WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

A.K.A. The One Where Lashley Finally Did It

Results:

• Drew McIntyre def. Sheamus
• Nia Jax def. Naomi
• The Hurt Business (c) def. Braun Strowman & Adam Pearce to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships
• Damian Priest def. Elias
• Bobby Lashley def. Miz (c) by countout, with Miz retaining the WWE Championship
• Lucha House Party & Matt Riddle def. RETRIBUTION
• Mustafa Ali def. Matt Riddle
• Bobby Lashley def. Miz (c) to win the WWE Championship

The Main Event: Hurt Business Is Booming

We all knew The Miz wasn’t going to play fair in terms of his WWE Championship defense against Bobby Lashley. Miz tried to claim he had cramps and was unable to compete. Lashley was less than impressed, and ran to the back to choke out the champ.

#WWEChampion @mikethemiz just bought himself another hour.#WWERaw @fightbobby @TheRealMorrison @ScrapDaddyAP pic.twitter.com/KuucvtOhgU

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

When Miz did show up for the bout, he quickly made a beeline to the back and lost by countout.

.@mikethemiz just ran out on this #WWETitle Match! #WWERaw @fightbobby pic.twitter.com/5EsaiJMgkX

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

In the end, Lashley was able to put away The Miz once he finally got a hold of him. One Hurt Lock put an end to Miz’s transitional reign and ushered in the age of Lashley. It’s great to see Lashley look like the dominant force he was in Impact Wrestling in the WWE. He’s a talented performer and looks better than he maybe ever has. Who should Lashley face at Wrestlemania 37 to defend his first WWE Championship?

16 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

The ALMIGHTY ERA has begun!#WWERaw @fightbobby pic.twitter.com/dupSb8tuc0

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

The Undercard:

Drew McIntyre returned this week after losing the WWE Title one week ago. He said he wants to capture the title once again, but also said his business isn’t finished with Sheamus. While he beat Sheamus, will this feud carry through to Wrestlemania? McIntyre could be the opponent of Lashley at Wrestlemania if someone like Brock Lesnar is unavailable.

The time for talk is over.@DMcIntyreWWE and @WWESheamus are about to go to WAR on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/dJX0JbIqAs

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

Braun Strowman seems to be on a collision course with Shane McMahon. Strowman thinks that Shane has it out for him, and Shane gave Braun something to ease his mind: a tag title match against The Hurt Business with Adam Pearce as his partner. Pearce predictably cost them the match, and Strowman’s ill will to Shane continues to grow. I guess Braun wins the “who will Shane face at Wrestlemania” sweepstakes.

.@CedricAlexander & @Sheltyb803 grab the victory, and @BraunStrowman is NOT pleased. 👀#WWERaw @ScrapDaddyAP pic.twitter.com/dJZwOJR6PI

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

Charlotte wants Asuka at Wrestlemania, and we all could have predicted that. Last week the two showed tension, and Charlotte is always going to get a prominent spot at Wrestlemania. The match has not been made official, we can expect it any time now. A win for Asuka at Wrestlemania over Charlotte would be a feather in her cap.

"I want the Raw Women's Championship. I want to face @WWEAsuka at #WrestleMania!" 👀#WWERaw @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/J4jRNnffFi

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

Randy Orton was taunted this week by… Randy Orton. He will be facing The Fiend, but when will Wyatt return? The Fiend has been absent for months since being set on fire at TLC. How will he return, and what form will he take when he takes on Orton?

What … just happened to @RandyOrton? #BringHimBack #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/87mPV9d85n

— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2021

Grade: A-

We’ve got a new WWE Champion which opens up so many potentially great feuds. Lashley looks better than ever and can be part of a big money match against McIntyre, Lesnar, or any number of other opponents. The rest of the card did well to continue the build to Wrestlemania. We have a pretty good understanding of what the show will look like. Asuka-Charlotte, Riddle-Ali, and Fiend-Orton are all welcome additions; McMahon-Strowman less so.