Cook’s WWE Raw Review 11.17.25

Hey kids! Steve Cook here with you for the latest edition of WWE Raw on Netflix! We’re in Madison Square Garden tonight for John Cena’s final appearance as an active wrestler on this program. Will he keep his activity vocal, or will he feel inclined to wrestle somebody? We’ve got two matches in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. Becky Lynch defends her title against Maxxine Dupri, and we’ll get a proper explanation from Nikki Bella as to why she attacked her BFF Stephanie Vaquer. Sounds like a good time to me!

Cook’s WWE Raw Review 11.17.25

Then. Now. Forever. Together!

Welcome to New York! Madison Square Garden is shown from outside. Becky Lynch is WALKING WITH A FLUNKIE! Cody Rhodes is TAKING SELFIES WITH FANS! Paul Heyman & the Vision GET OUT OF THEIR CAR! Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre & the Brons are there. Solo Sikoa IS WALKING WITH HIS MFT! Gunther is WALKING!

Last Monday, John Cena won the Men’s Intercontinental Championship.

We’ve got a pretty full looking MSG. John Cena’s music plays! Cena soaks up the enthusiasm of the WWE fans and shows off his towel before running to the ring. The fans thank Cena with chants. Cena eats it up like he’s Hulk Hogan after WrestleMania X-8. Alicia Taylor gives him the fancy introduction, and Cena is again the last real champion. Cena says it’s NYC that makes or breaks careers. At the end he sees people as far as the eye can see. He thanks NYC and asks if they’re ready to start. They are, so the champ is here. He’s worked at MSG for 23 years. Tonight is the last time they can talk together in MSG & on Raw. It’s a very important moment for Cena, but he doesn’t get to explain why.

Dominik Mysterio’s music plays! Dirty Dom makes his way to the ring with only one championship belt. Joe Tess doesn’t have manty nice things to say about Dom on commentary. The fans don’t seem happy with him either. Dom says that nobody wants to hear what Cena has to say. Last week Cena was handed a title shot just like he was handed everything else. Dom has fought for everything that he has. Dom wants a rematch for his Intercontinental Championship. Cena says he came to the wrong building, Cena won’t back down on his last night on Raw. Before that, Cena needs to ask the people how they feel about it. The fans agree, but Dom doesn’t. Cena had management, his hometown on his side last time. Now they’ll do it Dom’s way. Cena censors the fans for Netflix, and Dom says he wants the match at Survivor Series in San Diego on his own home turf. Cena accepts, but he told the world that he would have a match tonight. For tonight, they can forget about the title and focus on the fans. Cena asks if Dom feels lucky, and then Finn Balor & JD McDonagh make their way to the ring. Cena squares up against all three while Dom says that Cena won’t get his final match on Raw, he’ll get his ass beat.

The Judgment Day attack Cena & beat him down. Sheamus’s music hits! The Celtic Warrior runs down and gets the offense early, but it’s still just three on two…until Rey Mysterio runs down! Judgment Day gets driven from the ring, and Cena announces the match for right now. A referee runs down, and the bell rings as we go to commercial!

John Cena, Sheamus & Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh: When we return, Sheamus is stuck in the Judgment Day corner with Finn Balor kicking away. Finn chokes Sheamus on the bottom rope, then JD drops the leg when the referee isn’t looking. JD tags in and shoulderblocks Sheamus in the corner. Finn stomps, then Dom hilos. Dom covers for two. JD with a flippy magoo for two. JD tries to keep Sheamus from tagging, a headbutt puts Sheamus down. Tag to Finn, who along with JD gets clotheslined by Sheamus. Tag to Rey! Rey takes both Finn & JD down. Rey with some punches, rana to JD, Finn ends up in position for the 619, but Dom trips Rey up! Rey kicks Dom, but Finn takes advantage and chucks Rey down to the floor. We go to commercial!

