SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE RAW REPORT
JUNE 9, 2025
PHOENIX, ARIZ. AT PHX ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY MAURICIO POMARES, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 13,654 tickets were distributed heading into today. The arena has a capacity of 17,716 spectators when configured for concerts.
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.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/wgd4majjv2
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so don’t share. It’s just for VIP members at this time.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE RAW TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
[HOUR ONE]
– The show opened with a video package, featuring numerous highlights from Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank.
– John Cena made his way to the ring to tell the fans that the truth was a lie because the fans saved a sideshow comedian whose greatest achievement was pretending to be him. Cena said that the fans had no real power to change anything. Cena said that his truth was that the fans would never use him to benefit their pity parties again. He listed all the dates he had since the Raw after WrestleMania, confirming that he only had 19 dates left. Cena told the fans to use their voice to send him competition becaused had beaten their best so far.
– CM Punk interrupted to tell Cena that he wasn’t here to defend TKO or billionaires, but to defend the people. Punk said that he only beat Cody Rhodes because he took cheap shots. Punk said that his people were his boss and if they wanted the truth, they would get Ron Killings. He said that he would teach Cena that he was just a spoke in the wheel. Punk said that he would teach him by taking his world title. Punk said that the last time they were in the ring, Seth Rollins cost him the Elimination Chamber. He said that he remembered how Cena told him that he was sorry.
– Punk said that Cena knew that what he was doing wasn’t right and that he would spend the rest of his farewell tour apologizing. Punk said that the title had corrupted Cena, just like it turned him into a monster in 2012. He said that he was afraid of the title, but he had to become a monster to beat the monster. Punk told Cena to choose the date he would take his world title off him. Cena agreed to do the match, but refused to do it tonight. Cena said that if Punk wanted his match, he would have to follow him to Saudi Arabia. Seth Rollins interrupted to stand on the ramp and show off his Money in the Bank briefcase.
(Pomares’ Analysis: A very strong opening promo that ended on a sour note after the Saudi Arabia tease. The crowd pretty much died the moment Cena mentioned Saudi Arabia and it has become the talking point of what was a pretty good performance from Punk. The fact that he mentioned not defending billionaires on the same promo where they tease a match in Saudi Arabia really didn’t paint him in a great light.)
– The commentary team officially revealed the lineup for the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. It featured a returning Asuka and an unannounced participant in the men’s tournament.
– Chad Gable their way to the ring, ahead of their match against AJ Styles
[Commercial Break]
(1) AJ STYLES vs. CHAD GABLE (w/Julius Creed & Brutus Creed)
They traded arm drags, until Gable put AJ in a headlock. AJ caught Gable with a dropkick, only for Gable to sweep him off his feet and plant him with a Xploder on the floor, as WWE Raw went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, AJ hit Gable with a corner clothesline and laid him out with a Rack Bomb for a two count. Gable spiked AJ with a German suplex and crushed him with a diving headbutt for a two count. AJ stopped Gable atop the turnbuckle and dropped him with a powerbomb. Brutus distracted the referee while Julius saved Gable from the Styles Clash. AJ took care of the Creeds with a sliding knee and diving forearm shot. Back in the ring, Gable pulled AJ off the top rope with an ankle lock, until he was able to kick him into the ropes. AJ shocked Gable with the Styles Clash to pick up the win.
WINNER: AJ Styles at 7:57
(Pomares’ Analysis: Pretty fun while it lasted, but I was really hoping it would be longer. I’m assuming after this, AJ goes back to the Intercontinental title picture while Gable moves on to feud with more luchadors.)
– Backstage, Roxanne Perez tried to speak with Liv Morgan about their match together. Liv told Perez to stay out of her way, so she could win her championship back.
[Commercial Break]
(2) RHEA RIPLEY vs. KAIRI SANE vs. LIV MORGAN vs. ROXANNE PEREZ – Queen of the Ring Tournament First Round Match
Liv and Perez took Ripley down before Sane caught Perez with a forearm strike. Sane sent Liv and Perez out of the ring with a double dropkick, only for Ripley to shut her down with a rising kick. Ripley nailed Sane with a basement dropkick, but Sane retaliated with a running blockbuster. Ripley caught Sane with a boot tothe face and launched Perez out of the ring.
Liv and Sane attacked Ripley with corner clotheslines, only for Liv to crack Sane with a jumping knee. Ripley put Liv in a headscissors lock and knocked Perez off the apron. Perez saved Liv from the Riptide before they took Ripley down with a Codebreaker and Russian leg sweep combination. Liv and Perez caught Sane and dumped her on top of Ripley, as WWE Raw went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Sane blasted Liv with a sliding forearm strike and clobbered her with a forearm on the corner. Perez broke the pinfall, only for Ripley to shut her down with a shotgun dropkick. Liv took care of Ripley with a Codebreaker, but Sane broke the pinfall. Ripley took care of Liv and Perez with a double powerbomb before receiving a diving forearm strike from Sane. Sane caught Ripley with an axe kick and a Stunner, only for Liv and Perez to break the pinfall. Liv and Perez drove Ripley into the turnbuckle and stomped her down.
Perez and Liv took Sane down with a thrust kick and a backstabber. Ripley knocked Sane and Liv down with a series of clotheslines and strikes. Ripley planted Perez with a Fallaway Slam and took Sane down with a big boot. Liv tried to go for Oblivion, only for Ripley to shut her down with a Riptide. Raquel Rodriguez pulled Ripley out of the ring before Sane crushed both of them with a diving elbow strike. Sane crushed Liv with the Insane Elbow, but Perez shocked her with a jackknife pinfall to take the win.
WINNER: Roxanne Perez at 12:51
(Pomares’ Analysis: Really fun match to continue building the dynamic between Liv and Roxanne. Surprised that Rhea Ripley didn’t win, but she doesn’t feel like someone that needs to win a tournament to justify a title shot, so I don’t mind.)
– A video package with highlights from Worlds Collide was shown.
[Commercial Break]
[HOUR TWO]
– A video package was shown, highlighting Nikki Bella’s career in WWE.
– Backstage, Nikki Bella met Iyo Sky and told her that she respected how she represented the division so far.
– Becky Lynch made her way tot he ring to say that she should be happy and should have celebrated on the weekend. Lynch said Lyra Valkyria ruined everything and she thought Lyra dislocated her shoulder. Lynch claimed that Lyra tried to kill her and demanded her to come out, so she could apologize and properly raise her hand. Lyra started making her way to the ring, until Bayley showed up to attack Lynch from behind. Lynch barely managed to avoid the Rose Plant and run away through the crowd.
(Pomares’ Analysis: Solid follow-up to Money in the Bank and possibly the start of what should be a fun Becky vs. Bayley feud. They’ve never had a singles match on PPV and the last time they feuded, there was a lot of Damage CTRL interference. Could be a fun program to do at SummerSlam.)
– R-Truth showed up to stand on the commentary table and told the fans to not let anyone tell them that their voice didn’t matter. Truth said that he was back because of the fans and said that he was back for them. Truth said that everybody loved R-Truth, but R-Truth could be too funny, too nice and too forgiving. He said that he felt different and alive before focusing on those that believed that he was a gimmick. Truth cut off his dreads, claimed that he was Ron Killings and asked people to put some respect on his name.
(Pomares’ Analysis: Great promo from the renamed Ron Killings who after nearly 15 years has finally gone serious again. I don’t know where the former R-Truth is going in the immediate future, but I can only give respect to a man that pushed to be taken serious being awarded the right to do so after immense fan support.)
– Backstage, Dominik Mysterio said that after Finn Balor failed to qualify for Money in the Bank, he took the spots to represent Judgment Day in the King of the Ring Tournament. Roxanne Perez showed up to celebrate her win, only for Liv Morgan to show up and tell her there was nothing to celebrate. Perez said that she stopped Kairi Sane from pinning Liv, only for Liv to walk away angrily.
– A video package was shown, highlighting Mr. Iguana after his match at Worlds Colide.
[Commercial Break]
(3) SAMI ZAYN vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman) vs. PENTA – King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match
Penta immediately took Dominik out with a Tope con Hilo while Breakker drove Sami into the corner. Breakker launched Sami across the ring with a belly-to-belly slam and dropped Penta with a powerslam. Breakker turned Dominik inside out with a lariat, as WWE Raw went to a commercial break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Breakker dropped Penta with a spinebuster and threw Dominik across the ring. Dominik hit Breakker with a jawbreaker, setting him up for a thrust kick from Penta. Sami, Penta and Dominik pummeled Breakekr down untiL Dominik shoved Penta into Sami. Penta caught Dominik with a hurracarrana and an enzuigiri, setting him up for an elevated dropkick.
Sami spiked Penta with a Tornado DDT, but Dominik broke the pinfall. Breakker hit Sami with a gut punch and sent him to the apron. Sami low-bridged Breakker and crashed into him with an Arabian moonsault. Penta took care of Smai with a high crossbody before receiving a suicide dive into a Tornado DDT from Dominik. Breaker drove Dominik over the announce table with a flying lariat, as WWE Raw went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Penta dropped Dominik with a powerbomb while Breakker launched Sami across the ring with a Frankensteiner. Penta caught Breakker with a thrust kick and spiked him with a Tornado DDT. Dominik tossed Penta out of the ring and blocked Sami’s Blue Thunderbomb before hitting him with Three Amigos. Sami caught Dominik off-guard with a Blue Thunderbomb for a nearfall.
Penta snapped Sami’s arm with the Sacrifice, only for Dominik to take him down with a crucifix pinfall. Penta planted Dominik with a sling blade and a Destroyer, but Breakker broke the pinfall. Breakker took care of Penta with a Spear , only for LA Knight to show up and hit him with BFT. Sami dropped Dominik with a Xploder and beat him with a Helluva Kick.
WINNER: Sami Zayn at 17:05
(Pomares’ Analysis: A top-notch match where everyone looked good that also gave Sami a somewhat rare win on TV. Looking at the lineup for the tournament, I think Sami has a decent case to make it to the finals and even win if Seth is champion by then.)
– Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed AJ Styles about his win over Chad Gable tonight. AJ said that last week, Paul Heyman threatened him and if they messed with his business, he would punch them in the mouth. Kelley moved on to interview the New Day and ask them when they would defend the titles. They claimed that they were waiting for a clear top contender and refused to answer more questions.
[Commercial Break]
[HOUR THREE]
– A video package was shown, announcing Asuka’s return to the ring was shown.
– It was announced that Asuka, Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez and Ivy Nile in a Queen of the Ring first round match; and Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed and a mystery opponent would have their King of the Ring first round match next week.
– Nikki Bella made her way to the ring to thank her fans and talk about the return of Evolution next month. Bella listed numerous women currently at the top of the division and the new crop of talent. Liv Morgan interrupted to call Bella out for mentioning her and said that Bella was jealous of her for her title and her man. Bella asked Liv if Dominik was her or Roxanne Perez’ man before starting to walk away. Liv called Bella a reality diva and hit her with Oblivion.
(Pomares’ Analysis: This was a fine promo to most likely set up a match between Liv and Nikki at Evolution. I wouldn’t mind Nikki being at Revolution, but if the card is only going to have five matches, I wish they didn’t use one match slot on her.)
– It was officially announced that John Cena and CM Punk would face-off at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
(Pomares’ Analysis: Not a great look for CM Punk and actively makes one of the most anticipated matches in Cena’s farewell tour much less exciting.)
– Gunther made his way to the ring, ahead of his match against Jey Uso.
[Commercial Break]
(4) JEY USO vs. GUNTHER – World Heavyweight Championship
Gunther took Jey down with a headlock takeover, only for Jey to put him in a sleeper hold. Jey tried to put Gunther in a sleeper hold and nearly caught him with a superkick, as WWE Raw went to an ad break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Jey hit Gunther with a high crossbody, only for Gunther to retaliate with a barrage of strikes to the abdomen and a backbreaker. Gunther pressed his knee on Jey’s back and kicked his abdomen. Jey avoided a corner splash and put Gunther in a sleeper hold before dropping him with a German suplex. Gunther suspried Jey with a sleeper hold, until Jey sent him out of the ring. Gunther blocked a suicide dive with a slap and made him crash into the ring post. Jey tried to go for a German suplex, but Gunther shut him down with one of his own, as WWE Raw went to its final commercial break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Jey managed to plant Gunther with a vertical suplex. They exchanged chops to the chest and right hands, until Jey clocked Gunther with an enzuigiri. Gunther evaded a hip attack and put Jey in a sleeper hold, only for Jey to pull him over the top rope. Jey crashed into Gunther with a suicide dive, but Gunther retaliated with a back suplex onto the barricade.
Jey blocked a diving splash with his knees and took Gunther down with a Spear, setting him up for an Uso Splash and a nearfall. Gunther blocked a Spear with a lariat, only for Jey to counter a powerbomb with a hurracarrana. Jey hit Gunther with a superkick and trapped him in a sleeper hold. Gunther dropped Jey with a backbreaker and put him down with a powerbomb for a nearfall.
Gunther dropped Jey with a Spear, but he managed to kick out at two. Before Jey could react, Gunther shut him down with a lariat. Both men tried to go for sleepers, until Jey nailed Gunther with a superkick and a Spear. Jey missed an Uso Splash, allowing Gunther to put him in a deep sleeper hold. Jey tried to get up, only for Gunther to pull him down to the middle of the mat. Gunther briefly let go of Jey, allowing Gunther to put him in a sleeper hold. Gunther turned the sleeper hold around and forced Jey to pass out.
WINNER: Gunther at 22:05 (New World Heavyweight Champion)
(Pomares’ Analysis: Solid main event match with a surprising ending, not only because of the result, but because everyone fully expected Seth Rollins to be involved. For a second thought this would be like AEW’s Worlds End from a few years back where the much anticipated angle happened after a clean finish, but we didn’t even get that. Not really complaining since I wasn’t a big fan of Jey’s reign, just shocked at the direction. Hopefully, Gunther’s second reign is better than his first, but I’m not expecting it to last long. On a side note, Jey should seriously consider retiring the Spear out of his moveset because the two he hit in this match looked incredibly rough.)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.