On March 9, the Raw episode from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, continued to build toward WrestleMania 42 with several surprising developments, including Finn Bálor’s storyline unraveling. Despite efforts to create momentum for his character, the Finn Bálor WrestleMania Angle failed to gain traction, overshadowed by other events on the show.
The night featured CM Punk clashing with The Usos after disrespecting their family legacy, a harsh turn for Bálor as his own faction, The Judgment Day, turned against him in favor of Dominik Mysterio. Meanwhile, Bayley earned a chance at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship following a Gauntlet victory over Asuka, and Rusev continued to struggle after a quick defeat to Oba Femi. These moments shaped what many hoped would be a memorable lead-up to WrestleMania.
WrestleMania Storylines Stuck in Old Bloodline Feuds
With Roman Reigns absent, CM Punk took center stage on Raw, only to be confronted and attacked by The Usos, Jey and Jimmy, for his disrespect toward their late grandfather, Sika. While this feud has a basis in real-life sentiments, the segment failed to elevate the current WWE World Tag Team Champions.
Jey and Jimmy reverted back to their roles from three years ago, defending Reigns despite his wrongdoing, disregarding their recent character developments since turning against him. Jey’s hot-headed persona returned abruptly, negating his growth from past anger issues, while Jimmy played the protective brother, echoing old habits rather than pushing the story forward.
This reliance on outdated Bloodline nostalgia feels disconnected from the narrative WWE had shifted away from in 2025. It undermines The Usos’ potential, leaving them sidelined as supporting cast instead of leaders of the Raw tag division. With Reigns vs. Punk standing as WrestleMania’s most compelling storyline, the lack of fresh angles weakens the show’s overall momentum.
Bayley’s Performance Highlights the Need for WrestleMania Spotlight
Bayley once again demonstrated why she remains a valuable asset to WWE far beyond her current role on Raw. Her performance in the Gauntlet against Ivy Nile was notable for making the heel competitor appear stronger, while her in-ring chemistry with Asuka delivered arguably the night’s best wrestling display.
Just one year ago, Bayley missed WrestleMania 41 due to an unexpected replacement by Becky Lynch. Given her talent and the depth of the women’s roster, repeating that absence at WrestleMania 42 would be a significant oversight by WWE.
Whether pursuing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship again or targeting the Women’s Tag Team titles, Bayley deserves a central, meaningful role at WrestleMania. Her skill set and ability to elevate younger talent make her too valuable to be overlooked during the biggest event of the year.
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan Feud Lacks Momentum
The early anticipation surrounding Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan’s rivalry has dissipated, as little progress has been made in recent weeks. Their feud remains confined to backstage and pre-taped segments without any dynamic interaction in front of a live audience, restricting the development of genuine heat and excitement.
This stagnation is puzzling, especially since WrestleMania 42 struggles to build enthusiasm elsewhere. At one time, this battle had the potential to headline Night 1 of WrestleMania, but instead, the Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton rematch claimed that spotlight after Rhodes captured the WWE Championship.
Currently, Stephanie Vaquer’s tensions with Raquel Rodriguez overshadow her feud with Liv Morgan, and Finn Bálor’s rivalry with Dominik Mysterio takes precedence for other key figures. To salvage the angle, WWE should consider adding Rodriguez to the storyline, increasing in-ring confrontations, or introducing a stipulation like a Street Fight. Without such enhancements, the women’s division risks wasting a unique chance to showcase its most talented roster yet while the focus remains disproportionately on CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
Finn Bálor’s Delayed Transition and Diminishing Role
Finn Bálor continues to deliver high-quality matches, yet at 44 years old, his opportunity window is closing. He is only slightly younger than John Cena and AJ Styles, both of whom recently retired, underscoring the urgency for WWE to maximize his impact now.
Unfortunately, Bálor has spent much of the past two years entrenched in a stagnant Judgment Day storyline that failed to elevate his status. While Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan have ascended within the faction, Bálor’s role dwindled as he faced consistent losses and a shrinking presence on television.
The recent feud with CM Punk appeared to be one of Bálor’s last chances at reclaiming a world championship, but the momentum fizzled out. With no evident younger babyface allies to endorse him or share popularity, Bálor is poised to cede the spotlight to Dominik Mysterio and fade further down the card.
Though WWE may provide him with some opportunities in 2026, by 2027, Bálor risks becoming irrelevant amid a shifting business landscape and ongoing mismanagement of his character.
Rusev’s Character Requires Revitalization
Rusev currently struggles to make an impact in WWE, showing little investment in his Raw storyline. After a swift defeat by Oba Femi, Rusev sits near the bottom of the pecking order on the red brand with negligible competition.
The attempt to portray him as a monster heel has fallen flat, especially after his loss made The Ruler look dominant. Now is the crucial moment for WWE to refresh his gimmick, letting The Lion of Bulgaria’s charisma resurface.
His peak popularity came during the Rusev Day era, an easily resurrectable concept that could regain fan interest, particularly if paired with a strong tag team partner. Alternatively, leaning into his past gimmick as The Redeemer, which he used in All Elite Wrestling to dramatic effect by challenging divine authority, could add a unique edge.
While Rusev can never literally fight God, the idea of him as a man willing to confront any challenger, even a deity, offers entertaining storytelling potential often missing from his current portrayal.
