By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,686)
Springfield, Massachusetts, at MassMutual Center
Streamed live September 15, 2025, on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore spoke as a drone shot aired of the host venue, and while Penta, Stephanie Vaquer, El Grande Americano, “The Vision” Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker were featured in backstage shots… A video package recapped Breakker and Reed vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso, and Jey spearing LA Knight during last week’s Raw…
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso were shown walking backstage. LA Knight entered the picture and shoved Jey. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and a couple of referees joined Jimmy in pulling them apart. Pearce ordered Jey and Knight to go to his office while threatening to fine them…
Tessitore, who was joined on commentary by Corey Graves, spoke while footage was shown from inside and outside the venue…
John Cena made his entrance. Cena stood on the stage and said The Simpsons live in Springfield. Cena said it was time to go to work and headed to the ring. Once in the ring, Cena pointed at ring announcer Alicia Taylor, who gave him the usual big introduction. There were loud Cena chants from a rare crowd that didn’t sing “John Cena sucks” loudly when his entrance music played.
Cena recalled playing football at Springfield College. He said he played offensive line, so he never made the newspaper. He said as an offensive lineman, you get your ass kicked, and then come back the next day and get your ass kicked again. Cena said he had teammates in the venue. He said he had a niece, Ashlynn, who couldn’t make it because it was her birthday. Cena wished her happy birthday and said everyone in Springfield wished her happy birthday.
Cena said he had a tough hill to climb. He recalled Taylor referring to him as The Last Real Champion. He said Brock Lesnar wants to end The Last Real Champion. The fans booed. Cena said Lesnar is intimidating, controversial, and damn near invincible. A censored “F— you, Lesnar,” chant broke out. Cena told Netflix that the fans were saying “Talk To Lesnar,” so that’s what he was going to do.
Cena asked why he doesn’t say no to fighting Lesnar after he attacks him. The fans chanted, “Whoop his ass.” Cena said he could have pulled backstage politics, and said saying no is easy. The fans responded with a “Thank you, Cena,” chant. Cena said that’s why he says yes.
Cena asked if he’s afraid of Lesnar. “Yes, I am,” he said. “Could I fail? Yes, I could. Will I back down? Will I give up? Hell no. We will take the fight to The Beast, because that is what we do.” Cena said he doesn’t give a damn how many suplexes are in his city. Cena said he founded Suplex City and has taken Lesnar’s best shots for 20 years. Cena pointed out a fan sign that said his jorts are stronger than Lesnar’s jeans (Lensar’s jeans split on Smackdown). Cena wrapped up the promo…
Powell’s POV: A good Cena promo in front of an adoring live crowd.
Adam Pearce spoke inside his office with Jey Uso and LA Knight. Knight recalled Jey spearing him. Jey said it was a receipt for what Knight did to him. Pearce said they have one of the biggest events of the year coming up and asked how he could keep the peace. Knight called for a match with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Pearce said he needs a partner. Knight mentioned Jimmy Uso. Jey wasn’t happy about Knight teaming with his brother…
Lyra Valkyria made her entrance for the opening match heading into a commercial break… [C] A graphic noted that Cena is going for his 100th PLE win at Wrestlepalooza, and he’s second only to Undertaker’s 107 PLE wins…
1. Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez (w/Raquel Rodriguez). Perez’s entrance was not televised. The referee caught Rodriguez tripping Valkyria and ejected her from ringside. Perez rolled up Valkyria and had her pinned, but the referee was arguing with Rodriguez and was late to make the count. Rodriguez made her exit. Moments later, Perez caught Valkyria on the top rope and tripped her, causing the back of Valkyria’s head to hit the top turnbuckle pad. [C]
Perez performed a Frankensteiner and then drove her knees onto the back of Valkyria before covering her for a near fall. Perez applied a crossface. Valkyria rolled out of it and eventually hoisted up Perez before hitting her with the Night Wing finisher for the win.
Lyra Valkyria beat Roxanne Perez in 9:10.
As Valkyria was making her exit, she was attacked by Rodriguez, who threw her back inside the ring. Perez hit Pop Rox on Valkyria.
Bayley ran out and worked over Perez and Rodriguez. The fans chanted Bayley’s name after she cleared the heel duo from the ring. Valkyria looked apprehensive. Bayley put her hands on her temples, and her demeanor changed. Bayley left the ring and hugged the broadcast team members and some fans at ringside. Valyria looked confused as she watched from the ring…
Powell’s POV: Valkyria and Perez work well together. It looks like Bayley’s character has a personality disorder. Only time will tell if it’s campy or fun. I just hope we don’t have to hear her inner dialogue any longer.
Adam Pearce stood with Stephanie Vaquer and Iyo Sky in his office and indicated that they had each signed the contract for their Wrestlepalooza match for the vacant Women’s World Championship. They expressed mutual respect, and Sky said she would win.
Asuka and Kairi Sane entered the room as Vaquer and Sky were shaking hands. Asuka told Vauquer she won’t be ready for Sky. Vaquer told her to get out of her face. Asuka said that since Vaquer thought she was so good, she would face Sane. Pearce booked the match…
Backstage, LA Knight told Jimmy Uso that he chose him to beat his tag team partner for the match against Breakker and Reed. Jimmy said Knight put him in a tough spot. Jimmy said that he knew Knight would get his with The Vision tonight, while he and Jey would get theirs on Saturday. Jimmy told Knight he needed to find a different partner…
“New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods made their entrance with Grayson Waller for Kingston’s match against Penta… [C] Waller had a cameraman sign his petition, and then Penta made his entrance…
2. Penta vs. Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods, Grayson Waller). Graves played up Woods having surgery on his head. Tessitore said it was a minor medical procedure. Penta superkicked Kingston, who ended up at ringside. Penta hit a flip dive. Penta turned his focus to Waller for a moment before sending Kingston back inside the ring. Kingston kicked Penta when he tried to follow. Kingston jumped from the apron and performed a frog splash onto Penta’s back at ringside. [C]
Penta and Kingston went back and forth with kicks and knee strikes until they both fell to the mat. Penta got to his feet first and motioned for his finisher. Woods climbed onto the apron and distracted the referee while Waller entered the ring. Penta superkicked Waller. Penta jumped off the middle rope and hit Kingston with a springboard Mexican Destroyer for the win…
Penta defeated Kofi Kingston in 7:35.
Jey Uso was on the phone when Jimmy Uso showed up and asked him who he was talking to. Jey told him not to worry about it. Jey told Jimmy that he had to say no to being Knight’s tag team partner. “Have to?” Jimmy asked. Jey said nothing other than their Wrestlepalooza tag team match mattered. Jimmy said he wouldn’t take orders from Jey, and said there’s no Ula Fala around his brother’s neck…
Powell’s POV: I initially hoped that Penta’s feud with New Day would lead to Rey Fenix coming to Raw to help his brother. It feels unnecessary at this point, as it seems like Penta could just beat Kingston, Woods, and Waller in a handicap match. On the bright side, I am digging the tension between Jey and Jimmy, and I’m curious to see where it goes.
Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were shown walking backstage. Tessitore hyped their segment with AJ Lee and CM Punk for after a break… [C]
[Hour Two] Footage aired of Jey Uso throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park on Sunday (a ball, low and away)…
Jimmy Uso approached LA Knight and asked if he was still looking for a partner. Knight said he didn’t want to put Jimmy in a bad position. Jimmy told Knight that he was in…
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch made their entrance. The fans chanted CM Punk’s name. Rollins said he was going to say the name of the live crowd’s “stupid little town,” but he would address the television viewers instead.
Rollins gave Lynch a big introduction and barked at the fans to show some respect. The fans chanted for AJ Lee. Lynch said she had a lot to say about her, but she wouldn’t talk about people behind her back. “I’m not CM Punk,” Lynch said.
AJ Lee’s entrance music played, and then she and CM Punk made their entrance. Lee skipped to the ring while Punk walked and slapped hands with fans (skip, Punk, skip!). The crowd chanted Punk’s name once he and Lee were inside the ring.
“Hello, everybody, I am AJ’s husband,” Punk started. He said he wouldn’t waste time with an overcompensating introduction of who she is. Punk asked Rollins and Lynch who their team leader was. Punk said he didn’t need to speak behind Lynch’s back; he just didn’t know what to say. “Look at you goofs,” Punk said, referring to the leather-clad couple.
Punk said they had to listen to two crappy songs while Rollins and Lynch made their entrances. Punk said he had no problem putting “Cult of Personality” on the shelf in favor of his wife’s theme song. Punk asked if Rollins and Lynch would let their egos get in the way at Wrestlepalooza.
Rollins said Punk is the most selfish human being he’s ever met. A “shut the f— up” chant broke out and went uncensored. Lynch yelled at the fans. Rollins said he would give Punk credit. Rollins pointed to Lee and said she was the best decision Punk ever made. Rollins emphasized that he was only talking about Punk’s personal life. He said Punk would regret introducing Lee to their feud for the rest of his days.
Lee said Rollins brought her back when he used his wife as a human shield. Lynch said she read Lee’s book and had some notes. Funny. Lynch said Lee wrote extensively about the damage that was done to her neck. Lynch said Lee isn’t an asset; she’s a liability.
