Posted on 12/30/125 by Bob Magee
It’s the final RAW of 2025, which means we will hopefully
get a glimpse into some of what might be coming down the
pipe in early 2026! The Royal Rumble is just over a month
away and we are knocking on the door of Wrestlemania season.
The show opened with a recap of Austin Theory’s return as
the masked man and as a new kind of “taker” now that he’s
aligned with The Vision. Then they showed Rey Mysterio Jr
with his dog and the Usos arriving to work. Women’s World
Champion Stephanie Vaquer also arrived to work without
incident.
Backstage, The Vision; Austin Theory, Bron Breakker, Logan
Paul, Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman all met up and headed to
the ring. As he does, Heyman spoke for the group first.
Before he could fully let us know what his name is though,
the crowd began chanting “CM Punk.”
Heyman said that Punk could have been in Vision if he had
listened to him, but he stupidly placated the audience
instead. Heyman claimed that in five years, fans would look
back at all the Wrestlemania main eventers standing in the
ring right now started their journey tonight.
Heyman then officially welcomed Theory to The Vision, but
did so without mentioning his awesome new coat. Theory took
the mic, saying he had waited his entire life and career for
this moment. Before he could get too deep into it though, In
Living Colour played out sauntered the World Heavyweight
Champion, one Chick Magnet Punk.
Punk said that he didn’t come out here to listen to Theory,
he came out here to talk to Breakker. Punk said, yeah The
Vision could attack him, but it would probably mean that
there wouldn’t be a title match between him and Breakker on
Jan 5th.
With that safety net in place, Punk asked Breakker to send
The Vision away so they could talk one on one. Breakker
guaranteed Punk’s safety and invited him into the ring,
sending the other members of the Vision to ringside.
Punk and Breakker went nose to nose and Breakker said that
he’s tired of people saying he’s the “future” he’s the “now”
and Punk shouldn’t take his experience lightly. He got
really animated and sounded very much like a Steiner in this
moment.
Breakker went on to say that because of his family name his
entire career has been under a microscope and so what if he
didn’t “pay his dues” on the indies? On Jan 5th, Breakker
said that he is willing to die for the World Heavyweight
Champion and knows Punk is too, and he’s more than happy to
bury him.
Punk said that he knows Breakker is ready for the big time,
but Punk isn’t ready to give it up to him. Punk put the belt
on the mat and dared Breakker to pick it up. Punk said that
Breakker doesn’t get that the title is a heavy privilege,
and Breakker isn’t CM Punk and that’s the difference. Punk
will see him on Jan 5th, and with that the segment was over.
-Backstage, Raquel Rodriguez was interviewed about her spot
in the triple threat match for the Women’s World
Championship. Before she could get into it though, Liv
Morgan showed up and told Rodriguez that she needs to win
for the Judgement Day. Rodriguez said she could handle it
and that she didn’t need luck.
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Women’s World Title:
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs Nikki Bella vs Raquel Rodriguez
Here’s what I like about Stephanie Vaquer: Everything.
However, Rodriguez and Bella have both had multiple bites at
the apple and if one of them can’t get it done here, then
hopefully Vaquer and the title will move into a new feud,
possibly with the literal Christian Devil who wants their
horns back.
The bell rang and they started arguing with Bella declaring
“Ima legend!” Rodriguez took that opportunity to throw her
to the ground and Vaquer tried to steal one with a rollup.
They moved to the outside and fought with Bella taking
control.
It was here that the announce team decided to let us know
that Dirty Dom Mysterio is out indefinitely with a shoulder
injury (!!!). They also added the context that JD McDonagh
is out as well, so The Judgement Day could really use this
win.
Anyway, back in the ring Bella and Vaquer fell victim to
Rodriguez’s power. Bella was taken out and Vaquer fought
back with a headbutt, but Rodriguez immediately struck back
and put her in twisting wristlock before throwing her to the
mat for an elbow. Vaquer kicked out at two.
Bella leapt off the top turnbuckle, but Rodriguez caught her
and threw her aside. She grabbed Vaquer and put her in a
Gory Special, trying to make her tap. Vaquer was able to
keep her cool and reverse it into a sunset pin, but Bella
broke it up.
Vaquer took control and went for a Devil’s Kiss on Bella,
but Rodriguez broke it up and sent Bella to the outside.
Vaquer tried to go up top, but Bella pulled her off, then
ripped Rodriguez’ leg out from underneath her. Bella locked
an STF on Rodriguez, but Rodriguez out powered here and
reversed it into a leg lock.
Vaquer flipped them both over and delivered a double Devil’s
Kiss to both women. She then put them both in opposite
corners for duelling meteoras. She hit a dragonscrew on
Bella and then twisted Rodriguez’ knee with another.
