SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE RAW REPORT
JANUARY 6, 2025
INGLEWOOD, CALIF. AT INTUIT DOME
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX
BY WADE KELLER, EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 17,003 tickets were distributed. The arena has a capacity of 17,927,spectators when configured for basketball.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Brandon LeClair to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
[HOUR ONE]
-I got a message as I pushed play that my membership now includes live programming supported by ads.
-They opened with a aerial view of Intuit Dome and then a shot of the lobby with a lot going on. Then they showed Seth Rollins arriving, followed by C.M. Punk, The Judgment Day, and Rhea Ripley.
-They cut live to the arena as Michael Cole said over 17,000 fans were on hand. He introduced Raw “for the first time, on Netflix!”
-They showed the a four-sided gigantic screen surrounding the ring as Paul Levesque narrated an introductory video showing iconic moments in WWE’s past including Bruno Sammartino, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Rock, DX with Mike Tyson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Batistas, Goldberg, Ronda Rousey, The Bloodline, Shawn Michaels, Stephanie McMahon, Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Kane, New Day, Eddie Guerrero, Undertaker, John Cena, among many others, ending with Andre the Giant.
The cloth video screens dropped and Levesque was standing in the ring. Fans chanted, “Triple H! Triple H!” He touted the 17,000-plus sellout. He told the fans they were being seen and heard by the entire globe. “Show them who you are!” he said. “Tell them that this is the WWE and we’re louder than anything you have ever seen before.”
-The Rock’s entrance theme played and the crowd erupted in cheers. He carried his People’s Championship belt over his shoulder as he looked around. Cole said that belt was given to him by the widow of Muhammad Ali. He pointed at goosebumps on his forearm. They didn’t have a giant screen set-up so that they could sell tickets all around the arena bowl, so he walked out of a door from a wide but roughly 10 foot tall video call. McAfee touted Rock’s celebrity status as he circled the ring. Cole and McAfee stood and shook his hand at the announce desk. Rock entered the ring 13 minutes into the hour.
Rock said years ago when Rock was “a little pebble,” he used to travel the roads with his dad, “Soulman” Rocky Johnson. He said back then the only way to watch WWE was to buy a ticket or watch on Saturday morning. He said now people around the world are watching on Netflix. He said this is the largest arena gate in the history of WWE. “Congratulations,” he said. (It’s always weird to congratulate fans for having to pay the highest price ever to watch a WWE event.) When he said WWE has come to Netflix, he stopped and the fans know that’s bullshit and get to the real one. He then said, “Finally, The Rock has returned to Los Angeles.” He said Netflix understands WWE’s value. He named some top executives. The camera found them in a luxury suite.
He complimented Cody Rhodes “for carrying this company on his back for the last year.” They cut to Cody who nodded and smiled. Fans chanted, “Cody!” He added, “One more thing; tell Mama Rhodes that The Rock said hello.” He also said he wanted to acknowledge “my cousin, Roman Reigns.” Fans chanted, “OTC! OTC!” He said not only is he the Tribal Chief, he is the original Tribal Chief. He talked a bit about his Samoan heritage and then said it was time to get this on the road.
As Rock left the ring 20 minutes into the hour, McAfee said the Rock just blew the roof off this place. Rock shook hands with hugged Cody.
(Keller’s Analysis: This wasn’t electric energy-wise once the pop for Rock died down. It felt big because it’s The Rock. Not a lot seemed tied to last year’s Rock interactions in the WWE universe, though, especially the friendliness between him and Cody.)
(1) SOLO SIKOA vs. ROMAN REIGNS (w/Paul Heyman) – Bloodline Tribal Combat for the Ula Fala
As Solo made his way to the ring, Cole said Solo stole the ula fala and only the high chief is allowed to wear it. He said that is what this match was all about. They went to Cole and McAfee at ringside. He talked about announcing for decades and he said this was the most historically significant event he has called. McAfee said this was about to be the greatest night in the history of wrestling.
Reigns then made his entrance as Cole touted his status compared to other past top stars. He entered the ring 25 minutes into the hour, to give you a sense of the pace of things so far. Alicia Taylor introduced Solo. Heyman then introduced Reigns himself. Fans chanted, “F— you, Solo!” They were not bleeped or muted. McAfee said, “It is Netflix.” Solo took off the ula fala, kissed it, and then handed it to Heyman who respectfully held it. Reigns eyed the ula fala. Cole said for the first time ever, Solo vs. Reigns one-on-one live on Netflix. They cut the first break 29 minutes into the hour. [c]
(Note: You can fast-forward through commercials if you rewound, paused, or started the stream late and were behind.)
The bell rang 32 minutes into the hour. The ring canvas had sponsor patches by Snickers, Crickett, Riyad Season, and Fortnight in the middle. Solo took it to Reigns at ringside and then asked, “Who’s the Tribal Chief, now?” He threw Reigns back into the ring, but a minute later chokeslammed him onto the announce table. He rammed Reigns in the head with a monitor. Cole said, “I need to get the hell out of here.” Solo tossed the top of the ringside steps into Reigns. Cole said Solo was dominating Tribal Combat. They cut to another break at 5:00. [c]
Cole said anything goes in this match including the use of a chair as Solo threw one into the ring. Reigns made a brief comeback after avoiding a charge in the corner. Solo then took over and landed more chairshots. Cole again noted that Raw was on cable for all of its history until tonight. Solo went to ringside and pulled a table out from under the ring. Heyman was shown nervously watching in the background. Reigns landed a Drive By to knock Solo down. He then set up the table in the ring. When he reached out to grab Solo, Solo whacked him with a kendo stick.
S0lo hit Reigns a few more times in the ring with the kendo stick. Reigns pushed off Solo’s attempt to choke him with the stick and then powerbombed him through the table. As he made the cover, Tama Tonga yanked the ref out of the ring by his boots. Jacob Fatu then attacked Reigns in the ring. Solo stumbled to his feet and delivered a Samoan Spike for a near fall. Fatu landed a top rope moonsault. Solo landed a Samoan Spike. Reigns kicked out at two as Cole expressed inevitability that Solo was going to win. Fatu gave the ref a mean look. Solo gave ref (Chad Patton) a Samoan Spike. Cole asked, “What the hell is wrong with you?” As Solo set up another spike as Fatu and Tama held him, Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso ran out. Fans popped.
Fatu and Tama met them at ringside and brawled. Sami and Jimmy entered the ring. Jimmy superkicked Solo and then Sami delivered a Helluva kick. Reigns then speared Solo, but there was no ref. The ref arrived a few second later and counted two. Sami yelled at the ref as Jimmy shook his head in disbelief. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Jimmy and Sami dove through the ropes at Tama and Fatu. Jimmy kinda landed flat on his face. Cole exclaimed, “This is what World Wrestling Entertainment is all about!”
KO then entered and gave a stunner to Reigns. Solo made the cover, but Reigns kicked out. Owens punched away at Reigns angrily. Fans chanted for Cody. Cody’s music played as KO set up a piledriver on Reigns. KO dropped Reigns and brawled with Cody as he arrived in the ring. Cody landed a Cody Cutter. Reigns stood, blocked a Samoan Spike, and speared Solo and then hit another spear and got the three count. Cole yelled, “Listen to this place!” (It didn’t seem that loud, actually.)
WINNER: Reigns in 21:00.
-Heyman entered as Reigns was announced as the winner. As Heyman was about to put the ula fala around Reigns’s neck, The Rock walked out to the ring and eyed them. “Wait a minute,” said Cole. Rock entered the ring. Heyman kissed the ula fala and handed it to The Rock. He turned and placed it around Reigns’s neck. Heyman watched from the ring apron. Fans chanted, “OTC!” (not “Rocky!) Rock took off his sunglasses and stared at Reigns. Then he offered his hand. Reigns shook his hand. Some scattered boos and polite applause. Cole: “The Roman Empire is back.” [c]
(Keller’s Analysis: As is the case with Roman and Solo against certain opponents, the pace was a bit laborious. It got better as it went, but it still never really got out of third gear until others were involved in the match. Since anything was allowed, it made sense to have all that interference. Anyone expecting a huge angle with Paul Heyman turning or Rock attacking Reigns or a new Bloodline member being added didn’t get a headline coming out of it. It felt more like a calm before a storm when it came to The Rock, but maybe they’re pausing until they’re really ready to move toward a match with him again.)
[HOUR TWO]
-A teaser aired for Penta.
-A video aired announcing that 2026 Royal Rumble is going to take place in Rihad, Saudi Arabia. Cole said it’ll be the first time a traditional Royal Rumble takes place outside North America. (The “Greatest” Royal Rumble ever took place in Saudi Arabia, though!)
-A drone flew through the concourse into the arena bowl. Then they went back to Cole and McAfee at ringside. He said it’ll be a night remembered forever. They showed Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias whose special premieres tomorrow on Netflix. They showed Ashton Kutcher at ringside. Then Michael Che who is in “Shame the Devil” on Netflix. They also showed Rey Mysterio Jr. who was sitting next to the War Raiders and L.A. Knight. They showed Wale also. Then they went back to L.A. Knight, who was standing for his shot.
-John Cena’s entrance then took place 7 minutes into the second hour. Cena touted Netflix some more and than thanked the fans. He wore a “The Last Time is Now: John Cena Farewell Tour.” He said this is his last time wearing his jorts in Los Angeles. He talked about sleeping in his car when he worked at Gold’s Gym Venice and training at UPW in Orange County. He said he rented a two-bedroom apartment about 60 feet from the arena. “L.A. is where the Prototype war born,” he said. He said L.A. is where he won his first world title. He said dreams are made in L.A. and he thanked the fans. A “Thank you, Cena!” chant broke out.
Cena said tonight is about making moments. He said every day there’s a new line from an expert guessing who he’ll wrestle this year on his Farewell Tour. He mentioned Drew McIntyre, C.M. Punk, Logan Paul, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes. He said people are asking when he’ll become the history-making 17-time World Champion. He said he’s not sure that will happen. Then he said it actually won’t happen. Fans booed. He told fans to wait. He said WWE’s rules are you’re supposed to say “never say never.” He said it’ll take a miracle, and he has a better chance to win an Oscar.
He said the only way to he could earn a title match is to win the Money in the Bank briefcase or the Elimination Chamber or the Royal Rumble. Fans cheered. He said he just had a crazy idea. “Maybe I could win the Royal Rumble.” He said it’s a lottery ticket, and you can’t win if you don’t play. He said there is no “maybe next year.” He said the best way to thank the fans would be to win the Rumble and make history at WrestleMania. He then said he’s not just going to enter the Rumble, he’s going to win the Rumble.
-They showed a video package on Logan Paul being announced as the latest member of the Raw roster as the WWE headquarters last month. Logan said he doesn’t respect the system and it’s going to be his era of Raw.
-They showed Logan at ringside. Cole said there were lots of rumors he wasn’t going to be part of WWE again, but now he’s part of Raw. McAfee said they’re lucky that “the Maverick is back for the whole world to enjoy.”
-As Liv Morgan made her entrance with Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez, Cole called Dom “slimy” and said in his opinion Liv was the Superstar of the Year. [c]
-They showed Seth Green at ringside and then Macaulay Culkin. Then they showed O’Shea Jackson. Then Danielle Fishel. They showed Bianca Belair and Naomi, Then X-Pac. Then Shinsuke Nakamura. Then X-Pac again. Cole said the camera man loves X-Pac. McAfee said he looks great.
(Keller’s Analysis: AEW has lost Macaulay!)
(2) LIV MORGAN (w/Dominik Mysterio, Raquel Rodriguez) vs. RHEA RIPLEY – Women’s World Title match
Ripley’s entrance then took place. Taylor did formal ring introductions. The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour. They went right at each other aggressively. Liv slammed Ripley on the ringside table. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Back from the break, Cole said Liv was dominating thanks to Dominik. McAfee said there was a WrestleMania feeling in Los Angeles. Liv landed a tornado DDT. A “Let’s Go Rhea!” chant broke out. Ripley landed a Rip Tide at 9:00. Ripley sat up in disbelief and checked with the ref. Dom slid Liv her title belt. As the ref got rid of the belt, Raquel distracted Rhea and then Liv gave Ripley an Oblivion onto a chair leading to a two count.
Liv climbed to the top rope and did an Eddie Guerrero style chest wiggle. Dom joined in at ringside. She then landed a top rope frog splash for a two count. Ripley blocked an Oblivion and then landed two Rip Tides for the win.
WINNER: Ripley in 12:00 to capture the Women’s World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not at all surprised by this title change. It was time, but it also would’ve been hard to believe that WWE wouldn’t want the first Raw on Netflix to be in the record books with a title change.)
-After the match, Dom entered and offered a hug. Cole said they know he’s a gold digger. McAfee called him a rat bastard. Cole said of course he wants her back because she’s the champ now. She kissed the title belt, set it down, smiled, and then kicked Dom in the crotch.
-Undertaker’s bell sounded. Then the “Bad Ass” Undertaker rode out on his motorcycle. He fist-bumped Ripley and left with her as his old biker Taker theme played.
-They showed Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods being wallflowers with scowls as other wrestlers and announcers were partying in the WWE suite. Cole said he would had a lot to say about New Day next week.
-Cole announced WWE Raw would be at Madison Square Garden on March 10 and plugged ticket sales.
-Cathy Kelley began interviewing Adam Pearce backstage when Chad Gable and his crew interrupted. He told Pearce that he and the rest of American Made got rid of Otis and the rest of Alpha Academy. He said next on his 2025 bucket list is to dispel all rumors he has any trouble with Luchadors. He asked Pearce to send the very best Luchador his way next week. Pearce asked if he’s sure of that. Gable said he’s never been unsure of anything. Pearce told Kelley he had to go make a phone call.
-Jey Uso was shown getting ready for his entrance. [c]
-Cole plugged the Raw post-show featuring Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett, and Big E.
-They showed Rock’s Instagram clip hugging Jimmy Uso, Paul Heyman, Paul Levesque, and Roman Reigns backstage. Then another clip aired of him hugging Cody in the parking garage. Rock said, “I come in peace.” Cody thanked him for saying nice things to him. Rock got in his truck and said he’d be at NXT tomorrow night.
-They showed Bill Simmons at ringside and two Netflix executives. Then actress Venessa Hudgens and also Michelle McCool. Then Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai. Cole hyped Kai vs. Lyra Valkyria next week as they showed Valkyria.
-Travis Scott was shown standing smoking a joint of some kind before Jey joined him. They made their way to the ring. They acknowledged Cole and McAfee dancing on top of the announce desk to Jey’s entrance. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
(3) JEY USO vs. DREW MCINTYRE
They noted that ref Eddie Orengo was wearing a ref cam. Cole said he is his buddy and a fellow New York Mets fan. Drew McIntyre’s entrance then took place. Cole noted that Drew was about to beat Reigns to become Undisputed Champion when Solo Sikoa interfered. Jey dove through the ropes at Drew at ringside before the bell. Cole said Drew blamed The Bloodline and anyone associated with them. Drew caught another Jey dive and threw him into the ring and then overhead tossed him at ringside. The bell rang 8 minutes into the third hour.
Drew punched away at Jey in the corner at 2:00, but Jey powerbombed Drew out of the corner. Cole again talked about the sellout crowd of over 17,000 and said it’s a historic night for WWE. Cole described Drew as having “a terminator-like build.” Jey leaped off the top rope onto Drew for a two count. Drew pulled himself up by the ropes and then landed a neckbreaker. Both were down. Drew kipped up pretty quickly. Drew landed a spinebuster for a two count a minute later, then a sitout powerbomb for another two count at 5:00.
Drew followed up with a Future Shock DDT. Jey made a brief comeback. Drew then landed a Claymore for a two count. Drew landed a Glasgow Kiss and then charged, but Jey collapsed before he could connect with a Claymore. Drew laughed. Drew waited for Jey to stand, but when he did, Jey leveraged his shoulders down with a magistral cradle for a three count.
WINNER: Jey Uso in 10:00.
-A vignette aired with Gunther who said matches with him are where other’s dreams go to die.
-Kelley was interviewing Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias when Kofi and Xavier interrupted. Kofi called him “a fluffy buffoon.” Iglesias asked what was going on. Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxinne walked in. Oglesias chanted “New Day…. Sucks!” as he left with Otis.
-Heyman told Reigns backstage he is the Tribal Chief again. He said they need a platform where the whole world can acknowledge him. He asked when he could schedule it. Reigns said Jan. 27.
-They showed Seth Rollins sitting backstage looking focused. Cole hyped his match against C.M. Punk. [c]
-They showed scenes of the Las Vegas strip as Cole hyped WrestleMania being 103 days away.
-They showed celebrities Richard Gadd, Tiffany Haddish, and Stephen Amell in the crowd. Then the showed Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton, and Nikki Bella standing next to each other. Bella blew kisses to the crowd.
-Hulk Hogan’s song played and the crowd broke into boos. Hogan walked out with Jimmy Hart waving an American flag. He cupped his ears. Cole said if it weren’t for Hogan, they wouldn’t be there tonight. Hogan looked unsteady on his legs. When his music stopped, the boos got louder. He seemed a bit perplexed. Hogan said, “Well, let me tell you something, brother.” More boos. He said he’s been in pro wrestling more than 40 years and the best part of his life was being in WWE. He said the fans have been his greatest tag team partner of the year because they’ve stuck with him through thick and thin. More boos. He then plugged his beer brand. He said he’s had great partners like Randy Savage and Andre the Giant, but the greatest partners ever are WWE and Netflix. He tore off his beer t-shirt and revealed a “Netflix gets Raw” t-shirt. Fans booed more. Cole said Hogan’s beer is now an official partner of WWE as Hogan posed.
(Keller’s Analysis: This isn’t the Republican National Convention, apparently. That had to be a blow to Hogan’s ego, but it also came across as a swing and a miss for WWE to be touting a partnership with him, not to mention the partners in his beer company. That was embarrassing for all of them to have their associated with him exposed as so unpopular.)
-Cole plugged next week’s Raw line-up including Dakota vs. Valkyria, Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser, Damien Priest vs. Finn Balor in a street fight, and Gable vs. a mystery opponent. Cole said he has an idea who that opponent might be, but he won’t say.
-They showed Stephanie McMahon at ringside. Cole said they wouldn’t be there tonight without her leadership over the years.
(Keller’s Analysis: No mention of Vince McMahon, which is astounding in a general sense and totally expected and obvious given the circumstances. He is toxic and they obviously don’t want to act like they’re trying to reintegrate him into normal society again or, even worse, celebrate him at all.)
-Seth made his ring entrance. [c]
-Cole touted the crowd as a drone flew around it. McAfee said everyone would remember this night forever.
(4) C.M. PUNK vs. SETH ROLLINS
Cole said “Colby Lopez, now known as Seth Rollins,” drove from Iowa to the East Coast to try out for C.M. Punk’s wrestling school over 20 years ago. Cole said Seth blew away Punk, but he couldn’t afford to pay for tuition, so he took a different path. He said he became a mercenary for Punk. He said Punk left WWE for personal and professional issues and “went to WWE and other companies and talked harshly about WWE.” He said Seth carried WWE for a decade, then Punk returned to a big contract, big fanfare, and support from many in the back. He said that didn’t sit well with Rollins. The bell rang 43 minutes into the hour. Seth and Punk eyed each other.
After exchanging strikes, Punk knocked Rollins to ringside. Seth avoided a diving Punk, then dove onto Punk and rammed him into the barricade. As they brawled in the crowd, fans chanted, “C.M. Punk!” Both men returned to the ring and were down on the mat when they cut to a break. [c]
Punk rallied after the break and landed a running knee and two clotheslines followed by a neckbreaker. Seth landed a GTS. He then took over at ringside and then had some words with the crowd. Punk landed a stomp and then set up a GTS. Seth blocked it and delivered his own GTS for a near fall. Seth went for a stomp, but Punk moved and rolled to the floor. Seth crawled onto the announce desk and had some words with Punk. He set up a move, but Punk lifted him. Seth broke free and delivered a Pedigree. Cole said Seth appeared to hurt his knee.
Seth brought Punk into the ring and landed another Pedigree for a two count at 15:00.
[OVERRUN]
A “Fight Forever!” chant broke out as Seth set up Punk for a top rope move. He then superplexed Punk and rolled through, but Punk countered a Falcon Arrow with a GTS. Punk lifted Seth for another and landed another GTS for the win.
WINNER: Punk in 19:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good to see a clean finish.)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Brandon LeClair to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.