WWE Raw Highlights: Gunther Faces Off With Pat McAfee, Rusev Battles Otis, and More!

Welcome to Wrestling Inc.’s live coverage of “WWE Raw” on May 5, 2025, streaming live from the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska!

A few days ahead of their confrontation at WWE Backlash this Saturday, GUNTHER and Pat McAfee will have a showdown in the ring under the watchful eye of Raw’s General Manager, Adam Pearce. This encounter comes after GUNTHER ambushed McAfee during the April 21 episode of Raw, following McAfee's attempt to assist commentator Michael Cole. As a result of this assault, Pearce suspended GUNTHER from his previous title. In response, McAfee challenged GUNTHER during last week's Raw show; this challenge was accepted when SmackDown’s interim GM, Nick Aldis, stepped into Pearce's role temporarily.

After coming up short against Rhea Ripley last week, former NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez will be returning to action tonight as she squares off with Women's World Champion IYO SKY. Perez's newfound ally Giulia interfered in her match against Ripley by delivering a chop block, subsequently causing SKY to come to her longtime rival Ripley's aid in order to even the odds.

Penta aims for victory as he faces off against JD McDonagh. Last week, Penta sabotaged McDonagh and his Judgment Day teammate Finn Balor’s non-title match against The War Raiders by pushing McDonagh off the top rope, allowing Erik and Ivar to execute their signature move, War Machine, onto McDonagh.

Rusev is set to participate in his initial singles contest for WWE since a tag team match on the February 17, 2020 edition of "Raw," facing off against Otis from Alpha Academy. On April 21, Rusev returned to WWE action by swiftly attacking both Otis and Akira Tozawa from Alpha Academy post their confrontation with New Day.

Moreover, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman have some thoughts they wish to express following their failed attempt to persuade Sami Zayn to accept an invitation to join the "SmackDown" roster earlier this past week. The situation escalated when Breakker confronted Zayn during a match that was eventually halted by the referee due to interference that same evening. Additionally, Becky Lynch is set to appear on tonight’s episode as she gears up for her upcoming bout against Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Intercontinental Championship at Backslash. Last week, Lynch got into a heated exchange of words with Valkyria.

Read more: Mature WWE Moments From R-Ratings That Wouldn’t Be Allowed Now

Make sure you catch all the big news stories in professional wrestling. Subscribe to our complimentary email newsletter. For major headlines delivered directly to your inbox.

Read the original article on Wrestling Inc .