WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 20

WWE champion Drew McIntyre may have knocked off United States champion Andrade in the main event of last week's Raw, but he was quickly introduced to the next challenger to his throne, Seth Rollins.

The Monday Night Messiah sent a message loudly and clearly to The Scottish Psychopath to end last week's show, delivering two Stomps to leave McIntyre lying. What response would the top dog on the red brand have to that attack?

Who would inch a step closer to a guaranteed title opportunity at Money in the Bank when Aleister Black and Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio and Murphy, and MVP and Apollo Crews battled in three qualifying bouts?

Find out the answers to those questions and everything else that went down on the April 20 episode of WWE Raw with this recap of Monday's broadcast.

Drew McIntyre Kicks Off Raw, Zelina Vega and Co. Interrupt

Credit: WWE.com

Drew McIntyre kicked off the evening's broadcast, expressing his lack of surprise that Seth Rollins attacked him last week on Raw.

The Scot issued a challenge to The Monday Night Messiah for a match at Money in the Bank on May 10.

Zelina Vega, Angel Garza and Austin Theory interrupted. The mouthpiece for the group exchanged barbs with the WWE champion until Andrade attacked from out of nowhere.

His advantage was short-lived, though, as McIntyre blasted him with the Claymore while Garza and Theory refused Vega's orders to make the save.

McIntyre stood tall while vowing to tear Garza apart later in the show.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a strange way to kick off the show, not because of McIntyre's challenge to Rollins or Vega interrupting the WWE champion, but because there are already hints of dissension among Garza, Theory and Andrade just one week after the trio was presented as a united front for the first time.

Yes, it makes sense that Theory would be hesitant to mix it up with McIntyre when he had a match with Aleister Black ahead, but one would assume he and Garza together would fare better than Andrade did alone.

Plus, in completely disregarding Vega's orders, we now have a taste of a trio that is going to brush off her authority and do as it pleases. After everything that was done to establish the team last week, this was tonally deaf.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Aleister Black vs. Austin Theory

Credit: WWE.com

The night’s action kicked off with Aleister Black squaring off against Austin Theory in a Money in the Bank qualifier.

Black kept Theory off-guard early, even attempting a Black Mass that the newcomer narrowly dodged. Zelina Vega rose from the commentary position and provided a distraction that allowed Theory to send his opponent into the guardrail and seize control of the bout heading into the break.

Theory took the fight to Black and appeared to have him set up for the ATL. The Dutchman fought out and applied an armbar, only for his opponent to power out and drop him with a powerbomb. Black scored a small package roll-up and mounted a comeback.

He unloaded with a knee strike and springboard moonsault for a near-fall, with Theory just shooting his shoulder off the mat before the official’s hand could smack the mat again. Theory fought his way back into the match and again set up for the ATL, but Black escaped again.

A big knee and bridging German suplex followed as the enigmatic antihero gained momentum. Theory evaded a second Black Mass attempt but could not dodge a third as Black cashed his ticket to Money in the Bank.

Result

Black def. Theory

Grade

B+

Analysis

Another week, another excellent in-ring performance by Black, who continues to be the workhorse for the red brand.

This week, he was instrumental in the continued growth of Theory as a main roster competitor. He put over the young star’s offense and even had him looking like he might steal a win.

In the end, though, he fought his way back into the match before kicking Theory into next week to earn his way to Money in the Bank.

It was a hard-hitting and hard-fought match that was enhanced by the commentary team’s efforts to put over both men.

Black’s post-match promo, in which he promised each floor of the WWE corporate building would represent hell for each of his opponents at the MITB pay-per-view, was excellent and put over the fight that awaits his opponents.

Overall, this was a much better start to the in-ring portion of the show than the promo segment.

Indi Hartwell vs. Shayna Baszler

Credit: WWE.com

NXT competitor Indi Hartwell made her Raw debut this week under the most daunting of circumstances: against a vengeful and brutally violent Shayna Baszler.

The Australian evaded one attempt to injure her arm and scored a quick roll-up for two, which incensed The Queen of Spades.

The cagefighter did not miss a second time, stomping down on her opponent’s arm and drawing a referee stoppage.

As the officials and medical staff checked on Hartwell, Baszler pulled her opponent out of the ring and slung her into the guardrail. She sent her into a ladder and kicked her injured arm, which had been sandwiched between it and the steel steps.

