Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 25, 2026

Paul Heyman is in the ring to start tonight's show. Heyman says that he is here to hype everyone up for a match that needs no hype: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar at Clash in Italy. The crowd chants for Oba, and Heyman tells everyone to shut up before we hear from Brock Lesnar in a video package. Lesnar says that he can take an ass beating, then asks if Oba can do the same, saying that Oba will take an ass beating and a conquering from "a retired Beast" and that he will rule over Oba Femi. Heyman says that Oba Femi has awakened Brock Lesnar, then Oba Femi shows up and heads to the ring. Oba corners Heyman in the corner of the ring, asking what four F-5s from Brock Lesnar has awoken in him, then says he will not touch him because he needs him alive and well so that Heyman can tell the tale of how he retired Lesnar a second time. He also says that this is personal despite what Heyman might say about the rematch being just business, then signs the contract on Heyman's shoulder before telling Heyman to tell Lesnar that last time, he fought to beat him, and now, he is fighting to kill him.

Penta retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Je'Von Evans. After the match, Penta wants to shake hands with Je'Von, but Je'Von angrily walks past him.

Backstage, Paul Heyman looks through the Clash in Italy contract for Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar when Austin Theory shows up, not knowing what to do now that Logan Paul is out. (Logan Paul is currently out with a torn tricep following Saturday Night's Main Event and will be out for months.) Heyman says he expects Theory to defend the World Tag titles with Bron Breakker, which Theory appreciates. Theory then says that he wants to take out every last person who took out Logan Paul. Heyman tells Theory that he knows exactly what to do tonight and to whom.

Joe Hendry is in the middle of a concert in the ring when he is attacked from behind with a metal folding chair by Austin Theory. On his way out, Theory smashes Hendry's head into the ring post with the chair.

Backstage, Angelo Dawkins is met by Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, who apologizes and says that he knows how it feels to be screwed over by The Vision (Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Austin Theory). He then says The Vision is at its weakest without Logan Paul, and that Theory is the most violent he has ever been. Montez Ford shows up and says nothing good happens with Rollins around, but Rollins says that when he was not here, they did not become tag team champions. Rollins tells them that they have to work together to take out The Vision. He also says that he is the only one in the three of them to main event WrestleMania, but Montez says he has never stabbed his brother in the back. This leads to Montez challenging Rollins to a match tonight, much to Dawkins' chagrin.

Next week's Raw in Turin, Italy has a special start time of 2 PM Eastern/11 AM Pacific.

Backstage, Je'Von Evans is met by Penta. Je'Von apologizes for being unprofessional after the match, then tells Penta he will see him for the Intercontinental Championship against soon. Je'Von leaves, then Rey Mysterio shows up and says that Mexican pride is at an all-time high. Penta congratulates Rey on becoming the General Manager of AAA, then says that he wants to be a fighting champion and leave a legacy, and that there is no one he would like to face more than Rey for the Intercontinental Championship. Rey is hyped up for the match.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria beat The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) after "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio's attempt at interfering in the match by tossing the AAA Mega Championship into the ring backfires, as Bayley sends Roxanne into Dominik during a tug-of-war over the title before pinning Roxanne and winning.

Backstage, General Manager meets with Roman Reigns. Roman says he has to go back to his old ways and assert power, then says that there must be consequences. He says that should Jacob Fatu loses, he either serves Roman or gets fired. If Jacob wins, he becomes the new Tribal Chief.

WWE acknowledges Memorial Day in the United States.

