4 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE Raw (Feb 19 - Results & Review)

1. Bloodline Callback

Since returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes has suffered just two pinfall losses: at WrestleMania 39 last year, and Monday night.

Both losses have one very important thing in common: Bloodline interference (and a Solo Sikoa Samoan spike). Monday’s interference allowed Drew McIntyre to capitalize and defeat Cody, giving the Scottish Warrior momentum heading into the Elimination Chamber. It also showed McIntyre to be a hypocrite, taking advantage of the same shenanigans that he’s railed against himself from his World Title quest.

For Rhodes, the loss should crystalize the fact that he needs backup to counter the Bloodline, and he needs to consider Seth Rollins’ offer. Rollins visited Cody in the trainer’s room and didn’t even bother saying anything – the ultra-rare loss due to Solo and Jimmy Uso should have been enough to prompt Rhodes to take action.

The match itself was what you’d expect from the two, but it also left plenty on the table for a rematch that could come after WrestleMania 40, with gold on the line. All in all, this was pretty productive for a match where it didn’t seem like there was an easy out – neither man could plausibly lose cleanly.