WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 2

The March 2 edition of WWE Raw went full steam ahead toward WrestleMania 36. The last step before Sunday's Elimination Chamber for the red brand included plenty of pay-per-view-building clashes.

AJ Styles was set to fight Aleister Black just one week after laying out The Dutch Destroyer. This would be the biggest challenge to Black's undefeated run to date, with the additional threat of The O.C. at ringside.

Rey Mysterio returned to action, teaming with Humberto Carrillo against Andrade and Angel Garza. This lucha libre clash had potential to steal the show.

The Street Profits got a second chance at the Raw Tag Team Championships held by Seth Rollins and Murphy. However, this was to be their last opportunity for a while if they failed as they did at WWE Super ShowDown on Thursday.

Shayna Baszler was expected to fight Asuka, but The Empress of Tomorrow was not cleared to compete. Instead, she fought a longtime rival in Kairi Sane just six days before the women's Elimination Chamber.

Beth Phoenix promised an update on Edge's condition following the attack by Randy Orton, while Brock Lesnar appeared with Paul Heyman to address Drew McIntyre.

The night was packed, and anything can happen on the Road to WrestleMania.

Drew McIntyre Gives Brock Lesnar a Lasting Statement

Credit: WWE.com

Paul Heyman called the WrestleMania main event a sham. He refused to see Drew McIntyre as a true threat to WWE champion Brock Lesnar.

The Scot interrupted, and he made his statement with action. He hit a Claymore on The Beast Incarnate and walked off.

Lesnar and Heyman got to the top of the ramp, only for the No. 1 contender to hit a pair of Claymores on the stage.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was an excellent bit of business. Heyman always puts over Lesnar's opponents. He lauds them and then promises a win. Here, he ran down McIntyre, which made this feel different. The Advocate came off as scared.

The Scottish Psychopath did not take the words lightly and proved why both heels should be scared. Lesnar sold the Claymore better than most anything, except maybe Goldberg's Spear.

Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Murphy vs. The Street Profits

AOP got involved until they had to be thrown out in this match. In the chaos, though, Kevin Owens slipped in to hit a stunner on Seth Rollins. Montez Ford hit the frog splash for the win.

Afterward, The Monday Night Messiah demanded a rematch with The Street Profits at Elimination Chamber, and he told KO he would fight him anywhere and at any time.

Result

Street Profits def. Rollins and Murphy by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Analysis

While the match never really got going, the result made this a strong segment. Owens finally got one up on Rollins. This allowed The Street Profits to finally win the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Ford and Angelo Dawkins can deliver with this spotlight, especially as entertainers on the Road to WrestleMania. They can make any story work.

It's also good to get the tag titles off Rollins so he can focus on his feud with KO.

24/7 Champion Riddick Moss vs. Ricochet

Credit: WWE.com

Riddick Moss took advantage of the beatdown Ricochet suffered from Brock Lesnar at Super ShowDown on Thursday and gained an early edge in this contest.

The One and Only fought back but wasn't able to match the 24/7 champion, and he fell to a neckbreaker.

Result

Moss def. Ricochet by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Moss looked solid in this match, but it made no sense to book Ricochet like this. He was fighting for the WWE Championship four days earlier. Why is he losing to a star who has barely done anything since he was first signed and shows far less potential?

It was good to have a complete match for the 24/7 Championship. More of this would be nice, only with a stronger champion.

Aleister Black vs. Karl Anderson; Black vs. Luke Gallows; Black vs. AJ Styles

Credit: WWE.com

AJ Styles told Undertaker he would make short work of Aleister Black, but he decided The Dutch Destroyer had to take on Karl Anderson first.

Black defeated Anderson with Black Mass.

The Phenomenal One forced him to fight Luke Gallows as well. The big man beat Black down before the bell, and it continued into the match with the referee calling for the disqualification. The O.C. stomped on The Dutch Destroyer in the corner and hit the Magic Killer.

Finally, Styles decided he was ready. Barely able to stand, Black refused to give up but fell to the Phenomenal Forearm, followed by the signature Taker pinfall.

Result

Black def. Anderson by pinfall. Black def. Gallows by disqualification. Styles def. Black by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

Black vs. Styles went from an incredible showcase match to a flat segment finish. While The Dutch Destroyer needed to be protected in this loss, he should not have lost at all to The Phenomenal One.

This victory did not help Styles, but it did hurt Black by removing his win streak from the equation. Hopefully, The Dutch Destroyer will get his chance at revenge after WrestleMania. Right now, what matters to WWE is building to Styles vs. Undertaker.

Liv Morgan vs. Ruby Riott with Special Guest Referee Sarah Logan

Credit: WWE.com

Sarah Logan remained an impartial referee throughout this match, but she had to get physically involved to stop Ruby Riott.

An accidental headbutt to Logan from Riott led to a slow count, and the two women got into it.

In the chaos, Logan fast-counted a roll-up from Liv Morgan to take three. Logan laid out Riott and Morgan afterward.

Result

Morgan def. Riott by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

While Riott vs. Morgan needed more time, this was a solid segment. Morgan got the win, but Riott was the better woman until she got turned over. Logan got to stand tall in her biggest segment to date as a solo star.

Hopefully, Morgan and Riott will get another chance down the line, as they can have a good match together. For now, all three women just need to get a chance in Sunday's Elimination Chamber.

Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane (w/ Asuka)

Asuka called Shayna Baszler lucky for not having to fight her on Raw. Kairi Sane promised to do her proud.

The Pirate Princess had The Queen of Spades off her feet until she was able to catch her and grind her down. Becky Lynch then arrived to join commentary to watch the contest.

The Man put over The Queen of Spades as she kept up with Sane. Finally, Baszler caught her opponent with the Kirifuda Clutch for a submission.

Result

Baszler def. Sane by submission.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Sane has often looked out of sorts in the ring since her arrival on Raw. However, she looked great against Baszler, as she always has. The two have incredible chemistry, and it made for a strong debut for The Queen of Spades.

Lynch vs. Baszler has tons of potential, and every interaction between them is fantastic. The Man taunts The Queen of Spades repeatedly, and she does not back away. Baszler is just not ready to run into a fight yet.

Rey Mysterio and Humberto Carrillo vs. Andrade and Angel Garza (w/ Zelina Vega)

Angel Garza and Andrade worked well together from the start, taking out Rey Mysterio to isolate Humberto Carrillo in the ring.

Carrillo could not get to The Master of the 619 for a while, but he fought valiantly.

Mysterio got the hot tag and turned the whole match around. The faces began pushing the pace, and the heels were ready to match them.

Mysterio hit a 619 on both heels, and Carrillo planted Andrade with a moonsault to take the win.

Result

Mysterio and Carrillo def. Andrade and Garza by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Unsurprisingly, this was a fun match between four talented performers. A lack of stakes hurt the contest but not enough to stop anyone from enjoying the action. These four have chemistry to spare.

Whether it's Carrillo or Garza who benefit or not, a United States Championship title change is coming. El Idolo does not feel the same after his suspension, and he needs a fresh start.

Randy Orton Explains to Beth Phoenix Why He Attacked Edge

Randy Orton interrupted Beth Phoenix's medical update on her husband, Edge. The Viper offered a hug and then to shake her hand, but The Glamazon refused.

Phoenix began to speak, but The Viper then demanded a mic.

Orton refused to believe Edge could wrestle again. He put over The Rated-R Superstar for saving his life, and he explained he assaulted Edge to stop him from putting his life on the line. He wanted Phoenix to have her husband away from wrestling.

He blamed Phoenix for enabling him and told her he loved Edge more than her by stopping him. Edge's wife slapped him. Orton responded by RKO'ing her.

Grade

A

Analysis

Orton finally cut a personal promo, and it was the best he has sounded in years. He went all-in and sold this angle in a surprising manner. Suddenly, it was easy to understand The Viper's perspective even if he is obviously deluded.

I'm not big on a part-time performer like Phoenix selling the RKO like it killed her, but the promo made up for it. The Viper has rarely, if ever, cut a promo like this, and it is easy to get into this feud more now than before.