Great0The biggest Raw After Mania ever!

Finally, after 1,316 DAYS, Roman Reigns has been dethroned! Cody Rhodes is the NEW WWE Universal Champion, but where does his story go from here?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS The Awesome Truth & ???; The Awesome Truth & John Cena win.
• Indi Hartwell w/ Candice LeRae VS Roxanne Perez; Roxie wins.
• Sami Zayn & Chad Gable VS Imperium; Zayn & Gable win.
• Chelsea Green VS Jade Cargill; Jade wins.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso VS Ricochet VS Bronson Reed; Jey wins and will challenge for the title at Backlash.

PLAY BY PLAY

The first hour of Raw is commercial free!

Triple H is here!

The fans are thunderous already as The Game makes his way to the ring as we now live in HIS era! The fans all cheer him on as he gets the mic. Philly says, “Thank You, Hunter!” and he says “Here’s the thing, I came out here to thank you. I came out here to thank you, because less than 24 hours ago, you all made something very special happen. I can now really tell you that was the greatest WrestleMania of all time. By every single metric there is, by every single standard there is, and by everything that you said, it was the biggest WrestleMania ever. So I simply came out here to say… Thank you.”

Saturday night, HHH had the privilege of standing here to welcome us to WrestleMania. Now he is here to welcome us to Monday Night Raw. Saturday, HHH also welcomed us to a new time and a new era, so right now, HHH wants us all to welcome the man who will lead us into that new era! Please welcome… the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Philly fires up as Cody makes his entrance, Universal Championship on his shoulder! They sing along with the song just like they did last night, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro and continues down to the ring.

Cody gets on the corner to pose for the second round of pyro, then steps inside to join HHH. They shake hands like they did just last night, and Cody kisses the belt before he holds it up. HHH even raises Cody’s hand in victory! Cody then gets the mic from HHH, but the fans first chant, “You Deserve It!” Cody revels in it, then HHH says before he leaves, he just wants to say congratulations. Cody does deserve this, and congrats on bringing an end to one of the most incredible title runs of all time from Roman Reigns, to headlining probably what is truly the greatest Mania of all time. And that in Cody’s first night, he sets an attendance record, the largest gate in the history of Raw! Over 20 THOUSAND people are here!

But before HHH goes, he got a call last night some hours after Mania ended. A couple guys Cody’s known a long time said they made something special for Cody, and they wanted HHH to share it with Cody. HHH said no, he’s gonna share it with everyone! Now, they had to make special room, so there was no room for the tron. Forgive the look and the feel of these tinier monitors, but Cody, this is for you. The video package plays, Rise Up by Andra Day as the music. Cody winning the Rumble, pointing at the sign, pointing at Roman, having the fans cheering, and then we even look back to Cody’s younger days: Dashing, Masked, Stardust, and his exit from here, to him becoming All Elite.

Cody himself gets emotional watching this all, with how WrestleMania 39 ended compared to how WrestleMania 40 ended, complete 180 degree turns. And at the end of the video, the fans cheer Cody on, and Cody hugs it out with HHH. Cody then clears his throat, kneels in the ring and sets the belt down to kiss it again. Cody then says, “So, Raw After WrestleMania… Philadelphia…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer again and chant for “CODY! CODY! CODY!” Cody felt that he knew what he wanted to talk about, this whole business. Something he heard. Samantha Irvin… The fans fire up for Samantha!

Cody is sure she knows what he’s gonna ask. Please, one more time. Samantha smiles and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the NEW~ Undisputed! WWE Champion~, The American Nightmare…! CODY! RHOOOOODES~!” The fans cheer that one and Cody says it was two years ago, Raw After Mania, Cody came out here, laid out his goals, dreamed openly, and last night, that dream became reality. Cody has been told the altitude in Philly is 39 feet above sea level, but the air feels a little thin in here. It is because the fans and Cody here and now are standing on top of the mountain!

The previous champion previously on top, The Tribal Chief… The Head of the Table… Roman Reigns. 1,316 DAYS as champion, we don’t have to like him, but Cody certainly acknowledges what Roman has done. And perhaps Roman is the most important superstar of our generation. The fans do chant, “Thank You, Roman!” for his part in this story. Cody continues to say yes, thank you, perhaps the most important superstar in this generation. And Cody was the man destined to beat him. A big thing they ask when you get into pro-wrestling is, “What is your why? Why are you doing this? Why do you pay the price? Why do you make the sacrifices?”

Cody knows they have a unique set up tonight, but please if they could indulge him, he wants to show us his main why. His baby girl cheering him on, saying, “Papa, finish the story!” That is Cody’s “Libby Curls,” and he wants her to know that when he goes to work, he goes to work in the main event! That when Papa is fighting, he is no longer fighting as challenger but as champion! The fans cheer that! Cody says he is in a unique situation now. He used to stand in line, but now that line is to get to him. Ladies and gentlemen, his name is Cody Rhodes. Once undesirable, became undeniable, and now stands here UNDISPUTED UNIVERSAL CHAMPION!

The fans cheer again, but “IF YA SMELL~!” The Rock is here! Carrying The People’s Championship, The Final Boss struts his way down to the ring. The Rock steps into the ring, gets a mic, and fans are torn between booing and chanting “ROCKY! ROCKY!” Rock stares Cody down, and the fans chant for “UNDERTAKER!” After all, The Dead Man did choke slam The Final Boss last night. The Rock smirks, but then fans boo as he starts to lift the mic. Now the fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS! ROCKY SUCKS!” Rocky chuckles, lifts the mic, but the fans boo again. Rock says he’s a lot of things, and he gets booed more.

