WWE Raw Results – Netflix Debut
January 6, 2025
Inglewood, California (Intuit Dome)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
For 1,649 episodes since January 11, 1993, WWE Raw was a Monday night tradition on the USA Network (and, for a time, TNN/Spike TV). For so many of us, it wasn’t just a show – it was where we developed our love for WWE. Whether it was Austin vs. McMahon, the rise of John Cena, or any number of unforgettable moments, Raw was a weekly destination.
But tonight, everything changes. After more than 30 years on traditional TV, Raw officially kicks off its new era on Netflix. It’s streaming for a new generation of fans, but for those of us who’ve been along for the ride, it feels like the start of something huge.
This is WWE’s chance to redefine Monday nights, and if tonight’s anything like what’s been promised, we’re in for something special. It’s episode 1,650. Let’s dive in!
Pre-Show Red Carpet Arrivals
The Intuit Dome is shown. Many WWE Superstars have walked the red carpet for tonight’s event. Seth “Freakin” Rollins is shown in a red suit. CM Punk, his opponent this evening for a long-awaited match, is shown arriving at the Intuit Dome. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan is shown arriving with the Judgment Day. She’ll defend her title against Rhea Ripley, who is also shown arriving for the evening.
Michael Cole welcomes us for the first time to WWE Raw on Netflix.
We are live in the Intuit Dome. The arena seats show off LED lights. There is a large canvas wall surrounding all four sides of the ring. The amazing cold open for WWE Raw plays.
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque narrates the video:
It’s as real as our ancient yearning. Not merely for a hero but the villain as well. Just as they need each other, so do you need them to tell a story. But what of the story of wrestling itself? What if the canvas could speak of an ageless carnival with primeval roots, but came of age with that most American of institutions, television? As television changed, so did wrestling. And together, they changed America. Truth is, a great swath of American culture is born of that eternal battle between the face and the heel. From ecstasy to humiliation. Fame to obscurity and back again. An endless cycle that changed the rules and blurred the lines, made it harder to distinguish the good guys from the bad, the shoot from the work, the real from the unreal. Because wrestling’s greatest stories, every damn one, has that element of truth. The screens get smaller, but the show gets bigger. Global, from television to streaming, America to the world. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the all real, ever fantastic, never to end, story of WWE. (Transcription courtesy of F4WOnline)
An explosion is heard, and the canvas walls surrounding the ring fall to reveal WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque standing in the center of the ring! The crowd roars.
Levesque says, “17,000 plus sold-out Los Angeles, let me hear you! In this moment, and this is the moment, all of you are being seen and heard by the entire globe. Show them who you are! Tell them that this is the WWE, and we are louder than anything you have ever seen before. I already know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask it anyways: Are you ready? Then, welcome to Monday Night Raw. Welcome to the Netflix era!”
A huge pyrotechnics display goes off, and the crowd is fired up.
The lights go out…
“IF YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN’!”
The People’s Champion, The Final Boss, The Rock, comes out to a HUGE ovation! The Rock is carrying the People’s Championship belt that was given to him by the widow of Muhammad Ali at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in 2024. The Rock’s arms are covered in goosebumps, and he makes his way to the ring, slapping hands with the fans. The Rock hugs the TKO executives at ringside and embraces his daughters.
The ring canvas is covered in advertisements, from Fortnite to Netflix, Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer to Snickers.
The Rock stands in the middle of the ring, and the crowd loudly chants, “Rocky.” The Rock has some stubble on his face and raises the People’s Eyebrow. The Rock says years ago when he was a “little pebble,” he’d traveled the highways with his father, the late WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. The only way to watch WWE was either buy a ticket or watch it on Saturday morning. You can still buy a ticket, but watching it now is a totally different story. Right now, around the world, you are watching it on Netflix. Rock says tonight on Netflix in the Intuit Dome they are making history. This is the largest arena gate in the history of WWE. The crowd roars at paying the highest prices for WWE tickets ever.
The Rock says, “Finally, the WWE has come back to Netflix. You guys are like, no, no, no, that’s bullshit. Get to the real one.” The Rock says he’ll say this one loud and proud. It’s a special night. The Rock says, “Finally, The Rock has come back to Los Angeles!”
The Rock wants to acknowledge a few people. When you think of great partners, you must have the right partner who loves WWE and professional wrestling and sees the bigger picture; that partner is Netflix. The Rock acknowledges the Netflix executives in the luxury suite.
