WWE Raw Results
December 22, 2025 (Taped December 19)
Grand Rapids, Michigan (Van Andel Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
Video: Last week on Raw, Austin Theory was revealed as the masked man who was helping The Vision win.
Pre-Show Arrivals
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio are walking backstage. They’ll face two members of The Vision later tonight. The Judgment Day is shown walking in. Je’Von Evans is walking backstage. He’s going to be a free agent soon. Gunther, who gets MASSIVE boos, is shown backstage.
Parking Garage Segment
Paul Heyman is walking in with Bron Breakker and “Big” Bronson Reed. They look offscreen, and Heyman tells Breakker and Reed he’ll handle it. They walk off, and Heyman approaches Austin Theory. Heyman asks what he’s doing. Theory says he wanted people to feel his actions before they saw his face. Theory says he’s made some bad decisions, got comfortable, and got injured. Then he saw The Vision. They didn’t wait for anything. They took. Now, Theory takes. Theory wants to take the opportunity to help The Vision tonight. Heyman shrugs and says, “Interesting. Very interesting.” Heyman walks off.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the show.
Video: Last Monday on Raw, Asuka gave Rhea Ripley the Blue Mist. The Kabuki Warriors then viciously laid out Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY.
Backstage Segment
Rhea Ripley asks IYO SKY to stay out here because she’s not medically cleared. She can’t protect Ripley as she fights Asuka. Ripley then walks off, goes through the Gorilla Position, and walks onto the stage, which is decorated in a Christmas theme.
Rhea Ripley vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Asuka w/ Kairi Sane
Referee: Ryan Tran
The bell rings, and Ripley quickly hits a running dropkick. Ripley punches away at her before throwing her across the ring a few times. Ripley ducks a kick and takes her down before punching away at her. Ripley connects with a big headbutt before attempting a Riptide, but Asuka slides off and gets out of the ring. Ripley follows her out and bounces her off the barricade a few times. Ripley puts Asuka in the ring. Kairi Sane shouts at Ripley, distracting her. Asuka knocks Ripley to the floor with a running hip attack. Asuka sends Ripley into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Asuka is choking Ripley on the middle rope. Asuka powers her to the corner and hits a running back elbow. Asuka lays in some strikes before going for a bulldog. Ripley shoves her off, but Asuka responds with a knee to the face for a two-count. Asuka kicks away at Ripley’s face. Ripley isn’t wearing the facemask that was protecting her injured nose. Ripley starts to fight Asuka off and hits a facebuster. Asuka hits a backslide pin for a two-count. Ripley elbows her in the face, and Asuka grabs the referee, pretending to be injured. Ripley hits the ropes, but Sane sweeps her feet.
Asuka pulls Ripley up to her knees and lays in a stiff kick to the chest. Ripley blocks a kick and slaps her in the face before hitting a pair of short-arm clotheslines, followed by a ripcord kick. Ripley slams her onto her face and hits a basement dropkick. Ripley connects with a running dropkick for a two-count. Ripley sets up for a Riptide, but Asuka counters into a roll-up for a two-count. Ripley blocks a kick, but Asuka responds with a nasty strike combo. Asuka hits the ropes, but Ripley viciously kicks her in the head to take her down. Both women are down.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Ripley and Asuka are exchanging strikes. Ripley blocks a kick and applies a Prism Lock. Asuka twists out and applies an ankle lock. Ripley struggles to the ropes, so Asuka hits a German Suplex. Asuka hits a sliding kick to the jaw for a near fall. Asuka sets up for an Asuka Lock, but Ripley gets out with a snapmare and retreats to the corner. Ripley boots her back and goes to the second rope. Asuka cuts her off and goes for a superplex. Ripley fights out of it and slides down to the canvas, bending Asuka’s head into the turnbuckle before kicking it. Ripley hits an electric chair drop for a near fall.
Ripley is bleeding from the nose, which was just recently healed after being broken. Ripley signals for the end and goes for a Razor’s Edge, but Asuka counters into a roll-up for a two-count. Ripley charges, but Asuka moves and dumps her onto the apron. Ripley blocks a running hip attack and pulls her to the apron. Asuka fights her off and hits Ripley with a German Suplex on the apron. Asuka now signals for the end as she heads to the top rope. Asuka leaps, but Ripley kicks her out of mid-air before hitting a running knee. Asuka rolls out of the ring to recover, so Ripley goes to the apron and hits a cannonball. Ripley gets Asuka in the ring. The referee checks on Asuka, so Sane grabs Ripley’s foot as she climbs to the top rope. Ripley hits the turnbuckle connector ribs-first.
