Cook’s WWE Raw Review 12.22.25

Hey kids! Steve Cook here with you for the latest episode of WWE Raw on Netflix! The Superstars are home for the holidays, but we’ve got some pre-taped goodness from Friday night to enjoy. CM Punk will take part in a tag team match two weeks before he defends the World Championship against Bron Breakker. Asuka & Rhea Ripley continue their never-ending issue with each other. Bayley & Roxanne Perez also continue their lengthy rivalry, and Je’Von Evans will be in action! Since it’s not a title match, I think there’s a pretty good chance he’ll win!

What?

Cook’s WWE Raw Review 12.22.25

Then. Now. Forever. Together!

We see a video package of last week’s events involving Rey Mysterio, Logan Paul and the identity of the masked man. It was Austin Theory all along!

CM Punk & Rey Mysterio are WALKING! The Judgment Day is WALKING! Je’Von Evans is WALKING! Gunther is WALKING! The Vision is WALKING! Paul Heyman sends the Brons away so he can talk to Austin Theory. Paul asks Theory what he’s doing. He used the mask because he wanted the fans to see his actions before his face. He made mistakes, but has learned from them, and now he takes. He’d like to take a spot in tonight’s main event to help the Vision. Heyman says it’s interesting and walks off.

We’re in Grand Rapids, MI! Michael Cole & Corey Graves are our hosts tonight. Last Monday, the Kabuki Warriors attacked Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY.

Rhea says she can’t protect IYO out there from Kairi & Asuka, so she asks IYO to stay backstage tonight. IYO sadly agrees & hugs Rhea.

Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane): How can Graves talk about things getting ugly during Rhea’s entrance? Seems unpossible to me. Asuka has never defeated Ripley in a singles match. Rhea attacks right away. Asuka misses a kick and Rhea mounts and punches her. Headbutt by Rhea, goes for Riptide, but Asuka flips out and rolls outside. Rhea follows her out and punches her against the barricade. Kairi talks some junk and gets Rhea’s attention so Asuka can knock her off the apron and throw her into the barricade. We go to commercial!

Asuka works Rhea over in the corner when we return. Asuka with some strikes in the corner. Asuka knees Rhea to the mat and covers for two. Asuka Kawada kicks Rhea. Rhea fights back, knees her, Asuka with a backslide for two. Rhea gets tripped up by Kairi and Asuka dropkicks her. Asuka kicks away while I enjoy Kairi’s ringside work. She’s fun to watch. Rhea with a slap after blocking a kick. Clotheslines by Rhea. Back suplex into a faceplant by Rhea, then a dropkick. Kick gets a two count on Asuka. Riptide is gone for, Asuka turns it into a small package for two. Spinning backfist and kicks by Asuka. Rhea with a kick after Asuka goes off the ropes, both women are down. We go to commercial!

Strike exchange. Rhea goes for the Prism Lock, Asuka picks the ankle and locks it up. Asuka hits a German suplex and kicks her down for two. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock but Rhea evades. Kick by Rhea, she goes to the middle rope but Asuka follows. Rhea blocks the superplex, bends Asuka in the corner and kicks her in the face. Wheelbarrow faceplant gets two for Rhea. The fans say it’s awesome. Rhea motions for the Razor’s Edge, Asuka rolls out and gets a two count on Rhea. Asuka gets caught by Rhea, they jostle on the apron until Asuka German suplexes Rhea! THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING. Asuka jumps into a Rhea superkick. Rhea knees Asuka out of the ring. Cannonball off the apron by Ripley! Rhea goes up top, but Kairi knocks her off! IYO SKY runs down! IYO smacks Kairi and gets on the apron. Kairi trips IYO on the apron! IYO’s injured back is in pain. Rhea checks on IYO, but we all know what happens next. Asuka takes advantage and rolls Rhea up for three!

Winner: Asuka (10:46 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***1/4
Two of the best women in the game going at it. What’s not to like? As much as I love me some Rhea, I do think it was time for Asuka to get a win in this rivalry, tainted though it may be.

The Brons ask Paul Heyman about Theory. Paul points out that Bronson was nowhere a year ago. Bron wasn’t calling any shots or main eventing last year. Someone had a vision for the two of them, and he also has one for Austin Theory. Theory will either carry out the Vision tonight, or the Vision will make sure he’s carried out. Bron lets Bronson know that he has his back tonight, but he doesn’t have Theory’s.

Maxxine Dupri is WALKING!

Last week, Gunther talked about how he made John Cena tap out like a little bitch. He’ll be here tonight! Punk & Rey will take on Bronson & Theory! I’m just reading the name graphics, y’all.

“The Man” Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring! Becky says that Maxxine isn’t the legitimate IC Champion, and Becky is. The fans are very upset about all this corruption. Petty Pearce won’t do anything about it. Becky has the best lawyers in the country, and the Netflix bigwigs encouraged her to go to Michigan. The fans are apparently chanting that Maxxine sucks, per Becky. She’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, she’s not the only one that says it.

Maxxine Dupri comes out. She heard Becky. Sports Illustrated was right, Becky’s the greatest of all time and she’s just a rookie. A rookie that beat the greatest of all time! Maxxine beat her three times! Becky can have her title shot any time or place, and Maxxine will stop at nothing until he beats Becky again. She’s your Intercontinental Champion! Maxxine tells her to take it on the chin like the man she claims to be. Becky looks like someone who’s afraid her best years are behind her!

Becky slaps Maxxine down. Becky grabs the title belt and yells at Maxxine about how she owns it. Becky poses with the title before beating on Maxxine some more. Maxxine fights back and gets the ankle lock! Maxxine grapevines the leg! Becky taps out! Apparently you still release the hold if there isn’t a bell! Becky rolls out.

Last week, Nikki Bella attacked Stephanie Vaquer & Raquel Rodriguez during their match.

Adam Pearce tells Je’Von Evans about his match, and says they can talk about his future afterward. Evans is pleased. Stephanie Vaquer is not pleased. She wants both Nikki & Raquel in a match. Adam loves a fighting champion, and makes the match official for next week.

The Usos are back in our city, and back in the tag team division. They beat the New Day last week, and challenge AJ Styles & Dragon Lee for next week! Four letters, one word: Usos! That match is official for next week per helpful graphic.

Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo Americano (w/Bravo & El Grande Americano): Rayo with a headlock, off the ropes, shoulderblocks exchanged. Evans wins there, bounces around and dropkicks Rayo. Rayo takes Evans down and works the left arm. Chop in the corner. Rayo with an armbar. Evans with a bouncy rana. Rayo gets in the ropes, backdrops Evans. Evans lands on his feet, evades the dive and hits one of his own! We go to commercial!

Rayo arm drags Evans off the top rope! Rayo stomps Evans down and again works the left arm. Evans fights back, but Rayo hits a punch. Evans comes back with a speedy kick. That sounds like a proper description, sure. Clothesline, vertical suplex by Evans. Evans kips up, springs up top and hits the forearm for two. Grande distracts the referee while Bravo interferes with Evans. Rayo with a foul, then he hits the Michinoku Driver for two! My stream freezes for a few seconds. Rayo kicks away at Evans, slaps him in the face. Evans responds with a couple of kicks, but Rayo with a couple of his own. Red Dot gets the two count for Evans. Rayo blocks the Cody Cutter with a forearm, then goes up top. Evans evades the Moonsault, then hits the Cody Cutter for three!

Winner: Je’Von Evans (6:59 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: **1/2
This was fun. Evans continues to impress when he appears on the main shows, and it sounds like that’s where he’ll be for good pretty soon.

Cathy Kelly asks AJ Styles & Dragon Lee about their upcoming match with the Usos. Dragon says they’re going to bring fire. AJ says they’re better than the best.

CM Punk & Rey Mysterio talk strategy & hockey.

Bron Breakker talks about his attack on Punk last week, and how it was easy. Punk doesn’t care about his wife or anyone except himself! Punk’s a self-centered piece of trash. Bron wonders if he’ll get the 2025 watered-down version, or the Best in the World. The result will be the same either way. He hopes Punk saved all his money and cashed all his checks. After the match, Punk won’t be worth a dollar to anyone.

Michael & Corey are told to shut up by Nikki Bella, who hops on top of the announce table. Nikki says it seems like everyone’s forgotten who she is. She is Nikki Bella, a legend, a Hall of Famer, and a former champion! This is what champions look like! How would they know what champions look like? The Lions wish they were as good as the Philadelphia Eagles, or Ohio State! Nikki destroyed Raquel’s face, next week she will destroy Stephanie’s reign. Stephanie’s a big deal in the ring, but Nikki’s a big deal everywhere! It’s time the title was around the waist of a true global Superstar, the one and only Nikki Bella! Corey’s speechless, he’s never been this close to a star that big!

Bayley (w/Lyra Valkyria) vs. Roxanne Perez (w/Liv Morgan): Damn, why haven’t we been seeing Roxanne’s entrance every week? It’s exactly what I need in my life right now. Bayley still hasn’t gotten over her loss to Sol Ruca. Roxanne evades Bayley early. Roxanne with a shove. Bayley to Belly gets a two count! Corey talks to Liv while Roxanne works over Bayley’s leg. Bayley bounces Roxanne off the top turnbuckle, but Roxanne trips Bayley and bounces her knee off the ringpost. We go to commercial!

Bayley shoves Roxanne down, but Roxanne hits a palm strike and a side legsweep for two. Bayley wins a strike exchange and clotheslines Roxanne before hitting the Thesz Press. Raquel Rodriguez appears at ringside! Bayley hits a side slam for two. Raquel climbs on the apron, but Lyra kicks her down! Liv tosses Lyra over the announce booth! Roxanne hits the cartwheel double knees for two. Bayley blocks a leg lock, sunset flips Roxanne into the corner. Cover gets two! Liv trips Bayley, then distracts the referee so Roxanne can remove the middle turnbuckle padding! Bayley goes face-first into it. Raquel distracts the referee while Roxanne has Bayley covered! Raquel & Liv have a discussion with Roxanne before Lyra dives onto them! Lyra yells at Bayley and slaps her! Bayley laughs and goes crazy on Roxanne! Double knees in the corner! Bayley goes up top, hits the elbow drop for three!

