By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,610)
Brooklyn, New York at Barclays Center
Aired live April 1, 2024 on USA Network
[Hour One] Footage aired of the crew assembling the WrestleMania set at Lincoln Financial Field while Michael Cole and Pat McAfee checked in on commentary. They cut to footage of fans arriving at Barclays Center. A video package recapped last week’s segments involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes. They included the bonus footage of Rock whipping Cody after a production member told them that the show had gone off the air…
Cole and McAfee spoke at ringside. Cole noted that the show was sold out and that the first hour of Raw would be commercial-free. Cole said Cody was not medically cleared to appear on Raw. McAfee emphasized that Cody would be able to participate this weekend…
The Rock made his entrance and entered the ring. “I made that boy bleed,” Rock started. Rock boasted that he ran Cody’s head into the side of the tour bus and made him bleed. The crowd gave Rock the “What?” treatment and he paused to let them do it. Rock said the only thing missing were the tears of Mama Rhodes.
Rock recalled telling Cody that he would make him bleed. He said the Cody Crybabies didn’t like it. Rock said the Cody Crybabies were upset that Rock made their hero bleed. Rock said he just laughed because they were grown adults crying about Cody.
Rock said there were some reactions that stopped him in his tracks. Rock had footage air on the big screen of young girls crying. Rock said it breaks his heart. Rock said he’s a proud three-time girl dad. Rock said it broke his heart to see those reactions.
Rock told the fans to put their kids in front of the television so that Uncle Rock could drop some gospel on them. Rock addressed the little boys and little girls by saying there are moments in life when a man has to do what a man has to do. Rock said there are moments in life when people stick their noses where they don’t belong. Rock said there are moments in life when he has to beat Cody’s punk ass down over and over again. A “Rocky” chant broke out.
Rock asked the fans if they felt it. He said professional wrestling is cool. Rock said the ratings have skyrocketed because of him. Rock said the fans set the record for the largest gate in the history of Raw. A graphic listed the attendance as 15,546.
Rock said there’s one reason why, then said, “Finally…” Rock said finally blood was shed, we’re finally five days away from WrestleMania, and finally The Final Boss has come back to Brooklyn. Another Rocky chant broke out. “But Brooklyn, The Rock didn’t come alone,” he added.
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns made his entrance along with Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso. Cole said Reigns has been champion for 1,310 days. McAfee was shown standing up and holding up his index finger while he gushed over Reigns.
Cole said Reigns will tie Hulk Hogan on Saturday by headlining his eighth WrestleMania and will break it on Sunday when he headlines it for a ninth time. Once the crew joined Rock inside the ring, Reigns held out his hand and then Heyman passed him the microphone. “Brooklyn, New York, acknowledge me,” Reigns said.
Reigns mentioned his A&E Biography and pointed out his “Family Above All” hoodie. Reigns said he came to Brooklyn to acknowledge his family. Some fans yelled “yeet.” Reigns said, “No yeet.” He told the fans he would leave if they continued.
Reigns said he wanted to thank his cousin Rock for helping make it the easiest WrestleMania of his life. Reigns said the and Rock “will smash those fools.” Reigns said it would be Bloodline Rules on Sunday and then they will have their way with Cody.
Reigns thanked Rock again and said he went above and beyond by making Cody bleed. Reigns said Rock whooped Cody. He said he didn’t need Rock to do it, but it felt good to see him do it. Reigns thanked Rock again and said he put his family above all, just as he does. Reigns said that’s how you lead.
Reigns said Cody isn’t fit for leadership. Reigns said Cody is a politician who is lucky to be there. Reigns said that when they started making it cool again in 2020, Cody was “off somewhere doing a whole lot of nothing.” Reigns said Cody saw what he was doing and they were generous and allowed him to have fun, but they can’t allow Cody to knock him off the top of the mountain. “This is our mountain,” Reigns declared. “We run this business.”
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ entrance theme interrupted Reigns. Rollins entered through the concourse in the same area where The Shield once entered. Rollins stopped and said that if The Bloodline thought he was walking into their ambush, then they are stupider than he thought they were. Rollins said they would have to fight the whole city of Brooklyn.
Rollins said they crossed the line last week and the time for talking is over. Rollins said he was ready for a fight and not just in five days at WrestleMania. Rollins said he wanted a fight tonight. Rollins said it was the biggest Raw of all-time and the fans deserve the biggest main event of all-time.
Rollins said Rock thinks the fans were all there because of him and then challenged him to put his money where his mouth is. Rollins challenged Rock to face him in the show’s main event. Rollins said he didn’t think “ol’ DJ’s got the balls.” Rollins said maybe Reigns has grown a set over the last few years.
Rollins said he would be just as happy to face Reigns in the main event. Rollins told them to decide which one of them it would be and said they could even pick the stipulation. Rollins asked which one of them had the balls. A “Rocky” chant broke out.
Rock said Rollins would not fight him or Reigns. When the fans booed, he told them to shut their mouths and enjoy the ride that he was taking them on. Rock said Rollins is a crazy son of a bitch. Rock said they always have a plan. A “Rocky sucks” chant broke out.
Solo Sikoa took the mic and said, “Yo, Seth, you ain’t fighting the Tribal Chief tonight. You’re not fighting the Final Boss tonight either. You’re fighting me tonight.” The fans booed. Rollins said Solo has the biggest bag in The Bloodline and then accepted the match. Rock told Rollins that the match would be fought under Bloodline Rules. “We’ll see you tonight, boy,” Rock closed…
Powell’s POV: Did they think the live crowd would be happy when they were teased with Rock or Reigns and ended up getting Solo? That really sucked the oxygen out of the room. On the bright side, it was a very good segment with major star power and we’ll get to see what Bloodline Rules entail.
The broadcast team spoke at their desk and set up footage of Rhea Ripley’s appearance on The MMA Hour. Becky Lynch called into the show and ended up entering the studio and barking at Ripley about bringing up her daughter. Security held Lynch back while Ripley taunted her…
Cathy Kelley interviewed Becky Lynch on the backstage interview set. Lynch said she would be in the ring later if Ripley cared to answer the call…
Entrances for the eight-man tag match took place. Cole said the ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles would be held on Saturday. He added that the Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Title belts will hang above the ring in the ladder match at WrestleMania. Cole also the match would continue until both sets of belts are retrieved…
Powell’s POV: They either set the table for two teams pulling down different sets of title belts or they know that’s a popular theory and are going to lean into it even if they don’t intend to split up the tag titles again.
1. “The Judgment Day” Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh vs. Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa. The broadcast team said the Dom and Santos Escobar vs. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee match will also be held on Saturday. In the end, Priest hit a Razor’s Edge on Ciampa and then pinned him clean…
The Judgment Day” Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh defeated Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa in 5:20.
Cole and McAfee spoke about the Rollins vs. Sikoa match and said that Bloodline Rules means anything goes…
Roman Reigns, The Rock, and Paul Heyman were shown watching Solo Sikoa. They agreed that he’s ready. Reigns and Rock shook hands. Rock asked Reigns where he was going. Reigns said he had to write Heyman’s speech. Heyman looked into the camera and declared that Reigns would be inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday night…
A graphic touted the new record of 13 consecutive sellouts leading into WrestleMania…
Footage aired from the WWE Performance Center of Chad Gable coaching Sami Zayn in a film session, in the gym, and during an in-ring workout. Zayn was exhausted after throwing off multiple opponents.
Gable entered the ring and put him in a move. Zayn tapped out and then asked what the hell that was. Gable asked Zayn if he thought Gunther would care if he was exhausted. Gable wanted to run the drill again, but Zayn said no and asked if Gable was trying to burn him out a week before his match.
Zayn asked if Gable didn’t think he was good enough. Gable said Zayn was more thang good enough. Gable said Zayn main evented WrestleMania last year, but that’s when he had the hunger that is now gone. Gable said he’s trying to pull that hunger out and questioned what was holding Zayn back.
“I’m afraid, okay?” Zayn replied. He said he was afraid of letting everyone done, including his wife and his son. Gable said he understands that better than anyone. Zayn said Gable looked him in the eye and said he didn’t think he could beat Gunther. Gable said he was telling Zayn what he needed to hear and said they needed to prove everyone wrong together. Zayn went back to training and threw Gable off when he put him in a hold again…
Powell’s POV: Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Fun stuff. I wonder if anyone will smarten up CM Punk or if they’ll just let him think the writers are doing a tremendous job.
Sami Zayn made his entrance… An ad for Smackdown included hype for the Kevin Owens Show with guest Randy Orton, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa. They went to break 53 minutes into the show (liars!!!)… [C]
The broadcast team hyped the WWE World events for WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia…
Backstage, Rhea Ripley spoke with the other members of Judgment Day. Santos Escobar, Angel, Humberto, and Elektra Lopez arrived and were greeted by Dom. Priest pulled Dom aside and said they agreed to let him face his father at WrestleMania, but this was too much. Priest said he was leaving to make a call. Ripley said she would talk to Priest but also reminded Dom about communication. Dom introduced the two factions. The Judgment Day members were not pleased. Dom invited Escobar to play darts…
[Hour Two] Cole noted that Gunther vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship will take place on WrestleMania Saturday… Bronson Reed made his entrance Cole said it looked like Zayn had regained his confidence…
2. Sami Zayn vs. Bronson Reed. McAfee acknowledged the similarities between Zayn’s story and the Rocky movies. Zayn hit Reed with an early flip dive at ringside. Zayn went for a crossbody block from the ropes, but Reed caught him and powerslammed him for a near fall.
Chad Gable was shown watching the match on a backstage monitor. Reed picked up another two count after dropping an elbow on Zayn. Reed set up for a move from the ropes, but Zayn countered into a sunset bomb for a near fall. Zayn failed to power up Reed, who countered into a Death Valley Driver for another two count. [C]
Reed went for his Tsunami Splash finisher, but Zayn avoided it. Zayn set up in his corner for his Helluva Kick finisher, but he was distracted by Gunther dragging Gable onto the stage and leaving him there. Gunther walked toward the back while Zayn left the ring to check on Gable. Gunther returned and booted Zayn, then ran him into the video wall.
Sami Zayn fought Bronson Reed to an apparent no-contest in roughly 12:00.
After the match, Gunther clotheslined Zayn and then picked him up and chopped him. Gunther continued to work over Zayn and then stood over him and taunted him. Gunther picked up Zayn and blasted him with two chops. Gunther picked up his Intercontinental Title belt and held it up while placing one foot on Zayn.
Gunther was about to leave, when Zayn started to show signs of life. Zayn struggled and eventually got to his feet. Gunther ran over and knocked him down by a belt shot to the head. Gunther headed to the back while Zayn and Gable were both laid out on the stage…
Powell’s POV: I’m never a fan of matches ending without explanation. That said, Sami getting his mojo back after one workout session with Gable would have felt rushed. I wish they would have announced an official match result, but I’m happy that Zayn didn’t avenge his loss to Reed, who will make a quality challenger if Zayn wins the title on Saturday.
Jey Uso came across Lil Wayne backstage. Jey invited the rapper to join him at WrestleMania. Wayne said he would be at WrestleMania and would bring his crew…
“Damage CTRL” Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai were shown arriving backstage… [C]
An ad aired for Friday’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony broadcast on Peacock following Smackdown on Fox. By the way, Lia Maivia has been officially added to the list of entrants… Cole announced that The Rock will induct his late grandmother on Friday, and recapped the news that Roman Reigns will induct Paul Heyman…
3. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell vs. Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri. The entrances for both teams were televised. Dupri caught LeRae in an inside cradle for an early two count. LeRae got angry and threw punches at Durpi before covering her for two.
Nile took a hat tag to no reaction and then worked over Hartwell. Nile played to the crowd and got a response. Nile went to the ropes and was shoved off by LeRae while the referee was distracted.
Hartwell questioned LeRae over her antics. Meanwhile, Nile tagged out. Durpri ran over and then rolled up Hartwell and pinned her. LeRae scolded Hartwell after the match…
Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell in 3:35.
Powell’s POV: I feel bad for Nile. The NXT crowd liked her and she was getting solid reactions once she arrived on the main roster. But now she’s playing sidekick as part of the Dupri storyline that doesn’t seem to be generating much traction with the fans.
The broadcast team spoke at their desk. Footage aired from the opening segment and then Cole hyped The Rock and Roman Reigns for Wednesday’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”…
Jey Uso approached Seth Rollins in the backstage area and said he would have his back in the main event if The Bloodline tried anything shady due to the match being fought under Bloodline Rules… [C]
A sponsored ad focused on Natalya’s favorite WrestleMania moment of Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania X…
Drew McIntyre was shown standing in front of an open casket in a funeral parlor. He turned and looked at the camera and laughed. The lid was closed and then McIntyre went to a podium. McIntyre said CM Punk has no match in Philadelphia. McIntyre said Punk’s brittle and fragile body failed him just like it did in UFC.
McIntyre said they were left with the thin-skinned guy who saw Jared Leto in The Joker and built his entire personality off of him. McIntyre referring to Seth Rollins as “Seth ‘Cringe Lord’ Rollins.” McIntyre said Rollins is broken and has one foot in the grave.
McIntyre said Rollins is broken and questioned if he really thinks he can beat him after he faces Roman Reigns and The Rock. McIntyre said Rollins deserves all the beatings that are coming his way from The Bloodline and to have the casket closed on his championship reign. McIntyre said he would take the broken old workhorse out back and put him down once and for all…
Ricochet and Ivar made their entrances and the broadcast team hyped the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal for Friday’s Smackdown…
4. Ricochet vs. Ivar. Ricochet dropkicked Ivar, who tumbled to the floor. Ricochet went for a dive from the ring that Ivar avoided. Ricochet set up for an Asai moonsault, but Ivar broke it up heading into a break. [C]
Ricochet rolled through a top rope move after Ivar moved. Ricochet caught Ivar with a kick and then hit him with a springboard clothesline. Ricochet executed a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Ivar cut off Ricochet with a kick and then powerbombed him for a near fall. Ivar went for a move in the corner that Ricochet avoided. Ricochet hit Ivar with a knee strike and went for a springboard crossbody block, but Ivar caught him and slammed him.
Ivar performed a springboard crossbody block for a near fall. Ivar went up top and attempted a Doomsault that Ricochet avoided. Ivar stood up and charged Ricochet, who caught him in the corner and executed a fallaway slam. Ricochet followed up with a 630 splash and scored the pin…
Ricochet defeated Ivar in 10:10.
Powell’s POV: A nice match with the expected outcome. They seem to be committed to pushing Ricochet and the broadcast team continued to do a nice job of marveling over his high spots. It was good to see Ivar back in action after he wasn’t medically cleared last week.
The Legado Del Fantasma members played darts while the Judgment Day members were behind them. Damian Priest complained about his faction not taking care of Ricochet yet. Dom said JD McDonagh would take care of Ricochet, but he had just the guy for the job just in case he did not.
Andrade entered the room and went face to face with Priest for a moment. Dom introduced Andrade to Escobar. Dom told Andrade they would make him a full member of the crew if he took care of Ricochet. Andrade asked if they needed him. The other Judgment Day members said no. Andrade finished by asking if they needed him to take care of business. Dom said he wanted him to. Andrade agreed and shook on it. Priest asked Dom if the LDF members were using his darts… [C]
[Hour Three] A WrestleMania video aired and listed Meek Mill at the end…
Becky Lynch made her entrance. Her match with Rhea Ripley was listed for WrestleMania Saturday. Lynch said she and Ripley had done all of the talking they needed to do and then challenged Ripley to come out and fight her.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce came out and said no. He said the fans could boo him all the way and he’d be the April Fool, but he couldn’t risk their WrestleMania match. A group of security guard members followed Pearce, who told Lynch to leave the ring.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley made her entrance. Pearce told Ripley to save it for WrestleMania. Ripley acted like she would company, then tossed her title belt at Pearce and quickly fought through the security guards.
Lynch and Ripley traded punches in the ring. Ripley ended up on top of Lynch, but security pulled them apart and got Ripley to ringside. Lynch fought free and performed a dive from the top rope onto Ripley and the security guards on the floor…
“Damage CTRL” members Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai were shown backstage. Kai told Bayley that Damage CTRL is the future… Cole hyped Damage CTRL in a six-woman tag match for after the break… The WrestleMania XL video aired. We are five days away… [C]
Cole announced that Clash at The Castle will return on Saturday, June 15. He said the show will be held in Europe and the location will be announced on Tuesday…
The pull apart between Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch continued in the backstage area. Adam Pearce ordered security to get both women out of the area once security was able to pull them apart…
A sponsored ad recapped Damage CTRL’s issues with Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi on Smackdown…
5. Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai (w/Iyo Sky) vs. Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Tegan Nox. The babyface entrances were not televised. In the end, Sane hit the Insane Elbow on Nox and then pinned her.
Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai beat Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Tegan Nox in roughly 9:00.
Powell’s POV: There’s a wave of AEW talent cuts taking place tonight (see the main page), so I was tied up with that during the match. My apologies. I will go back and watch this match again before I record my audio review later tonight.
An ad aired for the Bray Wyatt documentary that his now available on Peacock… Cole hyped over 30 hours of live programming for WrestleMania week and ran through a list of some of the content. There will be a set reveal on Thursday and post show press conferences after both nights of WrestleMania…
The broadcast team listed the following matches for WrestleMania Saturday: Roman Reigns and The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship, Gunther vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship, Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai, the six-pack ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar…
The broadcast team listed the following matches for WrestleMania Sunday: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship, Iyo Sky vs. Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits vs. Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar in a Philadelphia Street Fight, Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens for the U.S. Championship, and LA Knight vs. AJ Styles…
Cathy Kelley caught up with Seth Rollins backstage and asked him why he took on the match with Solo Sikoa. Rollins said he has only one gear and it’s pedal to the metal. Rollins said he always has a Plan B. After Rollins walked away from Kelley, he encountered Drew McIntyre, who smiled at him. Rollins told McIntyre that he’s not dead yet. “Yet,” McIntyre replied as Rollins walked away and then made his entrance… [C]
6. World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Solo Sikoa in a non-title Bloodline Rules match. Rollins hit Sikoa with a Samoan Dive to start the match. Rollins ran Sikoa into the ring steps. Sikoa battled back and slammed the head of Rollins on the broadcast table and then dumped him into the timekeepers area.
Rollins threw four chairs at Sikoa, who wisely appeared to get his hands up for each. Rollins set up a chair and then DDT’d Sikoa onto the seat of it. Rollins pulled a table out from underneath the ring. The table was set up in the ring. Sikoa battled back and performed a Samoan Drop that put Rollins through the table. [C]
Sikoa charged Rollins on the floor, but Rollins moved, causing Sikoa to run into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Rollins avoided another Samoa Drop from the ropes and countered into a powerbomb that put Sikoa through a table. Rollins followed up with a Stomp on Sikoa.
Jimmy Uso showed up and superkicked Rollins. Jey Uso came out and fought Jimmy to the back. Jey was tossed back onto the stage and then The Rock walked out behind him. Rock ran Jey into the video wall and then tossed him backstage.
The Rock walked to the ring and looked down at Rollins once he was inside it. Rollins flashed a smile at The Rock and then Cody Rhodes’ entrance music hit. Cody worked over Rock with punches and then joined Rollins in clearing the broadcast table.
Rollins slammed Rock’s head on the broadcast table. Cody stood on the table and set up Rock for a move, but Roman Reigns appeared from underneath the ring and then tripped up Rollins from behind. Reigns ran Rollins into the ring post. The crowd chanted CM Punk for reasons that make sense only to them.
In the ring, Reigns hit Rollins with a Superman Punch. Rock rolled Cody inside the ring. Reigns let out a wear cry and then speared Rhodes. Reigns and Rock stood over the babyfaces and then Reigns jawed at them. Rock and Roman shook hands and hugged while the camera crew got a shot of the WrestleMania sign behind them.
Rock removed his weight belt and whipped Cody and Rollins with it. Rock tossed the belt to Reigns, who also slammed it over the backs of Cody and Rollins repeatedly while Rock dropped to his hands and knees and taunted Rollins.
Rollins showed signs of life and went after Reigns, who then held him while Rock hit him with the belt again. Sikoa held Cody’s arms over the middle rope while standing on the floor. Rock blasted Cody with additional lashes from the belt. Reigns looked into the camera and said this is what you get when you mess with The Bloodline.
A “Rocky Sucks” chant broke out. Rock and Reigns held up their belts while Cody and Rollins stayed down. Reigns jawed at Rollins and then Rock blasted Cody with another belt shot before the show went off the air…
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins fought Solo Sikoa to an apparent no-contest in a non-title Bloodline Rules match.
Powell’s POV: A great violent beatdown to close the show. I wish they would have capped it off with Sikoa pinning Rollins since it was a non-title match rather than going with another non-finish. You’d think Solo would be eager to end the streak, as he has inexplicably not won a single match since he beat John Cena clean at WWE Crown Jewel back in November.
Overall, this was a solid go-home show with a red hot ending. The Rock and Roman were really good tonight and I love that the go-home show was used to add even more heat. There was more filler on the show than usual and I’m just not a fan of those non-finishes, but the overall build for WrestleMania XL has been terrific and I’m anxious to see both nights. I will have a lot more to say in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading it below.
Make ProWrestling.net your home for WrestleMania XL week coverage.
Can someone remove all memory of Candice LeRae from HHH’s brain so we don’t ever have to see her on TV again?
So the Bloodlines Rules stip means it can end in a no-contest on WM night 2?
For multiple storyline reasons, Solo stealing a victory once the Rock entered the ring would have been good. The Rock threatening to attack after the bell still could have heralded Cody’s entrance and the final beat down.
I got a feeling there will be a no-contest for this match. I don’t see Roman losing the title at all. I think they got something up their sleeve for the payoff to debut new Bloodline members and The Rock making his statement as The Final Boss that what he says goes. Roman’s promo at the very end let me know he’s going to have that title for a while.
The Candice LeRae stuff could be interesting if the pay off is that Candice and Indi Hartwell both join Rhea Ripley in a new faction that Rhea leads away from Judgment Day since they’re falling apart.