Welcome to Monday Night RAW RAW 4/27. We are less than two weeks out from a very different looking Money in the Bank Pay Per View. I for one, am excited to see this new concept play out on May 10th as the WWE Superstars climb the proverbial corporate ladder at WWE HQ in Stamford, CT.
We’re off to a good start for RAW 4/27 with Samoa Joe back on commentary which is a “clutch” move. It also doesn’t hurt that the show opens with my all time favorite Rey Mysterio and a current favorite, Aleister Black (along with Apollo Crews) as guests on the VIP Lounge.
Give me a straight up match between these two and this could be an epic show. But as expected we’re looking at a three on three match with the aforementioned superstars along versus the yet to be named Zelina Vega lead stable of “All Day” Austin Theory, Andrade, and Charly Caruso’s favorite, Angel Garza. I’m more than okay with this match, as expectations are already high.
Aleister and Garza open the match with some great technical wrestling. Crews follows up against Theory and really showcases his power. The commentary team agrees Apollo is turning a corner here and I very much agree. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get an honest shot at the US Title because I can’t remember the last time it’s been defended. Rey finally makes his way into the match which allows Andrade and Mysterio to put on a clinic as they have many times before. Surprisingly, Apollo picks up the W after kicking out of a massive elbow from Andrade and reversing his Hammerlock DDT attempt into a modified powerbomb to pin the US Champ! Big win for Apollo!
It looks like Apollo is even getting his title shot tonight as Andrade is openly disappointed with his partners and makes the challenge during an interview with Charly Caruso (who just gets more beautiful every single week). Put my money on Apollo to get the strap.
Up next is the much anticipated triple threat between “The Queen of Spades” Shayna Baszler, “The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka, and the powerful Nia Jax. This match turns into a brawl early outside of the ring. Ladders come into play early as Nia is able to run down both opponents with a ladder … and that’s it? No pinfall or bell as Nia’s music hits after she hits the move.
Hold up. The commentary team is saying the match never started, but why were they clearly stating that there are no count outs or DQs in a triple threat match earlier. So even if this is the case why would the match end or get thrown out. Also I noticed no referee. Very confused right now. In any case the plan was to establish Nia’s return as a dominant force or seemingly so. The execution however, was super confusing. I think we missed a few beats here.
Backstage Lashley asks Lana not to accompany him to the ring because she’s too beautiful. So that’s over.
Lashley dominates Denzel Dejournette in a squash match. Always happy to see up and comers continuously on RAW but I think this is beyond Lashley at this point.
Up Next former Riott Squad members Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan square up. In what seemed like another squash match Liv actually kicks out of an early Riott Kick. I fully expected Liv to win but I am VERY surprised at this particular kick out. I think it speaks volumes for the future of Liv. Liv hits her very unique finisher “ObLIVion” and picks up the win as expected. Clearly the former Riot Squad member is Liv – ing her best life as she rides this wave of momentum.
Post match Liv is interviewed by Byron Saxton and seemingly blanked on a few lines from her promo. She says that she is figuring out who she is right now and that she is “confident” (three times).
Throughout the night we are reliving many of HHH’s most memorable moments, and let’s be real. They are all gold.Maybe with the exception of the Sting Match.
Nia cuts a promo saying saying there is “NOTHING” anyone can do to stop her. Please don’t yell at Charly.
The Viking Raiders cut a promo challenging the Street Profits for the titles. We’ve seen them feud in the past but I’m okay with this. As we always say the real winners will be the fans. Just no more carpool singalongs with the Viking (War) Raiders, please.
Surprised to see Jinder Mahal return to Monday Night Raw 4/27 as I had not heard anything about his return leading up to the show. Surprises are good right now. Jinder returns with the obligatory return haircut to take on Akira Tozawa who I’ve been thrilled to see on Raw every week. I like this opponent choice. I did not however want to see Tozawa get clobbered like this. Oh well. Just a reminder that you shouldn’t hinder the Jinder. Welcome back. Very interested to see what is the next chapter of the Jinder-ella story holds.
Backstage Charly Caruso (who just get even prettier) is woo’ed by Angel Garza. He gives Charly a rose as he hopes to get better acquainted. Charly is smitten and although we all know Garza just got engaged on NXT television, but I am glad to see Charly being worked into an angle. This could be fun.
Up next Apollo gets one of his only his singles titles shots on television in years. ( I can remember maybe one IC Title shot in the past few years)?
I’m glad they are giving this match time. Lots of technical wrestling early in a very even matchup. The pace picks up and Andrade goes for his hammerlock DDT but Crews almost hits the exact same counter he won with earlier in the night. Crews misses a splash off the top and injures his knee.
The ref calls it! I am super bummed right now. Not only by the outcome, but another abrupt ending tonight!
Backstage the Street Profits accept the Viking Raiders Challenge. Next week we should have a stellar tag title match.
Cue up the Becky Wrestlemania moment Video package which is still super inspiring. What a year it’s been for The Man!
Our next match features the team of Ricochet and Cedric Alexander (Cedric-ochet?) against more up and comers Martel & Parker aka Ever-Rise (formerly 3.0 in Chikara). Surprisingly these newcomers are getting in a TON of offense. Obviously we see Ric and Cedric making moves in the tag team division but how are ya gonna top the Ricochet/Aleister Black pairing? I have mixed feelings as both of these cruiserweights are stellar singles competitors. Our faves use a combo stomp DDT to win.
MVP appears on the Titantron with his new crew Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink. Not sure if he their manager or not as he’s kind of been filling that GM type role A LOT. Think about it. Looks like another fresh matchup for next week. (Editor’s Note: Thorne and Vink were formerly part of The Mighty Don’t Kneel in Japan and the Australian independents along with current NXT star Bronson Reed and former NXT star Nick Miller).
Backstage Apollo is on crutches and in tears. He has no words. Charly gives him a caring pat on the shoulder because SHE IS AN ANGEL!
Contract signing time to close out RAW 4/27. Even though I’m not great at calling things tonight I’m gonna say Seth Rollins goes through the table. I haven’t been the biggest proponent of face Drew McIntyre but I’ll say he’s won me over thus far. Not to mention his story has been beyond incredible. Rollins embraces his holier than though attitude and says that McIntyre isn’t a leader. Rollins touts his own accolades and says the WWE Universe needs a leader to guide them right now. Drew calls him out and says he is full of “Shi!” on live television! He says Rollins somehow manages to have his foot in his mouth and his head up his ass at the same time. He continually wins me over on the mic. After Seth signs Buddy Murphy jumps the WWE Champion but Drew rallies and hits Buddy with a Claymore kick as Seth retreats.
RAW 4/27 started out very strong, but left me scratching my head with several abrupt finishes. I was nearly certain we’d see a new champion tonight but I guess we will have to wait a little longer for our night OF the Apollo.
