SWAFT Nation! It’s the Raw after Mania. This is definitely about to be a very different atmosphere as it normally would be. Let’s take a look and see what WWE is advertising for our evening festivities.
A historic #WrestleMania is in the books and ALL the fallout begins TONIGHT on #WWERaw!#WWENow pic.twitter.com/ka43fSzRQS
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2020
Well, since WWE put it all in a nice video package for us, we have a pretty decent idea of what to expect.
What's next for @BeckyLynchWWE and @QoSBaszler??? Find out TONIGHT on #WWERaw! https://t.co/xxx0ZT8k82
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2020
Looks like we might be getting a continuation of Becky/Shayna going forward. After last night’s win, not sure how you continue it properly.
After last night's GRUELING #LastManStanding Match at #WrestleMania, where does @EdgeRatedR go from here??#WWERaw https://t.co/aIH90lMHbR
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2020
Now with this match over and done with we can finally look forward and see with whom Edge feuds next.
The reign of @DMcIntyreWWE begins TONIGHT on #WWERaw! https://t.co/dQpcqSBHFf
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2020
And most importantly of all, Drew McIntyre’s reign begins. I look forward to seeing how he carries that title in these uncertain times and whom they have lined up to challenge him.
I also assume we should find out something about Seth/Kevin, but maybe they’ll wait a week on that. But on with the show.
The Best of Raw
Liv For The Moment
In a surprise move, Asuka is the one that opens the show. Liv Morgan is her opponent and it gives Liv a chance to be featured with yet another great worker.
.@YaOnlyLivvOnce looks to keep her #WrestleMania momentum rolling in action against @WWEAsuka on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/hWmeo5Ffsu
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Asuka is clearly in control, but Liv does get some solid offense in. Match is in constant motion and Liv maintains resilience but taps out to the Asuka lock. Really good showing for Liv, and glad that a Liv Push doesn’t mean an Asuka burial.
A Family Affair
We have a WrestleMania rematch between the Street Profits and Austin Theory.
Once again Theory and Garza look very good in the match. Dawkins is a rare case where the larger member takes heat, but he is good in his role and Montez has a pretty great hot tag. Unfortunately Zelina is caught holding Montez Ford’s leg and gets DQ’d
So nice, we get to see her TWICE.@BiancaBelairWWE is back to even things up for The #StreetProfits on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/2lc9CYmp7I
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Theory and Garza try to once again attack Montez Ford with Zelina assisting them, but Bianca Belair arrives to say that she is here as the EST of WWE now. A bit of awkward blocking as Bianca addresses the Hard Cam while Zelina was actually behind her on the ramp.
Bianca Belair and Zelina Vega immediately are in a match when we come back from break.
This is the Bianca Belair show as she gets to be dominant, showing off her strength, agility, and athleticism throughout the match. Zelina does get her reps in as well, using her crafty technique to overcome the larger opponent.
Theory, Garza, and Street Profits get involved with each other getting the match thrown out by the ref. Ford then suggests that they instead have a 6 person Tag match instead, a “Family Affair.”
What started as a match for the #WWERaw #TagTeamTitles became @MontezFordWWE, @AngeloDawkins & @BiancaBelairWWE against @AngelGarzaWwe, @austintheory1 & @Zelina_VegaWWE!
The #ESTofNXT has now arrived on Monday night! pic.twitter.com/Yr3ZaR3Jz7
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
More good action between the gents, and when Bianca is finally tagged in she gets offense not only on Zelina, but Austin Theory. Belair wins with a KOD on Zelina as the boys brawl on the outside.
Apollo Shines Bright
Aleister Black i sin action against Apollo Crews who is now on Raw. Allegedly he was brought over on “Draft Picks” that were getting ready to expire.
The talented @WWEApollo has moved to Monday nights on #WWERaw and looks for a key victory over @WWEAleister! pic.twitter.com/H6fZ4ZwUPY
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Crews is getting in more offense than most opponents black faces. It’s the most he’s gotten to shine for quite a while and Aleister Black still stays in control. Apollo gets some good licks in, capitalizing on his strength advantage on Black, throwing him easily.
.@WWEAleister delivers the STRIKES in this fantastic encounter against @WWEApollo on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/N6NrudQ5C1
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Match gets multiple segments, and Crews looks better than he ever has on television. I might be mistaken, but WWE might be actually creating a new star. Aleister Black finally hits the Black Mass for the win, but this was an incredible match between the two. I was fully engaged the entire time.
Dynamic Duo
Ricochet and Cedric Alexander team against Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan. This is a pairing with great potential, and Ricochet looks so young with his clean shaven face.
The team of @KingRicochet & @CedricAlexander look mighty IMPRESSIVE against @_StarDESTROYER & @strongstylebrit on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/o181kO68OC
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Burch and Lorcan take the loss, but do a great job selling the accelerated offense of Ricochet and Alexander.
The KO Show Must Go On
After closing a chapter at #WrestleMania, @FightOwensFight looks to make #WWERaw "The Kevin Owens Show" once again! pic.twitter.com/RMhRD8mMCm
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
KO cuts a promo about ending his feud with Seth and trying to find his place now that he’s conquered his demon.
Nia Jax Returns
Nia Jax has returned and is facing Deonna Purrazzo.
It was a DOMINANT performance from the returning @NiaJaxWWE on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/hBNr1WvVcc
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Nia Jax is very dominant, and seems to be a heel this time around. Able to hit both a Samoan Drop and a front cradle DDT for the win. Welcome Back, Nia.
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1247348354947756032?s=20
Side Note, apparently Paige GAVE Nia the “Rampaige.”
Carrillo Gets A New Opponent
Humberto Carrillo takes on NXT’s Brendan Fink, which is nice to see him wrestle somebody that isn’t another luchador.
The agility and moves of @humberto_wwe are always impressive!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ACds0zMkOU
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Brendan Fink gets a surprising amount of offense in, but Carrillo is able to get the victory with his beautiful moonsault.
A New Challenger approaches
Drew’s Promo took place 20 minutes after the WWE title match last night. He thanks Paul Heyman for giving that extra motivation for him to keep fighting.
The tide just TURNED after #WrestleMania as @WWETheBigShow provoked @DMcIntyreWWE into getting a #WWEChampionship Match!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/T924k50dbr
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Big Show comes out with a referee and this time Big Show is a heel this time around. He tries to goad McIntyre into defending his title immediately. Since he doesn’t take the bait, he slaps McIntyre and the match is on with the WWE Title on the line.
The incredible STRENGTH of @DMcIntyreWWE was on display as the #WWEChampion just picked up @WWETheBigShow for a crushing body slam!#WrestleMania#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7FBAcYliWo
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Big show is obviously in control as he is completely fresh while Drew finished fighting Brock. This is a level of peril that has me shockingly invested. This was nerve-wracking and my entire timeline seemed to agree. Luckily drew wins the bonus WrestleMania main event and continues his 2K Career.
The Mixed Bag of Raw
Messiah Miffed
Following his match at #WrestleMania, @WWERollins is NOT in the mood tonight…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/XwmzJWw7Um
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2020
Seth is back in Black for tonight, coming to the ring with an angry, contemplative look. Rollins gets fed an NXT rookie so fresh he’s got no kneepads and still has the champ logo on his singlet. Very quick win for the Monday Night Messiah.
Post-Match Mania
Tonight’s promos are given from a perspective of Post-Match backstage promos. They’re very well done, but still felt recap-ish.
The Worst of Raw
NOTHING GOES HERE!!! THERE WAS NOTHING BAD ABOUT THIS SHOW!!!
Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: RAWsome, Cor, AvRAWge, Poor and RAWful)
I absolutely loved this episode of Raw. It was very wrestling heavy and took the time to build stars they haven’t previously focused on. Despite not featuring an audience, this was a worthy Raw after mania.
This Raw was: RAWsome!
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