The show opened up with Shane McMahon coming out to a huge reaction. He was quickly interrupted by Stephanie McMahon. This is the first time Stephanie has been on WWE programming since Wrestlemania. Stephanie says that this will be Shane’s last night running Monday Night Raw. It is revealed that this Sunday at WWE Payback, Vince McMahon will decide who will running Raw for the foreseeable future. However, Shane McMahon is still in charge tonight and had Stephanie McMahon escorted out of the ring by security. This was a good segment, but I think it would be more interesting if there was a match between Triple H and Shane McMahon for control of the company. That might be something that happens down the line.
YES! YES! YES! Throw @StephMcMahon out and @shanemcmahon for GM FOREVER! Nah nah nah nah hey hey hey goodbye! #RAW
— WWE Staci Strong NXT (@SJB479) April 26, 2016
Sheamus vs AJ Styles
This was a terrific opening match to the show that was given a ton of time. AJ Styles got the win via the Phenomenal Forearm. After the match, Anderson and Gallows came out to the top of the ramp and gave him AJ Styles a round of applause.
Roman Reigns was shown watching the this backstage. He was joined by the Usos who said they had his back if he needed them. The crowd was heavily booing all three of them and were also chanting “we can’t hear you!” during the segment.
"We can't hear you" chants followed by boos.
Roman Reigns title run going smoothly. #RAWTonight— NoReinvestmentAoki? (@vodkasnowflake) April 26, 2016
The New Day, the Vaudevillians and Enzo and Cass were all in the ring. The Vaudevillians said that they will become the number one contenders at WWE Payback. Enzo Amore responded with and I quote, “I would like run down the beach into my own arms, but that is impossible”. The New Day says that no matter who wins at Payback, they will still be champions.
Enzo's line about the beach had me in actual tears. I can't breathe. #RAW
— Kieran Shiach (@KingImpulse) April 26, 2016
The Usos vs Anderson & Gallows
Jay Uso had a taped shoulder due to the attack by Anderson and Gallows last week. The entire match, Anderson and Gallows were targeting the shoulder. Jimmy Uso eventually got in the match but at that point, Jay Uso was taken out of it. Gallows and Anderson then took out Jimmy Uso for the win. After the match, Gallows and Anderson were beating down the Usos when Roman Reigns came out to help. Gallows and Anderson retreated.
Backstage, Anderson and Gallows assured AJ Styles they will not get involved in his match against Roman Reigns unless the Usos interfere. They claimed they just want to make sure it is a fair fight at WWE Payback.
Sami Zayn vs Rusev
This was a good match but the crowd was really quiet during it for some reason. Rusev dominated early, but Sami Zayn made a comeback. Sami Zayn wound up stealing a victory with a roll-up and Lana lost her mind outside the ring. She took off her heels and threw them at Sami Zayn. As Zayn was distracted, Kevin Owens came flying out from backstage and hit him in the back of the head. Kevin Owens stood over Zayn as the crowd booed. I cannot wait for their match at WWE Payback, has the potential to steal the show.
Kevin Owens eternally dedicated to not allowing Sami Zayn even one second of happiness
— Brandon Stroud (@MrBrandonStroud) April 26, 2016
Renee Young was interviewing Apollo Crews backstage when they were interrupted by Stardust. Apollo Crews told Stardust how much his father, Dusty Rhodes, helped him in NXT. Dusty Rhodes game him the name “Apollo”. Stardust said that there are some people not even the great Dusty Rhodes can turn into a star.
Apollo Crews vs Stardust
The crowd was chanting “Cody!” throughout the match, trying to get under Stardust’s skin. This was another one-sided match with Apollo Crews getting the victory. The WWE is clearly building Crews up to be a star, I’m just waiting for them to have him in match that lasts more than a couple minutes.
Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho had a promo for their match at WWE Payback. It was highly entertaining with Jericho demanding that Dean Ambrose get on his knees and kiss his $1,500 shoes. Ambrose responded by making fun of Jericho’s “Bon Jovi” haircut. Chris Jericho got the upper-hand tonight and put Ambrose into the Walls of Jericho on top of the announce table.
That promo with Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho was great
— Paul Haney (@pollyhanester) April 26, 2016
Emma vs Natalya w/ Charlotte on CommentaryÂ
This was a quick match with Natalya getting the win over Emma. Natalya won by submission and was staring at Charlotte while she had the Sharpshooter locked in on Emma. Natalya will face Charlotte at WWE Payback for the Women’s Championship.
The WWE aired a video tribute to Chyna after women’s match.
You will be missed… #RIPChyna #RAW https://t.co/xSUFp32Ymr
— WWE (@WWE) April 26, 2016
Damien Sandow was supposed to have a match with Baron Corbin but Dolph Ziggler attacked Corbin from behind. Corbin had been attacking Ziggler for the past few weeks and Ziggler finally got a bit of revenge. Ziggler will face Baron Corbin at Payback this Sunday.
The Miz and Cesaro had another promo where they recited movie lines. Cesaro stated that at Payback he is going to make sure the credits roll on the Miz’s Intercontinental Championship reign. Cesaro wound up laying out the Miz with a gigantic upper-cut.
Roman Reigns vs Alberto Del Rio
Gallows and Anderson came out to distract Roman Reigns but it didn’t work. Reigns was still able to pick up the victory over Del Rio. After the match, Gallows and Anderson attacked Roman Reigns. AJ Styles came down to the ring and told them to stop, which led to Reigns hitting the Superman Punch on Styles. Gallows and Anderson began attacking Reigns again but he tossed them out of the ring, only to be hit with a Phenomenal Forearm. Raw ended with Gallows and Anderson laughing outside the ring and AJ Styles stressed out in the ring. The million dollar question is whether Gallows and Anderson will help AJ Styles or wind up costing him his chance at the title this Sunday at Payback. There were rumors all week that Finn Balor was going to make his WWE debut tonight on Raw, that did not happen.
Go home show for a WWE PPV in 2016 is closed out with a brawl involving Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, & Karl Anderson. #RAW
— New York Mike (@AllHail23) April 26, 2016
What did you think of tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw? Are you looking forward to WWE Payback this Sunday? Let us know in the comments below.
