The Super Network

Opening Segment: Daniel Bryan Opens Raw

The new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan comes out to open Raw and gets welcomed by an ovation that would make Stone Cold Steve Austin jealous. The crowd has trouble letting Bryan get a word out for bit, but eventually Bryan is able to rejoice in his victory. It didn’t take long for Triple H to come out and rain on Bryan’s parade, it was great seeing him seething at seeing those belts around Daniel’s shoulders. Triple H announces that he won’t allow the celebration to go on, and announces that Daniel Bryan will face him in the nights main event. Daniel Bryan gave zero fucks. An amazing opening to Raw with the Raw audience setting the mood.

Segment Grade: A+

The Wyatt Family vs. John Cena, Sheamus & Big E

This match was definitely one of the MAJOR highlights of the night. The crowd was firmly behind The Wyatt Family the whole time, and were hating on not only Cena but his partners for the night as well. It gave me a great feeling hearing the crowd reaction every time Bray Wyatt was tagged into the match, but Eric Rowan and Luke Harper got their just love as well. The best moment of the match definitely was in its last moments, Bray Wyatt and Big E were the legal men. Bray does his signature spider walk that the crowd left, which warranted my new favorite chant “Bray’s gonna kill you…” classic Raw moment folks. After Sister Abigail the Wyatts pick up the victory, with Cena on the ramp looking terrified. A great opening bout.

Match Grade: A+

Fandango & Summer Rae vs. Santino & Emma

A quick, somewhat random match that I feel they slapped together to see if they could get the Fandango dance to get a comeback for a night from the crowd. Santino did his usual shtick, and the match was one by Emma with an impressive submission move. A filler match, but we got a great crowd moment from it.

Match Grade: C+

Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman Segment

Second MAJOR highlight of the night reminded us that nobody can drop a pipebomb like Paul Heyman. Brock and Heyman came out to major heat, and even got a “bullshit” chant from the audience after Heyman got going. If I was in the audience, I would have hated that Paul E hit on some pretty decent points in his promo. The biggest point he made was bringing up Brock Lesnar’s legitimate toughness that so many other Undertaker opponents couldn’t touch, specifically bringing up his UFC history. We can hate that the streak ended all we want, but this is true whether we like it or not. I believe this fact was a big factor as to why Undertaker most likely wanted Brock to end the streak. He bookended the promo by bringing up the significance of the fact that there are “legendS, SuperstarS, etc.” But there will always only be one man who broke the legendary streak, ONE Brock Lesnar. A fact that can’t be disputed. That’s what this promo was about. The truth.

Segment Grade: A+

WWE Tag Team Championship Match: USO’s vs. Randy Orton & Batista

This wasn’t so much a match as an extended segment that served to show us that apparently Batista & Orton will be portraying a unit for a while. The match quickly spilled to the outside, where a double count-out occurred after Orton performed one of his elevated DDT’s from the outside barrier…a cool spot. After the bell rang Batista performed a Batista bomb on the steel steps. The two men really sold their frustration after WrestleMania’s events and that they found it ridiculous that they were supposed to want the Tag Titles. This segment is much better in hindsight when you realize it was foreshadowing events that would happen later in the night.

Match Grade: B+ for drama level

Rob Van Dam vs. Damien Sandow

Rob Van Dam is back on Raw. I wish it wasn’t Damien Sandow that had to do the job, but it was great seeing RVD back in the fold to show the WWE Universe that he’s “still got it.” All of our favorite RVD spots we got to witness again, and we were even treated to a quick ECW chant that got me feeling all nostalgic. Which brings me to my next point, I tweeted earlier during the show that given RVD’s past history with Paul Heyman, I wouldn’t mind seeing Rob in a feud featuring Paul. Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar at Summerslam? Book it!

Match Grade: B

Rey Mysterio vs. Bad News Barrett

It’s great to see Barrett competing in the ring again. I have to respect a man that takes a gimmick and not only runs with it, but throws some passion into it. You see that Barrett is getting a kick out of bringing bad news to the WWE universe. That is most likely why the New Orleans crowd was firmly behind Barrett throughout this whole match…even booing Mysterio at a couple terms. He hasn’t been getting too much crowd love lately, I feel bad for Mysterio. Furthermore, Wade got in some great offense during the match and it reminded me how talented he really is. Based on the crowd reaction he got tonight, I am anxious to see if they see fit to try to recreate the reaction by giving Barrett something to work with. He’s worth the shot.

Match Grade: B

Alexander Rusev vs. Zack Ryder

Alexander Russev makes his much hyped singles action debut against Zack Ryder in a squash match. Quick, but impressive. Russev is of course powerful, but also very fluid in the ring. He strikes me as a kind of guy that could put together some classic matches when he’s given a feud to work with. A great debut for Russev.

Match Grade: B

Ultimate Warrior Returns To Raw

This was a total markout segment from beginning to end. It was great hearing Warrior’s theme through those speakers again, by the time he hit the ring Warrior was rocking his classic long coat. Ultimate Warrior automatically got into character (complete with wearing a Warrior facepaint mask) and cut a passionate speech about the future legends that are currently sitting in that locker room. Both superstars that have already cemented their legend status more or less, and the ones who will carve that spot in the future. Warrior thanks the fans for supporting him throughout the years and making HIM the legend that he is today. It was a segment that served a purpose, as Warrior is officially an “ambassador” for the company and I’m looking forward to potentially more appearances by one of my favorite past superstars.

Segment Rating: A+

AJ Lee Segment & Match

AJ Lee makes her way to the ring with Tamina and cuts a promo about her being the longest running Divas Champion of all time, and that she is basically what every Diva should aspire to be. I have always really dug AJ on the mic so giving her some talk time was a good treat. Side note, of course there were short lived CM Punk chants during her promo and it was hilarious seeing her face during. In a moment that took everyone by surprise NXT Divas Champion PAIGE made her Raw debut to congratulate AJ. She was repaid with a slap to the face and a Divas Championship match whether she wanted it or not. I doubt AJ Lee suspecting Paige picking up a victory to become the NEW WWE DIVAS CHAMPION. A major start to a new feud that I am intrigued with, I’m a fan of both women. Bring it on!

Segment/Match Grade: A for Surprise

Cesaro’s Celebration Ceremony

Hulk Hogan makes his way to the ring to a great ovation. He says that the Andre Battle Royal was his favorite WrestleMania moment, with that he announces the winner of said battle royal Cesaro who comes to the ring with Zeb Coulter. Zeb Coulter gets some great heat by snatching the mic from Cesaro’s hand and treats the victory as his own, dubbing Cesaro a Zeb Coulter guy. Cesaro heard enough with that, and informs Zeb that he is in fact…a PAUL HEYMAN GUY! Heyman makes his way to the ring to the shock of everyone, nobody saw this coming and I loved it. I marveled at the fact that earlier in the night, Heyman acted as the advocate for the most hated man in the company currently…an hour later is the advocate of a solid fan favorite.

Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring and half destroys the Andre the Giant trophy and gets an impromptu match with Cesaro. It was short lived but as always Cesaro hit some amazing spots, including a suplex into the ring from a Swagger who was standing on the apron. Swagger lost the match via count-out. The major news, is Paul Heyman has a new client. Many are nervous that this pairing will be a failure like Heyman’s grouping with Curtis Axel and Ryback, I believe the opposite. Cesaro had a solid following before this was a thought, so I only see good things for Cesaro going forward.

Segment & Match Grade: A+

Main Event

Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring first, accompanied by the overwhelming ovation we’ve all grown accustomed to. In a swerve, Batista & Randy Orton make their way out to the ring and decimate Daniel Bryan. Kane follows suit and chokeslams Kane to complete the softening up for COO Triple H who comes out next. In a twist that was foreshadowed the segment before the main event, The Shield makes their way to the ring to ultimately aid Daniel Bryan. There was a calm before the storm, with a stare down between the Shield and famed Evolution members made for a situation The Shield has grown familiar with. Triple H attempted to calm the storm, and got a spear from Roman Reigns for his trouble. Chaos ensued with The Shield clearing the ring, Triple H found himself in no mans land with the Shield staring down on him. Now initially I was disappointed that this segment didn’t end with the famous Shield powerbomb. But looking back at it, it was important that Daniel Bryan got the last word. A new saga is born, Daniel Bryan and the Shield standing triumphant. Triple H, Orton, Batista, and Kane declaring war.

Tonight’s Raw was about a changing of the guard, giving us a glimpse into the massive new talent WWE has gathered and that they look like they are going to continue to shine. I believe this was the perfect message to send out in a Raw after a WrestleMania no less. I haven’t been this excited for the future of current storylines in a a long time. An awesome Raw!

Overall Raw After WrestleMania Grade: A+

Review written by Paul Huffman