Ups & Downs: WWE Raw Review (April 1)

[@Reddenbocher]

I liked how Adam Pearce wouldn’t let Rhea and Becky confront each other but Roman and Rock were free to assault two people with a weapon for 10 minutes straight without interruption.

[@nightshadow1144]

I mean technically, the rock is his boss . Sort of

[@kfgoldi5421]

I mean, would YOU go out there and tell Roman Reigns what to do? I know I wouldn't. I have a family.

[@jabunzama]

Also cos it was BLOODLINE RULES!!! The match wasn't done either lol before you start knitpicking make sure you knitpick

[@el_covfefe]

@@kfgoldi5421 He's done it before

[@beardown2489]

Wrestling

[@SixWinsStudios]

I didn’t think they could top the Sami Zayn/Bloodline story from 2023, but they’ve done it. Wrestling is better than it’s ever been! It gets a golden up from me

[@Chris-rj4fs]

​@LadyCookiesfourtwnty Lol I thought everyone loved the sami/bloodline story!!

[@MelodicQuest]

The only thing that would have made this storyline better would be if they included Sami Zayn in it. He divided The Bloodline in the first place, he should be there when it finally falls.

[@fpshooterful]

Well, Rock has a big part to this.

[@ValP-d9i]

​@@fpshooterfulI wouldn't count him out come the Sunday match which will very likely be on Bloodline rules

[@ChrisLT]

The cut from the little girl going "Cody just died" to The Rock watching it stone-faced was masterful. And man, the Damage Ctrl match had like a minute long unbroken shot from ringside. Still getting used to the new production, but in a good way.

[@GLJosh]

I noticed that as well, I wonder if there were some signs being removed around that time.

[@YellRell]

Love how you’re paying respect with the Shad Gaspard shirt 🕊️ 🙏🏽

[@BaLLHands87]

Cody gets the hardcore up for getting whipped with the buckle end of that belt lol that was nasty

[@veteranhenrymworia]

Roman Reigns, please say Family three more times and risk giving the Rock PTSD from the Fast and Furious franchise 😂😂😂😂

[@alehandroarries6995]

Long term booking

[@paradoxr.n.o8688]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@arnaldomedina3961]

Hope we get retro Ups and Downs back

[@tompatchak8706]

Probably after Mania

[@DavidWhipple-ee7xy]

i loved how in the Ricochet match, there were mentions of Prince Puma (his character in Lucha Underground)

[@CallMeCrazyCallMePoor]

I don't like going back to the old ways of having brand specific tag titles. Yes, they have enough teams, but they have had a hard enough time making the title matches feel important with the belts on the top heels. Having one set of champions left room for other angles

[@citizensane4387]

The Rock came out, went full on evil…and the crowd cheered him. WWE has managed to pull off a strange thing: they have made me want to see Cody vs the Rock a whole lot more than Cody vs Roman…

[@cosmobrownslivingpuppetsshow]

"There is no Cow Level!" obviously is a lie if the final Boss wears the Bovine West

[@MansoorAhmed-me5kf]

hahahahahahahha

[@QAZ-OMEN]

They are definitely milking the Rock 😂😂

[@pt5728]

I just don’t understand why they’re not involving Jey in the story much at all, even when the crowd was literally yelling yeet the entire time.

[@skimgettinkindamoney]

He's fighting Jimmy Uso , the feud isn't just as big as Cody vs Roman and Cody/Seth vs Roman/Rock

[@Sd12sx23]

Still, it ties in and is part of the story. They should remind us of that now and again instead of having yet another stare down between the main eventers, in my opinion.

[@pt5728]

@@skimgettinkindamoney which ties into the bloodline story, Jimmy is in the bloodline, Jey is a former member. Cody and Jey was even tag champs, they’ve helped each other fend off the bloodline. Not having Jey actively in it is completely stupid, especially with Jimmy still there.

[@ajhicks9869]

​@@pt5728agreed, you can definitely tell they were forced to put that feud on the back burner to make room for the tag team match with the Rock

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Jey will be ROMAN'S or Cody's secret weapon at Mania

[@anthonysmall6167]

Those 8 or 10 Security Guards who couldn't keep Rhea and The Man apart are top tier . .. They couldn't guard a parked car😂😂😂😂

[@mlevo1011]

Always that way. Kinda designed to be that way.

