This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from the Angel Of The Winds Arena in Everett, Washington! The New Day anniversary celebration turns sour. The Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament begins. Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn face off in the main event. Finn Balor goes after World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, and more!
We break it all down in this week’s WWE Raw recap!
We Hear From CM Punk
Backstage, CM Punk shakes hands with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn then heads out to the ring. Punk says it’s good to be alive tonight. He recalls his last time on Raw when the future of his career was uncertain, but now, he knows exactly where he is going. Punk says he took care of some personal business with Paul Heyman. He says he knows what the future holds and begins pointing to an invisible WrestleMania sign. He points out that there’s multiple roads he can take to get there, including calling in a favor from Paul Heyman.
Seth Rollins’ music hits. Rollins says he should have knocked Punk’s ass down the same day he came back to WWE last year, and regrets not doing it. Rollins says a lot has gone on in the last year though, including title defenses and a Bloodline to take down. Rollins says he had pity for Punk the last time he saw him two months ago. After Saturday, however, he realized it was time to rectify his mistake.
Rollins takes off his jacket and points out there is nothing holding them back anymore. Rollins says tonight is the night he kicks Punk’s ass. Punk says he’s finished running races with people he didn’t even realize he was running against. Punk proclaims that Rollins is not in his future and further states that he doesn’t even think about Rollins. Punk steps closer and demands that Rollins stay out of his business.
Rollins tells Punk he doesn’t listen enough and talks to much, and says this is his business, Rollins pushes Punk to the ground. The two begin brawling until Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and officials pull them apart. Rollins tells Punk and Jey to run along back to Roman Reigns.
Zayn tells Rollins he doesn’t get to talk to Jey that way. Rollins agrees, but questions why Zayn is aligned with them when he’s not blood with them. Rollins says he and Zayn are closer than any of the Bloodline, and says Zayn stabbed him in the back when he tagged with Punk at WarGames. Zayn says he didn’t want to tag with Punk; he wanted Rollins, but Rollins turned him down twice. Zayn calls Rollins stubborn.
Rollins points out that helping Zayn would have helped Roman Reigns get back into power. Zayn says Rollins helped create the monster of Reigns when he slammed a chair into his back ten years ago. Rollins says he’s atoned for his actions against Reigns and points out that Zayn did the same thing last year. Rollins says he understands why Zayn did it though. Rollins claims that Reigns has not changed, and neither has CM Punk.
Rollins calls Zayn gullible, to which Zayn offers up Rollins a chance to blow off some steam in the ring tonight against him. Rollins accepts.
Backstage, Finn Balor reiterates that the Judgement Day should listen to him.
Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Raquel knocks SKY off the apron and sends Sane crashing into the corner. She tags in Morgan, then slams Morgan onto Sane. SKY breaks up their pinfall attempt. Morgan goes after Sane in the former, but Sane kicks her off. Sane tags in SKY. SKY dropkicks Morgan. SKY levels Raquel from the apron, then double knees to the corner on Morgan. SKY goes up top, but Morgan swipes her feet. Morgan tags out.
Raquel charges into the corner, but SKY sidesteps. SKY connects with a missile dropkick. Sane follows up with an Insane Elbow. She goes for a cover, nut Morgan breaks into. SKY dives onto Morgan to the outside. Sane fires off elbows on Raquel, only to then meet a big boot and a Tajana Bomb.
Winners: Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan
Post-match, Morgan and Raquel begin to beat down Sane. Rhea Ripley runs down and headbutts Raquel. She sends her flying over the ropes and slams her face against the announce table. Morgan jumps on the back of Ripley. Ripley ramp her into the ring post. Raquel capitalizes and slams Ripley face first into the corner of the announce table.
Backstage, Finn Balor confronts WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. Balor says Gunther owes him a title match for helping him out at Survivor Series. Gunther says he didn’t ask Balor to help. Gunther says he needed to win by himself, but Balor took that opportunity away from him. Gunther turns to Dominik Mysterio and recalls him beating Damian Priest recently. Gunther notes that he will talk to WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce about Mysterio getting a match with him tonight.
Women’s IC Title Tourney: Katana Chance vs. Dakota Kai vs. Shayna Baszler
Kai and Chance double team Baszler. Kai then wipes out Chance and Baszler with a kick. Kai charges toward Baszler, only for Baszler to slam her into the announce table. Chance jumps down with a crossbody Baszler to the outside.
Back from break, Kai connects with a big kick to Baszler in the corner. Kai then stomps her back between the ropes for a near fall. Kai goes up to the second rope. Baszler meets her there, as does Chance. Chance tries to pry Baszler off the ropes to no avail. Kai kicks Baszler off of her. Chance goes back up top and nails Kai with a hurricanrana. She covers both Basler and Kai for near falls. Chance looks for another hurricanrana, but Baszler catches her. Baszler rolls Chance up, but Kai breaks it up. She then rolls up Kai for a near fall.
