Whoo-hoo! The RadiantGame Team has arrived in our city — Hartford, Connecticut!
We're broadcasting live from the XL Center tonight, and a huge night of action is ahead of us. This is the first Raw after Backlash, which means new rivalries are heating up, and some old grudges will keep burning. But that’s not all — King and Queen of the Ring tournaments officially begin tonight! 👑 I’ve seen a few first-round matchups, and they look seriously stacked. Let’s dive right into the action!
The Judgment Day Opens Raw
It's always a good sign when the top champion of the Red Brand kicks off Raw. Damian Priest, still holding that World Heavyweight Championship, entered with Judgment Day by his side — and he had something important to say.
Damian wasn’t thrilled. He demanded an apology from Finn Bálor for interfering in his match at Backlash. To his credit, Priest also apologized for losing his temper when he stopped JD and Finn from attacking Jey Uso post-match. It's rare to see that kind of accountability from a champ. Respect.
Then came Adam Pearce with the news: Drew McIntyre isn’t medically cleared to compete tonight, which means he’s OUT of the King of the Ring tournament. This would’ve given Finn a free pass... but Adam’s got other plans. Instead, his replacement is none other than…
Main Event Jey Uso! 🔥
Raw 06.05.2024 - You better believe Main Event Jey Uso came to spoil Judgment Day’s celebration.
Yup, Jey is now in the tournament — and if I’m Drew, I’d start prepping another Twitter meltdown right about now. We've got our first match of the night, and it’s a big one.
King of the Ring - 1st Round: Jey Uso vs Finn Bálor
Let’s be honest — we all kinda knew who was walking out with the W here. With Judgment Day banned from ringside, Finn’s chances were already shaky, especially considering he already lost to Jey two weeks ago.
Bálor started strong — just like before — but Uso was ready. To Finn’s credit, he did his homework. He came more prepared, strategic and aggressive, capitalizing on Jey’s mistakes. It seemed like the disrespect Jey faced after Backlash affected his focus a bit.
Still, Finn wasted a lot of energy on flashy moves that didn’t do lasting damage. Meanwhile, Jey kept finding time to recover. Bálor went for the usual — Shotgun Dropkick ➡️ Coup de Grâce — but just like last time, he missed… and got Speared! Huge near-fall, but Finn kicked out!
Then — surprise surprise — Drew McIntyre showed up through the crowd! He distracted Jey, but it backfired! Uso hit a second Spear and that was it. YEET Boy advances in the tournament!
Drew slid into the ring, but Jey wisely rolled out, avoiding a brawl. Once again, Jey outsmarted the Scottish Warrior, and I bet that stings.
Best in the World Has Something to Say
Backstage, Drew McIntyre was fuming, yelling about Adam Pearce taking away his tournament spot — and just like that, he stormed off in his car. Seconds later…
CM Punk pulled in. 😏 Yup. Perfect timing. You just KNOW he planned that.
Raw 06.05.2024 - CM Punk's been hitting the weights hard — he's got that extra muscle mass now.
Punk didn’t waste a second. He walked straight to the ring — even gave a fist bump to Chad Gable (never thought they were friends, but hey). Once inside, Punk called out Drew for running away, telling the crowd to tweet Drew and tell him the “Best in the World” is right here waiting.
He brought up the Royal Rumble injury, where Drew took him out, and made it clear that even though it delayed his WrestleMania dream, it didn’t kill it. Punk then asked the big question: “Why are you trying to become the next CM Punk, Drew? Is something wrong with you?”
Punk wasn’t done. He promised to break not only Drew’s elbow again, but also his face and his heart — and to be honest, we all wanted Drew to come back and answer. But... no response yet.
The night’s still young.
Queen of the Ring - 1st Round: IYO SKY vs Natalya
Here we go again — good ol' Natalya is back trying her luck in the tournament. And to be fair, at this point in her career, she can’t afford to miss a single opportunity to fight for a title. Still, let’s be honest… we all knew how this one was going to end.
IYO SKY was locked in and flying tonight. There’s just no comparison. She’s faster, more explosive, and has that highlight-reel style that makes her look like she’s playing an entirely different game than her opponents.
Natalya gave it her best, and sure, she had her moments — like that beautiful Superplex from the top rope . That move never fails to impress. She also nearly tapped to an STF, but powered out with that veteran grit. Unfortunately for her, IYO was just too smooth and countered the Sharpshooter into the turnbuckle, followed it up with a Double Stomp, and then hit the Moonsault for the win.
What stood out the most? Damage CTRL didn’t interfere at all, and the crowd? They were fully behind IYO. Could we be seeing a shift for The Genius of the Sky? 👀
After the match, Dakota Kai announced some breaking news — she’s replacing Asuka in the tournament due to injury. That’s the second tournament match affected by injuries already… 😞 but it might be Dakota’s time to shine.
King of the Ring - 1st Round: Ilja Dragunov vs Ricochet
Now this? This was a certified banger.
Ricochet is riding high off his WWE Speed Championship win, and tonight he came into the match fired up and focused. But standing across the ring was Ilja Dragunov, the man who treats pain like fuel and punishment like breakfast.
Ilja is wild — a striker, a high-flyer, and somehow still a powerhouse. He’s just built different. We got a stunning springboard missile dropkick from Dragunov that sent Ricochet flying across the ring. In response, Ricochet hit a flawless top rope hurricanrana and multiple suicide dives that brought the crowd to their feet.
But Ilja cranked up the intensity with brutal combos and insane resilience. The Mad Dragon caught Ricochet mid-air with a Powerbomb, followed it up with a Falling Forearm, and when he went for the Torpedo Moscow, Ricochet countered with the Recoil! ⚡That near-fall was so close!
Still, Dragunov isn’t the kind of guy you put down easily. He recovered, nailed a Superplex, and then finished Ricochet with the devastating H-Bomb to win the match.
Incredible Raw debut for Dragunov, and the post-match handshake of respect? That sealed the deal. A true show-stealer.
Queen of the Ring - 1st Round: Ivy Nile vs Zoey Stark
Now this was a pleasant surprise.
I wasn’t expecting this pairing, but once the bell rang, it all made sense — two badass brawlers, both with no-nonsense attitudes and serious in-ring skills. I personally lean more toward Ivy Nile, but realistically, Zoey Stark seemed like the favorite here.
Zoey started strong, controlling most of the early offense, but Nile turned the tide with a bulldog from the top rope that nearly gave her the upset win. From there, it was a war.
Both women refused to give an inch, going full-throttle with high-impact moves and straight-up brutality. Ivy had the heart, but Zoey had the power and experience, eventually tossing Nile face-first and hitting the Z360 to put her away.
Raw 06.05.2024 -This Z360 looks like a GTS from a straight-edge Chicago guy.
Impressive win for Zoey, but honestly, a tough break for Ivy Nile, who looked better than ever tonight.
Adam Pearce Needs a Drink
Backstage, R-Truth is once again pitching his own title defense, and this time… he wants to defend it against a basketball team. 🤦♂️
His logic? “Sport is sport!” Unfortunately, that doesn’t quite work when it comes to wrestling matches. The Miz, clearly concerned for his tag partner’s grasp on reality, asked Adam Pearce to not book Truth in any matches without consulting him first.
As if Pearce wasn’t stressed enough, Bron Breakker then stormed in, furious that he's not in the King of the Ring tournament. Pearce invited the Big Dog into his office to talk things over — and if I had to guess, the Raw GM probably has bigger plans cooking for Breakker. Either way, Adam Pearce is going to need a strong drink by the end of the night.
No Expansion for Judgment Day Tonight
Backstage, Dominik Mysterio was doing his own thing again, and this time he brought Carlito to meet Damian Priest. Clearly, Dom thought it was a good idea to expand Judgment Day.
Unfortunately for him, Priest wasn’t impressed. In fact, he reminded Carlito of some bad blood from the past and made it clear: “You’re not joining us… at least not for now.”
So if Carlito really wants in, he better do something cool — and I mean really cool — to win over the World Heavyweight Champion. Until then? No apple, no entry.
Chad Gable vs Bronson Reed – Time to Teach a Lesson?
Last week, Chad Gable cost Bronson Reed a match, and the big man hasn’t forgotten. Tonight, it felt like a #1 contender match for Sami Zayn’s Intercontinental Championship, and both men brought the heat.
Raw 06.05.2024 - That was a serious demonstration of just how powerful Chad Gable really is.
We got a good fight filled with massive power moves and counters, but things didn’t end clean because, of course, the champion had something to say. Sami Zayn stormed the ring and attacked both men, clearly not in the mood to wait around for someone to earn a title shot. 😤
Raw 06.05.2024 - Sami was out for revenge — but instead, he stumbled into even bigger trouble.
Sami even looked ready to Helluva Kick Gable, but just like last week, Bronson Reed cleared the ring and stood tall to end the segment. That’s two weeks in a row with messy endings, and at this point, Adam Pearce needs to step in and make something official.
Interview with The Man Becky Lynch
Michael Cole welcomed Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch to the ring for a special interview, and tonight, we were about to learn what her plans are — and who might get the next title shot. Becky mentioned a few potential names: Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn, The Enigma, and Lyra Valkyria — the woman who actually defeated Becky for the NXT title. Interesting choices!
Raw 06.05.2024 - There’s no doubt — Liv is the clear pick to go after The Man next.
Cole also brought up her WrestleMania loss, and Becky admitted there’s only one woman she hasn’t been able to overcome: Rhea Ripley. She said it herself — she beat 14 women two weeks later, but when it comes to Rhea? That’s still the big question. Can she beat Mami when she returns? And of course, because it’s Raw, Liv Morgan showed up too. 🙄 She’s riding high off her win over Nia Jax and acting like she’s already the champ. Honestly? Liv’s getting more and more annoying every week.
Becky didn’t let that slide — she announced that in three weeks, at King and Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia, she’ll defend her title against Liv Morgan. 🏆 Just when things couldn’t get stranger, Damage CTRL came out — even though Dakota Kai had a match coming up next. They attacked both Becky and Liv right before Dakota’s own match! Not smart.
Raw 06.05.2024 - Lyra stormed into the ring to rescue someone she truly respects.
But Liv? She just rolled out of the ring and watched. I’ll admit… that was a smart move. No point taking a beating for someone else. Thankfully, Becky wasn’t left alone — Lyra Valkyria ran in to make the save, and she’s set to face Dakota Kai in the next match!
Queen of the Ring – 1st Round: Lyra Valkyria vs Dakota Kai
A new face on Raw — and one with a big accolade already. Lyra Valkyria, the woman who beat The Man, made her in-ring debut on the red brand tonight. That alone should be impressive enough, right? Honestly though, Dakota Kai didn’t feel like a serious threat going into this one, and I figured someone like Valkyria would be able to handle her.
Raw 06.05.2024 - Dakota kicked off pretty well against the fresh NXT talent — no doubt about that.
And yes — Lyra showed off some solid striking ability and proved she’s no stranger to high-flying offense. Dakota did get some good offense in too, focusing on the back of Lyra’s neck. Her first Face Wash attempt missed horribly, but the second one hit clean… still, it wasn’t enough to seal the win.
The match ended when Lyra hit her “Night Wing” finisher, which looked a lot like Santos Escobar’s Phantom Driver. That secured the victory.
Raw 06.05.2024 - There’s zero doubt that Valkyri masters the art of flight in the ring.
But honestly? This match didn’t impress me much. Lyra clearly has potential, but this wasn’t a breakout performance. Maybe her next round will deliver something more exciting. For now? Ilja Dragunov was far more impressive earlier tonight.
King of the Ring – 1st Round: Gunther vs Sheamus
The Ring General is back! Gunther made his way to the ring alongside Ludwig Kaiser, giving his partner some last-minute orders before the bell.
What’s driving Gunther tonight? Well, Sheamus has never beaten him, and this is a one-on-one opportunity to finally shut the door. Their last triple threat with Drew McIntyre didn’t settle anything, and in their singles match… Sheamus lost, but not fairly. So tonight? I expected an epic, physical war. And that’s exactly what we got. 👊
Raw 06.05.2024 - Gunther attempted to snatch Shamus’s famous 10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
They started brutally — massive chops, stiff strikes, and heavy slams. Sheamus turned red almost immediately. This was a true brawl between two warriors, no frills, just pain. The first high-risk move came when Sheamus dropped Gunther onto the apron with a back body drop. You know Gunther felt that one.
Raw 06.05.2024 - The Celtic Curse Backbreaker always comes off as massive and really painful.
Still, the Ring General stayed in the fight, targeting Sheamus’ neck and lighting him up with chops across every inch of his body. Then came the classic Sheamus sequence — Irish Curse backbreaker, a hard slam, and of course, 10 Beats of the Bodhran. But when he went for the Brogue Kick — he missed. Twice.
Raw 06.05.2024 - That sneaky attack from Ludwig Kaiser was probably the game-changer in the match.
That’s when Kaiser got involved. He grabbed Sheamus’ leg in the ropes and struck him, clearly injuring the knee. The referee noticed something was off and ejected Kaiser immediately, but the damage was done. 💥 With Sheamus now limping, Gunther ruthlessly targeted the knee, and it became obvious: no more Brogue Kicks tonight. Sheamus kept fighting back with heart, even hitting a Celtic Cross after Gunther climbed the ropes — but it wasn’t enough.
In the end, despite a last-ditch strike using his bad knee, Gunther countered and locked in a submission hold, forcing Sheamus to tap out.What a war. 🔥 Gunther advances, but Sheamus fought like a true warrior with honor and heart. That was super impressive, one of the best matches of the night so far!
Final Thoughts
This show was almost entirely about matches, and honestly? I haven't seen this much wrestling on Raw in a while. The red brand usually leans more on storytelling than in-ring action — but tonight we got a full slate, and two matches stood out as truly top-tier quality.
❌ No Judgment Day in the King of the Ring Tournament?
Finn Bálor was grinning like a kid on Christmas, thinking he dodged Drew McIntyre... until Adam Pearce ruined the celebration. Whether it’s Drew or Jey, Bálor’s chances against either of them are slim. On Backlash, The Judgment Day robbed Jey Uso of a fair fight for the World Heavyweight Title — and tonight? Jey evened the score a little.
But this feud isn’t over — far from it. 😤 With Ilja Dragunov now in the tournament, interference feels inevitable. Add to that the Scottish Warrior, who clearly hates Jey Uso almost as much as he hates CM Punk, and things are heating up fast. I think Drew’s finally realizing Jey cost him twice now. 👀 This is about to get very interesting.
🧠 CM Punk is Sending Drew to the Mad House?
I expected Drew McIntyre to storm back out to face Punk… but for some reason, he didn’t. And honestly? That worked out, because Punk gave us a vintage performance — mic work, mind games, and that classic “Best in the World” attitude. 💥
In the ring? We’ll see. But when it comes to verbal warfare and psychological chess, Punk is miles ahead right now. I’m sure next week, the collision is coming, and when it does? Chaos is guaranteed, and poor Adam Pearce will probably need a few extra drinks. 🥃
Raw 05.06.2024 - So much time left in the show, and yet… no Drew McIntyre comeback to face Punk directly? Color me disappointed.
👑 IYO SKY – The Favorite to Win?
She didn’t just win — IYO SKY outclassed Natalya and reminded everyone why she held the Women’s Title for so long. Not a surprise, but still solid. Even when things got shaky, Damage CTRL had her back. With that kind of support, I see no reason she won’t reach the finals.
💣 Ilja Dragunov Has Arrived – And He’s a Walking Explosion!
If you missed Dragunov vs. Ricochet — go back and watch it. That was next-level stuff and definitely a top-2 match of the night. 🔥
Ilja’s style is unlike anyone else. He doesn’t just wrestle — he launches himself into battle. It’s like he uses pain as fuel. His debut hit like a bomb, and I fully believe he’s going to deliver massive matches and unforgettable moments in the coming months. Raw just got way more dangerous.
💪 Ivy Nile Came Up Short, But Still Impressed
Zoey had the edge going in, but Ivy Nile fought hard and made her work for it. Both women have battled Rhea Ripley for the championship, and even though neither took the title, they proved they belong in that top tier. Ivy might have lost tonight, but I get the sense she’s just warming up — her chance at the gold could be closer than we think. 🔥
⚰️ Sami Zayn Is Burying Himself Alive
Last week, Chad Gable ruined the championship match. This week? Sami Zayn returned the favor.
But here’s the problem: Bronson Reed looks like the one who truly deserves that title shot. He’s motivated, dominant, and most importantly — he doesn’t rely on anyone else. I have no idea why Sami interfered so early, only to later announce he’ll defend his title in a Triple Threat Match in Saudi Arabia.
That’s just plain dumb. In this kind of match, you can lose the title without even getting pinned! Reed has been the strongest these last two weeks, and he’s my pick to walk out as champion. 💪
🗣️ Becky and Her Dangerous Assumptions
Michael Cole interviewed The Man, and she’s ready to take on anyone. She’s already brushing off Liv Morgan, and that might be her biggest mistake. ❗
Liv may look fragile, but we all saw what she did to Rhea Ripley. In three weeks, Becky will face Morgan's Revenge Tour, and while Liv’s never beaten her one-on-one... things change. I think Liv has the tools to become champion — we’ll just have to see if she pulls it off.
🧊 Is Lyra Valkyria Overhyped?
I waited over a year for Dragunov’s Raw debut — and it delivered big time. One of the best matches since WrestleMania XL. But Valkyria? After all the hype from her NXT win over Becky Lynch... this didn’t feel special. Her match with Dakota Kai was dull, and the finish — some kind of Phantom Driver knockoff — didn’t land with impact. I really hope her next fight turns things around, but right now, she feels like just another NXT call-up.
🧨 Best Showcase of the Evening: Gunther vs. Sheamus
Third time’s NOT the charm for Sheamus. He tried again to take down the Ring General, and failed — again. Yes, Kaiser interfered, and that played a role… but let’s be real: Gunther might’ve won anyway. These two never miss. Their matches are brutal, physical, and sometimes straight-up bloody. Just imagine if Pearce books a No DQ match between them — now that’s something I want to see. 💀
Gunther is one step closer to becoming King of the Ring, while Sheamus limps away with what could be a serious knee injury. I don’t know when we’ll see him again. This was a very good Raw, and I’m hoping SmackDown keeps the momentum going with more wild matches and explosive tournament action! 🎉
Raw 06.05.2024 -Unfortunately, Sheamus had no chance and had to tap out to save his health and career.
See you on Friday — don’t miss the Queen and King of the Ring tournament continue! 👑🔥
