WWE Monday Night Raw – 06.23.25

Previously on Monday Night Raw: Goldberg returns to challenge Gunther, Jey Uso advances in King of the Ring, Asuka advances in Queen of the Ring, and Liv Morgan goes down to an unfortunate injury.

Then, Now, Forever, Together- dun dun DUM.

O-hi-O-hi-O, round on the end, high in the middle! We’re in Columbus. Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes have arrived, ready to face each other tonight. Roxanne Perez pulls up with Finn Balor and his bucket hat, while Jade Cargill arrives with her Labubu – they’ll meet in a Queen of the Ring bout (Rox and Jade, not the Labubu). Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch has a cup of coffee, and she’ll defend against Bayley tonight. This is the 23rd time Columbus has hosted Raw, this time in the Nationwide Arena, live on Netflix and presented by Snickers.

The drone flies us right into the entrance of Seth Rollins and company, walking through the crowns displayed on stage. The crowd sings along as the great Alicia Taylor introduces Seth, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman. 14,333 are with us tonight as Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us from the announce table. Cole flashes us back to last week, as the Rollins Band causes issues on both Raw and SmackDown, with L.A. Knight now out with a bruised sternum thanks to Bron & Bronson. Rollins welcomes us to Monday Night Rollins. He asks the crowd what they want and they reply with CM Punk chants. “Exactly! One minute you’re chanting for CM Punk, the next minute you’re chanting the OTC, and then after that you’re barking for the dog, the minute after that you’re singing my song.” And they sing.

Rollins tells the crowd they have no idea what they want, so he does not care. He tells them that he is the visionary and he knows what they want. The things the crowd wants are because of him – Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes. He’s the creator, the prime mover, the past, the present and the future of the company. He says that he and Heyman know a lot about revolutions, and every revolution faces opposition, which he will deal with diplomatically until it pushes him and forces his hand. That’s what happened to LA Knight, he says, and Knight received Tsunami after Tsunami for his troubles. That carries him over to Bron, who has an opportunity to put Penta on the shelf. He notes that all the champions, their challengers and those left in the King of the Ring are running a race for second place, pointing at the Money in the Bank briefcase and calling it the end game.

Penta vs Bron Breakker

Penta comes out as Rollins finishes talking, Corey telling us that we are “in for a banger.” This match is presented by CreditOne. We’re underway when we return from break, Breakker punching Penta down in the corner. Penta sticks and moves, taking down Bron in quick strikes which is pretty smart. Penta is intercepted and dropped as he tries to run towards the outside. Bron clotheslines Penta with a hard clothesline, Heyman grinning from outside. Bron monologues to the camera about Penta trying to keep up with him from his first day and how he never will. Bron has kept this slowed down a lot. Penta chops Bron on the top and sends him across the ring with a rana. Penta smacks Bron with a superkick, which angers Bron. Bron catches a leaping Penta outside, who is able to send Bron into the post before rolling back in. Penta flies and takes Bron down, holding his knee as we go to commercials.

We come back to find Penta and Bron down behind the announce table, due to Bron clotheslining Penta from the apron and over the table. “This is awesome” chant. Back in the ring, Breakker stomps down Penta and then runs hard into a boot. Bron catches Penta and drops him into the knees for a two count. An on-screen corner graphic bug reminds us: “Night of Champions – this Saturday, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.” Bron works a headlock on Penta, who works out. Penta lands a series of kicks and chops, rolling Bron into a fisherman’s suplex. He calls for the Mexican Destroyer, which Bron blocks. Breakker rolls through into a high knee, then jumps up and, in the words of Michael Cole, “McAfee calls this the Frankensteiner.” Oh, just McAfee? This can only get a two count for Bron.

The fans bark as Bron runs for the spear but into a superkick. Bron presses Penta, who counters into a DDT and then hits the Destroyer for a 2.5 count. Penta springboards right into a nasty spear and that gives Bron the easy three count. Bron Breakker pins Penta. This one didn’t hit for me – seemed to be a good bit of miscommunication and it was a lot slower than you’d expect. Rollins comes down to celebrate with Bron, telling Penta this is the one warning to stay out of his way.

