Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 28, 2025

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman head to the ring to start tonight's show. Rollins says it may be painful for CM Punk and Roman Reigns fans, but the three of them are the future of the industry, which he says runs through him. Suddenly, Sami Zayn shows up. Sami calls the threesome "a load of crap," and wants to know how this is any different from CM Punk or Roman Reigns. He also thinks that Rollins is more jealous than angry and wanted to be in the position they are in. Rollins says they are the vision of the future, but Sami calls what he is doing "hypocritical" and says it is no different from The Bloodline. Rollins says Sami is either with them or "a target," and that he does not want Sami to be a target. Rollins says the three of them can pull some strings to get Sami out of harm's way and out of Raw, as they know that he will not buy in and they might as well "cash [him] out" as a favor. He then asks Sami to think about it, but gives him until the end of the night for an answer.

Rhea Ripley beats Roxanne Perez by disqualification. During the match, Giulia shows up, and after Rhea pulls Giulia towards the ring and gets Roxanne in position for a Riptide, Giulia hits Rhea with a chop block, ending the match. After the match, as Giulia and Roxanne attack Rhea, Iyo Sky runs into the ring and fights both Giulia and Roxanne off until the two of them outsmart and outnumber her. Rhea Ripley gets back in the ring, and when she does, Giulia and Roxanne retreat.

Backstage, JD McDonagh is welcomed back by the rest of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez). McDonagh and Finn catch up, and through Liv, McDonagh reveals that he and Finn have an opportunity at the World Tag titles. Finn looks forward to it.

Logan Paul is in the ring. Logan brags about his WrestleMania win against "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles before mocking the fans of Kansas City, Missouri for not knowing what a real legend looks like and that "Main Event" Jey Uso is not a real legend. He then says he has done everything to do in the business except win a world title, and when he tells Jey Uso his days are numbered, Jey Uso shows up. Jey Uso says he is not just going to hand the World Heavyweight Championship over to "a punk ass YouTuber" after what he went through to beat Gunther for it, and says the title is earned, not given. Logan says he has done more in four years than Jey Uso has done in fifteen, and says that he will take the title from Jey while Jey crashes out and screws up before losing the title in less time than he lost the Intercontinental title. This earns Logan a superkick from Jey.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) guest on commentary for the next match.

The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) beat The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) after Ivar throws Finn into The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and Carlito distracts the referee only for Penta to show up and shove JD McDonagh off the top rope.

Backstage, Sami is talking with Otis when Paul Heyman shows up. Otis leaves at Heyman's behest, and Heyman says Seth "Freakin'" Rollins views himself as the future while Bron Breakker is a key to their plans. He says that Bron Breakker wants a match with Sami Zayn, and also says that if Sami accepts Rollins' offer to move to SmackDown, he will face the winner of John Cena vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash. Heyman then runs into Breakker on his way out.

ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan, and NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney are seen in the crowd.

Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky says that she was the one to attack Bayley and take her out, saying that Bayley has attacked her non-stop since 2019. As for Lyra Valkyria, Lyra was friends with Bayley, and she would not be in the business if not for her. Becky says she tries to save Lyra, stating that she would never be women's tag champion with Bayley, but she was compromised and already a loser. As Becky says she had high hopes for Lyra Vakyria, Lyra shows up and says Bayley was among the first to warn her about Becky. She admits she did not buy it because of the hopes she had for Becky. She says that after multiple Manhandle Slams, she declares that "the illusion of Becky Lynch is dead" and taht she will make Becky pay for what she did to her and Bayley. Becky tries to run, but Lyra reminds her of how she beat her last time. Becky says she only fights when it matters and that Kansas City, Missouri does not matter. Lyra then challenges Becky for Backlash for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, then says she will be a better person than her because she is already a better wrestler. Becky goes off and says she would be nothing if it were not for her, but Lyra drop kicks her and beats her up. Becky flees through the crowd. Before Lyra heads to the back, she is attacked from behind by Becky.

Backstage, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis - filling in for General Manager Adam Pearce, who is taking time off - meets with Penta. Next week, Penta gets a match with JD McDonagh. Aldis leaves, then Chad Gable and Ivy Nile shows up, and Gable mocks Penta before mocking Rey Fenix for losing to El Grande Americano at WrestleMania. Penta kicks Gable in the chest and takes this as a challenge.

We hear from Rusev. He talks about how at one time, he had it all, but then he lost himself. He says he left WWE and headed back to Bulgaria. It was there that he redeemed and fixed himself, and that he will use his talent for good and go after those who wasted their talent like he did. He then says he will fix his targets like he fixed himself.

Stephanie Vaquer beats Ivy Nile.

Backstage, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis meets with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, having a long list of opponents to get back on track with. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio show up. Liv Morgan brags about her time off to shoot a movie, but Dirty Dom doesn't get any. Dominik mocks Styles' and Aldis' conversation, saying it is about Styles' future retirement home, and that gives Styles an idea for his next challenge.

Sami Zayn is met by Karrion Kross backstage. Kross says Sami has a big decision tonight and that he hopes Sami makes the right one.

It is announced that Gunther has been fined and suspended indefinitely by General Manager Adam Pearce. Pat McAfee then gets on the microphone and stands on the announce table, and says that people have forgotten who he is and that he wants to be remembered for leaving the world better than he came into it as well as being "a loyal motherfucker." He says that one must ride for all who ride with them, and that he will ride for Michael Cole. He says that when Gunther put his hands on Cole, he had no other option than to protect him. He tells Gunther that if he has a problem with Cole, he has a problem with him, then asks SmackDown General Nick Aldis to show up. Aldis shows up and asks McAfee to keep it professional, and Aldis demands Gunther's suspension be lifted so he can beat his ass. Aldis, having already discussed this with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, says he cannot take that risk are both men are valuable assets to the company, but then says that he can do that for a sanctioned one-on-one match at Backlash. McAfee accepts the match.

We see a video package chronicling the history between John Cena and Randy Orton.

Backstage, "Main Event" Jey Uso meets with Sami Zayn regarding his decision, and tells him to make the decision that is best for him. After Sami leaves, Jey Uso is blindsided by Logan Paul.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins is in the ring. He asks Sami Zayn to come to the ring so they can talk things out. Sami shows up and heads to the ring. Rollins tells Sami that he has put him in a really tough spot, as they have a history and he does not want to see anything bad happen to him. He says that he, Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman are the way forward and the best future for WWE. Rollins says he wishes he had somebody better to believe in, but he feels he must lead the future, and says it hurts that Sami does not believe in him, especially when he considers Sami "a true friend." He says that Sami did him a favor when he gave him advice as a new father, and asks him to return the favor. He tells Sami to take the out and head to SmackDown. Sami apologizes if he has hurt him as a friend, and acknowledges their friendship, but says that Rollins is "playing games." He says that Rollins knows what cards to play with him, and asks Rollins if he has ever known him to run away. He says he will not stand here while his friend threatens him, as he has been a target before and can live with being a target but will not live with being threatened, blackmailed and extorted. He says he will be a World Champion, and when he does, he will have done it his way. Sami says he loves and respects Rollins, then tells him to "Go to Hell." Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker then show up for the next match.

Bron Breakker beats Sami Zayn by referee stoppage following multiple Spears from Breakker, with the last one hitting as officials check on Sami. After the match, Rollins hits Sami with The Stomp after telling Breakker that Sami has made his bed and that he must now lay in it.

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