This week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw kicked off with the unmistakable energy of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, as fans celebrated the aftermath of the Royal Rumble. The evening was packed with exciting matches and poignant storylines as the WWE built toward the Elimination Chamber, set to take place shortly.
The night began with Jey Uso, fresh off his emotional Royal Rumble victory, soaking up the adoration of the Cleveland crowd. "I came to the game 15 years ago with my twin brother to carry on our family legacy," Uso stated, his voice thick with emotion. Many fans echoed back with chants of "you deserve it," as Jey expressed his gratitude, promising, "Because of you guys, I’m going to WrestleMania to be the champion!" The atmosphere changed dramatically when the World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther, interrupted, questioning the merit of Jey's victory and declaring, "You can’t lace my boots." Their exchange hinted at a potential showdown at WrestleMania, with Jey vowing to prove his doubters wrong.
Next up was Penta squaring off against Ludwig Kaiser. The match showcased high-octane action as Penta continued to demonstrate his skill, finishing Kaiser with the powerful Penta Driver after trading moves back and forth. The victory only intensified tensions as Pete Dunne interrupted post-match, hinting at future confrontations.
Fans were also treated to Charlotte Flair's return, where she embraced the mixed reactions from the crowd. After addressing her tumultuous past year, she was interrupted by Rhea Ripley, who challenged her for WrestleMania. Their history set the stage for what could be another thrilling bout between the two women, enhancing the event's stakes significantly.
The night continued heatedly with the New Day facing off against the LWO, where Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee battled Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Logan Paul made his presence known during the match but the New Day managed to pick up the win thanks to Kofi's signature Trouble in Paradise move on Rey Mysterio. This victory adds momentum for the New Day, especially with Paul set to face Mysterio next week.
The tension escalated during the women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match between Liv Morgan and IYO SKY. Despite lively back-and-forth action filled with close calls, the match ended controversially when Rhea Ripley interfered, leading to Liv’s victory via disqualification. This topsy-turvy result leaves the women’s division on edge as they head to the Chamber match.
After these matches, CM Punk faced Sami Zayn in the main event for the final Elimination Chamber qualifying spot. The two delivered a classic wrestling showdown, highlighted by near falls and dramatic reversals until Punk closed it out with his GTS finisher. While Punk celebrated his victory and his chance at the Chamber, Kevin Owens shocked the audience by attacking Sami Zayn post-match, signaling disruptive stories for the future.
Throughout the broadcast, John Cena's recent declaration of intent to win his 17th championship at WrestleMania loomed large, as his participation in the Elimination Chamber adds another layer of intensity to the already heated atmosphere among competitors eager to claim their shot at the title.
Looking forward, WWE Raw will continue its momentum next week with more qualifying matches and drama as the road to WrestleMania intensifies. With rising tensions, personal vendettas, and fierce competition underpinning the action, fans can expect nothing less than fire as the Elimination Chamber approaches.