WWE Raw results and notes: Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn set for next Monday, Becky Lynch will defend NXT Women’s Title against Indi Hartwell

October 16, 2023 Neal Flanagan NEWS
Image Courtesy: WWE

Raw took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK.

** On commentary, Kevin Patrick was sitting in for Michael Cole, alongside Wade Barrett.

** Sami Zayn came out for the opening promo wearing a Kevin Owens shirt. He said he had mixed feelings about being alone but was excited for his future as a main-event level singles competitor.

He was interrupted by all four members of The Judgment Day. They surrounded the ring when Jey Uso ran out with a chair, and The Judgment Day retreated. An unsure Sami walked away from Jey.

** Backstage, Jey and Sami had an awkward chat. Sami said it should have been Kevin who had his back, and it was because of Jey’s arrival that Kevin was gone. As Jey walked off, Sami had second thoughts and apologized. They hugged after a “Yeet.”

** The first match was the Falls Count Anywhere match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet. The match included nunchucks, tables, and Ricochet doing a shooting star press from above an arena entranceway.

A bump through a table for Ricochet followed by a Kinshasa knee strike gave the win to Nakamura.

** Chelsea Green talked trash to Tegan Nox backstage before Piper Niven took on Natalya. Kayden Carter, Katana Chance and Nikki Cross were also there.

** The Piper Niven vs. Nattie match got a decent amount of time but ended in a decisive win for Niven. Green and Niven attacked Natalya after the bell but Tegan Nox came to the rescue.

 

** The Judgment Day were shown getting on the same page backstage.

** Seth Rollins came out to the ring. He talked about being confused about where Drew McIntyre stood. He invited McIntyre to the ring. Drew made his way out and said he wanted Rollins at 100% at Crown Jewel but would not babysit him. Rollins showed a video of Rhea Ripley speaking to McIntyre.

Drew said what they talked about was none of Rollins’ business. Rollins told McIntyre to get over his losses at the hands of The Bloodline. The two traded barbs in a segment that elevated their upcoming title match at Crown Jewel.

** A recap of the press that Logan Paul got for calling out Rey Mysterio was shown. It was confirmed that Paul would appear on SmackDown on Friday.

** Ludwig Kaiser dominated the early going of his match with Johnny Gargano. Kaiser had Giovanni Vinci in his corner while we were told Tommaso Ciampa was home injured. A potentially good TV match between these two ended abruptly with a win for Kaiser after Vinci got involved.

** Backstage, Becky Lynch ran into Indi Hartwell, who wanted an NXT Women’s Title match. Becky agreed and briefly faced off with Rhea Ripley as she turned to leave.

** Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn chatted backstage. Drew told Sami it was a mistake to forgive Jey Uso instantly. Drew told Sami he could not relate because Sami had never been a world champion. Sami challenged Drew to a match next week and Drew accepted.

** Rhea Ripley came out for her non-title match with Shayna Baszler. She cut a promo in the ring, saying the women’s division belongs to her and “Mami always comes out on top.” The match started competitively, with Ripley selling her injured left elbow. Nia Jax emerged and wound up in a ringside brawl with both Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark. Stark’s interference caused the match to be thrown out. After the bell, it was Stark left standing after she and Ripley dealt with Jax.

** Becky Lynch was with Adam Pearce to get her NXT Women’s Title match with Indi Hartwell approved for next week. Xia Li also wanted a title shot. Becky no-sold a greeting from Jade Cargill, who appeared and chatted with Pearce.

** Jackie Redmond interviewed Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes. Jey said he has Sami’s back. Cody said The Judgment Day would not run roughshod over Monday Night Raw.

** Bronson Reed took on Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. It was a physical and hard-hitting encounter, as you would expect. Reed’s size was put over as Gunther was unable to lift him for a powerbomb on the ring apron. The inevitable chop battle was interrupted by headbutts from Reed.

The crowd began to bite on near-falls as Reed endured Gunther’s offense. However, the Austrian prevailed in what was an excellent TV match.

** Jackie Redmond interviewed The Miz. Miz complained about not being chosen to open the season premiere. Nia Jax interrupted and took the mic. She said she was still standing and hadn’t hit anyone with her best shot yet.

** Rhea Ripley and Adam Pearce talk backstage. He told her she will defend her title in a Fatal Five-Way Match at Crown Jewel.

** Alpha Academy were training backstage when The New Day appeared. They argued and set up a match for next week.

** A promo for Kofi Kingston’s education center in Ghana was aired.

** Gunther was unhappy with Ludwig Kaiser and Vinci backstage.

** The main event started as a competitive tag match, with the babyfaces getting the lion’s share of the offense until Dominik Mysterio arrived and kept interfering. During all of this, Balor kicked out of the Cody-1D. As Dominik continued to interfere, Sami Zayn appeared and took Dom out. 

Nevertheless, the heels got the upper hand, with Priest delivering a Razor’s Edge to Cody through the announce table. Jey speared both Balor and Priest, but was superkicked by Jimmy Uso, who came from nowhere. Balor got the pin. New Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions.

Full results, WWE Raw, October 16th:

  • Falls Count Anywhere Match: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Ricochet
  • Piper Niven def. Natalya
  • Ludwig Kaiser def. Johnny Gargano
  • Rhea Ripley def. Shayna Baszler via DQ (non-title match)
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) def. Bronson Reed
  • WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships: The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) def. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso (c)

Announced for WWE Raw, October 23rd

  • Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Alpha Academy vs. New Day
  • Giovanni Vinci vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Logan Paul appears
About Neal Flanagan 804 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.
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