WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 21

The March 21 edition of WWE Raw was clearly the part of the Road to WrestleMania with little scenery. Stories progressed, and matches were made, but none of it happened in thrilling fashion.

Stripped of the stars last week's show boasted, Monday's Raw failed to ever get into a high gear. It felt more like a warm-up for the next timeout. 

WWE added some expected WrestleMania matches and attempted to add excitement ahead of the event. In some cases, the bouts simply don't feel WrestleMania-worthy. The Usos, The New Day and The Social Outcasts' battles are all hard to get psyched about.

On the plus side, Terry Funk popped in, Kevin Owens and AJ Styles kicked off the show right and video clips promoting Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon hit the spot.

The following is a look at all of that, with an eye on what worked and what flopped. Braun Strowman getting a main event slot belongs firmly in the latter category.

Roman Reigns Clashes with Stephanie McMahon

Stephanie McMahon welcomed fans, informing them Triple H would not be on Raw due to corporate responsibilities. She derided Roman Reigns for attacking her husband last week.

Reigns, though, soon emerged to interrupt her. The powerhouse shushed McMahon, promising to win back the WWE title at WrestleMania.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"For those of you seeking refunds, you'll have exactly 60 seconds to go to the box office."—McMahon.

"If you thought last week was bad, wait till we get to WrestleMania."—Reigns.

"Now I'm the authority."—Reigns.

Grade

B

Analysis

Philadelphia didn't fully crush Reigns as one might have expected, but there were still a good number of boos echoing through the arena. 

It helped that Reigns didn't play the cheesy, John Cena-like side of himself. WWE wisely had Reigns deliver a succinct, forceful promo instead. This is how WWE needs to present him on a regular basis.

Reigns entered down the ramp once again. It looks like WWE has officially ended his arrival-through-the crowd routine.

Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles

In a rematch from last week's SmackDown, Kevin Owens controlled much of the early action against AJ Styles. Styles' high-risk offense allowed him to make a comeback, however.

The back-and-forth battle had the crowd oohing and aahing.

Owens was unable to put away Styles, even when pulling new moves. He eventually had some help.

Chris Jericho walked out to distract The Phenomenal One. Jericho chanted Styles' name and stood on the ring apron. Owens took advantage with a schoolboy pin. 

The intercontinental champions then started to cut a promo. Dolph Ziggler, The Miz and Sami Zayn all came in the midst of it to claim they deserved a title shot at WrestleMania. Owens agreed to ask The Authority to book a Triple Threat to name the No. 1 contender.  

Result

Owens wins via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Owens hits a Frog Splash from the top rope.

Owens nails Styles with a superkick; Styles responds with a Pele kick before both men collapse. 

Styles follows a sunset flip in the corner into a nasty powerbomb.

"This is the Kevin Owens show!"—Owens. 

Grade

A-

Analysis

What an excellent match to kick off the show. The overused distraction depleted some of the momentum it created, but this was high-octane entertainment regardless.

Styles now has a healthy number of standout contributions in the early part of his WWE run. That should be a sign to keep placing him in a prominent role. 

The clamoring for the Intercontinental Championship was expected with all the recent rumblings about a multiman bout for the title.

Terry Funk Meets Dean Ambrose

Terry Funk gave Dean Ambrose a pep talk in a restaurant.  

Much like Mick Foley did last week, Funk backed Ambrose and gifted him one of his signature weapons. Funk offered The Lunatic Fringe his chainsaw and wasted no time in trying it out. He cut through a table as the other restaurant goers watched in horror.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Funk calls Ambrose "meaner than a rattlesnake, tougher than shoe leather, more dangerous than [a] hollow-eyed scorpion."

"If I had a son, I would want him to be just like you."—Ambrose.

Grade

A

Analysis

This is so smart to have the hardcore legends pass the torches. As an unhinged, tough-as-nails brawler, Ambrose is the ideal fit to be the next Funk or Foley.

Bringing in the stars from the past has helped give Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar more significance. The more Ambrose is handed instruments of destruction and sage advice from veteran lunatics, the more this match feels like an impending war.

