WWE Raw: The New Day rock, but Raw rolled down a hill

Thomas Starr

McIntyre gloats after attacking Zayn.
McIntyre gloats after attacking Zayn.

A completely skippable episode of Raw. The New Day continues to be a highlight. But WWE once again exposed how little character development they have done with their women’s division. Who is Lyra and why should I care? I like her but tell me something about her. Plus, they had Dakota Kai do a clean job a week after winning her first round Intercontinental Title Tournament match. What does that accomplish?

I do not recommend even watching the condensed version on YouTube. This was a bad show.

Must-see moments:

The New Day Interview

The New Day were booed out of the building. They did not need to say anything to get heat. This group has not been this over in a couple of years, but suddenly they are the most over heels in the company. Fantastic.

The Final Testament vs. The Wyatts

Just kidding. This was terrible.

Chronological recap:

Gunther was out first. He said Finn Balor has been a “grief” mistake. It may have been grave, but it sounded like a flub. Finn interrupted with Judgment Day.

They hyped Saturday Night’s Main Event. Gunther said he had respected Finn when he came to WWE, but now Finn choses to hang out with a “bunch of weirdos in a clubhouse.”

Gunther said he looks down on Finn and it will be the same on Saturday. Judgment Day started to climb in the ring when Damien Priest came out and attacked Judgment Day. Priest cleared the ringside area, but in the ring, Gunther attacked him.

Finn attacked Gunther before he could put Damien through the announce table. He double stomped Gunther at ringside and then did the same to Priest in the ring. This was a hot mess, and the crowd seemed confused over who to cheer for, Gunther or Priest. Judgment Day were the clear heels though and stood tall over Priest as they went backstage to The Final Testament walking. Boo!

Adam Pearce met Judgment Day backstage and announced that Saturday would be a three-way between Priest, Gunther, and Finn. He also announced a tag title match next week with the War Raiders with Judgment Day banned from ringside.

The Final Testament vs. The Wyatt Sicks

The Miz joined Kross, Tahkka, and Razher in this eight-man tag match of doom. They pointed out a bull rider in the audience. He goes 5’4 and 135, so he would be a top star in AEW. Get ready for more cross promotions like this, folks.

They all threw terrible punches, Testament bailed out, and we went to commercial break. The babyfaces in this feud have kidnapped one of the heels, beaten up their 80-year-old manager, and attacked another one’s wife. Classic babyface moves.

Scarlet interfered to get revenge on her attackers. Scarlett was assaulted by Nikki Cross in her Halloween costume. Then the 80-year-old manager reappeared and got his revenge on the dastardly babyfaces by throwing powder in their faces. Wyatts took the pinfall. Who are we cheering for again?

Winners: The Final Testament

Jackie Redmond interviewed CM Punk. He would not talk about the favor that Heyman promised him. Punk did discuss Rollins and explained that Rollins asked Punk to train him for free. He emphasized the word free. Punk called Rollins a backup and said the “starter” was back. Short, but effective.

Dakota Kai vs. Liv Morgan – Non-title

Tessitore said you could make the argument that there is “no more actively impactful” superstar than Liv. What does that mean?

Liv sent Dakota flying over the top rope to the floor and on the way down Dakota slapped the ringside stairs and sold her head like she landed on it. In case you did not see it the first time the WWE production team made sure you got a better view of how far away her head was on the replay. Excellent job, guys!

Outside of a few pops, the crowd was eerily quiet during this match. WWE has done a fantastic job with Liv, but why are we supposed to cheer for Kai? Seriously, you have all this TV time, and we know so little about her.

Dakota Kai is in the middle of the Intercontinental Tournament and WWE books her to lose clean to Liv. Why not Kairi? Or some other woman. Why Dakota and why now?

Winner: Liv Morgan

Drew McIntyre did a promo. He said he went back home and recovered. Drew said he watched Survivor Series and saw how Punk, Jey, and Sami showed their true colors. He pointed out how they all ran back to Roman. McIntyre said at least Punk took a bribe, but the others were just cowards. He has a point.

Top of the hour

They replayed The New Day angle from last week. Then they went to Adam Pearce’s office where Cody walked out. He told The New Day that they should be ashamed of themselves.

Seth Rollins came out in his Hurricane Helms sunglasses, blue-green arm fur, and black leather suit. What is this guy wearing?

Seth mentioned Punk’s name to a mixed reaction. He called Punk a “fraud” and a “con man.” Rollins admits he asked Punk to train him. He also says Punk helped him get into WWE. But Punk also…ghosted him. Yes, Punk did not return his text messages or social media posts. Plus, he talked badly about WWE. That is Rollins’ reasoning. Yeah, I am not with you here Seth.

Sami Zayn interrupted Seth’s whining about not texting him back. Zayn was wearing a “Yeet” shirt. Sami is getting a little weird. Sami said Seth is starting to sound like McIntyre. Yikes! He said Punk brings out the worst in Seth and he is staying out of Seth and Punk’s business.

Rollins left the ring and Zayn announced that at Saturday Night’s Main Event he would be facing McIntyre. Sami walked towards the back, paused awkwardly, and looked around for Drew who missed his cue. He finally ran out and jumped Sami.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile vs. Zelina Vega – Intercontinental Tournament

Tessitore talked about Lyra’s “career momentum” that she has built this year. Is that momentum being off tv for weeks at a time? Not explaining her gimmick? Which part is building momentum?

After a bunch of stumbling around and bad psychology, Lyra won. Why is it so hard for WWE to make these matches? Two babyfaces vs. one heel? Why?

Winners: Lyra

The New Day stole a camera and walked to the ring. They came out to boos and a “New…Day sucks!” chant. Woods, sadly, gave up the camera before getting into the ring.

The crowd gave The New Day the Dominik Mysterio treatment in the ring. Kofi and Xavier tried to talk, but they drowned them out. Finally, they gave up and left to thunderous cheers. That was great.

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez – No DQ, Anything Goes

More chairs. More garbage cans. Well, plastic garbage bins. And, of course, kendo sticks. This format is so tiring.

Eight minutes in Live shows up. Why do they stay in the back during these matches? Why not have the Judgment Day out there with you? It is No DQ, Anything Goes. Why wait?

Iyo Sky came out and stopped Liv. The same thing she did in the Lyra match earlier. Same move too.

The crowd is really into Rhea Ripley and popped huge when she won. I did not care about this match.

Winners: Rhea

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