Wrestlemania XLI Night Two
Date: April 20, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett
Star Spangled Banner: Ava Max

And then it was Sunday. Last night was already eventful enough and now we have another show with all kinds of stuff taking place. In this case, the biggest story will be John Cena challenging Cody Rhodes in an attempt to win his record setting seventeenth World Title. That should be enough to carry things but of course there is a lot more. Let’s get to it.

Here is Night One if you need a recap.

The opening video is a recap of last night and a preview of tonight’s show. Simple and to the point here.

Here is Stephanie McMahon to get things going. The last time Wrestlemania was in Las Vegas, she was 16 years old. Now they’re back here and her middle daughter is 16 years old. That’s because WWE is family and welcome to Wrestlemania.

Raw Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Shea Ripley

Sky is defending and Belair has a double dutch team during her entrance. Ripley on the other hand gets an absolute eruption as she’s certainly the crowd favorite. After the Big Match Intros, they start fast with Sky firing off some shots to the face and a hurricanrana. Ripley breaks that up so Belair wrestles her to the mat. Belair hammers away in the corner until Sky pulls her down by the braid.

Back up and Ripley gets clotheslined to the floor as Belair takes over on Sky. Ripley pulls Belair tot he floor, where Sky’s hurricanrana is pulled out of the air. Sky gets double swung into the barricade but comes right back in with a dive. The Prism Trap is broken up though with Belair trying the KOD on Ripley. That’s broken up and they hit stereo faceplants to leave everyone down. They go up top for a reverse Tower Of Doom, with Sky being belly to back superplexed onto her face.

Belair runs Sky over again and everyone is down again. A 450 hits Sky for two but Ripley grabs a Riptide for two. Ripley takes Sky up top for a super Riptide but Sky armdrags her way out. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Belair hits the KOD for two with Ripley making the save. Belair and Ripley go up top with Belair being knocked to the floor. Sky’s super poisonrana is countered with a faceplant onto the post but Belair is back with the KOD. Ripley slips out and lands on her feet but gets caught with the hair whip. Now the KOD can connect but Sky comes in with Over The Moonsault to pin Belair and retain at 14:27.

Rating: A-. I got way into this as they were laying in the offense and had me wondering where it was going. You had a match where all three could have come out with the title and that’s a great situation to be in. Sky is getting into that top tier of active stars in the women’s division and she has earned that spot. This is the kind of win that can help her a lot and she could still have a singles match with either of the two. Or you have the Ripley vs. Belair option as well, which would be quite good in its own right.

We recap Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre. As usual, McIntyre blames someone else for all of his troubles and Priest is tired of it. They’ve been fighting for a good while now and it’s time for a street fight.

Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre

Street fight and Priest is played to the ring by the guitarist from Slayer. The fight starts fast and they go to the floor, where McIntyre plants him on the ramp. It’s time for the weapons but McIntyre takes too long, allowing Priest to get in a few shots. Some steps to the face and back put Priest back down, allowing McIntyre to take a selfie with his brother’s phone. Two tables are set up at ringside but Priest is back up to cut McIntyre off again.

McIntyre knocks him back to the floor for the big flip dive and a big pose. Back in and Priest throws a chair at McIntyre’s head (and it comes in at a bad angle which could have gone much worse) but the Claymore connects for two. McIntyre hammers him down with the chair and wraps it around Priest’s head. Another Claymore is cut off with a chokeslam for two and now it’s Priest’s turn to chair him down.

The table is set up in the corner but a super White Noise is broken up. Instead it’s a Razor’s Edge through the table for two and they need a breather. McIntyre counters another chokeslam into a Futureshock onto the steps for two and they’re both down again. Priest tries Old School and gets shoved off the top through the two tables at ringside for the big crash. Back in and a Claymore into the chair in the corner finishes Priest at 13:56.

Rating: B+. I got more into this one than I expected to as they beat the fire out of each other. That’s one of the perks of having a match like this, as the two of them are big enough to be able to hammer on each other until one of them couldn’t get up. The ending spot was great too and while Priest didn’t feel like he was a major threat, he was a good hurdle for McIntyre to overcome on the way to something bigger.

We recap the Intercontinental Title four way. Bron Breakker has been dealing with the Judgment Day, who are fighting over the team’s future. Penta wants the title as well so Breakker is defending against all three of them.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta

Breakker is defending and Dominik has a Rey Mysterio mask on for his entrance in a nice trolling moment. Breakker charges at Mysterio to start but can’t hit a Super Spear. Instead Penta sends Balor and Mysterio to the floor for a big flip dive. Breakker dives over both of them to take out Penta in a huge crash. Back in and Breakker hits the gorilla press powerslam on Balor and the Super Spear gets two on Mysterio with Balor making the save.

Penta is back up with the slingshot dropkick to Balor and Mysterio in the corner. Breakker is back up with a double German suplex but the spear hits the post. Judgment Day fights back but Breakker is right there with a super Frankensteiner to Balor. Back up and Mysterio goes after Balor but can’t hit the 619. Instead Balor stomps on Mysterio but gets caught in the Penta Driver for two.

That leaves us with Breakker vs. Penta, which the fans certainly like. Balor breaks that up and Penta gets in a Canadian Destroyer, only for Carlito to make the save. Breakker is back up to spear Carlito through the announcers’ table, followed by another spear to Penta back inside. Balor is there to cut Breakker off though and the Coup de Grace connects, only for Mysterio to hit a frog splash to pin Balor at 10:34.

Rating: B. That’s the right ending and there is nothing wrong with having it go this way. The big story here is that Mysterio wins a title and after everything that he has done over the last few years, that is the right thing to do. Mysterio getting to hold the title over Balor is going to be great and Breakker can move up to something else on the card. I’m not sure where this leaves Penta, but this was the correct way to go and I’m wanting to see where it goes.

Mysterio goes nuts celebrating and even runs back down the ramp to get in the ring and celebrate again.

We get a video on Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania history as this is his 20th Wrestlemania (which is not a 20th anniversary). He was supposed to face Kevin Owens but Owens is out with a neck injury so it’s mystery opponent time.

Randy Orton vs. ???

Orton (in a tribute to his original trunks) makes the open challenge and it’s….TNA World Champion Joe Hendry for a pretty awesome surprise. Hendry gets the big entrance and the fans are WAY into him, as you knew was coming. An early RKO attempt is countered into a rollup and Orton is surprised. Back up and Orton hammers away but Hendry is back up with some shots of his own. Hendry grabs the fall away slam and gets to do his pose…and that’s enough for the RKO to finish for Orton at 3:09.

Rating: C. To be clear: this wasn’t a squash, this wasn’t Hendry being buried and this wasn’t bad. Hendry is indeed the reigning TNA World Champion. He’s also nowhere near the star Orton is and was little more than a warm body here. There are very, very, very few wrestlers who are bigger stars than Orton in history and Hendry losing to him at Wrestlemania in a short match is not some death sentence. The fact that Hendry got this spot and got to do that entrance on this stage is what matters and it went perfectly fine.

Post match Orton shows him some respect and then lays him out with another RKO. Orton even mocks Hendry’s pose and gets a nice reaction.

We recap Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles. Paul is the celebrity and Styles is the traditional wrestler so they don’t like each other. This feels like the “here’s a match where Paul can look good against someone who has nothing else to do”.

Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles

As usual we get a special Paul entrance as he livestreams his entrance, which is quite the visual. Paul backs him into the corner to start but gets knocked out to the apron. Styles hits a dropkick for an early one, with the kickout sending Styles into a camera. Paul gets tied in the ring skirt for a beating and a shot to the face leaves him down on the floor for a needed breather.

Back up and Styles sends him into the barricade, only to get sent into the post for a needed breather. That’s not enough for Paul as he dives onto Styles to take him out again. Apparently learning on the job, Paul ties Styles up in the ring skirt and hammers away, setting up a frog splash for two as we seem to be watching the match from a drone camera, which is such a change of pace from the standard way WWE has been shot forever.

The overbomb (powerbomb into a faceplant) gets two and Paul does some Hogan posing. The big boot into the legdrop gets two on Styles and the slow beating continues. Styles fights back and hits a brainbuster for two but Paul hits him with a Regal Roll. A Lionsault gives Paul two and a Buckshot Lariat gets the same.

The torture rack spinning powerbomb gives Styles two and they’re both down. The springboard 450 hits raised knees though and Paul hits the Styles Clash (not very well). Styles does the real thing….and one of Paul’s goons comes out with the brass knuckles. Cue Karrion Kross to cut that off and tries to hand them to Styles, who decks Kross instead. The Phenomenal Forearm misses though and Paul hits the big right hand. The Paulverizer finishes Styles at 17:43.

Rating: B-. They were running with an anchor here as there was pretty much no way around this being Paul’s match to win. There never was much of a story coming into this one and it felt like a way to make Paul look good. Styles is perfectly skilled at doing that and the match wasn’t bad, but it was pretty cold and that is going to overcome just about anything they do in the ring.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez vs. Lyra Valkyria/???

Morgan and Rodriguez are defending and since Bayley is injured, Valkyria has a mystery partner in the form of….fellow Irishwoman Becky Lynch. Yep that tracks and Morgan is terrified with some great facial expressions. Valkyria starts fast with Morgan, who brings in Rodriguez for the power instead. That’s fine with Valkyria who fights back but gets kicked out of the air to slow her down.

Morgan comes in for the Eddie Dance and Three Amigos and hands it back to Rodriguez. Valkyria fights up but Morgan is right there to cut Lynch off. Glaring ensues as Valkyria fights back and brings Lynch in to pick up the pace. Lynch cleans house and fires off the Bexploder but Rodriguez breaks up the Disarm-Her. Oblivion gets two with Valkyria making the save and taking Rodriguez outside. Back in and the Manhandle Slam finishes Morgan for the titles at 8:48.

Rating: C+. Lynch was one of the most logical choices the second Bayley was attacked and there was no way you could have her lose if she was making her big comeback here. That’s a good way to bring her back as she does have a history with Valkyria (in NXT) and Lynch is still a huge star. I’m not sure how much sense it makes for Valkyria to be a double champion, but we’ll have to see how long that lasts.

Here is Steve Austin, on his ATV, which he crashes into the barricade and seemingly knocks a fan over. After checking on her, Austin announces the attendance of 63,226 but that doesn’t feel right. Therefore, it’s time for a recount and he goes fan by fan up until about 19. The two night attendance is 124,693 and beer is consumed. Austin goes over to check on the woman he crashed into again (as is someone who appears to be WWE President Nick Khan, which can’t be good).

We recap John Cena challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Rhodes is the family friendly champion and the new face of WWE. Cena then won the title shot at Elimination Chamber and then turned full evil to become Rock’s corporate star. Rock hasn’t been seen since and the two of them have traded some very personal barbs at each other.

Smackdown World Title: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes

Cena is challenging and comes to the ring with a simple JOHN CENA graphic and black shirt for a great touch. Rhodes has some motorcycles for his entrance (without riding one himself) and his family is in the crowd. After the Big Match Intros we’re ready to go, with Rhodes grabbing a headlock. That’s broken up and Cena slugs away, including a big boot of all things to put Rhodes down.

Cena knees him in the head and takes him outside as the beating continues. Back in and a running clothesline drops Rhodes again, setting up the chinlock. A side slam puts Rhodes down again and a middle rope ax handle makes it worse. Rhodes fights back but charges into a boot in the corner, allowing Cena to hit the tornado DDT. Cena initiates the finishing sequence (in slow motion) and gets poked in the eye, allowing Rhodes to hit a powerslam.

The Cody Cutter connects for two but Cena is right back with an AA for two. Cena catches him going up top for a super AA and now Cena is getting worried. The top rope Fameasser is countered into a sitout powerbomb and the top rope Cody Cutter gets two more. Cena is right back with another AA into the STF, with Cena pulling him back to the ring a few times. The referee gets bumped off the escape though and Cena pulls the turnbuckle pad off. Two rams into the buckle sets up a fourth AA for two as the referee is back in there.

With both of them down, cue Travis Scott (because this needs to be a thing), taking his sweet time getting to the ring. Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes but Scott pulls the referee out. That brings Scott into the ring for the showdown and Rhodes takes him out, leaving Cena load up a belt shot. Rhodes blocks it and teases hitting Cena with the belt but stops. That’s enough for Cena to kick him low and hit him with the belt (Cole: “John Cena has absolutely no problem being a bad guy.”) for the pin and the title at 25:02.

Rating: B-. They had to do it. Otherwise, Cena’s turn would have felt like a huge waste of time and there wouldn’t have been much of a point. At the same time, Rhodes had a heck of a run with the title and is still the biggest star in the company. Cena gets the record and Ric Flair has something new to complain about so this was the right way to go. Cena holding the title until the end of the year and teasing retiring with the title for Rhodes to win it back in December could be rather interesting. Not a great match as Cena was going rather slowly (understandable) and it sets up a bunch of options.

Cena and Scott celebrate and Rock is nowhere to be seen to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. The first two matches more than carry the show and you have the big moment in the end to wrap it up. That’s a great way to go and I liked this one better than the first night. It might not be a classic and the middle of the card was a bit weak, but it was certainly an eventful show and I liked what we got here rather well. Good show, and there are a lot of options as they move forward.

Overall Overall Rating: B. This might not be in the all time pantheon of Wrestlemanias, but it was absolutely eventful and had enough good matches to make things work. Last year’s show was the really big event with the happy ending and now we get the sad version as the good guys (well some of them at least) have to regroup.

Tiffany Stratton and Iyo Sky are the new faces of the women’s division with Becky Lynch being right there with them. Throw in Mysterio and Jey Uso winning and there is some fresh blood in the title picture. I had fun with this show but I’m also excited for where things are going, which is very important in its own right. Rather good, albeit not great Wrestlemania.

Results
Iyo Sky b. Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair – Over The Moonsault to Belair
Drew McIntyre b. Damian Priest – Claymore into a chair
Dominik Mysterio b. Bron Breakker, Finn Balor and Penta – Frog splash to Balor
Randy Orton b. Joe Hendry – RKO
Logan Paul b. AJ Styles – Paulverizer
Lyra Valkyria/Becky Lynch b. Raquel Rodriguez/Liv Morgan – Manhandle Slam to Morgan
John Cena b. Cody Rhodes – Belt shot

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: April 14, 2025
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the last Raw before Wrestlemania and that means it is going to be a talking heavy show. The Wrestlemania cards are now officially set as we know what to expect from both nights. There is still the chance that something else could be added here, but odds are it’s going to be firming up what is already set. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We look back at Jey Uso getting fired up for his match with Gunther at Wrestlemania, saying he is no longer afraid.

Here is a ticked off Gunther to talk to Michael Cole. Gunther does not want to hear about Jey and is ready to destroy him. Gunther actually says “screw” Jey and the people, because he is the greatest gift WWE has ever seen. He is the greatest World Heavyweight Champion of all time and he will not let Jey ruin that for him. Jey can have all the confidence he wants coming in to Wrestlemania but the reality is Jey cannot lace Gunther’s boots. Gunther promises to lay him out for a fourth time and then Gunther will get to call his mother and talk about his win. This was a FAR more unhinged Gunther as Jey is clearly getting to him.

We look at Bayley and Lyra Valkyria becoming the new #1 contenders to the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Bianca Belair has been going through a lot lately but she is ready for Wrestlemania. She can’t deny that it is a triple threat and she is going to use everything she has been through to become the Women’s Champion again.

Bayley vs. Liv Morgan

Lyra Valkyria and Raquel Rodriguez are here too. Bayley doesn’t take kindly to a slap to the face to start so the chase is on, only for Morgan to take over on the way back in. That’s broken up and Bayley hits a Thesz press into a basement lariat. A missed jump over Morgan in the corner seems to bang up Bayley’s leg but she’s fine enough to come back with a clothesline.

Bayley sends her to the floor but a suicide dive is cut off with a forearm. The third Amigo on the floor is blocked though and Bayley goes knee first into the steps. Now the Third Amigo off the steps can connect and we take a break. Back with Bayley missing a charge into the buckle so Morgan hits a running enziguri for two. Bayley misses a running knee and gets rolled up but a second attempt connects, setting up the running sunset bomb into the corner.

They go to the apron (as matches are seemingly required to do these days) where Morgan hits a Codebreaker, followed by a dropkick off the apron for two back inside. Bayley comes back with something like a Stunner into the Bayley To Belly but Rodriguez puts the boot on the rope. Valkyria goes after Rodriguez, who gets taken out by Bayley. Oblivion is loaded up but Valkyria holds Bayley to the ropes, allowing her to get a rollup pin on Morgan at 12:53.

Rating: C+. This was the best way they had to get ready for the title match at Wrestlemania as Bayley and Valkyria went over pretty much the entire division on Smackdown. Morgan and Rodriguez are the closest thing we have to an established team in the division, so going with a singles match made sense. I could see a title change taking place, but Bayley and Valkyria are such a new team that it would be a stretch.

We look back at CM Punk getting Paul Heyman in his corner at Wrestlemania, plus Seth Rollins threatening Heyman and attacking Punk last week on Raw.

Rhea Ripley sees right through Bianca Belair’s lies and knows what she is here to do. The reality is that Ripley will stop at nothing to get back what she loves. Then she used a page out of Iyo Sky’s playbook to get back to the title match at Wrestlemania. She’s getting the title back.

Rey Mysterio vs. Julius Creed

The LWO and American Made are here too. Creed backs him into the corner to start but Mysterio is back up with a running headscissors. A hard clothesline takes Mysterio down though as this is somehow Creed’s first singles match on Raw. Mysterio dropkicks the knee out but it’s too early for a 619. Brutus Creed offers a distraction so Chad Gable can pull Mysterio off the top, only for Dragon Lee to cut Julius off. The referee has had it and ejects EVERYONE (well not Rey and Julius) and we take a break.

Back with Mysterio hurricanranaing Julius to the floor (but seemingly losing his grip and crashing out as well). Julius is back up and pulls Mysterio out of the air into a suplex, walking him up the steps because that is something a human can do. Back in and Mysterio hammers away in the corner before a spinning DDT gets two. A missed charge sends Julius to the floor so here is El Grande Americano, with Mysterio going for the mask. Julius’ shot from behind is cut off and it’s a 619 into the slingshot splash to give Mysterio the pin at 10:19.

Rating: B-. Good match here with Julius getting to showcase himself in a losing effort. Losing to Mysterio is hardly the worst thing in the world for anyone and this should be a nice way to set up the Mysterio vs. Americano match at Wrestlemania. There is a lot more juice to this whole feud and that makes me interested in where they go for the match.

Post match Americano comes in to take out Mysterio and drops Dragon Lee before the save can be made.

The War Raiders are ready to face New Day at Wrestlemania and promise war. If WWE still did Kickoff Show matches, this would be a perfect choice as it does not feel Wrestlemania worthy. Or do it tonight.

New Day is ready for war and last week is just a taste of what they are willing to do.

HHH Hall Of Fame video, looking at the Cell match with Undertaker.

AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross

Scarlett is here with Kross, who is back to his old music and apparently got his tights made by the guy who makes Styles’ gear. That’s…odd. Kross yells at him to start and gets backed into the corner for his efforts. Styles charges into a boot and gets sent throat first into the middle rope. Scarlett even gets in some choking and Kross adds a suplex to send Styles flying. A hard whip into the corner drops Styles, who manages a dropkick out to the floor. Kross is fine enough to whip him into various things outside and we take a break.

Back with Kross getting two off a backbreaker, followed by a Death Valley Driver for the same. Kross: “Did you try to sandbag me?” Styles starts kicking at the leg and Kross goes down, but of course he’s just goldbricking (you have to be a special kind of moron to trust KARRION KROSS). Styles is fine enough to shrug it off and hit a sliding clothesline. The fireman’s carry onto the knee sets up the Phenomenal Forearm to pin Kross at 9:46.

Rating: C+. This was about as good as it was going to get as the Kross stuff has felt like little more than a side trip for Styles on the way to Wrestlemania. As has been the case earlier in the show, this was a fine way to boost a bigger star up to their match this weekend. That’s about all it needed to be and Styles looked fine enough, if you ignore him reaching Sting levels of stupid.

Post match here is Logan Paul to insult both Sacramento and Styles before promising to win at Wrestlemania. This involves a Paul highlight reel, which has Styles wanting to fight Paul right now. Kross gets back up to jump Styles, who lays him out, only to get caught with the big right hand. The Paulverizer leaves Styles laying.

Here is Jey Uso for a chat and the fans love him so much that we get his entrance a second time. Standing on the announcers’ table, Uso talks about how he heard Gunther sounding scared out here earlier tonight so he’s ready to take the title at Wrestlemania. Hit his music.

The Judgment Day jumps Bron Breakker.

Penta vs. Finn Balor

Penta wastes no time in diving onto Balor to start fast and they get inside for the opening bell. A high crossbody gives Penta two but it’s too early for the Sacrifice. Penta hits an enziguri into the corner and kicks him back out for two as the fans are rather pleased. Balor shrugs off a loud chop and hits a basement dropkick for two. The chinlock goes on before Balor stomps away and they head to the apron, where Penta is driven down hard.

We take a break and come back with Balor hitting a superplex for two, followed by the Fujiwara armbar. Penta fights up and starts the comeback, including the Backstabber out of the corner for two. A reverse Sling Blade drops Balor, who is right back with a regular version of his own. The Sacrifice cuts Balor off but the Penta Driver is countered into a rollup for two. Cue Judgment Day for a distraction and Balor hits another Sling Blade. Cue Bron Breakker (with Carlito crawling away to avoid another spear in a funny bit) to jump Balor for the DQ at 11:34.

Rating: B-. These two having a good match shouldn’t be a surprise and the ending is the right call as you don’t want either of them taking a fall before the title match. Penta losing via DQ is fine and it makes Breakker look like a monster who ran through Balor. Perfectly fine way to go here as everyone, including the interfering Dominik Mysterio, get involved.

Post match the big brawl is on, with Breakker spearing Judgment Day and Penta hitting a massive dive onto everyone.

Iyo Sky is tired of being disrespected by Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair because she is still the champion.

Wrestlemania rundown.

CM Punk comes up to Paul Heyman, who is waiting on Roman Reigns. Punk asks what Heyman sees when he looks in Punk’s eyes. Heyman: “A cult of personality?” Punk means a real friend, but Reigns comes in and won’t talk to Heyman.

Here is Reigns, with a nervous looking Heyman, for the big closing segment. Reigns knows that the fans here would never betray him, but not everyone is like that. Someone would betray him, and how could Heyman do that? The fans let Heyman know that he f’d up but Reigns wants them to be louder. Reigns asks Heyman why he did what he did but Heyman says it was not a betrayal because he was just paying back a favor. Reigns doesn’t get that because someone paying back a favor should be done yourself. The reality is that Reigns would never ask for a favor, so why is he covering Heyman’s tab?

Cue Seth Rollins to interrupt, saying Reigns is finally starting to put the pieces together. It’s too little, too late though because Rollins has to end him at Wrestlemania. This is going to be the most important triple threat match in wrestling history because the winner will define the future of the industry (that’s a nice stretch). It can’t be Reigns, who only shows up when it’s convenient and it can’t be Punk, who walks out when things get tough or this business will die.

Rollins will sacrifice himself for what is best for business so it has to be him winning at Wrestlemania. The one thing that Reigns has not figured out is that a favor is a choice. Last week, he chose to not take Heyman out so now Heyman gets to decide if he will pay that favor back. Heyman has made a choice to be in Punk’s corner at Wrestlemania and Reigns needs to find out why Heyman picked Punk over him. Reigns: “Wise man. He’s right.”

Reigns says Heyman has made his choice and now Reigns is making his, and he decks Rollins. Heyman acknowledges Reigns and says that was great…but Reigns shoves him down. Cue Punk to brawl with Reigns and check on a distraught Heyman. Reigns is back in to go after Punk but Rollins gets in a chair (Cole: “Rollins with a Shield chair!”) to Reigns, followed by a Stomp each.

Rollins stares at a scared Heyman to end the show. This was a good way to tie things together and cast some doubt about where things are going at Wrestlemania. While there is a chance that Heyman pulls a swerve and sides with Rollins, I’m not sure I can see it happening. For now though, good closing segment to the main event, but dang Reigns vs. Punk still sounds more appealing, even with Rollins stepping up in recent weeks.

Overall Rating: C+. This show is always a tricky one as it’s not about adding anything new or taking any major steps forward but rather polishing up everything for Wrestlemania. That’s what it should be, though it doesn’t make for the most thrilling show. The last segment was good stuff and there were enough important parts throughout. This weekend is going to be the big deal and next week’s will be a huge Raw as usual, with this show being about setting the pieces up for those shows.

Results
Bayley b. Liv Morgan – Rollup
Rey Mysterio b. Julius Creed – Slingshot splash
AJ Styles b. Karrion Kross – Phenomenal Forearm
Finn Balor b. Penta via DQ when Bron Breakker interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: April 7, 2025
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We’re back in America for Raw and we have less than two weeks to go from Wrestlemania. That means it is likely going to be centered around the idea of hyping up the matches that have already been made. There is still time to add some new things to the card though and we might get some of that tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

After we see a lot of people come to work, we get a recap of last week’s Women’s Title match, with Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley going to a double DQ when special referee Bianca Belair was knocked down multiple times.

Here is Adam Pearce, with the Women’s Title, to get things going. Champion Iyo Sky and scheduled Wrestlemania challenger Bianca Belair are brought out, followed by Rhea Ripley (with Pearce saying she is part of Judgment Day, with Cole pointing out how wrong that has been for months). Pearce takes the blame for last week and then announces the triple threat match for the title at Wrestlemania. He even has the contract but Belair says she would have been annoyed at this a few weeks ago.

Then everything happened and she is happy that Ripley is being added to the match. Belair has been through everything so she’s ready to go through Ripley to get the title back. Ripley mocks Belair as Belair signs and then gets the contract shoved at her, with Ripley signing as well. Sky gets annoyed and hits a springboard dropkick to knock both of them down. She signs as well and then leaves with the title. The story makes enough sense but geez I could go for less multi person matches.

A four way Intercontinental Title match has been set for Wrestlemania (case in point about the multi person matches) between Bron Breakker, Penta, Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio.

Balor isn’t thrilled with the idea of Mysterio being in the match but Liv Morgan says it ups the chances of the title coming back to Judgment Day. Balor seems to agree but suggests that Mysterio doesn’t have what it takes to win at Wrestlemania.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria is defending. They grapple around to start with Valkyria getting an armbar as Bayley is getting frustrated early on. A rollup is countered into another armbar but Bayley ties up Valkyria’s arm for a rollup and a near fall. Back up and Bayley knees her in the face but can’t get the sunset bomb into the corner. Valkyria ties her up with a rocking horse before tying up the arms for a cradle and two.

Bayley gets sent to the floor for a hard dropkick through the ropes, followed by a high crossbody back inside. We take a break and come back with the exchange of forearms until Bayley sends her to the apron. A Stunner over the ropes sends Valkyria outside for the running dropkick under the corner. Bayley misses a suicide dive but grabs a Bayley To Belly on the floor.

They both beat the count and Valkyria hits an enziguri into a not great gutwrench powerbomb for two. Bayley knees her in the head for the same and now the sunset bomb into the corner connects. Back up and Valkyria hits a tornado DDT into a fisherman’s suplex for two more. Bayley counters a dropkick into a Boston crab on the bad back but lets go when Valkyria won’t give up. The Rose Plant is countered into a rollup to give Valkyria the pin at 13:24.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of win that Valkyria needed and points for actually bringing up Bayley beating her back in February. I didn’t think they would actually remember it but they did get there (eventually). I’m not sure if Bayley needs to turn heel after all this, but her frustrations are building up. Just find a good way for it to go if that is where things have to head, as otherwise it won’t have much of an impact.

Post match Bayley slaps away the handshake and goes to leave but comes back to give Valkyria a hug.

Bert Kreischer, a comedian, has a Netflix special coming up but American Made interrupts. Chad Gable thinks Kreischer wants to watch them do well but he’s not sure about this. The Alpha Academy comes in so Otis and Kreischer can rip their shirts off.

AJ Styles is ready to embarrass Logan Paul at Wrestlemania but Karrion Kross, with Scarlett, interrupts. Kross asks about what happened to the other AJ Styles, which has Styles annoyed. Styles isn’t sure what’s up with Kross and this “other” Styles, so he’ll see about a match between them next week.

LWO vs. El Grande Americano/Creed Brothers

Nice reaction for the Americano. Brutus takes del Toro down to start and runs him over with a shoulder. Wilde comes in to take Brutus down for an assisted moonsault. It’s off to Julius, who gets caught in a cross armbreaker as everything breaks down. The LWO send them into various corners and then outside for the big running flip dives. Back in and the villains hit three superplexes to take over as we go to a break.

We come back with Lee giving Julius the top rope double stomp in the Tree of Woe. Del Toro comes in to take over on Brutus, including a hurricanrana into the corner. A Swanton hits Brutus and a dive takes out Julius so it’s off to Americano for a change. That means a quick Doomsday Blockbuster attempt, which Americano reverses into a belly to belly.

Lee powerbombs Americano but gets caught with a shooting star press out of nowhere. Wilde hits a big flip dive to take Brutus out, followed by del Toro’s big corkscrew flip dive. Hold on though as Ivy Nile hands Americano something to load into his mask. A headbutt knocks Rey Mysterio to the floor and another knocks Lee off the top. Americano hits a swan dive for the pin at 10:16.

Rating: B. This was a bunch of people getting to do their insane stuff until the ending, which was a good way to keep the Americano stuff going. They’re not hiding what they’re going for with Americano and as usual with Ga…whomever is underneath that mask, it is rather entertaining stuff. I’m not sure where it’s going, but it’s working so far.

We look back at Gunther mauling Jimmy Uso last week in a great beatdown to make the feud with Jey Uso a lot more personal.

HHH Hall Of Fame video, this time on DX.

Here is Gunther for a chat, with the fans not being happy with having him around. Before he can say anything though, here is Jey Uso to interrupt. Gunther takes his jacket off but Jey knocks the microphone out of his hand. Jey slowly takes his sunglasses off and throws them away before getting a mic. He says Gunther has a mother (Gunther confirms this) and asks what they talk about. Do they talk about family stuff? Like about their family and what they had for dinner and such.

Jey has a mother too and this week he had to tell her about her oldest son (Jimmy) in a hospital bed. Jey’s mom asked “why didn’t you protect him Joshua”. The reality is he is afraid of Gunther, who had the drop on him the whole time. Gunther attacked Jimmy while Jey was tied to the ropes and now Jimmy’s blood is on Jey’s hands.

That had Jey scared, but then in his darkest moment, a light bulb went off. He realized that he isn’t afraid of Gunther anymore (big reaction for that) and before Wrestlemania, Gunther needs to hug and kiss his family. Jey is going to pray that the Lord forgive him for the man that he is about to become. He’s getting revenge for himself and his family and the title. Jey throws the mic at Gunther, who looks a bit unnerved for the first time. Uso knocked this out of the park, as he tends to do. I’m not sure if he’s going to win the title, but I’m starting to want him to.

We recap CM Punk unveiling his favor to Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns: Heyman will be in Punk’s corner at Wrestlemania. That’s some mind games and very in line for Punk.

Natalya and Maxxine Dupri are ready for their chance to go to Wrestlemania.

Rey Mysterio wants El Grande Americano at Wrestlemania and the match is set.

Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. War Raiders

The Raiders are defending and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is on commentary. Kofi gets sent outside to start but jumps over Erik in the corner. That just earns him a slam, with Woods getting one of his own. Ivar slams Kofi again, setting up Erik slamming Ivar onto Kofi for a big crash. Kofi gets sent outside again and crushed against the barricade as we take a break.

Back with Ivar fighting out of the corner so Erik can come in and clean house. A big spinebuster hits Kofi and a pop up powerslam makes it worse. War Machine hits Kofi but Woods makes a diving save. Woods tries to bring in a chair but Ivar takes it away and hits him with it for the DQ at 7:48.

Rating: C+. I’m still not feeling what they’re doing with New Day as of late as having them win the titles again, which they almost have to at some point, doesn’t feel that important. Maybe they have something else for them in the future, but almost none of this feels like the big part without Big E. Maybe he shows up sooner or later, but otherwise, it feels like a filler story.

Post match Kofi hits a HARD chair shot to Ivar and New Day beats up Erik. The chair is put up in the corner and Erik goes head first into it, followed by Ivar being sent into the timekeeper’s area. A Pillmanization of Erik’s previously injured neck is loaded up but agents break it up.

We get a long video on John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes, which really does feel like a bigger showdown after the last few weeks. This even gets the music video treatment.

Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio

Carlito is here with Mysterio, who gets driven into the corner. Mysterio knocks him down and hammers away, with a kick to the chest in the corner knocking Penta down. The fans are all over Mysterio, who puts his hands over his ears for a bit before dropping Penta again. Penta comes out with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a dive to the floor to take out Mysterio and Carlito.

We take a break and come back with Mysterio rolling the Three Amigos for two. The 619 is cut off and a slingshot dropkick hits Mysterio in the corner. Mysterio snaps off a Canadian Destroyer into a 619 but the frog splash hits raised knees. The Sacrifice into the Penta Driver finishes Mysterio at 9:02.

Rating: B-. Mysterio was working harder than usual here and it wound up being good stuff, though the camera work felt like they were trying something different here. What matters is getting Penta back on his winning ways after last week’s loss. Penta still feels like something special and I could go for seeing him in the Intercontinental Title match at Wrestlemania.

Post match Judgment Day beats on Penta but Bron Breakker makes the save and wrecks everyone (including an AMAZING Super Spear to Carlito). Then Finn Balor pops in to take out Mysterio.

Here is Paul Heyman for a chat. First and foremost, he will always be loyal to Roman Reigns. Second, he will always be loyal to his best friend, CM Punk. He will never be disloyal to either of them, so let’s get one thing perfectly clear…and here is Seth Rollins to interrupt. After doing his introduction, Rollins brings up Heyman talking about loyalty. But who is he loyal to? Rollins doesn’t think it’s either of them, before talking about Reigns using Heyman as a glorified errand boy.

Heyman seems to brush this off but Rollins brings up Reigns leaving after last week’s Wrestlemania. He didn’t take Heyman with him either, instead leaving him in the hands of Solo Sikoa and company. Did Reigns come to Heyman’s rescue? Heyman admits that he didn’t, with Rollins talking about how Reigns left Heyman to be attacked in front of his hometown and family. Punk wasn’t there either, just like he didn’t take Heyman with him when he walked out ten years ago.

The two of them love to reminisce about WarGames but who was the first choice for that team? Heyman has to admit that it was Rollins, who says “stop me when I’m telling lies”. Punk was the last choice and he joined the team to get a favor from Heyman. The reality is that Heyman should step out of this and let the three of them battle it out. Heyman won’t do that, but Rollins says it’s for Heyman’s own good. Rollins would love to do it right now, which has Heyman a bit nervous. Or angry? Something negative.

Rollins says it’s one quick stomp, because no one is here to save him. Punk usually says that it’s about making money rather than making friends, so how much is Heyman worth? Rollins shoves him and asks how much Heyman is worth. Heyman finally snaps and says don’t put your hands on him, which earns him a shove into the corner. Cue Punk and the brawl is on, with the fighting going on outside. Rollins is sent into the steps but avoids what might have been a Stomp from Punk.

Instead Rollins hits one of his own inside and tries one to Heyman, but misses on purpose. Rollins says Heyman owes him a favor, leaving Heyman looking confused to end the show. This story is all about mind games and loyalty, which could make for quite the moment when someone turns on someone else. Setting it up as more about longstanding issues is an interesting way to go and I’m getting more into this week by week. Rollins still feels like a third wheel, but him trying to get to Heyman is a good way to use him.

Overall Rating: B. This was the kind of show that was focused on pushing the Gunther/Uso feud and the triple threat stuff at the end. They also added three matches to Wrestlemania, which is quite the way to spend a single night. Hopefully they can keep this going for the last three shows before Wrestlemania, as Wrestlemania still needs some work to get it over the finish line.

Results
Lyra Valkyria b. Bayley – Rollup
El Grande Americano/Creed Brothers b. LWO – Swan dive to del Toro
New Day b. Viking Raiders via DQ when Ivar used a chair
Penta b. Dominik Mysterio – Penta Driver

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 31, 2025
Location: 02 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett

We’re wrapping up the European shows this week with one more show in London. They’re getting a big one here too, with John Cena and Cody Rhodes going face to face again, plus Rhea Ripley getting another shot at the Women’s Title. Gunther is also getting to face Jimmy Uso to get ready for Wrestlemania so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is John Cena to get things going but as he puts the mic to his mouth, cue Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes says we’ve seen Cena talk for two weeks now so let Rhodes do his job for him. Let’s see: Rhodes has a bit of a lisp, so some S words don’t come out right. Like STARDUST. That’s who Cena is facing in his final Wrestlemania match in the main event: STARDUST. What else? Oh yeah: Rhodes has an arm tattoo his neck and he created his own wrestling company.

Rhodes knew Cena would go with some of these things but Rhodes is dealing with the idea that Superman is really dead. The truth is that they used to ride together and Rhodes knows that Cena cared about the people. Cena finally responds, saying he’s not going to punch down to Rhodes’ level. Instead he’s going to bury Rhodes at Wrestlemania. Cena is always accused of burying talent, but the reality is he is talent but buries mediocrity. He isn’t going to call out Rhodes for things like a lisp because Rhodes is just a chauffeur.

Rhodes thinks he found the blueprints so he can run the kingdom. For years, Rhodes sat by Cena and learned from him, then he tried to do it himself. Now he relies on cheap gimmicks like having fans chant his name to get by. Rhodes is a pied piper, as he uses cheap tricks to get people to follow him. All we get is some big mixture of every TV show that Rhodes has ever watched from a kid who is still scared of public speaking.

Cena hates seeing a pathetic nepo baby carrying the title when he had his gimmick tattooed on his neck. Rhodes is nothing but a common fan, who can go buy the Fanatics toy title and be the People’s Champion (nice touch of Cena calling out Rhodes for doing the same thing as the Rock, who got Cena to turn). Rhodes says that the people chose him, just like one man chose Cena but we don’t talk about him anymore (the fans OOO at that one). The reality is that Cena has more dick in his promo than in his jorts and he hangs out with Zac Efron and wishes he was 16 anymore.

Sure Rhodes left for his own company, but Cena didn’t even clean up his room before he went Hollywood. There are two of them in this ring right now, and which one of them sold out to the Rock? Rhodes: “John, you are still my hero, but you’re also a piece of s***.” Cena says Rhodes’ mind is full of feces and not facts. He sold out because no one is worthy of following him.

After all these years, he still finds ways to make things great, including Rhodes. Cena: “I make empires for billionaires. All you’ve ever done is steal money from their kids.” Cena goes to leave, but Rhodes says that not once have the fans told him that he can’t wrestle. THAT touches a nerve with Cena, who gets back in and they go face to face. Cena teases leaving but tries a right hand, only to walk into Cross Rhodes. With Cena down, Rhodes tucks his tie in (nice touch) and points to the Wrestlemania.

Cena was starting to go over the top supervillain here but then he and Rhodes started throwing bombs at each other. What mattered here was Cena gave something more of a clear explanation for why he turned. That gives both of them something to prove, with Rhodes needing to show that he can beat one of the best of all time and Cena wanting to prove that he still has it. Heck of a segment here.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky.

New Day comes out for a match and Adam Pearce introduces their surprise opponents.

New Day vs. New Catch Republic

The team is back and Tyler Bate has cut off a lot of his hair, looking a lot more like he did when he made his WWE debut. Dunne easily takes Woods down so Bate can hit a Swanton, followed by a pair of dives to the floor as we take a break. Back with Dunne in trouble and Woods hitting a running dropkick in the ropes.

Kingston knocks Dunne down again but misses a charge, allowing the tag to Bate. A suplex sends Kingston out of the corner so Bate can do his airplane spin. The German suplex/rebound lariat combination gets two, as does Kingston’s SOS. Dunne is back up with a kick to Kingston but Bate’s springboard is broken up. The Daybreaker finishes Dunne at 8:52.

Rating: B-. It was nice to have the Republic getting back in the ring as they’re a good team and there will always be a place for a team like them. That being said, New Day needed the win as they have fallen pretty far since their nuclear heat after turning on Big E. Having them win the titles at Wrestlemania would be nice, but dang there would be something to having Big E. cost them the match.

Post match New Day says they want a title shot so here are the War Raiders to say come get it.

Jimmy and Jey Uso fire each other up for their matches with Gunther. Jey tells him to be careful.

Gunther vs. Jimmy Uso

Non-title. Gunther starts fast with the chops and they’re on the floor in a hurry. Back in and Jimmy sends him outside for a suicide dive but the Superfly Splash hits raised knees. Jimmy catches him on top for a superplex into the Superfly Splash for two as the hot start continues. They go outside again where Gunther drops him onto the apron, setting up that hard lariat. We take a break and come back with Gunther hitting his big dropkick. The powerbomb gets two, with Gunther pulling him up. The sleeper puts Jimmy out at 8:35.

Rating: C+. I was surprised and a bit disappointed by this one as Jimmy felt like he was going to be getting this big shot at Gunther and then it was barely a step above a squash. Gunther kicked out of the Superfly Splash and then just mauled him. That’s not the most thrilling match, but at least Gunther looked like a monster again.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jey Uso makes the save.

Post break Jey helps Jimmy out but Gunther runs back in and beats both of them down. Gunther isn’t done and zip ties Jey to the ropes, allowing him to beat Jimmy up even more. He taunts Jey and gets in a belt shot to knock Jimmy off the apron. Jimmy is busted open and Gunther rubs the blood on his own chest. Jey tries to pull Jimmy to him but Gunther pulls him back for elbows to the head and a sleeper. Gunther: “HELP YOUR BROTHER!” Agents and security finally come in for the save. This was awesome and some good, old school heeling from Gunther, who is going so far that Jey is going to want to get his revenge.

We recap the CM Punk/Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins contract signing for Wrestlemania, with the announcement that it’s closing the show, making Punk a Wrestlemania main eventer. Punk made it clear that is NOT the favor Paul Heyman owes him though.

Finn Balor is ready to bring gold back to the Judgment Day, but doesn’t seem pleased with Raquel Rodriguez for losing last week. Balor and most of the men leave but Carlito stays behind, only to be thrown out by the women.

Judgment Day vs. Bron Breakker/Penta

Penta gets knocked down to start but Breakker comes in to take over without much trouble. It’s already back to Penta for the slingshot dropkick in the corner to Balor, followed by a backbreaker to Mysterio. Breakker pulls the top rope down so Penta can hit a big running flip dive to the floor as we take an early break. Back with Penta hitting the Backstabber and handing it off to Breakker to clean house. The running clothesline hits Balor and a super Sling Blade takes out Mysterio. The Super Spear hits Penta by mistake though and Balor adds the Coup de Grace for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: C+. It seems that we’re getting ready for a big multi man match for the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania and Balor getting the pin here should getting him back into the title picture. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Dominik Mysterio added to the whole thing too, and having him steal the title would be great. Penta losing is a bit annoying, but it came after two finishers and miscommunication in a tag match so it’s hardly a terrible idea.

Chad Gable is still out with a medical issue, but he’ll be fine by next week for a match in his hometown. Adam Pearce says nothing is more important than his health, so next week, it’s El Grande Americano in action instead. Gable goes to leave and runs into the Alpha Academy, who he calls clowns and an idiot (Otis). Maxxine says she and Natalya have been talking and they want in the Women’s Tag Team Title picture. Oh dear.

Penta yells at Bron Breakker for the spear.

Here is AJ Styles to call out Logan Paul, who doesn’t leave him waiting long. Paul mocks the fans for not liking him, saying they’re on his time. As for Styles, Paul has had a change of heart. He’s a girl dad now, and he forgives Styles for what he did to him at Madison Square Garden. Styles has a daughter too, and forgives Paul for being the biggest douchebag ever in WWE. Paul can have all the money and fame that he wants, but the people care about what he can do in the ring.

The fans get on Paul for Prime being awful before the insults continue (with Styles kind of stumbling over his line about not letting your mouth write a check you a** can’t cash and Paul having to save it). Styles seems ready to fight but Paul teases a Wrestlemania match instead. Paul calls the fans poor and then tries a kick to the ribs, with the fight being on. They go outside but Paul gets in a low blow, setting up the Paulverizer to leave Styles laying. The Paulverizer looked great, but this feud isn’t clicking for me. It doesn’t help that it feels like the “these two have nothing else to do” feud.

Lyra Valkyria is happy with her title defense last week but now she wants to even the score with Bayley. She’ll do that next week in their title match.

Finn Balor says “he” won the tag match and wants an Intercontinental Title shot. With Balor gone, Liv Morgan says Dominik Mysterio shouldn’t be happy with this and is going to talk to Adam Pearce.

Raw Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley

Ripley is challenging and Bianca Belair is guest referee. After the big match intros, Ripley hammers away into the corner but Sky fights out in a hurry. They trade rollups for two each until Ripley takes over again and we take an early break. Back with Sky hitting a running dropkick, followed by a missile dropkick to put her on the floor. Sky’s suicide dive takes Ripley down again and they go back inside, where Ripley gets caught up top.

Sky tries a super poisonrana but Ripley blocks it, setting up a….I think super Samoan drop but Sky seems to get the better of it. Weird sequence. Anyway, Sky hits the Bullet Train and goes up, only to get headbutted out of the air for two. A toss Razor’s Edge sends Sky flying for two but Belair accidentally gets decked. Riptide connects but there is no referee, with the fans counting up to about thirteen.

Back in and Sky kicks out (over a minute after Riptide connected so it’s fine), leading to an argument between Ripley and Sky. Ripley hammers on Sky in the ropes but gets wrestled down, with Ripley hitting Belair in the face. Sky comes in off the top with a (accidental) missile dropkick to Belair, who calls the double DQ at 14:45.

Rating: B. This was a big time angle with a match included and that worked well. The double DQ is a way to avoid either of them taking a fall and should get us to what will likely be a triple threat title match at Wrestlemania. This one does have a story, though dang I could go for some more singles title matches for a change. Either way, good stuff here and they did it as they should have.

Post match the big three way brawl is on with Ripley getting to stand tall. Ripley adds a super Riptide to Belair to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. It’s always impressive when there can be so little wrestling (only four matches) and yet it felt like a show that did so much for Wrestlemania. You can see most of the card from here and some of the other matches are just waiting to be set. The Rhodes/Cena segment was great and made me want to see the match that much more. This was the moving day show for Wrestlemania and that is a great feeling in Wrestlemania season. It’s the kind of show they needed to do and the next two weeks should be similar.

Results
New Day b. New Catch Republic – Daybreaker to Dunne
Gunther b. Jimmy Uso – Sleeper
Judgment Day b. Penta/Bron Breakker – Coup de Grace to Penta
Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky went to a double DQ when both attacked the referee

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 24, 2025
Location: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Pat McAfee, Michael Cole

We’re still in Europe with another show that is airing live in the afternoon in the United States. We are less than a month away from Wrestlemania and things should be getting interesting on the way there. John Cena and Cody Rhodes are both in the building again this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is John Cena to get things going (note the different color shirt from last week as he keeps up the merchandise shilling) and he immediately notes the JOHN CENA SUCKS chants. Cena talks about how the people have a spotlight on them now and no one is safe because he can rip any of them to shreds. Last week, he put a clueless kid on blast and his face was everywhere. Even WWE posted it and the people loved it!

Cena has listened to their lies and noise for twenty five years but he spent that time paying attention rather than being mean. The fans tell him to shut the f*** up, which Cena says is making it this much easier. Cena has been studying, questioning, prodding and rewarding the fans for playing along with their childish nursery rhymes. The reality is they know nothing about him but he knows everything about them. They have been nothing more than an experiment. Pick any moment from his career and you’ll see what he learned from them.

Cena lists off things that he’s done over the years and what he learned from it, right down to knowing how to get them to say WHAT when he speaks in rhythmic tones. Cena brings up the biggest thing of all with the spinner belt, which got a reaction when he turned the prized possession into a toy. That was their biggest mistake, because it showed the lack of respect.

Now Cena is going to ruin wrestling for every fan, every wrestler and for everyone. Cena is going to win his 17th World Title at Wrestlemania and create another toy title so he can retire as champion. He’s going to ruin your traditions and there is nothing you can do to stop him.

Cue Cody Rhodes to interrupt and, eventually, asks what Cena said. Rhodes made a mistake last week talking about old Cena because this is clearly the real, sincere Cena. That makes him the most dangerous Cena, who made his biggest mistake by saying these things while Rhodes was in the building. Rhodes has fought so hard to hold the title once and now Cena is willing to destroy wrestling to get it again. Rhodes lays the title down and opens his shirt, saying Cena can try to take it right now.

Cena goes to leave but Rhodes calls him back…and Cena leaves again. Rhodes says he can’t let Cena do this again, because he needs Cena to see him. Cena’s psychotic need to be the champion does not outweigh the people’s need to have it. This week, Cena is walking away empty handed and that’s how he’s going to walk away at Wrestlemania, and from WWE.

I’m not sure about Cena’s entire career being a big con, but it’s certainly an explanation. They’ve set up the story and the stakes here and that’s what they needed to do. Cena’s promos have been rather good, if nothing else because you can imagine how long he has wanted to do something like this.

We recap the recent issues with the Judgment Day and Bron Breakker, with Dominik Mysterio thinking Penta should join the team. Finn Balor isn’t happy, with Penta facing Breakker for the Intercontinental Title tonight.

Usos vs. A-Town Down Under

Jimmy is Jey’s surprise partner as the team is back together after over a year and a half apart. Jey knocks Waller around to start and it’s quickly off to Jimmy for a double elbow, followed by a double elbow. The villains are sent to the floor for the big dive from Jimmy. Back in and Jimmy knocks Waller down in the corner as the fans seem rather happy to have the Usos back together.

Theory comes in off a blind tag though and drops Jimmy as we take a break. Back with Jimmy fighting out of trouble and handing it back to Jey to clean house. Waller comes back in off a blind tag though and a double forearm gets two on Jey. The middle rope elbow misses and the Alley Uce plants Waller. The spear and 1D finish Theory at 9:28.

Rating: C+. That’s kind of a weird way to go for Jey, as he’s chasing the World Title but gets the tag reunion here. Maybe we get Gunther vs. Jimmy on the way to Wrestlemania and I’ve heard worse ideas, but this was kind of a random reunion. Granted it was a good one, as having the Usos together is way better than having them fighting.

Post match the Usos pose but here is Gunther to take Jimmy out. Jey fights back but slips on the spear attempt and gets beaten down. Jimmy grabs a chair to clear the ring.

The Judgment Day gets ready for tonight’s Women’s Intercontinental Title match, which makes Carlito want the men’s version.

We get a video on El Grande Americano, the greatest luchador of all time. He dominated Mexico and then disappeared without a trace.

The LWO thinks it’s Chad Gable, but Gable comes in to say that was El Grande Americano. Gable is officially medically out tonight (he has a doctor’s note) but suggests that El Grand Americano faces Dragon Lee tonight instead. Works for Lee, so Adam Pearce makes the match.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez, with Liv Morgan, is challenging. Valkyria can’t get a sunset flip to start and has to avoid a bit stomp. Instead, she sends Rodriguez outside but a dropkick through the ropes is blocked. They go outside where Rodriguez is sent over the announcers’ table, only to plant Valkyria back inside.

We take a break and come back with Rodriguez hitting a slingshot Jackhammer for two but the spinning Vader Bomb misses. Valkyria hits a top rope ax kick for two, only to get planted again. Now the spinning Vader Bomb connects for two, which has Rodriguez confused. Valkyria reverses a suplex into a DDT but Morgan puts the foot on the ropes. Back up and the Tejana Bomb is reversed into a victory roll to retain the title at 9:24.

Rating: C+. Nice match here as Valkyria gets a win to continue boosting up her title reign. That’s what she has been needing since she became champion in the first place and this was a more interesting match than anything she did with Zoey Stark. Valkyria vs. Morgan down the line could be a good way to go, but I’m not sure what is going to happen with the title at Wrestlemania.

Post match Morgan runs in to go after Morgan but Bayley makes the save. Respect is shown.

Pat McAfee has bought a kilt and shows it off to the crowd.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky, despite contracts still not working like that.

We look at the Rock vs. HHH ladder match at Summerslam 1998 for HHH’s Hall Of Fame induction.

Jimmy Uso doesn’t think Jey Uso can beat Gunther. The Jey that Jimmy knows, the right hand man and Main Event Jey Uso? That’s the one Jimmy needs because he can beat Gunther. Jimmy goes off to challenge Gunther for next week. Works for Gunther.

Here is Adam Pearce to address the Women’s Title situation. Iyo Sky comes out to say she doesn’t care about contracts but Pearce needs her to hear him out. Cue Bianca Belair to interrupt, saying Rhea Ripley isn’t getting into the title match at Wrestlemania. Cue Ripley to say she doesn’t care about Wrestlemania or who she has to go through to get her title back. Belair says Ripley can face her after Wrestlemania but Pearce makes Sky vs. Ripley next week, with the winner facing Belair at Wrestlemania. The three way fight is on and Belair stands tall. The triple threat should be good, as they’re making it feel like anyone can win.

Dominik Mysterio pitches Penta joining the Judgment Day and says think about it.

Video on the War Raiders.

New Day wants a Tag Team Title shot at Wrestlemania. Adam Pearce tells them to get out but Bianca Belair comes in to say she wants to know her Wrestlemania opponent. Pearce makes her guest referee next week. Belair: “I don’t know how to referee!” Pearce: “WELL YOU HAVE A WEEK TO FIGURE IT OUT!”

Dragon Lee vs. El Grande Americano

Americano is billed from The Gulf Of America to really rub it in. They go to the mat to start with Americano working on an armbar and then armdragging Lee into the corner. Americano: “GRACIAS!” A hurricanrana and running headbutt get two on Lee and Americano sends him outside. We take a break and come back with Lee kneeing him out to the apron, setting up the top rope double stomp. Back in and Americano sends him hard into the corner with a toss for two but Lee fights up. Lee goes to the corner but gets his mask pulled off. The ankle lock makes Lee tap at 8:55.

Rating: B. They started going here and it was a good fight with the two of them both working hard. The Grande Americano stuff is fun and could lead to some funny moments down the line. If nothing else, it is nice to see…uh…whoever is under that mask winning some matches. He’s good at this wrestling thing and looked good in his debut here.

We look at the Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins/CM Punk brawl on Smackdown, which seemed to set up a Wrestlemania three way. The match is officially made.

Here is Punk for a chat. Punk talks about how rough things have been in recent days, including his uncertainty and his Road To Wrestlemania. Apparently he has a match at Wrestlemania, but what he wants, he isn’t getting. Or is he? What he wanted to do was to win the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber, but things stay the same: he works with children.

Seth Rollins is the definition of a child as he screwed Punk at the Elimination Chamber. For two people, it’s clearly personal but to him, it’s just business. The other people have to go, because the shadow Punk casts on Roman Reigns (Punk does the one finger) overshadows everything Reigns has done. The reality is that Reigns’ wise man isn’t just his own. We’re going to have a three way contract signing in London on Smackdown.

The fans aren’t happy because they want it here, but Punk gets the issue. He wants to see the contract and see if it’s just another match or something that gets him closer to where he wants to go. Neither of the other two have ever beaten him without the other’s help, because they can’t do it. Punk brought them into this business and he can’t wait to take them out. Punk vs. Reigns still feels like a bigger match, but Rollins has to be on the card somewhere and this is about the only thing he can do right now.

Logan Paul sends in a video, saying he’s going to call out AJ Styles next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Bron Breakker is ready to take Penta out and doesn’t care what is going on with Judgment Day.

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending. Penta’s headlock is cut off without much effort and Breakker hits a hard clothesline. Something like a hurricanrana sends Breakker to the apron, where he knees a diving Penta out of the air. Breakker hits the apron clothesline over the announcers’ table as the Judgment Day comes out to watch.

We take a break and come back with Penta hitting a superkick but Breakker knees him again. Another superkick drops Breakker though and they get a double breather. The reverse Sling Blade sends Breakker to the floor and Penta hits a jumping Backstabber for two back inside. A gorilla press gutbuster gets two on Penta, who knocks Breakker outside again for a big dive. Back in and the Canadian Destroyer gives Penta two more but the Penta Driver is broken up. A super Frankensteiner pulls Penta down…and Judgment Day comes in to jump Breakker for the DQ at 11:26.

Rating: B. The ending felt designed to help boost up a big multi-man title match at Wrestlemania and that’s not the worst idea. The other thing though is that they kept Penta from taking a pin. I’m not sure I can imagine Penta taking the title at Wrestlemania, or anytime soon, but what matters the most here is that he didn’t take a clean loss. That’s the kind of thing that can hurt him going forward and it was nice to see him survive here.

Post match Finn Balor comes in for the beatdown and, after thinking about attacking his friends, chairs Breakker down. Mysterio hands Penta a chair but he throws it back at Mysterio for a superkick. Balor chairs Penta and Breakker down and Judgment Day stands tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Solid show this week as it felt rather quick and easy while also setting up/advancing things for Wrestlemania. We’re firmly in the area now where Wrestlemania is all that matters and now we are starting to see where things are going. That’s going to include a lot of talking and hyping up the matches, but there was good wrestling going on here too. Nice show here, and now we are getting to see the start of the last push towards the biggest show of the year.

Results
Usos b. A-Town Down Under – 1D to Theory
Lyra Valkyria b. Raquel Rodriguez – Victory roll
El Grande Americano b. Dragon Lee – Ankle lock
Bron Breakker b. Penta when Judgment Day interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 17, 2025
Location: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re still in Europe and that means the show is airing live around the world on Netflix. That makes for an interesting setup but there is something a bit more interesting than that on top. The big story this week is John Cena returning and hopefully explaining his attack on Cody Rhodes. The fact that Rhodes is here too should help so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Commentary hypes up the card and says we should give John Cena the chance to explain himself.

We look back at Cena’s heel turn with Cody Rhodes’ promo from last week narrating.

Here is Cena to get things going and the fans are not pleased with him. Cena has the regular gear on and holds up the Last Time Is Now towel but is much more stoic than usual with far less energy. The dueling chants begin and Cena takes the microphone, which he drops and teases leaving but stops. Cena finally gives a quote about how you shouldn’t have to look outside yourself for approval.

The fans keep booing and Cena says this is making it so easy for him. Cena says that for twenty five years, he has been in an abusive relationship. The people have spent all these years bullying him into being his puppet and expecting him to do it with a smile on his face. The fans are not pleased with this and let him know (the censoring takes a second to catch up), which Cena calls “so very classy”. Cena: “I am not a babyface. I am not a heel. I’m a human being.”

Everyone has been awful to him and it has been the same noise for twenty five years (eh more like twenty but close enough). The fans have let him know that he wasn’t worthy of his attention so he changed himself, but it wasn’t enough. Then he worked hard like he always did and he did nothing but win and they still didn’t like him. Cena says the only thing he can do is leave, which is something that has never been done before, which gets some cheers.

One last time, Cena tries to do something nice for them and YOU RUIN IT JUST LIKE YOU RUIN EVERYTHING. Just like tonight, it’s two seconds of being great but that’s never enough! The fans sing the Goodbye Song and Cena goes into a rant about how everything has always been about what the fans get. No one ever asked how he was feeling so they get what they deserve, which is NOTHING. The fans don’t get a new look or new music because the look is his, just like the voice on his theme song.

