By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,674)
Columbus, Ohio, at Nationwide Arena
Streamed live June 23, 2025, on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole checked in on commentary while shots aired of the host city and venue. Arrival and backstage shots aired of Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, Finn Balor and Roxanne Perez, Jade Cargill, Becky Lynch, and Bayley… Cole said it was the 23rd time that the city hosted Raw…
Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman made their entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. Cole listed the attendance as 13,433. Cole was joined on commentary by Corey Graves, and added that Pat McAfee had the week off.
Highlights aired of Breakker and Reed attacking LA Knight on Friday’s Smackdown. Cole said Knight is out indefinitely. Rollins delivered his usual opening line. The fans barked for Breakker, who was the only one in his ring gear. Rollins asked the crowd what they wanted. A “CM Punk” chant broke out.
“Exactly,” Rollins said. “One minute you’re chanting for CM Punk. The next minute, you’re chanting for the OTC. And after that, you’re barking for The Dog, and then after that, you’re singing my song.” The fans sang the Rollins’ theme. Rollins said it’s obvious that the fans don’t know what they want, so he doesn’t care what they want.
Rollins said the people need visionaries like him to decide what is good for them. Rollins mentioned the fans having small brains. He said the things they want are because of him, then pointed to Reigns and Punk. Rollins said the company brought back Punk to capitalize on his hatred for him. Rollins said there would not have been a second coming of Cody Rhodes had he not put him on the map.
Rollins said he was the first World Heavyweight Champion and the first NXT Champion. He said they exist as they are because he built them in his image. Rollins said he is the creator, the prime mover, the past, the present, and his crew is the future of the company. Rollins referred to Heyman as “my oracle.” Rollins said they both know a thing or two about revolutions.
Rollins said LA Knight stuck his nose in their business and got Tsunami after Tsunami for his troubles. Rollins said Breakker had a chance to do the same thing to Penta, who has been a thorn in their side. Rollins said there are a lot of people who think they have what it takes to exist at the very top.
Rollins mentioned champions such as John Cena and Gunther, and their challengers, CM Punk and Goldberg, and the remaining entrants in the King of the Ring tournament. Rollins said they are all running a race for second place. Rollins pointed at the Money in the Bank briefcase that Heyman was holding and called it the end game.
Penta made his entrance for his match against Breakker heading into the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A solid, yet fairly routine promo from Rollins. I like that he’s dropped the wild outfits, but I really hoped to see him do more reinvention by dropping everything from the “visionary” and “revolutionary” lines, and even the “Freakin'” part of his name. He’s really not saying anything all that new. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee has missed as many shows over the last three weeks as Michael Cole missed during a 28-year stretch with WWE. That’s an observation, not a complaint, as McAfee obviously has multiple gigs and should build in some downtime.
1. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Penta. The match was joined in progress after the break. Penta ran Breakker into the ring post at ringside. Penta returned to the ring and performed a flip dive onto Breakker on the floor. Penta was grabbing his hamstring area heading into another break. [C]
Footage aired from during the break of Breakker dumping Penta on top of the ring post case, and then hitting him with his clothesline from the apron onto the broadcast table. In the ring, Breakker pressed Penta over his head and then dropped him on his knees, which led to a near fall.
Penta went back on the offensive and seemed fine, though he did sell his leg after performing a series of moves. Penta went for the Destroyer, but Breakker stuffed it. Penta superkicked Breakker and then went to the ropes. Breakker hit Penta with a roll into a knee strike, and then pulled him from the ropes with a huracanrana that was labeled a Frankensteiner by the broadcast team.
Penta hit the Destroyer for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out briefly. Penta went for a springboard move, but Breakker speared him in midair and then pinned him.
Bron Breakker beat Penta in 14:05 of television time.
After the match, Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed came out and congratulated Breakker. Rollins approached the ring and told Penta that this was his one warning to stay out of his way. Penta shook his head no…
Powell’s POV: This was a good match and it was nice to see a clean finish. Penta looked really good in defeat, and seemed just fine after that dive spot prior to the commercial break.
The broadcast team recapped footage of Liv Morgan suffering a fluke shoulder injury during her match with Kairi Sane. The broadcast team indicated that Morgan will be sidelined for months…
Backstage, Adam Pearce informed AJ Styles that Liv Morgan wasn’t the only person bitten by the injury bug. Pearce said Dominik Mysterio was also injured, and therefore, their Night of Champions match was off. Styles said Dom was ducking him. Pearce said the match would take place as soon as Dom is healthy.
World Tag Team Champions “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods showed up with Grayson Waller after Styles left the room. Pearce booked Kingston and Woods in a tag title match against Finn Balor and JD McDonagh for next week. Kingston and Woods stormed out of the ring. Waller told Pearce not to treat his mates like that…
Powell’s POV: I’m sure the details will come out soon, but I can’t help but wonder if he is legitimately injured or if he opted out of working Night of Champions due to safety concerns.
Cole hyped his sit-down interview with Goldberg for after a break… [C]
Cole’s interview with Goldberg aired. Goldberg said he took his family to a WWE event as a bystander or as a fan. He said he was there to have fun, but then he stepped into a verbal assault from Gunther. Goldberg said the lack of respect astonished him. Goldberg said Gunther embarrassed him in front of his wife, his son, and his fans in his adopted hometown of Atlanta.
Goldberg said there was no way he would let Gunther get away with that. He said it doesn’t matter that he’s 58 or if he had one foot in the grave, no one would talk to him like that. Goldberg said he was wondering who his retirement match opponent would be. Goldberg said it was serendipitous that Gunther put himself in that spot. Goldberg said he would make Gunther pay. “I am going to beat the f— (censored) out of Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main event…
At the broadcast table, Cole said he asked Goldberg after the interview if his retirement match was definitive. Cole said Goldberg confirmed that it would be. Cole said he asked Goldberg what would happen to the World Heavyweight Championship if he won. Cole said Goldberg told him it was a very interesting dilemma…
Powell’s POV: They acknowledged that this will be Goldberg’s retirement match after not stating that on television last week. Even so, I’m surprised that they haven’t given it much fanfare thus far.
Finn Balor spoke with Raquel Rodriguez, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Roxanne Perez in the Judgment Day clubhouse. Balor gave them a pep talk about how they would be okay while Liv Morgan is sidelined. Rodriguez wondered what would happen to the tag team titles, adding that the general managers had yet to make a decision. Balor said they’d cross that bridge when they get to it. Rodriguez got worked up. Balor told her that’s the fire they need from her, and said they need her as an enforcer. Balor told a gloomy Dom that Perez had a match. Dom halfheartedly wished her luck…
Jade Cargill made her entrance for the Queen of the Ring match… [C]
Backstage, Lyra Valkyria wished Bayley good luck in her match against Becky Lynch, who was briefly listening in the background. Bayley said she didn’t know she needed Valkyria’s permission to get a title shot. They bickered, but then Bayley said she would beat Lynch, and then Valkyria would be first in line for a title shot. Valkyria asked if they were cool, and Bayley said they were…
2. Jade Cargill vs. Roxanne Perez in a Queen of the Ring semifinal match. Perez’s entrance was not televised. Jade chased Perez at ringside. Perez tried to sidestep her and run her into the steps, but Cargill stopped short. Jade put Perez on her shoulders and headed up the ring steps. Perez slipped away and then knocked Jade down on the steps. Perez kicked the steps into her left knee. [C]
[Hour Two] Perez targeted the bad knee. Perez jumped from the middle rope and was caught by Perez, who executed a fallaway slam. Jade kipped up and sold her knee. Jade put Perez down with a spinebuster and then hit her injured knee. Jade licked Perez’s face and then slammed her to the mat and covered her for a two count.
Jade went for her finisher, but Perez rolled through and bridged into a pin for a two count. Perez ducked a pump kick and then dropped her with a kick. Perez slammed her knees onto the back of Cargill’s head and covered her for a two count. Perez showed frustration and then flailed away with punches. Perez went for her finisher, but Jade avoided it and then threw a lousy kick that made no contact with Perez. Jade powerbombed Perez, then picked her up and hit Jaded for the win.
Jade Cargill defeated Roxanne Perez in roughly 11:30 to advance to the Queen of the Ring final.
After the match, Jade went to the stage and posed next to the Queen of the Ring crown case. Jade’s QOTR opponent, Asuka, came out to her entrance theme, removed her mask, and then jawed with Jade…
Cole announced that next week’s Raw will start at 5CT/6ET… A video package aired to promote the Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso match that Cole said would main event tonight’s show…
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was shown walking backstage…
Powell’s POV: WWE is taping the July 4 Smackdown after Raw next week, so that’s why Raw will stream earlier than usual. The match fell apart at times. I’m curious to see what kind of match Asuka can get out of Jade. Either way, I like that a case can be made for either wrestler going over. By the way, has Jade been watching Brad Marchand’s old face-licking videos?
Cole spoke about the SummerSlam Kickoff that was held over the weekend while footage from the completely missable event was shown…
Backstage, Sheamus continued his weird streak of chatting up Akira Tozawa, Natalya, and Maxxine Dupri. Sheamus said he thinks Natalya and Dupri could be tag team champions. Rusev entered the picture. Tozawa bowed up, but then left when Rusev said “out.”
Rusev said Sheamus pretends to be everyone’s friend, but the place is full of people like him who smile to people’s faces and knife them in the back. Sheamus said he marches to the beat of his own drum. Sheamus said Rusev thinks he’s a god, and he recalled him being the most egotistical member of the League of Nations. Sheamus told Rusev it was time to put up or shut up…
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther made his entrance. He said last week was supposed to be his celebration, but Goldberg came out and told him that he’s next. Gunther said Goldberg is the most destructive man of his generation. Gunther said it’s not 1999. He said it’s 2025, and he is the best pro wrestler in the company, and his title belt proves it. Gunther said Goldberg can’t lace his boots. He apologized to Goldberg’s wife and son for what he intends to do to Goldberg. Gunther said he will make sure the myth and legacy of Goldberg dies…
Backstage, Jackie Redmond spoke with Becky Lynch, who complained about seeing Bayley and Lyra Valkyria conspiring to work together. After Lynch stormed away, Redmond approached Sami Zayn and asked him how he was processing his loss.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett showed up before Zayn could respond. Kross claimed he wasn’t trying to “get under your nerves” and then asked him what happened. Kross said Randy Orton took him out just like Kross said he would. Kross told Zayn that he would never be world champion.
“Okay,” Zayn said twice. Zayn punched Kross, who fell to the floor. Zayn told Kross that he spoke with Adam Pearce, and their match is official. “Tick-tock,” Zayn said before walking away. Kross laughed and Scarlett said, “Got him”…
Bayley made her entrance… [C] Cole hyped the WWE podcast schedule for the week… The tail end of Becky Lynch’s entrance was televised…
3. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Lynch caught Bayley on the ropes and then wrenched her arm over the top rope heading into a break. [C]
Bayley hit a Bayley-to-Belly for a near fall. Bayley drove Lynch into the corner with a sunset flip and then covered her for another near fall. Bayley went up top and was cut off by Lynch, who joined her on the ropes. Both wrestlers fought on the ropes. Lynch got the better of it and executed a superplex. Lynch applied an armbar, but Bayley rolled onto her to force her to break the hold.
Bayley put Lynch in a half-crab until Lynch crawled to the ropes. Both wrestlers traded punches. Bayley stuffed a Manhandle Slam attempt and then hit Lynch with her own finisher. Lynch scrambled to ringside to avoid being pinned. Bayley followed and was tossed over the broadcast table. Lynch placed chairs on top of Bayley, who was under the table. Lynch returned to the ring and encouraged the referee to count.
Lyra Valkyria showed up and tried to help Bayley. Lynch punched Valkyria and then returned to the ring and begged Valkyria to hit her. Bayley returned to the apron and was sent back to the floor. Bayley tossed Lynch over the broadcast table and then picked her up and ran her into the ring post and the ringside barricade. Bayley rolled Lynch back inside the ring. Bayley went up top for an elbow drop, but Valkyria entered the ring and threw punches at Lynch to end the match.
Becky Lynch defeated Bayley by DQ in roughly 13:45 to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Powell’s POV: You had to know that Valkyria would play a part in the finish, as the friction between her and Bayley heading into this match screamed future Triple Threat.
Cole hyped the main event for later in the show… [C]
Backstage, Chad Gable told Ivy Nile not to tell “those other two” that she has always been his favorite student. Gable blamed Stephanie Vaquer for her losses. He told her to do what he did to Rey Mysterio and Otis when they got in his way by wiping them out completely.
Gable ended the conversation because he saw Penta. Gable taunted Penta, who sold injuries and tried to avoid the confrontation. Gable threatened to rip the mask off his head. Penta superkicked him and gave him the Sacrifice. Producers ran off Penta. Ludwig Kaiser was watching in the background while the Creeds showed up to check on Gable…
Highlights aired of the recent issues between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez…
Raquel Rodriguez stood in the ring and told Rhea Ripley that she wouldn’t let her screw her out of the Queen of the Ring tournament. Rodriguez called out Ripley.
Rhea Ripley came out and got the better of Rodriguez and then followed her to ringside. Rodriguez drove Ripley into the side of the ring and tossed her into the timekeepers’ area.
Rodriguez pulled out the sponsored table and slid it inside the ring. Ripley jumped from the broadcast table and hit Rodriguez. Ripley ran Rodriguez into the ring steps. “You want tables?” Ripley asked before entering the ring. Ripley set up the sponsored table and then pulled Rodriguez into the ring. Ripley set up for her finisher.
Roxanne Perez came out and helped Rodriguez. Ripley got Perez in Electric Chair position and dumped her face-first on the top turnbuckle. Rodriguez used a Tejana Bomb to put Ripley through the sponsored table. Rodriguez helped Perez to her feet…
Powell’s POV: Is this leading to a sponsored tables match at Evolution?
Still shots showed the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers celebrating with a replica title belt…
Cole hyped that Jelly Roll will make a special appearance on the July 11 Smackdown in Nashville…
Powell’s POV: There’s no such thing as a “special appearance” by Jelly Roll because dude is everywhere. He must have one hell of a publicist and perhaps a twin.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley stormed into Adam Pearce’s office and demanded a match with Raquel Rodriguez. Pearce asked her about having a Street Fight. Ripley agreed…
The Yin and Yang video package on John Cena and CM Punk aired, along with some new footage from Cena’s promo from Smackdown…
Cole hyped the Night of Champions Kickoff event for Friday morning at 9CT/10ET, the Countdown Show for 10CT/11ET, and the actual NOC event for noonCT/1ET…
Powell’s POV: There was no mention of a post-show press conference, so it appears that no journalists will be slaughtered live on YouTube.
Jey Uso was shown in the concourse surrounded by fans, and then he made his entrance for the main event. A graphic showed that the winner of the main event will face Randy Orton in the King of the Ring final at Night of Champions. The crowd called for an encore, so Jey ran it back.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance. Cole reminded viewers of the early start time for next week’s Raw…
4. Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso in a King of the Ring semifinal match. Cole said this was the first singles match between the two. Cody offered a handshake, which Jey accepted before they locked up to start the match. The wrestlers were essentially even heading into a break, a few minutes into the match. [C]
Cody had Jey in a Figure Four coming out of the break, but Jey reached the bottom rope to break it. Jey dropped Cody with a spinning kick. Cody came back with a drop-down uppercut, but then Jey put him down with a Samoan Drop and covered him for a two count. Cody used a Kimura lock. Jey rallied with a sleeper, which Cody eventually escaped by dumping Jey over the top rope. Cody went for a suicide dive, but Jey punched him from the floor.
Both men fought for position on the top rope while a “this is awesome” chant broke out. Jey headbutted Cody off the ropes. Cody ran back up the ropes and superplexed Jey heading into another break. [C] Jey powerslammed Cody and then set him up for his own CrossRhodes finisher, but Cody escaped.
Cody hit a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Jey came back with a spear for a near fall of his own. Cody rallied and hit a Super Cutter for another near fall. Cody waited for Jey to stand up and then set him up for CrossRhodes, but Jey reversed it by hitting CrossRhodes for a really good near fall.
Jey superkicked Cody when he tried to get up. Jey told Cody to get up and then superkicked him again once he got to his knees. Jey got Cody on his feet and then speared him. Jey moved Cody into position and then went up top for an Uso Splash, but Cody shot up, ran up the ropes, and hit another top rope cutter. Cody followed up with CrossRhodes and then got the three count.
Cody Rhodes defeated Jey Uso in 20:00 to advance to the King of the Ring final.
Cole hyped Cody vs. Randy Orton for Night of Champions. Cody dropped to his knees while Jey was still down on the mat. Both men stood up, shook hands, and hugged. Cody’s music played. Jey held up Cody’s arm and pointed at him. They hugged again as the executive producer credits were shown to close out the episode…
Powell’s POV: A hot main event between two of the company’s top babyfaces. Cody going over was expected and sets up a fun showdown match with his old mentor Randy Orton. Overall, a solid show that felt newsworthy thanks to the King and Queen of the Ring matches. I will be back later tonight with my usual same-night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading the show below.
Join me for my live review of WWE Night of Champions on Saturday afternoon.
“opted out of working Night of Champions due to safety concerns.” saftey concerns? did i miss something?
The Middle East isn’t exactly the most stable of regions at the best of times, even less so after the US bombed Iran.
“There was no mention of a post-show press conference, so it appears that no journalists will be slaughtered live on YouTube.”
Holy hell. That got me!
I rag on Nikki Bella’s return loads, because she was awful in her prime, but I’d watch her over Jade 100 times out of 100. Cargill can’t talk and can’t work. Remind me again why she’s in wrestling?