WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 08.11.25

Tonight, it’s Monday Night Raw once again! Will fans chant for Karrion Kross? Will we talk about that one guy that returned at SummerSlam? What’s the severity of Naomi’s injury? We have more questions than answers!

The last week in WWE: Raw / NXT / EVOLVE / SmackDown / LFG

Then, Now, Together, FOREVER. Dun dun dun.

SummerSlam! It was a show that happened. A video package looks at Seth Rollins cashing in at SummerSlam and the Rollins-Knight match from last week and its aftermath.

Bonjour from Quebec City, CQ for only the second time ever on Raw. Tonight, Raw is brought to you by Snickers on Netflix. We start at the desk with Michael Cole and Corey Graves and breaking news: Naomi is not medically cleared to compete. I don’t LIKE THIS.

“Cult of Personality” brings out CM Punk. He has a smile on his face as the fans chant for him. He exclaims how great it is to be alive on a Monday night in Quebec City and says the fans make it hard for him to stay angry, but he should be World Heavyweight Champion right now. He tells us that he has a Seth Rollins problem and that Rollins is trying to be CM Punk but failing miserably. If we thought he was obsessed with becoming champion, he promises he is more possessed now after holding the title in his hands again. He knows he has cashed in several times so he gets it, but man does he hate Seth. “I’m gonna break your legs.”

L.A. Knight’s music hits and he struts out in his bright yellow shirt. He offers a hand to Punk and they shake. After a few “yeah” chants, Knight offers to talk to us. He knows Punk was robbed at SummerSlam and he deserves to have his rematch. Punk offers, “Yeah!” Knight hits him with the “but,” because he was having his match with Rollins and Punk came out, couldn’t contain himself and got him disqualified. “My man, I understand it but wrong place, wrong time. Yeah.” Very good argument. He tells Punk they don’t have a problem but if Punk wants to get Rollins, do it but do it on his own time. “Bottom line is, you get your rematch after I get mine.”

Knight’s 100% right here. Punk says he understands his perspective but the words he is looking for are, “Thank you, Mr. Punk.” Punk tells him that he’s welcome for saving his life and career and he is a former heavyweight champion and he’s the #1 contender. “Get back in the line, yeah.” Knight says he wants to say something before “you” but not the word “thank.” He tells Punk that he isn’t on his level and “I’m gonna do you two favors,” don’t do it again and he’s going to beat Seth Rollins and he’ll be glad to give Punk his first rematch. Punk argues this and says he doesn’t have a problem with Knight, he has a Seth Rollins problem. “Partner, I’m the best in the world. Yeah!”

The voice of Paul Heyman interrupts us, naturally, and he heads on stage with Bronson Reed, Bronson’s shoe collection and Bron Breakker. The fans chant and Heyman tells Knight to not get into the favor business with Punk. Punk has heard enough and wants to kick someone’s ass, calling the “Bron-Brons” down. Heyman thinks it’s a good idea and we should do it as a tag match, Punk & Knight vs Bron & Bronson. Punk accepts and Knight says that he doesn’t talk for him, but he also accepts. I wonder if we’ll have some tension that will lead to a loss! Bron yells at them that they’re 47 and 40 and he’ll kick both their asses.

Michael and Corey are at the desk. We talk about Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio, who was aided by El Grande Americano, El Grande Americano and El Grande Americano last week. This takes us back to Judgment Day and their clubhouse. Finn Balor wonders what’s going on with the Women’s World Title as Dominik Mysterio walks in with El Grande Americano. Balor asks Mysterio to talk in private, and Finn tells Dom the rest of the group doesn’t want him in. As they talk, Americano plays darts with the rest of Judgment Day.

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs El Grande Americano & Dominik Mysterio

The great Alicia Taylor does the intros. Corey plugs this weekend’s TripleMania XXXIII, featuring three of the men from this match in a match. Lee dives out onto Grande while AJ knees Dom. We start proper with AJ and Dom as the fans sing “Dirty, Dirty Dom.” Quebec’s not so bad! After a few tags, Lee and Americano battle in the corner. Lee crossbodies Americano for a two and tags in Styles, the pair offer dual kicks to Americano. Dom rolls in and is powerbombed by Lee as we roll to a commercial.

Back from break, Dom is working over Styles. Styles and Dom both hit hot tags, Lee taking Americano down. Lee stomps Americano and dropkicks him in the corner, dropping in with another stomp. Lee goes and Dom interrupts, giving Americano a chance to nail him with a step-up kick. Dom slams Lee into the steps to boos because this crowd is fickle. Dom and Americano bump fists and we get the “match will continue” graphic but without the ad break. Mysterio is in with his lucha mask, choking out Lee. Lee delivers a dropkick in the corner and now we take that ad break.

When we come back, Lee is stomping Americano off the top rope and Lee is trying to get to AJ to tag. Styles is grabbed off the apron by Dom, as they brawl across the area and into the timekeeper’s area. Lee suplexes and kicks Americano. Styles is back up for the tag chance, this time getting it. Styles rocks Americano with a sliding forearm. Dom breaks up a pinfall. Lee catapults Dom into a Styles Clash – beautiful – and Lee goes up top. Americano shoves Lee off, conveniently missed by the referee. Styles drops Americano for a two count. Americano ducks out of a Styles Clash and is able to drop Styles long enough to dig out the metal plate. AJ dropkicks it out of his hand, so Dom grabs it, puts it in his mask and knocks AJ out with it. Americano rolls AJ up for the pin.

El Grande Americano pins AJ Styles, Americano and Mysterio defeat Styles and Lee. This was a fun match, if not a segment longer than it needed to be.

Earlier today, Raw GM Adam Pearce talked to Sami Zayn. Pearce tells Sami he’s still working on the World Championship match at Clash in Paris. Pearce says he can’t make any promises and to make it through tonight. In walks Sheamus. Pearce tells him we can’t have a repeat of last week. Amen, amen. Sami asks Sheamus as a friend to not get involved tonight. Sheamus agrees and says the moment the match is over, “That Bulgarian bastard is mine.”

After a break, Iyo Sky asks Pearce for the title match she was promised. Pearce promises to let her know when he knows more. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez interrupt, telling Iyo she doesn’t have to lose to Naomi again. Iyo says she’s here to fight, so maybe she can fight Roxanne. Pearce makes it official and walks off.

WWE Fact of the Night: Quebec has proved wrestling with several legends like Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Quebecers and Rick Martel.

Sami Zayn vs Rusev

Sami gets a huge “let’s go” and singalong from the Canadian crowd. We look back how we got here, with Sheamus and Rusev having a match and brawling backstage into Sami. This would be the match for the crowd to properly chant for Kross since Sami was just involved with him, so we’ll see what happens. I’m sure they won’t be rude and do it during Maxxine’s match instead, right? Rusev and Sami fight in the corner early, the crowd solidly behind Sami. With Rusev outside, Sami hits him with an Arabian Press off the ropes. Back in, Rusev catches a running Sami and slams him, giving us that precious commercial break opportunity.

Zayn DDTs his way out of the corner as we come back, but runs into a boot as he tries a Helluva Kick. Zayn tries for an Exploder and Rusev counters, punching out of it with a series of rights. With Sami on the apron, a smile crosses Rusev’s face and he hits his own ten beats to taunt Sheamus in the back. Sami catches Rusev with an Exploder this time, sets up the Helluva Kick and Solo Sikoa and the MFTs appear to pull him out.

Sami Zayn defeats Rusev by disqualification. Cole is distressed that they’re here, saying this is Raw and not SmackDown as if this doesn’t happen all the time. Sheamus runs out and knees Rusev, tossing security across the announce table and knocking over the Prime Hydration Station. Rusev and Pearce brawl into the crowd, Cole calling for the Mounties to come stop these guys. It was a pretty good match. Note: not one Kross chant.

Security is throwing the MFTs out. Pearce is yelling at Nick Aldis on the phone about his boys interrupting. Pearce yells at a referee to make sure Rusev and Sheamus are interrupted. This brings us New Day and Grayson Waller, asking for a suspension and a hat ban for Penta. Pearce tells Woods he can take it up with him in a match next week.

Big Bronson Reed video package! He promises to keep attacking Roman Reigns until Roman acknowledges his Tribal Thief.

Raw on Netflix is presented by Snickers!

Iyo Sky walks through the back and is met by the Kabuki Warriors. They’re sorry about her title match but Kairi says she knows she can beat Roxanne. Asuka offers to be in Iyo’s corner. Iyo says no thanks, she’s got this. Asuka’s just waiting to stab that woman in the back.

Iyo Sky vs Roxanne Perez (with Raquel Rodriguez)

The women trade pin attempts early, Rox going hold-for-hold with the former champ. Iyo takes Rox down with a headlock, Rox counters into a headscissors. Iyo headstands her way out of it, taking Rox down with a gigantic punch. Iyo springs into a dropkick, then leaps outside onto Raquel with a suicide dive. Rox takes the opportunity to attack Iyo from behind and toss her into the stairs, sending us to break.

Rox is working over Sky as we come back, hitting her from the second rope for a two count. Cole reminds us that Naomi is not medically cleared tonight, so Iyo was not prepared for this match. Iyo is able to dropkick her way out of the attack, firing off several uppercuts before kicking Rox and jumping from the top with a missile dropkick. With Rox in the corner, Sky lands the Bullet Train for a two count. We get a “this is awesome” chant as Rox rolls out of Iyo’s way. Rox joins her on top for a Hurancanrana but can only get a two. Sky counters PopRox and this time misses Bullet Train, Raquel checking on Rox. Rox pokes iyo in the eyes and hits a Shining Wizard but can only get a two count out of it.

Iyo’s able to snag Rox with a beautiful backbreaker, still unable to get a three. What a match. Raquel interrupts again and Iyo kicks her away, taking both down with a springboard moonsault. She rolls Rox in and goes up again, this time moonsaulting into Rox’s knees (and catching Rox in the face). Raquel hops on the apron to distract, the Kabuki Warriors run out while the ref is distracted and hold Rox for Iyo. Iyo runs and stops early, Rox smacks her into the Warriors and rolls them up for the win.

Roxanne Perez pins Iyo Sky. Very, very hot match. Not a giant fan of the way it ended, but I get it. Watch this one back.

Jackie Redmond is backstage with Jey Uso, welcoming him back after missing last week. It hurt him to see what happened last week and the Brons are on notice as is Seth because he wants his rematch. Up walks LA Knight, who respects him but reminds him the line is behind him.

Maxxine Dupri is walking backstage with Natalya and Tozawa. Next, she gets an Intercontinental Title match.

We watch a clip of Bianca Belair making her gear on WWE Unreal. You can read recaps of that show right here if you don’t want to watch it on Netflix.

Kairi, Asuka and Kairi Sane are backstage, Iyo is upset. Iyo says she lost and Asuka didn’t help her. Asuka shoves her and goes away, yelling. Kairi is distraught. Iyo is right.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs Maxxine Dupri (with Natalya and Tozawa)

I have no doubt Becky pitched this because she’s always trying to give a few others a spotlight. Cole notes this is the biggest match of her career. Becky bullies Maxxine into the corner, the crowd trading “let’s go Becky” and “let’s go Maxxine” chants. Becky catches Maxxine in a headlock and poses, telling her to get out of her ring. Becky sidesteps a dropkick and beats Maxxine down in the corner, again yelling at Maxxine that she doesn’t deserve to be here. Becky lands the Bexploder and swipes at Akira, who is just standing there being kind. Becky hits a third Bexploder, taunting Dupri. She goes for a Manhandle Slam, which Maxxine turns into a Stunner. The fans clap behind Maxxine’s comeback, she’s able to grab Becky in an anklelock. Becky rolls out, Maxxine flips in exchange and clotheslines Becky. With Becky out, Dupri nails a nice baseball slide and rolls her back in. Maxxine goes up top and crossbodies Becky for a two. She tries for the Sharpshooter, Becky fights out and Dupri hits a spin kick. She rolls Becky up, Becky rolls her through and grabs the rope for a ref break. Becky’s able to swing Maxxine into the Disarmher and Maxxine taps. Natalya comes in to check on Maxxine, of course Becky attacks her and runs.

Becky Lynch defeats Maxxine Dupri by submission to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Listen, Maxxine’s not great but she’s trying and what she can do, she’s not bad at doing. Becky gave her some hope spots and she did a good job with them. She has lots of room to grow and more reps will help.

Seth Rollins is backstage with his crew, giggling as always. He laughs about Knight and Punk having a Bron-Bron problem, which means he has no problem of his own. “Boys, stack some bodies, I’m out of this dump.” I don’t believe him.

CM Punk is walking. Next, the tag match!

Bayley tells us via video package that she’s never felt more lost and maybe it’s her fault. She tried to be the role model and now she’s here by herself. She’s here without any titles, without wins and without feeling proud of herself for the last year. “It’s my fault.” She exhales, we hear her “ding dong” and a laugh and fade out.

Jackie has found Lyra Valkyria, asking her how it feels to see Bayley like this. Lyra hopes Bayley is okay, but that’s nothing to do with her, right? Lyra meant what she said and she doesn’t know what’s going on with her, but it’s not her fault. “She’s on her own.”

Iyo Sky wanders upon Stephanie Vaquer. Stephanie tells her she’s not the only one promised a title match and walks off. Then she finds Rhea Ripley, who tells her she is sorry and she was looking forward to the match as well. Rhea tells Iyo that she doesn’t know if Iyo should trust the Kabuki Warriors, and Iyo doesn’t appreciate it. “Stay out of it.”

This Friday on SmackDown, Drew McIntyre addresses his attack of Cody Rhodes. Meanwhile next Monday, Raw will be in Philly.

CM Punk & LA Knight vs Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (with Paul Heyman)

The crowd’s a bit tired which is fair, I’m always tired at this point. Sorry crowd, we have a three segment match ahead of us, it’s only 10:12. The Brons attack their opponents to start, then Bron and Knight start us off. Knight and Punk show solid teamwork and work over Bron. Punk clotheslines Bron out and ducks Bronson, clotheslining him out as well with Knight’s help. Hey, these guys might just make it.

After a break, Bron is working over Knight. Bronson and Punk tag in, Bronson works the neck of Punk before Punk powers out. Punk dodges a running Reed and tags in Knight, who runs hot for a bit. It doesn’t last, and Knight ends up outside, where Bron dives off the apron and across the announce table with him to send us to our next break.

Hot tag attempt by Knight as we come back, but Bron suplexes him across the ring instead. As Knight crawls for a tag, Punk is distracted and jumps off the apron to confront Bron. This keeps Reed in the lead, who then shoves Punk off. Reed lifts Knight up and Bron leaps off with a top rope bulldog, which can only get a two. Punk tries to save and is tossed out again. Knight finally gets that hot tag as does Reed. Punk’s a house of fire on Bronson, suplexing him and barking at the crowd. Punk lands the running corner knee, then does it again in a second corner. He heads up top and Kniight intercepts Reed, driving him into the announce table. Punk drops an elbow on Breakker, calling for the GTS. You’ll be shocked to find out that Seth Rollins appears to attack, forcing the DQ and stomping down Punk.

CM Punk and LA Knight defeat Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker by DQ. Main Event Jey Uso is now in Quebec’s city, coming out slowly with a chair. He smacks Bron with it, then rolls in and Bronson swats it away. Jey hits the right on Bronson, grabs the chair and smacks him out of the ring. I think we might just have a six-man tag brewing. A good match. Punk and Knight are good together.

Adam Pearce’s voice calls out for “Seth.” Adam comes out and calls Seth a liar and now he and his buddies are trying to injure fellow superstars. Adam sees it as an opportunity, setting up Seth defending his title at Clash in Paris against Jey, Knight, and Punk. It is official. Punk and Knight start arguing and fighting, which is weird since they both got what they wanted. Jey tries to break it up and Knight elbows Jey, so now we’re all just fighting. The Vision pounce and beat down all three men as the fans chant for the OTC. Knight is speared, Uso feels the DVD and the Tsunami, Rollins delivers Stomps. The Vision end the show triumphant.

A good episode, which is the norm in the Netflix era. It’s hard for them to not do an episode with adequate matches. Even Becky/Maxxine was fine for what it was. Iyo and Roxanne stole the show, which isn’t a big shock considering how great both are. No Roman this week, no Karrion Kross chants. I think something they’re doing exactly right is featuring a ton of people on the show, interweaving weeks with backstage things. Rhea and Stephanie? They’re there. New Day? We’re progressing the story. A LOT of people were featured tonight.