The road to WWE Clash in Paris heated up in “The City of Brotherly Love” as Monday Night Raw delivered a night of high-octane action, shocking announcements, and unforgettable moments. Broadcast live on Netflix from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the August 18, 2025, episode of Raw kept fans on the edge of their seats with championship drama, faction feuds, and a main event that brought the house down. Here’s a full recap of the electrifying night.
Seth Rollins and The Vision Set the Tone
The show kicked off with the familiar cry of “Burn it down!” as Seth Rollins, flanked by “The Oracle” Paul Heyman and The Vision faction, strutted to the ring. Heyman, ever the showman, declared himself the “G.O.A.T.” of Philadelphia, boasting about his influence both in front of and behind the camera. He hyped up his stable, introducing Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Rollins with his signature bravado. But before Rollins could speak, “Main Event” Jey Uso crashed the party, igniting the crowd with a chorus of “YEET!” chants. Uso called out Breakker, dubbing him a “puppy dog,” and challenged him to settle their beef in an Extreme Rules match later that night. The stage was set for a chaotic main event.
Iyo Sky Soars Over Raquel Rodriguez
The opening match saw Iyo Sky take on Raquel Rodriguez in a fast-paced women’s showdown. Sky, determined to reclaim championship glory solo, rejected help from The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) before heading to the ring. Rodriguez, accompanied by Roxanne Perez, dominated early with her raw power, slamming Sky down with authority. However, a distraction from Perez at ringside backfired, allowing Sky to capitalize with a stunning Over The Moonsault for the victory.
Post-match, Rodriguez and Perez ambushed Sky, but the arena erupted when Rhea Ripley’s music hit. “The Eradicator” stormed the ring, clearing house and standing tall with Sky in a moment of unexpected alliance. Backstage, tensions flared as The Kabuki Warriors confronted Sky for accepting Ripley’s help, leading to a heated exchange in Japanese that hinted at cracks in their partnership.
Winner: Iyo Sky
Penta Claims Victory in the $18,000 Hat Match
Next up, Xavier Woods, accompanied by Kofi Kingston, faced Penta in a unique “$18,000 Hat Match,” with a pricey piece of headwear on the line. Penta started strong, dazzling the Philly crowd with his high-flying offense. Woods fought back, demanding his “18-grand” with a fiery edge, but Penta’s resilience shone through. After a thrilling sequence that saw Penta leap from the top rope to take out both Woods and Kingston on the floor, he sealed the win with a Mexican Destroyer. Penta dodged a post-match attack, leaving the ring with both the victory and his prized hat intact.
Winner: Penta
The Judgment Day Overpower Mr. Iguana and Dragon Lee
Tag-team action followed as The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh) took on AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo and Dragon Lee, with Dominik Mysterio in their corner. The match started with high energy, as Dragon Lee and Mr. Iguana thrilled the crowd with synchronized dives to the floor. The Philly faithful, however, couldn’t resist chanting for “Dirty” Dom. The Judgment Day regained control, with McDonagh isolating Dragon Lee. Despite a valiant effort from Iguana, Dominik’s interference paved the way for Bálor’s top-rope Coup de Grace, securing the win. Post-match, The Judgment Day continued their assault until Vikingo attempted a save, only to be overwhelmed.
Winners: The Judgment Day
Bayley’s Heel Turn Takes Shape
The broadcast team highlighted social media updates showcasing Bayley’s ongoing transformation. Once a fan favorite, Bayley’s inner turmoil was palpable, with her “inner voice” pushing her toward a darker persona. The commentators speculated about a potential alignment with The Wyatt Sicks, teasing a dramatic shift in her storyline.
Becky Lynch Retains in a Brutal Title Defense
The WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship was on the line as Becky Lynch defended against Natalya, accompanied by Alpha Academy’s Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa. “The Man” and Nattie delivered a hard-hitting contest, with Natalya initially holding her own. However, Lynch targeted Nattie’s arm, slamming it into the ring post and locking in the DisArmHer for the submission victory. Refusing to release the hold post-match, Lynch sparked a brawl with Nikki Bella, leading to a chaotic pull-apart that left fans buzzing.
Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Becky Lynch
Sheamus and Rusev Set for a Donnybrook
Backstage, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce had enough of the ongoing chaos between Sheamus and Rusev. Announcing a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook Match for WWE Clash in Paris, Pearce promised the two would settle their score once and for all, leaving fans eager for the brutal showdown.
Naomi’s Emotional Announcement
In a heartfelt moment, Naomi took to the ring alongside Adam Pearce to address her future as WWE Women’s World Champion. Fresh off a podcast appearance with Jimmy Uso on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story,” Naomi revealed she is pregnant, prompting a joyous “Baby Uso!” chant from the crowd. With emotion in her voice, Naomi laid her title in the ring, vowing to return in nine months to reclaim it. The commentators noted that an update on the championship’s status would come next week on Raw, set for a special 3 PM EST start time from Birmingham, England.
Jey Uso Triumphs in Extreme Rules Chaos
The main event delivered pure pandemonium as “Main Event” Jey Uso faced Bron Breakker in an Extreme Rules match, with a shopping cart of weapons paying homage to Philadelphia’s ECW roots. Breakker came out swinging, but Uso’s resilience shone through, fueled by the crowd’s “YEET!” chants. The action spilled outside, with Uso diving onto Breakker amid tables and trash cans.
As the match intensified, Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins interfered, turning the tide against Uso. LA Knight attempted to even the odds, but CM Punk’s surprise arrival shifted the momentum. Punk chased Rollins to the back, leaving Uso to battle alone. Just when all seemed lost, Roman Reigns’ music hit, sending the Philly crowd into a frenzy. “The OTC” speared Breakker, setting up Uso for a top-rope Uso Splash through a table for the victory. Reigns and Uso stood tall as Raw went off the air, leaving fans chanting “OTC!” in a thunderous close.
Winner: ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso
Looking Ahead to Clash in Paris
With Naomi’s title vacancy looming, Becky Lynch’s reign intensifying, and blockbuster matches like Sheamus vs. Rusev on the horizon, WWE Clash in Paris is shaping up to be a must-see event. Next week’s Raw from Birmingham promises more twists as the road to Paris accelerates. Stay tuned to Netflix for all the action!
