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WWE Raw on Netflix results: CM Punk, Roman Reigns shine; Hulk Hogan gets booed out of the building

BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 31: CM Punk celebrates his victory over Drew McIntyre (not pictured) with fans following their strap match at the WWE Bash in Berlin Premium Live Event at Uber Arena on August 31, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.  (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)
CM Punk has stood tall since his return to WWE. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)

The WWE on Netflix era has begun.

WWE's $5 billion deal to broadcast "WWE Raw" on the streaming giant kicked off Monday, Jan. 6, with a loaded debut show headlined by some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. In the main event, we finally saw former world champions CM Punk and Seth Rollins get their hands on each other.

The wrestlers' bad blood boiled over in recent weeks, and the expectations were high for them to deliver in their big main event. This match started hot, as it should have, with punches and clotheslines getting traded before both men exited the ring for some unhinged action. While it initially built nicely, the action slowed pretty heavily in the final half, as each failed to finish the other. Both then stole each other's finishing moves, but in the end, a brilliant Punk counter off Rollins' superplex to Falcon Arrow caught Rollins in a pair of GTSes.

No shenanigans, just a clean main event in what will surely be the first of multiple encounters. It was a fine match and exactly what it should've been. The real classic can come later, as the story between Punk and Rollins extends and intensifies over the course of 2025. They did a great job getting to this point, so the possibilities of what can happen next should leave fans with positive expectations.

Love him or hate him, Punk is one of the guys in WWE, and they need him. He has countless options for where he goes from here, and he made that known in his post-match promo.

"WWE Raw" opened with another chapter in the never-ending story of The Bloodline saga: Tribal Combat between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.

It was weird. Reigns didn't necessarily feel like the face in this match, although he very blatantly is that compared to Sikoa. As a result, we got your typical overbooked mess, as expected, with appearances from everyone involved in the rivalry — plus Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. Because that's what happens in Reigns matches now.

Much like WrestleMania 40, it was fun. It didn't, however, have that same prestige or level of quality. Sikoa shined, but in the end, his teammates were taken out, which left him stuck between a rock in a hard place — also known as Jimmy Uso's foot and a Reigns Spear. That was that. The former "Big Dog" is again — or still — the Tribal Chief. And most interesting of all, The Rock very intensely "acknowledged" Reigns without words post-match.

Monday. Night. Mami.

Rhea Ripley is a star and killed it tonight, as usual. After an excellent spot in the finish, catching Liv Morgan mid-ObLIVion to land back-to-back Riptides, Ripley reclaimed her Women's World Title. It was a solid match, and as great as Ripley is with her offense, I think we need to give her sell-work some more love because she makes a DDT, in particular, look like death.

This was the right move and presumably ends the long-lasting feud with Morgan and The Judgment Day — or at least it should. That Iyo Sky match tease still has to happen at some point, and I hope we build to that at a PLE on the "Road to WrestleMania" or the "Grand Daddy of Them All" itself.

Drew McIntyre continued his pursuit of abolishing The OG Bloodline in a match against Jey Uso.

Well, he attempted to, anyway.

Sami Zayn was the first on McIntyre's hit list, and he successfully took him out at Saturday Night's Main Event in December. However, the ego of McIntyre once again cost him in a big moment on Monday, as a mental lapse ahead of a second Claymore Kick saw Uso surprise him with a reversal roll-up to get the win. It was Uso's first career win over the Scot in one-on-one action, but it fell a bit flat story-wise. It was a nice moment for Uso, and he felt like a big deal by getting the Travis Scott entrance. But now, what for McIntyre? The hitman-type alteration of his gimmick is cool and fitting. If he fails his mission this easily, though, then what?

The Rock was arguably the biggest surprise appearance of the night, and of course, his now-fellow actor John Cena. The latter declared he'll pursue that illustrious 17th world title by entering February's Royal Rumble. There was also The Undertaker, as he and the new champion Ripley celebrated her win in a nice moment.

