The atmosphere at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, was electric on March 24, 2025, as WWE’s Monday Night Raw brought the heat with its lineup of matches and anticipated confrontations. Hot on the heels of the Elimination Chamber event, where John Cena made headlines by aligning with The Rock and turning on Cody Rhodes, fans were eager to see how these rivalries would unfold.
John Cena, notorious for his mixed reception, entered the arena to a chorus of boos, which only intensified as he unleashed his latest persona. During his segment, he directly addressed the hostility from the crowd, stating, "You’ve all been horrible people to me," as Glasgow chanted profanities directed at him. Cena claimed he was done seeking their approval, focusing instead on seizing his opportunity to reclaim the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41.
In an unexpected twist of betrayal, Cena revealed his plan to "ruin wrestling" for the fans, intent on retiring with the championship, which he dramatically stated would become a mere toy if he succeeded in his mission. The chasm between him and the fans has widened, as he plans to turn their long-held traditions into what he believes they deserve—a new symbol of his era.
The tension peaked when Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, confronted Cena in the ring, challenging him on his motives. Fans erupted in cheers for Rhodes, chanting his name emphatically. Rhodes made it clear, saying to Cena, "You can’t take the title away from the fans without taking it from me first." This led to a heated exchange where Rhodes laid the belt in the center of the ring, inviting Cena to take it now rather than waiting until WrestleMania.
However, rather than fighting, Cena opted to walk away amidst boos, leaving Rhodes in the ring to bask in the adoration of the crowd. The participants in this drama set the stage for an explosive encounter at WrestleMania and have left fans eager to see how this rivalry will culminate.
In addition to the thrilling main event buildup, WWE Raw featured a variety of matches. Lyra Valkyria defended her Women's Intercontinental Championship against Raquel Rodriguez, achieving victory after a series of intense exchanges. Valkyria executed a perfectly-timed roll-up pin to retain her title, bolstered by a post-match save from Bayley after Rodriguez and Liv Morgan attacked her unjustly.
Brian Breakker faced off against the formidable Penta for the Intercontinental Championship in another significant bout, showcasing the dynamic talent within the roster. Breakker, returning to defend his title, struggled against Penta's impressive offensive moves but ultimately emerged victorious, continuing his title reign.
Meanwhile, the ongoing saga of the Uso brothers saw them reignite their partnership after a long hiatus, as Jimmy and Jey Uso faced off against A-Town Down Under—comprised of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. In a thrilling tag match, the Usos secured a decisive victory, displaying their signature teamwork and agility. Yet their celebration was cut short when Gunther attacked Jey Uso, reigniting tensions as he looks to cement his own dominance in the division.
As the night progressed, CM Punk made headlines with his sharp-tongued promo, hyping up his upcoming match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Punk, addressing the audience, claimed that neither Reigns nor Rollins could defeat him without relying on each other—a point he emphasized searching for respect in the chaotic ladder of WWE. The crowd could not get enough of Punk’s biting remarks, proving once again his status as a crowd favorite, now evolving into a voice of reason against the chaos of wrestling politics.
The night was further-aided by special appearances from celebrities, including Richard Gadd of Baby Reindeer fame, who added a touch of star power from the stands, delighting the crowd with his interactions and gestures.
The contrasting reactions reflected the unpredictable nature of wrestling fandom—while Cena faces a mountain of disdain, Rhodes’ popularity soars. The differing responses encapsulated the wrestling experience, where heroes and villains shift with the tide of audience sentiment.
With only a few weeks left until WrestleMania 41, the stakes are higher than ever. Available to stream live on Netflix, WWE Raw continues to captivate fans with its thrilling segments and matches each week, building toward a monumental showdown that promises to shape the future of WWE.
