WWE Raw results (6/2): Powell’s live review of CM Punk vs. AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano, and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile in the final Money in the Bank ladder match qualifiers

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw (Episode 1,671)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, at BOK Center
Streamed live June 2, 2025, on Netflix

[Hour One] Highlights aired of Seth Rollins qualifying for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match on last week’s show with help from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, followed by CM Punk hitting Rollins with a GTS afterward…

A shot aired of the host city while Michael Cole checked in on commentary. Arrival/backstage shots aired of Sami Zayn, World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso, Seth Rollins with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. Cole hyped the final MITB ladder match qualifiers…

Cole and Pat McAfee spoke from the broadcast table. McAfee said the fans were expecting something from Cole. Footage aired of the bet on the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks series. Cole stood up and removed his shirt and jacket to reveal a Pacers jersey. The fans booed because the Pacers will play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. “You look like an asshole,” McAfee told Cole…

CM Punk made his entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. “That’s what arms are supposed to look like, Cole,” McAfee cracked. Cole said he didn’t think he looked bad for a 60-year-old. Punk said it’s summertime and then asked what he heard in the distance. Punk said he heard a little bit of Thunder. He told the fans to watch their NBA team all they wanted, but to make sure they watch Raw and Smackdown.

Punk said he’s won MITB twice and successfully cashed in both times. He said it’s the Summer of Punk, and it’s time that he got some gold around his waist. Punk said there are two people on top of the mountain. Punk said one of those people is his friend Jey Uso. Punk said if they met, it wouldn’t be personal, it would just be business.

Punk said the other one is John Cena, and it might be a little personal between them. Punk said he’s always had Cena’s number. “I’m gonna come pick the bone, you little bitch,” Punk said. Punk said it’s still all about the money, but it’s time that he becomes a champion one more time.

Sami Zayn made his entrance and joined Punk inside the ring. Punk said he usually hates when certain songs are played, but he’s not mad about Zayn’s theme interrupting him. Zayn said it was the first time he’s heard Punk speak clearly since he returned about his plan to become world champion. Punk said it’s time.

Zayn spoke about his own goal of becoming a world champion. He said MITB isn’t his path, but it is for Punk. Zayn told Punk that he must win. Punk looked up at the MITB briefcases that were hanging above the ring. Zayn said he knows that Punk is probably thinking about Rollins, Breakker, and Reed, but he shouldn’t be. Zayn said that he and Jey would take care of them. Punk said he would have their back. Zayn told him not to worry about that.

Zayn and Punk noted that Rollins hasn’t beaten Punk. Zayn said that’s why Punk needs to win the match. He said that it’s over if Rollins wins the World Heavyweight Championship. “We all need you to win tonight,” Zayn said. The fans popped. Zayn said that, for whatever it was worth, he wanted Punk to win.

Zayn said that if Punk were to win the World Heavyweight Championship, they would meet face-to-face in the ring again, and they would have a very different conversation. Punk went face-to-face with Zayn and then told him he looked forward to it. Punk and Zayn shook hands, and then Zayn made his exit…

Powell’s POV: A productive segment. Zayn did a great job of making Punk’s MITB qualifier feel important, while also putting over the negatives of Rollins winning MITB and successfully cashing in.

The broadcast team recapped highlights of Roxanne Perez trying to help Liv Morgan last week, only for Morgan to become distracted by Perez arguing with Raquel Rodriguez, which led to Morgan being pinned…

Backstage, Perez approached Morgan and Rodriguez and tried to talk about being helpful, but Morgan wasn’t having it. Morgan headed out while Rodriguez barked at Perez. Morgan crossed paths with Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky. Morgan spoke about cashing in on Sky, who said it wouldn’t happen. “Watch me,” Morgan said before making her entrance for the first MITB qualifier heading into a commercial break… [C]

Ivy Nile was in the ring coming out of the break. A Stephanie Vaquer video package aired before Cole could finish setting it up. Vaquer made her entrance to a solid crowd reaction. Cole said Vaquer could do double duty on Saturday and then plugged her Worlds Collide tag team match…

1. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile in a women’s Money in the Bank ladder match qualifier. Nile performed a double German suplex on both opponents. [C] Vaquer ducked a step-up enzuigiri by Morgan, then dropped Morgan with the same move.

