Raw Review 04/27/2020

RAW REVIEW 04/27/2020

As Money In The Bank gets closer, what will happen when the champion and challenger meet face to face as Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins sign their WWE Championship Match Contract! Plus, which women will gain a mental edge over the other two as Raw’s three participants in the Women’s Money In The Bank Match face off in a Triple Threat Match. Will it be Asuka, Nia Jax, or Shayna Baszler?

Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center.

Raw kicks off with us being introduced by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe.

In-Ring Segment: VIP Lounge: Hosted By MVP
MVP welcomes everyone to Monday Night Raw and to the only night club open in America, the VIP Lounge. He then tells he has three guests tonight from the MITB match, he then goes over the rules and how the superstars will fight through the floors of the WWE headquarters to get to the roof and grab the briefcase. He then welcomes his first guest, the legendary luchador, Rey Mysterio. MVP welcomes Rey and tells him he has been here before so make himself at home. He then introduces his next guest, Aleister Black. MVP welcomes Aleister and thanks him for joining him. He tells Black he doesn’t seem like a guy who spends a lot of time in VIP Lounges so don’t break anything. He then introduces the man he is picking to win it all, Apollo Crews. MVP welcomes him and tells him to have a seat and make himself at home.
MVP then says everyone wants to know what it means to become Mr. Money In The Bank. He then asks what it means to Rey. Rey gets up but MVP says I know you too well, it’s a way to cement your legacy and add another thing to add to it. He then goes to Aleister Black but answers for him as well. He then asks Apollo Crews and reminds how Crews beat him. Crews goes to speak but is cut off by Andrade, Zelina Vega, Austin Theory, and Angel Garza.
Vega says no one wants to hear what Apollo Crews has to say. Vega then says the WWE Universe can’t get enough of the United States Champion Andrade, Raw’s lethal lothario Angel Garza, and WWE’s fasting rising star Austin Theory. She then tells them they are the future of
My Opinion:
It was a good try by Vega but Mysterio, Black, and Crews are hungry for an opportunity to be at the top. I think all three of them have a good shot at winning the match with Aleister Black being the highest chance to win. I like though they stuck together and stood up to what seems to be the new faces of Raw. spots are earned, not given and they are going to learn that the hard way.

