WWE Raw results (11/17): Powell’s live review of John Cena’s final Raw as a wrestler, Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans, and Solo Sikoa vs. a mystery wrestler in The Last Time Is Now tournament matches
By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,695)
New York, New York, at Madison Square Garden
Streamed live November 17, 2025, on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore welcomed viewers to the show and said it felt “so right for a history-making night.” He narrated backstage/arrival shots of Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, the Survivor Series team of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Drew McIntyre, and Logan Paul with Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga, and Gunther… A video package recapped John Cena beating Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Championship on last week’s show…
Powell’s POV: Roughly 90 minutes before showtime, WrestleTix.com listed the venue as being set up for 18,134, and only 24 tickets had yet to be distributed. Cena’s final MSG appearance is a sellout.
Intercontinental Champion John Cena made his entrance to a huge pop. Cena stood on the small entrance set and pointed to fans behind him. He showed off his merchandise and said, “Let’s go to work, Stu.” Cena ran to the ring while being introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor.
The fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena,” and then his name. Taylor introduced him as the greatest of all time. She said it was his final appearance on WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden, and introduced him as the last real champion. Another round of “Thank you, Cena” chants broke out.
Cena said he appreciated the enthusiasm. He said New York City makes and breaks careers, and then thanked the city. Cena asked the fans if they were ready to start, and then declared, “The Champ is here.” Cena said. He said it was the last time they could talk together at MSG and on Raw. He said it’s bittersweet for some and a very important moment for him.
AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio’s entrance music interrupted Cena. Tessitore said Dom should know his place, and Wade Barrett checked in as the color commentator. Dom was booed once he was inside the ring and his music stopped playing. Dom said no one wanted to hear what Cena had to say.
Dom said Cena was handed a title shot, just like he’s been handed everything else. Dom said he’s had to work for everything he has. Dom said he wanted a rematch. Cena played to the live crowd about having the match on the spot. Dom got in Cena’s face and said no.
Dom said they already did things Cena’s way. Dom said Cena had his hometown and management on his side. A censored “shut the f— up” chant broke out. Cena told the Netflix viewers that the fans were chanting “Choco Fun Cups.” Dom said he wanted the match at Survivor Series.
Cena agreed to the Intercontinental Title match at Survivor Series, but he said he had promised that he would have a match at MSG. Cena said they could forget the title for the night. “Do you feel lucky, punk?” Cena asked.
Finn Balor and JD McDonagh made their entrance. Once they were in the ring, Dom told Cena that he wouldn’t get his final match on Raw, but he would get his ass beat. The Judgment Day trio attacked Cena and put the boots to him.
Sheamus ran out to help Cena, but he fell victim to the numbers advantage. Cena tried to fight, but he was put down again. Rey Mysterio made his entrance and went after Dom. Cena and Sheamus recovered and then helped Rey clear Dom, Balor, and McDonagh from the ring.
Cena said Dom had a team, and he has a team of his own. Cena called for a six-man tag match. A referee ran out and called for the bell to start the match, and then the show went to the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: I guess the good news is that this should be the last Cena match interrupted by a commercial break.
1. John Cena, Sheamus, and Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh. Rey ran the ropes with Balor in position for a 619, but Dom stood on the floor and tripped him. Rey dropkicked Dom through the ropes. Balor took advantage of the distraction and tossed Rey to the floor. [C]
Rey was isolated until he made a hot tag to Cena, who worked over McDonagh. Cena set up for his finisher, but McDonagh slipped away and then dropped him with a headbutt. McDongh hit Cena with a top rope moonsault. Balor followed with a Coup de Grace. Dom hit a frog splash. McDonagh and Balor both covered Cena and the referee counted for reasons that only make sense to the referee, but Sheamus broke it up.
Rey set up Dom for a 619, but Dom’s teammates pulled him to the floor. Cena, Sheamus, and Rey pulled the heels onto the apron and hit them with simultaneous Ten Beats while the crowd counted along. Once they put the heels down, the babyfaces all hit Five Knuckle Shuffles. Dom rolled to the floor. Rey hit a double 619 on Balor and McDonagh. Sheamus hit Balor with a Brogue Kick. Cena hit McDonagh with an Attitude Adjustment and then pinned him.
John Cena, Sheamus, and Rey Mysterio defeated Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh in 14:45.
After the match, the babyfaces went to the stage and played to the fans who were seated behind the small entrance set. Cena said thank you over the camera mic and then they headed to the back…
Powell’s POV: I’m so sick and tired of WWE shoving Cena down our throats. Why not give Dom a win to put heat on him going into Survivor Series?!? Yes, I’m kidding. Of course, Cena got the feel-good win in his final Raw match. This was a crowd-pleaser. I am a little surprised they didn’t save this match for the main event because it would have closed the show on a high note, but we’ll see what they go with instead.
Footage from Smackdown aired of Drew McIntyre attacking Cody Rhodes and joining The Vision’s team for Survivor Series…
Backstage, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis vented to Raw General Manager about that Smackdown segment. Paul Heyman entered the room and said that if his pick of Drew McIntyre pissed them off, wait until they see what he had in store for them. Heyman handed Pearce a contract folder and laughed as he exited the room. Pearce and Aldis were not pleased when they looked at the contract…
Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer was shown walking backstage… [C]
Comedian Eric Andre, singer Ashley Cooke, Philadelphia Eagles players (including Cooper DeJean), and New York Giants players were shown in the crowd, including injured Giants running back Cam Skattebo. Andrew Schulz was seated next to the Giants players. Footage aired from during the commercial break of some pushing and shoving between the Giants players and the three Judgment Day members who were in the opening match…
Highlights aired from last week’s Raw of Nikki Bella turning on Stephanie Vaquer…
Jackie Redmond stood in the ring and introduced Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who came out and held up her title belt on the stage. Nikki Bella ran out and attacked Vaquer. Nikki ran Vaquer into the LED screen. Nikki told Vaquer that she didn’t come back to WWE to watch from the sideline or to be her sidekick. Nikki thanked Vaquer for reminding her who she is. Nikki said Vaquer will give her a title shot and will bow down to her, the woman who changed the entire industry. “Comprende, mamacita?” Nikki asked before dropping the title belt on Vaquer…
Powell’s POV: Nikki’s mic work was flat, and it looked silly that Vaquer had to stay down and listen rather than fight back.
Footage aired from Smackdown of Charlotte Flair walking out on the women’s babyface Survivor Series team due to her issues with Rhea Ripley…
Backstage, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria were interrupted by WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka wanted Bayley to be on her Survivor Series team. Bayley responded to Asuka’s laughing with her own maniacal laugh and then told her no. Asuka stormed off. Sane did the “you can’t see me” in Bayley’s face before running off when Asuka called. Valkyria told Bayley she was proud of her and went for a high five. “What are you five?” Bayley asked…
Solo Sikoa made his entrance with Talla Tonga for the first of the two tournament matches… [C] Tessitore ran through the WWE podcast schedule and said John Cena would be on Tuesday’s Raw Recap show…
“And his opponent…” Alicia Taylor said. After a few seconds of silence, the familiar sound of shitty entrance music played. Dolph Ziggler (Nic Nemeth) made his entrance wearing a “Wanted Man” jacket.
[Hour Two] 2. Solo Sikoa (w/Talla Tonga) vs. Dolph Ziggler in a The Last Time Is Now tournament opening round match. The match spilled over to ringside. Ziggler slammed Solo’s head on the broadcast desk. A “Let’s go, Ziggler,” chant broke out. Back in the ring, Ziggler hit a top rope elbow drop and went for the pin, but Solo kicked out at one. [C]
The broadcast team indicated that Solo had dominated the action during the break. Ziggler rolled up Solo for a two count. Ziggler dodged a charging Solo in the corner and then hit a Zigzag for good a near fall. Ziggler tuned up the band and went for a superkick, but Solo caught his foot. Once Solo released Ziggler’s foot, Ziggler superkicked him. Solo came right back with a Samoan Spike and scored the pin…
Solo Sikoa defeated Dolph Ziggler in 8:50 to advance to the quarterfinals of The Last Time Is Now tournament.
A Je’Von Evans video package aired, and then Barrett hyped Evans vs. Gunther for later in the show…
Alexa Bliss was shown walking backstage… [C]
Powell’s POV: Nic Nemeth would have won that match, but Dolph Ziggler’s entrance music pissed off Solo to the point that his rage made him unstoppable. Okay, putting my hatred of that f’n song aside, it was nice to see Ziggler back on WWE television, and the live crowd clearly agreed. On a side note, it was a nice touch to have a video package on Evans. It was brief and basic, but it’s better than nothing, as not every WWE fan follows the NXT brand.
Rapper Lil Yachty, UFC fighter Aljamain Sterling, actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephanie McMahon, and Steph’s podcast co-host Elyse Dudzinski were shown in the crowd…
Alexa Bliss stood in the ring and told the crowd to let her tell them how her weekend was. She said Charlotte Flair ignored all of her messages, even though she saw Instagram videos of Flair in New York City. Bliss looked into the camera and addressed Flair. She said they could regain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, but she had an issue with trust. Bliss said she got her ass kicked when Flair walked out on her because she doesn’t like Rhea Ripley. Bliss called Flair her best friend and said she’d gone through hell and back for her.
Asuka’s entrance music played and she walked out with her Survivor Series teammates Kairi Sane, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend.
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