The show kicked off with a Shane McMahon promo. He announced a bunch of matches for tonight, the most notable being AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn. If Zayn wins he will be added to the Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Shane also announces a tag team tournament will begin tonight to determine the #1 contenders for the tag team titles.
There is a possibility Sami Zayn will have a shot at the world title vs Styles and Reigns if he wins tonight. #RAW https://t.co/ZLosrxDYnF
— Riz. (@johncenaAm) April 12, 2016
Cesaro vs Kevin Owens for #1 Contender to the Intercontinental Championship
This was an intense back and forth match with Cesaro getting the win. Cesaro will now face the Miz for the Intercontinental Championship.
.@MikeTheMiz does NOT look happy that he'll face @WWECesaro. #RAW pic.twitter.com/NIAeAKntYl
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 12, 2016
After the match Kevin Owens confronted Shane McMahon and hints that he will attack Sami Zayn later in the show. Shane McMahon has security escort Kevin Owens out of the arena.
Dudley Boyz vs Lucha DragonsÂ
This Dudley Boyz quickly disposed of the Lucha Dragons and advanced in the tournament. For the second week in a row, Enzo and Cass came out and interrupted the Dudley Boyz. This is clearly heading towards a match between the two teams and it is a perfect way to introduce Enzo and Cass to the WWE universe.
Roman Reigns comes out to a chorus of boos, only to be interrupted by the League of Nations. Just before the League of Nations attacks Roman Reigns, the Wyatt family comes out for the save. Shane McMahon announces that Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt will team up to face two members of the League of Nations in the main event.
@TheFansPodcast Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns working together? I don't really know what to think. pic.twitter.com/vJxySQyqT0
— Carlie Nye ?? (@TheWyattQueen) April 12, 2016
Natalya vs Charlotte for the WWE Women’s Championship
The highlight of this match was Charlotte getting Natalya in the sharpshooter. Once again, Ric Flair interfered in the match and cost Natalya the title. Natalya got the win but by disqualification due to Ric Flair dragging the referee outside the ring. The title cannot change hands by disqualification, thus Charlotte is still the WWE Women’s Champion.
If Ric Flair gets involved in the finish. #RAW pic.twitter.com/oXRDt5JxnC
— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) April 12, 2016
The Usos vs Social Outcasts (Tag Team Tournament)
The Social Outcasts lost this match because they prematurely celebrated by prancing around the outside of the ring. This led to the Usos getting the victory via a roll-up. This match wasn’t too exciting but immediately after the match, Doc Gallors and Karl Anderson made their debut by attacking the Usos. The former Bullet Club members beat the heck out of the Usos before exiting through the crowd. There have been rumors for awhile that Gallows and Anderson would be debuting with Finn Balor as the Balor Club. Right now, Balor is the NXT Champion so it might not be the best time to bring him up to the main roster. That is still something to keep in mind in the coming weeks/months as the Balor Club is bound to happen.
Smart to have Gallows and Anderson attack the Usos as they are known to more casual fans. Good intensity from them.
— Jimmy Korderas (@jimmykorderas) April 12, 2016
AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn (if Zayn wins he is added to the WWE Championship Match at Payback)
As expected this was a great wrestling match. There was a point in the match where Sami Zayn seemingly landed on his head and got right back up
Good lord, Sami Zayn almost just killed himself landing on his head. Let's not be that ridiculous again.#RAW #RAWLA
— Will Mahoney (@HeelWillMahoney) April 12, 2016
In the end, AJ Styles got the victory and Sami Zayn will not be added to main-event of WWE Payback. Odds are he will be facing off against Kevin Owens at that event.
Seeing @iLikeSamiZayn get such a huge reaction with @AJStylesOrg does my heart good. What a match! #Raw
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 12, 2016
Chris Jericho had a Highlight Reel segment where his guest was literally himself. He was asking himself questions and answering them. Dean Ambrose came out with a potted plant and a homemade sigh that read “Ambrose Asylum”. He claimed that Jericho’s show was canceled and that he was the first guest on the Ambrose Asylum. Eventually this led to Ambrose laying out Jericho in the middle of the ring and there certainly will be match between the two at WWE Payback later this month.
Apollo Crews vs Adam Rose
Another week, another quick victory for Apollo Crews. Adam Rose did get some offense in and Apollo Crews showed off his incredible athleticism. It will be interesting to see who the WWE selects to be Crews’ first real test,
Roman Reigns & Bray Wyatt vs Sheamus & Alberto Del Rio
Before the match, Bray Wyatt had a promo where he said “Don’t worry Roman, you can trust me”. He then proceeded to laugh like a madman. Throughout the match Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt were not getting along. Bray was essentially punching Roman instead of tagging him and vice versa. Roman Reigns got the win when Wyatt hit the sister Abigail on Alberto Del Rio and Reigns speared Sheamus when he tried to break up the pin. The show ended with Reigns and Bray Wyatt staring at each other in the middle of the ring. At the moment, it seems like the WWE has turned the Wyatt family into good guys. The next few weeks will reveal how long that lasts.
a relevant Bray Wyatt
we haven't seen you for a while #RAW
— DavKind (@DavKind76) April 12, 2016
These teasing a possible match in the near future @WWERomanReigns vs @WWEBrayWyatt #RAW Goodnight everyone! pic.twitter.com/Rw4srqrlPc
— TheWrestlingOutsider (@TWO_Sweeet) April 12, 2016
