By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,719)
Omaha, Nebraska, at CHI Health Center
Streamed live May 4, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole opened the show on commentary as a shot aired of the host city. Cole, who was joined by Corey Graves on commentary, narrated backstage/arrival shots of Oba Femi, Original El Grande Americano along with masked Creed Brothers, Sol Ruca, and the tuo duo of Penta and Je’Von Evans.
Roman Reigns was shown storming through the back with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce trying to keep him calm. They walked onto the Gorilla Position area. Pearce got Reigns to stop and listen before telling him that Jacob Fatu wasn’t there.
Seth Rollins showed up. Rollins told Reigns that he was in his way. Rollins made his entrance.
Bron Breakker ran out and attacked Rollins from behind. Breakker pressed Rollins over his head and dropped him on the ringside barricade. Pearce came out with producers, referees, and security guards. Breakker roughed up the security guards.
Rollins got in the ring while Pearce and the others got Breakker to move to the entrance aisle. Breakker ran past them, got in the ring, and speared Rollins. The fans chanted “one more time” as Breakker exited the ring and went to the back…
The broadcast team spoke at their desk about how Rollins alienated a lot of people in the dressing room and is on his own now. Cole said he interviewed Rollins for a piece that will air on the Backlash countdown special, and Rollins told him that he did it to himself.
They changed the focus and set up footage from last week’s Raw of Finn Balor popping up backstage and warning Roxanne Perez about the other Judgment Day members…
In the Judgment Day Clubhouse, Liv Morgan spoke with Roxanne Perez while Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Raquel Rodriguez stood by. Morgan asked Perez what Balor was doing in the clubhouse last week and why Perez didn’t tell her about it. Perez said she made it clear to Balor to leave and never come back. Morgan made Perez promise that she won’t keep secrets from the Judgment Day family…
Finn Balor made his entrance for the opening match while ring announcer Alicia Taylor introduced him… [C]
Powell’s POV: The quick clip of Roman Reigns backstage made for a good hook for the contract signing segment. Bron Breakker got more heat on Rollins. The friction between Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez is building. On a side note, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 9,374, with 8,865 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 7,560. WWE distributed 11,606 tickets the last time they ran the venue with a Raw show on May 5, 2025.
1. Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio). McDonagh’s entrance was not televised. Balor clotheslined McDonagh over the top rope. Balor ran the ropes, but Dom grabbed his foot. McDonagh returned and knocked a distracted Balor out of the ring to the floor.
Roxanne Perez walked out and stood at ringside. [C] Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez came out. Cole wondered if Morgan was there to support McDonagh or to keep an eye on Perez. Balor put McDonagh down with a sling blade clothesline. Dom climbed on the apron and distracted Balor, who hit him and sent him to the floor. McDonagh hit a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall.
Balor came back with some kicks and set up for his Coup de Grace finisher, but Dom shook the ropes. The referee ejected Dom. McDonagh went for a top rope moonsault, but Balor put his knees up and covered him for a two count.
Balor followed up with a sling blade clothesline. Balor backed into a corner for a shotgun dropkick, but Morgan climbed on the ropes and distracted the referee. Morgan tossed the ring bell to Perez, who hit Balor with it. McDonagh headbutted Balor before pinning him…
JD McDonagh defeated Finn Balor in 11:45.
Powell’s POV: It was good to see McDonagh get the win back so that he can continue to feud with Balor. The story of Morgan and Perez is off to a strong start. I assume this eventually leads to a babyface turn for Perez.
The broadcast team hyped the Hulk Hogan documentary and then a clip aired…
Jackie Redmond, who survived an NHL Game 7 on Sunday, caught up with Seth Rollins in a backstage area and asked if he would be okay. Rollins said he would be fine for Backlash. He implied that Breakker should have finished the job, and added that he’s not dead yet…
Cole hyped the Backlash lineup for Saturday, which includes a two-hour pre-show, with the second hour being simulcast on ESPN2, which will also simulcast the first hour of the Backlash event…
A video package recapped last week’s angle involving Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu. Cole hyped the contract signing for Backlash. Cole and Graves spoke about the
Inside the Vision’s dressing room, Logan Paul paced while Bron Breakker entertained Austin Theory by holding his nose while mocking Seth Rollins for sounding like a duck.
Paul Heyman entered the room and asked Breakker if Rollins was still breathing. Breakker said he was. Logan cut in and said Joe Hendry would not be breathing if Heyman let him get his hands on him. Heyman said that’s why Theory would face Hendry instead. Heyman explained that Breakker was nearly suspended for attacking Rollins earlier…
Intercontinental Champion Penta made his entrance… [C] Je’Von Evans was in the ring, and Rusev was waiting in the entrance aisle coming out of the break. Ethan Page’s entrance was televised…
2. Intercontinental Champion Penta and Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page and Rusev. Evans used a huracanrana to send Rusev to the floor. Perez dove over the ropes onto Rusev. Penta hit Page with a Penta Driver. [C]
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