It was a WWE Raw highlighted by GUNTHER defending the Intercontinental Title against Chad Gable, plus The Judgment Day faces three rivals in the main event.
This week’s Raw took place at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Sami Zayn got a huge ovation to start Raw since he’s from the Montreal area, so it’s his home province. The ovation and “Ole” chanting lasted several minutes. The Judgment Day appeared looking like they might beat up Zayn, but Zayn said he wasn’t alone. Kevin Owens made his Raw return after a month off due to a rib injury and cleaned house. Owens hit a Stunner on Priest to end his offensive attack.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn challenged any two members of The Judgment Day to a match. That would be the main event later in the show.
Match #1: The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle. – Erik of The Viking Raiders pulled Drew off the apron before he could tag. Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on Riddle to win.
After the match, The Viking Raiders attacked The New Day. Drew McIntyre went back into the ring and beat up both Viking Raiders to clear the ring.
A video package aired about Shayna Baszler as she said she isn’t here to be a hero, she’s here to set it all on fire and your only hope is to survive.
Match #2:Chad Gable defeated GUNTHER by countout. – GUNTHER remains the Intercontinental Champion because you can’t win the title by countout. Gable gave Gunther a German Suplex on the floor and got back in the ring to beat the ten count.
Cody Rhodes did an interview hyping up the crowd for his friends Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens facing The Judgment Day later in the show.
Shinsuke Nakamura revealed what he said to Seth Rollins last week. Nakamura said he told Rollins “I know about your back.” Nakamura talked about how Rollins has a lot of back pain, so Nakamura will target that.
It’s official for WWE Payback on September 2nd: Seth “Freakin” Rollins defends the World Heavyweight Championship vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
Match #3:Rhea Ripley defeated Candice LeRae by submission in a short match.
After the match, Raquel Rodriguez beat up Ripley and cleared the ring. Raquel announced that at Payback, Ripley defends the Women’s World Title against Raquel.
Tommaso Ciampa did a seated promo backstage somewhere. Ciampa said “do it yourself” during the promo to tease the #DIY tag team name he had with Johnny Gargano in the past.
Match #4: Akira Tozawa defeated The Miz. – The Miz was looking at LA Knight on commentary, so Tozawa rolled up Miz for his first WWE Raw win in over six years! After the match, Knight went into the ring and hit BFT on The Miz. Yeah!
Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus did a promo exchange to build their Steel Cage Match at Payback on September 2nd. Lynch said she’s unstoppable because she always fights and Stratus isn’t fearful of a Steel Cage because of all she’s accomplished. Lynch also said she faces Zoey Stark in a Falls Count Anywhere Match next Monday on Raw.
Match #5: Piper Niven & Chelsea Green defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter. – After Gren was beaten up, Niven tagged in, threw Carter onto the commentary table and Niven hit a running cross body block splash on Chance to get the pinfall win.
Seth “Freakin” Rolins, the World Heavyweight Champion, was interviewed backstage about Nakamura’s comments. Rollins said it’s true that he has a back injury that will likely shorten his career but added it’s “part of the gig” of being a pro wrestler. Rollins yelled about Nakamura mentioning Seth’s wife (Becky Lynch) and daughter (Roux) in the promo. Rollins said Nakamura wasn’t there this week, but next week Seth will be in that ring with his World Heavyweight Title and the world will be singing his song.
Match #6: Damian Priest & Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn by disqualification. – There was chaos at ringside, JD McDonagh showed up and tossed Priest’s MITB briefcase into the ring for Balor. Owens caught it and hit Balor with the briefcase for the DQ.
After the match, The Judgment Day attacked Owens & Zayn, so Cody Rhodes made the save. A match was made right there. Teddy Long would be proud.
Match #7:Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defeated Damian Priest, Finn Balor & Dominik Mysterio. – Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Dominik, Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on Dom too and Owens finished off Dom with a Stunner.
Sami Zayn did a quick post match promo saying that the red Tag Team Titles were for Canada and the blue Tag Team Titles were for Quebec (instead of Raw & Smackdown) at least for this night. The babyface trio celebrated to end the show.
Next Week On WWE Monday Night Raw
Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Chad Gable faces Ludwig Kaiser as well.
WWE Payback on September 2nd has three official matches now:
World Heavyweight Champion @WWERollins defends against @ShinsukeN one week from Saturday at #WWEPayback! pic.twitter.com/VZnzPEmL9J
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2023
* Seth “Freakin” Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Title vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
* Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch in a Steel Cage Match.
* Rhea Ripley defending the Women’s World Title vs. Raquel Rodriguez.