RAW kicked off once again with Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso. Only just when you thought this would be a repeat of last week's YEET-fest, Gunther appeared and wrecked the party. He pulled Jey's legs out from under him as he stood on the announce desk, eliciting boos from a raucous crowd. Gunther then beat down and power-bombed Jey, and just when you thought the segment was over, a winded and wounded Jey suddenly had a microphone. "I shouldn't say this..." Jey exhaled. "Me and you at WrestleMania". His choice solidified, the words felt appropriately epic, Jey's Cool Hand Luke like swagger adding to the strength of the phrase "Me and you...". Jey then dove over the top rope onto Gunther and a pile of security officers before the potential brawl was broken up and both men separated.

Good. Now we know one of the WWE's main title matches, which brings the rest into focus. It was wise to have Jey make his decision with weeks left until the Elimination Chamber because it raises the stakes for that match, limiting the choices of the contestants to Cody Rhodes and his WWE Undisputed Championship. CM Punk, John Cena, Logan Paul, and Drew McIntyre are all in the Chamber with two more opponents to be named in the weeks ahead. Now that the Mania main events are taking shape, it's up to WWE to keep things interesting between now and April. I recommend using the full breadth of narrative devices at the company's disposal.

RAW REVIEWSTim KailFebruary 14, 2025raw, Monday night raw, raw review, Tim kail, Tim Kail's raw review, wwe, Seth rollins, cm punk, lyra valkyria, bayley

Tim Kail's Raw Review, 2/3/25

RAW began with a montage of wrestlers arriving to the arena, Sami Zayn and Charlotte among them. It’s nice dash of realism and a logical way to convey the idea that “this party is getting started”. A recap of The Royal Rumble played next, recapping the premium live event for those who missed it or were in need of a refresher. Then Jey Uso emerged through the crowd, celebrating with a widespread “YEET!” While I’ve been asking for RAW to begin with a match, preferably one already in progress, it made sense to start this episode with the men’s Royal Rumble winner. Jey delivered an emotional address about overcoming self-doubt. The crowd cheered him as his voice wavered and tears appeared in his eyes. There’s nothing more powerful in the arts than a human being vulnerable. Jey’s vulnerability brought out the best in him, an honest gratitude for the support of the fans. Then, as expected, Gunther interrupted him and said he’s going to “put Jey down like a diseased dog”. What could be a hokey, overwritten phrase resonated because of Gunther’s palpable disdain for Jey. The question hanging over the scene was whether Jey would choose Gunther, the World Champion, or Cody, the Undisputed Champion, to face in the WrestleMania main event as is his right as Rumble winner. He did not make a choice, instead opting to “holler at Cody” on Friday.

Tim Kail's Raw Review, 1/27/25

This week’s Monday Night Raw, another middling, mostly pointless episode, ended with an intense dialogue between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. It was a well-acted scene with several well-constructed statements, mainly that Cody Rhodes is no longer “chasing” CM Punk but that it was now Punk “chasing” Rhodes.

One would be forgiven to surmise, based on this scene, that Punk v Rhodes will headline WrestleMania 41. In fact, I’d argue this scene necessitates Punk face Rhodes for the title at Mania. Otherwise, why am I seeing it?

The characters have an interesting history and the imagery and soundbites would make for a fantastic pre-match vignette. Everything about their interactions over the past year, culminating in this promo, lays the groundwork for a championship match.

And yet, I don’t buy any of it.

Tim Kail's Raw Review, 1/13/25

I could easily write a RAW review where I describe this episode as superior to last week’s efforts while still lacking genuine ingenuity. I could go on at length about each match (all good, five in total), lament the arrival of “I’m in the Royal Rumble” promo-season, loath the use of “Promo trains” to push narratives forward, commend the WWE for its earnest representation of debuting Superstar, Penta, laud Lyra Valkyria v Dakota Kai (the best match of the night), explain why I think Rhea Ripley adheres too closely to a script and how doing so limits her, extol Sami Zayn’s use of The Blue Thunder Bomb as a finisher, and praise Damian Priest for hoisting himself out of midcard obscurity and securing a spot as a main event player.

I could do all that and we’d be left with a fine RAW Review of a fine RAW.

But that would betray the true purpose of this article; affect real change in professional wrestling by offering the medium the arts criticism it deserves. And what does that mean to me?

RAW REVIEWSTim KailJanuary 17, 2025cm punk, wwe, netflix, Monday night raw, raw, Triple H

The Writings