Vaquer had Morgan seated on the top turnbuckle when she joined her on the ropes. Nile slipped under them for a tower of doom spot that resulted in Nile getting a two count on Vaquer. A “This is awesome” chant broke out. Morgan jumped from the ropes and hit both opponents with a double Codebreaker and then covered them both simultaneously for a two count.

Morgan hit a Codebreaker on Vaquer and then hit her with Oblivion. Nile tried to steal the pin, but Morgan broke it up. Morgan and Nile fought at ringside. Nile slammed Morgan’s head on the ring steps. Back in the ring, Vaquer hit the SVB on Nile and pinned her…

Stephanie Vaquer defeated Ivy Nile and Liv Morgan in a Triple Threat in 10:15 to qualify for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

The updated women’s MITB graphic showed Vaquer, Naomi, Giulia, Roxanne Perez, Alexa Bliss, and Rhea Ripley as all of the entrants…

Powell’s POV: An enjoyable match with a crowd-pleasing outcome. Vaquer’s popularity in NXT seems to have carried over to the main roster. Regardless of whether she wins or loses MITB, I like the idea of having her do double duty. On a side note, I love the lineup they’ve assembled for the women’s MITB ladder match.

AJ Styles stood backstage when Paul Heyman showed up and offered him a handshake. Styles blew off the handshake and then asked what he could do for Heyman, who wished him a happy birthday. Heyman said Styles could afford anything he wanted, but information is currency. Heyman tried to sell Styles on the idea of beating Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship. Heyman said the MITB approach is way too much. Heyman told Styles to forget MITB and leave it to Seth Rollins.

Styles asked Heyman if he’s tired of chasing that meal ticket. Styles said he’d get back to Dirty Dom and the IC Title, but Heyman should know that he doesn’t respond well to threats. Styles said he’s known Heyman long enough to know what’s what Heyman’s words were. Styles told Heyman to tell Rollins that he knows all about his plan. Styles said everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth… [C]

A Rusev promo video aired. He spoke of his disappointment in Shemaus. He said it would be his honor to take him off the field and send him home as the legend that he is…

Sheamus gave a pep talk to Akira Tozawa while Natalya and Maxxine Dupri stood by. Sheamus said there’s something real about Alpha Academy. He encouraged Dupri and Natalya to form a tag team, saying they both show heart. Natalya said he appreciated it and spoke about how Dupri has impressed her.

Cathy Kelley showed up and asked Sheamus about Rusev. Sheamus said they go way back, and Rusev was a groomsman in his wedding. He said he’s been putting on banger after banger, then spoke about how Rusev is picking on men half his size. “I bully bullies,” Sheamus said…

Finn Balor and JD McDonagh made their entrance… [C] The end of the War Raiders entrance was shown…

2. “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. World Tag Team Champions “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods sat in on commentary. Ivar dumped both opponents to ringside and followed. Ivar slammed Balor on top of McDonagh. Erik slammed Ivar on McDonagh. Ivar teased tossing McDonagh at New Day, causing the duo to flinch. Kingston and Woods stood up and moved closer to the ring, causing the referee to eject them from ringside. Additional referees came out to make sure Kingston and Woods left. [C]

[Hour Two] Late in the match, Ivar went up top while Balor was down in the ring. Roxanne Perez came out and distracted Ivar. As the referee focused on Perez, McDonagh pulled Ivar’s head on top of the ring post. Balor hit the Coup de Grace on Ivar and got the three count.

Finn Balor and JD McDonagh defeated “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar in 11:10.

After the match, Balor was all smiles as Perez applauded him…

Powell’s POV: The referee ejected New Day for standing up, but merely told Perez to get off the apron. Putting that aside, it was a solid match, and I continue to get a kick out of the Balor and Perez alliance.

A Becky Lynch promo video aired. She said Lyra Valkyria doesn’t know what greatness is and therefore will never achieve it. Lynch said if she loses and can’t challenge for the Women’s Intercontinental Title again, it would be the worst thing for Valkyria, because Lynch is the best thing that’s ever happened to her… Valkyria was shown walking backstage… [C]

A graphic noted that the women’s successful MITB cash-in rate is 100 percent, while 76 percent of the men’s winners have successfully cashed in…

Stephanie Vaquer was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Rhea Ripley showed up, causing Kelley to make her exit. Ripley offered a handshake and Vaquer accepted while Ripley said she’d see her Sunday…

Women’s Intercontinental Title Lyra Valkyria made her entrance. Valkyria said Lynch had brave words from backstage, then called her out. Lynch made her entrance to her usual theme song and headed to the ring with a mic in hand.

Lynch tried to speak once she arrived on the apron, but Valkyria cut her off and said Lynch had already spoken. Lynch entered the ring. Valkyria spoke about how she has changed. She said she is angry because no one in her life has hurt her the way that Lynch did. She said Lynch unlocked the part of her that makes her capable of destroying Lynch.

Lynch leaned against the ropes and said Valkyria wanted an excuse to hate her, because she wants to replace her. Lynch said no one can replace her. Lynch said she didn’t want to hurt Valkyria, she wanted to make her better, but that’s all changed now. Lynch said the thing that would hurt Valkyria the worst is raising Lynch’s hand.

Lynch exited the ring. Valkyria called her back for a fight. Lynch said she wouldn’t fight in Tulsa. Valkyria left the ring and attacked Lynch on the stage. They fought briefly until referees pulled them apart…

Powell’s POV: Valkyria showed more fire on the mic than she has in the past, and that pulled in the live crowd.

Cole and McAfee spoke at ringside, and explained why Cole was wearing the Pacers’ jersey. Footage aired of Tyrese Haliburton hitting a last-second shot that tied game one of the Pacers’ series with the Knicks…

A Penta promo video aired. He said winning MITB is his destiny…

Jey Uso and Sami Zayn were shown surrounded by fans in the concourse. Jey put “Sami” glasses on Zayn, and then they made their entrance through the crowd. Jey and Zayn stopped at ringside to slap hands with the broadcast team… [C]

A “Ladies and gentlemen” was heard, and then Paul Heyman walked out and stood on the stage while Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker made their entrances. The trio all headed to the ring together…

3. World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman). Cole noted that Breakker and Reed had never teamed together. Breakker ran the ropes and put Jey down with a clothesline heading into an early break. [C]

Zayn was isolated by the heel duo until he made a hot tag. Jey worked over Breakker until he was put down with a gutbuster that led to a two count. Breakker lowered the straps on his gear and then ran the ropes, but Jey dropped him with a superkick and covered him for a near fall.

Jey caught Breakker in a sleeper and was on top of him on the mat when Reed broke it up with a senton. Zayn went for a suicide dive, but both heels caught him. Jey hit a suicide dive that put everyone down on the floor. Seth Rollins showed up and hit Jey with a Stomp on the floor for the DQ finish.

World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and Sami Zayn beat Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed by DQ in 9:00.

After the match, Zayn attacked Rollins, but Reed hit Zayn from behind. Breakker placed Zayn on top of the broadcast table and held him while Reed went up top.

CM Punk showed up and slammed a chair across the back of Breakker. Punk launched the chair at Reed to put him down. Punk entered the ring with a chair and chased Rollins away. Rollins stood at ringside with his men and told Breakker that they knew where Punk would be later tonight…

Powell’s POV: It was fun until the weak finish, but at least the post-match comments from Rollins served as another hook for the men’s MITB qualifier.

Liv Morgan entered the Judgment Day Clubhouse and asked to speak with Finn Balor. Morgan brought up Roxanne Perez giving Dom chicken nuggets, shoulder rubs, and interfering in matches while she was gone. Morgan said she saw what was going on. Balor spoke about how he and McDonagh are now back on track, and Perez can win MITB.

Balor conceded that Perez came on a little strong. Balor told Morgan she could trust Dom. Morgan said it’s not Dom she doesn’t trust. Balor said trust will come in time. He suggested that they put Perez in Raquel Rodriguez’s corner. Morgan told Balor to babysit Perez, and she’d be in Rodriguez’s corner.

Dom apologized to Balor for the week before. Balor said it was water under the bridge and then patted the Intercontinental Title belt that Dom wore over his shoulder. Dom stared at the belt, and then slapped hands with Balor, who said they were good…

Kairi Sane made her entrance for a match against Raquel Rodriguez… [C]

4. Kairi Sane vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/Liv Morgan). Rodriguez’s entrance was not televised. Cole said this was the first singles match between Sane and Rodriguez. Cole played a “rumor” that Dom was big timing the other Judgment Day members by not appearing in their corner during matches now that he’s Intercontinental Champion.

Late in the match, Sane went up top for her finisher, but Morgan climbed on the apron to distract her. Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky’s entrance music played, and she ran out and worked over Morgan. Rodriguez grabbed Sky’s hair from the ring, but Sane booted Rodriguez’s head into the ring post. Sane hit the Insane Elbow and scored the pin…

Kairi Zayn beat Raquel Rodriguez in 6:25.

Powell’s POV: Morgan suffered a small cut on her forehead. Cole played up the idea that perhaps Morgan should have gone with Balor’s plan to have Perez at ringside. Hopefully, that means we’ll get one more shit-eating grin from Balor now that Rodriguez and Morgan failed.

Backstage, Karrion Kross approached Sami Zayn while a trainer was icing Zayn’s shoulder. Kross acted like he was concerned about Zayn, who demanded to know what Kross’s obsession with him was all about. Kross said it’s because Zayn lies to the fans and himself. Kross said he knows Zayn is capable of doing very bad things to people. Kross told Zayn that he’s not a good guy. “You’re a bad guy, just like the rest of us,” Kross said. Zayn said Kross is wrong. Kross said may be he is wrong, but he might be right too…

A shot aired of AJ Styles warming up backstage… [C] Cole ran through the World Collide lineup. Cole said Mr. Iguana is one of his favorites. McAfee cracked that Mr. Iguana will be a problem. The El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable match is officially listed as being for the AAA Mega Championship now that Vikingo won the title over the weekend. The broadcast team also ran through the MITB lineup. Cole said that he and McAfee will be joined by Wade Barrett on the MITB call. He mockingly thanked McAfee for his help with the “AAA stuff”…

[Hour Three] A video package aired on Jey Uso and Gunther to set up their World Heavyweight Championship match for next Monday night…

Jey Uso was seated in his locker room when Gunther entered the room and said he was there to talk. Gunther sat down next to Jey and told him that he appreciates all of the effort that Jey puts into being champion, and he can see that he’s really trying to be a great champion. Gunther said that Jey thinks with his heart rather than his head, and that’s why he’ll take the title. Gunther said Zayn needed Jey’s help, and now Jey isn’t 100 percent. Gunther said Jey is making it easy, and the party will end in one week. Gunther stood up to leave. Jey stopped him and said, “Three letters, one word, tap.” Jey said he’d see Gunther next week…

Powell’s POV: This was brief and yet really effective hype for next week’s title match.

AJ Styles made his entrance for the main event… [C] The broadcast team ran through the broadcast schedule for Saturday’s events… El Grande Americano was in the ring. CM Punk made his entrance…

5. CM Punk vs. AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano in a Triple Threat men’s Money in the Bank ladder match qualifier. Punk had the referee check Americano’s mask and body for weapons. Cole acknowledged that Triple Threats are no disqualification matches, but he said it was smart of Punk and Styles to make sure Americano didn’t have any advantages going into the match. Americano clotheslined Punk over the top rope to send him to ringside. American performed a senton off the apron on Punk, then hit Styles in front of the broadcast table. [C]

Punk went for a GTS on Americano, who stuffed the move and put Punk in an ankle lock. Punk rolled out of the ankle lock, which sent Americano toward Styles, who put him down with a Styles Clash. Styles had the pin, but Punk broke it up. Punk put Styles down with a neckbreaker and covered him until Americano broke it up.

Punk placed Americano on the top turnbuckle and then went to the middle rope. Styles pulled Punk off the ropes. They jockeyed for position and eventually Punk went for a jackknife cover that Americano broke up with a moonsault. Americano went for another moosnault that Punk avoided. Punk hit Americano with the GTS and covered him, but Bron Breakker showed up at ringside with Bronson Reed and pulled Punk out of the ring.

Jey Uso and Sami Zayn ran out to help. Styles performed a springboard dive onto the wrestlers at ringside while only Americano was in the ring. Styles went for a Styles Clash, but Americano hit him with the loaded mask and then pinned him while Punk was still down at ringside.

El Grande Americano defeated AJ Styles and CM Punk in a Triple Threat in 11:50 to qualify for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

After the match, Punk threw punches at Breakker until Seth Rollins ran out and stopped him. Rollins rolled Punk inside the ring, where both men traded punches. Punk hoisted up Rollins for a GTS, but Rollins slipped away and then Breakker speared Punk. Zayn hit Breakker from behind. Reed hit Zayn, and then he and Breakker worked him over with punches.

Rollins hit Zayn and then Punk with Stomps. Jey Uso entered the ring and superkicked Reed and Breakker, but Rollins grabbed Jey. Breakker speared Jey, and then Rollins hit Jey with a Stomp. Reed went up top and hit Jey with a Tsunami splash. Rollins had Reed hit Jey with a second Tsunami. Cole asked who could stop Rollins at MITB and his march to the world title. The executive producer credits were shown while Rollins celebrated in the ring…

Powell’s POV: The Americano gag still isn’t doing much for me. My worst-case scenario is Americano winning the MITB contract and using it to cash in for the AAA Mega Championship at some point. That said, Chad Gable is a great worker, so he will surely make the MITB ladder match better. The post-match angle was effective in softening up Jey for next week’s championship match. I’m just not sure why Cole didn’t spend more time playing that up as opposed to making it all about Rollins and his quest for the title.

Overall, a solid go-home show for Money in the Bank, thanks mostly to the last two qualifying matches. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same-night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.

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Readers Comments (11)

  1. WE WANT TRUTH!
    WE WANT TRUTH!
    And Carlito too!
    Lol

  2. When when when is this El Grande gimmick going to end? Any day now would be nice!

    I’m looking forward to Saturday, though!

    • Anon A. Mouse June 3, 2025 @ 1:54 am

      It would have been perfect to end it this Saturday. Instead of Gable, it should have title vs. mask against Vikingo. Vikingo wins and Gable is exposed. No More El Grande.

  3. Great night for the new dangerous alliance/Shield reboot!
    No Seth music and they were booed!

  4. Cole didn’t play it up,but Pat did by saying what Jey has coming this weekend and next Monday.

  5. Have no fear about Gable/AAA, Rollins should win the contract. They need a singles title in Heyman’s faction asap.
    I predit Rollins wins and cashes in next Mon after Jey barely survives Gunther. I’d actually be pretty surprised if this doesnt happen.

    • If that happens, be prepared for the endless Rikishi tweets whining about WWE’s terrible booking of his son.

  6. Has WWE mentioned Jim Ross at all? No well wishes or anything?

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