WWE Raw Results
August 21, 2023
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (Videotron Centre)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show that highlights the recent dissension between Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of the Judgment Day. During the main event of last week’s Raw, Priest tried to slide his Money in the Bank briefcase to Bálor, only for it to be intercepted by Cody Rhodes, costing Bálor the match. After the match, The Judgment Day rallied together, with the help of JD McDonagh, to take out Rhodes and Sami Zayn.
We go live in the Videotron Centre in Quebec City. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation. Zayn has the Flag of Quebec around his neck and poses with it. The crowd loves the hometown boy. The crowd loudly chants his name and claps for him. Zayn stands in the ring and soaks in the crowd. This a HOT crowd. They next begin singing “Ole” at him. Zayn looks completely moved by this incredible reaction. Zayn looks like he will begin speaking before getting fired up again. Zayn shows his forearm and demonstrates that his hair is standing on end. He has goosebumps. This has gone on for nearly eight minutes. The “Ole” song fires up again.
Zayn smiles as he lifts the microphone and shakes his head in disbelief. A “Sami” chant fires up as loud as ever. The energy is not dying down. Zayn shouts in French and welcomes them to Monday Night Raw. The crowd continues to cheer him loudly.
The Judgment Day’s music hits. Finn Bálor makes his way to the ring alongside “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio. The Judgment Day stands on all four sides of the ring apron. Zayn says before they do whatever they’re going to do, he has a question. Zayn asks a question in French that loudly pops the crowd. A “Sami” chant fires up. Did they really think he would come here of all places alone?
Kevin Owens’ music hits! The other half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions makes his return after missing the last month with broken ribs. Owens storms down to the ring and viciously stomps down Dominik Mysterio. In the ring, Bálor hits the ropes, but Owens pulls him out and sends him into the barricade. Zayn fights off Priest in the ring as Owens enters. Zayn shoves Priest into Owens, who hits him with a Stunner! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens stand tall as a united force for the first time in a month as the crowd loudly cheers.
Zayn grabs a microphone and hands it to Owens. The Judgment Day stands at ringside, licking their words. A “Kevin Owens” chant fires up. Owens says it’s been far too long since he’s had a match on Raw, so how about this? Right here, tonight, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn fight against any two of the Judgment Day. Owens speaks French and tosses the microphone aside as the crowd cheers. Owens said, “À soir, on vous crisse une volée!” This translates to, “Tonight, we’re going to beat the shit out of you!” The Judgment Day accepts the challenge. Now it is up to WWE Official Adam Pearce to make it official.
Later tonight, we’ll hear what Shinsuke Nakamura whispered to World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins last week on Raw. Gunther will also put his historic WWE Intercontinental Championship reign on the line against Chad Gable.
The New Day makes their way to the ring. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods will battle Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle next.
-Commercial Break-
Over 92,000 tickets have been sold for WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia next year.
Tag Team Match
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. Matt Riddle and Drew McIntyre
Matt Riddle will start against Xavier Woods. Woods hooks a side headlock, but Riddle whips him off. Riddle drops down and leapfrogs him, but Woods stops and shoves him. Woods shouts that McIntyre and Riddle are not a real tag team. Woods knocks Riddle to the corner. Kofi Kingston kicks him back as he tags in. Kingston hits a springboard splash for a two-count. Riddle goes for a back suplex, but Kingston flips through and dropkicks him. Drew McIntyre tags in. McIntyre and Kingston go back and forth before Kingston knocks him to the corner. McIntyre grabs Kingston attempting a springboard, and hits a wild overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Woods meets the same fate. The New Day collects at ringside to recover. Riddle gets in the ring and hugs McIntyre, who looks confused. McIntyre then hugs him back… only to give Riddle a belly-to-belly suplex over the top rope and onto the New Day!
