Heading into this week’s WWE Raw, the biggest question is whether Brock Lesnar will accept the challenge laid down by Cody Rhodes for Backlash. Spoilers do suggest something positive around this segment to indicate that the Backlash 2023 main event will eventually be confirmed on the show. In the meantime, Rhodes has also returned to action for the first time since Wrestlemania 39.
The top WWE Raw Superstar was present when WWE hosted a live event in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Fans present at the show were happy to have him on board in the opening segment of the show, but then he dropped some bad news for them. From a storyline perspective, he said that he wasn’t cleared to compete. Then Imperium came out and beat him up, to set up the main event match for the night.
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Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle came out to Cody’s rescue during that opening segment to confirm a six-man tag team match in a co-branded main event. Three top babyfaces from WWE Raw competed against three top heels from the Smackdown brand. The good guys emerged victorious by the end of the night.
Cody Rhodes delivered all he had at the WrestleMania Sunday main event match against Roman Reigns but the interferences from The Bloodline ruined his day. The very next night on WWE Raw after Wrestlemania 39, WWE inserted him in a Brock Lesnar beat-down angle which allowed him to take some time off from in-ring competition.
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More top WWE Raw/Smackdown Superstars in attendance for Rio Rancho Live Event
In more news coming out of the Mexico live event, Bobby Lashley was pinned by the reigning United States Champion Austin Theory. Additionally, WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair put her title on the line in a multi-woman matchup. Plus, Dominik Mysterio was seen in a singles contest.
At a glance, the live event results from the R R Events Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico featuring WWE Raw and Smackdown Superstars are given below,
– Cody Rhodes cut a promo and was attacked by Imperium. Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle made the save, which set up the main event.
– Braun Strowman & Ricochet def. The Viking Raider
– Dominik Mysterio def. Santos Escobar (Dominik put his feet on the ropes for leverage to pin Santos)
– Piper Niven def. Chelsea Green and Shotzi in a Triple Threat Match
– Bianca Belair (c) def. Piper Niven and Asuka in a Triple Threat Match to retain the WWE Raw Women’s Championship
– Shinsuke Nakamura def. The Miz
– Austin Theory (c) def. Bobby Lashley to retain the United States Championship
– Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle def. Imperium (Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) (results courtesy WWFOldSchool)
