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WWE Raw Results – April 23, 2018

   April 24, 2018

WWE Raw
April 23, 2018
Scottrade Center
St. Louis, Missouri

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

Bruno Sammartino Ten Bell Salute: 

Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns In-Ring Segment: 

Heyman supposes that the WWE Universe is bestowing him with their anger because they think he’s going to come out here and gloat. You think Heyman out here to say we told you so? Every single time some wannabe tough guy who doesn’t understand when it comes to Brock Lesnar that this is real, just like not one member of that locker room stands any more of a chance than any of the wannabe tough guys in attendance tonight. Heyman doesn’t provide predictions, he presents spoilers.

Brock Lesnar does not gloat. Brock Lesnar conquers. Paul Heyman gloats all night long. Heyman gloats over the fact that Brock used non-PG era elbow smashes to bust The Big Dog’s face wide open. How about the fact that his client took Reigns to Suplex City?  None of this means anything to Brock Lesnar. Brock doesn’t dwell on the past, even when the past is only two weeks ago at WrestleMania. Brock looks forward to the future, especially when the future is this Friday in Saudi Arabia at The Greatest Royal Rumble.

When Brock’s so crazed to be in an Octagon, he will get on a private jet and fly across the world to travel to Saudi Arabia to be locked inside of a cage with Reigns. Do you really think the cage match was Reigns idea? Heyman going to smarten everyone up. WWE had no choice, but to sign Brock to a big, fat beautiful contract with a raise that he earned by beating Reigns at the biggest WrestleMania of them all. WWE goes to Brock and says we need the Universal Title defended in Saudi Arabia. Reigns is breathing, so Brock wants him in a fight for the title inside a steel cage.

You think this is to Reigns advantage? The odds are more stacked agains Reigns n on Friday. That is not a fact, it’s a spoiler. Brock is going to shred Reigns, piece by piece and limb from limb. Brock will come back to the Canada still Universal Champion, but Reigns will come back to the United States in many boxes as the victim of the reigning, defending, undisputed, Universal Heavyweight Champion of the world, Brock Lesnar. Roman Reigns comes out to interrupt Heyman. Reigns stares down Brock. Heyman is right. Reigns doesn’t know how he’s getting back. Reigns will be coming home with the Universal Title. You can believe that.

First Match: Bobby Roode vs. Elias 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Elias applies a side headlock. Elias drops Roode with a shoulder tackle. Roode responds with a high elbow strike. Roode is lighting up Elias chest in the corner. Roode kicks Elias in the gut. Elias reverses out of the irish whip from Roode. Roode kicks Elias in the jaw. Roode goes for The BlockBuster, but Elias ducks out of the way. Roode starts favoring his knee. Roode with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Elias. Roode follows that with a dropkick for a two count. Roode applies an arm-bar. Roode drives his knee to the shoulder of Elias. Roode applies a wrist lock. Elias creates distance with a big haymaker.

Elias delivers knife edge chops of his own. Elias blocks The Glorious DDT. Roode clotheslines Elias over the rope. Roode does his signature Glorious Pose. Elias backs Roode into the turnbuckles. Roode levels Elias with more chops. Elias kicks Roode in the chest. Elias sends Roode shoulder first to the steel ring post. Elias is applying pressure to the back of Roode’s neck. Elias and Roode are trading back and forth shots.

Elias repeatedly stomps on Roode’ chest. Elias bounces Roode head on the ring apron. Elias with a Running Knee Strike for a two count. Elias applies a rear chin lock. Roode gets back to a vertical base. Roode with a Belly to Back Suplex to Elias. Roode fires up with a chop/haymaker combination. Roode with a Swinging Neck Breaker to Elias. Roode lands a Flying Clothesline. Roode with a Sunset Flip Cover for a two count. Elias drives his knee into the midsection of Roode. Roode kicks Elias in the face. Roode hits The BlockBuster. Elias rolls himself out of the ring. Elias drives Roode shoulder first across the middle rope to create separation.

