Seth Rollins Defeats Drew McIntyre in WWE Raw Main Event Clash

WWE Raw this week delivered high-stakes action and heated confrontations at the American Airlines Center. With Michael Cole and Wade Barrett calling the action, the night featured Seth Rollins battling Drew McIntyre in the main event, a fiery promo from CM Punk, and developments for the upcoming Royal Rumble and Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley was attacked earlier in the day by Nia Jax in a backstage altercation. Jax drove Ripley into a railing repeatedly, delivering a hip attack that left Ripley reeling before officials intervened. The tension between the two set the stage for their championship clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 25.

The show opened with Jey Uso delivering a promo that was interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. Gunther dismissed Jey’s aspirations to claim the title, criticizing his reliance on others and labeling him a “flash in the pan.” Jey countered by reminding Gunther of his WrestleMania main event status, leading to a brawl that ended with Jey holding Gunther’s title in the ring.

In the night’s first match, Rey Mysterio defeated Kofi Kingston via pinfall despite interference from Xavier Woods. After the match, Woods and Kingston attacked Mysterio, drawing boos from the crowd. The LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro attempted to assist Rey, but the New Day continued their assault before leaving the ring.

Sami Zayn announced his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble, reflecting on his career and his desire to win a world championship. Kevin Owens interrupted, expressing support for Zayn and hinting at a potential WrestleMania clash if both succeed in their championship pursuits. Owens left Zayn with words of encouragement, setting up an intriguing storyline for the weeks ahead.

Nia Jax secured a victory over Bayley in a hard-fought match. Post-match chaos erupted as Ripley confronted Jax, leading to a brawl that spilled outside the ring. Ripley issued a direct challenge to Jax for Saturday Night’s Main Event, adding fuel to their escalating rivalry.

The main event saw Seth Rollins defeat Drew McIntyre in a 17-minute clash filled with nearfalls and high-impact moves. After the match, McIntyre attacked Rollins, prompting Sami Zayn to intervene. However, a misstep led to Zayn inadvertently striking Rollins with a Helluva Kick, creating tension as Raw went off the air.

Additional Highlights

- Chad Gable’s American Made faction outlined their title aspirations, with Ivy Nile targeting the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the Creed Brothers eyeing the World Tag Team Titles.

- Penta defeated Pete Dunne in a fast-paced bout, showcasing his dominance.

- CM Punk delivered a passionate promo, declaring his intent to win the Royal Rumble and settle old scores.

Upcoming Events

Next week’s Raw in Atlanta will feature Logan Paul, a World Tag Team Championship match, and an appearance by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

Saturday Night’s Main Event in San Antonio will include:

- Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax

- Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus

- World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso

- Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu

- Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens contract signing moderated by Shawn Michaels

With the Royal Rumble on February 1, WWE continues to build momentum, setting the stage for high-profile clashes and evolving storylines.