EVANSVILLE, Ind. — WWE’s Monday Night Raw on Sept. 22 delivered a night of betrayals, rising tensions, and storyline shifts as the company built momentum toward Crown Jewel.
The main talking point came in the women’s division, where Rhea Ripley scored a roll-up victory over Asuka. After the match, Asuka stunned the crowd by spitting mist into Ripley’s eyes before turning on her longtime ally Iyo Sky with a spinning backfist. Together with Kairi Sane, Asuka launched a brutal post-match attack on both Sky and Ripley, leaving the future of their partnership in doubt. The shocking betrayal marked a clear shift in alliances and sets the stage for an explosive feud in the weeks ahead.
Earlier in the night, Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins went face to face to address their looming match at Crown Jewel. Rollins questioned Rhodes’s motives and challenged the idea of a straightforward contest, while Rhodes pressed for clarity on whether their bout would truly be one-on-one. The tense exchange underscored the personal animosity between the two and hinted that outside interference could once again define their rivalry.
Elsewhere on the show, Jey Uso defeated LA Knight in singles action, though the win came with controversy. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed created a distraction, opening the door for Uso to land a spear for the pin. Afterward, Uso appeared to abandon his brother Jimmy, who was left vulnerable to an attack, fueling speculation that a heel turn could be imminent.
In other matches, Bayley defeated Roxanne Perez with the Rose Plant, though her post-match confrontation with Lyra Valkyria suggested cracks in their alliance. The War Raiders and Penta triumphed in a chaotic no-disqualification six-man tag over The New Day and Grayson Waller, while Rusev forced JD McDonagh to submit with the Accolade.
Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer also addressed the audience in an emotional promo, reflecting on her journey and the significance of her recent title win.
Raw concluded with unresolved tensions and fresh rivalries: Asuka’s betrayal of Sky, Uso’s wavering loyalty, and Rhodes’s uneasy standoff with Rollins. With Crown Jewel approaching, WWE left fans questioning where allegiances truly lie.