A remorseless Baszler looked on as Hartwell sobbed in pain.

Result

Baszler defeated Hartwell via referee stoppage

Grade

A

Analysis

Everything Baszler has done since WrestleMania 36 has been spot-on.

On that night, she lost the most important match of her career. It crushed her, and she is now taking out the emotional and professional frustration on anyone unfortunate enough to face her in the ring.

Hartwell probably could have been a little more vocal in selling her injury, but she did a great job of taking her beating and putting over the assault by The Queen of Spades.

Baszler remains the favorite to win Money in the Bank and take Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship.

Ricochet and Cedric Alexander vs. Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink

Credit: WWE.com

The team of Cedric Alexander and Ricochet looked to erase their disappointing loss to The Viking Raiders a week ago when they battled Brendon Vink and Shane Thorne of NXT.

The babyface team kept the opposition reeling early, using their speed and in-ring creativity to catch them off-guard. Vink momentarily earned control of the match, pulling Ricochet off the ring apron and to the arena floor.

However, a hot tag to Alexander sparked the babyface comeback and had the new tandem rolling late. A standing shooting star press by Ricochet scored a two-count as Vink broke up the pin.

Ricochet delivered the Recoil to Thorne, who bounced right into the Lumbar Check from Alexander as the popular new duo picked up the win.

Result

Ricochet and Alexander defeated Thorne and Vink

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was exactly what Ricochet and Alexander needed after last week’s inexplicable loss to The Viking Raiders.

The match was a fast-paced one that showcased the quickness, athleticism and agility of the babyface team while Vink and Thorne again showed off some above-average chemistry that might make them valuable to both the main roster and NXT tag team divisions.

Ricochet and Alexander have incredible potential to find stardom as a tag team that they did not necessarily find in singles competition. If it keeps them on the show and allows them to wow audiences with their skills, then good for them.

Kairi Sane vs. Nia Jax

Credit: WWE.com

A week after losing a Money in the Bank qualifier against Nia Jax, Kairi Sane sought to right that wrong as she battled The Irresistible Force in a rematch.

The Kabuki Warrior started quickly, looking to use her speed and ferocity against Jax but quickly found herself tossed effortlessly around the ring while her tag team partner, Asuka, watched from backstage. 

Jax dominated Sane, pummeling her until the 2017 Mae Young Classic winner and former NXT women’s champion fought back by targeting the previously injured knees of her larger opponent.

A nasty back fist and sliding forearm had Jax reeling, but a missed In-Sane Elbow gave way to a Samoan Drop by The Irresistible Force for the win.

Result

Jax defeated Sane

Grade

B

Analysis

This was better than expected, thanks to the fiery onslaught by Sane late. She reminded the audience of the aggression that made her one of the more popular NXT competitors during her time with the brand.

She was tenacious and resilient in the face of Jax’s onslaught and looked like she may pull off a massive upset.

She didn't, though, as Jax remains dominant in her push back to title contention, but it was still a nice David vs. Goliath match that put over the heel while also exposing a weakness in her surgically repaired knees that others may be able to take advantage of down the road.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Apollo Crews vs. MVP

Credit: WWE.com

MVP took to the squared circle for his Money in the Bank qualifier against Apollo Crews after cutting a confident promo in which he vowed to be in Connecticut for the PPV, regardless of how talented his opponent might be.

A fired-up Crews took the fight to his more experienced opponent, delivering a dropkick that sent him to the arena floor. But MVP recovered and swept his opponent’s legs, dropping him back-first on the apron and to the mat as the show headed to break.

The former United States champion worked over the back of Crews with a camel clutch following the commercial timeout, looking to wear down his stronger and faster opponent. MVP set Crews up for the Playmaker but the babyface escaped and planted him with a picture-perfect spinebuster.

Crews dropped MVP with a powerslam and set him up for a frog splash. The veteran got his knees up and followed with The Playmaker, but Crews kicked out at two.

The babyface responded with a Gorilla Press slam, a standing shooting star press and a powerbomb for the win.

Result

Crews defeated MVP

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a fine enough match with the right outcome.

