Entertainment
WWE Raw results, grades: Braun Strowman added to huge WrestleMania Backlash main event
WWE switched up the WrestleMania Backlash main event on Raw, as Braun Strowman earned his way in.
The Monster Among Men had a busy Monday night as his issues with Drew McIntyre rolled on and saw him added into the WWE Title clash which already featured the Scottish Warrior and the champ Bobby Lashley.
The night kicked off with some action, as Mace and T-Bar – now sporting some face paint – came out to face Drew and Braun, but in an exchange the latter insisted he could take care of them on his own.
This gave us a brief handicap match with the heavyweights battering each other, eventually leading to a disqualification loss for the former Retribution men.
McIntyre came out to make the save, leading to the advertised tag team match between all four men, which was good stuff between the big lads.
In the end though, this felt like a repeat of sorts from last week, as Drew got counted out giving Mace and T-Bar the win.
After the bell, Braun laid out the Scot with a huge running powerslam, which led to Adam Pearce making a match between them in tonight’s main event – and he later added the stipulation that a win for Strowman gets him in the WrestleMania Backlash title clash.
Not surprisingly, Lashley and MVP had issues with this, and vocalised them in the ring while nicely pointing out that the All Mighty lost his United States Title without being involved in the decision, which could happen at the upcoming pay-per-view.
The main event itself was a great example of two big stars just beating each other up for our entertainment and it worked well with some drama at the end which actually made some sense.
MVP and Lashley tried to save Drew to keep the odds in their favour, although a distraction from Mace and T-Bar cost him and swung things the other way.
Strowman got the win, and we’ve got a Triple Threat at WrestleMania Backlash.
Randy Orton and Riddle form RKBro, Sonya Deville reinstates Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss issues a Lilly warning
After the early drama between Braun, Drew, T-Bar and Mace, The Miz and John Morrison hosted Miz TV, which led to a performance with Elias and Jaxson Ryker, only to be interrupted by Damian Priest.
There was a bit of trash talking before The New Day joined him and they pelted the quartet in the ring with tomatoes, which gave way to a six-man tag match (with JoMo missing out).
There was a lot going on but this was a lot of fun, with Xavier Woods pinning Ryker to get the win.
Sonya Deville revealed she’d reinstated Charlotte Flair a week after her suspension for beating up referee Eddie Oringo, who joined them in the ring.
She offered an apology, and demanded one in turn – although Adam Pearce wasn’t happy with Sonya going over his head like that.
Sheamus brought back the non-title open challenge this week after gloating about last week’s beatdown of Humbert Carrillo – who came back for more this time round.
However, the Celtic Warrior’s cheap shot wasn’t enough to keep him down, and he mounted a comeback and stood tall.
Elsewhere, Randy Orton admitted he underestimated Riddle last week, and suggests a tag team match tonight for RKBro as the pair are developing into a fun comedy duo with the Viper as the straight man.
This led to them teaming up against Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, and not only did the new pair win the match, but there was no RKO betrayal after the bell.
Over in the women’s division, Angel Garza seemed to send flowers to Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, and the former hit Mandy with them.
Later, Reginald joined the duo as they teamed up with Rhea Ripley to face Asuka, Lana and Naomi in what was a perfectly fine match – which the heels won – aside from the nonsense with Mandy, Dana and people slipping on water.
Sonya was unimpressed with their actions, and made a match between Rose and Charlotte, which turned out to be pretty decent with Flair rightly picking up the win.
We also saw more from Alexa Bliss and Lilly, as she described the doll as her best friend and urged viewers to look into her eyes and think twisted thoughts.
She told people to repeat her friend’s name three times, and enjoy the sense of peace – but it’s time for Lilly to come and play with the rest of WWE.
WWE Raw results and grades
- Braun Strowman beat T-Bar and Mace via DQ, then Strowman and Drew McIntyre lost via countdown (B)
- The New Day and Damian Priest defeated The Miz, Elias and Jaxson Ryker (B-)
- Randy Orton and Riddle beat Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin (B)
- Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated Asuka, Lana and Naomi (C+)
- Charlotte Flair pinned Mandy Rose (C+)
- Braun Strowman beat Drew McIntyre (B+)
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Cesaro reveals why WWE fans won’t see UFO every week after amazing WrestleMania moment
MORE : WWE’s Drew McIntyre remembers carrying Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart to bed after drunken night