Following protracted absences, two of the biggest stars of the last 20 years made their Raw debut on Monday night. Even though Randy Orton had just been out of the game for around 18 months, his return to singles competition delighted Nashville’s supporters. However, the most eagerly awaited event of the evening concerned CM Punk’s first-ever return to Raw since 2014.
When Punk wrapped up the program, he didn’t say much; instead, he concentrated on how his sudden comeback to WWE felt like a trip “home.” But Orton was glad to come back to work, taking out Dominik Mysterio in the main event of the evening.
CM Punk returns to the Raw roster.
Two nights after making his WWE comeback at Survivor Series, CM Punk made an appearance to finish the evening. Punk claimed that because he was standing in a WWE ring and holding a live microphone, it seemed as though hell had frozen over. Punk claimed that after trying to come up with a few explanations for his return, he finally settled on the simple statement, “I’ve changed.” Then Punk declared, “I’m home.”
Punk began by stating that he is now “home” and that he returned because he loved the WWE fans, adding that the fans never stopped shouting his name because the voiceless had found a voice. It feels like a pleasant reunion because everyone backstage is delighted to see him after a wise guy once told him he would have to leave and return to get what he wanted. With a smile on his face, Punk added, “Almost everyone has welcomed me with open arms.” Those who haven’t are terrified because the best in the world hasn’t been seen in almost ten years.
Randy Orton triumphs in his own Raw comeback.
Orton gave an in-ring promo to start the event. Before revealing that he has a sack full of receipts for each member of The Bloodline, Orton discussed how he decided to make a comeback at Survivor Series since participating in WarGames was the one thing he had never done before in his career. Then Rhea Ripley headed into the ring. According to Ripley, she never thought Orton would work with someone who would try to ruin his career or overshadow their spectacular comeback. Then, when Orton was out on the sidelines, Ripley told him about the rise of Judgment Day. Ripley suggested that Orton join Judgment Day, but he turned her down. She said he had turned the gang against them. Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh then jumped him from behind, but Orton chased them both away and declared he would track down Adam Pearce to match Mysterio. Jey Uso apologized to Orton later in the performance for his previous role in The Bloodline, and Orton accepted.
Dominik Mysterio lost to Randy Orton via pinfall after an RKO. After being part of the act the entire evening, country music icon Jelly Roll took care of JD McDonagh for Orton, setting up the conclusion.
After winning Tag Team Turmoil, The Creed Brothers rose to the top of the WWE tag team championship challenger rankings. Before the Creeds invaded to eradicate them, DIY first eliminated Indus Sher and Alpha Academy. After that, the Creeds destroyed Imperium and New Day to get their title chance.
During a Rhodes promo, Shinsuke Nakamura attacked Cody Rhodes. Rhodes was talking about WarGames when Nakamura interrupted him on the video board. Nakamura declared that he would no longer be patient with Rhodes and that it was his responsibility to release him so that he could grow. Then, from behind Rhodes, Nakamura emerged and doused him in red mist.
The fight between Bronson Reed and Ivar on the outside led to a double countout. The large men continued to beat each other with weapons and even security personnel as the fight spread throughout the throng.
Nia Jax used a Bonzai Drop to pinfall Zoey Stark.
Backstage, Gunther addressed The Miz. Miz demonstrated at Survivor Series, according to Gunther, that he belongs in the ring—just not with Gunther.
After challenging Seth Rollins during a promo, Drew McIntyre launched an attack on Rollins. McIntyre declared that in order to concentrate on winning the world heavyweight championship, he would set aside his disagreements with Jey Uso. Before declaring he would defend the championship against Uso the following week, Rollins stated McIntyre deserved a rematch but that others might be deserving of a chance more. After a headbutt in return, McIntyre knocked Rollins unconscious before Uso intervened and superkicked McIntyre out of the ring. Later in the show, Sami Zayn approached McIntyre and told him he was acting like a spoilt brat. McIntyre said he understood and promised to climb back up the ladder, beginning on Monday night with a game against Zayn.
Piper Niven and Chelsea Green successfully defended their women’s tag team championship by pinfalling Tegan Nox and Natalya. Niven used a running crossbody on Nox to end the bout.
