This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia! Drew McIntyre battles Sami Zayn in singles action. Bianca Belair and Naomi take on Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. WWE reveals the cover star for the 2K25 video game. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes come face to face, and more!
We break it all down in this week’s WWE Raw recap!
We Hear Seth Rollins
Rollins welcomes the crowd to Raw. He hypes up WrestleMania 41 season, which he says will begin when he wins the Royal Rumble. He then recalls his recent loss to CM Punk, which made him question who he was. He says he stands up when he gets hit down, and there is no one on the planet better than him. Rollins says his road to redemption began last week when he beat Drew McIntyre. He then vows to toss out all his competitors at the Royal Rumble, especially Roman Reigns.
He ponders which championship he should go after when he wins. Rollins teases going after the Undisputed WWE Championship, which is held by Cody Rhodes. Gunther’s music hits. He asks Rollins where he’s been the last few months. Gunther recalls his recent defense over Jey Uso. Gunther says Rollins has forgotten what really matters and urges him to focus on the Royal Rumble first. Rollins says Gunther’s title wouldn’t exist without him. He further points out that he is not like Gunther’s other challengers.
Gunther says Rollins is one of the best to ever step in the ring, but now it’s 2025, and he is no longer the best — Gunther is. Gunther tells Rollins to win the Royal Rumble and go on to challenge him at WrestleMania 41. Gunther asserts that he is synonymous with the World Heavyweight Championship, and not Rollins.
Logan Paul’s music hits. The crowd heavily boos him. Paul says he commands attention because he’s great at everything. Paul further states the WWE needs a new face that oozes confidence, like his. Paul tells Gunther and Rollins they should be worried as he built a career fast than both of them. Paul declares himself for the Royal Rumble, vowing to work smarter, not harder. Gunther changes his mind and wants Paul to win the Royal Rumble, as he wants to slap the smirk off his face. Rollins says Gunther will be embarrassed if he chooses to take back the world title.
Backstage, Sami Zayn calls out CM Punk for his comment last week about him not being on the same level. Zayn points out that while he has main-evented WrestleMania, Punk has yet to do so. Karrion Kross approaches Zayn. He says WrestleMania could pit him and Owens at Mania. He also implores Zayn to listen to his head, rather than his heart. Cody Rhodes says hello to Zayn before walking off.
WWE World Tag Titles: War Raiders vs. Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh
McDonagh and Mysterio dump Ivar to the outside. They then double team Erik. Mysterio dives onto Ivar, then tags himself in. McDonagh stuns Erik. Mysterio then levels Erik. McDonagh looks for a moonsault on Ivar and hits his head on the commentary table on the descent. McDonagh recovers. Mysterio tags him. McDonagh fires off strikes on Erik, who chops him in response. Mysterio tags back in. He whips Erik into the corner. McDonagh tags himself in, as does Ivar. Ivar levels both McDonagh and Mysterio. Ivar plants McDonagh in the corner. McDonagh rolls to the outside. He then sends Ivar into the timekeeper’s area. Mysterio leaps off the apron, only to be caught by Erik. Erik slams Mysterio into McDonagh. Ivar then nails both of them with a cannonball.
Back from break, Ivar takes down his opponents with a double back elbow. Erik tags in and tosses Mysterio across the ring with a suplex. Erik then kicks McDonagh in the back of the neck. Erik plants Mysterio with a uranage and a big kick for a near fall. McDonagh evades the War Machine and headbutts Erik. Ivar ascends the top. McDonagh kicks him and drags him down to the mat for a two count. Mysterio goes up top and misses a Frog Splash. Ivar rocks him with a spinning heel kick. As McDonagh distracts the referee, Carlito spits an apple into the face of Ivar. Mysterio follows up with a 619. McDonagh hits a moonsault. Mysterio then hits a Frog Splash. Erik pushes McDonagh into Mysterio to break up the pinfall on Ivar.
Ivar clocks Carlito. Mysterio sets up Ivar for a 619. Erik and Ivar nail him with a War Machine before he can execute it.
