{"id":154305,"date":"2026-03-03T14:54:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=154305"},"modified":"2026-03-07T10:54:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T15:54:01","slug":"preview-wwe-raw-3-9-26-no-1-contenders-gauntlet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/03\/03\/preview-wwe-raw-3-9-26-no-1-contenders-gauntlet\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE Raw Preview (3\/9\/26) – # 1 Contender’s Gauntlet for the Women’s I.C. Title"},"content":{"rendered":"

WWE Raw continues to heat up as it heads towards WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Things have taken an unpredictable turn recently across WWE<\/a>, with title changes, returns, and surprise victories. <\/span><\/p>\n

WWE Raw emanates from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA, with the typical start time of 8\/7c. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s our preview for WWE Raw.<\/span><\/p>\n

WWE Raw Preview: Match Card<\/h3>\n
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Photo Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rusev makes his return to the WWE 2K video game series for the first time in six years in the 2026 instalment. He returns to the WWE Raw ring with the inenviable task of defeating Oba Femi. This is Femi’s toughest challenge since stepping up to the main roster.<\/p>\n

Femi got the better of Rusev when the two squared up last week, but can he do it in an official match?<\/p>\n

New Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee<\/a> will also return in WWE 2K26<\/a>. She hasn’t been a playable character in the game since 2015. So the chance to create dream matches with her will appeal to gamers. WWE is setting up a dream match at WWE WrestleMania 42 for AJ Lee. A big-money IC Title defence seems a guarantee.<\/p>\n

But will the winner of this week’s gauntlet match be worthy of a match on the “grandest stage of them all”? She who runs the gauntlet could act as little more than the first opponent for AJ Lee on the road to WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

That’s not to say there isn’t a potential WrestleMania-level opponent in the gauntlet. Lyra Valkria, Bayley, IYO SKY, Raquel Rodriguez, and Asuka would all make great ‘Mania opponents. Then there’s Ivy Nile. Either way, it is hard to see past Becky Lynch getting involved.<\/p>\n

Anything Elsehausen?<\/h3>\n
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Told you that you were cursed @DomMysterio35<\/a> <\/p>\n

Congratulations Mr. Penta pic.twitter.com\/vEVezcearH<\/a><\/p>\n

— Danhausen (@DanhausenAD) March 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n