WWE Monday Night Raw 5.19.2025: Positive And Negative Highlights

Mei Lin

5 min read

Post on May 21, 2025

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Positive Highlights of WWE Monday Night Raw 5.19.2025

The Unexpected Return of Stone Cold Steve Austin:

The biggest surprise of the night was undoubtedly the unexpected return of Stone Cold Steve Austin! His appearance sent shockwaves through the arena and ignited social media. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar, chanting "Stone Cold! Stone Cold!" The impact of this surprise return is immeasurable. It immediately injected a much-needed dose of energy and excitement into the show. Austin's presence instantly elevates any segment, and his potential involvement in upcoming storylines promises thrilling matches and captivating rivalries. The potential for a feud with a rising star or a championship match is huge.

• Strong in-ring performance: Despite being past his prime, Austin still showed flashes of his legendary ring prowess.
• Positive fan reception: The crowd reaction was electric, showcasing Austin's enduring popularity.
• Immediate storyline implications: His return immediately created several exciting potential storylines for the coming weeks.

Steel Cage Match Between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes:

The main event Steel Cage Match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes was a brutal and electrifying affair. The match was a technical masterpiece, showcasing the incredible athleticism and storytelling ability of both superstars. The near-falls had the audience on the edge of their seats. The use of the cage itself added a thrilling layer of strategy, with both wrestlers using it to their advantage. This match solidified Rhodes as a credible threat to Reigns' reign and further elevated the stakes of their ongoing rivalry.

• Technical brilliance: The match was filled with high-flying maneuvers, intense power moves, and strategic wrestling.
• Compelling storytelling: The match successfully built upon the existing storyline, adding depth and complexity to the rivalry.
• Crowd engagement: The audience was fully invested from the opening bell to the final pinfall.

Development of Rhea Ripley’s Storyline:

Rhea Ripley continued her dominant run as champion, showcasing her exceptional heel character work. Her segment involved a tense confrontation with her challenger, [Challenger's Name], which brilliantly set the stage for their upcoming title match. Ripley’s arrogance and confidence were expertly displayed, enhancing her character and making her even more villainous in the eyes of the audience. The segment cleverly incorporated several plot twists, increasing the anticipation for their future clash.

• Strong character development: The segment further solidified Ripley's position as a dominant force.
• Intriguing plot twists: The unexpected turn of events added intrigue and unpredictability to the storyline.
• Increased audience investment: The segment effectively heightened the excitement for the upcoming title match.

Negative Highlights of WWE Monday Night Raw 5.19.2025

Underwhelming Segment Involving The Miz and Maryse:

The Miz and Maryse segment felt out of place and lacked the energy and creativity needed to engage the audience. The storyline felt stale, and the jokes fell flat. The segment felt like filler and did little to advance any existing storylines or develop the characters involved. The overuse of predictable tropes led to a disappointing outcome.

• Lackluster performance: The segment was poorly executed and lacked the usual charisma of The Miz and Maryse.
• Weak storytelling: The storyline was weak, offering little substance or advancement.
• Negative fan reaction: The segment was met with indifference and even boos from parts of the audience.

The Disappointing Tag Team Match Between The Usos and The Street Profits:

While the Usos and The Street Profits are usually capable of delivering exciting matches, this encounter fell disappointingly flat. The pacing was slow, and the match lacked the usual high-energy spots we expect from these teams. The storyline was poorly communicated, leaving the audience confused about the purpose of the match. It felt like a missed opportunity to elevate the tag team division.

• Slow pacing: The match dragged on and lacked the necessary urgency to keep the audience engaged.
• Lack of engagement: The match failed to generate excitement or build towards a decisive outcome.
• Unclear storytelling: The narrative was weak and failed to connect with the audience on any meaningful level.

Missing Opportunities and Storyline Gaps:

Several opportunities were missed throughout the night to advance certain storylines. The build-up to several matches felt rushed, and some plot points from previous weeks were inexplicably dropped. The lack of cohesion between different segments created a fragmented viewing experience. More time dedicated to resolving ongoing storylines could have improved the overall quality of the show.

• Missed potential storylines: Several potential rivalries and storylines were left unexplored.
• Unresolved plot points: Several ongoing storylines were left hanging without resolution.
• Lack of cohesion: The different segments felt disconnected, lacking a sense of overall continuity.

Conclusion:

WWE Monday Night Raw 5.19.2025 presented a mixed bag of compelling moments and disappointing segments. While the surprise return of Stone Cold Steve Austin and the excellent Steel Cage match provided highlights, the underwhelming performance of The Miz and Maryse and the disappointing tag team match left much to be desired. Ultimately, the show offered a glimpse into both the potential and the shortcomings of the current WWE programming. To stay updated on all the latest WWE news and analysis, including future reviews of WWE Monday Night Raw, be sure to check back regularly for more in-depth coverage of WWE Monday Night Raw.