Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 17, 2017

Braun Strowman heads to the ring to start the show. He gloats about breaking Roman Reigns in half and taking him out of the arena in an ambulance, and says Roman won't be here tonight. As he promises to tear through the locker room to prove he is more monster than man, General Manager Kurt Angle and tells Braun he's done enough damage, but Braun says there's still more to come. Kurt makes Roman vs. Braun official for Payback, and Braun says it'll be Roman's funeral. Kurt tells Braun that he should be suspended and that he should have the night off, but Braun demands competition, or else. When Kurt asks "Or else what?", Braun simply leaves the ring and heads backstage.

Seth Rollins guests on commentary for the next match.

Samoa Joe beats Chris Jericho with the Coaquina Clutch. After the match, Joe calls out Seth Rollins, mockingly calls him "the mighty kingslayer," then describes how he injured Seth. He calls Seth "a desginated target by my benefactor, Triple H." He tells Rollins that what he did to him was business. In response to what Seth did to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania, what he will do to him at Payback will be personal. Seth Rollins agrees about it being personal, as Joe nearly cost him his career. Seth then exclaims "You know what they say...'Payback is a bitch.'"

As Karl Anderson nods approvingly to "The Drifter" Elias Samson playing guitar as he and Luke Gallows walk backstage, Braun Strowman attacks The Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth).

Braun Strowman is in the locker room when referee John Cone reminds him he has the night off. Strowman tells him he's not leaving, and John Cone wisely backs off.

Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) demand opponents after Braun Stromwan gave The Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth) "the United Airlines treatment." They get Enzo Amore and Big Cass, who are primed and ready to beat up Gallows & Anderson.

Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) beat Enzo Amore and Big Cass when Enzo Amore leaps from the top rope only for Anderson to toss him back into it before getting the pinfall.

It's time for Miz TV with special guest Dean Ambrose. The Miz looks back at his and Maryse's meeting with Dean Ambrose at the beginning of last week's show when Ambrose interrupts. Ambrose tells Miz he's been looking forward to Miz TV all week, and apologizes for last week before proposing a truce as the both of them are from Ohio. When Ambrose asks what the big deal is with Miz's suit, Miz says he not only looks and acts the part, he is the part. He then criticizes how Dean carries himself, and says Dean is simply handed opportunity after opportunity. Miz goes on to say that Ambrose hasn't broken the glass ceiling because he is lazy and complacent. Ambrose says it's what's on the inside, not the outside, that counts and that Miz only cares about his image. Ambrose says he's not a brand, he's just Dean Ambrose, and that he performs every night because he loves doing it. Maryse calls him a "street rat" and tells him he's not a real champion because the man makes the championship, not the other way around. Dean hands his microphone to Miz, who proceeds to say that Ambrose is a joke and that he has made the Intercontinental Championsip a joke as Ambrose empties his jacket pockets, takes his jacket off, folds it, and tosses it Maryse before hitting Miz with a Spear. Miz goes for a Skull Crushing Finale when Maryse gets involved, but Ambrose fights out of it and almost hits Dirty Deeds before Miz escapes that and flees from the ring along with Maryse.

Braun Strowman drags Kalisto around and throws him into the garbage before he gets knocked into a garage door by Big Show, who dares him to pick on someone his own size.

Neville makes a special appearance before the next match, and stares "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher down doing the same to TJ Perkins. He then sits in a chair at ringside to watch the match, then Austin Aries shows up and joins Neville at ringside.

TJ Perkins beats "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher. This happens when Gallagher accidentally attacks Austin Aries after Perkins moves out of the way. Aries gets on the apron to confront Perkins, but he is attacked by Neville. This distracts Gallagher, and Perkins takes advantage with a Detonation Kick for the win.

Akira Tozawa is talking with Apollo Crews backstage when Titus O'Neil shows up. Titus wants to know what Apollo plans to do to make an impact, and Apollo's answer doesn't impress him much. After a few puns on Apollo's name, Titus hands him a business card.

Mike Rome interviews The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy), who are surprised by how everything has changed since they were last in the WWE. They are excited to be back after the amazing reception at WrestleMania. Sheamus and Cesaro welcome the Hardys back, and Sheamus makes it known that he has The Hardys' respect for what they did at WrestleMania 17 and for innovating the TLC Match. Sheamus says it will also be an honor for him and Cesaro to beat them for the Raw tag titles at Payback. Matt says that at Payback, he and Jeff will prove that they don't need ladders to beat them. Cesaro butts in on the discussion in an attempt to defuse the situation and keep things civil before they get worse, and wishes them luck. Jeff Hardy then says it's good to be back.

Alexa Bliss beats Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and Mickie James in a Fatal 4-Way Match to become #1 contender for the WWE Raw Women's Championship.

Charly Caruso interviews Big Show backstage. Show says that Braun Strowman needs to learn what it's like to be intimidated.

Curt Hawkins is in the ring. He talks about how Big Show ended up in the main event tonight after accepting his open challenge last week. He makes another open challenge to see who is next in his star factory, and that challenged is answered by Finn Balor.

Finn Balor quickly beats Curt Hawkins.

Dule Hill, star of the upcoming movie Sleight, is seen in the front row before we see a trailer for the film.

Mike Rome interviews Chris Jericho, who admits that he lost to Samoa Joe and that Joe is a fierce competitor. He says he is sidetracked due to Kevin Owens, and that the United States of America deserve "the Face of Jericho." Jericho feels he has to win the United States title, and says he will defend it wherever he will go as the fans will follow. He then pulls a Bugs Bunny with Mike Rome over whether Mike's name is Mike or Tom, and is about to put him on The List when "The Drifter" Elias Samson walks by, playing his guitar. For this, Mike Rome is off the hook and Samson ends up on The List instead.

Bray Wyatt asks what we are afraid of, then says he is not like us as he does not bow down to far and instead harnesses it. In his House of Horrors, all our fears will come to light, and we will know fear, pain and horror. He says our pain will be his ecstasy, and our pain will move him. He will eventually leave the House of Horrors alone, as he will burn it to the ground with us inside.

Alicia Fox and Dana Brooke are watching what happened to Alicia at 205 Live when Emma shows up and drives a wedge between them by saying that Dana showed the incident to the entire locker room and made fun of her. It works, and Emma tells Dana that she wants to see how good her balance is now that she wants to stand on her own.

Jeff Hardy beats Cesaro. After the match, Matt Hardy and Sheamus check on their respective tag team partners, then both teams shake hands to show respect after the match.

Mike Rome is in front of the trainer's room when Heath Slater and Rhyno suddenly appear. As Heath Slater talks about how he is finally on Raw and how his life has changed since the beginning of the Draft Extension, Braun Strowman walks by.

Tomorrow night on 205 Live: Austin Aries vs. TJ Perkins!

Big Show vs. Braun Strowman ends with Braun Strowman superplexing Big Show and breaking the ring. Somehow, Braun Strowman is able to get back on his feet afterwards and leave under his own power.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!