WWE Raw After WrestleMania Review – 4.20.26

After being back in the saddle again, we’ve finished the Road to WrestleMania and now we’re on the Road to Backlash. This all begins with the annual big Raw After WrestleMania, often the biggest Raw of the year. We’ll have all of the WrestleMania fallout, some big surprises, and more fans singing than we usually have.

If you’re making a visit in the mass of Mania weekend traffic to Blog of Doom, consider sticking around! We have Scott Keith at the top of the page, but we also have a great crew of writers that cover every big WWE, AEW and TNA show going on seven days a week as well as lots of retro content. Even Maffew from Botchamania is here! I should’ve led with that, really. Hop in the comments, discuss what’s going on and have some fun.

The last week in the WWEverse: Raw / The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels / NXT Revenge Week 1 / Evolve / Impact / SmackDown / WrestleMania Saturday / WrestleMania Sunday

Then, Now, Forever, Together.

Here’s a video recap of Mania involving quotes from WWE favored news sites and Internet reactors.

This is the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Netflix and presented by DoorDash. Tonight, Roman Reigns! Liv Morgan! Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky! A look back at the non-controversial parts of Brock Lesnar’s career!

Oba Femi is the first face we see in the arena tonight, strutting to the ring in some snazzy business wear and getting a solid few minutes of chanting before he can speak. “The ruler has arrived.” Mic drop. And that’s all he needs to say. A total star.

The Kabuki Warriors greet us via vignette, Asuka promising to always be Iyo’s senpai. Tonight, they’ll remind Iyo and Rhea that they are nothing.

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)

As always, the noise for Rhea is something wild. Mark Nash is on the ring announce call tonight, giving Alicia Taylor a night of vocal rest after two days of announcing WrestleManias like a boss. Iyo and Kairi start things off, Kairi grabbing the hair and slamming Iyo to the mat. The fans chant for Rhea. Kairi ranas Iyo down, celebrates and is rolled up as she tries for Asuka’s approval. Iyo drops Kairi spine-first on her knee and gets the hot tag to Mami. Rhea smacks Kairi down with a dropkick and Asuka is tagged in, shoving Rhea. Asuka and Rhea trade blows until Rhea smacks Asuka down with a big kick. Asuka is knocked into the referee, giving Kairi the chance to interfere before tagging in. Kairi hits a wild In-Sane Elbow to the outside to take us to our first “diving to the outside, replay, commercial” sequence of the evening.

We come back to Rhea kicking her way over to tag Iyo while Kairi gets to Asuka. Kairi comes in for a kick, but Iyo dodges the kick and directs it into Asuka instead. With the Warriors in the corners, Iyo offers three Bullet Trains before kicking Asuka down for a near fall. Rhea kits the Razor’s Edge and Iyo hits a missile dropkick, Asuka still able to kick out. Rhea tries for Riptide and Asuka wiggles out, double-teaming Rhea with Kairi instead. Iyo dives outside on Asuka. Rhea hits the Riptide on Kairi; Iyo lands the Over the Moonsault for the three count.

Iyo Sky pins Kairi Sane, Ripley & Sky defeat the Kabuki Warriors. A very good match, which is not shocking with the four performers in it. A very hot match to start off Raw and continue our very slow burn of Asuka, Kairi and Iyo.

Would you like a set of WrestleMania highlights set to “Back in the Saddle” in case you didn’t hear the Aerosmith song the previous 859395 times over the last five months? Here you go.

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce congratulates WWE Intercontinental Champion Penta on the big win last night. Je’Von Evans steps in to tell Penta he’s not going anywhere. Penta tells him they’ll steal the show again but his title isn’t going anywhere either because he’s Penta. After Penta leaves, Pearce introduces “Raw’s newest superstar” Ethan Page. Ego has arrived! He wants the Intercontinental Title and Pearce sets up a match tonight. Very excited for having Ethan on Raw, really.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves greet us from ringside. The Spanish announce team has joined us as well with Marcelo Rodriguez and Jerry Soto. Big night! SmackDown’s Royce Keys is in the crowd as well.

CM Punk walks through the Gorilla position, looking a little worse for wear, before joining us in the arena without his music or trons. He steps out on the stage and surveys the crowd, taking in the chants, and declares it clobbering time as “Cult of Personality” kicks in. You might just notice the bruising across is face as he takes in the “CM Punk” chants. He tells us about the loss he’s suffered over the last months, including his MMA trainer, Larry, Kerwin Silfies, Jim Shanks, David Coates, and Bo Lueders most recently. He says all of those losses sting more than losing his title last night and the crowd has helped him heal and get through the losses. “Thank you for helping me process all this grief. You all helped me get through all of those losses. Something tells me you are all going to help me get through my loss from last night.”

He stayed ready and poured his heart and soul into all of this, an opportunity popped up and he became World Heavyweight Champion. He’s smiling now because “I’m still the best in the world, the baddest ass.” He lived his dream on the Mania stage and proved himself, giving everything he had. He’s not going home, he’s not going on vacation, and you never know when a championship opportunity will fall out of the sky.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes limps out on stage, taking off his sunglasses to reveal his gnarly eye injury, and joins Punk in the ring. Cody was standing by watching backstage and Punk jokes that Cody thought he was going to crash out. Cody: “Yeah.” Punk: “That’s fair.” Cody says he isn’t sure what to do because he’s the one feeling like a loser. Punk doesn’t feel like a loser and jokes about his marshmallow on a stick tattoo. He tells Cody that he beat a first ballot Hall of Famer, a friend who was his mentor. “I fought somebody I hate, that’s easy to stomp him in his stupid face and make fun of his sweet pepper necklace. You fought a friend, that’s a real challenge.” Punk tells him to keep winning while his path is staying ready, looking down at the belt, “because you never know when a championship opportunity is just going to fall out of the sky.” As he leaves, Cody gives him the “Hey Punk, just say when.” A good segment.

Finn Balor talks to us through a vignette about Dom bringing out the Demon and the Demon putting Dom down. He’s not finished with Judgment Day

WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ethan Page vs Je”Von Evans

These two had three televised singles matches while on the NXT roster, Ethan winning the first two and Je’Von winning the New York City Street Fight at Roadblock ‘25. After some bounciness from Je’Von, Ethan smacks Je’Von with a right and covers for two. Evans flips over Page and hits a dropkick, ranaing Page and springing to the outside on him and going to a commercial.

Evans springboards onto Ethan as we return for a near fall. Ethan flips Je’Von off the ropes and into a power slam for a two. Je’Von flips over Ethan outside and still tosses him into the ring post Je’Von sets up Ethan on the announce table but here’s Rusev to attack. Je’Von fights him off and tries to bounce, Ethan knocking him down, landing the Twisted Grin and getting the three count. Ethan wins his Raw debut. Rusev attacks Je’Von after the match and Ethan heads out because this doesn’t involve him. WWE Intercontinetal Champion Penta runs out to the rescue and goes up to leap off Rusev, Page returning to knock him down. Rusev hits the kick and Page claps for him. Perhaps we have a new pairing.

Ethan Page pins Je’Von Evans. This was a good introduction to the Raw crowd for Ethan and hey, they might’ve even found something for Rusev to do.

Rusev poses with Penta’s championship as some fans chant “Rusev Day.”

Cole and Graves plug the Hulk Hogan documentary; something those viewing WrestleMania on Netflix saw almost every commercial break for two days.

Celebrities! They love Raw! Tyrese Haliburton! Funny Marco! WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella alongside Nikki Bella!

Trouble, trouble. New WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan heads out with AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez, taking in applause before a round of boos and then a “you deserve it” chant. “Las Vegas, that is the smartest thing y’all said all day because you are now in the presence of the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time.” There are some people she’d like to thank, starting with her Judgment Day family for being her rock. Secondly, she thanks Stephanie Vaquer. “We beat the hell out of each other but she reminded me of a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long time.” This is her ring, her division, her show and her Women’s World Championship. She promises to be messier than before as the music of Sol Ruca surprises the crowd.

Sol tells Liv that Liv is the top woman in the division and deserves this. Liv thanks her but says she has SOME nerve for interrupting her celebration. Since Sol was so nice to her, she’s going to be nice to her. “You are no Liv Morgan, sweetie, but I will give you a chance right now to save yourself.” She tells Sol to get out of her ring, Sol says she didn’t come out to pick a fight but she’s not backing down from one. The voice of Adam Pearce interrupts as he does, calls out Jessika Carr and makes it official. And by right now, we mean as we mean after a commercial break.

WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan (with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) vs Sol Ruca

This is Sol’s Raw debut, her last WWE-branded match was the Rumble match, prior to that was defeating Bayley on Saturday Night’s Main Event. This is non-title. Back and forth to start, Ruca flipping Liv into an X-Factor before flipping out onto Liv on the outside. Guess what happens after that? If you guessed a replay and a commercial break, you cracked the formula that Raw has used three times now on the same program!

After our required mid-match commercial, Liv hits Sol with Two Amigos before Sol reverses the third. Ruca hits an uppercut and a nice German suplex before heading up to the second rope, hitting a beautiful missile dropkick and then a running knee for a near fall. Sol counters Oblivion and takes Liv down with a Sol Snatcher, Liv smartly rolling out of the ring after. Sol backflips out onto all three Judgment Day women to “holy shit” chants. Sol tosses Liv in and Zaria appears to attack as Carr checks on Liv and misses everything. That damn Zaria (Sol deserves it, for those following that relationship). Carr starts the count on Sol, Sol rolling back in at nine and right into Oblivion for the three count.

Liv Morgan pins Sol Ruca. A great showcase for Sol Ruca who is going to be a big deal on the main roster if she can avoid injury. This one is worth you seeking it out. If you’re just being introduced to Sol, prepare to seek out a lot of her matches.

As Liv leaves, the music of Stephanie Vaquer brings out the former champ. Liv struts right up to her and they have a staredown, Liv smiling as she raises her belt.

Celebrities! They love Raw in this part of the show too! Here’s Fabolous! Here’s Maino! Dave East! Jim Jones!

Here’s a look back at the parts of Brock Lesnar’s career that did not involve piss allegations.

The Vision (WWE World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul and Austin Theory with WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman) are our next crew out for a chat with the live crowd. Ladies and gentlemen and such from Paul, who tells us his favorite part of Mania has always been expecting the unexpected. Yesterday was a moment so unexpected that it’ll live inside his heart for the rest of his life. The production team still has Brock in the “now” part of the beginning package and he yells that the “stupid bitches” in the production team can’t take what happened yesterday, yelling at them to move him from “now” to “forever.” He passes us on to Logan Paul.

The fans are not down for letting Logan talk, though Logan tells us he’s tired of YouTubers coming into his business and doing what wrestlers do. “I hate these outsiders!” Okay, that’s kinda funny. Paul thanks Gunther for doing the favor that he did and realizes he owes him one any time he’s ready. Hmm, wonder what that could be and if it could happen in Minnesota for SummerSlam. He welcomes back Bron.

Bron Breakker rejoins us, coming back to a show that has had Oba Femi appear and rise as the show’s biggest new star in his absence. A year ago today he became the leader of the Vision in this very arena because Seth Rollins was too weak. He’ll be coming after Seth every day for the rest of his life. Seth Freakin’ Rollins appears with a chair for the attack but the Vision quickly outnumber him. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) are here for the save. Okay, that’s cool. The fight into the crowd with the tag champs, leaving us a suddenly very bloody Bron trying to spear Seth who stops it with a superkick. Seth tries for a stomp, Breaker hits the spear. Bron has a big cut on the back of his head from the chairshot. He sets up Seth for one more spear. Who can stop Bron? A good segment that re-establishes Bron and gives the tag champs something new to do. I liked it.

JD McDonagh speaks via vignette about how Finn has changed, let CM Punk get in his head, and left his friend behind.

WWE U.S. Champion Trick Williams is at ringside, getting the big “whoop that trick” chant.

Finn Balor vs JD McDonagh

The two former friends fight right into the crowd, JD tossing Finn into the timekeeper’s area and Finn clotheslining him back to ringside. Finn catches a kick and heads up top, JD rolling out of the way and knocking Balor outside. And here’s a commercial break including WrestleMania host John Cena telling us about the perks of Chime and the endless barrage of Walton Goggins talking about Walmart.

Finn’s mouth is bloodied as we return, the blood raging tonight. Finn slingblades JD and signals for his kick, JD moving and nailing him with a headbutt that gets a near fall. Finn’s able to hit the kick and the Coup de grâce for the pin. AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio attacks after the match but Finn tries to drop on him too, JD saving his partner.

Finn Balor pins JD McDonough. Another good match in a series of them. It’s good to have face Finn back, legs out and all. This gives Dom a Raw mission while he continues his AAA story as well.

Jackie Redmond is with a smirking Gunther backstage. He feels fantastic after his WrestleMania victory and Jackie wonders if he knew Bron would be there. He reminds us that Heyman owes him a very big favor and that the World Heavyweight Championship will be around his waist soon. L.A. Knight comes up to talk to him and says he knows Gunther isn’t the only one with his eyes on the title.

Next week, we’re in Laredo, Texas. WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch will be here and… did someone say his name? Joe Hendry in concert. “He’s on Raw for good now, I think,” announces Cole.

Rhea and Iyo are sad backstage. “I guess that’s it.” Somewhere, Cathy Kelley is celebrating that Iyo is finally getting out of her way. Rhea passes by Liv, who says she’ll see her around.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns steps out of a car and heads to Gorilla as the fans chant “OTC.” Main Event Jey Uso and Big Jim Uso meet him in Gorilla for a handshake and he waves them out with him. The big three are back, friends.

Roman asks for and receives acknowledgement from the Vegas crowd. He was going to keep it simple tonight but then he ran into his cousins and thinks they should discuss some family business. “I miss this.” Jey yeets. “I miss having y’all’s full trust. I miss having y’all’s full love and admiration. I miss doing business with you guys.” Separated, people like CM Punk and “some rapper from the 90s” can attack them. He tells Jey he’s the Yeet Man and changed the environment and now he has washed rappers running their mouths to him. He remembers running the business together for four years straight. “I’m not asking you to serve me. I’m just asking you to be my blood and stand with me.”

Big Jim waits out some chanting and says Roman will always be their Tribal Chief. Jey tosses down his mic to raise the fingers with Jimmy and Roman when familiar music hits and out walks Jacob Fatu. Roman says he hasn’t seen him for a while and there could only be a few reasons he’s here, assuming it is for acknowledgement. Jacob: “Nah, that ain’t it.” Roman: “I guess it’s because you want this.” Jacob says he doesn’t want that title, he NEEDS that title. “And to be clear, I’m not out here to be Tribal Chief. But I NEED everything that the Tribal Chief has. I need the private jets, I need that Rolex, I need more vehicles, I need a bigger house, I need to put MY children in better schools and I’ll do anything for my family, even if I have to go through you. At Backlash, I’m upgrading. At Backlash, I’m levelling up my household. And at Backlash, you’re gonna know that Jacob Fatu is all gas, no breaks.”

The fans chant “Fatu.” Roman tells him he agrees and he wants all that for Fatu too. He wonders if Fatu could handle the burden of the title or if he can handle the burden of having to acknowledge him. He’s giving Jacob the week to think about it. He’ll see him next week on Raw. Roman drops the mic and walks off, the Usos following and Roman telling Jimmy to talk some sense into him.

Hell of an ending promo and it’s as good a time as any to give Jacob the big shot.

It’s the post-Mania Raw and it all delivered. Every match was good (JD-Finn was probably the weakest but still good). Oba looked like the rock star he is. Ethan Page weaseled his way to a Raw win, Sol Ruca got the “holy shit” chants, and the Jacob push to the main event kickstarted. I’d recommend this one from top to bottom. On a day when many of us are exhausted from the amount of wrestling we watched this weekend, this was a very easy watch that didn’t feel like two and a half hours of action. Highly recommend this one.