WWE Raw Results: Season Premiere
October 16, 2023
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Paycom Center)
Commentary: Kevin Patrick and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Raw video plays, and we go live into the Paycom Center to hear Kevin Patrick’s voice. It is Kevin Patrick and Wade Barrett on commentary tonight.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship is on the line. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso will defend the titles against Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of the Judgment Day. Gunther will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against “Big” Bronson Reed. We’ll also see Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley face Shayna Baszler in a non-title match. Shinsuke Nakamura will also face Ricochet in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.
Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring wearing a “KO” shirt. Replays are shown of Nick Aldis being named SmackDown General Manager this past Friday on SmackDown and announcing that Kevin Owens has been traded to SmackDown.
A “Sami” chant picks up. Zayn says, “Welcome to the season premiere of Monday Night Raw!” Zayn says it feels weird to be out here by himself. As most of them know by now, his tag team partner and brother, Kevin Owens, has been moved to SmackDown. Zayn has a lot of mixed emotions. He’s obviously sad that their partnership has come to an end this way, but he’s also excited for Owens. Kevin Owens is going to do huge things on SmackDown. Zayn is excited for himself. Zayn can now stand on his own two feet and show the world what he’s known about himself for years and years. Sami Zayn is a World Heavyweight Championship-caliber Superstar! A “Sami” chant fires up.
Zayn thanks the crowd for the chant. It makes him feel good. Zayn also has to address the elephant in the room, which is the reason Owens is not on Monday Night Raw anymore. It’s because of the arrival of Jey Uso. The crowd lightly boos. Nobody was happier than him that Jey came to the show, but he’s struggling with it now. Zayn is also struggling with the fact that he and Owens went through the highest of highs to main event WrestleMania. After all that work, it was taken away by the Judgment Day. Now, tonight, the Judgment Day are the ones getting the title opportunity. Zayn has no idea what’s next. The last year of his career has by far been the best year of his career. The reason that he reached the highs that he did is because of the people. The reason that…
The Judgment Day’s music hits to interrupt him. Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, and NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio make their way down the ramp. Bálor says nobody should be kicking off the Season Premiere of Monday Night Raw but the Judgment Day. Bálor laughs at the fact that Zayn is alone. Priest says it feels like they’ve had these thorns in their sides forever, but one has been removed. The only thing that would make them even happier is removing Zayn, removing the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Idiots, and Drew McIntyre. Priest starts to shout in Spanish, but Ripley stops him. Ripley says they’ll talk about that later. They’re focused on tonight. Mysterio says tonight Mami will tear Shayna Baszler apart and put the whole Women’s Division back on notice. The crowd loudly boos him. Ripley says that is correct. As for Bálor and Priest, they’re going to bring the Tag Team Championships back to the Judgment Day.
Before they do that, she happened to notice something about Zayn. He’s looking kind of lost. Back in the day, the Judgment Day would have recruited the lost, like they tried to do with Jey Uso. When it comes to Zayn they have a different plan. They want to get rid of Zayn permanently. The Judgment Day starts to circle the ring. Zayn prepares for a fight, but “Main Event” Jey Uso runs in with two steel chairs. Jey hands one to Zayn and prepares to fight off the Judgment Day. Bálor waves the troops off, and the Judgment Day slowly walks off. The crowd boos. Zayn looks a little uncertain as he eyes up Jey Uso and walks off on his own. Jey looks confused.
Replays are shown of Ricochet attacking Shinsuke Nakamura during an interview last week on Raw. Later that night, Nakamura attacked Ricochet before a #1 Contender’s Match.
Shinsuke Nakamura is shown on a video speaking in Japanese. Nakamura says Ricochet moves like a fly, but he’ll squash him on the dirty floor like a bug.
Ricochet makes his entrance. He’ll face Shinsuke Nakamura in a Falls Count Anywhere Match next.
