By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,611)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Wells Fargo Center
Aired live April 8, 2024 on USA Network
[Hour One] Raw opened with the new “Then, Now, Forever, Together” signature opening…
Paul “Triple H” Levesque made his entrance to his Motorhead’s “The Game” theme and was introduced by ring announcer Samantha Irvin. Michael Cole checked in and said there were 20,248 fans in attendance at the sold out show. Pat McAfee was on color commentary and said they were coming off a perfect WrestleMania weekend.
A “Triple H” chant broke out and the fans cheered loudly after his music stopped playing. The fans followed by chanting, “Thank you, Hunter.” Triple H said he came out to thank the fans. Levesque said that less than 24 hours ago, the fans made something very special happen. “I can now really tell you that was the greatest WrestleMania of all-time.”
Levesque said he was simply there to say thank you. He said he had the privilege of welcoming the fans to WrestleMania on Saturday and now has the privilege of doing the same on Raw. He recalled welcoming fans to a new time and a new era. Levesque said he wanted to introduce the fans to the man who will lead the company into that new era.
New WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes was introduced by Levesque and he made his entrance. There was no big screen, as WWE used the smaller set they used for Smackdown to get more fans in the building. There was still pyro for Cody, who headed to the ring dressed in a suit with his title belt draped over his shoulder. The side plates were already changed and no have American Nightmare logos.
Cody played to the fans and then entered and shook hands with Levesque. Cody kissed the title belt and then raised it in the air while looking into the hard camera. Levesque raised Cody’s other arm. Cody grabbed a mic and the crowd chanted his name once his music stopped playing. A “you deserve it” chant broke out.
Levesque said he wanted to say congratulations before he left. Levesque said Cody absolutely deserves it and he congratulated him for bringing an end to open of the most incredible title reigns of all-time. Levesque said Cody’s first night as champion set a new gate record for Raw with over 20,000 people.
Levesque said he got a call a couple hours after WrestleMania ended. He said the call came from a couple guys in the studio who said they made something special for Cody and then asked Levesque if he could share it with him. Levesque said hell no, he wanted to share it with everyone. Levesque said they set up monitors since they didn’t have the big screen because there were so many fans.
A Cody video played to the tune of Andra Day’s “Rise Up”. They cut to a split screen shot that showed Cody watching the video, which video concluded with footage of Cody beating Roman Reigns and the post match celebration at WrestleMania XL.
A “Cody” chant broke out and he wiped away tears from his eyes before sharing a long hug with Levesque. The fans chanted “You deserve it.” Levesque made his exit, leaving Cody alone in the ring. Cody placed the belt on the mat and then knelt down and kissed it.
“So, Raw after WrestleMania, Philadelphia, what do you want to talk about?” he asked while getting choked up. Another Cody chant broke out. Cody turned his attention to Samantha Irvin and said he was sure she would know what he was going to ask of her. “Just one more time, please,” Cody said. Irvin introduced him as the new champion again.
Cody said it was two years ago on the Raw after WrestleMania that he laid out his goals. He said he dreamed out in the open and last night the dream became reality. Cody said he’s been told the altitude in Philadelphia 39 feet above sea level, but the air feels thin and he thinks it’s because he and the fans are standing on top of the mountain.
Cody brought up former champion Roman Reigns, which drew boos. Cody mentioned that Reigns held the belt for 1,316 days. Cody said “we don’t have to like him, but I certainly acknowledge what he’s done.” Cody said Reigns is perhaps the most important superstar of this generation. A “thank you, Roman” chant broke out. Cody said he was the man destined to defeat Reigns.
Cody said a big thing people when you enter the business is why. Cody said he wanted to show fans one of his main whys. A clip of his daughter saying, “Papa, finish the story.” Cute. Cody said that’s his “Libby Curls” and said he wants her to know what when he goes to work, he goes to work in the main event. Cody said he wants her to know what he’s no longer fighting as challenger, he is fighting as champion.
Cody said he’s always stood in a line and now the line is for him. Cody said he was once undesirable and the undeniable and now Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Rock made his entrance with the People’s Champion belt draped over his shoulder. Cole explained that Lonnie Ali gifted Rock the belt during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Rock stood on the middle rope and held up his belt before entering the ring and walking past Cody to go to the other side of the ring for another rope pose.
