Continuing the WWE Road to WrestleMania European tour, Raw aired live from Forest National Arena in Brussels, Belgium.
Due to the media rights deal between WWE and Netflix, the show began at 8 pm local time and was broadcast around the world live, meaning that no markets have to wait for Raw to air on delay, as is the case with SmackDown tapings on the continent.
The biggest talking point heading into the show was the return of John Cena, who has been absent since his heel turn back at Elimination Chamber. Aware that Cena will be on the show, Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes will also be in attendance.
Announced ahead of time was the following:
- John Cena and Cody Rhodes under the same roof
- Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor – Singles match for the Intercontinental Championship
- Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser – No holds barred match
- Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory
- Ivy Nile vs. Dakota Kai
- Seth Rollins to appear live
- Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair to sign the contract to make their WrestleMania match official
Michael Cole and Corey Graves are the commentary team for the show,
WWE Raw Results
The show has kicked off and the crowd are already loud! Michael Cole announced the line-up as Finn Balor, Bron Breakker, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai were all seen arriving. Cole also promises a recap on the closing angle of last week that saw the return of Roman Reigns, who took out CM Punk and Seth Rollins.
A video package aired recapping the John Cena heel turn and Cody Rhodes’ promos from SmackDown and Raw, where Rhodes promised to walk out of WrestleMania 41 still the champion.
Cena’s music hit and the Hollywood star received a nuclear reaction with loud “John Cena sucks” chants. Cena wore the jorts and still has his “The Time Is Now” theme, for now at least. The boos continued with duelling “Let’s go Cena” and “Cena sucks” chants. Cena tried to speak but was hit with more boos and a “You sold out” chant. Cena attempted to utter one of his inspirational quotes but was drowned out again by the loud crowd.
Finally given a chance to speak, Cena said he was the victim of an abusive relationship for 25 years. Cena claimed he has been bullied all this time and has had enough. The “F*ck you Cena” chants started and a couple of F-bombs got out before the censors kicked in. Cena denied he was a face or a heel and that the fans have been awful to him all this time.
Cena continued and spoke about how he won a lot and tried to make the fans happy but it was never enough. Cena then spoke about his retirement and how the fans ruined that like they ruined everything else. The fans broke into a “Na na na, hey hey, goodbye” chant. Cena got the promo back on track, stating the fans always asked “What do we get?” To which Cena said they will get nothing, no new look and new music.
The fans chanted for Cody Rhodes and Cena responded that of course they want the new thing. Cena then stated that the fans stole his moments and is the butt of the joke, calling them pathetic. Cena stated that the fans were “dumped” and that he doesn’t need them anymore, but was interrupted by Cody Rhodes.
Unsurprisingly the fans were very loud for Rhodes with a deafening “Whoa!” and Cody chants. When the crowd finally died down, Rhodes stated that the fans gave Cena their worst and their best as the 16-time Champion is special and can take it. Rhodes cut Cena off and reminded the challenger who the WWE Champion was. Rhodes then reminded Cena to go and find himself for WrestleMania 41 and not a “whiny bitch.” Rhodes exited but Cena remained in the ring and the boos resumed. Cena dropped the mic to close out an all-time great segment.
Michael Cole called Cena an “irrational prick” and hyped the main event, which will see Finn Balor challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
Match 1: Ludwig Kaiser vs. Penta – No Holds Barred
During the ad break, Kaiser addressed the crowd and guaranteed victory. Penta made his entrance after the break and got a great reaction.
The match went to the outside quickly with Penta hitting a hurricanrana off the barricade. Kaiser brought the steel chairs in the ring but the match went to the outside again with both men fighting on the announce table. Kaiser hit Penta with a Death Valley Driver on the announce table.
Penta tried to get back in the match with a chop but missed Kaiser and hit the ring post. Back in the ring and Penta hit the backstabber for a near fall. Kaiser hit another Death Valley Driver for a 2 count. The crowd continued to be loud throughout. Kaiser went for a running attack but was cut off and dropped on the announce table by Penta. Following a strike exchange, Kaiser hit Penta with the chair and demanded Penta say he was scared, which Penta refused. Penta grabbed the chair and struck Kaiser multiple times. Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer and the Penta Driver on the chair to win the match.
Winner: Penta
After the match, Cath Kelley asked Penta what was next for him on the road to WrestleMania, to which Penta responded he wanted the Intercontinental Championship.
Match 2: Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile
Ahead of the match, Ivy Nile and The Creeds were seen backstage and were confronted by Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee. American Made denied that it was Chad Gable under the lucha mask the previous week. The Judgment Day were also seen backstage with Dominik Mysterio pitching that Penta should join The Judgment Day, prompting Finn Balor to storm off.
The match began and Chad Gable joined The Creed Brothers at ringside. Kai started out the match on top but Nile took control following a distraction from Gable. Mysterio and Lee made their way to ringside and took out The Creed Brothers. Gable ran to the back. Kai hit the GTK to get the win.
Winner: Dakota Kai
Iyo Sky made her entrance for the contract signing in the ad break followed by Bianca Belair. Adam Pearce moderated the contract signing and gave the champion and challenger the floor. Sky stated that she would not be disrespected again as she was the champion. Sky promised to remain the champion and signed the contract. Belair responded that Sky would not get away with attacking her again and promised to be the new champion, signing the contract. Pearce thanked them both for being professional and Rhea Ripley instantly interrupted.
Ripley stated that she would not accept being slapped and doing nothing about it. Ripley and Belair exchanged a war of words leading to Ripley slamming Belair and Sky onto the table. With both champion and challenger down, Ripley signed her name, seemingly making the match for WrestleMania a triple threat.
After the signing, Rhea Ripley spoke about her actions on WWE Raw in a follow-up interview.
Match 3: Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory
Following a brief confrontation with Gunther, Jey Uso made his entrance and got a great reaction with the arena Yeeting with their phones much like Backlash France. The crowd continued to Yeet throughout the break followed by Austin Theory making his entrance. Uso beat Theory in seconds and took down A-Town Under after the match. Gunther tried to sneak attack Uso again but Uso countered, ripping the World Heavyweight Championship off The Ring General in the process. Uso posed with the title and tossed it back to Gunther.
Winner: Jey Uso
Back from a video package and A-Town Under challenged Uso and a partner of his choice for Raw next week in Glasgow. Waller insulted the fans and left.
Match 4: The Creed Brothers vs. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee
After recapping the contract signing segment, Ripley demanded to be put in the match and a brawl ensued, which was finally broken up be security.
Back to the ring and The Creeds took control early and into the ad break. Lee was isolated but took control and got the hot tag to Mysterio when the show came back from break. The fans loved Mysterio as he made the comeback. Mysterio hit the 619 and the splash to win the match.
Winners: Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee
After the match, the “mysterious luchador” attacked Mysterio and Lee. Security went after the mystery man, who fled to the back.
Following a video package recapping the return of Roman Reigns on last week’s WWE Raw, Seth Rollins made his entrance. The fans sang Rollins’ theme for a long time. Rollins admitted he was mad but it was hard to stay mad with the crowd singing his song. The CM Punk chants started but Rollins wanted to speak about Roman Reigns first. Rollins also admitted he wasn’t mad at Reigns as if the roles were reversed he would have done the same thing.
Rollins noted that Reigns still can’t think of a plan himself and if Reigns waited a little longer then Punk would miss WrestleMania for a second year. Rollins then noted that both Reigns and Punk will be on SmackDown so he would also be on the show. Rollins hyped up the main event and asked the fans to sing his song one more time.
AJ Styles appeared backstage and tried to speak about Logan Paul but was interrupted by Karrion Kross.
Match 5: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship
Balor cut a promo before the match promising to win the title on St. Patrick’s Day. Balor slowed the pace down to start the match and threw Breakker out of the ring. Breakker ran back in and took back control, throwing Balor out of the ring to return the favour. Breakker went for the ringside charge but Balor countered with a slingblade. Balor continued to slow the pace down in the advert break. The loud fans picked up again when the show came back from break with Balor continuing to antagonise Breakker.
Breakker made his comeback with some high-power moves. Carlito and Dom Mysterio made their way to ringside to allow Balor to capitalise. Breakker dove from the ring and sent Balor over the announce table. Back in the ring and Balor hit the slingblade and basement dropkick. Breakker dodged the Coup De Grace and Balor dodged a spear. Carlito distracted the referee and Mysterio attempted to capitalise but crotched Balor in the process. Breakker hit the spear onto Balor to win the match and retain the championship.
Winner: Bron Breakker
Mysterio and Carlito tried to attack Breakker after the match but Penta made the save. Breakker and Penta stood tall with Penta handing the title to Breakker to close out the show.
The show ended at 2 hours and 22 minutes.
Announced For Next Week’s WWE Raw:
- Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez – Singles match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
- CM Punk to appear live
- Jey Uso and a mystery partner vs. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory
- Cody Rhodes and John Cena under the same roof
