The WWE RAW after WrestleMania is traditionally designed to start fresh feuds, recap those wrapped up at Mania, and debut returning stars or those fresh off a call-up from NXT. Over the years, the vibe has shifted, making the modern RAW after-show an aftermath show with Backlash as the main narrative.
With the fourth show in a row live from Vegas since Friday’s SmackDown, there was a slow beginning to tonight’s episode before the action and buzzworthy segments ramped up.
OBA’S BIG OPENING
The show opened on video packages reiterating the narratives coming out of WrestleMania 42, and there were fewer narratives bigger than Oba Femi’s night two win over Lesnar—sending the ‘Beast’ into retirement (or is he?). Oba came out and said just two words, but the crowd’s reaction was enough to show just how over he is now.
There are rumors of a potential showdown with Roman Reigns later in the year, but he is in a great position where just squashing opponents is enough to continue his current momentum if he is not ‘next-next.’
Lesnar’s impromptu retirement stole some of the headlines that might have, to a degree, overshadowed Oba’s win, but the sky is the ceiling on this guy.
ROMAN ON TOP AGAIN… JACOB FATU SHOOTS HIS SHOT
Roman was the main feature on his show, following one of the better main events in Mania history, when he won his first heavyweight title in WWE by defeating CM Punk on night two. On his way out, he passed The USOS and, after dappin’ them up, asked them to join him for his in-ring promo.
They walked out there behind Roman, Jey in a backward jersey featuring the Raiders’ colors, and Jimmy all smiles, flanking Roman like it was classic Bloodline era. Roman took his time getting to his promo, and when he did get into it, he took an immediate sidebar to call into question some ‘family business.’
Jey Uso has been beefing with former rapper and current podcaster “Killa Cam” of Dipset fame, and things have only escalated after Jey delivered a post-interview beatdown while doing a guest spot on Cam’s show. The angle was used as Mania promotion, or so fans assumed, but the continued feud and subsequent mentioning on WWE TV make this a real feud now.
Roman harped on “beef” with a ‘rapper from the 90’s as Jey continued to mean-mug, and the awkwardness of the situation came full scope as you saw Roman pleading to The USOs about ‘doing business’ together again.
Then, in a surprising direction change mid-segment, Jacob Fatu came marching down in pursuit of a conversation with his champion cousin fresh off ‘The Samoan Werewolf’s’ win over Drew McIntyre on night one. Drew and Fatu were given prime position in front of the most eyeballs in the ESPN/ESPN2 lead-ins, so it makes sense for Fatu’s ticket to be punched now.
Jacob Fatu told Roman that he doesn’t want his title, he needs his title, and then he rattled off a list of things that separate the two men—things like clothes, homes, cars, and security for their children. It was a passionate promo that offered a stark contrast between the wealthy, influential family member and the hungry, potentially more dangerous one.
Roman told Jacob that he does not think ‘he’s ready,’ but offered him a week to think about the implications, and they decided to meet at Monday Night RAW next week in Laredo, Texas.
PAUL HEYMAN’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Heyman cut an incredible promo with the same kind of intensity he typically performs with, only dialed up several notches. He scolded the same crew Punk put over for their hard work behind the scenes at WWE events, only Heyman did it to further the narrative that Lesnar is really retired.
He shouted at the production truck crew, calling them out for leaving Lesnar in the ‘now section’ of the “Then, Now, Forever” title card that begins every WWE show. Doubling down on the idea that he belongs in the “forever” section because he is indeed retired flies in the face of reports suggesting that SummerSlam in Minneapolis later this August will be the true site of his final match.
Paul passed the mic to Logan before bringing out Bron Breakker, who looked like a million bucks in his oversized black leather jacket, eloquently honoring his dad, Rick Stiener. Breakker cut his own impassioned promo, vowed to get his hands on Seth eventually, and then turned it into right now as his music hit.
Seth, of course, came in from the crowd to surprise The Vision with a chair until the numbers got to him, but that is when a returning Street Profits came out to even the odds. Montez Ford took on Paul to the other side of the barrier until everyone else was removed from the equation.
With only Bron and Seth in the ring, Breakker, busted open, began laying blows on Seth before grabbing him by the neck and manhandling him center-ring to close out the segment.
PUNK AND CODY… COMING SOON?!?!
CM Punk came out during the midpoint of the show, and his appearance at first seemed somber as he emerged against a black background with no music. But he eventually delivered his ‘clobbering time’ intro before jumping into the ring to deliver a very heartfelt promo.
He put over those he lost, like his MMA trainer, the famous Duke Rufus, and his dog Larry, who crossed the ‘rainbow bridge’ just weeks before the mania match. He also put over all the people who work behind the scenes and make the company run like a well-oiled machine.
His promo was not sad; it was hopeful, as he said, ‘never know’ when that title opportunity is going to ‘drop in his lap.’ And then, the potential opportunity fell in his lap. Cody Rhodes, fresh off his successful defense against Randy Orton, came out wearing sunglasses to hide the hideously bad black eye Orton left after punting him.
He took off the glasses to unveil the multi-colored eye that will keep him out of action for several weeks, and then he got into the ring and offered Punk a title match. Not just a title match, but a ‘you call it’ opportunity that Cody offered Punk, for whenever he is ‘ready.’
This is a fantastic next direction for both men involved, and it feels as fresh as anything despite being teased since Punk’s return.
RHEA AND IYO SAY GOODBYE
Rhea and Iyo Sky opened tonight’s RAW and defeated the Kabuki Warriors in the process, but it was not the ‘go-home’ angle anyone expected. For weeks, Auska and Sane have beefed with Iyo at the center, but they just ended up beating the team they beefed with for months in a ‘final goodbye’ situation.
Rhea and Iyo won, then later in the back, they said their final farewells as Rhea heads to SmackDown. There were some tears as Rhea walked off, but it did not happen without a final tease as Liv Morgan offered her well-wishers—could that be a future WM match direction in a callback of their infamous feud?
OTHER TIDBITS
– Ethan Page is officially signed to Monday Night RAW, picking up a win over Je’Von Evans thanks to some outside interference from Rusev. Penta came out to help put over the segment, but the entire thing ended with the current IC champ standing tall, so it is unclear who that was meant to get over at all.
– Sol Ruca debuted tonight in an amazing performance against the newly crowned women’s champion, Liv Morgan. The two had an incredible match, but in the end, Liv won with the help of Sol Ruca’s former tag partner and her opponent for tomorrow night.
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