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KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
APRIL 4, 2022
DALLAS, TEX. AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Tonight after WWE Raw, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Cameron Hawkins to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
[HOUR ONE]
-The show began with a three minute video package of scenes from WrestleMania 38 including match clips, ring entrances, and various other moments.
-They went to the arena where the lights were turned down. Some fans chanted “Cody!” Cody’s theme then played. He came up through what he calls the Cody-a-vater (elevator). He was, of course, in his suit. They used the Omos camera angle aimed up to make him seem larger than life. They showed fans holding up a sign that said, “Welcome Home Cody!” The lift actually raises Cody above the stage so he has to walk down a ramp to the base level of the stage. When he entered the ring and his music stopped, some fans chanted “Welcome back!” He milked the moment and then another “Cody!” chant started. He then said, “So, what do you guys want to talk about?”
He said it’s been 47 days since the abrupt news that he was a free agent. He said chose to remain silent. “I heard stories, defamatory whispers, theories that surmised to be nonsense. Everyone thinks the decision to return to WWE was difficult. It was not.” He was cheered. He said it was simple. “The star that left them in the dust, the man standing here now having signed a multi-year agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment, and if there was…” A chant of “You deserve it” interrupted him.
He said if there was a glimmer of doubt or a shred of trepidation, the moment he rose up in front of 70,000-plus fans and defeated Seth Rollins, “that doubt was eradicated.” He said he’s an avid reader and he stumbled across the quote, “A man often finds his destiny on a path he takes to avoid it.” He asked fans to humor him as he pointed everyone to the tron. It showed Dusty Rhodes on Sept. 26, 1977 at Madison Square Garden. Fans chanted, “Dusty! Dusty!” He said that’s his father. He said they know him as a legend, the Son of a Plumber, and a common man. He voice cracked as he said, “To me, he was my hero.” He talked about the photo of his dad. He said he was holding the championship that eventually Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H would get their hands on.
He said that photo was on the mantle of his parents’ bedroom until his dad’s last day. He said as he got “hip to the industry,” he said to his dad when he was eight years old, “I didn’t know you were champion like Hulk Hogan.” He said he looked at him with the same eyes that Liberty, his daughter has, that he won the match, but because it was by countout, he didn’t take home the championship belt. He said he knew then not what he wanted to do, but what he needed to do. He said he needed to win that championship and bestow it to the hands of his dad and say no one can take it away from him. He said many are familiar with his journey, but not everyone is. He said the dream died right in front of him and that opportunity passed, “or did it?” His voice went from cracking to forceful. He said he can’t put that belt in his father’s hands, but he can put it around the waist of the American Nightmare. Fans applauded and then chanted, “Cody!” Fans chanted, “You can do it!”
He said his silence is broken and he now stands before everyone ready. He said he’s going to give the distinction that his family has long since been denied. “I’m going to do it for you, I’m going to do it for me, I’m going to do it for my family, and I’m going to do it for the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes.”
Seth Rollins’ music then interrupted. He entered the ring and acted like his usual self. But then he shook Cody’s hand. He said some final words off-mic before leaving the ring. Cody stared at him. Then he looked down with a quizzical look.
(Keller’s Analysis: I am a big fan of mission statements, and that promo had focus and emotions that gave the mission statement resonance. Cody quickly got past his desire to frame his departure from AEW as being about his desire to return to WWE, not any falling out with fellow EVPs or Tony Khan or discontent with the AEW situation including the fan rejection of him in his final months. I get that he wants to put that out there for both storyline and pride purposes. While he can deny those reports and frame them as nonsense, people can decide for themselves what makes the most sense given the totality of what they saw with their own eyes and what was credibly reported from sources within AEW. Cody showed the connection he can have with fans, especially when his storyline isn’t sidetracked with meandering meta-nonsense and Cody-verse sideshow stuff and is part of the main event scene built around winning matches and aspiring to become champion. Cody is being given a deserved fresh start here in WWE and he got the reception he deserves. The crowd welcomed him, but there is room to grow those cheers to be louder and more passionate. This promo took steps in that direction. Although Cody joked around at the post-WrestleMania media Q&A about planning to disregard WWE writer suggestions for what he says and how he says it, his promos will be better off because of WWE’s more hands-on approach. He’ll also be better off outside of the role that ultimately wasn’t a great fit – that being part of a management team that lacked chemistry and turned out to be dysfunctional and whose power was greatly diminished once Tony Khan took the reins of creative just a few months into the companies run on TNT.)
-They went to the announcers at ringside to react to Cody’s return. Saxton said Seth’s reaction wasn’t expected. Graves called it a display of respect. Saxton asked, “Was that what it was?” Graves said Seth told him, “Welcome home.” Jimmy Smith pivoted to plugging that Roman Reigns would be on Raw later with both title belts plus Finn Balor & RK-Bro vs. The Usos & Austin Theory and an appearance by Bianca Belair.
-Naomi and Sasha Banks made their ring entrance.
-WrestleMania freeze-frame images aired. [c]
-More WrestleMania freeze-frame images aired.
(1) SASHA BANKS & NAOMI vs. RHEA RIPLEY & LIV MORGAN
A few minutes in Sasha hit Morgan with a flying knee off the ring apron. Ripley followed by leaping at Sasha with a flip dive. Naomi leaped over the top rope onto Ripley at ringside, then threw her into the ring, landed a legdrop, and scored a two count. They cut to a break. [c]
Banks tagged in and head scissored Morgan to the mat. She hit two Meteoras in the corner followed by a running boot to Morgan’s face. Sasha then leaped off the top rope with a Meteora for a near fall. Morgan eventually tagged out to Ripley. They double-teamed Sasha and scored a near fall. Sasha tagged out to Naomi and they gave Morgan their new double-team Code Breaker finish.
WINNERS: Naomi & Sasha in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: This felt rushed and a bit clunky when trying to fit everything into two three minute segments on either side of the break.)
-As Sasha and Naomi celebrated, Ripley looked upset with the loss. When Morgan stood, Ripley turned and left her in the ring. Morgan looked upset and confused.
-Kevin Owens made his entrance, walking past Ripley on the stage on his way to the ring. [c]
-Owens stood mid-ring and said he might have made a mistake at WrestleMania when he had “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on his KO Show. He said he tricked him into a match, but Austin was better than he expected. He said he is still great. He said you have to be great to beat someone of his caliber, one of the greatest Superstars to ever step foot in the ring. He said he tricked himself a little bit because he went into the match with a bad back. He said he wasn’t lying. He said he was lifting a lot of weights the day before and hurt himself. He said he should have gone home and shouldn’t have even been there, but he knew the WWE Universe deserved a great main event. “I put myself at risk for all of you,” he said. He said as great as that win was for Austin, there should be a clarification in the record books that it came over someone not at 100 percent.
Owens was interrupted by a person named Ezekiel. It was a clean-shaven Elias in wrestling trunks. Graves said he recognizes who it is. Saxton asked if that was Elias. Graves said to the untrained eye, maybe, but it’s absolutely not. KO looked at him and said, “Elias, is that you?” He said, “I am not Elias.” He said he is Elias’s younger brother. He said his name is Ezekiel. “What?” asked Owens. He said he recognizes his eyes. He restated that he is Elias’s younger brother, Ezekiel again. Owens said he got beer in his eyes on Saturday, but his eyes still work. Owens told him to stop lying because he hates liars. Ezekiel said then he just hate himself. He said he lost to Stone Cold and got stunned. KO said, “You know what? I don’t like you.” Fans chanted, “You got stunned.” Owens said he never liked him and he likes him less now. He said he has about ten seconds to get out of his ring or else. He counted down from ten. Ezekiel didn’t move. When he got down to one, he dropped the mic and walked out.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m not so sure about this relaunch of Elias. I won’t miss the Elias character, though.)
-Graves congratulated Bad Bunny for the “Best Musica Urbana Album.”
-Dominik Mysterio made his way to the ring, accompanied by his father Rey Mysterio. [c]
-Clips aired from Miz & Logan Paul vs. The Mysterios and then Miz turning on Logan afterward.
(2) THE MIZ vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO (w/Rey Mysterio)
Dominik got in some early offense after ducking a Miz punch. He head scissored Mi, but then Miz dropped him over the top rope and hit a Skull Crushing Finale less than a minute in to pin him.
WINNER: Miz in under 1:00.
-As Miz celebrated and as Rey checked on Dominik, Veer Mahaan came out to the ring. Miz rolled out of the ring, then attacked Dominik and Rey. He side slammed Rey, then put Dominik in a modified camel clutch. Dominik tapped out as he gasped for life. Graves said Veer made the WWE Universe wait for months for his arrival. Smith said he “wiped out the Mysterios.” Smith said the rest of the roster is now on notice.
(Keller’s Analysis: Is that writing of Dominik from main roster TV for a while? Or was this match just a way to get Miz in the ring for the post-match angle?)
[HOUR TWO]
-The announcers touted WrestleMania as corporate media site headlines about the event were shown on the screen.
-Bianca Belair made her ring entrance. [c]
-More WrestleMania highlights were shown.
