Home News 9 Takeaways From WWE RAW (4/16)

9 Takeaways From WWE RAW (4/16)

Robert Lentini
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9 Takeaways From WWE RAW (4/16)

The April 16th episode of WWE RAW was the first night of the 2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up. RAW aired live from the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Here are 9 takeaways from this week’s show:

Jeff Hardy Won The US Title In Jinder Mahal’s Return To WWE RAW

RAW GM Kurt Angle started off the show and promised a lot of surprises tonight. Sunil Singh interrupted and announced that United States Champion Jinder Mahal was the new addition to WWE RAW.

Mahal got in the ring to a chorus of boos and raised the United States Championship in the air. Jinder stated that Kurt Angle made a terrific decision by bringing him to RAW. Mahal complained about not being brought to the arena in a limo. Angle said that they never agreed on a limo and Mahal went on a rant and claimed that he is better than any Superstar on RAW. Jinder claimed that this was his kingdom and he expects the same perks that Brock Lesnar gets.

The crowd started chanting “you suck!” and Mahal shouted that he was speaking and the crowd booed. Angle asked Jinder to email him a list of demands and Sunil whipped out his phone. Angle stated that his email address was “kurtangle@nofreakingway.com”. Kurt said that they settle things in the ring on RAW and announced that Mahal will be defending his United States Championship right now. Jeff Hardy then made his way down to the ring to challenge Mahal for the United States Champion.

Mahal started out the match in control and stomped on Hardy in the corner. Jeff battled back and slammed Mahal’s head into the top turnbuckle. Hardy followed it up with a Dropkick that knocked Jinder out of the ring. Hardy followed it up with a Crossbody off the ring apron as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned. the action had returned to the ring and Mahal had regained control during the break. The crowd got behind Hardy as he tried to fight out of a Chin Lock. Hardy broke the hold with a Jawbreaker, but Mahal shrugged it off and dropped Jeff neck-first on the top rope. Mahal connected with a series of knees to Hardy’s spine and then posed in the ring as the crowd booed him.

Hardy stumbled his way to his feet on the ring apron, but was quickly dropped by a big right hand from Jinder. Mahal crotched Hardy on the top turnbuckle and went for a Superplex, but Hardy fought him off with an elbow to the face. Hardy connected with the Whisper in the Wind from the top and both Superstars crashed to the mat. Sunil Singh hopped on the ring apron and Hardy decked him with a Dropkick.

Jeff planted Mahal with a basement Dropkick for a two count. Mahal blocked the Twist of Fate and hit a knee to the face for a two count. Chants of “lets go Hardy” echoed in the arena as Jeff countered the Khallas into a roll-up for a two count. Jinder quickly got up and decked Hardy with a Superkick for another two count.

Hardy battled back and  connected with the Twist of Fate in the middle of the ring. Jeff followed it up with the Swanton Bomb off the top rope for the pinfall victory. Jeff Hardy is the new United States Champion for the first time in his career. Jinder Mahal was extremely pissed off as Jeff Hardy celebrated on the entrance ramp.

Mahal then invoked his rematch clause at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27th during an interview with Renee Young backstage. No Way Jose interrupted and started dancing with Renee Young as Mahal got even more pissed off.

Opinion: What a fabulous start to the Superstar Shake-Up! I wouldn’t be shocked if Mahal gets the title back at Greatest Royal Rumble, but this was fantastic. I’m just hoping that Hardy remains the U.S. Champion because I have zero interest in seeing Mahal vs. Orton again at WWE Backlash.

The Riott Squad Is Now On WWE RAW

Sasha Banks battled Bayley tonight on RAW. Bayley controlled the match early and connected with a Hurricanrana outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Banks was in control for a moment but Bayley battled back and hung up Banks on the second rope. Bayley drove her shoulder into Sasha’s midsection and followed it up with an elbow to the face in the corner. Bayley hit a Neckbreaker for a two count.

Sasha connected with knee to the face off the top rope for a two count. Sasha taunted Bayley and shouted that she was better than her. Banks slapped Bayley in the face and that pissed Bayley off. Banks and Bayley then started trading punches in the middle of the ring. Banks connected with the Double Knees in the corner and followed it up with the Bank Statement in the middle of the ring.

Bayley reached for the ropes as the crowd cheered her on. The Riott Squad then stormed the ring and attacked Sasha Banks. Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott took turns beating the hell out of Banks. The trio turned their attention to Bayley and Ruby decked her with the Riott Kick.

AOP Dominated Slater & Rhyno Again

Heath Slater and Rhyno faced The Authors of Pain tonight on WWE RAW. AOP made their RAW debut last week by attacking Slater and Rhyno. After the attack, AOP ditched their manager Paul Ellering and left him behind.

Slater and Rhyno attacked Akam and Rezar in the corner before the match. Heath Slater and Akam then started the match off in the ring. Slater beatdown Akam and sent him into the corner. Rhyno tagged in and connected with a shoulder to the midsection.

Heath tagged in and Akam dropped him neck-first into the top rope. Rezar tagged in and started to club Slater in the face. Akam tagged back in and slammed Slater over his knee for a two count.

Rhyno tagged back in and planted Rezar with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Akam broke up the cover and then launched Slater in the ring. Akam tagged in and teamed up with Rezar to hit the Last Chapter on Rhyno for the pinfall victory.

The Miz Is Going To SmackDown, Owens & Zayn Are Now On RAW

The Miz came down to the ring for an episode of Miz TV. The Miz announced that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were the newest additions to RAW. Owens and Zayn danced down to the ring and shared a giant hug with The Miz, Axel and Dallas.

Miz said that the collection of talent in the ring is bigger than the NWO. The Miz noted that they will change the landscape of WWE together and that they call the shots. The Miz stated that they were putting the entire locker room on notice and RAW GM Kurt Angle interrupted.

Angle said that The Miz doesn’t have any control around here. Kurt added that Kevin and Sami had their opportunity to join RAW last week and they both lost. Owens said that there was an email that was sent out a couple of minutes ago and Sami took a printed out version of the email out of his pocket.

Zayn then put on a pair of glasses and read the email that stated that Owens & Zayn proved that they belong on RAW. The email was from RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and she overruled Angle’s decision.

Kurt said that he was surprised that Stephanie had time to write an email after getting her arm ripped off her body. Angle welcomed Owens and Zayn to RAW and then announced that The Miz was moving to SmackDown. Angle stated that Daniel Bryan really wanted The Miz on SmackDown and Shane & Paige obliged.

The Miz went on a rant about how The Miz & The Miztourage are going to turn SmackDown into the “A show”. Angle informed him that The Miztourage are not going to SmackDown. Angle announced a 5 vs. 5 tag team main event for later tonight. It will be Owens, Zayn, The Miz, Axel & Dallas vs. Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Bobby Lashley and a Superstar making their RAW debut.

Opinion: I like The Miz being separated from Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. The Miz and Daniel Bryan have had incredible segments on Talking Smack in the past, so I’m looking forward to them actually having a match on SmackDown. I would have preferred that Owens and Zayn were on separate brands this year.

Hardy & Wyatt Won The Tag Team Eliminator Tournament

Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt faced The Revival in the final match of the Tag Team Eliminator tournament. The winner of the match will go on to face Sheamus & Cesaro at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27th. Sheamus and Cesaro joined commentary for the match.

Dawson and Wilder isolated Matt Hardy in the corner and took turns beating him down. Hardy battled back and leaped across the ring to tag in Bray Wyatt. Bray connected with a massive Clothesline to Wilder and followed it up with a Uranage.

Wyatt geared up in the corner and Hardy tagged himself in. Bray planted Dawson with the Sister Abigail and then teamed up with Matt for a Twist of Fate/ Sister Abigail on Wilder for the pinfall victory.

Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt will now battle The Bar next Friday for the vacant RAW Tag Team Championships at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble.

The Bar ran into The Fashion Police backstage. Tyler Breeze and Fandango are now on RAW. They issued a couple of fashion tickets to Sheamus & Cesaro. Breezango faced The Bar later on RAW and picked up a victory over Sheamus & Cesaro.

Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler Are On WWE RAW

Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring and proclaimed himself as the best Superstar in WWE. Ziggler was quickly interrupted by Titus Worldwide. Titus, Apollo and Dana Brooke made their way down to the entrance ramp. Titus said that he wanted to be the first to welcome Ziggler back to WWE RAW.

Titus tried to get Dolph to join to Titus Worldwide. Dolph declined and stated that that he didn’t come back to RAW alone. Drew McIntyre attacked Titus and Apollo from behind. McIntyre launched Titus into the ring post and then beatdown Apollo.

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre then planted Apollo with a Zig Zag and a Claymore at the same time. Ziggler and McIntyre then exited the ring and walked up the entrance ramp together.

Drew McIntyre lost the NXT Championship to Andrade “Cien” Almas at NXT TakeOver: WarGames last November. McIntyre tore his bicep during the match and had been out of action until tonight.

Opinion: Drew McIntyre just looks like a future WWE Champion. His first run on the main roster didn’t work out so well, but he has greatly improved and looks ready to make an impact this time. Ziggler and McIntyre is an interesting team to say the least. Dolph’s ridiculous athleticism combined with McIntyre’s power should make for an awesome duo. Time will tell how long it takes for McIntyre to break away and establish himself on his own on the RAW roster. I’m hoping that he succeeds on the main roster this time, he has certainly put the work in to earn another shot.

Samoa Joe Confronted Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns came down to the ring to a chorus of boos. Reigns stood in the middle of the ring and looked over the crowd. Roman stated that he is here and once again, Brock Lesnar is not. The boos got louder as Roman continued to speak about his match against Brock Lesnar at Greatest Royal Rumble. Reigns vowed to win the Steel Cage Match and return to WWE RAW as a “full-time Universal Champion”.

Samoa Joe interrupted and noted that Reigns brags about showing up to work, but never gets the job done against Brock Lesnar. Joe added that Lesnar has defeated Reigns every time that he gets into the ring with him. Joe said that Reigns was too stupid to realize his place in WWE and will not learn until somebody puts him down for good. Joe once again vowed to put Reigns to sleep at WWE Backlash.

