WWE RAW Live Coverage - September 22nd, 2025

[Kemo]

Cody Rhodes returns to Raw following Wrestlepalooza

On Saturday, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to retain his title in an explosive clash at Wrestlepalooza. Then, in the post-show, The American Nightmare was suddenly confronted by World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

– The show kicks off with a video recapping home of the highlights from Wrestlepalooza.

– Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore greet audiences at home as Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

Rhodes asks Evansville what they want to talk about, then says they could talk about his Crown Jewel Championship ring. He then addresses his upcoming Crown Jewel Championship defense against Seth Rollins at WWE Crown Jewel on October 11.

Rollins' music hits, and he makes his way to the ring along with Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker. He says from the moment himself and Rhodes walked out of WWE SummerSlam as World Heavyweight Champion and Undisputed WWE Champion, he's had Crown Jewel circled on his calendar. He says he knows what the fans think about him, then says what he wants to know from Rhodes is what he truly thinks of him.

Rhodes tells Rollins that he has complicated feelings towards him when it shouldn't be that way, then he's made some questionable choices such as aligning with Paul Heyman. He says Rollins changed his life by standing across the ring from him at WWE WrestleMania 38 without really knowing him and continued doing so in Hell In A Cell and at WWE WrestleMania 40. He says the Rollins that could've been the best didn't hide behind the rest of The Vision.

Rollins points out his watch and says Rhodes gave it to him at WrestleMania 40. He says he hasn't worn it once since then, then asks Rhodes if it was a real gift or just a gesture. He says Rhodes talks a lot in interviews about being the right person to lead WWE in the future, and if Rhodes believes that in his core, then what does that say about him. He says there's two possibilities: Rhodes doesn't think he's good enough or doesn't think that he's as good as him. He says The Vision isn't just a group of people, but a group that looks ahead to the future of the professional wrestling industry which filters all through him. He says Rhodes can be the quarterback, but he'll be Rollins' quarterback and the truth will come out at Crown Jewel by any means necessary when Rhodes finds out he's the creator. He says it's not a two man show because he's the alpha.

Rhodes asks Rollins if their Crown Jewel match will be one-on-one like all their other battles, then asks Rollins how many of their matches he's won.

– Jimmy Uso walks backstage and walks up to Jey Uso. Jimmy says their loss to The Vision is trash and he knows they can beat The Vision and he went to Adam Pearce to request a match but Pearce told him Jey has a match with LA Knight. Jimmy tells Jey to get his shit together - Jey gets mad at Jimmy and says Knight is the reason they lost. Jey says they'll take care of all that after he takes care of Knight.

– New Day and Grayson Waller make their way to the ring. Penta and The War Raiders follow.

Six Man No Disqualification Match: New Day and Grayson Waller vs. Penta and The War Raiders

The bell rings and all six men begin brawling with one another. Penta and The War Raiders look to take flight, but New Day and Waller move out of the way. Kingston and Waller beat down Erik and Penta on the outside as Ivar drags Woods into the ring.

Ivar lands a senton on Woods, but Kingston connects with a roundhouse kick to his head. He sends Erik crashing into the mat and looks to land a kick on him, but Erik sees him coming and rocks him with a knee strike. Waller hits Erik across the spine with a kendo stick, but Penta grabs it from Waller and hits him with it twice. Penta then uses Erik as a launch pad to take flight over the top rope and level Kingston and Woods on the outside as Ivar lands a crossbody on Waller that sends him crashing into the ring apron.

Back from the break, New Day and Waller fire off stomps on Penta. Penta sends Waller crashing over the top rope and delivers a hurricanrana to Woods, but Woods trips Penta on the ring apron and rains down right hands on him on top of a table. Kingston then flies off the top rope with a double leg drop to send Penta crashing through the table.

Woods and Kingston drag Ivar up to the top rope as Erik levels Waller with a headbutt and pulls Woods and Kingston off the top rope. Waller clotheslines himself and Erik out of the ring, and Ivar looks to land a moonsault off the top rope on Woods and Kingston. Woods and Kingston move out of the way, and Kingston lands a senton on Ivar as Woods holds him through the bottom rope.

Ivar lands a sit-out powerbomb on Waller on the apron, but Woods hits Ivar with a kendo stick and looks to hit Erik with it. Erik sees Woods coming and sends him crashing into the ring apron, but Kingston delivers a crossbody to Erik off the ring steps. Back in the ring, Kingston looks to send Penta crashing through the table in the corner. Penta stops his momentum and sends Kingson crashing through the table with a suplex. Waller teeters on the ropes with Penta, but Penta connects with a Mexican Destroyer off the middle rope for the win.

Winners: Penta and The War Raiders

– We then head over to Judgment Day's lounge, where Dominik Mysterio complains to Finn Balor about Rusev wanting a shot at his Intercontinental Championship. Balor tells Dominik to talk to El Grande Americano, but Dominik says Americano is in Mexico. Dominik then asks JD McDonagh for help, but McDonagh looks to decline until Roxanne Perez talks him into it.

– We go backstage, where Bayley approaches Lyra Valkyria to be in her corner in her match against Perez. Valkyria questions why Bayley is asking her after yelling at her last week, but agrees to corner her if it really means that much to Bayley. Stephanie Vaquer walks by as Bayley leaves and Vaquer is on after this commercial break.

– Back from the break, Adam Pearce introduces Stephanie Vaquer, and she makes her way to the ring. He congratulates Vaquer on becoming the new Women's World Champion, and Vaquer says this is her dream. She says it felt impossible at times, but she worked for it and made it happened. She says she beat one of the best in the world in IYO SKY, then says she learned from her hero and the best example she had: her father. She says every one of the fans celebrated with her at Wrestlepalooza, then says they cried with her and thanks them for their support. She says no one can stop her as Women's World Champion.

Adam Pearce brings up Tiffany Stratton defending her WWE Women's Championship against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill on "WWE SmackDown" this Friday and the winner having to face Vaquer for the Women's Crown Jewel Championship at Crown Jewel. Vaquer promises to be on "SmackDown" this Friday.

– Nikki Bella talks to Stephanie Vaquer backstage. Rhea Ripley comes in and they both congratulate Vaquer. Asuka and Kairi Sane come by and Asuka gets in Vaquer's face. Ripley says she's sick and tired of Asuka's attitude. Asuka tells Ripley to stay from Iyo Sky. Ripley challenges Asuka to a match tonight. Asuka leaves and Sane apologizes to Ripley until Asuka yells at her to come with her.

– Bayley and Lyra Valkyria make their way to the ring. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez follow.

Roxanne Perez (w/ Raquel Rodriguez) vs. Bayley (w/ Lyra Valkyria)

The bell rings and the two lock up. Perez shoves Bayley in the corner, but Bayley trips Perez before she lands a suplex on her. She delivers a shoulder to her midsection, but Perez drapes Bayley by her knees off the middle rope and fires off stomps on her. She lands a stomp on Bayley's midsection, then jams her knee into the back of her neck using the middle rope during the commercial break.

Rodriguez lands a cheap right hand on Bayley and Perez looks to land a springboard moonsault off the ropes. Bayley moves out of the way, then lands an elbow drop on Perez off the middle rope back from the break and goes for a pin. Perez kicks out.

Bayley ascends to the top rope, but Perez joins her up there and connects with a hurricanrana on her. She follows it up with a flipping knee to Bayley and goes for a pin, but Bayley kicks out. Perez connects with a Russian Leg Sweep on Bayley, then looks to fly through the middle rope. Bayley catches Perez with a right hand, but Perez responds with a Pop Rox to Bayley on the floor. The referee begins a ten count, but both women beat it.

Perez gets in the referee's face as Rodriguez runs over Bayley with a boot on the outside. Valkyria goes after Rodrgiuez, but Valkyria sends Rodriguez crashing into the ring post. Perez takes out Valkyria, but Bayley suddenly becomes enraged. She drags Perez into the ring and tries to calm herself down, but lands a Bayley-To-Belly on Perez. She follows it up with a knee strike and Rose Plant for the win.

Winner: Bayley

– After the match, Valkyria hugs Bayley. Bayley shoves her and asks Valkyria if she thought she could really touch her.

