By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,656)
Charlotte, North Carolina at Spectrum Center
Streamed live February 17, 2025 on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole checked in on commentary while a shot aired of the Charlotte skyline. Various backstage and arrival shots were shown…
A race car pulled into the parking area. Daytona 500 winner William Byron climbed out of the driver’s side. AJ Styles climbed out of the passenger’s side and gave Byron a replica title belt…
Cole and Pat McAfee checked in from ringside. Lilian Garcia filled in as the ring announcer. Cole set up a video package that recapped the recent developments between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn…
Sami Zayn made his entrance for an in-ring promo. Zayn flexed his neck to sell the package piledriver he took from Owens. A “Sami” chant broke out once his music stopped playing. Zayn said it had been a rough couple of weeks and it was good to hear that.
Zayn said he doesn’t know of two wrestlers who have been tied together as long as he and Owens. He said in a relationship as long as theirs, there are a lot of betrayals. He said there’s also a lot of forgiving, but not this time.
Zayn said Owens tried to end his career. Zayn said the problem for Owens is that he didn’t get the job done. Zayn recalled Owens saying he would be at the Elimination Chamber. Zayn said he would be there too.
Raw general manager Adam Pearce walked out with a mic and asked Zayn what he was doing. Pearce said he, the WWE board, and medical have all told Zayn the answer is no to having a match with Owens. Pearce said Zayn is not medically cleared to compete. Pearce apologized and exited the ring.
Zayn called for Pearce before he could head backstage. Zayn said Pearce has known him for years and he’s not taking no for an answer. Zayn told Pearce that he wouldn’t leave the ring until he gave him the match.
Pearce said it’s true that he’s known Owens and Zayn for over 20 years, but he can’t sanction the match. Pearce asked if Zayn wanted him to do something he’s never done before. Pearce spoke about the violent things that Owens could do to Zayn and then added that he would not be able to stop him.
Pearce there would be no referee to enforce the rules. He said the risk is all Zayn’s and it would be for very little reward. “Even if you win this thing, you still lose,” Pearce said. He spoke about Zayn potentially having his final match at Elimination Chamber and then asked if he understood.
Zayn left the ring and went face-to-face on the stage. Zayn said he knows what it means. Zayn listed several violent things he could do to Owens and said that Pearce wouldn’t stop him. Zayn told Pearce to give him the match.
Pearce announced that Zayn and Owens will meet in an unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber. Pearce headed to the back while Zayn looked to the crowd…
The broadcast team spoke at ringside. Cole questioned whether Zayn was thinking straight. McAfee played up his excitement over the match and said that Owens and Zayn would beat the hell out of each once and for all in Toronto…
Footage aired from Smackdown of Nick Aldis showing Bianca Belair and Naomi footage of Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walking through the parking area the night that Jade Cargill was injured…
In the Judgment Day clubhouse, Dominik Mysterio told Liv Morgan that he heard Belair and Naomi were looking for her. Morgan said she wanted to talk about him instead. Morgan said Dom will beat AJ Styles. Dom spoke about adding a new member to the faction and noted that whenever he mentions the idea he gets yelled at by Finn Balor.
Finn Balor asked if someone said his name. Balor said there would be three members of Judgment Day at the Elimination Chamber because Morgan qualified, he’ll beat Seth Rollins, and then he told Raquel Rodriguez that it would be embarrassing if she lost to Roxanne Perez.
Rodriguez told him she would handle her business and then told Balor to handle his. Balor got serious and told Dom that there would be no new members. Carlito was in the room and made his exit with the men after Morgan told him to go…
Footage aired of iShowSpeed talking about being speared by Bron Breaker. He said he had a bad headache and thought he was going to die…
AJ Styles was shown walking backstage heading into the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that WWE won’t be using the iShowSpeed clip in a recruitment video for celebrities. Anyway, I really liked the way that Zayn and Pearce set up the unsanctioned match.
