The road to Backlash took a brutal turn in Omaha as the May 4 episode of WWE Raw delivered a chaotic night on the red brand. Bron Breakker took out Seth Rollins, Sol Ruca got the better of Becky Lynch, and JD McDonagh picked up a controversial win over Finn Balor. But the real shock came in the main event, where Jacob Fatu left the crowd stunned by taking down the “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns during the contract signing.
How did Jacob Fatu dismantle Roman Reigns in Omaha?
The night’s closing segment featured a contract signing that quickly devolved into a one-sided massacre. Roman Reigns attempted to utilize his veteran psychological warfare, dismissing Jacob Fatu as a mere footnote in his legacy. However, the verbal jabs only fueled the challenger’s rage. Fatu blindsided the champion, locking in a Tongan Death Grip before driving Reigns through a table with a devastating powerbomb. As Raw went off the air, the champion remained motionless in the wreckage, leaving no doubt that Fatu is the most legitimate threat to his title in years.
These two will be UNLEASHED at #WWEBacklash! 🤯@jacobfatu_wwe | @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/5DH59DVcDk
— WWE (@WWE) May 5, 2026
The Judgement Day Civil WarÂ
The tension that has been simmering within The Judgment Day finally boiled over in a singles match between Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. The loyalty of the group was tested, but the interference of Roxanne Perez proved to be the deciding factor. Perez, acting as a tactical spoiler, utilized a bell hammer on Balor while the referee was distracted by Liv Morgan. This allowed McDonagh to secure the pinfall victory, effectively signaling a massive shift in the group’s hierarchy. Elsewhere, Bron Breakker continued his path of destruction, ambushing Seth Rollins during his entrance and later taking out Joe Hendry and the Street Profits in a chaotic segment.
Sol Ruca’s Debut
The women’s division saw a big moment with the official signing of former NXT standout Sol Ruca. The proceedings were interrupted by a disgruntled Becky Lynch, who took issue with the newcomer’s immediate spotlight. The confrontation turned physical when Lynch’s attempt at a cheap shot accidentally connected with WWE official Adam Pearce, striking him in the face. Capitalizing on the chaos, Ruca executed a flawless Sol Snatcher on “The Man,” establishing herself as a top-tier threat on the red brand and setting up a high-profile rivalry heading into the summer.
Other Highlights Of The Night
In other notable action, the powerhouse Oba Femi continued his reign of dominance by answering his own open challenge, dispatching Otis with a thunderous Fall From Grace in under three minutes. The tag team division also saw Ethan Page and Rusev stifle the momentum of the high-flying duo Penta and Je’Von Evans, while a chaotic six-man tag match saw The Original El Grande Americano and the Creed Brothers emerge victorious over Los Americanos. These results, combined with the volatility of the main event scene, have set a frantic pace as WWE heads into the Backlash Premium Live Event this Saturday.
WWE RAW May 4 Results:
| Match / Segment | Winner / Outcome |
| Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh | JD McDonagh (via Pinfall) |
| Penta & Je’Vonn Evans vs. Rusev & Ethan Page | Rusev & Ethan Page (via Pinfall) |
| Joe Hendry vs. Austin Theory | Joe Hendry (via DQ after Logan Paul interference) |
| Oba Femi vs. Otis (Open Challenge) | Oba Femi (via Pinfall) |
| OG El Grande Americano & Hermanos vs. Los Americanos | OG El Grande Americano & Hermanos (via Pinfall) |
| Main Event Contract Signing | Jacob Fatu (Stands tall over Roman Reigns) |
