SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE RAW TV REPORT
OCTOBER 23, 2023
DALLAS, TEX. AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with clips of the chaos at the end of last week’s main event that led to The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest & Finn Balor beating Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
-The Raw opening theme aired.
-Michael Cole introduced the show as the camera panned the large crowd in the arena from the upper deck, which he called “jam-packed.” The last row was clearly packed around half of the arena at least.
-Priest and Balor made their entrance with their tag belts. Cole also talked about Priest carrying the Money in the Bank briefcase. “Talk about a concentration of power,” said Barrett. Balor welcomed everyone to Raw. Balor said, “All rise for The Judgment Day!” Priest said the rest of their crew is in their clubhouse handling business. He said they’re back on top and running Raw. He was interrupted by Cody Rhodes’s music.
Cody walked out and said he had some choice words for the leader of The Judgement Day, “but I see Rhea Ripley is not out here.” Cody said he knows they say there is no leader in The Judgment Day, but Ripley isn’t just Dominik Mysterio’s mami. He said she is pulling the strings, calling the shots, and cutting all the deals, including with The Bloodline. He said he’d like to speak specifically to Priest.
He told Priest last week he was the one who gave him a low-blow. Priest laughed. Cody said if he believes that was the final shot in this fight, he is wrong. Priest said he failed to mention he put him through the table, too. Priest said it’s convenient he came out because he would’ve found him too on his own. He said his story is that he has failed.
Cody yanked off his tie and suggested they put that theory to a test right then. Priest said he has a match with Jey later, but he likes the idea. He said they have a big event coming up, so maybe it should be Cody vs. Priest at Crown Jewel. Cody said, “I accept. But what do we do now?” Cody suggested they give everyone a preview of Crown Jewel right now. Priest said he likes that idea. Dom and Ripley walked out, so Cody was even more outnumbered.
Jey Uso charged out and jumped Dom from behind. Cody went after Priest in the ring as Balor dropped out to fight Jey at ringside. Cody rammed Priest into the announce desk. He cleared the table, but J.D. McDonagh showed up and attacked Cody. Barrett said McDonagh is still in the dog house, but this is a good way to get out of it. Priest and McDonagh doubled Cody. Priest smashed Cody’s ankle with a chair up against the ringside steps. Cody went down writhing in pain.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment overall. Balor and Priest were heelish in their gloating. Cody was strong and likable in confronting them, and rightfully pointing out without sounding whiny that Priest low-blowed him last week. The inclusion of McDonagh continued his journey of trying to build trust with Priest.) [c]
-A clip aired of the attack on Cody’s ankle before the break as Cole and Barrett commented on it.
-Jey was helping Cody in the back as Adam Pearce checked in.
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside who previewed the rest of Raw including Jey vs. Priest, Becky Lynch vs. Indi Hartwell, Logan Paul appears, and Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn in the main event. Cole called Sami a “singles Superstar.”
(1) CHAD GABLE & OTIS (w/Maxxine, Akira Tozawa) vs. THE NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Cole said Tozawa is a recruit of Alpha Academy. Barrett talked about big moments in his career in that arena. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Gable and Xavier fought at ringside at 2:00. Otis knocked Xavier down and then backdropped a charging Kofi. As they cut to a break, Cole asked, “Can New Day somehow get back in this.” [c]
Otis charged at Xavier at 8:00, but Xavier moved and Otis went shoulder-first into the corner. Xavier imitated Otis with a reverse-Caterpillar, but Gable intervened after sneaking a tag seconds earlier. Otis tagged back in and went for a powerslam, but Xavier slipped free and kicked Otis. Kofi then tagged in and landed a double-axe handle and a Trouble in Paradise. Kofi tagged in Xavier and then dove onto Gable at ringside. Xavier landed a top rope elbow for the win. They cut to a disappointed Maxxine and Tozawa.
WINNERS: New Day in 11:00.
