WWE RAW Live Coverage - April 18th, 2022

[Kemo]

Theory looks to bring United States Title back to Mr. McMahon in showdown with Finn Bálor

Theory has once again used his mentor’s pull to secure a title opportunity, receiving a United States Championship Match with Finn Bálor on Monday Night Raw. Theory has scored back-to-back pinfalls on the United States Champion in a pair of chaotic Six-Man Tag Team Matches but has yet to defeat Bálor in singles action with their previous meeting ending in a disqualification thanks to Damian Priest’s interference. Can Mr. McMahon’s golden boy become just that after dethroning Bálor for the United States Title?

Your announcers are Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton, and Jerry Lawler.

Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring.

Seth there is a party going on here and he does not want to party alone. He wants to invite his Backlash opponent to join him. He asks Cody Rhodes to come to the ring to have a chat and then he cackles.

Cody makes his way to the ring.

Seth wants everyone to make some noise for Cody. He asks Cody how does it feel to be on top of the world.

Cody says this feels so familiar. Familiar as in you and I in this ring, in this city. Cody mentions that Buffalo is Rhodes Country. Familiarity and admiration are strangers. He wants to know what Seth wants to talk about.

Seth says there has been a lot on his mind since Wrestlemania. Buffalo might be Rhodes Country, but this is about respect. Seth says he wants to tell Cody how much he respects him.

Cody stops Seth to get the crowd to cheer for him and Seth tells him never to do that again . . . and Cody does it again.

Seth says he was going to say how much respect he had for his family name, his brother, and his father. He was going to say about how much respect he has for the journey that Cody took to come back as the American Nightmare. Seth says all that hard work you did because I made you a star in one night at Wrestlemania. Seth cackles and says that is the truth.

Cody suggests they dispense with the pleasantries and just get to the point.

Seth says the point, as he cackles, is that at Wrestlemania you had an unfair advantage. You came in as Vince's surprise opponent and Seth says he didn't have time to prepare. That is why he lost. Some of these people, and even you, think that means that you are better than him. That is something he cannot live with. The fact is that he is better than Cody Rhodes in every single possible way. You may be the flavor of the month, but you are not the future of the industry. Seth says he talks the talk better than Cody. He walks the walk better than Cody. Most importantly, you came back to fulfill your family legacy to win the title, but I have been to the mountaintop and I have been WWE Champion so that makes me better than you.

Cody says he will correct Seth. You have been to the mountaintop four times. Cody says that diatribe and tantrum does not change what happened at Wrestlemania. Cody says he had an office position. Cody says he learned about mediation. Cody suggests a neutral third party, the good people of Buffalo.

Cody asks Buffalo if they think he is better than Seth Rollins.

Seth tells everyone to shut up and asks if it is so easy to walk out and beat someone. How about we put the shoe on the other foot. You come out and face an opponent hand picked by Seth Rollins? if you think it is so easy.

Cody says you already know the answer and they know the answer. I did not come back to WWE to run from challenges, so yes.


WWE Women's Tag Team Championships
Naomi and Sasha Banks vs Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan

Rhea and Sasha start things off. Sasha misses a drop kick but Rhea does not miss. Rhea with shoulders in the corner and Liv tags in. Liv with an elbow into the corner and Rhea drops Liv onto Sasha for a near fall. Sasha with a jaw breaker and then she avoids a springboard arm drag. Sasha with a knee and Naomi tags in. They kick Liv and get a near fall. Sasha tags in and hits a cross body for a near fall. Naomi knocks Rhea off the apron and Naomi tags back in. They slide to the floor and they send Liv into the ring post. Rhea catches Sasha off the apron and she swings Sasha into Naomi. Liv sends Naomi into the ring post while Rhea hits RipTide onto the ringside barrier.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Rhea with a body scissors and Naomi leans back to get a near fall. Rhea with a clothesline and she tags Liv in. Rhea gets Naomi on her shoulders and Liv with an assisted bulldog for a near fall. Liv gets another near fall. Naomi with a rollup. Liv with an anzuigiri. Liv misses ObLIVion and Rhea tags in. Rhea grabs Naomi when she goes for a springboard move and Liv with a power bomb. Rhea goes for RipTide and Sasha breaks up the cover. Rhea sends Sasha to the apron and Naomi tags in and hits a springboard round kick and Sasha tags in and she hits a rolling Codebreaker followed by a Full Nelson Bomb from Naomi and a jackknife cover for the three count.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Naomi (retain championship)

After the match:
Liv checks on Rhea in the ring. They exchange some words and Rhea starts to walk away but Liv pulls her back. Rhea tells Liv that she failed and she wants to know where Liv was. Rhea says she was there when Liv needed her. Rhea hits Liv from behind and then punches her. Rhea picks up Liv and hits RipTide.


We take a look back at Sonya Deville injecting herself into another match, this time against Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Championship.

Sonya Deville makes her way to the ring.

We go to commercial.

Rhea Ripley walks in the back and Sarah ambushes her to ask about the attack. Rhea says that no one is entitled to a response.

Sonya Deville says she has heard chatter throughout WWE. She says they are saying that she is misusing her power making herself Bianca Belair's first opponent. I am a competitor. I never lost that. I didn't wake up one day to be an official because of a quarter life crisis. I was forced into this position until I could find my way back as a superstar. When she saw an opportunity, she took it. When Bianca won the Raw Women's Championship at Wrestlemania, I knew that is who I wanted to be in the ring with. She is the B-E-S-T in WWE. That is who I want to win the title from. The best, and nothing less.

You can scrutinize her about abusing her professionalism but Bianca wanted a challenger and I gave her one. She says it is nothing personal, it is just business. If . . .

Bianca Belair's music plays and she makes her way to the ring.

Sonya tells Bianca that she is excited about the title match, but I am WWE Official. If you lay one finger on me, you will be subject to repercussions.

Bianca takes the mic and she says she is ready to put her hands on Sonya when she is not acting like a WWE Official. Let's have that match tonight.

Sonya says she didn't wait three years to have her comeback in this rusted out suburb of New York City. We will do this in a place where you will hate losing. How about next week in your home town of Knoxville. This way your family will be there to give you a shoulder to cry on when you lose. They are used to you losing titles quickly.

Bianca gets Sony up for a KOD and Sonya tells Bianca that she will fine her, suspend her, and strip her of her title. Bianca puts Sonya on the mat and walks away.


Veer Mahaan vs Jeff Brooks

Veer sends Brooks into the turnbuckles and punches him. Veer with a biel. Brooks with punches and he goes for a cross body but he bounces off Veer. Veer with a side slam. Veer with a clothesline. Veer with a seated splash to Brooks' back and he applies the cervical clutch and Brooks taps out.

Winner: Veer Mahaan

After the match:
He reapplies the cervical clutch. Officials come to the ring and Veer releases the hold. Veer does not care and he reapplies the cervical clutch.


Adam Pearce is on the phone and Sonya asks Adam if he saw what Bianca did.

Adam says it has been handled. Adam tells Sonya she has to worry about her repercussions. He mentions Sonya's conduct.

Sonya asks about what is going on. She asks how big the fine she is getting.

Bianca shows up and Sonya tells her that it is two officials doing business.

Sonya says she is here to pay her fine and she pulls out a dollar and Adam asks her if she learned her lesson.

Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring while they stretcher Jeff Brooks out of the arena.

We go to commercial.

We see Jeff Brooks being stretchered out in the back.

Kevin Owens is in the ring with Chad Gable.

Owens says he despises liars. There is a new superstar Ezekiel, fraudulently claiming to be Elias' brother. That man is Elias. He says he will expose him to be the fraud he is. Kevin says he is the only one sane enough to find him out by applying a lie detector test. Kevin says he wanted to show that it was not biased so he got the smartest man in the WWE Universe to do it. He will expose him as a liar and then beat him in a match.

Chad says he will remain objective and uncover the truth to see if Ezekiel is who he says he is. If he lies, he will beat the truth out of him.

Kevin says he loves Chad's gusto, IQ, and hair.

Kevin brings out Elias.

Kevin welcomes ELIAS to the KO Show.

Ezekiel says he is not Elias, he is Elias' younger brother.

Kevin tells Elias to admit who he is.

Ezekiel wants to take the lie detector test, he has one question. He wants to know who wants to hear Zeke speak.

They hook him up to the 'lie detector'.

Chad asks a few baseline questions, but first he asks the people of Buffalo to Shoooosh.

He asks if the sky is blue and wants the right answer.

Then he asks Ezekiel to answer the question wrong and he does.

Chad asks if Gable Steveson is a fraud.

Kevin tells Chad to focus because he paid him 150 Canadian Dollars.

Chad asks if Ezekiel is his real first name.

He says yes and we see on the TitanTron that he is telling the truth.

Chad asks if Elias is his older brother. He says yes and it appears to be the right answer.

Kevin tells Chad to ask the questions better.

Kevin asks Ezekiel if his real name is Elias and he says no and that is correct.

Chad says the test shows that Ezekiel is not lying.

Kevin says he is not paying Chad.

Ezekiel says he is sick and tired of playing Law and Order and he says he is sick and tired of being called a liar by the biggest liar. Ezekiel says he is excited that he gets to have his first match.

Kevin says he does not care if Ezekiel wants to have his first match in Canada's landfill. Kevin tells him to admit that he is Elias.

Ezekiel asks or else what.

Kevin leaves the ring and Gable hits Ezekiel from behind.

We go to commercial.


Ezekiel vs Chad Gable

Ezekiel kicks Gable and biels him across the ring. Ezekiel kicks Gable to the floor and chops him. Ezekiel with a gourdbuster onto the ring steps. Ezekiel with a sliding clothesline for a near fall. Ezekiel with chops but Gable with an Irish whip. Gable with a dragon screw in the ropes. Gable with a step over knee drop and another dragon screw. Gable with a step over knee drop and he hyper-extends the knee. Gable with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Gable with a step over toe hold. Ezekiel kicks Gable over the ropes but Gable skins the cat. Ezekiel with a boot and clothesline. Ezekiel with a punch. Gable with an Irish whip and Ezekiel with a mule kick. Gable with an exploder.

Gable goes up top for a moonsault and Ezekiel gets his boot up. Ezekiel with a spinebuster and a heel hook but Otis with a shoulder tackle to force the referee to call for the bell.

Winner: Ezekiel (by disqualification)


We take a look at the situation surrounding the Tag Title Unification Match.


Non Title Match
Riddle and Randy Orton vs Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins

Orton and Dawkins start things off and they lock up. Orton with a side head lock. Orton with a shoulder tackle and a pose. Dawkins with a corkscrew back elbow. Orton with a kick and European uppercut. Riddle tags in and Orton and Riddle with a double Garvin stomp and then Orton flips Riddle onto Dawkins for a senton and he gets a near fall. Riddle with a side head lock and Ford tags in and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Ford with an arm bar. Ford with a belly-to-back suplex and he goes up top. Riddle gest up and hits Spanish Fly off the turnbuckles and both men are down as we go to commercial.

We are back and Ford and Riddle exchange forearms and punches until Riddle gets the advantage. Ford with an enzuigiri. Riddle with a kick and Dawkins tags in. Riddle kicks Dawkins away and tags in Orton. Orton with two clotheslines, he ducks one from Dawkins and hits a power slam. Riddle with a knee to Ford and it is time for stereo IEDDTs and they hit them. Riddle tags in and he turns to the mat and hits the mat for the RKO tease.

The Usos' music plays as Ford signals to the back. Ford with a drop kick to knock Orton off the apron. Dawkins gets Riddle on his shoulders and Ford tags in for a Doomsday Blockbuster and the three count.

Winners: Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins

After the match:
Montez gets on the mic and wonders who would have signaled for the Uso's music. He says the Usos aren't the only team to be worried about.


We go to footage from last week when Styles attacked Damian Priest in the back.

Edge and Damian Priest are in their Condo of Purple.

