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9 Takeaways From WWE RAW (4/30)

Seth Rollins RAW Good Feature Pic

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Robert Lentini

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The April 30th episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec. It was the final episode of RAW before WWE Backlash this Sunday.

Here are 9 takeaways from this week’s episode of RAW:

Roman Reigns Said That He Was The Real Universal Champion

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Roman Reigns kicked off this week’s episode of RAW to a chorus of boos from the Montreal crowd. Reigns lost once again against Brock Lesnar at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble. Roman Speared Lesnar through the cage, but Brock landed on the ground first and thus remained the WWE Universal Champion.

The official (Chad Patton) of the Steel Cage match at Greatest Royal Rumble stated that he made the wrong call earlier today on Twitter. Reigns’ feet hit the floor first and he should have won the match.

The announcers claimed that tonight’s crowd was like the crowd after WrestleMania as Reigns was booed in the ring. Reigns said that he was the real Universal Champion and the crowd booed louder. The crowd then transitioned into a very loud “Roman sucks!” chant as Reigns stood silent in the ring.

Reigns once again said that he should be the Universal Champion, but he is not “yet”. Roman claimed that he kept his word and beat Brock Lesnar in the Steel Cage match and that is why he will never lose faith in himself. Roman said that Lesnar wasn’t here tonight and brought up Samoa Joe.

Joe appeared on the jumbotron and the crowd erupted. Joe stated that he was going to put Reigns’ “downward spiraling career to sleep!” and the crowd cheered. Jinder Mahal’s music hit and Jinder came down to the entrance ramp. Mahal said that he cannot stand people that make excuses for their shortcomings and that Reigns lost fair and square to Lesnar. Mahal added that Reigns will lose to Samoa Joe and tonight he will lose to him. Mahal claimed that he will flourish on RAW and eventually become the new Universal Champion.

The crowd chanted “you both suck!” but then Sami Zayn’s music hit and the crowd erupted again. Zayn danced around the entrance ramp as the crowd sang his theme. Zayn claimed that he sustained a “serious medical injury” due to Bobby Lashley, he was unable to attend Greatest Royal Rumble. Sami added that he was diagnosed with vertigo, but is feeling much better tonight.

Zayn then demanded to battle Roman Reigns tonight. Sami’s hometown crowd chanted “yes!” and then erupted once again when Kevin Owens’ music hit. Owens came down to the ring and claimed that people wanted to see Roman Reigns versus Kevin Owens tonight. Owens suggested a popularity contest to determine Reigns’ opponent tonight. Zayn got a big cheer from the crowd, Mahal got booed out of the building and got the biggest cheer of them all.

Reigns punched Owens in the face and then got attacked from behind by Mahal and Zayn. Owens joined in and the three started stomping on Reigns. Bobby Lashley’s music hit and Lashley rushed to the ring. Owens, Zayn and Mahal beatdown Lashley in the corner. Braun Strowman’s music and the winner of the Greatest Royal Rumble matched down to the ring.

Braun, Lashley and Reigns cleared the ring and then Strowman launched Sunil Singh on top of Zayn, Owens and Mahal outside the ring. Braun raised his fists in the air as his music hit to end the segment. Mahal, Zayn & Owens versus Strowman, Lashley & Reigns was announced for later tonight.

Opinion: The negative reaction towards Reigns on RAW every week has become comical at this point. There is nothing WWE can do to get the crowd to cheer him, yet they insist on trying every week. Strowman seems to be the guy that everyone wants to see as the Universal Champion, but instead he wins a tag match with a 10-year-old at WrestleMania. The crowd will likely behind Samoa Joe at WWE Backlash this Sunday when he faces Roman Reigns.

Elias Defeated Bobby Roode After Slamming His Throat Into The Turnbuckle

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Elias faced Bobby Roode tonight on RAW. Before the match, Elias strummed his guitar in the ring and said that sometimes he forgets how special it must be for the fans to see him. Elias asked the crowd what WWE stands for the and everyone shouted “walk with Elias!”. He then boasted about his eliminations at Greatest Royal Rumble and told all the “mouth-breathers” in the crowd to hold their applause.

