WWE QOTR/KOTR Semis: Keller’s Report – Becky/Bayley, Cody/Jey & More!

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cody Rhodes secured his spot in the King of the Ring final during WWE raw at Nationwide Arena on June 23, 2025. The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated match against randy Orton.The crowd of 13,003 buzzed with anticipation as Rhodes battled Jey Uso in a thrilling semi-final match.

King of the Ring and Retirement Match Set the Stage
rhodes advances, while Goldberg vows to punish Gunther in a retirement match.

• Cody Rhodes defeats Jey Uso, advancing to King of the Ring final against Randy Orton.
• Goldberg declares his upcoming match against Gunther will be his last.
• Jade Cargill advances in the Queen of the Ring tournament.
• Becky Lynch retains her Intercontinental title.

The June 23, 2025, episode of WWE Raw saw Cody Rhodes advance to the King of the Ring final, marking a key moment as he aims for the championship title.

King of the Ring Tournament heats Up

The night exploded with electrifying energy right from the start. Michael Cole, alongside Corey graves, kicked off the show, which aired live on Netflix, highlighting L.A. Knight’s absence due to an attack by Bronson Reed on Smackdown, sidelining Knight with a bruised sternum.

Seth Rollins Sounds Off

Seth Rollins, accompanied by Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman, entered to a chorus of fan sing-alongs. Rollins grabbed the mic to declare his significance in WWE. He claimed that Roman Reigns,C.M. Punk, and Cody Rhodes all owe their success to him. Rollins called Heyman his oracle and warned that anyone opposing him would face severe consequences, like what happened to L.A. Knight.

Rollins also name-dropped potential rivals like John Cena,Gunther,C.M. Punk, Goldberg, Cody, Jey, and Randy Orton, asserting that they are all vying for second place behind him.

Did you know? WrestleTix reported that 13,003 tickets were distributed for the event,which was held at the Nationwide arena,configured for 13,599 spectators.

Bron Breakker vs. Penta

Bron Breakker, with Paul Heyman in his corner, faced off against penta. The match, already in progress, saw Breakker dominating early. He trash-talked Penta, saying he could never keep up. Penta turned the tide, sending Breakker into the ring post and following up with a running flip dive at ringside.

After a commercial break, the action continued with both wrestlers down behind the announce desk. Breakker regained control, delivering a clothesline to Penta into the desk. Back in the ring, Breakker locked in a side headlock, taunting, “He wants to quit.”

Penta mounted a comeback, hitting a DDT and a Mexican Destroyer for a near fall. However, Breakker countered a springboard attempt with a spear, securing the win after 20 minutes. seth rollins then confronted Penta, warning him to stay out of their way.

Liv Morgan’s shoulder dislocation from the prior week was highlighted, with an proclamation that she would be out for several months.

Backstage Drama

Adam pearce was interrupted by A.J. Styles, who was frustrated that Dominik Mysterio was injured and couldn’t wrestle at Night of champions.Pearce assured Styles that he would be first in line when Dom was ready.

New Day then entered, upset about being scheduled to wrestle J.D. McDonagh & Finn Balor next week. Xavier Woods exclaimed, “You’re so bald!” Grayson Waller confronted Pearce about his treatment of new Day.

Goldberg Sounds Off

An interview with Bill Goldberg aired, where he discussed his issues with Gunther. Goldberg stated he wouldn’t let gunther disrespect him and his family. he declared that he was looking for an opponent for a retirement match, and Gunther is that man. “I’m going to beat the f- out of Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event,” Goldberg said.

Cole followed up, asking if this was definitively his retirement match. Goldberg confirmed it was, but when asked what would happen if he won the World Title, Goldberg called it “an captivating dilemma.”

Judgment Day’s Pep Talk

Roxanne Perez was shown warming up backstage, surrounded by The Judgment Day-Finn Balor, Dom Mysterio, J.D. McDonagh, and Raquel Rodriguez. Balor gave his stablemates a pep talk, encouraging Raquel to stand up to Rhea Ripley.

queen of the Ring: Cargill Advances

Jade Cargill faced Roxanne Perez in a Queen of the Ring semi-final match. Perez rolled out of the ring early, but Jade chased her back in and slapped her. Perez snapped Jade’s neck over the middle rope, but Jade retaliated with a backbreaker and push-ups. Perez swept Jade’s leg, dropkicking her leg into the ringside steps.

