WWE Raw Results, Grade & Opinion: February 22, 2021

WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: February 22, 2021

A.K.A. The One Where Bobby Lashley Makes Moves

Results:

• Matt Riddle def. John Morrison
• New Day def. Retribution
• Hurt Business def. Lucha House Party
• Damian Priest def. Angel Garza
• Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler def. Charlotte & Asuka
• Lana & Naomi def. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke
• Sheamus def. Jeff Hardy
• AJ Styles def. Ricochet
• Bobby Lashley def. Braun Strowman

The Main Event: The Rent Comes Due

Miz made a deal to get the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber, and now it’s time for him to pay the piper. MVP and Bobby Lashley talked about the deal they made on the show. Miz’s boy Morrison cost Lashley the title, so Lashley helped Miz get the WWE Championship in return for a shot. Miz said he needed more time to make a decision.

As Miz said he needed more time, another challenger emerged: Braun Strowman. He said he had earned a shot, and got an opportunity. If Strowman could beat Lashley in a match, he’d get added to their title match next week. 

Lashley managed to put away Strowman in an impressive effort. This means next week the title match will be one on one. Lashley is on a whole other level right now and he looked menacing tonight. He speared Miz after the main event, and Miz’s title reign is in immediate jeopardy.

A DOMINANT victory by @fightbobby and a massive SPEAR for #WWEChampion @mikethemiz!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ZsL04N1dEL

— WWE (@WWE) February 23, 2021

The Undercard:

Charlotte versus Asuka is coming, and it’s probably at Wrestlemania. The Queen and The Empress lost their tag match, and Charlotte waved off Asuka after the match. With Bianca Belair likely challenging Sasha Banks, Asuka needs a dancing partner. Hard to find a better one than Charlotte.

A tough loss for @MsCharlotteWWE & @WWEAsuka on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/gwBziKCEjT

— WWE (@WWE) February 23, 2021

Charlotte cut a fantastic promo on her father, Ric. Being able to explain what it’s like to be the daughter of a star like Ric Flair and make us feel her pain. It’s one of the best promos that Charlotte has had in years.

now why i get emotional… pic.twitter.com/1QEFVpOPYb

— Pammy {Fan}🕸 (@2ndNatureQween) February 23, 2021

Randy Orton blamed The Fiend and Alexa Bliss for his recent distractions. For his troubles, Orton got to cough up black. Wyatt versus Orton for the second time at Wrestlemania is definitely on the horizon.

Rhea Ripley is coming to Raw. While it isn’t as impactful as a surprise debut, it will get some NXT fans who have tuned out of Raw to at least check it out. Ripley versus the winner of Asuka & Charlotte? An excellent idea.

Bad Bunny continues to be the best celebrity star WWE has had in years. He reappeared for multiple segments including keeping his guard up against R-Truth. The most sense a 24/7 Champion has had yet.

It looks like another thrown together team will be challenging for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Naomi & Lana picked up a big win over Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke while the tag champs looked on. I like the chemistry of Lana and Naomi, so they should be interesting challengers for the belts.

The team of @LanaWWE & @NaomiWWE continue to gel incredibly well as a team with a win over @WWE_MandyRose & @DanaBrookeWWE on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/XOtgZXH0Q6

— WWE (@WWE) February 23, 2021

Grade: B+

This was one of the most enjoyable episodes of Raw in a while. Lashley looks like a viable threat, and Miz is playing his role exceptionally well. Bad Bunny’s segments are fun, and the women’s scene is shaping up for the Wrestlemania push. The show should have had more time for women’s wrestling in the early stages, and I’m still wondering where the tag title and US title scenes will go. Still, it’s a week with positive momentum for the first time in a while on Raw.