WWE Raw on August 21, was definitely a step up, with a much hotter crowd for the show. Quebec has had a second televised show this year and has shown up! The match quality was better having a better main event, and an amazing Intercontinental championship match. The show had a great flow and the shorter matches were spread across the show. Seth Rollins’ backstage promo and Shinsuke’s video package both advanced the story greatly. Filling plot holes that were caused last week. The Gunther and Gable story is looking to continue after Chad Gable’s historic win as Chad is more than likely going to want a match that won’t end in count out. The Judgment Day continue their issues with Sami and Cody including the returning Kevin Owens. Once again, The Judgment Day aren't on the same page once again. Becky is having yet another match with Zoey Stark next week before the Trish Steel Cage match. And The Miz lost to Akira Tozawa, YEAH!!
WWE Raw on August 21 has the Judgment Day looking to continue their momentum after gaining their killer instinct back after last week. The New Day faces the new “team” of the GlasBros in McIntyre and Riddle. And What did Shinsuke Nakamura whisper to Seth last week? Shinsuke reveals that tonight. Gunther defends his championship weeks away from breaking the IC championship record against top contender Chad Gable.
GREAT Sami Zayn Promo: WWE Raw August 21 2023 Opening Promo
Sami spent the time in the ring, rallying the Quebec crowd with his non verbal mannerisms. Barely saying much, only a few things to pop the french crowd before the Judgment Day comes out. The group gets on the apron on all sides of the ring before Sami reveals something. Zayn states that he didn’t come alone and Kevin Owens came out. Kevin and Sami stand tall before Kevin lays out a challenge to any two members of the Judgment Day.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT The New Day Vs Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle: WWE Raw August 21 2023 First Match
Overall this was a good match. Nothing spectacular but it had a hot crowd especially surrounding a Drew hot tag. This is the odd ball team that includes Drew doing it for fun, using Riddle as a weapon. The Viking Raiders take Drew out and the New Day get the win. Raiders try to beat everyone up but Drew is the reason they had to retreat. Fine result and makes me think some form of triple threat tag is coming.
Results: Kofi Kingston by Pinfall via Trouble In Paradise
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Finn Balor and JD McDonagh have a backstage interview. Finn denies Jackie’s claim that his relationship with JD is creating more issues for the Judgment Day. Ripley comes out and dismisses Jackie before taking Finn away to discuss the main event.
A video showing last week’s matches is shown. Gable got the last message by suplexing Gunther.
Gunther then has a video talking about his legacy saying that Gable won’t make a name for himself over his own. Claiming that Chad’s fairytale won’t end fairly.
AMAZING Gunther Vs Chad Gable – Intercontinental Championship Match:
Otis and Maxxine give Gable a pep talk before Chad’s entrance. Gunther comes out alone. Match starts off with Chad and Gunther quite even, Gable getting the early advantage including out wrestling Gunther. Once back from commercial, Gunther is in control and working him down. There is just flawless wrestling in this match, a growing tension as Gable is getting his chances. The match ended with Gunther trying to chop Gable but missing and hitting the LED post. Gable hits a german suplex over the corner barricade and jumps into the ring.
After the match Gable is celebrating being the first guy to beat Gunther in a singles match on the main roster. Gunther is going mad, destroying the ringside area as Ludwig and Vinci get Samantha Irvin to announce the championship status. Gunther staying the champion since he lost by Count out. This was a match worthy of the build, awesome crowd to have for it. Great chemistry between guys and I am happy they will get a rematch.
Results: Chad Gable By Countout via German Suplexing Gunther over the Barricade before beating the count.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
GOOD Cody Rhodes Promo:
Promo starts in the back before Cody says he wants to introduce some of his friends. Going to the stage with Bryon. Shouts out Wade and Cole on Commentary. Cody mentions the crowd being the difference makers in the numbers game with the Judgment Day. Rhodes says that he will be watching the main event as well. He states that he has seen the rise of the Judgment Day. And we will see the fall of the Judgment Day.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Shinsuke Nakamura Promo Video:
Shinsuke speaks in Japanese but is provided with English subtitles. What Shinsuke told Seth was that he knew about Seth’s back. Revealing that Seth’s back has been broken for years and is causing a void in his life. Shinsuke then says he won’t stop until he fills his own void. Nakamura also brings up the code they both follow in the Bushido code. Referring to Seth Rollins’ back tattoo.
SQUASH Rhea Ripley with Dominik Mysterio Vs Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell:
Short match, LeRae countered a riptide with a DDT before hitting the springboard moonsault for a nearfall. Rhea gets the win after. Raquel comes out walking with a crutch before given the crutch to Rhea and attacking her.
Raquel stands tall and announces at Payback its Raquel Vs Rhea.
Results: Rhea Ripley by Tap Out Submission via Gorilla Clutch, Standing Cloverleaf
GOOD Miz Promo:
Good Miz promo that acknowledges the crowd and him having a French wife in Maryse. Miz continues to nail in the flash in the pan comments towards LA Knight. He says he is going to fight someone tougher than anyone Knight has faced. Out comes Akira Tozawa, being giving the “most important match in his career” and all he can say is “Yeah.” Tozawa gets under the skin of The Miz by mocking him by saying Yeah, Yeah, Yeah with the crowd doing it as well. Miz attacks him as he got mad.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating –
GOOD Miz Vs Akira Tozawa:
This was a fun match that saw the crowd getting behind Tozawa because of Miz’s role with LA Knight. Fun action and solid dives from Tozawa. The counter of the senton was good. LA Knight did great on commentary and the crowd popped for Tozawa’s shock victory.
Results: Akira Tozawa by Pinfall via Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GOOD Becky Lynch Promo:
Becky Lynch comes out and does this thing to include the crowd, saying The Man has come to Quebec City. Talking about last week’s events as well as WWE Payback’s Steel Cage match. She is about to mention what’s next for Zoey but Trish Stratus comes out. She talks about being in Canada before turning on Quebec. Trish wants them to chant Merci Beaucoup Trish which is the same thing she has been preaching. Stratus tries to explain how she is being underestimated and how she has to prove herself. Stating that she got in the WWE ring with no experience, main eventing Raw and delivering. Trish tries to say that the Steel Cage will bring a dangerous side of herself out. Which Becky kinda failed to acknowledge. Lynch reveals next week will also have Zoey Stark Vs Becky Lynch as a falls count anywhere match. Becky taunts Trish by stealing and wearing the cowboy hat she wore in her entrance. Fine promo but this feud might have more negatives than positives.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
SQUASH Chelsea Green and Piper Niven Vs Kayden Carter and Katana Chance:
Very short match, Chelsea got taken out with an assisted twisting splash before Piper took both Kayden and Katana out. Piper being legal got the victory the first time she stepped into the ring.
Results: Piper Niven by Running Seated Crossbody
Seth Rollins is asked about Shinsuke bringing up his back. He confirms the information, including saying he has had the injury for several years. Rollins says Shinsuke is far away and didn’t have the guts to be there. Prepared to meet him in the ring once again next week. Seth has Quebec City sing multiple times throughout the promo.
SQUASH Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Vs Finn Balor and Damian Priest with Dominik and Rhea Ripley:
The match started as a brawl and Damian was about to throw Finn the briefcase. Sami stopped him before JD McDonagh did it himself. Tossing the briefcase in the ring but Owens caught it and used it as a weapon on Finn. A Brawl is engaged as Cody Rhodes runs down to even the odds. A six man tag was made by Adam Pearce after Cody’s challenge.
Results: Finn Balor by DQ via Kevin Owens using Priest’s MITB as a weapon.
GREAT Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Vs Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio with Rhea Ripley: WWE Raw August 21 2023 Main Event
Overall a similarly solid match up. Including great selling from Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Great tag psychology including isolating Kevin Owens and building to the Cody Rhodes hot tag. The crowd was hot for everyone involved, cheering Kevin, Sami and Cody and booing Dom, Finn and Damian. The faces get the win and we are back to the Judgment Day having issues.
Results: Kevin Owens by Pinfall via Stunner on Dominik Mysterio
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall…
WWE Raw on August 21, was definitely a step up, with a much hotter crowd for the show. Quebec has had a second televised show this year and has shown up! The match quality was better having a better main event, and an amazing Intercontinental championship match. The show had a great flow and the shorter matches were spread across the show. Seth Rollins’ backstage promo and Shinsuke’s video package both advanced the story greatly. Filling plot holes that were caused last week. The Gunther and Gable story is looking to continue after Chad Gable’s historic win as Chad is more than likely going to want a match that won’t end in count out. The Judgment Day continue their issues with Sami and Cody including the returning Kevin Owens. Once again, The Judgment Day aren’t on the same page once again. Becky is having yet another match with Zoey Stark next week before the Trish Steel Cage match. And The Miz lost to Akira Tozawa, YEAH!!
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – August 21 2023
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