The camera takes us down the entrance to the ring, and Rey eats an inverted DDT from Balor for two. Balor takes a shot at Sheamus and takes Rey into the corner. Rey fights out, kicks Dom to the floor, sends Finn into JD, who gets crotched on the top rope. Rey tags Cena! Shoulderblocks, Protoplex, YOU CAN’T SEE ME, Five Knuckle Shuffle to JD! JD flips out of the AA and headbutts Cena down. Now everybody takes everybody else out. Cena gets hit with a moonsault, Coup de Grace and a Frog Splash! Sheamus & Rey break the count. Dom gets sent into the ropes, but JD & Finn pull him out of 619 position. Cena, Rey & Sheamus grab the JD members for some beats of the Badran! Cena, Sheamus & Rey take their opponents down for a triple Five Knuckle Shuffle! It hits! Rey 619s Finn & JD! Sheamus brogue kicks Balor, and JD eats the AA for the 1-2-3!

Winner: John Cena, Sheamus & Rey Mysterio (8:36 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***1/2
Fun match to end Cena’s Raw career on. Isn’t Sheamus still alive in that tournament to face Cena? I’m not sayin…I’m just sayin.

The three friends celebrate their way up the ramp and pose for the fans.

Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett are our hosts. They show us what happened last Friday night when the Vision added Drew McIntyre to their ranks for War Games.

Nick Aldis isn’t happy with Drew, and Adam Pearce agrees. Paul Heyman senses they’re angry, and apologizes. What he did was within the rules & regulations. Aldis needs anger management. If they think Heyman’s fourth pick pissed them off, wait until they see what he has in store for them next! He hands them a leather binder. Adam opens it, both he & Nick look displeased.

Stephanie Vaquer is WALKING! We’ll hear from her next!

The camera takes us around the Netflix Bodega, then we get to see some celebrities. Ashley Cooke is no relation to me, just saying. During the commercial, the Judgment Day got into it with a comedian and Cam Skattebo shoved JD down. Isn’t he injured? If I was the Giants I wouldn’t want my injured young star out there in this nonsense. You can’t trust these crazy wrestlers!

JACKIE REDMOND is in the ring to tell us that she’ll have a special interview with the Women’s World Champion. Before that, we’ll look back at what happened last week when Nikki Bella attacked Stephanie Vaquer after her successful title defense. Jackie introduces Stephanie. Stephanie’s entrance gets cut off by a Nikki attack! She bounces Stephanie off the video wall. Nikki didn’t come back to cheer from the sidelines and be her sidekick. She came back to take what’s hers, this division! She thanks Mamacita for reminding her who the hell she is. Stephanie will give her a title shot and bow down! Nikki asks Stephanie if she understands and lays the belt on her.

Joe & Wade talk about what just happened, then we see Charlotte Flair turning down the offer to be on Rhea, IYO & Alexa’s War Games team. She doesn’t trust Rhea! I forget which one of Charlotte & Rhea was supposed to be untrustworthy the last time they interacted, it’s been awhile.

Bayley & Lyra walk up to the Kabuki Warriors. Asuka says she needs five people for War Games, and she can forgive the past and let Bayley on her team. Bayley’s not down with it. Asuka storms off, and Kairi does the You Can’t See Me Taunt. Lyra tries to celebrate with Bayley, who calls her an idiot.

The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round Match: Solo Sikoa (w/Talla Tonga) vs. ?: It’s a mystery person!

The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round Match: Solo Sikoa (w/Talla Tonga) vs. Dolph Ziggler: I’ve never heard Wade this happy to see anyone! Solo doesn’t look as impressed. The fans dig it. Ziggler with punches in the corner, Solo with a running shoulderblock. Ziggler with a dropkick, then a splash in the corner. Neckbreaker, a heart attack elbow. STF, but Solo gets to the ropes. Dolph jumps off the apron onto Solo. Solo gets bounced off the announce desk a couple of times. Elbow off the top gets a kickout WITH AUTHORITY! We go to commercial!

Talla stands ominously as we return. Solo hits a modified Samoan Drop for two. Solo misses the butt smash in the corner. Ziggler with a boot, then a DDT. Famouser gets two. Solo blocks the Zig Zag and hits the spinning Solo slam for two. Solo holds up the taped thumb, Dolph avoids and rolls Solo up for two. A Zig Zag gets two! Ziggler tunes up the band. Solo blocks the kick, but Ziggler hits it a second later! Ziggler off the ropes, Solo hits the Samoan Spike for the three count.

Winner: Solo Sikoa (5:48 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: **1/2
Nice to see our old buddy Dolph back for a night. Maybe Cena will get Ziggler vs. Ryder a spot on his final show. Solo did beat the stuffing out of Cena some time ago, so there’s history there.

Solo celebrates while Dolph does the opposite.

We get a video hyping up Je’Von Evans. He’s bouncy! He’s going to grow up in front of our eyes.

Alexa Bliss is WALKING! She’ll talk next! I dunno, Blisster…that didn’t go well for Stephanie…

We’ve got rappers, UFC fighters and playwrights at ringside, along with Stephanie McMahon and her podcast buddy.

Alexa Bliss is in the ring. She tells us that Charlotte ignored all her texts and calls. She saw her Instagram story, she knows she’s here! After everything they’ve been through? Trust is harder to get back than championships. People told her not to waste her time on Charlotte, but she knows who Charlotte is on the inside and who she can be. Since when did Charlotte care about liking people? The second Alexa needed her best friend, that’s when Charlotte decided to prove a point. Alexa’s gone to hell & back for her….

The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax & Lash Legend come on down. Asuka trash talks Alexa in Japanese. Nia says “what she said”. Alexa’s all alone in sparkly pants. As her former best friend, she understands why Charlotte left her. Looks like nobody’s coming to save Alexa, this will be fun! The four get on the apron, then Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY appear! The fight is on, and four are more than three. Nia & Lash focus on Alexa, Lash knocks her down with a right hand.

Charlotte’s music hits, and she runs down with a kendo stick! Shots for Nia & Lash! The fans woo as Charlotte hits them with the cane. Meanwhile, the Kabukis, Rhea & IYO fight at ringside. Charlotte helps Alexa up, then Rhea & IYO enter the ring. Looks are exchanged, but nothing appears official.

Joe & Wade run down the Survivor Series card. We see a clip from Tom Rinaldi’s interview with John Cena, which will be posted the week of Cena’s last match.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri: During the commercial, Becky cut a promo on the John Cena action figure at the announce desk. Joe Tess says that Wade is extra in New York. Becky interrupts Maxxine’s dancing routine during Alicia Taylor’s introductions. Unfortunately, Jessicka Carr is here as referee yet again, since it went so well last time. Carr rings the bell and distracts Becky so Maxxine can hit a boot for two. Maxxine goes up top, but Becky tosses her off. Becky with a splash in the corner. Becky hits a backbreaker that also targets Maxxine’s arm. We go to commercial!

When we return, Maxxine hits some clotheslines on Becky. Spin kick from Maxxine gets two while the fireflies are out in MSG. Fisherman’s suplex & kipup by Maxxine, hits a legdrop near the back of Becky’s head for two. Becky stomps Maxxine’s arm and hits a reverse DDT for two. Becky targets the left arm, but Maxxine punches her way out of it. Becky hits a powerbomb for two. Cross armbreaker by Becky. Maxxine bridges out, but Becky gets the hold back. Maxxine with a cover for two. Maxxine avoids the Manhandle Slam and rolls Becky up for two before going to the ankle lock! Maxxine grapevines the leg in the middle of the ring! Becky stands out of it and gets Maxxine’s shoulders down for two. Becky hits the arm and the Manhandle Slam, but Maxxine’s foot is on the rope. Becky has some words for the biased referee, who starts yelling at her! Becky tosses Maxxine outside and makes the referee start counting. Becky goes over to unbuckle the turnbuckle pad, but AJ Lee’s music hits! AJ skips down to the ring and distracts Becky! Maxxine hits the Ricky Steamboat crossbody block for three! HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!

Winner: Maxxine Dupri (6:48 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: **1/2
Good for Maxxine getting some popularity with the crowd. I don’t expect this title reign to last long, but it’s one of those feel good things. Becky doesn’t need titles at this point, what she needs is a piece of AJ’s hide.

Maxxine poses in the entranceway with the title while pyro goes off. AJ raises her hand. Becky doesn’t seem pleased. She starts yelling at fans behind the announcers.

More football players, actors & comedians at ringside.

The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round Match: Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans: We get the old school classical entrance for Der Ring General, who wears a spiffy black robe. This is how Gunther should be presented. Gunther takes the early advantage and works the left arm of Evans. Evans works his way out, hits a dropkick and tries to suplex Gunther out. Gunther pats him on the head and gets smacked. Evans delivers a couple of chops, seems like a bad idea to me. Gunther boots Evans down and rips his shirt off. We go to commercial!

Evans still chopping as we return. Big dropkick by Evans, but he misses another and Gunther works him into a Boston Crab. The fans chant “y2j”, whatever that means. Gunther hits a backbreaker. Gunther delivers a forearm to Evans’ back. Evans fights back, hits a superkick, then tries a flying rana, Gunther tries a power bomb but Evans manages to roll it over for two. Evans gets out of Gunther’s sleeper and hits a wheeling kick! Evans with a tope suicida, Gunther catches him and smashes him into the ring apron! We go to commercial!

Both men are down when we return. Evans attacks with punches. Gunther smacks him down. Evans with a kick, Gunther with a boot. Evans reverses a suplex into a stunner. Gunther on the outside, Evans dives onto him! Crossbody by Evans in the ring, then he goes back up top. Frog splash gets two! Evans springs back first into a shot from Gunther, then gets suplexed. Gunther with a powerbomb for a two count. Gunther locks in the sleeper. Evans has no choice but to tap.

Winner: Gunther (8:57 shown via submission)
Match Rating: ***1/2
Sometimes I think these matches don’t miss much from commercial breaks, even if they’re lengthy. This is a match I really want to see in full sometime in the future.

Jackie congratulates Maxxine on winning. Maxxine says that all the hard work has finally paid off and she belongs here. She thanks AJ, who says it was all her. AJ hates bullies. Otis & Akira Tozawa show up, and they & Maxxine head off for the party. Jackie asks AJ if she’s going to stick around. AJ says that she only wanted to help her husband at first, but Becky makes her feel things. Rhea Ripley appears and wants a second to chat.

Next week: Gunther vs. Carmelo Hayes or Bronson Reed! Solo Sikoa vs. Finn Balor or Penta! Men’s War Games Advantage Match!

Paul Heyman comes down to the ring with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed & Logan Paul. Men’s War Games Face-Off will be next! Is somebody gonna drop a puck?

Drew McIntyre’s music plays, as he has joined his War Games team in the ring. Heyman introduces himself, Drew, Logan, Bron & Bronson. Paul has walked the Samoan Swat Team, Freebirds, Dangerous Alliance & the Bloodline to the War Games. He claims this is the greatest group of talent ever brought together for the War Games.

LIKE MUSSOLINI! CM Punk’s music plays and the fans sing along while he enters the arena. Jimmy & Jey Uso aren’t too far behind, as they Yeet their way through the crowd. Punk & the Usos surround the ring before Cody Rhodes’ music plays & he walks down the entranceway. They all hit the apron while the Vision & Drew stand in the middle of the ring. Here come the fisticuffs! Cody & Drew pair off, the Usos take on the Brons & Logan & Punk go at it in the ring. Punk bulldogs Logan.

Then Brock Lesnar’s music hits! Brock lays his cowboy hat down before hitting the ring and squaring up to Punk. Brock takes Punk to Suplex City. Cody faces off with Brock and gets similar treatment. We see the executive producers’ names while Brock celebrates…

Then Roman Reigns’ music hits! The OTC walks down to the ring, staring a hole in Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman watches on the floor, trying to hide his erection. Roman hits the Superman punch and drives Brock out of the ring! Security guards run down to hold Roman off, then Bronson attacks from behind! He gets rid of the security guards and sets Roman up…Roman bounces up and Superman Punches Bronson to the floor! The cops are trying to intervene! Roman spears Bronson and the NYPD through the barrier! Our live event comes to an end, and as the late, great Bob Caudle would say: So long for now!

If you’d like to chime in with your own thoughts on tonight’s show, feel free to join your fellow 411 Maniacs down in the comment section! As the legendary Larry Csonka always said: Have fun and don’t be a dick. When I’m not here you can catch me on the social media from time to time.

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Kind of a light night wrestling wise, but I really liked the opener and the main event. Oh, and we got Roman & Brock back for the last part of the Survivor Series build, which is pretty important for business purposes. Next week should be interesting, see y'all then!