Raw Deal - Raw recap for March 3, 2025

CM Punk heads to the arena in a Jeep Grand Wagoneer and heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Punk stands on the announce table and starts addressing his enemies, starting with The Rock, calling him a "bald fraud" who is not immune from criticism who walks in when he feels like it and thinks he is a bigger star than everyone else. He says that The Rock only pretends to care about the business that gives him co and is desperate enough to wear a fake title and proclaim himself to be "The People's Champion," and that he himself has never been desperate enough to sell his own soul. He also says that that everyone can see through John Cena, and after having given him the benefit of the doubt, he will not be fooled twice after Cena sold everyone "bullshit" after more than 20 years. Punk says that he will never give up on main eventing WrestleMania and that Cena gave up on himself, then says he will see Cena and The Rock at WrestleMania. He then says Seth "Freakin'" Rollins has his full undivided attention and tells Becky Lynch to get her man before he does. Rollins shows up, and Punk runs to the stage and starts a brawl that officials quickly try to break up. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up with security when officials alone are not enough, and both men are finally separated when the brawl gets to the announce table.

We see more footage of CM Punk and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins brawling in the crowd during the commercial break.

Backstage, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez) discuss tonight's business. Meanwhile, Finn Balor mentions their recent failings. Dominik brings up adding another member, but Finn Balor says he will deal with Bron Breakker himself.

Before the next match, Gunther says he knows that Otis is strong as an ox and called a freak of nature by some, but to him, Otis is a freak and a people pleaser who makes himself look like a clown for the fans. He says the fans cheer Otis because they pity him, not because they like him, then brags about wearing a championship belt while Otis cannot find a belt that fits him. Gunther says Otis could be great if he had a little bit of self-respect, then says he will teach him respect right now. Gunther then boots Otis in the face, starting their match.

Gunther beats Otis. After the match, Gunther puts Otis in a sleeper, then Akira Tozawa gets on top of Gunther for one of his own. Gunther pulls Tozawa off and powerbombs him into Otis, then "Main Event" Jey Uso shows up and Gunther retreats after Jey hits him with a Spear. Jey is attacked by A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory), but he soon overpowers both of them. Gunther then gets back in the ring and puts Jey in a sleeper.

We see a video package for Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the World Women's Championship tonight.

UFC lightweight fighter Clay Guida is seen in the crowd.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Styles admits he did not see John Cena selling out coming, then he is approached from behind by Karrion Kross. Style says he is not Cena, then says the fans need a reminder of who he is, and next week, he will call out Logan Paul. He then says that if Kross wants to be the devil on his shoulder, then God knows his evil ways. After Styles leaves, Kross laughs and says "That was easy."

Lyra Valkyria retains the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Ivy Nile despite Ivy Nile targeting Lyra's left knee throughout the match.

Backstage, CM Punk and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins brawl again, and both men have to be kept separated.

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is seen in the crowd.

Backstage, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins tells General Manager Adam Pearce that CM Punk that he screwed himself, and that he wants to finish things. Pearce tells him they will finish things in a steel cage next week, then bars him from the building and confines him to his bus.

Ludwig Kaiser is in the ring. Kaiser says that last week, he took the fans' attention that he has been deserving for a long time back from Penta. He then declares that he is a future world champion whether the fans like it or not. He then says that he and Penta still have unfinished business, and that what John Cena did to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber will be nothing compared to what he does to Penta, and when he is done, Penta will know exactly fear feels like. Penta shows up and brawls with Kaiser, and he quickly gets the upper hand and lays Kaiser out.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Bianca Belair. Bianca says she wants to speak with Naomi and Jade Cargill, as she feels guilty despite what she accomplished in the Elimination Chamber. She says she is now waiting to see who she will face at WrestleMania.

We see Chad Gable looking for someone. He soon encounters an old man who tells him that he must become lucha, as he cannot fight what he does not understand. He then hands Gable a box full of power beyond his understanding for several hundred dollars.

The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) retain the World Tag Team Championships against American Made (Julius and Brutus Creed).

We hear from Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro, who say that that while The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) beat them up, they cannot take their heart and their spirit. Dragon Lee shows up and says they cannot take their fire, and that The New Day did not get the job done. He says that they are now stronger than ever, then Rey Mysterio shows up and says The New Day got cocky and earned themselves a vacation. He then says that next week, they will have the worst Monday of their lives in a tornado tag match. He says he is proud of the Latino World Order, then he and Dragon Lee say that The New Day sucks.

Cathy Kelley is interviewing Bron Breakker from the crowd when Finn Balor is cutting a promo on him. Finn Balor says Breakker is still Intercontinental Champion because he lets him, but Breakker says he is still champion because he has the dog in him. Finn Balor says that he is untouchable and eats rookies like Bron Breakker for breakfast, and that he can take the title from him any time he likes. Breakker heads to the ring and brawls with Finn Balor, and gets the upper hand until "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio shows up to save Finn Balor from a Spear.

It is announced that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes will address what happened at Elimination Chamber on SmackDown.

Backstage, Otis thanks "Main Event" Jey Uso for having Alpha Academy's (Otis, Akira Tozawa, Maxxine Dupri) backs, then Cathy Kelley interviews Jey. Jey admits he has been thrown off his game a little bit, then says this is the wrong time to play with his mind. He says that if Gunther will give him ten weeks of Hell, he will walk through the shadow of the valley of death, because Gunther woke up "a damn beast."

Bianca Belair watches the next match from the announce table.

Iyo Sky beats Rhea Ripley to become the Women's World Champion! During the match, Rhea Ripley confronts Bianca Belair for cheering for Iyo Sky, saying that Bianca Belair is scared. Rhea and Bianca have a shoving contest, but referee Jessica Carr stops it and tells them to knock it off instead of ending the match outright. Ripley then goes for an avalanche Riptide on Iyo - while telling Bianca "See you at 'Mania" - only for Iyo to counter with a hurricanrana followed by Over The Moonsault to win the title and punch her ticket to WrestleMania.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!