On the heels of an explosive Royal Rumble, WWE stayed put in Tampa, Florida for WWE Raw at the Amalie Arena.

Intercontinental champion Gunther did not make good on his promise to win the men's Rumble match. But he had the opportunity to take out his frustration and anger on Kofi Kingston on Monday.

Did The Ring General continue his historic run or did the New Day man get the best of a bigger, stronger opponent for another title victory?

Find out the answer to that and more with this recap of the first episode of Raw on the Road to WrestleMania 40.

Match Card

Announced in advance for Monday's show:

• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c)
• Intercontinental Championship: Kofi Kingston vs. Gunther (c)
• Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed

CM Punk Kicks Off Raw

After Mike Johnson from PWInsider.com reported a significant injury during the men's Rumble match, CM Punk opened Monday's Raw.

A tearful Punk confirmed he had suffered a torn triceps and would miss WrestleMania 40. From there, he refused to feel bad for himself and cut a fiery promo that was interrupted by Drew McIntyre.

The Scot took pleasure in having been the guy who injured The Best in the World and promised he would go to 'Mania and live his dream of main-eventing the show.

Punk did his best to throw fists with McIntyre, but the heel downed him with a Glasgow Kiss and stomped on his injured triceps, only for Sami Zayn to hit the ring and make the save.

This was a great segment that highlighted Punk's promo skills and ability to connect with the fans while simultaneously showcasing the vile villain McIntyre has become. Zayn making the save sets up either a match with the man who put him out of action or intensifies what was already an intense feud.

The news of Punk's injury is devastating for the performer, his fans and those in WWE Creative who had big plans for him.

It also opens up an opportunity for someone like McIntyre or Zayn to step in and have a magical moment on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Punk mentioned his friend, Chad Gilbert, who has cancer, and he will not be sorry for himself because the "best in the world" are the people fighting every day.
• "I'm a Chicago Cubs fan, and it's not the first time and it sure won't be the last time I say this: There's always next year." 
• "I want you to know: I prayed for this and it happened," McIntyre told Punk.
• Punk told McIntyre that he would go home and rehab his heart and his triceps and when he comes back, the first person on his list is the two-time WWE champion.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: DIY vs. The Judgment Day

The action kicked off with a fantastic Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship defense by The Judgment Day's Finn Bálor and Damian Priest, who defeated DIY's Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.

Nonstop action, dramatic near-falls and a clean finish made for one of the better matches on Raw so far in 2024 while reminding fans of the talent that exists across the WWE roster; talent that shines when allowed to do its thing.

After the match, Priest called out R-Truth who, after some playful back-and-forth, found himself on the receiving end of a beatdown by the heels. The Miz made the save, but the numbers disadvantage was too great for the babyfaces to overcome.

The Judgment Day is back to being the imposing force it should always be, and the beatdown was an exclamation point on the segment.

Result

The Judgment Day defeated DIY to retain the titles

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Backstage, Bálor said it was time that those way too comfortable challenging The Judgment Day found out how ruthless they can be, while Priest denounced all distractions moving forward.
• The crowd was hotter for DIY here than it has been in a long time. 
• There were a few near-falls that amplified the crowd heat.
• Priest admitting that he likes Truth and excusing himself from the beatdown was a nice touch and separates him from the more one-dimensional heels on the show.

Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler vs. Piper Niven and Chelsea Green

The ascent of Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler toward a Women's Tag Team Championship match continued Monday with a mostly uncompetitive victory over Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.

The prospective top contenders soundly defeated the former champions, with Stark wiping out Green with a Z-360.

The brevity of the bout ensured there wasn't much to this match, and nor was there much in the way of creativity to invest in.

It was a contest that existed solely to give the victors a win and nothing else.

Result

Baszler and Stark defeated Green and Niven

Grade

C

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Green being fortunate to dodge attacks early was fun and added to the idea that she lucks her way in and out of trouble.

