With Wrestlemania in the rear view mirror, tonight marks arguably the most anticipated Raw of the year, the Raw after Wrestlemania. With Cody Rhodes making his first appearance in almost 6 years, the highly anticipated debut of Veer and the new undisputed champion Roman Reigns set to appear, what can we expect tonight? Let’s find out!
MUST WATCH: We kick off the show with the return of Cody Rhodes. Cody talks about his free agency and says that one finds his destiny in the place he sought to avoid. He pulls up a photo of Dusty Rhodes and shows him holding the world title and says that he is going to win what has eluded his family for generations. He’s going to win it for the fans, himself and his father. However, he’s interrupted by Seth Rollins. He comes into the ring but doesn’t say a word. Instead he just shakes Cody’s hand, says “welcome home” and leaves without another word. A fantastic, impassioned promo from Cody and an interesting direction for Seth Rollins.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 4.5 stars
AVERAGE: Up next we get a women’s tag match as the new women’s tag team champions Sasha Banks and Naomi take on Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. This was a good little opening match here. Rhea and Liv hit a nice alley oop into power bomb for a two on Sasha. However, Sasha and Naomi hit a tandem codebreaker for the win. Post match, Rhea interestingly leaves Liv by herself.
Result: Sasha and Naomi win via pinfall
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3 stars
GREAT: Kevin Owens comes out to the ring and says that he underestimated Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, he says that he wasn’t 100% so the win at Wrestlemania was tainted. However, out walks…Ezekiel? A man that suspiciously looks a lot like Elias comes out much to everyone’s confusion. Owens is dumbfounded but Ezekiel says that he is the younger brother of Elias. The two go back and forth until Owens tells Ezekiel to get out of his ring after a count of 10. Ezekiel doesn’t oblige and Kevin leaves instead.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.5 stars
GOOD: Up next is Dominik Mysterio vs The Miz. This is a very short match with Miz immediately hitting the skull crushing finale. However, out comes Veer Mahaan! He has finally come! Veer beats down the Mysterios and locks in a vicious modified camel clutch on Dominik. Very interested to see where they take Veer.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.25 stars
GOOD: We’re joined by the new Raw women’s champion Bianca Belair who talks about how even though she’s here with one eye, her winning was a long road. She says that losing to Becky in 30 seconds changed her and that she’s learned how hard it is to not only get to the top, but stay there as well. She says that she’ll be a fighting champion and give it her all. A good promo from Bianca but kind of a shame no one came out to solidify a feud for her.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.25 stars
GOOD: Up next is an NXT championship match as Dolph Ziggler defends against Bron Breakker. This was a fairly good match, on par with their match at Stand and Deliver. Ziggler rakes Bron’s eyes and hits a super kick for a near two. Bron eventually hits the power slam for the win and wins the NXT title for the second time.
Result: Bron wins via pinfall
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.25 stars
AVERAGE: MVP is back and introduces Bobby Lashley. Lashley talks about how Omos beat him down at Wrestlemania, but ultimately he did the unthinkable and beat him. Omos interrupts and demands a rematch. The two square up but MVP turns on Bobby! The two beat down Lashley and Omos has himself a new manager.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3 stars
AVERAGE: Liv finds Rhea backstage and asks what happened earlier. Rhea apologizes and says she talked to Adam Pearce and got them a tag title shot next week. The two hug and reconcile.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 2.75 stars
GOOD: Carmella and Queen Zelina are in the ring set to take on Natalya and Shayna Baszler. However Zelina gets on the mic and berates Carmella for losing at Wrestlemania. The two argue until Zelina attacks Carmella and storms away. Corey Graves consoles Carmella at ringside and the two make out.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.25 stars
GREAT: The Usos are backstage with Austin Theory and make fun of him for losing to Pat McAfee and getting stunned by Steve Austin. They ask if he’s supposed to be Vince’s new chosen one and that the hype isn’t warranted. Theory angrily says that Pat got lucky and that Finn Balor is going to get the beating Pat should’ve.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.75 stars
Up next is a six man tag team match as The Usos and Austin Theory take on RKBRO and Finn Balor. This was a fun six man tag here with a very fun finishing sequence complete with RKO’s, slingblades all that good stuff. Eventually Theory hits the A town down and pins Finn Balor once again. Nice to see theory picking up some wins however at the expense of the United States champion is still not a good look.
Result: Theory’s team wins via pinfall
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.5 stars
Edge is in the ring and says that he did to AJ at wrestlemania what he said but was not expecting Damian Priest to do what he did. He says that, much like himself, he found himself and embraced his dark side. He also didn’t give into the opinion of sheep. He calls out Priest who is his “punishment of the guilty.” Damian says that for weeks leading into mania he was lost, until he heard Edge’s message. He felt that he was talking directly to Damian and pledged his allegiance to Edge. Edge tells AJ to think of his wife and kids, irating the phenomenal one. AJ comes out and beats down Priest. He then makes a beeline for Edge and beats him down until Priest makes the save. The two beatdown AJ and they hit a tandem spear, kick combo. They grab chairs to do a conchairto, but officials come out to stop it. I’m already loving this Edge and Priest tandem and I’m very happy Edge and Styles is continuing.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 4 stars
GOOD: Up next is a tag team match as the Street Profits take on Alpha Academy. Alpha Academy attacks the profits before the bell but Adam Pearce comes out and makes this a Texas Tornado match. This was a fun main event and making this tornado rules was a great idea. The finish sees Alpha Academy bring a table into the ring. Otis goes to Vader bomb Angelo, but Montez stops him and throws him into the steps. Gable and Montez fight on the top rope until Gable gets knocked down. Dawkins puts him on the table and Montez hits a beautiful From The Heavens through the table for the win.
Result: street profits win via pinfall
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.5 stars
GOOD: Finally the show ends with the new undisputed champion Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman puts over the success of the Bloodline, touting the Usos as the longest reigning Smackdown tag team champions and Roman breaking box office records for WWE. He says that what’s best for Roman Reigns is best for WWE and that on Smackdown he will announce his next move. An alright promo from Roman but nothing too special as they ran out of time and it had to be cut short.
John Cerenzio WR Star Rating: 3.25 stars
Overall, this was an alright Raw after Wrestlemania. The Cody promo to kick off the show was great, making his intentions known that he’s going to be challenging for the world title. The addition of new characters like Veer and Elias’ younger brother Ezekiel are interesting and I’m intrigued to see where these go. The Bianca promo was great and the Edge segment was great as well continuing what should be a solid feud with AJ Styles. The in ring as well was good for the most part but nothing too outstanding.
Matches: 0.5/1
Show Structure: 0.5/1
Atmosphere: 0.75/1
Storytelling: 0.75/1
Production: 0.75/1
Overall show rating: 3.25/5
Photo credit- WWE
