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.
Welcome to Monday Night #RAW, #USChampion @JinderMahal and Sunil @SinghBrosWWE! #RAW #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/Az0BSBmxMl
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
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.
Things are about to get EXTREME!@JEFFHARDYBRAND is on the verge of challenging @JinderMahal for the #USTitle RIGHT NOW LIVE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/7WDgshjI7p
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
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.
The #CharismaticEnigma @JEFFHARDYBRAND came READY for the SHAKEUP! #RAW #USTitle pic.twitter.com/3sf8VejmfD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
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.
The #USTitle AND @JinderMahal are on #RAW, and @JEFFHARDYBRAND wants a piece of BOTH… RIGHT NOW! #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/teO7APLUKp
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
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.
#GrandSlamHardy!@JEFFHARDYBRAND delivers a #SwantonBomb to @JinderMahal to capture his first #USTitle on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/Qk4QNyK035
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The CELEBRATION is ????? for NEW #USChampion @JEFFHARDYBRAND! #RAW pic.twitter.com/MnIBaHHDKE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Talk about a SHAKE UP!!!
Congratulations to your NEW #USChampion, @JEFFHARDYBRAND!!!!!! #AndNew #RAW #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/TNALFWkyDd
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
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.
The #ModernDayMaharaja @JinderMahal is invoking his #USTitle rematch against @JEFFHARDYBRAND at @WWE Greatest Royal Rumble…so he is in NO MOOD for @WWENoWayJose right now on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/iQIBRG9Yxj
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
