The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 09/23/24 Review
It’s WWE Raw featuring a Bron Breakker-Jey Uso match for the Intercontinental Title, Sami Zayn in action against Ludwig Kaiser, and more.
There are two more episodes of Monday Night Raw that will be three hours including this show. It’s back to two hours starting in October and once the Netflix era begins in January we’ll find out what the show length will be at that point.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1636 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
They showed Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker walking around earlier today and they also showed Jey Uso as well. Drew McIntrye was shown walking into the building. Dominik Mysterio was shown driving up to the building with lady friend WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan by his side.
As that was going on, Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed went crashing through a merchandise stand that was placed backstage somewhere. They showed some referees and security trying to break it up.
Let’s Hear from Liv Morgan with Dominik Mysterio
The duo of WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio made their way down to the ring. They were booed heavily as usual. Liv claimed that the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour is going exactly as planned. Liv cued up a tape. They showed a clip of The Judgment Day beating up Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley last week on Raw. Liv recapped taking everything away from Rhea Ripley including the Women’s World Title, The Judgment Day and Dominik Mysterio, which led to boos from the crowd.
Rhea Ripley arrived for the predictable interruption as she told Liv to shut up. Ripley told Liv that she was not going to hit her. The fans chanted “Mami” for Ripley. Dominik stepped up to Ripley, so Ripley told him to get out of his face. Liv told Ripley maybe Dominik would have stayed with him if she cared about him half as much as he cared about Damian Priest. Liv mentioned Ripley having an injured knee and maybe Ripley is too hurt to compete at Bad Blood. Liv said she’ll beat Ripley because she’s smarter than her.
Ripley said that when it comes to Bad Blood, she’s fully cleared. Ripley said since Dominik always wants to stick his nose in the Women’s World Championship business, Raw GM Adam Pearce has decided something. Ripley told Dominik that at Bad Blood, he’s going to be behind bars. Ripley said that Dominik is going to be hanging in a Shark Cage during their match. Ripley said she’s going to win back the one thing she never lost, her Women’s World Championship. Ripley added that she lied about not fighting and Ripley headbutted Morgan to put her down. Ripley left while Morgan and Dominik were angry in the ring.
Analysis: It makes sense for the story to have Dominik Mysterio hanging about the ring in a shark cage. It’s not the kind of thing you can do that often, but it works in this case since Dominik did cost Ripley in her last singles match against Morgan. The shark cage above the ring thing has been done in the past in wrestling although I think it’s been a few years in WWE. I like that they have added it as a stipulation for this match. Ripley did a good job with her promo while Morgan has done as a heel also. It’s a good rivalry.
The commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett were shown on camera talking about what happened. Joe said it was justified while Wade complained about it.
A replay was shown of last Monday on Raw when World Heavyweight Champion Gunther told Sami Zayn he wouldn’t get a title shot. Zayn beat up Gunther’s buddy Ludwig Kaiser to end it.
Sami Zayn made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Ludwig Kaiser vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn has said he wants a World Title shot while Gunther has said no, so Zayn gets Kaiser. Zayn will obviously get his title match, but it’s not official yet. This is the same booking formula that happened for Gunther’s last World Title opponent Randy Orton, who beat Kaiser on Raw on Raw about a month ago.
The action spilled to the floor quickly where Kaiser sent Zayn into the ring post. Kaiser sent Zayn into the steel steps. Kaiser hit a running kick to the chest for two. Kaiser set up Zayn upside down by the turnbuckle, which led to Kaiser hitting a running dropkick. Zayn hit a double axhandle off the middle turnbuckle followed by a clothesline out of the ring. They battled on the floor where Zayn hit a chop. Zayn was sent into the barricade, he tried a jump, but Kaiser shoved Zayn off the barricade onto a leather chair. Rough landing for Zayn there although it was on a chair rather than hitting the floor.
