WWE returned to Netflix for the second episode of Monday Night Raw, delivering a blockbuster show filled with high-stakes matches, Royal Rumble declarations, and historic moments.
From CM Punk’s fiery opening promo to the crowning of the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion, and the debut of one iconic luchador, here’s what went down this week on Monday Night Raw.
CM Punk Kicks Off the Show
Fresh off his monumental victory over Seth “Freakin” Rollins last week, CM Punk opened the show to a thunderous ovation. Wasting no time, the Straight Edge Superstar announced his entry into the Royal Rumble, joining John Cena in the race to headline WrestleMania.
Seth Rollins interrupted, declaring his own entry into the Rumble and vowing to crush Punk’s WrestleMania dreams. The tension escalated further when Drew McIntyre joined the fray, accusing both men of being self-serving and calling Rollins a “fake leader.” Punk, never one to back down, challenged both men to a fight, but McIntyre instead announced his own Rumble entry, setting the stage for a heated showdown in the coming weeks.
Chad Gable’s Open Challenge Backfires
Chad Gable issued an open challenge to any luchador in the world, and it was answered by none other than Pentagón Jr., aka Penta, making his highly anticipated WWE debut. Dubbed the “worst-kept secret” by Michael Cole, the former AAA, AEW, and Lucha Underground star electrified the crowd with his arrival.
The match itself was a technical and high-flying masterpiece. Gable targeted Penta’s knee, attempting to neutralize his aerial offense, but the luchador fought back with his signature resilience. After a back-and-forth battle, Penta delivered a backstabber, followed by his Sacrifice armbreaker, and sealed the victory with the Penta Driver. The debut was met with a standing ovation, cementing Penta as a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
Sheamus Seizes Redemption Against Ludwig Kaiser
The rivalry between Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser continued with another brutal encounter. The two hard-hitting competitors battered each other with strike-heavy offense, leaving their bodies bruised and reddened. Kaiser attempted to use a shillelagh to steal the win, but Sheamus countered with a devastating Brogue Kick for the victory.
After the match, Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker, who had been watching from ringside, confronted Sheamus. The two exchanged heated words before being separated, teasing a potential showdown for the prestigious title.
‘Main Event’ Uso Challenges the Ring General
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther addressed the WWE Universe, but his promo was cut short by “Main Event” Jey Uso. The former Bloodline member issued a challenge for Gunther’s title at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 25 in San Antonio. The Ring General, known for his dominance, accepted the challenge, setting up a colossal clash between two of WWE’s top stars.
Lyra Valkyria Makes History as the First-Ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion
In a historic moment, Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai to become the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion. The match was a hard-hitting affair, with Kai targeting Valkyria’s leg to weaken her. However, the Irish star fought back, delivering her signature Nightwing finisher to secure the victory.
After the match, Valkyria celebrated her groundbreaking achievement, sharing a moment of respect with Kai before basking in the adulation of the crowd.
Sami Zayn Defeats The Miz
Backstage, Karrion Kross informed The Miz that The Wyatt Six had been moved to SmackDown, leading to a heated exchange between Miz and Sami Zayn. This set up a match between the two later in the night.
In a brief but competitive bout, Zayn overcame The Miz with a Helluva Kick, followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for the win.
Nia Jax Interrupts Rhea Ripley’s Celebration
New Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley addressed the WWE Universe, celebrating her return to dominance. However, Nia Jax interrupted, declaring her entry into the Women’s Royal Rumble and insulting Bayley in the process.
Bayley confronted Jax, leading to a chaotic brawl. Ripley and Bayley joined forces to knock Jax out of the ring, setting the stage for further tensions heading into the Rumble.
Damian Priest Defeats Finn Bálor in a Brutal Street Fight
The main event of the night saw Damian Priest and Finn Bálor settle their differences in a brutal Street Fight. The match spilled out of the ring and into the crowd, incorporating kendo sticks, steel chairs, and even the announce table.
In a jaw-dropping moment, Priest executed a Broken Arrow from a high railing onto a pile of equipment, leaving Bálor on a stretcher. Despite interference from JD McDonagh and Carlito, The Viking Raiders neutralized the chaos, allowing Priest to deliver South of Heaven for the hard-fought victory.
Match Card
| Penta def. Chad Gable |
| Sheamus def. Ludwig Kaiser |
| Lyra Valkyria def. Dakota Kai |
| Sami Zayn def. The Miz |
| Street Fight: Damian Priest def. Finn Bálor |
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