WWE Raw on December 15, 2025, delivered a compelling mix of triumphs, surprises, and hints at future rivalries—particularly involving Gunther. But here's where it gets controversial: what does WWE's focus on Gunther’s dominant persona and aggressive celebration truly mean for the company’s long-term storytelling? And are their booking choices setting the stage for more than just temporary shock value?
Let's dive into the key moments from this episode, understanding not just what happened, but what these actions suggest about WWE’s direction.
Gunther’s Victory Celebration and Its Impact
It was quite striking to see Gunther return so swiftly after his victory over John Cena. The decision not to hold him off television for another week might have seemed surprising, but considering the relatively quiet upcoming schedule of Raw and SmackDown, it made strategic sense to spotlight what has become WWE’s most talked-about segment. Gunther stepped into the ring with a short, sharp promo centered solely on asserting his dominance. There was no need for long-winded post-match debate—his reactions from the crowd and their chants already conveyed everything. The relentless boos and the audience's chants of 'you tapped out' from his earlier submission loss to Jey Uso at WrestleMania show how deeply fans are invested in his story.
However, there's a small concern. The persistent chant about his loss—that he ‘tapped out’—lingers, arguably undermining his current heel persona. This chant isn't just a petty fan memory; it questions the credibility of WWE booking decisions and whether they’ve truly thought through Gunther’s character arc. Despite hopes that the chant will fade over time, it remains an ongoing hurdle for his credibility.
The segment’s highlight came when Gunther, backstage, was playfully scolded for bragging about retiring Cena—an entertaining moment that added a humorous layer. And then, the big punchline: Gunther finds AJ Styles waiting for him, flashes Cena’s ‘You Can’t See Me’ taunt, and waves enthusiastically, as if he's the funniest guy in the room. This playful attitude offers a subtle but clear tease of a future showdown—potentially a clash between Styles and Gunther. With Styles often talking about plans to retire in 2026, WWE could be setting up a storyline where Gunther might be the one to retire another legendary star. Love it or hate it, this narrative plays into WWE’s pattern of building monsters who elevate future face stars—an approach that’s very smart from a business perspective.
CM Punk’s Return and the Road to Breakker
Another highlight was CM Punk’s promo, which served as a prelude to his upcoming clash with Bron Breakker for the World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Netflix event. Punk’s return has been much anticipated for months, and his promo confirmed he's still not medically cleared to compete—yet his words pack a punch, emphasizing that he remains as formidable as he was in 2011. His response to Breakker’s challenge—reminding everyone that the 'old' Punk still exists—felt direct and aimed to re-establish his dominance.
A noteworthy point was Punk’s repeated insistence that Breakker can’t do this alone—an obvious hint that help will likely be involved in the match. Between Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and an unmasked mystery figure, WWE is laying multiple groundwork pieces for what’s shaping up to be a complex and multi-layered feud. The real question is whether WWE is setting the stage for a storyline where external interference plays a pivotal role—challenging the purity of a face–heel rivalry.
The Women’s Title Scene: Strong Champ, Weak Build
The Women’s World Championship landscape continues to feel somewhat unresolved. Stephanie Vaquer’s rapid ascent has put her in the spotlight as a rising star capable of carrying main-event duties. Yet, the division’s overall development is stagnating, as WWE hasn’t done enough to establish credible challengers around her. Key contenders like Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, or even Nikki Bella are not given opportunities to build momentum through meaningful wins. This leaves the title in a sort of holding pattern, waiting for a more defined challenger—potentially Liv Morgan—to step forward.
The title defense from Vaquer on Raw was solid but ended in controversy, with Nikki Bella interfering and causing a disqualification. Bella’s justification—that she’s a legend deserving respect—feels hollow given her recent track record of no significant singles victories since July. This disparity weakens her character’s motivation, leaving her interference as more of a plot device than a believable act of rebellion. WWE’s challenge remains in giving her a few wins to legitimize her role before her actions can be fully justified.
The Masked Reveal: Austin Theory Steps Into the Spotlight
Finally, the most anticipated reveal materialized sooner than many expected. WWE decided to unveil the masked attacker’s identity—turning out to be Austin Theory—immediately after weeks of speculation. Theory unmasked himself in the crowd, with a fresh shaved look signaling a reset, a symbolic fresh start to reignite his career. Once a star who defeated Cena at WrestleMania, Theory has drifted into comedic territory, often used as a sidekick rather than a solo threat. This reveal signals WWE’s intention to re-establish him as a serious competitor, especially with his involvement in a major match at the Netflix event.
It’s interesting to note that the masked figure from last week seemed different from Theory, leading to speculation that WWE might be planting a more complex, multi-person storyline—perhaps a layered attack like something out of a horror flick, similar to a “Scream” twist. This opens the door for unexpected alliances or multiple attackers, adding more unpredictability to the unfolding story.
The Big Picture: Evolution in WWE’s Post–Seth Rollins Era
Overall, WWE Raw continues to shift its narrative landscape—balancing star power, emerging storylines, and potential surprises. While Gunther’s dominant persona and the tease of future conflict with Styles appeal to fans craving intense rivalries, the ambiguous booking around other divisions points to a company still fine-tuning its long-term plans.
What’s your take? Do you believe WWE’s focus on Gunther’s heel persona is building toward something great, or is the chant about his past loss undermining his current role? Will CM Punk’s return truly elevate his upcoming match, or is WWE risking overestimating his drawing power again? And regarding the masked attacker—might there be more surprises lurking in the shadows? Share your thoughts below—because at the end of the day, WWE thrives on your debates and opinions.
