WWE Raw results, highlights (Feb. 24): Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez regain Women's Tag Team titles

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25-02-2025

Some episodes of "WWE Raw" focus heavily on promo work, while others deliver in the ring. Tonight's? It leaned toward the latter.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, the Women's Tag Team and Intercontinental titles were on the line, and we continued to get more Elimination Chamber teases. The men's most notable champions, Gunther and Bron Breakker, were also in action, while we got a slapper of a triple-threat match. And to close out the night, one duo began their third championship reign...
Faithful Uncrowned readers probably know by now where I stand on both storylines involving The Judgment Day and the Women's Tag Team champions — they both have worn out their welcome and need to end, meaning The Judgment Day dissolves and this Bianca Belair/Naomi/Jade Cargill triangle finally gets resolved. That sounds like a triple-threat recipe for success at WrestleMania 41 if you ask me.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Go away, DOM!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/D29o6KfhCJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez finally got matching gear and it paid off as they won the titles from Belair and Naomi in Monday's main event. Dominick Mysterio's involvement hurt this match a lot for me because it was absolutely stellar without him. The near-falls were crazy — honestly, Belair looked a tad too superhuman by surviving that Super Codebreaker. Morgan took a massive KOD toward the end, then a double KOD. That was the finish if the Codebreaker wasn't — but of course, Mysterio blatantly propped Morgan's foot on the rope right in front of the referee, who somehow didn't see it.
We've got NEW CHAMPIONS!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/gSZLBQGIrX
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
This booking feels so lost, frankly, on both sides of the coin. Cargill has to return at either Saturday's Elimination Chamber or WrestleMania 41 at this point. It should've happened when Tiffany Stratton cashed in to become the WWE Women's Champion, which was before the Royal Rumble. I don't know. This was a great main-event match with a poor added element that left us with very little clear direction.
There are several better ways to open a "WWE Raw" than with Logan Paul. However, when in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Clevelander had to make his voice heard as soon as possible.
I'm about to sound like an old man shouting at the clouds here, but after all these years of watching wrestling, I'm over heels bashing the crowd. It's one of the oldest, lamest troupes in the book. It's the cheapest heel tactic and heat generator in the book, and I get it. It's easy and continuous "practice" for a guy like Paul.
While the start of the promo wasn't anything special, Paul gained steam on the microphone when he had his dance partner CM Punk arrive.
BIG. MISTAKE.Logan Paul just SLAPPED CM Punk!Good thing they'll be in the ring again this Saturday at #WWEChamber... pic.twitter.com/kAIIGZrUr4
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
After all that's transpired with WWE's recent booking, I started worrying that Paul vs. Punk is in the cards for WrestleMania 41. It still could be very well, but their banter on this show made me lean towards a fun mini-program within the Elimination Chamber looming (which is the right call).
Paul asked Punk why he didn't like him, which led to Punk rebuking the claims since he doesn't even know Paul. It was a clash of new vs. old, obviously. When Paul had nothing left to say (shocker) or top Punk with, he slapped the former world champion and dipped out. This was perfectly effective heeling.
(Isn't it weird to think these two could have realistically had an MMA fight or boxing match if timelines were slightly shifted?)
Triple-threat matches can do no wrong. You give me one like Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser vs. Pete Dunne, and I'm the happiest camper. Congrats to these three for earning one of our most prestigious weekly awards here at Uncrowned
Monday Night PENTA#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/PIyyqpdT1W
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
Penta's entrance may legitimately already be the best in WWE. This match kicked all the asses, and it was technically Penta's first WWE loss because Kaiser got the pin on Dunne. I'd have been much more upset about Dunne taking the loss, but he's already been buried, so what's a little more dirt? And a win for Kaiser, especially in this match, is great for him. Penta has already beaten them both in singles matches, making it purely a beautiful car crash.
There were too many awesome spots to list, but this was a blast. I'm still unsure what this means for everyone because there's no real substance between them.
We don't see Gunther in action on "WWE Raw" as often as we used to. However, he felt like putting on a show with a handpicked opponent, who wound up being the...
