By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,654)
Cleveland, Ohio at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Streamed live February 3, 2025 on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole checked in while a shot aired of the Cleveland skyline. “We are on the road to WrestleMania,” Cole declared. Backstage shots aired of Sami Zayn, CM Punk, “Judgment Day” members Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, Raquel Rodriguez, and Carlito, as well as Iyo Sky, and Charlotte Flair…
A video package recapped the Royal Rumble event…
Men’s Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso was shown walking through the concourse. He looked into the camera and asked for his music to play and then made his entrance through the crowd. Pat McAfee checked in on commentary with Cole, who listed the attendance as 13,432.
Jey was introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor once he arrived at ringside. Jey stopped and slapped hands with the broadcast team before entering the ring. Cole described Jey’s Rumble win as one of the most shocking in Rumble history and noted that he eliminated John Cena to win the match.
A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Jey removed his “YEET” shades. An “Uso” chant broke out followed by a “yeet” chant. Fourteen minutes into the show, Jey spoke for the first time by saying, “Thank you guys for that.”
Jey said he didn’t know what to say. When a “yeet” chant started, Jey quipped, “Besides that, okay?” Funny. Jey asked the fans to let him talk. He said got in the game 15 years ago and established a legacy with his brother Jimmy.
Jey spoke about the pandemic era and joining The Bloodline. He said those were cool chapters in his career. He said he was not confident about becoming a singles wrestler. “I didn’t have it, bruh, I didn’t have it,” he said. “But coming out there tonight, I got it now.”
Another “you deserve it chant” broke out. Jey said he worked really hard to get to this spot. He got emotional and his voice cracked while saying he worked hard to get to this position.
Jey teared up while thanking the fans on behalf of him and everyone in his family. He said because of the fans, he’s the 2025 Royal Rumble winner. He said he’s going into WrestleMania for the main event. “And it’s just me, Uce,” he said.
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther made his entrance and joined Jey inside the ring. Gunther said he would offer his congratulations, but then asked for what. “In reality, I’m disappointed, because quite honestly this year, this possible matchup, it doesn’t appeal to me.”
Gunther said Jey can’t even lace his boots. Gunther said he learned how to make fans think he is barely holding on to his champion, but he is always in control. Gunther said he refuses to do this with Jey again. Jey tried to speak, but Gunther cut him off.
Gunther said he’s in the process of building a legacy for himself and beating Jey at WrestleMania doesn’t add anything to it. Gunther said beating John Cena or Roman Reigns or CM Punk would have added something to his legacy.
Gunther said Jey has everything to gain whereas he has everything to lose. Gunther said that if Jey chooses him, it will be hell every week and WrestleMania will be the most horrible display of violence the business has ever seen. He said he would hurt Jey and put him down like a diseased dog. Gunther advised Jey to consider his options and then dropped the mic and started to leave.
Jey told Gunther to wait. Jey said he’s tired of everyone telling him what he can and can’t be. He said they tell him he’s just a tag team guy and he’s not supposed to be in the main event or win the Royal Rumble. Jey said he’s going to Smackdown and will holla at Cody Rhodes.
“Whoever I choose, I’m walking into WrestleMania as the 2025 Royal Rumble winner,” Jey said. “But I guarantee you, Gunther, that I’m walking out of WrestleMania as ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso and it will be as champion.” Jey exited the ring…
Powell’s POV: A really fun scene with the celebrating Jey’s win with him. I think he could have started his promo sooner, but the fans got the cue and kept cheering and chanting while he wisely milked the moment. Gunther’s logic about wanting to add to his legacy and not getting that from Jey felt both realistic for the Gunther character to feel while also coming off as insulting toward Jey’s character.
