Tonight’s Elimination Chamber go-home episode of Raw was filled with many notable moments and this trend continued even after the show from Honda Center in Anaheim, California went off air.

The show opened with a PPV quality match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. The two competed in a hard-fought bout for nearly 20 minutes.

McIntyre interestingly came out with a victory in this match after Solo Sikoa interfered. This was Rhodes’ first Televised singles loss since May 2023, when Brock Lesnar beat Cody at Night of Champions.

Apart from this the show also featured Chad Gable picking up an impressive submission victory over Ivar and a returning Raquel Rodriguez earning her spot in the Women’s Chamber match for the upcoming show.

What Happened After Raw

The main event of this week’s Raw saw Gunther defending his IC Title against Jey Uso, as the Ring General overtook Pedro Morales to become the longest-reigning IC Champion for combined days.

Just like the opening match, this bout also ended with an interference from a Bloodline member. This time, Jimmy Uso helped Gunther pick up the victory over his twin brother.

Jimmy attacked his brother after this match and the show went off air with The Bloodline member standing tall. Though he didn’t leave the ring even after the broadcast ended and Uso only retreated when Cody Rhodes made the save.

After coming out to help Jey, Rhodes introduced another big name. He asked CM Punk who had been backstage for the show to come out. The Straight Edge star finally cut a short promo for the crowd before ending the night.

• Michael Chandler Uses WWE RAW Appearance To Call Out Conor McGregor

Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will emanate from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and serves as one of the go-home shows to Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth premium live event.

Here are the 5 matches announced for Raw, followed by our detailed preview into each one:

• Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
• Jey Uso challenges GUNTHER for the IC title
• Battle Royal to determine Women’s Chamber Final Participant
• R-Truth, Miz & DIY vs. Judgment Day
• Chad Gable vs. Ivar

Raw Preview (2/19/24)

Here’s what you need to know headed into this week’s WWE Raw:

Cody Rhodes v Drew McIntyre

Two weeks ago, Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match. Unfortunately, his post-match celebration was short-lived, as he was blindsided by an attack from “The Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre. Now, the once WWE Tag Team Champions will go one-on-one for the first time ever on WWE television. 

Women’s Battle Royal: Elimination Chamber Qualifier

With the Elimination Chamber just five days away, WWE is also tasked with determining the final participant in the upcoming Women’s Elimination Chamber match. As of this writing, five of the six entrants have been confirmed — Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi. 

Later tonight, five women (who previously lost their respective qualifying matchups) will collide in a “Last Chance” Battle Royal, in which the winner will be granted the final spot in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. The Battle Royal competitors will include Shanya Baszler, Michin, Alba Fyre, Zelina Vega, and Zoey Stark. 

Who will punch their ticket to Perth in the Last Chance #WWEChamber Battle Royal Qualifier tomorrow night on #WWERaw? pic.twitter.com/1VdyKEOWxt

— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2024

Ivar vs. Chad Gable

A week after losing his Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier to LA Knight, Ivar looks to bounce back with a win as he takes on a tag team division rival, Chad Gable. Ivar and Gable most recently wrestled each other last month, with Ivar taking home the victory.

The Judgement Day

Elsewhere on the card, The Judgment Day (JD McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, and Damian Priest) will face off with The Miz, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and R-Truth in an eight-man tag team competition. This tag bout comes on the heels of Judgment Day attacking R-Truth in the ring last week, after which Gargano and Ciampa made the save for Truth.

GUNTHER’s Latest Challenge

Finally, WWE RAW is also set to feature an Intercontinental Championship match between Jey Uso and the reigning titleholder, GUNTHER. Should Uso dethrone “The Ring General,” it will mark the first singles championship win of his WWE career.

Check out today’s top wrestling news stories:

WWE plans to make Cody Rhodes out as a martyr with this new WrestleMania storyline. “We Want Cody” signs were handed out to the live crowd, but the fact is that the company didn’t expect fans to chant that Rocky sucks.

Rocky Sucks Chants in 2024

Seth Rollins even made a note that he didn’t expect to hear a “Rocky Sucks” chant. Michael Cole made a reference on commentary about how it feels like we’re in 1996. This was a big surprise for those backstage as well, and WWE wasn’t really ready for it.

pic.twitter.com/ML9M7tC9B3

— @LuigiWrestling (@luigiwvideos0) February 6, 2024

Wrestle Votes reports that the “Rocky Sucks” chants that occurred last night on RAW caught certain individuals by surprise.
Although the storyline regarding this “viral reaction” was embraced last night, that aspect of it was unforeseen.

I am told the “Rocky Sucks” chants that took place last night on RAW totally threw certain people off. While this “viral reaction” story was leaned into last night, that part of it was something unexpected.

I am told the “Rocky Sucks” chants that took place last night on RAW totally threw certain people off.

While this “viral reaction” story was leaned into last night, that part of it was something unexpected.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) February 6, 2024

Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura squared off in the main event of RAW in a bull rope match. They used the same historic rope that Dusty Rhodes used. It was quite a moment in the ring, but fans still chanted “Rocky Sucks” during the match, one which Cody won. Then Drew McIntyre jumped him right afterward to continue his story.

The St. Louis, MO crowd chanting “Rocky Sucks” during the Cody v Nakamura main event on #WWERAW tonight:

?: @2girls3doxies

pic.twitter.com/quCC12dVRh

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 6, 2024

When inquiring whether the company is aware of the fan backlash, it was indeed confirmed. It has become impossible to overlook, given that publications like USA Today, TMZ, and others have already published headlines about fans expressing dissatisfaction with The Rock replacing Cody Rhodes on the showcase of the immortals.

