The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 12/29/25 Review
It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring Stephanie Vaquer facing Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee against The Usos, and more.
This is the final WWE Raw episode of the year. It’s a rare Raw that I didn’t see live because I went on a mini writing break for about three days, so I’m watching and reviewing this on Tuesday morning.
Next week’s Raw is the first Raw of 2026 on January 5th in Brooklyn, with CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Title against Bron Breakker. That’s a big one. The two weeks after that will be early start times on January 12th in Düsseldorf, Germany, and January 19th in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s a smart move by WWE since they’re going against the NFL Playoffs on the 12th and the College Football Championship game on the 19th, so putting Raw on earlier in the day avoids that tough competition.
In case you missed it, I posted my 17th Annual WWE Johnny Awards column last Friday. I thought it turned out great, even though I ranked 2024 worse than the previous two years, all things considered. Please check it out if you haven’t seen it. Thank you for the feedback so far. I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year 2026. I don’t plan on slowing down at all, so just keep visiting here at TJRWrestling and all my review/column content will be in The John Report section of the site.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1701 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
A video package aired about The Vision getting an assist from Austin Theory, who has joined the group. Last week’s Raw ended with Bron Breakker hitting CM Punk with a Spear, thanks to Punk focusing on Theory.
There was some pre-show walking shown of Rey Mysterio, The Usos, Stephanie Vaquer and Paul Heyman with The Vision.
It was Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.
Let’s Hear from The Vision
The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman were shown walking backstage and they made their entrance to Breakker’s theme song.
Paul Heyman spoke first for the group as the fans booed loudly. There were also “CM Punk” chants. Heyman said that Punk could have been standing here in this group but he had to placate to the fans instead of listening to Heyman. Heyman spoke about how five years from now, when you’re scrolling through platforms, this is the moment where you’ll identify main eventers of that era…and fans chanted “OTC” for Roman Reigns. Heyman continued talking about how you will realize that future WrestleMania main eventers are all standing in front of you right here and right now. Heyman made it clear that the newest member of The Vision is Austin Theory. The fans booed that.
Austin Theory said that he has waited his entire life for this moment. Theory said he’s worked his entire career for this moment. Theory claimed he had a lot of things that he wants to talk about. Theory mentioned Bron Breakker will be the next World Heavyweight Champion. Heyman said that the goals of The Vision outweigh the individual needs of any exclusive athlete inside of the group…and here’s CM Punk.
Analysis: It wasn’t a long speech from Theory, but he made his point quickly, and that was enough.
The World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, made his entrance to a huge pop. The fans were chanting for him before that. Punk said it sounds like Theory is drinking gallons of the Koolaid. Punk said he’s here for Bron Breakker. Punk said he’s been called a lot of things in his career. Punk said his match against Breakker is set for the 5th of January. Punk talked about how they could all attack him, but maybe there’s not a title match. Punk said he likes to look a man in the eye before he puts them to sleep. Punk said, unless you’re scared, get the boys out of the ring because Punk wants to clear the air with Bron face-to-face. Punk asked “Little Doggy” if he was scared. Bron invited Punk into the ring. The Vision left the ring to leave Bron alone with Punk.
CM Punk and Bron Breakker went face-to-face. Bron talked about how The Vision sees things while mentioning his teammates. Bron said he’s going to be the next World Heavyweight Champion. Bron said he’s tired of people saying he’s the future because Bron think he is the now. Bron said that Punk believes Bron is just a new shiny toy and then move on to the next thing. Bron told Punk to find somebody who can do what Bron does. Bron said he got into this business with less than a year of experience and took it over. Bron dared Punk to find somebody born into this industry and to find somebody who is more of a dog than him. Bron said Punk thinks that everything has been handed to him. Bron said every single thing has been under a microscope because he had to do things at the highest possible level. Bron said that while Punk was doing the indies, Bron was sharing the field with Lamar Jackson, so they aren’t the same. Bron said he’s willing to die for that championship. Bron said he’ll put Punk in the ground, he’ll beat Punk and be the new World Heavyweight Champion.
It was response time as the fans chanted “CM Punk” for the champion. Punk said Bron is more ready than anybody he’s ever seen and anybody back there. Punk said that the problem is that Punk is not ready. Punk tossed the World Title down and told Bron to pick it up. Punk said it’s a privilege to carry the strap and he earned it, but he’s not ready to let it go. Punk said he’s not ready to move on. Punk said he’s not ready to stop being champion. Punk said that Bron has what it takes, but they are not the same because one of them is CM Punk. Punk said some day somebody is going to beat him for this, but it ain’t gonna be Breakker. Punk said he’ll see him on January 5th.
