WWE’sMonday Night Rawtook another major step forward on the road toWrestleMania 41, most notably with the first appearance of the one and onlyJohn Cena following his historic heel turn atElimination Chamberearlier this month. Alongside Cena, many WWE Superstars had their chance to shine as every wrestler converged to get a shot at that sweet WrestleMania glory (as well as continuing long-standing rivalries), with some even sealing the deal and solidifying their participation in the year’s biggest PLE, which is swiftly approaching, with just a mere four weeks remaining on the clock.
The last two weeks ofMonday Night Rawhave significantly upped the ante, fromSeth Rollins and CM Punk’s Steel Cage Matchat Madison Square Garden last week toJohn Cena’s vicious teardown of the WWE Universeat this week’s show. Wrestling fans have been eating well and will continue to do so for a while as WWE continues to build momentum over the next four weeks. In the meantime, there was plenty for fans to feast on this week, so continue reading to find out what you might have missed from March 17’sMonday Night Raw.
What Time Does ‘Monday Night Raw’ Start?
WhereasMonday Night Rawtypically begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT when it takes place in the United States, WWE’s flagship show is taking things to Europe for the remainder of March 2025, withthis week’s show beginning at 3pm ET / 12pm PTdue to the difference in time zones between the US and Europe. Next week’s show will see a similar shift in its start time, asRawwon’t be returning to its regularly scheduled start time until April.
Where Does ‘Monday Night Raw’ Take Place This Week?
The first stop onRaw’s three-week European tour wasForest National in Brussels, Belgium, where the sold-out show featured thousands of enthusiastic fans giving American fans a run for their money. Next week’s show will take things to OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.
Who Were The Special Appearances On Last Week’s ‘Monday Night Raw’?
The biggest name featured on theMonday Night Rawroster this week was (obviously) The G.O.A.T., John Cena. However, a newly corrupted Cena showed his true colors in a jaw-dropping monologue where he proceeded to demolish the WWE Universe in an uncharacteristically antagonistic manner before being talked down to byWWE World Champion Cody Rhodes, who insisted the John Cena before him was not the real Cena, but rather a pale, whiny imitation of the man that once was John Cena. This was as thrilling asRawpromos get, but the Superstar roster doesn’t stop there.
Also featured on this week’sRawwere many of the show’s top Superstars, whether it benew Women’s World Champion IYO SKY,Jey Uso,World Heavyweight Champion Gunther,Rey Mysterio, Seth Rollins,Penta, orformer Women’s World Champ,Rhea Ripley. Ripley made a particularly huge impression, taking hostage the WrestleMania contract intended forBianca Belairand IYO SKY, with Ripley signing her own name on the contract, loudly announcing her intentions to get her title back from SKY.
Who Are the Announcers on This Week’s ‘Monday Night Raw’?
While regularMonday Night RawcommentatorMichael Colewas present for this week’s show in Brussels, co-hostPat McAfeewas unable to attend, withCorey Gravesfilling in for McAfee in his absence. However,Raw’s regular ring announcer, the excellentAlicia Taylor, returns to announcing duties this week following her absence from last week’s show in Madison Square Garden.
What Were This Week’s ‘Monday Night Raw’ Matches?
Following Cena and Rhodes' explosive confrontation, the night’s matches began withPenta vs. Ludwig Kaiserin a No Holds Barred Match, a long-simmering rivalry that came to a head once more, only with different results this time around. While Kaiser has managed to best Penta in their last few match-ups, the Luchador gained the leg up this week, taking Kaiser out with the Penta Driver to secure the win. Afterward, Penta announced his intentions to pursue the Intercontinental Championship, currently held byBron Breakker.
Following Penta vs. Kaiser wasDakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile. While the match didn’t last very long, both women gave it their all in their limited match time, with Dakota Kai ultimately claiming the victory with a GTK to her opponent, who got caught up in the mayhem between Rey Mysterio &Dragon Lee, who stormed the ring to get revenge onChad GableandThe Creed Brothers, who the pair were set to take on later in the night.
The next match was another short bout betweenJey Uso and Austin Theory. In fact, the match lasted less than one minute, with Uso annihilating Theory with a powerful Crossbody, which was nearly followed up by yet another post-match attack from Gunther, which Uso managed to repel.
Next up was a Tag Team Match between the aforementioned longtime rivals,TheLWO (Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee) vs. The Creed Brothers. While The LWO have had a rough few weeks in their attempts to best The Creeds, Rey Mysterio managed to pick up the win for him and his partner with a 619/Frog Splash combo. However, much like last week’s show, a mysterious masked assailant attacked The LWO, with commentators speculating the identity of the anonymous enemy (assumed to be Chad Gable).
The main event ofMonday Night Rawwas an Intercontinental Title Match,Finn Bálor vs. Bron Breakker. While it seemedBálor may have been close to taking Breakker’s title, faction mateDominik Mysterio’s failed attempt to help Finn secure a victory led to Bálor falling onto the ropes, with Breakker overcoming seizing the opportunity to dispose of Bálor with a Breakkensteiner/Spear combo that lost Finn the match.
Following Breakker’s victory, Mysterio and fellow Judgment Day memberCarlitojumped Breakker in a furious post-match attack, which was quickly broken up by Penta. However, Penta’s assistance soon turned into something more when the Luchador met Breakker with a piercing stare-down over the Intercontinental Title to end the show.
What Are Next Week’s ‘Monday Night Raw’ Matches?
As of writing, only one match has officially been announced for next week’sMonday Night Rawin Glasgow, Scotland. That match is Women’s Intercontinental ChampionLyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguezin a title match, a throw-down which is sure to bring the heat between two of the WWE’s most committed women’s wrestlers on the roster. Also heavily advertised for March 24’sRawisthe return of John Cena and Cody Rhodes,who are bound to have yet another spicy confrontation on the road to their main event at WrestleMania 41.
