WWE Raw on Netflix Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From Jan. 13

On the heels of an enormously successful debut on Netflix last Monday night, WWE returned to the streaming giant for the January 13 episode of Raw, headlined by the coronation of the first-ever women's intercontinental champion.

Damage CTRL's Dakota Kai squared off with Lyra Valkyria in the tournament finals to decide the first champion in the night's marquee match, while Damian Priest and Finn Bálor sought to settle their differences in a Street Fight.

Who emerged from the battle of former tag team champions victoriously, which woman forever etched her name in the history books, and what did CM Punk and Rhea Ripley have to say following high-stakes victories on last week's show?

Find out with this recap of the latest broadcast.

Announced in advance of Monday's show were:

• Street Fight: Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
• Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament Final: Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai
• Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
• A Mystery Luchador vs. Chad Gable
• Appearances from CM Punk, world heavyweight champion Gunther, and new women's world champion, Rhea Ripley

On the heels of a main event victory over Seth "Freakin" Rollins in one of the most anticipated matches in recent memory last Monday night, CM Punk kicked off the second episode of Raw on Netflix, live from San Jose.

The Straight Edge Superstar wasted little time getting down to business: he is joining John Cena in throwing his name in the hat for the Royal Rumble.

Rollins interrupted and revealed that he was entering the Rumble, too, and would end his foe's WrestleMania dreams by throwing him over the top rope.

Drew McIntyre interrupted next and took exception to both Punk and Rollins, calling them self-serving mirror images of each other. He called The Visionary a fake leader. Punk cut him off and challenged both men to throw fists, only for McIntyre to announce his entry in the Rumble.

This was a star-studded start to the show that shined a light on the Royal Rumble with the introduction of three former world champions but also hinted at the larger story at play: the return to power of Roman Reigns, as hinted at by McIntyre.

It will be interesting to see if this story, like so many others in this Paul Levesque Era, ultimately collide with the larger Bloodline story because as it stands, that appears to be the endgame for at least McIntyre.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• "I acknowledge all of the firefighters in the great state of California," Punk said before giving props to the firefighters in Canada and Mexico who have also traveled to help fight the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles.
• "One of those things no longer on my plate is Seth Rollins," Punk said, seemingly ending that rivalry.
• "John Cena...I see you, and I always have, my friend."
• "It's always someone I don't want it to be. Why can't it be a Rhea Ripley? Why can't it be a Rhea Ripley interrupting me?" 
• "I'd rather be the worst version of myself than any version of you," Rollins told his rival.

Chad Gable issued an open challenge to any luchador in the world and Monday night, Penta accepted.

Dubbed the "worst-kept secret" by Michael Cole, the former AAA, AEW, TNA, and Lucha Underground star made his way to the ring to a thunderous ovation and took to the squared circle to battle the former world champion.

What ensued was a fantastic match between two veteran competitors.

Gable targeted his opponent's knee, looking to take his high-flying arsenal away from him by attacking his base. Penta absorbed everything Gable threw at him, including a few overhead suplexes, and fought back. He caught the heel with a backstabber, added his Sacrifice armbreaker, and put him away with the Penta Driver for the impressive victory.

After the match, Penta cut a promo thanking the fans, promised a new era for him and WWE, and delivered his trademark catchphrase to close things out.

This was a great introduction to Penta, who looked like a huge acquisition for WWE and a legitimate main-event star. It was yet another reminder of Gable's excellence as his in-ring work is nearly second-to-none. A strong match and successful debut, this was an easy thumbs up.

Result

Penta def. Gable

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The presentation of Penta is already top-tier. He looks and feels like a main event talent.
• Early nerves led to an ugly spot or two but Penta recovered nicely. 
• "It was too big of a signing to keep secret," McAfee said on commentary. Touche. 
• GREAT selling by Penta of his heavily damaged leg.
• "A Mexican Destroyer here in San Jose!" McAfee exclaimed. 

Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser have developed one of the hardest-hitting, most intensely competitive rivalries in WWE since their first one-on-one meeting in June of 2024. On this night, they introduced their feud to the Netflix audience with another punishing battle.

Their bodies beaten and battered, reddened from welts and bruising already, they beat each other down with strike-heavy offense. Kaiser attempted to utilize a shillelagh in hopes of stealing a cheap victory but The Celtic Warrior caught him with a jumping knee.

Later, Kaiser mocked his opponent, only for Sheamus to rock him with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory.

At ringside, the winner celebrated with McAfee before coming face-to-face with Bron Breakker. A pull-apart confrontation ensued, hinting at the next direction for Sheamus.

Another strong match between two of the workhorses on the Raw brand, this was a great introduction to their rivalry and the second high-quality bout in a row, which seems like a statement to the fans who criticized the lack of in-ring action a week ago.

Result

Sheamus defeated Kaiser

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Backstage, cracks showed in the relationship between Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan after the latter lost her Women's World Championship to Rhea Ripley last week.

• During the Netflix commercial break, Cathy Kelley caught up with Pure Fusion Collective's Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, and Shayna Baszler. Stark vowed to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship, to which Deville responded by saying one of them would win the title.
• Cole has been extraordinary in commentary, telling the viewing audience who the Superstars are and their ongoing issues with their peers. It's a thankless, but absolutely essential, gig and one he has perfected.
• Backstage, Rollins encountered Sami Zayn and asked him if he is going to stay helping Roman Reigns or help himself. 

Backstage, Karrion Kross confronted The Miz and informed him that The Wyatt Sicks have been moved to SmackDown. From there, he told Zayn that he foresaw the friendship falling apart and Miz made fun of him for not winning a world championship. This led to Zayn setting up a match with The Hollywood A-Lister for later in the show.

In the arena, world heavyweight champion Gunther made his way to the ring for an in-ring promo.

Before he could say much of substance, Jey Uso interrupted and issued a challenge to The Ring General for a World Heavyweight Championship Match at Saturday Night's Main Event on January 25 in San Antonio.

After some typical condescending from Gunther, Uso delivered a response in which he said he bets on himself every day and he is taking the world title.

This was another strong effort on the mic from Uso as he told the story of a singles star second-guessed by the doubters but always proving them wrong. On the 25th, he will have the chance to silence the doubters by capturing the top prize on the Raw brand by beating one of the best and most respected wrestlers of this generation.

That he just interrupted Gunther and staked his claim to a title match with no real build or explanation as to why that is OK when 30 different Superstars are preparing to compete in the Royal Rumble for the same opportunity did drop it from an "A" grade.

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• "When it came to the performance in the ring, I was less impressed," Gunther said of last week's Netflix debut, echoing a portion of the audience who decried the lack of wrestling despite the extraordinary production values and overall presentation. 
• "Jey, I know what you're capable of. It's a whole lot less than what I'm capable of," Gunther warned. 
• "I will expose you for what you really are: a really, really talented tag team wrestler. To you, 'Main Event' is a nickname. To me, it is where I belong." 
• "On Saturday Night's Main Event, you're gonna respect me when I beat that ass and become world heavyweight champion!" Uso told Gunther, putting an exclamation point on the promo.

Earlier this year, Lyra Valkyria bested Dakota Kai in the Queen of the Ring tournament and Monday night in San Jose, she sought to make it 2-0 in tournament action, this time with the Women's Intercontinental Championship and the right to etch one's name in the history books up for grabs.

A hard-hitting match-up between two of the great NXT exports of the last five years, saw Kai overcome a focused attack by Valkyria and deliver he finisher. The Irishwoman rolled to the outside, though, not allowing Kai to capitalize.

Moments later, a renewed Valkyria delivered the Nightwing, scored the pinfall, and earned the victory. A sign of respect between the competitors and a grand celebration followed as the winner basked in the historic moment.

This was another example of two competitors going to the ring and delivering between the ropes. It was more physical than anyone could have imagined and highlighted the skills of both women. Valkyria, after falling short of winning the aforementioned Queen of the Ring tournament earlier this year, makes the most of her second opportunity in that setting, capturing her first main roster gold and adding her name to the history books.

Given her ring work to this point, it should be fun watching her defend it against the talented individuals on the red brand moving forward. As for Kai, she proved more than enough in this tournament that she should be featured between the ropes more frequently than she is. This feels like the beginning of a singles run more than anything.

Result

Valkyria defeated Kai to win the title

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• A new entrance theme feels like a good omen for Kai entering this potentially historic night for the New Zealander.
• Valkyria delivered a jaw-dropping vertical suplex off the apron and to the arena floor, generating warranted, uncensored chants of "holy s**t." 
• Valkyria's sit-out powerbomb is one of the best in the business.
• Kai delivering the GTK, only for it to knock Valkyria out of the ring and prevent a pinfall, was a great false hope spot.

Born of a backstage confrontation earlier in the show, Sami Zayn squared off with The Miz in one-on-one action.

A brief, back-and-forth match saw The Hollywood A-Lister hang with the former Intercontinental champion for a brief time before Zayn rocked him with a Helluva Kick and delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb for the win.

This was what it was: an excuse to get both guys on the show and in the ring, with Zayn earning what amounted to a nice enhancement victory.

Result

Zayn defeated Miz

Grade

C

Top Moments and Takeaways

• "Folks, Sami Zayn just got a win with the Blue Thunder Bomb!" Cole exclaimed excitedly, recognizing how rare it is for the former intercontinental champion to win with what is traditionally one of his setup moves.

New women's world champion Rhea Ripley made her way to the ring and addressed the WWE Universe, reminding them that Mami is back on top as one of the most dominant women in company history.

Before she could say much more, Nia Jax interrupted and vowed to win the Women's Royal Rumble. She repeatedly insulted Bayley, who entered the squared circle and insisted Jax say whatever she had to say to her face.

Jax attacked her, then headbutted Ripley, only to catch a big knee from The Role Model. The new champion sent Jax out of the ring before the babyfaces stood tall to close the segment out.

This was fine but nowhere near as effective as the night's opening promo segment. If anything, the biggest takeaway was not the teased Jax move to Raw but, instead, Bayley subtly eyeing Ripley's title.

It feels rather unlikely that WWE would run with The Role Model vs. Mami at WrestleMania but Bayley is one of the original Four Horsewomen of NXT that Ripley has not beaten at The Showcase of the Immortals so that story writes itself if the creative team opts to head in that direction.

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Ripley is getting those rare main event-level pops typically reserved for the likes of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns or, in generations past, John Cena, Steve Austin, and The Rock. Part of that is the electric theme, part of it is the presentation, and the rest is her undeniable popularity within the WWE Universe. She is a star and has worked for all of it.
• Bayley called out Jax for reusing the "BBL Bayley" nickname. "It still works," Jax said. Exactly the point the babyface was making. 

The months-long battle for dominance between former Judgment Day teammates and tag team champions, Damian Priest and Finn Bálor, wrote its latest chapter when they squared off in a Street Fight in the main event of Monday's show.

A brawl around ringside culminated with Priest delivering a devastating, awe-inspiring Broken Arrow from the stands and through two tables, which left the heel needing medical attention.

As medics ushered Bálor out of the arena on a stretcher, Priest attacked JD McDonagh and Carlito before turning his attention back to his former partner. He drove Bálor back to the ring and downed him but before he could put him away, Carlito and McDonagh came to the heel's aid.

Bálor recovered and delivered Coup de Grace, but Priest kicked out at two. The War Raiders made the save, fighting off the heels and ensuring the match would get back to being a one-on-one affair.

Priest, with a chair wrapped around his head, delivered South of Heaven for a two count. Outside, Bálor drove Priest through a table with Coup de Grace, only for The Archer of Infamy to respond by tackling the heel through the timekeeper's position.

A Razor's Edge through a table on the floor and South of Heaven earned Priest a hard-fought victory.

This was by far the best of the Priest-Bálor series and should, conceivably, end the long-running rivalry between the two. There were a handful of great spots here and, while the stretcher spot felt drawn out, everything after it was awesome. The crowd was hot, the athletes delivered on the gimmick, and Priest scored the win to put that rivalry in his rear-view mirror.

Result

Priest defeated Bálor

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Bálor attacked Priest from behind with a kendo stick, seizing control early to the dismay of the fans. 
• McAfee comparing Dominik Mysterio to a trash can was a nice touch given his consistent disdain for the "Dirty" one on commentary.
• Priest delivered an enormous Broken Arrow from the stands to a pair of tables down below, ala his infamous spot with Bad Bunny at Backlash 2023.
• "I am not my brother's keeper," Priest told Bálor before picking up the win.

Four excellent matches highlighted an episode of Raw that will undoubtedly make the critics of last week's wrestling-light broadcast happy.

A first-time champion was crowned, we had plenty of Royal Rumble hype, Penta made an unforgettable debut, and the rivalry between Priest and The Judgment Day appears to have finally reached its conclusion.

This was a fantastic show and one that proved the extent to which WWE can mix professional wrestling and storytelling to great results.

An easy thumbs up.

Grade: A+