With 2025 WWE Royal Rumble just around the corner & Saturday Night’s Main Event set to take place this Saturday, WWE Raw went to American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. The show kicked backstage showcasing the arrival of various WWE Superstars heading into the arena. WWE Raw also featured video footage from backstage where Nia Jax attacked the current WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
Announced in advance of Monday’s show:
- Seth “Freakin” Rollins faces Drew McIntyre in a WrestleMania XL rematch
- Bayley vs. Nia Jax
- Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective
- The New Day in action
- Penta in action
- Appearances from Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and new women’s Intercontinental champion Lyra Valkyria
Main event Jey Uso Kicked Off WWE Raw
The show kicked off with the arrival of Jey Uso who is set to face the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jey challenged Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship last week here on WWE Raw on Netflix. Gunther arrived at the ring before Jey could begin talking to the WWE Universe.
Gunther used all mind games when they both met one-on-one inside the ring, telling Jey that he has no business being in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture and that he is just a guy who helps Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn. Jey then gave a reality check to the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, reminding him that he is 1-0 over him for the WrestleMania main events.
Gunther had enough and the two men began brawling in the ring. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion had no option besides waiting till the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, as he felt the ring.
Ratings: 8 /10
New Day and JBL meet backstage on WWE Raw
WWE Raw then went backstage where the WWE Hall of Famer JBL met Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Kingston and Woods offer a $2 bribe to JBL, to say good things during Kingston’s match against Rey Mysterio.
Backstage interview segment featuring Bayley
WWE Raw then went backstage where Bayley appeared on the show after losing to Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship on this past episode of WWE SmackDown. Bayley announced her participation in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match, saying that she is looking to run it back. Nia Jax then appeared on the segment as well, saying that she would be the one to win the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Bayley then challenged Jax to a singles match later on the show.
Rey Mysterio vs. Kofi Kingston
Rey Mysterio has appeared to be the locker room leader against Kingston and Woods ever since they kicked out Big E from the group. New Day who has turned heel is brilliantly trying to get as much heat from the fans as they can.
Woods on the ringside was clearly an advantage for Kingston as he was interfering throughout the match, behind the referee’s back. The frustration could be seen clearly on the faces of both Woods and Kingston as Mysterio was not holding down. Woods interfered in the match with the referee watching him, but Kingston inside the ring was not able to take any advantage of the situation.
Mysterio pinned Kingston to win the match, which led to a 2-on-1 assault by Woods and Kingston. LWO then arrived on the scene to save Mysterio.
Result: Rey Mysterio def Kofi Kingston
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- Kofi Kingston took the money back from JBL’s pocket as they were walking down to the ring.
- I really loved the Rey Mysterio’s gear for the show, did you notice it?
- Michael Cole also mentioned the fact that Rey Mysterio retired JBL from wrestling at WrestleMania 25.
Recap of Pénta’s debut on WWE Raw on Netflix
WWE Raw then featured a highlight from last week where Pénta made his WWE Raw debut when he defeated Chad Gable in a singles match.
Backstage segment Chad Gable
Chad Gable then appeared in a backstage interview segment along with the rest of the American Made, calling out their shots at the men’s Tag team and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Gable also announced his allegiance with Dominik Mysterio, saying that he would help him with his Lucha problem.
Ringside interview segment featuring Karrion Kross and Scarlett
Jackie Redmond mentioned that the Wyatt Sicks have left WWE Raw to move to WWE SmackDown to which Kross simply said that he has beaten Uncle Howdy and there’s nothing left. Redmond also mentioned that The Miz is not here on the show to which Kross replied saying that he is on an assignment.
Kross then mentioned that he has his eyes set on Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and Sami Zayn. Kross then called Zayn a hypocrite, saying that no one should believe what he says.
Sami Zayn arrives on WWE Raw on Netflix
Sami Zayn began talking to the WWE Universe as he announced his participation in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Zayn then said that he is among the top 4 or 5 guys in all of WWE, but there is just one thing that makes them different from them is that they have a World Heavyweight Championship to their name.
Kevin Owens then appeared on WWE Raw along with the WWE Winged Eagle Championship. Owens then mentioned his history with both Zayn and Rhodes, saying that he could understand why he teamed with Roman Reigns at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2024. Owens then said that he wants Zayn to win the Royal Rumble so they can main-event the WrestleMania in a singles match against each other.
He then tangled Zayn into his words saying that he knows he would help and that Owens would also help in his Royal Rumble match.
Backstage segment featuring Sheamus
WWE Raw then went backstage where Sheamus appeared in an interview segment with Cathy Kelley ahead of his WWE Intercontinental Championship match against Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Breakker then appeared on the segment as well saying that he would break him on this Saturday Night’s Main Event when they meet inside the ring.
Interview segment featuring Ludwig Kaiser
After losing to Sheamus last week here on WWE Raw, Ludwig Kaiser appeared in an interview segment and said that one way or another he would he to the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
He then shifted his focus toward Pénta, saying that they would soon cross paths.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Roxanne Perez was also at the ringside for the match, same as this past Friday on WWE SmackDown when Bayley challenged Tiffany Stratton for her WWE Women’s Championship. Bayley also lost her WWE Women’s Championship to Nia Jax at the 2024 WWE SummerSlam.
Jax came explosive in the match, as she took the fight to Bayley right from the beginning. Bayley got the match in a little control before she ran into Perez — who was sitting on the ringside. Perez tried to slap Bayley but she blocked and punched her right into the face as the match continued.
Meanwhile, the match continued inside the ring with Jax dominating the former WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley finally got the match in control when she found a way to give Jax a taste of her medicine when she delivered an Annihilator to her. Jax continued to target Bayley’s injured shoulder throughout the match.
Bayley did everything in her power but it was not enough to keep Jax down, who won the match after delivering an Annihilator to her.
The current WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley then appeared after she got attacked by Jax backstage, earlier on the show. Ripley took the fight to Jax while the security and officials tried to separate them.
Ripley then challenged Jax to a match at the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Result: Nia Jax def Bayley
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- WWE Raw also featured a recap from earlier on the show when Nia Jax attacked Rhea Ripley when she was making her way into the arena.
A backstage segment featuring The Judgment Day
WWE Raw then featured a highlight from last week where Damian Priest defeated Finn Bálor in a Street Fight with a little help from The War Raiders. The show then headed to the Judgment Day’s locker room where “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio referred Chad Gable to someone who could help him with his Lucha problem.
Mysterio then decided to replace Finn Bálor in the WWE Tag Team Championship match since he was nowhere to be seen since last week after he lost the Street fight against Priest.
Backstage Segment featuring Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, and Karrion Kross
Sami Zayn then met Seth Rollins backstage ahead of his WrestleMania XL match against Drew McIntyre. Rollins appreciated Zayn’s plan to win the 2025 Mens Royal Rumble, saying that when the time comes he will push him over the top rope.
Karrion Kross could be seen eyeing Seth Rollins from behind after Zayn left the scene.
Penta battles Pete Dunne in a singles match
Pete Dunne made his way to the ring, addressing fans who were still calling him by his old gimmick name Butch. After making his exciting debut last week here on WWE Raw against Chad Gable, Penta now found himself with a more vicious Dunne.
WWE Universe chanted “Let’s go Penta.” as the match continued.
Both men delivered some really good offense to each other, but it was Penta who won the match after delivering his signature Penta driver to Pete Dunne.
Following up on his debut from last week, the match was once again really good. Honestly, i really and eager to see how Triple H uses him during the road to WrestleMania 41.
Result: Penta defeated Dunne
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- Michael Cole accidentally mispronounced Pete Dunne’s former gimmick name Butch as Bit*h, which was really funny.
Cinematic promo featuring Logan Paul
Logan Paul then appeared in a promo segment talking about his list of accolades over the years from YouTube, Boxing, and WWE. The video package was very short and quick but WWE has announced that he would be returning to WWE Raw next week here on Netflix.
CM Punk arrives on WWE Raw on Netflix
CM Punk then appeared on a ringside interview segment with Jackie Redmond to discuss his dream to main-event WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. Punk responded by saying that he is going to win the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, no matter who is coming in the match.
While talking to Redmond, Punk also mentioned the favor with Paul Heyman in the mix as he continued talking about the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble.
Backstage interview segment featuring The War Raiders
The War Raiders then appeared in an interview segment with Cathy Kelley, saying that they don’t care whoever steps up against them, calling out The Judgment Day who looking to get a match against them for the WWE World Tag Team Championships.
Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective
After losing the finals of the Finals of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament, Dakota Kai was looking to bounce back against Pure Fusion Collective who attacked Kairi Sane a month ago.
Both teams delivered pretty good offense throughout the match but it was Iyo Sky who picked up the win for her team.
Result: Damage CTRL def Pure Fusion Collective
Ratings: 8 /10
Seth “Freakin” Rollins battles Drew McIntyre in a WrestleMania XL rematch
After losing his World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre on Night 2 of WrestleMania XL, both Rollins and McIntyre also came face-to-face last week here on WWE Raw when they declared their participation in the 2025 Mens Royal Rumble match.
Both took the fight to each other delivering some really good offense in the process. McIntyre got the match in control when he took the fight to Rollins outside the ring, as Rollins tried to fight back. Rollins took the fight to McIntyre inside the ring driving him into the ring posts.
McIntyre countered the Falcon Arrow by Rollins which was really awesome as Rollins replied by countering the Claymore kick by Scottish Warrior. The match continued with back-and-forth action between the two men. McIntyre tried to use some underhand tactics but nothing really worked out against Rollins, who continued to fight.
Rollins pinned McIntyre to win the match, who attacked him after the match ended. Zayn then arrived on the scene to help Rollins but got laid out by McIntyre. Zayn then hit Rollins with the Helluva Kick as McIntyre moved out of harm’s way, creating more tension between Rollins and Zayn as the show ended.
Result: Seth Rollins def Drew McIntyre
Ratings: 9 /10
WWE Raw, Jan. 20: Results Highlights
Singles Match:
Rey Mysterio def Kofi Kingston
Singles Match:
Nia Jax def Bayley
Singles Match:
Penta def Dunne
Singles Match:
Seth Rollins def Drew McIntyre
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE Raw
WWE delivered a really safe episode of Monday Night Raw this week. This show did not contain any major moments as WWE used the time to work on the storylines for both Saturday Night’s Main Event and 2025 Royal Rumble PLE.
Jey Uso kicked off the show along with his opponent Gunther from Saturday Night’s Main Event. WWE also pushed on the storyline for Sheamus to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his career. I think for a moment like this WWE would stretch this storyline to WrestleMania 41 and make it more memorable.
Nia Jax attacked Rhea Ripley backstage when the show started, to which Ripley replied with some of her own. She then challenged Jax to a match at the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event for the Women’s World Championship which was made official by the WWE Raw GM Adam Pearce.
I think the show was great, we are already on our way to witness perhaps one of the biggest Royal Rumble in the history of WWE. So, it’s not bad if WWE Creatives decided to hold the things for just till get set for the road to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.
My Ratings for the show: 7 /10