More Reactions After The Rock’s Return

WWE fans have not been shy about voicing their displeasure in seeing The Rock come back to take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania spot. They also filled the arena with boos this week during RAW in St. Louis when a clip was played of the Great One’s return.

The live crowd in St. Louis, MO booing The Rock during the video package airing tonight:#WWERAW

pic.twitter.com/mXkygZ2RLr

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 6, 2024

Many celebrities have commented on the matter, including George Kittle who suggested that they make The Rock a special referee in a Cody vs Roman Reigns match instead. That is not happening, but Triple H noticed the tweet from the NFL player super fan.

Inside The Rock’s WWE Return

WWE made plans for The Rock vs Roman Reigns in advance. I was told that these were the plans since Dwayne Johnson called his shot with the match during the January 1st episode of RAW.

Dave Meltzer reported that they agreed on a deal on January 3rd for WrestleMania. Also, The Rock taking a board seat for TKO was a part of the whole thing. The Rock received $30 million in TKO stock with this deal.

It was also made very clear to me that this WrestleMania match is not changing. After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.

WWE fans are not happy about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania match against Roman Reigns. They let WWE know about it this week.

Here comes the man of the hour.@CodyRhodes is here on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/3gUrMxMBQF

— WWE (@WWE) February 6, 2024

WWE RAW’s Opening Segment

Seth Rollins opened up WWE RAW this week, and he commented on how big his pop was. Then he mentioned SmackDown and said that he smells what’s cooking. This received a lot of boos from the crowd, and then Rollins said, “I think it sounds like you guys want Cody.”

Rollins said that he wants Cody too, and then fans booed the idea of that WrestleMania match instead of Rhodes vs Reigns. When Cody asked, “what do we wanna talk about?” The St. Louis crowd chanted, “Rocky sucks” and “We Want Cody.” This was followed by even more “Rocky sucks” chants.

Rollins admitted he didn’t expect to hear that chant. Michael Cole asked if it’s 1996 on commentary.’ There were also tons of “We Want Cody” signs in the crowd, which were handed out.

pic.twitter.com/ML9M7tC9B3

— @LuigiWrestling (@luigiwvideos0) February 6, 2024

Addressing WrestleMania 40

Then, Rollins pressed Cody once again to accept the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania. He wanted to know he’s better than he was when they faced off before.

Seth Rollins asked Cody if he’s going to fight him at WrestleMania, and the fans booed. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre came out to insert himself into the situation. He begged Cody to finish his story, and the fans agreed.

"Are YOU gonna fight ME at #WrestleMania?"

World Heavyweight Champion @WWERollins has a message for @CodyRhodes on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/ifs9PfnOsc

— WWE (@WWE) February 6, 2024

Rollins told McIntyre that he wouldn’t get a match against him for the title, because he’s beat him twice. Then Drew reminded Seth that Cody already beat him three times.

The segment ended with McIntyre nailing a headbutt on Rollins, and then Cody knocked Drew out of the ring. The WrestleMania match with Cody vs Seth was not officially booked, but fans certainly let WWE know how they felt about The Rock.

Really, @DMcIntyreWWE?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/re1mt24MJq

— WWE (@WWE) February 6, 2024

What Would It Take To Change Roman Reigns vs The Rock at WrestleMania

As previously reported, the match between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is confirmed. Despite any fan opinions, The Rock insisted on this contest, and it’s set to proceed as planned.

Due to CM Punk’s injury, WWE adjusted the lineup, resulting in Seth Rollins facing Cody Rhodes instead. The possibility of a triple threat match involving Cody, Rock, and Roman was never considered.

Additional information confirms that the current arrangement is unlikely to change unless The Rock withdraws. This decision has been under The Rock’s control since January 1st, when he first asserted his authority on the Day 1 episode of RAW.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but that doesn’t seem to sway WWE fans who were set on seeing Cody Rhodes finish his story.

Pat McAfee’s music surprised fans in Tropicana Field as he kicked off the Royal Rumble event. He joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves to call every match on the show, even the Men’s Royal Rumble, where McAfee had an impromptu appearance in the match. Now, he is back on WWE television on a weekly basis.

Pat McAfee Is Back on WWE Television

McAfee’s “Let’s Goooo!” music kicked off WWE RAW this week. This appearance was more than Royal Rumble fallout, because Cole and McAfee are back together.

Michael Cole was happy to announce that McAfee is now back on WWE RAW as a full-time announcer for the red brand. He will be joined by Cole on the show every week, and they were very happy about this reunion.

BREAKING: @PatMcAfeeShow & @MichaelCole are the brand new commentary team on #WWERaw every Monday! pic.twitter.com/y8cOEpDigv

— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2024

Cole and McAfee work together very well, because they are legit good friends. Cole has spoken on many occasions how close he is with McAfee, and now the two real-life friends get to talk about pro wrestling on RAW for three hours every week.

Thrilled to have @PatMcAfeeShow every week on #WWERaw. Welcome home, Pat! pic.twitter.com/mRbQTUxV7D

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 30, 2024

Pat McAfee’s Previous WWE Experience

McAfee cut his teeth in WWE on the NXT brand. He not only got some commentary experience in, but he also had one impressive feud with Adam Cole, which resulted in a legit match. He later went on to become SmackDown announcer.

Austin Theory stepped up to face Pat McAfee at WrestleMania 38, in a match that was first thought to be Vince McMahon vs McAfee. That match was quite interesting, as it saw McMahon make his final WrestleMania appearance (probably ever) as he sold a Stone Cold Stunner like a lead balloon.

WWE Shaking Up Announce Teams

I broke the news that Kevin Patrick is off the SmackDown announce team.

