Reviews

The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 03/30/26 Review

By John Canton • Published Mar 30, 2026 22:28 EDT
WWE Raw Deal March 30
WWE Raw Deal March 30 - Images via WWE.com

It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring a CM Punk-Roman Reigns confrontation, two Tag Team Title matches, an IC Title match, and a whole lot more.

This feels like a bigger-than-usual episode of Monday Night Raw since it’s from the historic Madison Square Garden, with three title matches advertised for the show. Last week’s Raw saw Roman Reigns beat up CM Punk in the main event segment as Reigns put Punk through a table with a Powerbomb.

Earlier today, we learned that John Cena will return to WWE as the host of WrestleMania 42, possibly to help boost ticket sales since they are progressing more slowly this year compared to last year for Cena’s final WrestleMania match. I think the WrestleMania card is quite strong so far, but more matches need to be announced. WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18 and 19, so we are less than three weeks away from the biggest event of the year.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1714 of Monday Night Raw, taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was pre-show walking shown of CM Punk, Nia Jax & Lash Legend, and Oba Femi. It was a packed house at MSG.

It was Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.

The suit-wearing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance even though he’s a SmackDown guy. It’s an MSG show, it’s WrestleMania, and there are no strict rules about wrestlers exclusively being on one show.

Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes asked New York City: “What do you wanna talk about?” The music of Stephanie McMahon hit as a surprise. The 2026 WWE Hall of Famer Stephanie McMahon made her way down to the ring.

After Stephanie joined Cody in the ring, Cody said he was surprised to see her there. Stephanie said she’s a McMahon and this was the house her grandfather built, Madison Square Garden. Cody asked Stephanie what she wanted to talk about. Stephanie said she wants to talk about Cody, Randy Orton and WrestleMania.

Stephanie said that she used to sit right over there and Andre The Giant would squeeze her leg as he went to the ring. Stephanie said that Cody, Randy, and she are multi-generational, so they know how it works in this business. Stephanie said that Cody chose to take the golden path and stayed true to himself. Stephanie said that Cody thinks that he can bring out the best in people. Stephanie said you can’t bring out the best with this version of Randy Orton. Stephanie told Cody that this version of Randy is diabolical. Stephanie said you had to think like Randy and Cody’s father, Dusty Rhodes, could get dirty with the best of them. Stephanie said that what she has seen so far, Cody isn’t his father. Stephanie claimed this version of Cody can’t beat this version of Randy and he has no idea who he is dealing with. There were “Randy” chants.

Cody Rhodes said that the last thing he would ever want is to be rude to Stephanie. Cody said she knows everything about Orton that became the coal that became the diamond, he became the youngest World Champion, punting heads off, and he was doing stuff so vile that they can’t show it today. Cody said he knows some of that stuff was to Stephanie. Cody said that he ceased to be the student because he took care of Orton. Cody said that he had to turn the volume down in the car to make sure he could hear Orton breathing since he would pass out sometimes. Cody said that if you want to talk about fathers, he is not his father, and Stephanis is not her father.

Stephanie slapped Cody in the face! Stephanie said she was there to help him. Stephanie said that Randy isn’t just listening to the voices in his head. Stephanie said that Orton loves what he is telling them. Stephanie said it appears that Orotn is listening to somebody else as well. Stephanie said, unless you think like Randy, you will lose that title. Stephanie said that WrestleMania will be the last time Cody is introduced as the Undisputed WWE Champion. Stephanie was about to leave, but Cody spun her around.

Cody told Stephanie that he’s got two words for you. The crowd chanted, “Suck it.” Cody said, “Thank you.” Cody left the ring, and Stephanie had a smirk on her face.

Analysis: That was awesome. We didn’t expect to see Cody or Stephanie on the show, so that was a nice surprise. Cole called it awesome “tough love” from Stephanie, and I think that’s a great way to summarize it. I liked so many of the lines used by Stephanie talking about how dangerous Randy Orton is and warning Cody Rhodes that he has to be more sadistic to beat this version of Orton. I think this might lead to a Cody-Orton brawl next time they are together on SmackDown, and Cody will show more intensity to show he can match what heel Orton does.

