Raw Review 04/01/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania This Sunday!!! With Mania coming in just 6 days will Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and the new SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair be able to co-exist as they take on the Riott Squad in a 6-Women Tag Team Match? Plus, ahead of his final match at WrestleMania against Baron Corbin what will happen with Kurt Angle’s final appearance on Raw. Also, what will happen when Brock Lesnar comes to Raw? Speaking of coming to Raw what will Batista’s final words for Triple H be ahead of Sunday? Finally, what will Stephanie McMahon have to say regarding the main event this Sunday?

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Raw comes to us from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves

In Ring Segment: Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie says she can’t believe we are 6 ways away from WrestleMania. She then makes an April fool’s joke and says she is adding herself. She then tells it’s a joke and says the real thing is for the first time in 35 years women will headline WrestleMania. She tells that now the match will have all the titles on the line and the winner will take home all the gold. She says they will leave everything they have and leave their hearts on the mat because this Sunday it is winner take all.
My Opinion:
Big announcement from Stephanie. With this huge of a mania event, I can only imagine the fight these three women are gonna bring. Whoever can pull out this victory will be one of if not the most decorated female superstars in WWE history. This would be groundbreaking for any of them and more than anything this means they all have to bring the fight. The stakes are so high I can imagine Becky, Ronda, and Charlotte will pull out all the stops in this one. I personally cannot wait!

In Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar
Heyman does his normal shtick and says he will be saying this next Monday as well. He says he finds it almost poetic justice Stephanie McMahon used winner take all because the winner of the Universal title match will take all. He says the winner Brock Lesnar will take all Seth Rollins has to offer. He says they know Rollins will come with his best shot but then Brock Lesnar will take all Rollins has in life. He says Lesnar seizes the moment at Mania at the expense of his opponents. He reminds how Lesnar took the streak and then last year took the hopes of Roman Reigns. He says this Sunday Lesnar will take Rollins and his own words that this will be the last match of his career. He says this Sunday Lesnar will end Rollins career. He says Lesnar will violate Rollins and desecrate the good name of WrestleMania. He says then with Lesnar’s foot on Rollins chest and the title high above Lesnar’s head he will define the saying life is not what you want it to be but what you make out of it. He says he and Lesnar will then go and discuss what will come next. He says Rollins is an afterthought to Lesnar. Out comes Rollins.
Rollins says this is the biggest match of his career but what Brock doesn’t understand this is the biggest match of his career. Rollins tells Lesnar that nobody wants him here. He says he doesn’t, the locker room doesn’t, and the people don’t. Rollins praises Lesnar for being one of the most decorated athletes in combat sports. He says beating him maybe improbable but it isn’t impossible. He tells him he will take the beat him and take the title and there isn’t a damn thing he can do about it. Rollins then hits Lesnar with a low blow. Lesnar comes back with a suplex. Rollins then hits another low blow and then hits a kick. Rollins then hits the stomp and holds the Universal title up high.
My Opinion:
Wow, good for Rollins to get one up on Lesnar. He may have gone low but you know what he is gonna have to do whatever it takes to win that title. He knows his backs against the wall so all bets are off for Rollins. At the end of the day if he walks out of Mania will the title and brings it back to Raw then I think the ends will justify the means. It is gonna be a fight and Rollins better be ready. Rollins is my guy and I know he has it in him to beat Brock!!!

Backstage Segment:
Charly tells Rollins if he does that on Sunday then he’s not gonna win the title. Rollins says he had it coming. Rollins is very confident heading into Sunday.

