The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 06/29/26 Review
It’s WWE Monday Night Raw, featuring King Oba Femi, Queen Iyo Sky, Rey Mysterio facing Ethan Page, and more.
The WWE Night of Champions PLE took place this past Saturday with Oba Femi winning King of the Ring, Iyo Sky winning Queen of the Ring and Sami Zayn becoming WWE Champion. To follow up, WWE Raw is airing at 6 p.m. ET this week because SmackDown is being taped right after it. That’s because SmackDown airs on July 3rd, so by taping it a few days early, WWE can give talent and staff some time off for the July 4th Independence Day holiday in the United States on Saturday. That’s nice. I have watched and written about a ridiculous amount of wrestling in the last three days. It’s time for more of it now.
Last week’s week Raw saw The Street Profits win the World Tag Team Titles. Next up for WWE is Saturday Night’s Main Event from NYC on July 18th, and then SummerSlam on August 1 & 2.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1727 of Monday Night Raw, taking place at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
The show began with a video package recapping Night of Champions.
Let’s Hear from “King” Oba Femi
The music of the King of the Ring, Oba Femi, played in the arena and the fans exploded with “Oba” chants for The Ruler. Oba carried the King of the Ring crown in his left hand as he made his way towards the ring. The crowd loved him as usual. Even Green Shirt Guy looked excited at ringside.
Oba Femi said that is a reaction befitting a Ruler, but now you have to give him a reception befitting a King. Femi reminded us that he is the 2026 King of the Ring, so the fans cheered for that. Femi said he told Jey Uso that destiny was on his side, and Jey didn’t believe him until he stepped into the ring with Femi, so now he knows. Femi said that being King of the Ring means that a choice has to be made.
Brock Lesnar’s music hit, and the fans exploded as Brock Lesnar made his entrance, joined by his advocate, Paul Heyman. Lesnar marched down to the ring. Lesnar did his customary walk around the ring while Femi stared at him. When Lesnar got into the ring, he applauded Femi and smirked at him.
Lesnar said that your King of the Ring is Oba Femi. Lesnar said he hasn’t watched the show and everybody knows he doesn’t watch the show. Lesnar said he was King of the Ring a long time ago (2002). Lesnar said that since he doesn’t watch the show, he has to rely on Mr. Heyman, who tells Lesnar that Femi has a big decision to make. Lesnar said he has learned that Femi has called Lesnar a coward and a bitch. Lesnar said that Heyman said Femi cuts a great promo while Lesnar never could, so that’s why he has Heyman.
Lesnar said what they say is, “Talk shit, get hit.” Lesnar kicked Femi in the groin and Lesnar hit Femi with an F5. Femi was down while holding his groin to sell the cheap shot kick. Heyman told Lesnar that was a great promo. Lesnar walked to the back.
Femi said that this is exactly what you always do because you show up, you F5, and you leave. Femi said that Lesnar is in front of him and he’s still a bitch. Femi said they play cats and rats forever, or they can settle the score one-on-one at SummerSlam. Lesnar said he accepts. Lesnar said SummerSlam in Minneapolis inside Hell in a Cell. Femi liked that.
Analysis: I thought it was a great opening segment in part because it was totally unexpected since I didn’t know Lesnar was going to be there. The Femi-Lesnar rivalry has been outstanding this year, and now it’s going to lead to Hell in a Cell at SummerSlam, which is a huge match. There’s also the fact that Femi gets a WWE or World Title match, so they could have Femi do two matches at SummerSlam, or save the title match for another show. It could be a massive SummerSlam weekend for Femi, and I’m all for it. Pushing the man is the right thing to do.
The Raw commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed us to the show. The ring announcer was Alicia Taylor.
They showed some superstars walking before the show, including Iyo Sky, Liv Morgan with The Judgment Day, The Street Profits with Joe Hendry, LA Knight, and Roman Reigns will be there.
A clip of R-Truth aired on The Undertaker’s podcast. This was during a break for some fans.
Ethan Page made his entrance for singles action.
They replayed Brock Lesnar confronting Oba Femi. They even replayed Lesnar saying “shit” and not censoring it.
Paul Heyman was backstage talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce. Heyman spoke about how good this is going to be, and it was just delivered to Pearce. Pearce said a little heads-up would have been nice. Heyman told Pearce to think about it. Austin Theory approached Paul Heyman to come out with him for his match. Theory said Heyman wasn’t answering his calls. Heyman said now you know he’s there and he left. Theory was left confused.
Adam Pearce approached Oba Femi to ask if he was sure he wanted Hell in a Cell at SummerSlam. Femi said the title opportunity will be there, but he needs this to end now. Pearce wanted him to be sure, and Femi said he was sure.
Analysis: There’s the counter to what I wrote above about Femi getting two matches at SummerSlam. It sounds like it might just be one match for Femi, and the WWE or World Title match could happen at another show in the future. That’s fine too.
Rey Mysterio vs. Ethan Page
The WWE Hall of Famer Rey hit a headscissors early on. Page sent Rey face first into the top turnbuckle. Page worked over Rey with shoulder tackles to the ribs. Rey hit a drop toe hold to send Page into the ropes. Rey hit an enziguri kick to the head. Rey went up top, so Page tripped him up to knock Rey upside down. Page tried to rip Rey’s mask, so Rey knocked him down from the turnbuckle. Page got back up and hit a backbreaker onto the top turnbuckle. Rey bounced to the floor. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break with Page in control for a few minutes.
It was Page in control with a counter move as he hit a sidewalk slam for a two count. Rey avoided a punch and sent a charging Page over the top to the floor. Rey slid under the bottom rope into a splash on Page on the floor. Rey hit a senton off the top and a springboard cross body block. Rey tried to go for a move off the ropes, but Page caught him and hit a sitout slam into the mat for two. Rey hit an enziguri kick to send Page into the ropes, but Page came back with a boot to the face. Page hit a powerslam for two. Page put Rey on his shoulders while on the turnbuckle, but Rey got out of that with elbows and a hurricanrana off the top. Rey tripped Page into the ropes, followed by a 619. Rey went up top and hit a Frog Splash for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rey Mysterio
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match that was competitive the whole way. Page got plenty of offense, Rey made the comeback, and finished off Page for the clean win. I’d like to see Page get a win in a match like that, but I don’t mind Rey winning once in a while. I’m not sure where it’s going in terms of a story.
Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh went into Danhausen’s lab and Dominik stole something from the wall that appeared to be a gift from the New York Knicks. They laughed about it.
LA Knight was shown getting ready.
Joe Hendry was shown making his entrance for a concert in the ring. This was during a break for some fans.