WWE Raw Results (04/17) - We Hear From Trish Stratus, Austin Theory Vs. Bobby Lashley And More
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results of "WWE Raw" on April 17, 2023, coming to you live from the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas!
Last week, Trish Stratus took over for Lita and helped Becky Lynch defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez after Lita was unable to compete due to an attack she suffered prior to the bout by an unknown assailant. Morgan and Rodriguez ultimately came out on top, and Stratus blindsided Lynch with an attack following the action. Tonight, Stratus will answer any remaining questions and provide some insight as to why she did what she did.
Brock Lesnar will be appearing tonight for the first time since he attacked Cody Rhodes ahead of their scheduled match with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa two weeks ago on The Red Brand. Rhodes has made it clear that he wants to get his hands on Lesnar, and challenged him to a match at the upcoming WWE Backlash Premium Live Event on May 6.
United States Champion Austin Theory will be going one-on-one with the winner of the 2023 Andre The Giant Battle Royal winner Bobby Lashley. This is certainly not the first time that the two men have met in the squared circle, facing one another on numerous occasions throughout 2022 including Survivor Series, Summerslam, and several episodes of "Raw".
Additionally , Seth "Freakin" Rollins will be squaring off with The Miz.
We are live! Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick greet audiences at home as The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring.
The Bloodline Finds Themselves Some Allies
Heyman introduces himself and says he has information. He says history is about to unfold. Judgment Day's music hits and Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysteiro, and Rhea Ripley all head down to the ring.
Judgment Day stares down The Bloodline, and Priest singles out Sikoa in particular. Heyman then says it's a very good day to be a very bad guy. He says none of them are getting into Heaven and says Roman Reigns has engineered and approved of a deal between The Bloodline and Judgment Day. Jey says they didn't know anything about that, and Heyman says he knows. He says Reigns didn't want anyone to know except for Sikoa because they wanted The Usos to be caught off guard by the deal. He says that even though Balor may not be happy about this, he's going to put his feelings aside for the short term alliance. Heyman says that Sikoa is equipped to help Judgment Day deal with Bad Bunny, then asks Jey to switch with Sikoa after he stares down Ripley. Heyman looks to continue, but Sikoa continues staring down Ripley. Heyman asks if everything's okay, and Ripley says it is for now. He says Judgment Day needs to take care of Bad Bunny while they need to take care of Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Matt Riddle. He then announces that Zayn, Owens, and Riddle will be taking on Judgment Day later tonight, and Sikoa will be facing Rey Mysterio up next in an effort to take care of Judgment Day's concerns about him.
Rey's music hits and he heads down to the ring.
Solo Sikoa vs. Rey Mysterio
The bell rings and Rey delivers a kick to Sikoa's thigh. Sikoa fires back with a shoulder tackle and a bodyslam, then delivers a stomp and delivers a series of right hands to Rey's spine. Rey delivers a crossbody off the ropes, but Sikoa sends Rey face first into the middle turnbuckle. He then delivers another stomp and whips Rey into the corner before the pair spill to the outside.
Back from the break, Sikoa delivers a pair of right hands to Rey. He then delivers a hip attack and looks for a leg drop, but Rey moves out of the way and delivers a kick. He follows it up with a few right hands and looks for a moonsault off the ropes, but Sikoa catches him and plants him with a Samoan Drop. Rey sends Sikoa into the ropes and hits the 619, then follows it up with a splash. He goes for a pin, but Sikoa kicks out. The Usos appear at ringside and stare down Rey, but LWO appears out of nowhere and takes out Jimmy and Jey. Back in the ring, Rey sets up for a second 619, but Sikoa catches him and gets him up on his shoulders. Rey escapes and delivers a 619, then ascends to the top and looks for a splash. Sikoa ducks out of the way and delivers a Samoan Spike for the win.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
After the match, LWO checks on Rey. Sikoa and The Usos attack the three men before Sikoa delivers Samoan Spikes to Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro and Santos Escobar. The Usos then deliver 1D to Rey.
