WWE RAW, held on August 14, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was a night filled with drama, action, and unexpected turns.
The Canada Life Centre was buzzing with excitement as fans eagerly awaited the night’s events, but what actually happened on the show?
WWE RAW Opening Segment: The Judgment Day’s Drama
The night kicked off with “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes set to face Finn Balor of The Judgment Day. Becky Lynch was also scheduled to face WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, with Zoey Stark banned from ringside.
The highlight of the opening segment was Shinsuke Nakamura’s candid interview with Michael Cole, where he explained his reasons for attacking World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins the previous week.
The Judgment Day, including Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley, made their entrance. However, Finn Balor was noticeably absent.
Flashbacks showed Priest’s accidental interference in Bálor’s championship match against Rollins at SummerSlam. The tension was palpable as Priest and Ripley discussed their recent miscommunications and challenges.
JD McDonagh, Finn Balor’s friend, interrupted the segment, delivering a message from Bálor. The message hinted at potential conflicts within The Judgment Day, especially concerning Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn.
JD McDonagh vs. Sami Zayn
The first match of the night saw JD McDonagh face off against Sami Zayn. The bout was intense, with both competitors showcasing their skills.
McDonagh focused on Zayn’s injured arm, but Zayn’s resilience shone through. The match took a turn when Finn Bálor made his appearance, causing a distraction. However, Zayn managed to secure the victory with a Helluva Kick.
Backstage Drama: Chelsea Green’s Dilemma
In a backstage segment, Chelsea Green was informed by WWE Official Adam Pearce about her tag team partner Sonya Deville’s injury.
Green’s reaction was fierce, and she threatened legal action. However, the segment took a twist when Kayden Carter and Katana Chance expressed their desire for a title shot.
The surprise return of Piper Niven, who declared herself as Green’s new partner, added more intrigue to the storyline.
WWE RAW: Cody Rhodes’ Interview
Byron Saxton interviewed “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, discussing Finn Balor’s unpredictable behaviour. Rhodes acknowledged Bálor’s leadership qualities and expressed his readiness for their upcoming match.
Gunther’s Address to Chad Gable
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, accompanied by Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, addressed the crowd.
He acknowledged Chad Gable’s achievements but downplayed his chances of dethroning him. Gable responded confidently, reminding Gunther of his recent victory over him and setting the stage for their impending clash.
Here are the quick results from the show via WWE.com:
JD McDonagh interrupted The Judgment Day with a message from Finn Balor
Sami Zayn launched a counterattack on JD McDonagh with no resistance from The Judgment Day
Sami Zayn def. JD McDonagh
Piper Niven powered her way into a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship reign alongside Chelsea Green
Maxxine Dupri slapped Ludwig Kaiser during heated exchange between Intercontinental Champion Gunther and his imminent challenger Chad Gable
Chad Gable def Giovanni Vinci
Intercontinental Champion Gunther def. Otis
Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle def. The Viking Raiders
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley def. Indi Hartwell
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins granted Shinsuke Nakamura a title match. The King of Strong Style hit The Visionary with another Kinshasa
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus ended in a Double Count-Out
Cody Rhodes def. Finn Balor
