The WWE RAW 26 May 2025 episode, broadcast live from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, delivered an electrifying night of wrestling action, continuing the momentum from Saturday Night’s Main Event.
With Money in the Bank qualifiers, championship defenses, and intense promos, the show set the stage for upcoming rivalries and shocking twists. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match results, key segments, and what’s next for the superstars involved.
Match Results
1. Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Penta vs. Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable
Winner: Penta
How: Penta secured the victory with a Penta Driver on Chad Gable.
Details: The match was a high-flying spectacle, with Penta and Dragon Lee initially teaming up to neutralize Gable. Notable moments included Lee’s tope con giro, Penta’s flip piledriver, and interference from El Hijo del Vikingo, which distracted Gable, allowing Penta to capitalize and earn a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match.
2. Singles Match: Rusev vs. Akira Tozawa
Winner: Rusev
How: Rusev dominated with a submission victory via the Accolade.
Details: Tozawa attempted a spirited offense, but Rusev’s power overwhelmed him. Post-match, Rusev applied a sleeper hold, prompting Sheamus to intervene, setting up a tense staredown that hints at a future feud.
3. WWE World Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match: New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) (c) vs. Creed Brothers vs. War Raiders
Winners: New Day
How: Xavier Woods pinned a Creed Brother with a roll-up to retain the titles.
Details: The match was chaotic, with all three teams showcasing their athleticism. The War Raiders dominated early, but New Day’s quick thinking and teamwork led to the victory, solidifying their reign as champions.
4. Singles Match: Kairi Sane vs. Liv Morgan
Winner: Kairi Sane
How: Sane won with an overrotated schoolboy pin after interference from Roxanne Perez.
Details: Morgan controlled the early pace, but Sane’s resilience shone through. A distraction from Perez and Raquel Rodriguez allowed Sane to counter Morgan’s Oblivion for the win, escalating tensions within Judgment Day.
5. Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Bálor
Winner: Seth Rollins
How: Rollins pinned Bálor with a Blackout on a steel chair after interference from Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Dominik Mysterio.
Details: The match was a fast-paced thriller, with Zayn nearly winning after a Blue Thunder Bomb. Interference from Breakker and Reed disrupted Zayn’s momentum, and Mysterio’s attempt to aid Bálor backfired, allowing Rollins to secure his spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Post-match, CM Punk ambushed Rollins with a Go to Sleep, escalating their rivalry.
Segment Highlights
1. Seth Rollins’ Faction Promo
Recap: The show opened with Paul Heyman hyping Bron Breakker as the future of WWE and Bronson Reed as a reckless force, following Reed’s interference at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Seth Rollins declared his intent to dominate by winning the Money in the Bank briefcase, vowing to control the fate of championships. The crowd’s “You sold out!” and “Fuck you, Rollins!” chants added intensity, highlighting Rollins’ heel turn and his vision for total control.
2. Judgment Day Drama
Recap: In the Judgment Day clubhouse, Liv Morgan’s return sparked tension. Her interaction with Roxanne Perez and Dominik Mysterio, coupled with her confrontation with IYO SKY and Kairi Sane, set up her match with Sane. Morgan’s post-match frustration and blaming Raquel Rodriguez hinted at cracks within the faction.
3. Jey Uso and GUNTHER Confrontation
Recap: GUNTHER congratulated Jey Uso on his 15-year anniversary with The Usos and his title defense but questioned his intellect and suitability as a champion. Uso fired back, defending his loyalty to friends and family, setting up their anticipated title clash in two weeks.
4. Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch Rivalry
Recap: Lyra Valkyria cut a fiery promo about her frustration with Becky Lynch’s ego, vowing to break it at Money in the Bank. Lynch countered, proposing a high-stakes stipulation: if she loses, she’ll never challenge for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship again, but if she wins, Valkyria must raise her hand. This personal feud is heating up.
5. Celebrity Appearances
Recap: Comedians Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer appeared backstage, plugging their Netflix shows and interacting with the War Raiders in a humorous segment. Their presence added a lighthearted moment to the intense night.
What’s Next??
The WWE RAW 26 May 2025 episode set several storylines in motion heading toward Money in the Bank:
- Money in the Bank Ladder Match: With Penta and Seth Rollins qualifying, the men’s ladder match is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle. Expect more qualifiers and potential interference from Rollins’ faction.
- Jey Uso vs. GUNTHER: Their verbal sparring has set the stage for a blockbuster World Heavyweight Championship match in two weeks, with Uso’s reign under threat.
- Judgment Day Tensions: Liv Morgan’s loss and frustration with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez suggest internal conflict, which could lead to a faction implosion.
- Rusev vs. Sheamus: The post-match stare down hints at a physical rivalry, with Sheamus potentially challenging Rusev’s dominance.
- Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch: Their personal animosity and the proposed stipulation make their Money in the Bank rematch a must-watch.
- CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: Punk’s post-match attack on Rollins signals a brewing feud, likely culminating in a major match at Money in the Bank or beyond.
FAQs
Q: Where and when did the WWE RAW 26 May 2025 episode take place?
A: The episode took place on May 26, 2025, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, airing live on Netflix at 8/7c.
Q: Who qualified for the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match on this episode?
A: Penta and Seth Rollins qualified by winning their respective triple threat matches.
Q: What was the main event of WWE RAW 26 May 2025?
A: The main event was a Men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match featuring Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Bálor, with Rollins emerging victorious.
Q: What happened during the Seth Rollins faction promo?
A: Paul Heyman praised Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, while Rollins declared his intent to win the Money in the Bank briefcase for total control. The segment drew heated crowd reactions, including “You sold out!” chants.
Q: Are there any new feuds teased on this episode?
A: Yes, Rusev vs. Sheamus was teased after Sheamus saved Tozawa from Rusev’s post-match attack, and CM Punk’s ambush on Seth Rollins intensified their rivalry.
Q: What’s the significance of the Yuengling Center for WWE?
A: The Yuengling Center has a rich WWE history, hosting events like the 1995 Royal Rumble and the WWE ThunderDome during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also hosted a four-day WWE takeover from May 24–27, 2025, including Saturday Night’s Main Event, Battleground, RAW, and NXT.