‘WWE Raw’ Review (Dec 22nd 2025)
Welcome to our review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly! Let’s see what went down on this week’s show…
Match #1: Asuka def. Rhea Ripley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A non-medically cleared IYO SKY charged to ringside to take out the disruptive Kairi Sane, but Sane recovered and dropped the injured Genius of the Sky onto the ring apron. When Rhea Ripley turned her attention to SKY, Asuka rolled up The Eradicator for the win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Je’Von Evans def. Rayo Americano
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite an aggressive offensive by Rayo Americano and some underhanded tactics by his allies El Grande Americano and Bravo Americano, NXT free agent Je’Von Evans avoided his opponent’s aerial assault and executed an explosive OG Cutter to score the impressive victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Bayley def. Roxanne Perez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With Lyra Valkyria taken out, Liv Morgan climbed onto the apron and distracted the official so that Roxanne Perez could untie the turnbuckle pad. Perez dropped Bayley into the exposed turnbuckle, but when she was attempting the pin, Raquel Rodriguez made the mistake of climbing onto the apron, thus preventing Perez from getting the pin. Moments later, Valkyria roared back to take out Morgan and Rodriguez before slapping Bayley and getting her to snap. Bayley then defeated Perez with the flying elbow.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Bronson Reed & Austin Theory def. CM Punk & Rey Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
When a battle outside the ring between World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Bronson Reed neutralized both competitors in the final moments, Austin Theory seized the moment of his de facto audition for The Vision by knocking Rey Mysterio off the ropes and hitting the Stomp on the WWE Hall of Famer for the win. Seconds later, Punk charged back into the ring to try to get a few post-match punches on the victorious Superstar, but Bron Breakker joined the brawl. Then, after a small assist from Theory, Breakker once again Speared The Second City Saint en route to their World Heavyweight Title Match on the Jan. 5 edition of Raw.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s Raw felt very much like a holiday holding pattern this week – competent, occasionally engaging, but clearly designed to move pieces into place rather than blow anyone away. With Christmas looming, the show leaned into storyline progression and character alignment over outright spectacle, and while that’s understandable, it did leave the episode feeling a little subdued. In-ring, there was at least a sense of purpose. Austin Theory finally dropping the mystery-man routine and fully siding with The Vision gave that angle some much-needed clarity, and the tag win alongside Bronson Reed over CM Punk and Rey Mysterio reinforced where everyone sits heading into the new year. Asuka picking up a win over Rhea Ripley stood out as one of the stronger wrestling moments of the night, while Bayley beating Roxanne Perez and Je’Von Evans getting a showcase win helped keep Raw’s women’s and midcard scenes ticking over. Elsewhere, promos and confrontations did the heavy lifting. Becky Lynch’s frustrations added intrigue to the Intercontinental title picture, and Punk’s looming clash with Bron Breakker continues to feel like Raw’s biggest short-term hook.
