WWE RAW Review – October 2, 2023
Nia Jax vs. Shayna Baszler
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler are brawling on the ramp. Baszler locks Jax in a Sleeper but Jax fights her off. Raquel Rodriguez’s music hits and she runs down to the ring and goes after Jax. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley is hot on her heels to take out Rodriguez until security heads out and pulls all 4 women apart. Ripley levels one of the security guards with Riptide as Jax & Baszler brawl on the ramp.
Winner: No One (Match Never Got Started)
Ripley welcomes fans to Raw and says she’s not leaving the ring then calls Judgment Day out to the ring.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio then saunter down to the ring.
Ripley says she has some Judgment Day business to take care of then clarifies that there’s not supposed to be a leader of the group. She says someone comes up with a game plan, and the second she gets taken out things start falling apart. She says she left it up to Priest to handle things but he didn’t and now both he and Finn Balor are sidelined. She says if that wasn’t enough, Dominik Mysterio lost his NXT North American Title as he wasn’t there to help and now both Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso are after Judgment Day. She asks him what he’s going to do about it and Priest tells Ripley she isn’t saying anything he doesn’t know. He says he will push harder then says screw Rhodes, Jey & the fans. He points out that he’s still holding on to his Money In The Bank briefcase while Mysterio’s NXT North American Title is nowhere to be found.
Ripley glares over at Mysterio and says since she’s his Mami that makes him her Papi. She says she got him a rematch for the North American Title against Trick Williams but if he loses then he shouldn’t bother coming home.
Jey’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He gives Ripley a proper welcome back then says she was missed dearly during her absence and there’s now a new Tribal Chief on Raw who’s more brave than Roman Reigns ever was. Priest tells Jey he’s tired of hearing him running his mouth and looks to go after him but Mysterio stops him and reminds Priest he isn’t medically cleared to handle Judgment Day business. He says he’ll step up to take care of things and Priest allows him to do so despite protests from Ripley.
Priest & Ripely exit the ring and Jey superkicks Mysterio. JD McDonagh appears to provide Mysterio with a helping hand and they double team on Jey. Priest then looks to join in but Cody Rhodes’ music hits to help Jey out. He plants Mysterio with a Cross Rhodes before Adam Pearce appears. He informs Priest that he & Finn Balor that they will be putting the Undisputed Tag Team Titles on the line against Jey & Rhodes at Fastlane.
Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci)
Chad Gable & Ludwig Kaiser lock up to get this match started then Gable executes an arm drag but Kaiser fires back with a shoulder tackle before they go back & forth with submission holds then Giovanni Vinci tags in and delivers a boot to Gable’s midsection.
He follows it up with an uppercut but Gable lands a suplex and ascends to the top. Kaiser pulls Vinci out of the ring and Otis dumps Gable on top of Imperium to take them out as we go to a break.
After the break Kaiser lands a right hand on Gable’s head then Vinci tags in and delivers a stomp to Gable then lands an uppercut and a clothesline. Kaiser tags in and lands an elbow on Gable’s spine. Gable fires back with a back body drop and cinches in an Ankle Lock.
Kaiser fights him off and Gable lands a German suplex then Otis tags in and lands a clothesline before hitting a suplex and a splash in the corner then he connects with The Caterpillar and looks for a slam but Vinci pulls him off the ropes. Gable takes him out with a cannonball off the apron but Kaiser fires back with an enzuigiri for the win.
Winners: Imperium
Highlights aired of Becky Lynch defeating Tiffany Stratton in an Extreme Rules match to retain the NXT Women’s Title at No Mercy.
Michael Cole showed footage of a nasty cut on Lynch’s arm that required 11 stitches to close. He said she would be at NXT on Tuesday to find her next challenger.
We then head backstage to Adam Pearce & Tegan Nox. Pearce informs Nox that her NXT Women’s Title match with Becky Lynch had to be postponed due to the Lynch sustaining an injury and No Mercy before Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green interrupts and Pearce makes a match between them official.
Bronson Reed vs. Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander wastes no time going after Bronson Reed as he sends him to the outside and delivers a kick through the middle rope and they return to the ring.
Alexander lands a kick on Reed then ascends to the top rope but Reed drags him down then delivers a splash and a senton then follows it up with Tsunami for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
Highlights aired of last week’s Miz TV involving Drew McIntyre & New Day followed by McIntyre getting the win over Kofi Kingston then blowing him off when Ivar attacks Kingston.
Backstage Adam Pearce was on the phone when McIntyre approached him. McIntyre told Pearce that he wasn’t going to appear on Miz TV. Pearce said Miz requested it and wanted to give him an open forum. Oh Miz requested it? McIntyre asked then absolutely not. Pearce said he would let Miz know and then asked McIntyre if he was okay. McIntyre assumed he was talking about not doing the right thing. McIntyre said he didn’t recall anyone doing the right thing when he had issues with The Bloodline.
Pearce introduces Intercontienetal Champion Gunther & Tommaso Ciampa and they make their way down to the ring.
Ciampa looks to sign the contract but before he does, he grabs a mic and says the air will taste different and the sun will shine less when he fights him for the Intercontinental Title. He says while Gunther has been served 5 course meals, he’s been served roadkill. He says when he walks out the curtain, he’s fighting for him. He promises that he will be the new Intercontienetal Champion then signs the contract.
Gunther reminds Ciampa that this is a contract signing for the most prestigious title then says Ciampa talks about fighting for himself. He says that his Intercontienetal Title is near and dear to him and Ciampa says Gunther is confident for someone who’s world is about to crumble around him. Gunther tells Ciampa to never talk to him again and says this is the closest he will ever get to his Intercontienetal Title. Ciampa says that there are a great deal of eyes on them and they don’t have to wait to fight for the Intercontinental Title when they can do it tonight. Gunther signs the contract and agrees then Pearce makes the match official tonight. He tosses the table out of the ring before Ciampa cinches in the Sicilian Stretch.
Damian Priest was venting to Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio in the Judgment Day’s clubhouse when JD McDonagh interrupted him. Priest got upset. Ripley said McDonagh might be on to something. She said they don’t want Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens on the same page. She said Owens doesn’t like Jey and that could be the wedge they need to divide them. Priest said he had to think about it but it wasn’t bad.
Xavier Woods vs. Ivar
Xavier Woods dropkicks Ivar into the corner then follows it up with a knee and a few chops but Ivar fires back with a senton and a suplex. Ivar hits another senton but Woods delivers a kick and clotheslines him out of the ring.
He looks to go flying but Ivar shoves him into the ring apron then he looks for a crossbody but Woods avoids it and delivers a dropkick off the barricade as we go to a break.
After the break Woods lands a few chops and follows it up with a pair of kicks and a forearm. Woods gets Ivar up on his shoulders and delivers a Death Valley Driver but Ivar plants Woods and ascends to the top rope.
Woods looks to pull him down, but Ivar executes a sit out and climbs back up to the top rope as he looks for a splash but Woods avoids it and rolls up Ivar but Ivar kicks out before Woods rolls him up once again for the win.
Winner: Xavier Woods
After the match Ivar attacks Woods but Kofi Kingston provides him with a hand before Ivar eventually overpowers him and powerbombs him on top of Woods then delivers a moonsault off the ropes to New Day.
A video package aired on the Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura feud.
After the break World Heavyweight Champion Rollins welcomes fans to Monday Night Rollins before Cole says he’s come up with a lot of nicknames for Rollins over the years. He says he’s called Rollins a puppeteer at times but now it seems like he’s the puppet. Rollins gets a little defensive and says he’s been asking for the rematch for weeks. Cole then asks Rollins why he’s participating in a Last Man Standing match against Shinsuke Nakamura at Fastlane and Rollins asks Cole how many years he’s been doing commentary and how many shows he’s missed. Cole says none and Rollins says he knows what it’s like to be addicted to the business. He explains that by leaving it all in the ring, he will be an honorable man and set an example for his daughter.
Nakamura appears on the Titan Tron with a message but then blindsides Rollins in the ring and delivers a Kinshaha to the back of his neck. He grabs a chair and cracks it across his spine repeatedly then mocks him by counting to 10. Rollins makes his way to his feet before he can finish and Nakamura sends him crashing on top of the chair spine first. He lands a second Kinshasa before counting to 10 once more. He completes the count then grabs the World Heavyweight Title and holds it up.
Backstage NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch had her arm in a sling and spoke with Tegan Nox. Lynch said she wanted to defend her NXT Women’s Title against Nox but the doctor didn’t clear her. Lynch assumed that Nox would want to face the best version of her and told her that she better be ready to go once she is cleared.
Lynch turns to leave and Natalya was standing there. Natalya let Lynch pass and then approached Nox. Natalya said they got off on the wrong foot. She said she’s actually proud of Nox and said she knew she would nail it when she gets her shot against Lynch. Nox thanks her.
Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green vs. Tegan Nox
Chelsea Green lands a boot then she rolls up Tegan Nox but Nox kicks her out and lands a back elbow. Green looks for Unprettier but Nox escapes before Green lands a boot that sends Nox crashing out of the ring then charges at her but Nox ducks out of the way and delivers a cannonball off the apron.
She tosses her back in and ascends to the top but Piper Niven gets in her face and captures her attention then Natalya runs down to the ring to provide Nox with some backup as Nox delivers a 450 Splash then follows it up with Shiniest Wizard for the win.
Winner: Tegan Nox
After the match Natalya enters the ring and raised the arm of Nox.
After the break Byron Saxton interviewed Jey Uso. Jey spoke about how Cody Rhodes invited him to Raw for a fresh start. He said Rhodes was the enemy when he was with The Bloodline. Jey said Judgment Day put them in the same situation. He said he & Rhodes are good and said full speed ahead.
Drew McIntyre mocks Cody Rhodes by asking San Jose what they want to talk about then addresses questions about his new attitude. He says he doesn’t owe anything to anyone and the only person he answers to is his fans. He says they’ve been through the ups and downs with him then addresses Rhodes and says sometimes it feels like everyone is living in the Cody verse. He says forgiveness when it comes to Jey Uso is a weakness and not a strength.
The Miz’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring & he tells McIntyre that he hasn’t forgiven him for what happened last week on MizTV then says he gave him a platform. McIntyre cuts him off and tells him to leave but Miz keeps running his mouth and vents his frustrations with McIntyre. McIntyre cuts him off again and he racks up wins and earns opportunities. He then challenges Miz to a match tonight but Miz says they aren’t dressed for a fight. He says McIntyre is painting himself as the hero before calling him self absorbed. He says he isn’t The Batman of WWE and McIntyre cuts him off once again. He says the time for fighting has come before Miz leaves the ring then he slides back in and blindsides him from behind. McIntyre rains down right hands on his spine.
The Miz vs. Drew McIntyre
The Miz immediately rolls out of the ring but Drew McIntyre follows him and sends him repeatedly crashing into the barricade. They get back inside the ring and Miz fires off stomps on McIntyre before McIntyre responds with a pair of belly 2 belly suplexes and a kick to his midsection then follows it up with a forearm.
He lands a codebreaker using the middle rope and exposes the top turnbuckle while the referee is checking on McIntyre as the referee sees him that opens the door for McIntyre to land a Glasgow Kiss and set up for Claymore.
He then opts to grab his sword instead but the referee takes it from him so McIntyre takes advantage and exposes the top turnbuckle & sends Miz into it face first before landing Future Shock DDT for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
After the match McIntyre grabs a mic and says he’s not the same man he was 30 seconds ago. He apologizes and then immediately forgives himself on behalf of everyone.
We see a recap Trick Williams defeating Dominik Mysterio to win the NXT North American Title at No Mercy.
We then head backstage to Jackie Redmond is with new NXT North American Champion Trick Williams & he introduces himself before his North American Title defense against Dominik Mysterio. Mysterio then approaches him alongside Rhea Ripley & JD McDonagh, and Ripley warns Williams that Mysterio isn’t coming alone to NXT tomorrow night.
After the break Jackie Redmond is waiting on the ramp and introduces Cody Rhodes. Rhodes’ music hits and he makes his way out. Redmond asks Rhodes about his upcoming Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles match at Fastlane and Rhodes says while he didn’t think he’d be tagging with Rhodes, Judgment Day has backed themselves into this match. He then informs the group that he & Jey will be on SmackDown Friday night seeing as they’ll be there too.
Backstage Chad Gable told Otis that he didn’t need to apologize to him. Gable said Gunther has peaked whereas he hasn’t even started to peak. Gable got fired about and calls Imperium savages and idiots while Otis & Maxxine Dupri stood by.
Intercontienetal Title Match
Gunther (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Match starts off with a lock up then Tommaso Ciampa lands a chop and a pair of clotheslines but Gunther catches him in a Boston Crab but Ciampa escapes and the action spills to the outside.
Ciampa sends him into the ring post face first then gets him back inside and locks in the Sicilian Stretch but Gunther makes it to the bottom rope to break the hold as we go to a break.
After the break Gunther lands a chop before Ciampa fires back with a couple of his own and lands a bodyslam then Gunther locks in a Sleeper but Ciampa escapes and Gunther lands a big boot.
Ciampa manages to lock in Sicilian Stretch but Gunther escapes by sliding under the bottom rope and delivers a pair of chops then sends him crashing onto the apron spine first as we go to a another break.
After the 2nd break Gunther lands an overhand chop on Ciampa in the corner then stomps on him as Ciampa hangs from the top turnbuckle before they return to the outside and Gunther delivers an overhand chop to Ciampa.
He looks for a 2nd one but Gunther’s hand is sent crashing into the announce table then Ciampa delivers a running knee off the apron and sends Gunther into the ring post face first. He sends Gunther’s hand repeatedly crashing into the announce table.
Gunther fires back with a chop and dumps him back inside but Ciampa hits Willow’s Bell and fires off several stomps. Gunther looks for a powerbomb but his hand gives out & this opens the door for Ciampa to deliver a reverse DDT and a running knee before looking for Fairy Tale Ending.
Gunther escapes and plants Ciampa with a suplex but Ciampa manages to lock in Sicilian Stretch once again but Gunther gets his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold.
Ciampa fires off chops but Gunther returns the favor. Ciampa lands a kick but Gunther delivers a pair of powerbombs and locks in a Sleeper as Ciampa fades the ref calls for the bell.
Winner By Submission & Still Intercontienetal Champion: Gunther (STILL CHAMPION!!!!!) (Recommend)
After the match Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser waste no time attacking Ciampa as Gunther heads to the back. Johnny Gargano’s music hits and he runs down to the ring in his return to WWE & he hits a through the ropes spear to Kaiser and #DIY hits Vinci with Meet In The Middle to close out this week’s Raw.
Fastlane Card (Oct 7th)
World Heavyweight Title Last Man Standing Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Tag Team Match
The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa) vs. John Cena & LA Knight
Women’s Title Triple Threat Match
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
6 Man Tag Team Match
Latino World Order (United States Champion Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar & Joaquin Wilde or Cruz Del Toro) vs. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) & Bobby Lashley
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles Match
Judgement Day (Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest & Finn Balor) (c) vs. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
Next Week’s Raw
NXT Women’s Title Match
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Tegan Nox
Viking Rules Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Ivar
Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nia Jax