SmackDown set for a change.
Kevin Patrick is out.
No replacement named yet.
Reason I was given: “It just wasn’t working out.”

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) January 23, 2024

Since then, we’ve learned the new SmackDown announce team has been finalized:

Endeavor instituted two-man announce teams with their new set-up. It appears that three-man teams are out now, which is what helped lead to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee’s reunion on the red brand. 

WWE announced a blockbuster deal with Netflix, one that will start in January 2025. Since their deal with the USA Network is ending in October this year, that leaves two months of action for WWE’s flagship show unaccounted for.

WWE RAW’s Three Month Issue

After concluding an agreement with the USA Network, RAW’s future has sparked even more speculation. Now it’s confirmed that the USA Network won’t be renewing its deal with RAW beyond September 2024. 

WWE and Netflix officially announced the move, revealing a staggering 10-year deal exceeding $5 billion starting in January 2025. Dave Meltzer discussed RAW’s fate post-September this year on Wrestling Observer Radio. The big question is what will happen with the show after October this year, but WWE seemingly has a plan.

“I talked to WWE pretty extensively about this, and I guess the biggest unanswered question is what happens to RAW at the end of September this year. In January, RAW is going to Netflix. At the end of September, their contract is up. USA Network has told Brandon Thurston that they’re not airing it after the end of September.”

“So, it’s not like they’re gonna go three more months on USA. WWE told me that they will make an announcement relatively soon about that. I guess they have something, what it is, I don’t know.”

WWE RAW’s Overrun On Netflix

Dave Meltzer also noted that WWE RAW may get more of a flexible overrun with their new Netflix deal. It was stated that they may get an overrun deal like Tony Khan has with Warner Brothers Discovery, where WWE can get more time if they need it.

”The other one is that if they run long, I don’t think they’re gonna panic, I think it will be the deal AEW has with, you know, TNT and TBS now. I think that there won’t be this ‘You’ve got to finish this exactly at 3!’ If you wanna go five minutes over because things are going long, I think that 3 will be the target, but it will be like a pay-per-view. A pay-per-view has a target time, but they go over it constantly. They don’t have that hard-out at 3 hours, so that will change.”

It was also noted that WWE may not want to extend RAW too many times, because they have other television deals for the show in different countries. 

WWE’s Other Television Deals

WWE already agreed to deals for SmackDown and NXT. The USA Network will begin airing SmackDown in October this year. The CW will pick up NXT, but it’s unclear where RAW will go during that time. 

The company has options, and it appears that they have an announcement planned about this three-month limbo period of time at the end of this year. Odds are, they won’t miss an episode, so they may remain the longest running weekly episodic television show in history without skipping any shows.

WWE saw a ton of changes in 2023, and 2024 has already been a banner year for adjustments, and we’re not even out of January yet. The company is taking extra care and focusing on some of the little things to pull everything together.

Latest Changes To WWE Programming

WWE is a scripted program, but they also realize that realism is important to really connect with today’s fan base. It appears that they are paying attention to some smaller details now to help boost that illusion.

PW Insider noted that WWE is taking extra measures to make their programming come off as realistic. They are taking a “sports-centric” approach to elements on television now, and fans can already spot those signs if they know what to look for.

We are told that the talk at Raw yesterday and at WWE HQ today is that the company will be incorporating some sports-centric elements into the programming. Cody Rhodes being interviewed on Raw “earlier today” complete with the clock listing the time was an example given of trying to root the product in stronger realism. We are told that interviews will reflect this as well.

Changes For WWE Programming

Two notable segments have captured attention on recent episodes of WWE Raw and SmackDown. One highlighted Chelsea Green and Piper Niven at a club, engaging with Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. The other, featured on SmackDown, brought focus to the dynamic between Butch/Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate, as they met in a coffee house setting.

As we previously noted, both of those segments were credited to the fact that long-time WWE Executive Producer Kevin Dunn departed from the company. Now, WWE is trying out different things, and under Lee Fitting and Endeavor’s new vision, they are doing just that.

WWE had several options for RAW’s next home, including Warner Brothers Discovery, FX, and even Amazon Prime. Then Netflix landed the deal, seemingly coming out of nowhere. They have a ton of money to throw around, and the streaming giant is paying big for WWE programming.

WWE RAW’s Blockbuster Announcement

WWE RAW is set to join Netflix in January 2025. The exclusive hosting of RAW on Netflix will begin in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, with additional territories being added gradually.

As part of this agreement, Netflix will become the platform for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., encompassing RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. Furthermore, WWE’s documentaries, original series, and forthcoming projects will be made available on Netflix internationally starting in 2025.

WWE Making Huge Money With Netflix RAW Deal

WWE is making a ton of money with their new Netflix deal, and they were already raking in tons of cash with their current contract. The company’s existing five-year agreement with the USA Network is estimated to be worth around $250-260 million per year.

According to Deadline, an individual with knowledge of the terms mentioned that the agreement spans ten years and exceeds $5 billion.

Variety reported that sources indicated that the deal is valued at a minimum of $500 million annually and is believed to have a duration of 10 years.

Netflix Subscription Info

In terms of subscription pricing, Netflix offers various plans with different monthly costs. The Standard with Ads plan is priced at $6.99, with no additional charge for an extra member. The Standard plan, without ads, comes at a monthly cost of $15.49. If an extra member is added, there is an extra charge of $7.99, resulting in a total of $23.48 for one additional member.

The Premium plan, with a monthly fee of $22.99, includes advanced features. Adding an extra member incurs a $7.99 charge, bringing the total to $30.98 for one extra member. Opting for two additional members increases the total cost to $38.97.

