I highly recommend this episode. This show looks and feels different from the Raws of even a couple months ago. The camera work is incredible, and they have made changes to the look of the ring, the announce table, and even the lighting rig. Jackie Redmond interviews wrestlers with their backs to the crowd, which is a shot I have not seen since those old Superstars of Wrestling shows.

Tonight, the matches even felt different. Penta and Chad Gable had an excellent match that just did not look like a WWE match. Lyra and Dakota had a nice match with a big bump to the floor. Everything felt different. I have no idea if they are loosening up on the matches, but I am hopeful that we will get this kind of action.

Must-see moments:

Penta vs. Chad Gable

When a wrestler is debuting, he should get convincing wins right away. That is wrestling 101. Gable got too much offense in Penta’s debut, but this match won me and the crowd over. Penta oozes charisma, which he showed in the post-match promo as well. This was the perfect opponent and a different looking match than you normally see on Raw.

Dakota Kai – Lyra Valkyria promo package

Their match was good, but I really loved the promos before the match. There has been so little character development in their women’s division. This was a good step. Both women’s motivations were clear. They explained why Lyra wears the feathers as well. Good segment.

Chronological recap:

WWE opened with a drone shot that went from outside the arena to the concessions to the entrance area on the upper levels of the arena. The drone flew down over the crowd and the ring. Incredible.

After a recap of last week, CM Punk arrived in his rental car. The camera followed him as he went through the gorilla position and into the arena. Again, the production and camera work of WWE is light years ahead of everyone else.

CM Punk thanked the firefighters and first responders in California including those coming from other states and countries. Nice touch. They are in San Jose.

Punk talked about his road from the Royal Rumble match last year, where he injured his arm, to beat Seth Rollins last week. He announced his entrance to the Royal Rumble this year and mentioned John Cena and used Cena’s hand gesture.

Seth Rollins interrupted Punk. Punk sat on the ropes and asked why Rhea Ripley could not interrupt him instead of this guy. Hilarious.

Rollins was sporting a black eye. He said last week was the worst loss of his career. Seth said the only way he can get revenge is to make sure Punk does not win the Rumble.

Drew McIntyre interrupted both men. He compared Seth and Punk, saying they were like looking into a mirror. Drew called Seth selfish and mentioned that Rollins did not get involved in tribal combat when he could have stopped Roman.

McIntyre said Roman is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. He said the only way he can stop Roman is to win the Royal Rumble to make sure he does not get another title shot. The Rumble is stacked.

Chad Gable vs. Penta

WWE released Penta merchandise well in advance of this show but decided to pretend they had no idea who was debuting tonight. Cole said Gable should show some “fear” in the ring tonight. Way to hit it on the head there, Michael.

Cole mentioned that Gran Apache trained Penta. He also said that he is a former Lucha Underground champion. Those are two references I never thought I would hear on WWE tv.

There was a smattering of “Cero Miedo” chants and a young fan crying, but otherwise the audience did not seem to know him. He has been all over AEW for years, so that tells you the type of reach they have.

Penta had a couple of botches early in the match but eventually got the crowd behind him. Gable got most of the offense, which is a bizarre decision for a debuting match. Penta hit what Cole said was a “Mexican Destroyer” and Gable took an incredible bump. The match really picked up and won me over. Penta hit the Penta Driver to win.

Winner: Penta

Jackie Redmond gave Penta a mic after the match. A breathless Penta spoke part in English and part in Spanish. Even if you do not know a word of Spanish, you understood why this guy is a star. As the kids say he has “the rizz.” I have been waiting to use that one, guys.

Backstage, Judgement Day was sniping at each other again. Dominik tried to make up with Liv, but she threw his flowers to Carlito and told Dom to get her bags.

McAfee narrated highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles attempting a Pedigree. He referred to a group of players as the “excited whites.” Is he drunk already?

Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Kaiser worked on Sheamus’s ribs early in the match including doing that running basement dropkick onto a chair that was driven into Sheamus.

Cole: “Kaiser is fluent in four different languages.”

Pat: “Which ones?”

Cole: “I…I’m not sure.”

Pat: “Do some research, Cole.”

Both men worked “snug” and had welts all over their chests. Sheamus hit a white noise from the top rope, but Kaiser kicked out. Sheamus hit his kick for the win.

Winner: Sheamus

Sheamus and Bron Breakker got into a shoving match at ringside but were quickly separated.

Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre are set to matchup next week. As Seth was walking away, Sami told Seth he was there if he needed to talk. Seth said it was a bad week for him, but a good week for Sami. He mocked Sami for helping Roman Reigns last week.

Karrion Kross confronted Miz. He said the Wyatt Sicks have moved to Smackdown. That got the biggest pop from me. I am not going to miss them. Sami walked up and Karrion and Miz mocked him for never winning a title. Sami said he was going to get Adam Pearce to make a match with him versus Miz for tonight.

The Ring General Gunther made his way out. I was going to point out it was the top of the hour, but it was almost 15 minutes after the hour, and it is Netflix. That felt a little strange.

Gunther said he did not care about the drama going on in WWE. People fighting over the “head of the table” or “the best in the world.” He said the only thing anyone should worry about is the World Heavyweight Championship. That got a big pop.

Jey Uso interrupted Gunther. He challenged Gunther for the title. Gunther told Jey that when the bell rings, he will expose him for what he really is. “A really good tag team wrestler.” Ohhhhh!

This was an awkward segment. They set up a title match for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but these two just did not click here.

Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria promo packages aired. This was long overdue and well done. If you are going to feature so many women’s matches, give us a reason to care. This was just that.

Bayley was in the audience. She shouted out Penta and her title match on Smackdown this Friday. Bayley hyped the Intercontinental Title Match and then called Cole an idiot. She got the crowd to shout, “Michael Cole’s an idiot.” What was that? It was funny though.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai – Women’s Intercontinental Championship

Michael Cole took the time to explain why Lyra is dressed like that. That is months late, but finally. Both women looked nervous before the match and how could they not be.

The action was fast and furious until Lyra suplexed Dakota onto the floor. That looked brutal.

Both women sold their backs after that suplex. Lyra got the upper hand with a series of submissions focusing on Dakota’s back.

After some good back and forth action, Lyra won with the Night wing.

Winner: Lyra Valkyria

Adam Pearce presented her with the title and the fireworks went off in the background.

Cathy Kelley caught up with The New Day backstage, who ran down Rey Mysterio. Kofi mentioned his mom and I wish he would not.

Sami Zayn vs. Miz

Things were going too well, so WWE threw the Miz on TV. Just to make sure we did not enjoy the show too much. Sami won with the Helluva kick.

Winner: Sami

Rhea Ripley came out. She got a few words out and was interrupted by Nia Jax. First Miz and now Nia. WWE wants me to turn this show off. They are just daring me.

Nia said she is going to win the Royal Rumble. Nia was booed out of the building. I am not sure it is the type of heat she thinks it is, but it was a spectacle. Bayley got involved as well. Rhea and Bayley dumped her out of the ring. Bayley made a few glances at the title belt as they cut away.

Jackie Redmond hyped the Penta debut. She brought in Rey Mysterio who put Penta over as well. Rey challenged The New Day to a match.

Damien Priest vs. Finn Balor – Street Fight

Both men fought all over the arena. Eventually, Damien Priest hit a Falcon Arrow from the upper level onto two tables. Finn sold it like he was dead, which prompted the EMTs to come out. They put Finn on a gurney.

As they were moving Finn out of the arena, Priest attacked him on the gurney and put him back into the ring. JD and Carlito teamed up on Priest to get the advantage for Finn. The War Raiders showed up to even the odds.

Finn did the spot where he puts a chair around Priest’s neck to try to break it. Yes, we are supposed to believe this guy is going to break his neck. And the ref is just standing off to the side saying no with little emotion. There are no DQ guys, so neck breaking and even murder are legal.

This was a crazy match. Priest eventually won with the South of Heaven.

Winner: Priest