WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 2

From video packages to photo ops, staredowns to beatdowns, Monday's WWE Raw was in many ways a three-hour advertisement for WrestleMania 34.

The go-home episode zeroed in on Sunday's pay-per-view, and while a lot of the developments failed to entertain, most of the moments had a purpose. And fans had plenty to buzz about heading into The Show of Shows.

Stephanie McMahon left Ronda Rousey lying atop a broken table, the Intercontinental Championship challengers delivered the match of the night and John Cena failed to incite Undertaker into accepting his WrestleMania challenge.

Braun Strowman found a tag team partner for the big event. Sort of.

What thrilled and what dragged? Read on for a full breakdown of the final Raw before WrestleMania. 

Team Rousey and Team McMahon Collide

Announcer Jonathan Coachman hosted Rousey and Angle's verbal showdown with McMahon and Triple H.

The two sides bickered. Triple H badmouthed Angle. Rousey defended the Raw general manager, sniping at McMahon. 

Coachman then asked the guests questions posed by fans via social media.

A staredown quickly became violent as the heels blasted their WrestleMania foes. McMahon and Triple H gloated as they exited.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You set her up for embarrassment. You set her up for a loss."—Triple H to Angle.
• "This Sunday at WrestleMania, she's going to make you tap out."—Angle to McMahon.
  
• "The world knows how you handle losses."—McMahon to Rousey.
• McMahon slams Rousey through a table.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Rousey's inconsistency was on display here. In some moments, she looked more at ease and natural than her previous appearances. But she also flubbed a key line about tearing off Stephanie's arm.

WWE got a strong visual out of this in McMahon and Rousey staring each other down, and the table bump will be good for highlight clips. The path to creating those was a rocky one, though. 

McMahon mentioning Rousey's UFC losses was a nice touch, bringing a sense of reality to the scene.

Bayley vs. Sonya Deville

Bayley controlled Sonya Deville early on, but The Huggable One was able to evade and outwrestle her opponent.

Eventually, Deville's strikes allowed her to gain the advantage.

Bayley's comeback soon had Deville in trouble. Even with distractions from Absolution, she was able to roll up her foe for a three-count.

Absolution attacked after the bell, but Sasha Banks came in to make the save. The Boss and Bayley soon fought each other, leaving them vulnerable to Paige's crew.

Result

Bayley wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Bayley crashes awkwardly into Deville during presumably an arm drag attempt.
• Bayley knees Mandy Rose off the ring apron.
• "I just saved you. Raise my hand."—Banks.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The Banks-Bayley interaction was more noteworthy and entertaining than the sometimes-clunky match. These two former friends' bad blood continues to be one of the best things on WWE programming even if it only gets minimal airtime, as it did here.

Absolution, on the other hand, needs some narrative spark. Since Paige's injury has kept her out of the ring, the group hasn't been complete.

Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins

Intercontinental titleholder The Miz sat in on commentary as his WrestleMania opponents went to battle.

Seth Rollins and Finn Balor traded the advantage on the mat. When the fight moved outside of the ring, The Architect turned up his aggressiveness. 

The Irishman rallied back as both men grew tired and worn down.

Rollins scored a number of near-falls that left Balor dazed. After some missed finishers from both guys, The Kingslayer stomped Balor's head into the canvas to put him away.

Result

Rollins wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I learned to swaddle. I'm a great swaddler."—The Miz.
• Balor yanks Rollins off the second rope.
• Rollins nails a running Balor with a superkick.
• Balor counters a Frog Splash with knees to Rollins' chest.
• "Is it WrestleMania time or what?"—Michael Cole.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Rollins and Balor poured it on late, and the bout grew quite electric by the end. 

The Architect added to his impressive 2018 resume, again serving as the in-ring cornerstone for the red brand. Victory felt important to each Superstar. A number of counters created some wow moments.

And there was a great callback to the Buckle Bomb spot from their SummerSlam match near the end, building off the history of the two rivals. 

The commentary was distracting at first, unfortunately. It's hard to dislike The Miz despite his villainous persona when he's gushing about his newborn daughter. That heartfelt stuff would have been better suited for some WWE Network material, not a show in which we are supposed to root against him.

'Brains Strowman' Takes on The Bar

Sheamus and Cesaro dismissed Strowman's chances at WrestleMania. The big man interrupted their speech and revealed he has found a tag team partner.

Strowman came out in disguise, claiming to be Brains Strowman.

The Bar pounced on Strowman, but The Monster Among Men chased them away.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "We don't care who your tag team partner is."—Cesaro.
• Strowman disguises himself in square glasses and a white-collared shirt.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The Monster Among Men's supposed partner-reveal embraced the ridiculous side of wrestling. We got to see a flash of comic-relief Strowman before he quickly shifted back to predator mode.

This was no great Shakespearean moment, but it was a fun addition to the variety show that is Raw. 

It's smarter to reveal his actual partner at WrestleMania itself. The surprise will give the Raw tag title bout a boost.