The crowd started clapping and then Elias told them to shut their mouths. The crowd booed as Elias started playing his guitar. Elias performed a song that poked fun at Bobby Roode and the people of Montreal. Roode’s music hit and interrupted another brilliant performance from Elias.

Elias started out the match in control and drove Bobby to the corner. Elias unloaded a couple of punches to the face, but Roode battled back and chopped Elias across the chest. Roode exploded out of the corner with a Clothesline and followed it up with an Atomic Drop. Roode then hit a Dropkick and posed in the ring.

Bobby Roode connected with a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Elias rolled out of the ring to regroup, but Roode followed him out there and hit him with a chop. The action returned to the ring and Elias took back control with a Clothesline. Elias applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd got behind Roode.

Roode broke free and connected with another chop. Elias caught Roode in the face with a boot and then booted him in the ribs. Elias lifted Roode up and threw him across the ring like he was nothing. Elias hit a couple of chops in the corner as the crowd chanted “woo!” at impact. RAW went to a commercial break with Elias still in control.

When RAW returned, Roode was once again stuck in a Chin Lock in the center of the ring. Roode broke free by slamming Elias into the turnbuckle, but then ran into an elbow to the face. Bobby battled back with a couple of Clotheslines and then planted Elias with a Spinebuster for a two count. Both Superstars battled on the top turnbuckle. Roode headbutted Elias to the mat and hit him with a flying Clothesline.

Roode set up for the Glorious DDT, but Elias blocked it. Elias tossed Roode to the apron and then punched him in the face. Elias slammed Roode’s throat into the steel post and Roose fell to the floor outside the ring. A referee got out of the ring and called for medical attention for Roode. EMTs ran down to check on Roode as Elias made his way out of the ring.

Elias grabbed a microphone and announced himself as the winner of the match. Elias grinned as he walked past the injured Roode. Elias raised his fists and marched up the entrance ramp.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991115848495575041

The Authors Of Pain Dominated

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

The Authors of Pain faced a Jean-Paul & Francois tonight on RAW. The local competitors got a decent reaction from the crowd as they made their way down to the ring.

Rezar started off the match with Francois and immediately threw him to the corner. Jean-Paul tagged in and got decked with a Clothesline. Akam tagged in and then AOP planted Jean-Paul & Fransois with the Super Collider. AOP then hit the Last Chapter on Jean-Paul for the easy pinfall victory.

After the match, Akam stated that the book of pain remains opens. Rezar stated that there will be a chapter for every team on Monday Night RAW. They then shouted “centered on destruction!” before exiting the ring.

Opinion: I really hope The Authors of Pain are successful on the main roster. I thought Paul Ellering added a lot to their act and I’m disappointed that he didn’t join them on RAW. I’d like to see The Revival get built back up again and battle Akam and Rezar on the main roster. Injuries have resulted in Wilder & Dawson becoming irrelevant right now. There are too many talented teams on the RAW roster for the tag division to be so underwhelming.

Finn Balor Sent A Message To Seth Rollins

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins came down to the ring to start off the second hour of WWE RAW. Rollins got a great reaction from the crowd and Seth called the crowd wild tonight. Rollins added that the past month of his career has been wild and went over it. Rollins won the IC Title at WrestleMania 34 and then successfully defended it at Greatest Royal Rumble in a Fatal 4-Way Ladder match. Seth complimented the crowd and called them maniacs, which prompted a very loud rendition of Ole’, Ole’, Ole’.

Rollins said that he wouldn’t rather be anywhere in the world than here tonight. Seth stated that he had been thinking about what kind of champion he wants to be and said that he doesn’t want to be anything like Brock Lesnar. Rollins added that Reigns’ feet landed first and he should be the Universal Champion.

Seth took another shot at Lesnar for not being here tonight and stated that he wanted to be a fighting champion. Finn Balor interrupted and got an awesome reaction from the Montreal crowd. Balor claimed that he had been rewatching the end of the Ladder Match and seeing just how close he came to becoming the Intercontinental Champion.

Balor said that they have had four singles matches and each Superstar has won two matches, which makes them even. Balor challenged Rollins to a match for the Intercontinental Championship tonight. Rollins noted that he is defending the title against The Miz at WWE Backlash, but said that he is a fighting champion and asked the crowd if they wanted to see the match. The crowd cheered and Rollins accepted the match.

