5 Thoughts On WWE Raw 9/22/25: Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins Back Together

I’m introducing a new weekly column where I look at five thoughts from the previous edition of WWE Raw.

What stood out on Monday’s show?

Let’s jump in.

1. It’s good to have Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins back together on WWE television.

I enjoyed the promo segment to set up their match at Crown Jewel. Do I love the stipulation that requires champion vs. champion for that PLE? Not at all. However, it’s one that allowed two longtime rivals to revisit their complicated history. Not only was what Cody and Rollins said effective, but so was the backstage segment where Rollins was looking at the watch Cody gave him after they teamed up at WrestleMania 40 while Becky Lynch ranted in the background. The Crown Jewel match will be terrific, and so should their interactions leading up to October 11.

2. Jey Uso’s direction is getting very interesting.

Jey defeated LA Knight, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Knight loses every big match (that’s a topic for another day). However, Jey winning by capitalizing on a distraction from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed? I’m intrigued. Add in the fact that Jey wouldn’t help Jimmy Uso save Knight from a beatdown after the match, and WWE is doing a great job with Jey’s direction. He’s not a heel, but instead, a frustrated babyface who realized that falling from the pinnacle and getting back there is a bigger challenge than getting there in the first place.

3. Asuka and Kairi Sane are one of the best things in WWE.

It had to happen. Asuka made it clear to IYO SKY that she wasn’t gonna put up with any bullshit, and it hit a boiling point after Asuka lost to Rhea Ripley in the main event. The dynamic between Asuka and Kairi Sane is one of the most entertaining parts of WWE television these days, and the official turn – and Sane hesitating before ultimately taking aim at both SKY and Rhea – sets up a highly anticipated tag team match at (most likely) Crown Jewel.

4. The Stephanie Vaquer era as Women’s World Champion feels unique.

It was refreshing to have a segment where a new champion didn’t get attacked by their next opponent. Instead, WWE let Stephanie Vaquer reveal her mission statement as champ, and that was that. No shenanigans, no angry heel crashing the party. I liked it a lot. Adam Pearce announced that Vaquer will face the winner of Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton at Crown Jewel, which I would assume is Stratton.

5. Should Rusev defeat Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship?

The showdown is officially set for next week between Rusev and Dominik. Who should win? I thought AJ Styles would defeat Dominik in one of the two matches they had, yet Dirty Dom retained in both. Getting the belt to Rusev would open up multiple feuds against a returning Ilja Dragunov, Sheamus, and more, but since this is a Raw match, I’m not convinced of the title change just yet. Dominik having two titles is a great tool for a heel, so WWE may keep pushing that theme moving forward.