Raw Prepares for Tension-Filled WrestleMania Showdown in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — Tensions escalated during last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw as WWE superstars John Cena and Cody Rhodes faced off for the third consecutive week, leading to a physical altercation that has fans buzzing about their upcoming WrestleMania match. The confrontation culminated in Rhodes landing his signature move, the Cross Rhodes, on Cena.

As WrestleMania approaches, the stakes are high with both championship glory and their storied legacies on the line. The atmosphere promises to be electrifying as rivalries unfold and new questions arise about the participants. Meanwhile, the April 7 episode of Raw will see a number of special celebrity guests, including notable names like Taylor and Daniel Hastings, Bert Kreischer, Adi Shankar, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Emily Rudd.

Last week’s highlights featured Gunther attacking Jimmy Uso while Jey Uso was zip-tied and unable to intervene, an act that has left the audience speculating about Jey’s response. With Gunther now embroiled in the Intercontinental Championship narrative and intentions escalating, Raw’s General Manager Adam Pearce promised fans that the ongoing conflicts will come to a head tonight.

“We’re setting the stage for a monumental night,” Pearce said. “Expect rivalries to reach their boiling points as we head toward WrestleMania.”

This week, Jey Uso will finally confront Gunther directly, while the Women’s World Championship storyline intensifies after a controversial match last week where Bianca Belair, assigned as a special guest referee, called off a bout between Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. The backlash has intensified the drama surrounding the women’s championship picture.

“I’m ready to prove that I deserve a spot at WrestleMania,” Ripley responded amid the ongoing uncertainty and frustrations shared by her fellow competitors.

In addition to these storylines, the card for tonight’s Raw is set to feature several exciting matchups, including a face-off between Lyra Valkyria and Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Both competitors, while currently on the same side for an upcoming tag match on SmackDown, will battle for supremacy in Minneapolis first.

“It’s time to show everyone what I’m capable of,” Valkyria stated, attempting to shake off the pressure from her prior match. “I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in my way.”

The War Raiders will also defend their World Tag Team Championships against The New Day, who are seeking their 13th tag championship reign. “We’re ready to rewrite history tonight,” Kofi Kingston declared, building momentum ahead of a potential WrestleMania rematch.

Lastly, the match between Penta and Dominik Mysterio offers another layer of intrigue as Dominik looks to redeem himself after offering Penta a space within The Judgment Day. Both competitors will be under heightened scrutiny as tensions rise and personal stakes increase.

Tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw promises a thrilling night of wrestling action, with the potential for explosive outcomes that set the stage for WrestleMania on April 7.

Raw streams live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.