Netflix’s global paid subscriber base has surpassed 247.15 million as of Q3 2023, reflecting a notable increase of 8.76 million subscribers from the previous quarter. This positive trend indicates a robust recovery following the loss of 1.17 million subscribers in the first half of 2022.

WWE was involved in intense television rights talks throughout 2023, and while 2/3 of their deals closed, RAW remained a big mystery. Now, we know what is to come for the red brand, and it’s going behind one of the largest paywalls online.

WWE RAW is Moving to Netflix

The company sent out a media blast today to announce that, starting in January 2025, Netflix will exclusively host Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, with more territories to follow over time.

Under this agreement, Netflix will also be the destination for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. Additionally, WWE’s documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects will be accessible on Netflix internationally starting in 2025.

Other Suitors For WWE RAW

WWE landing a deal with Netflix is quite surprising. There were other potential partners in the mix.

Amazon Prime and FX were also in the running. Rumors about Warner Brothers Discovery wanting the red brand were also rampant. That was incredibly interesting, considering AEW’s place on that network.

In recent weeks, WBD has been giving AEW more love, while crediting them for success in press releases, so the thought was that they were no longer on the table for RAW. Now, Netflix has swooped in as the winner, surprising everyone in the process, because their name wasn’t a part of any report or commentator’s breakdown of the situation.

WWE’s Other Media Rights Deals

WWE NXT will go to The CW in October 2024, and SmackDown is going to the USA Network. Those two moves will see fans tune into a more traditional viewing platform. Those watching RAW will need to pay a monthly subscription fee. 

How Many Subscribers Netflix Has

Netflix has a global paid subscriber base exceeding 247.15 million as of Q3 2023. This marks an uptick of 8.76 million subscribers from the previous quarter, showcasing a solid recovery following the loss of 1.17 million subscribers in the first half of 2022.

How Much Is A Netflix Subscription?

Netflix provides different subscription plans with varying monthly prices. The Standard with Ads plan is available at $6.99, with no extra charge for an additional member. The Standard plan, without ads, is priced at $15.49 per month. Adding an extra member incurs an additional charge of $7.99, resulting in a total of $23.48 for one extra member.

The Premium plan, costing $22.99 per month, includes advanced features. Adding an extra member comes with a $7.99 charge, making the total $30.98 for one extra member. Opting for two extra members increases the total cost to $38.97.

WWE runs their live RAW all year, and this week’s episode in Little Rock, Arkansas was challenging, because the weather was not on their side. Now, Triple H has spoken out about how well his team was able to pivot due to the weather.

Triple H Thanks His Crew

Numerous challenges arose for WWE talent over the past 24 hours concerning flights and weather for talents. Some individuals were unable to fly and had to resort to driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the show, while others found themselves stranded at airports.

Triple H jumped on Twitter/X to send out a public thank you. He commended his staff for the amazing job that they do, as they made RAW happen in the middle of such terrible weather.

“I can’t say enough about the amazing job our talent, crew and staff did these last few days. Through winter storms, blizzards and incredibly tough travel, they did what needed to be done to put on a show for the @WWEUniverse… which included completely redesigning #WWERaw on less than 24 hours’ notice. They really are the best in the business. To put it simply, I couldn’t be more proud or grateful.”

I can’t say enough about the amazing job our talent, crew and staff did these last few days.

Through winter storms, blizzards and incredibly tough travel, they did what needed to be done to put on a show for the @WWEUniverse… which included completely redesigning #WWERaw on… pic.twitter.com/230BRGE6Md

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 16, 2024

Triple H highlighted their noteworthy efforts in dealing with winter storms, blizzards, and challenging travel conditions. Despite facing these obstacles, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the continuation of the show for the WWE Universe. 

WWE Had To Re-Design RAW Set This Week

That quick-thinking required the rapid redesign of the WWE Raw setup with less than 24 hours’ notice. Triple H is obviously proud of his crew for pulling off such a feat. It’s also a good thing they had a backup stage available.

Seth Rollins put it all on the line as he defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal on RAW this week. Then, the Visionary was apparently injured during the match. Now we have an update, as we wait for official word on his condition. 

Seth Rollins’ Current Injury Situation 

Earlier reports indicated a potential injury to Seth Rollins’ left leg during the match. Despite the apparent setback, Rollins completed the match. It was later mentioned that he managed to put weight on the injured leg backstage.

While discussing Seth Rollins’ injury status on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided insights into the situation. Meltzer mentioned that Seth Rollins is scheduled for an MRI to assess the extent of the injury, determining whether it is a serious concern or a minor issue.

“I just know he’s getting an MRI. Then we will find out. Basically, I was told it could be something minor, or it could be something worse. We won’t know until the MRI result comes back.”

What’s Next For Seth Rollins

It was noted that this “could be a bad time if he’s out for a couple of months, really, really bad.” At this time, we do not know how long Seth Rollins will be out of action, but he has a history of knee issues in the past.

Rollins would miss WrestleMania if he needs to be out of action for three months at this point. As of this writing, it is a waiting game to see how bad his injury is.

Seth Rollins does not have a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match scheduled for the Royal Rumble on January 27th yet. We will have updates on his condition as they are made available. 

Seth Rollins won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. He went on to carry that title for 234 days, until he met Jinder Mahal in Little Rock, Arkansas on RAW for a much-hyped title match.

Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal gained a lot of attention since stepping up to Seth Rollins for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The Modern Day Maharaja was after the title to reclaim a top spot in WWE.

Is this @JinderMahal's night to become WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION?

Find out up next on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/ET9HWK04vr

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024

This match was significant as well, because it revisited history. Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal was the match to decide the first-ever NXT Champion, a contest that Rollins won in 2012. They did not bring this match up on commentary, because it ended in the same way.

Indus Sher, Veer and Sanga, accompanied Jinder Mahal to the ring for his match, and they made their presence felt early in the match as they distracted Rollins. This allowed Mahal to start the match off with an advantage.

LOOK WHO JUST SHOWED UP! ?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tJcn0JFScK

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024

The match continued for a bit, and then Damian Priest emerged from the back, with his Money in the Bank briefcase in tow, right before they cut to commercial. Eventually, Drew McIntyre interrupted Priest from cashing in, and they brawled away. Those two will battle on RAW next week on January 22nd in New Orleans during the go-home RAW before the Royal Rumble.

?????????#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/GpayaxBs8a

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024

In the end, Indus Sher were ejected from ringside after Mahal nearly cheated to win the match. Seth Rollins then retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after nailing a Stomp. That is the same move that put Mahal away 12 years ago in NXT.

What’s Next For Seth Rollins

WWE kicked off the year with a World Heavyweight Championship contest during the Day 1 episode of RAW. For that match, Drew McIntyre’s bid for the title fell short. Defeating the Modern Day Maharaja marks Rollins’ second successful title defense this year.

Seth Rollins is not presently booked to defend his title at the Royal Rumble. After beating Mahal this week in Little Rock, we will have to see if Rollins will defend his title at Tropicana Field. 

WWE saw a lot of changes in 2023, as the company merged with the UFC under Endeavor’s new TKO Group Holdings. Now in 2024, the company’s production is on the verge of breaking out some new ideas for the company.

WWE Programming Changing After Kevin Dunn’s Exit

Kevin Dunn’s era in WWE is over, and many fans are paying close attention to what the company puts on television. Some observant fans noticed two distinctive segments that didn’t seem to fit the norm that Dunn established for decades.

Two segments have stood out from WWE Raw and SmackDown in recent memory. One featured Chelsea Green and Piper Niven at a club, confronting Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. The other, showcased on Smackdown, puts the spotlight on Butch/Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that fans making comparisons to NXT would be accurate to do so. Triple H let Jeremy Borash make up a team in NXT, one that was off Kevin Dunn’s radar of influence. Now that Dunn is gone, they can do a lot more that he would previously nix.

We’re told that Triple H allowed Jeremy Borash to put together a team in NXT for the past three years, where it would be safely under Kevin Dunn’s radar. Triple H was said to have been happy with how they played out, and with Dunn’s departure, there is a door open to feature that style of promos across all WWE shows.

We’ve spoken to several people associated with helping put together the promos that spoke highly of the new process and the freedom to to them. One source noted that under Dunn, the segment would have likely cut away to several different things, but the new method was to let the characters breathe, and the segment to play out.

WWE After Kevin Dunn’s Exit

It seems that the people making these promos are having a good time. It was also noted that both segments received positive internal feedback.

Lee Fitting took over for Kevin Dunn upon his exit from the company. Many were shocked to see Dunn finally leave, but it came after Vince McMahon’s retirement, as Dunn was Mr. McMahon’s right-hand man in production. 

Matt Riddle made many memories while he was in WWE. One segment is still remembered by many, because it did not end the way it was scripted at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouvevLTfz2A

Matt Riddle Comes Clean About His Flubbed Lines

Riddle sat down with Signed By Superstars, and he was asked about the promo where he forgot his lines. It sounded like he was happy to finally get asked about this, so he could get it off his chest.

The Original Bro alluded to the idea that he didn’t know he was live. He assumed it was a taped segment, but that was not the case. He flubbed his lines, and then Asuka was forced to just laugh it off and keep walking down the hallway after he scooted away.

“Let’s talk about that promo. One, usually when they go live, they tell you. Sometimes, you go through a couple of rehearsals beforehand. I had the scooter, they gave it to me and said, ‘We don’t want to see you. Go 20 yards that way and roll down.’ I rolled down, and I didn’t know it was live TV. The promo they originally had was me talking about how I had been to Japan before, which I hadn’t, and how I would go to underground robot fights and I was going to ask Asuka if scooters would be a big hit in Japan. Yeah, I forgot everything. I forgot everything when I rolled up.”

“I scoot back to the locker room. Me and Randy [Randy Orton] didn’t really talk, I guess Randy didn’t really like me when I first started working there because I am who I am. Randy comes up to me and goes, ‘I don’t know if that shit was planned, but that was your best promo yet.'”

What’s Next For Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle is now onto his adventures in the pro wrestling world. He is working for NJPW and MLW. When it comes to AEW, Riddle made it abuandatly clear that he is not in any rush to wrestle on television again.

A WWE return is not out of the realm of possibility, because anyone can come back at this point. Don’t expect an immediate return, because it seems that Riddle is doing his own thing right now.

As I already exclusively noted on SE Scoops, WWE always had a plan for Matt Riddle and Randy Orton’s breakup. The idea was for Orton to turn on the Original Bro, but then he took off for 18 months due to back fusion surgery. 

WWE has some huge deals in the pipeline for 2024, and we already know that SmackDown and NXT have new network homes. Now, a major player in the streaming wars may be in play for RAW’s rights.

Amazon Prime Could Secure WWE RAW

With WWE’s existing media rights deal for Monday Night Raw with NBCUniversal set to conclude in October 2024, speculation is arising about the company’s next broadcasting partner. Since the USA Network secured SmackDown, the red brand’s long-time home is expected to change.

Sports Business Journalism reporter John Ourand predicts that Amazon is likely to secure the rights to WWE’s flagship show. This would see WWE RAW move behind Amazon Prime’s streaming paywall.

John Ourand’s forecast envisions Amazon keeping Raw on Monday nights. The show would then air live from whichever city they are in that week.

Amazon Prime has been trying hard to target a young male audience and provide Prime Video with an additional night of premium live programming alongside Thursday Night Football. Shifting from cable television to a streaming service would represent a notable transformation in the wrestling television rights industry.

Amazon Prime’s Possible Plan For WWE RAW

This transition to a streaming service like Amazon Prime Video aligns with the changing landscape of television consumption. Cable TV is experiencing a decline in viewership, while streaming services are gaining prominence. This shift has redefined how television content is monetarily valued. Streaming services offer precise data insights, enabling companies like WWE to accurately assess viewership and the value of their product.

Utilizing streaming data alongside advertising revenue and sponsorships lets companies determine the worth of their brand when negotiating media rights deals. WWE may secure an incredibly lucrative deal compared to its previous agreement with NBCUniversal after breaking down those numbers.

WBD’s Interest In WWE RAW

Warner Bros Discovery is also reportedly interested in WWE RAW’s next contract. CM Punk may have brought even more interest from them, as it ramped up after his Survivor Series debut.

If WBD secures WWE RAW, then that could mean a big change is coming for AEW programming, as their television deal is up at the end of 2024.

Tony Khan, who said that AEW’s relationship with Warner Brothers Discovery is “very strong,“ has already spoken on WBD’s reported interest in WWE, and he said that it is “a part of sports.”

WWE’s Possible RAW Backup Plan

WWE has some big money deals in motion right now, but there is another contender if Warner Bros Discovery and Amazon don’t lock in the rights for RAW.

John Ourand proposed that Disney could enter the scene. Disney might consider a deal involving both renewing its existing UFC deal and broadcasting Monday Night Raw on its FX cable channel.

FX was previously reported as a top contender to lock down the longest running weekly episodic television show in history, and they may still be in the running. This alternative option would provide WWE with a broadcasting partner, albeit on cable television.

Injuries are a sad part of pro wrestling, and they can occur when you least expect them. Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser lost this week on RAW, but it was due to referee stoppage after Vinci went down.

Possible Injury During WWE RAW

Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso faced Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser in a match that was progressing smoothly during the RAW 1 episode of WWE RAW. Suddenly, the match came to an unexpected halt. 

Giovanni Vinci went down on the apron, prompting an abrupt stoppage of the match. Ringside doctors attended to Vinci, leading the referee to make the decision to end the match.

In an unexpected turn, Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso were declared the winners via referee stoppage.

Michael Cole kept saying on commentary that they take their talent’s safety very seriously. At this time, we are uncertain what happened with Giovanni Vinci, but it was enough to call off the match.

Following the match, Giovanni Vinci was observed walking out on his own. The sudden conclusion of the match added an element of surprise to its outcome.

Giovanni Vinci caught a Kofi Kingston dropkick off a second rope jump.

The ref halted the action, the doctor jumped in the ring, and called off the match. Great work from the referee Shawn Bennett protecting Vinci

Get well soon Giovanni https://t.co/fSb22NvfKF

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 2, 2024

Where Was GUNTHER?

GUNTHER is currently taking some time with his wife, Jinny, as they celebrated the birth of their child. Hopefully, he has a full Imperium faction upon his return.

Giovanni Vinci Gives Update After Injury Scare 

Giovanni Vinci later updated his X with a message. When translated to English, he let fans know that he’s doing fine. He also thanked them for their support and concern.

I am fine, a thousand thanks.

Sto bene. Grazie mille ??

— Fabian Aichner (@VinciWWE) January 2, 2024

WWE’s first show of 2024 will go down on January 1st with the Day 1 episode of RAW. The company obviously wants 2024 to be a great year, and they are expected to kick things off with a big return.

WWE RAW Day 1 Location

WWE will hold their Day 1 RAW at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. It appears that they are preparing a big return for the show.

WWE Day 1 Surprise Planned

Sean Ross Sapp ran a report on Fightful Select that said WWE is looking to add some star power to their Day 1 show. A former champion is expected to return, but no specific name has been reported yet. 

We haven’t been given a specific name, but were told it was someone not currently on their roster. It’s worth noting that “former WWE Champion” was the terms used by those sources. 

It was not revealed who we’re talking about, or which title this “former Champion” held. It also was not noted whether this former champion is an active talent or retired. 

The report noted that WWE is “on the one-yard line” in landing a former WWE Champion to appear on the show, We will have to see who WWE has planned for fans on January 1st, but this report is sure to get fans guessing.

WWE saw CM Punk return to the company, and that means things may have to shift around. Not only are WrestleMania plans getting altered to make room for the Second City Savior, but their promotional materials are also changing.

CM Punk’s WWE Return Changed Things

CM Punk’s return to WWE at Survivor Series generated excitement among fans, moving merchandise and tickets like hotcakes, solidifying his status as a major draw for the company. Now that he is officially a RAW Superstar, the company made room for him. Sadly, that meant one Superstar had to go.

Jey Uso made his return during WWE Payback after a brief hiatus, after he quit the Bloodline, SmackDown, and WWE. Cody Rhodes brought him over to RAW, where he became a top babyface for the brand. 

Jey Uso was prominently featured on the RAW banner and posters. However, recent changes on WWE’s official website reveal that CM Punk has now taken Jey Uso’s place on the Monday Night RAW banner. 

The New WWE RAW Banner

As you can see in the before and after photos of the WWE RAW banner, CM Punk was moved in, and Jey Usos was bumped. The banner now features CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins and GUNTHER.

What’s Next For Jey Uso

WWE is gearing up for another road to WrestleMania, and it appears that they are stacking their roster for that run to Philadelphia. Jey Uso is still a member of the RAW brand, where he has fans yelling “YEET!” That being said, CM Punk’s return to the fold meant that it’s “No YEET” for the RAW banner.

Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso seems to be a logical WrestleMania 40 match. Perhaps, removing Jey Uso was going to happen eventually. Many fans would love to see that match go down in Philly.

This is nothing personal between Punk and Jey Uso, but it is notable that Punk took his spot, especially after Uce gave Punk flowers in such an incredible way upon his return.

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. 

Chance and Carter defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw to win the titles — their first as a team since being called up to the main roster from NXT earlier this year.

Katana & Kayden are the NEW Women's Tag Team Champions!! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/kQL0HNb7hK

— SEScoops (@sescoops) December 19, 2023

Carter & Chance fought as the underdogs for much of the match against Green and Niven despite the champions actively trying to convince Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, to cancel the match in the spirit of the holiday season. Chance and Carter connected with their tandem neckbreaker and 450 splash finish to earn the victory.

Kayden and Katana "AfterParty" finisher is so darn good looking they are such a complete tag team in the ring and they deserve the titles #WWERaw???pic.twitter.com/uyCy7EkE9O

— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) December 19, 2023

Carter & Chance were called up to the main roster and drafted to Raw from NXT in the 2023 WWE Draft. The duo won the Women’s NXT Tag Team Championship in August of 2022 and held those titles until being beat by Kiana James and Fallon Henley in February of 2023.

Chelsea Green originally became tag team champions with Sonya Deville. Deville was forced to take time away from WWE to heal from an injury and Piper Niven supplanted herself in place as Green’s partner. Chelsea Green’s title reign with Deville/Niven lasted 152 days.

Backstage after the win, Triple H congratulated the new champions and wrote on Instagram, “The party’s just getting started.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1BNhsusaCo

WWE is still heavy in their television talks for the RAW brand, and a very interesting possible home is still in play. Now, as we close out 2023, it appears that Warner Bros Discovery could be interested in picking up a different pro wrestling show.

What’s Going On For WWE In 2024

SmackDown will return to the USA Network under a recently inked five-year deal, commencing in 2024. The CW will get NXT as well. Fans are curious about the potential impact on the company, and the future home for RAW.

There is an opportunity for Monday Night RAW to continue advanced discussions with Warner Bros. Discovery, facilitated by CM Punk. It was previously reported that CM Punk’s addition to the red brand could greatly drive up interest. 

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer expressed skepticism about SmackDown remaining on Fridays. He also suggested the possibility of RAW shifting to a different night, with anticipated news on this matter within the next two weeks. The big idea in play is WBD’s interest, which could really shake up the pro wrestling world. 

“I think that there will be stuff in the next couple of weeks most likely. It could be the final deal…it could end up with the status quo. It’s not impossible. It could end up with incredible differences. Just got to wait it out and see. The main thing though is WWE and WBD is not a dead deal and it appeared to be a dead deal before. If they take the deal, it would require WBD to spend well over $350 million per year…WBD may not want to go that high anyway.”

What We Know So Far

WWE’s fees for Friday Night SmackDown have increased by nearly 40% with the new USA Network agreement. The coming year will reveal whether SmackDown thrives on its return to the USA Network, and if both SmackDown and RAW undergo significant schedule changes.

Of course, AEW is on Warner Brothers Discovery, and WWE RAW moving to that platform could really throw a wrench in Tony Khan’s plans. We will have to see what happens, because the pro wrestling world has been incredibly unpredictable so far.

WWE will make a ton of money on RAW’s next television deal, as they are already making a killing on SmackDown’s new contract. At this time, anything seems to be on the table, even moving nights of the week. That would also cause fans to have to reprogram their weekly viewing habits, which is not as big of a task in today’s age where streaming reigns supreme.

WWE RAW included a couple notable moments for CM Punk. Not only did he sign with the RAW brand, but he also declared his entry in the 2024 Royal Rumble match.

Sean Ross Sapp noted in a portions update on Fightful Select that CM Punk and Seth Rollins’ segment on WWE RAW was a bit special. They did not have any producer listed on the rundown sheet.

CM Punk and Seth Rollins’ promo did not have a producer listed.

Exclusive Insights on WWE Segments With No Producer

WWE segments will usually have a producer listed, whether it is a match or a promo. On rare occasions, promos are not listed with a producer’s name, because they are not needed.

I was told by sources within WWE that producers will sit on a headset backstage and call the segment, making sure that they accomplish their goal. When a promo is listed with no producer, that only means that there is no physicality needed for the segment.

Whether the physicality is moving from one point to another to hit a mark, or actually taking a bump, they need a producer for those segments. WWE doesn’t assign a producer for segments where there are no specific physical points to hit.

They actually did a lot in that contract signing segment on the December 11th episode of WWE RAW, one that included CM Punk’s showdown with Seth Rollins. It is a surprise that they didn’t have a producer listed, but they also had a seasoned producer, in Adam Pearce, in the thick of that segment.

WWE Superstars aren’t going out on live television without a net or lines prepared if they don’t have a producer listed for a segment. It only means that there were no specific things that they needed to do other than talk.

What’s next for CM Punk and Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins and CM Punk are likely to throw down in the future. It looks like CM Punk is determined to win the 2024 Royal Rumble match to get that spot if he has to. It will be interesting to see how CM Punk’s return changes WWE’s plan for WrestleMania.

Keep checking back with SE Scoops as we continue monitoring the upcoming road to WrestleMania. A lot of big things are likely to happen as they set the stage for the 40th showcase of the immortals.

Sami Zayn has given his all to advance his career in pro wrestling. Now, he is out of action for a while, but he requested that time off. That being said, his injury may be legit.

WWE will be missing Sami Zayn due to an injury sustained in a brutal attack by Drew McIntyre. The incident occurred during the December 4th episode of WWE RAW, leading to an injury for Sami Zayn, one that many believed was kayfabe.

This information was disclosed on commentary during the December 11th episode of WWE RAW, revealing that Sami Zayn is dealing with a “partially torn meniscus.”

What’s going on with Sami Zayn?

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Sami Zayn’s partially torn meniscus injury may be legit. He also noted once again that Zayn requested this time off.

A partially torn meniscus isn’t a terribly bad injury. Healing could take between four and eight weeks. However, the time depends on the severity and position of the tear. Of course, a WWE Superstar like Sami Zayn may need to take a bit more time.

We will have to see if Sami Zayn can make a return by January 27th’s Royal Rumble event. At this point, anything seems to be on the table. He certainly has some payback coming for Drew McIntyre.

We will have coverage of WWE, and Sami Zayn’s eventual return, right here at SE Scoops. Keep checking back for more updates as they are made known.

CM Punk has been back in WWE since Survivor Series last month, and it’s been quite a ride since then. He has maintained momentum with frequent appearances across all WWE shows in recent weeks. While a significant part of RAW this week, he did not close out the show, and the reasoning behind this decision makes sense when it is explained.

Monday Night RAW’s latest episode left a lasting impression for several reasons, notably due to CM Punk engaging in a fiery promo segment with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Then he inked an exclusive deal with WWE RAW, solidifying his place in WWE.

Dave Meltzer spoke about this during Wrestling Observer Radio, where he discussed why CM Punk didn’t conclude the show. The decision was ultimately made to ensure the maximum audience saw Punk’s promo segment, leading to its placement at 9 o’clock.

”It’s the main event and they wanted a long main event, and that’s the thing they put on last. They didn’t put Punk’s decision on last which is interesting because Punk’s decision was the #1 thing. I think that the idea was they knew that even if they put Punk’s decision on last, even though that would hold more viewers better than this match, less viewers would see it. So they put the Punk decision on at 9 o’clock when they think they would get the highest, it’s usually the high point of the show. So they everybody to see the Punk decision.”

CM Punk also had his time cut during the main event segment of RAW after Survivor Series. He went on to make a quip about his time getting shortened during his SmackDown appearance later on.

It will be interesting to see what is in the future for CM Punk, but he will be doing it on the red brand. Obviously, he also has Seth Rollins in his sights, but he may have to win the Royal Rumble to get a shot at The Visionary’s World Heavyweight Championship.

CM Punk will be a good fit on RAW, as he continues carving out a new place for him in WWE. For more updates, please keep checking in with SE Scoops.

WWE booked a big show this week in Cleveland. CM Punk declared that RAW is now his brand home. Also, CM Punk followed that up with a big Royal Rumble announcement. Punk hasn’t been confirmed for RAW next week, but they did book two big title matches.

Next week, WWE RAW will be in Des Moines, Iowa. That is, of course, Seth Rollins’ home city, so odds are he will receive a hero’s welcome. The company also has two big tag team matches booked for the show.

They announced during the December 11th episode of WWE RAW that the December 18th episode will see two tag team title matches. The Undisputed and Women’s Tag Team Titles will both be on the line.

The Creed Brothers earned a #1 contender spot a few weeks ago. They will finally get that next week. It will be interesting to see how Julius and Brutus Creed do next week.

Also, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance will get their shot at Chelsea Green and Piper Niven’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. That should be quite a match, as Green and Niven have been able to sit at ringside to watch Chance and Cater for the past few weeks.

You can check out the card for the December 18th episode of WWE RAW below.

WWE RAW December 18th Card

Judgment Day vs Creed Brothers – Undisputed Tag Team Titles

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs Katana Carter & Kayden Carter – WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles

We will have complete coverage of the December 18th episode of WWE RAW here at SE Scoops. Keep checking back for more updates.

The 2014 Royal Rumble was the last WWE match that CM Punk has wrestled in. He was taken out early by Kane, and then he walked out of the company. Things have changed, but the Royal Rumble is still an incredible test for any Superstar.

CM Punk showed up on WWE RAW this week in Cleveland, and he had a big decision to make. He also made a huge announcement in the process directed at Seth Rollins.

CM Punk expressed that walking out of WWE was one of the toughest choices he had ever made. He declared that his future was beginning in Cleveland, aiming to rectify past mistakes.

World Heavyweight Champion @WWERollins let his true feelings be known to @CMPunk on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/myf6Usr7ys

— WWE (@WWE) December 12, 2023

CM Punk informed Adam Pearce that he is now the newest RAW Superstar, stating, “CM Punk is home.” Following this announcement, Seth Rollins entered the scene to engage in a promo confrontation with Punk.

After Seth Rollins cut a promo in CM Punk’s face, the Second City Savior took a moment to let those words settle. Then, Punk said that Rollins gets one free pass to disrespect him.

BREAKING: @CMPunk will be competing in the 2024 Men's #RoyalRumble Match!

?TAMPA BAY
?? TICKETS ON SALE NOW: https://t.co/YZimKpUSWf pic.twitter.com/JNN1GdQf7D

— WWE (@WWE) December 12, 2023

CM Punk then told Seth Rollins that he is entering the Royal Rumble, and when he wins, he just may come after Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Title.

We will keep our eye on this story here at SE Scoops. So far, the 2024 Royal Rumble has Cody Rhodes and CM Punk in the match, both entrants could have WrestleMania main events ahead of them.