WWE Monday Night RAW #1455

WWE's ThunderDome Showdown: A Night of Surprises and Statement Matches

Last night's WWE TV show emanating from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, was an absolute barnburner from start to finish. The company brought the noise with a stacked card featuring several top-tier matches, including three title implications and a main event for the ages.

The Early Bird Special Bobby Lashley kicked things off by defeating Riddle in a non-title affair that saw the All Mighty showcasing his incredible strength and agility. The match was a tad sloppy at times, but Lashley's sheer power proved to be too much for the innovative Riddle. Time of 9:57 was a bit long, but this bout served as a great primer for what was to come.

Tag Team Tussle The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) then teamed up to take down Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a tidy tag team match clocking in at just 5:35. The Raiders' tandem offense and athleticism made all the difference, as they successfully executed their signature Viking Experience maneuver to secure the win.

RAW Women's Title Mayhem In what was arguably the most unpredictable match of the evening, Rhea Ripley faced off against Asuka for the WWE RAW Women's Championship. However, this contest ended in a no-contest after both competitors were unable to continue due to excessive punishment. It's unclear if this will lead to a rematch or a new challenger emerging.

Miz-ery Loves Company John Morrison and The Miz then teamed up to take down Damian Priest in a two-on-one handicap match that saw the tandem exploit their opponent's aggressive nature. This bout was over in just 5:30, as the cunning duo capitalized on Priest's momentary lapse of judgment.

Women's Action The women's division got another chance to shine when Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose in a non-title tag team match. This one was all about the power and dominance of Jax and Baszler, as they quickly dispatched their foes in 4:30.

New Day Rising Elias and Jaxson Ryker took on The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in what turned out to be a thrilling tag team match. Kofi and Woods' high-flying antics and teamwork ultimately proved too much for the heel duo, securing the win at 6:34.

Main Event Mayhem Finally, Drew McIntyre put everything on the line against Braun Strowman and Randy Orton in a WWE Title #1 Contendership triple threat match. This chaotic affair saw all three competitors giving it their all, with McIntyre ultimately emerging victorious after a series of near-falls and dramatic turns. The time of 11:15 was well-earned, as this match had the entire audience on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, last night's WWE TV show delivered on its promise of excitement and unpredictability. With several title implications and thrilling matches, it's safe to say that fans are already looking forward to the next installment of Monday Night RAW. For now, we'll have to settle for reliving the highlights from this unforgettable evening.

Grade: A-

Card Details

Date: 12 Apr 2021
Promotion: World Wrestling Entertainment
Arena: WWE ThunderDome (Yuengling Center)
Type: TV-Show
Broadcast Type: Live
Broadcast Date: 12 Apr 2021

Matches

Bobby Lashley defeat Riddle in a Non Title Match
Match Time: 09:57
The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) defeat Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 05:35
Rhea Ripley(C) vs. Asuka in a WWE RAW Women's Title Match - No Contest
Match Time: 11:55
John Morrison and The Miz defeat Damian Priest in a Two On One Handicap Match
Match Time: 05:30
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeat Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose in a Non Title Tag Team Match
Match Time: 04:30
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) defeat Elias and Jaxson Ryker in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 06:34
Drew McIntyre defeat Braun Strowman and Randy Orton in a WWE Title #1 Contendership Triple Threat Match
Match Time: 11:15