If you weren't at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night (March 11), you missed one of the wilder episodes of WWE Raw in some time. This was no ordinary pit stop on the road to WrestleMania: This was an all-out takeover of NYC, with thicker energy than a rush hour-packed subway car. With Roman Reigns's jaw-dropping return, a steel cage match that had fans gasping, and a VIP bodega experience on behalf of Netflix, WWE did not perform. He hosted a block party for professional wrestling in Midtown Manhattan.
Netflix & WWE's VIP Bodega: Where Macaulay Culkin and WWE Champs Go to Grab Snacks Before the first bell rang, WWE and Netflix got the night started right with an exclusive VIP reception that was like entering an NYC bodega in a dream if that bodega was open-boozed and stocked with gourmet food and stars nearly as bright as whatever pro wrestling megastars you'd find by your corner store. Picture a stroll past Macaulay Culkin, Andrew Schulz, and boxing champ Amanda Serrano while NXT's Oba Femi and Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker kick it around the snack shelves.
Oh, and as for those suite views? Unreal. But stay with me on this. We'll return to the VIP experience before the night is through. With WrestleMania ahead, the night was destined for fireworks. WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley fired things up for a must-watch showdown in Vegas, and Jey Uso had the audience YEETing so hard you'd think it was a block party in the Bronx.
Then there's Cody Rhodes, the American Nightmare himself. The WWE Champion hit the ring to lay into a mega-match with John Cena, promising a promo so electrifying that it could have powered Times Square. MSG was on fire, and the evening was beginning.
It had our brains melting the whole time, talking about CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins in a steel cage. The crowd was all-in as these two engaged in battle, exchanging sickening blows and jaw-dropping moments. Just when it appeared Punk had the victory wrapped up, Rollins issued the ultimate challenge: "If you want to prove yourself, finish the fight."
And then BOOM. The lights hit, the music dropped, and out came Roman Freakin' Reigns. The Garden exploded. In came the Tribal Chief. He did break Rollins out of the cage, and then he beat both men with a vicious series of Superman punches, spears, and a stomp that left Punk and Rollins in a pile. Now WrestleMania has just become a whole lot more interesting.
Back to that VIP bodega because WWE and Netflix weren't pampering their guests, by the night's end, guests left with backpacks bursting with exclusive swag and an invitation to take as much bodega-style loot as they could carry. Even rapper Fabolous got in on the first fun, packing their bags with goodies alongside his son. MSG was the place to be, and if this was a preview of what's ahead at WrestleMania, we are in for an unforgettable ride.
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