WWE Raw tonight emanated live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The show featured several intriguing matches, enlightening promos and interviews, the debut of a well-disliked star, and much more on the Road to the Royal Rumble. Here are the Monday Night WWE Raw results from the January 27, 2025 show.
The Road to the Royal Rumble
The road to the Royal Rumble is being paved with good intentions. Or so, we’d be led to believe. Whether it’s Sami Zayn just trying to figure out his place, CM Punk claiming to want to help a friend, or Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre wanting to rid the WWE of Roman Reigns’ influence, everyone seems to have their ‘why’ for the Royal Rumble other than the obvious one staring them all in the face, wanting to main event WrestleMania. And on Monday, most of those whys came to a head.
Seth Rollins, Gunther, and Logan Paul all Want the Same Thing
The night opened with Monday Night Rollins as Seth Rollins kicked things off sharing his ‘why.’ Rollins walked into Hotlanta with a warm welcome as he told the crowd this was his favorite time of the year. He said the year didn’t start the way he wanted as he had the “most embarrassing loss of his career” against Punk. But after that loss, Rollins looked inward and realized he’s Seth Freaking Rollins and as the best version of himself, the most focused, no one is better. To that point, Rollins was going to throw everyone out, especially Roman Reigns (pause for effect). And then, he hoped it was just him and Punk so that he could be the one to turn Punk’s main event dreams to dust. And when he won, he’d have to pick a champion to face, one of whom was very eager to hear from his would-be opponent.
As Gunther made his way to the ring, he couldn’t figure out how everyone had lost focus on what mattered. Because while Gunther was defending the world title, Rollins was whining and complaining about the drama that he’s caught up in. Gunther told Rollins he needs to shut out the noise so he can win the rumble, that is, if he still has it in him. Gunther wasn’t so sure. Rollins reminded Gunther he made the world title and that he’s a better wrestler than anyone Gunther has defended the title against to this point. Gunther didn’t disagree but told Rollins this was 2025 and Rollins was no longer the best in the company, Gunther was.
That theme of ‘best’ would come up later in the night, but before that, enter Raw’s newest full-time superstar, Logan Paul. As hot as the crowd was to cheer Rollins they were equally as prepared to boo Paul to the tune of jeers that had previously only been reserved for Dominik Mysterio. After tonight though, Mysterio should take solace in the fact he is no longer Raw’s most hated superstar. That honor belongs to someone else. The crowd was merciless, making it so that Paul had to scream most of his promo. Credit to the influencer though, Paul had the crowd eating out of his hands, at one point even looking around after the crowd chanted “you suck” and saying, that’s what attention looks like. This got the crowd quiet for a few moments as Paul continued hyping himself up. He said he was the face WWE needed and that while Rollins and Gunther had hit their ceilings, he was still just climbing the stairs. It was a great line but you’d be forgiven if you couldn’t hear it over the boos. Paul continued saying he was going to win the Royal Rumble by working smarter, not harder.
No one likes Logan Paul, but that’s the point. He’s a heel, you are supposed to boo him. And as people say, as long as they aren’t apathetic to you, whether it’s boos or cheers, as long as they are paying attention. Outside of Paul, there was a lot to unpack in that open. Rollins’ intentional call out of Reigns is chief among them. Everyone wants a piece of that rumble pie but aside from that, it looks like Rollins and Reigns haven’t written their final chapter yet. As Paul Heyman alluded to later in the night, things may only just be getting started. If Rollins and Reigns don’t win the Royal Rumble, all roads seem to point to these two having one heck of a grudge match at the show of shows.
Sami Zayn is at a Crossroads
Last week was all about Sami Zayn and this week, those story beats continued. We saw Zayn confront Punk backstage with a poignant dig about having main evented WrestleMania whereas Punk never has, before Zayn also ran into Rhodes, and Karrion Kross backstage. Kross seemed to have some interesting words for Zayn telling him to put himself first and to stop thinking with his heart and think with his head. If he does, then there is a world of opportunity waiting for him.
Then, later in the show, Zayn was seen backstage with Rollins, apologizing for the accidental helluva kick after Rollins’ match with McIntyre last week. Rollins took a few moments but then agreed it was a mistake and he could get past it. He told Zayn though that he couldn’t blame him for thinking it wasn’t a mistake given Zayn’s association with Reigns. Rollins was downright prophetic when he told Zayn if he made another mistake, Rollins might not think it was one. Cue later in the night when Zayn did exactly that.
