WWE RAW Live Coverage - January 27th, 2025

[Kemo]

The War Raiders defend World Tag Team Title against Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh

With Finn Bálor absent from last week's Raw, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio volunteered to step in and team with his Judgment Day brother JD McDonagh to challenge The War Raiders for the World Tag Team Championship.

– We are live! Michael Cole and Pat McAfee greet audiences at home as Seth "Freakin" Rollins makes his way down to the ring.

Rollins welcomes fans to Monday Night Rollins and introduces himself, then says it's his favorite time of year because it's almost WrestleMania season. He says that will kick off on Saturday when he wins the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble despite the year getting off to a bad start for him. He says after losing to CM Punk on the January 6 episode of "Raw", he wondered who he is and who he wants to be. He says he started his path to redemption by beating Drew McIntyre last week and promises to eliminate everyone from the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble. He imagines tossing Punk out of the ring when they're down to the final two left in the match in order to crush Punk's WrestleMania dreams, then ponders over which champion he'd choose to face when he wins the Men's Rumble.

GUNTHER's music hits and he makes his way out. He asks where Rollins has been the last few months as he defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso at Saturday Night's Main Event, and Rollins says that the World Heavyweight Championship wouldn't exist without him. GUNTHER says Rollins has achieved a lot in WWE and created many moments for fans, but Rollins is no longer the best wrestler in this company because he is. He says that when Rollins is staring at the ceiling, he will realize that he's no longer the face of the company because GUNTHER is.

Logan Paul's music hits and he marks his way out. He says that Rollins and GUNTHER both command attention, and says WWE needs a face oozing with charisma and confidence. He says neither Rollins or GUNTHER fits that and continues to gloat over being the best in WWE, then ponders over which champion he'd choose if he won the Men's Rumble. GUNTHER tells Paul that he wants him to emerge as the winner so he can embarrass him at WrestleMania 41, and Rollins puts GUNTHER on notice before he leaves the ring.

– Cathy Kelley talks to CM Punk backstage about the Rumble. Sami Zayn comes by and asks Punk about his comment about Zayn not being on his level. He reminds Punk he's main evented Wrestlemania and Punk hasn't. Zayn walks by Karrion Kross - Zayn tells Kross to stop with the mind games. Kross tells Zayn to think with his head and not his heart and leaves. Cody Rhodes then walks up to Zayn and they say hell briefly and Zayn leaves.

– JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio then make their way down to the ring. The War Raiders follow.

WWE World Tag Team Championship Match: The War Raiders (c) vs. JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio

McDonagh and Dominik attack The War Raiders in the corner. Erik fires off right hands on Dominik, but McDonagh connects with a variation of a jawbreaker on him. The bell rings and Dominik rolls up Erik. Erik kicks out, and Dominik tags out to McDonagh. McDonagh fires off strikes on Erik in the corner, then tags Dominik back in. Dominik fires off shoulders on Erik's midsection in the corner, then looks to fly off the apron to level him on the outside. Erik catches him and powerbombs him on top of McDonagh. Ivar follows it up with a senton off the barricade near the timekeeper's area to level McDonagh and Dominik.

Dominik tags in and fires off shoulders on Ivar's midsection. McDonagh tags back in and delivers a double back suplex to Ivar with Dominik. McDonagh then wears down Ivar with a submission hold, but Erik tags in and sends Dominik crashing into the mat spine first. He then delivers a kick to McDonagh's spine and delivers a uranage to Dominik before connecting with a knee on Dominik and going for a pin. Dominik kicks out.

Ivar tags in and The War Raiders look to double team on McDonagh. McDonagh escapes, then pulls Ivar off the top rope and pins him. Ivar kicks out, then tags in Dominik. Dominik ascends to the top rope and looks to fly, but Ivar rolls out of the way and levels Dominik with a roundhouse kick. Carlito pulls Erik off the apron and spits apple into Ivar's face, opening the door for Dominik to send Ivar crashing into the ropes and dial it up for a 619. McDonagh tags in and delivers a moonsault off the top rope, and Dominik follows it up with a Frog Splash. He goes for a pin, but Erik sends himself and McDonagh crashing into Dominik and Ivar to break the fall. The War Raiders then double team on Dominik for the win .

Winners and STILL World Tag Champs: The War Raiders

– Ludwig Kaiser approaches Peter Dunne backstage. The New Day comes up to them and Dunne and Kaiser walk off.

– LWO then make their way down to the ring. New Day follows.

Xavier Woods (w/ Kofi Kingston) vs. Rey Mysterio (w/ LWO)

The bell rings and the two lock up. Woods locks in a submission on Rey's calf, but Rey rocks Woods with a kick to his head and connects with a springboard crossbody. Woods runs Rey over with a shoulder tackle, but Rey responds with a kick to Woods' face and a hurricanrana to him. Rey then looks to follow it up with a Sunset Flip from the apron, but Woods sees him coming and sends his knee crashing into the ropes. He drapes him in the middle rope and delivers a double stomp to his spine.

Woods dropkicks Rey out of the ring under the bottom rope, then sends him crashing into the mat with a delayed vertical suplex. Rey lands an enzuigiri on Woods, then lands a senton off the top rope and rains down right hands on Woods in the corner. Woods trips Rey, then delivers a Sunset Flip to him off the ropes and follows it up with a Canadian Destroyer.

Woods notices that his family (who he's been waiting for) have finally arrived in their reserved seats and confronts them about being late, but they take off their sweaters to reveal "New Day Sucks" shirts. Rey takes advantage of the distraction, dialing it up for a 619 when he returns to the ring and a splash from the apron for the win.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

– Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins talk backstage and Zayn tells Rollins the kick he received was a mistake and they hug it out.

– Jey Uso comes out to the ring and tells everyone he appreciates everyone and discusses his loss to Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event. He says he can beat Gunther. He then talks about winning the Rumble and will become the champ after he wins.

– Jackie Redmond talks to Lyra Valkyria backstage. Valkyria says she's entering the Rumble. American Made tops by and Gable tells Valkyria to not get comfortable with her title. Gable says Ivy Nile will be IC Champ soon. American Made cross paths with Alpha Academy while they film a TikTok. Gable calls them embarrassments and Nile gets in Maxxine Dupri's face and leaves.

– Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez then make their way out to the ring. Naomi and Bianca Belair follow.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Naomi and Bianca Belair

Belair and Morgan begin the action. The bell rings and Belair rains down right hands on Morgan in the corner. Morgan pulls her off and whips her into the mat using her braid, but Belair kips up and tags in Rodriguez. Rodriguez sends Belair crashing into the corner, but Belair catches her with a back elbow and tags in Naomi.

Naomi and Belair deliver a double Russian Leg Sweep to Rodriguez and follow it up with a double elbow drop. Rodriguez runs over Naomi with a shoulder block and tags Morgan back in. Morgan and Rodriguez double team on Naomi, but Belair tags back in and levels Rodriguez with a crossbody off the ropes. Naomi tags back in, but Morgan catches her with a jawbreaker and tags in Rodriguez.

Belair and Morgan tag back in, and Belair levels Morgan with a delayed vertical suplex. She stacks Rodriguez and Morgan up in the corner, then rains down right hands on them. Morgan dropkicks Belair, and Rodriguez tags in. She delivers a powerbomb to Belair and powerbombs Morgan on top of her, but Naomi tags in and sends Rodriguez crashing into the mat face first.

Morgan tags in and lands a backstabber on Belair and looks to land Oblivion on her, but Belair catches her and connects with KOD. She pins Morgan, but the referee is distracted by Dominik Mysterio who has hopped up on the apron. Naomi tags in and Belair flies over the top rope as Naomi lands a split legged moonsault on Morgan. She goes for a pin, but Rodriguez pulls Naomi out of the ring to break the fall and chokeslams her onto the apron as the referee checks on Morgan. Morgan then pins Naomi for the win.

Winners: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez

– Cathy Kelley talks to Rhea Ripley backstage and they quickly discuss her win against Nia Jax and Kelley asks Ripley for her Royal Rumble predictions. Bayley comes by and says maybe it'll be her that wins. Ripley leaves and Bayley comes face to face with Iyo Sky who tells Bayley she'll see her on Saturday.

– Paul Heyman then makes his way down to the ring and introduces himself, then reveals that himself and Roman Reigns will be the cover stars of WWE 2K25. He says now that Reigns has taken the Ula Fala and title of "Tribal Chief" back from Solo Sikoa, he's coming for the Undisputed WWE Championship and declares that he will be entering the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble.

Drew McIntyre's music hits and he makes his way out. He says Heyman looks nervous, but he should relax because Sami Zayn is the only person who should be nervous given their upcoming match. He calls himself "the daddy of The Bloodline" and says Heyman is a smart man for being able to harness Reigns' talent for evil. He demands that Heyman thank him, and while Heyman thanks McIntyre, he says that he's crowding him. McIntyre takes a few steps back and says he has a favor for Heyman to do since he just did him one. He tells Heyman to warn his client that he will be coming for him in the Men's Rumble, and Heyman assures McIntyre he will pass along his message. He looks to leave, but McIntyre stops him and says he wasn't talking about Reigns but rather CM Punk.

– Cathy Kelley talks to Bron Breakker backstage. After the interview Penta enters and Breakker and Penta lock eyes.

– Sami Zayn then makes his way down to the ring.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn

The bell rings and Zayn fires off strikes on McIntyre in the corner. Zayn clotheslines McIntyre out of the ring, then delivers a springboard moonsault to him using the top rope. Zayn rains down right hands on McIntyre in the corner, then follows it up with a Tornado DDT. He looks to land a Tornillo out of the corner, but McIntyre avoids it and stalks Zayn on the outside from the ring. McIntyre then joins Zayn on the outside and looks to land a Claymore on him, but Zayn moves out of the way and McIntyre is sent crashing into the announce desk spine first.

McIntyre and Zayn return to the ring, and McIntyre lands a boot on the side of Zayn's jaw. McIntyre then fires off strikes on Zayn, but Zayn responds with several of his own and levels McIntyre with a clothesline. He follows it up with a spinebuster and goes for a pin, but Zayn kicks out. McIntyre then lands a sit-out powerbomb and goes for a second pin, but Zayn kicks out once again.

McIntyre gets Zayn up on his shoulders and ascends to the middle rope, then sets up for White Noise. Zayn escapes and transitions into a Sunset Flip, then goes for a pin but McIntyre kicks out. McIntyre connects with a suplex on Zayn, then kips up. Zayn intercepts him with a boot and follows it up with a Blue Thunder Bomb and pins McIntyre, but McIntyre kicks out for a second time.

Zayn ascends to the top rope, but McIntyre trips him and lands a chop on him. He joins him up there, but Zayn drapes him by his knees and sets up for a move. McIntyre sits up and pulls Zayn off, then sets up for a Claymore Kick. Zayn side steps it and pins McIntyre, but McIntyre kicks out. Zayn then sends McIntyre crashing into the ring post shoulder first and follows it up with an Exploder, then sets up for the Helluva Kick. McIntyre counters into a roll up with his feet on the ropes for the win.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

– After the match, McIntyre continues beating down Zayn until Cody Rhodes' music hits and he runs down to the ring. He begins brawling with McIntyre, then connects with a Cody Cutter. Kevin Owens then blindsides Rhodes in the ring and brawls with him, but McIntyre pulls Rhodes off Zayn. Zayn looks to land a Helluva Kick on McIntyre, but McIntyre side steps it and Zayn accidentally hits Rhodes with the move. Owens stands next to Zayn and pats him on the chest, then leaves the ring as Zayn contemplates what he's just done. Zayn follows Owens up the ramp and tells him "it's not like that".

Rhodes addresses his upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder Match between him and Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble and says he can't wait for their issues to be through.

CM Punk's music hits and he makes his way out. He asks Rhodes if he's alright, and says he remembers what it's like not to have friends as a World Champion. He gives some encouraging words to a deflated Rhodes, and says if he makes it past Owens, then it's onto the next show and Rhodes asked for it as the poster boy for WWE. He says Rhodes gets to spend less time with his wife and daughter because the Undisputed WWE Championship means something to guys like them, then reminds him about the impact that he has on fans.

Rhodes asks Punk what the bad news is, and Punk says that the bad news is that he intends to win the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble to challenge Rhodes for his Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. Rhodes recalls their early days in the wresting business, then tells Punk that's he's not chasing him as it's actually the other way around. The two continue going back and forth, tensely staring one another down as the show goes off the air.

[LionDen]

Scheduled to appear:

-- Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear. ( I am guessing Kevin Owens may be somewhere close by.)
-- Logan Paul makes his 2025 first RAW appearance.
-- Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre go head to head.
-- World Tag Team Championship: The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) (c) vs. Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh)
-- Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez.
-- NOTE: ON the WWE RAW Premiere on Netflix, backstage Paul Heyman tells Roman Reigns they need a platform for the world to acknowledge him. Reigns says January 27th. There was a little WWE 2K25 after. I believe it is confirmed Reigns will be on the cover of the WWE 2K25 game. It is possible he could appear live or appear via a video package. Maybe to promote WWE2K25 which has said a official announcement was coming Jan 28th on their website.

[LionDen]

It was going good opening till Logan turned up. lol

[LionDen]

HaHa Woods family wearing New Day sucks shirts.

[LionDen]

Great promos by Punk and Rhodes at the end.

[LionDen]

A good RAW go home show for the Rumble.

[LionDen]

Backstage

[LionDen]

Opening

[LionDen]

Backstage

[LionDen]

In Arena