Results
- Penta def. Rusev (7:31)
- Becky Lynch def. IYO SKY (WWE Intercontinental Championship) (13:11)
- Rey Mysterio def. El Grande Americano (8:35)
- Oba Femi def. Grayson Waller (1:05)
- Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez def. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria (9:19)
Roman Reigns asks for advice
This week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, live from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas, opened with a pre-taped clip of Roman Reigns chatting with The Usos. He asked them their thoughts on Jacob Fatu wanting a shot at his title: “I don’t understand where he’s coming from.”
“He wants to upgrade his household, I get that,” Jimmy Uso said. “But it shouldn’t come at the cost of you.”
Jey warned that Fatu is “dangerous,” “unpredictable,” and “unhinged.” He stressed that it’s not just the title on the line. If Fatu were to win, Jey claims, he would become the “shot caller.”
“I’m gonna chew on that, I’m gonna make it my own, then I’m going to address this tonight,” Reigns said before shaking hands with The Usos. A cliffhanger we’ll get the payoff for later tonight!
Rollins, Breakker trade shots, set up Backlash match
We then went to the ring, where the first segment was Seth Rollins coming out in front of the Laredo crowd for a promo. Rollins has been beefing with Bron Breakker, as the former Visionary teammate caused him to lose against Gunther at Mania.
A fired-up Rollins said he had a lot of ground to cover tonight on the mic. Why he is not the World Heavyweight Champion anymore, and also why he lost to Gunther at Mania, he both blames on Breakker.
“We’ve got a score to settle,” said Rollins, wasting no time and calling out Breakker.
Breakker came out and made his way to the ring. He looked like he was ready for a fight, but Paul Heyman was wielding a microphone so we knew more chatter was going to come first.
“I gave you everything. I gave you the world, I handed it to you on a silver platter, and you repaid me by taking everything away from me,” Rollins said to Breakker. “For what? What did you get out of it?”
Heyman handed the mic to Breakker so he could answer in his own words: “You gave me everything? What did you give me, by the way? … Because the way I see it, every single week, we were your errand boys.”
Breakker said Rollins needed him and Bronson Reed to fight his battles for him. He pinched his nose to help put together a convincing Rollins impression at one point during this promo. The only one he actually needed was Heyman, Breakker said.
“That dried-up sack of meat? You needed that guy? You just proved everything I thought about you right,” Rollins replied.
Rollins recalled a story from two years ago, when he first accepted the idea of taking then-NXT talent Breakker under his wing. He said he saw lots of potential in Breakker’s impressive abilities. “[You had] everything except the most important thing,” Rollins said as he pointed to his head. Breakker was skilled, but young and dumb, he argued.
“You are not ready,” Rollins said.
Rollins drew comparisons to when he bets on himself, versus what happens when Breakker does, mentioning his world title loss last year. Breakker replied saying that he wasn’t upset because he lost to CM Punk, who he said is actually the best in the world.
Breakker ended his promo by saying Rollins is best in the world at being #2.
“Backlash is two weeks away, son. I am going to give you the opportunity to prove that you are ready,” Rollins said, setting up the match between these two. He finished his promo with one more shot: “Steiner? You’re not even #2 in your family.”
I really, really enjoyed this segment. Perfectly set up the rivalry between a veteran and an up-and-comer with some history.
Backstage, we saw Judgment Day take out Stephanie Vaquer with an attack. This felt like a write-off, but I’m not sure.
Penta beats Rusev, Ethan Page & Je’Von Evans continue to get involved in IC title program
The first match of the night saw Intercontinental champ Penta and Rusev meet in a non-title bout. These two have been going back and forth since Mania when they faced off as part of a six-way ladder match. They got into a fight last week after a bout between Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans, both hitting the ring in a post-match segment.
Speaking of, Page made his way out just before this match got started and took a seat at ringside to take this one in. Penta sent Rusev out of the ring for a huge dive just a minute into the match. The luchador got in the face of Page at ringside briefly after his high-flying move, providing a brief distraction.
Back in the ring, Rusev countered a springboard move from Penta mid-air with a kick to the body. He scored a nasty slam as the show went to a break. Penta started to get back into the match as the show returned, scoring a top-rope crossbody, a slingblade, then a dropkick in the corner. He went for the pin after that long combination of moves but only got a one-count. A backstabber from Penta rendered another kickout.
A Mexican Destroyer from Penta was countered into a back body drop from Rusev. He scored a Machka Kick and started to set up for The Accolade, but Penta escaped the submission. In a fun spot, Penta hit the ropes for a springboard move but actually didn’t push off the ropes, a fake-out that caused Rusev to flinch. This curveball allowed Penta to roll-up an off-guard Rusev for the pinfall victory in seven minutes. Not the type of finish we’re used to seeing, but I liked it. A solid TV match between these two.
Rusev and Page attacked Penta after the bell, but the fourth man involved in this feud, Evans, hit the ring for the save. Evans scored his massive OG-Cutter onto Rusev to end the segment.
In a pre-taped promo, El Grande Americano (The Ludwig Kaiser one) called for a match tonight against Rey Mysterio. He says the bout will serve as a way for him to prepare ahead of his mask vs. mask bout coming up against The Original El Grande Americano.
IYO SKY eyes women’s IC title shot
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch appeared in the next segment to celebrate her Wrestlemania win over AJ Lee. Lynch gloated that she got rid of “loser” Lee, becoming the first-ever three-time women’s IC champ.
In an uncharacteristically giving mood, Lynch offered an open challenge to anyone who wanted to face her for the title right now. Who answered the call? IYO SKY!
But, once SKY got into the ring, Lynch started to walk back her open challenge. She wanted “shiny,” “new,” and SKY wasn’t any of those qualifiers, Lynch said. SKY wasn’t going to accept this trash talk, jumping Lynch. Just as the champ was about to leave the venue, General Manager Adam Pearce came out to get things straight: Lynch did an open challenge and SKY answered, and he’s going to make sure that challenge is honored. The title match was next.
Asuka causes IYO to lose title opportunity
Becky Lynch got the jump on IYO SKY, attacking her around the ring before their women’s Intercontinental title match officially started.
SKY was on a roll early in the match, coming off the top rope with a missile dropkick then delivering a Bullet Train double knees to Lynch in the corner for a two-count. Lynch battled back and tried for a Manhandle Slam, but SKY escaped and instead hit a double-stomp to the champ’s stomach.
A tope suicida from SKY was intercepted by Lynch, who caught her coming through the ropes with a forearm. SKY scored a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ring apron and to the floor (although there was an understandable slight pause before the powerbomb so they wouldn’t hit the ground with such fierce impact). The nasty move brought this match into a commercial break.
There was a fun exchange where these two traded submissions during the commercial break. SKY came off the top of the guardrail for a crossbody. Lynch scored a superplex transitioned into a DDT for a near fall just as the show returned.
Another Manhandle Slam from Lynch was countered into a roll-up attempt from SKY. SKY hit an awesome superkick then a backbreaker for a near fall. SKY came out of the corner with a tornado DDT then tried for an Over The Moonsault, but Lynch put up her boots to counter the move.
Lynch finally connected with the Manhandle Slam upon third attempt, but it wasn’t enough to put away SKY. What looked like possibly a moonsault attempt from Lynch was stopped by SKY, who pushed her to the outside. SKY scored a springboard moonsault to the floor, peeled off a boot that was seemingly giving her problems, then got on the ring apron. Just as she was about to hit a move on the reeling champ, rival Asuka appeared at ringside to trip up SKY.
Asuka rolled SKY back into the ring, causing Lynch to hit her with another Manhandle Slam for the pinfall win in 13 minutes. A formulaic, bland finish, but SKY and Lynch were putting together a fun match before then. I guess they’re just going to tell this Asuka & SKY feud without Kairi Sane being involved (which is a little awkward considering she was kind of a huge part of the story). It’ll also be hard to tell the story if the crowd keeps chanting “We want Kairi,” like they seemingly did here.
Backstage, LA Knight shamed The Usos for referring to Roman Reigns as “The OTC.” “You need to stay in your lane, Uce,” Jey replied. Knight said that it’s none of his business now, but when the family matters become corrupt and affect others, it becomes his issue.
Joe Hendry confirms Raw signing with concert
Up next we had a concert from former NXT Champion Joe Hendry. While it was heavily implied last week, Hendry made it clear in the song he performed that he has officially signed onto the Raw roster. The hook in his song voiced his disdain for The Vision’s Logan Paul. “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”
This line caused an irate Paul (alongside Austin Theory) to come out in response. He didn’t like Hendry’s song about wanting him to get fired, and said that tonight will be his first and last night on Raw.
These three traded words until a brawl eventually broke out. Hendry expectedly struggled here in the two-on-one fight, but eventually had some help when The Street Profits came out for the save. This brawl ended with Hendry taking out the heel duo with a dive to the outside. It seems clear that we’re getting Profits vs. The Vision soon, but this doesn’t answer much regarding what Hendry’s first Raw angle will be. Curious to see what they do with him.
Backstage, Grayson Waller was seen complaining that others are getting more opportunities than him. Raw GM Adam Pearce had a solution: Waller will go head-to-head against Oba Femi tonight.
One Americano causes another to lose
The next match saw El Grande Americano (NOT The Original El Grande Americano, an important distinction) face off with Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio tried to set up for an early 619 but got caught with a high-speed knee strike to the head when he ran the ropes. Americano was in control as the show went to a break.
Americano caught an attempted moonsault out of the corner from Mysterio, but Mysterio countered whatever move Americano had planned into a DDT – fun sequence. Another 619 was prevented, this time by Bravo Americano, who tripped up Mysterio from ringside. Rayo tried to load Americano’s mask with a steel plate, but Mysterio kicked the plate out of his hands.