Analysis: I enjoyed that. Strong promo from Bron Breakker, making it clear he’s not the future because he’s the now. Punk also praised Bron to say he’s ready, but Punk’s point is that he’s not ready to step aside yet. I think Punk will retain against Breakker next week on Raw, but if Breakker wins, it wouldn’t be a bad thing in my opinion. I just feel like Punk is going to carry that World Title until WrestleMania and maybe he’ll drop it to Breakker there. They could easily have Breakker win the Rumble or Elimination Chamber to set it up.
Raquel Rodriguez was interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Raquel was confident about her match tonight. Liv Morgan walked up to Raquel, saying The Judgment Day needs her to win tonight, while mentioning Dirty Dom being injured and the group needing some gold. Roxanne Perez walked in. Liv said they all want the same thing with Raquel as the Women’s World Champion. Perez wished Raquel good luck, and Raquel said she didn’t need luck.
The Women’s World Title match was next, with WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella making her entrance first. Raquel Rodriguez was next as the second challenger. Stephanie Vaquer was last as the Women’s World Champion and she’s the only babyface in the match.
WWE Women’s World Champion: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The first pinfall or submission wins this match. No countouts or disqualifications in a triple threat match. Vaquer has been the champion for 99 days going into this match.
Vaquer got a rollup on Raquel for a two count early. Nikki punched Vaquer out of the ring. Nikki dropkicked Raquel on the floor and Nikki sent Vaquer into the barricade. Nikki sent Raquel into the steel steps. They went into a break for some fans as the action continued. Raquel took control with a body slam on Nikki and shoulder tackles on Vaquer. When Vaquer tried to come back with headbutts, Raquel knocked her down with a shoulder tackle. Raquel applied an armbar on the left arm. I believe Raquel was calling spots with Vaquer in Spanish, which is an advantage for them since much of the audience won’t know what they were saying.
Nikki tried to get back into it with a cross body block attempt on Raquel, but Raquel tossed Nikki across the ring with a fallaway slam. Raquel applied a backbreaker submission on Vaquer on her back, and then Raquel turned it into a pin attempt, but Vaquer got out of it. Vaquer suplexed Nikki. Raquel stopped a Devil’s Kiss attempt with a kick to Vaquer’s ribs. Raquel sent Nikki out of the ring. Nikki pulled Vaquer off the turnbuckle and then wrenched Raquel’s leg against the ropes. Vaquer hit a cross body block on Raquel. Nikki sent Vaquer into the ring post. Nikki applied an STF-like submission, so the fans chanted, “Thank You Cena,” and Nikki told the fans to thank her. Raquel applied a leg lock on Nikki and Vaquer applied the Devil’s Kiss knee smash on Raquel at the same time. The fans loved that as they counted to ten. Vaquer hit a running knee smash on Raquel and Vaquer did the dragon screw leg whip on Nikki. Vaquer did a dragon screw leg whip on Raquel too. Nikki tripped up Vaquer on the apron. Raquel clotheslined Vaquer and Nikki on the apron. Raquel slammed Nikki onto the commentary table. Vaquer battled Raquel in the ring as they spoke in Spanish some more, with Raquel hitting a clothesline for two. Raquel sent Nikki into the ring apron. Raquel hit an elbow drop off the turnbuckle for two. Raquel remained in full control.
Vaquer had a rope-assisted armbar on Raquel, and Nikki broke that up with a dropkick. The three women battled by the turnbuckle and they did a Tower of Doom spot out of that with Nikki getting two nearfalls. Nikki went for a headscissors, but Raquel powered out of it. Nikki hit a jumping kick on Raquel. Vaquer hit a double underhook into the knees and Raquel broke up the pin for two. Raquel tried a power move, but Vaquer got an inside cradle on Raquel for two. Raquel was back up with a clothesline. Nikki got back into it and tried a crucifix pin on Raquel for two. Vaquer sent Nikki into the top turnbuckle. Vaquer picked up both opponents and then she hit a Texana Bomb on Nikki. Vaquer sent Raquel out of the ring and covered Nikki for the pinfall win. It went 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: ***1/2 I enjoyed the match. It was good. They got a lot of time, there were a lot of nearfalls and the champion Vaquer found a way to win as expected. It was a classic “steal the pin” finish that we often see in triple threat matches, where somebody hits a finisher and another wrestler benefits by winning the match. It just didn’t seem like the right time for a title change. There were a lot of moments in the match where Raquel was the dominant heel who looked like she might win, and it’s a role she does well in. Nikki rarely wins matches, so it was more of the same for her, failing to win a big match. Raquel could be a singles champion in the future, but it’s not time for Vaquer to lose.