There’s also a man who The Rock has spilled blood across this country and would do it again. This man has carried the company for a year and done an amazing job. The Rock acknowledges Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, who is at ringside. The crowd roars for the champion. The Rock says, “Tell Mama Rhodes. The Rock says hello.”
The Rock also wants to acknowledge his cousin, Roman Reigns. An “OTC” chant fires up. Not only is Reigns the Tribal Chief, but he is the Original Tribal Chief. Tonight, it’s Tribal Combat Rules. The Rock and the world will be watching. The Rock is a High Chief who carries that title with pride and respect.
It’s time to get this show on the road. “If ya smellll…” The Rock lowers the microphone and listens to a thunderous “Rocky” chant. The Rock finishes with, “…is cookin’!” The Rock leaves the ring and hugs Rhodes.
Tribal Combat
Solo Sikoa vs. Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman
Referee: Chad Patton
New Raw ring announcer Alicia Taylor does the in-ring introductions. Referee Chad Patton is in new referee attire. It’s a silver shirt with two black stripes and a WWE logo. Heyman takes the microphone from Taylor, and the crowd screams along with him as he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.” Reigns is from the Island of Relevancy and will soon be the only Tribal Chief.
The crowd chants, “F–k you, Solo.” Pat McAfee quips, “Well, it is Netflix.” Sikoa removes the Ula Fala and hands it to Heyman, who holds it reverently. The winner of this match will receive the Ula Fala.
-Commercial Break-
This will be Roman Reigns’ first match on Raw since July 25, 2022.
The bell rings, and Tribal Combat has begun. A great drone shot of the arena is shown as we return from the commercial. Sikoa points at the Ula Fala that Heyman is holding up at ringside. They lock up and are evenly matched in power. They struggle to get an advantage against each other. Reigns gets a head of steam and powers Sikoa forward and out of the ring. Reigns goes to ringside, and they lock up. They bounce into the ring post and the barricade. Sikoa drives Reigns hard into the LED ring post. Reigns holds the back of his head in pain. Sikoa bounces Reigns’ face off the new announce table, which is much bigger and flashier than the old model.
Sikoa gets Reigns in the ring and connects with a clothesline. The crowd boos and Sikoa taunts them. Sikoa head-butts Reigns and sends him into the ropes, but Reigns floors him with a clothesline. Reigns pulls Sikoa up, but he has a whip into the ropes reversed. Reigns immediately fires back with a leaping clothesline. Reigns has Sikoa in the corner and connects with ten clubs to the chest. Reigns hits the ropes, but Sikoa follows him and rocks him with a forearm. Sikoa hits the ropes, but Reigns follows him in for a forearm to the jaw. Reigns big boots him out of the ring. Reigns goes to ringside, but Sikoa catches him with a Spinning Solo on the announce table! Sikoa clears the table and stands on it, looking down at the OTC. Sikoa grabs a monitor and cracks Reigns in the head. There are no disqualifications in Tribal Combat.
Sikoa grabs the top half of the steel ring steps and yells at Reigns to get up. Sikoa looks at Heyman and says, “Watch this!” Sikoa lawn darts the steps into Reigns’ face! Reigns drops and grabs his face in agony. Sikoa sneers at the OTC.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Sikoa grabs a steel chair from under the ring. Sikoa puts two of them in the ring and gets in. Reigns is struggling to get to his feet. Reigns slowly gets up, and Sikoa hits him in the midsection with the steel chair before smashing it on his back. Reigns is down on the canvas. Sikoa beats Reigns’ torso with the chair several times and points a finger in the sky. Sikoa puts Reigns in the corner and punches him. Sikoa shouts, “I gave you everything. You understand me? I loved you. I always loved you. Now, I’m gonna take your ass out for good.” Sikoa puts the chair around Reigns’ head and backs up to the opposite corner. Sikoa poses a la the late great Umaga and charges, but Reigns moves. Sikoa hits the turnbuckles hard.
Reigns, who has a cut on his forehead, has control of the chair. Reigns hits Sikoa in the midsection with the chair and beats him hard with the chair. Sikoa puts a hand up and takes a full-force chair shot to the hand. Sikoa shakes the feeling into his hand. Hopefully, it isn’t legitimately broken. Reigns grabs his head and smashes it a few times onto the deformed chair on the canvas. The crowd chants, “We want tables.” Reigns goes for a con-chair-to, but Sikoa moves. The vibration hurts Reigns’ hands. Sikoa connects with a Spinning Solo onto the chair! 1… 2… Reigns kicks out!
Sikoa goes to ringside and grabs a table to a moderate ovation. The crowd loves the table, but they hate Sikoa. Reigns then comes from out of nowhere with a Drive-by Dropkick to the skull. Sikoa is stunned on the floor. Reigns slides the table up in the ring and sets it up. Reigns puts himself through the ropes and grabs Sikoa’s head at ringside, but Sikoa rocks him with a kendo stick! Reigns falls back. Sikoa gets in the ring and lays in some stiff kendo stick shots. Sikoa shouts at Heyman, “That’s mine.” Heyman clutches the Ula Fala. Sikoa climbs to the middle rope and tells Reigns to acknowledge him. Sikoa loved him, but Reigns never loved him. No matter what Sikoa did, Reigns never reciprocated. Sikoa digs the kendo stick into his face, but Reigns powers it up. Reigns knocks the kendo stick away and hits Sikao with a powerbomb through the table! 1… 2… Tama Tonga pulls referee Chad Patton out of the ring before the three-count. Reigns shakes his head in frustration.
Reigns turns, and Jacob Fatu rocks Reigns with a clothesline and a superkick. Fatu connects with an Impaler DDT. Fatu connects with a double jump moonsault on Reigns! Sikoa stumbles to his feet and hits Reigns with a Samoan Spike! Chad Patton crawls into the ring as Sikoa makes the cover. 1… 2… Reigns kicks out! Everyone, including Heyman, is shocked. A loud “OTC” chant picks up. Fatu ominously approaches Chad Patton, but Sikoa pulls him back. Sikoa then hits Patton with a Samoan Spike!
Sikao sets up for another Samoan Spike on Reigns, but Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso run down to ringside! They attack Tonga and Fatu. Zayn sends Fatu into the steps, and Jimmy sends Tonga into the ring post. Jimmy hits Sikoa with a superkick, and Zayn follows up with a Helluva Kick! Reigns finishes Sikoa with a Spear, but there is no referee! A new referee runs down and starts counting. 1… 2… Sikoa kicks out.
The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Zayn and Jimmy hit Fatu and Tonga with a somersault plancha and a plancha, respectively, in stereo. Reigns shakes the ropes and is fired up. Reigns signals for the end, but Kevin Owens suddenly gets in the ring and hits Reigns with a Stunner! Owens is capitalizing on all the hate he’s harbored against Reigns for years. Sikoa covers 1… 2…, but Reigns kicks out! Owens punches Reigns and sets up for a package piledriver, but Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes runs down! They brawl, and Rhodes hits Owens with a Cody Cutter! They brawl out of the ring and into the crowd.
Reigns and Sikoa get to their feet. Reigns goes for a Superman Punch, but Sikoa counters with a Samoan Spike attempt. Reigns ducks the Samoan Spike and hits a Spear! Reigns backs up and lets out a tribal scream. Reigns hits Sikoa with a massive Spear and covers for the win! Reigns has regained the Ula Fala!
Winner by Pinfall: Roman Reigns
Paul Heyman gets in the ring with the Ula Fala. Heyman kneels before Reigns… but The Rock starts walking to ringside. Reigns and Heyman look confused. Heyman has not given Reigns the Ula Fala yet.
The Rock gets in the ring and takes the Ula Fala from Heyman. Heyman gives it to him and bows. The Rock then puts the Ula Fala around Reigns’ neck.
In between them, standing on the apron, Heyman stares intently at The Rock. An “OTC” chant picks up. The Rock removes his sunglasses. The Rock raises his right hand, and Reigns claps hands with him. They embrace in the ring. Reigns turns to the crowd and stands tall with the Ula Fala. Reigns puts a finger in the air. Michael Cole says, “The Roman Empire is back.” Reigns looks up to the heavens, acknowledging his father, Sika Anoa’i of The Wild Samoans, who passed away in June 2024.
Backstage Segment
CM Punk is shown warming up for his big match against Seth “Freakin” Rollins later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Video: A lucha mask is shown, and the name “Penta” appears!
Video: The Royal Rumble is coming to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in January 2026. An advertisement for Saudi Arabia plays. You can briefly hear the crowd booing, but they turn the microphones down.
An amazing drone shot shows the Intuit Dome as Michael Cole goes through the show’s sponsors. The drone then flies into the concourse area and into the arena itself.
SmackDown Superstars are shown in a skybox.
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is at ringside. He has a Netflix special debuting tomorrow. Ashton Kutcher is also shown at ringside. Michael Che from Saturday Night Live is there.
WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is at ringside and is showing off an Eddie Guerrero shirt. A loud “Eddie” chant picks up. World Tag Team Champions, the War Raiders, are seated next to Mysterio. Wale is also at ringside. LA Knight gets a huge ovation when he appears on the screen.
John Cena kicks off his Retirement Tour
WWE legend John Cena makes his way to the ring. He holds up a towel that says, “The last time is now!” Cena speaks to the cameraman as he always does and asks, “It’s the last time? Let’s go to work!” Cena runs down to the ring and poses.
Outside the Intuit Dome, LED drones light up the sky with Cena’s logo.
Cena says everyone is talking about it, but you don’t understand it until you’re out there. There are people everywhere. LA shows up. A loud “Cena” chant picks up. Cena says he knows we’ve heard it, but this is the first time Raw has been broadcast worldwide. A “Thank you, Cena” chant picks up. Over the years, he’s learned that the people are very smart. The audience is bigger. Their energy, enthusiasm, and electricity are known throughout the world. From South Korea to Brazil to India, Cena wants Los Angeles to let them know. The crowd roars.
Cena thanks Netflix for allowing the world to experience Monday Night Raw. Cena thanks Raw for allowing him the honor to stand in the ring in Los Angeles for the last time. He could not think of a better place to start the farewell tour than Los Angeles, California. It’s not just their excitement. Cena slept in his car while working at Gold’s Gym in Venice. He learned to wrestle at UPW in Orange County. He rented a two-bedroom 600 feet from this building. LA is where the Prototype was born. It’s where he won his first World Championship. For 25 years, LA has allowed him the opportunity to perform in this ring. For the last time in the city where dreams are made, Cena humbly thanks them.
The crowd loudly chants, “Thank you, Cena.” This is what this year is about. It’s about making moments. There is a lot of noise, but there’s also a lot of noise outside. Every day, a new expert has a headline about who Cena will face at WrestleMania and in his last match in December. They say names like Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Logan Paul, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes. A lot of people want to know when he’s going to become the record-breaking 17-time World Champion on this tour. The crowd chants, “You deserve it!” Cena says they’ve always been honest with him, so he’ll be honest with them. He doesn’t see that happening. The reason is the streak. He’s not talking about Roman Reigns’ title run or Undertaker at WrestleMania. It’s been 2,446 days since he won his last match. Cena is at peace with it. His time is up. Their time is now. The crowd boos.
Cena says they’ll have some fun. It will be a great year. As far as a 17th championship is concerned, it’s not going to happen. Cena knows that in WWE, you “never say never.” It would take a miracle. Cena has a better chance of winning an Oscar. With a streak like that, he can’t waltz into the main event. To get a chance like that, he has to win Money in the Bank or the Elimination Chamber. Heck, you’d have to win the Royal Rumble. The crowd roars in approval. Cena says he has a crazy idea… maybe he can win the Royal Rumble. Cena says it’s a lottery ticket, but you can’t win if you don’t play. For him, it’s his last Royal Rumble. There’s no next year. The best way to say thank you is to win the Royal Rumble and make history at WrestleMania. It sounds impossible, but with Cena, nothing is impossible. The only time they say “never” around here is when he says, “Never give up.” Not only is he going to the Royal Rumble, but he’s going to win the Royal Rumble! Cena concludes with, “You want some? Come get some!” Cena walks off.
Video: Logan Paul is the newest member of the Raw roster. Paul says he doesn’t respect the process. He won’t fall in line and wait his turn. It keeps people up at night that he’s so good at this. Now, he’s dedicating his life to this. No more side hustle. No more bulls–t. 100% WWE Superstar! This is the beginning of the era of Logan Paul.
Logan Paul is seated at ringside. Paul shouts that it’s his time.
Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan makes her way to the ring alongside “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgment Day. An awesome drone shot follows her to ringside. Outside the Intuit Dome, LED drones flash her logo in the sky.
Liv Morgan will defend the Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley next.
-Commercial Break-
Aerial coverage is provided by Goodyear.
The old Raw theme from 2002 plays. Seth Green is at ringside. Seated next to him is Macaulay Culkin. Culkin gets a HUGE reaction. We also see O’Shea Jackson Jr. Danielle Fishel, who is excited to be in attendance.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi are at ringside. WWE Hall of Famer X-Pac is seated next to them. United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is also there.
Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring to a HUGE ovation. Since May 2022, she is 3-2 against Liv Morgan. Against everyone else, she has 22 wins with no losses in 24 matches.
Women’s World Championship
Liv Morgan (c) w/ The Judgment Day (“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez) vs. Rhea Ripley
Referee: Daphanie LaShaunn
Liv Morgan is in her 226th day as Women’s World Champion. Alicia Taylor does the in-ring introductions.
The bell rings. They start brawling, but Ripley quickly grabs her by the throat, powers her up, and slams Morgan down to the canvas. Morgan rolls out of the ring to recover with Rodriguez and Mysterio. Ripley gets on the apron and hits Rodriguez with a cannonball. Ripley chases Morgan into the ring. Mysterio grabs Ripley’s foot. Morgan knocks Ripley to the floor. Morgan comes off the apron with a flying hurricanrana attempt, but Ripley catches her and counters with a powerbomb onto the commentary table!
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Morgan is beating Ripley down in the corner. Morgan lays in some stomps and screams at the referee. Ripley quickly pulls Morgan facefirst into the middle turnbuckle. Morgan quickly rocks her with a back elbow and comes off the second rope with a face-buster for a two-count. Morgan grabs Ripley’s head and slaps her in the face before slamming her face off the mat a few times. Morgan kicks Ripley in the ribs and steps on her. Morgan scratches the back a few times, but this only infuriates Ripley. Ripley challenges her to hit her harder. Ripley blocks a strike and hits a pair of short-arm clotheslines. Ripley kicks her in the midsection, lifts her, and slams her onto her face. Ripley connects with a running knee. Ripley is fired up and powers Morgan up for a beautiful vertical suplex. Ripley charges, but Morgan moves. Morgan goes for a roll-up, but Ripley counters into a dragon suplex for a near fall!
Ripley pulls Morgan up and goes for a Riptide, but Morgan counters into a backstabber. Morgan drives her into the middle turnbuckle and connects with a tornado DDT for a near fall. The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Rhea.” Morgan sees Ripley against the ropes and charges, but Ripley head-butts her. Morgan responds with a step-up enzuigiri. Ripley slides through the legs and hits a Riptide! 1… 2… Morgan kicks out! Ripley cannot believe Morgan kicked out of the Riptide!
“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio slides the Women’s World Championship into the ring. This only distracts the referee, who removes it from the ring. Rodriguez jumps to the apron, but Ripley knocks her away with a knee. Morgan then connects with an Ob-Liv-ion onto a steel chair that Rodriguez brought into the ring. The chair is knocked out of the ring. Morgan covers 1… 2…, but Ripley kicks out!
Morgan starts up the Three Amigos and completes the trifecta. Michael Cole says that was done to mock Eddie Guerrero’s legacy, as Dom Mysterio does. Morgan shimmies a la Eddie Guerrero as she goes to the top rope, and she connects with a Frog Splash on Ripley! 1… 2… Ripley kicks out! Ripley is struggling to get to her feet. Morgan goes for Ob-Liv-ion, but Ripley holds her up. Ripley looks into Morgan’s eyes and shakes her head. Morgan is terrified. Ripley slams Morgan down and connects with a massive Riptide. Ripley rolls Morgan over and powers her up for a second Riptide! Ripley covers 1… 2… 3! New champion!
Winner by Pinfall and new Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley
The referee hands Ripley the Women’s World Championship, and Ripley holds it up in victory. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio gets in the ring and looks like he will sneak attack Ripley. Ripley turns and looks at him. Mysterio opens his arms for a hug. Ripley looks at him and puts the title down. She goes to hug him, but then she kicks him in the groin! Ripley hits Mysterio with a Riptide! Ripley talks trash to Mysterio and kicks metaphorical dirt at him.
Ripley celebrates by the stage and shouts, “Mami’s always on top!”
