WWE Raw Delivers Big Returns and Championship Drama in Des Moines
Des Moines played host to a blockbuster edition of WWE Raw this week, as the post-SummerSlam show brought major returns, championship challenges, and a packed crowd at the Wells Fargo Arena. The night was headlined by Roman Reigns and LA Knight reigniting their rivalry, along with the surprise returns of Big Cass, Stephanie Vaquer, and Becky Lynch.
Roman Reigns and LA Knight Set Up Rematch
The show opened with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns celebrating his hard-fought victory over Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. The Iowa crowd knew what was coming next: a challenger ready to step up. But few expected LA Knight to be the one.
Knight drew a massive pop from the Des Moines audience as he made his way to the ring, still riding high from his win over Jey Uso at SummerSlam. The Megastar worked the crowd with his signature charisma, even getting a laugh out of Reigns with an impression of The Shield's entrance music. The moment brought back memories of their last clash at Crown Jewel in 2022.
LA Knight made it clear he wants a rematch. Whether The Tribal Chief accepts remains to be seen, but the seeds for a major showdown have been planted.
Big Cass Returns to Mixed Reactions
WWE had been teasing the return of Big Cass for weeks with video packages, but the execution fell flat for many in the Iowa crowd. The seven-footer ran in to attack Je'Von Evans, but the audience seemed confused rather than excited. Even Michael Cole acknowledged on commentary that everyone knew Cass was coming back.
The moment lacked the surprise factor that usually makes returns memorable. It was a reminder that sometimes less buildup is more when it comes to bringing back talent.
Oba Femi Eyes the Future
Oba Femi continued his victory lap after SummerSlam, where he defeated Brock Lesnar. He cut a triumphant promo in the ring, thanking Paul Heyman and talking about the future of WWE. But before he could reveal his next opponent, his music was interrupted by The Vision, leading to a tense staredown with Bron Breakker.
Many fans see Femi and Breakker as the future of the company, but some question whether now is the right time for them to feud. Breakker needs to rebuild his momentum, and a loss to Femi might not help that cause.
Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch Return
Two major returns shook up the women's division. First, Becky Lynch made a surprise appearance, cutting a fiery promo that made clear her sights are set on Liv Morgan's title. She also took a sharp jab at Dom Mysterio, drawing a big reaction from the crowd.
Then, Stephanie Vaquer made her first appearance since WrestleMania, ending months of speculation about visa issues. She ran down the ramp to attack Morgan, setting up a potential triple-threat match with Lynch. The women's division in WWE just got a lot more interesting.
What's Next for WWE?
With SummerSlam in the rearview mirror, fans are wondering what comes next. The next major event on the calendar is Saturday Night's Main Event in early October, but that's nearly two months away. There was an intriguing tease at the end of Raw, as Roman Reigns bumped into Rey Mysterio, who suggested he wanted to run something by the champion in his capacity as AAA general manager.
Could this lead to a partnership with AAA's Triplemanía show in Las Vegas in September? That would fill the gap in the PLE schedule and give fans a major event to look forward to.
Raw Results and Grades
Full results from the night included Roman Reigns and LA Knight's opening segment, Big Cass's return, Oba Femi's promo, the returns of Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer, and a street fight main event between Jacob Fatu and Royce Keys. The show delivered on action and storylines, setting up what promises to be an exciting few months for WWE.
Des Moines proved once again that it is a great wrestling town, and the crowd's energy added to an already memorable night.