WWE Raw, Springfield: Big Faces, Farewells & Feuds Set to Ignite

Setting the Stage in Springfield

WWE Raw celebrates Monday, September 15, 2025, in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, with a card that is filled with nostalgia, passionate encounters, and tales that are filled with emotional undertones. The event begins at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET, a one-time exception to the 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET weekday programming schedule indicative of the increased significance of the WWE touring business and its streaming presence across the globe. Netflix+1

At the core of this night is the current Last Time Is Now tour of John Cena, who, after decades as one of the most iconic wrestling precursors, is ending his in-ring career. Cena is also a long-time resident of Springfield (he studied at Springfield College), so this appearance was particularly important to him and the Springfield audience. It is advertised as his last visit to Springfield on this tour.

What we Saw Last Week, and What’s Heating Up

Before diving into stacked matches in Springfield, WWE has laid groundwork in recent episodes:

• AJ Styles defeated El Grande Americano.

• Raquel Rodriguez beat Lyra Valkyria.

• Penta triumphed over Rusev.

• Asuka defeated Nikki Bella.

• Bronson Reed got a win over LA Knight.

These results don’t just fill scoreboards; they set up tension, alignments, and potential surprise outcomes. Characters are being built or re-aligned, and certain feuds are ready to explode. Cena’s farewell tour gives added weight to everything, raising expectations for emotional moments and big reveals.

Key Matches & Appearances to Watch

Here’s what Raw in Springfield is bringing:

• AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch Face-to-Face: Two of WWE’s most charismatic and vocal women, both with strong fan followings and rich histories. The confrontation promises fireworks, especially given their different styles and past associations.

• Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez: Two rising stars. This match could serve as a showcase for someone pushing toward a bigger slot in women’s storylines.

• John Cena’s Appearance: Not just a match, but his presence alone adds gravity. Cena’s involvement often elevates segments.

Looking Ahead: Wrestlepalooza & Big Matches

Springfield is not just a stop on Cena’s tour; it’s part of the build toward Wrestlepalooza, scheduled for September 20, 2025. Several matches already announced for that event make the Raw show feel like a prelude.

Some of the Wrestlepalooza match-ups already cemented:

• IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.

• John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar is a dream or nightmare match, depending on which side you’re on. Their past history is storied, and their physical contrast and fan expectations make this a must-see.

• A tag battle: CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch. A mix of current storylines, legacy acts, and fan favorite names.

• The Usos vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker. The Usos bring experience and tag history; Reed & Breakker bring size, power, and rising momentum.

So, Springfield Raw isn’t isolated; it’s woven into WWE’s larger roadmap. Expectations are that moments from Springfield will ripple into Wrestlepalooza.

Timing & Schedule: Why the Shift Matters

September and October Raw episodes are seeing special start times, notably for the Sept. 15 episode in Springfield, MassMutual Center. Instead of Raw’s usual 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, this episode will start at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

These changes reflect WWE’s broader strategy in the Netflix streaming era: making adjustments for international broadcasts, large live-ticket shows, and avoiding clashes with competing television or sports events. The John Cena farewell tour adds urgency to make each stop count, so schedule tweaks help ensure maximum exposure and fan participation.

Historical Context: Why This Episode Feels Different

To fully appreciate where WWE is now, we need to glance back at the wrestling landscape, at John Cena’s role, AJ Lee’s return, and WWE’s evolution under the Netflix live streaming era.

John Cena’s Legacy & Farewell

John Cena is not only a wrestler, but he is one of the pillars of WWE, who has been around in the company for almost 20 years. Cena has desired a legacy that most people can hardly match with multiple WWE and world titles, mainstream crossover, acting, and philanthropy. He has now said in 2025 that it will be his last in-ring year.

Visiting such cities as Springfield from his past provides some emotional appeal. No fan is simply watching a show in those cities; they are witnessing the moments of the final chapters. The promo materials, the reaction of the audience, it is all weighty. The loss of Cena in the ring will create a vacuum. WWE requires stories and stars and moments that will be large enough to start filling that.

AJ Lee’s Comeback & Becky Lynch’s Evolving Role

AJ Lee had been out of full-time wrestling for a long time; therefore, her coming back is noteworthy. WWE hardly ever revives names with this type of fan nostalgia unless it has any intention of using them in a meaningful way. The comeback of AJ and the high-stakes fights and placements imply that it is not a mere nostalgia show but an element of the active narration.

On her part, Becky Lynch has already been reinvented several times during The Man, the Raw championship, the tag match, featuring as a mentor. Face-offs such as the one with AJ Lee provide her with space to take back character, legacy, and relevance within the evolving women’s division.

The Netflix Era & Raw’s New Roadmap

WWE’s move of Raw to Netflix in 2025 was a major shift. It means live streaming every week, potentially reaching broader international audiences, and more leeway in presentation and timing.

With that comes new challenges: making matches feel fresh, elevating rising stars, ensuring legacy acts are used strategically, and balancing live event energy with streaming expectations.

What to Look for Tonight: Predictions & Potential Outcomes

Here are some educated guesses about things that could happen, and what I’m personally rooting for.

• Cena Segment with Emotional Undertones: Even if Cena isn’t wrestling, expect a promo that tugs at the heart. Maybe touching on Springfield, his past, gratitude, nods to rivalries past and present.

• AJ Lee-Becky Lynch Sparks Fly: Could turn physical, could escalate to Wrestlepalooza tag match. I expect it to set up a story beat for their Wrestlepalooza clash with Punk/Rollins angle.

• Lyra Valkyria vs Roxanne Perez as Youth Showcase: This match might not steal the main event spotlight, but it could steal the hearts of fans. A strong performance here could push either into more prominent spots.

• Signs of Wrestlepalooza Build-Up: Expect promos or backstage segments referencing Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, or setting tension between Usos & Breakker/Reed, etc. WWE will want Springfield to feel like a stepping stone to the more explosive pay-per-view.

• Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: Because of Cena’s connection with the city, the crowd energy could make a normally solid segment feel legendary. That’s where WWE can generate moments that resonate beyond just the outcome.

Stakes: What’s on the Line

• Legacy vs. New Blood: Cena’s goodbye tour forces WWE to ask: Who after Cena? Matches involving rising stars like Roxanne Perez, Lyra Valkyria, Bron Breakker, etc., gain weight. Every time Cena is on the roster, it’s a challenge for WWE to balance honoring him and elevating others.

• Storytelling Credibility: Bringing in AJ Lee, setting major matches, and the pace toward Wrestlepalooza will test WWE creative. Do segments feel connected? Are story arcs coherent? Is the build worth the payoff?

• Stream & Live Momentum: As Raw continues on Netflix, start times, audience feedback, and event energy will matter. WWE wants these live shows to feel unmissable, not like just another streaming show. The Springfield special start time is a test in that respect.

• Match Quality & Fan Satisfaction: Superstar matches like Cena vs. Lesnar (at Wrestlepalooza), or tag team pairings, are only part of the promise quality in matches like Lyra vs Roxanne or AJ Lee’s segments will strongly influence fan sentiment.

Final Thoughts

Watching WWE Raw from Springfield will likely be more than just another Monday night. It’s layered:

• A celebration and emotional nod to John Cena’s storied career.

• An opportunity for AJ Lee to show why her return matters.

• A chance for Becky Lynch, rising stars, and tag teams to push forward.

• A prefatory moment for Wrestlepalooza, where much bigger clashes will settle some of these lines.

If WWE executes well, this Raw might be remembered as one of the more memorable fall episodes, not just for Cena’s farewell, but for how it helps signal the next phase of WWE: new faces, changing dynamics, high-stakes storytelling under the Netflix era. And for the fans in Springfield, it won’t just be a show, it’ll feel like being part of WWE history.