WWE Raw on October 16 went live from Paycom Center, Oklahoma City. WWE delivered a special Season Premiere episode of Monday Night Raw. Several things were announced for the show. Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet faced each other in a falls count anywhere match. Gunther defended his Title against Bronson Reed. Finn Balor and Damian Priest got their rematch for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles. Rhea Ripley faced Shayna Baszler and much more under the new General Manager, Adam Pearce. Let’s learn everything that happened in this Season Premiere Episode of WWE Raw.
Sami Zayn Opens Raw
Sami Zayn welcomed fans to the Season Premiere of Raw. He talked about Kevin Owens going to SmackDown. He was sad, but he wished Owens the best on Friday Nights. Zayn said he would show the world he is a main event superstar. He was unhappy that Jey Uso became the reason for Owens’ trade to SmackDown. The Judgment Day interrupted him. Balor said that they should be the ones to open Raw. They were there to beat Zayn. As they surrounded the ring, Main Event Jey Uso came out with two chairs. He handed one to Sami. Judgment Day stepped back. Zayn looked uncertain, and Jey was confused.
As Sami was walking backstage, Jey caught him. Uso wanted to confirm if things are good between them. Sami agreed and both hugged.
Grades: B
Analysis: It looked great and fresh to let Sami kick things off. He looks like he wants to move up the card and maybe go for a World Heavyweight Title opportunity soon.
Singles Match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ricochet
It was a Falls Count Anywhere match. There was another cool video of Shinsuke in Japanese before the match. The match began at a quick pace. Nakamura hit the inverted exploder suplex, and Ricochet delivered a springboard dropkick early. The fight went to the ramp. They fought in the Gorilla position. Ricochet hit a shooting star press on stage. After returning to the ring, Nakamura grabs a table and nunchucks from under the ring. The use of nunchucks by Shin is unique in its way. Nakamura hit a GTS but a near fall. Ricochet’s 450 Splash also couldn’t finish Nakamura. As Ricochet was on the top rope, Shinsuke kicked him, and he went through a table at ringside. Kinshasa and Nakamura got the win.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Grades: B+
Analysis: Both stars looked great. Shinsuke is becoming a major heel on the Raw brand. Ricochet always looks better on TV. It was a fantastic match.
Singles Match
Natalya vs. Piper Niven
One-half of Women’s Tag Team Champions, Piper Niven, competed against Natalya. Chelsea Green was at ringside. It was an average match. In the end, Natalya hits a Discuss Clothesline. Green interrupts as she is going for Sharpshooter, allowing Niven to win with a cross-body. After the match, the attack continued by Tag Champs, and Tegan Nox made the save.
Winner: Piper Niven
Grades: C
Analysis: Seeing things freshening up around Women’s Tag Titles felt good. Tegan Nox is a future, and WWE should book her properly. Her match with Becky has got her the attention of fans.
Backstage: Judgment Day was backstage talking to take out Drew McIntyre. Ripley came in and said that she had handled the business.
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre Face-Off
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre came face-to-face to hype up their match at Crown Jewel for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins mentioned Drew McIntyre was caught backstage last week talking to Rhea Ripley. Rollins asked if McIntyre was up for some help from the Judgment Day. Drew cleared that he had nothing to do with that. Rollins also mentioned how Drew failed in his recent Title matches. Drew remembered Seth that he defeated The Visionary the last time they had a Title match. Drew blamed The Bloodline for his losses, but Seth told him to get over that. Drew talked about how he got his biggest moment in front of zero audience. He claimed to beat Seth at Crown Jewel. Rollins also vowed to beat McIntyre and said it would be the best thing to happen to Drew.
Grades: A
Analysis: This was a heated promo. Especially, McIntyre did an extremely great job on the mic. Seth is saying Drew will blame only himself after Crown Jewel’s loss, which sounded like a great point. There were hints of heel Drew McIntyre. These two of the best workers will clash for the Title at Crown Jewel on November 04.
Logan Paul’s video of challenging Rey Mysterio was shown. Paul will return to WWE next week.
Singles Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Ludwig Kaiser
In a feud between DIY and Imperium, Johnny Gargano faced Ludwig Kaiser in a one-on-one match. Gargano wearing Ciampa’s t-shirt was wholesome. The match had suicide dives, a sunset flip powerbomb, and a slingshot spear. Ultimately, Gargano hit Ciampa’s Willow’s Bell, followed by One Final Beat. Vinci breaks the count. This angers Johnny, who follows Vinci. Kaiser took the advantage. He hit an enzuigiri and a Swinging DDT for the win.
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser
Grades: C-
Analysis: WWE is building so DIY can win together to even the numbers game. The tensions between Kaiser and Vinci continued, and it seemed like an Imperium drama was near.
Singles Match
Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Baszler
Next up was a non-title match between Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler. The match was good, but the highlight was all the interruptions. Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, and Zoey Stark made their presence felt. Stark attacked Ripley in the ring to cause a disqualification.
Winner: Rhea Ripley (via Disqualification)
Grades: B+
Analysis: All of the star power in this feud makes it awesome. Every superstar got their chance to shine in this segment, which is another great thing by Triple H.
-Backstage, Adam Pearce makes Becky Lynch vs. Indi Hartwell official for next week. Becky also had a quick face-off with Jade Cargill.
Singles Match
Gunther vs. Bronson Reed
Gunther defended his title against “Big” Bronson Reed. It was an absolute war, as you expect from these two. One moment was great when Reed went for a shoulder tackle from ropes, but The Ring General chopped him midair. Reed repeatedly prevents Powerbomb from Gunther and survives the sleeper hold, too. Bronson hit a back-body drop on the apron, which looks brutal. They exchanged stiff chops. Reed survived Lariat, too, while Gunther was kicked out of Death Valley Driver and a massive top rope suplex. The ending sequence was amazing. Gunthershits a dropkick, a clothesline, a top rope splash, and then a massive powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Gunther
Grades: A+
Analysis: The match was grueling and a very physical battle. Reed was brilliant throughout the match. Let’s see if the feud has ended and what they both do in the future.
The match between Alpha Academy and New Day was announced. Also, a Fatal 5-way for Women’s World Title was announced.
Undisputed Tag Team Title Match
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso (c) vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest
These competitors have faced each other in several matches in different combinations. So, their chemistry is excellent. This was just another brilliant showdown between these top stars. Priest driving Cody through the commentary table with Razor’s Edge was awesome. Sami Zayn came at ringside to wipe out Dom. The ending was quite controversial as Jimmy Uso appeared to lay out his brother Jey Uso. He followed the Tribal Chief’s order. Balor delivered Coup de Grace, and Judgment Day regained the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
Winner: Finn Balor and Damian Priest
Grades: A
Analysis: Roman Reigns ordered Jimmy to handle Cody and Jey, and he did that by costing them the Titles. This is all building to a showdown between Jey and Jimmy on a big stage. Also, they are keeping Rhodes connected to Bloodline. Judgment Day is again all gold, and they are running on Monday Nights.
-It was a strong show, and WWE delivered the best on the Season Premiere edition of WWE Raw.
