WWE Raw Results
October 23, 2023
Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center)
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.
A video recaps what happened in last week’s Raw main event. Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of the Judgment Day, with a major assist from Jimmy Uso superkicking his brother, Jey Uso, defeated Jey and Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.
The Raw video plays, and we go live into the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, to see a sold-out and excited crowd.
The Judgment Day celebrates winning the Tag Titles
The Judgment Day’s music hits, and Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest make their way to the ring. They look very pleased with themselves as the crowd boos them.
Bálor welcomes the crowd to Monday Night Raw. The crowd boos louder. Bálor says he’s feeling so good tonight that he’s going to do something special. Bálor asks for permission, and Damian Priest grants it. Bálor imitates Priest’s voice by saying, “All rise for the Judgment Day, and all rise for the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions of the world!” Priest says before everyone starts wondering where the rest of the Judgment Day is, they’re in their locker room. They have a hell of a night ahead of them. They’re dripping gold and back to running Monday Night Raw!
“Wrestling has more than one royal family.”
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring dressed in a suit. The crowd gives him a great ovation and loudly sings his theme song. Rhodes cautiously enters the ring, and a thunderous “Cody” chant fires up. Rhodes asks how it feels to get interrupted. Rhodes does have some choice words for the leader of the Judgment Day, but he can see that Rhea Ripley is not out here. Rhodes says he knows what they will say in that there’s no leader in the Judgment Day. It can’t just be little Dom-Dom. Ripley is their Mami, too. Bálor and Priest don’t look happy. She’s pulling all the strings, calling all the shots, and cutting all the deals, including one with the Bloodline. Rhodes says he would like to speak specifically to Damian Priest if he can. Last week, Priest gave him a low blow. If Priest thought that was the final shot in this fight, he is wrong. Priest says it’s convenient that Rhodes didn’t mention that he also put him through the table.
Priest is glad Rhodes is out here because he would have found him at some point. Priest is also happy that he brought up the Bloodline. There is a lot of talk about Rhodes’s story. People involved in his story sent Jimmy Uso out there last week. The story has to be that Rhodes has failed. Rhodes takes his tie off and asks him to put that theory to the test right now. Priest asks if they will pretend he doesn’t already have a match against Jey Uso. They do have a big event coming up. Maybe it’s Cody Rhodes versus Damian Priest at Crown Jewel? Rhodes quickly says, “I accept… but what do we do now?” They’re standing there, and he’s in the ring. They can give everyone a preview of Crown Jewel right now. Priest says he likes that idea…
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio start to make their way down to the ring. “Main Event” Jey Uso runs down and attacks Mysterio from behind. Rhodes and Priest begin to brawl in the ring. Rhodes knocks Priest out of the ring and bounces him off the commentary table a few times. Rhodes clears the table off. All of a sudden, JD McDonagh chop blocks Rhodes from behind. Priest and McDonagh double-team Rhodes at ringside. They get some chairs out from under the ring. McDonagh puts Rhodes’s ankle into a chair, and Priest smashes a chair into it, seemingly breaking Rhodes’s ankle! Raw General Manager Adam Pearce runs down to ringside with other WWE officials to break this up. Priest and McDonagh walk off to loud boos.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Damian Priest and JD McDonagh smashing Cody Rhodes’s ankle with a steel chair.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is backstage with “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and “Main Event” Jey Uso. Rhodes is clutching his injured ankle. Jey Uso helps Rhodes walk away.
Later tonight, Damian Priest will face Jey Uso. Becky Lynch will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Indi Hartwell. “The Maverick” Logan Paul will return to Raw. We’ll also see Drew McIntyre battle Sami Zayn.
Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) w/ Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Chad Gable will start against Xavier Woods. Both of them, having been successful at amateur wrestling in the past (Gable at the Olympic level), go for amateur wrestling takedowns. Gable grounds Woods and whips him to the corner. Woods boots him back and connects with an Honor Roll for a two-count. Kofi Kingston tags in. The New Day hits Gable with kicks, splashes, and elbow drops for a two-count. Gable reverses a whip to the corner and goes for a monkey flip, but Kingston lands on his feet and poses. Gable goes for a roll-up, but Kingston holds on. Kingston goes for a dive, but Gable takes him down for an Ankle Lock. Kingston gets out and avoids Chaos Theory. Gable ducks Trouble in Paradise. Gable then gives him a cross-body block over the top rope. Woods dives at Gable, but Gable grabs him and goes for a German Suplex on the floor. Woods gets out and is quickly run over by Otis. Kingston charges Otis, but Otis gives him a back body drop on the floor! Alpha Academy poses as we head to a commercial break.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Otis miss a Vader Bomb on Kingston.
Gable and Woods tag in. Woods runs wild on Gable with rapid-fire offense. Woods connects with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Gable fights back and hits some German Suplexes before hitting one with a bridge for a near fall. Otis tags in and puts Woods in the electric chair position. Gable goes to the top rope and hits a flying bulldog! Otis covers, but Kingston breaks it up. Kingston kicks Gable out of the ring. Otis then avalanches Kingston in the corner. Otis rips off his shirt and hits Kingston with the Caterpillar Elbow Drop.
Woods kicks Otis, but Otis head-butts him down. Otis charges, but Woods sidesteps him. Otis hits the ring post shoulder-first. Gable blind tags in and gets off the apron. Otis drops down on the mat. Woods starts to do a reverse caterpillar, but Gable, the legal man, applies an Ankle Lock in the center of the ring! Woods soon counters with a roll-up for a two-count. Gable charges, but Woods pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Otis, who tagged in, grabs Woods. Kingston tags in. The New Day hits Otis with a double superkick. Woods tags in. Kingston hits Otis with Trouble in Paradise and hits Gable with a Trust Fall! Woods goes to the top rope and hits a flying elbow drop on Otis for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The New Day
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. Redmond says Lynch is a fighting champion. She’s defending the title tonight and then again tomorrow at NXT Halloween Havoc. Lynch says, “The Man has come around to Dallas!” Indi Hartwell never lost the title. Lynch is always looking for a fight. She also knows that Lyra Valkyria is here to watch her. She’ll welcome them to the big time. Xia Li was walking in the background.
-Commercial Break-
A video showcases Ivar emerging from a group of Vikings and appearing before Valhalla. Ivar is a god walking among men. All will fear him.
Replays are shown of Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Drew McIntyre’s verbal confrontation in the ring last week.
Backstage Segment
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins is walking backstage when he bumps into Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. Rollins mentions that he doesn’t see her crew, so he knows he’s not going to get jumped by them. Ripley acknowledges the history between Rollins and the Judgment Day. She says they always respected him. They tried to take the title off him, but they couldn’t. Still, the way Rollins has been going lately with his fragile back, he needs an insurance policy.
Rollins thinks Ripley has lost faith in Damian Priest. Maybe she doesn’t think Priest can take the title off him. That’s why she’s wheeling and dealing with the Bloodline and Drew McIntyre. What could he want from her? Rollins looks at her and says, “Ew!”
Ripley says that Rollins needs her. Right now, he’s a World Champion, but he could be THE World Champion. As for the Bloodline, alliances can change. If they join forces, Priest can cash in on someone else. Then, Judgment Day will have all the gold. Without them, he’ll never hold the title for as long as Roman Reigns has. One thousand days is a long time. With his back so banged up, they can have Rollins’s back and make sure people acknowledge him.
Rollins removes his sunglasses and is deadly serious. He says he wants to make one thing clear: he doesn’t want to be anything like Roman Reigns. Ripley says he didn’t say “no” and tells him to think about it before walking off.
Women’s Locker Room
Indi Hartwell is preparing with Candice LeRae backstage. Natalya walks up and wishes Hartwell luck. They ask about Tegan Nox. Natalya says she got injured on NXT, but she’ll be back. If they need any advice, she’s here for them.