Fans tell Rock to STFU but he’s barely said a thing with all this booing. The Rock says, “The Rock is a lot of things, Philadelphia, but ‘sucks’ isn’t one of ’em.” The fans then tell Rock he’s an A-hole. Rocky chuckles, even as the fans boo, and says, “Now before we begin, The Rock came out here… To deliver flowers to Cody Rhodes. And also say that Philadelphia broke another record for the largest gathering of trailer park trash!” The fans boo that one even harder, but Rock tells them to cheer that now, you piles of trash! The fans go back to saying STFU. Cody holds up his belt and the fans cheer. The Rock holds up his, and the fans boo.

The Rock says he came out here, no fireworks, no blood spilled, just The Rock and Cody so The Rock can give Cody his flowers. “Cody Rhodes, you did it. They can chant what they want but this is between you and The Rock. You did it, you completed the story. You faced all odds and you beat Roman Reigns in the middle of that ring, 1-2-3. You think, Cody, all the stuff that you had to overcome, The Rock made you bleed, The Rock got your blood on his hands, The Rock ripped your clothes, split your skin, and you still did it all. You won, you completed your story, Rock even made a belt, it was a special belt, he whooped you like a dog, boy.

“He even put a special name on that belt: Mama Rhodes. No disrespect, she was so happy those past couple nights, especially last night, she was so happy. Big smile on her face. She was proud of her boy, as she should be. Y’know who else had a big smile on their face? Your daddy in Heaven.” The fans chant for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” and Cody does his best not to get emotional. The Rock says as we all know, Dusty was Rocky’s hero. And as most known, The Soul Man and the American Dream were great friends. Rock isn’t sure his dad was proud with all that he did to Cody, but The Rock just doesn’t care.

But tell you what, Cody. You did it. You finished the story, and just look at that belt. Brand new belt, look at it! It’s beautiful. New plates on it and everything. But no no no, The Rock knows they wanna say his belt is fake, but this came from Muhammad Ali’s widow. When The Rock joined the Nation of Domination and became the People’s Champion, Ali gave him that moniker, so this belt means so much to Rock. But Rock wants to ask Cody something. Is there any way The Rock can hold the Universal title? The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” Rock promises no fireworks, no harm. They both grew up in pro-wrestling. Rock’s hold every belt in the WWE, except that one.

Cody thinks about it, the fans still say don’t, but Cody asks if Rock wants to hold it. Rock does. Rock can hold this one, for a moment. So long as Cody can hold Rock’s. Rock says of course! It’d be an honor. Rock and Cody carefully hold out their belts to each other, they make the trade, and the fans chant “This is Awkward!” Rock says this just feels right. Rock thanks Cody, and then hands the belt back. Cody does the same for The People’s Championship, and Rock thanks him again. That meant a lot. So then, Cody, as you know, and as many know, The Rock has got to go away for a little while now. Fans boo that!

Rock knows, he doesn’t wanna leave, either. He loves pro-wrestling, because he made it cool again. Cody made it cool again! Some fans sing “Hey hey hey, goodbye~!” Rock wants Cody to remember, he’s going away. But when Rock comes back, whether Cody is champion or not, Rock’s coming back after him. Cody says he is looking forward to it. The fans cheer that! Rock says the world will look forward to that. And here is something very critical. Cody had the biggest Mania win of all time, beating Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring 1-2-3. However, less than 24 hours before that… The Rock beat Cody in the ring 1-2-3.

So therefore, Cody’s story with Roman might be over, but his story with The Rock… has only just begun. The fans cheer that! Cody says he believes that, because The Rock’s the boss now, right? The Final Boss, but also on the TKO Board, he is the literal boss. That is right. Then Cody won’t dispute that but Rock can’t dispute this: Cody’s THE champion. Cody is THEIR champion! “And boss… that means I’m your champion.” The fans cheer Cody on, and The Rock says yes, Cody is the champion, the world champion, and The Rock’s champion. But one last thing before The Final Boss rides off into the sunset. He has something to give Cody.

Again, no fireworks, no physicality. The Rock reaches into a pocket, and he brings out something that he slips into Cody’s hand. “You don’t even have to open your hand to know what this is. Don’t you ever break my heart again. If you smell what The Final Boss is cooking.” The Rock takes his leave after leaving Cody with one powerful ultimatum. When and where will The Most Electrifying Man look to settle things with The American Nightmare for what happened at the biggest WrestleMania of all time?

The WWE 2024 Draft is coming!

April 26th on SmackDown and April 29th on Raw, we shake things up again! And that means the stars of Raw, SmackDown AND NXT are all up for grabs! Who will end up where, and what will they do with their new futures?

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ilja Dragunov!

The King of Strong Style may not have been part of the biggest WrestleMania of all time, but that only adds to the darkness that has been growing inside him. However, he’s up against NXT Champion, who DID Stand & Deliver! Is The Czar going to show the power of the golden yellow brand on the biggest Raw After Mania ever?

The bell rings and the two rush in! DYNAMIC DROPKICK from Nakamura! Dragunov gets up, he and Nakamura fire off forearms, but Nakamura fires off a strike fest! He gets Dragunov down to KNEE and KNEE and KNEE! The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” but Nakamura KICKS Dragunov down! Nakamura kicks Dragunov around but Dragunov just feeds off it! Nakamura pie faces Dragunov, KICKS, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! The fans fire up, Dragunov runs in, JUMP KNEE! Dragunov snapmares Nakamura, goes up, SUPER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up with Dragunov, and he waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Dragunov holds on tight, brings Nakamura up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Philly is again Suplex City as Dragunov drags Nakamura back up! Nakamura pries free and wrenches to hammerlock, then whip! Dragunov goes through the ropes, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! The fans fire up for “ILJA! ILJA!” and he rises! Dragunov climbs a corner, leaps, and SUPER SENTON FLOPS as Nakamura moves! Nakamura runs up, blocks boots, puts Dragunov in ropes to KICK and SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura hurries back in, goes up, and FLYING KNEES Dragunov down! Cover, TWO! Dragunov is still in this and Nakamura seethes.

Nakamura aims from a corner while the fans rally up. “YAO~!” But Dragunov dodges to GERMAN SUPLEX! Nakamura is right up, BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives and Nakamura is furious! Nakamura drags Dragunov into a chinlock! The fans rally for Ilja as he fights up, pries open, and headlocks! Dragunov KNEES Nakamura, and CHOPS! Then he reels Nakamura in, but Nakamura back drops free! JUMP KNEE! But Dragunov JUMP KICKS! Dragunov reels Nakamura in, gets him up, and POWERBOMBS him down! H-BOMB FOREARM!! The fans fire up as Dragunov roars!

Dragunov aims from a corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW! Cover, Dragunov wins!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

The current NXT Champion pins a former NXT Champion and proves stars come through that brand! Will The Czar be a first round pick come the WWE Draft?

The Judgment Day is here!

They may no longer be undisputed, as we see Finn Balor without any of the tag titles, but he stands with JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio in the ring. Finn has a mic to say “To all the haters, to all the doubters, to everybody who thought that Rhea couldn’t beat Becky Lynch, to everybody who thought that Damian couldn’t cash in and become Senor World Heavyweight Champion, I just want each and every one of you to know you were all… wrong! HAHA!” Dom goes to speak but the fans boo. Dom says, “AND STILL the WWE Women’s World Champion…! My Mami, Rhea Ripley!” Fans doo cheer as Rhea makes her entrance.

Rhea joins the boys in the ring, holds up her belt, and gives it a kiss. Rhea has a mic to say, “WrestleMania, it was almost perfect. But y’know, we have a couple new problems that we need to deal with. But two things came out of this weekend, one thing being that Mami is always on top! And the other one being… that this is a new era for The Judgment Day!” Finn says without further ado, may they present to you your NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Damian Priest! “ALL RISE!” as The Punisher has new graphics and a new theme to go with his new title! He even has a great new suit for the occasion.

Priest joins Judgment Day in the ring, they all hug it out, and Priest gets a mic now. The fans here chant “You Deserve It!” Priest says damn right he does. Now, the “Terror Twins” stand before you as world champions! So it goes without saying that they always rise to the occasion. The whole world needs to follow suit, and ALL RISE for the Judgment Day! TRUTH!? R-Truth is in here holding up the Raw Tag Team Championship! Not again! Get out! Truth just wanted to celebrate all of them! He brought the tag titles BACK to the Judgment Day! The fans cheer but Truth says hey, let’s change subject.

Truth knows how the group is a little picky on picking people for the group, so Truth wants to talk about bringing in “AWESOME~!” The Miz makes his way out, his Raw Tag Team title on his shoulder. Miz tells Truth that he doesn’t want to be in Judgment Day. And he knows Truth deep down doesn’t want to be in Judgment Day, either. He’s NOT in Judgment Day! Yes he is! Miz brings Truth over to his side of the ring, but even the fans chant “YES HE IS!” Miz says since Judgment Day are introducing new champs, then Miz will introduce your NEW Raw Tag Team Champions, The Awesome Truth!

Finn says they think they’re so funny, huh? But what’s funny to Finn is that The Awesome Truth are gonna have the shortest tag team reign in WWE history! Since they came out here to spoil the celebration, why not put the titles on the line right here, right now?! Truth says that sounds like fun, but they can’t. There are only three of them. What? How is Truth counting three? It’s not Lil’ Jimmy, is it? It is. But right, right, Truth says they can have a Six Man! Truth, Miz & the man you can’t see. Wait, what? JD recaps: Miz, Truth, and some guy they can’t see, against Judgment Day? They’re on!

Miz wants to physically see this third man. Aw dog, you will! Truth wanted to bring him to come celebrate, but he knew this guy would want to team with them instead. So without further ado- Judgment Day mugs Awesome Truth! The fans boo as Awesome Truth gets thrown out of the ring and Judgment Day stands tall. But seriously, does Truth have a third man ready or what? Guess we’ll find out, after the break!

Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS The Awesome Truth & ???

Raw returns and the match is already going as Dom brings Truth up to snap suplex! Uno Amigo, then Dos Amigos! Dom gets Truth up again, gives some Latino Heat, but Truth fires body shots! Dom knees low, tags JD, and they mug Truth. JD stomps away on Truth, the ref counts, and the fans rally up. JD lets off, argues with the ref, but that lets Dom get cheap shots in. JD AX HANDLES Truth down, then brings Truth up to CHOKE him! The ref counts, JD lets off at 4, then stalks Truth. JD dares Truth to tag the invisible man, then drops a knee. JD clamps on with a chinlock but the fans rally up again as Truth endures.

Truth stands, reaches out for Miz, but JD throws Truth by his hair! Tag to Dom and Dom stomps Truth! Dom covers, TWO! Truth stays in this but Dom drags him from Miz. Dom whips Truth to a corner, runs up, but Truth dodges! Dom hits buckles, staggers, and Truth hot tags Miz! Miz springboards to CROSSBODY! Miz DECKS JD, KICKS Dom again and again and again, “YES! YES! YES!” Miz lets off to go corner to corner, to A-LIST LARIAT! Miz BOOTS Finn, slides under Dom to roll him up, TWO! Miz kicks a leg out, to but JD runs up! Miz gets him, too! DOUBLE BASEMENT DDTS! Cover on Dom, TWO!

Miz builds energy and the fans rally up! Miz says “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Dom arm-drags the full nelson away, Miz ELBOWS Dom, but then Finn CLOBBERS Miz! The ref missed that checking on Dom, Truth protests, but that lets Finn & JD mug Miz! They whip Miz into barriers! The fans boo but Judgment Day is on top as Raw goes picture in picture.

Miz sputters, Dom drags him up and puts him in the ring. Dom storms in after Miz, stomps a mudhole in, then tags in JD. JD stomps Miz, sits him down, then digs his boots in. Miz tags Finn, Finn drags Miz up but Miz fires off hands on them all! Finn RAMS Miz into the corner, then sets him up for JD to trip and TORNILLO! Tag to Dom and he slingshot SENTONS! Tag back to Finn and he slingshot STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Judgment Day soaks up heat, and Finn ELBOWS Miz down. Finn CHOKES Miz on ropes, lets off at 4, and Dom gets another cheap shot! Miz goes to the apron, Finn brings him up, but Miz fights the suplex!

Miz RAMS into Finn, goes up and over to sunset flip but Finn rolls through to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Finn is frustrated but he brings Miz up. Finn bumps Miz off buckles, tags Dom, and Dom brings Miz around. Dom taunts Truth, then Uno Amigo! Dos Amigos! Then some Latino Heat, before THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Miz stays in this and Dom is frustrated! Dom drags Miz up, brings him over, tag to Finn. Finn snapmares and chinlocks Miz to grind him down again. Miz still endures, he reaches out, and Raw returns to single picture. Miz throws hands, reaches out, but Finn holds him back!

Miz keeps fighting but Finn whips. Miz KICKS back, only for Finn to run up, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up, JD tags in! JD gets Miz’s legs, Miz BOOTS him away, but Dom YANKS Truth down, and RAMS him into steel steps! The fans boo but Dom and Finn stomp away on Truth! JD stomps away on Miz, then rains down fists! The fans boo as JD flexes. BUT HERE COMES JOHN CENA!! Truth did say it was someone you can’t see! Cena gets on the corner and he reaches out for Miz! Miz dodges JD, hot tag to Cena! TH efans fire up as Cena rallies on JD with the shoulder tackles! SPIN-OUT BOMB!

The fans fire up and Truth joins in! Finn gets a SPIN-OUT BOMB, too! Then Miz gives Dom a SPIN-OUT BOMB! Philly is thunderous as we get TRIPLE “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” And then TRIPLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Is that 15? Anyway, fireman’s carries for TRIPLE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS!! Triple cover, The Awesome Truth and Cena win!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth & John Cena, by pinfall

The Judgment Day lose out on this one because The GOAT helped out in the clutch! How much more awesome is this new era going to be?

Bronson Reed speaks.

“When I step into the ring, I don’t just step in there to win. I step in there to break my opponents! And winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal was just the beginning. Tonight, Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, Ricochet, you are all going to learn a lesson in Raw dominance. Because I am here to conquer and prove who the real Heavyweight Champion should be.” That’s right, it is a Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match! Four of the biggest and the baddest stars line up, but will a Tsunami wash away the pretenders?

Dom regroups with Rhea backstage.

To think Cena would actually show up! But Rhea says Cena is not their problem. Dom trusted Andrade and Andrade betrayed him, that is their problem. Is Dom gonna deal with it or not? Dom will go talk to Pearce. Dom heads out, but then LIV MORGAN hits Rhea with a chair!! Liv fires off on Rhea, the Revenge Tour back again! Refs and producers rush in to stop Liv, Dom returns and they tell the cameraman to get outta here! Will Liv be able to get the revenge she’s wanted with Rhea still Women’s World Champion?

Indi Hartwell w/ Candice LeRae VS Roxanne Perez!

The Poison Pixie isn’t involved in this match, so #IndiWrestling is hoping to do things her way. But speaking of doing things her way, the NEW NXT Women’s Champion is here! The Prodigy did things her way and took this title off Lyra Valkyria, will she look to get some payback on the woman who took this title from her?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “NXT! NXT!” again. Roxie offers a handshake, Indi reaches out, but Roxie SLAPS her! Roxie laughs, Indi swings but Roxie gets around to jump on for a SLEEPER! Roxie is a backpack as Indi RAMS her into the buckles! And RAMS her into buckles again! Indi THROWS Roxie off, CLOBBERS her, then runs, but Roxie avoids the elbow drop! Roxie dropkicks the legs out, then CLUBS away on her! Roxie says Indi never deserved the NXT title! Indi shoves Roxie away, then scoops her! Roxie slips free, hooks Indi up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is frustrated but so is Candice.

Roxie throws Indi down by her hair, stomps away on a leg, then she bends Indi’s leg in a standing toehold! Indi BOOTS Roxie away with the free leg! Roxie gets the leg again, but Indi kicks her again! Roxie staggers, Indi FLAPJACKS her from her knees! Indi runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And then kick, CLUB, and JAB! Roxie falls, goes to a corner, and Indi runs up, only for Roxie to dodge! Roxie UPPERCUTS, then wrenches to reel Indi in! Indi whips, Candice trips Roxie! The fans boo and Indi is upset. She wants to do this on her own! Candice gets on the apron to reason with Indi but the ref tells her to get down.

Indi goes back to Roxie, but Roxie CLAWS Indi’s eyes! The ref was too busy with Candice! SOBAT and POP ROX! Cover, Roxie wins!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall

Both NXT champions show up and both of them win! Candice is upset with Indi but it’s Candice’s own fault! When will the toxicity stop?

Jey Uso finds Sami Zayn backstage.

The NEW Intercontinental Champion not only has the belt but he has a new shirt: “Yo Khadija! I did it!” Sami says Jey’s got that big Mania win, too. They’re proud of each other, and for old time’s sake, they secret handshake! YEET! Sami heads for gorilla, what will the new champ have to say in celebration?

Natalya finds Roxanne backstage.

Natty tells the champ she’ll see her tomorrow night on NXT. Roxie says no, you’ll see her on Roxie’s show. Roxie heads out, is the Queen of Harts going to rain on Roxie’s parade already?

Sami Zayn heads to the ring!

Philly cheers on the Canadian Rocky Balboa as he brings the Intercontinental Championship to the ring. Sami gets the mic while the fans sing his song. Sami holds up the belt, they cheer, and Sami says “Boy oh boy. I, um…” The fans chant “You Deserve It!” and Sami says he means this from the bottom of his heart, he can’t tell them how much that means to him. Sami has been so lucky these last few years at WrestleMania. He’s done some rather historic things, and this year, he really wanted to do something historic, and he’s pretty sure he did. But that’s not entirely true. The person that made history here is Gunther.

The fans boo and Sami says yeah, sure, but you can’t take anything away from him. 666 DAYS as champion! Gunther IS without question the best Intercontinental Champion of all time! But guess what? SAMI BEAT GUNTHER!! The fans cheer that! The fans now sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” and Sami smiles. Sami wants to talk about that for a second. He can’t take all the credit, he had help here, and as corny as it might sound, he got help from the fans. There were times he didn’t believe in himself but they did, so they helped him with that. And seeing his wife and son at the curtain, that helped him.

And seeing his brother in arms, Kevin Owens, firing him up at gorilla, that helped him! But there is one other guy that helped Sami, too. Wait, here comes Imperium… Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser walk out here, but it is Kaiser who says that for the past two YEARS, Der Ring General put all his heart, all his dedication, all that hard work, into making the Intercontinental Championship the most prestigious championship within the WWE! And let Kaiser tell you, it breaks his heart to see someone like Sami holding exactly that title right now. The fans boo but Kaiser says just look at Sami! He looks just like all these Philadelphia PEASANTS!

“Congratulations, WWE Universe! Your new Intercontinental Champion looks like a BUM!” But don’t worry! On behalf of Der Ring General, Imperium is here to make this right. The fans boo as Kaiser & Vinci flank the ring. Sami dares them to try something, but “SHOOOOSH~!” Chad Gable is here! Gable helps Sami have even numbers, “A THANK YEW~!” They dare Imperium to bring the fight now, but perhaps this will end up a tag match, player! We’ll see, after the break!

Sheamus is on his way back, fella!

The Celtic Warrior has been away, but one of the most decorated superstars in WWE history loves to fight! But just when and where will we see Sheamus return to put on banger after banger after banger?

Sami Zayn & Chad Gable VS Imperium!

Raw returns and yes, tag match it is! Gable starts against Vinci and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, but Vinci kicks low and wrenches! Gable CHOPS, rolls, bridges, and handsprings to then wrench and headlock, spin, hammerlock, and drop toehold! Gable has the arm and the fans cheer! Vinci fights up, CHOPS, then scoops, but Gable slips free! Gable waistlocks, goes to a corner, O’Conner Roll! TWO, Gable goes up and CROSSBODIES! Vinci gets up but Gable arm-drags to a cording hold! Gable brings Vinci up but Vinci pulls hair. Vinci whips, Gable goes up and over and keeps moving.

Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Vinci runs to CLOBBER Gable first! Vinci flexes but the fans boo. Vinci UPPERCUTS Gable to the corner, tags Kaiser, and Kaiser bumps Gable off buckles. Kaiser soaks up the heat, runs up, but blocks a boot! “NEIN!” and UPPERCUT! Gable falls, Kaiser soaks up the heat, and he rains down forearms on Gable’s head! The ref counts, Kaiser stomps Gable at the ropes! Kaiser taunts Philly, then brings Gable up. Gable back drops free! Hot tag to Sami! Gable feeds Kaiser to Sami’s AX HANDLE! Sami bumps Kaiser off buckles, goes up, and AX HANDLES again! Sami runs up, blocks a boot, and CHOPS!

Sami brings Kaiser around but Kaiser RAMS him into buckles! Tag to Vinci, Imperium mugs Sami, and Vinci UPPERCUTS! The ref reprimands but Sami hits back with forearms and elbows! Vinci kicks low, headlocks but Sami powers out. Sami drops, hurdles, but Kaiser tags in! Sami TOSSES Vinci but Kaiser runs up! Sami TOSSES Kaiser, too! Tag to Gable and he goes up, to SUPER CROSSBODY Imperium down! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable and Sami high-five and they get Vinci back in. Gable goes up, Vinci stands, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Gable brings Vinci up again, tags Sami, and Gable hands Vinci off.

Sami suplexes, Vinci fights it, and Vinci headlocks. Vinci puts Sami on the ropes, the ref counts, but Kaiser cheap shots Sami! Vinci stomps Sami, drags him into the ropes, then tags Kaiser! They meet at the corner, DOUBLE DROPKICKS sandwich Sami! The fans boo and Imperium soaks it up as Raw goes picture in picture.

Kaiser CHOKES Sami at the ropes, lets off at 4, and he KICKS Sami in the side! Kaiser fires haymakers at the ropes, but Sami hits back! Kaiser drop toeholds Sami down, then fishhooks Sami’s face! Kaiser ELBOWS Sami in the head, then wags his fingers at the fans. Kaiser tags Vinci, then clamps on a neck wrench. Vinci stomps Sami down! Vinci snapmares Sami, chinlocks, and he grinds Sami down. Sami fights up, throws body shots, but Vinci scoops to SLAM! Vinci then DECKS Gable just because! Vinci scrapes his soles off Sami’s face, then taunts him. Vinci stalks Sami to ropes, CLUBS him, then CHOKES him!

The ref counts, Vinci lets off, but then Kaiser gets a cheap shot in! Kaiser soaks up the heat while Vinci CLUBS Sami to a corner. Vinci CLUBS away on Sami, brings him to the Imperium corner, then tags Kaiser. Imperium mugs Sami, then Kaiser whips. Kaiser catches Sami into a SLEEPER! Sami endures, reaches out, but Kaiser keeps Sami from Gable. Sami starts to fade, fights up, and he has Kaiser as a backpack as he storms his way forward! Gable reaches out, Raw returns to single picture, but Kaiser brings Sami away! Sami gets around to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Both men are down and the fans rally up!

Sami and Kaiser crawl, hot tags to Gable and Vinci! Gable fires off on Vinci with forearms and UPPERCUTS! THROAT CHOP! Vinci swings, but Gable dodges to muel kick! Gable runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Kaiser returns, into an atomic drop! Then EXPLODER! Vinci is back, but he gets an atomic drop and EXPLODER! The fans fire up and Gable runs at Kaiser to CROSSBODY Kaiser and himself out! But Gable keeps moving, he goes ot the apron to CANNONBALL Kaiser down! Gable rights right back up a corner, to DIVING HEADBUTT! Just enough of a hit and Gable covers, TWO! Maybe not enough of a hit then…

Gable gets Vinci in a drop zone and he goes up top again! MOONSAULT, but Gable has to land out as Vinci moves! Vinci kicks low, suplexes, but Gable slips free! Gable waistlocks, powers Vinci to a corner but Kaiser tags in before the O’Conner Roll! Vinci still kicks out, Kaiser GAMANGIRIS! Vinci BACK SUPLEXES, then he hauls Gable up! Kaiser is up top, EURO BOMB!! Cover, Sami breaks it!! Vinci TOSSES Sami, he and Kaiser reset! Vinci tags in, they get Gable back up, but the fans rally for Gable! Gable back drops free! Kaiser leaps, into a GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous as Gable gets Vinci!

Kaiser and Vinci hold hands to stop the suplex, but then Sami waistlocks Kaiser! DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! But then Sami and Gable hold on! DOUBLE GERMANS again! And then DOUBLE GERMANS again! A double hattrick, “A THANK YEW~!” Sami tags in, he gets Vinci down for an ANKLE LOCK! Gable approves, but Kaiser YANKS Gable down! And he ENZIGIRIS Sami! Kaiser rains down fists but the fans boo! Gable CLOBBERS Kaiser and the fans fire up! Gable whips, Kaiser reverses to TOSS Gable! Sami clotheslines Kaiser up and out! Vinci runs up but Sami catches him! CORNER EXPLODER!

The fans fire up as Sami goes to the corner and takes aim! But then he looks to Gable, and tags him in! HELLUVA KICK and a CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, Gable & Sami win!

Winners: Sami Zayn & Chad Gable, by pinfall

A great win for the champion and the man who helped train him! Wherever Gunther is, is he upset at seeing his men fail? Will Gunther have to come back and do something about it?

Jey Uso speaks.

“Yeah, yeah! WrestleMania 40 was personal, Uce. Went toe to toe with my Bloodline. But tonight, it’s just me, Uce. Fatal 4 Way! Drew McIntyre: YEETDOWN! Ricochet: YEETDOWN! Big Bronson Reed: YEETDOWN! And if you want Jey Uso to be the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, lemme hear ya say, YEET!” “YEET!”

Ricochet prepares backstage.

The One and Only, the King of Flight, is more about actions rather than words, so he’ll let his actions speak for him in tonight’s main event. Will Ricochet add more to the highlight reel on his way to the world title?

Andrade El Idolo meets with the many General Managers of WWE.

He shakes hands with Adam Pearce, Nick Aldis and Ava Raine before taking his leave. The GMs all know he’s a great talent, and Aldis has to give it to Pearce for recruiting him to Raw. But too bad he put in all that work just for Aldis to snag Andrade in the upcoming draft. Oh, is that so? Cuz Pearce sees a couple of rosters full of people that’d look real good on Raw. Ava says let’s not forget that you never know who could end up on NXT. For now, let’s keep it civil. She has a good point, healthy competition is good, and putting aside their differences is for the betterment of all three shows. And what a WrestleMania weekend!

But then Chelsea Green screeches for Adam and he immediately wants to talk trades. The Hot Mess says these three think they did something special, don’t they? But she wasn’t part of it! The biggest Mania ever and they didn’t include her?! If they don’t think she’s gong to talk to top brass, they are sadly mistaken. Oh, don’t worry, Chelsea, they are aware. They saw her emails. The texts. The DMs. Which is why Pearce has a special answer for Chelsea. That’s what she likes to hear! She wants HER moment! Then she won’t be disappointed. If she goes to the ring now, her moment awaits. Chelsea squees and heads out, but just what are the GMs planning to serve up?

Chelsea Green VS ???

The Hot Mess perhaps proves that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but is this going to be a good thing or a bad thing? The lights go down, and “A storm… is coming.” Okay, definitely bad! Can Chelsea hope to survive JADE CARGILL?

The bell rings and Chelsea says this is not fair! This was supposed to be HER moment! She wants them to cut this match, but the fans tell Chelsea she messed up. Jade BOOTS Chelsea, gets her up, and chicken wings for JADED!! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall

Chelsea throws a fit but at least she can says she was Jade’s first opponent in a 1v1 match. Will Jade be the one making moments here in 2024?

The Alpha Academy celebrate with Sami backstage.

Otis, Tozawa & Maxxine loved the Suplex City, but Sami asks them to give him a minute with Gable. The others head out and Sami tells Gable thanks for the help. Sami knows he owes Gable a favor, so after that great match, how about they call it even? What? Even? Well, Sami had the match won but he handed it to Gable, that’s even, right? No, no, no, Sami. When Gable said Sami owed him a favor, he- Okay, okay, Sami stops Gable there. Sami was kidding, he of course knows what Gable wants. He does? Yeah. A title match. Gable does deserve a chance at this, perhaps more than anyone. So Sami would be honored to face Gable for this title.

Sami says they can even do it next week, in Montreal! Gable and Sami shake on it, and the match is set! Will Gable take full advantage of this favor and take that title off Sami? Or will Sami use what Gable taught him to then beat him in front of friends and family in Montreal?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso VS Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!

The Scottish Terminator storms to the ring and tells them to cut his music! What happened last night was complete and utter BS!! The fans taunt McIntyre with “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” McIntyre says five minutes and 46 seconds. That’s how long his moment lasted. They find this funny? Well, that’s five minutes more than most of you slobs last in bed, so shut it! And before he flies off the handle, he wants to tell Rollins that he may not like Rollins, but he respects Rollins for standing by his convictions, going out on his shield, and they shared a moment that only warriors know about, so McIntyre thanks you for that

But then… That bondage styled Undertaker, Damian Priest, screwed it up! McIntyre would say he’ll whoop Priest’s ass, but he’d probably enjoy it! The MITB briefcase is a joke! It cost McIntyre the title TWICE, and it cheapens everything Rollins and McIntyre did! Priest stole it from him! McIntyre is coming after Priest, he’ll make Priest a transitional champion! That belt belongs to McIntyre! Fans are torn, but McIntyre isn’t done there. Priest may have cashed in, but he didn’t cause this. The only reason it happened is because of that prick, CM PUNK! McIntyre told Punk what he’d do. McIntyre said he’d win the title, have his moment, and he rubbed it in Punk’s face.

But then it was no accident that McIntyre was in striking distance. He said what he had to say, but Punk did nothing. Punk put the headphones on, made jokes, went into business for himself, he’s a coward! The second McIntyre looked away, Punk tripped him up, took off that arm brace and bashed McIntyre int he face! So you thought this was bad before? McIntyre knows Punk’s gonna disappear, go into hiding, but it will be on sight! McIntyre is going for Punk’s weakest part, but it just so happens Punk’s entire body is his weak point! But the ranting ends as Main Event Jey makes his entrance! McIntyre throws a fit, but THE main event is here, after the break!

Raw returns and Bronson makes his entrance, followed by Ricochet. The bell rings and McIntyre goes after Jey while Ricochet is after Bronson! McIntyre CLUBS Jey on the taped up back, then he fires off on Bronson! Bronson hits a SAIDO on McIntyre! Bronson CLOBBERS Jey out of the ring, but Ricochet DUMPS Bronson out! The fans fire up, Ricochet builds speed, and he goes up, and up and ESCALARA CANNONBALL! Ricochet takes down everyone and the fans fire up as Raw goes picture in picture.

Ricochet brings McIntyre up, ROCKS him, then he kicks Bronson. McIntyre rakes Ricochet’s eyes! Then whips him hard into barriers! McIntyre ROCKS Ricochet, puts his shirt over his face, and CHOPS! Ricochet sputters but McIntyre drags him around the way. Jey fires hands on Bronson while McIntyre gives Ricochet SNAKE EYES off the desk! McIntyre then scoops Ricochet, but Ricochet slips free to POST McIntyre! Ricochet looks around, then looks at the apron skirt. Bronson beats up Jey in the ring, and then Bronson stands on Jey’s neck! Jey can only endure as Bronson thrashes him! Bronson then brings Jey up to RAM him in the corner!

Ricochet finds something under the ring: A TABLE! Ricochet puts that in the ring, but McIntyre CLOBBERS him! Bronson CLUBS Jey, McIntyre puts Ricochet in the ring, and Bronson stands on Jey’s ribs! McIntyre drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him in a corner, and Ricochet falls to his knees. McIntyre soaks up the heat while Bronson puts Jey in another corner. Bronson runs up, but Jey dodges, Bronson hits POST! McIntyre reels Ricochet in and suplexes, but Ricochet knees free! Then ENZIGIRIS! McIntyre wobbles, Ricochet runs but McIntyre scoops for a BACKBERAKER! McIntyre grabs the table and stands it up in a corner.

McIntyre rallies the fans as he drums the table, then brings Ricochet up. McIntyre scoops Ricochet, aims, but Ricochet slips free! Ricochet SUPERKICKS, McIntyre wobbles, but McIntyre blocks Ricochet’s kick! McIntyre FLIPS Ricochet, then deadlifts him for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Jey breaks it! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but McIntyre THROAT CHOPS Jey! McIntyre runs up, but Jey TOSSES him out! Jey builds speed but Bronson is there to CLOBBER him! The Colossal Aussie runs to ELBOW DROP! Bronson soaks up the heat, drags Jey up, and HEADBUTTS him back down! Bronson eggs Jey on, then HEADBUTTS again!

Bronson goes corner to corner and HIP ATTACKS Jey! Ricochet gets up but Bronson DECKS him! Bronson drags Jey back up, takes aim, and he hauls Jey up! Jey slips free and SUPERKICKS! Bronson wobbles, so Jey runs to SPEAR, but Bronson smothers it!! Bronson scoops Jey, RAMS Ricochet with him, then runs in to POWERSLAM through the table!! The fans fire up while Raw goes picture in picture.

Bronson drags Jey from the wreckage, kicks him to the floor, then clears out the wreckage. Bronson sees Ricochet on the apron again, storms up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Ricochet GAMANGIRIS again! Ricochet springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Bronson ends up in a corner, Ricochet runs up to forearm smash! Ricochet runs corner to corner again, for another forearm smash! Ricochet keeps going, but runs into an URENAGE! Ricochet flounders and writhes, but Bronson drags Ricochet back up. Bronson HEADBUTTS Ricochet and he falls back against ropes. Bronson storms up to get Ricochet’s legs, and YANKS him up for a SLAM!

Bronson clamps onto Ricochet with a neck wrench, but Ricochet endures even as Bronson leans on him. Ricochet fights up, fires forearms, but Bronson ROCKS him! Bronson runs up, but Ricochet DUMPS Bronson out! Ricochet DROPKICKS McIntyre off the apron, then goes out to AX HANDLE! McIntyre staggers, Ricochet fires off on him as they go around the way. McIntyre hits back, and CHOPS Ricochet! Ricochet CHOPS back! And CHOPS, and CHOSP! McIntyre scowls as he CHOPS again! McIntyre scoops Ricochet for a big SNAKE EYES! McIntyre CHOPS Ricochet, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet falls into the front row!

