WWE RAW May 19, 2025: Highlights And Lowlights

Pedro Alvarez

6 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

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The Undisputed Highlights of WWE RAW May 19, 2025

The Stunning Main Event Match: WWE Championship Showdown

The main event, a WWE Championship match between reigning champion Roman Reigns and the challenger, a surging Drew McIntyre, delivered on its promise and then some. The match was a brutal back-and-forth battle, showcasing the incredible athleticism and in-ring prowess of both superstars. McIntyre, fuelled by the roaring crowd, pushed Reigns to his absolute limits, utilizing his signature Claymore Kick repeatedly to near-falls. The unexpected finish saw a shocking interference from Solo Sikoa, leading to a disqualification and Reigns retaining his title. The implications of this controversial ending are significant, setting the stage for an inevitable rematch and potentially even a triple-threat match down the line.

• Specific impactful moves: McIntyre's Claymore Kicks, Reigns' Superman Punch, Sikoa's devastating Samoan Spike.
• Near-falls: Multiple near-falls had the crowd on the edge of their seats, genuinely believing a title change was imminent.
• Crowd reaction: The energy in the arena was electric, with the crowd fully invested in the thrilling match, reacting wildly to each near-fall and impactful move.

A Breakout Performance: The Rise of Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley delivered an undeniably electrifying performance, solidifying her status as one of WWE's top rising stars. Her match against Becky Lynch was a technical masterpiece, showcasing Ripley's improved in-ring skills and her unmatched charisma. Ripley's intensity and aggression captivated the audience, culminating in a hard-fought victory. This breakout performance establishes her as a genuine contender for future championship opportunities, hinting at a potentially explosive feud with the current champion.

• Specific impressive maneuvers: Ripley's devastating Riptide finisher, her masterful use of submission holds, and her aggressive in-ring tactics were all highlights.
• Emotional moments: Ripley's post-match celebration was a powerful display of emotion, showcasing her dedication and unwavering determination.
• Fan reaction: The crowd erupted in cheers and chants for Ripley, recognizing her dominant performance and star power.

A Shocking Twist in a Long-Running Storyline: The Judgment Day's Betrayal

The ongoing storyline involving The Judgment Day took a dramatic and unexpected turn. For months, the group, led by Finn Balor, had been embroiled in internal conflicts and power struggles. However, on May 19th, a shocking betrayal unfolded when Damian Priest turned on his long-time ally, Balor, costing him a crucial match. This unexpected twist completely reshaped the dynamics of The Judgment Day, leaving fans wondering about the future of the faction and setting up compelling new storylines for all involved.

• Summary of the storyline to this point: The Judgment Day’s internal conflicts have been a focal point of WWE programming for several months, leading to anticipation for a significant storyline development.
• Description of the twist: Priest's surprising and impactful betrayal shocked both the in-arena crowd and viewers at home.
• Predictions for future developments: The fallout from Priest's actions is sure to impact upcoming WWE RAW and PPV events, leading to exciting new rivalries and storylines.

The Lowlights of WWE RAW May 19, 2025 – Areas for Improvement

A Disappointing Match: The Underwhelming Tag Team Contest

The tag team match between The Street Profits and Alpha Academy unfortunately fell flat. While both teams are incredibly talented, the match lacked the necessary pacing and storytelling to fully engage the audience. The match felt rushed and lacked the impactful moments needed to captivate viewers. Better storytelling and a more deliberate pace could have significantly improved the overall viewing experience.

• Specific criticisms (pacing, storytelling, execution): The match felt rushed, lacked a clear narrative, and the execution of key moments felt underwhelming.
• Suggestions for improvement: A more structured storyline, a focus on building tension and utilizing impactful near-falls, and more emphasis on in-ring storytelling would make for a more engaging tag team contest.

A Plodding Storyline: The Slow Burn of the Miz’s Feud

The ongoing storyline involving The Miz felt stagnant and lacked the necessary momentum to truly grab the audience's attention. While The Miz is a seasoned veteran capable of delivering captivating performances, his current feud felt slow and underdeveloped, lacking the excitement and intrigue to maintain viewer engagement.

• Specific issues with the storyline: The storyline lacked a compelling hook, the pacing was slow, and the overall narrative lacked a clear direction or purpose.
• Suggestions to improve the storyline’s pacing and impact: Introducing a higher stakes element, accelerating the storyline progression, and incorporating more dynamic characters could revitalize this underwhelming feud.

Missed Opportunities: Underutilized Potential of the Women’s Division

The women's division, usually a powerhouse of compelling narratives and thrilling matches, felt somewhat underutilized on this episode of RAW. Several talented female wrestlers were either given limited screen time or their storylines lacked the necessary depth to fully showcase their potential. This represented a missed opportunity to deliver captivating content.

• Specific missed opportunities: Several potential storylines involving established and emerging female wrestlers remained undeveloped, hindering the women's division’s potential for a captivating showing.
• Potential outcomes: More screen time, more impactful storylines, and stronger rivalries could allow the talented women of the WWE to shine.
• Impact on future episodes: WWE must address this underutilization of its talented women's roster to ensure future shows are more balanced and exciting.

Conclusion

WWE RAW May 19, 2025, offered a mixed bag. The main event delivered a thrilling, albeit controversial, encounter. Rhea Ripley's breakout performance showcased her star potential, and the shocking twist in The Judgment Day's storyline injected fresh energy into the show. However, a disappointing tag team match, a plodding storyline involving The Miz, and the underutilization of the women's division marked areas needing improvement. The episode provided its fair share of excitement and compelling moments, but also highlighted the need for more consistent quality control.

What were your favorite moments from WWE RAW May 19, 2025? Share your thoughts on the highlights and lowlights in the comments below! What are your predictions for the upcoming WWE events following this dramatic episode? Also, be sure to check out our other articles covering the latest WWE news and recaps of other exciting shows. Keep up with all the WWE RAW action with our comprehensive WWE Raw reviews and recaps!