Two days after Cody Rhodes and Bayley emerged victorious in their respective Royal Rumble matches, the latest episode of Raw unfolded with intense moments that added layers of complexity to their paths towards WrestleMania 40. Additionally, CM Punk confirmed a debilitating injury, casting a shadow over his WrestleMania aspirations.
Rhodes, poised to challenge Roman Reigns, was met with an unexpected challenge from world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins. Rollins passionately argued why Rhodes should opt for his title over Reigns’, invoking the idea of the “working man’s title” and emphasizing his relentless defense of it. Rhodes, visibly taken aback, concluded the segment by acknowledging the unexpected turn of events and vowed to contemplate his decision.
Meanwhile, Bayley found herself entangled in a dilemma as Nia Jax, a member of her own faction Damage CTRL, pressured her to choose between teammates for a potential championship clash at WrestleMania. Despite an initial interruption by Rhea Ripley, who fell victim to Jax’s onslaught, Bayley refrained from making an immediate decision, deferring it to SmackDown on Friday.
The confrontation between Rhodes and Rollins was a standout moment, with Rollins presenting a compelling case that injected tension into Rhodes’ decision-making process. While the likelihood of a curveball in the form of a title change is slim, the narrative complexity added depth to the storyline, particularly given the scarcity of Reigns’ appearances. Bayley’s predicament, though less captivating, presented a strategic and emotional challenge, aligning well with the overall narrative.
In a parallel development, CM Punk, in a heartfelt promo, confirmed a torn tricep that would force him to miss WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre, interrupting Punk, callously claimed responsibility for the injury before launching an attack, setting up a main event clash with Sami Zayn.
In other notable events on Raw, The Judgment Day successfully defended their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against #DIY. Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler secured a victory over Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Jey Uso emerged triumphant against Bronson Reed, and Andrade solidified his return to the Raw roster.
The night also featured an Intercontinental Championship defense, as Gunther overcame Kofi Kingston, leading to a post-match assault on Xavier Woods by Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser.
Concluding the night, McIntyre defeated Zayn, showcasing no remorse for an inadvertent low blow before sealing the victory with a decisive Claymore. Overall, Raw delivered a mix of compelling narratives, unexpected twists, and intense in-ring action, setting the stage for the road to WrestleMania.
