WWE delivered a strong afternoon/evening of entertainment with Monday’s edition of Raw. Storylines moved forward, the in-ring action delivered, and new names were added to this year’s Royal Rumble matches.
But as usual, my attention drifted to the details — those moments some viewers may have missed or dismissed in real time. This week, a handful of things particularly stood out, starting with “The Ring General.”
Gunther Taps Into Emotions
Gunther opened the show by declaring his entry into the men’s Royal Rumble match, only to be interrupted by AJ Styles, who challenged him to one more match.
But before all that, the Belfast crowd at the SSE Arena showered Gunther with loud “You tapped out” chants. As a refresher, Gunther tapped out to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41 and did it again last Monday against Styles — only this time, the referee missed it, allowing Gunther to escape with the win.
Gunther brushed off the chants, making a tapping motion with his left hand as he told the crowd, “It’s okay. Calm down, everybody.”
It was a masterful bit of heel work. The “calm down” gesture is the same motion as tapping out. The crowd picked up on it and rewarded him with more boos as Gunther laughed in their faces.
The result? Full heat from a furious audience.
That’s how it’s done.
CM Punk Looks Just Fine
Recently, there’s been plenty of talk — mostly from Kevin Nash — about World Champion CM Punk’s physical appearance. No disrespect to “Big Daddy Cool,” but Nash might want to get his eyes checked.
Punk may not win any bodybuilding contests, but at 47, he looks excellent. His conditioning was on full display in his match with Finn Bálor, with clear definition in his upper back and flaring lat muscles.
Punk’s pink-and-black gear on Monday appeared to be a nod to Bret Hart. His physique, however — a combination of his straight-edge lifestyle and dedication to conditioning — evoked another former WWE Champion: Bob Backlund.
Like Backlund, Punk has built a body to be proud of the old-fashioned way, through discipline, sacrifice, and hard work.
Respect.
El Grande Americano es Más Chingón
Speaking of respect, shout out to Rey Mysterio, Penta, and El Grande Americano. All three appeared on AAA’s Fox debut in Mexico on Saturday, then turned around and went to work again in Ireland on Monday.
According to Google, that’s a 10–12 hour flight. That kind of travel is one thing for a tourist, but it’s something else entirely for someone expected to step into a ring.
El Grande Americano, in particular, stood out. He endured a rough night Saturday against El Hijo del Vikingo, at one point yelling at the referee to warn Vikingo to “be careful with my neck, for f***’s sake.”
Sam Adonis, brother of WWE announcer Corey Graves and a veteran of Mexico’s lucha libre scene, offered context on X, writing:
“Unfortunately, in Mexico, the safety of your opponent is secondary to getting your stuff in. Never maliciously, but 100% true.”
Americano’s performances on both nights were a testament to his toughness and professionalism — and a reminder that life as a pro wrestler is a relentless grind.
In This Corner: Mark Nash
Earlier, I mentioned CM Punk’s match with Finn Bálor, which was outstanding. But before they locked up, ring announcer Mark Nash set the tone with a rousing introduction.
As a longtime fan, Howard Finkel will always be the gold standard to me for ring announcers. Since the days of “The Fink,” WWE has featured some excellent voices — Lilian Garcia, Samantha Irvin, and Alicia Taylor among them.
Nash, however, brings a distinct growl and flair that makes him feel like WWE’s answer to Bruce Buffer, the iconic UFC announcer known for elevating big-fight moments.
I don’t know who will headline this year’s WrestleMania, but I do know this: Mark Nash should be the one doing the introductions.
The Final Bell
While these were just a few highlights for me, I recommend everyone check out Jon Velez-Jackson’s full recap of the show. However, as the road to the Royal Rumble winds down, this was an enjoyable stop along the highway.
Now, I turn it over to you, my Noble SubScribers: what stood out to you, and what did you enjoy most about this week’s Raw? Chat me up in the comments section.