The Miz’s music hit and The Miztourage came down to the entrance ramp. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas interrupted and said that everyone should be fighting together. Bo and Axel got into the ring and said that they made a mistake last week by approaching Rollins and Balor separately. Axel and Dallas revealed that the shirts they were wearing had all four of their faces taped on them. Bo Dallas suggested that they be called the Four Horsemen of the WWE.

Rollins and Balor declined to join the group and Axel sunk his head in disappointment. The crowd chanted “losers!” at Axel and Dallas. The Miztourage tried to attack Rollins and Balor, but promptly got their asses kicked. After Dallas and Axel were knocked out of the ring, Finn Balor attacked Rollins from behind and dropped an elbow across his chest.

Opinion: I’m always down for a match between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor. I’m guessing that RAW GM Kurt Angle will make the match official and that The Miztourage will likely get involved later tonight.

Ruby Riott Defeated Sasha Banks As Bayley Watched From Backstage

Photo Credit: @totaldivaseps on Twitter

Ruby Riott battled Sasha Banks tonight on RAW. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan accompanied Ruby to the ring. Before the match, Sasha Banks was interviewed backstage. Sasha was asked is she attempted to work things out with Bayley so that she will be in her corner tonight. Banks claimed to have not heard anything from Bayley and that apparently Bayley is okay with the Riott Squad trying to take over RAW. Banks added “if Ruby wants a riot, she can bank on one” before heading down to the ring.

The match started out back and forth. Riott rolled up Sasha for a two count. Sasha applied an Arm Bar as Bayley was shown watching the match backstage with a sad look on her face.

Ruby broke free and stomped on Banks in the corner of the ring. Riott drove her shoulder into Sasha’s midsection and then jabbed her in the face while Banks was leaning up against the ropes. Banks battled back and bounced Ruby’s face off the turnbuckle.

Sasha shoved her boot in Riott’s face and then went for the Arm Bar again. Ruby blocked it but Banks connected with an Arm Drag. Banks hit a knee to the face for a two count and then locked in the Arm Bar.

Riott broke free and knocked Banks out of the ring. Sasha punched Logan in the face and then connected with a basement Dropkick to Riott as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Ruby Riott was in control of the match. Ruby smashed Sasha’s face off the canvas a couple of times, but Banks battled back with a couple of jabs to the ribs. Ruby shrugged them off and applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Banks broke free and connected with a Crossbody for a two count.

Sasha followed it up with a Clothesline and a Dropkick. Banks kneed Ruby in the face and then missed with Double Knees in the corner. Ruby ripped Sasha to the mat by her hair and then hit an awesome Senton from the second rope for a two count. Sasha locked in the Bank Statement in the middle of the ring, but Logan hopped in the ring to distract the referee. Liv Morgan then dragged Riott out of the Bank Statement.

Sasha connected with Double Knees to Riott against the ring post and then delivered another one to Liv Morgan outside the ring. Sarah Logan distracted Banks while she was on the top rope. Ruby Riott connected with a right hand and followed it up with the Riott Kick for the pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991128688044531712

Baron Corbin Was Embarrassed Again

Photo Credit: @WWEUniverse on Twitter

Titus O’Neil was interviewed about his remarkable trip during his entrance at Greatest Royal Rumble that sent him tumbling under the ring.

Titus had a big smile on the face while Renee Young rolled the video of O’Neil falling on his face. O’Neil admitted that he fell on his face in front of the entire world, but it was important to get back up. Titus stated that he hoped this situation inspired people to…

Baron Corbin interrupted and said that it would be more inspirational if he hadn’t fallen in the first place. Corbin stated that Renee Young shouldn’t be wasting her time interviewing Titus before walking away.

Later on RAW, Baron Corbin faced No Way Jose. Before the match, Corbin cut a promo on the entrance ramp. Corbin stated that a wise man once said to make money, you can’t be funny. The crowd chanted “boring!” at Corbin and Baron said that it doesn’t matter to him what they think. Corbin claimed that Titus O’Neil has made a career of looking stupid and that No Way Jose has done the same. Corbin said that he came here to win championships and make money. Baron stated that he was putting an end to the nonsense tonight and that nobody will be laughing anymore.

