WWE Raw live results: Gunther & Tommaso Ciampa contract signing
Date: October 2, 2023
Location: The Shark Tank in San Jose, CA
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Show Recap —
Raw kicked off differently than usual. As soon as the show started, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler were mid-brawl on the stage as officials tried separating them. Jax was getting the better of it so the crowd booed.
Raquel Rodriguez ran out and attacked Jax. Rodriguez booted Baszler by mistake allowing Jax to get the better of Rodriguez.
Rhea Ripley ran out next and hammered away on Jax as the crowd cheered. A big brawl broke out and a million security guards ran out to break it up. Ripley gave one of them a Rip-tide and the crowd chanted, “Mami.”
Things eventually settled down and they cut to the announcers but Ripley interrupted them by calling out the rest of Judgment Day. The announcers ran down tonight’s card before Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio entered. (Michael Cole said Finn Bálor wasn’t there tonight.) Commercial break.
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Judgment Day segment
Back from break, Ripley was mid-sentence. Ripley said there was no leader in Judgment Day but they each needed to handle their business. She said she was gone for two weeks and everything fell apart. She left responsibility to someone in her absence and they let her down. That person was Priest.
Ripley said the brawl last week led to an injury to Bálor, while Priest himself couldn’t compete in his scheduled match against Jey Uso tonight because he wasn’t cleared.
On top of that, Dom lost his NXT North American title to Trick Williams (the crowd cheered) because Priest wasn’t there to help like she asked him to. Ripley also said Priest and Bálor’s tag team titles were in danger because Jey and Cody Rhodes were coming for them.
Priest told Ripley, with all due respect, he knew all of that already. Priest said he was taking care of his own business because he still had his title and his briefcase. She asked Ripley where Dom’s title was. (She already addressed this.)
The crowd chanted, “Where’s your title?” at Dom. Ripley told Dom he had a rematch against Williams tomorrow on NXT thanks to her. If he didn’t win the championship, he shouldn’t bother coming home.
Jey Uso interrupted. Jey wanted everyone to welcome back Miss Rhea Ripley and said, “Hey, we missed you. We all missed you.” He looked at her and said we have a new Tribal Chief on Raw and she had bigger balls than Roman Reigns ever did.
Priest was tired of hearing Jey talk. Priest was about to step to Jey but Dom held him back. The crowd loudly booed as Dom said he would take care of Jey. Jey was amused by all of this. The crowd chanted, “Whoop his ass.”
Jey superkicked Dom but was decked from behind by JD McDonagh. Jey started to fight back but was knocked down by Dom.
Rhodes ran out to make the save. Jey handed out superkicks and Rhodes gave Dom a Cross Rhodes.
Adam Pearce appeared and announced that Priest and Bálor would defend the titles at Fastlane (on Saturday) against Jey and Rhodes.
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They announced the signing of Jade Cargill.
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The first match of the evening began at 8:29 pm.
Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci defeated Chad Gable & Otis (w/Maxxine Dupri) (10:39)
The story was Vinci trying but failing to do his part for Imperium — until he finally came through in the end.
Gable was in complete control for the first few minutes. Otis tried assisting Gable on a dive over the top but they didn’t connect properly. Gable just sort of fell straight down and Vinci did his best to catch him.
Imperium were in control over Gable after a break with no explanation or replay. Gable fought back and made the hot tag to Otis. Kaiser wanted a tag but was displeased to find that Vinci was absent from the apron (Gable knocked him off).
Otis went to town on Kaiser and Vinci tried to make the save but Otis easily press-slammed him. Otis hit a Caterpillar and tried a middle rope fallaway slam but Vinci grabbed Otis by the leg. This allowed Kaiser to fall over onto Otis.
Gable wiped out Vinci with a cannonball as Kaiser hit Otis with a running enziguri for the pinfall win. (Gable chased Kaiser out of the ring after the match.)
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There was a recap of Becky Lynch retaining her title over Tiffany Stratton.
Cole warned the viewers before they showed the nasty laceration to Lynch’s arm.