Gunther was interviewed by Jackie Redmond outside the arena. Gunther said he made John Cena tap out. R-Truth approached Gunther, saying that Cena is his hero. Truth said that every week, Gunther brags about it, and they exchange words. Gunther said if that’s supposed to be a challenge, then he’ll see him in the ring.
Analysis: A simple way to set up a match that won’t turn out well for Truth.
They showed Olympic gold medal sprinter Noah Lyles at ringside. He had a lot of medals on.
Let’s Hear from The Kabuki Warriors
The Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka & Kairi Sane were in the ring for a promo. They are the Women’s Tag Team Champions defending their titles against Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky on Raw next week.
Asuka said that last week she faced Rhea Ripley and she beat her. Asuka blasted the fans for thinking “Mami” can beat her. Asuka called the fans stupid babies. Kairi Sane mentioned Iyo Sky, so Asuka yelled “Kairi” like she tends to do to make Sane stop talking. Asuka said that last week, Rhea and Iyo paid for disrespect because nobody is ready for the Kabuki Warriors.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky made their entrance. The Kabuki Warriors left the ring, so Ripley and Sky went after them. Ripley hit a superkick on Asuka in the ring. Sane shoved Sky back-first into the commentary table. Asuka tossed Sky over the barricade at ringside. Sky got back into it with a kick, so Ripley hit a headbutt. Ripley and Sky hit running kicks to knock their opponents out of the ring.
Analysis: It was a solid segment that was typical of how WWE sets up a title match on the following week’s show. Asuka’s promo was okay and it got heat. I think there will be a title change next week with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles next week. They can probably be the focus of the tag team division until WrestleMania.
Rey Mysterio was shown getting ready when World Champion CM Punk showed up. Rey said he knows Punk has his back with The Vision. Rey told Punk to protect that title next week. Rey said he is covered tonight. Punk shook Rey’s hand and told him to get that W. They hugged, and Punk left.
Gunther made his entrance. He has a robe on that says “The Ring General” on the back of it. His entrance was shown during the break for some fans. Gunther revealed he was wearing a t-shirt that says, “Tap Like A…” and it’s a picture of him forcing John Cena to tap out. The fans booed him loudly. Gunther told the fans that their anger is misdirected and told them to direct to your superhero who tapped out like a bitch. And his name is John Cena. Just saying.
R-Truth made his entrance without doing the rap for his “What’s Up” song. He was in serious mode.
Gunther vs. R-Truth
Truth attacked Gunther with punches, but Gunther came back with a big chop to the chest. Gunther hit a body slam, along with another chop to knock Truth down. Truth jumped on Gunther’s back with a sleeper attempt, but Gunther sent Truth into the turnbuckle and hit another chop. Gunther nailed a clothesline. Gunther hit another clothesline. Gunther did a Cena-like “You Can’t See Me” taunt, so Truth hit two shoulder tackles and then Gunther stopped that with a boot to the face. Gunther hit a Powerbomb and picked up Truth at two. Gunther elbowed Truth repeatedly, leading into the Sleeper and Truth tapped out. It went under four minutes.
Winner by submission: Gunther
Analysis: ** Easy win to put over Gunther. Truth had no shot here, and everybody watching knew that. It’s another way to get more heat on Gunther.
The Usos were shown getting ready in the locker room. Jey Usos said he was ready and Jimmy Uso checked on his brother to make sure he was alright. Jimmy said he needs Jey locked in tonight. Jey said he feels like nothing has been going right for him. Jey said he doesn’t want his brother to be in a bad spot. Jimmy hyped up his brother as a World Champion, he’s a legendary Tag Team Champion and he’s got everybody ready to yell…YEET. Jimmy said he needed. Jey shook his hand, and they hugged to show they were ready.
