Raw Review 04/22/2019

We are just one week removed from the SuperStar Shake-Up so what will the newly acquired SuperStars have in store for Monday Night Raw? Seth Rollins has now said goodbye to Roman Reigns as he went to SmackDown Live and to Dean Ambrose who is exiting WWE, but now that The Beast Slayer has no more distractions who will be his first challenger for the Universal Championship? Also, after securing a future title match for the Raw Women’s Championship does Lacey Evans have what it takes to beat The Man Becky Lynch? Finally, The Miz was the first SuperStar to arrive on raw from SmackDown but he did so in big fashion attacking Shane McMahon, is this rivalry over or does Miz have unfinished business?

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Raw comes to us from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa

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

In Ring Segment: Triple H & Seth Rollins
Rollins says this whole thing is too surreal to him to be standing here in the middle of the ring in his home state after everything they’ve been through together and everything he and Triple H have been through together and to be standing here with the Universal Championship is surreal. He tells how he slayed the beast and brought the title home. Triple H says Rollins walked in a King Slayer and walked out a certified Beast Slayer. He says Rollins did exactly what he said he was gonna do. Triple H says now the landscape has changed, he says Rollins is no the Universal Champion and the measuring stick. He tells Rollins as Universal Champion the whole world is gunning for him. Rollins says he knows that and he knows Money In The Bank is around the corner. He says he knows what it can do as he’s cashed in and had it cashed in on him  but promises to never let that happen again. Triple H tells him to be worried about who he is gonna be defending the Universal title against that night. Rollins says what’s next and Triple H says that is what we are gonna find out here tonight. He tells about the Triple Threat matches tonight and how the winners will compete against each other later tonight and the winner will go on to face Rollins at MITB. Rollins goes to talk but is interrupted by Samoa Joe.
Joe says it seems like he missed his invitation. He says he does what he wants when he wants and tonight the U.S. Champion Samoa Joe has arrived on Raw. Joe says Lynch has come up with interesting concept with the double championship and his shoulders are plenty wide and there is room for one more which would be Rollins.
Rey Mysterio then comes out and says Joe isn’t the only one looking to make an impact. Mysterio says at MITB he sees himself versus Rollins. Out comes Drew Mcintyre.
Mcintyre says he doesn’t give a damn about what these two think they deserve. He says he has spent a year cleaning this place up and getting zero title opportunities and now it is his time. He says the only reason Rollins is Universal Champion is because he got to Brock Lesnar before him. He says he is gonna win tonight and go to MITB and beat Rollins and finally be Universal Champion. Out comes The Miz.
Miz tells Rollins once again they are on the same brand and once again he has what he wants. He tells these past few months has shown him he can be a man worthy of the Universal Championship. He says he can’t think of a more must see match for MITB than Seth Rollins versus The Miz. Out comes Baron Corbin.
Corbin says he is the most deserving man to challenge Seth. he tells how he retired a legend a WrestleMania. He then ask the other SuperStars if they’ve beaten a gold medalist in his farewell match at WrestleMania. Out comes AJ Styles.
Styles asks Corbin if he ever shuts up. He tells him his face is almost as annoying as his voice. He then says everyone in this ring has forgot that AJ Styles is on Raw. Styles says he is gonna win his triple threat match and face the winner of the other one and that guy is gonna out why SmackDown Live was the house that AJ Styles built. He says this is Raw so he is gonna give the WWE Universe what they’ve always wanted and that is him versus Seth Rollins. Rollins asks Triple H if this is what he was talking about. He says he is ready and it doesn’t matter who he faces because he is Seth fricken Rollins and he is gonna burn it down.
My Opinion:
All six man have a claim to why they should be facing for the Universal title so it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top. Raw has a lot of great talent now and over the next year, we are gonna see a lot of great match-ups. I think Rollins will overcome whoever faces him first. Rollins is a fighting champion and no matter who comes to MITB he will be ready.