Both wrestlers worked hard, though the commercial break hurt the flow of the match. Crews displayed his athleticism, but one has to wonder if he might have been better suited squaring off with a young star who could keep up with his work.

With that said, MVP continues to impress on the mic and did a great job of telling the story of the match before the bell even rang. He still has a ton to offer the industry, though his days as a full-time ring worker are probably over.

Liv Morgan vs. Ruby Riott

Credit: WWE

After Ruby Riott revealed to Charly Caruso backstage that there never was a Riott Squad and she made both Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan, the tattooed villainess of the Raw women’s division battled Morgan in a match with roots dating back months.

An aggressive Morgan backed her opponent into the corner but Riott caught her with a cheap shot and seized control of the match. Morgan delivered a middle-rope dropkick to halt Riott’s onslaught and score a near-fall.

Riott answered, hanging Morgan up on the top rope and delivering a wicked kick to the face. The green-haired vixen talked trash, claiming she would always own her. But Morgan popped up from out of nowhere and delivered a springboard flatliner for the upset win.

Result

Morgan defeated Riott

Grade

C+

Analysis

This is one of those matches in which the vocals of the performers helped elevate it.

Riott talked trash the entire way through, as she looked to get into the head of her former teammate. When she did it late, it cost her as Morgan scored the upset victory. That bit of vocalization added to a story the commentary team had already laid out, and the result was a solid presentation.

After Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton put over Morgan’s victory as a chance for her to move on from Riott and her old team, perhaps this means she will finally be able to build on her buzzy return earlier this year and her win over Natalya at the WrestleMania 36 Kickoff Show.

Where that leaves the criminally underrated Riott remains to be seen, though.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Rey Mysterio vs. Murphy

Credit: WWE.com

Murphy returned to WWE television for the first time since before WrestleMania 36 and battled Rey Mysterio in a Money in the Bank qualifier with the opportunity to reverse the fortunes of Seth Rollins and Co.

“Not bad for an old man,” the Australian said as he shook off an early onslaught from his opponent. Murphy targeted a finger that the commentators speculated may be dislocated, stomping it on the diamond-plate entrance ramp heading into the break.

Murphy continued his concentrated attack on Mysterio, punishing his hand and potentially taking away his potent 619 finisher as a result. Meanwhile, the commentary team continued to push how important it was for Mysterio to compete for Money in the Bank.

Mysterio finally mounted a comeback, taking Murphy off his feet, then following with a headscissors onto the ramp. Mysterio tried for the 619 but Murphy countered, only for the veteran to drop him with a DDT for two.

On the floor, Mysterio launched Murphy into the barricade with a headscissors. 

Back in the ring, Murphy uncorked a flurry that culminated in a brainbuster for a close near-fall. The fight spilled to the top rope, from where Mysterio came off with a destroyer piledriver.

The 619 and top-rope splash followed as Mysterio earned a gutsy win and a trip to Money in the Bank.

Result

Mysterio defeated Murphy

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a good match between two guys who have been responsible for high-quality bouts more than a few times over their careers. Murphy and Mysterio showcased some excellent in-ring chemistry and left this writer wondering what they might be capable of with more time in a PPV setting.

Mysterio winning makes sense given the context of the story they told and the commentary put over, but one has to wonder how many losses Murphy can take before he becomes just another lackey for Rollins.

Given his absence of late, and the fact that there was little mention of Rollins in Murphy’s narrative throughout the match, one has to wonder if WWE Creative isn’t phasing that part of The Monday Night Messiah’s presentation out.

If so, it would be a major blow to Murphy’s status with the brand.

Kayden Carter vs. Charlotte Flair

Credit: WWE.com

NXT women’s champion Charlotte Flair took to the squared circle for the first time since her victory over Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36, battling Kayden Carter in singles competition.

The Queen found out quickly that Carter planned on seizing the opportunity, as she took the fight to the champion and trapped her in a submission.

Flair fought out, though, catching Carter with a nasty elbow to the face and downing her with a Spear. A figure eight followed and The Queen scored the submission victory.

Result

Flair defeated Carter

Grade

C

Analysis

Carter got more offense in on Flair than you may have expected, but the rushed nature of the match hurt its quality. It was messy at times, despite strong efforts from both women, and never reached the quality of match we have come to expect from The Queen.

