Podcast Summary: "Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant"

Episode: AJ Lee & CM Punk get their Mixed Tag Team Match at Wrestlepalooza (Raw Recap, Sept. 8, 2025)

Published: September 9, 2025
Host: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

Overview

This episode of "Raw Recap" dives deep into a monumental episode of Monday Night Raw as AJ Lee makes her first WWE in-ring appearance in a decade, setting up a seismic mixed tag match for Wrestlepalooza: AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins. Sam and Megan break down AJ Lee's historic return, analyze shifting tag dynamics (including the reformation of The Usos), shed light on the evolving women's division, review brewing rivalries, and host WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio to discuss AAA Worlds Collide, Lucha Libre, and his take on the current wrestling scene.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AJ Lee’s Historic Return and Wrestlepalooza Mixed Tag Match

• AJ Lee Returns: The episode opens on the seismic energy around AJ Lee coming back after 10 years, making Raw history and wrestling headlines.
  • Sam: “Seeing AJ Lee back on the screen... it was surreal. 10 years since she was in wrestling; now, she's back standing in the ring on Raw.” [05:05]
  • AJ’s return follows her surprise on SmackDown, where she attacked Becky Lynch and took her Intercontinental Championship belt.
• AJ Commands the Mic: This Raw marks AJ’s first promo since returning.
  • Sam: “Tonight was the night that she grabbed a microphone for the first time... and she kind of very briefly just tells the story. Sorry I was gone. But this is how popular [she is].” [05:27]
  • The Milwaukee crowd chanted "therapy" at AJ’s prompting, showing both her unique charisma and evolved wrestling fan culture.
• Wrestlepalooza Match Announcement: The tension boils over as the mixed tag match is made official: AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins.
  • Sam: "As of tonight, it is official. Wrestle Palooza... CM Punk, AJ Lee, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch." [13:22]
  • Discussion of the real-life dynamics—two married couples facing off, with healthy support systems but heated rivalry.

2. The Evolution of the Women’s Division

• AJ Lee’s return is put into historical context—she was a game-changer before the WWE Women’s Revolution.
  • Megan: “She came into WWE at a time where she was different than almost every other diva on the roster.” [06:51]
  • The shift from Divas to Women's division is credited (by Megan) largely to Becky Lynch. [17:41]
• Megan and Sam reflect on how the women’s roster continues to evolve, with Charlotte, Nikki Bella, and now AJ Lee all redefining their roles.

3. Becky Lynch & AJ Lee Face-Off

• The animosity between Becky and AJ is palpable, with AJ mocking Becky for losing her belt (“skipped around her house in it, slept in it, it got a little weird this morning” [11:16]) and Becky exposing her black eye from AJ’s attack.
• Megan (paraphrasing Becky): "She already had a deal with AJ’s stank ass husband...” [11:17]
• Sam: “AJ Lee is not at all worried about it.” [11:29]
• Sam on the energy: “It has evoked so much energy from people that it's raised everybody up. And it's like, who can survive this close to the sun? ...that’s where they become almost fully formed.” [08:23]

4. AJ Lee’s Return: Risks and Expectations

• Megan wonders if it's risky for AJ Lee to face a dominant Becky Lynch after 10 years out.
  • Sam: “Look, AJ Lee did not have to come back. She didn’t for ten and a half years. If she’s back, believe she’s ready.” [16:49]
• Acknowledgment that today’s women’s roster is more competitive than ever—a “different division” entirely for AJ’s return.

5. The Usos Reunite: Tag Team Division Shakeup

• Jimmy and Jey Uso officially reunite for a supertag at Wrestlepalooza versus Braun Breakker & Bronson Reed ('The Vision').
  • Sam: “They’re no longer a tag team. They’re a super team. Two massive singles stars coming together… their foundation is in being a team together.” [20:43]
  • Jimmy calls their rivals "the Brussos" and “the Bronnies” for comic relief. [21:22]
• Discussion of shifting dynamics: Jey is now “serious Jay,” changed by holding the World Heavyweight Championship—provoking tension with Jimmy and a dramatic spear to LA Knight.
  • Sam: “My question is, has Jay lived long enough without dying the hero to become a villain?” [26:19]

6. WWE Women’s Division Drama: Asuka, Iyo Sky, Nikki Bella & Rhea Ripley

• Megan and Sam analyze the evolving alliances and animosity: Nikki Bella’s new kinship with Rhea Ripley, her ties with Iyo Sky, and Asuka’s aggressive protectiveness toward Iyo.
  • Megan: “Nikki’s making a lot of friends.”
  • Sam: “First you make your friends, then you make your money.” [54:33]
• Asuka’s domineering behavior prompts jokes about “textbook toxic relationship stuff.” [56:34]

7. AJ Styles, Dominic Mysterio, Grande Americano, & Triple A Crossover

• Follow-up on Dominic Mysterio’s controversial wins and rivalry with AJ Styles.
  • Sam: “Dominic has now figured out by hook or crook how to beat AJ Styles twice… after Friday, Dominic’s going to be a double champ.” [60:41]
  • Grande Americano’s comedic but skilled presence gets a nod from both hosts.

