WWE RAW Live Coverage - August 25th, 2025

[Kemo]

Roman Reigns kicks off Raw in Birmingham

Monday Night Raw will kick off in a major way when Roman Reigns grabs a mic to address his assist to Jey Uso last week.

– The show begins with clips from last week's RAW showcasing the drama between CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, LA Knight, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns.

– LA Knight, Rhea Ripley, and Nikki Bella are all shown walking backstage in the arena.

– Roman Reigns's music hits. Reigns makes his entrance slowly. Still walking. Still walking. Roman finally makes it to the apron and poses. He gets in the ring and wanders around. He poses. It has been at least three minutes of this. His music stops. The crowd continues singing. The crowd stops singing. Roman stands there. The crowd starts singing a different song. Roman poses again. Everyone cheers. Seriously, it's been roughly 5-7 minutes.

Roman finally starts speaking. This leads to another chant break from the crowd. Roman tells the Birmingham crowd that he's got big plans for tonight, the rest of the year, and next year. Roman says he's not the man he used to be, which prompts a "Yes, you are" chant from the crowd. Roman says The Vision has taken everything from him. The crowd begins chanting something unintelligible; it eventually coalesces into "F*** Seth Rollins."

Roman says things aren't the same. He doesn't have all the things he used to have, like a Bloodline. Roman says he's proud of Jey Uso, and Uso deserves to challenge for the title. He says The Vision took titles, Paul Heyman, and now even his shoes.

Paul Heyman interrupts Reigns and comes out with Bronson Reed, who has Roman's shoes around his neck. Paul Heyman tries to introduce Reed, but the crowd boos, so he starts over and for some reason the crowd goes with it this time. He calls Reed "The Tribal Thief." Heyman also points out they are near or at the anniversary of Heyman choosing Roman Reigns over Brock Lesnar. The crowd is chanting "shut the f*** up" while Heyman explains his history with Roman. He says he misses Roman. He loved him 5 years ago and loves him now, which is why he came out to "disrespect" Reigns. The crowd starts singing Roman's name. Paul Heyman starts singing Bronson Reed's name. The crowd responds by singing louder.

Heyman says that everyone in the arena is poor, and then says Roman Reigns needs a "tough love" that Heyman isn't "man enough to provide," but Bronson Reed is. Roman calls Reed a "dumbass," and Reed says that he is intent on disrespecting Roman. The crowd starts chanting again.

Reed says that his tribe was outcast to Australia, and that he earned his tattoos, while Reigns only paid for them. He says he's the Samoan that Roman's dad and uncle warned him about.

Reigns points out that if Reed is Samoan, he belongs to him. Roman tells Reed to apologize to their people for wasting their time. Roman offers Reed an opportunity to return his shoes and it ends in both men brawling around ringside and back into the ring. Security comes in to break it up, to no avail. Reed fights them off and sets up for a Tsunami, but Roman recovers and hits a Superman Punch, sending Reed to the floor. Security keeps Roman at bay, but Roman sneaks away and wipes out Reed and half the security team. They fight up the aisle, with security in tow. We head to a commercial, the crowd still chanting, "Roman, Roman Reigns!"

Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Finn Balor)

Lee chops on McDonagh in the corner and then both trade blows. Lee hits a dragon screw on McDonagh and kicks him in the corner. McDonagh gets Lee on the mat and distracts the ref and Balor tries to interfere and is ejected. McDonagh goes out to talk to Balor and Lee suicide dives out onto him. Back in the ring, Lee goes to hit a crossbody but McDonagh is too quick and drop kicks Lee mid air and we cut to a commercial break.

We return from the commercial break, McDonagh superplexes Lee off the top rope laying out both men. McDonagh and Lee trade punches and chops. Lee hits a snap released German Suplex and then slams McDonagh down with a Poisonrana. McDonagh hits a standing Spanish Fly and covers Lee for a near fall. Lee punches McDonagh and they both counter powerbombs until Lee hits a sitout powerbomb on McDonagh and covers for a two count. Lee climbs the ropes and McDonagh is tangled up on the ropes and Lee hits a double stomp off the top rope and covers McDonagh who gets his leg on the ropes. Dominik Mysterio runs down to get involved in the match and AJ Styles runs down and takes care of Mysterio. Lee hits Operation Dragon and pins McDonagh.

