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Last night's Raw advanced the main WrestleMania programs but still felt underwhelming with the big show only three weeks away. It featured a lot of filler matches with people that had no plans for New Orleans. There were a few key moments and of course, the Ultimate Deletion.
Winner: Roman Reigns
We all knew that Roman Reigns would be in attendance even if he was suspended, but to WWE's credit, they did something other than the cliche "rush past security" scene. Roman Reigns was arrested and about to be escorted out when Brock Lesnar finally showed up and gave his challenger a brutal beating.
Roman Reigns got mixed reactions as usual, but by the end of the segment, he was being cheered while Brock Lesnar was being booed. It was a welcome change of pace from last week's forced promo, but WWE can't rely on this reaction to stay, and if it succeeds in getting both men hated, we could be looking at a repeat of WrestleMania 20.
Loser: Asuka
Although she was over in the match, this was a droll and boring affair and did little to get fans excited for Asuka's upcoming match with Charlotte Flair. Eventually, Alexa Bliss cowered out of the match after suffering through Asuka's ankle lock, but the entire segment looked like it was tailored to build the Alexa vs. Nia match without paying heed to Asuka vs. Charlotte.
The match and the segment that followed made Asuka feel like an afterthought, even though she won the women's Royal Rumble.
Winner: Nia Jax
The highlight of the night as far as the women were concerned was Nia Jax trying to get her hands on Alexa Bliss. Kurt Angle made that inevitable by booking a title match. "The Raw women's champion should be a role model, not a bully," were some of the most powerful words he's used since returning.
It's unlikely that Nia Jax will be able to maintain this level of heat once Alexa Bliss is in her rear-view mirror, but WWE has done a great job of building to a match that on its own merits should be a real stinker.
Winner: Cesaro
Many fans moaned that Braun Strowman "buried" the tag team division last week, but the Monster Among Men certainly had a fight on his hands with Cesaro this week. It was an ideal way to keep the champion strong.
We also found out that Braun Strowman will need to find a partner for WrestleMania, unfortunately. Who it will be, remains to be seen.
Losers: Bayley and Sasha Banks
Loud "What?" chants signified that the ship has sailed long ago on this angle, especially now that we know it won't get a showing at WrestleMania. On Raw at least, there's little room for it, and the match that followed was more a preparation for the women's battle royal than anything else.
Sasha and Bayley should both move to SmackDown to start this feud fresh after WrestleMania. It was rumoured that their match for WrestleMania got cancelled. With Alexa Bliss constantly being the forefront of the RAW Women's division, it would be good time for a fresh change.
Winner: John Cena
John Cena showed how good he is on the mic again by getting fans even more excited about his upcoming match with Undertaker. Kane would return to answer his taunts, and is an appropriate filler opponent until we see the Deadman back.
John Cena also looks like he's playing heel in this feud without turning, which is a fun change of pace from what usually goes on. The match should be a spectacle even if it won't be very good.
Winner: Matt Hardy
WWE actually did it. They made the Ultimate Deletion segment a success. Instead of just being a laughing doofus, "Woken" Matt Hardy's character was explored to greater depths and connected in the weird, absurd way it was always meant to.
His victory in the segment was a big deal for him and could give the character second-wind after the wheel-spinning and repetitive promos that have been going on since December.
Loser: Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt's loss was mildly surprising, given Matt Hardy's age and the "Woken" gimmick having not originated in WWE. Is it really too surprising, though? Bray Wyatt has been called the "Eater of Pins" for a long time now.
Bray Wyatt's character was dead for ages. Hopefully, this was the segment that finally deleted the corpse. Let him disappear for good and give Windham Rotunda's own career a second wind by letting him do something else.
