Winners And Grades On April 10, 2023

WWE Raw advertised Cody Rhodes’ response to Brock Lesnar, as well as a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match as Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan challenged Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus.

Stratus took Lita’s place only to get pinned by Liv Morgan, crowning new women’s tag team champions. Stratus turned heel promptly after, setting up a Stratus vs. Lynch feud that will likely pay off at Backlash in Puerto Rico.

WWE Raw was subject to rewrites, but not necessarily because of Vince McMahon’s temperament, but rather due to travel delays that left a handful of talent stranded and unable to attend the show on time.

Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw averaged 2.260 million viewers.

WWE Raw Results on April 10, 2023

• Finn Balor def. Rey Mysterio
• Raquel Rodriguez and Trish Stratus def. Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch
• Bronson Reed and Brock Lesnar battle to a Double Countout
• The Usos def. Alpha Academy
• Iyo Sky def. Michin and Piper Niven
• Solo Sikoa def. Kevin Owens

WWE Raw Ratings

• April 3, 2023 | 2.260 million
• March 27, 2023 | 1.843 million
• March 20, 2023 | 1.771 million
• March 13, 2023 | 1.705 million
• March 6, 2023 | 1.827 million

• WWE Raw Venue: Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, Wash.)
• WWE Raw Tickets Distributed: 10,365
• WWE Raw Tickets Available: 101

WWE Raw Winners And Grades

Finn Balor def. Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio told Dominik Mysterio that The Judgment Day was using him, and I feel like it will lead to a storyline where Rey and Dominik inevitably reunite.

The fact that Finn Balor is wrestling after having his head split open to go along with an injured calf is insane. He absolutely deserves the win.

Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor Grade: B

Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan def. Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch

I don’t trust Trish Stratus in this spot, and fully expect her to turn on Becky Lynch.

There were chemistry issues with both teams that made this match a tough watch.

Trish Stratus was rolled up by Liv Morgan while defending the title in place of Lita. There’s no way Trish and Becky aren’t spinning off into a feud.

Following Stratus’ loss, she inevitably turned on Becky Lynch in a somewhat awkward, but still heated, heel turn.

Women’s Tag Team Title Match Grade: C

Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed Battle to a Double Count Out

Backstage, Bayley appeared with Damage CTRL, teasing tensions. The big story here is that Bayley is here to stay despite rumors of her quitting.

I’ve been begging for a super heavyweight division for years now, and Bobby Lashley defending the Andre the Giant Trophy against Bronson Reed would be a great start. The trophy wasn’t on the line, but this match still showed the vast potential of a super heavyweight division.

Bobby Lashley delivered a spinebuster to Bronson Reed, lifting Reed like a child, and the crowd went crazy for it.

Reed and Lashley were both counted out, and fans were so upset that it was over. It was a truly awesome match.

Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed Grade: A-

Cody Rhodes Challenges Brock Lesnar

Cody Rhodes remains just
just
as over as ever, if not moreso.

Rhodes discussed a conversation he had with “his friend Matt,” and I’m convinced he was talking about Matt Jackson. I’m guessing this conversation happened at a Superkick Party.

Cody Rhodes admitted he was scared of Brock Lesnar, saying he’d be crazy not to be scared of Brock Lesnar, but he still wants to fight Brock. It was a great, vulnerable babyface moment.

Cody Rhodes Promo Grade: A-

The Usos def. The Alpha Academy

Otis and Jey Uso got more crowd reaction from a comedic rollup spot than anybody ever could.

The Usos vs. Alpha Academy suggests The Usos are slowly turning babyface.

The story of this match was The Usos not looking as dominant as they had during their historic reign as tag champions.

Otis was once again the star of this match, and WWE needs to stop dragging its feet on turning Otis into a full-fledged babyface.

The Usos continue to have great tag team matches in their sleep and this was no exception.

The Usos vs. Alpha Academy Grade: A

Iyo Sky def. Michin and Piper Niven

Bayley was supposed to compete in this match, but Iyo Sky took her place, sowing the seeds of dissent among Damage CTRL.

Corey Graves strangely stated that Iyo Sky has not lived up to her potential on the main roster despite being a former women’s tag team champion. Iyo went on to turn up in this match, almost as if she heard Graves.

On a Raw filled with good wrestling matches, this was yet another banger.

Women’s Triple Threat Grade: B+

Solo Sikoa def. Kevin Owens

As soon as this match became about Kevin Owens’ hobbled leg, it was clear Owens was headed for a loss.

Corey Graves went as far as to say that Sikoa may never lose again after recently suffering his first loss to Cody Rhodes.

Sure enough, Solo Sikoa racked up another victory after Kevin Owens’ knee gave out. The Bloodline beatdown brought out Matt Riddle and Sami Zayn to fend off the heels.

Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa Grade: B