SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE RAW RESULTS
APRIL 20, 2026
LAS VEGAS, NEV. AT T-MOBILE ARENA
STREAMED LIVE ON NETFLIX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports today that 12,157 tickets were distributed at show time; arena set up for 12,596. The arena has a capacity of 20,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOW
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Kurt Cadet to review WWE Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/vffe5kni3q
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: LIVE ON YOUTUBE
[HOUR ONE]
-A highlight video aired on WrestleMania initially focused on the celebrities and “celebrities” before getting around to the actual wrestlers and big in-ring happenings.
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky backstage. He hyped the opening match. He also said they’d look at the career of Brock Lesnar.
-Oba Femi made his ring entrance. Fans cheered and chanted for him for several minutes. He said, “The Ruler has Arrived.” He dropped the mic and left.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get the gimmick of soak up cheers and have the fans be the story, but I think it came across as flippant to not speak about what it meant to beat Lesnar. It feels like a missed opportunity there. I could imagine some viewers and especially those in attendance saw Oba advertised and looked forward to what he’d have to say about that huge win, and then feeling deflated if not cheated even if the moment in other circumstances might seem cool.)
-A backstage promo aired with Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka said the usual about Iyo Sky choosing her fake family over her real one. Asuka asked what it got her since Ripley is the new Women’s Champion and she is nothing.
-Sky and Ripley made their ring entrance. [c]
(1) RHEA RIPLEY & IYO SKY vs. THE KABUKI WARRIORS (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
Cole noted that Paige returned to WWE and replaced Nikki Bella in the tag match and won the Women’s Tag Titles at WrestleMania with Brie. [c]
At one point in the match, Cory Graves told Cole sometimes cats bring their humans gifts (dead birds, dead or living mice) that they don’t want, but it’s still a kind gesture from the cat’s perspective. Cole said that was a weird thing to say. Graves said they haven’t slept in four days. Ripley gave Kairi a Riptide and then Sky landed her Over the Moonsault for the win.
Afterward, Asuka knelt over Kairi and yelled at her for losing.
WINNERS: Ripley & Sky in 12:00.
-More clips of WrestleMania were shown, including ring entrances.
-Adam Pearce congratulated Penta backstage on his win at WrestleMania. Je’Von Evans walked up and congratulated him but said he’s going to be champion some day and he’s not going anywhere. Ethan Page showed up after Penta walked away. Pearce said Ethan is the newest member of the Raw roster. Ethan asked Evans if he heard it right that he wants another shot at the IC Title. He said when he decides to win the IC Title, he won’t need two tries. Pearce then booked Evans vs. Ethan. [c]
-They showed Royce Keys in the crowd. Cole noted he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. He seemed welled up with emotions.
-C.M. Punk made his ring entrance. He looked somber. When his music stopped, he said he’s been through a lot, noting he found out during a tour of Japan last fall his friend and MMA trainer Duke Rufus didn’t wake up that morning. He said the next month, Larry “crossed the rainbow bridge.” He said it seemed every few weeks, people in the WWE family died. He mentioned several names and touted those “who make this place a well-oiled machine.” He said they are the real heroes. Fans cheered and applauded into a crescendo. He said he wanted to show them respect on his jacket last night.
He said the WWE Title that he lost last night doesn’t sting as much as the aforementioned losses, but the people cathartically helped him heal and get through the losses. He said being champion gave him a reason to not just slow down “and reduce myself to a puddle of tears, even if I wanted to.” He thanked fans for helping him process so much grief. He said they helped him get through all of his losses, and he thinks that will apply to getting through his loss last night.
He said he survived Gunther and then got cashed in by Seth Rollins, and there was a part of him that felt being world champion at age 46 for three minutes wasn’t too bad. He said it was a cherry on top of one hell of a Sundae. He said from there, he could have eaten donuts and hung out “with my hot wife,” but instead he stayed ready. He said he poured his heart and soul into WWE to entertain the fans. He said because he stayed ready, an opportunity arose after Seth got hurt. He said if he hadn’t stayed ready, they’d be yeeting and talking to Jey Uso instead of him. He told booing fans he likes to yeet and they should like Jey and get with the program.
He said he has a pep in his step because he still is the best. He said he wrestled under the brightest lights on the biggest stage and proved it. “I gave everything I had,” he said. “It just wasn’t my night.” He said he won’t cry about it or sulk, and he’s not going on vacation. He said he’ll stay ready “because you never know when a championship opportunity is going to fall out of the sky.” As Punk was about to leave the ring Cody Rhodes’s music played.
Cody walked out in a suit with a black left eye. He carried his WWE Title to the ring, limping along the way. Fans sang his song. Cody entered the ring and asked for a mic as Punk leaned i and looked at his black eye. They shared a light moment of conversation about. Punk joined in singing Cody’s song.
Punk asked Cody if he screwed up and went over his time. Cody told him not to leave. He said it’s Raw and it’s his time. Cody said he might be incorrect in his assumption, but he was watching backstage like all his peers. He asked if he was expecting him to freak out or crash out. Cody said if he’s asking if thought he was going to freak out, “Yeah,” he said. “You know how I am and I know how you are and how you like to handle things.” He said he’s glad that Vegas gave him the flowers he deserved. He said he deserved them. Cody said he isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do, since he’s the one who looks like the loser.
Punk asked, “Wait, are you saying I should look like a loser.” Punk said it’s cool and told the crowd, “Stop it, we’re friends.” He said Cody isn’t a loser, but he understands why he feels like that. He said on Saturday, he beat a legend and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He said he beat a friend and a mentor, whereas he (Punk) beat someone he hates. He said he beat a friend, so he’s a winner. “In a way, in a word, I am a loser. It’s okay.” He said Cody feels that way because “heavy is the head that wears the crown.” He said he’s feeling free as a bird sine last night just wasn’t his night. He told Cody to keep being champion and he said he’s going to keep staying ready “because you never know when a championship opportunity is just going to fall out of the sky.” He dropped the mic and walked out to applause.
Cody said, “Hey, Punk. Just say when.” Cody’s music played. Punk smiled and nodded. Cole said, “That would be priceless.”
(Keller’s Analysis: After the TMZ clip earlier, I think Punk kinda needed to cut a promo that showed he isn’t unstable and snapping, regardless of the full context of what let to him slapping the phone out of the fan’s hand in the hotel lobby earlier. Punk has been through a lot, and I really liked the idea that he stayed ready and then circumstances led to an opportunity that he capitalized on. I also like his framing of the loss as “it just wasn’t my night.” It’s interesting he didn’t talk about Roman Reigns as a worthy foe or someone he respect or anything like that. Pivoting right to Cody-Punk works better because Punk conceded it just wasn’t his night, but that happens, and he’s going to stay ready. Cody looked good by offering a title match, also.)
-A promo aired with Finn Balor saying J.D. McDonagh chose Dominik Mysterio over him, and now he’s going to make him pay.
-Ethan Page made his ring entrance. [c]
(2) ETHAN PAGE vs. JE’VON EVANS
The bell rang 57 minutes into the hour. Cole said these two know each other so well. Hes aid they faced each other in a street fight last spring at NXT. Graves said Evans broke the jaw of Evans back then. He said there is disdain between them. Cole and Graves touted the resume of Ethan. Graves said Ethan is one of the most complete wrestlers on the roster. Cole called him “smarmy.” Ethan went on early offense. As soon as Evans made a comeback, Ethan leaned into the ropes Larry Zbyszko-style. Ethan took over again and grounded Evans. Evans came back and hit a high flying dive over the top rope onto Ethan at ringside as they cut to a break at 3:00.
[HOUR TWO]
[c] Evans dove through the ropes and tackled Ethan at ringside after the break. (I bring this up from time to time: I think it’d be nice if everyone stopped calling them “suicide dives.” Suicide is a traumatizing tragedy that affects so many people in their lives and it seems, to me at least, to be flippant to use the word as an adjective to add “a sense of danger” to certain wrestling moves.)
Evans superkicked Ethan at ringside and knocked him onto the announce desk. Rusev showed up at ringside and took a swing at Evans. Evans ducked and punched Rusev, and then dove into him in the time keeper’s area. Evans returned to the ring, but Graves noted that Ethan has a little extra time to recover. Ethan knocked Evans out of mid air and then his his Twisted Grin finisher for the win.
WINNER: Ethan Page in 9:00.
-Rusev attacked Evans after the match. Ethan saw the beatdown and left the ring. Cole said Rusev blames Evans for his loss in the ladder match. Penta ran out for the save. Ethan shoved Penta off the top rope. Ethan then left the ring and told Rusev that Penta was “all yours.” Rusev continued his attack and then put the Intercontinental Title belt over his shoulder. Fans chanted, “Rusev sucks.” [c]
-Cole announced that two-day combo tickets for Summerslam in Minneapolis, Minn. at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 1 and 2 go on sale May 1.
-The showed Tyrese Haliburton and Funny Marco at ringside. They also showed the Bellas and Paige smiling and holding up their tag titles at ringside.
