- Lyra Valkyria’s Victory Over IYO SKY
- Valkyria’s underdog victory over IYO SKY in the semifinals of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament was a standout moment. It was a technically sound match, with both women showing great in-ring chemistry. While the messy finish could have been smoother, Valkyria overcoming a former world champion was a moment worth celebrating. This victory sets her up for greater opportunities on the main roster.
- CM Punk vs Seth Rollins Promo
- The buildup to next week’s match between CM Punk and Seth Rollins has been one of the most intense and personal. Their promo exchange on Raw was filled with real emotions and history, with Rollins taking jabs at Punk’s time away from WWE and Punk calling out Rollins for his loyalty to the company. The tension between the two has been palpable, and this promo segment delivered on the anticipation of their upcoming showdown.
- Opening Segment With The New Day & The Bloodline
- The opening segment was a great way to kick off the show, with The New Day facing a hostile crowd and being mocked by Jey Uso. The interaction between Woods, Kingston, and Uso, along with the setup for McIntyre’s sneak attack, added excitement and furthered storylines that could be pivotal moving into the new era.
Things We Hated:
- R-Truth vs. Pete Dunne (Butch) Feud
- This feud has overstayed its welcome. The ongoing storyline with R-Truth mocking Pete Dunne’s “Butch” persona, which has been played out for weeks, is starting to feel more like a chore than entertainment. The lack of resolution and continued repetition, especially when Dunne has yet to get a satisfying victory, makes it feel like the storyline is being dragged out unnecessarily. WWE would do well to move away from this and give both wrestlers more meaningful roles.
- Judgment Day vs. The War Raiders
- The Judgment Day and War Raiders’ matches have become far too repetitive. Every week seems to follow the same formula, with the Judgment Day interfering, trying to cheat their way to victory, and then getting a post-match beatdown. While the individual matches can be fine, the lack of progression or change in the dynamic is making this storyline stale. It’s time for WWE to inject some fresh energy into this feud or move the characters in new directions.
- Chad Gable and Otis’ Feud Becoming a Forgotten Spotlight
- The ongoing feud between Chad Gable and Otis, which has been drawn out for months, feels like it’s lost its spark. Despite some great matches between the two, their feud seems to have been relegated to filler material for Raw before WWE’s transition to Netflix. They should have gotten more recognition, but instead, the payoff feels muted, especially considering the history behind their rivalry. Gable and Otis have had great performances, but WWE’s handling of this storyline, and its lack of meaningful resolution, is disappointing.
Final Thoughts:
This episode of WWE Raw felt like it was setting the stage for a bigger future, especially with the transition to streaming. While there were some excellent moments, particularly the match between Valkyria and SKY and the Punk vs Rollins promo, there were also several storylines, like the R-Truth/Dunne feud and Judgment Day vs. War Raiders, that are becoming tiresome. WWE has some big decisions to make as they move forward into 2025.