WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for March 5

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Asuka vs. Nia Jax

Result: Asuka defeated Nia Jax via submission

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Notice what Michael Cole said as Asuka made her entrance? “Here’s a woman who has a date at WrestleMania to battle for the championship.” Not the Raw Women’s Championship. Just the championship. Hmmmmmmmmm………

As good as the match these two had at Elimination Chamber was, this one was almost a let down. Half the early part of the match was the background to an Alexa Bliss promo – with Mickie James standing awkwardly nearby. That’s a great way to treat your undefeated attraction and the “irresistible force.”

It had its moments, though. Some sloppiness aside, the inverted Razor’s Edge airplane spin was an impressive display of strength. And the powerbomb into the ring post during the commercial break was a bit wonky, but a good looking move.

What absolutely killed the match for me was the constant attention commentary brought to THE STREAK ENDING RIGHT HERE. Like, enough already. I swear, if Nia would have broken wind in Asuka’s general direction, Coach might have said, “Holy cow, I think that flatulence may flatten the streak!”

I’m also getting real sick and tired of these ridiculous lengthy submission holds that WWE seems hell-bent on pushing, especially in the women’s divisions. First it was Shayna Baszler locking Ember Moon up for over a minute at TakeOver: Philadelphia. Now it’s Asuka with a triangle into an armbar. I know “she doesn’t have it locked in fully!” sounds like a good excuse, but it’s really not. Guess what? Submissions hurt, even if they’re not locked in fully. Even if Jax is a monster, there’s no way she risks serious injury by not tapping out sooner – especially with no trip to WrestleMania on the line in this match.

And that’s the final thing that bothered me about this match – the finish tonight would have made so much more sense at Elimination Chamber. Jax wants in at WrestleMania – with that in her sights, she wouldn’t submit because she wants the Mania match so bad. Tonight? There’s no prize for her other than breaking the streak. That’s all well and good, but is it worth missing time on the injured list to do it?

Hopefully now, both Asuka and Jax can move ahead to Mania – without getting in each other’s way anymore.