WWE Raw Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From April 27

With the repercussions of WrestleMania 42 still being felt across the company, WWE rolled into Laredo, Texas, for a packed episode of Raw headlined by appearances from Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch.

What did The Tribal Chief have to say about Jacob Fatu's challenge for his world heavyweight title, and how celebratory was The Man after defeating AJ Lee to regain the Women's Intercontinental Championship at the Show of Shows?

Find out with this recap of the April 27 Netflix broadcast.

Lineup

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Announced in advance of Monday's show were:

Seth Rollins promo at the top of the show

Joe Hendry's first Raw concert

Becky Lynch promo

Penta vs. Rusev

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez

Roman Reigns promo

Seth Rollins Kicks Off Raw

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Last Time in Action: Seth Rollins lost to Gunther (WrestleMania, April 18)

In a pre-taped promo, The Usos took turns pleading their case with Roman Reigns about Jacob Fatu's challenge from last week.

The Tribal Chief ended it by saying he would address The Samoan Werewolf later Monday night.

In the arena, Seth Rollins made his way to the ring, fired up over the events of the last week, and wasted no time addressing Bron Breakker.

Rollins took credit for putting nine staples in the back of Breakker's head before The Badass hit the ring.

Rollins put over Breakker as the next big star in the industry, but called out his mind. He said betting on himself only got him Logan Paul, Austin Theory, steak dinners, and happy endings from Paul Heyman.

Breakker took exception, claiming he was on his way to being a main event star and knocked Rollins' health, suggesting his shoulder cannot handle the weight of a title on it anymore.

The back-and-forth exchange of insults concluded with The Visionary laying down a challenge for a match at Backlash.

Grade

A

Top Takeaways

Rollins was fired up here, spoke with intensity in a way that never felt over the top. He called Breakker out on his shortcomings, applauded his successes and set up a big match for Backlash. He was great here.

Breakker delivered, too. Often a hit-or-miss talker, he was spot-on here, delivering some of his best mic work since his rivalry with CM Punk entering the new year.

Penta vs. Rusev

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Last Time in Action: Penta defeated Rusev, Je'Von Evans, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and JD McDonagh (WrestleMania, April 19)

"All Ego" Ethan Page watched from ringside as intercontinental champion Penta battled Rusev in non-title action to kick off the in-ring portion of Raw.

The Bulgarian Brute dominated the action into the commercial break, but Penta sparked a comeback that saw him fight his way back into the ring and down Rusev for a near-fall.

While he was not able to keep the heel down immediately, Penta ultimately scored the victory, only to find himself on the receiving end of a two-on-one beatdown from Rusev and Page.

Je'Von Evans made the save, fighting off Page, then delivering an OG Cutter before standing tall alongside Penta to close out the segment.

Result

Penta defeated Rusev

Grade

C+

Top Takeaways

There was not much to this one, with the majority of the match taking place during the commercial break, including all of Rusev's heat.

Evans is a young performer who brings a new energy to the show when it needs it. He is a sure-fire IC champion of the future.

All signs seem to point to a Fatal 4-Way match coming sooner rather than later with the IC title on the line. Could we see it as soon as Backlash on May 9?

Becky Lynch Promo

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Last Time in Action: Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee (WrestleMania 42, April 18)

One week removed from regaining the Women's Intercontinental Championship, Becky Lynch returned to Raw to discuss her win, telling the fans that while she was walking up the ramp with her daughter at WrestleMania, she knew she had to show her what being a real champion is all about.

She issued an open challenge for a match, which Iyo Sky accepted to a thunderous ovation at the Sames Auto Arena.

Lynch laughed it off, equating The Genius of the Sky to Marty Jannetty to Rhea Ripley's Shawn Michaels. Sky knocked her down before Raw general manager Adam Pearce appeared and made the match official.

Big Time Becks got a cheap shot in entering the break and ahead of the championship clash.

Grade

B

Top Takeaways

That is one way to make up for the abrupt ending to Sky's storyline with Asuka and the now-released Kairi Sane.

Lynch is such a great villain that she could get any babyface over simply by talking the crowd into caring about them. Luckily, Sky is already red-hot and does not need it.