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Becky backstage. She told Becky she is the definition of a defending champion. She said she’ll be defending tonight and tomorrow night (her wording assumed Becky would retain tonight). Becky said she came to Dallas looking for a fight. She talked about being willing to defend against anyone stepping up to take her on even if she has to defend every night of the week. She said she won’t look past Indi tonight.
-A clip aired of last week’s Drew-Seth Rollins interaction. [c]
-A vignette aired for Ivar and Valhalla.
-They went to Cole and Barrett who reacted to the Ivar vignette and then threw to another snippet of Seth-Drew last week.
-Seth was strutting backstage when he noticed Ripley. They gazed at each other. Seth looked around and said he doesn’t see her crew anywhere, so he’s not getting jumped. He said he’s got style and a title, so if she’s looking for Drew, she’s in the wrong place. Ripley said The Judgment Day was built on respect. She said they’re a little bit concerned because at the pace he’s been running at, he could use some insurance.
Seth said she must’ve lost faith in Priest being able to cash the contract in for his title, and that’s why she’s wheeling and dealing with The Bloodline and flirting with Drew and now coming to him directly. He asked what would he want with her, though. “Yuck,” he said. Ripley said he needs her because right now he’s just a World Champion, but he could be “thee World Champion.” She said alliances could change. She said if Seth joined them, Priest could cash in against someone else and they would all hold gold. She said the way his back so fragile, The Judgment Day could have his back and make people acknowledge him. Seth took off his sunglasses and said if there’s one thing he doesn’t want, it’s to be anything like Reigns. Ripley told him that wasn’t a “no” so think about it.
-Indi Hartwell was chatting with Candice LeRae when Natalya walked in. Natalya said Tegan Nox is hurt so she’s looking for what’s next for her. She said tonight isn’t about her, though. She told Hartwell to take back the title she never lost. She told her to remember what brought her to the dance.
-Becky made her ring entrance. [c]
-They showed postcard views of Dallas.
(2) BECKY LYNCH vs. INDI HARTWELL – NXT Title match
Before the match, they showed Lyra Valkyria at ringside. They plugged her title shot against the winner of this match on NXT “Halloween Havoc” tomorrow night. Indi then made her entrance. The bell rang 53 minutes into the hour. Indi went after Becky at the bell with a boot attempt, but Becky ducked. Indi clotheslined Becky, who rolled to the floor to regroup.
Becky fought back with a high roundkick. Becky scored a one count with a backslide. They cut to LeRae nervously watching backstage. A graphic in the corner hyped Johnny Gargano vs. Giovani Vinci later in the show. At 2:00 they fought at ringside where Indi swung Becky into the ringside barricade. They cut to a break as Becky writhed on the mat. [c]
Becky took control after the break. She set up a Manhandle Slam, but Indi blocked it and then kicked Becky in the head for a two count.
[HOUR TWO]
Becky caught Indi on the top rope and superplexed her. She went for an armbar, but Indi resisted and then lifted and slammed Becky to break the hold and score a two count. Indi scored another two count after a spinebuster. After some leverage two count exchanges, Becky applied a Disarm Her for the tapout win. Becky and Indi shook hands afterward.
WINNER: Becky in 10:00 to retain the NXT Title.
-Becky exchanged some words with Valkyria at ringside. They showed LaRae disappointed backstage. Xia Li punched LaRae and said that’s a message for Indi, too.
-Pearce told two security guys that contract signings can get chaotic. Nick Aldis showed up and smiled. Pearce told him to make it quick. Aldis said they got off on the wrong foot on Friday and it was on him. He said there was no need to have Pearce escorted out of the building. He said it was a rookie error and he was just trying to establish his authority as the G.M. of Smackdown. He said he wants healthy competition between Raw and Smackdown without tarnishing their professional relationship. He offered Pearce his hand and asked for forgiveness. Pearce said he knows what it’s like to be the new guy and to try to put his stamp on things right away. He said he while thought he was out of line, he forgives him. As a gesture of goodwill, he invited Aldis to stay and see how things operate on Mondays. Aldis said he appreciated it and shook his hand. Pearce told a referee to double the planned security guards.
-Cole hyped the contract signing for the Fatal Five-way match for the Women’s World Title next. [c]
-Cole hyped Crown Jewel’s Women’s World Title match.
-Pearce stood mid-ring. He noted the recent chaos with the women in this match. He said he doesn’t usually reward such chaos, but in WWE they settle things in the ring. He introduced the challengers one at a time: Raquel Rodriguez, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Nia Jax. Everyone signed the contract as they entered, but Jax refused and stood with her arms crossed. Pearce told her that he wanted everyone to sign it before Ripley came out. Jax scribbled her name in a contemptuous manner. Ripley then came out and said she’s grown impatience. She said she has something to get off her chest.
She said she could beat every one of those women individually, but this is a conspiracy to put all four in a match against her at once. He said the more she tries to control her, the most she’ll make his life a living hell. She said after the match, there will be four fewer women in the division after Crown Jewel because none of them will take the title from her because “Mami is always on top!”
Jax said, “Oh, you are good. You are good!” She told fans she is scared to step into the ring, which is smart. She said she wants all of them to squash the other challengers. Jax told Baszler she must see what Ripley is doing. She said Zoey can see that, too. Jax turned to Rodriguez and condescendingly said, “You’re from Texas, so let me break it down for you.” As she slowly spoke to her, Rodriguez knocked the mic out of her hands. Stark and Baszler attacked Jax. Rodriguez yanked Baszler away for some reason. Security ran in and separated them. They broke free and began tossing security guys out of the ring.
They showed Ripley laughing and smiling at ringside as Jax and Rodriguez cleared the ring of the other two and then squared off. They began to fight when security re-entered the ring and pried them apart. Fans booed. They cleared the ring of security again. Jax gave Rodriguez a Samoan drop. Ripley waved at her and then blew her a kiss.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was effective at putting the focus on Ripley and Jax, plus Jax and Rodriguez. Baszler and Jax seemed a bit background players, but no big deal. It’s interesting WWE is willing to put Ripley in a position to be cheered against Ripley. Rodriguez is at risk of seeming much less popular with fans than Ripley.)
-Ludwig Kaiser gave Vinci a pep talk backstage. He said his performance reflects on him now. Bronson Reed walked in and told them that their boss gave him a hell of a fight last week. He told them to tell Gunther that he’s ready for round two. Kaiser told him to go tell him in person. Tozawa walked up to Bronson and said he wants a match tonight. He chopped Reed and yelled. Bronson said, “It’s your funeral.” Maxxine walked in and fretted over Tozawa’s actions.
-Gargano made his ring entrance. [c]
(3) JOHNNY GARGANO vs. GIOVANI VINCI (w/Ludwig Kaiser)
The bell rang 27 minutes into the hour. Vinci got the better of Gargano early. Gargano slingshot-speared Vinci to halt his momentum. When Kaiser leaped onto the ring apron, Tomasso Ciampa showed up and attacked Kaiser, throwing him over the ringside barricade. Gargano then hit the One Final Beat DDT for the win.
WINNER: Gargano in 3:00.
-They went to a vignette with Shinsuke Nakamura who talked about facing Ricochet, but he wants to find an opponent who will inspire the yet-to-be-seen self within him and release the expression still trapped in his dreams. “Who is worthy enough to set me free?” he asked.
(Keller’s Analysis: Hmmm.)
-Logan Paul made his way to the ring 32 minutes into the second hour. Logan gloated about the fighter he beat in his last PPV having been dropped as a fighter by his organization. Logan then said after he beats Rey Mysterio and wins the U.S. Title, he’ll give everyone something to talk about. He said he might be have to come back to Raw to defend his title. Dominik walked out to his music. Fans booed loudly.
Logan smiled when he saw Dom, then yelled for fans to show Dom some respect. Dom said he can’t wait for him to beat up his dad. Logan said he appreciates that. Logan talked about Dom blazing his own trail and changing the landscape despite having a deadbeat dad. Fans booed again when Dom tried to talk. Logan said he cannot wait to be announced as the new U.S. Champion.
