WWE Raw results (4/28): Powell’s live review of Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman, Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez, Pat McAfee on being attacked by Gunther, Logan Paul’s appearance

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw (Episode 1,666)
Kansas City, Missouri at T-Mobile Center
Streamed live April 28, 2025, on Netflix

[Hour One] Michael Cole checked in and said there were over 11,000 fans in attendance while a shot aired of fans entering the host venue… Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis entered the Raw General Manager’s office while Cole noted that Aldis was filling in for Adam Pearce…

Backstage shots aired of Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez, “American Made” Chad Gable, Ivy Nile, Brutus Creed, and Julius Creed, NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer, and Logan Paul. Cole noted that Vaquer would face Nile during the show…

The broadcast team of Cole and Pat McAfee checked in from their ringside desk. Cole said Gunther had been fined and suspended for his actions last week, which McAfee said he would address later in the show…

Cole set up a video package that recapped the formation of the Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman alliance…

Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman made their entrance to Rollins’ entrance theme. Breakker and Heyman wore suits, while Rollins wore one of his over-the-top outfits. The fans barked. Rollins put his arm around Breakker, and they both smiled. Rollins held up the mic while the fans chanted his entrance theme.

Rollins boasted that he won the main event of WrestleMania. Rollins said it might be painful for fans of CM Punk and Roman Reigns, but the fans were looking at the future of the industry. Rollins said that with Heyman to his left and Breakker to his right, the future runs through him.

Powell’s POV: YEET!!! There’s a child in the front row holding up a “Yeet 4 Cancer” sign. YEET!!! YEET!!! YEET!!! Kick cancer’s butt, kid.

Sami Zayn made his entrance dressed in non-wrestling attire and entered the ring. Zayn said he’s been friends with Rollins for a long time, but what he’s doing now is a load of crap. Zayn said he believed that Rollins had a deep hatred for Punk and he sounded self-righteous when he spoke about Reigns, but now Zayn thinks Rollins was just jealous.

Rollins said he’s not Punk or Reigns, and this is the future. Zayn said it’s quite the coincidence that the vision for the future revolves around Rollins being front and center. Rollins said it’s not a coincidence because he’s the best man for the job. Zayn said it’s hypocritical. Zayn compared the new group to The Bloodline. Zayn said the Wiseman was on one side of Zayn, and the little dog was on the other. Zayn threatened to get physical with Breakker if he kept looking at him.

Rollins said Zayn is either with them or he will become a target. Rollins said he didn’t want that for Zayn. Rollins said Heyman could pull some strings and move Zayn off of Raw. Rollins said it was an offer and a favor, which he encouraged Zayn to think about. Rollins said they would need an answer by the end of the night…

Powell’s POV: Rollins giving Zayn until the end of the night is a nice hook to keep viewers watching. This segment could be a swerve, but Zayn hit pretty hard with his words, and they haven’t established who the mark would be. Do Breakker and MJF go to the same mall spray tan store?

Highlights aired from last week of Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer with interference from Roxanne Perez and Giulia, and Rhea Ripley making the save…

Rhea Ripley made her entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. Cole hyped Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez for after the commercial break… [C]

1. Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez. Cole said Ripley won the only previous meeting between the two. Perez targeted the left knee of Ripley and slammed it against the ring post twice. Ripley caught Perez going for a crossbody block and countered into a suplex. Ripley dropkicked Perez, who rolled to the floor. [C]

Ripley hit a Razor’s Edge and then drilled Perez with a running knee strike. Ripley covered Perez for a two count. Cole said Ripley could not plant her bad leg, so she didn’t have full force on the knee strike. A replay verified what Cole described.

Giulia walked to ringside without entrance music. Perez caught Ripley in an inside cradle for a two count. Perez did a cartwheel into a knee strike and covered Ripley for a near fall. Ripley dropped Perez with a kick and then jawed at Giulia. Ripley grabbed Giulia. Perez tried to roll up Ripley, who rolled through. Ripley set up for her finisher, but Giulia ran in and attacked her to end the match.

Rhea Ripley defeated Roxanne Perez by DQ in 11:50.

After the match, Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky ran out and helped Ripley. Sky went up for a springboard move on Perez, but Giulia tripped up Sky, who tumbled into the ring. The heels worked over Sky with punches and then raced out of the ring once Ripley returned…

Powell’s POV: A solid match with a logical cheap finish in that they want to establish Perez and Giulia, but there’s no reason to have Ripley take a singles loss. I assume this sets up a tag team match.

Finn Balor arrived in the Judgment Day clubhouse where JD McDonagh was hanging out with Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez. Balor pulled McDonagh aside and expressed disappointment that he wasn’t told McDonagh was returning. McDonagh said he was cleared sooner than he thought he would be.

Morgan asked if everything was okay. McDonagh informed Balor that Morgan thought they should go after the World Tag Team Titles. McDonagh said he thought it was a great idea, so he got Nick Aldis to get a match with the War Raiders. Morgan said it must have slipped her mind, which is why she didn’t tell Balor.

Morgan assumed Balor would be happy since he’s not a champion. Balor asked McDonagh and Morgan to keep him in the loop and then headed off to get ready for their match. Carlito put his arms around Morgan and McDonagh and said that everyone in the group should be a champion…

Logan Paul was shown walking backstage… [C] A graphic boasted that 124,693 fans attended WrestleMania 41, and they came from all 50 states and 68 different countries…

Logan Paul stood in the ring and delivered a promo. He boasted about winning his match at WrestleMania 41. Paul said the fans are so stupid that they don’t know what a true legend looks like. Paul said a true legend doesn’t look like Jey Uso.

World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso made his entrance via the stage. Jey stopped at the ring steps and then walked over to put his “Yeet” shades on the child with the “Yeet 4 Cancer” sign. Awesome. Jey bumped fists with the child, who thanked him. Cole said the sign said it all in that the boy beat cancer.

Jey told Paul that he watched Gunther beat his twin brother to a bloody pulp. Jey said it lit a fire inside of him that’s never going out. Jey said the title isn’t given, it’s earned, and it’s his. Jey told Paul that if he wanted it, come take it. Paul told Jey that he sounded stupid for saying yeet. Paul said he’s done more in four years than Jey has done in 15.

Paul said he’s going to take the World Heavyweight Championship from Jey. Paul said Jey would do what he does best by crash out, screw up, and lose the title in less time than he held the Intercontinental Championship. “So, Jey, enjoy it while you…” Jey dropped Paul with a superkick. Jey left the ring and stopped to hug the cancer survivor, and then headed backstage…

Powell’s POV: I really like the idea of going with Paul as Jey’s first challenger. One of the perks of Jey being champion is that he feels vulnerable, meaning fans will buy into the possibility of him losing the title.

“The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar were shown walking backstage, and then a separate shot aired of Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, and Carlito while Cole hyped the upcoming tag team match… [C] The War Raiders made their exit while their opponents were already inside the ring…

2. “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh (w/Carlito). World Tag Team Champions “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods sat in on commentary. Ivar went for his running crossbody block on McDonagh at ringside, but Carlito pulled Balor’s hand while Balor pulled McDonagh out of the way, causing Ivar to crash into the side of the ring. [C]

[Hour Two] Ivar took a hot tag and worked over Balor coming out of the break. Ivar went for a top rope moonsault, but Balor rolled out of the way. McDonagh tagged in and hit Ivar with a top rope moonsault and had him pinned, but Erik broke it up.

Ivar came back with a handspring into the ropes and a double elbow strike on both opponents. The War Raiders picked up both opponents at ringside and rammed them into one another. Ivar tossed Balor at New Day and then splashed them all.

In the ring, Erik knocked Carlito off the apron. McDonagh rolled up Erik for a two count. McDonagh hit a jawbreaker. McDonagh went up top while Carlito distracted the referee. Penta came out and pushed McDonagh off the top rope. The War Raiders hit the War Machine finisher, and then Ivar pinned McDonagh.

“The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar defeated Finn Balor and JD McDonagh in 10:35.

After the match, Penta stood on the broadcast table and played to the fans while New Day backed up the entrance aisle…

Powell’s POV: A bounce-back win for the War Raiders. This seemed like the obvious outcome because it sets up a rematch for the tag team titles rather than an awkward heel vs. heel tag team title match.

Sami Zayn was seated in a locker room with Otis. Paul Heyman sat down next to Zayn and asked Otis for a word with Zayn. After Otis left the room. Heyman pointed out that he and Zayn are OG Bloodline. Heyman said he respected when Zayn had to leave the Bloodline, and maybe someday Zayn will respect why he did what he had to do.

Heyman said Rollins views himself as the future of the industry, and Breakker sees himself as the dog at the gate. Heyman said Breakker is demanding a match against Zayn. Heyman said they can’t say no to that because Breakker is the key to their plans.

Heyman said Rollins holds Zayn in such high regard that he is willing to give Zayn a pass. Heyman said he spoke with Nick Aldis, and if Zayn goes to Smackdown starting Friday, he will face the winner of the John Cena and Randy Orton match for the WWE Championship. Heyman told Zayn he could live in the future or die with the past. Heyman exited the room and smiled when he crossed paths with Bron Breakker, who was listening to the conversation while standing in the doorway…

A shot aired of Becky Lynch walking backstage… [C] Jeff Passan of ESPN was shown in the crowd, as was NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, who is in the Netflix documentary series Full Speed…

Becky Lynch made her entrance to her usual entrance music. Lynch said The Man was back in business. She said Bayley was taken out of her WrestleMania match. Lynch said she examined the footage and found the culprit. “It was me, I did it,” Lynch said. She told the crowd not to act like she was the bad guy.

Lynch said Bayley has attacked her nonstop since 2019. Lynch said Bayley never apologized to her once. Lynch said Bayley wants everyone to like her while she wears everyone else’s shirts and dances to everyone else’s music. Lynch said Bayley wonders why she’s not a bigger star, and she got to see what a big star looks like when Lynch came down the ramp at WrestleMania.

Lynch turned her attention to Lyra Valkyria. Lynch said Valkyria wouldn’t be in the business if it wasn’t for her. Lynch said she had high hopes for her, but then she cozied up to the woman Lynch has been fighting for six years. Lynch said she tried to save Valkyria by getting her to “ditch that bitch.” Lynch said Valkyria was already compromised and a loser.

Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria made her entrance and spoke from the stage. Valkyria asked Lynch if she knew how many women in the locker room warned her about her. Valkyria said Bayley was one of the first. She said she didn’t buy it because of the hope she had for Lynch.

Valkyria entered the ring while saying the illusion was dead and she would make her pay. Lynch exited the ring. Valkryia reminded Lynch of the last time they met in the ring, and Valkyria beat her for the NXT Women’s Championship. Lynch said The Man only fights when it matters now, and it doesn’t matter in Kansas City.

Valkyria said they could have the match at Backlash. Valkyria assumed Lynch would only take the match if she put her title on the line. Valkyria said she would, and then Lynch agreed to the match. Valkyria said she doesn’t want to be the next Becky Lynch. She said she is a better person than Lynch and is already a better wrestler than Lynch.

Lynch threw a fit and yelled at Valkyria from the floor until Valkyria kicked her through the ropes. Valkyria got Lynch in the ring and threw some punches at her. Lynch exited the ring and hopped the barricade while Valkyria stood on the barricade and jawed at her. McAfee said Valkyria “is no longer little sister.” Valkyria went to the stage and posed. Lynch came out and hit Valkyria from behind…

Powell’s POV: Valkyria came off well by challenging Lynch to the match and not backing down from her. Lynch was good in her heel role. I’m curious to see if Bayley responds to what Lynch said about her or if they just move on.

Backstage, Nick Aldis informed Penta that he booked him in a match against JD McDonagh for next week. After Aldis left, Chad Gable showed up with Ivy Nile and mocked Penta for losing at WrestleMania. Gable said his favorite part of WrestleMania was when Penta’s “useless brother” Rey Fenix lost to El Grande Americano. Penta dropped Gable with a kick and then yelled at him…

NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was shown walking backstage… [C]

Powell’s POV: Valkyria came off well by challenging Lynch to the match and not backing down from her. Lynch was good in her heel role. I’m curious to see if Bayley responds to what Lynch said about her or if they just move on.

Cole plugged the company’s involvement with Make-A-Wish…

A Rusev video package aired. He said he had it all with gold, fame, and a tank at WrestleMania. Rusev said he lost himself, and he fell into the abyss on his way home to Bulgaria. He said it was in the abyss that he healed, redeemed, and fixed himself. Rusev said he will no longer fight for a woman that isn’t his or a flag that never was. He said he had an epiphany that he is free to crush people, not because he was told to, but because he wants to.

Rusev said he will use his hands and jacked body for good. He said he will hunt the flawed, the arrogant, and those who waste their talents like he did. He said that through pain, he will perfect them all for good. He said their lack of suffering ends now. He said he will hunt you, forgive you, and fix you like he fixed himself. He warned that people should choose their next step wisely because it will be no hardship, and ending you will be no loss for a righteous man…

Powell’s POV: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see the return of tank Rusev at WrestleMania, but this was compelling. Rusev could be a babyface if he truly fights for good, but he could just as easily be a heel if he has a warped sense of who needs to be fixed.

Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance while her opponent was already inside the ring…

3. NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs. Ivy Nile (w/Chad Gable) in a non-title match. Vaquer picked up a couple of early two counts. Vaquer suplexed Nile and then looked to the crowd before putting her in a head-scissors with the intent of spiking her head off the mat. Nile slipped out of the hold. Vaquer regrouped and put her back in the hold and then slammed her head on the mat several times. [C]

Vaquer hit a meteora and then covered Nile, but Gable put Nile’s foot over the ropes. Vaquer went to ringside to confront Gable, but Nile followed and then German suplexed her on the floor. Back in the ring, Nile went up top, but Vaquer cut her off. Vaquer headbutted Nile several times and then suplexed her and covered her for another two count. A “this is awesome” match broke out.

Nile performed a twisting slam and got a near fall. Nile went for a kick in the corner that Vaquer avoided. Vaquer used a dragon screw leg whip to pull Nile from the ropes. Vaquer followed up with the SVB and scored the pin…

NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated Ivy Nile in 9:35 in a non-title match.

Powell’s POV: Vaquer has made a good impression on the main roster. Meanwhile, this was one of Nile’s better televised matches.

Backstage, Nick Aldis told AJ Styles that he had a long list of potential opponents for him if he was looking to bounce back from WrestleMania. Liv Morgan interrupted and entered the room with Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio. Morgan asked for time off because she’d be filming a movie. Aldis said he was aware and the paperwork looked good.

Dom said he also wanted time off, adding that it’s merely because he’s a champion and can do what he wants. Aldis told him that he should have listened to his old man more because the work doubles once you become a champion. Aldis denied the request and said he was in the middle of a conversation. Dom asked if he was talking to Styles about a retirement home. After the heels left, Styles told Aldis he just got an idea about the opportunity that Aldis mentioned…

Backstage, Karrion Kross approached Sami Zayn. Kross said Zayn had a big decision to make, and hopes he makes the right one… [C]

Cole and McAfee spoke at their desk. Cole said he felt bad about dragging McAfee into the situation with Gunther. Cole said he’s earned the right to share his opinions, and then set up footage of last week’s angle involving Gunther. McAfee said it was time for him to address the situation.

McAfee stood on the broadcast table and spoke to the live crowd. He said Kansas City is glorious and is the right place for him to deliver his message. McAfee said a lot of people have forgotten who he is, and even he has forgotten who he is. McAfee said he was born to a truck driver in Pittsburgh who lived paycheck to paycheck.

McAfee said he’s blessed to have great friends and to go from being a bum to being known in every city in the country. McAfee said when he dies, he hopes they say he was an incredibly hard worker who worked his ass off for his friends, his family, and his community. He said he hopes they say he was empathetic for giving millions to hospitals, military foundations, homeless shelters, and LGBTQ communities.

McAfee said that when he’s gone, people will say that he was a loyal motherf—er (he was censored). The fans chanted McAfee’s name. McAfee said you’re either with him or against him. He said Cole has been with him since the day they met. The fans chanted for Cole.

McAfee said he’ll be loyal to Cole until he’s in the soil. He said that when “that Austrian asshole” put his hands on Cole, he had no choice but to protect his boy. McAfee said he was attacked from behind and choked out. McAfee said people told him not to try Gunther, who is in his prime. McAfee said if he dies, he dies. He said that if Gunther has a problem with Cole, then he has a problem with him. McAfee called for Adam Peace to come out.

Nick Aldis walked onto the stage and said he’s in charge for the night, and he does things differently than Pearce. Aldis asked him to keep it professional. McAfee said he knows Aldis is a middleman like Pearce. He told Aldis that he wants to fight Gunther as soon as possible. Aldis said he assumed that McAfee would make this request, so he spoke about it with Pearce.

Aldis said he would not lift the suspension so that McAfee could get his hands on Gunther. Aldis said the way to make that happen would be for McAfee to agree to face Gunther in a sanctioned match at Backlash. McAfee agreed to the match and sat down next to Cole, who said he hopes that McAfee knows what he’s doing…

Powell’s POV: McAfee showed good fire and had the live crowd with him. I liked the angle, and I liked this segment, but it feels like they are rushing into Gunther vs. McAfee.

A video package aired on John Cena and Randy Orton’s history, and then Cole hyped their WWE Championship match at Backlash…

Sami Zayn was backstage when Jey Uso joined him. Jey said he knew Sami had a big decision to make. Jey said that whatever decision Sami chooses to make, it should be best for Zayn. Jey told Sami that he loves him and they shared a hug. Jey watched Sami walk away. Out of nowhere, Logan Paul dropped Jey with a punch. Paul called it karma… [C]

[Hour Three] A shot aired of MetLife Stadium while Cole hyped SummerSlam priority passes…

Penta vs. JD McDonagh was officially announced for next week’s Raw in Omaha…

Seth Rollins stood in the ring and called out Sami Zayn so they could “talk this out.” Zayn walked out to his entrance theme and joined Rollins in the ring. Rollins said Zayn was putting him in a tough spot. He said they go way back, and he doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to Zayn. Rollins said he gets that Zayn doesn’t like Breakker or Heyman. “But this is me,” Rollins said.

Rollins said he knows Zayn doesn’t agree with it, but him, Heyman, and Breakker are the best vision for the future of WWE. Rollins said he wished he had someone better, but there’s no one better to lead them into the future. Rollins said that Zayn not believing in him hurts. He said the business tears friendships apart.

Rollins said Zayn is one of the true friends that he’s made in the business. He said Zayn was one of the first people he called after his daughter was born. Rollins said Zayn was a new father, and he’s forever grateful for the advice that Zayn gave him.

Rollins asked Zayn to let him return the favor by offering advice that could save his life. Rollins encouraged Zayn to take whatever Heyman had lined up for him on Smackdown. Rollins said that if Zayn stays and doesn’t believe in him, then bad things will happen. Rollins begged Zayn to take the out.

Zayn said that Rollins knows him and is dangling the WWE Championship in front of him because he knows how badly he wants to win it. Zayn asked Rollins if he’s ever known him to run away. Zayn said Rollins was threatening him. Zayn said he’s been a target thousands of times before, but he can’t live with being blackmailed.

“I will not be threatened,” Zayn said. “I will win a WWE championship. I will become a world champion. And when I do, it will not be because of any favors for anyone.” Zayn said it will be because he does it the right way. Zayn said he loves and respects Rollins. “But this is me telling you to go to hell,” closed Zayn.

Bron Breakker’s entrance theme played. Breakker walked out dressed in his ring gear with Paul Heyman at his side. Rollins looked somber. [C]

4. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins) vs. Sami Zayn. Zayn worked the match while dressed in pants and shoes rather than his usual ring gear. Cole said he understood why Breakker joined Heyman, and played up what Heyman did for Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, and CM Punk (what about Curtis Axel?!?). Both men ended up at ringside. Breakker slammed Zayn’s head on the broadcast table. Breakker returned to the apron and then clotheslined before tumbling over the table. [C]

Zayn performed a sunset bomb from the ropes for a near fall coming out of the break. For some reason, the fans decided this was a good time to bring out the fireflies. Anyway, Zayn went up top and was cut off by Breakker, who cut him off and gave him a Frankensteiner. Breakker lowered the straps on his gear and went for a spear, but Zayn kicked him. Zayn hit an exploder suplex. Zayn went for his Helluva Kick finisher, but Breakker cut him off. Rollins nodded to Breakker, who ran the ropes and then speared Zayn again.

Rollins approached Zayn and told him that it didn’t have to be this way. Rollins said there was still time. Rollins yelled at Zayn to take the deal. “Go to hell,” Zayn told him. Zayn used the ropes to pull himself to his feet, and then Breakker speared him again. Zayn rolled to the floor in front Rollins.

The referee joined Zayn at ringside and checked on Zayn. The referee called for medical help. Apparently, Jamie Noble is a top medical expert because he checked on Zayn’s ribs while two other men stood by. Noble and the other two men helped Zayn to his feet. Breakker went to ringside. Breakker ran around the ring and speared Zayn. Breakker rolled Zayn inside the ring. The referee covered Zayn and called for the bell.

Bron Breakker defeated Sami Zayn via ref stoppage in 12:30.

Breakker barked that it’s not over until he says it’s over. Rollins entered the ring while the fans chanted “one more time” (ugh). Rollins spoke firmly to Breakker in the corner and told him that tonight was his first lesson. Rollins said there are people who earn respect and deserve empathy. Rollins said Zayn made his bed and now he has to sleep in it. Rollins hit a Stomp on Zayn. Rollins stood in front of Zayn and closed his eyes while the fans chanted Rollins’ entrance music, and the executive producer credits were shown…

Powell’s POV: The violent beatdown on WWE’s lovable underdog wasn’t enough to stop a good number of fans from siding with the heels. It would be a good start to ditch Seth’s entrance theme and for Breakker to pull back on barking. Or is Paul Levesque still playing the shades of gray game while claiming that any reaction is a good reaction? I hope that’s not the approach. I hope they turn Heyman loose in terms of letting him do what he can on the mic and creatively to turn the fans against the faction.

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. The fans siding with the heels was rough, but I still enjoyed the Zayn saga. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Unfortunately, the service we use for polls is still experiencing technical issues, so we don’t have our usual post-show poll this week, but hopefully the problem will be resolved soon.