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WWE RAW REPORT
MARCH 17, 2025
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM AT FOREST NATIONAL
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, EDTIOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 8,078 tickets were distributed headed into the show. The arena was set up for 8.080, so it’s a sellout. The arena has a capacity of 8,400,spectators when configured for boxing/MMA.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed aerial views of Brussels. Then they showed wrestlers arriving at the arena including Finn Balor, Bron Breakker, Bianca Belair, and Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai.
-They went to Cole and Corey Graves at ringside to set the table. Cole said Pat McAfee had the week off. Cole said they’ll hear from Cena. He said given Cena’s history, they owe him the benefit of the doubt to explain himself.
-A video package aired on John Cena turning on Cody Rhodes.
-John Cena came out to his usual entrance song, wearing jorts and a t-shirt about not seeing him after 2025. The fans exploded into boos and sang “John Cena sucks!” Then as Cena stood in the ring, they engaged a “Let’s Go Cena / Cena Sucks!” chant. Then they chanted, “You sold out!”
Cena calmly, stoically said: “When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans taunted Cena with chants and boos. “You are making this so easy for me,” he said. “You see for 25 years, I have been the victim of an abusive relationship.” When fans booed, he yelled, “No, no, no! You have lost your time to talk.” He said fans have abused him and been hurtful and all they’ve ever done is bully him into being their damn puppet and expected him to do it with a smile on his face. Fans loudly chanted, “F— you, Cena!” Netflix was late to bleeping, but eventually tried.
Cena said: “I am not a babyface, I am not a heel; I am a human being. And each and every one of you have been awful to me.” He said it’s been the same noise for 25 years. He said fans let him know when he first arrived that they hated him. He said he changed himself so fans would like him, “and it worked for a second, but it wasn’t enough.” He said he worked hard and started to win and win and win. “I won a lot and you hated it,” he said. He said he spent the next ten years of his life trying to give everything he could, but it still wasn’t enough. Fans chanted, “Shut the f— up!” No bleeping.
He said in his final moments, he could have walked away. Fans cheered. He said fans are terrible, going from telling him to “shut the f up” to cheering when he said he was walking away. He said fans ruined his retirement tour. “I tried one last time to get along you guys and you ruined it, just like you ruin everything.” He said it’s never enough for them. Fans sang the “Na na na na, good bye” song. He held up the mic. He then told fans they should be ashamed of themselves for taking and taking and only caring about themselves.
He said fans just wanted to know what they were going to get from him. “You get what you have earned and what you have earned is nothing,” he said. He said they don’t get new clothes or new music. He said their time is up and his time is now. “The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you have been for 25 years to me.” A loud, “We want Cody!” chant rang out.
Cena said, “You’re chanting for Cody? Of course, your brand new shiny toy.” He said they’re about to put him out to pasture. He said they’re proving his point that they’re awful people. He said it’s every person in the room. He said he can identify the “Let’s Go Cena!” people in the crowd. He said they say they support him. He said the “Cena Sucks Jagoffs” have also proven themselves awful people. He said the “Let’s Go Cena” people are just as awful. “You claim to support me,” he said. “What have you ever done to support me, huh?” He said all they ever do is steal from him, including his time and his personal moments. “You have made me a frickin’ toy,” he said. “I’m an object to you.” He said they are pathetic. Fans loudly chanted, “Shut the f— up!”
He said fans aren’t comfortable leaning into an awkward conversation. He said he lives “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect” every day. He said they think they can buy the words “Never Give Up,” but he embodies it. “You use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life,” he said. “Because all you’ve ever done for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great. No more!” He said everybody is in a toxic, dysfunctional relationship. He pointed at a kid in the crowd and said he means him. He said he’s breaking up with all of them. “Whether you like me or not, you’re dumped,” he said. “I don’t care about you. You don’t matter to me.” He said they know he’s right and they know they are wrong. Cody’s music interrupted.
Cody slapped hands and smiled on his way to the ring. He entered the ring 24 minutes into the hour. Fans loudly sang Cody’s name as Cody stared down Cena. Then a “Cody” chant rang out as he was about to speak. “I think everyone was willing to hear you out, even myself,” he said. He said from what he understands, he thinks the fans have given him his worst, but they have also given him his best. “They did that because you were special, because you could take it, because you could carry it,” he said. Cena, “Listen, kid.” Cody growled, “Enough!” He added, “And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s ‘WWE Champion.'” Then he looked at Cena and said, “Who the hell are you?” He said he was excited about going face to face for weeks with John Cena, “and instead I got this!” He said “this better not show up at WrestleMania, because if it does, I’ll run it over and I’ll run it out because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t enough.”
Cody said he wants to wrestle John Cena at WrestleMania, “not this whiny bitch.” He threw the mic toward Cena and left the ring as fans roared with cheers.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is really working. Cena was great here. No meta nonsense beyond the “babyface/heel” thing, which worked in the context of the rest of his promo. I do love that he’s not abandoning the jorts or music basically out of spite to the fans. It is believable enough that he feels this way. One thing I would have added is when he came believe fans were using him. It’s not clear if he always felt resentment but suppressed it, or if he realized it after he saw Cody rise to take his place and he realized from more of a distance how replaceable he was, or what? Cody was really good here. There’s a lot of ways this could have gone that would have been very good, and this was one of those ways.)
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside to react. Cole apologized in advance for what were about to be some personal and emotional comments. He said Cena had the audacity to blame the WWE fans. “John Cena is a 16-time World Champion because of the fans. John Cena is a massive millionaire and a movie star because of the fans. And what does he do? He comes out here and cries and acts like an irrational prick. That’s what he is!” Graves said it was uncomfortable listening to Cena. He said he understands everyone’s frustrations, but that was Cena speaking his truth. Cole shifted to saying they would be looking at some of the great Intercontinental Title matches over the years. A clip aired of Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3. Then they plugged Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor for the IC Title tonight.
(Keller’s Analysis: I didn’t love Cole earlier saying they owed Cena the benefit of the doubt to hear out given how brutal Cena’s beatdown of Cody was. That said, his response after the promo was well done.)
-Ludwig Kaiser made his ring entrance. [c]
-Cole hyped “Stone Cold” Steve Austin appearing at the WWE World fanfast event in Las Vegas.
(1) LUDWIG KAISER vs. PENTA – No Holds Barred match
Penta’s entrance aired. Graves said he was excited to call this match. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. Kaiser landed a Death Valley Driver on the announce desk and they cut to an early break. [c]
Cole noted that Penta was a former TNA Champion and Lucha Underground Champion. They exchanged chops mid-ring. Kaiser took control and yelled at Penta as he gouged his mask. He said he would learn to fear him. Kaiser picked up a chair and bashed Penta across the back with it. He then shoved the chair into Penta’s throat. Kaiser told him to give up. Penta pushed the chair away and did his hand symbol. Kaiser set up a faceplant, but Penta escaped and snapped his arm. Penta wielded the chair. Kaiser begged off. Kaiser said, “You win!” Fans cheered. Penta backed off and then Kaiser leaped up and raked his eyes. Penta landed a reverse sidekick and then smashed Kaiser across the back with a chair. He then kicked the chair into Kaiser’s face. Penta followed with a top rope Mexican Destroyer onto the chair. Penta’s back landed on the chair. Cole said Penta might’ve gotten the worst of it. Penta then finished Kaiser with a Penta Driver on the chair.
WINNER: Penta in 11:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Penta afterward in the aisle. She asked what is next for him. He said the fans are amazing and he loves them. He said they are live in every country in the world. He said he wants the Intercontinental Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Penta seemed really energized and charismatic in that promo.)
-They showed Dakota Kai backstage. [c]
-Carlito was spray painting a wall covered in graffiti. Liv Morgan wished Finn Balor luck. Balor wished them luck, too. Dominik Mysterio walked in. Balor thanked him from the bottom of his heart for the IC Title match tonight. Dominik said anything for The Judgment Day. Dominik said he had an idea. Liv said now isn’t the best time. Dom said he thought it was. He said ever since they lost J.D. McDonagh, they lost some muscle. Balor angrily asked, “Who?”” Dom suggested Penta. Balor said after all they’ve been through, he’s having conversations with people behind his back and he landed on Penta, the guy who just declared he wants to go after his IC Title. “You know what?” Balor said. “You’re a snake.” Dom turned to Carlito and said he didn’t even know Penta was going to go after the IC Title.
(2) DAKOTA KAI vs. IVY NILE (w/Chad Gable, The Creeds)
Dakota Kai made her ring entrance. Ivy Nile was already in the ring with the Creed Brothers. Chad Gable ran out in a suit and joined the Creeds at ringside. The bell rang 59 minutes into the hour.
[HOUR TWO]
When Gable distracted Dakota by standing on the ring apron and yelling at her as she was about to run the ropes, Nile gave her a DDT variation for a two count. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee ran out and fought past The Creeds. Gable leaped over the ringside barricade. Dragon and Rey chased him. As Nile watched, Dakota gave her a DTK to the armpit for the win.
WINNER: Dakota in 3:00.
-Iyo Sky made her ring entrance for the next segment. [c]
-More drone shots aired of Brussels as Cole plugged the main event IC Title match.
-Women’s Title Contract Signing: Belair’s music faded and she was already in the ring. Raw G.M. Pearce introduced Belair and Sky. Belair had a more heelish-seeming demeanor, or at least was all business. Sky told Belair she will not disrespect her again. She said no one will disrespect her again because she is the Women’s World Champion. Fans cheered. She said after WrestleMania, she will still be the Women’s World Champion. Fans cheered even louder as she stood and smiled. She signed the contract.
Belair told her that she has all the respect in the world for Sky. She said she won’t let her put her hands on her again without consequences, though. She said at WM she will find out who she is and she is the EST and she will be the new Women’s World Champion. Fans booed. She signed the contract. Pearce thanked them for being so professional. Rhea Ripley’s music played and she came out. Pearce yelled, “What are you doing?”
Ripley asked how Belair can just stand there like nothing happened. Belair said she was signing her contract for WrestleMania. Ripley said she had no business being out there in her championship match, so she’s taking a page out of her book and “just watch.” Belair snidely said if she wants to be in her business, she’ll make her her business. Sky walked up. Belair pie-faced her away. Ripley headbutted Belair onto the announce desk. Ripley then powerbombed Sky onto both of them. Pearce was red-faced angrily yelling at Ripley. Ripley then added her name to the WrestleMania contract. Cole said that’s not official.
(Keller’s Analysis: WWE had two wildly popular wrestlers in Belair and Ripley and in a matter of a few weeks made them both entirely unlikable, although fans did seem to side with Ripley there, but mostly liked Sky. Are they going to act like commandeering a contract and signing it counts for anything? My hunch is Sky and Belair will both agree to add Ripley so they can get their hands on her and keep her in their sights.)
-Jey Uso cut a promo backstage about facing Austin Theory this week and then Gunther at WrestleMania. As he was about to head through the curtain to the ring, Gunther showed up and yelled at him. Jey shoved him. They were separated. [c]
(3) JEY USO vs. AUSTIN THEORY
Jey finished Theory with a crossbody block seconds into the match for the win.
WINNER: Jey in about 30 seconds.
-Grayson Waller ran out and went after Jey. Jey fended him off and then went for a running flip over the top rope to ringside. His body caught the top rope and he nearly landed badly, but he got right up and smiled that he was okay. When he returned to the ring, Gunther jumped him from behind with a sleeper. Jey powered out and punched away at Gunther as fans yelled “Yeet!” with each swing. Jey yanked the belt away from Gunther and then ducked as Gunther charged at him. “He’s got your title, champ!” yelled Cole, taunting Gunther. Jey held up the belt, then tossed it to Gunther.
-A video package previewed the Breakker-Balor main event. [c]
-Adam Pearce told Ripley to give him back the contract. He said it was like talking to a child. Ripley insisted Pearce add her to the match. “It’s a legal document; my name’s on it!” she said. He said no and stormed away. Belair attacked Ripley. Sky joined in. Belair hit Sky and said, “She’s mine.” Ripley returned and beat down both Sky and Belair.
(4) REY MYSTERIO & DRAGON LEE vs. JULIUS & BRUTUS CREED
The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break as the Creeds were in control. [c]
Rey rallied after the break and gave Julius a 619. He then followed with a Drop the Dime for the win.
WINNER: Rey & Dragon in 6:00.
-Afterward, as Rey and Dragon celebrated, a mysterious masked man in an American Made mask attacked them. Graves said, “Whoever this man is, he’s in incredible shape.” Cole said it was obviously Gable. Fans chanted, “You suck!” Security ran in. Gable, under the mask, fled.
-At ringside, Cole asked Graves if he can seriously said that wasn’t Gable. Graves said he saw Gable and the masked man together last week. They threw to a clip of the Seth Rollins vs. C.M. Punk cage match last week.
