By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,717)
Las Vegas, Nevada, at T-Mobile Arena
Streamed live April 20, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] Raw opened with a video package that recapped WrestleMania 42… Michael Cole checked in on commentary and hyped the appearance of new World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. Judgment Day was shown walking outside the building while Cole hyped new Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan’s appearance. New WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky were shown walking backstage, and Cole said they would face “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane. Cole also hyped a look at the career of Brock Lesnar… Cole listed the attendance as 13,691…
Powell’s POV: A few hours before the show, WrestleTix listed T-Mobile Arena as being set up for 12,596 with 12,157 tickets distributed. The total number of seats on the map is 14,332. However, 17,831 tickets were distributed for last year’s Raw After WrestleMania in the same venue.
Oba Femi made his entrance dressed in a suit. “The Ruler has arrived,” Femi said before dropping the mic. Oba’s entrance theme played, and the fans chanted his name again…
Powell’s POV: Maybe the gimmick is that if you retire Brock Lesnar, you earn the right to limit your words as much as he does? Okay, so the mic drop after dominating and beating Lesnar said it all.
Asuka and Kairi Sane were featured in a promo video that with subtitles while they spoke mostly in Japanese. Asuka said Iyo Sky is once again choosing her fake family over her real family. She said Sky has dedicated herself to Ripley and then asked her how that was working out. Asuka said Ripley is the new WWE Women’s Champion, while Sky is nothing. Sane spoke briefly about beating Sky last week…
Ring announcer Mark Nash introduced WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, who made their entrance for the match against the Kabuki Warriors heading into the first commercial break… [C]
Corey Graves checked in on commentary with Cole while the Kabuki Warriors made their entrance…
1. WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane. Cole mentioned that Paige and Brie Bella won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania. Sane hit an Insane Elbow from the top rope onto a standing Ripley on the floor. [C]
Late in the match, Asuka was down on the floor. Sane tried to shoot Sky into the ropes, but she performed a suicide dive onto Asuka. Ripley put Sane down with a Riptide, and then Sky went up top and hit her with Over The Top Moonsault before pinning her.
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane in 11:30.
Afterward, Asuka knelt over Sane, who was lying on the floor, and yelled at her in Japanese…
Powell’s POV: An entertaining opening match. I wonder how much we’ll see of Ripley on Mondays now that she holds the championship that is tied to the Smackdown brand.
WrestleMania clips were shown…
Backstage, Adam Pearce congratulated Intercontinental Champion Penta for retaining his title in the ladder match. Je’Von Evans showed up and congratulated Penta. Evans said he’s not going anywhere. Penta said they stole the show and they would do it again soon. Penta said he’s not going anywhere, and then he delivered his Cero Miedo catchphrase
Ethan Page entered the picture after Penta walked away. Pearce introduced Page as the newest member of the Raw roster. Page asked if he had heard Evans say he wants another shot at the Intercontinental Title. Page said he wants the title and wouldn’t need a second chance. Pearce stepped in and booked Evans vs. Page…
Powell’s POV: It’s great that Page finally made it to the main roster. He was terrific in NXT and earned this call-up.
A still shot of CM Punk heading up the entrance aisle after his WrestleMania match. There were boos. Cole said Punk would appear after the break… [C] Cole hyped the “Kill Tony: WrestleMania” comedy show that is now available on Netflix… Cole introduced the Spanish broadcast team, and they spoke briefly…
Royce Keys was shown in the crowd. Cole noted that he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Friday, and can be seen every week on Smackdown…
CM Punk was shown walking backstage and then through the Gorilla Position. Some fans chanted his name, while others booed. Punk walked onto the stage without entrance music and stopped. Punk looked around the building. Punk dropped to his knees and said, “It’s,” and the fans filled in “Clobberin’ Time.” Punk’s entrance music played, and he headed to the ring.
Punk said he’s dealt with a lot of loss lately. He recalled losing his MMA trainer, Duke Roufus, and said his dog Larry crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Punk spoke about the late WWE crew members that he paid tribute to via his ring jacket at WrestleMania. Punk also mentioned the death of musician Bo Lueders.
Punk said he lost the World Heavyweight Championship and conceded that it stings less than the other losses he mentioned. Punk thanked the fans for helping him deal with his grief. He recalled winning the championship even though he wasn’t supposed to. He said he stays ready, and the fans would have seen Jey Uso as the champion had he not.