Baszler knees Chance back to the outside. Kai lands a Scorpion Kick on Baszler. Baszler locks in a Kirifuda Clutch. Chance returns to the ring with splash on Baszler. As Baszler rolls to the outside, Kai connects with a fireman’s carry-kick combo on Chance for the win.
Winner: Dakota Kai
A video package plays, chronicling the 10 year journey of The New Day.
New Day Ten Year Celebration
Adam Pearce stands in the ring surrounded by balloons and New Day memorabilia, then introduces Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Pearce adds that New Day rocks.
Woods thanks the WWE Universe for supporting the New Day. Kingston says he never would have imagined reaching so many accolades, and also thanks the fans. Woods says what they’re about to tell the fans is not their fault. Kingston says he and Woods have talked and have decided on something. Before can finish his sentence, Big E appears and walks down to the ring.
Big E says his soul was troubled seeing Woods and Kingston arguing lately. Big E recalls his memories with both of them, including after he broke his neck and they stayed with him at the hospital. Big E says what The New Day built means something to a lot of people and him too. Big E says until he is medically cleared to return to the ring, he will remind Kingston and Woods of who they are. Big E says he’ll be back every single week to uplift them and serve as their manager.
Woods asks why Big E he is returning now after all the weeks of fighting between him and Kingston. Woods and Kingston both claim that Big E left them after breaking his neck. Kingston says Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Edge came back after they broke their neck. Woods says he had two people waiting for him, yet he never came back until now. Kingston questions if Big E could have been back. Big E says he’s been meeting with doctors. Woods and Kingston state that if Big E truly cared about them, he would have been back sooner.
Kingston says Big E chose himself over him and Woods. Woods says Big E will never be medically clear and urges him to get back to his desk where he belongs. Woods adds that he’ll call him when they need him. Big E says he’s not going to let Woods and Kingston throw away their friendship like that. Big E approaches them for a hug, but they both deny him. Woods and Kingston turn to each other and say it’s just them now.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley makes it clear that she once she’s done with Raquel Rodriguez, she will become champion again, whether that’s by beating Liv Morgan or IYO SKY.
Elsewhere, Karrion Kross calls out The Wyatt Sicks, declaring that he wants to see them next week on Raw.
Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio
Gunther picks up Mysterio and places him on the apron. Gunther playfully pats Mysterio on the head, only for Mysterio to slap him back. Mysterio eats a big boot that knocks him to the floor. Mysterio sends Gunther flying into the ring post via a hurricanrana. He then dropkicks Gunther through the ropes and follows up with a suicide dive.
Back from break, Gunther locks Mysterio in a Boston Crab. Mysterio reaches the rope to break it. Gunther and Mysterio trade chops. Gunther applies a Sleeperhold, but Mysterio kicks him in between the legs while the referee isn’t looking. He follows up with a pair of 619s. Mysterio goes up top and lands a splash, but Gunther kicks out. Gunther connects with a big boot and a big powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Gunther
After the match, Finn Balor blindsides Gunther with a slingblade. He follows up with three Coup De Graces and stands over Gunther.
Backstage, WWE officials run to Jey Uso, who appears to have been attacked.
R-Truth vs. Pete Dunne
Dunne takes down Truth with an enziguri. He then targets his arm with a stomp. Dunne kicks Truth in the face and rains down with right hands. Dunne turns to the audience members yelling “Butch.” Off the distraction, Truth rolls him up for the win.
Winner: R-Truth
Backstage, Ludwig Kaiser says there’s nothing stopping him from taking the Intercontinental Championship. Bron Breakker says he’ll talk to Adam Pearce about defending the title against Kaiser. Breakker gives props to Kaiser for his performance at Survivor Series, but warns him to try and get out of Gunther’s shadow faster.
Elsewhere, Sami Zayn asks Adam Pearce who attacked Jey Uso. Zayn believes Seth Rollins is the assailant.
Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn
Rollins and Zayn lock up, wit the former taking down the latter with a shoulder tackle. Zayn sends Rollins over the top rope and looks for a suicide five, but Rollins moves out of the way.
Back from break, Zayn delivers a series of punches to Rollins in the corner, then comes down with an axe handle. On the second one, Rollins catches him. Zayn counters with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Rollins connects with an enziguri, then charges toward Zayn. Zayn stops him and hits an exploder into the corner. Rollins goes for a stomp, but Zayn rolls out of the ring.
Zayn slaps Rollins across the face and accuses him of attacking Jey Uso. Rollins rams Zayn into the steel ring post. Rollins then sends Zayn over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. Zayn kicks Rollins in the face, then sends him face first into the ring post. As Rollins rolls back into the ring, Zayn grabs a chair. Rollins asks him what he’s doing. Zayn again accuses him of attacking Jey, but Rollins denies it and implies it may have been CM Punk. Zayn throws the chair away, allowing Rollins to roll him up for the win.
Winner: Seth Rollins
After the match, a hooded figure kicks Sami Zayn, then reveals themselves as Drew McIntyre.