WWE Raw on August 11, 2025, delivered a mixed bag of action and storylines from Quebec City’s Videotron Centre as the fallout from SummerSlam lingered and the road to Clash in Paris intensified. The show featured high-stakes matches, heated backstage confrontations, and a surprising world title match announcement. However, it wasn’t without its flaws. Below, we break down three things we loved and three things we hated about the episode, drawing on reports from WWE.com, ProWrestling.net, and Fightful sources.

Three Things We Loved

1. CM Punk’s Intense Opening Promo

CM Punk kicked off Raw with a passionate and emotionally charged promo that set the tone for the entire night. In the wake of Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to snatch the World Heavyweight Championship from Punk at SummerSlam, Punk addressed the crowd with a raw hunger for redemption. He called out Rollins for trying to imitate him but failing miserably and promised he was more obsessed than ever with reclaiming the gold. This segment reestablished Punk’s top-tier status and reignited his fiery rivalry with Rollins, fueling anticipation for their Clash in Paris showdown. According to ProWrestling.net’s Jason Powell, the crowd’s reaction and Punk’s intensity made this a highlight of the night[2].

2. Women’s Intercontinental Championship Defense by Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch showcased why she remains one of WWE’s most dominant female champions, successfully defending her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri via submission. Lynch’s victory with the Disarm Her submission was both convincing and compelling, proving her in-ring prowess. What added extra intrigue was Lynch’s post-match cheap shot on Natalya, which hints at potential new rivalries brewing. CBS Sports noted that Lynch’s performance kept the Women’s Intercontinental Title scene unpredictable and engaging[3][4].

3. Unexpected Tag Team Dynamics and Surprises

The tag matches delivered both surprises and excitement. El Grande Americano teaming with Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in a closely contested match, highlighted by Mysterio’s clever use of a loaded mask to secure the victory. Also, tensions escalated when Sami Zayn defeated Rusev by disqualification after interference, setting up a heated conflict involving Sheamus, Solo Sikoa, and the MFTs. This complex web of alliances and betrayals continues to deepen the storyline intrigue, as outlined on Wrestleview and Bleacher Report[1][5].

Three Things We Hated

1. Naomi’s Medical Withdrawal and Its Ripple Effect

Originally scheduled for a high-profile Women’s World Championship match against Iyo Sky, Naomi was declared medically unfit to compete on short notice, disappointing fans and throwing the women’s division into disorder. Consequently, Iyo Sky faced Roxanne Perez in an impromptu match, which Sky lost due to miscommunication and interference. The lack of Naomi’s presence diminished the quality of the women’s title storyline on this episode. Fightful sources and CBS Sports highlighted this as a missed opportunity to elevate the women’s division on a major Raw night[3][4].

2. Overbooked Interferences and Disqualifications

While some interferences advanced storylines effectively, the sheer volume of run-ins and disqualifications diluted match intensity. Matches involving Sami Zayn vs. Rusev and the tag team bout of CM Punk & LA Knight versus Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed ended via disqualification due to outside interference from MFTs and Rollins, respectively. The repeated rule-breaks made it difficult for fans to invest in the in-ring storytelling, as noted by Wrestleview’s analysis. Overbooking often undermines momentum and frustrates viewers craving decisive outcomes[1][4].

3. Underutilization of Women’s Factions Leading to Confusing Backstage Drama

The backstage segments revolving around Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Rhea Ripley revealed mounting tensions in the Damage CTRL faction, with finger-pointing and confrontations casting confusion rather than clarity. Asuka shoving Iyo Sky and Ripley’s cryptic warning created drama, but left the storyline feeling disjointed and underdeveloped. According to ProWrestling.net and CBS Sports, the faction’s internal conflict lacked the emotional payoff or coherence expected on a big Raw night[2][4].

Clash in Paris World Heavyweight Title Match Officialized

A major storyline advancement was Seth Rollins being officially forced into a Clash in Paris World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk. This stipulation sets up a high-stakes main event for WWE’s upcoming premium live event. Rollins’ continued attacks on Punk and the involvement of LA Knight, alongside Jey Uso’s interference, add layers of complexity to the feud. Fightful sources backstage confirmed WWE’s intention to build this rivalry as the centerpiece storyline leading into Clash in Paris[4].

Backstage Scoop: Insider Insights

According to a WWE insider close to the creative team, “Tonight’s Raw was designed to push CM Punk and Seth Rollins head-to-head, reestablishing their feud as the top priority heading into Clash in Paris. The women’s division setbacks due to Naomi’s injury created challenges, but they are eager to pivot quickly and get those stories back on track next week.” This backstage perspective aligns with the commitment to strengthening key rivalries while managing unexpected changes[2][3].

Final Thoughts

WWE Raw on August 11 provided solid wrestling action, highlighted by CM Punk’s passionate promo and Becky Lynch’s title retention, as well as complex storylines evolving across tag teams and factions. However, injuries, overbooking with interferences, and convoluted backstage drama held the show back from being truly exceptional. With Clash in Paris looming, WWE’s focus on Punk and Rollins promises compelling storytelling in the weeks ahead.

For fans craving high-stakes drama and explosive matches, Raw 8/11/25 was a mixed but promising precursor to what might be an unforgettable run culminating in Clash in Paris.

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