WWE Raw’s Netflix era kicked off on Monday night with a stacked card. For all the night’s action, it was the show’s opening and closing matches that will stick in the memories of fans for years to come.
In the opening match, Roman Reigns battled Solo Sikoa in “Tribal Combat.” At stake was the ula fala, the symbol of leadership in their family. Sikoa and his Bloodline — as well as Kevin Owens — threw several curveballs at Reigns, but Reigns had his own backup in the form of Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes. In the end, Reigns was able to get the win before being presented the ula fala by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The show closed with a long-awaited match between CM Punk and Seth Rollins. The pair have had issues since Punk’s return at the 2023 Survivor Series and those issues had boiled over in recent weeks. The contest was more of a fight than a wrestling match and Punk managed to escape with a hard-fought victory that is sure to not settle down his issues with Rollins.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
WWE Raw on Netflix results, grades
The Rock opened the show after an impressive video package and a message from Paul Levesque. The Rock mostly talked up the Netflix debut, acknowledging Netflix executives and bringing up Squid Games. He finally thanked Cody Rhodes for carrying WWE on his back before also shouting out his cousin, Roman Reigns ahead of his match with Solo Sikoa.
Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat): The match was expectedly chaotic given the lack of disqualifications. Reigns and Sikoa used chairs, the commentary desk, ring steps and tables until it seemed Reigns had the match won. At that point, Tanga Loa ran in to stop the referee’s count. Jacob Fatu then attacked Reigns with a superkick and moonsault. Sikoa hit Reigns with a Samoan Spike, but Reigns kicked out at two as the referee re-entered the ring. Sikoa and his crew were ready to continue the attack after putting the referee down with another Samoan Spike, but Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn ran in for the save, helping set up Reigns for a spear on Sikoa only for Sikoa to kick out. After Uso and Zayn ran off Loa and Fatu, Reigns again appeared to have the match in hand, but Kevin Owens ran in to hit Reigns with a stunner before telling Sikoa to score the pin. Reigns again kicked out and it was then Cody Rhodes who ran in to attack Owens and leave Reigns and Sikoa alone in the ring where Reigns hit a pair of spears to score the win. After the match, The Rock came to the ring and presented Reigns with ula fala before sharing a handshake and a hug. This match was overbooked in a good way and a hot crowd with a lot less in-ring dialogue than the average Reigns match served it well. A memorable first match in the Netflix era. Result: Roman Reigns def. Solo Sikoa via pinfall –  Grade: A-
John Cena came to the ring to kick off his farewell tour, which will culminate in his retirement from wrestling by the end of 2025. After talking about how long it has been since he has won a match, Cena said fans should stop anticipating him winning a record-breaking 17th world championship. Cena said it would take a miracle and he could only earn it by winning Money in the Bank or winning the Elimination Chamber before pausing and saying he could also win the Royal Rumble. After saying he knows it’s a long shot, Cena said he would enter — and win — the Rumble.
Women’s World Championship — Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley: After some early back-and-forth action, Ripley hit Riptide only for Morgan to kick out. Dominik Mysterio threw Morgan’s belt into the ring but was caught by the referee. This allowed Raquel Rodriguez to distract Ripley long enough for Morgan to hit Oblivion onto a steel chair only for Ripley to kick out. After Ripley kicked out of a frog splash, she countered Oblivion and hit Riptide twice to win the title. Mysterio entered the ring after the match, seemingly wanting to sneak attack Ripley but when caught, offered a hug. Ripley rejected the hug and delivered a low blow before hitting Riptide. As Ripley walked to the back, The Undertaker’s “American Badass” music hit and the legend took a lap around the ring on a motorcycle. The match felt a bit rushed while hitting the expected beats. A few convincing false finishes provided a bit of extra drama. Result: Rhea Ripley def. Liv Morgan via pinfall to win the title. — Grade: B
Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre: Uso jumped McIntyre before the match had started. McIntyre mostly held the upper hand for much of the early stretch after the opening brawl. Uso kicked out after a Future Shock DDT before hitting a spear for a two-count of his own. McIntyre came back with a Claymore but it wasn’t enough to score the win. McIntyre kept up an aggressive attack before looking for another Claymore but Uso collapsed before the move could hit. McIntyre again lined up for the move but this time Uso suckered him in, locking up a crucifix pin for a three count. Result: Jey Uso def. Drew McIntyre via pinfall. — Grade: B
Hulk Hogan made a brief appearance to mostly promote his beer, which is now an official Raw sponsor. He also talked up the relationship between WWE and Netflix. A large segment of the crowd booed nearly everything Hogan said during the appearance.
CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: The match started as a bawl with both men trading strikes. Punk missed a dive to the outside but Rollins didn’t miss his own seconds later. Punk launched Rollins over the ringside barricade and the two men brawled by the crowd before heading back to ringside. Rollins got into several arguments with the referee for attempting to enforce rules, allowing Punk to take advantage. There weren’t many classic wrestling holds as the two mostly threw strikes with the occasional big move. Rollins hit Punk with Punk’s own GTS, but Punk rolled out of the ring to avoid a pin. When the two men rolled back in the ring, Punk hit Rollins’ stomp for a two-count. Rollins countered the ensuing GTS to hit one of his own for the second time. As the action spilled back to the outside, the two battled on top of the commentary desk, where Rollins managed to hit a pedigree before throwing Punk back into the ring, hitting the move a second time and only scoring a two-count. Rollins managed to hit a buckle bomb and then a stomp, but Punk again escaped defeat by getting his foot on the rope. After a Rollins superplex, Punk popped up and hit a GTS. Rollins rebounded off the ropes and slumped on Punk’s shoulders, allowing Punk to hit the GTS again and score the win. This match was the modern version of an “old-school” contest. The style of mostly hate-filled brawling doesn’t always connect with the current fanbase but if you’re a fan of that approach, this likely would be up your alley. Result: CM Punk def. Seth Rollins via pinfall. — Grade: B+