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WWE RAW RESULTS
MAY 18, 2026
GREENSBORO, N.C. AT FIRST HORIZON COLISEUM
STREAMED LIVE ON NETFLIX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 9,338 tickets had been distributed; arena set up for 9,761. The arena has a capacity of 22,000 spectators when configured for concerts. On the previous visit one year ago this week (5/16/2025) for a Smackdown, it drew 11,883, another year-over-year drop in attendance.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of Greensboro, N.C. He said it was the first time in two years WWE Raw had been in that city.
-A video recap aired of the Bloodline-Jacob Fatu saga at Backlash and since.
-Roman got out of a car and slammed the door shut. He was handed his title belt by a worker (whom he was too much of a “big shot in a bad mood” to treat like a fellow human being). Then G.M. Adam Pearce walked up and told Roman if he had just listened to him last week, none of this would have happened because Fatu would have been fired. Pearce said that as a result, they’re going to do things his way and reiterated that he needed to be fired. Roman said he is calling his ass out right now.” Pearce said he needs to be fired tonight. Fatu’s music played and he walked out. Cole said Roman was going to call out Fatu, but Fatu “beat him to the punch.”
Fatu entered the ring and told Roman to get his punk ass out there. The Usos music played and they came out. Jimmy asked Fatu what he is doing. He said he lost at Backlash and he was supposed to acknowledge Roman, but he didn’t. “It’s like you choose the hardest path to follow,” he said. He said because he put his hands on management, they’re about to fire his ass. He said he isn’t thinking, despite wanting the better house, better schools, nicer cars. He asked if he wanted to go back to prison. Jey paced behind Jimmy with a chair and made a move toward Fatu. Fatu blocked it and knocked Jey down and then put the Tongan Death Grip on Jimmy. Jey bashed Fatu with a chair, but Fatu no-sold it. Cole said Fatu is a different breed. Fatu then put the Tongan Death Grip on Jey. Fans chanted “OTC!” and then Roman’s music played.
Reigns walked out and Fatu stood and turned around and waited for him. They stared each other down. Roman took a swing. Fatu punched back. Roman kicked Fatu into the corner and then went for a Superman Punch, but Fatu blocked him with a Tongan Death Griup. Jey made the save with a spear. Jimmy landed a top rope splash. The Usos gave Fatu a 1D. The Usos wrapped Fatu’s arms in the ropes and then Reigns landed two Superman Punch. The Usos stereo superkicked Fatu. Reigns then hit a spear. Fans chanted, “OTC!”
Reigns walked up to Pearce on the stage. “What happens now,” asked Corey Graves on commentary. Reigns said he can do whatever he wants now including “firing his ass.” As Pearce began to speak, Fatu asked Reigns to return to the ring. “Roman! Tribal Combat!” (It kind of sounded like he said, “Roman! Tribal! Come back!” Pearce tried to talk Roman out of going back. Roman grabbed the mic from Pearce as Pearce mouthed, “It’s not worth it.” Roman said, “I accept.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Again, there’s something about WWE crowds now in their response to many angles, but this on especially, where the reactions feel more based on “communal chant opportunities” than a genuine emotional buy-in. I don’t think fans despise Fatu all that much, and the three-on-one attack frankly felt a bit out of proportion to Fatu’s offenses in the storyline, plus fans still kinda like Fatu. Add in hot-head Jey is the one who started the whole physical altercation and Fatu had been pacing but controlling himself up to that point, it felt especially excessive. I get the family/gang justification for the beatdown, in a storyline sense, but I don’t think the crowd was on board in an ideal way where they were invested in seeing Fatu take that amount of a beatdown three-on-one. It made him a bit sympathetic in the moment. Maybe, though, that’s what WWE wants at this point. Perhaps this is leading to a place where it makes sense that Roman has been kind of a self-centered dick and Fatu has been painted all along as having his motivations in the right place but lacking discipline to get there without causing himself trouble. It’s hard to imagine the minds involved in putting this together don’t see how having Fatu no-sell a chairshot and take a three-on-beating and that Jey started it all because he’s unable to control himself doesn’t paint Fatu in a sympathetic light even if he has had been stubborn and heelish in his own actions at times in recent weeks.)