Winner: Dragon Lee

– Jackie Redmond talks to LA Knight. She asks him about last week and CM Punk accidentally putting Knight through the table. Knight says Punk didn't help him after hitting him so he isn't sure it wasn't an accident. He says Punk is a hungry man, but the rations are limited and Knight is hungry too. He says he's going to take out Bron Breakker tonight.

– A video promo for Rusev plays where he talks about being up Sheamus, yet again, but this time at Clash in Paris.

– Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez are backstage. The rest of Judgement Day come in and argue. Dominik Mysterio tells Balor to take care of AJ Styles.

Penta vs Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods & Grayson Waller)

Penta and Kingston lock up and Kingston gets chopped like mad in the corner. Kingston is taken down with a headscissors and then Penta clotheslines Kingston. Kingston rolls out of the ring causing a break. Kingston now punches Penta and slams him into the corner. Kingston comes off the top rope and lands on Penta and covers him for a two count. Kingston punches out Penta and kicks him down to the mat. Kingston is knocked outside the ring over the ropes and Kingston runs away before Penta can fly over the ropes onto him and we cut to a break.

We're back, and Kingston has Penta in a headlock in the middle of the ring. Kingston readjusts to a chin lock and Penta punches his way out of the hold. Penta kicks Kingston and hits a SlingBlade on Kingston. Kingston is kicked in the corner and then Penta hits Kingston with his handstand kick and covers Kingston for a near fall. Kingston knocks down Penta and kicks Penta in the face. Kingston hits the Boom Drop on Penta. Penta kicks Kingston countering Trouble in Paradise and then hits a backstabber and covers Kingston for two. Kingston hits a Fame-asser and gets a two count. Penta and Kingston fall off the top turnbuckle and Penta hits a suplex and then The PentaDriver and Kingston kicks out. Penta kicks Waller in the face and then flips over the ropes onto Woods and Kingston. Back in the ring, Kingston hits Trouble in Paradise and gets the win.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

– We see the fall out of Damage CTRL with Asuka getting pissed at Iyo Sky from last week..

– Rhea Ripley warms up backstage. Iyo Sky comes by and thanks Ripley for helping her last week but then tells her Kairi Sane and Asuka are like her family and they're upset and she suggests they keep their distance from each other for the time being. Sky thanks Ripley for understanding and they hug. We see Asuka and Sane watching from a back and Asuka gets pissed when Sky and Ripley hug and Sane tries to calm her down but Asuka storms away.

– After a long commercial, a video plays, recapping Jimmy Uso and Naomi's pregnancy announcement.

– Backstage, Adam Pearce assures Stephanie Vaquer that she's number one contender to the Women's World Title. He says the title match at Clash In Paris is off, and next week she will know her opponent for the vacant title.

– Becky Lynch makes her way out to the ring. Lynch talks about how she had her WWE tryout three years ago here in Birmingham and it was a dump then and it's still one now. She then talks about Nikki Bella wanting to call her out and says she isn't a dog who will just oblige. Nikki Bella comes out and asks Lynch if she's not a dog, then why is she being a bitch. Lynch tells Bella she calls the shots and not Bella and she doesn't just give out title shots. Bella takes credit for changing the women's division and talks about being a trailblazer. Lynch says she doesn't care and Lynch isn't here to respect Bella but she's here to replace Bella. Bella calls Lynch Charlotte Flair's sidekick. Lynch tells Bella she's not a sidekick and that her theme song even says she isn't. Bella says Lynch is desperate and gets Birmingham to agree with her. Bella asks Lynch if the man has lost her balls and then says Lynch has no class and says she's a coward. Lynch agrees to give Bella her match in Paris and not in Birmingham. Bella tells Lynch she'll be the champion after Paris. Lynch tries to attack Bella who kicks down Lynch. The two start fighting and Lynch rolls out of the ring as Bella poses with Lynch's belt.

