WWE Raw rolled into Hershey, Pennsylvania hot on the heels of John Cena retiring from the business.
Let’s get into the results:
The Usos def. The New Day
Women’s Intercontiental title: Maxxine Dupri def. Ivy Nile
RAW Women’s World title: Stephanie Vaquer def. Raquel Rodriguez via DQ
Logan Paul def. Rey Mysterio
Notes:
The show opened with Gunther gloating about retiring Cena. The Austrian said the 17-time world champion tapped out “like a b****”, much to the anger of the crowd.
He was confronted by Adam Pearce, R-Truth and, finally, AJ Styles before leaving the building.
Backstage, Bron Breakker tells Paul Heyman that just like they took out LA Knight, he’s going to do that to CM Punk tonight. Heyman convinces him not to, insisting he needs Punk to be able to defend the title against him on January 5.
Rhea Ripely and IYO SKY head to the ring for a promo ahead of their WWE Women’s Tag Team title shot on January 5, but the Kabuki Warriors ambush them. Hiding in the crowd, Asuka hit Ripley with the green mist as she greeted fans.
SKY jumps in the way as Kairi Sane lined up an Insane Elbow on Ripley to leave the babyfaces fallen.
CM Punk cut a hell of a promo on Bron Breakker. I think I counted three or four seperate digs he mate at the wider Steiner family. Imploring him to bring :your dumb dad and his even stupider brother Scott,” to Brooklyn for their match.
That’s the fire you want to see from Punk. He did a great job responding to Breakker’s intensity over the past few weeks.
Backstage, Je’Von Evans clashes with Ludwig Kaiser and his gang. I’m sorry – I mean El Grande Americano. Evans will face Rayo Americano next week.
The look on Liv Morgan’s face when Raquel Rodriguez said she wanted to beat Stephanie Vaquer for the women’s title on her own before jumping right back into a smile was priceless. That tension continues to simmer.
Said title match ended thanks to Nikki Bella interfering.
Austin Theory was revealed as the masked man after helping Paul beat Mysterio. With Punk distracted, Breakker made his way in the ring and speared the champion.
While Punk was down, Breakker told him if you speak about my family like that again, you won’t stand on two feet ever again.
Analysis:Â
Gunther soaking in the hate is what you’d expect and hope for. Does it have enough steam to make him the monster heel the company wants? Time will tell, but putting him with AJ Styles, someone who is also near the end of their career, is a smart move.
One might think it’s a lot to give Gunther all of these names to demolish, but if anyone has proved in the ring they deserve it, it’s him.
It’s been over three years since we saw The Usos and The New Day work each other and even longer since New Day were the heels in that equation. They haven’t lost their chemistry one bit.
Maxxine Dupri took to the ring after a couple weeks of her training videos with Nattie. She looked good; a noticeable uptick in aggression and confidence. It’s still a process with her, but a switch has been flicked.
CM Punk cut a vintage promo on Bron Breakker and that feud is bubbling extremely well. Both men are bringing it and it’s very believable either could win on January 5 (although I think Breakker wins).
Finally, Austin Theory as the masked man? Most of us predicted that and/or read about it potentially being him, but he does make a lot of sense in the role. There’s also a chance the gimmick isn’t done if they have had other people portraying it, we’ll have to wait and see.
But Theory has the look, can work – he has the potential to be a top player. If there was someone ripe for The Vision and Paul Heyman’s guidance, it’s him.
Another decent but not amazing RAW.
