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WWE RAW REPORT
MAY 19, 2025
GREENVILLE, S.C. AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON NETFLIX (WORLDWIDE)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports today that 9,812 tickets were distributed right before showtime with a set-up of 10,008. The arena has a capacity of 16,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Rich Fann to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of the arena.
-A video package aired on the last three weeks of happenings with Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and C.M. Punk followed by hype for the main event of Jey Uso vs. Breakker later in the show.
-They showed the arrivals earlier of Heyman, Rollins, and Breakker and then Jey Uso. Also, quick views of others on the show.
-Logan Paul made his ring entrance. He said it’s “a fact” that he will beat Jey at Saturday Night’s Main Event this weekend and then arrive at Raw as the new World Champion. He got rattled by a “Yeet!” chant and ranted at the fans. He then said Jey can’t handle the pressure of being the World Champion. He said he’s knocked out Jey three times and will again on Saturday. Gunther’s music then played.
Gunther walked to the ring. He said he noticed Logan seemed confident that he will win on Saturday. He said that must mean Logan also thinks he can beat him. “That’s very confident,” he said. He told a suddenly nervous-looking Logan that confidence got them both to where they are. Gunther said the fans should show Logan more respect than they do. Logan, showing relief, nodded.
Gunther said Logan built a social media digital empire with his bare hands. Gunther said there are things he could learn from him. Logan said, “Who knew Gunther was so smart?” Logan said he could show him things backstage. Gunther said he wasn’t done talking. He said Logan’s understanding of marketing means if he were World Champion, “it would be great for business.” Logan said, “Who knew Gunther, the Ring General, knows business. He’s basically in the Lo Gang.” Gunther said, “Business? That’s what it is to you, right?” Gunther said that might be all it is to Logan, but for him it’s very personal. He said if he takes away his chance to beat Jey, he will take it personally as a sign of disrespect. He said he should ask Pat McAfee how he feels about disrespect being shown by non-wrestlers. He said at least Pat showed heart. He said he doesn’t see that in Logan.
Gunther said if Logan beats Jey and then squares off against him in Phoenix, he will eat him alive. He dropped the mic and scowled. Fans cheered. As Gunther walked up the aisle, Logan asked if he was walking away from him. Jey showed up behind Logan and gave him a superkick. Jey kneeled and said, “Fact: I’m going to see you on Saturday.” He then stood and looked at Gunther and said he’d see him in Phoenix. Jey’s music closed the segment.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment. Logan sold being intimidated by Gunther appropriately. Enough lip service has been paid to the possibility of Logan beating Jey at SNME that it makes it seem possible there could be a title change, mainly due to Gunther speaking specifically about it. Gunther was more popular than Logan in that setting. Jey was far and away the most popular once he showed up.)
-Cole narrated a clip of the stray kick from Roxanne Perez kicking Giulia last week leading to their loss against Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley. A clip aired from later that night of Giulia telling Perez, “There is no ‘we.'” Then a clip aired of Raw G.M. signing Perez to a contract earlier tonight.
-Cole hyped Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Perez and Ripley vs. Kairi Sane vs. Zoey Stark in MITB qualifiers later. Cole noted that Giulia signed with Smackdown last Friday.
-Penta made his ring entrance. [c]
-They showed a clip of Tyrese Haliburton of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and Jalen Brunson of the NBA’s New York Knicks participating in an angle on June 28 last year on Smackdown. Cole noted they square off starting Wednesday night in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cole said Haliburton would have a big announcement for the Raw audience later. A post from Twitter/X was shown of Triple H saying: “It’s almost like we wrote it.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Levesque just doesn’t miss an opportunity to point out, in the pro wrestling narrative, that he heads up a team that scripts everything on WWE TV. What’s his motivation to go to such lengths to pull the curtain back so much and so often? Here, the only thing gained was scoring a point for himself for a “quip.” There’s nothing more eye-roll-inducing than non-fans, when they talk about pro wrestling, feeling the need to joke about how they’re not supposed to say outloud that it’s “not real” – which is usually a sign they’re old and totally out of step with how current-day pro wrestling fans experience the genre – but it’s also eye-roll-inducing how Levesque seems so eager so often to throw in everyone’s face how scripted everything is. I don’t think it enhances the experience as a fan to have leadership constantly talk about that aspect of pro wrestling, especially if it’s mainly to score points for themselves with others about how “honest and open and new age” they are about how “fake” everything is. It’s even worse because it seems on some level to be self-servingly trying to take more public credit for the end-product than any booker has ever publicly taken before. Just settle down and tell the stories, but leave a little mystique as part of the experience and stay more in the background. The “stars of the show” are not those sitting in Gorilla every week.)
