WWE Raw on August 11, 2025, held in Quebec City delivered a packed night full of high-stakes drama, unexpected twists, and set the stage for next month’s much-anticipated Clash in Paris event. Notably, the episode cemented a World Heavyweight Title match and featured several compelling developments in both the men’s and women’s divisions. According to sources including WWE.com, Fightful Wrestling’s breakdown, and backstage reports, here are the biggest upsets and highlights—plus a few moments that frustrated fans.

What We Loved About WWE Raw 8/11/25

1. Seth Rollins Forced Into World Title Match at Clash in Paris
The show kicked off with a major storyline twist, as Seth Rollins was officially booked for a World Heavyweight Championship match against the reigning champion CM Punk at Clash in Paris. This decision came after Punk and LA Knight secured a disqualification victory in a chaotic tag match against Bron Breakker and “Big” Bronson Reed, which saw Rollins run in late to attack Punk. Sources close to WWE backstage confirmed the move was designed to ramp up hype for the pay-per-view and added fresh intrigue to Rollins’ redemption arc after recent setbacks[1][4].

2. Roxanne Perez Upsets Iyo Sky Amid Tag Team Turmoil
With Naomi sidelined due to medical reasons and unable to defend the Women’s World Title, Roxanne Perez stepped up to challenge Iyo Sky, creating an impromptu match that Perez won via a surprise pin. This upset victory injected new life into the Women’s division storyline. The emotional backstage aftermath, where Iyo confronted former Damage CTRL allies Asuka and Kairi Sane, enhanced the tension ahead of future matches. Fightful Wrestling noted that the backstage segments added layered storytelling and set up ongoing rivalries involving Raquel Rodriguez and Rhea Ripley[2][4].

3. Becky Lynch Continues Dominance with Women’s Intercontinental Title Win
“The Man” Becky Lynch successfully defended her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri with a decisive submission victory using the Disarm Her. Lynch’s performance was praised by analysts for blending technical skill with compelling ring psychology. Post-match, Lynch controversially took a cheap shot at Natalya, signaling escalating heat between the veterans and younger contenders in the division. This development promises high-stakes matchups on upcoming episodes. Sean Ross Sapp highlighted how Lynch’s work here solidified her role as a fighting champion[2][3].

What We Hated About WWE Raw 8/11/25

1. Naomi’s Injury Forces Last-Minute Card Changes
Fans expressed disappointment as Naomi, the reigning Women’s World Champion, was medically cleared to compete at the last minute, forcing the originally scheduled title match to be scrapped. While medical safety is paramount, the abrupt change disrupted storytelling momentum and dampened sky-high expectations for Naomi vs. Iyo Sky. Wrestling insiders suggest this was an unfortunate timing that hurt the show’s pacing and viewer excitement[2][4].

2. Overbooked Sami Zayn vs. Rusev Match
The highly anticipated singles match between Sami Zayn and Rusev ended abruptly via disqualification due to interference from Solo Sikoa and the MFT faction members. Before this, Sheamus appeared in a tense segment that escalated further brawls post-match. While the storyline has future implications, many critics felt the overbooked finish undermined Sami and Rusev’s in-ring storytelling potential and left viewers hanging instead of delivering a clear-cut winner or a definitive moment[1][3][4].

3. Asuka and Kairi Sane’s Misfired Interference
In the women’s division match between Roxanne Perez and Iyo Sky, interference from Asuka and Kairi Sane backfired, inadvertently costing Sky the match. This has sparked confusion among fans regarding Damage CTRL’s internal dynamics, as Iyo’s confrontation backstage with Asuka suggested cracks in their alliance. Although this development added narrative complexity, some viewers found it frustratingly inconsistent with previous character portrayals. Rhea Ripley’s backstage involvement only layered the ongoing mistrust[4].

Additional Match Highlights and Backstage News

• El Grande Americano and WWE Intercontinental Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio defeated tag team rivals AJ Styles and Dragon Lee via pinfall. Mysterio’s use of a loaded mask to gain advantage showed heel tactics that add edge to his current run[1][4].

• The show’s commentary by Michael Cole and Corey Graves kept fans engaged with insightful analysis and built the tension around forthcoming feuds and potential MITB (Money in the Bank) cash-in scenarios, especially with CM Punk’s involvement[1][3].

• Backstage, WWE officials, including Adam Pearce, were seen managing escalating conflicts, particularly as security struggled to maintain order after Sheamus’ disruptive actions following the Sami Zayn-Rusev match. New Day members, including Xavier Woods, voiced frustrations in a comedic segment foreshadowing next week’s matches involving Penta[3].

Insider Take: WWE’s Strategy Behind Raw 8/11/25

According to a WWE insider who spoke to Fightful Wrestling, the target audience for this Raw was fans eager for intense character-driven drama mixed with unpredictable outcomes. “The booking decisions, especially forcing Seth Rollins into a high-stakes match with CM Punk, show WWE’s commitment to creating must-see pay-per-view moments that pay off long-term storylines,” the source explained. They also noted the women’s division was navigated carefully around Naomi’s injury to keep the championship scene unpredictable but warned that the overbooked Sami-Rusev conflict risks alienating fans who want cleaner finishes.

What’s Next After Raw?

The fallout from this episode sets the stage for a huge Clash in Paris pay-per-view featuring:

• CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, anticipated to be a hard-hitting showdown
• Regina Sky and Damage CTRL’s fractured future after backstage tension
• Becky Lynch’s ongoing title defenses, possibly against Natalya or Maxxine Dupri in rematches
• Rising storylines involving Rusev, Sheamus, and Sami Zayn continuing their bitter rivalry

Fans should expect a blend of high-quality wrestling and evolving narratives as WWE builds toward the major late-summer event.

WWE Raw on August 11, 2025, was a rollercoaster night with memorable matches and storyline twists that delivered a mixed bag of excitement and frustration. As always, WWE.com, Fightful Wrestling, and trusted insiders will keep fans updated on future developments and behind-the-scenes insights. Stay tuned for next week’s Raw and the Clash in Paris pay-per-view, where these rivalries will reach their boiling points.