Goldust vs. Matt Hardy

A focused Goldust smacked around Matt Hardy to kick things off. Hardy withstood the punishment and kicked his foe to beat him in a quick match.

Hardy then giddily stroked the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy.

Result

Hardy wins via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "That was flawless. Start the ovation!"—Hardy after one of Goldust's moves.

Grade

D

Analysis

Hardy is in a holding pattern until after WrestleMania it seems. There has been no follow-up to his Ultimate Deletion match against Bray Wyatt.

And WWE just threw him into a bout here with zero story. "These guys are both weird" is not a compelling dynamic for a TV match.

John Cena Issues a Final Challenge to Undertaker

Credit: WWE.com

Cena bemoaned the fact Undertaker didn't answer his WrestleMania challenge. He explained why he wasn't entering the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal or trying to get added to another match at the PPV. 

He claimed to be going to the show as a fan and ran down all the reasons WrestleMania would be so great this year.

With the crowd's help, he then tried to get Undertaker's attention.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I was wrong because we're out of time."—Cena.
• "WrestleMania is on the same exact day as Rusev Day."—Cena.
• "The second you ignore these people, you're a dead man walking."—Cena.

Grade

D+

Analysis

Cena delivered some strong lines and powerful emotions, but the lack of payoff left a giant hole at the end. His promo was drawn out only to not move the story along.

There is a touch of intrigue heading into WrestleMania with the Undertaker questions not answered, but it's baffling that WWE has either been teasing us this whole time or it will announce the match at the last minute. 

Elias vs. Heath Slater

Credit: WWE.com

Elias entertained the crowd with his guitar before trashing Atlanta. Heath Slater and Rhyno cut him off with their entrance.

In the ring, Elias blasted Slater as Rhyno played cheerleader at ringside. The Drifter finished off his foe in no time at all.

Result

Elias wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "If it was up to me, I would have just bypassed this place for a city that actually matters."—Elias.
• "Elias is out here dressed like Jonah from BoJack Horseman."—Corey Graves.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Elias' outfits continually get more ludicrous in the most entertaining of ways.

He's often one of Raw's highlights. That was true to an extent here, although his mic time was short and his match was over in a hurry.

Two guys set for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal clashed in a forgettable showdown days before the big dance. 

Alexa Bliss and Mickie James vs. Dana Brooke and Asuka

Backstage, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James continued to mock Nia Jax's weight. Jax grew emotional in her interview with Renee Young.

Once the bell rang, Dana Brooke handled her business against Bliss and James. 

James slowed Brooke down, though. She and Bliss beat up on Titus Worldwide's statistician, leaving Asuka on the apron unable to contribute.

When Asuka finally tagged in, she flew around the ring knocking heads. The Asuka Lock proved to be the end for James. The heels attacked after the three-count.

Jax played the cavalry and laid out James.

Result

Asuka and Brooke win via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "She'll be blubbering in her blubber."—Bliss
• "This is what God gave me. This is what my momma gave me."—Jax.
• Brooke hits a nice handspring elbow in the corner.
• Asuka upends James with a sliding dropkick on the ring apron.
  

Grade

B

Analysis

The interview featured some strong emotional work from Jax. This is a storyline many have taken issue with, but it has done its job. The Irresistible Force is easier to root for because of it, and one can't help but wish a painful fate for Bliss.

As for the match, this is the best Brooke has looked to date. This was an efficient segment in that it showcased Asuka and gave the Jax-Bliss feud some added fuel.

Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns Cross Paths

Angle asked Paul Heyman to not incite Reigns which might lead to a Lesnar injury. The advocate laughed him off. 

Reigns went off on Lesnar to the GM.

A wall of Superstars guarded the entrance ramp as Heyman and Lesnar stood in the ring. Heyman claimed his client would conquer Reigns at WrestleMania. He said that if Reigns wins, both he and Lesnar would leave Raw.

The Big Dog came out and the men blocking his path stepped aside.

Reigns blasted Lesnar, bringing him to his knees. The Beast Incarnate responded with an F-5.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I can see his name up in the lights...the 'Brock-tagon.'"—Heyman.
  
• "Run that peace treaty back down to that pawn shop where you sold your Olympic gold medals."—Reigns to Angle.
• "We laughed at each and every single one of you."—Heyman to the fans.
  
• "Roman Reigns, your options are like your ass. They are both owned by Brock Lesnar."—Heyman.
• Reigns Superman punches Lesnar before he can strike with a steel chair.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The now-familiar dynamic of Reigns the loyal company workhorse against the selfish part-timer Lesnar played out once more. Heyman offered mostly thoughts we have heard before.

This wasn't as intense as Lesnar beating a handcuffed Reigns a few weeks back, but it worked. Things ended with a fun fight, which was miles better than the tug of war they played before their first WrestleMania match against each other.

WrestleMania is so deep this year it's easy to sleep on how good this Universal Championship match is going to be.