The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 03/09/26 Review
It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring a women’s gauntlet match, Oba Femi facing Rusev, Penta defending the Intercontinental Title, and more.
Last week’s Raw saw Penta beat Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Title in what was Penta’s first title win in WWE. Also, CM Punk and Roman Reigns exchanged words in the ring, with Punk getting in the final shot by saying he’ll bury Roman Reigns while referencing Roman’s late father, Sika. Reigns is not on the show this week, but will be back next week.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1711 of Monday Night Raw, taking place at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There was a pre-show showcase featuring the Intercontinental Champion Penta, Asuka with Kairi Sane, while Iyo Sky was in the background, along with Oba Femi, Rusev, and the World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk.
A video package aired about Seth Rollins outsmarting The Vision on Raw last week, and Rollins also hit a Stomp on Paul Heyman. The WWE Hall of Famer Heyman left with a bloody face.
Let’s Hear from Adam Pearce
The Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, was in the ring, saying he had some unfortunate business to handle. Pearce mentioned that he needed to speak with someone he knows is in the building tonight. Pearce then called for Seth Rollins to come to the ring.
There was a masked, hooded man at ringside, and then the arena was filled with masked, hooded dudes around the ring. The fans chanted “Holy Shit” for the hooded dudes. The masked guys entered the ring and ran around a bit until one of them stayed in the ring. That was Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The fans cheered.
Pearce said they see eye to eye because he does not like The Vision. The fans sang Seth’s theme song. Pearce said that what Rollins has done is unacceptable. Pearce mentioned that Rollins had surgery five months ago. Pearce stated that what Rollins has done has worked, but questioned what happens when it doesn’t. Pearce wondered what happens when Rollins gets attacked by Rollins. Pearce said Rollins isn’t cleared. He warned that the worst-case scenario is getting their hands on him, which would be the end of Seth Freakin’ Rollins. No words from Rollins.
Analysis: I think Seth Rollins will be ready for WrestleMania 42 in 40 days, but it might be close. Still, the story gets more interesting now that Rollins is back in the mix. Pearce does a good job in his role.
Logan Paul and Austin Theory of The Vision made their way to the ring. Paul said that the end of Rollins is now. Theory said there’s a bullet with Seth’s name on it, and the masked idiots aren’t going to take the bullet for him. Theory said you can consider this the worst-case scenario. Rollins called for his masked wrestlers to get in the ring, so they did, and they all left the arena at the same time.
LA Knight made his entrance as the man who drove Paul Heyman away in an ambulance. Knight threw Paul into the barricade. Theory went after Knight with punches, but Knight punched Theory back. Paul and Theory attacked Knight with punches, so The Usos entered as the World Tag Team Champions.
Jey and Jimmy Uso entered the ring to support LA Knight and eliminate The Vision. Jey superkicked Theory, while The Usos delivered a double superkick to Paul, and Knight clotheslined Paul. Theory pulled Paul out of the ring to save him. The fans chanted, “Logan Sucks” at Paul. Jey did some Yeeting with the fans.
Analysis: This could definitely lead to a match later in the show, whether it’s a singles or a tag match. There are many ways it can play out. Knight has had ongoing issues with The Vision, and The Usos are facing those same issues. (Update: It didn’t lead to a match later in the show. I thought it would. Nope. Maybe next week.)
The commentary team on Raw is Michael Cole and Corey Graves. Alicia Taylor is the ring announcer. Cole went over some of the gimmicked injuries that Paul Heyman is dealing with. They went over matches on the show.
The Usos were interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Jey was asked about what happened out there, and Jey said that he didn’t care about any of those guys. Jackie asked about the inflammatory remarks CM Punk made about their family last week. Jey seemed to dismiss it, but Jimmy said maybe they had something to say, and they went back toward the arena.
Women’s Gauntlet Match #1: Iyo Sky vs. Lyra Valkyria
This is a Women’s Gauntlet Match for a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title in the future. Win and move on. Lose, and you’re out.
Sky and Lyra started with some mat wrestling early on. Sky hit a dropkick. Lyra sent Sky out of the ring. Sky came back by hitting a dive through the ropes with a cross body block on Lyra on the floor. Lyra tripped up Sky by the ropes and Lyra kicked Sky down on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Sky and Lyra exchanged pin attempts. Lyra kept applying chinlocks and slowing it down. Lyra hit a clothesline.
The match continued with Sky and Lyra exchanging strikes. Sky hit a double underhook backbreaker. Sky hit the Bullet Train knee attack. Lyra pulled Sky off the turnbuckle. Sky kicked Lyra and went up top again, but Lyra was there to stop her. Lyra hit a backflip off the turnbuckle, followed by a DDT and a Fisherman’s suplex for two. Lyra slipped on the ropes a bit, but she was able to hit the move. Lyra went for a slam, but Sky countered and hit a stomp to the ribs. Sky kicked Lyra in the head. Sky went up top and hit Over the Moonsault for the pinfall win to win this fall after about 10 minutes.
Lyra Valkyria has been eliminated
Women’s Gauntlet Match #2: Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Raquel went down to the ring, Sky kicked her to keep her on the floor, and Sky tried a dive, but Raquel caught her. Raquel hit an elbow and a clothesline. Back in the ring, Raquel hit a corkscrew elbow drop. Sky tried to break free and jumped off the top, but Raquel avoided it, and Raquel hit a shoulder tackle. They went on a break for some fans, so I’ll take a break as Raquel controlled the action for the next three minutes.
Sky was able to get some offense going with a hurricanrana off the turnbuckle. Sky went up top and hit a missile dropkick as the fans came alive for Sky. Iyo hit the Bullet Train knee attack against the turnbuckle. Sky went up top, but Liv Morgan showed up on the apron, and Raquel tripped up Sky. Stephanie Vaquer ran down to ringside and Vaquer superkicked Liv. Vaquer fought Morgan to the back. Sky jumped off the top, Raquel caught her and Sky turned it into an inside cradle pin for the win. That fall lasted about 6 minutes.
Raquel Rodriguez has been eliminated
After the elimination, Raquel kicked Sky out of the ring. Raquel sent Sky face first into the ring post. Raquel gave Sky a Tejana Bomb on the apron.
Women’s Gauntlet Match #3: Iyo Sky vs. Ivy Nile
Ivy Nile ran down to the ring, rolled Sky into the ring, and Nile covered Sky for the pinfall win.
Iyo Sky has been eliminated
Women’s Gauntlet Match #4: Ivy Nile vs. Bayley
Bayley was next and she checked on Sky on her way into the ring, so Nile attacked Bayley on the floor. Nile sent Bayley into the steel steps. The show went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Nile worked over Bayley with forearms. Nile kicked Bayley and did a head slam into the mat. Nile continued the attack with punches. Nile sent Bayley into the turnbuckle, followed by a clothesline.
It was Nile in control with a gutwrench suplex for a two count. Bayley hit an elbow and a neckbreaker. Bayley clotheslined Nile two times, and she hit a belly-to-back suplex. Bayley hit a neckbreaker and a knee smash by the ropes. Bayley hit an elbow to the spine for a two count. Bayley got a rollup for two. Nile followed up with a jumping kick and a German Suplex for two. Bayley elbowed Nile against the turnbuckle. Bayley hit a German Suplex-style move off the ropes for two. Bayley went for a Rose Plant, Nile got out of that, and kicked Bayley to stop that momentum. Nile hit a delayed vertical suplex for a two count to show off the power. Bayley got a boot up and sat on the turnbuckle, but Nile hit a jumping kick to the face. Nile hit a superplex off the middle turnbuckle. The landing looked rough, but I think they were okay. Nile hit a spinning uranage slam. They left the ring where Bayley sent Nile into the steel steps. Bayley jumped off the turnbuckle and Nile kicked Bayley out of the ring. Bayley hit an elbow drop onto the apron. Bayley hit Bayley to Belly on Nile for the pinfall to win. That fall went 11 minutes. The match was at the 28-minute mark.
Ivy Nile has been eliminated
Women’s Gauntlet Match #5: Bayley vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane)
Bayley hit cross body block or a forearm on Asuka on the floor to start this fall. They got back up, Asuka managed to come back with a kick and took control. They went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break for three minutes as Asuka worked over Bayley to remain in control.
It was over 30 minutes into this Gauntlet Match as Asuka tripped up Bayley and applied an Ankle Lock on the left ankle. Bayley got out of that and applied her own knee bar submission, but Asuka got to the ropes. Bayley hit a running dropkick to knock Asuka down on the floor. Back in the ring, Asuka hit a knee lift and clothesline, but Bayley hit a clothesline of her own. Bayley hit a knee smash for two. Asuka worked over Bayley with strikes, including a spin kick for two. Asuka hit a roundhouse kick to the head for two. Bayley hit Bayley to Belly on Asuka for a two count. That is Bayley’s old finisher and she won with it earlier, so it worked as a nearfall. Bayley went to the turnbuckle, so Asuka punched Bayley off the turnbuckle to the floor. Sane tried to attack, so Lyra dropkicked Sane into the ring apron. Bayley hit Asuka and went for a move off the ropes, but Asuka applied the Asuka Lock. Bayley got out of that and Bayley hit a Roseplant on Asuka for the pinfall win after 9 minutes for that fall. That Gauntlet Match went 37 minutes.
Asuka has been eliminated
Winner of Gauntlet Match: Bayley
The win by Bayley means she’ll challenge AJ Lee for the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Cole said it’s next week on Raw.
Analysis: ***1/2 That’s my rating for the entire Gauntlet Match. I thought the six women all worked very hard. I thought the booking was smart for most of the eliminations, and I liked the story with Lyra helping Bayley win because she stopped Sane from helping Asuka. Iyo Sky was probably the best part of the match, and Bayley was awesome throughout the match, too. I enjoyed it. These matches do tend to be a bit long, but that’s okay because it was treated like a big deal, and I enjoyed it.
A video aired showing highlights of the Roman Reigns-CM Punk trash-talking segment from last week. Punk ended it saying he’ll bury Reigns next to his father (Sika of the Wild Samons), and that was the end of it.
The Intercontinental Champion, Penta, was shown backstage for his title match up next.
Nattie was interviewed by Byron Saxton by the entrance area. This was during a break for some fans. That’s a better location than the private box area. Saxton asked what’s next for her. Nattie spoke into the camera, saying she hopes Maxxine Dupri had a nice hospital stay, and she hopes they could diagnose why she’s so feeble. Nattie said that Dupri doesn’t belong in her business. Nattie said she let the fans tell her that she was good. Nattie said she got lost as Natalya. Nattie said that she should have been in that Gauntlet Match. Nattie said that it’s been ten years since she’s been a champion in this division that she built. Nattie said Hart’s don’t lie. Dupri attacked Nattie from behind with punches. It was broken up. Nattie came back with a forearm.
Analysis: I enjoy these Nattie promos from her because she brings the intensity and looks like a badass while doing it. Dupri obviously wants another match.
The WWE Hall of Fame is on April 17th with Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, and Demolition.
The Original El Grande Americano was approached by Danhausen, who wanted Americano’s mask. Americano said he’s got an Intercontinental Title match. Americano told Danhausen to leave. Danhausen said if you don’t want to join forces with Danhausen, then you are cursed. Poor Americano. As Americano kept walking, Rayo and Bravo were in the background.
Analysis: The dreaded curse. Poor Americano. Very evil.
Penta made his entrance as the Intercontinental Champion. Penta thanked his family, friends, the company, and all of his fans around the world. Penta thanked everybody who believed in him, and Penta said he believed in himself to achieve this title. Penta said that this tile is not just for Penta – it’s for everybody who never gives up. Penta said he represents the dreamers and the fighters of real life. Penta spoke about how this title represents what it means to believe in yourself every day. Penta said they will make history since he’s here as the new Intercontinental Champion. Penta spoke in Spanish a bit, so I had no idea what he said. Penta ended it with, “Cero Miedo” as usual.
Analysis: Penta has charisma, and he’s easy to like. Good job by him speaking English well enough to do promos like that.
It was supposed to be against the Original El Grande Americano, but it’s El Grande Americano aka Ludwig Kaiser. The idea is that the Original was attacked backstage, and Graves wondered if it had something to do with the curse.
