Top 5 WWE Raw Moments (4/8): The Rock And Cody Rhodes Face-To-Face, John Cena Returns, Jey Uso Earns Title Shot
The night after WrestleMania XL delivered a jam-packed show, filled with championship celebrations, surprise returns, brutal brawls, and a shocking main event twist. While it might not have reached the epic heights of WrestleMania itself, Raw provided a solid foundation for the upcoming storylines and left fans with plenty to discuss. ##
Here are the top 5 moments from the night: ##
1. A New Era Dawns with Cody Rhodes (and The Rock Appears): ##
The show kicked off with a heartwarming celebration for the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. Triple H introduced Rhodes, who received an ovation from the Philadelphia crowd. A touching video package chronicled Rhodes' journey to the top, culminating in his emotional victory over Roman Reigns.##
However, the celebration took a surprising turn with the arrival of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The crowd's initial excitement quickly turned to boos as The Rock acknowledged Rhodes' victory but then challenged him for the title, hinting at a future showdown between the two legends. While the segment went on for nearly 45 minutes, it effectively planted the seeds for a potential blockbuster match and added intrigue to Rhodes' reign. ##
2. John Cena Makes a Surprise Return: ##
One of the biggest pops of the night came when John Cena's music hit during a six-man tag team match. R-Truth, in a hilarious moment, claimed Cena as his invisible partner to even the odds against Judgment Day. The surprise return of the legendary Cena added a layer of excitement to the match and his signature moves alongside Truth and Miz resulted in a feel-good victory for the makeshift trio. This unexpected appearance not only added star power to the show but also left fans wondering if a more permanent return for Cena might be in the cards. ##
3. NXT Makes its Presence Felt: ##
The night showcased the future of WWE with call-ups from NXT. Ilja Dragunov, the new NXT Champion, opened the show with an impressive victory over Shinsuke Nakamura. This dominant performance served as a strong introduction to the hard-hitting European wrestler. Additionally, Roxanne Perez, the newly crowned NXT Women's Champion, defeated Indi Hartwell. These victories not only established the dominance of NXT champions but also hinted at a potential future crossover and integration with the main roster. ##
4. Sami Zayn's Intercontinental Title Win and its Aftermath: ##
Sami Zayn's emotional victory over Gunther to win the Intercontinental Championship was a feel-good moment for the underdog. His heartfelt speech acknowledging his supporters and even thanking Kevin Owens resonated with the audience. However, the celebration was short-lived as Imperium's Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser confronted Zayn. The tension escalated with the arrival of Chad Gable, setting the stage for a potential tag team partnership between Zayn and Gable. Later, Zayn announced a title defense against Gable next week on Raw in Montreal, adding another layer of intrigue to the burgeoning Intercontinental Championship storyline.##
5. CM Punk's Shocking Interference in the No. 1 Contender's Match: ##
The main event of the night, a Fatal Four-Way match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, delivered a chaotic and entertaining encounter. Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, Bronson Reed, and Jey Uso battled it out, showcasing their athleticism and signature moves. The closing moments saw Jey Uso emerge victorious, setting him up for a title shot against Damian Priest. However, the biggest story came after the match.##
As McIntyre appeared poised to challenge Punk for his actions at WrestleMania, Punk shockingly emerged from under the ring and tripped McIntyre, allowing Jey Uso to secure the win. This devious act by Punk left fans with a major cliffhanger and hinted at a potentially brutal rivalry between him and McIntyre in the coming weeks. ##
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