-Paul Heyman caught Jey Uso’s eye backstage as he was walking down a hallway. Jey stopped. Heyman said Logan wanted to talk facts, but he has some facts for him. He said people say he betrayed Punk and Roman Reigns. He said he didn’t stab them in the back or do anything untoward that they don’t see coming to qualify as “stabbing in the back.” He said he wanted to tell Jey to his face that tonight he will face Breakker in a non-title match. He said he would rarely negotiate a match like that, but he did. He said Breakker isn’t looking for his title, but rather he is looking to slow down his momentum. He told Jey he’s that good of a champion. He said the long-term plan for the World Heavyweight Championship is Seth Rollins. Heyman then told Jey to avoid the coffee before he walked away.
-Cole hyped Jey vs. Breakker as the main event of the show.
(1) AJ. STYLES & PENTA vs. J.D. MCDONAGH & FINN BALOR
Styles was standing in the ring, so his entrance didn’t air. Cole narrated a clip of Penta pinning Chad Gable last week. Cole said El Grande Americano was apparently out of the country. McAfee said he was on a massive media tour. A clip then aired of Styles pinning Balor later in the night after Penta countered interference from McDonagh and Carlito. The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break around 3:00 after a dive to ringside. (This is pretty much a Cut & Paste of WWE’s increasingly ridiculously repetitive formula for TV matches.) [c]
The heels took over after the break. When Styles hot-tagged in, he rallied. Balor raked his eye to slow Styles and tagged in McDonagh. Styles, applied a Calf Crusher on Balor. McDonagh leaped to break it up, but landed on Balor. Styles slammed McDonagh face-first on the mat and scored a two count at 9:00. A minute later, Carlito threw Styles into the ringpost. They cut to another break. [c]
After the break, Styles hot-tagged in Penta who went on the attack against McDonagh. Balor went for a Coup de Grace, but Penta avoided it. Penta then applied his Sacrifice arm-snap. Balor countered Penta into a roll-up for a two count, then hit a Sling Blade. The fight spilled to the floor where Penta landed a Mexican Destroyer off the steps on McDonagh. El Grande American headbutted Penta. The ref didn’t see it. Balor rolled Penta into the ring and then landed a Coup de Grace for the win. Cole said the mask was loaded; McAfee said there’s no evidence of that.
WINNERS: Balor & McDonagh in 17:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: A showcase of some of WWE’s most athletic wrestlers with a nice mix of styles, and the heels playing their role as heels especially well.)
-Cathy Kelley congratulated Iyo Sky on her win last week. She asked about the Money in the Bank winner potentially targeting her. She said she’s ready for anyone. Becky Lynch walked up to her. Kelley left the scene. Becky said she’s never beat her one-on-one. Becky said she already put down one champ and she has no issue putting down another. She then headed to the ring past the Gorilla position. She raised her arm in the air as she made her way to the ring to her usual entrance theme. [c]
-Logan was on the phone backstage. He told someone to pick him quickly because he wanted to go home. Seth walked up to him and asked him to hear him out. Seth said Jey is going to get hurt tonight for sticking his nose in his business. He said come Saturday, he won’t be 100 percent. He said the odds of a Logan win are in his favor. He said if he can get past Jey and if he can get past Gunther, then he’ll have him to thank. He said then they can run back WrestleMania from a couple years ago, but with the World Championship on the line. “Think about it,” he said. Cole called it “an interesting proposition.” In the background, New Day was chatting with Grayson Waller.
