SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW REPORT
APRIL 3, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (AT THE MAIN DOWNTOWN ARENA ON FIGUEROA ST.)
AIRED LIVE ON USA
REPORT BY MAURICIO POMARES, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Corey Graves, Kevin Patrick
Tonight after WWE Raw, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Rich Fann, a PWTorch columnist, 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 opened with a video package showing highlights from both nights of WrestleMania.
-Triple H made his way to the ring to welcome the live audience. Triple H put over the amount of fans in attendance and how it was an event 40 years in the making. He said that wanted to thank every superstar on the back that put their body on the line. Triple H thanked the staff and crew for making WrestleMania and this show possible. Triple H put over how spectacular the WrestleMania set was and how they couldn’t have done it without the WWE Universe. He said that he is here to assure us that they aren’t going anywhere. Triple H finished by saying that he would acknowledge one more person before introducing Roman Reigns.
-Roman Reigns made his way to the ring, alongside Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa. Roman grabbed a mic and asked Hollywood to acknowledge, only for Cody Rhodes to immediately interrupt. Cody opened by saying that he knows what he wants to talk about. Cody acknowledged that Roman was the better competitor, but last night he had Roman. He said he wanted a rematch, with Heyman asking when he would like to have a hypothetical rematch. Cody said that he wanted it tonight, but Heyman said Cody wouldn’t get a rematch anywhere.
(Pomares’s Analysis: Nothing of substance in this Triple H promo. Kind of felt like some kind of rah rah speech.)
Cody dared Roman and Sikoa to fight him in a tag match tonight. Heyman discussed it with Roman before announcing that the challenge was accepted. Heyman said that Cody’s partner must be someone that wrestled at WrestleMania this weekend and that if he lost, he would never get a rematch while Roman was champion. Brock Lesnar showed up and shook Cody’s hand, confirming he would be his partner tonight. Lesnar and Cody walked away together while Roman and Sikoa looked threatened by their opponents.
(Pomares’s Analysis: Interesting matchup for tonight’s main event. It’s been over a decade since Brock Lesnar wrestled on TV. As for this segment, it was mostly fine.)
– A few images from WrestleMania highlights were shown on screen.
(1) OMOS (w/MVP) vs. ELIAS
To start, Omos laid Elias out with a clothesline, followed by a couple of body slams and a splash in the corner. Omos dropped Elias on the top turnbuckle, setting him up for a big boot. Omos planted Elias with the Tree Slam for the win.
WINNER: Omos in 1:30.
(Pomares’s Analysis: Nothing match. Not a great use of the commercial-free hour.)
– At backstage, the Usos knocked on Roman’s locker room door. Paul Heyman greeted them, but told them that Roman was busy strategizing with Solo SIkoa. Heyman told the Usos to take a break and go eat something.
– A lengthy recap of the Hall of Fame show aired.
– Cathy Kelley interviewed Bad Bunny in the crowd to talk about his hosting role in Puerto Rico. Bunny said he was happy to host Backlash, but tonight he was here as a fan.
– Rey Mysterio made his way to the ring, hugged Bunny and grabbed a mic. Rey thanked the WWE Universe for welcoming him with open arms. He started thanking Bunny, only for Austin Theory to interrupt. Theory said that Rey beat the product of his bad parenting while he beat a legend. Theory gloated about defeating John Cena and said he would add Rey Mysterio to his collection. Rey said he would make Theory collect his teeth, as a referee arrived to make the match official.
[HOUR TWO]
(2) AUSTIN THEORY vs. REY MYSTERIO
Theory took control early on with a shoulder tackle, as WWE RAW went to its first ad break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Theory drove Rey into the ring post before sitting him on the top turnbuckle. Rey knocked Theory down and crushed him with a high crossbody for a two count. Rey managed to hit Theory with a Tornado DDT, but Theory stopped a top turnbuckle move. Theory got knocked off the corner and received a diving seated senton and a springboard crossbody.
Rey pummeled Theory with a series of right hands, but he quickly responded with a Rack Bomb for a two count. Rey sent Theory into the ropes, but immediately received lariat before he could hit 619. Theory went for a rolling dropkick, but he countered it with a hurracarrana into the ropes. Rey tried to go for 619, but had to knock Dominik off the apron first. Theory caught the 619 and hit A-Town Down for the win
WINNER: Austin Theory in 6:00.
– After the match, Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest assaulted Rey Mysterio. Dominik tried to confront Bad Bunny, but he immediately punched him. Priest tossed Bunny over the barricade and clobbered him with an elbow strike. Priest put Bunny through the announce table, as Dominik continued on beating Rey down.
(Pomares’s Analysis: Decent match. Wasn’t interested in seeing the Mysterio and Judgment Day feud continue, but it makes sense to do something with Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico. The show didn’t really do anything meaningful with the commercial-free hour.)
– A recap of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens defeating the Usos at WrestleMania aired.
– It was confirmed that we would hear from Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens up next.
[Commercial Break]
– A few images from WrestleMania highlights were shown on screen.
– A recap of Judgment Day’s assault on Bad Bunny aired.
– At backstage, Adam Pearce reprimanded Damian Priest for attacking Bunny, only for him to point out his interference at WrestleMania.
– Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens made their way to the ring to thunderous cheers from the crowd. Sami talked about how crazy things have been across the past two WrestleManias. He thanked the fans for making this moment possible before Owens said he would like to celebrate with a fight. Owens called out anyone on the back to face them in the ring. The Street Profits showed up, putting over how Sami and Owens deserve their moment. Dawkins reminded them that they are also coming off a victory at WrestleMania, officially challenging them.
(Pomares’s Analysis: The crowd seemed incredibly happy to see Kevin and Sami as champions. It would have made more sense for the Four-Way at WrestleMania to be a contender’s match if the Profits were going to face the champions anyway.)
[Commercial Break]
(3) KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN vs. STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
Dawkins took Sami down with arm drags and shoulder tackles, only for him to respond with arm drags of his own. Owens crushed Dawkins with a series of sentons, but he kicked out at two. Dawkins nailed Sami with a leaping elbow strike, setting him up for a slingshot senton from Ford. Sami knocked Ford down with a back body drop, followed by a backbreaker from Owens. Ford clocked Owens with an enzuigiri, setting him up for an elbow strike from Dawkins. Ford took Owens down with a dropkick, as WWE RAW went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Ford missed a strike in the corner, allowing Sami to hit a high crossbody. Sami took care of Ford with a Tornado DDT, sent Dawkins out of the ring and crushed both of them with a Tope con Hilo. Ford stopped Sami on the top turnbuckle, but he was able to hit a sunset flip powerbomb for a nearfall. Dawkins got the hot tag, knocked Owens off the apron and put Sami down with a tag team blockbuster. Sami dropped Ford into the corner with a Xploder, reaching Owens for the tag.
Owens crashed into Ford wIth a cannonball and a Swanton Bomb, but Dawkins broke the pin. Dawkins tossed Sami out of the ring before getting knocked out by Owens. Ford nailed Owens with a thrust kick, followed by a Tope con Hilo. Owens evaded a Frog Splash and hit Ford with a Stunner, setting him up for Sami’s Helluva Kick for the three count.
WINNER: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in 13:00
(Pomares’s Analysis: Really fun match. I thought this would be their first title program, but I’m okay with doing the match on this show.)
– At backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Seth Rollins about his win at WrestleMania. Rollins said that something about today was missing before going out to the stage, as the show went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
– Back from break, Seth Rollins was in the ring posing while the crowd sang his theme. Rollins continued leading the crowd’s singing for a few minutes before just walking away.
(Pomares’s Analysis: The heck was the point of that Seth Rollins segment?)
– At backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Bobby Lashley about WrestleMania weekend. Lashley said that he was disappointed about not competing at WrestleMania, only for Bronson Reed to interrupt. Reed said that he was like his student and he would eventually beat him. Lashley challenged him to a match, but Reed declined. Mustafa Ali interrupted and talked about positivity, only for Lashley to throw his body around until they reached the ring.
(4) BOBBY LASHLEY vs. MUSTAFA ALI
Ali nailed Lashley with an enzuigiri, only to get turned inside out with a lariat. Lashley made Ali tap out with the Hurt Lock for the win.
WINNER: Bobby Lashley in 1:00
(Pomares’s Analysis: I’ve already given up on WWE doing something meaningful with Mustafa Ali.)
