The April 15th, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC, Canada. It was the first night of WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up. Here are 9 takeaways from the show:
The Miz Attacked Shane McMahon & Joined RAW
RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon kicked off this week’s show to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Shane demanded that Mike Rome introduce him as the best in the world and got booed out of the building.
The crowd broke out in a “CM Punk!” chant as Shane stated “best in the world” in French several times. Shane showed the photo of him grabbing The Miz’s dad’s face at Fastlane. The Miz then attacked Shane from behind and knocked him out of the ring.
Shane battled back and Clotheslined Miz over the barricade and somehow Miz got busted open. The Miz grabbed a steel chair and struck Shane with it. Shane retreated up the entrance ramp as The Miz posed in the ring. Michael Cole then announced that The Miz was now a part of RAW.
War Raiders Debuted As The Viking Experience
The Revival teamed with “The Viking Experience”, formerly known as War Raiders, in a 8-man tag match against Hawkins, Ryder, Ricochet, and Aleister Black. Hanson’s name is now “Ivar” and Rowan is now simply referred to as “Erik”.
Ivar and Erick controlled the match early and isolated Hawkins in the middle of the ring. The Revival then took their turn beating the hell out of Hawkins. Ryder finally tagged in and attacked Dawson in the corner. Ivar and Erick took back control and hit Zack Ryder with the Fallout for the pinfall victory.
The Viking Experience sounds like a name from a generator online that you’d use because you cannot think of a name for your fantasy football team. It is idiotic and Hanson’s name being ridiculously changed to “Ivar” makes it even worse. Dropping “Cien” Almas from Andrade’s name I can slightly understand. I can even try to ignore the dumb creaking sound WWE added to Aleister Black’s entrance, but this is so bad that it deserves to be relentlessly mocked.
Lars Sullivan Attacked Rey Mysterio
Elias claimed that his music is so powerful that it caused The Deadman to rise from his grave last week on RAW. The crowd immediately broke out in an “Undertaker!” chant as Elias vowed to be ready for The Undertaker next time.
He noted that the energy in the building was great tonight and joked that Montreal could experience that energy all the time if only the Canadiens were able to make the playoffs.
The crowd loudly booed as Elias shouted at them to shut up. Rey Mysterio interrupted and Dropkicked Elias out of the ring and posed for the crowd. Lars Sullivan interrupted and planted Rey with the Freak Accident. Sullivan followed it up with a Powerbomb to end the segment.
The Usos Are Back On RAW
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable challenged any team to a match tonight on RAW. Former SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos answered the challenge and made their way down to the ring. WWE managed to ruin this by accidently showing The Usos’ name under Gable and Roode at the beginning of the segment.
Gable and Roode controlled the match early as the crowd chanted “lets go Usos”. Jimmy battled back and planted Gable with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Jimmy and Jey then hit Gable with a double Superkick and then a double Splash for the pinfall victory.
Sami Zayn Trolled His Hometown Crowd
Sami Zayn was a guest on A Moment of Bliss tonight on RAW. Alexa announced that this may be her last night on RAW and welcomed Sami Zayn. Sami’s hometown crowd gave him a great reaction as he danced around on the entrance ramp. Sami finally took a seat but his entrance ramp started playing once again.
Zayn got up and danced around as the crowd cheered him. Sami sat down again but his entrance music hit for the third time. Sami danced around again as the crowd chanted his name. Zayn then started up an “ole” chant and the crowd sang along. Bliss stated that it was fantastic to Sami Zayn back on RAW. Zayn said that he absolutely loves this city, but he cannot stand the people.
Sami claimed that being in this room with all these people has been the low point of his week. Zayn blasted the crowd and said that they were all too busy being critics. Alexa stated that the people are not the problem with WWE but Zayn continued to blast Montreal. Sami bragged about moving to Orlando as the crowd sang “hey hey hey goodbye” at him. Zayn told the crowd that he will see them in hell and then walked backstage.
Sami Zayn has been great as a heel since making his return and this was easily my favorite segment of the show. Unfortunately, I have zero confidence that WWE will actually do anything meaningful with Zayn and he will wind up most feuds he gets involved in.
