Here’s a rewritten version of the content in my own words:
Behind the scenes of the notable yet divisive Royal Rumble 2026 PLE, WWE headed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a feature on the February 2nd episode of Monday Night RAW at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Aside from the fallout from the Royal Rumble, where Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns both emerged as standout winners, RAW showcased Stephanie Vaquer challenging Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s World Championship in a heated title street fight. The event was light on matches, with just two other bouts: Jevon Evans taking on El Grande Americano, and Bronson Reed facing off against Penta.
TheSportster evaluates every matchup from Monday Night RAW, identifying the night’s best and worst matches based on their rating system for the February 2nd edition of WWE’s red brand.
Jevon Evans vs. El Grande Americano
Overall rating: 6/10
After Jevon Evans’ previous match was cut short by a suspected injury, RAW featured a rematch between him and rival El Grande Americano. Evans started strong with dynamic, high-energy offense, but Americano quickly halted his momentum using tough, hard-hitting strikes. Both wrestlers matched each other’s intensity in a gritty back-and-forth contest. However, the crowd’s response was lukewarm, with only sporadic excitement, such as when Evans landed a coast-to-coast Swanton Bomb, which impacted the match’s overall momentum—particularly unfortunate given the effort to conclude the feud. When Americano attempted to cheat using a metal plate, the original El Grande Americano appeared, causing a distraction just as he had at the Royal Rumble. Capitalizing on this, Evans turned the tide and secured victory with an OG Cutter.
Ratings breakdown:
- Storytelling: 1.25/2.5
- Technical ability: 1.75/2.5
- Character work/psychology: 1.5/2.5
- Crowd reaction: 1.5/2.5
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Women’s World Championship Street Fight)
Overall rating: 6.25/10
Months of rivalry between Stephanie Vaquer and Raquel Rodriguez culminated in a street fight for the Women’s World Title in Philadelphia. However, the match didn’t quite meet fan expectations. Both women delivered solid intensity and tension, with Rodriguez dominating much of the match by targeting Vaquer’s previously injured ankle using steel steps and chairs. That said, Vaquer’s inconsistent selling lessened the impact of Rodriguez’s offense as the bout progressed. Highlights included Rodriguez’s ‘devil’s kiss’ onto chairs and steps, and a powerbomb through a table, but the climactic hurricanrana through a table fell short visually. The match’s pacing dragged and felt somewhat disorganized at times, though the crowd remained engaged in the gritty, street-fight atmosphere. Despite instructions to stay out, Liv Morgan interfered on Rodriguez’s behalf, allowing Vaquer to exploit the distraction and claim victory with a Corkscrew Splash. Unfortunately, three matches on this RAW ended with interference or shenanigans, giving the show a somewhat lackluster feel.
Ratings breakdown:
- Storytelling: 1.5/2.5
- Technical ability: 1.25/2.5
- Character work/psychology: 1.5/2.5
- Crowd reaction: 2/2.5
Bronson Reed vs. Penta
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Following a months-long storyline, Penta finally faced Bronson Reed, representing The Vision, on RAW. Reed showcased his power and dominance early on, controlling much of the match. Penta countered with sharp chops, kicks, and quick maneuvers, rallying the crowd behind him. He targeted Reed’s arm during the match, but this led to interference from Reed’s Vision teammates, who delivered a devastating powerslam to Penta. The action intensified, with Penta nearly securing victory via backbreaker. At a critical moment, Logan Paul and Austin Theory appeared ringside to aid Reed, enabling him to land a massive tsunami, though no referee was present to count the pin as Penta regained the advantage with a dive outside the ring. Unexpectedly, LA Knight returned from Royal Rumble 2026 to hit Reed with his Bluefin, allowing the referee to re-enter and count Reed out. The match’s finish was cleverly controversial and has set the stage for a potential definitive rematch. Despite their contrasting styles, Reed and Penta demonstrated strong chemistry, making it the night’s standout contest amid an otherwise underwhelming card.
Ratings breakdown:
- Storytelling: 1.5/2.5
- Technical ability: 1.75/2.5
- Character work/psychology: 1.5/2.5
- Crowd reaction: 1.75/2.5
Fan Take:
This episode of RAW highlights the ongoing challenges WWE faces in balancing storytelling with fan expectations, especially in high-stakes matches post-Royal Rumble. The prevalence of interference and inconclusive finishes suggests WWE is building toward bigger storylines, but fans crave cleaner, more decisive outcomes to elevate the sport and its performers.
