Raw Deal - Raw recap for June 23, 2025

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman head to the ring to start tonight's show. It is announced that LA Knight will be out indefinitely due to a bruised sternum thanks to Bronson Reed. Rollins says that the fans of Columbus, Ohio are giving him mixed signals, and asks them what they want, as one minute they chant for CM Punk, the next they chant for Roman Reigns, then Bron Breakker, then him. Rollins says the fans do not know what they want, and as a result, he does not care what they want, and that they need people like him to tell them what is good for them as they do not know. He says that some of the things that the fans think they want are because of him, such as Roman Reigns (who does not exist without him), CM Punk (mostly so WWE can cash in on how much he hates him), "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes (who would have no second coming unless he put him on the map), and the World Heavyweight Championship (which he held first). Rollins says he is the prime mover as well as the past, present and future. He says that his revolution will have opposition, and that he will deal with it diplomatically until his hand is forced, which is what happened with LA Knight. He says Knight stuck his nose in their business and got multiple Tsunamis for his troubles, and in a few minutes' time, Bron Breakker has an opportunity to do the same to Penta, who he considers a thorn in their side. Rollins says there are a lot of people who think they have what it takes to exist at the top, yet they fail to understand that they are running a race for second place, as he will always be the finish line and endgame.

Bron Breakker beats Penta after Spearing him out of the air. After the match, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins gives Penta his one warning to stay out of his way.

Next week's show has a special start time of 6 PM Eastern/3 PM Pacific.

General Manager Adam Pearce is met by "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who is told that "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio is injured and that when he is back, Styles' match against Dominik is assured. Styles leaves, then Grayson Waller and The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) meet with Pearce. The New Day find out they have a tag team title match against The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh), much to Grayson's chagrin.

We see Michael Cole's interview with Goldberg from earlier today. Goldberg says he was not going to let what Gunther did slide, stating that the lack of respect he saw from him was "pretty unbelievable" and that Gunther embarrassed him in front of his fans and family. He finds it "quite serendipitous" that Gunther stepped up for his retirement match and says that as long as he is breathing and able to step into the ring, he will "beat the fuck out of Gunther" at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Backstage, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez) meets. Finn Balor says Liv Morgan would not want them to be sulking, and peps everyone up for their upcoming matches, even saying something under his breath to get Raquel Rodriguez fired up against Rhea Ripley.

Backstage, Lyra Valkyria wishes Bayley luck tonight and apologizes for last week's behavior. Bayley also apologizes, and tells Lyra that she will be the first defense if she wins.

Jade Cargill beats Roxanne Perez to advance to the finals of the Queen of the Ring Tournament after countering Pop Rox to hit Jaded. After the match, Asuka shows up, and she and Jade Cargill have a staredown on the stage.

Backstage, Sheamus tells Natalya and Maxxine Dupri they have a good shot at being Women's Tag Team Champions, then says he got to put Rusev in his place for a little bit. Rusev shows up and says Sheamus still pretends to be everyone's friend, but Sheamus says he follows the beat of his own drum. Rusev says he does his own damage in the ring while Sheamus does his backstage, but Sheamus remembers him as the most embarrassing member of The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev, Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio). This leads to Sheamus telling Rusev to put up or shut up, and Rusev smiles and walks away.

Gunther heads to the ring. He says last week was supposed to be his celebration of reclaiming what is rightfully his, but Goldberg showed up and declared that he is next. He says he has given thought to "being next," then says it is 2025, not 1999, and he is the best professional wrestler in WWE and the World Heavyweight Championship proves it. He says that there is nothing Goldberg can say that can change his perception of him - a 58-year-old man who cannot lace his boots - then apologizes to Goldberg's family for what he will do to him. Gunther says he has embarrassed Goldberg once and can do it again, and that he will make sure the myth of Goldberg dies.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Becky Lynch, who says that Bayley and Lyra Valkyria are conspiring to work together, which gives her an idea and causes her to leave. Jackie Redmond then notices Sami Zayn and gets an interview with him, but Karrion Kross and Scarlett show up. Karrion Kross tells Sami Zayn "I told you so" and that he will never be World Heavyweight Champion. Sami punches Kross in the face, then says he is done talking to him and that their match is official. Sami leaves, then Kross and Scarlett laugh, with Kross saying "Got 'im."

Becky Lynch retains the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Bayley by disqualification after Lyra Valkyria, who shows up to make the save Bayley from being buried in metal folding chairs earlier in the match , attacks Becky as Bayley goes for a top rope elbow.

Backstage, Chad Gable talks with Ivy Nile, telling her to wipe out her opponents completely regardless of the cost. Gable then notices Penta, who is in no mood for Gable bragging about what Bron Breakker did to him and breaks his arm with the Sacrifice.

Raquel Rodriguez is in the ring. She says Rhea Ripley will not get away with costing her Queen of the Ring and demands Rhea get in the ring and get the beating she deserves. Rhea Ripley shows up and gets the upper hand on Raquel at first, but Raquel clotheslines her into the timekeeper's area before pulling a table out from underneath the ring. Rhea is back on her feet, and she takes out Raquel before taking her out, setting up the table and getting ready to hit her with a Riptide through the table. Roxanne jumps onto Rhea, and while Rhea throws Roxanne off of her, Raquel puts Rhea through the table with a Tejana Bomb.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce is met by Rhea Ripley, who wants a match with Raquel Rodriguez and gets it in the form of a Street Fight.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes beats "Main Event" Jey Uso to advance to the finals of the King of the Ring Tournament after countering the Uso Splash with a Super Cody Cutter followed by the Cross Rhodes for the win. After the match, Cody and Jey hug in a sign of post-match respect before Jey raises Cody's hand.

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