Almost as if on cue, in an attempt to save Rhodes (who made the run-in to save Zayn) from McIntyre and Kevin Owens, Zayn made one helluva mistake, kicking Rhodes after McIntyre sidestepped him yet again. McIntyre smirked as Zayn realized history had repeated itself again. He felt awful, all the more so when Owens patted his chest as if Zayn did him a solid kicking Rhodes. But Zayn protested it wasn’t like that. It was just another mistake. Actions have consequences and so do mistakes. At the Royal Rumble, Zayn has to make a choice, one that was well laid out by the announcers. He has a chance to fight for a title at WrestleMania, all he has to do is take Owens’ up on his quid pro quo. We’ll find out soon what he chooses to do or perhaps what he ‘accidentally’ does…
A Cover Star and the Man who Made it All Possible
Who would have guessed Drew McIntyre would be the gift that keeps giving?
Prior to McIntyre’s match against Zayn, he interrupted Paul Heyman and the 2K25 cover reveal. As many had guessed dating back to Raw’s Netflix premiere, that cover star was none other than the OTC. Heyman touted Reigns’ success as a banner of the cover was revealed at ringside. Heyman promised that getting the Ula Fala back was step one in Reigns’ comeback tour. The next stop was winning the Royal Rumble and regaining his world title. As the crowd chanted “We want Roman,” Heyman remarked that Reigns was prepared to throw everyone out of the ring including Rollins (pause for effect). But before Heyman continued he noted that he shouldn’t be talking about Rollins as it was too personal for Reigns. So to repeat a line from earlier: If Rollins and Reigns don’t win the Royal Rumble, all roads seem to point to these two having one heck of a grudge match at the show of shows.
But this segment wasn’t about Rollins, it was about Drewwwwww. McIntyre made his way to the ring telling Heyman he just wanted to talk. McIntyre said he wanted as thank you because as much as it pained him to say it, he was the daddy of the Bloodline. None of the accolades would have been possible without him. McIntyre explained he was the catalyst of it all as after he won the Royal Rumble, eliminating Reigns in 2020, it led to two men embarking on different paths. Reigns was rudderless and McIntyre went on to beat Brock Lesnar leaving Heyman out of a client. But as McIntyre noted, Heyman’s spin of how Reigns saved him from obscurity never quite rang true. As McIntyre saw it, it was Heyman who sought out Reigns, seeing a man who needed him as much as Heyman needed to be needed. He helped Reigns harness his talent and become the tribal chief everyone knows and loves (or hates) today. So McIntyre just wanted a thank you was all…and a small favor. Heyman asked him what he wanted and McIntyre said he wanted him to tell his ‘boy’ that he was coming for him on Saturday. Heyman said he’d pass the word along to Reigns before McIntyre clarified. The message was for Punk, who one might recall, is owed a favor from Heyman as well. It’s only a matter of time until he cashes in.
This was fantastic on so many levels. McIntyre has become an ace on the mic and the way he spun the origin of the Bloodline was brilliant. McIntyre is a man of many things but vengeance is at the top of his list. He’s coming after Reigns and he’s coming after Punk. So is Rollins. So is Zayn. The road to that first-ever WrestleMania for good ol’ CM is getting tougher by the day.
The Student has Become the Teacher
It was a night of masterful promos from start to finish, and it seems WWE may have saved their best for last. After Rhodes took Zayn’s accidental kick, he remained in the ring, addressing his hometown crowd and the title handing above his head. Rhodes said he’s learned that being a champion isn’t about the physical belts as much as its about the mindset. Rhodes says no one has worked harder or wrestled more matches than he has. He’s the first to arrive and the last to leave and he’s looking forward to moving past Owens.
Cue Cult of Personality. Punk enters claiming to have genuine concern for his friend after seeing what being a champion is doing to him. Punk noted he sees the toll because he lived it, having felt burnt out during his 434-day reign and becoming someone who he didn’t like and who didn’t like coming to work most days. Punk said he knows what the weight of being champion means. He lost friends over it and he sees the same happening to Rhodes. When you’re champion, there is a target on your back and Punk acknowledges that, partly because he’s one of the ones shooting at that target. Punk says he’s Rhodes’ friend though, in part because of a promise he made his father but also because he truly loves him and feels he’s let him down. Rhodes asks Punk what’s next and Punk lays it out saying tonight, Rhodes will be in his own bed but Punk doubts he’ll sleep, because he’ll be thinking about the championship that means so much to guys like them. And he’ll probably have an early call time to do media. But even if he doesn’t, he’ll still be on the road, losing time with his wife and daughter. And he’ll be thinking about the biggest match of his career. And say he wins that. There’s the next show and the next one after that, Raw, SmackDown, PLEs. When you’re champ, you have to do it all. Early mornings, late nights, sacrifices for the sake of holding onto that top spot. Punk doesn’t want that for his friend and he warns him that the moment is coming when someone in the best shape of their career is going to go to the main event of WrestleMania and take the title from him. And that’s the good news. The bad news? Punk is that man. So instead of stabbing him in the back, he’ll stab him in the front.
