Monday Night RAW has not been good over the past month, and that includes the show after WrestleMania. The renamed WrestleMania Backlash is still weeks away, and the only match set is for the WWE Championship. It’s time to head into the ThunderDome.
Nothing draws in an audience like recapping what happened last week on RAW, but at least it leads right into a match. Here’s the good news, Mace and T-Bar have dropped the masks, now if they could only drop the names. Before the match, they tell the WWE Universe that they have no allegiance.
Behind the curtain, Braun Strowman wants a thanks from Drew McIntyre for saving him last week. Drew spells out his resume and wants Braun to listen to him. Braun doesn’t want Drew as his partner now and will take on Mace and T-Bar by himself.
Braun Strowman vs. Mace and T-Bar – 2 on 1 Handicap Match
Braun yells that he will get the job done after Drew couldn’t last week. Strowman does his best handling both men, but the numbers catch up with him. Braun is beat down in the corner. Mace and T-Bar ignore the refs warning to stop the double team. The ref calls for the bell.
Winner via disqualification: Braun Strowman
Drew McIntyre runs down to make the save and looks like we will get that tag team match after all.
Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre vs. Mace and T-Bar
The announce team pushes the idea that Mace and T-Bar are a cohesive unit, while Braun and Drew can’t work together. McIntyre hits T-Bar with the Future Shock DDT, while Braun tosses Mace to the floor. The Strowman Express leaves the station, but get derailed by a clothesline from Drew, who was trying to hit T-Bar. McIntyre gets slammed into the barrier by T-Bar. McIntyre fails to beat the ten count to get back in the ring and the ref calls for the bell.
Winners via pinfall: T-Bar and Mace
After the match, Strowman hits the powerslam on Drew in the ring, while yelling at him.
Drew storms into Adam Pearce’s office demanding a match with Strowman. Pearce makes it happen.
Miz TV
The Miz plugs his WWE 24 special. He then turns to his guests, Elias and Jaxson Ryker. Tonight, we will get a performance of Hey Hey, Hop Hop unplugged, but first they take credit for Bad Bunny’s success. Elias dedicated this performance to Shane McMahon. Elias actually gets to play a few stanzas before getting interrupted by Damien Priest. Damien brings out his surprise tag team partners, the New Day. First, Kofi and Xavier leave a review of the performance, by chucking tomatoes at Elias and company.
The Miz, Elias and Jaxson Ryker w/John Morrison vs. Damien Priest and the New Day
Morrison makes his present felt, by smashing a tomato into Kofi’s face. Carey Graves wants Morrison cast as Johnny Cage in a Mortal Kombat movie. Miz unleashes the IT kick on Kofi, but Kingston counters the final blow with an SOS. Priest gets the hot tag, taking out Elias with a back elbow and then dropping one in the corner. Ryker tries to interfere, but Priest claps him. Elias blocks the Broken Arrow, but get taken down with a clothesline. Damien goes up top and connects with a spin kick. Miz breaks the pin with a kick to the face. He gets a Broken Arrow for that effort.
Woods gets the tag, but leaps into a knee strike from Elias. Woods takes down Elias and Kofi makes a tag. Priest joins in on a Triple team. He kicks Miz off the apron and leaps over the top rope to take out Miz. Elias goes up top, only to get pulled down by Kofi. In the ring, Woods with an inside cradle on Ryker and gets the three count.
Winners via pinfall: The New Day and Damien Priest
Sonya Deville is back stage and she lets Charlotte Flair into the building. So much for the suspension.
In the ring, Deville announces Flair to the ring. The announcers can’t believe Charlotte is here after being suspended indefinitely. Deville has the referee that called Flair’s match last week, and he is also the one she assaulted. Deville doesn’t agree with the punishment and gives Flair a chance to tell her story. Charlotte apologizes to WWE management, WWE Universe and the referee for her childish ways. She wants to right the wrongs and apologizes directly to the ref. He accepts the apology and admits he didn’t see the interference that would have won her the match. Deville is happy with the exchange and lifts Flair’s suspension. Charlotte wants an apology from the ref, since he admitted to making a mistake. Tonight, he will be calling her match, though.
Behind the curtain, Adam Pearce stops Deville and Flair. He is not pleased with what went down and doesn’t believe Sonya’s apology for not letting him know about the situation.
After the break, Braun Strowman interrupts Pearce on the phone. He wants to remind Adam that he never lost the triple threat match for the number one contender spot. Braun wants to be added to the WWE title match if he beats Drew McIntyre tonight.
Sheamus is in the ring, explaining why he beat down Humberto Carrillo before he could answer the US Title open challenge. Sheamus says he did it because Carrillo doesn’t belong in the ring with him. Sheamus is fierce, but generous, so he is issuing another challenge. Humberto answers the call again. And once again, Sheamus jumps him before the bell and beats him down. Sheamus grandstands, but Carrillo gets to his feet and knocks Sheamus out of the ring. Humberto drop kicks the champ off the apron and follows with a suicide dive. Carrillo walks to the back as Sheamus seethes.
Kevin Patrick informs MVP and Bobby Lashley that the match at WrestleMania Backlash could be changing. MVP doesn’t want to speculate on that. He has some grievances to air in the ring. He won’t give Patrick the scoop, though.
Sarah Schreiber gets an interview with RAW Women’s champion, Rhea Ripley. The champ enjoyed seeing Flair get fined, but she is happy that Charlotte is back. Ripley is more concerned with her match tonight, though.
