WWE Raw
April 30, 2018
Bell Centre
Montreal, Canada

You can follow us on Twitter @PWTranscripts 

Transcription by Josh Lopez

Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe Jinder Mahal, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman In-Ring Segment: 

Reigns will not make any excuses because there’s no need to. You’ve seen the footage and the tweet from the referee, so you’re looking at the real WWE Universal Champion. Large majority of the WWE Universe has lost faith in him, but he’s a man of his word. Reigns conquered Brock Lesnar in the cage and that’s why he won’t lose faith in himself. He would say that to Brock’s face, but of course he’s not here. Samoa Joe appears on the titantron. Joe calls Reigns a failure. Joe will continue Reigns downward spiral at WWE Backlash.

Jinder Mahal makes his way to the ring. Jinder cannot stand people who make excuses for their short comings.  At The Greatest Royal Rumble, Jeff Hardy cheated, but he’s not complaining. Samoa Joe will beat Reigns. Tonight, Reigns will lose to The Modern Day Maharaja. Reigns career is in the tubes and since Jinder is on Raw, he’ll flourish and will raise The Universal Championship. Tonight, he will prove exactly why.

Sami Zayn addresses the Montreal crowd in French. Let’s get down to business. Due to an injury, Zayn couldn’t compete at The Greatest Royal Rumble. He suffered from vertigo, but he’s feeling better tonight. Why not fix that, in his home town, and he’ll take on Roman Reigns.

It’s party time in Montreal, Kevin Owens is here. With all due respect, Owens knows that Zayn can beat Reigns.  However, the people want to see Roman Reigns versus Kevin Owens. Everybody wants a piece of Reigns. How about a popularity contest? Reigns punches Owens in the face. We have a three on one beatdown going down in the center of the ring. Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman makes the timely save. 

First Match: Bobby Roode vs. Elias 

Elias applies a side headlock. Roode reverses the hold. Elias brings Roode to the corner. Elias is unloading multiple haymakers. Roode responds with knife edge chops. Roode clotheslines Elias. Roode with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Elias. Roode follows that with a Dropkick. Roode bounces Elias head on the top turnbuckle. Elias reverses out of the irish whip. Roode kicks Elias in the jaw. Roode with a BlockBuster for a two count. Elias rolls himself out of the ring.

Roode drives his knee into the midsection of Elias. Elias drops Roode on the top rope. Elias clotheslines Roode. Elias applies a rear chin lock. Roode with a Chop/Haymaker Combination to Elias. Elias kicks Roode in the chest. Elias is putting the boots to Roode on the bottom rope. Elias throws Roode across the ring. Elias is lighting up Roode’s chest in the corner. Elias delivers a Mule Kick for a two count. Coming out of the commercial break, Elias has Roode in the rear chin lock.

Roode is gasping for air. Elias goes for a Mule Kick, but Roode counters with a series of lariats. Elias negates the Neck Breaker attempt from Roode. Roode dives over Elias. Roode connects with a SpineBuster for a two count. Roode loses his balance on the top turnbuckle. Roode HeadButts Elias. Roode lands a Flying Clothesline. Roode does his signature Glorious Pose. Roode goes for The Glorious DDT, but Elias blocks it. Elias decks Roode with a Back Elbow Smash. Following a pinning exchange, Elias whips Roode throat first to the turnbuckle bar. Roode is having a really hard time breathing. Elias announces himself the winner of the match.

Winner: Elias via Referee Stoppage 

Second Match: The Authors Of Pain vs. Jean Paul & Francois 

Good luck to Quebec's own, Jean-Paul & Francois! #RAW pic.twitter.com/wgSZ3IFPwW

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 1, 2018

Rezar and Francois will start things off. Rezar drops Francois with a Big Boot. Rezar launches Francois to the corner. Paul tags himself in. Paul delivers multiple jabs. Rezar responds with a Lariat. Rezar tags in Akam. AOP connects with The Super Collider. Akam tags in Rezar. AOP plants Paul with The Last Chapter to pickup the victory.

Winner: The Authors Of Pain via Pinfall 

In case there was any doubt, The #AuthorsOfPain are CENTERED ON DESTRUCTION. #RAW pic.twitter.com/DO4mUFwvt4

— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2018

Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and The MizTourage In-Ring Segment: 

Rollins praises the Montreal crowd for their support. The last month has been wild. He won the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania. Then they go to South Africa where he defends the title. They come back to St. Louis and then go to Saudi Arabia where he defended the title in a ladder match. This crowd makes all the traveling worthwhile.

The trip back from Saudi Arabia was long and it allowed him to think about what kind of champion he wants to be. Rollins doesn’t want to be anything like Brock Lesnar. Brock isn’t even the legitimate Universal Champion. Whether people love him or not, Reigns hit the floor first. Rollins doesn’t want to show up only when it’s convenient or when the price is right. He wants to be a fighting champion.

Finn Balor comes out to interrupt Rollins. Rollins was right.  It was a long flight from Saudi Arabia and it gave Balor time to watch the end of the ladder match. They’ve had four singles matches and each of them have won two.  That makes them even. Rollins talks about being a fighting champion so why don’t he put the Intercontinental Title on the line tonight? Rollins accepts Balor’s challenge. The MizTourage makes their way to the ring.

Don’t worry about what these people want. Worry about what’s best for yourselves. Balor & Rollins shouldn’t be fighting each other, they should be fighting together. We should have a group conversation. MizTourage  reveal shirts with all four of their photos on it. Forget about The Balor Club and The Shield. They can be The Four Horsemen of the WWE. Rollins rejects The MizTourage offer. Rollins and Balor starts brawling with The MizTourage. Balor drops Rollins with a Spinning HeadLock Elbow Drop. 

A Moment Of Bliss Week 2:

Sasha Banks Backstage Interview: 

Third Match: Ruby Riott w/The Riott Squad vs. Sasha Banks 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Ruby backs Sasha into the turnbuckles. Sasha applies a wrist lock. Ruby drives Sasha head to the canvas. Sasha with an arm-drag takedown to Ruby. Ruby goes for a Hip Toss, but Sasha blocks it. Ruby rolls Sasha over for a one count. Ruby drops Sasha with a shoulder tackle. Sasha leapfrogs over Ruby. Sasha slaps Ruby in the chest. Sasha lands a Lucha Libre Arm-Drag. Sasha applies an arm-bar. Bayley is watching the match from the backstage area. Ruby tugs on Sasha’s hair. Ruby levels Sasha with a Big Boot. Ruby repeatedly stomps on Sasha’s chest. Ruby bounces Sasha head on the top turnbuckle pad. Ruby rams her shoulders into the midsection of Sasha.

Ruby delivers multiple forearm smashes. Sasha with a Lou Thez Press to Ruby. Sasha transitions into a ground and pound attack. Sasha is choking Ruby with her boot. Following a snap mare takeover, Sasha locks in a Straight Jacket Hold. Ruby creates distance with a Knee Lift. Sasha responds with a Hip Toss. Sasha follows that with a Running Meteora for a two count. Sasha goes back to the arm-bar. Ruby sends Sasha crashing to the outside. Sasha attacks Sarah Logan. Ruby goes for a Wrecking Ball Dropkick, but Sasha ducks out of the way. Sasha hits a Baseball Slide Dropkick. Sasha tells Ruby to bring it.

Coming out of the commercial break, Ruby has Sasha trapped in an Abdominal Stretch. Ruby dropkicks Sasha into the turnbuckles. Ruby with an STO for a two count. Ruby rubs Sasha’s head on the canvas. Ruby kicks Sasha in the ribs. Ruby applies a side headlock. Sasha dives over Ruby. Sasha with an O’Connor Roll for a two count. Sasha with a Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Sasha kicks Ruby in the chest. Sasha fires up with multiple clotheslines. Sasha dropkicks Ruby.

