WWE RAW Notes: Corey Graves Fills in for Pat McAfee, John Cena Gives His Reasons for Heel Turn & Blames the Fans, Penta Sets Sights on Intercontinental Title, Rhea Ripley Steals Women’s World Title Match Contract & Signs It, Card for 3/24 Show

WWE
Mar 17, 2025

Corey Graves Fills in for Pat McAfee on Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show at the Forest National in Brussels, Belgium featured Corey Graves filling in for Pat McAfee on commentary.

In regards to the reason for McAfee’s absence, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that McAfee did not travel for this week’s RAW show and is currently in the United States for his The Pat McAfee show.

This was Graves’ first appearance on WWE’s main roster commentary since this past December for the SmackDown brand.

John Cena Gives His Reasons for Heel Turn & Blames the Fans

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured John Cena explaining his reasons for his attack on Cody Rhodes and turning heel and joining forces with the “Final Boss” The Rock.

During the show, Cena came out in his regular attire to loud heavy boos from the crowd. Cena made his way to the ring not smiling or his usual happy self and instead was stoic in reaction.

After some more heavy booing and a mix of “Let’s go Cena”/”Cena Sucks” dual chants, Cena toyed with leaving only for the crowd to chant “You sold out.”

Cena then started to speak stating “when someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Cena talked about for twenty-five years, I’ve been the victim of an abusive relationship. This led to more boos by the crowd and Cena responding stating they’ve lost their time to talk. Cena stated that the crowd is abusive and hurtful and they’ve bullied him into being their “damn puppet and expected him to do it with a smile on his face.” This led to the crowd responding back with “F*** you, Cena” chants and Cena responding back in a sarcastic tone saying that they are so classy.

Cena stated that he is not a babyface or a heel, he is a human being. Cena continued running down the crowd claiming they have been awful to him for 25 years since he showed up in WWE and everything he did wasn’t enough for them.

Cena stated that in his final moments what’s left to do? Cena answered his own question stating that he can walk away. Cena then talked about his retirement tour announcement and how he tried one last time to get along with the fans but they ruined it like they ruined everything. Cena stated that for two seconds it was great but then it was never enough. After some “na na na hey hey kiss him goodbye” chants from the crowd, Cena responded insulting the crowd some more and stated that all they ever do is take, take, and take and they only care about themselves.

After some more heated words directed at the crowd and fans, Cena stated that they don’t get a new look because they dress like him and he doesn’t dress like idiots. Cena continued stating that they get nothing and they don’t get new music and that’s his voice on that song. Cena stated the crowd’s time is finally up and Cena’s time is finally now. Cena then stated that the “only thing they get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of them has been for twenty-five years to him.”

This led to the crowd chanting “We want Cody” leading to Cena responding back stating that they are chanting for their brand new shiny toy because they are about to put him out to pasture. After some more insults by Cena directed at the crowd, Rhodes’ music played to interrupt and he came out to the ring. Rhodes grabbed a microphone and talked about how everyone was willing to hear you out and even himself. Rhodes then stated that the crowd has given Cena their worst, but they have also given him their best for 25 years. Rhodes stated that they did that because Cena was special and he could take it and carry it. Cena responded calling Rhodes a “kid” leading to an upset Rhodes cutting him off and proceeded to insult Cena and claimed that he will retire Cena early at WrestleMania. Rhodes stated that he wants to face John Cena at WrestleMania 41 and not this “whiny bitch.” Rhodes then threw down his microphone and left to a huge ovation from the crowd as a snickering Cena looked on.

Cena stayed in the ring as the crowd booed him before dropping the microphone and leaving.

Penta Sets Sights on Intercontinental Title on Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured Penta declaring that he wants some gold in WWE and the Intercontinental Championship being his current target.

Following his victory over Ludwig Kaiser in a No Holds Barred match, Cathy Kelly interviewed Penta in the ring asking him what is next for him. Penta responded stating that the Intercontinental title is next for him and he doesn’t care who holds it.

In a follow up segment, current Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker was seen walking backstage ahead of his title defense against Finn Balor. Breakker stopped and looked at someone offscreen, which was revealed to be Penta.

In another follow-up segment, Breakker defeated Balor to retain his title only for Judgement Day to attack him afterwards. This led to Penta running out and cleared the ring of Judgement Day. Penta then grabbed the title and held it up briefly before giving to Breakker who held it up in front of Penta as the show went to a close.

Rhea Ripley Steals Women’s World Title Match Contract & Signs It

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured Rhea Ripley stealing the WWE Women’s World Championship match contract and signed it despite her not officially being in the match for WrestleMania 41.

During the show, RAW General Manager Adam Pearce was seen in the ring with Bianca Belair and current WWE Women’s World Champion IYO SKY for their match contract signing for WrestleMania 41. After some banter between Belair and SKY, Ripley’s music played to interrupt and came out to the ring. This led to Pearce demanding for security to come out and led to more bickering between SKY, Belair, and Ripley that ended with a brawl breaking out and Ripley snatching the match contract away. Ripley proceeded to sign the contract and headed to the back in possession of it.

In a follow up segment, Ripley and Pearce were seen backstage arguing over what happened earlier and Pearce stating that Ripley putting her name on a piece of paper isn’t legally binding and demanded to be given the contract back. After some angry words by Ripley, she handed it over. This led to Belair attacking Ripley and SKY joining in on the brawl that ended with Ripley laying both of them out.

Current Card for Next Week’s Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured two new matches announced for the card for next week’s show on March 24th at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

It was also announced that next week’s show will be airing live at a special start time of 4PM EST in the United States on Netflix.

These matches were setup following promos, storyline angles, and match card graphics throughout the show.

Current card for March 24th WWE RAW show:

  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship – Raquel Rodriguez vs. Lyra Valkyria (c)
  • Jey Uso & mystery partner vs. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller)
  • CM Punk to appear
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and John Cena to appear
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