Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant
Episode: Penta STRIKES again in his war against The Judgment Day
Date: May 13, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts
Overview
This week’s Raw Recap delivers an in-depth breakdown of a massive Monday Night Raw episode, featuring explosive developments in the CM Punk/Paul Heyman saga, the intensifying rivalry involving Jey Uso and new threats, major women’s division moments, and the rising specter of Penta El Zero Miedo as he continues his war with The Judgment Day. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant offer their unique takes, insightful analysis, and a special extended interview with Penta himself, live from the Raw arena in Louisville.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. CM Punk, Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins Drama
00:00–11:53
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CM Punk's First Post-WrestleMania Promo
The show opens by dissecting Raw’s headline attraction: CM Punk’s return to the mic after WrestleMania and his verbal assault on Paul Heyman.- Sam Roberts: "CM Punk has so much pressure on him. He coined the phrase pipe bomb... And what comes out of his mouth? Paul Heyman is a fat little snake." [01:21]
- Punk calls Heyman “the penguin,” sparking debate about the most apt pop culture penguin reference (DeVito, Farrell, Popper's).
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Perspective & Betrayal
The hosts explore the dynamic history between Punk & Heyman, framing betrayal as an inevitable part of Heyman's persona.- Sam Roberts: "Paul Heyman turned on everybody. Do we really forget?" [03:44]
- Megan Morant: "Have you ever fully trusted Paul Heyman?" [03:54]
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Heyman’s New Dynamic
Noting that Heyman now seems to be "learning from" Seth Rollins, a shift from his usual manipulative control.- Sam Roberts: "It almost seems like ... they're being puppeteered by the wise man. And it doesn't feel this time like that's the space that Seth Rollins is in." [07:38]
- Heyman is now protected by Rollins and Braun Breaker, showing visible faith but less control than with previous alliances.
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Rollins’ Accusations: Gaslighting & Victimhood
Rollins stirs the pot by calling Punk "selfish" and a "victim," accusations that resonate with both the audience and Punk.- Sam Roberts: "When he said, 'You love being a victim, don't you, Punk?' ... that one was felt a little too real." [10:20]
- Punk's character as the perpetual underdog continues to engage and divide fans.
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Tag Match Set-Up
This all leads to Saturday Night’s Main Event being booked: CM Punk & Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins & Bron Breaker.
2. The Sami Zayn Effect & Trust Issues
11:53–15:40
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Sami Zayn’s Evolution
The hosts celebrate Zayn's transformation into a more authentic, layered character—one fans have grown to trust.- Sam Roberts: "Over the past several years, Sami Zayn has just been getting realer and realer and realer." [12:00]
- Megan Morant: "He has so many layers... particularly the last three to four years, it’s gone even deeper." [12:38]
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Punk/Zayn Uneasy Alliance
Punk's trust issues after Heyman’s betrayal are validated and relatable.- Sam Roberts: "CM Punk's looking at Sami going, 'Yeah, man, I don't trust anybody right now.' That's just being human." [12:52]
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Tag Dynamics: Rollins/Bron vs. Punk/Sami
Curiosity surrounds the in-ring chemistry of Rollins and Breaker as a new tag-team.- Sam Roberts: "When have you ever seen Braun get directed? ... There is something in the juju that Seth Rollins has." [16:29]
3. Jey Uso’s Champion Gauntlet
19:10–24:54
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Jey’s Brutal Schedule
After being attacked by Bron Breaker, Jey is scheduled for back-to-back matches: Breaker on Raw, Logan Paul at Saturday Night’s Main Event (for his World Heavyweight Title), then a looming challenge from Gunther.- Sam Roberts: "I have not... seen somebody learn the hard way more what it is like to be the World Heavyweight Champion than Jey Uso." [20:07]
- Megan Morant: "Jey... is a guy who’s so changed since winning the Royal Rumble—his confidence is higher than ever." [21:48]
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Endless Challenger Cycle
The grind of holding the title is emphasized; there's always another hungry contender around the corner.
4. Penta El Zero Miedo Interview: The Judgment Day War
27:04–46:34
Penta’s Mission & The Judgment Day
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Penta explains staying after Raw to confront The Judgment Day:
- Penta: "Dominic, Carlito, Finn, the stupid J.D.—come on, brother. Everyone versus Penta." [27:18]
- He craves fair, one-on-one fights instead of Judgment Day’s constant interference.
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His WWE Journey & AAA Partnership
- Penta reflects on entering WWE, building history, and the potential opened by WWE’s partnership with AAA.
- Penta: "It’s very, very good opportunity for Mexican wrestlers ... this door is bigger than any other opportunity in the world." [31:16]
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Working with Triple H
- Penta credits Triple H for masterminding his visually stunning entrance.
- Penta: "Triple H [had the] 100% idea for everything ... every week something different, something special ... I feel the energy, the fire in my back." [32:54, 33:51]
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Family & Inspiration
- Heartfelt moment: Penta’s daughter motivates him and wants to follow in his footsteps.
- Penta: "My little daughter wanna wrestle too ... I know for what I’m here in this universe. ... I want to inspire the new generations." [36:19–37:32]
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Dream Matches & Rivalries
- Wants a hardcore singles dream match with Rey Mysterio.
- "This is my dream match ... like ECW versus Sabu ... table, chairs, maybe ten tables ..." [37:43, 39:25]
- Is dismissive (and jokingly agitated) about Dominic Mysterio:
- Sam: "His greatest accomplishment is actually his offspring, Dominic..." [39:44]
- Penta: "Come on, bro ... forget about that question, please, because you make me angry." [40:02]
- Wants a hardcore singles dream match with Rey Mysterio.
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Friendship with George Kittle
- Details their bond, mutual respect as elite athletes, and hopes for a tag match in WWE one day.
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Tagging with AJ Styles Next Week
- Is excited to team with a legend and sees it as another step up in his WWE journey.
Memorable Penta Quotes
- "Everyone ... is very professional ... I am Mexican, but I feel at home. ... My next goal is a championship." [34:39]
- "I want to inspire the new generations." [37:32]
- "Why not? He (AJ Styles) is my new partner for destroy every Judgment Day." [44:38]
- (On Sam’s Dominic Mysterio fandom) "Because you love the stupid Dom, right?" [45:34]
5. Reflections on Penta’s WWE Impact
48:44–54:00
- Penta’s Star Power
Sam and Megan marvel at Penta’s evolution from wrestling superstar to full-on WWE icon in just five short months.- Sam Roberts: "Now ... you just associate him as a WWE guy." [51:09]
- His intimidating presence, striking entrance, and unique charisma have made him a standout on Raw.
- The Judgment Day and Chad Gable continue intertwined storylines, fueling speculation and fan engagement.
6. Women’s Division Spotlight: Becky Lynch, Lyra, and Main Event
56:07–63:48
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Becky Lynch’s Heel Turn & Fan Backlash
- Becky blames fans for turning on her as she became more successful, drawing parallels to “greatness prejudice.”
- Sam Roberts: "[Becky] says, 'If you think I'm selfish, greedy, cutthroat, then I'll be selfish, greedy, and cutthroat.' ... She’s ready to make people feel what it's like to be held down by the Man." [59:56]
- Discussion about women aging in wrestling, double standards with the men's division, and Becky’s indomitable drive.
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Showcase Tag Main Event: NXT vs. Raw Women’s Champs
- Main event sees Julia & Roxanne Perez (NXT) vs. IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley.
- Sam Roberts: "NXT has been boldly, chest out, saying we have the best women's division ... come stop us from saying it." [63:32]
- The match highlights generational rivalry, with Ripley and IYO SKY asserting their dominance—despite NXT’s momentum.
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Notable Moment
- Megan Morant: "Let’s not take away the fact that IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Julia, and Roxanne Perez all main evented Monday Night Raw. And that’s massive." [65:51]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Sam on Paul Heyman:
"Paul Heyman was a snake in the grass and Paul Heyman turned on everybody." [03:44] - Sami Zayn’s Realism:
"I think Sami Zayn is the least likely person to turn on anybody, which of course in today's WWE makes people want to see him turn on somebody." [12:52] - Penta on Dominic:
"I told you there's only one Mysterio ... not this stupid Dom. I hate this stupid guy." [37:43] - Becky Fan Paradox:
"Greatness prejudice is real. They want to see you do good, then they want to tear you right down." [58:44] - On Rhea Ripley’s Presence:
"Rhea’s existence just screams champion. Tell me I’m wrong." [66:33]
Major Takeaways & Storylines to Watch
- CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman/Seth Rollins is spiralling, with trust and betrayal as recurring themes.
- Jey Uso faces a trial-by-fire as champion—Logan Paul, Bron Breaker, and possibly Gunther, with no respite in sight.
- Penta has become a Raw mainstay, standing out as both a threat to Judgment Day and a new WWE ambassador for Lucha Libre.
- Becky Lynch is leaning into her critics, potentially setting up a seismic shift in her character.
- NXT women continue to challenge Raw, but the veterans are not yielding their ground.
- Excitement for next week: Penta & AJ Styles as a team, Jey Uso vs. Bron Breaker, and the ever-shifting women’s division.
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | CM Punk/Heyman/Raw Opening | 00:00-11:53 | | Punk/Sami Zayn/Tag Match Setup | 11:53-15:40 | | Jey Uso’s Title Gauntlet | 19:10-24:54 | | Penta El Zero Miedo Interview | 27:04-46:34 | | Reflections on Penta & Judgment Day | 48:44-54:00 | | Becky Lynch’s Promo & Character Evolution | 56:07-63:03 | | Women’s Division Main Event Recap | 63:03-66:33 |
Conclusion
The May 13th Raw Recap was driven by drama at the top of the card, striking character moments, and the spectacular presence of Penta El Zero Miedo, whose clash with The Judgment Day is only heating up. The show is a must-listen for fans wanting a comprehensive, entertaining, and insightful take on where WWE Raw is headed, both in and out of the ring.