Cole and McAfee spoke at their desk. Cole said they would have an update on Roman Reigns later in the show after he was Stomped by Seth Rollins twice at the Royal Rumble…
Footage aired of John Cena announcing that he will compete in the Elimination Chamber match. He said he feels that opportunity is earned after all the years he’s spent in the company. He said he will win his 17th championship not for him, but so that he can someday shake the hand of the person who wins an 18th world championship…
Cole hyped Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser for after the first commercial break… [C] Cole plugged the new WWE trading cards…
Ludwig Kaiser was already inside the ring while the broadcast team recapped Penta eliminating him from the Rumble in just six seconds. Penta made his entrance…
1. Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser. Penta tossed Kaiser over the top rope while Cole told the story it was more humiliation for Kaiser after Penta eliminated him from the Rumble match. Kaiser came back and hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron. [C]
Both men traded chops in the middle of the ring. Kaiser set up for a move by the ropes, but he was backdropped over the top rope to the floor. Penta hit a flip dive. Back in the ring, Penta got a near fall off a top rope crossbody block.
Kaiser caught Penta leaping and hit him with a rolling senton for a near fall. Penta came back and performed The Sacrifice armbreaker. Penta followed up with a Penta Driver and got the win…
Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser in 9:55.
After the match, Jackie Redmond entered the ring and asked Penta what comes next. Pete Dunne’s entrance theme interrupted Penta. As Dunne walked out, Kaiser hit Penta from behind and worked him over. Kaiser exited the ring and locked eyes with Dunne for a moment before heading to the back…
Powell’s POV: I wonder if they are setting up Penta for some tag team matches, perhaps with Rey Mysterio as his partner against Kaiser and Dunne.
Cole recapped JD McDonagh suffering an injury during last week’s show and noted that he suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung…
Finn Balor entered the Judgment Day’s clubhouse and complained that things fell apart while he was gone for the last two weeks while recovering from a street fight. Balor took issue with Dominik Mysterio for stealing his tag team partner last week.
Liv Morgan stepped up and said Dom had to take Balor’s spot in the World Tag Team Title match or Adam Pearce would have given the title shot to another team. Balor was still upset until Morgan informed him that Dom got him an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Carlito showed up for a moment after Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez exited the clubhouse…
Women’s Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair made her entrance. [C] A graphic listed that Charlotte had four eliminations, is the first two-time women’s Rumble winner, and has finished in the top three of all five Rumble matches she has entered…
Charlotte stood in the ring and said, “Hi, Cleveland.” She said the fans booing her a year-and-a-half ago would have bothered her, but she’s missed the fans whether they boo or cheer her.
Flair said she thought she was unbreakable, but last year sucked and it broke her mentally and physically. Flair said there was a point last year when she didn’t know if her knee was going to get better or if she’d make it to the Rumble or even SuummerSlam.
Charlotte said she would embrace the boos because she still loves all the fans and she is still the greatest WWE Superstar in the industry. “Boo me now,” Flair said. She said this is her passion and what she wants to be the very best at.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley’s entrance music interrupted Flair. Ripley headed to the ring while Cole spoke about the “long history” between the two. He noted that they’ve met twice at WrestleMania, including the last time Flair won the Rumble and she chose to challenge Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Ripley joined Flair inside the ring. “Hello old friend,” Flair said off-mic. “Well, I was trying to have a moment with Cleveland, but hello, Mami,” Flair said. Ripley said, “Your moment, yeah, but this is my show.”
Ripley said they have the possibility to go to war again. Ripley said that when you got to war with something, that’s when you earn their respect the most and she does respect Flair.
Ripley asked Flair to choose her and pointed out that she beat her the last time they met at WrestleMania. Flair recalled beating Ripley the first time they met at WrestleMania. Ripley said she was just a kid when Flair beat her.
Flair said Ripley jumped the gun and wants answers, but she has nothing but time. Flair said she would go to NXT to see if Giulia would inspire her, and then she’ll go to Smackdown to see if Tiffany Stratton will inspire her. Flair told Ripley that she’s just a kid and then said she’d see her next week.