When Gunther entered the arena earlier in the night, The Alpha Academy was doing their TikTok shenanigans as a little precursor. So, he chose Akira Tozawa, of course.
Although this was essentially a squash match, it was excellent. The Alpha Academy — Tozawa, in particular — really shined.
Who knew TOZAWA had the dog in him?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/M7j2CPOKaT
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
Gunther asked for Tozawa to earn his respect and then presumably went on to do so as he sold the ever-loving hell out of this match. Gunther booted and chopped him out of his body. The Gunther powerbowb won it, and Otis, thankfully, came in to make the save from a continued Tozawa beatdown.
Uso, of course, had to eventually save both men, but this was an excellent overall display for the World Heavyweight Champion. He wouldn't have been able to do it without The Alpha Academy, though.
Lyra Valkyria and Dakota Kai are a pair of wrestlers who just gel perfectly.
Their Women's Intercontinental Championship rematch was probably better than the first to determine the inaugural champion. They hit big crazy spots that ranged from a superplex, a nasty apron slam to Valkyria, and a great bridge pin escape sequence. I initially felt Valkyria's selling was showcased in the match, but by the end, Kai had shown the same degree of excellence.
Women's Intercontinental Title on the line on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/H2f5iK90JZ
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
Valkyria rightfully got the win in defense with the Nightwing. Ivy Nile attacked both after, which was whatever. I'll gladly take a triple threat next.
1. Rhea Ripley cut a great promo in a crowd interview. This was excellent work from the Women's World Champion to hype her Iyo Sky title match next week. I still wish this was put together better. The match feels like a booking decision made just to make it rather than the big build to WrestleMania it deserved — especially with Ripley mentioning that she's never beaten Sky.
2. Carlito had a yellow apple. He was happy about it. This dude is purely a part of The Judgment Day for comic relief, and I'm here for it.
3. There was a Sami Zayn backstage interview video discussing what's been happening with Kevin Owens. I liked how Zayn spoke about going to Owens' house after Owens was seen spying on him in his last video. The cool part was that no footage was shown, making it feel more realistic and serious. Zayn noted how unhappy he was to be stooping to such levels, each involving their families. Quality all around (except for some camera work I'll mention below).
It's deeply personal.It's UNSANCTIONED.And it's this Saturday at #WWEChamber.OWENS. ZAYN. THE NEXT CHAPTER. pic.twitter.com/2UwFZm55Ey
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
4. It was brief but great seeing Cody Rhodes confronted by Seth Rollins after Rhodes' awkward request from The Rock on the last "WWE SmackDown." Rollins was bewildered by Rhodes considering anything from The Rock after he reminded Rhodes of their history literally a year ago. It was excellent callback work, and Rhodes called Rollins judgmental while reminding him of his own untrustworthy history.
Rollins revisited the Rhodes rivalry and how he lost every match, and he said he would win the Elimination Chamber to face Rhodes at WrestleMania. Obviously, these guys have always been magic together and were once again. Rollins has been the perspective of the die-hard WWE fan lately, and it's brilliant stuff.
"Don't make me HATE you, Cody Rhodes!"#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/MFQcuNG0pM
— WWE (@WWE) February 25, 2025
1. The New Day defeated the LWO in a solid match. They're finally gaining momentum since their heel turn, and the tag team title picture could use some freshness. Let's get them in the mix soon. Unfortunately, their post-match beatdown forced Dragon Lee to come out and seemingly keep the feud going — or put a cap on it. It's hard to tell.
1. The camera focusing on Jackie Redmond's expressions during the Zayn interview was hilariously goofy.
2. Bron Breakker defeated Dominick Mysterio via DQ when Finn Balor and Carlito interfered. Their match actually wasn't terrible while it lasted — but that wasn't long.
This is stupid, man. When there's a team that has members interfere with every single match, why the hell would they be allowed out at ringside? It's another troupe that I'm just over it. Expect an imminent free Balor title shot that he'll lose.
Mysterio also needs a different finisher than the 619. He can't deliver it nearly as good as his father, Rey Mysterio.
👑 I give this show a Crown score of: 8/10👑