The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 02/09/26 Review

It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring Elimination Chamber qualifying matches, The Usos defending the World Tag Team Titles, and more.

Last week’s WWE Raw had a memorable main event promo featuring World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns making their WrestleMania 42 match official. It was a great promo exchange to set up the match. Earlier today, WWE advertised Reigns for five episodes of Raw before WrestleMania, but the next one is on March 2nd, so enjoy the month-long break, Tribal Chief.

Bron Breakker suffered a hernia injury last week on Raw, flipping over the commentary table, so he had surgery for that. There’s optimism that he’ll be back before WrestleMania 42 in two months. I hope that’s the case and he’s cleared to be on the card.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1707 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk with his wife, AJ Lee, while Becky Lynch was in the background, Rhea Ripley was sitting with Iyo Sky, and The Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dominik Mysterio were hanging out in their clubhouse.

It was Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Cole said that Breakker was injured training last week and he’ll be out of action indefinitely.

Analysis: They probably don’t want to say that Bron was hurt turning the commentary table over, so they covered him saying he was hurt in training.

Let’s Hear from Becky Lynch

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance looking frustrated since she saw AJ Lee backstage. Lynch complained about being disrespected. Lynch said that she wanted to overthrow the corruption at the Royal Rumble, but who did she see come back to her show? The fans chanted “AJ Lee” at her.

AJ Lee made her entrance to a big ovation from the crowd. Lee joined Lynch in the ring. Lynch asked Lee what is she doing there on her show?

Lee claimed she wasn’t there for Lynch. Lee claimed she was there to support Maxxine since she has a match tonight. Lee said she would hang out in catering. Lynch insulted Lee for thinking she was cute with her stupid eyebrows. Lynch said that Lee is like a stupid chihuahua ruining Lynch’s life. Lee wondered how she was doing that? Lee said she hasn’t done anything to her personally, like beating her at Wrestlepalooza, beating her at WarGames, and costing Lynch her title against Maxxine. Lee said she gets what she is saying, but Lynch got her title back.

Lynch wondered if Lee wanted to go one-on-one at Elimination Chamber in Lee’s hometown of Chicago. Lynch wondered if Lee wanted Lynch to ruin her life in front of her friends and family, like Lee ruined Lynch’s life. Lee said Lynch is having a nervous breakdown, or she wants to go one-on-one with Lee. Lee said she hasn’t had a singles match in over a decade, so it would have been special and really worth it. Lee said Lynch is one of the greatest of all time, so Lee beats her what does that make her: Lucky or better than Lynch? Lee said that makes her the number one contender. Lynch said no repeatedly, so the fans chanted “Yes” at Lynch. Lynch said you have done nothing to get a shot at this since she’s not even an active member of the Raw roster. Lee said no title and no match, so she’ll just go back to Chicago. Lynch said, “Fine!” Lynch said if you think you were held down by the man before you left, you have no idea what you are in for.

Analysis: I like Becky Lynch so much as this over-the-top heel character. It’s a bit silly at times, and some of her mannerisms might be going too far, but I think it’s very entertaining. AJ Lee did well in her role as the woman who agitates Lynch a lot, and the fans like Lee for it. It sets them up for a big match at Elimination Chamber that I thought would be saved until WrestleMania, but it makes sense in Chicago since Lee lives there with her husband, CM Punk.

The Vision’s Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, Paul Heyman, and Logan Paul were shown backstage.

The Usos made their entrance from the crowd for their World Tag Team Title match. It took them a few minutes to get to the ring, as usual, since they were Yeeting with the crowd on their way to the ring. They went on a break for some fans as The Usos continued their entrance.

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Alpha Academy – Otis & Akira Tozawa

They are both babyface teams. Alpha Academy won a 4-way tag team match to earn this title shot.

Otis used his power for a waistlock takedown on Jey and a shoulder tackle. Tozawa tagged in with a running dropkick. Jimmy tagged in and Tozawa continued the attack with a spinning kick to the head. Tozawa kicked Jey out of the ring, too. Otis press slammed Tozawa over the top onto both Usos on the floor. That led to a break for some fans as the match continued. Jey reached at Tozawa, so Jimmy took control with a popup Samoan Drop on Tozawa. Jimmy choked Tozawa by the ropes, so Jey hit a cheap shot punch when the referee wasn’t looking. Jey grabbed a headlock on Tozawa. Jey punched Tozawa a few times, but Tozawa hit a punch of his own.

The match continued with Tozawa countering Jey with a DDT. Otis tagged in against Jimmy and Otis hit some splashes on The Usos. Otis hit a World’s Strongest Slam on Jimmy for two. Otis splashed Jimmy against the turnbuckle, but Jey made the tag and Otis never saw it, but the referee did. Otis went for the Caterpillar, and Jey hit a superkick on Otis, but it was more like a knee because Otis was in motion. Jey superkicked Tozawa. The Usos double superkicked Otis, but Otis came back with a double clothesline. Tozawa tagged in with a missile dropkick off the top. Tozawa hit a suicide dive on Jey and a suicide dive on Jimmy on the other side. Tozawa hit suicide dives on both Usos again. That’s four in a row! Tozawa went up top and hit a Senton Bomb on Jimmy for a two count because Jimmy got his right shoulder up. Otis was back in, he lifted Jimmy, but Jimmy avoided a Tozawa attack. Jimmy superkicked Tozawa. Jimmy superkicked Otis while Jey was legal. The Usos hit a double Spear on Otis. The Usos hit a 1D on Otis, and Jey pinned Otis for the win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Usos

Analysis: ***1/2 It was an enjoyable tag team match between two babyfaces to give The Usos a win to retain the titles. Otis and Tozawa put up a fight, they nearly picked up the win and the fans believed in them as a credible team. I like how The Usos methodically took apart Alpha Academy by taking care of Tozawa first and then hitting some big moves to put away the big man Otis. I liked the match a lot.

After the match, the teams shook hands and hugged like the babyfaces that they are.

The Usos were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the ring. Saxton asked what’s next for The Usos. Jey said big respect for Otis and Tozawa. Jimmy said they are going to remain the best damn tag team in the game. Jimmy said he wants Jey to qualify and win Elimination Chamber. Jimmy said he wants Jey go on to be “Main Event” Jey Uso. The Usos hugged.

Analysis: I think Jey Uso could qualify for Elimination Chamber, but he’s not going to win.

The announcers reminded viewers in the US that SmackDown is on Syfy this Friday due to USA Network showing Winter Olympics coverage. That’s going to hurt viewership. I watch on Netflix in Canada.

A video recapped the CM Punk/Roman Reigns story leading to their WrestleMania 42 match.

Liv Morgan made her entrance with Dominik Mysterio for a promo. They went on a break for some fans.

They showed some highlights of AJ Styles talking to Stephanie McMahon on Steph’s podcast that was released last week. It was a good podcast with Styles talking about his retirement from wrestling and why he’s comfortable with it.

Let’s Hear from Liv Morgan with Dominik Mysterio

Liv Morgan was going to start, but Dominik told her to hold on. Dominik gave Liv some roses and called Liv the greatest Royal Rumble winner of all time. She got some chocolates too. Liv did her annoying heel schtick about being the greatest Royal Rumble winner of all time, and she called Dominik the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Liv said that Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill are afraid of her because they know whoever Liv picks will lose their title at WrestleMania. The announcers said romance in the air. Maybe it would be more romantic if Dominik wasn’t wearing his wedding ring.

Stephanie Vaquer walked out to the ring as the Women’s World Champion and she was cheered by the fans. Her old theme song was better than this song that debuted last week. This one is too generic.

Vaquer told Liv she talks too much. Vaquer spoke in Spanish and Dominik said he doesn’t think he should tell Liv what she said. Dominik spoke in Spanish to Vaquer. Vaquer told Liv that he said he’s a little bitch. Dominik denied that. Liv said that Vaquer is a liar. Liv said she feels she should give Dom a “Hot Girls” shirt and then Liv mocked Vaquer’s look. Vaquer said that she hopes Liv picks her so that Vaquer can kick her ass. Liv told Vaquer she’s not going to make Liv rush her decision and Liv called her a “puta.” When Dom got too close, Vaquer slapped Dom and Vaquer left.

Analysis: The segment was okay. I think it’s very likely that Liv chooses Vaquer as her WrestleMania 42 opponent since they are on Raw together, and it’s a logical face-heel match between two women who haven’t had a feud together yet. I’m not sure what the delay is in announcing it, but they have over two months until WrestleMania. Liv is a terrific talker, while Vaquer has improved her English a lot. Dominik filled his role fine by getting slapped in the face.

There were promos from Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Ivy Nile about their triple threat Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

Lyra Valkyria made her entrance for the triple threat match. They went on a break for some fans as the entrance continued. A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired. Ivy Nile’s entrance was next.

Rhea Ripley made her entrance as one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, and she got a huge ovation as usual.

Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile

The first fall wins. No countouts and no disqualifications in a triple threat match.

Nile knocked Lyra out of the ring off the bat. Nile tried a move off the turnbuckle, but Ripley stopped that with a dropkick. Lyra got a cradle on Ripley for two. Nile went back into the ring and hit a German Suplex on both women at the same time. Ripley sent Nile face first into the apron. Lyra hit a hurricanrana on Ripley on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Lyra jumped off the top with a cross body block on Nile for two. Lyra hit a low dropkick and a bridging suplex on Nile for two. Ripley pulled Nile out of the ring and threw her onto the commentary table. Ripley superkicked Lyra. Ripley battled Lyra in the ring, leading to Lyra doing an inverted crab, and then Lyra held onto Ripley’s arms as well. Nile broke that up with a half n half suplex on Lyra for two because Ripley broke the pin up. Ripley lifted Nile, but Nile countered that by shoving Ripley into the ring post. Nile hit a gutwrench suplex on Lyra for two. Ripley went up top, so Nile sent Lyra into the ropes.

The three women battled by the turnbuckle, where Lyra hit a stomp on Nile. Lyra suplexed Ripley off the top for a superplex while Nile hit a pull-up German Suplex. Good spot to show off Nile’s power. Nile hit two running dropkicks. Ripley hit Nile with two clotheslines and a spinning slam into the mat. Ripley hit a basement dropkick. Lyra rolled up Ripley for two. Ripley and Lyra exchanged pin attempts. Ripley got Lyra on her shoulders, then Nile jumped off the top and Ripley dumped Lyra into the mat. Nile mistimed it and hit the mat. They mistime that spot. Nile hit Ripley with a snap German Suplex that almost hit Lyra and Nile got a two count. Lyra countered Nile into a rollup for two. Lyra hit a step up enziguri on Nile. Lyra hit a DDT on Ripley and Nile shoved Lyra out of the ring, so Nile covered for two. Nile hit a spinning kick to the ear and Nile hit a uranage slam on Lyra for two. Ripley was back in with a headbutt on Nile. Nile hit a Backstabber double knees on Ripley. Lyra hit Nightwing on Nile. Ripley hit a running knee to break it up. Ripley hit a Riptide on Lyra for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley

Analysis: *** It was a solid match with Ripley as the obvious winner. Nile got plenty of offense and the announcers put her over a lot, but it was obvious she had no chance to win. Lyra is always consistently good, so that’s no surprise. There were some sloppy moments in the match where they were trying to do some combo moves and they didn’t work perfectly. With that said, I appreciate the women trying to do some combo moves to stand out.

Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton are the first two women in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Four spots are left.

The Judgment Day clubhouse was shown with Dominik Mysterio, Raquel Rodriguez, and Liv Morgan talking about Dom getting slapped. Dom spoke to Finn Balor about how JD was going to come back, and they could go for the Tag Team Titles. Balor said that he’s still going after Punk’s World Title. Balor said he’s tired of being an afterthought, and he thought they were supposed to be family. Balor left as Dom said, “But we are.”

CM Punk was shown walking backstage for some talking up next.

They had NXT announcer Vic Joseph in the upper deck talking to Je’Von Evans. This was during a break for some fans. Vic said he was so excited for Evans last week, but how did it feel getting that win on Raw? Evans said his win last week was fire. Evans said he didn’t know who the real and fake El Grande Americano is. Vic wondered about Je’Von’s mystery tag team partner. Evans didn’t want to tell the fans. Evans talked about being in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, saying that’s where everyone wants to go. Evans said WrestleMania is about to get bouncy.

CM Punk Interview Interrupted By Finn Balor

It was supposed to be Michael Cole interviewing CM Punk, but Finn Balor interrupted. Balor talked about how Punk is hurt, and he knows he is hurt because Balor is the one who hurt him. Balor complained about Roman Reigns stepping in to get a shot, and Balor reminded us how Reigns cheated to beat him. Balor said that he’s tired of being an afterthought. Balor said he wanted to face CM Punk at Elimination Chamber. Balor said that Punk beat him on Balor’s home turf, so Balor wants to face Punk on his home turf.

Raw GM Adam Pearce walked out with security guys (indy wrestlers). Pearce walked out to the ring and asked Balor to leave the ring, or else he would have Balor escorted out of there.

CM Punk made his entrance as the World Heavyweight Champion, and he walked down to the ring with a purpose. Punk went into the ring, so Balor left on the other side of the ring and Balor stood on the commentary table. Pearce said everybody needs to relax.

CM Punk was in the ring while Balor was on the commentary table. Punk said that Balor is not an afterthought, he’s the first thought. Punk told Balor he deserves an ass-beating and told Balor to see what happens when he steps into the ring. Balor said he’s not fighting him for no reason. Balor told Punk to put the title on the line so Balor can finish what he started two weeks ago. Punk said he wanted Pearce to make the match. Pearce said he’s not putting the WrestleMania main event in doubt. Punk told Pearce to make the match, or he’ll spend the show going after Balor. Punk said he’ll get his pound of flesh. Pearce said it will be CM Punk vs. Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Title and it is official. The fans booed because they wanted it to take place tonight. Balor left through the crowd and walked to the back.

Analysis: It was expected that CM Punk would wrestle at Elimination Chamber in his hometown of Chicago, and the Finn Balor match makes sense since Balor attacked Punk recently, even after Punk beat Balor clean. I like how it was set up with Balor being frustrated that people look past him, so Balor issued the challenge and Punk is the noble babyface who won’t back down. It works for me. Punk should win.

Punk said if Cole had a question to ask, Cleveland would love to hear it? Cole wondered why Punk would jeopardize one of the greatest main events in WrestleMania history for that? Punk said he’s not jeopardizing anything. Punk said is chasing greatness. Punk said that he is the fighting champion that these people deserve to see every week as the champion. Punk talked about his 434-day title reign, and he wants to be 1% better. Punk said he’ll fight anybody, anywhere, at any time to prove he’s the Best in the World. Punk said he’s not jeopardizing anything. Punk said without risk, there’s no reward. Punk said he wants to put it on the line every week because he loves them and they deserve it. Punk said “that s**t ain’t gonna happen” about losing. Punk said Roman Reigns claims he hates Punk and Punk doesn’t believe that. Punk said that Reigns knows he can’t do a thing to stop it. Punk said there’s one way WrestleMania ends with Punk’s hand raised and the ring announcer saying Punk is still the World Heavyweight Champion. Punk shook Cole’s hand and left.

Analysis: CM Punk is very likable as the babyface World Champion, talking about how he wants to take on all comers and prove he’s the best in the world. Easy guy to like when he says stuff like that.

The Vision approached Adam Pearce backstage. Paul Heyman said that Pearce was far more worthy of an adversary than he gave Pearce credit for. Heyman claimed that Bron Breakker had hernia surgery after he had hurt himself while training. Heyman lied, claiming it was career-ending surgery for some people, but not Bron. Pearce said that he knows Bron is a key part of the future and he wants him back. Pearce said that Austin Theory had a qualifying match against Penta and LA Knight tonight. Pearce told The Vision not to get involved in the match. Pearce told Heyman to consider it a threat. Logan Paul said if they do get involved, what is Pearce going to do about it? Paul said it’s a rhetorical question. Paul said he’s the biggest star to ever come out of Cleveland and Pearce is going to do nothing. Bronson Reed told Paul he’s not his problem and Reed said Pearce is his problem now.

Nattie made her entrance with her more intense look and an alternate theme song, although it has the Hart family guitar riff at the start. They went on a break for some people. They showed another clip of AJ Styles on the Stephanie McMahon podcast. Maxxine Dupri made her entrance that sounds new for her as well.

Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie

Dupri got a takedown and went for an ankle lock, but Nattie broke free. Nattie punched Dupri for a knockdown. Dupri hit a spin kick to send Nattie out of the ring. They battled on the floor as Nattie sent Dupri into the steel steps and into the ring post. Nattie tossed Dupri onto the commentary table. Nattie gave Dupri a flapjack on the commentary table. The referee was counting them out, we could hear him getting up to 8, 9, and 10, so it was a countout. The match only went about 3 minutes.

Match Result: Double Countout

Analysis: * This was more about the story than the match, with the idea being that Nattie is a changed woman who is very aggressive now. Nattie didn’t care about winning the match. I like this a lot for Nattie. She’s doing great.

After the match, Nattie applied a Sharpshooter on Dupri on the commentary table. Referees went out to ringside to try to stop it. AJ Lee ran down to the ringside area, so Nattie let go of Dupri and left through the crowd. Lee checked on Dupri. As Lee helped Dupri walk around the ring, Lynch attacked Lee by sending her into the ring post.

Analysis: Cheap heat. The heel ladies dominated that match and post match segment. It could lead to a tag team match at some point with Lynch and Nattie against Lee and Dupri.

LA Knight was featured in a video talking about wanting to get revenge on The Vision after they did a cheap attack on Knight two months ago.

El Grande Americano made his entrance with Los Americanos in a tag team match.

Je’Von Evans & Original El Grande Americano vs. Los Americanos – Rayo & Bravo (w/El Grande Americano)

Evans’ partner was a surprise, and it’s Chad Gable as the Original El Grande Americano. Ludwig Kaiser is the other Grande. I’ll call Chad “Original” for this match. Rayo is Pete Dunne and Bravo in Tyler Bate.

Evans hit an impressive dropkick on Rayo. Evans hit a Stunner on Rayo. Evans punched Bravo, followed by a bouncy hurricanrana and a dropkick. Original made the tag as Rayo pulled Evans out of the ring. Bravo kicked Evans down on the floor. Original went up top with a double clothesline. Original and Evans hit clotheslines to clear the ring. They went on a break and I’ll take a break too.

The match continued with Evans as the face in peril. Evans kicked Bravo and Evans hit a corkscrew cross body block. Original tagged in with forearms, an overhead suplex and two German Suplexes. Both Americanos were in the ring, so Original hit a double German Suplex. Original applied an Ankle Lock on Rayo, but Rayo sent Original into the turnbuckle. Evans tagged in with a top rope clothesline and a jumping kick to the head. Rayo headbutted Evans, but Original stopped Rayo with a dropkick. Grande shoved Original off the top. Bravo jumped off the top on Original, but he moved and Evans hit an OG Cutter out of mid-air on Bravo. Evans hit a dive over the top on Rayo. Original hit a top rope headbutt on Bravo for the three count. It went about 9 minutes. That OG Cutter by Evans was amazing!

Winners by pinfall: Je’Von Evans & Original El Grande Americano

Analysis: *** It was a fun tag team match to put over Evans and Original as a babyface tag team. That spot with Evans jumping off the top with an OG Cutter on Bravo was amazing. The replays were nice to see because of how spectacular it was. Evans can do some incredible things.

After the match, El Grande Americano attacked Original and Evans from behind. Grande tried to take Original’s mask, but Original fought back. Original tried to take Grande’s mask off, and then Los Americanos made the save for Grande.

Analysis: It’s a hard story to predict because it can go in a lot of ways. I wonder if they end up doing a Mask vs. Mask match where the loser has to take off their mask. It could be fun.

There were promos from Penta, LA Knight, and Austin Theory about the Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

There was a break for some fans as Vic Jospeh interviewed Lyra Valkyria and Bayley. Lyra wasn’t happy about losing earlier in the show. Bayley said they don’t give up because they pick themselves back up. Bayley said she has an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match against Nattie and Asuka. Bayley said she’s taking both of them out. Bayley said they belong on the big stage and belong in the top spot. Bayley said they are the best team if Adam Pearce gave them a chance and she’s heading to WrestleMania. Bayley said her opportunity was taken from her, but they pick themselves up and get better every freakin’ day. That was it.

Oba Femi was featured in a video package saying change is inevitable. Femi said change is here, so you hear his drums, see his strut and know the deed is done. Femi said that change has sent Oba Femi.

A clip aired of Gunther on Raw last week when Dragon Lee interrupted. Gunther beat up Lee and choked him out.

Gunther was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Gunther said he didn’t care about Dragon Lee. Saxton said that Gunther is in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Gunther bragged about retiring wrestlers. Gunther said that the result will be the same because he’ll walk out of WrestleMania as the new WWE Champion.

Next Monday on Raw in Memphis:

* Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio

* Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Bayley vs. Asuka vs. Nattie

* AJ Lee live.

Penta made his entrance for the main event. The entrance of Austin Theory was next. This was during the break for some fans.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Penta vs. LA Knight vs. Austin Theory (w/Paul Heyman)

The first fall wins. No countouts and no disqualifications in a triple threat match.

Knight ran over Penta with a shoulder tackle. Penta hit a running hurricanrana on Knight. Penta hit a somersault dive over the top onto Knight on the floor. Theory tripped up Penta and pulled him out of the ring. Theory did a necksnap to  Knight across the top rope and Theory flipped into the ring with a dropkick on Knight. Theory sent Penta into the ring steps. They went to a break for some fans as Theory hit a backbreaker on Knight. Theory stomped on Knight. Penta tried to get back into it, but Theory knocked him down on the floor. Theory choked Knight across the middle turnbuckle. Theory hit Knight with a suplex for a two count.

The match continued with Knight hitting Theory with a neckbreaker for two because Penta made the save. Penta sent Knight out of the ring. Penta punched Knight. Theory hit a brainbuster on Penta for two. Theory charged at Penta, who moved and Penta chopped Theory a few times. Theory hit a boot to the chest of Penta. Theory hit a spinebuster on Penta for a two count. Knight sent Theory out of the ring. Knight slammed Theory onto the commentary table a few times. Knight punched Penta to stop a dive attempt. Knight slammed Penta onto the commentary table a few times. Knight went for a BFT on Theory, but Theory countered and got a rollup for two. Theory sent Knight face first into the turnbuckle. Theory went for a leaping attack, but Knight hit a belly-to-back suplex. Penta went up top, he jumped off with a double cross body block and knocked both guys down. Penta hit a Slingblade on Knight. Penta with a jumping kick on Theory and a Backstabber on Theory for two. Knight made the save. Penta went to the turnbuckle, Knight jumped to the top, Theory punched Knight and they did a Tower of Doom spot (Superplex/Powerbomb combo) out of the corner. Theory covered Knight for two. Theory went for The Stomp, Knight avoided it and hit a reverse DDT. Knight jumped off the top with an elbow drop on Theory. Logan Paul went on the apron, so Knight punched him and Knight knocked down Reed on the apron. Knight knocked down Logan on the floor. Reed hit a running body attack on Knight on the floor. Reed put Knight in the ring and Reed hit a Tsunami on Knight. Raw GM Adam Pearce and security went out there, so they got Reed out of there. Theory hit a Stomp on Knight  for two because Penta made the save. Theory gave Penta a back body drop on the floor. The hooded man attacked Theory with a superkick and Stomp on the floor. Theory was put back in the ring. Logan Paul ran down to ringside to chase the hooded man out of the building. Knight hit BFT (Blount Force Trauma) on Theory for the pinfall win after 14 minutes. The fans cheered.

Winner by pinfall: LA Knight

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a chaotic finish to a very good match that gave the fans the result they wanted with LA Knight getting the big win. It looked like Knight might lose because of The Vision getting involved, but then the masked/hooded man showed up to even things up, and that allowed Knight to find a way to win. This felt like the match was just Knight against Theory and Penta was there in moments, but he really didn’t out that much like he does in most matches. Theory is technically sound and knows how to be a heel. Knight winning was obviously the right call.

The win means that LA Knight has joined Randy Orton in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.

LA Knight celebrated the win in the ring while Paul Heyman spoke to Adam Pearce in the aisle. Knight reminded Heyman that he was coming for The Vision.

A graphic was shown saying “In Loving Memory of Jim Shank 1966 to 2026.” He was a longtime WWE employee. May he rest in peace. End show.

This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes on Netflix.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. LA Knight…yeah
2. Rhea Ripley
3. The Usos

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The Scoreboard

7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.75

2026 Average: 7.58

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

This felt like a solid show, but also lacking in terms of big matches. The matches were all obvious in terms of winners, which were babyface winners in the four matches, and then the Nattie/Dupri match was a countout ending.

They set up some big singles matches at Elimination Chamber with CM Punk facing Finn Balor and Becky Lynch against AJ Lee. Lots of star power there. It makes sense to have Punk and Lee in matches since they live in Chicago.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport