The April 22, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA. Here are 7 takeaways from the show:
AJ Styles Earned His Way Into The Main Event
WWE COO Triple H kicked off this week’s episode of RAW. He was immediately joined by Universal Champion Seth Rollins, who got a great reaction from his hometown crowd.
Triple H complimented Rollins for stomping Brock Lesnar’s “bucket head” into the ring three times at WrestleMania to become the Universal Champion. Triple H announced two Triple Threat matches for RAW tonight. The winners of those two matches will face off in the main event to determine who will face Seth Rollins at MITB for the Universal Championship.
United States Champion Samoa Joe interrupted and stated that Becky Lynch has come up with a great idea becoming the double champ. Joe added that his shoulders have room for one more title and vowed to take the Universal Championship away from Rollins. Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, The Miz, and Baron Corbin then joined the party.
Corbin boasted about retiring Kurt Angle at WrestleMania before AJ Styles interrupted. Styles said that Corbin’s face was almost as annoying as his voice. AJ vowed to give everyone what they want and face Seth Rollins at WWE Money in the Bank.
AJ Styles then battled Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe in the first Triple Threat match. AJ went for the Styles Clash early but Rey was able to escape. Joe planted AJ with a Uranage and went for the cover but Styles kicked out as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Styles hit Joe with a Pele Kick and then connected with the Styles Clash for the pinfall victory.
The twenty-minute opening promo before the match was completely useless. The announce team had already spoken about the two Triple Threat matches, so I’m not sure why Triple H had to come down to the ring and announce it again.
Baron Corbin Stole A Win From Drew McIntyre
The Miz, Baron Corbin, and Drew McIntyre battled in the second Triple Threat match. McIntyre and Corbin teamed up to beat The Miz down during the beginning of the match.
Eventually, McIntyre attacked Corbin from behind and then planted Miz with a Suplex for a near fall. The Miz battled back and knocked Corbin and McIntyre to the canvas. The Miz then hit Corbin and McIntyre with a few It Kicks. McIntyre hit Miz with a headbutt and then perched him on the top turnbuckle.
Corbin then snuck up behind as McIntyre had Miz lifted up for a Side Slam. Baron Powerbombed McIntyre off the turnbuckle and Drew landed directly onto Miz as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Corbin and McIntyre were trading shots outside the ring. The Miz climbed to the top rope and took them both out with a Clothesline. Back in the ring, Miz locked in the Figure Four on McIntyre in the middle of the ring.
Corbin broke up the hold and charged at Miz but he got out of the way and Baron crashed into the steel steps. McIntyre hit Miz with a Spinebuster for a near fall. Drew then hit Miz with the Claymore Kick but Corbin shoved him out of the ring. Corbin pinned Miz for the victory and will face AJ Styles in the main event to determine the #1 contender for the Universal Championship.
Sami Zayn Annoyed The Fans Again
Sami Zayn came down to the ring to a chorus of boos. Zayn smiled and denounced the rumors that he has become a bitter person after being out for 10 months with injury.
Zayn claimed that he was the happiest he has ever been during his time off and showed photos from his Instagram of his recent travels. Sami stated that other WWE Superstars are total egomaniacs, but the root of the problem is the WWE Universe.
He said that the fans have created a toxic culture and the crowd started to boo him. Zayn shouted at the fans that it is easier for them to blame him than to look themselves in the mirror and admit their role in all of this.
Sami stated that he would rather be anywhere else in the world than here tonight in Iowa. The crowd once again booed and Sami suggested that everyone in the audience take a trip to hell.
Sami Zayn delivered another great heel promo tonight on RAW. The crowd booed him out of the building and people were whining on Twitter, so he did his job well tonight. I’m hoping that this leads to something great for Zayn, but odds are he will lose whatever feud comes of this.
Lacey Evans Sent Becky Lynch A Message
RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch faced Alicia Fox tonight. Before the match, Lynch cut a promo on Lacey Evans. Becky stated that she has made a career out of slapping bleach blondes that have curried favor from management. Lynch joked that while Lacey is backstage trying to further her career, she is out here trying to cement hers.
Lacey Evans interrupted and vowed to teach “The Man” how to respect a lady at WWE Money in the Bank. Lynch said Evans was getting on her last nerve and shouted that she wanted to slap Lacey’s head off.
Becky then battled Alicia Fox and the action quickly spilled outside the ring. Fox slammed Lynch into the barricade and rolled her back into the ring. Becky Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission victory. After the match, Lacey Evans hit Lynch with the Woman’s Right.
Robert Roode Is 1-0 With A Mustache
Ricochet battled Robert Roode tonight on RAW. Roode changed his name and adopted a new look after Chad Gable joined the SmackDown roster during WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up.
Ricochet controlled the match early and knocked Roode the canvas with a Dropkick. Ricochet sent Roode outside the ring and followed it up with a Moonsault off the ring apron. Back in the ring, Roode planted Ricochet with a Suplex for a near fall.
Roode hit Ricochet with a Spinebuster for a near fall. Robert went for the Glorious DDT but Ricochet countered into a GTS for a two count. Ricochet went for the 630 but Roode got out of the way and slammed Ricochet into the ring post. Roode then planted Ricochet with the Glorious DDT for the pinfall victory.
It would have been nice if we just got Roode’s NXT character on the main roster, instead of a pornstache. WWE decided to add ridiculous sound effects to Ricochet’s entrance as well.
Bray Wyatt Finally Returned To RAW
Bray Wyatt finally returned and hosted an episode of Firefly Fun House. Bray said that he used to be a very bad person but has been punished for his actions. Wyatt vowed to never become that “slob” he was before and cut the head off of the cardboard standee of his old gimmick. Wyatt and his puppets then cackled as he waved a chainsaw around. Bray waved to the camera and said “see you all next week” to end the segment.
I’m sure there are people that absolutely hated this, but I actually enjoyed it. I’m all for a deranged Mr. Rogers gimmick, why not? WWE has become unbelievably boring and at the very least this will provide a laugh. Wyatt’s old gimmick was to cut ominous promos that ultimately meant nothing because he would always lose his matches.
Even if you hate the new gimmick, Bray Wyatt is an entertaining performer and looks to be in phenomenal shape. If anyone can pull this off, it is him. I just have zero faith in WWE’s creative to continue to make this entertaining every week.
AJ Styles Will Face Seth Rollins At WWE Money In The Bank
Baron Corbin squared off against AJ Styles in the main event of this week’s RAW. The winner of the match will go on to face Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship at WWE Money in the Bank.
AJ went for the Styles Clash but Corbin escaped with a boot to the face. Styles hit Corbin with the Pele Kick but Baron shrugged it off and hit AJ with Deep Six for a near fall. Styles applied the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring but Corbin broke the hold by slamming Styles’ head off the back of the canvas.
Corbin made his way to the top rope and leaped but AJ got out of the way. Baron hit the ropes and bounced to the canvas as Styles rolled to the apron. Styles then hit Corbin with the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory. After the match, Universal Champion Seth Rollins came down to the ring and shook AJ’s hand.
I’m definitely looking forward to AJ Styles versus Seth Rollins at WWE Money in the Bank. That has the potential to be an amazing match and the feud should be interesting over the next few weeks of RAW.
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