This week’s episode of WWE Raw kicked off with a seismic shift in the power structure of the company, as the so-called “future” of WWE stood defiantly in the center of the ring to make their intentions clear.
After last week’s shocking ending where Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker, with Paul Heyman at their side, left Roman Reigns and CM Punk laid out in the middle of the ring Rollins returned to open the show with fire in his eyes and a mic in hand. Flanked by Heyman and Breakker, Rollins wasted no time in justifying his betrayal.
He declared that the future of WWE isn’t something coming—it’s already here, and it runs through him, Breakker, and Heyman. Calling themselves the “standard-bearers of what’s next,” Rollins promised that no matter who stood in their way, whether legends or locker room leaders, they’d be steamrolled.
Backstage, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was shown arriving at the arena. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he would serve as interim Raw General Manager for the night.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley squared off with NXT’s rising star Roxanne Perez later in the night. While NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquerwho was scheduled to face Ivy Nile was picking up backstage.
Bron Breakker def. Sami Zayn via Referee Stoppage (TKO)
The show opened with a highly anticipated showdown as Sami Zayn took on the ruthless Bron Breakker. Zayn, ever the underdog, tried to outmaneuver Breakker early on with quick jabs and misdirection. But Breakker immediately imposed his will, driving Zayn into the corner with explosive shoulder thrusts before hurling him across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex.
With Zayn reeling, Breakker went for another spear, only to be met with a desperate Exploder Suplex into the corner. Zayn lined up for the Helluva Kick, but Breakker exploded forward with a second spear, wiping him out. As Zayn lay motionless, Seth Rollins emerged at ringside, taunting Zayn and urging Breakker to finish the job. With medics hesitating, Breakker delivered a brutal third spear, prompting the referee to call for the bell.
After the match, Rollins stepped into the ring and delivered a vicious Curb Stomp to Zayn, standing tall over his broken body as officials swarmed the ring.
Rhea Ripley def. Roxanne Perez via Disqualification
The next bout saw NXT’s Roxanne Perez step up to face Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley in a non-title showcase. The match kicked off with a test of strength, but it quickly spilled outside. Perez went for a suicide dive, only for Ripley to catch her midair and slam her into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Perez targeted Ripley’s leg, slamming it repeatedly against the ring post and cinching in a Figure Four. Ripley fought through the pain, powering out and flattening Perez with a Razor’s Edge, followed by a missile dropkick. As Ripley lined up the Rip Tide, Giulia made her way to ringside, distracting the champion.
Perez tried to capitalize with a roll-up, but Ripley held firm. Just as she went to finish Perez, Giulia slid in and chop-blocked Ripley’s injured leg, causing the referee to call for the disqualification.
WWE RAW highlights
War Raiders defeated Judgment Day (JD McDonagh and Finn Balor)
Stephanie Vaquer defeated Ivy Nile