Intercontinental Championship: Penta vs. El Grande Americano
The match started during the break for some fans as Penta faced off against the Kaiser version of El Grande Americano. Penta worked over Grande with chops early on. The match returned for the full audience. Penta kicked Grande in the ribs. Grande hit a headscissors, and Penta came back with a headscissors of his own. Penta hit a superkick. Grande sent Penta into the turnbuckle. Grande kicked Penta’s arm and elbowed him in the head. Grande went for some punches, Penta blocked and Penta punched Grande a few times. Grande hit a running slap. Penta came back with a running punch and then a Backstabber. Penta knocked Grande out of the ring. Penta tried a diving attack, but Grande punched him to stop that. Grande posed by the IC Title and they went on break for a few minutes as Grande remained in control.
El Grande Americano was on offense with a kick. Penta wrenched on the leg, and a Slingblade followed. Penta hit a jumping kick and a handstand dropkick. Penta hit a tope con hilo (somersault dive) over the top on Grande on the floor. Penta hit a cross body block on Grande. Grande used his power to hit a spinebuster for two. I could hear Grande tell Penta to pull me down, so Penta pulled Grande off the turnbuckle. Penta superkicked Grande. Penta tried a Destroyer, but Grande countered it into a spinning slam for a two count. Penta hit a slap, Grande with a kick, and Penta hit two knees to the face. Penta hit a springboard Mexican Destroyer for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Penta
Analysis: ***1/4 That Mexican Destroyer looked nasty live, but on the replay, it appeared like it was done safely. Grande had some offense in the match and looked credible throughout the match, but he had no chance to win. Penta is terrific as the champion.
The Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer was featured in a video talking about Liv Morgan. Vaquer spoke in Spanish and the translations were on screen. Vaquer complained about Morgan. Vaquer said she was forged in hell and fire. Vaquer spoke about how they took different roads to get here, but now they are here. Vaquer said that she can see more in Liv than Liv sees in herself. Vaquer said Liv takes the easy way to the championship. Vaquer told Liv to bring all of her years of training because at WrestleMania, Vaquer will bring the blood, sweat and experience as she makes history as the Women’s World Champion.
Liv Morgan was backstage with The Judgment Day, complaining about what Vaquer was saying. Dominik Mysterio walked in, asking if they had seen Finn Balor. JD McDonagh said that he hasn’t seen him all day, but he’ll go find him. Dom said he had to go to the ring to get something off his chest.
Let’s Hear from Danhausen
The very nice and very evil Danhausen made his entrance for a promo in the ring. This was during the break. Danhausen said hello to Seattlehausen. Danhausen said he was very nice and very evil. Danhausen thanked the fanhausen, and he threw some t-shirts into the crowd. Danhausen told them to buy a shirt and ended it by saying you are cursed.
Analysis: It was as basic as it gets with Danhausen only getting about two minutes for this segment. It makes me sadhausen that that he didn’t get more time.
They showed Zuffa boxer Jose Valenzuela at ringside. They showed some Seattle Seahawks NFL players at ringside.
The Judgment Day Explodes As Dominik Mysterio Calls Out Finn Balor
The AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio made his entrance with Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Dominik said he demanded a rematch for the Intercontinental Title. Dom said he should be the champion, but Penta is walking around with his title. Dominik said we know whose fault it is. Dominik mentioned Finn Balor saying he didn’t want to do this out here since he wanted to do it privately, but you’re making Dom air their dirty laundry in front of everybody.
Finn Balor made his entrance to his classic theme song, joined by his buddy JD McDonagh.
Dominik asked Finn where he had been. Dom said they have been looking for him. Dom said that he hopes Balor got Dom his rematch.
Balor said about last week, if it wasn’t for him, then Dom would still be Intercontinental Champion, so for that, Balor is sorry. Balor said he was trying to help and teach him a lesson. Balor claimed Judgment Day is a family, and they will always have Dom’s back. Balor said that Dom wants to be the greatest Mysterio of all time and he can be. Balor said that sometimes you have to fight your own battles. Balor said for two years he’s been trying to help and guide Dom. Balor said he has realized that maybe Dom’s right and maybe Dom really is just a spoiled little (censored word). Dom shoved Balor out of the way, and Balor hit a Pele Kick to knock Dom down. JD pulled Balor off. Dominik charged, so Balor hit a Slingblade on Dom. JD stopped his good friend Finn by hitting a clothesline. Liv and Raquel punched Balor with some weak punches. JD and Dom stomped on Balor. Dom brought a hammer into the ring, Balor tried to fight back as he elbowed JD, and then Dom hit Balor with the hammer. JD held Balor against the ropes and Dom hit a 619 kick to Balor while the hammer was in Dom’s shoe. Dom went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Balor. JD hit Balor with three chair shots to the body. Referees finally went at ringside to try to stop it. Dominik jumped off the top with a Frog Splash onto the steel chair on Balor’s ribs. The Judgment Day stood tall over Balor as the fans booed.