[@anthonysmall6167]

Yup, the more menacing they look the more useless they are😂😂😂

[@MrBobbyz24]

"First hour is commercial free" Commercials at 8:50pm.... Numbers are hard.

[@bobtheslob2246]

Commercial card subject to change*

[@brandoncochran5318]

They're not commercials, they're ad like structures

[@lionspeakingagency9697]

I noticed that too

[@labbaby189]

I think they were counting on the opening segment to go longer. You can tell they were stretching some things out. Wrestlers actually got entrances this week 😮 Plus DIY/ND vs JD ended quicker than I assumed it would. I hope Gargano's OK.

[@MachtPlays]

@@brandoncochran5318Premium Live Ads, or PLAs is what I’m told.

[@Terry-y1g]

Bret vs Owen is one of the greatest WM matches of all time. Glad you acknowledged THEM. Technical masterpiece, right guy won, emotional.

[@wstine79]

Cody just has this habit of getting whipped with a leather belt before a big Title Match.

[@DeanVarney]

Don't kink shame 🤣😂

[@Dannystateofmind]

Went on youtube & first thing I see is ups & downs uploaded! Morning coffee ready ☕️

[@MelodicQuest]

"This person is not here tonight" Translation: "This person is definitely going to show up later."

[@mlevo1011]

Right? I always laugh when commentators say that. Cracks me up

[@williamcrowe2576]

Barry Barricade, rest his soul, had two jobs in pro wrestling; (1) keep the fight from spilling out into the crowd, and (2) keep the crowd from turning into a lynch mob.

[@treetrunk8794]

Mrs Rhodes on a pole match. With Buff Bagwell as Ref confirmed.

[@InYourWalls101]

The Rock’s selling of that short beating gives me hope that maybe he isn’t washed up

[@darkestfenex2274]

He definitely does a lot better in WWE than on the bug screen😂

[@KevyB.]

@darkestfenex2274 "BUG screen"?! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@excaliber8713]

You need to be slapped just for thinking The Rock was washed up

[@excaliber8713]

@@darkestfenex2274thats subjective he's nitbrhe worse plus he makes money

[@elchomper.1063]

Flopping around like a fish?

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

Cody Rhodes vs Rock feud for WWE title better happens at Summerslam . They are interesting happening in whole storyline

[@Dm_hunk]

Yeah and same with drew mcintyre vs cm punk at SummerSlam for the World title

[@defender2222]

I think, what is more likely to happen, is that Roman will lose and he will blame the Rock which will lead to him beating down Roman and we'll have the Bloodline Feud at Summerslam.

[@ajhicks9869]

​​@@defender2222glad someone else sees the writing on the wall. Only problem is where does that leave our champion? They aren't going to build up this big story only to hit the reset button on Cody after he wins the title. Definitely a fun time to be a wrestling fan that's for sure

[@LeendaDeborah2005]

@@ajhicks9869I think Randy Orton will be the one to take on Cody

[@dadavinci]

Cody getting whipped senseless by a weight belt honestly had me thinking of MJF lol I'm already ready for next Monday

[@MelodicQuest]

"Look at Adam Pearce getting distracted. Oh look a WWE title! Never seen one of those before!" I love Pat on commentary

[@psychorabbitt]

"Look in my eyes, what do you see? Punk doesn't have a match in Philly." I had to pause the DVR when Drew said that, because I was laughing so hard.

[@SuperDuperHappyTime]

Roman and Rock will meet their match against Cody and Seth. But Solo… man, he’s the edge.

[@tompatchak8706]

Solo is an overrated bargain bin Samoa Joe.

[@GrizzinCorp]

I know it's not possible, but if Sammy Zayn had shown up at RAW after that training montage completely ripped ala HHH quad-injury return in 2002 - that would have been awesome.

[@pfunk420d]

"C'mon Johnny, he's had enough!" "I decide when he's had enough man!!!!"

[@CommenjouerFr-gplus]

Can we just give a golden up for that t-shirt of Shad "The Beast" Gaspard? Still missed.

[@tomseville2345]

Stunned at how much Zoey got in the Six-Woman; who didn't expect a pure Damage CTRL squash like they will likely be at Mania. Surprised Triple H didn't have Cole and Pat talk up Tegan and Dakota's history, as it was from *his* NXT...

[@QAZ-OMEN]

With Collision and NXT going away. I still hope we get ups and downs for the NXT PLE, and maybe some ups and downs for random episodes of IMPACT.

[@notsure1350]

I'm really hoping when Raw goes to Netflix the pacing of the live shows will be faster so the crowd can actually get and stay hot.

[@mephistro]

There actually was commercials in the first hour. IDK, I can't help feeling like if they had pulled the trigger on Cody defeating Roman at Wrestlemania 39 we'd be able to see Cody vs The Rock at #40 for the championship, which is REALLY what we all want to see. Maybe even have Dwayne win the belt. Also could've had Roman vs Sola. Now Roman looks like a chump to me and his championship reign will be remembered for The Rock's involvement at its end. And I can't think of one good Roman match that he didn't need help to win.

[@urbaindelva7869]

Watch Roman's title defenses throughout the year 2021. He had a lot of good matches that he won without help.

[@mephistro]

@@urbaindelva7869 funny, I can't recall any of them.

[@deathmauler181]

​@@mephistrothe two matches that come to mind that are good are jey and sami. The triple threat with edge n Bryan us fine by all accounts but aside from that im at a loss. The brock vs roman matches were largely boring the la knight match was underwhelming, I can't think of anything else he's done

[@matthewhostetter8974]

The last 2 RAW have had fantastic openings and endings. They have really helped build up Mania this year. They've really put in doubt if the babyfaces can beat this unified Bloodline, making Cody's victory even sweeter if/when it happens. I also found it interesting they mentioned last night, that the Tag Team Ladder match will continue till BOTH sets of titles are retrieved, confirming a tag title split. We also now know the Clash at the Clash is coming back and it's in Scotland. Let the Reign of DM Hunk Begin! I also think Chad Gable could turn on Sami at Mania, or he'll "throw in the towel" during the match to set up a new feud. Ricochet also proves just how underrated he is, and is always a highlight. This weekend is going to be fire.

[@InvincibleYoungEmpire]

So sorry you get those crappy messages and comments online from people, Simon. When you said Collision Ups and Downs were gone, wow. We really loved your review for that show as well. No matter what, keep being great and being you.

[@Zombiez4breakfast]

Don’t understand why the sami and gable segment didn’t have the Alpha Academy in it.

[@tompatchak8706]

Yeah, like why couldn’t Chad Gabel bring Sammy into the Alpha Academy to help him train. You noticed they pushed Otis and Tazawa to NXT so Gabriel could focus on Sammy Zane.

[@HeelSection3825]

Has anyone else noticed how often the camera angle makes it look like Roman Reigns is wearing a hoodie from Family Dollar?!?😂

[@scotte2177]

Yes! 😊

[@HeelSection3825]

@@scotte2177 My brother and I have been laughing our asses off about it! Talk about not fitting someone's character!?!

[@GLJosh]

After Gunther retains, I can't wait for Chad and Sami to do the Fusion Dance before their match at Backlash.

[@ashababid580]

That would be Sad

[@jackwells8107]

The one thing I really want to see before Cody wins the title is the Bloodline being surrounded by Cody, Seth, KO, Sami, LA Knight, Randy...

[@jessebunnell6442]

Golden Up for wrestling clause 4.8! I enjoy almost everything you enjoy Simon I would love to watch wrestling with you my friend!

[@terryts2]

I haven’t been this excited to tune in every day for a WWE show in god knows how long. I love it

[@DJDoubleCee]

I hope The Rock and Reigns beat Cody and Seth on Night One. I want to see Cody wrestle Reigns under Bloodline rules.