– Jimmy Uso approaches Cody Rhodes and they reminisce about Wrestlepalooza. Rhodes asks how Jey is doing. Jimmy says Jey is in his head and isn't listening to him, so maybe he'll listen to Rhodes. Rhodes agrees to talk to Jey.

– Cody Rhodes talks to Jey Uso in his locker room. Rhodes asks Jey if he's good and Jey says he is. Rhodes talks about the high and lows and the wins and losses. Rhodes says we believe in him and Jey says he'll find his way to the top again.

– JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio make their way to the ring. Rusev follows.

Rusev vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Dominik Mysterio)

Rusev trash talks Mysterio at the bell. Rusev kicks down McDonagh and punches him into the corner. Rusev punches out McDonagh and McDonagh comes back with chops to Rusev. Rusev suplexes McDonagh twice and kicks McDonagh. Rusev hits an elbow and then chokes McDonagh on the ropes and follows that up with a kick to his gut. Rusev kicks McDonagh in the face and then punches McDonagh. McDonagh chops Rusev back and the runs out of the ring as Rusev chases him. McDonagh is thrown in the air back in the ring. Rusev tosses McDonagh back outside the ring and then stares at Mysterio. Mysterio checks on McDonagh and Rusev goes to McDonagh and slams him into the barricades. McDonagh slams the steel steps onto Rusev and kicks him on the apron. McDonagh sends Rusev into the ring post and then hits a springboard moonsault to the outside on Rusev and we cut to commercial break.

We're back from break, Rusev gets McDonagh on the top turnbuckle and Rusev punches McDonagh on the top rope. McDonagh slides between Rusev's legs and pulls him off the ropes. McDonagh hits a jawbreaker on Rusev and knocks down Rusev. McDonagh kicks down Rusev and hits a flying knee and covers Rusev who kicks out immediately. McDonagh DDT's Rusev and then headbutts Rusev. McDonagh hits a moonsault and covers Rusev for a near fall. McDonagh punches Rusev and hits a few running clotheslines trying to take down Rusev. Rusev grabs McDonagh and slams him down onto the mat. Rusev hits the Mashka Kick on McDonagh and then slaps McDonagh in The Accolade. McDonagh yells for Mysterio who goes to help Rusev but stops and McDonagh submits.

Winner by Submission: Rusev

– Rusev doesn't let go and Mysterio doesn't help. Finn Balor runs down and attacks Rusev breaking the hold. Balor and Mysterio help McDonagh to the back as Balor yells at Mysterio.

– Asuka warms up backstage with Kairi Sane. Iyo Sky comes in and tells Asuka she doesn't have to do this, and Asuka says she is going to teach Ripley respect and leaves. Sane talks to Sky and says Asuka is the reason they're all in the WWE and Asuka then yells at her to follow her.

– Jackie Redmond talks to LA Knight backstage. Knight talks about how Jey Uso is so mad at him from whatever happened on Saturday. Knight says he doesn't want to hurt Jey but he will if he has to.

– Jey Uso then makes his way to the ring. LA Knight follows.

Jey Uso vs. LA Knight

The bell rings and Jey wastes no time firing off right hands on Knight. Knight returns the favor, but Jey rains down more right hands on Knight and whips him into the corner. He sends him crashing into it chest first, but Knight delivers a neckbreaker to Jey and sets up for BFT. Jey avoids it, but Knight sends him crashing out of the ring and runs him over with a clothesline.

Knight sends Jey's head bouncing off the announce desk during the commercial break twice, but Jey whips Knight into one of the barricades. The two men return to the ring, and Jey fires off stomps on Knight in the corner. Knight levels Jey with a neckbreaker, then fires off stomps on him in the corner and sets up for a running knee on him. Jey moves out of the way and levels Knight with an enzuigiri.

Back from the break, Jey pins Knight but Knight kicks out. Knight then lands a superplex on Jey off the middle rope and exchanges right hands with him, but Knight sets up for BFT. Jey avoids it, but Knight delivers a Burning Hammer to Jey and goes for a pin. Jey kicks out.

Jey lands a superkick on Knight, but Knight lands an elbow drop on Jey. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker appear at ringside, but Knight takes them out. When he returns to the ring, Jey lands a spear on Knight and follows it up with an Uso Splash for the win.

Winner: Jey Uso

– Jey walks away and head to the back. Jimmy Uso comes out and tells Jey to help him with Knight because Reed and Breakker will destroy him. Jey leaves and Jimmy runs to the ring with a chair. Paul Heyman makes The Vision retreat as Uso stands in the ring with Knight writhing in pain on the mat.

– Seth Rollins is backstage with Becky Lynch. Lynch talks trash about Cody Rhodes and The Usos. Lynch says they're being disrespectful and takes issue with Rhodes calling her "lovely". Lynch says they've been too lenient and she says she's going to make an example and leaves.

– Rhea Ripley stretches backstage. Iyo Sky comes up to her and asks Ripley to call off the match. Ripley says she's had enough of the disrespect and maybe she and Asuka will find respect for each other. Ripley tells Sky to be careful around Asuka. Sky tells Ripley she wouldn't be here without Asuka and Asuka is her family. She can trust Asuka but can she trust Ripley? Sky leaves and Ripley is stressed because that's not what she meant.

– Maxxine Dupri talks to Adam Pearce backstage. She says she wants to get in the ring and Pearce says he'll find her the right opportunity. Once Dupri leaves, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee pop in and complain to Pearce about all three El Grande Americanos. Lee and Styles ask for a tag match against two of them. Pearce agrees.

– Asuka and Kairi Sane then make their way to the ring. Rhea Ripley follows.

Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka (w/ Kairi Sane)

The bell rings and Ripley lands a German suplex on Asuka. She sets up for a boot on her, but Asuka moves out of the way and sends Ripley crashing off the apron and onto the floor. Ripley fires off right hands on Asuka's spine on the outside during the commercial break.

Ripley and Asuka return to the ring, and Asuka cinches in a submission on Ripley. Back from the break, Ripley lands an open palm strike on Asuka and lands a pair of clotheslines on her before following it up with a dropkick and a suplex to her. She goes for a pin, but Asuka kicks out.

Asuka delivers a dropkick to Ripley's knee, then stomps on the back of her thigh. Ripley runs over Asuka with a big boot, then follows it up with a cannonball to Asuka off the apron and onto the floor.

During another commercial break, Ripley sends Asuka crashing into one of the barricades and lands a chop on her. She dumps her back in the ring as the commercial break wraps up, then lands a chop on her in the corner and sits her on the top rope before joining her up there and connecting with a superplex.

Ripley and Asuka exchange right hands with one another, but Asuka rolls up Ripley. Ripley kicks out, then lands a Razor's Edge on Asuka.

Asuka catches Ripley in a Knee Bar, but Ripley powers up to her feet. Asuka lands a German suplex on Ripley and ascends to the middle rope, then looks to fly. Ripley catches Asuka with a boot mid-air.

Asuka tells Sane to clock Ripley to help her, but Sane looks at her hand and ultimately decides to listen. Ripley catches Sane's hand, but Asuka sets up for a Hip Attack on Ripley. She accidentally hits Sane and sends her crashing onto the floor, opening the door for Ripley to roll up Asuka for the win.

Winner: Rhea Ripley

– After the match, Asuka spits her mist into Ripley's face. Sane joins her, but IYO SKY's music hits and she runs down to the ring. She pleads with Asuka to stop attacking Ripley and Asuka agrees to do so and hugs her. Asuka and SKY appear to make up...until Asuka lands a spinning back fist on SKY as a conflicted Sane watches on. Sane decides to rain down right hands on SKY and holds her in place for Asuka to land a roundhouse kick on her. Asuka levels Ripley with a kick and holds SKY in place. Sane lands an In-Sane Elbow on SKY and appears to still be conflicted as Asuka holds onto her shoulders, Ripley and SKY are left laid out, and the show goes off the air.

[LionDen]

Scheduled:
- New Women's World Champion Stephanie Vaquer to appear.

- WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes to appear.

- Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez.

- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and Grayson Waller vs. The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) and Penta.

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Opening

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Backstage

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War Raiders and Penta win

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In Ring

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Backstage

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Nayley wins

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Rusev wins

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Uso wins