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WWE RAW REPORT
JUNE 9, 2025
PHOENIX, ARIZ. AT PHX ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 13,654 tickets were distributed heading right before showtime. The arena has a capacity of 17,716 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Paul Weigle (making his cohosting debut!) to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They showed an aerial view of downtown Phoenix as Michael Cole introduced the show. They showed the arrivals Becky Lynch, “Phoenix, Arizona’s own” Nikki Bella, Gunther, and Jey Uso. Cole plugged Jey vs. Gunther as the main event as they cut to the inside of the arena. Cole touted a crowd of 14,361.
-They cut to a video package on Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank. They only gave about 45 seconds to Worlds Collide and focused on moves and then Dominik Mysterio shoving Octagon Jr. Then they showed two-and-a-half minutes of MITB highlights.
-John Cena made his live entrance to his usual theme as fans sang “John Cena sucks!” The music stopped and loud boos rang out. “You teach me something everything single time you open your mouths,” he said. “What you taught me at Money in Bank is truth is a lie.” He said they opened their mouths and wasted their energy “saving a side-show comedian whose greatest achievement is pretending to be me. And you thought you did something good.” Fans chanted, “We want Truth!” Cena asked if they think that accomplished anything. He called them “spineless keyboard warriors” and “ignorant armchair activists.” He said they don’t have any real power to change anything.
He said R-Truth is a gimmick they will spit out and a year from now won’t care about. He said they will never use them to benefit “one of your garbage pity parties again.” He yelled that this his retirement tour. “I have limited time!” he said. He pointed at “36 dates” on the entrance screens. He said the last time they counted was the Raw After WrestleMania. He said it’s down to 19 dates and he listed each of the cities. He told them not to waste their voice and send him “the class clown.” He said he wanted competition sent his way instead. He said everyone they have cheered for from R-Truth to Cody Rhodes to Randy Orton he has beaten. C.M. Punk’s music then played. (Punk had a big lead in our poll today asking which opponent you’re most looking forward to seeing against John Cena. You can still vote!)
Punk walked out in jeans and a “Ramons” sweater. He asked Cena if he’s comfortable because he has a lot of things to get off his chest. He said he will listen to him one way or another. Cena, with his body language, invited him to go on. Punk said it’s ironic that Cena says he’s going to ruin pro wrestling and destroy the establishment, putting him in position to defend the establishment. Punk said that’s not what he’s doing. He said he’s not there to stand for TKO or defend the billionaires. “I’m here to defend the people,” he said. He asked if Cena was upset the establishment picked him but never the people. He said he was chosen in 2011 to be the voice of the voiceless. He told Cena that Cody Rhodes is the best, and he only beat him because of cheapshots and shorcuts. “I’m not here to kiss my final boss’s ass, like you,” he said. “I’m here to let you know that these people are my boss.” Cena held up his belt and shook his head. Fans booed.
Punk said it’s his job to give them what they want. “And if they want the truth, they’re going to get Ron Killings,” he said. He said they are all spokes on a wheel and he’s said that and always known that, and it’s time for Cena to understand he’s just a spoke on the wheel. He said that starts with him taking the title off his shoulder.
He said at Elimination Chamber, they faced off for the first time in over ten years. He said Cena watched Seth Rollins stomp him and then without hesitation he pulled him back into the ring and applied an STF. He said the last thing heard was Cena screaming, “I’m sorry.” He said Cena knows what he is doing is not right. “You know that what you’re doing is wrong!” Fans chanted “You sold out!” He said he should spend the rest of his dates crisscrossing the country, apologizing for the man he has become. He said the title has corrupted him. He said in 2012, that belt turned him into a monster. He said when he returned to WWE, he had a whole list of goals, but having that belt wasn’t one of them. He said he was afraid of what he’d become. He said everyone should want to be champion. He said he realizes he has to become a monster to stop the monster, though.
Punk said the belt belongs to the people. They paused a bit awkwardly as a “Let’s Go Cena! / Cena sucks!” chant struggled to get rolling, but finally did before fading. Punk said Cena has 18 dates left. He said he’ll leave it up to him to choose the date he takes the belt off his shoulder. He said he should say that date is tonight “if you’re more Boston Red Sox than you are New York Yankee.” Fans chanted “Yes!”
Cena said they’d have one final match, “the best in the world against the greatest of all time for the undisputed WWE Championship.” He yelled, “Let’s do it!” Fans cheered (the gullible ones, at least). He added, “Not tonight.” Fans booed. He said for a match like that, he has to follow him to Saudi Arabia at Night of Champions. “The balls in your court, hero,” he said. “You want a title match, it’s going to be at Night of Champions. What do you say?” Punk stepped forward and nodded and said off-mic, “You’re on.” Seth’s music played and out walked Rollins, Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. (Let’s call them “The HRBR Conglomerate” in the mean time to try to accelerate a good name for the faction.) They stood and smiled at the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment. A lot of fans were certainly anticipating Truth coming out, which was a tough spot to put Punk in. It got a bit awkward near the end when they both seemed to think the other had a line or they were just waiting for a crowd chant to start sooner than it did. Another awkward moment was Punk agreeing to wrestle in Saudi Arabia for the title. The storyline presents him as a bit of a sellout for going there for the self-interest of winning a title, although it was framed by Punk as serving the fans by keeping Cena from “ruining wrestling.” It almost felt like trolling Punk purists and positioning Punk to “sell out” and prove “money talks” and not principle.)
-They went to Cole and Wade Barrett at ringside. Cole noted Pat McAfee had the night off. A bracket appeared on the screen for the Queen of the Ring tournament: Rhea Ripley vs. Kairi Sane vs. Liv Morgan vs. Roxanne Perez and Jade Cargill vs. Michin vs. Piper Niven vs. Nia Jax on the left bracket; Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green vs. Candice LeRae and Asuka vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ivy Nile in the right bracket. Then the King of the Ring tournament: Sami Zayn vs. Penta vs. Bron Breakker vs. Dominik Mysterio and Randy Orton vs. L.A. Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Carmello Hayes and Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Priest vs. Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Sheamus vs. Rusev vs. Bronson Reed vs. a mystery competitor.
-Chad Gable and The Creeds made their entrance. Gable was favoring his sore left shoulder. [c]
-Cole plugged ticket sales.
(1) CHAD GABLE (w/The Creeds) vs. A.J. STYLES
Styles’s ring entrance took place. Cole talked about Gable’s grueling Saturday with two matches. The bell rang 31 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break. [c]
Gable applied an anklelock at 7:00. Styles powered out and then delivered a quick Styles Clash for a three count.
WINNER: Styles in 7:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Styles gets a boost from the clean win, although it was mitigated by protecting Gable with the story that he was hurt from two matches on Saturday.)
-Backstage, Perez approached Liv Morgan with an idea. Liv cut her off and predicted victory and said she’d move on to win back her Women’s World Title from Iyo Sky. Perez said they should work together so one of them would win for The Judgment Day. Liv said she should just stay out of her way.
-Liv Morgan made her ring entrance. [c]
(2) LIV MORGAN vs. ROXANNE PEREZ vs. RHEA RIPLEY vs. KAIRI SANE – Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal Four-way match
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Kairi knocked Perez and Liv out of the ring early and then charged at Ripley. Ripley caught her and kneed her. She followed with a running dropkick. A minute later, Perez interrupted a Rip Tide attempt on Liv with a chop block to the back of her knee. Liv gave Ripley a Code Breaker as Perez held her in place. Cole said Liv might be realizing she could work with Perez after all. They both lifted Kairi and threw her over the top rope onto Ripley. [c]
Back from the break, Kairi was on the attack. Perez broke up her cover on Liv. Ripley dropkicked Perez as she set up Pop Rocks on Kairi. Liv gave Ripley a springboard Code Breaker for a two count, with Kairi breaking it up. Cole noted how hard it is to build momentum in a four-way match with so many competitors in play. Kairi rallied and landed a top rope flying forearm to Ripley for a near fall at 10:00. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”
Liv and Perez double-teamed Ripley in the corner. Liv then gave Kairi a back stabber and kicked her out of the ring. Perez and Liv high-fived. Ripley pulled herself to her feet and took out both Perez and Liv with clotheslines. Ripley gave Perez a fallaway slam. Liv went for Oblivion on Ripley, but Ripley blocked it and landed a Rip Tide. Raquel Rodriguez pulled Ripley off of Liv. Cole blurted the obligatory, “No disqualifications in a Fatal Four-way.” (It will never cease to be absurd that’s a rule.) As Ripley fought with Raquel at ringside, Kairi leaped off the top rope with a flying tackle.
[HOUR TWO]
Kairi went back to the ring and leaped off the top rope with an Insane Elbow onto Liv. Perez, though, leveraged Kairi’s shoulders down for a three count. “Are you kidding me?” Cole said.
WINNER: Perez in 14:00 to advance.
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside. Cole said Perez waited for Kairi to hit the Insane Elbow so she could capitalize. Cole pivoted to talking about Worlds Collide. A video package aired touting the number of views the event had on YouTube.
-They showed Becky Lynch backstage. In the background, Austin Theory and Greyson Waller were arguing. [c]
-A graphic noted Seth joins Punk as the only two-time MITB winners.
-They showed Gunther warming up backstage.
-They showed John McKeever and Steve Gerben from Netflix’s “Tires” series.
-Cole threw to a video package on the return of Nikki Bella.
-They cut backstage to Natalya and Maxxine Dupri greeting Nikki. Nikki then introduced herself to Kairi. Nikki said she respects how she represents herself as champion. Kairi told Nikki she paved the way for her.
-Becky Lynch made her entrance. Cole said it was a controversial win for Becky as she used a yank of Lyra Valkyria’s tights and then a “disgusting display of sportsmanship followed.” Barrett disagreed and said there was no clear camera view of the alleged tights yank. Becky listened to boos and then said, “What, no ‘You Deserve It!’ chants?” she said. She said she knows she deserves it without them telling her. She talked about all of the titles and big matches she has won over the years. She said she is giving the Intercontinental Title a boost. She said she should have spent the weekend celebrating “with my hot husband and my beautiful child.” She said Lyra ruined everything. She said she was so enraged when she won and proved once and for all that she’s the better woman, she raised her arm so aggressively she nearly dislocated her shoulder. She said she politely asked her to help put the belt around her waist since her shoulder was now sore, “but she tried to kill me.” She said she asked “the crazy bird lady” to come out and apologize and then raise her arm the right way. Lyra’s music played.
Lyra walked out. Becky said she has a crazy look in her eyes. She insisted she apologize to her. Bayley attacked Becky from behind. Bayley has purple hair. Barrett said Bayley has lost her mind. Cole said Becky admitted to attacking Bayley before WrestleMania, costing her the chance to compete at WrestleMania. Becky ran out of the ring to avoid a Rose Plant. Lyra looked on puzzled.
-Cole demanded to know how Barrett could defend Becky’s actions. R-Truth showed up at ringside in a black outfit. He took off his hood and stood as fans chanted “Truth!” He told the fans not to let anybody tell their that them voice doesn’t matter. He said he is back because of them all. He said he is back for all of them “but I’m back for me too.” He said they brought R-Truth back, “but you also got me.” He said he loves R-Truth, but he can be too funny all the time and too nice and too forgiving. “Not me,” he said. He said he feels different now. “I feel alive,” he said. “And for any of you that think that I’m some side show act, you think I’m a gimmick?” He pulled out scissors and cut off his braided hair. He had an intense look on his face. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” He lifted the mic and said, “R-Truth, the truth has set me free. I am Ron Killings. I am the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Now put some respect on my name.” He then left through the crowd as fans chanted “Truth! Truth!”
(Keller’s Analysis: Interesting. I hope fans appreciate him in this new role.)
