Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant

Episode: The New Seth Rollins Era Begins: Raw Recap, Aug. 4, 2025
Date: August 5, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

Overview:

This episode of Raw Recap dives into the action-packed aftermath of SummerSlam as Monday Night Raw on Netflix ushers in the new Seth Rollins era. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant break down major matches, shifting storylines, superstar returns, and evolving title picture, plus share their authentic reactions to surprises, fashion statements, and personal moments from the arena floor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reshaping of the World Heavyweight Title Picture

• Post-SummerSlam Raw is framed as a reset moment, with stars eager to shake off the past and make a mark.
  • "[Raw] felt like a restructuring of what the world heavyweight title picture looks like going forward." (01:20, Sam)

Seth Rollins: From Deceiver to Dominant Champion

• Questions swirl around the authenticity of Seth’s injury before his dramatic SummerSlam cash-in.
  • "Was the injury a ruse?... regardless, if you want us to sit there and see, LA Knight is a guy who beat Seth Rollins." (03:03, Sam)
• Rollins’ new reign is underscored by his perpetual readiness and strategic edge.
  • "Never doubt Seth Rollins again. It should just be never doubt Seth Rollins—because that’s the story of his career." (08:01, Sam)

The LA Knight Factor

• LA Knight’s momentum carries over as he demands recognition and a rematch, leading to a Raw main event versus Rollins.
  • "LA Knight finally gets a shot... now the match is about something else... his most valuable and dangerous asset is persistence. He won’t stop." (19:15, Sam)

CM Punk Stirs the Pot

• CM Punk interferes in the main event, causing a disqualification and brewing new rivalries with both Rollins and LA Knight.
  • "CM Punk comes out, causes a disqualification... when you see CM Punk and you're a wrestling fan, you have to go nuts." (16:09, Sam)
• The tangled triangle between Rollins, Punk, and LA Knight raises questions about future alliances and animosity.
  • "LA Knight's upset with Punk... CM Punk doesn’t like Roman Reigns... it’ll be interesting to see where it all goes." (26:41, Sam)

2. Roman Reigns’ Shocking Return & Beatdown

• Roman Reigns returns unexpectedly to confront Seth’s new group but gets laid out and robbed (again) of his shoes by Bronson Reed.
  • "Roman Reigns comes out... just a massive, from one side of the ring to the other... Bron Breaker destroys Roman Reigns." (24:14, Sam)
  • "Bronson retakes his shoes again... going to start looking like Mr. T with a pile of gold chains, but with Roman Reigns sneakers" (25:47, Sam)
• Paul Heyman's shock on seeing Roman's name—and music—highlighted as a major show moment.
  • "Paul Heyman cannot believe it, as much as CM Punk thinks he knows Paul Heyman, Paul Heyman thinks he knows Roman Reigns." (22:06, Sam)

3. Becky Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship

• Becky’s unexpected challenger: Nikki Bella returns, sparking a verbal battle that blurs kayfabe and real-life drama.
  • "Nikki Bella vs Becky Lynch in 2025 with the Women's Intercontinental Championship on the line... Becky is telling some pretty outstanding stories." (39:19, Sam)
• Nikki accuses Becky of backstabbing, with heated debate over Becky’s ethics and incidents outside the ring (like “Happy Gilmore 2”).
  • "Yeah, we liked you before, but you're a disappointment, is what Nikki Bella says." (40:02, Sam)
  • "Becky said, I specifically got you cut out of Happy Gilmore 2... which feels like not a nice thing to do at all." (42:55, Sam)

4. SummerSlam Reactions

• Live, authentic takes from Megan and Sam on experiencing SummerSlam directly on the floor.
  • Love for Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena (“one of my favorite John Cena matches ever” (28:58, Sam))
  • Brock Lesnar’s surprise return and the emotional fan response to Cena were top highlights.
• Shout-out to Mr. Iguana and AAA stars for their US exposure and crowd reactions.
  • "Did you hear the reaction that [Mr. Iguana] got in Newark? Insane." (32:28, Megan)

