After avoiding spoilers for this episode all day, I thought this episode of Monday Night Raw was full of fun, and I was glad I didn’t see anything beforehand.
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Heel Cena’s First Appearance
Since turning heel at this year’s Elimination Chamber PLE, John Cena has yet to appear on an episode of either Raw or Smackdown. That is until tonight.
John Cena opened up the show and explained how he felt to the WWE Universe. This was a breakup note to all of us who have grown up watching Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect. Cena told us that we have been awful to him. Booing him, chanting at him, forcing him to change. This was an interesting angle to take for WWE and I am fully behind it. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it.
Whether you loved or hated Cena growing up, we have all been a part of the “John Cena sucks” chant that was especially loud in Brussels. Cena made me feel bad for rooting against him for all of those years.
In a nutshell, John Cena has finally flipped to the dark side because he is looking after himself. He sees this as the easiest route to winning number 17 and is the correct way to do a heel John Cena character.
Cody Rhodes eventually made his entrance to confront his WrestleMania opponent. Cena immediately tried to ‘lil bro’ Cody, but he wasn’t having it.
Cody asked Cena who he really was. He wants a match against the real John Cena at Mania. Not this selfish, winey, shell of his former self.
Overall, the crowd was hot for both of these guys. Cena didn’t get the chance to get a word in against Cody, but both looked super strong on the mic.
Another Great Showing from Penta
Monday Night Raw’s newest acquisition continues to wow fans with his innovative and high-flying offense.
Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser in a no-holds-barred match in the first match of the night. As always, I was super impressed with Penta in this match. The finish had to of been my favorite part. A Mexican destroyer onto a steel chair followed by the Penta driver was immaculate. I can’t get enough of this guy.
The shock of the segment was the post-match interview, where Penta announced that he would be going after the Intercontinental Championship in the near future.
I think this is well deserved. Right now, nobody in Raw’s mid-card seems like a viable contender against Bron Breakker. Penta on the other hand has been hot and has clearly been the guy for weeks.
There was also a tease later in the night that Dom Mysterio was working to recruit Penta to Judgement Day. Could this be building to a triple threat for the IC title at Mania?
Ivy Nile vs Dakota Kai
Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile with ease in this match. We had some shenanigans out on the apron with Chad Gable and the rest of American Made throughout, but other than that there’s not much else to say about it.
Contract Conundrum
The contract signing for the Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania between Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky was next on the show.
Both Iyo and Bianca signed it fairly quickly, Iyo stating that as champion, she will not be disrespected again like she was last week.
After the signing, Rhea Ripley’s music hits as she storms to the ring. She was looking to also sign the contract for her match at WrestleMania. A match that she felt she deserved to be a part of. So much so that she would beat up both Iyo and Bianca and sign her name on the contract as well.
We all knew this would wind up becoming a triple-threat match. Although it hasn’t been “made official” we all know where this is headed.
Jey Uso Squashes Austin Theory
Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to announce that I get to write about the first squash match in Squash Match Wrestling history!
Jey Uso defeated Austin Theory with a cross body (per Michael Cole) in under one minute.
After the match, Theory and Greyson Waller attempted to one-up the Royal Rumble winner but were bested once again. There was a terrible botch where Jey tried to jump out of the ring and onto both of his opponents, he hit the ropes and landed awkwardly.
This was not a great look for someone who is trying to earn himself a WrestleMania main event. Especially with a storyline that has already been lackluster.
Gunther once again came out to make Uso’s night hell. He locked in a vicious sleeper hold, but Jey was able to escape and finally get the best of the World Heavyweight Champion. The segment ended with Jey Uso holding up Gunther’s title in triumph.
The Creed Brothers vs LWO
Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee defeated Julius and Brutus Creed in a tag team match.
In ring, this match was incredible. What else would we expect from high-flying luchadors like Rey and Dragon? The Creed Brothers looked fantastic as always too.
My favorite part, however, was the surprise attack from the mysterious masked assailant who is definitely NOT Chad Gable after the match had ended.
This unknown figure delivered several Gable-like moves to the luchadors. Most likely in an attempt to frame our beloved and ever-innocent Master Gable. I hope that WWE security can catch this guy soon. He can’t keep getting away with this.
Seth Speaks on Roman Reigns Attack
In the final major segment before the main event, Seth Rollins made his way to the ring to acknowledge the spectacular Brussels crowd and talk about his victory last week over CM Punk.
Seth was admittedly not angry at Roman Reigns for tainting his win in the steel cage match, saying that he would’ve done the same thing himself.
His focus then shifted toward his opponent, CM Punk. He said that Punk got lucky. If Rollins had just a few more seconds he would have stomped his head into the mat and crushed his WrestleMania dreams.
Seth announced that he would be heading to Smackdown later in the week to address both Reigns and Punk since they will also be at the show.
It is looking more and more like we are getting a triple-threat match between Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins. If this is the case, I believe that Seth Rollins should be the winner.
- Because I love Seth Rollins and want to see him win.
- Because Seth deserves it. Since losing his World Heavyweight Championship last year, he has been getting bested by these two all year. In the case of CM Punk, it’s in matches. But in terms of Roman, its from sheer star power. He’s been the head honcho in WWE for the past 4-5 years and a win like this would put Seth on an equally high pedestal where he deserves to be.
Pinn Balor vs Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker (predictably) retained his Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor in a stellar match that main evented the show.
Breakker was able to capitalize even when the numbers were against him. There were plenty of typical Judgement Day interferences fighting in Balor’s favor, but he was still able to get the win.
After the match, Judgement Day jumped an exhausted Bron Breakker. None other than Penta, who declared himself the next challenger for Breakker’s IC title earlier in the show, came out to make the save.
The two had a staredown, and the episode faded to black as the credits rolled.
For as good as Finn Balor is in the ring, I can only see one way that he makes it to WrestleMania this year. And that is in a match against Judgement Day partner Dominick Mysterio. They have been hinting at a feud for weeks now as tensions continue to rise within the group over the supposed new member.
However, I can also see Dom landing himself elsewhere on the WrestleMania card. That being in a triple-threat match between himself, Penta, and Bron Breakker for the IC title. You have to admit, this match would cook so much harder than Finn Balor vs Dominick Mysterio. That matchup just screams ‘Raw main event’ to me. I don’t think it’s worth wasting a spot on the show of shows, but I guess we’ll see how the story develops. Let Papa H cook as they say.