Time For a Shock Cody Rhodes Loss, CM Punk is on Fire, More WWE Raw Takes

Raw on Netflix from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on January 20 delivered great action and strong momentum toward Saturday Night's Main Event and Royal Rumble.

Seth "Freakin" Rollins barely managed to overcome Drew McIntyre in their head-to-head main event. Sami Zayn tried to help Rollins in the aftermath but accidentally caught him with a Helluva Kick.

The Ultimate Underdog was also confronted by Kevin Owens earlier in the night, who asked him for help when he needed it against Cody Rhodes.

CM Punk delivered his own statement ahead of the men's Royal Rumble. promising to throw out anyone and everyone in his way including John Cena.

Penta delivered once again in his second match in WWE, defeating Pete Dunne in another show-stealing performance.

The Netflix era continues to deliver big action, and this week was no different.

Kevin Owens continues to deliver passionate promos and great matches week after week on his way to a rematch with Cody Rhodes.

While he has already lost to The American Nightmare twice, this is the first time that KO has felt like a real threat to the Undisputed WWE champion.

One big reason for that has been the stars that seem to surrounding The Prizefighter. He and Drew McIntyre have similar motivations. Seth "Freakin" Rollins could very join their side soon.

The latest star implicated in KO's drama is Sami Zayn. The Prizefighter's promo made sense, explaining why he still believes that his friend is on his side.

It was an emphatic performance that once more showed why KO can be the world champion going into WrestleMania season.

Cody Rhodes has been the clear top man in WWE as world champion since WrestleMania 40, and all indications are that he will make it to The Show of Shows with his title.

However, KO deserves better than to lose his third straight big match while Rhodes is going to have trouble finding a more impactful rival for 'Mania.

If The Prizefighter were to defeat The American Nightmare at Royal Rumble, it would complicate the top title scene for the entire road to WrestleMania.

Rhodes would be back on the hunt while the men's Royal Rumble winner could also want a shot at KO.

This is the best option to spice up the road to WrestleMania, especially assuming the best options at this time for Rhodes are John Cena or The Rock.

The stage has been set for a special stable to form in 2025. As The Judgment Day seems to be stepping out of the spotlight, WWE creative will likely need a new lead heel act on Raw.

Kevin Owens and Drew McIntyre have unofficially already aligned, but it is clear that others will join them when it matters most.

If KO is going to beat Cody Rhodes, that alliance will need to fully form at Royal Rumble. The third man could be Seth "Freakin" Rollins or Sami Zayn.

The ideal would be for both to join, creating a veteran stable that could genuinely take over WWE.

No matter what Rollins does though, Zayn needs this opportunity. He is always at his best with The Prizefighter, and The Ultimate Underdog seems lost at present, especially after multiple losses to McIntyre.

A friendship with Jey Uso will only last so long before Main Event turns his focus back to The Bloodline, especially his brother Jimmy Uso. Zayn will not fit into that story again.

The Ultimate Underdog has shown time and again that he can be a great heel, but he has never been treated as a main event villain. He would be with a group like this on his side.

While WWE has never openly welcomed competition, it has been proven time and again that the company thrives with a rival.

All Elite Wrestling could never truly reach WWE's level, but it has clearly pushed the company to reevaluate its approach.

WWE has not been this hot since the Attitude Era, and in some metrics, it is even hotter. The biggest factor has been a change in approach to the product.

Another important factor has been WWE's ability to incorporate and elevate talent brought over from AEW.

Cody Rhodes is the man in WWE. Jade Cargill is one of WWE's most popular women. "All Ego" Ethan Page is already one of NXT's top names and a likely main roster call-up with big potential in 2025.

Penta is the latest star to move over from AEW, and he is more over as a singles star in week two than he was at any point in his AEW career.

This may not last forever, but WWE has put everything behind the luchador early. Moreover, he has rewarded that focus with strong performances, huge crowd pops and strong merchandise sales.

This is mostly a positive for WWE that has another top name, elevating the product. It should serve as a major message to others uncertain about their position in AEW.

There is a potential downside though. Penta already feels like a bigger star than established stars including the men he has already defeated, Chad Gable and Pete Dunne.

WWE can only highlight so many stars at once, and some in WWE could begin to grow frustrated if they lose their spots to stars that were build in another company.

As a whole, this simply highlights the importance of options in the wrestling industry. Those frustrated in AEW could turn to WWE while those frustrated in WWE could turn to AEW in the future.

CM Punk delivered the gold standard for the Royal Rumble promo, selling why he above anyone else should win the men's Royal Rumble match.

That promo will stand up to any of his competitors, and it leaves an important question for WWE to answer: is anyone a better option than Punk to win this year?

At this point, The Best in the World is lapping the field.

John Cena has not appeared since the Raw premiere to further his case. An appearance from The Rock is looking less likely by the week.

Roman Reigns had his time at the top and still seems focused on The Bloodline. LA Knight has not sold himself as a main event act in a while.

Seth "Freakin" Rollins, Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn have already had their shots at the top prize in the last year and seem more focused on the drama with each other.

Punk is perfectly established and has sold what it would mean to him to main event WrestleMania. He will never be more popular than right now.

Whether Punk challenges Cody Rhodes, Gunther or the challengers that dethrone them like Kevin Owens, these are money matches that could main event either night at The Show of Shows.