WWE Raw: Punk & The Usos Clash, Bayley Wins Gauntlet Match – March 9, 2026 Results
Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena played host to a compelling episode of Monday Night Raw , streaming live on Netflix. Whereas billed with a specific set of matches, the night unfolded with unexpected twists, particularly surrounding Seth Rollins and a brewing conflict between CM Punk and the Usos, setting the stage for WrestleMania 42.
The show opened with a visual reminder of the WrestleMania venue, Allegiant Stadium, before quickly diving into the ongoing storylines. A significant portion of the early narrative centered around the mysterious attacks on Paul Heyman from the previous week, involving Rollins and a group of masked individuals. The situation escalated with the arrival of Logan Paul and Austin Theory, leading to a chaotic scene where Rollins, obscured by a mask himself, blended in with a group of masked allies to evade a confrontation.
The appearance of LA Knight further complicated matters, drawing him into a brawl with Paul and Theory. The Usos, Jey and Jimmy, ultimately intervened, assisting Knight and setting up a potential tag team dynamic. This segment, while energetic, felt somewhat disjointed, particularly given the initial advertising of the episode which didn’t prominently feature these stars.
The first officially announced match of the night was a Women’s Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Gauntlet match. Lyra Valkyria, Iyo Sky, Bayley, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, and Ivy Nile battled for the opportunity to challenge AJ Lee. The match proved to be a lengthy and physically demanding affair, ultimately won by Bayley after a hard-fought contest. The victory sets up a championship match against Lee on next week’s Raw in San Antonio.
Intercontinental Champion Penta successfully defended his title against El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser), though the match was preceded by confusion regarding the originally scheduled opponent. Penta’s victory, while solidifying his reign, didn’t significantly advance any overarching storylines.
However, the most significant developments of the night unfolded after the Intercontinental Championship match. A segment involving Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor saw a dramatic turn as Balor, seemingly attempting to mentor Mysterio, openly criticized him, questioning his motivations and character. This led to a brutal attack on Balor by Mysterio and the rest of The Judgment Day, including Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and JD McDonagh, culminating in a vicious assault with a ring bell hammer and a top rope frog splash. The segment effectively turned Balor face and positioned Mysterio as a definitively heel figure.
Oba Femi secured a win against Rusev in a relatively short match, though the lack of build-up to the contest left it feeling somewhat inconsequential. The victory serves to elevate Femi’s profile, but Rusev’s continued lack of meaningful storylines remains a concern.
The main event of the evening featured World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. Punk addressed the controversy surrounding his recent verbal exchange with Roman Reigns, specifically his personal remark about Reigns’ father, Afa. The Usos, Jey and Jimmy, interrupted Punk, demanding an apology for his comments. A tense exchange followed, with Punk initially apologizing but then doubling down on his criticism of Reigns, accusing him of disrespecting their family and Dusty Rhodes. The segment concluded with the Usos turning on Punk, attacking him in the ring, and leaving him standing alone as the show went off the air.
This confrontation effectively escalated the feud between Punk and Reigns, adding a personal dimension to the championship match at WrestleMania 42. The Usos’ involvement introduces a new layer of complexity, potentially setting up a multi-man encounter or further complicating the dynamic between Punk and Reigns. The segment was particularly effective in its ambiguity, leaving the audience questioning the Usos’ motivations and the future direction of the storyline.
Raw delivered a night of compelling action and significant storyline developments. While the advertised match card didn’t fully reflect the evening’s most impactful moments, the show successfully built anticipation for WrestleMania 42, particularly the Punk-Reigns encounter. The unexpected turn with The Judgment Day and the escalating conflict between Punk and the Usos provided the most memorable moments of the night, demonstrating WWE’s ability to adapt and capitalize on spontaneous opportunities.