Live Streaming Links are below
WWE Raw on Netflix Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights Before SNME
Four days before WWE returns to NBC for Saturday Night's Main Event, pro wrestling's preeminent promotion hit Netflix streaming with the latest episode of Raw, headlined by a WrestleMania 40 rematch pitting Seth "Freakin" Rollins against Drew McIntyre.
The marquee match-up between two top stars in professional wrestling headlined a broadcast that also featured the latest from newcomer Penta, New Day's first match since their shocking betrayal of Big E, and Bayley's first match since joining the red brand as part of the transfer portal as revealed by general manager Adam Pearce Monday afternoon.
WWE@WWEDING DONG! 🚪<a href="https://twitter.com/ScrapDaddyAP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScrapDaddyAP</a> has some HUGE NEWS tonight on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RawOnNetflix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RawOnNetflix</a>. 👀<br>▶️ <a href="https://t.co/DxFacHtazz">https://t.co/DxFacHtazz</a><br>8E/5P <a href="https://t.co/EIR4HJSW9U">pic.twitter.com/EIR4HJSW9U</a>
What went down, who emerged with momentum on their side and how did it impact Saturday's primetime special? Find out with this recap of the January 20 broadcast, emanating from the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Jey Uso Kicked Off Raw
- "When I saw you walking out here like a complete DORK!" Gunther said, breaking out any respectable eight-year-old's go-to insult.
- Gunther criticized Uso for "betting on himself," but running to help Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, and his brother, Jimmy, whenever they come calling.
- "I am the mascot and this right here is my team," Jey said, acknowledging the fans.
- "There's only one of us who main evented WrestleMania and it ain't you," the challenger told the champion.
Jey Uso kicked off the show, just days away from his shot at the World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther.
The Ring General interrupted him and reiterated that Uso is a mascot. This fun-loving cartoon character does not belong as world champion and he won't be after Saturday Night's Main Event.
Uso responded, reminding Gunther that he headlined the biggest show of the year and after Saturday, he will be the world champion.
There was limited physicality, just enough to sell the match, before Uso stood tall to close things out.
This was exactly what it needed to be: the last opportunity to sell Saturday's show and the biggest match on it. Gunther started clunky but recovered nicely, delivering a quality promo while Uso responded confidently.
A solid exchange in front of a red-hot crowd worked and generated more excitement for Saturday's main event.
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Rey Mysterio vs. Kofi Kingston
- "To be honest, y'all are starting to piss me off with all of this," Kingston defiantly told the WWE Universe as they rained down on New Day with a chorus of boos.
- Cole noted that this was the first showdown between Mysterio and Kingston in 16 years before nothing that Kingston won his first title, the Intercontinental Championship, in Dallas.
- Kingston and Woods appeared to be relishing the opportunity to antagonize the fans after nearly a decade as a babyface act.
- Backstage, Chad Gable and American Alpha revealed that Dominik Mysterio will help the former Olympian with his luchador problem while the rest of the group looks to add championship gold.
WWE Hall of Famer John "Bradshaw" Layfield joined the commentary team of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett for Rey Mysterio vs. New Day's Kofi Kingston, moments after taking a shot or two at Kingston and Xavier Woods.
A back-and-forth match saw Mysterio overcome a strong effort from Kingston, and interference from Woods, to counter SOS into a roll-up for the win.
After the match, Woods attacked Mysterio and set up for a New Day two-on-one beatdown, only for Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde of the LWO to make the save. A cheap shot from Kingston led to Del Toro being knocked out on the floor but the babyfaces still stood tall to close the segment.
It feels like Kingston should probably not be taking losses as New Day continues to build its new heel persona, but this at least made sense in that, without Woods, Kofi could not best his Hall of Fame opponent.
The match was quite good, though, even as Kingston discovers what his in-ring style looks like as a heel.
Result
Mysterio defeated Kingston
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Sami Zayn Promo
- "I don't need the world championship but, damn it, I want it!" Zayn exclaimed.
