WWE Raw on Sept 18 delivered an alright Raw that continued to build around Jey Uso and the Judgment Day. Was he going to join and betray Cody’s and Sami’s trust? Aside from that and the Shinsuke Nakamura and Seth Rollins’ stuff there wasn’t a lot developed. We know that Gable’s rise to the championship scene again will be longer and probably at a later event. Ciampa seems to be next for Gunther. Nia Jax says its open season on the division as well. The show flew well but the storytelling didn’t advance enough. The crowd was hot for the main stars and was very into the Ivar and Kofi match as well. Not as good of a Raw as last week but it was enjoyable for what was given.
WWE Raw on Sept 18 brings Main Event Jey Uso’s first chance to earn redemption as he faces Drew McIntyre. Cody Rhodes also faces Dominik in a Money In The Bank rematch. Ricochet looks to have another shot against Seth Rollins’ nemesis, Shinsuke Nakamura. What happens between the Viking Raiders and the New Day in their two out of three falls match? Raw star Becky Lynch returns to Raw with the NXT Women’s championship and whats next for Chad Gable on his quest to Gunther?
GOOD Cody Rhodes Promo: WWE Raw Sept 18 2023 Opening Promo
Another similar promo to last week since he was looking to talk about Jey Uso. Dominik Mysterio comes out receiving the same reactions he gets every week. He attempts to mention how Cody will be sorry when Jey Uso joins the judgment Day. Cody Rhodes then mentions how Rhea Ripley might be more interested in Main Event Jey Uso than she is to Dom. Soon after, Damian and Finn come out.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
SQUASH Dominik Mysterio with Finn and Priest Vs Cody Rhodes: WWE Raw Sept 18 2023 Opening Match
For a match that was advertised as a top match for Raw this was way too short. North American champion Dominik Mysterio barely lasts. There was a nice bump for Cody on the outside with Finn’s interference. Cody gets a quick win with a Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes.
Results: Cody Rhodes by Pinfall via Cross Rhodes
AMAZING Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes Promo:
This, now this was great. Kevin Owens calls Cody Rhodes back to the ring before the commercial. Cody comes back to the ring from the stage as Kevin asks Cody to explain himself. Rhodes and Sami both defend and show that they do trust and believe that Jey Uso deserves a second chance. Kevin then made sure to mention Jey being the reason all three of them have lost championship matches against Roman. Owens leaves the ring still very hesitant in trusting Jey.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
Kofi and Xavier are talking to Adam Pearce as he reveals Erik of the Viking Raiders isn’t cleared. The scheduled two out of three falls match is now being postponed. Xavier and Kofi negotiate with Adam about putting Ivar in a singles match.
AMAZING Ivar with Valhalla Vs Kofi Kingston:
WWE could have just let them have a short match, but they didn’t have one. Ivar and Kofi delivered a very solid match. Kofi Kingston proving that he is still able to be one of the top sellers in the company. I enjoyed the power moves and just how Kofi had to work for his spots. Valhalla controlling Ivar to make him do the moonsault is a great storytelling detail. The moonsault nearfall was great and the crowd really got into this match.
Results: Kofi Kingston by Pinfall via Trouble In Paradise
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GOOD Ricochet Vs Shinsuke Nakamura:
Seth Rollins runs down to the ring to attack Shinsuke before the match. Being taken to the back before the match started. This match seemed to struggle to get into the second gear between them. There was good action but the crowd wasn’t always into the match and the finish made sense to the story and to Nakamura’s development. Ricochet stopped Shinsuke from using the chair before using the chair himself. Nakamura hits Ricochet’s leg multiple times into the LED post. Seth runs down once again and takes multiple moments to the back. Landing on a steel chair, being pushed into the table and being back dropped onto one.
Results: Shinsuke Nakamura by DQ via Ricochet Using a Chair
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
SQUASH Piper Niven and Chelsea Green Vs Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler:
Short match that had Chelsea taking the beating. Niven helped Chelsea move and Green got a nice missile dropkick. Shayna as the non-legal participant went after non-legal Piper Niven. Niven body slams Shayna on the outside before Nia Jax comes out. She attacks and lays out everyone that was in the match.
Results: Piper Niven and Chelsea Green by DQ via Nia Jax interference starting with Piper.
Adam Pearce is on the phone regarding Seth Rollins. Chad Gable comes in and asks about getting another opportunity. Bronson Reed comes and tells Chad to get to the back of the line. Pearce says to Chad and Bronson if they want to fight, they can fight next.
GOOD Chad Gable Vs Bronson Reed:
In a very interesting decision, while selling his knee greatly. Bronson Reed was able to get a victory over the smaller man in Chad Gable. The crowd was very reactive to Gable’s offense and it was good stuff but Reed got the win. This quite possibly could halt Gable’s momentum but how they decide to bring Gable back into the title scene has to be booked well.
Results: Bronson Reed by Pinfall via Tsunami
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GOOD Becky Lynch Promo:
Becky cut a promo about not expecting this to happen. Wasn’t on her bingo card for the year. Saying that it is important to take the opportunities you are given. Becky would continue to mention that NXT represents the future generation. As she was about to challenge someone that hasn’t had a shot and deserves an opportunity to shine. Natalya comes out and goes on about her lengthy career and says how she deserves a shot. Accusing Becky of stealing an opportunity from someone in NXT.
This was a missed opportunity for Natalya to mention Becky’s passport issues for the India event.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Becky Lynch Vs Natalya – NXT Women’s Championship:
This was alright. The match didn’t have much to enjoy. Becky and Natalya were good enough but the crowd was barely interested. There was not much of a story. Alright psychology and nothing incredibly innovative either.
Results: Becky Lynch by Pinfall via Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
SQUASH Giovanni Vinci Vs Tommaso Ciampa:
A match that could have gone on longer. And Vinci was dominating the match. Until Ciampa was able to take advantage. A gorgeous jumping knee to Vinci before being tapped out by Ciampa. Using the same submission that he used last week on Gunther. Ciampa seems next in line before Gable gets back into the championship picture.
Results: Tommaso Ciampa by Pinfall via Sicilian Stretch (Single Arm Hooked Rings Of Saturn)
GREAT Drew McIntyre Vs Jey Uso: WWE Raw Sept 18 2023 Main Event
This match was really fun. Both men haven’t wrestled each other in a long time. Drew and Jey were brawling with each other with the looming threat of the “judgment day.” Both men had great moves being done to each other. Just as Jey fist bumped Damian, he then superkicked all of the judgment day. Drew took advantage with the claymore as he left.
Jey Uso took a beat down with Drew not choosing to make the save. Cody would run down and make the save for Jey.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Claymore
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall…
WWE Raw on Sept 18 delivered an alright Raw that continued to build around Jey Uso and the Judgment Day. Was he going to join and betray Cody’s and Sami’s trust? Aside from that and the Shinsuke Nakamura and Seth Rollins’ stuff there wasn’t a lot developed. We know that Gable’s rise to the championship scene again will be longer and probably at a later event. Ciampa seems to be next for Gunther. Nia Jax says its open season on the division as well. The show flew well but the storytelling didn’t advance enough. The crowd was hot for the main stars and was very into the Ivar and Kofi match as well. Not as good of a Raw as last week but it was enjoyable for what was given.
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 – Sept 18 2023
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