Raw Deal - Raw recap for November 17, 2025

John Cena heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cena mentions his history in Madison Square Garden and how this will be the last time he will be here and on Raw. He says that this is a very important moment for him when "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio shows up. Dominik says that nobody wants to hear what Cena has to say and that last week, Cena was handed a title shot just like he was handed everything else, then says he has fought for everything he has had. He demands a rematch for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and when Cena asks the fans how they feel about a rematch tonight, the fans make it clear that they want it. Dominik says that they will do this his way, and that he wants the rematch in San Diego, California at Survivor Series, since Cena will have the hometown advantage tonight. Cena accepts the challenge. Cena then says he told everyone he would have a match tonight, then says he has an opponent in Dominik and challenges Dominik to make history in a non-title match. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh show up, and Dominik says that Cena will get his ass beat instead of the final match on Raw that he wanted. Dominik, McDonagh and Finn Balor attack Cena, when suddenly, Sheamus makes the save for Cena but still gets ganged up on. All of a sudden, Rey Mysterio runs in and brawls with Dominik, evening the numbers game and allowing Cena and Sheamus to clean house. Cena says that he and Dominik both have a team, and makes it a six-man tag match before calling for a referee.

John Cena, Sheamus and Rey Mysterio beat The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) in a six-man tag match.

Backstage, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis meets with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce regarding Drew McIntyre when Paul Heyman shows up. Heyman says that his actions were within rules and regulations. He then says that if his fourth pick of Drew McIntyre pissed them off, then they should see what he has in store for them next as he hands them a black binder. Pearce opens the binder, and he and Aldis look at the first page before Pearce says "This should be fun."

Actor-comedian Eric Andre, singer Ashley Cooke, members of the Philadelphia Eagles, members of the New York Giants (inclduing Cam Skattebo) and podcaster Andrew Schulz are seen in the front row. We then see footage of The Judgment Day messing with Andrew Schulz in the front row when members of the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles stand beside him and fight back.

Jackie Redmond is in the ring. We see footage of Nikki Bella's heel turn on Stephanie Vaquer from last week, then Jackie Redmond introduces Vaquer to the ring. All of a sudden, she is attacked by Nikki Bella, who says that she came back not to sit on the sidelines or be Vaquer's friend, but to take back the women's division. She thanks Vaquer for reminding her of who she is, and that she will give her a match for the Women's World Championship and bow down to her.

Backstage, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria run into The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), who need teammates for WarGames. Asuka says she can forget the past and forgive Bayley if she fights with her, but Bayley rejects the offer. Asuka says something in Japanese, then walks away. Kairi Sane pretends to be John Cena until Asuka calls her away. Lyra goes for a high five, but Bayley says "What are you, five? Let's go, you idiot!"

Solo Sikoa's mystery opponent is revealed to be "The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth, using the Dolph Ziggler name for the first time since leaving WWE.

Solo Sikoa beats Dolph Ziggler to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament.

We see a video package for Je'Von Evans.

Rapper Lil Yachty (showing off WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 on his Sony PlayStation Portable), UFC featherweight fighter Aljamain Sterling, creator of "Hamilton" Lin-Manuel Miranda, Elyse Dudzinski and Stephanie McMahon are seen in the front row.

Alexa Bliss is in the ring. She says that Charlotte Flair has been ignoring her all weekend, then looks into the camera and says that she gets that they lost the women's tag titles and that while titles are easy to get back, trust is not. She says that she has seen the real Charlotte and seen what she could be after all they have been through, then asks when Charlotte has cared about people liking her, and says Charlotte has had her back when she had hers. As Alexa says she has gone to hell and back for Charlotte, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up and head to the ring. Asuka laughs at Alexa while Nia Jax makes fun of Alexa for "standing in the ring like a total loser" before stating that she knows why Charlotte left her and that nobody is coming to save her. As the four of them surround the ring, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky rush to the ring. This leads to a brawl, and Alexa gets knocked out by Lash Legend before Charlotte shows up with a shinai and cleans house. Charlotte helps Alexa up, then Iyo Sky gets close to Rhea.

We hear a snippet of an interview with John Cena about giving approval.

Maxxine Dupri beats Becky Lynch to become the WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion when AJ Lee shows up and distracts Becky Lynch as she removes a top turnbuckle cover. Maxxine Dupri hits Becky Lynch with a top rope cross body as soon as Becky turns around for the pin, the win and the title.

NFL analyst Brandon Marshall, actor and stuntman Chuck Zito, and stand-up comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias are seen in the crowd.

Gunther beats Je'Von Evans by submission with a sleeper hold to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews AJ Lee and Maxxine Dupri. Maxxine says that all of her hard work has finally paid off and that she has beaten one of the best in Becky Lynch, then thanks AJ Lee. AJ Lee says not to thank her, saying she just put a bully in her place. Otis and Akira Tozawa show up and leave with Maxxine to celebrate. AJ Lee says that she just wanted to help CM Punk, but seeing Becky Lynch brought out a fire in her that she never had. She then sees Rhea Ripley, who asks "You got a second to chat?" AJ says "Sure."

We see another casino vignette for WrestleMania 42, this time with CM Punk.

The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul) heads to the ring. After the commercial break, Drew McIntyre joins them. Heyman introduces everyone and lists off his WarGames accomplishments, then says that this team is the best that he has assembled. Suddenly, CM Punk shows up from the back, and he is soon joined by The Usos, who appear from the crowd. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes comes out from the back and stands alongside Punk as they and The Usos surround the ring. This leads to a brawl, and CM Punk lays out Drew McIntyre before Brock Lesnar shows up and heads to the ring. Lesnar hits CM Punk with an F5, then Cody fights him only to be thrown around with two German suplexes. Before the show ends, however, Roman Reigns suddenly shows up. Roman and Lesnar come face to face in the ring. They brawl, and Roman ducks a clothesline and hits a Superman Punch. Security arrivs to ensure both men stop fighting, but "Big" Bronson Reed attacks Roman from behind and takes out security. Roman gets up as Bronson goes for a Tsunami and hits Bronson with a Superman Punch. This time, New York City policemen have to work with security, but that does not stop Roman from Spearing Bronson through a barrier. The show then fades to black.

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