It’s WWE Raw featuring Jey Uso facing Bron Breakker, Money in the Bank qualifying matches including a Becky Lynch-Roxanne Perez-Natalya triple threat match, and more.
There are some big shows coming up soon. The next Saturday Night’s Main Event special is this Saturday, May 24th, and then it’s onto Money in the Bank in Los Angeles on June 7th. We know that WWE announced Jey Uso will defend the World Heavyweight Title against Logan Paul at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and there’s a big tag team match with CM Punk & Sami Zayn facing Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1669 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
A video package aired recapping the ongoing storyline between the heel group of Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman against CM Punk, Sami Zayn and Jey Uso. It’s Bron against Jey later on Raw.
There was some pre-show walking shown of Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman, Jey Uso, AJ Styles, Penta and The Judgment Day.
The Raw commentary team was Michael Cole and Pat McAfee as usual. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.
Let’s Hear from Logan Paul…and Gunther
Logan Paul made his entrance and he was booed heavily as usual. Paul will challenge Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Title at Saturday Night’s Main Event this week.
Paul welcomed us to Raw. Paul said it is a fact that he will beat Jey Uso this Saturday, and when he returns to Raw, he’ll be the new World Heavyweight Champion. The crowd was yelling “Yeet” to annoy Paul. Paul said that he won a singles title 12 years before Jey Uso did and Jey can’t handle the weight of being World Champion. Paul bragged about how he’s knocked out Jey Uso three times. Paul said he’s going to do it again this Saturday and when he does, he’ll become your new World Heavyweight Champion.
The former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther interrupted the promo. Gunther will challenge the World Champion on Raw in three weeks. The crowd chanted, “You tapped out” at Gunther. Gunther said that Paul is confident that he can beat the guy who beat Gunther, so Gunther is left to assume that Paul thinks he’s better than Gunther is. Gunther said that the fans should show Paul more respect than they do. Gunther called Paul a self-made social media superstar who built a digital empire. Gunther said there are things he can learn from Paul. Gunther admitted that there are things Paul could teach him. Gunther said Paul as World Champion would be good for business. Gunther said to you, it’s business, but to Gunther, it’s very personal. Gunther said beating Jey Uso for the World Title is personal to him, so if Paul takes it away, then Gunther will take it personally. Gunther said that Pat McAfee at least showed some heart against him, but he doesn’t see heart in Paul. Gunther said that if they square off on June 9th in Phoenix, the bell will ring, and Gunther will eat him alive. Gunther left.
Analysis: We saw Gunther talk to Jey Uso last week, so now he was talking to Logan Paul with the same message to build up the World Title match in three weeks. I like how Gunther sucked up to Paul at first and then turned it around to warn Paul that Gunther would kick his ass.
Jey Uso went into the ring behind Logan Paul, the fans chanted “Yeet” and when Paul turned around, Jey hit a superkick to knock Paul down. Jey said he’ll see him on Saturday. Jey told Gunther he’ll see him in Phoenix…Yeet. Jey did his “Yeet” routine with the fans.
Analysis: It was revenge for Jey on Logan since Logan had done multiple cheap shots to Jey, so it’s nice to see Jey get some payback. I think Jey beating Paul at SNME is likely.
A replay aired of Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky beating Roxanne Perez & Giulia in the main event last week. Later that night, Giulia walked out on Perez.
Earlier on Monday, Roxanne Perez officially signed her contract to officially join Raw. Giulia joined Smackdown last week.
Analysis: There are rumors of a WWE Draft taking place within a few weeks, so it’s weird timing to have these wrestlers sign with shows. Then again, maybe the draft isn’t going to be as soon as we think.
Penta made his entrance for tag team action. AJ Styles’s entrance and The Judgment Day’s entrance were shown during the break.
A clip was shown from June 2024 on SmackDown in New York City when Jalen Brunson of the NY Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers were part of an angle on the show. The Pacers-Knicks is the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Triple H commented on it, saying it’s almost as if we wrote it. A message from Haliburton is coming up later on Raw.
