WWE Raw results: WrestleMania matches set up with John Cena challenging The Undertaker and Roman Reigns suspended
Here are five things we learnt from last night’s Raw that could have huge implications for Mania in a month's time
IT’S less than four weeks until WrestleMania – and WWE is putting the final matchups for its biggest show of the year into place.
Here are five things we learnt from last night’s Raw that could have huge implications for Mania.
Brock Lesnar didn’t show up – but it was Roman Reigns who got suspended
The show opened with another worked shoot promo from Reigns, who criticised Lesnar for once again not bothering to show up to work.
He said Brock is Vince McMahon’s “boy” then stormed backstage to confront Vince, who was sat in gorilla position next to Shane. It was an effective, realistic moment.
Vince told the production crew to cut to commercial and went off to talk with Roman.
Most read in WWE
Afterwards, Vince informed Renee Young that Brock Lesnar does have certain privileges, but gave fans his word that Brock will be at Raw next week.
He also said he’d reminded Roman of his cousin The Rock’s old saying – “Know your role and shut your mouth” – and temporarily suspended “The Big Dog”.
EXPOSED WWE superstar and Money in the Bank winner Carmella suffers wardrobe malfunction on live TV at FastLane PPV
Do we really need Vince McMahon thrown into the storyline?
The reality-busting promos about Brock are getting Roman over – without using Vince for extra cheap babyface heat.
Nia Jax has snapped
Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss congratulated Asuka for choosing to face Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.
But Alexa has bigger things to worry about – quite literally.
After Nia Jax demolished a jobber, a conversation between Alexa and Mickie James bitching about Nia was accidentally broadcast on the TitanTron (what are the chances?!).
When Alexa and Mickie realised, they scarpered – but Nia destroyed the backstage area in a fit of rage.
Look out, Alexa – Nia Jax is coming for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
John Cena has challenged The Undertaker
Cena came out to the ring and admitted that so far he’s failed to find his road to WrestleMania. So he did thing he was told NOT to do – challenged the Deadman.
It was a surprisingly verbal assault, as Cena said the only thing stopping Taker from having one more match was Taker’s own ego.
Cena reminded fans that when he fails, he picks himself up – but when Taker fails, he hides away.
(The intensity of it all was undermined by Cena’s luminous green t-shirt, as always.)
Cena said: “You are not too old, you are not washed up you are not broken down,” before slating Taker for posting workout videos on his wife’s Instagram.
Cena finished up by calling the legendary Deadman a “self-centred, conceited ego-maniac.” Which is a bit rich – but the WrestleMania dream match is on.
The Bar finally have competition for WrestleMania
Sheamus and Cesaro’s search for worthy opponents has hit a monstrous roadblock – Braun Strowman.
Kurt Angle set a tag team battle royal to find number one contenders, but Braun entered himself into the match and – unsurprisingly – won.
So will Braun face both Sheamus and Cesaro alone at Mania? Or will he find a partner?
Braun as single contender for tag belts is a daft concept and is far less than WWE’s hottest act deserves on the Show of Shows.
We already know he doesn’t play well with others, but it’s possible someone like Big Show or Kane could be an impromptu partner to help Braun squash the tag champs.
Ultimate Deletion will happen on Raw next week
Matt Hardy invited Bray Wyatt to the Hardy Compound for Ultimate Deletion – and last night confirmed it will place on next week’s edition of Raw.
WWE ran a video introducing all the characters and tropes familiar from Impact – Queen Rebecca, King Maxel, Senor Benjamin, Vanguard 1, the Lake of Reincarnation.
But what about Brother Nero AKA Jeff Hardy, who was arrested for drink driving on the weekend?
Latest rumours say Jeff – who is due to return from injury – was filming segments for Ultimate Deletion just days before the incident.
Will the arrest have any effect on his return? Will WWE cut him for Ultimate Deletion? Or Brother Nero pop out of the Lake of Reincarnation as expected?