In the aftermath of last week’s eventful show, Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre clashed in a one-on-one bout on Monday to resolve their ongoing feud. The slate for the rest of the Monday episode featured familiar matchups revisiting old rivalries including Cody Rhodes against Dominik Mysterio, The New Day taking on The Viking Raiders, and a confrontation between Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura.
WWE is in the process of laying out the program for the Fastlane event slated for October 7. With no matches confirmed as of Monday morning, it is imperative for WWE to prioritize the build-up to the PLE.
Here’s a breakdown of Monday’s Raw episode:
Dominik Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes 1 OF 9
Cody and Dom ignited the show with a heated verbal altercation in the ring. Mysterio cited Nia Jaxx’s role in Rhea Ripley’s injury last week as the reason for her nonappearance, rebuffing Rhodes’ psychological tactics. However, a timely intervention by Finn Balor and Damian Priest proved fruitful for Dom before the show broke for commercials.
On return, Rhodes quickly dominated a less experienced Mysterio, despite some interference from Balor. The encounter was short-lived with Rhodes securing a victory using the Cross Rhodes move. While it wasn’t a complete domination, Rhodes showcased significant superiority, rendering the match somewhat unfulfilling for the viewers.
Winner: Cody Rhodes Grade: C
Kofi Kingston vs. Ivar 2 OF 9
The initial tag team match underwent a change with Kingston facing Ivar in a singles match due to Erik’s medical non-clearance. This unexpected David vs. Goliath duel saw Kingston countering Ivar’s surprising agility with innovative strategies, creating a captivating display that ended with Kingston triumphing through the Trouble in Paradise move.
Winner: Kofi Kingston Grade: C+
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ricochet 3 OF 9
Before the bout could commence, Seth Rollins aimed to assault Nakamura but was thwarted by Adam Pearce and security personnel. Ricochet and Nakamura then exhibited a riveting match, utilizing their established chemistry to provide a match that felt fresh and energetic. Despite Ricochet displaying notable aggression, it was Nakamura who won following a disqualification induced by Ricochet’s use of a steel chair, hinting at a possibly premeditated strategy.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (by Disqualification) Grade: A-
Piper Niven and Chelsea Green vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark 4 OF 9
The reigning women’s tag champions, Niven and Green, were pitched against the newly formed duo of Stark and Baszler in a non-title encounter. The match, marred by a competition of power moves between Stark and Baszler, ended abruptly in a no-contest following Nia Jax’s intervention that saw her attacking everyone involved, overshadowing the tag division yet again for a single’s wrestler’s showcase.
Winners: No Contest Grade: B-
Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed 5 OF 9
A backstage altercation led to a single’s clash between Gable and Reed. Despite being the underdog, Gable showcased a valiant fight but couldn’t withstand Reed’s power, falling to the Tsunami.
Winner: Bronson Reed Grade: B
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya (NXT Women’s Championship) 6 OF 9
Following her recent NXT women’s title win, Lynch put her title on the line against Natalya in a hard-fought match. Despite a heroic effort from Natalya, it was Lynch who retained her title, adding a tinge of predictability to the encounter.
Winner: Becky Lynch Grade: B-
Giovanni Vinci vs. Tommaso Ciampa 7 OF 9
In a match that promised and delivered fresh dynamics, Ciampa faced off against Vinci in a contest where both sought to establish themselves. A series of solid technical exchanges culminated in a victory for Ciampa through submission.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa Grade: B
Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso 8 OF 9
The main event featured a psychological battle between McIntyre and Uso. Despite a promising start for Uso, interference from the Judgment Day and the unwelcomed support led to his downfall as a Claymore from McIntyre sealed the win. The event concluded with Uso and Rhodes fending off Judgment Day, hinting at new alliances.
Winner: Drew McIntyre Grade: B
Overview 9 OF 9
Monday’s Raw episode featured a series of rematches with a few storylines showing scant progress. Despite a mediocre script, the WWE roster gave their all to entertain. Kingston versus Ivar emerged as the unexpected highlight of the night, showcasing a superb performance.
As WWE moves closer to the next PPV event, it’s crucial to bring a refreshing change to the narratives to keep the audience engaged and set a positive tone for 2024.
Overall Grade: B+
