Main Heading
On the highly anticipated Raw after WrestleMania 40, WWE looked forward to the new era led by Paul Levesque throughout the April 8 episode.
Paul Levesque Opens the Show
Paul Levesque, celebrated by Triple H, made his presence known by confronting Cody Rhodes during the show. The Rock later confronted Rhodes, leaving him with a foreboding promise of a future encounter, creating anticipation for Rhodes’ immediate future as champion.
Damian Priest’s Championship Threat
Damian Priest faced his first threat to his World Heavyweight Championship reign when Jey Uso emerged victorious in a Fatal 4-Way match against Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, and “Big” Bronson Reed.
CM Punk’s Interference
CM Punk once again interfered in Drew McIntyre’s business, stopping him from hitting the Claymore on Jey Uso. This ongoing feud adds a layer of intrigue to McIntyre’s journey for redemption.
Jade Cargill’s Dominance
Jade Cargill, in her second WWE win of her career, quickly defeated Chelsea Green in under a minute, further establishing her dominance in the company.
Ilja Dragunov and Roxanne Perez’s Raw Debut
Newcomers Ilja Dragunov and Roxanne Perez made their impressive debut on Raw, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura and Indi Hartwell, respectively. Their arrival definitively shook up the red brand.
New Opportunities
This eventful Monday night opened up multiple exciting opportunities for various superstars. Cody Rhodes, as the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, presents a chance for underutilized names to shine on SmackDown.
Potential challengers such as Santos Escobar, Karrion Kross, AJ Styles, Bron Breakker, and Carmelo Hayes could all benefit from a story arc with Rhodes, ultimately elevating their status within the wrestling industry.
Showcasing NXT Champions
The Raw after WrestleMania usually features NXT call-ups, and in a departure from the norm, the current NXT champions Ilja Dragunov and Roxanne Perez were highlighted in one-sided matches.
This could signal their impending arrival on the main roster. Once they drop their titles, they should be immediately treated as top names, with Dragunov challenging for a world title and Perez posing a threat to established stars.
Jade Cargill gained fame in All Elite Wrestling with an incredible winning streak, including a 508-day reign as TBS champion. WWE now has an opportunity to build her up for a new audience using a similar dominant booking style.
As she prepares for the spotlight at WrestleMania 41, Cargill can showcase her skills against enhancement talent and established names, slowly increasing her in-ring time and win streak as she becomes a formidable competitor.
CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre
CM Punk’s consistent interference in Drew McIntyre’s journey creates a feud that must be seized upon. WWE should prioritize scheduling a heated match between the two as soon as Punk is cleared for full action, potentially at Backlash France.
If there are delays, WWE should announce the match as soon as possible. The McIntyre versus Punk clash should not be postponed until SummerSlam or Survivor Series as it relies on the current hype surrounding the storyline.
Missed Opportunities
Jey Uso’s challenge against Damian Priest and The Judgment Day feels mistimed. The clash between the two could have been a major hyped event in the future. Additionally, Ricochet’s loss hampers his opportunity to establish himself as a potential contender.
Ricochet’s win on this night could have garnered a post-WrestleMania crowd Rub, elevating his status as a potential threat to Damian Priest. This turn of events would have helped both Ricochet’s and Priest’s credibility.
