WWE Raw on August 14 2023 delivered a very storyline advancing heavy show. Where most of the matches that were scheduled weren’t the best. Three squash matches and alright action within the show is a drastic step down from last week. Winnipeg also didn’t bring the intensity throughout the whole show, with multiple matches and segments having a partially dead crowd. The show wasn’t completely centered around The Judgment Day but there was development throughout the whole show among them. While it was fresh seeing different stars such as Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Piper Niven, Katana and Kayden, and JD McDonagh getting parts in the show. The show felt like it was missing something, and that very well could have been the atmosphere that Winnipeg brought.
WWE Raw on August 14 2023 looks to do some explaining, with Rhea’s target growing more and more. The Judgment Day deals with an outsider in JD McDonagh especially after what he did to Sami Zayn. Seth Rollins looks for answers from Shinsuke Nakamura. Becky Lynch wants to finally end things between her and a hall of famer in Trish Stratus. Trish in the position of being forced to give Becky a fair match with Zoey Stark barred from ringside.
GREAT Judgment Day Promo:
Rhea, Damian and Dominik come out within Finn Balor. The issues mentioned between Finn and Priest are not hidden. JD McDonagh comes out and tries to be the messenger for Finn as he tells the Judgment Day not to worry about their friendship. Rhea wants JD to tell Finn that they need to take. Sami Zayn runs down and brawls with JD, JD trying to crawl to the Judgment Day. Sami stands face to face with them before the group leaves. During the commercial break the match is made official between JD and Sami Zayn.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD JD McDonagh Vs Sami Zayn:
The match excels with JD working on the injured arm of Sami. Removing the black arm brace of Zayn’s. Using the environment on the outside of the ring to target the arm. Sami was great at selling the arm, and doing things without using it. Like the one armed michinoku driver. Finn Balor attempted to run into the ring but stopped, JD rolling up Zayn. Sami kicks out but JD sets him up for a moonsault. Zayn counters the moonsault and knocks Finn off of the apron before connecting with a Helluva kick. Sami escapes the ring with a win. Fun match overall.
Results: Sami Zayn by Pinfall via Helluva Kick
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Chelsea Green guilts Adam Pearce into asking about what she would do to find a new partner. She reveals the Chelsea’s got talent concept before Kayden and Katana come in. Piper Niven decks Katana Chance into the couch before intimidating Green into giving her one of the tag championships.
GREAT Gunther Promo:
Gunther mentions finally being in Winnipeg, including roasting it as the “armpit” of Canada. He puts over Gable’s athletic ability before mentioning that his accomplishments are greater in his shorter run in WWE. Chad Gable eventually comes out before agreeing that it’s been 10 years waiting for a solo opportunity. Gable brings up the 5 minute challenge and says that he beat Gunther at his own game. Chad promises Gunther that he can stay champion for at least another guy since it’s Chad Vs Vinci. Ludwig and Vinci enter the ring and Ludwig insults both Chad and Otis before trying to shoot imperiums shot for Maxxine to join them. Maxxine slaps them before Gable says Thank you.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
SQUASH Giovanni Vinci Vs Chad Gable:
What a chop from Vinci. This was honestly a fun match and both men got good spots and moments within it. Gable gets the O’connor roll into the Chaos Theory for the win. Gunther challenges Otis after it.
Results: Chad Gable by Pinfall via Chaos Theory
SQUASH Gunther Vs Otis:
Gunther stops the worm with a double foot stomp or a leg drop. Gets a big boot and a powerbomb for the win. After the match, Gable ducks a clothesline and gives a German suplex to Gunther.
Results: Gunther By Pinfall via Powerbomb
Damian is venting to Finn about Finn being involved with JD. Rhea puts her foot down and says enough. JD tries to come in before Finn calmly dismisses him. The Judgment Day saying Cody Rhodes will be a part of a statement.
Riddle interrupts Drew McIntyre’s interview by revealing he accepted the Raiders’ open challenge. Drew saying he might come and team with him. Barely getting the chance to speak.
