Brock Lesnar appeared on Raw to answer Cody Rhodes’ challenge.
WWE Raw announces Brock Lesnar’s response to Cody Rhodes’ challenge at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico. Raw also announced Trish Stratus explaining her actions after turning heel on Becky Lynch, The Miz vs. Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw averaged 1.818 million viewers.
WWE Raw Results April 17, 2023
- solo score def. Rey Mysterio
- Bianca Belair defeated. Dakota Kai
- Seth Rollins beats. The Miz
- Bobby Lashley won. Austin theory by disqualification
- Sami Zayn, Matt Riddle and Kevin Owens beat. Judgment day
WWE Raw Rankings
- April 10, 2023 | 1.818 million
- April 3, 2023 | 2.260 million
- March 27, 2023 | 1.843 million
- March 20, 2023 | 1.771 million
- March 13, 2023 | 1.705 million
- WWE Raw Venue: Simmons Bank Arena (Little Rock, Ar.)
- WWE Raw tickets distributed: 7,085
- WWE Raw tickets available: 574
WWE Raw Winners and Ratings
solo score def. Rey Mysterio
Paul Heyman appeared to unveil a tier system for Bloodline feuds, which begins as a wrestler being a “concern” before becoming a “problem.”
Heyman brokered a deal between The Bloodline and The Judgment Day to become allies, because as this story drags on and slowly wears down its welcome, The Bloodline definitely needs some new characters to work with.
If Solo Sikoa was going to beat a new Matt Riddle, there was no way he would lose to Rey Mysterio.
The LWO came to the defense of Rey Mysterio, but heel Solo Sikoa still won. I don’t think Legado Del Fantasma has had a single positive moment since WWE revived the Latino World Order.
Rey Mysterio vs. Poetry Score Grade: B
Bianca Belair defeated. Dakota Kia
This whole segment was designed to make you think that Damage CTRL will be cut short by the WWE Draft. The announcement team continued to bring up this possibility throughout this game.
Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai sounded good on paper, but this match was pretty good at best.
Fans came alive for the KOD, but Dakota Kai had a one-counter when she grabbed Belair’s hair.
During a backstage segment, Bronson Reed was renamed “Mr. Nice guy. As an ironic nickname for a fire-breathing monster like Reed, I like that.
Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai Grade: C+
Cody Rhodes calls out Brock Lesnar
Cody received another massive backlash, and when he called Brock Lesnar, Adam Pearce kicked himself on the heels of telling Rhodes he wasn’t medically cleared.
Brock Lesnar came out wearing a black cowboy hat and trench coat as if he were the Brock-ertaker.
Cody Rhodes wiped out WWE security/local indie talent before they could hold him back. Lesnar walked out, smiled and did nothing else as part of his advertised appearance. Between Lesnar, Reigns as a part-time champion, and MJF as an AEW World Champion who never wrestles, it’s Bare Minimum Boys SZN in pro wrestling.
Cody Rhodes got the last laugh when he said he grew up with cowboys and that Lesnar was a cowboy, but a coward.
Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar Segment Grade: B-
Seth Rollins beats. The Miz
This is Seth Rollins’ first Raw since storming out of Raw After WrestleMania, and if he loses to The Miz, it will suggest he has heat for it.
The Miz skipped Rollins before the match started, immediately ending Rollins’ chanting. They inevitably came back throughout the match, especially when Rollins led them in song.
Miz vs. Rollins earned some very generous “that’s awesome” chants. The match wasn’t bad, but neither Miz nor Rollins had to do much to get the crowd moving. It’s a testament to their star power.
At one point Corey Graves was doing everything until he barked “feel free to jump in anytime KP I’m almost out of breath!”
The second round of “It’s awesome” was well-deserved. Miz will never get the credit he deserves for being a highly skilled wrestler.
The Miz vs. Seth Rollins Grade: B+
Bobby Lashley won. Austin’s Theory by DQ
Theory’s new 360 degree entry is perfect for her character.
Austin Theory got a lot of heat, assuming it didn’t channeledbut he wasn’t wearing his new John Cena inspired t-shirt.
Fans didn’t really get into this one until Lashley began his comeback after being in a headache for ages.
As the match continued to resume, there were dueling chants of “Allons-y Théorie / Théorie, it sucks!”
Bronson Reed crushed this match by throwing himself on Lashley. Between how much WWE needs to protect both Lashley and Theory, this match had a non-finish written all over it.
Just as Lashley made his comeback, forcing a Hurt Lock, Austin Theory stole with a drop kick.
Kevin Patrick does the “Tsunami!” call so much better than Corey Graves.
Austin Theory vs. Bobby Lashley Grade: B-
Heel Trish Stratus Appears Live
Trish Stratus stepped out wearing essentially the same long coat and cowboy hat as Brock Lesnar.
Trish stratus took credit for women’s wrestling while effortlessly battling “what” chants. She went on to call herself “the most important character in WWE history”.
Trish Stratus, who admitted knocking out Lita, stumbled over a few words but had the perfect heel after what was a random heel turn.
Trish Stratus Heel Promo Grade: B-
Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville defeat. Candice LeRae and Michigan
Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville received far more fanfare, with a long entry, compared to the makeshift team of Candice LeRae and Michin.
Kevin Patrick had no idea the name of Chelsea Green’s arrival, and neither do you.
WWE changes women’s tag team titles too much, but Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville feel like a real unit, and they should be champions.
Green and Deville vs. LeRae and Michin Grade: C
Matt Riddle, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens beat. Judgment day
Matt Riddle was a much more serious version of himself because he said there would be no messing around. Riddle took off his flip flops, but there were no 3D animals.
WWE announced Riddle, Zayn and Owens vs. The Usos and Solo Sikoa for WWE Backlash.
To no one’s surprise, Dominik Mysterio easily had the most heat in this entire game.
The return of Sami Zayn – and Dom feeding him – was something to see in a great way.
Dominik Mysterio landed right in the back of his head taking a Sunset Rocker Bomb from Zayn.
The Bloodline held their end of the bargain, but The Judgment Day lost to Riddle, Zayn, and Owens. This will likely lead to a side-beef between The Judgment Day and The Bloodline.