Jey Uso was shown walking backstage when he saw the “Wise Man” Paul Heyman. Jey didn’t say anything while Paul said that he wanted to say something to his face. Paul said that Bron Breakker is not looking for Jey’s title. Instead, Bron is looking to slow down Jey’s momentum. Paul said that whether it’s Jey, Paul or Gunther, you’re all short term because the long term plan for the World Heavyweight Title is Seth “Freakin” Rollins…fact.
Phenomenal Penta – AJ Styles & Penta vs. The Judgment Day – Finn Balor & JD McDonagh (w/Carlito)
The “Phenomenal Penta” name isn’t official, but Pat said it and I like it.
Styles gave JD a back body drop. JD applied an armbar, Styles broke free, went for a dropkick, JD held onto the ropes and Styles hit a dropkick. Penta tagged in with kicks to JD’s arms. Penta hit backbreakers on JD and Balor. Penta and Styles dumped both opponents out of the ring. Styles and Penta each hit slingshot dives over the top onto both opponents on the floor. The action continued while some fans went on a break. Penta worked over JD with chops. Penta got a boot up, the referee looked at JD, so Balor pulled Penta’s mask to knock him down. Balor stomped on Penta repeatedly and set up Penta against the ropes, so Carlito punched Penta. JD did a drop toe hold and a leg drop on Penta.
Balor and JD made quick tags as they worked over Penta. JD went for a belly-to-back suplex off the turnbuckle, but Penta landed on JD to stop that. Balor tagged back in to stop Penta from tagging out. Balor hit a suplex. Penta broke free from the heel side of the ring with a Slingblade. Styles tagged in leading to strikes and a clothesline on Balor. Styles hit a running clothesline against the turnbuckle. Styles put the Calf Crusher on Balor, but JD had tagged in and Styles avoided a diving JD, who hit Balor with a splash off the top. Styles hit a sitout reverse Powerbomb-style slam for a two count on JD. The fans were on fire for Styles, who hit a moonsault onto JD on the floor and Styles hit a reverse DDT on JD on the floor. After Styles sent JD into the ring, Carlito sent Styles into the ring post. The referee never saw it since he was looking at JD. They went to another break as the heels isolated Styles. The J-Day guys continued to work over Styles for a couple of minutes.
The match continued as Balor grounded Styles with a chinlock. Styles broke free of that, which led to a double clothesline. Penta got the tag against JD, so Penta hit a cross body block. Penta hit a running hurricanrana and a superkick while JD was against the turnbuckle. Penta clotheslined Balor on the apron. JD hit a standing Spanish Fly slam. Balor went up top, jumped off with a Coup de Grace, Penta avoided it and Penta hit an enziguri kick to the head. Penta pulled back on the right arm for the move called The Sacrifice. Balor countered Penta and got a two count. Balor hit a Slingblade on Penta. Balor charged at Penta, who nailed a superkick. Carlito grabbed Penta’s leg while JD was distracting the referee. Penta kicked Balor down. Styles hit a forearm on Carlito on the floor. JD hit a suicide dive on Styles on the floor. Penta gave Gable a Mexican Destroyer on the floor! That was wild. El Grande Americano was in the crowd, and he headbutted Penta with a metal plate under the mask. The referee never saw it. Balor went up top and hit a Coup de Grace double foot stomp for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Judgment Day – Finn Balor & JD McDonagh
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a great match that was given a lot of time. It was cheap, with The Judgment Day getting help from Carlito and Americano. Penta got screwed by Americano, which has happened a few times lately, so that should set them up in a match. It was a traditional tag match, where the heels worked over Penta in the first half of the match and over Styles in the second half of the match. I enjoyed it.
Iyo Sky, the Women’s World Champion, was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Sky said she was ready for anyone. Becky Lynch interrupted Sky, saying she’s never beaten Lynch one-on-one. Lynch said she had no problem putting down one champion and she had no problem putting down another.
Becky Lynch made her entrance for her triple threat match. Natalya and Roxanne Perez’s entrances were shown during a break for some fans.