GOOD Viking Raiders Vs Matt Riddle and Drew McIntyre:
Drew is last to enter to save Riddle in suspense. Match gets a commercial break with Riddle wrestling the whole match until the one hot tag that Drew tagged in on. This match was fine, had good tag team psychology and built nicely to the hot tag. Nothing fantastic but overall the crowd was alright for it. The hot tag got a nice reaction but still nothing over the top great.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Claymore on Erik
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
New Day takes offense to Riddle thinking him and Drew are future tag team champions. Kofi lays out a challenge to Drew and Matt for the next week. Matt stops Drew before accepting on behalf of the Glasbros.
SQUASH Indi Hartwell with Candice LeRae Vs Rhea Ripley with Dominik Mysterio:
Indi didn’t get much. She got a couple strikes and a spinebuster. Ripley attacked Candice before getting a headbutt and a riptide to win. After the match, Indi got a flapjack and Candice comboed it with a senton before retreating. Rhea is visibly mad from the attack.
Results: Rhea Ripley by Pinfall via Riptide
ABOVE AVERAGE Shinsuke Nakamura Interview with Michael Cole:
It wasn’t long until Seth Rollins came out. But before he did, Shinsuke Nakamura spoke in his native language, Japanese. Receiving What chants throughout it. Rollins came out and talked about losing respect for Shinsuke including being a fighting champion. Seth says he isn’t concerned about why but he is concerned about getting even. He says that to get what he wants, he should give Shinsuke what he wants. Seth challenges Nakamaura to grow a pair and to shake his hand. Shinsuke obliges before telling Seth something that clearly puzzled him. Nakamura stands tall by hitting the Kinshasa on Rollins.
Rough promo until Seth got out there. An alright crowd with the serenading, but this promo might have been better as an interview.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
The Miz is interviewed by Byron Saxton. Claiming next week he is going to face someone that LA Knight couldn’t beat. And maybe even show up on Smackdown. With it being “Awesome”
ABOVE AVERAGE Becky Lynch Vs Trish Stratus – Zoey Stark Banned From Ringside:
There were multiple moments that were very much sloppy. For the match to being built as the end, it ended in a double count out. Becky and Trish brawled through the crowd and up the stairs. Nearly hitting a manhandle slam through the merch table before Zoey came out. Trish laid Becky out with a chick kick.
This match felt like a step down from the night of champions match. I did like the usage of Trish’s mask but there wasn’t a lot to really enjoy in this match.
Results: Nobody by Double Count Out via Brawling Through The Crowd
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Gunther aired his grievances with Vinci’s performance since coming to Raw. Including Ludwig being obsessed with “that girl.” Saying that if Gable wants the championship, he can try to take it next week.
A replay of Zoey aiding Trish is shown before an angered Adam Pearce tells Trish. That the next time Becky vs Trish happens will be inside of a steel cage.
GREAT Cody Rhodes Vs Finn Balor:
During the match the Judgment Day joined the ringside area in waves. Cody nearly suplexing Dom as Finn stopped him. Damian coming out separately. Dominik pulling Cody onto his crotch on the top rope as Finn superplexes him. Rhea Ripley had the ref distracted and Damian slid the MITB to Finn. Finn missed the briefcase and Cody got it. Rhodes used the briefcase to get the win.
After the match the judgment day attacked Cody Rhodes with Sami Zayn running down with a chair. The odds were very lopsided as JD McDonagh came down and made it a 4 on 2 beat down. JD helped the Judgment Day and the Judgment Day continued their beat down. Sami and Finn got multiple coup de grâces. Zayn being razor edged into the announce table as the group stands tall. McDonagh watching from the outside.
Results: Cody Rhodes By Pinfall via Cross Rhodes
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall…
WWE Raw on August 14 2023 delivered a very storyline advancing heavy show. Where most of the matches that were scheduled weren’t the best. Three squash matches and alright action within the show is a drastic step down from last week. Winnipeg also didn’t bring the intensity throughout the whole show, with multiple matches and segments having a partially dead crowd. The show wasn’t completely centered around The Judgment Day but there was development throughout the whole show among them. While it was fresh seeing different stars such as Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Piper Niven, Katana and Kayden, and JD McDonagh getting parts in the show. The show felt like it was missing something, and that very well could have been the atmosphere that Winnipeg brought.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.50/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.50/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – Aug 14 2023
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