‘WWE Raw’ Review (Oct 16th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Falls Count Anywhere Match – Shinsuke Nakamura def. Ricochet
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Weeks of attacks came to a boiling point as Ricochet battled the nefarious Shinsuke Nakamura in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. The brutal showdown stretched all over the arena and incorporated numerous weapons as well as a Shooting Star Press by The One and Only off the ledge in the crowd. In the final moments, a battle on the top rope led to a wicked kick from Nakamura that sent Ricochet crashing through a table at ringside. This allowed Nakamura to hit the Kinshasa for the three-count.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Piper Niven def. Natalya
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
During Piper Niven’s matchup against Natalya, a distraction by Chelsea Green on the apron allowed her fellow WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion to hit a basement crossbody and overcome The Queen of Harts. After the bell, Green and Niven launched a 2-on-1 attack on Natalya, bringing Tegan Nox to the ring to even the odds.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Ludwig Kaiser def. Johnny Gargano
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The tenacious Johnny Gargano made his return to in-ring action after Tommaso Ciampa suffered an injury at the hands of Imperium. In the final moments, Giovanni Vinci poked Gargano in the eye. As a result, an irate Johnny Wrestling engaged Vinci, but the distraction allowed Kaiser to hit his opponent with the enzuigiri kick before driving him into the canvas for the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Bazler (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley threw down the gauntlet when she reaffirmed that she was the most dominant force on Raw. Before a winner could be determined in The Eradicator’s match against Shayna Baszler, the emergence of Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax and Zoey Stark lit the fuse on an all-out brawl between the five Superstars.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Intercontinental Title Match – Gunther def. Bronson Reed
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a clash of seismic proportions, the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history withstood a jaw-dropping superplex by Big Bronson Reed before lifting the gigantic Superstar and delivering an earth-shattering Powerbomb for the victory.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #6: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship – Finn Bálor & Damian Priest def. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the final moments of a chaotic Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship rematch, The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso suddenly emerged on Raw to cost The American Nightmare and “Main Event” Jey Uso big time as The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor and Damian Priest once again won the titles.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This was a cracking episode of Raw, one that very nearly hit a four-star show (it would’ve if not for the two women’s matches, both of which were wasted opportunities IMHO). The opening match hit hard and the momentum continued throughout the episode, with the Intercontinental title match hitting the show’s biggest high. In fact, that title match really should have been the main event and if it wasn’t for the ongoing storylines that the main eventers are a part of – which have been carrying Raw and Smackdown for weeks now – I think it would’ve been. A brilliant show this week!