After another commercial, Perez targeted Jade’s leg.

Hour Two

Jade rallied with power moves, earning a near fall after a one-armed slam. The match ended when Jade countered Perez’s “Pop Rocks” with a boot to the chest and then landed “Jaded” for the win after 12 minutes. Jade will face Asuka in the Queen of the ring final at Night of Champions on Saturday.

Who will Jade Cargill face in the Queen of the ring final? Jade Cargill will face Asuka in the Queen of the Ring final at Night of Champions on Saturday.

As Jade celebrated, asuka danced out for a staredown.

Next week’s Raw will start at 6 p.m. ET, two hours earlier than usual.

Backstage Segments

Sheamus gave Tozawa, Natalya, and Maxxine Dupri a pep talk, but Rusev interrupted, accusing Sheamus of trying to be everyone’s freind while WWE is full of backstabbers. Sheamus reminded Rusev of his egotistical past, challenging him to “put up or shut up.” Rusev threatened to make Sheamus “new memories.”

Gunther declared that it’s not 1999 anymore and that he is now the top guy. He responded to Goldberg’s earlier comments, calling him “a 58 year old one trick pony who can’t lace my boots.” He apologized to his family for what he was going to do to Goldberg and vowed to end Goldberg’s legacy.

Jackie Redmond interviewed Becky Lynch backstage. Becky expressed her displeasure with Bayley and Lyra, then walked off. Redmond then interviewed sami Zayn about his loss to Randy orton. Karrion Kross mocked Sami, leading to Sami punching Kross and declaring their match official, saying, “Tick tock.” Kross laughed and told Scarlett, “Got him!”

Intercontinental Title Match Ends in DQ

Becky Lynch defended her Intercontinental Title against Bayley. Bayley wore gear she had intended for WrestleMania. The match went to a commercial break after bayley knocked Becky out of the ring.

Becky gained control, but Bayley hit a Bayley-to-belly for a two count and later a Manhandle Slam.Becky rolled to ringside, where Bayley attacked, leading to Becky throwing her over the announce desk and placing chairs on top of her.

Lyra valkyria removed the chairs, saving Bayley from a count-out. Becky punched Lyra, who retaliated, leading to the ref warning her. Bayley attacked Becky, but Becky hit Lyra with a slide kick. Bayley threw Becky into the ring post and barricade. Bayley had Becky set for a top rope elbow drop,but Lyra attacked Becky,causing a disqualification after 14 minutes. Becky retained the title.

Bayley yelled at Lyra for costing her the match, while Becky smiled at ringside.

More Backstage Action

Chad Gable told ivy Nile to eliminate anyone in her way, similar to what he did to Rey Mysterio and Otis. He taunted Penta, who retaliated by kicking Gable and snapping his arm.The Creeds ran to Gable’s aid as Penta left.

Raquel Rodriguez called out Rhea Ripley. They brawled to ringside, with Ripley leaping off the announce desk at raquel and throwing her into the ringside steps. Ripley set up a table, but Roxanne Perez intervened. Raquel then slammed Rhea through the table with a Tejana Bomb and helped Perez to her feet. Perez laughed at the scene.

King of the Ring Semi-Final: Rhodes vs. Uso

Jey Uso faced Cody Rhodes in the King of the Ring semi-final. Jey made his way to the ring through cheering fans. After entrances, the bell rang. The match went to a commercial after Jey outmaneuvered Cody.

Hour Three

Back from the break, Cody had Jey in a figure-four leglock. Jey escaped and crashed into a corner. Cody applied a kimura lock,but Jey countered with a sleeper. Cody then superplexed Jey. Both were slow to rise.

Cody hit a Cody Cutter for a two count. Jey countered a Disaster Kick with a spear for a two count. Cody landed a top rope Super Cody cutter for another two count. Jey blocked a Cody Cutter and delivered his own for a near fall. Jey superkicked Cody twice and speared him, but Cody kicked out.

Cody then popped up and delivered a top rope Cody Cutter, followed by a Cross Rhodes for the win after 20 minutes. Cody will face Randy Orton in the King of the Ring final.

After the match, Jey and Cody shook hands and hugged. Jey raised Cody’s arm in victory.Cole said someone will define their legacy on Saturday at Night of Champions.

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