WWE Raw Results – Apr. 16, 2018 – Superstar Shake-up

Apr 16, 2018

WWE RAW Results
April 16, 2018
Hartford, Connecticut
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

In-Ring: Kurt Angle, Jinder Mahal

RAW General Manager Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring to a great reception. Angle is in the ring smiling. Angle welcomes the crowd to Monday Night RAW and the Superstar Shakeup. It’ll run through RAW tonight and finish at Smackdown tomorrow. There will be new faces and surprises.

Angle is interrupted by Sunil Singh, who comes out to boos. Sunil introduces Jinder Mahal as the newest member of Monday Night RAW! WWE United States Champion Jinder Mahal makes his way to the ring to loud boos. The United States Championship is on Monday Night RAW. Mahal holds the title up. Mahal congratulates Angle on his greatest acquisition, securing RAW’s position as the A show. Why was he brought to this arena in an SUV? Mahal only travels in limousines with a motorcade. Angle formally welcomes him to Monday Night RAW, which draws boos. Angle says they never agreed on a limo. Mahal says Angle brought him to RAW fully knowing his expectations. Mahal proved that he’s better than any superstar on Smackdown Live and RAW. Angle says he’s a tremendous competitor… Mahal cuts him off and says this is his kingdom. Mahal wants the same perks as Brock Lesnar. Mahal demands them. Angle tells him to e-mail him his list of demands. Angle says, “Kurt.Angle@NoFreakinWay.com.” Angle says they settle it in the ring on RAW. If he thinks he’s better than everyone on RAW, then he can prove it. Angle asks who wants to prove Mahal wrong. Angle makes this a United States Championship match for whoever comes out.

A referee gets in the ring. Mahal is not happy. Jeff Hardy answers the call!

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

The bell rings, and this match is on. Mahal kicks Hardy down and punches him. Mahal stomps him in the corner and talks trash to the crowd. Hardy blocks a punch and punches him back before putting him in the corner. A “Let’s go Hardy” chant picks up. Hardy splashes him in the corner and clubs him down. Hardy hits a snapmare and dropkicks him in the back of the head. Mahal quickly comes back and elbows him in the back of the head. Mahal sends him to the ropes, but Hardy holds on and boots him back before dropkicking him out of the ring. Hardy hits a slingshot baseball slide before hitting a diving clothesline off the apron.

We come back from the break to see Mahal applying a chin lock to Hardy. During the commercial, Mahal sent Hardy into the ring post. Hardy fights up, but Mahal clips the knee to take him back down. Mahal still has the chin lock on, but Hardy fights up while the crowd chants his name. Hardy hits a sit-out jawbreaker and charges, but Mahal gives him a snapshot on the top rope. Mahal drops a trio of knees before digging it into Hardy’s face. Mahal backs up and taunts the crowd while Hardy gets up on the apron. Mahal then delivers a snug right hand to knock him down. Mahal again taunts the crowd. Hardy slowly gets up and shoulders Mahal as he charges. Hardy snaps him off the top rope and goes for Whisper in the Wind, but Mahal crotches him up there. Mahal goes for a back superplex, but Hardy punches him off and hits Whisper in the Wind. Both men are down.

Sunil Singh gets on the apron, but Hardy knocks him to the floor. Singh takes a nasty bump. Hardy makes his comeback with a clothesline and an inverted atomic drop followed by a leg drop to the midsection. Hardy dropkicks him in the face and picks up a near fall. Hardy goes for a Twist of Fate, but Mahal gets out and sends him to the ropes. Mahal lowers his head and eats a kick. Hardy hits the ropes again, but Mahal knees him in the face for a near fall. Mahal goes for the Khallas, but Hardy rolls him up for a near fall. Mahal immediately kicks him in the face for a near fall. Mahal lifts Hardy up and hits a gordbuster, but Hardy counters into a pin for a near fall. Hardy follows up with a Twist of Fate and goes to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb! Hardy covers and is the new United States Champion!

Winner and new United States Champion: Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy celebrates with his newly won United States Championship. Jinder Mahal is at ringside looking furious.

Backstage: Jinder Mahal, No Way Jose

Jinder Mahal is furiously walking backstage with Sunil Singh. Renee Young stops him and says this isn’t the way you’d want to start the show. Mahal says Kurt Angle forced him into a match that he wasn’t warmed up for. Mahal is invoking his rematch clause in two weeks at Saudi Arabia for the Greatest Royal Rumble match. Mahal says Angle will pay. No Way Jose then interrupts and dances with Renee Young. Mahal is furious.

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks

Replays are shown from last week of Bayley accidentally costing Sasha Banks a match against Mandy Rose last week on RAW.

The bell rings, and they talk to each other for a few. Bayley tries to calm Banks down. Banks kicks her and sends her to the corner, but Bayley pushes her. Bayley goes to the middle rope for a springboard arm drag, but she crashes and burns in a bad botch. Banks slaps her and tries for a rope climb arm drag, but Bayley pulls her off. Bayley then sends her over the top rope. Bayley then hits a slide out of the ring into a hurricanrana on the floor.

We come back from the break to see Bayley trapped in a straightjacket submission. Bayley fights up and backs her to the corner before whipping her off. Banks tries to attack the arm, but Bayley gets out and hits a back body drop. Bayley sends her to the apron and snaps her off the middle rope. Bayley hits a shoulder thrust before doing a back elbow with theatrics. Bayley hits a tornado reverse DDT for a near fall. Bayley goes to get her up, but Banks kicks her in the head and throws her out of the ring. Bayley gets on the apron, but Banks knees her in the face. Banks hits a slingshot meteora onto the apron and hits another one off the top rope for a near fall. Banks talks trash and says she’s better than her before slapping her. Bayley slaps her back, and they get into a hockey fight. Banks takes her down and hits double knees to the face, but Bayley counters into a roll-up for a near fall. Banks applies the Bank Statement, but The Riott Squad attacks from behind.

Winner by Disqualification: Sasha Banks

Sasha Logan hits a nasty head-butt on Banks before Liv Morgan hits a Jersey Codebreaker. Ruby Riott then hits the Riott Kick on Bayley. The Riott Squad is officially part of RAW.

Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Authors of Pain

Heath Slater and Rhyno are shown in a pre-taped promo. The Authors of Pain may be rough and tough, but they have a second chances. They don’t take second chances lightly.

Alter and Rhyno attack AOP from behind before the referee restores order. Akam starts against Heath Slater. Slater kicks and punches him before Akam shoves him off. Slater punches him to the corner and tags in Rhyno. Rhyno punches away at Akam before sending him to the corner and hitting a running shoulder. Slater is tagged in, and he comes off the top rope with a club. Akam quickly hits a flapjack into the top rope. Rezar tags in and punches away at Slater. Akam tags back in. They hit a double-team gutbuster for a near fall. Akam grabs the face and slams him down. Rezar tags in and talks trash, but Rhyno is tagged in. Rhyno has a whip to the corner reversed, but he elbows him. Rhyno clotheslines him and punches Akam off the apron. Rhyno shoulders Rezar and hits a belly-to-belly. Akam breaks it up and sends Slater over the top rope. Rezar quickly clotheslines Rhyno , and Akam is tagged in. They hit the Last Chapter for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The Authors of Pain

In-Ring: The Miz, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Kurt Angle, Miztourage

The Miz is in the ring with The Miztourage for another edition of Miz TV. The Miz welcomes them to the show. Miz says his guests will represent a siesmic shift on RAW. The newest members of Monday Night RAW are Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens!

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens come out with all smiles. Owens and Zayn get in the ring before doing a group hug with The Miz and The Miztourage. Miz says this is the biggest assembly of talent ever in one ring. nWo and the 1992 Dream Team have nothing on this. They are The Avengers. This blockbuster won’t be held back by the egotistical Shane McMahon or the wannabe movie star Paige. They are changing the landscape of WWE and transforming RAW into their image.

Kurt Angle’s music hits, and the RAW General Manager comes out to the stage looking confused. Angle says Miz has no control of this show. Owens and Zayn had an opportunity for a job, but they both lost. Owens says there was an e-mail that was sent a few minutes ago. Plans have changed. Zayn says he’ll spare him going to his e-mail. Zayn printed it out. Zayn takes it out and removes some reading glasses. The e-mail reads, “Kurt, in light of recent events and your proclivity for making emotionally motivated decisions, I have no choice but to relook at your handling of the situation with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.” To let them walk away from RAW would be a mistake of epic proportions. The e-mail was from Stephanie McMahon, and she has overruled his decision. Owens and Zayn are rehired on RAW! Owens rubs it in Angle’s face while he looks disgusted. Miz asks if Angle’s career as RAW GM is flashing before his eyes. Angle is surprised Stephanie can write a letter instead of round the clock physical therapy after Ronda Rousey ripped her arm off.

Angle tells them to say goodbye to The Miz. Angle says he talked to Shane McMahon and Paige. Daniel Bryan wants Miz on Smackdown. Miz angrily puts his hand up. Miz says Angle can’t do that, but Angle says he can. Miz asks Angle if he knows what he just did. Smackdown Live just went from the B show to the top show. He will go over with The Miztourage and make it must see television. Angle says The Miztourage is staying on RAW. Only Miz is going. Angle is going to give him a going away gift with a 10-man tag team match. It’ll be the five of them against Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, and a WWE superstar making his RAW debut. Angle sarcastically says they’ll miss him. Miz looks furious.

Tag Team Eliminator Finals
The Revival vs. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt’s video flashes on the screen. Wyatt says, “Hartford… ” Matt Hardy is shown laughing. Hardy says, “I knew you’d come.” Wyatt says this is wonderful. Hardy says in a strange voice, “We’re heeere!”

The Bar are on commentary for the next match.

Matt Hardy starts against Scott Dawson. Hardy applies a waistlock, but Dawson gets out and tags in Dash Wilder. Hardy bounces his head off the turnbuckle before running into an elbow. Hardy quickly comes back with a hip toss and tags in Bray Wyatt. Wyatt boots him and goes for Sister Abigail, but stops to knock Dawson down. Wilder takes Wyatt down, but Wyatt does a crabwalk. Wyatt then clotheslines Wilder. Hardy is tagged in, and they hit a double-team back elbow followed by a leg drop/senton splash combo. Wyatt then suplexes Dawson onto Wilder. Hardy and Wyatt shout, “WONDERFUL!” The Revival circles the ring to recover. Hardy fights them off and goes for a Twist of Fate, but Dawson makes a blind tag. They hit a double-team clothesline. Dawson punches away at Hardy before taking him down for a two count. Dawson then applies a chin lock. Hardy fights up, but Dawson punches him down. Dawson taunts Wyatt to get him to distract the referee so Wilder could blindside Hardy for a near fall. Wilder tags in and continues to work over Hardy.

Wilder and Wyatt are tagged in. Wyatt viciously clotheslines him before punching him in the corner and punching Dawson down. Wyatt avalanches Wilder and hits a uranage. Wyatt archs his back and hits Dawson with Sister Abigail. Hardy tags in, and they hit a double-team wheelbarrow Twist of Fate for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt will face The Bar for the RAW Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble event.

Backstage: The Bar, Breezango

The Bar are talking about how weird Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are when they bump into Breezango. Fandango says they’ve been transferred to a new precinct. They make fun of what The Bar are wearing and hand them ticket.

RAW’s newest arrivals: Bobby Lashley, The Authors of Pain, Ember Moon, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Jinder Mahal, The Riott Squad, and Breezango.

Backstage: Kurt Angle, Ronda Rousey, Natalya

Ronda Rousey is backstage with Kurt Angle. Rousey says the ship has sailed on Stephanie McMahon’s apology. Angle says McMahon won’t go away quietly. Angle has a surprise for the Superstar Shakeup. Natalya walks in and embraces Rousey. Rousey says they train together. Angle says Natalya is incredible and wants to have a match tonight. Natalya says this is fresh start for her and fist bumps Rousey.

Ember Moon vs. Mickie James

RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax will be on commentary for the next match.

They circle the ring, and James hooks a side headlock. Moon wrenches the arm, but James gets out with a cartwheel. Moon quickly takes her back down and grapevines the head, but James gets out and takes her down before kicking her in the ribs. Moon counters a hip toss and takes her down before hitting a dropkick. James sidesteps Moon, but Moon knocks her back. Moon goes to the second rope, but James rips her off for a near fall. James applies a chin lock.

Alexa Bliss is shown backstage. She was supposed to be on commentary. Bliss says she has no interest sitting out there with that bully, Nia Jax. Jax knows how much it hurt to lose the RAW Women’s Championship. Bullies like her would want to rub it in and throw her off her game heading into Backlash for the rematch.

Moon fights up, but James takes her down. James reapplies the chin lock, but Moon hits a snapmare. James quickly comes back with a neckbreaker for a one count. James covers again for a one count. Moon takes her down with a head-scissor and whiffs a right hand. James blocks a double-arm suplex, but Moon kicks her and connects with it. Moon kips up and lets out a primal scream. Moon hits a handspring strike before going to the top rope for the Eclipse for the win. James sold that really well.

Winner by Pinfall: Ember Moon

Backstage: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Miz

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are talking about their rocky start, but they need to focus on the match. Owens wants to know who the mystery partner is. The Miz walks up and talks about his re-debut. They tell him to concentrate on the match at hand. Miz calls over The Miztourage and says this is his RAW Finale. They must make it must see.

