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WWE RAW REPORT
SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. AT MASSMUTUAL CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

Attendance: WrestleTix reported right before showtime that 7,285 tickets were distributed, a sellout of all available seats. The arena has a capacity of 8,300 spectators when configured for concerts. The last time WWE was the venue on Aug, 27, 2022, it drew 3,971 for a house show.

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[HOUR ONE]

-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of downtown Indianapolis, Ind. and the arena hosting Wrestlepalooza on Saturday on ESPN. Then they showed the arrivals of Penta, Stephanie Vaquer (wearing a “Wrestling Is My First Language” t-shirt), El Grande Americano, and The Vision (Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed).

-A video package aired on the Usos together on Raw last week, then Jey Uso-L.A. Knight tensions, L.A. Knight vs. Reed, all the through Jey Uso spearing Knight after the match ended and after Jimmy had saved Knight from a post-match attack by Breakker and Reed.

-They cut backstage to the Usos arriving. Knight charged at them from out of camera view. Adam Pearce separated them and screamed, “Both of you, in my office now!” He threatened to take away some zeros from their paychecks if they didn’t settle down and see him later in his office.

-They cut to an aerial view of the arena in Springfield, Mass. He talked about the sports history in that town, including John Cena’s college sports participation.

-They cut to the crowd as a “Cena! Cena!” chant broke out. Cena then made his entrance. The arena is small enough that they didn’t use the large stage for entrance. Cena showed off his t-shirt and then ran to the ring and played to the crowd. Tessitore plugged Cena vs. Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.

POLL: Which match at Wrestlepalooza are you most looking forward to?

Cena got his typical elaborate ring entrance. Another loud “Cena! Cena!” chant broke out. Cena said he had friends and family in the building. He talked about being an offensive lineman when he played football. He said his niece couldn’t be there because it was his birthday. He thanked ring announcer Alicia Taylor for the ring introduction. He said he started that introduction with one purpose and he’s hung onto it as the reason has evolved. He said now it gives everyone a chance for the fans to show the world their energy “and for us to share a final moment, and I think that is really special.” He said he needs that moment because he has a pretty tall hill to climb.

Cena said during the introduction, the words that meant the most to him were “last real champion.” He said Lesnar “wants to end the last real champion.” He said Lesnar is “very intimidating, no doubt controversial, and damn near invincible.” Fans chanted “F— you, Lesnar!” Cena said, “Netflix, they’re chanting ‘Talk to Lesnar’.” He said Lesnar challenged him to a match. He said he has had matches with Lesnar before, some of the toughest matches he’s ever had. He asked why he doesn’t just say no. He said if he says “no” he could keep his health. He said he could go backstage and say they owe him a favor. He said some would say that saying “no” is smart. He said he only has six appearances left. he said saying “no” is safe and easy. A loud “Thank you, Cena!” chant broke out. He said, “That right there is why I say ‘yes.’” Fans cheered. “Because I am the last real champion,” he said. “In all my days here, I have never fought one battle back there. I fight them all here in front of the most important audience in the world, everybody in this building tonight.”

He said the “Last Real Champion” isn’t about a belt, a main event, or being the face of the champion. He said it’s about leaving the place better than they found it and not “taking their ball and going home.” He said this is a chance to make magic, so he’s giving all that he can. “Am I afraid of Brock Lesnar?” he asked. “Yes I am. Could I fail? Yes, I could. Will I back down, will I give up? Hell no! We will take the fight to the beast because that is what we do. Listen to the energy, Brock.” He plugged Wrestlepalooza on ESPN. He told Brock he doesn’t care how many suplexes are in his city. He said he founded Suplex City and took his best shot for 20 years and he’s still standing. He pointed at a fan’s sign that said his jorts are stronger than Lesnar’s jeans. He said he’s ready for war on Saturday.

(Keller’s Analysis: This was one of Cena’s better promos of the year. It wasn’t meta, it wasn’t about metrics, it wasn’t about media deals. He focused on a match against a longtime rival and wanting to stand up to Lesnar. I’m still against the whole “Last Real Champion” line that he’s sticking with even after the heel run ended. It feels selfish, no matter how he tries to spin in, to basically the tell his fans that Cody Rhodes and anyone else who follows aren’t the real champion. It made sense when he was a heel threatening to retire with the title.)

