4 Things Triple H Got Right on WWE RAW This Week

The latest episode of WWE Monday Night RAW delivered an action-packed night of professional wrestling from San Diego, California, as several major storylines gathered momentum ahead of Crown Jewel. Featuring top stars such as Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Chad Gable, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria, the show offered a compelling mix of intense rivalries, championship action, and dramatic confrontations.

With Crown Jewel approaching, WWE used the episode to build anticipation for several important matchups while advancing some of its most significant ongoing feuds. From a nostalgic yet heated exchange between two former allies to Roman Reigns finally getting involved in the escalating conflict with 946, the show featured multiple moments that could have a lasting impact on the road ahead.

Chad Gable also continued to establish himself as a fighting Intercontinental Champion, delivering another impressive title defense against Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee. Meanwhile, Bayley took her rivalry with Lyra Valkyria to another level by challenging her opponent to a No Disqualification match.

Triple H and the WWE creative team made several important booking decisions that helped keep the audience invested in the show’s biggest storylines. Here are four things Triple H got right on WWE RAW this week.

#4. Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn Delivered an Excellent Opening Segment

Monday Night RAW opened with a memorable confrontation between Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn, bringing together two former allies whose shared history in The Bloodline continues to influence their interactions. With Reigns holding the World Heavyweight Championship and Zayn representing the Undisputed WWE Championship, their face-to-face meeting immediately established the importance of their upcoming champion-versus-champion showdown at Crown Jewel.

The segment initially played on nostalgia, allowing the two superstars to acknowledge their history and share a warm hug inside the ring. Their interaction reminded viewers of the time Zayn spent alongside Reigns and the rest of The Bloodline, when their relationship was built around loyalty, trust, and the complicated dynamics of the dominant faction.

However, the friendly atmosphere did not last long. Reigns began disparaging the Undisputed WWE Championship while promoting the importance of his own World Heavyweight Championship. His comments quickly changed the tone of the conversation, prompting a heated verbal exchange between the two champions.

The contrast between their initial embrace and the eventual confrontation made the segment particularly effective. Rather than relying entirely on personal insults, WWE used the characters’ history and championship pride to create tension. Reigns’ confidence and Zayn’s willingness to stand his ground gave the audience a reason to anticipate their upcoming encounter.

Triple H deserves credit for using this interaction to establish the stakes for Crown Jewel. Champion-versus-champion matches need more than a simple announcement to feel important, and the opening segment gave viewers a clear sense of the competitive tension between the two men.

It also highlighted the differences in their personalities and approaches to championship success. Reigns continues to carry himself like a dominant leader who expects recognition, while Zayn has built his reputation through determination and his willingness to challenge established stars.

By bringing these contrasting characters together, WWE created an engaging opening that immediately drew attention to one of the major attractions on the road to Crown Jewel.

#3. Bayley Challenging Lyra Valkyria to a No Disqualification Match

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria’s rivalry has steadily intensified over recent weeks, with The Role Model repeatedly making life difficult for her opponent. Their ongoing conflict has developed beyond a standard disagreement, as Bayley’s interference and increasingly aggressive actions have made it clear that the situation is becoming difficult to contain.

This week’s RAW continued that pattern when Bayley cost Valkyria her match against Lola Vice. The interference once again demonstrated how far Bayley was willing to go to frustrate her rival and prevent her from gaining momentum. However, the events that followed proved even more significant than the interference itself.

After disrupting Valkyria’s match, Bayley took a microphone and directly addressed their deteriorating relationship. She acknowledged that their conflict had gone too far and argued that it needed to come to an end. Her challenge to Valkyria for a No Disqualification match on the following week’s RAW gave their rivalry a clear direction.

The stipulation was an important booking decision because it fits the increasingly personal nature of their feud. A No Disqualification match removes the usual restrictions on how competitors can fight, potentially allowing both women to settle their differences in a more physical and decisive contest.

For Valkyria, the match represents an opportunity to respond to Bayley’s repeated interference and prove that she can overcome her rival without being derailed by outside distractions. For Bayley, it offers a chance to back up her aggressive approach and demonstrate that she can finish what she started.

Triple H and the creative team made the right call by giving the rivalry a substantial stipulation rather than allowing the same pattern of interference to continue indefinitely. When a feud reaches this level of intensity, raising the stakes can help keep the audience invested while providing a natural path toward a resolution.

The No Disqualification match could become the defining chapter of their rivalry, although the result will ultimately determine whether the storyline reaches a satisfying conclusion or continues into another phase. Either way, the announcement gave the upcoming episode of RAW a meaningful attraction and added another reason for fans to tune in.

#2. Chad Gable Continued His Run as a Fighting Intercontinental Champion

Chad Gable has continued to establish himself as an active and determined Intercontinental Champion, regularly putting his title on the line and delivering competitive matches on WWE television. His approach has helped reinforce the idea that he is a champion willing to prove his worth inside the ring rather than relying solely on his championship status.

On this week’s RAW, Gable faced another major test when he defended the Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee in a triple threat match. The contest brought together three technically gifted competitors with different wrestling styles, creating the potential for a fast-paced and unpredictable encounter.

Mysterio’s experience and extraordinary agility made him a dangerous challenger, while Dragon Lee brought speed, athleticism, and an explosive offensive style. Gable had to contend with both opponents while carefully managing the additional complications of a triple threat match, in which a champion can lose the title without being directly pinned by the other challenger.

The three superstars delivered an entertaining contest featuring hard-hitting exchanges, impressive athletic sequences, and dramatic near-falls. Each competitor had opportunities to gain control, keeping the championship battle competitive and giving the audience plenty of reasons to remain engaged.

In the end, Gable emerged victorious and retained the Intercontinental Championship. The result allowed him to maintain his momentum while adding another successful defense to his reign.

One of the strongest aspects of this booking decision was the emphasis on in-ring action. Championship matches are more compelling when the champion regularly faces credible opposition, and Gable’s willingness to defend his title against established names helps reinforce the importance of the championship.

There is still room for WWE to develop a more substantial long-term storyline around Gable’s reign. While regular title defenses can keep a champion visible and popular, a compelling personal rivalry would give his championship run an additional narrative dimension. A sustained feud against a determined challenger could provide the foundation for a memorable title program.

Nevertheless, Triple H deserves credit for continuing to feature Gable in meaningful matches. His performances have helped keep the Intercontinental Championship in the spotlight, and another successful defense against Mysterio and Dragon Lee strengthened his position as a workhorse champion.

#1. Roman Reigns Finally Joined the War Against 946

The biggest moment of the night came during the main event, when the conflict between The Bloodline and 946 escalated into a chaotic confrontation. While the broader rivalry had already developed into a major storyline, Roman Reigns’ involvement provided the episode with its most significant development.

The main event saw The Bloodline facing a numbers disadvantage as the confrontation with 946 descended into a beatdown. Solo Sikoa and The Usos found themselves overwhelmed, with the opposition using its numerical advantage to gain control. Just when the situation appeared to be turning against The Bloodline, Reigns’ entrance music echoed through the arena.

The Tribal Chief made his way to the ring and immediately entered the fight, stepping in to help his family. His arrival changed the atmosphere of the segment, as the man whose presence has long defined The Bloodline’s identity finally became directly involved in the conflict.

Reigns’ intervention was especially significant because it connected the group’s present struggle to the complicated family dynamics that have shaped its history. His relationship with Sikoa and The Usos has not always been straightforward, making his decision to step forward and help them an important character moment.

Rather than simply standing at ringside or watching the situation unfold, Reigns joined the confrontation and stood face-to-face with 946 for the first time. That visual alone gave the segment considerable weight, establishing a direct connection between the Tribal Chief and the faction that had been battling his family.

With Reigns now involved, Sikoa and The Usos recovered and joined him in fighting back. The entire Bloodline united against 946, creating a chaotic scene that ultimately forced Royce Keys and his associates to retreat. For once, The Bloodline stood together in the ring as a united force rather than appearing vulnerable to the opposition’s numbers.

This was the most effective booking decision of the episode because Reigns’ involvement felt necessary to the story. His presence adds a new dimension to the conflict, raises the stakes for both sides, and gives WWE a stronger foundation for future confrontations.

Reigns has been one of the company’s most influential figures, and his participation naturally makes the ongoing feud feel more consequential. His decision to protect his family also creates opportunities for further character development, particularly as viewers consider whether this unity can last or whether old tensions will eventually resurface.

For 946, Reigns’ arrival represents a major escalation. The faction can no longer focus solely on confronting Sikoa and The Usos, as the Tribal Chief is now directly involved. Future encounters could become even more unpredictable, especially if both sides continue recruiting allies or exploiting weaknesses within their opponents’ groups.

Triple H and WWE made the right call by bringing Reigns into the conflict at this stage. His involvement had the potential to become an important turning point, and the main event delivered a memorable closing scene that left the audience with a clear reason to look forward to the next chapter.

Final Thoughts

This week’s WWE RAW successfully advanced several important storylines while delivering championship action and dramatic moments. The opening segment between Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn established the tension surrounding their champion-versus-champion match at Crown Jewel, while Bayley’s challenge to Lyra Valkyria created a clear direction for their increasingly personal rivalry.

Chad Gable’s successful Intercontinental Championship defense continued to reinforce his reputation as a fighting champion, demonstrating the value of regularly featuring a title in competitive matches. However, Roman Reigns’ decision to join The Bloodline’s fight against 946 stood out as the night’s biggest development.

By combining character-driven segments with meaningful in-ring action, Triple H helped give this episode of RAW a strong sense of momentum. With Crown Jewel approaching and several rivalries reaching critical stages, WWE has established multiple storylines that could shape the weeks ahead.

The next episode will be particularly important for Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, while the growing conflict between The Bloodline and 946 could become one of RAW’s most significant ongoing feuds. If WWE follows through on the developments established this week, the road to Crown Jewel should offer plenty of drama for wrestling fans.