Criticism Surrounds RAW’s Booking of CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre
CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre are among the biggest stars in WWE, yet their limited presence during a recent episode of RAW has drawn sharp criticism. Former WWE head writer Vince Russo was vocal about the booking decisions, highlighting missed opportunities to showcase these superstars effectively throughout the show.
The Opening Segment: A Missed Opportunity
The January 2025 episode of RAW opened with a highly anticipated segment featuring CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre. During this segment, the trio announced their participation in the upcoming 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. While this should have been a significant moment, fans were surprised when these major stars did not appear again for the remainder of the show.
Vince Russo, speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Legion of RAW, criticized this decision:
“Here you have arguably the three biggest stars on the show, and after the first segment, they’re gone. That’s not how you write television. These are your big stars. They should be on the show from beginning to end.”
RAW’s Post-Show Matches
Despite the criticism of the on-air content, the post-show dark matches in San Jose’s SAP Center offered fans some thrilling action. Shinsuke Nakamura retained his United States Championship against LA Knight in a heated match that ended via disqualification. Additionally, Bayley, competing in her hometown, earned a victory over Nia Jax to the delight of the crowd.
Royal Rumble 2025: Star-Studded Lineup
The hype for Royal Rumble 2025 continues to build with the announcement of five former world champions entering the match: John Cena, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre. With such a formidable lineup, this year’s Royal Rumble is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable events in WWE history.
Looking Ahead
While fans eagerly await the Royal Rumble, the criticism surrounding RAW’s booking decisions serves as a reminder of the importance of maximizing the potential of WWE’s top talent. Whether WWE will address these concerns in future programming remains to be seen.