Oh, another legend also made his presence (regrettably) felt. Hulk Hogan attempted to gas up the crowd as he was showered with boos in one of the most embarrassing moments — and decisions — in recent WWE memory. We'll remember this one for a long time — just not for the right reasons.

"WWE Raw" on Netflix looks incredibly clean and refreshed. This new era is off to a solid start, as this first episode was practically a mini-PLE with its heavy match focus. As we like to do here at Uncrowned, let's give out some awards after kicking 2025 off in style.

MVP: CM Punk

Uncrowned Gem of the Night: Rhea Ripley

Match of the night: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan

Best spot of the night: Morgan's Backstabber to DDT on Ripley

I give the debut episode of Raw on Netflix a crown score of: 👑 8/10 👑



LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER64 updates
  • Result: CM Punk def. Seth Rollins

    It's over! The fired-up Rollins hit the big superplex, rolling it into a potential Falcon Arrow. Punk counters for the GTS, the disoriented Rollins bounces off the ropes and back on top of Punk and he hits another. 1, 2, 3. There's your first Raw on Netflix main event, folks. Fun stuff.

  • Both men made their way out of the ring once more and Rollins drove Punk into the announce table with a Pedigree. He hit another after rolling Punk back in the ring, only for Punk to kick out. What's it going to take?

  • Punk returns the favor with a steal of his own as soon as they re-enter the ring, hitting Rollins with a stomp but Rollins kicks out. Punk goes for the GTS and Rollins catches it, turning it into another GTS. 1, 2 and kick out from Punk.

  • GTS! But not from Punk! A big counter from Rollins led the "Best In the World" right into a knee with his own signature move. However, Punk's momentum launched him right out of the ring under the rope. Rollins is in control, boasting to the ground in front of the downed Punk.

  • Rollins is developing some drama between himself and the referee. You have to think that will come into play by the end of this match. Punk took advantage of his opponent's lack of focus, landing a big boot to Rollins when he turned around. They made their way to the top rope, and Punk dropped them crashing down with a swinging neckbreaker.

  • Punk and Rollins are off to a fast start as they should be with all the animosity built up. They exchange punches and clotheslines on the ropes that leads the action outside the ring. Rollins essentially persuaded the referee not to count them out, which is a bit of clever way to exploit the moment.

  • Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk

    Are you hyped? Are you ready? It's Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk in the main event. We've got time for this one, ladies and gentlemen. These fellas are going to go out and deliver. Rollins makes the walk first, as we head to a quick commercial before "Cult of Personality" hits the speakers.

  • Man, this was rough. Hogan is not welcomed by the fans anymore and it's time to be a little more self-aware, WWE. Because these appearances are quite the opposite.

  • Hulkamania on Raw

    Hulk Hogan was expected to be on tonight's show and here is accompanied by a fellow Hall of Famer, Jimmy Hart. The LA crowd wasn't the most receptive, showering the "Hulkster" in boos. Ouch.

  • Result: Jey Uso def. Drew McIntyre

    McIntyre fails! Uso gets his first career win over McIntyre when he ducks a second Claymore Kick and sneaks a crucifix pin over McIntyre. I don't love that. It felt anticlimactic and makes this whole things McIntyre is doing suddenly... diminished? I don't know what he does now.

    Oddly, we quickly cut to a Gunther video package directly after Uso's win.

  • McIntyre's frustration is building after he can't find the win over Uso. He survived a Spear, a handful of super kicks then landed a Claymore Kick all for nothing. Unable to land another, Uso collapsed, and McIntyre began to bask in his moment.

  • For a man on a mission, McIntyre really takes his time to get to the ring, man. Uso got sick of waiting, and dove at him to start the action. He was all of us in that moment. May the car crash commence

  • Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre

    Travis Scott welcomes Jey Uso to the ring with a joint in hand. Welcome to Netflix, everybody! If he gets a little puff of the green stuff, this should make Drew McIntyre's job to dispose of The OG Bloodline even easier...