Logan then said his favorite ring announcer is there. He looked over at Samantha Irvin and invited her into the ring. Dom encouraged her. Logan said it’s been a while since he’s seen her and he owes her a genuine heartfelt thank you. He said she deserves to be recognized for all she does for WWE. She cautiously entered the ring. He said he knows it was hard for her and he made it hard for her to announce him as the winner after he beat her fiancé. He asked her to practice introducing him as the new U.S. Champion. Ricochet charged into the ring and tackled Logan. He then went after Dom and went for a top rope move, but Logan pulled Dom to safety at ringside.
(Keller’s Analysis: Logan and Dom were great there. Good way to set up a Ricochet-Dom feud, too. And it added a new dimension to the Logan-Rey match with the ring announcement if Logan were to win being an added element.)
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside who reacted to the segment.
-Chelsea Green and Piper Niven made their ring entrance. Cole wondered who Natalya picked to be her partner to replace the injured Tegan Nox. [c]
(4) PIPER NIVEN & CHELSEA GREEN vs. NATALYA & NIKKI CROSS
Nikki came out expressionless and walked very slowly to the ring. Natalya was bemused. The bell rang 50 minutes into the hour. Nikki stood in the corner like she was in a trance staring past the ring. This was hilarious. Barrett said she looked catatonic. Cole said maybe she’s playing possum. Cross began walking at ringside. Natalya suplexed a distracted Green and rallied as Cross walked to the back. Barrett said Cross turned out to be the worst tag partner in history. When Natalya went for a sharpshooter, Niven intervened. Green then gave Natalya face plant. Niven then landed a crossbody for the three count. Cole urged Barrett to try to find Nikki and interview her.
WINNERS: Niven & Green in 3:00.
-A clip aired of the angle at the start of the show with The Judgment Day and Cody. Cole said the only update on Cody they have is that he suffered an ankle injury.
-Drew McIntyre walked up to Jey. Jey asked what he wanted and he wasn’t pleased to see him. Drew said he can’t imagine how it feels to be screwed out of a championship by The Bloodline. He said dealing with it is really simple: “Just get over it.” He said whatever happens, it’s on Jey because if Jey wasn’t on Raw, this match wouldn’t be happening.
-Sami made his entrance. Cole said Sami wants to establish himself as a singles main eventer on Raw. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
-Miz complained to Pearce about not having anything significant on Raw in weeks. He talked about beating John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania. He said Aldis understands his value. Ripley showed up and signed the contract from earlier and then flicked her fingers at Miz. She walked over to Dom to ask if he was okay. She checked his chin.
(5) SAMI ZAYN vs. DREW MCINTYRE
Drew’s full ring entrance then aired. Barrett said a lot of people have been upset with Drew’s blunt and aggressive attitude lately and it’s been awkward at times, but there’s been an element of truth with every one of his grievances. The bell rang three minutes into the hour. Cole said Sami is trying to turn the negative of losing Owens into a positive of establishing himself as a main event level wrestler on Raw, and beating a former World Champion in Drew would help in that regard.
Cole said Seth told Drew to stop blaming others. Drew dominated early, but Sami made a comeback at ringside with a backflip off the ringside barricade onto Drew. He threw Drew back into the ring. Drew caught Sami mid-air and suplexed him. Cole pointed out that Drew scowled. The announcers talked about Drew slaying Brock and having a chip on his shoulder.
Sami came back with a clothesline. He knocked Drew to the floor at 5:00. Drew caught Sami and rammed him back-first into the ring apron. Drew then overhead-tossed Sami onto the announce desk. They cut to a break as Cole said Drew was turning it into a dominant performance. [c]
When Sami went for an exploder suplex, Drew blocked it and overhead-tossed Sami. Both were down. Drew kipped up and then banged on the ropes. Ripley’s music played and she made her way out. Drew was distracted briefly. Cole said she’s trying to recruit everyone under the sun. Sami rallied, but as he set up a Helluva kick, Ripley stood on the ring apron. Drew then caught a distracted with Sami with a Claymore for the win. Ripley smiled. Cole said Ripley appeared to be showing Drew what she brings to the table.
WINNER: McIntyre in 15:00.
-Backstage, Pearce walked up to Aldis and asked him not to chat with his wrestlers, but actually watch the show. Aldis said he wasn’t up to anything sinister. He said he’d take off and Pearce said that sounded like a plan. Nikki then walked slowly past Pearce. Pearce stared at her and shook his head and said he needs a drink.
-Bronson Reed made his entrance. Cole said Bronson gave Tozawa an out, but Tozawa didn’t take it. [c]
(6) BRONSON REED vs. AKIRA TOZAWA (w/Maxxine)
Maxxine didn’t seem confident during Tozawa’s ring entrance, but tried to show enthusiasm. The bell rang 27 minutes into the hour. Reed absorbed Tozawa’s flurry of strikes and then knocked him down and dropped an elbow. Reed smiled and then dished out more of a beating. Tozawa made a comeback and leaped off the top rope, but Reed caught him and gave him a Death Valley Driver and then landed a Tsunami for the win.
WINNER: Bronson in 2:00.
-Cole said the main event was up next. [c]
-Backstage, Otis was holding a Dallas Cowboys-branded title belt as Gable told Tozawa, wincing in pain with an ice pack on his abdomen, that he can turn him into a great tag team wrestler. New Day and DIY joined them. DIY said they’re together for the first time in three years. Xavier told Tozawa, patronizingly, that he’s still a champion to them even though he lost. Tozawa then danced gingerly with the Cowboys belt.
-Seth mock-clapped and congratulated Drew for his “first win as the newest member of The Judgment Day.” Drew said Seth didn’t say “no” earlier. Seth said he doesn’t need them now or ever and he especially doesn’t need them to beat him. “May the best man win,” Seth said. Drew said, “He will.”
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside. They hyped that Seth would face McDonagh against Seth next week on a Halloween-themed episode of Raw. Also, Candice vs. Xia Li, DIY vs. Vinci & Kaiser, and Ricochet vs. Dom.
-Jey made his ring entrance. [c]
(7) JEY USO vs. DAMIAN PRIEST
Priest’s entrance took place. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Barrett wondered if Jey is beginning to regret not joining The Judgment Day. Priest missed a dive into the corner and went head-first into the ringpost. Jey clotheslined Priest out of the ring and then dove onto him at ringside. They cut to a break at 1:00. [c]
Back live, Priest was in control. Cole talked about Jey still trying to establish himself as a singles competitor after being part of one of the great all-time tag teams for so many years. Jey made a comeback and landed a crossbody block for a two count. Both were down and slow to get up.
Jey tried to lift Priest, but Priest resisted and then hit Jey with a nasty lariat for a near fall. Jey came back with a sudden Samoan drop for a two count. Jey dove through the ropes, but Priest caught him and drove his face into the announce desk. Priest went for a Razor’s Edge in the ring, but Jey slipped out and speared Priest. He quickly landed a top rope frog splash.
Balor charged to the ring, so the ref turned to block him. Jey punched him and then tackled him at ringside. Jey tried to return to the ring, but Priest hit him. As the ref backed Priest away, Balor yanked on Jey’s leg and crotched him on the middle rope. Priest then landed the South of Heaven for the win. Cole said Priest stole that one.
WINNER: Priest in 11:00.
-Priest and Balor double-teamed Jey afterward. Balor landed a Coup de Gras. Balor grabbed a chair and slid it to Priest. Then Balor brought his own chair into the ring. Cody limped out to the ring with his ankle heavily taped. He threw Balor into the ringside barricade and then went after Priest. He clipped Priest’s leg and jabbed him in the gut with a chair. Cody put Priest’s leg in a chair, but Balor yanked him to safety before Cody could follow-up. Cody and Jey hugged in the ring.
-They closed with Cole hyping Smackdown on FS1 and then the line-up for Raw next week.
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