WWE Raw Review – October 23, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Raw with Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Finn Balor welcomes fans to Raw then& says he’s feeling good tonight. He asks Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest if he can tell fans to rise for Judgment Day and Priest tells him to go ahead. Priest then says Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley & NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio are dealing with Judgment Day business backstage and brags about himself and his teammates being back on top.
Cody Rhodes’ music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He asks Judgment Day how it feels to be interrupted then says he has some choice words for the leader of Judgment Day but Ripley is nowhere to be found at ringside. He says Ripley isn’t just Mysterio’s Mami but Balor & Priest too. He says that Ripley is calling all the shots and cutting all the deals then tells Priest that low blowing him last week will be far from the final shot. Priest points out that Rhodes forgot to mention going through the announce table and says if Rhodes didn’t come out to find him then he would’ve done such. He asks Rhodes what his story actually is and says it has to be that he failed. Rhodes tells Priest to put that theory to the test and Priest opts to decline his offer. He opts to challenge Rhodes to a 1 on 1 match at Crown Jewel and Rhodes accepts then says that since they’re standing there they may as well give everyone a preview.
Priest says he likes that idea as Ripley & Mysterio show up at ringside and march down to the ring. Jey Uso jumps Mysterio on the ramp as Rhodes goes after Priest and looks to send him crashing through the table before he can JD McDonagh executes a chop block and Priest sends him crashing into the ring steps. McDonagh pulls several chairs out from under the ring as Priest fires off stomps on Rhodes. A chair is placed over Rhodes’ ankle and Priest grabs a 2nd one then hits Rhodes’ ankle with it as Adam Pearce and several WWE officials run down to check on Rhodes.
After the break we see Pearce & Jey help Rhodes to the trainer’s room.
Tag Team Match
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) vs. New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Chad Gable & Xavier Woods lock up to get this match started then they go back & forth locking in submission holds on one another before Gable lands a suplex before Woods fires back with a lariat then tags in Kofi Kingston.
Kingston delivers a splash using the ropes then delivers a standing one then Gable cinches in an Ankle Lock but Kingston quickly escapes and the action spills to the outside.
Otis knocks Woods down with a shoulder block on the floor and then backdrops Kingston as we go to a break.
After the break Otis delivers a Vader Bomb to Kingston then Gable & Woods tag in and Woods delivers a lariat to Gable then follows it up with a kick and a forearm then looks for a splash in the corner.
Gable evades it but Woods manages to deliver a side Russian leg sweep and a senton but Gable rolls him up but Woods kicks out and gets Gable up on his shoulders then plants him before Gable hits 3 German suplexes and goes for a pin but Woods kicks out and Otis tags in.
Otis gets Woods in an electric chair position and Gable delivers a bulldog off the top rope then Otis goes for a pin but Kingston breaks the fall.
Otis then lands a splash on him in the corner and follows it up with The Caterpillar but Woods manages to send him crashing into the ring post shoulder first.
Gable makes the blind tag and Woods looks to hit a reverse Caterpillar on Otis before he can Gable hops in the ring and cinches in an Ankle Lock but Woods counters into a pinfall but Gable kicks out.
Woods sends him crashing to the outside and delivers a pair of kicks to an interfering Otis then Kingston tags in and double teams on Otis with Woods then Woods hits Daybreak for the win.
Winners: New Day
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch was interviewed backstage by Jackie Redmond. Lynch spoke about Indi Hartwell never losing her NXT Women’s Title and said that’s what the NXT Women’s Title is all about. Xia Li could be seen crossing her arms while watching Lynch in the background for a moment. Lynch welcomes Hartwell to the big time
After the break we head over to a video from Ivar & Valhalla.
We get a video recapping what happened between Seth Rollins & Drew McIntyre last week.
We then head backstage and see Rollins run into Rhea Ripley. Rollins tells Ripley that she’s in the wrong place if she’s looking for McIntyre & Ripley says Judgment Day has nothing but respect for Rollins. She says Judgment Day is concerned about the pace Rollins is running at and says he needs them. Rollins says that Ripley has lost faith in Damian Priest cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on him for the World Heavyweight Title then asks what he would want with her. Ripley tells him that he needs her because he’s just a World Heavyweight Champion right now rather than the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Ripley offers him Judgment Day’s help once again before bringing up Roman Reigns and his historic reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Title. Rollins says he wants to be nothing like Reigns & Ripley tells him that wasn’t a no.
