Reviews

The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 10/06/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Oct 06, 2025 21:03 EDT
WWE Raw Deal July 21 Review

It’s WWE Raw featuring Roman Reigns kicking off the show, CM Punk in the house, Becky Lynch in action, and more.

This week’s Raw is back to the usual 8 p.m. ET start time, which appears as if it’s going to stay unless WWE is outside North America. Speaking of that, the next SmackDown, Crown Jewel PLE on Saturday, and next Monday’s Raw are all in Perth, Australia, so it will be 8 a.m. ET posts for my reviews. I don’t mind since I’m a morning person. Anyway, this is the final Raw before Crown Jewel on Saturday in Perth.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1689 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video aired showing last week’s Raw main event when The Usos beat The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in a Tornado Tag Team Match, thanks to the return of Roman Reigns. Reigns helped The Usos destroy The Vision, and Reigns shook hands with Jey to end it.

It’s Joe Tessitore on commentary with Wade Barrett. The ring announcer was Alicia Taylor.

Let’s Hear from Roman Reigns

The “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns made his entrance for the show’s opening promo, and he got a big pop from the fans as usual. The fans love the OTC. There’s a “Meltzer Fears Facts” sign in the crowd. No comment from me. Reigns started it off by telling Dallas to acknowledge him, so the fans cheered and put their “1s” up in the air.

Bronson Reed interrupted and was joined by the “Oracle” Paul Heyman. They stood by the entrance area with Reed wearing his “Tribal Thief” shirt. Reigns wondered if they were there to stare or if they were going to say something.

Heyman started off by telling Reigns that he ruined schtick. Heyman told them to acknowledge the “Tribal Thief” Reed, so the fans booed. Heyman claimed that Reigns fears Reed. Heyman spoke about Reed causing Reigns to leave on a stretcher at Clash in Paris while saying Reigns had never been stretchered out like that before.

Reed told Reigns that his father, Sika, and uncle Afa were never stretchered out. The fans were booing and chanting “OTC” as Reed spoke. Reed wondered how they felt looking down and seeing Reigns stretchered out by Reed’s hands.

Reigns said that Reed didn’t know Roman’s dad or uncle, but the dumbass Heyman did. Reigns said his dad would say fight him now, so Reigns said let’s do this now. Heyman held Reed back. Heyman told Reed to do this on his time. Reigns said that Heyman is telling you not to fight right now because you’re on the Tribal Chief’s terms right now. Reigns told Reed he is levels above him. Reigns said Reed he can let him know when he wants to do because Reigns will always be your Tribal Chief.

Heyman said that was almost as brilliant as if it came from a Wise Man. Heyman said that it will be Reigns against Reed at Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia. Heyman said that this will be in a match in an Australian Street Fight. Reigns: “Too easy. I accept.” Heyman said goodnight to the fans and left with Reed.

Reigns called them a couple of bitches, so Reed went into the ring and fought with Reigns. Reed gouged Roman’s eyes, so Reigns left the ring. Reed went after Reigns and Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Reed on the floor. Security guys and WWE Officials went down to ringside to try to separate them. Reigns punched Reed and hi another Superman Punch. Reigns posed on the turnbuckle while Reed left in the back part of the arena.

Analysis: A simple promo segment to set up the Crown Jewel match. It was obvious that the match was coming, so now it’s official with Reigns facing Reed, who is from Australia, and it’s an Australian Street Fight to make it different from their Clash in Paris match. I’m happy to see the Aussie Reed in a PLE match in his home country. That will be cool for him and his family. The story has been set up for a long time, so now the match is official for Crown Jewel, and it should be good. I think Reigns will beat Reed again.

They showed CM Punk arriving earlier in the day, along with Lyra Valkyria and Iyo Sky.

Asuka was backstage with Raw GM Adam Pearce, telling him to make the match tonight. Pearce said you want the match with Iyo Sky tonight? Asuka said make the match. Pearce said Rhea Ripley is already in Australia doing media. Pearce left. Kairi Sane walked in to ask what was going on. Asuka told Sane to face Sky tonight. Sane didn’t want to, so Asuka yelled at her and slapped Sane in the face. Sane said she understood. Asuka told Sane she had better win.

Becky Lynch made her entrance as the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. They went on a break for some fans, and Maxxine Dupri’s entrance took place.

Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri

This is not a title match. Lynch locked up with Dupri, so Dupri shoved Lynch into the turnbuckle. Lynch hit a shoulder tackle to knock Dupri down. Lynch hit a clothesline, along with some stomps against the turnbuckle. Dupri sent Lynch into the turnbuckle and a Thesz Press, along with some punches. Dupri hit a dropkick to the body rather than the head. Dupri hit a somersault dive onto Lynch on the floor. Lynch sent Dupri into the barricade. Lynch hit a Bexploder into the barricade. They went to a break for some fa,ns and I’ll take a break as well since Lynch was in control for a few minutes.

The match continued with Lynch and Dupri exchanging forearms. Lynch hit a spinning kick, but Dupri hit a pump knee or kick. Dupri hit two clotheslines, along with a knee smash. Dupri splashed Lynch against the turnbuckle. Dupri hit a suplex. Lynch blocked a kick, Dupri tripped her up and Dupri applied an Ankle Lock. Lynch sent Dupri into the turnbuckle to get out of it. Lynch hit a knee smash. Lynch worked over Dupri with punches, but we could see she was just punching her own hand. Anyway, Dupri had a hold of Lynch and hit a sitout Powerbomb for two. They fought by the turnbuckle, leading to Lynch hit a superplex off the middle turnbuckle. Lynch went for an armbar, but Dupri countered it into a pin attempt. Dupri and Lynch exchanged pin attempts. Dupri hit a German Suplex and a spin kick for one…two…and no! That was a very close nearfalls. Lynch kicked out at the last moment. Dupri got a cross body block and Lynch did a rollup while grabbing tights for two. Dupri got a rollup with feet on the ropes for two. Lynch kicked Dupri to send her out of the ring. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the ladies. Lynch sent Dupri into the apron and the barricade. Lynch sent Dupri into the steel steps. Lynch even hit Dupri with a Prime bottle that doesn’t look very strong. Lynch got in the face of referee Jessika Carr. Lynch sent Dupri into the commentary table. Dupri went back into the ring. Lynch walked across the commentary table, and the referee Carr was counting her out, so it reached a ten count. Dupri won by countout. It went about 13 minutes. The replay showed that Carr did a quick count for the final three seconds of it.

Winner by countout: Maxxine Dupri

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match, and the fans got into it as it went on. Lynch did a great job of making Dupri look good, while Dupri also deserves a lot of credit for improving a lot in recent months. Dupri has put in the work, and it shows. I thought they might do a finish where Lynch had to win by grabbing the tights. Instead, it was the countout win with Lynch losing her focus while the referee Carr counted fast because Lynch got in her face. Carr is a trained wrestler, so they could do an angle where she gets attacked by Lynch soon.

Roman Reigns was shown walking down the hallway when he saw The Usos. Reigns shook their hands. Jey insisted that he had Roman’s back at Crown Jewel. Reigns said he didn’t want help, especially from Jey. Reigns wanted Jey to focus on his business. Reigns wondered who was talking at the top of the hour, Jey said CM Punk and Reigns said not you, so Jey left. Reigns told Jimmy he hears and sees everything. Reigns wondered what the problem was with Jey taking advice from Reigns. Jimmy said nothing, and Reigns left.

Analysis: The Bloodline guys are on the same page, but there is still tension because Jimmy thinks that Reigns is a bad influence on Jey.

Bayley went up to Lyra Valkyria backstage and suggested that she join her for her match. Lyra was hesitant, but then she was okay with it.

Lyra Valkyria made her entrance, joined by Bayley. They spent some time during the break for some fans, and then Roxanne Perez made her entrance with Raquel Rodriguez.

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

Perez was in control with a kick and a head slam into the mat. Lyra applied an armbar, Perez got out of that, so Lyra did a sweep kick and a dropkick to the head. Perez took control by getting a hold of Lyra’s left arm and Perez stomped on Lyra’s left arm against the turnbuckle. They went on a break for some fans as Perez remained in control. Perez wrenched on Lyra’s left arm against the ropes and stomped on the left arm. Perez grounded Lyra with an armbar.

Lyra was able to get some offense going with a German Suplex. Lyra hit a Northern Lights Suplex and then a Fisherman’s Suplex, but Lyra was unable to hook her left arm to help the pin. Perez and Lyra took turns going for pin attempts. Lyra hit a spin kick to knock Perez down. Lyra went up top, Raquel was on the apron and Perez knocked Lyra down. Bayley held onto Lyra’s hand to help her and Lyra hit a moonsault for two. Raquel nailed Bayley with a boot on the floor. Lyra hit a dropkick on Raquel on the floor. Perez dove onto Lyra on the floor and hit a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Perez hit Pop Rox on Lyra for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Roxanne Perez

Analysis: *** A good match between two talented, technical wrestlers. Lyra sold the left arm most of the way, but then there were times when she didn’t sell it much. The story was that Bayley’s presence caused Raquel to kick her, so Lyra had to make the save, and Perez capitalized to win.

After the match, the overly aggressive Bayley grabbed Lyra and said that they had to go after them. They quickly went backstage.

A video package aired about the John Cena-AJ Styles rivalry. It covered the start of their rivalry in mid-2016, which led to some incredible matches between them. The standout matches were SummerSlam 2016, won by Styles, and the Royal Rumble 2017, in which Cena defeated Styles to win the WWE Title. Both matches were match of the year contenders. They showed how the two men used social media to set up the Crown Jewel match, and Triple H booked it.

Analysis: I am glad that the John Cena-AJ Styles match is happening at Crown Jewel. It would have been nice if they got TV time to do promos to build it up, but that’s okay. They are both 48 years old, Cena is retiring this year, and Styles is likely retiring next year, so that’s cool for both of them and us.

AJ Styles was about to be interviewed by Jackie Redmond, but The Judgment Day interrupted. Dominik Mysterio taunted Styles, saying he couldn’t beat him, and neither could Rusev. Finn Balor said that Styles was making a huge mistake by coming after the Tag Team Titles with Dragon Lee. Styles said that he’ll talk to Dragon Lee and talk to Adam Pearce. Styles said he’ll find another partner to see how tough Balor and The Judgment Day are.

CM Punk was shown walking backstage for some promo time up next. While he was walking, Rusev was arguing with Raw GM Adam Pearce about something.

A video aired about Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer going into her Crown Jewel match against Tiffany Stratton. This was during the break. Byron Saxton followed up, while plugging what was coming up in the show.

There was a graphic showing the start times around the world for Crown Jewel. Like I said earlier, an 8 a.m. ET start time for me is something I will enjoy.

AJ Styles and Dragon lee approached Penta backstage and wanted to know if Penta would be their partner later in the show. Penta seemed interested in it.

There was chaos down the hall as Bayley and Lyra Valkyria beat up Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. It was broken up by WWE Officials and Raw GM Adam Pearce was yelling at them.

Let’s Hear from CM Punk

CM Punk made his entrance to a huge ovation and he was wearing a pink/black “PUNK” shirt. He is a Bret Hart fan after all, so the pink/black colors do fit him. Punk was off for the last two weeks after the tag team match win at Wrestlepalooza.

Punk did a promo where he started off by playing to the crowd and sucking up with them. Punk mentioned he took two weeks off. Punk thanked the fans for welcoming back his wife AJ Lee back to WWE. Punk mentioned the Cody Rhodes-Seth Rollins match at Crown Jewel. Punk said that he’s been celebrating with his wife because they beat Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza. Punk said that he started the year beating Rollis on Netflix and he’ll end the year doing that. Punk pointed at the sign saying Punk deserves the World Heavyweight Title back. Punk said earned is the word, not deserved. Punk said that he is better than Rollins and everybody knows it. Punk claimed he would become the World Heavyweight Champion.

LA Knight interrupted the promo and Knight got on the apron, so Punk told Knight that it’s his time. Knight asked him what he sees while mentioning Punk’s song, and Punk said that it is somebody interrupting him. Knight said that he is a big force, blew the doors off this place, and he hasn’t gotten what he has earned, which is his reign as the World Heavyweight Champion. Knight said he agreed with some things that Punk agreed with. Knight told Punk he’s the creator, the owner and the man known for the Pipebomb. Knight said lately, Punk is known as a husband. Knight said that’s not an insult. Knight said that we all need love, so he commends him for cultivating that. Knight said that, as good a husband as Punk seems to be, he is a trash champion. Knight said that Punk had five minutes as World Champion. Knight mentioned Rollins pinned Punk at SummerSlam and Clash in Paris. Knight mentioned never being pinned by Rollins and Punk took a shot at Knight for never being a World Champion. Knight said he’s never been pinned by Rollins, but he’s the last one to pin Rollins and he beat Rollins by DQ, which Punk caused. Knight said he will be World Heavyweight Champion…and here comes Jey Uso.

Analysis: This is similar to Clash in Paris when Rollins faced Punk, Knight, and Jey in a four-way match. The same three guys are coming after the World Title.

Jey Uso got into the ring as the fans were Yeeting the whole way. Jey said he’s up next for the World Heavyweight Championship while claiming he never got a rematch for his title. Knight wondered if this was déjà vu since they already did this in Paris. Knight said that Jey had the title, but he lost it and his time came and went. Knight said that it’s his time…yeah. Knight said that Jey isn’t going to be Roman Reigns, and that’s a good thing. Knight suggested Jey focus on being a tag team and then trashed Jey for last week’s tag team match. Jimmy Uso walked down to the ring. Knight kept on talking, so Jey superkicked Knight, who rolled out of the ring.

CM Punk told Jey Uso that maybe he should focus on being a tag team. Punk said he loves Jey Uso, but he doesn’t like Little Roman. Jey didn’t like that, so Jimmy separated them. Jey tried a superkick, and Jimmy stopped his brother from doing it. Punk shoved Jimmy out of the way. Punk punched Jey in the head to knock him down. Punk told Jey to stay out of his business. When Punk turned around, Jimmy hit him with a superkick, and Punk was down selling it. The Usos left together.

Analysis: That was an interesting segment with babyfaces all wanting the same thing and things getting physical by the end of it. It will lead to a tag team match with The Usos against Punk and Knight (it was announced shortly after the segment), who seem to get along, but also have big egos of their own. I thought the promos were well-crafted, with everybody delivering some good lines and timed nicely as well. That’s not a surprise since Punk and Knight are two of the best talkers, while Jey is very good as well.

Iyo Sky was featured in a video package speaking in Japanese (English translations were on the screen) and said that Asuka broke her heart. Sky said that she and Sane were in WWE because of Auska. Sky said that Asuka isn’t why Sky became a champion. Sky said that Asuka only wants what is best for Asuka. Sky said that they are not family anymore. Sky said she has found out that Rhea Ripley is like family to her. Sky said at Crown Jewel, you’ll find out that Asuka isn’t ready for Iyo.

Iyo Sky made her entrance for singles action. They went on a break for some fans. Kairi Sane was up next with Asuka.

===

The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on Saturday, October 11th. Here’s the lineup so far.

* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins

* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer

* John Cena vs. AJ Styles

* Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

* Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors – AJ Styles & Kairi Sane

WWE Crown Jewel, STREAMING LIVE from Perth on Saturday, October 11th at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.