By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,700)
Taped December 19, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at Van Andel Arena
Streamed on December 22, 2025, on Netflix
Raw opened with a recap of last week’s Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio main event, which featured interference by the masked man, who revealed himself to be Logan Paul…
Michael Cole narrated arrival shots of CM Punk and Rey Mysterio, The Judgment Day, Je’Von Evans, Gunther, and The Vision. Cole mentioned that Evans will be a free agent soon…
Paul Heyman told Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to get out of the cold. Heyman told them he had this. Heyman approached Austin Theory, who was standing by, and asked him what the hell he was doing. Theory said he wanted people to feel his actions before. He said he got comfortable and made some bad decisions, and got hurt. Theory said he saw The Vision, and they don’t wait for anything; they take, which is what he does now. Theory said he knew The Vision had a match tonight and he’d love to help out. “Interesting,” Heyman said…
Powell’s POV: It was encouraging to see Theory speak like a normal person rather than act like a comedic goofball. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with this opportunity. By the way, Netflix posted the taped show with no commercial breaks. The show length is roughly 95 minutes, which is terrific, although I doubt I’ll be able to keep up without a few brief delays. Jake Barnett mentioned that they did the same thing internationally for last Friday’s taped Smackdown show.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves checked in from their desk and recapped The Kabuki Warriors attacking Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky on last week’s show…
Backstage, Rhea Ripley told Iyo Sky that she couldn’t protect her if she came to the ring, so she wanted her to stay backstage. Ripley made her entrance via the stage, which was covered with Christmas trees and giftboxes. Ring announcer Mark Nash introduced Ripley, and then The Kabuki Warriors came out together…
1. Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane). There was a spot for a commercial break, but they just stuck with the match. Ripley went for her finisher around five minutes in, but Asuka countered by hooking her into a pin, and the referee counted to two. Ripley caught Asuka with a kick, and there was another spot for a commercial break with no actual break.
Ripley caught Asuka in the Prism Lock. Asuka escaped and applied a standing ankle lock, which she released before executing a German suplex that led to a near fall. Ripley came up with a bloody nose at one point. Both wrestlers ended up on the apron, where Asuka performed another German suplex.
Back inside the ring, Asuka jumped into a superkick. Ripley followed up with a knee strike, but Asuka rolled to the floor. Ripley hit a cannonball from the apron and then rolled Asuka back inside the ring. Riple went up top, but Sane tripped her while the referee was checking on Asuka.
Iyo Sky came out with tape on her back and hit Sane with a palm strike. Sky climbed onto the apron and spoke to the referee. Sane tripped Sky, who landed hard on the apron and sold back pain. When Ripley went to check on Sky, Asuka rolled up Ripley and got the three count…
Asuka defeated Rhea Ripley in 10:55.
Powell’s POV: A nice match that put heat on the heels without doing any damage to Ripley. I could get used to this commercial-free approach if it meant shorter shows.
Backstage, Bronson Reed stood with Bron Breakker and asked Paul Heyman for an update on what happened with Austin Theory. Heyman spoke about where Reed and Breakker were before he had a vision for them. Heyman said he had a vision for Theory. Heyman said Reed would team with Theory against CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. Heyman said Theory would follow out their vision, or Reed and Breakker would take him out. After Heyman walked away, Breakker told Reed he didn’t have to do this, but Reed assured him that he had things under control…
Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri was shown walking backstage heading into what would have been a commercial break…
Cole and Graves hyped the WWE podcast schedule, including Cody Rhodes’ interview with John Cena…
Cole set up footage of Gunther’s promo from last week, and then said he would appear later in the show. Graves hyped the tag team main event…
Cole hyped WWE Unreal season two premiering on January 20…
Becky Lynch’s entrance music interrupted Cole’s plug. Graves acted giddy as Lynch made her entrance. Once in the ring, Lynch claimed to be the real Women’s Intercontinental Champion. She said she’s tired of the facade. She spoke of having powerful lawyers.
Eventually, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri made her entrance and joined Lynch inside the ring. Dupri conceded that Lynch is the greatest of all time, while she’s just a rookie, but she reminded her that the rookie beat the greatest of all-time.
Dupri got fired up and said she’s not just the fans’ Intercontinental Champion, she is Lynch’s Intercontinental Champion. She said she just wanted to hear Lynch concede that. Dupri said Lynch didn’t like the greatest of all time; she looked like someone who is afraid her best years are behind her.
Lynch punched Dupri, who fell to the mat. Lynch threw more punches to the back of Dupri’s head and then slammed her head on the mat. Lynch took the title belt and held it up on the apron. She returned to continue her attack, but Dupri took her down and put her in the ankle lock. Lynch tapped out, and then Dupri released her…
Backstage, Adam Pearce wished Je’Von Evans good luck and then said he’d like to talk to him about his future afterward. Evans was receptive before he made his exit.
Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer approached Pearce, who thanked her for seeing him. He asked how they could handle her situation with Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. Vaquer said there’s no situation and asked Pearce to give them both to her. Pearce booked Vaquer vs. Nikki vs. Rodriguez in a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Championship for next week’s show…
Rayo made his entrance with El Grande Americano and Bravo before the spot where a commercial break would normally air…
The Usos were featured in a video promo. Graves hyped AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso for the World Tag Team Titles on next week’s Raw…
Je’Von Evans made his entrance…
2. Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo (w/El Grande Americano, Bravo). Cole said he did a Wikipedia search, but he couldn’t find anything on Rayo. “Different internet,” Graves replied. Funny. Evans performed a dive over the top rope onto Rayo before the would-be commercial break.
Any idea why I can’t see the show? I have an account but nothing to see for today
Yeah I got confused as I started to watch last week’s episode,but then just scrolled down and realized the taped show was already available.