Match 1: Rey Mysterio & Aleister Black & Apollo Crews vs Andrade & Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega
Black and Garza start the match. Garza takes his time taking off his jacket and then looks for a handshake. Black shakes his head but uses it to wrestle Garza down to the mat. Black controls the ankle and Garza has to fight to the ropes. The two lock up again and Garza is able to get a hold of the arm of Black. Black fights out and now goes back to the ankle of Garza. Garza continues to try to fight and finally works out. He grabs the arm once again but Black doesn’t give him an inch. They fight to the ground and Garza works a body scissors. Black fights out again but Garza keeps control. He kicks the leg of Black over and over before hitting him with big strikes. Black fights back and is able to take him to the mat once again. He then goes to the arm and keeps Garza on his stomach. Garza fights out and works a cover but Black kicks out. Another failed pin attempt now but Black comes out on top continuing to take the arm and shoulder of Garza.
Crews tags in but quickly Garza is out of the match and in comes Theory. Crews are able to get the advantage and hit a stalling suplex. He goes for the cover but Theory kicks out. Theory fights back and gets him in the corner. He lands a strike but doesn’t do much with it. Crews comes back with a dropkick and goes to work on the arm of Theory. Now Mysterio tags in and stays in control. He works him in the corner and then lands an hurricanranna after they fight out. He tries to put him away but can’t Theory fights back and tags Garza. Garza and Theory try to work together but Mysterio is able to send both of them into the ropes. Andrade tags in and stops Mysterio. Mysterio fights back and now sends Andrade into the ropes. Andrade is able to narrowly escape. Crews and Black then come in and fly over the ropes to take out Garza and Theory as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade takes it to Black in the corner. He continues to reign down strikes on him before Theory gets the tag. Theory comes in and works a chin lock. Black fights to his feet and looks to break the hold but Theory keeps it locked after a few forearm strikes. Theory then hits a snap suplex. He covers but Black kicks out. Theory holds Black down on the map and then hammers away with right hands. Theory kicks him in the back before going to a front face lock. Black tries to pry his fingers away and the hold is finally broken. Theory fights back and sends Black into the top turnbuckle. Theory hits a belly to back suplex but it’s not enough to put Black away. Garza tags in and hammers on Black. He then delivers a knee to the gut. Andrade tags in and covers Black but he kicks out. Black tries to fight as Theory comes in but Their works another front face lock and stays in control. Theory now works the leg of Black and wrenches on his ankles. Theory kicks him in the face and keeps wearing him down. He hits him in the back and then lifts Black. He sends Black into the turnbuckle but Black catches himself and comes out with a big elbow. He tries a cover but Theory kicks out. Black looks for a tag but he’s stopped. Black fights free and makes a tag to Mysterio. Andrade now tags in as well. Mysterio gets the early advantage. He hits the seated senton and then lands a kick to the face. He tries to put him away but he kicks out. Andrade fights back and Mysterio hits face-first on the canvas. Mysterio now focuses on the legal man, Garza. Mysterio looks good for a second but Garza quickly takes control. He rips off his pants and then continues the punishment sending Mysterio to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Garza prevents Mysterio from getting the tag as he pushes him out of the way and takes out his partners. Theory then gets the tag and presses Mysterio before dropping him to the mat. He covers but Mysterio kicks out. Andrade tags in and hits Mysterio hard. He pulls him and then lands a stiff kick. Mysterio gets stomped on in the corner and has to be backed off. Andrade works the arm of Mysterio but Mysterio is able to hit an enziguri. Mysterio lands a kick, he then flies off the ropes but he is caught. Andrade spins him around and Mysterio turns it into a DDT. Crews tags in and so does Theory. Crews takes to him. He then knocks off Garza. Crews drives him shoulder into Theory before hitting a spinebuster. Crews then hits a powerslam. He covers but Andrade breaks up the pin. Andrade then takes out Black on the apron. Crews is met with a big elbow strike from Theory. Theory then slams Crews neck first on his knee. He covers but Crews kicks out. Theory now fights out of a suplex attempt. He then hits him in the back. Andrade sends Crews to the floor. Garza is taken out. Mysterio is then taken out by Andrade. Andrade gets in the ring with Crews and hits him with an elbow strike. He covers but Crews kicks out. Crews fights out of a DDT. he then is able to somehow work a powerbomb. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Aleister Black & Apollo Crews
My Opinion:
An awesome match to open the night between these two teams. Obviously the stand out star in this was Apollo Crews. He continues to show how impressive he is in the ring and he’s reminding everyone he can be a key player. That last powerbomb was awesome and the way he fought through a lot of offense from his opponents showed a lot of heart. It seems for Zelina Vegas’s team they are off track right now and they need to somehow get back to winning ways. I thought this group would run things but apparently they still have a lot of fighting left to do.

Backstage Segment: Andrade & Zelina Vega & Apollo Crews
Andrade and Zelina argue backstage. Charly comes up and asks Andrade what went wrong in this match. He asks What happened. He asks Vega and then answers, his partners let him down. He then tells that Apollo, Rey, and Aleister couldn’t beat him one on one. Apollo Crews comes up and says he could beat Andrade. He says he will beat him two times in one night. Andrade comes up and alps Crews before telling him he can have a shot anytime. Crews slaps him and says how about now. Vega steps in and says you think you’re some big shot because you got one win. Crews says he does. She then tells him if he wants a title shot he can have one tonight.

