By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,721)
Greensboro, North Carolina, at the Greensboro Coliseum
Streamed live May 18, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole opened the show on commentary and set up a recap of last week’s show-closing segment with Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu…
An SUV arrived in the back. Roman Reigns emerged from the vehicle. A crew member handed Reigns the World Heavyweight Championship belt. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce met Reigns, who said he was going to call out Jacob Fatu, but they were both surprised when they heard his entrance theme playing.
Jacob Fatu made his entrance, and there were loud “Fatu” chants from the crowd. Corey Graves checked in on color commentary. Fatu heard Reigns say he wanted to call him out. He told Reigns to come out so he could dogwalk his ass.
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso made their entrance and joined Fatu inside the ring. Jey held a chair. Jimmy recalled Fatu talking about how he was willing to do anything to make life better for his wife and kids. Jimmy said part of that was acknowledging Reigns.
Jey wound up with the chair, but Fatu cut him off with a punch. Fatu worked over Jey until Jimmy intervened. Jey slammed the chair over the back of Fatu, who no-sold it. Fatu put Jey in the Tongan Death Grip and held the hold until he heard entrance music.
Roman Reigns made his entrance and was serenaded with “OTC” chants once he entered the ring. Reigns got the better of Fatu initially. Reigns went for a Superman Punch, but Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip. Jey superkicked Fatu twice, but he didn’t release the hold. Jey speared Fatu, and then Jimmy hit Fatu with a top rope splash.
The Usos hit 1D on Fatu. The Usos tied Fatu’s arms in the ropes. Reigns hit Fatu with a Superman Punch, then had the Usos hit him with a double superkick. Reigns followed up with another Superman Punch and then had the Usos fire away with another double superkick. The Usos freed Fatu from the ropes and then whipped him toward Reigns, who speared him. There were loud “OTC” chants.
Adam Pearce walked out as Reigns and the Usos were nearing the stage. Reigns told Pearce he would do whatever he wanted with Fatu. Fatu got a mic and called for Tribal Combat. Pearce tried to tell Reigns now, but Reigns got pissed and accepted the match.
Cole assumed the match would be held at Clash in Italy. He noted that there had been only two Tribal Combat matches. Graves said anything goes and the loser must acknowledge the winner…
Cole narrated backstage/arrival shots of Seth Rollins, Oba Femi, and Judgment Day…
A video package spotlighted the history between Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, and then Balor made his entrance for the opening match before a commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A strong opening segment that made Fatu look like a badass even when he got his ass kicked due to it being a three-on-one situation. Will Fatu find backup, or will he just win the Tribal Combat match and take control of the family?
A graphic noted that Je’Von Evans was born and raised in Greensboro…
1. Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh in a Street Fight. McDonagh’s entrance was not televised. Balor was in offensive control when he pulled a table out from underneath the ring. McDonagh hit Balor with a suicide dive. McDonagh took ring announcer Alicia Taylor’s mic and hit Balor with it.
Balor and McDonagh fought into the crowd and were eventually at the back of the main floor. McDonagh slammed Balor into some production crates. McDonagh climbed to the top of the crates and performed a moonsault off onto Balor. [C]
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