The Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania is known for exciting moments and a passionate crowd. Tonight, we are expected to have all of those, from surprising returns to NXT call-ups and everything in-between.
Opening Segment
Following his victory last night, Roman Reigns makes his way down to the ring. The fans boo and chant insults at him for about ten minutes (not an exaggeration), says “This is my yard now,” and walks away.
The Hardy Boyz (c) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – Raw Tag Team Championships
Last night, Gallows and Anderson defended the Raw Tag Team Championships in what they thought was going to be a triple threat ladder match. However, The Hardy Boyz made a surprise return to WWE and won the titles on the same night. One night after losing the titles, Gallows and Anderson cash in their rematch clause.
Matt Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Luke Gallows, and Jeff Hardy finishes him off with the Swanton Bomb to retain the titles. Winners, and STILL Raw Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz
Neville vs. Mustafa Ali
Neville successfully defended the Cruiserweight Championship against Austin Aries last night, which leaves the #1 Contender spot wide open. Mustafa Ali had a great match with the King of the Cruiserweights a couple weeks ago, but he couldn’t find pick up the win. If he does tonight, however, he will definitely be in title contention.
The King of the Cruiserweights looks to hit the Red Arrow, but he doesn’t want to give the fans what they want. Instead, he drops down to the canvas and forces Mustafa Ali to submit to the Rings of Saturn. Winner (via submission): Neville
In-ring Segment
Vince McMahon makes a rare return to Monday Night Raw, and he starts things off with big news: next week, there will be a Superstar shake-up of sorts. However, with Stephanie McMahon being away for a while after being sent through a table, we need a General Manager to keep Raw in order. Teddy Long makes an appearance thinking it’s him, but it turns out to be Kurt Angle.
The New Day vs. The Revival
After finishing their jobs as the hosts of WrestleMania, the New Day return to in-ring action by issuing an open challenge. The challenge is answered by The Revival, who are former, and the only, two-time NXT Tag Team Champions. The Revival is the first NXT call-up of the week, and they should be a big boost to the Raw tag team division.
Dash Wilder gets the blind tag, and The Revival uses this to their advantage to hit the Shatter Machine on Xavier Woods. After the match, Wilder and Scott Dawson try to injure the leg of Kofi Kingston. Winners: The Revival
Bayley, Dana Brooke, & Sasha Banks vs. Emma, Nia Jax, & Charlotte
Bayley retained the Raw Women’s Championship in an elimination Fatal Four-Way match against Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, and Charlotte. Now, we have a six-woman tag match as the division gets a bit of a reset. On top of there being no #1 Contender, there is a Superstar shake-up next week, which could mean that some of these women might not be on Raw anymore.
Almost everyone is laid out at ringside, except for Sasha Banks and Charlotte. Banks counters the Natural Selection into the Bank Statement to give her team the victory. After the match, Charlotte gets angry at her partners and Nia Jax retaliates by knocking her out. Winners: Bayley, Dana Brooke, & Sasha Banks
In-ring Segment
Brock Lesnar won the Universal Championship from Goldberg last night, and he authorized Paul Heyman to issue a challenge to Roman Reigns (the only other person to defeat Undertaker at WrestleMania). Instead of Reigns, Lesnar grabs the attention of Braun Strowman. Lesnar wants to fight, but Strowman wants to do it on his time.
Backstage Segment
Chris Jericho is being interviewed about his United States Championship loss to Kevin Owens when he gets attacked by Owens and Samoa Joe. He is scheduled to take on Owens and Joe alongside Seth Rollins, but Y2J going through a table could keep him out of action.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro – #1 Contender’s Match (Raw Tag Team Championships)
Since Gallows and Anderson lost their championship rematch earlier tonight, there is an open spot for a team to be the #1 Contenders. Both of these teams were involved in the ladder match last night, and whoever wins this match will get another opportunity to defeat the Hardy Boyz for the titles.
Big Cass attempts to toss Enzo Amore for Badaboom Shakalaka, but Sheamus hits Cass with a Brogue Kick. The Celtic Warrior then throws Amore into Cesaro for a European uppercut and the win. Winners, and NEW #1 Contenders: Sheamus & Cesaro
Jinder Mahal vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn was talking to Raw General Manager Kurt Angle when he was interrupted by Jinder Mahal. Mahal wanted justice for Rob Gronkowski interfering in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Mahal was frustrated at the fact that Zayn was still there even though he was the one interrupting, and Angle made his first match as GM.
Jinder Mahal attacks Zayn before the match, but it didn’t help him in the end. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on the former 3MB member for the swift victory. Winner: Sami Zayn
Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins & Finn Balor
Chris Jericho was supposed to be Seth Rollins’ partner for this match, but Jericho was attacked earlier tonight and Kurt Angle needed to find a replacement. He picked a pretty good one in Finn Balor, whose last appearance on Raw was him relinquishing the WWE Universal Championship.
Seth Rollins knocks Samoa Joe out of the ring, and Finn Balor hits the Coup de Grace on Kevin Owens to pick up the big win in his return to Raw. Winners: Seth Rollins & Finn Balor
