It’s the final Raw before WrestleMania and we are stoked. With Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, Alicia Fox and R-Truth rumored to be backstage for tonight’s Raw, and with the Undertaker always a possibility to show, tonight’s episode should be an exciting one.
Join us as we review the RAW episode for April 2nd.
Opening Segment
Raw opens with Johnathon Coachman, who introduces the McMahons, Kurt Angle, and Rond Rousey. The ring looks like there is going to a contract signing or a meeting of sorts. Its announced that this is a Q&A. The two teams trade barbs until the first question is asked.
The teams answer a total of three questions until it comes time for a photo. Rousey and Steph go face to face. Triple H hits Angle with a mic, Rousey grabs Hunter, but then Steph grabs Rousey and puts her through a table.
Bayley vs. Sonya Deville
The two go back and forth early. We come back from a commercial to find Deville dominating in the match. They go back and forth late in the match until Bayley scores the win after a quick roll up.
Absolution takes it to Bayley afterward, but she’s saved by Sasha Banks. Banks and Bayley start arguing, which allows Absolution to take advantage.
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
The Miz is on commentary for the match. Rollins and Balor go back and forth early. The two continue to go back and forth as the Miz and the commentary team seem to only discuss the birth of the Miz’s daughter. The match picks up as the two trade near-falls.
Rollins hits the Blackout out of nowhere for the victory in what was a terrific match.
The Bar Segment
The Bar claim they don’t care who Braun Strowman picks as his tag team partner for WrestleMania. Braun claims he has a partner. Braun also claims that his partner will be revealed if his partner gets a match with one of the members of the Bar. Braun comes out in disguise as “Brain Strowman” and gets attacked by the Bar, but then Braun chases them away.
Goldust vs. Matt Hardy
We come back from commercial to find the match already started and the two go back forth. Matt Hardy hits a twist of fate early to pick up the win.
John Cena Segment
Cena says that there isn’t time for a match to be made. Cena says he won’t be in any of the other matches because he doesn’t want to take a spot from another competitor. Cena claims he will be going to ‘Mania as a fan and is damn proud of it.
We still don’t have the Undertaker confirmed for WrestleMania.
Heath Slater vs. Elias
Elias hits a very quick Driftaway on Slater for the win.
Nia Jax Interview w/ Renee Young
Nia says that you need to know who you are and be yourself. Jax claims that she was down after what Bliss said, but she also says that she is proud of who she is. She calls Alexa a “pathetic fly” and that Alexa Bliss “will be squashed” at WrestleMania.
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Dana Brooke & Asuka
Dana Brooke starts against Alexa Bliss. The two teams trade control. James and Bliss keep Brooke in their corner, refusing to let her tag Asuka. Asuka gets the hot tag and takes it to James. Asuka puts Mickie in the Asuka lock and makes James tap.
After the match, James and Bliss take out Asuka and Brooke but are interrupted by Nia Jax, who stands tall.
Brock Lesnar Segment
Lesnar and Heyman come to the ring followed by a group of 15 or so WWE superstars who block of the ramp. Heyman claims that Lesnar will F-5 Roman Reigns and retain the Universal championship at WrestleMania.
Heyman calls Reigns “Brock Lesnar’s bitch,” which has Reigns come to ringside. The superstars on the ramp let Roman through and into the ring. Roman and Brock go face-to-face in the ring until Reigns hits Lesnar with five straight superman punches. Lesnar comes back, though, hitting as F-5 on Reigns to end the show.
Conclusion
Great go-home show for Raw filled with some great matches and a lot of recaps. We got a great match between Rollins and Balor along with a lot of solid promos and recap segments throughout the night.
The night was a great hype for WrestleMania.