Ripley cut in front of Flair when she tried to leave. Ripley said that Flair saying she’s just a kid proves that Flair doesn’t respect her the way she respects Flair. “So please pick me, please pick me, so I can beat the respect into you.” Ripley dropped the mic and her music played…
[Hour Two] Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn about his Elimination Chamber qualifying match against CM Punk. Zayn said he thought he had a chance to win the Rumble, but now he’s focused entirely on Punk. Redmond asked Zayn if he’d had a chance to speak to Kevin Owens. Zayn cut her off.
Zayn approached Jey Uso, who apologized for kicking him and eliminating him from the Royal Rumble match. Zayn told him to stop and then hugged him and told him how proud he is. Zayn told Jey to go all the way regardless of which champion he chooses to face. Zayn and Jey did their handshake and then Jey made his exit
Karrion Kross showed up and told Zayn that was very touching. Zayn asked Zayn what it was like to watch everyone else live out his dream. Zayn told Kross that they would have a problem if Kross keeps coming up to him like this. Kross said he wasn’t there to be a problem for Zayn, but then his demeanor changed and he told Zayn that he could be…
Powell’s POV: Good intensity from Ripley during her verbal exchange with Flair. I don’t know if the boos for Flair were somehow unexpected, but it seemed like it threw her off from talking more about the knee injury that she battled back from. Meanwhile, Zayn was understanding when Jey apologized, but I’ll be surprised if it’s that simple. I like the way Kross is always stirring the pot.
“New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods made their entrance to new music for a match against Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee… [C]
Rhea Ripley was walking backstage when she spotted Iyo Sky, who told her she may see her at WrestleMania. Ripley was fine with it. Sky walked away and was blindsided by her Elimination Chamber qualifying match opponent Liv Morgan. Ripley tried to help, but Raquel Rodriguez hit her from behind…
Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee made their entrance to Rey’s theme. Cole announced that Rey will face Logan Paul in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match on next week’s Raw. Cole said he did Paul’s podcast and it was fun. McAfee said he couldn’t wait to listen…
2. “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee. There was an early “New Day sucks” chant as they got the better of Lee during the opening minute. Lee battled back and had Kingston tied up in a tree of woe when entrance music distracted him.
Logan Paul made his entrance while Cole noted that he’s from Cleveland. The New Day duo took advantage of the distraction and had Lee down at ringside when Paul arrived with one if his drinks in his hand. [C]
Paul was seated at ringside coming out of the break. The New Day duo isolated Lee. They draped him over the middle rope and then Lee jumped from the ropes and leg dropped him. Lee eventually made a hot tag.
Rey got Kingston in position for a 619, but Woods pulled Kingston to the floor. Rey hit a senton splash on Kingston. Paul stood up and rubbed the top of Rey’s head. Rey dropped Paul with a punch.
Moments later, Rey slid Kingston back inside the ring and tried to follow, but Paul pulled him to the floor aggressively. Paul picked up Rey and slid him back in the ring. Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise on Rey and then pinned him…
“New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee in 9:25.
Powell’s POV: The cheap finish was effective in terms of adding to New Day’s heat, while also putting heat on Logan Paul heading into next week’s Elimination Chamber qualifier with Rey Mysterio.
Footage aired from the Royal Rumble of Seth Rollins hitting Roman Reigns with two Stomps at ringside after both men had been eliminated from the Royal Rumble match…
Cole said he just received a text message from trainer Larry Heck, who told him that there was no official update on Reigns because they could only share whatever Reigns allows them to share. Cole said it looks like Reigns will be sidelined for the foreseeable future…
Backstage, CM Punk was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. The feed was spotty for a moment while Punk said that the silver lining of him not winning the Rumble is that neither did Reigns or Rollins. Punk apologized to Zayn fans because he said he will be advancing to the Elimination Chamber match. Punk said maybe he put too much pressure on himself going into the Rumble, but he’s won the Chamber before and now the pressure is on everyone else…
Footage aired from the Rumble countdown show of Cole opening a pack of WWE cards and getting an autographic CM Punk card. Cole said that card was sold online for charity…
Iyo Sky was shown walking backstage while selling her injuries from Liv Morgan’s attack. Sky walked past “Pure Fusion Collective” Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark… [C]
A graphic noted that this was the 30th edition of Raw that Cleveland has played host to. The first Raw in Cleveland was on March 2, 1998. The city has also played host to nine premium live events…
Footage aired of iShowSpeed replacing Akira Tozawa in the Royal Rumble match and then taking the spear from hell from Bron Breakker. A graphic noted that footage of the spear was the most viewed Royal Rumble social media post of all-time with over 300 million views…
Powell’s POV: Remember that 300 million mark before you ask why WWE is doing business with social media influencers and YouTube content creators.