Rock turned his attention to Cody and then got a microphone. A “Rocky” chant broke out. Rock stared at Cody and then nodded for a moment. The crowd chanted Undertaker. Rock looked at the fans. “Too soon,” McAfee said. Rock turned back to Cody and teased talking, then lowered the mic and was booed. A “Rocky sucks” chant broke out.
Rock smiled and teased speaking two more times, but he lowered the mic and was booed again. “The Rock is a lot of…” Rock stopped when the fans booed. Rock looked at the fans, who chanted something that was annoyingly censored.
“Now The Rock says The Rock is a lot of things, Philadelphia, but sucks isn’t one of them,” Rock started. An “asshole” chant broke out and went uncensored. Rock teased talking two more times and was booed again. Rock said he came out to deliver flowers. The crowd did the “What” bit and Rock played right into it.
Rock said Philadelphia broke another record for trailer park trash. The fans booed while Rock laughed at them. Rock told the fans to chant it now and then appeared to tell them to shut the f— up while he was muted. The fans responded with an STFU chant of their own that was censored. Cody held up his title belt and the fans cheered. Rock held up his belt and the fans booed.
Rock said there would be no blood spilled, he just wanted to give Cody his flowers. Rock said Cody did it and completed his story. Rock spoke about the things he did to Cody and said Cody still got it done. Rock recalled the belt he made with Mama Rhodes’ name on it. Rock said Mama Rhodes was happy the last two nights and she should have been. Rock said Cody’s “daddy in heaven” also had a big smile on his face.
The Rock said Dusty Rhodes was his hero. Rock said his father Rocky Johnson was good friends with Dusty. Rock said he wasn’t so sure that his father was proud of him after all the bad things he did to Cody, but then he thought, “I don’t care.” Rock said Cody finished the story and has a brand new belt, which Rock called beautiful while pointing out the American Nightmare side plates.
Rock responded to a fan who called his belt fake. Rock said it was given to him by Lonnie Ali. Rock asked Cody if he could hold his title. Rock said there would be no fireworks or harm. He spoke about holding a lot of titles during his career, but he said he’d never held the one that Cody had.
Cody told Rock that he could hold his title for a moment as long as Rock let him hold his title belt. Rock agreed and said he would be honored to let him hold the People’s Champion title. They slowly swapped title belts. Rock looked at Cody’s title belt and then put it over his own shoulder.
Rock said it just felt right while he had the belt over his shoulder. Rock thanked Cody and they swapped belts again. Rock said he has to go away for a little while. Rock said he didn’t want to leave because he loves pro wrestling and made it cool again along with Cody. The fans sang the “goodbye” song, which Rock smiled in response to.
Rock told Cody to remember that when he comes back, whether Cody is champion or not champion, he was coming back for him. “I’m looking forward to it,” replied Cody. Rock said he and the world were looking forward to it. Rock said he had one more thing Cody needed to know.
Rock said Cody beat Reigns right in the middle of the ring 1-2-3. Rock said less than 24 hours before that, he beat Cody in the middle of the ring 1-2-3. Rock said Cody beat Reigns and that story is over. Rock removed his shades and said, “But our story has just begun.”
Cody said he believes that because Rock is the boss. Cody said Rock is the Final Boss and he’s also on the TKO board of directors, which makes him his literal boss. Cody said he is the champion. Cody looked to the crowd and said he is their champion. “And, Boss, that means I am your champion,” said Cody.
Rock nodded and then said Cody is their champion, the world champion, and he is his champion. Rock said he had one more thing before he rode off into the sunset. Rock said he had something to give Cody and said there would be no fireworks.
Rock reached in his pocket and then told Cody to give him his hand. Rock slipped something into Cody’s hand. Rock told Cody that he didn’t even have to open his hand to know what it was. “Don’t you ever break my heart again,” Rock said. “If you smell what the Final Boss is cooking.” Rock’s music played and he exited the ring while Cody looked agitated…
Powell’s POV: Great segment. Cody’s celebration was enjoyable. I love heel Rock’s slow and deliberate delivery of his lines. They all but made it clear that we’ll be seeing a match between the two at some point and I’m all for it. The intensity between Cody and Rock is off the charts.