-Pearce stood between Knight and Jey. He asked why they’re fighting in a parking area. He said they have bigger things on Saturday to focus on. Knight and Jey yelled at each other some more. Pearce said he can’t have this show go off the rails during one of their biggest weeks ever. Knight said he wants a piece of Bron and Bronson. Pearce asked who his partner would be. Knight said he wanted it to be Jimmy Uso. Jey said he didn’t like it. Pearce said they need to talk to Jimmy.

-Lyra Valkyria made her entrance.

-A graphic noted that Cena is vying for his 100th PLE victory on Saturday and that only Undertaker, with 107, has more.

(1) LYRA VALKYRIA vs. ROXANNE PEREZ (w/Raquel Rodriguez)

The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. Early in the match, the ref ordered Rodriguez to go to the back after trippoing Lyra. As Rodriguez protested, Perez rolled up Lyra. The ref was distracted long enough to give Lyra a chance to kick out. Tessitore said Raquel thought she was helping, but she might have cost Perez a win. Lyra took it to Perez at ringside. She climbed to the top rope, but Perez swept her legs out from under her. Lyra took a nasty vulnerable fall. The ref checked on Lyra and let the match continue. Perez went on the attack. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c/db]

They showed a wide shot of the full arena from the perspective of the entrance. Graves noted that during the break, Lyra’s offense was limited due to her back being sore. After back and forth action, Lyra landed Night Wings for the win. Graves called the match “gutsy, pretty, and ugly at times.”

WINNER: Lyra in 10:00.

-Rodriguez attacked Lyra in the aisle afterward, then brought her into the ring. Perez gave Lyra her Pop Rocks. Bayley charged to the ring for the save. He got in shots on Rodriguez and then Perez. She threw a charging Rodriguez shoulder-first into the ringside steps. Graves said Bayley “has been in the midst of emotional turmoil.”  Tessitore said everyone has heard Bayley’s “internal struggles.” Bayley celebrated and fans loudly chanted her name. Lyra backed away, though, as Bayley walked toward her. The chants suddenly stopped. Bayley then tensed up and held her temples. She then jumped to ringside and hugged Tessitore and Graves. She asked cheerfully, “What’s up!?” She also hugged ring announce Alicia Taylor, also. She then hugged the ref and then fans in the front row. “I haven’t seen one of these in years,” Graves said. Tessitore said it felt good. They showed Lyra looking confused.

-Pearce talked with Iyo Sky and Vaquer backstage. He said one of them will walk out as Women’s Champion at Wrestlepalooza. They each wished each other luck, but vowed to win. Asuka walked in with Kairi. She told Vavquer, “No one is ready for Iyo!” She said tonight, Vaquer fights Kairi. Kairi got in a fighting stance. Iyo looked confused.

-The camera showed Jimmy Uso pacing backstage when Knight walked in. He told Jimmy that he chose him as his partner tonight. Knight said he has a lot of reasons not to trust anyone in his family, but he was there for him last week. Jimmy said he’s putting him in a tough spot. He said that he and Jey got their chance on Saturday, so Knight has to find someone else. Knight wasn’t pleased and turned and left.

-Penta’s ring entrance aired. [c]

(2) KOFI KINGSTON (w/Xavier Woods, Grayson Waller) vs. PENTA

Waller approached the ref with a petition. Graves said their camera man signed it. Tessitore said Grayson claims he has 13,000 signatures, but there’s only two pieces of paper on his clipboard. Graves said Xavier had “open head surgery” last Thursday. “That is fearlessness for you,” he said. Tessitore said that description is “stretching things.” He said it was “a slight medical procedure.” The bell rang 48 minutes into the hour. Penta landed a running flip dive onto Kofi at ringside a minute in. He followed up by playing to the fans before throwing Kofi back into the ring. Kofi recovered enough to dropkick Penta as Penta was slingshotting himself back into the ring. Waller got in Penta’s face. Penta chopped him. Kingston kicked Penta from the ring apron and then leaped onto him as he was kneeling with a splash. They cut to a break a minute in. [c]

Graves noted that Dominik is now a double-champion after winning the AAA Mega-Title last Friday at Worlds Collide. They battled back and forth with rapid-fire strikes. “We got a good one here in Springfield,” said Tessitore. Penta rallied and played to the crowd. Xavier stood on the ring apron. The ref and Penta went over to him. When Waller snuck in, Penta heard him coming and kicked him. Penta then lunged toward Xavier. Xavier leaped to the floor. Graves was concerned Xavier re-aggravated his head injury. Penta countered a Kofi roll-up attempt and landed a springboard Mexican Destroyer for the sudden win.

WINNER: Penta in 8:00.

-Jey was shown pacing while on a phone call backstage. Jimmy approached and asked who was on the phone. Jey told him not to worry about it. Jey told Jimmy that he has to so no when Knight approaches him about teaming with him. Jey hadn’t heard what everyone else saw earlier. Jimmy didn’t like Jey telling him what he had to do. Jey said it’s all about family and what they have in front of them on Saturday. Jimmy said he already told Knight no, “but I’m not going to be taking orders from you.” Jey said he didn’t mean it like that. Jimmy said he should change his tone then, “because last time I checked, there ain’t no ula fala around your neck.”

-They showed Lynch and Rollins backstage. [c]

[HOUR TWO]

-They showed a cool aerial view of Springfield. Then they showed Jey Uos at Fenway throwing a “first pitch” that made it to home plate, but wide right.

-Jimmy told Knight backstage that he’s in after all. Knight said, “Yeah!”

-Seth and Becky came out together. First they played the start of Seth’s theme, but ten it switched to Becky’s, so no singalong. Seth said if not for their boos, he was going to say the name of “your stupid little town.” He said instead, he would ignore them and simply address the audience watching on Netflix. He introduced himself and Becky and then insisted the crowd “show some respect.” Fans chanted “A.J. Lee!” instead.

Becky said she has a lot to say about Lee, but she’s not going to talk behind her back “because I’m not like C.M. Punk.” Lee made her entrance with Punk. They came out to her “Light it up!” by Jim Johnston. Then a loud “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out. He said, “I am A.J.’s husband.” He said he wasn’t going to waste their time with an overcompensating, long-winded explanation of who she is. Fans chanted, “A.J.’s husband!” Punk said it sounds like the fans came to see her and they already know her name. A loud “A.J. Lee!” chant broke out.

Punk asked who the team leader was between Becky and Seth. After receiving no response, Punk said he’d address Becky first. He said he earned a rep by telling people to their face what he thinks about them. He said he has so much to say about them, he doesn’t know where to start. “Look at you goof,” he said. Seth told the fans they wouldn’t know style if it punched them in the face. Punk said they brag about being the greatest wrestling couple, but they can’t get on the same page and share a spotlight. Punk complained about having to hear both of their entrance themes. He said he was happy to put “Cult of Personality” on the shelf and let Lee “light it up.” He said Seth and Becky share a wardrobe, but can they share a spotlight. He asked if they can be a happily married tag team or will their egos get in the way.

Seth said Punk is the most selfish human being he has ever met in his entire life. Fans chanted, “Shut the f— up!” Becky yelled for them to “show my hot husband some respect.” He said they are “the human incarnation of herpes.” Seth said he was going to do something selfless that will hurt him and make the fans happy. He said he didn’t want to do it, but he was going to. He said he was going to give Punk credit. He said marrying Lee was the best decision he made in his entire life, “your personal life,” he clarified. Fans chanted “No one likes you!” Becky yelled at them. Seth said they can yell at him all they want, but he’s still the World Heavyweight Champion. Punk said, “For now.”

Seth told Punk he will regret for rest of his days bringing Lee into this. Lee told Seth, “No, sweet cheeks, that mistake was yours.” She said she wouldn’t be there if he hadn’t used his wife as a human shield. Becky said no one expected him to come back. She said Lee was gone for ten years. Becky said it was irresponsible of Punk. She said Punk only cares about Punk, “my husband’s championship,” and his wife. Becky said she read her book “and I have some notes.” She asked how she’s feeling physically. She asked how her neck is doing. Becky said he got into a blood feud with man because he took his bracelet that had A.J.’s initials on it. She asked how he’ll respond when he’s watching her punch Lee’s face in it. She told Lee that she isn’t an asset, she is a liability.

Lee thanked Becky for reading her book. “I did not read yours,” she said. Lee said she made a good point that she doesn’t know how her neck will hold up on Saturday. Fans sang “A.J., A.J. Lee!” Lee said it’s been ten years “since I took a bump in this ring” and she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. She said she skipped to the ring and saw Becky’s “constipated face and I saw red.” She said it’s not her neck she should be worried about. She said she won two titles with that neck. Fans chanted, “Constipated!” Seth said they’ve now gone too far and to shut up. Fans booed. Lee said she is erratic and has been known to make a rash decision. “I’m a Puerto Rican from New Jersey,” she said.

Lee said Seth made a plan and used his wife as a back-up plan but you cannot plan for something unpredictable. Seth laughed at the notion that she thinks he can’t handle her. Seth said he can’t predict her, but he can read her husband like a book. Seth said she might not want to hear this or believe it about her husband, “but he has a nasty habit of leaving when things let him down.” He said ominously. Fans “oooh’d.” Seth said that this Saturday, when his wife “rips you into shreds, you better hope to god that he doesn’t leave you too.” Lee slapped Seth. Seth said he won’t put his hands on a lady, but he knows someone who will. He asked Becky to retaliate. Becky wouldn’t and had some words with Seth. They argued. Seth said, “You’re blaming me? This isn’t my fault; this is your fault.” Becky stormed off and yelled from ringside, “You got us into this.” Seth took a shot at Punk and then ran out of the ring and to the back. Becky then gave Lee a Manhandle Slam. Becky got in Punk’s face when he kneeled to check on Lee. Becky left and laughed with Seth. They kissed.

(Keller’s Analysis: That was a lot of fun. Both couples play well off of each other.)

-They went to Graves and Tessitore at ringside. Graves said Lee hasn’t been in a match in ten years. He said Seth and Becky just showed how in sync they are.

-A video recap aired of Worlds Collide.

-Byron Saxton interviewed Dom backstage about his win. He asked about the relationship between him and El Grande Americano. Dom told him not to worry about it and called him “sweetheart.” He said he is now the Mega-Intercontinental Champion. There was noise off to the side. The camera turned and saw Waller and Xavier attacking Penta backstage. The heel duo fled as the War Raiders showed up to check on Penta.

-El Grande Americano made his entrance. [c]

-A clip aired of last week’s angle with Dragon Lee offsetting interference from a second El Grande Americano followed by A.J. Styles pinning El Grande Americano.

(3) EL GRANDE AMERICANO vs. DRAGON LEE

Lee attacked Americano at the bell 33 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break. [c]

A second Americano interfered leading to a believable near fall on Lee. Styles ran to the ring. The second Americano crawled under the ring. Tessitore and Graves pointed under the ring. Graves then said, “Why did you tell on him, stooge?” Styles found him and threw him over the ringside barricade. The refordered Styles away. A third Americano showed up and gave Styles a tornado DDT off the ringside barricade. He then shoved Lee off the top rope. Americano then won with a submission hold.

WINNER: El Grande Americano in 11:00.

-Lyra heard Bayley’s two personalities arguing with each other. She then knocked and entered. It was just Bayley sitting alone on a couch. Lyra stammered and asked who she was talking to. She then said, “Never mind.” She thanked her for helping her with The Judgment Day, “especially after what I said to you.” Bayley stood and thanked her for showing her that idiots still exist. She yelled at her for barging in. “Stay out of my locker room, idiot!” she screamed. Lyra looked shaken up.