Dominik Mysterio and Carlito were in the ring coming out of the break. Footage aired of William Byron winning the Daytona 500. Byron was shown in the crowd. AJ Styles made his entrance. Cole said Bron Breakker told him that he’s building a retirement home for 47 year-old wrestlers, and then acknowledged that’s Styles’ age…
1. AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio (w/Carlito). Styles got the better of Dom to start and put him down with an early backbreaker. Styles dropkicked Dom, who went to the apron. Styles followed and knocked Dom to the floor with a knee strike.
Back inside the ring, Styles caught Dom with a punch and then set up for his finisher, but Carlito tripped him while the referee was distracted. Dom hit Styles with a suicide dive. [C]
Carlito climbed onto the apron and tried to interfere, but Styles pulled the ropes into his groin to take him out. Dom rolled up a distracted Styles for a two count. Styles came right back with a Styles Clash and scored the pin.
AJ Styles defeated Dominik Mysterio in 8:50.
After the match, Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker entered the ring. Breakker waited for Styles to turn around and then charged toward him, but Styles sidestepped him, causing Breakker to spear Dom.
Styles hit a jumping enzuigiri and then tossed Breakker to ringside. Breakker removed his t-shirt and threw it at Styles, who caught it without looking. Styles looked the Intercontinental Title belt that was in the corner of the ring and went for it, but Breakker grabbed it first…
Powell’s POV: Now you done did it, Bron. You’ve awakened the sleeping giant that is Dominik Mysterio! The match was a nice showcase for Styles, who also came off well during the post match angle with Breakker.
Cole spoke about Julius Creed joining Daniel Cormier’s training team for The Ultimate Fighter. Footage aired of Julius and Brutus Creed getting disqualified while challenging the War Raiders for the World Tag Team Titles last week…
Backstage, Julius and Brutus were laughing while bragging to Ivy Nile about what they did to the War Raiders. She thought it was funny, but she reminded them that they all promised Chad Gable they would have gold when he returns.
Dakota Kai was walking through the area. Nile told Kai that she knows all the people want to see Kai get another title shot, but she’s bringing it home for American Made. Kai said far tougher women than Nile have tried to beat her. Kai said she was going to earn her rematch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title… [C]
Ivy Nile was in the ring coming out of the break. Rugby player Aaron Woods was shown in the crowd. Dakota Kai made her entrance…
2. Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile for a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Intercontinental titleholder Lyra Valkyria watched the match from a chair at ringside. Kai caught Nile with a kick and then hit a sunset bomb into a Backstabber for a near fall.
Nile battled back and put Kai in an ankle lock. Kai eventually reached the bottom rope to break the hold. A short time later, Nile powerslammed Kai and covered her for a near fall. Nile performed a German suplex. Nile put Kai in an ankle lock, but Kai rolled out of it. Kai stomped Nile’s head into the mat. Kai followed up with a GTK and scored the clean pin.
Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile in 6:45 to earn a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
After the match, Lyra Valkyria entered the ring and held up the belt while looking at Kai…
Powell’s POV: This was a solid match that sets up a rematch of the tournament finals that resulted in Valkyria beating Kai to win the title.
Cole hyped WWE Evolve for March 6 on Tubi. The show will also stream internationally on YouTube…
A video package recapped last week’s segment that led to Jey Uso choosing to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41… Cole hyped Gunther appearing after the break… [C] Rey Mysterio was featured in a commercial for a tax service company…
Cole listed the attendance as 15,280…
Gunther stood in a concourse and was surrounded by fans who were chanting “yeet.” Gunther walked into the arena and stood at the top of the section where Jey Uso normally enters from. Gunther encouraged the fans to pump their arms.
Gunther said that performing for the fans is like reading Shakespeare to a dog. He said he’s sick of entering the ring with people who can’t lace his boots. He said he was hoping that Jey would make the right decision, but the fans gave him a false sense of confidence and forced him to dig his own grave. Gunther walked down the steps and complained of the stench. Gunther said he outclasses Jey in every aspect of the sport.
[Hour Two] Gunther hopped the barricade and then climbed onto the ring steps and looked to fans, which triggered a “you suck” chant. Gunther told the fans that Jey Uso’s blood will be on their hands.
