WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 09.01.25

It’s Monday afternoon in the US but Monday evening in France, so it must be time for Monday Night Raw. We’re following up last night’s Clash in Paris PLE. All I’ve seen is the main event and Cena/Paul, so I don’t have any crazy opinions, but I did enjoy both of those and I like Becky joining up with Seth.

The last week in WWE on Blog of Doom: Raw / NXT / EVOLVE / SmackDown / LFG

Then, Now, Forever, TOGETHER. Dun, dun, dun (but with a French accent).

For the second night in a row, we’re in Paris, France. Here’s the Eiffel Tower! We’re at the La Defense Arena and fireworks blaze. We have the same set from last night, complete with the cool Eiffel Tower. Over 20,000 are expected tonight as we zoom through with the drone, live on Netflix and presented by Snickers.

We take a look back at last night’s Clash in Paris with the usual media quotes from USA Today.

CM Punk waits in the parking lot. Adam Pearce tells him that he should wait inside, but Punk says there is one way in and out of the arena and he’s going to wait.

Arrivals! AJ Styles is here with a Rambo tee, he’ll be facing Dominik Mysterio. The Kabuki Warriors walk in, ready for the Judgment Day. Penta struts in to team with the War Raiders against New Day and Big G.

Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city, coming down through an absolutely wild crowd. I don’t know how you would even start with anything else after the way the France fans especially light it up for him. The great Alicia Taylor introduces Jey properly as he works his way through the crowd, looking serious as they sing every word of his theme song. It’s going to be a special crowd tonight. He’s very limited with the yeeting he does as his ribs are hurt from last night and, in general, being the 2025 version of DDP’s ribs.

After several more rounds of the crowd singing through his song, the fans chant for “one more time.” Jey says we’re not running it back tonight (crowd boos) because he’s supposed to be standing here as World Heavyweight Champion but instead, he has medical tape there. He’s questioning if he’d be alright had he stayed out of Roman’s match, “but if you know one thing about Jey Uso, he don’t play about his family.” Jey tells us the Big Dog is laid up in the hospital and he’d like the Vision to bring their asses out because it’s go time.

“Welcome to L.A.” hits instead, bringing out L.A. Knight. After chants, Knight tells us he believed in himself and believed he’d be champion, but he stands here a loser. “I lost that match, you lost that match, we all lost that match.” I wasn’t even in it, man. Knight gets onto Jey for spoiling the chance to put Seth through the table. He’s sick and tired of being left laying and not being World Heavyweight Champion.

Big Bronson Reed’s music is next, and he comes out with Bron Breakker. Paul Heyman, of course, is not here after being attacked by Roman Reigns last night. Knight hopes they can put together a coherent sentence together without their babysitter. Bron says he has enough brain cells to beat Knight because he’s done it twice, and these two idiots risked Paul Heyman’s health. Heyman risks his health by taking steps every day at this point. Bron says there is nobody to hold them back – and he’s stopped by the crowd singing for Roman Reigns – and Roman is in the hospital, Paris. Bronson asks the fans to acknowledge their Tribal Thief. He tells us that Seth’s vision does not include Roman, L.A. or Jey so they’ll have to take them out. Bron challenges them to a tag match tonight because we can’t go a week without the same people in the main event. The crowd yeets and Knight accepts for them. Jey gives them four letters, one word, ugh ugh, yeet.

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett welcome us from ringside. We visit our French announce team as well, Philippe Chereau and Christophe Agius who get a huge reception from the crowd. Cole breaks the news that Raw will be live on Netflix in January before segueing into a look at the continued story of Iyo, Rhea and the Kabuki Warriors.

Asuka and Kairi Sane laugh backstage and walk upon Iyo Sky. Iyo apologizes for last week and Asuka laughs, saying it is okay and that they’re family. Asuka promises to take care of Judgment Day for Iyo and Kairi tries to say yes, but Asuka says they don’t need help. Iyo promises she is done with Rhea. Kairi hangs behind to tell Iyo that everything is going to be okay.

Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) vs Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)

Here we go again. Asuka and Roxanne start off and the fans are firmly here for the Warriors. Rox slaps Asuka and runs, which is what I would also do if I slapped Asuka. Raquel is tagged in, Kairi is shortly behind and the crowd sings “Kairi, Kairi Sane.” Kairi rolls Rox into a neat pin attempt, then rolls her across the ring with a rana. Kairi smacks the shit out of Raquel’s chest and hits a standing Stunner. Raquel catches Kairi but runs into her boot, but then is splashed in the corner and pulled out by Rox. Rox whips Kairi into the barricade and we take a commercial break.

Back from it, Raquel is tagged in and runs right into the turnbuckle. Asuka gets the hot tag and flies in, taking Raquel down with a missile dropkick. Rox takes a knee to the face and the spinning backhands, each one to a chant from the crowd. She rolls Rox thorough into an armbar which is broken by Raquel. Kairi leaps onto Raquel with the elbow on the outside which is beautifully shot, while Asuka counters PopRox in ring. She locks on the Asuka Lock and Rox taps.

Asuka makes Roxanne Perez, Kabuki Warriors defeat Judgment Day. The crowd, as it will all show, added a lot to this one. It was a good match either way.

Adam Pearce joins us for a prerecorded message about the Women’s Title, naming Stephanie Vaquer and Iyo Sky as the next challengers. They’ll battle at Wrestlepalooza for the vacant title. I think Stephanie’s getting this one. Cole tells us we’ll have a contract signing next week.

Punk is right where we left him, still waiting.

WWE World Tag Team Champion Finn Balor (with JD McDonough) vs Dragon Lee

I feel like Judgment Day and Dragon Lee have been at it since I started recapping this show in May. They trade technical holds for a bit before Finn flattens Lee with an elbow. The crowd is divided for these two. Lee works Finn out and gets some beautiful airtime in a dive on him, taking a bow as we go to break.

Balor’s working a headlock upon our return from three minutes of WWE making money. Lee chops out, lighting up Finn’s chest before running into a punch. The crowd is very loud for these two and everything really. Lee crossbodies Finn from the top for a two. Lee rolls Balor through and misses a dive, giving Finn the chance to dropkick him. Finn goes up and is kicked down, the crowd now solidly behind Finn. JD takes a rana to the outside, giving Finn a chance to find the advantage. Finn drops the Coupe de Grace for a solid pin.

Finn Balor pins Dragon Lee. A good match elevated again by the crowd. I’m sure we’ll see these two again in a tag match somehow in a few weeks.

Iyo Sky finds Nikki Bella backstage. Nikki congratulates her on her match and they’re interrupted by the Kabuki Warriors. Nikki exits and Asuka yells that she’s not a friend. Asuka promises to help with Stephanie and Iyo says she doesn’t need it. Kairi hangs back again but Asuka yells so she scurries off.

It was quite the week on the WWE Podcast Network. Bruce Prichard joins Cody, while Roman Reigns discusses the process of “getting that thing up your ass” with Stephanie McMahon. No, I mean that.

Finn and JD find Dominik Mysterio, who tells them he was there in spirit. Dom wants to figure out how to deal with AJ, which brings in Adam Pearce. JD and Finn are banned from ringside tonight. Finn jokes that they’ll be there in spirit.

New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) and Grayson Waller vs Penta and the War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)

Wade volunteers himself to be Bummed Out Barrett in the absence of Corey Grieves. The crowd sings for Penta, they’ll less excited for the Raiders. Much like the previous match, I think the Raiders and New Day have been at it since i started recapping this show. Woods and Penta start off, Woods bravely competing despite his injury. The Raiders counter the others early and, with the rest on the floor, Penta leaps onto the entire pile. The crowds sings “ole, ole” and we take a break as Penta and the War Raiders do the smooth operator walk.

New Day have control as we return, of course. Woods boots Erik for a two. Waller and Ivar get the tags in and Big G is in a rough spot. Erik splashes Waller and starts a “war” chant. Waller dodges a cannonball and tags Woods, while Erik gets to Penta. After some tussling, Penta hits a Mexican Destroyer on Woods for a three. Austin convulses in the ring, again falling victim to the move.

Penta pins Xavier Woods, Penta & War Raiders defeat New Day & Grayson Waller. Adequate but I zoned out a bit because I feel like I’ve seen this 1,482 times. I haven’t, but it feels like it. We missed a good chunk of it to the break.

My favorite unbiased journalist Cathy Kelley, back after being sent to SmackDown, is with Rhea Ripley. Rhea says Iyo and Stephanie deserve their match and she’s going to do what it takes to earn a championship shot. Asuka barges in, pushing out Cathy, and questioning why she wants a title match. Rhea doesn’t understand Asuka’s problem, Asuka tells her that she’s not Iyo’s friend and to stay away. Asuka says she’ll push anyone she wants. Yes, give me this match please. Kairi stays behind again, looking conflicted.

We have the Road to the Royal Rumble crossing through Europe in 2026, including SmackDown and Raw.

Pearce is joined by Perez and Rodriguez and Rox is upset, thinking she should be added. Adam reminds her that they just lost, and he’ll consider it if Iyo wins. Lyra Valkyria pops in and is still a bit paranoid about Bayley. After JD leave, Pearce says he’s talked to Bayley and she’ll be back soon. Lyra asks for either of them next week and he sets it up.

WWE Intercontinental Title: Dominik Mysterio vs AJ Styles

For those that remember the last trip here, AJ is basically a hero in France. They sing and wave for him with easily the biggest noise they’ve made since the opening segment for Jey. Commentary holds back and we head into commercial with the crowd singing for him and the drone capturing it well. Back from break, they are still singing and chanting for him. Alicia gives them the championship intros and it’s interrupted again by a singalong for AJ, so Dom attacks him to start the match.

Dom maintains the lead after a break, the crowd singing again for Styles. This is the second time the title has been defended in France, the only other time being in a show televised in France in 1993 with Shawn Michaels against Bob Backlund. Get on that, WWE Vault. As Wade talks about the limitless sex appeal of Dom, AJ is able to get the advantage nad smash Dom with an elbow and a drop on the knee for a two. They brawl out and AJ powerbombs Dom onto the announce table, leading us to another break.

Styles hits a gutbuster and again can only get a two, the crowd continuing to love AJ. AJ sets up the Styles Clash, Dom counters with the Mullet-o-Matic (the Edge-o-Matic) as his skill set continues to grow. AJ suplexes Dom right into the turnbuckle and it looks nasty. The fans sing but Dom isn’t bothered, driving Styles into the ring post and then hitting a Machinoku Driver. Dom is wild. He is able to land the Three Amigos and goes up for the frog splash, connecting but only getting a two count. Styles catches Dom mid-619 and turns it into a Styles Clash for a two count, only broken by Dom’s foot on the rope. AJ goes for the Phenomenal Forearm but his foot is grabbed by El Grande Americano, who loads the mask and headbutts him. As the crowd boos, Dom goes up, nails a second frog splash and gets the pin.

Dominik Mysterio pins AJ Styles to retain the WWE Intercontinental Title. A fantastic match. Dom is easily the most improved wrestler of the last year while AJ in Paris is something special. Watch this one.

We take a look at the attack on Roman Reigns. Cole tells us he is out indefinitely.

Jackie Redmond has caught up with L.A. Knight. She asks if he is capable of getting along with Jey. He says it isn’t the best decision for either of them, but he doesn’t know how to quit. If his path to the title starts with beating the sense into these two, that’s what he has to do. It’s up to Jey if they survive together or die apart, but “if you do dirt, you get dirt.” And here’s Jey. Jey says he comes from the dirt and they got his cousin, so he has to get them – stay out of his way and they don’t have a problem.

CM Punk is with Rhea Ripley. Rhea tells him that she’s sorry for what happened and Adam Pearce walks up. He tells Punk that Seth has gotten in the building. Punk says he’s off to go handle it and Adam is shocked. I’m not sure what you expected to happen there, Mr. GM.

In a video package, Rusev reflects on defeating Sheamus at Clash in Paris. He considers extending friendship to Sheamus now that Sheamus knows his place is at Rusev’s feet.

“Cult of Personality” leads out CM Punk, in no mood for playing along with the singalong or proclaiming that it is clobbering time. Alright though, I’ll never be tired of the fans singing along with Living Colour. Punk notes that this show doesn’t run on Seth Rollins’ timeline so he’s out here until Seth comes out. “If I have to sing songs with my friends in Paris until we go off the air, well then so be it.” He wants to face Seth man-to-man.

BURN IT DOWN. The fire blazes, the song hits, the crowd sings… and WWE Women’s Intrercontinental Champion Becky Lynch – The Man – struts out and mimics Seth’s walk. Man-to-Man, then. The fans chant for AJ Lee. Becky shakes her head. “Classic, always chanting for a dope that doesn’t work here.” Punk tells her this has nothing to do with her. She tells him that he doesn’t tell her what to do and this has everything to do with her. She tells him to stay and listen like she’s had to listen to him berate her husband. He is everything Punk will never be – hot, jacked, talented, a champion, and doesn’t interrupt her. She goes off. “It was YOUR NAME that they were chanting during my matches to let me know that they didn’t care about me.” And she’s right. Those Punk chants during the women’s matches were nasty.

She tells him that he is the poster child for apathy. Becky has never forgiven the crowd for those chants and she did the work herself to get to the Mania main event, just like “me and my husband got this business to where it is today.” The fans chant “shut the fuck up” and she declines, telling them it isn’t about them, it is about her. “I started a revolution! We are in the middle of a revolution right now!” She’s the greatest female wrestler of all time and she needs him to get the hell out of the way, as he isn’t what the business needs right now. She wishes him the best in his future endeavors and they chant for AJ – “SHE DOESN’T WORK HERE.” Punk says it sounded good, but the vision is a bit blurry. He says they chant his name whether he works there or doesn’t, much as they did in all the towns they just worked. He didn’t see her or her stupid husband in those towns though, and Seth hides behind his title, the Vision, and now his wife. Punk says she is much more than just his wife – a supremely talented wrestler who married a bum – and he needs Seth to know this will never be over. And out walks WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, no theme but the crowd sings it for him.

“Hey Punk, I’ve been looking for ya all night pal!” He invites Punk to come say it to his face. Becky blocks Punk from doing so, smiling smugly. He dodges past her, and Rollins walks to the back. Punk turns around and Becky smacks the shit out of him several times, paint brushing him and taunting him. She tells him “do something about it. You’re pathetic.” Punk says he’ll make Rollins ever cashing in on him and Becky will regret putting his hands on him.” She tells him to leave and mocks the crowd for not having a song for this moment. I kind of loved this. Becky was on fire.

After a break, Pearce finds Punk. He tells Punk that Seth will be there on Friday. Punk ask where SmackDown is on Friday, and Pearce replies it is in Chicago. Punk: “Tremendous.”

Jey Uso & L.A. Knight vs The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)

We’re destined to see some combination of these men, Punk and Rollins in the main event of Raw forever. Knight and Uso practice quick tags early to keep an advantage on Reed. Bron tags in and feels a Knight neckbreaker and tags in Jey, who throws in a hip check.

After our required break, we learn the Brons have been working Jey’s ribs. Those ribs are never healing. We get a loooong heat segment of the Brons working over Knight and I zone out a bit. The crowd chants “fuck you Bronson” because they’re rude people. Bronson misses a senton, giving Knight a chance for the hot tag. With Uso and Bron in, Jey is able to spear Bron. Bronson eats a superkick. Knight joins up with Jey to clothesline Bronson out. Perhaps these two can get along! Jey suicide dives onto Reed, Bron walks into a BFT. Jey goes up for the Uso Splash and hits it, Bronson pulling him out to break the pin. Knight flies out at Bronson, Bronson smacks him into the ring post.

Jey and Bronson meet back in the ring, Reed running into several more superkicks and a spear. Jey goes up for another Uso Splash and drops it, then Bron appears with his own superior spear. That’s all it takes for a pin.

Bron Breakker pins Jey Uso, The Vision defeat Jey Uso & L.A. Knight. The typical good match between these guys, one that goes about along with all the others. The Vision work over Uso again. Knight tries for the save but eats a spear as well. Jey gets the beatdown. Jimmy Uso runs out with a chair for the save, the Vision ducking out. Big Jim to the rescue.

The Paris crowd is something special, probably the best crowd we get. Even with what feels like the same matches again and again, they elevated the whole show. I’d especially find your way into rewatching Dom & AJ.