WWE Raw Results
April 18, 2022
Buffalo, New York (KeyBank Center)
Commentary: Jimmy Smith, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Byron Saxton
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show highlighting Cody Rhodes defeating The Miz last week on Raw. That was Rhodes’ first Raw match in six years. After the match, Seth “Freakin” Rollins challenged Rhodes to a rematch at WrestleMania Backlash. Rhodes accepted.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his way to the ring. Rollins welcomes everyone to “Monday Night Rollins.” Rollins says it is a party out here tonight, but no one wants to party alone. Rollins has an invitation for his WrestleMania Backlash opponent, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. It’s time to chat.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes comes out with tons of pyro. Rhodes gets in the ring, and a “Cody” chant picks up. Rollins goads the crowd to chant for Rhodes some more. Rollins says Rhodes is the man of the hour. How does it feel to be on top of the world? Rhodes says this all feels so familiar… as in they’ve been in this ring in this city. For those that don’t know the story, Rhodes thinks Buffalo is Rhodes Country. Familiarity and admiration are certainly strangers. Rollins invited him out here, so what does he want to talk about?
Rollins says there’s a lot on his mind since WrestleMania. Buffalo might be Rhodes Country, but this is about respect. Rollins is out here… he’s interrupted by a loud “Cody” chant. Rhodes cuts Rollins off and poses for the crowd. Rollins warns him not to do that to him again. Rollins goes to speak, but Rhodes interrupts by posing for the fans again. Rollins says this was going to go in one direction, but now it’s going in another one. Rollins was going to say how much respect he has for the family name, his brother, and his daddy. He was also going to talk about the long journey to reinvent himself as The American Nightmare, but it’s all for nothing. Rollins says he made Rhodes a star in one night at WrestleMania. The crowd boos, but Rollins shouts that it’s the truth.
Rhodes says there’s a lot of foreplay and pretense, but it’s time to dispense with the pleasantries. Rhodes tells Rollins to get to the point. Rollins says the point is that at WrestleMania, Rhodes had an unfair advantage. He came in as Mr. McMahon’s surprise opponent. Rollins didn’t have the proper time to prepare, so he lost. Another loud “Cody” chant picks up. That’s a tough pill for him to swallow. What’s worse is that some people and maybe even Cody thinks he’s better than Rollins. Rollins cannot live with that. That’s not the truth. Rollins is better than Cody Rhodes in every single possible way. Rhodes may be the flavor of the month, but he’s not the future of the industry. Rollins talks the talk better than Rhodes, walks the walk better than him, dresses the dress, and drips the drop better than him. Rhodes came back to fulfill his family legacy and win the WWE Championship, but Rollins has been to the mountaintop. Rollins has been WWE Champion. That makes Rollins better than Rhodes.
Rhodes says Rollins has been to the mountaintop four times, while Rhodes has never been there. That whole diatribe and tantrum doesn’t change what happened at WrestleMania. During his absence, he worked in management and knows mediation. It’s time to involve a mutual party. They can ask the good folks of Buffalo. The crowd loves that. Rhodes asks Buffalo is he is better than Seth Rollins. The crowd gives him a loud ovation and a “YES” chant picks up. Rollins laughs but then shouts at them to shut up. Rollins says they think it’s so easy to be in the ring against a surprise opponent. It’s time to put the shoe on the other foot. Cody Rhodes can be in the ring tonight awaiting a surprise opponent handpicked by Seth “Freakin” Rollins. A big “YES” chant picks up. Rhodes looks him in the eye. Rhodes says Rollins already knows the answer, as does the crowd. Rhodes didn’t come back to WWE to run from challenges, so he accepts. Rollins laughs as Rhodes’ music hits.
