In the latest episode of WWE Raw, fans were treated to thrilling matches and intense confrontations. One of the highly anticipated bouts featured Cody Rhodes taking on Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match, a hardcore showdown that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
But before we dive into the action, let's recap some of the other highlights of the night. GUNTHER, the Intercontinental champion, celebrated an impressive reign of 600 days, cementing his status as one of the dominant forces in WWE. Additionally, The Miz faced off against JD McDonagh, showcasing their in-ring skills and delivering an entertaining contest.
Moving on to the opening of the show, the crowd was initially disapproving of the opening package featuring The Rock and Roman Reigns, expressing their discontent with boos. However, the atmosphere quickly changed when Seth Rollins made his entrance, receiving a boisterous reception. Rollins engaged with the audience, mentioning his thoughts on SmackDown, which led to chants for Cody Rhodes. Surprisingly, Drew McIntyre emerged, hinting at a potential rivalry with Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, much to the delight of the fans.
As the night progressed, high-stakes matches unfolded. The New Day, beloved by many, faced off against the Creed Brothers, who managed to win favor with their high-impact maneuvers. DIY emerged victorious in their match, advancing to the Tag Team Tournament Finals, where they are set to clash against Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate in what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
One surprising revelation came to light during a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber. It was revealed that Becky Lynch had never before competed in this brutal match. The commentary team touted Shayna Baszler as the most dangerous woman in Elimination Chamber history, although viewers expressed skepticism about her chances. Ultimately, Lynch secured a victory, earning her spot in the upcoming event.
A heated confrontation between Rhea Ripley and Nia Jax ensued, stemming from Jax's attack on Ripley the previous week. Acting as the mediator, Adam Pearce announced that Jax would have a championship match against Ripley at Elimination Chamber. However, tensions escalated rapidly, leading to a chaotic brawl, with Jax asserting her dominance. Nonetheless, there is widespread belief that Ripley will emerge victorious in her home country.
The matchups continued with Ivar and Valhalla facing off against Alpha Academy. In a dominant showing, Ivar and Valhalla emerged as the clear winners, leaving no doubt about their prowess in the ring. R-Truth, still recovering from a beating, made an appearance and engaged in a humorous interaction with Damian Priest, earning laughs from the audience but also causing a distraction in The Miz's match against JD McDonagh, leading to The Miz's victory.
The celebration of GUNTHER's 600-day reign garnered well-deserved fanfare and pyrotechnics. Bron Breakker was also introduced as the newest signee on Raw, which added another layer of excitement to the show. When GUNTHER sought a challenger, it wasn't Breakker who stepped forward but Jey Uso, resulting in a lively back-and-forth marked by enthusiastic chants from the crowd.
In the women's division, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance's reign as Women's Tag Team Champions seemed to be in jeopardy. With the Kabuki Warriors standing as formidable opponents, there was speculation that they might lose the title. However, the Kabuki Warriors held their ground, managing to retain their championship belts.
Finally, the main event featured the highly anticipated Bull Rope match between Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura. The historical significance of the bullrope, previously used by Dusty Rhodes nearly half a century ago, added an extra layer of nostalgia to the match. Although Rhodes was in the ring, fans still chanted for him, showcasing their unwavering support. The match itself was intense and exciting, although it fell slightly short of reaching the ranks of a classic due to the absence of bloodshed. However, Nakamura's mist attack and Rhodes' retaliatory low blow added a dramatic twist, ultimately resulting in Rhodes' victory.
To add fuel to the fire, Drew McIntyre launched an attack on Cody Rhodes after his win, but unfortunately missed with a Claymore Kick. The fans expressed their disapproval with resounding boos, indicating the intense emotions surrounding the encounter.
With WWE Raw delivering an action-packed evening of thrilling matches and fierce confrontations, the stage is set for further excitement and rivalries as Elimination Chamber looms on the horizon. The intensity and anticipation in the air leave fans eager for the next chapter in the world of professional wrestling.
