Review: WWE Raw Winners And Grades - May 19, 2025

Pedro Alvarez

4 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

4.8

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Match Results and Grades

This WWE Raw featured a card packed with high-stakes matchups, delivering both expected outcomes and surprising twists. Here’s a breakdown of the night's matches, complete with results and grades:

• Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor: Rollins wins via controversial pinfall after interference from Damian Priest. Grade: B+

  • Key Moments: A back-and-forth battle showcasing both wrestlers' high-flying abilities. Damian Priest's interference added a layer of unexpected drama, setting up a potential future feud.
  • Grade Rationale: Excellent storytelling, but the finish felt rushed, leaving some viewers wanting more. The post-match brawl hinted at a compelling future storyline involving Rollins, Balor, and Priest.
  • Storyline Implications: This win solidifies Rollins' position in the title picture, while Balor’s loss adds fuel to his simmering rivalry with Priest.

• Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (WWE Raw Women's Championship Match): Belair retains her title via a hard-fought victory. Grade: A-

  • Key Moments: An absolute clinic of athleticism and power. Ripley showcased her dominance early on, but Belair’s resilience and cunning ultimately prevailed.
  • Grade Rationale: A truly exceptional championship match, demonstrating both wrestlers' incredible skills. The pacing was perfect, building suspense to a satisfying climax.
  • Storyline Implications: Belair's continued reign strengthens her status as a top champion, while Ripley's near-victory sets the stage for a potential rematch.

• Cody Rhodes vs. The Miz: Rhodes wins with his signature CrossRhodes finisher. Grade: B

  • Key Moments: The Miz employed his usual underhanded tactics, but Rhodes' power and determination ultimately overcame the odds.
  • Grade Rationale: A solid match that effectively advanced the storyline, showcasing Rhodes' character development. The match itself was good but not spectacular.
  • Storyline Implications: The win sets up Rhodes for a potential title shot, while The Miz’s ongoing heel antics continue to make him a compelling antagonist.

Segment Analysis and Grades

Beyond the matches, several segments significantly impacted the WWE Raw narrative. Let's review some of the key non-match moments:

• The Judgment Day Promo: Grade: A

  • Summary: The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley) cut a scathing promo, further fueling their ongoing feuds with various superstars, laying out challenges and setting the stage for future chaos.
  • Grade Rationale: Excellent promo work, perfectly conveying the group’s arrogance and ruthlessness.
  • Impact: Generated significant heat for the faction and successfully advanced various storylines.

• Backstage Confrontation between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus: Grade: B+

  • Summary: A tense and emotionally charged encounter, culminating in a physical altercation and setting up a highly anticipated match.
  • Grade Rationale: The segment successfully built anticipation for the upcoming match, utilizing effective storytelling and character work.
  • Impact: Elevated the importance of the upcoming match between Lynch and Stratus, and further enhanced the ongoing feud.

Biggest Winners of the Night

Several superstars emerged victorious from this week's WWE Raw. Here's a look at some of the biggest winners:

• Bianca Belair: Successfully defended her championship, solidifying her dominance and setting up future challenges. The victory increased her credibility as a top champion.
• Seth Rollins: Despite the controversial ending, his win keeps him prominently positioned in the title picture. The involvement of Damian Priest suggests exciting storylines to come.

Biggest Losers of the Night

Not every superstar enjoyed a successful night. These wrestlers faced setbacks:

• Finn Balor: His loss to Seth Rollins, despite a strong performance, keeps him on a losing streak and hints at further frustration.
• The Miz: His loss to Cody Rhodes further cements his role as a cunning but ultimately unsuccessful villain, setting the stage for even more underhanded tactics.

Conclusion

The May 19th, 2025, WWE Raw episode was a mixed bag, featuring some outstanding matches and segments alongside less impactful ones. While Bianca Belair’s championship defense was a highlight, the controversial finish to the Rollins/Balor match left some wanting more. The best-graded segments successfully advanced storylines, building anticipation for upcoming feuds. The biggest winners emerged from strategic victories while the losers faced setbacks which will likely fuel future storylines. The night certainly left viewers with plenty to discuss, setting up exciting possibilities for the weeks to come.

What did you think of the May 19th, 2025, WWE Raw? Share your thoughts and grades in the comments below! Let’s discuss the biggest winners and losers of this exciting episode. Keep checking back for more WWE Raw reviews and analysis!