The only thing you get is a long look in the mirror to see how bad people have been to him for twenty five years. Cena mocks the WE WANT CODY chant before pointing out some LET’S GO CENA chanters. Those people are the worst of them all because they have done nothing but steal from him. You steal his moments and times and made him the punchline of a stupid invisible joke for FIFTEEN YEARS AND IT IS NOT FUNNY!

These people wear words like hustle, loyalty and respect but he lives them every day. You think you can buy the idea of “never give up”? He is the embodiment of the idea and these people use him as an excuse for their pathetic failures of a life. Each of them, including the kid in Cena gear in the front row, is part of a TOXIC RELATIONSHIP. Cena: “I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. You’re dumped. I don’t care about you and you don’t matter to me.”

Cue Cody Rhodes to an absolute roar, leaving Cena just shaking his head. Rhodes says everyone, including himself, was willing to hear Cena out. Cena said everyone gave him their worst but they have also given him their best for twenty five years. They did that because Cena could do that and carry it. Cena: “Listen kid…” Rhodes: “ENOUGH! It certainly isn’t kid. It’s WWE Champion.”

Rhodes was looking forward to going toe to toe to Cena week to week but this version better not show up at Wrestlemania. He already took Cena’s best shot so he’ll send Cena to retirement early. At Wrestlemania, he wants the real Cena, not this whiny b****. Rhodes leaves (no music) and poses on the stage with the title before leaving. Cena drops the mic and goes to leave, earning a reprise of the Goodbye Song. He goes up the aisle, teases a pose, and then walks away.

This went on for the better part of half an hour and it didn’t feel real. After so many years of the same kind of stuff from Cena, it was so strange to see him just unleashing all of this venom. It worked very well and told Cena’s story, with Cena intentionally talking down to everyone watching. That’s what it should have been and while it’s going to take some time to process, my goodness did it work well, with the fans being furious with him the whole time. Rhodes’ stuff was fine, but this was ALL about Cena, as fans have been waiting a very long time for this.

Michael Cole goes on a rant about what Cena just said and credits the fans for everything that Cena has. Cole: “Cena is an irrational p***k.” Corey Graves says we don’t have to like it but there’s going to be a fight at Wrestlemania.

The main event is for the Intercontinental Title so we look at some classic Wrestlemania matches, including Savage vs. Steamboat. Yeah that still holds up.

Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser

No DQ and they slug it out to start until Penta knocks him to the floor. A missed charge sends Penta into the timekeeper’s area but Penta walks the barricade for a hurricanrana into the apron (thankfully Kaiser stood there while Penta was coming at him). Penta hits a big running flip dive over the top and they strike it out on the announcers’ table. Kaiser goes to the eyes and hits a Death Valley Driver onto the table as we take a break.

Back with Penta hitting a high crossbody and a Backstabber to put Kaiser down. Kaiser gets in another Death Valley Driver and they go outside, where Penta backdrops him onto the announcers’ table. Back in and they strike it out until Kaiser gets two off a neckbreaker. Kaiser demands that Penta fear him and hits a loud chair shot to the back. He demands that Penta say he’s scared but Penta reverses into the Sacrifice.

Penta grabs a chair so Kaiser backs off and says Penta wins. Then Kaiser rakes the eyes and takes the chair, only to get it superkicked into his face. Penta does it again and hits a middle rope Canadian Destroyer onto the chair (ignore that Penta landed on it instead of him), setting up the Penta Driver for the pin at 13:53.

Rating: B. The thing that catches my attention here is how few weapons they used here. Other than the announcers’ table, the chair was the only thing involved. Rather than using a bunch of weapons, they told a story with Kaiser becoming obsessed with breaking Penta but not being able to do it. Penta gets a big win and can move on, possibly into a title feud.

Post match Penta thanks the fans and says he’s coming for the Intercontinental Title. There you go.

Dakota Kai comes to the ring. Of note: Karrion Kross could be seen talking to Dominik Mysterio.

We go to the Judgment Day clubhouse where the team wishes each other luck when Dominik comes in. Balor thanks him for getting an Intercontinental Title shot tonight. Dominik has an idea of adding someone new to the team (Liv Morgan doesn’t think this is the right time) like say, Penta. Balor is NOT pleased and calls Dominik a snake. With Balor gone, Dominik says he didn’t know Penta wanted the Intercontinental Title. Carlito: “You don’t watch the show do you?” Points for a funny line.

Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile

Chad Gable and the rest of American Made are here too. Kai knocks her into the corner to start but what looks like an RKO is shoved away. Nile hammers away but charges into some shots to the face. Kai fights back with a boot in the corner and another out to the floor, only for Gable to offer a distraction. Back up and Nile hits something like a swinging Rock Bottom for two but here is the LWO to go after the Creeds. Gable is chased out of the arena and the running boot in the corner into the GTK finishes for Kai at 2:49.

Adam Pearce is here to emcee the contract signing between Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair. Sky says she won’t be disrespected again because she is the Women’s World Champion. She signs to get us halfway done. Belair says if Sky thought that was disrespectful, Sky doesn’t know her at all. Belair signs as well…and here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt.

Ripley gets in Belair’s face but says she’s just here to watch. Ripley isn’t pleased and gets shoved by Bianca, only for Ripley to put Belair on the table. A powerbomb sends Sky onto Belair….and Ripley signs the contract as well before taking it with her. This continues the wrestling tradition of THIS ISN’T HOW CONTRACTS WORK.

Jey Uso is ready to face Gunther….and then he runs into Gunther. Arguing and shoving ensues but security breaks it up.

Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory

Grayson Waller is here with Theory, who gets speared for the pin at 30 seconds.

Post match Uso tries a dive onto the villains but doesn’t quite clear the rope, thankfully being ok as he lands on the apron. Gunther comes in for the sleeper but Uso fights out and the brawl is on. Uso takes the title off of Gunther, who gets it back and bails. Yeeting ensues. Gunther continues to feel secondary to a lot of things around here and that’s not a great sign.

Video on Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor.

Adam Pearce yells at Rhea Ripley about the contract, saying it’s like talking to a child. Ripley gives the contract back and wants in the match but here is Bianca Belair to jump her. Iyo Sky joins in and all three of them fight each other. Pearce and a single referee come in to break it up, which seems inefficient.

Creed Brothers vs. LWO

Brutus is knocked to the floor to start as Graves suggests that last week’s masked luchador could have been Del Wilkes or Tom Brandi. Julius comes in with a hard clothesline and we take a break. Back with Mysterio coming in to clean house but Julius gets in a backbreaker. Mysterio hits a DDT and Lee takes out Brutus, leaving Mysterio to hit a 619 into the springboard splash for the pin at 5:47. Not enough shown to rate but it was about getting Mysterio in the ring, which is fine.

Post match the masked luchador comes in to jump the LWO, including some German suplexes. Security chases him off.

We look back at last week’s main event with Roman Reigns attacking Seth Rollins, costing CM Punk a match. Reigns then took Punk out as well, mainly due to Paul Heyman checking on Punk.

Here is Rollins (in far more normal attire) for a chat. We get a VERY extended WHOA period from the crowd, Rollins hits his catchphrase and praises the people. The fans chant for CM Punk and then Roman Reigns but Rollins finds it impressive that Reigns still can’t come up with a plan without his Wise Man. Reigns had everything figured out but he forgot one more detail, with the fans against chanting for Punk.

Rollins says this is like the good old days, as he has to clean up Reigns’ mess. This Friday, they’ll be in the same place on Smackdown and he’ll get in between the two of them. That’s for a few days from now though, so how about the fans sing his song one more time before the main event? And they do. Rollins didn’t say much here but it was mainly about saying “we’ll do something that actually matters on Friday”.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

AJ Styles doesn’t think Logan Paul belongs around here but here are Karrion Kross and Scarlett to interrupt. Kross thinks Styles might be mad at himself so Styles goes to leave. Kross gets him to stay and asks how long Styles took to get to WWE. It didn’t take Paul 17 years to get to WWE, but Styles says this isn’t working. Kross, after Styles leaves: “I think it’s working.”

Bron Breakker stares down Penta in the back but nothing is said/done.

HHH Hall Of Fame video.

Intercontinental Title: Finn Balor vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending. Balor’s headlock doesn’t get him very far to start as Breakker powers things into the corner without much trouble. They go to the floor with Breakker doing his big run around the ropes, only to get caught with the Sling Blade. We take a break and come back with Balor spinning into a Russian legsweep for two. Some trash talk gets Breakker mad and he snaps off a suplex. The suplex powerslam connects but here is the Judgment Day for a distraction.

Balor plants him for two but Breakker is right back up to knock him outside. The clothesline from the apron onto the announcers’ table crushes Balor, with Breakker staying down too. Back in and a Sling Blade drops Breakker again, with a dropkick into the corner, only to miss the Coup de Grace. The Super Spear hits the buckle but Breakker hits the gorilla press powerslam for two. Balor goes up top but gets crotched, only for the Judgment Day to offer a distraction. That’s broken up and it’s the super Frankensteiner into the Super Spear to retain the title at 12:32.

Rating: B. Balor not winning isn’t the biggest surprise as he just doesn’t do that in big matches. What matters the most here is that Breakker gets a nice win on his way to a potential Wrestlemania showdown with Penta. The Judgment Day’s woes continue and now we get to see where this goes as things keep falling apart. For now though, we have a Breakker vs. Penta match coming and that has me interested.

Post match Judgment Day goes after Breakker but Penta runs in for the save. Penta holds up the title but hands it to Breakker for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a rather unique show, with the one big thing dominating the rest, though most of the rest was good enough. That being said, this was ALL about the Cena segment, which fans have been waiting on and it certainly delivered (albeit going a bit long). The fans were invested though and that should make for a great Road To Wrestlemania on the way to the huge showdown. Cena sounded like a star and I want to see where it goes, which suggests that they’re doing something right.

Other than that, you have the rest of the show, with Penta of all people feeling like the biggest story. That’s a good sign, as Penta has not even been around for three months and is already in a prominent role. There is a good chance that he’ll get a title match either at or just before Wrestlemania, which opens up some interesting possibilities. The Women’s Title match is likely all but set as well, along with Jey Uso doing his thing. Naturally Cena was the big story here, but the rest held up well enough. Couple that with another red hot crowd and this was a rather nice show.

Results
Penta b. Ludwig Kaiser – Penta Driver
Dakota Kai b. Ivy Nile – GTK
Jey Uso b. Austin Theory – Spear
LWO b. Creed Brothers – Springboard splash to Julius
Bron Breakker b. Finn Balor – Super Spear

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 3, 2025
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the show after Elimination Chamber and that means there are no more major roadblocks on the Road To Wrestlemania. Tonight we have a Women’s Title match as Rhea Ripley defends against Iyo Sky, with the winner to defend against Bianca Belair at Wrestlemania. Oh and John Cena is now a villain. Let’s get to it.

Here is Elimination Chamber if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Elimination Chamber, which really was an eventful show. Naturally the Cena moment gets the most attention.

Commentary makes it simple: Cena sold his soul to get one more World Title.

We run down the card.

A ticked off CM Punk arrives and storms the arena, even knocking down the Prime station. He stands on the announcers’ table and rants about how he might get us kicked off of Netflix. Allow him to address his enemies and since his name is CM Punk, that means everyone. Who is the first target tonight? Punk asks the fans to give him a name and Punk picks the Rock, getting right in the camera to call him a bald fraud. If Rock thinks he’s immune from criticism because he’s on the Board Of Directors, he has no idea who he’s dealing with here.

Mr. Midlife Crisis decides to come in whenever he feels like it but he hasn’t graced us with his presence tonight to do his bulls*** about having goosebumps. Punk has never been so desperate to wear a fake title and declare himself the people’s champion because he earns that right. He has never been so desperate to sell his soul, and that brings him to John Cena (the fans are interested). Now everyone can see right through Cena and Punk gave him the benefit of the doubt when Cena didn’t have to quality.

Twenty plus years of hustle, loyalty and respect and now Punk has been proven fight about everything Cena has been saying. Punk didn’t quit in the Elimination Chamber because Cena gave us on all of those kids. He’ll get his hands on Cena down the road and Cena will make a wish that it never happened. As for the person who has all of Punk’s attention, let’s talk about Seth Rollins. Becky Lynch better come get her man before Punk puts him in a wheelchair…and here is Rollins to interrupt.

They don’t waste time talking as Punk charges up the aisle and the brawl is on with agents and referees breaking it up. That doesn’t last long as they get at each other a few more times, including in the ring with about twenty people trying to hold them apart. It still doesn’t work as Rollins dives over the announcers’ table to stay on him. They’re FINALLY separated and we take a break after a red hot opening. Punk was bringing the fire with that promo and it felt like he was genuinely angry with everything he was saying, which is a great sign.

During the break, Punk and Rollins got into it again in the crowd. This was broken up quickly, but well done on making things feel more real.

We look back at Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles last week.

Judgment Day is happy with the title win, with Raquel Rodriguez teasing going after the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Finn Balor isn’t thrilled and brings up Liv Morgan losing in the Elimination Chamber, plus the team’s other losses. Dominik Mysterio again brings up adding another member, but Balor thinks the solution is he (as in Balor) beats up Bron Breakker tonight. With Balor gone, Morgan and Rodriguez say they still don’t know what happened with Jade Cargill in the Chamber.

Otis vs. Gunther

Non-title and the rest of the Alpha Academy is here too. Before the match, Gunther says he knows Otis is as strong as an ox but to Gunther, he’s just a freak. Otis is in the same category as Jey Uso, meaning he does not belong in Gunther’s ring. The reality is Gunther wears the World Heavyweight Title as a prize while Otis can’t find a belt that fits. Therefore, it’s time to teach him a lesson, just like he’ll do to Uso at Wrestlemania.

Gunther hits him before the bell and we start fast. Otis fights up and hammers away in the corner, only to get kicked in the leg. Some boots to the face put Otis on the floor but some slaps to the head wake him up. A fall away slam on the floor sends Gunther flying as commentary is impressed.

We take a break and come back with Gunther holding a crossface. Another boot to the face cuts off another Otis comeback attempt but Otis grabs a belly to back suplex for a needed breather. Back up and the chops wake Otis up so he chops right back until Otis drops him with a clothesline. Gunther charges into a slam and the Caterpillar gets two. Gunther’s dropkick puts Otis down but he’s right back up with another suplex. Some hard clotheslines put Otis down for two and Gunther is looking frustrated. The powerbomb puts Otis away at 9:41.

Rating: B. These guys had a hoss fight and that’s what it needed to be. Gunther was never going to be in serious damage against Otis, but Otis gave him a heck of a fight and struck away with everything he had. It was an entertaining fight and the two of them did about as well as could be expected here. Sometimes you need the champion to break a sweat in a match where he isn’t in much danger and Otis did just that.

