Phoenix, June 10: The red brand brought the heat on Monday night as WWE Raw lit up the Footprint Center in Phoenix with a mix of raw emotion, explosive comebacks, and a title match that brought fans to their feet. The episode did more than just move storylines along—it redefined where the company’s summer is headed.
Gunther Reclaims World Heavyweight Title in a Battle of Grit
When Jey Uso walked into the main event carrying the World Heavyweight Championship, he looked like a man ready to go the distance. Fresh off his WrestleMania win and still riding a wave of momentum, he didn’t come to Phoenix to play safe. But Gunther, known for his stoic intensity and unshakeable ring presence, had other plans.
The match wasn’t short on impact. Uso landed his signature splash and fired off two fierce spears, rattling the challenger. But Gunther stayed locked in, targeting Uso’s midsection and slowing the match to his tempo. In the final moments, after escaping a potential second splash, Gunther trapped Uso in a suffocating sleeper hold. Uso never tapped—he simply faded.
It was a finish that felt earned. Gunther didn’t steal the victory; he wore it down from the inside out. With that, he became a two-time World Heavyweight Champion and reclaimed his place at the top of the mountain.
Punk vs Cena: A Rivalry Rekindled for Night of Champions
Earlier in the night, John Cena stood before a divided crowd, reflecting on his championship run and what legacy means in an era that doesn’t always value it. Then came the interruption that shifted the entire tone of the evening.
CM Punk walked out without a grin, no cheap shots—just a straightforward challenge: face me at Night of Champions.
Cena didn’t waste time. With the kind of calm only two decades in the business can bring, he accepted on the spot. The match is now locked in for June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—a title bout with layers of history, pride, and unfinished business.
Perez Pulls Off an Upset in Queen of the Ring Clash
In a crowded field of contenders, Roxanne Perez outmaneuvered three dangerous opponents—Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, and Kairi Sane—in a fatal four-way to move one step closer to the crown.
The match saw temporary alliances fall apart as quickly as they formed. At one point, Perez and Morgan teamed up to isolate Sane, tossing her into Ripley at ringside. But alliances mean little when stakes are this high.
After Raquel Rodriguez interfered on behalf of her tag partner Morgan, chaos broke loose. Ripley delivered a devastating Riptide, only for Kairi to follow with an Insane Elbow. In the mayhem, Perez rolled up Sane for the win—a smart, opportunistic move that now puts her in the Queen of the Ring semifinals.
Zayn Survives Mayhem to Advance in King of the Ring
If the Queen’s match was a chess game, the men’s fatal four-way was a demolition derby. Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker, Penta, and Dominik Mysterio collided in a matchup that never stood still.
Breakker’s raw power, Penta’s high-flying unpredictability, and Mysterio’s cunning made for a volatile mix. Just as it looked like Breakker might steal it, LA Knight stormed the scene, laying him out with a BFT.
That left Zayn an opening, and he didn’t waste it. He hit Mysterio with a picture-perfect Helluva Kick and secured the three-count.
Zayn, often playing the underdog, now marches toward the King of the Ring semis with serious momentum behind him.
Bayley Blindsides Becky, Shakes Up the Women’s Roster
There was no warning. No music. No hint on social media.
Bayley returned out of nowhere, ambushing Becky Lynch backstage in a ruthless attack that seemed as personal as it was tactical. Lynch had been preparing for an interview segment when Bayley landed a forearm from behind and left her lying on the concrete.
While WWE hasn’t released an official statement on Bayley’s motivations, the look in her eyes said plenty. She’s not just back—she’s out to make a statement.
Liv Morgan Attacks Nikki Bella Backstage
Following her Queen of the Ring loss, Liv Morgan appeared backstage, pacing and visibly frustrated. Then came the flashpoint. Nikki Bella, making her first Raw appearance in months, became the target of Morgan’s fury.
Morgan pounced without warning, slamming Bella into nearby equipment and yelling something that was picked up faintly by cameras: “You think you can just walk back in here?”
Security intervened quickly, but the message was clear—Liv Morgan is spiraling, and she’s dragging others into the storm.
Ron Killings, Not R-Truth, Steps Forward
In one of the night’s more poignant segments, R-Truth shed more than just his comedic persona. Standing in front of the live crowd, he removed his signature hair ties and declared, “The truth isn’t a gimmick. It’s who I am.”
He then introduced himself by his real name, Ron Killings, and said the world hadn’t seen the last of him—not by a long shot. The crowd, initially stunned, offered a warm reaction. It wasn’t loud—but it was genuine.
AJ Styles Wins Clean Against Chad Gable
In what may have been the technical match of the night, AJ Styles and Chad Gable went hold-for-hold in a contest that was all about execution.
Gable nearly stole it with a surprise ankle lock reversal, but Styles countered with a clean Styles Clash to pick up the pin. No outside interference, no ref distractions—just two pros putting on a clinic.
Raw Sets the Stage for a Heated Summer
With the championship scene evolving, legacy battles brewing, and new threats emerging across both tournaments, WWE Raw on June 9 delivered an episode that didn’t just fill time—it moved pieces into place for a summer of meaningful rivalries.
Whether it’s Gunther’s renewed dominance, the return of Bayley, or the emotional rebranding of Ron Killings, there’s an urgency to the stories WWE is telling right now—and fans can feel it.
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