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring. She’ll defend the title against Indi Hartwell next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE airs a preview of the new movie, “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
Lyra Valkyria of WWE NXT is at ringside. She will face the winner of this match for the NXT Women’s Championship tomorrow night on NXT Halloween Havoc Night One.
NXT Women’s Championship
“The Man” Becky Lynch (c) vs. Indi Hartwell
A “Becky” chant picks up. Wade Barrett says it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Lynch is going to win. The bell rings, and Lynch immediately sidesteps a move from Hartwell. Hartwell gets out of a Manhandle Slam and clotheslines her down. Lynch rolls out of the ring and is angry. Lynch gets on the apron and kicks her back. Lynch comes off the top rope but lands on her feet when Hartwell moves. Hartwell hits a backslide pin for a two-count. Candice LeRae is watching backstage. Hartwell takes Lynch down before hitting a fireman’s carry snake eyes. Hartwell connects with a sidewalk slam for a two-count. Lynch soon follows her into the ropes and hits a running dropkick. Hartwell rolls out of the ring to recover. Hartwell avoids a baseball slide and gets Lynch in position for a wheelbarrow maneuver before launching her sternum-first into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Lynch put Hartwell on the apron, but Hartwell fights her. Hartwell pulls her between the ropes and kicks her back. Hartwell goes to the top rope and connects with a flying elbow drop to the spine for a two-count. Lyra Valkyria is watching intently at ringside. In the ring, Lynch counters a suplex with a roll-up for a two-count. Lynch tries for a takedown, but Hartwell fights it. Lynch manages to take her down for a two-count. Candice LeRae is still watching backstage.
Lynch gets the crowd going and goes for a Manhandle Slam, but Hartwell counters into a full nelson attempt. Lynch fights out, but Hartwell soon big boots her down for a near fall. Hartwell sets Lynch up and goes to the second rope. Lynch cuts her off and has her on the top rope. Lynch clubs away at her and hits a superplex off the middle rope. Lynch immediately goes for the Dis-Arm-Her, but Hartwell holds her hands together to prevent the move from being applied. Hartwell rolls her onto her shoulders for a two-count. Hartwell powers Lynch up and slams her down for a near fall. Lynch fights back and hits the ropes, but Hartwell takes her down with a spinebuster for a near fall. Hartwell looks to be near tears that she cannot put her away. Lynch takes her down and covers, but Hartwell rolls through into a cover for a near fall. Lynch quickly pops into the Dis-Arm-Her, and Hartwell has no choice but to submit.
Winner by Submission and still NXT Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch
Indi Hartwell gets to her feet, holding her arm. Becky Lynch shakes hands with her before leaving the ring. Lynch approaches Valkyria at ringside and talks to her a bit. Lynch then angrily walks off.
Becky Lynch will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Lyra Valkyria tomorrow night on NXT Halloween Havoc Night One.
Backstage, Candice LeRae looks upset at the result of this match. Xia Li suddenly walks up to her and hits a throat thrust. Li says that is a message for Indi Hartwell as well. Li leaves the room.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce’s Office
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is in his office. He hands a folder with a contract in it to a security guard and mentions that contract signings can get wild. Pearce turns and sees SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis standing there. Aldis says they got off on the wrong foot. Kicking Pearce out of the building on Friday Night SmackDown was a rookie error. Aldis wants to have healthy competition and show that SmackDown is the number one show, but he doesn’t want to ruin their working relationship. Aldis apologizes to Pearce.
Pearce says what happened on Friday was out of line, but he considers it water under the bridge. Pearce wants Aldis to hang around and watch how the flagship show runs. Aldis walks off.
A referee walks in, and Pearce tells him to double whatever security they currently have.
There will be a Women’s World Championship Contract Signing next.
-Commercial Break-
Women’s World Championship Contract Signing
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is in the center of the ring. Security is stationed at ringside. Pearce says there has been a lot of chaos in the Women’s Division, but they’ll settle things in the ring. Pearce wants to get this contract signed before things go to hell. To do that, he needs the competitors.
Raquel Rodriguez, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Nia Jax individually come out to the ring. The other competitors sign the contract, but Nia Jax won’t. Pearce says Rhea Ripley is the cause of all the chaos, so he’ll get that signature lately. If Jax wants Ripley, all she has to do is sign the contract. Jax angrily signs the contract.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley comes out to the stage. Ripley says she has something to get off her chest. She can beat every single one of the women in the ring individually, but this is a conspiracy. Pearce is trying to set her up. The more Pearce tries to control her, the more she’ll make his life a living hell. He was smart to make this a Fatal 5-Way at Crown Jewel, but all that will happen is he’ll have four less women in the division at the end of it. None of these women will take the title from her, whether he likes it or not. She’ll prove she’s the most dominant woman in WWE because Mami is always on top.
Nia Jax rips the microphone away from Pearce and sarcastically says Ripley is good. Ripley won’t get in the ring. Ripley wants Jax to squash all the other women for her. Baszler is smart enough to know what’s going on. Ripley wants Jax to squash Rodriguez and Stark for her. A “You Suck” chant picks up. Jax says Rodriguez is from Texas, so she’ll break it down for her. Jax talks to Rodriguez like she can’t comprehend what she’s saying.
Rodriguez punches Jax and tackles her to the corner. Ripley gets off the apron and is smiling at the chaos. Security runs into the ring and backs them all up. Rodriguez sends one of the guards out of the ring. Jax does the same. A brawl breaks out with Jax, Stark, Rodriguez, and Baszler. Ripley is laughing heartily at ringside. It’s down to Jax and Rodriguez. Ripley shouts, “Fight! Fight!” Jax and Rodriguez exchange punches. Security runs back in and separates them. The crowd boos. The crowd chants, “Let them fight!” Jax and Rodriguez wipe out the security guards. They brawl before Jax lifts Rodriguez and crushes her with a Samoan Drop! Jax then stares at Ripley, who smiles and waves at her.
Backstage Segment
Ludwig Kaiser is backstage with Giovanni Vinci. Kaiser says Vinci needs to deliver and get the job done. Vinci says he knows he has to take out Johnny Gargano. Kaiser says Vinci’s performance reflects on him. “Big” Bronson Reed walks up and says their boss (Gunther) gave him a hell of a fight last week. Whenever he’s ready for round two, Reed is ready. Kaiser and Vinci walk off.
Akira Tozawa walks up to Reed in an oversized Alpha Academy shirt. Tozawa says he wants a match against Reed tonight. Reed declines. Tozawa chops him, but Reed doesn’t sell it. Reed says it’ll be Tozawa’s funeral and walks off. Maxxine Dupri runs up and says Coach Gable is not going to be happy about that.
In the arena, Johnny Gargano makes his entrance. He’ll face Giovanni Vinci next.
-Commercial Break-
Johnny Gargano vs. Giovanni Vinci w/ Ludwig Kaiser
The bell rings, and Vinci quickly takes it to Gargano. Vinci tackles him to the corner and punches away at him. Gargano fights back and ducks a clothesline, but Vinci quickly comes back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Vinci clubs the back.
They show another trailer for “Five Nights at Freddy’s” in the middle of this match.
Vinci hits a backbreaker. Gargano rolls to the apron. Vinci blocks a kick and viciously big boots him. Vinci hits the ropes and charges, but Gargano connects with a slingshot spear. Gargano and Vinci trade punches. Gargano hits the ropes, but Ludwig Kaiser distracts him. Vinci takes Gargano down and goes for a powerbomb, but Gargano gets out of it. Gargano then superkicks Vinci down.
Kaiser is irate and gets on the apron to yell. Tommaso Ciampa appears at ringside and pulls Kaiser off the apron. Ciampa attacks him, and Kaiser retreats through the crowd. In the ring, Gargano hits Vinci with One Final Beat for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Johnny Gargano
DIY stands tall in the ring and embraces. Vinci holds his jaw at ringside and looks unhappy.