(Commercial)
Kaiser was in control of the action as they battled by the turnbuckle. Zayn countered a Kaiser move with a sunset flip Powerbomb out of the corner for two. Zayn gave Kaiser an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Kaiser rolled out of the ring, Zayn went after him, Kaiser punched Zayn and Kaiser sent Zayn into the steel steps. Kaiser ran around the ring and connected with a dropkick into the steel steps. Zayn crawled back in under the bottom rope to break the referee’s ten count. Zayn came back with punches, Zayn jumped over Kaiser and Zayn hit a clothesline. Kaiser did an eye gouge followed by a pin attempt while putting his feet on the ropes for leverage. The referee Shawn Bennett saw it, so he stopped the count. Zayn gave Kaiser another Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn charged, but Kaiser stopped that with a jumping enziguri kick to the head for two. Nice nearfall there. Zayn hit a German Suplex, Kaiser was standing against the turnbuckle and Zayn hit a Helluva Kick for the win. It went 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sami Zayn
Analysis: ***1/4 A very good technical wrestling match between two talented veterans. Most of the match was Kaiser on offense while Zayn took a beating before making the comeback for the win. I like how when it looked like Zayn might with a Helluva Kick, Kaiser avoided it and hit a jumping kick for a two count to show that he had something left. Zayn did follow up with a Helluva Kick shortly after that for the win. It’s a classic Zayn performance as the babyface that never quits and finds a way to get the win. It’s what makes people love Zayn and it’s something Zayn is so good at doing.
The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER walked out to the ring wearing his wrestling gear and he had the World Title around his waist.
Gunther said that Zayn has been begging him for a match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Gunther said he has seen enough. Gunther said that if you really want this more than anything else then he thinks Ontario, California is the right time and right place for it…to tell Sami Zayn…no. Gunther laughed and left. Wade said it was comedy genius.
Analysis: The story continues to be that Gunther doesn’t want to face Zayn because Zayn beat him at WrestleMania, so Gunther keeps avoiding the match. In reality, if the Raw GM Adam Pearce could put Gunther in the match, so I would assume that’s going to happen soon.
There were replays shown of Xavier Woods getting upset with Kofi Kingston after The New Day’s tough loss last week.
Kofi Kingston walked up to Xavier Woods backstage. Woods said that emotions were high, so he’s not even mad. Kofi said that Woods mentioned their ten-year anniversary in November, so he wanted to bring back some memories. Kofi had some Booty O’s cereal and the trombone. Woods said it made sense when they were champions, but they haven’t been champions for three years. Kofi admitted he hasn’t made good decisions in the last few weeks, so over the next few weeks, Woods can make the decisions. They agreed. American Made walked to them with Chad Gable mocking The New Day for not being serious competition. Woods said he wanted to show American Made what they are made of. Gable said they’re on for a match with The Creeds. A guy showed up with a tray of pancakes, but Kofi signaled he should leave (Woods had his back turned), so the guy with pancakes left.
Analysis: I’m glad that The New Day is part of an interesting storyline. I think it should lead to them winning the Tag Team Titles in November to celebrate their ten-year anniversary. I’d rather see that instead of a split.
(Commercial)
A video package aired about Bron Breakker defending the Intercontinental Title against Jey Uso.
Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio were backstage complaining to Raw GM Adam Pearce about Dominik in a shark cage. Pearce let them know it was official. Carlito and JD McDonagh walked up to Liv & Dom about how they had to teach the LWO a lesson. No sign of Finn Balor with the group.
The Judgment Day guys walked up to Ilja Dragunov backstage. Ilja laughed about how JD McDonagh wasn’t going to do anything to him. JD said you’re lucky they have Judgment Day business to take care of. Ilja told him to keep walking.
Analysis: I’d like to see an actual storyline for Ilja Dragunov. They need to put him in the ring more often because he’s so much fun to watch.
The LWO’s Dragon Lee made his entrance with Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde & Zelina Vega, so there was no Rey Mysterio with them.
(Commercial)
Dragon Lee (Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde & Zelina Vega) vs. Carlito (w/JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio)
Lee hit a dropkick followed by a suicide dive on the floor. Back in the ring, Carlito came back with a clothesline. Lee came back with a jumping hurricanrana and a corner dropkick. Lee went up top, JD tried a distraction, Cruz confronted him and Dom did a cheap shot to Wilde. JD sent Cruz into the ring post. Rey Mysterio hit a seated senton on his son Dominik on the floor. Lee got a rollup on Carlito for two. Lee charged, spun around Carlito and hit the Operation Dragon spinning slam for the pinfall win after about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Dragon Lee
Analysis: *1/2 A quick match to give Lee a win. Carlito is mostly just there to lose matches for The Judgment Day guys. Rey showing up drew a good pop, but otherwise, there wasn’t much to this.
The Miz was shown backstage getting ready for a match when Karrion Kross walked up to Miz, who claimed he asked for this match with Bronson Reed. Kross said it’s really messed up how people don’t respect Miz around here. Kross said he wants Miz that doesn’t care what people think. Kross told Miz that monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Miz agreed and left.
(Commercial)
They showed some “game changers” people from Netflix sitting front row at Raw. They were cheering on camera.
Sheamus was interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who asked Sheamus about his issues with Pete Dunne, who hit Sheamus with a cricket bat to win last. Sheamus replied leading to a “Call Him Butch” chant. Sheamus said he had a score to settle with Dunne and he called him Butch to end it.
Bronson Reed walked down to the ring to face The Miz, but Braun Strowman showed up and he ran over Reed at ringside. Braun gave Reed a Chokeslam onto the apron. The Miz argued with Braun because Miz wanted his match. Reed hit a suicide dive onto Braun and Miz on the floor. Reed beat up two security guys. Reed hit a Tsunami splash onto two guys. Braun hit a double Chokeslam on two security guys. Braun and Reed beat up more security guys. It was a lot of punching and kicking. Braun and Reed hit a double clothesline that knocked both guys down. Raw GM Adam Pearce called for security to take Reed away, but Reed knocked them down. Braun threw down more security guys. Reed went up top, Braun met him there and Braun punched Reed repeatedly. Braun teased a superplex, but security broke it up. Braun dropkicked Reed out of the ring. Braun beat up more security guys with tosses out of the ring and three powerslams in a row. Braun went up top to tease a leap, so Reed backed away. The fans were loud for all of this.
Analysis: I am enjoying this Strowman-Reed rivalry a lot. It’s a lot of fun to see two very big guys out there smashing eachother. They beat up a lot of security guys in this segment. The fans are into it every time these guys interact, so hopefully it leads to some big matches between them to finally settle it. Great job by Strowman & Reed by doing yet another entertaining segment. Also, I do feel bad for The Miz not getting the match or much of a spotlight, but maybe that’s going to lead to him going heel or trying something different.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14th in Long Island. It’s
They showed former NFL QB Mark Sanchez and his kids at ringside. Mark works as an announcer for Fox now. Mark was on the call for my LA Rams glorious comeback win over the heel San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in LA. It was an awesome win. Adam Jones, the lead guitarist for Tool, was also at ringside.
Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre made his entrance in black with a serious look on his face. They showed clips of CM Punk’s promo from last week saying he was prepared for this to be the end and he’ll see Drew in hell referring to their Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood.
Drew recalled some of the things that Punk said last week during his promo on Raw. Drew said he’s been thinking about Punk’s words and the look in his eyes. Drew spoke about how Punk was real and he was ready to sacrifice it all and so was Drew. That led to Drew saying he has always told the truth and he’s always been that way with Punk. Drew admitted he didn’t want to go into Hell in a Cell because he’s still broken from being in matches like that. Drew spoke about how Punk’s sisters and wife wanted Punk to not be in this match. Drew said that his wife wanted him to back away from Punk because she could see what it was doing to Drew.
Drew said that this match was going to happen at Bad Blood. Drew promised that he was going to make Punk bleed a lot. Drew said that he’ll make Punk feel more pain than he’s ever felt in his entire existence. Drew said that this has always been good vs. evil while noting that Punk compared himself to the devil. Drew said that Punk is just a man who Drew has broken so easily in the past and he will break Punk permanently inside Hell in a Cell. Drew dropped the microphone and left.
Analysis: It was a solid promo from Drew as usual. He didn’t say anything that was surprising in any way. It was more of a response to what Punk said with Drew saying that he’s going to make Punk bleed a lot. I think Punk wins the Hell in a Cell match and it should be outstanding.
Raw GM Adam Pearce was interviewed by Jackie Redmond, who mentioned the Braun Strowman/Bronson Reed rivalry. Pearce said it’s obvious it has gone too far and it needs to stop. Pearce said next week it will be Reed vs. Strowman one more time in a Last Monster Standing Match.
There were loud noises in the distance, so Pearce ran away and Pete Dunne was choking Sheamus with a cricket bat. Dunne hit Sheamus in the back with the bat. Dunne was taken away while he was shouting at Sheamus not to call him Butch. They went to break.
Analysis: More backstage chaos on Raw! I like the “Last Monster Standing” idea for the Strowman-Reed match. That’s going to be awesome.
(Commercial)
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, the Women’s Tag Team Champions, talked to Damage CTRL’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane backstage. Belair credited Sky for a great match with her last week (Sky beat Belair), so Belair hopes they can have a rematch. Sky mentioned the Women’s Tag Team Titles and Cargill issued a warning that they won’t take these titles. Belair said no matter who wins tonight, these titles aren’t going anywhere and Belair wished them good luck.
Unholy Union – Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn vs. Damage CTRL – Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane
Sky tripped up Dawn and Sane tagged in with a dropkick. Sane hit a headscissors on Fyre. Sane splashed both opponents. Sane hit a running clothesline on Dawn while Fyre bailed to the floor. Sane jumped off the top with a forearm smash. Fyre swiped at Sane, so Dawn did a neck snap across the top rope. Fyre dove onto Sky on the floor. The heels were in control as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
Dawn hit a running double knee attack on Sane for a two count. The announcers spoke about the cut that Sane suffered a few weeks earlier. Sane broke free with a jawbreaker and sent Dawn out of the ring. Sky got the hot tag leading to punches on Fyre along with a flatliner into the mat. Sky hit Dawn with a dropkick. Sky hit a springboard missile double dropkick to both opponents. Sky hit the double knees on Fyre for a two count. Sky ran the ropes leading to Fyre hitting a superkick. Sky got a rollup, Fyre kicked her away and Dawn hit a cheapshot forearm, which led to Fyre getting a rollup for two. Dawn tagged in and Damage CTRL stopped a backstabber attempt. Sky kicked Dawn in the head. Sane kicked Fyre off the turnbuckle. Sane jumped off the top with an elbow smash on Fyre. Sky jumped off the top with Over The Moonsault on Dawn for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Damage CTRL – Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane
Analysis: **3/4 A decisive win for the Damage CTRL duo to likely set up for a Women’s Tag Team Title match soon. The result made sense since Sky beat Belair last week, so it continues the momentum for Damage CTRL. I like that.
Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Champion, was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Bron said it was game day, which means the dogs were barking in Ontario, which led to the fans barking. Bron said that somebody is going to get their ass kicked and it’s not going to be him. Bron said a few months down the line when Jey works his way up the ladder, Bron may give him another shot at the title. Bron said he’ll be the champion for a long time.
Up next is a look back at the Cody Rhodes-Roman Reigns conversation from Smackdown last week.
A graphic was shown teasing with the letters P, V, F on fire. It could be leading to a Viking Raiders return.
(Commercial)
The announcers mentioned that it was the 40th WWE TV sellout of 2024 and the 59th WWE event sellout of the year. They also showed some fan signs in the crowd.
They aired highlights of the video from Smackdown showing Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes talking at Georgia Tech’s football stadium in Atlanta. I enjoyed it and I covered it in the Smackdown review last Friday. They showed about five minutes of it. On Smackdown, it was nearly ten minutes long.
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods made their entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
There was a reminder that next Tuesday, October 1, NXT moves to The CW for those of you in the US.
Jey Uso was shown backstage when Sami Zayn walked up to him. Zayn told Jey that the Intercontinental Title meant the world to him. Zayn told Jey to make the IC Title his tonight. Jey thanked him and they did their unique handshake to end it. Yeet.
The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed (w/Chad Gable & Ivy Nile)
I like the outfits for the American Made group. They have gear with the US colors and they all look similar, so that’s a good thing.
Julius knocked down Woods with a shoulder tackle. Woods chopped Julius, who fought back with punches and Woods came back with a forearm smash. Kofi tagged in with a springboard splash off the middle ropes for two. Julius knocked down Kofi and then Brutus tagged in so Julius slammed Brutus onto Kofi for a two count. Brutus ran over Woods with a shoulder tackle. Kofi hit a couple of impressive leap frogs followed by a back elbow. Kofi hit a splash for two. Woods was back in for a double team slam on Brutus sending him head first into the mat. Kofi was back in leading to a double team move that was like a moonsault onto Brutus for two. Woods was back in with chops, but Brutus came back with chops of his own. Woods came back with chops and the ten punch combo. Julius stepped into the ring, so Woods hit him with a forearm. Julius and Kofi were on the top rope illegally as Julius gave Kofi a superplex while Woods gave Brutus a superplex on the other side of the ring.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Woods trying to tag out as he hit a clothesline on Brutus. Julius charged and Woods sent him out of the ring. Gable was on the apron, so the referee looked at him and didn’t see Woods tag out to Kofi. The fans were angry as Gable & Brutus beat up Woods some more. Woods tried to fight out of the heel corner, but Brutus hit him with a forearm smash. Woods knocked down Brutus when they battled by the turnbuckle. Woods hit a missile dropkick off the top on Brutus, which led to Kofi tagging in against Julius. Kofi jumped off the top with a forearm smash along with a dropkick. Kofi sent both opponents out of the ring. Kofi kicked Brutus on the floor. Kofi jumped off the top with a Trust Fall dive onto both opponents. Back in the ring, Kofi hit a cross body block on Julius for two. Kofi hit the Boom Drop leg drop. Kofi avoided a move by Julius and hit Trouble in Paradise. Woods wanted the tag, Kofi tagged Woods in and Woods went up top. Kofi jumped onto Brutus on the floor. Gable was on the apron, so Woods brought him into the ring and Woods punched and stomped on Gable. Gable didn’t touch Woods, so there was no disqualification for it. Julius recovered and hit a jumping knee on Woods. Julius shoulder tackled Kofi out of the ring. Brutus tagged in leading to a Brutus Ball/Powerbomb combo by the Creeds and Brutus covered Woods for the win. It went 16 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great tag team match that was given a lot of time featuring some strong tag team work and it added to the Xavier Woods story as well. Woods was the face in peril, he tagged out, Kofi looked like he had it won, and then Woods insisted on getting the tag. That’s when Gable went on the apron, so Woods attacked him even though Gable didn’t actually get physically involved. What that means is that Woods cost his team by losing focus and Julius capitalized with a jumping knee on Woods. That led to Brutus hitting the Brutus Ball to win. This felt like a high-stakes tag team match even though it was set up earlier in the night and it was not a title contender’s match. It’s just a good storyline that is working well right now.
A video package aired about the Damian Priest-Finn Balor taking place at Bad Blood on October 5th. Priest spoke about their history together running WWE as part of The Judgment Day. Priest said that Balor was envious of Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest as World Champions. Priest said he should have seen it coming when Balor cost him the World Title. Priest ended it talking about how Balor would pay at Bad Blood.
Analysis: I think Finn Balor could use a win, but at this point, I think Priest winning is more likely.
A video aired about the Wyatt Sicks group with some mysterious phrases on screen.
(Commercial)
There was a video about the Pure Fusion Collective group. They said mean things about the other women in the division.
Analysis: This would have been more effective if they didn’t lose a six-woman tag team match two weeks ago and if Stark didn’t lose to Natalya last week.
The New Day were backstage talking about their match when the LWO showed. Rey Mysterio said it was their bad for the miscommunication last week. Xavier Woods argued with Rey about it. Woods said this was unsolicited advice that would have been better if Rey gave it to his son Dom. Rey said he doesn’t have time for this since he has to worry about Finn Balor next week. Woods said oh is that because Finn is a former World Champion while Rey is a former World Champion and Kofi’s a former World Champion. Woods was fired up saying he was sick of being disrespected since he’s never had a singles title so they think he’s beneath everybody. Rey said his issues with Finn Balor can wait and next week Woods gets his fight. Kofi tried to reason with Woods, who was frustrated. Woods said that they were in the wrong. Kofi said it was unnecessary. Woods said that they are here to win, but they are being disrespected all the time.
Analysis: I think Xavier Woods is doing a great job with this story. I’m glad there’s more of a spotlight on Woods for this story.
Jey Uso was shown in the back part of the arena making his entrance to a huge ovation. Jey walked down the steps while doing the up/down hand motions with the fans. The fans love the Yeet Man. Joe Tessitore had a “SoCal Yeet” sign while Wade Barrett wasn’t happy about it. Wade wanted to have a Bron Breakker sign. Jey was very popular with the fans as usual.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired about WrestleMania 41 taking place in April 2025. The pre-sale is on October 23rd and tickets go on sale on October 25th.
There was a video about the Bronson Reed-Braun Strowman rivalry. They showed it like they were King Kong-style monsters.
Next week on Raw:
* Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman in a Last Monster Standing Match.
* Kofi Kingston vs. Chad Gable
* Xavier Woods vs. Rey Mysterio
That’s the final three-hour Raw of this year. Once 2025 hits, they might go back to three hours on Netflix, but we don’t know that officially yet.
Bron Breakker made his entrance as the Intercontinental Champion. This is Bron’s second title defense since winning the title in early August at SummerSlam.
Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso
Barrett mentioned he has known Jey for 14 years since Jey started as a wrestler in WWE’s developmental system. Bron knocked down Jey with a shoulder tackle. Jey broke free and hit an uppercut that knocked Bron out of the ring. Great bump by Bron. Jey hit a suicide dive onto Bron on the floor.
(Commercial)
Jey was in control with punches, but Bron came back with a powerslam to counter a leapfrog attempt. Bron gave Jey repeated shoulder tackles to the ribs. Bron whipped Jey hard into the turnbuckle. Bron sent Jey hard into the turnbuckle again. Bron hit an overhead release suplex across the ring. Bron and Jey battled over a suplex attempt, which led to Bron suplexing Jey ribs-first across the top rope. Bron hit a backbreaker, then he stopped the cover attempt and did push-ups like uncle Scott Steiner loved to do during matches. Jey tackled Bron into the turnbuckle followed by a jumping kick to the head. Jey clotheslined Bron over the top to the floor. Jey went for a suicide dive, but Bron punched Jey to stop him. Bron smashed Jey’s head into the hood of the commentary table. Bron jumped off the apron with a clothesline that sent Jey over the commentary table and Bron took a bump too. Great move going into the break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Jey getting some offense going with a punch combo. Jey hit a running hip attack against the turnbuckle for two. Jey jumped off the top, Bron moved and Bron hit double knees to the ribs for two. Bron went for a gorilla press, Jey got out of it and Jey hit a popup Samoan Drop for two. Jey went up top, Bron stopped him there and then Bron walked up to the top rope for a Frankensteiner for a two count. That was such an awesome move. Bron and Jey exchanged punches. Jey hit a superkick. Bron ran the ropes and hit a jumping clothesline. Bron hit a popup Powerslam for a two count. That’s a move that Bron used a lot in NXT to win matches, but it’s not his finisher now. Jey left the ring, Bron left the ring on the other side and Bron hit Jey with a devastating Spear on the floor. Bron sent Jey back into the ring, Bron ran off the ropes and Jey countered with a Spear of his own. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash off the top for one…two…no! Bron got his right shoulder up. The fans thought that was it. Amazing nearfall there. Jey left the ring again. Bron charged at Jey, who was ready for it and Jey hit a superkick on the floor. Jey charged at Bron and gave him a Spear through the barricade. Jey sent Bron into the ring and Jey hit another Spear! Jey went up top, jumped off with an Uso Splash and Jey covered for the one…two…and three! The fans were going crazy for it. This went 21 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW Intercontinental Champion: Jey Uso
Analysis: **** It was an excellent match that was given a lot of time with a hot crowd that loved everything about it, especially the result. I’ll admit also that I didn’t expect a title change, so the result surprised me, which is a good thing because a lot of times pro wrestling can be predictable. I like the surprise title change. Bron was in control in the first half of the match, then Jey made the comeback and it was an exciting conclusion to the match after the last commercial break. What’s really cool is that even though Bron didn’t hold the IC Title for two months, this title felt like a big deal because of the story about Jey not holding a singles title in 14 years in WWE. It’s a title change that felt like a big deal, which is what you want to see for any title change. On top of all that, it was probably one of the better Raw main events of the year.
JEY WINS! JEY WINS! JEY WINS! pic.twitter.com/3W8PedcMOb
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2024
Jey Uso was handed the Intercontinental Title as the winner of the match. There was some pyro in the building. There was not time for replays so Jey went into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. That was the end of the show. Bron Breakker’s Intercontinental Title reign ended at 51 days while Jey Uso won his first singles title since he started in WWE 14 years ago. Congratulations to Jey Uso.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Jey Uso
- Bron Breakker
- Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman, Bronson Reed
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The Scoreboard
8 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2024 Average: 7.62
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
I thought it was a great Raw this week. It’s been consistently really good for the last month or so and this one was even better than the others thanks to the excellent matches that took place. I didn’t expect Jey Uso to beat Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Title, but I certainly don’t mind it. The fans were so excited about it because they probably thought it was unlikely that Bron would lose the title after just 51 days as the champion. I like surprise title changes like that. On top of that, they got 20 minutes, had an incredible match where it looked like either guy could win and then Jey found a way to put him awesome. Great moment. I’m very happy for Jey Uso winning his first singles title. Yeet.
There were some other really good matches with Sami Zayn beating Ludwig Kaiser and I enjoyed The Creed Brothers beating The New Day too. Xavier Woods is doing a tremendous job in that storyline as a guy who is tired of being disrespected and he’s losing his cool during matches because of it. This is the first time in a few years that The New Day are in an intriguing story, so I’m interested to see what happens there because I don’t think Woods turning on Kofi should happen. I’d rather see them triumph as Tag Team Champions again when their tenth anniversary comes in November.
The continuation of the Braun Strowman-Bronson Reed story was well done too. Next week we get “Last Monster Standing” between them. I think the fans will love that. Both guys are doing an excellent job in that rivalry. Drew McIntyre’s promo about CM Punk was fine although not as strong as some of his past promos. I would have liked to see both of them on screen together. Maybe next week. Also, Rhea Ripley saying that Dominik Mysterio will be in a shark cage for Ripley’s match with Liv Morgan at Bad Blood was a nice touch. I like that. Overall, I enjoyed this show. One more three-hour Raw left next week.
The next WWE PLE is Bad Blood on October 5th in Atlanta with this lineup announced so far.
* Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes vs. The Bloodline – Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu
* Hell in a Cell Match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
* WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (Dominik Mysterio will be in a Shark Cage above the ring)
* Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor
* WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley or Naomi
You can watch WWE Bad Blood, streaming live on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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