It’s the Raw After WrestleMania!

WrestleMania 42 is in the books, and once again, WWE must ACKNOWLEDGE HIM! But what will be next for Roman Reigns now that he is the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS The Kabuki Warriors; Rhea & Iyo win.
• Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins.
• Sol Ruca VS Liv Morgan w/ The Judgment Day; Liv wins.
• Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; Finn wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

OBA FEMI is here!

The T-Mobile Arena in Vegas cheers as The Ruler appears! They chant for “O~BA!” as he struts to the ring in a suit and tie. The fans cheer more as Oba grabs a mic and steps into the ring. “O~BA! HOO!” echoes out and Oba takes it all in. The fans chant for “OBA FEMI!” and he says, “The Ruler has arrived!” Then he drops the mic and the fans cheer again! Oba doesn’t need to say much, his actions spoke loud and clear on Sunday! Oba stands in the spotlight, but who will he conquer next?

The Kabuki Warriors speak.

Asuka tells Iyo, “Once again, you choose your fake family in Rhea Ripley over your real one and yourself. I will always be your senpai, and I will always be the one who brought you your success in WWE. Iyo, you seem to forget this, but tonight, you will remember. Since you devoted yourself to Rhea, how has that been working out? Rhea is a champion now, and what are you? Huh? You are NOTHIN! Iyo, it didn’t have to happen this way. You could’ve shown me the respect I deserved, and you would’ve had your senpai by your side. Not only did you make your choice, you tried to corrupt Kairi, too!”

Kairi speaks up to say that last week, she beat Iyo. This week, they beat Iyo again! Iyo & Rhea will suffer the consequences! They are not ready for Asuka! But will that still be true even now? Or will #RheYo finally be done with the Kabuki Warriors?

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS The Kabuki Warriors!

Raw returns as Asuka & Kairi make their entrance to join #RheYo in the ring. The teams sort out and Kairi starts against Iyo. They circle, tie up, and go around. The fans rally as Iyo arm-drags Kairi but the two keep the grapple. Kairi fights to her feet but Iyo puts her on the ropes. The ref counts, Iyo backs off slowly, but Kairi shoves her! Kairi swings, Iyo ducks to waistlock, but Kairi wrenches through to wristlock. Iyo spins, wrenches, and headlocks. Kairi pulls hair and the fans boo, but Asuka gives a thumbs up! Kairi THROWS Iyo down, then drags Iyo up by her hair. Kairi THROWS Iyo, but Iyo handsprings through!

The fans cheer, Kairi runs up but Iyo blocks a shot and kicks low. Iyo wrenches and whips, Kairi reverses, but Iyo pops Kairi up and out! Kairi RAMS low, goes up, but Iyo avoids the leap! Kairi says kiss this! The fans rally for Iyo & Rhea but Kairi taunts Iyo with her own crazy taunt. Kairi runs, dodges, then stomps Iyo’s foot! Kairi runs to go up and RANA, then she basement DROPKICKS! The fans boo but Asuka cheers Kairi on. Kairi brings Iyo up, reaches out for Asuka, but Iyo rolls her up, TWO! Kairi blocks Iyo’s kick, ROCKS her, then Alabama Lifts! Iyo fights that to underhook and TIGER BACKBREAKER!

The fans fire up as Iyo tags Rhea! Iyo then wheelbarrows with Rhea for the assisted SPLASH! Rhea covers, TWO! Rhea drags Kairi up but Kairi SMACKS Rhea! Rhea atomic SLAMS Kairi, then DROPKICKS her! Asuka tags in and the fans fire up! Asuka shoves Rhea, each ducks a kick, but Asuka fires fast hands! Rhea ducks the uraken to kick, SMASH, and- NO, Asuka ducks the haymaker to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, MULE KICK, then run the ropes! SLIDING KICK! Rhea falls over, but she EDDY GORDO KICKS right back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Rhea drags Asuka up, but Asuka BOOITS Iyo to prevent the tag!

Rhea waistlocks, Asuka elbows free, but Rhea BOOTS back! Asuka distracts the ref as Kairi takes a swing! Rhea ducks it, then DECKS Kairi, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Rhea down! Rhea falls out of the ring while Asuka tags Kairi. Asuka BLASTS Iyo while Kairi climbs, and Kairi FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS! Down goes Rhea and Kairi is all fired up while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns as The Kabuki Warriors whip Rhea to ropes to then KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Rhea stays in this, but Kairi tags Asuka. Asuka brings Rhea up while Kairi climbs, and Asuka dragon sleepers! But Rhea wrenches out to DECK Asuka! Kairi leaps, Rhea dodges, and Kairi rolls, only for Rhea to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Rhea crawls, but so does Kairi. Hot tags to Asuka and Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo dodges Asuka to URAKEN, SHOTEI, and SHOTEI! Asuka shoves Iyo, but Iyo BOOTS back! Kairi runs up but Iyo blocks a kick and sends it into Asuka!

The fans cheer as Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, handsprings through, then DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! The fans fire up again as Iyo kips up and does the crazy taunt! Iyo has targets in the corners, so she hops on the bullet train! SHINKANSEN for Asuka, SHINKANSEN for Kairi, and SHINKANSEN back to Asuka! The fans fire up as Iyo BUZZSAWS Asuka, covers, TWO!! Asuka survives but Iyo drags her up. Iyo wrenches, then calls to Rhea! Rhea tags in, then she hauls Asuka up! Iyo climbs, then waves bye to Asuka. RAZOR’S EDGE, and a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kairi is a fingertip shy so she’s fortunate Asuka survives.

But then Rhea hauls Asuka back up, RIP- NO, Asuka slips free! Asuka BLASTS Iyo, dodges Rhea, then tags Kairi! CODE BREAKER to BLUCK BUSTER! DOUBLE SLIDING ATTACK! Cover, Iyo breaks it! The fans fire up but Asuka is furious! She BUZZSAWS Iyo, then GERMAN- NO, Iyo victory rolls to STOMP 182! But Kairi CLUBS away on Iyo! Kairi SLAPS Iyo, whips her, but Iyo DIVES onto Asuka! Kairi is stunned, but Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Then tag to Iyo, RIPTIDE to OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, RheYo wins!

Winners: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky, by pinfall

The team is back together again and they’re still winning! But how will Asuka handle Kairi taking the loss?

Adam Pearce talks with Penta.

The Raw General Manager congratulates the Man With Zero Fear on retaining the WWE Intercontinental Championship, that match was increible! Penta thanks Pearce, but Pearce isn’t sure how to follow that up. Je’Von Evans walks in, says hey to “Mr. P” and Penta, and says congrats to Penta. Penta did his thing. But to be real, Evans is still gonna be champion, so he ain’t going anywhere. Penta says yes, they stole the show, and they can do it again soon. But Penta’s title isn’t going anywhere, because he is Penta, and he has #CeroMiedo! Penta leaves, Evans sighs, but in steps Ethan Page! Pearce knows Evans knows All Ego, but he welcomes Ethan as Raw’s newest superstar!

Ethan asks Evans if he really said he wants another shot at the Intercontinental title. Well, Ethan is here now, and he always gets what he wants. And he wants the Intercontinental Championship. The only difference is, Ethan’s not gonna need a second chance. Oh, he thinks he’s funny, huh? Pearce says okay, okay, let’s settle this in the ring tonight. Ethan says he’ll gladly humiliate Evans again. Evans says ain’t nobody taking his spot. The Young OG heads out, Pearce welcomes Ethan to Raw, but will Ethan already take over?

CM Punk is here!

We watch Punk walk to and through gorilla, then onto the stage, yet with no music. The fans still cheer “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” despite him no longer being WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Punk kneels, checks his watch, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Now Cult of Personality starts and the fans sing along as Punk walks down the ramp. Punk goes to the ring, but takes his time as he gets the mic. The fans still cheer Punk on, and Punk finally says, “I’ve been dealing with a lot of loss the past six months, maybe since October. I was overseas wrestling in Japan when I got a call that woke me up. My friend, my MMA trainer, that Duke Rufus, didn’t wake up that morning.

“Then in November, my Larry crossed the rainbow bridge. And it seemed like between then and now, every two weeks, me and my WWE family lost a member. Kerwin Silfies, Jim Shank, David Coates. And these are the people behind the scenes. These are the cameramen, the hair and make-up, and the caterers, and the producers and the people in the truck and the truck drivers.” The fans cheer as Punk gives reverence to “everybody who makes this place a well-oiled machine, the real heroes, the real superstars, behind the men.

“My job is easy. These are the men and women that grind day in and day out, away from their families, that are with me so often that they call me family. And I just had to show a little bit of respect last night on my jacket. Yeah, give it up for them.” The fans applaud with a standing ovation for all of the WWE crew. Punk continues by saying most recently, his friend, Bo Lueders, passed away. Then Punk lost the title last night. All the aforementioned losses sting more than losing the title, but the thing is, every week, Punk has come here, and the fans cathartically helped Punk heal and get through those losses.

Being Heavyweight Champion gave Punk an anchor and a reason to not just slow down and reduce himself to a puddle of tears, even when he wanted to. So he is here to say thanks for helping process all the grief. The fans all helped him get through those losses, so something tells him they’ll help him through the loss from last night. Hell, Punk wasn’t even supposed to be World Heavyweight Champion. He survived Gunther, only to be cashed-in on in a single second by Seth Rollins. A part of Punk said being WHC at 46 years old, for even three minutes, that’s not bad. That’s the cherry on top of one hell of a sundae.

And then, Punk could’ve just reduced himself to a puddle of tears, ate donuts on the couch with his hot wife. But instead, he stayed ready! He came here and poured his heart and his soul into this to entertain all the fans. And because Punk stays ready, an opportunity arose. Rollins got hurt, Punk won the #1 contender’s match, and next thing you know, Punk is WHC. If he didn’t stay ready, you’d be here YEETING with Jey Uso instead. Punk doesn’t know why fans boo that, he likes to YEET. Get with the program, Vegas. But Punk stays ready, that’s all he can do, because he never knowns when a title opportunity will fall outta the sky.

Punk stays ready, but do you know why he’s smiling? Because he’s still the Best in the World, and he came here to Vegas. He said he had a dream ever since he was a kid, and he stood under the brightest lights on the biggest stage in front of the world, and he proved it! He gave everything he had, it just wasn’t his night. He won’t cry about it, he won’t go home and sulk, and he’s not going on vacation. Punk will stay ready, because you never know when an opportunity is gonna fall out of the sky. WAIT! Cody Rhodes is here! The fans sing along with Kingdom as the American Nightmare walks out on stage.

Cody takes off the sunglasses to reveal the nasty bruising around his eye. Cody hobbles a bit as he walks down the ramp, and while the fans say “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get the pyro, Cody isn’t really in the mood for that. Cody steps into the ring, gets himself a mic, and Punk gets a good look at the shiner. In fact, that might not even cover what happened. Cody waits on the second “WHOA~ OH~!” while the fans are a bit more torn. Punk asks if he went over, is this Cody’s time? No, Punk, don’t leave, this is Monday Night Raw, this is Punk’s time. And well, maybe Cody assumed, maybe he is wrong, but he was standing by, watching like everyone else, and…

This isn’t necessarily what Cody expected, but… Wait, wait, did Cody think Punk would freak out or crash out? If Punk is asking if Cody thought that, then… yeah. Punk says that’s fair. But Punk knows Cody, Cody knows Punk, but Punk is buttoned up. This is not what Cody was expecting, he is glad Vegas gave Punk the flowers he deserves, as he always does. But Cody isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do, he’s the one standing here feeling and looking like a loser, yet he has the title. Punk asks hold on, should Punk feel like a loser? Cody tries to apologize but Punk says no, stop, it’s fine! They’re friends! Punk doesn’t feel like it, okay?

Well, maybe Punk looks like a loser, he has that tattoo of a marshmallow on a stick. But Cody’s not a loser, either. Punk gets why Cody feels it. On Saturday, Cody overcame a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a living legend. But this is what made it hard: he also beat a friend, a mentor. Punk fought someone he hates! That’s easy! It’s easy to kick him in his stupid face and make fun of the chili pepper necklace. But Cody fought a friend, that’s a real challenge. Cody won, Punk lost. Cody is a winner, and technically, Punk’s a loser. But it’s okay! The path is clear. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but Punk’s free as a bird.

Punk gladly shouldered the burden of being world champion last night, but it just wasn’t his night. The path for Cody is to keep being champion, to keep winning. The path for Punk is to stay ready, because you never know when a championship opportunity is just gonna fall out of the sky. Punk gives a glance to the title, then steps away, but Cody says, “Hey, Punk. Just say when.” Punk smiles and the fans cheer. Beat up as Cody is, is he willing to fight the Best in the World?

Finn Balor speaks.

“Last night at WrestleMania, Dom brought out The Demon. And The Demon put Dom down. But I’m not finished with The Judgment Day. Dom drew first blood, so he was the first to fall. I expected this type of betrayal from Dominik. But from JD? I remember when JD was just a 12-year-old unassuming kid that walked into the wrestling gym in Ireland. Over the years together, I helped him grow into one of the greatest performers on earth. And in the Judgment Day, when I needed someone that I knew would have my back no matter what, it was only gonna be JD. But then the moment of truth, he made a choice, and he chose Dominik Mysterio.

“JD, this is gonna be one of those full circle moments. Because I brought you into this business, but tonight, I’m gonna take you out.” The Prince has spoken, will he prove you don’t bet on the Irish Ace?

Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page!

These two have a deep and heated rivalry from NXT, and now it’s about to get Raw! But will The Young OG humble All Ego on his debut? Or will Ethan steal everyone’s smile on the Raw After Mania?

Raw returns as Evans makes his entrance to join Ethan in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally for Evans. They tie up, go around, and Ethan headlocks. Evans endures and powers up to power out. Ethan RUNS Evans over, but the fans boo as Ethan pats Evans on the head. Things speed up, Evans dodges to redirect and jump into the roll-up! TWO, but Ethan runs up! Evans goes up and over, then again, but Ethan still takes a swing! Evans goes Matrix to kip up and STUNNER! The fans cheer as Ethan stumbles to a corner, but Ethan uses the ropes as a defense! The ref has Evans back up, but Ethan DECKS Evans with a cheap shot!

The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Ethan rains down fists! Ethan snarls as he paces around. Evans stands, Ethan CLUBS him on the neck, then scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Evans writhes but the fans rally. Ethan storms up but Evans UP KICKS! Evan brings Ethan around to CHOP, but Ethan swings! Evans ducks to JAB, JAB, JAB! Evans runs, but Ethan dodges to ROCK Evans again! Ethan whips Evans, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans rally but Ethan HEADBUTTS Evans! Ethan clamps onto Evans and squeezes tight, but the fans rally for Evans. Evans fights up, reaches out, and he RAMS Ethan into the corner!

Ethan CLUBS Evans, stalks him, then back suplexes. Evans lands out, DROPKICKS, then runs up to BOUNCY~ RANA! Ethan tumbles all the way out while the fans fire up! Evans says guess where we at! #WeOutside! He builds speed to FLY! Down goes Ethan and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Ethan CHOKES Evans and says this is HIS house! Evans breaks free to TOSS Ethan, then he DIVES! Another direct hit at the ramp and the fans cheer again. Evans puts Ethan in, bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK Ethan, put him in the corner, and ENZIGIRI! Evans shoves Ethan to center, then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Evans as he stands again. Evans fires Vegas up even more, then goes to the corner. Evans climbs, but Ethan SMACKS him! Ethan climbs up after Evans, but Evans HEADBUTTS back! Ethan drops down, but he UPPERCUTS! Ethan then crosses the arms, ICONOCLASM!

Ethan then RIPCORDS Evans up for the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Evans toughs it out! Ethan is annoyed, and he points to Evans while mocking the fans. The fans boo Ethan but Ethan rips Evans’ shirt up! Ethan scoops but Evans fights free! Evans DUMPS Ethan out, mule kicks him, then ASAI M OONSAULTS, but has to land out as Ethan moves! Ethan whips, Evans reverses, and Ethan eats POST! Evans runs up to SUPERKICK Ethan onto the desk! The fans fire up as Evans looks to the corner. But someone turns Evans around! Rusev?! Evans ducks the cheap shot to SMACK Rusev in return!

Evans sees Ethan getting up, but Evans CROSSBODIES Rusev down! The fans fire up for Evans, he hurries after Ethan in the ring, and goes up, up, and- NO, Ethan trips Evans up! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, Ethan wins!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

Give an assist to the Bulgarian Brute, Rusev storms in to beat up on Evans! Ethan says yeah, not his problem. The fans boo Ethan and they boo Rusev, but Rusev stops stomping so he can drag Evans around! Stomp and ACCOLADE!! But PENTA rushes out here to make the save! The fans cheer as Penta dodges Rusev, CHOPS away, then KICKS, KICKS, and- NO, Rusev blocks the superkick! Rusev spins Penta but Penta dodges the lariat to SUPERKICK after all! The fans fire up for Penta as he climbs up a corner! But Ethan SHOVES Penta down! Rusev MACHKA KICKS Penta down!

All Ego calls to Rusev and says good work. Ethan leaves the ring to Rusev, and Rusev stomps Penta! ACCOLADE!! Penta endures being bent back, but Rusev lets him go to pick up the belt. Will Rusev have his day when he finally gets that title?

Judgment Day is here!

The NEW WWE Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan, leads the way for Dirty Dom, JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, ready to celebrate her victory at WrestleMania. The new theme song is right, she was nothing but trouble for La Primera, though it helps that she had her amigas helping out. The fans are torn as Liv gets the mic, and she revels in it all. Some fans even chant, “You Deserve It!” Liv smiles as she says, “las Vegas, that is the smartest thing y’all’ve said all day! Because you are now in the presence of the GREATEST Women’s World Champion of ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIME~!”

But before they really get to the celebration, there are a couple of people Liv would like to thank. First off, to her Judgment Day family, JD, Roxie, Daddy Dom y Raquel. They have been her rock, she wouldn’t be where she is without them, thank you. Secondly, this one might surprise people, but she’d like to thank her opponent, Stephanie Vaquer. “We beat the hell out of each other, but she reminded me of a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long time. It reminded me of who I am. And who I am is the most talented in the WWE! This is MY ring, this is MY division, this is MY show, and this is MY Women’s World Championship!”

The fans are again torn, but Liv says if you thought she was “messy and trouble before,” well, just you wait. Because- SOL RUCA is here?! The fans cheer the Soul Surfer as she high-fives her way down the ramp and to the ring. Sol gets a mic and says, “Hey, Liv~! Now, I’m so sorry for interrupting, but I’ve been watching you. And honestly, you are such an inspiration to me. Watching your journey over the past decade, seeing you win that title, it taught me what I learned at the battle royal. And that’s that you are the top woman in this division. Honestly, congrats, dude, you deserve this.” Liv thanks Sol but uh, she has some nerve coming out here during LIV’S celebration!

But y’know what? Liv does appreciate those kind words. So since Sol was so nice to Liv, Liv will say this as nicely as she can. “You are no Liv Morgan, sweetie! HAHA~!” But Liv will give Sol a chance to save herself. If she ever wants to make it to a WrestleMania, she’ll get out of LIV’S ring right now! Sol says Liv is misreading this. She’s not picking a fight. But she sure won’t back down from one, either. The mics drop, the fans fire up, but Adam Pearce hurries out here. The GM says hold on, don’t get hot, he has to keep this under control! This is the biggest Monday of the year, the Raw After Mania, and Vegas is acting like they wanna see a fight. The fans cheer “YES!”

Wait, they DO wanna see the fight? Pearce calls to Jessica Karr, and he asks if she can handle this. Jess says yes, and Pearce says then it is official! Liv VS Sol, right now! Judgment Day is livid, but will Liv get her soul snatched? Or will she drag Sol into Oblivion?

Sol Ruca VS Liv Morgan w/ The Judgment Day!

Raw returns, the bell rings, and Liv runs up! Sol goes Matrix, then trips Liv to handspring and SUPERKICK! The fans cheer Sol and she whips Liv. Liv blocks, ROCKS Sol, then kicks, KICKS, and ENZI- NO, Sol ducks under! Sol waistlcoks, Liv victory rolls, ONE! Sol has it, TWO! Liv ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA, but Sol cartwheels through! DROPKICK! Sol kips up, the fans fire up, and Sol runs up in the corner to BACK BODY BLOCK! Sol then snapmares Liv and sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT but onto knees! Liv turns things around and Judgment Day coaches her up. Liv runs at the ropes but Sol ROCKS Liv!

Sol jumps up, Liv hits the ropes, and that trips Sol up! Sol falls, Liv stomps away, and Liv HAMMERS away on Sol’s back! The fans are torn as Sol writhes. Liv smiles as she steps on Sol, then drags her up. Liv whips Sol to a corner, runs up and BACK BODY BLCOK! Liv rolls, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Liv snapmares to SHOTGUN Sol down! Cover, TWO! Sol toughs it out and Liv is annoyed. Liv drags Sol up, kicks her around, then runs up, but Sol ELBOWS her away! Sol BOOTS Liv, then slips around to O’Conner- NO, Liv bucks the roll to kick low! Liv looms over Sol, brings her around, and scoops, only for Sol to slip free!

Sol waistlocks, SLAMS Liv down, then floats to a facelock. Liv wrenches out to facelock back, but the fans rally as Sol endures. Sol fights up, but Liv KNEES low! Liv CLUBS away on Sol, then scoops, but Sol slips free again. Sol shoves Liv, then runs past her! Sol handsprings through the arm-drag to X-FACTOR! The fans fire up while Liv flounders! Roxie & Raquel are worried but Sol goes to the apron. Sol goes to the corner to QUEBRADA! Down goes Liv and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns as Liv ROCKS Sol. Liv reels Sol in, then snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Liv stands again, and she hits Dos Amigas! The fans boo but Liv brings Sol up again, gives some Latina Heat, but Sol snap suplexes in return! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel & Roxie coach Liv up, and she fires a forearm! Sol fires back! They go back and forth, shot for shot, then Sol CHOPS! Liv CHOPS back! Sol ROCKS Liv, Liv ROCKS Sol, repeat! The fans rally behind Sol as she fires a flurry of CHOPS! Sol mule kicks, ELBOWS, then ducks to UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again!

Sol whips Liv to a corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Sol goes up the corner, leaps and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Liv tumbles away, and Sol kips up! The fans cheer as Sol runs and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! Liv survives and the fans are torn again. Sol goes back up the corner, “This is Awesome!” as Sol takes aim again. Liv rises, Sol leaps, but Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sol survives the counterattack and Liv is beside herself! The fans rally again as Sol crawls to a corner. Liv takes aim, runs up, OBLIV- NO, Sol handsprings through! SUPERKICK! And then SOUL SNATCHER!!! But Liv flounders right out of the ring!

The fans boo, and Sol can’t believe how close and yet so far she was! Sol just handsprings, SOL-SUKE SPECIAL! Sol takes Judgment Day down and Vegas is losing their mind! Sol then locks in on Liv, puts her in the ring, BUT ZARIA ATTACKS!! Zaria POSTS Sol, then SPINEBUSTERS her on the floor! All while Liv distracts the ref! Zaria tells Sol better get used to looking at the floor! Their Last Woman Standing match awaits for NXT Revenge, but the fans boo as Zaria leaves Sol laying. The ring count starts, Sol is still down at 5 of 10. The fans rally harder and harder but Sol is still down at 8! Sol rolls in at 9, but into OBLIVION! Cover, Liv wins!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

New reign, same story: Liv gets help and survives. But will Liv’s luck run out some day? Will Sol make sure to get her revenge on Zaria tomorrow night? Wait, speaking of revenge, Vaquer is here! La Primera stares Liv down on stage, and warns her that this is far from over. When and where will the Dark Angel strike Liv down?

The Vision is here!

The fans boo as Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Paul Heyman walk out on stage. They may have lost at WrestleMania, but they’re still WWE World Tag Team Champions. What will their next order of business be? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns, the fans still booing, as Heyman has the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. I had a whole speech prepared, but the beginning of this entire program threw me off a bit. Y’know, my favorite part of WrestleMania has always been, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ And yesterday was a moment that was so unexpected, it will live inside my heart, and I suspect a lot of other people’s hearts for the rest of their lives.” The fans applaud, and Heyman says, “And yet, despite the fact that earlier tonight, CM Punk came out here and was kissing the asses of all the people backstage, and in the production truck, and all the people behind the scenes and how great they are…

“This supposed greatest production team of all time, when they did the Then, Now & Forever, still have MY Beast in the Now! So these STUPID B*TCHES IN THE TRUCK and in the production team just can’t take the reality of what went down yesterday! So let me bestow upon you my wisdom. Please take him out of the Now, and put him in the Forever! Because he is now the Now, and he will Forever be the BADDEST…” Heyman stomps his feet to censor himself… “That has ever been in the WWE ring! And that Beast’s name…! IS BRRRROCK! LESNAR!!!!” The fans cheer Heyman for that one! They also chant, “Thank You, Brock!”

Heyman calms down and continues to say let’s talk about the now. The now is the fact that the WWE is experiencing a resurgence in the tag team division thanks to Theory & Logan. The fans boo that one, but Heyman says they are the Heavyweight Tag Team Champions of the World, The Vision. To interrupt your regularly scheduled program, ladies and gentlemen, a personal message from Logan Paul. The fans boo furiously but Logan takes the mic. Theory pats Logan on the back and Logan holds up the title belt while he says, “The only reason that the Usos and…” The booing gets loud so Logan tries again, and again.

The only reason The Usos & LA Knight stole that victory from Logan and his “brother,” Theory, “was because of that ungrateful, backstabbing weasel, IShowSpeed!” Logan gets heated as the boos keep going, and he says he is sick of these YouTubers, these streamers, thinking they can come into OUR business and do what WE do! Logan HATES the outsiders! The fans boo Logan being a hypocrite on top of a sore loser. Logan says nothing at Mania matters! Because guess what? He left Speed with a piece of his fist lodged in Speed’s face, and STILL Tag Team Champions of The World! The fans boo more, but Heyman takes the mic back.

Heyman says, “I think it’s only fitting if we all take a moment to realize the fact, what a magnificent, magnificent favor that was done for me by Gunther. And Gunther, sir, not only do I thank you, I also realize I owe you one. Any time you’re ready, I’m willing to repay. But the best assist of the weekend belongs to the man that cut Seth Rollins in half! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to Monday Night Raw…! BRRRON! BRRREAKKERRR!” The fans are torn as The Badass makes his entrance. Bron goes to the ring, rejoining The Vision, and Heyman hands him the mic. The fans bark, but also cheer his return.

Bron says, “I was thinking today, one year ago, ironically, is when I became the leader of The Vision, right here in this very same arena, because Seth Rollins was too weak. Now, I don’t know about you, but my favorite part about WrestleMania Weekend was watching Seth Rollins get this close to beating Gunther, and then I ruined everything for him!” The fans already sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” but Bron tells Seth, “I hope you’re back there, at home, who knows. I hope you’re watching somewhere, because from here on out, every single day from this day forward, I will be coming after you. I’m going to attack you. I’m going to make your life-”

“BURN IT DOWN!” The music hits, the fans cheer, and Rollins sides in from the crowd side! SHIELD CHAIR SHOT!! You think they’d learn by now! Rollins then JAMS Logan, but Theory DECKS Rollins! Theory rains down fists, then stands Rollins up for Logan’s ONE LUCKY RIGHT! The fans boo as The Vision mugs Rollins, then Theory shoves Rollins down. Theory drags Rollins back up, but THE STREET PROFITS are here?!? The fans cheer, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins finally return to Raw, and they’re rushing the ring! Ford & Dawkins brawl with The Vision! The fans fire up as Dawkins DECKS Logan, then CYCLONE SPLASHES!

Ford DECKS Theory, Dawkins LARIATS Logan up and out! The fans are all fired up, and Ford FLIES! Ford lands on his feet as he wipes The Vision out! Then they TOSS Logan & Theory into the crowd to keep on brawling! The fans cheer as this goes around the way and to the back! But that leaves Bron, Rollins, and a SPEAR- SUPERKICK COUNTER!! Rollins rains down fists of fury on Bron, then DRAGON STOMPS! The fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins CURB- NO, Bron dodges, to SPEAR!! Bron turns the tables on Rollins and rips off his shirt. Bron snarls while Rollins writhes, and he steps on Rollins’ neck!

Bron RIPS Rollins’ shirt away now, and he tells Rollins that he never needed his sorry ass! Bron is gonna ruin everything Rollins has ever done! The fans will only remember Rollins as a shell of his former self! Bron builds speed again, and he SPEARS Rollins again! Rollins coughs and sputters but the fans bark for Bron. Bron looms over Rollins, will nothing stop this Badass now?

JD McDonagh speaks.

“Alright, Finn. Are we done with the wigs and the makeup? Because it’s time to get serious. You brought me into the Judgment Day, you told me it was a family. But let’s put the rest of the crew aside for a second, let’s forget about them, because you ‘n’ me specifically are supposed to be family. Now you’ve changed so much I barely even recognize you anymore. You started taking your cues from CM Punk. You let him get in your head. What about me? What of the guy who stood beside you for 20 YEARS? Defending you, taking bullets for you. You walk around the clubhouse, causing fights with people, talking down to us like you’re the leader.

“You cost us gold, Finn. But ever since we jumped you out, people’ve been asking me, ‘JD, how could you do that to Finn? How could you throw away 20 years?’ You wanna know the truth? It was easy. I’d do it again. After tonight, after all this time, I’m gonna step out of that big, fat shadow that you cast. I’m gonna show the whole world what I already know: the Finn Balor we all knew and loved is dead.” Will the Irish Ace deal the death blow to The Prince?

Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh!

Raw returns as JD makes his entrance, Finn already waiting in the ring. But as soon as JD is in range, Finn WRECKS him with a dropkick! The tape around JD’s ribs is a clear target as Finn storms out after him, but JD RAMS Finn into the apron now! Then JD THROWS Finn into barriers! JD storms up but Finn DUMPS him up and over! JD tumbles, Finn FLYING FOREARMS, and the fans cheer as they brawl in the crowd! This isn’t a match yet so Finn can throw more hands without worrying about a count! The ref still follows them up into the bleachers as Finn throws hands, then brings JD around. JD kicks low, whips Finn into barriers, then runs up again!

Finn dodges to then LARIAT JD into the ringside area! The fans cheer as Finn puts JD in the ring, and now the bell sounds! Finn runs up to CHOP JD in a corner! The fans cheer as Finn CHOPS again, and Finn whips JD to ropes. JD reverses but Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for JD to ELBOW him down! The fans rally up while JD rains down fists on Finn’s head! Finn bails out while the fans chant “Bobblehead!” JD shakes his head and storms up on Finn. Finn RAMS the ribs! Then GAMANGIRIS JD down! The fans cheer as Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, JD dodges, then he DROPKICKS Finn out of the ring! JD seethes while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as the fans rally, because JD has Finn in a chinlock. Finn endures, fights up, and fires body shots. JD scoops but Finn fights it to the EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down, Finn has blood in his mouth but fire in his eyes. The fans rally as Finn drags himself up with the ropes. Finn ROCKS JD, ROCKS him again, BODY BLOWS again and again, then trips JD to STOMP him in the ribs! The fans fire up for Finn as he stalks JD, whips, but JD reverses. Finn reverses back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer Finn as he goes to the corner, then takes aim> But JD knows Finn and dodges that dropkick! Jackknife bridge, TWO!

Finn kicks, JD blocks, and JD HEADBUTTS! Both men fall, JD crawls to the cover, TWO! Finn survives and JD grows frustrated. The fans rally up for Finn but JD goes to a corner. JD goes up the corner, MOONSAULTS, but into BOOTS! Finn then SHOTGUNS JD down, goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the CUOP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Finn throws up the Too Sweet, but DIRTY DOM ATTACKS! The fans boo this sore loser as he stomps away on Finn, then rains down fists! Finn got a win on Dom, he got a win on JD, but Dom wants the last word! He dials it up, but Finn LARIATS Dom first! Finn then takes aim again, SHOTGUN! Dom hits buckles and falls into the drop zone! Finn climbs, but JD saves Dom! The fans boo, but it is clear Finn is not done exactly vengeance on Judgment Day.

Backstage interview with Gunther.

Jackie Redmond is with Der Ring General and asks how he’s feeling after the victory of Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Gunther says he feels fantastic. He proved every word right he said about Seth. Well, on that note, were Gunther and Heyman aware of Bron Breakker’s presence that night? Gunther says first off, there is no him and Heyman. The only thing Heyman does is owe Gunther a very big favor. Jackie then asks what this favor might be. Gunther says he’s only going to say that it is something that benefits his future. And everyone better get used to seeing the World Heavyweight Championship back around Gunther’s waist very soon.

But then LA Knight steps in! The Mega Star says Gunther and the world title, it gets Knight thinking, LEMME TALK TO YA! From one Mania winner to another, congrats! Gunther must be very proud of himself! And he should! He beat Rollins, he did it! But uh, Knight knows that Gunther knows that Knight knows that Gunther knows that he’s not the only one with eyes on the world title. Seems to Knight, if we look back and do the math, one of them is a winner that needed a 2v1 advantage to make the win go down. And that wasn’t Knight, so that means it was Gunther, and that should really count as an L.

That L is short of an A and of a Knight. Why? Because there can be only one, with everybody saying L A KNIGHT, YEAH! See you around. Knight leaves, Gunther frowns, but will they have to battle it out to see who really gets first crack at the title?

Rhea and Iyo regroup backstage.

Mami says guess this is it. Let’s try not to make it forever, okay? Rhea says Iyo can handle her business here while she becomes the champion SmackDown deserves. Iyo says Rhea’s got this. They hug it out, wish each other luck and safety, and #RheYo is no more, for now. But then Liv is right around the corner. Liv hopes to see her down the line. Rhea says she’s looking forward to it. Will these forever-enemies both hold onto these belts and meet again down the line?

Roman Reigns arrives backstage!

The fans cheer already as they watch The OTC step out of his car, belt on his shoulder, and head to gorilla. Roman checks his watch, fashionably late but right on time to close the show. Roman nods to the camera as he can hear the fans singing for him already. Roman arrives at gorilla, and the Usos are there waiting for him in Las Vegas Raiders style jerseys. They dap it up, the music hits, and Roman tells them to come along for old time’s sake. The fans cheer as the OG Bloodline steps out on stage, raises their fingers to the sky, and the pyro goes off. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about his victory and his future? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman stands in the ring, soaking it all in, and has the mic to say, “Las Vegas…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and Roman continues by saying he was gonna keep it simple tonight. Roman was gonna talk about the title, about business moving forward, and about the future. But then he ran into his cousins, and uh, it just makes sense that they discuss some family business first. Roman looks to The Usos, and he says, “I miss this.” Jey says a quick, “Yeet.” Roman says he misses having their full trust. He misses having their full respect and admiration. He misses doing business with The Usos.

See, right now, this is them, as he holds up his hand with fingers apart. They’re separated and scattered, weak enough to where guys like CM Punk think they can run their mouths and get away with it. There is no limits to it! Even some rapper from the 90s is running his mouth to Jey! That’s crazy! This is Main Event Jey, The YEET Man! Vegas says “YEET!” See? Look at that! Jey changed the whole environment, and he got washed rappers running their mouths? That’s because they’re separated. This ain’t them. Roman makes a fist and says this is them! The fans cheer that! Roman says this is the power! When they all come together, nobody can touch ’em!

Roman says when they were like this, they ran this company for FOUR YEARS STRAIGHT! The fans cheer that, too! Roman says he isn’t asking them to serve him, he’s just asking they be his blood and stand with him. Fans “YEET!” Jimmy says he speaks for him and his brother when he says this: Roman IS The OTC, he’ll always be their Tribal Chief. Any time The Bloodline in your city, everybody already know, they the twos and #WeTheOnes! Jimmy drops his mic and puts up his finger. The fans cheer as Jey does the same! Roman raises his finger, but JACOB FATU is here?! The fans cheer as The Samoan Werewolf goes to the ring!

Fatu, victorious off his unsanctioned and violent match with Drew McIntyre, now joins his cousins in the ring, mic already in hand. The fans cheer Fatu as he looks at Roman & The Usos. Roman says it’s been awhile since they last saw each other. There can only be two reasons why Fatu is out here. It’s either to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, but then Fatu says nah, that ain’t it! Then it must be because Fatu wants the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Fatu says he doesn’t want that title, he NEEDS it! Fatu says he’ll make it clear that he isn’t here to be Tribal Chief, but he needs everything that the Tribal Chief has!

Fatu needs the shoe deal, the private jets, the Rolex, the cars, the house, and to put his kids in better schools! Fatu will do anything for his family, even if he has to dogwalk Roman! So at Backlash, Fatu’s upgrading! At Backlash, Fatu’s levelin’ up his household! And at Backlash, you gonna know Jacob Fatu is ALL GAS, NO BRAKES WITH IT! YADADADADA MEAN?! FATUUU~! The fans cheer that while Roman is stone faced. Roman says he agrees, he wants those things for Fatu, too. Maybe Fatu can be world champion. Maybe. But the question is, if he can beat Roman, can he handle the burden of the title?

Then we have to look at it the other way: If Fatu can’t beat Roman, can he handle the burden of having to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM?! Understand this, Fatu. The air is thin and the footing is shaky at the top of the mountain. But Roman will give Fatu the rest of the week to think about it. This isn’t a yes but this isn’t a no. Roman wants Fatu to be sure he’s ready. Roman will see Fatu next week on Raw. Later, cousin. The Tribal Chief puts the ball in Fatu’s court, but will Fatu still be game for a match with Roman Reigns?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw After Mania here, though a bit sparse on the match number. Well, those were still really good matches, with a very good call-up for Ethan Page and at least a tease of where Sol Ruca will go for her call-up. Good combination of stories with Ethan, Rusev, Evans and Penta. All roads should lead to the Intercontinental Championship, and they can certainly do something for Backlash. Maybe not as big as WrestleMania with that ladder match, but we can get a great 1v1 of Penta and any of those choices. Good match for Liv VS Sol but of course Zaria interfered. Just not sure if this means the go-home math tips the scales back in Sol’s favor.

Very good promo from Kabuki Warriors ahead of their match with Rhea & Iyo. It makes sense for Rhea & Iyo to win to add heat to the Iyo-Asuka-Kairi triangle. Rhea is now moved to SmackDown, but I did like Liv having a sarcastic goodbye for Rhea. There is a good chance we see Liv and Rhea fighting over the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship or something. Great stuff with Finn VS JD, both the promos and the match, and great win for Finn. Dom attacking made sense, and Finn turning things around on him was good, too. Not sure Finn needs an ally, not sure if he gets one, but I’m not sure what else is supposed to happen aside from Finn VS Dom again.

Very good stuff with Oba, and he didn’t have to say much, we’re all still buzzing from Oba winning. It was kinda like the flipside to when Roman reveled in the booing after beating The Undertaker, where he also only had to say one line to get the fans all heated. Heyman had a great promo as part of the sendoff for Lesnar. Logan had a decent promo, playing up getting flustered by the fans, and then Bron had a great part for Rollins to interrupt. The Street Profits returning was a great surprise, and perhaps they and Rollins go against The Vision now. Bron standing tall works for his full return, and we’ll get some good stuff on the way to Backlash.

Good promo from Gunther and LA Knight, they can definitely have a good feud in the background of the world title story, since we now see it will be Roman VS Fatu. Fatu must be the unofficial trade for Rhea, and great stuff with Fatu and the OG Bloodline. I can’t imagine Roman’s new reign being under a month, but we’re gonna get some good stuff in this not quite Bloodline reunion story. And great promo from Punk and Cody, but I almost thought Cody was going to give up the title. The nasty black eye Cody’s got, there was perhaps an assumption from dirt sheets that he was going to be out of action. Now, maybe something happens on SmackDown to establish that, but we could see Punk win the world title and undisputed title within six months of each other.

My Score: 8.8/10