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Kingston pick up a two-count over Riddle. Kingston applies an overhead wristlock, but Riddle soon fights up. Kingston quickly grounds Riddle with a side leg sweep to stop him from making the tag. Kingston hits a snapmare, and The New Day starts with some rapid-fire clotheslines and splashes for a two-count on Riddle. Woods is left as the legal competitor. Woods applies an armbar, but Riddle fights back. Woods avoids a step-up enzuigiri before hitting a sliding flatliner. Kingston tags in and comes off the second rope with a diving splash for a two-count. Kingston applies an armbar. Riddle fights up and nearly tags McIntyre, but he’s too far away. Kingston sweeps the feet and heads to the top rope. Kingston jumps off the top rope, but Riddle wipes him out with a final flash knee out of mid-air! Woods quickly tags in and stops Riddle from making the tag. Woods wags a finger at McIntyre. Riddle fights back and gets Woods on the top rope. Riddle hits a wild fisherman’s superplex off the top rope! That’s a brutal bump!
Riddle crawls toward McIntyre, but Woods holds the ankle. Erik of the Viking Raiders suddenly sneaks up behind McIntyre and pulls him off the apron. Unaware of the distraction, Kingston hits Riddle with Trouble in Paradise for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The New Day
The New Day celebrates in the ring before being blindsided by The Viking Raiders. Erik runs over Woods before Ivar wipes out Kingston with a spin kick. Valhalla stands in the ring directing traffic. McIntyre gets in the ring and hits Erik with a Glasgow Kiss. Ivar attacks McIntyre, but McIntyre soon hits him with a spinebuster. McIntyre clotheslines Ivar over the top rope and shouts at the Viking Raiders as they retreat up the ramp. McIntyre is irate.
Jackie Redmond is backstage with JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor. Bálor is adjusting his jaw from the fight with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn earlier. She asks if McDonagh’s relationship with Bálor is creating more tension with Bálor and other members of the Judgment Day. McDonagh says he hopes that’s not what’s happening. He’s known Bálor for his whole life and looks up to him. He hopes he can help make Judgment Day stronger. Bálor says he knows what she’s trying to do in stirring the pot. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio walk up. They have to talk about who is facing Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn tonight. Bálor starts to walk with them, as does McDonagh. Ripley stops McDonagh and says this is Judgment Day business.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will battle two members of the Judgment Day in tonight’s main event.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Shayna Baszler wants to let the world burn.
Replays are shown from last Monday’s Raw of Chad Gable defeating Giovanni Vinci with Chaos Theory. WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther was furious and challenged Otis to a match. Gunther somehow hit him with a powerbomb to pin him. After the match, Gable gave Gunther the Chaos Theory.
Earlier today, WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther was backstage. Tonight, the world will witness the glory of the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time, “The Ring General” Gunther. Chad Gable thinks that time is Gunther’s enemy, but time is his friend. With each passing day, he keeps building his lifelong legacy. Gunther respects Gable’s accomplishments, but he will not make a name for himself at Gunther’s expense. The fairy tale story ends tonight.
Chad Gable is backstage with Otis and Maxxine Dupri. Byron Saxton comes up to them. Does Gable have any final comments before the biggest match of his career? Otis has something to say. Gable lifted him up in the Alpha Academy at the lowest point of his career, and they became WWE Tag Team Champions. Maxxine Dupri never thought she’d be an in-ring competitor until Coach Gable showed her the way. If anyone can do the impossible, it’s Chad Gable. Gable says there is only one thing left to say at this moment… “A-THANK YOU!”
Chad Gable makes his entrance. He’ll face Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Legend John Cena returns to SmackDown on September 1. He’ll also appear for the first time in India on September 8 for the WWE Superstar Spectacle.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Chad Gable vs. Gunther (c)
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. A “Let’s go, Gable” chant picks up. They lock up, and Gunther quickly powers him to the corner. Gable ducks a chop and delivers a chop to the Ring General. Gunther is not happy about that. They circle the ring, but Gunther quickly grabs the arm and wrenches it before slamming Gable down. Gunther drops a knee on the left arm and applies an armbar. Gable fights up, but Gunther quickly takes him down and twists the arm. Gable spins to undo the pressure and chops Gunther. Gable then twists and flips out of it before hitting a drop-toe-hold. Gable rides the Intercontinental Champion before applying a front facelock. Gunther powers up and callously throws Gable over the top rope!