In-Ring: Dolph Ziggler, Titus O’Neil, Apollo, Drew McIntyre

Dolph Ziggler is the newest member of RAW. Ziggler says he’s the best superstar to ever walk that aisle. One thing about him has changed.

Titus Worldwide cuts him off. Titus O’Neil welcomes Ziggler back to RAW. O’Neil says a lot has changed, like him creating Titus Worldwide. If he wants to maximize his return, look no further than their team. O’Neil says with Ziggler’s talents and his connections, they can go to the top. O’Neil says Ziggler is a multi-platform superstar. They can conquer the world. Ziggler thanks him for the offer and interrupting him. Ziggler says the one thing that changed is he didn’t come back to RAW alone.

Drew McIntrye attacks O’Neil from behind and head-butts Apollo in the face! Ziggler and McIntyre send O’Neil into the ring post. A “Holy Sh–” chant fires up. Ziggler then superkicks O’Neil. McIntyre then punches away at Apollo. Ziggler gets Apollo to his feet. They then hit a double-team Zig-Zag/Claymore.

In-Ring: Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe

Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring to his typical mixed reaction. Reigns is still limping from the beating he received at WrestleMania. He’ll face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship inside a Steel Cage at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Reigns paces around the ring while the crowd boos and chants, “Roman sucks.” Reigns talks about showing up and going to beat Brock Lesnar to become the full time Universal Champion.

Samoa Joe says Reigns is always out here bragging about showing up for his job, but he never gets the job done. What Reigns fails to understand is he’s not getting into the ring with a normal superstar. This beast has beaten him every time he gets into the ring. Joe says he’d feel sorry for him, but he can’t. Reigns is too stupid to realize his place. Reigns won’t learn until someone puts him down for good. Joe comes bearing that sweet mercy. When Lesnar is done massacring him in the cage, he’ll put the Big Dog to sleep once and for all. Since Reigns has a lot of bass in his voice, he wants to remind him what Lesnar has done to him and what he will do to him.

Video Package: Brock Lesnar’s destruction on Roman Reigns

That’s what Lesnar can do. Reigns tells him to bring his lazy fat ass down here and show what he can do. Joe walks down the ramp, stops, and leaves. Joe then stops and throws down his towel before walking down to the ring. Joe then says he’ll see him at Backlash on his time.

Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville vs. Natalya

The bell rings, and they circle the ring. Natalya locks up with her before rolling her up for a one count. Rose yells at her and whiffs a slap. Natalya takes her down, but Rose gets out. Natalya takes her down and punches away at her. Natalya then beats her out of the ring. Sonya Deville stands by Rose, but Natalya backs her up. Natalya gets her in the ring, but Rose is quickly out. Natalya looks over her shoulder at Deville, and Rose knees her in the face. Rose gets her in the ring and covers for a one count. Rose works over her, including hitting a suplex for a two count. Rose clubs the back and applies a modified abdominal stretch. Natalya fights out with a hip toss. Natalya then slaps her in the face. Natalya “talks trash” and goes for a Discus Clothesline, but Rose ducks. Natalya then takes her down for a Sharpshooter for the win.

Winner by Submission: Natalya

Deville attacks her from behind, and Absolution starts double-teaming her. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey charges down to the ring to make the save. Deville and Rose get out of the ring. Absolution just stares at Rousey before Deville gets in the ring. Rousey looks at her incredulously. Deville challenges her, but Rousey strikes away at her before viciously taking her down. Rousey then helps Natalya out of the ring.

Video: Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin is the newest member of the RAW roster. They show a highlight package for him.

Breezango vs. The Bar

Fandango tries on Cesaro’s clothes to start off. Cesaro goes for a sunset flip, but Fandango gyrates and drops a leg for a one count. Tyler Breeze tags in, ducks a clothesline from Sheamus, and turns into a very European uppercut from Cesaro. Sheamus tags in and punches him down. Breeze fights back, but Sheamus powers him to the corner. Cesaro tags in, and they hit stereo kicks to Breeze for a near fall. Sheamus tags in and takes Breeze down before applying a chin lock. Breeze fights up, but Sheamus clotheslines him. Sheamus knocks Fandango off the apron and hits Breeze with a sidewalk slam elbow drop combo for a near fall. Fandango interferes, distracting Cesaro enough that he got rolled up by Breeze for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Breezango

Backstage: Elias

Elias is backstage with Renee Young. She asks why he has declined to play tonight. Elias says he’s sold out so many venues and doesn’t do small time anymore. This small dirtbag town definitely does not matter. Speaking of things that don’t matter, how about Bobby Lashley? He’s become the biggest star in WWE. Lashley doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring or arena with him. Lashley should worship him from the stands like everyone else. If Lashley ever interrupts him again, he’ll learn that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says Renee is a huge fan of Elias and wants a private concert. Elias tells her to silence her cellphone and shut her mouth. Renee cuts him off.