Asuka vs Shayna Baszler vs Nia Jax: Triple Threat Match
***Before the match, Asuka yells about Nia and then says poor Kairi. Asuka then tells how she’ll tap out Nia Jax. She goes to talk about MITB but out comes Nia Jax.
Before the match starts, Baszler pulls Asuka out of the ring and attacks her on the outside. She then throws Asuka into a ladder. Jax comes to the outside and sends Baszler into the barricade. Baszler comes to and takes down Nia with a kick. She then takes out Asuka and grabs a ladder. Baszler sets up a ladder against the steps and then grabs Asuka. Asuka turns it around and sends Shayna Baszler into the ladder. Asuka then throws her into the ring. Jax comes to and runs over Asuka. Asuka is now sent into the ring. Jax grabs a ladder and brings it into the ring. She runs it into Baszler and Asuka and knocks them to the outside. Jax lifts the ladder and looks down on them. She throws the ladder behind her instead of at them. She then points up to the briefcase.
My Opinion:
It would’ve been exciting to see these three dominant forces in a triple threat match but the message was clear, all they are worried about is MITB. this is smart of them as this is a huge opportunity for all three of them. That contract means they are all but guaranteed a title so I think their minds are already on that match. Tonight we got a small taste of things that can happen in the match and if this was the actual match I’m sure Nia would have thrown that ladder at them. There is no telling what can happen in these dangerous matches especially this year with its new setting.

Backstage Segment: Bobby Lashley & Lana
Lana tells Lashley he is amazing and the almighty. Lashley tells Lana that he thinks it would be better if she didn’t go to the ring with him tonight. He then says when she is out there he gets distracted. She then questions this. He tells her so is unbelievably beautiful and when he turns around and sees those eyes he gets distracted. He then asks if she understands and she says she does.

Match 2: Bobby Lashley vs Denzel Dejournette
Lashley looks for a headlock but instead gets wrapped up. Lashley uses his power to get on the offensive and land a belly to belly. He then lands a big slap to the face. He then sends Dejournette into the turnbuckle. They get out of the corner and Lashley is hit with a slap. Lashley fights back and hammers the back of Dejournette. Lashley then drives him into the canvas. He then does this again and looks for a spear. Lashley connects and covers for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
Lashley was very impressive in this one and really stayed on the offensive the whole time. He finally seemed focused out there and if it takes him going out there alone to get these wins then so be it. Lashley should be so much higher on Raw right now but he, unfortunately, hasn’t been able to get in that position lately. This is one win but I hope it leads to more for him.

*** We then get a look at WWE’s new Video Game “WWE BattleGround”

Match 3: Ruby Riott vs Liv Morgan
The two lock up and Riott gets the advantage by pulling the hair of Morgan. She then throws her down to the canvas. Riott gets her in the corner and lands a big kick. Morgan lands a drop toe hold and gets in control. She stays on the offensive delivering a big right hand. She continues to work Riott in the corner. Riott fights out and after ducking Morgan she is able to hit the Riott Kick. She covers but can’t put her away. Riott grabs her by the hair and tells Morgan she better learn to stay down and learn her place. Riott continues to taunt Morgan. She pushes her up against the ropes and breaks the hold on the count. She goes off the ropes again but Morgan is able to catch her and hit oblivion. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Bryon Saxton comes in the ring and asks Liv if this is the start of a new chapter for her. Liv says she has had so many chapters and she’ll have so many more but right now like many people her age she is trying to figure out who she is but she is confident she will figure it out.
Winner: Liv Morgan
My Opinion:
It wasn’t Morgan’s most impressive match but she got the job and that’s what counts. It was more impressive that on her not so best day she could still find a way to get a victory over the very gamed Ruby Riott. I think Riott is getting too much in her own head and she wants to put down Liv so bad she can’t actually do it. Liv seems to have her number now winning two weeks in a row. It’ll be interesting to see if these two continue to battle or if they will go separate directions. This is not how I pictured Ruby Riott’s months following her return time will tell if she can turn it around.

Backstage Segment: Nia Jax
Charly tells Nia that she has a lot of people talking about her actions in tonight’s actions. Nia then cuts her off and asks Charly what she can do about her actions? Nothing. She asks Charly what can Asuka do about her actions? Nothing. She then asks Charly what she can Shayna do about her actions. Charly says, nothing. Nia then asks what can anyone do about my actions Charly? She then says don’t answer that and screams, nothing!

Backstage Segment: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
The Viking raiders remind The Street Profits they won the NXT tag titles after they relinquished them. They remind them that they won the Raw tag titles after they got injured. They then remind that The Street Profits have never beaten them Erik says as long as they are around they will only be second best. Ivar then dares them to prove them wrong. They then both say they want the smoke.

*** Jinder Mahal Returns To Action, Next!

Match 4: Jinder Mahal vs Akira Tozawa
Tozawa locks up with Mahal but he is then driven to the mat. Mahal stays in control and slams him once again. Mahal then throws him to the floor and follows. He lands a big knee strike before driving Tozawa into the apron. Mahal then throws him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Mahal drops him once again. He then lifts Tozawa and lands a Samoan Drop. He taunts Tozawa and waits for him to get to his feet. He hits the Khallas and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
My Opinion:
What a dominating and impressive return for Mahal. Mahal just destroyed Tozawa and didn’t even give him a chance. Mahal seems more ready than ever to be back and it’ll be interesting if he can work his way back to the top and also who he will face next. He has been to the top before and he has all tools to do so. It might be a tough challenge on Raw but there is a lot he can contribute to here and I’m excited to see him back.

Backstage Segment: Andrade & Zelina Vega
Charly comes up to Andrade and asks for a quick question. Vega stops her and tells her that the next thing she wants to ask him she goes through her. Garza then comes up and tells Charly she is very professional. He then asks her what if sometime in the near future they get very acquainted. He then hands her a rose.

Match 5: Andrade (c) w/ Zelina Vega vs Apollo Crews:
United States Championship Match
Andrade tries to stay away from Crews early. Crews finally locks up with him and Andrade goes to the corner. The hold is broken and they go back to a standoff. Andrade gets a hold of the arm of Crews and works him to a knee. Crews fights to his feet and is able to turn the hold around now working the arm of Andrade. The two go to the mat and Crews works a body scissors. Andrade doesn’t panic and is able to fight out. Crews works a front face lock but Andrade backs him to the ropes. Andrade then takes a cheap shot as the hold is broken. Andrade lands a kick and goes to a side headlock. Andrade bounces him off the ropes but can’t break the hold.
Andrade keeps it locked and brings him to a knee. Andrade lands a kick and keeps Crews at bay as he tries to fight out. Crews pushes him off the ropes. He stands tall as Andrade tries to knock him down. Crews is able to avoid Andrade and then hit him with a dropkick. Andrade rolls to the outside but Crews follows. Andrade is able to land a shot to crews but Crews fights back and sends him into the ring. Andrade comes to and is able to get to Crews as he enters. He stomps on him and continues to beat on him. Andrade then gets him in the corner and stomps on him. Andrade then drives his knee into the face of Crews. Andrade lifts him up and hits him in the chest. Crews is able to fight out of the corner but Andrade meets him with a dropkick. Andrade then misses in the corner and falls to the outside. Crews looks for a moonsault but misses. Andrade then hits him with a clothesline as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade works the knee of Cres on the ropes. He then hits a dropkick on the knee and Crews crashes to the floor. Andrade goes to the floor and kicks Crews. He then hits him with a hip check and a right hand. Andrade gets in the ring and so does Crews. Andrade, though, stays on the attack and works a single leg crab. Andrade lets go of the hold but stays on the knee. Crews pushes him away but Andrade comes back with a dropkick. Andrade then goes to the floor and punches Crews who is down in the ring by the ropes. Andrade comes back in and stomps him down in the corner. Andrade then looks for double knees but misses as Crews moves. Crews then is able to hit an Olympic slam but he is down along with Andrade. Crews and Andrade both get to their feet and Crews is able to fire away with big right hands. He then hits a clothesline. Andrade is driven into the corner and hit with shoulder strikes. Crews then hits an overhead belly to belly. Andrade comes back with a big boot.
He goes to the second rope but Crews hits him in the face. Crews then presses him and dumps him on the canvas. Crews hits the standing moonsault and covers but Andrade kicks out. Crews looks for a suplex but Andrade fights out. Andrade then hits a drop toe hold and sends Crews into the turnbuckle. Andrade hits double knees, he covers but Crews kicks out. Crews misses on a pump kick. Andrade then misses on the elbow. Andrade kicks him in the knee but Crews fires back with a right hand. Crews looks to press him again but Andrade turns it into a DDT. Andrade covers but Crews kicks out. Andrade now looks for the hammerlock DDT but Crews avoids. Andrade works a cover but Crews kicks out. Crews gets in control and hits a big slam. He covers but Andrade just kicks out. Crews brings Andrade to the corner. He goes up top but as he does Andrade gets up and hits him. Andrade meets him up there and continues to beat on him. Andrade tries to rip him off but Crews knocks him down with a headbutt. Crews jumps off the top but comes down on his knee as Andrade moves. Andrade tries to attack him but the ref stops him. The ref then calls for the bell saying Apollo Crews cannot continue in this match.
Winner: Andrade: Still United States Champion: Via Match Stoppage
My Opinion:
What a match these two had, it’s a shame it had to end this way but I think Crews will be back for another opportunity. Crews is on a roll right now and really seemed like this was his match to win but Andrade was aggressive and didn’t ever let up. If these two meet again it’s going to be another great one. They obviously had each other well scouted but neither could put the other away. Andrade proved to be a smart champion though and the beating on the knee of Crews paid off. Crews needs to go and heal up though because for him to compete and win at MITB he will need that knee 100% healthy. Hopefully, Crews will be okay. Props to Andrade thought for retaining.

Backstage Segment: The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
Ford tells how the Viking Raiders say they’re second best. Dawkins says Nah we’re the ones putting on work when these cosplayers were doing carpool karaoke. He then tells them to get on Spotify. Ford and Dawkins then agree to face them next week. Ford says if it’s smoke they want, it’s smoke they’ll get.

Match 6: Ricochet & Cedric Alexander vs Ever-Rise (Matt Martel & Chase Parker)
Alexander and Ricochet take control early working Martel and double-teaming him. Alexander tries a cover but Martel kicks out. Ricochet tags in and tries to continue the offense but Martel is able to hit him from behind and stop him. Parker comes in and continues the attack he hits a big drop toe hold in the corner. He tries a cover but Ricochet tags out. Martel comes in and hits Ricochet. He then works his arm while tagging in Parker. Parker uses Ricochet’s arm against him and puts him in a chokehold. Martel tags in and Ricochet is thrown into his boot. Martel covers but Ricochet kicks out. Martel hits a backbreaker and covers but again Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet is able to get away and causes Martel to run into Parker. Parker gets the tag now and so does Alexander. Alexander hits a low dropkick and takes out both Martel and Parker. Alexander hits a forearm shot. Ricochet tags in. Alexander hits a tornado DDT. Ricochet then hits the standing shooting star. Ricochet covers but Martel breaks it up. Ricochet is able to hold his own and eventually lands a superkick. Alexander tags in and holds Parker and it allows Ricochet to fly and kick him to slam him face-first on the mat.
*** After the match, MVP comes on the screen and says the NFL Draft got him thinking and what better way to introduce Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink to Raw then him. He says they said you guys got lucky last week. He then says he sees a rematch that could be box office could. He then says he has one better and says it could be straight up ballin’.
Winners: Ricochet & Cedric Alexander
My Opinion:
Another impressive victory for Ricochet and Alexander. They continue to shine and find new innovative ways to pick up wins. This is smart since people will start scouting them now. If they continue to add new moves to their team arsenal then they will be able to have a mental edge over their opponents. Ever-Rise put them to the test and they were smart to constantly pin them in order to wear them out but Ricochet and Alexander are tough to beat. I like the idea of Thorne and Vink getting a rematch. These two teams really did well last time out and I have doubt they can do it again. I also hope MVP stays as a part of Raw, he’s kind of like a cool new authority figure and he fits the role well.

Backstage Segment: Apollo Crews
Crews is on crutches with ice on his left knee. Charly stops him and tells him she is so sorry to see him like this, it looked like he was well on his way to winning the United States Championship. Apollo has no comment as he is emotional.

In-Ring Segment: WWE Championship Match (Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins) Contract Singing For MITB: Hosted By Jerry “The King” Lawler
King says this year’s MITB PPV will feature the most unique MITB Ladder Match in WWE history. He tells how they will start in the lobby and fight their way to the top. He then goes over some funny places they may fight like Mr. McMahon’s office. He then tells how if you win the match you get a shot at the WWE Championship but he doesn’t know if this year’s match will be worth the risk. He then brings up the WWE Championship Match and says that the match can’t get done until we sign this contract. He then brings out “The Monday Night Messiah” Seth Rollins.he then brings out the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
Drew gets in the ring and tells King you know how these things usually go, I think it’s going to go that way so you better skedaddle. King says he thinks that’s a good idea. McIntyre sits down and then stands up to sign the contract. He then tells Rollins he is the one who jumped him a couple of weeks ago, we can get this done in 20 seconds. Before Rolins sings he asks McIntyre if he thinks he wants this? Rollins says he has to do this. He says he started this to get this match and get the WWE Championship where it needs to be. He says this isn’t about me or you, this is about us. He tells McIntyre he will be a great champion someday but he is not a leader. Rollins proclaims he is a leader and everywhere he has gone in his career people have followed. He says the WWE Universe needs someone who can guide them and he can be the light in that darkness. Rollins says he suffered for that title but tells Drew he doesn’t have to. Rollins says he doesn’t want what happened to him to happen to Drew. he says it is his burden to carry. He says he doesn’t want to be the one to crush his dream but it’s the sacrifice he will make for the great good. He says in time it will make sense to McIntyre and when it does he can find him and he won’t turn him away but instead lead him to. McIntyre says thank you, that was a really passionate speech and really enlightening. McIntyre says things are clear to him now and clear to everyone watching right now. He tells Seth it is clear he is full of shit. He asks, where his followers are? He keeps questioning Rollins and then tells him he knows one thing, he will not let him win this championship under any circumstances. McIntyre then gives him advice and tells him to shut his mouth forever because no one wants to hear him. He says every time Rollins talks he gets his foot in his mouth and his head up his ass. McIntyre tells him a few weeks ago he didn’t finish the job but at MITB go for the throat and finish the job. He then tells Rollins he is sure as hell going for his. Rollins says at MITB the picture will be clear, he says have faith… before he gets it out McIntyre bounces him off the table. McIntyre looks for a Claymore Kick but Murphy jumps him. Murphy attacks him and backs him in the corner. Murphy comes over to Rollins and Rollins hugs him. Rollins gets out of the ring but Murphy gets hit with the Claymore Kick. Rollins hurries up the ramp as McIntyre stands tall in the ring.
My Opinion:
McIntyre was not messing around tonight! Rollins tried to play his mind games but McIntyre wanted none of it. I loved that he told Rollins to finish the job. He isn’t afraid to take it there and go into a fight. McIntyre always is ready to face anyone and right now Rollins is up next. McIntyre seems unbeatable and it’s going to take an army for Rollins to beat him at MITB. McIntyre won’t be shaken by anything, I absolutely can’t wait for this match!!!!

Final Thoughts:
First, we started off with a solid 6-Man Tag Team Match. There was so much action in this one and the two teams really battled this one out trying everything in the book to get a win. Apollo Crews was the stand out to me in this one. Speaking of Apollo, his U.S. Title match with Andrade was awesome! These two tested each other’s limits and Crews really seemed like he could win but unfortunately the match was stopped. This was good for Crews though as he will need to heal up for MITB and I’m sure he will have another shot in the future! I liked the fight between the three women in the MITB. They showed this isn’t about matches on Raw anymore, this is about that briefcase and all of them tried to make a point of that. Nia, of course, stood tall and this could be a sign of things to come. However, she may have made herself an even bigger target now which could hurt her in the long run. It was good to see Jinder Mahal back, he dominated in his return match and I can’t wait to see what’s next for him. We also saw impressive wins from Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander & Ricochet, and Liv Morgan. Raw is having a lot of talent step up lately and it’s creating quite the competitive atmosphere that’s bringing out the best in everyone. Finally, the contract signing was awesome. McIntyre is a badass champion and he is ready for war at MITB. I can’t wait to see if Rollins is too. This is going to be a smash-mouth match and Rollins has a tough task in front of him if he thinks he is taking that WWE Championship! Once again given the circumstances this was a really great Raw. the matches were good, everything flowed well and we ended on a high note. I cannot wait for this MITB PPV. It seems like it is going to be amazing!!! I hope everyone enjoys NXT and SmackDown this week! As always stay safe and stay healthy, all the best!
Overall Rating: 8/10