Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 6, 2026

Backstage, Sami Zayn arrives for tonight's show and meets with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Sami says that Cody thinks he will beat him, then tells him that this is not happening and that he is walking out of the ring as champion. Cody tells Sami that he will be the one that wins, and when Sami says "We'll see about that" and leaves, Cody is suddenly attacked by Gunther. Gunther then tells Sami that he, not Cody, is his problem now and that his championship victory is a fluke. He then says that he will come after him, then boots Cody into Sami's car and bloodies him up to show Sami what will happen when he does.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Rollins welcomes everyone to tonight's show in Chicago, Illinois, then everyone starts chanting for CM Punk. Rollins tells everyone that he could care less about Punk right now. Rollins states that his business is beating Roman Reigns and getting back the World Heavyweight Championship that he never lost at SummerSlam. He then says that Roman is not here either because he felt it not important to be here or "the check wasn't big enough." He says that Reigns has been "the chosen one" from day one and that nobody wants to hold him responsible. He goes on to say that The Shield debuted as a trio, yet it was clear that Reigns would be the chosen one. Rollins says that it did not matter how good Reigns was at anything, from cutting a promo to wrestling his way out of a paper bag, he would be the star. He says that did not sit well with him, and says that since he was a boy like the kids in the front row, he wanted to be a star. He says that did not sit well with him, and says that since he was a boy like the kids in the front row, he wanted to be a star. Rollins says that seeing his dream to be a star handed to someone else broke something in him. Rollins says he broke up The Shield so he could catch up to and stay close to Roman Reigns, and while he admits it was petty, he believed that if he worked hard and believed in himself, he could still achieve those dreams. He felt that he and Reigns were running the same race, but now he knows he is mistaken. Rollins then mentions Reigns admitting that he worked ten times less than him and made ten times more than him with such bravado it made him want to puke. Rollins says it was not about the money or the mansion, but the work, the hustle, the grind and the ability to make something of himself. He says that Reigns has to beat him at SummerSlam because he needs to justify what he has been trying to prove to himself for the last fifteen years: that he is not a fraud. Rollins then says that he has to beat Reigns just as much to prove to his younger self that through hard work, sacrifice and dreams, one can achieve greatness. Suddenly, Rollins is interrupted by LA Knight. LA Knight makes his way to the ring, and Knight says that there is no way that he is going to listen to this again after boring everyone to sleep with Reigns two weeks ago, then says that Reigns and Rollins bloviate each other and talk about their greatness. He says that this somehow got Rollins a title shot, even though he lost in the first round of the King of the Ring Tournament just like he did, and says that the difference between himself and Rollins is that he is not making a claim for nostalgia's sake. Knight says that Rollins has had so many world title shots that he will not be able to catch him, then states that while business was picking up, he was the one on top. He says that while he made his climb, The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, "Main Event" Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn) and The Vision (Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) both cut him off. He says that Rollins and Reigns are trying to push him back down to the bottom, but they cannot do it, and says that while they are great at keeping people down, he will rise because he must. Rollins asks Knight if he is done, then tells Knight that while he does not like him, he does respect him, as he is a shining example of everything that he just described - hard work, grind, and hustle - and believes his time will come. He then says he cannot worry about Knight, for he must take back the title he never lost, and if Knight wants it, he can be the first person he puts in the dirt. As Rollins leaves, Jimmy Uso gets in the ring and superkicks Knight for talking about his family the moment that Knight turns around.

Backstage, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce kicks Gunther out of the building, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis also shows up. This leads to both men arguing, and Aldis blaming Pearce for Cody Rhodes potentially being injured.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Vision. Logan Paul is about to speak when Paul Heyman arrives and shoes Cathy away. Heyman tells Breakker that he did not take out Seth "Freakin'" Rollins and Theory that he did not take out Joe Hendry, then tells them to come back with something worthy of him or not to come back to him at all.

The Vision (Bron Breakker and Austin Theory) beat The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to win the World Tag Team Championships for a second time after Angelo Dawkins is about to use Logan Paul's brass knuckles as Logan Paul distracts the referee only for Maxxine Dupri to show up and hit Dawkins from behind with a low blow. After the match, Maxxine Dupri and Austin Theory make out at the bottom of the ramp.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is at medical. Cody insists that he is fine, but the doctor insists that he needs some scans before he can consider clearing him after General Manager Adam Pearce shows up.

Backstage, The Vision (Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) and Maxxine Dupri celebrate taking back the World Tag Team Championships. Paul Heyman shows up and says it is only the first step, but something has been accomplished tonight. Theory thanks Heyman, then says that he was referring to Maxxine. The Vision and Maxxine then leave in a black SUV. As this goes on, Akira Tozawa and Otis come out of hiding from behind, now knowing what Maxxine is up to.