The Superstar Shakeup continues tomorrow night on Smackdown Live. Next week on RAW, Brock Lesnar will make an appearance.

Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Miz, and The Miztourage vs. Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Roode

Seth Rollins tries to talk strategy, but Braun Strowman just wants to beat people up. Seth Rollins will start against Kevin Owens. Owens kicks and clubs him down before stomping him. Owens punches him to the corner and knees him. Owens sends him to the corner, but Rollins comes back with a reverse STO into the corner. Rollins hits a springboard clothesline that knocks Owens out of the ring. Rollins hits a plancha and gets in the ring to hold the ground with his team.

We come back from the break to see Rollins dropkick Curtis Axel down. Bobby Roode tags in, and he suplexes Axel for a two count. Finn Balor tags in and comes off the top rope with an axe handle to the arm. Axel quickly attacks the arm. A “We want Strowman” chant fires up. Balor goes for a tag, but Axel stops him. Owens tags in and beats him down. Bo Dallas then tags in and stomps away at him. The Miz tags in and stomps him. Owens then gets a cheap shot in. Miz hits the ropes and boots him in the head for a near fall. Miz applies a chin lock, but Balor fights up. Miz quickly comes back with a Reality Check for a near fall. Sami Zayn tags in and attacks Balor. The audience chants for Strowman, and Bobby Lashley is tagged in.

Lashley clotheslines Zayn, gives him a belly-to-belly overhead suplex, and avalanches him in the corner. Lashley shoulders him and knocks most of the heel team off. Lashley clotheslines Zayn and signals for a suplex. Lashley hits a delayed vertical suplex and press slams Miz over the top rope onto the heel team.

We come back from the final break of the evening to see a standoff at ringside with the teams. Owens then gets Rollins in the ring and applies a chin lock. During the break, Rollins was sent over the top rope and landed hard on the floor. Rollins fights up, but Owens pulls him down by the hair before hitting a senton splash for a near fall. The Miz tags back in and stomps Rollins. Miz rips at Rollins’ face and talks trash to the crowd. Miz distracts the referee, but Rollins fights off the heel team. Miz quickly kicks Rollins and hits a kneeling DDT for a near fall. Miz starts mocking Daniel Bryan and doing the “YES/IT” Kicks. Rollins ducks a kcik and rolls him up for a two count. Rollins then hits a back suplex. The Miztourage pull Lashley and Balor off the apron and send them into the barricade. In the ring, Rollins hits Miz with a step-up enzuigiri. At ringside, Strowman shoves Owens and Zayn away. Roode tags in and comes in like a house on fire against Axel, culminating with a neckbreaker. Roode comes off the top rope with a diving clothesline. Roode gets the crowd going and tries for a Glorious DDT, but Axel gets him to the corner. Roode hits a blockbuster, but Dallas breaks up the pin. Roode gets Dallas out of the ring, but he’s soon chop blocked by Axel. Miz tags in and goes for a Figure Four Leglock, but Roode counters into an inside cradle for a two count. Roode then clotheslines Miz.

Strowman comes in to a HUGE pop. Miz looks terrified. Strowman chases him around and shoves Owens. Strowman attack Miz and gets him in the ring. Miz attacks and hits the ropes, but Strowman takes him down and chokeslams him. The crowd loves Strowman. Strowman gets The Miztourage in the corner, but they send him into the ring post. Balor comes in and hits Dallas with a Sling Blade. Rollins then hits Axel with a suicide dive. Everyone is hitting signature moves. Miz gets Lashley out of the ring and is left with Strowman. Miz hits the Daniel Bryan corner dropkicks, but Strowman comes back with a dropkick of his own! The Miztourage refuses to tag in for Miz. A “YES” chant fires up. Miz shouts that he made their careers. The Miztourage walks off on him. Miz then turns and sees Strowman standing there. Strowman powers him to the corner and hits a Running Powerslam for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Roode

Quick Match Results

* Jeff Hardy def. Jinder Mahal to win the WWE United States Championship
* Sasha Banks def. Bayley via DQ
* The Authors of Pain def. Heath Slater and Rhyno
* Tag Team Eliminator: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt def. The Revival
* Ember Moon def. Mickie James
* Natalya def. Mandy Rose via Submission
* Breezango def. The Bar
* Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Roode def. Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Miz, and The Miztourage

E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV