WWE Raw Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights After Backlash 2025
On the heels of a Backlash premium live event that saw Gunther best Pat McAfee, Lyra Valkyria upset Becky Lynch, and Dominik Mysterio retain his Intercontinental Championship over Penta, WWE Raw hit the Netflix airwaves Monday night with a jam-packed card.
What went down, who emerged victorious, and how did it affect the brand on the road to Money in the Bank on June 7?
Find out with this recap of the May 12 broadcast, including live grades and analysis for every segment.
Match Card
1 of 9
Announced in advance of Monday's show:
* CM Punk's first promo since WrestleMania 41
* Jey Uso's promo on Logan Paul
* AJ Styles vs. Finn Bálor
* Penta vs. Chad Gable
* The War Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers
* Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez and Giulia
CM Punk's First Promo Since WrestleMania 41
2 of 9
For the first time since his loss at WrestleMania 41, perpetrated by a shocking betrayal by Paul Heyman, CM Punk took to the squared circle to address the WWE Universe at the top of Raw.
He addressed that betrayal and called out Heyman and eventually got The Wise Man, Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker. A verbal exchange ensued before things turned physical.
The heels attacked Punk, benefiting from the numbers advantage before Sami Zayn made the save. That was not enough, though, so Jey Uso made his presence felt and the babyfaces cleared the ring.
This was a solid way to follow up the closing moments of last week's show. It again drew the battle lines and highlighted the disadvantage Rollins and Co. have.
Might that mean there is another addition to the group before too long, to even the odds with the babyfaces?
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
* Moments after a tribute graphic dedicated to the late Sabu kicked off the show, Punk paid homage to the hardcore icon.
* "The person I'm most pissed off at...is me," Punk said, conceding disappointment in himself for trusting Paul Heyman again.
* "I'm mad at that little 'Temu CM Punk,' Seth Rollins."
* "Where you at, Penguin?"
* "Wise Man, understand that whatever words you choose, they will be your last."
* "You ain't ever gonna be champion as long as I'm on two feet," Punk told Rollins, who was still fuming after he cost him the world title last week.
Penta vs. Chad Gable
3 of 9
Just 48 hours after costing Penta the intercontinental title, Chad Gable battled the masked luchador in singles competition.
Gable controlled throughout the commercial break, wearing Penta down. Post-break, though, the popular babyface mounted a comeback, survived an ankle lock and delivered a Mexican Destroyer to secure the pinfall victory.
A solid match, though nowhere as good as their contest on the night Penta debuted in WWE, this was an adequate way to highlight the ongoing rivalry between luchadores and Gable, even if it did not necessarily do anything to advance it.
Result
Penta pinned Gable
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
* "WWE Medical cleared me to get back in the medical bowl. I mean, the WWE bowl," Pat McAfee said as he joined Michael Cole at ringside for commentary.
* Penta delivered a perfectly timed Codebreaker to a mid-flight Gable.
* "Lucha libre sucks!" Gable said, despite his favorite new wrestler, El Grande Americano, being a luchador.
The War Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers
4 of 9
World tag team champions The New Day joined Cole and McAfee on commentary as The War Raiders battled The Creed Brothers, with both teams jockeying for position in the hunt for a shot at the heels.
The Creeds dominate the action, working over Ivar heading into and coming out of the commercial break.
A much-needed tag to Erik sparked a babyface comeback, but it was for naught as Kofi Kingston rose from the commentary table and knocked Ivar from the top rope. The heels utilized the Brutus Ball for the win seconds later.
This was a tough watch, not because there was anything wrong with the in-ring work but because the fans were silent. There was a decided lack of energy from the crowd, and the result was a pedestrian bout that failed to hit the way it should have.
From a creative standpoint, New Day interfering on behalf of the Creeds and indirectly setting them up as potential No. 1 contenders is interesting storytelling. With Ivar and Erik likely to want revenge, this feels like a program destined to end in a Triple Threat.
Result
The Creed Brothers defeated The War Raiders
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
* WWE officially announced CM Punk and Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker for Saturday Night's Main Event on May 24. Backstage, the babyfaces discussed the lack of trust between them.
* Ivar made a much-needed tag to Erik, only to tag right back in seconds later, completely diminishing the significance of that tag.
* They struggled greatly to get the fans into this one.
Jey Uso Talks to the WWE Universe
5 of 9
Less than two weeks before a defense of his World Heavyweight Championship against Logan Paul, Jey Uso hit the ring to address the fans.
He talked up the match with the social media star but was unexpectedly cut off by former champion Gunther.
The Ring General revealed massive news to the WWE Universe: He will challenge the winner of Uso vs. Paul for the world title on the June 9 episode of Raw from Phoenix.
Unfazed by the news or Gunther's threats, Uso vowed to take out the former champion and stood tall to close out the promo segment.
The creative team has done a great job portraying Uso as a champion fending off challenges from all-comers, including Paul and Rollins, now Gunther. The more he battles and fights, the more the crowd will remain loyal to him.
That he was laid out backstage by Breakker coming out of the commercial only further portrayed him as a man with a target on his back. How Uso handles the pressure, the same pressure Gunther warned him about, will define his story for the foreseeable future.
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
* Before Uso entered the arena, he made his way through the backstage area. In the background, Finn Bálor was seen talking to Roxanne Perez for the second time in as many weeks.
* "I can feel this position is not natural to you," Gunther told Uso. "Because unlike me, you are not a natural champion."
* "I'mma handle the YouTuber, then me and The Ring General are gonna run it back," Uso said with the confidence he did not have entering WrestleMania.
AJ Styles vs. Finn Bálor
6 of 9
Two of the most influential professional wrestlers of the last 20 years did battle Monday night when AJ Styles squared off with Finn Bálor.
Among the best of their era, they delivered a strong bout that generated chants of "this is awesome," a reaction both are very familiar with.
The back-and-forth contest saw neither man grab the sustained advantage before Penta made his presence felt late, wiping out Carlito and JD McDonagh at ringside and providing a distraction that allowed Styles to deliver the Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
The match should have meant more than it did based on who was involved, but it was still a quality contest that saw the right man go over as the mounting tension within The Judgment Day, centered around the power struggle at its core, dominated late.
It will be interesting to see how Bálor responds to Mysterio not being at ringside with his teammates, not to mention another loss as he eyes individual gold.
Results
Styles pinned Bálor
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
* Dominik Mysterio was conspicuous in his absence at ringside for this match, especially since Bálor fought it to help take care of the intercontinental champion's Styles problem.
* The commentary team did not put over how significant a match this actually was. Two former leaders of the Bullet Club and two men who have helped shape wrestling as we know it today. It was treated like any other match.
* There were some great submissions and counters utilized in this one. A gritty, hard-fought contest.
Becky Lynch Promo
7 of 9
After a disappointing loss to Lyra Valkyria at Backlash, a defiant Becky Lynch turned her wrath on the fans, calling them out for betraying her when they were supposed to be "in this together."
She also issued a warning to the locker room, promising to hold down her peers while the fire burns brighter and more furiously than ever.
This was the perfect way for Lynch to follow up her loss. First, she deflected blame for the loss to Valkyria, like any good heel would. Then, she reminded the locker room of how dangerous she was when motivated, which she is now.
That does not bode well for her peers and sets her up for another epic run at the top of whichever women's division she wants to focus her attention on.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
* "I won and you couldn't see yourself in me anymore," Lynch told the fans as she discussed the negative reactions directed toward her over the last year.
* "From now on, I am what you say I am." Eminem approves.
* "All those girls who were happy that I was gone, who thought it was safe because the fire had gone out in Becky Lynch. They're gonna find out what it's like to be held down by The Man."
* Another Rusev video package aired in which he promised to take back his day but not until he hurts "them."
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Giulia and Roxanne Perez
8 of 9
Four of the best professional wrestlers in WWE competed Monday night in a highly competitive match that saw Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeat Roxanne Perez and Giulia.
The heels never looked out of place against their higher-profile opponents. They dominated the action in the middle portion of the bout before a hot tag from the women's world champion to Ripley sparked the comeback.
The action broke down, but it was Ripley leveling Giulia with a headbutt and the Riptide that earned the babyfaces the victory.
More of this, please.
The women's division has been the most consistent part of WWE TV for the last six months at least, and it showed here. This was a stellar main event that continued the quality of last week's marquee match while furthering the story of Ripley chasing a title she felt she never should have lost.
Giulia and Perez probably should not lose to the extent that they are, but as they see their roles grow, they will earn those high-stakes victories.
Result
Ripley and Sky defeated Perez and Giulia
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
* Absolutely deafening pop for Ripley. Another indication of her popularity.
* Giulia and Perez work with such chemistry that you would think they have been teaming for years.
* The fire and intensity Ripley brings to her performance has as much to do with setting her apart from others in the division as anything. She feels authentic as she roars into the match and pummels the opposition.
* Any women's division would be lucky to have two of the four women in this match. It is an embarrassment of riches that WWE has all at the same time.
Overall Grade
9 of 9
Raw continues to be a more focused show coming out of WrestleMania than it was going in. There is vision, long-term creative goals that WWE wants to achieve and it is shows.
The slow burns to Ripley vs. Sky, Bálor vs. Mysterio and more have been much appreciated while the company has done a fantastic job of treating Uso like the top babyface wanted by all of the top heels.
Add in Rollins' quest for total control of WWE, and you have a show that features enough story to keep fans interested and a distinct direction, which should help quiet the criticism Triple H and Co. received for their approach to WrestleMania 41.
Grade: B+