Cody Rhodes Promo

Cody Rhodes made his way to the ring to discuss his men's Royal Rumble victory, but he was interrupted by world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins.

The Visionary turned expectations upside down, imploring Rhodes not to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40 and challenge him instead.

Rollins put over his championship as the workman's title, the belt he defends regularly while Reigns picks and chooses when he wants to work.

The Visionary asked what kind of man Rhodes want to be, to which the two-time Rumble winner ended the segment by saying he would think about it.

The loss of CM Punk leaves a major void on the WrestleMania 40 card and Rollins without an opponent for the show.

Fans know that and planting the seeds for Rhodes vs. Rollins instead of the widely expected showdown with Reigns is a smart creative decision that drums up intrigue and adds a twist to a Road to WrestleMania that felt rather predictable just 48 hours earlier.

This was a fantastic promo from Rollins, and it was clear he believed every word of it.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Rhodes had Samantha Irvin reintroduce him, shining a spotlight on the ring announcer who has excelled at her job since taking over the role.
• "Saturday, you will never know how much I needed you," Rhodes told the WWE Universe.
• "I'm not trying to be a jerk right now, but you're not the guy. Roman Reigns is not even the guy anymore. I'm the guy and the World Heavyweight Championship is the championship," Rollins told The American Nightmare.
• Rollins asked if Rhodes wanted the poser title or the workhorse title, the blue-collar title, the Dusty Rhodes title.

Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed

Jey Uso came up short in the men's Rumble Match Saturday night but made up for it with a big victory over Bronson Reed Monday.

Uso overcame the bigger, stronger, more explosive big man and defeated him with the Uso Splash.

The match was a solid one that spotlighted the underrated Reed. It also emphasized Uso, who wandered somewhat aimlessly on the road to Royal Rumble.

With the creative focus shifting to WrestleMania and those in power wanting one of WWE's most popular babyfaces to be a part of that event, it makes sense that he would reemerge with a quality win.

Result

Uso defeated Reed

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Reed is a guy who always excels in these situations. We saw it in the Intercontinental Championship match with Gunther, where he appeared in an advertised match, showed out and impressed even in defeat. It might be time to find something of significance for him to do.
• Backstage, Raw general manager Adam Pearce signed Andrade to a contract with the Raw brand. A bit of banter between Pearce and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis ended with the latter taking a call from Bron Breakker.

Intercontinental Championship: Kofi Kingston vs. Gunther

Gunther is still the intercontinental champion following a grueling victory over Kofi Kingston Monday night.

The Ring General weathered a late comeback by the former WWE champion that saw him kick out at two following a Boom Drop, overwhelm the challenger with his physicality and flatten him with a powerbomb for the win.

Kingston reminded the WWE Universe why he is one of the best babyfaces of the last 20 or so years. He is dynamic and likable, and the fans' support fuels him.

Gunther is just so overwhelming and punishing, though, that no late-match barrage is going to alter his focus or stunt his determination to bring pride and respect back to the ring.

Wins like this mean whoever does eventually beat Gunther will not only have earned it, but also be a legitimate star as a result.

Result

Gunther pinned Kingston

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The strong reaction for Gunther is reflective of his booking, especially over the last year and a half, and the credibility he brings to his performances.
• Kingston is one of the most beloved underdog babyfaces in WWE history. It is no surprise that he had fans chanting his name in this match.
• Gunther does not do anything flashy or over the top. What he does, he does extremely well and with legitimacy. He proves that something as basic as a backbreaker can be devastating when executed with emphasis. 
• See Gunther rolling out of the ring to prevent a pinfall attempt from Kingston showed great ring awareness and psychology. 

Tegan Nox and Natalya vs. The Kabuki Warriors

After defeating Katana Chance and Kayden Carter to claim the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship on Friday's SmackDown, Asuka and Kairi Sane squared off with Natalya and Tegan Nox on Raw.

They continued their winning ways, capitalizing on a miscommunication from Natalya to Nox and scoring the win by pinning The Queen of Harts.

Natalya and Nox are headed for a split based on recent creative, and if it means getting both on TV and doing something of substance, this writer is here for it.

The Kabuki Warriors are such a great team. Their ring work and experience elevate everything they do between the ropes, enhancing whatever they are involved in.

Result

Kabuki Warriors defeated Natalya and Nox

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Nox is really good and it is a welcome change to see Triple H and WWE Creative utilizing her more.
• Natalya instructed her partner to tag her, but Nox tried to take out Sane on the floor. Instead, she was tripped up and dropped on the ring apron, leaving her partner to go it alone the rest of the way.

Bayley Speaks About Her Royal Rumble Victory

Any attempt by Bayley to announce her WrestleMania 40 plans to challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship was halted Monday with Nia Jax's attack on The Eradicator.

Jax destroyed the champion, leaving her lying after three leg drops. She then warned Bayley that Ripley is not making it to WrestleMania 40, to which the 2024 Royal Rumble winner responded by revealing she will make her decision Friday night on SmackDown.

And thus, the seeds are planted for Damage CTRL's split from their leader.

They already were, but Bayley's claims that the group was her idea only further enhanced the mounting dissension within the faction.

As for Jax attacking Ripley, there is no better opponent to ensure the Australian is cheered in her home country at Elimination Chamber on February 24.

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Bayley took credit for Damage CTRL and the group's dominance over the wrestling world.
• "I may not have been in the poster for the Royal Rumble, but I stand here tall as your 2024 Royal Rumble winner," she said. 
• "I see the rest of Damage CTRL has gold and if you want to challenge me at WrestleMania, it's going to stay that way," Ripley said.
• Damage CTRL hanging back and watching Jax destroy Ripley was amusing.
• "You can pick anyone else but Rhea isn't making it to WrestleMania," Jax warned Bayley.

Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre

The intense rivalry between Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre wrote its latest chapter in Monday's main event.

McIntyre dominated for the majority of the bout. He overwhelmed Zayn, punishing him with unbridled power. He took the fight to rival, but a momentary lapse of judgment allowed Zayn to work his way back into the match.

McIntyre cut any attempt at a comeback off, turning his opponent inside out. When he went for the Claymore, Zayn countered with the Blue Thunder Bomb for two as chants of "this is awesome" poured from the stands.

Moments later, The Scottish Warrior covered up during a Helluva Kick, "accidentally" delivering a low blow. McIntyre followed with the Claymore for the win.

This was a fabulous main event featuring two of the best workers in WWE.

Zayn as the underdog always works, but it was McIntyre's heel performance that stood out. He has fully embraced his role and is at home mocking opponents and taunting the crowd.

Two nights after a magical Royal Rumble that helped set the tone for the coming year, the Scot really established himself as one of the top stars of Raw.

Result

McIntyre defeated Zayn

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Michael Cole stacked the deck against Zayn, revealing that he had yet to win a one-on-one match against McIntyre in his career.
• The Scot is relishing this opportunity to be a heel. His body language and mannerisms have been so good. 
• During the break, a defiant Zayn dared his opponent to chop him. He did. When he finally started to mount a comeback, he was dropped in grand fashion by a stunning chop to the upper torso.
• The look of astonishment when Zayn kicked out after White Noise from the ropes was fantastic. Kudos to the WWE production team for grabbing that shot.

Overall Grade

We did not get any real indicators as to where stories are headed for WrestleMania here, but what we did get a continued commitment to the characters and stories in play and some quality ring work.

CM Punk's injury news got things off on a sad note, but the show provided a steady commitment to highlighting Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn and Bayley, all while giving us three quality matches mixed in.

The mid-show promo from Seth Rollins was spectacular and created drama for Cody Rhodes on his path to WrestleMania.

The show had the task of grabbing the attention of fans watching to find out what happened at the Royal Rumble and it accomplished it, thanks to quality stories, good booking and stellar in-ring work.

An easy "A" this week.

Grade: A