6 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE Raw (Results & Review - January 29)

2. Gunther Does It Again

Forget about Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn practicing the dark arts – Gunther might be performing some hexes before heading out to the ring.

The Ring General once again defended his Intercontinental Championship in a heart-pounding TV match, this time against Kofi Kingston. The former WWE champion wasn’t really in a position to unseat the longest-reigning IC champ in history, but Kofi had Gunther back on his heels several times, including a flurry of dives that he followed up with a running Trouble in Paradise that the champ survived by rolling out of the ring.

Kingston came close again when he countered a clothesline with an SOS, but Gunther’s brute force won out and he triumphed, ensuring his title reign will surpass 600 days. That’s an incredible run, but with title defenses like this one, it’s the kind of thing you don’t mind continuing for a bit longer.

And just to continue the hostilities, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci flew into the ring afterward to attack Kofi and Xavier Woods, leaving open the question of who (who?) will be the New Day’s third man if and when it gets to that point. Whether it’s Jey Uso, a shocking Big E return or someone else, it’s good to see this little rivalry continue in the background.