WWE Raw Results
October 2, 2023
San Jose, California (SAP Center at San Jose)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go into the arena to see Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler brawling on the ramp. Jax throws her down the ramp and into the LED apron. Jax rolls Baszler into the ring and gets inside. Baszler kicks away at her and jumps on her back for a Kirifuda Clutch attempt. Jax backs her into the corner and smashes her into it.
Raquel Rodriguez’s music hits, and she returns to Raw for the first time since being taken out by Jax a few weeks back. Rodriguez runs down to the ring and attacks Jax. Rodriguez goes for a big boot, but Jax sidesteps it, causing Rodriguez to hit Baszler with it.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley’s music hits, and she comes out to a big reaction. We haven’t seen Ripley in weeks as well. Ripley attacks Jax until the other two women get involved. WWE officials and security run into the ring to break it up. Ripley viciously kicks two male security guards down before hitting a third with a vicious Riptide. The crowd loudly chants, “Mami.”
Ripley says, “Mami is back on Monday Night Raw!” Ripley says she is not going anywhere because she needs to talk with the Judgment Day right now. She calls them out.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion and “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest comes to the ring alongside “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, who no longer has the NXT North American Championship after losing it this past Saturday at NXT No Mercy. Mysterio looks upset.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see the Women’s World Champion putting over Damian Priest and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. Now that she’s gotten that off her chest, she has some Judgment Day business to attend to. There is no leader in the Judgment Day, but they each have their own responsibilities to handle. Someone has to come up with a game plan so things don’t go down on the Judgment Day. Mami gets taken out for two weeks by Nia Jax, and things start falling apart for the Judgment Day. Mami is the one who makes the plans. At the end of the day, with her being out, she left that responsibility with somebody, and they disappointed her. She left that responsibility with Damian Priest. Priest couldn’t handle the job. After the brawl last week, Finn Bálor is out injured. Priest isn’t even cleared to compete tonight against Jey Uso. What else happens? Dom loses his NXT North American Championship to Trick Williams at No Mercy because Priest wasn’t there to help him like she told him to. Now we have the Cody and Jey situation. They don’t fear them because there’s tension in the group. They’re not a threat to them. They’re going to try to take their championships away from them. What will Priest do? He won’t do anything about it. Priest does not look happy.
Priest finally says, “With all due respect, Rhea, you’re not saying anything I don’t already know.” Yes, Cody and Jey are coming for the titles, but when push comes to shove, he will push harder. With that being said, screw Cody Rhodes, screw “Main Event” Jey Uso, and screw the talks of the Judgment Day falling apart. The way he sees it, he has his titles and contract. He’s not trying to point fingers and start something, “But Mami, where’s Dom-Dom’s title?”
Ripley turns and coldly looks at Mysterio, who has his head down. The crowd cheers and chants, “Where’s your title?” She says she is his Mami, which makes him her Papi. Tomorrow night, he has a rematch against Trick Williams for the title. If he doesn’t come home to her with that championship, then he can not bother to come home at all.
“Main Event” Jey Uso makes his way to the ring to a loud ovation. The crowd chants for him as he stands in the ring with three of the four members of the Judgment Day. Jey just stares at them and doesn’t say anything for a bit. Jey is out here to welcome back Rhea Ripley. Jey looks her in the eyes and says everyone missed her. It’s looking like there’s a new Tribal Chief on Monday Night, and she has bigger balls than Roman Reigns ever did.
Priest angrily leans against the ropes and says he’s tired of hearing Jey open his mouth. Priest approaches Jey, but Mysterio holds him back. Mysterio holds up the microphone to speak, but the crowd loudly boos him. Mysterio is viciously booed to the point that it’s hard to hear him. Mysterio says Priest isn’t medically cleared, but he is. Mysterio wants to talk care of Jey Uso. Jey chuckles. Ripley looks concerned, but Priest says Mysterio can handle it.
Jey and Mysterio are left in the ring. Mysterio goes for a right hand, but Jey sidesteps him and delivers a superkick. All of a sudden, JD McDonagh jumps into the ring and attacks Jey from behind. Jey fights him off, but Mysterio takes him down. McDonagh holds Jey up, and Mysterio starts hitting some right hands. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes runs down for the save. Jey superkicks McDonagh out of the ring. Jey connects with a superkick on Mysterio, and Rhodes immediately follows up with Cross Rhodes. Priest just stood on the apron and didn’t help.
WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out to the stage. The Judgment Day has caused enough chaos tonight. They’ll handle the chaos this Saturday at WWE Fastlane when Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso take on Finn Bálor and Damian Priest. To understand the stakes, that match will be for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. That is official! Priest looks stunned.
Jade Cargill has signed with WWE. WWE showcases all of the great press they received from this free agent signing.
“SHOOSH!”
Alpha Academy makes their way to the ring. They’ll face Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci of Imperium next.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) w/ Maxxine Dupri vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci)
Chad Gable will start off against Ludwig Kaiser. They lock up, and Kaiser backs him to the corner. Gable ducks a right hand and connects with an arm drag. Gable applies a side headlock and cinches it in. Kaiser fights up and hooks the head. Gable whips him off, but Kaiser shoulder tackles him. Kaiser grabs the arm and applies an armbar. Gable twists out and quickly takes him down with a drop-toe-hold. Kaiser quickly fights up and takes him down before kicking him in the chest. Kaiser then tags Giovanni Vinci in. Vinci takes it to Gable and applies a side headlock. Gable whips him off and hits a head-scissor takeover. Gable goes for a German Suplex, but Vinci fights out. Gable quickly takes Vinci down and applies an ankle lock. Vinci twists out and sends Gable into Kaiser. Gable flips through a back suplex from Vinci and hits him with an exploder. Gable heads to the top rope, but Kaiser pulls Vinci out of the ring and starts yelling at him. Otis sends Gable over the top rope (sort of) onto Vinci. Kaiser avoids the impact.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Gable chopping Kaiser’s chest. Kaiser quickly responds with a running uppercut to knock him out of the ring. Kaiser distracts the referee as Vinci hits Gable with a back suplex on the apron. Kaiser then dropkicks Gable off the apron. Kaiser gets Gable in the ring and punches him down before tagging Vinci in. Vinci takes it to Gable before Gable catches him with a backslide pin for a two-count. Vinci blocks a kick and hits a vicious lariat. Kaiser tags himself in hard, upsetting Vinci. Kaiser drops Gable with a right hand for a two-count. Kaiser applies a head-and-arm lock, but Gable fights up. Kaiser elbows him, but he has a whip reversed on him. Kaiser counters a back body drop into a sunset flip, but Gable rolls through and applies an ankle lock. Kaiser kicks him away, and Gable knocks Vinci off the apron. Gable then hits Kaiser with a German Suplex.
Otis tags in, and Kaiser is furious to find that Vinci is not on the apron. Otis takes it to Kaiser and clotheslines him down. Vinci runs in, but Otis elbows him down. Otis sends Kaiser flying with an exploder before avalanching him in the corner. Vinci runs in and springboards off the ropes, but Otis catches him and hits the World’s Strongest Slam. Otis follows up with a Caterpillar on Kaiser. Otis puts Kaiser on the top turnbuckle and sets up for a big slam. Vinci grabs Otis’ leg, and he falls backward off the ropes. Gable takes out Vinci with a cannonball off the apron. In the ring, Kaiser hits Otis with a running enzuigiri for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Imperium
After being given an ultimatum by WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Imperium has come out on top tonight.
Video Package: Highlights are shown of the incredible Extreme Rules Match between Becky Lynch and Tiffany Stratton at NXT No Mercy. Lynch retained the NXT Women’s Championship.
A photo of a nasty cut on Becky Lynch’s arm is shown that required 11 stitches to close.
WWE Official Adam Pearce is backstage with Tegan Nox. Pearce says Becky Lynch cannot defend the NXT Women’s Championship against her tonight because of the injury. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green walks in and makes fun of her. Nox says she’d like a match against Green to figure out who is championship material. Pearce makes it official.
