As we head to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, the card is shaping up to be one where surprises are expected but more importantly moments will forever be etched in the minds of fans as we preview RAW in Advance for 10/17/25.
With four matches officially announced and advertised, Raw will not only further storylines but also air nearly five hours earlier than its usual 8 p.m. Eastern/11 p.m Pacific timeslot.
The biggest question going into the show is whether or not John Cena and Cody Rhodes will cross paths and if they do, will they ultimately come to blows? Who walks out victorious on this night, and who doesn’t walk out at all?
RAW in Advance for 10/17/25
Intercontinental Championship
Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor
One is a former Intercontinental Champion who appears to be slowly losing his grip on the allegiances around him. The other is the current champion that is as driven to prove he belong as Balor is to win the championship.
A number of underlying stories or situations tend to play a part here and its success. Whether it be how supportive the rest of the Judgment Day will be if Balor doesn’t win or whether or not they come to his aid in hopes that he wins?
It almost feels as though Balor has more to lose than simply a title opportunity. In the case of Breakker could his challenge against Balor ultimately lead to a challenge from Dominik Mysterio?
Will this be a case of the rift within Judgment Day in 2024 only further in 2025 or this match simply bring them closer together in win or defeat?
Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile
Raw in Advance for 10/17/25
After losing to Lyra Valkyrie in a re-match for the Intercontinental Championship, Kai must now battle Ivy Nile in what could ultimately be a number one contender’s match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Fans have seen Nile make it clear that she wants the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She attacked the champion and is now a top contender in her pursuit of the championship.
Will Ivy Nile get the better of Kai in her quest for the title, or could we see an appearance by the champion, Lyra, who could potentially cost Kai in the process?
Kai and Valkyrie have shown mutual respect towards one another. It would be telling if the person that showed you respect also was the one that cost you a potential future championship match.
Raw in Advance for 10/17/25
No Holds Barred Match
Penta vs. Ludvig Kaiser
Now that the dust has settled on Penta’s debut on Raw, the journey begins to ensure he resonates with the audience.
We have seen how Ciero Mierdo has resonated with fans and how his style has proven to excite WWE fans. The question next is how that will translate into chemistry with his opposition.
Fans of Raw are aware of the ongoing battles that have included Penta with Ludvig Kaiser and Pete Dunne. But this time, the type of match will push both men into a territory where either one typically goes! NO HOLDS BARRED!
With both Dunne and Kaiser wanting to teach Penta a lesson, one wonders how soon another person will join them in this battle.
Rumors (and take them as nothing more than that until it’s seen for their own eyes) that Penta’s brother Rey Fenix is free from his AEW contract.
This could be something or could ultimately be nothing. But with Kaiser and Dunne both jockeying for position to prove their point against Penta, the Luchadore could face essentially being double-teamed in the process. Will Penta have the odds against him?
Raw in Advance for 10/17/25
Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory
After last week’s match between Jey Uso and Grayson Waller, it was a given that Jey would battle Austin Theory sooner or later. What will Theory have in store for Jey as they battle one another on this week’s edition of Raw?
What appears to also be a given is that Jey Uso will likely have to deal with Gunther, who will likely make him suffer from imposter syndrome.
For those unaware, imposter syndrome occurs when someone feels like they are pretending like they belong when, in fact, they don’t. Jey is likely going to combat that with the belief that you should ‘fake it until you make it!’
On this past week’s edition of Smackdown, Gunther approached Jey’s twin Jimmy and was talking down to him about Jey.
It was a clear sign that Gunther wanted to only further get under the skin of Jey leading into their World Championship match at WrestleMania.
How will Jey combat the threat of not only Grayson Waller at ringside but the risk of Gunther making his presence felt during or after the match?
Raw in Advance for 10/17/25
Cody Rhodes and John Cena Under The Same Roof!
The marketing around them being under the roof isn’t common for the company. It suggests that both men have such utter disdain for one another that the building itself can’t contain them.
While the suggestion is a bit amusing in retrospect, the intent is around the significance of the publicity, which suggests that these two will tear each other apart!
With the crowd in Brussels, Belgium is sure to be quite excited by the action. What will these two facing one another for the first time since Elimination Chamber 2025 convey?
For fans, the hope is that John Cena finally gives them a ‘why?’ This is John Cena’s first television appearance, and fans would like to see an in-ring promo in which he rationalizes his decision to align with The Rock and Travis Scott and attack Cody Rhodes.
The difference here is that what fans want and what John Cena will give, especially after Elimination Chamber 2025, aren’t likely to align.
What about Cody? He’s addressed his thoughts on Smackdown and is not put in the position of hunted but isn’t afraid to get his retribution and find his pound of flesh.
What To Expect:
- An altercation between WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley
- The next threat to the War Raiders and their WWE Tag Team Championship
- Questions will arise about who was under the mask of the person who attacked Rey Mysterio.
*****
Stay tuned to Pro Wrestling Post for this and additional stories from the wrestling world. Readers can rely on Pro Wrestling Post as their daily source for everything inside the squared circle. As a result, readers can expect daily news, history, and much more.
Please also visit World Wrestling Entertainment’s official website for news and information on promotions and upcoming events.
