WWE Raw Highlights: Returns, Reunions, and New Wrestlepalooza Matches
The latest episode of WWE Raw in Milwaukee delivered a thrilling blend of nostalgia and new storylines, setting the stage for the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event. The show featured several significant moments, including the return of beloved stars and the formation of highly anticipated matches. Following Friday’s SmackDown where former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee made her dramatic comeback to thunderous applause from fans, Monday’s Raw continued the momentum with confrontations that left the WWE Universe buzzing with excitement.
AJ Lee’s return to WWE programming has quickly become one of the hottest storylines in the company. After attacking Becky Lynch and claiming the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown, AJ cut her first promo since returning on Monday night. The segment took an intense turn when Seth Rollins and his wife Becky Lynch interrupted, with Becky sporting sunglasses to cover a black eye allegedly received during AJ’s attack. The tension escalated as Seth demanded AJ return the championship to his wife, but AJ had other plans. “Becky, you can come to the ring right now and take your title, but you will risk me giving you another black eye,” AJ warned, before proposing an alternative solution: “I will give you this title if you agree to a tag match: AJ Lee and CM Punk versus Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.” When Seth attempted to retrieve the belt himself, CM Punk’s timely arrival prevented the situation from escalating further. After Punk attempted his signature GTS (Go To Sleep) finisher on Rollins, who managed to escape, Seth grabbed the microphone and accepted the challenge for Wrestlepalooza on behalf of himself and Becky.
The night also featured an emotional reunion of The Usos, as Jimmy and Jey arrived together to address recent attacks on their family. The brothers called out Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, who had brutally assaulted Roman Reigns at WWE’s Clash in Paris, leaving The Tribal Chief stretchered out of the arena. During their impassioned promo, The Usos referenced Paul Heyman, who was also hospitalized following the events in Paris, showing the personal stakes involved in this feud. The confrontation between these two powerful teams culminated in The Usos challenging Reed and Breakker to a tag team match at Wrestlepalooza, adding another high-profile contest to the card.
With these new additions, WWE’s first premium live event on ESPN is shaping up to be a landmark show. Wrestlepalooza, scheduled for September 20 at Indianapolis’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse, now features four major matches that promise to deliver memorable moments for fans. In addition to the newly announced mixed tag team match featuring the returning power couple of AJ Lee and CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, and The Usos facing Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, the event will showcase a dream match between two legendary figures in professional wrestling: Brock Lesnar and John Cena. These two icons have crossed paths before, creating historic moments in WWE, and their upcoming one-on-one battle at Wrestlepalooza has fans eagerly anticipating what could be another classic encounter.
The women’s division will also be prominently featured at Wrestlepalooza with Iyo Sky taking on Stephanie Vaquer in a championship match to determine who will claim the WWE Women’s World Championship, which was recently vacated by Naomi. This contest represents not only an opportunity for either competitor to elevate their status within WWE but also continues the company’s commitment to showcasing women’s wrestling on its biggest stages. The inclusion of Vaquer, who has been making waves since her arrival in WWE, against the established Sky creates an intriguing dynamic that adds further prestige to the Wrestlepalooza card.
As WWE prepares for its debut premium live event on ESPN, the storylines established on Raw demonstrate the company’s ability to blend returning stars with current talent to create compelling narratives. The emotional weight behind The Usos’ quest for revenge, combined with the star power of the AJ Lee and CM Punk versus Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins mixed tag match, provides multiple reasons for fans to tune in to Wrestlepalooza. With legendary competitors like Lesnar and Cena also featured, along with a championship opportunity in the women’s division, the September 20 event promises to be a significant milestone in WWE’s partnership with ESPN and potentially a turning point for several ongoing storylines in the company.
