WWE Raw: Results, Analysis, Highlights, and Grades for March 26

Nia Jax vs. Mickie James (w/ Alexa Bliss)

Result: Nia Jax defeated Mickie James via pinfall

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

Before the match gets under way, we get to see Reigns leave the ringside area. Yay? Commentary makes a big deal that he’s leaving under his own power, but big whoop. Then there’s our second video recap of the night – this time from two weeks ago, when Jax caught Bliss and James disparaging her backstage.

Then it’s time for a commercial break! Sometimes the most tedious part of watching a three hour Raw isn’t the three hours, but the pacing. There’s great flow between segments some weeks, but others – like tonight so far – are just very disjointed and tough to get into a flow. Thirty seconds of offense in your first match before the ad break is ridiculous.

Once things finally get going, it’s a classic two heels vs. one babyface kind of affair. Bliss provides a distraction so James can attack the leg. You kind of had to know coming in that James was really just cannon fodder – and she probably knew that too, despite being a six-time Women’s Champion.

But Nia makes her grand comeback by showing off her strength. If there was an award for most improved superstar, Nia has to be top three, easily. The progress she’s made since the draft two summers ago is quite noticeable and impressive – remember when she almost killed Charlotte? Those things don’t happen any more.

A gorilla press into a Samoan drop seals the deal with this one, and Bliss tries a sneak attack to no avail. Words are exchanged, and I’ll forgive Nia going to the tried and true “b**ch” because, well, Alexa’s actions kind of warrant it lately.