We then head to a video from earlier today featuring Chad Gable and Maxxine Dupri arguing and pleading their cases as to why Otis should go with each of them in the upcoming WWE Draft.
Back at ringside, Bianca Belair heads to the ring. Damage CTRL follows.
Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai (w/ Damage CTRL)
The bell rings and the two lock up. Kai sends Belair crashing into the mat, but Belair kips up and tosses Kai across the ring. She looks for a shoulder to her midsection, but Kai ducks it. Belair fires back with a single leg dropkick, then hits an arm drag and a moonsault. She executes a pair of back elbows, but Kai manages to deliver a pump kick to her head that sends her crashing to the outside. She then hits a second pump kick.
Back from the break, Belair delivers a jawbreaker and looks for a delayed vertical suplex. Kai escapes before Belair plants her and hits a dropkick. She then delivers a suplex and rolls through to execute a delayed vertical suplex. She goes flying off the ropes and hits a moonsault, then goes for a pin but Kai kicks out. Kai sets up for the Scorpion Kick, but Belair blocks it. Kai manages to hit a running boot and ascends to the top, then looks for the double stomp. Belair rolls out of the way and hits a backbreaker, then gets her up on her shoulders and sets her up for the KOD. Kai escapes and Belair looks for a facebuster, but Kai escapes and sends Belair into the corner. She looks for a running knee, but Belair ducks it and hits the KOD for the win.
Winner: Bianca Belair
After the match, Belair stares down IYO SKY.
Back from the break, we head backstage to Judgment Day discussing Bad Bunny and Solo Sikoa. Paul Heyman walks by and asks them if they're satisfied. Balor says it was a meh job, and Heyman says he can live with that as long as they do the same later tonight so they don't fall into debt with Roman Reigns.
Back at ringside, Cody Rhodes heads down.
Cody Rhodes Calls Out Brock Lesnar
Rhodes asks Little Rock what they want to talk about, then says he knows what he wants to talk about and who he wants to talk to. He calls out Brock Lesnar, but Adam Pearce shows up instead and tells him he can't let him meet Lesnar tonight. Pearce says he's not medically cleared and says while everyone respects his spirit, he needs to leave the ring.
Fans boo as Rhodes debates what to do. Rhodes thanks Pearce for the respect and says he'll leave. He shakes Pearce's hand and steps out of the ring, but decides against heading to the back and grabs a chair from under the ring. Pearce begs Rhodes not to do something stupid and calls security to the ring to escort Rhodes out of the ring.
Security surrounds Rhodes before Lesnar's music hits and he appears. Pearce says he will give Rhodes his match with Lesnar for WWE Backlash as long as he doesn't attack Lesnar. Lesnar calls Rhodes to meet him on the ramp, and Rhodes debates his next move. He ultimately decides to hit the security guards with the chair and takes them all down. More security arrives, but Rhodes beats them all down and goes after Lesnar. Even more security guards appear and prevent Rhodes from getting to Lesnar. Lesnar smiles at Rhodes, then heads to the back as Rhodes yells at him. An irate Rhodes then levels all the security guards and grabs a mic. He says Lesnar can wear his cowboy hat all day long. He says he grew up around cowboys and Lesnar will never be a cowboy because he's a coward.
Back from the break, The Miz heads to the ring. Seth "Freakin" Rollins follows.
Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
Miz blindsides Rollins and attacks him from behind. He tosses him into the ring steps, then sends his head bouncing off the announce desk and tosses him in the ring. He gets Rollins back in the ring and rains down right hands before the referee calls for the bell. Miz delivers several knees and shoulders to Rollins' midsection, but Rollins manages to hit a back elbow and clotheslines Miz to the outside. He then hits three tope suicidas and charges at Miz, but Miz sends him into the timekeeper's area.
