WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 5.11.2026

It must be Monday because we have another Raw on our hands. This week, we leave Backlash behind us and start the two-week build for Saturday Night’s Main Event and three-week build for Clash in Italy.

The last week in reviews: Raw / NXT / Evolve / Impact / SmackDown / Backlash / Lucha Libre AAA

Then, Now, Forever, TOGETHER.

Here’s a look at Backlash with headlines from WWE’s preferred media partners such as “Yahoo! Sports” and including videos of internet creators reacting to the show despite going on a mission to ban their videos over the last week.

This is Knoxville, Tennessee, the home of Knox County Mayor and former 24/7 Champion Kane. We’re at the Food City Center, live on Netflix and brought to you by DoorDash.

Arrivals! Paige and Brie Bella! Oba Femi! Iyo Sky! The Street Profits and Joe Hendry! Roman Reigns! The gang’s all here! Roman is met by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce who says Jacob Fatu shouldn’t be here tonight. Roman tells Pearce that he can’t fire Fatu until he acknowledges him. Roman says he’ll do the work of taking Fatu out.

The Vision (Bron Breakker, WWE World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul & Austin Theory, and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman) are out to chat first tonight. Lilian Garcia is on the intros tonight as Alicia Taylor is out with an illness. Paul says a lot of things including that there is no reason to say the name Seth Rollins ever again. He offers a mic to Theory to air his thoughts. He knows the Street Profits need the tag team championships because Bianca can’t pay the bills and then calls Joe Hendry a nerd.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) come out to counter, Ford giving us a “rocky top.” Ford says that somebody had to come to Raw to whoop Vision asses all over Knoxville and tells them that it isn’t about them, they came back to win the championships. The good news is that there are about three tag teams left in the company, so their odds are good. Logan Paul calls the Profits legendary but old news but is cut off by Joe Hendry singing “Can We Fire Logan Paul?”

The Vision (Bron Breakker, WWE World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul & Austin Theory with WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman) vs The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) and Joe Hendry

This is the first match for the Profits on Raw since April 24, 2023, when they defeated Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. After commercials, we join the match in progress with Dawkins kicking Theory around. Ford tags in as does Breakker, who super speeds through him with a clothesline. Michael Cole notes that this is Breakker’s first Raw match since his loss to CM Punk in January. Hendry catches a leaping Theory and Logan attacks to take him down. Breakker tosses Hendry with a reverse German suplex and we take a fun commercial break to learn about Cricket 5G and The U.S. Navy.

We come back to Hendry and Logan, Hendry getting the hot tag to Ford. Ford crossbodies off the top onto Paul and clotheslines Theory before knocking Bron to the outside and flying onto him. Dawkins lifts Theory up and Paul shoves Ford to the outside to interrupt the double team. Logan tosses Hendry into the stairs, Theory distracts the ref and Bron starts the big run before Seth Rollins knocks him down and Dawkins gets the surprise pin on Theory. Rollins offers a hand to Dawkins and helps him up, Ford sneaks in for the spear and Seth dodges, Dawkins taking the spear instead. Ford and Rollins get into a shoving match because Ford missed what happened.

Angelo Dawkins pins Austin Theory, Street Profits & Hendry defeat The Vision. This was good, a good little opener. I appreciate the Profits (well, Ford at least) getting to talk to the crowd.

Pearce talks with Original El Grande Americano and questions the names of Bruto and Julio, having missed last week apparently. Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio come in to question what’s the plan for Dom. Original EGA doesn’t appreciate the interruption and Dom tells him that he isn’t even a real luchador. Pearce decides that Dom will be defending his AAA Mega Title on Raw. As Pearce walks away, he’s met by Angel and Humberto who want an opportunity. Okay, now we have four tag teams.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Penta has joined us in the ring to share some thoughts. He thinks Ethan Page should come out and say things to his face. Ethan Page grants the wish and joins us, mocking Penta for painting his chin and hiding the rest of his face under a mask. Page tells Penta that he doesn’t hide who he is and reminds him that he pinned him last week, which he believes would make him #1 contender. Penta thinks right now would be a good time, but Ethan tells him to hold his horses and pump the breaks. Ethan thinks the title deserves a spotlight, perhaps on May 23rd at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The music of Rusev interrupts. He tells Page that he should get the title shot first and threatens Page. Je’Von Evans joins us to say “whoa” many times and it all breaks down, Je’Von flying onto Rusev and doing the strut with Penta to send us to commercials. Meh.

Rusev vs Je’Von Evans

We come back from break to this match being a thing that is actively happening, a first-time singles match. “Rusev sucks” chants from the crowd as he dominates Evans, a very rude thing to chant on Rusev Day. Evans bounces a rana from the top rope and runs right into Rusev’s right hand, so Rusev throws Evans onto the announce table with a fall-away slam and we head to another break. We’re really dragging things out tonight. Did you know “Naked and Afraid” is STILL a show? It apparently is!

Back to this match. Evans dodges a running Rusev, nails him with a superkick and a kick to the back of the neck. Evans springboards into a two count but we get ANOTHER Rusev comeback. Rusev kicks for a two and Rusev emotes “frustration” and calls for the Accolade. Evans kicks away, knocks Rusev to the outside and leaps over the top rope onto him before tossing him in, hitting the OG Cutter and getting a three.

Je’Von Evans pins Rusev. There was no real need for this to be two segments (stretching to three including the promo segment before it).

Celebrities! They love WWE! Tennessee Volunteers football players! And, well, that’s all we’ve got for you because all of the WWE-favored comedians were at the Kevin Hart roast.

Corey Graves narrates a video about the AAA Mega Championship and some of its former holders.

Iyo Sky is stretching and met by Asuka who gives her a hug. Asuka tells Iyo that she was waiting for someone to take her position, that she is proud of her and Iyo says they’ll always be family. “Goodbye, Asuka-san.” Asuka hugs her and gives her a forehead kiss. As Asuka rolls off with her luggage, Iyo waves. See you later, Asuka.

BRIE MODE. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige join us for a chat. Brie tells us that they’re answering Judgment Day’s call from last week and Paige is ready for a fight. The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) are here with some comments, welcoming the champs to their show. Rox remembers watching the champs on TV back when they were young and relevant. “Brie, don’t you remember meeting me as a little girl? You told me that I was going to carry on the Bella legacy.” Rox says the Bella legacy is a low bar and she wanted Rox to start her own legacy and not be a footnote for the Judgment Day. Raquel says Paige has been given a million chances and fumbled every one of them. “We’re all just waiting for your next big scandal to hit.” Paige slugs Raquel and the brawl is on when WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan pops up and hits a Codebreaker on Paige. The deck is stacked too high and the Judgment Day women stand tall and hold all the gold above their heads. Well, I guess that’s a match we’ll be seeing on one of the next two big shows.

Big Jim Uso joins Roman Reigns in the OTC’s dressing room, telling Roman that Jey is in the parking lot waiting for Jacob. Jim tells Roman that they should just move on and Roman says no, there has to be order here and that they have to be men of their word. Jacob has to acknowledge him. Jimmy gets it but he has a funny feeling.

Here’s a multi-camera promo video complete with video highlights of Dominik Mysterio and threats towards Original EGA, shot and edited somehow in the hour since the match was set up.

NXT Origins focuses on the rise of Rhea Ripley.

Iyo Sky vs Sol Ruca

This could be a big one. Cole notes that it would be a good night to take advantage of Sky as she is extra emotional. He also says that Ruca said he is honored to be a part of the longest episodic show in history, something Ruca has probably never said in her life because nobody talks like that. It’s a scientific match to start with the women having counters for each other, including Sky dodging a Sol moonsault attempt before taking her down with a rana on the outside. Sol does a wild corkscrew off the ropes onto Iyo on the outside to send us to a break.

We’re back in the ring when we return, Iyo hitting a Spanish Fly off the top rope on Ruca for a two count. “This is awesome” chant. Ruca tosses Iyo up and spins her into a Blue Thunder bomb and Sol’s looking really good here. Iyo missle dropkicks Ruca and takes forever to set up the Bullet Train, giving Sol a chance to dodge. Iyo rolls Sol into a stomp but can’t get a three count on it. Sol nails a tornado DDT from the top rope for a near fall and we get a second “this is awesome” chant. Iyo’s able to hit the Bullet Train and calls for the Over the Moonsault, landing on Sol’s knees. Sol tries for a Sol Snatcher, Iyo dodges and rolls Sol into a pin.

Iyo Sky pins Sol Ruca. A really good match. Iyo was a great match for Sol to show off (and guide Sol a bit) and I liked the veteran outsmarting the newcomer. Go back and watch this one.

Corey Graves and Michael Cole greet us from ringside and take us back to highlights of the post-match attack at Backlash by Jacob Fatu.

Main Event Jey Uso is pacing in the parking lot. Big Jim finds him and tells Jey that maybe Roman is a little delusional. They agree Jacob won’t acknowledge the OTC. Jim says he’s going out with the OTC and wishes Jey luck with Jacob.

Here’s a look at John Cena appearing at Backlash to announce the John Cena Classic, something that will happen at some point in the future. The commentators announce that The Vision will defend their belts at Saturday Night’s Main Event against the Street Profits.

Jackie Redmond talks with those Street Profits. Seth Rollins interrupts and tells them that they should talk. Angelo’s into the idea, Ford is totally against it. Ford says they don’t need him to win the gold. I could see this leading to a six-man at Clash in Paris.

Iyo finds Sol backstage and tells her that she is the future. Sol turns around into WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, saying that she couldn’t even beat Iyo Jannetty. “I guess those lights were too bright.”

Oba Femi is out for his Open Challenge, popular as ever. The voice of Adam Pearce interrupts, getting booed. Adam says that nobody back there was willing to answer so he’s here to say the Open Challenge is cancelled tonight. Oba storms past Adam and says he can’t do his job. Oba grabs Angel backstage and tosses him into a mirror. Oba grabs Humberto and carries him to the ring while dragging Angel out.

Oba Femi Open Challenge: Oba Femi vs Angel & Humberto

Oba beats the hell out of both men. Oba hits a Fall from Grace on Humberto and gets the pin. This was the first Raw match for Humberto and Angel since May 2023 when they both lost an Intercontinental Championship #1 contender’s battle royal to Mustafa Ali. Besides Ali, other participants no longer in the company include Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Cedric Alexander, Dexter Lumis, Dolph Ziggler, Elias, ma.ce, man.soor, Matt Riddle, Ricochet, Riddick Moss, Shelton Benjamin, Von Wagner and Xyon Quinn. A lot can happen in three years. Anyway, who knows if we’ll see Angel and Humberto again after this destruction on Raw or if they’ll head on back to Main Event.

Oba Femi pins Humberto, Femi defeats Angel & Humberto. Nobody wanting to challenge Oba and Oba going to find some opponents is fun.

Original El Grande Americano has also found the time to film a well-edited video package about tonight’s match since the match was signed.

Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonough are walking and Finn Balor appears to attack JD, tossing him aside and telling Dom it looks like he’s got to go it alone.

AAA Mega Championship: AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio vs Original El Grande Americano

This is the first defense of the AAA Mega Championship on Raw and only the third defense since Mysterio won the title in September. After some back and forth, Dom springs Americano off the apron and head-first into the ring post to send us to our “let’s get ready to DoorDash” commercial.

After break, EGA dodges a 619 and hits a moonsault for a near fall. Dom gets a Michinoku Driver for his own near fall as Graves wonders what the other Grande Americano thinks about all of this. EGA hits a big bridging suplex and heads up top and sure enough, here are Rayo & Bravo Americano to distract the referee as El Grande Americano cheap shots Original EGA. Bruto & Julio come out to take care of the lesser Americanos as Original EGA yanks at EGA’s mask, Dom spinning in with a 619 and a frog splash to retain.

Dominik Mysterio pins Original El Grande Americano to retain the AAA Mega Championship. This was really good. They were hitting hard and the chaos was a good way to keep things on Dom until we move past the mask match.

Next week, we’re in Greensboro for Raw. We’ll have Paige and Brie defending their belts against Raquel & Roxanne and Oba Femi’s Open Challenge will again be open.

Theory and Paul are walking and met by Jackie. Logan wishes she would go away and says if he has to hear the Hendry song one more time, he’s going to Vincent Van Gogh himself. As they get in the car, we see Maxxine Dupri sitting inside.

WWE World Champion OTC Roman Reigns is here for our Acknowledgement Ceremony to close the program, accompanied by Big Jim Uso. We see Jacob Fatu pull up on the video wall, storming past Main Event Jey Uso who is telling him to think about things. Jey shoves Jacob and yells at him to listen, Jacob headbutts him and yells to the camera that Roman is going to have to beat the acknowledgement out of him.

Jacob makes his proper entrance into the arena and is met mid-aisle by Jimmy. Jacob tosses Jimmy as well and we’re down to Roman. Fatu heads into the ring and the fight is on. Fatu clotheslines Roman to the announce position before running into a Superman Punch. Roman grabs a chair and heads back in, smashing it over Jacob’s back repeatedly and yelling for acknowledgement. Roman continues beating down Jacob and lines up for the spear, Jacob superkicking him and hooking the Tongan Death Grip and sending him over the top. Fatu leaps onto Roman and drives him into the ring post. The fans chant for tables. Jacob tries to oblige by stripping the announce table and Roman Superman Punches him. He tries for another but the Tongan Death Grip hooks on again, Fatu power bombing the Tribal Chief through the announce table. The suits finally come out and Fatu hooks the grip again. Fatu grabs the belt in the ring and licks it, holding it above his head to end the episode, or so we think before Jacob goes FLYING to spear through Roman and both Usos and the barricade in a wild looking spot.

Killer closing segment. They’re doing all the right things to make Jacob look like an absolute killer. It makes you wonder what they can do to stop him, but I imagine we’ll have plenty of Bloodline drama to come.

This episode started very slowly for me. The first hour didn’t connect. Iyo/Sol was a big turning point and it was all a blast from there. Oba and Jacob continuing to carve their own destructive paths, the saga of the Americanos, and the Bloodline drama were all enjoyable watches. I’d say skip that drag of a first hour and head to the women’s match as a starting point.