WWE RAW (5/19/2025) Review: Hits And Misses

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

4.3

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The Biggest Hits of WWE RAW (5/19/2025)

The Roman Reigns Segment – A Masterclass in Storytelling

The main event segment featuring Roman Reigns was a masterclass in character work and suspenseful storytelling. Reigns' arrogance and unwavering dominance were on full display, perfectly contrasted by Cody Rhodes' steely determination.

• Excellent storytelling: Reigns' subtle taunts and psychological gamesmanship kept Rhodes off-balance throughout the segment.
• Impactful moments: The closing confrontation, where Reigns laid down a brutal challenge to Rhodes, was genuinely electrifying, creating a perfect hook for their upcoming match.
• Crowd reaction: The arena was electric with anticipation, a testament to the compelling narrative WWE had created around these two superstars.
• Effective use of in-ring psychology: Despite being a mostly verbal confrontation, the segment felt intense and physical, demonstrating Reigns’ menacing presence.
• Build towards a future feud/match: The segment brilliantly escalated their rivalry, making the upcoming match feel like a monumental clash.

The Women's Tag Team Match – An Instant Classic

The Women's Tag Team match between Damage CTRL and a surprising alliance of Asuka and Bianca Belair was a technical masterpiece.

• High-impact spots: The match was filled with breathtaking maneuvers and near-falls, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
• Technical proficiency: Both teams showcased their impressive wrestling skills, highlighting their versatility and in-ring chemistry.
• Emotional investment: The audience was fully invested in both teams' victories, reacting with cheers and gasps at every pivotal moment.
• Match quality and overall entertainment value: This match was undeniably the highlight of the night, a testament to the athleticism and storytelling abilities of the wrestlers involved. It’s already being touted as one of the best matches of the year.

Surprising Developments and Twists that Worked

The unexpected return of a former WWE champion, completely out of the blue, injected a shot of adrenaline into the show.

• Shocking returns: The sudden reappearance of this wrestler completely changed the dynamics of the existing storylines.
• Unexpected alliances or betrayals: Several alliances shifted dramatically, adding layers of complexity to already existing feuds.
• Effective cliffhangers: The episode ended with multiple cliffhangers, leaving fans desperate for the next episode to see what happens next. This created genuine buzz and excitement for future shows.

The Misses of WWE RAW (5/19/2025) – Areas for Improvement

Seth Rollins’ Performance – Falling Short of Expectations

While Seth Rollins is usually a standout performer, his segment felt rushed and lacked the usual emotional depth we've come to expect from him.

• Lack of impact: The planned high-flying moves felt lackluster and the emotional connection with the audience was missing.
• Technical issues: A minor botch during a key moment slightly disrupted the flow of the match.
• Missed opportunities: The segment could have explored Rollins’ character development more deeply, creating more storyline intrigue.
• Negative audience reaction: Parts of the segment were met with relative silence from the usually enthusiastic crowd.

A Slow-Paced Segment that Dragged

The mid-card feud between [Wrestler A] and [Wrestler B] suffered from an overly lengthy and slow-paced segment.

• Lack of excitement: The back-and-forth felt repetitive and lacked any real stakes.
• Ineffective storytelling: The storytelling was convoluted, making it difficult for viewers to follow the progression of the feud.
• Audience reaction: The audience displayed visible signs of boredom and disengagement during this segment. It noticeably killed the energy of the show.

Underutilized Talent and Storylines

Several promising wrestlers and intriguing storylines were noticeably underutilized during this episode of WWE RAW.

• Lack of screen time: Several talented wrestlers received minimal screen time, limiting their opportunities to shine.
• Missed opportunities to build storylines: Existing storylines that deserved more development were neglected in favor of other, less compelling narratives.
• Potential creative solutions: More creative booking decisions could have provided opportunities for these wrestlers and storylines to thrive.

Conclusion

WWE RAW (5/19/2025) was a mixed bag. While the Roman Reigns segment and the Women's Tag Team match delivered electrifying performances and compelling storylines, other segments fell short, suffering from slow pacing and underutilized talent. The surprising return of a former champion and unexpected storyline twists kept things interesting. Overall, the show was enjoyable, yet it had some areas where it could improve. What were your favorite moments from WWE RAW (5/19/2025)? Did you agree with our assessment of the WWE RAW (5/19/2025) hits and misses? Share your thoughts below! Check out our other WWE RAW reviews and wrestling news for more insightful commentary!