The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 12/01/25 Review

It’s WWE Monday Night Raw, featuring the Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals, AJ Styles & Dragon Lee facing The New Day, and more.

We are in December now for the post-Survivor Series edition of Monday Night Raw. Survivor Series saw Dominik Mysterio beat John Cena for the Intercontinental Title thanks to a returning Liv Morgan. Also, the heel team of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre won the Men’s WarGames match due to a mystery attacker hitting The Stomp on CM Punk. Breakker capitalized with a Spear to win for his team. We could learn more about the mystery attacker on Raw and if that person is part of The Vision.

The next WWE PLE is the Royal Rumble on January 31st, so we have two months to go until then. There are two Saturday Night’s Main Event specials before that, with the next one coming on December 13th for John Cena’s last WWE match.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1697 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale (Phoenix), Arizona. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett were in the crowd welcoming us to the show. They cued up a Survivor Series video package.

There was pre-show walking shown of Paul Heyman and The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Logan Paul arrived. This confirms Logan is with the group post-Survivor Series too. Solo Sikoa was with Talla Tonga, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee were walking around and The Judgment Day arrived. Dominik Mysterio was driving a low rider with Liv Morgan.

Let’s Hear from Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky made their entrance looking dressed for action. Ripley had her black face mask on. They were part of the winning team in the Women’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series. The fans loved them as usual.

Ripley welcomed the fans to Monday Night Ryo (Rhea and Iyo). Ripley said that their bodies are a little banged up, but they won the war. Ripley said it took a while for them to be on the same page, but at WarGames, they came out victorious. Ripley said that the Kabuki Warriors wanted to betray her best friend, Sky, so she doesn’t care how banged up they are, how broken her nose is; they want revenge. Ripley said it starts by taking the Women’s Tag Team Titles from the Kabuki Warriors. Sky shouted out Asuka to say nobody is ready for Ryo.

Charlotte Flair made her entrance along with Alexa Bliss, and they were not in wrestling gear. They are the former Women’s Tag Team Champions. They got into the ring too.

Bliss said that they overheard them saying they wanted a shot at the Tag Team Titles. Flair told them to pump the brakes about the Tag Team Titles. Flair said that they understand about standing up for your best friend. Flair said she and her best friend are former Tag Team Champions, but they never got a rematch. Bliss mentioned wanting a rematch. Ripley said that she respects them, but respectfully, they couldn’t beat the Kabuki Warriors, so they should get to the back of the line. Flair said that Ripley knows that Flair doesn’t step aside for anyone. Bliss suggested a match between the two teams tonight. The fans chanted, “Yes” for that. Sky said you are on. The fans cheered.

Analysis: That was simple enough. Both teams made the claim that they want a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles, and now there’s a match.

Raw GM Adam Pearce was on the phone, saying that the women’s tag team match is official for the main event. Ivy Nile walked up to Pearce, saying she deserves a shot at Maxxine Dupri since Dupri has never beaten her. Pearce said Dupri is training with Natalya. Pearce said that in the future they can have the match. Nile was confident that she’d win the Women’s IC Title from Dupri.

Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker approached Adam Pearce backstage. Heyman claimed he had no idea who was under the mask at Survivor Series. Heyman pointed out that Breakker pinned your World Champion CM Punk, so they had a lot to talk about. They went into Pearce’s office to talk.

Jey Uso made his entrance from the crowd for his match. They went on a break for some fans as Jey finished his entrance, which always takes a few minutes.

A clip aired of CM Punk claiming he knows that John Cena’s most iconic rivalry was with him. Cody Rhodes talked about how they had a special series of matches. Punk called Cena the Batman to Punk’s Joker. Punk said together they were magic.

Analysis: I agree with a lot of that. I think CM Punk was John Cena’s greatest opponent. In terms of just matches, I’d go with AJ Styles, but overall, when you’re counting stories, promos, and all that, I like the Cena-Punk rivalry the most. Edge would be up there, too.

LA Knight made his entrance to a big pop. It was a lot quicker than Jey’s intro.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

Knight went for BFT right away, but Jey shoved him away. Knight knocked down Jey against the turnbuckle and stomped on him a few times. Jey came back with a jumping kick to the head. Jey went for the running hip attack, but Knight moved and Jey went crashing into the turnbuckle. Jey sent a charging Knight out of the ring. Jey followed up with a suicide dive on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Jey worked over Knight with punches, but then Knight tripped up Jey to send him into the turnbuckle. Knight punched Jey repeatedly, and Jey hit an atomic drop. Knight hit a sliding kick on the floor. Knight rammed Jey’s head into the commentary table hood repeatedly. Knight remained in control in the ring with punches and shoulder tackles.

The match continued with Knight and Jey exchanging punches by the turnbuckle, so both guys went crashing to the floor. Jey hit a jumping kick to knock Knight down. Jey went up top, jumped off with a splash, Knight moved, Jey went for a kick, and Knight hit a Burning Hammer slam off the shoulders for two. Jey was able to get back up and hit a Spear for a two count. Jey went up top, Knight slipped a bit jumping to the top rope and Knight hit a superplex for a two count. Jey smacked the mat with his hand twice so I don’t know if he was mad or just selling. Knight went for a BFT, but Jey rolled him up for two. Jey bounced off the ropes and hit a Spear again. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash. Knight rolled out of it and hooked the arms with a crucifix pin for the three count! It went about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: LA Knight

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match between two likable guys. Jey came close to winning a few times, but Knight was crafty with the crucifix counter for the win. I liked that finish. It looked like there were a few moments at the end there where Jey might have been a bit angry about some mistake in the match, but I don’t know. They got through it, and it was the result that a lot of fans likely wanted with Knight getting a big win. Jey has had enough big wins this year. I’m glad Knight won here.

LA Knight goes on to the finals of The Last Night Is Now Tournament. The finals are on SmackDown this Friday. Knight celebrated the win while Jey was frustrated about the loss.

The camera stayed on Jey Uso after the match, and he looked completely dejected at ringside. Jey was frustrated and tossed the Prime hydration station over, along with the top half of the steel steps. Jey left.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria were talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce. Bayley wondered how they could get into the Tag Team Title picture. Pearce wondered if they were in the right headspace. Pearce said after the main event tonight, we’ll have a clearer picture. Pearce said they are under consideration. Pearce left. Asuka and Kairi Sane showed up as the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Asuka called Bayley an idiot for not being on their WarGames team, and that’s why they lost. Bayley called Asuka an idiot since they lost. Asuka said that they are champions, not Bayley. Asuka said Charlotte is in the main event, not you. Sane put a green chain around Bayley’s neck and the Kabuki Warriors left.

Analysis: It was a good way of pushing the idea that Bayley isn’t successful right now, so it could lead to her heel turn.

Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day, without Liv Morgan, made their entrance. The show went on a break for some fans. Dom was handed a microphone and then you can tell they were told to kill some time, so they did. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor killed some time with some Signs of the Night.