WWE’s Raw at Madison Square Garden was as advertised. The show, centered on it being John Cena’s final Raw, included Cena in action alongside two former foes, a title change, four surprise returns, the first matches in months for Rey Mysterio and Gunther, the finalization of the Men’s War Games match, and new matches announced for both next week on Raw and November’s Survivor Series. It was a packed 2.5 hours without doubt.
Two New Matches Added to Survivor Series
John Cena opened the night but before he could talk to the fans, Dominik Mysterio interrupted. Mysterio wanted to make one thing clear, he wanted a rematch for his Intercontinental Championship. Cena was ready to have the match right there in New York but Mysterio shut that idea down saying this time, things would be on his terms. Just like how Cena got his title match in his hometown, Mysterio wanted the rematch to take place in his hometown, San Diego, California, at Survivor Series. Cena agreed to Mysterio’s terms but he made the New York fans a promise that he’d have a match on his final Raw. Cena challenged Mysterio to a non-title match but Mysterio said no match, just a fight. Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh were there to back Mysterio up as Sheamus and Rey Mysterio came out to back Cena. A six-man tag team match won by the babyfaces ensued as later in the night it was confirmed that in Cena’s penultimate match, he’d defend his newly won IC title against the self-proclaimed greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time.
Later in the night, another match was made official as Nikki Bella ambushed Stephanie Vaquer and demanded a women’s title match. The newly turned heel told Vaquer she didn’t return to sit on the sidelines or be anyone’s sidekick. She came back to reclaim the division she elevated. Bella challenged Vaquer to a Women’s Championship match at Survivor Series and while Vaquer didn’t accept on screen, the match was announced as official before Raw came to an end.
War Games Advantage Match Set for 10/24 Raw in Addition to First Quarterfinals for Last Time is Now Tournament
Raw ended with the men’s war games match in full focus as Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns returned to Raw for the first time in months, seemingly aligning with Team Vision and Team Punk respectively. Earlier in the night it was announced that a match to determine the War Games advantage was set for the 10/24 episode of Raw. It is unknown who will be competing in that match but it is certain that both of these teams are stacked, a total of 25 world championships between the 10 men.
In addition to the huge War Games advantage match, next week’s Raw will feature the first two Quarterfinal matches in the Last Time is Now Tournament. Solo Sikoa will be in action against the winner of Penta/Finn Balor and Gunther will take on the winner of Carmelo Hayes/Bronson Reed. Both of those matches will take place this Friday on SmackDown.
Read More: WWE Raw Results and LIVE Updates (11/17/25): The IC Champ is Here for One Last Time
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