Updated WWE Raw Preview (Aug 25, 2025): England Mayhem — Reigns Opens, Women's Championship Updates, Nikki Calls Out Becky, and More

Programming note: Raw has a special start time today — 12pm PT / 3pm ET as WWE hustles overseas for Clash in Paris. We’ll be running live, match-by-match coverage at Wrestling.news all afternoon with quick clips, grades, and instant reactions. Bookmark us and jump in.

Roman Reigns is set to open the go-home Raw from bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, England, days before his showdown with Bronson Reed in Paris. The “Tribal Thief” angle (Reed swiping Reigns’ sneakers and jawing on house shows) has added some real bite, and Paul Heyman’s fingerprints are all over the build. Expect Reigns to address Reed—and the wider wars involving Seth Rollins, CM Punk, LA Knight, and Jey Uso ahead of Sunday’s World Heavyweight Title Fatal 4-Way.

Women’s World Championship — Update Expected

Stephanie Vaquer vs. ⁉️The Women’s World Title was noticeably missing from WWE’s internal Clash in Paris rundown. Vaquer—who punched her ticket by winning last month’s Women’s Battle Royal at Evolution—currently has no champion to challenge after Naomi vacated the belt on Raw due to pregnancy. Commentary teased that answers are coming on today’s Aug. 25 Raw from Birmingham.

Other news on the women’s side, Nikki Bella will call out Becky Lynch, a segment that could fast-track a major addition to the PLE lineup this Sunday. We’ve heard similar rumblings for days—keep an eye on how quickly this heats up on a travel-tight show.

Two matches are already on the board:

• Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez — with IYO SKY and the kabuki chessboard (Asuka & Kairi Sane) looming over any alliances.
• Penta vs. Kofi Kingston — after Penta’s win over Xavier Woods, New Day hunts payback.

Quick Guide: How to Watch

• Streaming: Netflix (exclusive home of Raw)
• Special Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT (matinee slot due to international travel)
• Location: bp pulse LIVE — Birmingham, England

What’s Announced for Today’s Raw

• Roman Reigns kicks off the show
• Nikki Bella calls out Becky Lynch
• Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez
• Penta vs. Kofi Kingston

Storylines to Watch

• Reigns vs. Reed momentum play: Does Heyman deploy Reed (and maybe Bron Breakker) to steal the last word before Paris? Or does Reigns stack the deck for Sunday?
• Fatal 4-Way crossfire: Rollins’ numbers have carried him since WrestleMania 41, but Punk/Knight/Jey have math (and motive) on their side this week.
• Nikki/Becky escalation: A clean stage for a challenge, a brawl—or both. Expect receipts for recent barbs.
• Ripley–Perez, Sky-line interference: If SKY circles Ripley again, watch Asuka/Sane respond fast.
• Penta–Kofi heat: Kingston promised retribution after Woods’ scary landing; Penta will be hunting a second straight Destroyer-finish showcase.

🎙️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

• Matinee pacing: With the early slot and a flight clock ticking, segments will likely be tight, finish-heavy, and camera-conscious—great for social clips ahead of Clash in Paris.
• Protecting pillars: Don’t be shocked by DQ/schmoz finishes to keep Reigns, Rollins, Punk, and co. clean before Sunday.
• Women’s title picture: Nikki/Becky feels timed to set up a late-card Paris addition—production loves a last-week hook when travel compresses rehearsal time.
• New Day vs. Penta’s highlight reel: One more high-impact bump spot is very possible—produces the shareable moment Raw wants going into PLE week.

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