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WWE Monday Night Raw Recap and Results (April 7, 2025): Key Insights and Spoilers

WARNING: The following article contains SPOILERS for WWE Monday Night Raw on April 7, 2025. Reader discretion is advised!

WWE Raw Returns to the U.S.

This week, WWE Raw made its much-anticipated return to the United States after a lengthy European tour, broadcasting live from the Target Center in Minneapolis. The episode was packed with action, featuring a Women’s Intercontinental Championship showdown between Lyra Valkyria and Bayley, as well as a World Tag Team Championship clash pitting The War Raiders against The New Day. Additionally, Penta was set to face Dominik Mysterio from The Judgement Day.

Setting the Stage for WrestleMania 41

With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, significant developments unfolded during this episode. Adam Pearce addressed the ongoing controversy around the Women’s World Championship, likely hinting at a triple threat involving Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley. Moreover, Paul Heyman was set to discuss the demands of CM Punk, who insists on having Heyman in his corner at WrestleMania, alongside his rivalry with Seth Rollins.

Highlights from April 7, 2025 – Key Moments

  • Triple Threat Confirmation: Pearce opened the show with an announcement confirming the triple threat match for WrestleMania, criticizing the actions of Sky, Belair, and Ripley. Tension escalated with Belair exchanging sharp words with Ripley, while Sky’s frustrations boiled over, leading to a missile dropkick aimed at both women. The champion left the ring standing tall.
  • Intercontinental Championship Announcement: A four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania was confirmed, featuring Bron Breakker, Penta, Finn Balor, and Dominik Mysterio.
  • Judgement Day’s Reaction: Balor rallied Mysterio backstage, boosting his confidence ahead of the match against Penta.
  • Women’s Intercontinental Title Match: Lyra Valkyria successfully defended her title against Bayley, who targeted Valkyria’s back throughout the match. Bayley’s attempt at a finishing move was countered, allowing Valkyria to secure a surprise roll-up victory.
  • Backstage Humor: Comedian Bert Kreischer shared a light moment with American Made and Alpha Academy backstage.
  • Karrion Kross vs. AJ Styles Setup: Kross confronted Styles, urging him to embrace his past self to secure a victory against Logan Paul at WrestleMania. A match between Styles and Kross is set for next week’s Raw.
  • American Made Triumph: American Made defeated the LWO in a six-man tag match through some underhanded tactics involving a steel plate hidden in a mask.
  • Gunther’s Intimidation: After gloating over recent victories, Gunther faced an emotional Jey Uso, who vowed to avenge his brother Jimmy’s brutalization.
  • Mysterio’s Challenge: Dominik Mysterio called for a WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano, to which Pearce agreed.
  • New Day vs. War Raiders: The New Day’s match against The War Raiders ended in disqualification due to a chaotic confrontation involving a steel chair.
  • Penta Defeats Dominik Mysterio: In the main event, Penta overcame Mysterio with a powerful finishing move, although he faced an attack from Mysterio’s allies afterward.
  • Next Week’s Preview: Upcoming matches include Styles going up against Kross and an appearance by Roman Reigns, without Paul Heyman at his side.
  • Paul Heyman’s Climactic Promo: The show concluded with a dramatic promo from Heyman, emphasizing loyalties while being interrupted by Rollins. A confrontation led to Rollins nearly attacking Heyman, heightening the suspense around WrestleMania’s main event.

Results from WWE Raw on April 7, 2025

  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria def. Bayley
  • American Made: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers def. The LWO
  • World Tag Team Championship: The New Day def. The War Raiders via disqualification
  • Penta: def. Dominik Mysterio

Paul Heyman’s “Favor” Saga Takes A Twist

Could Heyman Align with Seth Rollins?

In a complex storyline, Seth Rollins finds himself overshadowed by CM Punk and Roman Reigns, with the narrative revolving around their battle for Heyman’s loyalty. The closing interactions on Raw hinted at a potential alliance between Rollins and Heyman, raising stakes for the WrestleMania triple threat match. While it may not change the anticipated outcome, Rollins’ history of surprising victories could add intrigue to the show’s main event.

Jey Uso Delivers When It Counts

Delivered With Impact

Jey Uso’s recent promo was critical in re-establishing his character following a lackluster build-up. With a powerful promo that resonated emotionally after Gunther’s brutal actions against Jimmy Uso, Jey recaptured the audience’s attention. His focused delivery and intensity suggested he is ready to seize the opportunity, setting the stage for what could be an exciting clash at WrestleMania.

The WrestleMania 41 Midcard Takes Shape

Additional Matches Confirmed on Raw

Raw confirmed two additional matches for WrestleMania: a four-way clash for Bron Breakker’s Intercontinental Championship and a match featuring Rey Mysterio against El Grande Americano. Breakker’s commanding presence hints at an exciting future, potentially creating a compelling one-on-one match with Penta, especially with the added unpredictability of The Judgement Day in the mix. Mysterio’s match feels less impactful without a multi-man angle, but still promises entertainment.

Our Perspective on WWE Raw

Something for Everyone

The recent shift in Raw’s format has elicited mixed reviews. Although the reduction in runtime is appreciated, some fans critique the pacing, noting that last night’s episode featured only four matches. However, noteworthy performances, particularly in Valkyria vs. Bayley, and the Uso/Gunther segment managed to elevate the overall quality. While the absence of big names like Cody Rhodes and John Cena was felt, this episode undeniably set a crucial tone ahead of WrestleMania, making it a positive step forward.

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