WWE Raw preview 01/29/24: Gunther defends against Kofi Kingston, plus the fate of CM Punk

Here’s what to watch for tonight on WWE Raw from Tampa, including a commercial-free first hour.

We’ve past a week of incredible highs and unthinkable lows for WWE, which now is set to embark on the Road to WrestleMania in earnest. But at least one person expected to be a big part of the Showcase of Immortals might be out of commission, as we’ll likely learn tonight on WWE Raw in Tampa.

What will CM Punk say about his injury status?

It’s being widely reported that CM Punk tore his triceps during the Men’s Royal Rumble match, an incredible stroke of bad luck for him if true considering it was his first televised match since his WWE return. Surgery will almost certainly mean he’s out through WrestleMania, which is now just over two months away.

Considering that Punk’s whole mission is to get into a WrestleMania main event and that one night looked very open for him to do that against Seth Rollins, this is suboptimal. Of course, Rollins is injured too, so maybe they just go in there and do what they can. More likely, Punk is going to admit to the WWE Universe tonight that he is out of the running for Philly, which dovetails nicely into the big match advertised for Raw tonight …

Will Punk’s misfortune turn into Gunther’s big break?

The story will certainly be that Gunther can’t look past tonight in Tampa, as he’ll be defending his Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston. You’d expect the Ring General to emerge victorious, regardless of what’s next for him.

But WWE already hinted at something between Rollins and Gunther. It’s quite possible that those seeds can now be watered sooner and turn into a WrestleMania showdown. Watch carefully tonight to see if there are signs, as Punk and Gunther now appear to be linked more directly than ever before.

What will Cody Rhodes and Bayley say after winning their Royal Rumble matches?

Adam Pearce says Raw will go commercial-free for the first hour, and that Cody Rhodes and Bayley will both be on the show.

Obviously, we’ll want to see what they say about who they’re challenging for WrestleMania. For Rhodes, it’s obviously Roman Reigns. Could Bayley surprise and pick her own teammate, IYO SKY, instead of Rhea Ripley?

Also slated for tonight’s Raw in Tampa:

  • Damian Priest and Finn Balor defend their tag team titles against DIY

We’ll be raring to go for Raw coverage tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Wrestling Junkie.