‘WWE Raw’ Review (Apr 15th 2024)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Sheamus def. Ivar
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Sheamus’ first match back on Raw was a banger. Picking up where he left off, The Celtic Warrior dropped Ivar with a stunning White Noise from the middle rope as the crowd roared in approval. The Celtic Warrior had his work cut out for him, however, as Ivar nearly squashed Sheamus with a huge splash from the top rope. Sheamus kicked out, screamed at the Viking Raider for more, and hit an epic Brogue Kick to claim a huge win in his return. Monday nights are fight nights, fella!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: #DIY def. The New Day and The Creed Brothers
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a frenetic Triple Threat Tag Team Match, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa became the new No. 1 Contenders to Awesome Truth’s World Tag Team Titles. Ciampa tried to go for a Pedigree, but The New Day blocked it and eventually connected with a huge assisted famouser on Ciampa. The Creed Brothers nearly pinned everyone in the match, but #DIY and The New Day somehow kicked out. Julius Creed connected with a huge superplex on Kofi Kingston, but Xavier Woods landed the Limit Break elbow on Creed just as Creed hit the mat. Woods tried to capitalize, but #DIY hit Meeting in the Middle and pinned Creed.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell def. Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
It seems Indi Hartwell has joined Candice LeRae in heading to the dark side. With the referee’s back turned, Hartwell hit a cheap shot on Maxxine Dupri before dragging Candice LeRae on top of Dupri for the win.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Andrade def. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Judgment Day’s “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio looked to enact retribution on Andrade, the very man who spurned Mysterio to team with his father Rey at WrestleMania XL. Mysterio hit Andrade with a huge Canadian destroyer right onto the ring apron, sending the Canadian WWE Universe into a frenzy. After a 619 attempt from Mysterio to Andrade, Andrade countered and hit the Message to win the match. Following the match, Mysterio and JD McDonagh tried to put the boots to Andrade, but Ricochet made the save.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven def. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After a rather horrible week having to contend with Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven faced Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, a team with which Green and Niven have considerable history. Niven hit a huge cross body on Carter to allow Green to pick up the big win.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Jey Uso def. Finn Bálor
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Before the bell, Finn Bálor struck Jey Uso from behind, putting “Main Event” Jey on the backburner to start the match. After Bálor went for a Coup de Grace, Jey moved out of the way before connecting with a Spear. Uso then hit the Uso Splash to earn the big win over The Prince. After the match, The Judgment Day tried to assault Jey, who narrowly escaped their clutches.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Intercontinental Championship – Sami Zayn def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Making a huge hometown return to Montreal, Sami Zayn received a hero’s welcome for his Intercontinental Title defense against Chad Gable. Gable and Zayn put on a clinic, with Zayn hitting a superb springboard moonsault on Gable outside of the ring. Gable and Zayn went back and forth with German suplex attempts until Zayn finally took down Gable with the move. After a vicious sequence, Zayn caught Gable with a powerbomb as Gable leaped from the top rope. Gable kept going for the Ankle Lock, wearing down the Intercontinental Champion on repeated occasions after Zayn tweaked it earlier in the match. Even with a bad ankle, Zayn nailed the Helluva Kick to retain his title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Rhea Ripley was forced to vacate the Women’s World Title
Final Verdict: 3/5
A solid start to the “new era” of WWE, the first REAL episode of the post-Wrestlemania season; with new story beats, a return of a legend, and the vacation of a title… What a lot this week’s show packed in! The real star of the show was the main event – not only did we get a great match, but we also got a fantastic post-match beatdown which sets up Chad Gable as a brilliant new heel which is, IMHO, a much-needed character shift for Gable. We also got a great number one contender tag match that almost… almost, matches the brilliance of the main event.
