For better or for worse, WrestleMania 42 is in the rearview mirror. Whether you loved it, hated it, or fell somewhere in the middle, it’s now time for WWE to turn the page. The good news is that if you hated WrestleMania 42 or had mixed emotions, tonight marks the beginning of the new season in WWE as we effectively start the long 50+ week build toward WrestleMania 43. The WWE Raw after WrestleMania has historically been one of WWE’s most exciting and interesting shows because you never know what could happen. Major debuts, huge returns, title changes, SmackDown superstars. Consider all of it on the table tonight as WWE airs Raw live from Las Vegas.
What to Expect on the WWE Raw after WrestleMania?
If you spent any time on social media this weekend or simply used your own eyes as a viewer, you probably formed a strong opinion about WrestleMania 42. And given what’s out there, it probably wasn’t a great one. But as they say, there is no use in dwelling on the past or crying over split milk. What’s done is done, and now it’s time to go back to the drawing board. WWE will be doing that starting tonight as their new season, as it were, officially kicks off. And with a new season comes stars both new and old, looking to cement their legacies.
A Banquet of Opponents for the Head of the Table
Oba Femi obliterated Brock Lesnar before immediately calling out Roman Reigns. Whether or not Femi will jump to the front of the line remains to be seen, but after Sunday, it certainly doesn’t seem like anyone will be there to stop him if he so chooses to chase the world heavyweight title. And speaking of that title, Roman Reigns did what he said he was going to do, so now the real work begins, especially since Reigns is teasing being around all summer. There is a list of superstars who would love to knock the OTC off his newly regained throne, including Femi, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Bron Breakker, LA Knight, Gunther, and the list goes on. And speaking of Gunther…
A Favor of Epic Proportions
Paul Heyman owes Gunther a favor, and it feels like we all know the direction that is heading in. On Sunday, Brock Lesnar left his boots in the ring, signaling impending retirement. But see, SummerSlam is coming up, and it’s taking place in Lesnar’s hometown of Minnesota. And it seems Gunther would like nothing more than to add another to his body count. To do it in Lesnar’s hometown would be all the sweeter. Gunther needs a meaningful story out of a WrestleMania match with Seth Rollins that felt like he was just Bron Breakker’s placeholder. On Monday at the WWE Raw after WrestleMania, we could well find out what Gunther’s favor is and if it involves being the actual one to retire the Beast.
It’s Still Her House
As one-half of the women’s tag team champions, Paige can come and go as she pleases. It seems likely that she’ll make her televised return tonight on the Raw after WrestleMania and take the opportunity to cut a little, “you missed me?” promo. Paige’s return was one of the more buzzworthy moments of WrestleMania because not only was it her first match back in WWE in nearly a decade, but she won the title in the process. Now, it seems Paige and the Bellas might freebird the belts when Nikki returns from her injury. Or, perhaps Paige will just step aside and move on to singles pursuits. After all, Becky Lynch just vanquished AJ Lee, and if Lee doesn’t vie for a rematch, perhaps her former ride or die can take her place and face off against her former Team PCB running mate in the process.
Who’s NeXT?
The WWE Raw after WrestleMania is one of the most unpredictable nights of the year, largely because it’s an open door to debuts and returns. People have been speculating since Sunday which names from NXT might step up to become the next Brock Lesnar, Paige, or Shinsuke Nakamura. All three debuted on Raw after WrestleMania alongside countless others who have gone on to achieve great success. Names like Sol Ruca and Joe Hendry have been floated as possible main roster call-ups, but there are others like Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, and Jacy Jayne who could be moving up to their next chapter.
Details:
How to Watch: WWE Raw after WrestleMania airs live on Netflix at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT.
Venue: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Match Card:
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky def. Kabuki Warriors as Sky pins Kairi Sane after an Over-the-Moonsault
- Ethan Page def. Je’Von Evans after Rusev interfered
- Liv Morgan def. Sol Ruca after Zaria interfered
Check page 2 throughout the night for live results, highlights, and more from the WWE Raw after WrestleMania.