Punk spoke about staying ready because you never know when a championship opportunity might fall from the sky. He said he would keep fighting and wasn’t taking time away. Punk wrapped up his promo and was about to leave when entrance music stopped him.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came out sporting an ugly black eye. Punk asked if he went over his time. Cody said it’s Punk’s time and his show. Cody was surprised by Punk’s demeanor. Punk asked Cody if he thought he was going to freak out. Cody said yes.
Cody said he didn’t know what to do. He said he was the one feeling and looking like a loser. “Wait, are you saying I should feel like a loser?” Punk asked. “Hey, no, it’s cool. Stop it, we’re friends. I don’t feel like a loser.” Punk said maybe he looks like one and pointed out that he has a weird tattoo of a marshmallow on a stick.
Punk said Cody beat a friend and a mentor, and that’s why he feels the way he does. Punk said it was easy for him to fight someone he hates. Punk said it’s okay that he’s technically a loser. He said heavy is the head that wears the crown. Punk said it wasn’t his night on Sunday and told Cody to keep being champion. Punk looked at Cody’s title belt and repeated the line, “You never know when a championship opportunity is going to fall out of the sky.”
Punk left the ring. “Hey, Punk,” Cody said. Punk stopped and listened as Cody said, “Just say when.” Punk smiled and then shook hands while making his exit, as Cody was stone-faced in the ring…
A Finn Balor promo video aired. He spoke about how he expected betrayal from Dominik Mysterio, but not JD McDonagh. He recalled a 12-year-old McDonagh being an unassuming kid who walked into the gym. Balor said he helped him become one of the greatest performers. Balor said in the moment of truth, McDonagh chose Dom. Balor called this a full circle moment and said he would take out McDonagh tonight…
Ethan Page made his entrance… [C]
Powell’s POV: I like Punk’s upbeat approach to his first promo after losing the World Heavyweight Championship. Granted, I hope to see him turn heel at some point, but Punk’s demeanor was unexpected, and I liked the contrast with WrestleMania winner Cody acknowledging that he looked and felt rough. I predicted that Cody vs. Punk will be a WrestleMania 43 main event, but perhaps the tease at the end means they will meet in the ring sooner.
2. Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans. Evans entered the ring as the show returned from the commercial break. Cole said Page and Evans had three matches in NXT, and the last one was a street fight after Page broke Evans’ jaw. Graves recalled calling that match.
[Hour Two] Evans, who wore a t-shirt during the match, dove over the top rope onto Page on the floor before another break. [C] At ringside, Evans reversed Page and sent him into the ring post. Evans superkicked Page, who ended up on the Spanish broadcast table.
Rusev reached out from the timekeeper’s area and grabbed Evans, who ducked a punch. Evans punched Rusev and then dove over the barricade onto him. Evans returned to the ring and went for the OG Cutter, but Page tripped him up on the ropes. Page hit his Twisted Grin finisher and got the three count.
Ethan Page defeated Je’Von Evans in 9:45.
After the match, Rusev entered the ring and attacked Evans while Page went to the floor. Rusev put Evans in The Accolade.
Penta ran out and threw a series of kicks at Rusev, and dropped him with a superkick. Penta went to the ropes, but Page climbed on the apron and tripped him. Rusev put Penta down with a Machka Kick. Page stood on the apron and smiled, but Rusev just stared at him. Page dropped off the apron, and then Rusev put Penta in The Accolade. Page applauded from the floor. Rusev released the hold and put the Intercontinental Title belt over his shoulder…
Powell’s POV: Page going over in that manner is perfect for him as an opportunistic heel. I also got a kick out of the way he tried to buddy up to Rusev.
Footage from the Hulk Hogan: Real American docu-series was shown. The broadcast team spoke about Hogan briefly and plugged that the docu-series will premiere on Wednesday on Netflix…
The Judgment Day was shown backstage while Liv Morgan’s first appearance since winning the Women’s World Championship was listed as coming up next… [C]
NBA star Tyrese Haliburton and comedian Funny Marco were shown in the crowd. Paige, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella were shown in the crowd…
“The Judgment Day” Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez made their entrance. The obligatory “you deserve it” chant broke out for the new champion. Morgan said it was the smartest thing the fans have said all day. She claimed to be the greatest women’s champion of all time.
Morgan thanked the other Judgment Day members. She also thanked her WrestleMania opponent, Stephanie Vaquer. Morgan said they beat the hell out of each other, but it reminded her of who she is, which is the most talented woman in WWE.
