WWE Raw results, recap, grades: CM Punk and Drew McIntyre get personal, Cody Rhodes wins street fight

Things got tense between Punk and McIntyre

CM Punk has not made many friends since returning to WWE. Punk's latest verbal altercation took place on Monday Night Raw with Drew McIntyre. While Punk makes more enemies, Cody Rhodes personal feud with Shinsuke Nakamura took a violent turn.

Headlining WrestleMania XL is on everyone's mind and it's causing a lot of friction. McIntyre and Punk delivered an intense dialogue on Raw with dueling promises of eliminating each other at the Royal Rumble. They will have their hands full with a field that includes Rhodes and Nakamura who left it all on the line in a main event street fight.

Monday's episode also featured a WWE women's tag team title defense, plus the prelude to another Seth Rollins world heavyweight title defense next week.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

McIntyre and Punk duel on the mics, Rhodes and Nakamura fight through the arena

McIntyre opened the show by shunning Damian Priest for interfering in his world heavyweight title match against Seth Rollins last week. McIntyre threatened to leave WWE like Punk did a decade ago. Punk's music hit as he walked to the ring. What followed was a strong promo battle with both men getting their licks in. McIntyre repeatedly drew attention to Punk's troubled history with WWE. Punk dressed down McIntyre's career shortcomings. The segment ended with each man promising to eliminate the other from the Royal Rumble.

Rhodes was interviewed backstage later in the evening but did not say much. Nakamura is to blame after blindsiding him well before their main event match. Backstage personnel broke up the brawl. WWE commentator Michael Cole later announced the match had been upgraded to a Street Fight.

Rhodes def. Nakamura via pinfall after hitting Cross Rhodes in a street fight. The match got off to a chaotic start reflecting the nature of their feud. Their fight quickly spilled out of the ring, up the stage and towards the crowd. Lots of plunder was introduced in the middle of the match. Rhodes cracked Nakamura with a kendo stick before Nakamura tipped the balances with nunchucks. A notable spot saw Nakamura spit red mist into the timekeeper's eyes after Rhodes ducked. Nakamura blasted Rhodes with a steel chair while he attended to the injured timekeeper. Late into the match, Nakamura dove off the ropes and drove Rhodes through a table with his knees. A pedigree and Cody cutter nearly sealed the deal but Nakamura endured. Nakamura accidentally ran through a table setting Rhodes up for a Cross Rhodes finish.

A solid episode of Raw as we approach the first major stop on the Road to WrestleMania. That is actually what stands out most. It feels like everyone is determined to headline WrestleMania this year and that is building genuine anticipation for the Royal Rumble. Punk, Rhodes, McIntyre and Nakamura all have tunnel vision on the marquee. It's far more effective than the played-out trope of superstars pointing to the WrestleMania sign. Punk always delivers on the microphone, but McIntyre continued his recent trend of strong vocal performances. It's very promising that McIntyre held his own against Punk. The main event was well executed with Rhodes and Nakamura putting a lot of effort into it. Unfortunately, the feud has failed to capture much buzz. This was the decisive win Rhodes needed heading into the Rumble and the two parties hopefully go their separate ways. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE Raw?

• Tomasso Ciampa def. Finn Balor via flash pinfall.
  
• Kofi Kingston def. Ludwig Kaiser via disqualification after Kaiser brutally beat down Kingston outside of the ring, driving Kingston's head into the steel steps with a running dropkick.
• Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley exchanged words in the ring.
• WWE women's tag team championship -- Katana Chance and Kayden Carter def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven via pinfall after hitting After Party on Green.
• R-Truth starred in a vignette explaining how Judgement Day is his destiny.
  
• The Miz def. JD McDonagh via pinfall after hitting a Skull Crushing Finale. Backstage, disheartened members of Judgement Day said something needs to change.
• Seth Rollins sent Jinder Mahal packing after a war of words. A world title match between the pair will take place next week.
  
• Ivar def. Otis via pinfall after landing a top rope moonsault.