Naomi Joined The RAW Roster
Naomi teamed up with Bayley to face Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics this week on RAW. Bayley was shown backstage trying to reach Sasha Banks but she couldn’t get a hold of her.
Peyton Royce knocked Bayley off the ring apron and then went after Naomi. Bayley got back in the ring and hit the Bayley to Belly on Royce. Naomi followed it up with a Moonsault onto Billie Kay for the quick pinfall victory.
Andrade defeated Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor tonight and The IIconics lost in a match that barely lasted a minute. WWE routinely has their champions lose non-title matches on TV and it makes them look weak. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce just won the titles at WrestleMania, so why are they losing to Bayley and Naomi on RAW eight days later?
EC3 Was Buried Again
EC3 demanded a match tonight on RAW and Braun Strowman answered the call. Strowman attacked EC3 before the match started and launched him across the ring. Braun hit EC3 with a Splash and then booted him out of the ring.
Braun launched EC3 into the screen on the entrance ramp and then Chokeslammed EC3 through the stage. Braun then posed on the entrance ramp as the crowd chanted “get these hands!”.
EC3 has been buried before having a chance to succeed on the main roster and I sincerely do not give a damn about Braun Strowman anymore. This segment was a great example of why this show is routinely terrible.
Lacey Evans Earned A Title Shot
RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch squared off against Ruby Riott tonight. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan were ringside for the match. Lynch connected with an Exploder Suplex and then made her way up to the top rope. Ruby tripped her up and sent her falling the canvas.
Riott connected with a Senton and went for the cover but Becky kicked out at two. Becky took out Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan with a Crossbody and then returned to the ring. Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm-Her on Ruby for the submission victory. Becky then beat up Morgan and Logan some more before raising the titles above her head.
After the match, Natalya came down to the ring and congratulated Lynch on her victory tonight and her historic win the in the main event of WrestleMania 35. Natalya noted that Lynch was the first woman to pin Ronda Rousey and win both titles in the same night.
Natalya stated that she was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Natalya added that she is coming after the RAW Women’s Championship. Becky was about to respond but Lacey Evans interrupted and strutted to the top of the top entrance ramp.
Lacey claimed that the RAW Women’s Championship couldn’t be around the waist of a “classless has-been” like Natalya. Evans announced that she is officially on RAW and will face Natalya in a #1 Contender’s Match next.
Natalya went for the Sharpshooter early but Evans avoided it and rolled out of the ring. Natalya chased after her and brought her back inside and beat her down in the corner.
Evans slammed Natalya’s head into the turnbuckle several times as Lynch was shown backstage watching the match. Natalya applied the Sharpshooter but Lacey was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Evans then hit the Woman’s Right and followed it up with a Moonsault for the pinfall victory. Lacey Evans now has a match against Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship.
AJ Styles Is Now On RAW
Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, and Bobby Lashley faced Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and a mystery partner in the main event of this week’s RAW. AJ Styles was revealed as the mystery partner and the newest member of RAW’s roster.
Corbin, McIntyre, and Lashley completely dominated the first few minutes of the match as RAW went to a commercial break. Rollins connected with a Blockbuster and then tagged in AJ Styles.
AJ booted Lashley in the face and followed it up with the Pele Kick. Styles connected with another Pele Kick on Corbin but then turned around into a Claymore Kick from McIntyre. Drew launched Roman out of the ring and went after him.
Seth hit McIntyre with a Superkick and Reigns followed it up with the Superman Punch. Rollins hit Corbin with a Suicide Dive and then hit Lashley with The Stomp. Reigns hit Lashley with a Spear and AJ followed it up with the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory.
I thought this show was awful and I really couldn’t find a positive in it. I guess AJ Styles moving to RAW will make the show slightly more bearable each week. I just cannot overlook The Viking Experience debacle, EC3 getting buried, champions losing on televised matches, and Eric Young being added to RAW. It briefly appeared during the broadcast that Eric Young will be making his way from SmackDown to RAW. There was no mention of Alexander Wolfe or Killian Dain joining RAW’s roster as well, so it seems like SAnitY is being broken up despite not getting a chance on the main roster.