All of a sudden, the bell tolls! Then “American Bad Ass” begins to play! WWE Hall of Famer, the American Bad Ass, The Undertaker, rides down to ringside on his motorcycle! Undertaker circles ringside and drives up the aisleway. He stands next to Ripley, and they raise their arms together. Pyrotechnics go off as they pose. The Undertaker main evented the very first Monday Night Raw against Damien Demento.
WWE Superstars are shown watching the show in a skybox. The New Day is there, and they don’t look impressed.
WWE Raw returns to Madison Square Garden on March 10.
Raw General Manager’s Office
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is in his office with Bayley. Cathy Kelley asks Pearce what we can expect with Raw on Netflix. Chad Gable walks up with American Made. People can expect more of them. Gable took out Otis and Alpha Academy. Gable will win a singles championship this year and prove he has no problem beating luchadors. Gable wants to face the best luchador next week. Pearce says has the perfect luchador. Is he sure? Gable says he’s never been unsure of anything. Pearce has a phone call to make.
Backstage Segment
“Main Event” Jey Uso is fired up backstage. He’ll face Drew McIntyre, who is shown elsewhere backstage, next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: The Rock was live on Instagram as he left the Intuit Dome. The Rock embraced his cousins and Paul “Triple H” Levesque. In the parking garage, The Rock also embraced Travis Scott and Cody Rhodes. Rock said he would be on NXT!
Bill Simmons is at ringside, holding up a Boston Celtics logo. Netflix executives are also at ringside. Vanessa Hudgens, a huge WWE fan, is also there. Michelle McCool, the Undertaker’s wife and one of the great women’s wrestlers, is seated at ringside.
IYO SKY and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL are there. Lyra Valkyria is seated elsewhere at ringside. Kai will battle Valkyria next week on Raw to determine the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
Travis Scott appears in the crowd. He is smoking something. “Main Event” Jey Uso then appears next to him. Scott is holding an old Hardcore Championship. Uso and Scott head to the ring to a HUGE ovation. Pat McAfee says he’s YEETing all over himself. Michael Cole begs him not to YEET on him since he only has one suit. McAfee is on the table and YEETing with Uso. Cole does it and is blown up, but he pulls himself to the table. Uso and Scott come to ringside and shake hands with Cole and McAfee.
-Commercial Break-
“Main Event” Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
Referee: Eddie Orengo
As McIntyre makes his entrance, Uso hits him with a topé suicida! Uso gets in the ring and goes for a second topé suicida, but McIntyre catches him. McIntyre drives him into the LED apron and slams him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor! McIntyre rips off his ring jacket before pulling Uso to his feet. McIntyre chops the chest and rolls Uso into the ring.
The bell rings, and McIntyre charges for a Claymore Kick. Uso sidesteps him and hits a back elbow, followed by a step-up enzuigiri. McIntyre reverses a whip to the opposite corner. Uso goes for a slingshot over him, but McIntyre kicks him in the midsection. McIntyre pulls him to his feet and drops him to his knees with a right hand. McIntyre mocks the “YEET” dance. McIntyre pulls him up and chops him hard. Uso responds with a right hand, but McIntyre cuts him off. McIntyre chops him to the corner and smashes the chest. McIntyre goes to the second rope and starts the 10 punches. McIntyre poses, and Uso surprises him with a sit-out powerbomb.
They slowly get up, and Uso lays in some right hands. McIntyre blocks a kick and spins him, but Uso hits a big enzuigiri. McIntyre is knocked to the corner and is seated. Uso hits a running hip attack. Uso goes to the top rope and connects with a diving cross-body block for a two-count. Uso gets up and charges, but McIntyre drops him with a neckbreaker. McIntyre kips up and looks threateningly into the camera. McIntyre counts down and charges for a Claymore Kick, but Uso superkicks him down for a near fall. Uso heads to the top rope and goes for an Uso Splash, but McIntyre gets the knees up. McIntyre connects with a spinebuster and floats into a jackknife pin for a near fall. McIntyre quickly follows up with a sit-out powerbomb for another near fall.
McIntyre is frustrated, but then he begins to laugh. McIntyre sneers at Uso. There are dueling chants for both men. They exchange strikes in the center of the ring. McIntyre kicks him and goes for a Future Shock DDT, but Uso gets out. Uso tries for a Samoan Drop, but McIntyre slides off and hits a Future Shock DDT for a near fall. McIntyre goes to the corner and sizes Uso up. McIntyre charges for a Claymore Kick, but Uso cuts him off with a Spear! 1… 2… McIntyre barely kicks out. McIntyre slowly gets up, as does Uso. Uso superkicks McIntyre. Uso hits a second superkick and charges for a Spear, but McIntyre kicks him in the face. Uso responds with a superkick. They both hit the ropes. McIntyre connects with a Claymore Kick! 1… 2… Uso kicks out!
