Cody Rhodes addresses Brock Lesnar’s assault on Raw After Mania last week.
WWE Raw announced Cody Rhodes’ answer to Brock Lesnar, along with a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match as Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan challenged Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus.
Stratus took Lita’s place to get pinned by Liv Morgan, crowning the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Stratus turned heel quickly after, setting up a Stratus vs. Lynch feud that will likely pay off at Backlash in Puerto Rico.
WWE Raw has had rewrites, but not necessarily because of Vince McMahon’s temper, but rather because of travel delays this left a handful of talent stranded and unable to attend the show on time.
WWE Raw’s broadcast last week averaged 2.260 million viewers.
WWE Raw Results April 10, 2023
- Finn Balor defeats. Rey Mysterio
- Raquel Rodriguez and Trish Stratus won. Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch
- Bronson Reed and Brock Lesnar battle for double countout
- The Usos won. Alpha Academy
- Yes Sky def. Michin and Piper level
- solo score def. Kevin Owens
WWE Raw Rankings
- April 3, 2023 | 2.260 million
- March 27, 2023 | 1.843 million
- March 20, 2023 | 1.771 million
- March 13, 2023 | 1.705 million
- March 6, 2023 | 1.827 million
- WWE Raw Venue: Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, Washington)
- WWE Raw tickets distributed: 10,365
- WWE Raw tickets available: 101
WWE Raw Winners and Ratings
Finn Balor defeats. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio told Dominik Mysterio that The Judgment Day used him, and I have a feeling this will lead to a storyline where Rey and Dominik inevitably reunite.
That Finn Balor is struggling after splitting his head to go along with an injured calf is insane. He absolutely deserves the win.
Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor Grade: B
Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan won. Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch
I don’t trust Trish Stratus in this place and expect her to turn against Becky Lynch.
There were chemistry issues with both teams which made this game a tough watch.
Trish Stratus was rolled up by Liv Morgan while defending the title in place of Lita. There’s no way Trish and Becky won’t get into a feud.
After Stratus’ loss, she inevitably turned against Becky Lynch in a somewhat awkward, but still impassioned heel turn.
Women’s Tag Team Title Match Category: C
Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed fight for a double count
Backstage, Bayley appeared with Damage CTRL, teasing the tensions. The big story here is that Bayley is here to stay despite rumors of his departure.
I have been begging for a super heavyweight division for years now, and Bobby Lashley defending the André the Giant trophy against Bronson Reed would be a great start. The trophy was not on the line, but this match still showed the vast potential of a super heavyweight division.
Bobby Lashley delivered a spinebuster to Bronson Reed, lifting Reed like a child, and the crowd went crazy.
Reed and Lashley were both counted out, and fans were so upset it was over. It was a really great game.
Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed Grade: A-
Cody Rhodes challenges Brock Lesnar
Cody Rhodes just stays
just
Rhodes talked about a conversation he had with “his friend Matt”, and I’m sure he was talking about Matt Jackson. I assume this conversation took place at a Superkick party.
Cody Rhodes admitted he was afraid of Brock Lesnar, saying he would be crazy not to be afraid of Brock Lesnar, but he still wants to fight Brock. It was a big vulnerable babyface moment.
Cody Rhodes Promo Grade: A-
The Usos won. Alpha Academy
Otis and Jey Uso garnered more crowd reaction from a comedy spot than anyone ever could.
The Usos vs Alpha Academy suggests that The Usos are slowly becoming babyface.
The story of this match was that The Usos didn’t look as dominant as they had during their historic reign as Tag Team Champions.
Otis was the star of this match again, and WWE needs to stop dragging its feet to turn Otis into a full fledged babyface.
The Usos continue to have great tag team matches in their sleep and this was no exception.
Usos vs. Alpha Academy Rating: A
Yes Sky def. Michin and Piper level
Bayley was supposed to take part in this match, but Iyo Sky took her place, sowing the seeds of dissent among Damage CTRL.
Corey Graves oddly stated that Iyo Sky didn’t live up to her potential on the main roster despite being a former Women’s Tag Team Champion. Iyo continued to show up in this match, almost as if she heard Graves.
On a Raw filled with good wrestling matches, this was yet another banger.
Women’s Triple Threat Rating: B+
solo score def. Kevin Owens
As soon as this match brought down Kevin Owens’ hobbled leg, it was clear that Owens was headed for a loss.
Corey Graves went so far as to say Sikoa may never lose again after recently suffering his first loss to Cody Rhodes.
Sure enough, Solo Sikoa picked up another win after Kevin Owens’ knee gave out. The Bloodline beat brought out Matt Riddle and Sami Zayn to push back the heels.