Big E vs. Rusev

Before the bout, The League of Nations talked trash about the tag champs. The New Day came out to offer an unsurprisingly goofy retort. 

Kofi Kingston mocked King Barrett, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio. Xavier Woods took care of Sheamus. 

Big E and Rusev then collided in the ring with their allies watching on. The Bulgarian Brute tried to slow the pace of the match. Big E responded with his explosive, powerful style. 

Outside the ring, The League of Nations laid out Woods and Kingston. Big E fought off a distraction from Sheamus to take out Rusev for the win.

Result

Big E wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

The New Day tells The League of Nations they are trash via flash cards. 

"King Barrett, you ain't got no throne, you ain't got no crown, you ain't got nothing to do!"—Kingston. 

"Your parents actually put shame in your name!"—Sheamus.

"Both men having their bones rattled."—Michael Cole.

Big E spears Sheamus off the ring apron.

Grade

B-

Analysis

There has been no real explanation for The New Day's face turn or any change in its behavior. That's something WWE has to address.

Battling a team with such little heat like The League of Nations won't be enough to put it over.

The New Day offered its usual entertaining antics, and Rusev and Big E produced a hard-hitting matchup, but this whole rivalry has little momentum. WWE waited too long to start portraying The League of Nations as a formidable faction.

The Social Outcasts Surround Big Show

Big Show addressed the crowd and talked about how much he respected Andre the Giant.

The Social Outcasts didn't let him finish. The group insulted the big man and began attacking him. Kane came out to make the save, though.

Kane cleared the ring. But after Big Show thanked him, Kane chokeslammed the giant.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I haven't won a lot of Battle Royals."—Big Show.

"No, we're not Cinderella. We're something super cool. Like Voltron."—Axel.

Grade

D-

Analysis

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is offering little reason to get excited. When The Social Outcasts are so key to a bout's buildup, you know you're in trouble. Kane and Big Show aren't much help.

Neither have any momentum despite WWE's efforts here.

This segment didn't accomplish much of anything. The Social Outcasts don't come off like threats. And Kane attacking Big Show felt too random to have any real impact.

The Battle Royal needs some more exciting additions pronto.

Chris Jericho vs. Fandango

A highly aggressive Chris Jericho dominated Fandango. He yelled at both Fandango and the announcers as he beat on the dancer.

AJ Styles distracted him with "Y2 Jackass" chants. Jericho still managed to win. Styles chased away his rival and challenged him to a match at WrestleMania.

Result

Jericho wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"He never beat me at WrestleMania."—Jericho.

"Maybe you're the best in the world at running from me."—Styles.

Grade

C-

Analysis

While this is certainly not a show-stealer of a match, it did well to showcase Jericho's new attitude. He was dismissive, overconfident and vicious.

Styles and Jericho got a touch more animosity added to their story. It wasn't an especially creative segment or chapter, but it at least moved things along.

It played up how key and personal this fourth match between them will be moving forward. 

Stardust vs. Sin Cara

Kevin Owens took over for Lilian Garcia as the ring announcer.

The bout was supposed to feature The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn, but Owens introduced Stardust, Sin Cara and Zack Ryder.

Sin Cara earned the early advantage with his high-flying offense. 

Meanwhile, Zayn, Ziggler and The Miz arrived upset. Things soon unraveled, and everyone started trading shots. Owens retreated before anyone could get their hands on him.

Stephanie McMahon later announced Owens would defend his title at WrestleMania in a ladder match against Ryder, Sin Cara, Stardust, Ziggler, Zayn and The Miz.

Result

The match ends in a no-contest. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I would like you to never speak again, but not everyone gets what they want."—Owens to Cole. 

Grade

C

Analysis

The logjam fans all saw coming has arrived. Owens is set to defend against every midcarder WWE could stuff into his title bout.

Kalisto and Ryback, meanwhile, are set to get a one-on-one contest. WWE really should have switched those situations. Owens is the guy you showcase in singles action. Kalisto is the high-spot guy who would thrive in a ladder match. 

The fact Ryder gets a title shot despite not winning a match on Raw since 2014 certainly doesn't help with the prestige of the IC title.

Natalya vs. Charlotte

Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks sat in on commentary, bickering as the Divas champ took on the veteran Natalya.

