Monday Night Raw, April 4, 2016

Monday Night Raw, April 4, 2016

It’s the Raw after Wrestlemania! The audience is always a little crazy for this particular episode of Raw every year. This crowd was no exception, to start the show the crowd sings Vince McMahons theme music back to him after it stops.  Vince, of course had to brag about getting his way, but it lead to Shane O’Mac coming out and delivering a touching thank you. You can tell Vince can’t keep the smile off his face as this crowd cheers exactly the way they expect. Shane McMahon is in control of Monday Night Raw. Best for business for sure. Also, those Yes chants were insane.

Sort of a repeat match from Wrestlemania, it’s the League of Nations versus The New Day for the Tag Team Titles. I’m still not sure why the titles weren’t on the line at Mania, but that’s okay The New Day retains getting the victory over the Lads. While New Day didn’t get as much time we are use to them getting, but the Lads need some time to remove a member from their ranks, poor Barrett getting the go home.  Per haps the Lads regretted that choice though, because shortly after, the League of Nations get destroyed by the Wyatt Family and the crowd is very appreciative of it.

Raw debut for NXT star Apollo Crews! Yes! Yes! Yes! This guy does things that a guy his size shouldn’t be able to do. Him and Tyler Breeze have a short but good match that kept the crowd cheering.

To bad the cheering is going to turn to boo’s, Roman Reigns comes out and looks like he has something to say.  Honestly I loved what Reigns had to say, it was short and was exactly what needed to be said “I’m not a bad guy, I’m not a good guy, I’m the guy.” Reigns speaking the truth out there on Monday Night Raw, embrace it! Reigns all so issues an open challenge, which was answered by Chris Jericho. Jericho should always be heel, him telling this crowd to shut up was priceless.  AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn soon join the party wanting an opportunity at the title, which the crowd is clearly very pleased with. Reigns sitting back and watching the fights break out between the four guys was fantastic. Why not watch your completion destroy each other. Then to prove a point gets a spear in on Jericho and gets a moment to hold his title high.

Now for the new Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder! The crowd was super supportive of Ryder getting the win with a “woo woo woo you deserve it” chant. Good times can’t last forever in the WWE though, The Miz is here to ruin the fun and Miz easily baits Ryder into an IC Title match. This may have been the best Ryder match I have seen. Maryse should get the wife of the year award as her distraction helped Miz get the win. Sadly that IC Title run for Zack Ryder was short lived.

I said it before and I’m going to say it again. I love the new Women’s Championship Title. Charlotte is getting her post victory celebration in the ring in front of the rest of the Women’s division. Charlotte worked through that promo, which wasn’t easy with this crowd. It was fun to see Charlotte boast that they did it, well she did it, but they did it. While the crowd wanted Bayley , they got Nattie against Charlotte. The Flair name versus the Hart name is always fun and I am excited for this match to happen even if it isn’t the first time.

Wrestlemania rematch number two, Uso’s versus The Dudley Boys. This time though, it’s a table match. So very few wrestlers that actually act like heels, Bubba though is not one of those people.  It was beautiful when he said screw you to the crowd rather than delivering their Get the Tables line. While it appears the time keeper may have gotten a little confused, the Dudley’s made sure it was established that they won.

Poor Sami Zayn, attacked by Kevin Owens from behind again. That power bomb through the table though, ouch. Looks like the 4 way match for a #1 Contender for the World Heavy Weight Championship just became a 3-way.

Back in the arena though, the Dudley’s still haven’t left, that’s okay though we have another NXT debut. Enzo and Big Cass are on Monday Night Raw!!! Enzo on the mic is just priceless and the Dudley’s acting like they are going to get in the ring was great.  Cass spelled it out for ya though S.A.W.F.T.

Main Event for a #1 Contender, though it is still announced as a fatal 4 way, so either Zayn is still in this or someone else is coming out. AJ Styles, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens all out first, and now the moment of truth, who will be the forth person in this match?  Lillian Garcia announces that Sami Zayn is not medically cleared to compete, but Shane O’Mac has someone else to join this match and it is none other than Cesaro!!!

 This match was great! The flow of it was so smooth, it really was just a fun match to watch. The crowd was excited and on their feet the whole match. Plus when AJ Styles won the crowd exploded! Its always nice when the main event is the match of the night.

I only get to see the Hulu versions of Raw, but I know there were a lot of complaints about the crowd on twitter. I’m sure if I watch the full show I would have complained more about the crowd as well. Luckily with Hulu WWE can kind of control that. It was great to see some NXT guys get called up to the main roster and get such a positive reaction from the fans. Over all the 90 minute version of Raw was a pretty damn good follow up to Wrestlemania.

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