Sasha blasts Ruby with a Double Knee Strike. Ruby sweeps the legs of Sasha. Ruby SuperKicks Sasha. Ruby with a Cannonball Back Senton for a two count. Sasha responds with a BackStabber. Sasha locks in The Bank Statement, but the referee is distracted by Logan. Liv Morgan drags Ruby out of the ring. Sasha with a SlingShot Metora to Ruby. Sasha takes out Morgan with a Meteora off the ring apron. Sasha kicks Logan in the face. Ruby with a Big Haymaker to Sasha. Ruby connects with The Riott Kick to pickup the victory.

Winner: Ruby Riott via Pinfall 

Titus O’Neil & Baron Corbin Backstage Segment: 

DELETER’S Of World’s Promo: 

Fourth Match: Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Jinder Mahal w/Sunil Singh in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Kami and Jinder are trying to play mind games with Reigns. Reigns is throwing haymakers at Zayn. Zayn kicks Reigns in the gut. Reigns tosses Zayn out of the ring. Reigns whips Zayn back first to the ringside barricade. Reigns with a right hand to Owens. Reigns with a Double Drive By. Reigns is teeing off on Zayn. Zayn brings Reigns to the corner. Jinder tags himself in. Jinder with clubbing haymakers to Reigns. Reigns drops Jinder with a Back Elbow Smash. Reigns bounces Jinder’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Reigns tags in Lashley. Lashley clotheslines Jinder. Lashley bodyslams Jinder. Jinder responds with a Knee Lift. Lashley leapfrogs over Jinder. Lashley follows that with another clothesline. Jinder fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Jinder tags in Zayn.

Zayn repeatedly stomps on Lashley’s chest. Zayn is choking Lashley with his boot. Lashley with a Neck Breaker to Zayn. Lashley with a Corner Clothesline. Lashley delivers a Corner Spear. Lashley goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Owens counters with a SuperKick. Zayn tags in Owens. Owens is putting the boots to Lashley. Kami and Jinder are cutting the ring in half. Owens rams his shoulders into the midsection of Lashley. Following a snap mare takeover, Owens kicks Lashley in the back. Owens applies a rear chin lock. Owens sweeps the legs of Lashley. Owens with a Running Senton for a two count. Owens transitions into a ground and pound attack. Owens brings Lashley to Chin Lock City. Lashley gets back to a vertical base. Lashley kicks Owens in the chest. Lashley drops Owens with a FlatLiner. Lashley tags in Reigns.

Reigns with three lariats to Zayn. Reigns knocks Owens off the ring apron. Reigns hits The Never Ending Story. Reigns with a Big Boot. Zayn gets Reigns in a rear chin lock. Reigns with a Belly to Back Suplex. Zayn tags in Owens. Reigns kicks Owens in the face. Owens goes for a Pop Up PowerBomb, but Reigns counters with a SuperMan Punch. Owens tags in Jinder. Jinder cheap shots Lashley. Reigns creates distance with a Samoan Drop. Reigns makes the hot tag to Strowman.

Strowman clotheslines Jinder. Strowman starts demolishing Kami in the ringside area. Strowman launches Owens back first to the ringside barricade. Jinder sends Strowman crashing shoulder first to the steel ring post. Zayn goes for a Helluva Kick, but Lashley counters with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex. Jinder SuperKicks Lashley. Jinder tags in Owens. Owens inadvertently throws Jinder into a Spear from Reigns. Owens responds with Two SuperKicks. Owens goes for The Running Cannonball Strike, but Strowman counters with The Running PowerSlam to pickup the victory.

Winner: Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley via Pinfall 

Baron Corbin Promo: 

Fifth Match: Baron Corbin vs. No Way Jose w/Titus Worldwide 

Jose starts things off with haymakers. Jose tosses Corbin out of the ring. Corbin with a Running Clothesline to Jose. Corbin taunts the Montreal crowd. Corbin stomps on the midsection of Jose. Jose and Corbin are trading back and forth shots. Jose lowers the top rope which sends Corbin tumbling to the outside. Jose with a Big Boot to Corbin. Jose unloads a big right hand. Jose goes for a Flying Crossbody Block, but Corbin ducks out of the way. Corbin sends Jose crashing shoulder first to the steel ring post. Titus O’Neil makes his way to the ringside are with Titus Worldwide. Titus trips on the ring apron. Jose rolls Corbin over to pickup the victory.