-Belair danced mid-ring as her music faded. He was holding up the Raw Title. She thanked the fans for never giving up on her. She took off her sunglasses and showed a black eye. Fans then chanted, “You deserve it!” (Their timing wasn’t great there.) She thanked Becky for what she did to her at Summerslam because that helped her discover how much better she can be. She said she learned that “just like that it can all be taken away from me, and that hurt.” She said she didn’t cheat to get her title back. She said Becky came for her throat and her hair and her eye. She said she still caught everything she had aimed at her. She said no woman is prepared to do what it takes to take that title away from her “because after Saturday, I am different and I am better.” She told Becky to maybe take this down time to find out who she is without the championship. She went into how she is the “est” to close the interview. Her music played and pyro blasted. Saxton said she is more appreciative and knows she has to be better every night.
-Smith threw to a video package on Bron Breaker.
-Dolph Ziggler made his entrance, accompanied by Robert Roode. [c]
(3) DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Robert Roode) vs. BRON BREAKKER – NXT Title match
During Breakker’s entrance, Graves talked about him being the son of new Hall of Famer Rick Steiner. They did formal ring introductions for the title match. Ziggler slapped Breakker before the bell. Breakker just smiled. Ziggler charged when the bell rang, but Breakker grabbed him and shoved him hard into the corner. He gave Ziggler a belly-to-belly. Ziggler rolled to ringside. Ziggler chased him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Ziggler stomped Breakker and took control. Ziggler yelled, “This is the big leagues, idiot!” Breakker caught Ziggler mid-air and turned it into a snap powerslam. Breakker catapulted Ziggler into teh corner. Graves said Breakker learned from Saturday and is ready for everything Ziggler is throwing at him. Saxton said Breakker is known as a student of the game who correct his mistakes. Ziggler knocked Breakker off balance on the top rope, then knocked him to the floor. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Ziggler dominated after the break until Breaker countered a telegraphed superkick with a spear. Breakker then finished Ziggler with a press and drop powerslam. Breaker celebrated as his music played.
WINNER: Breaker in 11:00 to capture the NXT Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: The match was fine, but it wasn’t electrifying by any means. Breakker isn’t leaping off the screen on Raw as a big star yet. He feels a little cold being dropped onto Raw without a backstory within the Raw narrative.)
-Smith hyped that Bobby Lashley would be out next. [c]
-MVP stood mid-ring and said, “They say that action speak louder than words.” He said Lashley’s actions spoke volumes at WrestleMania. He said he single-handedly triumphed over the Goliath that was terrorizing Raw for a year “and he didn’t even need me!” He introduced Lashley. Lashley made his entrance. Fans chanted “Bobby! Bobby!” Lashley talked about how at first when he stepped into the ring to Omos, he wondered whether it was the right challenge to have made. He said the mean beat the hell out of him and tossed him around the ring. He said he was the strongest man he’s ever been in the ring with. He said he almost felt hopeless for a moment. He said he realized if Omos made a mistake, he’d have to capitalize on it. He said that’s exactly what happened. Omos interrupted. Omos entered the ring and said he wanted a rematch. He yelled that Lashley’s win was a fluke. MVP declared that he wants a rematch. MVP then juped Lashley from behind with the mic. He then mounted Lashley and punched away at him. He kept yelling at Lashley, “You don’t need me, huh?” Omos then took over the attack and did what MVP told him to do. Saxton said it’s almost surreal to watch. Fans chanted, “You suck!”
-They replayed a clip of Ripley abandoning Morgan after their loss earlier.
-Backstage, Morgan approached Ripley and asked what that was all about earlier. Ripley said she convinced Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville to give them a tag team title match next week after all. Morgan was happy and said that makes up for what happened earlier.
-Carmella began her ring entrance. Queen Zelina joined her. Smith said their inability to get along cost them at WrestleMania. He asked if they can bounce back on Raw. [c]
-Zelina told Carmella it was her fault they ost at WrestleMania. Zelina said Graves is a fool for marrying her. “However, he is a very handsome man,” Zelina said with a suggestive tone. Carmella yanked the mic away from her and said she is the most beautiful woman in WWE. She informed Zelina that she wouldn’t be one of her bridesmaids anymore, but she could be one of her flower girls instead. Zelina punched Carmella. Carmella leaped into the lap of Graves. Zelina yanked Carmella off of him. Graves helped Carmella up. They began making out.
(Keller’s Analysis: Who are we supposed to like here?)
-Clips aired of what happened with Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory.
-The Usos gave Theory a hard time about losing to McAfee. Theory said he had him beat and he remains the best investment Vince McMahon ever made. He talked about taking Balor down later.
-RK-Bro made their ring entrance. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
(4) RK-BRO (Randy Orton & Riddle) & FINN BALOR vs. THE USOS & AUSTIN THEORY
Balor’s ring entrance took place. Then the Usos and Theory made their entrances. They cut to a break a few minutes in with Riddle hurt at ringside. [c]
A few minutes after the break, Theory snuck in a blind tag that Orton didn’t see. Orton thought he was about to finish off Jimmy Uso when Theory surprised him with a dropkick. Balor kicked Theory and then went for a double stop off the top rope, but Theory moved. Theory went for his finisher, but Balor countered and scored a near fall. Orton then caught Jimmy with an RKO. Jey superkickd Orton. Riddle leaped at Jimmy, but Jimmy superkicked him. Balor hit Jey, but then Theory gave him his finisher for the win. Smith called it “redemption” for Austin Theory. Theory took a selfie of him standing over Balor. He joined the Usos in celebrating in the aisle. Then he took a selfie of them together.
WINNERS: Theory & The Usos in 9:00.
-A video package aired on Edge vs. A.J. Styles.
-Edge made his ring entrance under blue light with the arena lights off otherwise. [c]
-Edge said he did what he vowed to do to Styles at WrestleMania. He said what he didn’t expect was Damian Priest to show up. He said Priest went through the same thing that he did, trying to please the sheep. Fans chanted “We are sheep!” Edge said, “Very telling, idiots!” Edge demanded that everyone rise. Fans didn’t. Edge got upset. He said they should rise for the man who respects his message and who will be the punishment for the guilty. Priest made his entrance. Priest said for weeks leading into WrestleMania he was lost. Priest said at one time he would have cared about the fans booing him. He said not anymore. He said Edge’s message gave him direction. He said he knows Edge was speaking to Styles, but it felt like he was speaking to him. “That’s why it was so easy to make the decision to pledge my loyalty to you,” he said. Edge said they judged Styles at WrestleMania and they will do the same to anyone who challenges their message. He said he knows Styles will keep coming. He said he asked for the pitbull and he got it, but pitbulls don’t know when it’s time to take flight instead of fighting. He told him to think of his children.
Styles marched to the ring. Priest met him in the aisle. Styles threw him over the ringside barricade, then attacked Edge in the ring. He threw Edge shoulder-first into the ringpost. Then he grabbed two chairs and slid them into the ring. Styles placed a chair under Edge’s head. Priest returned to the ring and saved Edge from further punishment. He kicked away at Styles in the corner. Priest held up Styles for Edge to then spear him. WWE officials came out to restore order and check on Styles. [c]
-More WrestleMania highlights aired.
(5) THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. ALPHA ACADEMY (Chad Gable & Otis) – Texas Tornado match
Back and forth action for a few minutes. They cut to a break a few minutes in with Gable and Otis in control. [c]
Back from the break, Gable and Otis set up a table mid-ring. Ford fought back against Gable on the top rope. Dawkins put Gable on the table. Ford then leaped off the top rope with a frog splash for the three count.
WINNERS: The Profits in 9:00.
-A video package aired on Roman Reigns beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. [c]
-Reigns made his entrance with Paul Heyman and the Usos behind him. Reigns looked around at the booing fans. He wore a t-shirt that said “Greatness On A Different Level Mode” (i.e. GOD Mode). His music stopped and Heyman clutched both title belts and looked at Reigns with adulation. Reigns said he knows what they want and why they’re there. He said they’re going to change things up a little it, though. He asked Heyman to explain the Bloodline success. Heyman explained that the Usos are the longest-reigning tag champs in the history of Smackdown. He said Reigns was in the main event of the largest box office receipts of any Summerslam. He said the same about WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble. He said Reigns was on top of the first billion dollar year for WWE (thanks, Saudi Arabia). He touted a 58 percent increase of viewership on Peacock compared to last year. “Who was on top? Roman Reigns.” He added that he is “the single biggest star in sports entertainment, undisputed.”
Reigns said the wise man always says what’s good for Roman Reigns is good for WWE. He said it’s no secret that with him at the head of the table, the billion dollar deals are coming easy. “That is because I’m the last needle mover.” He said that happens because he is operating at God Mode. He said he is also a man of his word. He said he called his shot and he delivered. He said he was going to smash Lesnar and he smashed him. He said that’s the past now. He said other men would hang their hat on this weekend, but he’s never content. “I’m a progressive Tribal Chief and I’m constantly moving forward.” He said this Friday on Smackdown, they’ll let everyone know what the next step is. He then told Dallas to acknowledge him.
Tonight after WWE Raw, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Cameron Hawkins to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
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