Shinsuke Nakamura video promo
Shinsuke Nakamura is shown in a video. Nakamura says a beating at his hands is a beautiful thing. Nakamura says he was so happy to give Ricochet the experience last week. Nakamura wants to find an opponent who will inspire the yet-to-be-seen within him. Nakamura wants to release the expression trapped in his dreams. Who is worthy enough to set him free?
“The Maverick” Logan Paul makes his entrance. We’ll hear from him next.
-Commercial Break-
“The Maverick” Logan Paul appears on WWE Raw
“The Maverick” Logan Paul will face Rey Mysterio at WWE Crown Jewel for the United States Championship.
Logan Paul says the fool he defeated in his boxing match last weekend (Dillon Danis) was just dropped by his fight league. Not only did he lose to Logan Paul, but he is now unemployed, unhappy, and unfulfilled. The crowd is booing him and giving him the “WHAT” treatment. Paul mentions that the fool is now a free agent. Paul points out that he’s a free agent, too. All the Logan Paul haters can run to their keyboards. When he defeats Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel and becomes the United States Champion, he’ll give them something to talk about. Once he becomes champion, he may come back to Raw and defend his title.
NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio makes his entrance. Mysterio is getting even bigger heat than Paul is. Paul shouts at the crowd to be quiet and show “Dirty” Dom some respect. Mysterio gets in the ring and tries to speak, but the crowd drowns him out. Mysterio says from a champion to a future champion, he can’t wait for Paul to beat his deadbeat dad. Paul appreciates that. His father was right that they have great talent, but he left out what they had to overcome. Dominik overcame having a deadbeat dad and became the champion of an entire continent. As for Paul, he changed the way entertainment happens. The only person that needs a humbling is Dominik’s father, Rey. Mysterio tries to talk, but the crowd drowns him out again. Mysterio says after Crown Jewel, Paul will be a champion, and he’ll be the only Mysterio with a title. Paul says he can see himself being the United States Champion. Paul cannot wait for that ring announcement.
Since he’s on Raw, his favorite ring announcer is here, Samantha Irvin. Paul invites her into the ring, but she looks trepidatious. Paul wants to thank her and be recognized for what she does for this organization. She apprehensively gets into the ring. Irvin is Ricochet’s fiance, whom Paul defeated at SummerSlam. Paul says he knows it was hard for her to announce him as the winner at SummerSlam when he beat her fiance Ricochet at SummerSlam, but she kept it professional. She did such an incredible job. Paul asks her to give a preview of Crown Jewel and announce him as the new United States Champion right now.
All of a sudden, Ricochet charges into the ring and spears Paul down before punching away at him. Ricochet takes Mysterio down and hits Paul with a baseball slide. Ricochet sizes Paul up, but Mysterio blindsides him. Ricochet kicks Mysterio down and goes to the top rope. Ricochet goes for a shooting star press, but he lands on his feet when Paul pulls Mysterio out of the ring. Paul and Mysterio retreat up the ramp. Ricochet stands tall in the ring. Ricochet then goes to ringside and embraces Samantha Irvin.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their entrance. They’ll face Natalya and a mystery partner in a non-title match next.
-Commercial Break-
A very focused Nikki Cross will be Natalya’s partner. The match begins with Cross still slowly walking to the ring.
Non-Title Match
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs. Natalya and Nikki Cross
Natalya starts against Chelsea Green. Natalya counters Green’s offense and rolls her up for a two-count. They trade pins. Nikki Cross is on the apron and looks to be in a trance. She isn’t blinking. Green sends Natalya to the corner, but she runs into an elbow. Piper Niven distracts Natalya. Green kicks Natalya down and tags Niven in. Niven avalanches Natalya in the corner and throws her down. Niven attacks the back of Natalya and applies a cobra clutch. Green tags back in. Green forearms Natalya in the back of the neck, and Niven pulls Natalya in for a short-arm clothesline for a two-count.
Nikki Cross gets off the apron in this catatonic state and walks off. Natalya looks confused. Natalya hits Green with a German Suplex and steps on her before knocking Niven off the apron. Natalya hits Green with a Discus Clothesline for a near fall. Green goes for the Un-Pretty-Her, but Natalya pushes her off. Niven blind tags in. Niven attacks Natalya, but Natalya takes her down for a Sharpshooter attempt. Green grabs Natalya and hits the Un-Pretty-Her. Niven follows up with a basement cross-body splash for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Replays are shown of Damian Priest and JD McDonagh trying to break Cody Rhodes’s ankle using a chair.
Backstage Segment
“Main Event” Jey Uso is warming up when Drew McIntyre approaches him. McIntyre sarcastically apologizes to Jey about what happened to him last week. He can’t imagine what it’s like to have the Bloodline steal a title from him. Maybe Jey should just get over it! As for the match against Sami Zayn, whatever happens is on Jey Uso. McIntyre walks off.
Michael Cole announces that their only medical update is that Cody Rhodes suffered an ankle injury.
Back in the arena, Sami Zayn makes his entrance. He’ll face Drew McIntyre next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is walking backstage when he’s interrupted by The Miz. Miz says it’s been weeks since he has had anything worthy of his attention on Raw. Miz goes over his entire list of accolades. Miz says that Nick Aldis would appreciate him. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley suddenly storms up to Pearce and signs the contract. Miz looks confused. Ripley says she’s keeping Pearce’s pen and walks off.
Miz wonders where the camera is going as it follows Ripley. Ripley sees “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio backstage. He asks if she saw what happened. She says she did and checks on his “gorgeous” face. They walk off to get Mysterio some ice.
Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
The bell rings, and they lock up. McIntyre powers Zayn to the corner and gives him a clean break. They lock up again. McIntyre pushes him to the corner, but Zayn turns him around and gives him a clean break. McIntyre smiles and shoves him away. Zayn hooks a side headlock and cinches it in. McIntyre whips Zayn off and absorbs a shoulder tackle. McIntyre crooks an eyebrow at him. Zayn hits the ropes, and McIntyre absorbs another shoulder tackle attempt. They talk to each other. Zayn feigns going into the ropes and chops the chest. Zayn hits the ropes, but McIntyre shoulder tackles him down. McIntyre gets Zayn in the corner and viciously chops the chest. Zayn collapses to the mat. McIntyre pulls Zayn up and chops him back down. McIntyre pulls him up and chops him a third time.
Zayn rolls out of the ring and pulls McIntyre out. McIntyre attacks him and whips him into the barricade before charging, but Zayn jumps to the top of the barricade and takes him out with a moonsault block. Zayn gets McIntyre into the ring. Zayn hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but McIntyre soon catches him. McIntyre hits a deadlift vertical suplex and blankly stares at Zayn. McIntyre pulls him up and chops him. Zayn responds with a strike, so McIntyre chops him again. Zayn clubs him with some lariats, but McIntyre doesn’t go down. Zayn soon manages to send McIntyre over the top rope and knocks him to ringside. Zayn goes for a plancha, but McIntyre catches him and throws him over the commentary table! Zayn takes a nasty spill. McIntyre coldly looks down at the ground.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see McIntyre stomping Zayn on the mat. McIntyre hooks a front facelock and sets up for a suplex, but Zayn fights it. McIntyre chops and head-butts him. Zayn flips through a suplex and sidesteps McIntyre to send him into the ring post shoulder-first. Zayn then powers McIntyre up for a vertical suplex.
Zayn gets fired up, and a “Sami” chant picks up. Zayn clotheslines McIntyre over the top rope. Zayn hits the ropes and takes out McIntyre with a somersault plancha. Zayn is fired up and gets McIntyre in the ring. Zayn heads to the top rope, but McIntyre punches him. McIntyre clubs the spine and punches him in the face. McIntyre lifts Zayn while standing on the second rope. Zayn counters out of a Super White Noise into a sunset flip powerbomb off the second rope for a near fall!
The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Zayn pulls himself to his feet. His chest is all red from the chops. Zayn goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but McIntyre fights it. Zayn wildly clubs at him back and tries again, but McIntyre gets out and connects with a Glasgow Kiss to take him down. McIntyre counts down and charges for a Claymore Kick, but Zayn rocks him with a big boot. Zayn connects with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall! The crowd cannot believe it.
Another “This is awesome” chant picks up. McIntyre gets up and chops the chest. McIntyre charges, but Zayn grabs him and tries for an exploder suplex into the corner. McIntyre fights it and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre hits a second one and follows up with a neckbreaker. After a brief respite, McIntyre kips up and shakes the ropes.
All of a sudden, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley walks out to the stage. Zayn rolls up a distracted McIntyre with an inside cradle for a near fall. Zayn hits an exploder suplex into the corner and sets up for the Helluva Kick. Ripley gets on the apron and distracts Zayn. Zayn tries to ignore her and charges, but McIntyre connects with a Claymore Kick for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre poses for the crowd before leaving the ring and ignoring Rhea Ripley as he walks by her. She smiles.
Backstage Segment
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is talking backstage with Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce walks up and excuses Chance and Carter. Pearce says he wanted Aldis to stay around and watch the show, not talk to his Superstars. Aldis says he was just having a friendly conversation. Aldis suggests he’ll leave the arena for him. They shake hands, and Aldis walks off. A comatose Nikki Cross slowly walks by Adam Pearce. Pearce looks into the distance and says with a weariness in his voice, “I need a drink.”
“Big” Bronson Reed makes his entrance. He’ll face Akira Tozawa next.
-Commercial Break-
Another “Five Nights at Freddy’s” trailer plays.
“Big” Bronson Reed vs. Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri
“Big” Bronson Reed looks confused by the antics of Akira Tozawa. Tozawa chops Reed, but Reed doesn’t feel it. Tozawa strikes away at Reed and hits the ropes, but Reed easily avalanches him down. Reed drops an elbow and puts him in the corner. Reed chops the chest, and Tozawa tries to walk it off. Reed viciously whips Tozawa across the ring into the opposite turnbuckle. Reed avalanches Tozawa in the corner and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Reed hits a military press slam. Reed goes for a senton splash, but Tozawa moves. Tozawa chops and kicks away at Reed. Reed avoids a kick, but Tozawa soon connects with an overhead kick. Tozawa tries for a German Suplex but cannot get his arms around him. Tozawa hits a hurricanrana into the ropes. Tozawa goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Reed catches him and tosses him into a Death Valley Driver. Reed follows up with a senton splash before going to the top rope for a TSUNAMI to pick up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “Big” Bronson Reed
“Main Event” Jey Uso will battle “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest in – what else – the main event of Raw next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Otis is showing off his Dallas Cowboys WWE Championship to Chad Gable and The New Day. Akira Tozawa limps in alongside Maxxine Dupri. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa of DIY walk in and talk about the Tag Team Division. Gable says even though Tozawa lost, he’s still a champion. Otis gives him the title, and Tozawa weakly does his dance.
Elsewhere Backstage
Drew McIntyre is walking backstage when World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins walks up to him cackling. Rollins sarcastically congratulates him on his first win as a member of the Judgment Day. McIntyre thinks Rollins is paranoid. McIntyre says he saw Rollins talking to Rhea Ripley earlier tonight. Rollins didn’t turn down her offer. Rollins says he doesn’t need the Judgment Day and can beat McIntyre on his own at Crown Jewel. McIntyre says he doesn’t need them either. Rollins says, “May the best man win.” McIntyre responds, “He will,” and walks off.
Next week on Raw:
— World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. JD McDonagh (non-title)
— Candice LeRae vs. Xia Li
— DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci)
— NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio vs. Ricochet (non-title)
“Main Event” Jey Uso makes his entrance. Jey gets a great crowd reaction. The main event of Raw is next.
-Commercial Break-
“Main Event” Jey Uso vs. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Damian Priest
They lock up, and Priest puts Jey in the corner. Jey punches away at him. Priest fights back and takes Jey down hard. Priest pulls Jey to his feet and rocks him with a right hand before taunting the crowd. Priest lays in a stiff kick to the chest and head-butts him. Priest punches Jey to the corner and whips him to the opposite corner. Jey avoids an avalanche, and Priest’s face bounces off the top of the ring post. Jey dropkicks Priest down and clotheslines him over the top rope. Jey connects with a suicide dive.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Priest applying a rear chin lock to Jey. Jey fights up and punches him in the midsection, but Priest quickly knees him in the midsection. Priest whips him to the corner and avalanches him with a back elbow. Priest connects with a Broken Arrow for a near fall. Priest talks trash to Jey and pulls the hair. Priest pulls him to his feet, but Jey blocks a punch and punches Priest in the jaw. They get into a back-and-forth brawl, with Jey coming out on top. Priest shoves him off, but Jey punches him back to the corner. Jey charges, but Priest puts him on the apron. Jey avoids a big boot and kicks him back. Jey goes to the top rope and connects with a diving cross-body block for a two-count.
Jey slowly gets to his feet and looks down at Priest. Jey lifts Priest for a Samoan Drop, but Priest slides off and rocks him with a right hand. Priest turns him inside out with a clothesline for a near fall. Priest looks frustrated that he couldn’t put Jey Uso away there. Priest signals for South of Heaven. Priest gets him with a goozle, but Jey elbows out and kicks the midsection. Jey removes his shirt and uppercuts Priest. Jey then drops Señor Money in the Bank with a Samoan Drop for a near fall.
The crowd lightly chants, “We want tables.” Priest rolls out of the ring to recover. Jey hits the ropes and goes for a suicide dive, but Priest catches him and hits a flatliner onto the commentary table. Priest gets Jey in the ring and claps the ears. Jey responds with a kick to the head, but Priest quickly drops him with another flatliner for a near fall. Priest sets up for a Razor’s Edge. Priest has him hoisted up, but Jey slips out of it and connects with a Spear! Jey heads to the top rope for an Uso Splash.
The referee doesn’t even start counting because he sees Finn Bálor running to ringside. The referee blocks him from getting into the ring. Jey kicks Bálor off the apron and hits him with a suicide dive. Priest attacks Jey from the apron, but Jey knocks him back. Bálor grabs Jey’s leg and crotches him on the middle rope. Priest drops Jey with a South of Heaven for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest
Bálor mounts Jey and punches away at him. Bálor then heads to the top rope and crushes Jey’s midsection with the Coup de Grâce. Bálor and Priest stand tall.
Bálor then runs out of the ring and grabs a pair of steel chairs. They prepare to attack Jey, but Cody Rhodes’s music hits! Rhodes, with his ankle heavily taped, hobbles down to the ring. Bálor greets him at the front of the aisle, and Rhodes quickly sends him into the metal barricade. Rhodes hobbles into the ring and connects with a Goldust dropdown uppercut. Rhodes connects with a chop block to Priest, a little payback for earlier tonight. Rhodes connects with a chair to the spine of Priest. Rhodes puts the chair around Priest’s ankle and grabs the other chair to swing it, but Bálor pulls Priest out of the ring. Bálor and Priest retreat up the ramp.
This Friday, SmackDown will be on FS1. Roman Reigns and LA Knight will have an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Contract Signing for WWE Crown Jewel.
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso stand tall in the ring, both a little worse for the weary since the show’s start, but both on their feet. The show comes to an end.
Quick Match Results
— The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) def. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in a Tag Team Match
— “The Man” Becky Lynch def. Indi Hartwell via Submission to retain the NXT Women’s Championship
— Johnny Gargano def. Giovanni Vinci
— WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven def. Natalya and Nikki Cross in a Tag Team Match (non-title)
— Drew McIntyre def. Sami Zayn
— “Big” Bronson Reed def. Akira Tozawa
— Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Damian Priest def. “Main Event” Jey Uso
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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