WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 16

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Bayley vs. Sasha Banks

Result: No contest due to Riott Squad interference

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

It’s totally unfair to do so, but I can’t help but compare any match between these two superstars to the classic bout they put on at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015. To date, it is still the only match I’ve ever seen that legitimately brought tears to my eyes. I’ve heard fan gripes that this is being “wasted” on a standard episode of Raw rather than a pay per view, but there’s no way this is the end of the story. Going in, my gut was telling me that something would happen to prevent finality tonight, one of the two will be moving to SmackDown Live, and the true culmination of the storyline will happen at SummerSlam — in Brooklyn, because destiny.

I think the crowd suffered after the surprise title change immediately prior to this match, because until Banks and Bayley started brawling they were silent. And that’s a shame, because both superstars went all out even before that sequence. There were a lot of moves by both superstars that you don’t often see — if ever. This match was that important to both Bayley and Banks. Digging deep into the playbook only happens when you need that extra something.

Of course, as predicted it’s all for naught, since the Riott Squad ran into the ring to break up Sasha’s Bank Statement before Bayley could tap. Guess Absolution will follow Paige to SmackDown tomorrow night, because there’s no reason for both stables in the same place. Provided Bayley and Sasha both stay on Raw, this could be that thing that holds the “friendship” together for a bit longer.

If the whole match was as good as the last minute and a half, it would be terrific. As it stands, it’s still another great match, dead crowd notwithstanding. A real finish would have been nice, but I wasn’t expecting one here. So far, so good for Raw tonight.