Finn Bálor will defend his WWE United States Championship against Theory tonight. We’ll also have a double commitment ceremony with Dana Brook and Reggie, as well as Akira Tozawa and Tamina being joined by R-Truth. RK-Bro will also face The Street Profits.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Naomi and Sasha Banks make their way to the ring. They’ll defend the titles against Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Naomi and Sasha Banks (c’s) vs. Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley and Sasha Banks start the match. Ripley avoids a dropkick from Banks and dropkicks her down. Ripley hits some shoulder thrusts in the corner before tagging Liv Morgan in. Ripley whips Morgan into Banks before slamming her onto her for a two-count. Morgan hits a jawbreaker and goes for a springboard facebuster, but Banks blocks it. Banks takes her down and tags Naomi. They hit a double-team maneuver on Morgan for a two-count. Banks tags back in. Banks connects with a top rope cross-body block for a near fall. Naomi knocks Ripley off the apron. Naomi tags in. Banks and Naomi go outside and whip Morgan into the ring post. Banks goes to dive onto Ripley at ringside, but Ripley catches her. Ripley uses Banks to hit Naomi. Morgan sends Naomi into the ring post, and Ripley hits Banks with Riptide on the barricade!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ripley clothesline Naomi down. Morgan tags in, but they mistime an electric chair drop/bulldog combo. Morgan covers twice for near falls. Naomi rolls her up for a two-count. Naomi catches Morgan with a backslide pin, but Ripley blind tags in. Morgan and Ripley hit an assisted powerbomb. Ripley comes in and hits Naomi with a Riptide. Morgan holds Banks back. Banks hits a catapult on Morgan to send her into Ripley, but they botch it and Morgan falls to the side. Banks just barely breaks up the pin.
Naomi gets Morgan out of the ring. Banks and Naomi hit Ripley with a double-team facebuster into a full nelson compactor for the win.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Naomi and Sasha Banks
Ripley is infuriated and demands to know where Morgan was. Ripley shouts that Morgan has failed again. Morgan goes to walk away, but Ripley attacks her from behind. Ripley punches away at Morgan as the crowd boos. Ripley is seething with anger. Ripley connects with a big Riptide and walks off on her former tag team partner.
Replays are shown of Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair signing a contract to face an opponent. Sonya Deville then attacked her from behind.
WWE Official Sonya Deville makes her way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Rhea Ripley attacking Liv Morgan moments ago.
Rhea Ripley is walking backstage. Sarah Schreiber asks for a comment on why she attacked Liv Morgan, but Ripley says she is not entitled to an explanation.
WWE Official Sonya Deville is in the ring. The crowd is loudly booing. Deville says she’s heard a lot of chatter about how she is abusing her power. Deville didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be a WWE Official. She was forced into this role until she could find her way back to being a WWE Superstar. Did she use her natural talents to lead those around her? Yes, she did, but she was looking for an opportunity. That came when Bianca Belair won the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Belair is someone she wants to be in the ring with. She’s not just the E-S-T of WWE. She’s the B-E-S-T in WWE. She’s not misusing her power…
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair comes out to the ring. Deville warns her that she’s a WWE Official right now and she cannot touch her. Belair says she wants to face her tonight. Deville says she’s not having this title match in this rusted-out suburb in New York. They’ll have the title match next week in Belair’s hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Then when she loses the title, she can have her family and friends to cry to. They’re used to her losing titles quickly. Belair lifts Deville for a KOD, but Deville shouts that she’ll make sure she’s fined, suspended, and the title stripped. Belair throws her down and walks off.
Veer Mahaan makes his way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Veer Mahaan vs. Jeff Brooks
The bell rings, and Mahaan quickly slams Brooks into the corner. Mahaan punches away at him and throws him across the ring. Brooks tries to fight back and hits the ropes, but Mahaan turns him inside out with a shoulder tackle. Mahaan hits a sidewalk slam before crushing him with a clothesline. Mahaan leaps on Brooks’ back and applies the cervical clutch for the submission.
Winner by Submission: Veer Mahaan
Mahaan immediately puts the cervical clutch back on. WWE producers and referees run down to break Mahaan off him. Mahaan breaks through and puts it back on Brooks. They pull Mahaan off again, and Mahaan is insensed. Mahaan walks off to loud boos.
WWE Official Adam Pearce is confronted by Sonya Deville. Deville wants Belair fined. Pearce says she has been fined, but Deville needs to watch herself. The “higher-ups” are looking into Deville’s conduct and have opened up an investigation. Deville says she’s done everything by the book. Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair walks up. Deville is not happy. Belair says she’s here to pay her fine and gives Adam Pearce one dollar. Pearce says he hopes she learned her lesson. Belair laughs and walks off. Deville is infuriated that the fine was only a dollar. Pearce says he did it by the book.
Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring. As he does, Jeff Brooks is stretchered out past him. Owens will conduct a lie detector test on Ezekiel next.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Veer Mahaan crushing Jeff Brooks moments ago.
We go backstage to see Jeff Brooks crying on the stretcher.
Kevin Owens is in the ring. A lie detector test is set up and it looks like Chad Gable will be conducting the test. Owens says he hates liars. There’s a new superstar named Ezekiel, but Owens knows that it is Elias. Owens is the only one sane enough to make that realization. To make sure this test goes off without a hitch, he has Chad Gable here to administer it. Owens mistakenly says he had a 2.0 GPA, but it’s a 4.0 GPA. Gable says, “A-thank you” for having him on the show. If this person lies, he’ll beat him in a match after. Owens introduces Elias (Ezekiel).
Ezekiel comes out. Ezekiel goes on to say that he is Elias’ younger brother, but Owens cuts him off and says that he is Elias. Ezekiel says he has a question for Buffalo: Who wants to hear Zeke speak? Owens is not happy about that. Gable says it’s time for the test and to shoosh. It’s time for baseline questions. Gable tells Ezekiel to tell the truth on this next question: Is the sky blue? Ezekiel correctly answers the question. The next one he has to lie on. Is it Monday? Ezekiel lies, and Owens thinks that proves that he’s a liar before Gable says it’s a baseline test. Gable has one more question about Gable Steveson being a spoiled brat, but Owens shouts that he’s paying him $150 Canadian to do this and to get back to his issue.
Gable asks if his name is Ezekiel. Ezekiel looks frozen and answers that it is. The test shows that he’s not lying. Owens cannot believe it. Gable has a plan. Is Elias his older brother? Ezekiel says, “Yes,” and it is not a lie. Owens is furious. Owens asks if his name is Elias. Ezekiel says it isn’t, and the test proves he’s not lying. Ezekiel says he’s had enough of being told he’s a liar by the biggest liar in WWE. Owens warns him to tell the truth or else. Ezekiel gets in his face, so Owens walks off. Gable then attacks Ezekiel from behind.
-Commercial Break-
Chad Gable vs. Ezekiel
The bell rings, and Ezekiel attacks Gable before throwing him across the ring. Ezekiel knocks him out of the ring and attacks him. Ezekiel hits a front suplex onto the steel ring steps before putting Gable in the ring. Ezekiel hits a low clothesline for a two-count. Ezekiel chops Gable in the corner. Gable reverses a whip to the corner and hits a dragon screw. Gable attacks the leg and hits a northern lights suplex for a two-count. Gable applies a spinning toe hold. Ezekiel fights out and knocks Gable back. Gable quickly slams him down and goes to the top rope for a moonsault. Ezekiel gets a boot up and hits a spinebuster. Ezekiel applies a single-leg crab, but Otis attacks him from behind.
Winner by Disqualification: Ezekiel
Video Package: The Usos challenge RK-Bro to a Tag Title Unification Match
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro make their way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
Randy Orton starts the match against Angelo Dawkins. After a few moments, Riddle and Montez Ford are in the ring. Riddle hits him with a big Spanish Fly off the top rope.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Riddle fighting back at Ford. Ford attacks him, but Riddle takes him out with another kick. Dawkins tags in, as does Orton. Orton hits a pair of clotheslines followed by a snap powerslam. RK-Bro grabs The Street Profits on the ropes and hit stereo draping DDTs. Orton gets the crowd fired up and tags in Riddle. Ford signals for something. The Usos music hits, but they don’t come out. Ford attacks Orton, and Dawkins punches Riddle. The Street Profits hit Riddle with a powerbomb/blockbuster combo for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Street Profits
Montez Ford wonders who would call for The Usos music at that unfortunate time. Ford says The Usos aren’t the only tag team that RK-Bro needs to worry about. The Street Profits are up and they want the smoke!
