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KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 24, 2022
CHARLOTTE, N.C. AT THE SPECTRUM CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
[HOUR ONE]
-The Raw opening aired. Then Kevin Patrick introduced the show as the camera panned the audience. (On-site correspondent David Bryant says the lower bowl is 90 percent full and upper bowl only full opposite the hard camera, but a good crowd in the 20,000 capacity major arena.)
-As The Judgment Day (Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio) made their ring entrance, the announcers commented on a replay of Dominik Mysterio beating A.J. Styles last week. Graves called it one of the bigger upsets in WWE in a long while. When the music stopped, boos rang out. Ripley said she’s been trying to tell “the thick-skulled dimwits” that they run Raw, which Styles found out himself last week. She said she found out that Dominik is all man, too. She put her arm around him and then caressed his chest. Balor called Dominik legendary and said Styles crumbled against him. Priest said now is his favorite time of the night, when the fans all rise. Fans booed and didn’t rise. He insisted over and over that they rise, getting increasingly irked when they didn’t. He called Dominik the greatest Luchador.
When Dominik began to talk, fans booed. Balor asked fans to let him speak. Dominik said Judgment Day are the only ones who believed in him. He said he proved his haters and doubters wrong last week when he beat Styles “clean in the middle of this ring.” He said it’s because he’s built differently. Ripley laughed and said, “Yeah, you are!” He said he is this generation’s Eddie Guerrero. “No, Eddie Guerrero was his generation’s Dominik Mysterio,” he corrected. He said last week was just a small taste, at which point The O.C. music interrupted. Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson walked out.
Styles said Dominik is more like James Ellsworth than Eddie Guerrero. Gallows said, “Yeah, Jimmy No Chin! Yah!” When they entered the ring, Balor said Styles is “hiding in the club I started.” He said since he left the club, everyone once in it is living off his legacy. Anderson said it’s time for him to stop talking and it’s time to remind Charlotte, North Carolina that he’s the toughest man in the building. He said he wanted to start their (advertised) match right now.
(1) FINN BALOR vs. KARL ANDERSON
Patrick said they go back to 2005. Graves said they traveled the globe, primarily Japan, dominating together. Graves said Styles took over and took it to higher heights, but Balor started the entire club. Anderson knocked Balor to ringside after a dropkick. They cut to a break. [c]
After a few more minutes of basic back and forth action with Anderson working on Balor’s knee, they cut to another break. [c]
Back from the break, Balor was in control, but Anderson powerbombed him off the top rope for a two count. Anderson hit a second rope flying neckbreaker. Balor made a comeback, but climbed the ropes slowly due to his sore knee. Anderson then gave Balor a top rope superplex. Dominik distracted the ref. Styles yanked his leg and punched away at him. Damian threw Styles into the steps and then over the announce table. Gallows kicked Priest. Ripley then bodyslammed Gallows. Patrick said, “Oh my god! What have we just witnessed!” Ripley trash-talked the fallen Gallows. Back in the ring, Ripley gave Anderson a low-blow from behind. Balor then made a quick c0ver and the ref turned to count to three.
WINNER: Balor in 17:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: A decent match more typical of Anderson than Balor in pace and style.)
-A clip aired of Miz giving Dexter Lumis a Skull Crushing Finale before their scheduled match last week, followed by Johnny Gargano telling Miz he should give Dexter what he wants.
-Miz approached Gargano and accused him of provoking him like some internet troll. Gargano said he should just give him what he wants. Miz said he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He stormed away frustrated.
-Then Miz made his ring entrance.
-They showed Corey LaJoie and Dale Earnhardt. Jr. at ringside. Miz told NASCAR racer Earnhardt he could beat him in a race with his Tesla. Miz admitted that Gargano is right about him keeping a secret, and he’d get to that in a minute. He said Dexter kidnapped him and dragged him away from his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa, “whom we haven’t seen in weeks.” He said since then he is waking up in precarious situations he doesn’t want to talk about. He said those are the facts, but they’re missing some things. “Allow me to fill those blanks,” he said. He said as he was about to win the U.S. Title from Bobby Lashley in a cage, he said he was informed that Dexter targeted him, and it’s not because of his A-list status or boyish good looks. He said “that lunatic” targeted him because of his mind. He said Dexter was upset that he chose Ciampa as his partner. He said he felt he deserved that career path, and he can’t get over it. He said Ciampa is his best friend and he misses him and he didn’t want Ciampa to know it was all his fault.
Gargano stepped out and told Miz he’s full of crap. He said that’s not what really happened. He said his friend Ciampa isn’t missing. He said he texted him a few minutes ago. He said he’s actually injured. He said Miz is a huge liar. He said if he wants Dexter and him out of his life, all he has to do is tell the real truth. “Or, Mike, you know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I have a whistle and I’m not afraid to blow it.” Fans cheered Gargano, wanting him to blow the whistle. Miz told everyone to be quiet. He insisted he’s been telling the truth. R-Truth’s music played and he danced out.
