Every week, WWE Raw has become the center of professional wrestling’s drama, blending high-stakes athleticism with storytelling that keeps millions watching every Monday night. The live show from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 29, 2025, is the primary stage for Raw-exclusive superstars as they perform for the audience in arenas across the United States, including the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 29, 2025. Additionally, the flagship show is gradually shifting towards premium live events, such as the forthcoming Crown Jewel in Perth.
Created in 1993 as WWE’s bid for prime-time TV, Raw has evolved from a gritty survivor series into a global phenomenon. Nowadays, it is watched by 1.8 million people per episode in 2025 and is available for streaming on Peacock for the U.S. audience.
In the United States, Raw has become a ritual that is not only followed by wrestling fans but also viewed by casual watchers across the country and super-fans from New York City. Every week, the show brings the thrill of betrayal, redemption, and bone-crunching action. Roman Reigns’ surprise return, the title that was fiercely defended, and the brewing feuds that will set the whole wrestling scene on fire until the year’s end were among the events that took place in the episode aired last night and perfectly illustrated the case. In this recap and analysis of WWE Raw, we’ll dive into the key matches, standout segments, and lingering questions, giving you the insights to stay ahead of the curve as the road to Crown Jewel heats up.
The Evolution of WWE Raw in Modern Wrestling
Since its inception on January 11, 1993, at the Manhattan Center in New York City, WWE Raw has grown from a modest cable show into a cultural juggernaut, airing on USA Network and streaming on Peacock for 18 million U.S. households. The program’s three-hour format, expanded in 2012, allows for intricate narratives, from the Attitude Era’s rebel antics to today’s cinematic spectacles. In 2025, under Triple H’s creative direction, Raw emphasizes athletic purity and long-term arcs, drawing an average of 2.1 million viewers through September, an 8% increase from 2024.
Raw’s dual-brand structure with SmackDown creates rivalries that span shows, but it remains the home for powerhouses like Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley. For American families tuning in after school or work, it’s a gateway to wrestling’s escapism, teaching lessons in perseverance amid the Usos’ family saga or IYO SKY’s loyalty dilemmas. As WWE eyes Netflix’s global rollout in 2026, Raw’s U.S. legacy endures, blending nostalgia with innovation.
- Milestone Episodes: Episode 1,000 in 2012 featured The Rock; 1,500 in 2023 spotlighted John Cena’s return.
- Viewership Peaks: 7.4 million for Stone Cold’s 1999 heel turn; 2025’s WrestleMania go-home shows hit 2.5 million.
- Cultural Footprint: Influenced pop culture via memes like “This is your life” segments and celebrity crossovers.
Raw’s staying power lies in its ability to evolve, making every Monday a must-watch.
Full Match Results from WWE Raw September 29, 2025
The Lenovo Center crowd of 12,000 erupted for a card packed with title implications and grudge matches, setting the tone for Crown Jewel. Here’s a rundown of the night’s in-ring action:
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) def. Rusev via Pinfall
In the main event, Dominik Mysterio from Judgment Day retained his title against Rusev, the Bulgarian Brute, in a confrontation of different techniques, where the brute power of Rusev met the cleverness of Dom. At the beginning, Rusev kept control with Machka Kicks and Accolade sequences, coming close to breaking Dom apart. On the other hand, Mysterio, as always, used the moment to his advantage and energized Eddie Guerrero’s spirit in him by pretending that he was going to be disqualified with the belt, but the referee was unaware of the Interference. A roll-up sealed the upset retention at 14:22, drawing heat from the Raleigh faithful.
Raquel Rodriguez def. Bayley via Pinfall
A powerhouse showdown saw Raquel Rodriguez overpower former champ Bayley, whose “unstable” edge added fire. Rodriguez’s Tejana Bombs loomed large, but Bayley rallied with a Swanton. Interference from Roxanne Perez allowed the pin at 11:45. Post-match chaos ensued as Lyra Valkyria aided Bayley, only for a 2-on-1 beatdown, until Bayley turned hero, evening the odds.
LA Knight def. Kofi Kingston via Pinfall
YEAH!-ing his way to victory, LA Knight edged Kofi Kingston after a backstage spat. Kingston’s aerial assault, Trouble in Paradise, met Knight’s brass knuckles, but Xavier Woods’ apron distraction backfired. The BFT connected at 10:12, positioning Knight for midcard gold hunts.
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee def. Los Americanos via Pinfall
In the newcomers’ debut, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee dismantled the masked trio, Rayo, Bravo, and El Grande Americano. Styles’ Phenomenal Forearm and Lee’s hurricanranas overwhelmed, with a Styles Clash on Bravo at 9:58. Interference from the third Americano added spice, hinting at LWO ties.
The Usos def. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed via Pinfall (Tornado Tag Team Match)
The main event exploded in a no-rules frenzy, with the Usos facing the monstrous duo. Breakker’s spears and Reed’s Tsunamis wrecked Jimmy through the announce table, but Jey’s resilience shone. The turning point: Roman Reigns’ earth-shattering return, spearing Reed and enabling a double Superfly Splash on Breakker for the win at 18:47. The crowd’s roar echoed through the arena, reigniting Bloodline flames.
These results advanced key arcs, blending athleticism with narrative payoff.
Key Segments and Storylines from the Show
Raw’s segment, aside from the bells, was the talk that sewed the emotional threads of the story, creating anticipation for the Crown Jewel event.
Rhea Ripley started with a passionate promo, railing against Asuka’s mist attack last week and asking IYO SKY to free herself from the Kabuki Warriors. SKY’s indecisive reply, which pitted faith against release, ended with Asuka making a video request for an apology, only to be attacked by the Warriors. Ripley, although defeated, was still strong after the break, but SKY’s departure made Ripley’s decision still hanging.
The conversing moment between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins was worth a price: Rhodes, Undisputed Champion, was his “finish the story” principle on fire, whereas Rollins, World Heavyweight king, saw himself as WWE’s innovator. The way they looked at each other was a throw to the Perth dream match, with Rollins’ mental tactics hinting at Punk’s intervention.
- Bloodline Bombshell: Reigns’ return, his first since SummerSlam, hugged Jey amid Jimmy’s jealousy, setting a family fracture.
- Women’s Division Heat: Bayley’s heel tease post-beatdown adds layers to her Valkyria alliance.
- Midcard Momentum: Knight’s win earns a title shot; Los Americanos’ loss fuels a redemption arc.
These vignettes elevated Raw’s soap-opera soul.
Spotlight on Rhea Ripley vs. Kabuki Warriors Feud
One of the most touching moments of the evening was Rhea Ripley’s battle, both verbal and physical, with Asuka and Kairi Sane, while IYO SKY hovered between choices. After Asuka’s toxic gas attack on Ripley, which reminded her of the Damage CTRL betrayal, Ripley laid claim to SKY’s rescue, likening the situation to her own departure from Judgment Day. The promo for SKY let us in on her anguish: the Warriors “made her way,” yet their unwholesomeness is reminiscent of past manipulative situations.
This multi-layered tale, rooted in SKY’s 2022 main roster call-up, builds to Crown Jewel possibilities, a fatal four-way or SKY’s turning point. For U.S. fans invested in the rise of women’s wrestling, it’s a masterclass in character depth.
- Ripley’s Edge: Her Eradicator finisher looms as SKY’s potential equalizer.
- Warriors’ Menace: Asuka’s mist and Kairi’s Insane Elbow embody unhinged dominance.
- SKY’s Arc: A heel turn? Face breakout? October teases abound.
This feud cements Raw’s women’s division as must-see TV.
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins’ Rivalry Heats Up
Cody Rhodes versus Seth Rollins is the most gripping and captivating saga ever told, a storyline that spans their character histories from the Shield-Legacy era to the 2025 championship crossroads. Last WrestleMania XL, Rhodes, the American Nightmare, who “finished the story,” was on his way to confirming his domination, while Rollins, the Visionary, was looking forward to making a unification surprise at Crown Jewel. Their back-and-forth during the promo, with Rhodes’ honest passion meeting Rollins’ disruptive genius, foreshadowed a clash of Perth with no restrictions, including Rollins’ “future is mine” taunt that refers to his 2019 betrayal.
With CM Punk looming and Lesnar rumored, this rivalry defines WWE’s direction for 2025. American audiences, from Philly’s ECW roots to LA’s Hollywood flair, see echoes of Austin-Rock intensity.
- Historical Clashes: Three Hell in a Cell wars; Rollins’ WM40 assist turned heel tease.
- Crown Jewel Stakes: Winner could headline Survivor Series.
- Punk Factor: Best in the World’s October return adds wildcard chaos.
Rhodes-Rollins isn’t a rivalry; it’s destiny.
Roman Reigns’ Return and Bloodline Drama
The show’s thunderclap: Roman Reigns storming the ring to aid the Usos against Breakker and Reed, spearing the monsters and igniting a double splash victory. The Tribal Chief’s embrace with Jey, amid Jimmy’s scowl, revives Bloodline tensions that have been absent since Solo Sikoa’s summer ousting. Reigns’ promo teased a “Head of the Table” reclamation, positioning him for Punk or Lesnar at Crown Jewel.
For families across America, this saga mirrors holiday gatherings gone awry, loyalty tested, and elders returning to mend (or meddle). Raw’s Bloodline remains its emotional engine.
- Reigns’ Aura: One spear popped 12,000 like a title win.
- Usos’ Unity: Jey’s YEET chants rally the twins’ redemption.
- Jimmy’s Shadow: Envy brews a betrayal angle.
Reigns’ Raw return signals war, and wrestling’s golden era.
What to Expect Next on WWE Raw
As October dawns, Raw eyes October 6’s CM Punk return, Becky Lynch versus Roxanne Perez, and Bloodline fallout. Crown Jewel’s card swells: Rhodes-Rollins headlines, with Ripley-Warriors and Mysterio defenses looming. For U.S. viewers, tune in at 8 ET on USA, or catch the highlights on Peacock replays.
Raw’s September 29 magic? Reigns’ roar, Ripley’s rage, and Rhodes’ resolve. What’s your take on SKY’s choice? Sound off below. Monday awaits.
