Week 2 of the RAW “Netflix” era: WWE gave a masterclass in how pro wrestling is done

I’ve been a wrestling fan for 35 years, watching everything I could, from WWE, AWA, and WCW to today’s products like AEW, TNA, and WWE. I can even add some OVW into the mix, as I’ve been following what they’re doing for almost a year now. One thing I’ve realized is that while wrestling is far more athletic than it was when I first started watching, the core of what wrestling is has never changed: creating compelling characters and stories that fans can easily follow in person or on TV. When done well, your job as a wrestler becomes much easier because you don’t have to do as much in the ring to get a reaction from the fans. Last night, WWE gave a masterclass in how pro wrestling is done.

If last week’s Raw was the appetizer to hook newer fans, last night’s show was the main course. The show was action-packed for two and a half hours while setting up future matches that will make fans eager to tune in.

I won’t do a full recap, but I’ll highlight some of the standout moments in detail.

The opening segment was the perfect way to kick things off. The last thing fans saw last week was Punk getting the win over Seth Rollins, so having him open the show was a great callback. That promo segment got the crowd fired up right from the start and demonstrated why Punk, Rollins, and McIntyre are three of the best on the mic right now. This segment also helped fans at home and in the arena understand that the Punk vs. Rollins feud isn’t over and that we’ll see another match between them at some point.

Then came Penta’s debut. Wow. That’s how you make a new star out of someone not widely known. I was somewhat familiar with Penta from his run in TNA and seeing him a couple of times in AEW, but I had reservations about how he’d fit into the WWE system. He proved me wrong with one of his best performances ever. He showed that he’s more than just a high flyer, hanging with a mat technician like Gable and selling an injury convincingly—more than I expected. His post-match promo was strong, and the fans loved it. WWE may have found their next big Hispanic star.

Another highlight was the recap packages shown throughout the show, which helped newer viewers catch up on the main feuds without having to do much research. This old-school approach made the matches feel bigger and more significant.

The Women’s IC Title final was incredibly physical and made the title feel important right from the start. Lyra was clearly the fan favorite, and making her the first champion was the right call. She has a presence that not many women’s wrestlers possess and delivers in the ring.

The Rhea Ripley/Nia Jax/Bayley segment was well-executed. It showcased Rhea’s immense popularity, Nia’s heat as a heel, and gave the hometown star a meaningful role on the show.

The main event was an epic and brutal street fight that the fans elevated to another level. It had a big-match feel and served as a fitting conclusion to the Priest/Balor feud. Including the War Raiders to help counter Judgment Day made them look like bigger stars, which the tag division desperately needs.

I didn’t delve deeply into the Gunther/Jey Uso segment, but it was an effective way to draw some of the new Netflix audience toward Saturday Night’s Main Event in two weeks.

In the end, this was a fantastic follow-up to last week’s edition of Raw. It was booked to show newer fans what WWE can deliver without relying on part-timers. HHH’s old-school approach to wrestling was evident, as the show opened with a hot segment, ended with a strong match, and maintained momentum throughout.

The lack of excessive ad breaks and time constraints helped Raw immensely. This week’s two-hour, 30-minute runtime made the show engaging and enjoyable without feeling like a chore to watch. Let’s hope they keep this momentum going and retain the newer fans gained last week. This show demonstrated why WWE is such a hot product right now—because they’ve gone back to basics by creating strong characters and compelling stories.