WWE Raw Preview - August 25, 2025: Special Start Time, Penta vs. Kofi, Ripley vs. Perez, and Major Women’s Championship Announcements Expected

WWE Monday Night Raw goes live this week from bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, UK — and fans need to remember the special international start time of 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT to line up with the local showtime in England. This isn’t just another Raw; it’s shaping up to be one of the most important episodes of the summer, with blockbuster matches and potentially game-changing announcements looming large.

Key Matches on Tap

Two high-profile bouts headline the card this Monday:

• Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez – Ripley’s dominance has rarely been tested, but Perez has proven she thrives when the odds are against her. This clash pits veteran power against youthful momentum, and it could shake up the Raw women’s division just days before Clash in Paris.
• Penta vs. Kofi Kingston – Penta picked up a big win over Xavier Woods last week, and now he looks to add another New Day member to his list. Kofi’s mix of high-flying unpredictability and veteran savvy makes this a must-watch showdown.

In addition, Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Dominik Mysterio, and Xavier Woods are all confirmed to appear, setting the stage for more chaos as WWE builds toward its Paris debut on August 31.

Just moments ago, today (Aug 23) at a "special" house show part of the "Road to Clash in Paris" tour in Liverpool, UK—Bronson Reed called out "the part-timer" Roman Reigns (expect some havoc on Monday at Raw to go down!) check the clip below 👇

Major Women’s Championship Updates Expected

Last week brought the shocking moment of Naomi relinquishing the WWE Women’s World Championship after announcing her pregnancy. As we reported in our previous coverage, this has left Stephanie Vaquer — who earned her title opportunity by winning the Women’s Battle Royal at Evolution — without a champion to challenge at Clash in Paris. WWE commentary teased that answers would come on this very episode of Raw, with speculation ranging from a tournament to a Fatal 4-Way match featuring Vaquer herself.

At the same time, the Women’s Intercontinental Championship picture is heating up. Becky Lynch is reportedly headed for a showdown with Hall of Famer Nikki Bella in Paris, and Raw could be the night that match is officially confirmed. Expect both titles to be at the center of Raw’s biggest announcements.

Read More: Announcements Coming on Raw and SmackDown

What Happened Last Week

• IYO SKY def. Raquel Rodriguez
• Penta def. Xavier Woods
• Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh def. Dragon Lee & Mr. Iguana
• Becky Lynch def. Natalya
• Jey Uso def. Bron Breakker (with chaos involving LA Knight, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Bronson Reed)

On top of the in-ring action, last week also delivered two monumental WWE headlines: John Cena announced his final match will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, and WWE confirmed that beginning with Wrestlepalooza on September 20, all premium live events will stream exclusively on ESPN.

🎙️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

This week’s Raw isn’t just about Birmingham — it’s about Paris. With Clash in Paris around the corner, WWE needs to deliver clarity on the Women's Division, and fans should expect answers Monday night. Add in Ripley vs. Perez, Penta vs. Kofi, and star power from Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch, and you have a card that blends in-ring action with major storyline payoffs. Keep an eye on those championship announcements — they’ll define how WWE’s Paris debut is remembered.

#WWENews #WWERaw