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Raw after Mania opened up with HHH bringing out your new WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Cody Rhodes. Hunter presented Cody with an emotional video package. After collecting himself, he would choke out his usual opening of a promo “So, what do you want to talk about?”. He would then receive another champions introduction from Samantha Irvin. His celebratory glow was short-lived, as The Rock would cause an interruption. Before The Rock could speak, the crowd started an “Undertaker” chant, referencing his surprise appearance at WrestleMania. The crowd really did not like The Rock, as they started another chant, a “Shut the **** up” chant, before he could speak. When he eventually got to it, he asked Cody if there was any way he could get his hands on the new title. Cody would say he can hold it, but only for a moment. Cody would allow it if he could hold Rock’s People’s Championship. They would exchange briefly for a very awkward moment, just ask the crowd. The Rock would say he would be stepping away from the ring for a while, but when he comes back, he’s coming for Cody. The segment would end with The Rock handing something to Cody in a handshake, leaving everyone wondering.
What DID @TheRock just give to @CodyRhodes?!#RawAfterMania pic.twitter.com/xxqeLhrdt2
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
Shinsuke Nakamura would take on NXT Champion Ilja Draunov in singles actions. Both men would come out with fast-paced, hard hitting strikes. Both men looked great and executed smooth reversals with the high pace. Shinsuke put over the NXT Champion on Raw, after falling victim to Torpedo Moscow.
#WWENXT Champion @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR arrives on #WWERaw in a big way! pic.twitter.com/ffLptffLtG
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
Judgment Day would be doing an in-ring promo in the next segment, celebrating Rhea Ripley retaining her championship and Damian Priest successfully cashing in his Money In The Bank contract. Damian would tell everyone to rise for The Judgment Day, and while raising their championships, R-Truth would come out of nowhere and raise his new Tag Team Championship with them. R-Truth was continuing the gimmick of saying he is in The Judgment Day, even calling The Miz down to discuss joining The Judgment Day. The Miz would put an end to either one of them being in The Judgment Day. This segment would result in the scheduling of a six-man tag match between The Judgment Day and Awesome Truth and “the man you can’t see”. When we cut back from commercial, a 2v3 handicapped match has started. Judgment Day would be dominant early, singling out R-Truth and cutting off the ring. The Miz would eventually come in off the hot tag, taking out all 3 men in a flurry. The numbers game would catch up to him as the referee was distracted. “The Man you can’t see” would finally come to the rescue, John Cena would run down the ramp for a hot tag of his own. Cena would hit all of his signature moves before securing the victory for his team.
SURPRISE!@JohnCena arrives as the tag team partner of The Awesome Truth on #RawAfterMania! pic.twitter.com/IZTlchJ0Kf
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
Of note, Liv Morgan would blindside Rhea Ripley backstage, first hitting her with a chair, then throwing her into walls and beating her before being broken up by WWE staff.
THE LIV MORGAN REVENGE TOUR is back!#RawAfterMania pic.twitter.com/dIXTwsxbrf
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
Indi Hartwell would take on the new NXT Champion, Roxanne Perez. The match was pretty dull until Candice LeRae grabbed the legs of Roxanne Perez to assist Indi, but Indi has made it clear she’s the babyface, while Candice appears to be continuing her heel antics.
RAW-XANNE!#WWENXT Women's Champion @roxanne_wwe has arrived. pic.twitter.com/xRtGjeQwaI
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
Sami Zayn would make his way to the ring next, new Intercontinental Championship in hand. Sami would give Gunther his flowers, even calling him the best Intercontinental Champion of all time. Sami would continue on his promo when he was interrupted by Vinci and Kaiser of Imperium. They would claim to be sent by Gunther to “make things right”. The two would make their approach before Chad Gable would come even the numbers. This resulted in a tag-team match. Both teams would look good in this one, Chad Gable probably being the star, so quick and strong while mixing in some good high spots. Chad Gable would pin Vinci for the win.
These two make one fine team!#RawAfterMania pic.twitter.com/Aa0prRlFPE
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
After demanding her moment, Chelsea Green got to take on Jade Cargill. This would be a quick squash match, as WWE continues to protect Jade Cargill.
🤩🤩🤩#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/GRwq6lFzkT
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
The next match was a 4-way elimination match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. It would be Drew McIntyre, Bronson Reed, Jey Uso, and Ricochet. I didn’t note or research this to report as fact, but it felt like most of the match was during commercial break, almost like they were making up for segments that went long earlier. There were tables in the ring and brawls on the outside, resulting in the two smaller men being temporarily out of commission, while the two giants had a super heavyweight moment. The other two would eventually make their way back into the match, which did pick the pace back up. Near the end of the match, Ricochet would hit a huge 450 splash from the top rope onto Bronson Reed, who was laid out on the Spanish announce table. This would leave Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso fighting in the ring. It appeared Drew was going to win, setting up his finisher until CM Punk appeared out of nowhere to grab McIntyre’s leg, allowing Jey Uso to win the match. Jey Uso is the number one contender, and the rivalry between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre continues to heat up.
MCINTYRE JUST GOT PUNK'D!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7AVqPxqa4o
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024
That wraps up WWE Raw for this week. Stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles.
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
for Greenville Sports Media
and check out my weekly opinionated podcast “The Wrasslin Corner”
