The ‘go-home’ episode of RAW before WrestleMania is one of the biggest episodes of the year, ranking between RAW after Mania and Draft Night. With WrestleMania 41 working as a two-night event, WWE is responsible for delivering “go-home” angles for two separate WrestleMania main events. Traditionally, RAW has maintained bigger angles and raised stakes higher than its contemporary SmackDown regarding WrestleMania fight week.
However, This year, you could argue that SmackDown will act as the true ‘go-home’ episode because it promotes the final pre-Mania showdown between Cody Rhodes and the reclusive challenger John Cena. Cody made the announcement during his promo last Friday, and that meant that RAW was used to send the Punk-Reigns-Rollins triple threat match home for night one’s main event.
Roman-Rollins-Punk-Paul
Roman Reigns walked to the ring with Paul Heyman behind him as usual, but it was anything but the usual scene from the Tribal Chief and his Wiseman. Moments before the planned segment, Roman walked in on Paul and Punk having a conversation. Paul admitted that he had not spoken to Roman in weeks— since the night all four men were in a SmackDown ring together.
As Paul chased Roman around the Sacramento arena like someone who was caught by their partner texting their ex, you could see the betrayal on the face of Roman. In fact, Paul attempted to hand Roman the mic, and instead, he shoulder-bumped Paul on his way to grab the mic from a crew guy on the outside. It was a very telling move.
Roman ridiculed Paul for his ‘choices’ and claimed that he ‘never asked for a favor’ and was still, somehow, the only one getting screwed for other’s actions. Paul tried explaining the position he was in, but the Sac-Town crowd fueled Roman’s anger by chanting, “You f***ed up.”
Rollins eventually came out and attempted to sow further discontent between Roman and Paul. Seth Rollins recapped the actions that led to Paul owing him a favor but then admitted that he does not expect Heyman to fulfill his obligation. Roman made his move by taking Seth out and over the ropes. With Seth on the outside, Paul started laughing it up and acknowledged Roman verbally on the mic. That is when Roman set his sights on Paul and facepalmed him to the ground. The shock on Paul’s face quickly turned to horror as he contemplated how far Roman could go based on his feeling of betrayal.
NO WAY!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/WVDaaPZfe8
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2025
Punk came out to make the save (music and all) by taking out Roman, but when he turned his attention to Paul, Reigns took the opening to deliver a spear. Just as Roman gained the upper hand, Rollins struck him with a chair shot that was a callback to his Shield turn. Rollins, with a chair in hand, stared at Paul as though to say: that makes two. The credits appeared, and the show faded to black with Seth standing tall.
Rollins has been the ‘other guy’ in this three-man feud, mostly due to him feuding and losing to Punk already. Rollins ‘injury run’ was a setback, but he could gain much of that momentum back with a win this weekend over Punk and Roman. Still, you have to wonder whether Paul will decide to help Seth after all when you consider that nobody, including Seth, believes he will.
If you consider the optics, neither Punk nor Roman are in need of Heyman’s talents. Paul successfully helped launch both men to heights neither needed nor appreciated. On the other hand, Seth was once the handpicked guy by Triple H and Vince and could very much benefit from Paul in his corner.
So many factors are heading into this weekend, but the indifference between Seth and Paul feels more than a misdirect.
Jey Uso: The ‘Picture Perfect’ Champ At WrestleMania?
Frustrations from the fans spilled over onto heavyweight champion Gunther as he screamed at fans for not appreciating the gifts that are his talents. He accurately said he had been a champion for over 80% of his time in WWE. He desperately tried to get as much heat as possible on behalf of the ‘Yeet-man.’
“The bell has to ring, and when that happens, you still can’t lace my boots, and I will put you down for a fourth consecutive time,” Gunther said in RAW’s opening segment.
Many have claimed that Gunther went too far with Jey’s brother Jimmy and may have inadvertently set Jey down a road where he leaves Mania as champion. The champ said he should have drowned Jey in Jimmy’s blood, and he felt less in control of his emotions than he had during the entire ‘road to Mania.’
Time For Talking Is Done… Now, We YEET
Jey Uso was the IC champ for a week, and then he lost his title shot against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event before winning the Rumble. It is hard to blame Jey for his booking, but it is also hard to argue with WWE keeping him in his box of Yeets.
When Jey came out last week, he cut an impassioned promo that felt like he was finally in the program, mentally. Tonight, he reverted to his 60-second promo while standing on top of the commentary desk. Jey struggled with some of his promos upon winning the IC title and has been kept on a short promo leash ever since.
WWE is imagining the scene that would emerge in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in front of a reported 48,000 plus—though if reports are true, then you must wonder how many fans will be in their seat by the first bell in Mania’s Night 1 opener. To capture a stadium of fans Yeeting in support of Jey is enough to put the belt on him—at least for the night if his IC run is at all similar.
Penta vs Finn Balor In The Battle For Momentum
This weekend, we will see Bron Breakker defend his IC title against Penta, Balor, and Dom Mysterio. The narrative between Balor and Dom has been contentious, but they seem to be on the same page heading into the title match. Cole reminded us on commentary that Breakker will be without the champion advantage and does not have to be pinned to win.
Could the riff between Balor and Dom spill over in a way that allows Penta to capitalize on his first WWE title win?
Penta and Balor put on a barnburner that has fans salivating for the 4-way IC title match on night two. Eventually, Dom and Carlito came out to ‘assist’ Balor, but just before Balor had Penta set for his finisher, Breakker’s music hit, and the schmoz was on as The Judgement Day was laid to waste.
Breakker was lining up Penta for a spear, but Penta was able to counter and was left standing tall at the end of the segment. This finish gives Penta more momentum than if he had won the match. Beating Finn is one thing, but being the guy who is left standing on the ‘go-home’ show is everything.
Rey Fighting For All Luchas
EL GRANDE AMERICANO makes a huge statement just days ahead of his very first #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/4Qpwv7yQN3
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2025
Rey Mysterio Jr. was in action against Julius Creed even though Mysterio’s match at Mania was against Grande De Americano, who is not at all Chad Gable. The two factions were thrown from ringside, and we thought we would get a clean finish.
Creed produced an amazing spot where he put Mysterio in a super plex position from his knees before standing to his feet and walking up the steel steps with Mysterio still in the super plex position. Rey hit a 619 for the win, but the masked Grande De Americano came out to beat down on his Mania opponent. The commentary said that Americano had a loaded mask, and, sure enough, the camera caught him on replay.
The loaded mask will likely come into play this weekend, but it is an uphill battle trying to out Lucha, the world’s greatest luchador.
Logan Paul Krosses Styles?
Karrion Kross has not been very active on WWE TV, but tonight he showed why he was one of the most over guys on the indies as he went toe-to-toe with AJ Styles in singles action. AJ started feuding with Kross, and it boiled over last week after Kross did what he has been doing—getting into business of other faces.
AJ hit the elbow and picked up the win, and that is when Logan Paul came out to deliver his promo. He pissed the crowd off to no end before playing a preprepared video package of his highlights. In the end, it was all a distraction for Kross to help Logan with the numbers game. But when you test the best, the best usually stands tall. Unfortunately, the younger Paul regained his senses and hit AJ with the ‘Paul-verizer.’
RAW Women’s Title
All three women cut promos through prerecorded videos. They did not have the effect that an in-ring segment would have, but the headlines for this match were always going to come on fight night.
Other Tidbits/In-Ring Action
Bayley defeats Liv Morgan
- In singles action, their third singles encounter, Bayley and Liv fought ahead of their tag team title match at Mania. Bayley and her partner, IC champ Lyria Valkyria, won a gauntlet match on this past Friday’s episode of SmackDown. The win guaranteed them a title match against Liv and Raquel Rodriguez. Bayley has been producing quality work lately but lost her shot at the IC title last week against her partner. Raquel tried to interfere with the match, but that only caused Valkyria to help out, and the challengers left with the win and momentum. However, will they be successful if Dom Mysterio plays a role?
- It was announced tonight that New Day will get another tag team title match against War Raiders at Mania. The match was referred to as a “war,” but it is unclear if that is just wordplay or if this is a gimmick match.
- Pat McAfee will kick off Mania festivities on his Friday morning show on ESPN, where he will have Roman Reigns as a guest for the first hour and Triple H for the second hour.
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