The road to WWE Clash in Italy intensified on Monday night as WWE loaded up an eventful episode of WWE Raw with championship action, escalating rivalries, backstage confrontations and major developments involving The Vision, The Bloodline and the Intercontinental Championship picture.
The show featured a heated exchange between Oba Femi and Paul Heyman over Brock Lesnar’s return, while Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu officially signed the contract for their Tribal Combat showdown. Elsewhere, Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship against Je’Von Evans, Seth Rollins battled Montez Ford, and the Judgment Day continued causing chaos in the women’s division.
Paul Heyman opened the show already standing inside the ring as Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed viewers to Raw. Heyman immediately focused on hyping what he described as a dream match between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar at Clash in Italy.
A pre-taped message from Lesnar then aired, with “The Beast” mockingly congratulating Femi for defeating him at WrestleMania 42. Lesnar warned that things would not end the same way this time around and questioned whether Femi could handle the punishment coming his way. He vowed that even a retired Beast would humble Femi.
Back in the ring, Heyman warned that Femi had awakened something dangerous in Lesnar before the World Heavyweight Champion interrupted. Femi confronted Heyman directly and promised to retire Lesnar for a second time. He signed the contract for Clash in Italy and delivered the line of the segment, warning Lesnar that while he fought to beat him at WrestleMania, this time he was “fighting to kill.”
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans
The first match of the night saw Penta defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Je’Von Evans in a fast-paced and highly athletic encounter.
The two competitors began with a respectful fist bump before immediately showcasing their speed and creativity. Evans countered several of Penta’s early attacks and even mocked Penta’s signature taunt alongside the champion. Evans then flew over the top rope to wipe Penta out on the outside before attempting to maintain control with aerial offence.
Penta eventually regained momentum with a superkick and modified Bronco Buster, but Evans continued finding openings. One dangerous moment saw Penta counter a suicide dive by sending Evans spine-first into the announce desk.
The action escalated late in the match, with both men exchanging major near-falls. Evans landed multiple OG Cutters and even drove Penta onto the ring apron, but the champion refused to stay down. Evans attempted another cutter in the closing stretch, only for Penta to intercept him with a superkick before delivering a devastating Mexican Destroyer to secure the victory.
Winner: Penta
After the match, Penta attempted to show respect by raising Evans’ hand, but Evans pulled away and headed backstage, frustrated following the loss.
Michael Cole informed viewers that Logan Paul had suffered a torn tricep at Saturday Night’s Main Event and would be sidelined for several months.
Backstage, Austin Theory attempted to hand over his World Tag Team Championship belt to Paul Heyman, believing the titles would need to be relinquished. Heyman instead revealed that Bron Breakker would now hold the titles alongside Theory due to a clause allowing The Vision faction to defend the championships collectively.
Heyman encouraged Theory but also made it clear that he expected Theory to take action later that night.
Joe Hendry then appeared in the ring to address Logan Paul’s injury situation in his own unique way. Hendry sarcastically performed a musical apology to Paul, claiming the world felt sorry for his injury while also insisting nobody wanted him back. He even called for Paul to be fired.
Theory interrupted the segment from behind, repeatedly smashing a steel chair across Hendry’s back before officials rushed to the ring to stop the assault.
Backstage, Seth Rollins approached Angelo Dawkins and discussed the growing threat posed by The Vision. Rollins admitted the faction was vulnerable but also more dangerous than ever.
Montez Ford interrupted and questioned Rollins’ motives, accusing him of always bringing chaos wherever he goes. Rollins countered by pointing out that The Street Profits would already be champions again if he had not been around. The tension eventually led Ford to agree to face Rollins later in the evening.
Elsewhere backstage, Je’Von Evans apologised to Penta for his behaviour following their match. Rey Mysterio also appeared to encourage Penta ahead of future title defences.
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez)
The Judgment Day attempted to gain an immediate advantage by blindsiding Bayley and Lyra Valkyria before the opening bell, but the babyfaces quickly fought back.
Raquel Rodriguez used her size advantage throughout the contest, while Roxanne Perez focused heavily on attacking Valkyria’s arm. Liv Morgan also became involved repeatedly from ringside, distracting the referee and helping Judgment Day maintain control.
Bayley and Valkyria eventually rallied back into the match. Valkyria delivered an impressive Blockbuster-Fallaway Slam combination to Perez, but Morgan once again interfered by placing Perez’s foot on the bottom rope. The referee caught Morgan and ejected her from ringside.
The chaotic finish saw Dominik Mysterio accidentally cost his own team the match. Dominik attempted to slide his AAA Mega Championship belt toward Perez, but Bayley grabbed it at the same time. Perez accidentally struck Dominik with the title after Bayley let go, allowing Bayley to capitalise with a quick roll-up victory.
Winners: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
Backstage, Roman Reigns informed Adam Pearce that the contract for his Tribal Combat match against Jacob Fatu needed to include a stipulation forcing Fatu to follow his orders if he lost at Clash in Italy.
LA Knight returned to the ring and thanked military veterans on Memorial Day before turning his attention toward The Bloodline and the upcoming King of the Ring tournament.
Jimmy Uso interrupted and defended, standing beside Roman Reigns. Knight accused Jimmy and Jey Uso of losing themselves while serving Reigns and labelled Jimmy “third fiddle” behind Reigns and Jey.
Jimmy warned Knight about disrespecting the Anoa’i family, while Knight responded that if the family became his business, then so be it. The tense exchange hinted at future issues between Knight and The Bloodline.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio and Adam Pearce shared a brief conversation about being general managers before Ethan Page stormed in, furious over Rey receiving a title opportunity ahead of him. Rusev then entered the scene, leading Pearce to officially announce a Triple Threat Number One Contender’s Match later in the night.
Seth Rollins vs. Montez Ford
Rollins and Ford delivered another high-energy contest filled with athletic counters and hard-hitting offence.
Ford matched Rollins early and even exchanged shoves and strikes with the former world champion. The action spilled outside quickly, with both men landing suicide dives. During the commercial break, Rollins gained control by whipping Ford hard into the barricade and delivering a Curb Stomp off the announce desk.
Back inside the ring, Rollins hit a Pedigree and multiple Buckle Bombs, but Ford refused to stay down. Ford answered with a Frog Splash and looked poised to steal the win with a 450 Splash attempt, only for Rollins to avoid the move and connect with a decisive Curb Stomp.
Winner: Seth Rollins
The post-match chaos continued as Austin Theory attacked Angelo Dawkins with a steel chair near the entranceway while Ford watched helplessly from the ring.
Later backstage, Ford admitted he needed help taking down The Vision and reluctantly aligned himself with Rollins moving forward. Rollins also demanded a match against Bron Breakker from Adam Pearce.
A backstage segment later featured Becky Lynch delivering a direct message to Sol Ruca ahead of their upcoming match.
WWE Intercontinental Title Number One Contender’s Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Rusev
Rusev dominated much of the match physically, throwing Rey around the ring and even launching him shoulder-first into the barricade outside.
Ethan Page joined commentary during the match and watched closely as Rey slowly fought back into contention with his trademark speed and aerial offence. Rey eventually connected with a springboard moonsault and looked to set up the 619.
Rusev repeatedly attempted to lock in The Accolade, but Rey escaped and countered a second attempt with a sudden roll-up to steal the victory.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
After the match, Rusev attacked Rey before Dragon Lee rushed out to make the save. Lee wiped out Ethan Page and helped Rey clear the ring as the babyfaces stood tall.
Backstage, Austin Theory argued with Adam Pearce following his actions earlier in the night. Alpha Academy stood nearby, with Otis criticising Theory, before Maxxine Dupri surprisingly defended him and encouraged Otis to show some understanding.
The show closed with Jacob Fatu making his way to the ring for the contract signing. Adam Pearce was already waiting inside, but Fatu quickly threw the furniture out of the ring toward security guards at ringside, creating immediate tension.
Roman Reigns then arrived, signed the contract, and demanded that security leave the ring. Reigns reminded everyone that Fatu had agreed not to touch him before Clash in Italy.
The two men then exchanged heated words about The Bloodline’s leadership and family legacy. Fatu acknowledged that Reigns helped elevate the family, but insisted Reigns could only take them so far. He accused Reigns of bending the rules to defeat him previously and promised there would be consequences in Tribal Combat.
Reigns responded by saying Fatu could become the leader if he defeated him at Clash in Italy. If not, Reigns vowed Fatu would serve and learn from him. Fatu countered by saying Reigns would have to acknowledge him if he won.
The segment ended with the two men shaking hands and pressing their foreheads together as Raw went off the air with tensions at a boiling point ahead of Clash in Italy.
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