Backstage, Liv Morgan says that The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) will do everything in its power to ensure Raquel Rodriguez walks out as Women's Intercontinental Championship. Raquel says that she will rip the title off of Sol Ruca and make the title hers.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Penta, who is excited to see who will face him next for the Intercontinental Championship when "All Ego" Ethan Page and Rusev. Ethan and Rusev brag about putting Rey Mysterio on the shelf, then Dragon Lee shows up to stand up for Penta. When Rusev tells Dragon Lee to learn English before he crushes him, Chad Gable then joins Penta and Dragon Lee, and Ethan and Rusev soon walk away.

Sol Ruca retains the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Raquel Rodriguez after Iyo Sky shows up and takes out both Roxanne Perez and Iyo Sky after they both get involved in the match.

Paul Heyman is in the ring. Heyman addresses Oba Femi, saying he walked into WWE like he owned the placed and sauntered to the ring until he was kicked in the groin by Brock Lesnar, then says that this will be nothing compared to the pain he will suffer inside Hellin a Cell. He says that Oba Femi has inspired, compelled and motivated Brock Lesnar to become "The Beast" and made the biggest mistake of his life by accepting Lesnar's challenge, then says Oba will not come out of Hell in a Cell when Lesnar destroys him. As Heyman leaves, Oba Femi makes his entrance so he can give Heyman a face to talk to. Heyman says he is valuable because he prevents people from making bad mistakes, and says Oba made a bad mistake. Heyman reminds Oba of who he is stepping into Hell in a Cell with Brock Lesnar by mentioning Lesnar's Hell in a Cell accomplishments, then tells Oba that he has entered "The Brocktagon," where he says Lesnar is unbeatable. He says that only one man will leave Hell in a Cell with their reputation intact as the truly unbeatable Superstar in WWE, and that the one man will be Brock Lesnar. Oba mentions that Lesnar showing up last week proved that everything he said about Lesnar got under Lesnar's skin and that Lesnar watches the show, then mentions that Heyman talks about how great Lesnar is and says that he is just "a mouth" for Lesnar. He says that mouths need to be fed, but one cannot be fed if one has no head, and says Heyman is only here because he is scared and because of damage control. Oba says that a man knows when his time has come, and that this is the end for Heyman and Lesnar. Oba says he will beat Lesnar in front of his family and his children, then says one must walk through Hell to get to Heaven and tells Heyman to tell Lesnar that he will see him in Hell.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Sami Zayn. When Sami Zayn finds out that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is no longer able to compete tonight, Sami is surprised, saying that while they have their differences, he does not wish ill on Cody, who he wanted to test himself against. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up and tells Sami Zayn to prepare to defend the WWE Championship, as he has promised a championship match tonight.

We see footage of El Grande Americano at the England vs. Mexico match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with AAA ring announcer Andrea Bazarte.

"All Ego" Ethan Page and Rusev beat Chad Gable and Dragon Lee by submission with an Accolade from Rusev to Dragon Lee. After the match, Chad Gable gets in the ring as Rusev refuses to let go of the Accolade. Gable deadlifts Rusev from behind only to be attacked by Ethan Page, and Rusev then puts the Accolade on Gable while Ethan goes on the attack. Joe Hendry shows up and fends off both Rusev and Ethan, but Rusev hits the Machka Kick on Hendry as Hendry goes for the Standing Ovation on Ethan. Ethan hits Hendry with the Ego-Plex, then Rusev puts Hendry in the Accolade. Officials have to get in the ring and make Rusev break the hold, but that nearly leads to Rusev going back on the attack.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Jimmy Uso as Jimmy makes his way out. Jimmy says it is time for him to step up, and that he will take care of Solo Sikoa on SmackDown. LA Knight shows up and confronts Jimmy only to be attacked by Jacob Fatu.

We hear from Bayley, who says that she watched Lyra Valkyria grow as a performer and also credits Lyra Valkyria with keeping her level-headed. She says that she never had a reason to question her trust in her after sharing everything with her, and cannot understand why Lyra could not just talk to her instead of taking the easy way out. Bayley then tells Lyra to meet her face-to-face next week.

Backstage, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is on the phone when SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and tells him that he has secured a replacement for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, and that this Superstar is in the building.

We hear from "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh, who tells Danhausen that if he thought last week was bad, then he should wait until Saturday Night's Main Event, as McDonagh will dance on Danhausen's head regardless of who his back-up is. Dominik demands that Danhausen give them the money and uncurse McDonagh, or else The Judgment Day will make his life a living hell.

Sami Zayn's opponent is revealed to be CM Punk, who has not been seen since losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns.

CM Punk beats Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the third time, making him an eight-time world champion overall, after Sami Zayn is unable to hit the Helluva Kick and CM Punk hits Sami Zayn with a GTS. Sami Zayn's reign as Undisputed WWE Champion ends after just nine days, becoming the shortest reign since The Miz lost the title to Bobby Lashley in 2021. After the match, CM Punk celebrates in the crowd.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here is this week's Raw Recap!

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