WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 30
By Bryan Heaton
Photo Source: WWE.com
Greatest Royal Rumble fallout and Backlash build promise to dominate WWE Raw this week. Follow along with our live review during the broadcast!
Previously on WWE Raw, we got an idea of who’s filling what roles after the Superstar Shake-up. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn took over for The Miz, both with a talk show and getting flattened by Braun Strowman. And Ronda Rousey took over for Asuka as the “look at me the wrong way and lose an arm” threat.
This week on Raw, there are main focus points. First, the fallout from the Greatest Royal Rumble takes center stage. And second, the final push towards Backlash should help solidify Sunday’s card.
To kick things off, what’s next for Braun Strowman? He went through 49 other superstars to win the largest Royal Rumble match in WWE history. Oh, and he scored the most eliminations in a single Rumble while he was at it. He got a fancy green belt for his efforts, but there must be more of a prize for the Monster Among Men. Right?
And what’s up with Roman Reigns? The finish to the cage match in Saudi Arabia was controversial, and the outcome did The Big Dog no favors. When the dust settled, Brock Lesnar — improbably — was still Universal Champion, leaving Reigns the big loser once again. At some point, something’s got to give, and Lesnar and Reigns will have to go their separate ways. Will tonight be that night?
The only title that did change hands at GRR was the Raw Tag Team Championship — and only because it was vacant heading into the show. Would you be surprised if I told you that the new champs were the only Raw superstars challenging for the titles? Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt defeated The Bar, and now things should get really wacky. What’s up first in the Era of Wokenness?
There’s a ton more happening on WWE Raw this week, but as of this writing there were no matches announced. Look for Ronda Rousey to continue being a thorn in the side of any superstar who tries to take a shortcut. Maybe some of the surprise entrants in the GRR will show up tonight, like Rey Mysterio or Hornswoggle. And let’s not forget the Intercontinental Champion, Seth Rollins, and his looming feud with Finn Balor.
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WWE Raw kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, so come back then for our live review!