Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s weekly overview of "WWE Raw," which is now again to being a three-hour exhibit streaming stay on Netflix! This precise episode used to be the program's Netflix debut, and it used to be each jam-packed and eventful, with wrestlers and celebrities filling the stands whilst "The Tribal Chief" regained his image of office, the Women's World Championship back to its former owner, and CM Punk gained the first-ever Netflix "Raw" essential event. It was, as WWE made a factor of repeating, a new generation — however that does not imply our overview layout is altering any time soon! As usual, whilst you can examine the naked bones statistics of the exhibit over on our "Raw" consequences page, this column is the place the WINC personnel gives our opinions on the whole lot that went down, from The Rock to Hulk Hogan and the whole thing in between (we're clearly now not going to discuss tons about the most important event, simply due to the fact we felt extra strongly about different things).
In different words, these are three matters we hated and three matters we cherished about the 1/6/25 episode of 'WWE Raw!"The Rock made his not-so-surprise return to WWE throughout at the opening of "Raw" to the thunderous roar of the crowd, and it used to be a sure-fire way to please the followers in attendance. But there was once some thing lacking that brought the identical attraction his appearances at some point of 2024 made, "The Final Boss" used to be nowhere to be observed as The Rock gave thanks to WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, mentioned his cousin Roman Reigns earlier than disappearing, rising after Reigns' victory over Solo Sikoa to existing him with the ulufala and as soon as extra disappearing into the night.
This used to be his first prolonged look on WWE programming because he made a shock cameo at Bad Blood to stare down Rhodes and Reigns, which was once itself used to be preceded by using Rock teasing a future singles suit with Rhodes after pinning him at WrestleMania. There's additionally the dream suit with Reigns that has nonetheless but to occur, and tonight would possibly have been the pleasant probability to supply some thing that extends the story. What occurred was once a very jarring alternate in canon for The Rock, who no longer only silently mentioned Reigns — with no follow-through from WrestleMania forty and the time for the reason that — however used to be additionally proven behind the curtain sharing a drink with the man he had actually overwhelmed bloody simply closing year. Completely retconning a personality can make feel if they are poorly obtained or developing stale, however "The Final Boss" used to be so legitimately acclaimed remaining yr that WWE made an complete documentary round the 'Mania program.
So providing him as the "High Chief" with a rapid exposition dump from Michael Cole simply felt like a stark exchange in a disappointing direction. It additionally made Rhodes seem to be like a entire chump to simply sit down there and take the, "Say good day to Mama Rhodes," line; particularly thinking about it was once some thing that had supposedly incensed the "American Nightmare" so tons in their feud. Admittedly it is continually cool to see The Rock appear, and he is at the factor the place it does not clearly be counted what he does as it is nevertheless going to draw numbers. But from a narrative standpoint it made zero experience for any of the genuine memories he is a phase of to be addressed with any type of substance.
I breathed an real sigh of remedy when Roman Reigns pinned Solo Sikoa to come to be the one and solely Tribal Chief in WWE, and any other when Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson left the ring with no similarly confrontation. While I'm really, truly hoping the storyline between Sikoa and "the new Bloodline" and Reigns is over now that The Rock bestowed the ula fala on Reigns, I have doubts that the story surely ends here. I hope it does, due to the fact if the "transfer portal" nevertheless exists between indicates proper now, I do not suppose a trade of surroundings for Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu is a terrible thing. While I do suppose a in shape between Fatu and Reigns would be excellent, I'm now not anybody that wants that immediately.
The suit itself wasn't too tons to write domestic about; it used to be precisely what I predicted a singles healthy between Sikoa and Reigns would seem to be like. For some reason, I thinking Tribal Combat intended that interference used to be the solely component no longer allowed, so I used to be amazed when Tonga pulled the referee out of the ring. Knowing that I was once curiously incorrect now, however, it labored nicely with Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso coming out to run off Tonga and Fatu. While I predicted these guys, I did not count on Kevin Owens to come out in an strive to take out Reigns. Of course, Owens' Royal Rumble opponent, champion Cody Rhodes then ran down the ramp and despatched Owens packing thru the crowd. The interference did add some pleasure to a slower paced healthy that opened the show, and when it was once all over, it used to be interesting to see Reigns and Sikoa by myself as soon as once more in the ring.
The Rock placing the ula fala round Reigns' neck used to be a magnificent shot to wrap the whole lot up. Seeing Rock slowly come down the ramp, to Reigns' track rather of his own, used to be fascinating to see, as he looks to have totally dropped The Final Boss gimmick. With Rock there, it was once a first-class contact that this story needed, mainly if it is the remaining chapter in the Bloodline versus Bloodline story. With Reigns now utterly again as Tribal Chief, with Heyman nonetheless at his facet as the Wise Man, I'm very fascinated to see the place he goes next. The possibly subsequent step is the Undisputed WWE Championship after Rhodes faces Owens at the Royal Rumble, and it would be cool, in my humble opinion, to see Rhodes versus Reigns III, with no Rock involvement.No count how you experience about "WWE Raw's" debut on Netflix, you can't deny that Monday's episode drew in exponentially greater viewers than a regular episode of "Raw" (and, possibly, extra viewers than a standard minor pay-per-view).