IYO SKY runs down, limping and holding her back. Sky hits Sane with a Shotei uppercut. Sky gets on the apron, and the referee admonishes her. Sane then takes Sky down. Asuka rolls up Ripley and grabs the tights for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Asuka
Ripley checks on Sky, who is in a lot of pain.
Mike’s Thoughts: Awesome match with Asuka and Rhea Ripley. The crowd is a little subdued, but this is a taped show, and they already sat through SmackDown. Ripley and Asuka went all out in this and gave us a special, hard-hitting match. I loved it, even if I think the Ripley/Sky friendship is a little hokey.
The Vision’s Locker Room
Bron Breakker and “Big” Bronson Reed are telling Paul Heyman they’re not sure about Austin Theory. Heyman asks Reed where he was eighteen months ago. Now, he’s main eventing in Australia, beating Roman Reigns. As for Breakker, he wasn’t in the title picture a year ago. Now, he’s main eventing the Netflix Anniversary show, going for the title against CM Punk. Someone had a vision for them. Heyman is selective. He has a vision for Austin Theory. Tonight, it’s Bronson Reed and Austin Theory vs. CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. Either Theory carries out their Vision, or they’ll make sure Theory’s ass is carried out of WWE. Heyman walks off. Breakker says Reed doesn’t have to do this, but Reed says he’s got it.
Backstage Segment
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri is walking backstage.
-Commercial Break-
They promote John Cena’s appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast.
Video: Last Monday on Raw, the crowd viciously booed Gunther after he defeated John Cena in his final match. Gunther said he’ll forever be the man who made John Cena give up.
We’ll hear what’s next for Gunther later tonight. We’ll also see “Big” Bronson Reed and Austin Theory take on World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Rey Mysterio in the main event.
WWE Unreal: Season 2 is coming on January 20, only on Netflix.
“The Man” Becky Lynch heads to the ring. We haven’t seen her since Survivor Series. Lynch says this will not be a celebration for “Moody Maxxine.” She is not a legitimate Intercontinental Champion. The referee was corrupt. Lynch is the real Intercontinental Champion. Lynch knows the people are upset about the corruption (they’re not). If “Petty Pearce” won’t fix this, she has people who will. She talked to her friends at Netflix, the biggest of bigwigs. They told Lynch to go to “Miserable Michigan.” The crowd chants, “You suck.” Lynch says they’re talking to Dupri. Lynch is in Grand Rapids and hasn’t seen a single rapid. She was told to take matters into her own hands. Lynch will do that. She’s the greatest female wrestler of all time. That’s not just her saying it.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri heads to the ring. Dupri says she will admit that Sports Illustrated is right. Lynch is the greatest of all time, and Dupri is a rookie. Let’s not forget that this rookie beat the greatest of all time. Was it only once? Or twice? No, three times. Dupri knows Lynch wants another shot and can have it anytime, anywhere. Dupri will stop at nothing to beat Lynch and train hard. Dupri tells Lynch to admit it and take it on the chin like the man she says she is. Lynch is complaining about everything under the sun. At the moment, Lynch doesn’t look like the greatest of all time. Lynch looks like someone who is afraid her best years are behind her.
Lynch punches her in the face and smashes her face off the canvas. Lynch holds up the Intercontinental Championship and talks trash to Dupri. Lynch goes to leave with the title, but she stops and gets back in the ring to beat on Dupri some more. Dupri fights back and applies an Ankle Lock. Lynch screams in pain and tries to twist out, but Dupri grapevines the leg. Lynch is forced to tap out. Dupri lets her go, and Lynch hobbles away. Dupri holds the title up.
Mike’s Thoughts: They’re definitely giving Maxxine Dupri a lot of chances. I’m wondering if she’ll face Becky Lynch on the Netflix Anniversary Raw or Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Replay: Last Monday on Raw, Nikki Bella attacked Stephanie Vaquer during a Women’s World Championship match against Raquel Rodriguez.
Backstage Segment
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is speaking with Je’Von Evans and wants to discuss his future later. Evans is excited and walks off. Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer walks over and wants to settle things with Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. Next week on Raw, Vaquer will defend the title against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez.
El Grande Americano makes his entrance alongside Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano.
-Commercial Break-
SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event are coming to the Bell Centre in Montreal in late January.
Video: The Usos are back in the Tag Team Division. Last week, they beat The New Day. They respect AJ Styles and Dragon Lee as champions, but they’re the greatest tag team of all time.
Next Monday on Raw, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee will defend the World Tag Team Championship against The Usos.
Rayo Americano w/ El Grande Americano and Bravo Americano vs. Je’Von Evans
Referee: Jeremy Marcus
The bell rings, and they lock up. Rayo hooks a side headlock, but Evans whips him off. Rayo shoulder tackles him, but Evans bounces off the ropes and takes him down. Evans flips around him, hits a dropkick, then poses. Evans hooks a side headlock, but Rayo whips him off and takes him down. Rayo taunts the crowd. Rayo takes Evans down and drops a knee on the arm. Rayo chops Evans in the corner and applies an armbar. Evans fights up and kicks out. Evans grabs him, springboards off the top rope, and hits a hurricanrana. Evans sends him into the ropes, but Rayo grabs them. Rayo drops him out of the ring and goes for a plancha, but Evans moves. Evans then gets in the ring and dives over the top rope onto Rayo!
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Evans kicks Rayo back and goes to the top rope. Rayo cuts him off and hits an arm drag off the top rope. Rayo punches away at Evans and stomps his head. Rayo applies another armbar, but Evans fights up. They trade strikes before Evans punches him against the ropes. Rayo quickly pushes him off and gets a cheap shot in. Evans hits the ropes and hits a flying kick to the jaw. Evans pulls his shirt off and hits a leaping forearm. Evans hits a vertical suplex and bounces up off the impact. Evans goes to the apron and hits a springboard diving clothesline for a near fall.
El Grande Americano gets on the apron to distract the referee. Bravo Americano uses the distraction to help knock Evans onto the top rope. Rayo hits a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Rayo kicks Evans in the face a few times before hitting a stiff slap to the jaw. Evans responds with a superkick. Rayo comes back with a step-up enzuigiri and viciously kicks him down. Rayo sends him into the ropes, but Evans responds with the Red Dot. 1… 2… Rayo kicks out. Evans goes for a springboard, but Rayo forearms him in the back of the head out of mid-air. Rayo comes off the ropes for a moonsault, but he lands on his feet when Evans moves. Evans leaps the top rope and hits the OG Cutter for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Je’Von Evans
Evans quickly avoids the other Americanos and gets out of the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Fun match with Je’Von Evans and Rayo Americano. Being Rayo Americano isn’t probably what Pete Dunne really wants to be doing, but he’s got too much pride to phone it in. Good stuff. Too bad he’s saddled with such a lame gimmick. The El Grande Americano thing has well and truly jumped the shark. I’m sure it’ll get some new life when Chad Gable returns.
Backstage Interview
Cathy Kelley is with World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee. Next week, they’re facing The Usos. Styles says they’ve beaten a few teams considered the best. Lee says they’ll have a classic and win. Styles says as long as they have the titles, they’re better than the best.
Backstage Segment
CM Punk and Rey Mysterio are warming up backstage.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Bron Breakker says he’s happy he could get CM Punk to come back from work. Breakker says Punk doesn’t care about his wife or anyone in his life. He’s a self-centered piece of trash. Breakker will stroke Punk’s ego for a second and make this all about him. Which CM Punk will show up on January 5? The watered-down version or the Best of the World. The result is the same. He’s the dog you can’t outrun. Breakker is only here to make money. He hopes Punk saved his money and cashed his checks. When the match is over, and Breakker is the champion, Punk won’t be worth a dollar to anyone.
Mike’s Thoughts: Bron Breakker is really turning some heads with these promos.
Nikki Bella is not happy with the lack of respect
Nikki Bella appears at ringside and says the most famous person in the building is here. She’s a Hall of Famer and a former champion. What would Michigan know about champions? They root for the Lions. The Lions wish they were as good as the Philadelphia Eagles… or Ohio State! They are looking at the star of the division. She’s back. Last week, she destroyed Raquel Rodriguez’s face. Next week, she’ll destroy Stephanie Vaquer’s reign. Vaquer is a big deal in the ring, but Bella is a big deal everywhere. It’s about time for the title to be on a major star, Nikki Bella. Bella then walks off.
Mike’s Thoughts: Pretty basic heel promo from Nikki Bella.
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez w/ Liv Morgan
Referee: Dallas Irvin
Bayley goes after Perez, but Perez rolls away from her and smiles. They lock up, and Perez pulls the hair to back Bayley into the ropes. Perez shoves her a few times and taunts her. Bayley hits the Bayley-to-Belly out of nowhere for a near fall! Perez rolls out of the ring to recover near Liv Morgan. Perez gets in the ring as Bayley gets out. Perez tries for a suicide dive, but Bayley blocks it by attempting to catch her. Bayley drops her, so they fight through the miscue.
Perez gets Bayley in the ring and attacks the knee. Bayley drops her on the top turnbuckle, but Perez quickly fights back and slams Bayley’s knee off the ring post.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break (which, by the way, isn’t a break since this isn’t streaming; it’s just a video), Perez is continuing to attack the knee. Perez takes her down for a two-count. Bayley hits a pair of clotheslines, followed by a Thesz Press. Raquel Rodriguez appears at ringside. Bayley slams Perez down for a two-count. Rodriguez gets on the apron, but Valkyria attacks her. Morgan then sends Valkyria over the commentary table. Perez hits a head-scissor facebuster, followed by a cartwheel double knee. Perez picks up a two-count.
Perez grabs Bayley’s leg, but Bayley kicks her off. Bayley hits a sunset flip into the turnbuckles for a two-count. Bayley hits the ropes, but Morgan sweeps her feet. The referee was checking on Perez. Morgan gets on the apron to distract him. Perez removes the turnbuckle pad and drives Bayley’s head into the exposed turnbuckle. Rodriguez is distracting the referee, so Morgan pulls her off the apron. They start to argue until Valkyria takes them out with a crossbody block.
Bayley hits Perez with a back suplex. Valkyria talks to Bayley and slaps her in the face to get her going. Bayley laughs maniacally and knees Perez in the face before putting her in the corner and punching away at her. Bayley goes to the top rope and hits a diving elbow drop for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Bayley
Mike’s Thoughts: The split personality gimmick with Bayley was on full display here. I wonder if she’ll need to be slapped to go into the change every time, kind of like the bell for Festus. How about that for a callback?
In two weeks on the Raw Netflix Anniversary Special, IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley will challenge The Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Titles. Becky Lynch will try to get the Women’s Intercontinental Championship back from Maxxine Dupri. Bron Breakker will challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
The Vision’s Locker Room
“Big” Bronson Reed is reluctantly talking to Austin Theory. Reed says Theory is in the big leagues and tells him to follow his lead. Theory says he’ll start the match, and Reed can follow his lead.
Backstage Segment
A smiling Gunther is walking backstage.
-Commercial Break-
The Judgment Day Clubhouse
Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez are arguing in front of Finn Balor and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. Rodriguez says she was trying to help, unlike what they did for her last week in her title match. Morgan says it’s Christmas, and they need to get on the same page.
“The Ring General” Gunther addresses what’s next
A smiling Gunther heads to the ring as the crowd loudly boos the man who made John Cena tap out in his final match. Gunther stands on the turnbuckles and poses as the crowd rains down jeers at him. They loudly chant, “You suck.” Gunther simply laughs at them. They then chant, “You tapped out.” Gunther goes to speak, but they loudly boo. Gunther leaves the ring and stands on the commentary table before posing again. Gunther gets back in the ring, and the crowd continues to hurl jeers. Gunther says they shouldn’t be mad at him. Gunther says, “You should be mad at the guy who tapped out like a little bitch.”
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk angrily heads to the ring. Punk gets in Gunther’s face and stares into his eyes. Gunther looks unimpressed. Gunther then laughs before leaving the ring. Gunther does the “You Can’t See Me” taunt before walking off. As he goes up the aisleway, Rey Mysterio walks out. The WWE Hall of Famer stares at the Ring General and shakes his head in disgust. Gunther laughs at him and walks off.
The main event is next.
Mike’s Thoughts: Gunther’s defeat of John Cena is no doubt a career-maker on another level. The heat he’s garnering shows that the move is working. Who knew Gunther would be this equipped to handle it so expertly as a character? He was always a phenomenal wrestler, but the character work was always just kind of there. He kind of existed in his own world. Now, he’s set up to be part of the larger WWE landscape.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Gunther is walking backstage and laughing. Gunther gets serious as he approaches World Tag Team Champion AJ Styles. Styles says Gunther doesn’t know when to shut up. Gunther says, “I guess I don’t.” Gunther laughs and walks off.
Next week on Raw
— Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez
— World Tag Team Championship: AJ Lee and Dragon Lee (c’s) vs. The Usos
Tag Team Match
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Rey Mysterio vs. “Big” Bronson Reed and Austin Theory w/ Paul Heyman
Referee: Dan Engler
Austin Theory will start against Rey Mysterio. Mysterio punches away at him, but Theory cuts him off, sends him hard into the corner, and hits a backbreaker. Theory sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. CM Punk tags in, and he kicks away at Theory. Punk stomps him down in the corner before sending him to the opposite corner. Theory bounces out and hits a back elbow. Theory punches Punk down. Punk pops up for a Go to Sleep, but Theory slides off and punches Mysterio off the apron. Theory knocks Punk back and hits a rolling thunder dropkick for a two-count.
-Commercial Break-
“Big” Bronson Reed is in the ring with Punk. Reed whips him sternum-first into the turnbuckle before hitting a splash to the arm. Theory tags in and hits Punk with a snapmare before stomping the chest. Theory stomps his hand and elbows him in the collarbone before applying a rear chin lock. Punk fights up, but Theory hits a headlock takeover. Punk tries again to fight up, but Theory slings him down. Theory angrily walks around the ring and tags Reed in. Reed drops an elbow on the World Heavyweight Champion. Reed hits a snapmare and applies a neck vice. Punk fights up and hits a jawbreaker. Reed quickly fires back with a headbutt before mounting him and punching away at him. Reed hits a senton splash for a two-count. Reed applies a rear chin lock. Punk fights up and punches out, but Reed knees and clubs him down before booting him in the face. Reed stands on Punk’s back for a few moments. Reed pulls Punk up and headbutts him back down. Reed hits a scoop slam before attempting another senton splash, but Punk moves.
Mysterio tags in and knocks Theory off the apron before attacking Reed. Reed quickly catches the legendary luchador, but Mysterio attempts a sunset flip. Mysterio avoids a sit-out splash and hits a basement senton for a two-count. Theory tags in, and Mysterio sends him out of the ring with a hurricanrana. Mysterio hits Theory with a seated senton off the apron.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Theory is taking it to Mysterio. During the break, Reed got a cheap shot in. Theory and Reed continue to take it to Mysterio. Reed slams Mysterio down and hits a big splash. 1… 2… Punk breaks up the pin. Reed powers Mysterio up for a delayed vertical suplex. Theory tags in and stomps away at Mysterio. Mysterio soon fires back with an enzuigiri. Theory stops Mysterio from making a tag and hits a snap suplex for a two-count. Theory lifts Mysterio, but Mysterio slides off and attacks Reed before hitting Theory with a wheelbarrow bulldog.
Punk tags in and punches away at Theory. Punk sends Theory into the ropes for a heel kick, followed by a swinging neckbreaker. Punk hits Theory with a running knee in the corner. Punk sends him to the opposite corner and hits another knee, followed by a running bulldog. Punk signals for the end. Punk goes for a GTS, but Theory elbows out. Reed tags in, and Punk hits a few clotheslines that don’t take the big man down. Reed grabs Punk and throws him to the corner, but Punk boots him back. Punk goes to the top rope and hits a diving clothesline. Punk knocks Theory off the apron and covers Reed for a two-count.
Punk hits Reed with a knee to the face as Mysterio tags in. Mysterio gets on Reed’s shoulders and slings him into the ropes. Theory blind tags in and clotheslines Mysterio down. Theory knocks Punk off the apron. Mysterio knocks Theory into the ropes and hits a 619 before Dropping the Dime. 1… 2… Reed pulls Mysterio out of the ring and drops an elbow on the floor. Punk hits Reed with a suicide dive before knocking him into the timekeeper’s area. Mysterio knocks Theory back with some punches and a kick. Mysterio heads to the top rope, but Theory crotches him up there. Theory hits Mysterio with a Stomp. 1… 2… 3.
Winners by Pinfall: “Big” Bronson Reed and Austin Theory
An irate Punk runs in and chases Theory off. Bron Breakker runs in, but Punk cuts him off. Theory runs in and attacks, but Punk clotheslines him over the top rope. Breakker then crushes Punk with a Spear!
Mike’s Thoughts: Pretty basic tag team match, very typical of the stuff we get from The Vision. I have almost no excitement about Austin Theory being attached to this story. He’s a good hand, but there’s a difference between being the character and playing it. It felt like he was playing bad guy tonight. It didn’t feel authentic. We’ll see what happens, but I think this is a hard sell to take this guy seriously. They can try to will it into existence, but I’m not sure it’ll get there.
Overall, kind of a dull Raw. After a great opening match with Rhea Ripley and Asuka, everything else was so-so. Je’Von Evans and Gunther’s heat were the other bright spots.
Quick Match Results
— WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Asuka def. Rhea Ripley
— Je’Von Evans def. Rayo Americano
— Bayley def. Roxanne Perez
— “Big” Bronson Reed and Austin Theory def. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Rey Mysterio in a Tag Team Match
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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