Last night in Wichita, KS, Monday Night Raw delivered an electrifying atmosphere as WWE gears up for Saturday Night’s Main Event—the first of its kind since 1992. Exciting developments unfolded, including the announcement of a thrilling match featuring Gunther vs. Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship, following Adam Pearce’s decision to include the former champion. Additionally, Lyra Valkyria progressed in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, The Miz and The Final Testament triumphed over The Wyatt Sicks, and Dakota Kai faced an attack from Pure Fusion Collective after her defeat by Liv Morgan.
The night was marked by intense moments, particularly with the escalating rivalry between Seth Rollins and CM Punk. In stark contrast, The New Day faced a hostile reaction during their heel turn. The evening concluded with a tense staredown between Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky after Ripley defeated Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan’s former partner.
Winners
1 Seth Rollins
Is This the Best Seth Rollins Has Ever Been?
In the eyes of this writer, Seth Rollins is currently at the peak of his career. More compelling than his earlier moments, such as his betrayal of The Shield or his WrestleMania 31 cash-in, Rollins’ current microphone skills are both passionate and authentic. His heartfelt delivery is resonating with audiences as he grapples with the crowd’s fervent admiration for CM Punk, even after Rollins’ fierce criticism of his former mentor. This creates a heavy and captivating emotional involvement that is hard to ignore.
Watch the segment here
Though Sami Zayn tried to defend him, claiming the rivalry was bringing out Rollins’ worst qualities, the reality is that their conflict feels monumental, surpassing his past feuds—even those against The Bloodline. The recent comments from Punk calling Rollins a “second-string talent”have added fuel to this captivating storyline, setting the stage for this feud to be a potential contender for Feud of the Year 2025.
2 The World Heavyweight Championship
Raw’s Biggest Prize Finally Feels Coveted
Concerns over the prestige of Raw’s World Heavyweight Championship have long persisted. However, following Gunther’s fierce display, particularly his cutting remark to Finn Balor, the title has regained its coveted status. Their rivalry, culminating in a climactic match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, is now steeped in tension that promises to elevate the championship’s significance.
View highlights here
The drama heightened when Damian Priest’s involvement in the Championship match was solidified after an aggressive promo. This clash features three top-tier wrestlers, all capable of delivering an unforgettable encounter as they collectively aim to stake their claims on the prestigious title.
3 Karrion Kross
Give the Man His Flowers
Karrion Kross has often faced skepticism throughout his tenure in WWE, but recent developments suggest a promising turning point. His recent victories, including pinning Uncle Howdy, signify a deeper narrative arc that showcases his potential. With Paul Ellering now supporting him, Kross is centering himself as a pivotal character on Raw, demonstrating that his presence bears considerable weight in shaping storylines moving forward.
Catch the match highlights here
For the first time, there’s a sense of anticipation surrounding Kross, hinting at more complex narratives as he weaves through the fabric of Raw’s ongoing stories.
4 Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky
Raw Goes Off-Air Teasing a Future Feud
Rhea Ripley closed the show with a significant victory over Raquel Rodriguez in a No DQ Match—an achievement marking her first win via pinfall or submission in single competition since WrestleMania. This fact underscores the importance of her position in the division, and along with Iyo Sky’s interference, foreshadows an impending feud that could heat up the women’s landscape in WWE.
Watch the match recap here
As Ripley and Iyo Sky grasp Liv Morgan’s championship belt, the scene sets the stage for a thrilling showdown in the upcoming title match.
5 The New Day
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Witness the crowd’s reaction here
After their shocking actions on last week’s episode, The New Day faced severe backlash from fans and fellow wrestlers alike, leading to an icy reception as they entered the arena. Despite attempts to explain their conduct, the crowd’s jeers overwhelmed their message, echoing the disdain they had garnered. It seems that transitioning to heel personas has its risks, especially when the audience is vehemently opposed.
Losers
6 Sami Zayn
Trouble Is Brewing For WWE’s Nicest Guy
Sami Zayn appears to be facing a daunting situation, caught in a whirlwind of conflicts with several top superstars including Seth Rollins and CM Punk. His involvement in various storylines might have placed him as WWE’s most targeted competitor, yet he still finds ways to weave his narrative. This struggle suggests a potential pivot into a solo program of significant magnitude.
View significant match highlights here
As Zayn gears up to face Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night’s Main Event following another brutal ambush, it’s poised to be a pivotal moment that may define his trajectory as he steps into a spotlight he has long awaited.
7 The Wyatt Sicks
What’s Next For the Ominous Faction?
Watch the details here
The Wyatt Sicks, despite an impressive debut, have struggled to find their footing in compelling narratives after their initial introduction. While their loss to The Final Testament contributed to Kross’s storyline, it raises questions regarding their future configurations within WWE, as both factions now find themselves in a crucial phase requiring significant development.
As both factions strive to assert themselves as formidable forces, the outcomes ahead remain to be seen, and fans await further developments on their contributions.
The Final Word
- Speculation suggests that Finn Balor may be positioned for a significant singles push in 2025, heightening anticipation for Saturday Night’s Main Event.
- Promotional teasers indicating Raw’s move to Netflix generated considerable buzz.
- The recap of The New Day’s split remains a poignant reminder, hitting just as hard this week.
- A Tag Team Championship showdown between the War Raiders and The Judgment Day has been announced for the next Raw.
- This would only be The Judgment Day’s third title defense since June, prompting interest in their championship reign.
- The graphics highlighting Seth Rollins’ achievements during his entrance received widespread acclaim.
- Lyra Valkyria has progressed in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament alongside Dakota Kai, after overcoming Ivy Nile and Zelina Vega.
- Zelina Vega’s struggle continues, securing only one singles victory since early August.
- There seems to be a disconnect as Raw’s commentary team navigates references that might escape fans.
- WWE must clarify its Transfer Window situation, as lack of transparency over brand splits leads to confusion.
Leave a Reply