WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 16
By Bryan Heaton
Photo Source: WWE.com
The Superstar Shake-up returns to both WWE Raw and SmackDown Live this week. Find out who’s on the move by following our live review.
Previously on WWE Raw, it was party time in NOLA. A bunch of NXT superstars made their debuts on the main roster. Nicholas ended his WWE career by “retiring” undefeated, and relinquishing the Raw Tag Team Championships he won at WrestleMania with Braun Strowman. And Jeff Hardy had a very interesting conversation with his brother Matt, and Matt’s new buddy Bray Wyatt.
This week, it’s all about the Superstar Shake-up. As was the case last year, several superstars will be on the move between the Raw and SmackDown brands. No one is immune from being swapped — in 2017, the Intercontinental Champion was “traded” for the United States Champion, when Dean Ambrose went to Raw and Kevin Owens headed to SmackDown Live. Much of the night will likely be devoted to introducing new superstars to the Raw brand.
But there’s a few matches scheduled for the evening, as well. First up, Bayley and Sasha Banks will finally settle their score in a singles match. Or will they? We all know that in the wild WWE landscape, things aren’t always what they seem. The Boss and Bayley have been at each other’s throats for months now, but with the Shake-up on the horizon will a true conclusion be reached?
And the final match of the not-tournament tournament to determine new challengers for the Raw Tag Team Championships will happen tonight, too. The Revival and Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt won their matches in the “tag team eliminator” last week to earn a spot in tonight’s match. The winners will face The Bar at The Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia with the vacant titles on the line. Who will get a title match?
With so much scheduled to happen — not to mention building upon the returns of Bobby Lashley and Samoa Joe last week — WWE Raw should be a good watch tonight. Follow along with our live review right here, starting at 8 p.m. ET.