The aftermath of Wrestlepalooza saw Raw kick off preparations for October’s Crown Jewel, highlighted by the ongoing rivalry of Jey Uso vs LA Knight. With Cody Rhodes retaining the WWE Championship recently, the show opened with him facing World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins in a tense confrontation. Meanwhile, the violent tension between Jey Uso and LA Knight escalated to a gripping new level, signaling a surprising change in character dynamics that promises to shape future storylines at Crown Jewel.
Building Tensions Between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
Cody Rhodes’ recent victory over Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza left him poised for another high-stakes encounter this October against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Both men, carrying championship gold and a layered history, confronted each other in an opening segment on Raw where Rollins dismissed his faction “The Vision” to engage Cody one-on-one. Their exchange revisited a rivalry that dates back over three years, with Rollins asserting his dominance as the company’s alpha while Cody defiantly referenced his undefeated streak against Rollins over their last three encounters.
The rivalry’s roots trace back to Cody’s WWE return at WrestleMania 38, where he defeated Rollins, continuing with victories at Backlash and Hell in a Cell despite physical injury. At WrestleMania 40, an allied Rollins aided Cody in defeating Roman Reigns to claim the WWE Championship. This narrative layer adds emotional weight to their forthcoming clash, especially with both champions at the peak of their careers.
This week’s heated spoken exchange culminated with Cody dropping the mic after challenging Rollins on how many of their last three matches he had won, implying his dominance. The segment successfully elevated anticipation, with an intense, personal tone that revitalized Rollins’ heel persona beyond his recent traits, setting the stage for a compelling build-up to Crown Jewel.
A Brutal No Disqualification Match: Penta and War Raiders vs. New Day and Grayson Waller
Since early August, Penta has faced relentless targeting from New Day alongside Grayson Waller. Seeking reinforcement, Penta teamed with the War Raiders in a high-stakes No Disqualification match against their persistent adversaries. The action-packed contest featured signature moves, including Eric’s simultaneous powerbomb counter to a Double Superplex and Ivar’s Sit Down Powerbomb on Waller. The climax saw Penta counter an attempted Spanish Fly into a top-rope Mexican Destroyer finishing move, sealing victory for his team.
Despite the match’s intensity and creative execution of finishers, including Penta’s showcased finisher—the Mexican Destroyer—it became clear this feud has stalled. Every encounter saw Penta combatting variations of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Waller, often overshadowing the War Raiders’ presence. Following this latest win, narrative logic suggests little room remains to advance this feud without diminishing the competitors’ momentum.
The Rising Conflict: Bayley and Roxanne Perez’s Battle
Bayley’s storyline following her dramatic return has evolved through her interactions with Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria. A backdrop of tension set by Lyra’s earlier loss to Perez, followed by an abrupt post-match intervention from Bayley, gave rise to a compelling psychological subplot. Bayley’s contradictory behavior—offering assistance while simultaneously insulting Lyra—deepened her complex character arc.
The recent match pitting Bayley against Perez was charged with high stakes, as Perez’s corner included Raquel Rodriguez and Bayley had Lyra at ringside. After enduring Perez’s attacking move on the floor and a brutal exchange involving counters and signature moves such as Bayley’s Belly to Bayley and Rose Plant finishers, Bayley emerged victorious. However, she rejected Lyra’s attempt at camaraderie post-match. This internal discord makes Bayley’s story more gripping, setting her apart from typical heel turns by exploring a fractured psyche, potentially leading to darker character developments in upcoming episodes.
Progression in Jey Uso vs. LA Knight Rivalry
Two weeks prior, Jey Uso had heroically appeared to defend his brother Jimmy and LA Knight from a double assault by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed but immediately turned on Knight with a spear. The following week, Knight returned the favor by delivering his BFT finishing move on Jey. At Wrestlepalooza, Knight officiated a tag team match involving Jimmy and Jey against Breakker and Reed, which ended controversially.
This week’s Raw featured an official singles match between Jey Uso and LA Knight, granted by authority figure Adam Pearce. The bout saw interference attempts by Breakker and Reed quickly neutralized by Knight, only for Jey to capitalize with a spear and Uso Splash securing the win. Notably, despite Jimmy’s plea for Jey to assist Knight when under fire after the match, Jey walked away, refusing to help his adversary. Jimmy then chased off Breakker and Reed with a chair.
