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WWE Monday Night Raw Recap (April 21, 2025): Results, Highlights & Key Takeaways [SPOILERS]

The episode of Monday Night Raw on April 21, 2025, is significant, arriving just one day after WWE’s most talked-about WrestleMania event yet. WrestleMania 41 wrapped up with John Cena fulfilling his promise to disrupt the wrestling landscape, securing his 17th World Title by overcoming Cody Rhodes—with a pivotal assist from Travis Scott.

This Raw installment serves as a platform for Cena to communicate his vision for his retirement tour as “the last real champion.”Fans are also on edge as they dissect the unexpected outcomes of WrestleMania, particularly Dominik Mysterio’s stunning Intercontinental Championship victory over Finn Balor, igniting speculation about the future of the iconic faction, Judgment Day. The intriguing narrative extends to Karrion Kross, whose post-show promo has left audiences guessing about his plans for AJ Styles after his interference in Styles’ match against Logan Paul.

The Raw following WrestleMania consistently delivers some of the most electrifying moments of the year, laying the groundwork for WWE’s upcoming storylines. Here’s a breakdown of key events from the April 21, 2025, episode.

Highlights from Monday Night Raw – April 21, 2025

  • WWE Raw is broadcasting live from Netflix, straight out of Las Vegas, Nevada! The show opens with a highlight reel from WrestleMania weekend, showcasing media clips, NXT: Stand and Deliver, and both nights of WrestleMania 41.
  • Backstage, Seth Rollins is seen arriving at the arena alongside Paul Heyman, while the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria, prepare for a rematch against former champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. The new IC Champion Dominik Mysterio is also making his entrance, set to defend his title against Penta.
  • New WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena enters the ring, demanding the announcer reintroduce him majestically as “The Greatest of All Time.”Cena delivers a bombastic promo, challenging the audience’s worthiness and reminding them of his limited schedule. Just as he revels in his moment, he falls victim to an unexpected RKO from Randy Orton, signaling a remarkable shift in his journey.
  • In a high-stakes matchup, Becky Lynch and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria collide with Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. After a dramatic turn of events, Lynch turns heel and attacks Valkyria, leading to Rodriguez and Morgan reclaiming their titles.
  • A gripping video package recaps the intense encounter between CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins from WrestleMania Saturday.
  • The New Day, recently crowned World Tag Team Champions, struts backstage, igniting a confrontation with Karrion Kross. Their promo is quickly interrupted by the Alpha Academy, leading to a match setup intensified by the return of Rusev, who makes his presence known with an aggressive strike against Alpha Academy.
  • Women’s World Champion IYO Sky addresses the Raw audience, affirming her position after a recent victory. She is met with an unexpected challenge from NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer, leading to an impromptu showdown approved by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce.
  • Backstage, AJ Styles expresses his disappointment about the previous night’s events but is confronted by Karrion Kross, who slyly suggests that Styles played a role in legitimizing Logan Paul’s status.
  • Gunther confronts Michael Cole ringside, culminating in a heated confrontation that showcases the tensions still alive from WrestleMania’s matches.

Match Results from April 21, 2025, WWE Raw:

  • Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez defeated Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria to reclaim the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. IYO Sky resulted in a No Contest.

WWE’s Women’s Division Poised for a Bright Future

Exciting Storylines Across WWE’s Three Brands

Leading up to WrestleMania 41, there were significant concerns regarding the direction of WWE’s women’s division. A prime example was the underwhelming booking of Rhea Ripley and the exclusion of Bayley from the Women’s Tag Title match. However, following a robust showing at WrestleMania, WWE has launched compelling story arcs that promise to captivate fans on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.

Becky Lynch’s recent heel turn is anticipated to elevate the rookie Lyra Valkyria, much like Lynch’s previous role in bolstering Bianca Belair’s rise. The challenges ahead for the women’s division appear brighter, as WWE clears the slate and steers toward exciting new narratives this calendar year.

WWE Champion John Cena and Randy Orton: The Final Chapter

A Classic Rivalry Revisited

The saga of John Cena and Randy Orton is one of the most iconic rivalries in WWE history, reminiscent of the legendary clashes between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. As both Cena and Orton return to the forefront of WWE, fans are eager to witness how their dynamic unfolds—especially since Cena’s persona has adopted a cockier edge reminiscent of Orton’s earlier days.

Anticipation builds as this encounter is set to mark the end of an era for both legends. With Cena portraying a heel character for the first time, the encounter is bound to be an unprecedented and thrilling spectacle, stirring excitement among the fanbase.

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