Looking Back At WWE's Ten Best Episodes of Raw Ever
By Ryan Page
WWE Hires its Final Boss (Mar 25, 2024)
A lot of wrestling fans look to the past as the pinnacle of the industry. There is a powerful case that this new Renaissance era could match it. The build to WrestleMania 40 was some of the best WWE programming of all time, and there isn't even a hint of recency bias in that sentiment. This episode of Raw was the best part of the Road to WrestleMania in 2024. It was when The Rock's "final boss" persona came to Raw to show the WWE Universe who was in charge now.
The in-ring action wasn't anything exceptional. Bronson Reed and Sami Zayn had a decent match, as did #DIY and The New Day. Ricochet always amazes, and his match with JD McDonuagh and Judgment Day was no exception. The real selling point was the promos. CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and more went out and got the crowds excited for the biggest show of the season. Every performer felt like a major star; the brand itself was crackling with a frenetic energy. Fans on social media commented on it relentlessly. The selling points were two appearances by The Rock, bookending the show.
He came out during Cody's promo to a thunderous reaction and made Cody a promise we couldn't hear. Then, to end the night, he made good on that promise. He attacked Rhodes all around the arena. Then, outside in the rain, he continued to layeth the Smackdown on the new people's champion ahead of his actual title match in two weeks. His lines and ad-libs really stole the scene. He riffed off Cody's father's legendary hard times and told his mother, "Mamma Rhodes," to look at her boy, look at his blood. A lot of fans agreed that wrestling was back.