Americano tried to pick up the steel plate, but the Original Americano appeared at ringside and ripped it out of his hands! This distraction allowed Mysterio to connect with the 619 and springboard frogsplash for the pinfall win in eight minutes. It’s funny that, if you read how this match played out in isolation, you’d think the OG Americano was the face and Ludwig would be the heel, but it’s entirely the opposite. The Americanos had another pull-apart brawl after the bell, but it was nowhere near the electric moment they had on AAA a few weeks back.
The broadcast confirmed two matches for Backlash:
- Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
- Asuka vs. IYO SKY
Two solid PLE matches. But, I have to say, they’re really running the risk of the crowd hijacking that Asuka and SKY match with Kairi chants. Asuka and SKY was reportedly first targeted for Mania, looks like it was delayed.
The Oba Femi Open Challenge begins
The next segment saw Grayson Waller face off against Oba Femi. I’m not the first or last person to say this, but they have seemingly perfected Femi’s image. His entrance was electric here, and he comes off as the biggest star on TV.
This was what you would expect it to be. Femi tossed Waller around for a minute before mercifully ending the bout with a Fall From Grace powerbomb. Bell to bell it was 65 seconds.
Femi got on the mic after and talked about how every champion is locked into their own programs, leaving him without any opportunities. So, for now, he is unveiling the Oba Femi Open Challenge. Anyone who wants can step up and try to take down “The Ruler.” Nice. I don’t mind this as a way to keep him on TV as they figure out what he should do next.
Backstage, Liv Morgan said she’s sorry that Roxanne Perez had to watch the Judgment Day kick out Finn Balor while she was on the sidelines. She reassured Perez that she’s family to them and that kicking Balor out was the right decision. “Do you trust me, my little Roxy?” Morgan said. Perez nodded, but her energy shifted once Morgan left.
Finn Balor appeared in the Judgment Day clubhouse and tried to warn Perez that she can’t trust anyone in the Judgment Day. Perez brushed him off, saying that she’s with the faction.
Roxanne Perez scores win in her return
The final match of the night saw Laredo’s own Roxanne Perez team with Raquel Rodriguez to take on Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. This was Perez’s first match since coming back from injury, she hadn’t worked a match since late January. Also, notably her first televised WWE appearance in her hometown (she worked a house show in the city in 2023).
Valkyria and Perez got hot tags after the show returned from a break. This was supposed to be a babyface run for Valkyria, but she received boos because of how much the crowd wanted to support Perez.
Bayley, who tagged into the match, countered a Pop-Rox attempt into a Bayley-to-Belly. A pin attempt was broken up by Rodriguez. Bayley was distracted at ringside by Liv Morgan, who hopped onto the ring apron. This brief pause allowed Perez to hit a Shining Wizard then a Pop Rox for the pinfall win. Fun to see Perez get this moment in front of her home crowd. Also great to see her back in the ring, since it’s a while. I’ve long thought she could be a big factor in the division if they give her a chance.
We got a video package hyping up Sol Ruca, who is officially part of the Raw brand. They announced that she’ll sign her Raw contract on next week’s episode.
Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu set for Backlash
The final segment of the night saw WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns come out to the ring and respond to Jacob Fatu’s title match challenge from last week.
After taking in the enthusiastic chants from Laredo fans, Reigns proclaimed that Texas loves its tribal chief. He briefly talked about the current World Heavyweight Championship, and how it was made in spite of him a few years back. This promo was cut off by Fatu. He wasn’t going to wait to get brought out by Reigns.
“I’m hoping you made the right choice, Jacob. I’m hoping you made the choice to unite our family and not divide it,” Reigns said.
“You said you gave me a week. I didn’t need a week. I didn’t need a day. Hell, I didn’t need an hour to think about it,” Fatu said.
Fatu said that, before he was in the WWE, many members of the Bloodline never gave him any calls. The one who did was Solo Sikoa, he said.
Reigns got on the mic with a clap-back: “The OTC runs this place … I never forgot about you, and I’m the one who signed off on your ass.”
Reigns said that even allowing Fatu to fight him is an example of nepotism. This was enough to set off Fatu, who started to attack him. He dropped the champ with a series of headbutts, then shouted that he’s going to take everything from Reigns. Fatu lifted up Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship before tossing it onto the canvas and leaving the ring.
Reigns got on the mic as Fatu was leaving. “You want me at Backlash? I’ll see you at Backlash!”
I thought this was a good segment, but maybe could’ve had a little extra heat on the mic before the fight, but I nonetheless feel gripped by this feud.
Final thoughts
WWE did a pretty good job building up some intriguing Backlash feuds this week, with both Reigns/Fatu and Rollins/Breakker providing solid segments. It’s shaping up to be a decent card, especially when you factor in the Intercontinental title, as well. I enjoyed this episode of Raw.
The post WWE Raw 4/27 Results: Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns set for Backlash, Asuka costs IYO in title match appeared first on POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW.