We see footage of The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and Bayley and at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

LA Knight heads to the ring. Knight says he has not been in front of the fans since WrestleMania, then wishes everyone a happy Memorial Day and thanks the American troops for their service. He says that he has put The Vision in the rear view mirror with The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso), then mentions that he has thrown his hat into the King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship and Roman Reigns. Knight says that he is trying to bring back The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso), and that The Usos that are running with Roman are different from The Usos that he knew. Suddenly, Jimmy Uso heads to the ring. Jimmy says that he has a lot of respect for Knight and fought alongside him, then says that The Bloodline is not like they used to be. Jimmy has no problem with Knight going for King of the Ring, saying that he will get a fair shot at Roman Reigns if he wins. Knight is not convinced after what The Usos did to Jacob Fatu and says that he does not want Jimmy to be third fiddle to Roman and be his errand boy again. Jimmy says Knight should be lucky Jey is not here, otherwise they would not be talking. He also tells Knight to tread lightly, or else his family will become Knight's business. Knight stops Jimmy, saying he is the one that he likes out of him and Jey, and says Roman only needed Paul Heyman and The Usos because he could not get it done on his own. He says that if the family business becomes his business, then so be it.

Backstage, Rey Mysterio meets with General Manager Adam Pearce, who discuss Rey's potential match with Penta as "All Ego" Ethan Page demands an Intercontinental Championship rematch. Rusev also shows up, and Ethan tells Rusev that the General Managers of Raw and AAA are conspiring against him. Rusev is also incensed, and Rusev and Ethan demand Rey earn his title shot. Rey is game, and Pearce makes a match between Rey and Rusev official.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Montez Ford with The Stomp after avoiding a top rope 450 splash from Rollins. After the match, Angelo Dawkins is attacked with a metal folding chair by Austin Theory on the stage.

Backstage, Montez Ford meets with General Manager Adam Pearce when Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Montez tells Rollins that he is right, then checks on Dawkins. Rollins says he needs to cut off the head of the snake and that he wants Bron Breakker.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Becky Lynch. Becky says that some people get punched in the face and become the face of the industry, but other people get punched in the face and realize that they are way in over her head. She says that Sol Ruca has realized this, and says that time is running out for Sol Ruca to get a big win. Becky says that her name is etched in stone and hopes that Sol Ruca can come around to Clash in Italy as she will and realize that she is standing across from greatness.

"All Ego" Ethan Page guests on commentary for the next match.

Rey Mysterio beats Rusev for a shot at Penta and the WWE Intercontinental Championship after slipping out of the Accolade after Rusev catches the 619 and stacks Rusev up for the pin and the win. After the match, Rusev attacks Rey, then Dragon Lee shows up and fights Rusev. "All Ego" Ethan Page leaves the commentary table, and Dragon Lee sends Ethan into Rusev and sends him packing. Dragon Lee hits the dive on Ethan before Rey hits Rusev with a 619.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce personally ejects Austin Theory from the building. Heyman escorts Theory away from Pearce, and Theory glares at Alpha Academy (Otis, Akira Tozawa, Maxxine Dupri). Otis has a bad feeling about what has been going on as of late.

General Manager Adam Pearce is in the ring for the contract signing for Tribal Combat for the World Heavyweight Championship between Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns at Clash in Italy. Jacob Fatu arrives first, followed by Roman Reigns. After the commercial break, Jacob Fatu signs the contract, then throws the chairs and the table in the ring at security standing at the foot of the ramp. Roman Reigns shows up as security confronts Jacob Fatu, and he surveys the carnage that has just taken place before entering the ring and signing the contract. Roman then takes the microphone from Pearce and says "Leave us." Pearce asks if security is still necessary, and Roman tells Pearce that Jacob signed a blood oath and cannot touch him until the match. Pearce calls security off and leaves with them. This leaves Roman and Jacob alone in the ring, Roman tells Jacob that all he had to do was acknowledge him so that they could move on, but Jacob makes it clear that he does not want to and that Roman is the reason the family has the life that it has and is on top of the mountain.He then says that Roman could only take it so far and that it is time for a change and another direction and destination, then says Roman bent the rules to win by any necessary at Backlash. He then says that anything goes in Tribal Combat, and that he will dog walk Roman. Roman says that if Jacob Fatu cannot win, he will domesticate Jacob like a dog and that Jacob will not only learn from him, but love his Tribal Chief. Jacob says it looks like a win for him, as he will still have a job here if he loses. He then says that if he wins, everybody - especially Roman - will learn how to acknowledge him. Both men then shake hands to end the show.

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