Winners (And Still): War Raiders
Backstage, Ludwig Kaiser tells Pete Dunne they should show guys who they are around here. The New Day emerge in the frame, prompting Dunne and Kaiser to retreat. Xavier Woods tells Cathy Kelley of his plans to beat Rey Mysterio tonight.
Rey Mysterio vs. Xavier Woods
Mysterio and Woods lock up, with the latter applying a leg lock. Mysterio kicks Woods in the face, then connects with a springboard crossbody. Woods shoulder tackles Mysterio. He whips Mysterio into the corner. Mysterio fires back with a clothesline. Woods headbutts him, then delivers a series of chops. Mysterio takes down Woods with a hurricanrana. Woods hangs up Mysterio in between the ropes, then hits a flying stomp.
Back from break, Woods and Mysterio trade strikes. Woods drops Mysterio with a vertical suplex. He delivers more chops and shoulder checks Mysterio in the corner. Mysterio catches Woods with a boot. He goes up top and descends with a West Coast Pop. Mysterio follows up with a hurricanrana. Mysterio launches Woods across the ring with a sunset flip powerbomb. He lands a Code Red for a near fall.
Mysterio sets up Woods for a 619, but he rolls out of the ring. Woods sends Mysterio crashing into the announce table. Woods turns to his family at ringside, who have arrived late. They reveal themselves to be wearing “New Day Sucks” shirts. Back in the ring. Mysterio hits a 619 and a splash for the win.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Backstage, Seth Rollins forgives Sami Zayn for accidently kicking him last week. If it happens again, however, Rollins says then he knows it isn’t a mistake.
Jey Uso emerges in the crowd with rapper Quavo. They sing and dance along to the tune of Uso’s theme song. Uso thanks the crowd for supporting him. Uso recalls losing at WWE SNME. He isn’t letting it stop him, however, as he believes he can beat Gunther. Uso vows to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania 41.
Backstage, Lyra Valkyria declares herself for the Royal Rumble. American Made approach her, with Chad Gable declaring the title to change into the hands of Ivy Nile. Nile also states her intention to take to eliminate Valkyria from the Royal Rumble. The camera pans over to reveal Alpha Academy filming a TikTok video. Gable says they should be embarrassed.
Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Belair fires off right hands on Morgan in the corner. Morgan drops Belair to the mat, then tags in Raquel. Raquel and Belair lock up. Raquel whips her into the corner. Belair responds with a back elbow. She tags in Naomi, who helps her take Raquel off her feet. Morgan and Raquel double team Naomi. Naomi dropkicks Morgan and tags in Belair. The four women trade strikes with one another. Naomi dives onto Morgan. Belair then dives onto Raquel.
Back from break, Raquel drives Naomi into the ring post. Naomi spikes Raquel on the apron in response. Naomi rocks Raquel with a step-up enziguri, then tags in Belair. Raquel tags in Morgan. Belair drops Morgan with a suplex. She fires off strikes in the corner, then crashes into both Raquel and Morgan. She follows up with a series of right hands. Belair sends Raquel out of the ring. Belair nails Morgan with a running moonsault for a near fall.
Belair goes up top and misses a splash. Morgan tags in Raquel, who plants Belair to the mat. She then slams Morgan into Belair for a near fall. Naomi levels Raquel, then tags in Belair. Raquel rocks Naomi with fallaway slam. Morgan hits a Codebreaker on Belair, then looks for Oblivion. Belair blocks it. She delivers a KOD. Dominik Mysterio distracts the referee before she gain a pinfall. Belair wipes out Mysterio at ringside. Naomi hits a split legged moonsault on Morgan. Raquel breaks up Naomi’s pin on Morgan. She slams Naomi on the apron, paving the way for Morgan to pin her for the win.
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Backstage, Rhea Ripley said she took a beating at WWE SNME, but like always, Mami is on top. Ripley says it doesn’t matter who wins the Royal Rumble, because they will get beat up at WrestleMania. Bayley approaches Ripley, who wishes her good luck. IYO SKY says she’ll see Bayley on Saturday.
A video package of Penta plays. He confirms his entry in the Royal Rumble.
