WWE Raw notes: Zelina Vega moving to SmackDown, Punk/Rhodes segment, Sami Zayn, JD McDonagh’s performance

Photo Courtesy: @ZelinaVegaWWE on X

Commentator Michael Cole announced that Zelina Vega is moving to Friday Night SmackDown. With that, she’ll no longer be with the LWO.

Closing out Monday Night Raw on the match front was Drew McIntyre versus Sami Zayn. For the third time since December, McIntyre picked up the win over Sami. He attacked him after, but Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made the save. Kevin Owens entered the mix and ambushed Rhodes and they fought. McIntyre pulled Rhodes into a corner but Sami ran up and accidentally Helluva Kick’d Rhodes. Owens then gave Zayn a pat on the chest. After the commercial break, Rhodes was in the ring talking about his Ladder match against Owens at the Royal Rumble. CM Punk made his way to the ring and stressed that he’s concerned about Rhodes because he knows what being World Champion can do to someone. Rhodes asked Punk to cut to the chase and predict what’s next for him. Punk credited Rhodes for his work ethic but mentioned that there is burnout coming. He added that he’ll win the Royal Rumble and then stab Rhodes from the front because he likes him. Rhodes responded by saying their dynamic has changed. He’s not the one chasing Punk anymore, because Punk is chasing him. Rhodes hopes Punk wins the Royal Rumble and meets him at WrestleMania so he can see that the best in the world is not the best in the world anymore. 

After the show went off the air, Carmelo Hayes ambushed Cody Rhodes from behind. Rhodes ended up getting the better of him.

There was a backstage interview with CM Punk. Sami Zayn came up to ask about Punk’s remarks that Zayn is not on his level. Zayn said that’s true because one of them is a WrestleMania main eventer and the other is not.

During the World Tag Team Title match that saw The War Raiders (Ivar & Erik) defend against J.D. McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio, McDonagh did a springboard moonsault to the outside and his head smacked against the commentary table. McDonagh continued in the match and went on to take a full nelson into a neckbreaker maneuver from Erik. War Raiders retained over Judgment Day despite interference from Carlito. Chad Gable tweeted about McDonagh’s performance:

JD McDonagh is remarkable.

Jey Uso made his entrance alongside rapper Quavo.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez faced WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi in a non-title match. They got the victory over the champions with assistance from Dominik Mysterio.

In attendance for the show in Atlanta were: Noah Centineo, 2 Chainz, Lil Baby, Killer Mike and Concrete Boys (Camo! & Dc2trill).

About Andrew Thompson 10001 Articles
A Washington D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, Andrew Thompson has been covering wrestling since 2017.

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