D-

Analysis

Is it possible to care any less about the ongoing feud between The Usos and The Dudley Boyz? After a cool heel turn for Bubba Ray and D-Von, the program has been bogged down by a lack of television time and lackluster storytelling.

Rose and Dallas are the jobbers of a faction of jobbers, making them especially pitiful at this point, no matter how hard they work with what little is given to them.

This was a waste of a segment that advanced absolutely nothing.

Non-Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Triple H

Credit: WWE.com

Stephanie McMahon was at ringside, applauding her husband as he made his entrance for his first Raw match in years.

Triple H outclassed Ziggler early, working a series of headlocks, then working over the arm and shoulder. He sent Ziggler into the steel stairs, inflicting more pain.

A rollup, Fameasser and delayed DDT put Triple H down for two as Ziggler fought his way back into the match.

The Game responded, hitting his signature spinebuster but failing to put Ziggler away. A Pedigree attempt, though, was countered by a major superkick from The Showoff that netted a strong near-fall. Moments later, the WWE champion sent Ziggler into the guardrail and finished him off shortly thereafter with a Pedigree.

After the match, Reigns made his return, brawling around the ringside arena with his WrestleMania 32 opponent. He punished the COO, repeatedly slamming his head on the announce table in a spot that mirrored the exact one that left him bloodied and out of action.

The fight moved backstage, where Reigns hit Triple H with a television monitor before being calmed down by The Usos, Mark Henry and Jack Swagger.

Result

Triple H defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

A

Analysis

The match between Triple H and Ziggler was exactly what it looked like on the surface: another excuse to put The Game over in a strong wrestling match against an opponent fans love and connect with. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

In any other situation, it would make him that much more hated, building substantial heat for his next major title defense.

The match was a thing of beauty. Like the match with Ambrose at Roadblock, it started slow but gradually built, each spot and near-fall intensifying and meaning more as the match advanced. It is an old-school way of in-ring storytelling that is not seen nearly enough in today's frenetically paced action.

Then there was Reigns' "anticipated" return.

It was extremely well done. Reigns showed great fire and aggression as he avenged the beatdown that left him sidelined.

At this point in the build to 'Mania, though, it is too late to get fans to shift their opinions of him. He is the de facto heel, the Superman-like babyface shoved down their throats in the same manner John Cena was, proving that WWE Creative did not learn its lesson.

Had he blasted his cousins, The Usos, and pummeled Swagger and Henry for pulling him away from Triple H, he may have generated more interest and thus fewer boos.

Instead, he found himself at the mercy of an audience hellbent on voicing its displeasure with his portrayal to this point and the fact that he finds himself in the main event of WrestleMania despite much more interesting characters like Ambrose hanging around and the sympathetic Ziggler delivering outstanding performances in defeat.

Neville vs. Chris Jericho

Credit: WWE.com

Michael Cole referenced the July 4, 2015 showing between Neville and Chris Jericho in Tokyo before the match, proving that someone actually does study the history of specific Superstars.

The match between Jericho and Neville was unfortunately cut short by a foot injury suffered by the latter.

A tense exchange of words between Y2J and referee Charles Robinson ensued before Jericho grabbed a microphone and called out AJ Styles.

The Phenomenal One hit the ring and blasted his rival with The Phenomenal Forearm to close out the segment.

Result

Neville defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification.

Grade

Incomplete

Analysis

It is impossible to accurately grade this segment. The injury to Neville cut the match short, while the Styles-Jericho interaction felt rushed, perhaps improvised given the abrupt conclusion to the bout.

The verbal exchange between Jericho and Robinson was uncomfortable and looked far more like a disgruntled wrestler giving an official a live tongue-lashing than a heel verbally assaulting a respected referee. It was an all-around bad look.

A disappointing following to last week's heel turn, for sure, but necessary given the circumstances.

Undertaker Confronts the McMahons

Credit: WWE.com

Vince McMahon arrived and, unsatisfied with his reception, forced Lilian Garcia to announce him again.

He said his son Shane coming to the ring after WrestleMania and promising a new era in WWE would be a nightmare. He promised that his son's dreams will be crushed on the grand stage and that he will be an "impotent shell of himself."

"He is my instrument of destruction. He is the Undertaker," McMahon said, introducing The Phenom to the fans in Pittsburgh.

"I know you don't mind getting your hands dirty and I know you enjoy doing the devil's work," Vince told Undertaker, then labeling the relationship "what's best for business," echoing The Authority's favorite tagline.

Shane McMahon interrupted, barely drawing a reaction from a disappointingly quiet Pittsburgh audience. For the first time, WrestleMania opponents stood face to face.

The prodigal son equated Undertaker to being his father's puppet, to which The Phenom claimed no one controls him.

"I have the misfortune of being Vince's son. You're just Vince's b---h," Shane said, infuriating The Deadman.

Shane escaped a chokeslam attempt and unloaded with a flurry of rights and lefts before a well-timed bit of interference from Vince allowed Undertaker to put his son down with a chokeslam to close out the broadcast.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Shane McMahon is so out of his element when it comes to the live promos. Each week that he has had the opportunity to talk on the mic, he has appeared nervous and apprehensive.

Perhaps it has to do with the scripted nature of the show or legitimate jitters from not doing it for so long, but his work on the stick has been ugly.

Not as ugly as the creative team behind this storyline.

Undertaker insists he is not a puppet for Vince but then does his dirty work. Why? Because Vince says he likes it? Strong logic behind that one.

The entire thing feels forced and unnatural. The result will probably be an awesome WrestleMania match, but it will have to overcome some of the worst and most flawed storytelling in recent memory to get there.

Overall, a lethargic close to a lethargic show in front of a lethargic audience.