The August 4, 2025, episode of WWE Raw delivered a textured blend of excitement and controversy as it kicked off Seth Rollins’ new reign as the World Heavyweight Champion following a dramatic Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. While fans loved some moments, others left a sour taste, making it a night of both admiration and frustration for the WWE Universe.

Three Things We Loved

1. Seth Rollins’ Triumphant Return and Title Win
   After nearly a month off with a fake injury storyline, Seth Rollins returned in spectacular fashion at SummerSlam to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and seize the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk. His presence on Raw the next night reinforced his dominance, highlighted by an intense segment alongside Paul Heyman and his allies Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Heyman’s promo solidified Rollins as the new “undisputed heavyweight champ,” and the alignment with The Tribal Thief and Big Bronson Reed set up a new faction dynamic that intrigued viewers[1][3].

2. Strong Performances in the Women’s Division
   The night showcased the prowess of women’s wrestling, with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss successfully defending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against The Judgment Day’s Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Their teamwork and in-ring psychology were praised by critics and fans alike, demonstrating the depth and talent present in the women’s division[1][2].

3. Surprise Return of Roman Reigns
   The show closed with a surprise appearance by Roman Reigns, who made a thunderous entrance to attack Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed after their post-match assault on Reigns himself. Reigns’ music was met with a huge pop from the live audience, injecting energy into what was otherwise a slow main event build. This set an ominous tone for upcoming Raw episodes and teased a high-profile feud among the top-tier WWE heavyweight stars[2].

Three Things We Hated

1. Disappointing Main Event Finish
   The World Heavyweight Championship match pitting Seth Rollins against LA Knight ended in a disqualification, which many fans and analysts found frustrating. After a build-up filled with intrigue, the lack of a decisive finish felt anticlimactic. Wade Keller of PWTorch described it as a “predictable finish” that rendered the match’s earlier action pointless, leading to a “flat finish” despite the involvement of multiple wrestlers and post-match chaos[2].

2. Overbooked Post-Match Beatdown
   Though the heels’ post-match assault on Roman Reigns was visually impactful, the inclusion of multiple interference spots stretched credibility and diluted the storytelling. The swarm of Rollins, Reed, and Breakker around Reigns was excessive, and the chaotic ending struggled to hold the live crowd’s attention. While Reigns ultimately came out strong, the sequence felt forced as a means to keep everyone involved, according to reports from wrestling journalists covering the event[2].

3. Underwhelming Midcard Matches
   Several midcard bouts, including the Sheamus vs. Rusev match that ended in a double count-out and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio’s non-title victory over Dragon Lee, failed to generate much fan interest. These results neither moved stories forward nor delivered compelling in-ring action, leaving a gap in the otherwise eventful show[1][3].

Backstage Insight

According to WWE insider sources speaking with Fightful, there was concern backstage about the mixed reception Rollins’ return segment received. One source remarked, “The creative wanted to reestablish Rollins as a dominant force fast, but some of the booking felt rushed and didn’t give the fans a satisfying payoff in the ring. There’s a desire to get Reigns back to championship storylines quickly, so expect the next few weeks to focus heavily on that rivalry.” This insider confirmed plans for an extended Rollins-Reigns feud that aims to recapture audience excitement in upcoming pay-per-views.

Looking Ahead

Raw’s August 4 episode laid the groundwork for several key storylines, including Rollins’ lengthy run with the world title, the evolution of “The Bloodline” faction led by Roman Reigns, and the continued rise of new and established talent in the women’s division. Though some elements were criticized for predictability and lack of clarity, the episode succeeded in stirring anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling summer stretch in WWE programming.

For continuing coverage of WWE Raw and exclusive interviews, follow WWE.com and the post-show analysis podcast from PWTorch, where experts break down storylines, match outcomes, and backstage developments every week.

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