Match 1: AJ Styles vs Rey Mysterio vs Samoa Joe:
Winner advances to the Universal Championship #1 Contenders Match later tonight
Joe hits Mysterio with a headbutt and then goes after Styles. He takes down Styles and is in control. Mysterio fights back and gets Joe in the corner. Styles gets back into it and throws Mysterio in the corner. Styles and Mysterio then work together to take out Joe. Mysterio lands a big kick on Styles and uses his quickness to avoid him. Styles comes back with a backbreaker. Styles goes to the apron and hits Joe with a big knee. Styles then gets back in the ring and continues to hammer on Mysterio. Mysterio uses body strikes to fight back but once again Styles lands a backbreaker. Styles goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out. Mysterio has to go to the outside. Styles meets him out there and hits Joe and then throws Mysterio back in the ring. Styles stays on Mysterio but Joe comes back and knocks Styles down with a back elbow. He then focuses on Mysterio and throws him to the outside. Joe hits the uranage on styles and goes for the cover but Styles kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Styles pick up Joe and is able to hit him with big strikes. Mysterio and Styles go at it. Mysterio takes down Styles and then takes out Joe on the outside. He came back in the ring and goes for a suplex but Styles blocks. Joe comes in and suplexes both of them to the mat. Joe tries a series of covers but can’t get the win as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Joe hits Styles with a clothesline and goes for another cover but Styles kicks out. Mysterio comes from the top and takes out Joe. Mysterio is able to hit a DDT on Joe. he hits him on the ropes and sets him up for the 619 but Joe moves out of the way. Joe then locks in the Coquina Clutch. Styles comes off the ropes and Joe locks it in on him. Styles fights out and hits the pay lay kick on Joe. Mysterio then hits a 619 on Joe and Styles after setting them both up. Styles catches Mysterio and plants him on Joe. He then hits the Styles Clash on Mysterio. Styles covers Joe and gets the 1 2 3 and advances to later tonight.
Winner: AJ Styles: Advances to #1 Contender’s Match
My Opinion:
Huge win for styles as he advances to later tonight. Styles always took care of business on SmackDown Live and now he is doing it on Raw. Styles looks locked in and tonight he took all Joe and Mysterio had to give. He definitely is gonna be feeling it later tonight but he has to turn it on and go out there and be Phenomenal. As for Joe and Mysterio, it looks like their rivalry is far from over.

Match 2: Naomi vs Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce
Kay lands a big kick and takes down Naomi but can’t put here away. Kay then locks in an abdominal stretch. Naomi fights out and is able to take down Kay with a clothesline. Naomi then lands a big back elbow. Naomi takes it to Kay and takes out Royce who tries to interfere. Naomi is able to land a roll up and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Naomi
My Opinion:
Unfortunately, this was a quick match but Naomi did get a big win tonight. I don’t know if she is more suited for a singles run or a tag team run but hopefully, those in need of a partner took notice. Naomi has proven she can get the job done and it’ll be interesting to see how she works into the Raw roster as we go forward.

Match 3: The Miz vs Baron Corbin vs Drew Mcintyre:
Winner advances to the Universal Championship #1 Contenders Match later tonight
Miz goes after Mcintyre but Corbin comes from behind and throws him off the ropes. Miz tries a roll-up but Corbin kicks out. He does the same to Mcintyre and he too kicks out. Miz goes to the outside and Mcintyre and Corbin look to team up. Miz gets back in the ring and lands a big double boot to the outside stunning both men. Corbin and Mcintyre work together and stay on Miz. back in the ring they continue to pound on Miz and beat him down. Corbin then hits Miz with a big right hand to the ribs. Corbin then hits Mcintyre with a big right after faking him out. On the outside, Corbin runs Miz into the barricade. Miz is able to reverse Corbin and throw him into the barricade this time. Mcintyre then comes from behind and hits Miz. in the ring Mcintyre hits a suplex and goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Miz tries to go after Corbin but he goes to the outside and comes back in and hits Mcintyre with a clothesline. Miz and Corbin then battle. Miz is able to hit the IT kicks in the corner. He hits a clothesline on Mcintyre and then flies off the ropes to take out both men. Miz hits the IT kicks on both men but Mcintyre comes back and hits the Glasgow Kiss. he gets Miz on the top rope and Miz has to fight back. Miz knocks him down to the mat but Corbin comes and runs into Miz as Mcintyre side steps. Mcintyre meets Miz up top again and hits a chop. Mcintyre then puts Miz on his back. Corbin comes over and slams both men as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin hits Mcintyre with a big right on the outside. Mcintyre fights back with big rights of his own. Miz flies to the outside to take out both men again. Corbin is then driven into the timekeeper’s area. Miz then brings Mcintyre back in the ring. Mcintyre takes control but can’t put away Miz. Mcintyre looks for the Claymore but it sidestepped and Miz locks in the Figure Four. Mcintyre pushes the ref out of the way and hits Miz with a thumb to the eye. Mcintyre then is sent out of the ring. Corbin comes in and hits Miz with Deep Six. Corbin goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Corin goes to the outside and runs after Miz but runs into the steps. Miz tries to steal one but Mcintyre kicks out. Mcintyre hits a spinebuster and jackknife cover but Miz kicks out. Miz counters Mcintyre on the DDT attempt and lands one of his own. Corbin comes in and looks for End of Days but Miz counters him and hits another DDT. Miz goes for the cover but Corbin kicks out. Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale but Corbin fights out for a moment before Miz sends him to the outside. Mcintyre hits the Claymore Kick and Corbin moves him out of the way and goes for the cover and steals the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin: Advances to #1 Contender’s Match
My Opinion:
Wow, this is a huge win for Baron Corbin. I think Corbin right now has luck on his side and very well could beat Styles. For Rollins, you have to think you want Corbin to win and face the lesser experienced. Either way, Corbin showed he takes advantage of his opportunities and I think it’s awesome. I love Corbin so if he can pull off this big win and get a shot at the title that’ll be huge.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Styles how he will deal with Corbin. Styles says it’s about the size of the fight in the dog. He goes over Corbin’s accomplishments but says he accolades himself. He says he is a two time U.S. Champion and two time WWE Champion. He says one regular basis he beat up John Cena. He says this is about picking a fight with the biggest bully in the yard and winning. He says Rollins is gonna hear what everyone else will and that is the winner of the match is AJ Styles.

In Ring Segment: Sami Zayn
Zayn says in the last couple of weeks he has been telling the fans the truth about themselves. He says no one wants to hear how they’re negative so everyone acted in denial. He says people created a false narrative that he became a bitter person. He says he is the opposite, he is jubilant and a happy person. He says the ten months he was away was the happiest time of his life. He then shows pictures of him on vacations while on his time off. He says he was living the good life and then as his return was approaching he started feeling depression and anxiety. He says he couldn’t figure out what it was about WWE that was making him sick. He says he didn’t know if it was the corporate structure or the egomaniacs in the back. He says he figured out the problem and the problem is the fans and the toxic cultural they create and perpetuate onto everyone else except themselves. He tells the crowd it is easier to blame him than blame themselves. He says he is making them responsible and holding them to account. He says their tribe mentality won’t keep them safe from him. He says he would rather be anywhere else on earth than depressed Des Moines Iowa. He tells them if they have a problem with it they should all take a trip. He says they can all go to hell.
My Opinion:
This new character to Zayn is very interesting, I like that they are letting him run with what he says and sound off. He definitely has the fans against him like he wants but he is gonna have to keep this hot. A lot of times when going after the fans and complaining what is said has already been said before. To keep it fresh you really have to be creative but I believe in Zayn and believe he will get this over.

Match 4: Cedric Alexander vs Cesaro
Cesaro and Alexander lock up and Cesaro throws him to the mat. Cesaro works his arm but Alexander fights out. He locks in a side headlock but Cesaro fights out and slams him. Cesaro hits him with an uppercut in the corner and continues with the strikes. Alexander is able to catch Cesaro and hit him with a dropkick that sends him to the floor. Cesaro comes back y overpowering Alexander and slamming him. Cesaro goes for the cover but Alexander kicks out. Cesaro catches Alexander off the top rope and hits a backbreaker. Cesaro goes for the cover again but Alexander kicks out. Cesaro then grinds on Alexander’s face with a forearm. Alexander fights back but as he comes off the ropes he is hit with a big a boot. Cesaro goes for another cover but still, Alexander won’t stay down. Cesaro lifts Alexander and slams him. Cesaro goes to a submission on the mat and stays in control. Alexander fights back and tries a sunset flip but Cesaro hangs on and pulls him up. Alexander turns it into a cover but Cesaro kicks out. The two trade strikes and Alexander is able to catch him with a back elbow. He takes down Cesaro and stays on him. Alexander hits a boot and tries to fly off the ropes but Cesaro catches him. Alexander is able to hit a Michinoku driver but Cesaro kicks out of the cover. Alexander flies over the top rope and takes out Cesaro on the outside. Back in the ring, Cesaro hits a huge uppercut as Alexander flies off the ropes. Cesaro goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Cesaro
My Opinion:
Big win for Cesaro as he returns to being a singles competitor on Raw. he has been in a tag team for so long that this was a good way for him once again to show what he can do. Alexander put up a good fight but he has a lot of adjusting to do to get used to being on Raw now. He showed a lot of weakness out there and beat himself a lot of the time. Hopefully, he will get it figured out and we can see this match again.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes in the Uso’s. They say they are excited to be on Raw and they are ready to lock them all up and knock them down. They then go through the tag teams on Raw. The Revival come up and tell them they are decent hands in the tag division but this is Raw and they are not locking down anything. The Uso’s tell them they are Raw and welcome them to the Uso penitentiary.

