The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 03/10/25 Review

It’s WWE Raw featuring a CM Punk-Seth Rollins Steel Cage match, an appearance by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and more.

We are on the road to WrestleMania for an MSG edition of Raw tonight. It feels like a big one. Last week’s Raw had a surprising title change when IYO SKY beat Rhea Ripley to become the Women’s World Champion. There were three main event match title changes in WWE last week since NXT had Shawn Spears beat Tony D’Angelo for the NXT North American Title and LA Knight won back the US Title from Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown. There are a lot of titles in WWE, so doing title changes on TV makes sense to me.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1659 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Women’s World Champion IYO SKY with Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and CM Punk. Michael Cole said there were over 19,000 fans in attendance.

Jey Uso was shown making his entrance while the fans were chanting “Yeet” for him and doing the arm swinging entrance. Jey made his way down the stairs while the fans did the arm-swinging “Yeet” motions on Jey’s way down to the ring. Jey will challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.

The commentary team was Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. They were doing the “Yeet” hand gestures with Jey as usual. Comedian Andrew Schulz was at ringside. I listen to Andrew’s podcast sometimes. He has a Netflix comedy special that I haven’t seen yet, but I will check it out soon.

Jey Uso vs. Grayson Waller (w/Austin Theory)

Waller hit a shoulder tackle, Jey came back with an elbow and Jey hit a body slam. Waller kicked Jey in the knee followed by punches. Waller sent Jey shoulder-first into the ring post. Jey avoided a charging attack, Jey hit a back splash and a step up enziguri. Jey clotheslined Waller over the top to the floor. Jey hit a suicide dive onto Waller on the floor. Theory grabbed Jey’s leg while the referee was looking at Waller, so Waller kicked Jey to the floor. Waller hit a clothesline while they were on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Waller worked on Jey with elbow strikes to the chest. Waller worked over Jey with punches. Jey tripped up Waller by the turnbuckle and Waller came back with a jumping knee. Waller set up Jey against the turnbuckle leading to a forearm to the back of the neck for two.

The match continued with Waller jumping off the middle turnbuckle with an elbow drop for two. Jey worked over Waller with punches along with a Samoan Drop. Jey hit a running hip attack on Waller against the turnbuckle. Jey jumped off the top after a distraction by Theory, so Waller avoided it. Jey hit a superkick, Waller came back with a neckbreaker into the ropes. Waller dove into the ring and hit a jumping flatliner for two as usual for that move. Waller hit Jey with forearms to the back. Waller nailed Jey with a forearm to the head. Jey came back with a superkick and Jey hit a superkick on Theory on the apron. Jey ran the ropes and hit a Spear for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jey Uso

Analysis: *** A solid match to give Jey a win on the road to WrestleMania. It was obvious who was going to win, but that’s okay because it’s important to have Jey build up momentum. Waller is technically sound, but they don’t really push him consistently with Theory. Sometimes Jey wins with an Uso Splash, but a Spear was enough to win this match.

After the match, Austin Theory attacked Jey with a forearm smash. Theory and Waller beat up Jey with stomps and punches. Jey sent Waller out of the ring with a back body drop over the top to the floor. Jey hit a Spear on Theory. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash on Theory.

Gunther, the World Heavyweight Champion, went into the ring behind Jey Uso and Gunther applied the sleeper while wrapping his legs around Jey’s waist as well, so Gunther took Jey down to the mat. Officials went into the ring to break it up while Jey sold it like he was knocked out. Gunther put his foot on Jey’s chest and the fans booed.

Analysis: There’s a cheap attack from Gunther on Jey Uso again We have seen that before, so it was more of the same from Gunther. I think Jey will beat Gunther at WrestleMania.

A video package aired about the Seth Rollins-CM Punk rivalry leading up to the Steel Cage Match on this week’s Raw. Great video as usual.

Ludwig Kaiser was featured in a video talking about how Penta was foolish for saying he had no fear. Kaiser said fear would have protected Penta and made him run away. Kaiser said Penta has chosen his fate so there’s no turning back. Kaiser told Penta nobody will remember his name while Kaiser is the fastest rising star in WWE. Kaiser informed Penta that for the first time in his career, he will know fear.

Penta responded in a video saying he’ll have a No Holds Barred Match with Kaiser next week on Raw in Belgium. Penta said that it would be the final chapter of Kaiser.

Analysis: That should be an awesome match next week. The feud has been built up well and I’m looking forward to the match.

Jey Uso was shown in the trainer’s room where Alpha Academy’s Otis, Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri checked on him. Jey told them he was alright.

