WWE Raw Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights After Wrestlepalooza

WWE Raw hit Netflix Monday night on the heels of Wrestlepalooza, during which a new women's world champion was crowned, CM Punk and AJ Lee shut down Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, The Vision bested The Usos, and Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship.

What went down on this week's flagship show when those top Superstars were under the same roof, some basking in glory and others seeking revenge?

Find out with this recap, including analysis and grades, of the September 22 broadcast.

Match Card

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Announced in advance of Monday's show were:

• Cody Rhodes appearance
• Stephanie Vaquer appearance
• Penta and The War Raiders vs. The New Day and Grayson Waller
• Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez

Cody Rhodes Promo

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Last Time in Action: Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre (Wrestlepalooza, September 20)

Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes kicked off Raw to discuss the upcoming Crown Jewel Championship Match against world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins on October 11.

Instead, The Visionary interrupted and joined him in the squared circle. He admitted that he had Crown Jewel circled on the calendar and that a match between them is bigger than just a champion vs. champion match.

"I want the truth: what do you think of me?" Rollins asked.

"What do I think of you? You changed my life," Rhodes responded, crediting his "Shield" for validating his career by helping to get the WWE title on his shoulder.

The promo intensified from there, with Rollins taking exception to Rhodes considering himself the quarterback of WWE, stating, "You can be the quarterback, but you're not my quarterback."

Rollins called himself the alpha, but Rhodes reminded him that he has a 3-0 record against The Architect in three matches. That exclamation point concluded the promo as Rhodes left the squared circle, untouched by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• This was exactly what it needed to be. There is no need for some overthought, overbooked storyline. Rollins and Rhodes have history, including the former assisting the latter to the WWE title in the main event of WrestleMania 40. They both see themselves as the top in the business. Rhodes has a winning record against Rollins, and he let him know it to play mind games ahead of October 11. A great promo, with the only knock being the reliance on the "question" trope.

• Backstage, a fired-up Jimmy Uso told Jey that he tried to get a rematch against The Vision tonight but the former world champion booked his own match against LA Knight. The fiery intensity of Jey and his gaslighting of his brother continued the trend toward peak heel Roman Reigns.

No Disqualification Six-Man Tag Team Match

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Last Time in Action: The War Raiders and Penta defeated The New Day and Grayson Waller (Raw, September 1)

The weeks-long battle between the team of The War Raiders and Penta and the union of The New Day and Grayson Waller came to a head Monday night in a No Disqualification Six-Man Tag Team Match.

The action was hot to start, with Waller laying into Erik with a kendo stick and Penta wiping the heels out at ringside. Back from the commercial break, Kofi Kingston drove the masked luchador through a table on the floor with a Boom Drop from the top rope.

As the fight intensified, Penta returned the favor, driving Kingston through a table, but his momentum was halted courtesy of Waller and his trusty kendo stick. Penta fought him off on the top rope, though, and delivered a super Mexican Destroyer for the pinfall victory.

Result

Penta and The War Raiders defeated New Day and Waller (Penta pinned Waller)

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• This was a fun, chaotic brawl that did not overstay its welcome. There was plenty of plunder, a fun spot or two, and a death-defying finish from Penta. Hopefully, though, this is the finale of the two feuds at play here because they are teetering on repetition.
• Backstage, Roxanne Perez goaded JD McDonagh into helping Dominik Mysterio by facing Rusev, to which he accepted "for The Judgment Day," only to learn that the intercontinental champion already offered him up and had the match made official by general manager Adam Pearce. Fun character stuff from Dirty Dom and another hint at the reintroduction of the Mysterio-Perez teases.

• Elsewhere backstage, Lyra Valkyria attempted to apologize to Bayley for barging in and earning her wrath last week, but The Role Model did not remember anything about it and insisted they were good, hinting at the split personality storyline that was originally introduced in those spectacular pre-taped videos.

Stephanie Vaquer Promo

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Last Time in Action: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Iyo Sky (Wrestlepalooza, September 20)

Fresh off a historic victory over Iyo Sky in the show-saving match of the night at Wrestlepalooza, Stephanie Vaquer joined Raw general manager Pearce in the middle of the ring for a promo.

La Primera credited the fans' support of her, as well as unwavering hard work and desire, for her win. She credited her dad for being her greatest role model and vowed, "My fire will keep making history, and nobody, and I say nobody, can stop me."

The segment ended with the GM announcing Vaquer will meet the winner of Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill Friday on SmackDown at Crown Jewel for the women's championship.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Short, sweet and to the point, there are many other promo segments on WWE TV right now that could take a page from it. Vaquer came across as humble and likable and more importantly, we found out what is next for her.
• Backstage, Asuka and Kairi Sane interrupted Rhea Ripley and Nikki Bella, congratulating La Primera, leading to Mami issuing a challenge to The Empress of Tomorrow for a match...tonight. A WrestleMania 37 rematch on free TV? Let's go!

Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez

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Last Time in Action: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria lost to Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (Raw, July 21); Perez lost to Valkyria (Raw, September 15)

The highly competitive match between former NXT women's champions featured back-and-forth action to start before Perez targeted the left knee of her opponent. Controlling the action entering and exiting the commercial, The Prodigy cut The Role Model off at every turn, including adding a Pop Rox on the arena floor.

When Raquel Rodriguez tried to interfere on behalf of her Judgment Day teammate, Lyra Valkyria made the save, sending the heel into the ring post. Perez laid out Valkyria, though, awaking an enraged side of Bayley that allowed her to deliver the Rose Plant and a big knee for the win.

After the match, Valkyria excitedly congratulated Bayley, who appeared cold and shoved the former women's IC champion to the mat. "Think you can hug me? Do you know who I am? Stay out of it!"

Bayley exited to a chorus of boos, her former heel persona taking over.

Result

Bayley defeated Perez

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Perez has been a workhorse for WWE, with Wade Barrett revealing on commentary during the match that The Prodigy has tied LA Knight for the most matches in 2025, with 38 televised bouts.
• This was a strong match from Bayley and Perez, whose in-ring work speaks for itself and whose chemistry with each other, and the rest of the women's division, has never been in question. The character work from the former was also solid, though it may take fans a few more weeks to fully embrace this drastic concept of a split Two-Face personality.
• Backstage, Jimmy Uso asked Cody Rhodes to try to talk some sense into Jey.

Rusev vs. JD McDonagh

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Last Time in Action: Rusev defeated Penta (Raw, September 8); JD McDonagh lost a Fatal 4-Way Match, also involving Dragon Lee and Ethan Page, to El Hijo de Dr. Wagner (AAA Worlds Collide, September 12)

Offered up by Dominik Mysterio in an attempt to save his own hide, JD McDonagh found himself on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown early and often by Rusev. The Redeemer punished the Iron Lung, wearing him down until the tag team champion mustered a desperation springboard moonsault ahead of the commercial break.

McDonagh continued fighting back against Rusev, utilizing his speed and aerial arsenal to negate the strength and fury of the Bulgarian Brute. It was not enough, though, as the prospective top contender to the Intercontinental Championship fought back, blasted McDonagh with a Machka Kick, and applied the Accolade.

Mysterio, frozen in fear, did not help his Judgment Day teammate and watched as he had no choice but to submit. When Rusev refused to relinquish the hold, Finn Balor made the save and criticized the IC champion for failing to look out for his friend.

Result

Rusev defeated McDonagh via submission

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• This was a better match than it had any right to be, and McDonagh's gutsy performance even had fans in Evansville, Indiana, rooting for the tag champion. Rusev has consistently delivered some of his best matches against smaller opponents, and this was no exception. Mysterio's cowardice and Balor's save were nice touches and only serve as the latest in a deteriorating relationship between the self-centered IC champion and his teammates.
• Backstage, Kairi Sane implored Iyo Sky to talk to Asuka, claiming The Empress of Tomorrow is why they are all there.

LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

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Last Time in Action: LA Knight and Jimmy Uso lost to The Vision (Raw, September 15); Jey and Jimmy Uso lost to The Vision (Wrestlepalooza, September 20)

With tension thick enough to cut with a knife, Jey Uso and LA Knight took to the squared circle Monday night, seeking to settle their differences.

Increasingly desperate to regain his championship ways, the frustrated Uso showed greater intensity, attacking Knight before the bell and beating him down in the corner. The former world champion dominated the action throughout the break, but Knight created separation. It did not last long as Main Event Jey continued his onslaught.

As The Megastar finally fought his way back into the match and appeared to be rolling, The Vision's Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker appeared, providing a distraction that Uso capitalized on, delivering a spear and his trademark splash for the win.

Jimmy joined Jey at the top of the ramp, imploring his brother to help him fend off The Vision and aid Knight. He did not, leaving the elder twin to grab a chair and send the heels scurrying to the floor.

Result

Uso defeated Knight via pinfall

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Uso worked as a heel here. He was aggressive and intense, something that probably would have suited him better in his match with Gunther at WrestleMania 41. It worked here, and Knight, fighting from underneath, was the perfect babyface. He did the right thing by focusing on the bigger problem, whereas the former champion allowed his personal issues with Knight to cloud his judgment. While Jey is the bigger focus, Knight played this perfectly and remains as over as anyone on the show. Jimmy is still the constant moral compass of The Bloodline Saga, too, a role that has been as important as any other throughout its five-year run.
• Backstage, Becky Lynch pep-talked Seth Rollins. Did you know lots of people call her the greatest women's wrestler of all time? B/R did!
• Also backstage, Rhea Ripley warned Iyo Sky to be careful around Asuka but only managed to frustrate The Genius of the Sky.

Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka

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Last Time in Action: Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Stephanie Vaquer defeated Fatal Influence (NXT, September 16); Asuka defeated Nikki Bella (Raw, September 8)

Weeks of intensifying issues between Rhea Ripley and Asuka, centered around Iyo Sky, came to a head when they squared off in Monday's main event.

The Empress of Tomorrow answered everything Mami threw at her, cutting off her momentum and maintaining control of the match. Ripley's size, though, proved problematic for the heel as she was able to counter and escape Asuka's grasp, then delivered a senton off the apron and onto her opponent on the floor.

Chants of "this is awesome" spilled from the stands as Ripley and Asuka exchanged blows late, their bodies wracked with pain following a superplex from The Eradicator.

Late in the match, Asuka unloaded with a series of kicks to the face of her opponent, then added her trademark strikes, dropping Ripley to the floor. The heel ordered Kairi Sane to take a shot at Mami, but the Pirate Princess refused.

The bickering between teammates allowed Ripley back into the match, but she quickly found herself caught in an ankle lock by her opponent. Ripley fought out, blocked an attempted cheap shot from Sane, watched the Kabuki Warriors crash into each other, and rolled Asuka up for the win.

After the match, the loser blinded Ripley with the blue mist and again ordered Sane to attack. This time, she did, and the two-on-one beatdown ensued until Iyo Sky made the save. She tried to talk sense into Asuka, but, after a feigned hug, ate a nasty spinning backfist.

Sane, hesitantly, attacked Sky and the heels left the former women's world champions lying to close out the show.

Result

Ripley defeated Asuka

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The match was excellent. This was not the first time we have seen Ripley and Asuka battle and this was as good, if not better, than any of the others. Add to that the post-match angle, which heated The Kabuki Warriors back up and presented The Empress of Tomorrow as a dangerous, calculating, backstabbing threat, and you have a strong close to the show.
• Ripley does not get many of these televised singles matches at this point, but when she does, Triple H and the creative team do a great job of presenting them as something special. Giving this the main event slot was the right call.

Overall Grade

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This did not have the spectacle, hype, or star power of Wrestlepalooza, but dare it be said, this was a better and more consequential show than that.

The Rollins-Rhodes promo at the top of the broadcast was strong and set the stage for a high-stakes match with plenty of backstory. Jey Uso's continued descent into the desperate, self-centered Tribal Chief has been a fun new twist to his story, and the main event continued the trend of women's wrestling oftentimes being the best element of WWE programming.

Sprinkle in the latest from this new incarnation of Bayley, an understated but excellent showing from JD McDonagh, and some fun chaos in the form of that opening six-man tag match, and you have a show that did more to deliver something for everyone, including meaningful moments and angles.

It is almost as if WWE is at its best when it stays focused and delivers, rather than trying too hard to produce a spectacle.

Grade: B+