By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,718)
Laredo, Texas, at Sames Auto Arena
Streamed live April 27, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] Highlights aired of the Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Jacob Fatu segment that closed last week’s Raw…
A video package featured Reigns talking with the Usos while they all awkwardly sat in chairs near the end of a table. Reigns said he couldn’t understand where Fatu was coming from. Jey spoke about how Fatu would be the shotcaller if he beats Reigns. Jey told Roman that there should be consequences. Reigns said Jey is right. Reigns said he would chew on it, make it his own, and address it later tonight. Jey said “family first” as they all put their hands together. “The first family,” Reigns said…
A shot aired of Jacob Fatu in a backstage area while Michael Cole checked in on commentary. Cole said the show was sold out…
Powell’s POV: Cole didn’t list an attendance figure, but WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 8,593 with 8,246 tickets distributed a couple of hours before the show. The listed capacity is 10,000. The last time WWE ran the venue was on January 27, 2023, when 7,555 tickets were distributed for a Smackdown show.
Seth Rollins made his entrance for an in-ring promo while the crowd chanted his entrance theme. Rollins said Bron Breakker is the reason he lost to Gunther and that Roman Reigns has his World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins said he knew Breakker was backstage with nine staples in the back of his head (from a chair shot). “You’re welcome for that,” Rollins said before calling him out.
Bron Breakker made his entrance with Paul Heyman. Breakker went face-to-face with Rollins, who said he gave Breakker everything. Rollins asked what Breakker got out of costing him the championship and the WrestleMania match against Gunther.
Heyman teased talking for Breakker and then handed him the mic. Breakker questioned what he got from Rollins, then held his nose closed while mocking Rollins delivering his catchphrases. Breakker said the only reason he teamed up with Rollins was that he needed Heyman.
Rollins recalled going to NXT and facing Breakker after Shawn Michaels said he was the best the brand had to offer. He also recalled Heyman pitching the idea to Rollins of taking Breakker under his wing. Rollins said he was all for it because of where Breakker could be one year later. Rollins recalled Breakker losing when he challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins said Breakker trikes, while he does.
Breakker said he may have come up short in the title match, but Rollins is the best at being number two. Rollins called Breakker “Baby Steiner” and asked if he came up with his line on his own or if Big Poppa Pump was his hookup. Rollins said he would give Breakker a match at Backlash to prove he’s ready. “Steiner, you’re not even number two in your own family,” Rollins said before tossing the mic toward Heyman and then making his exit…
Powell’s POV: A good verbal exchange to set up their match for Backlash. Breakker held his own. I’m looking forward to their Backlash match.
Cole narrated shots of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria walking backstage, Joe Hendry strumming his guitar in the empty arena, and Becky Lynch walking off her tour bus.
Stephanie Vaquer was walking backstage when Raquel Rodriguez threw a cheap shot punch at her. Roxanne Perez rolled a production crate into Vaquer. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan stood over Vaquer and said the championship belongs to her…
Intercontinental Champion Penta made his entrance for the opening match while ring announcer Alicia Taylor introduced him before a commercial break… [C] Rusev made his entrance… Corey Graves was on commentary with Cole…
1. Intercontinental Champion Penta vs. Rusev in a non-title match. Ethan Page’s entrance music played right after the opening bell. Page walked to ringside dressed in non-wrestling attire. Page sat in a chair next to the broadcast team. Rusev took advantage of Penta being distracted by Page and performed a uranage slam. [C]
Late in the match, Rusev dropped Penta with a Machka Kick, which drew applause from Page. Rusev went for the Accolade, but Penta slipped between his legs. Penta teased a springboard move before holding onto the ropes, causing Rusev to miss with a kick. Penta rolled up Rusev for the three count.
Intercontinental Champion Penta beat Rusev in 7:30 in a non-title match.
Rusev hit Penta from behind. Page entered the ring, removed his jacket, and then rolled up his sleeves while Rusev was putting the boots to Penta. Page wanted to join in, but he backed down after Rusev glared at him. Penta got the better of Rusev until Page hit Penta from behind. Rusev and Page threw kicks at Penta.
Je’Von Evans ran out for the save. Evans hit Page with a springboard clothesline. Penta recovered and superkicked Penta, and then Evans hit Rusev with an OG Cutter. Penta approached Evans and raised his arm…
Powell’s POV: I’m mildly surprised by Rusev taking the loss when Penta would have had an out for losing due to Page distracting him. But I’m not going to complain about getting a clean finish.
Cole set up footage from the Hulk Hogan: Real American documentary that’s available on Netflix…
El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser), Bravo, and Rayo were featured in a promo video. Americano discussed his upcoming mask vs. mask match with Original El Grande Americano. He said it would be the most important match of his life and the biggest fight he’s ever had. Americano said he needed to be ready for the fight of his life when he fights for his name and colors. He issued a “respectful challenge” to Rey Mysterio to face him during Raw…
Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance… [C] Highlights aired of Lynch beating AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42…
Becky Lynch cut an in-ring promo. She boasted that she got rid of AJ Lee once and for all. She said she became the first wrestler in history to win four different titles at WrestleMania, the first three-time Women’s Intercontinental Champion, and now has the most matches of any female at WrestleMania.
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