(2) NATALYA vs. ROXANNE PEREZ vs. BECKY LYNCH – Money in the Bank Qualifier
The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. There was a pocket of the crowd doing a “Let’s Go Roxy / Let’s Go Becky” dueling chant right after the bell. Becky pitched to Perez that they work together, but then she tried to throw her out of the ring. Perez reversed Becky to the floor. Cole explained the basics of the MITB rules. McAfee said that if you win MITB, “you’re basically in control of WWE.”
When Becky applied a Disarm Her, Perez broke it up. In a trademark of too much of Levesque’s booking, the crowd didn’t have a much of a rooting interest in any one of the wrestlers winning, so they largely quietly observed. When Perez showed some fire at ringside after a dive, there was a little rise of cheers from the crowd. They then, of course, cut to a break around 4:00. [c]
Natalya clotheslined both Perez and Becky and then went for a sharpshooter on Becky. When Perez intervened, Natalya tried to put a sharpshooter on both of them. Perez broke free and superkicked both Natalya and Becky, who scooted themselves into perfect position for Perez to land a springboard moonsault onto both of them at once. She scored a two count, then yelled in frustration.
[HOUR TWO]
Becky avoided a Pop Rocks by Perez and landed a Manhandle Slam. Natalya broke up the cover. All three were down and slow to get up at 10:00. Perez sunset bombed both Becky and Natalya out of the corner. She scored a two count on Natalya, interrupted by Becky. A “Roxy!” chant started with some fans briefly, then faded. As Perez and Becky battled in the corner we got a (stupid) “We Want Tables!” chant from some fans that didn’t catch on. (When fans don’t care who wins, they start calling spots in the ring to pass the time.) Natalya superplexed Perez for a near fall. Natalya applied a Sharpshooter on Perez at 13:00. Becky broke it up with a faceplant.
Natalya put both Perez and Becky in a Sharpshooter right near the bottom rope. Becky pulled herself to ringside, then re-entered the ring and gave Natalya a Manhandle Slam. Lyra Valkyria yanked Becky by her leg out of the ring as Becky was going for the cover. She beat up Becky at ringside. Cole said Lyra was getting retribution and said the ref can’t do anything about it because of the (stupid) no-DQ rule in Triple Threat matches. Becky fought back and re-entered the ring. Lyra yanked Becky out of the ring as Natalya set up a sharpshooter on Becky. Perez then gave a frustrated Natalya her Pop Rocks for the win.
WINNER: Perez in 15:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd got more into the action as the match progressed, but never really felt invested in an outcome. They didn’t believe, rightfully, that Natalya could win, and they sorta still like Becky but also don’t like her, and they have given months of confusing mixed signals with Perez.)
-Sami Zayn approached Jey Uso backstage. He told Jey that he’ll take care of the Heyman crew on Saturday so Jey can focus on Logan. He said he had his back. Jey smiled.
(Keller’s Analysis: Sami is ever-so-slightly too over-the-top in his proclamations of loyalty and support for Jey as to cast suspicion on him, but not to the point that Jey feels foolish for lowering his guard just a little as Sami keeps stepping up to help him.)
-They showed Kairi, Zoey, and Ripley warming up backstage. The crowd popped big for Ripley.
-Sheamus made his ring entrance. [c]
-A clip aired from June 2012 of John Cena stripping Michael Cole to his boxer briefs. McAfee made fun of a tattoo on Cole’s ankle. He pointed out Cole’s “bulge” and “lack of athleticism.” Cole said it wasn’t one of his finest moments. Cole said it wasn’t as embarrassing as Heidenrich, but it was embarrassing.