- "I knew it was only a matter of time before you came. How do you want to do this?" Zayn asked his best friend.
- "I whole-heartedly believe and know you can win the Royal Rumble," Owens told Zayn.
- "There's one more thing we've never done and that's main event WrestleMania, together, for the WWE Championship," Owens said. "As long as I walk out of the Rumble as the WWE champion," he added.
During the commercial break, Jackie Redmond caught up with Karrion Kross and Scarlett. The former hinted at the escalation of his rivalry with Sami Zayn, who consequentially hit the ring to address the WWE Universe from there.
Zayn believes he is in the upper echelon of WWE Superstars. The only thing separating him from Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk is that they have world titles, while he doesn't.
He entered himself in the Royal Rumble, just in time for Kevin Owens to appear. The Prizefighter told his best friend that he can win the Rumble and more importantly, they can headline WrestleMania together...but only if Owens wins the WWE title from Cody Rhodes at the Rumble on February 2.
This was outstanding. Not only did it set the stage for Zayn vs. Owens at WrestleMania, but it teased it being for the top prize in the company. That is if Zayn is willing to help KO as he did Roman Reigns.
Owens puts his best friend in a tough position, creating a moral dilemma that the Underdog from the Underground must now confront as he pursues his goal of winning a world title.
Ironically enough, Owens has become the manipulative figure that Reigns once was, descending to the level of selfishness he once despised The Tribal Chief for.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
- Roxanne Perez sat ringside, continuing to point toward a program with Bayley as she watched The Role Model square off with Jax.
- Cole and Barrett put over Jax's mental approach to her matches and how that has become a key element of her in-ring performance now. What was once a straightforward, brute approach is now a more cerebral and methodical one. A great call from the duo that put Jax over in a way we have not considered to this point.
- Bayley scored a great near-fall off a sunset flip powerbomb from the top rope, then another moments later following her top-rope elbow drop.
Bayley and former WWE women's champion Nia Jax renewed their rivalry, this time on the red brand, as they squared off in singles competition.
An early distraction from Roxanne Perez at ringside led to The Irresistible Force seizing control of the contest. Jax targeted Bayley's injured left arm and shoulder, forcing the babyface to essentially fight with one arm.
Bayley fought back into the match, emptying her arsenal as she attempted to defeat her opponent. Jax absorbed everything thrown at her, delivered a pop-up Samoan Drop, and finished her off with the Annihilator for an impressive victory.
After the match, women's world champion Rhea Ripley hit the ring and unloaded on Jax, avenging the sneak attack suffered earlier in the show. Security pulled the competitors apart but the hatred between them was strong enough that they broke free from them and brawled.
Ripley threw down the challenge from there: her vs. Jax on Saturday Night's Main Event.
Bayley and Jax have solid in-ring chemistry and that was on full display here, though it did feel somewhat misguided to beat The Role Model in her first match back on the Raw brand. With that said, the victory gave Jax a quality win over a well-respected opponent and positioned her as the next challenger to Ripley.
That is a big-time match that will put Ripley in front of a new audience and pit her against an impressive opponent she can battle back against.
Result
Grade
Top Moments and Takeaways
Penta vs. Pete Dunne
- Cole with a Rev Pro reference, noting that Dunne and Penta worked against each other for the promotion back in 2017.
- Dunne momentarily tied Penta's mask to the bottom rope and stomped away at him in a unique spot that would have been better executed had he actually managed to keep the mask tied to the rope.
- One last Logan Paul video aired before Cole announced that the former United States champion will make his Raw on Netflix in-ring debut next week.
On the heels of an awe-inspiring debut on last week's show, Penta returned to the squared circle for a showdown with former NXT United Kingdom champion "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne.
The heel dominated the action early and through the commercial break, utilizing joint manipulation to his advantage as he out-wrestled and punished the digits of his opponent. Penta fought his way back into the match, taking Dunne down with a Mexican Destroyer and tope con hilo.
Moments later, after one last burst from Dunne, Penta utilized the Sacrifice armbreaker and followed with the Penta Driver for the pinfall victory.
The newcomer's presentation and in-ring work have exponentially elevated Penta upon his arrival to the brand. He is incredibly popular with the fans, has backed up the attention and hype with his performance between the ropes, and is treated by the commentary team like one of the top-tier stars on the show.
A great follow-up to last week's flawless introduction.
Result
Penta defeated Dunne
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
CM Punk Promo
- Punk threatened to toss Hogan's "dusty old ass" over the top rope and "kill Hulkamania for good."
- Punk also teased cashing in the favor Reigns owes him, an interesting scenario that may present itself on February 1 in Indianapolis.
CM Punk joined Jackie Redmond for an in-arena promo that may have only been seen internationally and for those Netflix subscribers without ads.
The Chicago native vowed to toss 29 other Superstars over the top rope and win the Royal Rumble, especially with the people behind him.
Punk went one-by-one through Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and even Hulk Hogan before promising to settle old scores and cash in a favor if he needed to en route to his first Rumble win and a trip to WrestleMania.
This was straight fire from Punk, the kind of fiery promo that enhances the overall excitement for a match tenfold. If this did not make the show, it should have.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective
- Stark hit as impressive a springboard dropkick as we have seen in a long time. Cole and Barrett noticeably popped for the spot-on commentary.
- The crowd loved Sky, who is as ready to win the women's Royal Rumble match as anyone at this point. Also, arguably the best pound-for-pound women's wrestler on the active roster today.
- Stark always brings something unique and innovative to the squared circle. She is like Chris Kanyon in that regard. You never know what you'll see out of her but it will probably be cool.
Dakota Kai bounced back from last week's Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament final, teaming with Iyo Sky to score a big victory over Pure Fusion Collective's Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
The heels beat down and isolated Kai through the early portion of the match-up but a hot tag to the Genius of the Sky sparked a babyface comeback. Sky exploded into the ring, wiped out the opponents and moments later, escaped a Karifuda Clutch by hanging Baszler up on the top rope.
The Over the Moonsault finished her off and earned the win for the babyfaces.
A good, solid tag match that saw the right team and wrestler go over. Sky is on a different level right now and has momentum behind her in the same way Bayley did entering last year's event.
There may be newcomers, surprise entrants, or returning legends, but she feels like as good a choice to win the 30-woman war as anyone.
Result
Damage CTRL defeated Pure Fusion Collective
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
Seth "Freakin" Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
- "I got two good knees now!" Rollins told McIntyre ahead of the bell, referencing the knee injury that plagued him when they clashed at WrestleMania 40 for the world title.
- "You wanted to fight Drew McIntyre. What did you think was going to happen?" The Scottish Warrior asked of his battered opponent late in the match.
In a rematch of their WrestleMania 40 showdown, Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Drew McIntyre squared off in the main event of Monday's show.
McIntyre gained early control of the match by sending his opponent across the commentary table and crashing to the floor. The Scottish Warrior dominated the action throughout the commercial break, but The Visionary mounted a late comeback.
A top-rope knee to the head stunned McIntyre for a two-count and a springboard senton earned another near-fall. McIntyre countered Rollins' superplex/Falcon Arrow combination with a Michinoku Driver for two.
Later, Rollins broke out a crossface but McIntyre made it to the ropes, forcing a break. McIntyre Responded with a Future Shock DDT but Rollins kicked out. McIntyre beat down and brutalized Rollins, all while taunting him. His arrogance cost him, though, as Rollins jackknifed him and scored a pinfall victory.
After the match, McIntyre attacked Rollins. Sami Zayn made the save but McIntyre laid him out. Back in the ring, the heel once again reiterated to Rollins that they should be on the same side. Zayn exploded across the ring with a Helluva Kick and accidentally leveled Rollins, leaving the show with a cliffhanger of an ending as Zayn tried to explain himself to his friend.
A strong match with the added storyline elements after it makes this a major thumbs up to wrap up the show.
Result
Rollins defeated McIntyre
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
.png)