Post match Gunther grabs a sleeper so Akira Tozawa comes in for a failed save attempt. Jey Uso (ROAR) makes the real save. With Gunther gone, A-Town Down Under runs in to jump Uso, who fights them off without much trouble. Then Gunther comes back in to choke Uso out. That was a lot and it made sense.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky before their title match tonight.

There is a new Raw Recap show starting on Youtube tomorrow.

We see more reactions to Cena’s turn at Elimination Chamber, with promises of another look to come. We’ve already looked at it about four times.

AJ Styles is asked about what Cena did and says “wow”. He didn’t see it coming and here is Karrion Kross to put his arms around Cena and saying it makes sense. Styles cuts him off and says he isn’t Cena. Maybe the WWE Universe needs a reminder of who Styles is, so next week, he’ll call out Logan Paul in Madison Square Garden. He’s not interested in Kross’ help either, but after Styles leaves, Kross says “that was easy”.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile

Valkyria is defending and drives her into the corner to start. A hiptoss gives Valkyria one so Nile drops her with a clothesline. Valkyria dropkicks her to the floor but Nile is right back with a dragon screw legwhip out of the corner as we take a break. Back with Nile still working on the leg before she pulls a high crossbody out of the air.

A gutwrench powerbomb puts Nile down but Valkyria’s leg gives out. Nile gets caught with an enziguri but is fine enough to counter a tornado DDT into a suplex. Valkyria gets in a quick swinging neckbreaker, only for the leg to give out again. Nile’s sitout powerbomb gets two and she grabs the ankle lock. Valkyria avoids a boot in the corner and hits a backbreaker, setting up Nightwing to retain at 9:32.

Rating: B-. This was a good example of a match where they did everything right and told a nice story but the match just wasn’t very interesting. There wasn’t much of a spark here as they were just doing stuff until Valkyria retained. The title is still new, but it needs a hotter feud than this to get the interest going.

We look back at the Seth Rollins/CM Punk brawl earlier tonight.

Rollins tries to leave the building and gets into it with Punk again. Adam Pearce runs in as Punk says he’ll kill Rollins.

Post break Rollins and Pearce yell at each other, with Rollins promising to take Punk out if Pearce doesn’t do something about this. Pearce is fine with that and makes a cage match for next week at Madison Square Garden. Works for Rollins, who is told to get on his bus, with security tasked with keeping him on it.

Here is Ludwig Kaiser for a chat. After demanding the fans’ appreciation, Kaiser talks about taking back the attention from Penta last week. The reality is he is a future World Champion and he is ready to take out Penta. While Penta may say he doesn’t know fear, Kaiser will teach him what it means. Cue Penta to interrupt for the brawl and Kaiser is knocked out to the floor for the running flip dive.

Bianca Belair is asked about Jade Cargill’s return to attack Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Out of respect to both of them, she won’t talk about it but she’s just as proud to go to Wrestlemania. Tonight, she finds out who she is going to be face. Natalya and Maxxine Dupri could be seen talking in the background in something that might not matter much.

We look at Cena’s heel turn again, with the commentary from different languages for an international flavor.

Chad Gable appears to be in Mexico and is asking people if they know someone whose picture he is carrying. Eventually he goes to a mystery man with a beard, who is apparently going to help him beat the luchadors. The man says Gable has to become lucha and gives him a box (in exchange for a good deal of money). Whatever is in the box (which we can’t see) will give him power beyond understanding. This is either going to be amazing or really stupid.

Raw Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. Creed Brothers

The Raiders are defending. Erik powers Julius back into the corner to start before Julius does it the same, with Brutus hammering away. Ivar comes in for the clotheslines, setting up a handspring double elbow. Erik slams Ivar onto Brutus, only for Julius to dropkick Ivar off the top and outside. A ram into the steps has Ivar in more trouble as we take a break.

Back with a double suplex getting two on Ivar but he gets in a sitdown splash out of the corner. It’s back to Erik who gets two clean house as the fans demand WAR. The pop up powerslam plants Julius but he gets in a knee to Erik. Ivar is sent into the post and Brutus adds a not so smooth 450 for two on Erik. Ivar tags himself back in and Erik gets superplexed down, only to avoid a moonsault. Brutus avoids Ivar’s moonsault and Julius hits a shooting star press for two of his own. The Brutus Ball misses Erik and the War Machine to Brutus retains the titles at 11:42.

Rating: B-. It was nice to see the Creeds getting to show what they could do for a change, but like the women’s match earlier, there was only so much fire in what they were doing. The Raiders were better, but I was only getting into this one so far. It’s nice to have the titles being defended though, as the Raiders are getting established as more of a dominant team for the time being.

We look at Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn wrecking each other at Elimination Chamber with Owens ending him with quite the beating. Then Randy Orton returned to go after Owens, which should be setting up a Wrestlemania fight.

The LWO isn’t happy with the New Day for beating them last week but you can never take their heart. Rey Mysterio returns and says New Day should have finished what they started. Next week, it’s a tornado tag match. You don’t get Mysterio being this serious very often and it worked fairly well.

We come back from a break with Finn Balor in the ring and arguing with Bron Breakker, who is in the crowd with Jackie Redmond. Breakker says he embarrassed the entire Judgment Day last week but Balor is ready to take the Intercontinental Title from him at anytime. That’s enough for Breakker, who comes to the ring, but has to take out Carlito and Dominik Mysterio. Balor gets in a Sling Blade, only for Breakker to take him down again. The super spear is loaded up but Judgment Day pulls Balor outside in time. Carlito gets speared down instead.

We get the long look at John Cena’s turn at Elimination Chamber.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The Alpha Academy thanks Jey Uso for helping them earlier. With the team gone, Uso says he’s a bit thrown off by getting taken out by Gunther earlier. This is the wrong time to be shaken up though because every week he is told HE CAN’T DO IT. He feels like his back is against the wall and he can’t breathe but when Gunther put him to sleep, he woke up a sleeping beast. Uso is feeling these promos lately and I’m getting a lot more interested in the match.

Raw Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky

Ripley is defending and Bianca Belair is at ringside. We do the Big Match Intros and Ripley gets one heck of a response. Ripley powers her around to start before hitting a running dropkick for one. A rollup gives Sky one and Ripley hits her in the face as a result. Sky gets smarter by kicking Ripley in the head but she misses the 619. They go outside for some swings into the apron before Ripley muscles her up for a nice suplex.

We take a break and come back with Ripley getting two off a missile dropkick but Sky grabs a Backstabber (not a Codebreaker Cole). Sky hits a running basement dropkick and then a missile dropkick to send Ripley into the corner. Back up and Ripley fires off some clotheslines but gets rolled into a double stomp (Belair approves) for two. They forearm it out until Ripley has to block a rollup, with a faceplant giving Ripley two more.

The Prism Trap is blocked and Sky snaps the arm down onto the apron, only to get booted in the face (with a good sell from Sky) for another near fall. Riptide is countered into a DDT though and Sky hits a running boot in the corner. The top rope elbow connects for two (with back to back Damage CTRL moves from Sky in a nice touch) and the Asuka Lock goes on to complete the team menu. Sky hits some running knees in the corner, only to get caught on top. A belly to back superplex gives Ripley two and it’s time to looked stunned.

Now the Prism Trap goes on, with Sky managing to send her into the post. Ripley gets back up and gets sunset bombed into the barricade to keep her in trouble. Over The Moonsault to the back gives Sky two, with Ripley getting a boot on the ropes. Ripley bails to the floor and gets taken out by a suicide dive but she cuts off what looked like a Lionsault.

Sky gets dropped face first onto various things, with Belair cheering both of them on as they get back inside. Ripley goes outside to yell at Belair (who has been completely neutral) and shoves her down. Belair shoves her back so the referee has to break it up. Back in and Ripley takes her up top, but stops to yell at Belair. That’s enough for Sky to grab a super hurricanrana and Over The Moonsault finishes Ripley for the title at 18:39.

Rating: B+. I was scared that they were going to have a lame DQ ending but instead they went with something interesting as Ripley’s own ego got in the way and cost her the title. Sky was bringing it to Ripley throughout here and it made for a heck of a fight, with the two of them feeling equal throughout. At some point you have to bring someone up to that main event level in the women’s division and this might have been Sky’s ticket there. Great match with an excellent story throughout.

Sky is shocked at the win while Belair’s face says “well ok then”. Ripley is furious to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The opening segment brought the emotion and the main event was one of the better Raw matches in a good while. The rest of the show set up some things going forward and next week’s Raw is looking like a big one. Finally you have the focus on the Cena situation, which is going to lead to some of the biggest reactions you’ll see in a long time. Good show here, with the main event being more than worth a look.

Results
Gunther b. Otis – Powerbomb
Lyra Valkyria b. Ivy Nile – Nightwing
War Raiders b. Creed Brothers – War Machine to Brutus
Iyo Sky b. Rhea Ripley – Over The Moonsault

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: February 24, 2025
Location: Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Pat McAfee, Michael Cole

It’s the last Raw before the Elimination Chamber and that is going to make things a bit complicated this week. The problem with this show is that Elimination Chamber is set up and that isn’t going to leave much to accomplish this week. In addition, there is a Women’s Title match to build towards next week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

A bunch of people came to work today.

Here is Logan Paul to get things going. Paul talks about how much he hates this city and how he knows what a pathetic place this is. He was flying in today and told his pilot to turn around so he could go home to Cleveland, but then he decided to perform for these losers because he is humble. The last time Paul was on Raw, he beat Rey Mysterio to make it to the Elimination Chamber and this Saturday, he will punch his ticket to Wrestlemania.

Cue CM Punk (in a Chicago Teachers Union shirt) to interrupt, with McAfee telling a story of Punk trapping him in a portable toilet earlier today. Paul doesn’t get why neither the fans nor Punk don’t like him. He thinks Punk might be jealous, but Punk talks about how Paul is nothing but a bunch of one liners to incite a reaction. The fans deserve better than that, which Paul finds funny. Paul talks about Punk coming back in a great moment (Punk: “Yep.”) and then he tore his wittle tricep.

Now the fans are chanting for Paul, with Punk admitting that the names do change. The names Paul has been mocking, including himself, are legends and history makers. Paul is a flash in the pan and the people aren’t going to remember who he is. On Saturday, Punk will go on to win the Elimination Chamber and go on to Wrestlemania where he will make history. On the other hand, Paul will be history. They go face to face and Paul gets in a slap before bailing to the floor. Paul feigns innocence, but Punk tells him to run while he can. This was two talented talkers going after each other and it worked well.

We look at Penta dealing with Ludwig Kaiser and Pete Dunne, who are now fighting each other over wanting to fight Penta.

Ludwig Kaiser vs. Pete Dunne vs. Penta

Dunne kicks Kaiser to the floor to start but Kaiser is back in, where Penta hits a Backstabber out of the corner. Penta’s dive is teased but Kaiser gets out of the way, allowing Dunne to hit a knee off the apron to take him down. Penta dives onto both of them and we take an early break.

Back with a Tower Of Doom, leaving Penta to chop them into reverse Sling Blades. Kaiser and Dunne are sent outside and taken out with a dive each, leaving Dunne to make the save back inside. The Bitter End gets two on Penta with Kaiser making the save. Penta is back up and gives Penta the Sacrifice but Kaiser breaks up the Penta Driver. Kaiser hits the wind up DDT to pin Dunne at 7:22.

Rating: B-. This was about putting some good wrestlers with different styles in a match and letting them do their thing. Penta not taking the fall is a good thing to see and the ending might set up Kaiser vs. Penta down the line. It was a good way to go here and they crammed a lot into the time they had.

Video on John Cena wanting to win the Elimination Chamber so he can go on to win his 17th World Title.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat in the crowd. In theory she is going to defend the title against the winner of the Elimination Chamber at Wrestlemania, but she has to face Iyo Sky next week. They haven’t faced each other in five years and Ripley has gotten a lot better since then. We hear some of the names Ripley has beaten but here is Sky to say she’ll beat Ripley again and go on to Wrestlemania. Respectful staring ensues.

The Road Dogg will be on LFG this Sunday.

New Day vs. LWO

Before the match, New Day brags about how the fans should be glad they’re here but the LWO comes out to cut them off. Wilde stomps on Woods in the corner and grabs an upside down choke in the ropes. A springboard missile dropkick pulls Woods down again and it’s off to Del Toro for a kick to the head in the corner.

The springboard hurricanrana drops Woods again but Kingston low bridges him to the floor to take over. The alternating stomps in the corner sets up a running dropkick to give Woods two. Del Toro gets away and brings in Wilde to pick up the pace, including a tornado DDT to Woods. Kingston breaks up what looks like a Doomsday Device though and a backbreaker/top rope double stomp combination finishes at 5:28.

Rating: B-. Another match with good action and New Day gets a win to let them look strong. They still have their heat but they are going to need to do something bigger than beating up the LWO. I’m not sure if winning the titles again will matter as this is still all about Big E. and the reaction, though that is only going to get them so far without Big E. himself being around.

Post match the beatdown stays on until Dragon Lee runs in for the save. New Day beats him down as well.

We go to the Judgment Day clubhouse where Finn Balor is yelling at Dominik Mysterio, with Carlito trying to call him off. Mysterio calls out Balor for losing last week as well and again suggests another new member. That’s still not happening and Balor still says he’ll fix this. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez comes in to say things will look up tonight after they win the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Balor says he’s happy with anyone winning but aren’t they worried after what they did to Jade Cargill? Morgan says they didn’t do it and they both agree to handle their own business. Carlito is happy with finding a yellow apple.

We see wrestlers opening Topps cards and being rather excited about what they’re finding.

Here is Gunther for a chat. Gunther understands that the fans are excited to see him because he is going to wrestle tonight. Before we get there though, he wants to talk about facing Jey Uso at Wrestlemania. As the weeks go by, he is warming up to the idea because he will get the chance to humiliate Jey and end the Yeet circus for good. That’s why today, he offered Adam Pearce the chance to have the World Heavyweight Champion in action tonight against a handpicked opponent.

Gunther vs. Akira Tozawa

Non-title. Before the match, Gunther points out that he came into the building and saw the Alpha Academy doing a TikTok dance for the people (which we saw as the show opened for a nice bit of continuity). They have a few things in common, such as picking up their lives to come to America and wrestle for WWE. Tozawa has wasted his chance, just like Jey Uso is going to do at Wrestlemania. Last week, Pat McAfee said anything can happen on one night and tonight, Tozawa has the chance to do that as well.

Gunther tells him to earn respect so Tozawa strikes away, only to get kicked in the face. Cole references WKRP In Cincinnati as Gunther just obliterates Tozawa with a chop. Tozawa slips out of the powerbomb and hits a spinning kick to the head. That earns him a dropkick in the corner but Tozawa reverses the powerbomb into a sunset flip for two.

A missile dropkick is countered into the Boston crab but Tozawa makes the rope. Another chop sets up the powerbomb but Gunther pulls him up at two. The sleeper, with Tozawa lifted into the air, finishes for Gunther at 2:48. They were going for something like HHH vs. Taka Michinoku from 2000 and while it wasn’t quite to that level, Tozawa was trying here and it fit the story well.