Back from the break, Miz ascends to the top and goes flying. Rollins catches him with a knee and sets up for the Pedigree, but Miz escapes. Rollins then lands a kick across his head and hits a pair of clotheslines, then lands a Sling Blade and goes for a pin. Miz kicks out before Rollins ascends to the top. Miz catches him with a pair of right hands and looks to join him up there, but Rollins gets him into a powerbomb. Miz escapes and hits a Codebreaker, then goes for a pin. Rollins kicks out and Miz delivers the Yes Kicks to him. Rollins then delivers a Buckle Bomb and ascends to the top. He looks for a splash, but Miz gets his knees up. He looks for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Rollins rolls him up. Miz reverses the fall, but Rollins kicks out.
Miz manages to lock in the Figure Four Leg Lock, but Rollins grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Miz looks to lock it in a second time, but Rollins rolls him up. Miz kicks out and delivers a pair of DDTs. The two men end up on the top rope, where Rollins manages to hit Miz with a Superplex. He follows it up with a Falcon Arrow and the Curbstomp for the win.
Winner: Seth "Freakin" Rollins
We head backstage to Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Matt Riddle strategizing for their match later tonight. Zayn says Riddle has some ideas, but Owens cuts him off and tells him to leave the planning to himself and Zayn. Zayn tells Owens to give Riddle a chance, and Riddle outlines his plans for a new move. Owens hates the idea and loses it, but Riddle says he was joking and tells the two of them he's not here to be an idiot because he wants revenge on The Bloodline for taking his partner and his partner, as well as trying to end his career.
Back at ringside, Bobby Lashley heads down. Austin Theory follows.
Austin Theory vs. Bobby Lashley
The bell rings and the two lock up. Lashley delivers a shoulder tackle, then plants Theory. Theory fires off right hands and looks for a suplex, but Lashley reverses it and hits a delayed vertical suplex. He then sends Theory crashing to the outside and looks to get him back in, but Theory hits a jawbreaker off the top rope. He then delivers several back elbows and a stomp to Lashley's midsection, but Lashley delivers a shoulder to his midsection. Theory rolls to the outside and Lashley follows him out there. Lashley sends Theory crashing into the ring apron, then sends him colliding with the ring post.
Back from the break, Theory sends Lashley into the ring post shoulder first. He rolls him up, but Lashley kicks out. Theory rains down right hands and delivers a stomp, then cinches in a chinlock. Lashley escapes and Theory catches him with a right hand, then delivers a series of stomps. He charges at Lashley, but Lashley ducks out of the way and Theory collides with the ring post shoulder first. Lashley then delivers a chokeslam and a splash in the corner before he sets up for the Spear. Theory ducks it and gets Lashley up for A-Town Down, but Lashley escapes and delivers a powerslam. He cinches in The Hurt Lock, but Bronson Reed appears out of nowhere and delivers a splash to Lashley to cause the disqualification.
Winner: N/A (double disqualification due to outside interference)
Reed then delivers a second splash and goes flying off the ring apron to level Lashley. He follows it up with a splash, then tosses Lashley in the ring and looks to continue to beat him down, but Lashley manages to cinch in The Hurt Lock. Theory delivers a dropkick to Lashley, allowing Reed to deliver a Samoan Drop and Tsunami.
Trish Stratus then heads down to the ring.
We Hear From Trish Stratus
Stratus says when she first came to WWE, women's wrestling was a joke until she single handedly changed everything. She says she brought credibility to a non-existent women's division and there was no 'we' with Lita. She says she was the first woman to main-event "Raw", and without her, there is no women's revolution or no WrestleMania main-event. She says fans should've chanted "thank you Trish" instead of "This is awesome" at "WrestleMania 35" during the main-event. Stratus says Becky Lynch claims that the women's revolution started with the Four Horsewomen of WWE and says she wanted to see if Lynch believed her own hype. She says Lynch never thanked her for opening the door, but she's convincing. She says Lynch manipulated Lita despite calling her out a year earlier, then calls her Lynch's sidekick. Stratus says she isn't a sidekick, then says she has to take out Lita last week. She says she decided to take Lynch out after the match and says she's not a nostalgia act, then says she's the greatest of all time and she's here in WWE to make sure no one forgets it.