Winner: Bayley (7:39 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***
The backfiring interference for the Judgment Day worked pretty well. Bayley & Lyra pretty low key have the sub/domme thing going, huh?

January 5: Rhea & IYO vs. Asuka & Kairi! Maxxine vs. Becky! Punk vs. Breakker!

Bronson tells Austin that the Vision is the big leagues, and he should follow his lead. Austin isn’t his kid, and he’ll start the match. Bronson can follow his lead.

Gunther is WALKING! He’ll be on next!

The Judgment Day men hear the complaints of the women. Liv says they’re all trying to help each other. The Judgment Day is a family! It’s Christmas, let’s all get on the same page. Raquel storms off after some smack talk by Roxanne.

Gunther makes his way to the ring. The fans don’t sound impressed. Gunther smiles and poses on the turnbuckles while the crowd boos. Gunther teases talking a time or two, then hops onto the announce table. Gunther asks Michael for a clap and he gets one. Gunther says that the fans shouldn’t be mad at him. They should be mad at the guy that tapped out like a little bitch! Gunther throws the microphone down.

LIKE MUSSOLINI! CM Punk marches down to the ring. He stares Gunther down nose to nose in the middle of the ring. Gunther laughs and backs away. Gunther walks out of the ring grinning. Gunther tells Punk YOU CAN’T SEE ME! The unmitigated gall of the man. Rey Mysterio comes down the aisle while Gunther leaves and has a few words for him.

Gunther walks backstage and finds AJ Styles. AJ says Gunther doesn’t know when to shut up. Gunther says he doesn’t.

Next week: Stephanie vs. Nikki vs. Raquel! Styles & Lee vs. Usos!

Rey Mysterio & CM Punk vs. Austin Theory & Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman): Theory & Rey start. Theory with a strike in the corner and a backbreaker. Cover gets 1. Punk gets the tag and attacks Theory from behind. Punk kicks Theory in the corner. Theory with a flying elbow strike. Theory with some punches to Punk. Theory knocks Rey off the apron and drop toe holds Punk. Dropkick by Theory! We go to commercial!

Bronson whips Punk sternum first into the turnbuckle. Theory tags in to work Punk over some more. Theory with some elbow strikes & a chinlock. Punk works out of it and gets kicked by down. Theory with more trash talk for Rey. Elbow drop by Bronson, then a neck vice. Punk jawbreaks out, but gets headbutted to the mat. Senton by Reed, cover gets two. Rear chinlock by Reed, Punk fights out then gets kneed in the gut and kicked down. Reed slams Punk down, but misses the senton this time. Tag to Rey! Rey knocks Theory off the apron and goes after Reed. Bronson misses the sit-down splash. Rey sentons Reed for two. Rey ranas Theory outside the ring, then dives on him there! We go to commercial!

During the break, Bronson hit Rey from behind and Theory’s working him over now. Theory snaps Rey’s neck on the bottom rope. Theory sends Rey into the announce table, then rolls him back in the ring. Theory kicks Rey in the gut. Bronson tags in and punches Rey down. Bronson slams Rey and splashes him. Punk breaks up the count. Bronson with the delayed vertical suplex. Very delayed. Theory tag in and punches Rey on the ropes. Rey with an enziguri. Theory hits a snap suplex for two. Rey escapes a move by Theory, knocks Bronson down on the apron and takes Theory down. Tag to Punk! Dropkick by Punk, then a swinging neckbreaker. Knee in the corner, and two. Bulldog! Punk sets up the GTS, Theory elbows out of it. Tag to Reed, Punk tries to knock Reed down, it takes a few tries, but Reed breaks that up. Punk kicks Reed in the corner, goes up top and hits a clothesline for two. Rey in the electric chair, he slips out, gets Reed in position for the 619, but Theory tags and clotheslines Rey down. 619 on Theory! Dime is dropped, but Bronson breaks the cover and elbows Rey on the floor. Punk dives onto Reed, who bounces off the announce table. They fight into the timekeeper’s area. Rey & Theory are the legal men. Rey knocks Theory down and goes up top, only to get crotched on the turnbuckle. Theory hits Rey with the STOMP! That’s Seth’s move! It gets the three count for Theory.

Winners: Austin Theory & Bronson Reed (15:15 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***
I don’t think Austin Theory’s problem was ever his work. Dude looked good in a main event situation here. The question is if he’ll be able to get people to care. I’m interested to see how it goes.

Punk drives everyone out of the ring, only to get speared by Bron Breakker! Bron barks as our live event comes to an end.

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.

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

This was a fairly typical holiday season episode of Raw. Perfectly fine action, but nothing too crazy. The January 5 card looks nice, and next week's does as well. Thanks for reading, have a merry Christmas!