"The Rock" stated that Los Angeles had the easiest entry gate range recorded in the records of WWE, and a variety of WWE figureheads reminded followers that the world had its eyes on this precise episode of "Raw." January 6 used to be an probability for "Raw" to exhibit their hand, and exhibit it fast.So, if WWE used to be making an attempt to introduce "Raw" to the world, then why on Earth did they solely characteristic their world champion — the proprietor of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, the pink brand's best accolade and most sought-after honor — in a two-minute vignette in the later section of the mid-card? Is GUNTHER missing? Do we have to put out a money reward to absolutely everyone who can supply data to his whereabouts?
It is not going that GUNTHER is out with serious damage or different grievous reasoning, on the grounds that in accordance to Cagematch, his ultimate in shape was once at a residence exhibit on December 29. If he is nevertheless cleared to compete, why did not WWE book "Raw's" world champion to even make an look on the show? You're telling me they put "The Rock," The Undertaker, and quite a number celebrities on "Raw," however now not the WWE World Heavyweight Champion? If this was once WWE's chance to show off its fine — which they truely made it appear like — then why is their supposed pinnacle "Raw" man now not even in the building?
I simply can't shake how bizarre this is. They had Cody Rhodes, "WWE SmackDown's" world champion, make a contribution greater to "Raw" than "Raw's" world champion. They gave greater air time Hulk Hogan, who Los Angeles booed to hell and back, on "Raw" than "Raw's" world champion. They do not even go here! When GUNTHER did show up on "Raw" through video bundle (that's the sound of my soul leaving my body), he reduce a promo that was, really, a total lot of nothing. Something, something, something, GUNTHER rocks. Something, something, something, GUNTHER is strong. GUNTHER's promo was once so inconsequential — so unimportant — they did not even add it onto their Youtube channel after the show. Do they no longer care what the champ has to say? Do they now not care that "Raw's" champion is now not even at "Raw?" I sense like I'm going crazy!
It does not assist that GUNTHER's World Heavyweight Championship reserving is sparse at best. GUNTHER is a world-class wrestler, however he is now not carrying that title, that title is carrying him. His reserving brings nothing to the status of the purple brand, and his absence on Monday's episode of "Raw" is the end result of that negative booking. If he is no longer at the single largest episode of "Raw," then what is he even doing here? Why is he even the champion?
Going from being the longest reigning Intercontinental Championship to struggling to show up on the exhibit he is the world champion for is a loopy decline.t's constantly exact to see Rhea Ripley with a little gold round her waist, however it is even greater beneficial when you reflect onconsideration on that her remaining reign as Women's World Champion ended due to the fact she was once compelled to relinquish the title due to a shoulder injury. Although it used to be a little disappointing that the Last Woman Standing stipulation had been eliminated from the fit at the remaining minute as it would've been becoming thinking about the stakes of the storyline, it was once time for Morgan's reign as champion to come to an end.
Prior to tonight, Morgan had solely had a handful of televised defenses that have been spaced pretty a ways aside from one another, and has in any other case been occupied with the troubles between her and Finn Balor which will inevitably lead to the breakup of the contemporary generation of Judgment Day. Her reign had turn out to be stale over the route of the previous few weeks, and a title exchange was once honestly what was once known as for particularly with Ripley being the one to dethrone her. If there may be one factor to take away from tonight's episode of "Raw", it is that WWE is heading into a new 12 months and what higher way to so with Ripley reigning as Women's World Champion.
Have you heard that "WWE Raw" moved to Netflix today? The exhibit kicked off with a tacky bloodless open that confirmed scenes from WWE and WCW and their connection to television. After a literal curtain drop and a lot of pyro, Paul Levesque addressed the crowd due to the fact of direction he did. Next they trotted out The Rock, who took a very lengthy time to get to the ring. Once he acquired there, he began inserting over Netflix over as the "perfect partner". He title checked some executives and made certain they received on TV. They even made certain to exhibit Bill Simmons, co-producer of the "Mr. McMahon" documentary.
It would be 33 minutes earlier than the bell would ring for the first match. On a three hour show, there have been simply 4 matches. At least we obtained one title shot. Rhea Ripley sooner or later beat Liv Morgan to regain the Women's World Championship and with a bit of luck put an stop to a feud that should've ended months ago. While Ripley used to be celebrating on the ramp, she was once interrupted by way of The Undertaker, who rode down on his bike to "American Badass."
In between matches, WWE spent a lot of time focusing on celebrities in the crowd. They additionally added in many stars like women's tag group champions Bianca Belair and Naomi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bron Breakker and "NXT" stars like Roxy. Stephanie McMahon (also recognised as Corporate Officer No. three in Janel Grant's lawsuit) used to be proven in the crowd. Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart got here out to boos (Hart was once collateral damage; the disdain was once for Hogan) as the former formally introduced his Real American beer being a sponsor for "RAW".
Some of "Raw" can also have been to reintroduce themselves to human beings who have not watched for the reason that Levesque and The Rock have been feuding, however it generally felt like a get together of getting on Netflix. The wrestling was once secondary, as frequently is this case with sports activities entertainment. That was once very obvious on the Netflix debut of "Raw." Next week supposedly appears to have greater wrestling on it and less patting themselves on the lower back they may possibly locate a way though. Intuit Dome is a lovely venue, however the humans internal the Intuit Dome made this episode of "WWE Raw" a little greater special.
© 2025 Kennedy Lucas & Associates
© 2025 The Lucas Tribune By K.L.P Entertainment
© 2025 Kennedy Lucas Publishings LLC
© 2025 The Office Of Kennedy Lucas Patterson
© 2025 The Lucas Tech Company
Comments