Norfolk, 12 September - WWE Raw had been very story-heavy tonight.
Another episode of Monday Night Raw aired live on September 11, 2023, from Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA and it was full of fresh storylines. The main event turned out to be a banger as it was a surprising return in the form of Nia Jax.
Another side of the show saw Chad Gable, Otis, and Tommaso Ciampa (with Maxxine Dupri) defeating Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci in an earth-shattering match. Plush, Cody Rhodes was in a brawl with JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio.
Let's check out the top 5 highlights of the night:
#1. Rhea Ripley defeated Raquel Rodriguez to retain the Women's World Championship
Both women were in the ring, ready to vie for that coveted spot. Remember, Dominik couldn't be ringside. The bell rang, and the match began with Rodriguez delivering a Clothesline. Rodriguez attempted a sunset flip, but Ripley managed to avoid it. Rodriguez followed up with a Powerslam that sent Ripley crashing to the mat.
Rodriguez applied a bear hug, and Ripley tried to find a way to break free. Finally, Ripley escaped with a well-placed headbutt. She then climbed the ring post and executed a Dropkick from the top rope. Rodriguez rolled out of the ring, and Rhea Ripley wasted no time in pursuing her. She went for a Flip to take down Rodriguez and succeeded. Rhea then brought Rodriguez back into the ring and connected with a knee for a cover, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
Ripley showcased her athleticism with a well-executed Dropkick, and it seemed like she was gaining control of the match. She measured Rodriguez but was abruptly sent over the top ropes to the floor. Rodriguez followed up with a devastating big boot, sending Ripley crashing into the barricade.
As the action continued, Rhea Ripley started to take a commanding role in the match. She locked up with Rodriguez and began pounding away. Rodriguez slammed Ripley into the mat to release the pressure on her knee, and both competitors eventually made it back to their feet. Rodriguez attempted a boot, but Ripley dodged it and sent Rodriguez crashing into the turnbuckle. Once again, Ripley gained control. Rodriguez retaliated by sending Ripley into the turnbuckle, delivering a couple of jabs, and finishing with a forearm strike. Both women found themselves down on their knees, trading blows, with Ripley ultimately getting the upper hand. She followed up with a Suplex for a cover, but it wasn't enough for the win.
Ripley landed a blow to the back of Rodriguez's neck, but then it was Rodriguez's turn to take control. She hoisted Ripley up and sent her into the turnbuckle. Rodriguez followed up with a big Boot for another cover, but victory remained elusive. Rodriguez transitioned into a crossbow submission, but Ripley managed to slide out of it and crashed into her opponent. Ripley climbed to the top rope and executed a Frog Splash, going for the cover, but Rodriguez kicked out.
Ripley sent Rodriguez to the floor and positioned herself on the apron. However, this time, Rodriguez caught her mid-air and slammed her into the announce table. Rodriguez then sent Ripley back into the ring. But just when it seemed like Rodriguez might regain control, a surprise attacker emerged on the scene. It was Nia Jax, who launched a brutal assault on Rodriguez outside the ring. Jax finished the assault with a devastating Samoan Drop, sending Rodriguez crashing to the floor. She then rolled Rodriguez back into the ring.
Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley took advantage of the chaos and executed her finishing move, the Riptide, on Rodriguez to secure the victory in the match.
#2. Nia Jax Returned And Attacked Rhea Ripley & Rodriguez
Nia Jax surprised the WWE Universe tonight on Monday Night Raw by making her return and costing Rodriguez her title match against Rhea Ripley. She didn't stop there as she went on to assault Rhea Ripley as well following her successful title defense.
#3. Chad Gable, Otis, and Tommaso Ciampa (with Maxxine Dupri) defeated Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci
This match was indeed a highlight of the night's card. The bell rang, and the match began with Vinci and Ciampa in the ring. Ciampa wasted no time and initiated the action with a Thesz Press, followed by a barrage of punches. Gable attempted a takedown on Vinci, looking to set up a Dead Lift German Suplex, but Kaiser countered it with a well-placed elbow and then a Clothesline.
The duo of Ciampa and Kaiser took control as they sent Gable crashing into the ring post and followed up with a double dropkick, with Gunther delivering a boot for good measure. Gable, however, showcased his Judo skills with a well-executed throw. There were numerous tag exchanges, keeping the pace frenetic. Gunther found himself on the apron, but Ciampa managed to knock him off with a knee strike. Ciampa attempted a Reverse DDT for a cover but couldn't secure the victory. Meanwhile, Vinci struck with a clothesline.
The match was filled with chaotic and exciting moments, making it a standout part of the event. Chad Gable gained control and attempted a Dead Lift German Suplex, but Gunther countered with one of his own. Gunther then went for a Power Bomb, but Gable rolled through it and quickly applied an ankle lock. Vinci, not to be outdone, soared into action with a Springboard Cross Body. However, Gable was relentless and managed to lock in the ankle lock on Vinci, forcing him to tap out and securing the victory for his team.
#4. Drew McIntyre defeated Xavier Woods
The match had commenced with Woods delivering punches in the center of the ring. Woods aimed to maintain a quick pace, but Drew McIntyre thwarted his advances with a Glassgow Kiss. Woods retaliated with a punch followed by a kick to the ribs. He attempted another kick, but Drew countered with a massive Clothesline that sent Woods sprawling. Drew went for another Clothesline, but this time Woods evaded it, causing Drew to crash to the floor. Woods capitalized by attempting a Suicide Dive, but Drew caught him mid-air and hurled him into the announce table.
After the break, the action continued as Drew and Woods battled on the top turnbuckle. Drew attempted to hoist Woods onto his shoulder, but Woods countered with a Powerbomb and immediately followed up with a leg drop for a pin attempt, but Drew managed to kick out. Drew responded with a Belly to Belly Suplex, then another, and capped it off with a neck breaker. He set up for the Claymore kick, but Woods countered with a massive Superkick, going for the cover, but Drew kicked out.
Woods geared up for another kick, but Drew blocked it and delivered a chest-chopping chop. Drew then attempted to execute an Alabama Slam, but Woods evaded it. Instead, Woods landed a Superkick, followed by a basement kick, and attempted a pin, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. Both competitors started exchanging punches in a heated battle. Finally, Drew McIntyre managed to connect with a Claymore kick after missing it a few times earlier in the match. He covered Woods and secured the victory.
#5. Cody Rhodes Promo
The music had hit, and Cody Rhodes made his way down to the ring. Once in the ring, he grabbed the microphone and asked the fans what they wanted to talk about. However, before he could continue, he was rudely interrupted by Dominik and JD McDonagh. Dominik had a microphone of his own, but the crowd's massive boos made it nearly impossible for him to speak.
Cody eventually reached his breaking point and retaliated by punching Dominik. JD took advantage of the situation and attacked Cody from behind, joining forces with Dominik to form a two-on-one assault. Cody Rhodes managed to send JD over the top ropes and out to the floor. He then planted Dominik with a CodyCutter. JD attempted to re-enter the ring but found himself on the receiving end of a devastating CrossRhodes from Cody. Cody delivered another CrossRhodes to Dominik, and then both Dominik and JD retreated, leaving Cody standing tall in the ring.
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