Of course, the world has been waiting for WrestleMania, and Monday Night Raw on January 2025 kicked the gears into high speed as well in terms of intense rivalry, surprise returns, and great storylines that may possibly hook the audience. Live from Dallas, Texas, this week’s show is truly an aquatic display of athleticism and drama, which maybe leads to the upcoming Royal Rumble and Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre: A Clash of Titans
The main event of the night was a real barnburner between Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins and Drew McIntyre. Both superstars brought their A-game, showing off their signature moves in a back-and-forth battle that had the audience on the edge of their seats. Rollins came out victorious but not before McIntyre caught him off guard with an attack after the match. It only intensified their feud but showed just how unpredictable WWE storytelling can be at times. End.
Women’s Division Heats Up
The women’s division was highlighted as Nia Jax squared off against Bayley in a bout that entwined personal history and championship aspirations. Their bout was more than a fight; it was a tale of resilience and rivalry. In a closely contested bout, Jax won, but the drama wasn’t over yet. Rhea Ripley stormed the ring post-match, accepting a challenge from Jax to title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, adding layers to the storyline and hyping the audience for what’s to come.
Emerging Talent
Another key storyline emerged in the rise of Penta, and here, Penta continued to make his name by defeating Pete Dunne. Fans fell for Penta’s dynamic wrestling style and charisma and indicated that WWE is also about nurturing new talent that can carry the legacy forward. His victory proved the depth of the roster and the future rivalries.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn: A Brotherly Pact
This made the friendship of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens more interesting on Raw. Their background in history and agreeing to be at each other’s back in the Royal Rumble made a great setup for this possible reunion, which would rumble the WWE landscape to its core. This alliance would not only be hyping up their Rumble appearance but also inject emotional depth in their characters for long-time viewers who have witnessed their journey.
Jey Uso vs. GUNTHER: The Underdog Story
Jey Uso’s match with GUNTHER reinforced the idea of underdog narratives in wrestling. While GUNTHER towers above everyone else, Uso’s will to win and interaction with the crowd show that, in classic wrestling terms, an underdog must battle against the impossible. This rivalry is bound to be an exciting one, especially as it will be leading up to the Royal Rumble.
The Role of Commentary and Presentation
The commentary team has been one with Wade Barrett and Michael Cole on board, and so far, I think they’ve worked really well with the change from the usual production to Netflix. It changes the way this product is received by the crowd, but you can’t question the effort that has been put forward by WWE so that it maintains its quality between new and longtime viewers.
Conclusion: All Eyes on WrestleMania
The ending of the episode created a huge expectation for WrestleMania. Storylines set in this episode of Raw were not only going to lead to a great Royal Rumble but also to some of the best matchups at WrestleMania. Fans are left wanting to know how these stories will be resolved in the following weeks, once again proving that WWE knows how to keep its audience wanting and excited for what is to come.
