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WWE RAW REPORT
JULY 14, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. AT LEGACY ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports today that 9,000 tickets were distributed as of earlier today; arena set up for 9,976. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch.com contributor Javier Machado to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-A four minute video package aired on WWE’s big weekend including highlights of Gunther’s win over Goldberg.
-Michael Cole introduced the show and plugged Summerslam. A drone flew into the arena over cheering fans.
-Naomi made her entrance. Cole called it “a goose-bump inducing moment” when she cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” and “You deserve it!” She said she didn’t want to hear it now. She said they are acting like they saw it coming. She said they thought she was going to cash in on Tiffany Stratton, but no one knows her moves until she makes them. She said she’s done with the foolishness over on Smackdown. She told Bianca Belair that she didn’t betray her, she outgrew her. Fans “oooh’d.” She said if she’s keeping it 100, she and Jade Cargill didn’t really want her to succeed; they wanted her to be a third wheel and a flunky as long it was convenient for them. “Who’s got the upper hand now, bitches?” she said followed by self-satisfied cackles. She said she made history.
Naomi said she’s new to Raw again, and she advised everyone in the back to proceed with caution. Out came Rhea Ripley to her music. Cole said Rhea vs. Iyo Sky was one of the best matches he ever called. He said Rhea had Sky pinned for the first time in her career, “but then Naomi happened.” Naomi brushed her caution tape dangling from her arms as Rhea eyed her.
Ripley said she should know one thing about her. “I’m not cautious; I’m reckless and I’m pissed,” she said. She said all because of Naomi, she was unable to achieve her two goals at Evolution to beat Iyo Sky for the first time and get back the Women’s World Championship. She said she’s now “made it onto my list.” Iyo Sky’s music played and she walked out. Graves said Naomi is finding out what means to be a walking target.
Sky said she will get her title back from Naomi. Naomi said she doesn’t know what she just said, but she can get to the back of the line. Ripley yelled at Naomi. As they talked over each other, Raw G.M. Adam Pearce walked out. First, he congratulated Naomi and welcomed her to Raw. He told Sky and Ripley that their match at Evolution “was absolute magic.” He said it’s the first two-night Summerslam, so they need to make it bigger than ever. He announced a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: The triple threat isn’t unexpected given what happened. Naomi is full of energy and verve and the fans are eating it up. It was good of her to shout down the positive chants for her.)
-They went to Michael Cole and Corey Graves to react to that segment and then hype Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria in a two-out-of-three falls match to determine who gets an Intercontinental Title match at Summerslam.
-Backstage, Dominik Mysterio walked up to Finn Balor and J.D. McDonaugh. Balor handed Dom the IC Title. Dom was worried about A.J. Styles, but Balor said the doctor’s note means he doesn’t have to be worried. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez walked in. Raquel acknowledged that Perez held up her end. She told her to keep up the same energy tonight. Balor said Dom should protect them from Asuka and Kairi Same. Dom asked why him. Balor said he knows how much Liv Morgan cares about those titles so they have to do everything in their power to make sure they’re in the clubhouse for when she returns. Dom fist-bumped Balor as they said, “For Liv.” Balor was all smiles after Dom walked off. [c]
(1) RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ & ROXANNE PEREZ (w/Dominik Mysterio) vs. ASUKA & KAIRI SANE – Women’s Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Asuka and Kairi applied armbars. Raquel slammed Kairi onto Asuka and then onto the ropes. As Raquel and Roxanne celebrated their advantage, they cut to an early break. [c]
At 9:00 Kairi landed her top rope elbowdrop on Perez, but Dom distracted the ref long enough for Raquel to drag Kairi off of Perez. Asuka charged at Raquel at ringside and shoved her into the ringpost. Kairi tagged Asuka in and landed a missile dropkick off the top rope. Graves noted Perez tried to step out of the way as a way to cover for Perez bumping slightly early. Asuka landed a German suplex. Dom stood on the ring apron. Cole said he seems pretty agile despite a rib injury. Asuka landed a spinning backfirst. Perez rolled up Asuka from behind and Raquel added leverage that the ref didn’t see as he counted to three. Graves said Dom lived up to his assignment.
WINNERS: Raquel & Perez in 11:00 to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
-Jackie Redmond asked Paul Heyman for an update on Seth Rollins’s evaluation in Birmingham, Ala. Heyman said it’s too soon to know the results, but he has until next June to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase. Heyman said Bron Breakker will win tonight and go on to beat Gunther at Summerslam.
