WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 11.03.25

It is Monday and that means we’re here for Raw once again as we do every Monday night. Today on social media Triple H has promised a new landscape. I wonder if that landscape will include the members of each Judgment Day tag team having singles matches for two weeks before facing both competitors in tag matches the third week. Nah, that would never happen.

The last week in WWE (and WWE-adjacent programming) from the Blog of Doom writing squad: Raw / NXT / EVOLVE / Impact / SmackDown

Then, Now, Forever, TOGETHER.

For the first time, Raw is in New Mexico, right outside of Albuquerque to be exact. It’s the Rio Ranche Event Center, presented by DoorDash and live on Netflix. Here’s a look at what happened on Saturday Night’s Main Event.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is here, walking through the hallways, into the Gorilla position and out onto the ramp to the crowd’s cheers. He gets the “Cult of Personality” singalong and lets us know that it is clobbering time, but now with a title belt. He has a really cool sweatshirt but I feel like it’d be $69.95 on WWE Shop. Are sweatshirts expensive now? The fans are very loud for this man. “You deserve it” chant. He gives us the Academy Award speech, thanking “my smart, very funny, intelligent, tough, mean when she needs to be, ass that won’t quit” wife AJ Lee alongside Larry, all of the fans, and Jey Uso. He knows he needs to hold onto his strap as tight as he possibly can and this time there is no snake in the grass waiting with a briefcase. He does the Rollins belt swing just to rub it in a bit. “Seth, that was for you. I hope you like it. Speedy recovery, if you come back and get in my business, I’ll put you back on the couch.”

Punk says he knows the title puts a target on his back. He’s heard Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed saying they’re coming and he wants to be a fighting champion – “there’s a bunch of people I want to punch in the face.” He wants to face the best professional wrestlers in the world, guys like AJ Styles, Dirty Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonough, Finn Balor, Sheamus, and John Cena. “You wanna try to be Mr. 18-Time World Heavyweight Champion? I’m your huckleberry.” Anybody who has earned it and deserves it, get in line because the champ is here.

We are met with the unfortunate sounds of the theme song of Logan Paul. Punk gives us the Michael Scott “NO!” and says, “Anybody but you, I want nothing to do with your famous for nothing ass. Listen, I think blue is your color, why don’t you go to SmackDown? It’s lovely this time of year.” Logan says many words, telling Punk that we all know he has earned a title shot.

The voice of Paul Heyman interrupts as he walks out with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. He says the front of the line belongs to the man that pinned Roman Reigns Bronson and the future of WrestleMania Bron. Pfft, he didn’t even get invited to the poker game photoshoot but maybe they couldn’t fit Triple H in the ad with him there. He tells Logan to “get to stepping.” Logan Bron threatens to whip them both like a dog and Punk tells Logan to fight with him or get the hell out of his ring. Logan decides to leave but exits right by the Vision boys. Bron shoves Logan down and they head in towards Punk. Punk tries to fight out and Logan decides to make the save, getting his ass kicked in the process. Bron drops a Tsunami on Logan, Punk comes in swinging and hits Bronson with a chair before throwing it out of the ring like I accidentally do when I hit the wrong button on 2K25. Punk reaches over Logan to grab his title. I’m not falling for a Logan face turn, no.

Arrivals! The Kabuki Warriors are present and tonight they’ll face Bayley & Lyra Valkyria. WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee are here; they’ll be facing the Judgment Day boys.

WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer & WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella vs The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez)

Stephanie enters first then walks the aisle to Nikki’s theme. Our first match bell rings at 8:38 p.m. Raquel slings Nikki around a bit and offers up some elbows in the corner. Nikki stumbles to the corner to tag Stephanie, Stephanie runs right into Raquel’s boot. Stephanie boots Raquel into the corner and Rox tags in, taking a suplex of her own. Raquel pulls Rox out to prevent the Devil’s Kiss, Vaquer and Bella hit double crossbodies on the Judgment Day to take us to a commercial break.

Nikki needs a tag as we return. A moonsault from Rox gets a two count. Raquel drags Nikki away from the hot tag. Nikki fights back and gets the tag, Stephanie delivering a corner dragon screw and a running Meteora. Vaquer can’t hit the SVP and fights Raquel in the corner, going up and hitting a beautiful crossbody for a two. Rox tags in for a “this is awesome” chant, levelling Vaquer with a few elbows. Vaquer hits the Devil’s Kiss and tags in Bella who nails the Rack Attack 2.0. Raquel breaks the pin and Stephanie springboards into her arms, Raquel lifts her up into a powerbomb attempt and Stephanie pulls her outside, snagging her for Devil’s Kiss attempt but being rammed into the mat. This gives Rox a shot to hit Pop Rox and pin Nikki.

Judgment Day defeats Stephanie Vaquer & Nikki Bella when Perez pins Bella. This ended up being a pretty good tag match. Rox in particular continues to show just how great she is as she can have a good exchange with any opponent. Nikki held up well here.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to ringside and discuss the John Cena Final Match Tournament. I hope it is Rhea Ripley.

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and a referee have the Royal Rumble ball tumbler and are tumbling some balls, preparing to draw out the names of the first tournament match.

CM Punk is walking backstage and on the phone when he encounters Main Event Jey Uso who gets a mixed reaction. Jey says something is telling him to help Punk. Punk offers a “yeet” and they prepare to end the Vision problem tonight.

Penta vs El Grande Americano (with Rayo & Bravo Americano)

Just announced, Jey & Punk vs Bronson & Bronathan. Americano goes for Penta’s mask; Penta kicks his way out of it. Penta drops Americano with a unique suplex for a two. Penta tries for a Destroyer on the apron, Americano backdrops him and does the Penta strut to lead us to a break.

Penta has the advantage again when we return as well as a chanting crowd. Penta and Americano trade chops. Penta hits a tornado DDT on Americano who rolls outside, Penta dives right on him. Penta is always fun to watch. Sometimes you just need to let a guy look really cool and do fun things to get over. Bravo sweeps Penta’s leg and is tossed out by the referee. As the referee works on tossing Brrrravo, Rayo gives Americano the metal plate. Penta ducks a headbutt and goes up top, Rayo chops his knee and gets caught, Jessika Carr tossing him out as well. Penta leaps on Rayo because why not. Penta superkicks Americano and hits a Mexican Destroyer off the ropes for a three. Los Americanos attack afterwards and Penta escapes, the Americanos mostly still being ineffective help for El Grande.

Penta pins El Grande Americano. A really fun match especially in the half after the break. It’s hard to not enjoy Penta at this point and Americano is always a game opponent.

The Kabuki Warriors have a video package. They’ll keep tearing the division apart until they get their Women’s Tag Team Titles. Asuka says they haven’t forgotten Bayley and her kindness will not last forever.

WWE Fact of the Night: Dominik Mysterio successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship for the 9th time at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

WWE Intercontinental Champion & AAA Mega Champion Dirty Dominik Mysterio is here to soak in mostly cheers with his glorious head of hair. He says that on Saturday he proved he is the greatest Intercontinental Champion and Mega Champion of all time as well as the greatest luchador of all time. “There is no man on this planet that can stop me.”

WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is here to counter the argument. Wade acknowledges the internet rumors that Rey has been medically cleared. Rey has grown a mustache in his time off, likely jealous of his son’s mustache. Rey tells Dom that he draws the line at Dom calling himself king of the luchadores. The crowd sings for Dirty Dom. Rey mentions luchadors like El Santo and Eddie Guerrero, which prompts the fans into chanting for Dom’s real father. Dom: “You keep my father’s name out of your mouth and YES, I AM better than them.” He knows for a fact he is better than Rey. Dom calls Rey jealous and says he’s already stealing his mustache. The fans chant “whoop his ass.” He tells Rey to get out of his ring, Rey says he will but tells Dom he’ll never be king of the luchadores, this will never be his ring, and Dom will never be the greatest Mysterio. Dom tries to punch Rey, Rey fires back. Rey sets up the 619 and hits it, then goes top as Dom rolls out.

Adam Pearce is still drawing names for the tournament. Later on, we’ll find out who they are. Adam has spent almost an hour slowly picking balls out of a tumbler now. It’s probably a very good activity for a man who seems to have a lot of stress most Mondays.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria meet up backstage. Bayley doesn’t want to talk about last week and wants to focus on tonight. She promises they can focus tonight and do their handshake.

Wade and Joe are talking when WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch pops out of the crowd and onto their table. “I’ve been going through a lot the last few weeks. I’ve got a hot husband who is injured at home. The Vision have lost their GD minds and ruined everything. I have been saddled with a crooked referee who is hellbent on holding me down and after all of that, Adam Pearce sends ME home to cool down.” She says she is the definition of cool and tells the crowd the only cool thing to come out of New Mexico is a show “about how much meth you people do.” She thinks that Maxxine Dupri is not cool. She says this isn’t a test Maxxine can cram for but tells her to take all the time she needs because one wrong move next time will be her last move. Great promo from Becky.

As Becky walks out, the Kabuki Warriors begin their entrance. They trade stares before Becky circles around them.

The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

Asuka and Lyra start it out as Wade reminds us of the Damage CTRL history of Bayley, Asuka and Kairi. After some back and forth, Bayley and Kairi tag in and the fans chant for Bayley. Wade again shining as he mentions how competing in the altitude here is a challenge. Kairi hits a spinning elbow and works Bayley in the corner. Kairi tries for a tag and Asuka tells her to keep working. Lyra tags in and covers for two. Kairi struggles out and Asuka offers a blind tag, coming in and taking a crossbody from Lyra. Lyra gets some wooos from the crowd and springs outside, the Warriors moving and Asuka suplexing her onto the mat. The Warriors get on the announce table and emote to send us to break.

Kairi’s working over Lyra as we return, an ad on screen reminding us that John Cena’s last time in Boston is next week on Raw – tickets available now. Bayley gets the hot tag and works over Asuka. She drops a top rope elbow onto Asuka’s back for a two count. Kairi tags herself in and Bayley chases Asuka, not knowing about the tag. This gives Kairi a chance to drop Bayley and they leap over her, Bayley switching it into a Bayley-to-Belly for a two count. Kairi pushes out of the Rose Plant, Bayley shoves her into Asuka and sunset flips Kairi into the corner before tagging Lyra who drops a good legdrop for a two. “This is awesome.” Asuka distracts Lyra and stomps her from the top rope, Bayley breaking the pin. Asuka breaks a pin and pulls Bayley out. Asuka tanks Lyra off the apron, Kairi rolls Lyra in and rolls her to Asuka, tagging her in. They set up the corner elbow, Bayley breaks it up. Asuka slings Lyra into Bayley and rolls up Lyra for a two. Lyra leaps into an Asukalock and taps.

Kabuki Warriors defeat Bayley & Lyra Valkyria when Asuka makes Valkyria submit. This was a fine tag match. I can’t imagine this result sits well with Bayley and a few of her mental states. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair run out and confront the Warriors who slide out and taunt.

Joe & Wade look back at last week with the O’Reilly Auto Parts Highlight of the Night, JD McDonough putting in a hell of a fight against Sheamus.

The women come in celebrating as Finn Balor is confused and talking to JD McDonough. Raquel has earned a Women’s Title shot against Stephanie next week. Dominik storms in and asks where Finn and JD were. Finn says they weren’t invited, giving Dom the shilleleigh that he stole from Sheamus last week as the fans again sing for Dirty, Dirty Dom. Rox tells Dom that he should be the better person and be out there for his teammates tonight. Dom reluctantly agrees.

Nattie Neidhart’s book is now on sale. I need to check that out.

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

The great Alicia Taylor gives the champs their intro. Judgment Day attack to start, double teaming Lee. They work over Lee for a bit, Lee eventually spinning through and hitting a Dragon Bomb to break free. AJ gets the hot tag and hits the strikes on Finn, JD comes in and gets some too. Styles leaps on JD and we head to break. Did you know that the go-to-break signal for any match is one person leaping onto another? You do if you watch Raw every week because it happens three times every show!

Lee and McDonough get hot tags as we click back on with Dirty Dom having appeared outside during the break. Finn hits the shotgun running dropkick and misses the big stomp. Styles and JD are tagged in, AJ lighting JD up with chops. AJ slides and knocks Dom down as the fireflies are out for whatever reason the fans have decided to do it. As Dom distracts the ref, Finn accidentally hits the stomp on JD. AJ nails the Phenomenal Forearm and Finn makes the save. We have another “this is awesome” chant. Dom goes to hit AJ with the belt but Sheamus is here to hit Dom. While the referee argues with Sheamus, Finn cracks Styles over the head with the shillelagh and Lee breaks the pin. Sheamus tosses Dom into the crowd, Lee ranas Finn out and leaps onto him. That leaves us with AJ and JD, AJ nailing Styles Clash for the pin.

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee retain the WWE World Tag Teram Titles against Judgment Day when Styles pins McDonough. A very, very good tag team match. Judgment Day always deliver, and AJ and Lee are a fun team.

Stephanie Vaquer is walking and stopped by Nikki Bella who apologizes for their loss. Stephanie is ready and tells Nikki that it is fine. Nikki says she is rusty and making mad decisions, making her question her place in the division. Stephanie offers her a hug and some words of encouragement.

Punk, Brock, Roman, Cody, Paul and Other Paul are playing poker again.

Paul Heyman stops in and tells Jey that he was his favorite member of the Bloodline because he kept him guessing. That makes him wonder why Jey would team with Punk tonight. Jey doesn’t care what the Tribal Chief, Jimmy, or the world says about him, he just cares about what his heart says. Paul says Jey has a vision all of his own and he likes it.

Adam Pearce is finally done playing with his balls and now we have the first participants. The first two matches next week: Rusev vs Damian Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sheamus. Nick Aldis will draw the next two matches on SmackDown. It took this man two hours to draw four names???

We’ll have those two matches next week plus Alexa & Charlotte defend against the Kabuki Warriors and Stephanie defends against Raquel. John Cena will also be here for the very last time ever I’m sure in Boston.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk & Main Event Jey Uso vs Bron Breakker & Big Bronson Reed (with Paul Heyman)

Jey yeets through a hot crowd as always. Punk does look good wearing the belt. It’s 10:29 on the night after a time change, I need y’all to wrap this on up. Jey and Bronson start it out, Jey and Punk display some teamwork. Perhaps they can coexist. Perhaps! Don’t hold your breath. Punk pulls the rope down so Jey can leap out onto the Brons. And yet again, somebody leaping outside is our sign that the match must go to a break because they can’t figure out any other way to do it.

Bron is suplexing Punk as we come back. Bronson tags in and splashes Punk with Bron on his back as if Bronson alone isn’t enough. Bronson works over Punk for a while and tags in Bron, the Brons hitting Punk with a Shatter Machine before Jey breaks up the pin. Punk squeaks out of a gorilla press and gets the hot tag to Jey. Jey offers a superkick to Bronson and several more kicks in the corner. A running hip takes Bronson down and Jey goes up for the Uso Splash, Bronson pops up and tries for the Jagged Edge. Uso ducks and hits the spear, Bron breaks it at a 2.8 count or so. Punk leaps onto Bron with a flying clothesline and springboards onto Bron outside. That leaves Jey dodging out of Bronson’s way and hitting him with a suicide dive outside. The four men are brawling outside, and we go to a double countout as the fans boooooooo which is fair. Lame. Punk and Uso clear the announce desk, throwing Bronson onto the announce desk. Punk holds Bronson as Jey turns around and walks into a Bron spear. Bronson splashes Punk into the security barrier.

CM Punk & Jey Uso and Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker fight to a double countout.

The fans chant for “OTC” as Punk is thrown into the timekeeper’s area. The Vision work over Jey in the ring and Bron hits the spear on Jey. Bronson Tsunamis Jey and Punk comes in with a chair, a little late as the Vision boys dodge out. They look under the ring and find chairs of their own which is not great for Punk. Logan Paul runs out and stands next to Punk, puts on his brass knuckles and punches Punk, knocking him out. Logan takes the knucks off and hands them to Heyman as the fans chant “fuck you Logan,” the credits rolling and Heyman and Paul smiling. End show.

A good Raw. I’m not sure I needed any Logan Paul in my life tonight, but the story fits that he would quickly do what he did and he’s probably a good SNME opponent for Punk to hold things over until the Rumble. There wasn’t a bad match tonight – nor is there usually on Raw these days – but I’d recommend Penta/Americano and the men’s tag title match as the big two to watch as well as Dom and Rey’s faceoff and Becky’s interruption.

Next week, John Cena says goodbye to Boston at least until they advertise him for a one time only appearance in 2028 or so!