WWE Now: Raw Recap – March 31, 2026

Main Theme & Episode Overview

Sam Roberts and Megan Morant break down a loaded episode of Raw, live from Madison Square Garden, packed with major WrestleMania implications and huge moments. The podcast covers major storylines on the road to WrestleMania 42, including the explosive rivalry between CM Punk and Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar's showdown with Oba Femi, the assault on Seth Rollins by Gunther, newly announced marquee matches, and an in-depth interview with Women's Tag Champs Nia Jax and Lash Legend (“The Irresistible Forces”).

CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns: Tension at a Boiling Point

The Crowd War: Who Are Fans Backing?

• Both hosts feel the tension of the MSG crowd, split between both superstars. Sam expresses surprise at himself rooting for Reigns despite years as a Punk fan.
• Sam Roberts [01:35]: “If in 2012, 2011, 2013, you had told me … I would find myself naturally, firmly on the side of Roman Reigns, I would have thought you were crazy.”
• Megan admits flip-flopping, depending on weekly dynamics. The fanbase is similarly torn.

Physicality and Fan Emotions

• Punk’s furious entrance sets the tone: “Roman's jacket’s off, fists are flying. No words, no words needed.” – Megan [03:09]
• Punk enters, fist taped like Terry Funk—a nod to his “middle-aged and crazy” persona, which Megan identifies as “old school” and endearing.

Storyline Manipulation and the Bloodline’s Absence

• Sam details how CM Punk manipulated his way into putting Reigns through a table, but insists Punk had outside help: “This has no bearing on the story of Roman Reigns not being able to do it without help. … There was a whole bunch of suits and striped shirts.” [07:12–08:56]
• Megan and Sam debate the idea that the presence of officials and outside interference undermined Punk’s clean victory.
• Sam equates his dedication to Reigns with “Michael Jordan with an iPad” energy, taking Punk’s celebration personally.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam [14:49]: “I did. I was Michael Jordan with an iPad. Okay. This was the last dance. I took that personally.”
• Sam [09:10]: “Punk would have already been through the table again because Punk tried to get the best of Roman Reigns in the ring.”
• Megan [11:07]: "Almost gonna have to tell himself that tonight when he puts his head on the pillow, because, bro, I don't know if Roman is sleeping tonight.”

Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi: Forces of Nature Collide

Setting the Stage: Lesnar’s Mood

• Lesnar returns, in gear, with instant intensity. Megan says, “You see the body, I mean, the veins are popping out. He's juiced up, he's ready to go.” [17:47]
• Paul Heyman asserts Oba will “soil himself” at WrestleMania, but both hosts doubt that.

Oba’s Unmatched Aura

• Elaborate praise for Oba's entrance: “If you could quantify aura ... anybody even coming close to what Obafemi has is incredible.” – Sam [20:40]
• Megan describes the entrance: “Pause. You hear the drums. There's the pause ... the silhouette, the body. And then we all do the Oba.”

Security Chaos and Triple H’s Involvement

• Oba manhandles security; even Lesnar can barely hold back. Adam Pearce is helpless, and security is “just buffers” between these titans.
• Rare Triple H appearance underscores the severity, with both hosts agreeing that nothing will contain these two before WrestleMania.

Notable Moment:

• “Obafemi and Brock Lesnar are two absolute super humans, behemoths, and even Adam Pearce can't stop them.” – Sam [22:15]
• “I'm telling you the real main event of WrestleMania … it kind of makes people go, yeah, maybe.” – Sam, citing Paul Heyman [23:19]

Seth Rollins Attacked by Gunther: Mania Match Set

Paul Heyman Orchestrates Mayhem

• Paul Heyman plays coy all night about an “email,” but it's a setup for Rollins’ medical clearance and surprise attack by Gunther.
• Sam proposes Heyman may have facilitated the attack to keep Rollins in check.
• “Seth Rollins ends up getting put to sleep immediately. Gunther points to that WrestleMania sign. And just like that, we got a graphic.” – Sam [30:10]
• Megan: “The Gunther that we've been used to seeing lately is the career killer Gunther.”

High Stakes for Rollins

• Losing to Gunther at WrestleMania would be a huge blow to Rollins, who’s been fixated on Heyman and others. The short turnaround adds to the challenge.

Notable Quote:

• “If Seth Rollins has built his career right now around getting revenge against Paul Heyman and he goes to WrestleMania and he loses against Gunther, it's kind of a killer.” – Sam [30:50]

The Irresistible Forces: Nia Jax & Lash Legend Interview

Champions Address the Pressure

• Both assert absolute confidence in their dominance:
  • Nia [34:15]: “We had no doubt about that, exactly.”
  • Lash [35:16]: “No, absolutely not. … We are the most dominant, most grand tag team … of all time.”
• They point out their victory over Rhea Ripley, “one of the greatest women wrestlers,” as validation.

Chemistry & Mentorship

• Nia details scouting Lash in NXT, praising her athleticism and drive. Lash credits Nia for mentorship and “paying it forward” to help younger talent.
• Megan recognizes them as part of a new generation, citing the diversity and strength of today’s women’s division.

Body Positivity & Representation

• Nia and Lash embrace their size and power as role models:
  • “We embrace it because … we want every single young girl, every single woman watching to know that, like, hey, look at these girls. Like, they do it, and, like, they freaking go out there and they look great, and they own it.” – Nia [47:30]

WrestleMania Gear Tease

• The duo confirms their Mania gear will be “a nice little surprise”—no further details revealed.

Memorable Exchange:

• Lash [38:34]: “I just sometimes sit back and be like, dang, I'm really doing this. … I feel like I'm, you know, ready and deserving of all of this.”

WrestleMania Matches: Major Updates

Confirmed & New Matches

• Seth Rollins vs. Gunther is official.
• Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio set; Sam and Megan discuss Finn’s need to win to move past Judgment Day.
• Intercontinental Title: Penta (c) vs. JD McDonagh vs. Javon Evans vs. Rusev vs. Dragon Lee (ladder match).
• Raw Women’s Tag Titles: The Irresistible Forces (Nia & Lash) defend against Bayley & Lyra Valkyria, Alexa & Charlotte, and The Bella Twins — stacked with legends and rising stars.

Stephanie McMahon Returns: Cuts Deep at Cody Rhodes

A Surprise Appearance

• Stephanie’s music shocks MSG; she delivers a ruthless promo challenging Cody’s legacy, questioning if he’s truly his father’s son.
• Sam [54:17]: “It was unbelievable. Just the way she tore right in to Cody Rhodes’ soul without even ... lifting an eyebrow.”

The Tense Exchange

• She proclaims, “You’re not your father.”
• Cody retorts: “With all due respect, neither are you.” – Sam [56:19]
• Stephanie slaps Cody; Sam and Megan marvel at the intensity of the segment and speculate about Stephanie’s motivations—might she be the mysterious voice on Randy Orton’s phone calls?

Women’s Division Renaissance

• Nia and Lash discuss the depth and strength of today’s women’s division, crediting NXT as a launchpad.
• “I've never seen the women's division this stacked, like, from NXT all the way up.” – Nia [45:38]
• The growth of representation, encouragement to be proud regardless of body type, and passing on wisdom are all highlighted.

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• Sam [14:49]: “I did. I was Michael Jordan with an iPad. Okay. This was the last dance. I took that personally.”
• Megan [38:34]: "It's just such a blessing. I'm so grateful God has helped me get in the position that I am today."
• Nia [47:30]: “We embrace it because ... we want every single young girl, every single woman watching to know … they freaking go out there and they look great, and they own it.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:35] — Sam’s conflicted allegiances: Punk vs. Reigns
• [03:09] — Punk’s entrance and MSG energy
• [07:12–08:56] — Interference in main event; debate over clean victories
• [17:47] — Brock Lesnar’s entrance, aura, and Heyman’s promo
• [20:40] — Oba Femi entrance breakdown, unique “aura”
• [22:15] — Security chaos; Triple H intervenes
• [30:10] — Rollins attacked by Gunther, Mania graphic revealed
• [34:15] — The Irresistible Forces: Nia & Lash join the show
• [38:34] — Lash reflects on championship journey
• [45:38] — Nia on women’s division evolution
• [54:17] — Stephanie McMahon confronts Cody Rhodes
• [56:19] — Cody’s retort to Stephanie: “With all due respect, neither are you.”
• [63:44] — IC Title Ladder Match lineup breakdown

Final Thoughts

This episode underscores WWE’s “Road to WrestleMania” as one of the most unpredictable in years, with personal rivalries reaching fever pitch and a new generation of women athletes shining alongside returning legends. Raw at MSG delivered shocks, celebrated legacy, and confirmed blockbuster matches, setting the stage for a dramatic WrestleMania 42.

[Listen for backstage insight, fan debates, and in-ring breakdowns—this episode captures the full spectrum of WWE’s build to the biggest event of the year.]