Special Guest: Rey Mysterio Interview [29:45–51:13]

WWE-AAA Partnership: What It Means for Lucha Libre

• Rey reflects on WWE purchasing AAA, the company that launched his career.
  • “This is a futuristic moment that I’m living… the company that pretty much gave birth to Rey Mysterio.” [30:53]
  • Praises exposure of Lucha Libre internationally and the new opportunities for talent.

WWE Stars in AAA

• Sam and Megan discuss New Day challenging for the AAA Tag Team Championships, and the crossover exposure to new audiences.
• Rey credits AAA’s unique style, highlights Natalia embracing the Lucha style at TripleMania, and notes mentor TJ (Tyson Kidd)’s influence on her. [36:05]

On Young Talent and “Next Breakout Stars”

• Mr. Iguana and Niño Hamburguesa are called out as favorites among American fans. [37:21]
• Rey predicts: “Ninja... I think is probably next in line.” [38:31]

Dominic Mysterio: Will He Be the Best Mysterio?

• Rey gives props but puts his son’s possible title win in perspective.
  • “Would one night [of victories] overcome 34 years of career? That’s a people question…he will start breaking ground to become potentially the best Mysterio of all time.” [40:56]

John Cena’s Retirement Tour & Brock Lesnar Match

• Rey: “The day I saw John Cena turn on Cody, I was sick to my stomach... I had 50-50 partial feelings... if I didn't see it coming, that means it was done very well.” [43:34]
• On Lesnar: "Brock is just… from another planet. I didn’t realize I was scared of Brock until I stepped in the ring with him for the first time.” [43:34, 67:04]

Potential Dom vs. Rey in AAA?

• Sam floats a potential father-vs-son AAA title match; Rey leaves the door open: “Never say never... if he gets in my face, of course there is a huge opportunity for that, but...” [46:45]

Dream Autograph

• Rey shares he’d love Maradona’s autograph in tribute to his soccer-loving father. [50:01]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sam [03:08]: "When CM Punk first returned... it was mind-blowing. This felt the same seeing AJ Lee step onto Raw in 2025."
• Megan [06:12]: “She had an arena full of people in Milwaukee chanting for therapy. What an evolved culture in pro wrestling!”
• Rey Mysterio [30:53]: "This is a futuristic moment... the company that pretty much gave birth to Rey Mysterio."
• Megan [17:41]: "Everything AJ’s accomplished—she did it in a different women's division. Becky Lynch turned the Divas division into the women's division."
• Sam [26:19]: “Has Jay lived long enough without dying the hero to become a villain?”
• Rey Mysterio [43:34]: "Brock is just—from another planet. I didn’t realize I was scared of Brock until I stepped in the ring with him for the first time."
• Sam [65:22]: “I really want to see AJ Styles and John Cena one more time.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:01] Opening Hot Takes: AJ Lee’s Return / CM Punk Parallels
• [04:03] AJ Lee Details: Her First Raw Promo, Fan Reactions
• [05:05] Surreal Moment: 10 years since AJ Lee’s last match
• [13:22] Wrestlepalooza Announcement: Mixed Tag Confirmed
• [20:21] The Usos Reunion, Tag Team Dynamics
• [29:45] Rey Mysterio Joins the Show
  • [30:53] Rey on WWE buying AAA & Lucha Libre’s international rise
  • [36:05] Natalia in AAA, Lucha Libre Style
  • [37:21] AAA up-and-comers: Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa
  • [40:56] On Dominic possibly becoming the best Mysterio
  • [43:34] On John Cena’s retirement, Lesnar match
  • [46:45] Dream match - Potential Rey vs. Dom in AAA?
  • [50:01] Dream Autograph: Maradona
• [53:34] Women’s Division Storylines: Nikki’s Alliances, Asuka’s Aggression
• [65:22] Sam’s Dream Match: AJ Styles vs. John Cena, One More Time
• [66:54] Will John Cena pay tribute to anyone else vs. Brock Lesnar? (No!)

Conclusion

This Raw Recap captured the emotional magnitude and wrestling history in the making, particularly with AJ Lee’s widely-anticipated return and the dream tag team showdown set for Wrestlepalooza. The episode contextualized these events within the ever-evolving women’s division and provided deep dives into characters’ motivations and relationships. Rey Mysterio’s guest appearance provided insider perspective on the WWE-AAA crossover’s significance, the future of Lucha Libre, and generational transitions in the wrestling world. All this sets the stage for one of the most anticipated periods in WWE storytelling—with Wrestlepalooza, Worlds Collide, and John Cena’s ostensible final run all converging.

For Next Week: Anticipate fallouts from Raw, developments on Wrestlepalooza, Worlds Collide aftermath, and more Raw-AAA synergy. Subscribe to keep up with all the action!