Winner: Elias via Pinfall 

Second Match: #WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs. The Ascension 

Hardy and Viktor will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Viktor applies a side headlock. Viktor cartwheels over Hardy. Hardy gives Viktor a standing ovation. Bray tries to play mind games with Viktor. Hardy with a Side Russian Leg Sweep. Hardy tags in Bray. Bray and Hardy with Stereo Back Elbow Smashes to Viktor. They follow that with their Running Leg Drop/Senton Combination. Bray stomps on the chest of Viktor. Bray goes for the Uranage Slam, but Viktor blocks it. Viktor tags in Konnor.

Konnor kicks Bray in the gut. Konnor unloads a big haymaker. Bray responds with a Lariat. Bray tags in Hardy. Hardy kicks Konnor in the face. Bray drops Konnor with a shoulder tackle. Hardy kicks Konnor in the gut. Konnor blocks the Twist Of Fate. Konnor drives Hardy back first into the turnbuckles. The Ascension are double teaming Hardy in the corner. Konnor with a Running Elbow Drop for a two count. The Ascension are cutting the ring in half.

Viktor applies a rear chin lock. Hardy gets back to a vertical base. Hardy decks Viktor with a Jaw Breaker. Hardy tags in Bray. Bray clotheslines Viktor. Bray uppercuts Viktor. Bray runs through Viktor with a Leaping Shoulder Tackle. Bray knocks Konnor off the ring apron. Bray tags in Hardy. Bray levels Viktor with a Body Avalanche. Hardy follows that with The Side Effect for a two count. Konnor attacks Hardy from behind. Bray responds with The Sister Abigail. Hardy and Bray plants Viktor with The WheelBarrow Twist Of Fate to pickup the victory.

Winner: #WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt via Pinfall 

The Sami & Kevin Show With Special Guest: Kurt Angle

The Sami & Kevin Show is the hottest weekly WWE talk show. Owens says that they’ll do it whenever they feel like it. A huge void existed with the loss of one of the greatest voices on Raw. Of course Owens is talking about The Miz. Who better to step up than them? Who better than one of them to win the Greatest Royal Rumble? Zayn suggests that people stay home from work and school to watch the special.  Zayn and Owens will prove why they are the crown jewels of Raw after being hand picked by Stephanie McMahon. That’s probably rubbing their guest the wrong way. They have a song for their guest. Zayn has a remix edition of Kurt Angle’s theme song.

Owens gives Angle a beach chair. Angle says that Zayn and Owens shouldn’t quit their day jobs. Is Angle still bitter about last week? Owens probably wouldn’t be doing too well if their boss had his manhood in a jar. Zayn and Owens came from a  toxic work environment on SmackDown Live. Owens mentions the conspiracy formulated by Shane McMahon. That’s why he took things into his own hands and cracked the skull of Vince McMahon. Either Stephanie McMahon really really appreciates their talent or she must really dislike Angle. If it wasn’t for Angle, Stephanie would still have full use of her arm.

Maybe Angle shouldn’t say that because he needs that job. Zayn and Owens debate over how many kids Angle has. Zayn forgot about Jason Jordan. That’s okay, Angle did too. Tonight is not about the past, it’s about the future. How will Angle maximize the upside that Stephanie did for them? Angle is going to repay them for their gratitude. At The Greatest Royal Rumble, Angle will be in the match along with Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho, and every other superstar Zayn and Owens have endeared over the years. However that’s Friday, this is Monday Night Raw. Tonight, Zayn and Owens will take on the team of Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman. Oh it’s true, it’s damn true. 

Seth Rollins and The MizTourage Backstage Segment: 

Third Match: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler vs. Titus Worldwide w/Dana Brooke 

Ziggler and Titus will start things off. Titus launches Ziggler to the corner. Titus slaps Ziggler in the chest. Titus repeatedly stomps on Ziggler’s chest. Titus tags in Crews. Crews clotheslines Ziggler. Crews with a Standing MoonSault for a two count. Ziggler fires back with a bodyshot. Crews shoots Ziggler into the ropes. Ziggler decks Crews with a Back Elbow Smash. Ziggler tags in McIntyre. Crews ducks a clothesline from Ziggler.

McIntyre drops Crews with a Big Boot. McIntyre delivers a series of knife edge chops. McIntyre is mauling Crews in the corner. McIntyre lands a Big Biel Throw. McIntyre talks smack to Titus. Ziggler makes the blind tag. Ziggler and McIntyre hits their SuperKick/Reverse Alabama Slam Combination. McIntyre knocks Titus off the ring apron. Ziggler and McIntyre plants Crews with a ClayMore/Zig Zag Combination to pickup the victory.

Winner: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler via Pinfall 

Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler Promo: 

Fourth Match: Jinder Mahal w/Sunil Singh vs. Chad Gable 

Jinder attacks Gable before the bell rings. Jinder throws Gable back first to the ringside barricade. Jinder rolls Gable back into the ring. Jinder repeatedly stomps on Gable’s chest. The referee checks on Gable in the corner. Jinder tells the referee to ring the bell. Gable ducks a clothesline from Jinder. Gable unloads multiple haymakers. Gable goes for an Exploder Suplex, but Jinder blocks it. Gable with a Waist Lock TakeDown to Jinder. Jinder kicks Gable in the chest. Jinder SuperKicks Gable. Jinder goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Gable counters with a Crossbody Block for a one count. Gable lowers the rope which sends Jinder tumbling to the outside. Jinder clotheslines Gable on the floor.

Coming out of the commercial break, Jinder has Gable in a  half nelson chin lock. Jinder levels Gable with a Knee Lift. Jinder with a Snap Vertical Suplex for a two count. Jinder is mauling Gable in the center of the ring. Gable and Jinder are trading back and forth shots. Jinder whips Gable sternum first across the turnbuckles. Jinder with a vicious crossface to Gable. Jinder applies a rear chin lock. Gable gets back to a vertical base. Gable is desperately trying to create separation.

Jinder clocks Gable with a Back Elbow Smash. Jinder places his leg on the back of Gable’s neck. Jinder with a series of SlingShot Knee Drops. Gable kicks Jinder in the jaw. Gable decks Jinder with a Rolling Kick. Gable follows that with multiple Dragon Screw Leg Whips. Gable attacks the back of Jinder’s knee. Gable fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Jinder blocks the O’Connor Roll. Jinder deposits Gable on the top rope. Jinder with a Running Knee Strike to Gable. Jinder goes for the Khallas, but Gable rolls him over to pickup the victory.

Winner: Chad Gable via Pinfall 

Samoa Joe Promo: 

Finn Balor and The MizTourage Backstage Segment: 

Fifth Match: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman 

Owens and Zayn are talking strategy on the outside after the bell rings. Strowman throws Zayn back first to the ringside barricade. Strowman rolls Owens into the ring. Lashley ducks a clothesline from Owens. Lashley with a Swinging Neck Breaker. Lashley runs through Owens with a Body Avalanche. Lashley follows that with a SpineBuster. Lashley with a right hand to Owens. Lashley delivers a Corner Spear. Lashley is raining down elbows across the forehead of Owens. Lashley chokes Owens his boot. Owens kicks Lashley in the chest. Owens applies a front facelock. Owens tags in Zayn. Zayn is targeting the ribs of Lashley. Zayn tells Lashley to bring it.

Zayn blasts Lashley with a knife edge chop. Lashley responds with a knee lift. Lashley with a Snap Vertical Suplex for a two count. Zayn drops Lashley with a Big Boot. Owens and Zayn are cutting the ring in half. Lashley kicks Zayn in the chest. Lashley tosses Owens out of the ring. Lashley lawn darts Zayn to the top turnbuckle pad. Lashley with a Running Crossbody Block to Zayn for a two count. Lashley rams his shoulders into the midsection of Zayn. Owens lowers the top rope which sends Lashley crashing to the outside. Owens with a Running Senton on the floor.

Coming out of the commercial break, Zayn is lighting up Lashley chest. Zayn taunts Strowman. Lashley with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex to Zayn. Owens gets in the way of Lashley making the tag. Owens transitions into a ground and pound attack. Owens goes for another Running Senton, but Lashley gets his knees up in the air. Owens tags in Zayn. Zayn applies a rear chin lock. Lashley creates distance with a Side Walk Slam. Owens knocks Strowman off the ring apron. Lashley clotheslines Zayn. Lashley finally tags in Strowman.

Strowman runs through Owens with a Massive Shoulder Block on the floor. Strowman clotheslines Zayn. Strowman continues to steam roll Owens on the outside. Strowman delivers a T-Rex Dropkick. Zayn rolls himself out of the ring. Lashley brings Zayn back to the ringside area. Strowman with a Sledgehammer Punch to Zayn. Strowman levels Zayn with a Body Avalanche. Strowman tags in Lashley. Strowman with a Big Biel Throw. Lashley follows that with a Delayed Vertical Suplex. Lashley tags in Strowman. Strowman plants Zayn with The Running PowerSlam to pickup the victory.

Winner: Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman via Pinfall 

Baron Corbin & No Way Jose In-Ring Segment: 

A Moment Of Bliss Segment: 

Sixth Match: Finn Balor & Seth Rollins vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel 

Balor and Dallas will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Dallas applies a side headlock. Dallas drops Balor with a shoulder tackle. Dallas poses for the crowd. Dallas tags in Axel. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. This time it’s Axel who applies the side headlock. Axel runs through Balor with a shoulder tackle of his own. Balor applies a waist lock. Axel decks Balor with a Back Elbow Smash. Balor turns a Sunset Flip into a Basement Dropkick for a two count.

Balor applies a wrist lock. Axel with a right hand to Balor. Axel drives his knee across the back of Balor’s neck. Axel tags in Dallas. Dallas with a series of knee drops for a two count. Dallas applies a rear chin lock. Balor gets back to a vertical base. Balor hits a Jaw Breaker. Dallas responds with a Forearm Smash. Balor with an Over Head Kick to Dallas. Balor tags in Rollins. Rollins lands a SpringBoard Clothesline. Rollins knocks Dallas off the ring apron.

Rollins with a SlingBlade to Axel. Rollins shoves Axel into Dallas. Rollins clotheslines Dallas over the top rope. Rollins delivers a Suicide Dive. Rollins rolls Axel back into the ring. Rollins kicks Axel in the chest. Rollins follows that with a BlockBuster. Rollins SuperKicks Dallas. Axel goes for The Perfect Plex, but Rollins blocks it Rollins connects with The BlackOut. Rollins tags in Balor. Rollins takes out Dallas with a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Balor lands The Coupe De Grace to pickup the victory.

Winner: Finn Balor & Seth Rollins via Pinfall 

Math Card For The Greatest Royal Rumble 

– Brock Lesnar (c) w/Paul Heyman vs. Roman Reigns In A Steel Cage Match For The WWE Universal Championship 

– AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura For The WWE Championship 

– John Cena vs. Triple H 

– The Undertaker vs. Rusev w/Aiden English In A Casket Match 

– Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Jinder Mahal w/Sunil Singh For The WWE United States Championship 

– #WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs. The Bar For The Vacated WWE Raw Tag Team Championship 

– The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. The Usos For The WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship 

– Cedric Alexander (c) vs. TBD For The WWE Cruiserweight Championship 

–  Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe In A Fatal Four Way Ladder Match For The WWE Intercontinental Championship 

– 50-Man Royal Rumble Match (Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Kurt Angle, Apollo Crews, Titus O’Neil, Elias, Goldust, Mojo Rawley, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Chad Gable, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Shelton Benjamin, Sin Cara, Chris Jericho, Bobby Roode, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn)

Seventh Match: Alexa Bliss, Mickie James and The Riott Squad vs. Nia Jax, Ember Moon, Natalya, Bayley and Sasha Banks In A 10-Woman Tag Team Match 

Winner: Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, and The Riott Squad via Disqualification 

Check Out Episode 102 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast 

Author: Josh Lopez