Rhodes respected Punk’s honesty but now it was his turn to speak. Rhodes spoke with passion as he talked about first getting into the business and learning alongside Punk in OVW. And back then, everyone was chasing Punk. And then on the main roster, Punk got called up and Rhodes wasn’t far behind, still chasing him. And then a decade went by where Punk sat at home while his name was chanted throughout crowds. Even then, everyone in that locker room was chasing him. But Rhodes said that’s when their dynamic shifted because Rhodes was at the top of the mountain and now, Punk was chasing him. Rhodes said he hoped Punk would win the rumble because then he could catch up. Things got a little tense as Punk grabbed Rhodes’ arm saying he wasn’t finished. He said a lot of people wanted him to catch up until he did and there’s a graveyard of careers in his wake. Rhodes grabbed Punk saying he wasn’t finished either because he wants Punk to win the rumble and face him at WrestleMania so that he can see the Best in the World isn’t the best anymore…
Wow. On a night when the matches were mostly good, it was the mic work that won the show. Rhodes, Punk, Rollins, Gunther, and McIntyre added intrigue to the Royal Rumble as it very much feels like there’s six to eight guys who could easily make a case to win. Even Uso seems to be in the groundswell of a Daniel Bryan-esque run to the top. There’s one more SmackDown before the PLE and there’s no doubt more to come from that. But for right now, the Road to the Rumble is looking better by the day.
Best of the Rest
- The New Day continue to excel as heels. It all started with them not even able to get Ludwig Kaiser and Pete Dunne on their sides before Xavier Woods’ own family sported New Day Sucks shirts during his match against Rey Mysterio. Woods couldn’t even get recognition as a favorite son of Atlanta as Cathy Kelley namedropped just about every wrestler that wasn’t him. The New Day without music hits differently and they did a great job ‘heelin’ it up’ according to Pat McAfee, when they insulted the local sports team. Turning on Big E has been the best/worst thing for these guys and it will be exciting to see where things go next.
- Welcome to ‘Yeet’lanta. Population thousands and millions of fans plus McAfee. WWE hasn’t had a wrestler with this kind of dynamic entrance in a long time and the crowd is undoubtedly behind Jey Uso, who entered through the fans alongside Atlanta native Quavo. Uso’s popularity has been on an upward trajectory that doesn’t seem like will be ending anytime soon. There is a real organic groundswell building behind Uso. Maybe not at Daniel Bryan levels, but it’s getting close. It’s undeniable at this point and the company is taking notice. As Michael Cole said about Uso winning the rumble, “miracles do happen.”
- This was Raw’s go-home show before the rumble and everybody took note. Logan Paul and Penta announced their entries on the men’s side and Ivy Nile, IYO SKY, Lyra Valkyria, and Bayley declared on the women’s side. Bayley even reminded Rhea Ripley that she won last year’s event and if she wins this year, she’s going for Ripley’s title.
WWE Raw Match Recap and Results
WWE World Tag Team Championship: Judgment Day vs War Raiders
Judgment Day came out hot, attacking War Raiders with a double team as soon as the bell rang. The action got pretty fast and furious as the wrestlers left the ring. JD McDonagh attempted a moonsault but hit his head hard on the announce desk and it really looked like he rung his bell. But McDonagh rebounded faster than anyone expected, minor concussion be damned. Back in the ring, the War Raiders took advantage of the brief two-on-one before McDonagh got back into the action only to have Erik powerbomb Mysterio right into him. The War Raiders kept up the energy with Ivar hitting a huge cannonball off the barricade to take out Judgment Day. War Raiders kept piling on as both Ivar and Erik hit a series of moves, almost getting a nearfall. The teams quickly exchanged tags and strikes with Judgment Day getting a little more steam with MdDonagh back in. The commentators put him over as he hit a huge enziguiri and a snap powerslam for a neafall. The match continued with Carlito showing up and spitting his apple into Ivar’s face. This distraction allowed Mysterio to hit the 619 before a hot tag to McDonagh, who hit a moonsault and then tagged Mysterio back in. Another nearfall as Erik broke up the pin, sending McDonagh to the floor. Ivar knocked Carlito off the apron almost giving Mysterio the chance for another 619, but no, War Raiders with the war machine for the win.