-Seth Rollins made his ring entrance. [c]
-Seth stood mid-ring and absorbed cheers and then fans singing his song. Seth went into his routine about being a revolutionary. Fans sang some more. Seth thanked them for serenading him with their beautiful voices. A loud “C.M. Punk!” then took over. Seth said they’d get to him, but he wanted to talk about Roman Reigns first. A loud “OTC!” chant rang out.
He said he’s not mad at Reigns for what he did because he would have done the same thing. He said after all these years, Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He said he needs Paul Heyman. He said he left out one little detail, which is Punk. He called Punk “the luckiest loser on the planet.” He said if he had just a few minutes, he would have stomped away his WrestleMania dreams and put his career on ice. He said he could have gotten rid of the Punk problem for the both of them, but instead he has to do what he’s always had to do, which is clean up Roman’s mess. Another “OTC!” chant rang out. Seth said he’ll be sure to put him in his place along the way. He said it just so happens that his two favorite people, Punk and Reigns, will be in the same place at the same time on Friday. Fans booed. Seth said, “Oh trust me, Brussels, I wish they were here too.”
He said maybe he’ll make a little trip down to Italy and put himself right between Roman and Punk on Friday. He asked the fans how they felt about that. They cheered. He said it sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. He said tonight is about them, not Italy. He said they’ve been one hell of a crowd and they have one more match, the main event for the IC Title. He asked them to sing his song one more time.
-C0le plugged Raw next week in Glasgow, Scotland. He said good tickets still remain. He plugged Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez, Jey Uso & a mystery partner vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, plus Punk, Cody, and Cena would all be there.
-Kelley interviewed A.J. Styles backstage. She asked him about what he said about Logan Paul on the Raw post-show last week. He said he stood behind everything he said. Styles said he doesn’t belong on their roster. Karrion Kross and Scarlett interrupted. He said perhaps he’s not mad at Logan, but he’s mad at himself. He asked how many years it took to get to WWE and “find validation.” Kross said it didn’t take him that long. He said Logan just strolled into their business. Styles said he knows what he is doing and it’s not going to work. Kross whispered to Scarlett, “I think it’s working.”
-They showed Breakker backstage.
-Balor’s ring entrance took place. Cole talked about it being St. Patrick’s Day, which would be an amazing day for an Irishman like Balor to become IC Champion. Graves said he’s not sure Balor has ever encountered anyone like Breaker. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
(5) BRON BREAKKER vs. FINN BALOR – Intercontinental Title match
After Breakker’s ring entrance, Alicia Taylor did formal ring introductions. The bell rang 7 minutes into the hour. Cole said Balor hadn’t held the IC Title since 2019 and this is his first title match since then.
Balor countered a powerslam attempt by Breakker and drove him hard into the mat with an elbow to the sternum for a two count at 8:00. Balor noticed Dom and Carlito came to ringside and he asked what they were doing there. Breaker then took down Balor, who rolled to ringside. He then leaped off the ring apron and knocked Balor hard into and over the announce desk. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Breaker threw Balor back into the ring. Breakker then ran the ropes, but Balor took him down with a sling blade and a shotgun dropkick into the corner. Balor then leaped off the top rope with a Coup de Grace attempt, but Breakker moved. Balor ducked a charging Breakker and rolled him up for a two count. Breakker powerslammed Balor a second later for a two count. Both were down and slow to get up.
Breakker stood first and was bleeding from his lower lip. He charged at Balor, who lifted his knee. Breakker went down. Balor climbed to the top rope. Breakker knocked him off balance. Carlito slid into the ring. Dom yanked Breakker off the top rope, but that caused Balor to lose his balance. He crotched the top turnbuckle. Balor yelled at Dom. Breakker knocked Carlito off the ring apron. He then gave Balor the Breakensteiner and a spear for the win.
WINNER: Breakker in 12:00 to retain the IC Title.
-Dom and Carlito attacked Breakker after the match. Cole said Dom was trying to make amends for blowing it for Balor. Dom went to the IC Title belt at ringside. Penta ran out and kicked Dom and then Carlito. Breakker speared Carlito. Penta then picked up the IC Title belt and walked up to Breakker. He gave the belt to Breakker. Cole wondered if they were looking at a WrestleMania match.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Kurt Cadet to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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