WWE heads into the last Raw before Payback with huge expectations on their shoulders. Among the expectations of Gallows and Anderson debut and Chyna’s death, the rumours about a possible showdown between The Authority and Shane loom bigger as we head into the show.
Also read: [Video] WWE RAW Results, 9 May 2016, Full Show with Video Highlights
Looks like Shane is in control of Raw again. A tribute photo of Chyna was showcased before the Raw montage rolled. There seems to be no tribute show for Chyna. It is expected as Chyna was never on the best of terms with WWE.
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Here’s a look at the video highlights of WWE Raw 25th April 2016 Full Show:
Stephanie makes a huge announcement for Payback
The last Raw before Payback kicked off to a rocket start as Shane McMahon opened the Raw. Shane cut another generic promo before Stephanie made her way to the ring to inform that this will be the last night of Raw with Shane in-charge.
She also informed that Vince will be announcing who will run Raw on Payback and his decision will be final. After an exchange of barbed words and Shane playing with the crowd, Shane asks Stephanie to leave the ring and she refuses to do so.
Shane calls security and they escort her out after she throws a tantrum. Shane leads a goodbye chant as Stephanie fumingly walks off.
AJ Styles beats Sheamus via pinfall
AJ Styles took on Sheamus seven days before Payback in an incredible match. Both of them couldn’t gain control for long in the match as it went back and forth with some incredible performance from the duo. Eventually Styles counters a Brogue Kick and delivers a Springboard Forearm to pick up the pinfall.
Gallows and Anderson come out and appreciate Styles. Roman, who looks at it from backstage, is joined by The Usos who agree with Roman that Styles, Gallows and Anderson are together. Roman cuts another generic One vs ALL promo.
New Day, The Vaudevillains and Enzo & Cass face off
New Day make their way to the ring amidst tremendous ovation and cut a promo hyping the tag team tournament. Soon The Vaudevilliains interrupt them to cut their own promo. Soon, Enzo & Cass make their way to the ring to a tremendous pop from the fans.
After an exchange of barbed words between the two finalists for the # 1 contender spots, New Day closes the segment by saying they will still be the WWE Tag Team Champions regardless of who wins.
The tension between The Vaudevillains and Enzo & Cass looked palpable enough to assure us that it will be a great match at Payback. Backstage, we see Gallows and Anderson come out of Styles’ room.
Gallows and Anderson beat The Usos via pinfall
Gallows and Anderson made their in-ring debut this week as they took on The Usos. A strong performance by both teams. Gallows and Anderson looked vicious as they targeted the injured shoulder of Jey Uso more and more.
Gallows and Anderson defeated The Usos and went on to deliver a post-match beat down, Roman Reigns made the save and stood tall as both Gallows and Anderson retreated to the ramp angrily.
Backstage, they interrupted Styles as he was giving an interview to Renne Young and reminded him that their friendship is for life and told him that they would have his back at Payback.
Sami Zayn beats Rusev via pinfall
Another great match. Rusev looked to be his old dominating self and he entered with Lana in tow as opposed to his League of Nations cronies. Rusev dominated most of the match. Every time Sami Zayn tried to mount a comeback, Rusev clobbered him back to the ground.
Sami Zayn slithered his way to a victory as he rolled up Rusev to score the pinfall. Kevin Owens attacked Sami Zayn from behind and sent a strong message to Zayn as he stood smug over a writhing Zayn to end the segment.
Apollo Crews beats Stardust via pinfall
Before the match, Apollo Crews was interrupted by Stardust as he was giving an interview. Crews unwittingly angers Stardust my mentioning a reference to his father Dusty Rhodes. Stardust promised to crush him and walked away.
In a short but a good match, Apollo Crews beat Stardust to continue his winning streak. The chemistry between the two was incredible and WWE would do better to take note of this.
Chris Jericho demands an apology out of Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose came out with a determined look and addressed his match at Payback with Chris Jericho. Dean Ambrose then proceeded to call out Chris Jericho and Jericho obliged the request and cut a heel promo of his own demanding that Ambrose apologize to him.
Soon things escalated and Dean Ambrose attacked Chris Jericho and Sent him outside. Chris Jericho pulled Amborse’s legs from under him as Ambrose tried to put Jericho through the announcer's’s table and proceeded to apply Walls of Jericho until referees broke it up.
This feud looks red hot and the promos were really good. It is sad that WWE has not given this feud much time. Let’s hope that this feud continues even after Payback. Jericho-Ambrose combination is hitting all the right notes.
Natalya beats Emma by submission
A very very disappointing match from the women's division. A short two minute match that benefited no one was really a stupid move this close to Payback. The match was showcased as if they were using the wrestlers just for the sake of using it.
A tribute video to Chyna aired after the match. I suspect, that may be the reason for cutting the time from the match. Nevertheless, this kind of booking is not going to help the women's division at all.
Damien Sandow vs Baron Corbin ends no contest
The match never really got took off. The “Show Off” Dolph Ziggler attacked Baron Corbin as he made his entrance in a Deja Vu of SmackDown. The Lone Wolf retreated unable to handle Ziggler’s onslaught.
The only good news of this segment is WWE has confirmed Dolph vs Corbin match for Payback. But, it was sad to see Sandow standing in the ring waiting for the opponent.
The Miz and Cesaro face-off
The Miz and Maryse came out to cut a promo on the upcoming Intercontinental Championship match at Payback. Soon, Cesaro interrupted to a huge ovation and they both exchanged some barbed words before The Miz decided to walk off.
The Miz tried to catch Cesaro off guard, but the only thing he got was a devastating uppercut. Cesaro looked to perform the swing on The Miz, but Maryse saved the The Miz from that fate. Cesaro posed with the championship to end the segment.
Roman Reigns beats Alberto Del Rio via pinfall
Roman Reigns faced off Del Rio in the main event of the night. The match was a solid one with both competitors giving their best. Reigns looked convincing as a guy with mean streak. But, what happened after the match overshadowed the entire match.
Gallows and Anderson came out towards the end to distract Roman, and it nearly worked too. The duo then attacked Roman after the match was over. AJ Styles ran down to the ring to stop them. Gallows and Anderson left the ring. Reigns attacked Styles and fended off Gallows and Anderson.
Styles then attacked Roman to get his due and both Gallows and Anderson were seen smiling as a confused Styles stood tall over a fallen Roman.
The problem with this edition of Raw is that WWE has tried to insert all storylines and develop them all in the same night. The limited air time resulted in a feeling that most of the matches were rushed and some of them were even downright odd.
The women's match was a huge disappointment and also some of the segments felt unnecessary. But, the fantastic start and an explosive ending fixed all those problems. Overall, this week’s Raw could be termed as average.