Post match Gunther goes after Tozawa again but Otis makes the save. Gunther sleepers Otis as well but here is Jey Uso (to a ROAR) for the save.

We see a clip of Michael Cole on the ImPaulsive podcast and talking about his chemistry with Pat McAfee.

Back in the arena and McAfee praises Cole for everything he has done…but then he mocks Cole’s clothes on the podcast, with his shirt being unbuttoned and accidentally showing his stomach.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Dakota Kai vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria is defending in a rematch from the match for the inaugural title. They start fast and go to the apron with Kai knocking her to the floor and hitting a flip dive off the apron. We take a break and come back with Valkyria fighting out of the Tree Of Woe. A delayed superplex drops Kai but Valkyria is banged up as well. They strike it out until Kai hits a scorpion kick but Valkyria muscles her up with a powerbomb for two. Kai is back up with the Kairopractor for the same, only for Valkyria to grab Nightwing to retain at 7:40.

Rating: B-. This was good enough, though Valkyria is going to need a bigger challenger going forward. That’s one of the bigger dangers of a new title, as you can only do so much with something that fresh. It’s good to see Valkyria as a champion, but facing the same person twice for the title is only going to get her so far.

Post match respect is shown but Ivy Nile runs in to jump both of them.

Video on Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, showing just how long this story has gone.

We get a sitdown interview with Sami Zayn from earlier today and he reveals that something else happened over the weekend. A somewhat shaken Zayn says he went to Owens’ house and no one was home but he did run into Owens’ mom. They caught up a bit and had a nice chat but when he got home, he was ashamed of himself for going over there in the first place.

Zayn and Owens have a long history and this is the first time that family has gotten involved. That has Zayn wondering what the two of them are capable of right now and while people are looking forward to the match, they should be worried about what Owens is going to go through. This was really intense stuff despite Zayn staying relatively quiet. They’re selling this as a personal feud and that’s exactly what it is.

Bianca Belair and Naomi are ready to beat up Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.

We look at Bron Breakker and AJ Styles brawling last week.

Bron Breakker vs. Dominik Mysterio

Non-title and Judgment Day is here with Mysterio. Breakker wastes no time in tossing him outside, followed by a clothesline back inside as Mysterio is in big trouble. Mysterio wins a chase and stomps away, only to get suplexed down. Carlito’s distraction lets Mysterio hit a dive and another distraction sets up the 619. Breakker breaks up the frog splash though and hits the super Frankensteiner. That’s enough for Judgment Day to grab Breakker for the DQ at 3:13.

Rating: C+. Breakker was smashing him when things were fair but Mysterio got in some offense when his friends interfered. That’s all this needed to be as Breakker is getting to smash through someone and the fans are still liking what he’s doing. They didn’t have much time here, but Breakker looked like a monster throughout.

Post match the beatdown is on but Breakker fights back and hits a super spear on Carlito. Breakker and Balor have a staredown as we might have both a face turn (it wasn’t far from happening anyway) and a new challenger. Along with AJ Styles that is.

We look back at Rock’s really long speech on Smackdown, where he tries to get Cody Rhodes to go corporate. How in the world Rhodes could be MORE corporate is beyond me.

Ivy Nile is ready to take out Lyra Valkyria and the Creed Brothers want the Tag Team Titles. The War Raiders run in to brawl with the Creeds.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. He talks about the Rock offering him to join forces at Elimination Chamber and that’s a complicated situation. It isn’t just about him either, as he has his wife, his daughter, and his various family members. On top of that, he has the legacy of his father…and here is Seth Rollins to interrupt.

Rollins says he would love to welcome Rhodes back to his show with open arms and congratulate him on his success and get ready to face him at Wrestlemania. He can’t do that though, as he has to ask Rhodes what he’s thinking. A year ago, they were getting ready to face the Rock and Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania and now Rhodes is considering this?

The fact that Rhodes didn’t slap Rock in the face on Smackdown is an insult to Rollins. What does Rhodes get out of this? Bit parts in movies and social media followers? If being WWE Champion is that much of a burden on Rhodes, it’s not too much of a burden on Rollins. Rhodes says Rock asked him for his soul because Rollins’ might already be compromised.

We hear about Rollins’ history of turning on people, but he was also Rhodes’ shield at Wrestlemania. With one leg and a scrambled back, Rollins was the MVP of Wrestlemania XL and helped the Rhodes Family achieve their greatest victory. Rollins seems a bit taken aback and says that he has made some mistakes, which can eat you up with hate. He does not want to hate Rhodes so don’t make him do it.

At the end of the day, Rhodes can make his own decision but Rollins wants to face the Rhodes that has beaten him so many times. He wants to face the Rhodes that he helped crown as WWE Champion last year. Rollins isn’t coming for his soul, but he’s coming for the title. Good stuff here, but it’s making me wonder who is going to turn, because it’s hard to imagine Rhodes being the one to do so.

We get a preview of an interview with Logan Paul which will air in full on the Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show.

Elimination Chamber rundown.

We look back at Jade Cargill being attacked, resulting in Naomi getting her share of the Women’s Tag Team Titles. There is a chance that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez did it, though they’ve denied any involvement. Either way, they get the title match tonight.

Jey Uso checks on Akira Tozawa in the trainer’s room and runs into A-Town Down Under. They mock him for his friends getting hurt over and over so Jey goes to leave, only to have them mock the Yeeting. Jey tries to leave again, only for Waller to say Gunther is going to destroy him at Wrestlemania. Jey promises to win at Wrestlemania and even Theory gets in on the Yeeting. Then Jey superkicks Waller.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez vs. Naomi/Bianca Belair

Naomi and Belair are defending. The brawl is on before the bell with the challengers being rammed into/over the barricade and it’s Morgan coming in to officially start. A double hiptoss sets up the standing moonsault/legdrop combination for two as Morgan is in trouble early. Rodriguez is back up to pull Belair outside though and we take a break. Back with Naomi coming in to clean house, including a slingshot X Factor for two on Rodriguez. The Blockbuster puts Rodriguez down again and Belair drops a 450 for two more.

Back up and Rodriguez books Naomi off the apron before breaking out of the KOD attempt. Something like a super Shatter Machine gets two on Belair (that’s the second time they’ve ever sued that move and the second time it’s only been good for two). Cue Dominik Mysterio for a distraction to break up the double KOD but the Tejana Bomb into Oblivion gets two with Naomi making the save.

A spear drops Rodriguez and everyone needs a breather. Morgan reverses a suplex into a small package for two on Belair, who is back with the KOD. Rodriguez makes another save so Naomi gives her a hanging Pedigree on the apron. The double KOD kind of hits so Mysterio puts the foot on the ropes. Rodriguez drops Belair onto the announcers’ table so Naomi takes her down with a dive. Back in and Oblivion is blocked, only for Morgan to roll Naomi up for two. The Rear View hits Morgan but Naomi has to go after Mysterio, allowing Rodriguez to post her so Morgan can get the pin and the titles at 12:12.

Rating: B+. There was a lot of interference here but they were rolling by the end and the fans were going insane with the near falls and even bigger with the title change. It’s also the right move to make, as Naomi and Belair didn’t exactly feel like the most serious champions. It felt like they were more interested in wearing matching outfits and “having fun Maggle” than being champions and that got a bit annoying. They can move on to the Cargill mystery now anyway so this helps in multiple ways.

The champs and Mysterio celebrate to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Rather good show here as they are making Elimination Chamber, and ultimately Wrestlemania, feel so important. That’s what you need to do with a show like this and it worked well here. I had a good time with this show and the talking was right there to back up the action. Much like last year, they are hitting their stride at the most important time and if they can keep that going for several weeks, we should be in for a heck of a Wrestlemania season.

Results
Ludwig Kaiser b. Pete Dunne and Penta – Wind up DDT to Dunne
New Day b. LWO – Backbreaker/Top rope double stomp to Del Toro
Gunther b. Akira Tozawa – Sleeper
Lyra Valkyria b. Dakota Kai – Nightwing
Bron Breakker b. Dominik Mysterio via DQ when Judgment Day interfered
Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez b. Naomi/Bianca Belair – Morgan pinned Naomi after Rodriguez sent her into the post

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: February 17, 2025
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Commentators: Pat McAfee, Michael Cole

We’re closing in on Elimination Chamber and tonight will see the final spot in the men’s match determined as Seth Rollins faces Finn Balor. Other than that, we should be seeing more in the bigger stories taking place, including Jey Uso challenging Gunther for the Raw World Title at Wrestlemania, plus Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

After seeing a bunch of people come to work today (including AJ Styles, who came in via the Daytona 500 winner’s car), we get a recap of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ most recent issues.

Here is Zayn for a chat, starting with a thank you for the warm reception. He’s been thinking about his history with Owens, starting in pool halls in Montreal, working their way through the ranks and then headlining Wrestlemania together. A story that long has a lot of betrayals involved and this time, Zayn won’t forgive and forget. Owens tried to end Zayn’s career but he didn’t get the job done. His neck isn’t good but he’s ready to fight Owens again.

Cue Adam Pearce to say Zayn isn’t medically cleared to compete so the match cannot be made. Pearce goes to leave but Zayn says Pearce knows him better than that. Zayn wants the fight, with Pearce agreeing that it’s unsanctioned, meaning Owens can do anything he wants, including all the piledrivers he wants. It could mean the last match of Zayn’s career.

With the fans chanting LET THEM FIGHT, Zayn goes up the aisle to go face to face with Pearce to say he can do everything Pearce suggested Owens could do to Zayn himself. After thinking a bit, Pearce makes the match, which will be unsanctioned. Zayn vs. Owens is one of those pairings that will always work and having them beat each other up for fifteen minutes should be a good addition to the show.

Pat McAfee is very excited about the match being made.

We look at a clip from Smackdown, where Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were shown near Jade Cargill’s attack. Naomi and Bianca Belair are here to deal with it.

Dominik Mysterio is worried about Morgan, who isn’t worried about anything else. Mysterio is also a bit tired of Finn Balor getting on his case. Cue Balor, who says after tonight, there will be three members of the Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber. Assuming Raquel Rodriguez wins that is. They both agree to handle their business, with Balor insisting that there are no new members to the team. Then Carlito seems to forget to go to the ring.

We look at Bron Breakker spearing IShowSpeed at the Royal Rumble, leaving Speed rather banged up.

AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio

Styles works on a headlock to start before pulling him over with a German suplex. Mysterio’s kicks to the face just earn him a dropkick, which McAfee refers to as a TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION dropkick. Carlito low bridges Styles out to the floor though and we take a break. Back with Mysterio getting two off a slingshot hilo and a 619 connects. The frog splash misses and Styles strikes away, setting up the Styles Clash for the pin at 8:52.

Rating: C+. This was just a way for Styles to get his feet wet and that worked out well. Mysterio continues to be one of the easiest people in all of WWE to want to see get beaten up and he was doing it again here. Styles seems set for a showdown with Bron Breakker in the near future and that has some potential, as Styles looked good again here.

Post match Bron Breakker runs in and tries a spear but hits Mysterio instead. Breakker is sent outside and throws his shirt inside, where Styles easily catches it.

We look at the Creed Brothers getting disqualified last week against the War Raiders.

Ivy Nile is ready to get some gold but Dakota Kai comes in. Kai doesn’t want to hear about Nile’s plans and will see her in the ring.

Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile

For a future title shot against Lyra Valkyria, who is at ringside. Feeling out process to start until Nile takes her into the corner. Kai gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for a running kick to the knee in the corner, followed by a quickly broken ankle lock. That’s broken up and a quick Kairopractor gives Kai two but Nile powerbombs her out of the corner. The ankle lock, this time with a grapevine, goes on again but Kai gets out again. A swinging Rock Bottom gives Nile two and she grabs a German suplex. Another ankle lock is broken up and the GTK finishes Nile off at 6:45.

Rating: C. They were trying here and I like Kai but it wasn’t clicking for some reason. Nile isn’t overly interesting in the ring most of the time and Kai is only able to get her that much higher up the ladder. Valkyria needs someone to challenge her and I’m not sure a rematch with Kai is going to be the best choice.

We get a quick look at the upcoming Evolve series.

We look at Jey Uso challenging Gunther for Wrestlemania last week.

Gunther is in the concourse ala Jey Uso and walks into the arena. Gunther does a bit of the YEET Dance before saying that he gets why the fans like Jey so much. Gunther performing for the wrestlers is like reading Shakespeare to a dog. He is tired of stepping into the ring with people who can’t lace his boots.

The problem is that the match at Wrestlemania will take place in the ring. Gunther gets to ringside and wants a professional opinion about what to expect at Wrestlemania. He asks commentary for their “supposed professional opinion” and throws a mic to McAfee, who drops it. Does McAfee think Uso can beat Gunther? Yeah, he hopes Uso can.

Cole doesn’t think that was a good idea and Gunther takes his jacket off but here is Uso to interrupt. With McAfee on the announcers’ table for the YEET Dance, Uso breaks through security and goes after Gunther, who gets the sleeper. That’s broken up and Gunther is cleared out so YEETing can ensue. This was a solid promo from Gunther as it laid out the story perfectly well. You can see the two of them coming from different sides of the situation and that is how you set up a showdown for the title at Wrestlemania.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez don’t like being accused of attacking Jade Cargill but know that Rodriguez is ready for her Elimination Chamber qualifying match tonight. They don’t actually deny attacking Cargill.

We look back at the Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens match being set.

Pete Dunne vs. Penta

Penta grabs a headlock to start before grabbing a running hurricanrana. Dunne is back up with a dropkick though before taking off Penta’s glove to bend the fingers. Back up and Dunne hits a running corner clothesline but Penta Backstabs him out of the corner. Another snap of the fingers slows Penta down though and Dunne grabs a slingshot plant onto the apron. Cue Ludwig Kaiser at ringside and we take a break.

Back with Penta hitting a spinning Death Valley Driver for a breather. Dunne powerbombs him out of the corner, only to get caught with a Canadian Destroyer to send Dunne outside. Kaiser offers a distraction but Dunne can only get two. Penta sends them into each other and finishes with the Penta Driver at 10:05.

Rating: C+. Penta comes in, he looks cool, he has solid matches, he doesn’t lose matches, he gets over. This isn’t a complicated idea and yet for some reason it doesn’t happen very often. He hasn’t even been around for six weeks yet and he’s one of the hottest stars in all of WWE. That’s a nice way to go and I’m wanting to see what is next for him in the coming weeks.

Post match the beatdown is on but Penta knocks them both outside and hits a big running flip dive.

Jey Uso is tired of being told he can’t do it and he’s ready to prove everyone wrong. He is nailing these promos lately and while it’s hard to imagine him winning the title, I’m starting to believe it might happen.

We look at Bayley in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game.

Video on Roxanne Perez.

The War Raiders want another shot at the Creed Brothers.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Liv Morgan is here with Rodriguez. The much smaller Perez gets thrown down to start so Perez slaps her in the face and throws in a bit of a bow. That earns her a shot to the face and Rodriguez throws her into the corner for a crash. A fireman’s carry faceplant drops Perez again but she slips out of a powerslam. That just earns her a swinging front facelock as it’s all Rodriguez to start.