Miz took a dig at Charlotte’s “comfort food.” Truth told Miz not to dis their mac and cheese; he said those are fighting words. Miz said they’re not fighting. Gargano told Miz he realized Dexter “deflated you balls, but I didn’t realize you didn’t have any left.” Truth and Gargano were very pleased with themselves. Miz got worked up and said he wants Truth. Gargano and Truth, in unison, said, “You can’t handle the truth.”
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s kinda fun to see Truth back, but I’m not sure this was his best material. That said, that was kind of the point. Miz is all-in selling this drama with Dexter. I’m curious what the revelation ends up being.) [c]
(2) THE MIZ vs. R-TRUTH
Miz took control early. Graves said he can’t believe they’re wrestling over mac and cheese. A couple minutes in, Miz called for security because he saw someone in a black outfit and hood that he assumed was Dexter. Truth rolled up Miz from behind for the pin. The man at ringside removed his hood, revealing himself as Gargano.
WINNER: Truth in 3:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Candice LeRae backstage. She said she’s made an impact and asked if it’s lived up to her expectations. LeRae said one minute she was in NXT, then she was at home with her husband Gargano “expanding our family,” and now she’s on Raw. As she talked about the support she’s received from Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair, Bayley interrupted and said Belair sucks. Bayley told Kelley to leave and then sat in her chair. Bayley said they do what they want. LeRae asked what she wants. She said Bayley is still now Raw Women’s Champion. Bayley stood and said, “Not yet.” Bayley said she has no friends to help her. She knocked over the camera and it sounded like Bayley, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai attacked her. [c]
-They showed postcard shots of Charlotte.
-Backstage, Elias approached Riddle, who was practicing playing bongos. Elias asked to clear the air. Riddle said, “No reason to fear, the air is clear.” He said he’s been working on his rhymes to prepare for working with Elias. Elias said he’s a serious artist and the people love to see him perform. Elias said he has a history of being interrupted, and he made a vow to himself to do something about interruptions. He said he knows Riddle and Ezekiel were close, so he’ll let last week slide, but if it happens again, he might not be so nice. Riddle said he’s been hitting the bongos all week. He played them for Elias. Elias wasn’t amused. Chad Gable and Otis walked up and shoosh’d them. Gable said it was bad enough Elias was back, but now Riddle is making noise. He asked if they’re a band named “Blink One-Eighty-Shoosh!” Gable and Otis laughed. Riddle said they don’t have a name for their band yet. Gable called Riddle a moron. Gable told Elias to shave his beard and pretend to be Ezekiel again. Elias said he and Riddle aren’t in a band, and he better never talk bad about his little brother again. He told him to meet him in the ring and find out why WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Gable said, “You’re on.” He said Otis eats pieces of crap like him for breakfast. Riddle laughed that he eats crap for breakfast.
[HOUR TWO]
-Austin Theory came out to his music. They cut to a soundbite from Theory. Clips then aired of Mustafa Ali going after Seth Rollins last week. Patrick said wrestlers admire Ali’s bravery standing up to Seth like he did.
(3) AUSTIN THEORY vs. MUSTAFA ALI
As the match was about to begin, Seth made his entrance. Graves said he invited him. Seth said Ali lacks killer instinct, which is why he hasn’t been more successful. Theory shoved Ali off the top rope, but Ali flipped and landed on his feet, then caught a leaping Theory with a dropkick out of mid-air. Theory rolled to ringside and regrouped. Graves said that was right out of the Seth playbook. As Seth talked to Ali, Theory swept his legs on the ring apron and then bashed him into the announce desk. He followed with a neckbreaker off the ring apron. They cut to a break. [c]
Seth directed Theory to do his finisher, but Ali blocked it and then hit a back stabber. Ali climbed to the top rope with Theory down the mat. Seth charged into the ring. Seth distracted the referee, which somehow gave Theory magical powers to kick the bottom rope and knock Ali off balance (which he could have done even without Seth running into the ring). Theory then hit his A-Town Down finisher for the win.
WINNER: Theory in 10:00.
-Seth celebrated with Theory afterward. Patrick said it took a distraction from Seth for Theory to beat Ali. As Theory left, he took a selfie. Seth threw Ali out of the ring and then yelled down at him. He threw him into the crowd and bent over and yelled that he doesn’t belong in the ring with him or “in my WWE.” He yelled for the ref to get him out of there. Then he grabbed his U.S. Title belt, smiled, and strutted up the aisle. Ali recovered and dove at Seth. He threw Seth into the big entrance video wall. Graves said Ali was fueled by passion. Ali yelled, “I’m not going anywhere!”