5. New Day’s Outrageous Fashion, Grayson Waller, and Tag Team Scene

• Hilarious dissection of New Day’s over-the-top mourning attire (Abe Lincoln beard, finger gloves, Woods’ enormous hat).
  • "He has gloves where only the fingers are covered and the hand is exposed... Kofi's handless finger gloves." (51:07, Sam)
  • "Xavier woods' hat—it had to be a six-foot circumference." (51:54, Sam)
• Their feud with Grayson Waller and Penta gets derailed by fashion antics.
• Debate on Adam Pearce's decisions about tag title shots and justified criticisms of New Day's complaints.
  • "They want attention. They want to show the hat off... It's not enough to have a backstage with this hat on." (57:25, Sam)

6. Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Raw’s Women’s Division

• Megan raises the ongoing issue of Rhea’s obsession with beating Iyo Sky—title or not.
  • "Rhea said there's nothing she wants more than to finally beat Iyo Sky... that to me, gets very, very interesting." (61:36, Sam)
• Upcoming Naomi vs. Iyo Sky promised as a big match, with implications for Clash in Paris.

7. Miscellaneous Highlights

• Seamus vs. Rusev—a wild, all-night brawl ending in a double countout, setting up Rusev vs. Sami Zayn next week.
• Becky Lynch’s next match: turns down Natalya’s challenge, instead calls out Maxine Dupree ("Sweet Cheeks"), promising more drama.
  • "She didn't like what Becky said about Nikki Bella, so she issues the challenge... turns around and goes, I accept the challenge, but not from you—from you, Sweet cheeks." (64:17, Sam)
• Notable product tie-ins: Jelly Roll’s Sabrina 2 sneakers at SummerSlam, Fanatics memorabilia, Tops Now collectible cards.
  • "Jelly Roll actually signed the sneakers... Fanatics works closely with WWE, Sabrina, and Jelly, they're cooking up something special..." (47:58, Sam)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Rollins' Perpetual Underdog Persona:

  • "Never doubt Seth Rollins again. It should just be never doubt Seth Rollins." (08:01, Sam)

• On LA Knight’s Grit:

  • "[His] most valuable asset, and maybe most dangerous asset too, is persistence. He won't stop. And that's a scary thing." (19:15, Sam)

• On CM Punk and Fan Reactions:

  • "When you see CM Punk and you're a wrestling fan, you have to go nuts... it's like, it's... he shows up, he's in the arena, and there's something in you, whether you want to or not, that has to lose your mind, because Punk's here." (16:09, Sam)

• On Roman Reigns and Disrespect:

  • "Bronson retakes his shoes again... he's going to start looking like Mr. T with a pile of gold chains, but with Roman Reigns sneakers." (25:47, Sam)

• On Becky vs Nikki Bella, and the Happy Gilmore 2 Drama:

  • "Yeah, we liked you before, but you're a disappointment, is what Nikki Bella says." (40:02, Sam)
  • "Becky said, I specifically got you cut out of Happy Gilmore 2." (42:55, Sam)

• On New Day’s Fashion:

  • "Xavier woods' hat—it had to be a six-foot circumference... Can you imagine if your view is obstructed for multiple segments because Xavier woods is wearing a giant hat?" (51:54, Sam)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• World Title Picture Reset & Seth Rollins' Reign: 01:20 – 09:21
• LA Knight’s Role & Rematch Demand: 03:03 – 05:27, 13:33 – 17:23
• CM Punk Interference & Fallout: 16:09 – 19:15
• Roman Reigns' Return & Beatdown: 22:06 – 26:51
• Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella Verbal War: 35:21 – 43:13
• New Day’s Fashion & Tag Team Scene: 49:25 – 59:25
• Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky Backstage Segment: 61:00 – 62:53
• Closing Story Angles (Seamus/Rusev, Becky’s Next Opponent): 63:21 – show end

Tone & Style

Sam and Megan deliver the recap in their signature blend of sharp insight, humor, and genuine fan enthusiasm—a mix of earnest play-by-play and playful banter, covering both story substance and the memorable, sometimes ridiculous, spectacle pro wrestling provides.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This week’s Raw Recap is a must for fans wanting to catch every twist following SummerSlam: Seth Rollins cements his status as champion, CM Punk and LA Knight add chaos to the title hunt, Roman Reigns is robbed and embarrassed again, Becky and Nikki Bella create fireworks, and the New Day prove they’ll stop at nothing for attention—even with absurd fashion. The hosts’ lively discussion, clear knowledge of WWE history, and witty observations make this a thorough, highly entertaining recap of a landmark Raw.

End of Summary