This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from Belfast, Northern Ireland! We break it all down in this week’s Raw recap!
We Hear From Gunther
Gunther says AJ Styles put his blinders on last week and forgot that he was facing a decorated champion and the guy who retired John Cena and Goldberg. Gunther says his future is bright and it will lead him right back to the World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther declares himself for the Royal Rumble. Styles says he knows Gunther wants to move on, but Styles doesn’t. Styles challenges Gunther to a rematch at the Royal Rumble. Gunther declines.
Styles claims that Gunther is scared. Styles adds that Gunther didn’t beat him last week, Styles let Gunther beat him when he showed mercy. Styles recalls Gunther tapping out to him last week. Styles tells Gunther to admit that he’s scared so they can both move on. Gunther says he proved that he’s better and smarter than Styles, so there’s no incentive to wrestle Styles again. Gunther again declines a rematch, then returns to the ring with a proposition. Gunther says if Styles wants a rematch, then Styles will have to put his career on the line. Gunther says he will give Styles until the end of the night to give him an answer.
Backstage, Natalya reveals that she will be in Maxxine Dupri’s corner tonight for her title match.
Women’s IC Title: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri (w/ Natalya)
Maxxine and Lynch lock up. Maxxine bursts out of the corner with a Thesz Press. She follows with a dropkick that sends Lynch out of the ring. She wipes out Lynch with a cannonball of the apron next. When the action returns to the ring, Lynch delivers a neckbreaker off the top turnbuckle.
Back from break, Maxxine blasts Lynch with a knee and series of stomps. She follows with a suplex. Lynch drives Maxxine into the mat for a near fall. Lynch cinches in an armbar, then a Dis-Arm-Her. Maxxine rolls through and cinches in an ankle lock. Lynch rolls through, then eats a kick from Maxxine for a near fall. Maxxine and Lynch meet up top, where Lynch drops Maxxine with a superplex. She spikes Maxxine with a DDT after for a near fall. Lynch fires off right hands, then unties the top turnbuckle pad. Maxxine launches Lynch across the ring with a suplex, then lands on her with a crossbody. Lynch rolls through into a cover for a two count. Maxxine cinches in the ankle lock. Lynch escapes, but runs into the exposed turnbuckle. When Maxxine covers Lynch, Natalya puts Lynch’s foot on the rope to break the fall. Maxxine asks Natalya why she did that. When she turns back to Lynch, she is greeted by a Manhandle Slam.
Winner (And Still): Becky Lynch
After the match, Natalya hammers away with right hands on Maxxine. She follows with stomps and more punches. Natalya runs over Maxxine with a clothesline, then locks in a Sharpshooter. Maxxine taps out. Natalya lays in more strikes until the referee pulls her off of Maxxine.
We Hear From Jey Uso
Jey declares himself for the Royal Rumble. He then delivers a warning shot to the locker room as well.
Backstage, The New Day demand a tag title shot. Adam Pearce says there will be a four-way contender’s match next week for the tag titles, which will include them.
Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee vs The Vision (Bronson Reed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory) (w/ Paul Heyman)
Paul kicks Penta. Penta answers with a kick of his own and a sling blade. Paul leaps off the second rope with a blockbuster. Penta connects with a superkick. Paul responds with an uppercut. Reed and Rey tag in. Reed slams Rey to the mat. Theory tags in and flattens Rey in the corner. Paul does the same, as does Reed. Rey shoves Theory into the corner. Penta, Lee, and Rey charge in with a trio of strikes on Theory. They all then wipe out The Vision on the outside.
Back from break, Lee dodges a senton from Reed. Paul drags Lee to his corner. Theory rains down with right hands on Lee. Lee takes down Theory with a hurricanrana. Rey does the same to Theory, then fires off punches in the corner. Rey sets up for a 619, but Theory catches his legs. Penta splashes Theory in the corner, then drops him with a Penta Driver. Reed breaks up the fall attempt that comes after. Rey sends Paul to the outside. Paul drops Rey onto the top of the barricade. Penta dropkicks Paul through the ropes. Lee and Penta double superkick Reed. Lee then wipes out Reed with a dive to the outside. Theory drops Penta with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Paul Heyman and Adam Pearce argue with the referee on the apron. Paul slides Theory his brass knuckles, but the referee sees it. Pearce snatches the knuckles from Theory.
Pearce and Heyman argue again. Pearce leaves the brass knuckles on the apron for Rey. Rey blasts Theory with them. Penta superkicks Paul, then rocks Theory with a Mexican Destroyer for the win.
Winners: Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee
Backstage, CM Punk reiterates that he is the best in the world and he will break Finn Balor tonight.
We Hear From IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley
Ripley asks Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez when they will learn that SKY and Ripley are always on top. Ripley then says after they defend their tag titles against Morgan and Perez, they will be participating in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Morgan and Perez come out. Morgan vows that she and Perez will beat them for the tag titles. Morgan advises that SKY listen to her advice. Morgan warns SKY that Ripley will turn on her just like she did to Morgan a few years ago. Perez reveals that she, Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez are also entering the Royal Rumble.
Ripley asks how the Rumble is going to work when all three of the Judgment Day women are competing. Raquel sneaks up from behind and boots Ripley. She then drops SKY with a Tejana Bomb. Ripley fires off strikes on Raquel, but gets overpowered by their numbers. Morgan drops Ripley with an Oblivion. Raquel, Morgan, and Perez stand tall.
Je’Von Evans vs. El Grande Americano
Grande and Evans trade pinfall attempts. Evans dropkicks Grande, then sends him across the ring with a hurricanrana. Grande answers with a step-up enziguiri. Grande tosses Evans to the outside. Evans returns to the ring with a springboard clothesline.
Back from break, commentators reveal that Evans injured himself. The bell rings. The ring announcer says Evans is no longer able to compete, so Grande is the winner. Referees help Evans to the back as he clutches his shoulder.
Winner: El Grande Americano
Backstage, AJ Styles confirms that he will put his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble.
World Heavyweight Title: CM Punk vs Finn Balor
Punk knocks down Balor with a dropkick. He follows with a running knee into the corner. Balor answers with strikes in the other corner and a dropkick of his own. Balor cinches in a headlock. Punk escapes and drops Balor with a backbreaker. Punk dives onto Balor through the ropes.
Back from break, Punk drives Balor into the mat with a bulldog. Balor and Punk trade strikes. Balor blasts Punk with a Pele Kick. He fires off strikes and kicks in the corner next. Balor stomps Punk on the chest. Punk dumps Balor over the top rope. Balor rocks him with a pair of enziguiris. Balor goes up top. Punk connects with a high knee. They descend with a superplex. Balor covers Punk for a two count. Punk answers with a flying shoulder.
Punk chops Balor against the ropes. Balor responds with a sling blade and a dive to the outside. Balor rolls Punk back into the ring. He connects with a dropkick. Balor goes up top and descends with a Coup De Grace. Punk moves out of the way and lands a GTS for the win. Punk cinches in the Anaconda Vice. Balor reaches the bottom rope with his foot to force a break. Punk calls for a GTS. Balor elbows Punk in the jaw to escape it. He drops Punk with a sling blade and drives him into the corner with a dropkick. Balor delivers a second dropkick before going up top. He hits the Coup de Grace for a near fall. Balor rolls up Punk for another near fall. Punk drops Balor with a GTS for the win.
Winner (And Still): CM Punk
After the match, Punk raises Balor’s hand as a sign of respect. He and Balor then hug.