Who won on WWE RAW? Live Grades (20/02/2023)

WWE RAW touched down in Ottawa following the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, live from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ontario. The events of Montreal were fresh in the memories of the people who attended the show, but it was time to look forward.

Advertised for WWE RAW was a mega United States Title match between Austin Theory and Edge. Elimination Chamber winner Asuka became the number one Contender for Bianca Belair's RAW Women's Championship, setting up a clash between them at WrestleMania 39.

We should hear from her and also from Bobby Lashley, who defeated Brock Lesnar via disqualification at Elimination Chamber, albeit after getting hit in the jewels.

With no more Saturday shows until 'Mania, the road towards the biggest wrestling event in the world is clear. These are our grades for what transpired on this week's episode of WWE RAW.

---

Sami Zayn kicks off WWE RAW and gets rejected by Kevin Owens

Sami Zayn kicked off the post-Elimination Chamber episode of WWE RAW to a thunderous ovation. He was visibly moved by the reaction he received and expressed his gratitude for their support.

Zayn stated that even though he ultimately let them all down, the story wasn't over. He asked Kevin Owens to come down to the ring, with the latter obliging. The former Honorary Uce expressed his regret over the things they said to each other over the last few months. He then asked if he would join him in taking down The Bloodline for good.

Owens refused to join forces with his countryman, saying that he was done with him for good and that he would rather fight on his own. He then taunted Zayn by saying he could always ask Jey Uso for help and walked off.

The Master Strategist was then attacked by Baron Corbin out of nowhere. He sent him into the video wall as referees tried in vain to stop him. The match was made official.

Grade: A+

Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin

Sami Zayn sent Baron Corbin into the ring post the second the opening bell rang. The latter ripped his opponent's shirt off to reveal his scars from Elimination Chamber, letting the world know that he was there to make it worse.

Zayn battled back, landing an elbow and a DDT. Corbin reversed his attempt at a Helluva Kick into Deep Six but could only score a two-count. He hit several corner splashes on the hometown hero, but walked right into a Helluva Kick for the pin and the win to conclude the first match of WWE RAW this week.

Grade: B

Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio's sit-down interview

Dominik Mysterio and his Mami spoke to Byron Saxton about what happened at Elimination Chamber. Rhea Ripley said she wasn't done with Beth Phoenix, but she had to focus on Charlotte Flair and WrestleMania. Saxton tried to ask her for more but was shut down by Dominik.

The Nightmare said she would be on SmackDown to confront Flair. Dom added that he would tag along just to see how his father was doing.

Grade: B+

Dolph Ziggler vs. Mustafa Ali

Dolph Ziggler looked to break his losing streak against Mustafa Ali on WWE RAW. He dominated the early stages of this short match until his opponent took him off the ropes.

Ali delivered some taunts and almost fell victim to a DDT. Ziggler went for a Famouser, but Ali reversed it into a crucifix pin for the win.

Grade: C+

Cody Rhodes and Paul Heyman exchange words

Cody Rhodes walked out to the ring to address his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. But before he could get a single word off, he was interrupted by a smug Paul Heyman on the titantron.

Heyman declared that Rhodes wouldn't be able to defeat Reigns. He then explored the possibility of him managing to win at 'Mania. The Wise Man told The American Nightmare that being the face of the company was, um, a nightmare, and asked him if he was ready for a hectic and stressful life.

The WWE RAW superstar acknowledged The Tribal Chief as the best in WWE but vowed to finish the story and defeat him at WrestleMania.

Grade: B+

Asuka vs. Nikki Cross

Bianca Belair sat next to the WWE RAW announcers to watch Asuka and Nikki Cross go at it. The Japanese superstar exerted control until Cross dodged a kick and forced her opponent to hit the ring post with her foot. She then took over outside the ring.

The former Nikki A.S.H. ate a couple of strikes and a bulldog off the middle rope. Asuka was relentless as she unloaded with kicks and a slam. The Empress of Tomorrow then forced Cross to tap out for a submission victory.

After the match, Belair stood face-to-face with her WrestleMania opponent as the crowd chanted for both women. Asuka teased spraying the EST with mist but refrained from doing so.

Grade: B+

Seth 'Freakin' Rollins vs. The Miz

Seth 'Freakin' Rollins was irritated that Logan Paul was absent from the latest episode WWE RAW, so he looked to unleash all his frustration on The Miz. He took the fight to him from the get-go, forcing the referee to pull him aside for a second.

Miz used the referee as a shield and then struck, forcing Rollins to go on the defensive. The latter tried to hit a Stomp, but the A-Lister dodged and went for a Skull Crushing Finale, which was also evaded.

Mike then used Logan Paul's name to taunt The Visionary, drawing his wrath. He delivered two stomps and knocked his opponent out cold. The referee tried to stop the match and called for the bell once he delivered a third.

Grade: A

Ding Dong, Hello! with IYO SKY & Dakota Kai

Bayley and her cronies were full of themselves on the WWE RAW talk show. The Role Model asked Dakota Kai what it felt like to be one of the greatest women's tag team champions of all time. She replied that she and IYO SKY would continue to dominate the tag team division before being cut off by Becky Lynch.

Lynch pointed out that the tag team championships haven't been defended in a while and that she wanted a crack at them. She revealed her partner as Lita and then goaded The Role Model into accepting their challenge on Damage CTRL's behalf. Kai and SKY looked furious as the match was made official.

Grade: B+

Bronson Reed vs. Chad Gable

Following a great performance at the Elimination Chamber, Bronson Reed looked to build on his momentum by defeating Chad Gable on WWE RAW. It was easy work for him, but it came thanks to a distraction from the Maximum Male Models.

Maxxine Dupri gave a card to Otis at ringside, inviting him to join their group. This distracted Gable, who had made a strong start to the match. By the time he refocused, he was hit from behind by Reed and fell victim to a huge Tsunami for a quick loss.

Grade: C+

Bobby Lashley puts the WWE RAW locker room on notice

Elias emerged to dish out a challenge and regretted it the second Bobby Lashley answered it. He obliterated the guitar-wielding superstar and cut a scathing promo, still incensed about what happened at the Elimination Chamber.

Lashley stated that everyone thinks they can beat him until they get put in the Hurt Lock. He revealed that even the mighty Brock Lesnar panicked when he was in the hold and low blowed him on Saturday. The All Mighty concluded by declaring that no one could break out of his submission hold and that if he was disrespected, they would be put down.

Grade: B+

Austin Theory (c) vs. Edge (United States Championship match)

Edge looked to capture his second United States Championship and add another feather to his illustrious cap. His opponent was Austin Theory, the self-proclaimed greatest United States Champion of all time, and they locked up in the main event of WWE RAW.

Edge took control early, jumping over Theory twice and slamming his face to the floor. He put him in a headlock and then delivered a Russian Leg Sweep. The challenger kept his opponent on his toes, never giving him a moment to establish dominance.

The champion landed a Fallaway Slam for a two-count. He talked trash to the Rated-R Superstar as he trapped him in a headlock. Mr. A-Town Down reminded fans that he grew up watching Edge and would put him down. A rolling dropkick followed, but it could only net him a two-count.

The hometown hero rallied but failed to hit the Edgecution and then a Spear. However, he successfully applied the Crossface, forcing Theory to break it by hanging on to the ropes. The latter went for his finisher, but Edge reversed it into an Edgecution for a close two-count.

Finn Balor emerged and distracted Edge as he prepared to finish Theory off with a Spear. He hit him with a kick, allowing the champion to land A-Town Down for the pin and the win. After the match, Balor hit three Coup de Graces to leave his nemesis on the mat as WWE RAW went off the air.

Winners on WWE RAW (20/02/2023)

• Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin via pinfall
• Mustafa Ali def. Dolph Ziggler via pinfall
• Asuka def. Nikki Cross vis submission
• Seth 'Freakin' Rollins def. The Miz via referee stoppage
• Bronson Reed def. Chad Gable via pinfall
• Austin Theory (c) def. Edge via pinfall