Chris King’s WWE Monday Night Raw Takeaways (May 18, 2026)

Chris King takes a look at a loaded edition of WWE Monday Night Raw from May 18, 2026!

This was an excellent episode of Monday Night Raw, right from the start to the end of the episode. So many interesting storyline developments, and The Beast Incarnate made his shocking return to take down Oba Femi, and Jacob Fatu challenged Roman Reigns to Tribal Combat at Clash in Italy! Here are my takeaways from this week’s episode of Raw. 

Tribal Combat Is On! 

In the first segment of this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw, Jimmy Uso tried to talk some sense into an unhinged Jacob Fatu. ‘The Right Hand Man,’ Jey Uso, on the other hand, with a steel chair in hand, made the mistake of trying to take out ‘The Samoan Werewolf.’ The Usos were getting their asses kicked until ‘The Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns made his way into the fray. A triple-team attack from the OG Bloodline forced Fatu’s hand, and he challenged Roman to Tribal Combat! 

• This feud has been exciting for the past month, and Fatu has been built up as an indestructible monster taking down The Bloodline. My only complaint is that Roman will retain his World Heavyweight Championship and his rival will be forced to acknowledge him and fall in line. Perhaps this could lead to the long-awaited debut of Zilla Fatu or possibly the return of The Final Boss. 

Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh Make Magic 

Finn Bálor and former friend turned enemy JD McDonagh faced off in a fun street fight. JD is such a great seller, and his moonsault is simply beautiful. He’s so talented, and I urge you to go back and watch his matches in NXT UK under his name, Jordan Devlin. Dominik Mysterio tried to interfere, but Balor thwarted a 619 attack. Balor was able to stamp his victory with a Coup De Grace through JD and a trash can.

• Finn and JD have insane chemistry together, whether as a team or as rivals. I think they need to add a stipulation for the next and hopefully final match between Dom and Finn. This feud needs to be over sooner rather than later, or all of Balor’s momentum will be lost. Perhaps Balor could move to SmackDown to face some fresh competition.

Sol Ruca & The Man Segment 

The Man’ Becky Lynch interrupted the new Raw superstar’s promo. The antagonizing champion evaded a title match for Saturday Night Main Event only, to give Ruca a non-title match at this Saturday’s event.

• Becky Lynch plays such a great heel who belittles and berates her opponents. This segment was exactly what it needed to be. Short and straight to the point. The fact that the Women’s Intercontinental Champion is Ruca’s first feud on the main roster showed how much confidence the company has in her. 
• Ruca needs to win this match, and she can then challenge for the title at Clash in Italy, and Lynch can cheat to retain it. I don’t see her winning the title until SummerSlam, though. 

El Grande Americano Mix 

El Grande Americano, Bravo, and Rayo vs. OG Americano, Julio, and Bruto in a six-man tag team match. All six Mexican superstars delivered a fantastic performance. El Grande utilized the metal plate to deliver a massive headbutt to secure the victory.

• Every time I watch these matches, it reminds me of the 90s Luchador style that I grew up watching. It’s always fun and fast-paced wrestling that blows me away. Some of the moves they deliver are so dangerous, but thankfully, nobody got hurt. On May 30th, El Grande will unmask the OG El Grande, and I’m assuming Chad Gable will make his long-awaited return to WWE. 

Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Paige and Brie Bella vs. Judgment Day 

Paige and Bri Bella continued to prove to be a cohesive unit this week, taking on Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Liv Morgan tried to interfere but was ejected from ringside. Roxanne tried to hit Paige with the title belt, but it was avoided, and she rolled her up to successfully retain the titles.

• Brie Bella and Paige are working well as a makeshift tag team while Nikki Bella heals for her return. I see the writing on the wall for The Bella Twins to turn on Paige, and I think she’ll call AJ Lee to tag with her at SummerSlam. Right now, the women’s tag team championships are a central focus on both shows, and that’s always a great thing. 

The Beast Is Back 

We were all prepared for another Oba Femi open challenge when ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar shocked the world with his return to WWE. The Beast dropped Femi with four thunderous F5s and left him laid out in the wake of destruction. Following the attack, Paul Heyman gives Adam Pearce a contract for Clash in Italy with Lesnar’s signature already on it. We are getting Lesnar/Femi Part Two!

• For over a month, WWE has hinted at Lesnar’s retirement after leaving his boots and gloves in the ring at WrestleMania, but they never confirmed it either. I feel like it was his last match at Mania, before formally retiring at SummerSlam in his hometown of Minnesota. 
• My only concern is that it feels like Femi will lose at Clash and then ultimately retire Lesnar at SummerSlam. I don’t know if that’s the smartest decision here. Time will tell.

Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory 

In his first match on Raw in over nine months, ‘The Visionary’ Seth Rollins looked great against The Vision’s Austin Theory. Rollins had to fight off Logan Paul, who tried to interfere to give his tag team partner the win. A determined Rollins outlasted the shenanigans and delivered a Pedigree to ensure the victory. Immediately, he was pummeled by Paul, and Bron Breakker quickly entered the ring.

Rollins was no match for The Vision until Angelo Dawkins came out to help. Montez Ford was pissed that Dawkins ate a spear on Rollins’ behalf. It didn’t matter though, and Ford would also fall victim to a thunderous spear! Breakker would not stop his assault on Rollins as security broke things up to end the show. 

• WWE was smart not to give us Breakker vs. Rollins on free television. I was very surprised to see how well Rollins and Theory gel together as opponents. Theory is insanely talented, and he needs to win a singles championship sometime soon. He’s got all the tools for success in WWE. Breakker is a freak, and his torpedo spears are insane. 
• I can see them building The Street Profits and Rollins vs. The Vision at Clash in Italy, especially if Dawkins and Ford don’t win the tag team titles at Saturday Night Main Event. I also have another idea, and I’m so intrigued at the possibility of Ford turning heel and joining The Vision. The thought of Ford under the mentorship of Paul Heyman is money! 

Final thoughts: This was not hyped up as a special episode of Raw, but damn, was it good! WWE hyped up Saturday Night Main Event with the addition of Sol Ruca vs. Becky Lynch and continued to add interest for Clash in Italy!