Winners And Grades After Elimination Chamber 2023

WWE Raw advertised Kevin Owns and Sami Zayn back in their home country of Canada. WWE also advertised Seth Rollins vs. The Miz, Mustafa vs. Dolph Ziggler and Edge vs. Austin Theory for the United States Championship.

Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw garnered 1.812 million viewers.

WWE Raw Results on February 20, 2023

• Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin
• Mustafa Ali def. Dolph Ziggler
• Asuka def. Nikki Cross
• Bronson Reed def. Chad Gable
• Austin Theory def. Edge | WWE United States Championship

WWE Raw Ratings

• February 13, 2023 | 1.812 million
• February 6, 2023 | 1.866 million
• January 30, 2023 | 2.114 million
• January 23, 2023 | 2.344 million
• January 16, 2023 | 1.489 million

• WWE Raw Venue: Ottawa, Canada (Ottawa Tire Centre)
• WWE Raw Tickets Distributed: 7,836
• WWE Raw Tickets Available: 335

WWE Raw Winners And Grades

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Open WWE Raw

Similar to his segment in Montreal Friday on SmackDown, WWE Raw opened with Sami Zayn being showered in cheers in Canada. Fans chanted “Sami!” “you deserve it!” and “we still love you!” They would have chanted all night if he let them.

WWE is treating Zayn’s ongoing journey like it’s still continuing, however the next chapter will likely be against The Usos. Brilliant.

This was a tremendous segment that validated WWE for beating Sami Zayn. He feels like an even bigger star in defeat. Zayn seamlessly transitioned from world title contender to tag team title contender and it felt like a lateral move.

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Opening Segment Grade: A+

Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin

Though Baron Corbin certainly feels like he’s being buries, most midcard heels in the WWE locker room would die for an opportunity to work with top stars in multiple weeks, and cut heatseeking heel promos. I don’t think Corbin is being buried and all, I think this is the begininng of another repackaging.

For the second consecutive week, Baron Corbin lost to a top babyface wearing street clothes. Next week, I expect him to lose to Brock Lesnar in cargo shorts.

Between the open segment and Zayn’s heroic comeback win over Baron Corbin, not only is Zayn doing just fine after losing to Reigns (as he should have), he’s somehow hotter.

There was a backstage segment with Rhea Ripley and Dominik (who received loud boos every time he spoke). Just as Charlotte Flair’s “put you in your place” promo skewed heel, Ripley’s response was a babyface promo.

Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin Grade: A

Mustafa Ali def. Dolph Ziggler

The backstage promo between Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler was actually very believable as a conversation between a frustrated midcarder and a hardened veteran. Even as the frustrated midcarder, Ali wasn’t scripted to sound like a whiner, he was given funny sarcastic comebacks to Ziggler’s generic-but-fiery pep talk.

Mustafa Ali actually beat Dolph Ziggler in a storyline I’m suddenly interested in. If Triple H messes around and gets Mustafa Ali over, now he’s just showing off.

Mustafa Ali vs. Dolph Ziggler Grade: B

Cody Rhodes Faces Off with Paul Heyman

Fans chanting “Cody” in unison feels like the nail in the coffin for all those Sami Zayn WrestleMania truthers, and you love to see it.

This segment was very good, and would have gone so much better with Heyman in the ring. Heyman cut a very long promo backstage, and you could hear the crowd start to get restless. Nevertheless, even a partisan Canadian crowd was all-in on Cody Rhodes chasing Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.

Cody Rhodes once again reiterated a running theme on this show: Finish the story. Those same words were spoken by Sami Zayn to open WWE Raw. WWE is focused on telling stories and it’s leading to their biggest business in years. Imagine that.

Cody Rhodes and Paul Heyman Grade: B-

Asuka def. Nikki Cross

Corey Graves was all over Kevin Patrick’s case, most notably when Patrick didn’t engage with him while discussing Bianca Belair’s tardiness. “I love arguing with myself, it’s great,” said Graves.

Asuka seems to be the de facto heel in this storyline. After her win, she began coughing up blue blood. Between creepy Alexa Bliss and Asuka, Belair might have entered the supernatural without knowing it.

Asuka vs. Nikki Cross Grade: C+

Seth Rollins def. The Miz

WWE used this match as an excuse to take veiled shots at AEW for their complaints about “unbiased journalism.”

The final straw came when Seth Rollins said the words “Logan Paul” to The Miz.

This was one of the rare TKO finishes to a WWE match as Seth Rollins won via referee stoppage. Miz was able to survivor a curb stomp from Seth Rollins’ giant boots, yet he was TKO’d by a kickpad curb stomp. Interesting.

Seth Rollins vs. The Miz Grade: B-

“Ding Dong, Hello!” Featuring Becky Lynch and Lita

Lita received another huge reaction from fans this week in Canada. There’s no way she won’t compete at WrestleMania.

Bayley hilariously demanded that Becky Lynch and Lita use the door before they come to her set.

Lita and Becky Lynch challenged Damage CTRL for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and suddenly, all of WWE’s main roster tag teams titles have leveled up in one night.

Ding Dong, Hello! Grade: B

Bronson Reed def. Chad Gable

Bronson Reed working with Alpha Academy is great for several reasons. Gable makes Reed look bigger, and Gable can have as great a match with Bronson as anybody on the roster.

Otis was distracted by Maxine Dupri, leading to Gable’s loss. Hopefully Otis doesn’t screw things up with Maxine by saying “you remind me of my ex.”

Bronson Reed vs. Chad Gable Grade: A

Bobby Lashley Destroys Elias

Oddly enough, Omos challenged Brock Lesnar to a WrestleMania match. I don’t know what teased match is less likely to take place at WrestleMania, Lashley vs. Wyatt or omos vs. Lesnar.

Elias invited Rick Boogs to walk with Elias. Between Elias and Boogs, I don’t know who is riding who’s coattails.

Graves continued to go berserk on Kevin Patrick after Patrick asked a question about Elias with a seemingly obvious answer. After calling an all-time show alongside Triple H Era Michael Cole, Graves has little patience for Patrick, who is still learning on the job.

Lashley didn’t say the words “Bray Wyatt.” I’ll believe that feud when I see it.

Bobby Lashley-Elias Segment: B+

Edge def. Austin Theory

Edge’s pop was nice, but at the end of a three-hour Raw, it was nothing compared to Saturday night in Montreal.

Edge confirmed he had moved on from The Bloodline, and is currently in transition this WrestleMania season. WrestleMania might be loaded, but I’d be surprised if it was too loaded to squeeze in a quality storyline for Edge.

Despite his comments from earlier, Edge appears to continuing with The Judgment Day. WWE really had Austin Theory beat Edge in Canada on the same show where he called out John Cena. Theory has no choice but to get over.

Edge vs. Austin Theory Grade: B+