-Rhea Ripley walked up to Valkyria and told her whether it’s her or Iyo who wins the title this weekend, she’s coming for the winner. Vaquer said, “I’m ready.”

-Vaquer made her entrance. [c]

(4) STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. KAIRI SANE (w/Asuka)

The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. When Kairi shook hands with Vaquer, Asuka was upset. The cut to a early break after Vaquer landed a double knee. [c]

Vaquer dropkicked Kairi the face. They replayed it on slo-mo.

[HOUR THREE]

Kairi took over with a DDT and then climbed to the top rope. Vaquer met her up there. They battled for control. Kairi landed a leaping double-stomp off the top rope for a two count at 10:00. Kairi landed a back elbow a minute later, but Vaquer countered with a headbutt. She followed with a dragon screw. Kairi rolled to ringside where Asuka checked on her. Vaquer then leaped off the top rope with a crossbody onto both of them. She showed fire at ringside and fans cheered. Back in the ring, she applied her Devil’s Kiss sequence followed by a SVB.

WINNER: Vaquer in 12:00.

-Afterward, Asuka leaped onto the ring apron and stared at Vaquer. Iyo ran out to her music and blocked Asuka from going after Vaquer. Fans chanted, “Iyo! Iyo!” Iyo calmed Asuka down. Fans chanted for Ripley. Asuka left the ring. Iyo turned and smiled at Vaquer. They shook hands as Tessitore plugged their match at Wrestlepalooza.

-A vignette aired with Breakker and Reed about the main event.

(Keller’s Analysis: This was a bit overproduced for something that ostensibly had to be put together in the last 30 minutes, give or take, since the match was just finalized a short time before.) [c]

-Tessitore and Graves hyped Wrestlepalooza. Also, they plugged Cody Rhodes would be on Smackdown on Friday.

-Backstage, in the weekly segment with The Judgment Day, J.D. McDonagh asked Finn Balor, Perez, and Rodriguez to raise a glass for Dom. Dom said it’s like being champion, but twice as good. Balor said he wanted to pump the brakes on this celebration. He said Perez and Rodriguez had a tough night. He then got heated about Dom and Americano. McDonagh said Americano is going to want something in return. Balor was worked up and told Dom not to come looking for them next time he needs help. When Balor and McDonaugh left, Rusev walked in and intorduved humself to Dom. He offered a handshake, then lowered it when Dom didn’t accept. Rusev said he is the next IC Champion, then left.

-Knight made his entrance. [c]

-Tessitore plugged NXT Homecoming.

(5) BRON BREAKKER & BRONSON REED vs. L.A. KNIGHT & JIMMY USO

Reed and Breakker made their entrance after the break. The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Knight avoided a charging Reed in the corner early in the match and then stomped away at him in the corner. Jimmy landed a hip attack. Knight and Jimmy clotheslined Breakker over the top rope at 3:00. They cut to a break. [c]

The heels took over against Jimmy. Knight eventually got a hot tag. Chaos broke out. Jimmy dove through the ropes and knocked Reed into the announce desk. Knight leaped at Breakker at ringside. When Jimmy hit a spear in the ring, Breakker speared Knight at ringside. Reed then caught Jimmy on the top rope and landed his Jagged Edge for the win.

WINNERS: Breakker & Reed in 11:00.

-Jey ran out to his music to stop a post-match attack by the heels. He cleared the ring of Breakker and Reed with a chair. Fans chanted, “Yeet!” Jey turned to check on Jimmy. Knight then lifted a chair behind him and wound up. Jey turned around, but Knight didn’t go through with it. He eyed Jey in an attempt to perhaps call truce. He threw the chair down. Jey offered a handshake. Knight paused, had a few questions for Jey, and then accepted. Fans cheered. When Jey turned around, Knight went all Austin 3:16 and spun him back around, kicked him in the gut, and gave him a Stunner, I mean a BFT.

JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…

PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch contributor Nick Barbabi to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.

Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. Weâ€ll read your emails live during the post-show.

VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE

Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller†(or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so donâ€t share. Itâ€s just for VIP members at this time.

If you canâ€t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller†and “pwtorch†in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.

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