Winner: No Way Jose via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Mickie James w/Alexa Bliss vs. Natalya w/Ronda Rousey 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Natalya applies a wrist lock. Mickie rolls herself out of the ring. Mickie yells at the Montreal Crowd. Natalya applies a front face lock. Natalya with a clubbing blow to the back of Mickie. Following a snap mare takeover, Natalya delivers a Basement Dropkick for a two count. Mickie whips Natalya face first to the middle turnbuckle pad. Mickie drives Natalya’s head to the canvas. Mickie with a RoundHouse Kick for a two count. Mickie applies a Body Scissors Hold.

Mickie locks in a Guillotine Choke. Natalya goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Mickie counters with a Crossbody Block for a two count. Mickie kicks Natalya in the ribs. Natalya responds with a back elbow smash. Natalya with a Discus Lariat to Mickie. Natalya locks in the SharpShooter. Alexa Bliss hops on the ring apron to distract Natalya. Mickie thrust kicks the midsection of Natalya. Ronda Rousey chases Bliss around the ringside area. Natalya rolls Mickie over to pickup the victory. After the match, Bliss runs away from Nia Jax. Nia celebrates with Natalya and Rousey.

Winner: Natalya via Pinfall 

Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler Promo: 

WWE Backlash 2018 Match Card: 

– Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn 

– Big Cass vs. Daniel Bryan 

– Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz For The WWE Intercontinental Championship 

– Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton For The WWE United States Championship 

– Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss w/Mickie James For The WWE Raw Women’s Championship 

– Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair For The WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship 

– Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe 

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

Seventh Match: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Balor For The WWE Intercontinental Championship 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Quick stalemate in the corner. Rollins shoves Balor. Balor with a waist lock takedown to Rollins. Balor starts grappling around Rollins. Balor lands a deep arm-drag. Balor applies an arm-bar. Rollins drops Balor with a back elbow strike. Rollins tosses Balor out of the ring. Rollins with a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Rollins applies a rear chin lock. Rollins drives his knee into the midsection of Balor. Rollins and Balor are exchanging knife edge chops. Balor kicks Rollins in the jaw. Balor with a Running Haymakers to Rollins. Balor dives over Rollins. Rollins with a Big Boot to Balor. Rollins blocks The Step Up Enzuigiri.

Rollins with a BlockBuster to Balor. Rollins follows that with a Turnbuckle FlatLiner. Rollins lands a SpringBoard Clothesline. Rollins hits The Suicide Dive. Balor responds with a Jumping Enzuigiri from the outside. Balor with stiff strikes to Rollins. Rollins goes for a Lariat, but Balor counters with a DDT for a two count. Rollins blocks The SlingBlade. Balor dropkicks Rollins. Balor connects with a Spinning HeadLock Elbow Drop for a two count. Balor’s right eye is busted open.

Balor is lighting up Rollins chest in the corner. Balor talks smack to Rollins. Rollins with a SlingBlade to Balor. Rollins with a Revolution Knee Strike for a two count. Rollins thrust kicks the midsection of Balor. Balor responds with a Right Hand. Balor with a Standing Double Foot Stomp. Balor decks Rollins with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Rollins trips Balor on the top turnbuckle. Rollins with a SuperPlex to Balor. Rollins goes for a Roll Through Falcon Arrow, but Balor counters with a Falcon Arrow of his own for a two count.

Following a chop/haymaker exchange, Rollins blocks The 1916. Balor with an Over Head Kick to Rollins. Rollins fires back with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Balor clotheslines Rollins over the top rope. Balor lands a SomerSault Plancha. Balor rolls Rollins back into the ring. Balor delivers The ShotGun Dropkick. Balor goes for The Coupe De Grace, but Rollins blocks it. Rollins SuperKicks Balor. Following a long pinning exchange, Balor drops Rollins with a SlingBlade. Rollins responds with another SuperKick. Rollins connects with The Blackout to pickup the victory.

Winner: Still WWE Intercontinental Champion, Seth Rollins via Pinfall 

Check Out Episode 103 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast