Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 6, 2025

We see a video package that kicks off Raw's Netflix debut. We then see WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque, who then welcomes us to tonight's show and "The Netflix Era."

The Rock appears to start tonight's show. He talks about how he traveled with his father a long time ago and how the only way to watch was to buy a ticket or watch on Saturday morning, then says that while you can still buy a ticket, it is a whole different story today. The Rock then announces that tonight's event is the biggest gate in WWE history, then acknowledges some Netflix executives before acknowledging "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes for carrying WWE on his back for the past year. Cody is seen in the crowd. The Rock then tells Cody to tell his mother that he said hello before also giving a shout-out to Roman Reigns, acknowledging him as the original Tribal Chief and proclaiming that he and the world will be watching the Tribal Combat match. He then tells the fans that he loves them before getting the show on the road.

Roman Reigns beats Solo Sikoa following interference from Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso, Kevin Owens and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes to win in Tribal Combat and become Tribal Chief again. After the match, The Rock shows up and heads to the ring to personally award the ula fala to Roman Reigns. Both men then shake hands and hug in a show of respect.

We see a brief vignette for Penta el Zero Miedo.

Royal Rumble 2026 is announced to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

We see WWE Superstars in the skybox. Garbiel "Fluffy" Iglesias, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Che, Rey Mysterio, LA Knight, The War Raiders and Wale are seen in the crowd.

John Cena heads to the ring. Cena says this is the first time that Raw has transmitted simultaneously around the world, and it is all because of the fans. He says that the fans are smart because their audience just got a whole look bigger, and that their energy is being sent and seen all over the world, then thanks Netflix for finally allowing the world to see the Monday Night Raw experience. Cena then addresses his farewell tour, stating that he could not pick a finer place to start than Los Angeles and talks about his early years in pro wrestling in the city and how he has won championships in this city before humbly standing in the city one more time to say "Thank you." Cena brings up the names of people he could potentially face before addressing when he could become world champion one more time, saying he does not see that happening, saying he has not won a match in the last few years. He says that a seventeenth world championship is never going to happen, as it would take a miracle and he has a better chance of winning an Oscar. Cena says he cannot just waltz into the main event and that he would have to do something like win the Royal Rumble. He then thinks that maybe he could win the Royal Rumble and while it is a longshot, he should at least play and hopefully make history at WrestleMania. Cena says that while it sounds impossible, nothing is impossible in WWE. Cena then says that he is not just going to the Royal Rumble, but that he will win it.

We see a vignette for Logan Paul, who is shown in the crowd.

Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Danielle Fishel, Naomi, Bianca Belair, X-Pac, and Shinsuke Nakamura are seen in the crowd.

Rhea Ripley beats Liv Morgan to become the Women's World Champion for a second time after blocking Ob-Liv-Ion and hitting Liv with two Riptides. After the match, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio opens his arms to Rhea Ripley as if to want her back, and Rhea Ripley responds by kicking him in the groin and giving him a Riptide. Afterwards, The Undertaker shows up in his American Badass gimmick, complete with motorcycle, and rides around the ring before celebrating with Rhea Ripley.

Backstage, Bayley meets with General Manager Adam Pearce. Bayley leaves, then Pearce is met by American Made. Chad Gable says it is time to check off the rest of his 2025 bucket list, win singles gold, and prove he has no problems with luchadores and asks for the best luchador he can face. Priest says he has the perfect opponent for Gable.

We see footage of The Rock backstage at tonight's show. Before The Rock leaves, he says that he will be live at NXT.

Bill Simmons, Vanessa Hudgens, Michelle McCool, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Lyra Valkyria and various Netflix executives are seen in the crowd.

Travis Scott is seen in the crowd before the next match, and he accompanies "Main Event" Jey Uso to the ring.

"Main Event" Jey Uso beats Drew McIntyre with a schoolkid pin after ducking a Claymore Kick.

We hear from Gunther, who says that it is a new era for everyone else, but not for him. He says that setbacks mean nothing to him and that he is still where everyone's hopes, dreams and ambitions go to die. He says he is the light at the end of everyone's tunnel because he has what everyone wants: the World Heavyweight Championship.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, who plugs his upcoming Netflix special before The New Day shows up. Kofi says Cathy should be interviewing them instead of "this fluffy buffoon," then Alpha Academy shows up and leaves with Fluffy, who says that The New Day sucks. Meanwhile, Paul Heyman talks with Roman Reigns and how they need a platform from which the whole world can acknowledge Roman. Roman says that January 27th will be that day, and as they go through a door, the WWE 2K25 logo is seen on the door.

Tiffany Haddison, Stephen Amell, Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton and Nikki Bella are seen in the crowd.

Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart show up. Hogan says he has been in the business for over 40 years and that the greatest part of his life was being part of WWE. He says he has had all sorts of tag team partners over the years, then calls his fans the best one for being with him through thick and thin. He plugs his Real American Beer brand while mentioning the people he has teamed with before calling WWE and Netflix the greatest tag team of all time. As this goes on, Hulk Hogan gets booed out of the building.

Stephanie McMahon is seen in the crowd before the next match.

CM Punk beats Seth "Freakin'" Rollins in a match that sees both men hit each other with the others' finishers before Punk hits the GTS for the win.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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