Our WWE Raw results for tonight include CM Punk kicking off the show, R-Truth clashing with Pete Dunne, IYO SKY and Kairi Sane battling Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament begins with Dakota Kai vs. Katana Chance vs. Shayna Baszler, and the New Day’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.
WWE Raw Card:
- CM Punk kicks off Monday Night Raw
- R-Truth vs. Pete Dunne
- The New Day 10th Anniversary Celebration
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Dakota Kai vs. Katana Chance vs. Shayna Baszler
- Damage CTRL vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
WWE Raw Results:
While walking backstage, CM Punk runs into Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. Punk and Jey dap each other up and hug. Zayn and Punk glare at each other before shaking hands. Punk makes his way into the arena.
The Best in The World is Here!
Punk notes that the last time he was here, it was after a hell in a cell match, and he wasn’t sure what was next for him. Oddly enough, he’s in the same space today. After a WarGames match, he is in Everett, Washington. Only this time, he knows what’s next for him. Punk points in the rafters and asks the crowd if they can see it. People have told him it isn’t possible, but this time around, he has a favor or two he can call in to make it happen. Seth “Freakin” Rollins interrupts. Punk rolls his eyes as Rollins saunters down the ramp. Rollins says he’s been thinking a lot. He should have knocked Punk out the night he came back to WWE. Rollins has regretted that every day over the past year. Everything kept getting in the way of Rollins getting his get back on Punk.
After seeing Punk standing next to Roman Reigns last night, it became clear it was time to rectify his mistakes. Rollins starts taking his suit jacket off. Rollins notes there is nothing holding either of them back right now, and he has a feeling in his gut that tonight is the night he knocks CM Punk on his @$$. Punk said six months ago, Rollins was a champ, and he had something Rollins wanted. Now, Rollins has nothing Punk wants. Punk knows what’s in his future, and Rollins isn’t in it, then quips that Rollins has been thinking about him for six months, but Punk doesn’t think about him at all. Punk tells Rollins to stay out of his business.
Rollins says this is his business. Rollins pushes Punk down. Punk gets up and the two men get tied up. Jey Uso and Sami Zayn break it up. Adam Pearce and officials hold Punk back. Rollins yells for Punk and Jey to go back to Reigns. Zayn tells Rollins not to talk to Jey like that. Rollins says Zayn is right. Jey is Reigns’ family, but what’s Zayn’s excuse? Rollins asks Zayn how he could team with Punk. Zayn said he didn’t want to team up with Punk; he wanted to team up with Rollins. Rollins says to do what? To put that tyrant Reigns back in power?
Zayn reminds Rollins that Rollins created that tyrant 10 years ago when he put a chair in his back. So Rollins can’t act like he’s totally innocent here. Rollins reminds Zayn that he can’t fault Rollins for that because Zayn did the same damn thing. Rollins gets it, but Reigns is never going to change. The crowd boos. Rollins says Zayn is being naive; no, he’s being stupid right now. Zayn tells Rollins that if he wants to work out some of that tension, they can meet in the ring. Rollins agrees.
Grade: A
What a segment! Punk son’d Rollins, Rollins got an ounce of flesh, and Zayn and Rollins read each other up and down. EVERYONE had receipts, and that’s the importance of long-term storytelling. At this point, fans are examining these shows, like the Zapruder film, to try to decipher what’s coming next. Punk is going to make Rollins chase him to get his match, which means Punk will most likely be leaning more into his heel-bag. Punk is best when he’s the bad guy, so we should all buckle up for what happens next.
Damage CTRL vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Rodriguez runs over Sane and knocks SKY off the apron. Rodriguez powerbomb Morgan onto Sane. Sane manages to tag in SKY. SKY lands a flurry of offense. Rodriguez stumbles about like a baby deer. German suplex by SKY. Bullet train by SKY. SKY goes up for her moonsault. Morgan crotches SKY on the top. Rodriguez tags in and sets up her powerbomb. SKY escapes and tags in Sane. Missle dropkick by SKY. Insane Elbow by Sane. Morgan breaks up the pin. SKY lands a dive. Rodriguez hits her powerbomb on Sane for the win.
Winners- Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
After the match, Rodriguez and Morgan attack SKY and Sane. Rhea Ripley’s music hits, and she runs to the ring. Rodriguez and Ripley brawl. Rodriguez pushes Ripley into the corner of the commentary desk, eye first.
Grade: C+
This match was pretty short but seemed entirely too long. Rodriguez always brings things down to a snail’s pace, and the fact that she managed to get the pinfall here is laughable. If this wasn’t going to end with the number-one contender getting a surprise pinfall, then what’s the point? Beating Sane here doesn’t help anyone or benefit the overall story in any way. The proceedings picked up when Ripley appeared for the brawl at the end.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Dakota Kai vs. Katana Chance vs. Shayna Baszler
The fight quickly spills out of the ring. Baszler launches Kai into the commentary desk. Chance surprises Baszler with a corkscrew dive. After the break, Chance sends Kai flying off the top with a rana on top of Baszler. After a series of reversals, Baszler locks Kai in the Kirifuda Clutch. Chance tries to break it up with a 450 splash, but Kai flips out of the way, causing Chance to land on Baszler. Kai drops Chance with a fireman’s carry into a head kick for the win.
Winner- Dakota Kai
Grade: B
Great match. Baszler looked to be back to her old self, dominating most of the match. It’s a shame she didn’t win, but Kai is an interesting choice.