Back from the break, Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green head to the ring. Michin and Candice LeRae follow while Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan have already seated themselves next to the announce desk to watch the action.
Michin and Candice LeRae vs. Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green
Green and Michin begin the action. The bell rings and Michin sends Green into the top turnbuckle face first. LeRae tags in and delivers a senton, but Green fires back with a knee and tags in Deville. Deville and Green look for a double suplex, but LeRae levels them both before she spots Nikki Cross watching on from the crowd as she ascends to the top rope. Deville takes advantage of the distraction and knocks her down. She tags in Green, and the pair deliver a double suplex. Green looks for an elbow drop, but LeRae tags in Michin as Green tags in Deville. Michin delivers a hurricanrana and a dropkick, then executes Code Blue. Deville pins Michin, but the referee spots her feet on the ropes. Green then tags in and delivers I'm Prettier for the win.
Winners: Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green
After the match, Green tosses a drink in Morgan's face.
We head backstage to The Street Profits, Rick Boogs, and Elias talking about the upcoming Draft. Baron Corbin walks in and reminds The Profits that tag teams can be split up in the draft. Elias then informs Boogs that no matter which brand he ends up on, he'll put in a good word for Boogs.
Back at ringside, Judgment Day heads down. Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Matt Riddle follow.
Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle vs. Judgment Day (w/ Rhea Ripley)
Balor and Zayn begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. Priest and Owens tag in. Owens looks for a shoulder tackle, but Priest blocks it. He manages to deliver a dropkick and a senton, but Priest recovers and tags Balor back in. Owens delivers an Air Raid Crash to Balor. Owens ends up on the outside, where Rhea Ripley is waiting with a clothesline. Balor then gets Owens back in the ring and beats him down, but Owens manages to fight him off and tags in Riddle. Riddle delivers a pair of kicks and a Fisherman's suplex, then hits the Broton and a second Fisherman's suplex. Dominik tags in and Riddle sends him to the outside, then sends up for a moonsault. Priest catches him with a chokeslam onto the apron.
Back from the break, Priest delivers a forearm to Riddle. The pair then go back and forth with kicks before Priest delivers a forearm and a back elbow. Balor tags in for a moment, but tags Priest back in. Balor delivers a backbreaker and Priest follows it up with a leg drop. Dominik and Zayn tag in. Zayn hits a back body drop, then ascends to the top rope. He hits a powerbomb and goes for a pin, but Dominik kicks out. Zayn ascends to the top, but Ripley knocks him off. This allows Dominik to hit a Frog Splash and goes for a pin, but Owens breaks the fall. Zayn runs the ropes to level all the competitors on the outside, but Ripley catches his foot. The referee catches her and ejects her from ringside, allowing Dominik to roll up Zayn. Zayn kicks out and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb, then tags in Owens. Owens ascends to the top and looks for a Swanton Bomb, but Dominik gets his knees up and tags in Balor. Balor takes a trip up to the top rope and looks for the Coup De Grace, but Owens rolls out of the way and tags in Zayn. Owens hits a Stunner before Zayn follows it up with a Helluva Kick and tags in Riddle. Riddle then ascends to the top and hits the Floating Bro for the win.
Winners: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Matt Riddle
After the match, The Usos and Solo Sikoa appear and attack Zayn, Riddle, and Owens. Rey Mysterio's music hits, and he appears alongside the rest of LWO. LWO then takes down The Usos, Sikoa, and Judgment Day. Rey delivers the 619 to Dominik as Owens sends Priest crashing into the announce desk. LWO, Zayn, Owens, and Riddle are left standing as the show goes off the air.