The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 10/21/24 Review
It’s WWE Raw featuring Jey Uso’s Intercontinental Title match with Bron Breakker, a Seth Rollins-Bronson Reed confrontation, and more.
Last week’s WWE Raw episode was taped and it felt like just an average Raw in terms of 2024 quality, so we’ll see if they can deliver a better episode this week. The Crown Jewel PLE is less than two weeks away.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1639 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
They showed some arrivals from earlier in the day. When Bronson Reed was shown walking backstage with his suitcase, Seth “Freakin” Rollins attacked Reed from behind and then it was quickly broken up by security. Rollins made his way down to the ring and his music played for his entrance.
Seth Rollins And Bronson Reed Want To Fight
Seth “Freakin” Rollins was in the ring wearing a black t-shirt and black leather pants. Rollins walked into the ring saying if Bronson Reed wants to be famous then get out here right now and let’s fight.
Bronson Reed showed up behind Raw GM Adam Pearce, who tried to tell Rollins no. Reed beat up some security guys and went down to the ring to fight Rollins. Rollins got a kick, but Reed caught him and hit a Death Valley Driver. Reed teased going up top, but he was stopped by referees. Rollins left the ring, so Reed hit him with a shoulder tackle. Reed put Rollins onto the commentary table. Reed beat up more security guys. Reed went to the barricade, he jumped off for Tsunami splash, but Rollins moved and Reed splashed the Raw commentary table. Rollins was pulled away by security while Reed was taken away by security and Reed left through the crowd with security.
Analysis: It was a wild brawl for a few minutes although they didn’t get their hands on eachother that much. That’s a smart way to do it because it builds up anticipation for whenever Rollins and Reed are going to have their match. The fans were into this, which is not a surprise because it has been booked well.
The Raw commentary team Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett were shown on camera welcoming us to the show.
Damage CTRL’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane were interviewed by Jackie Redmond, who mentioned Sky & Sane will face Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson on NXT on Tuesday. Sky said that Lash & Jakara are in the way and soon they will be Women’s Tag Team Champions. The Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan interrupted with Raquel Rodriguez, so Jackie left. Morgan bragged about how she has it all talking about being a champion, being with Dominik Mysterio, having Raquel Rodriguez by her side, and so on. Liv said at Crown Jewel she’ll beat Nia Jax for the Crown Jewel Championship too. Liv looked way taller than Sky because she was probably in high-heeled boots because I believe they are a similar height. Sky and Sane were not happy about being interrupted. The two teams argued, so Sky said they could fight tonight. Raquel stared at the smaller opponents and Liv said okay let’s fight.
Analysis: That’s a typical way for WWE superstars to set up a match. I was mostly fascinated by how tall Liv looked, but heel boots or shoes would do that.
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
It was mentioned by Joe Tessitore on commentary that ring announcer Samantha Irvin announced she is moving on from WWE. She will be missed, but I wish her the best with whatever is next. She was really good in her role.
Lilian Garcia is back in WWE as the ring announcer. She was standing on the floor to make the introductions for this match.
The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Authors of Pain – Akam & Rezar (w/Paul Ellering, Karrion Kross & Scarlett)
This is one of those contender tournaments where the teams have to win two matches to get a title shot. The New Day guys made some quick tags leading to some fast-paced offense. Kofi tagged in with a double foot stomp on Akam’s left arm. Woods was back in with a double axhandle off the top on Akam’s left arm. Akam slammed Woods down while Woods left the ring and Kross wanted Woods to shake his hand, but that didn’t happen. The Miz showed up at ringside while Kross was intrigued by that. Akam hit Woods in the back as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Woods breaking free to bring in Kofi, who hit Rezar with a dropkick. Rezar tried a lift, Kofi broke free and Kofi hit a splash on Rezar’s back. Woods dove onto Akam with a forearm on the floor. Kofi hit a rising kick along with a double axhandle and the Boom Drop double leg drop on Rezar. Kofi charged, Rezar caught him and Rezar hit a fallaway slam across the ring. R-Truth showed up at ringside and tackled the Miz followed by punches. Kross tried to get involved, so Truth kicked Kross down. Kofi rolled up Rezar with a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! and Kofi used his upper body to lean on Rezar for the pinfall win. The match went about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Analysis: **3/4 It was a chaotic match as you might expect with so much going on outside the ring. I don’t love the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! finish even though I get why it’s done to show it was a close win that also protects AOP since they didn’t lose to a finishing move. The New Day winning here is certainly fine with me.
After the match, R-Truth celebrated the win with The New Day guys. Truth continued to celebrate, so The Final Testament and The Miz attacked Truth with punches. Kofi Kingston wanted to save Truth, but Woods held Kofi back saying they shouldn’t do it. The lights went out.
The Wyatt Sicks group appeared and they surrounded the ring while the Final Testament and The Miz were in there. Nikki Cross jumped off the top with a cross body block on Scarlett. The Wyatt Sicks guys Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis & Erick Rowan cleared house. Rowan hit a running dive onto two guys on the floor. Rowan gave Lumis a Powerbomb onto the AOP guys. The three Wyatt Sicks guys went fighting with Kross and AOP into the crowd. The fans were cheering loudly because Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) showed up behind Miz, but Ellering shoved Miz away and Howdy gave Ellering the Mandible Claw so the old man Ellering sold it like he was knocked out. Howdy celebrated to end it.
Analysis: It was a good spot to use the Wyatt Sicks group since they can obviously feud with the Final Testament, who now has The Miz as an ally. The fans are definitely into the Wyatt Sicks group, so using that group more often would be a smart move.
(Commercial)
Raw GM Adam Pearce was about to be interviewed by Jackie Redmond when Bronson Reed showed up. Seth Rollins appeared again and got into a fight with Reed. They were separated by security, officials and referees.
Analysis: Once again it’s about building up to the Rollins-Reed match.
A clip was shown from Smackdown when Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso appeared to confront Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline. Jey didn’t want to acknowledge his brother Solo as the Tribal Chief. Later in the show, Jey didn’t seem interested in talking to Roman Reigns or brother Jimmy Uso.
Jey Uso was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Jey said that ironically he has no love from his brothers even though he’s in the City of Brotherly Love. Jey said that tonight it’s about defending the Intercontinental Title against Bron Breakker and Jey said the people will hear that Jey is still the IC Champion.
Raquel Rodriguez appeared in a video saying that as long as she’s around, Rhea Ripley won’t take the Women’s World Title from Liv as long as Raquel is here. Raquel talked about Ripley injuring Liv in the past and attacking Raquel as well. Raquel said the best thing Rhea could do is just walk away. Raquel said since Ripley won’t end this, Raquel will.
Damage CTRL entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
This Friday on Smackdown in Brooklyn: Cody Rhodes goes face to face with Gunther and Andrade faces Carmelo Hayes with LA Knight as the referee. There is also #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles, but that wasn’t in the commercial.
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Damage CTRL – Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane
The NXT tag team Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson were watching at ringside since they are facing Damage CTRL on NXT on Tuesday.
Liv started with Sky and then Liv quickly tagged out so that Raquel could tag in to use her power. Raquel did a snapmare on Sky and Sane tagged in for a double team dropkick on Raquel. Sane charged, Raquel sent her to the apron and Sane jumped off the top, but Raquel avoided it. Sky tagged in for a double suplex attempt that didn’t work. Raquel tried to elbow drop both women, but Sane and Sky moved. Sane hit a forearm leading to a Sky pin attempt for two. Raquel nailed both opponents with clotheslines. Liv left the apron to touch the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship and she said it’s going to be hers just like everything else.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Sane hitting an elbow on Raquel to break free and Sky tagged in against Morgan with a dropkick. Sky wrenched Raquel’s knee against the middle ropes. Sky followed up with a missile dropkick from the top rope on Liv. Sky hit the Meteora double knee attack for a two count. Sky hit a body slam on Liv leading to quick tags by Sane and Sky so they can do double team moves. Sky launched Sane into the air for an elbow drop and Sky tried a jackknife pin that got a two count because Raquel made the save. Raquel spun Sane around. Raquel charged, Sane moved and Raquel went shoulder-first into the ring post. Liv hit a running splash followed by a running knee on Sky. Liv jumped off the turnbuckle with nothing, so Sky hit an uppercut. Sky jumped off the barricade with a dropkick. Sky pulled Jakara over the barricade, so Lash hit Sky with a forearm and the referee called for the bell for the DQ finish. It went about nine minutes.
Winners by disqualification: Damage CTRL – Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane
Analysis: **1/2 The match was okay before it ended suddenly. Sky is so talented in the ring and one of my favorite women in the company. I’m always impressed by her performances in the ring. I thought Liv & Raquel would win, but instead, they went with the cheap finish.
After the match, Damage CTRL fought with Meta-Four’s Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. Lash and Jackson got the advantage with Jackson hitting a bulldog-type slam called Sugar Rush and Lash hit a spinning slam off her back called a Lash Extension.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance while Liv & Raquel were in the ring. Rhea sent Raquel out of the ring. Rhea hit Liv with a rising knee to the head. Rhea applied the Prism Trap submission on Liv. Rhea let go when Raquel was on the apron, so Raquel dropkicked Rhea off the apron. Liv tried to grab Rhea’s arm, but Rhea countered it with a headbutt. Dominik Mysterio showed up to save Liv from a Riptide. Rhea put Dominik in the Prism Trap submission, but Liv & Raquel pulled Dominik away. Rhea was laughing in the ring while her rivals backed away.
Analysis: It was Rhea Ripley’s turn to look strong since she had been beaten up a few times by Liv and Raquel. I liked how they booked it with Ripley clearing the ring, focusing on Liv and then going after Dom as well.
Seth Rollins approached Adam Pearce backstage, so Bronson Reed showed up to attack Rollins again. Pearce stood between them and yelled about how he was going to give them what they wanted. Pearce said at Crown Jewel, Rollins will face Reed. Seth was happy about it while Reed said this was the worst mistake Rollins could make.
Analysis: There’s the official match announcement. It’s a good idea to do it at Crown Jewel. I think Rollins and Reed are going to have a three match series, so whoever wins the first match will probably win the rematch and then we’ll see a stipulation match of some kind.
The LWO’s Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee made their entrance with Zelina Vega for tag team action.
A commercial featuring NXT boss Shawn Michaels aired about NXT going to Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 6th.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the War Raiders team of Erik & Ivar. They spoke about honoring their Viking ancestors while also referencing the shields they used to wear and how they don’t wear them now. They issued a warning to other teams in WWE.
The Judgment Day was shown backstage in their new clubhouse. Finn Balor, JD McDonagh were there talking to Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez. Balor wasn’t happy about Damian Priest going for the World Title. Dominik said maybe he’d win the World Title from Gunther and everybody laughed at him (not Liv, but the others laughed). Raquel wondered what Carlito did around here. Carlito said that he keeps things cool and he’ll help Dominik get that World Title shot, so Carlito left.
The NXT Champion Trick Williams was shown in the crowd with his title.
LWO – Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee (w/Zelina Vega) vs. The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed (w/Chad Gable & Ivy Nile)
Lee got a sunset flip on Julius for two. Rey tagged in for some double team moves including a running dropkick on Julius for two. The Creeds took over by overpowering Rey as Brutus sent Rey hard into the turnbuckle. Brutus beat up Rey with forearm smashes. Rey sent Brutus out of the ring and Rey did a headscissors on Julius to send him out of the ring as well. Lee ran the ropes and hit a suicide dive on both Creeds on the floor.