The Viking Raiders vs Lucha House Party
The Viking Raiders attack the Lucha House party before the match. They take out Dorado and then take out Metalik and Kalisto at the same time. Ivar then slams Dorado to the mat just like done to Metalik and Kalisto.
My Opinion:
I still wish these guys were War Raiders but nonetheless these two are an amazing tag team. I am so impressed by their in-ring work and there is no doubt they are poised for success. These guys just have what it takes and hopefully, it won’t be long before they are champs. It took a while for AOP to catch on so I hope they don’t suffer that same fate.

Backstage Segment:
Hawkins and Ryder say they found out what the Viking Raiders are capable of but they are new. Ryder says there is a reason they have been here a long time. Hawkins says they earned these and Ryder adds they won’t let them steal what they earned.

In Ring Segment: Becky Lynch
Lynch says there is something in the air tonight in Iowa. She then tells how she found out last week her first opponent is gonna be Lacey Evans. She says she has made a career slapping bleach blondes who curry favor from management. She says while Lacey is in the back trying to further her career she is out here ready to fight anyone trying to cement hers. Out comes Lacey Evans.
Evans says she can’t understand why Lynch lets her emotions get to her. She says a lady is always in control over emotions, lesson two she is never a showoff, and lesson three at MITB she will teach a man how to respect a lady with a Women’s Right and those two titles will be around the waist of a classy lady. Lynch tells Evans she is getting on her last nerve. She says her Irish emotions wanna slap her head off her shoulders. She says she will go to MITB and dismantle Evans because she can and it will be time for The Man to go back and collect her debts.
My Opinion:
This rivalry with Lynch and Evans is getting interesting. Evans has a lot to prove and honestly, I’m not a fan of her character but Lynch definitely can help. I think Evans really needs to have a good match at MITB and prove something. For Lynch, she is The Man and I don’t see Evans as being the one to dethrone her. Lynch worked so hard to get to this point that Evans is gonna have to do way too much to ever pull off an upset like that.

Match 5: Becky Lynch vs Alicia Fox
Lynch works a side headlock and takes Fox down to a knee. Lynch lands a nice takedown and Fox is put on her back. Fox fights out and works a headlock of her own. Fox lands a shoulder tackle and tries a cover but Lynch gets out of it quick. Lynch avoids a dropkick and lands a big kick of her own on Fox. Fox goes to the outside and is driven into the barricade. Lynch meets her out there and hits Fox. she then bounces her off the ring. Fox is able to drive her into the barricade and then land a big kick. Fox brings her back into the ring and tries a cover but Lynch kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lynch tries to throw Fox off the ropes but is met with a kick. Fox tries a series of covers but Lynch kicks out. Fox then goes to a chin lock. Lynch hits her with rights and is able to escape. Lynch is able to fight off Fox. Fox then dumps Lync to the apron. Lynch hits Fox with a right hand. Lynch brings her back in the ring but this time Fox hits her with a right. Lynch’s comes back with a flying forearm. Lynch hits a series of becksploders. Fox is able to evade Lynch for a moment. Lynch locks in the dis-arm-her and Fox taps.
***After the match Evans comes in and lays out Lynch. Lynch comes back to her feet and Evans hits her with another right.
Winner: Becky Lynch
My Opinion:
Good win for Lynch tonight, it didn’t come as easy as I thought it would for her but she got the job done. Lynch is a fighting champion and I’m glad to see her on Raw now as well. Lynch better watch out though because that Lacey Evans has a mean right hand. Evans made a statement tonight that’s for sure but I bet Lynch will be ready next time.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Corbin about the odds defied tonight and if he can do it again. Corbin asks what odds he defied tonight. He says the one thing that is gonna give him pleasure is making Seth Rollins pay for making his life miserable. Charly asks Corbin if he is looking past AJ Styles. Corbin says he is looking right through him.