Joe then reminded Reigns of what Lesnar has done to him and what Joe will do to him in a video package. Joe made his way down the entrance ramp, but stopped halfway and retreated. Joe once again stopped at the top of the entrance ramp and marched towards the ring. Joe stopped before getting into the ring and said that he will see Reigns at Backlash.

Ronda Rousey Rescued Natalya

Ronda Rousey and RAW GM Kurt Angle had a conversation backstage during the first hour of RAW. Natalya showed up and Angle announced that she was joining the RAW roster. Natalya and Rousey shared a hug and Rousey said that Natalya trained her.

Later on the show, Natalya faced Mandy Rose. Sonya Deville accompanied Rose down to the ring for the match. The match went back and forth for a couple of minutes, but Natalya wound up quickly locking in the Sharpshooter for the submission victory.

After the match, Sonya Deville attacked Natalya from behind. Rose joined in on the beatdown and Ronda Rousey came down to the ring for the save. Rousey wasn’t smiling this time and marched her way down to the ring. Sonya and Rose immediately jumped out of the ring as Ronda checked on Natalya.

Sonya Deville decided to get back into the ring and dared Ronda to come at her. Rousey connected with a series of jabs and then leveled her with a Clothesline. Rousey once again checked on Natalya as Rousey’s music hit.

It was also announced after the match that Baron Corbin will be joining the RAW roster.

Braun Strowman Pinned The Miz In His Final RAW Match

Renee Young interviewed Elias before the RAW main event. Elias warned Bobby Lashley to never interrupt him again.

Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas & The Miz battled Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman & Bobby Roode.

Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins started off the match. Owens sent Rollins to the corner and connected with a couple of knees to the midsection. Rollins battled back and connected with a Clothesline off the top rope. Seth threw Owens out of the ring and connected with a Crossbody as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Rollins was still in the ring and planted Axel with a Dropkick. Bobby Roode tagged in and booted Axel in the midsection. Roode followed it up with a Suplex for a two count. Balor tagged in and continued the beatdown of Curtis Axel. Axel drove Balor to the corner and everyone took turns stomping on him.

The crowd chanted “get these hands!” as they waited for Strowman to be tagged in. The Miz tagged in and shoved his boot in Finn’s face. The Miz then applied a Chin Lock to Balor in the middle of the ring. Finn broke free, but The Miz planted him with a Neckbreaker for a two count.

Sami tagged in and then Lashley tagged in at the same time. Bobby beat the hell out of Sami in the corner and then knocked Owens off the apron. Lashley connected with a Clothesline and then lifted Zayn up for a vertical Suplex. Lashley then lifted up The Miz and threw him onto The Miztourage outside the ring as RAW went to a break.

RAW returned with Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins in the ring. Owens knocked Seth to the canvas and hit a Senton for a two count. The Miz tagged in and bounced Rollins’ head off the turnbuckle and stomped on him a few times. Rollins battled out of the corner but was planted with a DDT from The Miz for a two count.

The Miz mocked Daniel Bryan and did a couple of “yes!” poses before hitting the It Kicks on Rollins. Seth went for a roll-up but Miz kicked out at two. The Miztourage dragged Lashley off the apron and threw him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Rollins connected with an Enziguri and started crawling to the corner.

Owens and Zayn were then thrown into the barricade by Strowman as Roode tagged back in. Roode connected with a Neckbreaker to Axel and followed it up with a Clothesline off the top rope. Roode went for the Glorious DDT, but Axel blocked it and drove him to the corner. Roode hit a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count.

The Miz tagged in and Roode leveled him with a Clothesline. Bobby leaped across the ring and tagged in Strowman as the crowd erupted. Braun chased The Miz around the ring and took out Owens in the process. Back in the ring, Strowman grabbed Miz by the throat and planted him with a Chokeslam.

Axel and Dallas attacked Strowman from behind. Balor got back into the ring and hit Dallas with a Slingblade. Rollins connected with a Suicide Dive to Axel on the outside. Owens Superkicked Roode in the face after he hit a Glorious DDT to Zayn. Lashley planted Owens with a Spinebuster. The Miz then threw Lashley out of the ring and delivered a couple of Dropkicks to Strowman.

Braun powered out of the corner and hit a massive Dropkick onto The Miz. The Miz crawled to the corner to tag in Axel or Dallas. Bo and Curtis betrayed The Miz and hopped off the ring apron as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Strowman then planted The Miz with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory.

Opinion: Bobby Roode desperately needed a change of scenery, so I’m glad that he is on the RAW roster. I’m still waiting for him to turn heel. That clearly is the way to go with Roode, as he didn’t receive that big of a reaction tonight. Overall, tonight’s episode of RAW was decent. Drew McIntyre showing up was the highlight of tonight’s show in my opinion.

The Superstar Shake-Up continues tomorrow night on SmackDown. What did you think of this week’s RAW? Let us know in the comments below.

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