Pearce informed Tegan Nox that Lynch wasn’t cleared to wrestle tonight so their title match had to be postponed. Nox was upset but understood. Chelsea Green barged in and acted like Nox wasn’t there. She eventually told Nox she should hope that the match gets cancelled so she doesn’t lose. Green said some people weren’t championship material (as she showed off her belt). Nox suggested they have a match tonight and Pearce made it official.
(Lynch will appear on tomorrow’s NXT.)
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Bronson Reed defeated Cedric Alexander (2:18)
Alexander caught Reed off guard and hit a suicide dive and flip dive just a minute into the match. Alexander also hit a Neuralyzer for two. Reed ran him over with a crossbody and hit a senton and Tsunami for the pinfall win.
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Drew McIntyre let Pearce know that he was not going to be on Miz TV. He did it last week because the fans deserved it but wasn’t feeling it this week. Pearce said Miz requested it but McIntyre didn’t care. McIntyre said he did plan on addressing the fans in the ring but didn’t want to see Miz. If he did, Miz would regret it.
Pearce asked if McIntyre was doing alright because he seemed off. McIntyre wondered if Pearce thought he wasn’t doing the “right thing” the last few weeks. McIntyre didn’t recall anyone doing the “right thing” when he was being beaten down by the Bloodline.
[SECOND HOUR]
George Kittle (wearing a Shawn Michaels t-shirt and Christian McCaffrey hat) was shown at ringside with two other members of the San Francisco 49ers. I believe the two others were Elijah Mitchell and Talanoa Hufanga.
Gunther and Tommaso Ciampa contract signing
Gunther wore a suit. Ciampa wore his usual attire.
Ciampa complained to Gunther about not being given the same opportunities as him. Guys like him are served roadkill and are expected to turn it into filet. (Ciampa demanded Gunther look at him. Gunther was amused.)
Ciampa said he planned on winning the title he’s dreamed of winning since he was five years old. His entire family would be there at ringside but he wouldn’t be fighting for them. He would be fighting for that five-year-old boy and would fight with his entire heart and at the end of the night, he would be the Intercontinental Champion. Ciampa signed the contract and demanded Gunther sign.
Gunther said this was a contract signing for the most important title in the business but Ciampa showed up underdressed. Gunther respected Ciampa’s noble motives. Gunther also fought for what was near and dear to him. What meant most to him was the Intercontinental title and he was the greatest IC champion of all time.
Ciampa said Gunther was confident for someone whose whole world was about to crumble. Gunther warned Ciampa to never interrupt him again so Ciampa interrupted him. Gunther told him that he could go home after their match, hug his family and keep dreaming because he would never get this close to the title again.
Ciampa said Gunther still hadn’t signed so it wasn’t too late for them to do the match tonight in San Jose. Gunther wanted to see Ciampa prove it so he signed the contract. Pearce made it official for tonight.
Gunther shoved Ciampa so Ciampa leaped off the table and attacked him. Gunther fought him off and chuckled the table out of the ring. Ciampa put him in the Sicilian Stretch until Gunther was able to escape the ring.
This was good.
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Kofi Kingston joined commentary for the next match. He swivelled his hips in Wade Barrett’s direction because he’s been talking trash about fantasy football, among other things.
Xavier Woods defeated Ivar (8:03)
Woods dropkicked Ivar into the side of the ring ahead of a break. Woods was on offence after the break and got Ivar on his shoulders. The crowd popped as Woods dropped him with what was effectively a sitout DVD. Woods tried powerbombing Ivar off the top rope but Ivar fell on him. Ivar tried a splash but Woods avoided it. Woods followed soon after with a rollup for the pinfall win.
— Kingston loudly gloated to Barrett but he quickly hit the ring upon seeing Ivar attack Woods. Ivar fought him off and laid out both New Day members with spinning kicks. Ivar also powerbombed Kingston onto Woods.
This led to a very impressive spot. With the two men stacked up, Ivar hit them with a moonsault off the top. The crowd chanted, “Holy shit.”
This was all good stuff (except for Cole solemnly saying, “Suddenly, a bad day, for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.)
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There was a video package for Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
Seth Rollins interview
Cole interviewed Rollins in the ring. Rollins was happy to see Cole and put him over as the voice of WWE. Cole mentioned being the one who came up with some of Rollins’ nicknames — including manipulator and puppeteer. Cole wondered if Rollins was now the puppet thanks to Nakamura.
Rollins couldn’t believe he said that and was confident about his match against Nakamura. Cole wondered if Rollins knew what he was doing. He mentioned the dangers of a last man standing match and the poor condition of Rollins’ back. He said Rollins’ back was hanging on by a thread and asked him why he was putting himself through this.
Rollins asked Cole how long he’d been doing commentary. Cole said 26 years. The crowd cheered. Rollins asked how many shows he’s missed and Cole said two.
Rollins said Cole must get it. He was addicted to it. He loved it. That’s what it was like for him to be in the ring and for him to be in front of the people. Rollins had an honour, responsibility and duty. The ring has given him everything — a roof over his head and food on his table. It was the reason he met his wife and why he had a beautiful baby girl.
Now that he was the champion, the responsibilities got amplified. If Fastlane was his last ride, that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he left it all in the ring so he could be an example for his daughter. He didn’t have the words to explain it. It was a feeling, and it felt right.
Nakamura appeared on the screen with a pre-taped promo in Japanese (with English subtitles). Rollins was watching the screen so Nakamura attacked him from behind and laid him out with a Kinshasa to the back of the head.
(I guess Cole saw this coming and decided not to warn Rollins, because he disappeared from the ring and was already back on commentary calling the action. I don’t know why they did this.)
The video of Nakamura began counting to ten but Rollins got up at seven. The real-life Nakamura attacked Rollins repeatedly with a chair.
The video of Nakamura counting played again. Real-life Nakamura watched as Rollins got back to his feet at nine. Nakamura attacked again and gave him a backbreaker onto a chair before hitting another Kinshasa.
Real-life Nakamura quickly counted to ten with Rollins down and held up the world title belt.
This was a strong segment.
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Lynch (with her arm in a sling) approached Nox. She told Nox to be ready to go when the time came for their fight.
Natalya showed up as Lynch left. Natalya acted impressed with Nox and said she was proud of her. Natalya was confident she would nail her opportunity against Lynch when it came. Nox thanked her.
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Tegan Nox defeated Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven) (2:05)
Natalya ran out to her music to back off Piper Niven. Nox knocked Green off the top, hit a Molly-go-round and the Shiniest Wizard for the pinfall win. Natalya held up Nox’s arm post-match.
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Drew McIntyre entered.
[THIRD HOUR]
Byron Saxton interviewed Jey Uso. Jey was happy to team with Rhodes if it meant fighting Judgment Day and fighting for the tag titles.
Drew McIntyre promo
McIntyre said he didn’t owe an explanation to anyone in the back — he only answered to his fans. The fans have been with him through his ups and downs, the firings and the titles.
The truth was that he was going to stop being the saviour and stop getting involved in fights he didn’t start. He’s been doing it for years and was now showing up to fights at less than 100% so he was done with it.
McIntyre hasn’t been making the save but neither has anyone else and called them all hypocrites. Rhodes did make the save but he was just cleaning up his own messes. Rhodes forgiving Jey was a weakness, not a strength.
Miz interrupted. Miz didn’t forgive McIntyre for what he did to him last week or for cancelling Miz TV this week. McIntyre told him to shut up. Miz said he was looking out for McIntyre but he told him to shut up. McIntyre told him to shut up again and the crowd chanted “Shut up, Miz.”
McIntyre knew that Miz wanted him to be the bad guy — maybe attack Rollins and take his belt, or screw Jey Uso at Fastlane. McIntyre wasn’t that kind of guy. He racked up wins and earned title shots. McIntyre felt like getting another win right now with Miz in the ring — unless his balls were still tiny. The crowd chanted “Tiny balls.”
Miz said he wasn’t dressed for a match. Miz said he was wrong about McIntyre. He wasn’t the Batman of WWE, he was Two-Face. Miz acted like a child and said, “I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you I throw up.” McIntyre called him an idiot. Miz said his mom told him that the bigger man would walk away from a fight, so he left.
When McIntyre turned his back, Miz went back in the ring and hit McIntyre with the mic. McIntyre hammered away at Miz until officials stepped in to stop Drew from killing him.
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Drew McIntyre defeated The Miz (3:55)
McIntyre set up for Claymore Kick but stopped and instead grabbed his sword. The ref grabbed it and went to remove it from the ring and as he did this, McIntyre removed the turnbuckle cover. McIntyre drove Miz’s head into the exposed buckle and hit a Future Shock DDT for the pinfall win.
— McIntyre cut a sarcastic promo after the match, taking a shot at Rhodes/Jey. McIntyre said: “I’ve done some serious thinking and I’m not the same guy I was 30 seconds ago. I’m sorry for my actions. And now that I’ve said ‘sorry,’ I’m automatically forgiven! Yeah!” He dropped the mic and stormed off.
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Jackie Redmond interviewed Trick Williams. Williams said it was a pleasure to meet her and he introduced himself to the world. He was 6’4”, 240 pounds of muscle, had gold around his ears, gold around his wrist — and around his waist. He was the North American Champion and would defend his title tomorrow against Dirty Dom.
Dom approached Williams with Ripley and McDonagh. Williams said he was acting tough now that he had Mami by his side. Ripley told Williams that Dom wouldn’t be coming to NXT alone tomorrow.
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Cody Rhodes interview
Redmond interviewed Rhodes near the stage. She asked if Rhodes felt like he had been backed into this tag match against Judgment Day. Rhodes never imagined he’d be tagging with Jey but it was Judgment Day who backed themselves into this situation.
Rhodes heard that Judgment Day will be at Friday’s Smackdown so he planned on being there too, as would Jey Uso. Rhodes said they would win the tag titles at Fastlane and come back to what would be a very different Monday Night Raw.
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The announcers ran down the Fastlane card.
Otis apologized to Chad Gable for losing. Gable said he didn’t have to apologize because he could never be disappointed in his number one guy. The only thing he was disappointed in was the clowns who kept cheating against them. Gable said Gunther has peaked around but when he peaks — everyone is gonna know.
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Raw next week:
- Becky Lynch vs. Tegan Nox for the NXT Women’s title
- Ivar vs. Kofi Kingston in a Viking Rules match
- Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nia Jax
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Gunther defeated Tommaso Ciampa to retain the Intercontinental Championship (22:54)
They got plenty of time and had a great match.
Ciampa took the fight to Gunther early on and applied the Silicilan Stretch less than two minutes into the match but Gunther got a rope break and they went to commercial.
Believe it or not, Gunther was in control after the break. Ciampa fought out of a sleeper and applied the Silicilan Stretch but Gunther escaped. Gunter chopped Ciampa and slammed him on the ring apron ahead of a second break.
They exchanged chops until Gunther placed Ciampa on the top rope, chopped him and booted him to the floor. Ciampa avoided a chop outside the ring and Gunther chopped the announce desk (and sold his arm). Ciampa dropped him with a flying knee and attacked the arm. Gunther used his other arm to hit a chop but Ciampa caught him with a draping DDT for two.
Ciampa kicked at Gunther’s hurt arm and stomped his head. Ciampa went for a running knee but Gunther hit a dropkick for two. Gunther couldn’t hit a powerbomb because of his injured arm so Ciampa hit a reverse DDT and a running knee strike for a nearfall. Gunther blocked a Fairy Tale Ending before chopping Ciampa and dropping him on his head with a suplex.
Ciampa applied the Sicilian Stretch again but Gunther eventually got a rope break. Ciampa fired up with chops but Gunther chopped him in response. Ciampa blocked a chop but Gunther caught him and hit two consecutive powerbombs.
Gunther applied a sleeper as the crowd rose to get behind Ciampa but Ciampa passed out and the ref called it. Gunther retains.
— Vinci and Kaiser put the boots to Ciampa after the match as Gunther walked to the back.
Johnny Gargano ran out (to his music) to make the save. He speared Kaiser and superkicked both men. Ciampa smiled upon seeing Gargano and they laid out Vinci with Meeting in the Middle.