-Commercial Break-
Cedric Alexander vs. “Big” Bronson Reed
Alexander takes it to Reed at the sound of the bell. Alexander hits a missile dropkick that sends Reed out of the ring, but not off his feet. Alexander kicks Reed back and takes him to his knees with a suicide dive. Alexander then hits a somersault senton to take him down. Reed quickly elbows him and gets on the apron. Alexander goes for a springboard, but Reed clotheslines him out of midair. Alexander fights back with a Neuralyzer. Alexander heads to the top rope, but Reed grabs him by the throat and presses him up. Alexander gets out and hits the ropes, but Reed crushes him with a running cross-body block followed by a senton splash. Reed positions Alexander in the corner and goes to the top rope for a Tsunami to pick up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “Big” Bronson Reed
Replays are shown of Ivar attacking Xavier Woods last week on Raw. Drew McIntyre used the distraction to beat Kofi Kingston. McIntyre then walked off on his former friends, The New Day, as they were finished off by Ivar.
WWE Official Adam Pearce is on the phone when Drew McIntyre walks up to him. McIntyre says he doesn’t want to be on Miz TV. He did it last week because he thought the fans deserved it, but not this week. Pearce says Miz requested he be on the show and will give him an open forum. McIntyre agrees. Pearce asks if McIntyre is all good. McIntyre says he didn’t do the “right thing” because no one did the “right thing” for him when the Bloodline was beating him down.
The WWE Intercontinental Championship Contract Signing is next.
-Commercial Break-
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is shown at ringside.
WWE Intercontinental Championship contract signing
WWE Official Adam Pearce is in the ring to make official their WWE Intercontinental Championship. First up is the #1 contender Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa comes to the ring and poses on the turnbuckles. Pearce next introduces WWE Intercontinental Champion “The Ring General” Gunther. The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion makes his way to the ring with a smug look on his face.
Gunther sits down at the table while Ciampa stands at the other side. Ciampa takes the contract and goes to sign before stopping himself. Ciampa says what he’s setting out to do to Gunther is beyond his imagination. When this match happens, things will be different. Ever since Gunther has come to WWE, he’s been served five-course meals. That doesn’t happen for guys like Ciampa. They’re served roadkill and told to make it into filet. When he does it enough times, he gets a chance. Ciampa tells Gunther to look at him. Next week on Raw when he comes down the ramp to fight for the Intercontinental Championship, the title he’s wanted since he was five, he’ll be doing it with his family at ringside. Ciampa won’t be fighting for his family, though. He’ll be fighting for the little boy that wanted that Intercontinental Championship. Ciampa signs the contract and slams down the pen.
Gunther, who has been unfazed throughout, smirks and picks up the microphone. This is a contract signing for the most important championship in the sport today, but Ciampa showed up looking like a slob. That tells Gunther all he needs to know. Ciampa talks about fighting for himself and his family. It’s noble. Gunther fights for what’s near and dear to him, the Intercontinental Championship. He is the greatest and longest-reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time. Ciampa derisively claps for him. Gunther tells him to have a good look. Ciampa says Gunther seems confident for someone about to lose his entire world. Ciampa tells him to sign the contract. Gunther warns him to not interrupt him. Ciampa can keep on dreaming because this is the closest he’ll ever get to this great championship.
Ciampa says Gunther still hasn’t signed the contract. The people of San Jose want to see history. Why wait until Fastlane or Raw? Ciampa will make him tap out tonight. Gunther says Ciampa should have to prove himself and then signs the contract. Pearce makes the Intercontinental Championship match official for tonight!
Gunther slaps Ciampa, so Ciampa jumps over the table and punches away at him. Gunther shoves him over the table and angrily throws the table out of the ring. Ciampa throws a chair into Gunther’s head and applies the Sicilian Stretch. Gunther quickly escapes the ring.
Damian Priest is in the Judgment Day locker room complaining about Adam Pearce’s decisions. JD McDonagh starts talking, but Priest tells him to be quiet. Rhea Ripley tells Priest to listen to him because he’s onto something. McDonagh suggests they try to divide Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. They’ll divide and then conquer them. Priest says he’ll think about it.
The New Day makes their way to the ring. Xavier Woods will battle Ivar next.
-Commercial Break-
Kofi Kingston will be on commentary for the next match.
Xavier Woods vs. Ivar
The bell rings, and Woods immediately dropkicks him. Woods punches away at him until Ivar shoves him off. Woods big boots him back. Ivar reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but Woods slingshots over him. Woods charges, but Ivar hits a seated senton. Ivar follows up with an exploder suplex. Ivar taunts the crowd and hits Woods with a running Bronco Buster for a two-count. Ivar hits some crossface forearms to the face. Ivar sends him to the corner, but Woods boots him back. Ivar avoids an Honor Roll and goes for a back suplex, but Woods gets out. Woods tries to lift him, but Ivar fights it. Woods slides under the legs twice and superkicks him. Woods clotheslines him over the top rope and goes for a baseball slide, but Ivar grabs him and sends him into the LED apron. Ivar charges, but Woods sidesteps him. Ivar hits the apron hard! Woods comes off the barricade with a missile dropkick!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ivar going for a double-arm suplex, but Woods gets out. Woods kicks away at Ivar before lifting him. The crowd comes to their feet as Woods hits a sit-out Death Valley Driver for a near fall!
Woods pulls him up, but Ivar picks him up and hits a scoop slam. Ivar heads to the middle rope, but Woods cuts him off with some clubs. Woods goes for a powerbomb, but Ivar holds the ropes and falls on top of him! Ivar goes to the top rope for a splash, but Woods moves! Woods rolls him up for a two-count. Ivar quickly kicks him and goes for a powerbomb, but Woods counters into a small package for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Xavier Woods
Ivar attacks Woods from behind, so Kingston runs into the ring. Kingston attacks and comes off the top rope with an elbow to the head. Ivar quickly takes out Kingston with a spin kick. Ivar then spin kicks Woods down. Ivar grabs Kingston and hits him with a double-arm powerbomb onto Woods. The New Day are stacked on each other. Ivar goes to the top rope and flattens the New Day with a moonsault! The crowd is shocked!
Video Package: Preview of Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Fastlane.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins is walking backstage. We’ll hear his final address before Fastlane next.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole is in the ring and introduces World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins to the ring. Rollins stands in the ring and listens to the crowd sing before welcoming San Jose to “Monday Night Rollins.” Rollins tells them to give it up for the Voice of WWE, the one and only Michael Cole. Cole gets a nice reaction.
Cole wants to get right to it. Cole has had the pleasure and honor of calling most of the matches for his career. Cole has helped come up with some of the nicknames, like “visionary” and “revolutionary.” At times, he called him the “puppeteer.” Now it seems like Rollins is the puppet. Rollins says he gave him a nice introduction and Cole goes with that. Who is the puppet? Rollins wanted a rematch from Shinsuke Nakamura for weeks and finally got it. Cole asks what he’s doing. Rollins has never competed in a Last Man Standing Match. He’s accomplished so much. In this match, anything is legal. You just have to beat your opponent down so badly they can’t get up by the count of ten. It’s been documented that Rollins’ back is hanging by a thread. Why is he doing this? He could lose his livelihood.
Rollins takes his sunglasses off and says he doesn’t know how to put it into words. Rollins asks Cole how long he’s been sitting at the commentary desk. Cole says he’s been here for 26 years and missed only two shows. Rollins puts over Cole’s longevity. Cole has to get it. Cole is addicted to it. It’s a compulsion. Cole needs it and loves it. That’s what it’s like for Rollins in this ring and being in front of these people when they sing his song. Rollins needs and loves it. Rollins has an honor, a responsibility, and a duty. This ring has given him everything. It’s put a roof over his head, food on his table, how he met his wife, and the reason he has a beautiful baby girl. When you’re World Heavyweight Champion, all that responsibility gets amplified because you have to be a bigger example. You have to be the change. If that responsibility takes him to Fastlane and it is his last ride with his back giving out, and he can’t do it anymore, it won’t matter that much. What matters is he left it all in the ring. Rollins would have fulfilled his responsibility. He’ll be an honorable man and an example for his daughter. If Cole wants a reason, that’s the best he’s got. It’s not words. It’s just a feeling. Rollins says it feels right.
Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the titantron. He says in Japanese that he’s tired of Rollins’ nonsense. No one believes him. Is the back injury a lie to get sympathy? Rollins says nothing will keep him down. Does he want the world to feel sorry for him? Nakamura then appears in the ring and attacks Rollins from behind! Nakamura takes Rollins out with a Kinshasa to the back of the neck! The recorded video of Nakamura on the titantron begins counting. Rollins gets up at seven, so the video stops. Nakamura attacks Rollins with a chair. Nakamura targets the broken back with vicious chairshot after vicious chairshot! Nakamura sets up the chair and sits down. The recorded Nakamura counts, but Rollins gets up at nine! Nakamura kicks him and delivers a low blow. Nakamura then delivers a backbreaker through the chair! Nakamura finishes off the World Heavyweight Champion with a Kinshasa. Nakamura picks up the microphone and begins counting in real-time. Nakamura counts to ten, and Rollins does not get up. Nakamura holds up the World Heavyweight Championship.
Tegan Nox is warming up when NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch comes up with her arm in a sling. Lynch says she should be ready for a fight because they’re going to go when she’s cleared. Lynch goes to leave and bumps into Natalya. Natalya walks by her and goes up to Nox. Natalya says they got off on the wrong foot. Natalya says she’s proud of Nox. She’ll get another opportunity for a title match against Becky Lynch. When she gets it, she’ll nail it. Nox thanks her for the kind words.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their way to the ring. Green will face Tegan Nox next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven vs. Tegan Nox
The bell rings, and Green immediately big boots her down. Green goes for a high five from Piper Niven, but Niven isn’t impressed. Nox takes it to Green for a two-count. Green slaps her and goes for Un-Pretty-Her, but Nox gets out. Green kicks Nox out of the ring. Nox avoids a baseball slide. Nox slaps her in the face, knocking her off the apron and into Niven’s arms. Nox takes Green out with a cannonball off the apron. Nox gets Green in the ring and goes to the top rope. Niven distracts her, so Natalya runs down to back her off. Nox knocks Green off the top rope and hits a Molly-Go-Round. Nox connects with the Shiniest Wizard for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Tegan Nox
Natalya gets in the ring and hugs Nox before raising her arm in the air.
Gunther will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Tommaso Ciampa in tonight’s main event.
“The Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring. He’ll be on Miz TV next.
-Commercial Break-
Byron Saxton walks up to “Main Event” Jey Uso. Jey says he’s good with Cody Rhodes. It’s full speed ahead. When he was in the Bloodline, Rhodes was the enemy. No longer.
Drew McIntyre is in the ring and says, “San Jose, what should we talk about?” McIntyre says everyone wants an explanation. Why has he changed? McIntyre doesn’t have to explain a damn thing to anyone in the locker room. The only people he answers to are his fans. They’ve been with him since he was 22 years old through the ups and downs. McIntyre is going to stop interfering in fights he doesn’t belong in. McIntyre fights at less than 100% because of it. In the past few weeks since he stopped saving the day, no one has stepped up. They’re all hypocrites, except Cody Rhodes. Rhodes is cleaning up his own mess. Rhodes does and says what he wants. Forgiveness, when it comes to Jey Uso, is weakness, not strength.
The Miz’s music hits, and “The A-Lister” interrupts McIntyre. Miz says he doesn’t forgive McIntyre for what he did to him on Miz TV. Miz doesn’t forgive him for canceling this week’s edition of Miz TV. Miz gave him an open forum to speak from the heart, but McIntyre said nothing. McIntyre tells him to shut up and bugger off. Miz says he stood up for him and was looking out for McIntyre. All McIntyre did was shut him up. The crowd chants, “Shut up, Miz.” Miz tells him to embrace who he really is. McIntyre tells him to shut up, and the crowd starts chanting again. McIntyre says Miz wants him to be the bad guy. Maybe beat up Seth Rollins and take his title. Maybe screw Jey Uso at Fastlane. That’s not how McIntyre operates. He racks up the wins and makes the opportunity. McIntyre challenges Miz to a fight unless his balls are too tiny. It should be noted that Miz is wearing a suit. Miz says he is not dressed to compete. He’s in a suit while McIntyre is in a skirt. McIntyre is Two Face and not Batman. He only plays the side that benefits McIntyre. McIntyre is not worth his time.
Miz says he was taught by his momma that the bigger man walks away from a fight. Miz walks off. Miz then runs into the ring and hits McIntyre in the back of the head with the microphone. An irate McIntyre gets in the ring and drives Miz into the corner. Referees run into the ring to separate them. Miz escapes the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Drew McIntyre vs. The Miz
The Miz is still wearing his suit. The bell rings, and Miz gets out of the ring. McIntyre chases him in and pulls him out. McIntyre picks Miz up and goes back and forth slamming him into the LED apron and the barricade. Miz soon sends McIntyre into the ring post and gets in the ring. Miz looks for a count-out, but McIntyre gets in. Miz boots him in the head and applies a headlock. A loud, “Tiny Balls,” chant picks up. Miz goes for his patented corner clothesline, but McIntyre catches him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre hits a second one and follows up with a neckbreaker. McIntyre kips up and goes for a Future Shock DDT, but Miz gets out. Miz knees him in the face and hits a lungblower. The referee checks on McIntyre, so Miz starts to unravel the top turnbuckle pad. The referee catches him and admonishes him. McIntyre gives Miz a Glasgow Kiss before going to the corner to start counting down. McIntyre then looks to the corner and grabs his sword, Angela. The referee takes the sword from him. McIntyre uses the distraction to pull the turnbuckle pad off and bounce Miz’s face off it! McIntyre hits the Future Shock DDT for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre takes a microphone and says he’s done some serious thinking. He’s not the same guy he was 30 seconds ago. Now he’s sorry for his actions, so is automatically forgiven! McIntyre shakes his head and walks off.
Video Package: Trick Williams defeats “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio to win the NXT North American Championship at NXT No Mercy.
Jackie Redmond is backstage with new NXT North American Champion Trick Williams. Williams introduces himself to Redmond and the rest of the world. He’s got gold on his ear, wrist, and waist. Tomorrow, he’ll defend the title against “Dirty” Dom. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio walks up to him along with Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and JD McDonagh. Ripley says Mysterio won’t be alone tomorrow night and will leave with his NXT North American Championship.
Tommaso Ciampa is warming up backstage. He’ll face Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Jackie Redmond is standing on the ramp and welcomes her guest, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
“Wrestling has more than one royal family.”
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes makes his way to the stage to a big ovation. This Saturday, Adam Pearce put Rhodes in a match with Jey Uso to go for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day. Rhodes says he never planned to team with “Main Event” Jey Uso, but the Judgment Day caused this. Rhodes heard they’ll be on SmackDown, so he’ll be there with Jey Uso. They’ll win the Tag Titles at Fastlane. Then it will be a very different Monday Night Raw.
The commentators go through the WWE Fastlane card.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther makes his way to the ring alongside Imperium. Gunther removes his jacket, and Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci go to the back. He’ll defend the title against Tommaso Ciampa next.
-Commercial Break-
Alpha Academy is backstage. Otis apologizes for losing, but Chad Gable says he doesn’t need to apologize. Imperium are cheaters. Gunther has peaked, but Gable hasn’t. When he does, all the savages and idiots will know.
The Judgment Day will be on SmackDown this Friday.
Next Monday on Raw, Becky Lynch will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Tegan Nox. Kofi Kingston will also battle Ivar in a Viking Rules Match. Finally, Nia Jax will battle Raquel Rodriguez.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Gunther (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
During the in-ring introductions, Ciampa shoves Gunther. Gunther shakes it off but is clearly upset. Gunther poses with his title in the ring, and his chest has two handprints from the shove by Ciampa.
The bell rings, and this match begins. They circle the ring, and Ciampa quickly attacks him, punching the champion into the corner. Gunther fights back, but Ciampa grabs the arm and goes to take him down. Gunther fights it, but Ciampa responds with stiff lariats against the ropes. Gunther quickly slams Ciampa down and applies a Boston Crab. Gunther stops him from grabbing the bottom rope and stomps him. Gunther gets Ciampa outside the ring and lifts him. Ciampa slides off and sends him into the ring post. Ciampa follows up with a Lou Thesz Press at ringside. Ciampa gets him in the ring and goes for a Sicilian Stretch, but Gunther grabs the bottom rope. Gunther pulls himself out of the ring and collects himself at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Gunther applying an armbar to Ciampa. Gunther pulls him up, wrenches the arm, and chops him down. Ciampa soon fights back with some chops, but Gunther cuts him off with a scoop slam. Gunther talks trash and clubs the back. Gunther chokes him on the bottom rope. Ciampa attempts to fight him, but Gunther takes him down with a sleeper hold. Gunther has Ciampa down on the mat and is trying to put him out. For some reason, the crowd has their cellphones held up with the flashlights on and waving them around. Not sure what that’s about. In any event, this distracted me long enough. Gunther drops Ciampa with a big boot for a near fall. Gunther goes back to the sleeper hold, but Ciampa gets a head of steam and drives him into the turnbuckle. Ciampa then takes him down and applies a Sicilian Stretch! Gunther fights it and grabs the bottom rope. Gunther gets out of the ring and pulls Ciampa along with him. Gunther viciously chops him twice and hits a back suplex on the apron.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, these two men are exchanging brutal chops to the chest. Gunther slams him on the top turnbuckle and stretches him out. Ciampa falls to ringside. Gunther leans him against the barricade and chops the chest. Gunther goes for another chop, but Ciampa moves. Gunther strikes the commentary table again and cracks the lid. Ciampa knocks Gunther off the apron and hits a flying running knee. Ciampa attacks the injured arm and slams it off the table a few times. Ciampa goes to get in the ring, but Gunther pulls him out and chops him with his left hand. Less effective, but it still managed to drop Ciampa.
Gunther gets Ciampa in the ring. Ciampa grabs him getting in the ring and hits Willow’s Bell for a near fall. Ciampa sets up for the Fairy Tale Ending, but Gunther fights it. Ciampa kicks him in the injured hand a few times and stomps away at the skull. The referee backs Ciampa off. Ciampa pulls his kneepad down and charges, but Gunther explodes out of the corner with a Tyrannosaurus Dropkick for a near fall!
Gunther takes a moment to recover before attempting a Powerbomb, but he can’t lift him with his injured hand making him unable to grip. Gunther scoops him up, but Ciampa counters into a reverse DDT. Ciampa then hits a knee to the face for a near fall! The crowd came to their feet on that one. Ciampa shakes his head in frustration. Ciampa stomps away at Gunther’s head and goes for the Fairy Tale Ending. Gunther gets out and chops him with the bad hand. Gunther spikes Ciampa on the head with a vicious dragon suplex for a near fall. Gunther goes for a lariat, but Ciampa shoves him off and goes for a Sicilian Stretch. Gunther fights it and rolls him over for a two-count. Ciampa rolls through and applies the Sicilian Stretch! Gunther screams in agony. He’s close to the ropes, but not close enough. Gunther reaches out a foot and manages to touch the ring rope to break the hold.
Ciampa signals for the end. Ciampa chops the chest a few times, and Gunther stumbles to the corner. Ciampa lays in some chops in the corner. Gunther uses his bad hand to chop him back. Ciampa blocks one and kicks the injured hand. Gunther fights out of a lift and hits a wild Powerbomb. Gunther holds on and hits a second Powerbomb. Gunther rolls him over and applies the sleeper hold once again. Ciampa passes out and collapses on the mat, causing the referee to end the match.
Winner by Technical Knockout and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther
Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci run down to the ring and double-team Tommaso Ciampa in the ring. Gunther walks off with the Intercontinental Championship around his waist, leaving his Imperium stablemates to finish off his dirty work.
All of a sudden, Johnny Gargano makes his return to Raw to make the save. Gargano hits a slingshot spear on Vinci and superkicks Kaiser out of the ring. Gargano looks like he’s setting up for something, but the show runs out of time. It looks like DIY is coming back.
Quick Match Results
— Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) def. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in a Tag Team Match
— “Big” Bronson Reed def. Cedric Alexander
— Xavier Woods def. Ivar
— Tegan Nox def. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green
— Drew McIntyre def. The Miz
— Gunther def. Tommaso Ciampa via TKO to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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