The match and aftermath strongly hint at a heel turn for Jey Uso. His icy demeanor toward his brother, fixation on the WWE Championship, opportunistic tactics during the match, and cold refusal to aid Knight indicate a shift toward a darker persona. Though this change may have seemed unlikely a month ago, storyline progression has paved the way convincingly. This ongoing feud has elevated both Jey and Knight to regular main event status, promising that a rematch at Crown Jewel is almost certain to escalate tensions further. The less emphasized presence of Breakker and Reed, despite consistent wins, reflects their diminished role amid this personal conflict.
Women’s Division Spotlight: Rhea Ripley and Asuka’s Violent War
Over the last month, a complicated dynamic involving Asuka, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Kairi Sane has culminated in a violent climax. Asuka’s jealousy and hostility toward Ripley’s friendship with Iyo drove tension not only between the main contenders but also caught Kairi unwillingly in the middle. Rhea’s challenge to Asuka for a match was accepted and featured as the show’s main event.
The match was highly physical and emotionally charged, with Kairi attempting a surprise attack on Rhea that was thwarted. Asuka’s attack post-match unraveled as she sprayed Rhea with mist and coerced Kairi to join in assaulting both Ripley and Iyo. Iyo’s attempted intervention ended with her being viciously targeted by Asuka and Kairi, including a brutal top-rope Insane Elbow.
This marked Asuka’s official heel turn on Raw, providing a major storyline development that aligns with the women’s division being a highlight of 2025. The intensity and sharp execution of the angle, including the turning of trusted allies against each other, set the stage for high-stakes tag matches, possibly at Crown Jewel in Australia. The addition of this compelling feud alongside Bayley and Lyra’s story adds depth to the women’s programming beyond championship contention.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Championship Moment
Fresh off her victory over Iyo Sky to claim the vacant Women’s World Championship, Stephanie Vaquer celebrated her title win live on Raw. She expressed heartfelt appreciation for her fans and cited her father as her inspiration, showing pride and gratitude during her speech. The moment included pyro and official recognition from Adam Pearce, who announced her upcoming title defense at Crown Jewel.
Vaquer’s calm and confident presence resonated well with the audience despite limited main roster exposure prior to her triumph. While the build-up to her championship may have seemed accelerated, the overwhelmingly positive reception suggests a promising trajectory for her reign, contingent on future storytelling and match quality.
Rusev’s Struggles Against J.D. McDonagh and Judgment Day Drama
With Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio unavailable, Rusev faced Judgment Day’s J.D. McDonagh this week. Despite sustaining significant punishment, McDonagh mounted an impressive offense including a Tila Whirl DDT and a near-fall Moonsault. Rusev eventually secured victory with his signature maneuvers, including the Machka Kick and the submission hold Accolade.
An intriguing development occurred when Dominik hesitated to interfere on behalf of his stablemate, reflecting unease and possibly foreshadowing internal discord. Finn Balor’s timely intervention on McDonagh’s behalf further complicated the factional dynamics. This match, while entertaining as heel-on-heel competition, seems positioned to drive wedges among Judgment Day’s members rather than immediately elevate Rusev toward a title opportunity.
Assessing the Significance of Jey Uso’s Character Shift
The shift seen in Jey Uso during his feud with LA Knight carries considerable weight within WWE’s current storytelling landscape. His evolving attitude—from teammate and loyal brother to someone showing signs of bitterness and detachment—could ignite one of the most impactful character reinventions on Raw. This heel turn would open fresh narrative avenues, allowing Jey to explore a more aggressive, unpredictable persona that contrasts with his past.
Meanwhile, the rivalry itself remains a valuable vehicle, granting both Uso and Knight sustained prominence in main event scenes. The insinuated betrayal and tension between the Uso brothers promise emotional depth moving forward, making their storyline a must-watch as Crown Jewel approaches.
With several storylines peaking and characters transforming, WWE’s trajectory towards Crown Jewel feels charged with intensity. Viewers can anticipate sensational matches and dramatic turns, with Jey Uso vs LA Knight at the crux of these escalating stakes.