Finn Balor was interviewed by Byron Saxton in the back part of the arena. Balor said that 2025 has been a difficult year for The Judgment Day. Balor said that Raquel Rodriguez was unsuccessful in bringing gold to the group, his best friend, JD McDonagh, is injured, and now Dominik Mysterio is out indefinitely. Balor said that the holiday season got his time here in Orlando and in NXT. Balor put the NXT brand on his back and carried it into the future. Balor said there are leaders in The Judgment Day, but he’s going to do what he’s done time and time before. Balor said that he’s going to help up JD, pick up Dominik, put the group on his back and in 2026, Balor is bringing championship gold home to The Judgment Day.
Analysis: I would be all for a Finn Balor singles run. I think it will likely be for a midcard title more than a WWE Title or World Title, but if it were one of those bigger titles, then that’s great too. I also think it might be better for Balor to break free from The Judgment Day and be a babyface again, so we’ll see if that’s the direction for him.
A video package aired about the NXT Champion Oba Femi. It showed clips of Femi in action, and then he stared at the screen.
Analysis: There have been reports that Oba Femi is going to the main roster soon, so he’s probably dropping the NXT Title before that happens. I’m all for Femi getting a push on the main roster.
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee were backstage with the World Tag Team Titles. Je’Von Evans wished them good luck in their match. Evans said that Adam Pearce wanted to see him. Styles said he was impressed by Evans and Leon Slater in their match against them. El Grande Americano with Los Americanos showed up to talk to Evans. Evans said he’s not running from any of them. Styles and Lee had their back. Kaiser/Grande kept speaking in Spanish as if it were a warning.
Analysis: The story with Je’Von Evans is that he’s a free agent and will be on the main roster soon, but we don’t know what brand yet.
Austin Theory and Paul Heyman were backstage with The Vision. Heyman welcomed Theory to The Vision. Bron Breakker welcomed Theory to the future. Bron said they have his back. Theory acknowledged Bronson Reed as the Tribal Thief. Logan Paul bragged about being one of the biggest stars on the planet. Paul admitted he was a little nervous, but Theory did great out there. Paul said they have his back, and Theory said he has their back. Heyman told Paul to take Theory out to the ring.
Analysis: They are a united group with Austin Theory joining the mix. I don’t think they need any more wrestlers in the group. Four wrestlers with Heyman as the manager work well.
Rey Mysterio made his entrance for singles action. That led to a break, so he killed time by hanging out with the fans. Austin Theory got a new entrance song and was wearing different trunks than he had on in his last match.
Austin Theory (w/Logan Paul) vs. Rey Mysterio
Theory sent Rey hard into the turnbuckle and hit a backbreaker. Rey came back with a hurricanrana, but then Theory followed up with an elbow smash. Rey hit a jawbreaker. Theory hit a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle. Rey went for a 619, but Theory avoided it. Theory swung Rey into the ring post and hit a Powerbomb on the apron. They went on a break for some fans as Theory remained in control for the next three minutes.
The match continued as Theory charged at Rey against the turnbuckle, Rey pulled himself back up, and Rey hit a seated senton off the top. Rey hit a hurricanrana, followed by the ten punch combo. Theory stopped Rey’s momentum with a superkick for two. Theory put Rey on his shoulders and stretched his back, but Rey managed to counter it with a DDT for two. Rey hit a 619 kick on Theory, but Logan Paul attacked Rey on the apron for the DQ finish after 8 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Rey Mysterio
Analysis: **3/4 I was surprised by the DQ finish because I thought Theory should get the win to continue his momentum as part of The Vision. Perhaps they went with the DQ since Rey has lost most of his matches lately, but as a guy in his 50s, it makes sense for him to lose to a younger guy like Theory. Using Paul to get the DQ is also a cheap ending that sets up what happened after the match.
After the match, Theory held Rey down while Paul stomped on Rey. Penta made his return in street clothes, and he ran down to the ring. Penta hit Paul with a superkick and a headscissors on Theory. Penta and Rey sent Paul into Theory. Rey hit a 619 on Pau,l and Penta clotheslined Paul over the top to the floor. Rey and Penta celebrated.
Analysis: It’s good to see Penta back in the ring after suffering a shoulder injury. I’m glad that the injury wasn’t a serious one and that Penta looks like he’s ready to go again. Penta with Rey is going to be a popular team. They could use this story to have Penta reunite with his brother Rey Fenix as well, to help them have more numbers against The Vision.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky spoke in a video package about Asuka and Kairi Sane. Ripley said she’s going to break Asuka. Sky said that Sane has chosen the wrong path. Sky said they’ll teach Asuka and Sane a lesson in respect when they become the Tag Team Champions.
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee were shown getting ready for their main event match.
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and their buddy Grayson Waller were interviewed by Byron Saxton. Actually, they took the microphone from Saxton and ranted. Kofi said if The Usos win the Tag Team Titles tonight, then the tag team division has gone straight to hell. Woods said if you become champions, you should want to test your skills against The New Day and they are the greatest team of all time. They wrapped it up with Woods doing their, “Thank God for The New Day” line. This was during a break for some fans.
Let’s Hear from Maxxine Dupri…and Becky Lynch
The Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri made her entrance for a promo. Dupri is getting married on New Year’s Eve, too, so congrats to her on that. Dupri thanked the fans for their support and claimed that she wouldn’t be champion without the fans. Dupri said that Becky Lynch can keep running her mouth. Dupri said she is not letting go of this title. Here comes the interruption.
Becky Lynch showed up wearing a long red coat to claim that she did not tap out, so that led to, “You Tapped Out” chants. Lynch said she tapped out to living in Orlando. Lynch said that if you get rich and famous one day, then you can move out of here too. Dupri threatened to break Lynch’s ankle or she’ll make Lynch submit again. Lynch claimed that Dupri is very moody. Lynch said she was there to give Dupri credit. Lynch said that over the last few weeks or months, Dupri has gotten a tiny bit better and has gotten away with stealing a title. Dupri said she stole the spotlight and earned this title. Dupri said that everybody will say it, and Lynch will say it, Maxxine Dupri as Intercontinental Champion.
Lynch said she is a very nice person. Lynch went over her credentials and her usual bragging about how everybody says it. Lynch said that she climbed every mountain and overcame every injustice against her. Lynch said she always finds a way to win. Lynch said that in one week, all eyes will be on Dupri. Lynch said that Dupri will get a chance to prove she is who they think she is or who Lynch knows she is. Lynch welcomed Dupri to the big time and left.
Analysis: Becky Lynch was her usual awesome self while Maxxine Dupri showed a lot of confidence as the Women’s IC Champion. It’s good to see Dupri evolving as a character to show that she believes in herself now that she’s holding championship gold. I think Dupri should retain next week. I can see Lynch going after the Women’s World Title soon.
Trick Williams was backstage talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce, who suggested Trick is on Raw even more. Trick said “they” want me and he gave Pearce his card. Trick said his number is 1-800-WHOOPTHAT. Try calling it, kids.
After Trick left, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria walked in. They complained about how they want in the Women’s Tag Team Title picture. Pearce mentioned Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez wanting a shot. Bayley was ranting about how she beat Roxanne Perez last week. Bayley called Pearce an idiot, while saying he was also bald and Pearce said he knows that. Lyra tried to explain to Pearce that Bayley calling him an idiot was a term of endearment.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett were shown on commentary with Joe talking about how they will be going over to SmackDown, while Michael Cole and Corey Graves will be back on Raw.
Analysis: During college football season from September to December, it makes sense for Joe to be on Raw since he does college games on Saturdays. If he did SmackDown the day before then that would be hard on him in terms of his schedule. I assume from January to August, it will be Cole-Graves on Raw and Tessitore-Barrett on SmackDown.
Next week on Raw from Brooklyn is a Stranger Things-themed episode:
* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kabuki Warriors vs. Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky
* Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri
* World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker
The Usos made their entrance as the challengers for the World Tag Team Titles. They made their entrance from the back part of the arena and did their Yeeting with the fans. During the break, The Usos continued their entrance.
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee made their entrance as the World Tag Team Champions. They won the titles on October 20th and have had great matches since then as the champions for 70 days.
WWE World Tag Team Championships: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso
It’s a matchup between babyface teams. The former World Champions Styles and Jey started the match with Styles hitting a dropkick. Lee tagged in for a double team elbow on Jey. Jimmy went into the ring, so he was dropped with a double team hiptoss. Lee sent Jimmy into the ropes with a hurricanrana and Jimmy hit the rope hard. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Lee worked over Jey with the ten punch combo against the turnbuckle. After Jimmy tagged in, he took over with a chinlock on Lee.
Lee was able to break free and hit a stomp on Jimmy’s chest. Lee hit a running dropkick for a two count. Styles tagged in, he was sent to the ropes, he held onto the ropes and Jey hit a jumping kick to AJ’s back while the referee didn’t see it. Jey wasn’t legal when he did it, so it was a cheap shot. Jey and Jimmy made some quick tags after they got some strikes on Styles. Lee got the tag, he hit a running kick on Jimmy and then he jumped over the top with a kick to Jimmy’s chest. Jimmy hit a spinning kick to Lee’s head. Jey tagged in, Lee countered him and Lee hit a Powerbomb for two. Lee sent Jey out of the ring. Lee ran the ropes, but Jimmy pulled Lee out of the ring. Jimmy sent Lee crashing into the steel steps. Jimmy cleared off the commentary table. Styles hit Jimmy with a forearm on the floor. Jey hit a suicide dive onto Styles on the floor. They went on a final break for some fans as the match continued. The Usos made some quick tags as Jey hit a headbutt on Lee and Jimmy chopped Lee. Jimmy stomped on Lee’s hand. Jimmy set up Lee against the ropes, so Jey did a cheap shot punch on Lee. The fans were chanting for AJ Styles and also “Let’s Go Usos.” Jimmy missed a running hip attack when Lee moved.
Jey Uso got the tag and prevented Lee from tagging out while also knocking Styles off the apron. Jimmy went for a move on Lee by the turnbuckle, but Lee set him upside down and Lee hit a double foot stomp to the chest. Styles got the hot tag against Jey and hit a forearm. Styles hit a jumping kick on Jimmy. Styles clotheslined Jey and Styles sent Jey’s back/neck onto the knee. Jey fought back with a superkick on Lee on the apron and Spear on Styles. Jimmy went up top and hit an Uso Splash on Styles for a two count. Great nearfall. The fans thought that was it and were mad that wasn’t it. Jey got the tag as Lee kicked Jimmy off the turnbuckle to the floor. Jey missed an attack and hit the turnbuckle. Lee hit a suicide dive onto Jimmy and they went crashing onto the table. Styles rolled up Jey for two. Jey hit a superkick and Styles hit a Pele Kick. Styles hit Jey with a Styles Clash for one…two…no! Joe: “Jey survives! This is outrageous!” Great nearfall right there. Lee got the tag. Styles set up Jey on the top rope, Lee hit a double stomp to the back and Styles caught Jey. Jimmy went into the ring with a superkick on Lee to save Jey because Styles let Jey go. Styles hit Jimmy with a forearm. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but The Usos countered with a double superkick! That looked great. The Usos hit a double superkick on Lee. The Usos hit 1D on Lee and Jey covered Lee for the 1…2…3 and the fans go crazy! The Usos are the World Tag Team Champions. The Usos are now 9-time Tag Team Champions. It went 19 minutes.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions: The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso
Analysis: ****1/4 I thought this was an excellent match that lived up to the hype. A 4-star plus tag team match in a main event is always a good thing. The nearfalls in the final few minutes were amazing and the fans were on fire for it. Jey kicking out of the Styles Clash was a big moment. Every Styles/Lee match was excellent and The Usos certainly delivered on their end as well. I’m glad that it was given nearly 20 minutes to make it feel like a big match. Jey had a few heelish moments in the match, so it could lead to a turn down the road, but for now The Usos are in babyface mode. I think it also told the story that The Usos knew they had to be aggressive to win and it worked. There was some illegal offense in the final few minutes with all four guys in the ring, but it wasn’t that long, so it’s okay if it’s in small doses like that.
The Usos celebrated with the WWE World Tag Team Titles. They showed some highlights of the key spots in the match. The Usos went into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. There was some pyro that went off by the entrance as well. The Usos did some Yeeting with the fans to end the show.
Analysis: It was one of those title changes where I didn’t mind the title change at all. The Styles/Lee team was fun, but I didn’t expect them to hold the titles for that long, so it felt like the right time to get the titles on The Usos again.
This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes on Netflix.
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Three Stars of the Show
- The Usos
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee
- Stephanie Vaquer
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The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.54
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
The two title matches carried the show. The main event tag team match was awesome, and it’s cool to see The Usos as the champions again. I liked the Women’s World Title triple threat match as well with Stephanie Vaquer finding a way to win.
They did a nice job of building up to next week’s January 5th Raw episode, which feels like a bigger-than-usual episode.
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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport