WWE RAW after a pay-per-view is always an exciting ride — and May 12, 2025, was no different. Coming fresh off the intense action of Backlash, the red brand delivered drama, returns, match fallout, and new storylines. From rising tensions to shocking betrayals, this episode was the perfect reset and setup for what’s coming next.
Let’s break it all down and talk about the winners, losers, and jaw-dropping moments from this week’s Monday Night RAW.
Backlash Fallout: Who Rose, Who Fell?
Backlash 2025 was wild — title changes, brutal matches, and emotional moments galore. Naturally, RAW kicked off with reactions from those who stole the spotlight (and sometimes the titles) the night before.
Seth Rollins’ Emotional Return Promo
Seth Rollins opened RAW with a heartfelt promo after retaining his World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash. You could feel the weight of the match in his voice — he wasn’t just celebrating a win; he was celebrating survival.
But just as the crowd roared in support, Bron Breakker’s music hit. The former NXT powerhouse stormed the ring, made eye contact, and laid down a challenge with just a few choice words. Simple, direct, and threatening.
Looks like Rollins isn’t going to get a break anytime soon.
Main Event Madness: Chaos, Conflict, and Controversy
The main event saw a massive 6-man tag match featuring superstars with history, grudges, and plenty of tension.
| Team | Members | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Team Rollins | Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn | Win (via pinfall) |
| Team Breakker | Bron Breakker, Damian Priest, JD McDonagh | Loss (miscommunication) |
The match was pure carnage — big spots, close calls, and constant shouting from teammates. Owens and Zayn seemed back in sync, while Priest and McDonagh just couldn’t keep it together. Breakker walked out mid-match, clearly frustrated, hinting that his partnership with Judgment Day might be short-lived.
Post-match, Rollins stood tall again — but with Bron circling, that celebration felt more like the calm before a storm.
Women’s Division Shakes Things Up
The women’s division didn’t hold back either. With Rhea Ripley still reigning as the Women’s World Champion after her Backlash victory, everyone wants a piece of her. But RAW had a surprise in store.
Becky Lynch Returns with Fire
Yup, “The Man” is back.
Becky Lynch made her return after weeks off, and she didn’t waste time. She stormed into Rhea’s backstage celebration, looked her dead in the eyes, and simply said, “You’re next.”
That one-liner got the crowd screaming and social media buzzing. Looks like Ripley’s dominant run is finally facing a real challenge again.
Mid-Card Action That Stole the Show
While the top stars always shine, it’s the mid-card that truly carried RAW this week. The action, the storytelling, and the teases were absolutely top-tier.
Here are a few highlights:
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Ricochet vs. Bronson Reed – High-flying meets heavy-hitting. Ricochet picked up the win, but Reed’s post-match assault made it clear this feud isn’t over.
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Chad Gable and Alpha Academy – Gable teased tension with Otis over match strategy. Seeds of betrayal? You bet.
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Ivy Nile vs. Candice LeRae – A surprisingly strong match that gave Nile a breakout win. It’s clear WWE has plans for her.
These aren’t just filler segments — they’re the building blocks of future main event stars.
Table: RAW Superstars and Their Backlash Fallout
| Superstar | Backlash Result | RAW Fallout |
|---|---|---|
| Seth Rollins | Retained World Heavyweight Title | Challenged by Bron Breakker |
| Rhea Ripley | Retained Women’s World Title | Becky Lynch returned to confront her |
| Damian Priest | Lost Tag Title Opportunity | Teased breakup with JD McDonagh |
| Ricochet | Mid-card win | Feud escalates with Bronson Reed |
| Ivy Nile | Didn’t appear at Backlash | Big win on RAW, possible push incoming |
Rivalries Heating Up and Future Predictions
With SummerSlam creeping up, RAW has started planting seeds for some massive feuds. Here’s what we might see developing:
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Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker – A classic experience vs. raw power setup.
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Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley – This one sells itself. Two of the best, head-to-head.
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Judgment Day Implosion – Too many egos, too little control. A civil war feels inevitable.
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Alpha Academy Split – Fans love them, but betrayal makes for juicy TV.
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Tag Division Shuffle – Expect a shake-up with new pairings emerging.
WWE knows how to play the long game, and this episode proved that even in post-PPV cool-downs, the fire never really goes out.
Conclusion: RAW Proves Why It’s Still Must-Watch TV
May 12, 2025, was a night where RAW reminded us why it’s still the heartbeat of WWE storytelling. After a hard-hitting Backlash, this episode picked up the pieces, tossed in some surprises, and left us asking the right kind of questions:
Who will challenge Rollins next? Is Becky really ready to dethrone Ripley? And how long before Judgment Day falls apart completely?
One thing’s for sure — WWE isn’t slowing down, and neither should we.