-Finn Balor and J.D. McDonagh approached Dominik Mysterio backstage. Balor asked about Dom being in the tournament. Dom said Balor was in Money in the Bank and that didn’t work out, so he didn’t think he’d mind him representing The Judgment Day in the King of the Ring. Balor said he’s not upset and everything is working out perfectly. Perez walked in and asked if she watched. Dom said nervously that he watched and it was pretty good. Liv walked in and asked why everyone was celebrating. Perez said she stopped Kairi from pinning her. Liv said, “Oh, that’s what you did?” And then she stormed off. Dom nervously said he has a match and had to go.
-Penta made his entrance. [c]
-A video package aired on Mr. Iguana.
-Backstage, Seth had his arm around Reed’s shoulders and said he sees an all-out assault on both championships. He said they an take them by victory or heist. He walked up to Breakker and said, “Absolute Power will be ours.” Breakker barked. Heyman handed Reed the MITB briefcase and followed behind Breakker.
(3) DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. SAMI ZAYN vs. BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman) vs. PENTA – King of the Ring Tournament Fatal Four-way match
Sami’s ring entrance took place. Breakker took Dom down early and they cut to a break. [c]
They did a series of dives including Dom turning a dive into a DDT on Penta. Breakker then leaped off the ring apron and clotheslined Dom into the announce desk. They cut to another break. [c]
Sami landed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a convincing near fall against Dom. Penta kicked Sami as he went for a Helluva Kick on Dom. Penta then delivered the Sacrifice arm snap to Sami and landed a Penta Driver. Dom rolled up Penta, but the shoulders were not square on the mat so the ref didn’t count. Penta slammed Dom’s head into the mat and then landed a Mexican Destroyer. Dom kicked out. Breakker lunged to break up the cover, but was late, so Dom had to kick out of Penta’s finisher. Barrett noted Breakker might not have actually been a factor.
Breakker sprinted around ringside and speared Penta on the floor. L.A. Knight gave Breakker a Blunt Force Trauma. Sami gave Dom an Exploder Suplex in the ring and then landed a Helluva Kick for the win. Cole said Heyman was upset after Knight’s interference.
WINNER: Sami Zayn in 17:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Styles backstage. He said he can’t enjoy his win because he’s still upset with Seth sending “his lackey” Paul Heyman to threaten him last week. He said if you’re going to disrespect him, he’d going to punch them in the mouth. He said he did that to Gable. He said he’s going to go tell them himself. Kelley moved over to “a developing story.” Waller was yelling about Theory “holding me back.” Waller walked away and Kelley interviewed New Day about their next title defense. Kofi said they just defended their titles two weeks ago and have too much respect to defend them again against just anybody. Xavier said all the contenders are in the middle and they need to sort out who’s the best. Xavier told Kelley and everyone else get down on their knees and thank God for The New Day. Kofi put his hand up to block more questions.
-They showed Nikki Bella backstage. [c]
-Cole plugged WrestleMania ticket sales for next year. Then he previewed next week’s Raw. A vignette aired announcing the return of Asuka. Cole hyped the Fatal Four-way tournament matches next week on Raw.
-Nikki made her ring entrance. She said it was great to be home and she thanked her Bella Army and the WWE Universe. She said next month, WWE is holding an all-women PLE in Atlanta, WWE Evolution. She said she remembered main eventing the first one and it has been incredible to see the Women’s Division since them. She mentioned some wrestlers including mispronouncing Stephanie Vaquer’s last name really badly. (Has she not watched her on TV at all to hear her name pronounced?)
[HOUR THREE]
Liv Morgan came out in a rage because Nikki didn’t include her name. She said she didn’t mention her because she’s jealous of her. She said she has everything that she doesn’t. “I have respect, I have a championship, and I have a man!” she said. Liv was thrilled with herself. Nikki said she gets it. She said she lost tonight and she’s angry. She said she’s just trying to figure out who her man belongs to. “Is it you or is it Roxanne Perez?” she said. She asked her to congratulate her for her title and her man. She dropped the mic and left. Liv said she is still champion and all she’ll ever be is “a reality show diva.” Nikki returned to the ring, but Liv gave her Oblivion. She yelled at her, “This is my division.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, there’s one of the key matches for Evolution. The crowd wasn’t hot all night, but seemed especially flat here.)
-A clip aired of Punk challenging Cena earlier. Cole said the match is official.
-A clip aired of the beating Jey Uso took at Money in the Bank.
-Gunther made his ring entrance. [c]
(4) GUNTHER vs. JEY USO – World Heavyweight Championship match
They went back to the ring after the break as Gunther was fading as his music played. Cole listed Gunther’s accomplishments and said all he knows how to do is win. Then they went to the concourse where Jey walked through a crowd of fans. After formal ring introductions, the bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. Fans chanted, “You tapped out!” Jey went for an early sleeper. Gunther escaped. He then ducked a Jey superkick attempt and rolled to ringside. They cut to an early break [c]
Jey favored his ribs after the break. Cole talked about how beat up Jey was after this weekend. He said he was hit with a Tsunami and an Asai moonsault and now his mid-section was heavily taped. “Gunther looked like he has been presented with a gift, a massive gift,” Cole said as Gunther smiled and targeted Jey’s mid-section. Gunther tore off Jey’s bandages. Jey went for a sleeper again, but Gunther escaped and then put Jey in a sleeper. Jey quickly knocked Gunther through the ropes. He went for a dive through the ropes, but Gunther smacked him mid-air. Jey reversed Gunther into the ringpost and went for a German suplex, but Gunther reversed and suplexed Jey instead. They cut to a final break. [c]
Back from the break, Gunther and Jey struggled to suplex each other. Jey prevailed. Both were down and slow to get up. Jey fired up and threw a barrage of punches at Gunther and then a high roundkick. Jey went for a hip attack, but Gunther moved. Gunther then applied a sleeper. Jey escaped, but Gunther reapplied it from the ring apron. Jey knocked Gunther to the floor and then landed his dive through the ropes. Both were down again and slow to get up. Barrett said Jey’s best result now might be a double countout as he appeared to be having difficultly catching his breath. Jey leaped into the ring to break the count. Gunther pulled Jey back to ringside and threw him around.
Back in the ring, Gunther climbed to the top rope and leaped off, but Jey lifted his knees. The landing showed some light. Jey speared Gunther and then leaped off the top rope with an Uso Splash for a dramatic near fall that popped the crowd. Jey waited for Gunther to stand, then charged. Gunther turned and nailed Jey with a lariat. He followed with a powerbomb, but Jey countered with a head scissors takeover for a two count. Jey put Gunther in a sleeper. Gunther broke free with a backbreaker. He landed a second powerbomb and scored a two count with a stack pin. Gunther caught his breath in the corner. Gunther then caught Jey with a spear for a two count. Cole talked about Jey having “a courageous title defense” (which is typically WWE Announcer Code for “he’s about to lose”).
Gunther had some words for Jey and hit him with some standing clotheslines. Jey absorbed them and went for a sleeper. Gunther blocked it and applied his own sleeper. Jey escaped quickly and speared Gunther. He then climbed to the top rope and leaped, but Gunther avoided the Uso slam. Jey pounded the mat. Barrett said he heard an involuntary scream from Jey. Gunther then applied a sleeper. Jey grabbed the middle rope. Gunther pulled him away quickly and sunk in the sleeper mid-ring. Gunther thwarted several of Jey’s attempts to escape. Jey eventually managed to reverse it. “Shades of WrestleMania!” said Cole. “Is Gunther going to tap again?” Gunther escaped and reapplied his sleeper. Cole said it didn’t appear Jey had anything left. The ref declared Jey out, and raised his arm for confirmation. The arm dropped and the ref called for the bell.
Pyro blasted as Gunther held up the belt and celebrated his victory
WINNER: Gunther in 22:00 to win the World Hvt. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: It was time for a clean finish on Raw. A lot of people, understandably, thought Seth would cash in. If it happens, it’s after Raw goes off the air. The match was really good and, like with Gunther’s matches, could be dropped into 1982 and fit in quite well.)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Paul Weigle (making his cohosting debut!) to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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