The New Day 10th Anniversary Celebration
Adam Pearce introduces Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston. Woods and Kingston make their way to the ring while checking out all of the New Day memorabilia adorning the arena. Woods says being a part of WWE and being successful for 10 years is so much more than they could have ever dreamed of. Woods thanks the fans. Kingston says it’s been a hell of a ride. The crowd wants Big E. Woods says they miss him, too. Woods says that they wanted to come out here and tell everyone what they are about to say is not the fan’s fault.
The crowd boos. Kingston starts to speak, but Big E’s music hits! Big E joins Kingston and Woods in the ring. Big E says he wishes he was here under better circumstances. Big E reminds Woods and Kingston that they came from nothing and all they had was each other. Woods and Kingston glare at each other. Big E gives Woods and Kingston a Coach Carter-level pep talk. Until Big E is medically cleared to compete in the ring, he’s going to be right here next to Woods and Kingston to remind them of who they are. Woods yells at Big E about picking now to come back.
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Woods says E left them. Big E says he broke his neck. Kingston agrees. Kingston says so what about about breaking his neck. Stone Cold, Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and others have, and they all came back. If Big E truly cared about them, he would have been here. Kingston says Big E chose his new life and his new girlfriend over them. Woods asks Big E if he realizes what a burden he’s become. They missed Big E, but Big E didn’t miss them. Kingston says that with a broken neck or not, Big E chose himself over them.
Woods yells that Big E is never going to be cleared and he should get out of the ring and go back to his desk job. Big E says he doesn’t want to let this go. Woods turns his head in disgust. Big E tries to come in for a hug, but Kingson pushes him back. Big E sheepishly walks away. Kingston says it’s just them now. Woods and Kingston shake on it.
Grade: A
Great segment. Once again, WWE is throwing heat. The fact that we know how close these three are in real life makes everything that happened here tonight that much more impactful. It was great seeing Big E back, and this would be a great use for him if his in-ring career is over at this point. Still praying that’s not the case, but if he can’t be there, you have to use it. Who knows, maybe one day. Can’t wait to see what happens next for heel New Day.
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio
Dominik pushes Gunther. Gunther picks Dominik up and deposits him on the apron. Gunther pats Dominik on the head. Dominik slaps Gunther. Gunther tries to Powerbomb Dominik out on the floor. Dominik counters with a rana that sends Gunther into the ring post. Dive by Dominik. Gunther unloads on Dominik with chops. Dominik low blows Gunther, but the referee doesn’t see it. 619 by Dominik. Dominik lands a frog splash. Gunther kicks out. Gunther obliterates Dominik with a Powerbomb for the win.
Winner- Gunther
After the match, Finn Bálor attacks Gunther. Bálor tells Dominik to watch and learn. Bálor crushes Gunther with three double stomps off the top.
Grade: B
Dominik is way too good at being a sniveling heel. Dominik has so much heat that he turned Gunther face for ten or so minutes tonight. Gunther and Dominik worked a classic match, with Dominik cheating to try to get the win… you know, because it’s illogical for Dominik to be a physical threat to Gunther. Bálor is working his way into a triple threat situationship with Gunther and Priest, which is a great way to mix up the Priest and Gunther feud.
R-Truth vs. Pete Dunne
Dunne attacks Truth. The crowd chants “Butch,” which enrages Dunne. Dunne gets distracted yelling at the crowd. Truth rolls up Dunne for the win.
Winner- R-Truth
Grade: C-
Always happy to see Truth get a win, but this was a complete waste of time.
Backstage, Zayn suggests to Pearce that Rollins attacked Jey Uso.
Sami Zayn vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Zayn sends Rollins over the top. Zayn feints a dive as Rollins sidesteps. After the break, Zayn unloads on Rollins with punches in the corner. Zayn dives off the second rope into a boot by Rollins. Rollins sets up a Pedigree. Zayn reverses it into a blue thunder bomb. Rollins kicks out. Zayn sets up the Helluva Kick. Rollins counters with a superkick. Zayn falls out of the ring. Rollins tells Zayn that his fight is with Punk.
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Zayn tells Rollins he knows it was him who attacked Jey. Zayn slaps Rollins. Rollins beats the crap out of Zayn and tosses him into the timekeeper’s area. Zayn surprises Rollins with a boot to the face before launching him into the ring post. Zayn grabs a chair and brings it into the ring. Rollins and Zayn argue. Rollins screams that he didn’t attack Jey. Rollins blames Punk. The referee threatens to DQ Zayn. Zayn tosses the chair. Rollins rolls up Zayn for the win.
Winner- Seth Rollins
After the match, Rollins tells Zayn he needs to start using his head instead of his heart. Rollins walks away. Back in the ring, Zayn turns around, and Drew McIntyre drops him with a Claymore.
Grade: C-
This match seemed rushed, and that kept it from really coming together. Zayn continues to prove Rollins right, as he lost this match quite literally due to stupidity. Why would he toss the chair out of the ring? Why bother bringing it in at all if you weren’t going to use it? This whole thing was saved with the surprise return of McIntyre at the end. We know who attacked Jey now, and a Zayn/McIntyre feud is a fresh new direction to head on as we march to the Royal Rumble.
WWE Raw Review:
Coming out of WarGames, this episode of Raw set up all the new big angles the show will focus on heading into the Royal Rumble. Rollins will continue to chase Punk for a fight; Zayn is paired off with Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre, and The New Day are a heel team now, which is interesting since the current World tag champs are heels as well. Woods and Kingston turning on Big E was masterfully done; though this may be it for his in-ring career, this was the best way for him to go out, setting up his brothers for their next chapter. What do you all think is next for Woods and Kingston? Will Rollins get his hands on Punk again? Let us know in the comments!
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