Corbin connected with a Clothesline to start off the match and then taunted the crowd. Jose battled back and missed with a Crossbody. Corbin launched Jose into the ring post and then Titus O’Neil’s music hit. Titus, Apollo and Dana came down to the entrance ramp. Apollo wiped off the ramp to ensure that Titus wouldn’t trip again. Titus then tripped while getting on the entrance ramp and Corbin mockingly clapped. No Way Jose then rolled up Corbin from behind for the pinfall victory. No Way Jose and his conga line then danced with Titus Worldwide as Corbin angrily looked on from inside the ring.

Opinion: Baron Corbin’s war on fun is off to a rough start. It has become impossible to take Corbin seriously, he has looked like a fool countless times on WWE television. If it is any consolation to Corbin, he has been boring the WWE Universe to tears for some time now. He may not be winning titles, but he certainly has succeeded in removing the entertainment from the building while he comes down to the ring.

Braun Strowman Led His Team To Victory

Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman & Roman Reigns battled Jinder Mahal, Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens tonight on RAW in a 6-man tag match.

Strowman’s trophy for winning the Greatest Royal Rumble was ringside for the match. Roman Reigns and Jinder Mahal started off the match. Sami Zayn asked to be tagged in immediately and got in the ring and started taunting Reigns. Sami opted not to fight and tagged in Kevin Owens. Zayn tagged in and laughed while climbing through the ropes.

Reigns punched Zayn in the face and launched him out of the ring. Roman threw Zayn into the barricade and then hit the Drive By on both Owens and Zayn as RAW went to a commercial break.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991134046930591744

When RAW returned, Jinder Mahal had Reigns trapped in the corner. Reigns escaped and decked Mahal with an elbow to the face. Lashley tagged in and decked Mahal with a Clothesline. Bobby leapfrogged Mahal and hit Mahal with another Clothesline. Mahal brought Lashley to the corner and tagged in Sami.

Zayn stomped on Bobby several times and then tried to Suplex Lashley. Bobby escaped and planted Zayn with a Neckbreaker. Mahal distracted the referee and Owens booted Lashley as he tried to Suplex Zayn. Owens tagged in and beatdown Lashley as the crowd cheered.

Mahal got back into the match and continued to beatdown Lashley in the corner. Owens tagged back in and prevented Lashley from tagging out. Owens applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring and dragged him to the canvas.

Bobby battled to his feet and broke the hold. Owens tripped him up and connected with a Senton for a two count. Kevin stomped on Lashley a couple of times and went right back to the Chin Lock. Bobby once again battled out of the hold and slammed Owens to the mat. Lashley tagged in Reigns as Zayn tagged in as well.

Reigns connected with a Clothesline and then knocked Mahal off the ring apron. Roman beatdown Zayn in the corner with 10 clubs across the chest. Reigns followed it up with a giant boot to the face and then stood over him as the crowd booed. Sunil Singh hopped on the apron and Roman launched him to the floor. Owens tagged in and planted Reigns with a DDT for a two count as RAW went to a commercial break.

Sami Zayn had Reigns in a Chin Lock when RAW returned. Roman quickly escaped and punched Sami in the face. Sami dragged Reigns back to the corner and Kevin Owens tagged in. Owens connected with a Senton off the second rope for a two count. Owens couldn’t believe that Roman kicked out and shouted at the referee.

Zayn tagged back in and punched Roman in the face a couple of times for a two count. Sami went right back to the Chin Lock. Reigns broke the hold with a Back Body Drop and then started crawling towards the corner. Owens tagged in and ran into a boot from Reigns. Roman connected with a Superman Punch and both Superstars fell to the canvas.

Jinder tagged himself in and punched Lashley off the apron. Reigns planted Mahal with a Samoan Drop and then finally tagged in Braun Strowman. Braun gpt in the ring and leveled Jinder with a Clothesline. Strowman got out of the ring and decked Owens and Zayn with a couple of shoulder tackles. Strowman then launched Owens into the barricade before getting back into the ring.

Strowman charged at Mahal in the corner, but Jinder dove out of the way and Braun crashed into the steel post. Lashley got into the ring and launched Zayn to the outside. Mahal took out Lashley and Reigns hit him with a Spear. Owens Superkicked Reigns and then delivered on to Strowman. Owens went for a Cannonball, but Strowman caught him and planted him with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory.

It was announced later on RAW that Strowman & Lashley will face Owens & Zayn in a tag match at WWE Backlash this Sunday.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991138977657901056

Opinion: This match was incredibly boring up until Strowman tagged in. It lasted over 20 minutes and the majority of it was Chin Locks and rest holds. Strowman picked up another pinfall, but it still feels like his momentum is being wasted on RAW. It seems quite obvious that Strowman should belongs in the Universal Championship picture.

Alexa Bliss Didn’t Have A Good Night

Photo Credit: @WWEUniverse on Twitter

Natalya faced off against Mickie James tonight on RAW. Ronda Rousey was in Natalya’s corner for the match and Alexa Bliss accompanied Mickie James. Natalya knocked Mickie out of the ring to start off the match as the crowd chanted “Ronda Rousey!”.

Mickie got back into the ring and slammed Natalya to the mat by her hair. Natalya battled back and connected with a Clothesline. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter, but Bliss hopped up on the ring apron to distract her. Mickie capitalized and booted Natalya in the face as Rousey chased Alexa around the ring. Alexa Bliss retreated up the entrance ramp as Natalya picked up the victory with a roll-up.

After the match, Nia Jax came down to the entrance ramp as Alexa Bliss escaped through the crowd. Jax got into the ring with Rousey and Natalya. Nia raised their hands and posed in the ring. Nia Jax will defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss this Sunday at WWE Backlash.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991146128728051713

Seth Rollins Retained The Intercontinental Championship

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Seth Rollins defended his Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor in the main event of this week’s RAW.

The match started out back and forth as the crowd chanted “lets go Rollins!”. Rollins connected with an elbow and then threw Balor out of the ring. Rollins leaped onto Balor as RAW went to a commercial break. Rollins was still in control when RAW came back from commercial.

Seth and Balor traded chops in the middle of the ring as the crowd chanted “woo!”. Finn got the upper-hand and leveled Rollins with a forearm to the face. Rollins battled back and planted Balor with a Blockbuster off the second rope. Rollins followed it up with a springboard Clothesline that knocked Balor out of the ring.

Rollins hit a Suicide Dive and went for another one, but Finn had regrouped and connected with a kick to the face. Finn planted Rollins with a DDT for a two count. Balor followed it up with a Dropkick and dropped an elbow for a two count.

Finn started taunting Rollins and threw him to the turnbuckle. Rollins exploded out of it and connected with a Slingblade for a two count. Finn knocked Rollins to the canvas and hit him with a Double Stomp. Balor booted Seth in the face and then made his way to the top rope. Rollins tripped Balor up and crotched him on the top turnbuckle.

Rollins joined Balor up there for a moment, but Balor was able to shove him away. Seth leaped right back onto the turnbuckle and connected with a Superplex. Rollins rolled through for a Falcon Arrow, but Finn blocked it and connected with a Falcon Arrow of his own for a two count.

Finn and Seth traded shots once again in the middle of the ring. Rollins blocked the 1916 but Balor connected with an overhead kick. Rollins connected with an Enziguri, but Balor got right up and Clotheslined Rollins out of the ring. Finn sprinted across the ring and flipped onto Rollins outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Balor connected with a Dropkick in the corner. Rollins dodged the Coup de Grace and then went for the Curb Stomp. Balor avoided it and connected with a Slingblade. Rollins connected with a Superkick and both Superstars fell to the mat. Rollins was the first up and delivered a Curb Stomp to Balor for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins will defend his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz this Sunday at WWE Backlash.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/991152471904063488

Opinion: Finn Balor and Seth Rollins put on a great match to conclude this week’s episode of RAW. I was expecting interference from Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel, instead Rollins just defeated Finn Balor clean. I’m not sure where Balor goes from here, Rollins has now gotten the better of him twice in the span of 3 days. Overall, tonight’s episode of RAW was decent. The card for WWE Backlash looks solid and hopefully SmackDown can do a better job of hyping up the show tomorrow night.

What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE RAW? Let us know in the comments below.

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