Monday Night Raw on July 7, 2025, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, delivered a night packed with intense rivalries, surprise attacks, and high-stakes promos as WWE gears up for a monumental weekend featuring Saturday Night's Main Event and WWE Evolution 2. The evening was dominated by Seth Rollins and his powerful faction, including Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, who made it clear that "the empire strikes first" against their adversaries, setting a fierce tone for the night.
The show opened with the Rollins faction making a commanding presence in the ring. Bron Breakker took the microphone first, expressing his deep disdain for Sami Zayn, declaring that he would end Zayn's run that night. Breakker boldly proclaimed himself the future face of WWE for the next two decades, emphasizing a vision that excludes Zayn entirely. His words were sharp and personal, as he mocked Zayn's appearance and athleticism, sparking chants of support for Sami from the crowd. Bronson Reed followed, vowing to earn the respect of Jey Uso through relentless Tsunamis, a nod to the brutal moves he delivered to Rollins previously. Paul Heyman, ever the mouthpiece, promised that the empire would strike first, taking shots at Roman Reigns and warning that Penta would soon be unable to perform his signature hand gestures after facing Rollins.
In the opening match, Kairi Sane secured a hard-fought victory over WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Roxanne Perez with a quick backslide pin. Post-match, Perez and Raquel Rodriguez launched a vicious assault on Sane, only to be thwarted by the return of Asuka. The reunited Kabuki Warriors fought off their attackers, forcing them to retreat and setting up their inclusion in the upcoming women's tag team championship fatal four-way match at WWE Evolution.
Sami Zayn's night took a brutal turn as he was ambushed backstage by Karrion Kross wielding a metal pipe, targeting Zayn's ribs and leaving him visibly injured. Despite the attack, Zayn insisted on competing against Bron Breakker. The match saw Breakker dominate the weakened Zayn, delivering three devastating Spears to secure a pinfall victory in just over five minutes. Michael Cole's commentary highlighted the severity of Zayn's condition, pleading for the match to be stopped, but the relentless Breakker pressed on, cementing his dominance. Later, it was revealed that Sami Zayn would be out of action indefinitely, a significant blow to the roster.
Meanwhile, Jey Uso faced off against Bronson Reed in a match filled with tension and aggression. The bout ended in disqualification when Reed threw a chair at Uso's head, leading to a referee stoppage. Not content with the disqualification, Reed unleashed a brutal post-match assault, delivering two Tsunamis before officials intervened. This fierce encounter underscored the escalating feud between the two heavy hitters.
El Grande Americano made a striking return to the ring against Dragon Lee. Despite skepticism from commentators about the authenticity of the masked luchador—citing the absence of tattoos and a noticeably smaller mask—Americano used his signature loaded mask to gain an advantage. He sealed the victory with a diving headbutt, much to the delight of the crowd, though questions remain about the mysterious new persona behind the mask.
In a highly anticipated segment, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther cut a promo challenging Goldberg ahead of their title match at Saturday Night's Main Event. The tension escalated when Goldberg dramatically arrived in a cherry red muscle car, stormed the ring, and delivered a powerful punch that floored Gunther. Goldberg attempted a spear, but the champion narrowly escaped, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation for their upcoming clash.
The main event featured Seth Rollins against Penta in a thrilling contest that showcased both competitors' athleticism and resilience. Penta targeted Rollins' knee early, executing high-flying maneuvers and near-falls that energized the crowd. However, Rollins turned the tide with a controversial low blow—unseen by the referee—followed by his signature Stomp to secure the victory after nearly thirteen minutes of action. The match was a testament to Rollins' cunning and Penta's fighting spirit, with the audience fully engaged throughout.
Just as Rollins and his faction prepared to capitalize on the victory by summoning Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed for a post-match beatdown of Penta, the night took an unexpected twist. LA Knight made a surprise appearance, sneaking into the ring and delivering a devastating BFT to Rollins. Knight quickly retreated into the crowd before Breakker and Reed could respond, effectively spoiling what had been a perfect night for Rollins and injecting fresh momentum into their upcoming showdown at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Elsewhere on the show, the simmering tensions among the women’s division came to a head. Becky Lynch, set to defend her WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a triple threat match against Lyra Valkyria and Bayley at Evolution, voiced frustration over the circumstances, questioning why she had to face both challengers when they had recently lost to each other. Valkyria and Bayley’s uneasy alliance dissolved into a heated brawl, with Valkyria delivering her Nightwing finisher to both opponents, signaling a chaotic build-up to the title match.
Backstage, Nikki Bella announced via video that she would enter the Evolution battle royal, aiming to prove herself once again and earn a shot at the women's championship at Clash at the Castle. Ivy Nile also secured a spot in the battle royal, adding further intrigue to the event.
Throughout the night, Adam Pearce made key announcements, confirming the Kabuki Warriors' participation in the women’s tag team championship match at Evolution and approving Ivy Nile's inclusion in the battle royal. These decisions added layers to the already stacked card for the upcoming pay-per-view.
As the WWE Universe looks ahead to the weekend, the storylines are heating up with rivalries intensifying and alliances tested. Seth Rollins and LA Knight’s feud is set to reach a boiling point at Saturday Night’s Main Event, while the women’s division prepares for a high-stakes showdown at Evolution. The confrontations between Gunther and Goldberg, as well as the unresolved tensions involving Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Jey Uso, promise to deliver explosive moments that fans won’t want to miss.
Monday Night Raw’s July 7 edition solidified the narrative of a WWE on the brink of major upheaval, with dominant factions, rising stars, and veteran icons all vying for supremacy. The empire may have struck first, but with LA Knight's timely interference and the mounting challenges across the roster, the coming weekend is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter in WWE history.
