The latest episode of Monday Night Raw was a throwback to the Attitude Era. There was blood, swearing, and a brutal beatdown to end the show. This was the penultimate Raw before next week’s go-home show in Brooklyn, leading into Wrestlemania in Philadelphia.
Raw was live in Chicago, and we saw the return of CM Punk, not in action but in talking on the mic. His segment with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins was excellent. Cody Rhodes was there, along with a surprise appearance from the Rock.
Raw ended with a brawl between Cody, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, McIntyre, and Seth Rollins. Then, out of nowhere, The Rock returned to lay the Smack Down on Cody Rhodes, playing up to the fact that he is the final boss.
There was some foreshadowing as well. When the brawl headed out to the parking lot, there was a scene straight out of 1999 when The Rock threw Stone Cold Steve Austin off the bridge along with then-WWF Title. It was a similar situation here, except Cody was not thrown off a bridge. He was put over the side of it with a truck in the background with John Cena and Austin on it.
Again, The Rock is all about the long game, and with Triple H running things, he is tying all feuds together. We know how Austin and The Rock feuded for the WWF Title. John Cena and The Rock had a great feud over two Wrestlemanias. We are seeing this play out with The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
There were many callbacks to old episodes of Monday Night Raw from the Attitude Era. The stage setup was smaller, so the company must keep moving forward. WWE had to accommodate more fans in Chicago because of CM Punk’s return, but it had a relaxed feel. Not to mention, the crowd was hot for this show.
It is Wrestlemania season, after all. Everything was turned up a notch, and the match quality was excellent. Heading into Wrestlemania, the promos need to be good, and we got great ones—no pun intended with The Rock in the House.
However, the way the show kicked off with Cody Rhodes and then The Rock showing up and having a face-to-face was excellent; a quick whisper and the Internet exploded. Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley had a solid promo segment and a good fight to end it. WWE got you ready for their match at Wrestlemania.
Of course, there was the kick-off to the second hour of Monday Night Raw featuring CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Seth Rollins. These guys pulled no punches. There was a realism here because these men did not like each other. Punk doesn’t like Seth, Seth doesn’t like Punk, McIntyre hates both guys, and the same goes for the other two for McIntyre. You need that in wrestling to make it believable.
The shots they took at each other were things one can only dream of. Again, this segment had some improv, but overall, it was better than most expected. McIntyre has come a long way on the mic, especially as a heel. McIntyre’s line to Punk about how he doesn’t drink or do drugs but spends all your time in rehab was so good.
These men just traded shots for shots. The way WWE is building this feud is perfect. Again, thanks to Triple H. McIntyre wearing his shirts with Punk’s name on them. Not to mention Punk taking shots at the Bloodline and referencing his 2013 matches with The Rock where he cites the line, I guess his arms were too short to box with God.
It was television gold—the whole segment, not to mention the entire show of Monday Night Raw, was worth every minute. Raw has not been this good in a while. It was the best Raw of 2024 and in years. The build to Wrestlemania has been excellent.
Only one more Raw before Wrestlemania 40. Let’s see if they can keep the momentum going.
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