WWE Raw Recap for Monday, April 22 opened in typical fashion as Triple H started the show off by taking place in center ring to announce Seth Rollins in a hero’s welcome in his home state. It was exciting to see the old guard and new in the ring performing (please excuse my indulgence) a handing over of the torch following Rollin’s win at Wrestlemania 35.
WWE Raw Monday, April 22 Recap: AJ Styles Finishes Off Bryan Corbin, Set For Major Universal Championship Showdown vs Seth Rollins
As Triple H offered advice to our new Universal champion, he then informed the world of two triple threat matches to determine the top two competitors for the number one challenger spot for the upcoming Money In The Bank pay-per-view (May 19). The two winners then fought in the night’s main event for the coveted number one spot.
As was expected, top tier talent came pouring out of the locker room as Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio, Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and AJ Styles offered their reasons and desire for getting their shot at the title.
With that much talent in the same place, it’d be easy to be cowed, but Rollins instead pointed out he didn’t care who won, because he’s “Seth Freaking Rollins” and he would “burn this down” before leaving the six challengers to determine their fate.
That easily, and despite the predictability of the matches being set, the hook was set and we were in for a wild and fun ride. Who would win, how would they win, and did we have time to grab snacks to enjoy the events were questions we were all asking. Fans all over were placing their bets and our anxiety built.
Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long as the first triple threat came after the commercial break.
The first match had AJ Styles defeat Samoa Joe and Rey Mysterio in one of the best finishes worthy of a pay-per-view. Each star had their moments to display their strength, agility, and raw ability. The finish was, as stated, awesome as Rey Mysterio hit Samoa Joe with a 619, but his springboard back was intercepted by AJ Styles, who then powerbombed Rey Mysterio on Samoa Joe, then hit a Styles Clash on Rey Mysterio on top of Samoa Joe. It was a quick 1, 2, 3 on Samoa Joe after that and AJ Styles was on his way to the next match.
Next came probably the worst match of the night as Naomi defeated Billie Kay of the Iiconics by pinfall in a match that was entertaining, but felt a little too short in time and, well, not well planned out. The fact the Iiconics promo while heading to the ring felt forced and over the top didn’t help, but we’ll probably be rewarded with a possible upcoming arc where the Iiconics break up since they’ve lost three consecutive matches since winning the women’ tag team title at Wrestlemania. The highlight of the match was Naomi using Kay to knock Peyton Royce off the apron when she tried to interfere, thus resulting in Naomi rolling up Kay for the pin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxcDZCtSyvI
The night was saved by the second triple threat match of the night, as Baron Corbin defeated The Miz and Drew McIntyre. Like the first triple threat match, this one showcased the athleticism and skill of the participants as well as building The Miz up by beating him down for most of the match. Ganged up on initially, The Miz took a pounding, but kept fighting his way back and had a chance to win after kicking out of a Deep Six from Baron Corbin, and then reversed an End of Days to land a DDT on both Corbin and McIntyre.
McIntyre, after stating he hadn’t had a title shot in over a year despite cutting out the “dead weight” on Raw in the opening promo, landed a Claymore kick on The Miz, knocking The Miz out, but was shoved out of the ring by Corbin, who then scored a pinfall win on The Miz.
Throughout the match, we got to see Styles watching from the back, and afterwards, he was interviewed, which Corbin saw from the ring, to push their main event match for the number one challenger.
One thing we can all agree on, is the WWE is good at turning wrestlers heel and few sold it better than Sami Zyan. Following the second triple threat match, he followed SOP (standard operating procedure) by entered the ring to continue his criticism of the WWE and now us, the fans.
He backed up his claim to be happy and jubilant by sharing Instagram pictures of himself vacationing around the world, then informed us fans create the “toxic culture” that is the WWE by being critical of him instead of blaming themselves.
His best piece of advice was telling us we can take a trip ourselves, “and go to hell,” proving that he is the most jubilant bitter person around as he digs himself a deeper heel hole. All that was missing was a superstar interrupting his rant with their entrance music to ignite a feud. We were teased after he dropped the mic and fell to the mat laughing when Cedric Alexander’s music started, but since it was for the next match, we’ll have to wait at least one more week before a rivalry worthy of Zyan’s promo work (probably the best of the night) is started. This has the potential to be something special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyeCTfSxnCw
Speaking of the next match, we were treated to a fun bout showcasing opposite techniques and styles as Cesaro defeated Cedric Alexander by pinfall. Every time a cruiser weight takes the ring, we’re in for a treat as their athleticism is largely unmatched, especially when it’s a former cruiser weight champion making his Raw debut.
