Raw Highlights 4-20-20

Drew McIntyre [c] vs Angel Garza

The target on McIntyre’s back is getting bigger so to combat that he issues the challenges first. Zelina and crew tried to jump the champ but Andrade ended up getting two Claymores for his troubles. Talking into the camera is a thing that Drew does so well, it helps connect with the audience on a personal level. Garza gave McIntyre a fight but not enough of one to win.

Austin Theory vs Aleister Black

Zelina Vega needs to be on commentary on an all women’s show; she is awesome and would add so much. The back and forth between Byron Saxton and Zelina Vega was the best part of the match. As a manager, Vega is unfair in every way, it can not be permitted to allow someone that capable near her clients’ opponents. I don’t like that Theory was fodder for Black but it’s still a prominent position.

A spade is a spade

Shayna Baszler is a trained assassin in the ring and that’s what she did, she assassinated her opponent. Shayna is on a rampage, hopefully it continues when she finally gets back to Becky Lynch.

Ricochet & Alexander vs Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink

Innovative offense makes for good matches. Vink and Thorne were game but couldn’t keep up with the pace. I’m interested to see what Vink does in singles competition honestly, he seems like a guy that would get over with the audience out of nowhere. Ricochet has gotten more charismatic, even switching up his ring gear. This pairing is the best thing that could happen to two ice cold acts with limited mic skills.

This is in-Sane

They tried. That’s about the best match we can get from Nia I’m afraid. Nia had a very dangerous buckle bomb that looked really bad. I know Twitter is going crazy over that move, as they should. WWE will eventually stop pushing her if she continues to hurt other wrestlers.

MVP vs Apollo Crews

MVP putting Crews over was a bit of a shocker. MVP put up a big fight against Crews but didn’t have enough left in the tank to finish Apollo. I enjoyed the match as they built of both competitors as credible wrestlers that want their shot at the champ.

Ruby Riott vs Liv Morgan

Ruby Riott talks shit about the Riott Squad before her match with Liv. Liv then gets the upset victory with a really nice springboard flatliner from the second rope. Liv Morgan is good, there is no denying that now. I don’t know what the future is going to be like for Ruby but heels can absorb losses much easier than faces.

Royal subjects

Charlotte puts in work against Kayden Carter. I can see the story they’re going to tell and I like it. Charlotte is going to take the women of NXT lightly, underestimating all of them then making that same mistake in a losing effort in a title match. The question is how many people will get the opportunity to get the rub from Charlotte?

Rey Mysterio vs Murphy

Rey wins a long and physical match to advance to the MITB ladder match. This match went much longer then I thought. Murphy made Rey Mysterio look 20 years younger while Mysterio made Murphy look as credible as anyone he’s ever faced. The mutual benefits of this match were what made the length so good.

Andrade [c] vs Akira Tozawa

World-class match. I thought Tozawa was going to start the losing streak for Andrade but Andrade picked up the win. I was hoping Tozawa would win and become number one contender for the United States Championship. Andrade needs an opponent that can take that title off of his waist.

Honorable mentions

1. Charly Caruso can steal any segment at any moment on any show, anywhere at any time.

2. Bobby Lashley finds a way to stay relevant while training

3. Seth accepts from the throne of the Messiah.

4. Street Profits introduce Bianca Belair in her match against Santana Garrett. A longer match than I expected but you gotta have competitive matches to display the skills of the wrestlers you’re pushing.

Final take

Start with the champ and end with the champ, it’s the recipe for success. Another packed show, not a dull moment for a full 3 hours. There was nothing but matches all night, I think this is the most matches I’ve seen on Raw in decades.

#AleisterBlack #DrewMcIntyre #Shaynabaszler #SethRollins #Raw #WWE