The April 27th edition of RAW aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins signed the contract tonight to make their WWE Championship match official for the Money in the Bank PPV on May 10th.
WWE RAW Results (4/27)
- Apollo Crews, Rey Mysterio, Alesiter Black def. Andrade, Angel Garza, Austin Theory
- Bobby Lashey def. Denzel Dejournette
- Liv Morgan def. Ruby Riott
- Jinder Mahal def. Akira Tozawa
- Andrade def. Apollo Crews to retain the United States Championship
- Cedric Alexander & Ricochet def. Ever-Rise
- McIntyre & Rollins signed the contract to make their WWE Championship match official for Money in the Bank
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Apollo Crews, Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black Picked Up A Win
MVP kicked off the show and welcomed Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, and Apollo Crews to the VIP Lounge. Crews defeated MVP to qualify for the MITB Ladder match. Samoa Joe was on commentary instead of Jerry Lawler.
MVP said that winning the Ladder match will cement Rey’s legacy. MVP asked Apollo Crews if he has what it takes to win the MITB Ladder match.
Apollo was about to answer but was quickly interrupted by Zelina Vega, Angel Garza, Austin Theory, and United States Champion Andrade. Vega said that nobody in the WWE Universe wants to hear what Apollo Crews has to say.
Vega claimed that the WWE Universe cannot get enough of Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory. They wanted Rey, Aleister, and Apollo to give up their MITB slots and Rey laughed at that notion. A brawl then broke out and it led to a match.
Match Recap: Black dominated early and trapped Garza in the corner. Apollo and Austin tagged in and Crews planted Theory with a massive Suplex. When RAW returned from a break, Austin Theory had Black trapped in a Headlock in the middle of the ring. The action went back forth until Apollo Crews planted Andrade with a Powerbomb for the pinfall victory. After the match, Apollo Crews and Andrade traded words backstage. Crews wanted a title shot and slapped Andrade in the face to end the segment.
Nia Jax Stood Tall
Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, and Asuka were supposed to compete in a Triple Threat match tonight but it wound up not happening.
A brawl broke out before the bell rang and Shayna dominated early. Nia Jax battled back and was the one left standing. Nia’s music then played and the match never began.
Opinion: I understand that WWE wants to make Nia Jax look unstoppable again but this sucked. RAW is three hours and we just watched a 6-man tag team match for 45 minutes. I’m not sure why we couldn’t just get the advertised Triple Threat match.
Jinder Mahal Returned
Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal made his return on this week’s episode of RAW. Jinder battled Akira Tozawa.
Match Recap: Mahal and Akira locked up and Jinder immediately slammed him to the mat. Mahal stood over Tozawa with a grin on his face before launching him out of the ring. Jinder followed Tozawa outside and slammed him into the ring apron.
Jinder threw Akira into the barricade before bringing him back into the ring. Mahal then hit the Khallas for the pinfall victory.
Andrade Retained Because Apollo Crews Couldn’t Continue
Andrade defended his United States Championship against Apollo Crews tonight on RAW.
Match Recap: Andrade controlled the action early and applied a Headlock in the middle of the ring. Crews broke free but Andrade sent him to the canvas and stomped on him several times. Andrade hit Crews with a couple chops in the corner before stomping him back down to the mat. Andrade sent Crews back to the outside and leveled him with a Clothesline as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Andrade was still in control and focused his attack on Apollo’s knee. Andrade applied a Half Crab but Crews was able to escape. Apollo hit a Belly to Belly Suplex and perched Andrade up on the top turnbuckle. Crews slammed Andrade to the mat and hit a Standing Moonsault for a near fall.
Andrade connected with Double Knees and went for the cover but Apollo kicked out at the last moment. Andrade followed it up with a DDT for another near fall. Crews connected with an Enziguri and then a Slam for a two count. Andrade and Apollo battled on the top turnbuckle.
The United States Champion went for a Superplex but Crews knocked him down with a headbutt. Crews went for a Splash but Andrade got out of the way. Apollo grabbed his knee in pain and the referee checked if Crews could continue. The referee ruled that Apollo couldn’t continue and called for the bell.
Later on the show, Crews was interviewed backstage. Apollo was on crutches and got choked up. Apollo didn’t answer a question and the announcers played up that his status for Money in the Bank is unknown.
Opinion: The finish sucked but it made sense because Apollo’s knee was the story of the match. I didn’t really want to see Crews win the United States Championship a couple of weeks before competing in the Money in the Bank Ladder match.
McIntyre & Rollins Signed The Contract
Jerry “The King” Lawler moderated the contract signing between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre for their WWE Championship match at Money in the Bank.
After the introductions, McIntyre suggested that Jerry leave the ring given how all the contract signings end in a fight. Drew quickly signed the contract and slid it over to Rollins.
Seth paused before signing as McIntyre said time is ticking. Rollins claimed that he doesn’t want this, he has to do this. Seth added that the WWE Championship needs to be with him and that Drew will be a great champion some day.
Rollins claimed that McIntyre was not a leader and that the industry needs someone that can guide them. Seth vowed to be the “light in that darkness”. Rollins added that he suffered for the title and he doesn’t want to see that happen to McIntyre.
Seth told McIntyre that he doesn’t want to be the one to crush McIntyre’s dream but that is a sacrifice he is willing to make for the greater good. Rollins claimed that this will all make sense to Drew in time and when it does, he will lead McIntyre as well.
McIntyre thanked Rollins for his speech and said that things are clear now. Drew changed his tune and told Seth that he is full of shit. McIntyre wondered where Rollins’ followers were now and noted how Rollins never accepted any fault for the fans turning on him.
Drew added that nobody ever wants to hear Rollins and he somehow is able to get his foot stuck in his mouth and up his ass as well. McIntyre told Rollins to go for the throat at Money in the Bank because he sure as hell is going for Seth’s. Rollins stated that the big picture will become clear at Money in the Bank and Drew will be better off for it.
Rollins was about to tell McIntyre to have faith in him but Drew didn’t want to hear it. McIntyre bounced Rollins’ head off the table and set up for a Claymore Kick. Murphy attacked Drew from behind and beat him down in the corner of the ring. Seth and Murphy shared a hug before McIntyre leveled Murphy with a Claymore Kick to end the show.
Opinion: I really enjoyed this segment and it was by far the most entertaining part of tonight’s show. Overall, I thought this week’s RAW was painfully boring and I sincerely hope the go-home show next week is better. It is damn near impossible for it to be worse.