Just days after an explosive 2025 Royal Rumble, WWE Raw on Netflix delivered a high-energy show that pushed major storylines forward, bringing the road to WrestleMania 41 into clearer focus. Jey Uso, fresh off his surprising Royal Rumble victory, addressed the WWE Universe and teased his WrestleMania opponent. Charlotte Flair, the winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match, made her highly anticipated return, but it was met with a mixed reception. Meanwhile, the first two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches added more intrigue to the championship picture, with CM Punk battling Sami Zayn and Liv Morgan facing Iyo Sky.
The night was filled with compelling storytelling, intense in-ring action, and surprises that left fans buzzing. With each segment, WWE continued building momentum toward its biggest event of the year.
Jey Uso Addresses His Royal Rumble Victory
Kicking off the night, Jey Uso walked into the arena to a thunderous ovation from the WWE Universe. The crowd erupted in chants of “Yeet!” and “You deserve it!” as the 2025 Royal Rumble winner soaked at the moment. His journey from tag team specialist to legitimate singles star has been one of the most compelling narratives in WWE, and his emotion was palpable as he addressed the fans.
Uso admitted that at one point in his career, he doubted himself. He wasn’t sure if he had what it took to be a top singles star, but winning the Royal Rumble proved to him—and to the world—that he belonged at the top. Before he could finish, the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther interrupted.
Gunther, known for his brutal dominance, wasted no time in issuing a warning. He dared Uso to challenge him at WrestleMania, promising that if he did, it would be the most painful experience of his life. The tension between the two was electric, but Uso didn’t make his decision on the spot. Instead, he stated he would visit SmackDown to have a conversation with Cody Rhodes, leaving the WWE Universe waiting for his final decision.
The segment reinforced Uso as one of the biggest stars in WWE while teasing a high-stakes showdown at WrestleMania.
Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser (image via Getty)Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser: A Hard-Fought Battle
Following the heated exchange between Uso and Gunther, the night’s first match saw Penta square off against Ludwig Kaiser. The match was born out of Kaiser’s frustration after being humiliated in the Royal Rumble, where Penta eliminated him in just six seconds.
Kaiser entered the match with aggression, seeking revenge for his embarrassing exit. He controlled the early portion of the contest, grounding Penta with stiff strikes and relentless holds. However, Penta, known for his explosive offense, fought back with his signature high-flying moves.
As the match progressed, Penta gained momentum and hit the Sacrifice armbreaker, followed by the devastating Penta Driver, to secure the victory. But his celebration was short-lived. Pete Dunne attacked Penta after the match, signaling the beginning of a new rivalry.
While the match itself was solid, the post-match beatdown hinted at a long-term storyline involving Dunne, Kaiser, and Penta, which could lead to an exciting faction war in the coming weeks.
Charlotte Flair’s Return and Face-Off with Rhea Ripley
Charlotte Flair’s return to Raw was met with a hostile reception from the WWE Universe. After spending months away from the ring due to injury, The Queen expected a warm welcome. Instead, the fans greeted her with a mix of cheers and boos.
Flair attempted to express her gratitude to the audience, speaking about the mental and physical toll her time away had taken. However, as the boos grew louder, Flair leaned into them, reminding the fans that whether they love or hate her, she is still one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Before she could say more, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley interrupted. Michael Cole reminded viewers that Flair and Ripley had already clashed at two WrestleMania in the past, with each woman securing a victory over the other. The tension between them was undeniable as Ripley urged Flair to pick her as her WrestleMania opponent.
Flair, unfazed, responded by saying she had other options and would visit NXT to see if Giulia “inspires” her. This left Ripley seething, adding another layer of uncertainty to Flair’s WrestleMania decision.
Flair thrives as a heel, and this segment subtly shifts her back into that role. Whether she chooses Ripley or NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, she is sure to face a hostile crowd at WrestleMania.
Charlotte Flair (image via Getty)Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. The New Day
In a high-energy tag team match, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee faced off against Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. The rivalry between LWO and The New Day had been simmering, but Logan Paul’s interference took center stage in this match.
Mysterio and Lee displayed incredible teamwork, using their agility to keep The New Day on the defensive. However, when Mysterio attempted a dive to the outside, Paul attacked him from behind, allowing The New Day to take advantage and pick up the victory.
While the match was entertaining, the real story was Paul’s continued involvement in Mysterio’s business. With the two set to face off in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, tensions are at an all-time high.
Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky – Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Liv Morgan secured her spot in the Elimination Chamber match, but not without controversy. Iyo Sky dominated the early portion of the match, showing her superior technical ability. Just as Morgan seemed to gain control, Raquel Rodriguez interfered on her behalf. However, even with the distraction, Sky fought back and seemed poised for victory.
Just then, Rhea Ripley stormed the ring. In an attempt to fend off Rodriguez, she accidentally struck Morgan, leading to a disqualification win for Morgan. The loss enraged Sky, who berated Ripley before storming out.
The match set the stage for potential WrestleMania storylines involving Ripley, Sky, and Morgan.
Seth Rollins Calls Out Sami Zayn and CM Punk
Seth Rollins delivered a passionate promo, celebrating the fact that neither CM Punk nor Roman Reigns won the Royal Rumble. He took great pride in injuring Reigns and called out Sami Zayn, hyping him up for his match against Punk. However, it was clear that Rollins was more concerned about keeping Punk out of the Elimination Chamber than actually supporting Zayn.
Moments later, Punk interrupted, leading to a brief scuffle that added fuel to their brewing rivalry.
Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn (image via Getty)CM Punk vs. Sami Zayn – Elimination Chamber Qualifier
The night’s main event saw CM Punk battle Sami Zayn in an incredible 20-minute match. Both men countered each other’s signature moves, leading to several near-falls that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Despite Zayn’s resilience, Punk eventually caught him with the Go To Sleep to earn a spot in the Elimination Chamber match. After the bout, the two shared a moment of mutual respect, but Kevin Owens attacked Zayn from behind, laying him out with a brutal package piledriver.
The attack signaled a potential WrestleMania match between Zayn and Owens, a rivalry with deep history that fans would love to see rekindled.
WWE Raw on Netflix delivered another strong episode, effectively building storylines leading into the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 41. Jey Uso’s journey to the main event remains compelling, Charlotte Flair’s return set up multiple potential rivalries, and the Elimination Chamber qualifiers added depth to the title picture.
With WrestleMania taking place later than usual, WWE is pacing its storytelling well, ensuring that each development feels meaningful without rushing to conclusions. This episode left fans with plenty to speculate on, and the road to WrestleMania is only getting started.