WWE brought Monday Night Raw live from Salt Lake City, Utah. WWE developed some storylines for the October 7 Fastlane event. The newly crowned NXT Women’s Champion was in action against veteran Natalya. Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso had a match in the main event. Catch Cody Rhodes, Dominik Mysterio, and other stars in action as we provide WWE Raw Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis from the September 18 Episode.
#WWERaw kicks off with @CodyRhodes vs. @DomMysterio35! pic.twitter.com/JMRXOC2RN4
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2023
Cody Rhodes vs Dominik Mysterio
Cody and Dominik opened WWE Monday Night Raw and exchanged some words. Dom was alone because Rhea Ripley was hurt because of last week’s attack by Nia Jax. Cody took control of the match for the most part. Finn Balor provided the necessary distraction to give the younger opponent the upper hand. However, The American Nightmare returned the favor with a Cody Cutter. He finished off Dom with his signature Cross Rhodes to win the match.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Grade C+
Analysis
This match could not benefit anyone involved in it. The only thing to take here was a decisive victory by Cody Rhodes at the expense of NXT North American champion Dom. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens appeared in time to save Cody Rhodes from the post-match beat down at the hand of Judgment Day. KO addressed Rhodes and is still curious about having Jey Uso on Raw.
Can @TrueKofi bounce back after that devastating SPLASH?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/rrFN83Agwk
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2023
Kofi Kingston vs Ivar
Erik was not clear to compete, so WWE provided us with a singles match between Kofi and Ivar. The match told David vs Goliath Story as Kofi Kingston took on the heavier opponent. It was a competitive match where Kofi found ways to adjust to the bigger man’s power. Kofi Kingston equals all the odds with Trouble in Paradise and picked up a clean victory over Ivar.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Grade B
Analysis
This match was great. Former World Champion Kofi still had the support of the WWE Universe. However, the speed and agility of Ivar is nothing short of spectacular. WWE must provide us with an intense tag team feud between these two teams that could touch the popularity of New Day vs the the Usos rivalry.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Ricochet
Before the match, Seth Rollins tried to take revenge by attacking Nakamura, but Adam Pearce and WWE Security stopped him. Ricochet showed some aggression in this match, which is surprising given his role as a babyface. The King of Strong Style has always been a treat to watch with his hard strikes. He tried to hit Ricochet with a chair, but Ricochet stopped him. Moments later, the highflyer got disqualified for using the chair on Nakamura. Nakamura attacked Ricochet from behind when he was arguing with the referee. Rollins again tried to attack Nakamura. But Nakamura hit back on his injured back to end the segment.
Winner: Nakamura by Disqualification
Grade A
Analysis
WWE presented Shinsuke Nakamura as a threat to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. However, throwing Ricochet in the mix is also exciting. He can be used to pin in the next fight to save the other two men from humiliation. Nakamura and Ricochet have great chemistry, which is seen in this match.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
The newly joined tag team partners have their first fight against the Women Tag Champs. The heels took control of the match early and used Green as the punching bag. A small distraction from Niven allowed Green to hit a few of her moves. Before the match could go to any business end, Nia Jax appeared and attacked both women in the ring to cause a disqualification. She stood tall by beating all the competitors to end the segment.
Winner: No Contest
Grade C
Analysis
WWE tried to build a feud between Tag Team Champions and Baszler vs Zoey Stark. This matchup can bring some authority to the Women’s Tag Team Championships, which were an afterthought for the most time in the past year. No one can figure out why Nia Jax keeps simultaneously attacking heels and baby faces. Hopefully, WWE will soon clear WWE Universe about it.
Has @WWEGable bitten off more than he can chew right now on #WWERaw? pic.twitter.com/agThhPsJZg
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2023
Chad Gable vs Bronson Reed
A backstage altercation booked this match. Reed used his power to send Gable flying into the ring. Gable tried to make a comeback on different occasions, but Reed again dismantled him using the size advantage. In the end, Reed pinned Chad Gable after hitting him with a Tsunami.
Winner: Bronson Reed
Grade C+
Analysis
Bronson Reed won against one of the most underrated stars in WWE. It is good to give victory to someone like Reed. But, WWE missed a step in giving the win to Reed because Gable has been in a feud with IC champion Gunther. Gable could get more benefits with a win here than Reed.
Find out who answered #WWENXT Women's Champion @BeckyLynchWWE's open challenge on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/KgtNS1MI6x
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2023
Becky Lynch vs Natalya for NXT Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch returned to Monday Night Raw after winning the NXT Women’s Championship this past week. Natalya challenged her for the title. Natalya and Becky Lynch are veterans, so no one expects a bad match. However, this match has no future because Nattie will not win the championship any time soon. She mostly put over her opponent in the matches, which she did in this match.
Winner: NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch
Grade C+
Analysis
WWE Universe greeted Becky Lynch with a thunderous ovation after becoming the Grand Slam Champion. Both women did nothing wrong in this match. However, there is no point in giving this match instead of a new competitor getting a chance against Becky Lynch.
Giovanni Vinci vs Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa wanted the IC Title but had to prove himself by beating Vinci first. Gunther did not accompany his partner in this match and watched live action from backstage. Ciampa and Vinci hit some hard strikes and a few good technical moves. Ciampa submitted Giovanni Vinci to win the match.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
Grade B
Analysis
This was a decent match. Tomasso Ciampa’s feud is a filler for Gunther because WWE will have some big plan for the record-holder Intercontinental champion. Ciampa could not become a top competitor on the main roster. Either WWE should give him a solid singles push or join him with Johnny Gargano as his tag team partner.
Drew McIntyre vs Jey Uso Raw Main Event
Jey Uso and Damien Priest confronted each other about Jey joining Raw. The invitation to Jimmy Uso to join the Judgment Day was also a talking point during this confrontation. Scottish Warriors also had a long history with the Bloodline, so he was angry at the start of the match. However, Jey Uso tried to avoid him using his speed. Before the match could pick up some pace, The Judgment Day reached the ringside to Support Uso. All members of Judgment Day tried to talk to Jey by climbing on the ring and eating Superkicks from Main Event Jey Uso. Drew McIntyre took advantage of the distraction and hit a Claymore Kick for the win. Cody Rhodes entered the arena to help Jey Uso clear the ring.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Grade B+
Jey Uso said NO to The Judgment Day!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/WnnYjucxFT
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2023
Analysis
It was a solid match until the distraction of Judgment Day. WWE tried to build a narrative between Bloodline, Cody Rhodes, and Judgment Day to keep things interesting. Will Cody join the SmackDown as a replacement of Jey Uso and challenge Roman Reigns for the Title at WrestleMania 40? Where will McIntyre go from this feud? The Bloodline seems to be the centre stage of all brands moving forward.
It was a good episode of Monday Night Raw. Contact us in the comment section regarding any suggestions and questions for WWE WWE Raw Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis from the September 18 Episode.