We then head over and see a conversation between Natalya, Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae. Natalya offers Hartwell her support and wishes her the best in her NXT Women’s Title match up next.
NXT Women’s Title Match
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Indi Hartwell
Becky Lynch looks for Manhandle Slam but Hartwell fights back with a clothesline before Lynch rolls out of the ring then she gets back inside and executes a backslide but Hartwell kicks out.
Hartwell gets Lynch up on her shoulders and sends her into the top turnbuckle face first then hits a sidewalk slam and sends her crashing into the barricade on the outside as we go to a break.
After the break Lynch dumps Hartwell onto the apron then Hartwell lands an uppercut and a big boot then ascends to the top and hits an elbow drop to Lynch’s spine.
Lynch sends Hartwell crashing into the mat then sets up for the Manhandle Slam but Hartwell avoids it and lands another big boot then ascends to the top rope.
Lynch pulls her down and locks in an armbar but Hartwell manages to land a powerbomb on her and follows it up with a spinebuster before Lynch locks in Dis Arm Her and Hartwell taps out.
Winner By Submission & Still NXT Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch (STILL CHAMPION!!!!!)
After the match, Lynch & Hartwell shake hands as a show of respect for one another. Lynch then stares down Lyra Valkyria on her way to the back.
Backstage we see Xia Li attack Candice LeRae and tell her that it was a message for Indi too.
We then head over to Adam Pearce talking with security about the upcoming Crown Jewel Women’s World Title Fatal 5 way Match contract signing. Nick Aldis approaches him and apologizes for having him removed from the arena this past Friday on Smackdown explaining that he’s just trying to establish his authority. Pearce says he knows what it’s like to be the new guy, and while he thought it was a bit out of line it’s water under the bridge. He invites Aldis to stay and see how things are done on Raw and Aldis accepts.
After the break Adam Pearce kicks things off by saying he would ordinarily not let a Fatal Way Women’s World Title go on with all the chaos that has gone down lately but in WWE things are settled in the ring. He then introduces Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Raquel Rodriguez & Nia Jax & they all sign the contract 1 by 1 as they get in the ring with the exception of Jax. She asks where Rhea Ripley and Pearce tells her that she’ll be signing the contract later. Jax does so but before Pearce can wrap things up Ripley’s music hits and she makes her way down to the ring.
Ripley says she’s not sorry for coming out prematurely and says she has something to get off her chest. She tells Pearce that while she can beat every woman in the ring individually, he set her up and now she’s going to make his life a living hell. She says by making the match a Fatal 5 Way all he’s doing is making sure that there are 4 less women in the division and is adamant that she will retain her Women’s World Title. Jax grabs the mic from Pearce’s hand and says she sees what Ripley is doing. She says Ripley wants her to squash everyone else for her and iterates her point to everyone in the ring.
Rodriguez has had enough and goes after Jax. Everyone except Ripley then begins brawling with one another as security pulls them apart but all 4 women escape and continue to brawl with one another. Stark & Baszler are sent crashing to the outside leaving Jax alone with Rodriguez as Ripley yells at them to fight. They begin brawling before security guards separate them as both women escape and Jax plants Rodriguez with a Samoan Drop.
Backstage Ludwig Kaiser told Giovanni Vinci that he needed him to beat Johnny Gargano and take him out. Bronson Reed shows up and said that your boss put up a hell of a fight and said they should tell him he would be ready whenever Intercontienetal Champion Gunther is ready. Kaiser told him to tell Gunther himself and then walked away with Vinci.
Akira Tozawa shows up and told Reed that he wanted a match. Reed tried to blow him off. Tozawa threw a chop to the chest of Reed but he didn’t flinch. It’s your funeral Reed told Tozawa before walking away. Maxxine Durpri shows up and said Coach Gable wouldn’t be happy about Tozawa issuing that challenge.
Giovanni Vinci vs. Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano charges at Giovanni Vinci but Vinci shoves him into the corner and fires off shoulders on his midsection before landing a backbreaker. Gargano looks to run the ropes but stops when he spots Kaiser allowing Vinci to clock him from behind.
Gargano responds with a superkick as a frustrated Kaiser hops up on the apron but Tommaso Ciampa appears and scares Kaiser away from ringside opening the door for Gargano to hit One Final Beat to score the win.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
After the match Ciampa enters the ring and hugs Gargano.
A subtitle promo from Shinsuke Nakamura was shown. He said a brutal beating from him is a beautiful thing and he was happy to give Ricochet that experience. Nakamura said that Ricochet’s efforts were an honorable sacrifice. Nakamura said he wants to find an opponent who inspires the yet to be seen self within me and release the expression still trapped in my dreams. Nakamura asked who is worthy enough to set him free.
Logan Paul brags about defeating Dillion Davis and causing him to lose his job then says he’s technically still a free agent. He tells fans at home to run to their keyboards because he’ll give the world something to talk about when he defeats Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel to become the new United States Champion.
Dominik Mysterio’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He tells Paul that from champion to future champion he can’t wait to see him beat his father. Paul says that Rey left out what they’ve had to overcome during their confrontation on Friday night and says the only person who needs humbling is Rey. Dominik says after Crown Jewel he’ll be the champion, and Paul says he can see it vividly. He says now that he’s back on Raw his favorite ring announcer Samantha Irvin is here and asks her to join him & Dominik in the ring. He says it’s been a while since he’s seen her and he owes her a heartfelt thank you. She says she deserves to be recognized and Irvin reluctantly gets inside the ring. He tells Irvin that he made it hard when she was forced to announce him as the winner of his match with Ricochet at SummerSlam then asks for her to give a preview of what she’ll be saying after his & Rey’s Crown Jewel match.
Out of nowhere Ricochet appears and attacks Paul as Mysterio tries helping Paul out but Ricochet clocks him. He delivers a knee to his head and ascends to the top rope looking for a Shooting Star Press but Paul pulls Mysterio out of the ring before he can hit it.
Non Title Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Natalya & Nikki Cross
Chelsea Green & Natayla take turns pinning one another as Nikki Cross stands on the apron in a trance. Green delivers a boot to Natalya’s face then tags in Piper Niven & she hits a splash to Natalya in the corner then tags Green back in.
Green delivers a forearm to her spine as Cross hops off the apron and heads to the back as Natalya questions what Cross is doing, then delivers a German suplex to Green before executing a discus lariat and going for a pin.
Green kicks out and sets up for The Unprettier but Natalya escapes and looks to lock in a Sharpshooter but unbeknownst to her Niven is now legal.
Natalya looks to lock in a Sharpshooter on Niven once she realizes she’s legal but Green helps Niven out by hitting The Unprettier then Niven follows it up with a low crossbody for the win.
Winners: Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
Jey Uso was shown warming up backstage when Drew McIntyre approached him. McIntyre said he was there to say he was sorry because he can’t imagine how it feels to have The Bloodline cost him a championship. McIntyre told him to get over it. McIntyre said that if Jey wasn’t on Raw his match with Sami Zayn would not be happening. McIntyre said that whatever happened during the match would be on Jey.
After the break we go backstage where The Miz is complaining to Adam Pearce that it’s been weeks since he’s had something worthy of him on Raw.
Miz ran through his credentials and said he’s the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Miz said Nick Aldis knows the talent that he possesses. Rhea Ripley shows up and signed the contract from earlier and took the pen. Miz asks why the camera was following her as she walks away. Dominik Mysterio enters the picture and was holding his chin. Ripley comforted him.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
Match starts off with a lock up then Sami Zayn tries landing a shoulder tackle but is unsuccessful and opts to land a chop then looks to surprise Drew McIntyre with one but McIntyre catches him with a chop before landing a 2nd one in the corner.
He delivers a 3rd one that sends Zayn out of the ring and Zayn then pulls him out to join then hits a moonsault off the barricade and dumps McIntyre back inside the ring before getting planted by a vertical suplex from McIntyre.
He then delivers a chop that sends Zayn crashing into the mat before Zayn manages to hit a clothesline and fires off chops and forearms then dumps McIntyre out of the ring and lands a dropkick through the middle rope.
He looks to go flying over the top rope to level him but McIntyre catches him and tosses him over the announce table as we go to a break.
After the break McIntyre lands a chop before Zayn sends him colliding with the ring post shoulder first before Zayn lands a suplex and clotheslines McIntyre out of the ring then goes flying over the top to level him.
He tosses him back inside the ring and ascends to the top rope but McIntyre joins him up there and gets him up on his shoulders but Zayn escapes and delivers a powerbomb.
McIntyre fires back with a headbutt and sets up for Claymore but Zayn counters with a boot to his face and a Blue Thunder Bomb then goes for a pin but McIntyre kicks out.
McIntyre delivers a belly 2 belly suplex and a neckbreaker then kips up as Rhea Ripley makes her way down to the ring to watch the action so Zayn takes advantage and rolls up McIntyre but he kicks out and gets caught with an exploder.
Ripley hops up on the apron to cause a distraction opening the door for McIntyre to connect with Claymore for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Backstage Nick Aldis was shown talking with Kayden Carter & Katana Chance before Adam Pearce shows up and dismissed them then told Aldis that he appreciated him coming to Raw to smooth things over. Pearce said he invited Aldis to stay and watch the show not to go around chatting with his superstars.
Aldis said it was just a friendly conversation. He said it had been a tough night for Pearce and he would make this easy for him. Aldis said he was going to leave. Pearce said that was a great idea and then they shook hands before Aldis left. Nikki Cross walks by Pearce in a daze. I need a drink Pearce said.
Akira Tozawa vs. Bronson Reed
Akira Tozawa lands a chop but Bronson Reed stays standing and Tozawa fires off strikes on him but Reed flattens him with a splash and an elbow drop then lands a splash and follows it up with a suplex.
He hits a Military Press and looks for a senton but Tozawa rolls out of the way and delivers a pair of kicks then looks to land a German suplex but Reed escapes his grasp.
Tozawa ascends to the top rope and looks for a splash but Reed catches him and gets him up on his shoulders & hits a Death Valley Driver then follows it up with a running senton follow by Tsunami for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
Backstage Alpha Academy was talking with New Day. Otis had a Dallas Cowboys replica Title as Akira Tozawa was selling his injuries. Gable told him he would make him a great tag team wrestler. #DIY shows up and spoke about being back after 3 years. They told Tozawa that he’s still a hero and gave him the replica title. Tozawa did a little dance with the title.
After the break we see Seth Rollins approach Drew McIntyre to congratulate him on his 1st win as a member of Judgment Day. McIntyre tells Rollins that he’s paranoid and calls him out for his conversation with Rhea Ripley earlier tonight. Rollins says he doesn’t need Judgment Day and McIntyre says he doesn’t need the stable either then they agree to not having the group in either of their corners.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest vs. Jey Uso
Match starts off with a lock up then Jey Uso fires off right hands on Damian Priest’s midsection but Priest sends him crashing into the mat and connects with a headbutt.
He whips Jey into the corner and looks for a splash but Jey moves out of the way before the action spills to the outside and Jey delivers a tope suicida as we go to a break.
After the break Priest hits Broken Arrow then they go back & forth with forearm strikes before Jey gains the upper hand and fires off right hands then Priest tosses him onto the apron but Jey connects with an enzuigiri and ascends to the top rope.
He delivers a splash and looks for Samoan Drop but Priest escapes and lands a clothesline that turns Jey inside out.
Jey lands a kick on Priest’s midsection and follows it up with a Samoan Drop before the action spills out of the ring once again and Priest lands an elevated flatliner on the announce table.
They get back inside the ring, and Priest delivers a 2nd elevated flatliner before Jey responds with a Spear and ascends to the top rope then hits Uso Splash then goes for a pin.
Finn Balor runs down and hops up on the apron to cause a distraction and Jey clocks him then delivers a tope suicida opening the door for Priest to hit South Of Heaven for the win.
Winner: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest
After the match Balor fires off right hands on Jey and ascends to the top rope then hits Coup De Grace then grabs a couple of chairs for him & Priest and they look to attack him with them. Cody Rhodes’ music hits and he hobbles down to the ring to provide Jey with a hand. He executes a chop block on Priest then hits him with the chair on his midsection before cracking it across his spine then puts his ankle through the chair and looks to use the 2nd one to hit it but Balor pulls Priest out of the ring before he can and referees run down to separate them. Cody hugs Jey and holds his hand up to close out this week’s Raw.
Next Week’s Raw
Tag Team Match
#DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci)
Non Title Match
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. JD McDonagh
Candice LeRae vs. Xia Li
Non Title Match
NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Ricochet
Crown Jewel Card (Nov 4th)
World Heavyweight Title Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Women’s Title Fatal 5 Way Match
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Zoey Stark vs. Nia Jax
Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. LA Knight
United States Title Match
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Logan Paul
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest vs. Cody Rhodes