(Keller’s Analysis: If Breakker wins at Summerslam, it sets up an intriguing Seth cash-in possibility on Breakker where either could conceivably be aligned with Heyman and be the heel.)
-A clip aired of Miz at a golf tournament getting an argument with George Kittle who ended up superkicking Miz.
-Redmond interviewed Valkyria who said she is sick of being asked about Bayley. She said she’ll close that chapter tonight and then she can ask her about her upcoming IC Title match at Summerslam. Bayley walked up to Valkyria and said she needs the win. Valkyria said it’s all about Bayley as always and she’d see her out there. Bayley told her to stay the hell out of her way as she brushed past her to head to the ring.
-Bayley made her entrance. [c]
(2) BAYLEY vs. LYRA VALKYRIA – Two-out-of-three falls match for an IC Title match at Summerslam
Valkyria’s entrance aired. She slapped hands on her way to the ring, but had a gameface on. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Valkyria showed confidence if not cockiness early. Bayley slapped her and rolled up Valkyria for the first fall just over a minute in. Cole said Valkyria let her emotions get the best of her.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s beyond stupid to have the first fall in these matches happen so quickly. What is different about a first fall versus a regular match. The second or third fall can make more sense because a wrestler is already beat down and tired, or they get cocky with a lead. But anyone suggesting a quick first fall should be reassigned.) [c]
Back from the break, Bayley whipped Valkyria hard into the corner turnbuckles. Bayley hesitated to follow-up but then went on the attack. Valkyria still favored her back. Cole said they’d learn a lot about Valkyria’s gi=rit and determination. Valkyria made a comeback, but Bayley gave her a back suplex onto the ring apron at 8:00. She then scored a two count after another suplex in the ring. Bayley palm-faced Valkyria, then went for an armbar, but Valkyria countered into a magistral cradle for a leverage pin at 10:00.
Bayley got right up and landed a running knee to her head for a two count. They cut to another break. [c]
Valkyria was in control after the break. Bayley caught Valkyria flying off the top rope at her and landed a Bayley to Belly for a near fall.
[HOUR TWO]
Valkyria landed Night Wing and scored a near fall at 16:00. They battled on the ring apron. Valkyria worked over Bayley’s leg and then landed a Fisherman’s suplex onto the apron. Bayley fell to the floor. Bayley sunset-bombed Valkyria into the ringside steps, then threw her back into the ring. She leaped off the top rope and landed an elbow to Valkyria’s back for a two count. Bayley applied a crossface right away. Valkyria stood and countered Bayley into a Night Wing for the win. “What a match!” said Cole. Cole called it a career-defining performance for Valkyria. They cut to Bayley absorbing the loss sitting at ringside.
WINNER: Valkyria in 20:00 to earn an IC Title match at Summerslam.
-Becky Lynch made her way to the ring. Becky held up the IC belt as she entered the ring. Valkyria yelled at Becky as Becky laughed and fired back.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Grave asked, “How badass is our women’s division?” They shifted to clips of the women’s battle royal on Evolution last night.
-Redmond interviewed Stephanie Vaquer backstage. She spoke in Spanish and said she will be become champion at Clash in Paris. In walked Chelsea Green and her Secret Hervice. Green said she should represent WWE in Paris as a winner. Vaquer told her to take her best shot. Green said she’s taking her best shot tonight against a WWE Hall of Famer. “So you can look, but you can’t touch,” she said.
-Nikki Bella made her entrance and smiled and slapped hands on her way to the ring. Cole said it would be Nikki’s first match on Raw in nearly seven years. [c]
-A vignette aired with Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross said Sami Zayn is nowhere to be found, but he thinks he gave him an ultimatum he didn’t like, and now he’s folded. He told him not to come back to work until he’s ready to say the words, “Kross told the truth.”
(3) NIKKI BELLA vs. CHELSEA GREEN (w/Piper Niven, Alba Fyre)
The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. After an early Nikki suplex, Green rolled to ringside and tried to call a timeout. Niven and Fyre blocked Nikki at ringside. Green took over back in the ring and then threw her into the ringside barricade. Cole questioned how demonstrative the Secret Hervice were since they were supposed to be stoic. Graves said they protect her, but also motivate her, pick up her dry cleaning, and drive her around. Green settled into a (loose) chinlock. Nikki elbowed out of it and landed clotheslines followed by a roundkick off the second rope leading to a two count.