A video package hyped Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match for next week. Bayley and Valkyria were shown in the crowd… Liv Morgan made her entrance with Raquel Rodriguez…
3. Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan (w/Raquel Rodriguez) in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Morgan was the early aggressor as Sky continued to sell the backstage attack. Morgan hit a high knee in the corner and followed up with a basement dropkick for a near fall. Sky came back and hit a suicide dive. [C]
Sky hit a missile dropkick and followed up with a standing double stomp that resulted in a two count. Morgan avoided double knees in the corner and then hit a Backstabber. Sky caught Morgan in a crossface. When Morgan escaped, Sky drilled her with a spin kick.
Sky went up top. Rodriguez climbed onto the apron, which led to Morgan taking advantage of the distraction. Morgan went for a sunset flip powerbomb to pull Sky to the floor, but Sky held on to the ropes. Sky eventually hit an Asai moonsault.
Back in the ring, Sky went for a top rope move, but Morgan hit her with a Codebreaker on the way down and covered her for a nice near fall. A tame “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Sky followed up with a top rope huracanrana. Sky hit double knees in the corner and went up top again. Rodriguez provided another temporary distraction. Sky went for Over The Moonsault, but Morgan put her knees up. Sky came right back with a suplex.
Rhea Ripley ran out and attacked Rodriguez. Ripley dropped Rodriguez with a headbutt. Morgan reached through the ropes and grabbed Ripley, who punched her from ringside. The referee saw it and called for the bell.
Liv Morgan defeated Iyo Sky by DQ in 12:15 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match.
Ripley looked remorseful while Sky was all smiles. After Morgan and Rodriguez left, a distraught Sky approached Ripley, who tried to explain herself. Sky was still upset and left the ring…
Powell’s POV: While it would be nice to get more clean finishes, Ripley accidentally costing Sky the match was interesting. I could have done without Sky’s child-like response, but I’m curious to see if this goes anywhere.
Cole hyped the following matches for next wee’s Raw in Nashville: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, and Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match…
Backstage, “War Raiders” Erik and Ivar were interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who asked them what’s next. Ivar said he gained a level of respect for JD McDonagh last week.
“American Made” Chad Gable, Ivy Nile, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed showed up. Gable told the War Raiders that the Creeds will out-wrestle them. The War Raiders asked what will happen then they turn the match into a fight.
After the War Raiders left, Gable told his crew that he had to leave for a while so that he could master the dark arts of lucha libre. Gable said when he returned, he wanted to see Nile with the Intercontinental Title and the Creeds with the tag team titles. Gable put his shades on and said, “I’ll be back”…
The broadcast team hyped the launch of WWE Evolve starting Wednesday, March 5 on Tubi…
Seth Rollins made his entrance dressed in non-wrestling attire that included a black cowboy hat and a black trench coat…
Highlights aired of AJ Styles’ returning in the Royal Rumble match…
Backstage, Adam Pearce informed Cathy Kelley that the transfer window closed over the weekend, but he was able to get one final deal done. Pearce announced that AJ Styles is the newest member of the Raw roster.
Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker showed up and asked Pearce if he likes Styles. Pearce said everyone likes him. Breakker told Pearce to do Styles a favor by keeping Styles away from him.