Rey Mysterio vs. Xavier Woods
After an entrance that saw them insult the local sports’ team or as Pay McAfee said, “heelin’ it up,” New Day entered for their match. Notably absent from ringside were Woods’ family, with four reserved seats empty. Mysterio entered to a hero’s welcome as it was noted this was the last time we’d see LwO together as Zelina Vega had been traded to SmackDown as part of the transfer window. Hmm, just in time for her real-life husband to possibly make his return…
The match started on the mat with both guys looking to gain an early edge. Mysterio got the first big spot hitting a crossbody and a series of strikes. The two traded strikes as Woods used the ropes to push Mysterio’s face into. Heelin’ it up indeed. Mysterio was able to regain the edge briefly but Woods countered a sunset flip and landed a double stomp to Mysterio’s neck. That led into the break. As action resumed, Woods was still holding the advantage until Mysterio surprised with a senton off the top rope to back Woods down. Mysterio enjoyed a nice flurry of moves, almost getting a nearfall. Mysterio had Woods set up but smartly, Woods rolled to the floor, throwing Mysterio into the announce desk. That’s when it got interesting. Woods spotted his family and berated them for being late. That’s when one by one his dad, mom, and sister, all revealed New Day Sucks shirts. Et tu Brute? Woods and Kinston were shocked and the distraction allowed Mysterio to line up the 619 back in the ring. A slingshot splash later and this thing was over.
To add insult to injury, after the match, New Day’s family, seated with Lil Yachty, handed Mysterio a New Day Sucks shirt, which he put on before celebrating with the family and the rest of the LwO.
Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Judgment Day
Bianca Belair and Naomi have been great champions but Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez know what’s at stake. Win and it’s hard to argue a future title shot isn’t in their future. Morgan and Belair started the action with Belair getting an early advantage before Morgan struck back. The two remained pretty even at the early going before Judgment Day used their numbers advantage to attack Belair. Belair managed to get away after a few strikes, getting the hot tag to Naomi, who immediately hit a series of moves to catch Rodriguez off guard. But that didn’t last long as Judgment Day regained the edge, only for the champs to take charge heading into the break. The match continued with a back-and-forth pace for a bit before Rodriguez sent Naomi to the outside, swinging her into the ringpost. Naomi struggled but was able to make the tag as Rodriguez tagged in Morgan as well. Belair and Morgan entered hot with Belair hitting a vertical suplex before tagging in Rodriguez. Naomi tagged back in for a nearfall, and then back to Belair. The match started winding down as both teams went for a series of quick tags before a flurry of huge moves followed. Belair hit the KOD and it looked like the champs would secure the win but Dominik Mysterio distracted the ref and ran interference on the outside. He took a huge hit for his troubles, but it all worked out as Rodriguez neutralized Naomi before Morgan pinned her. After the match, Morgan and Rodriguez celebrated with Mysterio, who seems to be making some headway with getting back into Morgan’s good graces.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
The theme of the night was that Zayn has never beaten McIntyre in 10 attempts. He’s been his boogeyman so to speak, the monkey on his back. And Zayn knows that, he knew what was at stake and it showed in his approach. But McIntyre isn’t one to be trifled with and he’s a man on his own mission, He’s taken a lot of Ls this year but he wasn’t about to take one to Zayn. The two locked up to start the match, McIntyre looking to utilize his physical strength advantage over Zayn. But Zayn didn’t back down with both men pretty evenly matched at the start until McIntyre finally got Zayn down to the mat. Zayn responded with strikes and a flurry of offense before McIntyre struck hard. Zayn ended up bleeding, his nose busted open. But that didn’t deter him as he kept fighting despite McIntyre beating him down at every turn. Zayn managed to avoid a claymore, keeping himself in the action. But McIntyre remained in control until Zayn mounted a comeback, almost hitting a blue thunder driver. Zayn looked for the suplex but again was stopped as McIntyre seemed to know what was coming before Zayn hit the move. Guess that’s what happens when you’ve beat someone 10 times…McIntyre knew Zayn’s playbook and used it to his advantage. But Zayn wasn’t going away. The two jockeyed for position before McIntyre hit a huge superplex. He waited, preparing for the claymore. As it turned out, he wasn’t the only one who was scouting the others’ moves as Zayn sidestepped the claymore and got a nearfall. Zayn sent McIntyre hard into the ring post but McIntyre saw it coming and managed a roll-up schoolboy pin with his feet on the ropes, unseen by the refs.
Death, taxes, and McIntyre beats Zayn. 11-0.
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