At WWE Raw on September 29, 2025, held live at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dominik Mysterio successfully defended his Intercontinental Title against Rusev. The intense contest, part of the show broadcast worldwide on Netflix, showcased Mysterio’s resilience and ring savvy as he retained the championship in front of a crowd of 9,673 ticket holders. Dominik’s victory further cements his status in WWE’s competitive landscape and demonstrates his rising prominence within the company’s midcard division.
High-Stakes Rivalries Build Toward Crown Jewel
The night opened with a powerful tribute to Raleigh, capturing the city’s vibrant sports culture and innovative spirit, paralleling WWE’s own evolving brand. Fans were energized as the evening progressed, highlighted by a host of intense storylines unfolding in the ring and backstage. The ongoing drama among the Kabuki Warriors, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky pulled fans into a complex family feud marked by betrayal and shifting loyalties. Ripley confronted Asuka and Kairi about their mistreatment of Iyo, challenging them to settle scores in the ring after Asuka sprayed mist in Ripley’s eyes. Iyo’s emotional turmoil was evident as she grappled with divided loyalties between her mentors and her friendship with Ripley.
So Kabuki Warriors, come and get me!
Rhea Ripley declared with defiance.
It breaks my heart to say this, but you were right about Asuka and Kairi.
Iyo Sky admitted in an emotional moment.
Iyo, we can get family again.
Kairi pleaded, attempting reconciliation.
Asuka, you can go to hell.
Rhea Ripley responded angrily, rejecting any truce.
Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev: A Battle for the Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental Title bout was a standout match lasting nine minutes, featuring high-impact maneuvers and momentum swings. Rusev, making his return to high-profile single competition since his last WWE title reign in 2019, started strong but was met with Dominik’s tenacity. Early in the fight, Mysterio stunned fans with a daring dropkick to Rusev outside the ring and a risky dive over the top rope, which Rusev countered by tossing him into the announce table. After a strategic break, Rusev regained control, delivering stiff forearms and executing the Matchka Kick to nearly claim the win, only to be thwarted by Mysterio’s quick escapes and weapon tactics.
Dominik cleverly used his two championship belts during a ringside exchange to feign being hit by a weapon, though the referee was not fooled. Utilizing a decisive mule kick while seizing the referee’s distraction, Mysterio cleverly rolled through for the pinfall, clutching his Intercontinental Title tightly as the match concluded.
Dominik Mysterio’s victory solidifies his grip on the Intercontinental Title and sets a compelling tone for his future reign as a championship centerpiece on WWE Raw. The crowd’s reaction to his underdog win reinforced his growing popularity among fans.
Conflict and Tension Among WWE’s Top Stars
Backstage tensions also simmered after General Manager Adam Pearce addressed L.A. Knight, admitting that appointing Knight as a referee last week escalated conflicts. Knight responded by confidently demanding a shot at the world title, sparking competitive heat with The New Day, who also pushed for a tag team title opportunity. This rivalry added another layer of anticipation to future Raw events, as tensions among contenders build. Additionally, Bayley’s complicated relationship with Lyra Valkyria unfolded backstage. Despite Bayley’s pleas for trust and reconciliation, Lyra remained skeptical of Bayley’s sincerity, heightening dramatic tension in the women’s division.
Bayley’s Hard-Fought Loss to Raquel Rodriguez
Bayley clashed with Raquel Rodriguez in a match that tested both competitors’ stamina and skill. Though Bayley rallied impressively with high-flying maneuvers and a figure-four leglock, Raquel’s power and counters ultimately prevailed. After a rough sequence that momentarily disrupted the match’s flow, Raquel locked in her victory with a Tejana Bomb, securing a ten-minute win. The post-match assault on Bayley by Raquel and Roxanne Perez escalated the conflict, even as Iyo Sky attempted to intervene despite her earlier emotional vulnerabilities.
Get up, you idiot! Good job!
Bayley exclaimed during the chaotic post-match scene.
Backstage Dynamics and Alliances Shift
Elsewhere backstage, friction between the Usos added depth to upcoming tag team storylines. Jimmy criticized Jey for walking away when support was needed during a recent conflict with L.A. Knight, while Jey expressed frustration with reliance on others and his desire to focus on personal success. Their dynamic hinted at potential fractures within the team, just as they prepared to face Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, who entered the fray under the mentorship of Paul Heyman.
Meanwhile, Iyo Sky’s visible distress remained apparent as she refused to reconcile with Kairi and Asuka, clutching a photo of the three. This visual emphasized her isolation and the painful rift fracturing the Kabuki Warriors faction.
L.A. Knight Defeats Kofi Kingston Amid Distracted Crowd
In a match that underscored ongoing rivalries, L.A. Knight overcame Kofi Kingston after exploiting distractions from Kofi’s partner Xavier Woods. The bout saw tension escalate with Kofi appearing disoriented at times, possibly due to a head collision, giving Knight the opening to hit his finisher and finish the 10-minute contest with a win. This victory underscores Knight’s momentum as he presses his claim for a world title opportunity.
Intense Exchange Between Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes Sets Stage for Crown Jewel
Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes engaged in a heated verbal confrontation backstage and in the ring, elevating the stakes ahead of their Crown Jewel championship showdown. Seth dismissed their previous encounters as history, positioning himself as the driving force of WWE’s future and rejecting any sentimentality. He criticized fans who supported Cody, claiming sole leadership of WWE’s vision and success, especially highlighting his mentorship of younger stars like Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
Those version of Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins are in the past,
Seth stated firmly.
I am the one to lead this industry into the future,
he declared emphatically.
Rhodes countered by emphasizing the role of fans and community in WWE’s direction and hinted at Paul Heyman’s influence in the ongoing factional developments. Their exchange, brimming with personal antagonism and professional pride, culminated in Seth rejecting any friendship or equality with Cody.
We were never friends. That was a means to an end.
Seth proclaimed before storming off.
Tag Team Chaos and Roman Reigns Intervenes in Usos’ Match
The tag team bout pitting Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker against Jimmy and Jey Uso was marked by intense power moves and shifts in control. Despite Breakker and Reed’s dominance mid-match, including a running clothesline and repeated offensive strikes, the Usos mounted a remarkable comeback, capitalizing on teamwork and high-impact maneuvers. The climax saw Roman Reigns intervene dramatically, appearing with a chair to assault both Reed and Breakker after backing up the Usos.
This has gotten really ugly, really quickly,
announcer Joe Tessitore commented during the violent scenes.
Reigns’ unexpected interference added a volatile new layer to the ongoing rivalries, ending the match with the Usos securing victory but also a brutal beatdown inflicted on their opponents, signaling continued conflict among WWE’s top factions.
Veteran Performers and Rising Stars Highlight Upcoming Events
Veteran wrestlers A.J. Styles and Dragon Lee teamed up successfully against Los Americanos, with Styles finishing his opponent using the signature Styles Clash. Meanwhile, promos and backstage segments teased upcoming major events like Crown Jewel, spotlighting blockbuster matches such as Cody Rhodes versus Seth Rollins and John Cena facing A.J. Styles. The show also showcased rising female wrestlers like Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer exchanging verbal jabs to build anticipation for their scheduled match.
Significance and Anticipation for WWE’s Future Shows
Dominik Mysterio’s retention of the Intercontinental Title exemplifies WWE’s commitment to developing new main event-level stars while maintaining heated rivalries and complex personal storylines that keep audiences invested. The escalating animosity between established top-tier performers and emerging talents sets the stage for dramatic encounters at Crown Jewel and beyond. With critical story arcs like the fracturing Kabuki Warriors, the emergence of new contenders such as L.A. Knight, and powerful alliances tested by betrayal and violence, WWE Raw continues to deliver a blend of athleticism and storytelling that shapes the industry’s future.
As fans await the next episodes, especially the highly anticipated Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia, the decisions made in these battles, both in and out of the ring, will influence WWE’s narrative landscape for years to come, affecting title reigns, alliances, and the direction of endlessly evolving rivalries.