Replays are shown of AJ Styles facing Damian Priest last week on Raw. Priest vanished during the match.
Edge and Damian Priest are shown backstage. Edge is sitting on a throne. Priest says many are wondering why they want to torture AJ Styles. Edge says mind games have always been a part of him. Over 20 years ago, he learned it in The Brood. People may have forgotten, but he hasn’t. Last year at WrestleMania, Priest played a supporting act to Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny got all the accolades, but without Priest, he’d have been smeared all over the canvas. Priest didn’t even have a match at WrestleMania. Edge, a Hall of Famer, had to ask for a match at WrestleMania. Edge wants to win titles, something Buffalo cannot understand. Edge is taking back his Mountain of Omnipotence and wants to face AJ Styles at WrestleMania Backlash. It’s time to make him understand completely.
Theory makes his way to the ring. He’ll fight for the WWE United States Championship next.
-Commercial Break-
Sarah Schreiber asks AJ Styles about Edge’s challenge. Styles accepts. The lights flicker, so Styles sends Schreiber away. When they come back on, Edge and Damian Priest are surrounding him. They viciously attack Styles.
WWE United States Championship
Theory vs. Finn Bálor (c)
The bell rings, and they lock up. Bálor wrenches the arm, but Theory punches out. Theory applies a side headlock, but Bálor whips him off. Theory quickly shoulder blocks him down. Bálor chops the chest and hits some shoulder thrusts in the corner. Bálor puts him in the corner and chops him again. Bálor hits a snapmare and kicks him in the back. Bálor continues to chop the chest before whipping him to the opposite corner and hitting a running chop. Theory fights back and hits a backbreaker. Theory punches away at him and gets a two-count. Theory applies a chin lock. Bálor fights up, so Theory pulls him down for a two-count. Theory puts the chin lock back on, but Bálor gets out with a jawbreaker. Bálor hits the ropes, but Theory sweeps the feet. Theory goes outside, hangs Bálor off the apron, and hits a neckbreaker on the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Theory take Bálor down and hit a big stomp to the chest. Bálor fights back and hits a flying forearm. Bálor sweeps the feet and hits a vicious double stomp to the midsection. Bálor chops the chest, but Theory comes back with a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Theory takes a few moments to taunt the crowd and talk some trash, so Bálor drops him with a DDT. Bálor kicks him in the ribs and has him on the apron. Bálor goes to suplex him into the ring, but Theory blocks it. Theory snaps him off the top rope and goes for a rolling thunder dropkick, but Bálor counters into a powerbomb for a near fall.
Bálor chops and kicks away at Theory, so Theory hits a throat thrust. Theory drives him into the top turnbuckle. Bálor quickly takes him down and viciously stomps away at him. Bálor backs up and charges for a Sling Blade. Bálor hits a Woo Dropkick in the corner. Bálor goes to the top rope, but Theory sweeps the feet. Theory hits a WILD springboard Spanish Fly for a near fall. Wow!
Theory signals for the end and lifts him, but Bálor hits a falling elbow drop. Bálor clotheslines him out of the ring and hits a somersault senton. Bálor gets Theory in the ring and goes to the top rope. Theory avoids a Coup de Grace and hits the A-Town Down for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and new WWE United States Champion: Theory
Theory celebrates with the WWE United States Championship. The Hurt Business, T-Bar, Commander Azeez, Apollo Crews, and Alpha Academy come down to celebrate with him. WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon comes out to the stage and is happy. Theory celebrates with McMahon and takes some selfies.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins is walking backstage. Kevin Patrick asks who the mystery opponent is. Rollins knows who it is, but won’t share. Rollins says Cody Rhodes needs to feel how he felt at WrestleMania. Otherwise, the test doesn’t work. Rollins leaves when Rhodes’ opponent calls him.
R-Truth makes his way to the ring. We’ll have two commitment ceremonies next.
-Commercial Break-
Double Commitment Ceremony
The ring is set up for the double commitment ceremony. R-Truth is the officiant. Nikki A.S.H., Angel, and Humberto are in the ring along with some extras. R-Truth says the WWE 24/7 Championship is off-limits for this ceremony, so all the snakes in the grass can stay away. R-Truth introduces “Dana Brooks” and Tamina.
WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke and Tamina come out in wedding dresses. Sasha Banks and Naomi come out as bridesmaids for Tamina. The crowd immediately starts turning on this when they get in the ring. Dana Brooke and Reggie read some corny vows. Tamina shouts, “What she said!” rather than exchanging vows with Tozawa. Tozawa says the same. Tamina objects and switches grooms and then goes to marry Brooke. Finally, she puts the couples back together. They exchange rings and kiss when R-Truth weds them by the power in his vest.
Immediately after, Reggie rolls up Brooke to win the title. Tamina rolls Reggie up to win the title, then Tozawa does. Brooke hits Tozawa with a top rope cross-body block to win the title back. Brooke runs away with R-Truth.
Last week, Bobby Lashley said he would chop Omos down and come after MVP.
We’ll hear from Bobby Lashley next.
-Commercial Break-
Sarah Schrieber is backstage with Bobby Lashley. A video from MVP and Omos is shown. MVP says he made Lashley “All Mighty.” Imagine what he could do with Omos. Lashley says he’ll go through Omos to get to MVP.
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Seth “Freakin” Rollins’ handpicked opponent next.
-Commercial Break-
Next week on Raw, Bobby Lashley will face Omos in an Arm Wrestling Challenge. We’ll also see Bianca Belair defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Sonya Deville.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins comes out and says it’s time for Cody Rhodes to realize he’s not that good. His opponent never backs down from a fight and is a former World Champion. Kevin Owens comes out and embraces Rollins.
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens
They lock up, and Owens applies a side headlock. Owens applies a waistlock and kicks Rhodes. Rhodes flips through a back suplex and drops down for an uppercut, but Owens blocks it. Owens does the Goldust taunt and chops Rhodes. Owens stomps him down, but Rhodes soon sends him out of the ring. Rhodes forearms Owens and goes for a suicide dive, but Owens cuts him off. Owens hits a fallaway slam into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Owens send Rhodes over the top rope, but Rhodes skins the cat. Rhodes takes it to Owens, but Owens soon takes him down and hits a splash while Rhodes is on all fours. Owens attacks the back and chops the chest. Owens has Rhodes against the ropes and continues to attack the back before ripping at the face. Owens kicks him in the midsection and hits a snap suplex for a two-count. Owens goes for another snap suplex, but Rhodes blocks it and hits a front suplex. Rhodes goes for Cross Rhodes, but Owens counters with a DDT for a near fall.
Owens goes to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb, but Rhodes gets the knees up! Owens rolls out of the ring to recover, so Rhodes tackles him over the commentary table. Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Rhodes has Owens on the top rope for a superplex. Owens fights him off and hits a frog splash for a near fall. Owens immediately goes back to the top rope and hits a Swanton Bomb for another near fall. Rollins cannot believe it. Rhodes surprises him with an inside cradle for a two-count. Owens goes for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Rhodes counters with a hurricanrana. Rhodes superkicks him, but Owens responds with a superkick. Finally, Rhodes turns him inside out with a clothesline. Rhodes charges, but Owens hits a Pop-up Powerbomb for a near fall.
Owens goes to the top rope, but Rhodes cuts him off. Rhodes climbs, but Owens fights him off. Rhodes attacks Owens and goes to the top rope once again. Owens crushes Rhodes with a fisherman’s superplex and covers, but Rhodes gets a boot on the bottom rope. Owens has Rhodes on the apron and goes for a powerbomb, but Rhodes counters with a back body drop. Rollins shouts at Owens to get back in the ring. Owens is upset and gets in Rollins’ face before walking off.
Winner by Count-out: Cody Rhodes
Rhodes is not happy with how the match ended and poses for the crowd. Rollins pushes him off the top rope to the floor to end the show.
Quick Match Results
— Naomi and Sasha Banks def. Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
— Veer Mahaan def. Jeff Brooks via Submission
— Ezekiel def. Chad Gable via DQ
— The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) def. Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) (non-title)
— Theory def. Finn Bálor to win the WWE United States Championship
— Cody Rhodes def. Kevin Owens via CO
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
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