An irate McIntyre mounts Uso and punches away at him. McIntyre pulls Uso up and chops him in the corner. McIntyre connects with a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre backs up to the corner and sizes Uso up. McIntyre goes for a Claymore Kick, but Uso collapses before he can hit it. McIntyre laughs as Uso lies at his feet. The referee checks on Uso. McIntyre parades around the ring and sizes Uso up. McIntyre has a welt on the side of his head. McIntyre goes for a Claymore Kick, but Uso ducks. Uso catches him with a crucifix pin for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: “Main Event” Jey Uso
An irate McIntyre chases Uso out of the ring. McIntyre is stunned he lost that match.
Video: World Heavyweight Champion Gunther says he’s heard people say this is a new era. This is a new era for everyone else, but not for him. All the personal problems and emotional outbursts mean nothing. Gunther is still the place where dreams, hopes, and ambitions go to die. Gunther is the light at the end of the tunnel because he holds the prize they all want. He is the World Heavyweight Champion. He is “The Ring General” Gunther.
Backstage Interview
Cathy Kelley is backstage with Gabriel Iglesias. She asks what he’s looking forward to, but The New Day cuts him off. Xavier Woods says they haven’t had a chance to explain what happened with them and Big E. Kofi Kingston says she should interview the greatest tag team of all time, not this Fluffy buffoon. Alpha Academy walks up to Iglesias. Iglesias says he has to get to his amazing seats, thanks to Netflix. Iglesias starts a “New Day sucks” chant.
Backstage Segment
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are walking backstage. Heyman says they need a platform for the world to acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. When can Heyman book that? Reigns says, “January 27.” They walk into a room and close the door. On the door is a “WWE 2K25” logo.
Backstage Segment
Seth “Freakin” Rollins is preparing for his match against CM Punk later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
WrestleMania Vegas is 103 days away.
Richard Gadd and Tiffany Haddish are at ringside. Stephen Amell, who once had a match at SummerSlam, is also at ringside. WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is sitting with new WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella is also there. It’s nice to see she’s back in the fold with WWE.
Hulk Hogan addresses Raw on Netflix
WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart come out to the stage. Hogan initially gets a good reaction, but the boos start to seep through. Hogan looks around and looks surprised. Hogan says, “Well, let me tell you something, brother!” There are loud boos. Hogan has been in this business for 40 years. The greatest part was being in the WWE. He’s had some great tag team partners, but the fans have been the best. They’ve stuck with him through thick and thin. The crowd boos. Hogan puts over his Real American Beer. Hogan has had incredible partners like “The Macho Man” Randy Savage, André the Giant, and others. The best partnership is between WWE and Netflix. The crowd is booing Hogan loudly. Hogan rips off his shirt and reveals a “Netflix is Raw” shirt. Hogan asks, “Whatcha gonna do when the WWE and Netflix run wild on you, maniacs?” The crowd loudly boos as Hogan poses and Hart waves the American flag.
Next week on Raw
— WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Dakota Kai vs. Lyra Valkyria
— Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
— Chad Gable vs. a mystery luchador
— Street Fight: Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
Stephanie McMahon is seated at ringside. She gets a great ovation.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his entrance. He’ll face CM Punk in a long-awaited match next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event returns on Saturday, January 25.
The LED drones are lighting up the sky with an awesome WWE Championship.
Michael Cole reiterates that this is the highest-grossing arena show in WWE history.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. CM Punk
Referee: Rod Zapata
This will be CM Punk’s first match on Raw since defeating Billy Gunn on January 20, 2014, a span of 4,004 days.
The bell rings, and they stare at each other from across the ring. The crowd is buzzing for this match. Punk smirks at Rollins. Rollins simply sneers at him. They go to the center of the ring and get into a brawl. Punk punches Rollins into the ropes. Rollins spins him around and clubs him against the ropes. Punk ducks a clothesline and hits a clothesline over the top rope. Punk goes for a plancha, but Rollins moves. Rollins crushes Punk with a topé suicida, slamming him into the barricade. Rollins clears off the commentary table. The referee warns Rollins not to push him too far because this is not a No Disqualification match. Rollins tells him to let it ride.
Rollins goes to ringside and attacks Punk. Rollins sends Punk into the barricade and charges, but Punk gives him a back body drop over the barricade. Rollins lands hard on the concrete. Punk jumps off the barricade and takes Rollins down. They brawl among the fans before Rollins sends him back to ringside. Punk is holding his knee in pain. Rollins jumps off the barricade, but Punk punches him in the midsection. Punk throws the lid of the commentary table onto Rollins. There are dueling chants for both men. Punk gets in the ring and avoids a Stomp from Rollins. Punk goes for a Go To Sleep, but Rollins gets out and elbows Punk in the head several times wildly. Punk rolls to the corner and holds his head in pain. Rollins digs his boot into Punk’s face before getting in the referee’s face.
Rollins turns into a big boot from Punk. Punk delivers a front suplex onto the top rope. Punk climbs the ropes and grabs Rollins by the hair, pulling him up onto the top rope. Punk connects with a swinging neckbreaker off the top rope! Both men are feeling the pain from that.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the final break of the evening to see Rollins avoid a running knee in the corner. Rollins strikes him and takes a moment to check on his knee. Punk is looking roughed up in the corner. Rollins connects with a running forearm to the jaw. Rollins slaps him in the head a few times and talks some trash. Rollins runs to the opposite corner, but Punk follows him in and hits a running-high knee. Punk sends him to the opposite corner for another high knee. Rollins avoids a bulldog, but Punk drops him with a pair of clotheslines. Punk then catches him with a spinning neckbreaker.
Punk signals it is time for the end. Rollins is holding his neck in pain and goes to the apron. Punk snaps the injured neck off the top rope, and Rollins falls to ringside. Punk catches him with a rough-looking plancha. Punk gets Rollins in the ring and goes to the top rope. Punk goes for a diving cross-body block, but Rollins rolls through and picks Punk up. Rollins hits Punk with the Go To Sleep! The momentum of the strikes sends Punk out of the ring. Punk is out at ringside.
Rollins goes to ringside and says he hit Punk with his own move, yet they still sing his song. Rollins says he built all of this. Rollins gets Punk in the ring. As Rollins gets in the ring, Punk hits Rollins with a Stomp! 1… 2… Rollins kicks out of his own move. Punk picks Rollins up and signals that it is over. Rollins counters a GTS and lifts Punk up for a second GTS! 1… 2… Punk kicks out! Rollins gets up and is stalking his prey in the ring. Punk avoids a Stomp and gets out of the ring. Rollins goes to ringside to get him. Rollins tells him to run away like he always does. Rollins slams Punk’s face off the commentary table. Rollins goes for a Pedigree on the table, but Punk fights out and goes for a GTS. Rollins slides off and hits a Pedigree on the table! Rollins holds his knee in pain before getting Punk back in the ring. Rollins hits a second Pedigree and covers for a near fall! Rollins is in disbelief.
The dueling chants pick up for both men again. They slowly approach each other and exchange vicious slaps to the face. They potato each other with right hands. They go back and forth before Rollins attempts a neckbreaker. Punk gets out and hits a kick to the head. Punk goes for a high knee in the corner, but Rollins counters with a Buckle Bomb! Rollins hits a Stomp! 1… 2… Punk gets a foot on the rope to break the pin. The crowd roars in approval. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Rollins pulls Punk up. Punk seems to be out on his feet. Rollins powers Punk onto the top rope. Rollins climbs the ropes, but Punk slaps him in the face to knock him back. Rollins growls in fury and gets to his feet. Rollins scales the ropes and hits a superplex before rolling through for a falcon arrow, but Punk counters into a GTS! Rollins stumbles around and falls back onto Punk’s shoulders! Punk hits a second GTS and collapses on top of him! 1… 2… 3!
Winner by Pinfall: CM Punk
Rollins is bleeding from what looks like a cut under his eye. Rollins is stunned that he lost. The referee checks on him. Punk raises his arm in victory before falling to the mat.
Quick Match Results
— Roman Reigns def. Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match
— Rhea Ripley def. Liv Morgan (c) to win the Women’s World Championship
— “Main Event” Jey Uso def. Drew McIntyre
— CM Punk def. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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