WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 27

As WWE approached the special edition of Money in the Bank inside its global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, the April 27 edition of Raw was wholly focused on building to the May 10 pay-per-view.

Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins signed the contract for their WWE Championship clash. The Monday Night Messiah wanted to rebound from his loss to Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 36 and would do anything to get an advantage against the titleholder.

Shayna Baszler, Asuka and Nia Jax clashed ahead of their participation in the women's Money in the Bank ladder match. Only one woman could continue to build momentum toward the PPV.

Zelina Vega's impressive trio of Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory needed to rebound after some tough losses, while Aleister Black wanted to continue his dominant run. The Street Profits continued to build their title reign toward a clash with their most dangerous rivals, The Viking Raiders.

This episode of Raw had potential to jump-start the red brand, which needed new excitement. Big moments and matches were required to define the show.

Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black and Apollo Crews vs. Andrade, Garza and Theory

Montel Vontavious Porter introduced the three Raw competitors who would fight in the Money in the Bank ladder match: Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black and Apollo Crews.

Zelina interrupted to challenge the three men, asking them to give up their opportunities to Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory.

This started a brawl that turned into a six-man tag team match. Mysterio showed off his athleticism, making sure the entire Vega crew was off-balance. The heels managed to isolate Black to get the upper hand.

Crews finally got the hot tag and went off. He was poised to take down Theory, but chaos ensued. The underdog recovered and laid out El Idolo with a powerbomb to take the win.

Result

Mysterio, Black and Crews def. Andrade, Garza and Theory by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

Crews had felt like the odd man out in the Money in the Bank ladder match, but WWE knew this. That is why he was expected to be a central figure in the build, until events later in Monday's show left a question mark over his participation.

Vega has formed a stable out of necessity to keep a group of heels wrestling every week on a depleted roster. This wasn't an exciting match, but it was a solid showcase of key athletes who could be relevant down the line.

Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka vs. Nia Jax

Credit: WWE.com

Asuka cut a promo on Nia Jax for injuring Kairi Sane before her competitors came out to the ring.

Before the bell could sound, a brawl started, and Shayna Baszler beat down The Empress of Tomorrow outside.

As Asuka and The Queen of Spades exchanged fists, Jax took out both women with a ladder, standing tall as the dominant force of the women's division. The match was never able to get underway.

Charly Caruso interviewed Jax, who said no one could stop her from doing whatever she wanted.

Grade

C-

Analysis

It makes sense to save this Triple Threat for later while building toward Money in the Bank. These three all have a legitimate shot at winning the briefcase, and they should all be protected to an extent.

However, this felt too artificial. Baszler chose to fight rather than wrestle, attacking a woman who had a beef with another woman in the match. It was a messy segment that accomplished nothing.

Bobby Lashley vs. Denzel Dejournette

Bobby Lashley told Lana to stay backstage because she was too much of a distraction.

The All Mighty then dominated Denzel Dejournette, pulling out the victory with a Spear.

Result

Lashley def. Dejournette by pinfall.

Grade

D

Analysis

Lashley winning would have meant so much more if he had defeated an actual threat after leaving Lana behind. His wife may be a distraction, but she would not have stopped The All Mighty from defeating one of the enhancement talents from NXT.

It will be interesting to see where the happily wedded couple go from here. Lana is supposed to be a manager first and foremost. Keeping her in the back defeats the purpose of her even being signed to WWE.

Liv Morgan vs. Ruby Riott

Credit: WWE.com

In a rematch from last week, Liv Morgan countered Ruby Riott's early familiar offense, but she ran right into the Riott Kick. Somehow, Morgan managed to kick out of her former friend's finishing move.

The impact left Morgan vulnerable. Riott stomped on her and sent her into the ropes. As she rebounded off the ropes, Morgan hit Oblivion for the three-count.

Afterward, Byron Saxton interviewed Morgan, who said she was confident she would figure out who she is.