– Jackie Redmond talks to CM Punk backstage. She asks Punk what he thinks about what LA Knight had to say. Punk says he was just looking to get everyone on the same page. He says he doesn't care what Knight thinks and if he thinks Punk deliberately attacked him, he can, but in Paris it's everyone on their own.

Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez (w/Raquel Rodriguez)

The match starts out heated, as Roxanne tries her best to keep Ripley off balance with a flurry of strikes. Ripley crushes Roxanne, sending her out of the ring to recover. Ripley heads out of the ring and gets Perez back in the ring, where she tosses her around. Perez counters a Riptide attempt and once again returns to ringside. Ripley gives chase, Roxanne attempts a Tope Suicida, and Ripley catches her. Raquel tries to protect Roxanne to little avail. Rhea gets distracted, and Roxanne hits a big dive on Rhea. Perez sends Ripley into the ring, and slams Ripley's legs into the apron. Perez knocks down Ripley and poses. Ripley sends Roxanne into the ringpost and gets momentum back. Roxanne blocks a piledriver on the apron and goes back to attacking Rhea's leg, forcing Rhea to retreat to the ring. Roxanne keeps up the assault, hitting a European Uppercut to Ripley's back. Roxanne gets a nearfall and we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Ripley is in firm control, womanhandling Perez. Raquel sneakily prevents Ripley from hitting a Razor's Edge. Perez takes advantage and hits a Shining Wizard for a nearfall. Perez slaps Ripley and pummels away. Ripley hits a headbutt and a Razor's Edge for a nearfall.

Perez fights off Ripley. Ripley charges, Roxanne moves, and Ripley sends Raquel crashing into the barricade. Ripley counters Pop Rocks and then kicks out of a rollup. Rhea counters a legsweep. Rhea hits a headbutt and Riptide for the pinfall.

Winner: Rhea Ripley

– After the match, Raquel attacks Rhea. Rhea recovers but Roxanne stops Rhea from hitting a Riptide on Raquel. Raquel clotheslines Ripley and both women attack her. Iyo Sky's music hits and she rushes the ring, taking out both women. Rhea and Iyo celebrate chasing off the attackers.

– Bronson Reed, Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins are backstage. Rollins says he was right about Reed and he knows what Reed is capable of. Bron Breakker is there too and Rollins pumps up his guys to beat Roman Reigns and LA Knight in Paris.

– Rhea Ripley tends to her injuries backstage with Iyo Sky. Asuka and Kairi Sane come in, Asuka yells at Sky. Sky tries to calm down Asuka who tells Sky not to talk to Ripley. Sky tells Sane to trust her that she has their back over Ripley. Sane says sorry and leaves with Asuka.

AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor

Balor kicks Styles to get the upperhand early and sends Styles to the outside. Styles recovers and gets back in the ring. Styles blocks a kick and drives Balor into the corner. The referee breaks them up and Balor takes advantage. Styles comes back with a dropkick and sends Balor to the outside. Styles hits a Slingshot Forearm to the outside. He chops away at Balor, as commentary congratulates the new TNA Knockouts Champion. What a time to be alive.

They fight back into the ring, where control continues to see-saw. Styles signals for Phenomenal Forearm but Balor shoves him off the top rope. We head to commercial.

Back from commercial, Balor is circling Styles like a shark. Balor keeps up the assualt but Styles counters a 1916 with a Pele Kick and then hits a sliding forearm to a seated Balor. Styles hits an Ushiguroshi for a nearfall. Balor counters a Styles Clash, sending Styles to the apron. Balor dodges a Phenomenal Forearm and comes back with a Slingblade. Balor hits a Shotgun Dropkick.

Balor climbs to the top rope. Styles rolls away from a Coup De Grace. Balor counters Calf Crusher. Styles counters with a Styles Clash for the pinfall.

Winner: AJ Styles

– Jey Uso is backstage and he talks to Roman Reigns about The Vision and LA Knight and CM Punk. Reigns asks why Uso is lacking confidence. Reigns tells Uso to capture the moment and lock in their legacy. He tells Uso to go out and that he needs to do what he needs to do.

– After a commercial break, a video plays, showing Bayley talking to the voices in her head, though mostly they talk to each other. Backstage, Lyra Valkyria tells Adam Pearce she's concerned. Adam Pearce says he's called in a wellness check. Judgment Day asks Pearce to handle the AJ Styles situation. Pearce schedules an Intercontinental Championship Match at next week's "Raw" in Paris.

– Lyra Valkyria talks to Adam Pearce backstage and she says she's worried about Bayley's mental well-being and urges Pearce to check in on Bayley. Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Finn Balor come by. Mysterio says Pearce needs to handle this AJ Styles situation. Pearce issues a match with Styles against Mysterio for the IC title at Clash in Paris.

– Bron Breakker walks backstage with Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman. Roman Reigns jumps into the screen and beats up Breakker and Reed. Reigns is escorted out. LA Knight comes out of nowhere and starts fighting with Breakker. The two fight backstage and the fight spills out into the entryway. Breakker is thrown into the jumbo tron and the men fight through the crowd. Knight slams Breakker into the barricades and they now fight down near the ring and we cut to a break.

– Back live, Knight slams Breakkers head into the announce desk and throws Breakker over the desk. Knight jumps off the announce desk and clotheslines Breakker. Breakker is tossed back in the ring and the bell rings.

LA Knight vs. Bron Breakker

Knight boots Breakker in the corner. Knight runs at Breakker and hits a hip attack against the turnbuckles. Knight hits a neck breaker and covers for a one count. Breakker is kicked in the face and then Breakker's head is slammed into the turnbuckle. Breakker slams into Knight in the corner and starts with punches on Knight. Breakker hits a running clothesline and it lays Knight out. Breakker kicks and stomps Knight and then chokes him out on the ropes. Breakker suplexes Knight and Knight comes back with jabs to Breakker. Breakker is taken down and then knocked out of the ring. Knight kicks Breakker through the ropes and meets him outside the ring. Breakker trips Knight into the announce desk and rams him into the apron and then into the steel steps and we cut to commercial.

We come back, and Breakker has Knight on the mat in a headlock. Breakker slams Knight into the corner and then reverses a neck breaker sending Knight crashing to the mat. Breakker and Knight are on the top rope and Breakker hits his Frankensteiner on Knight. Breakker covers Knight who kicks out at two. Knight kicks Breakker and hits a DDT on Breakker. Knight and Breakker trade blows and Knight takes down Breakker with a neck breaker. Knight slams down Breakker with reverse DDT. Knight misses a top rope elbow and Breakker takes down Knight with a clothesline. Breakker goes for a spear but is kicked instead and Knight covers Breakker for a two count. Knight and Breakker are on the top turnbuckles and Knight is knocked down who runs back up and hits a superplex on Breakker. Knight hits his elbow off the top rope and Seth Rollins' music hits and he runs down to the ring and gets on the apron. Knight goes to punch Rollins but Rollins goes on the run. Knight chases after him and gets speared by Breakker. Back in the ring, Knight is speared and covered for the win.

Winner: Bron Breakker

– Rollins and Breakker attack Knight. Jey Uso's music hits, and Jey runs out to help Knight. Uso attacks Rollins and lays him out with a Superkick. Breakker distracts Uso, opening up Rollins to hit Uso with a Pedigree. CM Punk's music hits, and he chases off the heels, as the crowd sings "Cult of Personality." Punk, Knight, and Uso share the ring hesitantly, as the crowd chants "Seth's a p****." Punk and Knight get in a shoving match, and soon all three men are fighting to close the show.

[LionDen]

Scheduled:
- Roman Reigns kicks off RAW.

- Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez (w/ Raquel Rodriguez)

- Penta vs. Kofi Kingston.

- Nikki Bella calls out Women's Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch.

[LionDen]

Dragon Lee wins

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Kingston wins

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Kingston wins

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In Ring

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In Ring

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In Ring

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Opening

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Backstage