Breakker questioned what was next for the Intercontinental Championship and said it doesn’t seem like it’s been all that important to Pearce lately. Pearce said Breakker knows how much he respects Breakker and the title. Breakker said the should go talk business…
Powell’s POV: The awkward and poorly explained transfer window is closed. I wonder if Nick Aldis will announce on Smackdown that he also made one more deal over the weekend.
Seth Rollins stood in the ring and spoke about Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble match. He said he is proud of Jey and loves seeing people get what he deserves. Rollins then he said that brings him to CM Punk. Rollins called Punk a scumbag and a piece of trash and took delight in Punk failing to win the Rumble.
[Hour Three] Rollins mentioned Roman Reigns. Rollins said Reigns, WWE, and Paul Heyman wouldn’t tell the fans, but he would tell the fans the truth because he’s the one who hurt Reigns. He said the fans could blame him, but Reigns has hurt his friends and family for the last four years. Rollins said they love to talk about the limited schedule, so he thinks he did Reigns a favor.
Rollins spoke about how it hurt that he didn’t win the Rumble. He said that’s in the past and there are number of different paths to WrestleMania.
Rollins called out Sami Zayn, who made his entrance and joined him inside the ring. Rollins said Zayn’s immediate future is CM Punk. Rollins said everyone knows he hates Punk, but what the world doesn’t know is that Zayn hates Punk too.
Rollins reminded Zayn that Punk claimed that Zayn isn’t on his level. Rollins said Zayn is a WrestleMania main eventer, which Punk will never be. Rollins said Punk is right because Zayn is levels above Punk. Rollins told Zayn to put Punk’s WrestleMania dream in the dirt for good and then come fight him in the Chamber match. Rollins exited the ring.
CM Punk’s entrance music played and he walked out while Rollins was still at ringside. Rollins locked eyes with Rollins and then both men started to move toward one anther. two referees intervened and were actually able to do what 25 referees normally can’t do by pulling them apart from one another. Punk was in the ring heading into a break… [C]
4. CM Punk vs. Sami Zayn in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Cole said this was the first time that Punk and Zayn met in a one-on-one match. After some back and forth action, Punk performed a neckbreaker and then played to the crowd before going up top. Zayn cut him off and then superplexed him. [C]
Punk went for a GTS that Zayn avoided. Zayn set up for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Punk slipped away. The feed started to go spotty again right before Zayn countered a bulldog with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nice near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Punk caught Zayn in the Anaconda Vice. Zayn eventually reached the bottom rope with his foot to break the submission hold. Punk stood up and looked at the WrestleMania sign.
Punk hit Zayn with a couple of knee strikes in the corner and then told Zayn to look at the sign. Punk said it’s for him because Zayn isn’t on his level. Punk ran to the opposite corner and Zayn followed, but Punk was able to avoid a Helluva Kick.
Punk scooped up Zayn for a GTS, but Zayn countered into an inside cradle for a close near fall. McAfee said “I don’t know” twice regarding the count. Punk went for another GTS that Zayn avoided. Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Zayn charged Punk for a Helluva Kick, but Punk cut him off, hit the GTS, and scored the pin.
CM Punk defeated Sami Zayn in 14:55 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match.
The feed got shitty again after the match while Punk looked up at the big screen and a graphic listed him and John Cena as the Elimination Chamber match entrants. Punk offered Zayn a handshake, which Zayn accepted while Cole said it showed that Punk acknowledged that Zayn is on his level.
Kevin Owens entered the ring wearing in a “Sami Zayn Forever” and hit Zayn from behind, causing him to knock Punk out of the ring. Owens gave Zayn a package piledriver. The producer credits were shown to end the show…
Powell’s POV: The main event was a blast and I like that Zayn had some really good near falls and was portrayed as being on Punk’s level. I am somewhat surprised that Owens attacked Zayn. I went from thinking they were going to have another WrestleMania match to wondering if Zayn was going to turn heel. I know some fans are going to complain about Owens and Zayn feuding again, but I feel like enough time has passed and I am personally looking forward to it.
Overall, this was a strong follow-up to the Royal Rumble and it also kicked off the Elimination Chamber build effectively. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading the show below.