WWE headed to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, for Monday Night RAW’s episode on July 21. The show was packed with multiple programs already advertised. Roman Reigns appeared on the show to discuss Paul Heyman. CM Punk confronted his SummerSlam opponent, the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. Sami Zayn battled Karrion Kross while Sheamus collided with Rusev. Let’s take a detailed look at WWE RAW July 21 Results.
Is this the Summer of Punk?
The show kicked off with the Best in the World, CM Punk. He made his entrance to a thunderous reaction from the crowd. Punk said he came back to WWE with two goals. One has completed which was to main event of WrestleMania. The other was to be a world champion, and he must focus on that now. Punk praised Gunther and promised to give his best in the ring at SummerSlam. He said that Gunther had been a champion mostly during his time with WWE, but Punk is the Best in the World and has been training his entire life.
Gunther’s music hit, and the World Heavyweight Champion came out to the ring. The crowd booed him and didn’t let him speak at first. Gunther pointed out a similarity between him and Punk in that they both were here to make money and win championships, and not to make any friends. Gunther said that Punk has an ego, but it is justified based on the fan reaction he gets. Gunther said that he has an ego too, but it is not based on fans. He said his ego is based on his accomplishments.
Gunther said that the Best in the World is the one holding the World Heavyweight Title. Gunther vowed to maul and choke CM Punk at SummerSlam. The Ring General told Punk that he would never be a world champion, and so he would never be the Best in the World. Gunther said that the only good thing for Punk after SummerSlam will be his degenerate fans still chanting his name.
Grades: B+
Analysis: Wow! It was a brilliant segment to open the show on a Monday Night. CM Punk is a legend on the microphone, and he did his stuff. Gunther was very impressive in his time as he warned Punk. The Ring General has really improved his work on the mic and delivered solid lines here. After this, I guess we should have had more weeks to build this showdown.
Sheamus vs Rusev
Next up was banger time as Sheamus and Rusev entered for their encounter. Sheamus started with a Brogue Kick attempt as Rusev escaped to the outside. Sheamus threw Rusev to the barricade and then back to the ring. Rusev bounced back with a head kick and a pair of suplexes. Sheamus delivered a rolling senton and a knee to the face for a two-count. Sheamus kneed Rusev to the ringside and landed a top-rope flying clothesline.
Rusev caught Sheamus with a fallaway slam onto the commentary table. Back in the ring, Sheamus hit an Irish Curse Backbreaker and slammed Rusev for a two-count. Sheamus delivered the 10 Beats of Bodhran and prepared for his finisher. Rusev avoided the Brogue Kick and landed a powerbomb for a near fall. Rusev attempted his finisher this time, but Sheamus countered with a Kneecap for a close fall.
Sheamus launched himself from the top rope but was met with a kick from Rusev. Accolade applied by Rusev, but Sheamus somehow reached the ropes. Rusev removed the turnbuckle pad and tried to slam Sheamus onto it. Instead, Sheamus sent Rusev face-first into the exposed turnbuckle. As the referee was busy with turnbuckles, Rusev grabbed a shillelagh. In the meantime, Sheamus landed a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner: Sheamus
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a hard-hitting battle between two strong men. Sheamus has never had a bad match in years now. They are even at 1-1 now, and the attempt to use a shillelagh pointed towards a stipulation match in the future. It would be interesting to see what these two bring to the table next time. They definitely deserve a spot at the SummerSlam card.
The New Day vs LWO vs The Creed Brothers
The winners will get a shot at WWE World Tag Team Championships. Brutus quickly overpowered his opponents. Julius tagged in and immediately took control over both Kofi and Wilde. Del Toro tagged in and landed a springboard moonsault. Kofi attempted quick pinfalls but in vain. Woods entered and planted Julius with a DDT, followed by a superkick.
Returning from commercial, Cruz landed a kick to the side of Kingston’s head and a poisonrana to Brutus. Wilde picked up the pace and landed a superkick on Woods, then planted Julius with a DDT. Wilde’s flurry of offense got the best of Kofi and Brutus as well. Ivy Nile appeared and shoved Wilde off the ropes.
Dragon Lee rushed over and unleashed a superkick on both Creeds. El Grande Americano joined the action, but Del Toro took flight with a tornado splash, wiping American Made out. The New Day looked to seal the win over Wilde. However, Wilde countered, tossed Woods out of the ring, and pinned Kofi with a roll-up for the victory!
Winners: LWO (Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde)
Grades: C
Analysis: It was a fun match with a chaotic ending. LWO is a fun team to watch on TV, and it is good to see them getting an opportunity. New Day’s SummerSlam path looks dejected, but they’ll surely be a part of the Biggest Party of Summer.
Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria face-to-face
Becky Lynch made her way to the ring, proudly holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The crowd booed her, but she told them to show some respect. She explained that she should be at the New York premiere of Happy Gilmore 2, her latest movie. But she’s there in Houston because that’s what leaders do. Becky called her win at Evolution the slickest win of all time. The Man criticized Vlkyria getting the women’s tag team titles’ match tonight.
Lynch said that she became Becky to belts and created history, while Lyra wants to get two titles as she’s selfish. Lyra came out to the ring. Becky told her that her free ride was over, and Lynch had a suggestion. The Man made the match a do-or-die for Valkyria as she won’t be able to challenge for the Women’s IC Title if she loses at SummerSlam. Lyra said that her flaw was to not take things far enough, but it would change now.
The challenger made an offer about a no-disqualification match to which the champion agreed. As Lyra was about to leave, Becky stopped her and told her not to disrespect this match, as it would define the women’s division. Becky offered a handshake, to which Lyra agreed. Lynch tried to attack Lyra, who avoided a delivered Manhandle Slam to stand tall over the champ’s body.
Grades: C
Analysis: It was a decent segment around the women’s Intercontinental Championship. The Man, Becky Lynch, has surely gathered eyeballs around the women’s mid-card title since she became champion. The stakes are higher than ever as it will be a no-disqualification match with Lyra having her last chance to get the title back. Valkyria has improved her ring presence and mic work. The lack of character progression is slightly holding her back.
The Judgment Day (c) vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
The match resumed after the commercial break with Bayley and Roxanne Perez already in action. Rodriguez dominated both Bayley and Lyra. Together, Bayley and Valkyria attempted a double suplex, but Raquel suplexed both. Alongside Raquel’s power, Roxanne’s cheap moves continued as well from the apron. Perez landed a springboard moonsault on Valkyria for a two-count.
Bayley got the hot tag and stormed in with a series of right hands and a back suplex. She followed up with double knees and a sunset flip powerbomb into the turnbuckle on Perez for a near fall. Raquel delivered a slingshot suplex to Bayley. Lyra tagged in and landed a top-rope leg drop. At ringside, Bayley slams Rodriguez into the ring post. Valkyria delivered a sit-down powerbomb to Perez, followed by a top-rope elbow drop by Bayley for a close fall as Raquel saved the match.
Suddenly, Dominik Mysterio appeared on the ring apron, distracting Bayley. Perez nearly stole the win with a roll-up. Raquel attempted a big boot on Lyra but accidentally kicked Dom instead. As Rodriguez was confused, Lyra executed a dropkick through the ropes. Medical personnel rushed out, and among them was AJ Styles. Dominik tried to escape as AJ chased him. Meanwhile, Becky Lynch appeared and blindsided Lyra. This allowed Rodriguez to deliver a Tejana Bomb on Bayley for the win.
Winners: The Judgment Day
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a fun match with a chaotic finish as expected. The comedic segments between AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio are gold. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez of the Judgment have retained their women’s tag team championships. Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria’s problems continued with Bayley still lurking in the back.
Sami Zayn vs Karrion Kross
Zayn had taped ribs showing the signs of a vicious attack by Kross a couple of weeks ago. The match began, and Sami delivered a suplex. Kross tried to fight back, but Zayn sent him to the outside with a clothesline and landed the Arabian Press. Back in the ring, Sami hit a big boot and a tornado DDT for a two-count. Sami delivered a sunset flip powerbomb. Scarlett gave the steel pipe to Kross. The referee caught her and was busy with her as Kross used the pipe on Zayn for the win.
Winner: Karrion Kross
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a short match with Kross getting a big win. It looks like the story will likely continue in the coming weeks. Hence, Kross needed a win here to level Zayn’s win at WWE Night Of Champions 2025. It was good TV, and Sami’s ability to make others look good is second to none.
Backstage (AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio)
The Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles had multiple short segments on the show tonight. While arriving on the show, Dom gave the car keys to a valet who was revealed as AJ Styles. Later, Adam Pearce told Mysterio to take a medical examination or he’d be stripped of the title. Styles was seen mopping the floor in the back.
At last, the medic approached Pearce and told him that Dom’s evaluation was done. Styles was there too, and Dominik attacked him from behind. Mysterio said he was cleared to compete and will see AJ Styles at SummerSlam. It was a fun ride leading up to the match being made official between AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.
