WWE RAW Feud Tracker: Grading Punk-Reigns, Finn-JD, Rollins-Gunther, Oba-Lesnar
Monday’s Raw broadcast from Houston, Texas served as the final major stop before WrestleMania, now less than two weeks away. The show opened with World Heavyweight Champion C.M. Punk delivering a blistering promo that dominated the night.
Punk vs. Reigns
Last week’s brawl in Madison Square Garden ended with Punk powerbombing Roman Reigns through the announce table. Earlier, Reigns had answered a challenge with a Superman Punch, a Spear, and a powerbomb through the table.
With Reigns absent this week, Punk used the opening segment to question Reigns’s schedule, family ties, and star status. He also targeted figures around the champion and even referenced rising ticket prices.
Assessment
The promo elevated the match’s stakes and felt like the night’s highlight. On our scale, this feud earned an A for its promo work and momentum.
LA Knight, IShowSpeed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory
The tag title fallout from the NYC Street Fight continued to simmer. Logan Paul and Austin Theory claimed the Tag Team Titles after Jimmy Uso was struck with brass knuckles, which Paul obtained following a chaotic front-row exchange.
LA Knight faced Theory this week. The match ended in a low roll-up after ringside chaos involving IShowSpeed and Paul. Adam Pearce then booked a Six Man Tag for WrestleMania: IShowSpeed, Paul and Theory vs Knight and the Usos.
Assessment
The storyline leaned heavily on celebrity moments and comedic misdirection. It earned a B for entertainment value and practical placement on the card.
Finn Balor vs. J.D. McDonagh (and Dominik Mysterio)
Months of tension within Judgment Day spilled over again. Finn Balor was attacked by J.D. McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio, who used a title and a chair during a brutal aisleway assault.
Balor later teased the return of his Demon persona for WrestleMania, while the promotion confirmed Dominik will face Balor at the pay-per-view.
Assessment
The beatdown added heat, but fans missed a singles match between Balor and McDonagh. The feud received a B for setup and the Demon tease.
Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
Rollins was revealed as medically cleared last week and immediately reignited hostilities. He assaulted Paul Heyman in the ring, only to be intercepted by Gunther, who trapped him in a sleeper hold.
This week they traded brawls and high-intensity spots, including a suicide dive by Rollins. Backstage, Gunther hinted that Heyman owes him more than gratitude.
Assessment
The pairing generated urgency despite the short timeframe before WrestleMania. The feud was graded a B for effective heat and plausible stakes.
Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
Oba Femi answered Lesnar’s previous open challenge and scored a Fall from Grace. Subsequent encounters have featured escapes, clotheslines over the top rope, and a tense staredown involving Triple H and Paul Heyman.
This week’s contract-signing segment dissolved into a violent brawl. Both men battled through the ring and ringside, tore through a table, and failed to sign the contract.
Assessment
Their rivalry has been consistently strong and credible. It received a B+ for sustained build and competitive booking.
Other Notable Segments and Matches
- Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee: Becky interrupted AJ’s sit-down interview. Their backstage exchange leaned personal. AJ will defend the Women’s Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania, her first Mania in 11 years.
- Bayley vs. Lash Legend: Lash dominated early but Bayley scored a controversial pin with Lyra Valkyria holding Lash’s leg. The finish suggested a possible shift in direction.
- Six-Woman and Multi-Man Action: Penta, Je’Von Evans, and Dragon Lee defeated El Grande, Bravo, and Rayo Americano. Rey Mysterio returned to announce himself as the sixth entrant in the Intercontinental Ladder match at WrestleMania.
- Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Michin & B-Fab: Iyo earned the win, but Jade Cargill ambushed Iyo post-match. Jade’s attack included kendo stick strikes and the Jaded finisher.
For readers tracking the major narratives, our WWE RAW Feud Tracker offers concise grades for each rivalry. It lists Grading Punk-Reigns, Finn-JD, Rollins-Gunther, Oba-Lesnar as the primary evaluations heading into Mania.
Monday’s Raw tightened several storylines and left others unresolved. With WrestleMania imminent, the next Raw will be the final go-home show.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments and publish further analysis before the pay-per-view.
