This week’s episode of RAW aired live from the Performance Center. Three MITB Qualifying matches took place and Drew McIntyre squared off against Angel Garza in the main event.
WWE RAW Results (4/20)
- Drew McIntyre challenged Seth Rollins
- Aleister Black def. Austin Theory to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
- Shayna Baszler def. Indi Hartwell
- Cedric Alexander & Ricochet def. Brendan Vink & Shane Thorne
- Nia Jax def. Kairi Sane
- Apollo Crews def. MVP to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
- Liv Morgan def. Ruby Riott
- Rey Mysterio def. Murphy to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
- Charlotte def. Kayden Carter
- Andrade def. Akira Tozawa
- Bianca Belair def. Santana Garrett
- Drew McIntyre def. Angel Garza
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Drew McIntyre Challenged Seth Rollins To A Match At Money In The Bank
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre kicked off the show and thanked the audience at home for tuning in. McIntyre quickly turned his attention to Seth Rollins’ attack last week and said he wasn’t surprised at all that it happened.
Drew stated that the title painted a bullseye on his back and everyone wants to be in his position. McIntyre wondered if Seth deserved an opportunity but said that if he wants to be a great champion he needs to continue to beat the best.
McIntyre challenged Rollins to a match at WWE Money in the Bank in three weeks. Zelina Vega interrupted with Angel Garza and Austin Theory. Vega said that everyone is sick of McIntyre’s speeches and claimed that he was looking past his match against Angel Garza tonight.
United States Champion Andrade came out of nowhere and attacked McIntyre from behind. Drew fought him off and then absolutely leveled Andrade with a Claymore. Zelina Vega asked Austin and Angel to go in the ring but they thought better of it. Drew McIntyre hit Andrade with another Claymore to end the segment.
Later on RAW, Seth Rollins accepted Drew McIntyre’s challenge. Rollins said that this isn’t personal and claimed that the WWE Universe needs a leader.
Aleister Black Qualified For Money In The Bank
Aleister Black battled Austin Theory in a MITB Qualifying match tonight. Zelina Vega joined commentary.
Match Recap: Theory and Black locked up to start off the match. Aleister brought Theory down to the canvas and applied an Arm Bar. Austin battled to his feet and connected with a shoulder tackle. Aleister went for Black Mass but Theory was able to avoid it and hopped out of the ring. Aleister hit him with a Dropkick and Zelina Vega started trash talking. Black became distracted and Theory capitalized by throwing him into the barricade as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Austin was still in control and hit Black with a Dropkick for a near fall. Theory slammed Aleister into the top turnbuckle but Black shrugged it off and planted Austin with a Body Slam. Austin connected with a Powerbomb and then sent Black into the corner.
Black hit a couple of Clotheslines and followed it up with a knee to the face. Aleister connected with a Moonsault and went for the cover but Austin kicked out at two. Theory hit a Superkick and followed it up with a Neckbreaker for a near fall. Black battled back and hit a German Suplex for a two count. Aleister followed it up with Black Mass for the pinfall victory. Aleister Black qualified for the MITB match at the PPV.
After the match, Byron Saxton asked what Aleister’s plan was to climb the corporate ladder at MITB. Black said that he will make sure to turn each floor of WWE Headquarters into his opponents personal hell.
Apollo Crews Qualified For The MITB Ladder Match
MVP faced Apollo Crews in a Money in the Bank Qualifying match. Before the match, MVP said that Crews is the most talented man on the roster but he is outmatched here.
Match Recap: MVP controlled the match early and knocked Crews out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, MVP had Crews trapped in the Camel Clutch in the middle of the ring. Crews broke free and hit MVP with a Splash in the corner of the ring.
Apollo then beat MVP down and followed it up with a massive Clothesline. Crews went for a Frog Splash but MVP got his knees up. MVP hit the Playmaker but Crews was able to kick out at two. Crews connected with a Standing Moonsault and then a Standing Shooting Star Press. Crews followed that up with a Powerbomb for the victory. Apollo Crews qualified for the MITB Ladder match.
Opinion: It is nice to see WWE give Crews a push these past couple of weeks. Crews had a great match with Aleister Black last week and picked up a big win tonight.
Rey Mysterio Qualified For The MITB Ladder Match
Rey Mysterio faced Murphy in a Money in the Bank Qualify match.
Match Recap: Rey controlled the action early and went for the 619 but Murphy got out of the way. Murphy slammed Rey’s hand into the barricade and then off the steel entrance ramp as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Rey hit Murphy with a Hurricanrana off the steel steps.
Back in the ring, Rey hit a Crossbody and set Murphy up for the 619. Murphy avoided it but Rey planted him with a DDT for a near fall. The action spilled to the outside and Mysterio launched Murphy into the barricade. Back in the ring, Murphy hit Rey with a knee to the face and followed it up with a Brainbuster for a near fall.
Murphy made his way to the top rope but Rey caught him with a kick to the face. Rey then hit 619 and followed it up with a Frog Splash for the pinfall victory. Rey Mysterio qualified for the MITB Ladder match.
Drew McIntyre Dominated
Angel Garza squared off against Drew McIntyre in the main event of this week’s show. Austin Theory, Andrade, and Zelina Vega were ringside for the match.
Match Recap: McIntyre beat the hell out of Garza in the corner of the ring to start off the match. Drew launched Garza across the ring with a Belly to Belly Throw. Garza rolled out of the ring to try and regroup but McIntyre followed him out there.
Drew hit Angel with a couple of chops before rolling him back in the ring. McIntyre got distracted by Andrade and Theory and Garza capitalized with a Dropkick. Back in the ring, Angel hit a Dropkick from off the top rope and locked in a Half Crab in the middle of the ring.
McIntyre threw Garza out of the ring and then flipped onto Angel, Andrade, and Theory. McIntyre shouted at Vega that he can do it all before leveling Theory with a Claymore Kick. Back in the ring, Garza rolled up McIntyre for a two count. Drew hit the Claymore for the pinfall victory. After the match, McIntyre hit Angel and Thoery with another Claymore.
Opinion: The main event was short but McIntyre looked impressive. Overall, I thought this week’s episode of RAW was a good show. There were several good matches tonight and that led to the three hours flying by.