Lynch and Banks' presence distracted Charlotte. That didn't slow the champion down for long. Charlotte smacked Natalya around for the majority of the match.

Natural Selection was enough to put away Natalya.

Result

Charlotte wins via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The only bling I'm interested in is the bling on that woman's title."—Lynch.

Natalya hits a powerbomb for a near-fall.

Grade

C+

Analysis

It was hard to focus on anything but Lynch and Banks' commentary. WWE looked to have tried to cram both a promo segment and match into one space.

Charlotte winning against a game Natalya was a good move. Although it's hard to watch Natalya be relegated to a stepping-stone role. The mindset should be to have each woman pile on the wins ahead of WrestleMania—every wrestler looking like they will ride a hot streak to a title win.

Bubba Ray Dudley vs. R-Truth

As Bubba Ray Dudley throttled R-Truth, he mocked him in between punches.

R-Truth battled back, but his luck soon ran out. D-Von Dudley distracted him, and Bubba Ray kicked him in the face to put him away.

Goldust ran in to prevent a post-match beatdown, but fell victim to the heels himself. The Usos then ran in, chasing The Dudley Boyz out of the ring.

The Usos pulled out a table and tried to crash D-Von through it. Bubba Ray pulled his partner out of the ring, though.

Result

Bubba Ray wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"You mad about your boy, Goldust?"—Bubba Ray.

The Usos 

Grade

D+

Analysis

This feud continues to feature rushed segments. Other rivals have had time to stare each other down or trade insults. The Usos and The Dudley Boyz have to instead rely on the same run-in angle.

Bubba Ray is doing an excellent job being a jerk overall. This moment didn't do much for him. Allowing him and D-Von to more viciously lay out Golden Truth would have been far more effective.

WWE will struggle to make this match feel relevant at WrestleMania. While there is tepid chemistry between The League of Nations and The New Day, at least the titles are on the line to add some juice to the bout.

Vince McMahon's Hell in a Cell Announcement

WWE ran a promo for Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon throughout the show. Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Edge, Road Dogg and others talked about the big bout.

In the closing segment, Vince McMahon talked about his son facing The Deadman. He said if Undertaker loses, this will be his last WrestleMania. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Shane happens to be the most formidable opponent Undertaker has ever had at WrestleMania."—Mr. McMahon.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The promos were a welcome sight. They did well to make the match feel huge. All the legends adding their take provided layers to the story.

We finally get a reason for Undertaker fighting on Vince's behalf. But with him not resisting beforehand or WWE introducing that element, it was a mistake. The narrative has been shaky because it hadn't addressed that plot void until now.

Vince's promo was odd, brief and poorly executed. We have seen him be far better on the mic. 

It didn't help that neither rival facing off at WrestleMania was in the building. That's a surefire way to make an episode of Raw feel less important.

Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman

Credit: WWE.com

Paul Heyman provided guest commentary as Braun Strowman took on Dean Ambrose.

The Lunatic Fringe tried to evade the big man early. He employed a stick-and-move strategy, but soon found himself getting flung around the ring.

Strowman methodically attacked Ambrose. The babyface battled back, including walloping the giant with a steel chair.

After the match, Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds on his foe, slamming his head onto a chair in the process. 

Result

Strowman wins via disqualification. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Strowman throws Ambrose into the guardrail. 

"Brock Lesnar himself is an instrument of mass destruction."—Heyman.

Fan chant, "This is boring!"

Grade

D

Analysis

What a case of bad placement. Put this in the middle of the show and it would have been fine. Have it be the climax to a key Raw ahead of WrestleMania and count on disappointment dragging down the show.

WWE clearly wanted to show how formidable Ambrose is when wielding a weapon while still protecting Strowman. The result was a snoozefest of a contest and one of the least emphatic endings to Raw in a long while.

Not having Lesnar around to plug in somewhere really hurt WWE's options. The creativity required to make up for that just didn't happen. 

The company really needs to put Heyman and Ambrose in the same ring and hand them both microphones. Their dynamic is one of the best potential parts of the Lesnar-Ambrose feud, but it's not being leaned on nearly enough.