WWE Raw Results (3/23/15) Los Angeles, California

Welcome to Monday Night Raw. We are six days away from Wrestlemania and we kick things off in a big way with The Icon Sting making his way out to the ring. Sting takes the mic as the crowd starts chanting his name. Sting says he's been known as the WCW soldier and over the past 14 years he's watched Triple H rise through manipulation and backstabbing to get to where he is now and he thinks he's unstoppable and there are no consequences. But he says he's WCW's last standing soldier but he's not here to fight for WCW. He's here to take Triple H down. Stephanie makes her way out to the ring and congratulates Sting and now he knows how it feels to make it to the big time. And now knows what it's like to open Raw with Stephanie McMahon. Sting calls her a spoiled brat who's been handed everything her whole life. Stephanie says Sting's intimidated and says in WCW he was a big fish in a small pond but in WWE he's a minnow swimming in the ocean. She's the daughter of the man who defeated WCW during the Monday Night Wars and says Sting reminds her of a dog but she doesn't want to insult dogs. Stephanie says Sting will lose everything when Triple H pins him this Sunday in the middle of the ring and calls him a face painted freak. Sting woooos in her face and she goes to slap him but he grabs her wrist. Triple H comes out. Triple H goes to enter the ring with his sledgehammer but Sting brings out his bat and Triple H backs off and exits the ring.

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Match 1: Dean Ambrose & R Truth vs Stardust & Luke Harper

Waistlock by Ambrose into a side headlock and Ambrose works on the arm. Harper counters and whips Ambrose into the ropes but Ambrose comes back with a forearm and unloads on Harper. Ambrose with kicks in the corner. Ambrose with a runing bulldog.  Truth and Ambrose clothesline Stardust over the top rope to the floor and Harper follows as Raw goes to break

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Back from break and we see what happened during the break with Dean Ambrose knocking Stardust off the apron and Harper connecting with the big boot. Alabama Slam by Stardust to Ambrose. Harper in control dropping Ambrose with a side slam. Ambrose on the top rope and Stardust hooks him up looking for a suplex but Ambrose counters dropping Stardust face first to the mat. The crowd starts a "Let's Go Harper" chant. Tornado DDT by Ambrose to Harper. Stardust in and Truth gets the tag unloading on Stardust. Front suplex by Truth and pin attempt broken up by Harper. Ambrose with a suicide dive to the outside. Truth with the Lie Detector and the cover for the three count

The winners of the match: Dean Ambrose & R Truth

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Video: Special Olympics World Games 2015 in Los Angeles This Summer.

On-stage: Renee Young was standing by with the Special Olympics World Games CEO, plus athletes competing in the Games.

Video: The Miz and Damien Sandow "interviewed" Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart about their new "Get Hard" movie. Miz tried to lead the witnesses in admitting that stunt-doubles or assistants are terrible. Sandow, sitting in a tiny chair next to Miz, drew praise from Ferrell and Hart about having a look. Miz tried to cut off this discussion before asking if anyone needed water. Ferrell got up to get the water instead. "No, that's not - Will!" Miz frustratingly shouted.

Match 2:  Ryback, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder &Prime Time Players vs Miz & Mizdow, Adam Rose & The Ascension

Lots of in-and-out before it came down to Ryder giving Rose his Broski Boot. Ryder lost focus and Rose tagged in Konnor, who attacked Ryder. Meanwhile, Simmons wanted to know where the rabbit is. (He quit.) The heels continued to work over Ryder as Simmons needled JBL for losing the WWE Title to John Cena in this building at WM21. Superstar pop for Sandow tagging in. But, Miz cut him off and demanded Sandow tag out. Sandow obliged, but Miz ran into a face-smash from Ryder. "Feed Me More" chant from the crowd. Meanwhile, Simmons talked the history of color commentators, praising Jesse Ventura. He deadpanned that JBL has set the position back 15 years.

 Ryder tagged in Ryback to a strong reaction and Ryback ran over Miz before over-powering him. Ryback pounded his chest, then shook his shoulder. Press-slam for Rose, then double clotheslines to Ascension. But, Miz attacked Ryback from behind and beat him into the corner. Miz celebrated too early and ran right into a Meathook Clothesline. Ryback scooped up Miz and dropped him with Shell-Shock in the middle of the ring for the pin and the win.

The winners of the match: Ryback, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder & The Prime Time Players

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Match 3: J & J Secuirty & Seth Rollins vs Randy Orton

Mercury gets dropped face first. Orton looking at Rollins saying he wants Rollins. Rollins holds his hand out for the tag but Mercury tags Noble in. Orton unloads on Noble. Orton distracted by Rollins and Noble unloads on Orton. Orton with an uppercut and clothesline to both Mercury and Noble. Powerslam to Mercury and J & J draped throught he middle ropes as Orton lays them out with a double DDT. Rollins misses with the Curb Stomp. Orton misses with the RKO. RKO to Noble for the three count

The winner of the match: Randy Orton

WWE.com Interview: John Cena says this Sunday he is going to beat Rusev and wants to become the US Champion and bring the title back to the US and be that Ambassador and travel around the world

Backstage: AJ and Paige are still talking about Nikki Bella's offer to give one of them a title match and AJ says this is just the Bellas trying to divide them 6 days before Wrestlemania

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Match 4: Diva's Championship: Nikki Bella vs Paige

Paige with a spear to Nikki unloading on her. Headbutt to Nikki. Paige with the kneestrikes from the apron and Nikki to the outside as Paige stands alone in the ring.  Another headbutt to Nikki. Nikki unloads on Paige and delivers a clothesline. Paige trips Nikki up a pin attempt and two count only. Paige with a clothesline from the apron. Nikki with a knee and bounces Paige's face off her knee.

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Chinlock on Paige. Paige gets to her feet fighting out of it. Spinebuster by Nikki. Paige with a kick to the face and double clothesline as both divas collide. Paige with a series of clotheslines and a dropkick to Nikki. Paige runs into an elbow and Nikki drops Paige face first. Nikki misses with the forearm and Paige with a kick and two count on Nikki. Paige going for the Rampaige but Nikki blocks it. Another spinebuster and Nikki with only a 2 count. Paige counters the Rack Attack and nails The Rampaige but Nikki kicks out. Nikki kicks Paige away. Both divas spill to the outside. AJ making sure Brie doesn't get involved. AJ accidentally hits Paige and Nikki rolls Paige back into the ring. Nikki picks Paige up and hits The Rack Attack for the three count

The winner of the match and still Diva's Champion: Nikki Bella

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Snoop Dogg comes out and says California is not only the home of the Dogg Pound but this Sunday it's the home of Wrestlemania. Before Snoop can continue, Curtis Axel comes out and tells everyone not to change the channel and says it's not Snoopmania it's Axelmania and it's not an East Coast or West Coast thing. it's an International Thing and Axelmania is running wild in Los Angeles. Axel gets in Snoop's face and Snoop says he's ready to talk and rhymes off a whole list of Mania but one Mania Axel is missing is Hulkamania and Hogan comes out to the ring. Hogan takes the mic and tells Axel a story about the Mania and slamming Andre The Giant above his head and Hulkamania running wild through all the fans. Hogan asks Snoop what Axel's been smoking. Axel rips his shirt and puts his finger in Hogan's face then goes for a right hand but Hogan lands one of his own sending Axel out of the ring as Snoop and Hogan celebrate.

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Match 5: Tyson Kidd, Cesaro & Natalya vs Los Matadores & El Torito

TYSON KIDD & CESARO & NATALYA vs. LOS MATADORES (DIEGO & FERNANDO & EL TORITO) -- six-person tag match

The re-match from Thursday's Smackdown settled down with Kidd working over un Matador as the Usos tried to talk up their Tag Title chances on Sunday. Tags to el otro Matador and Cesaro, who got knocked down before Torito tagged in and nailed a sit-down splash on Cesaro. Natalya entered the ring, though, and speared Torito for a two count. Natalya was stunned, so she went for a powerbomb, but Torito leaped over Natalya into a sunset flip for the pin and the win.

The winners of the match: Los Matadores & El Torito

Locker Room: Kane walked into the locker room to greet IC champion Bad News Barrett. Kane mocked him for holding onto the title for, what, 72 hours? Kane told Barrett that he has to relieve him of his title now. Barrett said there's no way. Kane replied that he has been tasked with taking the title so that it can be hung above the ring at WrestleMania. Barrett complained after all the effort he went through to get back his title belt, so Kane threatened to strip him of the title if he does not comply. Barrett called this a travesty, then handed over the belt. Kane said he doesn't know what Barrett is complaining about when all he has to do is beat six other Superstars. Kane mockingly said he likes his odds. Barrett was left lamenting losing possession of the title again,

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Match 6: Jack Swagger vs Rusev

Rusev with an elbow to Swagger and Rusev unloads with kicks and punches on Swagger.  Swagger whips Rusev in the corner and Rusev mows Swagger down. Swagger with a series of kicks to Swagger. Submission hold on Swagger. Swagger to his feet trying to fight out of it. Rusev keeping Swagger grounded. Rusev runs into an elbow. Kick by Rusev and whip into the corner and Rusev runs into a pair of boots. Swagger with a boot to the face. Irish whips to Rusev and a clothesline by Swagger. Swagger runs across the ring looking for The Swagger Bomb. Rusev looking for the Superkick blocked by Swagger who goes for The Patriot Lock. Rusev blocks it and a slam by Swagger. Rusev with a series of kicks in the corfner. Rusev on the apron and a right hand to Swagger. Superkick by Rusev and now Rusev goes to lock in The Accolades for the win

The winner of the match by submission: Rusev

Post Match: Rusev refuses to release The Accolades and John Cena runs out and a brawl ensues but Rusev gets the better of Cena beating him down and locking in The Accolades

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Vignette: WhoIsMrRobot. The voice in the video said the higher-powers do not want him to have power.

Network plug: Triple H and Arnold Schwarzenneger together on for an interview after Raw. 

Bray walked out in the arena with his lantern leading the way as Cole hyped Bray vs. The Undertaker happening at WrestleMania. Cole noted they haven't seen Taker's face since losing to Brock Lesnar at last year's WrestleMania.

Once in the ring, Bray listened to the crowd making various noise. Bray wondered aloud why people hide from the truth. Fear? Embarrassment to show the world who you really are? Bray said reality can be a very difficult pill to swallow, but that does not change the fact that each and every person is guilty. Guilty because you hate the person you have become. You don't like the person in the mirror. But, it does not change the fact that you are all liars. "But, me, I'm different," Bray said.

Bray said he is not a liar. As a matter of fact, his tongue is the sword of truth and his tongue cuts through the deception of this world. And if people want the truth, he knows the truth about The Undertaker. Bray said Taker is a liar and tries to deny the fact that he wants so desperately for his soul to be set free. But, don't worry about it, Taker. The angel with the burnt wings has been sent to take Taker back to the other side.

Suddenly, Taker's imagery flashed in the arena. Bray laughed, saying these spirits no longer operate under Taker's command, but it all belongs to him. Bray said he controls everything now because he judges the living and the dead. "Undertaker, I have judged you and you are guilty!" he shouted. Bray vowed to give Taker his fate sealed by Sister Abigail's kiss. And then he will take his rightful place among the gods as the new face of fear.

Bray passionately vowed to take Taker out of his misery so that he can finally Rest In Peace. Lightning flashed in the arena as Bray knelt down in the ring and shouted toward the crowd while WWE cameras shot the WrestleMania sign hanging over Bray.

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Backstage: Natalya was randomly applying lipstick. On the other side of a random curtain was Tyson Kidd sitting down with a bag of Burger King. Kidd had headphones on, so he didn't know that Natalya was responding to his loving affection toward the BK product. Natalya eventually walked around the curtain and saw Kidd enjoying BK Chicken Fries. Natalya grabbed the product and took a bite. Pause as Kidd waited for her response. Natalya appeared to be ready to jump Kidd or the BK product. They cut away before things got out of hand.

Match 7: Daniel Bryan vs Dolph Ziggler

As the IC Title belt hung above the ring, the bell sounded with Ambrose now appropriately dressed in the ref shirt. As Bryan and Ziggler locked up, Cole hyped an interview with Bryan this Wednesday on WWE's website. The announcers then talked up the IC Title as Bryan and Ziggler went back and forth. The babyface vs. babyface exchange turned unpleasant when things got a little too physical.

Fists flew, which Ambrose liked, then Bryan skinned the cat going over the top rope. Bryan head-scissored Ziggler over the top rope to the floor, then followed with a baseball slide kick through the ropes. He tried a running knee, but Ziggler moved and clotheslined Bryan over the guardrail into the timekeeper's area. As Raw cut to break Dean went mock-serious yelling like a ref: "Hey, you guys need to get back in the ring!"

