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 featured 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 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 Bo Leuders.
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 started to leave until music stopped him.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came out sporting an ugly black eye. Punk asked if he went over on his time. Cody said it’s Punk’s time and his shows. Cody was surprised by Punk’s demeanor. Punk asked Cody if he thought he was going to freak out. Cody said yes.
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.