December 30 saw the end of an era for WWE Raw with the final show on the USA Network.

Much of the episode focused on the transition to Netflix, hyping the biggest matches on the January 6 premiere, especially CM Punk versus Seth Rollins.

The two stars exchanged final words ahead of their main event clash next week.

Drew McIntyre also made a statement once more by laying out Jey Uso to open the show.

Lyra Valkyria and Dakota Kai earned their spots in the final of the Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament, with both hoping to make history next week.

WWE finally revealed the man behind the mysterious vignettes this week, showing a mask in the style of former AEW champion Penta El Zero M, teasing a big debut to come.

Monday was an important night in building toward the future of Raw on Netflix next week.

CM Punk Delivers Late Promo of the Year Contender

CM Punk is one of the greatest promos in the history of the business. Fans have seen glimpses of his top form on the mic in 2024 but rarely his very peak.

Even the best stretches of his feud with Drew McIntyre were more about The Scottish Warrior than The Best in the World.

However, Punk may have saved his best for last.

He called out Seth Rollins for being inauthentic with his hatred of him, questioning if The Visionary's anger was an internal struggle with his own choices.

Punk followed up with the strongest explanation he has ever given on why he left WWE and what brought him back.

He let Rollins speak his piece as well, never taking away from his moment. The two stood tall at the end of the night with clear mission statements.

Even if Punk still has questions he may never answer on his own wrestling journey, this was as strong a babyface promo as he has cut since he returned to WWE just over a year ago.

This promo will stand among the best of 2024 and should live long into 2025 as his feud with Rollins intensifies.

1st Women's IC Titleholder Will Be a Great Champion

It would have been easy for WWE to book the likes of Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair or Rhea Ripley as the first women's United States and intercontinental champions.

Instead, the company has smartly centralized fresh names. Chelsea Green and Michin were the finalists for the Women's U.S. title before the former took the gold.

And now Raw has centralized Lyra Valkyria and Dakota Kai as the finalists for the Women's Intercontinental Championship.

Neither has held singles gold on the main roster, but one will make history by becoming the first women's IC titleholder on January 13.

This is the perfect pairing of talent and opportunity. Both would benefit immensely from the victory and do well with the gold.

Valkyria again proved herself one of WWE's best in-ring workers in her semifinal showdown with Sky that stole the show on Monday's Raw.

Meanwhile, Kai has long waited for a chance like this and does not even have an NXT Championship reign to her name unlike her opponent in the final. She has the talent to shock many in a serious title run.

No matter who wins, fans should be pleased with what is coming next for this new women's midcard title scene.

The Key to Booking Penta El Zero Miedo

Most fans will know Penta El Zero Miedo as one half of The Lucha Brothers, one of the most accomplished tag teams in All Elite Wrestling history.

However, he has also taken on many names over the years between AEW, AAA, TNA and Lucha Underground, proving his versatility with and without his brother, Rey Fenix.

Since Fenix's contract is not yet up with AEW, Penta will need to find his new niche in WWE before his brother arrives.

WWE has typically paired up the top luchadors with Rey Mysterio, but Penta cannot afford to be another cog in the wheel with LWO.

Dragon Lee is already struggling to step out of The Master of the 619's shadow, and Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde cannot get TV time even when fully healthy.

Penta would be better served showing his ability as a solo performer, leaning into the darker persona he showcased in AAA and Lucha Underground.

World heavyweight champion Gunther told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that the Mexican chopped him harder than any other performer.

Penta's signature run outside of AEW involved him constantly threatening to break the arms of his opponents. He can portray a level of dangerous darkness that rivals The Wyatt Sicks.

The vignettes teasing his WWE arrival have seemed to indicate he might lean more into the darkness, but only time will tell.

Final Raw on USA Devoid of Signature Moment

On January 11, 1993, Raw made its first appearance on the USA Network.

Over 1,200 episodes have aired on the cable television channel. That's a legacy that won't be easily forgotten.

As Raw moves to Netflix, SmackDown will continue to air on the USA Network for the foreseeable future, but this still feels like the end of an era.

WWE aired a nice video package highlighting many of the greatest moment on the network over the years, but nothing live on air sold the importance of this final night.

CM Punk and Seth Rollins battled on the mic for the sake of hyping a match to come on Netflix next week, and Drew McIntyre tormented Jey Uso once more to start the show, though their in-ring battle is still in the future.

The Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament only delivered semifinal matchups, while Chad Gable vs. Otis finally happened but lasted just nine minutes.

While WWE looks forward, this would have been a great time to look back, allowing defining Raw stars to speak their piece on the end.

Legacy matches from Rey Mysterio, The Miz, Cody Rhodes, Bayley or Rhea Ripley would have made a big difference.

Instead, WWE delivered the usual late December filler show to end the longest-running network partnership in company history.