Even with that said, it was a great representation of what we can come to expect from Flair as she sets out to elevate the credibility of the NXT women’s roster.

Akira Tozawa vs. Andrade

Credit: WWE

Still reeling from the two Claymore Kicks he suffered earlier in the night, United States champion Andrade made his way to the ring for a singles match against Akira Tozawa, who endured a beatdown at the hands of Zelina Vega’s trio last week.

Tozawa unloaded on Andrade early, dropping him with a knee strike that nearly earned him a massive upset. The former cruiserweight champion flattened El Idolo with a senton from the ring apron on the floor and then blasted him with a missile dropkick.

A momentary distraction from Vega allowed Andrade to finally halt his opponent’s momentum and seize control of the match.

Tozawa fought back and showed off a renewed aggression, working a submission and nearly scoring a series of pin-falls off roll-ups.

A superkick from Tozawa allowed him to scale the ropes but Andrade crotched him, delivered the hammerlock DDT and scored a hard-fought win.

Result

Andrade defeated Tozawa

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a fun bit of business as the commentary team not-so-subtly suggested Andrade’s run-in with Drew McIntyre earlier in the night, and his associates’ failure to come to his aid, might cost him against Tozawa.

And it nearly did.

The match saw Andrade bump all over the ring and put Tozawa over as a threat to upset him and avenge the beating he endured a week ago. In that regard, it was very much like the 2000 hidden gem between Triple H and Taka Michinoku, in which The Game had fans believing he might actually lose before finally mustering enough to put him away.

Andrade has been consistently great for three years now, and with Vega receiving more television time (rightfully so), it appears his stature on Raw is about to grow.

A rivalry with McIntyre, which looks to be still in-play, could firmly establish him as a legitimate main event talent.

Bianca Belair vs. Santana Garrett

Credit: WWE.com

Bianca Belair returned to the squared circle this week to face NXT’s Santana Garrett.

The EST overpowered her opponent early, but Garrett pie-faced Belair in a blatant sign of disrespect. She answered with a waistlock takeover.

Belair continued to offset Garrett’s offense, delivering a split-legged splash to the back of her opponent and followed up with the Kiss of Death for the victory.

Result

Belair defeated Garrett

Grade

C

Analysis

This wasn't the best representation of what Belair is capable of, but it wasn't supposed to be. It was a glorified squash match designed to put The EST over as the brightest young star on the roster, and in that regard, it worked.

What didn't, though, was the overzealous Street Profits on commentary, to the point that Jerry Lawler had to tone them down a bit, probably at the order of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

The presentation did not quite work as well as it did on the Raw after WrestleMania. Hopefully, we can get back to more of that and less of this over-the-top highlighting of Belair, who is good enough to get over without needing her attributes and accomplishments screamed at the audience every week.

Drew McIntyre vs. Angel Garza

Credit: WWE.com

Angel Garza took advantage of a momentary distraction from Austin Theory early as he attacked Drew McIntyre from the opening bell.

The Scottish Psychopath fought back, reddening Garza’s chest with a series of chops. His left leg, though, became the target of Garza’s concentrated attack.

McIntyre fought back and unloaded on his opponent with a wicked right hand to the face before trying to wipe out all three of Zelina Vega’s charges at ringside with a plancha.

After laying Andrade and Theory out with Claymore Kicks, he put and end to Garza with the same finisher for the victory.

After the match, McIntyre re-entered the squared circle and dropped Garza with another Claymore, sending a message to Seth Rollins and vowing to reign dominantly.

Result

McIntyre defeated Garza

Grade

C

Analysis

Everything WWE Creative and Raw executive director Paul Heyman accomplished last week in building Vega’s faction up was erased this week, when McIntyre bowled them all over and left them lying like jokes, with the commentary team even yucking it up to end the show.

It has long been an issue within WWE that so much effort and emphasis is put into building babyfaces that the company often forgets the value of heels to program against them. Hulk Hogan was only as great a babyface as he was because he had Roddy Piper to play off of while "Stone Cold" Steve Austin had Vince McMahon as a rival.

McIntyre could have had a great trio to play off of for the next few months, all while combating Seth Rollins, but he completely erased their credibility in a single night.

Why bother spending that much television time in consecutive weeks on Vega, Andrade, Garza and Theory if this was the outcome?