WWE 2K25 Cover Reveal
Paul Heyman reveals Roman Reigns as the cover star for WWE 2K25. He also reiterates that Roman Reigns is focused on getting back the world championship, beginning with a win in the Royal Rumble. Heyman says there are 29 Roman Reigns wannabees in the locker room praying to be like him.
Drew McIntyre’s music hits. He stares down Heyman and says he looks kind of nervous. McIntyre says he wants to just talk to Heyman. McIntyre calls himself the daddy of The Bloodline. He then recalls the events that led to the formation of The Bloodline, which began with him winning the Royal Rumble and beating Brock Lesnar. McIntyre says all he wants is some thanks from Heyman. Heyman says thank you, but notes that McIntyre is crowding him. McIntyre tells Heyman to tell his boy that he will target him in the Royal Rumble. Heyman says he will pass along the message to Roman Reigns.
Heyman goes to leave, but McIntyre stops him. McIntyre says he wasn’t talking about Reigns, but rather CM Punk.
Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
McIntyre hits a loud chop. Zayn sends McIntyre to the outside in response. He follows up with a moonsault before rolling McIntyre back in the ring. McIntyre chops him again. Zayn fires off right hands, then a chop. McIntyre rocks Zayn with a kick. He knocks Zayn down with another pair of chops. Zayn lands a pair elbows, then spikes him with a DDT. Zayn gets his nose busted open. McIntyre looks for a Claymore, but Zayn moves out of the way. McIntyre lands back first onto the commentary desk as a result.
Back from break, McIntyre connects with a spinebuster and a sit-out powerbomb. Zayn responds with a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall. Zayn looks for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but McIntyre blocks it. McIntyre launches Zayn across the ring. Zayn kicks McIntyre and hits the Blue Thunder Bomb. He goes up top, where McIntyre meets him. Zayn headbutts McIntyre, leaving him hanging from the ropes. McIntyre lifts himself back up and throws Zayn across the ring again. Zayn rolls McIntyre up for a two count. McIntyre goes shoulder first into the ring post. Zayn capitalizes with an exploder in the corner. Zayn charges in with a Helluva Kick, which McIntyre blocks. McIntyre rolls him up with his feet on the ropes for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
After the match, McIntyre attacks Zayn. Cody Rhodes runs down to make the save, laying out McIntyre with a Cody Cutter. Kevin Owens runs in and strikes Rhodes. Rhodes fires back. McIntyre rips Rhodes off of Owens. Zayn charges in with a Helluva Kick. McIntyre sidesteps, causing the kick to connect with Rhodes instead. Owens smiles in approval, while Zayn looks distressed.
We Hear From Cody Rhodes & CM Punk
Rhodes says it’s not the belt that makes one a champion, it’s the mindset. Rhodes says he is looking forward to the Royal Rumble, so he can finally get past Kevin Owens. CM Punk’s music hits. He asks Rhodes if he is okay. Punk recalls his 434 day reign, noting that it started weighing on him around the 300-day mark. Punk tells Rhodes that none of them are superman. Rhodes says he doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Punk is one of them.
Punk promises to always be Rhodes’ friend. He calls Rhodes the man, but in being the man, comes a big target on his back. Rhodes asks Punk what is next for him. Punk tells Rhodes he gets to sleep in his own bed tonight as he’s in his hometown. Punk bets that Rhodes won’t get much sleep though as he likely has media to do or he’ll otherwise be thinking about his upcoming title match. Punk says even if Rhodes makes it past Owens, he still has a lot of responsibilities to fulfill after. Punk says someone is going to win the Royal Rumble and come after Rhodes and maybe take the belt from him too. Punks says that’s the good news, but the bad news is that the person to do that is him. Punk says as Rhodes’ friend, he will stab him in the front.
Rhodes says he was once chasing CM Punk, but that dynamic has shifted. Rhodes says he is no longer chasing Punk. Punk, however, is now chasing him. Rhodes says he hopes Punk wins the Royal Rumble so Punk can catch up to him. Punk says there’s a lot of graveyard of men waiting for him to catch up to them. Rhodes says he wants Punk to see that the best in the world, isn’t the best anymore.