Raw was live last night in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With WrestleMania in the rearview mirror, it is now time to shake things up again. Monday Night Raw was night one of the two-night Superstar Shake-Up that will bring new stars to new places.
Stars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT & NXT UK will be on hand in determining the shape of the future of WWE. The landscape of WWE will never be the same again after this week.
Raw kicked off with Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon. After Shane promoted himself as the Best in the World, it was time to announce the first superstar that is going to shake up the WWE.
It was The Miz heading to Monday Night Raw. The Miz came from behind and attacked Shane McMahon. The Miz is now ready to make Monday nights Awesome!
Ricochet, Aleister Black, Curt Hawkins, & Zack Ryder v. The Revival & The Viking Experience
The first call up from NXT is the Viking Experience. The former War Raiders are now members of the Raw roster. The current NXT Tag Team Champions have made their presence known on Monday Nights.
These teams went at it in an intense match showing the future of the tag team division on Raw. However, it was the Viking Experience that was able to clear the competition around them to lay out Zack Ryder and pin one half of the Tag Team Champions. The Viking Experience is here and ready to start their voyage to the Tag Team Championships.
Finn Balor v. Andrade
The Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor is set to challenge the newest member to Monday Night Raw which is Andrade. Alongside, Zelina Vega, Andrade is making his Monday Night Raw debut against the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
In a dream match, these two put in one heck of a contest. These two have studied each other very well and anticipated their every move. The match picked up when each countered each other’s finishing move.
However, Zelina made her presence known by attacking Finn while the referee had their back turned which led to Andrade to hit the Hammerlock DDT for the win.
What a Raw debut for Andrade. He pinned the Intercontinental Champion. What does the future entail for Andrade on Raw?
Elias Tries One More Time
Elias since WrestleMania has tried to give the performance of a lifetime, but each time he gets interrupted. From John Cena to The Undertaker, Elias cannot give a performance.
However, this week he is interrupted by the newest member to Raw, Rey Mysterio. Rey Mysterio returns to Raw and chased off Elias.
Yet, before Rey could celebrate his return to Raw, out came Lars Sullivan. Rey attempted to fight off Lars, but the Freak was too much for Rey. Lars laid out Rey and left him laying in the middle of the ring. Should Raw be worried about the presence of Lars Sullivan?
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable v. The Usos
The next superstars making their way to Raw is the six time Tag Team Champions The Usos. The Uso Penitentiary has made its way to Raw and ready to lock down the entire Raw Tag Team division.
One of the best tag teams in the WWE is ready to prove why they are against the former Raw Tag Team Champions. These two teams pulled out all the stops, but it was The Usos that were able to pick up the win.
The Usos have sent a loud and clear statement to the entire Raw Tag Team Division that their sights are set on the Raw Tag Team Championships.
A Moment of Bliss: Special Guest: Sami Zayn
Last week, Sami Zayn made his return to the WWE. However, after a large ovation by the WWE Universe, Sami did not feel the same love. Now it is time to find answers on why Sami has turned his back on the WWE Universe.
In a warm and electric return home for Sami Zayn in Montreal. Sami Zayn explains why he does not associate with anyone of the WWE Universe.
He says he loves his home, but he does not like the people of Montreal. That is why he turned his back on his hometown and told them to go to Hell before walking off.
The IIconics v. Bayley & Naomi
The new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics have gotten in the head and made it personal with Bayley. Bayley’s partner Sasha Banks did not show up to Monday Night Raw. So, Bayley found her a new partner in the form of the newest member of the Raw Women’s Division, Naomi.
From the get-go, Naomi made an instant impact by pinning one half of the Raw Women’s Tag Team Champions. Is the Raw Women’s Division going to Feel the Glow?
EC3 v. Braun Strowman
EC3 had attempted to make a name for himself on Raw. However, he picked the wrong night to do so as his opponent is the “Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman. Braun Strowman ferociously attacked EC3 all over the ring. Leading to Braun chokeslamming EC3 through the stage.
Becky Lynch v. Ruby Riott
The SmackDown & Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch is making her presence known to all challengers on both Raw & SmackDown. She comes to Raw to take on the leader of the Riott Squad, Ruby Riott.
The Riott Squad attempted to use the numbers against Becky Lynch, however it was to no avail. The Man cleared house and took down the Riott Squad. The Man continues to prove to the WWE that to be Champion, you have to take it from Becky Lynch.
After the match, Natalya came out to congratulate Becky Lynch for main eventing WrestleMania and winning both the Raw & SmackDown Women’s Championships.
She, however, steps up to Becky and states that she is going after Becky Lynch and her Championships. Then, Lacey Evans came out that she is going to challenge Natalya and stated that the winner of that match is going to be the first in line to challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Natalya v. Lacey Evans
The match was then made right then and there. The two women scratched and clawed for the win. However, it was Lacey Evans who was able to break out of the Sharpshooter and then land a massive Women’s Right and a huge Moonsault for the win.
Lacey Evans is heading towards a future opportunity at the Raw Women’s Championship.
Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin & Drew McIntyre v. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns & AJ Styles
To end the first night of the Superstar Shake-Up, it is time for a six man tag match between the former Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre as they take on Roman Reigns, the Universal Champion Seth Rollins & the last superstar heading to Raw, AJ Styles.
AJ Styles built his house on SmackDown, but now it is time for him to build Raw as his own.
This was a fast paced and highly exciting contest showing the talent of the future of Monday Night Raw. Bobby Lashley seemed to have the win for his team in his grasp, however, it was Seth and Roman who were able to take down Bobby which led to a Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
The future of Monday Night Raw will never be the same after tonight.
Conclusion
There are new faces in new places. The Usos, Andrade, Eric Young, Rey Mysterio and The Miz are among those making their way to Raw. Now it is time to figure out who is going to SmackDown tomorrow night.
David Jacobus
Staff Writer