WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 9
By Bryan Heaton
Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
The Miz, Bo Dallas, & Curtis Axel vs. Jeff Hardy, Seth Rollins, & Finn Balor
Result: Jeff Hardy, Seth Rollins, & Finn Balor defeated The Miz, Bo Dallas, & Curtis Axel via pinfall
Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars
Is it just me, or was the ending of this segment a little out of place? All night, superstars were returning, debuting, retiring, or trying to get jobs. So to close out the show, we get a dark match ending? Why not put a high-impact debut in the final segment of the show?
The team of @WWERollins @FinnBalor & @JEFFHARDYBRAND is CLICKING against @mikethemiz @TheBoDallas & @RealCurtisAxel on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/wXEb6wVAGk
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
Instead, after a decent trios match, it’s just an endless parade of finishers. Because the guys doing all the finishers need a way to get over. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great segment. But it seems a little out of place on an episode devoted to introducing fresh faces.
No better way to celebrate #NationalPoetryMonth than some POETRY IN MOTION! Right, @JEFFHARDYBRAND? #RAW #RAWAfterMania @WWERollins @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/rAsq7iHHyP
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 10, 2018
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Honestly, what does “beat up the Miztourage” accomplish? All three guys on the babyface side are super over. Taking out some cocky heels won’t change that. Is The Miz being written off? If he was, wouldn’t he have taken more punishment?
It’s classic WWE booking, in a sense. Logic is thrown out the window in exchange for a moment. Rather than try to put in a bit more effort and actually tell a meaningful story that helps to create moments, WWE goes backwards.
The moments are the big currency of the shows, so creative starts with those and works backward for the “build.” Sometimes, they get lucky; other times, things feel awkward and out of place.
So Jeff Hardy is back, and seemingly at 100%. Finn Balor is the coolest guy in the company. And the Seth Rollins Intercontinental Championship World Tour got started with a bang. We’ve done a lot of work for Backlash tonight, too.
It feels GOOD to see THIS again! #SwantonBomb @JEFFHARDYBRAND @TheBoDallas @FinnBalor @WWERollins #RAW #RawAfterMania pic.twitter.com/GmyBYWy4ak
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
Next: Brock Lesnar Re-Signs with WWE, Scheduled for Greatest Royal Rumble
This was definitely a wild episode of WWE Raw, right? Ember Moon, No Way Jose, and the Authors of Pain debuted. Bobby Lashley returned from hiatus, and Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy returned from injury. And Paige tearfully retired from in ring competition. What did you think of this week’s show?