WWE Raw Shakes Things Up: Shocking Breakups, Dream Matches, and WrestleMania Fallout

Did you catch this week's WWE Raw? The May 12th episode was absolutely wild! Just when I thought the post-WrestleMania season might calm down, WWE threw everything but the kitchen sink at us with team implosions, massive match announcements, and enough drama to keep the wrestling world talking for days. Let's break down what went down on Monday night.

Partnership in Pieces: Giulia and Roxanne Perez's Shocking Split

The main event gave us IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley taking on the promising duo of Giulia and Roxanne Perez. While the match itself delivered some fantastic action, it was what happened afterward that left my jaw on the floor.

After taking the loss when Ripley planted Giulia with a vicious Riptide, things went from bad to worse for the NXT call-ups. In a moment that reminded me of the infamous Rockers breakup, Perez was in the middle of planning their comeback strategy in a digital exclusive when Giulia cut her off cold.

• The dagger: "Hey! There is no 'we'." Ouch! With just five words, Giulia effectively ended what many fans thought would be a long-running partnership. The look on Perez's face said it all – this wasn't part of the plan. Honestly, I didn't see this coming so soon, but it opens up exciting solo paths for both women, who are far too talented to be fighting for the same spotlight.

Frenemies With Titles: The IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley Situation

Remember when IYO SKY shocked the world by walking out of WrestleMania 41 with the Women's World Title? That triple threat with Ripley and Belair was an instant classic, but it's created this fascinating tension that was on full display Monday night.

Ripley and SKY might be teaming up now, but come on – we all know where this is heading. The way Ripley looks at that championship tells the whole story. Their temporary alliance can't hide the fact that Ripley wants her belt back, and SKY knows it.

• Social media chess match: After their win, SKY and Ripley exchanged seemingly friendly tweets, with SKY thanking her partner and Ripley responding with a casual "anytime, champ." That last word though? Pure mind games. It's like watching two wrestlers circle each other before the real fight begins.

Vince Russo might have questioned putting the title on SKY over Ripley and Belair, but I think it's created this delicious slow-burn storyline. Will Ripley stay patient, or will that famous temper get the better of her in the coming weeks? My money's on the latter!

Mark Your Calendars: Two Dream Matches Are Coming!

If you're like me, you immediately reached for your phone to set reminders when these two blockbuster matches were announced:

• Saturday Night's Main Event: CM Punk and Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker and Seth "Freakin" Rollins! Talk about explosive! The build to this match has been months in the making, and the chemistry between these four is undeniable.
• June 9th Raw: Gunther is coming for blood! The Ring General officially declared he's cashing in his World Heavyweight Championship rematch against Jey Uso on June 9th. And in classic Gunther fashion, he doesn't care if it's Uso or Logan Paul holding the gold by then – he wants what he believes is rightfully his.

These announcements have me counting down the days. The tag match gives us that old-school feel with new-school intensity, while Gunther's declaration proves why he's one of the most intimidating figures in WWE today. How would you like to be in Jey Uso's shoes right now, knowing that freight train is coming straight for you?

CM Punk's Return: The Straight Edge Superstar Stirs the Pot

The show kicked off right where last week left us hanging – with CM Punk in the middle of the ring. And in true Punk fashion, it didn't take long before chaos erupted! The brawl that broke out between Punk, Rollins, Breakker, and Zayn set the tone for the entire night.

What caught my ear was Rollins taking that not-so-subtle dig at Punk's infamous backstage incident with Jack Perry in AEW. WWE rarely acknowledges the competition so directly, but when it comes to Punk and Rollins, it seems like all the old rules are being thrown out the window.

• Reality meets storyline: The personal heat between Punk and Rollins makes this feud feel special. You can't fake that kind of tension! While Russo might question the power dynamics between faces and heels here, I think the blurred lines are exactly what makes this storyline so compelling in 2023.

Final Bell: Raw Delivers When It Counts

This episode of Raw had just about everything a wrestling fan could ask for – surprising betrayals, dream match announcements, and storylines that keep us guessing. The Giulia/Perez split alone would have made for a memorable night, but WWE packed so much more into these three hours.

What did you think of the show? Are you team Giulia or team Perez after the breakup? And how long do you think IYO SKY can hold onto her title with Ripley circling like a shark? The coming weeks are bound to be fascinating as these stories unfold!

Reference: https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-purposely-holding-former-champions-back-feels-veteran-they-exact-spot-exclusive