Sol Ruca made her entrance and entered the ring. She said she’s been watching Morgan and said she deserved it. Morgan said Ruca had some nerve coming out and getting in the ring with her and her family. Morgan said Ruca is no Liv Morgan. She told her to get the hell out of the ring. Ruca said she didn’t come out to pick a fight, but she wasn’t going to back down from one either.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce walked onto the stage. He said it was the biggest Raw of the year and it seemed like the fans wanted to see a fight. Pearce sent a referee to the ring and said Morgan vs. Ruca would start immediately… [C]
A WWE Backlash ad aired for the premium live event that will be held Saturday, May 9, in Tampa… WrestleMania 42 clips and still shots were shown…
3. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan (w/Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez) vs. Sol Ruca in a non-title match. Ruca went for a standing moonsault during the opening minute, but Morgan put her knees up. Moments later, Ruca went for a springboard move that Morgan broke up.
Cole plugged Ruca vs. Zaria in a Last Woman Standing match for Tuesday’s NXT television show. Cole also said Ruca won the NXT Women’s North American Championship at T-Mobile Arena, and recalled that she wanted to be a stuntwoman at one point in her life.
Ruca battled back and had Morgan down on the floor. Ruca stood on the apron and then pushed off the ring post and hit a moonsault on Morgan. [C] Ruca performed a German suplex and followed up with a missile dropkick. Ruca hit Morgan with a knee strike and covered her for a two count.
Ruca sold her back as she slowly made her way to the ropes. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Ruca jumped off the ropes, and Morgan hit her with a Codebreaker on the way down for a near fall. Morgan went for her Oblivion finisher, but Ruca blocked it with her arms, which got a big pop.
Ruca hit the Sol Snatcher, but Morgan rolled out of ring to avoid being pinned. Ruca performed a great handspring dive over the top rope onto Rodriguez and Morgan, which drew “holy shit” chants.
Zaria showed up and ran Ruca into the ring post while the referee did her best to be distracted by checking on Morgan. Zaria jawed at Ruca and then backed up the ramp. Ruca beat the referee’s count by returning to the ring, but Morgan immediately hit her Oblivion finisher and pinned her…
Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defeated Sol Ruca in 12:00 in a non-title match.
After the match, Stephanie Vaquer came out and went face-to-face with Morgan near the stage. Vaquer spoke to Morgan, who held up her title belt…
Powell’s POV: A hot debut for Ruca, who showed off the Sol Snatcher and some of her other flashy moves. I predicted that Ruca, Ethan Page, Joe Hendry, and Jacy Jayne (perhaps with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) would be called up after WrestleMania. As much as I wish I could claim to be the next Nostradamus, it was all because of the way they have been booked on NXT lately. It was a nice touch to have Zaria cost Ruca the win.
Rapper Fabolous and the hosts of the “Let’s Rap About It” podcast were shown together in the crowd…
A Brock Lesnar video package aired to the tune of Godsmack’s “I Stand Alone.” It included career highlights and older comments from Paul Heyman, Batista, JBL, Roman Reigns, Paul Levesque, Dana White, Steve Austin, Becky Lynch, John Cena, and Lesnar himself. The video ended with Lesnar leaving his boots and gloves in the ring…
World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul and Austin Theory made their entrance with Paul Heyman… [C]
Heyman introduced himself while standing in the ring with Logan Paul and Austin Theory. Heyman spoke about expecting the unexpected at WrestleMania. He got emotional while talking about Brock Lesnar surprising everyone.
Heyman recalled CM Punk “kissing the asses” of the production team and everyone backstage during his earlier appearance. Heyman called out the production team for still having Lesnar in the “Now” portion of the “Then, Now, Forever, Together” opening. Heyman said Lesnar is done for now and will forever be the baddest that has ever been in a WWE ring.
Heyman shifted the focus to “the now” and spoke of there being a resurgence in the tag team division. He told the crowd that Logan had a personal message for them. The fans booed Logan, who eventually blamed IShowSpeed for losing their six-man tag match at WrestleMania.
Heyman thanked Gunther for the favor he did for him. Heyman said he owes him a favor, and he is willing to repay it. Heyman spoke about the person responsible for the “best assist” of WrestleMania weekend.
Bron Breakker made his entrance and then hugged Logan and Theory. Breakker told the crowd that it was one year ago in the same arena when he became the leader of The Vision because Seth Rollins was too weak.
Breakker said his favorite part of WrestleMania weekend was watching Rollins get close to beating Gunther, and then ruining everything for him. Fans chanted Rollins’ entrance theme. Breakker said he hoped Rollins was watching somewhere, because he would be coming after him from this day forward.
Seth Rollins’ entrance theme played. Rollins entered the ring behind the heels and hit Breakker from behind with a chair. Breakker grabbed the back of his head and rolled to the floor. Logan and Theory double-teamed Rollins.
“The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins’ music played, and they came out and cleared Logan and Theory from the ring.
[Hour Three] Ford dove over the top onto both men on the floor. Ford and Dawkins fought Logan and Theory to the back.
Breakker returned to the ring with blood on the back and side of his head. Breakker charged Rollins, who superkicked him. Rollins went for a Stomp, but Breakker avoided it and then speared him. Breakker grabbed Rollins and told him that he would ruin everything he’s ever done until the people remember him as a shell of who he used to be. Breakker ran the ropes and speared Rollins again…
Powell’s POV: Rollins owes Breakker a steak dinner after that chair shot. It wasn’t a case of Breakker moving as Rollins was swinging the chair. Breakker was standing still, and the top of the chair hit the back of his head. Ouch.
A JD McDonagh promo video aired. He said Finn Balor changed to the extent that he didn’t recognize him anymore. McDonagh recalled him shaking hands with CM Punk. He said Balor started fights with everyone and talked down to the other Judgment Day members like he was their leader. He asked how he could throw away 20 years of friendship. He said it was easy and he would do it again. McDonagh said he would show that the Balor everyone knew is dead…
New U.S. Champion Trick Williams was shown in the crowd while the fans chanted, “Whoop that Trick”…
Finn Balor made his entrance… [C] Another batch of WrestleMania 42 clips aired…
JD McDonagh made his entrance with his ribs wrapped. Balor clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. McDonagh battled back, but Balor backdropped him over the barricade. They fought into the crowd for a bit…
4. Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh. The referee called for the opening bell once they returned to the ring. Moments later, Balor caught McDonagh with a kick from the apron. Balor went for a Coup de Grace, but McDonagh avoided it. McDonagh kicked Balor’s back, which sent him through the ropes to the floor. [C]
Balor had a bloody nose and/or mouth coming out of the break. McDonagh headbutted him and covered him for a two count. Eventually, Balor fought back and hit a shotgun dropkick. He followed up with the Coup de Grace on McDonagh’s injured ribs before pinning him…
Finn Balor beat JD McDonagh in 6:15.
After the match, Dominik Mysterio ran out and attacked Balor, who eventually fought back and got the better of Dom. Balor went up top for a Coup de Grace, but McDonagh pulled Dom to the floor…
Powell’s POV: I’m not sure how Balor was busted open, but McDonagh may need to ask if there’s room for more at the steakhouse table.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Gunther, who said he felt fantastic after beating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Redmond asked if Gunther and Paul Heyman were aware that Bron Breakker was in Las Vegas. “There is no me and Paul Heyman,” Gunther said.
The camera pulled back and showed a smiling LA Knight, who said Gunther isn’t the only one with eyes on the world championship. Knight said Gunther had help winning his WrestleMania match, which counts as an “L” for him. Knight delivered his catchphrase and told Gunther that he would see him around…
Cole listed the following matches for next week’s Raw in Laredo, Texas: Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, plus a Joe Hendry concert. Graves acted annoyed that Hendry was going to hold a concert on Raw. Cole said Hendry is on Raw for good now. Graves asked whose name he had to say to make Hendry disappear…
Backstage, a somber Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky said their goodbyes due to Ripley heading to Smackdown. Ripley told Sky to handle her business on Raw, and she would be the champion that Smackdown needs. They hugged.
Ripley walked down a hallway and spotted Liv Morgan sitting on a production crate with her title belt in her lap. Morgan said she’d see Ripley around. Ripley said she looked forward to it…
A black SUV arrived in the parking area. New World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns emerged from the vehicle. A camera showed him walking through the backstage area while the fans sang his name. Once he made it to the Gorilla Position, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso were there waiting for him. Roman motioned for them to join him, and then they all made their entrance to Roman’s theme… [C]
Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso were in the ring coming out of the break. Reigns told Las Vegas to acknowledge him. He said he was going to talk about the title and business moving forward, but then he ran into his cousins and it made sense to discuss family business first.
“I miss this,” Reigns said. Jey gave him a “yeet.” He said he missed their trust, respect, love, and admiration. Reigns said he missed doing business with them. Reigns said it was crazy to him that CM Punk runs his mouth and some “washed” rapper ran his mouth at Jey.
Reigns said no one can touch them when they are together. Roman said they ran the business for four years straight as The Bloodline. He said he wasn’t asking the Usos to serve him. Roman said he was asking them to be his blood and stand with him.
Jimmy said Roman will always be their Tribal Chief. Jimmy dropped the mic, and then he and Jey held up their index fingers. Roman was about to join them, but entrance music interrupted them.
Jacob Fatu made his entrance and joined Reigns and the Usos in the ring. Reigns said he hadn’t seen him in a while and assumed he must be there to acknowledge him. Fatu said no. Reigns assumed Fatu must want his title. Fatu said he doesn’t want the world championship, he needs the world championship
Fatu said he wants everything the Tribal Chief has. He needs a shoe deal, Roman’s Rolex, more vehicles, a bigger house, and to put his children in a better school. Fatu said he would do anything for his family, even if he has to go through Reigns. Fatu brought up taking the title from Reigns at Backlash. A “Fatu” chant broke out.
Reigns said he agreed with Fatu and wants those things for him. He said maybe Fatu can beat him, maybe he can’t. He wondered if Fatu could handle the burden of the title. He also wondered if Fatu could handle the burden of acknowledging him if he lost.
Reigns said the air was thin at the top of the mountain. Reigns said he would give Fatu the rest of the week to think about it. “I’ll see you next week on Raw, little cousin,” Reigns said before dropping the mic. Roman’s entrance theme played, and he left the ring with the Usos. The executive producer credits were shown. A camera mic picked up Reigns telling Jimmy to talk some sense into Fatu as the show ended…
Powell’s POV: Fatu showing interest in going after Roman’s newly won championship is unexpected fun. I like that they closed with a bit of a cliffhanger for next week, with Reigns saying he would give Fatu a week to think about things. WWE Backlash is less than three weeks away, so I suspect Fatu’s decision will be to challenge Reigns.
Overall, this was a strong Raw After WrestleMania. The NXT call-ups were expected to occur soon if you’ve been paying attention, but there were no guarantees they would occur tonight. The show did a nice job of making WrestleMania feel as important as it should, while also turning the page. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
So…my guess is that Brock will retire but Gunther will get close to Heyman and eventually threaten Paul to get one more match out of Lesnar at SS.
Or possibly threaten/pummel Heyman, forcing Lesnar into it.
Yep, something like that. They’re talking too much about Lesnar to not have him do one final match at SS and Gunther seems like the obvious choice. Also, it doesn’t really hurt Gunther’s streak of retiring people if he loses to Brock because Brock already retired.
*Spoiler for every Liv Morgan match”
Liv wins with help. There, saved you 5 boring minutes each week.
She’s insanely over and that’s all that matters.
She’s over and the match was good. Oh wait. I complimented WWE. Charles will probably say I’m licking TKO’s balls again.
A lot of new people on Raw. Two questions. Will there be a draft? It’s been a few years. Also, do you think there will be layoffs of talent?
It’s odd that they moved away from the draft AFTER establishing both Pearce and Aldis as GMs of each program.
The draft never made any sense, but it is odd that the GMs are the most established and consistent that they’ve been in years and this is when they go away from it.
I doubt they will do a draft. I think they would have saved the NXT call-ups if they were going to do one. Paul Levesque went with a “transfer window” instead of a draft, so we might see that again. Or the wrestlers will just keep jumping around from brand to brand with no explanation. Layoffs typically happen around the time of the company’s earnings reports. The next one is on May 6. No inside info, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some cuts. They have some former main roster regulars who now spend most of their time in AAA. Their contracts might be considered too expensive if they’re not working main roster shows.
So cute, Roman is back with his young boys again.
So retard Mike changed his name to retard Charles, got it.
I have to say when Liv was saying “This is my” with other things I half expected her to say “house” and piss off Paige in the crowd causing her to jump the barricade! But getting Sol instead was good. The only problem is that it gives away the result of the Last Woman Standing Match on NXT.
Some hurtful and unnecessary shade thrown at Fatu’s kids’ school there.
A very good show, but the crowd anarchy and takeover of the Raw After Wrestlemania seems to be a thing of the past. I kinda miss that – the performers, annnouncers and the crowd always had a blast with it. Not so much last night. Even Pierce tried to stir the pot but they didn’t bite.