Analysis: There’s the babyface turn for Finn Balor that was obviously coming. I thought it worked well as an angle to make us feel sorry for Balor. This went on for a few minutes with nobody attempting to help Balor, which is a bit silly because sometimes there are security guys out there within 20 seconds, yet this went on for a few minutes and nobody tried to help Balor. Anyway, the angle went the way it should have gone with Balor trying to be the noble guy, saying he wanted Dominik to win on his own, and Dominik didn’t seem to care. Balor insulting Dominik set Dom off and there was the turn. I thought the IC Title would be involved in this story, but it looks like we’ll get Dom-Balor at WrestleMania as a non-title match unless they want to put the AAA Mega Title on the line. I’m all for Balor as a babyface. It’s the right role for him.
A video package aired about Cody Rhodes beating Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title on SmackDown last week.
Je’Von Evans was shown backstage when Adam Pearce talked to him, saying he had done a good job. Pearce left. Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller approached, so Kofi told Waller to give them some space. Kofi apologized to Evans about what had happened to them recently. Kofi said that Evans reminded Kofi about himself. Kofi said he became a WWE Champion. Kofi said he believes in Evans, but you need the right team around you. Kofi said he knows that Evans has dreams, and you don’t have to do it alone. Kofi wanted a handshake, but Evans did not shake hands. Asuka was yelling at Sane in the background.
Analysis: It’s a tease for Kofi Kingston wanting Je’Von Evans to join The New Day. I don’t see it happening since Evans is a babyface and The New Day are heels. It will lead to a rivalry after Evans rejects them.
Bayley was interviewed by Jackie Redmond, and Lyra Valkyria was beside Bayley. Bayley thanked Lyra for being there for her. Lyra said that Bayley should be the next Women’s IC Title holder. Bayley talked about how she can’t wait to face AJ Lee for the Women’s IC Title and she loves her because they are close friends. Bayley said maybe she can face Lyra after she wins it. Bayley was excited and they left.
Oba Femi made his entrance for singles action and the fans were chanting “Oba” for him. Femi’s a free agent and it’s his first match on Raw. There was a WrestleMania 42 commercial and then Rusev’s entrance was after that. This was during the break for fans.
Oba Femi vs. Rusev
Rusev and Femi charged at eachother with clotheslines attempted and some punches exchanged. Rusev hit knee lifts to the ribs. Femi sent Rusev into the turnbuckle and Femi hit an uppercut. Rusev hit an uppercut of his own. Femi was back up with a boot to the face. Femi clotheslined Rusev over the top to the floor. Rusev hit some forearm thrusts to the throat and Femi sent Rusev into the steel steps. Femi sent Rusev into the ring, so Rusev hit a kick to the head. Rusev shoved Femi into the ring post. Rusev hit a spin kick while they were by the commentary table. Back in the ring, Rusev kicked Femi a few times. Femi went for a move, Rusev got out of that and hit a Machka Kick. Rusev charged into an uppercut by Femi. Femi tossed Rusev across the ring. Femi hit Fall From Grace (sitout Powerbomb) for the pinfall win after about 5 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: **1/2 A dominant performance from Oba Femi as usual. It felt longer than a 5-minute match, but that’s all it was. Rusev got plenty of offense in the match and looked credible. However, I don’t think anybody watching this thought that Femi would lose, nor should he lose. It’s important that Femi looks strong and dominant, and that’s what he was in this match.
Next week on Raw in San Antonio:
* Brock Lesnar returns
* Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee vs. Bayley
* Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano
* Roman Reigns live
It’s a main event promo segment again this week as the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk made his entrance with a smile on his face. They went on a break for some fans as Punk greeted fans around the ringside area.
