After creating history over the course of two nights at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, WWE Raw after WrestleMania has headed to T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV WWE Superstars are set to face the fallout from Mania as John Cena vows to ruin wrestling after winning his record-breaking 17th World Championship.
The G.O.A.T. Is Here
After winning his historic 17th World Championship at WrestleMania 41: Night 2, John Cena kicked off WWE Raw after WrestleMania with his all-new black and white ring gear and theme, while wearing his Championship backwards. Cena gave the ring announcer a slip as he then announced him as the last real champion.
Cena began his promo by calling the fans in attendance a group of idiots, saying they mean nothing to him. He then told fans about his limited schedule for the remaining year, saying he will take this championship with him. Cena then talks about how there is no one same as him in all of WWE, and that he is the last real champion.
Randy Orton then appeared from behind and hit an RKO on Cena from outta nowhere.
Ratings: 8 /10
Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
After losing their Women’s Tag Team Championship to Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 41: Night 2, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez challenged the new champs for a rematch.
Valkyria and Lynch delivered an amazing performance, but Morgan and Rodriguez were ready and a step ahead this time as they regained their Women’s Tag Team Championship. A frustrated Lynch attacked Valkyria after the match, hitting her with three Manhandle Slams.
Result: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez defeated Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (c) to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Ratings: 8 /10
It’s a New Day on WWE Raw
New Day then arrived on WWE Raw to celebrate their win at WrestleMania 41: Night 1 as they became the new World Tag Team Champions. Alpha Academy then interrupted Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods and challenged them World Tag Team Championship. Kingston and Woods accepted the challenge, but Rusev made his return to WWE before the match could begin.
Rusev looked awesome as he took out both Otis and Tozawa while Kingston and Woods ran away.
Ratings: 8 /10
Key Notes and Observations:
- Rusev made his return to WWE after more than five years.
- Finn Bálor met Dominik Mysterio backstage and congratulated him on his Intercontinental Champion win at WrestleMania 41: Night 2.
Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer
After retaining her Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 41: Night 2, Iyo Sky returned to WWE Raw to celebrate one of the biggest wins of her career. The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer then appeared on WWE Raw, surprising both fans and Sky. Vaquer then challenged Sky to a match, saying she wants to face the best of the best. Sky then accepted her challenge. GM Adam Pearce then arrived on the scene and started the match.
Sky and Vaquer delivered an absolutely amazing show-stealing performance, with Sky picking up the win via disqualification after an attack by Roxanne Perez. Giulia then also arrived on the scene as she and Perez started attacking Sky and Vaquer before Rhea Ripley arrived on the scene and made both Perez and Giulia retreat. Ripley then had a little moment with Sky, reminding her that she is coming for her in the future.
Result: Iyo Sky defeated Stephanie Vaquer via disqualification
Ratings: 8 /10
Jey Uso celebrates his World Heavyweight Championship victory
After winning his first World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41: Night 1 by defeating Gunther, Jey Uso arrived on WWE after WrestleMania to celebrate.
Sami Zayn then arrived on the scene, telling Jey how proud he is to see him as the champion as they both celebrated. Jimmy Uso then also arrived on the scene as they all Yeeted together.
Key Notes and Observations:
- AJ Styles then met Karrion Kross backstage, who seemed to be angry that Styles didn’t take his help at Mania.
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta – Intercontinental Championship
Gunther then arrived on the show and attacked Michael Cole on commentary before Pat McAfee jumped in to save his friend as the officials arrived on the scene. He then attacked McAfee as his friends on the ringside jumped in to save him, while the officials tried to save McAfee who passed out under the chokehold.
Cole then returned to the commentary desk and joined Joe Tessitore, saying he won’t let a bully stop him from doing his job.
Dominik Mysterio then faced Penta in an Intercontinental Championship match after defeating Bron Breakker, Finn Bálor, and Penta in a Fatal Four-way match at WrestleMania 41: Night 2.
Penta had the odds stacked against him as Judgment Day helped him retain the championship.
Result: Dominik Mysterio (c) defeated Penta for the Intercontinental Championship
Ratings: 6 /10
Monday Night Rollins
After defeating CM Punk and Roman Reigns in a shocking turn of events at WrestleMania 41: Night 1, Seth Rollins arrived on WWE Raw alongside Paul Heyman.
Rollins began to talk about what he did to both Punk and Reigns before Punk decided to walk out on the scene as they both went at each other. Punk tried to attack Heyman before Rollins hit him with a stomp. Roman Reigns then also arrived on the scene a few moments later as he speared Rollins and took out Heyman with a Superman punch.
Reigns then tried to hit Heyman with a spear before Bron Breakker hit him with a spear of his own. Breakker then took out Punk as well and joined Rollins and Heyman. Reigns tried to fight back against Breakker and Rollins but fell to the double team offense.
Ratings: 10 /10
WWE Raw, Apr. 21: Results Highlights
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship:
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez defeated Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (c) to become the new Champions
Singles match:
Iyo Sky defeated Stephanie Vaquer via disqualification
Intercontinental Championship:
Dominik Mysterio (c) defeated Penta
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE Raw:
Coming fresh from WrestleMania 41, WWE Raw looked like just another episode of a continued story rather than a fresh new start after Mania. The show was built mostly around the fallout from WrestleMania 41, which was obvious.
Rusev’s return didn’t feel like a shocker since there were already a ton of rumors about him coming back to WWE. I really liked the match between Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Becky Lynch’s heel turn on Lyra Valkyria was certainly a shocker. But really excited to see how their story unfolds along with the new regime of Seth Rollins, who now has Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman by his side.
My Ratings for the show: 7.5 /10
