WWE Raw: Is the sun setting on The New Day?

Thomas Starr

The New Day engaged in a war of words
The New Day engaged in a war of words

WWE presented a good episode of Raw. Things moved at a good pace and several storylines were forwarded going into Survivor Series. Outside of the Wyatts – Final Testament segments, the only negative that stood out was Bianca Belair. Days after her tag team partner was dropped on the hood of a car, she was more interested in who would be their fifth partner for Wargames. Not to mention she was dancing and twirling like she normally does despite her partner nearly dying. Not a terrific way to sell the angle.

Must-see moments:

The New Day Backstage Argument

The slow burning breakup of The New Day has been compelling TV. It is hard to believe I am saying that, because a couple of months ago they were an afterthought. This week they turned it up another notch. Next week, they are having a ten-year anniversary for The New Day, but that did not stop the meltdown between these two men.

After losing to Alpha Academy, the cameras followed The New Day into the back. I cannot do this segment justice. These two men gave the performance of a lifetime here and came across genuine. I have no idea how they feel about each other in real life, and I do not care, but they channeled some real frustrations into this segment, and it was fantastic and heartbreaking to watch.

Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser

This was the best match of the night. The bump Breakker took into the announce table looked incredible. He did his spot where he runs around the ring and spears his opponent. Only Kaiser was against the announce table and moved. Breakker went full speed into the corner of the desk.

Despite the match ending in a no contest, it was the best match on the show and featured a spot that will make highlight reels.

Chronological recap:

Gunther came out for an interview in-ring with Jackie Redmond. It was odd seeing an interviewer in the ring for an interview. This is usually where the wrestlers emote with one of their monologues.

Priest interrupted and said Gunther no longer had an aura of invincibility around him. Then he said, “I wonder what happens when the Ring General loses to a guy from the streets.”

Gunther hits Priest with mic and beat down Priest. Gunther clears the announce table, but Priest turns the tide and does a Razor’s Edge on the table.

Backstage, Naomi and Bianca were discussing Jade being thrown onto the roof of a car. It was a gruesome scene. But, of course, Naomi had more important things to think about than someone nearly dying. She said, “We need to find out who did that to Jade, but more importantly we have to find a fifth member.”

LWO vs. American Made – Tornado Tag Match

It is the American Made jobbers in this match. Neither guy seems ready for the main roster, but creative is not helping here. Brutus Creed is a Stifler character now. They did highlight Julius’s athleticism here, though. He showed some incredible strength and agility, he leaped to the top rope from the floor. He made it look easy too. Then he caught Rey coming off the top rope in a press slam position and held him there.

The finish was lame. Brutus did not bump the ref; he just awkwardly trapped the ref in the corner and must stay there for too long as Gable interferes.

Winners: Creed Brothers

R-Truth thinks he’s in the Judgement Day again. When FXXX chastised him, he said they were not invited to Thanksgiving. Funny.

Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Bron took an incredible bump into the announce table. He went full speed into the corner like he was going for a spear. Kaiser moved and Bron crashed into the table.

Good match. Sheamus ran out and attacked Kaiser for the no contest.

Winner: No Contest

All three men brawl after the match. Adam Pearce came out in the middle of the brawl and gave the three men a triple threat match at Survivor Series.

Top of the hour

Usos and Sami were backstage with Cathy Kelley. They previewed Smackdown by announcing Punk and Roman sitting down to talk things out. Then Jey will face Jacob Fatu for the advantage in the Wargames match.

The Judgement Day vs. War Raiders – World Tag Team Championship

In discussing the size and agility of the War Raiders Barrett said, “Gravity is the third member of the War Raiders.” Good line.

Good match. The big men had the crowd behind them by the end. They popped huge when they hit War Machine. Dom interferes which draws the ref’s attention and allows FXXX to knock Ivar off the top rope and JD rolls him up for the win.

Winners: The Judgement Day

They are hyping the ten-year anniversary celebration next week for New Day.

The New Day vs. Alpha Academy

Alpha Academy squashed The New Day. Woods argued with Kingston over who would be in the match first, which distracted Woods enough for Alpha Academy to take advantage. Not sure of the time, but it could not have gone more than a couple of minutes.

Winners: Alpha Academy

Woods and Kingston had an extended argument backstage after the match. This was intense. Both men crossed some lines here. Kofi said Woods was never “good enough” to win a title. Woods pointed out Kofi losing to Brock Lesnar in six seconds. I do not know what their relationship is off camera, but they both channeled some real frustrations here. Maybe not with each other, but with their positions at least. This was compelling.

Miz found Karrion backstage and said the Wyatts were there. They left to find them. Scarlett, inexplicably, was left alone. Of course, the White Witch showed up in the mirror behind her.

Back from break, Karrion found Scarlett beaten up on the floor of her locker room. On the mirror were the words “Everyone has someone to lose.” Sigh.

Adam Pearce, in a segment earlier in the day, introduced an Intercontinental Women’s Title. They needed that. In fact, let us add 12-13 more titles.

Nia Jax vs. Bianca Belair – Wargames advantage match

Bianca is so upset about Jade dying that she is dancing and twirling in the ring. Glad she got over it. Bayley ran out an interfered, which gave Bianca the win.

It is a yearly tradition for WWE to give the babyfaces the advantage in the Women’s Wargames. Why is something this simple so hard for them?

Winner: Bianca Belair

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