5 Things WWE got right on this week’s RAW (April 20, 2020)

This week’s RAW was filled with some interesting matches and segments, reminding fans that WWE meant business no matter what the circumstances may be.

Three Money in the Bank ladder match qualifiers were scheduled for the night, and all three delivered well rather than just being squash matches. The women of RAW also got a chance to bring their rivalries to the front as Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler dominated their opponents, while Liv Morgan got a chance to shine against Ruby Riott.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre proved once again why he was the better choice to become Champion as he showed up once again this week and took part in a good match to make a statement.

In this article, we will look at the five things WWE got right on Monday Night RAW this week.

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#5 Apollo Crews’ victory

One of the lower card matches of the night saw a different sort of Money in the Bank qualifier as Apollo Crews took on the veteran, MVP.

MVP cut a promo before the match and spoke about how he would win no matter how talented Crews may be.

He was proved wrong by Crews early in the match, as the latter took the fight to the veteran and showed his impressive athleticism and strength throughout the bout.

After MVP gained the advantage, he tried to work on Crews’ back in an attempt to slow him down and set him up for the Playmaker but Crews was able to counter and plant a spine buster on him.

After an impressive powerslam, Crews went for the frog splash, but MVP countered by getting his knees up and hit the Playmaker. Although, he couldn’t score the win.

Crews finally got MVP down with a Gorilla Press Slam and then a couple of shooting star presses, followed by a powerbomb that allowed him to seal his ticket for MITB.

While MVP is experienced, WWE should have picked a younger and faster opponent to put Crews over. However, this match was good for Crews as he is looking to gain back momentum and his match at MITB will be one of the biggest matches he’ll compete in for a long time.

#4 Shayna Baszler’s dominance

Shayna Baszler lost her match at WrestleMania 36 against Becky Lynch, but she seems to have found a new direction on the Red brand that is not suiting the other women in the locker room.

After breaking Sarah Logan’s arm in a match last week, Baszler was up against the newcomer Indi Hartwell who was making her RAW debut this week.

The unforgiving Baszler was not ready to give Hartwell a warm welcome on the brand as she attempted to break her arm early on in the match. However, the NXT Superstar attempted a roll-up for two which annoyed the Cagefighter off even more.

She went for her opponent’s arm again and did not miss the second time, stomping down on it until the referee called for a stoppage to award her the victory.

Baszler was not done showing her dominance as she pulled her opponent out of the ring and slung her into the guardrail. She continued the attack as she sent Hartwell into a ladder and then sandwiched her arm between the steel steps and kicked it.

This was another brutal showing by Baszler who once again came out looking like an undefeatable force who will go on to win the Money in the Bank contract early next month.

#3 Rey Mysterio vs. Murphy

Another Money in the Bank qualifier on the night saw two of WWE’s most energetic Superstars come face to face for the first time. The veteran Rey Mysterio was back in the ring to take on the relatively new Murphy who wanted to impress “The Monday Night Messiah” Seth Rollins.

Murphy was disrespectful towards Mysterio throughout the clash, and that worked perfectly for both of their characters. He was smart in targeting Mysterio’s hand as he looked to take the 619 finisher away from him.

However, the babyface fought his way back into the match and hit a headscissors onto the ramp. He then tried to counter the 619, but only fell victim to a DDT in the process.

After the fight spilled over to the outside, the two men returned to the ring, and this allowed Murphy to pick up the advantage once again. The fight was then taken to the top rope, from which Mysterio came off the better with a destroying piledriver.

After some great action, the 619 followed by a splash off the top rope was all it took to allow the veteran a chance at the MITB briefcase.

This was a fun and energetic match between Superstars of two different eras but a similar style. They worked well off each other, and even though Murphy would have done well had he proceeded to the MITB match, Mysterio is the babyface people will be rooting for at the end of the day.

How will this loss affect Murphy and his partnership with The Messiah? Only time will tell.

#2 Aleister Black’s brilliance

One of the scheduled matches of the Money in the Bank ladder match qualifiers saw the dominant Aleister Black take on newcomer Austin Theory.

Black tried to take control of the match early on and even attempted a Black Mass to end the match before it could shape up. Theory had the presence of mind to dodge it and get down to business against the former NXT Champion.

The two men kept battling as the creatives decided to get Zelina Vega off the commentary position and get involved in distracting Black for a little while.

This allowed Theory to gain control and work on Black, going as far as helping him set up for the ATL before Black countered. After some to and fro action, Black delivered a big knee and a German suplex to Theory, but the newcomer was able to dodge the Black Mass that followed.

It didn’t take long for Black to attempt another Black Mass out of nowhere and pick up the win to cash in his ticket for Money in the Bank.

This was a great match that showcased Black’s talent in a longer bout than usual and gave Theory a chance to shine too. Black seems like the frontrunner to win the MITB briefcase, and he will be a lethal force if he has the contract in his hand as he is truly unbeatable at this point.

#1 Drew McIntyre's ruthless display

The main event of the night once again saw the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre participate in a match. After the events of the opening segment, McIntyre was ready to take on Angel Garza in a match where Austin Theory and Andrade were ready to provide the distractions from outside the ring.

Garza attacked McIntyre early but The Scottish Psychopath did not stay down for long and reddened Garza’s chest with some hard shops. Garza found a spot to target and went after McIntyre’s left from thereon.

The WWE Champion was able to get back once again and take out all the three heels, laying out Andrade and Theory with a couple of beautiful Claymore Kicks.

He then proceeded to give Garza a taste of his heels too as the Claymore Kick allowed him to pick up the victory over the trio that has been targetting him recently.

After the match, McIntyre decided to make a statement and send a message to Seth Rollins who he will face at Money in the Bank. He re-entered the ring and blasted Garza with a second Claymore Kick to ensure his message was heard loud and clear.

This was a good match and the ending was even better as WWE looked to build on the story between McIntyre and Rollins without having Rollins in the building.

These two will likely have a show-stealing match at MITB, and we will be treated to some high spots as The Monday Night Messiah will look to prove why he’s better than the rest again.