WWE Raw preview (April 8, 2019): Clean sweep

Time for “the most unpredictable night of the year”, or however WWE tells Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Renee Young to brand the Raw after WrestleMania tonight in Brooklyn.

The Headliner(s)

Considering all of the red brand’s belts changed hands last night, take your pick.

But let’s go with new Universal champion Seth Rollins. With the help of a low blow, the Architect earned a new nickname. He also did what his brother Roman Reigns couldn’t - slay the Beast at WrestleMania.

Now, while it’s believed Brock Lesnar will head off to UFC for a while (breaking his training camp for one big Saudi Arabian payday along the way), Rollins is vowing to be a fighting champ. Probably safe to assume that includes a match in Barclays Center on April 8. But who gets the first shot? A surprising debut or return? A farewell match for Dean Ambrose? The start of a program with Reigns?

It won’t be defended every week, but we’re about to enter an era where the brand’s top prize will at least be on television every Monday night. That should be something, huh?

The title scene

The wrestler who grabbed one of Seth’s nicknames will speak to the fans on tonight’s show. And now in addition to being The Man, we can also call her Becky Two Belts. Will Raw & SmackDown Women’s champ Becky Lynch address the online controversy about whether Ronda Rousey’s shoulders were down when she pinned her earlier today in New Jersey? Will Rowdy? You know Charlotte Flair will have something to say about how her old friend definitely didn’t pin or submit the Queen.

Thanks in part to channeling his hissing, painted alter-ego The Demon, Finn Bálor is now a two-time Intercontinental titleholder. Bobby Lashley may have something to say about that, but I really hope we’re ready to move on from that program. Let’s get some new challengers for the Extraordinary Man.

Curt Hawkins losing streak ended on the Kickoff, and Zack Ryder got another feel good WrestleMania moment, when the former Major Bros won the Raw Tag championship from The Revival last night. Now let’s see if Hawkins can start a winning streak, or if the Iced Z can make this run last longer than his IC title one after WrestleMania 31.

The weren’t the ones who did the damage (that was Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix), but new Women’s Tag Team titles Peyton Royce & Billie Kay did pin one of the former champs to seal an IIconic ‘Mania victory. The SmackDown stars didn’t make WWE.com’s official preview for tonight, but you know what they say about the Raw after WrestleMania... anything can happen. Well, that’s one of the things they say, anyway.

Other stuff to keep an eye on

- That preview we just mentioned is definitely hinting that things aren’t done between Drew McIntyre and the Big Dog, despite Reigns’ decisive win over the Scottish Psychopath in MetLife Stadium.

- With a second Andre The Giant trophy win, Braun Strowman... well, he still kind of feels like Big Show. And not the Paul Heyman managed World title run kind of Big Show, either. We’ll see if he stays an attraction for kids (not that there’s anything wrong with that) or re-enters a title picture now that ‘Mania is in the rear view. Maybe we can see more of that battle with his old Wyatt Family sibling Luke Harper?

- Speaking of follow-ups, what’s next for Baron Corbin after the legendary Kurt Angle did the honors for him last night?

- When will Lacey Evans walk the ramp for no discernible reason? Will Heavy Machiner’s Of Mice & Men shtick continue? What surprises does WWE have in store for us?

It’s the WrestleMania fallout show!

What will you be looking for on Raw tonight?