The WWE Raw episode on March 9 delivered moments of triumph and surprising setbacks amid ongoing storylines unfolding in the wrestling world. From significant character shifts like Finn Balor’s official exit from Judgment Day to the frustrating directionless booking surrounding Oba Femi, this WWE Raw episode review uncovers the clashes, alliances, and ongoing drama that kept viewers on edge.
A Chaotic Start That Confused More Than Engaged
The opening segment on this episode of Raw aimed for a dramatic kickoff but instead descended into a bewildering spectacle. It began with several masked men dressed as Seth Rollins circling the ring around Adam Pearce, followed by the appearance of Rollins himself. Though perhaps intended to build intrigue, the presence of these minions seemed unnecessary, especially since Pearce’s issue was solely with Rollins and not with the masked figures. This created a confusing atmosphere from the start.
The segment then spiraled further into chaos as The Vision attempted to attack Rollins, who escaped through the crowd with the help of his masked allies. This led to an unfocused brawl involving The Vision, LA Knight, and The Usos—characters who had no clear connection to the initial conflict. Such a haphazard convergence gave the impression WWE was scrambling for creative ideas, overwhelming viewers without clear purpose.
Danhausen’s Character Emerges as One of the Night’s Bright Spots
Danhausen’s continued development on Raw has been a highlight amid the tumult. After a rocky start during his Elimination Chamber debut, he has begun crafting a unique persona beloved by fans. On this episode, after previously cursing Dominik Mysterio before the Intercontinental title match, Danhausen returned with entertaining antics. He cursed OG Grande Americano, who lost his match against Penta shortly after, and engaged directly with fans during a commercial break by handing out free t-shirts and challenging them to support his merchandise with chants of “or be cursed.”
His blend of humor and mystique has resonated well with the WWE Universe. Though he has yet to showcase strong in-ring performances, WWE seems invested in promoting Danhausen’s character and popularity, a contrast to the less defined trajectory of fellow newcomer Royce Keys. Danhausen’s emergence offers fresh energy in an otherwise uneven show.
The Prolonged and Problematic “El Grande Americano” Storyline
One of the most enduring issues on this episode was the continued use of the “El Grande Americano” story, which many fans and critics regard as stale and misguided. The concept revolves around Chad Gable’s El Grande Americano character and a mysterious impostor version of him, played by Ludwig Kaiser, portrayed as the “fake” Americano, leading toward a WrestleMania 42 match buildup. Although the storyline has roots in a parody of lucha libre tradition, the execution has failed to captivate.
This week’s installment included a backstage segment where Danhausen cursed OG Grande Americano, prompting interference from Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate, who unsuccessfully attempted to ambush the original Americano. This led the impostor to respond by accepting a match challenge, culminating in a bout where the impostor lost without addressing the confusion over the real Americano’s status. The segment struggled with narrative coherence, ignoring common sense elements such as referee oversight or authority intervention, making this storyline feel like a frustrating waste of time.
Finn Balor’s Departure from Judgment Day Signals New Trajectory
Perhaps the most impactful moment came when Finn Balor officially split from Judgment Day, ending months of tension and speculation within the faction. This development opens the door for Balor to advance individual storylines and intensifies the brewing conflict with Dominik Mysterio, setting the stage for a WrestleMania 42 confrontation.
Dominik Mysterio laid blame on Balor for his loss of the Intercontinental Championship to Penta, criticizing Balor for preventing interference during the match. Balor defended his choice by explaining that Mysterio must learn to fight his own battles to reach his full potential. The exchange was emotionally charged, with Balor highlighting Mysterio’s reliance on others and labeling him a “spoiled little b****,” which set the tone for an intense feud.
The confrontation escalated quickly into a physical assault as the entire Judgment Day faction turned on Balor, including JD McDonagh. Despite Balor initiating the brawl, he was overwhelmed by the group’s combined offense, culminating in a brutal attack featuring a 619 with a loaded boot, chair strikes, and multiple frog splashes. Notably, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez joined the fracas, adding further depth to the faction war.
This split and the resulting animosity mark a significant turning point, potentially refreshing Balor’s character arc and adding stakes to the WrestleMania card. As hinted, this is likely to be a pivotal matchup on
The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Oba Femi’s Main Roster Journey Fails to Find Clear Direction
Oba Femi’s transition to WWE’s main roster has been uneven and lacking narrative focus. Although his match against Rusev on this episode gave him a credible opponent and allowed him to showcase his athleticism, including a remarkable shot-put of Rusev followed by the Fall from Grace finisher, Femi still feels adrift within the current storytelling landscape.
With most of his prior matches taking place on SmackDown against lower-tier talent such as Kit Wilson and Johnny Gargano, Femi’s character lacks momentum and meaningful rivalries. His only notable storyline involved Wilson’s backlash over Femi’s critique of toxic masculinity, which did little to elevate him.
Femi’s relinquishment of the NXT Championship signaled a push toward bigger opportunities, possibly even a marquee match against Brock Lesnar. However, reports suggest that such a program has not been firmly established, and current booking does not build toward that. With no fixed brand alignment and no clear direction, the disappointment surrounding Femi’s main roster placement remains palpable.
Compelling Main Event: CM Punk Faces Consequences for Controversial Comments
The show’s main event segment showcased CM Punk addressing his recent provocative comments about the late Samoan wrestling legends, a move that sparked tension with the crowd and fellow wrestlers. The Usos, representing their large Anoa’i family, confronted Punk demanding an apology for his remarks.
Jey Uso was particularly forceful, pressing Punk for accountability, while Jimmy took a more reasoned approach, emphasizing that although Punk could speak against Roman Reigns, disrespecting their uncle, a deceased family member, crossed a line. This confrontation reflected the deeper values within the wrestling community about honor and respect.
Punk initially resisted apologizing, redirecting blame toward Reigns’ treatment of the Usos. However, Jey refused to accept excuses and insisted on a sincere apology on the spot. Punk conceded briefly, offering an apology linked to his own family history with wrestling figures Sika and Afa, but then quickly turned it into a critique about Reigns using the Usos as his “errand boys,” which led him to slam the microphone into Jey’s chest.
The ensuing scuffle saw Jey attempt to retaliate but being held back by Jimmy, who made sure the message was clear: Punk’s words carry consequences, especially when family respect is at stake. This layered encounter added complexity to Punk’s character, demonstrating that even with his babyface support, there are limits to tolerance within the community.
Going forward, this confrontation is likely to fuel a proxy feud between Punk and the Usos, enriching the storytelling with tension drawn from real emotions and family loyalty.
Summary of WWE Raw 3/9’s Impact and Future Outlook
This episode of WWE Raw offered a blend of promising angles and disappointing booking decisions, reflecting a fractured creative approach. The clear triumph lies in Finn Balor’s exit from Judgment Day, which brings fresh narrative potential and a likely WrestleMania showdown with Dominik Mysterio. Danhausen’s unique presence also provides a refreshing novelty on the roster, steadily gaining fan enthusiasm.
Conversely, the ongoing “El Grande Americano” saga remains a cumbersome distraction, bogged down by confusing execution that undermines its credibility. Oba Femi’s handling continues to frustrate, as his potential remains untapped and his role obscured within Raw’s storylines. The chaotic opener further exemplified disjointed storytelling that could alienate viewers seeking coherent narratives.
The main event’s intense family feud involving CM Punk and the Usos deepens interpersonal drama and signals a storyline to watch in the coming weeks. Overall, while WWE Raw 3/9 had its highs and lows, the episode sets several important threads in motion as the road to WrestleMania 42 progresses.
