WWE moves the ThunderDome to the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, for tonight’s (Apr. 12) WrestleMania fallout episode of Raw.
The Fiend’s storyline is dumber than Braun Strowman
The recent storyline between Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman was some of the worst dreck that WWE creative put on television during the road to WrestleMania. But it at least made sense on a very simple level: the bad guy repeatedly calls the good guy stupid, so the good guy throws the bad guy off the top of a steel cage. That makes sense.
Then there is the storyline between The Fiend, Randy Orton, and Alexa Bliss, which not only made for garbage television, but also makes no sense. WWE actually opened night two of WrestleMania 37 with a match where the extra Crispy Fiend uncrisped himself by walking down a magical hallway, and then lost to one RKO after he was distracted by black gunk pouring down Alexa’s face. Afterwards, everyone just disappeared from the ring. Okay, sure.
This confusing angle is so nonsensical that we’re just wasting our time trying to figure out what any of it means for these characters going forward. So instead of committing any of your brainpower towards analyzing an angle that is completely devoid of logic, I recommend doing something else with your time.
We’ll presumably find out more information on Raw about what everyone’s motivation is here, and what their path forward looks like. Or maybe we won’t find out anything new, and will instead be treated to more black fluid oozing out of orifices for no reason at all. Whatever. This terrible storyline between Wyatt, Bliss, and Orton just needs to be done with already.
The title scene
Bobby Lashley shocked the world when he retained the WWE championship at WrestleMania 37 by forcing Drew McIntyre to pass out in the Hurt Lock. It doesn’t seem likely that the feud between Lashley and McIntyre will be one-and-done, so tonight could be the start of a five week build towards a rematch at Backlash, coming up on May 16. The list of babyfaces on Raw who pose a credible threat to Bob is quite slim, so it pretty much has to be Drew. As far as tonight’s episode is concerned, keep an eye out for how Drew reacts to his dream moment being ripped away from him at WrestleMania.
Is the rocket being strapped to Rhea Ripley’s back? The new Raw women’s champion arrived on the red brand just three weeks ago, and she’s already on top of the mountain. Will anybody besides Asuka step up to the plate and take a swing at Ripley? Or did Rhea’s jarring live music entrance at WrestleMania scare everyone away from her brutality?
AJ Styles and his big buddy Omos are the new Raw tag team champions. Tonight feels like the perfect time for Styles to cut a super obnoxious promo raving about Omos’ dominating debut performance inside a WWE ring.
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax have seemingly cleared out all contenders for their Women’s tag team titles. Will they even bother showing up on Raw tonight, or will WWE keep them focused on a Friday night feud on the blue brand with Tamina and Natalya? And hey, where the heck is Reginald?
Sheamus is the new United States champion. He may have cracked Matt Riddle’s jaw in the process, which might break Vince McMahon’s heart if that means we can’t get a rambling stoner promo from the Original Bro during tonight’s broadcast.
R-Truth’s current reign as 24/7 champion has lasted about three weeks, which means it’s getting long in the tooth. Come on Ricochet Tucker, grab that imaginary brass ring and get yourself back on television!
Other stuff to keep an eye on
- After Braun Strowman destroyed Shane McMahon by tossing him off a steel cage, is part-timer Shane-O-Mac taking a vacation from television for a while? Or will he be wrapped up in casts and bandages while devising a new plan to take out the dumb monster?
- Bad Bunny delivered the goods at WrestleMania and pinned The Miz. What bogus excuse will Miz and Morrison come up with to explain away their humiliating defeat?
- The night after WrestleMania is when we often see some new additions to the roster via NXT call-ups. Could the biggest story coming out of tonight’s episode be all about someone like Adam Cole or Io Shirai?
- Is Keith Lee any closer to being cleared for a return to Raw? What about Charlotte Flair?
- Are Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander completely irrelevant now that WrestleMania is in the rear view and their membership in the Hurt Business is expired?
- There’s probably going to be a new commentary team tonight, and it might not include Samoa Joe. The concept of three hour Raw episodes every week without Samoa Joe makes me nervous.
It’s the WrestleMania 37 fallout show!
What will you be looking for on Raw tonight?