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Back from break, the match was back in the ring. Ziggler hung on Bryan's back with a sleeperhold, but Bryan rammed Ziggler into the corner turnbuckle. Bryan followed with a snap German Suplex with a bridge for a close two count. Bryan then climbed to the top rope as Booker talked about Bryan's surgically-repaired neck. Ziggler crotched Bryan on the top turnbuckle, then climbed up top looking for a superplex. But, Bryan blocked and knocked down Ziggler. Bryan was slow to follow up, so Ziggler gave him an X Factor off the top rope for a two count. Cole was nervous about how Bryan landed.

Reset with Bryan and Ziggler battling for leverage in the backslide position. Ziggler nearly got a three count, but Bryan escaped and hit a kick strike for a two count. Bryan got up and landed kick strikes to Ziggler's chest. A dueling crowd chanted turned into "Yes!" for Bryan landing his trademark kicks. Big corner dropkick, but Ziggler intercepted a second with a big superkick. Ziggler followed right up with the Zig-Zag for the pin and the win.

 The winner of the match: Dolph Ziggler

Post Match:

Ambrose raised Ziggler's hand, then dropped him with Dirty Deeds after ending his referee service. Ambrose then pulled out a ladder and started to climb for the belt, but Bad News Barrett ran down to the ring to try to get his belt back. A brawl broke out with the other IC Title ladder match participants joining the brawl. Dirty Deeds to R-Truth.

Suddenly, multiple men found themselves on the ladder. Barrett gave Bryan the Bullhammer Elbow, but took a superkick from Ziggler. Luke Harper eventually just shoved down the ladder and the wrestlers on the ladder. Bodies were everywhere as the crowd murmured. Wrap-up music played with all seven men down and out on the mat.

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Right at the top of the hour, Brock Lesnar's music played to bring out Brock Lesnar returning to Staples Center, where he destroyed John Cena at Summerslam in August. Lesnar bounced up and down on the stage as Paul Heyman stood next to him. Lesnar, with the WWE World Title belt around his waist, bounced down to ringside before entering the ring to pace with the belt over his shoulder.

Lesnar continued to pace as Heyman took the mic to address matters. Heyman introduced Lesnar, then summed up the past few weeks of promos with "yak, yak, yak, yak, yak." Heyman said if he has not convinced everyone to tune in this Sunday to see Roman Reigns get the beating he has coming to him, then there's nothing left for him to say. Heyman said Lesnar is going to lay a beating on the Samoan Badass like no one has ever done before. He said you're going to get your money's worth this Sunday seeing Lesnar give another man the beating of a lifetime.

Lesnar continued to pace the ring as Heyman said Lesnar is everything he says he is, or he is not. And, Reigns is everything they hype him up as, or he is not. Because there is one winner proven right and one loser proven wrong. Heyman said Lesnar makes failures out of everyone. Go back to last year, where people said he could not and he would not. But, Lesnar could and he did break The Streak. The same for John Cena at Summerslam. Heyman said John Cena is not in the main event of WrestleMania, but Brock Lesnar is.

Heyman had a little secret for Roman Reigns, who wants to *take* the WWE Title from Lesnar. Heyman said that WWE labels Lesnar as a mercenary who just wants the money. But, he is really an intensively competitive person who enjoys beating the ass of any man who tries taking the title from him. Heyman said Lesnar takes that title personally. As personal as Lesnar's wife, children, and food on his plate. Lesnar stopped pacing and shot Heyman a look to see where Heyman was going. Heyman said Lesnar is a conqueror who takes women, children, and food. And this Sunday, Lesnar conquers the main event of WrestleMania. Lesnar smiled. Did WWE drop the bit about mysterious forces cutting off Heyman's mic?

The Shield's music played to bring out Roman Reigns to a mixed reception. Heyman left the ring as Reigns entered the ring to go face-to-face with Lesnar. Lesnar continued to pace the ring before the music stopped for loud boos aimed at Reigns. Lesnar smirked toward Reigns, who nodded that he's the man to take the title. So, Lesnar smiled and held up the title belt right in Reigns's face. Reigns looked at the belt, then took the belt to boos. Reigns then held up the title belt to more boos. Some cheers mixed in.

Lesnar grabbed the belt to try to take it back, but Reigns held on tight. A mini-tug-of-war broke out in the middle of the ring. Credits flashed on the screen, the announcers did not speak, and the tug-of-war was the final image heading to WrestleMania as Raw signed off 11 minutes past the top of the hour. No verbal from Reigns and only a brief in-person appearance on the final Raw before main-eventing WrestleMania.

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