Raw Deal - Raw recap for March 4, 2024

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody admits that The Rock's involvement in the road to WrestleMania is a stinging distraction. He tells The Rock not to talk about his dog Pharoah again, and mentions The Rock bashing his fans and dancing around his challenge by posing one of his own in a 21-minute Instagram video. Cody mentions The Rock saying that the fans want Cody to face him, not Roman Reigns, which led to the "We Want Cody" chants and the "Cody Crybabies" meme, and has posed a challenge involving his friend: Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, who shows up. Cody says that Rollins has offered to have his back against The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) and to be there as things move forward while having to face Drew McIntyre as he himself did not know if he would even be at WrestleMania. He says that he fully understands if Rollins want to focus on Drew McIntyre and does not want to have his back against The Rock and Roman Reigns as a unified force, and Rollins says that while he appreciates the out, he will take care of McIntyre. He says that there are some things bigger than them and that taking down The Bloodline is the biggest thing they can, as not only Cody's story needs to be finished, but his story as well. He talks about how he and Roman Reigns showed up ten years ago to take the power from the top, and while he wants to give the power back to the fans, Roman wants to keep the power for himself. He says that they are close to Roman having absolute power with The Rock in The Bloodline, then states that he is over The Rock. He says that The Rock has not been "The Rock" or The People's Champion for a long time and has come up with a new nickname for him: "Diarrhea Dwayne." He says that everything that has come out of The Rock's mouth as of late has the consistency of "wet baby poop," and the crowd agrees, especially with The Rock claiming he can make the World Heavyweight Championship go away with a snap of his fingers. Rollins dares The Rock to make this happen, then addresses The Rock's claim that he made professional wrestling cool again, saying he hasn't been cool in twenty years. Rollins then mentions that he has received "100% medical clearance" and declares that he is back and ready to go, and this Friday, he will be at SmackDown to confront The Bloodline. He then says he has Cody's back in this fight, and asks Cody if he has his. Cody says he has a message for The Rock. Cody says it has been a long time since he has been handed something, then says he is not the same as The Rock and that he will be coming to SmackDown alongside Rollins and he will give him his very clear and obvious answer for what is happening at WrestleMania.

Gunther beats "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio with the powerbomb followed by the Boston Crab.

Backstage, Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is confronted by General Manager Adam Pearce, who does not want them to cause trouble tonight. Dakota Kai says they will be scouting the competition due to "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark running their mouths. Suddenly, Shinsuke Nakamura shows up, wanting to talk regarding the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther says he will have an announcement regarding Gunther's next challenge, and tells Nakamura to meet him in his office.

"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is seen watching from ringside during the match. After the match, Dakota Kai congratulates Shayna and Zoey on their match before mentioning their tag team match against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) next week, saying that they will leave them crying like they did Bayley. Baszler snatches the microphone and says it is about time, and says they will see them next week.

Backstage, the rest of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, JD McDonagh) tell "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio that they will make things right with Gunther, and Damian Priest puts JD McDonagh in charge of facing him. Suddenly, Andrade shows up, and Andrade wishes Dominik Mysterio good luck before he leaves.

Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax ends in a no-contest after Liv Morgan attacks Nia on the outside. After the match, Becky and Liv argue, then Nia decimates both women.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce meets with Ricochet regarding the Intercontinental Championship. Pearce tells him he has a plan regarding the title, then Ricochet leaves. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, JD McDonagh) then shows up wanting a title shot against Gunther for JD McDonagh.

Backstage, Becky Lynch confronts Liv Morgan, and says they can fight about things next week. Liv accepts Becky's challenge, then leaves. Rhea Ripley then shows up and laughs at Becky before walking away.

General Manager Adam Pearce announces that six men - Sami Zayn, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, "Big" Bronson Reed, JD McDonagh and Chad Gable - will compete in a Gauntlet Match next week to find out who will face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.

Andrade beats Apollo Crews.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Sami Zayn. Sami says that he knew a path to WrestleMania would present himself, and that next week's gauntlet match stands between him and the most dominant champion ever. He says that this is the path and it is do or die, then Ivar and Valhalla show up. Valhalla says it is pathetic that Sami is part of the gauntlet match while Ivar is not, and Ivar says it is time to put an end to Sami's delusions, as he knows that he can beat Gunther and that the both of them know Sami can't. Sami says he knows he can beat Ivar, and Ivar can meet him in the ring tonight to prove him wrong. Ivar tells Sami he will not make it to next week.

In memory of Paul "Butcher" Vachon, 1937 - 2024.

Backstage, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell are talking. Indi says they will get their chance, but Candice says there may not be a next time for them. Natalya agrees, and she then tells Tegan Nox that it is time for them to forget their manners and regroup. They leave, then Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri show up. Maxxine says Candice LeRae will come out on top, but Candice LeRae says she does not need a pity party from someone who has had only three matche sand cannot lace her boots. Candice storms off, and Indi apologizes and says she will talk to Candice.

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) beat Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci).

Paul Heyman is the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says Seth "Freakin'" Rollins has not listened to anything he has had to say because Rollins is "a spotlight junkie" and has to be part of something hot instead of focusing on what is important. He says he does this tot he detriment of his body and mind, and says that he will put Rollins down at WrestleMania because the World Heavyweight Championship deserves so much better than him. He then brings up "Main Event" Jey Uso, saying he only wanted an apology from him, then decides to be the better man and says he is sorry because he knows how much Jey needs his victory when he knows Jey Uso will not be able to defeat him.

Backstage, Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is met by Rhea Ripley. Rhea looks at Iyo Sky and tells her to stay out of her territory, but Iyo simply scoffs at her.

Sami Zayn beats Ivar. Before the match, Valhalla puts her antlers on Michael Cole's head, causing the fans to chant for Michael. After the match, Sami is attacked from out of nowhere by "Big" Bronson Reed, who then goes up top for the Tsunami.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther. Gunther says Dominik Mysterio spoke a big game and stepped up, but he did not question the outcome. As for all the potential challengers he has, he says he has elevated the Intercontinental Championship to heights it has never seen before and that while he is flattered by everyone who wants to face him, he will outclass them all. Suddenly, Chad Gable shows up and says he is sick of Gunther's condescending smile and cannot get past him making his daughter cry and insulting him as a father. He says next week's Gauntlet Match is a path to redemption, and that he will take his title while he also takes his smile and puts one on his daughter's face. He says that for him, the Gauntlet Match means more. Gunther simply laughs and walks away.

Backstage, "Main Event" Jey Uso says he has seen Drew McIntyre do nothing buy cry and complain and want an apology from him. Jey says he is sorry that McIntyre will "get this work," and that McIntyre will find out that "Jey don't play."

Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), Xavier Woods and R-Truth play WWE 2K24 before the street date as The Miz watches. R-Truth still thinks #DIY are D-Generation X (Triple H and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels), and The Miz proposes that they need to hit The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) where it hurts and take their tag team titles.

We see a photo of Michael Cole wearing Valhalla's antlers.

Drew McIntyre beats "Main Event" Jey Uso. During the match, Solo Sikoa shows up, but "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and brawls with Solo, taking their brawl into the crowd. Jey starts fighting back against McIntyre, but as he goes to the top rope, Jimmy Uso shows up, distracting Jey. This allows McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick for the win. After the match, Jimmy slinks into the ring with a metal folding chair, but Seth "Freakin'" Rollins runs past Drew McIntyre to take out Jimmy. McIntyre gets back in the ring and hits Rollins with a Claymore. McIntyre warns Rollins to do the right thing and focus on him to end the show.

This week on Raw Talk: Ricochet! JD McDonagh! Nia Jax!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!