WWE Monday Night Raw on October 9 was aired live from Omaha, Nebraska. The show featured fallout from WWE Fastlane. WWE Crown Jewel will take place on November 04 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and new storylines began for this premium live event. The Undisputed Tag Team Titles and the NXT Women’s Title were defended on the show. The show also featured a No. 1 contender match for the Intercontinental Championship and a Viking Rules match. Let’s talk about everything that went down on the October 9th episode of WWE Raw.
Drew McIntyre Confronts Seth Rollins
The show kicked off with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. He walked down the ramp in his fur coat and was selling the effects of his match against Shinsuke Nakamura. He got the better of the crowd when he teased about something serious about his future but then stated that he was just getting started. Drew McIntyre interrupted him. Rollins understood that Drew wanted a title match. McIntyre stated that he wants Seth to be 100 per cent. Hence, the proposed time and place for the match was Crown Jewel next month. As McIntyre was going back on the ramp, Damian Priest attacked Rollins from behind. Dominik Mysterio came out with the Money in the Bank briefcase and a referee. Drew stopped Dom and dropped him down. He threw the briefcase away. This gave Rollins enough time to bounce back and send Priest out of the ring.
Grade B-
Analysis
It was a great way to kick off things on Monday Night Raw. Finally, Drew McIntyre is back in the world title picture and is a serious opponent for Seth. On the other hand, Priest now looks desperate to cash in the MITB briefcase, which brings more eyes towards this World Heavyweight Championship picture.
Viking Rules Match
Ivar vs Kofi Kingston
Ivar from Viking Raiders faced Kofi Kingston in a Viking Rules Match. The match began at a high pace as Ivar hit Kofi with a kick as the bell rang. Most of the action was at ringside, where weapons were used. Ivar sent Kofi into wooden shields. Kofi brought a table and sent Ivar crashing through it from the top rope. Valhalla interfered in the match, but Xavier Woods was there to stop her from causing any problems for Kingston. Ivar laid out Woods and then slammed Kofi through a table in the ring. A moonsault did the work for Ivar, and he got a win.
Winner: Ivar
Grade B+
Analysis
Viking Rules is an interesting stipulation. These matches have always exceeded expectations, and this one was brilliant, too. This feud is cooking well, and WWE is wise to use Ivar individually in the absence of Erik. He has shined in recent weeks.
Singles Match
Nia Jax vs. Raquel Rodriguez
It was a powerhouse vs. powerhouse match. Soon, it turned into a physical battle. The way Jax thrashed Rodriguez into the ring post looked so brutal. The story revolves around Raquel trying to pick Jax up. She finally hit a power-bomb from the middle rope. Rhea Ripley interfered in the match and attacked Nia Jax, causing a disqualification. Shayna Baszler also came into the mix and nailed Ripley with a brutal knee.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez (via Disqualification)
Grade C
Analysis
The Women’s World Championship picture looks like going in a 4-way direction. Four of the strongest women in WWE right now in the same ring will be a great visual. Nia Jax is getting her first major feud after returning.
New Undisputed Tag Team Champions Arrive
Michael Cole welcomed the new Undisputed Tag Team Champions, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes. Cody said he is excited about the Tag Titles victory. Cole asked him about finishing his story. As Cody was about to answer, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens interrupted. Sami said he is happy for the new champs. KO said he wasn’t happy at all. They discussed getting a shot at the Titles. Rhodes accepted the challenge and said that they could do it tonight.
Grade: C
Analysis
It felt great to see Cody with a Title (two titles). Sami and KO have been kept relevant, which is a wise move. However, WWE did not have it clearly thought out as to why they put the tag titles on this unusual team who has no future as tag team.
Some Backstage Segments
Otis and Gable were backstage. Otis was chopping Gable to prepare him for his match next up.
In a previous backstage segment, Ricochet attacked Nakamura. This time, Shinsuke got the better of him and laid him out before his match.
WWE Intercontinental Title #1 Contendership Triple Threat Match
Bronson Reed vs Chad Gable vs Ricochet
Ricochet, Bronson Reed, and Chad Gable competed in a triple threat to be the No. 1 contender for Gunther’s IC Title. Ricochet and Gable often worked together in the match to take the much larger opponent, Bronson Reed. Reed used his power moves, Gable used his technical moves, and Ricochet used his high-flying moves to make this match more enjoyable. Gable suplexed Ricochet at ringside, crashing into Reed. Gable also hit his trademark German Suplex on Bronson Reed. Reed pinned Ricochet via the Tsunami Splash to get the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
Grade A
Analysis
Gunther needed a fresh opponent, and Reed has all the requirements. He could beat Gunther after this historic title run, and WWE also sees big in him. It would make a great TV in the upcoming weeks.
Singles Match
Drew McIntyre vs JD McDonagh
McDonagh sought revenge on McIntyre as the Scottish Warrior stopped Priest from cashing in early on. Drew squashed McDonagh, which is great for his character. McDonagh bounced back with Dominik’s help, but that wasn’t enough. McIntyre hit the Future Shock DDT and Claymore Kick for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Grade C-
Analysis
This kind of win was necessary for Drew McIntyre, especially in his slow transition to a new character. Gargano and Ciampa were discussing a DIY reunion backstage, and Imperium’s Kaiser and Vinci attacked them.
Singles Match
Becky Lynch vs Tegan Nox
After some weeks’ delay, Becky Lynch finally defended her NXT Women’s Title against Tegan Nox. It was more of a technical bout. Nox looked good after a long time. Becky submitted Nox in the end to successfully defend her title. Lynch showed respect to Nox after the match.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Grade B
Analysis
Becky is defending the title on Raw, which adds to the worth of the title. It is still not clear if WWE will go for Raw women division in NXT title contention in the future.
WWE RAW Tag Team Title / WWE SmackDown Tag Team Title Match
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso vs Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
Zayn and Cody started the match. After the commercial, we saw Sami facing Jey, which brought back Bloodline memories. KO entered the ring with an aggressive approach and took out Jey. One Cody Cutter looked scary for Cody himself, but he was okay. The match was entertaining, as you expect from these four veterans. They have good chemistry with each other. The Superkicks exchange between KO and Uso was amazing to watch. Cody used superkick, too, which sounds weird and looked weird too. The Champions retained their titles. KO finally became friends with Jey after the match.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso
Grade: B+
Analysis
Cody and Jey looked great in their first title defence. They will also defend the titles next week on the season premiere of WWE Raw against Priest and Balor. It was a good WWE Monday Night Raw show after weeks’ struggle to put up a grand show.
