WWE Raw Results, Highlights, and Grades for April 1, 2019

Bobby Lashley responds to rumors of “The Demon”

Next up on WWE Raw, we saw an appearance from Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley, who was accompanied by Lio Rush. After being asked about being worried about rumors that Finn Balor could bring “The Demon” to WrestleMania, Lashley and Rush weren’t exactly shaken.

Lashley stated he wasn’t scared of some “Irish fairy tale,” and Lio Rush emphasized that Balor pinned Jinder Mahal to earn this match at WrestleMania, and that he had not pinned Bobby Lashley to do so. On the screen, we suddenly saw Finn Balor who had a few short words. He stated he’s always had demons, but that at WrestleMania his “demon becomes [Lashley’s] nightmare.”

Smoke filled the screen, and Balor transformed into The Demon, confirming that he will bring this to WrestleMania 35 against Bobby Lashley. In the ring, Lashley stayed still but there was a glint of worry in his eyes as The Demon looked on from the screen.

Grade: B, This was a good short segment, and WWE was smart to confirm The Demon without actually bringing The Demon to Raw. It was saved for WrestleMania, as it should be.

Baron Corbin vs. Rey Mysterio

Finally it was time for the main event of WWE Raw, and it really felt deflating considering some of the amazing moments we’ve seen throughout the night. While it’s Mysterio’s first match on Raw in years, the match itself was slow and plodding.

Mysterio utilized his agility early on, but Corbin took control and started to use his power against Mysterio and dictated the pace from then on. Mysterio tried to come back at one point, but landed awkwardly on his leg. Corbin immediately targeted it, and weakened the knee throughout.

What followed was a slow and uneventful contest. Baron Corbin remained firmly in control the entire time. Mysterio tried to fight back, leveraging his way into a 619 at one point, but he missed a frog splash attempt seconds later. Corbin hit the Deep Six a few moments later and handily pinned Rey Mysterio.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1112912792829358083

Corbin celebrated and left the arena, only to be attacked by Kurt Angle on the stage. Angle knocked down Corbin and locked on the Ankle Lock, which Corbin quickly tapped to. Angle was quickly separated from Corbin, and we saw a recap of the chaos between Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Charlotte Flair before WWE Raw came to a close.

Grade: F, This wasn’t an entertaining match. This was an extremely forced attempt to legitimize Corbin as Angle’s opponent, that buried a former WWE Champion with a move Corbin never finishes matches with. The fact that they had to recap the Rousey/Lynch/Flair segment after it to end WWE Raw shows how bad this main event was.

WWE Raw Gut Reactions

• Stephanie McMahon’s “April Fool’s” joke only worked because adding herself to the match is exactly the kind of stupid thing WWE would do to “make it more important.”
• I still don’t know how to feel about both titles being on the line. Without knowing potential plans if the titles will be unified or the brand split will change, it still feels like they just spat in the face of Asuka and the entire SmackDown women’s division.
• Seth Rollins may already have the pop of the night. The crowd is primed for him to defeat Lesnar on Sunday, and fingers crossed that’s what happens.
• Beth Phoenix looked absolutely dominant, but we also saw the teamwork of The IIconics and some smart actions by Boss ‘n’ Hug and Samoan Slaughterhouse. Their Fatal 4-Way is gonna be insane.
• Batista’s impact on his era can’t be overstated, and his short but sweet recap and words tonight were really appropriate. If this is the last we see of Batista on WWE Raw, he went out the right way.
• Apollo Crews has been on a great roll as of late, and even with the Strowman and SNL involvement, I’m hoping he walks out the winner on Sunday.
• Regarding Kurt Angle’s video package: I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING. AND KURT’S CRYING. AND I AM ALSO CRYING.
• Aleister Black and Ricochet are a really spectacular team, and I hope we’re only seeing the beginnings of their story as a duo.
• Ronda Rousey has been great as a heel. I hate everything she does, which is exactly what’s supposed to happen.
• I am still reeling from that chaos between Lynch, Flair, and Rousey. So amazing. They had to handcuff them to keep them apart, and it still didn’t slow them down. Legit can’t wait to see them clash on Sunday.
• Solid little win for Heavy Machinery, hopefully they can regroup and get some momentum towards a title shot after WrestleMania 35.
• Poor “Colin Jost” and “Michael Che.”
• “The Demon” is coming to WrestleMania 35!
• Really? Corbin beats Mysterio clean with Deep Six? Really?!

WWE Raw Quick Segments Recap

• Stephanie McMahon announced the main event of WrestleMania will be “winner take all” with both the Raw Women’s Title and SmackDown Women’s Title on the line.
• It was revealed on commentary that if Lynch, Rousey, or Flair turns on their partners in tonight’s six-woman tag team match against The Riott Squad, the first to do so will not get to compete on Sunday at WrestleMania.
• Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman were interrupted by Seth Rollins and a brawl ended with Lesnar getting stomped and Rollins standing tall with the title.
• Elias is still in New York like last week, because I guess he’s worried about showing up late?
• Kurt Angle said his farewell to WWE Raw, and an interruption by Baron Corbin led to Rey Mysterio and Kurt Angle taking down Corbin in a brawl and sending him packing.
• Charlotte Flair emphasized her confidence about succeeding both tonight and on Sunday.
• Ronda Rousey claimed “judgment day” was coming on Sunday, or tonight depending on how her tag team match goes.
• Braun Strowman interrupted Alexa Bliss, EC3, and Tyler Breeze. He was pointed to two local talents who were said to be laughing about SNL, and Strowman told them to meet him in the ring.
• Roman Reigns was asked about his readiness for action on Sunday, but was ambushed and attacked by Drew McIntyre who threw him into backstage equipment.
• After their match, Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair brawl. Officers breaking them up leads to all three being handcuffed and led out of the arena. The brawl continues in the back by the police car, leading to windows being kicked out and cars ran into others. Nothing can stop them from trying to attack each other.
• Lacey Evans interrupted a match. Because that’s all she can do, I guess.
• Bobby Lashley claimed he wasn’t worried about Finn Balor, but we saw Finn Balor appear on the screen and confirm he’s bringing “The Demon” to WrestleMania.

WWE Raw Match Results & Remaining Announced Card

• The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection (Sasha Banks & Bayley) and The Divas of Doom (Natalya & Beth Phoenix) def. The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) and The Samoan Slaughterhouse (Nia Jax & Tamina)
• Apollo Crews def. Jinder Mahal
• The Revival def. Aleister Black and Ricochet by countout to retain the WWE Raw Tag Team Titles
• Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Charlotte Flair def. The Riott Squad
• Heavy Machinery def. Chad Gable & Bobby Roode
• Braun Strowman def. “Michael Che” and “Colin Jost”
• Baron Corbin def. Rey Mysterio

Thank you for joining us for live coverage of WWE Raw! Come back tomorrow night for coverage of the final SmackDown Live before WrestleMania 35!