-Commercial Break-
Sami Zayn is walking backstage when Jey Uso catches up with him. Zayn says he needs some space. Jey asks if they’re good. Zayn says he wants them to be good. He wants to be happy for Jey and nothing else. Zayn appreciates him having his back tonight, but he couldn’t help but think that it should have been Kevin Owens out there. Owens isn’t there because of Jey. Jey has everything going for him right now with Cody Rhodes and the Tag Team Titles. Zayn used to have his friend and the titles, but now he doesn’t because of Jey. Jey says Zayn still has him, but it is what it is, Uce. Jey walks off. Zayn flips out and then chases after Jey. Zayn tells Jey to forget about what he said. Zayn apologizes and says it’s been a tough week. Zayn is happy for Jey and everything he has. Zayn extends a hand and asks if they’re good. Jey looks at him before saying, “YEET,” and hugging him.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Ricochet blindsides Nakamura and knocks him out of the ring. Ricochet attacks him at ringside and gets him in the ring. Nakamura attacks him getting in the ring and lays him across the top turnbuckle. Nakamura knees him in the midsection before hitting an inverted exploder suplex for a two-count. Ricochet kicks back at him for a two-count. Nakamura rolls to the apron to recover, but Ricochet hits a springboard dropkick to knock him to the floor. Ricochet sizes him up and hits the ropes for a Fosbury Flop for a two-count at ringside.
Nakamura starts to retreat up the ramp, but Ricochet attacks him from behind. Nakamura fights back and whips him into the LED wall. Nakamura pulls him backstage toward Gorilla Position, but Ricochet fights back. They fight into the Gorilla Position. Nakamura knocks Ricochet back and throws the referee in the way. Ricochet rolls off the referee and hits a knee to the chin for a near fall. Ricochet knocks Nakamura back through the curtain and onto the stage, leaving the WWE executives to continue calling the show. Nakamura whips Ricochet into the LED wall, but Ricochet scales the wall and backflips to his feet. Ricochet takes him down and goes for a standing moonsault, but Nakamura gets the knees up. Nakamura pulls Ricochet up, but Ricochet takes him down with a dragon screw. Ricochet then hits a standing shooting star press on the stage.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ricochet and Nakamura in the crowd! Ricochet climbs to the top of one of the entrance tunnels. Ricochet hits a shooting star press off the top onto Nakamura and some security guards! Wow!
Nakamura is rolling down the concrete steps. There are some incredible camera angles of this moment on the replay. Ricochet is on his feet and chasing after Nakamura. Ricochet knocks Nakamura all the way down the steps. Nakamura throws a bucket of popcorn into his face and puts him on the barricade. Nakamura kicks Ricochet off the barricade and back to ringside. Nakamura whips Ricochet sternum-first into the barricade. Nakamura goes under the ring and pulls out a table to a huge ovation. Nakamura then grabs a pair of nunchucks. Nakamura twirls them around before beating Ricochet down with them! Nakamura sets up the folding table before clearing off the commentary table. Ricochet attacks Nakamura and lays him on the folding table. Ricochet pulls himself to the apron and goes to the top rope. Nakamura slides off the table and climbs to the apron. Ricochet gets off the top rope, so Nakamura snaps him off. Nakamura goes to suplex him out of the ring through the table, but Ricochet fights it. Ricochet nearly suplexes him into the ring, but Nakamura slides away. Nakamura connects with the Go To Sleep for a near fall. Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa, but Ricochet hits a backflip dropkick followed by an enzuigiri! Nakamura stumbles to the corner. Ricochet charges, but Nakamura drops him on the apron. Ricochet kicks him down and hits a springboard 450 splash for a near fall.