Match 1: Bayley & Sasha Banks & Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs The Iconics & Nia Jax & Tamina
Banks and Royce start the match and Banks is backed into the corner. Banks hits Royce and then is able to work an arm drag. Banks tries another and hits it. Bayley comes in and they double team, Royce. Bayley tries a cover but Royce kicks out. Banks gets the tag and once again they double team, Royce. Kay gets the tag but is planted. Banks works her before Natalya comes in. Natalya lands a suplex and works Kay before tagging Phoenix. Phoenix and Natalya work a double team but it isn’t enough to keep Kay down. Phoenix lifts Kay and shows her power but Royce saves her. Banks and Bayley chase her out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bayley has to fight off the Iconis but the numbers game catches up and Bayley is sent to the floor. Royce gets her back in the ring and work her on the mat but can’t keep Bayley down. Kay comes back in and they double team, Bayley. Still, Bayley won’t stay down. As Ryce comes back in the double team continues but Bayley fights on. Nia and Tamina won’t tag in. Bayley uses this and is able to hang up Kay. Phoenix prevents Banks form coming in and tags in herself. Phoenix takes it to the Iconics. She takes out Kay and the plants Royce. Tamina comes in to help and Phoenix hits the apron hard. Phoenix then drives Tamina through the barricade. Royce grabs Phoenix and brings her into the ring. She slaps Phoneix but Phoenix grabs her and hits the Glam Slam. Phoenix goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 for her team.
Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks & Beth Phoenix & Natalya
My Opinion:
Tonight was really about Phoneix for me, she proved that she still has it. Phoenix didn’t hold back and she needs that win at any cost attitude if she and Nattie are gonna get the titles on Sunday. The Iconics showed that they are a great tag team and work well together so that is something to watch out for. Bayley and Sasha seemed like they tried to do too much which could hurt them on Sunday. Finally, Nia and Tamina don’t have anything to prove. We know what those two can do and the other three teams better be ready for them.

Backstage Segment:
Batista has arrived.

In Ring Segment: Batista
Batista makes his way to the ring and before sating a word he points to the titantron and a video plays showing each time he has beaten Triple H. Batista says Hunter kiss my ass. Batista then embraces the crowd.
My Opinion:
This was short but it made a huge impact, the fact is Triple H hasn’t beaten Batista and the odds are not on his side. Batista can pretty much say anything he wnats at this point because history shows he is gonna win. Although this time it feels different, it just doesn’t feel to me that Batista has this one. If Triple H is going out then I feel it would be more on his terms. Batista wnats this one final match but I think it is gonna be a back and forth and not a walk in the park as he may think. Either way, both are fighting to prove something and that will bring the best out in each of them. We get one final time of The Game vs The Animal.

Match 2: Jinder Mahal vs Apollo Crews: Lumberjack Match
Mahal hits Crews with big right hands. Mahal knocks Crews to the mat and then works his neck. Mahal works him on the mat and works a side headlock. Mahal lets go of the hold and works the neck again of Crews. Crews is able to fight him off and land a few kicks. Crews takes him down and kicks up. Crews goes to the top and hits a frog splash. Crews gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
***After the match the members on the outside all come in and started going at each other. Titus O’Neil cleaned house and stood tall until Jinder and The Singh Brother’s through him over the ropes. Crews fights back and throws all three men out.
Winner: Apollo Crews
My Opinion:
Big momentum win for Crews tonight. He got to show in front of a lot of competitors in the rumble that he can get the job done. It wasn’t too long ago that Crews had a great showing in a battle royal and this Sunda could be no different. After the match Crews stood tall and this very well could be a preview for Sunday. Crews is amazing but I hope if he wins he doesn’t get left behind. I think if this continues to be a tradition WWE is gonna have to change the perception of the match to make it means more because right now I think it isn’t in the best light.

*** Yolanda Admas will perform America The Beautiful

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Angle says this is his last night ever on Monday Night Raw. he says he wants everyone to know how appreciative he is for the good and bad times. He says he has heard a lot of boos but mostly cheers. He says from the bottom of his heart he wants to say thank you. There is then a career highlight video for Angle. The crowd then cheers Thank You Kurt as Angle fights back tears. Out comes Baron Corbin.
Corbin says he is sorry if he is interrupting a stroll down memory lane. He says that video is ancient history and the man in the ring is not who was in that video. Corbin says Angle can’t hang with the superstars of today, especially himself. Corbin says he is starting to get irritated with the crowd filling his social media that Angle deserves someone better for his last opponent in WWE. Corbin says it isn’t gonna change and the last image of Angle will be a broken down man. Angle says they will face on Sunday but then asks for an exhibition match tonight. Corbin tells Angle if he comes in there right now he won’t make it to Mania so e will wait to WrestleMania. Out comes Rey Mysterio. Mysterio chases him into the ring and stands with Angle. Mysterio tells Corbin someone needs to teach him a lesson in respect. Mysterio asks him for a match. Corbin hits Mysterio with a cheap shot. Angle hits Corbin and Mysterio jumps back in. angle then hits him with an Angle Slam.
My Opinion:
It was nice that Angle got his sed off on Raw and didn’t have to wrestle a match. I think they have been running him into the ground as of late and I think at Mania it’s gonna be all he has left. I hope he and Corbin seriously have gotten together and found ways to make this something special on Sunday. Angle deserves one of the best send-offs and hopefully, he will get that. I wish he could’ve had a better send off then what he is getting but I hope they make it special for him in some way.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Charlotte about the winner takes all stipulation. Charlotte says someone should ask Asuka if she was blindsided when she took her title. She says she will blindside the world when she beats Lynch and taps Rousey. She says she changed the game. Charly asks if Charlotte can keep her cool. She says she is a professional but after the match, they better stay the hell away from her or they won’t make it to WrestleMania.

Match 3: Aleister Black & Ricochet vs The Revival (C)
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Black and Dawson lock up and Dawson backs him into the corner. Black fakes out Dawson and toys with him. Black works a headlock and keeps Dawson in the middle of the ring. Dawson fights out with an elbow and continues to him with strikes. Black fights back but Dawson stays on him and tags Wilder. Wilder takes it to Black but he is then hit with a kick. Black tries a cover but can’t get the 3. Black hits an arm drag and then tags Ricochet. Ricochet works the arm of Wilder but Wilder fights back. Wilder hits him with a big shot to the gut and then tags Dawson. Dawson toys with Richcoet and then uses the ropes to choke him. Wilder comes in and keeps Ricochet from getting to his corner. Ricochet is able to fight back and hit a double hurricanranna. Black gets the tag and he and Ricochet double team Dawson. Black tries a cover but Dawson kicks out. Black hits him with a shot but Dawson is able to send Black to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Dawson keeps Black from getting the tag and then hits a northern lights suplex. Dawson tries a cover but Black kicks out. Dawson then works the arm of Black and manipulates his fingers. Dawson continues to work the arm of Black with a deep hammerlock. Dawson tries a suplex but Black lands on his feet. Black takes out the legs of Dawson but Wilder makes the tag. Wilder stops Black from getting a tag but Black fights back and tags Ricochet. Ricochet takes out Wilder and then hits a neckbreaker on Dawson. He tries a cover but Wilder kicks out. Ricochet fights off The Revival and tries a quick cover but Wilder kicks out. Dawson hits a cheap shot on Richocet and Wilder hits a Gory Speical. Wilder goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Black hits Dawson on the outside and then takes it to Wilder. The Revival tries a double team but Black fights out and hits a knee. Black is then taken out by a DDT. Ricochet then launches himself to the outside taking out The Revival. Wilder takes out Ricochet and gets back in the ring. Dawson trips up Richochet and The Revival win by count out.
*** After the match Black takes out Wilder with Black Mass, he then hits one on Dawson. Ricochet then hits the 630 on Dawson.
Winners: The Revival: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
This was an awesome showing by Ricochet and Black but The Revival showed why they are tag champs. They used ring awareness to win tonight and although people might not like it, it was very smart. Black and Ricochet are one heck of a team and I hope they get another shot soon. Who knows how long The Revival will be in WWE but for now they seem to have a strong hold on the titles.

Backstage Segment:
Ronda tells Charly she doesn’t feel like talking, she feels liking fighting. She tells that she doesn’t care what the stipulation is because this Sunday will be Judgment Day for Becky and Charlotte unless they provoke her tonight.

Backstage Segment:
Bliss asks Breeze if he can believe the job she is doing hosting WrestleMania. She goes over the big accomplishments on the show and mentions Che and Jost. EC3 and Breeze laugh and say they love those guys. Strowman comes up and asks what they are laughing at. Breeze says their friends over there were watching the Weekend Update. Strowman walks over to the guys and tells them they are Che and Jost and they can meet him in the ring or he will find them backstage but they will get these hands.

Backstage Segment:
Reigns is asked about rumors about him not being ready for single’s competition. Reigns questions these rumors and says he is 100 % cleared. Mcintyre comes out of nowhere and attacks Reigns. He takes him to the ground and tells him he should’ve said no. he then picks him up and throws him into equipment. He tells Reigns she wnats him to see his face when he closes his eyes at night.

Backstage Segment:
Becky tells Charly this Sunday she is walking the first ever Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion. She says who cares who Charlotte says and she tells she had Rousey beat months ago. She says when Rousey feels untouchable that is when she is most beatable. She says she knows they are gonna try to get her out of the match on Sunday but she is wise to their games. She says she needs to take all the gold this Sunday. She says Charlotte and Ronda may talk about how they want to make history but she needs to make history.

Match 4: Becky Lynch & Ronda Rousey & Charlotte Flair vs The Riott Squad:
If Becky, Ronda, or Charlotte betray one another they are out of the match on Sunday
Charlotte and Riott start the match and Charlotte takes down Riott and uses the ropes to choke her. Lynch tags in and is taken down by Riott. Lynch hits a kick to the mid-section and forces The Riott Squad to regroup as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lynch is held on the mat by Logan. Logan works a submission on Lynch but Lynch fights to her feet. Lynch is thrown into the corner but she fights off Logan and then takes her down. Lynch then is able to send Logan to the outside. Riott comes in off the tag but Lynch fights her off and Logan tags right back in. Logan is able to get on Lynch and work a cloverleaf submission. Lynch is able to throw her off. Morgan comes in but Lynch takes her down. She throws Morgan and goes for the cover but she kicks out. Morgan tries a roll-up but Lynch kicks out. Charlotte tags in but Rousey tags in right after. Rousey rolls threw a pinfall attempt. Rousey locks in an armbar and Mrgan taps. Rousey then goes right after Charlotte. All three women go after each other. Out comes security but they are taken out. Cops come out now but Rousey continues to try to fight. Rousey is handcuffed and now Lynch goes right after her. Lynch and Rousey are handcuffed as Charlotte watches. Charlotte now hits Rousey and then kicks Lynch. Charlotte is now handcuffed. The three women continue to try to fight out but are brought to the back.
Winners: Becky Lynch & Ronda Rousey & Charlotte Flair
My Opinion:
I thought this match was well, Lynch got a lot of ring time as she is the people’s favorite and she has the most gain. Charlotte has a title but continued to be that outcast in a way and Rousey was the dominant one. I loved how the women went right after each other when the match ended. They are building this with pure disdain for one another and it is awesome! They are making people want to see this fight and that’s how you sell the main event. This Sunday we get to see history and they are not gonna disappoint. I am so excited for this match, I wish it could happen! Sunday can’t get here fast enough!

Backstage Segment:
Backstage they try to calm the women down and put them in the cop cars. In the back of one of the cars, Lynch and Rousey continue to fight each other with kicks and Rousy kicks a window out. They have to drag Lynch. Lynch and Charlotte then try to fight each other. Rousey gets in the driver’s seat and drives into the back of the other cop car. Rousey is then pulled out. Finally, Lynch is put into a car and taken away. Rousey continues to try to fight but is then taken away.

Match 5: Chad Gable and Bobby Roode vs Heavy Machinery
Otis and Gable start the match. Otis is able to send Gable to the mat and tag Tucker. Tucker and Otis double team Gable and Tucker then slams Gable. Tucker wraps up Gable and brings him to the mat. Gable is able to fight back and tag Roode. Roode takes down Tucker and tries a cover but Tucker kicks out. Out comes Lacey Evans during the match. Roode continues to take it to Tucker with chops but Tucker fights back with an elbow. Otis comes in and takes it to Roode. Roode lands a kick but Otis stays on him. Roode looks for a DDT but Otis drives him into the corner. Otis hits the caterpillar but Gable breaks up the pin attempt. Otis continues to take it to Roode. Gable tags in and tries to fly but is caught. Heavy Machinery double teams Gable and they get the 1 2 3.
Winners: Heavy Machinery
My Opinion:
Good solid win for Heavy Machinery tonight. They continue to impress me and I think they have what it takes to be champions on Raw. Gable and Roode are former champs themselves so truthfully this is a huge win. I think Otis and Tucker work well together and you have two guys who are powerhouses so the door of success is wide open for these two.

Backstage Segment:
Match 6: Braun Strowman vs Local Wrestlers: 2 on1 Handicap Match
Strowman takes it to the two wrestlers and throws them across the ring. Strowman throws one of them out of the ring and then throws the other out as well. Strowman then goes to the outside and runs them over. He then does it once more. He throws them back into the ring and crushes them in the corner. He hits one with a power slam and then hits one on the other guy. Braun then lifts both of them and slams them both at the same time. Braun gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
It took me a while to realize it but this is sad where Braun is at. He is a monster, he is good in the ring, and he should be apart of a major program heading into the show of shows. Instead, once again he is in a meaningless thing and is being forgotten about. This is just poor treatment of Braun and I hope they fix this soon. He should not be going on two WrestleMania’s now with being almost forgotten. He deserves better than this.

In Ring Segment: Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush
Charly asks Lashley if he has any cause for concern on Sunday. Rush says what happened last week was a fluke and Finn didn’t even pin Bobby. He says he won’t have to deal with dead weight Jinder Mahal. He says they only need to worry about the after party. Charly then asks about The Demon. Lashley says he isn’t worried about an Irish fairytale and says The Demon is Finn Balor and he destroyed Finn Balor. Balor tells Lashley he has always had Demon’s and at WrestleMania, his Demon’s will be Lasley’s nightmare.
My Opinion:
To quote Stone Cold “Oh Hell Yeah!” I can’t wait to see The Demon at Mania this year! This is gonna be a huge moment for Balor, last year he didn’t capture the gold but this year he’s got it. This is gonna be his match to lose so barring any shenanigans Balor should have this in the bag. But, this is Bobby Lashley so we will see if he is able to defeat a Demon.

Match 7: Rey Mysterio vs Baron Corbin
Corbin grabs Mysterio and throws him in the corner but he uses his quickness to get out. Mysterio takes it to Corbin and is able to land an arm drag. Corbin is sent to the outside and Mysterio is able to land a big kick. Corbin comes back in the ring but immediately Mysterio sends him back out. Mysterio flies but is hit with a right hand as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin throws Mysterio into the barricade. Corbin brings him back into the ring and puts him in the corner. Corbin hits Mysterio and tries to rip off his mask. Mysterio is able to get away from Corbin for a moment but Corbin gets back on him as he hurts his knee. Corbin then goes after the knee of Mysterio and he has to go to the outside. Corbin meets him out there and throws him into the barricade. Corbin brings him back into the ring and the ref has to check on Mysterio. Mysterio is able to land a kick and catch Corbin. Corbin is able to get Mysterio off the ropes and slam him. Corbin then kicks him out to the floor. Corbin then goes to the outside and hits Mysterio with a clothesline. Corbin then grabs Mysterio and pulls him to the apron with one hand. Corbin then sends him off the ring post and crashing to the floor. Corbin once again brings him back into the ring and toys with him. Mysterio gets on the back of Corbin and locks in a sleeper hold. Corbin then slings him away but he misses Mysterio in the corner following. Mysterio lands a tilter world  DDT and tries a cover but Corbin kicks out. Mysterio finally gets Corbin hung up on the ropes and hits a 619. Mysterio goes up top but Corbin moves out of the way. Corbin looks or a powerbomb but Mysterio fights back with right hands. Mysterio comes off the ropes but Corbin hits him with Deep 6. Corbin goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Kurt comes out after the match and puts Corbin the Ankle Lock making him tap.
Winner: Baron Corbin
My Opinion:
This was a huge momentum win for Baron Corbin tonight. I thought it was very smart to save Kurt and allow Corbin to face Mysterio, although I would’ve had Mysertio win and then had Corbin attack Mysterio and had Angle make the save. Either way, Kurt finishes on top for Raw one last time and I loved that so much, he deserves it.

Final Thoughts:
For a Raw, before Mania, I thought this was a pretty good one! First things first I loved the buildup for the main event of Mania. Lynch, Rousey, and Charlotte have done so well in hyping this match and tonight was no different. They continued to show the hatred for one another and you know this Sunday will be a fight. Like I said how they did that tonight is how you sell the main event. Also, I loved the announcement that Balor will wrestle as The Demon, this is his moment and I hope he and Bobby kill it! It was awesome seeing Beth Phoenix back in the ring, she didn’t miss a step and her and Nattie will be a force to weaken with on Sunday. Batista’s one-liner tonight was also good I believe, I don’t think much needed to be done here as the time for talk is over with these two. I loved how Seth Rollins got one over on Lesnar tonight, Rollins is fighting for the people and he finally got to stick it to The Beast. I hope Rollins destroys him on Sunday and brings the Universe back our title! I cannot wait for WrestleMania on Sunday, this is my favorite day of the year and this is going to be historic this year!!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10