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

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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.

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A Little Shake, and a Little Bake

Raw General Manager Kurt Angle opens the show with a huge smile on his face. My smile disappeared pretty darn quick, though, because Sunil Singh comes down to announce Jinder Mahal is joining the Raw brand. Ugh.

Interestingly, Mahal was the first Raw superstar to head over to the Blue Team during last year’s Superstar Shake-up. But I’m upset about this for what I can see coming by the time tomorrow night ends. There’s next to no chance that both the United States Champion and Intercontinental Champ will be on the same show. So we’re just counting the seconds until Seth Rollins goes bye bye.

Jinder is clearly playing the role of cocky, elitist heel. He complains about traveling in an SUV, as opposed to a limo. Fair enough, Jinder — I drive an SUV, so it’s clearly not for the elite. And the Modern Day Maharaja proceeds to lambaste the entire Raw roster. He says he’s better than everyone, and they should all know it.

This leads to Kurt Angle instituting what I believe is the first-ever involuntary United States Open Challenge, because according to the GM, Jinder has to back up his words. The challenge is answered by Jeff Hardy, and we actually get a match within the first 10 minutes of Raw. I guess they really are shaking things up tonight!

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Jinder Mahal (w/ Sunil Singh) vs. Jeff Hardy

Result: Jeff Hardy defeated Jinder Mahal via pinfall to become the NEW United States Champion

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Listen, the best thing about this match was how early in the show it happened. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember the last time an episode of WWE Raw had a match start within 10-15 minutes or so. Was it the big gauntlet match back in February before the Elimination Chamber? Sounds about right to me.

But the relatively short promo, coupled with an early match, makes this seem like a fresh episode right out of the gate. It’s not a match that’s going to set the world on fire, though. Hardy doesn’t quite have the stamina he did in his heyday — it’s not like he can’t do anything, but you can tell he’s laboring quite a bit these days.

And the more I look at him, Jinder Mahal looks like a formidable opponent. His history prior to 2017 precedes him, though, so the look gets overshadowed a bit. He seems like he should be a huge star, but he never quite gets over the stink of “former enhancement talent.” You would think a world title reign would help remedy that.

Anyway, this is a pretty standard affair. Jinder works kind of stiff (ask Finn Balor), but that plays into Hardy’s strengths. A surprise title change is the biggest thing of note to happen, with Hardy becoming yet another Grand Slam Champion in WWE.

All things considered, a great first 20 minutes of Raw this week. Surprises abound, less talking and more action — why can’t this be on the docket every week?

After the match, Jinder vents to Renee Young, invoking his rematch clause for The Greatest Royal Rumble next Friday. Before anything really gets going, No Way Jose saunters over and basically tells him to buck up before dancing away with Renee. So get ready for Jinder vs. No Way Jose at Backlash!

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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.

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Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Authors of Pain

Result: Authors of Pain defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno via pinfall

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

First things first, let me say how disappointing it is that Heath Slater is out here in the ring without a mention of his old bandmate being back on Raw. How can you ignore history like that? I swear, if Drew McIntyre shows up tonight, I’m going to push for a 3MB reunion every week until it happens.

As far as tonight, Slater and Rhyno spoke before the match behind floating words to address their loss to AoP last week. Now that they’re “ready,” Slater and Rhyno like their chances. Um, they might be the only ones.

Good strategy by Slater and Rhyno to attack before the bell. Everyone has seen how dominant Akam and Rezar can be, so getting the early advantage is crucial. And now that Paul Ellering is no longer around to guide the Authors, it’s possible Slater and Rhyno thought that the confusion could work in their favor.

But it only lasts for a bit, and AoP comes back to dominate and earn their second victory in as many weeks. It’s been a good showing from the former NXT Tag Team Champions thus far. And with commentary constantly bringing up Sheamus and Cesaro — even though they aren’t Raw Tag Team Champions yet — it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Authors fighting for the tag titles sooner rather than later.

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Miz TV Shakes Things Up, Too

Miz, loving family man and father of Monroe Sky Mizanin, wastes no time in introducing the newest members of the Raw roster — Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. In the immortal words of Captain Raymond Holt, “Oh damn… oh damn… OH DAMN!” As Miz puts it, this is “bigger than the nWo,” and he equates the group assembled in the ring to WWE’s version of The Avengers.

Hyperbole aside, you kinda knew this was going to happen. Another thing you knew was going to happen was that Kurt Angle would come out and try to poo poo it. After all, Sami and KO both lost the match last week that was their opportunity to get a Raw contract.

But helpfully, Sami Zayn printed out an email explaining things. Turns out, Stephanie McMahon — even when not present on our screens — still makes everything about her. She says Kurt made a GOB Bluth-ian huge mistake last week, and she’s signed KO and Zayn to Raw contracts herself.