Gunther told the fans to be honest with themselves and questioned if they really think Jey can beat him at WrestleMania. A “we want Jey” chant broke out. Gunther dropped to the floor and said he wanted to get a professional opinion.
Gunther climbed onto the broadcast table. “Michael, Pat, in what’s supposed to be your unbiased, professional opinion, do you really believe that Jey Uso has a chance to beat me at WrestleMania?” Gunther asked. McAFee stammered and asked if they were supposed to answer.
Gunther tossed the mic at McAfee’s stomach and it fell to the floor. McAfee picked up the mic. Cole told McAfee to be careful. McAfee said one night only, anything can happen, and he thinks Jey can win. Gunther removed his jacket and looked like he was going to go after McAfee.
Jey Uso’s entrance music played. Jey made his entrance via the stage. Three referees stood in front of Jey and tried to talk him into going backstage. Jey teased listening to them and then darted past them and slid inside the ring where he threw punches at Gunther.
Security guards, referees, and producers entered the ring to stop Jey, who superkicked a security guard. Jey broke free again and got a shot in at Gunther, who went to ringside. Gunther jawed at Jey while the producers ushered him to the stage. Gunther teased running past them and stopped. Jey played to the crowd while his entrance theme played, and slapped hands with Cole and McAfee…
Powell’s POV: A terrific segment. Gunther entering through the crowd in Jey style and badmouthing the fans was a blast. It was also good to get a break from Jey’s long entrance. The entrance is super over, but they have to be careful not to run it into the ground by going long with it every week.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley spoke with Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez and brought up the footage from the night Jade Cargill was attacked. Morgan asked Kelley if she saw them attack Jade. Morgan turned the focus to Rodriguez beating Roxanne Perez in an Elimination Chamber qualifier.
Kelley asked about the footage again. Morgan asked Rodriguez if she would feel bad if they were responsible for the attack. Rodriguez said not at all. She added that it could happen to anyone who gets in their way, and said tonight it just so happens to be Perez…
Cole hyped Penta vs. Pete Dunne for after a break… [C] Cole said the unsanctioned match between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn is official for Elimination Chamber…
Pete Dunne was in the ring. Brad Thomas of Surviving Black Hawk Down was shown in the crowd. Laura and Brittany from the great Love Is Blind reality show were also shown in the crowd… Penta made his entrance…
3. Penta vs. Pete Dunne. Dunne had a run of offense and a “Let’s Go, Penta” chant broke out. Penta battled back for a moment, but Dunne snapped his fingers. Dunne drove Penta’s head onto the apron and then both men tumbled to the floor.
Ludwig Kaiser walked out. Dunne stared at Kaiser, who motioned for him to focus on Penta. [C] Kaiser was at ringside coming out of the break. Penta came back again, but Dunne cut him off with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall.
A short time later, Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer. Penta made his hand gesture and set up to run the ropes for a suicide dive, but Kaiser was on the apron. By the time Penta turned his focus back, Dunne was able to go on the offensive.
Dunne barked at Kaiser to stay out of his business. Penta ran Dunne into Kaiser, which knocked Kaiser off the apron. Penta hit Dunne with the Penta Driver and then pinned him.
Penta defeated Pete Dunne in 10:40.
After the match, Kaiser entered the ring and attacked Penta. Dunne pulled Kaiser to the floor and they traded punches until Penta dove onto both men…
Powell’s POV: Penta continues to get really nice reactions from the live crowds. I’m not really sure why they are making this a three-way feud, but we’ll see where it goes.
Jey Uso was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in a backstage area. Jey was flustered. She asked him how he felt confidence wise. Jey said people doubted him and say he can’t beat Gunther, but he won the Royal Rumble. Jey said he would shock the world again by beating Gunther and becoming the World Heavyweight Champion…
At ringside, Cole said the question is whether Jey believes what he said or if he’s trying to convince himself. Cole shifted the focus to Bayley’s involvement in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game. McAfee did his telestrator routine to some footage from the game…
A Roxanne Perez video package aired. She said she doesn’t see a villain or a hero when she looks in the mirror, she sees the prodigy. She said she’s the most decorated woman in NXT history and ran through her accolades… Backstage shots aired of Perez, and then of Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan… [C]
“The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar had a video promo. They spoke about how The Creeds took them to the limit last week, but said they’re not built for war. Erik said it would be war the next time the teams have a match…
Roxanne Perez was in the ring and footage of her in the WWE 2K25 video game was shown. Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan made their entrance…
4. Roxanne Perez vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/Liv Morgan) in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Cole said the Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky match for the Women’s World Championship will take place on next week’s Raw. Cole also congratulated Stephanie Vaquer for winning the NXT Women’s North American Championship at Vengeance Day.
