WWE Raw delivered intense confrontations and championship drama at the T-Mobile Center, highlighted by Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker’s brutal assault on Sami Zayn, who refused to be intimidated off the Raw roster. The episode, streamed live on Netflix, featured key matches and storylines that built up to WWE Backlash.
Zayn faced off against Rollins, Breakker, and Paul Heyman in a heated segment. Rollins offered to relocate Zayn from Monday Night Raw to avoid becoming a target, but Zayn rejected the proposal. The defiance led to a match against Breakker, which ended abruptly when Breakker unleashed four Spears, forcing the referee to stop the bout. Rollins then delivered a Stomp, leaving Zayn battered. “After Sami Zayn refused to be bullied off Raw by Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker devastated Zayn by hitting four Spears until the official was forced to call for the bell,” WWE reported.
In women’s division action, Rhea Ripley defeated Roxanne Perez by disqualification when Giulia attacked Ripley, preventing a Riptide. The interference escalated tensions, setting the stage for potential Backlash matchups. Meanwhile, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria clashed with Becky Lynch, who admitted to attacking Valkyria’s ally Bayley before WrestleMania. Their brawl solidified a title match for Backlash, with Lynch explaining her actions as a bid to reclaim her spotlight.
NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated Ivy Nile in a non-title match, showcasing her prowess with an SVB finisher. The victory marked Vaquer’s growing presence on Raw. Elsewhere, Pat McAfee’s verbal jabs at Gunther, following a prior attack, hinted at a possible Backlash showdown with The Ring General.
The night also saw Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, fresh off their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship win the previous week, asserting dominance. Their victory over Lynch and Valkyria on April 21 fueled ongoing rivalries, with Lynch’s betrayal of Valkyria adding layers to the women’s division narrative.
The episode underscored Raw’s shift to Netflix, which began in January 2025, marking a new era for the program. Broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET, the show featured commentary from Michael Cole and McAfee, with Alicia Taylor as ring announcer. The event, part of WWE’s extensive 2025 tour, drew a passionate crowd, amplifying the night’s high-stakes moments.
As storylines intensify, the fallout from Zayn’s defiance, Ripley’s disqualification, and Lynch’s aggression sets up critical matches for Backlash on May 10 in St. Louis. WWE continues to leverage its Raw brand, one of two flagship programs alongside SmackDown, to deliver scripted feuds that captivate global audiences.