Damian asks if people were wondering why they want to make AJ's life so miserable. Edge says last week was mind games. This side of him was there, but it was dormant. The seeds were there from the Brood and Ministry of Darkness. Why is this happening? AJ cannot understand because he is a man of the people. They have not lived up to their capabilities. Last year, Damian Priest was the background for Bad Bunny. If it wasn't for him Bad Bunny would have been wiped on the mat. Edge says Damian did not have a match at Wrestlemania and then he had to beg for an opponent. Edge says he needs a title. He says it took two years for people to complain about him. I finally decided not to care what you think and take back what I never lost. My spot on the pinnacle of the Mountain of Omnipotence.

The only person who is challenging them is AJ Styles. Edge says that he is challenging AJ to a match at Backlash. They have finally decided to seize the day. What that means for you is that it is your Judgment Day.

We are back and Sarah ambushes AJ to ask him about Edge's challenge.

AJ says if Edge is the judge, then does that mean Damian Priest is his big bad bailiff. He accepts the challenge.

The lights start to flicker and they turn purple.

Edge and Priest show up and they attack AJ. Priest kicks AJ and then he slams a lid onto AJ's arm.

Edge and Priest laugh and walk away.

We have a video package for Theory.


United States Championship
Theory vs Finn Balor

They lock up and Balor with a wrist lock. Theory with a kick and side head lock. Theory with a shoulder tackle. Balor with a chop and shoulders in the corner. Balor with a chop and snap mare followed by a kick to the back. Balor with a chop and Irish whip. Balor with a chop in the corner. Theory with a back breaker.and he punches Balor. Theory gets a near fall. Theory with a reverse chin lock. Theory pulls Balor to the mat and gets a near fall. Theory returns to the reverse chin lock. Balor with a jaw breaker but Theory trips Balor and hits a hanging neck breaker onto the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Theory with a reverse chin lock and he gets Balor to the mat. We see Theory hitting a slingshot rolling drop kick during the commercial break. Theory with a snap mare and boot to the chest. Balor kicks Theory and connects with a forearm. Balor with a flying forearm and a double leg take down and double stomp. Balor with a chop in the corner. Theory with a spinning side slam for a near fall. Theory wtih a clothesline. Balor avoids a clothesline and floats over into a DDT. Balor with a kick and he sends Theory to the apron. Balor tries to suplex Theory back into the ring and Theory blocks it. Theory drops Balor on the top rope and then goes for a slingshot rolling drop kick but Balor counters and hits a sit out power bomb for a near fall.

Balor with a victory roll and he hits a series of boots. Balor with Sling Blade and a running drop kick that sends Theory into the turnbuckles. Balor goes up top for the Coup de Grace and Theory crotches Balor. Theory with Lo Mein Pain for a near fall. Theory sets for ATL but Balor escapes and hits an elevated elbow drop. Balor sends Theory to the floor and hits a flip dive onto Theory. Balor goes up top and sets for Coup de Grace and misses when Theory moves. Theory with ATL for the three count.

Winner: Theory (new champion)

After the match:
The heels come to the ring to celebrate with Theory. Vince McMahon's music plays and he makes his way out to Theory to tell him to join him. Theory takes a selfie with Vince.


Seth Rollins walks in the back and he cackles.

Kevin Patrick ambushes him to ask him about Cody's opponent.

Seth cackles and he says he has chosen an opponent.

Kevin asks if Seth will tell everyone who the opponent is.

Seth says he needs Cody to feel the same way tonight or the test does not work.

Seth says he has to talk to Cody's opponent so he cackles and walks away.

R Truth makes his way to the ring.

We are back and it is time to commit a few people.

Truth says before he brings out the brides, a truce has been agreed upon. During this ceremony, the 24/7 title is off limits.

Tamina and Dana Brooke come out to the ring.

Truth says we are here to gather the union of Dana Brooks (and Dana corrects Truth) and Reggie, and for Tamina and Tozawa.

Truth says it is time to get down to business. He says it is time for some vows. He tells Dana it has to come from the heart.

Dana tells Reggie he is her knight in shining armor. From the first time you showed your willingness to sacrifice for me, I knew you were a man of honor. While it took a while to get beyond being friends, I knew we were meant to be. Through the ups and downs, our love has grown stronger.

Reggie says that was beautiful.

Reggie says that she is a dream come true. A goddess with everything he wants. Through all of the trust issues and temptations have guided them to this moment. It has only made their love stronger.

Tamina tells Akira what she said.

Tozawa tells Tamina same.

Truth says before he finalizes this commitment, he asks if there are any objections.

Tamina says she objects and she switches Tozawa and Reggie.

Tamina thinks about it and she switches places with Tozawa so Tamina is with Dana and Dana does not have a problem with it.

Tamina returns it back to the original pairing.

Truth says they are now committed and then he remembers the rings.

The happy couples kiss and Reggie pins Dana to become the new champion. Tamina pins Reggie to become the new champion.

Tozawa rolls up Tamina to become the new champion.

Dana with a cross body for the three count to pin Tozawa.

Dana gets out of the ring and Truth carries her to the back.

Bobby Lashley is in the back with Sarah.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Bobby Lashley is with Sarah. She shows him a message from MVP.

MVP says you are about to realize how big a mistake you made trying to hog all the spotlight without him. Porter says he has moved on to bigger things, meaner things, and stronger things. He is an athlete superior to you in ever way. He is learning everything I taught you. What can I do with Omos? Omos would like to challenge you to a display of strength. How about an arm wrestling match.

Omos says the All Mighty Era is coming to an end.

Lashley says that is not surprising. MVP thinks he can hide behind Omos and talk trash. To get to MVP, I have to get through Omos? I will do that. Omos is big, strong, and scary, but so am I. Is he stronger than me? We will find out next week when we have that arm wrestling match. People will see why I am still called the All Mighty.

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring for his match against someone.

Seth Rollins says it is time to show the world that Cody is not as good as he thinks he is.


Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens

Cody goes for the leg and Kevin gets to the ropes. Owens with a side head lock. Owens with a waist lock and Cody with a wrist lock. Owens with a kick and he goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Cody lands on his feet. Cody goes for the drop down punch but Owens blocks it and slams Cody's arm into the mat. Owens kicks Cody and Cody sends Owens to the floor. Cody with a punch to send Owens to the floor. Owens with a forearm and fallaway slam into the ringside barrier.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Owens with a front face lock but Cody with punches. Owens with a forearm and he sends Cody over the top rope but Cody skins the cat and hits a drop kick. Owens with an Irish whip and Cody floats over. Owens with a back senton for a near fall. Owens kicks Cody in the back and connects with double sledges. Owens with a back breaker and he stretches Cody on his knee. Owens with elbows as he continues to stretch Cody. Cody with forearms. Owens with a kick and a suplex for a near fall.

Owens sets for another suplex but Cody blocks it. Cody gets Owens up for a gourdbuster. Cody sets for Cross Rhodes but Owens with a snap mare and DDT for a near fall. Owens goes up top and goes for a swanton but Cody gets his knees up and Owens rolls to the apron and then to the floor. Cody goes to the floor and Cody with a cross body that sends them over the announce table.

Seth Rollins' music plays and he makes his way out onto the stage.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cody sets for a superplex but Owens blocks it. Cody with punches and Owens with a head butt to send Cody to the mat. Owens with a frog splash for a near fall. Owens with a swanton for a near fall. Cody with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cody counters a pop up power bomb with a rana. Rhodes and Owens alternate super kicks. Cody with a clothesline. Cody charges at Owens and Owens with a pop up power bomb for a near fall. Owens goes up top and Cody with a punch to stop him. Cody sets for a superplex and Owens pushes Cody off. Cody with a forearm and he tries for the superplex again but Owens counters with a fisherman's superplex. Cody gets his foot on the rope to stop the count.

Owens sets for a power bomb on the apron but Cody with a back body drop on the apron. The referee starts his count. Seth tells Kevin to get his fat ass in the ring.

Kevin tells Cody the hell with it and he walks away.

Winner: Cody Rhodes (by count out)

Cody celebrates his victory and Seth Rollins comes up behind and pushes Cody off the turnbuckles to the floor.

We go to credits.

[LionDen]

Can not believe they put the belt on Theory

[LionDen]

I watched Orton looking funny at Riddle after the match. Maybe he will turn on Riddle at Backlash and that is how The Uso's will get the titles.