Cole and Graves switch gears to talk about Liv Morgan. We look back at the injury from last week. Corey tells us Liv will miss several months of action.

General Manager Adam Pearce has returned from vacation, shaking hands with AJ Styles. Adam tells AJ that the match at Night of Champions against Dominik Mysterio is out due to injury. As AJ leaves, New Day and Grayson Walker come in. Adam tells New Day they’ll be facing Judgment Day next week for the titles. “YOU’RE SO BALD!” Grayson sticks behind and says that’s no way to treat his mates. Michael Cole threatens us and tells us that up next, his exclusive interview will be with Goldberg.

Our main event tonight determines who faces Randy Orton in the King of the Ring finals, as we see Jey Uso backstage. Cole notes the winner could face Gunther or perhaps Goldberg. Earlier tonight, Cole sat down with Goldberg for over thirty minutes. I’m sorry to hear that, but Cole hangs out with Pat so his usage of time is already questionable.

Cole asks Goldberg what put him in this mood. Goldberg says he took his family to a WWE event as a fan with no worries about wrestling and he stepped into a verbal assault from Gunther. “The lack of respect from him was pretty unbelievable.” Well, at least Goldberg has never disrespectfully talked about others. He says it is “serendipitous” that Gunther put himself into the spot against him. “As long as I am breathing, I am going to make him pay. Michael, I am going to beat the (bleep) out of him at Saturday Night’s Main Event.” Afterwards, Cole confirms that Goldberg said this is his final match. Goldberg followed up by saying it is an “interesting dilemma” if he wins the title.

Judgment Day, minus Liv, are in the clubhouse. Finn knows she wouldn’t want them sitting around sad. He and JD plan to bring the titles home next week. He looks at Raquel Rodriguez, holding both titles and telling her she IS the tag team titles. He riles up Raquel, telling her she can’t let Rhea Ripley walk all over her. Dom wishes Rox good luck.

Lyra Valkyria meets up with Bayley backstage, wishing her luck tonight as we see Becky lurking in the background but going the other direction instead. Lyra and Bayley argue, but Bayley apologizes and promises that Lyra is first in line when she wins the title.

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill vs Roxanne Perez

The winner of this will face Asuka in the finals this Saturday, who defeated Alexa Bliss in the other semifinal on SmackDown. I’m very happy to get some Jade on my show! As always, she looks phenomenal. I just need to borrow one ab and that’ll still leave her with about eleven more. This should be an interesting matchup. Rox ducks out early and continues to dodge Jade early. Rox slaps Jade and runs, which is probably the right move. Jade chases and runs into a headlock, but Jade tosses her across the ring. Rox slaps Cargill again, and that’s not going to end well for her. Jade chases again, and this time tosses Rox and slaps her outside. Jade does a set of pushups to taunt Rox, who rolls outside. Jade chases a third time, picking up Rox on her shoulders and carrying her up the steps. Rox rolls off and kicks Jade’s leg between the STEEL steps and the apron as we go to commercials.

An ad reminds us that Cena-Punk happens this Saturday from Saudi Arabia, in case you had doubts they’d even mention what might be happening in that part of the world.

Coming back from the break, Perez is caught by Cargill but takes Jade’s knee out. A springboard moonsault gets Rox a two count. Perez locks a sleeper on Jade and takes her down to one knee, but Jade powers her into the corner. Rox leaps right into Jade’s arms and a fallaway slam. Jade hits a pretty spinebuster on Rox. She licks Rox and chokeslams her. Perez rolls through Jaded and bridges for a two, but Jade powers out. Rox ducks a big boot and takes Jade down for a two. She tries for Pop Rox but is bounced off, Jade powerbombing Perez. She hits Jaded and gets the three. Jade Cargill pins Roxanne Perez to advance to the Queen of the Ring finals. I think this came together decently, though there were a few rough patches. I am very intrigued by the idea of Asuka vs Jade outside of the tag division. Asuka dances out after the match, removing her mask and eyeing Jade near the crown.

Next week, Raw will start at 6 p.m. EST in Pittsburgh. I can go to bed at my bedtime on Monday!

Big Gunther is walking, and he joins us next.

We take a look back at this week’s SummerSlam Kickoff as well as Fanatics Fest.

Sheamus meets up with Alpha Academy and Natalya, telling the women they have a good shot at the tag titles. Now, if only they’d have a match as a team. This brings in Rusev. Rusev says he does his damage in the ring and remembers Rusev being the most embarrassing person in League of Nations. He tells Rusev to put up or shut up.

Tonight, Raw is presented by Snickers!

World Heavyweight Champion Gunther comes down to the ring. He is dressed in Peter Griffin colors. He says that Bill Goldberg is the most destructive man of his division, and Bret Hart nods along in Canada. Gunther says Goldberg’s time is over and he is now the most dominant man in wrestling. I do like that he always says “Bill Goldberg,” just like Bret. “My perception is that I see a 58-year old one trick pony that can’t lace my boots.” He promises that the legacy and myth of Goldberg will forever die at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Jackie Redmond is back! She’s found Becky Lynch, who says she just witnessed Bayley and Lyra conspiring to work together. Becky leaves for her match and Jackie catches Sami Zayn. She asks how Sami is handling his loss Friday, and that brings in Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross tells Sami that he is never going to be World Champion. Sami nods and says okay, then rears back and knocks Kross right into the clangy poles. “I am done talking to you – I talked to Adam Pearce, our match is official. Tick tock!” Scarlett and Kross laugh, as Kross notes, “got him.”

There are basketball people including AEW legend Shaquille O’Neal and a Robot Cody in WWE 2K25. Cole plugs the WWE Podcasts of the week – Kevin Owens joining Cody, Bron joining Taker & McCool, and the Raw Recap with Sam & Megan.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs Bayley

This is Bayley’s first match since April and she’s wearing the gear she had ready for Mania. Bayley gets the early advantage. Becky drops out of a Rose Plant, but is hit with an elbow from the stairs on the outside. Becky dropkicks Bayley outside of the ring as we go to a commercial.

After those commercials, Bayley takes Becky down with a running knee. Becky counters the Bayley-to-Belly into a suplex. Bayley counters out of the Manhandle Slam into the Bayley-to-Belly for a two. We’re starting to pick up here as the fans trade “let’s go Bayley / Becky” chants. Bayley slings Becky into the turnbuckle and sunset flips her spine-first into the buckles for a two count.

Up top, Becky superplexes Bayley and tries to lock the armbar but fails. Bayley puts a half-crab on Becky, but Becky scoots to the ropes for a break. Bayley counters into a Manhandle Slam of her own, but Becky rolls to the outside to avoid pinfall. Bayley rolls after her and Becks throws her into Michael Cole, which is probably the worst fate for a noted Cole-hater like Bayley. Becky rolls Bayley under the table and buries her under chairs, but Lyra Valkyria appears to pull Bayley out of the mountain. Becky baits Lyra and tries to get her to hit her, but Lyra knows it’ll cause a DQ and resists.

Lynch slides towards Bayley but hits Lyra instead, giving Bayley a chance to throw Becky over the table. Bayley tosses Becky into the ring post, into the far barricade and back into the ring as we get a “this is awesome” chant. Bayley climbs up and Valkyria rolls in to attack Becky. Becky Lynch defeats Bayley by disqualification, retaining her title. Bayley is rightfully upset and shoves Lyra as Becky laughs from the arena floor. I figured we’d get something like this, but the match was fun until the end and I’m sure this probably leads to a triple threat. Best match of the night this far, which isn’t a shock.

Chad Gable tells Ivy Nile that she’s always been his favorite student. He tells her that when someone is in her way, like Stephanie Vaquer is, to wipe them out completely regardless of the cost. He chuckles as he sees Penta walking by, telling Penta that it was his pleasure watching Bron destroy him. They start to brawl and Penta snaps Gable’s arm, Ludwig Kaiser walking slightly into frame as Gable writhes in pain..

Raquel Rodriguez is center ring, belts on her. She tells Rhea Ripley that she can drag her out by her nose ring or Rhea can make it easy and come take her beating. This brings out Rhea to her usual gigantic pop and screams. Rhea runs in and the fight is on. The screams just don’t stop as they brawl and, again, I’ll tell you that Rhea might be the biggest person on the entire show. Raquel tosses Rhea and pulls out the Slim Jim Table, but we pan back and see Rhea standing on the announce table. Rhea leaps off and onto Raquel, driving her into the steps. She sees the Slim Jim Table and tells Raquel she can have a table, setting it up and pulling Raquel in. Rhea sets up Riptide but Rox jumps on her back. Rhea repositions Rox and bouncers her off the turnbuckle, then walks into a powerbomb through the Slim Jim Table by Raquel. The crowd does not approve. I suddenly want a Slim Jim.

Corey Graves shows us footage of the Florida Panthers celebrating with their WWE Stanley Cup Championship Titles, which you can also find on WWE Shop. Cody is headed towards Gorilla as we head to commercials.

SmackDown is coming to Nashville on July 11 and will feature a special appearance by Jelly Roll.

Rhea stomps into Pearce’s office and wants Raquel. He confirms that it is official. They’ll have a street fight at Night of Champions.

WWE Fact of the Night: This will be the 15th time John Cena & CM Punk will go 1-on-1 in their careers. We go into a video package on their existences together in WWE.

Cole confirms some Saudi Arabia events – the kickoff show at 10 am EST on Friday, the countdown show Saturday and then Night of Champions at 1 p.m. EST. Cole & Corey down the card. I’m not sure if anyone will be reviewing it here (I think Niz will be), but you know we’ll be discussing it in the morning and evening threads.

King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes vs Jey Uso

Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city! Jey yeets right through the Columbus crowd who are very into Jey. He yeets with children. I’ve come across a large number of videos during my doom scrolling of people yeeting during their graduation walks, in case you thought he wasn’t over outside of the arenas. The fans chant for “one more time” and Jey runs it back, giving us an additional round of yeeting. Cody gets his usual singalong and no, I don’t believe the fans have tired of him. This is Cody’s first match on Raw since the move to Netflix. Our winner faces Randy Orton on Saturday in the finals.

After some early exchanges, Cody takes the lead with some armdrags as Graves mentions that sometimes friends hit a little harder when they’re wrestling each other. The fans haven’t stopped making noise for the first few minutes of this, singing as the men trade headlocks. Jey counters out of Cross Rhodes, Jey ducks a superkick and we head to a commercial break.

Cody is working Jey’s leg, with Corey noting that taking away Jey’s leg will take away his kicks. Back up, Jey immediately kicks Cody three times. Nice try, Cody. Jey gets a two count on a Samoan Drop. Jey leaps into a Kimura Lock, getting out first TV mention of Brock Lesnar in quite a while. Jey works out, grabbing Cody into a sleeper. Cody drops, but scoots Jey on his back and dumps him onto the floor. Cody runs into a right hand as he tries for a Suicide Dive. Jey goes up and Rhodes hits again, the fans chanting about the match being awesome. Jey headbutts Cody down, but Cody scales back up and superplexes Jey and both men are down. We replay the superplex and take our final ad break of the night.

The men are trading blows as we return. Uso hits an Orton-esque slam and then tries for a Cross Rhodes, but Cody pushes out and hits a Cody Cutter for a near count. Cody gets a Super Cody Cutter from the top and again, only a two count. Jey counters Cross Rhodes into his own for a two. Lots of near falls and the fans are eating it up.

Jey superkicks Cody to the mat and yells at him to get up. Well, you knocked him down. Cody gets up and is kicked back down again. Uso spears Cody and goes up top, looking to Uso Splash. Cody springs up again though, and hits Jey with another Super Cutter. He takes Jey down with the Cross Rhodes and takes the victory. Cody Rhodes pins Jey Uso to advance to the King of the Ring finals. A REALLY good match here, which is about what you’d expect from these two.

After the match, Cody kneels and shows respect to Jey. They hug and Jey raises Cody’s hand as the credits roll.

Next up, we jump on planes and fly to Saudi Arabia. Remember that SmackDown will air taped at its regular time Friday, as it’s happening at 1 p.m. in Saudi time. Spoilers will be out there, but hopefully not in the comments section. And I’ll see you next week as Raw starts at 6 p.m. EST in Pittsburgh.