(Keller’s Analysis: Ali is really talented, and this is as serious of an effort as there’s been in WWE to push him. A feud with Seth is a big step up, so I’m curious how he does coming out of this. Good match, too.)
-Miz chased down Gargano. Gargano told him he doesn’t have time. Miz was fuming mad over him dressing up like Dexter and deceiving him. Gargano said Miz has been deceiving everybody, so that makes two of them. JBL and Baron Corbin walked up to Gargano. JBL asked, “Internet hero, independent darling. I don’t know how it felt to be in Single-A ball for a decade.” He said they don’t know what that’s like, but he should have walked up and introduced himself to him. He said if this was the Attitude Era, he’d be carrying their bags. He said Miz is a veteran and he should learn respect. Gargano said he was eight years old in the Attitude Era. Gargano said his name is Johnny Wrestling. He added, “Nice to meet you, M.C. Hammer pants.” He asked Corbin what his name is. He asked if he’s Happy or Constable or Boring. “Oh, Baron. My bad,” Gargano said. JBL said they should do this where the world can watch, so he’d see him in the ring. “See you out there, kid,” JBL said.
(Keller’s Analysis: If you close your eyes, Gargano’s inflection is resembling Disco Inferno; decide for yourself it that’s good for an underdog babyface like him.)
-A commercial aired for Smackdown this Friday on FS1 with a focus on Roman Reigns appearing, plus Ronda Rousey issuing an open challenge. [c]
-Patrick and Graves touted “Black Adam” being the no. 1 movie in the world. Graves said they said they don’t have a medical update on LeRae’s condition. Patrick said they’re hearing Belair is infuriated, though.
-A vignette aired on Belair with match highlights and her talking about being the EST. It shifted into a recap of her feud with Bayley.
-Omos walked to the ring with MVP. (The camera aimed upward from floor level, which if they did for Gargano would make Gargano look really tall too. Or not. Maybe it makes no difference who it is and is just silly looking.) Graves hyped the Omos vs. Braun Strowman match at Crown Jewel. MVP spoke in the ring as Omos’s four opponents stood by in the ring. MVP mocked the way Braun talked about giving opponents his hands. He had Omos hold his hand up to the head of one of their opponents, whom he promised they wouldn’t hurt before the bell. He asked if they’ve seen a hand that large. MVP vowed that after Crown Jewel, there will be only one monster left in WWE and his name is Omos.
(4) OMOS vs. FOUR JOBBERS
Graves took mean digs at the Omos opponents, something Jesse Ventura delighted in doing in the 1980s. Omos easily overpowered their hapless attempts to come at him from all directions and hurt him.
WINNER: Omos in under 2:00.
-They showed Elias backstage. [c]
(5) ELIAS vs. CHAD GABLE (w/Otis)
Graves said Elias has been out of action for a while, and at this level of competition, that’s likely to be a factor. Gable avoided Elias’s attempted and then took him down. Graves celebrated and said Gable was putting on a clinic for the world to enjoy. Elias took control and went to an early side headlock. He scored a two count after a vertical suplex. Otis pulled the top rope down as Elias ran the ropes, so Elias tumbled to the floor. The ref didn’t see it. Otis said he’s a terrible athlete. [c]
Back from the break, they exchanged blows mid-ring. Gable went for a moonsault, but Elias attempted to knee him out of mid-air. It showed light, but they replayed it anyway and sped up right at the point where contact wasn’t made. They did appear to butt heads, though, before that. Elias kicked Gable in the head and delivered a corkscrew suplex for the win.
WINNER: Elias in 10:00.
-When Otis joined Gable in a post-match attack, Riddle made the quick save. Riddle gave Gable a Bro To Sleep that also showed quite a bit of light. Riddle then springboarded off the middle rope onto Gable and Otis.
(Keller’s Analysis: I swear the most convincing evidence that Elias and Ezekiel really are different people is that Elias’s matches are so much worse than Ezekiels were. Is it just the jeans? Or the beard? Or are they really different people and the jokes on everyone but KO?)
-Clips aired earlier of Ripley bodyslamming Gallows earlier in the show.
-Backstage, Styles and Anderson gave Gallows a hard time about getting bodyslammed by Ripley. Gallows insisted he’s the best among them when it comes to women. He said getting bodyslammed “is my language of love.” He walked away. [c]
-Back from the break, Gallows returned to Styles and Anderson clutching his crotch in pain. He said she really got him. Styles said they have a Rhea problem.
[HOUR THREE]
(6) BARON CORBIN (w/JBL) vs. JOHNNY GARGANO
JBL did a heel promo before the match, critical of this generation wanting “safe spaces” and being soft. He shifted to digs at the local NFL team and said Michael Jordan was even turned into a loser. Corbin then made his ring entrance. JBL said he came out of retirement because Corbin is a modern day wrestling god who bests Thesz, Sammartino, and Brisco. He said in any other area, Corbin is a champion and Gargano is carrying bags. He said he didn’t even know Gargano called himself Johnny Wrestling until today because “I don’t keep up with Single-A ball.” He said Gargano is talented, but if he was in the Attitude Era, he’d be carrying his bags. Corbin dominated early. JBL touted the Houston Astros and said they’d never cheat. They cut to a break after Corbin slammed Gargano on the announce desk, then high-fiving JBL. [c]
When Patrick called the Deep Six “Ring Around the Rosie,” JBL and Graves both jumped all over him, asking if he called wrestling on Sesame Street before Raw. Gargano eventually made a comeback and landed a superkick for a two count. Gargano fought back at ringside and avoided a charging Corbin, who crashed into the ringside steps. Gargano climbed onto the announce desk and put on JBL’s cowboy hat. He smiled and then did a silly dance that looked like he learned comedy from the zany DX skits with Shawn Michaels and Triple H. He then leaped off the table with a tornado DDT. He taunted JBL, who called him a “Single-A Idiot.” (Don’t forget to watch NXT tomorrow night, folks!) JBL swept Gargano’s legs. Corbin then hit End of Days for the win.
WINNER: Corbin in 14:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I think the way Gargano is being booked and the way he’s acting is hurting him. He’s being booked like the bad era of DX Shawn Michaels. He’s like a dad who doesn’t see the irony in dad jokes. JBL is insufferable in some ways a heel should be and in some ways that make you want to turn the channel.)
-Kelley interviewed Belair backstage. Belair said it’s become bigger than championships and ego. She said it’s now about payback because Bayley has taken out all of her friends. She said she’s not stopping until Bayley is left with nothing. [c]
-Miz approached Gargano with a get well card for Candice. Gargano said that’s really nice of him. Miz said it’d be reasonable to talk through the Dexter situation. Gargano said the only reasonable thing to do would be for Miz to tell the truth. He said if he doesn’t, then next week he will. He noticed the card wasn’t signed and complained that, since Miz is rich, he should at least put money in it.
-Patrick threw to a video package on the Brock Lesnar-Bobby Lashley match scheduled for Crown Jewel.
-Bayley made her ring entrance with Sky and Kai.
-They advertised Brock Lesnar on Raw next week. [c]
(7) BIANCA BELAIR vs. BAYLEY (w/Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai) – Non-Title match
Graves updated LeRae’s condition as a shoulder injury with a bunch of medical details. He said he learned from Gorilla Monsoon. Belair twirled her braid on her way top the ring. Patrick read Bayley’s social media statement about how she should be waving the Raw flag around the globe. Bayley controlled the first few minutes. Belair made a comeback and slingshot herself onto Bayley at ringside. They cut to a break. [c]
Bayley controlled for several more minutes. Belair went for a handspring moonsault, but Bayley lifted her knees. Bayley went for a Bayley-t0-Gelly, but Belair blocked it. Bayley took over and climbed to the top rope and went for a top rope elbow. Belair raised her knee, then landed a handspring moonsault for a two count. They fought to ringside where Bayley took over and drove her shoulder in the mat off the ringside barricade. They cut to a break. [c]
Back from the break, they were battling on the second rope. Bayley got the better of Belair and then set up a KOD. Belair escaped and landed a Bayley-to-Belly for a two count on Bayley. Later Belair kicked out of a Bayley-to-Belly off the ropes. At ringside, Sky and Kai removed the cover of the announce desk. Belair fought back. Bayley went for a head scissors, but Belair caught her and powerbombed Bayley onto the desk and then rammed her into the ringpost and then dropped her onto the edge of the ring apron. Sky yanked on Belair’s leg and Kai and Sky double-teamed Belair. The ref ordered Kai and Sky to the back. Someone then leaped off the top rope onto the ref, Kai, and Sky. The announcers wondered who that was. Belair blocked a Bayley move and landed the KOD. There was no ref. Fans counted to three and beyond. The woman then re-entered the ring and Graves recognized her as Nikki Cross. Patrick said, “That’s not the superhero I know.” Another ref ran out to the ring. Bayley’s arm was draped over Belair and the ref counted to three.
WINNER: Bayley at 23:00.
-Nikki attacked Bayley afterward. “What has gotten into Nikki,” asked Patrick. He said he’s never seen this side of her before. Graves said he has, and she’s going to be a problem for everyone.
(Keller’s Analysis: Nikki was out there attacking everyone, so it’s not clear whether she’s going to be a clear-cut heel or face, especially since they’ve been celebrating Liv Morgan’s aggressive style lately. This is a good step up and reboot for Nikki compared to the A.S.H. stuff, which didn’t catch on the way they anticipated. She’s really talented and should be, at least for a while, presented in the top tier mix.)
Hopefully we see PIPER NIVEN back in NXT.