WWE Raw results, grades (March 16): Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar set; Roman Reigns, CM Punk get personal

Reigns scoffs at Punk questioning who the «real Tribal Chief» is. A jab is thrown at Punk’s wife, Lee, who is a top-dollar player compared to him. Reigns says not to waste his time, and he’s going to leave until Punk cuts him off.

Punk says he can see and feel that he’s in Reigns’ head, promising to crash him into the mat with a GTS at ‘Mania. Reigns has had enough, calling Punk delusional. He compliments Punk’s mic work, but says he still can’t stand to him overall. Punk snaps after Reigns says he’s better than him in every way, dropping Reigns with a punch when he gets called «old.»

Honestly, that was a pretty hilarious line to serve as the one causing contact. Nonetheless, another solid promo battle that ends Raw.

Reigns welcomes Punk to «his» ring and ‘Mania main event. Punk points out that Reigns keeps calling him «Phil,» which only his friends and family can call him. He said he won’t call him «Joe» because that would be disrespectful to another Joe that he respects.

Punk is surprised Reigns hasn’t taken a swing at him yet. He says he knows he’s in Reigns’ head. Reigns demands that Punk say something, as the fans want him to. Then Punk calls out Reigns being a «chicken s***» and skipping last week, sending his cousins after him.

Punk takes his time, strolling around the ring and posing on the announce table. Like, really, that entrance was way too long, but kind of funny because of that. Punk is just trolling.

How much pyro can a man get? Reigns just had two separate sets of fireworks go off. The power of that raised finger, folks, it’s real.

In all seriousness, Reigns took his time, soaking in the crowd chants before he got on the mic. Quickly, he invited Punk to the ring.

The main event segment has arrived. There hasn’t been any advertisement for a CM Punk appearance on this Raw, but surely, if he’s there, he’ll make his presence felt.

There is just a massive character hole with LA Knight now, as he even said he «loves» the Usos. What? After what went down between them last year?

Regardless, he said, if the Bloodline of old comes back, he’s not down with that. At least he’s staying consistent there.

This turned into a pep talk from Valkyria, who had to raise the spirits of the down-and-out Bayley. Asuka entered the frame to say she would have beaten Lee had she wrestled her. Asuka and Sane added they’ll go back for the tag titles, which Bayley and Valkyria figured they should do, too. This is too much water-treading, but hopefully it leads to something different for each.

Vaquer takes hold of Rodriguez from the backside. Rodriguez powers out, ramming Vaquer into the corner and hitting back elbows. Rodriguez takes a kick to the face before a big Cross-Body. The champ hits the Dragon Screw in the corner, then a Meteora. Time for the Devil’s Kiss — but Rodriguez fights it off. Vaquer looks to tilt-a-whirl over Rodriguez, but gets hit with an Inverted Vertical Suplex. She misses a side-splash, opening her up for the Devil’s Kiss that lands this time.

Morgan gets on the apron to distract Vaquer, getting her hit with a Rodriguez boot. All the sudden, Iyo Sky comes out to prevent the Morgan shenanigans. Rodriguez rolls out to launch Sky over the announce table. Vaquer flies out of the ring to take out both Rodriguez and Morgan. Vaquer climbs to the top rope to go for another Cross-Body. Rodriguez catches her for a spinning slam and the Tejana Bomb. Vaquer counters with a slick roll-up and secures the win! Solid. A rightful win for the champ.

👑 Crown score: 3.5/5 👑

Rodriguez gets the early edge, powerhousing Vaquer around the ring. She hits some corner moves on the champ and locks on a rest hold. Rodriguez lets go to miss an elbow drop, allowing Vaquer to drop-kick and gain some momentum. Vaquer jumps out of a Powerbomb position and drop kicks Rodriguez out of the ring to land a jumping knee drop. Rodriguez puts Vaquer on her shoulder after the Liv Morgan distraction and sends her into the ring post.

This Raw has flown by. We’ve reached the main event match, pitting the Women’s World Champion against Raquel Rodriguez.

Evans shuts down Kingston’s New Day invite from last week, before seemingly teasing a separation from Grayson Waller. That prompts Danhausen’s appearance, who curses Waller. This has been a wonderful bit so far, but I do like the theoretical Evans and Kingston combo, dang it.

Michael Cole calls Randy Orton from the announce table, as Orton Zooms in with a blurry camera, talking to someone else on the phone. He’s in front of what look like big barn doors or something alike.

He goes on to say that he had a profound conversation after the Cody Rhodes attack. Orton says he’s a killer, then delivers Rhodes line, «Wrestling has more than one royal family.» Interesting.

A bicycle knee from Dupri gets Nattie in the corner before she’s hit with a nice Fisherman’s Suplex. Dupri controls now, landing a step-up leg drop to the back of Nattie’s head. Dupri misses a corner boot, getting her standing leg chopped. Dupri gets caught in an Electric Chair position, rolling out for an Ankle Lock that Nattie again escapes. Dupri goes up top for a Cross Body. She misses and eats a big Discus Lariat. Nattie locks on the Sharpshooter. Dupri taps, and that’s that. A proper win this time for Nattie. I’m still not sure that’s the end of this, but that was fine. Perfectly fine.

👑 Crown score: 2.5/5 👑

Nattie rushes Dupri and gets into a chain wrestling match. Dupri crawls to the ropes, where Nattie springs her upward. Nattie puts Dupri in the Tree of Woe, pulling Dupri backwards by her neck. Nattie locks on a rear-naked choke in the center of the ring. Dupri breaks out by elbowing Nattie’s thighs and locking on an Ankle Lock. Nattie rolls out, following with a series of pins before another choke. They separate, prompting Dupri to land her back wheel kick.