-Liv Morgan made her entrance to her new entrance theme. She was accompanied by Roxanne Perez, Raquel Rodriguez, J.D. McDonagh, and Dominik. Fans chanted, “You deserve it!” Liv gloated and told her crew they have been her rock and she wouldn’t be where she is without them. She said she wanted to thank her WrestleMania opponent, Stephanie Vaquer, also. She said they beat the hell out of each other. She said she brought out a feeling in her she hasn’t had in a long time. She said she realized she is the most talented woman in WWE. She said it’s her ring, her show, and her championship. Sol Ruca made her entrance. Cole said it was “surprises galore.” Graves said it’s generally not a good idea to interrupt Liv Morgan.
Sol said Liv has been an inspiration for her watching her journey the last decade. She said she is the top woman in this division. “Congrats, dude,” she said. “You deserve this.” Liv said she has some nerve coming out during her celebration with her family, but she appreciates her kind words. She said since she was nice to her, she would say this as nicer as she could: “You are no Liv Morgan, sweetie.” She said she’d give her a chance to save herself and get out of her right right now. Sol said she didn’t come out there to pick a fight, but she sure isn’t going to back down from one either. As they began yelling at each other after each dropping the mic, Pearce stepped out and said this is the biggest Raw of the year after WrestleMania. He asked if the fans if they want to see a fight. Fans yelled, “Yeah!” He called for a ref and then booked the match. Graves said that wasn’t fair to Liv since this was supposed to be a celebration, not a match.
(Keller’s Analysis: Sol didn’t let the exchanges breath and stepped on Liv’s lines somewhat.) [c]
-WrestleMania highlights aired with graphics of corporate legacy media headlines covering the event.
(3) LIV MORGAN vs. SOL RUCA
The bell rang 26 minutes into the hour. Liv pounded away on Sol a minute into the match and then admired her work. liv landed a hard elbow in the corner and then a running knee strike. She followed with a dropkick and scored a two count. Graves said Ruca’s athleticism can overcome her lack of experience. Ruca made a comeback with an X-Factor. Cole said Ruca said she’s not a typical high-flyer since her height gives her an edge. Ruca landed a moonsault off the middle rope onto Liv at 3:30. [c]
Ruca has a stretch of offense after the break and landed a missile dropkick. She kipped up and landed a running knee for a two count at 8:00. Liv caught Ruca with a Code Breaker for a sudden near fall. Graves said Liv was thrown into an unplanned match against someone she’s not familiar with. Sol countered an Oblivion attempt with a kick and her Soul Snatcher finisher. Liv rolled to the floor Ruca did a handspring backflip dive onto Perez and Raquel at ringside. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Zaria attacked Ruca from behind at ringside. Graves said Zaria is facing Ruca tomorrow night on NXT. Cole said she was trying to ruin the Raw debut of Ruca. The ref didn’t see it. Zaria walked to the back as the ref began counting out Ruca. When she beat the count just before ten, Liv caught her with Oblivion for the win.
Cole said it was quite a debut for Ruca. Graves said she’s an NXT stand out now reaching new fans.
WINNER: Liv in 12:00.
-After the match, as Liv celebrated, Vaquer walekd out and got in Liv’s face. Liv held up her newly won title belt and smiled.
-They showed some rap podcasters at ringside.
-Cole talked about Oba Femi beating Lesnar last night, and then said what happened afterward was shocking.
-A video feature aired on Lesnar’s career with early clips of him in developmental, footage of him in UFC, Kurt Angle saying no one can stop him, and finally him leaving his boots and gloves in the ring last night.
-Paul Heyman, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul made their ring entrance. Cole said Heyman now has one singular focus. [c]
-Heyman from mid-ring said the start of the program threw him off a bit. He said his favorite part of WrestleMania has always been “expect the unexpected.” He said yesterday was so unexpected, it will live inside his heart for the rest of their lives. He then ranted that the production team still had Lesnar in the “Now” part of the show-opening and implored them to put him in the “Forever.” He said he will forever be the baddest man who has ever been in a WWE ring name. He yelled, “Brock Lesnar!” He welled up a bit. A “Thank you, Brock!” chant broke out.
He shifted tone and said it’s time to talk about “the now.” He said WWE is experiencing a resurgence of the Tag Team Division thanks to Theory & Logan. He handed the mic to Logan. Fans booed. Logan then blamed IShowSpeed for their loss at WrestleMania. He said he’s sick of the YouTubers and Streamers “coming into our business and doing what we do.” He said he hates those outsiders. He said and he and Theory are still the tag team champions, though.
