One of the stars of AEW was shown on this week’s Raw in what has become a surprising trend by the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut.
The March 11, edition of Monday Night Raw saw the red brand Superstars continue on the road to WrestleMania 40. Sami Zayn earned an Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania with a victory in a Gauntlet match, besting five very game opponents. Elsewhere on the show, Jey Uso laid down a challenge to his treacherous brother Jimmy for a match in Philadelphia.
Buddy Matthews on WWE Raw
During this week’s Raw, WWE shared a photo from UFC 299, hardly a surprise given that WWE & UFC are part of TKO Group Holdings. The photo in question, as Michael Cole made clear, was of Rhea Ripley at the most recent UFC event. Ripley was photographed with her fiance Buddy Matthews of AEW. Cole didn’t mention AEW or Matthews, despite Pat McAfee asking “with who?!” was Ripley sat with.
Buddy Matthews sighting on RAW
"WITH WHO!" damn it Pat McAfee LOL #WWERAW pic.twitter.com/yqT4PGunvp
— NO ONE (@2Sweet4Lyfe) March 12, 2024
Monday Night Raw is All Elite
While Matthews’ appearance was a surprise during this week’s Raw, he is hardly the first AEW star to be referenced on WWE’s longest-running weekly episodic show. Last week, Michael Cole made reference to Sting, who had competed in his final match at AEW Revolution 2024. Cole made sure to congratulate the Icon who had been with WWE from 2014 to 2020.
In June 2022, WWE celebrated 20 years since the on-screen debut of John Cena. Many of Cena’s greatest rivals paid tribute to the 16-time WWE World Champion, including some from AEW. Bryan Danielson, Paul Wight, and Chris Jericho all appeared on Raw via video packages to recognize the impressive career of ‘Big Match John.’