WWE Raw October 23 2023 had a mixed bag of things. From a number of squash matches, to a number of strange beginnings to stories. With Nikki Cross acting possessed or something, to Akira Tozawa joining the Alpha Academy. The entirety of the show was built around proving that Cody was right in saying that Rhea Ripley was the leader of the Judgment Day. We have Rhea Ripley advancing things with her division along with having chat’s with Seth Rollins and directly helping Drew McIntyre beat Sami Zayn. The crowd was very solid throughout most of the night and the show had a decent flow but there were back to back squash matches in the second hour resulting in an odd show structure.
WWE Raw October 23 2023 marks the first Raw since Damian Priest and Finn Balor became two time champions. Drew McIntyre faces SamI Zayn. Becky Lynch defends her championship against Indi Hartwell and The New Day faces the Alpha Academy. What happens on the road to Crown Jewel for Seth and Drew, and Rhea Ripley’s “Mami Vs All” Crown Jewel defense?
GREAT Finn Balor and Damian Priest Promo: WWE Raw October 23 2023 Opening Promo
The typical stuff that is said by Finn and Damian is said. Finn had some fun by copying Damian’s “All Rise…” line. Continuing to say they run Monday Night Raw until Cody Rhodes comes out. Cody accuses Rhea Ripley as being the real leader of the judgment day. And that Rhea is Damian and Finn’s Mami too. Listing off Rhea making the decisions and cutting deals especially one with the bloodline. Rhodes then says if he thought last week was the final shot, he would be wrong. Priest would say that Cody’s Story should revolve around Cody being a failure. A match is made for the Crown Jewel between Priest and Rhodes. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso engage in a brawl with them, including Dominik and JD McDonagh. McDonagh played a key role in helping Damian use a chair and the steel steps to injure Cody’s ankle.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Alpha Academy with Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri Vs The New Day: WWE Raw October 23 2023 First Match
This was just a fun match between the teams. From Xavier Woods doing a backwards worm into an ankle lock to Chad Gable just being Chad Gable. The crowd was enjoying the majority of match and there was a small story towards this match. Great tag team psychology as well including some of the blind tags used. All men delivered in their role in this match.
Results: Xavier Woods by Pinfall via Tightrope Diving
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GOOD Becky Lynch Vs Indi Hartwell – NXT Women’s Championship Match:
If I was doing a comparison between the two matches Becky has had with new talent like Tegan and in this case Indi. I would say that Indi Hartwell looked much between than Tegan. Including her perceivable stamina. There was also a slightly better crowd in this match. This match was definitely shorter as the post match angle wanted to build to tomorrow’s match on NXT.
Results: Becky Lynch by Tap Out Submission via DisarmHer
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Women’s World Championship Five Way Contract Signing:
Adam Pearce got everyone to come out one by one with security around the ring. Raquel Rodriguez, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark and Nia Jax all come out and quickly sign the contract. Nia disputed the fact that Rhea wasn’t there and the crowd started to chant for Rhea. Ripley does in fact show up but doesn’t enter the ring. Nia claims that Rhea just wants her to squash the other three. Nia was better on the mic here but the crowd only wants to cheer Rhea and boo Nia. The four women in the ring brawl and are pulled apart by security. The security is taken out by all women before Nia is the one person to stand tall as Rhea watches on.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
SQUASH Giovanni Vinci with Ludwig Kaiser Vs Johnny Gargano:
Giovanni Vinci and Gargano have a rather short match that did move the story along. Ciampa had returned and attacked Ludwig from behind and then Vinci lost to Gargano. Setting up DIY vs Imperium next week.
Results: Johnny Gargano by Pinfall via One Final Beat
GOOD Logan Paul Promo:
Logan once again dogged Dillon Danis with the news of his Bellator release. He says that he can’t say much about his free agency because Logan is one in WWE. He reveals hopes to defend the US title on Raw. Before Dominik Mysterio comes out. Both Dominik and Logan receive a large number of boos’ as the purpose of this segment was still in question. Logan praises and invites Samantha Irvin into the ring. Dominik and Logan try to get Samantha to announce a preview of what she would say when Logan beats Rey. Ricochet then comes to the aid of his fiance and attacks both men. Nearly hitting a shooting star press onto Dominik Mysterio.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
SQUASH Piper Niven and Chelsea Green Vs Natalya and Nikki Cross?:
I have no idea why this match was still done with Tegan’s injury. Nikki Cross has the same face the whole match, doesn’t try to tag or run anywhere. She left mid match and then the champions got the victory.
Results: Piper Niven by Pinfall via Running Seated Crossbody on Natalya
AMAZING Sami Zayn Vs Drew McIntyre:
This was clearly a solid and very entertaining match between Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre. A clear story of Sami trying to prove that he is a world title contender. There were very solid exchanges in the match. As Drew set up for a claymore, Rhea Ripley came out and distracted both men. Sami got a small package but Drew kicked out. He hit an exploder in the corner before trying for the helluva kick. Rhea gets on the apron and blows a kiss to Sami. Drew connects with a Claymore for the win. Sami Zayn being protected in this loss.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Claymore
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
SQUASH Bronson Reed Vs Akira Tozawa with Maxxine Dupri:
Short match with Bronson getting the win again. Hitting a death valley driver, the running senton and the tsunami.
Results: Bronson Reed by Pinfall via Tsunami
GREAT Jey Uso Vs Damian Priest: WWE Raw October 23 2023 Main Event
This was an overall good and solid TV main event between both men. We had Finn Balor distracting Jey Uso and that being the reason Damian was able to get the victory with the South of Heaven. After the match Damian and Finn beat down Jey before an injured Cody Rhodes makes his way down. Cody stands tall in the ring with a chair as Finn and Damian retreat.
Results: Damian Priest by Pinfall via South Of Heaven
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall…
WWE Raw October 23 2023 had a mixed bag of things. From a number of squash matches, to a number of strange beginnings to stories. With Nikki Cross acting possessed or something, to Akira Tozawa joining the Alpha Academy. The entirety of the show was built around proving that Cody was right in saying that Rhea Ripley was the leader of the Judgment Day. We have Rhea Ripley advancing things with her division along with having chat’s with Seth Rollins and directly helping Drew McIntyre beat Sami Zayn. The crowd was very solid throughout most of the night and the show had a decent flow but there were back to back squash matches in the second hour resulting in an odd show structure.
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 23 2023
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