Raw GM Adam Pearce was backstage talking to IShowSpeed, who wondered where “he” was. It was Danhausen, who appeared behind Speed, who claimed he was cursed. Danhausen suggested a payment for it and Speed said no. They didn’t get it resolved. Pearce said he got Speed front row seats for The Usos against The Vision. LA Knight said that he was going to be a guest announcer for The Usos match. While this was going on, Kofi Kingston was talking to Je’Von Evans in the background.

The Usos made their entrance as the World Tag Team Champions. They have a new theme song, which makes sense since Jey’s “Just Me Uce” song didn’t make sense for a tag team. Jey also didn’t do Yeeting with the fans. The music stopped, then the music hit and the Yeeting began. This was during a break. LA Knight made his entrance as the guest announcer for this match.

WWE World Tag Team Championships Street Fight: The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory

There are no countouts and no disqualifications. You win by getting the pinfall or submission in the ring. There are no tags in this match.

Jimmy knocked Theory down and Theory left the ring. The Usos knocked Paul with a double back elbow. Jey ran the ropes and jumped over the top onto The Vision on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. The Vision was able to take control and they teased using a table because the fans wanted it, but then they put the table under the ring. Theory and Paul attacked both Usos with kendo stick shots to the body. Theory sent Jimmy into the steel steps. Theory brought a table into the ring as Paul hit Jimmy with a kendo stick shot to the back.

The Vision was in control as Paul and Theory kept The Usos down with trash can shots to the back. The Usos avoided a double team attack, so each Uso hit a superkick. The Usos hit a double superkick on Paul while a trash can was on his head. Jimmy hit Theory in the back with a trash can. The Usos used kendo sticks to beat up Theory while a trash can was on Theory’s head. The Usos set up a Slim Jim table in the ring. Jimmy superkicked Theory. The Usos hit a double superplex on Theory through the table in the ring. The fans chanted, “Holy shit” for that. Paul went over to his mom and she handed him brass knuckles. LA Knight went after Paul and punched him. Paul pulled IShowSpeed into the ringside area. Knight sent Paul into the ring post. Speed put the brass knuckles on his fist, Knight turned him around and Speed punched Knight with the brass knuckles. The fans chanted, “You F**ked up” at Speed, so Speed left. Speed put the brass knuckles on the apron, so Paul put the brass knuckles on. Jimmy ducked a punch, and The Usos hit double superkicks on Paul. The Usos hit a double superkick on Theory and a Spear by Jey. Jey went up top, but Paul punched Jimmy with the brass knuckles to the head. Jey jumped onto Paul on the floor. Theory put his left arm across Jimmy’s chest for the cover and the 1…2…3! Jey was too late for the save. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions: The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory

Analysis: ***1/4 A surprising title change that was controversial due to the chaos at ringside and Logan Paul’s brass knuckles shot on Jimmy, while Theory used one arm to cover for the cheap win. The Usos did a nice job of working together and looking like they might win a few times during the match, but they weren’t able to get the job done. There have been several title changes in the last few weeks, and I thought this one was possible, but I didn’t predict it.

After the match, Logan Paul and Austin Theory raised the hand of IShowSpeed in the aisle for helping him. Paul told Speed that they are going to try to kill him, so Paul told Speed to stick with them.

Analysis: That makes me think they might do a 6-man tag team match at WrestleMania with LA Knight and The Usos against Paul, Theory, and Speed, who would be in his first match. I don’t know if that’s the plan, but it’s possible.

A video package recapped last week’s Roman Reigns-CM Punk drama that led to Reigns putting Punk through the commentary table.

Liv Morgan made her entrance for a promo. They went on a break for some fans as Liv posed in the ring for a few minutes. They recapped last week when Stephanie Vaquer attacked Liv Morgan to continue their rivalry.

They showed celebrities in the crowd, like comedian Jeff Ross and actor/producer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Let’s Hear from Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan bragged about being the greatest Royal Rumble winner of all time. Liv called Stephanie Vaquer a “bitch” and wondered why Vaquer sneak attacked her every chance she can get. Liv said she thinks Vaquer is cared. Liv said she knows Vaquer is proud of where she comes from, but this is where Liv comes from, and where she comes from is on sight. Liv talked about what her mother taught her about fighting and trash-talked Vaquer in Spanish (calling her a “puta”), so Vaquer made her entrance.

Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance as the Women’s World Champion, and Vaquer went into the ring for a fight. Vaquer knocked Liv down with a superkick to the head. Vaquer grabbed a steel chair and Roxanne Perez came back to help her buddy Liv with a cheap attack on Vaquer. Liv hit an Oblivion on Vaquer onto a steel chair. Liv called Vaquer a “stupid bitch” and Liv celebrated with Perez. Nobody tried to help Vaquer.

Analysis: A quick segment to bring back Roxanne Perez after she missed several weeks. Liv’s promo wasn’t long, but it was impactful, and I liked it. This Vaquer/Morgan feud has been okay for the last few weeks. I like them both.

A recap was shown of the Steh Rollins/Paul Heyman segment last week.

The Vision’s Logan Paul and Austin Theory were backstage talking to IShowSpeed. Speed said he didn’t mean to help them. Logan said they had real enemies now. Paul Heyman walked in to say that Speed would be fine. Heyman told Paul and Theory to take Speed out for dinner. Heyman was alone and said that The Usos are going to kill Speed. Raw GM Adam Pearce asked Heyman if he checked his email today. Heyman said were you asking him out on a date and Pearce said there’s something wrong with you. Heyman said you can put that in a memo and send an email. Heyman left.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria made their entrance for tag team action. They went on a break there. The Irresistible Forces made their entrance as the champions.

Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

Lash knocked down Bayley with a shoulder tackle, and Jax tagged in with a clothesline. Bayley broke free to bring in Lyra, who hit two dropkicks in a row. Lash tagged in and Lash sent Lyra into the turnbuckle. Lash tried a splash, Lyra moved, and Bayley tagged in for a double team dropkick on Lash. Lash came back with an elbow on Lyra. After Lyra broke free, Bayley tagged in against Jax and hit Jax with a suicide dive. Lyra tagged in as Bayley hit a cross body block on Jax on the floor and Lyra dropkicked Lash on the other side. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued with Jax taking over with a body slam on Lyra. The heels dominated for a few minutes.

The champions were in control of Lyra as Jax knocked Bayley off the apron. Jax hit a Samoan Drop on Lyra for two. Lash got the tag, Lyra hit an enziguri kick to the head and Lyra countered a move with a DDT into the mat. Bayley tagged in with an elbow to Lash’s back for a two count. Lash came back with a pump kick on Bayley and Jax tagged in with a leg drop for two. Jax went to the turnbuckle, Bayley punched Jax in the back and Bayley hit a Powerbomb that drew a big pop since Jax is hard to lift. Lyra tagged in with a moonsault on Jax for two because Lash broke up the pin. Lash punched Bayley, Lyra hit Lash with a strike and Lash hit a running uppercut. All four women were down on the floor. The Bella Twins walked out to ringside and Nikki looked okay after spraining her ankle. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss also walked down to ringside. Lyra left the ring and then Jax threw Lyra into Charlotte and Alexa. Lash hit Brie from behind and sent Nikki into the ring post. Bayley jumped onto Lash, who tackled Bayley into the ring apron. Jax hit a headbutt/spinebuster on Lyra. Flair and Bliss attacked Jax, so the fans booed the DQ. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by disqualification: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend

Analysis: *** They were on their way to a pretty good match, and I enjoyed it, but I’m not surprised by the lack of a clean finish. We know where this story is going with the women’s tag teams. I think they could have booked the finish a bit better here.

The four women’s tag teams were fighting in the ring as the babyfaces worked together to knock Jax and Legend out of the ring. Nia and Lash had their titles on the floor while the other three teams were in the ring.

Analysis: It’s obviously going to be a 4-team match for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania, so it’s just a matter of time until they officially announce it.

A video aired recapping the Oba Femi/Brock Lesnar feud so far. Oba has dominated Lesnar twice in physical confrontations. Brock Lesnar is up next.

Danhausen appeared in a segment during the break. Danhausen claimed he was the world’s most famous wrestler in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Danhausen announced that WWE will return to MSG on July 18th for Saturday Night’s Main Event. The fans cheered. Danhausen revealed Canonhausen 2.0 and shot t-shirts into the crowd. Danhausen ended it with his line: “You are cursed.”

Analysis: Riveting as usual. I’d better say that or else I’ll be cursed. I have a family member getting married on July 18th, so I won’t see that show live.  Just saying.

Let’s Hear from Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman

Brock Lesnar made his entrance in his wrestling trunks and gloves, looking for a fight. Lesnar was with his advocate, Paul Heyman. Heyman put over Lesnar as the real main event of WrestleMania. Heyman said two weeks ago that Lesnar was distracted by Seth Rollins and caught off guard by Oba Femi. Heyman claimed that last week, Oba Femi picked a fight when Lesnar wanted a confrontation. Heyman said that tonight, Lesnar is dressed to fight. Heyman has said he’s seen this happen for 25 years in WWE and UFC. Heyman said that when a man locks eyes with Lesnar, they piss themselves and they need to be mopped up. Heyman kept on ranting, so Lesnar grabbed the microphone: “Enough. Oba Femi, get your ass out here right now!”

Raw GM Adam Pearce walked out with the small security guys and said that Pearce had to preserve his WrestleMania matches. Pearce said please as he asked Lesnar to leave the ring.

The lights went out and here comes Oba Femi with his incredible entrance that the fans love. The fans shouted during Oba’s entrance as Oba walked out in his wrestling gear and did his strut on the way to the ring. The fans chanted “Oba” for Femi. There were five security guys who went after Femi, and Oba knocked them all down. Femi tossed another security guy down. Pearce got in Femi’s face and Femi shoved Pearce into the barricade. Nice bump by former wrestler Pearce.

Femi circled the ring as the fans chanted “Oba” and Cole correctly stated that the Garden was rocking. Femi walked around the whole ring until he finally got in there with Lesnar. The fans chanted “Holy S**t” for Femi facing off with Lesnar. Triple H walked down to the ring and got into the ring with both guys. The fans chanted, “Let them fight.” Triple H yelled at Heyman to get Lesnar out of there. Triple H told Lesnar and Femi that WrestleMania is where it happens. Lesnar told Femi he’s going to end him. Lesnar picked up a poor security guy on the floor and gave him an F5. That looked like a painful landing for that poor guy.

Analysis: It’s the idea of leaving the crowd wanting more and avoiding physicality until WrestleMania. I know that fans want to see Femi and Lesnar fight, but I think it’s smart for WWE to save it. If every match at WrestleMania has wrestlers brawling on the show, it gets repetitive. Save it and leave the fans wanting more.

A Finn Balor video aired. Balor said that The Judgment Day ran Raw for four years, and along the way, he made some bad decisions. Balor said he thought he could help Dominik Mysterio. Balor said that when Dom turned his back on his father, Balor was the one who stepped up for Dom. Balor said that Dom lost the Intercontinental Title because he’s a self-entitled jackass. Balor admitted he helped create that jackass Dom, so he is responsible for destroying Dominik at WrestleMania.

Analysis: There’s the Finn Balor-Dominik Mysterio match being set for WrestleMania, finally. I like that. There’s a history between them, and it makes sense as a WrestleMania match.

Penta made his entrance for his Intercontinental Title defense. Kofi Kingston’s entrance was next.

Intercontinental Championship: Penta vs. Kofi Kingston (w/Grayson Waller)

It started out with each man hitting strikes. Kofi kicked Penta, but when Kofi tried a leap off the top, Penta hit a double knee counter for a two count. Penta hit a jumping kick, followed by a handstand dropkick on Kofi for two. Kofi got some offense going with a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle. Penta hit a jumping kick to the head. Penta went for a move on the apron, and Kofi hit a back body drop on the apron. They went on a break for some fans as Kofi was in control of the action during the break.

Kofi was the heel in control as the match returned, but Penta came back with a facebuster into the mat. Kofi hit a SOS trip into a slam for a two count, as usual for that move. Kofi connected with a leg drop to the back of the head. Waller grabbed Penta and put him into the ring. Kofi yelled at Waller and said he wanted to do this on his own. Kofi called Waller a “dummy” at one point. Kofi jumped over the top, Penta caught him and Penta slammed Kofi onto the commentary table. Waller told Kofi he might have needed Waller, so Penta gave Waller a Mexican Destroyer on the floor. Back in the ring, Penta jumped off the top, and Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise, but Penta kicked out at two. Good nearfall since that is Kofi’s finisher. Kofi went for a superplex, Penta sent Kofi face first into the mat and Penta jumped off the turnbuckle with a Mexican Destroyer for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Penta

Analysis: ***1/4 An entertaining match between two talented veterans who can do a lot of cool moves in a match like that. Kofi getting that nearfall after Trouble in Paradise was a good spot because it was a way to show that Kofi came close to winning. I didn’t expect a title change, so having Penta retain was the right move.

After the match, Penta was interviewed in the ring by Jackie Redmond, who asked Penta what he had in mind for WrestleMania. Penta said he talked to Adam Pearce and said it’s done. Penta said that at WrestleMania, his title is hanging above the ring. Penta said that at WrestleMania, it will be a  Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title. Penta said, “Cero Miedo” to end it.

Analysis: There’s a Ladder Match added to the WrestleMania card. I like that a lot.

Raw GM Adam Pearce spoke to Paul Heyman backstage. Pearce asked where Lesnar was. Heyman said that Lesnar was. Pearce asked Heyman about his emails, and Heyman doesn’t like emails. Lesnar asked if Heyman smelled anything and Heyman said he smelled the stench of the Raw GM. Heyman left for a promo.

Dominik Mysterio walked out for a promo by the entrance area. This was during the break for some fans. Dominik said he should still be the Intercontinental Champion. Dominik said that Finn Balor cost him his title. Dominik said that at WrestleMania, there will be one man standing tall – Dominik Mysterio.

Let’s Hear from Paul Heyman

Paul Heyman was in the ring for a promo. Heyman bragged about Logan Paul and Austin Theory winning the WWE Tag Team Titles. Heyman said he tried doing something for you. Heyman said he tried to give you Brock Lesnar against Oba Femi, but the wannabe suck up, middle manager Adam Pearce stopped it.

Adam Pearce walked out with a microphone, asking if Heyman checked his email today. Heyman ranted, so Pearce filled him in. Pearce said that the Boston Police Department dropped all charges against Seth Rollins. Heyman said he’s a native New Yorker, and he fears no man. Heyman said he’s the last manager standing from the 1980s and the last promoter standing from the 1990s. The fans chanted “ECW” for that. Pearce said that if you read your emails, then you know that as of this very second, Seth “Freakin” Rollins is medically cleared to compete.

The music of Seth Rollins played. Seth Rollins was in the ring behind Heyman and Rollins hit Heyman with a chair shot to the back. Rollins set up Heyman for more, but Gunther arrived at ringside and he pulled Rollins out of the ring. Rollins applied a Sleeper on Rollins on the commentary table, and Rollins sold it like he was passing out. Gunther pointed at the WrestleMania sign and basically challenged Rollins to a WrestleMania match. Gunther had some blood on his head, so somebody bled somewhere during that interaction. Gunther left on his own without checking on Heyman, so I don’t think they are aligned.

Analysis: It’s been several weeks since we saw Gunther, so now he’s back, and it obviously sets up the Gunther-Seth Rollins match at WrestleMania in a matchup of former World Champions. I think WWE was hoping Bron Breakker would be able to be ready against Rollins, but I don’t think Bron will be ready, so they are going with the Gunther-Rollins match instead. That’s certainly fine with me because they are two top guys, and it’s a fresh matchup. I don’t think that Gunther coming out in that spot means he is joining The Vision or being managed by Paul Heyman. I think it’s Gunther against Rollins, who isn’t going to be retiring any time soon, but it’s a matchup between former World Champions.

A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired. Raquel Rodriguez and Iyo Sky made their entrances for their match.

There was a recap of Gunther’s attack on Seth Rollins.

They showed Netflix Sports’ Elle Duncan and her family at ringside.

Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Raquel attacked Sky with repeated shoulder tackles to the ribs. Sky went for a hurricanrana, Raquel blocked it and Sky broke free. Sky tripped up Raquel and hit a dropkick into the ropes. Sky sent Raquel out of the ring and Sky jumped onto her, but Raquel caught Sky. Raquel hit a lefty clothesline on the floor. Raquel knocked down Sky with a shoulder tackle. Sky ran the ropes and Raquel hit her with a boot to the face. Sky countered Raquel with a hurricanrana into the turnbuckle. Raquel was on the floor, so Sky hit a moonsault off the middle turnbuckle onto Raquel on the floor. They went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break too.

The match continued with Sky getting some momentum after a dropkick. Sky hit a Bullet Train knee attack against the turnbuckle. Sky went up top and jumped off with a moonsault, but Raquel got her feet up. Raquel hit a Pounce-like move on Sky for a two count. Sky countered Raquel with a hurricanrana, followed by a stomp to the body for two. Kairi Sane and Asuka went down to the ring. Sane was on the apron, Sky was wondering what she was doing and Raquel went for a kick, but Sky moved and Raquel kicked Sane off the apron onto Asuka. Sky hit a kick on Raquel. Sky went up top and hit a Tornado DDT on Raquel. Sky hit another Bullet Train knee on Raquel. Asuka was yelling at Sane, so Sky hit a suicide dive on Asuka and Sky landed on her head/neck on the floor. Sky tried to explain to Sane that she did this for her. Raquel picked up Sky and hit a Tejana Bomb on Sky for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Raquel Rodriguez

Analysis: *** A solid match with a cheap finish due to the presence of Asuka and Sane on the floor, which ultimately cost Sky the match. Raquel Rodriguez picking up the win was just a way to put her over as a heel, capitalizing on the chaos. I wish there was a better story for Sky going into WrestleMania, but you can’t push everybody all the time. It’s a deep roster.

The Intercontinental Title Ladder Match was announced as Penta defending against Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev and JD McDonagh. It sounds like there will be more guys added to it, but I’m not sure.

Finn Balor against Dominik Mysterio is official for WrestleMania as well.

The Fatal 4-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship Match is official for WrestleMania: Irresistible Forces vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bella Twins vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

Analysis: Finally announced. Thank you, WWE.

A clip was shown of John Cena announcing on social media that he’s going to be the host of WrestleMania 42.

Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Vic Joseph in the skybox area. This was during a break. Evans said three times: “I’m going to WrestleMania!” The fans cheered. Evans said his late grandmother would tell him to have fun. Evans said he’s ready to get wicked. Evans said he’s excited and that boy is bouncy.

Raw GM Adam Pearce was interviewed by Jackie Redmond. Pearce said that Seth Rollins will face Gunther at WrestleMania, and that is official.

Analysis: That’s another big match for WrestleMania with Gunther and Seth Rollins. They need to work on the story more, but I don’t mind it as a match.

Main Event Promo Time: Roman Reigns and CM Punk

Roman Reigns made his entrance for the main event promo segment. It’s the fifth straight week with a promo segment in the main event. Reigns has been there for four of those five weeks. Reigns did a slow walk down to the ring as the fans in MSG acknowledged their Tribal Chief.

Roman Reigns told New York City to acknowledge him, so the fans cheered.

CM Punk made his entrance as the World Heavyweight Champion with the title around his waist. Punk had his right hand/wrist taped up, and he went into the ring for a fight. Reigns took off his jacket and he was ready for a fight. Punk punched Reigns, and Reigns came back with a leaping punch.

Punk sent Reigns out of the ring, and they had WWE Officials and referees at ringside. Punk sent Reigns into the ring post. Punk cleared off the commentary table. Reigns fought back with punches and he was sending some officials down. Reigns picked up Punk, but Punk fought back. Punk picked up Reigns, and the WWE Officials literally pulled Reigns off Punk. Reigns hit a Spear on WWE Official Petey Williams. Punk got a hold of Reigns again, and Punk hit a Go To Sleep to put Reigns down. Punk looked at the commentary table. Punk beat on Reigns with punches. Punk picked up Reigns and gave him a Powerbomb through the commentary table. I don’t think Punk cleared the table off before it, but Reigns looked like he was fine after going through the table. I think Punk shouted something like, “Who’s f**king old now?” Punk said, “Roman, Roman Reigns” and punched him a few times. Punk posed on the barricade at ringside while Reigns was checked on while down by the table. Punk posed for the fans some more. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That wasn’t much of a promo exchange because they went into the fighting with Punk getting the upper hand on Reigns since Reigns had the upper hand last week. That’s usually how these things go when you’re building a WrestleMania match. We have seen those kinds of things many times over the years, so it was nothing out of the ordinary. I thought both guys did well in their roles and Punk standing tall is how I would have predicted that segment ending.

This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes on Netflix.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. The Vision – Logan Paul and Austin Theory
  2. Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon
  3. Penta

===

The Scoreboard

7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

2026 Average: 7.54

===

Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

A good Raw from MSG. It was a 2.5-hour show that felt much longer because of how much they packed into it. It’s not a complaint. Just how I felt. There are so many WrestleMania matches to promote, so there were a lot of different people on the show. They didn’t have many long matches (most were around 10 minutes), so the match quality was solid, but nothing stood out. The Vision’s Logan Paul and Austin Theory winning the World Tag Team Titles from The Usos, thanks in part to IShowSpeed, was a bit of a surprise. It seems like that will set up Paul, Theory & Speed against The Usos & LA Knight at WrestleMania.

I enjoyed the Cody Rhodes-Stephanie McMahon promo exchange to open the show. It was unexpected, and they both did a great job selling the story that Randy Orton is as dangerous as ever and that Cody needs to match him, or else he has no shot at beating Orton. The Brock Lesnar-Oba Femi story teased a fight, but they didn’t even touch because Triple H and others want to save it until WrestleMania. Some fans may hate that they didn’t fight here, but it leaves the audience wanting more. I think that’s smart.

I like that some WrestleMania matches are finally official because some of them could have been announced a week or two ago. Now the card is nearly complete. Some stuff, like the Rollins-Gunther match, could use more of a backstory, but it’s two former World Champions, so it’s a big match. The Ladder Match for the IC Title feels like the wrestlers were just randomly picked without earning their spots, even though they apparently won matches on Main Event, which has a small audience. I think WWE’s creative team should be better at building some of these matches.

The CM Punk-Roman Reigns ending was an entertaining segment with Punk gaining the upper hand this time after Reigns had the advantage last week. As I mentioned in the review, that’s usually how these things go, with one person getting the advantage one week, and then the other person bouncing back the next.

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

* Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

* Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

* Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch

* United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams

* Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

* Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio

* Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. Rusev vs. JD McDonagh

* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins – Nikki & Brie Bella vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

* John Cena will be the host

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

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Twitter/X @johnreport