On the March 2 edition of WWE Raw, two significant matches were revealed for the March 9 show, promising an intense night for wrestling fans. Central to the card is the highly anticipated Oba Femi WWE match against Rusev, setting up what is expected to be Femi’s most challenging contest so far.
Oba Femi and Rusev Prepare for a High-Stakes Collision
Oba Femi has been dominating both Raw and SmackDown, dispatching his opponents with apparent ease. During the March 2 broadcast, tension escalated when Rusev confronted Femi after feeling overlooked by WWE official Adam Pearce, who has been heavily endorsing Femi. Refusing to leave the ring without a face-to-face showdown, Rusev challenged Femi directly, insisting the match should happen immediately if Pearce approved. Femi entered without hesitation, and the two exchanged blows in a fierce, unrestrained altercation. Although no official match took place that night, it was confirmed later that Femi and Rusev will square off in a one-on-one bout on the March 9 Raw episode.
AJ Lee Sets Her Sights on Defending the Women’s Intercontinental Title
AJ Lee took center stage to celebrate her recent capture of the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, emphasizing her determination to remain an active and fighting champion. She reflected on the 12 years that passed since she last held a title and expressed her resolve to make every moment count. Having defeated Becky Lynch, Lee invited challengers to step forward, declaring her next appearance in the ring will be a title defense.
Numerous contenders, including Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria, immediately voiced their intentions to challenge Lee. The overwhelming interest led to an announcement that Lee will not defend the title on the March 9 show. Instead, a #1 contender’s gauntlet match will determine who will face her. The competitors in this match were revealed as Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Asuka, and Iyo Sky, all vying for the opportunity to challenge Lee.
Additional Key Storylines Shaping the WWE Raw Episode
Dominik Mysterio lost the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a match complicated by interference and curses. Finn Balor prevented JD McDonagh from providing Mysterio with his ring hammer, and Danhausen’s curse hung heavy over the bout. Mysterio’s strained relations with his Judgment Day teammates and potential clashes with McDonagh promise to dominate future storylines. Penta emerged as the new champion, capturing the title over a year after his WWE debut. The Road to WrestleMania is now spotlighting Penta, but Mysterio or others may attempt to derail his momentum.
The tag team rivalry between El Grande Americano Original and El Grande Americano is also heating up ahead of their match at Rey de Reyes on March 14. Their ongoing confrontations have spilled over into Raw, where Los Americanos recently triple-teamed Original despite a loss by Rayo.
Rhea Ripley is set to transition to SmackDown to prepare for her WrestleMania 42 opponent, Jade Cargill. There is speculation about whether Cargill will respond by coming to Ripley’s domain on Raw, potentially adding further tension between the two.
Seth Rollins and his masked followers returned to Raw in a disruptive fashion, targeting the Vision and attacking Paul Heyman with a brutal chair shot in a scene reminiscent of Rollins’ historic Shield breakup in the same arena. Although Adam Pearce noted Rollins has not yet been medically cleared, signs indicate his comeback may be imminent, threatening the Vision’s plans for the March 9 show.
Upcoming Implications and Anticipated Developments
The scheduled Oba Femi WWE match against Rusev represents a pivotal moment for Femi as he faces a formidable opponent determined to halt his dominance. Meanwhile, the gauntlet match to decide AJ Lee’s challenger will introduce fresh competition to the women’s division. The tensions surrounding Dominik Mysterio’s recent loss and his fractured alliances suggest ongoing conflict, while Penta’s new reign as Intercontinental Champion adds intrigue heading toward WrestleMania. Other rivalries and suspenseful returns, notably Seth Rollins’, ensure the March 9 episode of WWE Raw will be a critical juncture for numerous storylines and fighter careers.
“I was tired of hearing about Femi, and I knew both of them wanted the match, so I was ready for it to happen, right then and there. Of course, if Femi’s daddy, Adam Pearce, said it was okay.” ?Rusev
“It’s been 12 years since I held a title and I don’t want to waste a moment of it. The fans believed in me and made me believe in myself that I’m still got it.” ?AJ Lee
“Rollins hasn’t been medically cleared, but it seems we’re close to that point.” ?Adam Pearce
