WWE RAW 5/19/2025: A Mixed Bag - Our Best & Worst Moments

Axel S�rensen

5 min read

Post on May 21, 2025

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The Best Moments of WWE RAW 5/19/2025

The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match

The main event saw Roman Reigns defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against the rising star, Austin Theory. This championship match was a brutal back-and-forth affair, showcasing the incredible athleticism of both wrestlers. The crowd was electric, roaring with every near fall. Theory nearly snatched the title multiple times, utilizing his speed and agility to counter Reigns' power. However, Reigns ultimately retained his title with a perfectly executed Spear, silencing the doubters and solidifying his reign as the top dog in WWE.

• Stunning reversal leading to the finish: Theory had Reigns set up for his finisher, A-Town Down, but Reigns reversed it into a devastating Spear, catching everyone off guard.
• Crowd reaction and atmosphere: The energy in the arena was palpable; the crowd was on the edge of their seats throughout the entire title fight. The roar after Reigns’ victory was deafening.
• Post-match implications and storylines: The victory sets up a potential rematch, perhaps at SummerSlam, and keeps Reigns' dominant championship reign alive, fueling speculation about his next challenger.

The Unexpected Alliance

The night saw a shocking twist when Seth Rollins and Damian Priest, long-time rivals, formed an unexpected alliance. This WWE storyline development came out of nowhere, leaving the audience buzzing. The alliance solidified during a tag team match against The Judgment Day and The Street Profits, where their combined strength proved too much for their opponents. This unexpected partnership could shake up the entire tag team division and create exciting new dynamics within existing WWE storylines.

• How the alliance formed: After a chaotic tag team match, Rollins and Priest found themselves inadvertently working together to overcome their opponents. A mutual respect, born from shared frustration with other factions, seemed to forge the unexpected bond.
• The wrestlers involved and their past rivalries: Rollins and Priest have a history of intense rivalry, making their alliance all the more surprising and intriguing.
• The potential for future matches: This new alliance immediately opens doors for compelling matches against various tag teams, and promises to significantly alter the WWE landscape.

A Breakout Performance

This week's WWE RAW saw a breakout performance from Bianca Belair's challenger, Lyra Valkyria. Lyra, though ultimately unsuccessful in her attempt to win the Raw Women's Championship, displayed incredible strength, skill, and charisma. Her high-flying moves and aggressive wrestling style captured the attention of both the audience and the commentary team. Lyra’s performance cemented her place as a major player to watch in the future.

• Specific moves or moments that showcased their talent: Lyra’s innovative use of the ropes and her signature spinning heel kick were highlights of the match, demonstrating both power and agility.
• The crowd’s reaction to their performance: Despite losing, Lyra received a huge ovation from the crowd, highlighting her connection with the audience and her star power.
• Predictions for their future in WWE: Lyra's performance strongly suggests a bright future as a potential future champion.

The Worst Moments of WWE RAW 5/19/2025

The Botched Finish

The match between Becky Lynch and Zoey Stark ended in a highly controversial and unsatisfactory manner. During the final seconds, a miscommunication between the wrestlers led to a botched finish that left viewers confused and frustrated. The referee's decision was unclear, and the lack of a definitive winner created a sense of incompleteness and disappointment amongst the WWE fanbase.

• What went wrong during the match: A planned sequence of moves went awry, resulting in a messy and confusing conclusion to the match.
• Fan reaction to the botched finish: Social media exploded with criticism of the botched finish, many viewers expressing their disappointment with the match’s outcome.
• How it affected the overall viewing experience: The botched finish significantly detracted from the overall enjoyment of the show and left viewers feeling cheated of a satisfying conclusion.

The Unnecessary Segment

A lengthy backstage segment featuring The Miz and a series of increasingly irrelevant interactions felt entirely out of place and slowed down the pacing of the show considerably. The segment lacked any clear purpose or storyline progression, serving as little more than filler and causing many viewers to tune out. This unnecessary segment underscored the importance of focused storytelling and efficient use of time in WWE programming.

• What made the segment unappealing: The rambling nature of the segment and its lack of any real payoff made it a tedious watch for most viewers.
• Alternative ways the segment could have been handled: The time could have been used to advance more significant storylines or showcase other wrestlers.
• The overall impact on the show’s pacing: The segment significantly disrupted the flow of the show and resulted in a loss of momentum.

Lack of Build-Up to a Key Match

The tag team match between The Usos and Alpha Academy lacked adequate build-up. The match, while technically proficient, felt somewhat flat due to the lack of prior storyline development and tension. The absence of a compelling narrative leading up to the match hindered audience engagement and reduced the overall excitement.

• How the storyline could have been improved: Introducing a series of vignettes or shorter segments highlighting the rivalry between the two teams would have created a more compelling narrative.
• Suggestions for better pre-match promotion: A series of confrontations or short matches between members of the teams could have increased anticipation for their match.
• The overall effect on the viewer experience: The lack of build-up negatively impacted the viewers' investment in the match's outcome.

Conclusion

WWE RAW 5/19/2025 was, as we've seen, a truly mixed bag. While some moments were electrifying and showcased the incredible talent within WWE, others left much to be desired, highlighting areas where improvement is needed. From championship gold to questionable booking decisions, this review has covered it all. Stay tuned for more WWE RAW reviews and analysis, and let us know your thoughts on the May 19th episode in the comments below! What were your best and worst moments of this WWE RAW? Share your opinions and join the discussion!