Alexander’s athleticism was on full display from the second he entered the ring as he survived a patient mix of offensive and defensive onslaught by Cesaro to nearly get the win with a Michinoku Driver, then followed it up with a Tope Con Hilo onto the floor.
Unfortunately for him, that was where his efforts ended as he was met with a European uppercut as he tried to springboard back into the ring, knocking him out for the pin.
While this was a great statement match for Cesaro, it was just as great for Alexander to display his talents and their combination made it one of the better matches of the night.
Remember the brand shakeup a couple of weeks back? While it separated some tag teams to give some a chance to create a singles’ career and build new rivalries, it also kept others together.
One of those tag teams happen to be the tag team the Usos, who also happen to be WWE Legend Rikishi’s sons. They were welcomed (not really the right word choice. lol) by The Revival backstage when they interrupted their introduction interview. Dash Wilder of The Revival mocked their catchphrase, “Uso Penitentiary,” by telling The Usos they’ve entered the “Revival Reformatory.” Of course, this wasn’t taken lying down as a stare down ensued before they parted ways. We’re definitely in for a fun rivalry going forward.
Okay, this next one is going to be fun. The Viking Raiders (formally The Viking Experience, War Machine, and War Raiders) continued their path of destruction by mauling the members of Lucha house Party before their match began. While they’ve proven themselves in NXT (current tag team champions) and gimmick is pretty cool and reminiscent of Demolition, they may end up having a legacy similar to the Powers of Pain instead — a great concept, but one that never really catches on.
Next was a match that was more of a setup for the Raw Women’s Championship at Money In The Bank pay-per-view than anything else, as Becky Lynch beat Alicia Fox by submission with the Dis-Arm-Her. While the match itself was pretty good overall, it was bookended with a verbal bout between Lynch and Lacey Evans in the beginning, and Lynch receiving not one, but two Woman’s Rights after Fox submitted. This is going to be another feud I think we’re all going to enjoy.
The second to last match featured Robert Roode making his solo debut by defeating Ricochet by pinfall. The match itself was fun and featured Roode’s technique versus Ricochet’s athleticism as the match was lengthy and exciting until Ricochet missed his 630 move off the top rope and Roode followed it up with a Glorious DDT and win. One of the best things about Roode’s character is that it’s based off his idol, WWE Legend Ravishing Rick Rude, and like the Ravishing One, Roode is perfect as a heel and it’s going to be fun to watch him.
What’s a wrestling show without something creepy and glorious? Enter Bray Wyatt and his debut of “Firefly Fun House.” In a house resembled “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” Wyatt’s new character explained it was a special place they can all feel safe. He then bent over, only to stand straight with black gloves on with H-U-R-T stenciled on the right’s fingers and H-E-A-L on the left, he explained how he used to be a “very bad man” and was punished for his wrongs. He then introduced a puppet, Mercy the Buzzard, who popped out of a box, and a doll, Emmy the Witch, who sat in the window. He then took a chainsaw to a cardboard cutout of his former self, signifying he’d never return to “that pathetic slob loser ever again.”
This definitely harkens back to some of the skits of yesteryear, and while this new character could go a thousand different ways, it’s going to be exciting to see where he goes with it.
The Main Event
Finally, we get to the match we’ve been waiting for all night, and it didn’t disappoint as AJ Styles beat baron Corbin by pinfall. Among rumors of being injured in the first match of the night, Styles comes out swinging, but eventually Corbin starts over powering him and pushes Styles closer to being forced out of the Money In The Bank’s main event.
In classic babyface style, Styles rallies back after being beaten for a majority of the match. He managed to kick out of a Deep Six and had the match in hand with a Calf Crusher on Corbin, but Corbin managed to break the hold and avoid a submission. With Corbin frustrated at not being able to finish Styles off, time proved to be on Styles’ side as he eventually connected with a Phenomenal Forearm and scored the pinfall.
Fishing for more drama to add to the upcoming pay-per-view (and why not?), Rollins came out after the match and after a brief hesitation, the two shook hands and stared each other down in anticipation for their pay-per-view match.
What could be better than two of the top performers meeting for the title next month? All we have to do is wait for the “Please buckle seatbelts” sign to come on. How hard can that be, right? Right?
