By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,677)
Birmingham, Alabama at Legacy Arena
Streamed live July 14, 2025, on Netflix
[Hour One] Raw opened with a video package that recapped Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution… Michael Cole checked in on commentary while a shot aired of MetLife Stadium, the host venue for SummerSlam…
Backstage/arrival shots aired of World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, Jey Uso, CM Punk, and Bron Breakker with Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman. Cole said Heyman would have an update on the knee injury suffered by Seth Rollins later in the show… A drone camera flew around the arena…
Women’s World Champion Naomi made her entrance. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Naomi cut it off and said she didn’t want to hear it now. She said the fans weren’t feeling her glow, but they’re with her now.
Naomi boasted that everyone thought she was going after the WWE Women’s Championship, but they couldn’t predict what her next move would be. She said she was sick of the foolishness on Smackdown.
Naomi said she didn’t betray Bianca Belair; she outgrew her and told her to take a good look at her now. She added that she might be new on Raw, but the women in the locker room should proceed with caution.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance and joined Naomi inside the ring. Ripley said one thing Naomi should know about her is that she’s not cautious. “I am reckless and I am pissed,” Ripley said. She said she walked into Evolution with the goals of finally beating Iyo Sky and regaining the championship. Ripley blamed Naomi for not achieving those goals and congratulated her for joining her list.
Iyo Sky made her entrance in non-wrestling attire. She was inexplicably all smiles and slapped hands with fans. Sky’s demeanor changed when she looked at Naomi. An “Iyo” chant broke out. Sky said she would take her title back from Naomi, who told them to take their “entitled asses” and go to the back of the line. The women bickered until they were interrupted.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce walked onto the stage. He congratulated Naomi and welcomed her to Raw. Pearce said the match that Ripley and Sky had at Evolution was “absolute magic.” Ripley and Sky nodded at one another.
Pearce said SummerSlam is a two-night event for the first time, so they need to blow the proverbial roof off the stadium. Pearce booked Naomi vs. Ripley vs. Sky in a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam. Naomi held up her title belt while looking at Ripley and Sky…
Cole and Corey Graves checked in from the broadcast table and hyped Nikki Bella vs. Chelsea Green, and a best-of-three falls match between Lyra Valkyria and Bailey for a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam for later in the show…
“The Judgment Day” Finn Balor, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, JD McDonagh, and Dominik Mysterio were in a weak version of their clubhouse. McDonagh was playing a video game. Dom expressed concern about AJ Styles stalking him. Balor said he was concerned about The Kabuki Warriors, and asked Dom to accompany Rodriguez and Perez…
“The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane made their entrance for a non-title match heading into the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: They wasted no time in announcing a match for SummerSlam in what was a solid segment. I assume we’ll be getting a lot of SummerSlam matches announced this week since the show is right around the corner.
A graphic boasted that WWE has 277 million views across social media platforms over the weekend…
1. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (w/Dominik Mysterio) vs. “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane in a non-title match. The champions’ entrance was not televised. Asuka and Sane caught the champions in armbars. Rodriguez powered up Sane and slammed her onto Asuka to break the hold. Sane maintained her grip, but Rodriguez dumped her on the top rope to free herself. [C]
Cole listed the attendance as being over 10,000. Asuka held Perez while Sane hit the Insane Elbow. Sane had Perez pinned, but Dom stood on the apron and distracted the referee until Rodriguez broke up the pin from the floor.
Asuka went to ringside and ran Rodriguez into the ring post. Asuka returned to the ring and tagged in before hitting a missile dropkick that didn’t make much contact. Dom climbed on the apron. Asuka hit him with a backfist.
Perez rolled up Asuka and got the pin while Rodriguez added leverage with her foot. Cole complained about Dom appearing to be just fine despite not being medically cleared…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez defeated “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane in 10:30 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: The outcome surprised me. I assumed we’d get the usual approach of the challengers winning a non-title match to set up the title match. No complaints. I like when companies break repetitive booking trends, but the champions still need challengers for SummerSlam. Alexa Blissa and Charlotte Flair?
Backstage, Jackie Redmond spoke with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. Redmond asked about the results of Seth Rollins’ medical exam in Birmingham. Heyman, who was holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, said it was too soon. Heyman said Rollins has until next June to cash in his MITB contract.
Heyman shifted the focus to Breakker winning the gauntlet match and going on to win the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Breakker stared into the camera… [C]
Cole set up footage of Miz and NFL player George Kittle golfing at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. They got into an argument and then Kittle dropped him with a kick and gave him a crotch chop…
Lyra Valkyria was interviewed by Redmond in a backstage area. Valkyria spoke about beating Bayley in the best-of-three falls match and moving on to challenge Becky Lynch at SummerSlam.
Bayley showed up and said the loser would go to the back of the line, so she needed the win. Valkyria said Bayley was being all about herself. Bayley said what’s best for Valkyria is to stay out of her way. Bayley pushed Valkyria aside and then made her entrance. Valkyria’s entrance followed…
2. Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley in a best-of-three falls match for a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam. There were dueling chants for the wrestlers. Valkyria was getting the better of Bayley and then patted her on the head. Bayley slapped Valkyria and then rolled her up and pinned her. [C]
Bayley pinned Lyra Valkyria to win the first fall in 1:25.
Bayley took offensive control and whipped Valkyria into a corner of the ring. Valkyria sold it big. Bayley continued to work her over and ran her into another corner. Valkyria sold back pain.
Valkyria kicked Bayley away, which sent her to the floor. Valkyria kicked Bayley through the ropes and then fired up. Valkyria tried to hoist up Bayley on the apron, but her back gave out. Bayley picked up Valkyria and hit a suplex on the apron.
Bayley got a near fall once they were back inside the ring. Bayley went for a La Magistral cradle, but Valkryia hooked her into a pin and got the three count.
Lyra Valkyria beat Bayley in 9:30 to win the second fall.
Bayley barked at Valkyria to get up. Once Valkyria was on her knees, Bayley blasted her with a knee strike and got a two count. [C] Bayley hit a Bayley To Belly for a near fall, which was followed by a “this is awesome” chant.
[Hour Two] Bayley came back with a gut-wrench sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Bayley sold a leg injury. Valkyria took shots at her knee and then suplexed her on the apron. Both wrestlers traded near falls.
Bayley went up top and dropped an elbow on Valkyria’s bad back and then covered her for a two count. Bayley applied a crossface. Valkyria nearly reached the ropes, but Bayley used her foot to push off the ropes and roll them over. Valkyria broke free and hit the Night Wing and then got the three count.
Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley two falls to one in 20:00 to earn a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.
Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance and entered the ring. Lynch held up her title belt and jawed with Valkyria…
Powell’s POV: I’m never a fan of quick pinfalls in best-of-three falls matches, so the first pin occurring 85 seconds into the match was an eye roller. But the rest of the match was strong. Perhaps most importantly, the live crowd was invested in both wrestlers after the fans showed little interest during their previous match two weeks earlier. Between this match and the Triple Threat at Evolution, it was a really good 24-hour period for Valkyria and Bayley, and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Graves spoke about how badass the women’s division is. Cole said he loves women’s wrestling. They recapped footage of Stephanie Vaquer winning the 20-woman battle royal at Evolution…
Stephanie Vaquer was interviewed by Redmond in a backstage area. Vaquer spoke briefly, and then Redmond said Vaquer will challenge for the Women’s World Championship at the Clash in Paris premium live event.
Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre showed up. Green taunted Vaquer and said that her “La Primera” nickname means “loser” in Spanish. Green said “La Chelsea Green” means “winner” in Canadian. Funny.
Vaquer told Green to take her best shot if she wanted to know what her nickname means. Niven and Fyre stepped in front of Green, who said she would be taking her best shot against a WWE Hall of Famer, so Vaquer could look but she couldn’t touch…
Nikki Bella made her entrance and was introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. Cole said it would be Nikki’s first match on Raw in nearly seven years… [C]
Cole hyped WWE Late Night for SummerSlam weekend with Cody Rhodes as a special guest. Graves hyped Cody and John Cena appearing under the same roof on Friday’s Smackdown…
A Karrion Kross video aired. He said your favorite bad guys were there to save the day. He said Sami Zayn was nowhere to be found and claims he’s injured. Kross asked Scarlett if she believed that. Scarlett said Zayn is a liar. Kross agreed. Kross said he gave Zayn an ultimatum that he didn’t like and he folded. Kross told Zayn not to come back to work until he’s ready to tell the world the truth and say that Kross told the truth…
3. Nikki Bella vs. Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven, Alba Fyre). Green’s entrance was not televised. Nikki got off to a quick start. Green hit a Backstabber that sent Bella to ringside. Green followed and ran her into the barricade.
Bella battled back and hit a facebuster. Bella had to knock Niven and Fyre off the apron. Bella stuffed Green’s finisher, and then hit the Rack Attack 2.0 for the win.
Nikki Bella beat Chelsea Green in 6:30.
After the match, Niven and Fyre attacked Nikki. Green, Niven, and Fyre stood over Bella. Stephahie Vaquer made her entrance and made quick work of Niven and Fyre. Vaquer helped Nikki to her feet, hugged her, and then raised her arm…
Powell’s POV: The match was choppy, and they seemed to lose the crowd as it went on. Fortunately, the popular Vaquer woke up the crowd again when she made the save.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were still dressed in black to mourn their tag title loss, and had Grayson Waller with them. They said they were in the bargaining phase of the grieving process and had Waller present Adam Pearce with a tray of toupees with the hopes that it would lead to New Day getting a rematch for the World Tag Team Titles. Pearce said New Day would have an opportunity to earn a rematch next week, then he knocked the tray out of Waller’s hand.
Pearce came across Judgment Day. He pointed out that Dom was jumping around during the women’s tag team match. Dom said it was due to adrenaline, and then showed off his medical paperwork.
Pearce said he spoke with the medical team. He said Dom would be reevaluated next week. If he’s cleared, he will defend the Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at SummerSlam. After the others left, Dom turned and spotted Styles praying. Dom yelled that he wasn’t cleared…
Penta was shown warming up backstage. Gunther approached him and they had a brief staredown. Gunther walked away with a smirk on his face… [C]
Cole touted WWE’s podcast network, which now includes Logan Paul’s podcast…
Rusev was interviewed by Redmond in a locker room about beating Sheamus. Rusev said people call him God, but maybe he’s just a saint killing off Irish snakes. Sheamus showed up and said he wasn’t there to ambush Rusev. Sheamus said he spoke with Adam Pearce, who granted him a rematch. Rusev said he came to dominate gold, not gingers…
The broadcast team ran through SummerSlam lineup and recalled the Jelly Roll angles that led to him teaming with Randy Orton…
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther made his entrance for an in-ring promo. Gunther said he was in a great mood. Gunther boasted that he ended the myth of Goldberg. Gunther taunted the Goldberg fans by asking, “Who’s next?” He said he would find a seat in a suite and watch the five men in the gauntlet match compete for his amusement.
Bron Breakker’s entrance theme interrupted Gunther. Breakker walked out with Paul Heyman, who had the Money in the Bank briefcase with him. Gunther smirked as Breakker entered the ring. Breakker walked up to Gunther and locked eyes. Heyman offered Gunther a handshake, which Gunther accepted.
Heyman introduced himself. Gunther cut him off and said he was very aware of what his name is. Gunther said he made his point and wasn’t interested in what Heyman had to say, so he was going to leave. Gunther dropped the mic, but Breakker stood in his way.
Heyman told Gunther to stick around because what he had to say applied to him. Heyman said Breakker would win the gauntlet match and then beat Gunther at SummerSlam. He said he knows that’s no easy task. Heyman said he saw what Gunther did to Goldberg, but he added that Gunther hasn’t been speared until he’s been speared by Breakker.
Heyman said Breakker isn’t just another contender, he’s a Steiner. Heyman said Breakker would break through the glass ceiling and break Gunther’s ass at SummerSlam. Heyman said Breakker would become a long-term World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam. Breakker stepped aside and let Gunther make his exit.
Cole said the entrance order for the gauntlet match had been determined earlier in the day. He questioned which wrestler would face Breakker… [C] Penta was in the ring coming out of the break…
4. CM Punk vs. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Penta vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman) in a gauntlet match for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Breakker and Penta started the match. Breakker ran the ropes and put Penta down with a clothesline. Penta came back moments later with a flip dive. [C]
Gunther was shown watching the match from a suite as Breakker dominated with multiple suplexes. Breakker charged for a spear, but Penta superkicked him. Penta executed a Backstabber out of the corner for a near fall. Gunther looked bored when he was shown again.
Breakker drilled Penta with a knee strike. Penta superkicked Breakker. Penta went for a springboard move, but Breakker speared him out of midair and then pinned him.
Bron Breakker eliminated Penta in 9:45.
The third entrant was LA Knight. Once in the ring, Knight traded punches with Breakker.
[Hour Three] Knight went to the middle rope. Breakker pulled Knight’s legs out from under him, leaving Knight down in the ring heading into a break. [C] Knight jumped from the middle rope to the top rope and then dropped an elbow on Breakker, which resulted in a two count.
Breakker stuffed a BFT and then went for a Frankensteiner, but Knight countered with a powerbomb for a good near fall. Knight went for the BFT. Breakker avoided the move by raking Knight’s eyes. Breakker speared and pinned Knight moments later. Gunther looked like he was talking to himself in the suite.
Bron Breakker eliminated LA Knight in 21:00.
Jey Uso made his entrance via the stage as the fourth entrant. Jey cleared Breakker from the ring with a clothesline and then hit him with a suicide dive. Jey returned to the ring and opted to “run it back.” Jey stood on the ropes and played to the crowd while his entrance theme played. [C]
Breakker ran the ropes for a spear, but Jey superkicked him twice and then speared him, which led to a near fall. Jey went up top for an Uso Splash, but Bronson Reed showed up and pulled Jey into the top rope. Cole said there were no disqualifications. Ugh. Breakker speared and pinned Jey.
Bron Breakker eliminated Jey Uso in 29:25.
CM Punk made his entrance as the final entrant in the gauntlet match. Punk hit a high knee and a bulldog and then cleared Breakker from the ring with a clothesline. Punk removed his warmup jacket. [C]
Breakker caught Punk jumping from the ropes and suplexed him. Breakker worked over Punk with shoulders in a corner of the ring and then hit him with a running knee strike. Breakker pointed at his wrist, acted like he was listening to a watch, and then asked if it was clobberin’ time. “I don’t think so,” Breakker said before clotheslining Punk via the bottom rope.
Cole noted that Breakker had been in the match for over 35 minutes. Reed applauded Breakker while standing next to Heyman at ringside. Breakker suplexed Heyman and covered him, but Punk kicked out at one.
Punk hoisted up Breakker for his finisher, but Breakker slipped away and then put him down with a backbreaker that led to a two count. Breakker told Punk that he wasn’t going to win. I”m sure there’s a better solution than what you’re doing,” Breakker said.
Punk caught a charging Breakker with a boot to the face. Punk was on the ropes when Breakker went for a Frankensteiner, but Punk rolled him into a pin for a nice near fall. Graves said Punk has forgotten more about the business than most will ever learn.
Punk hit some of his signature moves and then barked at Breakker before putting him down. Punk went to the ropes, but he had to fight off Reed. After knocking Reed off the apron, Punk hit a top rope elbow drop for a near fall. Punk immediately applied an Anaconda Vice. Reed entered the ring and dropped an elbow on Punk. Reed called for a Tsunami.
Jey Uso’s entrance theme played. Jey ran to the ring and worked over Reed with punches and then superkicked him out of the ring. Jey hit Reed with a suicide dive.
In the ring, Breakker charged for a spear, but Punk kicked him and then hit the GTS. Punk covered Breakker and got the three count…
CM Punk pinned Bron Breakker to win the gauntlet match in 41:20.
After the match, Punk motioned for the title belt and then looked up at Gunther, who held his arms open. Punk climbed on the middle rope and motioned for the belt and the GTS while Gunther held up his title belt.
Reed returned to the ring and blindsided Punk. Jey came back and got the better of Reed until Breakker speared him. Reed held Punk while Breakker ran the ropes and then speared Punk. An “OTC” chant broke out.
Uso was placed on top of Punk and then Reed headed to the ropes for a Tsunami, but he was stopped in his tracks by entrance music.
Roman Reigns made his entrance and took out Reed with a Superman Punch that knocked him off the apron. Reigns took Breakker down and threw punches at him. Reed returned and pulled him off, but Reigns hoisted him up and hit a Samoan Drop. Reigns hit Breakker with a Superman Punch. Reigns let out the war cry before spearing Reed.
Reigns stood tall while Cole said it was the first time Reigns had appeared since the night after WrestleMania. Reigns helped Jey to his feet, and they shook hands. Reigns looked down at Punk, but didn’t help him up. Punk got to his feet and looked at Reigns. Roman looked toward the entrance where Breakker, Reed, and Heyman were standing.
The crowd sang Roman’s name in European style. Reigns jawed at Heyman and his crew while the executive producer credits were shown. Heyman yelled “no” while clutching the Money in the Bank briefcase…
Powell’s POV: The gauntlet match was enjoyable. It was easy to see how it would unfold with Breakker going the distance, yet losing to Punk. This was a case of predictability not being a negative. Punk vs. Gunther is a big-time SummerSlam main event, and Breakker looked great in defeat. Roman’s return was mega over with the live crowd. It was interesting that Roman and Punk weren’t on the same page. If Rollins is out, I wonder if the plan will be for Reigns and Jey to face Breakker and Reed at SummerSlam.
Overall, a strong show with a big main event, a major return, and additional SummerSlam developments. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same-night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons), who heard exclusive same-night audio reviews of AEW All In Texas, NXT Great American Bash, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, and WWE Evolution this weekend. Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading it below.
“Sky’s demeanor changed when she looked at Belair” uhm… (have i mentioned that i have worked as a copy editor???)
A copy editor would probably pick up those lower case ‘i’ errors of yours too, buddy.
Try watching a two hour live show and type everything that happens and see if you go flawless.
Lol
Based on your own errors, I wouldn’t go around bragging.
Is this Evolution 3 already?
First three matches all women!
No complaints here!
Wonder if they are testing the ratings to see how a woman’s prime time show fares something else to sell to another network.
I appreciate Cole’s I love women’s wrestling comment, but I think we’re at the point where it’s just wrestling.
An all female, or female-led wrestling show, which NXT has been at times, would succeed for the same
reason as any other show – great characters, stories and in ring action.
I can’t believe you didn’t comment on Becky coming out in the red and yellow Jason.
I covered nearly 20 hours of wrestling in three days. I must have done okay if this is your concern.
You did more than okay I just thought that could’ve been pointed out due to the whole Becky Hogan thing.