McIntyre soaks up the cheers and jeers, then drags Ricochet back to ringside. McIntyre puts Ricochet in but Ricochet HOTSHOTS McIntyre back! Bronson returns and he brings Ricochet around! Raw returns to single picture as Ricochet fires hands. Bronson kicks and whips but Ricochet handsprings, only for Bronson to catch him! Ricochet elbows free, then PELES! Bronson staggers to a corner, Ricochet sees McIntyre return, TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGIRI! Ricochet has targets in corners, and he runs to forearm McIntyre! Then he forearms Bronson! Back to McIntyre but McIntyre catches Ricochet! RAM and OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

Ricochet ends up at Bronson’s feet! Bronson TOSSES Ricochet over McIntyre! The fans fire up as now Auszilla meets the Scottish Terminator! The fans chant for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as the forearms start flying! McIntyre CHOPS, but Bronson CHOPS! “WOO~! MEAT!” echoes out, but then Bronson shoves and SPLASHES in a corner! Bronson whips corner to corner, McIntyre dodges and scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER?! Cover, Jey breaks it! Ricochet also returns, Jey dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK! Ricochet joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS, but McIntyre only drops to a knee! Bronson joins in, too?! TRIPLE SUPERKICKS take McIntyre down!

Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Bronson! Bronson says up, so DOUBLE SUPERKICKS hit again! Ricochet blocks Jey’s superkick, spins him, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Ricochet is back to V-TRIGGER! Bronson LARIATS Ricochet! Jey SPEARS Bronson!! Cover, MCINTYRE BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” McIntyre drags Jey up first, brings him around and puts him up top. McIntyre CHOPS Jey, climbs up after him, but Jey fights the superplex! Jey throws body shots, McIntyre wobbles, and Jey HEADBUTTS! McIntyre sits on the corner, Jey HEADBUTTS him into the Tree of Woe!

But Ricochet goes right up! Jey HEADBUTTS him down! Jey stands, but McIntyre sit sup to SPIDER SUPLEX! But Ricochet DROPKICKS McIntyre! Bronson BUCKLE BOMBS Ricochet onto McIntyre! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Bronson is furious but he SENTONS Ricochet! Ricochet is in the drop zone now and Bronson climbs! But McIntyre drags Bronson down! Bronson knocks McIntyre off the apron, then FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Bronson clears off the Spanish commentary desk! This keeps happening! GLASGOW KISS first! Then McIntyre POSTS Bronson!

Bronson staggers, so McIntyre HEADBUTTS again! Bronson is on the desk, Jey DIVES to take out McIntyre! Jey hurries up the corner, and he aims at Ricochet! But Ricochet kips up to ENZIGIRI! Jey falls, Ricochet goes up! Ricochet has his choice of targets, and he’s thinking big! SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH through the table!!! The fans lose their minds as Ricochet takes Bronson out! McIntyre and Jey meet in the ring, “This is Awesome!’ as the haymakers fly! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey puts some stank on the UYPPERCUT! But McIntyre kicks low, FUTURE SHOCK!! Kip up and then he loads up in the corner!

McIntyre has the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAY0 NO, CM PUNK is here?! He trips McIntyre up and that pisses McIntyre off! But a SUPERKICK hits! Then a SPEAR!! Jey hurries up top and Punk is laughing at McIntyre again, USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Punk bounces along with Philly as Main Event Jey takes the main event win! McIntyre has even more reason to hate Punk, what is he going to do now? As for Jey, is he about to YEET the title right off of Priest?

My Thoughts:

What a great Raw After Mania! Maybe not the biggest or greatest, but it was great. Though, that commercial free first hour was apparently just so The Rock wouldn’t have to worry how long it took for him to get his promo out with the fans going back and forth between different chants. We did get such a great celebratory video package for Cody, but I was really expecting The Rock’s confrontation with Cody to directly set up a title match for Backlash. Rock did note how he pinned Cody, aka he should be #1 contender to the Universal title. But if not Backlash, then maybe SummerSlam, which I’m sure Cody makes it to that point as champion somehow, and that will be some epic stuff.

And for a Raw After Mania, not a lot of like call-ups or returns, but at the same time, they did tell us that in three weeks, we’re getting the Draft back! Well, okay, I’m not that excited, Drafts aren’t always needed in my opinion, but hey, it’ll be reason for call-ups and trades. Cody will surely be on SmackDown via the Draft, no need to trade someone to Raw. And I did like the GMs talking and teasing that there will be things happening. Jade showed up to squash Chelsea, Dragunov and Roxanne got to have really good matches with former champions, but I would think the NXT champs stay on NXT at this point.

Great stuff out of Judgment Day, and I really like everything about Priest’s world champion presentation. Especially that suit, that was a really good suit. And I love that for just a moment, Truth forgot where he stood with Judgment Day. But great Six Man Tag, and of course Truth being so adamant about a guy we can’t see, it was a sign Cena was showing up. Great win for Awesome Truth & Cena, and I think the feud with Judgment Day continues where now perhaps Finn and JD are the duo going after the tag titles since Priest will have his world title to worry about instead. And of course Dom is facing Andrade 1v1 and Liv got to go after Rhea to set that up for Backlash.

Great stuff with Sami tonight, with Imperium of course going after him but Gable of course backing him up. Seth VS Gable for the title in Montreal, that is going to be so much fun. Now, I’m pretty sure Sami wins that to get his first defense in the books, and maybe it pushes Gable into going Heel. Whether Alpha Academy follows Gable into that, who knows. Also good to see Sheamus getting a return hype video, maybe he gets the Intercontinental Championship before the year is out so he can complete that ultimate WWE checklist.

And of course, back to Priest needing to defend his title, awesome stuff in tonight’s Fatal 4 Way main event. Bronson had a good promo, Jey also had a good promo, and McIntyre’s ranting promo before the match started was also great. But of course McIntyre hating on Punk, that gave Punk more than enough reason to screw McIntyre over. Jey getting the win is great stuff, he and Priest are going to have a great match, but I feel like there still needs to be something with Ricochet and Judgment Day after the weeks of them getting at it. Maybe Ricochet watches Jey’s back since Judgment Day will surely use numbers against Jey on the way to Backlash.

My Score: 8.9/10