WWE RAW: 5 Biggest news stories - Randy Orton attacks Alexa Bliss, Goldberg and Drew McIntyre face-off (January 25, 2021)

#3 Mustafa Ali vowed to replace Kofi Kingston in the 2021 WWE Men's Royal Rumble Match

#RETRIBUTION isn't through with their message tonight!#WWERaw @AustinCreedWins pic.twitter.com/F0Klzr8hEy

— WWE (@WWE) January 26, 2021

Xavier Woods faced RETRIBUTION's Slapjack in a one-on-one contest during this week's WWE RAW.

The aforementioned bout wasn't the first time that Woods has faced a RETRIBUTION member, as the anti-WWE faction has now targeted The New Day on WWE RAW.

With Kofi Kingston being put out of action due to an injury, Woods has had to go at it alone against RETRIBUTION every week. However, The New Day member was able to defeat Slapjack in their one-on-one match.

Xavier Woods was still outnumbered and attacked by RETRIBUTION after the match was over. It looked like Mustafa Ali would attack Woods with a steel chair. Instead, Ali cut a promo about Royal Rumble and how his main goal is to take revenge against Kofi Kingston now.

For those who don't remember, Kofi's WrestleMania 35 arc only occurred in the first place because he replaced Ali during Elimination Chamber 2019, as a result of the latter star's injury. This is why on this week's WWE RAW, Ali vowed to make things even by laying his claim on an injured Kofi's spot at the 2021 Men's Royal Rumble Match.

"I want you to tell Kofi... a replacement has been found and his name is Mustafa Ali!" With @TrueKofi unable to compete this Sunday at #RoyalRumble, @AliWWE has vowed to take his spot! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/jGbFr38nGh

— WWE (@WWE) January 26, 2021

While poor booking decisions have marred RETRIBUTION's momentum on a weekly basis, the callback to Kingston and Ali's history was a good addition to their current storyline.