The Raw after WrestleMania has, in recent years, become almost as anticipated as the 'Grand Daddy of 'Em All' itself. Due to an international crowd who were in town the night before for the big one, it's a time when the major storylines have reached their climaxes, new stars traditionally debut, new stories climax and shocking twists are commonplace. Last night's event in New Orleans did not disappoint.
Fresh from winning the WWE World Heavyweight Title the night before, Daniel Bryan was forced to defend his belt against none other than Triple H. After receiving a beating from the latter's Evolution cohorts and Kane, Bryan was saved by The Shield as the next great stable rivalry looks set to take place. It was a busy night for Paul Heyman, who cut the promo of his life gloating about Brock beating Undertaker's streak, then added Cesaro to his group of 'Paul Heyman Guys' as the Real Americans finally parted ways. There were in-ring comebacks for Rob Van Dam and Bad News Barrett, while Alexander Rusev made his debut. Also debuting was NXT Divas Champion, Paige, who shocked AJ Lee to pick up the Divas Championship. Oh, and we also had time for an Ultimate Warrior cameo.
Here are the highlights of a great, great Raw, via Twitter:
Don't worry, we will. Just not tonight...
And now you can all officially begin complaining about the way we're booking WrestleMania 31 #RAWTonight
— WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) April 8, 2014
Last night was a Benoit tribute, and for my next trick tonight...
"Tonight, you will defend that WWE Title against me because I have so many cool Misawa spots we didn't get to do last night!" #RAW — Thomas Green (@NotThatTomGreen) April 8, 2014
Ah Vince, you're a racist now is it?
Sheamus and Big E next to each other are quite the duo in contrast. Was that by design? #WWE #RAW — Vince Russo (@MrVinceRusso) April 8, 2014
Truth...
For anyone who doesn't live in Ireland, this is what it looks like all the time. #raw #Sheamus #ericrowan #gingers
— Don Marnell (@LandfillKennedy) April 8, 2014
This is a thing now...
"He's got the whole world, in his hands..." #Raw https://t.co/3xlWHk1n3O
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2014
WrestleMania 31, book it...
How are the Duck Dynasty guys not in the Wyatt's corner? — Jimmy Korderas (@jimmykorderas) April 8, 2014
Sting's efforts to get hired by WWE are getting a bit desperate now...
@HEELWrestling dude, that's Sting. — Kony Chimel (@KonyChimel) April 8, 2014
After the crowd then started singing 'Bray is gonna kill you'...
This is KaRAWoke. #RAW #sorry @AgnewJason @JokerRadio — Wai Ting (@wai0937) April 8, 2014
Damnit, he wasn't lying!
Paul Heyman 7 Days Ago: "That's not a prediction... It's a spoiler"
— Jay Hunter (@OSWreview) April 8, 2014
Paul Heyman cut the promo of the year last night...
Paul Heyman: "Brock Lesnar is here to shock the WWE Universe and put tears in the eyes of children." #wweraw — Wade Keller (@thewadekeller) April 8, 2014
*Throws money at the screen* #PaulHeyman #THEFUCKINGMAN — 14 (@Vom_Kriege) April 8, 2014
You can pinpoint where his heart breaks when Undertaker's streak gets broken. pic.twitter.com/LAdpPZOzJs — Not Regal (@RegalSays) April 8, 2014
More KaRAWoke fun, this time with The Usos...
SEWEJAFETEWAKACHITAWETTA IL MOUSE SAMOA IL MOUSE SAMOA EEEEE #wwe #raw
— Wrestling Memes (@Wrestling_Memes) April 8, 2014
Batista and Orton destroyed The Usos...
I officially name Orton and Batistas finisher the Deal With It #wwe #raw pic.twitter.com/fZ44rl3UAJ — Wrestling Memes (@Wrestling_Memes) April 8, 2014
Guess who's back, dude?
ROB VAN DAM RETURNS, ONLY TWELVE DAYS SHY OF 4/20!
— HEELWrestling (@HEELWrestling) April 8, 2014
He didn't even get an entrance...
Remember when the ex-WWE guys said Sandow's failed MITB cash-in on a 1-armed Cena would elevate him??? They. Were. Wrong. — Mike (@NYRfan46) April 8, 2014
Rey Mysterio's career has gone somewhat downhill...
I just figured out what 619 means! That's how many knee surgeries Rey Mysterio had had! #raw #wwe
— CurtainJerks (@CurtainJerks) April 8, 2014
Bad News Barrett may have been New Orleans, but he was wrestling in front of a hometown crowd...
"ENNNGERRLANNND ENNGERRLANNNDDD" chants! Oh, Oh the fans have just become amazing. #WWE #Raw
— WrestlingNewsSource (@WNSource) April 8, 2014
He's coming! And he loves bunnies...
#AdamRose #OoooBunnies! #RAW — Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 8, 2014
I was one of thousands to make this joke as The Ultimate Warrior made a cameo...
Warrior is already blown up during this meandering walk to the ring. #Raw
— Rick Nash (@AMTRick) April 8, 2014
His brief promo made us all reminiscent...
I miss cocaine and steroids. — Jay Hunter (@OSWreview) April 8, 2014
NXT Divas Champion, Paige, made her Raw debut interrupting AJ Lee...
BANG! Wait, wrong Paige. #RAW — A Steve Yurko (@SteveYurko) April 8, 2014
Then she only went and won the bloody Divas Championship...
An emotional @RealPaigeWWE can't believe she's the new #WWE Divas Champion! #backstagegram http://t.co/PQuDJp75Jx pic.twitter.com/K6WNPLc5cR
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2014
English competitor, Paige Knight, was celebrated back home by her accomplished mother among others...
I cannot describe this feeling but if I could bottle it I'd be a millionaire!!! — Saraya Knight (@SarayaKnight) April 8, 2014
People weren't letting Hogan off the hook for his 'Silverdome' flub the night before...
"Hulk Hogan Cue Card: Smoothie King Center" Awesome Sign! #WWE #Raw
— WrestlingNewsSource (@WNSource) April 8, 2014
After accepting the Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy, Cesaro announced he was now a Paul Heyman Guy...
CESARO IS THE NEW PAUL HEYMAN GUY!!!!!!! #WWE #RAW — WrestlingRumors.net (@WrestleRumors) April 8, 2014
Jack Swagger was not amused...
RIP Andre The Giant trophy 2014-2014
— Jared Camden (@JBCAMIII) April 8, 2014
It's a solid plan to be fair...
Cesaro to Swagger: "Don't walk out, let's finish this now! I don't wanna feud with you" — Jay Hunter (@OSWreview) April 8, 2014
That's always a good one...
When I win the title tonight, what pose should I do? I'm thinking the one where I look like I'm stretching.
— NotTripleH (@NotTripleH) April 8, 2014
Even as it looked like their champion would lose his title, fans still had some fun...
Is it that a 3MB chant!? AMAZING! #RAW
— Jeff Peck (@TheJeffPeck) April 8, 2014
The show closed with Batista, Orton, Kane and Triple H square off with The Shield and Daniel Bryan...
Looks like we have our Survivor Series main event...in April #RAWTonight
— WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) April 8, 2014
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