[@jayrobinson7627]

I think thats almost guaranteed to happen. I agree cuz i want that too. Should be fire

[@AlleyRose]

I think that how we get Cena and Stone Cold involved. They show up to counter the Bloodline interference.

[@fgmb1213]

That’s obviously gonna happen lol so don’t worry

[@tompatchak8706]

And with all the avengers, all of Cody’s avengers and all kinds of shenanigans Roman still gonna almost win. Imagine Cody on his knees, ready to get that stupid Superman punched that Roman gives in the song, shattered dreams hits and outlaws the natural Dustin Rhodes

[@tomseville2345]

Kind of liked the idea of Gunther needing to use the belt as a last resort after his lariat, chop and boot didn't keep Sami down...

[@tomseville2345]

The fact that Brooklyn believed they were going to get Rock's first Raw match since 2003 five days before his first match *of any kind* since 2016 (officially) was vaguely comical to me...

[@_brooksy_]

You didn’t acknowledge Pat saying Prince Puma and Andrade throwing darts at a Prince Puma mask

[@TDBerry1]

Just grabbed my ticket for mania. I’m just as excited to catch ups and downs after the events (I hope I can find you)

[@Part-TimePanda]

Looking forward to the weekend, but I also mourn the loss of NXT Ups & Downs

[@Tajriq]

Simon IS the golden up.

[@nicholasyoung4142]

Commercial free for the firsts hour!! I never new the new time length of a hour is 50 minutes.

[@elchomper.1063]

Don't forget the Sami graphic telling you "hey dumbass Sami's winning".... Via DQ... THAT WAS NEVER CALLED. THE BELL NEVER RANG WTF?

[@Jef_Jingles]

I think you're wrong about the Candice/Indi ending, we've seen what lengths she'll go on her opponents to win, now we'll see how far she'll push her teammate to get the victory

[@adamaniusx410]

Am i the only one that doesnt think Gunther should go straight into the Main Event scene? Sure, no doubt he deserves it, but it doesnt make sense to take the title off Cody so soon (assuming he wins) and surely Preist cashes in on whoever the WHC is over the weekend, would be a waste of MITB to have him lose straight away too. Give him a few months off, get him to return at Summerslam and then you can continue building him as the monster

[@anthonysmall6167]

Gunther is way more credible than Cody and his matches so far have been epic, but sure give it to the guy who won the Rumble last year coming at No: 30(wow that must be hard!!) and who comes off as a very poor actor in a very bad movie. Makes perfect sense!🙄🙄

[@adamaniusx410]

@anthonysmall6167 I'm not even remotely going to argue the point you're making buddy, because you're correct. However, what I'm saying is, they're not going to spend two years building to this ending, and then have Cody lose in his first defence/fued.

[@TheLastUchiha444]

Wait wait when did we agree Sami should go over gunther ?? No way people want to take it off of him for a cheap pop just to be bored of Sami next week

[@VlogsIWC]

I rather see Chad win the fucking title it’s so dumb I love Sami but Chad needs this more than Sami does

[@mikedelvalle931]

Sami winning would be more for moving Gunther up the card to the main event scene. If Sami wins, then Kevin needs to win and have them celebrate together, ala Eddie and Benoit.

[@Sd12sx23]

I'm not sure gunter is going to lose it, but moving him up would be good. He's kind of running out of opponents. Sami wouldn't necessarily need to be a long term champ, but I could see some interesting rivalries with him holding it.

[@trinityjost6564]

I kind of want it to be Dragunov that beats Gunther. He's the last one to properly beat Gunther if I'm not mistaken.

[@carlb5558]

THANK YOU! If there was ever a B+ talent, it's Sami. He does underdog well but isn't main event talent, for my money. I can see him in the IC title pic....just not dethroning the GOAT. My vote easily goes to Gable.

[@sujiks9517]

Cody is definitely slapping Roman and rock with the belt at mania

[@84seahawkfan]

Rock says its about family....procedes to beat up Jay

[@frankhoward6645]

The Main Event was fun I thought it was a good one also it's weird that Roman will be inducting Paul Heyman into the HOF guess he'll do a good job

[@1axe2grynd]

first hour commercial free and there was only a 5 minute 8 man match completed in the first 60

[@elchomper.1063]

Thank you... That telegraphed Sami winning... Via DQ THAT WAS NEVER CALLED THE BELL NEVER RANG NO WINNER WAS ANNOUNCED BRONSON AND THE REF JUST STANDING IN THE RING LIKE IDIOTS. The women's tag was boring. Ricochet beating Ivar in any other company would be called killing the business.

[@michaelmartinez3893]

We need a name for this era of wrestling. It's been great

[@terryts2]

Respectfully disagree. This is an incredible hot streak but a hot streak nonetheless. But if I were to give it a name probably the AV era (as in After Vince)

[@wajidal5541]

It already named as 'Renaissance Era'

[@HarmlessChildren]

Fart Attack Era

[@joshmatlock1020]

I'm going to be there on Saturday. I was so excited to hear Rhea v Becky and Gunther v Sami are taking place on Saturday. Can't wait.

[@kendrickking9945]

Just a thought: Jinder Mahal should come back on wrestlemania night one and give his finisher to the rock leading to a loss! That would be amazing, and totally unexpected. It could tie in to when the rock came out and interrupted him months ago.

[@DarioMalandra]

Ahem .. no

[@douglaspurcell7506]

I've personally never been more excited for Wrestlemania than I am for this weekend. and that means something becuase I've been watching them every year without fail since 20. The long term story telling this weekend is off the charts and we could be in for one of the most emotional payoffs in the history of entertainment. looking at the card, I can't find one single match that I don't care about. Also, I hope they give Bray another tribute this weekend. whether at the HoF induction or at Wrestlemania itself. I know he's had the tribute show and the documentary but he definitely deserves a moment on the grandest stage of them all. we can't tell the story of wrestling without him. So like he said, he is forever.

[@photographybyliamanderson1659]

As noisy as the crowd was, no one was heard during the Maxine Dupree match. Although I popped when she got the roll up

[@Smokey313]

Love that shirt simon R.I.P Shad Gaspard

[@Mike6BITW]

Don't feel weird Simon.. When I saw The Rock take a bump I was like :Holy fuccin shit here we go, I didn't think he was gonna bump at all before Wrestlemania

[@HeelSection3825]

They waited quite a while to do it, but there's a pretty good story leading up to Becky vs Rhea.

[@annalee280385]

Are there gonna be anymore Retro ups & downs??

[@ronsantos8343]

I really really enjoyed this segment, good job u get an up

[@richardcoffer4758]

What is the point of Priest? He 's not even a good tag team champ. At must, he's a faction member.

[@TheDream992]

I got to see this show live in Brooklyn, and it was just awesome

[@kevinleedenman]

1:33 thats a totally normal reaction Simon

[@cdmit27]

Yes, Damien Priest has the money in the bank and could cash it in. But nobody seems to realize that not all cashs ins are successful and does anyone really think he can be a credible champ?

[@cmac5581]

Saw on social media somewhere that the tag belts should have all been hung together but R-Truth grabs 1 set and mistakenly thinks he's won the whole thing only for a second team to grab the other titles. You get the split and a peak R-Truth moment

[@WWE2K_YT]

Definitely we are getting a Bloodline Rules match on Night 2 😍

[@dannyaraya8017]

for the love of god and all that is holy, please do in studio ups and downs for WrestleMania. having fans around you yelling the whole time is annoying af

[@DistrictGentleman]

I thought I was literally the only one that felt this way

[@jbye_89]

I personally don’t like Sami coming out of nowhere just a month ago to be the contender for IC. Should be Chad and they’re even including him in this storyline. I honestly don’t get this one but I’ll let it play out

[@carlb5558]

I feel EXACTLY the same! Sami feels like the afterthought (he should be) in the IC scene. It should be Gable to win the strap.

[@jbye_89]

⁠​⁠@@carlb5558Yeah it also makes me want Gunther to retain here and some post-mania storylines play out. I just don’t get the direction right now including Chad in this whole thing

[@dylanogg347]

There was a huge missed opportunity on RAW this week. Since the Bloodline Rules Match has no DQs, Sikoa should've pinned Rollins after Reigns and Rock were done whipping the Babyfaces. So even if Rollins loses to McIntyre at WrestleMania XL (which he should), Sikoa has massive bragging rights and either a World Championship Match, a feud with Rollins, or both in the future.

[@skimgettinkindamoney]

No more NXT Ups & Downs is vicious 😔 RIP

[@dallassylvestre8155]

One set of tag titles that can be defended on both brands please

[@mattmincey5042]

Sad to see NXT ups and downs I was looking forward to that as much as raw and smackdown ups and downs

[@gerryluxenberger6707]

Bring back retro ups and downs!

[@tachangtado690]

No Simon Do not take away NXT ups and downs

[@tudor282]

The only thing it didn't click for me was Drew's segment. I watched the Bray Wyatt documentary before Raw and that segment didn't feel right to me. Like it was too soon

[@danw4490]

Another great episode. Everything with the Rock/Roman/Cody/Seth is great. Drew is my favorite. Gable needs to merc Sammy and beat Gunter at Wrestlemania.

[@marckz06]

I haven’t checked out one of these in years. My bad Simon Miller

[@Harry-et7dc]

i love thesse because i cant access raw or smackdown in australia but not a big fan of the spoilers and speculation, is there any way to reserve that stuff for the comments or description or something? that would be great!

[@elchomper.1063]

.... It's a review. It's gonna have spoilers

[@MrLordluce]

Simon… Rocky didn’t win the first match but went the distance. This should be an intense match.

[@excaliber8713]

Thank you Rock! He's really saving the brand! Making it matter

[@thefakerking51]

LDP playing darts was cool... but how close they were standing to the board was absolutely sending me. Like just reach out imand stick it in I guess.

[@jeremiahhamilton2422]

7:22 think it setting up for Stallone to show up.

[@dansp91]

I cannot wait to meet you this weekend Simon! Goofy wrestling for life!!!

[@anthonylucero6650]

You’re a mook😒

[@musashijoe]

I feel like this Wrestlemania XL, is gonna have the most title changes in a WWE PPV/PLE. Don't you think?

[@tonyo2675]

I hope of the titles that are on the line change, but thats just wishful thinking. Would love to see Judgment Day retain only the Raw belts but lose the Smackdown belts. As for the womens tag championship that would be a great bout for the Smackdown after WM.

[@rivanianx]

The Judgement Day lounge got really crowded.

[@carlb5558]

Thumbs way down for sniffing the division of the Tag Titles. It's been ridiculous to run around with two sets after they were unified, now they'll probably split them at WM. Grrr...

[@photographybyliamanderson1659]

Legit only know of Paul Haymen in the hall of fame.. never heard of the rest other than Ali. What did the rest do for the company of significance?

[@johnbennett7863]

Very good raw happy for this weekend in my hometown of Philly wm 40 not going be there don’t have the money but I was at wm 15 when it was in Philly Philadelphia news is talking about it

[@Hiphiphistorian]

Simon you're the only person in this world that cares about the woman tag titles WrestleMania did just fine for 30 years I'm sure it will survive another 30 without them

[@I-Am-Batman_1988]

I agree with most of your predictions except the "both main titles will change" bit. Ain't no way in hell we're getting spoiled with a switch of both main titles. Whether it's only Seth losing and Roman retaining or Roman losing and Seth retaining. I just can't see it. Out of all the champions going into wm and defending their belts u have them all losing except for rr. Idk I think that's very likely I don't think she will be the only one retaining though.

[@tiredghosts]

feels weird giving The Rock credit for working well with the "what?!" chants considering he practically leans on them as hard as he possibly can

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning, Simon!

[@PYahWeh]

What do we officially call this modern golden era? There’s no doubt that wrestling is in a boom period

[@tripler4lyfe843]

So plot twist, I didn't think about this till yesterday that I don't think much ppl thought of because if his tension with Seth but, what if Cody beats Roman a maina takes the belt but then we see a judgment day beat down, Damian priest cashes in on Cody and becomes the undisputed wwe heavyweight champion