The latest episode of WWE Raw emanated live from the ThunderDome at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida on May 25 (Tuesday).
The latest episode of WWE Raw emanated live from the ThunderDome at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida on May 25 (Tuesday). Coming into the episode, only one match was advertised: a women’s tag title match between the team of Natalya and Tamina and Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Also announced ahead of the show was a match between Xavier Woods and Riddle. Yet given WWE Raw is a three-hour show, there was always going to be more. Coming out of the show, fans now have an idea over the direction for the next pay-per-view event. Hell in a Cell is still four weeks away but the build has already begun.
Let’s get right to the highlights of WWE Raw.
The show opened with a promo segment featuring WWE champion Bobby Lashley and MVP, MVP hyped up the champ before predictably being interrupted by Drew McIntyre. The former champion demanded a rematch but was interfered by The New Day.
Kofi Kingston took the mic to remind everyone that he pinned Lashley last week and therefore should be next in line. Authority figure Adam Pearce eventually made a #1 contender’s match between Kingston and McIntyre.
The segment had its misses – see McIntyre going down the familiar “do you have the balls” route – but set up an intriguing match.
Of course, said match ended in a no-contest when Lashley and MVP interfered. A trope that is as old as time, and one that never works for the heels. Yet here we are.
The All Mighty #WWEChampion @fightbobby gets involved and gets TROUBLE IN PARADISE and a CLAYMORE for his troubles!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/U9xN1PHRyg
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2021
The rematch between McIntyre and Kingston is set for next week, with the added caveat that MVP and Lashley can’t interfere next week. Should they do so, they will be suspended for 90 days without pay.
A match between Kofi Kingston and Bobby Lashley would be interesting, given it is a fresh one. There’s also the fact that Kofi never really got back into the title scene after he lost it to Brock Lesnar.
And even if Kofi is just a stop-gap contender for Lashley, it’s better than having him pretend as if nothing happened.
Charlotte and Asuka had themselves a very good match. However, the major takeaway is that Flair won. And she was later announced as Raw women’s champion Rhea Ripley’s opponent for Hell in a Cell.
These two had a fantastic match at WrestleMania in 2020. But it again comes back to an old complain fans have – a lack of freshness. Charlotte being around the title picture is nothing new.
THE OPPORTUNITY. ?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/AbMJPmeKRg
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2021
On the bright side, Nikki Cross beat Rhipley in a 2:00 Beat the Clock match. Sure, she won by ensuring Rhipley couldn’t pin or submit her in said 2 minutes. But there’s a small chance this ‘victory’ could see her inserted into the story. Maybe. Hopefully?
The women’s tag team match was decided due to interference by… Reginald. Yes. Again, a familiar trope of recent times in the women’s tag team division.
To make matters worse, it was again Baszler who fell victim to an interference. You’d think she’d have learnt by now…
Anyway, after the match she snapped at Reginald and demanded a match against him next week. This isn’t his first inter-gender match – he had one against Sasha Banks too. But this one will be different.
SHAYNA BASZLER HAS HAD ENOUGH OF THE INTERFERENCE!@QoSBaszler just challenged @ReginaldWWE to a match next Monday on #WWERaw!! pic.twitter.com/VssKeawiek
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2021
Grade: C+