Becky Lynch delivered a shocking Manhandle Slam to AJ Lee on WWE RAW, raising tensions before their highly anticipated mixed tag team match at WrestlePalooza. The segment saw Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch face off with CM Punk and AJ Lee, setting the stage for Saturday’s showdown on the ESPN app.
Bayley Embraces Her Hugger Persona in Dramatic Return
This week’s episode opened with Bayley making an impactful return, coming to the aid of Lyra Valkyria after Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez launched a post-match attack. Following weeks of emotional buildup and internal struggle depicted in vignettes, Bayley ultimately let her old persona resurface, circling the ring to embrace fans amid an electric atmosphere.
Raquel and Roxanne are absolute MENACES! 😤 pic.twitter.com/Gyajc4ebGe
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2025
BAYLEY IS BACK! BAYLEY IS BACK! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mfrjiVL7ZI
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2025
The renewed Hugger energy marked a significant turn for Bayley, whose return comes after a period of perceived guilt over actions against Valkyria. The crowd’s response signaled strong support for Bayley’s conflicted but hopeful comeback.
The Verbal Confrontation: Tensions Erupt Between AJ Lee, Becky Lynch, and Their Partners
The night’s central segment brought Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch to the ring, quickly joined by CM Punk and AJ Lee in a scene charged with rivalry and emotion. Rollins acknowledged Lee as one of Punk’s best decisions, while Lynch warned Punk that involving Lee would have consequences, evoking Lee’s history of neck injuries in her taunt.
AJ Lee replied by questioning whether she could physically withstand the match but redirected her focus to Rollins, calling Lynch unpredictable and suggesting Rollins may have viewed her as a fallback. As the exchange grew heated, Lee slapped Rollins, leading to chaos at ringside. While Punk gave chase to Rollins, Lynch doubled back, catching Lee by surprise with a devastating Manhandle Slam, leaving Lynch and Rollins standing defiant as the segment concluded.
No introduction needed…
AJ LEE and AJ LEE’S HUSBAND HAVE ARRIVED! 😂 pic.twitter.com/CeY8KRxjPE
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
You had us for a second there, Seth… 🙄 pic.twitter.com/W3iAH5sFQc
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
Who says Becky Lynch is the greatest female wrestler of all time? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5RtOO5pEDv
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
WE JUST KNOW THAT SLAP FELT GOOD 👋 pic.twitter.com/G9PzWoJTyy
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
Mixed Tag Team Battle Set for WrestlePalooza
The events of WWE RAW have built anticipation for the upcoming WrestlePalooza, where Becky Lynch will team with Seth Rollins against AJ Lee and CM Punk. The brawl and personal attacks on RAW heightened the storyline, suggesting Saturday night’s live match on the ESPN app could deliver high drama and intense physicality amid unresolved tensions among all four competitors.
OH WE ARE IN FOR A BRAWL!
AJ & PUNK vs. BECKY & SETH at WRESTLEPALOOZA live on the ESPN app THIS SATURDAY! 😤https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzD pic.twitter.com/bdV1TwgeI8
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
As crowd excitement continued to mount, WWE’s promotional momentum for the match was punctuated by both the escalating verbal barbs and the physical confrontation between Lynch and Lee.
Spotlight on Gable Steveson’s Transition to MMA
While much of WWE RAW’s focus was on the build-up to WrestlePalooza, former Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson contributed to the evening’s sense of transition and conflict by discussing his own career shift with Ariel Helwani. Coming off a successful professional MMA debut at Legacy Fighting Alliance, Steveson stated that his immediate plans involve concentrating on mixed martial arts rather than a return to Real American Freestyle wrestling.
Um, right now, no. Right now, I had the biggest rush of my life putting on those gloves and getting that victory. I wanna keep it that way… I wanna stick to MMA. I wanna take it one day at a time. I’m 1-0 right now. I would like to be 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 and then just keep it going, and man, just believe in myself. You gotta focus on one thing, and I wanna focus on this.
I would like to take this slow. I would like to go where I need to go. I’m 1-0. I’m focused on being 2-0, nothing else… The last guy that did that (made a quick jump to either UFC or PFL) took a couple knees so no… Man, if it’s there and the UFC looks at me or the PFL or whoever. My goal is to be UFC Champion. I wanna go out there and be with the best, I wanna look the best in the face and show the world what I’m made of and I know I can do it. If those fans think I’m ready and they wanna see Gable Steveson where he needs to go, of course. But in my eyes, do I have things to work on? Of course, and I will keep working on those things and keep showing the project as we go along.
Steveson’s statements reflect his ambition and singular focus on building an MMA career, even as speculation about further wrestling pursuits or quick jumps to organizations like UFC or PFL continue. His measured approach signals a desire to achieve sustainable success in the ring.
Preview: WrestlePalooza’s Main Card Promises a Night of High-Stakes Matches
This Saturday’s WrestlePalooza will feature several headline bouts, presenting a stacked lineup that amplifies the night’s turbulent energy. The scheduled matches include:
1. Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes faces Drew McIntyre, with both men seeking to secure the title and assert dominance on the WWE stage.
2. Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY puts her championship on the line against Stephanie Vaquer, promising a clash of high-flying skills and fierce competition.
3. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: Two legendary figures will reignite their longstanding rivalry in a match that could reshape their legacies.
4. The Usos versus Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker: A tag team contest with potential championship implications and fresh alliances tested under bright lights.
5. CM Punk and AJ Lee versus Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch: The mixed tag main event pits power couples against each other after the intense fallout on WWE RAW.
This diverse lineup underscores the stakes at play, with each match featuring stars like Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and tag team talents Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. High drama is assured, as established champions, returning icons, and emboldened newcomers all look to seize momentum.
What Lies Ahead for WWE: Conflicts, Comebacks, and Unpredictable Showdowns
The fallout from this week’s RAW and the build to WrestlePalooza points to a turbulent period ahead for WWE, with shifting alliances, unresolved rivalries, and career-defining opportunities in the spotlight. Becky Lynch’s statement on WWE RAW, targeting AJ Lee and raising the emotional stakes, established a wave of anticipation for Saturday night’s mixed tag showdown, while Bayley’s return as the Hugger injected optimism and complexity into her character arc.
WWE’s roadmap beyond WrestlePalooza appears just as charged, with stars like Gable Steveson plotting new directions and mainstays like Rollins, Lynch, Punk, and Lee engaging fans through unpredictability and emotional tension. The combined impact of these storylines ensures WWE’s upcoming events will draw intense interest from both loyal fans and newcomers alike, as each match and segment helps define the next era for sports entertainment’s biggest stage.
Raquel and Roxanne are absolute MENACES! 😤 pic.twitter.com/Gyajc4ebGe
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2025
BAYLEY IS BACK! BAYLEY IS BACK! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mfrjiVL7ZI
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2025
No introduction needed…
AJ LEE and AJ LEE'S HUSBAND HAVE ARRIVED! 😂 pic.twitter.com/CeY8KRxjPE
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
You had us for a second there, Seth… 🙄 pic.twitter.com/W3iAH5sFQc
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
Who says Becky Lynch is the greatest female wrestler of all time? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5RtOO5pEDv
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
WE JUST KNOW THAT SLAP FELT GOOD 👋 pic.twitter.com/G9PzWoJTyy
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
OH WE ARE IN FOR A BRAWL!
AJ & PUNK vs. BECKY & SETH at WRESTLEPALOOZA live on the ESPN app THIS SATURDAY! 😤https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzD pic.twitter.com/bdV1TwgeI8
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2025