Ricochet heads back to the top rope, but Nakamura cuts him off. Nakamura climbs, but Ricochet punches him down. Nakamura climbs back, but Ricochet knocks him out of the ring. Nakamura quickly gets back on the apron, so that might not have been what was supposed to happen. Ricochet fights him, and Nakamura kicks him in the head to knock him off the top rope and through the table at ringside! Nakamura connects with a Kinshasa at ringside and covers him for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura
Tegan Nox is backstage with Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, and Nikki Cross. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walk up to them. Green makes fun of Nox. Nox says she’s not going to back down to her and will slap her. Green looks scared and walks off.
Piper Niven makes her entrance alongside Chelsea Green. Niven will face Natalya next.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: An awesome highlight package for Gunther airs.
“The Ring General” Gunther will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against “Big” Bronson Reed later tonight.
As Natalya makes her entrance, she gives her glasses out to a young lady. A young man thought he was getting the glasses and hugged her before grabbing her in an interesting place as she walked away.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green vs. Natalya
The bell rings, and Niven easily takes Natalya down. They lock up, and Niven powers her to the corner before shoving her. Natalya slaps her in the face to show she’s not backing down. Natalya ducks a clothesline and punches her. Natalya hits the ropes, but Niven catches her. Natalya slides out and hits a head-scissor into the corner. Natalya rolls her up for a two-count. They trade roll-ups for two-counts. Natalya hits a low dropkick for a one-count. Natalya rolls to the apron and goes for a shoulder, but Niven avoids it and kicks her. Natalya fights back and drives Niven into the turnbuckle a few times. Niven head-butts her and knees her off the apron to ringside.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Niven take Natalya down and go for a senton splash, but Natalya moves. Natalya steps on her and goes for a low dropkick, but it doesn’t connect (or something like that). Niven goes for a running cross-body, but Natalya ducks. Natalya hits a Discus Clothesline for a two-count. Natalya goes for a Sharpshooter. Chelsea Green gets on the apron. Niven kicks Natalya off and into Green. Niven takes Natalya down and hits a basement cross-body for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Piper Niven
Green and Niven stand over Natalya. Natalya tries to fight them off, but they double-team her. Tegan Nox runs down for the save. Nox knocks Green out of the ring and attacks Niven. Natalya joins in on the attack on Niven. They whip her into the ropes, but Niven holds on and pulls herself out to retreat.
Damian Priest is talking with Finn Bálor backstage. Priest says he wanted to see JD McDonagh get beat up last week, but he felt bad about what Drew McIntyre did to him. The Judgment Day needs to make a statement and take out Drew McIntyre. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio gets up from the couch and says that Mami said no one is touching McIntyre tonight. Rhea Ripley walks in and says she’s been handling Judgment Day business. Mysterio asks if she needs him at ringside, but she says it is handled. Bálor and Priest will win the Tag Titles. She’ll remind the Women’s Division why Mami is always on top. They’ll show Raw why they run the show.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his entrance and happily dances around as the crowd sings his theme.
-Commercial Break-
WWE congratulates Bad Bunny on having the Most Streamed Album of 2023 on Spotify.
Replays are shown from last week of Seth “Freakin” Rollins agreeing to a World Heavyweight Championship match against Drew McIntyre at WWE Crown Jewel. Rollins welcomes Oklahoma City to the Season Premiere of “Monday Night Rollins.” They had a hell of a Season Finale last week. They got a new #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship in Drew McIntyre. Rollins sarcastically says McIntyre is one hell of a guy. McIntyre challenged him to his face and said he wanted him at 100%. Then he got jumped by Damian Priest, and McIntyre didn’t do a damn thing. That confused Rollins. Then Dominik Mysterio comes flying out with the Money in the Bank contract, and all of a sudden McIntyre is his white knight. Rollins has a lot of questions. Only Drew McIntyre can answer them. Rollins calls McIntyre out to the ring.
Drew McIntyre makes his entrance. McIntyre says he wanted Rollins at as close to 100% as possible. Rollins should not stand alone waiting to get jumped, but McIntyre isn’t going to babysit him. Rollins says he can handle his business on his own. Can McIntyre handle his own business or has he enlisted a little… help? McIntyre tells Rollins to just say what is on his mind.
Rollins has footage shown of then-WWE Official Adam Pearce and Ricochet talking backstage last week. In the background is Drew McIntyre talking with Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley of the Judgment Day. Rollins asks McIntyre if he cares to elaborate as to what that was about.
McIntyre says he’s not a thirsty creep like Jey Uso. She came to him. It’s none of Rollins’ business. Rollins shouldn’t worry about the Judgment Day and should worry about McIntyre taking his title. Rollins sarcastically thanks him for clearing that up. Nobody is taking the title off him, especially McIntyre. The last few years must have messed with McIntyre’s head. McIntyre has had a lot of big matches, and just when he needed success, he had big failures. Just because he’s failed, he’s enlisted the help of the Judgment Day. Rollins says dealing with the Judgment Day is a slippery slope that McIntyre doesn’t want to go down. McIntyre says Rollins sounds nervous because the last time they had a World Title match, McIntyre beat his ass. McIntyre says his losses have been caused by mist and the Bloodline, but Rollins tells him to forget about the Bloodline. The Bloodline has forgotten about him. Rollins tells McIntyre to get over it.
McIntyre gets in his face and incredulously asks, “Get over it?” Rollins likes being World Champion and having everyone sing his theme. That’s a crutch. When he achieved that dream and beat Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania, there was no one there. The company was in trouble with a worldwide pandemic. McIntyre stepped up. McIntyre had a chance to achieve that dream in a bigger way, but the Bloodline cost him that dream. Now Rollins needs to remember that the third time will be the charm. McIntyre is taking that title at Crown Jewel. Rollins says that no one understands what McIntyre is going through better than him. Rollins knows how difficult it is to get back to the top of the mountain. Rollins spent four years doing it. All he’s hearing from McIntyre is a bunch of excuses. McIntyre is pointing fingers and making excuses. That won’t get him where he wants to go. Rollins will beat him at Crown Jewel. It’ll be the best thing that ever happened to McIntyre. For the first time in a long time, he’ll have no one to blame but himself. Rollins walks off, and McIntyre looks into the distance reflectively.
Video Package: A highlight reel showcases “Big” Bronson Reed
“The Ring General” Gunther will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against “Big” Bronson Reed later tonight.
Ludwig Kaiser makes his way to the ring alongside Giovanni Vinci. Kaiser will be in action next.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Logan Paul challenging Rey Mysterio to a match for the United States Championship. Paul had just defeated Dillon Danis.
Logan Paul will be live on SmackDown this Friday.
Replays are shown from last Monday’s Raw. Wade Barrett was interviewing Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa about a possible DIY reunion, but Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci brutally attacked them.
Ludwig Kaiser w/ Giovanni Vinci vs. Johnny Gargano
The referee holds an irate Johnny Gargano back so he can call for the bell. The bell sounds, and Gargano quickly takes Kaiser down and punches away at him. Gargano knocks Kaiser out of the ring with a head-scissor takeover and hits a suicide dive. Kaiser gets in the ring, and Gargano follows. Gargano hits the ropes, but Kaiser kicks him in the knee. Kaiser quickly sends Gargano shoulder-first into the ring post and dropkicks him. Kaiser taunts the crowd. Gargano punches back and twists Kaiser around the ropes. Gargano shoulders him and goes for a slingshot, but Kaiser uppercuts him down on the apron. Kaiser clotheslines him on the apron and stands him up. Kaiser hits the ropes and hits a running uppercut to knock him off the apron and into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, we see Kaiser applying a seated cobra clutch to Gargano. Gargano fights up and whips Kaiser face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Kaiser is stunned. Gargano rolls him up and kicks him in the head. Gargano hits a running chop in the corner. Gargano tries again, but Kaiser sends him to the apron. Kaiser charges, but Gargano wipes him out with a slingshot spear. Gargano comes off the ropes with a diving flatliner for a near fall. Kaiser chops Gargano to the corner, but Gargano quickly gets the better of him. Gargano connects with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two-count. Gargano kicks away at Kaiser, but the referee pulls him back. Kaiser quickly punches him. Kaiser connects with a rolling fireman’s carry for a near fall. Kaiser cannot believe that didn’t put Gargano away.
Kaiser sets up for his finisher, but Gargano rolls him up for a two-count. Kaiser angrily charges him, but Gargano pulls the top rope down. Giovanni Vinci pulls Kaiser up, but Kaiser yells at him. Kaiser gets on the apron, and Gargano hits Tommaso Ciampa’s Willow’s Bell. Gargano follows up with One Final Beat, but Vinci pokes him in the eye to break up the pin! An irate Gargano leaves the ring and viciously beats Vinci down. Gargano bounces him off the commentary table. Vinci gets in the ring, and Gargano follows. Kaiser flattens Gargano with an enzuigiri and follows up with a swinging DDT for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Ludwig Kaiser
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch is walking backstage. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae walk up to her. Hartwell says she never lost the title. If Lynch is giving title shots to anyone, she should give one to the person who never lost the title. Lynch agrees and will talk to Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. Lynch turns and is facing Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. Ripley looks at her and walks away.
-Commercial Break-
Drew McIntyre is walking backstage when he finds Sami Zayn. McIntyre respects that Zayn defused the situation between him and Jey Uso last week. McIntyre was apprehensive of Zayn after leaving the Bloodline, but he respects him as a leader around here. Zayn is happy about that. McIntyre says he still has more to say. McIntyre doesn’t like that Zayn immediately forgave Jey Uso. Zayn says they won’t see eye-to-eye on this. McIntyre truly does need to put the Bloodline behind him. Jey has done everything he can to make everyone believe him. McIntyre is the only one that doesn’t buy it. Zayn says from one person to another, putting the Bloodline behind you can be hard. Zayn can relate. McIntyre says a lot of people are relating to him, but Zayn can’t relate to him because he’s never been a World Champion. The way Zayn is going with his happy-go-lucky attitude, he’ll never be a World Champion. Zayn says if there’s any doubt about where his mind is, McIntyre can find out in the ring next week. McIntyre says he’ll never back down from a fight. He’ll see Zayn next week.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley makes her entrance. Replays are shown of Rhea Ripley attacking Raquel Rodriguez and Nia Jax during their match last week on Raw. Shayna Baszler then got in Ripley’s face and took her out with a snap German Suplex and a knee to her face.
Ripley says everyone wants a part of “Monday Night Mami.” Even Nia Jax came back to try to get rid of her, but it didn’t work. In her absence, the Women’s Division tried to prove how tough they were. She had Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, and Shayna Baszler trying to prove they’re the baddest women in WWE, but the reality is this is her division. Mami will always be on top.
Shayna Baszler makes her entrance. This match is next.
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Baszler
The bell rings, and Baszler quickly goes for a waistlock. Ripley gets out and hits a waistlock takeover. Baszler rolls through and applies an ankle lock. Ripley rolls over and kicks her to the corner. Ripley hits a running shoulder and punches away at her. Baszler pushes her off and spikes her on her shoulder with a nasty takedown. Baszler kicks Ripley’s elbow. Ripley is furious, and Baszler kicks her again. Ripley avoids a kick and hits a low dropkick for a one-count. Ripley gets up clutching her elbow. Baszler takes her down with some jabs and goes for a knee, but Ripley moves. Ripley attacks and hits a clothesline. Ripley catches her in the electric chair position, but Baszler slides off. Ripley elbows out of a German Suplex attempt and hits a vicious back elbow to the jaw.
Both women get up after a few moments and exchange wild right hands. Baszler hits a German Suplex followed by a big knee to the jaw for a near fall. Baszler lifts her, but Ripley slides off and goes to the corner. Baszler knees her in the face and puts her on the top rope. Ripley head-butts her off and hits a missile dropkick. Ripley goes for Riptide, but Baszler counters into a cross-arm breaker attempt! Ripley fights it and powers her up for a powerbomb.
Nia Jax makes her way to the ring, but Raquel Rodriguez pulls her away. Jax head-butts her down and turns into a cannonball off the barricade from Zoey Stark! Rodriguez quickly sends Stark into the barricade. Rodriguez boots Jax back, knocking her into the ring steps. Rodriguez charges, but Jax moves, so she hits the ring steps hard.
In the ring, Stark attacks Ripley, leading to the referee calling for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Rhea Ripley
Ripley grabs Stark and throws her into Baszler. Ripley challenges Jax to get into the ring. Jax obliges. Ripley ducks a clothesline, and Stark punches Jax. Ripley and Stark go back and forth striking Jax. Ripley goes for a scoop slam on The Irresistible Force, but Stark dropkicks Jax to knock her onto Ripley, squashing her! Stark then superkicks Jax out of the ring.
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch is backstage with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. Pearce makes a title match with Indi Hartwell official for next week’s Raw. Xia Li walks up and asks when she’ll get a chance. Lynch says she can have one. Li says it will be on her time and walks off. Lynch then walks into Jade Cargill. Lynch tells Cargill to get in line and walks off. Cargill scoffs and says that she’s funny. Pearce welcomes Cargill to Raw.
“Big” Bronson Reed makes his entrance. He’ll face “The Ring General” Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Will Gunther’s record-breaking Intercontinental Championship reign come to an end? We’ll find out next.
-Commercial Break-
Jackie Redmond is backstage with Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and “Main Event” Jey Uso. She asks Jey what happened with Sami Zayn earlier tonight. Jey says Zayn is going through some stuff, but he’s got his back always. Rhodes asks if she is feeling him. Tonight is the Season Premiere. Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet tore themselves up. People are maximizing their opportunities. Raw has a bright future. One faction is not going to darken the entire show. Jey says, “YEET,” and they walk off.
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso will defend the titles against Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of the Judgment Day later tonight.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
“Big” Bronson Reed vs. “The Ring General” Gunther (c)
The bell rings, and these two behemoths lock up. They tussle around the ropes for position. Gunther backs away and viciously forearms the chest. Gunther applies a side headlock, but Reed whips him off and absorbs a shoulder tackle. Reed tries for a shoulder tackle, but Gunther absorbs it and responds with two big boots. Reed doesn’t go down. Gunther viciously chops him in the corner, but Reed is still on his feet. Gunther chops him again, and the legs are getting wobbly. Gunther hits the ropes, but Reed avalanches him down in the center of the ring. Reed avalanches The Ring General in the corner, and Gunther rolls out of the ring to recover. Reed comes off the apron with a flying shoulder tackle attempt, but Gunther chops him out of midair. Gunther drives him into the apron and chops the chest.
Gunther powers him into the ring and sets up for a Powerbomb. Gunther starts to lift him, but he can’t get him up. Gunther clubs the back and wrenches the arm. Reed fights back, so Gunther goes for a sleeper hold. Reed powers him hard into the corner. Gunther chops the back and applies the sleeper hold once again. Reed fights it and lifts Gunther. Gunther elbows out and puts the sleeper hold back on. Reed powers Gunther up and hits a backpack senton!
Reed goes to the top rope, but Gunther chops the chest. Reed falls to the apron. Gunther tries for a Powerbomb on the apron, but Reed fights it and hits a back body drop on the apron! Reed then hits a flying shoulder tackle off the apron!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see these large individuals exchanging blows. Reed chops him, and Gunther viciously chops him back. They’re trading stiff chops, and Reed’s chest looks like it has some blood on it. Reed blocks a chop and head-butts him. Gunther hits the ropes and lays in a lariat, but Reed stays up. Gunther tries again for the same result. Reed quickly boots him back and hits a snap powerslam for a two-count. Reed clutches his chest in pain.
Reed sets up for a Powerbomb, but Gunther lands on his feet and chops away at the chest. Gunther clubs away at the back of the neck. Gunther hits the ropes, but Reed lifts him up and turns him into an accordion with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. The camera zooms in on Reed’s purple chest. Reed goes for a senton splash, but Gunther gets the knees up. Gunther finally takes Reed off his feet with a lariat for a near fall. Gunther heads to the top rope, but Reed cuts him off. Reed stands on the top rope and connects with a massive superplex! Reed rolls over and covers Gunther. 1… 2… Gunther kicks out!
Reed heads to the top rope and goes for a Tsunami, but Gunther moves. Gunther connects with a Tyrannosaurus Dropkick before following up with a clothesline. Gunther goes to the top rope and flies off with a splash for a near fall. Gunther is irate! Gunther sets Reed up and hits an insanely perfect Powerbomb on the massive Reed for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther
A battered Gunther leaves the ring with the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but his face shows that he was just in a war.
Jackie Redmond is backstage with The Miz. Miz looks confused that she announced him as “the self-proclaimed must-see” superstar. Miz is upset that he’s been relegated to the third hour. This is the face you want leading off the Season Premiere, not the Sami Zayn pity party. Nick Aldis should take over.
Nia Jax walks up and takes the microphone to end this interview. Jax says everyone has hit her with their best shot, but she’s still standing and looking pretty. She hasn’t hit anyone with her best shot yet. When she does, they won’t get up. On Monday Night Raw, she does the squashing. Jax walks off.
Miz tries to continue the interview, but Redmond says they’re out of time.
The Judgment Day are warming up. The main event is coming.
-Commercial Break-
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is on the phone with someone and sounds like he’s happy with the business they just conducted. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley charges in and is upset that her match was interrupted. Pearce says this is a new season and she’s not just going to come in here demanding things. If she wants to control the Women’s Division and make a statement, she’ll do it his way. At Crown Jewel, she’ll defend the title against Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Raquel Rodriguez in a Fatal 5-Way Match. Ripley is furious and says she will eradicate them all before walking off.
Jinder Mahal then walks in with Indus Sher. Mahal says they need to talk. Pearce agrees.
Maxxine Dupri is leading Otis in some pilates. Akira Tozawa is in the background in a singlet with some light weights. Chad Gable blows a whistle and has Otis chop him. That was for Gunther. Gable will take the Intercontinental Title, and then they’re coming for the Tag Titles. The New Day walks in and says if they’re talking about going for the Tag Team Titles, they have to go through them. Gable shooshes them and says they’ll face the New Day for the first time next week. They all then admire Akira Tozawa’s hip-swiveling.
Next week on Raw, Drew McIntyre will battle Sami Zayn. “The Man” Becky Lynch will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Indi Hartwell. Logan Paul will also appear on the show!
The Judgment Day makes their entrance. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE puts over Kofi Kingston’s library and digital center he opened in Ghana.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther is walking backstage. Imperium claps for him. Gunther says Ludwig Kaiser did his job, but Giovanni Vinci didn’t. Vinci excuses himself and says he helped Kaiser win the match. Gunther tells Kaiser that he saw Johnny Gargano walking around backstage. After Vinci’s match next week, he wants Gargano stretchered out. It will be Kaiser’s responsibility to see that it happens. Gunther walks off. Kaiser looks at Vinci and says, “No pressure.”
Everyone finishes making their entrance for the main event. They do the introductions in the ring. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) vs. “Main Event” Jey Uso and “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes (c’s)
It’s Finn Bálor starting against Cody Rhodes. They lock up before hitting the ropes. Rhodes counters a leapfrog and hits a torture rack backbreaker. Jey Uso tags in and comes off the ropes with a diving ax handle to the arm. Damian Priest blind tags in. Jey hits the ropes, but Priest pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Priest uppercuts Jey at ringside and gets him in the ring. Priest gets in the ring and kicks him in the chest. Priest rocks Jey with an uppercut. Priest avalanches him in the corner and hits a snapmare. Bálor tags in and hits a slingshot stomp. Priest tags in. Bálor hits a backbreaker, and Priest follows up with a leg drop for a two-count. Priest punches away at Jey. Jey ducks a strike and hits an enzuigiri.
Rhodes tags in and punches away at Señor Money in the Bank. Rhodes hits the ropes, slides through the legs, and hits two dropdown uppercuts. Rhodes slingshots over Priest and hits a snap powerslam. Bálor runs in, but Rhodes gives him a snap powerslam. Rhodes hits Priest with a Disaster Kick for a two-count.
NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio runs down, but Rhodes scares him away. Rhodes sidesteps an avalanche and goes for Cross Rhodes. Bálor grabs Rhodes for 1916 to break it up, but Jey superkicks him. Rhodes hits Priest with Cross Rhodes and covers. 1… 2… Mysterio puts Priest’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin. The referee didn’t see Mysterio do it. An angry Rhodes chases Mysterio at ringside, but Bálor takes Rhodes out with a Sling Blade on the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rhodes jabbing away at Priest. Priest quickly cuts him off and goes for a back suplex, but Rhodes flips through it. Rhodes kicks him in the midsection and hits a Pedigree. Both men are down.
Jey and Bálor tag in. Jey clotheslines him down before kicking him in the midsection and hitting an uppercut. Jey connects with a spinebuster and gets the crowd fired up. Jey charges Bálor in the corner, but Bálor drops him on the apron. Jey kicks Bálor back and comes off the top rope with a diving cross-body block for a two-count. Jey lifts Bálor for a Samoan Drop, but Bálor rakes the eyes and hits a falling elbow drop to the throat for a two-count. Bálor charges, but Jey superkicks him. Jey and Rhodes hit the Co-D-1D (1D flapjack into a Cody Cutter). 1… 2… Bálor kicks out! Wow!
Rhodes goes for a suicide dive on Priest, but Priest catches him and hits South of Heaven on the ring apron! Priest clears off the commentary table. Priest stops when he sees Jey climbing to the top rope. Jey kicks Priest down and then kicks Mysterio away. Jey goes for an Uso Splash on Bálor, but Bálor gets the knees up and rolls him up for a near fall. Mysterio argues the call with the referee. Sami Zayn runs down and pulls Mysterio off the apron. Zayn punches away at Mysterio and sends him headfirst into the ring post and then the ring steps. Priest then sends Zayn headfirst into the ring post. Rhodes sends Priest over the barricade and into the crowd.
Rhodes gets on the apron and gets the crowd fired up. Jey reaches for a tag, but Bálor knocks Rhodes off the apron. Jey rolls Bálor up for a two-count. They then take each other out with dual clotheslines. At ringside, Priest low blows Rhodes out of the view of the referee. Priest then wipes Rhodes out with a Razor’s Edge through the commentary table! An angry Jey hits Priest with a suicide dive. Jey gets in the ring, and Bálor greets him with a Sling Blade. Bálor connects with a Woo Dropkick into the turnbuckles. Bálor goes to the top rope for the Coup de Grâce, but Jey moves. Jey hits Bálor with a Spear. Jey goes for an Uso Splash, but he lands on his feet when Priest gets in the ring. Jey hits Priest with a Spear.
Jey goes to the apron to head to the top rope, but Jimmy Uso superkicks him from out of nowhere. Jimmy runs into the crowd to hide. Bálor heads to the top rope and crushes Jey with a Coup de Grâce for the win!
Winners by Pinfall and new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions: The Judgment Day
Jimmy Uso looks very pleased with himself. The Judgment Day celebrates their huge win on the ramp as pyrotechnics go off to close the show.