Footage aired of New World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest arriving with the rest of Judgment Day. They cut to footage of new Raw Tag Team Champions The Miz and R-Truth walking through the parking area. They cut to a shot of new Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn walking with his wife and son…
Cole and McAfee spoke at their desk and then introduced the Spanish broadcast team. Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance. NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov’s entrance followed. Cole said there are surprises on Raw and the NXT Champion was here…
Cole said the WWE Draft will start on the April 26 edition of Smackdown and will conclude on the April 29 edition of Raw. He said Dragunov will be a part of the draft…
Powell’s POV: The WWE Draft will be held the same weekend as the NFL Draft. In fact, the first night of the WWE Draft will run head-to-head with night two of the NFL Draft.
1. NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a non-title match. Dragunov went for a top rope move that Nakamura avoided. McAfee said Dragunov might be the NXT Champion, “but you can’t take your sweet ass time like that.” Dragunov eventually came back with a kick and then powerbombed Nakamura. Dragunov hit Nakamura with the H-Bomb, then hit him with Torpedo Moscow and scored the pin…
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in 4:15 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: A good showing for Dragunov. This didn’t seem to be an official call up because they said he would be in the draft, but it came off like he will be making the jump once the draft occurs.
A video package recapped Drew McIntyre beating Seth Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship, then being tripped by CM Punk, and then losing the title when Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract…
Drew McIntyre was shown walking outside the building… Priest was shown walking backstage with the other Judgement Day members heading into the first commercial break… An ad for Tuesday’s NXT didn’t offer any details of what will be on the show… [C]
[Hour Two] A shot aired of a giant title belt that was set up outside the venue. Cole set up a WrestleMania XL recap video that showed Grayson Waller and Austin Theory winning the Smackdown Tag Titles, R-Truth and Miz winning the Raw Tag Titles, and Rhea Ripley beating Becky Lynch to retain the Women’s World Championship…
The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh stood in the ring. Balor said to all the haters and doubters who thought Ripley couldn’t beat Lynch and Priest couldn’t cash in his MITB contract successfully, he wanted them to know that they were all wrong.
Dominik took the mic and was booed while he introduced Ripley, who made her entrance. Once in the ring, Ripley looked at her title belt. “WrestleMania, it was almost perfect, but you know we have a couple new problems that we need to deal with,” Ripley said. She said two things came out of the weekend. Ripley said Mami is always on top and this is a new era for The Judgment Day.
New World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest was introduced by Balor. Once Priest was in the ring, the fans started a “you deserve it” chant. “You’re damn right I do,” Priest said. “Now the Terror Twins stand before you as World Champions.” Priest said they rise to the occasion and now the world needs to follow suit and all rise for The Judgment Day.
Priest and Ripley held up their title belts and then R-Truth snuck in the ring and joined them by raising up his Raw tag team title belt. Priest said hell no. Truth said he brought the tag team titles back to Judgment Day. Truth said he knows they are picky about who they let in the group, but he’s only one half of the tag team champions.
The Miz made his entrance to the flattest reaction of the night (ouch). Miz spoke as he walked and then entered the ring. Miz said he doesn’t want to be in Judgment Day and he knows Truth doesn’t want to be either. Priest said Truth isn’t in Judgment Day. Truth said he is.
Miz pulled Truth to his side of the ring. Miz introduced himself and Truth as the new Raw TagTeam Champions. Balor said Awesome Truth will have the shortest tag team title reign in history. Balor challenged them to put the tag team titles on the line.
Truth said it sounds like fun, but they can’t “because there’s only three of us.” Miz asked if he was talking about a real person or Little Jimmy. Truth said they could have a six-man tag match with him teaming with Miz “and the guy you can’t see.” McDonagh accepted the challenge. Miz said he wanted to physically see their partner. Truth tried to introduce the partner, but he and Miz were attacked by Judgment Day and tossed out of the ring. [C]
An ad aired for the WWE Draft…
2. Raw Tag Team Champions R-Truth and The Miz vs. Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh. The match started as a handicap match and was joined in progress. Truth was isolated by the heels. Cole said WrestleMania viewership was up 41 percent this year.
The Miz took a tag and got the better of Dom, who avoided his Skull Crushing Finale attempt. Dom tied up the referee while Balor hit Miz with a clothesline from the apron. Balor and McDonagh took Miz to ringside and put the boots to him heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C] Miz was beatdown throughout the commercial break.
John Cena made his entrance and took a tag from Miz. Cena hit McDonagh with two shoulder blocks and slammed him to the mat. Cena watched while Truth and Miz slammed the other two. The babyfaces did the “You Can’t See Me” bit, hit simultaneous Five Knuckle Shuffles, and then hit simultaneous Attitude Adjustments and scored a triple pin.
John Cena and Raw Tag Team Champions R-Truth and The Miz defeated Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh in 9:30 of television time.
Cole said you never know what will happen on the Raw after WrestleMania. Cena celebrated with Truth and Miz. Cena picked up the Raw Tag Title belts and handled them to Truth and Miz, then hugged them both…
Powell’s POV: That was fun. Cena’s appearance was short and sweet, which is all it needed to be.
Cole narrated highlights of Bronson Reed eliminating Ivar to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal…
Bronson Reed delivered a promo while standing next to The Dre trophy. He said he doesn’t just enter the ring to win, he intends to break his opponents. Reed said winning The Dre was just the beginning. Reed said Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, and Ricochet would all learn a lesson in raw dominance. A graphic listed Reed vs. McIntyre vs. Uso vs. Ricochet in a four-way match to determine the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship…
An ad for Friday’s Smackdown touted appearances by new WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes and new WWE Women’s Champion Bayley… [C]
The broadcast team listed the WrestleMania combined attendance for five events as 201,924…
Backstage, Dominik told Rhea Ripley that he didn’t think John Cena would actually come out. She said Cena isn’t their problem. She said the problem is that Dom put his faith in Andrade, who betrayed him. Dom said he would deal with the problem and then walked away.
Suddenly, Ripley was struck by a chair thrown by Liv Morgan, who then worked over Ripley until referees and producers pulled her off. Dom returned and checked on Ripley. Cole said the Liv Morgan revenge tour is underway…
Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae were inside the ring. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was introduced as Hartwell’s opponent and received a modest reaction…
3. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez vs. Indi Hartwell (w/Candice LeRae) in a non-title match. Perez offered a handshake. When Hartwell tried to accept, Perez slapped her across the face and then smiled. Hartwell shot Perez toward the ropes and the referee had to jump out of the way to avoid her. LeRae reached inside the ring and tripped Perez while the referee was turned the other way. Hartwell told LeRae that she told her to stop. Perez kicked Hartwell and then hit her Pop Rocks finisher and scored the pin…
NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez defeated Indi Hartwell in 2:45 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: Despite the antics of LeRae, Perez worked heel, which is consistent with her NXT character these days.
A WMXL video aired and included mainstream headlines by Logan Paul retaining the U.S. Championship and Sami Zayn winning the Intercontinental Championship…
Sami Zayn was shown walking through the back carrying his title belt while wearing a “Yo, Khadija, I Did It” t-shirt. Jey Uso showed up and congratulated Zayn, who said he was proud of Jey too (did he watch that match?). Sami and Jey did their old handshake for old times’ sake… [C]
Roxanne Perez was walking backstage when she encountered Natalya, who said she would see her on NXT. “No, I’ll you you tomorrow night on my show,” Perez said before walking away…
New Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn made his entrance. The crowd continued to sing Zayn’s entrance music after it stopped playing and then chanted his first name. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Zayn said he can’t say how much that means to him.
Zayn said he’s been so lucky and has done some historic things at WrestleMania. Zayn said he wanted to do something historic again this year and he thinks he did. Zayn said the person who really made history was Gunther. Zayn said the fans could boo, but they can’t take his 666-day reign away from him. Zayn said Gunther is the best Intercontinental Champion of all-time.
“But guess what?” Zayn asked. “I beat him!” The fans sang the Ole song. Zayn said he got a lot of help from the fans. He said there were times when he didn’t believe in himself, but the fans did. Zayn said seeing his wife and son before the match helped him, just as seeing Kevin Owens helped him. Zayn said there was one other guy who helped him out. Zayn was interrupted.
The Imperium entrance theme played and then Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci came out. Kaiser spoke about how Gunther put in hard work and dedication to make the Intercontinental Title the most prestigious in WWE. Kaiser said it breaks his heart to see someone like Zayn holding that title now.
Kaiser said Zayn looks like all the peasants in Philadelphia, then added that he looks like a bum. Kaiser said he and Vinci were there to make things right. Kaiser set the mic down and then he and Vinci removed their warmup gear and climbed onto the apron.
Chad Gable ran out and joined Zayn in the ring, causing Kaiser and Vinci to drop to the floor. Gable gave did the “shooosh” and “thank you” bit heading into a break… [C]
[Hour Three] An ad aired for WWE Backlash France on Saturday, May 4 with a start time of noonCT/1ET…
A Sheamus vignette aired…
Powell’s POV: Finally! Sheamus’s last match was Edge’s final WWE match on August 18, 2023.
4. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn and Chad Gable vs. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Zayn was isolated briefly and then cleared both opponents to ringside and tagged in Gable, who went up top and dove onto Kaiser and Vinci on the floor. Back in the ring, Gable performed a top rope crossbody block on Vinci and got a two count. Kaiser and Vinci regained offensive control heading into a PIP break [C]
Late in the match, Zayn and Gable performed three simultaneous German suplexes. Zayn put Vinci in an ankle lock that Kaiser broke up. Gable went after Kaiser, who tossed Gable to the floor. Zayn clotheslined Kaiser to ringside and then hit an exploder suplex on Vinci. Zayn tagged Gable, then hit Vinci with a Helluva Kick. Gable performed Chaos Theory on Vinci and then pinned him…
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn and Chad Gable beat Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci in 12:25.
Powell’s POV: A decent match, though there wasn’t much mystery regarding the outcome. That wouldn’t be the case if Kaiser and Vinci were pushed as more than Gunther’s lackeys.
A WMXL video showcased Jey Uso beating Jimmy Uso…
Jey Uso delivered a backstage promo about putting a “Yeet Down” on Drew McIntyre, Bronson Reed, and Ricochet in the four-way match…
Backstage, Andrade shook hands with Raw general manager Adam Pearce, Smackdown GM Nick Aldis, and NXT GM Ava before exiting the room. Aldis said Pearce did a great job of recruiting Andrade to Raw. Aldis said it’s a shame that Pearce put all that work in just so he could snag him in the draft. Pearce said there are a couple of people he’d like to see on Raw. Ava said you never know who could end up on NXT, then said they all put their differences aside.
An escort, er, Chelsea Green entered the picture and complained that she wasn’t included on the biggest WrestleMania of all-time. Green said she would be contacting top brass. Pearce said they saw her emails, texts, and DMs. Pearce said that’s why they had a special match for her. Pearce told her to go to the ring because her moment awaits. The GMs laughed after Green left the room… [C]
Cole boasted that 17 television events sold out heading into WrestleMania while a video had graphics that showed the various events that sold out. McAfee once again boasted about the 201,924 attendance for the five events held in Philadelphia over WrestleMania weekend. Cole hyped the WWE Draft…
Chelsea Green made her entrance and then Jade Cargill’s entrance followed…
5. Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green. Green barked at the referee and then the fans. When Green turned around, Cargill hit her with a pump kick. Cargill followed up with Jaded and scored the pin…
Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green in 0:33.
Powell’s POV: A logical squash win for Cargill. That said, I continue to hope that Green will actually rack up some wins as opposed to being a comedy figure who loses most of her matches.
Another WMXL video aired and spotlighted Stephanie McMahon’s appearance at the beginning of Sunday’s show. It also included footage of Bayley beating Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women’s Championship, and the footage of the World Heavyweight Championship title changes…
Sami Zayn walked backstage where Chad Gable was celebrating with Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri. Zayn asked if he could have a minute with Gable, so the others exited. Zayn said he figured they were even after he handed him the win. Gable started to explain what he was looking for, but Zayn stopped him and said he knew.
Zayn held up the Intercontinental Championship and told him that it would be an honor to defend the title against him next week in Zayn’s hometown of Montreal. “I can’t wait,” Gable said. Zayn agreed with Gable and they shook hands…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance by walking intently to the ring without doing any of his usual entrance schtick. Once in the ring, McIntyre called for his music to stop and then said what happened the night before was BS. He said his title reign lasted five minutes and 46 seconds. He said that’s five minutes longer than most of the fans last in bed.
McIntyre said he might not like Seth Rollins, he respects him. McIntyre said that he and Rollins shared a moment that only warriors know about. McIntyre said “that bondage Undertaker Damian Priest screwed it all up.” McIntyre said he would say that he’d whip Priest’s ass but he’d probably enjoy it.
McIntyre said the Money in the Bank briefcase is a joke that has now cost him the championship twice. McIntyre said he’s coming for Priest and labeled him nothing more than a transitional champion. McIntyre said Priest may have had the contract, but he didn’t cause what happened.
McIntyre blamed “that prick CM Punk.” McIntyre recalled saying he would win the title, have a moment with his family, and then rub it in Punk’s face. McIntyre said that’s what he did. He called Punk a coward for sweeping his legs the moment he took his eye off him and then hitting him with his brace. McIntyre said he knew Punk would go into hiding, but he’s going after his weakest part. McIntyre said it just so happens that Punk’s whole body is his weakest part.
Jey Uso’s entrance theme interrupted McIntyre and then Uso made his entrance for the main event four-way. McAfee did his bit for Uso’s entrance. Cole told him he should seriously sit down and then said McIntyre threw a microphone at McAfee… [C]
An ad aired for the documentary on Rock’s return and the changes it caused to the WrestleMania plans. The documentary will premiere Wednesday on YouTube…
Cole listed the following matches for next week’s Raw in Montreal: Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio, and Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable for the Intercontinental Championship. Cole said the Zayn vs. Gable match would be an instant classic…
Bronson Reed made his entrance and then Ricochet was the last man out for the main event…
6. Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed vs. Ricochet for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Cole noted that Jey Uso’s ribs were wrapped due to injuries he suffered while spearing Jimmy Uso off the stage during the WMXL night two main event. Ricochet performed a top rope dive onto his opponents on the floor heading into an early PIP break. [C]
Reed slammed Jey through a table set up in a corner of the ring heading into another PIP break. [C] McIntyre and Reed squared off and traded chops while their opponents were at ringside. McIntyre performed a Michinoku Driver on Reed and covered him, but Jey returned to break it up.
Jey superkicked McIntyre. Jey and Ricochet superkicked McIntyre. Reed pointed at them and then they all superkicked McIntyre. A short time later, McIntyre went for a superplex, but Jey blocked it. Jey headbuttd McIntyre, who was then crotched on the top turnbuckle. Jey headbutted him again and McIntyre was tied up in a tree of woe.
Ricochet ran up the ropes and ate a headbutt from Jey, who was then suplexed off the ropes by McIntyre. Reed powerslammed Ricochet a short time later for a near fall. Reed followed up with a senton. Reed went up top for his finisher, but McIntyre cut him off. Reed sent McIntyre to the floor and then hit him with a shoulder block from the apron.
Reed cleared the broadcast table, but he ended up being laid out on top of it. Ricochet performed a springboard 450 splash from the ring that put Reed through the table. Reed and Ricochet remained down. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
McIntyre and Jey squared off in the ring. McIntyre put Jey down with a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre went to the corner and counted down, but suddenly CM Punk appeared and held his legs.
Jey took advantage of the distraction and kicked McIntyre. Jey speared McIntyre and then hit him with a top rope splash before covering him for the pin.
Jey Uso defeated Drew McIntyre, Bronson Reed, and Ricochet in a four-way in 17:40 to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.
Punk climbed onto the broadcast table and pumped his arms in Jey Uso style before the show went off the air moments after the match concluded…
Powell’s POV: A fun finish to a pretty good four-way main event. Jey Uso is a logical first challenger for Damian Priest. New champions rarely lose their first title feud, so it’s smart to go with a popular figure in Uso, yet not feed one of the true top guys to Priest. Plus, Priest feels like a vulnerable champion, so I think they can sell some viewers on the possibility of Jey winning the title.
Overall, a good show. While it was certainly a major improvement over the shit fest that was last year’s post WrestleMania edition, the show peaked with the long opening segment. The rest of the show felt fairly ordinary even with the surprise appearances of John Cena and the champions from NXT. I will be back with my weekly same night Raw audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the Raw After WrestleMania by grading it below.
Thank you for including ProWrestling.net among your stops for WrestleMania weekend coverage!
“The WWE Draft will be held the same weekend as the NFL Draft. In fact, the first night of the WWE Draft will run head-to-head with night two of the NFL Draft.”