Logan Paul was talking on his phone saying he didn’t want to be here any more tonight. Seth Rollins approached Paul saying that Jey Uso will get hurt tonight. Rollins said that Jey won’t be 100% on Saturday, which means the odds are in Paul’s favor. Rollins said that if Paul can get past Jey and get past Gunther then Rollins will be waiting on the other side. Rollins said Paul will know who to thank if Paul has that World Title on his shoulder. Rollins said maybe they run it back from WrestleMania a few years ago, but this time with the World Heavyweight Title on the line. After Seth left, The New Day were shown talking to Grayson Waller in the background.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya
Natalya battled Perez in the ring, so Lynch pulled Natalya out of the ring and Lynch sent Natalya into the barricade. Perez countered Lynch and went for a cover, Lynch tried an armbar, but Perez turned it into a cross face and there were multiple one counts. Natalya was back in to dropkick both women. Natalya suplexed Lynch two times in a row. Natalya applied a surfboard submission on Lynch, who managed to get out of it. Lynch applied an armbar, but Perez broke that up with a hurricanrana. Lynch tripped up Perez, but Perez kicked her away and Natalya sent Lynch into the barricade. Natalya slammed Perez followed by a running kick. Lynch left the ring, Lynch had to call Perez to come do a spot, Natalya missed a sliding kick and Perez hit a suicide dive on both women on the floor. Good job by Lynch helping Perez get back in there to do the spot. The match went to break for some fans as Perez was in control of Lynch with an uppercut to the back. Lynch kicked Perez to knock her off the turnbuckle to the floor. Lynch did a hair pull takedown on Natalya. Lynch hit a running forearm and Bexploder on Natalya to send Natalya out of the ring. Lynch hit a baseball slide dropkick to knock Natalya down on the floor. Lynch hit a forearm on Natalya. Perez jumped onto Lynch on the floor. Perez went up top and hit a cross body block. Perez hit a knee attack to the head for two.
Perez was in control wit ha running uppercuts on both opponents. Lynch hit a forearm on Natalya and Natalya hit a discus clothesline for two. Natalya tried a double Sharpshooter, but the wrestlers kicked their way free. Perez hit a springboard moonsault for two on Natalya. Perez countered Lynch into an arm drag. Lynch managed to come back with a Manhandle Slam for two because Natalya made the save. The three women were down. When they got back up, Perez hit Pop Rox to Natalya, who hit a German Suplex on Lynch. Lynch hit a knee on Perez to break up the pin attempt. Lynch and Perez exchanged slaps and strikes. Perez gave Lynch an overhead suplex. Natalya managed to get the advantage over Perez in the ring and Natalya applied a Sharpshooter. Lynch was back in with a Slingblade. Natalya gave Lynch to a clothesline. Natalya put Perez in a Sharpshooter and did it to Lynch as well. Lynch went back into the ring and hit a Manhandle Slam on Natalya for two. Lyra Valkyria showed up to pull Lynch off the cover. Lyra and Lynch went fighting up the aisle. Perez hit the Pop Rox on Natalya for the pinfall win. It lasted about 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Roxanne Perez
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a fun triple threat match by three talented women. Natalya and Becky are very experienced, while Perez is an incredible wrestler on her way to big things. I figured Perez winning would be the result. I thought maybe Bayley would cost Lynch, but putting Lyra in that spot makes a lot of sense. They worked hard and I liked the match quite a bit. I want to see Natalya get some wins.
Sami Zayn went into the locker room to talk with Jey Uso. Zayn said he’ll take care of Rollins and Breakker on Saturday. Zayn said if they play the numbers game with Jey, Zayn has got his back. They shook hands.
Sheamus made his entrance for singles action. Grayson Waller was next, joined by Austin Theory. This was during a break for some fans.
A video aired about Raw in 2012 in Greenville when John Cena beat Michael Cole in the main event. Cole: “Not quite as embarrassing as Heidenreich, but embarrassing enough.” They were both really bad moments, Cole.
Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri were talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce. Pearce said if you want it, then next week, Tozawa gets Rusev. Chad Gable and Ivey Nile walked in to complain about how he wanted opportunities. The New Day walked in as World Tag Team Champions to talk to Gable, who said that The Creed Brothers will take the titles from next week. New Day trashed the War Raiders. Pearce told them to leave and they did.
Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller (w/Austin Theory)
The powerful Sheamus stopped Waller from trying a hiptoss, so Sheamus slapped Waller in the face. Sheamus hit a backbreaker. Sheamus tossed Waller across the ring twice. Sheamus clotheslined Waller out of the ring. Sheamus left the ring, looked at Theory and Waller sent Sheamus into the ring post. Waller clotheslined Sheamus on the floor. Waller told Theory to take some notes. They were in a break for some fans as Theory hit an elbow drop on Sheamus. Waller sent Sheamus into the turnbuckle and Sheamus came back with a clothesline. Sheamus went up top, Waller met him there and Waller hit a superplex for two. Waller sent a charging Sheamus into the turnbuckle.
The fans were chanting “Austin Theory” for Theory on the floor. Waller tried to chop Sheamus, who no sold those chops and Sheamus hit Waller with several chops to the chest. Waller jumped over a charging Sheamus and Waller stomped on Sheamus’ back. Waller jumped into the ring for a rolling flatliner for two. Waller jumped off the ropes after looking at Theory and Sheamus was back up with a knee smash to the face. Sheamus hit a powerslam. Waller punched Sheamus to the apron. Waller teased ten beats, but after three of them, Sheamus blocked it. Sheamus sent Waller ribs first into the apron. Waller tried to leave. Theory told him not to quit, and that led to Sheamus doing the 10 Beats of the Bodhran on the apron. Theory was laughing about it without Waller seeing him laugh. Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sheamus
Analysis: *** A solid match between the veteran Sheamus and the rising star Waller, who really had no chance here. Waller got more offense than I thought he’d get, and it went a bit longer than I expected, but the result was obvious, with Sheamus getting the win. It’s nice to see Sheamus getting positive momentum. I’m not sure if Sheamus will get a massive push or anything like that, but I like seeing him get wins.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee said that they had a bet on the Pacers-Knicks series in the NBA Playoffs. If the Pacers win, then Cole will do Raw in a tank top, and if the Knicks win, then Pat will do Raw in a suit.
They showed Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers talking to Michael and Pat before the show. Tyrese talked about being in the WWE 2K video game as a downloadable option. Tyrese said he knew they might see the New York Knicks and he’s excited to be part of this special rivalry. There’s WWEShop merchandise for Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. Tyrese said that this rivalry goes back to the 1990s, so fans are really into it and he said it’s like Rock-Austin. Tyrese said it’s a lot of fun and he’s ready. Cole mentioned SNME and said by Saturday that his Knicks will be up and Pat made Cole shut up. Cole asked Tyrese for his prediction for Jey Uso-Logan Paul at SNME. Tyrese said “Yeet” to support Jey. Good luck to Tyrese and the Pacers.
Analysis: This won’t appeal to some fans watching Raw, but I love the NBA so I like it. I’m going Knicks in the East and OKC Thunder in the West.
There was a rundown of the Saturday Night’s Main Event card for this Saturday, May 24th.
* CM Punk & Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker
* John Cena vs. R-Truth
* Steel Cage Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest
* World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul
Gunther was about to be interviewed by Cathy Kelley, but Seth Rollins interrupted before it could start. Rollins said that Gunther did a good job as the World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther told Rollins that he is the future around here, not Rollins. Rollins said that if Gunther is World Heavyweight Champion again, then he will be treated no differently than anybody else, and he will make himself a target. Gunther said he could not wait, and he said he was eagerly awaiting it.
Analysis: What I like about all of these segments is they put over how important the World Heavyweight Title is to so many people on Raw. That’s the right way to book a title.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance for her Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match. The fans love her, so she got a big reaction. The entrances of Zoey Stark was shown during a break for some fans.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Kairi Sane vs. Zoey Stark
Welcome back to Sane, who has been out since December due to a hand injury. Ripley was in control with a dropkick on Stark. Sane hit an impressive headscissors to send Ripley out of the ring. Stark jumped off the top rope and tried to hit Sane with a dropkick, but Stark’s right knee hit the mat hard. Cole said that it looked like Stark suffered a serious knee injury. Stark was grabbing her right leg and screaming in pain. I went back to replay it and you could tell that Stark’s right knee landed awkwardly into the mat. I think she thought Sane was going to be standing when she jumped, but then, unfortunately, Stark hit the mat. They didn’t show any replays of Zoey’s injury. The doctor carried Stark to the back and the fans applauded Stark. The match continued with Ripley against Sane. Ripley kicked Sane to knock her out of the ring. Ripley chopped Sane on the floor, and they went back to the ring, where Ripley got a nearfall.
Sane tried a move off the turnbuckle, but Ripley caught her and hit a fallaway slam across the ring. Ripley applied the Prism Lock, Sane got out of that and Sane hit a forearm smash. Sane headbutted Ripley and Sane tried a leap off the turnbuckle, but Ripley hit a dropkick to counter that and it got a two count. Sane countered a Ripley move and Sane hit an elbow to the head. Sane hit a running clothesline against Ripley. Sane went up top for the Insane Elbow, but Ripley got her boots up to block that. Ripley and Sane exchanged forearms. Ripley ducked an elbow attempt and Ripley hit a headbutt. Ripley hit a Riptide Slam for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley
Analysis: **3/4 They had to improvise after the Stark injury, but the result was never in doubt since Ripley winning was the obvious result. I think they just did a lot of basic stuff until the finish where Ripley hit a headbutt, along with the Riptide for the win. I hope Sane does well in singles moving forward, but this was a tough spot here. I wish Zoey the best in her recovery.
The first three women in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match are Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez and Alexa Bliss. The graphic WWE has shown has six women in the match.
A video aired about Rusev talking about his match against Akira Tozawa next week. Rusev said that Tozawa must be delusional to challenge Rusev. Rusev said he was trying to fix Tozawa like how he fixed himself. Rusev told Tozawa he should have walked away, and instead, he listened to the fans. Rusev said your arrogance will get you slaughtered. Rusev told Tozawa he’d forgive his stupidity and forget his existence.
Bron Breakker was shown walking with Paul Heyman and the World Champion Jey Uso was also shown backstage. That main event match was coming up.
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods did a promo during the break for some fans. Woods said that he’s the best thing to come out of this city. Kofi said that you can’t boo that because he was telling the truth. Kofi claimed they couldn’t find worthy opponents. Woods said that teams on Raw will crumble like cookies. Kofi said that the LWO can’t get it together without Rey Mysterio, who is on the shelf again. Woods said that A-Town Down has been fighting for about a calendar year, Kofi said they like The Creed Brothers, and Woods mentioned the War Raiders. Woods said that Ivar is the star and Kofi said that The New Day are the only team that matters. That ended that.
The Judgment Day was shown celebrating their win earlier in the night. Finn Balor walked in with Roxanne Perez. Balor introduced Perez to The Judgment Day. Balor said that he was thinking they might need more numbers. Dominik Mysterio said that Balor needs to talk to Liv about this. Balor said that Perez can maybe watch Liv and Raquel’s back. Perez said she was there to find her place on Raw and she got them presents. Perez brought in some chicken nuggets for Dom and apples for Carlito. Raquel Rodriguez wasn’t happy and told Perez she can go now. Raquel said that Liv will hear about this. Balor said he can’t wait.
Analysis: Liv will hear about this…or she can just watch the show. Anyway, I don’t see Perez being in The Judgment Day as a regular thing. I think Perez is better on her own.
Next Monday on Raw on Memorial Day for those of you in the US:
* Men’s Money in the Bank qualifying matches. They did not say who was in the matches.
* Rusev vs. Akira Tozawa
* World Tag Team Titles: The New Day vs. The War Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers
Jey Uso made his entrance as the World Heavyweight Champion. Jey entered from the crowd and did his Yeeting routine on the way to the ring. The fans loved Jey, as usual. Bron Breakker was next and he had WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman with him.
Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman)
This was not for Jey’s World Heavyweight Title. Jey clotheslined Bron out of the ring and Jey hit a suicide dive onto Bron on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Heyman told Bron to calm down and told him to dictate the pace. Bron tried a kick, Jey blocked and Jey punched Bron. Jey connected with some punches to the jaw. Bron got a side headlock takedown.
