Springfield, Massachusetts is buzzing with anticipation as WWE Raw rolls into town for a special live broadcast on Monday, September 15, 2025. This isn’t just any Monday night for wrestling fans—Raw is serving as the explosive go-home show before WrestlePalooza, and the energy at the MassMutual Center is already electric. With a special start time of 7:00 p.m. ET, set to avoid clashing with the NFL’s Monday Night Football, the WWE is pulling out all the stops to keep fans glued to their screens on Netflix.
Headlining the night is the return of John Cena, the 17-time world champion and Massachusetts native, making what could be one of his final appearances in his home state. Cena’s stop in Springfield is part of his ongoing farewell tour, and the timing couldn’t be more dramatic—he’s just days away from a highly anticipated main event showdown with Brock Lesnar at WrestlePalooza. The stakes? Nothing less than the pride of a legend and the culmination of a rivalry that’s been simmering for months.
According to Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, "Cena’s appearance comes just days before his highly anticipated showdown with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza on Saturday." But it’s not just the upcoming match that has fans talking. Lesnar upped the ante last Friday on SmackDown by attacking Cena’s alleged younger brother, R-Truth, sending shockwaves through the WWE universe and giving Cena even more to address live in Springfield. Will Cena respond with words, or will the tension boil over into something more physical? Fans can’t wait to find out.
But Cena isn’t the only superstar set to make headlines tonight. The card is stacked with confrontations and matches that promise to reshape the landscape of WWE as WrestlePalooza approaches. One of the most anticipated face-offs features power couples CM Punk and AJ Lee meeting Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. With both pairs holding championship gold—Rollins as World Heavyweight Champion and Lynch as Women’s Intercontinental Champion—the segment is sure to spark fireworks. Last week saw the long-awaited return of AJ Lee, a moment that’s already being called a highlight of the Raw season. The chemistry and tension between these four could set the tone for the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, the women’s division is heating up ahead of WrestlePalooza. IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer are both in Springfield, preparing for their Women’s World Championship match. The build-up has been fierce, with both competitors trading barbs and mind games. Adding to the intrigue, The Kabuki Warrior’s recent tense interaction with Nikki Bella—sparked by Rhea Ripley—has left fans wondering if respect will finally be given or if another confrontation is on the horizon.
Elsewhere on the card, the men’s division is in full swing. LA Knight, still reeling after being dropped with a spear by Jey Uso last week, is expected to address the WWE Universe. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Knight retaliate, or will Jey Uso continue to embrace a darker, edgier persona? The Usos themselves are under scrutiny, with speculation swirling about their focus ahead of their WrestlePalooza clash with The Vision. Distractions could prove costly, and tonight’s developments might give fans a clearer picture of where their loyalty and priorities lie.
Raw’s undercard is no less compelling. Lyra Valkyria takes on The Judgement Day’s Roxanne Perez in a bout that could have major implications for the women’s rankings. Another match announced for the night is El Grande Americano versus Dragon Lee—a contest that’s drawn extra attention after last week’s controversy. Fans were left scratching their heads when El Grande Americano’s signature mariachi-inspired "Stars & Stripes" entrance theme was replaced with a generic tune. Many hope that the original music will return tonight, restoring some much-needed flair to the performance. Ludwig Kaiser, widely believed to be the man behind the Americano mask, recently posted a photo with the masked star, cheekily reinforcing his ownership of the character. Whether the crowd will buy into the ruse or play along remains to be seen.
Not to be outdone, Penta is back in action after scoring a victory over Rusev last week. He’s set to face Kofi Kingston, promising a high-flying, hard-hitting affair. The tag team scene is also in flux, with The Usos coming off a heated feud with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Both Breakker and Reed have been dominant forces on Raw, and their presence looms large over the evening’s proceedings, even if they’re not officially booked for matches tonight.
WrestlePalooza isn’t just an ordinary pay-per-view this year. The event marks the beginning of a new era for WWE’s Premium Live Events, which will now air in the U.S. on ESPN’s new streaming service. The move signifies WWE’s continued push into the digital space, following the success of its deal with Netflix for weekly Raw broadcasts. Fans are eager to see how the new partnership will shape the viewing experience and whether it will bring even more eyes to the product.
Adding to the sense of occasion, a notable former WWE star has announced via social media that he will be attending WrestlePalooza. While the identity remains under wraps, speculation is running wild among fans and insiders alike. Could this be the return of a legend or the debut of a new challenger? The suspense is palpable, and tonight’s Raw may drop more hints.
Dominik Mysterio is also set for a major moment, as he celebrates his historic AAA Mega Championship win at Worlds Collide II. As Intercontinental Champion, Mysterio’s star has continued to rise, and his celebration is expected to draw both admiration and envy from the locker room. The question is, will the festivities proceed without interruption, or will a challenger emerge to spoil the party?
With so many storylines converging in Springfield, the WWE Universe is in for a rollercoaster night. The MassMutual Center is primed for surprises, emotional farewells, and the kind of larger-than-life drama that only WWE can deliver. As the show goes live, fans across the country—and the world—will be tuning in, eager to see which rivalries explode and which alliances are forged on the road to WrestlePalooza.
As the clock ticks down to showtime, one thing’s certain: Springfield is the center of the wrestling world tonight, and anything can happen. With Cena’s homecoming, championship implications, and a loaded card, WWE Raw is set to deliver a night that fans won’t soon forget.
