The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 10/20/25 Review

It’s WWE Raw featuring Becky Lynch, Dominik Mysterio, and Finn Balor & JD McDonagh defending their titles, the fallout from Seth Rollins being attacked last week, and more.

Last week’s Raw had the big angle with The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman turning on Seth Rollins, who was the World Heavyweight Champion. Prior to that, CM Punk won a triple threat match over Jey Uso and LA Knight to earn a shot at the WHC. Survivor Series is over a month away on November 29th, but Saturday Night’s Main Event is on November 1st, so that’s what WWE is building to.

As for Rollins, he has a legit shoulder injury and needs surgery, so he’s looking at an extended absence that is going to hurt the Raw brand, while also providing opportunities for others on Raw.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1691 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video package aired about last week’s Raw when Bron Breakker hit Seth Rollins with a Spear. A Tsunami from Bronson Reed followed, and Paul Heyman celebrated with Breakker and Reed to end the show.

Let’s Hear from Adam Pearce, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed & Paul Heyman

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce was in the ring to welcome us to Monday Night Raw. Pearce said he was there to provide a physical update.

A car was shown driving up to the building as Bron Breakker walked out with the World Heavyweight Title, joined by Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman. They made their entrance.

Pearce said he knew that Rollins was banged up after the Crown Jewel, but we’ll never know how badly he was injured because of what you two had. Pearce said that Rollins was at home having had major surgery and Rollins is out for quite a while. Rollins said that as of right now, because of Breakker and Reed, Pearce has stripped Seth Rollins of the World Heavyweight Championship. Pearce said that they will crown a new World Heavyweight Championship in Salt Lake City at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Pearce said that the winner of a battle royal tonight will face CM Punk at SNME and the winner will become the World Heavyweight Champion. Pearce said that the battle royal takes place tonight in Sacramento. The fans cheered. Pearce told Breakker he needed Bron to hand over that championship.

Analysis: That’s a big match for later and it makes SNME more interesting on November 1st. Also, Pearce confirmed Seth Rollins had shoulder surgery, so best of luck to Seth in his recovery and he will be missed.

Breakker asked Pearce what happens if he doesn’t hand over the World Heavyweight Title? Bron told Pearce to show him some respect. Pearce respectfully told Bron that he needed him to hand over the championship. Bron told Pearce to say please. Pearce said it again and added “please” at the end of it. Breakker handed the World Heavyweight Title to Heyman, who handed it to Pearce respectfully. Pearce left with the World Heavyweight Title.

Heyman said he wants to understand why everybody is mad at them. Heyman said he watches WWE Unreal and he gets that they are booed, but what did they do to deserve that? Heyman said he pulled the move at WrestleMania he did because Breakker is the future of WrestleMania. Heyman said he always knew that Reed was better than Roman Reigns. Heyman said that Reed proved that in Perth, Australia. Heyman said that Rollins couldn’t shoulder the responsibility of leading The Vision into the future. Heyman trashed Rollis by mocking his nicknames for himself and called him a “bum shoulder bitch.” Heyman said that winners write history and these are the winners right here. Heyman said that Breakker took Seth’s spot as a main eventer of WrestleMania. Heyman said that Breakker and Reed conspired to take it away from Rollins, and they have what it takes to be WrestleMania main eventers. Heyman said that’s a revision of the future. Heyman thanked us for affording him to this time and said welcome to Monday Night Raw to end it.

Analysis: That was a strong heel promo from Paul Heyman as usual while trashing Seth Rollins because there’s no Rollins at the show. The next time we see Rollins, he’ll probably be a babyface seeking revenge, so you might as well have Heyman trash him and make fans want to see Rollins get that revenge when he comes back.

The commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the show. Lilian Garcia was filling in as the ring announcer.

The Judgment Day was shown in their clubhouse, talking about their busy night. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh didn’t like Dominik Mysterio talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce last week, so Dominik tried to defend himself. Finn and JD left. Roxanne Perez told Dominik not to worry about it. Raquel Rodriguez told Roxanne to focus on her match with Stephanie Vaquer later.

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Judgment Day – Finn Balor & JD McDonagh vs. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee

Finn and JD have had the titles for 111 days and it’s only their second defense. Weak booking. Styles hit a dropkick on JD early on to take control. Lee tagged in with a double foot stomp on JD, but JD tripped up Lee and hit his own double foot stomp. Balor tagged in, but Lee got some offense going with a hurricanrana and a jumping kick. Lee avoided JD and hit him with a knee. Balor was able to counter Lee and hit a dropkick for two. Balor worked over Lee with punches. JD was back in to slam Lee’s back onto JD’s shoulder. Balor was back in with a suplex. JD knocked Styles off the apron, but Styles went into the ring and kicked JD out of the ring. Styles hit legal man Balor with strikes. Styles went to the ropes, JD opened them up and Styles went crashing to the floor. The J-Day took over as the show went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break too.

The J-Day boys were in control of Styles as the face in peril. Styles countered a Balor move and hit a sitout slam face first into the mat. Lee got the tag against JD with a German Suplex and a kick to the gut. Lee hit a jumping kick on JD, but JD hit the ropes to trip up Lee. Lee fought back to do his double foot stomp out of the corner. Balor saved his partner by pulling him out of the ring, so Lee hit a somersault dive over the top onto the champs. Lee wanted a power move, but JD countered it and hit a Powerbomb for two. Styles was back in with chops on Balor, along with a slam onto the knee. Lee knocked JD out of the ring. Balor hit a Slingblade on Styles. Balor tossed Lee out of the ring. Styles hit Balor with a forearm smash and Styles hit a Phenomenal Forearm off the top for two because JD broke up the pin right before the three count. That was so close! JD headbutted Styles, but Styles came back with a Pele Kick. JD hit a Spanish Fly on Styles for a two count. JD went up top and hit a moonsault and Balor followed up with a Coup de Grace for two because Lee made the save. Lee hit a suicide dive on JD on the floor. Styles and Balor exchanged moves. Balor went for a Styles Clash, Styles rolled out of it and Styles hit Balor with his own Styles Clash for the pinfall win after 13 minutes! New World Tag Team Champions!

Winners by pinfall AND NEW World Tag Team Champions: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee

Analysis: **** That was an awesome tag team match that was full of action. Four stars out of five for the title change, similar to SmackDown, with Ilja Dragunov beating Sami Zayn last Friday. They didn’t go long and have a 20-minute match or anything like that, but they made the most of the time they were given, and it was so entertaining. They did a terrific job of making the nearfalls matter because of how close those nearfalls were. Since Finn and JD rarely defended the titles, they really didn’t need to keep the titles for much longer, so I’m happy about the title change. Styles and Lee have a lot of chemistry as a team. I’m happy for them winning the titles.

AJ Styles and Dragon Lee celebrated as the new World Tag Team Champions. The pyro went off in the arena as part of the celebration.

There were replays of last week’s issues involving The Usos.

Jey Uso talked to Jimmy Uso in the locker room. Jimmy yelled at Jey for thinking like Roman Reigns too much and said that Roman isn’t there right now. Jimmy said that Jey lost his championship because Jey stopped believing in himself. Jimmy said that he is going in on everybody in the battle royal. Jey told Jimmy to go in and they shook hands to show that they are good.

A graphic was shown of the wrestlers in the battle royal later in the show.

The Intercontinental and AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio made his entrance for his title match. During the break for some fans, Dom addressed the crowd, saying he’s the Mega Intercontinental Champion. The fans chanted for him. Dom said he’s going to do what he’s gonna do to stay your double champion. Rusev made his entrance as the challenger.

Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev

Dominik dove onto Rusev on the floor and threw him into the steel steps. Dom put Rusev into the ring and Rusev hit a clothesline. The referee called for the bell. Rusev hit Dom with an uppercut, a headbutt and some shoulder tackles to the ribs. Rusev tossed Dom across the ring. Rusev worked over Dom with kicks to the legs and a kick to the chest. Dom got some strikes and tried a cross body block, but Rusev caught him. Dom broke free with a dropkick. Rusev came back with a clothesline and two suplex. Rusev hit a fallaway slam sending Dom out of the ring. They went to a break for some fans and I’ll take a break with Rusev in control.

Rusev sent Dom into the turnbuckle and Dom avoided an attack, so Dom hit a senton splash onto Rusev. Dom’s suplexes didn’t work, Rusev tried a lift and Dom hit a DDT. Dom went up top with a splash, but Rusev got the knees up to block. Rusev picked up Dom and hit a spinning sidewalk slam. Rusev shouted, “Game Over” and went for the Accolade, but Dom avoided it and left the ring. Dom tried to leave with both of his titles. Penta showed up to stop Dom from leaving. Rusev tossed Dom into Rusev. Dom got something in his hands by the ringside area and put it into his boot. Rusev knocked Penta down. Dom had the hammer in his boot. Rusev blocked a 619 attempt. Rusev grabbed the hammer and wanted to use it, but the referee grabbed it and stopped Rusev from using it. Dominik hit a low block kick, a 619 and a Frog Splash off the top for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Dominik Mysterio

Analysis: ***1/4 It was yet another cheap win for Dominik thanks to the hammer that wasn’t used, but that led to Dom using the low blow cheap shot. Penta’s presence also helped Dominik get the win. I liked the creativity of the finish, which has become the norm for these Dirty Dom matches. Rusev will probably be fine even after losing to Dom again.

After the match, Penta hit Rusev with a DDT and Rusev bumped to the floor.

Maxxine Dupri was shown getting ready with Otis and Akira Tozawa for Dupri’s match up next.

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller, who is not officially in New Day, were interviewed by Byron Saxton. This was during the break for some fans. Waller complained about AJ Styles and Dragon Lee as the new champions. Waller said that the tag team division is deader than the Sacramento Kings basketball team, so the fans booed that. Kofi claimed that Xavier Woods was at home protecting his mental health. Kofi claimed Woods said your children are ugly and the tag team division is nothing without The New Day on top. Kofi said tonight they can resurrect when Waller or himself wins the battle royal and goes on to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. They ended it there.

They showed UFC fighter Max Griffin at ringside along with former UFC fighter Nate Diaz as well.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri

Dupri beat Lynch by countout two weeks ago, thanks to referee Jessika Carr fast-counting Lynch due to Lynch arguing with her. Dupri is now getting a title shot in her hometown. Carr was the referee of this match as well.

Lynch was aggressive with strikes early on. Dupri got a couple of rollups for two counts. Lynch kicked Dupri and tossed her out of the ring. Lynch sent Dupri over the barricade at ringside. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued. Lynch was in control as she stomped on Dupri and tossed Dupri across the ring. Lynch choked Dupri against the ropes. Dupri fought back with punches and Lynch hit a reverse DDT for two count. They left the ring where Lynch tossed Dupri into the barricade a few times.

The match continued with Dupri hitting a jawbreaker and a rollup for two. Lynch went for a move, but Dupri countered with a Stunner-like move for two. Dupri hit two clotheslines, a pump kick and a step up leg drop on the back of the head for two. Dupri hit a suplex. Dupri pulled the straps down and hit a knee smash for two. Lynch and Dupri exchanged strikes. Lynch hit a spin kick to the ribs and Dupri hit a kick to the head. Dupri applied the Ankle Lock, Lynch countered to send Dupri into the ropes and Lynch hit a butterfly suplex into an armbar. Dupri backflipped out of it and went for an Ankle Lock again. Lynch got out of it again. Dupri went up top, so Lynch hit her to knock Dupri down. Dupri hit a front suplex off the top and a cross body block off the top for a two count. Good nearfall. Lynch tried to leave with the Women’s IC Title, but Dupri stopped that and sent Lynch into the ring. Dupri went for a sunset flip and Lynch kicked out at two. Lynch grabbed the Women’s IC Title and hit Dupri with the title for the DQ finish. It went 11 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Maxxine Dupri (Becky Lynch remains Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Analysis: ***1/4 It was another entertaining match between Lynch and Dupri, who has improved a lot in the last few months. I didn’t expect a title change. The DQ finish continues the story that Lynch can’t seem to beat Dupri clean, so Lynch had to resort to the cheap attack to avoid losing. That will likely set up a third match between them where Lynch can’t get counted out or disqualified.

After the match, Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam on Dupri. The fans booed, and Lynch left.

Analysis: Cheap heat on Lynch to piss off the fans and make them hate her more.

A video aired about WWE’s international tour that saw them go to Australia for three shows, along with more live events in Australia and Japan.

A video was shown of Rhea Ripley on social media showing off her broken nose, which she suffered during the recent WWE tour.

The Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka and Kairi Sane were featured in a video talking in Japanese. Asuka bragged about breaking Ripley’s face. Sane trashed Ripley for tearing their family apart. Asuka said that Sane showed her what she wanted to see and what you’ll see from the Kabuki Warriors. Sane said that they need a new challenge. Asuka said they need gold around their waists, so they were warning the Tag Team Division that the Kabuki Warriors are back.

The Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who is also the Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, made her entrance for singles action.

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At this point, I’m hitting pause on my review. It’s 90 minutes into Raw as I do that. I’ll come back later in the evening and finish. My explanation is below. Our TJRWrestling News page will have updates on Raw throughout the night as well, so check that out too.

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I have a bit of a predicament this week regarding the Raw review. Most weeks, I do it live, and it’s not an issue even during NFL season. However, my Toronto Blue Jays are in Game 7 of the MLB ALCS against the Seattle Mariners tonight, meaning whoever wins goes to the World Series and whoever loses goes home. It’s the biggest game for the Blue Jays since they won the World Series 32 years ago. I love the sport and I love my team, so I need to watch the game.

My plan is to do the first 90 minutes of the Raw Deal review, hit pause on the show, and finish the review (the last 60 minutes or so) around 11 p.m. ET or so after the baseball game. Our TJRWrestling News page will have updates on Raw throughout the night. The review will be tonight. It just might not all be live. Thanks for understanding.