Monday Night Raw on July 21st delivered plenty of excitement as WWE continued building anticipation for SummerSlam 2025. Held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, the show featured major storyline developments, including the crowning of a new No. 1 contender, intense rival promos, standout matches, and the notable appearance of Roman Reigns, the “Tribal Chief.”
One of the standout feuds saw AJ Styles adopting various disguises to taunt Dominik Mysterio, who had been avoiding confrontation for weeks. This “Master of Disguise” gimmick brought fresh life to Styles’ character, providing entertaining moments and adding depth to the ongoing Intercontinental Championship rivalry. WWE official Adam Pearce later insisted Mysterio either pass a medical exam or relinquish the title, setting up a SummerSlam showdown.
Another highlight was the heated verbal exchange between Gunther and CM Punk. Punk, newly minted as the No. 1 contender, came out energized to claim the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Gunther countered with a sharp promo, questioning Punk’s legitimacy and confidence, which cleverly portrayed Punk as vulnerable heading into their match.
The Raw women’s division also shined, with Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer delivering an excellent match that captivated the crowd. Though the bout ended in chaos due to Chelsea Green’s interference, the competitive chemistry between Sky and Vaquer remains a focal point, extending into multiple ongoing storylines involving other wrestlers like Rhea Ripley and Naomi.
Finally, Roman Reigns showed growth as he publicly acknowledged the vital support of his Bloodline faction—Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn—which marked a turning point for his babyface persona. His segment with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed closed the show with a mix of attitude, humor, and intensity, setting the stage for further SummerSlam drama.
Fan Take: This edition of Raw effectively set the tone for SummerSlam 2025 by balancing character development with high-stakes matches. WWE fans should be excited as these storylines promise fresh dynamics and memorable encounters, potentially redefining key rivalries in wrestling’s biggest summer event.
