Chris King’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Review (5/25/2026)

Tonight is the go-home edition of Monday Night Raw, as WWE heads to Clash in Italy. Chris King is here to share his takeaways from the show. 

Oba Femi’s Response to Brock Lesnar 

Paul Heyman came out to introduce his “retired” ‘Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar, who explained his actions via video footage. Lesnar claimed that Oba Femi humbled him so badly that he decided to hang up his boots. Now, The Beast is looking for blood. ‘The Ruler’ responded to Heyman, claiming four F5s felt really personal to him, and at Clash in Italy he’s going to retire Lesnar for the second time. 

• This was the best way to kick off the show, highlighting one of the most anticipated rematches in WWE history between Femi and Lesnar. I can only remember a handful of times that Lesnar has ever offered an explanation himself to his opponents, and I feel like that speaks volumes to his respect for The Ruler. 
• I know it appears that Lesnar will defeat Femi, and then they will have a rubber match at SummerSlam, but what if The Beast loses twice in a row to the young up-and-comer? At the end of the day Lesnar is a businessman, and I think he knows Femi is the future. 

Penta vs. Je’Von Evans (Intercontinental Championship) 

Just 48-hours after a fantastic championship defense against Ethan Page, Penta is facing North Carolina’s own Je’Von Evans for his prestigious intercontinental title. Both superstars came out firing on all cylinders; Evans hit a suicide dive on the champion to fire up the crowd. A second attempt was thwarted, and Evans hit spine-first against the announce table.

Evans was a second away from winning his first title in WWE after a bicycle kick and his OG Cutter on Penta. A determined Evans hit another gnarly cutter on the ring apron that looked scary. The champion answered back with a Penta Driver for a near-fall. The ending was one of the best sequences I’ve ever seen: an OG Cutter was intercepted with a nasty Superkick, a Penta Driver was thwarted, a high-flying attack was countered into a backstabber and a Penta Driver to retain his title! 

• Penta and Evans delivered a masterpiece tonight. I feel it’s impossible for Penta not to put on a banger with any opponent. He’s a great  intercontinental champion, and his title defenses are second to none. Evans was not the happy-go-lucky superstar we’ve seen during and even after the loss. Could WWE be changing him into an aggressive heel in the near future? Who can defeat Penta to become the new champion? 

Honorable Mention: Grande Americano Hype 

Rey Mysterio voiced over an incredible hype video for the mask vs. mask match at AAA this Saturday. Who is the true Grande Americano? 

Judgement Day vs. Lyra Valkyria & Bayley 

Before the match started, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez attacked their opponents. The powerhouse of The Judgement Day is having her way with Lyra in the corner. Bayley made the hot tag and immediately took the fight to JD. A Bayley to back suplex and a great double-team maneuver gave the babyfaces a near-fall. The Women’s World Champion got ejected for the second week in a row. 

Dominik Mysterio got on the ring apron and tried to give his Mega Championship to Roxanne, but Bayley also got it. A tug of war ensued, and Roxanne crashed into Dom, which allowed Bayley to roll up Roxanne for the victory. 

• Despite the unfortunate commercial breaks, all four superstars have a really good match. The JD tried to use the numbers game, but it backfired, and Lyra and Bayley got a big victory. Could Lyra and Bayley challenge Paige and Brie Bella for the Women’s Tag Team Championships next? 

LA Knight Segment 

‘The Megastar’ LA Knight is back on Raw to announce that he’s in the men’s King of the Ring tournament. He starts to talk about his past issues with The Bloodline, more specifically Roman Reigns and The Usos playing his lackeys once again. Jimmy Uso came out to set the record straight: Knight has nothing to do with Jacob Fatu and their family business. He offered him a warning about staying out of their business, or The Bloodline will be his business.

LA Knight is speaking nothing but facts about Roman Reigns and the OG Bloodline and their three-on-one attack on Fatu. I love that WWE gave Knight plenty of time in front of the live crowd after being off programming since WrestleMania. He’s trying to be the voice of reason to Jimmy, but I don’t think this is going to lead where he hopes. Knight won’t win the world championship from Reigns, so why are we recycling this storyline? 

Seth Rollins vs. Montez Ford 

Both superstars started off with a battle of one-upmanship until Rollins hit a hard shoulder tackle to his opponent. A fast-paced sequence with suicide dives between both superstars and a double crossbody splash took both Rollins and Ford down. Ford is trying to hang with the former world champion with some hard strikes and an enzuigiri sending Rollins into the corner. ‘The Visionary’ answered back with his signature Superplex into Falcon Arrow for a near-fall. 

Ford had Rollins in a torture rack position, but Rollins counters into a pedigree for a two-count. The Visionary was trying to talk some sense into his opponent and then delivered a series of bucklebombs. Ford countered the last one into a hurricanrana, 

sending Rollins to the outside. Ford hit his signature dive over the top turnbuckle and From the Heavens for a near-fall. A missed 450 splash attempt allowed the former world champion to hit a stomp to secure the victory.

• Rollins and Ford had a five-star match on live television with nothing more than a personal vendetta on the line. Ford once again proved he is ready for a singles push outside of The Street Profits, nearly securing the victory over the former world champion. While I do think Rollins’ goal to take down The Vision as a cohesive unit is wise, I am enjoying his role as the voice of reason here. 
• Earlier in the night, Austin Theory nearly killed Joe Henry for talking about his injured teammate Logan Paul. This time though, Theory delivered a Con-chair-to to Angelo Dawkins on the steel ramp. For a moment it seems like the injury of Dawkins has Ford and Rollin on the same side to take down The Vision. Rollins told Adam Pearce that he wants Bron Breakker as soon as possible. 

Rey Mysterio vs. Rusev (Number-One Contenders Match) 

‘The Bulgarian Brute’ started off the match using his power to his advantage over the hall of famer, but Mysterio utilized his quickness and speed to get the better of his opponent. A hard strike off a 619 attempt gave Rusev an opening he needed. The new general manager of AAA hit his signature dive into a sunset flip maneuver on Rusev on the outside. The brute overpowered him, blasting Mysterio against the barricade. 

The amazing luchador utilized a headscissors takedown and a moonsault on Rusev for a two-count. The Bulgarian Brute caught Mysterio mid-air to deliver his signature swinging slam and a Machka kick for a near-fall. Rusev intercepted a 619 attempt, and the Hall of Famer rolled up Rusev for the three-count. 

Before Mysterio could celebrate, he was attacked by his opponent, with Dragon Lee making the save. Both Mysterio and Lee took out Ethan Page, who was on commentary, and Rusev to stand tall. 

• Rey and Penta will put on a championship match for the ages. I am so hyped for this match for the Intercontinental Championship. Where was Penta when Rey was getting attacked? 

Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu Tribal Combat Contract Signing

Earlier backstage we found out that Roman Reigns added the stipulation that if Jacob Fatu loses this Sunday, he’ll be forced to serve him forever. Fatu gave Pearce the contract and threw the table and chairs out of the ring. The OTC made his grand entrance. Roman signed the contract and told everyone to leave because Fatu can’t touch him until Sunday. Both champion and challenger traded barbs and promises ahead of their clash. They ended the show with their symbolic handshake to signal tribal combat. 

• My biggest concern with this whole storyline just became the reality. If Fatu loses, he will have to serve The OTC forever and learn from him. This can either go two ways: The Usos turn on Roman and help Fatu win the title, or Fatu loses and we have the Jey situation all over again. 
• I just don’t understand why Fatu didn’t challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship and instead challenged Roman for the World Championship that I’m sure he’s not winning. 

Final Thoughts: WWE did a great job of hyping up the big matches for Clash in Italy. My only complaint is why wasn’t an Intercontinental Championship match announced for the PLE?