Bobby Lashley and MVP hit the ring. Lashley did what he said he would by walking into and walking out of WrestleMania as the WWE champion. Bobby loved the respect he received from the live audience in Tampa. He vows to beat Drew McIntyre again, but now it could be a triple threat match. MVP is offended by that. Why would WWE treat Lashley so poorly? Lashley should have been consulted first and this move was disrespectful. Lashley could lose the title, with out even being pinned. Lashley is going to have to keep an eye on his interests.
Riddle is doing donuts around Kevin Patrick as he tries to get an interview. Riddle feels awesome after beating Randy Orton. The Viper crashes the interview. He gained respect for Riddle after last week and is willing to give RK-Bro a try out. The question is, are they officially registered as a tag team?
Nia Jax doesn’t believe Charlotte Flair’s apology. Shayna wants to put all distractions behind them. Baszler walks off, as Nia gets a flower delivery. They are from Angel Garza. She uses them to smack Mandy Rose upside the head.
Braun Strowman is limbering up backstage, when he is approached by MVP. Strowman gives him some attitude and wants Lashley to say anything he has to say to his face. Strowman wants Lashley to know that he is taking that WWE title.
RK-Bro vs. Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander
Benjamin blocks a kick from Riddle, striking the knee. Alexander tags in, keeping pressure on the injured leg. Benjamin with a knee breaker and locks in a step over toe hold. Riddle grabs the ropes to break the hold. Riddle gets the tag to Orton, who pummels Benjamin into the corner. Orton connects with a clothesline and then a power slam. Alexander tries to blind side Orton, but gets caught in mid-air with an RKO. Orton sets Benjamin up for the draping DDT. Riddle wants to the tag and gets it. Orton drops Benjamin with the DDT and Riddle finishes him with the floating bro. Riddle covers and gets the win.
Winners: RK-Bro
Asuka, Lana and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler w/Reginald
Asuka forces Shayna into the corner, daring Ripley to tag in. Rhea makes the tag and gets a knee to the face. Naomi makes the tag and teams up with Lana to kick Rhea in the face. Lana gets hit with a head butt and Ripley follows with a vertical suplex. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke make their way down the ramp. Baszler confronts them on the ramp, only to get doused with a bucket of water. Jax gives chase only to slip in the water.
After the break, Asuka is clearing house. She flattens Baszler with a hip attack and follows with kicks to the face. Baszler whips Asuka in Nia for a body slam. Jax drops an elbow, but can’t get the pin. Naomi tags in, taking Jax down with a kick off the ropes. Baszler breaks up the pin. Reginald jumps to the apron to provide distraction.
Ripley hits Naomi with Riptide, but Lana is legal. She comes off the top rope with a cross body. On the floor, Nia takes out Asuka. Lana with a crucifix pin, but Ripley kicks out. Rhea hits her with Riptide and tags in Jax. Nia drops the leg on Lana and covers to get the win.
Winners via pinfall: Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
Sonya Deville approaches Mandy and Dana backstage, telling them they should be ashamed of themselves for what they did to Jax. Deville tells Rose that Charlotte needs an opponent, and her match is next.
Alexa’s Playground
Alexa tells is all about her best friend Lilly. You can have a friend like her too, all you have to do is embrace your darkness. Lilly is getting restless on the playground; it’s time to play with the rest of WWE.
Charlotte Flair vs. Mandy Rose w/Dana Brooke
Flair takes down Rose with an arm drag, but Rose kips up. Charlotte forces her to the mat. Brooke tries to help out her partner. The distraction allows Rose to connect with a drop kick and shoulder Flair into the corner. Charlotte kicks free, setting Rose up on the top turnbuckle. Rose responds with a missile drop kick but can’t get the pin. Rose whips Flair to corner, who pulls up to avoid hitting the ref. Flair takes Rose down and makes the pin. Rose kicks out, but Flair is upset over a perceived slow count. Rose gets a roll up as Flair argues with the ref. She kicks out. Flair with a back breaker and follows with Natural Selection. Charlotte covers and gets the win.
Winner via pinfall: Charlotte Flair
Drew isn’t pleased with the stipulation that will put Braun Strowman in his title match.
Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman
Strowman shrugs off a shoulder tackle and then takes down Drew with one of his own. McIntyre answers with a low drop kick to take down Braun. McIntyre goes up top, but Braun catches him. He tosses Drew across the ring and then knocks him to the floor. The Strowman Express is ready to leave the station, when Bobby Lashley and MCP makes their way to ringside.
After the commercials, Drew locks in a sleeper, but Strowman is able to break the hold. McIntyre with an overhead belly to belly suplex and then hits a neck breaker. MVP tries to motivate Drew, but Strowman catches the Claymore and powerbombs McIntyre. McIntyre blocks a clubbing blow and head butts Strowman, sending him to the mat. Drew with a spine buster, but can’t put Braun away.
Strowman blocks the Future Shock DDT and sets McIntyre atop the turnbuckle. Strowman delivers a super plex and crawls over to make a cover. McIntyre kicks out. Strowman clubs Drew across the chest and then crushes him in the corner. Lashley leaps to the apron distracting the ref. MVP saves McIntyre from a power slam, but pays dearly with a shot from Strowman. Drew hits the Future Shock DDT and calls for the Claymore.
Mace and T-Bar leap to the apron and Drew fights them off. Strowman uses the distraction to power slam McIntyre. He covers to get the win.
Winner via pinfall: Braun Strowman
See you next week in the ThunderDome!
Monday Night RAW 4/26/201
The ThunderDome at Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
For a wrestling show there sure wasn’t much wrestling on RAW tonight. There were only three match in the first two hours, follows by three matches crammed into the last hour. Nothing was must see. WWE tried to make up for the lack of matches with mutli-person bouts. It doesn’t work. And for all the tag team matches, the RAW tag champs have been MIA.