Women's Intercontinental Championship: Iyo Sky vs. Becky Lynch

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Last Time in Action: Lynch defeated Lee (WrestleMania 42, April 18); Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley defeated The Kabuki Warriors (Raw, April 20)

Lynch controlled the action coming out of the break, dictating the pace and keeping her rival grounded. A missile dropkick from the challenger changed that as Sky built momentum and had the crowd on their feet for her comeback.

She delivered a sunset flip bomb on the floor that drove the air out of the champion ahead of the commercial break.

Back from the timeout, and the fans in Laredo showered the combatants with chants of "This is awesome." Sky responded with a tornado DDT to Lynch. She tried the Over The Moonsault, but Lynch got her boots up. A Manhandle Slam followed, but the babyface kicked out at two.

After Sky delivered a springboard moonsault to the floor, Asuka arrived on the scene, costing her former teammate the match as Lynch retained following a Manhandle Slam.

Afterward, The Empress of Tomorrow trapped her rival in the Asuka Lock to close things out.

Result

Lynch defeated Sky

Grade

A

Top Takeaways

Lynch and Sky had a fantastic match across multiple segments on Raw? Stunner. This was brilliant and belonged on a PLE card, preferably without the interference leading to the finish.

Sky vs. Asuka is a hot feud and should have a place on the Backlash card. Unfortunately, it lost considerable gravity with Kairi Sane's release from WWE.

Rey Mysterio told both the original and current El Grande Americanos that his only goal is for them to come out with a greater appreciation or lucha libre. He would battle the latter one-on-one later in the show.

Joe Hendry Concert

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Last Time in Action: Joe Hendry lost to Keanu Carver via referee stoppage (NXT Revenge, April 21)

Former NXT and TNA world champion Joe Hendry greeted the WWE Universe with his first concert as a Raw Superstar. He announced that he has officially joined the red brand, then got to the point of his song, calling for Logan Paul to be fired.

The Maverick took exception, joined by his Vision teammate, Austin Theory, and cut a ranting promo.

The heels eventually beat down Hendry, enjoying a two-on-one beating until The Street Profits made the save, clearing the ring of the heels. Hendry wiped out Paul and Theory and joined the prospective tag team No. 1 contenders in closing out the segment.

Grade

C+

Top Takeaways

Hendry flashed the same charm that has helped him get over in every brand he has been in, so it was no surprise that the fans seemed to enjoy the concert segment.

With that said, it came across as forced, especially since Hendry had no previous association with Paul. Of course, watching him every Monday night might be enough to convince him to sing for his firing.

We badly need a promo from The Street Profits explaining where they have been and what brought them back with their eyes on The Vision and the Raw tag team titles.

Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

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Last Time in Action: El Grande Americano defeated Akira Tozawa (Main Event, April 23); Rey Mysterio lost a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship (WrestleMania 42, April 19)

After El Grande Americano expressed his desire to test himself against the greatest luchador of all time ahead of his Mask vs. Mask match against the OG El Grande Americano in AAA, the luchador faced Rey Mysterio in singles competition.

A back-and-forth battle escalated until Americano attempted to utilize a piece of metal in his mask, only for the OG to intervene, prevent the cheating, and set up a Mysterio victory.

After the match, a brawl between the two rival luchadors ensued, the last bit of hype for their upcoming battle on May 30 at AAA's Noche de Los Grandes.

Result

Mysterio defeated Americano

Grade

C+

Top Takeaways

The lack of creative synergy between WWE TV and AAA is astonishing. The current Americano is a beloved hero in Mexico while the OG is a hated villain yet, instead of adapting the story to that reaction, WWE officials still stubbornly present the former as the heel in the story. It's almost a lack of brand awareness at this point.

Mysterio is still a great performer, even if he is a step or two slower. An all-timer who appears more motivated than in recent years, he still has plenty to contribute as both his in-ring performance and fan reaction indicates.

Oba Femi vs. Grayson Waller

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Last Time in Action: Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 42, April 19); Grayson Waller lost to Original El Grande Americano (Main Event, April 23)

The product of a backstage confrontation, Oba Femi squared off with Grayson Waller in singles competition.

It went about as well as expected for the loud-mouthed Aussie, who was physically dominated and beaten down. Femi pinned him in short order to secure the win.

