WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 10.20.25

Happy Monday night to you! It’s time for yet another edition of Monday Night Raw. Last week we had a show that aired bright and early in the morning and had a big surprise in Bron Breakker and Bronson Lee attacking Seth Rollins. Can they follow it up well tonight?

Before we move on, I’d like to point you towards my look at the first NWA-TNA weekly pay-per-view. It was certainly a happening! It’s in a different style than the point-by-point nature of my Raw reviews, so give it a shot if you’d like.

The last week in WWE via the Blog of Doom writing squad: Raw / NXT / EVOLVE Succession / SmackDown

Then, Now, Forever, Together.

Sacramento, California. It’s a big championship night at the Golden One Center with three title matches, live on Netflix and presented by DoorDash. But first, let’s take a look back at last week’s shocking Raw.

Lilian Garcia, in this week for the vacationing Alicia Tayor, introduces Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. He’s here to update us on Seth Rollins, but then we see a GMC pull up in the parking lot. Bron Breakker exits carrying the World Heavyweight Title and is followed by Paul Heyman and Big Bronson Reed. The belt does look natural on Bron. We follow them in a single camera shot from the car, through the Gorilla position and onto the ramp.

Adam tells the trio that because of their attack, Seth Rollins is at home due to major surgery and out for a while. He announces that as of right now he is stripping Seth of the World Heavyweight Title. He tells them that we won’t be without a champion for long as we’ll crown one on Saturday Night’s Main Event – the crowd boos because it isn’t in front of them – with CM Punk facing the winner of a battle royal. The crowd does get some joy though as Adam says the battle royal is happening tonight. Adam asks Bron for the championship.

After some fan barking, Bron asks what happens if he doesn’t. Paul backs Bron up and has a talk with him. Bron says Adam needs to ask nicely and show him some respect. “Bron, respectfully I’m gonna need you to hand over the championship. Respectfully.” Bron steps up to Pearce, waits out a CM Punk chant and tells Pearce to say please. Pearce takes his glasses off. “Bron, respectfully I’m gonna need you to hand over the World Heavyweight Championship now please.” Bron laughs and hands the title to Heyman who hands it to Pearce. As Pearce leaves with the title, Heyman asks why everyone is so mad at them. “I also watch Unreal, I understand we’re the bad guys. But what did we do to deserve that?” The Vision had nothing to do with Seth Rollins, he didn’t leave Roman Reigns and betray CM Punk for Rollins, he did it because Bron is the future of WrestleMania. He calls Rollins a “bum shouldered bitch.”

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett greet us from ringside. Arrivals! Maxxine Dupri, Otis and Tozawa are here – Maxxine battles for the Intercontinental Title tonight. Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer struts in, she’ll battle Roxanne Perez. Rusev joins us on Rusev Day and he’ll try to win the men’s Intercontinental Title from Dominik Mysterio.

In the Judgment Day Clubhouse, Raquel Rodriguez is hyping up Roxanne Perez. Dominik Mysterio comes in and talks to Finn Balor and JD McDonough, who are mad they have to defend their titles tonight because Dom spoke up last week. Dom reminds them that he’s already beaten AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.

WWE World Tag Team Titles: Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonough) vs Dragon Lee & AJ Styles

Judgment Day last defended these titles against the LWO in July, they last competed as a two-man team in August against Lee and Mr. Iguana. The fans chant for Styles as McDonough and Styles battle early. Lee tags in and offers up a stomp on JD, who returns with his own. Finn tags in and gets a stomp of his own, then leaps into a dropkick by Finn. Judgment Day double team Lee in the corner as Wade notes that the recent dissension in Judgment Day has hurt their chances. Styles runs in to knock JD off the top rope and drag Lee over to their corner, getting himself a tag. Styles runs for the ropes and tumbles through to the outside as JD holds the rope down. Commercial!

Lee gets the hot tag as we return but the momentum doesn’t last as McDonough grabs him in the corner. Lee’s able to offer up a double stomp and pulls off his elbow pad. Finn pulls JD out and Lee leaps onto both of them on the outside. Lee rolls JD back in and hits the running elbow, JD counters out of a powerbomb and hits a massive powerbomb of his own on Lee as the fans chant, “This is awesome.” Styles and Balor tag in, Styles lighting Finn up with chops. AJ lands the Phenomenal Forearm and JD breaks up the pin at 2.9 or so. JD tags in and AJ hits him with a Pele kick then runs into a Spanish Fly from JD for a two. Finn tags in and follows JD’s moonsault with the big stomp, Lee leaping over JD to break up the pin. Lee leaps out onto JD on the outside while Finn tries for a Styles Clash on AJ. It doesn’t work and AJ hits his own, rolling Finn up for a three count. We have new World Tag Team Champions.

AJ Styles pins Finn Balor, AJ and Dragon Lee defeat Judgment Day to win the WWE World Tag Team Titles. Hey, there are worse decisions than putting the tag belts on someone like AJ who is consistently one of your more over wrestlers. It might be a good sign for the belts being defended more than every hundred days. The match itself was fine, I didn’t get into it until the last few minutes. They could really try to confuse us by calling them “AJ Lee.”

We take a look back at what the Usos were up to last week. Back to this week, Jey Uso visits with Jimmy Uso. Jey knows what he said last week wasn’t right and he was mad at himself. Jimmy says Roman won’t be here tonight but they’re both in the battle royal. Jimmy tells Jey to figure himself out because he’s going in on everybody – including Jey – during the battle royal.

A graphic gives us a look at some of the battle royal participants – Rusev, Ivar, Grayson Waller, Kofi Kingston, Dominik Mysterio, Balor, McDonough, Tozawa, Otis, El Grande Americano, Penta, Jey, Jimmy, L.A. Knight, Breaker, Reed, Styles, Lee and Sheamus. As always, the WWE team has done an immediate crappy job of Photoshopping the tag belts on the new champions. I triple dare them to let tonight be the night we start the march to World Heavyweight Champion Dominik Mysterio.

WWE Intercontinental Title: Dominik Mysterio vs Rusev

Dom leaps onto Rusev outside to start, Rusev gains control pretty quickly back. Dom tries to set up the 619 but kinda sorta runs into what we’ll call a clothesline by Rusev. Rusev suplexes Dom across the ring and Dom rolls to the floor, sending us to a break.

Rusev still has control when we return. Dom’s able to dodge an attack and sets up the Three Amigos. Rusev powers out, Dom reverses himself into a suplex. Dom goes up and goes for the frog splash, Rusev gets his knees up and muscles up in the corner. Dom slithers away from the Accolade and grabs his titles, trying to head through the announce position. Penta pops up to stop him and Rusev slings Dom right into him. Penta is slugged by Rusev as Dom shoves the ring bell hammer into his boot. Rusev catches him and pulls the hammer out, the ref grabbing Rusev’s arm. Dom offers a kick right to the nuts and a 619, this time landing the frog splash and getting the pin.

Dominik Mysterio pins Rusev to retain the Intercontinental Title. This turned out to be fun, though we’re really at the point where Rusev just can’t win the big one. Dom continues to be very, very over. Penta slides in after the match with a springboard tornado DDT on Rusev just to really lay in that Rusev’s the loser tonight. Penta points towards Dom.

Maxxine Dupri is warming up. Next, she’ll get the hometown title shot against Becky Lynch.

“Real American” plays at Joe plugs episodes of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling on WWE Vault.

Celebrities! They love Raw! Max Griffin and Nate Diaz are here. They are UFC people, Joe tells us.

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

We look back at Maxxine’s battle with Becky two weeks ago that turned out to be a career best for Maxxine. Our referee is Jessika Carr, which seems to be a shoddy choice by Raw GM Pearce. Becky immediately exchanges a few words with her. We get a very good camera shot of Maxxine reflected in Becky’s sunglasses. Becky shoves her title towards Carr as the fans chant for Maxxine.

Becky stomps Maxxine as Joe wonders what the medical concerns of Seth are doing to Becky’s mind. Big, easy start for Becky. Maxxine gets a rollup attempt and Becky kicks out. Becky slings Maxxine over the announce corner barricade to send us to break.

Maxxine is still working her way in as we return. Maxxine counters out of a Manhandle Slam with a Stunner but can’t capitalize. Max hits an air clothesline and then a real clothesline and gets a two-count after a nice legdrop. Maxxine hits a suplex and drops the straps, which we know is serious business in the Alpha Academy. She gets a two on Becky after a knee. Maxx hooks the anklelock and Becky rolls her into the ropes, suplexing her into an armlock. Maxxine flips over and back into the anklelock. Becky rolls out again and runs into Maxxine’s elbow. Becky is able to shove Maxxine down onto the top rope, Maxxine shoves her off.

A nice crossbody leads Maxxine to a near fall again as Becky rolls out, doing a Dom and grabbing her belt to leave. Maxxine follows and attacks, rolling Becky and the belt back in. Becky tries for a belt shot, Maxxine sunset flips and gets another near fall. Becky grabs the belt and hits Maxxine, giving us the disqualification. Becky takes some time afterwards to beat up Maxxine as the fans chant for AJ Lee. The fans do not get AJ Lee.

Maxxine Dupri defeats Becky Lynch by disqualification, Becky Lynch retains the Intercontinental Title. This was fine. Maxxine continues to be game and shows improvement, Becky is a great foil for her. This was a bit of a flat ending and now we wonder what is next for Becky.

Rhea Ripley broke her nose in Japan. Wade notes what a badass she is. Agreed. Take all her pain and give it to me.

Asuka and Kairi Sane get a video package, telling us that Rhea got what she deserved last week. They broke Iyo’s spirit and broke Rhea’s face. Asuka tells Kairi that she finally showed her what she wanted to see. Now they need a new challenge and Asuka thinks they need gold around their waists.

Pearce and Heyman have a talk. Pearce tells Heyman that Bron and Bronson have been removed from the battle royal. He tells Paul that he’ll put them back in if Paul says please. “Mr. Pearce, sir, if you would please take it into your kind consideration to put Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed back into the battle royal please.” Pearce retorts with a “no.” Paul turns around and there is Becky. He tells her he had no choice in the matter. He says there is a Vision that includes Becky Lynch. “You can have a hot husband at home and an adorable oracle on the road.” He tells her to think about it. She grabs his tie, calls him a penguin-faced prick, and tells him that she has never liked him or trusted him. She tells him that Rollins used him and was surprised it took him so long to turn on him. Becky says that Seth won’t hurt Paul, but he’s going to kill whichever nepo baby Paul is attached to when he returns.

WWE Fact of the Night: With 25 victories this year, Stephanie Vaquer is the winningest superstar in 2025.

WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs Roxanne Perez (with Raquel Rodriguez)

“La Premera” chant by the crowd. It’s the usual back and forth to start, with Rox getting a bridge that Stephanie turns into her own. Vaquer bridges through again, Perez rolls to the outside to escape. Stephanie chases and follows back in, Rox slapping the hell out of her. Stephanie offers a back suplex in return and tries for the Devil’s Kiss, Roxanne rolling to the ropes to escape. As the referee is distracted, Raquel punches Stephanie and we head to a break.

Vaquer dragon screws Rox when we return, this time being successful with the Devil’s Kiss. Rox kicks out as the fans chant “one more time.” Rox counters out of the SVB and continues working Stephanie’s arm. Stephanie hits a 619 of her own but then gets distracted by Raquel, giving Rox a chance to work the arm again. Stephanie leaps onto both JD women outside, then is able to land the Angel Wings on Rox for the three. As you’d expect, Raquel attacks afterwards to set up the next match. Nikki Bella of all people is here for the save, wearing the most silver pants in the world. Raquel boots her down, Stephanie stumbles trying to leap in for the save. Stephanie is favoring her knee as Wade calls it all a messy ending.

Stephanie Vaquer pins Roxanne Perez. The match itself was very good, as it should have been. I’m not as mad as a lot will be over Nikki, but the end was certainly a mess.

Lyra Valkyria has found Adam Pearce, Bayley finds them and Adam peaces out. Bayley says she has a surprise for Lyra but she can’t tell her until next week.

Bron and Bronson are talking as the graphics team are having all kinds of trouble getting the right chyrons up. Paul enters and Bron is upset. Paul tells us about all he’s done to make superstars. I think I need a six month vacation from Paul Heyman.

NXT Halloween Havoc is this Saturday. Niz will have a review of it up I’m sure. He’s very good at NXT reviews!

Stephanie and Nikki are walking. Stephanie thanks Nikki, Nikki says she’s proud of Stephanie. Nikki tells Stephanie that there is a target on her back and anyone could take her out. Steph tells Nikki she owes her one and Nikki says she’ll probably be taking her up on that.

WWE World Heavyweight Title #1 Contender’s Battle Royal

Main Event Jey Uso gets the big yeeting crowd entrance alongside Big Jim Uso. Jey yeets with an actual baby because he is for the children. We look at photos of WWE superstars at the San Francisco 49ers game including the Usos, CM Punk and Bayley. The fans call for the rollback and Jey obliges, calling for the music again and giving another round of yeeting. Sheamus gets a TV entrance as we head to the commercials and let some others enter.

Rusev, Ivar, Grayson Waller, Kofi Kingston, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, JD McDonough, Tozawa, Otis, and Dragon Lee joined us during the break. We come back to AJ Styles and then El Grande Americano getting entrances followed by Penta and his wheel of pyro. L.A. Knight gets the final big entrance, then CM Punk surprises us to join in for commentary. I hope they offer him a nice commentary blazer.

It’s a battle royal. Guys brawl. Ivar and Otis have a big meaty men battle. Otis and Rusev have a meat battle. Punk tells us his money is on Knight. Americano and Mysterio work together as Rusev eliminates Otis. Tozawa rips his shirt off and confronts Rusev and it ends as you’d expect. Not a good night for Alpha Academy. Judgment Day eliminate Dragon Lee. Dom eliminates Rusev and Penta in one swoop. Raw will continue!

And it does. Doesn’t look like we’ve lost too many people, though I don’t see Waller. Our next meat battle is Ivar and Sheamus, Sheamus eliminates Ivar on the apron. Americano loads his mask and Jey punches it, hurting his hand. The Usos hit the 1D on Americano and toss him. Sheamus gives Finn ten beats of the drum before letting him tumble, JD and Sheamus fall out as well and we have a Judgment Day/Sheamus fight. Dom is eliminated by Styles but the ref misses it. Commercial break!

Usos, Dom, Styles, Kofi, Knight left as we come back. Punk has a lot of Kofi jokes tonight. AJ eliminates Kofi. Knight wiggles out of a Styles Clash and puts on a backwards Boston crab, Punk properly making fun of him for using a submission during a battle royal. Jey dangles on the apron by one hand but Jimmy saves his brother. Styles leaps into a double superkick and is tossed by Big Jim. Jim and Knight tie up together and Jey tosses them both, Jimmy giving us shocked face. We’re down to Jey and Dom. Dom punts Jey down and tries for the 619, Jey catches him and tosses him for the win.

Jey Uso last eliminates Dominik Mysterio to win the battle royal and earn a WWE World Championship match. Jey did what he should have. Punk calls him cutthroat and says he’s excited. Jey yeets as Wade mentions that Jey did what Roman would have done. Punk faces off with Jey as we have our Saturday Night’s Main Event title match set, Jimmy staring from the ramp.

As far as the match, it was a battle royal. It was well done, and it continued the Uso drama, set up a big fan favorite match for SNME, and even gave Dirty Dom some more shine. It was enjoyable.

Overall, an average Raw. There was nothing particularly bad, though I might have hit the “maybe Paul Heyman is the thing I’m tired of” point. The tag match was good, Stephanie vs Rox was excellent. As far as Raw battle royals, it had one of its better ones. I imagine this leads to Bron and Bronson attacking Punk and Jey at some point, right? Join me next Monday and we’ll hop on the carousel again, probably for Raquel/Stephanie, Usos drama, and I’m going to guess Sheamus vs Ivar.