Welcome to the WWE Raw Review for April 16, 2018. For both this and Smackdown, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show.
A New Champion
Kurt Angle opened the show by announcing the Superstar Shakeup, in which Raw and Smackdown will trade Superstars. The first change came immediately, as the US Champion Jinder Mahl came to the ring. Happy to be on Raw, but not that his list of demands was not met, Mahl’s good mood evaporated as he was forced to defend his title against Jeff Hardy. Hardy and Mahl had a good match, where Mahl’s strength was tested against Hardy’s speed. In the end, Hardy was able to score the pin fall and become the new US Champion. This also put Hardy into the Grand Slam Club. Will Hardy stay on Raw or move to Smackdown?
The Wait is Over
The Miz and the Mizterouge welcomed two new members to Raw, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. There was a chance a new faction had formed, but Angle came out and said Owens and Zayn were not hired. Zayn proceeded to pull out an email from Stephanie McMahon which said Owens and Zayn were hired. Angle was not pleased but said that The Miz had been traded to Smackdown. The payoff from the famous Talking Smack segment is upon us, as the Miz, without the Mizterouge, is heading for a show where Daniel Bryan is waiting.
New Arrivals
Besides the three already mentioned, Breezdangio bring their brand of justice to the red brand. Natalya might have a friend in Rhonda Rousey. The Ascension as well as Mike Kanellis look to reinvent themselves. Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley might still have bad blood between them. Chad Gable makes the first tag team breakup occur. Baron Corbin hopes to make a statement. Bobby Roode tries to keep the glorious train rolling. The Riott Squad is now targeting the Raw Women. And in the biggest news. Dolph Ziggler has joined Raw, but he brought NXT former champion Drew Mcintyre with him.
Match of the Night
Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman and Bobby Roode vs. The Miz, The Mizterouge , Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (Rollins, Balor, Lashley, Strowman and Roode win by pin fall)
You don’t see too many ten men tag matches nowadays. All ten men were looking to get their hands on each other, with the crowd solidly behind Strowman to get in and wreak havoc. The match almost broke down numerous times, and every man got a moment to shine. A few takeaways: Bobby Lashley is insanely strong, Owens and Zayn will thrive in this new environment and the Mizterouge, now free of Miz, might make good babyfaces. It was Strowman who had the final word, pinning Miz after the Mizterouge abandoned him. A great match and a great sendoff for The Miz.
Ember Moon beat Mickie James, while Alexia Bliss refused to be at the announcers table with Nia Jax. Breezedangio got the upset of the year when the defeated the Bar. Rousey took Sonya Devile down hard after she attacked Natalya from behind. Sasha Banks and Bailey never finished their excellent match, thanks to the Riott Squad. Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy defeated the Revival to challenge The Bar for the Tag Team Titles at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Tomorrow brings new changes as the Shakeup continues.