Lee thanked Lynch for reading her book. “I did not read yours,” Lee added. Nice line. She said Lynch was right; she doesn’t know how her neck will hold up. Lee said she won two titles despite her damaged neck. Lee said Lynch should be worried that she doesn’t know what she will do next. Lee conceded that she’s erratic. Lee said you can’t plan for something she can’t predict.
Rollins laughed at Lee while asking if she really thought he couldn’t handle her. “Listen, little girl, you’re not wrong,” Rollins said. “I may not be able to predict you, but your husband, I can read him like a book. And let me tell you something, you may not know what to believe about your husband. He has a nasty habit of leaving when things let him down. So, this Saturday, when my wife rips you into shreds, you better hope to God that he doesn’t leave you too.”
Lee slapped Rollins across the face. Rollins said he’d never put his hands on a lady, but thankfully, he had someone who would. Lynch looked to the crowd and then asked, “Me?” Rollins nodded toward Lee. Rollins and Lynch spoke off-mic, but Rollins could be heard asking if Lynch was blaming him. Rollins said it was her fault. Lynch left the ring. Lynch yelled from the floor that Rollins got them into this.
Rollins pie-faced Punk, who chased him out of the ring. Lynch returned to the ring and hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam. Punk knelt and was slapped across the face by Lynch, who left the ring and laughed with Rollins…
Powell’s POV: An effective segment with some effective verbal jabs. More importantly, they established that Lee has a history of neck problems, which they can obviously incorporate into Saturday’s mixed tag team match.
The broadcast team set up a highlight video package on the Worlds Collide show…
AAA Mega Champion and WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio was interviewed by Byron Saxton in a backstage area. Dom said holding both titles makes him the Mega Intercontinental Champion. They both heard some commotion. A camera followed a producer and a referee down a hallway where Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Grayson Waller were standing over Penta. “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar showed up to check on Penta…
El Grande Americano made his entrance… [C]
3. El Grande Americano vs. Dragon Lee. Lee’s entrance was not televised. With Americano on the apron, Lee jumped over the top rope and performed a huracanrana that left Americano on the broadcast table. Lee followed up with a suicide dive that elicited “holy shit” chants. [C]
A graphic listed next week’s Raw as starting at the same 6CT/7ET start time as this episode. Lee was in offensive control when a second Americano showed up and kicked him from the apron. The first Americano picked up a near fall.
AJ Styles came out while the second Americano hid under the ring. Tessitore told Styles where the second Americano was hiding. Styles got the second Americano and dumped him over the barricade. A third Americano showed up in the timekeeper’s area and attacked Styles. The third Americano distracted the referee while the second Americano shoved Lee off the top rope. The first Americano put Lee in his submission finisher for the win…
El Grande Americano beat Dragon Lee in 10:20.
Powell’s POV: There were a lot of moving parts with all the interference, but the wrestlers pulled it off nicely. That said, it was more of the same with the Americanos.
Backstage, Lyra Valkyria overhead an argument coming from Bayley’s dressing room. Valkyria knocked on the door, entered, and found Bayley sitting calmly on a couch while looking at her phone. A nervous Valkyria thanked Bayley, who stood up and yelled at Valkyria for barging into her dressing room…
Stephanie Vaquer was standing backstage when Rhea Ripley approached her. Ripley said that no matter who wins the Women’s World Championship, she would be coming for her. Ripley wished Vaquer good luck. Vaquer made her entrance… [C]
An ad aired for Tuesday’s NXT Homecoming episode…
4. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Kairi Sane (w/Asuka). Sane’s entrance was not televised. Both wrestlers threw simultaneous dropkicks. Sane applauded and offered a handshake, which Vaquer accepted. Asuka was not happy. Sane performed a nice head-scissors takedown and then threw a dropkick that missed. A short time later, Sane slid to the floor and tried to powerbomb Vaquer off the apron, but Vaquer stuffed it and then dropped double knees on Sane. [C]
[Hour Three] Vaquer went for a suplex, but Sane countered into a DDT. Sane went up top and went for an Insane Elbow, but Vaquer popped up and punched her. Vaquer joined Sane on the ropes. Sane headbutted Vaquer, who was tied up in a tree of woe. Sane hit a double stomp and then covered Vaquer for a two count. Sane threw two back fists, but Vaquer ducked a third. Vaquer performed a dragon screw leg whip. “That will tear you MCL, your ACL, your PCL, all your L’s, Joe,” Graves cracked. Funny.
Asuka pulled Sane to the floor. Vaquer went up top and hit Sane and Asuka with a crossbody block on the floor. Back in the ring, Vaquer performed the Devil’s Kiss on Sane. Vaquer followed up with the SVB and scored the pin.
Stephanie Vaquer defeated Kairi Sane in 12:00.
After the match, Asuka was about to enter the ring to confront Vaquer, but Iyo Sky’s entrance music stopped her. Sky ran out and stood between Asuka and Vaquer. Sky and Asuka bickered. Sky got Asuka to calm down. A “Mami” chant broke out. Asuka exited the ring. Sky offered Vaquer a handshake, which Vaquer accepted…
Powell’s POV: That was a pleasant surprise. Sane is typically booked as the weak link of her alliance with Sky and Asuka, so I didn’t expect to see her have such a competitive match with Vaquer. The fans love Vaquer, so giving up a lot of offense before beating Sane isn’t going to hurt her, especially if she wins the title at Wrestlepalooza.
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were featured in a promo video. Reed said the Usos were known as the best team in the business until now. Reed said LA Knight and Jimmy Uso would find out what happens when the dog is off the leash. Breakker said Jey would have to ask himself where he goes next after they take out Knight and his brother… [C]
Backstage, Sane held back Asuka while she was yelling at Sky, who told her that she needed to do it by herself. Asuka responded in Japanese and then stormed away. Sane looked mentally and physically exhausted, but she followed when Asuka yelled for her…
The broadcast team hyped the Wrestlepalooza lineup. The PLE starts at 6CT/7ET. There will be a two-hour countdown show and a post-show. They also ran through the lineup…
Tessitore hyped WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for Friday’s Smackdown in Toledo, Ohio…
Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanee Perez had a champagne celebration in their clubhouse. McDonagh toasted Dom as a double champion. Balor told Dom he should pump the brakes on his victory lap. He said Rodriguez and Perez had a tough night. Rodriguez said they would take care of Lyra and Bayley “just like Liv (Morgan) would have wanted.
Balor took issue with Dom getting help from El Grande Americano. Balor dropped his champagne glass and told Dom that he’s a member of The Judgment Day. McDonagh calmed down Balor and then asked Dom what Americano wants in return. Dom asked if it was so crazy that Americano just wanted his respect because he’s the king of the luchadors and the greatest Mysterio. Balor said it is crazy, and told him the next time he wants help, he shouldn’t come looking for them. Balor and McDonagh left. Dom told Rodriguez and Perez that they would cool down and come back.
Rusev showed up and offered Dom a handshake. Dom said his hands were full. “I am the next Intercontinental Champion,” Rusev said. “Enjoy your party”…
LA Knight made his entrance for the main event… [C]
5. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight and Jimmy Uso. Jimmy was in the ring coming out of the break, and the end of Breakker and Reed’s entrance was televised. Knight and Jimmy cleared the heels from the ring before an early break. [C]
Knight took a hot tag and hit a neckbreaker on Breakker. Knight struck Reed, but then Breakker dropped Knight with a knee strike. Reed tagged in and went for a powerbomb that Knight escaped. Knight hit Reed with a couple of clotheslines that failed to take the big man off his feet. Reed hoisted up Knight for a Death Valley Driver, but Knight countered.
Knight went to the ropes for his elbow drop. Jimmy tagged himself in before Knight hit the elbow drop on Reed. Jimmy followed up with an Uso Splash and had Reed pinned until Breakker broke it up. Knight took Breakker to ringside. Jimmy sent Reed to the floor and hit him with a suicide dive. Jimmy went for the same move, but Reed cut him off. Knight dove off the ring steps at Reed.
Back in the ring, Jimmy speared Reed. Jimmy went up top. Breakker hit Knight on the floor with a flying shoulder tackle. Jimmy kicked Breakker off the apron. Reed pulled Jimmy off the ropes and hit him with a Jagged Edge before pinning him.
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed beat LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in 12:05.
After the match, Reed held Jimmy while Breakker ran the ropes and then speared him. Jey Uso ran out with a chair, which he hit Breakker with at ringside. Jey entered the ring, but Reed swatted the chair out of his hands. Jey threw punches at Reed and then picked up the chair and worked him over with it until Reed tumbled to the floor.
Jey dropped the chair and checked on his brother. Knight returned to the ring and grabbed the chair. Jey turned around and saw Knight holding the chair. Knight tossed the chair down. Jey offered Knight a handshake. Knight accepted, then dropped Jey with a BFT. The executive producer credits were shown as Knight made his exit while Jimmy looked stunned to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A good main event with a post-match angle that served as a good follow-up to last week’s post-match angle. Jey’s character went too far with his post-match spear on Knight last week to the point that fans booed. As such, this week’s live crowd seemed to view this as a case of turnabout being fair play. The friction between Jey and Knight has been entertaining, and I’m curious to see how it factors into the Usos’ reunion match with Breakker and Reed and WrestlePalooza.
Overall, a good episode with some quality final hype for the Raw matches at Wrestlepalooza. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Raw, which will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Join us on Saturday for live reviews of AEW All Out and WWE Wrestlepalooza.
FWIW, Bayley was wearing an AJ Lee shirt.