After every WrestleMania, the following episode of Monday Night Raw is the most exciting of the year. The crowd is still pumped from being at WrestleMania, so there is always energy. Most importantly, the post-Mania Raw is essentially a “season premiere” for WWE, with surprises, new feuds, and NXT call-ups. Expect tonight’s episode of Raw to be no different.
Opening Segment
To kick things off strong is the Chairman of the WWE, Vince McMahon. After playing to the excited crowd, Vince McMahon tells the crowd that this will be an episode of Raw that won’t be forgotten.
Before Vince gets to the back, Shane McMahon is somehow alive and joins his father on the stage. He shakes Vince’s hand, and thanks the fans for all their support, and says goodbye. Vince doesn’t want to be upstaged, so he makes a huge announcement. To prove is point that Shane McMahon shouldn’t be control of Raw, he is giving Shane a chance at running the show tonight.
Big E & Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods) (c) vs. Sheamus & King Barrett (w/Rusev & Alberto Del Rio) – Tag Team Championship
Last night, The League of Nations defeated the New Day in a six-man tag team match, and have earned themselves a Tag Team Championship match tonight.
After The League of Nations gets some offense in, Big E and Kofi Kingston hit the Big Ending/DDT double team on King Barrett to retain their titles. Winners, and STILL Tag Team Champions: The New Day
After the match, Sheamus is angry about their constant failures, and says that “you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” Sheamus immediately hits Wade Barrett with a Brogue Kick. After laying out Barrett, The Wyatt Family interrupts and decimates the League of Nations, which is potentially a face turn.
Summer Rae vs. Sasha Banks
Before the match starts, Summer Rae starts insulting Banks about how she failed to win the Women’s Championship triple threat match last night.
Not too long into the match, Sasha Banks reverses a roll-up into the Bank Statement and forces Summer Rae to tap out. Winner (by submission): Sasha Banks
Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze
Well, this is the first NXT surprise of the night. It’s not clear as to whether or not Crews is permanently on the main roster, but either way this is great.
Crews hits a gorilla press, standing moonsault, and a launching spin-out powerbomb on Tyler Breeze to win his Monday Night Raw debut. Winner: Apollo Crews
In-ring Segment
Roman Reigns is in the ring to celebrate his WWE World Heavyweight Championship title win last night, when he is interrupted by Chris Jericho. Jericho demands a shot at the title, and they are both interrupted by AJ Styles. Before Styles says anything, former Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens joins three of them in the ring. Sami Zayn comes to the ring to attack Owens, and Styles starts fighting Jericho, with Reigns watching everything. Reigns spears Jericho to end the segment.
Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
Last night, Baron Corbin was called up to the main roster, and won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in the process. Ziggler is a good first singles opponent for Corbin, who will make Corbin look good no matter who wins.
Corbin and Ziggler fans behind the barricade, and it results in a double count-out. Result (via count-out): Draw
After the match, an angry Baron Corbin hits the End of Days on Dolph Ziggler outside of the ring (seen below).
Angered by a double countout decision, @BaronCorbinWWE gives @HEELZiggler the #EndOfDays! #RAW pic.twitter.com/wKsHFoz5H4
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2016
Zack Ryder (c) vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship
It is refreshing to see Zack Ryder as the Intercontinental Champion, and as the fans chanted, he deserved it. Ryder starts thanking his dad (who is in the audience), when he gets interrupted by The Miz. Miz says that if Ryder wants to show that his title win isn’t a fluke, he should defend his title tonight, and Ryder accepts.
During the match, Zack Ryder’s dad pushes the Miz, then Maryse (Miz’s wife) slaps Ryder’s dad. Zack Ryder is distracted by all of this, and the Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale to win his fifth Intercontinental Championship. Winner, and NEW Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
In-ring Segment
WWE Hall of Famer Lita is in the ring with all of the other women on the WWE main roster to officially present Charlotte with the new WWE Women’s Championship, which she won by defeating Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match last night. Charlotte goes on about how great she is, and all of the women walk out except for Natalya.
Natalya challenges Charlotte, who refuses, and says her family is better than Natalya’s family. Natalya goes for the Sharpshooter on Charlotte, but Ric Flair helps his daughter escape.
Video Package
There’s a weird segment with Primo and Epico about how great Puerto Rico is.
The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz – Tables Match
If you didn’t think WWE could make this feud go any longer, here we are. The Dudleys decided to never use tables anymore, so this match forces them to go back on their word.
For those who don’t know, in order to win this match, one member from the opposing team must be put through a table.
The #DudleyBoyz add another #TablesMatch victory to their illustrious career! @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/hfcxap8FaN
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2016
Both Dudleys dodge a splash from the Usos, and D-Von Dudley sends one of the Usos through a table to pick up the win. Winners: The Dudley Boyz
Backstage Segment
Sami Zayn is being interviewed by Renee Young, when Kevin Owens attacks Zayn from out of nowhere, and powerbombs Zayn through a table.
In-ring Segment
After commercial, The Dudleys are at ringside yelling at fans, and they are interrupted by Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. Enzo cuts a great promo, Big Cass calls the Dudleys soft, and it looks like we have a new feud (but no Carmella, unfortunately).
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho vs. Cesaro – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
Sami Zayn was scheduled to compete in this match, but Michael Cole says that since Owens attacked Zayn earlier in the night, Zayn will be unable to compete, so he is replaced by the returning Cesaro, who has been out for months with an injury.
Chris Jericho looks to put AJ Styles away, but Styles hits Jericho with the Styles Clash to earn an opportunity to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: AJ Styles
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