So Angle has no leg to stand on regarding that, but he does have some news. Miz is heading to SmackDown Live, per Daniel Bryan’s special request. Which, yes please. The Miztourage is staying, which may be a huge mistake in its own right. But the main event tonight will serve as Miz’s going away present. He’ll team with Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Owens, and Zayn. They’ll face Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley (!), Braun Strowman, and a superstar making his Raw debut. Let the guessing game begin.

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The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) vs. Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt

Result: Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt defeated The Revival via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

In the least surprising news of the night, Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy continued their thus-far successful tag team run. It wasn’t likely that The Revival was going to get a championship match at this stage of the game. And heel team vs. heel team probably wouldn’t fly anywhere, let alone Saudi Arabia.

Still, Bray Wyatt, fire babyface is a revelation. It’s still shocking to me that it was only slightly more than a year ago that Wyatt became WWE Champion. Like, he’s been booked like hot garbage for so long now that it’s stunning to think just how recent that championship reign was.

Now, as the guy getting the hot tag, it’s almost like a completely different human being. And the crowd reacts, too. I love seeing how in the zone Bray gets during the big lead up to the finish, and how the audience responds. It’s great for everyone involved, and it’s proof that there is no point that’s a point of no return.

The teamwork by Wyatt and Hardy was also something I wasn’t expecting. But they had just as much chemistry after a week or two as The Revival — one of the best teams on the planet. The assisted Twist of Fate was interesting, might need some polishing up. But the fact that it’s even a thing is terrific.

After the match, Cesaro and Sheamus are wandering backstage wondering what they just saw, when they’re joined by the newest tag team on Raw — THE FASHION POLICE. Oh, if you’re giving me Breeze and Fandango to write about every week, I’ll take the Jinder Mahal thing with no more complaints.

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Mickie James vs. Ember Moon

Result: Ember Moon defeated Mickie James via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Prior to the match, Kurt Angle introduces Ronda Rousey to Raw‘s newest superstar: Natalya. Turns out, Rousey and Natalya trained together, so Kurt’s surprise is ruined. Okay, then.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/986055770516029440

With both Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss scheduled to be on commentary for Mickie vs. Ember, things could have been wild. But Little Miss Bliss neglected to come out with her BFF du jour, which didn’t seem to surprise Nia. Bliss did, however, address the situation via video feed from the locker room, claiming she won’t sit next to a “bully” like Nia. Ugh.

While the guest commentary situation was the focus of the broadcast, Ember Moon got her first singles match as a Raw superstar. You’d never know it by listening to what was going on, though. Personally, I don’t think the match tonight did Ember any favors, but she powers through based on sheer talent and ability.

And that Eclipse sell from Mickie James? Holy cow, that was more glorious than a Bobby Roode pay per view entrance. That move is going to be everyone’s favorite finisher before the end of the year.

Strategizing for the Big Finale

KO and Zayn like complaining, don’t they? But to break it up, Creeper Miz creeps in to ask if Shane McMahon is going to treat him fairly. Glad Miz has his priorities straight.

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Show Off Shaken Up

Oh, boy, Dolph Ziggler is on Monday nights. Yay.

Before he can get into a long winded promo where nothing is really said, he’s interrupted by Titus Worldwide. The boss man himself tries to convince Ziggles to join up, since he’s a “multi-platform superstar.” Ziggler seems to consider it for a minute, but says that the one thing that’s changed since he was last on Raw is that he’s not here alone.

AND IN COMES DREW MCINTYRE TO CLEAN HOUSE!

Look, I’ve kind of been over Ziggler since his awesome feud with The Miz ended in late 2016. It was such a great program with everything you’d want from a big time wrestling storyline. And then, nothing. Ziggler turned heel, but it went nowhere. He went away for a while, then came back, then disappeared, and it was all very confusing.

But putting Ziggler together with McIntyre is inspired. They’re similar enough to get along — career midcard guys who occasionally get the boost higher up — but they are a great pair because of their contrast. I hate to compare Ziggler to Shawn Michaels any more than is necessary, but if you don’t see McIntyre as his Diesel, I can’t help you.

I think Drew is worth more than just being a “henchman,” though, so he’ll be more wrestler Diesel than manager Diesel. But that Claymore/Zig Zag combo was beautiful, and I want more.

(Oh, and reunite 3MB when this Ziggler thing runs its course.)

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Reigns Gets Put in His Place. Again.

Another week, another Roman Reigns entrance, another Samoa Joe promo that puts The big Dog in his place. Normally I’m not a fan of formulaic, repetitive writing that ignores innovation, variety, and anything different. But in this case, I’ll gladly make an exception.

Reigns is still stuck on his pre-WrestleMania talking points. You know, he’s here, but Brock Lesnar ain’t, and Reigns can’t wait to take the title and be a full-time Universal Champion. Thanks to the alleged WrestleMania audible (Brock winning), we get the rematch of a rematch in Saudi Arabia in a little more than a week. So Roman has to once again carry the build to a big title match solo. And the only thing he really can say is “Brock’s at home, AGAIN.”

This brings out Samoa Joe, who helpfully reminds Reigns that even though he shows up to work, he can’t get the job done. And something like that is just so simple, and so obvious, you wonder why no one has said it yet. But Joe is a master on the stick, and he just berates Roman.

Then things took a weird turn. Joe wanted Roman to know exactly where he stands in Lesnar’s eyes, so he shows all the highlights of Brock destroying Roman. Um, okay? Then Roman challenges Joe to a fight, he teases it twice, but leaves to wait until Backlash.

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Mandy Rose (w/ Sonya Deville) vs. Natalya

Result: Natalya defeated Mandy Rose via submission

Rating: 1.75 out of 5 stars

It’s kind of weird that Absolution is still using Paige’s theme song on Raw, especially with their former (?) leader serving as SmackDown General Manager. That in and of itself really makes me think Rose and Deville are heading to Tuesday nights.

The match is short, and not great. It is what it is, you know? A longtime veteran up against a relative rookie, two superstars who haven’t had the opportunity to cross paths too much due to being on opposite brands. The Sharpshooter, in particular, looked a little wonky in the application.

But the real story in this match is what happened after the bell. Deville joined the fray to assault Natalya, and a two on one beatdown led to Ronda Rousey coming down to even the odds. Absolution bailed pretty quickly, but Deville came back in to challenge Rousey.

It wasn’t very effective. Rousey took her down with ease, and assisted Natalya to the back. But if you’re not already picturing the moment Natalya turns on Rousey, you should watch more professional wrestling.

Lone Wolf Comes to Mondays

Baron Corbin is announced as the newest member of the Raw roster. Now, all we got was a video package of Corbin, rather than a backstage or in-ring segment. Considering all SmackDown superstars were backstage at Raw, there’s really no reason for Corbin to not appear for the live crowd. This is a weird one, but I’m probably looking too far into this one.

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Tyler Breeze & Fandango vs. Cesaro & Sheamus

Result: Tyler Breeze & Fandango defeated Cesaro & Sheamus via pinfall

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

Following the backstage encounter earlier in the night, Breezango had their first official Raw contest against The Bar. Not gonna lie, these are four of my favorite current WWE superstars, for wildly different reasons, and this is like a dream match. Just the idea of Breeze and Dango doing weird stuff until Cesaro uppercutted one of them, likely Breeze, into orbit made me giddy.

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Then, of course, Breezango did a bunch of weird stuff, and Cesaro uppercutted Breeze into orbit. So less than three minutes in, and I had already gotten everything I wanted out of this match. Kudos to all involved!

And you know what? It wasn’t a match of the year, or match of the night, or probably even a match of the hour, but it was damn fun. The action was actually crisp and clean, nice and tight. Good teamwork from The Bar, but they got outsmarted by the Fashion Po Po.

That’s right, Tyler Breeze pinned Cesaro on WWE Raw. It’s a great night.

Elias Gives a Private Concert

The greatest singer-songwriter in WWE history refuses to perform anything less than a huge show, and Hartford ain’t it. But after disparaging Bobby Lashley (not a smart thing to do), Elias offers Renee Young a private concert. Hey, keep it PG, buddy!

Renee, though, is a killjoy, and claims to “not have the broadcast time” for a concert. Pssh, if you have a great musician willing to perform for you, you find time for it.

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Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Miz, Bo Dallas, & Curtis Axel vs. Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, & Bobby Roode

Result: Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, & Bobby Roode defeated Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Miz, Bo Dallas, & Curtis Axel via pinfall

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Before the match, three superstars were announced as headed to Raw via Twitter: Mojo Rawley, Zack Ryder, and Mike Kanellis. Then the mystery fifth partner for the babyfaces was Bobby Roode, which made the most sense of all the names it could have been, but was still a bit disappointing. But really, who else could have made their Raw debut? Nakamura isn’t going anywhere, and god help me if it would have been Nicholas. Any other superstars jumping brands would either be former Raw superstars (Orton, Cena, etc.) or heel (Andrade Almas).

As most multi-man matches are, this one was wildly chaotic. Roode introduced himself to the Monday night crowds fairly well. Lashley looked great in his first WWE match in a decade. The Miz played off his “grand finale” to perfection. Honestly, no one looked bad in this one.

But no one was more over than Braun Strowman. It is awesome to see a guy who has done literally everything asked of him, but so much better than could have been expected. Strowman is a once-in-a-generation talent, and I for one can’t wait until he picks up a championship for more than 24 hours.

I don’t necessarily agree with Dallas and Axel turning on The Miz at the end of the match. Instead, I prefer to look at it like they just didn’t want to tag in to face Strowman, and not “we hate Miz now.” It may not be right, but that’s my story, and I’ll keep it, thank you very much.

In the end, Strowman pinned the Miz after powerslamming him straight into Tuesday nights. Everyone got their chance to shine a bit, and the new Raw superstars have me excited for the future. Except Jinder and Zack Ryder, that’s just… not great.

Next: Should Finn Balor Be Traded To SmackDown?

What did you think about WWE Raw this week? Who are you glad to see joining the brand after the Superstar Shake-up?