WWE Raw October 2 2023 was a good go home show. From a solid start to the show with Rhea Ripley’s return and ultimatum for Dom Mysterio. But the rest of the show had a number of matches that were squash matches. While these matches were placed decently half of the matches were able to be rated and the other half were squash ratings. Aside from the storyline progression through the night there were a number of matches within the show that just felt pointless. The crowd was really good for most of the night aside from a couple of the squash matches.
WWE Raw October 2 2023 as the go home show for the Raw side of the main roster for WWE Fastlane. Seth Rollins looks to make one last statement ahead of his last man standing match with Shinsuke Nakamura. Tommaso Ciampa and Gunther have a contract signing. Shayna Baszler looks to take it to the returning Nia Jax. And what is next for the Judgment Day? What happens when Becky Lynch takes on Tegan Nox for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax engage in a brawl instead of their match. Raquel Rodriguez runs down to join the fight. Rhea Ripley returns and stands tall in the ring as the others brawl to the back.
AMAZING Rhea Ripley and Judgment Day Promo: WWE Raw October 2 2023 Opening Promo
Rhea demands that the Judgment Day come out as she has other business to deal with. Ripley talks about being out and Damian losing control of the situation due to the tension within the judgment day. Damian Priest throws Dom Dom under the bus by saying Dominik lost his championship. Rhea then addressed Dom by telling him on tomorrow’s NXT he is getting a rematch. Ripley then states if Dominik doesn’t win the championship back, he shouldn’t come home. Jey Uso comes out saying he missed Rhea Ripley. He also said that she was the tribal chief and had bigger balls than Roman Reigns. Damian says how he is tired of Main Event Jey Uso and says he is about to deal with Jey.
Dominik attempts to talk once again but can’t because of the crowd, trying to say he would take care of Jey himself. Ripley and Priest leave the ring as Jey has the advantage over Dom. McDonagh runs out and starts to help Dom. Dom and JD have Jey set up for Damian before Cody runs down and helps Jey. Cody and Jey fend off JD and Dom with Damian on the apron. Priest retreats as Adam Pearce comes out and announces Cody and Jey Vs Finn and Damian at Fastlane for the title shot.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
GOOD Imperium Vs Alpha Academy: WWE Raw October 2 2023 First Match
This was a fine match between the two teams. One thing about the Alpha Academy is that Otis is always going to get a great pop in the match for his hot tag. I like the fact that the result of the match with Vinci helping Ludwig take control of Otis. This was the result of last week’s Gunther rant about him.
Results: Imperium by Pinfall via Ludwig’s running Enziguri on Otis
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
SQUASH Bronson Reed Vs Cedric Alexander:
Cedric had a short sprint of offense, but the match didn’t last long. Bronson Reed gets the win the tsunami.
Results: Bronson Reed by Pinfall via Tsunami
MUST WATCH Gunther and Ciampa Contract Signing:
The clash of looks between the two of them with Gunther being a classy guy with the suit. Ciampa with the cargo pants and the long beard. Ciampa talks about how he had to work for everything in this business. Saying that he has to turn trash to filet to get an opportunity. How Gunther has been given opportunity after opportunity. Ciampa promises with one opportunity that he could dethrone Gunther. After Gunther was refusing to sign the contract, Ciampa taunted him by asking Pearce to make the match for tonight. Gunther then agrees that Ciampa should back his words up before signing the contract. Ciampa gets Gunther in the sillician stretch before Gunther leaves the ring. Tommaso holds the belt up high as Gunther looks up to him.
I can’t do Ciampa’s promo justice with his delivery and what he said.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
Rhea Ripley takes a liking to JD McDonagh’s belief of dividing and conquering. Saying that Kevin wont like Cody and Jey going for the tag team championship.
GREAT Xavier Woods Vs Ivar:
This was a very fun match, not as good as Kofi Vs Ivar. Woods got his moments to shine, especially getting a death valley driver on the Viking Raider. The crowd went on fire for it and Kofi was great at commentary. After the match, Ivar jumps Woods. Kofi Kingston tries to make the save but both members of the new day are laid out. Ivar hits a moonsault onto both men at once.
Results: Xavier Woods by Pinfall via Backwoods Small Package Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GREAT Seth Rollins In Ring Interview:
In this promo, Michael Cole really did his best to get under Seth Rollins’ skin. Trying to say just how much Shinsuke is manipulating Seth Rollins. Seth being his puppet in this manner. Seth continues to sell us in this feud. Shinsuke has a video where he mentions how his plan was successful. Nakamura attacks him from behind and has the video continuing of him counting. Seth got up twice before Shinsuke counted him down with the live mic.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
SQUASH Chelsea Green Vs Tegan Nox:
Tegan was talking with Adam Pearce earlier on in the show, where Tegan had the idea to make this match. It was a quick match that saw Green try to use Piper to help her win. Natalya came out to help Tegan as Tegan got a molly go round and the shining wizard for the win. Natalya raises Tegan’s hand in an attempt to gain her respect.
Results: Tegan Nox by Pinfall via Shiniest Wizard
AMAZING Drew McIntyre Promo:
Drew’s promo was really good as he continues to go through this growth into now wanting to do other stuff. The Miz showed up and tried to say he was supportive and standing up for Drew. Drew continued to tell The Miz to shut up. Drew is inching closer and closer to turning fully heel and you can see it happening.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
SQUASH Drew McIntyre Vs The Miz:
After a rather short match, Drew did the 3-2-1 with the crowd for the claymore. He had second thoughts before grabbing his sword. The ref took the sword from him as Drew then ripped off the turnbuckle Miz started to remove. Drew got the future shock. After the match he grabbed a mic. And said that after doing the heelish move, he felt sorry for his actions and now he was forgiven.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Future Shock DDT
GOOD Cody Rhodes Promo:
In a short promo, Cody Rhodes came out to the stage for an interview and hugged a member of the WWE Universe. Mentions how this was unexpected for him to be teaming with Jey Uso. Before saying if Judgment Day is going to be on Smackdown, so will he and Jey.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
AMAZING Tommaso Ciampa Vs Gunther – Intercontinental Championship Match: WWE Raw October 2 2023 Main Event
From start to finish this match had a great build and great psychology. From them laying in hard strikes with each other before Ciampa was able to target Gunther’s hand. The crowd really got into it as the match was accelerating. Gunther got the win after two powerbombs and choking Ciampa out completely. After the match, Imperium was beating Ciampa down as Gunther left. Johnny Gargano made his return as he ran down to the ring, helping Ciampa and reuniting DIY.
Results: Gunther by Pass Out Submission via Sleeper Hold
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
Overall…
WWE Raw October 2 2023 was a good go home show. From a solid start to the show with Rhea Ripley’s return and ultimatum for Dom Mysterio. But the rest of the show had a number of matches that were squash matches. While these matches were placed decently half of the matches were able to be rated and the other half were squash ratings. Aside from the storyline progression through the night there were a number of matches within the show that just felt pointless. The crowd was really good for most of the night aside from a couple of the squash matches.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.50/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – October 2 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
