The August 18, 2025, episode of WWE Raw delivered a night of high drama, intense matches, and surprising announcements, including Naomi vacating the Women’s World Championship due to her pregnancy. While the episode showcased strong in-ring work and storyline developments, it also drew mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Here’s an in-depth look at three things we loved and three things we hated about this pivotal Raw episode, with insights from WWE.com, Fightful, Wrestleview, and industry insiders.

3 Things We Loved About WWE Raw 8/18/25

1. Jey Uso’s Gritty Victory Over Bron Breakker in a Hardcore Extreme Rules Match
The night’s highlight was undoubtedly Jey Uso’s brutal Extreme Rules match against Bron Breakker, culminating in a spectacular win. The fight featured multiple layers of interference, including Bronson Reed, Seth Rollins, LA Knight, CM Punk, and a shocking appearance by Roman Reigns, who delivered a spear and Superman Punch to Breakker, turning the tide in Uso’s favor[1][3]. This match was praised for its intense physicality and storyline progression, setting the stage for the upcoming Fatal 4-Way title match announced by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce[2].

2. Iyo Sky’s Impressive Win Against Raquel Rodriguez with Rhea Ripley’s Surprise Help
Iyo Sky made a strong statement by defeating Raquel Rodriguez with a series of high-impact maneuvers, including an Over the Moonsault finisher[1][5]. The post-match segment was notable as Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez attempted a beatdown, only for Ripley to come to Sky’s rescue, hinting at new alliances and rivalries within the women’s division. This moment lent fresh intrigue to Damage CTRL’s internal dynamics, especially given backstage tensions reported between Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Sky[4].

3. Naomi’s Emotional Women’s World Title Vacation Announcement
In a heartfelt segment, reigning Women’s World Champion Naomi revealed she is pregnant and voluntarily relinquished her title[1][3]. This rare development was met with widespread respect from both fans and wrestlers, highlighting the balancing act between personal life and professional wrestling. According to sources close to WWE, this announcement was carefully planned to protect Naomi’s legacy while keeping the women’s scene open for fresh championship storylines[3].

3 Things We Hated About WWE Raw 8/18/25

1. Overcrowded Interference Disturbing the Flow of the Main Event
While the Extreme Rules bout between Jey Uso and Bron Breakker was thrilling, many viewers criticized the overabundance of outside interference. The presence of six additional wrestlers diluted the match’s focus, making it chaotic and sometimes difficult to follow[1][3]. WWE insider perspectives shared on popular wrestling podcasts suggest this cluttered booking stretches storylines but risks alienating fans seeking clean, decisive matches.

2. Underutilization of The New Day in the Penta vs. Xavier Woods Bout
The Penta vs. Xavier Woods match featured an exciting clash, especially with Woods biting Penta’s fingers and a dramatic dive at ringside[1][4]. However, some fans felt Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller’s limited involvement as ringside distractions was disappointedly superficial considering The New Day’s star power. Wrestling critics noted that this segment missed an opportunity to build a deeper storyline beyond simple antics.

3. Mixed Booking of Women’s Division Factions Leading to Confusion
The on-screen discord between Iyo Sky and her former Damage CTRL teammates Asuka and Kairi Sane, especially after Ripley intervened on Sky’s behalf but not the others, created an unclear narrative in the women’s tag scene[4][5]. The backstage source reveals that while WWE intends to create tension to spark future feuds, the ambiguous presentation on Raw left some fans confused about alliance loyalties and lacked impactful storytelling clarity.

Additional Noteworthy Moments and Backstage Insights

• Becky Lynch Successfully Retains the Women’s Intercontinental Title Against Natalya
  Becky Lynch showcased her resilience in a solid 7:50 match, retaining her championship[5]. Post-match tension was diffused by a timely intervention from Dupri, preventing Lynch from escalating the assault, a booking choice that preserved Natalya’s credibility while elevating Lynch’s title reign.

• Teasing the Fatal 4-Way World Heavyweight Championship Match at Clash in Paris
  Raw General Manager Adam Pearce officially booked Seth Rollins to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk, Jey Uso, and LA Knight at WWE Clash in Paris[2][5]. This announcement enhances anticipation, given the dynamic relationships and recent betrayals among this foursome.

• Backstage Drama Elevates Women’s Division Storylines
  Insider reports confirm heightened backstage heat around the Damage CTRL faction. Sources disclosed tensions from Asuka and Kairi Sane over Sky’s alignment with Rhea Ripley, hinting this storyline will dominate women’s programming on Raw in the coming weeks, promising intense personal and professional confrontations beyond the ring[4].

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• WWE Raw August 18 2025 results
• Naomi vacates Women’s World Championship
• Jey Uso vs Bron Breakker Extreme Rules match
• WWE Women’s division storyline August 2025
• Seth Rollins Clash in Paris title defense
• Iyo Sky Raquel Rodriguez Raw 2025
• WWE backstage rumors Damage CTRL tension

Final Thoughts

WWE Raw on August 18, 2025, proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions — from Naomi’s touching maternity-related title relinquishment to the physical and chaotic grudge match between Jey Uso and Bron Breakker. The episode successfully pushed key storylines forward and positioned the company well for upcoming pay-per-views. However, overbooked segments and unclear faction dynamics indicate room for refinement. According to a WWE insider, “Tonight was all about setting the table for Clash in Paris, but ensuring each storyline has the right spotlight without overcrowding remains a balancing act for Raw creative.”

As WWE gears up for its next big event, fans can expect intriguing developments, especially in the women’s division and the heavyweight title scene. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the evolving landscape of WWE Raw.

Sources: WWE.com[1], Wrestleview.com[2], WrestlingInc.com[3][4], ProWrestling.net[5], Fightful Podcasts.