Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 22, 2025

Backstage, Paul Heyman meets with Austin Theory alone. Theory tells Heyman that he wanted everyone to feel his actions before he saw his face, and while he made mistakes in getting comfortable and injuries, he saw The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul) and he wants to take opportunities like they do. He also asks Heyman to be part of their match tonight. Heyman says "Interesting. Very interesting."

Backstage, Rhea Ripley asks Iyo Sky to stay backstage during her match.

Asuka beats Rhea Ripley with a schoolkid pin while grabbing the tights when Rhea Ripley checks on Iyo Sky after Iyo Sky shows up to fight Kairi Sane only to be tripped off the ring apron.

Backstage, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed want to know why "The Oracle" Paul Heyman is putting Austin Theory in their match. Heyman says that compared to a year ago, both men are now main eventing due to his vision for them, and now he has a vision for Theory. He says that either Theory will carry the vision through, or Bronson and Breakker will carry Theory out of the building.

Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky says that there will be no celebration for Maxxine Dupri, as she is the real Women's Intercontinental Champion and not Maxxine, and blames Maxxine's title win on corruption. She says that she knows very powerful people who will be able to do something about this, including in Netflix, who told her to head to Grand Rapids, Michigan and take matters into her own hands. She is suddenly interrupted by Maxxine, who says that while she is a rookie and Becky is the greatest of all time, she is a rookie who beat the greatest of all time three times. She tells Becky she can have her rematch any time, anywhere, but she will stop at nothing to win again. Maxxine wants Becky to take her losses on the chin, but she blames corruption and everything under the sun, which makes her look like the greatest of all time and more like someone whose best years are behind her. Becky sucker punches Maxxine and attacks her, then says that the Women's Intercontinental title is hers before attacking her again. Maxxine takes her down for an ankle lock, then grapevines it and makes Becky tap.

Backstage, Je'Von Evans meets with General Manager Adam Pearce, who wants to talk about his future after tonight's match. Je'Von leaves, then Stephanie Vaquer shows up. Vaquer wants a Triple Threat against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez to handle both of them, and she gets it.

We hear from The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso), who brag about their tag team division return before warning "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Dragon Lee that they are coming for the World Tag Team Championships next week.

Je'Von Evans beats Rayo Americano, then runs away from him, Bravo Americano and El Grande Americano.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Dragon Lee. Styles and Dragon says they have beaten some of the best tag teams in WWE, and Styles says that they are better than the best as long as they are tag team champions and that better than the best is what The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) will get.

We hear from Bron Breakker, who brags about what he has done to CM Punk and says that Punk is "a self-centered piece of trash" who has only cared about himself. He then strokes Punk's ego by asking which version of Punk he will get in their World Heavyweight Championship match before stating that the results will be the same and that Punk won't be worth a dollar to anyone once he beats him for the title.

Nikki Bella shows up unannounced and bashes the Detroit Lions as she says that she is the star of the women's division and that she will destroy Stephanie Vaquer's reign and become Women's World Champion. She says that Vaquer may be a big deal in the ring, but she is a big deal everywhere, and that the Women's World Championship should be around the waist of a global superstar.

Bayley beats Roxanne Perez after Raquel Rodriguez costs Roxanne an easy win involving an exposed turnbuckle that Liv Morgan allowed for only for Lyra Valkyria to take out Liv and Raquel with a cross body from the announce table before slapping Bayley and firing her up, allowing Bayley to hit a top rope elbow drop for the win.

Backstage, Austin Theory meets with "Big" Bronson Reed. Theory asks what the plan is, and Bronson tells Theory to follow his lead. Theory tells Bronson he is not his kid, then says he will start the match and that Bronson will follow his lead.

Backstage, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez are arguing. Liv says everyone should be on the same page, but Raquel says it would be great if everyone knew what everyone is doing. Raquel says she cannot have this and has a world title match to prepare for.

Gunther heads to the ring. Gunther takes in the boos from the crowd from both the ring and the announce table, then says that the fans should not be mad at him and that they should be mad at the guy who tapped out like a little bitch. CM Punk shows up, then Gunther laughs at him and leaves. CM Punk shows up, then Gunther laughs at him and leaves, but not before making fun of John Cena on the ring steps. Rey Mysterio then shows up and confronts Gunther on his way to the ring, but Gunther laughs at him on the way out.

Backstage, Gunther runs into "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Styles says "You don't shut up, do you?" Gunther says "Guess I don't," then laughs on his way out.

The Vision ("Big" Bronson Reed and Austin Theory) beat CM Punk and Rey Mysterio after Theory hits Rey with The Stomp. After the match, Bron Breakker gets into the ring with Punk and brawls with him, and Punk is able to fend him off along with Theory, who gets in the ring shortly afterwards. The show ends with Breakker hitting Punk with a Spear.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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