WWE Raw Review - Backlash Go-Home Show! Jacob Fatu's Tongan Death Grip! Oba Femi Vs. Otis! Los Americanos Hermanos?!

The WhatCulture Wrestling podcast reviews the May 5, 2026, episode of Monday Night Raw, dubbed the 'Backlash Go-Home Show,' with hosts Adam Wilborn and Michael Sidgwick dissecting the event's highs and lows. The episode opens with a critique of WWE’s branding and booking, particularly focusing on the underwhelming main event buildup and the controversial departure of The New Day, which the hosts lament as a missed opportunity for storytelling and mentorship. They express disappointment in the lack of risk-taking in WWE’s creative direction, especially with mid-card matches like Finn Balor vs. JD McDonough, which they felt lacked chemistry and impact despite strong potential. The standout moment comes with the explosive debut of Oba Femi, whose 1:48 match against Otis is hailed as a breakout performance, showcasing raw power and charisma. The main event, a contract signing between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, is praised for its emotional weight and the dramatic use of the Tongan Death Grip, though the hosts question the credibility of Reigns’ 'tribal chief' persona in light of WWE’s current landscape. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the mystery of Los Americanos Hermanos, revealed to be the Creed brothers, and speculation about John Cena’s upcoming 'history-making' announcement at Backlash, which the hosts suspect may be a fan engagement experiment. Overall, the review is a mix of sharp criticism and genuine excitement for emerging talent and future storylines. Key takeaways include: 1) The New Day’s departure was a creative and narrative loss for WWE; 2) Oba Femi’s debut marks a major breakout moment; 3) Roman Reigns’ current character feels increasingly disconnected from reality; 4) WWE’s reliance on nostalgia and spectacle over substance is becoming unsustainable; 5) The Tongan Death Grip is now a legitimate psychological weapon in the feud; 6) The Creed brothers’ masked gimmick adds intrigue to the tag team division; 7) John Cena’s Backlash announcement is likely a fan engagement experiment; 8) WWE needs to invest more in live events and risk-taking to revitalize its product.