By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,744)
Fresno, California, at Save Mart Center
Streamed live on October 26, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore opened the show and narrated backstage/arrival shots of Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Ethan Page, Iyo Sky, and Becky Lynch. Tessitore said there were rumors about Stephanie Vaquer’s availability for the main event…
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce stood in the ring and announced that Stephanie Vaquer was not medically cleared. Pearce announced that Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship would replace the advertised number one contender’s match between Vaquer and Lynch.
WWE Champion Sami Zayn interrupted Pearce. Zayn complained that he came all the way to Raw and wasn’t advertised for a segment. Once in the ring, Zayn said he wouldn’t complain like everyone else about Reigns not being there or his part-time schedule. The fans chanted “OTC.”
Zayn told the fans that OTC looked at the list of dates and opted to skip Fresno. Zayn said he wished that he had skipped Fresno too. Zayn told Pearce that he was taking his time now. Zayn told Pearce to “respectfully” get the hell out of the ring because he had something to get off his chest. Pearce left the ring.
Zayn took issue with the fans chanting that he sucks. He mocked the fans for lapping up whatever Trick Williams, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns tell them. Zayn said he doesn’t brag, but added that perhaps he should. Zayn said no one has ever done more with less. He said no one puts the pieces together like him.
Zayn said that unless your name is Shawn, Eddie, or Kurt, you don’t belong in the same conversation as him. Zayn said perhaps it was time the fans acknowledged him. He said the fans could chant for OTC all they wanted, but he wasn’t coming. Zayn warned Reigns that focusing on The 946 rather than him would be a fatal mistake. Zayn complained about some of the people who want his title.
Je’Von Evans made his entrance with athletic tape on his shoulders. Evans stood at ringside while welcoming fans to Raw. Once in the ring, Evans said he wanted Zayn to say whatever he had to say about him to his face. Zayn said he didn’t owe Evans respect, but he would give it to him because he’s the last real good guy in WWE. Zayn said Evans should not interrupt him now or ever.
Evans said Zayn was trying to be one of the best, whereas he is trying to be the best. Evans said Zayn should stop talking or he’d give him and the fans something to talk about. Evans said Reigns may have been right when he said Zayn might not go to Crown Jewel with the WWE Championship. Evans expressed interest in the title.
Zayn said he’s disappointed in Evans. He said Evans isn’t even close to being in his orbit. Zayn told Evans to come back in five to eight years, and maybe he’d be half as good as them. Zayn said that until then, Evans didn’t deserve to look him in the eyes. Zayn exited the ring.
Adam Pearce returned to the stage and asked Zayn where he was going. Pearce announced that Zayn would defend the WWE Championship against Evans. Zayn got in Pearce’s face. Pearce told Zayn that the title match was up next, and then they cut to the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A strong segment, but I have to question the logic of waiting until the show started to announce the WWE Championship and Women’s World Championship matches. On a side note, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 11,037, with 10,492 tickets distributed. The total number of seats on the map is 14,096. The last time WWE ran the venue, 9,940 tickets were distributed for a February 18, 2024, live event.
Wade Barrett joined Tessitore on commentary…
1. Sami Zayn vs. Je’Von Evans for the WWE Championship. A few minutes into the match, Evans hit a big dive over the top rope onto Zayn on the floor. Evans tossed Zayn back inside the ring and climbed up top, but Zayn cut him off and eventually dumped him to the floor before a break. [C]