What? The NFL Draft will be April 26-28, the Raw draft is April 29.
Doh, I was thinking it was starting on Raw, not Smackdown.
Dammit. I was hoping I was wrong and you were right. I wanted to skip that Smackdown for the draft. No luck. I’ll have to watch the NFL draft on delay that night.
It doesn’t make sense to start it during the NFL draft. That’s an insane approach. If they’re doing to do Friday and then Monday, just wait a week.
Draft runs 25-28. Smackdown on the 26th. So yeah night two.
They actually ran SmackDown’s draft against the NFL last year too, so it’s on the same exact schedule as last year’s.
I had to flip back-and-forth which was annoying. At least Raw’s draft is going to air on its own.
Weird…if AEW had done that, you’d be on here bashing it as being stupid, idiotic, ect ect….. Of course, its a WWE bad decision, so your reaction is “subdued”….hmmmmmmmm
That’s because if AEW did it, it would just be to draft more middle-school boys to the roster, as well as cutting their viewership down to about 300,000.
Solid show with the NXT appearances and some minor storyline work happening.
Roxanne looked comically small in there with Indi and no amount of attitude changes how weak her offense looks.
With Chelsea Green’s size and charisma, they really do need to do something with her.
When does Gunther pop back up and are we seeing the beginnings of a Chad Gable heel turn?
I agree with Chelsea Green, but I disagree on Roxanne, maybe you’re not into smaller wrestlers, but Roxanne is super good in that right, you gotta give it to her. Her and Lyra are small, but they delivered a really good match at Stand & Deliver.
I like Roxanne’s heel turn too, she’s been better ever since they made her more aggressive in that Blair Davenport feud last summer.
They need to have Candice and Indi turn fully heel and work with Rhea to help her out with the Liv Morgan problem.
I was hoping they would have Gable jump Zayn and introduce the New Alpha Academy as a serious faction. Something like, “We’re not good. We’re not bad. We’re just the best.”
I’m surprised they didn’t show Dusty’s picture holding the WWF belt after Cody’s win last night. That was the catalyst for his story.
That was a great cliffhanger between The Rock and Cody, we’re not going to find out what The Rock meant by breaking his heart, or what he had in Cody’s hand until he returns. I feel like Cody has been elevated through being in this feud with The Rock.
Damian Priest looked like a real final boss out there tonight, the right decision was made for him to be champion. I think some people think he’s a transitional or vulnerable champion, but I see him as a real deal Holyfield type of champion. He looks the part and looks like a real champion. I think he gets elevated even more by having the title for a long-time. I like the whole terror twins thing with him and Rhea, that’s something that they can actually build off of with those two.
I’m so behind on NXT right now, I need to catch up. I heard about Roxanne’s new heel character, and I was so impressed by her tonight. I loved seeing it as Roxanne looks good as a heel.
The way Liv attacked Rhea was amazing as that’s how it should be for the next few weeks where Liv comes out of nowhere attacking Rhea to show she means business about her revenge tour towards Rhea.
This is how Rhea can bring in Candice LeRae for help to take care of the new Liv Morgan problem then at some point Indi Hartwell turns heel too and follows Candice to helping Rhea out with Liv.
A lot of good point here. But why does Rhea need 2 other women to help against Liv? If Liv had a faction, sure. But it’s just her.
Thanks bro, let me explain my point on Rhea, now that Rhea has beaten the best of the best in Becky Lynch, they need to start transitioning Rhea’s character to being this untouchable boss type character like Roman Reigns was in this recent run, or even Gunther with The Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Rhea shouldn’t have to get her hands dirty every week with Liv. Rhea should be hiring some help, so that Liv has to go through her henchmen just to get to her.
I feel like Rhea has too much easy access to her and that was exploited by Nia Jax and Becky Lynch. She needs some pawns in front of her like the Queen she’s supposed to be. It should not be that easy for Liv to get to Rhea like that every week.
I wouldn’t had minded Liv to have a faction of her own as well if she ever got turned heel.
So they’d be henchwomen. Makes sense. I thought you were saying Rhea couldn’t handle Liv.
Yep, henchwomen for Rhea, as Rhea can definitely take Liv. LOL! Rhea just at this stage of her title run, should not have to still be proving herself to the rest of the locker room.
I thought that main event was supposed to be an elimination match?