Bron remained in control with the running clothesline as Bron showed off his speed. Jey jumped off the turnbuckle and Bron caught him, leading to a front slam. Bron stomped on Jey’s body a few times. Bron gave Jey a belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Bron shouted “He’s a bum” about Jey, so Jey came back with punches and the fans were chanting “Yeet” for all of it. Jey hit a jumping kick to the head. Jey hit a running hip attack on Bron against the turnbuckle for two. Jey hit a spinning kick to the body to knock Bron out of the ring. Jey tried a suicide dive, but Bron caught him. Bron sent Jey into the table and into the steel steps. Bron jumped off the turnbuckle and clotheslined Jey onto the table. Bron took a big bump onto the commentary table, while Jey went down on the floor. They went into a break for some fans as the action continued again. When Bron does that move perfectly, both guys go flying over the table. Bron went for some move off the turnbuckle, but Jey countered with a sitout Powerbomb for two.
Jey punched Bron in the face when Bron told Jey to hit him. Bron and Jey exchanged punches, Bron hit a knee and Jey hit an enziguri kick. Jey hit a popup Samoan Drop for two. That looked great. The fans chanted, “This is awesome,” for the good action. Jey went up top, Bron stopped that with a punch and Jey countered with a headbutt. Jey went to the turnbuckle, so Bron jumped to the top and gave Jey a Frankensteiner for two. Bron ran the ropes, but Jey was ready for him with a superkick for two. Heyman went on the apron, so Bron left the ring and grabbed a steel chair. Bron went into the ring and Jey superkicked Bron out of the ring. Jey ran the ropes, Heyman grabbed the foot while the referee didn’t see it and Jey went after his former ally Heyman. That was a mistake since Seth Rollins hit Jey in the back with a forearm to the back. There’s a DQ finish after 15 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Jey Uso
Analysis: ***1/4 I enjoyed the match for the time given, but I also didn’t expect a clean finish, so the DQ made sense based on all the other storylines. Jey and Bron have worked well together since they wrestled a few times last fall. What I like about Bron is that he’s never in a rush, and that makes his moves matter. Too many wrestling guys rush things today, but he’s very patient. He learned well from his NXT days.
Seth Rollins threw Jey into the ring, so Bron Breaker joined Rollins in beating up Jey. Sami Zayn made the save, Rollins tossed Jey down and the fans loudly chanted for CM Punk. That led to CM Punk making his entrance, and the fans went wild for him! That was loud. The fans were singing Punk’s song even after the music stopped.
Punk and Zayn went into the ring to brawl with Rollins and Breakker. Punk and Zayn cleared the heels from the ring. Bron saved Rollins from Zayn, so Rollins sent Zayn over the barricade. Punk got into it by hitting a double axhandle on Bron and Rollins. Bron and Zayn went fighting out of the building. Punk also fought with Rollins, so they left the arena where they could be filmed.
Analysis: A good way to set up the tag team match at SNME. I think this show could have used a CM Punk promo or something like that, but that’s okay. I know some people have predicted a Zayn heel turn on Punk. I could see that happening, too, but I’m unsure if it will happen.
Back in the ring, Jey Uso turned around and Logan Paul punched Jey in the jaw again. Cole mentioned it was the fourth time that Paul knocked out the champion, Jey Uso. Paul celebrated that. That was the end of Raw.
Analysis: It gives Paul the advantage over Jey again. I don’t think Paul will beat Jey at SME, but at least they are pushing the idea that he has a shot.
This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours, 29 minutes on Netflix.
====
Three Stars of the Show
Jey Uso
The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & JD McDonagh
Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley
===
The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2025 Average: 7.54
===
Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
This was another good episode of Raw. This is my favorite wrestling TV show that I review every week. It felt like there was more action this week and less talking in the ring, but still plenty of talking backstage. I’m not saying I want more talking, either. I’m just saying that’s what this week felt like. The opening tag was great and I enjoyed Perez/Lynch/Natalya as well. Those were the two best matches.
The final match with Bron Breakker and Jey Uso was fine for a match that was obviously not going to have a clean finish. I thought the post-match brawl that included Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn & CM Punk set up Saturday Night’s Main Event well. Some people think Zayn might turn on Punk in that tag team match. Those two barely interacted on this show, so we’ll see. Tune in and find out.
Best wishes to Zoey Stark after suffering a devastating knee injury during her match. That looked awful.
===
Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Toronto Blue Jays. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
