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WWE RAW REPORT
JUNE 23, 2025
COLUMBUS, OHIO AT NATIONWIDE ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reported right before Raw began that 13,003 tickets were distributed so far; arena set up for 13,599. The arena has a capacity of 20,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Brandon LeClair 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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[HOUR ONE]
-They showed fans arriving at the exterior of the arena as Michael Cole introduced the show. Then they showed footage of the arrivals of Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes Roxanne Perez and Finn Balor, Jade Cargill, Becky Lynch, and Bayley. Then they showed fans gathered in the course cheering at the drone that flew into the arena bowl.
-Seth Rollins’s music played and he made his entrance with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman. Fans sang his song. They went to Cole at ringside who said Pat McAfee was off this week. Corey Graves was next to him. Cole and Graves commented on clips of Jey Uso advancing last week after L.A. Knight interfered against Bronson Reed, then Bronson Reed attacking Knight on Smackdown. Cole said Knight would be out indefinitely with a bruised sternum.
Seth stood mid-ring and welcomed everyone to Monday Night Rollins. Seth said fans cheer him one minute and boo him the next. He said the fans need a visionary like him to tell them what is good for them. He said Roman Reigns wouldn’t exist if not for him. He said C.M. Punk claim he came back to WWE because of fans chanting his name. He paused and a scattered “C.M. Punk” briefly started. He said Punk is actually back in WWE because WWE wanted to cash in on how much he hated Punk. He said there is no second-coming of Cody Rhodes if he wasn’t there to put him on the map. He said was the first NXT Champion and the first World Heavyweight Champion. “Those things exist as they are because I built them in my image.” He said he is the creator and prime mover.
Seth put his arm around Heyman. He called him his oracle. He said every revolution faces opposition, and he will deal with that diplomatically until the opposition pushes him and forces his hand. He said that’s exactly what happened to Knight. He said he got Tsunami’d for his troubles over and over again. He said Breakker has the opportunity to do the same thing to another person who has been a thorn in their side, Penta.
He said a lot of people think they have what it takes to exist at the very top, such as John Cena and Gunther, or their challengers such as Punk or Goldberg, or those left in the KOTR tournament – Cody, Jey, or Randy Orton. He said those men fail to understand that they are all running a race for second place.
(Keller’s Analysis: Seth delivered his “I’m a big deal” speech here. It dragged a bit just because it wasn’t new material and his inflection and cadence was a bit drawn out. His body language was especially strong, though.)
-Penta made his entrance. [c]
(1) PENTA vs. BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman)
The match was joined in progress 18 minutes into the hour after the break. At 3:00 after Breakker had Penta down after dominating the early portion, he yelled that Penta has been trying to keep up with him since he first arrived but he’d never keep up with him. Penta took over and sent Breakker into the ringpost. He followed up with a running flip dive onto Breakker at ringside. They cut to a break at 6:00. [c]
After the break, they showed Breakker and Penta down behind the announce desk. They showed a clip of Breakker clotheslining Penta into the announce desk during the break. Breakker dropped Penta over his knees back in the ring. Breakker settled into a side headlock. He told Heyman, “He wants to quit.”
Breakker blocked a Mexican Destroyer, then somersaulted into a high knee of Penta in the corner. He then hit a Frankensteiner for a two count at 13:00. Penta kicked Breaker to stop a spear. He then DDT’d Breakker and landed a Mexican Destroyer for a near fall that popped the crowd. Penta springboarded at Breakker, but Breakker countered with a spear to get the three count. Cole said all he could say is “wow.” Seth came to ringside afterward and yelled at Penta to stay out of their way. He said that’s his one warning.
WINNER: Breakker in 20:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. They showed Liv Morgan’s shoulder dislocation last week and said she’d miss several months of action as a result.
-Backstage, they oddly showed Adam Pearce in the middle of a phone conversation, but fortunately for television viewers, A.J. Styles walked up to him. Pearce said Dominik Mysterio is injured and cannot wrestle at Night of Champions. Styles said he’s ducking him. Pearce told Styles that when Dom is ready, he’ll be first in line. In walked New Day after a frustrated Styles walked away. New Day recoiled at Pearce informing them that they are scheduled to wrestle next week against J.D. McDonagh & Finn Balor. They stormed off, fuming mad. “You’re so bald!” said Xavier Woods. Grayson Waller got in Pearce’s face about what he did to “my mates, New Day.”
-Cole plugged his sit-down interview with Bill Goldberg he said he recorded earlier in the day. [c]
-Cole plugged SNME tickets.
-They showed Jey Uso warming up backstage.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole introduced his interview with Goldberg that he said in full lasted 30 minutes.
-Cole asked Goldberg about his issues with Gunther. Goldberg asked Cole if he expected him to let Gunther get away from the verbal barrage aimed at him and trying to embarrass him in front of his family. He said even if he has one foot in the grave, he’ll defend his honor. He said he was looking for an opponent for a retirement match. He said Gunther is that man. “I’m going to beat the f— out of Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.”
-Back at ringside, Cole said he asked Goldberg if this is definitively his retirement match. He said Goldberg told him it is. He then asked him what happens if he wins the World Title. He said Goldberg called it “an interesting dilemma.”
-They cut to Roxanne Perez warming up backstage where The Judgment Day’s Balor, Dom, McDonagh, and Raquel Rodriguez were hanging out. Balor gave his stablemates a pep talk as they all seemed down. Balor got Raquel wound up and said he liked her fire. He said she can’t let Rhea Ripley walk all over her like she did last week. He said she should make her pay.
-Jade Cargill made her ring entrance. [c]
-Cole plugged Stephanie McMahon’s podcast interview with WWE top exec Nick Khan.
-They showed Bayley warming up backstage when Lyra Valkyria walked up to her and wished her luck. She said she earned the title shot. Bayley said she didn’t know she needed Lyra’s permission to get a title match, but then apologized for her tone. She assured her she’d get the first title shot.
(2) JADE CARGILL vs. ROXANNE PEREZ – Queen of the Ring semi-final
The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Perez rolled out of the ring early in the match. Jade chased her back into the ring and then slapped her. Perez snapped Jade’s neck over the middle rope, but Jade fired back with a backbreaker. Jade did push-ups afterward as Perez slowly rolled to ringside. Jade pursued her and lifted her onto her shoulders and carried her up the ringside steps. Perez slipped free and swept Jade’s leg and then dropkicked her leg into the ringside steps. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Perez went after Jade’s leg after the break.
[HOUR TWO]
Jade made a comeback with power moves leading to a one count after a one-armed slam at 10:00. Graves was critical of Jade for showboating and licking Perez’s face before going for the move. Jade went for a Jaded, but Perez countered with a roll-up for a two count. Perez rallied and scored a two count.
Perez went for Pop Rocks, but Jade countered with a boot to the chest that didn’t land solid. Jade then landed Jaded for the win.
WINNER: Jade in 12:00 to advance to face Asuka in the Queen of the Ring final at Night of Champions on Saturday.
(Keller’s Analysis: Clunky execution, even though the match seemed constructed to hide Jade’s inexperience.)
-As Jade celebrated on the stage next to the Queen crown, Asuka danced out and they had a staredown.
-They went to Cole and Graves who said Raw next week starts at 6 ET, two hours earlier than usual. [c]
-Cole commented on clips of Fanatics Fest in New York City last weekend including a Summerslam Kickoff event.
-Sheamus gave Tozawa, Natalya, and Maxxine Dupri a pep talk. Rusev walked in and told Sheamus he is trying to be everybody’s friend, but WWE is full of people who smile to their face but knife them in the back. Sheamus told Rusev he remembers him being the most egotistical member of League of Nations. He said it’s time to put up or shut up. Rusev said he’s going to make Sheamus “new memories” and then patted him on the chest.
-Gunther made his entrance. He said it’s not 1999 anymore and right now, he is the guy. Scattered cheers rang out. He said he heard what Goldberg had to say. He said whatever he says, it doesn’t change that Goldberg is “a 58 year old one trick pony who can’t lace my boots.” He apologized to his wife and son “for everything I’m going to do to the man who used to be Goldberg.” He said he will make sure the legacy and myth of Goldberg forever dies. Scattered cheers again. He then left.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was swift and intense. Fans weren’t overwhelming with Gunther, but the most vocal of the fans were on his side.)
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Becky backstage. She said she’s not happy that Bayley and Lyra were seen conspiring against her earlier and stormed off. Redmond then noticed Sami Zayn and walked over to him. She asked if he had a second to talk about his tough loss to Randy Orton last Friday. She asked how he’s processing the loss. Karrion Kross walked up to Sami and mocked his lack of immediate answer. He said he wasn’t trying to get under his nerves. He said he believed his speech last week saying he was good enough to become champion. He said what actually happened is Orton beat him, so he needs to get it through his thick skull he will never be world champion conducting himself the way he has. Sami nodded and said, “Okay.” He then wound up and punched Kross in the face. Sami yelled that he is done talking with him. He said their match is official. “Tick tock” he said. Sami laughed and left. Kross laughed and told Scarlett, “Got him!”
(3) BECKY LYNCH vs. BAYLEY – Intercontinental Title match
Bayley made her ring entrance. Formal ring introductions took place. The bell rang 27 minutes into the hour. Cole said Bayley told him she was wearing the gear she was going to wear at WrestleMania. He said it’s her first match since Apr. 14 before WrestleMania. They cut to an early break after Bayley knocked Becky out of the ring. [c]
Becky took control after the break, but Bayley came back with a Bayley-to-Belly for a two count at 8:00. Bayley gave Becky a Manhandle Slam a few minutes later. Becky rolled to ringside to avoid a cover. Bayley went after her, but Becky threw her over the announce desk. Becky put chairs on top of Bayley. Lyra came out and removed the chairs, saving Bayley from getting counted out. Becky went after Lyra, though, punching her. Lyra then went after Becky. The ref warned her not to do anything. Lyra resisted and dropped to ringside. Bayley then went after Becky, but Becky knocked her off the ring apron. Becky slidekicked toward Bayley, but hit Lyra. Bayley then threw Becky over the announcer table. Bayley rammed Becky into the ringpost and then into the ringside barricade. Graves said Bayley was letting her emotions get the best of her.
Back in the ring, Bayley had Becky down in position for a top rope elbowdrop, but Lyra charged into the ring and attacked Becky. The ref called for the bell. Cole said Lyra might’ve just cost Bayley the title.
WINNER: Becky via DQ in 14:00.
-Bayley yelled at Lyra that she cost her the match. Becky smiled at ringside. Cole said Lyra was trying to help Bayley at first, but then got all caught up in everything. [c]
-Cole plugged WrestleMania in Las Vegas next year.
-Chad Gable told Ivy Nile that she was always his favorite student. He said she should do what he did to Rey Mysterio and Otis and wipe out anyone who gets in her way. He walked over to Penta and laughed. He said it was his pleasure watching Breakker destroy him earlier. Penta told him to shut up. Gable took a swing, but Penta ducked. Penta kicked him and snapped his arm. Gable cried out in pain. The Creeds ran up to Gable as Penta left.
-Raquel Rodriguez called Ripley to the ring. Ripley came out to her music for the biggest pop of the night. They fought to ringside. Ripley leaped off the announce desk at Raquel, then threw her into the ringside steps. Ripley set up a table in the ring. When she set up a Rip Tide, Perez ran out and stopped her. Ripley dropped Perez face-first over the top turnbuckle. Raquel, though, then slammed Rhea through the table with a Tejana Bomb. She helped Perez to her feet. Perez laughed at the scene.
-They showed Cody backstage. [c]
-Cole plugged an appearance by Jelly Roll on the July 11 Smackdown in Nashville, Tenn.
[HOUR THREE]
-A John Cena-C.M. Punk promo video aired with clips of their past and updated to include the Smackdown promo Cena cut on Punk as he was out on a broken table.
-As they showed aerial scenes of Saudi Arabia, Cole and Graves hyped the line-up including Sami vs. Kross, Asuka vs. Jade, Cody or Jey vs. Orton, and Cena vs. Punk.
(4) JEY USO vs. CODY RHODES – King of the Ring semi-final
They showed Jey in the concourse amongst cheering fans. He made his way to the ring. Jey’s long entrance aired. Cody’s full entrance then aired. The bell rang 10 minutes into the hour. Graves said it’s almost fun to be in a fight with your friend as you tend to push yourself further, but then afterward you go out for a drink and let bygone be bygones. They cut to a break at 3:00 after Jey outmaneuvered Cody out of a headlock. [c]
Back from the break at 6:00, Cody had Jey in a figure-four leglock. Jey escaped and crashed into a corner with a hip attack. Cody came back with a kimura lock. Jey escaped and countered with a sleeper. Cody superplexed Jey a minute later. Both were down and slow to get up. [c]
Cody hit a Cody Cutter for a two count. When he went for a Disaster Kick, Jey countered with a spear for a two count at 17:00. Both were down and slow to get up. Cole called it a critical moment in the match. Cody landed a top rope Super Cody Cutter for a two count. Jey blocked a Cody Cutter and delivered his own Cody Cutter for a dramatic near fall. Jey superkicked Cody twice and then speared Cody. “That’s gotta do it!” said Graves. Cole said Cody didn’t appear to have anything left. Jey climbed to the top rope. Cody popped up and gave Jey a top rope Cody Cutter. Cody fired up and gave Jey a Cross Rhodes for the win.
After Cody’s music played, Jey and Cody shook hands and hugged. “A hell of a match-up,” said Cole. Cody’s music played again as Jey raised his arm. Cole said someone will define their legacy on Saturday at Night of Champions.
WINNER: Cody in 20:00 to advance to the King of the Ring final to face Randy Orton.
(Keller’s Analysis: Right where you’d expect this match to be in terms of sportsmanship and strategy throughout. No hot-shotting or anything outlandish or fancy in execution. Just straight-forward, and they had the crowd invested, especially in the closing minutes with big spots and near falls.)
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 Brandon LeClair 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.
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.
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