After the match, The Ruler announced the Oba Femi Open Challenge, but warned that anyone who stepped to him would face his wrath.

Result

Femi defeated Waller

Grade

A

Top Takeaways

Send Femi to the ring, let him beat people up, listen to the crowd go wild, then repeat every week. It is a proven formula and one that has worked so far. Eventually, WWE Creative will have to think bigger. But with no other obvious direction at this time, it should keep him prominent and over.

Backstage, Liv Morgan issued a thinly veiled threat to Roxanne Perez, reminding her that she had plenty of time to sit at home and watch. She ended by telling Perez she would be in her corner. Finn Balor tried to warn her to be careful, but The Prodigy was not interested.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez

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Last Time in Action: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria lost a Fatal 4-Way match (WrestleMania 42, April 18); Raquel Rodriguez defeated Maxxine Dupri (Main Event, April 16); Roxanne Perez lost the Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble, January 31)

Hometown hero Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez battled Bayley and Lyra Valkyria in a match with tag team title contention implications.

After several moments of The Judgment Day duo dominating the action, Bayley dropped Rodriguez and created separation, allowing her to tag Valkyria into the match.

The former women's IC champion took the fight to Perez, to the dismay of the crowd. The Prodigy fought back, but The Role Model escaped a Pop Rox attempt and delivered a Bayley to Belly for a two-count.

Moments later, Liv Morgan interjected herself into the match, drawing Bayley's attention. When The Role Model got physical, Morgan dropped down, sending the babyface into the top rope. Perez capitalized, delivering a Shining Wizard and Pop Rox for the win.

Result

Perez and Rodriguez defeated Bayley and Valkyria

Grade

B

Top Takeaways

This was a high-energy tag match that spotlighted the talent involved but was really showcase for Perez. The Prodigy added another quality performance to her resume.

Morgan involving herself in the finish only serves as a means to an end as the women's world champion is lulling Perez into believing her, only to inevitably betray her. It will be interesting to see if Finn Balor can talk some sense into The Prodigy before then.

Roman Reigns Promo

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Last Time in Action: Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk (WrestleMania 42, April 19)

Roman Reigns wrapped up the show with an in-ring answer to Jacob Fatu's challenge from last week, but before he could, he talked about single-handedly elevating the World Heavyweight Championship.

This brought out The Samoan Werewolf, who came face-to-face with his cousin for The Tribal Chief's Backlash decision.

Reigns told Fatu he hoped he made the right choice to unite the family rather than tear it apart.

The prospective No. 1 contender accused Reigns of being in his main event bubble and said that when his life was falling apart, it was Solo Sikoa who reached out to him.

The world champion cut him off, calling him unhinged, and Fatu proved him right. He attacked Reigns with a mandible claw, then performed a Tongan Death Grip, leaving The Tribal Chief writhing.

Reigns told Fatu he would see him at Backlash. The new challenger said he would see the titleholder next week on Raw.

Grade

B+

Top Takeaways

Reigns is so over as a babyface at this point that, if this was not officially a heel turn for Fatu, the creative team may want to consider one.

With that said, Fatu's story is inspirational and investment-worthy. If he was battling anyone but The Tribal Chief, he would be a huge babyface.

Their match is going to be an interesting one in that the crowd will be behind Reigns, even if his character still closely resembles that of an egotistical bad guy.

MVP and Overall Grade

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Seth Rollins kicked off Monday's show with one of his best promos in recent memory, a pointed and focused one that put over Breakker, his feud with the Badass, and set the stage for Backlash.

That he attempted to approach The Street Profits backstage, only to be told that not everything is about him, is another indicator of a character growing and evolving.

Undeniably among the top four in WWE, Rollins is as consistently great at this point in his career as any other star on his level. He was fantastic here and sold fans on his rivalry with his former Vision protege.

MVP: Seth Rollins

This was a strong episode of Raw.

Good in-ring work, some quality storyline advancement, a red-hot performance by hometown heroine Perez, and an exclamation point of a segment between Reigns and Fatu continued to set the stage for a Backlash PLE that has the potential to be one of the sleeper hits of the year.

A strong thumbs-up for this focused show.

Overall Grade: A