The buckle bomb is countered with a hurricanrana and a rollup gets two. The fall away slam sends Perez flying and the Vader Bomb elbow connects for another near fall. Rodriguez misses a charge into the post though and Perez grabs a spinning DDT. A double springboard moonsault gets two but Rodriguez boots her in the face for the same….and here are Naomi and Bianca Belair. They take out Morgan and a springboard Pop Rox finishes for Perez at 7:32.

Rating: B-. The ending was all about Naomi and Belair (who were so mad that they got matching cheerleader outfits made) but they were having a pretty good match on the way there. Perez was fighting against the bigger star and making it work, with Rodriguez using her power to throw Perez around. I could have gone for more from them, as Perez is already fitting in well on the main roster.

Post match Rodriguez has to save Morgan from Belair and Naomi.

Seth Rollins is ready to win tonight and go on to Wrestlemania.

Karrion Kross is glad to see Sami Zayn coming to reality but if he thinks he can beat Kevin Owens, he’s insane.

Iyo Sky is underwater and talks about how she is going to take the Women’s Title from Rhea Ripley and go on to Wrestlemania. We see Sky beating Ripley in NXT as she promises to do it again in two weeks. Good promo here, with the water stuff being…I think cool?

Here is New Day for a chat. Well in theory at least as the fans are booing them out of the building. They don’t understand why people are made at them for attacking Rey Mysterio. Is Mysterio supposed to be some legend because of what he’s done? Kingston has won more titles and has been here longer than Mysterio because he has never left. If anyone should be the locker room leader, it should be Kingston.

Last week they smashed Mysterio’s ankle with a chair but it could have been worse. The fans really should be more grateful that they didn’t give him the Old Yeller treatment. Cue the LWO to interrupt so Dragon Lee can throw out some insults in Spanish. He makes it clear that NEW DAY SUCKS and the brawl is on. New Day bails before Lee can hit the big dive. New Day has great heat, but do something with it already.

Bianca Belair and Naomi are ready to defend the Women’s Tag Team Titles against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez next week.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor

Balor jumps him before the bell but Rollins says ring the bell anyway. Rollins can’t hit a Pedigree early on as Balor reverses into a double stomp and hits his own Pedigree for two. It’s too early for the Coup de Grace so Balor manages a clothesline instead. Rollins comes back with a boot to the face and a backbreaker sets up a missed Lionsault. Balor gets knocked outside for a suicide dive and a springboard knee to the face catches him back inside.

The Stomp misses and Balor is back with the Sling Blade, only to have his leg kicked out. Rollins stays on said leg but Balor gets in a shot to the ribs to bang him up as well. A kick to said ribs is countered into a knee first toss onto the announcers’ table and we slow down a bit. The Stomp onto the steps misses and Balor sends him into the post as we take a break.

Back with Balor hammering away in the corner before they trade shots to the head. The fans have their phones out in a mini Fireflies moment for some reason as Rollins knees him in the head and gets two off a Lionsault. The frog splash hits raised knees though and Balor gets a rollup for two.

Balor’s shotgun dropkick is countered into the Sharpshooter before Rollins hits a Pedigree for…well it seemed to be three as Balor kicked out VERY late and the referee had to pull back on the count. Balor knocks him off the top and hits the Coup de Grace before grabbing a crossface. That’s broken up as well and Rollins hits the Stomp for the pin at 18:52.

Rating: B+. These guys work well together and it’s a match that works pretty much every time they’re out there together. It helps that Balor is just a big enough name that you could imagine him going into the Chamber as well so there was a bit of drama here. Rollins going forward makes sense though as he has multiple stories waiting for him in the Chamber.

Overall Rating: B-. This show had a very good main event but it was more about setting things up for the future. We have two title matches set up for next week and the final two entrants for the Elimination Chamber matches. I liked the show, and while it could have used some more solid action, it did what it needed to do with the big show still being a little ways off.

Results
AJ Styles b. Dominik Mysterio – Styles Clash
Dakota Kai b. Ivy Nile – GTK
Penta b. Pete Dunne – Penta Driver
Roxanne Perez b. Raquel Rodriguez – Springboard Pop Rox
Seth Rollins b. Finn Balor – Stomp

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Monday Night Raw
Date: February 3, 2025
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the show after the Royal Rumble and in one heck of a shock, Jey Uso of all people won the men’s namesake match. That isn’t something a lot of people saw coming and a lot of things are screwy on the Road To Wrestlemania. We should be in for a big one this week as things will pick up in a hurry. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Royal Rumble if you need a recap.

Some people come to work.

Long Royal Rumble recap.

Here is Jey Uso coming through the crowd for his big celebration. After the song stops playing….the fans insist that he does the YEET dance one more time. The fans tell Jey that he deserves it and then chant USO as we’re still waiting for the first words. Uso is a bit nervous/taken aback by the reception before he finally says thank you. Uso: “I don’t really know what to say.” Fans: “YEET!” Uso: “Besides that!”

Uso talks about how he and his brother tried to become stars to carry on their legacy. Then he got involved with the Bloodline, which was fire. Those are cool chapters in his career but he wasn’t confident enough to be a singles star. But coming out here tonight, he has it now. Uso thanks the fans and now he is the Royal Rumble winner and on his way to Wrestlemania.

Cue Gunther to interrupt, saying he is disappointed because this possible matchup doesn’t appeal to him. Gunther has made everyone believe that he is barely hanging onto the title but he is always in control. He refuses to do this with Jey again, because he is in the process of building a legacy for himself. Beating Uso again means nothing and Gunther wishes it was Roman Reigns, John Cena or CM Punk because that adds to his legacy.

If Uso chooses Gunther, it will be a horrible display of violence at Wrestlemania. The reality is that Uso has options and he should consider them. Gunther goes to leave but Jey cuts him off, asking if Gunther is tired yet. Jey is tired of being told what he can or can’ be. He’ll be talking to Cody Rhodes on Smackdown but no matter what, he’s coming out of Wrestlemania as champion. Yeet. Gunther vs. Uso is a possibility, but my goodness this is still bizarre to see.

We look at Seth Rollins attacking Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.

John Cena is officially in he Royal Rumble and says he’s in because he has earned it after 23 years. It is time for him to go to Wrestlemania and win his 17th World Title so that one day he can shake the hand of the person who wins #18. That’s a good line.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Ludwig Kaiser vs. Penta

Kaiser kicks Penta down to start and yells about Penta humiliating him (by eliminating him from the Rumble in 6 seconds). This earns him another toss over the top but Kaiser hits a Death Valley Driver on the apron as we take a break. Back with Kaiser faceplanting him and hitting a clothesline for two, setting up the sneer. Penta gets fired up and chops away, followed by a backbreaker for two more.

The slingshot dropkick in the corner gets another near fall and Penta sends him to the floor for the big running flip dive. Back in and they chop it out until Penta scores with some superkicks. Kaiser manages a Regal Roll for two of his own but Penta pulls him into the Sacrifice. The Penta Driver finishes Kaiser at 9:58.

Rating: B-. This worked well enough as the Penta roll continues. What matters the most is continuing to see what they have with Penta, who is doing rather well just a few weeks into his WWE run. It’s a good match too, with Kaiser being a perfect option for an opponent here, even if it was all about Penta getting the win.

Post match Penta is interviewed but Pete Dunne cuts him off. Kaiser lays Penta out with the spinning DDT.

We look back at JD McDonagh’s injury last week. He’ll be out for about four months.

Finn Balor can’t believe things fell apart when he was gone for two weeks and yells at the rest of the Judgment Day. Dominik Mysterio stole his partner and got him hurt, so maybe Mysterio needs a babysitter. Liv Morgan defends Mysterio, saying they had to fight next week or another team would have gotten the title shot. And tonight, Mysterio has gotten Balor an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. That seems to work for Balor.

Here is Charlotte for a chat. The fans boo her but the reality is she missed her. She missed the people who loved and hated her and last year sucked. Last year broke her physically and mentally and she didn’t know if she was going to make any major show. Now she is back and won the Royal Rumble so BOO HER NOW! This ring is her home and she is going to Wrestlemania.

Cue Rhea Ripley to interrupt, with Charlotte saying she was trying to have a moment. Ripley says that was a moment, but this is her show. Ripley does respect Charlotte so please pick her. Charlotte brings up beating Ripley, who says that was when she was just a kid. It’s not locked down yet though, as Charlotte is going to NXT and Smackdown to see what they have. As for Ripley, she’s still a kid, but Charlotte will see her next week. Ripley begs Charlotte to pick her. I really don’t need to see that match again.

Sami Zayn still wants to go to Wrestlemania and he has to go through CM Punk tonight to get to the Elimination Chamber. Zayn is asked about Kevin Owens but gets distracted by…Jey Uso. Jey insists he wasn’t aiming for Zayn in the Rumble but Zayn is perfectly fine. This is Uso’s moment and he wishes Zayn good luck tonight. With Uso gone, Karrion Kross comes in to ask what it’s like to have everyone take Zayn’s spot. Zayn isn’t happy with these interruptions and violence is teased.

Iyo Sky says she will see Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania. Ripley doesn’t seem to mind the idea but Liv Morgan jumps Sky. Ripley chases her off but gets jumped by Raquel Rodriguez.

New Day vs. LWO

New Day has new music, which is almost hard to imagine. Lee headlocks Woods to start but Kingston trips Lee down. Back up and Lee snaps off a running hurricanrana so it’s off to Mysterio. Woods takes him into the corner and poses a bit, with the fans not being thrilled. Mysterio gets in a shot though and grabs a middle rope spinning hurricanrana for two. Lee sends Kingston into the corner for a running dropkick in the Tree Of Woe…and here is Logan Paul (facing Mysterio next week). The distraction lets Kingston pull Lee off the top and we take a break.

Back with Paul sitting at ringside and Kingston planting Lee for two. Lee manages to spin around and hit a sitout powerbomb for a needed breather. The tag brings in Mysterio to pick up the pace, including the running seated senton off the apron. Paul gets in Mysterio’s face ad is shoved into the chair for his efforts. Woods kicks the post by mistake so Lee snaps off a running hurricanrana over the top to the floor but Paul pulls Mysterio out. Back in and Trouble In Paradise gives Kingston the pin at 11:19.

Rating: B-. The point here was to give New Day a win as Paul is somehow despicable enough to actually not mind New Day. Granted it’s more about his match with Mysterio next week but this is better than nothing for the team. It’s also nice to have Lee back after such a lengthy absence.

We look at Seth Rollins attacking Roman Reigns and CM Punk after all three were eliminated from the Royal Rumble.

Reigns is banged up but he won’t let us have a specific update. For now though, it is believed that Reigns will be out for the foreseeable future. Oh dear.

CM Punk apologizes to the Sami Zayn fans because he’s going to the Elimination Chamber tonight.

We look at IShowSpeed being put into the Royal Rumble and being eliminated in fairly short order.

Video on Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley next week in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan

Sky is banged up after the earlier attack and Raquel Rodriguez is here with Morgan. Sky takes her down by the arm to start but Morgan is back up with a running corner clothesline. A basement dropkick gives Morgan two and she sends Sky outside. They switch places and Sky hits a nasty dive as we take a break.

Back with Morgan hitting Three Amigos (Cole: “She’s no Eddie.”) but getting kneed in the face. A missile dropkick connects and Morgan goes flying, only to come back with a Backstabber. Sky takes her down again and goes up, with Rodriguez offering a distraction. Thy fight to the floor, with Sky hitting a German suplex to leave Morgan laying.

An Asai moonsault drops Morgan again but she pulls Sky out of the air with a Codebreaker for two (that looked good). Back up and Sky snaps off a super hurricanrana but Rodriguez breaks up Over The Moonsault. Morgan can’t hit Oblivion so it’s a German suplex to put her down. Cue Rhea Ripley to go after Rodriguez and Morgan, who gets punched for the DQ at 12:12.

Rating: B. Maybe it was the bumps or maybe it was me not having much in the way of expectations coming in, but this was a heck of a match with both of them doing well. I had a great time with this and some of the bumps were great. The ending made sense and gives Morgan a win over a successful name and that’s an impressive way to go.

Post match Ripley tries to explain but Sky isn’t having it.

The War Raiders respect JD McDonagh but here is American Made to say this isn’t championship material. The Creed Brothers are championship material but Erik asks what happens if this turns into a fight. Prepare for war. With the Raiders gone, Chad Gable, not looking at the rest of the team, tells them to win titles while he goes to solve lucha libre.

Adam Pearce announces that AJ Styles is officially on Raw. Bron Breakker comes in and says keep Styles away from him. Breakker and a reluctant Pearce are off to talk business.

Here is Seth Rollins for a chat (after his entrance, a break and the Pearce/Breakker segment). First up, congratulations to Jey Uso because he loves seeing people get what they deserve. That brings him to CM Punk, who got what he deserved at the Royal Rumble. That brings him to Roman Reigns, who lost at the Royal Rumble as well. The reality is that Reigns is hurt and Rollins is the one who hurt him.

That is what Reigns has been doing to people for years and it doesn’t bother Rollins to do the same things. He is ready for Wrestlemania and will face Finn Balor in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. For now though, he wants Sami Zayn out here for a chat, which brings out Zayn. Rollins calls Zayn his friend and talks about what they have done to deal with Reigns. Tonight is time for the fight of Zayn’s life and he is better than CM Punk. Cue Punk, who almost gets in a fight with Rollins in the aisle but it’s broken up.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: CM Punk vs. Sami Zayn

They trade headlocks to start before Zayn takes him into the corner for some rather loud chops. Punk starts in on the arm but Zayn springboards over him to set up a clothesline. Punk forearms him into a swinging neckbreaker, setting up the…well nothing actually as Zayn breaks its up. The superplex brings Punk crashing down and we take a break.

Back with Zayn fighting back but not being able to hit the Blue Thunder Bomb. Punk’s knee in he corner sets up the running bulldog but Zayn reverses into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Punk grabs a DDT on the arm and goes old school with the Anaconda Vice. That’s escaped as well so Punk tries the GTS, which is reversed into a small package for two more. Zayn suplexes him into the corner, only to charge into the GTS to give Punk the win at 14:54.

Rating: B. This is another good example of a match where you knew it was going to work because of who was involved. They’re both capable of having a strong match and they were given the time to make it work. Solid main event here, though it would be nice to see Zayn win one of these matches every so often.

Post match respect is shown but here is Kevin Owens to jump both of them. A package piledriver to Zayn ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. There was a lot of talking on the show and a good deal of it was more about things to be announced later. That makes sense as we have a lot of time to get ready for the major shows, but it was still good enough to keep me interested. They have a lot more to do and Elimination Chamber is starting to come together, but or now, this was a nice enough follow up to the Rumble.

Results
Penta b. Ludwig Kaiser – Penta Driver
New Day b. LWO – Trouble In Paradise to Mysterio
Liv Morgan b. Iyo Sky via DQ when Rhea Ripley interfered
CM Punk b. Sami Zayn – GTS

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.