Result

Morgan def. Riott by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This match was far too short and uninvolved for the rivalry, but it did a great job establishing Morgan. She has been steadily rebuilt to become a potential contender in the Raw women's division.

What matters now is forward momentum. If the rivalry with Riott is over, she should look for a real opportunity. A title shot against Becky Lynch could help to establish her even if she loses.

Jinder Mahal vs. Akira Tozawa

Jinder Mahal made his return to in-ring action in dominant fashion.

The Modern Day Maharaja wiped out Akira Tozawa with a high kick that made sure the Japanese Superstar could not make a comeback. He connected on the Khallas for the victory.

Result

Mahal def. Tozawa by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

The Modern Day Maharaja has returned, and he is in good shape. However, he has not added much to his move set. WWE will need to rebuild him fast if there is any plan to treat him like the heel who won the WWE Championship in 2017 rather than the former 24/7 champion of last year.

Given Tozawa's involvement in the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament, it is an odd choice to have him lose repeatedly on Raw in lopsided bouts. It sets up an unnecessary and insulting hierarchy.

United States Champion Andrade vs. Apollo Crews

Following his surprise victory over Andrade in the opener, Apollo Crews requested an opportunity at the United States Championship. Zelina Vega accepted for the same night.

Crews tried to push the pace early and sent El Idolo careening out of the ring. However, a timely distraction from Vega allowed the United States champion to take back control. The explosive suplexes of Crews kept him in the fight, but Andrade hit hard with powerful knees and elbows.

Andrade planted Crews with a DDT to set up the hammerlock DDT, but the challenger escaped. A headbutt sent El Idolo to the mat from the second rope, allowing Crews to go for a frog splash, only to miss and injure his knee. The injury forced the referee to stop the match.

Result

Andrade def. Crews by referee stoppage to retain the WWE United States Championship.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Before the injury, this was shaping up to be one of the best matches of Crews' career. The two men clicked with high stakes, and the challenger was making it feel more personal than any match he has had before.

Hopefully, the knee injury is not too bad if it was not kayfabe. Crews has been on the rise and needed this moment to prove he was worthy of his push. No one ever wants to get hurt, but this is an extremely poorly timed injury.

If it was a storyline injury, it could be a big moment for Crews to rebound quickly, even though he will lose out on competing in Money in the Bank.

Ricochet and Cedric Alexander vs. Ever-Rise

Matt Martel and Chase Parker showed their tag team acumen early by isolating Ricochet, but a hot tag to Cedric Alexander turned the tide quickly.

The faces hit a dropkick and flatliner combination for the victory.

MVP appeared on screen to announce that he had drafted the first wrestlers to his group, Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink, who wanted a rematch against Ricochet and Alexander.

Result

Ricochet and Alexander def. Ever-Rise by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

This latest tag team match from Ricochet and Alexander continued to show their potential as a duo, but it didn't make the squash matches more exciting. It would be more fun to pair them with competitive tag teams.

Thorne and Vink are not the right duo for their first feud. While the former has shown potential, his alliance with Vink is generic, and MVP cannot help that. This feels like another false start for MVP before the veteran finds a wrestler he can actually elevate.

In fact, it would have made more sense to pair him with Ricochet and Alexander.

Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins Sign Contract for Money in the Bank

Seth Rollins explained that he wasn't going after Drew McIntyre because he disliked the WWE champion; he was doing this for the greater good.

The Scot wasn't buying it and told him to stop talking. He needed to go for the throat, not just make a statement.

The Monday Night Messiah kept talking as he signed the contract, but McIntyre shut him up by slamming his head into the table. Murphy made the save but took a Claymore for his trouble.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This was a great quiet finish to the night. Rollins cut a strong promo to sell his stance. He continues to talk a big game but not deliver. However, he promised here that the full picture would become clear at Money in the Bank.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this match. It could be as simple as McIntyre laying out The Messiah on his road to a dominant title reign.

It would be interesting if something more came of it all, though. Maybe a new follower appears, or Rollins does pull off the unthinkable and wins.