Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant
Episode: SummerSlam Match Reveal Show: July 25, 2025
Date: July 25, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts
Episode Overview
In this special "Raw Recap," Megan Morant and David (in for Sam Roberts) break down the full SummerSlam 2025 two-night card, revealing which matches happen on Saturday and which on Sunday. They weave in fresh backstage context, hot takes, and analysis for every announced match, amid tributes to Hulk Hogan, discussions of wrestler growth and legacy, and personal fan insights. With added breaking news and dissection of high-stakes rivalries, this episode is a definitive SummerSlam preview for fans.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Honoring Hulk Hogan’s Legacy
Timestamps: 01:59 – 03:21
- Megan opens with a tribute to Hulk Hogan, reflecting on his foundational role in raising wrestling and making events like two-night stadium SummerSlam possible.
- David highlights that "we wouldn't be in a position where SummerSlam is two nights at a stadium without Hulk Hogan. Raw maybe isn't on Netflix if it isn't for a Hulk Hogan." (02:53)
- Both agree Hogan’s influence is unmatched and recall his SummerSlam history.
2. Official SummerSlam Nightly Match Reveals
Saturday (July 30):
Timestamps: 04:25 – 05:21
- Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) [Newly announced]
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Gunther
- Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
- Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Big Bronson Reed
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
Sunday (July 31):
Timestamps: 06:22 – 07:32
- Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
- Undisputed WWE Championship (Street Fight): Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena
- United States Championship (Steel Cage): Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship (No Count Outs/No DQ): Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
- Women’s World Championship (Triple Threat): Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY
3. In-Depth Match Breakdown & Predictions
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
Timestamps: 09:14 – 12:03
- Discussion on Zayn’s resilience, fan connection, and long road without a world title, contrasted with Kross’s untapped potential and aggressive tactics.
- Megan on Zayn:
"When I watch Sami Zayn, he is fighting with everything that he has, and... it really... becomes impossible to root for people other than Sammy when it's his match." (09:58)
CM Punk vs. Gunther – World Heavyweight Title
Timestamps: 12:04 – 15:51
- The panel weighs CM Punk’s chances, Gunther’s unmatched dominance, and crowd dynamics.
- David:
"If CM Punk can't beat Gunther, what's next for CM Punk? Where does he go from here?" (13:16)
- Megan:
"When somebody goes out there and goes, I guarantee I'm gonna win. You can't guarantee you're gonna win..." (13:36)
- They agree Gunther is uniquely unfazed by fan reactions:
"He convinces himself... there's a stadium full of people booing him and cheering the other guy... 'Oh, I guess there's a football stadium full of people that are wrong. Wouldn't it be great if they were all more like me?'" (15:35)
Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
Timestamps: 16:06 – 19:08
- David expresses excitement for Drew and Logan’s dynamic pairing, referencing Drew’s candid podcast self-reflection. Megan spotlights Drew’s honesty and contrasts his journey with Logan's outsider status.
- X-Factor: Jelly Roll’s training, weight loss, and ability to transition to wrestling.
- Megan:
"Jelly Roll is training with all these amazing people... want to see what Jelly Roll has learned. I know he could do a hell of a chokeslam through a late night show desk." (18:52)
Women’s Tag Title Match: Bliss & Flair vs. Rodriguez & Perez
Timestamps: 18:10 – 18:52
- Noting the chemistry and evolution in both teams, especially the unexpectedly successful pairing of Rodriguez and Perez.
- David:
"The best I’ve ever seen Raquel." (18:15)
- Curiosity over Charlotte Flair’s current character alignment:
"Is Charlotte Flair actually a good guy? … Was that a moment at Evolution or has there been an actual evolution within Charlotte Flair?" (20:02)
Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
Timestamps: 19:49 – 21:13
- Anticipation for "OTC" (Roman & Jey’s team) entrances, potential for unique entrances and "run it back" moments.
- Megan predicts:
"Two entrances, they don't come out together... OTC entrance. Yeet entrance." (21:02)
- David eager to see what Paul Heyman does at ringside.
US Title Steel Cage Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa
Timestamps: 22:13 – 24:44
- David and Megan both highlight the physicality, Solo’s charisma, and Fatu's breakout trajectory.
- Megan:
"Jacob's not about these tricks. Jacob's dog walking. You know what I mean?" (24:02)
- Stakes: Steel cage could neutralize Solo’s "tricks," favoring Fatu’s brawling style.
Women’s World Title Triple Threat: Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY
Timestamps: 25:03 – 26:57
- Focus on Naomi’s cash-in, transition to champion, and test against the “two best women wrestlers on the planet.”
- Megan:
"Now she's in the ring with the two best female wrestlers on the planet. That's Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky... now shows you, okay, what is the level Naomi's playing on?" (26:44)
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena (Street Fight)
Timestamps: 27:16 – 30:54
- Framed as possibly Cena’s final SummerSlam; extremely high stakes for Cody’s development and identity.
- Megan:
"If Cody switched up his whole game, if Cody got a second chance and he still can't find a way, then what kind of soul searching does he have to do?" (28:16)
- David on Cody’s new aggression:
"That's gonna test Cody and show us how far Cody's willing to take it." (30:22)
- Both note Cody initiated the street fight stipulation, subverting expectations.
Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles
Timestamps: 31:34 – 32:54
- Megan frames this as a huge step for Dominic, especially if he can get a clean win over a universally respected AJ.
- Megan:
"If Dominic can beat AJ Styles, no more valet uniforms, no more janitor, no more doctor." (32:44)
- David questions:
"If he beats him clean." (32:46)
Other Notable Sunday Matches
Timestamps: 21:48 – 25:03
- Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria – Megan and David respect the stipulation (No Count Outs, No DQ) and admit they barely scratched the surface on this one.
- Reminder that all Sunday championship matches have extra high stakes and stipulations this year.
4. Fun, Notable Moments & Quotes
- Megan speculating about crowd reaction to Charlotte Flair:
"Is New Jersey going to cheer or boo Charlotte Flair when she comes out with Alexa Bliss? I'm super curious about it." (20:47)
- On stadium crowd heat for CM Punk:
David: "I'm curious to see the way Gunter reacts to a stadium full of people chanting CM Punk." (14:05)
Megan: "He's not going to react at all…he legit. It doesn't bother him at all." (14:12)
5. General SummerSlam Card Hype and Fan Experience
Timestamps: 31:23 – End
- Tickets on sale for both nights; ongoing excitement about the live atmosphere at MetLife Stadium.
- SmackDown preview tease: "RK Roll will be there. Cody Rhodes will be there. Some of these questions might start to get answered." (34:03)
- Closing pep talk for fans to subscribe and not miss out on further reveals.
Memorable Quotes with Timestamps
- "When you talk about big deals...we lost an absolute legend, Hall of Famer... I'm talking about Hulk Hogan, of course."
– Megan Morant (01:59) - "We wouldn't be in a position where SummerSlam is two nights at a stadium without Hulk Hogan."
– David (02:53) - "When I watch Sami Zayn, he is fighting with everything that he has, and... it really... becomes impossible to root for people other than Sammy when it's his match."
– Megan Morant (09:58) - "He convinces himself... there's a stadium full of people booing him and cheering the other guy... 'Oh, I guess there's a football stadium full of people that are wrong. Wouldn't it be great if they were all more like me?'"
– Megan Morant (15:35) - "Jelly Roll is training with all these amazing people... want to see what Jelly Roll has learned. I know he could do a hell of a chokeslam through a late night show desk."
– Megan Morant (18:52) - "If Dominic can beat AJ Styles, no more valet uniforms, no more janitor, no more doctor."
– Megan Morant (32:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening & Hulk Hogan Tribute: 01:59 – 03:21
- Saturday Match Reveals: 04:25 – 05:21
- Sunday Match Reveals: 06:22 – 07:32
- Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Analysis: 09:14 – 12:03
- CM Punk vs. Gunther Discussion: 12:04 – 15:51
- Jelly Roll & Saturday Tag Match: 16:06 – 19:08
- Women’s Tag Preferences: 18:10 – 18:52
- OTC Tag & Roman/Jey vs. Bron/Bronson: 19:49 – 21:13
- US Title (Fatu/Solo) Analysis: 22:13 – 24:44
- Naomi Triple Threat Preview: 25:03 – 26:57
- Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena Hype: 27:16 – 30:54
- Dominik vs. AJ Styles: 31:34 – 32:54
- Preview for SmackDown, Fan Guidance: 34:03 – End
Tone & Style
Conversational, loaded with insider insight and playful banter, both hosts mix genuine excitement with nuanced wrestling analysis. Fan voice and personal storytelling ("when I watch Sami Zayn...", "Drew reflecting on his journey") pervade the episode, making it accessible and hype-inducing for new and veteran fans alike.
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as a definitive, hype-building preview to WWE SummerSlam 2025, packed with analysis, match context, nostalgia, and forward-looking predictions—essential listening (or reading) for any fan heading into wrestling’s biggest summer weekend.