It’s WWE Raw with CM Punk in his hometown, Cody Rhodes starting the show, and a surprise appearance from The Rock.
This week’s Raw took place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago with Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on commentary.
Cody Rhodes started the show with a promo. Cody talked about how he’s going to be best man at a wedding, he’ll be at a kid’s birthday and pay for the Wrestling Club to go to WrestleMania both nights. Cody said that this is not desperation. Cody said that he spends all this time at the end of the night with the fans and he pretends to be the champion because the “champion isn’t here.” Cody said it’s ine with him that Roman can’t have this “wank fest” with his cousin The Rock. Cody said that it’s his fault because he won the Royal Rumble not once, but twice. CCody said that on April 6th, him and Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns and The Rock, Cody asked the fans will they ride with him? The fans cheered. Cody said on April 7th in what’s hopefully a fair fight, he wants to know if the fans will fight with him? The fans cheered. Cody told the fans to point at the WrestleMania sign so they did and Cody pointed at the sign too.
The Rock made an unannounced appearance to a huge reaction from the crowd. The Rock slowly got into the ring and had a staredown with Cody while fans chanted things like “holy s**t” and “this is awesome” for them. The Rock walked up to Cody, said something to him without a microphone and we couldn’t hear it. Cody had a surprised look on his face without saying a word.
After a break, The Rock was shown walking backstage. The Rock was asked by Jackie Redmond what Rock said to Cody Rhodes. Rock said: “Go ask Cody Rhodes.” The Rock left.
Match #1: Ricochet defeated JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio) by pinfall. This was a three segment match. Dominik was ejected for interfering. Ricochet hit a Canadian Destroyer as a counter move and a Shooting Star Press off the top onto a standing JD for the pinfall win.
CM Punk did a promo saying that there were a lot of things he wanted to say Punk said that he would be at WrestleMania. Punk said that people have suggestions like maybe he would host WrestleMania. Punk said that he wished WrestleMania was here in Chicago…hint hint. Punk talked about how people suggest he could be on commentary and even be a referee for a title match that needs an impartial referee. Punk took shots at Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Rock (for not talking about him) and Drew McIntyre, who interrupted the promo.
Drew McIntyre reminded Punk that he hurt him the last time they were in the ring together. Drew walked down to ringside while showing off his shirts mocking Punk. Punk ripped Drew saying that he never had to put another man’s name on a shirt to sell it. Drew said that Punk doesn’t drink or do drugs, but he spends all that time in rehab. Drew told Punk he doesn’t hate him. Drew said that Punk completes him. Drew said he wanted Punk to have a front row seat at WrestleMania so he wants Punk to be on guest commentary for the Rollins-McIntyre match at WM40.
That led to Seth “Freakin” Rollins interrupting as the World Heavyweight Champion saying they shouldn’t talk about his title without him being there. Rollins said they should take a poll of the whole city of Chicago. Rollins asked the fans if CM Punk should be on commentary for the Rollins-McIntyre match at WrestleMania 40. There was some cheering for that and then the fans chanted “Referee” instead. Rollins told the fans that it was Punk’s counting arm, so Punk counted to three with his left arm. Punk said he couldn’t be objectively fair with these two d**ks (muted) in there. Drew: “PG, brother.”
Rollins told Punk he didn’t think anything about him. Rollins said that Punk hadn’t crossed his mind since the last time they were in the ring together. Rollins told Punk that he was a non-factor to him. Rollins said that Punk claims that everybody needs him, but Rollins said that Punk needs Rollins. Seth said that the irony of Punk narrating Rollins’ match is good for him and Seth said that this is the closest Punk will get to a World Championship. Rollins told Punk to stay out of his way. CM Punk said it’s decided that he’s going to sit beside Michael Cole and do some guest commentary. Punk trashed Drew and Seth while saying that he’ll do what his ten-year absence from this company couldn’t do and that’s to make these two guys interesting. Punk’s music played, but Drew stopped it. Drew claimed that CM Punk is obsessed with Drew because Drew is living Punk’s dream. Drew claimed that Punk is his number one stan. Drew was in the ring, so Rollins hit Drew with a superkick followed by The Stomp. Seth’s music played to end it.
Match #2: Candice LeRae (w/Indi Hartwell) defeated Ivy Nile (w/Maxxine Dupri) by pinfall. LeRae won while covering Nile with her feet on the ropes. The referee never saw it. They only got about two minutes.
There was a backstage discussion between #DIY and The New Day chatting backstage about the Tag Team Title Ladder Match at WrestleMania. The Miz & R-Truth joined in since they are in the Ladder Match too. Paul Heyman was talking to Drew McIntyre in the background.
Match #3: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. #DIY -Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano ended in a No Contest when The Judgment Day attacked.
The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh beat up The New Day, #DYI and The Miz/R-Truth, who were on commentary for the match.
Cody Rhodes was interviewed by Jackie Redmond in the locker room. Redmond asked Cody if he could share what The Rock said. Cody said that it’s not something that he would rather repeat. Cody said that it was a promise that The Rock couldn’t keep and that was it.
Match #4: Andrade defeated Giovanni Vinci by pinfall. Ivar was going to be Andrade’s opponent, but Ivar was injured and not able to compete. Andrade won with The Message, which is a lifting suplex/neckbreaker move.
Rhea Ripley, the Women’s World Champion, was with Dominik Mysterio and did a promo in the ring complaining about how Becky Lynch wasn’t giving Ripley enough attention. Lynch interrupted and mocked Ripley for not wrestling on Raw very much while Lynch does it often. Ripley said she can post a video on social media and fans go crazy for her. Ripley made it personal by saying Becky’s daughter Roux will call Rhea “Mami” after WrestleMania. Lynch was in near tears about how her dad never met her daughter because he passed away and he would be proud of the mom that Becky is. Lynch punched Dom in the jaw and then Ripley/Lynch fought all around the ringside area. It lasted a couple of minutes before referees broke it up.
"So, how was your Monday?"#WWERawpic.twitter.com/DJPnY5XAiU
— WWE (@WWE) March 26, 2024
Match #5: Bronson Reed defeated Sami Zayn by pinfall. Zayn was in control, but then he looked at Gunther in the aisle and Reed took advantage to knock Zayn down. Reed hit a Tsunami splash on Zayn for the pinfall win.
Jey Uso did a promo backstage about his main event match and was interrupted by his brothers Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa. Jimmy said “No Yeet” to Jey.
Match #6: Jey Uso defeated Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall. When Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa arrived at ringside, they were taken out by Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins. However, Drew McIntyre showed up and gave Rollins a Future Shock DDT on the floor. Jey beat Nakamura with a Spear.
Cody Rhodes was shown fighting Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa, but then The Rock hit Cody from behind. Rock threw Cody into a bunch of objects backstage. They went outside into the parking lot where it was raining outside. The Rock kept on throwing Cody into the bus that Cody travels in. Cody ended up bleeding from the forehead. Rock took off his weight belt that said “Mama Rhodes” on it and wiped Cody’s blood onto the belt. Rock said Cody’s daddy talked about hard times, so Rock will teach Cody about hard times in life because this is what happens when you f**k with The Final Boss. Rock threw Cody into the bus. Rock said that it didn’t have to be this way but this is the only way. That was the end of Raw.
A man of his word.#WWERawpic.twitter.com/gya5Gf07eK
— WWE (@WWE) March 26, 2024
Next Week On WWE Raw
Here’s what WWE is advertising for the April 1st edition of Raw.
* The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) and #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh)
* The Rock and Roman Reigns are there.
That was all for this week’s show.