Perez went for an early suicide dive, but Rodriguez caught her and launched her into the ring post casing. Morgan ran over and high-fived Rodriguez before she returned to the ring. Rodriguez toyed with Perez and flexed while putting one foot on her during a pin attempt.
A short time later, Rodriguez went for a Buckle Bomb, but Perez countered into a huracanrana that sent Rodriguez into the corner. Rodriguez caught Perez from behind, but Perez counted into a pin for a two count.
Perez went for a dive from the ropes and was caught by Rodriguez, who gave her a fallaway slam. Rodriguez hit a spinning elbow from the middle rope and covered Perez for a two count.
Rodriguez charged Perez, who moved, which led to Rodriguez crashing into the ring post casing before tumbling to the floor. Perez hit her with a couple of dives. Back in the ring. Perez dropped Rodriguez with a DDT and then hit her with a springboard moonsault for a two count.
Rodriguez avoided Pop Rocks and then dropped Perez with a big boot. Rodriguez covered Perez for a two count and then showed frustration over not getting the pin, as did Morgan at ringside.
Bianca Belair’s entrance theme played and she came out and confronted Morgan, who tried to walk away, but Naomi showed up behind her. Belair and Naomi ran Morgan into the barricade. In the ring, Perez hit a distracted Rodriguez with Pop Rocks and then pinned her. Cole said the Cinderella story was continuing for Perez.
Roxanne Perez defeated Raquel Rodriguez in 7:30 to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match.
After the match, Belair and Naomi, who wore cheerleader outfits, set up Morgan for a Double KOD, but Rodriguez pulled Morgan to safety…
Powell’s POV: This was as quiet as the crowd was all night. The fans were attentive and reacted to the bigger moments, but I don’t think they knew who they were supposed to root for since Perez has been a heel. She played the babyface role in this match, but it’s hard to tell whether it’s just a one-off or if that’s how they are slotting her now.
Backstage, Seth Rollins was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Rollins spoke about WrestleMania being ten weeks away. He said he needed to win tonight to get into the Elimination Chamber match. Rollins said his qualifier was as big as it gets. He said Finn Balor needs the win, but he needs it more. Rollins made his exit.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett showed up. Kross said he knew Sami Zayn would see this eventually because he keeps a close eye on Rollins. Kross mocked the idea of Jey Uso thinking he would beat Gunther, as well as Rollins qualifying for the Elimination Chamber and eliminating “the invisible man” John Cena.
Kross said Zayn believes he can beat Kevin Owens despite the shape that he’s in. Kross said there’s no helping Rollins or Jey, but there’s always time for Sami to turn things around…
Finn Balor was shown backstage while Cole hyped his match with Rollins… [C]
An Iyo Sky video promo aired. She spoke about her title match with Rhea Ripley. Sky said she will take her rightful spot at the top of the women’s division and punch her ticket to WrestleMania…
“New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods entered the ring. Cole recapped highlights from last week of Kingston and Woods attacking Rey Mysterio at the end of the show. They worked over Rey with a chair.
“Get well soon, Rey,” Woods said. The fans booed. Kingston said they get that the fans don’t like them and then tried to ask for a chance to speak. A “New Day sucks” chant broke out.
Kingston said he’s won more titles than Rey. Kingston said he’s been with the company for 19 years. He said the difference between him and Rey is that he never left. Kingston said he should be the locker room leader, not Mysterio.
Woods said the audacity forced their hand last week. Kingston said the fans should thank them for showing Rey mercy. Woods said the fans should thank them for not taking Rey out back and giving him the Ol’ Yeller treatment. Kingston said they gave Rey a couple of extra days off to spend with his wife.
The LWO entrance theme played and then Dragon Lee came out with Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro. Lee spoke in Spanish and then explained that he said “New Day sucks.” The LWO trio ran to the ring and cleared Kingston and Woods. Lee set up for a suicide dive, but Kingston and Woods ran to the stage to avoid it. Funny…
McAfee hyped Cole’s appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast, which will be available on Tuesday…
[Hour Three] Cole listed the following matches for next week’s Raw in Cincinnati: Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles…
Backstage, Cathy Kelley caught up with Bianca Belair and Naomi, who spoke about next week’s match and possibly meeting in the Elimination Chamber match. They also said the Chamber winner could face Iyo Sky if she beats Rhea Ripley in two weeks…
Powell’s POV: I thought they said last week that Ripley vs. Sky was going to take place after the Elimination Chamber event. I don’t know if Cole misspoke earlier or if I misunderstood him, but it will be Ripley vs. Sky for the Women’s World Championship on March 3 in Buffalo. My apologies if it was my error.
Seth Rollins made his entrance for the main event… [C] Finn Balor’s entrance was televised coming out of the break. Balor attacked Rollins before the bell. The referee backed Balor into a corner and then checked on Rollins before calling for the bell to start the match…
5. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Balor took Rollins down and hit him with a standing double stomp. Balor followed up with a Pedigree and covered Rollins for a two count. Balor went for his Coup De Grace finisher, but Rollins rolled out of the way. Rollins clotheslined Balor, but Balor went right back on the offensive.
Rollins battled back and hit Balor with a suicide dive. Rollins rolled Balor back inside the ring and then hit him with a high knee strike. Balor avoided a Stomp and then hit a sling blade clothesline. Rollins dropkicked Balor’s left knee and then targeted it with additional kicks.
A short time later, Rollins had Balor on the bottom half of the ring steps. Rollins went for a Stomp while Cole recalled him doing the same thing to Roman Reigns during the Royal Rumble match. Balor avoided it and then tripped up Rollins on the steps. [C]
The fireflies came out as the fans held up their phones, but I didn’t catch what inspired it. Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb and then went up top and attempted a frog splash, but Balor put his knees up. Balor hooked Rollins into a pin for a two count. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Balor went for a shotgun dropkick, but Rollins stuffed it and put him in a Sharpshooter. Balor reached for the ropes, but Rollins pulled him to the middle of the ring. Rollins release the hold and then put Balor down with a Pedigree and covered him for a good near fall.
Rollins and the fans blamed the referee. Rollins gave the referee a crotch chop. Rollins went for a Stomp, but Balor shot up and threw a kick to the ribs. Balor went to the ropes for his finisher, but Rollins cut him off and eventually attempted a superplex only to have Balor trip him up and then hit the Coup De Grace for a near fall.
Rollins hooked Balor into a pin for a two count. Balor put Rollins in a crossface. When Rollins reached for the ropes, Balor rolled him back to the middle of the ring, but he lost his grip on the crossface. Rollins shot up and then hit Balor with a Stomp before covering him for the three count…
Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor in 18:45 to qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match.
The broadcast team recapped highlights of the match. Rollins held his ribs and then played to the crowd while the WrestleMania sign was behind him. The executive producer credits were shown and the show concluded at two hours and 29 minutes…
Powell’s POV: A tip of the hat to the fan opposite the hard camera who held up a “Tribalism Is Toxic” sign. Like whatever you like, but pro wrestling isn’t a team sport. Anyway, the main event was easily the best match of the night. I was a little underwhelmed going in because it felt like Rollins winning was so predictable, but he and Balor came through with a hell of a match. Overall, a solid show capped off by a hot main event. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members. Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading the show below.
It will be travesty if Owen and Zayn do not have a match against each other at WM.
If Orton returns soon it’ll likely be him and Owens going at it at Mania or perhaps they hold off on Orton for some reason and have Owens and Zayn in a hell in a cell match?
NGL, AJ catching the shirt with zero effort was hilarious. Sells the “locked in” vibe.