Green took over and scored a two count. Nikki kicked out with force. Nikki landed a facebuster. Niven distracted the ref on the ring apron as Fyre stood on the opposite side of the ring and yanked on Nikki’s hair. Nikki threw her into the ringpost and then knocked Niven to the floor. Green went for an Unprettier, but Nikki blocked it. Green resisted a Rack Attack 2.0 attempt. She eventually hit it, but could barely lift Green and it was really clunky, but good for a three count.
WINNER: Bella in 6:00.
-Niven and Fyre attacked Nikki afterward. They lifted Green to her feet. Vaquer charged out and made the save. She hugged Nikki and raised her arm.
-Backstage, The New Day were telling Pearce they’re in the third stage of grieving. Greyson Waller then presented Pearce with a platter with two wigs. Pearce said they don’t get an automatic rematch since they didn’t give out a rematch, but he’ll determine their fate next week how they can earn a match. He told them not to “flip their wigs” and knocked the wigs off of the platter. He turned and saw Judgment Day. He told Dom how spry he looked earlier. Dom said it was the adrenaline and he feels tender. He showed his doctor’s note. Pearce said next week he’s scheduled to be reevaluated. He said if he is cleared, he’ll book a title defense for him at Summerslam against Styles. Balor assured Dom there is no way a doctor will clear him. Dom turned and noticed Styles kneeling amongst crates telling God not to believe Dom.
-Penta and Gunther were in a face-off backstage. Gunther smiled and walked away. [c]
-Redmond interviewed Rusev live backstage. Rusev said people call him god, but maybe he’s just a saint killing off Irish saints. He said he proved he is superior to Sheamus. Sheamus walked in and assured Rusev he wasn’t there to ambush him. He said Pearce agreed they should have a rematch. He said their first match was just the appetizer. He said his catchphrase is “banger after banger after banger.” Rusev “came to dominate gold, not gingers.”
-They went to Cole and Graves who hyped John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes, Gunther vs. tonight’s winner, Naomi vs. Ripley vs. Sky, Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria, Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill, and Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul.
-Gunther made his ring entrance. Graves said Gunther showed he is the best professional wrestler on Earth on Saturday night. When fans chanted “Goldberg,” Gunther said angrily that he beat Goldberg. Fans shifted to a “You tapped out!” chant. He said he’s going to watch the next match from a suite as they “compete for my amusement and to identify who is going to be the official challenger for the Ring General at Summerslam.” He said he doesn’t care who wins. Bron Breakker’s music interrupted and he walked out, accompanied by Paul Heyman.
Fans barked as Breakker and Heyman stood in front of Gunther. Heyman offered a handshake. Gunther accepted. Heyman introduced himself. Gunther interrupted. Fans booed. Gunther said he is very aware of his name. He said he made his points and isn’t interested in what he has to say. He dropped the mic and began to leave. Breakker blocked his path. Heyman told him to stick around because Breakker is going to run the gauntlet and beat him at Summerslam. Heyman said he saw how Gunther beat Goldberg, “but you haven’t been speared until you’ve been speared by Bron Breakker.” Heyman said Breakker is the next big thing and the big dog. He said this is Breakker’s yard. “You’re not looking at just another contender,” Heyman said, “He’s a Steiner.” He said he’s going to break his ass at Summerslam. He said Breakker will be a new champion, “a new long-term champion,” at Summerslam. Breakker stepped aside to “allow” Gunther to leave. Gunther left. A “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out.
(Keller’s Analysis: A good segment in terms of teasing a future big match, but in particular creating a vision of Breakker winning and facing Gunther even though most fans would figure Punk is the heavy favorite.) [c]
(4a) BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman) vs. PENTA – Gauntlet match for a World Title shot at Summerslam
Penta’s ring entrance aired. Cole said the order of entry was determined by random draw. The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Penta showboated, giving Breakker a chance to recover and take over instantly. Cole asked if the Seth injury is weighing on Breakker. Penta landed a flip dive onto Breakker at ringside at 3:00. [c]
Breakker took control after the break and settled into a chinlock. Breakker showboated, giving Penta an opening to counter a spear with a side kick. Penta rallied and landed a swing kick to his chest. Penta then landed a lung blower and scored a two count. They cut to a stoic-looking Gunther watching from a suite. Breakker blocked a Penta Driver, but Breakker caught Penta mid-air on a springboard and speared him for the win.
ELMINATION: Penta at 11:00.
L.A. Knight made his entrance next. They exchanged wild strikes mid-ring.
[HOUR THREE]
Breakker ducked a charging Knight, but Knight dragged him to ringside and rammed his arm into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Knight slipped out of a press slam and then clotheslined Breakker over the top rope. Knight then landed a sliding wrecking ball kick to Breakker that went a little awry. Knight rammed Breakker’s head into the announce table over and over. Knight played to the crowd. Breakker recovered during that time and took over, dropping Knight ribs-first over the announce desk. Back in the ring, Breakker yanked Knight off the top turnbuckle. Knight writhed in pain as they cut to a break at 15:00 (overall). [c]
Cole said Breakker was completely dominating Knight. They battled back and forth for several more minutes. Breakker eventually landed a gut-buster and a spear for a three count.
ELIMINATION: Knight in 22:00.
Jey Uso made his entrance next through the normal entrance aisle rather than through the crowd. Breakker sipped water from a plastic bottle as Jey smiled at him. Jey took it to Breakker as Cole said Breakker was exhausted from his first two matches. Jey leaped over the top rope and tackled Breakker at ringside. Jey asked for his music to play and they cut to a break as Jey played to the crowd. Cole said, “Hopefully it’s not premature.” [c]
Back from the break, Breakker had taken over. Breakker countered a Jey comeback with a Breakkensteiner. When Jey made another comeback and climbed to the top rope, Bronson Reed yanked Jey off the top rope. Cole said there are no DQ’s, “but come on!” Breakker then speared Jey for the win.
ELIMINATION: Uso in 31:00.
C.M. Punk made his entrance. Punk aggressively went after Breakker and clotheslined him over the top rope before even taking off his ring jacket. They cut to a break. [c]
Punk was in control after the break, scoring a two count and then applying an armbar. Breakker took over and methodically battered Punk. Punk teased a GTS, but Breakker countered and landed a backbreaker for a two count at 38:00. They cut to Reed chatting confidently with Heyman at ringside. Punk caught a charging Breakker with a boot and then countered a Breakkensteiner with a sunset flip for a near fall. A “C.M. Punk!” started. Punk landed a high kick to Breakker’s head. Both collapsed and were slow to get up.
Punk rallied and climbed to the top rope. He had to fend off Reed again. Punk then went for the top rope elbowdrop and landed it despite the Reed delay, leading to a near fall. Punk shifted into an Anaconda Vice. Reed ran in and landed an elbowdrop. Cole noted there are no DQs in this match. As Reed punched away at Punk, Jey’s music played and he ran back to the ring. He took care of Reed, knocking him to the floor and diving through the ropes with a tackle.
Breakker charged with a spear attempt, but Punk kicked him and landed a GTS to win.
WINNER: Punk in 43:00 overall to earn a match against Gunther at Summerslam.
(Keller’s Analysis: Formulaic but lots of good segments. The needless “no DQ” stip made everything feel kind pointless and ridiculous. Jey saving Punk to offset Reed, within the context of the ridiculousness of the rules, felt like justice.)
-As Punk celebrated, Reed attacked him. Jey made the save again as Heyman watched from the ring apron. Breakker speared Jey. Reed then gave Punk a spear. Punk took the bump sideways. Reed dragged Jey onto Punk. Reed then climbed to the top rope, but Roman Reigns’s music played. Fans popped. Heyman went into a panic. Reigns then walked out. “The OTC is back!” yelled Cole. Reigns landed a Superman Punch on Breakker. He then gave Reed a Samoan Drop. He gave Breakker a Superman Punch. “This place has come unglued!” said Cole. Reigns speared Reed, who rolled out of the ring. Cole said they hadn’t seen Reigns since the night after WrestleMania when Breakker speared him and aligned with Heyman.
Reigns helped Jey up and shook hands. Reigns looked down at Punk. There was tension. Punk stood as fans sang “Roman, Roman Reigns!” Roman turned back to Jey, then turned to Heyman, Breakker, and Reed who had retreated up the aisle and he had words for them.
(Keller’s Analysis: A big shot in the arm to WWE going into Summerslam. A lot to process in terms of where Reigns will fit in. Punk getting a long-hinted-at World Title shot against Gunther is welcome.)
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.com contributor Javier Machado 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.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/nhwvm9a7tt
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so don’t share. It’s just for VIP members at this time.
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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