Let’s Hear from Logan Paul and AJ Styles

Logan Paul made his entrance to huge boos from the crowd. Cole said there were 20,142 people there. That’s more than what Cole said earlier. A guy was wearing a “I hate Logan Paul” shirt, so Paul ripped the shirt off the guy. That’s a plant obviously.

Paul tried to talk in the ring, but the fans booed him loudly. Paul said that AJ Styles was supposed to call him out. Paul said he wanted to beat him to the punch because he doesn’t associate with guys like Styles. The crowd kept booing. Paul claimed he’s like The Rock and John Cena as guys who transcended sports entertainment while doing whatever it takes to get to the top. Paul trashed Cody Rhodes to turn down The Rock’s offer. Paul said it took John Cena 20 years to realize that nice guys finish last. Paul told The Rock that his soul was for sale and the fans kept booing. Paul said that he’s the celebrity and the talent. Paul mentioned guys like Andrew Schulz were there while claiming that talent recognizes talent. Paul left the ring to talk to Schulz. Schulz said he was there to see the Steel Cage Match. There’s TKO President Mark Shapiro in the front row as well. Schulz told Logan that nobody was there to see him. Schulz said this is not Cleveland, Ohio because this is New York City. Schulz said he wanted to see real wrestlers and he wants to see AJ Styles. Paul grabbed Schulz and lifted him over the barricade. Paul put Schulz into the ring. Paul teased a suplex on Schulz, but here is AJ Styles.

AJ Styles ran down to the ring with the fans cheering for him. Styles nailed Paul with a clothesline. Styles hit the springboard Phenomenal Forearm to knock Paul down in the ring. Paul rolled out of the ring while the fans chanted “AJ Styles” for the Phenomenal One.

Styles told Paul to come back to the ring because Styles wasn’t done with him. Styles told Paul to come fight because this is New York City. Paul kept on walking while Styles raised Schulz’s hands in the ring. AJ’s music played to end it.

Analysis: It was the typical Logan Paul promo being a jackass and getting heat because of it. Using Andrew Schulz in the segment worked in terms of making Paul look like a jerk for putting Schulz in the ring. AJ Styles making the save was an easy way to get cheered. This is likely going to lead to Styles against Paul at WrestleMania, but it’s not official yet.

A video aired showing Iyo Sky’s win over Rhea Ripley last week to capture the Women’s World Title.

The New Day made their entrance for tag team action. They went to a break for some fans as New Day finished their entrance. Kofi Kingston told the fans that they can’t boo them while Kofi took shots at the New York Jets and New York Giants. Xavier Woods said they’d bury the Knicks, but they are already dead. Kofi claimed the Brooklyn Nets were the money franchise in this town. Woods mentioned last week they were on vacation with their families while claiming the fans can never afford those vacations. Kofi said now they have to be in this city while insulting it. Woods wanted the fans to say “Thank God for The New Day.”

Analysis: Cheap heat promo by The New Day before their match.

It was announced that the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Friday, April 18th at the BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas at 9 p.m. PT. That is a late night show.

Analysis: This was announced earlier on Monday. It’s a 12 a.m. ET start time so I doubt I’m going to see the Hall of Fame ceremony live. It’s disappointing that WWE would put it on so late.

A video aired about TKO Group starting a boxing league with their Saudi Arabian rich guy partners.

The Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach was there along with boxer “King” Callum Walsh.

The NXT Champion Oba Femi was at ringside with his title. Oba is defending the NXT Title against TNA X-Division Champion Moose on NXT this Tuesday. That’s also in NYC. If you read my NXT reviews then you know I’m a big fan of Femi.

Tornado Tag Team Match: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. LWO – Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee

A Tornado Tag means that there are no tags. There are no disqualifications and no countouts. The first pinfall or submission wins.

Rey and Lee attacked the New Day guys leading to ten-punch combos against the turnbuckle. Rey and Lee each hit bulldogs. They left the ring where Rey sent Woods face first into the commentary table hood. Rey sent Woods into the ring post. Rey and Lee pulled out a table from under the ring, which the fans liked. Woods sent Rey into the ring post and Kofi sent Lee into the barricade. Woods put the table under the ring, so the fans booed that. Lee gave Kofi a back body drop on the floor. Rey sent Woods into the barricade. Rey hit a senton on Kofi and Lee knocked down Woods on the floor as well. The LWO set up the table on the floor. Woods tripped up Lee on the apron while Kofi sent Rey out of the ring. New Day sent Rey into the steel steps. New Day caught Lee and hit him with a Powerbomb on the floor. The show went to a break as the action continued. Woods sent Rey into the barricade. Kofi sent Fenix into the commentary table hood. Woods put Fenix into the ring while Pat said New Day were “assholes” and it wasn’t bleeped or anything like that. Woods hit a delayed vertical suplex on Lee. The New Day remained in control.

The action continued with Woods sending Rey out of the ring. Kofi tried to superplex Lee, but Rey was back up to trip Kofi on the turnbuckle. Woods was standing on the middle ropes so Rey hit a springboard hurricanrana. Lee hit a double foot stomp off the top onto Kofi, who was holding onto the ropes to stay in position to take that move. Lee gave Woods a hurricanrana off the apron through the table on the floor. Woods didn’t go perfectly through the table, but the table broke. Rey hit a springboard cross body block on Kofi for two. Rey hit a headscissors to send Kofi into the ropes leading to Rey hitting the 619 kick to knock Kofi down. Rey went up top and did a Frog Splash, but Kofi blocked with the knees for two because Lee made the save. Lee superkicked Kofi and Lee clotheslined Kofi out of the ring. Lee hit a somersault dive over the top onto Kofi on the floor. A masked man jumped off the barricade with a hurricanrana and a flying headbutt. The masked guy caught Rey and hit a delayed German Suplex. The masked guy said “Gracias” and Cole said the mask said “American Made” so obviously it was Chad Gable. The masked guy ran to the back to avoid the security guys. Kofi held Rey onto his knee in the ring while Woods went up top and hit a double foot stomp backbreaker. Woods covered Rey for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match full of action and it was fast-paced since it was a Tornado Tag Team Match. The interference from Chad Gable helped The New Day win even though we didn’t see Gable’s face. The New Day are the kind of heels that will take advantage of something like that, so the LWO guys were screwed out of the win. I’m all for it because I think The New Day should win matches like this. I really like heel New Day and want to see them as World Tag Team Champions soon.

This week on the WWE Raw Recap podcast will feature AJ Styles as a guest.

A video aired about Bron Breakker’s rivalry with Finn Balor picking up last week.

Finn Balor was shown in The Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Balor complained about Bron Breakker to Carlito. Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walked in to inform Finn that Raquel is against Bayley tonight. Dominik said he spoke to Adam Pearce for Balor to face Bron Breakker next week. Dominik said that Finn had to talk to Pearce to confirm the match. Finn hugged Dom and said thank you. Finn left. Liv wondered why Dom didn’t put himself in the IC Title match and Dom said that Finn has got this.

They showed WWE announcer Peter Rosenberg in the crowd. The rapper Fabolous was shown in the crowd. Macaulay Culkin was shown in the crowd. Huge pop for the Incredible Culk. He’s on the Netflix show Running Point. Culkin is always great on camera.

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance to a huge pop as usual. Cody was in a suit. They went to a break for some fans, so Cody walked around the ring without saying anything to kill the time during the break for some fans.

Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes still had a black eye around his left eye from the attack at Elimination Chamber nine days earlier. At WrestleMania 41, Cody will defend the WWE Title against John Cena.

Cody asked New York City what do you want to talk about? Cody said he was here because this is the home base for WWE, it’s the center of the pro wrestling universe, it’s the Garden. Cody said that his opponent John Cena (huge boos) is not here tonight although he’ll be at WrestleMania 41. Cody said that Cena told his inner circle consisting of Travis and “The Final Boss” The Rock that he wasn’t going to be here, but Cena will be on Raw in Brussels, Belgium next week. Cody said that Cena won the US Title in this building and won the Royal Rumble in MSG, but he can’t be with them tonight. Cody said that it was an easy decision for Cena just like it was an easy decision to kick somebody in the groin while you have backup. Cody said he didn’t begrudge Cena for being part time because that’s better than most people full time. The fans chanted “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” loudly. Cody told the fans to let Cena hear it. Cody spoke about how Cena went to X saying “Have the discipline to do what needs to be done even if you don’t feel like it.” Cody called Cena a “God Damn moron” while ranting about people telling you what to do.

Cody said here’s a stat that will never be. Cody said that the stat is 17. Cody said that 17 does not happen, but what does happen is that he gets the heartbreaking privilege of beating his hero in his last chance while he finds out what the rest of you already know that Cody is the captain now. Cody said goodnight after that. It was emphasized by Cole that Cena will be on Raw next week.

Analysis: A good promo from Cody Rhodes as usual. The big news was Cody telling us that John Cena would be on Raw next week. We already knew that, but it’s smart to emphasize it.

The Raquel Rodriguez-Bayley match was next so there was some backstage. As Bayley walked backstage, Natalya was taking to Maxxine Dupri again just like last week.

Lyra Valkyria, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion, was interviewed by Jacie Redmond in the upper deck in the arena. This was during a break for some fans. Lyra said that Ivy Nile is a horrible person, but she’s very good. Jackie asked about the Bayley-Raquel match next. Lyra said she wanted to right the wrong because Bayley had beaten her in the past and Lyra would be watching the match. The entrances took place after that.

They showed actress Ali Ahn at ringside. They also showed women from the “Selling the City” show on Netflix. A rapper named Rich the Kid was at ringside too. Boxer Amanda Serrano was at ringside too.

Raquel Rodriguez (w/Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio) vs. Bayley

Raquel is one half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions with Morgan. Raquel was in control early with a shoulder tackle to knock Bayley down. Bayley tried an armdrag, but Raquel blocked it and hit two shoulder tackles. Bayley hit a boot to the head. Bayley hit a deep arm drag off the ropes. Raquel caught Bayley and spun Bayley around the ring. Raquel hit a fallaway slam. Bayle hit a knee to the jaw followed by a splash against the turnbuckle. Raquel was by the apron, so Bayley hit an elbow drop to the back. They went to a break for some fans as I’ll take a break for a few minutes. It was Raquel in control during the break. That’s not a surprise since the heels are usually in control during the break.

There was a leg drop attempt on the apron by Raquel, but Bayley moved so Raquel hit the apron. Bayley hit a neckbreaker followed by a running knee. Bayley jumped off the turnbuckle with a neckbreaker. Bayley hit a sliding clothesline on Raquel for two. Raquel tossed Bayley across the ring. Bayley got a rollup for two along with a running knee to the jaw. Bayley went up top and she hit the top rope elbow drop for two. Bayley sent Raquel face first into the turnbuckle. Bayley hit a belly-to-back suplex for two. Bayley sent Raquel out of the ring. Bayley kicked Raquel to the floor. Raquel hit Bayley with a forearm smash. Bayley sent Raquel face first into the ring post. Dominik went on the apron, the referee admonished him, Liv grabbed Bayley’s leg and Bayley knocked Dom off the apron. Bayley dove onto Raquel, who caught Bayley and Raquel slammed Bayley onto the hood of the commentary table. Bayley managed to get back in the ring before the ten count. Raquel nailed Bayley with a boot. Raquel hit a Texana Bomb for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Raquel Rodriguez

Analysis: *** It was an even matchup most of the way until Dom and Liv got involved When that happened, Bayley wasn’t able to hit her dive on Raquel on time and Raquel managed to overpower Bayley after that. The crowd wasn’t into it the whole way, but they reacted to the final minutes.

The win means that Raquel Rodriguez will get a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title.

Chad Gable was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Chad claimed he wasn’t the one who attacked the LWO guys. Kelley mentioned Gable is wearing the same thing that the guy was wearing at ringside. Gable said that security should have stopped the guy before he got involved. In the background, they showed security escorting a guy out of the building who was wearing the mask that we saw earlier. Chad said New York security was pathetic.

Analysis: Heels lie. It made me laugh, so that’s good.

Iyo Sky was shown walking backstage for an interview up next. While she walked, Ludwig Kaiser was talking to Dominik Mysterio in the background.

There was a video promo from Bron Breakker talking about how he’s going to fight Finn Balor for Bron’s Intercontinental Title. Bron said that everybody knows Finn and what he’s accomplished. Bron said that now Finn is a threat to Bron, so Finn will have an out of body experience. Bron said he’ll beat Finn Balor bad because the champ in him respects Balor, but the dog in him smells fear and that is a threat. This aired during a break for some fans.

They showed actor William Jackson Harper. There was also a writer named Kris Diaz in the crowd. Actor Josh Segarra was also shown and he was wearing a Steiner Brothers shirt. Rapper Nardo Wick was at ringside. I didn’t know who any of them were. They don’t know me probably, so we’re even.

Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair Interview

The Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky made her entrance after winning the title last week on Raw. Michael Cole was in the ring to interview Sky. When Cole asked how Sky felt, the fans chanted “You deserve it” for the champion. Sky said that it’s a dream to be here in Madison Square Garden as the champion. Sky said she proved that the impossible is possible. Sky said now she’s over the moon to be champion going to WrestleMania. Cole introduced Sky’s WrestleMania opponent, the Elimination Chamber match winner Bianca Belair.

Bianca Belair made her entrance to join Sky in the ring. Belair said that she was so excited for them to go to WrestleMania. Cole said that Belair got involved with Rhea Ripley last week, so Cole wondered if Belair wasn’t out there last week then perhaps Ripley would still be the champion. Belair said she was there to find out her WrestleMania opponent. Belair said if Ripley thinks that she would put her hands on Belair and think it would be okay then Ripley doesn’t know her at all. Here’s the interruption as Cole left the ring.

Rhea Ripley walked down to the ring wondering what was the reason why Bianca Belair was there. Belair said she won the Elimination Chamber. Ripley wondered what Belair wanted by being out there. Ripley said that maybe it was because she was scared of Ripley because she couldn’t beat Ripley. Rhea told Belair to let Ripley handle her business with Iyo while Belair handled her business with Naomi and Jade, so the fans did an “ooohhh” reaction to that. Belair said that Ripley was mad that Belair clapped for Sky. Belair said that Ripley knows she can’t beat Sky. Ripley said that Belair was hiding behind Iyo as she hid behind Naomi and Jade. Both women shoved Sky in the face, so Sky slapped Ripley and Sky slapped Belair too. The fans popped for that and chanted “IYO” for Sky. The champion Sky left the ring as her music played.

Analysis: I mentioned last week after the title change that it seemed like they would have a women’s triple threat at WrestleMania 41 and I think it’s obvious now. There were some good lines from both women. Ripley brought up Belair’s issues with Jade & Naomi lately, which drew strong reactions from the crowd. I like how the segment ended with Sky making it clear to the other two women that she won’t be an afterthought.

Next week on Raw in Brussels, Belgium with a 3 p.m. ET start time on Netflix:

* Cody Rhodes & John Cena under one roof

* No Holds Barred: Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser

* Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory

* Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile

* Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor

Analysis: It’s a solid lineup.

It was main event time as Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance with the fans singing along with his song. The steel cage was being lowered around the ring. They went to a break for some fans as Rollins went around the ring to greet some fans and kill a few minutes. Rollins went into the ring as his music continued to play.

The Women’s NXT North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer and NXT Women’s Champion Giulia were shown at ringside since they have a Title vs. Title match on NXT this Tuesday night.

CM Punk made his entrance to a huge ovation. The fans were chanting his name before his music played. Punk beat Rollins two months ago on Raw and now it’s a Steel Cage Match.

Steel Cage Match: CM Punk vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins

You can win by pinfall, submission or escaping the cage. It started at 10:03 p.m. ET so they should get plenty of time.

Rollins and Punk got into a slugfest to start the match. They threw a lot of punches as soon as Punk got in there. Loud “CM Punk” chants from the crowd. They continued throwing punches for about two minutes to start the match. Rollins chopped Punk, so Punk chopped Rollins in response. They exchanged punches. Punk lifted up Rollins, but Rollins escaped and Rollins gave Punk a Buckle Bomb into the steel cage. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Rollins gave Punk another Buckle Bomb into the cage so it was Punk going back first into the cage. Punk had visible bruises on his back. Rollins sent Punk into the cage a few times. The fans chanted “CM Punk/Let’s go Rollins” as Rollins hit a cross body block on Punk into the cage. Rollins hit a running shoulder tackle to hit Punk into the cage. Rollins dropkicked Punk into the cage. Rollins grinded Punk’s face against the cage.

The match continued with Rollins in control as he continued to push Punk’s face against the cage. Rollins stomped on the ribs. Punk did a middle finger gesture and the screen went to black briefly. Really, Netflix? Anyway, Rollins went for a move, but Punk countered to send Rollins into the cage. Punk hit a Go To Sleep hitting the knee to the head. Punk didn’t go for a cover while Cole made the point that neither man has gone for the cover. Punk hit a running knee. Punk hit a knee to the back to send Rollins crashing into the cage. Rollins told Punk to walk out if he wanted, so Rollins did a middle finger response (black screen again) and Punk hit a neckbreaker. Punk hit Rollins with a few elbow drops. Punk jumped off the top with an elbow drop. Punk went up top and hit another elbow drop. The fans chanted “One more time” so Punk went up top and hit a third elbow drop. There’s the first pin attempt of the match for a two count. Punk climbed to the top rope, then he climbed to the top of the cage and Punk could have climbed down, but instead he stood on top of the cage. Rollins went to the top of the cage where they exchanged punches and chops. Punk held onto a cable from the ceiling and Punk kicked Rollins. Rollins kicked Punk to crotch him on the top. Rollins held Punk on the top rope and Rollins gave Punk a superplex for a two count. That’s a bigger than normal superplex since Punk’s legs were at the top of the cage. The fans chanted “holy shit” for that with good reason. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Rollins and Punk exchanged punches. Rollins blocked a GTS, Rollins went for a Pedigree, Punk countered and Punk hit a GTS for one…two…no because Rollins kicked out. It was just a two count. Punk signaled for the GTS, he went for it and Rollins countered it into an STF. That’s the move that John Cena used to beat Punk at Elimination Chamber. Punk broke the hold leading to the Anaconda Vice submission. Rollins did an eye gouge to break free. Rollins hit The Stomp on Punk for one…two…no because Punk kicked out. Rollins teased a Stomp off the turnbuckle, but Punk tripped up Rollins and Punk hit a third GTS for two. After taking about 30 seconds to reground, Punk lifted up Seth’s head and hit The Stomp on Rollins for two. Punk thought about walking out the cage. Rollins said that if you want to take this from him, “Take it from me, you asshole.” Punk hit a running knee to knock Rollins down. Rollins countered Punk doing a move, so Rollins hit a GTS of his own. Rollins hit The Stomp for the one…two…and no! Punk kicked out. Great nearfall. Rollins went to the middle turnbuckle and Rollins hit a Super Stomp on Punk. The fans were going crazy, so there was Roman Reigns to pull Rollins out of the ring. That meant that Rollins won the match. The match lasted about 22 minutes.

Winner by escaping the cage: Seth Rollins

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was an outstanding match. You don’t see that many matches on Raw that are this good. There was a screwy finish with Reigns helping Rollins win by pulling Rollins out of the cage. That will give Punk a legit gripe because Rollins really didn’t beat him. There were a lot of finishing moves and kickouts throughout the match. That built up the anticipation well. The crowd was into it the entire time with Punk getting most of their support, but they liked Rollins too. You don’t need to bleed a lot in a cage match or use weapons to put over the brutality. I think they did a nice job of making this feel like a fight from the moment it began.

After the match was over, Reigns hit a Superman Punch and Spear on Rollins on the floor. Reigns sent Rollins into the barricade. Reigns gave Rollins The Stomp on the floor. The fans popped for that while chanting “OTC” for Reigns, the Original Tribal Chief. Reigns put Seth’s head against the steel steps, but WWE Officials went to ringside to stomp Reigns from doing more damage.

Reigns looked in the ring where he saw Paul Heyman checking on CM Punk. Reigns didn’t seem to like that. Reigns went into the ring and threw Punk into the cage two times. Reigns hit a Spear on Punk. The fans chanted “OTC” for Reigns. Reigns held up the finger in the air. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: Bring on the WrestleMania triple threat between Rollins, Reigns and Punk. It’s obvious that is coming based on what happened at the Royal Rumble and what happened here. I expected Roman Reigns to return on this Raw in MSG, so it made sense that it would be to get revenge on Rollins because Rollins attacked Reigns at the Royal Rumble, which was the last time we saw Reigns over a month ago. They escalated the story by having Reigns brutally attack Rollins on the floor and also going after Punk, who did nothing wrong except he was in the wrong place at the wrong time by being in the ring. The triple threat match at WrestleMania should be amazing whenever it becomes official.

This week’s Raw runtime was 2 hours, 30 minutes. That has been the usual length for most Raw episodes in the Netflix era.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Seth Rollins
2. CM Punk
3. The New Day/Roman Reigns

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The Scoreboard

7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

2025 Average: 7.45

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

I liked the show thanks to the great main event match by Seth Rollins and CM Punk. They got a lot of time and it didn’t end with a decisive finish, but it was still an excellent match. Roman Reigns made his presence felt by attacking Rollins & Punk, so it should set them up for the triple threat match at WrestleMania. That will be fun to watch.

We also saw the story progress for the Sky/Belair/Ripley triple threat match at WrestleMania as well. That one should be tremendous also.

There were other solid matches and some pretty good promos too. Maybe they could have done a few more big moments, but overall I liked Raw from MSG. I think the NYC crowd liked it too, especially the finish.

The next WWE PLE is WrestleMania 41 on April 19 & April 20 in Las Vegas. Here is the lineup.

* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena

* WWE Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bianca Belair

* WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Jey Uso

* WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

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

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport