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This week’s episode of Raw comes to us from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
It’s the final episode of Raw before we hit Fastlane. Will we see more matches made tonight?
In Ring Segment:
As we go live, we are greeted with the sight of Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler fighting. Raquel Rodriguez then runs to the ring to join in the action. The Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley comes out to join in with the brawl. Security and agents run out to break it up. Rhea is the last one left in the ring after taking out security. Rhea says that she is not done yet and calls out Judgment Day. Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio make their way to the ring.
Rhea says that they have some business to attend to. Rhea says that there is no leader in Judgement Day, but they all have their responsibilities. Rhea says that she left her responsibilities to Damian, and look at what has happened. Rhea says that Damian isn’t medically cleared to compete tonight, Finn is injured and Dominik loses his title. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are the Judgement Day’s newest problem. They will try to take the Judgement Day’s titles away, but Damian will not let them, because when push comes to shove, Damian will push harder. Damian says “Screw Cody, screw Jey and screw the thought of Judgement Day falling apart”. Damian says that he has his title and his briefcase, but where is Dominik’s title?
Rhea turns to Dominik and says that tomorrow night he has a rematch for the NXT North American title. She tells him that he is welcome, but if he doesn’t come home with the title, then do not bother coming home at all.
Out comes Jey Uso. Jey says welcome back Rhea. He says that there is a new Tribal Chief on Monday Night Raw, and she has bigger balls than Roman Reigns ever did. Damian says that he is tired of hearing Jey open his mouth, so he will close it for him today. Damian walks towards Jey, but Dominik stops him. Dominik goes to speak, but as usual, he is loudly booed. Dominik says that he will take care of Jey.
Jey drops Dominik with a Superkick, and JD McDonagh comes out and attacks Jey from behind. Damian Priest comes back into the ring to make it a 3-on-1 attack, but out comes Cody Rhodes to make the save. Then Adam Pearce comes out and makes a match for Fastlane. It will be Judgement Day vs Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso for the Tag Team titles.
Match 1: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) w/Maxxine Dupri vs Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci)
Chad Gable will start off against Ludwig Kaiser. They lock up, and Ludwig backs him to the corner. Chad ducks a right hand and connects with an arm drag. Chad applies a side headlock and cinches it in. Ludwig fights up and hooks the head. Chad whips him off, but Ludwig shoulder tackles him. Ludwig grabs the arm and applies an armbar. Chad twists out and quickly takes him down with a drop-toe-hold. Ludwig quickly fights up and takes Chad down before kicking him in the chest. Ludwig then tags Giovanni Vinci in. Giovanni takes it to Chad and applies a side headlock. Chad whips him off and hits a head-scissors takeover. Chad goes for a German Suplex, but Giovanni fights out. Chad quickly takes Giovanni down and applies an ankle lock. Giovanni twists out and sends Chad into Ludwig. Chad flips through a back suplex from Giovanni and hits him with an exploder. Chad heads to the top rope, but Ludwig pulls Giovanni out of the ring and starts yelling at him. Otis sends Chad over the top rope onto Giovanni. Ludwig avoids the impact.
Chad chops Ludwig’s chest. Ludwig quickly responds with a running uppercut to knock him out of the ring. Ludwig distracts the referee as Giovanni hits Chad with a back suplex on the apron. Ludwig then dropkicks Chad off the apron. Ludwig gets Chad in the ring and punches him down before tagging Giovanni in. Giovanni takes it to Chad before Chad catches him with a backslide pin for a two-count. Giovanni blocks a kick and hits a lariat. Ludwig tags himself in hard, upsetting Giovanni. Ludwig drops Chad with a right hand for a two-count. Ludwig applies a head-and-arm lock, but Chad fights up. Ludwig elbows him, but he has a whip reversed on him. Ludwig counters a back body drop into a sunset flip, but Chad rolls through and applies an ankle lock. Ludwig kicks him away, and Chad knocks Giovanni off the apron. Chad then hits Ludwig with a German Suplex.
Otis tags in, and Ludwig is furious to find that Giovanni is not on the apron. Otis takes it to Ludwig and clotheslines him down. Giovanni runs in, but Otis elbows him down. Otis sends Ludwig flying with an exploder before avalancing him in the corner. Giovanni 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 Ludwig. Otis puts Ludwig on the top turnbuckle and sets up for a big slam. Giovanni grabs Otis’ leg, and he falls backward off the ropes. Chad takes out Giovanni with a cannonball off the apron. In the ring, Ludwig hits Otis with a running enzuigiri for the win.
Good to see Imperium working together here, but this was a “nothing special” match. Hopefully, either one of these teams will get a tag team title shot soon though, they have both been working hard lately so deserve that recognition. Grade C-
Backstage Segment:
Adam Pearce is backstage with Tegan Nox. Adam tells Tegan that Becky Lynch is unable to defend the NXT Women’s Championship tonight due to the injury she sustained at NXT No Mercy. Chelsea Green then walks in and makes fun of Tegan not getting her match tonight. Tegan then says that she would like a match against Chelsea to see who is championship material. Adam Pearce makes the match official.
Match 2: Cedric Alexander vs Bronson Reed
Cedric takes it to Bronson at the sound of the bell. Cedric hits a missile dropkick that sends Bronson out of the ring, but not off his feet. Cedric kicks Bronson back and takes him to his knees with a suicide dive. Cedric then hits a somersault senton to take him down. Bronson quickly elbows him and gets on the apron. Cedric goes for a springboard, but Bronson clotheslines him out of midair. Cedric fights back with a Neutralyzer. Cedric heads to the top rope, but Bronson grabs him by the throat and presses him up. Cedric gets out and hits the ropes, but Bronson crushes him with a running cross-body block followed by a senton splash. Bronson positions Cedric in the corner and goes to the top rope for a Tsunami to pick up the win.
No surprises in the victory here. Unfortunately, Cedric is just another body that Bronson can destroy. Honestly, it wasn’t even a great match in that regard either. Grade D-
Backstage Segment:
Adam Pearce is backstage on the phone and he is approached by Drew McIntyre. Drew says that he does not want to be on MizTV. He says that he did it last week because he thought the fans deserved it, but not this week. Adam tells Drew that the Miz requested he be on MizTV and will give him an open forum. Drew agrees. Adam then asks if Drew is all good. Drew says that he didn’t do the “right thing” because no one did the “right thing” for him when the Bloodline was beating him down.
In Ring Segment: WWE Intercontinental Championship Match Contract Signing
Adam Pearce is in the ring to make the Intercontinental Championship match official. Tommaso Ciampa makes his way to the ring first, followed by Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Gunther sits down at the table and Tommaso stands at the other side. Tommaso picks up the contract and goes to sign it before stopping himself. Tommaso 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 Tommaso. They’re served roadkill and told to make it into fillet. When he does it enough times, he gets a chance. Tommaso 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. Tommaso won’t be fighting for his family, though. He’ll be fighting for the little boy that wanted that Intercontinental Championship. Tommaso signs the contract and slams down the pen.
Gunther smirks and picks up the microphone. This is a contract signing for the most important championship in the sport today, but Tommaso showed up looking like a slob. That tells Gunther all he needs to know. Tommaso 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. Tommaso derisively claps for him. Gunther tells him to have a good look. Tommaso says Gunther seems confident for someone about to lose his entire world. Tommaso tells him to sign the contract. Gunther warns him to not interrupt him. Tommaso can keep on dreaming because this is the closest he’ll ever get to this great championship.
Tommaso says Gunther still hasn’t signed the contract. The people of San Jose want to see history. Why wait until Fastlane or Raw? Tommaso will make him tap out tonight. Gunther says Tommaso should have to prove himself and then signs the contract. Adam Pearce makes the Intercontinental Championship match official for tonight.
Gunther slaps Tommaso, so Tommaso jumps over the table and punches away at him. Gunther shoves him over the table and angrily throws the table out of the ring. Tommaso throws a chair into Gunther’s head and applies the Sicilian Stretch. Gunther quickly escapes the ring.
Backstage Segment:
Damian Priest is in the Judgement Day’s locker room. He is complaining about Adam Pearce’s decisions. JD McDonagh begins talking but Damian tells him to be quiet. Rhea tells Damian to listen to JD because he might be onto something. JD suggests that they try to divide Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. They should divide and conquer them. Damian says that he will think about it.
Match 3: Xavier Woods vs Ivar w/Valhalla
Xavier immediately dropkicks Ivar. Xavier punches away at him until Ivar shoves him off. Xavier boots him back. Ivar reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but Xavier slingshots over him. Xavier charges, but Ivar hits a seated senton. Ivar follows up with an exploder suplex. Ivar taunts the crowd and hits Xavier with a running Bronco Buster for a two-count. Ivar hits some crossface forearms to the face. Ivar sends him to the corner, but Xavier boots him back. Ivar avoids an Honor Roll and goes for a back suplex, but Xavier gets out. Xavier tries to lift him, but Ivar fights it. Xavier slides under the legs twice and superkicks him. Xavier 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 Xavier sidesteps him. Ivar hits the apron hard. Xavier comes off the barricade with a missile dropkick.
Ivar attempts a double-arm suplex, but Xavier gets out. Xavier kicks away at Ivar before lifting him. Xavier hits a sit-out Death Valley Driver for a near fall.
Xavier pulls him up, but Ivar picks him up and hits a scoop slam. Ivar heads to the middle rope, but Xavier cuts him off with some clubs. Xavier 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 Xavier moves. Xavier rolls him up for a two-count. Ivar quickly kicks him and goes for a powerbomb, but Xavier counters into a small package for the win.
A decent match from these two. It is good to see what tag team wrestlers can accomplish when they get a chance to shine. It was also good for Xavier to pick up the win here after Kofi’s loss last week. Grade C
After the match, Ivar attacks Xavier from behind. Kofi runs into the ring to make the save. Kofi comes off the top rope and hits Ivar with an elbow to the head. Ivar takes out Kofi with a spin kick. Ivar then hits Xavier with a spin kick. Ivar picks up Kofi, and he hits Kofi with a double-arm powerbomb onto Xavier. Ivar then goes to the top rope and hits both Kofi and Xavier with a Moonsault.
In Ring Segment:
Michael Cole is in the ring and introduces World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to the ring. Seth stands in the ring and listens to the crowd sing before welcoming San Jose to “Monday Night Rollins.”
Cole says that he has had the pleasure and honour of calling most of the matches for Seth’s 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 Seth is the puppet. Seth says he gave him a nice introduction and Cole goes with that. Who is the puppet? Seth wanted a rematch from Shinsuke Nakamura for weeks and finally got it. Cole asks what Seth is doing. Seth 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 Seth’s back is hanging by a thread. Why is he doing this? He could lose his livelihood.
Seth takes his sunglasses off and says he doesn’t know how to put it into words. Seth 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. Seth 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 Seth in this ring and being in front of these people when they sing his song. Seth needs and loves it. Seth has an honour, 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. Seth would have fulfilled his responsibility. He’ll be an honourable 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. Seth says it feels right.
Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the titantron. He says in Japanese that he’s tired of Seth’ nonsense. No one believes him. Is the back injury a lie to get sympathy? Seth says nothing will keep him down. Does he want the world to feel sorry for him? Shinsuke then appears in the ring and attacks Rollins from behind. Shinsuke takes Seth out with a Kinshasa to the back of the neck. The recorded video of Shinsuke on the titantron begins counting. Seth gets up at seven, so the video stops. Shinsuke attacks Seth with a chair. Shinsuke targets the broken back with chairshot after chairshot. Shinsuke sets up the chair and sits down. The recorded Shinsuke counts, but Seth gets up at nine. Shinsuke kicks Seth and delivers a low blow. Shinsuke then delivers a backbreaker through the chair. Shinsuke finishes off Seth with a Kinshasa. Shinsuke picks up the microphone and begins counting in real-time. Shinsuke counts to ten, and Seth does not get up. Shinsuke holds up the World Heavyweight Championship.
Backstage Segment:
Tegan Nox is warming up for her match when Becky Lynch approaches her with her arm in a sling. Becky says that Tegan should be ready for a fight, because when she is cleared they are going to go. Becky goes to leave and bumps into Natalya. Natalya walks by Becky and goes up to Tegan. Natalya says that they got off on the wrong foot. Natalya says that she is proud of Tegan. Tegan will get another shot at the championship against Becky, and when she gets it, she will nail it. Tegan thanks Natalya for her kind words.
Match 4: Tegan Nox vs Chelsea Green w/Piper Niven
Chelsea immediately boots Tegan down. Chelsea goes for a high five from Piper Niven, but Piper isn’t impressed. Tegan takes it to Chelsea for a two-count. Chelsea slaps Tegan and goes for Un-Pretty-Her, but Tegan gets out. Chelsea kicks Tegan out of the ring. Tegan avoids a baseball slide. Tegan slaps Chelsea in the face, knocking her off the apron and into Piper’s arms. Tegan takes Chelsea out with a cannonball off the apron. Tegan gets Chelsea in the ring and goes to the top rope. Piper distracts Tegan, so Natalya runs down to back her off. Tegan knocks Chelsea off the top rope and hits a Molly-Go-Round. Tegan connects with the Shiniest Wizard for the win.
An OK match. Very short. Obviously this was just something for Tegan to do because she couldn’t have her scheduled match with Becky Lynch. Grade D+
After the match, Natalya gets into the ring and hugs Tegan before raising her hand.
Backstage Segment:
Byron Saxton walks up to Jey Uso. Jey says that he and Cody Rhodes are good. It's full speed ahead. Jey says that when he was in the Bloodline, Cody was the enemy, but not anymore.
In Ring Segment:
Drew McIntyre is in the ring and says, “San Jose, what should we talk about?” Drew says everyone wants an explanation. Why has he changed? Drew says he 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. Drew is going to stop interfering in fights he doesn’t belong in. Drew 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. Cody is cleaning up his own mess. Cody does and says what he wants. Forgiveness, when it comes to Jey Uso, is weakness, not strength.
The Miz’s music hits, and interrupts Drew. Miz says he doesn’t forgive Drew for what he did to him on Miz TV. Miz doesn’t forgive him for cancelling this week’s edition of Miz TV. Miz gave him an open forum to speak from the heart, but Drew said nothing. Drew tells him to shut up and bugger off. Miz says he stood up for him and was looking out for Drew. All Drew did was shut him up. Miz tells Drew to embrace who he really is. Drew tells him to shut up. Drew 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 Drew operates. He racks up the wins and makes the opportunity. Drew challenges Miz to a fight unless his balls are too tiny. Miz says he is not dressed to compete. He’s in a suit while Drew is in a skirt. Drew is Two Face and not Batman. He only plays the side that benefits Drew. Drew 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 Drew in the back of the head with the microphone. An irate Drew gets in the ring and drives Miz into the corner. Referees run into the ring to separate them. Miz escapes the ring.
Match 5: Miz vs Drew McIntyre
The bell rings, and Miz gets out of the ring. Drew chases him in and pulls him out. Drew picks Miz up and goes back and forth slamming him into the LED apron and the barricade. Miz soon sends Drew into the ring post and gets in the ring. Miz looks for a count-out, but Drew gets in. Miz boots him in the head and applies a headlock. Miz goes for a corner clothesline, but Drew catches him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Drew hits a second one and follows up with a neckbreaker. Drew 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 Drew, so Miz starts to unravel the top turnbuckle pad. The referee catches him and reprimands him. Drew gives Miz a Glasgow Kiss before going to the corner to start counting down. Drew then looks to the corner and grabs his sword. The referee takes the sword from him. Drew uses the distraction to pull the turnbuckle pad off and bounce Miz’s face off it. Drew hits the Future Shock DDT for the win.
A bit of a “meh” match. An obvious “Miz loses match”, especially with him wrestling in a suit. I suppose this was a way to try and get over this new character change of Drew, but we shall see where it goes as this match didn’t really do anything to put it over. Grade C-
After the match, Drew gets a microphone and says that he has done some serious thinking. He is not the same guy he was 30 seconds ago. He says that he is sorry for his actions, so he is automatically forgiven.
Backstage Interview:
Jackie Redmond is backstage with Trick Williams. He introduces himself to Jackie and the rest of the world. He says that he has got gold on his ear, wrist and now his waist. He says that tomorrow, he will defend his title against Dominik Mysterio. Dominik walks up to him along with Rhea Ripley and JD McDonagh. Rhea says that Domiinik won’t be alone tomorrow, and he will leave with his NXT North American title.
Stage Segment:
Jackie Redmond is standing on the entrance ramp as she welcomes her guest, Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the stage to a big ovation. This Saturday, Adam Pearce put Cody in a match with Jey Uso to go for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgement Day. Cody says he never planned to team with Jey Uso, but the Judgement Day caused this. Cody heard that they will 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.
Backstage Segment:
American Alpha are backstage. Otis is apologising for losing, but Chad tells him that he does not need to apologise. He says that Imperium are cheaters. He says that Gunther has peaked, but Chad hasn’t. He says that when he does, all the savages and idiots will know.
Main Event: WWE Intercontinental Championship Match - Gunther vs Tommaso Ciampa
During the in-ring introductions, Tommaso 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 Tommaso.
They circle the ring, and Tommaso quickly attacks Gunther, punching the champion into the corner. Gunther fights back, but Tommaso grabs the arm and goes to take him down. Gunther fights it, but Tommaso responds with stiff lariats against the ropes. Gunther quickly slams Tommaso down and applies a Boston Crab. Gunther stops him from grabbing the bottom rope and stomps him. Gunther gets Tommaso outside the ring and lifts him. Ciampa slides off and sends him into the ring post. Tommaso follows up with a Lou Thesz Press at ringside. Tommaso then gets Gunther 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.
Gunther applies an armbar to Tommaso. Gunther pulls him up, wrenches the arm, and chops him down. Tommaso soon fights back with some chops, but Gunther cuts him off with a scoop slam. Gunther talks trash and clubs the back. Gunther chokes Tommaso on the bottom rope. Tommaso attempts to fight him, but Gunther takes him down with a sleeper hold. Gunther has Tommaso down on the mat and is trying to put him out. Gunther drops Tommaso with a big boot for a near fall. Gunther goes back to the sleeper hold, but Tommaso gets a head of steam and drives Gunther into the turnbuckle. Tommaso then takes Gunther down and applies a Sicilian Stretch. Gunther fights it and grabs the bottom rope. Gunther gets out of the ring and pulls Tommaso along with him. Gunther viciously chops him twice and hits a back suplex on the apron.
Tommaso and Gunther are exchanging chops to the chest. Gunther slams Tommaso on the top turnbuckle and stretches him out. Tommaso falls to ringside. Gunther leans him against the barricade and chops the chest. Gunther goes for another chop, but Tommaso moves. Gunther strikes the commentary table again and cracks the lid. Tommaso knocks Gunther off the apron and hits a flying running knee. Tommaso then attacks the injured arm of Gunther and slams it off the table a few times. Tommaso goes to get in the ring, but Gunther pulls him out and chops him with his left hand, dropping Tommaso.
Gunther gets Tommaso in the ring. Tommaso grabs Gunther getting in the ring and hits Willow’s Bell for a near fall. Tommaso sets up for the Fairy Tale Ending, but Gunther fights it. Tommaso kicks him in the injured hand a few times and stomps away at the skull. The referee backs Tommaso off. Tommaso pulls his knee pad 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 Tommaso with his injured hand making him unable to grip. Gunther scoops him up, but Tommaso counters into a reverse DDT. Tommaso then hits a knee to the face for a near fall. Tommaso 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 Tommaso on the head with a vicious dragon suplex for a near fall. Gunther goes for a lariat, but Tommaso shoves him off and goes for a Sicilian Stretch. Gunther fights it and rolls him over for a two-count. Tommaso rolls through and applies the Sicilian Stretch. Gunther is close to the ropes, but not close enough. Gunther reaches out a foot and manages to touch the ring rope to break the hold.
Tommaso signals for the end. He chops Gunther’s chest a few times, and Gunther stumbles to the corner. Tommaso lays in some chops in the corner. Gunther uses his bad hand to chop him back. Tommaso 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. Tommaso passes out and collapses on the mat, causing the referee to end the match.
A very good match. This definitely saved the show, especially with a lot of talent and matches missing due to injury. This was a solid match, one that could be done again. It did seem a little rushed, but I suppose as it was meant to be at the PPV, it was rushed. Grade B+
After the match, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci run down to the ring and attack Tommaso Ciampa. Gunther walks away with his Intercontinental Championship, leaving the other members of Imperium to finish off his business.
Johnny Gargano makes his return to make the save. He hits a slingshot spear on Giovanni and superkicks Ludwig out of the ring as the show goes off the air.
Another extremely long episode of Raw, with lots of filler. It was missing a lot of star power. It had some good matches, but that did not fully compensate for the lack of decent matches. It doesn’t even seem like there is a PPV this weekend, there haven’t been many matches announced. A lacklustre episode for me. Let’s hope that Fastlane makes up for it.
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