Live Raw discussion thread, January 22nd 2024: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes to go face-to-face

[Dale]

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes to go face-to-face​

Next week, two of the biggest contender’s in this year’s Royal Rumble Match will be in the ring together for the first time since CM Punk’s return.

Both Superstars delivered two of the biggest WWE returns in recent memory and both will look to book their ticket to WrestleMania to finish their respective stories.

What will happen when CM Punk and Cody Rhodes meet inside the ring?
​

Damian Priest looks to deal with Drew McIntyre​

After months of simmering tension between the two, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre will finally go one-on-one for the first time ever.

The two domineering Superstars have had many confrontations over the past year, despite being teammates in last year’s WarGames Match.

Priest has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins in various ways, but The Scottish Warrior has thwarted his attempts.

Which Superstar will gain the momentum to propel them on the Road to WrestleMania?
​

Ivy Nile takes on Valhalla​

This week, Akira Tozawa earned a monumental upset over Ivar, but The Viking Raiders wound up getting the last laugh as they brutally attacked both Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri after the match.

Next week, the Alpha Academy's friend Ivy Nile looks for retribution as she takes on the eerie Valhalla.

Who will walk out with the victory?
​

Chad Gable fights the dominating Ivar​

Chad Gable is on the hunt for payback and will look to enact that against The Viking Raider’s Ivar.

Ivar brutally took out Alpha Academy’s Akira Tozawa, after Tozawa scored a magnificent upset over the brutish giant.

Can Gable defeat Ivar like Tozawa did?​

 

[Dale]

The Miz takes on “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio​

Two of the most despised villains in WWE history will square off this Monday as The Miz battles The Judgment Day’s “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. The Miz is renowned for being despised by the WWE Universe, but his recent actions have earned him praise and respect.

Mysterio, on the other hand, has been setting records for the high decibels of the boos and jeers he has received from the WWE Universe.

The Miz has recently reunited with former tag team partner R-Truth, and they’ve found themselves embroiled in a battle with The Judgment Day, as R-Truth has been trying to join the nefarious group.

Miz and Mysterio have quite the history, with The Awesome One holding a 2-1 record over Mysterio in singles action. The Miz also captured a WrestleMania victory over Mysterio, having defeated him and his father Rey in a tag team match with Logan Paul at The Showcase of the Immortals several years ago.

Who will walk out the winner when The A-Lister takes on “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio?
​

Seth “Freakin” Rollins kicks off Raw to address his future​

This Monday, World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins will address the WWE Universe, kicking off Raw in style.

What’s next for The Visionary, and what does his future hold?​

 

[Finishline]

I genuinely believe tonight's when Damian Priest cashes in and becomes World Heavyweight Champion.

Rollins has a torn MCL and slight meniscus tear. If there is any doubt he's cleared for WrestleMania, they need to get the title off him ASAP (like Edge taking it off Undertaker in 2007).

Judgment Day could attack Seth Rollins and in the chaos Damian Priest can officially cash his Money in the Bank briefcase in and go into the WrestleMania season as champion.


This solves a few items:
- Wondering when Priest has an opportunity to cash in? Mania or the Raw After would do just fine, but they're running out of time
- You're guaranteed to have the WHC defended at WrestleMania
- Seth Rollins can take time to heal (which whether the back injury was kayfabe or not) has been a long time coming
- The eventual Rollins vs Punk story DOES NOT NEED THE TITLE!
~ (side note) CM Punk coming back 10 years later to win the Royal Rumble would be hypocritical to 2014 Punk complaining about Batista doing the same thing
- Makes the Royal Rumble match even more unpredictable headed into this weekend

AND if Rollins does get cleared for WrestleMania, the story is there to easily insert him into a match against Punk or in a triple threat for the WHC at the last minute.

 

[Chris]

Imperium vs New Day

 

[Hidden Blaze]

I genuinely believe tonight's when Damian Priest cashes in and becomes World Heavyweight Champion.

Rollins has a torn MCL and slight meniscus tear. If there is any doubt he's cleared for WrestleMania, they need to get the title off him ASAP (like Edge taking it off Undertaker in 2007).

Judgment Day could attack Seth Rollins and in the chaos Damian Priest can officially cash his Money in the Bank briefcase in and go into the WrestleMania season as champion.


This solves a few items:
- Wondering when Priest has an opportunity to cash in? Mania or the Raw After would do just fine, but they're running out of time
- You're guaranteed to have the WHC defended at WrestleMania
- Seth Rollins can take time to heal (which whether the back injury was kayfabe or not) has been a long time coming
- The eventual Rollins vs Punk story DOES NOT NEED THE TITLE!
~ (side note) CM Punk coming back 10 years later to win the Royal Rumble would be hypocritical to 2014 Punk complaining about Batista doing the same thing
- Makes the Royal Rumble match even more unpredictable headed into this weekend

AND if Rollins does get cleared for WrestleMania, the story is there to easily insert him into a match against Punk or in a triple threat for the WHC at the last minute.

CM Punk, a hypocrite? Nooooo! No way, never.

 

[Y2Jayne]

I like that they have used Ivar and Valhalla a lot lately but I hope they'll give the Viking Raiders the same booking when Erik comes back.

 

[Cwalker]

What if Rollins vacate the title and they decide to crown the new Champion in the Rumble?

McIntyre wins the Rumble and the title. Punk wins the Chamber. Punk/McIntyre at Mania.

Just gotta figure out a way to get Cody to Roman.

 

[Finishline]

What if Rollins vacate the title and they decide to crown the new Champion in the Rumble?

McIntyre wins the Rumble and the title. Punk wins the Chamber. Punk/McIntyre at Mania.

Just gotta figure out a way to get Cody to Roman.

Cody isn't getting to Roman this year. That's reserved for The Great One.

As for the Rumble being to decide the WHC, that's not a bad idea. I liked it when they did it in 1992 and 2016.

However, I don't see Drew winning the world title unless he's signed or they're REALLY pushing him to re-sign with the company. Especially giving him a main event world title match, that'd be hard to give somebody soon exiting the company.

And why CM Punk? Give me somebody else, PLEASE!

 

[Storm Trooper]

Miz vs. Tom Mysterio is interesting. I wonder if R-Truth and Nick Mysterio are gonna get involved. We haven't seen Nick before.

 

[Sabretooth]

I’m hoping this New Day Imperium feud leads to Big E returning to face Gunther

 

[Storm Trooper]

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Let’s go

 

[Storm Trooper]

TIME TO DO IT RAW!

 

[Storm Trooper]

lol it was unfathomable 3 months ago... but 2.5 years ago was expected.

 

[Storm Trooper]

I'm disappointed in Seth Rollins. He's got all this drip but wearing a plain black brace. Where the drop on the brace?