Match 6: Ricochet vs Robert Roode
Ricochet backs Roode into the corner. Roode comes back with a kick and hits Ricochet with a right hand. Ricochet fights out of the corner but Roode stays on him. Roode works a side headlock and keeps Ricochet on the mat. Ricochet is knocked to his feet but once again is knocked back down. Ricochet uses his quickness and takes down Roode. Roode tries to send Ricochet to the floor but he hangs on. Ricochet fights back and sends Roode to the floor. Ricochet tries to fly but Roode moves out of the way. Ricochet takes out Roode on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Roode works a chin lock on the mat. Ricochet makes it to a vertical base and lands big elbows to the mid-section. Roode slows the momentum with a big strike to Ricochet. Roode lands a big suplex and goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Roode then wrenches on the nose and of Ricochet. Roode then locks in a camel clutch. Roode drags Ricochet to his feet. Ricochet fights him off and knocks Roode to the center of the ring. The two men then trade rights before Ricochet knocks Roode down. Ricochet throws Roode and sends him flying. Ricochet hits him in the corner and then lands a big kick. Ricochet knocks down Roode and then lands a standing shooting star. Ricochet goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Roode fights back with elbows to the jaw. Ricochet lands a roll-up but Roode kicks out. Roode lands a spinebuster and tries a cover of his own but Ricochet kicks out. Roode looks for a DDT but Ricochet is able to duck. Ricochet lands a knee to the face but still, Roode won’t stay down. Ricochet goes for the 630 but lands on his feet. Roode hits him from behind and sends him into the second turnbuckle. Roode hits the Glorious DDT and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Robert Roode
My Opinion:
Wow, I’m shocked Roode got the win but what a match. These two went back and forth and gave each other their best shots. Roode stayed the course and used his veteran ring awareness to take out Ricochet. Roode is looking like he could be setting up for a good singles run. For Ricochet he shouldn’t sweat t to muhc, losses happen and he has a lot to learn from this match tonight. This is one I definitely wanna see again.

*** There is then a vignette for the FireFly Fun House featuring Bray Wyatt.

Match 7: Baron Corbin vs AJ Styles
Winner Faces Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship at MITB
Styles hits Corbin with a huge right hand to start the match. Styles chops away at Corbin before regroup. Styles contours trying to hop down Corbin but Corbin comes back with a big punch. Styles gets back on the offensive and hammers away. Styles is sent to the apron and as he tries to fly back in Corbin hits him with a huge right hand. Corbin then heaves Styles into the corner. Corbin hits Styles with a right and then two more to follow. Styles is as able to send Corbin to the outside. Styles goes to the apron and Corbin grabs him and sends him shoulder first into the apron. Styles is then wiped into the timekeeper’s area. Styles continues to fight back and tries to fly over the barricade but he is caught and driven into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin works the arm of Styles. Styles hits Corbin with an elbow. Corbin lifts him and slams him. Corbin goes for the cover but Styles kicks out. Corbin meets styles up top and continues with strikes on Styles. Styles is able to knock him off and buy time. Styles lands a kick and two more to follow. Corbin throws him off but Styles comes right back with a big right. Styles lifts Corbin but can’t hold him up. Styles comes back with rights and lefts and big backhand. Corbin grabs him and controls him. Styles is able to reverse him and lock in a cover but Corbin kicks out. Corbin tries to hit a clothesline but is hit with a pay lay kick. Corbin comes back with Deep 6. Corbin goes for the cover but Styles kicks out and stays in it. Corbin hits Styles with a clothesline in the corner. Styles is able to reverse Corbin and lock in the calf crusher. Corbin drives him down to the mat to break the hold. Corbin tries to fly but Styles moves and Corbin gets hung up on the ropes. Styles is able to hit the Phenomenal Forearm and get the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** After the match Rollins comes out and shakes Styles hand.
Winner: AJ Styles: #1 Contender for the Universal Championship
My Opinion:
Wow, this was a very good match between these two. Styles had to give everything to get this win but he got the job done. Corbin was in control for a lot of this but he spent to much time toying with Styles. Corbin needed to stay on him more and put it away quicker. Either way, now we have a dream matchup for MITB and this is gonna be huge. They are gonna tear the house down and I can’t wait for it!

Final Thoughts:
This was a pretty good Raw tonight first I loved all the action we got with the two triple threats and then the big main event at the end of the night. Huge congratulations to AJ Styles who has come to Raw and made an immediate impact. Now we get a dream match with him and Rollins and it is gonna be amazing. This is gonna be a huge test for Rollins against someone has reasoned as Styles. Also, I loved the Viking Raiders tonight and even though they didn’t have an official match they didn’t need to because they decimated Lucha House Party and put the tag division on notice. I hope these two get a title shot soon! I was also very impressed by Cesaro tonight who proved he still has what it takes to be a dominant single’s competitor. Cedric Alexander had a good debut but unfortunately came up short. There seems there is some adjusting he needs to do with the increase of size on Raw as compared to 205 Live. on that same note, I was also very impressed by Robert Roode for picking up a huge win over Ricochet. They had such a good match and I hope we seem them get in a good rivalry with each other. Overall all the SuperStars coming the Raw via the Shake-Up seem to be fitting in nicely. There are a lot of people with a lot to prove so this gonna make Raw fun going forward. I can’t wait for all the new matchups and rivalries!
Overall Rating: 6/10