Iyo Sky vs Stephanie Vaquer
The match began with pinfall attempts and chokeholds, ending in a stalemate for both women. Stephanie landed a back suplex, but Iyo quickly responded with a dropkick and a suicide dive. Vaquer avoided a springboard moonsault and delivered a superkick and a flying crossbody from the top rope. Vaquer hit a double underhook knee strike to the face for a two-count. Sky performed a 619 that turned into a head-scissor takedown.
Sky delivered a moonsault from the middle rope on the outside and followed up with a missile dropkick from the top rope inside the ring. Iyo connected with a double stomp, but Stephanie replied with a German suplex. Vaquer hit Iyo with a Devil’s Kiss on the apron and another one in the center of the ring for a near fall. Stephanie targeted Iyo’s leg with a dragon screw. She then attempted SVB, but Sky countered with a backbreaker. Vaquer caught Sky on the top rope and landed a reverse DDT.
Piper Niven and Alba Fyre walked towards the ring. Vaquer knocked both women off the apron. But from behind, Chelsea Green sneaked in and attacked Stephanie, forcing the referee to call for the disqualification. The Secret Hervice targeted Vaquer, but Iyo made the save with a dropkick. Vaquer and Sky teamed up and landed a double superkick to take out Niven. Sky and Stephanie had a moment of respect.
Naomi stormed into the ring and shoved Iyo into Stephanie, knocking Stephanie to the outside. On the floor, Niven and Fyre began beating Stephanie down while Naomi unleashed an assault on Sky in the ring. Rhea Ripley’s music played, and The Eradicator saved Sky and Vaquer. Ripley laid out Niven with a big boot and Naomi with a slam. Green suffered a Riptide in the end.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer via DQ.
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was an outstanding match, though the action never peaked because of the distraction by Secret Hervice. Sky and Vaquer gave a glimpse of their unmatched skills. In the end, Rhea Ripley dominated the heels. Sky, Naomi, and Ripley will battle at SummerSlam for the Women’s World Championship. Stephanie Vaquer is looking free until Clash In Paris and will likely be involved in random matches and segments to gain momentum.
Roman Reigns addresses Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman with Seth Rollins’ MITB briefcase alongside Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed walked down to the ring. He said that he wanted to get a few things off his chest before Roman Reigns comes out. The OTC didn’t wait and made his way to the ring. Heyman threw a crazy proposal to Reigns. The Wiseman said that they have a leadership void. Heyman basically invited Reigns to lead the group in the absence of Seth Rollins. Heyman said that they work together well and said, “I love you, my Tribal Chief” to The OTC.
Roman Reigns grabbed the microphone and asked for acknowledgment from the crowd, which they obliged. Even Paul Heyman acknowledged the Tribal Chief. Roman said that he took advice from Heyman a few years back when he was a Wiseman. Reigns called Heyman a dumbass, which enraged Bron Breakker. Heyman and Reed cooled down Bron. Reigns told Breakker to calm down. He warned them that Heyman will do to them what he did to Roman himself.
Reigns said that Heyman took all the credit for making the Tribal Chief. However, Reigns said that he’s still the Tribal Chief because of the fans who acknowledge him. Roman said that Heyman was a part of the Bloodline, but he did nothing to help Reigns keep the title all these years. The OTC acknowledged The Usos, Solo, and Sami’s help in saving her title reign. He said that he raised the future Bloodline after WrestleMania when he lost the title.
Roman told Heyman that you can’t create the Bloodline, but you can create those (signaling towards Breakker). Bron attempted to step forward, but Heyman and Reed stopped him. Roman said that he made Heyman a part of the family, but he threw it away. The Tribal Chief said that Heyman destroyed the Bloodline, not him. Breakker stepped forward and told Reigns that he’s the future while the Tribal Chief is old news, which was relevant 5 years ago.
Breakker told Reigns to turn back. Roman said that he didn’t hear any trash that Bron said. Reigns told Bron to use his mic and threw it towards Breakker. The OTC delivered a Superman Punch to Bron. As Roman was dealing with Reed, Breakker speared him. As Reed was preparing for the Tsunami, Jey Uso came to the rescue. Uso landed superkicks on both Reed and Breakker. Uso speared Breakker while Reigns speared Reed. The show closed with Roman Reigns and Jey Uso standing tall while Paul Heyman’s faction is in retreat.
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a solid segment to close Monday Night Raw. Roman Reigns said great stuff here. On the other side, the focus is clearly on Bron Breakker as he got his time to speak too. The rumored tag team match at SummerSlam is on and soon to be made official.
A fantastic episode of WWE’s flagship show is in the history books. What do you think of WWE RAW July 21 Results?