(Commercial)
Julius was in control with a back body drop on Lee. Julius hit a superplex on Lee for a two count. Julius tried a lifting move, but Lee countered it with a hurricanrana into the turnbuckle. Rey tagged in against Brutus leading to Rey hitting two headscissors on Brutus and a jumping kick to the head. Rey jumped onto Brutus with a seated senton and a Tornado DDT for two. Rey went for a springboard attack, Brutus caught Rey and hit a powerslam. Brutus hit a moonsault off the middle turnbuckle and Julius tagged in with a top rope moonsault on Rey for two because Lee made the save. Lee sent Brutus out of the ring. Lee went up top, Lee jumped off the top with a double foot stomp on Julius and Lee hit a somersault dive onto Brutus on the floor. Rey wanted a 619 kick, but Gable got in the way and then Julius knocked down Rey with a knee. Vega threw a sandal at Gable and then Vega gave Nile a hurricanrana on the floor. Rey gave Julius a hurricanrana into the ropes. Rey hit a 619 kick and Lee got the top leading to Lee hit a top rope Frog Splash on Julius for the pinfall win. The match went about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: LWO – Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee
Analysis: ***1/4 I thought it was a pretty good match. There was some action on the floor, but it didn’t hurt the match. Rey and Lee are fun to watch as a team while The Creeds are very talented. I would like to see The Creed Brothers get some meaningful wins, but it hasn’t happened for them on Raw yet. Anyway, it was a fun tag team match that got a decent amount of time, so that helps too.
Next week will be a triple threat match on Raw between War Raiders, The New Day and LWO’s Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee. The winner of that match will get a shot at the World Tag Team Titles.
Analysis: It’s a tough match to predict since they are all faces. I’ll go with War Raiders for the win and they might win the titles too.
Raw GM Adam Pearce was in his office talking to Damage CTRL. Pearce said he’ll try to find a solution to their problem. Damage CTRL walked out. Carlito walked in saying he had the perfect guy to face Gunther and said Dominik Mysterio. Pearce laughed about it. Pearce said that Dominik doesn’t deserve an opportunity. Carlito said he’s a fixer and Pearce wondered what he was fixing. Pearce said that if Dominik can beat a former World Champion then Pearce will put him in a number one contender’s match. Carlito said thanks, walked away and asked if Pearce got a new haircut. Pearce said no. It’s funny because Pearce is bald.
Bron Breakker was interviewed by Jackie Redmond. Bron said he respects Jey Uso as a champion but he’s not focused because he has a lot of family drama going on. Bron said he’ll take back what belongs to him, so he’ll do what badasses do. Bron asked if we had any dogs barking in Philly. The fans started barking.
Bron Breakker made his entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
Gunther, the World Heavyweight Champion, was interviewed in the locker room by Cathy Kelley. Gunther spoke about how the winner of his match with Cody Rhodes is about the Crown Jewel Championship and the winner will establish the legacy of that new championship. Gunther said everything he touches turns to gold. Gunther said he’ll be in Brooklyn on Friday to confront Cody Rhodes. Damian Priest walked in to chat with Gunther. Priest said that his issues with The Judgment Day are done, so he wants that World Title back. Priest said he’s going to earn it like he’s earned everything else. Priest warned Gunther that he’ll have a big problem when Priest becomes El Campeon again. Gunther replied by saying “good for you” to end it. Gunther walked away.
Analysis: It will be interesting to see who steps up as the World Title opponent for Gunther after Crown Jewel. Survivor Series is the next big show after that and I think Priest is a possibility for sure, but it might be CM Punk. Those are the obvious choices.
Jey Uso made his entrance as the Intercontinental Champion. Jey entered by walking down the aisle instead of walking from the side part of the arena. The fans love Jey and were doing the “Yeet” hand gestures as usual.
Intercontinental Championship: Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker
This is the rematch after Jey won the title four weeks ago. Jey was in control with punches along with a clothesline that sent Bron over the top to the floor. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
Bron was in as he put his knee on Jey’s back while Jey’s throat was against the ropes. They battled on the apron leading to Bron tackling Jay back-first into the ring post. Bron picked up Jey leading to a double knee attack to the back while they were on the apron. Bron sent Jey into the ring leading to Bron sending Jey hard into the turnbuckle. Bron caught a charging Jey with a backbreaker. Bron did some push ups to show off like uncle Scott Steiner. Bron punched Jey in the head followed by a standing moonsault for two. Jey delivered multiple punches to knock Bron down. Bron sent Jey to the apron and Jey hit a jumping kick. Jey tried a move off the top, but Bron stopped that and Bron hit a Frankenstiner (like uncle Scott Steiner) for a two count.
(Commercial)
The match continued with less than ten minutes left in the show as Jey hit a Spear for a two count. When Jey was on his knees in the ring, he looked off to the side where The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa (Jey’s younger brother) appeared with Jacob Fatu. Solo had a “Yeet” t-shirt and he had two tickets so they sat down in the front row. Jey left the ring and Jey asked Solo what he was doing, so Solo said he was trying to help him. Bron went after Jey, so Jey was ready and they went back into the ring. They left the ring again so Jey sent Bron into the ring post. Tonga Loa was in the crowd, he touched Jey, so Jey pulled Loa over the barricade and Jey superkicked Loa. Tama Tonga jumped off the barricade, Jey avoided it and Jey superkicked Tama on the floor. Solo argued with Jey on the floor, Bron ran around the ring and Bron hit a Spear on Solo, who pushed Jey out of the ring. Bron hit a jumping knee on Jey on the floor. Jacob Fatu was on the floor so he had a staredown with Bron and the fans were going wild for that. Bron had a staredown with Fatu, which led to Jey hitting a suicide dive onto Bron and Fatu on the floor. Jey sent Bron into the ring as the fans chanted “this is awesome” for the action. Jey went up top and jumped off with a splash, but Bron blocked it with knees to the gut. Jey avoided a charging Bron and Jey hit two superkicks. Jey hit Bron with a Spear. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash for the one…two…and no! Bron kicked out. Tama and Loa were on the apron, so Raw GM Adam Pearce and other officials pulled the Tonga guys off the apron and made them go to the back. Jey ran around the ring where Fatu superkicked Jey on the floor. The referee was looking in the aisle although we couldn’t see from the camera angle that was shown. Fatu gave Jey a Samoan Drop on the hood of the commentary table. Barrett made it clear that the referee was looking at Pearce in the aisle with the Tongans. Bron rolled Jey back into the ring. Bron ran the ropes and Bron hit a Spear for the one…two…and three after 19 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW Intercontinental Champion: Bron Breakker
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match with a lot of chaos. The Bloodline blatantly cost Jey Uso the match and Bron Breakker is a heel, so he had no problem taking advantage of it. Their last match was better technically and I rated it higher, but this one was heavy in storyline due to The Bloodline involvement. The attack by Jacob Fatu will lead to Jey Uso agreeing to fight along with Roman Reigns & Jimmy Uso against Solo’s group, which will lead to WarGames. It’s a good storyline because now it gives Jey motivation for revenge since Solo’s group (specifically Jacob) cost Jey the IC Title. It’s a good storyline.
Bron Breakker celebrated with the Intercontinental Title. They showed some replays. Bron was celebrating some more. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: I was surprised when Bron lost the IC Title Jey four weeks ago and now I understand it more because it was just a way to give Jey a brief title reign before doing this angle to get the title back on Bron. I think Bron’s title reign is going to last much longer this time.
BRON BREAKKER has just defeated Jey Uso to regain the #ICTitle! 😲 pic.twitter.com/HykpAUzAys
— WWE (@WWE) October 22, 2024
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Three Stars of the Show
- Bron Breakker
- Jey Uso
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee
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The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7
2024 Average: 7.60
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
I thought it was a good Raw that was better than last week. The last two matches helped the show a lot. I liked that main event with Bron Breakker beating Jey Uso to win back the Intercontinental Title. What I liked is that it advanced The Bloodline story since Jey lost because Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline and in particular Jacob Fatu having a major role. That will lead to Jey wanting to work with Roman Reigns & Jimmy Uso for revenge, so the original Bloodline will be back together and maybe Sami Zayn will join them too. It sucks for Jey to lose the IC Title after just four weeks, but I think the title reign was just done to set up this angle on this night and to build to WarGames. Good for Bron getting the title back.
It was fun seeing all the Seth Rollins-Bronson Reed brawling throughout the show. They announced that match happening at Crown Jewel, which is a good place for it since it will be a PLE match that will be Reed’s biggest match to see if he can beat Rollins.
Most of the rest of the show was okay. As I said, hour two was better than hour one. I’m still getting used to Raw only being two hours instead of three hours. The shows were better at three hours, but maybe it’s the time of year too.
The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on November 2nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the lineup so far.
* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
* Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
You can watch WWE Crown Jewel, streaming live on Saturday, November 2, at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.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, Toronto Blue Jays & Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport