Cody Rhodes confronts John Cena on WWE Raw.
Credit: WWE
WWE Raw from Brussels advertised John Cena in his first appearance since turning heel at WWE Elimination Chamber.
Raw also advertised Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair (featuring Rhea Ripley) in a contract signing and Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser in a No Holds Barred match. Raw’s main event saw embattled Judgment Day member Finn Balor challenge Bron Breakker for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
WWE Raw On Netflix Results On March 17, 2025
- Penta def. Ludwig Kaiser | No Holds Barred
- Dakota Kai def. Ivy Nile
- LWO def. American Made
- Bron Breakker def. Finn Balor | WWE IC Title
WWE Raw Ticket Sales
- WWE Raw Venue: Vorst Nationaal (Forest National in Brussels, Belgium)
- WWE Raw Tickets Distributed: 8,080
- WWE Raw Tickets Available: 0
WWE Raw On Netflix Highlights, Winners And Grades
John Cena Debuts As A Heel
Heel John Cena’s music hit, and you’ve never heard an arena fill up with boo’s louder and quicker. Cena used his same “my Time is Now” theme music. He had the same (red) hat, t-shirt and wrist bands. Fans chanted “John Cena sucks!” This wasn’t 2025 John Cena, it was John Cena circa 2006.
Before Cena even spoke, fans went back-and-forth with “let’s go Cena/Cena Sucks” chants. But Cena’s heel promo quickly turned them all against John Cena.
Cena called himself the victim. He accused fans of using him as a puppet, and said he’s not going to switch up his look or his theme music because fans don’t deserve it. Cena said they dress like him, not the other way around. John Cena said their time was up and his time was now.
Cody Rhodes interrupted John Cena to a rousing ovation. Fans chanted various versions of “Cody Rhodes!” Rhodes told Cena that he needs to go back to the drawing board because Heel Cena gave Cody his best and it wasn’t enough.
Cody called Cena a whiny b—ch. Cody told Cena to find his old self and threatened to retire him early at WrestleMania 41. An outstanding segment and start to John Cena’s long-awaited heel era.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes Segment Grade: A+
Penta Def. Ludwig Kaiser
This was a well-wrestled match, but considering it was No Holds Barred, they didn’t make as much use of the weapons as they could have.
This brawl brilliantly built up to a spot where Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer on a chair, followed by a Penta Driver for the win.
Penta, the master of the post-match promo, cut yet another post-match promo declaring his intentions to challenge for the Intercontinental Title. Later in the night, Dominik Mysterio told Finn Balor he wanted to recruit Penta to join Judgment Day. Balor hated this idea.
Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser Grade: B+
Dakota Kai Def. Ivy Nile
Chad Gable hit the ring in a full suit and Michael Cole, who still believes Chad Gable was under the Lucha mask last week, asked Gable where his Lucha mask was.
Ivy seemed slightly distracted by Gable’s sudden appearance, which allowed Dakota Kai to open with a flurry of offense. After a Gable distraction, however, Ivy gained the advantage with a unique modified DDT for a nearfall.
LWO hit the ring to a huge pop in Brussels. Gable high-tailed it out of the arena as LWO was in hot pursuit. This once again distracted Ivy, who ate a kick in the corner followed by a GTK for the win.
Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile Grade: B-
Bianca Belair And Iyo Sky Contract Signing
Iyo Sky said she will never let anyone disrespect her again (loud “Iyo” chants). Iyo said after WrestleMania, she will still be the women’s world champion and fans went crazy.
Bianca, who received a much colder response, also declared she’d be the new women’s world champion. Fans booed Bianca.
After Bianca signed the contract, this brought out Rhea Ripley to the biggest pop of the segment, which is a high bar. Mami was walking with purpose with a microphone in hand.
Rhea Ripley said she was out here to watch. Mami and Bianca got into it, leading Belair to pie-face Sky again. Rhea head-butted Bianca and power bombed Sky on Belair. The table didn’t break. Ripley signed the contract and walked off.
Bianca Belair-Iyo Sky-Rhea Ripley Contract Signing Grade: B
Jey Uso Def. Austin Theory
Jey Uso got his big entrance. Then he beat Austin Theory in seconds.
After another GUNTHER attack, Jey countered a rear-naked choke and stole his world title. Fans exploded as Jey celebrated with the title, then yeeted it back to GUNTHER for now.
Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory Grade: C
LWO Def. American Made
Raw went to break shortly after the start of this tag match. By the time they came back from break, Brussels was going wild for one high spot after another. Julius Creed leapt up the ropes, but was thwarted, leading to a 619 and the win for LWO.
The masked Luchador returned, laying out both of LWO with Lucha moves including a pair of diving headbutts. The masked Luchador ran off from security once again as Cole insisted it was Chad Gable.
LWO vs. American Made Grade: B+
Seth Rollins Appears Live
There was a Seth Rollins love-fest for about two straight minutes before Seth began his promo. As Rollins began his promo, fans then started chanting for CM Punk and the “OTC” Roman Reigns. It’s like Seth’s vibe and aura makes him a babyface, but his promos and actions make him a heel.
Rollins said he could have put CM Punk out of his misery had it not been for Reigns. Rollins said Punk and Reigns will be in the same place at the same time this Friday on SmackDown. Brussels booed this. Rollins then vowed to go to Italy himself.
Rollins plugged the main event, told Brussels to sing his song and left. This was quite the useless promo, and much of what Rollins said could have been saved for SmackDown.
Seth Rollins Promo Grade: B-
Bron Breakker Def. Finn Balor
Michael Cole noted that Finn Balor has not held singles gold in three years.
Balor countered an early Spear attempt on the outside with a slingblade before Raw went to its final break.
Balor had an answer for every big move Breakker tried. Still, it didn’t take long for Dirty Dom and Carlito to hit the ring for “moral support.” Balor wasn’t pleased with Dom’s presence.
As Bron gained the advantage, the Judgment Day interfered, but it once again backfired. Dom accidentally caused Finn to lose his balance. Breakker hit the Breakkensteiner followed by a Spear for the win.
The Judgment Day attacked Breakker after the match, but they were stopped by Penta, who very well may be Breakker’s opponent at WrestleMania. Penta handed Breakker the IC Title, teasing a future showdown between the two.
Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor Grade: B+
