Ups & Downs: WWE Raw Review (Jan 29)

Our WWE Raw review as Simon Miller talks about CM Punk announcing his injury, Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn, The Kabuki Warriors vs. Tegan Nox & Natalya, Nia Jax attacking Rhea Ripley, Bayley and Cody Rhodes talking about their Royal Rumble victories, Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston, Jey Uso vs. “Big” Bronson Reed, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, Judgment Day attacking R-Truth and much more.
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[@WhatCultureWrestling]

Get your tickets for our live show in Philadelphia now! www.whatculture.com/tickets

[@JosephCraftHD]

I love the whole "letting you know who arrives at the arena" because it helps people like my wife who are new to the product get familiarized with some of the stars.

[@Saynt614]

Anyone who watched the attitude era knows they used to do this all the time. They'd show The Rock or HHH arriving and it would get a massive pop from the crowd.

[@tompatchak8706]

That’s old school right yhere

[@johnbernaudo7631]

The arrivals and the backstage promos were very old school in this episode

[@elchomper.1063]

Yeah a dude walking for 12 seconds really tells you a whole lot.

[@Daniel-jz9oi]

Honestly the way they’re setting up imperium vs the new day i won’t doubt it if Big E returns at Mania and beats Gunther

[@AubTome]

I had the same though last night

[@sumanchhetri1809]

Yea.... Looks like it.

[@fredmd101]

I'm always looking for the Blue Thunder Bomb whem Sami is wrestling and it never dissappints when Simon reacts to it

[@jerrellmackall4653]

if he combos it like Shida, it might get a pin at lease twice this year

[@razorramon7573]

Oh shut up! 🤦‍♂️

[@alfredkaputo5487]

His always funny😂

[@Lamb666]

I’m always disappointed when people cannot spell disappointment and all of its variations.

[@tomseville2345]

Apart from Michael saying he was looking for one, when he was clearly setting up a vertical suplex or a Falcon Arrow; proof that his cluelessness over the last 26 years was not *all* Vince's fault...

[@josephcoxiii9712]

Punks 'injury' is literally the beginnings of the Rhoades/Punk WM feud for NEXT year.

[@dannyaraya8017]

glad CM Punk & Simon both mentioned Chad Gilbert. New Found Glory! 🤘🏼

[@MILKSHAKEPOD]

8:17 I’m surprised you missed the a pretty important but subtle moment here. Damien yelled for Dominick, but JD not only overly-aggressively did it, and Dominick not only hesitated, he looked pissed that JD jumped the gun. In fact, everyone in the group but Finn seemed confused and only took action when Miz came in.

[@tompatchak8706]

I saw that. Beginning of Finn leaving?

[@MILKSHAKEPOD]

@@tompatchak8706 conspiracy theory / fan booking. I think Finn and JD are their own thing. I think the briefcase being gifted to Damien was to keep the real contract in the green one for Balor to turn on Damien and cash in the belt on the champion after the failed cash in by Damien.

[@user-tq1jw9pl7j]

​@@MILKSHAKEPOD WOAH thats some interesting booking

[@bsquinney]

@@MILKSHAKEPOD I like it. We've talked about it before and WWE has NEVER addressed it, that in order for JD to give him the El Senior case, he HAD to have opened the the green case to put the contract in the new case. What if he just didn't....

[@USMCVeteran0651]

My first Raw I ever saw live in person! 🎉

[@tkthetank]

A great first one to go to! In ring action was stellar last night!

[@victoryusmc]

Nice! Semper Fi brother, I was there too lol

[@jasonacosta6294]

Popped your cherry at a good show, nice!!

[@kennyfleck8630]

Nice. Seeing stuff live is always a great experience, but it also reminds me of an old saying "a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there" because as much as I enjoy the live experience, RAW and the other shows that air on TV are designed for that medium although the house shows are designed more for the fans in attendance. Also, it is definitely an exhausting experience but an exhilarating experience nonetheless. I'm glad you got to go, I never thought I would get to experience wrestling live until one of my best friends won tickets to a Raw, A smackdown/ecw taping and two different house shows all in the same year and he knew I am a huge fan that is financially impaired. And yes, my dream of being present for an undertaker entrance came true.

[@Gary_Youtube1]

Congrats! Mine was back in 93' I was 9 lol

[@PIE50100]

Seth Rollins has a point, and if we want the World Heavyweight Championship to feel as important as Romans belt we need it to be involved in high profile matches like the Royal Rumble winner and have these top guys gunning for it.

[@I_beat_up_cuckolds]

Say what you will about punk's fitness and his injury susceptibility, but man can cut a phenomenal promo whenever he wants. Such a passionate promo. He was on the verge of tears

[@tomseville2345]

His stories about his friends transcend a wrestling promo. That's why he was legit emotional...

[@Whotuber-cu1zo]

He sucks

[@kevinstull8552]

​@@Whotuber-cu1zoGo hate somewhere else.

[@Gary_Youtube1]

Yup, punks winning next year's rumble!

[@slyylitty9263]

Yes, Truth and MIZ should win the titles. Both of them deserve Gold for the work they’ve done the last few years.

[@Melo_Soul]

Drew took Cody's tooth and punks tricep , what a fukn heel 💀🤣

[@brandoncochran5318]

His prayers are starting to worry me, God is his tag partner

[@Dr.Yakub22]

​@@brandoncochran5318 God took out Vince and CM Punk in the same week. He's getting overpushed.

[@DynoKea]

@@brandoncochran5318 Not a very good one, I've never seen him win a match

[@brandoncochran5318]

@@DynoKea lol. god got salty with vince going over him and Shawn and played the long game

[@OutCast7704]

With punk probably out for the time being, either sami, drew or knight can ascend to the top and honestly i think any of them can work considering a compelling story

[@ThomasMHead]

Simon's Blue Thunder Bomb bit cracks me up every time! Thank you Simon!

[@wstine79]

I like how they're taking different camera angles the film The show. Like when the cameraman was over Johnny Gargano's shoulder while waiting for a tag and then jump in.

[@MarieAmicalola]

Agreed. I really liked that shot.

[@MelodicQuest]

With Kevin Dunn out, it's good to see some experimentation. They're still trying to find their own groove, but the process is interesting.

[@RAS_Squints]

That opening promo was so fire

[@bhhdty2272]

Love what you said about Kevin Patrick in the beginning, another person receiving that treatment is Solo Sikoa, I’ve seen countless twitter accounts hoping he gets released but you already know if he does people will say “ wwe shouldn’t have fired him how wrong” . The hypocrisy of wrestling fans can honestly be ridiculous at times.

[@gizmoegamer4487]

I vote solo to dethrone Roman. I think that might be why rollins wants to fight Cody instead

[@labbaby189]

Who wants Solo to get fired during this time? He's on fire right now. But this is why no one in the comment section works for WWE.

[@bhhdty2272]

@@labbaby189 I agree, it’s just Twitter man they are so toxic, I know he was better as the street champ but he’s an enforcer it makes 0 sense for him to talk and show character lol. Once he turns on Roman everyone will be back on the hype train.

[@largebig79]

thats twitter man, finding a single positive tweet about wwe is impossible

[@tompatchak8706]

I always say the worst people to ask questions are “the fans” of a certain property. I don’t like like solo Sikoa I think he’s an overrated Samoa Joe. But that’s just his character. I don’t know him as a person, so I’m not gonna talk shit

[@joshmatlock1020]

Carter and Chance both got a lot of time in the Rumble and both got a lot of offense in. It was a pleasant surprise.

[@tomseville2345]

Was (pleasantly) stunned by Seth's shots at Hogan and Roman; they put Hulk in the Rumble video packages, and had him selling Tampa vacations... 🤣🤣

[@NotAboutMusicPodcast]

Chad Gilbert is the guitarist for new found glory - such a great dude - you can tell punk really cares about him

[@matthewpayton]

R Truth is WWE GOLD!

[@wstine79]

Drew McIntyre tossing Sami Zayn onto poor Allen the Announce Table like it was nothing was vicious.

[@MelodicQuest]

That Seth Rollins promo was gold. Cody vs Roman is inevitable, but it places that small seed of doubt, which is what good television is supposed to do.

[@matrixmessiah6083]

Not sure if you've mentioned it before but I love the transitional art of a superstar when WWE goes to commercial.

[@soulman9070]

saw that Becky KO video earlier today and was dying to see if simon would reference it. Made me feel warm and fuzzy

[@executivechefalfredlewis2864]

Is nattie ever gonna win? People forget that she’s a veteran of the game, trained in the dungeon; and hasn’t won in years!!! Continue the great work Simon!!! Give yourself an up!!!

[@SsBrohan]

We should get a Blue Thunder Bomb counter, cause it never works 21:50

[@edvinrosenqvist524]

Simon. You should do a video every time you arrive to the studio to do ups&downs😅

[@ColinPMcEvoy]

The attack by Drew has me wondering if it’s a kayfabe injury. Probably not, but it’s the same with Seth’s knee.

[@jtamou]

It's the same as when Cody tore his pack. The injury can't get any worse than that so he can take a few hits

[@TrymYoutubeMainChannel]

According to that doctor who reports stars injuries at times. Say Cm Punk’s injury is legit

[@NASSHREACTS]

I like what you said about Kevin Patrick!😊

[@mlevo1011]

The dude wasn't bad at all.

[@thepunkgeek1]

I'm so glad for Simon Miller on ups and downs, I tried listening on Spotify whilst driving to the Raw review that Adam and them two other guys do.. they're so negative it's depressing to listen to, you don't like wrestling, don't have a job watching it and then they're just annoyingly loud at points, thinking it's funny

[@Ronfost89]

Well Michael Sidgwick hates the WWE so having him on a podcast about it is a pretty crap idea. Though that guy is they type of dude that would complain about a blowjob.

[@twentyoneplusvideo0472]

I don’t listen to that, but when they do the news they ramble on about stuff it’s just annoying. Simon is the star, but I feel like he’s going to get burned out. He does so many shows in the name of entertainment.

[@largebig79]

Simon is the only reason to watch whatculture

[@PatrickMaliha]

They truly are the very definition of, "Unlistenable'.

[@chrisdonson3584]

I'd love to let them run it for a month and see how bad it turned out, because they seem to think they have the answers to everything.

[@envoy2500]

The "there's always next year" line was a Chicago Cubs reference because of how many times they didn't even get to the World Series, let alone win it. But they still keep one of the most loyal fan bases in all of American sports.

[@rom-dozer3999]

Kevin Patrick seems like the nicest guy, I was really rooting for him to succeed!

[@KHWrld999]

5:43 you could also say this weeks theme was broken dreams

[@robertwatson4676]

I love Simon when he messes up, he is still gold. 'Was casting destruction'

[@geeayy333]

Welcome back Pat 🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@timothylewis2527]

I usually don't watch Ups and. Downs until I finish watching the show Simon is reviewing. Couldn't watch Raw last night but damn. Simon made it sound so good, I'm gonna do everything I can to watch it tonight. His excitement is tangible. Or do i mean palpable? 🤔 Uh, you can feel it.

[@andrewhernandez5332]

dude i missed majority of it last night as well and was like its all good ill just watch simon in the morning. but now im like damn i wanna watch the replay hahaha

[@Ashhad1400]

Isn't it curious how CM punk and Cody Rhodes, both former WWE guys that went to AEW, made their return and ended up getting injured after 2.5 months of returning. If I was Andrade I would be extra careful to protect my Right Arm/Pectoral region for next 3 months at least.

[@TomE.V.]

It's because TK has voodoo dolls of all his former employees.....

[@st.petessavior6055]

​@@TomE.V.lol

[@boomermiller2737]

Or the wwe guys are like….leg breakers

[@danw4490]

I love when Simon discusses the least effective move in sports entertainment: The blue thunder bomb. Hilarious!

[@Darth_Hitman_]

"Its Always Sunny at WhatCulture" - who is on the far right? Phil, Adam, Simon, Hamflett and Andy I recognize.

[@timothylewis2527]

I like the way you think, Simon. Maybe they should just have a WWE "Red Carpet" every week. Nothing but cars pulling up and superstars entering the building. I'd watch.

[@themichaelanthony]

This episode for sure deserves a golden up

[@roubybaptiste5456]

Fragile mind, Fragile body ~JM

[@THEjustincredible]

Simon’s reaction to the least devastating move in sports entertainment is always hilarious 💀💀💀

[@user-hr1ui9zw7m]

I think it is time to split those tag belts up again.

[@allenshadrick22]

Also time for someone to take them from judgment day

[@tomseville2345]

I think they're actually setting up Awesome Truth to beat Finn and Damian, to move along the JD split....

[@ImEricBrandt]

At this point I wonder if Sami watches the show and knows the joke about the Blue Thunder bomb.

[@AbRealOnTheMat-vc6jw]

That Nia Jax and Bailey segment was definitely my moment of the night

[@MetalED]

Everyone who had promo time last night delivered and then some. Love the overall presentation of the show now as well too. That first commercial free hour ( 52 minutes really ) seemed liked WWE was giving us a taste of what we can probably expect next year when they move to Netflix. Thought it was a great show to kick off the road to to Elimination Chamber... UP.

[@danielc.7173]

Phenomenal match for the universal tag team battles!

[@rezzytheskyguy]

I think the punk thing might be a work. The way drew stomped on the arm was a little worky

[@allenshadrick22]

Fake stomp guy 🤦‍♂️. The injury is real

[@rezzytheskyguy]

@@allenshadrick22 id be willing to bet.

[@tomseville2345]

He was trying not to exacerbate the injury *for real* by legit stomping on it... @@rezzytheskyguy

[@erictheredxiii]

That opening segment deserved a Golden Up.

[@FigWidIt]

Highly impressed from that Kofi vs Gunther match. After so many tag team matches, I forgot that Kofi can turn it up if it's a Championship match 👏👏

[@aaronmcclellan12345]

If CM Punk's injury isn't part of a storyline, what they need to do is Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn vs Drew McIntyre in triple threat match for the world heavyweight title at Wrestlemania 40, that way Seth Rollins won't have to do so much, and Bron Breakker doesn't go to SmackDown and they have Bron vs Gunther at Wrestlemania 40 for the intercontinental title.

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning, Simon!

[@Barry80Elms]

You can see CM Punk getting upset 😢..

[@victoryusmc]

I live in Tampa, saw the show live. Great Raw thank goodness for that lol.

[@kingstontheoneandonly]

Kofi Kingston the man

[@brettpiper4208]

What to do with Seth at Wrestlemania? Here's my fantasy booking: At EC Gunther loses the IC title ( preferably to Jey), but the same night, Gunther enters the Elimination Chamber match and wins! Immediately springboards him to the Main Event Scene Great stuff as always Simon.

[@djmistiso]

Has anyone else noticed that it seems they have finally put an end to any artificial, pumped in crowd noise, too?

[@Kleetus_Van_Damm]

Their ring announcer is the one who needs to get relieved of her position, Patrick was doing fine but Irvine is horrible.

[@BoobieDealer]

Sending Lots of Love To Cm Punk! Perfect promo!

[@Hawkeye26]

I love how easily an Asuka win can be described as "there wasn't much to this", that's honesty in advertising right there.

[@coconyt3623]

4:35 my sides have left Sol

[@madslocodemente]

Gunther has the Baustrian Crab, it looks similar but the big difference is, he does it.

[@Eminem200183]

Damage CRTL: There’s Kabuki Warriors as the Women’s Tag Team Champs, Iyo Sky as the WWE Women’s Champion, Bayley as the ‘24 Women’s Royal Rumble Champion… and then there’s Dakota Kai. Poor Dakota Aki, Damn

[@cdmit27]

Dakota is injured if not for that I'm sure she'd be cooking too

[@BobbyCrosthwaite]

Simon as usual u get a golden up

[@allenshadrick22]

Im so happy for Bayley right now, I really want her to beat Rhea!

[@Y0shimitsuu]

I’m enjoying Drew a lot recently man, something has clicked for sure!!

[@seansmith416ss]

That explains why he was blown up in the rumble. Now it makes sense that he looked out of shape. Unfortunate incident that was a lot of people’s first impression of him in 10 years. I legit hope he comes back better and erases this rumble from our memories.

[@largebig79]

Id love to see Seth vs Drew at WrestleMania, drew finally wins the title in front of a live WrestleMania crowd and then Damien Priest cashes in and Drew instantly loses the title. I don't care that we've already seen Drew vs Seth multiple times recently

[@danw4490]

Easy 10/10 episode. It was incredible.

[@StephenSmith-pn6ex]

So had it with WWE. Last night it was 28 minutes before anyone touched each other. More talk then action

[@MyPisceanNature]

During the end of the Royal Rumble, I was wondering if they were trying to do the same thing as the Lex Luger Bret Hart end in letting the crowd reaction decide who was going to win. And when the crowd reacted stronger for Cody, they went with him for the win.

[@chrisg3193]

14:47 almost like the mix matched challenge should come back.

[@angisanders7953]

When drew told the dude to play his music, I totally thought about you Simon and how there REALLY is a guy you tell to play your music and he does!!!

[@kennyhall9117]

SIMON IS THE BEST, SIMON NUMBER ONE 👏👏

[@tucfang2577]

I havent watched Whatculture Wrestling for a few years now. Simon looks way more jacked than last time i saw him. And the thicker beard is nice.

[@harleyhunneybell6359]

Maybe this is just wishful thinking but what if the CM Punk injury is a little exaggerated on tv and he comes back as a surprise opponent for a match against someone like Dom at Mania. He always had a problem with people returning to steal main event slots at Mania from people that earned them (he referenced as much in the promo with Cody). As the saying goes, be the change you want to see 🤔

[@rayasmith]

I would love to see R-Truth and Little Jimmy beat the Judgement Day for the tag titles. Even if it is for just a week.

[@sarveshjalootharia1603]

Only KZbinrs that gave props and respect to Punk for that promo

[@Gothamnameless]

At wrestlermania 00 we had a 4 way. No one thought foley would be there. It took 2 decades to see a 2x back to back Rumble winner. Drew and punk should be in that matvh with cody and rollins. To many stories are clashing and everyone is trying to prove everyone wrong. ... this is a beautiful story reminded me 00... this time we dont need a McMahon in anyones corner.

[@tompatchak8706]

I really think that they would have milked the Truth thing a little bit longer than a couple of months here. Maybe we’ll have like a tornado tank team match at mania with all the four tag teams against for the belts

[@derekrichardson9105]

Hulu didn't show the Uso/Reed match, which worries me. The stuff WWE leaves off of the Hulu show is usually meaningless.😤

[@frankhoward6645]

Cm Punk cut a incredible promo plus gotta say McIntyre is a awesome heel this Raw after the Rumble was interesting they did their job

[@user-sy5sy2np8r]

I want this version of Drew McIntyre to just COMPLETELY take over everything!!!

[@foodreacts837]

Cm Punk being "injured" is a incredible bummer, I do hope he can actually fix it quicker like John Cena, I still have hope

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I really feel like the Punk thing is a worked shoot situation. Did he get hurt? Probably but I think it's being over stated for storyline purposes. I firmly believe he'll be in a match at Mania.

[@thatblindtekkenwarrior1177]

That's some copium there, but I would love for you to be right.

[@theprfesssor]

For his sake I hope it is, but i think its 45 year old body starting to come up short

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

having a different opinion from you isn't "copium", it's having a different opinion from you. @@thatblindtekkenwarrior1177

[@a.g1796]

This some A grade tier copium right here

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

@@a.g1796 having a different opinion from you isn't "copium". I'm not even a Punk fan, I'm just know what I'm talking about. You do you though :)

[@joshmatlock1020]

I'm so annoyed that WWE is making us possibly question Rhodes v Roman...I just want it official.

[@derrickhaggard]

Yeah as we all know Cody vs. Roman is happening

[@MelodicQuest]

That's just good tv writing. Too much predictability is boring

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Breaker vs GUNTHER, or Breaker vs LP and/or LA works for me

[@foodreacts837]

The Tears in his eyes were so true

[@robertbarrows4795]

I think they will make Cody choose Seth because they can then do rock vs Roman would not surprise me at all tbh

[@blackhelm5773]

They really need to split the titles again. The men's tag division needs both sets.

[@jessebunnell6442]

I LOVE what Seth is doing for this belt tbh he deserves it and I would be happy to see that match but I want Cody to finish his story

[@edilions]

awesome shirt xD

[@chrisdonson3584]

Unfortunately, and I hope I'm wrong, they DID make me think they'll do Cody vs Rollins, and this is how they move Cody aside to do Rock vs Roman.

[@stickydoodle8198]

20:42 I’m glad Sami is back, so we can continue to get these 😂

[@boyankovachev7982]

Is this going to be the second CM Punk biceps injury to hurt AEW? Jk. No, but it really seems like Drew is gonna main event Mania, which will probably make him stay, if he was going to leave in the first place. And, even tho, I would love to see the Scottish warrior in AEW, I would also love to see him getting his dues in WWE, cuz it really shouldn't be the case that he won his only world title Infront of an empty PC. Hopefully, Paul will be able to make this bad, for his promotion, situation into a great one, cuz even tho I still kinda prefer AEW, I really want WWE to be on top of their game, and give us the best product they could, because wrestling rules, and we, the fans, benefit from promotions being the best possible version of themselves. One love ❤️

[@schw0373]

I wonder if they're planning on making Nia the new head of Damage CTRL once Bayley gets kicked out.

[@Strat642001]

Anyone notice the production truck in the picturs of Cody? Looks like Ric Flair's image is on the truck?