‘WWE Raw’ Review (Dec 29th 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: Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Match – Stephanie Vaquer def. Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Stephanie Vaquer faced her toughest test as Women’s World Champion, defending the title against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez in a Triple Threat Match. La Primera went for a Devil’s Kiss on Bella, but Rodriguez prevented Vaquer from finishing the move. Bella executed an STF on Rodriguez, but The Judgment Day member turned it into a Figure-Four Leglock. Out of nowhere, Vaquer arrived to hit the Devil’s Kiss on Rodriguez as Rodriguez still had Bella locked in the submission hold. Bella almost had the match won after performing a sunset flip powerbomb as well as a superplex but came up short. In an awesome feat of strength, Rodriguez lifted Vaquer and Bella for a double Tejana Bomb. Vaquer, however, leapt off Rodriguez before Rodriguez planted Bella with the move. Vaquer then dumped Rodriguez out of the ring and pinned the WWE Hall of Famer to retain her title.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Gunther def. R-Truth
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
R-Truth took it to The Ring General at the bell, but Gunther regained control after a humongous chop. Gunther tried to go for a Five Knuckle Shuffle, but R-Truth stopped him in his tracks. Truth couldn’t sustain the offense, and Gunther nearly drove him through the mat with a Powerbomb. Gunther stopped pinning Truth moments before the referee hit the three-count, opting instead to inflict further misery on Truth as he locked in the Sleeper Hold and forced him to tap out.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Rey Mysterio def. Austin Theory (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Austin Theory competed in his first match as a member of The Vision against Rey Mysterio. Theory brutalized Mysterio on the outside, sending him into the ring post before hitting a powerbomb on the apron. Theory continued the beating until The Master of the 619 reversed a burning hammer attempt into a DDT. Just as Mysterio was rolling, Logan Paul interfered to cause a disqualification.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: World Tag Team Championship – The Usos def. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Jey Uso deployed some devious tactics, hitting a superkick on AJ Styles behind the referee’s back. Jimmy and Jey were on the same page, as Jimmy prevented Lee from performing an aerial move before sending him into the ring steps. Jimmy went for a superplex but got caught before Lee landed an immense double stomp. Jey hit a Spear before Jimmy nailed the Uso Splash, but Styles kicked out. Lee launched himself over the top rope, hitting a huge senton onto Jimmy across the announce table. Back in the ring, The Phenomenal One executed the Styles Clash on Jey for a long two-count. Styles and Lee went for the combo stomp/Styles Clash, but Jimmy prevented them from executing. As Styles attempted the Phenomenal Forearm, The Usos landed stereo Superkicks before connecting with 1-D to win the World Tag Team Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s episode of WWE Raw was one of those shows that felt fine in the moment, but pretty disposable once the credits rolled. The opener did the heavy lifting, with Stephanie Vaquer continuing to look like a champion who belongs in that spot, even if the Triple Threat never quite hit top gear. Gunther vs. R-Truth was exactly what you’d expect, functional but skippable, while Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory ended just as it was starting to get interesting thanks to yet another interference finish. The clear highlight was the tag title main event, where The Usos and the AJ Styles/Dragon Lee pairing delivered the most complete match of the night, complete with big spots, drama, and a decisive finish. Unfortunately, one strong main event isn’t enough to save an episode weighed down by predictable booking and filler segments. Not a bad Raw, but very much another “catch the highlights on YouTube” kind of week.
