WWE Raw Review: January 20, 2025 Highlights

JustBaazaar Editor

WWE Raw Review: January 20, 2025 Highlights

As another WWE Raw comes and goes, wrestling fans continue to experience the highs and lows of the product. This week’s episode of WWE Raw was live from Dallas, TX, and, more importantly, it marked the final Raw before the highly anticipated Saturday Night’s Main Event. Given the proximity to one of the big four events—Royal Rumble—fans expected plenty of hype, drama, and storyline advancements. However, like every week, WWE delivered a mixed bag of excitement and disappointment.

WWE Raw Review: January 20, 2025 Highlights

Rather than rehashing the play-by-play details of the show, this post will focus on the good and the bad, with special attention to the moments that had the audience on the edge of their seats and those that felt like missed opportunities.

1. What We Hated: A Lackluster and Redundant Opener

One of the major disappointments this week was the lackluster and redundant opener featuring Jey Uso and GUNTHER. While WWE has been busy building excitement for the Royal Rumble, it’s understandable that some of the promotion for other events, like Saturday Night’s Main Event, would take a backseat. However, the issue arose when WWE failed to deliver any meaningful advancement for existing storylines, and the opening segment was a prime example of this.

Jey Uso vs. GUNTHER – A Missed Opportunity?

Jey Uso challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship should have been a moment of high stakes, given the way he’s over with the fans. But this segment felt flat and uninspired. Last week’s exchange between GUNTHER and Jey was already tepid, and this week’s felt like a recycled version of the same interaction. There was no new twist or tension added to escalate the rivalry.

It’s clear that GUNTHER doesn’t take Jey Uso seriously, and that could work to build the character, but the two segments almost mirrored each other, without advancing the storyline or ramping up the emotional stakes. Considering how talented these two wrestlers are, it’s disappointing that this segment felt so redundant and uninspired. The storyline lacked the punch needed to make the challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship seem like a major event. When you feature two fan-favorites in a heated rivalry, it’s critical to keep things fresh and exciting to maintain the build-up. Unfortunately, this was a case of a missed opportunity to make an otherwise promising feud more captivating.

2. What We Loved: Bayley and Roxanne Perez’s Interaction

While the show had its rough patches, there were also some delightful moments that truly stood out, and one of those moments came in the form of an interaction between Bayley and Roxanne Perez. WWE has a long history of creating meaningful, high-stakes rivalries in their women’s division, and this week, they nailed it with a perfect dose of tension and anticipation between the two competitors.

The Building Rivalry

Bayley’s experienced and calculated approach to the mic, paired with the fiery passion of rising star Roxanne Perez, created an electric dynamic. Bayley, as the more established and seasoned wrestler, exudes an air of authority, while Perez, the underdog, can hold her own against the veteran. Their interaction was a seamless blend of charisma and intensity that felt natural and fresh.

This moment was a reminder of why WWE’s women’s division has been a major selling point in recent years. Bayley and Perez are both fantastic wrestlers with strong personalities, and their exchanges have the potential to elevate one another and generate excitement in the coming weeks. Their rivalry is definitely something to keep an eye on as we move toward the Royal Rumble and beyond.

3. What We Loved: The Closing Bout Between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre

Another major highlight of WWE Raw this week was the thrilling closing match between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre. This match showcased both wrestlers at the top of their game, delivering an entertaining and high-energy performance.

A Showstopper

Rollins and McIntyre have been two of the most consistent performers in WWE in recent years, and their chemistry in the ring was on full display here. The back-and-forth action kept the crowd engaged, and both men executed their moves with precision. Rollins’ quick, high-flying style paired with McIntyre’s powerhouse moves created a dynamic that felt both organic and exciting.

The closing bout helped to remind fans of the incredible talent on the roster and why WWE continues to be the leader in professional wrestling. With stakes high and emotions running wild, Rollins and McIntyre delivered a showstopper that left fans eagerly anticipating what comes next in their individual journeys toward the Royal Rumble.

Conclusion

This week’s WWE Raw was a mixed bag. While we were treated to some exciting moments, including the electrifying interactions between Bayley and Roxanne Perez and the thrilling main event between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, the lackluster opener between Jey Uso and GUNTHER was a reminder that not every segment hits the mark.

It’s clear that WWE has the talent and creativity to deliver excellent television, but sometimes, the execution can fall short, especially when certain storylines feel repetitive or lack momentum. As we move closer to the Royal Rumble, here’s hoping that WWE can find a way to refine and elevate their storylines to keep the energy high. For now, we’ll continue to enjoy the highs while hoping for improvement in the areas where WWE fell flat.

What did you think of WWE Raw this week? Were there moments that stood out to you as both exciting and disappointing? Let us know your thoughts!

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