Bella slipped to the outside and tripped Vaquer on the apron
(the Devilest part of the ring!) and Rodriguez knocked them
both to the outside. Rodriguez bounced Bella’s head off the
announce table and tried for a pin on Vaquer, but no dice as
Vaquer kicked out.
Rodriguez came back with a lariat and exited the ring to
make sure Bella wasn’t an issue by dropping her face first
on the ring apron. She tossed her back in the ring, but
Bella kicked her off before she could make a pin. Rodriguez
was still in control though and hit a twisting Vader bomb on
Bella.
She then went back to Vaquer in the corner, peppering her
with elbows. She set Vaquer up on the turnbuckle, but Vaquer
kicked her in the face about it and put on a rope-assisted
armbar. Bella broke it up though because we can’t have nice
things.
All three climbed to the top turnbuckle and somehow Bella
got a double superplex on them both. She couldn’t land a pin
on either woman though and went for an AA on Vaquer, but
Rodriguez interrupted it with a big boot. She then tried a
powerbomb, but Bella got free and walked right into Vaquer
hitting a big angel wing piledriver. Rodriguez broke up the
pin though.
Vaquer hit a jawbreaker on Rodriguez but she blocked the
next move and Vaquer was forced to resort to a small package
that didn’t land. Rodriguez dragged Vaquer to the corner and
went for a high move, but Bella pulled Vaquer out of the way
and tried to get a quick pin.
Rodriguez then picked up Vaquer and Bella, but Vaquer worked
herself out and Bella took the brunt of a powerbomb. Vaquer
then threw Rodriguez out of the ring after she had given
Bella a tahana bomb and scooped up Bella for the pin to
retain the title.
Match Result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Nikki Bella and
Raquel Rodriguez
-Backstage Gunther was interviewed about his disrespectful
behaviour but was interrupted by John Cena’s #1 fan, R-
Truth. Truth called Gunther some bad names and warned him
that after retiring Goldberg and Cena, there wouldn’t be a
third. Gunther laughed and said “see you in the ring” to
Truth, so I assume they are having a match eventually. Maybe
even tonight!
-Next, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Auska and Kairi
Sane aka The Kabuki Warriors came to the ring with fans and
parasols at the ready. They danced through a commercial
break and a recap of Auska and Rhea Ripley’s match last
Monday.
Auska grabbed a mic and gloated about beating Ripley last
week. She then did a lot of yelling in Japanese (probably
saying that she really was enjoying herself and had a nice
dinner) and then switched to english to call the crowd
“stupid babies.”
Sane went next and talked for a bit, but Auska grabbed her
mic and said that Rhea and Iyo Sky would pay for their
disrespect. Suddenly we were all treated to her brutality as
Ripley’s music hit and she and Iyo Sky marched to the ring.
The Kabuki Warriors bailed, but that didn’t stop Ripley and
Sky who started a brawl.
Ripley took out Auska, but Sane threw Sky back-first into
the announce table. When Ripley went to check on her, Auska
jumped her and the Kabuiki Warriors set her up for the
Insane Elbow. Sky came back though and broke it up. They
both took out the champs who slunk away with their belts,
setting up a match between the two teams for Jan 5th.
-Backstage, Rey Mysterio was warming up and chatted with CM
Punk. Mysterio said that he’s covered tonight and Punk
doesn’t need to worry about him. Punk said OK, and left,
presumably to take Mysterio’s Dog out for a piddle.
Gunther vs R-Truth
So hey, look at that! Gunther absolutely soaked up the
crowd’s hatred of him, loving being the heeliest of heels
that ever done heeled. He climbed up on the announce table
and took off his jacket to reveal he was wearing a shirt
that looked like he made himself with a picture of John Cena
tapping out and the words “Tap Like a…” underneath (more
than likely now available at wweshop.com).
Gunther grabbed a mic and said that the audience’s anger is
misdirected. They should be mad at Cena who tapped out like
“a BITCH!” (this was during a commercial break so they can
use devilishly salty language if necessary).
Truth arrived to avenge his childhood hero and went right at
Gunther off the bell. He caught him looking and peppered him
with punches and kicks for a few minutes until Gunther
chopped him into next week. Truth tried to fight back, but
Gunther was in control and went for a powerbomb. Truth
countered but still ended up getting chopped in the corner.
Gunther threw a devastating lariat and asked if Truth was
going to give up. He pounded on Truth again and again, doing
the Cena “you cant see me” gesture. That fired up Truth and
he hit a shoulder tackle, but unfortunately, Gunther has
huge shoulders and he barely felt it. Gunther then
powerbombed Truth, pinned him, but pulled him up at two.
Gunther laid in some elbows then put Truth in the same
sleeper he put Cena in. Truth tapped out and Gunther
celebrated his victory.