Heyman then acknowledged and thanked what Gunther did for him. He said he owes him one anytime he’s ready. He said he stands ready to repay. He then introduced Bron Breakker and asked fans to welcome him back to Raw. Breakker came out looking more like Rick Steiner than ever. He said it was a year ago he became the leader of The Vision because Seth Rollins was too weak. He said his favorite part of WrestleMania was ruining Seth’s chance to beat Gunther. He said he’s coming after Seth every day going forward to make his life… at which point Seth’s music played. Seth attacked Breakker from behind with a chair. He jabbed Logan. Theory punched Seth.
The Street Profits ran out and attacked Theory and Logan. After celebrating, Montez leaped onto Logan and Theory at ringside. Breakker came up bleeding. He charged at Seth. Seth caught him with a superkick. It was a bit of a mess. Seth punched away at Breakker. Breakker came back with a spear. Breakker told Seth he never needed his sorry ass. He said he will only be a shell of what he used to be from now on. He then delivered another spear after running the ropes twice.
-A vignette aired with McDonagh. He said he and Balor were in particular supposed to be family, but then Balor began taking cues from Punk. He said he had his back for 20 years and defended him. He said he’d do what he did again. He said he’s not standing in “the big fat shadow he casts.”
-Balor made his ring entrance. [c]
-More WrestleMania highlights aired.
(4) FINN BALOR vs. J.D. MCDONAGH
McDonagh’s ring entrance began. Balor and McDonagh brawled in the aisle, the stage, and around the crowd. They fought into the ring and the ref called for the bell ten minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break. [c]
Back from the break, McDonagh had Balor grounded. McDonagh headbutted Balor and scored a two count. Balor lifted his boots when Balor went for a top rope move. Balor then anded a Coup de Grace for the win.
WINNER: Balor.
-After the match, Dom attacked Balor.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Gunther backstage. He said he was satisfied with WrestleMania. Kelley asked if he and Heyman were aware Breakker was there. Gunther said there is no “me and Heyman.” He said Heyman owes him and that’s it. L.A. Knight walked up to Gunther and had a few words for him.
-Cole hyped Becky Lynch speaking next week on Raw, plus a Joe Hendry concert. Graves said that must be a mistake. Cole said he’s now a permanent part of Raw.
-Ripley thanked Iyo and told her she’ll go be the chest champion she can be on Smackdown while Iyo handles her business on Raw. She said she hopes they’re not apart forever Iyo said she’s got it and they’ll be friends forever. They were both melancholy. Liv was leaning back on a crate and said she’d see her around.Ripley said she is looking forward to it.
-Cole said Reigns would be there in a matter of moments.
-Reigns got out of his SUV and headed to the ring with his newly won World Heavyweight Title. [c]
-Reigns made his entrance through Gorilla position. The Usos followed behind him. He said, “Las Vegas, acknowledge me!” He said he was going to keep it simple tonight and talk about the title and the future. He said he saw his cousins and he felt it made sense to discuss family business first. He turned to the Usos and said, “I miss this.” He said he misses having their trust and respect and love admiration. “I miss doing business with you guys,” he said. He said he wasn’t asking them to serve him, but rather be his blood and stand with him.
Jimmy said he speaks for Jey when he tells Roman he will always be their Tribal Chief. He said they are the ones. Jimmy and Jey raised their arms and stood on either side of Reigns. Jacob Fatu then walked out to his music. Fans chanted, “Fatu! Fatu!” Reigns said, “It’s been a while since the last time I saw you. There can only be a couple of reasons you come out here. I must assume it is to acknowledge me.” Fatu said, “Naw, that ain’t it.” Reigns said then it must be because he wants his title. Fatu said he doesn’t want “that title.” He said, “I need that title.” He said he’s not out there to be Tribal Chief, but he needs everything the Tribal Chief has. He said he needs the shoe deal, the private jets, that Rolex, more vehicles, a bigger house, and put his children through better schools. He said he would do anything for his family even if he has to go through him. He said he’s all gas, no brakes. Reigns stared at him and absorbed his words. Fans chanted “Fatu! Fatu!”
He said he might be able to beat him, but can he handle the burden of being champion. And he added if he can’t beat him, “Can you handle the burden of having to acknowledge me.” He said he’s at the top of the mountain and he’ll give him the rest of the week to think about it. He said he’s not saying yes or know, but he’s not sure he’s ready. He said he’d see him next week on Raw, and called him, “Little cousin.”
(Keller’s Analysis: This is fresh and compelling, but also another case where fans are torn on what to root for. The reuniting of Reigns and the Usos felt sorta like they’re just going to disregard everything that came before it and just land there because that’s where they want to be.)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOW
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Kurt Cadet to review WWE Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/vffe5kni3q
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: LIVE ON YOUTUBE
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.