WWE Raw Results – October 16, 2023

Written by John Canton • Published 17th October 2023

It was Monday Night Raw featuring Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso facing Damian Priest & Finn Balor, plus GUNTHER defending the Intercontinental Title.

This was the “Season Premiere” of Raw. This week’s Raw took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City with Kevin Patrick and Wade Barrett on commentary. Patrick was filling in for Michael Cole.

Sami Zayn did a promo about Kevin Owens getting moved to Smackdown. While Sami will miss his friend, he knows Owens will do great there. Zayn said it also means he can show the world that he’s a contender for the World Heavyweight Title. The Judgment Day interrupted with their usual “this is our show” promo. Jey Uso saved Zayn from an attack.

After a break, Zayn talked to Jey backstage with Zayn saying that he was glad Jey was there to save him, but it should be Kevin Owens doing that, except Kevin isn’t here because of Jey. Sami was frustrated. Jey walked away, so Sami walked up to him and apologized. Jey hugged Zayn to show everything was cool with them.

Match #1: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Ricochet in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Nakamura won after knocking Ricochet off the top rope to send him through a table. Nakamura hit a Kinshasa and pinned Ricochet on the floor to win.

Match #2: Piper Niven defeated Natalya by pinfall. After the match, Niven & Chelsea Green attacked Natalya, so Tegan Nox made the save.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, had a lengthy in-ring promo with Drew McIntyre, who is his opponent at Crown Jewel. They talked about a lot of things in their pasts including Drew as a former WWE Champion without fans in attendance and how close he has come to being a champion again. Drew said he would beat Rollins to become the World Champion. At one point, Seth brought up the image from last week when Drew McIntyre was talking to Rhea Ripley. Drew said it was none of Seth’s business. Rollins said when Drew loses at Crown Jewel, he can blame no one but himself. They didn’t fight. It was just talking.

Match #3: Ludwig Kaiser defeated Johnny Gargano by pinfall. Giovanni Vinci eye-poked Gargano during a pin attempt (the referee never saw it), Gargano chased after Vinci and Kaiser capitalized with a DDT variation for the pinfall win.

Backstage, Indi Hartwell asked Becky Lynch for an NXT Women’s Title shot, so Lynch said she would handle it. Lynch also had a staredown with Rhea Ripley.

Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn argued backstage about The Bloodline, Jey Uso and things like that. Drew taunted Zayn by noting that Sami hasn’t been a World Champion like Drew has been. They agreed to a match for next week.

Match #4:Rhea Ripley defeated Shayna Baszler by disqualification when Zoey Stark kicked Ripley.

There was post match fighting between Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. Raquel Rodriguez was also part of it but was taken out by hitting the steel steps.

Becky Lynch got Raw GM Adam Pearce to give her the NXT Women’s Title match against Indi Hartwell next week on Raw. Jade Cargill walked up to Lynch saying she wanted the title too and Lynch told Jade to get in line.

Match #5:GUNTHER defeated Bronson Reed to retain the Intercontinental Title. GUNTHER won a great match with a Powerbomb for the pinfall win.

Rhea Ripley confronted Raw GM Adam Pearce about the Women’s World Title situation. Pearce said at Crown Jewel, Ripley had to defend the title in a Fatal 5-Way against Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Raquel Rodriguez & Zoey Stark.

Alpha Academy was stretching and working out backstage. The New Day interrupted. They agreed to a tag team match for next week’s Raw.

Match #6: The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest & Finn Balor defeated Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso to win back the WWE Tag Team Titles by pinfall. Priest gave Cody a Razor’s Edge through the commentary table to take him out. The finish saw Jimmy Uso show up and superkick brother Jey. Balor capitalized with a Coup de Grace double foot stomp off the top for the win.