Roman Reigns made a surprising and dramatic return to WWE RAW on July 14, 2025, shaking up the show with an intense confrontation following a gauntlet match that night. His comeback was highlighted by a violent attack on a Hall of Famer who returned to the ring after seven years away. The Roman Reigns WWE RAW return captivated fans and set the stage for major developments heading into SummerSlam.
Key Developments and Rivalries Open WWE RAW
The show began with Naomi celebrating her unexpected Women’s World Title victory after cashing in Money in the Bank, a moment no one foresaw. Her celebration was quickly interrupted by Rhea Ripley, who asserted that Naomi had no right to disrupt their ongoing title match. IYO SKY then appeared, declaring her intent to reclaim the championship, leading to a tense standoff that was diffused by Adam Pearce. Pearce announced that all three competitors—Naomi, Ripley, and SKY—would face off for the Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam, upping the stakes for the upcoming event.
Backstage, The Judgment Day gathered in their clubhouse, where Finn Balor encouraged Dominik Mysterio to back Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez in their tag team bout. Despite initial hesitation, Dominik agreed, motivated by a commitment to Liv Morgan, the Intercontinental Champion.
Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez Secure Victory Over The Kabuki Warriors
In one of the early matches, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez faced The Kabuki Warriors, composed of Kairi Sane and Asuka. Raquel started strong with a powerful tackle that forced a tag to Kairi. Perez endured several kicks but capitalized on a distraction caused by Dominik Mysterio, who was struck down after interfering. Taking advantage, Perez pinned Asuka with Raquel’s assistance, clinching the win for the champions.
Result: Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez defeated The Kabuki Warriors on RAW.
Setback for Bayley Despite Early Success Against Lyra Valkyria
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria contested a grueling two-out-of-three falls match full of momentum swings. Bayley took the initial fall and appeared to have the upper hand, landing multiple suplexes and near-falls. However, Valkyria fought back fiercely, targeting Bayley’s knees and countering moves to even the score. After an intense battle, Valkyria secured the deciding fall, handing Bayley a hard-fought loss.
Becky Lynch then arrived post-match to silently challenge Valkyria, signaling a future encounter.
Result: Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley.
Nikki Bella Returns to Battle Chelsea Green in a Hard-Fought Match
Making her first appearance on RAW in seven years, Nikki Bella took on Chelsea Green in a match marked by distractions and interference from Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Despite being targeted by these allies of Green, Bella showcased resilience and strategic counterattacks. After dodging an attempted outside attack, she managed to land her signature move, the Rack Attack, and claim victory in her comeback match.
Following the bout, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre launched a post-match assault on Bella until Stephanie Vaquer intervened to repel them.
Result: Nikki Bella defeated Chelsea Green on RAW.
Tag Team Contention and Medical Updates Set the Stage for SummerSlam
Backstage, Adam Pearce announced a #1 Contender’s Tag Team match involving The New Day, while also scheduling a medical re-evaluation for Dominik Mysterio due to his earlier injury. Should Dominik be cleared, he is slated to face AJ Styles for the title at SummerSlam. These developments add new dimensions to the upcoming matches and rivalries on the horizon.
Gunther Confronts Challenges as Bron Breakker Vows to Claim World Heavyweight Title
Gunther appeared on RAW to boast about retiring Goldberg, setting a confident tone ahead of a five-man gauntlet match where the winner would earn a shot at his title. Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker interrupted, with Paul reminding Gunther that Breakker, a member of the legendary Steiner family, was determined to become a dominant World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther stared down Breakker and exited, leading to the gauntlet’s start.
Intense Gauntlet Match Features High-Stakes Competitors
The gauntlet kicked off with Bron Breakker taking on Penta, who controlled the early moments with aerial offense. Breakker gradually shifted momentum and used powerful moves, including a spear, to score the first pin. LA Knight entered next, employing vicious attacks, including targeting Breakker’s arm and ringpost. The two exchanged heavy blows until Breakker secured his second pinfall after multiple signature moves.
Jey Uso joined third, sending Breakker outside the ring to gain an advantage. After trading high-impact maneuvers and near falls, Breakker secured another spear and pinfall, tallying his third in the contest.
Finally, CM Punk entered the fray, bringing the match to an intense climax. The fight spilled outside the ring, where Breakker countered Punk’s submission and offense, but interference from Bronson Reed and Jey Uso altered the course. Ultimately, Punk managed to overcome Breakker, hitting his GTS finisher for the victory.
Result: CM Punk won the gauntlet match to earn a title opportunity.
Roman Reigns Returns to RAW, Ends Night with a Powerful Statement
After the gauntlet, Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker assaulted Punk and Jey Uso. The chaos was halted by the unexpected return of Roman Reigns, who delivered a thunderous spear to both Reed and Breakker, clearing the ring. Reigns then helped Jey Uso to his feet, signaling renewed unity and strength. Paul Heyman hastily withdrew with Bronson and Bron, leaving Roman Reigns to face down CM Punk in a tense standoff that closed the show.
“It was incredible to see Roman back in the ring again, especially striking at a moment when the competition seemed heated.” —Adam Pearce, WWE Official
This return marks a pivotal moment for WWE as Roman Reigns reasserts his presence just weeks before SummerSlam. His interruption during the gauntlet match and assistance to Jey Uso hint at possible alliances and renewed rivalries heading into one of WWE’s biggest annual events.
Roman Reigns WWE RAW return has added a new layer of intensity to the championship race, significantly raising expectations for the SummerSlam pay-per-view. With top contenders at odds and fresh challenges arising, fans can anticipate high drama and fierce competition in the weeks to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Roman Reigns’ illness?
A. A few days after he came back, WWE released a documentary about one of their top stars. It was the first time they shared that Reigns had chronic myeloid leukemia, a kind of blood cancer that can be treated but not cured, for more than ten years.
