Raw results, April 18, 2022: Seth “Freakin” Rollins blindsides Cody Rhodes ahead of WrestleMania Backlash

Seth “Freakin” Rollins cooked up a challenge for Cody Rhodes

The American Nightmare agrees to face an opponent of The Visionary’s choosing later in the night on Raw. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

As The Visionary tried to excuse his WrestleMania performance, he came up with the brilliant idea of choosing The American Nightmare’s opponent for later on Raw.

Sasha Banks & Naomi def. Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan – Women’s Tag Team Title Match

The tag team partnership between Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan appeared on the rocks, but Ripley’s acquisition of a title opportunity appeared to smooth things over. The challengers would translate that into early aggression for the champions, as The Nightmare crushed Sasha Banks with a Riptide on the barricade outside the ring. A hot tag and another Riptide helped Ripley & Morgan close in on a title win, but Banks was able to break up the pin. After wiping out Morgan, "The Boss ‘N’ Glow Connection" worked to perfection with some tandem offense on Ripley that led to the win. In the ensuing argument, Ripley had one Riptide to dish out with Morgan on the receiving end of a post-match beatdown to seemingly bring a brutal end to their run together.

Bianca Belair tossed Sonya Deville aside

The EST of WWE remains defiant, as WWE Official Sonya Deville continues to target the Raw Women’s Champion. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Sonya Deville did all she could to incite the Raw Women’s Champion, but the WWE Official was mostly spared after threatening a fine and suspension as the pair’s title showdown awaits.

Veer Mahaan def. Jeff Brooks

Veer Mahaan issues another dominant display in a clash with a local competitor on the red brand. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Veer Mahaan continued his path of destruction against an overmatched local competitor from Buffalo. The lion mauled his opponent throughout the ring and finished him off with a devastating hold that brought the immediate tapout. Not content just to win the match, Veer continued to twist at the body of his opponent to show the carnage is just getting started.

Ezekiel def. Chad Gable via disqualification

Ezekiel passed his lie detector test with flying colors, then was rewarded with his first-ever match on Raw against Chad Gable. Master Gable looked to teach a lesson to Elias’ younger brother, but Ezekiel stopped an aerial assault by getting his foot up just in time. As the clean-shaven Superstar looked to put away Gable, Otis came flying in to level Ezekiel and bring an end to the match by disqualification.

The Street Profits def. RK-Bro

The Raw Tag Team Champions attempt to shut down The Street Profits with The Usos lurking around the title picture. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

RK-Bro may have their sights set on The Usos right now, but The Street Profits have showed they're not going to simply step aside. Riddle shocked even his veteran teammate with a jaw-dropping suplex of Montez Ford off the top rope. Shortly after, The Usos music hit, and RK-Bro turned toward the ramp. Ford & Angelo Dawkins then sprung into action and wiped out the champions before some tandem offense gave the challengers a statement win.

Theory def. Finn Bálor – United States Title Match

The Prince attempts to keep the United States Title out of the hands of Mr. McMahon’s brash protégé. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Theory had targeted Finn Bálor for weeks, but the champion had managed to stay one step ahead and keep the gold in his hands. The Prince seemed to be riding that same momentum with a missile dropkick right to the jaw of the challenger but couldn’t convert on his Coup de Grace attempt. After targeting the neck of Bálor earlier in the match, a crushing A Town Down clinched a championship breakthrough from Theory. A collection of Raw’s most reviled Superstars would celebrate Theory’s win, but the entrance of Mr. McMahon himself made the selfie coronation complete.

Double Commitment Ceremony brought to 24/7 Title mayhem

After R-Truth oversees the Double Commitment Ceremony, Dana Brooke is able to leave with both a kiss and the 24/7 Title amid the mayhem. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Love and chaos were in the air for the Double Commitment Ceremony between Dana Brooke & Reggie and Tamina & Akira Tozawa that was officiated by R-Truth. After some objections and smooching, Reggie made his big move and captured the 24/7 Title. Tamina would then take it to only have Tozawa get his hands on it before Dana Brooke reclaimed it and took a lift from R-Truth straight to her 24/7 honeymoon.

Cody Rhodes def. Kevin Owens by count-out

The American Nightmare is committed to facing every challenge in his return and wasn’t fazed by Seth “Freakin” Rollins picking his surprise opponent. The Visionary would call on an old friend in Kevin Owens, and the mystery opponent brought the fight to Cody Rhodes. A flurry of action finished with Rhodes clotheslining KO inside out, but an ensuing Sunset Flip Powerbomb from Owens nearly resulted in the three-count. After Rhodes dropped Owens on the outside apron, Rollins began barking out orders to his hand-picked combatant, but KO took exception and a count-out loss with him. As Rhodes appeared unsatisfied with the abrupt ending, Rollins slithered back in to the ring for one more cheap shot on his WrestleMania Backlash foe.