Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 13, 2025

CM Punk is seen entering the arena and heading to the ring to start tonight's show. After acknowledging the first responders and firefighters from all over fighting the wildfires in Los Angeles, California, CM Punk welcomes everyone to tonight's show. Punk says that Seth "Freakin'" Rollins is no longer on his plate after last week after having to deal with Rollins for so long due to a torn tricep, then says he has made his greatest setback his greatest comeback. He tells John Cena that he has always seen him, then says that he will be winning this year's men's Royal Rumble. Suddenly, Rollins shows up and heads to the ring. Rollins admits that he knows Punk is not happy to see him, then tells him that he would be standing here in the middle of the ring and that he is a man of his word. He also says he would be the worst version of himself than any version of Punk. He calls losing to Punk the worst loss of his career and had never been more disappointed in himself in not getting the job done last week, then says he will flush Punk's WrestleMania dreams down the toilet, for he will be winning the Royal Rumble. Rollins says he will take pride in not only winning the match, but tossing Punk over the top rope. Punk says he sees this as Rollins taking the easy way out when Drew McIntyre suddenly shows up and heads to the ring. Punk tells McIntyre that if he takes one more step closer to the ring, it will take more than fifteen staples to close his head. McIntyre says he was talking to Rollins, but Rollins threatens to hit McIntyre with The Stomp. McIntyre says Punk and Rollins are alike, with Punk being the only one to admit he's not perfect, and says that Rollins is nothing but an act. Rollins says he has no patience with McIntyre, but Punk says he has no patience for Rollins and that he does not care who swings. McIntyre teases jumping in when he decides not to, and says there is a bigger problem in the form of Roman Reigns and that he will have to step up for himself. He then tells Punk and Rollins that he will see them in the Royal Rumble.

The debuting Penta el Zero Miedo - now known as just "Penta" - beats Chad Gable. After the match, Jackie Redmond interviews Penta in the ring. Penta thanks the San Joe crowd and says WWE is his new home, and that he knows a lot of people around here who have waited for this moment, and that he has, too. Penta says he knows this is a new era, and that it is not only the Netflix Era, but "The Penta New Era."

Backstage, Carlito, JD McDonagh and Finn Balor are met by Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Finn says he is sure Liv will become Women's World Champion, but Liv says it was more about holding the title and getting revenge on Rhea. Dominik tries to apologize to Liv, but Liv says she is not mad and has him doing all the menial tasks. After Liv and Raquel leave, Finn says he will put Damian Priest down for good, then work on getting the World Tag titles back. McDonagh says he will meet with General Manager Adam Pearce on this. Dominik asks Finn if he will need his help, but Finn tells him to hang back.

Daniel Cormier and Bron Breaker are seen in the crowd.

Sheamus beats Ludwig Kaiser. After the match, Sheamus and Bron Breakker have a confrontation at the barricade, and Breakker shoves Sheamus.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, who says that Drew McIntyre has been needling him for months and that he is sick of it. He says he owes McIntyre one for WrestleMania and that next week will be fun. After the interview, Rollins runs into Sami Zayn, who tells him that he is here for him. Both men admit that last week was a rough week, then Rollins brings up Sami helping out Roman Reigns last week and asks him if he will keep helping Roman or if he will help himself.

Backstage, The Miz is met by Karrion Kross. Kross mentions that The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, Nikki Cross) are now on SmackDown. Sami Zayn shows up, and Kross mentions Seth "Freakin'" Rollins' conversation from earlier. Miz says Sami is nothing to worry about when it comes to world titles, and Sami says that Miz is nothing to worry about due to being Kross' lackey for so long. Miz says he has been world champ two more times than Sami will ever be. Sami then decides to get a match with Miz tonight.

Oba Femi is seen in the crowd.

Gunther heads to the ring. Gunther says that last week's show was a spectacle, but considers the locker room less than athletic. All of a sudden, "Main Event" Jey Uso heads to the ring. Jey says his family drama is finally behind him and that he is focused on the World Heavyweight Championship. Gunther laughs and admits he admires Jey's courage to face him,but says Jey will not be the one to take the World title from him. He says he has faced - and beaten - Jey Uso twice and that he is capable or more than Jey, and says that while Jey is funny and entertaining, he will expose him as "a talented tag team wrestler" in the ring. Gunther states that Jey is not on his level and that the main even if where he belongs compared to "a nickname" for Jey. He tells Jey to stay out of his business, and while Saturday Night's Main Event is fine for him, the choice is up to Jey. Gunther drops the microphone and leaves the ring, but Jey takes the microphone and says that while everything Gunther has said is true, he has continued to bet on himself, and that Gunther will respect him when he beats him for the title.

We see a video package for Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai in the finals of the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament.

Bayley is seen in the crowd.

Lyra Valkyria beats Dakota Kai in the finals of the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament to become the inaugural WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion!

Sami Zayn beats The Miz.

Rhea Ripley heads to the ring. Before Rhea can get to say much, Nia Jax appears and says that she will be winning the women's Royal Rumble and taking whatever title she wants. Nia says Tiffany Stratton may think she is on top and Rhea Ripley may be on top, then addresses Bayley and mocks her for being from San Jose before stating that she is the only woman on top of the division. Bayley jumps the barricade and enters the ring, and says that while this is not her show, this is her city, and dares Nia to say something to her face. Nia shoves Bayley, then shoves Rhea, and Rhea and Nia headbutt each other before Bayley and Rhea overpower Nia.

We see a video package for Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor.

Damian Priest beats Finn Balor in a street fight.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!