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. They said there have been only two previous Tribal Combat matches, and Reigns has been part of them both and won both. Graves said there are no rules, no countouts, no DQs, and the loser must acknowledge the winner as their Tribal Chief. He said he hoped Fatu knows what he is doing and characterized it as a sign of a desperate man.
-They showed wrestlers arriving including Seth Rollins, Oba Femi, and The Judgment Day five-some.
-A vignette aired with Finn Balor and JD McDonaugh discussing their history and their match up next.
-Balor made his ring entrance. [c]
-A graphic noted Je’Von Evans was born and raised in Greensboro.
(1) FINN BALOR vs. JD MCDONAGH – Street Fight
The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Balor clotheslined JD out of the ring and threw him into the steps at ringside. Cole said this is a rubber match between them after splitting the first two matches. Balor threw several kendo sticks and chairs into the ring. JD recovered and hit Balor with kendo sticks. He wedged a chair in the corner. Balor recovered and bashed JD with a kendo stick. JD countered with a Russian leg sweep. Balor came back and threw JD into the chair. Balor pulled a table out of the ring. JD dove through the ropes and tackled Balor. JD dumped Balor into the time keeper’s area and then they fought into the crowd, which Cole annoying referred to as the “WWE Universe.” (Like, is the ring and ringside area not part of the WWE Universe? Why is it just the crowd area?) JD leaped off an equipment platform and landed a moonsault. Both were down and slow to get up as they cut to a break at 4:30 as fans chanted “Holy shit!” [c]
They were back in the ring after the break. Balor was in control until JD slammed him onto a chair and landed a standing moonsault for a two count at 8:00. A minute later, Balor dropkicked JD through a table leaning in the corner. Balor climbed to the top rope and went for a Coup de Grace, but JD moved and then powerbombed Balor and scored a near fall. An actual “JD Sucks!” chant broke out as he set up a table in the ring. As Balor climbed to the top rope, Dominik Mysterio ran out and pulled on Balor’s boots. JD then superplexed Balor through the table as Graves emphasized that “it’s all legal.” JD draped his arm over Balor and scored a two count. Fans chanted, “Dom, you suck!”
Dom and JD bashed Balor with trash cans. Cole said the referee was powerless to stop the attack. Balor made a comeback and bashed Dom with the trash can. He was bleeding from his back. He then dropkicked JD into the corner, trash can covering JD’s head and torso. Balor then landed a Coup de Grace for a three count.
WINNER: Balor in 14:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. They don’t worry about “protecting” JD and instead portray him as a pest you like to see get beat up who takes great bumps. While he held his own for a while, losing despite extended help from Dom made him seem especially weak.)
-They cut to Cole and Graves at ringside. They commented on the drama lately with The Vision, The Street Profits, and Seth Rollins.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Seth backstage. He said his actions last week led to Angelo Dawkins catching a stray spear last week. She asked if it was worth pursuing considering it was creating friction “with you and other Superstars.” He said knows he has zero allies, but sooner rather than later he has to put an end to The Vision. He said he’s been “spinning his wheels” trying to figure out the best way to handle that, and he decided the best way to do that is to run right through it. He said he has a direct challenge to make to The Vision and he’ll fight any of them. He said he’d like to see Bron Breakker answer the challenge, because he thinks he’s ready, but he’s not. He said he thinks he can beat him on his own, but he can’t. “Who are you, really?” he asked as he looked into the camera. He asked if he was a nepo-baby who can’t hack it or is he an athlete turned into a wad of wasted potential or is he everything that he says he is. He said his chance tonight in the main event of Raw is his chance to show him who he really is.
-They showed the broad back of Oba Femi backstage. [c]
-Byron Saxton interviewed Sol Ruka backstage. She said she’s been stoked to have the opportunity to wrestle the best and she hasn’t won yet (so Bayley wasn’t one of the best?), but she’s only been doing this for four years. Becky lynch interrupted her and said she hasn’t faced the best because she hasn’t faced her. She said she has bitten off more than she can chew. She told her to go back to NXT. Sol said, “You make a good point for once; I’m gonna go.” Becky said her generation gives up so easily. Fans cheered. Sol’s music played. She made her way to the ring. Cole said when Sol said she was leaving, she meant she was leaving backstage to go to the ring.
Sol stood mid-ring and called Becky to the ring for a match and prove she’s “The Man you claim that you are.” Becky made her entrance to her theme. Sol said she knows Becky thinks she doesn’t belong there, but she’s worked too hard to go back to NXT. She said she’s made a life of proving people wrong. She told Becky to face her “right here, right now.” Becky said, “Okay, no.” She said she’d love nothing more than to perform for the people of Greensboro, “because lord knows you could use some excitement in your life.” She said she doesn’t just pride herself on being the best female wrestler, and it’s not just her saying it. Sol said there she goes again. Becky said she has to start over now. She said she prides herself on being a locker room leader and role model for the youth. She said many people have stepped up to her prematurely and the fall from grace has been astounding. She listed “Loony Lyra,” “Mediocre Maxxine,” and “Absolute Joke AJ Lee.” She told Sol she should consider whether she truly feels ready, and if she does, she will face her at Saturday Night’s Main Event. She said she’s not just a star-maker, she’s a star-breaker.
Sol said, “That was cute. ” She said she will not just snatch Becky’s soul again, she will snatch that title from her. Becky said no one said anything about the title being on the line. She said she has prove herself more. Cole asked if Becky was scared. Graves said she didn’t sound scared. Cole noted Sol beat Bayley last December on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
-Another pitch by John Cena for Club WWE aired.
(Keller’s Analysis: If Cena’s aiming exclusively for the age range of 5-8 year olds signing up, he struck the perfect tone for his delivery there.)
-Loga Paul and Austin Theory were chatting about The Street Profits. Bron Breakker walked up to Paul Heyman and made fun of Seth’s nasal delivery tone and then told him to make the match tonight for him against Seth. Heyman said it’s a great idea, but it’s going to be Seth vs. Austin Theory tonight. Theory said he loved it and told Breakker he’ll make him proud. Bron smiled, but then got serious and asked Heyman, “What’re you doing? I can beat him.” Heyman said he knows Seth’s hands will be so full tonight, so “maybe you want to run this play.”
-The masked Chad Gable and Creed Brothers made their entrance. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
(2) ORIGINAL EL GRANDE AMERICANO & BLUTO & JULIO vs. EL GRANDE AMERICANO & BRAVO & RAYO
They plugged the next AAA event with the El Grande mask vs. mask match. The bell rang at the start of the second hour. Cole said, “I watch AAA.” Then he talked about some recent happenings. Graves said the Mexicans love “the real El Grande Americano.” He said they think the so-called “Original El Grande Americano” is a fraud. They cut to a break a few minutes in. [c]
After several minutes of chaos, including a triple moonsault into a triple pin attempt spot, fans chanted “This is awesome!”
WINNERS: El Grande Americano & Bravo & Reyo (Ludwig Kaiser & Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate)
-They showed Brie Bella and Paige chatting backstage. A mascot for a sponsor showed up in the background and Otis and Akira Tozawa were excited for food delivery. [c]
-A video package aired on the history of Tribal Combat.
-Cathy Kelley then interviewed The Usos backstage about the nature of Tribal Combat. Jey said he’s been in the match before. LA Knight showed up. Jimmy said it wasn’t a good time. Knight asked if they were going to attack him. He lectured them on their recent behavior. He said if you do dirt, you get dirt. Jimmy emphasized: “Not. Now.” The Usos turned and left.
-Cole and Graves threw to an interview with Ethan Page recorded earlier. Ethan handed Cole a card with suggested questions “to help him capture his excellence.” Cole asked if he’s aware of how long he’s been doing this. Ethan said he is surprised by his lack of humility and said there’s always room for improvement. Cole read his question, which was flattering Ethan. Ethan said he was born to be champion and it comes naturally to him, unlike Penta. Ethan insisted Cole continue to read from the card. Cole refused and asked why he acts that way. Cole said Ethan has everything – the looks, the charisma, the athletic ability to be an all-time great, but he also has ego. He said he thinks his ego is going to cost him. Ethan said it’s pure confidence and he already believes he’s the best wrestler in all of WWE and he plans to prove it to him and anyone else who doubts him. He said he’ll be the first to “fear” into the vocabulary of Penta and leave with the Intercontinental Title. Cole resentfully thanked Cole. Ethan whispered, “I think you did a great job.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Cole has been doing this a long time, and his acting in these contrived segments remains rough. Ethan was great here.)
-Cole and Graves hyped teh SNEM line-up coming up this Saturday. Graves said Ethan has said he’s doing to rename the IC Title after he wins it, so this could be the last time the IC Title is defended.
-Liv Morgan led Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez to the ring. [c]
(3) PAIGE & BRIE BELLA vs. ROXANNE PEREZ & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break earl with Perez and Raquel in control. [c]
Liv knocked Brie off the top rope. The ref caught her. Liv stood on the ring apron to plead her case. The ref ordered her to go to the back. Liv threw a fit. Raquel slid Perez a tag title belt. Brie ducked and rolled up Perez for the win.
WINNERS: Paige & Brie in 11:00 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
-Liv attacked Brie and Paige afterward. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley ran out for the save. Bayley blocked a Liv attempt at Oblivion and then suplexed her. Cole plugged Nia Jax & Lash Legend would challenge Brie & Paige this Saturday on SNME.
-As Seth paced backstage, Knight walked up to him. He said Seth made The Vision happen and he knows what’s going to happen out there. He said he might win, but he’s going to get stomped out. Knight said he’s kind of glad to see him get stomped out and it’s admirable of him. He said if he really needs help, he’s not getting it from him. “Have fun getting stomped out,” Knight said. “Yeah!” Then he walked away. Seth closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
-They showed Oba from a the Omos Camera Angle backstage. [c]
-A Penta video package hyped his defense Saturday against Ethan Page.
-Fans stood in anticipation of Oba Femi. He was attacked by Brock Lesnar during the dark of his entrance routine. He gave him four F5s. Cole said the rumors of his demise were exaggerated. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Cole said he was humiliated by Lesnar at WrestleMania. Cole said Lesnar left his boots and gloves in the ring “and we believed he called it a career.” Lesnar then left. The camera followed Brock to the back.
(Keller’s Analysis: This gives Oba the opponent he needs at this point and it seems like a good way to end the Open Challenge Gimmick for Oba and it confirms that Lesnar will in fact be part of Summerslam in his home area of Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium. The problem is, with Lesnar showing such vulnerability after his loss to Oba, and Minneapolis being his home market, WWE has a strong headwind if their goal is to avoid Oba getting booed there.) [c]
-After a replay of what happened, Pearce was fretting over having filed retirement paperwork and said he wanted to see Heyman. Pearce walked into his office and Heyman was waiting for him. Heyman said, “Brock Lesnar is retired.” Pearce asked what that meant. Heyman handed Pearce a contract for Clash in Italy with “Brock Legnar’s signature already on it.” (Who is Brock Legnar? Is this a trick?) He said if he can get Oba to sign it, he’ll have made possible “the biggest rematch in history.”
-Graves said Heyman just made an offer the GM can’t refuse. Cole said he assumed Oba would sign it. They shifted to plugging SNME again airing on Peacock.
Advertised Matches & Appearances
- Paige & Brie Bella vs. Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match
- “Original” El Grande Americano & Los Americanos Hermanos vs. El Grande Americano & Los Americanos – Trios Tornado Tag Team match
- Oba Femi Open Challenge continues
- Roman Reigns to respond to Jacob Fatu’s attack on The Bloodline
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