WWE RAW Live Coverage - March 31st, 2025
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IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley - Women's World Championship Match with Special Guest Referee Bianca Belair
Rhea Ripley lost the Women's World Championship to IYO SKY on the March 3 edition of Raw, thanks in part to a disruption at ringside involving Elimination Chamber Match winner Bianca Belair. Two weeks later, Ripley interrupted the WrestleMania Contract Signing between The Genius of The Sky and The EST of WWE, took out both Superstars, and added her own signature to the document. Although Raw General Manager Adam Pearce has made it clear that Ripley's actions didn't officially add her to the match at The Showcase of the Immortals, a stipulation in her contract from the previous title contest against SKY calls for her to receive a rematch against the new champion, thereby effectively creating two No. 1 Contenders to the Women's World Title. As a result, Pearce granted The Eradicator a title rematch against IYO with the winner to battle Bianca at The Show of Shows, before appointing Belair as the Special Guest Referee.
:raw:
– Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Logan Paul, Jimmy & Jey Uso and Gunther are all shown strutting around the arena before the show.
– Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Wade Barrett greet audiences at home as John Cena makes his way down to the ring. Cody Rhodes follows..
Cena looks to speak, but Rhodes stops him and says everyone has heard him talk for the last two weeks. He says there's plenty to make fun of when it comes to him, and it must bother him that he's wrestling someone who used to go by Stardust in his last match at WrestleMania 41. He says Cena could make fun of his neck tattoo or time in AEW, but Cena won't bite on any of this. He says he's perhaps struggling with the idea that Superman is dead now that Cena is heel, then says he doesn't think Cena's words have matched his actions as he's lied to fans. He says he thinks Cena cared about him and knows that he cared about fans at one point, then invites him to be honest about the reason that he actually turned at WWE Elimination Chamber.
Cena says he won't stoop to Rhodes' level just to protect him, then says he won't cook him because he will bury him. He says all Rhodes has done is ride the coattails of his success, and he's been so great that WWE handed the reigns to his chauffeur. He calls Rhodes a slimy pickpocket, then says Rhodes holding the Undisputed WWE Championship disgusts him. He says Rhodes stole information from him, then says if you strip away Rhodes' entrance, then there isn't much to look at. He says Rhodes is generic, and all he has showed him is someone mediocre wearing a meaningful title. He calls Rhodes a "paint by numbers, sociopathic, nepo baby" that's so into himself that he got his gimmick tattooed on his neck. He says Rhodes is nothing more than a common fan, then says the last real champion will take the Undisputed WWE Championship home and Rhodes will be exposed as nothing more than a lucky errand boy.
Rhodes says Cena might be right, but questions if the same can be said for him as he was handpicked himself at one point to be the face of the company. He says everyone is terrified of Cena on the mic, but he can't back up his talk with his actions. He says Cena can mock him for talking like a sixteen year old in a public speaking class, but all Cena really wishes was that he was sixteen. He tells Cena not to act like he left WWE better than he found it, then says there's two of them standing in this ring. He asks Cena which one of them it was that sold out to The Rock, then says while Cena may still be his hero, he's also a piece of s***.
Cena tells Rhodes that his brain is not filled with facts, then says he worked much harder than Rhodes as everyone took the best shot at him. He says every time he gets in the ring, it's a challenge to everyone to see if they're worthy of taking him down but no one has been. He says he's always been in WWE and never left because he's found a way to make everything he's done great while Rhodes has to leave to make himself a star. He says he makes empires for billionaires while Rhodes steals money from their kids.
Cena looks to leave, but Rhodes stops him and says never once have the fans chanted "you can't wrestle" at him. Cena gets back in the ring and looks to surprise Rhodes with a strike, but Rhodes sees him coming and connects with a Cross-Rhodes on him.
– New Day then makes their way out to the ring. Their mystery opponents, New Catch Republic follow.
New Day vs. New Catch Republic
Tyler Bate and Xavier Woods begin the action. The bell rings and Bate tags out to Pete Dunne. Dunne stomps on Woods' arm, then tags in Bate. Bate flies off the middle rope and sends an interfering Kofi Kingston crashing out of the ring to join Woods. Dunne and Bate then fly out of the ring to level New Day.
Kingston tags in and lands a kick on Dunne's spine as he runs the ropes, then fires off stomps on him in the corner and tags Woods back in. Woods follows suit, but Kingston tags back in and delivers an assisted dropkick to Dunne with Woods. Woods tags back in and bodyslams Kingston on top of Dunne, then delivers a dropkick to his spine. Dunne responds with a chop and forearm, but Woods levels him and tags in Kingston. Kingston lands a running senton on Dunne's spine as he's draped through the bottom rope, then flies off the top rope and connects with a right hand before wearing him down with a submission hold.
Bate tags in and lands a suplex on Kingston. He kips up and connects with an Airplane Spin on Kingston, then tags Dunne back in. Dunne and Bate deliver a double kick on Kingston, then follow it up with a rebound clothesline-German suplex combination. Dunne goes for a pin, but Woods breaks the fall.
Woods tags in, but Dunne stomps on his fingers and delivers a kick to Kingston. Bate tags in and rocks Woods with a right hand before Dunne tags back in. Kingston tags in and delivers a double stomp to Dunne off the top rope as Woods holds him in place for the win.
Winners: New Day
– Cathy Kelley talks to The New Day as they leave the ring. Woods says they deserve a title shot and want it now. Kingston says they demand what they're owed and that's a shot at the titles. The War Raiders' music hit and they make their way out to confront Kingston and Woods. The two teams stare off at each other and The New Days retreat.
– Backstage, Jimmy Uso is taping up his wrist when Jey comes up to him and says he'll feel better if he can be out there with Jimmy when he faces Gunther. Jimmy says tonight he'll beat Gunther and Jey will do the same at WrestleMania. Jey tells Jimmy to be careful.
– Gunther is shown walking backstage ahead of his match.
– Bianca Belair is seen backstage getting notes from other referees on how to officiate the Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky match.
– Jimmy Uso then makes his way down to the ring. GUNTHER follows.
GUNTHER vs. Jimmy Uso
The bell rings and Jimmy wastes no time firing off strikes on GUNTHER. GUNTHER sends Jimmy crashing into one of the barricades on the outside, but Jimmy delivers a back body drop to GUNtHER on the floor before he follows it up with an open palm strike and a tope suicida.
Jimmy dumps GUNTHER back inside the ring, then ascends to the top and looks to fly. GUNTHER gets his knees up, and the two teeter on the ropes. Jimmy lands a superplex on GUNTHER and follows it up with a Frog Splash off the top, then goes for a pin but GUNTHER kicks out. Jimmy looks to fly off the ring steps, but GUNTHER catches him with a chop and sends him crashing into the ring apron spine first. He then turns Jimmy inside out with a clothesline.
GUNTHER delivers an uppercut to Jimmy, then lands a couple of stomps on him and connects with a kick to his chest. Jimmy responds with a German suplex and a superkick to GUNTHER, but GUNTHER turns Jimmy inside out with a kick of his own and a powerbomb. He goes for a pin, but pulls Jimmy off the mat and lands a boot. He follows it up with a clothesline and once again pins Jimmy, but pulls him off the mat and locks in a Sleeper on him. Jimmy fades.
Winner: GUNTHER
– After the match, Gunther attacks Jimmy some more and this calls out Jey Uso to make the save. Jey spears Gunther and starts punching him. Gunther runs off through the crowd and Jey runs into the ring to check on Jimmy.
We come back from break and see Jimmy being helped to the back by Jey and medical staff. Gunther comes running out nowhere and takes out the brothers and then begins to attack Jey sending him into the steel steps. Gunther powerbombs one of the security guards onto the steel steps and then sends Jey into the ringpost. Gunther zip ties one of Uso's hands and zip ties him to the ropes. Gunther then makes Jey watch him destroy his brother, Jimmy. Gunther then taunts a shackled Jey with his title. Jimmy gets clocked with Gunther's title and then Gunther then talks smack to Jey. Jimmy Uso has been busted open and Jey is livid. Gunther then powerbombs Jimmy and proceeds to punch him in the ring while Jey tries to break free. Gunther runs Jimmy's blood on his own body and then tastes Jimmy's blood. Gunther then puts Jimmy back in a sleeper hold as Jey tries to save Jimmy. Officials run in to break the hold.
– We are backstage with The Judgement Day. They talk about making up and now that the garbage is behind them they can focus on bringing gold to the Judgement Day. Finn Balor brings up Raquel Rodriguez losing her match and the men leave. Liv Morgan tells Rodriguez they need to figure out what to do with Lyra Valkyria and Bayley.
– Penta then makes his way out to the ring. Bron Breakker and Judgment Day follow.
Judgment Day (w/ Carlito) vs. Penta and Bron Breakker
Dominik Mysterio and Penta begin the action. The bell rings and Dominik fires off stomps on Penta. He delivers a hurricanrana to him, but Breakker tags in and lands a slam. Finn Balor tags in, but Breakker levels him with a spear and tags Penta back in. Penta lands a kick on Balor in the corner, then sends him crashing out of the ring. Breakker clotheslines Dominik on the outside, then flies over the top rope to level Balor and Dominik.
Balor fires off right hands on Penta in the ring, then tags in Dominik. Dominik fires off right hands on Penta, then follows it up with a few stomps. Balor tags in and fires off right hands of his own on Penta, then tags in Dominik. Dominik connects with The Three Amigos on Penta, but Breakker tags in and takes down both members of Judgment Day. He lands a double suplex on them, then levels Balor with a pair of back elbows and tags in Penta.
Penta levels Balor with a superkick, then sets up for a Mexican Destroyer. Dominik helps Balor avoid it and Breakker looks to spear him, but Balor moves out of the way and Breakker accidentally spears Penta. Balor takes advantage of the miscommunication and connects with a Coup De Grace on Penta for the win.
Winners: Judgment Day
– Chad Gable is with Adam Pearce backstage. Gable has a doctors note saying he's still sick but he says he'll be better to compete in his hometown next week. Pearce says he won't compete because of the doctor's note. Alpha Academy comes in and they wanna discuss Otis and Tozawa competing in the tag title picture as well as Maxxine competing for some gold as well.
– Cathy Kelley is backstage with Bron Breakker. Penta runs in all pissed because of the accidental spear and Breakker tells him he needs to watch his mouth as officials separate them.
– AJ Styles then makes his way out to the ring.
Styles says Logan Paul promised to call him out as he's waited patiently in the back, but he's tired of waiting and invites Paul to come to the ring and say what he needs to his face.
Paul's music hits, and he makes his way out. He tells Styles that he wouldn't understand because no one has the same level of fame as he does. He says he's had a change of heart now that he's a girl dad, then forgives him for their last encounter on March 10.
Styles says he has a daughter, then forgives Paul for being the worst person to ever step foot in WWE. He says fans care about what one is willing to sacrifice in the ring for them, and while Paul is talent, talent can only get someone so far. He asks Paul what he's going to do, and Paul says he'd ask Styles for advice but he doesn't take advice from those he wouldn't trade places with. Styles says he's ready for a match tonight if Paul wants to go, but Paul says he's done talking and doesn't fight for free.
Paul says if Styles wants a big money match against him, then he can have him at WrestleMania 41. Styles fires off right hands and left hands on Paul, then sets up for the Styles Clash. Paul escapes, but Styles sends him crashing into the announce desk face first on the outside and dumps him back in the ring. Paul uses the middle rope to low blow Styles, then sends him crashing into the mat with the Paul-verizer.
– Jackie Redmond talks to Lyra Valkyria backstage and asks Valkyria what her next steps are. Valkyria says Bayley is the one person who has beaten her and she needs to prove to herself she can beat Bayley. She tells Redmond she's defending her title next week against Bayley.
– The Judgement Day is backstage celebrating. Finn Balor says he's got the momentum and he's going to Pearce to ask for a title match and leaves. Liv Morgan tells Dominik it's weird that Balor says he won when it was both of them. She says she's going to talk to Pearce to Dom a title shot.
– Back at ringside, Rhea Ripley makes her way down IYO SKY follows.
:womensworldchamp:
WWE Women's World Championship Match w/ Special Guest Referee Bianca Belair: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
The bell rings and the two lock up. Ripley fires off shoulders on SKY's midsection, but Belair pulls her off SKY. Ripley and SKY then exchange strikes before Ripley dropkicks SKY. SKY catches Ripley with a back elbow, then fires off knees on her midsection and delivers a drop toe hold that sends her crashing into the ropes. She lands a dropkick on Ripley's spine, but Ripley sends SKY crashing into the mat.
SKY dropkicks Ripley and the action spills out of the ring. She connects with a Frakenstiener on Ripley, and the pair exchange right hands with one another when they return to the ring. SKY delivers a double stomp to Ripley's midsection, then steps over her and sets up for the Over The Moonsault. Ripley clocks SKY from behind and gets her in an Electric Chair position on the middle rope, but SKY escapes and sends Ripley crashing into the mat with a Crucifix Bomb. She goes for a pin, but Ripley kicks out.
SKY connects with a meteora to Ripley, then steps over her and sets up for the Over The Moonsault. Ripley pushes SKY off the ropes, then flies as she looks to level Ripley with a crossbody. Ripley sees her coming and levels her with a strike, then follows it up with a Razor's Edge and goes for a pin. SKY kicks out and Ripley sets up for Rip Tide, but SKY manages to avoid it and sends Ripley crashing into the mat. Ripley looks to land a boot on SKY, but accidentally hits Belair instead. She lands Rip Tide on SKY and pins her, but no referee is present to count the fall.
Ripley yells at Belair and pins SKY again, but SKY manages to kick out. She continues to yell at Belair and demands she count faster, then rains down right hands on SKY. Belair pulls Ripley off SKY, but Ripley clocks her and lands a right hand on SKY from behind. An angry Belair calls the match off after she was clocked and declares that both Ripley and SKY have been disqualified.
Double Disqualification
– After the match, an enraged Ripley brings the fight to Belair. SKY flies to level both women and rains down right hands on Ripley, but Belair clocks her and fires off right hands on her. Ripley lands a pair of Rip Tides on both Belair and SKY, then delivers another Rip Tide to Belair off the middle rope and holds up the Women's World Championship as the show goes off the air.