[Commercial Break]
[HOUR THREE]
– At backstage, Roman Reigns asked Paul Heyman if he had already made sure the Usos were in the jet. Roman questioned Heyman if he knew Brock Lesnar would be here tonight. Heyman insisted that Lesnar usually takes a break from WWE after WrestleMania. Roman said that he would demolish Lesnar again and would then give Sikoa the tag to see if he was ready.
– Bianca Belair made her way to the ring to put over how tough her fight against Asuka was. Before Belair could continue, Rhea Ripley interrupted. Ripley said that while she chose Charlotte Flair instead of Belair, she said that they would get back this. Belair said that one day they would see who is truly the best of the best. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez made their entrance and faced Ripley, as she walked away. It was confirmed they would take on Damage CTRL, as the show went to an ad break.
(Pomares’s Analysis: I’ll be excited for Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair when it happens. This segment was fine, but it was a bit awkward.)
[Commercial Break]
– A few images from WrestleMania highlights were shown on screen.
(5) LIV MORGAN & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ vs. DAMAGE CTRL (Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky) – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Contender’s Match
Raquel blocked the Scorpion Kick and took Kai down with a spinning slam. Kai hit Raquel with a jawbreaker and Scorpion Kick, forcing her to tag Liv in. Kai blasted Liv with a pump kick, but she immediately retaliated with a backstabber. Liv took Sky down with a dropkick, but she immediately responded with one of her own. Liv launched Sky and Kai out of the ring before getting powerbombed on top of them by Raquel, as WWE RAW went to a commercial break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Liv clocked Sky with a Codebreaker, reaching Raquel for the tag. Raquel clocked Kai with a lariat and a Fallaway slam. Kai blocked the twisting Vader Bomb with her knees before tagging Sky in. Raquel pounced Kai into Sky, knocking her off the apron. Raquel floored Kai with the Tejana Bomb, followed by the Oblivion for the three count.
WINNERS: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez in 7:00
– It was confirmed that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez would get their title shot on next week’s RAW.
– At backstage, The Miz made his way to the ring while Otis was seen getting groomed by Maximum Male Models.
[Commercial Break]
– Back in the ring, The Miz complained about the matches he was forced to take part in at WrestleMania. Miz said that tonight a new season starts and he was done with surprises. Matt Riddle made a surprise return, only for Miz to attack him from behind. Riddle blasted Miz with a roundhouse kick, a ripcord knee strike and the Bro-derick.
(Pomares’s Analysis: I’m not the biggest Matt Riddle fan, but at least his return was something newsworthy in what has been a painfully uneventful show.)
– It was confirmed that the main event would be up next.
[Commercial Break]
– At backstage, Byron Saxton interviewed Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus about their win at WrestleMania. They said that things were just getting started while Lynch said that she would now focus on raising the prestige of the tag titles.
– It was confirmed that next week Becky Lynch and Lita would defend the women’s tag titles and that Matt Riddle would face The Miz.
– Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa made his entrance for his main event match.
[Commercial Break]
– Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar made their full entrances. As Cody Rhodes’ name was announced, Brock Lesnar laid Cody out with a couple of F5s. The Bloodline looked surprised before walking away. Lesnar walked over Cody’s neck before hitting him with a German suplex. Lesnar drove Cody into the barricade, following it with a suplex over the barricade. He rang the bell before smacking Cody with a chair shot. Lesnar smashed Cody with the steel steps and put him through the announce table with an F5. Lesnar floored Cody with an F5 on top of the steel steps. Referees and agents ran down to check on Cody, as Lesnar walked away. Lesnar returned to the ring with a steel chair and pummeled Cody down with it. Lesnar gave Cody the middle finger, as the show came to an end.
(Pomares’s Analysis: I wasn’t the biggest fan of the sudden heel turn and the lack of a real main event, but this show needed something. It’s an interesting direction to take Cody Rhodes after losing at WrestleMania and at the very least it’s a fresh matchup we haven’t seen.)
Tonight after WWE Raw, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Rich Fann, a PWTorch columnist, 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.
This show clearly had Vince’s fingerprints all over it – I don’t understand his booking strategy, and quite frankly….I don’t think he does, either. His style of thinking is incredibly outdated, but he refuses to believe that he’s out of touch in anything. I can only hope Endeavor hears the fans and makes sure Vince stays in a boardroom position, rather than meddling with the product like he frequently does.