Gable gets in the ring at the count of five and immediately takes a frying pan chop to the chest from Gunther. Gunther is standing tall as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, we see Gunther kick Gable in the head from the apron. Gunther goes to ringside and crushes Gable with a back suplex onto the barricade. Gunther gets in the ring and is looking for a count-out. Gable slowly gets back in at the count of nine. Gunther immediately hits Gable with a picture-perfect delayed double-arm suplex for a two-count. Gunther sneers at his opponent and grabs him by the neck. Gunther viciously whips Gable sternum-first into the turnbuckles, and Gable hits HARD.
Gunther peppers Gable with a kick to the chest. Gunther goes to whip Gable, but Gable collapses in exhaustion. Gunther smiles and points at Gable. Gunther playfully kicks away at Gable and talks trash. Gable quickly kicks Gunther back. Gunther runs into a boot, and Gable heads to the top rope. Gable kicks away at Gunther. Gunther goes for a chop, but Gable grabs the arm and hangs over the top rope with an armbar. Gable releases before being disqualified. Gable comes off the ropes, but Gunther chops him out of mid-air. Gunther connects with a nasty lariat for a near fall.
Gable tries to fight back with a dropkick, but Gunther shakes it off and hits another stiff lariat for a near fall. Gunther slaps the mat in frustration. Gunther shouts at Gable to get up. Gunther hits the ropes, but Gable takes him down by the arm and applies a crucifix pin for a near fall. Gunther quickly locks Gable in a rear naked choke. Gable fights up with Gunther on his back. Gunther quickly clubs him in the back of the neck, but Gable responds with a running strike. Gable hits a pair of running forearms that don’t take Gunther down. Gunther applies a sleeper hold, but Gable counters with a nasty swinging back suplex that nearly lands Gunther on his head!
Both men take a moment to recover. Gable goes for Chaos Theory, but Gunther fights it. Gunther goes for a running knee, but Gable counters and applies an ankle lock! Gunther screams in pain and reaches for the ropes but is in the middle of the ring. Gable pulls him away from the ropes as he crawls over. Gunther quickly rolls over and kicks Gable away. Gunther rocks him with a chop to the chest, but Gable fires back with a spear and some wild punches. Gable starts to chop the back and hits a beautiful German Suplex into a bridge for a near fall! Gable cannot believe it. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Gable heads to the top rope, but Gunther shoves him off and into the barricade at ringside.
Gunther goes outside and viciously chops Gable before booting him into the barricade. Gunther talks trash and chops the chest again. Gunther goes to chop him, but Gable avoids it, and Gunther hits the ring post! Gable knocks Gunther into the barricade and gives him a German Suplex over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Gable runs into the ring and wins the match by count-out!
Winner by Count-Out: Gunther
Gunther retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Chad Gable is the first person to defeat Gunther in a singles match since Gunther made his main roster debut. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci of Imperium tell Samantha Irvin to announce that Gunther is still the WWE Intercontinental Champion. The title cannot change hands via count-out. Gable says he’s coming back for more.
The Judgment Day is sitting backstage. Women’s World Champion says they’ve been talking for too long. They need to figure out who is in the match tonight. Finn Bálor wants to team up with Dominik Mysterio. Damian Priest says Bálor and Mysterio would make a great team, but since he’s “Señor Money in the Bank” and Dom is NXT North American Champion, he’d make a better team with him. Bálor doesn’t like that. Priest asks Mysterio what he thinks. Mysterio thinks they’re both amazing and looks to Mami for support. Ripley says she thought they buried the hatchet. She has business to settle with Candice LeRae. They need to make a decision by the time she gets back. Ripley walks off with Mysterio.
Next, we’ll hear what Shinsuke Nakamura said to World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins that confuddled him last week. We’ll also hear from “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther is shouting at Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci backstage before walking off on them. Vinci says he’s going to make this right. Kaiser asks what Vinci is going to do before walking off.
Cody Rhodes addresses the Judgment Day
Byron Saxton is backstage with “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, who gets a nice reception. Saxton asks what Rhodes thought about the ending to last week’s Raw. Rhodes says Finn Bálor sat on him like a piece of furniture. As for JD McDonagh, what the hell is wrong with him? He’s got a big head and looks like a Funko Pop. Rhodes then says this isn’t the right setting and leads Saxton along. They go through the backstage area and go through Gorilla Position to get onto the stage.
Rhodes receives a great pop. Rhodes asks the crowd in French what they want to talk about. Rhodes gives a shoutout to Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary before giving a shoutout to JBL. Everyone saw the clip. Last week, the Judgment Day vied to be the biggest faction today. They have the numbers game, but if there was one place on the map where numbers didn’t matter and the odds weren’t in their favor, it would be down the road from where Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn grew up. Rhodes gets the crowd going. He wants the Judgment Day to hear them. Will they be in the corner of Kevin and Sami tonight? The crowd loudly cheers in the affirmative. Rhodes says he has no love loss for the Judgment Day, so he’ll be watching closely. Tonight is about Kevin and Sami. They’ll watch the Judgment Day rise and fall. Rhodes salutes the crowd, and they give him a nice ovation.
Shinsuke Nakamura reveals what he whispered to World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins last week on Raw
Video: Shinsuke Nakamura says everyone has been wondering what he whispered to World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins that filled him with fear last week on Raw. Rollins is a man who acts like he has it all. He’s prosperous and a champion. Nakamura knows Rollins and his weaknesses. He told Rollins, “I know about your back.” Rollins’ back has been broken for many years. Replays of some harsh bumps Rollins has taken in his career are shown. Rollins lives in pain, which creates a void that nothing can fill.
No matter how successful he is, he’s in pain. When he hugs his wife, he’s in pain. When he picks up his child, he’s in pain. Rollins is a World Champion, yet every day of his life is filled with pain. Now his worst fears are coming true. Rollins knows that Nakamura can break him once and for all. They’re not so different. Nakamura has a void. They live by a code others do not. That code is displayed on the very back that is failing Rollins. Rollins is failing to live by the code. His body has crumbled under the pressure of his own vanity. Is Rollins satisfied with what he has done with his life? Nakamura will not be satisfied until he takes his burden from Rollins and breaks him once and for all. Nakamura warns Rollins by saying, “Watch your back.”
Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Payback.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring alongside NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio. She’ll face Candice LeRae next.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena returns to SmackDown on Friday, September 1.
Replays are shown of Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell attacking Rhea Ripley last week.
Non-Title Match
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley w/ NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell
The bell rings, and they lock up before Ripley powers her to the corner and clubs her down. LeRae quickly rolls her up for a two-count. LeRae grabs a charging Ripley and sends her into the turnbuckles. Mysterio gets on the apron, but Hartwell pulls him down. Ripley hits a backbreaker and goes for Riptide, but LeRae counters with a DDT. LeRae hits a springboard moonsault off the second rope for a two-count. LeRae clubs away at Ripley. Ripley quickly grabs her by the throat and counters a wheelbarrow attempt into a Prism Trap for the submission victory. Ripley had her powered up off the canvas.
Winner by Submission: Rhea Ripley
As Ripley celebrates with Mysterio, Raquel Rodriguez comes out to the stage on a crutch. Ripley makes fun of her. Ripley is responsible for injuring Rodriguez’s knee a month ago, which cost her and Liv Morgan the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Rodriguez throws the crutch at Ripley and big boots her down with the supposed bad leg. Rodriguez gets Ripley in the ring. Ripley attacks her getting in the ring, but Rodriguez sends her to the corner and punches away at her. Ripley ducks a right hand, but Rodriguez hits a nasty lariat. Rodriguez hits Ripley with a fall-away slam that sends her out of the ring. Mysterio checks on Ripley.
Rodriguez grabs a microphone and says she has been medically cleared for action today. She already spoke to Adam Pearce. It’ll be Rhea Ripley versus Raquel Rodriguez at Payback. Rodriguez says she’ll take the Women’s World Championship. Ripley shouts for Rodriguez to bring everything she’s got.
Last Friday on SmackDown, LA Knight clotheslined The Miz out of the ring. Austin Theory then rolled up Knight for the victory, making him the #1 Contender for the United States Championship.
The Miz makes his entrance. We’ll have a demonstration of his in-ring prowess. We’ll find out who he is facing next.
-Commercial Break-
Tommaso Ciampa is shown backstage. It has been nine weeks since he returned to Monday Night Raw. He’s had 63 days to reflect on his return. He’s the guy that laid in the ring as Chad Gable celebrated with his son two weeks ago. Ciampa wanted that opportunity. He’s also the man that Shinsuke Nakamura defeated and is now going for the World Heavyweight Championship. Ciampa isn’t here to be a stepping stone. Ciampa wants to be the guy and is dying to take a breath. Ciampa is here to take over. He angrily storms away.
The Miz is in the ring. The crowd is chanting for Maryse. Miz says Maryse is from Montreal and would never come to Quebec City. The crowd boos him. Miz shouts in French. Last Friday, LA Knight lost a match where he would have been the #1 Contender for the United States Championship. People blame The Miz, but champions overcome troubles. Roman Reigns knows that, as does Gunther. In his WrestleMania main event, the Rock messed with him, but he still beat John Cena. You will remember Miz in 20 years. LA Knight will be the fidget spinner of WWE. LA Knight is not on his level. Adam Pearce allowed Miz to pick his opponent. Miz picked someone better than anyone LA Knight has faced in his career. His opponent is…
The Miz says this is a former WWE 24/7 Champion. It’s a shame that title is gone because it was perfect for LA Knight, a ripoff of the Attitude Era. Miz talks to Tozawa, who keeps saying, “YEAH.” They get into a “really/yeah” battle. Miz says this is stupid. He is giving Tozawa the opportunity of a lifetime. Does he think this is funny? Miz then big boots Tozawa down.
The Miz vs. Akira Tozawa
The referee checks on Tozawa and rings the bell to start the match. LA Knight’s music hits, and he comes out to a huge ovation. Tozawa dropkicks Miz out of the ring. Knight throws a tissue at Miz. Miz is furious and gets in the ring. Miz charges, but Tozawa pulls the top rope down. Knight is heading to the commentary table and points at Miz. Tozawa then hits Miz with a suicide dive.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Miz hit Tozawa with his patented corner clothesline. Miz goes to the top rope and hits a diving ax handle. LA Knight is on commentary for this match. Miz starts the IT Kicks and takes Tozawa out for a near fall. Miz hits the ropes for a running kick, but Tozawa avoids it. Tozawa kicks him in the head and punches away at him. Miz sends him into the ropes, but Tozawa comes back with a hurricanrana. Tozawa hits a running kick to the head and heads to the top rope. Miz quickly big boots him off the top rope to the floor. Miz hits Tozawa with a baseball slide and gets in LA Knight’s face. Miz tries to throw Tozawa into Knight, but Tozawa gets on the commentary table and comes off with a flying hurricanrana that sends Miz into the steel steps.
Tozawa gets Miz in the ring and heads to the top rope. Tozawa goes for a diving senton splash, but Miz gets the knees up. Miz looks menacingly toward Knight and goes for the Skull Crushing Finale. Tozawa counters into a roll-up for the win! Miz cannot believe it!
Winner by Pinfall: Akira Tozawa
The Miz argues with the referee. LA Knight sneaks up and hits Miz with Blunt Force Trauma! Knight leaves the ring after leaving a tissue for Miz to cry into.
Matt Riddle is trying to keep Drew McIntyre motivated. McIntyre says he has too much going on, so this tag team isn’t going to work. The New Day walks up and says they have some potential. Woods says he has a name for them: McRiddle. The New Day will face the Viking Raiders. Once they’re done whooping them, they’d love to lock up with them again. They bump fists, and Riddle shows off his yellow fingernails. Riddle begs McIntyre not to give up on them. McIntyre walks off without saying anything.
“The Man” Becky Lynch makes her entrance. We’ll hear from her next.
-Commercial Break-
Damian Priest is backstage with Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio. Ripley asks if they figured it out. Priest says he tried, but Bálor wanted to talk to JD McDonagh. Ripley is upset and says that Priest isn’t trusting Bálor as much as Bálor doesn’t trust him. She gave them a chance to figure it out, but they couldn’t do it. Now she’ll have to do it. Ripley angrily storms off.
Becky Lynch addresses Trish Stratus
Replays are shown of Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus battling to a Double Count-Out. They brawled into the crowd before Zoey Stark helped take Lynch out. Adam Pearce said they would fight in a Steel Cage at WWE Payback.
Becky Lynch stands in the ring. A “Becky” chant picks up. She says, “The Man has come around to Quebec City.” The Man has Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage at Payback. Over the last few brutal months of this rivalry, there has been a lot of talk about who is the best. It comes down to legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? What are you in control of and not in control of? How can you take the so-called lemons and turn them into lemonade? Wins and losses or championship victories will not define Lynch’s legacy. It’ll be defined by survival. You can beat her and put her on the shelf for months on end. You can break her bones and tear her ligaments, but she will always come back, not because she’s unbeatable but because she’s unstoppable. She is unstoppable not because she always wins but because she always fights.
That brings her to Trish Stratus. They will go into a Steel Cage Match, but there is still some business with Zoey Stark. She talked to Adam Pearce…
Trish Stratus’ music hits. The WWE Hall of Famer comes out with Zoey Stark. Stratus greets the crowd in French. It’s nice to be back in her home country rather than deal with the “USA-holes.” To be in her home country… she thanks Quebec in French. She can’t tell them what it means to be in her home country of Canada, Quebec City. It means absolutely nothing. The crowd lightly boos. It’s not like this is Montreal. They’re not even Toronto. She wouldn’t be here if this sourpuss weren’t running her mouth. She would have made like Trudeau and split. The crowd chants something nasty to her in French. Stratus is in the ring with Stark. She has good news and bad news for Lynch. When she beats Lynch one-on-one, she’ll prove she is the greatest of all time, not only of her generation but this one. The bad news is she trapped Stratus in a Steel Cage. She’s never fought in a Steel Cage before. Is she scared? Yes, but was she scared when she was 24 years old and thrown into a WWE ring with zero experience? Yes, but she killed it. Was she scared when she was the first female to ever main event Raw? Yes, but she killed it. For her entire career, she was thrown into the fire and shined. She will stand tall in the Steel Cage.
The crowd begins to chant in French again. Stratus calls them frogs. If Lynch wants to talk about survival and legacy, here she is 23 years after standing face-to-face with one of the best in the business. She finds herself once again having to prove herself once again to everyone. Stratus is tired of proving herself to everyone. When Lynch steps into the cage with her, she’ll see a side of her she’s never seen before. Lynch should be scared. Stratus says, “You’re not gonna survive this one, bitch.”
Lynch sarcastically says she’s scared. She’ll be locked in a Steel Cage with Stratus in two weeks. Next week, Zoey Stark will face Lynch in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Lynch puts Stratus’ cowgirl hat on.
Replays are shown of Piper Niven forcibly making herself Chelsea Green’s new tag team partner.
Byron Saxton is backstage with new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Green says she had to get WWE management to authorize them as champions. She got it done because that’s what champions do. Niven has had enough and forces Green to get moving.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their way to the ring. They’ll face Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Piper Niven hype reel
Non-Title Tag Team Match
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter
Chelsea Green will start against Katana Chance. Green quickly takes Chance down and talks trash to Kayden Carter. Chance dropkicks Green down. Carter tags in, but Green kicks her down. Green knocks Chance off the apron and slaps Carter. Carter responds with a forearm that rocks Green. Piper Niven tags herself in. Carter kicks Niven before she gets in the ring. Chance tags in. Chance and Carter hit a nice assisted handstand splash. Niven pulls Carter out of the ring and throws her into the commentary table. Niven gets in the ring and splashes Chance for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are warming up backstage. They’ll face two members of the Judgment Day in the main event.
-Commercial Break-
Jackie Redmond is backstage with World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Rollins says the crowd has been waiting all night long. He wants to give them a second to sing. The crowd sings his theme song. She asks Rollins for an injury update and if there is any truth to what Shinsuke Nakamura said. Rollins removes his sunglasses and looks serious. Nakamura caught him off guard when he brought up his back injury. It’s not something he likes to talk about publicly. If they’re being open, he has two lumbar spine fractures. He’s been living with that injury for four years. It doesn’t get better by itself. He doesn’t know what the end game is or how much longer he can do this at the level he’s currently running at. That’s part of the gig. If Nakamura wants to target his injury and take cheap shots with mind games, it’s part of the gig. Nakamura isn’t the first to question his character. If Nakamura wants to bring his family into it, his wife, daughter, and livelihood into it, he better be prepared to face him man-to-man. Nakamura isn’t even here tonight. Nakamura is in a TV studio 1,000 miles away, too afraid to face him. Rollins will give him one more chance to play mind games next week. Nakamura can prove that he’s an honorable warrior. He’ll repeat what he told him last week. Rollins isn’t a hard guy to find. He’ll be in the center of the ring, dressed to the nines, World Title wrapped around his waist, with the whole world singing his song. The crowd sings Rollins’ song.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura one week from Saturday at WWE Payback.
Earlier tonight, Chad Gable defeated Gunther by count-out. Gunther retained the WWE Intercontinental Championship because the title cannot change hands by count-out. Gable is the first man to beat Gunther on the main roster in a singles match.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn make their entrances. They’ll find out which two members of the Judgment Day they’re facing in tonight’s main event next.
-Commercial Break-
Next week on Raw, Becky Lynch will battle Zoey Stark in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. We’ll also see Chad Gable take on Ludwig Kaiser.
The Judgment Day’s music hits. Damian Priest charges ahead of everyone. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley drags Finn Bálor out there. She shoves them both and says they will do this her way.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) w/Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio
Finn Bálor and Damian Priest head to the ring and begin brawling with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Owens chops Priest at ringside. Priest punches him down, but Zayn attacks him from behind. Zayn gets Priest in the ring.
The bell rings to start this match. Priest turns Zayn around in the corner and punches away at him. Priest sends him into the ropes, but Zayn ducks a clothesline. Zayn clotheslines Priest over the top rope. Bálor runs over, but Zayn bounces him off the commentary table. Priest blindsides Zayn with a right hand and gets him into the ring. Priest absolutely rocks Zayn with a forearm. Bálor tags in and grabs Zayn, but Zayn counters into a vertical suplex. Kevin Owens tags in and knocks Priest off the apron. Owens then punches and stomps Bálor down to a huge ovation. Owens goes outside and runs over Bálor with a clothesline before hitting Priest with one. Owens knocks Bálor down in the ring and hits Priest with a cannonball off the apron. Owens immediately heads to the top rope and hits Bálor with a Swanton Bomb. The crowd is going wild. Owens goes for a Stunner on Bálor, but Bálor shoves him off and hits a Sling Blade.
Priest signals for Bálor to use the Money in the Bank briefcase, but Zayn attacks him. JD McDonagh appears and tosses the briefcase to Bálor, but Owens intercepts it. Owens hits Bálor in the head in full view of the referee. The referee calls for the bell.
Winners by Disqualification: The Judgment Day
Priest shouts in frustration at McDonagh. Zayn attacks McDonagh from behind. Bálor, Priest, and Mysterio soon triple-team Zayn and Owens. The crowd is chanting for Cody. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes runs down and clears the ring with his weightlifting belt. Rhodes gets a big ovation. Rhodes says they’re not ending the show like this. Rhodes challenges them to a 6-Man Tag Team Match. WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out and makes it official.