Match Result: Gunther defeated R-Truth
-Backstage, the Usos were shown with Jimmy in high spirits,
but Jey seeming a little down in the dumps. Jey said that he
feels like everywhere he turns, he’s losing. He doesn’t want
to put his brother in a bad spot. Jimmy said that was
nonsense, Jey’s a world champion and multiple tag champion.
He’s got everyone ready to yell “yeet” and he needs his
brother. Jey stood up, seemingly back into it, but took a
bit of a lingering moment to leave after Jimmy.
-Teenage moustache enthusiast Byron Saxton interviewed Finn
Balor at ringside about the state of the Judgement Day.
Balor said that they are ending 2025 on a rough note with
injuries and failed championship attempts. Balor said that
all of it had him thinking about the success he had in NXT.
Balor said that he was going to put The Judgement Day on his
back like he did for NXT and carry them all into 2026.
-World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee were
shown talking to Je’Von Evans backstage. They said that they
were proud of Evans no matter where he ends up. They were
interrupted by El Grande Americano and his Americanos. They
stepped to Evans, but Styles and Lee had his back. They all
spoke a lot of Spanish (I assume they were discussing the
Toronto Maple Leaf’s chances at a Stanley Cup) and then left
with Evans and Styles admitting they had no idea what was
said.
-Austin Theory was shown warming up backstage. The rest of
the Vision showed up to encourage him and welcome him to The
Vision. Again. Someone made the mistake of giving Logan Paul
a chance to talk and he admitted that he was a little
nervous joining the Vision, but Theory has it locked down.
Heyman suggested that Paul and Theory bond by having Paul
walk Theory to the ring for his match against Rey Mysterio.
Austin Theory vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
Theory came down to the ring with Paul, new music and a new
entrance pose. So couple that with his new haircut and
jacket and things are going pretty good for AT!
The bell rang and Theory aggressively went at Mysterio,
throwing him into the corner. Mysterio countered with a back
elbow and hurricanrana. Theory popped back up and laid some
haymakers on Mysterio though, until Mysterio countered with
a jawbreaker.
Theory kept up the agression until Mysterio got him in
position for a 619. Theory rolled out of the ring and
Mysterio followed. Theory caught him and slammed him into
the ring post (the postiest part of the ring!) and the ring
apron (The mysterioest part of the ring!) before tossing him
back in for an irish whip off the turnbuckle.
Theory stomped Mysterio’s hand then set him up for a
flapjack, but Mysterio tried to roll him up and steal one.
Theory kicked out at two and began stomping Mysterio’s
knees. A sneering Theory continued beating Mysterio from
post to post, working his back and legs, both of which
Mysterio has a history of injuries with.
Theory put Mysterio in a tree of woe, but Mysterio countered
when he charged and hit a West Coast Pop into a
hurrucanrana. He then punched him in the head 10 times, but
Theory countered with a big boot. Paul began offering advice
and Theory picked up Mysterio in a torture rack position.
Mysterio countered into a DDT, but could only get a two
count.
Mysterio set Theory up and landed a 619, but after that Paul
tripped him from the outside causing a DQ.
Match Result: Rey Mysterio defeated Austin Theory via DQ.
After the match, Paul and Theory beat down Mysterio until
who should arrive? PENTA! He came down and made the save,
setting up Paul for a 619 before throwing him over the top
rope via lariat. The two Luchadores celebrated in the ring
as Theory and Paul slipped away.
-Backstage, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky cut a pre-taped promo
about how they are going to beat the Kabuki Warriors next
week.
-Then AJ Styles and Dragon Lee were shown working out in
preparation for their match with Lee working out WITH HIS
DRAGON WINGS ON. Amazing. In my head, he now wears them
everywhere.
-Next, The New Day joined Byron Saxton at ringside and cut a
promo about how the WWE Tag Division is dead with Lee and
Styles as Champions. If the Usos win tonight, then the
division will be in Hell. Woods took the mic and reminded
everyone who the most decorated tag team in WWE is.
(spoiler, it’s them). Woods said that the audience should
thank gaaaaaaaawd for the New Day, and it was over.
-Then Joe Tessitore reminded everyone that Smackdown and
Saturday Night’s Main Event are coming to Montreal in
January and I can afford to go to neither of them.
-After I’d finished crying about that, Women’s
Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri came to the ring to
“you deserve it” chants from the crowd. Dupri said that
Becky Lynch can complain about not being champion all she
wants, “but on Jan 5th–” and then then Man came around and
Lynch walked to the ring mic in hand, denying that she
tapped to Dupri last week.
Lynch said the only thing she tapped over was living in
Orlando. She went to enter the ring and Dupri stopped her,
threatening to make her tap again. Lynch called her a “moody
Maxxine” and said she came to give Dupri credit. She used to
think Dupri was awful, the worst she’d ever seen. But over
the last few weeks, she’s gotten a tiny bit better and
managed to steal a title, so that’s pretty good.
Dupri said that she earned this title and will prove it next
week as she defends her title against Lynch again. Lynch
became enraged, saying she came out here to be nice and is a
“very nice person” but Dupri has nothing on her. She is the
greatest female wrestler of all time and even Sports
Illustrated and The Bleacher report say it (No F4W shoutout,
I see. Such a heel).
Lynch said that Dupri needs to ask herself if shes as good
as she thinks and then welcomed Dupri to “the big time” and
left.
-Trick Williams was shown talking with Adam Pearce in the
back. Trick is in a bidding war between RAW and Smackdown
and left a card with Pearce. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
arrived complaining about their lack of Women’s Tag
Championship matches. Bayley called Pearce an idiot and they
left. Pearce called for a drink.
WWE World Tag Team Championship Match: AJ Styles and Dragon
Lee (c) vs The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)
The Usos Yeeted their way through the crowd (giving this
reporter a chance to pee) and the Main Event of the evening
was here. Lee and Styles came to the ring prompting me to
wonder aloud to no one “how is this team not called Dragon
Style?” I recieved no answer from the empty room, so I went
back to focusing on the match at hand.
Jey and Styles started things off with a lockup. Jey got
Styles into the corner and the ref broke it up. Off of that,
Jey dodged a Styles charge and threw a fist in his face.
Styles responded with a dropkick and tagged in Lee. They
double teamed Jey who rolled out of the ring. Jimmy tried to
intervene and they sent him out too.
Lee and Styles let them collect themselves and get back up
on their corner. Jey was still legal and faced off against
Lee, who had him out of the gate with some hard punches. Lee
used Jey’s Yeet gesture and tagged Styles back in who went
for a quick cover. Jey kicked out at two.
Jey managed to get near enough his corner for Jimmy to tag
in and he locked a wrenching headlock onto Lee, twisting his
neck back and forth. Lee started fighting out of it, but
Jimmy threw him at the ground and locked it back in, working
the head and neck even harder.
Lee got out of it and landed a double stomp on Jimmy to
change the momentum. Styles made a blind tag and chopped
Jimmy against the ropes. He delivered a back elbow to Jimmy
and Jey hit a high kick through the ropes while the ref’s
back was turned.
Jey tagged in officially and stomped Styles’ midsection. He
tagged in Jimmy and held Styles for Jimmy to throw some
chops. Lee tagged in and hit a headscissor on Jimmy. He then
hit a springboard dropkick in the corner and charged Jimmy
as he staggered to his feet. Jimmy dodged it and tagged in
Jey.
Lee caught Jey in a sit out powerbomb, but Jey kicked out at
two. Jey rolled out and Lee went to dive after him, but
Jimmy grabbed his ankles and dragged him to the outside.
Jimmy pulled the cover off the announce table, but Styles
leapt off the stairs to stop him. Jey leapt over the top
rope to take out Styles and put Jimmy back in the ring.
Lee rolled back in and the crowd chanted for tables. Jey
tagged in for a headbutt on Lee, then Jimmy tagged back in.
They traded shots and tags on an isolated Lee for a few
minutes, cutting him off from making the tag to Styles.
Jey snuck another shot to Lee behind the ref’s back and
Jimmy pounded him in the corner. “Lets Go Usos/AJ Styles”
chants broke out, much to Jimmy’s confusion. Jey tagged in
and knocked Styles off the apron. Jimmy tagged back in and
chopped Lee in the corner, setting him up on the top
turnbuckle.
Jimmy went for a DDT, but Lee countered it into a big double
stomp. Lee got the hot tag to Styles as Jimmy got one to Jey
and they met in the middle of the ring. Styles started
spamming kicks and punches, taking out Jey and Jimmy. He set
Jey up for a Styles Clash, but Jey powered out and hit a
spear before tagging in Jimmy who hit an Uso Splash off the
top.
Jimmy pinned Styles, but he kicked out at 2.9. Jimmy went up
top for another one, but Lee pulled him off the turnbuckle.
Jey charged him, but Lee dodged and Jey hit his head on the
ring post. Jimmy moved to the outside and Lee dove after him
driving him onto the announce table.
Back in the ring, Styles and Jey battled until Styles was
able to get a Styles Clash in. He pinned Jey, but he kicked
out at two. “This is awesome” chants rained down as all four
caught their breath and returned to their corners.
Lee hit a double stomp, and Styles went for another Clash,
but Jimmy came back in and took out Lee. Styles went for the
Phenomenal Forearm but met a double superkick from the Usos.
The Usos quickly hit a flurry of moves including a 1D on Lee
to pin Styles to win the World Tag Team titles for the ninth
time!
Match Result: The Usos defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee
The Usos celebrated as they left through the crowd with
their titles and as the fireworks went off, I dare say that
Jey Uso has found his smile again.