Let’s Hear from CM Punk…and The Usos
CM Punk said he was unsure what the temperature in the room would be regarding him. The fans chanted “CM Punk” for the champ and they cheered for him. Punk mentioned the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, and they showed the Seahawks players at ringside. Punk said he thought some people would be mad at him over what he said last week and one thing was disrespectful. Punk said that the fans seemed to love him. Punk said that Roman Reigns has never respected him, not once in his entire career. The fans chanted “OTC” for Reigns. Punk said that he will force Reigns to respect the position he is in. Punk said that championships find out to see who is the best and those who are the best defend their titles and their championships. Punk said that this title was created because Roman Reigns shunned his responsibilities as a champion. Punk said he defends this title because you deserve a fighting champion. Punk said that you have to measure up against him as he did to Reigns last week. Punk levels this place up. Punk said that last week he lowered himself to Roman Reigns’ level…and here come The Usos.
The Usos made their entrances without the World Tag Team Champions. Jimmy and Jey Uso went out there with serious looks on their faces.
Jey Uso told Punk they need him to apologize right now. Punk wondered why Reigns was sending his cousins to do his heavy lifting. Jey said he came out here on his own, and Punk better apologize. Jimmy tried to calm Jey down. Jimmy said that this had everything to do with respect. Jimmy told Phil (Punk) he respected him. Jimmy said that he respects Punk for speaking from the heart and Punk runs through any obstacle. Jimmy mentioned Punk is the Voice of the Voiceless. Jimmy said that you can respect, but you disrespected their late uncle, who has no voice. Jimmy wanted Punk to apologize.
Punk said you are right because Sika doesn’t have a voice. Punk said he’s not spiritual, but he knows they are, and they are friends. Punk said he hopes he can hear this. Punk said that The Usos and Punk are friends and they go back a long way. Punk said he didn’t know Sika as well as he knew Afa, and he drove to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Punk said that Afa was always nice to him and he damn well babysat Lance. Punk said that he sat with Samu and had him drop knowledge on him. Punk said that he respects the family, and everybody respects Punk except that one son of a bitch. Punk said that Reigns is a lying, conniving, backstabbing, narcissistic politician. Jey said that this is not about Roman Reigns. Jey said they need Punk to say, “I’m sorry.” The fans chanted, “Say You’re Sorry” at Punk.
Punk shook Jimmy’s hand and said, “I’m sorry.” Punk shook Jey’s hand, “I’m sorry.” Punk said that he’s sorry that Roman Reigns treated the two of you like garbage for years. Punk said that he’s sorry Reigns called Dusty Rhodes irrelevant while mentioning Cody is his good friend, and Reigns was not sorry for it. Punk said that if Reigns cared about them, this company, and this business, then he’d be talking to him right now instead of talking to his Young Boys. Punk shoved Jey, so Jey shoved back, and Jimmy punched Punk in the face to knock him down. The Usos backed away while Punk was seated in the ring. The Usos left the ring, and Punk got back to his feet. That was the end of Raw.
Analysis: It was more of the same from last week, with CM Punk insulting Roman Reigns and saying he was a disrespectful guy, which you can see from Punk’s perspective. The Usos wanted this to be about respecting their late uncle Sika. I think WWE is trying to push the personal story to add to the Punk/Reigns match that is already a World Heavyweight Title match. It will pick up again next week when Reigns is back. Using The Usos in that spot worked, and I thought Jimmy came across better than Jey. Punk is such a great talker and I enjoy his promos a lot. Last week’s Punk/Reigns segment was better, but this one does help advance the story as Punk continues to refuse to back down against Reigns or his family.
This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes on Netflix.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Bayley and Iyo Sky
- Penta
- The Judgment Day
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The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 8
2026 Average: 7.53
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
A good Raw for the most part, but not as strong as last week, when I thought it was the best Raw of the year. This one just wasn’t as strong a card, and it was lacking big segments other than The Judgment Day turning on Finn Balor. I enjoyed that attack by J-Day on Balor and thought everybody did a good job in that segment.
I think two weeks in a row with a promo in the main event is a bad idea. We want matches in main event spots, so hopefully there are matches on last in future weeks.
The next WWE PLE is WrestleMania 42 on April 18 & April 19 in Las Vegas. Here’s the lineup so far:
* WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
* WWE Undisputed Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
* WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
* WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
There will be more matches added in the weeks ahead.
WrestleMania 42 will STREAM LIVE Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on ESPN in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport