The Labor Day edition of WWE Raw featured GUNTHER defending the Intercontinental Title against Chad Gable.
This week’s Raw took place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary.
Jey Uso started Raw talking about how he is now a part of the Raw roster and he’s all alone without The Bloodline. Sami Zayn interrupted saying a lot of guys in the locker room won’t like that Jey is there. Sami said he was proud of Jey fighting back against The Bloodline and Sami wanted a hug. Jey refused at first, but then said that wasn’t “Ucey” of him. Sami and Jey shared a big hug with the fans cheering loudly for it.
A video aired about Shinsuke Nakamura attacking Seth “Freakin” Rollins after their match at Payback last Saturday. Nakamura said that he was the one that left standing. Nakamura said he would become the World Heavyweight Champion.
Match #1: The Viking Raiders defeated Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle in a Tornado Tag Team Match. – After Valhalla got involved a bit, Kofi Kingston ran out to ringside to try to help Drew & Riddle. Instead, Kofi hit Riddle with a Trouble in Paradise kick when one of the Raiders moved. The Raiders threw Kofi into Drew and gave Riddle a Ragnarok (Powerbomb) through a table and pinned Riddle to win.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins did a promo in the ring saying that Shinsuke Nakamura left standing at Payback while Rollins left the building being pushed in a wheelchair by his wife (Becky Lynch). Nakamura arrived with Rollins saying he wanted to defend the World Heavyweight Title against Nakamura right now. Nakamura said no that. They got into a brawl and Ricochet also got involved to help Rollins since they had a brief talk backstage earlier in the show. This would set up a match.
Backstage after a break, WWE Official Adam Pearce said he was trying to protect Seth Rollins because he’s hurt and Pearce is trying to protect Rollins from himself. Rollins said that didn’t work for him.
Match #2: Ricochet defeated Shinsuke Nakamura by disqualification. – Nakamura got intentionally disqualified by hitting Ricochet with a chair. Seth Rollins made the save, got into a fight with Nakamura and Rollins hit a dive on Nakamura. Nakamura shoved Rollins into the steel steps and Ricochet made the save, so Nakamura ran away.
Zoey Stark was being interviewed backstage when Shayna Baszler interrupted her. They agreed to a match later.
The Judgment Day did a promo bragging about their success. JD McDonagh interrupted and gifted Damian Priest a purple Money in the Bank briefcase that says “Senor Money in the Bank” on it. Priest loved it. Sami Zayn interrupted saying it took five of them to take the Tag Team Titles and wanted a match with Dominik Mysterio for costing Sami & Kevin Owens the Tag Team Titles to Finn Balor & Damian Priest at Payback. JD said he’ll fight Sami and Sami was fine with that.
There's a NEW LOOK on #WWERaw! đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/NWhDJUtQWf
— WWE (@WWE) September 5, 2023
Match #3: Shayna Baszler defeated Zoey Stark by submission. – Stark got a lot of offense, but Baszler put her away with the Kirifuda Clutch and Stark passed out. Post match, Baszler gave Stark a fist bump as a sign of respect.
The Judgment Day met backstage with Finn Balor suggesting they put JD McDonagh in the group. Damian Priest wasn’t sure and Rhea Ripley said they will see how JD does in his match.
Match #4: Raquel Rodriguez defeated Chelsea Green in about two minutes.
After the match, Raquel Rodriguez said she will have a Women’s World Title rematch against Rhea Ripley next week on Raw with Dominik Mysterio banned from ringside.
The Miz hosted Miz TV and introduced John Cena as the guest, but Cena wasn’t there. Miz acted like he was talking to Cena as if he was there while Miz acted like he was beating up Cena. Miz wanted to face LA Knight in a rematch except this time with no special guest referee. Cole trashed Miz for losing his mind.
Jey Uso was backstage with WWE Official Adam Pearce, who told him that somebody from Raw will be traded to Smackdown since Jey was moved to Raw.
Match #5: JD McDonagh beat Sami Zayn with a rollup while grabbing the tights. – A distraction from Dominik Mysterio helped JD get the win. Zayn punched Dominik off the ropes and JD got the cheap rollup.
After the match, Zayn beat up McDonagh with a Helluva Kick while Dominik got away.
Following a break, the rest of The Judgment Day told JD and Dominik they did a good job.
Dominik Mysterio spoke to Jey Uso backstage saying they both come from broken families, so Dominik understands how he feels. Dominik told Jey that The Judgment Day is here with open arms if Jey needs it. Dominik told Jey to think about it. Jey didn’t say anything in reply.
Match #6: GUNTHER beat Chad Gable to retain the Intercontinental Championship. – GUNTHER won with a lariat followed by a Powerbomb for the pinfall win. Gable’s daughter was crying at ringside.
GUNTHER left with the Intercontinental Title around his waist as Michael Cole congratulated GUNTHER for having the longest IC Title reign ever, passing The Honky Tonk Man. The actual date is four days away, but with no title defenses before that, GUNTHER will have the record.
Next Monday, September 11th on WWE Raw
* Rhea Ripley defends the Women’s World Championship vs. Raquel Rodriguez. Dominik is barred from ringside.
* Cody Rhodes returns. Cody was not on this week’s show.