WWE Raw Highlights: Former world champion returns to save Jey Uso and CM Punk, as Paul Heyman gasps in horror
After a gruesome qualifying match for a spot at Summerslam, CM Punk emerged victorious, but following their classic pack mentality, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed started laying the beatdown on him. Jey Uso came out to save Punk but got caught in the crossfire. Just before Reed could deliver the finishing blow, a familiar but long-lost sound played on the speakers as the crowd erupted hearing Reigns entrance music. The 'OTC' walked out determined, and before any of the culprits standing in the ring could understand what was going on, he had rushed his way in and attacked both Breakker and Reed. After laying both the men out, Reigns helped his cousin Jey to his feet as he locked eyes with Punk. The two men were seeing each other for the first time since Heyman betrayed them both during their match at WrestleMania 41.
ALSO READ: John Cena calls Barbie 'a mistake', says Fast and Furious was 'a dream come true': 'I shot both films simultaneously'
The three men, Reigns, Punk and Jey, stood side by side, looking down on the members of Seth Rollins' clique as the crowd continued to cheer for the returning star. Reigns will now be playing the role of 'face' (good guy) after continuing his 'heel' persona for the entirety of his previous championship run. Punk will now be facing Gunther at Summerslam for the heavyweight championship. Gunther retained his title at Saturday Night's Main Event after he defeated Goldberg.
Saturday Night's Main Event
After setting up his feud with Randy Orton in the previous weeks, Drew McIntyre fell short during the actual match. Distracted by artist Jelly Roll at the ringside, Drew fell prey to the Viper and failed to secure a win. Seth Rollins went head-to-head with LA Knight, and the two delivered an impressive match, with Rollins taking the win. It was even more impressive as the two men fought through injuries, with Knight still battling a midsection bruise and Rollins sustaining an ankle injury during the fight itself. Solo Sikoa defended his US title for the first time against the returning Jimmy Uso, who was outnumbered due to the interference of Sikoa's own group, the MFT. Goldberg finally closed the curtains on his wrestling career as he failed to prevail over Gunther. The WWE legend gave an emotional speech at the end of the match and thanked all the fans who have supported him over the years and how their love facilitated his return to the company.
Evolution 2025
The all-female premium event took everyone by surprise and delivered an exquisite show with past female legends joining the current talent. Becky Lynch, Lyra Valkyria and Bailey went toe to toe, as the three women laid it all on the line for the Intercontinental Championship. After an enthralling match, Lynch managed to retain her title. Rodriguez and Perez emerged victorious in the multiple tag-team match, and Tiffany Stratton managed to beat the legendary female wrestler Trish Stratus. Naomi managed to lay Jade Cargill to rest, even though the stipulation of the match seemed linear at times. She would later return during the bout between Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley and cashed in her MITB briefcase to secure the championship. The returning Nikki Bella made for a good show and positive reactions from the crowd, but ultimately the battle royal was won by Vacquer. This was only the second time Evolution took place, with the first one being held back in 2018. The show didn't have the same kind of backing it did 7 years ago, but it still managed to draw the audience in.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'I'm pissed off at the way I went out': Goldberg reflects on disappointing retirement match against Gunther at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
Goldberg (Image Source: Getty) WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg is disappointed following what would be his final match at Saturday Night's Main Event XL. The 58-year-old wrestling legend was expecting to walk out of a retirement bout this past weekend with his head held high, only to leave the ring feeling disrespected instead of celebrated after his showdown with Gunther. Goldberg told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he was very upset about how his iconic career came to an end. In a candid and emotionally charged moment, Goldberg said: "Let's just say I'm pissed off at the way I went out. I put so much into it, and I don't feel as though the effort was reciprocated to put a stamp on what I've accomplished.' Criticism directed at match build-up and execution It was billed as a class, and fans were expecting a seismic showdown, but while it was physical and competitive, the match never really had the epic conclusion that many had hoped for. Although Goldberg appeared to be in remarkable shape and had fantastic cardio, the pacing and story of the match lacked the weight of a retirement from someone of his stature. Others have blamed WWE's booking, claiming they did not give the venerated veteran the emotional payoff and respect a star of his stature deserved, while not holding back on criticism of Gunther's performance. As if that wasn't enough, Goldberg's farewell right after his match was suddenly interrupted on live television. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Can Make Massive Side Income By Learning Order Flow Analysis TradeWise Learn More Undo However, other reports stated that WWE experienced timing issues during the show earlier in the night, which caused the broadcast to cut off just as Goldberg began speaking. The millions watching at home, meanwhile, were not gifted a proper goodbye; he finished the speech for the live audience. Also Read: 'I can see this sparkle in Gage's eyes': Triple H sees star potential in Bill Goldberg's son for WWE future What lies ahead for Goldberg Although it was a sour finish, Goldberg reiterated that his story isn't in the squared circle. He suggested that there were plans aplenty to fulfill outside the ring, including a family get-together, as well as pursuing various media opportunities in the pipeline. But his statements to Helwani made clear that this was not the sendoff he imagined for a decades-long career and multiple pro wrestling promotions. For fans, this moment marks the close of an age. For Goldberg, the pain of an unceremonious exit may last forever, but so too will the craftsmanship of a man who created the blueprints for present-day pro wrestling. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Naomi's Evolution 2 triumph leaves Metro Boomin speechless and in tears
Triple H and Metro Boomin (Image via X) When Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank contract at Evolution 2 and walked out as the new Women's World Champion, the WWE Universe wasn't the only one jumping out of their seats. Grammy-winning music producer Metro Boomin was at ringside, and he was so overwhelmed by the moment that he nearly cried. A video he later shared on social media captured his real-time reaction, with his voice cracking from pure emotion. This was not just a celebrity cheering from the front row, it was a longtime fan celebrating a win that meant something deeply personal. And for Metro, Naomi's victory was more than a title change. It was a moment of pride and joy. Naomi's win hits home for Metro Boomin Naomi has had one of the most inspirational journeys in WWE, and Metro Boomin knows it. After her match-winning cash-in, he posted: 'I almost shed a real tear at this moment and you can hear it in my voice. Very happy to see @TheTrinity_Fatu grab the win. If you know her story then you understand!!' His post quickly went viral. Fans praised his emotional honesty, celebrated Naomi's hard-earned win, and appreciated Metro's ongoing love for wrestling. This is not new behavior for the chart-topping artist. He's been a loud supporter of WWE for years, whether sharing on social media during live events or showing up at major shows. Metro does not just enjoy wrestling… he lives it. He performed at WrestleMania 41's 'After Dark' event in Las Vegas and even featured his track 'GTA' with Future as the official theme for WWE Bad Blood 2024. He's turned his music into part of the wrestling experience and is clearly invested in the world beyond the ropes. From entrance music dreams to real WWE impact Metro Boomin has a dream beyond being in the audience, he wants to help shape WWE's sound. He's spoken openly about wanting to create entrance music for Superstars. Earlier this year, he pitched a theme to Jacob Fatu , who showed genuine interest. He even offered a new theme to R-Truth Cody Rhodes and Metro Boomin (Image via X) He also stirred fan theories by posting a studio photo featuring his production gear beside a spinner U.S. Title belt, hinting he may already be working on something WWE-related behind the scenes. As per Metro Boomin, wrestling is not just entertainment, it is something that moves him, inspires him, and connects with his own story of creativity and passion. Naomi's win at Evolution 2 did not just crown a champion, it reminded fans and stars alike why we all fell in love with wrestling in the first place. Also Read: Ron Killings chooses legacy over change, declines Metro Boomin's WWE proposal Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Seth Rollins' Crutches Appearance During WWE Evolution Raises Questions About His Wrestling Future
Seth Rollins (Image Source: Getty) Seth Rollins shocked the WWE Universe when he was seen with crutches backstage during WWE Evolution, but was he really that hurt, and how long will Rollins be out? Rollins' appearance came just days after he tweaked his knee performing the move at a live event, and he did so looking to be in discomfort and wearing a knee brace. Those headlines now lead to speculation over whether the "Visionary" will return in time for SummerSlam or if WWE's plans for him are on the cusp of a less monumental redirect. WWE remains silent as speculation grows While Rollins has been the subject of circulated photos and mostly backstage chatter, WWE has been unusually quiet about Rollins' injury status. Neither the company nor Rollins has specifically commented on the matter. Because of this silence, speculation by the fans has increased. — thepgeraa (@thepgeraa) Others are convinced WWE is sitting on a declaration until medical testing, likely an MRI, is fully evaluated. Some speculate the silence is an intentional stall tactic to allow the creative team time to pivot, plan, and reshape SummerSlam around the results. Rollins has been one of the main focuses of WWE programming with his new faction as well as the Money in the Bank briefcase. That raises a huge question mark over both, given his injury. Should it be severe knee damage — like an ACL or MCL tear — Rollins could spend up to six to nine months away from the ring, similar to his previous knee injury that had him out for nearly a year. Even a mild strain of the ligament could put him out for a minimum of 3 to 4 months, which would take him beyond SummerSlam and possibly to the beginning of 2026. Will Seth Rollins return at SummerSlam? As long as Rollins didn't suffer too serious an injury — which you would think would have been announced already if he did — hope remains that he will be making some sort of dramatic SummerSlam return. WWE has always loved a surprise return to bump the ratings, and a Money in the Bank cash-in at the premium live event would be a headline steal. But, after all he has been through physically and not having appeared on TV in a wrestling capacity since the incident, the likelihood of this becomes less and less every day. Also Read: Seth Rollins Injury Update: Triple H Shares Status on 'The Architect' After the Vicious Match at Saturday Night's Main Event Within WWE, they now have to consider what to do with the MITB briefcase. Do they take it off Rollins and give it to somebody else? Are they constructing a narrative of a delayed or postponed cash-in? Or do they play the guessing game and continue to catch that uncertainty wave? However, Seth Rollins is experiencing an undeniable gray area missing for one of WWE's biggest stars. In several weeks at hell, or maybe his return date, and again following the creative direction of the entire company through the rest of the season of 12 months, the clouds may very well settle down. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