-Pearce asked Tozawa, with Maxxine Durpi, if he was sure. Tozawa said he was. Pearce revealed that the match with Rusev next week is now official. Chad Gable walked in and said it’ll be nice to Alpha Academy put down for good. Pearce asked Gable what he wanted. He said he is there is secure opportunities for himself and Ivy Nile. New Day then walked in. Pearce asked if anyone ever knocks anymore. Kofi Kingston said they can agree they don’t want the War Raiders to win next week. Pearce told them to leave his office. Xavier Woods said he gladly would because “it smells like a mid-life crisis around here.”
(3) SHEAMUS vs. GRAYSON WALLER (w/Austin Theory)
Waller was in the ring. His ring entrance didn’t air. The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. A “Let’s Go Sheamus!” chant broke out. (Hey, crowd engagement early in a match between one clear and heel and one clear babyface where the babyface has a real chance to win!) Sheamus clotheslined Waller over the top rope. Cole said Theory seemed really entertained by Sheamus giving Waller a beating. He shouted to Theory that he’s supposed to be Waller’s buddy. Waller fought back after a Theory distraction and ran into the ring and then slid under the bottom rope and clotheslined Sheamus at ringside, leading to (of course) a commercial break at around 3:00. [c]
Waller was in control after the break. Fans were chanting, “Austin Theory!” Cole said there’s an interesting dynamic going on with Theory and Waller. He said Theory was making outlandish facial expressions throughout the match as Sheamus was beating on his partner. Waller made a comeback and landed his rolling flatliner for a two count. Waller followed with a leap off the second rope, but Sheamus kneed him out of mid-air. Cole said Theory caused a distraction, perhaps inadvertently, that cost Waller. Sheamus then clotheslined Waller in the corner followed by a powerslam. He then lifted Waller into a spinning released guillotine. He then yanked open his mouth.
Waller fired back with a big boot and a forearm to the chin (that showed light, but made a loud slapping noise). He then went for Ten Beats against the top rope. He got to four before Sheamus blocked it and then lifted him onto his shoulders and then leaped to the floor and snapped Waller’s head over the top rope on the way down. Sheamus then went for Ten Beats. Waller slipped to the floor. Waller tried to leave, but Theory told him not to quit. Sheamus then yanked Waller from behind and gave him Ten Beats as Theory had a sheepish grin. Sheamus played to the crowd and pounded his chest as he waited for Waller to stand. He then delivered a Brogue Kick for the win.
WINNER: Sheamus in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Was that an “Austin Theory!” chant? Theory had a different demeanor that seemed to be winning over fans as he took joy in Waller taking a beating and steered him toward an even worse beating.)
-They went to Cole and McAfee at ringside. McAfee said Cole should wear a tank top if the Knicks beat the Pacers, but if the Pacers win, then McAfee will wear a suit like Cole usually does. They interviewed Haliburton remotely from his home as he talked about how excited he was to be a playable character in the next WWE video game. He then talked about facing the Knicks as part of “a special rivalry.” When asked for a prediction, he said “Yeet!”
-Cole and McAfee hyped SNME.
-Seth interrupted Gunther as he was about to be interviewed by Kelley. He said it’s been a while since they shared the same space. Gunther said for a visionary, he’s pretty short-sighted. He said he is the future around there. Seth said he thought he had respect for Gunther. He said if Gunther wins the World Title again, “you will be treated no different than anybody else; you will make yourself a target.” Gunther said: “Please, I cannot wait. In fact, I am eager awaiting it.”
-Ripley’s ring entrance took place. Fans roared with cheers. [c]
(4) KAIRI SANE vs. RHEA RIPLEY vs. ZOEY STARK – Money in the Bank qualifier
Stark was already in the ring after the break. Kairi’s entrance aired. Fans chanted “Let’s Go Mami!” early as Stark got in offense against her. Ripley made a comeback. Kairi leaped onto her back. Stark attacked Kakri. Kairi kipped up after clearing the ring. She set up a dive onto Ripley, but Stark attacked Kairi from behind to stop her. Stark’s land bent awkwardly and she screamed in pain and clutched it. Ripley looked on with concern and then switched back into character. The doctor entered the ring and checked on her off-camera. The injury looked awful. Cole said she has had knee injuries in the past. They cut to a break with the camera focused on the briefcases hanging above the ring. [c]
Cole recapped Stark’s apparent knee injury and said it’s now a one-on-one match. Ripley was on the attack on Kairi. Kairi made a comeback and went for her Insane Elbow. Ripley lifted her boots to block it. Both were down and slow to get up. Cole noted the men’s MITB qualifiers begin next week. Ripley ducked a back elbow and then landed a headbutt and a Rip Tide for the win.
WINNER: Ripley in 10:00.
-A graphic showed the women qualified so far are Ripley, Perez, and Alexa Bliss. Two more women from Smackdown and one more from Raw will qualify.
-Cole and McAfee sent best wishes to Stark.
-A vignette aired with Rusev who spoke about wanting to “fix” Tozawa next week. He called him “an ungrateful little man.” He said his ego might get him cheered, but his arrogance will get him slaughtered. He said he will forgive Tozawa’s stupidity and forget his existence.
-They showed Breakker with Heyman and then Jey getting ready for the main event.
-The Judgment Day were hanging out backsatge when Perez entered with Balor. Raquel Rodriguez asked what Perez was doing there. Balor said he’d been getting to know her and he wanted to introduce her to them. Balor said Dominik Mysterio said they needed more members, so Perez could at least help even if she’s not a member. Dom said Balor should check with Liv Morgan. Perez gave Dom a box of chicken nuggets. She gave Carlito a bag of apples. Rodriguez told Perez that they’ve been introduced and she’s given them their presents, but she can go now. She said Liv will hear about this. Balor laughed and said he can’t wait.
-Cole hyped next week’s Raw: Rusev vs. Tozawa, New Day vs. War Raiders vs. The Creeds for the World Tag Team Titles, plus the start of the men’s MITB qualifiers.
(5) JEY USO vs. BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman)
Jey made his entrance first. Then Breakker with Heyman. Jey clotheslined Breakker over the top rope and then dove onto him leading, of course, to a commercial break. [c]
Cole noted that these two have met three time before. He said Jey beat Breakker to win the IC Title, but then Breakker won a rematch to regain his title. Breakker was in control. He gloated. Jey lifted his boots but barely made contact with a charging Breakker. Jey leaped off the ropes at Breakker, but Breakker caught him and powerslammed him for a two count.
A couple minutes later Jey landed a hip attack in the corner and scored a two count. Both men were down and slow to get up. Breaker leaped off the ring apron and bulldogged Jey onto the announce desk as they cut to another bvreak. [c]
Jey made a comeback after the break including a lift-and-drop Samoan Drop for a near fall. Jey absorbed some more Breakker offense after that. Breakker lowered his straps. Cole said he was about to “make an example of Jey Uso.” Jey countered a spear attempt with a dropkick for a two count. Heyman distracted the ref as Breakker grabbed a chair. Jey knocked the chair to the floor. Heyman grabbed Heyman’s leg. Jey marched toward Heyman. Heyman lifted his fists. Seth then jumped Jey. The ref called for the bell.
WINNER: Jey via DQ.
-Seth yanked off his shirt and went after Jey in the ring. Jey fought back. Breakker hit Jey from behind. They stomped away at Jey. Sami’s music promptly played and he marched to the ring. Seth tossed Jey aside. Jey and Breakker dared Sami to enter. Fans loudly chanted, “C.M. Punk!” Punk’s music played. Punk walked out. Both pairs brawled in the ring and then into the crowd.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another Raw, another lame finish to the main event. The angle set up the SNME tag match, so that part of this all made sense. Fans are going to learn to stop investing any emotions in near falls in TV main events if this booking pattern continues. The headline here is how loudly fans are chanting for Punk, who is mega-over wherever he goes.)
-They cut back to the ring where the ref actually raised Jey’s arm as the DQ winner. Logan then attacked Jey as they went off the air.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Rich Fann to review WWE Raw LIVE tonight right after the show ends. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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