-Commercial Break-
6-Man Tag Team Match
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, and “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio) w/Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley
We join this match in progress. Cody Rhodes punches Dominik Mysterio and tags in Sami Zayn. Zayn comes off the middle rope with an elbow to the head of Mysterio. Mysterio quickly knees and punches Zayn. Mysterio punches and knees Zayn against the ropes. Rhea Ripley loves what she sees. Zayn fights back and hits Mysterio with a back body drop. Mysterio quickly powers Zayn to the corner, and Finn Bálor tags in. Bálor punches away at Zayn and whips him to the opposite corner. Zayn pops out and hits a clothesline. Zayn puts Bálor in the corner and tags Kevin Owens in. Owens chops the chest and sends Bálor into the ropes. Owens punches Bálor in the midsection and hits a side leg sweep before hitting a senton splash. Owens tells the rest of the Judgment Day to “suck it.”
Bálor quickly knees Owens and puts him in the corner. Mysterio tags in and stomps away at Owens. Mysterio punches away at Owens. Owens responds with a right hand, but Mysterio cuts him off. Mysterio taunts the crowd before applying a chin lock. Owens fights up, but Mysterio knocks him out of the ring. Mysterio jumps off the apron, but Owens punches him. Owens gets Mysterio in the ring and fights off Priest and Bálor. Mysterio snaps Owens off the top rope. Bálor tags in and attacks Owens. Priest sends Owens into the barricade. Ripley then hits Owens with a beautiful scoop slam!
Bálor grabs Owens at ringside and gets him in the ring. Bálor hits a slingshot stomp and tags Priest in. Owens punches away at Priest, but Priest turns him inside out with a clothesline for a two-count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Bálor stomping away at Owens. Owens rolls out of the ring to recover. Bálor follows him out, but Owens catches him with a back suplex on the commentary table. Ripley looks worried. Bálor quickly tags Priest in, who stops Owens from making a tag. Bálor tags in and clubs Owens’ back. Bálor hits a snapmare and elbows him in the head. Bálor appears to have a nasty scratch on his back. Owens fights up and superkicks Bálor back, who bounces into Rhodes, knocking him off the apron. Bálor clotheslines Owens on his way down.
Zayn and Priest tag in. Zayn punches away at Priest, but Zayn springboard over him and hits a clothesline. Zayn punches Bálor and Mysterio off the apron before knocking Priest back. Zayn then comes off the middle rope with an elbow to the head. The crowd gives him a great ovation. Zayn grabs the arm, climbs the ropes, and leaps into a DDT for a near fall. Ripley holds her chest, feeling the moment’s anxiety for her team. Zayn heads to the top rope. Mysterio tries to cut him off, but Zayn punches him down. Bálor distracts the referee, and Ripley crotches Zayn on the top rope. Priest hits Zayn with South of Heaven and covers, but Owens breaks up the pin. Owens sends Bálor out of the ring before getting turned inside out with a clothesline from Priest.
Mysterio tags in and goes to the top rope. Mysterio goes for a Frog Splash, but Zayn gets the knees up. Rhodes is on the apron and getting the crowd fired up. Zayn tags in “The American Nightmare.” Rhodes hits a Disaster Kick on Mysterio. Rhodes then hits Priest and Mysterio with a double Cody Cutter! Rhodes covers Mysterio for a two-count. Rhodes sets up for Cross Rhodes, but he lets Mysterio go and hits Bálor with it. Mysterio rolls Rhodes up for a two-count. Rhodes pops up and hits Mysterio with Cross Rhodes. Mysterio gets up and stumbles to the corner. Rhodes tags Zayn in to a big pop. Zayn tags Owens in and hits Mysterio with a Helluva Kick. Owens drops Mysterio with a Stunner for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes
Rhodes, Owens, and Zayn celebrate in the ring as a furious Judgment Day head up the ramp. Sami Zayn gets the microphone and tells the Judgment Day, “Better luck next time.” Zayn speaks in French to the crowd and thanks them. The crowd loudly cheers them. The Tag Team Champions and Rhodes celebrate in the ring as the show ends.