WWE Raw aired live from Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia on April 8. The Raw after WrestleMania has always been an interesting show, and this one was no exception. We witnessed the fallout of WrestleMania 40. Let’s discuss everything that happened on the show.
Triple H, Cody and The Rock Kick Off Monday Night Raw
Triple H opened the show to a huge pop from the crowd. A “Triple H” and “Thank You Hunter” chant emerged.
Triple H thanked the audience and said it was special and the biggest WrestleMania ever. He said it was a new era and introduced the leader of this era, Cody Rhodes.
The American Nightmare and the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes came out to a thunderous ovation. The arena was filled with “Cody” and “You deserve it” chants.
Triple H thanked Cody and presented a special video package that featured the whole story of Cody Rhodes. He left the ring after embracing Cody.
The American Nightmare asked Samantha Irvin to introduce him, and she did. Rhodes talked about Roman Reigns and acknowledged him as the most important superstar of this generation.
Rhodes showed a video of her daughter asking him to finish the story. Cody announced that he became undeniable from undesirable, and now he’s the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Final Boss came out to everyone’s shock. The Rock had the People’s Championship. Rock tried to talk, but the crowd booed.
The Rock said that the crowd had broken the record for the largest gathering of trailer park trash. Rock trash-talked about fans.
Cody held up his Undisputed Title to a loud pop. Rock did the same with his People’s Championship, but the crowd gave loud boos.
He gave Cody his flowers and said Cody’s mother and father would be proud of him.
Rock asked to exchange the titles for a moment. Cody gave him the Undisputed WWE Universal Title, and Rock handed him the People’s Championship for a moment.
Rock said that he is going away for now, but he will be back and coming for Cody. The Great One said that Cody and Roman’s story finished last night, but Rock and Cody’s story had just begun.
Cody told Rock you are the boss, and I’m your champion. The Rock agreed.
Rock had something to give Cody, and he handed it to him. Rock told Cody not to open his hand. Rock told Cody, “Don’t you ever break my heart again.”
Grades: A
Analysis: Amazing segment to open the Raw after WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes is an absolute fan favorite these days. The Rock was good and created a mystery by handing something to Cody.
Draft Announcement: The WWE 2024 Draft will happen on April 26, SmackDown, and April 29, Raw.
Non Title Match
Ilja Dragunov vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura got the early advantage with kicks and knee strikes. Ilja bounced back with a flying knee from the middle rope.
The NXT Champion delivered two German Suplexes and the Constantine Special lariat. Nakamura delivered his sliding snap Suplex, followed by a flying knee for a two-count.
Shinsuke countered a powerbomb into a back-body drop. Dragunovfought back with a big boot and a powerbomb. Ilja landed the H-Bomb, followed by Torpedo Moscow for the victory.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a great showing for the NXT Champion. He will soon be bound to either Raw or SmackDown in the upcoming draft.
The Judgment Day Celebration
Finn Balor talked about Ripley and Priest’s success at WrestleMania. Dominik introduced Mami. Rhea Ripley arrived and said that Mami is always on top.
Finn introduced the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Damian Priest. A “You deserve it” chant emerged as Priest arrived in the ring.
Damian referred to himself and Ripley as the “Terror Twins.”
Suddenly, R-Truth arrived between Ripley and Priest. He said that he brought the Raw tag title back to Judgment Day.
The Miz came out and said that Truth is not on Judgment Day. Priest shouted the same, but Truth said that he was a part of Judgment Day.
Balor asked them to put the titles on the line. Truth presented a 6-man tag match between Balor, Dominik, and McDonagh against Miz, Truth, and a guy you can’t see.
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a good segment with Judgment Day. The crowd was behind Damian Priest. Truth was in his element.
Six Man Tag Team Match
Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh vs The Awesome Truth and John Cena
Awesome Truth started against Judgment Day as a 2-on-3 handicap match. Dom attempted three Amigos against Truth.
Judgment Day dominated Truth for some time. The Miz got the tag and landed a cross-body block, followed by his patent clotheslines.
Miz delivered DDTs to both Dom and McDonagh. A cheap shot from Balor gave the upper hand to Judgment Day.
The Miz suffered a beatdown for some time now. Dom landed the slingshot senton. Balor delivered the basement dropkick for a two-count.
Balor and Dominik destroyed Truth at ringside and avoided the tag. Then came the man you can’t see. John Cena joined Awesome Truth in the 6-Man Tag match.
All three superstars gave triple 5-Knuckle Shuffles and a trio of AAs to get the win.
Winner: The Awesome Truth and John Cena
Grades: B+
Analysis: That was an Awesome surprise. Cena made a shocking appearance and even competed in a televised match.
Backstage: Rhea Ripley told Dom to solve the Andrade problem. Suddenly, Liv Morgan attacked Rhea Ripley. WWE officials broke up the things as Dom checked on Ripley.
Non Title Match
Roxanne Perez vs. Indi Hartwell
The NXT Women’s Champion was in action against Indi Hartwell. Perez slapped Indi to start the Match. Roxanne landed a dropkick and a Russian leg-sweep for a two-count.
Perez targeted the leg, but Hartwell returned with a kick and a clothesline. Indi didn’t like LeRae’s interference. Perez won with Pop Rocks.
Winner: Roxanne Perez
Grades: C
Analysis: Roxanne won on Raw. Indi and LeRae are not looking on the same page.
Sami Zayn’s Celebration
Sami Zayn arrived to a huge pop from the audience and a “You deserve it” chant. Sami praised Gunther as well for the historic 666-day title reign.
Zayn thanked fans and Kevin Owens for believing in him. Kaiser and Vinci of Imperium interrupted.
Kaiser said that Gunther made this title more prestigious than ever, and it is heartbreaking to see the title in the hands of someone like Sami Zayn.
They began to circle the ring. Chad Gable arrived to join Sami Zayn.
Tag Team Match
Sami Zayn and Chad Gable vs. Imperium
We got a tag team match next. Gable started with a takedown and a cross-body block. Vinci delivered a cross-body block of his own. Sami got the tag and landed an ax-flying handle.
He sent Kaiser and Vinci to the outside for Gable to deliver a double-flying clothesline. Imperium bounced back with stereo superkicks on the IC Champion.
After the commercial, Zayn delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb. Gable got the tag and hit a blockbuster neckbreaker on Vinci.
Chad delivered an atomic drop and exploder suplex to Kaiser and Vinci. Gable was fired up and delivered a cannonball off the apron.
He delivered a flying headbutt to Vicni for a near fall. Imperium delivered a European Powerbomb to Gable, but Sami saved the Match.
Gable caught Vinci in mid-air for a German Suplex. Zayn hit an Exploder in the corner. He tagged Gable in and landed a HelluvaKick.
Gable delivered Chaos Theory on Vinci to secure the victory.
Winners: Sami Zayn and Chad Gable
Grades: B+
Analysis: A fun match with Zayn, Gable, and Imperium. They have not given up on Gable, and it looks like the future holds something big for him.
Singles Match
Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green
Green was not happy with this Match. Cargill delivered a Pump Kick, followed by Jaded for the win.
Winner: Jade Cargill
Grades: C
Backstage: Sami Zayn gave Gable a title opportunity for next week’s show.
Drew McIntyre’s Promo
McIntyre came out and said that last night was complete BS. His moment lasted for 5 minutes and 46 seconds.
McIntyre called Priest a “Bondage Undertaker”. He said that the MITB briefcase was a joke.
Drew called Priest, a transitional champion, and said the title would be returned to him soon. Priest talked trash about CM Punk and said he would be after his body now.
Fatal 4-Way Match (#1 Contender for World Heavyweight Championship)
Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed vs. Ricochet
A brawl started this Match. Ricochet wiped everyone out with a somersault dive to the outside.
Drew chopped Ricochet at ringside. Ricochet sent him into the ring post. Jeyand Reed were fighting inside the ring.
Drew delivered a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Ricochet. McIntyre landed a Powerbombon Ricochet, but Uso broke the pin. Jey sent Drew to the outside.
Reed assaulted Jey and delivered a hip attack in the corner. Jey avoided a powerbomb and superkicked Bronson.
Reed slammed Uso through the table in the corner. Ricochet delivered a springboard dropkick on Reed. Ricochet went for a series of running forearms, but Reed caught him with a Uranage.
Later, Ricochet took it to McIntyre at ringside with a dropkick and an ax handle. McIntyre delivered a few chops and slammed Ricochet on the barricade.
Ricochet delivered a flipping dropkick to Reed and a backflipdropkick to Drew before suffering a belly-to-belly suplex from McIntyre.
McIntyre and Reed began to brawl. Drew landed a massive Michinoku Driver, only for Jey to break up the pin.
Jey, Reed, and Ricochet hit a triple superkick on Drew. Ricochet and Jey landed superkicks on Bronson and knee strikes to each other. Jey speared Reed. Cover by Jey but McIntyre saved the Match.
Reed delivered a Death Valkey Driver on Ricochet, followed by a senton splash. At ringside, Reed cleared the commentary table.
Drew hit the Glasgow Kiss twice to knock Bronson on the announcer’s table. Uso landed a suicide dive on McIntyre. Ricochet sent Reed crashing through the table with a 450 splash.
In the ring, Drew delivered a Future Shock DDT to Jey. McIntyre was preparing for Claymore, but CM Punk held his ankle.
Uso hit a Spear and a Superkick. Jey landed an UsoSplash and pinned McIntyre for the win. Punk was happy after costing Drew the Match.
Winner: Jey Uso
Grades: A
Analysis: Brilliant stuff in the main event. Jey Uso is the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Title.
CM Punk is avenging McIntyre by taking away his moments and opportunities.
An Excellent Raw after the WrestleMania show. Triple H surely delivered to the hype around the show.
The Rock and Cody Rhodes CM Punk is back in his feud with McIntyre. Jey Usowill be the first challenger for Damian Priest’s World Heavyweight Title.
