The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 05/04/26 Review
It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring a Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu contract signing, the Asuka-Iyo Sky rivalry continues, the Oba Femi open challenge, and more.
The WWE Backlash PLE is in Tampa this Saturday, May 9th. Last week on Raw saw Roman Reigns grant his cousin Jacob Fatu with a World Heavyweight Title match at Backlash. Going into Raw, there are five matches official, so we’ll see if more matches get added.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1719 of Monday Night Raw, taking place at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There was some pre-show superstar walking shown of Oba Femi, Original El Grande Americano with The Creed Brothers, Sol Ruca, and Penta with Je’Von Evans. There’s also a Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu contract signing.
An SUV pulled up to the arena as Roman Reigns exited the car and Raw GM Adam Pearce tried to talk to Reigns in his office. Reigns told Pearce to hit his music. Pearce claimed Jacob Fatu is not here yet. Seth Rollins walked up to Reigns and stared at him. Rollins told Reigns he was in his way, so Reigns let Rollins walk by him.
Let’s Hear from Seth Rollins…or not
Seth Rollins made his entrance dressed in all black, including a tie and a long jacket. As Rollins made his way to ringside, Bron Breakker attacked Rollins from behind. Bron beat up Rollins with punches. Bron press slammed Rollins into the guard rail. There were indy wrestler security guys, so Bron beat them up. There were WWE Officials and referees at ringside. Bron sent Rollins into the steel steps. Rollins got in the ring, Bron broke free and Bron crushed Rollins with a Spear, so Rollins sold it like the most painful move ever. Bron left while the fans chanted, “One More Time” for another Spear. Rollins was down in the ring, grabbing his ribs.
Analysis: A cheap attack to get some heat on Bron Breakker going into his Backlash match with Seth Rollins. Nice job of selling by Rollins while Breakker looks like a badass.
The Raw commentary team was Michael Cole and Corey Graves. It’s Alicia Taylor as the ring announcer.
The Judgment Day was in their clubhouse as Liv Morgan asked Roxanne Perez what Finn Balor was doing in the clubhouse. Perez said she didn’t know what Balor was doing. Liv claimed that JD McDonagh would take care of Balor tonight. Liv complained about Perez not telling her about it last week and Perez said she is sorry because she’s loyal to The Judgment Day. Liv wanted Roxanne to promise not to keep any secrets from The Judgment Day and Perez said she promised.
Analysis: They are clearly setting up Perez to break free from The Judgment Day, and she should do very well as a babyface.
Finn Balor made his entrance for singles action. I’m watching this show on delay, so I’m going to cut back on recapping some action during the breaks.
JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio) vs. Finn Balor
Balor helped train JD, and they are close friends. It was even early on, so Dominik distracted Balor, leading to JD tackling Balor into the turnbuckle. Balor hit JD with some hard chops and a side Russian legsweep for two. JD came back with a trip, followed by a leg drop to the head. JD hit a knee drop on the back of the knee. Balor came back with a clothesline that sent JD out of the ring. Dominik grabbed Balor’s foot while the referee wasn’t looking, so JD hit a knee to Balor’s back to knock Balor out of the ring. Roxanne Perez went out to the ring to watch the match. They went on a 3-minute break for some fans, with JD in control.
The match continued with Balor hitting a reverse DDT on JD. Raquel and Liv walked out there to watch the match. Liv was wearing giant heels so she looked way taller than Perez. Balor hit a back body drop and a stomp on the ribs. Balot hit a Slingblade on JD. Dominik was on the apron and Balor knocked him down. They did a spot where JD hit a Spanish Fly and Balor landed on his head/neck for a two count. Balor kicked JD to knock him down. Raquel distracted the referee, so Dominik pulled the rope while Balor was on the top rope. The referee Jessika Carr saw Dom’s action, so Dominik was ejected from ringside. JD went up top, jumped off with a moonsault and Balor blocked with the knees. Balor with a Slingblade. Liv went on the apron, she had a hammer in her outfit and tossed it to Perez. Balor dropkicked JD into the turnbuckle. Perez hit Balor with the sledgehammer. JD used his giant head to headbutt Balor for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: JD McDonagh
Analysis: ***1/4 The classic “numbers game” booking with the J-Day guys having more people around and they used them well. This was also about Perez proving her loyalty to The Judgment Day, which I would say is going very well.
There was a commercial for the Hulk Hogan documentary that’s now on Netflix.
Seth Rollins was interviewed by Jackie Redmond. Rollins said he told “the kid” last week that when you take your chances, you have to be able to finish.
Los Americanos – El Grande Americano, Rayo & Bravo – were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the upper deck. This was during a break. They said some Spanish words that I don’t understand and trashed the fans. Grande said he can’t touch Original in Mexico, but he can do it here, so maybe we’ll find out who the real El Grande Americano really is.
A video package aired about the Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu rivalry.
The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul were chatting backstage. Paul Heyman was there to tell Paul to stay away from Joe Hendry tonight and leave him for Theory. Bron and Theory calmed down Paul, who wanted to face Hendry.
Penta made his entrance as the Intercontinental Champion. They went on a break for some fans as the entrance of Je’Von Evans and Rusev took place. The Ethan Page entrance followed that.
Rusev & Ethan Page vs. Penta & Je’von Evans
The powerful Rusev worked over Evans with punches and a shoulder tackle. After Page tagged in, Evans hit a suplex. Penta tagged in with a kick, Evans dropkicked Page and Penta did his handstand dropkick. Evans hit a hurricanrana on Rusev and a dive onto Rusev on the floor. Page battled Penta in the ring and Penta hit a Penta Driver. That used to be Penta’s finisher. They went on a break for a few minutes.
It was the heels in control as usual after a break, as Rusev splashed Penta against the turnbuckle. Penta hit a springboard punch to knock Rusev off the apron. Rusev pulled Evans off the apron to prevent a tag. Page tagged back in to work over Penta with punches. Rusev charged, Evans leapfrogged him and Rusev hit the steel steps. Penta hit a Backstabber on Page and Evans got the hot tag as the fans exploded. Evans hit a clothesline, along with a Stunner. Evans hit a German Suplex on Page. Evans jumped over the top with a dive onto Rusev. Evans hit a springboard clothesline on Page for two. Evans went up top, did a backflip, Page avoided it and Page kicked Evans. Evans hit a hook kick to the head, but Page came back with his own kick. Evans hit a Red Dot kick. Penta tagged in with a Tornado DDT for a two count because Rusev broke it up. Evans sent Rusev out of the ring. Evans hit a suicide dive on Rusev onto the commentary table. Evans went up top, teased a dive onto Rusev on the table and Page knocked Evans out of the ring. Page tripped up Penta on the ring apron. Rusev picked up Penta with a uranage slam onto the commentary table. Page hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Rusev & Ethan Page
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good tag team match full of excitement. I’m surprised Page won with a move like the Fisherman’s Suplex instead of Twisted Grin, but there’s nothing wrong with winning by a non-finishing move. The main story here is that Page pinned the champion Penta, so it should lead to Page getting a title shot soon.
After the match, Rusev was smiling, and he shoved Page in the chest with a smile on his face. It shows they get along well.
A video aired about Club WWE with John Cena trying to shill it to us.
Sol Ruca was shown walking down a hallway for a segment up next. In the background, Austin Theory was talking to Maxxine Dupri.
The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio were interviewed by Byron Saxton during a break in the upper deck of the arena. JD said he was sick of people thinking that Finn Balor did everything for JD’s career. JD said that the best thing Balor did was introduce him to Dominik Mysterio. Dom bragged about JD beating Balor and Dom being still the AAA Mega Champion. Dominik pointed out that Roxanne Perez helped JD win tonight, so there are no problems.
Sol Ruca Joins Raw
Raw GM Adam Pearce cued up a video showing Sol Ruca highlights. After Sol made her entrance, Pearce handed her a contract to sign and said congratulations. Sol said it would feel good to sign this to officially become a part of Monday Night Raw.
Becky Lynch made her entrance as the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Lynch complained to Pearce that this was her allotted time. Sol said not everything is about Lynch. That led to Lynch saying that everything is about her. Sol said that everyone knows who Lynch is and what she’s accomplished. Sol said that Lynch is exactly what everyone says she is. Sol said that Lynch was rude, big-headed bitch. The fans popped for that. Lynch didn’t like that. Ruca signed her contract. Lynch asked: “Who are you?” Ruca said if you ever interrupt her again, then Ruca will kick her ass and snatch her soul. Lynch tried a punch, Ruca moved, and Lynch punched Pearce by accident. Sol jumped off the ropes and hit a Soul Snatcher to put Lynch down. Sol actually slipped on the first attempt.
Analysis: That segment worked really well. It’s an easy way to welcome Sol Ruca to Raw as a babyface by having a top heel woman like Becky Lynch trash Ruca on her Raw debut. I think Ruca beating Lynch for the Women’s IC Title would be a nice way to establish Ruca as a threat on Raw. It should be an entertaining feud. I’m sure fans online will whine about Sol slipping on the Soul Snatcher. Big deal. People slip sometimes. It’s okay.
A clip was shown of SmackDown last Friday when Jacob Fatu destroyed Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga.
The Usos were shown walking backstage when Jackie Redmond asked how they are feeling about the Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu contract signing. Jimmy said they wouldn’t miss this. Jimmy said that Jacob has to understand how the OTC does business. Jey said this right here is family business. Jey said Jacob is swimming in deep water and swinging for the fences. Jey said at Backlash, Jacob will find out who he’s messing with. Jey wished “little cousin” Jacob good luck.
Joe Hendry made his entrance. Hendry did his song, “Can we fire Logan Paul?” and the fans loved it, so they sang along. Logan Paul walked out with Austin Theory and Paul said he is un-fireable.
Austin Theory (w/Logan Paul) vs. Joe Hendry
The match started with Joe clotheslining Theory out of the ring. Theory was able to slow it down and hit a backbreaker on Joe. Theory sent Joe into the turnbuckle and followed up with punches. The fans sang “Logan sucks” at Paul, who was furious about it. Theory hit a suplex. Paul held up the World Tag Team Titles, so the fans booed more. Joe hit a suplex of his own. Joe got some momentum going with a clothesline and a fallaway slam out of the ring. When Joe did his turnaround to the camera, that’s when Logan Paul jumped into the ring to attack Joe for the DQ. It went about 3 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Joe Hendry
Analysis: *1/2 A short match just to further this story with Joe Hendry annoying Logan Paul, who is overreacting to a silly song.
After the match, Paul and Theory attacked Joe, who tried to fight back, but he was overwhelmed. That led to the save by The Street Profits duo of Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins. The fans popped as soon as they heard the Profits music. Ford hit a superkick on Paul and a jumping kick on Theory. Dawkins hit a twisting neckbreaker on Theory. Ford went up top and wanted more, but Bron Breakker showed up. Bron gave Ford back body drop over the top to the floor. Ford clotheslined Dawkins and hit him with a German Suplex. Seth Rollins showed up at ringside and sent Bron into the steel steps. Rollins put Bron into the ring and punched him a few times. Rollins clotheslined Bron in the ring and the fans were getting loud for this. Ford jumped over the turnbuckle on three guys on the floor. Rollins looked at Ford do that, so Bron was back up and hit a Spear on Rollins.
Analysis: There was a lot going on there, but I enjoyed it and you can tell they worked on it to make sure everybody got a chance to shine. The Street Profits will probably win a match or two soon to earn a World Tag Team Title shot, and there could be a title change when that happens. The Rollins/Breakker stuff was great, just like the earlier segment. I’m looking forward to their Backlash match.
The Judgment Day was interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Liv Morgan talked about how they are going after more gold. Raquel Rodriguez talked about wanting the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted to issue a challenge. Liv called them losers.
Oba Femi was shown walking backstage for an open challenge up next.
They showed a video of SmackDown last Friday when Sami Zayn beat up the Gingerbread Man outfit. The US Champion Trick Williams made the save since they meet at Backlash.
The Oba Femi entrance is done so well, and it feels like an experience with the lights going out, the crowd popping huge, and Oba doing his signature walk on the way to the ring. Oba said that the Oba Femi open challenge will now begin.
The Alpha Academy trio of Akira Tozawa, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri answered the challenge. Tozawa walked up to Femi and then he backed away, so Otis stepped in to battle Femi instead.
Oba Femi vs. Otis (w/Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa)
Femi and Otis exchanged shoulder tackles. Femi ran the ropes and hit a running uppercut to knock Otis down. Femi picked up Otis and tossed the 330-pound Otis across the ring. Femi was thinking about doing the Fall From Grace and then looked at the crowd to see if he should do it. Femi lifted Otis to the middle turnbuckle and Femi hit a Fall From Grace sitout Powerbomb on Otis for the pinfall win. It went about 2 minutes. The fans chanted “Oba” after the match.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: *1/4 A squash match to put over Oba Femi and keep him undefeated on Raw. Femi really is a phenomenon and I love the way he’s been presented on Raw so far.
Seth Rollins was backstage talking to a referee, telling him he didn’t need to get checked out. The Street Profits and Joe Hendry were there. Montez Ford said nobody trusts Rollis because of his past. Rollins said they are in the same fight, so who cares? Rollins said you stay out of his way, and he’ll stay out of their way.
Roman Reigns was shown talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce about his contract for the Backlash match. We couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Ethan Page did a promo about how he deserves a standing ovation, so the fans booed. Page said he pinned the current Intercontinental Champion, Penta, tonight. Page said he’s undefeated on Raw since he’s also pinned his pal Je’Von Evans. Page claimed he’s already forced himself into a title picture and soon he’ll be holding the Intercontinental Championship. Page said that the championship is the launching pad straight to the top, and that’s where All Ego is headed. Page said we’ll hear the phrase, “AND NEW Intercontinental Champion, All Ego Ethan Page.” That was it. This was during a break for some fans.
Asuka and IYO SKY Face to Face
There was a video with Asuka and IYO SKY sitting in a room backstage, where Raw GM Adam Pearce said they requested this time, so the floor is theirs. They spoke mostly in Japanese as the translations appeared on screen. Sky said that she looked up to Asuka, but Asuka has changed. Sky says now she has to fight Asuka. Asuka claimed that Sky was disrespectful. Asuka said this Iyo is her biggest disappointment. Asuka said she’s done with Sky, and at Backlash, she’ll cut Sky out of her life for good. Sky said she is ready for Asuka. They had a staredown, so Asuka sprayed the blue mist in Sky’s face and Pearce shouted for a doctor.
Analysis: It was only a few minutes, but it was an effective way of advancing the story, with each woman making their points. Sky says Asuka has changed, while Asuka is disappointed in Asuka. The blue mist spit by Asuka was a nice way to end it in an evil way.
They showed a clip of AAA last Saturday when the Original El Grande Americano and El Grande Americano had a contract signing. The Creed Brothers showed up to slam El Grande Americano through a table.
The Original El Grande Americano was interviewed by Jackie Redmond, with The Creed Brothers behind him, wearing masks. Original mentioned Chad Gable (himself) is out with an injury. Anyway, this has Julius Creed as a masked Julio Creedo and Brutus as a masked Bruto Creedo. The entrances of El Grande Americano and Los Americanos was during the break.
El Grande Americano and Los Americanos – Rayo & Bravo vs. Original El Grande Americano and Los Hermanos Americanos – Julio and Bruto
Just to recap all the masked guys, El Grande Americano is Ludwig Kaiser, Rayo is Pete Dunne, Bravo is Tyler Bate, Original El Grande Americano is Chad Gable, Julio is Julius Creed, and Bruno is Brutus Creed. It’s El Grande Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano on Saturday, May 30th.
The match began with the six guys punching as Cole called them six impostors pretending to be luchadores. There was an impressive overhead suplex of Julio, along with a German Suplex. Bruto hit a splash that Cole said looked like a Brutus Ball, and Original hit a hiptoss. Grande and Original had a brief exchange until Original was pulled out of the ring. Grande hit a sliding kick to knock Original down on the floor. They went on a break there.
Rayo was in control of Julio by jumping on his back and Julio dropped back to slam Rayo down. Original tagged in against Grande with a back body drop. Original hit an overhead suplex and a Russian legsweep. Original hit an overhead slam. Original hit a double German Suplex on Rayo and Bravo. Original hit a senton on the floor and a clothesline. When Original went up top, Rayo shoved him down. Julio hit a superplex and Bruto hit a moonsault. Original hit a diving headbutt and a jumping kick. Original and Grande did a collision spot. Bravo jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Original for two. Original hit the Chaos Theory. The Creedo Brothers shoved Grande into the barricade. Original went up top and hit a headbutt onto Bravo for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: El Grande Americano and Los Americanos – Rayo & Bravo
Analysis: *** A solid tag team match. I like everybody involved, and I understand wanting to promote the AAA brand, but it is silly when the announcers are calling them fake luchadores, and the fans watching know the real names of the wrestlers involved. The AAA shows featuring these guys have super hot crowds. This crowd was okay in their reactions, but it’s not as hot as when it’s in Mexico. I’m ready for Chad Gable to be back with The Creed Brothers, so hopefully Chad loses on May 30th.
The announcers talked about John Cena being at WWE Backlash in Tampa with “history-making news.” It’s probably about Club WWE.
There was a rundown of the Backlash card. The first hour is on ESPN2 for those of you in the US. It’s all on the ESPN app. It’s Netflix for the rest of us.
* Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
* United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
* The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen & ????
* Asuka vs. Iyo Sky
* WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Analysis: The card is okay, but given the depth of talent on the WWE roster, I want these PLEs to have at least 7 matches, not just 5.
The contract signing was up next, so the World Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns, made his entrance for the main event segment.
Backlash Contract Signing: Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu
There was a table in the ring along with chairs and Raw GM Adam Pearce. Jacob Fatu made his entrance after the show returned from a break.
Roman Reigns was seated at the Head of the Table (of course) while Jacob Fatu stared at Reigns while seated at the table.
Reigns told Omaha to acknowledge him, so the fans cheered and chanted “OTC” for Reigns. Reigns said that’s not just love, it’s the sound of respect. Reigns said he’s been here for over 12 years. Reigns said he was the one holding the door open for Solo, so he brought Fatu in. Reigns said he’ll be damned if there is not respect to be had for him. There were more “OTC” chants. Reigns said with that respect, there has to be some kind of honor system and a system of conduct. Reigns mentioned the Tongan Death Grip that Fatu used for desperate measures. Reigns said when you’re at the bar surrounded by dudes, that’s when you do a Tongan Death Grip, and you don’t do that to your Tribal Chief.
Fatu told Reigns he’s got it all wrong. Fatu said it feels like it’s just him against the world and his back is against the rule. Fatu said he has no other choice than to take Reigns out, take this title, and take everything that comes with it. Fatu said that he’s going to put a choke hold on this game and squeeze out every dollar and cent like this company has done to his family for decades. Fatu said that “all gas and no brakes” is moving forward and never slowing down. Fatu said he is desperate to do anything for his household.
Reigns signed the contract, saying you’re here talking about your household. Reigns said that he’s worried about several households. Reigns said that he’s worried about taking care of generations. Reigns said that this is all his, this is his ring and in their family, they are equals because they are the same blood. Reigns said that in this ring, Fatu is beneath him. Fatu went for the Tongan Death Grip, but Reigns fought it off and hit Fatu with a chair. Reigns fought out of the Tongan Death Grip again. Reigns worked over Fatu with punches, but Fatu went for the Tongan Death Grip again. Pearce tried to break it up. Fatu slammed Reigns onto the table and the table didn’t break, but Reigns sold it anyway. Fatu signed the contract while Reigns was down. Fatu left while Reigns was down. End show.
Analysis: The table didn’t break, but I think they made the point that Jacob Fatu can do damage to Roman Reigns and Fatu could beat Reigns at Backlash. Do I think it will happen? No. I think Reigns wins. I liked the promos from both guys and the segment was fine overall.
This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2:18 on Netflix. Last week was 2:26.
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Three Stars of the Show
1. Ethan Page and Rusev
2. Oba Femi
3. Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu
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The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2026 Average: 7.50
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
It was a good Raw episode, similar to what they do every week. It actually felt about 10 minutes shorter than most episodes, which makes me wonder why they didn’t try to get another match on there. I liked a lot of the Rollins/Breakker interactions to build up their match, while the Reigns/Fatu main event segment was just okay. Contract signings are repetitive.
The match quality was okay. I liked the tag team match featuring the IC Title guys, and the McDonagh-Balor match was about the numbers game. The rest of the matches were just okay.
Backlash has a decent lineup for the show, but the card certainly could be a lot stronger, and I’d like to see a match or two added to it.
The next WWE PLE is Backlash on Saturday, May 9th in Tampa. Here’s the lineup so far.
* WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
* Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
* Asuka vs. Iyo Sky
* United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
* The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen & ????
You can watch WWE Backlash, streaming live Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN Plus in the United States and Netflix internationally.
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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Toronto Blue Jays. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport