I’d be lying if I were to say that up until this edition of “Raw,” I hadn’t gotten a little bit tired of the segments between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu that have mostly been brawls. It made the storyline between the two men feel a little bit stale for me, especially because I didn’t really expect it to extend beyond WWE Backlash, but my interest was certainly renewed after their opening segment.
To start with, I actually really liked that this was the first thing that happened on this show. Reigns and Fatu’s segments have been pushed towards the end of the last couple editions of “Raw,” so right off the bat, this already did something a little different with its placement on the card.
Fatu may not have ultimately been the man to come out on top during this brawl, but that doesn’t mean he came off looking weak by any means at all. WWE actually played things really smart here by having Reigns and The Usos need to tangle up Fatu in the ropes and land two Superman Punches and two double superkicks just to subdue him. It kept Fatu strong while still allowing Reigns and The Usos to come out on top, which they desperately needed considering that Fatu has gotten the better of Reigns on three occasions as of writing.
With all being said and done, this was the refresh and renewed interest that this storyline needed in my eyes, and was a nice way to set the tone for the rest of the show.
Oba Femi’s open challenge on “WWE Raw” didn’t get underway on Monday, as “The Ruler” was attacked by a returning Brock Lesnar before anyone could answer. Femi defeated Lesnar in the opening match of night two of WWE WrestleMania 42, and after the match, Lesnar left his boots and gloves in the ring, as if he were retiring.
As Femi was making his entrance, right before he hit his signature pose in the ring where only his silhouette is outlined for the camera for those watching at home, Lesnar attacked. He hit Femi with multiple F5s, leaving him laying in the ring before mouthing off to him while walking back up the ramp.
WWE had gone as far as to move Lesnar to the alumni section of its website, but reports were never official as to whether or not the “Beast Incarnate” was officially retired, as he was still listed as active internally. Before WrestleMania, there were rumors that Lesnar could retire at WWE SummerSlam this year, as the “Biggest Party of the Summer” will be held in Lesnar’s adopted home state of Minnesota.
In a backstage segment, Paul Heyman told “Raw” General Manager Adam Pearce that Lesnar is “retired.” He handed Pearce a paper, which he said was a contract for Clash in Italy with Lesnar’s name on it. Heyman told Pearce if he gets Femi to sign it, he’ll have the “biggest rematch in history.”
Brie Bella and Paige retained the Women’s Tag Team Championship over the Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez during “WWE Raw.”
Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan accompanied the challengers on Monday and was heavily involved in the match, directly playing into the finish as she was ejected. That ejection provided a distraction for Rodriguez to slide a Tag title belt to Perez in the ring, who then attempted to use it on Bella only to get caught in a tight roll-up for the three-count.
The champions didn’t have long to celebrate their victory, however, Morgan returning to ringside to blindside the both of them and continue the beat down alongside Perez and Rodriguez. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ran down the ramp to make the save and run off the beaten challengers.
The champions’ next title defense was established ahead of the title bout on Monday, with Bella and Paige set to face former champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23. Bella and Paige captured the titles from the Irresistible Forces in a four-way match also involving Bayley, Valkyria, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania 42, and have since beaten them in their first defense on “WWE SmackDown” on May 1.
Brock Lesnar shocked the WWE Universe with an unexpected return during the May 18 edition of Monday Night Raw in Greensboro, North Carolina, launching a brutal assault on Oba Femi just weeks after seemingly walking away from professional wrestling at WrestleMania 42.
If you reference any quotes from this piece, please attribute them to the original source, and kindly credit WrestlingNewsSource.com (h/t) for the transcription.
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WWE RAW Results – May 18, 2026 – Welcome to WrestlingAttitude’s coverage of WWE RAW on May 18, from the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
A vehicle pulled up to the building and Roman Reigns stepped out — on time for the second week in a row. He was handed his title belt, and Adam Pearce immediately approached him.
Pearce told Roman that if he had listened, they wouldn’t be in this situation, because Jacob Fatu would have already been fired.
Roman asked Pearce if he wanted him to say Pearce was right.
Roman said he needed a few minutes, because he was calling Jacob out right now.
Pearce insisted Jacob should be fired.
In the Arena
Jacob Fatu’s music hit — and both Roman and Pearce looked stunned.
Fatu walked out and said Roman wanted to call him out… so he was telling Roman to bring out his punk ass.
Roman did not bring out his punk ass. Instead, he sent Jimmy and Jey Uso with a chair.
Jimmy wanted to talk first while Jey wanted to swing the chair.
Jimmy asked Fatu what was going on. He reminded him that he said he’d do whatever it took for the family — and part of that was acknowledging Roman. He said Fatu lost at Backlash, so he was supposed to acknowledge him. And you don’t put your hands on management. They want to fire him — “Are we back in prison?”
Jey tried to sneak around Jimmy, but Fatu punched him. Fatu then grabbed Jimmy in the Tongan Death Grip. Jey hit Fatu in the back with the chair — and immediately regretted it. Fatu put Jey in the Tongan Death Grip too.
Roman’s music hit.
Fatu held out his fingers, ready to clamp on the Tongan Death Grip — and Roman threw the first punch.
They traded shots, Roman kicked Fatu, and he loaded up for a Superman Punch… but Fatu caught him mid‑air in the Tongan Death Grip. Roman started to fade until Jey blasted Fatu with a superkick — then hit a second one — and followed with a spear to finally break the hold. Jimmy flew in with a frog splash. Together, the Usos hit a 1D on Fatu.
Jimmy and Jey tied Fatu in the ropes, leaving him defenseless. Roman smashed him with a Superman Punch. The Usos followed with a double superkick. Roman hit another Superman Punch. Another double superkick from Jimmy and Jey. They freed Fatu from the ropes just long enough for Roman to charge in and hit a spear to finish the assault.
Roman, Jimmy, and Jey headed up the aisle, and Adam Pearce was standing there waiting for them.
Roman told Pearce he can do whatever he wants.
Pearce said Fatu’s name — and from inside the ring, Jacob Fatu grabbed a mic and told Roman “Tribal Combat“.
Pearce tried to say something to Roman, but Roman shut him down with a hand in his face, stopping him mid‑sentence.
Roman looked back toward the ring and told Fatu he accepts.
Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh — Final Words Before the Fight
Finn said that when he needed someone to have his back, it was supposed to be JD. This was the moment of truth.
JD said people kept asking how he could do that to Finn — but Finn had changed so much. JD said he was done living in Finn’s shadow.
Finn told him he brought JD into all of this… and now he was going to take him out.
Finn Bálor vs. JD McDonagh — Street Fight
Finn took JD down immediately and hammered him with punches. He clotheslined JD over the top rope to the floor. Finn whipped JD into the barricade, then into the ring steps. He pulled kendo sticks from under the ring and tossed them inside, then added chairs to the mix before smashing JD with one.
JD recovered and cracked Finn repeatedly with a kendo stick. He wedged a chair into the turnbuckles. Finn struck back with the kendo stick, swung again and missed, and JD hit a White Russian leg sweep.
JD stood over Finn in the corner, but Finn dropped him face‑first into the turnbuckles, then sent him crashing into the chair JD had set up. Finn went under the ring again — the crowd roared — and he pulled out a table.
JD cut him off with a suicide dive.
JD dragged Finn into the timekeeper’s area and smashed him with the microphone. They brawled into the crowd, where Finn whipped JD into a storage case.
JD rammed Finn into the case, then slammed Finn’s head against it. He snapped Finn over with a snap mare, looked around, climbed on top of the cases, and hit a moonsault onto Finn.
Finn blasted JD with repeated kendo‑stick shots, then slid the table into the ring. JD wrapped the camera cable around Finn’s ankle and yanked him to the apron. JD set up the table in the corner while Finn struggled back inside. Finn fired punches and hit a GTR. He grabbed a chair and drove it into JD’s ribs and back, then cracked him again before pausing. Finn tried for 1916 onto the chair, but JD countered with a uranage and followed with a moonsault onto the chair for a count of two.
JD drove knees into Finn’s head. Finn stopped short of the table on an Irish whip, hit Sling Blade, and then dropkicked JD straight through the table. Finn dragged JD to the center for Coup de Grâce, but JD rolled away. JD hit a flying knee and a powerbomb for a close call. He went up top, hit another moonsault, and scored another two count.
JD went to the floor, pulled out a second table, and set it up properly in the ring. He put Finn on it and hammered him to keep him down. JD climbed up, but Finn crotched him. Finn placed JD on the table and hit him with punches.
Finn climbed the ropes — and Dom Mysterio grabbed his leg. JD recovered and hit a superplex through the table. He crawled into the cover but took too long, and Finn kicked out.
Dom searched under the ring, pulled out trash cans, and tossed a few into the ring. Dom handed JD a can, then hit Finn with one. JD smashed Finn in the back, sending him into the ropes. Dom lined up for a 619 — but Finn pulled JD into the path, and Dom wiped out JD instead. Finn knocked Dom to the floor with a trash‑can shot.
Finn put the trash can over JD, hit the running dropkick, then climbed up and delivered Coup de Grâce for the three count.
Winner: Finn Bálor
– We then looked back at the six‑man tag involving The Street Profits and Joe Hendry against The Vision, including Seth Rollins’ failed attempt to interfere.
Cathy Kelley Interviews Seth Rollins
Cathy is with Seth Rollins. She brings up what went down last week and asks if he should keep pushing forward when it keeps stirring up friction around him.
Seth says he’s figured out a few things. He’s a target. He has nobody backing him. And sooner rather than later, he has to shut down the Vision for good. He says he’s been stuck trying to figure out the smartest way to do it, but the simplest answer is to run straight through them. He mentions he hasn’t wrestled on Raw in close to nine months and that tonight is the night that changes.
He says he’s closing the show and he’s opening the door to any member of the Vision who wants to step in. He’ll take on whoever shows up. But he makes it clear there’s one guy he’d especially like to drag out — the one who talks like he’s ready but isn’t anywhere close. The one who insists he can beat Seth on his own but never does. Bron Breakker, what are you? A legacy kid who can’t keep up. An athlete drifting toward wasted potential. Or the man you claim to be. Show him who you are.
Byron Saxton Interviews Sol Ruca
Byron is with Sol Ruca. He asks her about her matches against Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky and how she feels about her performances.
Sol says she’s fired up to mix it up with some of the top women in the division. She hasn’t picked up a win yet, but she’s already made a big impression in the short time she’s been wrestling.
Becky Lynch shows up and says she hasn’t gotten any notice. She tells Sol she hasn’t faced the best until she’s faced her. Becky says Sol might have bitten off more than she can chew and tells her to go back to NXT.
Sol says she’ll go.
Becky says this generation gives up too easily. Sol’s music suddenly hits as she heads to the ring, leaving Becky and Byron confused.
Sol Ruca Calls Out Becky Lynch
We are now in the ring, where Sol says she is going to cut to the chase and say it in front of everyone. Sol tells Becky that if she is the man she claims to be, she can come out and face her.
Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring.
Becky wants to know what kind of stunt Sol is trying to pull.
Sol says Becky thinks she should go back to NXT. Sol says she has worked too hard to be dismissed like that, and she has made a career out of proving people wrong. Sol says they can find out right now if Becky is right or wrong. They can do it here, tonight.
Becky asks Sol if she really wants to face her. Becky repeats herself over and over.
Becky says no. She says she would love nothing more than to perform for the people because they could use some excitement in their lives. She says she does not pride herself on being the greatest. She prides herself on being a locker room leader and a mentor to the younger generation. Many have stepped up thinking they were ready for the spotlight. She mentions Lyra, Maxxine, and AJ. She tells Sol she is not ready for this. She needs to think about it and think hard if she believes she belongs in the ring with her. Becky says if Sol thinks she is ready, she will face her at Saturday Night’s Main Event. She says she is not a starmaker, she is a starbreaker.
Sol says she will see Becky on Saturday. She will take Becky’s soul and the title.
Becky says this is not a title match. Sol has done nothing to earn a title match. She has not tricked her like everyone else.
Becky leaves.
Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Paul Heyman Backstage
Logan, Austin, and Paul are talking about Saturday Night’s Main Event when Bron Breakker walks in. Bron tells Paul to make the match for tonight.
Paul says that’s a great idea… but Seth will be facing Austin Theory.
Bron asks for a moment with Paul.
Austin tells Bron he has his back and he’ll make Bron proud.
Bron wants to know what Paul is doing. He says he can beat Seth.
Paul tells him he knows exactly where Seth will be and that Seth’s hands will be full. He tells Bron maybe this is the play he wants to run.
Grande Americano, Rayo Americano, and Bravo Americano vs. OG Grande Americano, Bruto Americano, and Julio Americano — Tornado Match
Julio and Rayo start off in the ring while everyone else spills to the floor. Rayo lands a chop, but Julio fires back with an overhead belly‑to‑belly suplex. Julio catches Rayo and Bruto at the same time, hitting a lungblower on one and a fallaway slam on the other. Bravo cuts in with a drop kick to Julio and throws punches at Bruto. Bruto launches Bravo into the air, but Grande rushes in with an Irish whip, blocks a boot, and chops Bruto.
OG Americano goes for an ankle lock, but Rayo and Bravo swarm him to break it up. OG Americano sends both Rayo and Bravo to the floor, but they yank him into the ring post in a very uncomfortable position. Bravo walks across a few backs to hit a rana on Bruto. Rayo and Bravo follow with dives to the floor. Julio answers with a dive off the turnbuckles. Grande hits a suicide dive. OG Americano caps it off with a moonsault onto everyone.
OG Americano puts Bravo on the turnbuckles for a superplex and hits it for a two count. Grande kicks OG Americano. Rayo sends Julio into the ring steps while Bravo hammers Bruto with punches. Rayo sends Julio back into the ring and Julio goes for a suplex, but Rayo rolls him up. Julio powers out and turns it into a deadlift suplex for a two count. Julio puts Rayo on the turnbuckles for a superplex, but Rayo counters with a sunset flip power bomb for a two count.
Bravo kicks Bruto and chokes him in the ropes. Bravo misses a splash in the ropes. Bruto hits a butterfly gourdbuster for a two count. Grande nails Bruto with a palm strike and poses on the turnbuckles. OG Americano gets Grande on his shoulders, but Rayo and Bravo pull Grande off and punch OG Americano.
OG Americano fires back with a double clothesline to Rayo and Bravo. He hits a reverse Olympic Slam. Bravo jumps on OG Americano’s back and OG Americano German suplexes Rayo at the same time. OG Americano follows with an overhead belly‑to‑belly suplex into the turnbuckles. Julio hits a superplex. Bruto follows with a moonsault and OG Americano adds a diving headbutt for a two count.
Julio goes up top and misses a 450 splash. Bruto gets sent into the ring post by Rayo, and Grande hits a drop kick that sends Bruto to the floor. Todos Los Americanos de mal put in their metal plates. OG Americano fights them off and sends Rayo into Bravo. Rayo and Bravo block a German suplex, and then Julio, Bruto, and OG Americano hit stereo German suplexes. They all go up top and hit moonsaults for two counts.
Bravo is sent to the floor. Grande cuts off Bruto, Bravo hits a super kick on Julio, and Rayo lands a poisonrana. OG Americano is stopped when Grande’s cape gets caught, and Grande sends OG Americano into the timekeeper’s area. Bravo hits a diving headbutt and Grande follows with a running headbutt for the three count.
Winners: Grande Americano, Rayo Americano, and Bravo Americano
Joe Hendry’s In‑Ring Performance
Joe Hendry is in the ring to sing a song. He says he’s been wondering whether Austin has what it takes to beat Bron Breakker, and he wrote a song about it.
– We are told that Tribal Combat will take place at Clash in Italy.
Cathy Kelley with Jimmy & Jey Uso
Cathy is with Jimmy and Jey. She asks them about Tribal Combat.
Jey says it is sacred combat between two families and blood. Jey says he has been in it before and it can get crazy and brutal.
LA Knight shows up and Jimmy tells him not now.
Knight wants to know “or what.” He asks how this is supposed to go. It was the three of them against the Vision because of what the Vision did to them. Knight says they’re no better than the Vision acting like this. He says he’ll do what he has to do and it doesn’t matter if he gets his ass kicked.
They tell Knight not now.
Michael Cole Interviews Ethan Page
Michael Cole is with Ethan Page, and Ethan immediately hands Cole an envelope filled with questions he wants asked. Cole looks at it and asks Ethan if he has any idea how long he’s been doing this.
Cole reads the first question, which just happens to praise Ethan’s looks. He asks if it’s unfair that Penta has to defend the title against someone like him.
Ethan says life isn’t fair. He didn’t choose to be born this handsome or this dangerous in the ring. Some people are meant to be champions, while others — like Penta — have to grind for everything they get.
Ethan tells Cole to move to the next question, but Cole instead asks why Ethan has to act like this. Cole says Ethan has the looks, the charisma, the athletic ability. He has everything it takes, but his ego is what’s going to cost him on Saturday.
Ethan says it isn’t ego, it’s pure confidence. He says he believes he’s the best wrestler in this company and he’ll prove it on Saturday. He says he’ll be the first person to put fear into Penta’s vocabulary and he will walk out as champion.
Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez vs. Paige & Brie Bella — Women’s Tag Team Championship
Paige throws Perez to the mat twice and drives her into the turnbuckles for a choke. Brie tags in and drops a knee on Perez’s arm. Perez hits a kick for a two count. Raquel tags in, misses a clothesline, and Brie kicks the arm again. Brie goes for a cross body but Raquel catches her and hits a shoulder tackle. Raquel “kicks dirt” on Brie and Perez tags in to kick her too. Perez slaps Brie and mocks her husband, and Brie slaps her back before hitting an arm‑bar flatliner and a kick in the ropes.
Brie kicks Raquel and Paige tags in to punch Perez. Brie and Paige throw kicks, but Raquel clotheslines Brie. Paige knocks Raquel to the floor, hits a back elbow on Perez, and goes for a cannonball, but Raquel catches her and swings her into the barricade.
Perez sends Paige into the ringside barrier and follows with kicks before Raquel tags in. Raquel hits lawnmower elbows in the corner and chokes Paige in the ropes. Perez tags back in and kicks Paige in the ribs, then hits an elbow to the back of the head. Perez chokes Paige in the ropes and Liv sneaks in a punch while the referee is turned. Perez gets a two count and applies a rear chin lock. Paige fights with punches, but Perez takes her down again. Raquel tags in and hits a shot to the midsection, then a slam. Raquel hits a corner splash and Perez tags in, going for a side Russian leg sweep, but Paige escapes. Paige sends Raquel to the floor. Perez tries to stop the tag, but Brie gets in and hits flying clotheslines.
Brie drop kicks Raquel off the apron, hits a neck breaker on Perez, then sends Perez into Raquel and hits a neck breaker on Raquel that turns into a DDT on Perez. Brie gets a two count. She kicks Perez in the corner, then goes up top and hits a missile drop kick. Liv gets on the apron and Raquel clotheslines Brie. Perez climbs the turnbuckles but Paige stops her. Paige and Brie hit a double power bomb. Paige is knocked to the floor. Perez sends Brie into the ropes and hits a running uppercut to the back. Perez goes for a double‑jump moonsault but Brie gets her knees up. Brie climbs up top, but Liv pushes her off the turnbuckles and into the ropes.
The referee clearly sees Liv did something and gives a full Hebner wind‑up. Perez tries to hit Brie with a title belt passed to her by Raquel, but Brie ducks and rolls her up for the three count.
Winners: Brie Bella and Paige
After the match, Liv attacks Brie and Paige from behind.
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley run to the ring. Lyra cuts off Perez and Raquel. Liv goes for obLIVion on Bayley, but Bayley blocks it and hits a belly‑to‑belly suplex. Lyra follows with a drop kick through the ropes.
Seth Rollins and LA Knight Backstage
Seth Rollins is outside when LA Knight walks up to him. Seth asks him if they want to go now.
Knight says he already knows what’s going to happen, and it’s because Seth caused it. He tells Seth he might win his match, but he’s getting stomped out afterward. Knight says he doesn’t like Seth, and the enemy of his enemy isn’t his friend tonight. He says it’s admirable that Seth is going out there, but if Seth is looking for help, he’s not getting it from him.
Los Americanos Address the Crowd
Grande, Rayo, and Bravo come out to talk about their win. Grande says they’ve taken the first step, but in a few weeks everyone will find out who the real and only Grande Americano truly is.
Penta Responds to Ethan Page
Penta says he fights for himself, but this title is for the people. Every war and sacrifice brought him here. He tells Page to get ready for Saturday night.
Oba Femi’s Open Challenge
Oba Femi is in the ring for his open challenge when Brock Lesnar blindsides him during the crab pose. Brock hits Oba with two F5s. He lifts Oba again and delivers another F5. Brock hits one more F5 for good measure.
Brock leaves the ring and walks up the aisle.
Byron Saxton With Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, and Liv Morgan
Byron Saxton talks about what just happened.
Raquel Rodriguez comes out with Roxanne and Liv. She has a few words for Bayley and Lyra.
Roxanne says Lyra and Bayley stuck their nose in their business for the last time. She says luck will only get Brie and Paige so far.
Byron asks about how poorly Judgment Day’s interference went.
Liv takes the mic and says she is still the champion. She says Raquel and Roxanne are hotter and more relevant than Paige and Brie. Liv says Finn may have won, but Judgment Day has family.
Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman Backstage
Adam Pearce says he has the retirement paperwork and he wants to talk to Paul Heyman about it.
Pearce walks into his office and sees Paul already standing there. Paul says he heard Pearce was looking for him.
Pearce tells him he filed the retirement paperwork.
Paul says Brock is retired. Then he hands Pearce a contract for Clash in Italy with Brock’s name already on it. Paul tells him that if Pearce can get Oba’s name on that contract, he’ll have the biggest rematch in history.
The Street Profits and Seth Rollins
Cathy asks the Street Profits about their match on Saturday. Dawkins says the Vision are tough, but they’ll be ready. Ford says they aren’t new to this — they have a vision of their own, and they plan on walking out as tag team champions.
Dawkins mentions Seth’s name and sees him approaching. Ford says he’s not helping Seth, and Dawkins can do whatever he wants. Dawkins tells Seth they don’t have to be friends and he can’t speak for Tez.
Seth says he knows he has no allies and he’s going out there alone. He appreciates what Dawkins is saying and apologizes for what happened last week. Seth says he has to get ready for his match.
–– Here is what’s in store for tonight’s show ––
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella and Paige (c) vs. The Judgment Day (Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez) w/ Liv Morgan
Six‑Man Tornado Tag: El Grande Americano and Los Americanos (Bravo and Rayo Americano) vs. The Original Grande Americano and Los Americanos Hermanos (Brutus and Julius Creed)
Oba Femi Open Challenge continues
Roman Reigns will address Jacob Fatu’s attack from last week’s Raw
WWE RAW Preview – May 18, 2026
Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella return to action tonight. They defend their titles against Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez of Judgment Day. Paige and Brie beat Giulia and Kiana James in a non‑title match on Friday. But last Monday, Perez, Rodriguez, and Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan attacked them during a backstage confrontation. Now the two teams meet with the titles on the line.
The Oba Femi Open Challenge continues tonight. Femi has won fast matches in recent weeks. He beat Otis on May 4, then defeated Los Garza in a 2‑on‑1 Handicap Match last Monday. Anyone in the locker room can step up and try to stop his streak.
Tensions between El Grande Americano and OG El Grande Americano have grown for weeks. They will face each other at AAA Noche De Los Grandes on May 30. Before that, they meet in a Six‑Man Tornado Tag Team Match. Grande teams with Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano. OG Grande teams with Julio and Bruno of Los Americanos Hermanos. Expect chaos when both groups collide.
World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns will also appear tonight. Last Monday ended with Reigns brawling with Jacob Fatu, who left the champion laid out. Reigns arrives in Greensboro with something to say after that attack.
