After an epic WWE Backlash this Saturday, WWE Raw has now headed to KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY.
Announced in advance of Monday’s show:
- CM Punk returns to WWE Raw
- Jey Uso addresses his upcoming match against Logan Paul
- The War Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez and Giulia
- AJ Styles battles Finn Bálor
- Penta vs. Chad Gable
CM Punk is Back on WWE Raw
WWE Raw kicked off with CM Punk, who made his return last week here on WWE Raw when Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker tried to attack both Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. Punk’s attack on Rollins also allowed him to secure a win over Jey Uso in their World Heavyweight Championship match.
Punk then talked about his match with Rollins and Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 41, calling out Paul Heyman a snake as well, asking why he did what he did. Heyman then arrived on the scene along with Rollins and Breakker, as Rollins told Punk how he always loves to play a victim.
Rollins and Breakker then unleashed their attack on Punk with their numbers game before Zayn also arrived on the scene to help Punk. Jey then also arrived on the scene to help both Punk and Zayn, which caused Rollins and Breakker to retreat.
Ratings: 8 /10
Penta vs. Chad Gable
Penta lost his Intercontinental Championship match against Dominik Mysterio at WWE Backlash after an attack by El Grande Americano, which now led to this singles match against Chad Gable.
Penta delivered an incredible performance to pick up the win against Gable.
Result: Penta defeated Chad Gable
Ratings: 6.5 /10
Key Notes and Observations:
- Pat McAfee also joined the commentary desk alongside Michael Cole after his match against Gunther at WWE Backlash.
- CM Punk and Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker made official for Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The War Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods then arrived at the commentary desk as Erik and Ivar collided against Brutus Creed and Julius Creed to determine the possible future challengers for the World Tag Team Championship.
Kingston and Woods distracted the referee and attacked both Erik and Ivar, which allowed Brutus and Julius Creed to pick up the win.
Result: The Creed Brothers defeated The War Raiders
Ratings: 6.5 /10
Key Notes and Observations:
- Sami Zayn and CM Punk met backstage, talking about their upcoming tag team match against Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXIX.
Jey Uso comes to WWE Raw
Jey Uso retained his World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins last week here on WWE Raw, followed by an attack from Logan Paul. Jey and Paul would now clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
Jey arrived on WWE Raw talking about his match against Paul before Gunther arrived on the scene as well. Gunther announced that the winner of Jey vs. Paul from Saturday Night’s Main Event will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against him on the June 9th episode of Raw from Phoenix.
Jey made the closing statement, saying he would beat them both.
Ratings: 8 /10
AJ Styles vs. Finn Bálor
AJ Styles has been running his mouth about Dominik Mysterio for a few weeks now, he has now sent Finn Bálor to shut him down.
Both Balor and Styles delivered an incredible performance in a gruelling match until JD McDonagh and Carlito tried to get involved as well, before Penta took them both out. Styles then took out Balor inside the ring to win the match.
Result: AJ Styles defeated Finn Bálor
Ratings: 9 /10
Key Notes and Observations:
- Jey Uso was seen being attacked by Bron Breakker alongside Paul Heyman.
The Man has come around…
Becky Lynch challenged Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at WWE Backlash. She then also attacked Valkyria after the match in anger and frustration before leaving the ring.
Lynch arrived on WWE Raw saying how much the fans have manipulated her, leading her to leave the ring for a year. Lynch delivered a fiery promo coming from a loss, putting all the women’s division on notice.
Ratings: 10 /10
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Giulia and Roxanne Perez
Rhea Ripley defeated Roxanne Perez via disqualification on the Apr. 28th edition of WWE Raw after an attack by Giulia. Iyo Sky then arrived on the scene to help Ripley, which led to a singles match between Perez and Sky. Iyo Sky defeated Perez on the May. 5th edition of WWE Raw, before Perez and Giulia then attacked Sky after the match — forcing her to team with Ripley to take on them in a Tag team match.
All four women delivered an awesome performance, leaving it all in the ring to deliver an absolutely amazing tag team action. The match ended with Ripley and Sky picking up the win.
Result: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated Giulia and Roxanne Perez
Ratings: 10 /10
WWE Raw, May 12: Results Highlights
Singles match:
Penta defeated Chad Gable
Tag Team match:
The Creed Brothers defeated The War Raiders
Singles match:
AJ Styles defeated Finn Bálor
Tag Team match:
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated Giulia and Roxanne Perez
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE Raw:
WWE Raw has been on fire ever since WrestleMania 41, with every week being another incredible chapter towards long-term storytelling.
Styles and Bálor delivered an impressive performance in their match. It seems to me like we will soon see Balor finally standing up to Dominik Mysterio. The tag team match between Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Giulia and Roxanne Perez was certainly a show stealer from the women’s division.
WWE has dedicated all its focus on building an incredible match card for Saturday Night’s Main Event and the upcoming PLEs following that. Seems to me like in a few more months we would be on the verge of witnessing a historic build for the first-ever two-night SummerSlam in New Jersey.
My Ratings for the show: 8 /10