  • Chad Gable demands a luchador backstage...

    I think we know what Penta's WWE debut will be... We saw another teaser for him earlier in the night. That will be a fun time if it's what we get.

    Next week, Chad Gable will have a match per his request to Raw general manager Adam Pearce.

  • THE UNDERTAKER

    "The American Badass" Undertaker made a surprise appearance and celebrated with the new champion Ripley. Simple but effective. Great moment for the champ.

  • Result: Rhea Ripley def. (C) Liv Morgan - Women's World Championship

    AND NEW! Rhea Ripley is officially back on top after catching Morgan going for an ObLIVion. The cameraman did some incredible work here, catching Ripley with the head shake and blown kiss. Two Riptides later and there's your win.

    Mysterio enters the ring to ask for a hug afterward. Rejected! Sorry, Dom. A low blow and Riptide for the "Dirty" one as well. Great scenes.

  • The shenanigans were bound to ensue eventually, and they came when Mysterio threw the title into the ring to distract the referee. Rodriguez sends in the chair, ObLIVion on to it from Morgan, and a big near-fall kicked out by Ripley.

  • We've got a hot start to this one. With Morgan's buddies at her side, Ripley wasted no time to hit Raquel Rodriguez with a senton outside before Dominick Mysterio tried to distract her. The opening backfired for Morgan, who got caught and planted on the announce table with a powerbomb.

  • You've got to love the love for Macaulay Culkin, man.

  • (C) Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley - Women's World Championship

    Here we go. The conclusion of the Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley rivalry (hopefully). Will "Mami" return to the top? Or is Morgan's time set to extend?

  • Yep, there it is! Cena proclaims he'll go on and win the Royal Rumble to earn his chance at making history. It's a realistic route to take rather than just giving it to him, which is why it can work. But that's taking a way from making or boosting a star like the Rumble historically has. We can make an exception for this one, in particular, right?

    One thing's for sure, it should be a fun Rumble.

  • Cena says the 17th world championship is never going to happen. Well, setting it up quite nicely now, aren't we, John? Royal Rumble win incoming?

  • John Cena time.

    You know, they showed LA Knight right before John Cena made his grand return. I don't hate that as Cena's retirement match if he doesn't get someone with a history tie-in. Obviously, Randy Orton might be the best candidate for that with Edge — AKA Cope — over in AEW these days.

    I also love that this man still has his kneepads on even when he isn't set to perform.

  • Wow. That felt like a pretty good moment to have The Rock turn on Reigns, but it didn't happen. That's not to say it still couldn't at some point, but they have to circle back to each other — and presumably Rhodes — in some fashion.

  • Result: Roman Reigns def. Solo Sikoa - Tribal Combat

    Reigns gets it done after Owens was removed from the equation by Rhodes! The OTC ducks the Samoan Spike and lands another Spear for a clean 1, 2, 3.

    Overall, decent match. It was what it needed to be, but this is all about the bigger story, as The Rock made his way back to the ring afterward.

  • Super kicks and spears land on Sikoa and Reigns gets the 10 count with no referee, which allowed Sikoa to survive.

    Out of nowhere, Reigns gets ready for another spear before he gets hit by Kevin Owens with a Stunner. This feels like the end of WrestleMania 40 all over again! Because here comes Cody Rhodes!

  • Tama Tanga made his presence felt to save Sikoa after a big powerbomb through a table. But, of course, the whole Bloodline onslaught was bound to happen as Jacob Fatu snuck up on the distracted Reigns for a big moonsault before the Samoan Spike. A kick out from Reigns! The numbers are about to get evened... you can feel it.

    Until then, Sikoa spikes out the referee and out comes Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso as expected.

  • Reigns found a moment to take over and nearly smashed Sikoa with a Con-Chair-To. Sikoa counters, big Uranagi onto the chairs and a kickout at a late 2 from Reigns.