9/23 WWE Raw Results: Powell’s review of AJ Styles vs. Ricochet vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Robert Roode in a five-way for a shot at the WWE Universal Championship, Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Cross, Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin in a rematch of the KOTR final

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live on September 23, 2019 from San Francisco, California at Chase Center

[Hour One] Raw opened with a video package on last week’s segments involving “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, Kane saving Seth Rollins from an attack by The OC, Robert Roode, and Dolph Ziggler, and Wyatt putting Kane in the Mandible Claw…

WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins made his entrance. The broadcast team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young checked in from their desk and spoke about Wyatt terrorizing Rollins. In the ring, Rollins said he’s done a lot over the years and he’s never felt the way he felt last week on Raw.

Rollins said he was defenseless because he was mugged by five men when the living embodiment of a nightmare was just inches from his face. Rollins said he had no fight left in him and all he could do was close his eyes and hope that it was a bad dream that he would wake up from. Rollins said it’s not and he has to step into Hell in a Cell and defend his title against The Fiend.

Rollins said he would do what he always does when his back is against the wall by surviving and prevailing. He said no one gave him a chance against Brock Lesnar and yet he survived and prevailed. He said it took everything he had to beat Braun Strowman, but he survived and prevailed. He said no matter what Wyatt comes at him with at Hell in a Cell, he will survive and prevail.

Braun Strowman made his entrance while Cole noted that it took four Stomps and a Pedigree for Rollins to put him down at Clash of Champions. Strowman grabbed a mic and then looked at Rollins for a bit and then said if Rollins had something to say about him then he would prefer him to say it to his face. Strowman said that unlike his HIAC opponent, he doesn’t dress up like Mr. Rogers and play psycho games with puppets.

Strowman said Rollins cost them the Raw Tag Titles and then stated on Raw that he hopes Strowman doesn’t get a rematch. Rollins said he has a lot on his plate and he actually said that he was happy he didn’t have to face him anytime soon after the beating he put on him “at Hell in a… Clash of Champions.” Rollins said the way Strowman was getting up in his face made him want to fight him. Strowman asked if that was a challenge. Rollins said he could take it however he likes. “Good, then tonight you’re gonna get these hands,” Strowman said before dropping the mic…

The broadcast team spoke behind their desk about the five-way match to determine who will challenge Rollins on next week’s “season premiere” of Raw. They also hyped Nikki Cross vs. Sasha Banks, and Chad Gable vs. “King Corbin” in a rematch from the King of the Ring finals…

The Viking Raiders made their entrance for a match against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson… [C] An ad aired of NXT on USA Network…

Powell’s POV: I’m surprised they are going with Rollins vs. Strowman tonight. It could be due to the match playing into the Bray Wyatt storyline or even because they won’t be on the same brand much longer due to the draft that starts on October 11. The verbal exchange was well done and I like that they played on Rollins saying he was happy Strowman wouldn’t be getting a rematch anytime soon. It seemed like an odd choice at the time, but now it makes sense in that it set up the need for tonight’s rematch.

1. “The Viking Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (w/AJ Styles). The OC”s entrance was televised and they came out to new music rather than the Styles’ theme. The match was sponsored by a pizza chain. The Vikings Raiders and Gallows all wore face paint. Styles grabbed the foot of Ivar, who was standing on the apron. Gallows kicked Ivar to ringside. The referee ejected Styles for interfering. Once Styles got to the ramp, Cedric Alexander came out and attacked him. They fought heading into a break at 3:45. [C]

Erik was isolated for a bit and took a Boot of Doom that led to a near fall for Gallows. Gallows and Anderson went for the Magic Killer, but Erik kicked out of it. The Viking Raiders hit the Viking experience on Anderson. Erik took out Gallows with a suicide dive while Ivar pinned Anderson…

The Viking Raiders defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in 10:45.

Powell’s POV: A good match. The crowd was lifeless during the Viking Raiders’ entrance, but they won over the fans throughout the match and had a lot of cheers once they scored the pin.

Cole hyped that he would conduct a sit-down interview with Becky Lynch…

Robert Roode was shown walking backstage when he was approached by Charly Caruso, who asked him about being in the five-way match for a shot at the Universal Title. Roode noted that he pinned Rollins to win the Raw Tag Titles. He said worked in a Glorious line…

A teaser aired for the Firefly Funhouse for later in the show… [C]

Powell’s POV: It’s all Bray Wyatt all the time as far as the plugs are concerned. Wise move. He’s clearly the hottest act in the company at the moment.

After some graphics that touted the host city were shown, Cole conducted a sit-down interview with Lynch. Cole noted that there’s only been one HIAC match in women’s division history and Banks was in that match. Cole also noted that Bayley would likely be floating around ringside. Lynch spoke about how the point of HIAC is to keep Banks in the match. She said Banks ran through the crowd at Clash of Champions and she called it vintage Sasha in that she was looking for a way out. Cole noted that Lynch was fined $10,000 for using a chair at Clash of Champions. Lynch said Banks tried to end her with the chair shots she gave her when she returned. Lynch said Banks will get her chance and she better take it at HIAC because Lynch will…

2. Rusev vs. EC3. EC3’s entrance was not televised. EC3 got a little offense, then Rusev caught him with a swinging slam and then dominated the match. Rusev hit a Machka Kick and applied the Accolade for the win…

Rusev defeated EC3 in 1:45.

Powell’s POV: It’s great to see Rusev back, but I am still baffled by the company’s refusal to do anything meaningful with EC3. Yes, I know he won the WWE 24/7 Championship over the weekend, but the key words used in the previous sentence were “anything meaningful.” EC3 is a good talker, a good wrestler, and has the type of physique that Vince McMahon typically loves. What am I missing?

Rey Mysterio spoke backstage and said he nearly retired a few weeks ago. He said he was just experiencing a moment of serious doubt. He said his son Dominic convinced him to stay and now he has a chance to earn a shot at the WWE Universal Championship. Mysterio said he knew Dominic was watching and dedicated his match to him…

Sasha Banks made her entrance. Bayley accompanied her to the ring for her match against Nikki Cross… [C]

Powell’s POV: Mysterio dedicating the match to his son makes him the favorite to win tonight’s five-way. By the way, an AEW commercial aired on my DirecTV feed for the October 2 debut of their television series on TNT.

3. Sasha Banks (w/Bayley) vs. Nikki Cross (w/Alexa Bliss). Cross’s entrance was also televised. Banks took a couple of powders to get away from Cross. Nikki followed her to ringside and climbed on her back to apply a sleeper, but Banks fell backward intentionally to slam Cross to the mat head into a break around 5:15. [C] Banks targeted Cross’s left knee. She went after it at 12:15 and was shot through the ropes and into the ring post casing.

[Hour Two] Cross followed up with a cross body block onto Banks at ringside. Back inside the ring, Cross picked up a near fall. A short time later, Banks picked up a near fall and when she showed surprise, her teeth had some blood on them. Cross caught Banks in the ring apron skirting and worked her over.

Back in the ring, Cross performed a neckbreaker. Bayley climbed onto the apron, then dropped off when Cross took a swing at her. Bliss attacked Bayley and tossed her into the timekeepers area. Cross went up top and performed a cross body block, but Banks rolled through it and applied the Bank Statement for the win.

Sasha Banks defeated Nikki Cross in 15:35.

After the match, Banks performed the Backstabber on Bliss and then put her in the Bank Statement. Bayley hugged Banks at ringside and raised her arm…

Powell’s POV: A well worked and yet longer longer than anticipated match. Cross typically loses her singles matches and Banks is being built up for HIAC, so I thought this would have been more of a quick and decisive win for Banks. They filled the time nicely, though it would have been nice to have heard from Cross going into the match to give fans a reason to back her.

Backstage, Styles asked Gallows and Anderson when “they” will learn that they’re not in his league. Styles said it doesn’t matter if you’re a superhero or a rockstar because he’s phenomenal and nothing will get in his way. They did the too sweet hand gesture… [C]

Cole touted WWE’s social media count… The broadcast team hyped Brock Lensar appearing on next week’s Raw season premiere…

The Street Profits did their backstage bit. They spoke about the five-way elimination match. They also spoke about the look on Ricochet’s face when Maria Kanellis said he is the father of her unborn child. The Miz entered the picture and boasted that he became a father for the second time on Friday. Miz also said he will be hosting a Miz TV segment on next week’s Raw with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair as his guests…

Footage aired from Smackdown of Brock Lesnar laying out Kofi Kingston with an F5. Cole hyped Kingston vs. Lesnar for the WWE Championship on the October 4 premiere of Smackdown on Fox…

A teaser aired for the Firefly Funhouse coming up next. Cole then said he could only imagine what Wyatt has in store coming up later in the night…

Lacey Evans made her entrance for a match going into a break… [C] An ad for Smackdown touted Shane McMahon inviting Kevin Owens to the show to settle their lawsuit, and Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan meeting face to face… [C] Ember Moon made her entrance…

4. Lacey Evans vs. Ember Moon. Cole said Moon is looking forward to the draft so she can reinvent herself and position herself as a contender. Cole said the Firefly Funhouse would air immediately after the match. Natalya was shown watching the match on a backstage monitor. There was a cool spot where Moon caught Evans was hanging by her feet from the bottom rope, yet managed to hit Evans with a Stunner on the floor. Back inside the ring, Moon set up for her finisher, but Evans pulled her hair and blasted her with a Woman’s Right to knock her off the ropes. Evans applied the Sharpshooter for the win.

Lacey Evans defeated Ember Moon in 5:30.

After the match, Sarah Schreiber asked Natalya about Evans using her finisher for the second week in a row. Natalya said Evans hasn’t mastered the hold yet and said that if she wants a rematch then she better be ready to tap out…

Powell’s POV: So Moon wants to reinvent herself and position herself as a contender via the draft. What happens if she doesn’t change brands? Anyway, I hope things get better for her, as she strikes me as someone the company should be doing more with. Anyway, you can tell how excited the company is by The Fiend based on all the plugs and Cole even going so far as to tell viewers that the new edition was coming up after the match.

The new Firefly Funhouse video aired. It opened with a shot of Kane’s picture on Wyatt’s Wall of Friendship with his eyes X’d out. Seth Rollins was on the wall below Kane, and Wyatt hung up a new frame. Huskus the pig puppet and Ramblin’ Rabbitt were fighting over a Seth Rollins action figure. Wyatt said that sharing isn’t easy, but if you love something too much then you become weak and vulnerable to all sorts of negative feelings like disappointment, neglect, and loneliness.

Wyatt said he knows what it’s like to be abandoned by those he loves the most. The Rabbit said they don’t want him to hurt Rollins. Wyatt ended up breaking the Rollins action figure in half and laughing. He threw the two pieces aside and then made a serious face. The Fiend flashed. Wyatt smiled, laughed, and said he’ll see you in hell… [C]

The broadcast team gushed over NXT’s debut while some mainstream media pieces were shown…

R-Truth and Carmella ran to the ring. The usual suspects eventually followed. Carmella called for them to stop. They all stood on the apron and listened as she said they couldn’t take it anymore. Truth told her they would get out of the mess. He said his clown friend would get him a ride and they could hide out. Carmella said she was being serious and she couldn’t do it anymore.

Truth hugged Carmella, who rolled him up and pinned him to win the title. Truth looked surprised, then held up her arm in victory. Sarah Logan, the IIconcis, Dana Brooke, and Tamina ran out. Truth put Carmella on his back and they ran out of the arena bowl with the women in pursuit. The men stood on the apron and looked dejected…

Powell’s POV: Why not let the women have some fun with this? It might freshen things up a bit since it seems like every week is R-Truth running away from Drake Maverick and the rest of the usual suspects.

Backstage, Sasha Banks told Bayley that Cross and Bliss got what they deserved. Banks said she would be the only woman standing after Hell in a Cell…

King Corbin made his entrance and was listed as “King Corbin” on the video wall. Corbin came out wearing a black crown with a new cape and black scepter. Graves said it was all fit for the Iron Throne (Game of Thrones). Cole hyped Corbin vs. Chad Gable as coming up after the break… [C]

Cole once again touted that the show was in San Francisco while more city images were shown…

Shinsuke Nakamura was shown sitting backstage while Sami Zayn hyped him up as the poet, the artist, and the king of strong style. Nakamura stood up and said something quietly (maybe in Japanese), then Zayn apologized and told him he was doing great…

Footage aired from Smackdown of Chad Gable destroying the KOTR crown, robe, throne, and scepter. Gable made his entrance for the rematch…

5. King Corbin vs. Chad Gable. Graves labeled Graves the Tyrion Lannister of WWE (a dwarf Game of Thrones character played by the great Peter Dinklage). Corbin told a short joke and then stalled as he removed his garb. The wrestlers ended up at ringside. Corbin tossed Gable over the barricade and onto a couple of security guards who broke his fall. [C]

Gable performed some late wheel kicks and then went to the top rope. Corbin recovered and cut him off, then slammed him to the mat and covered him for a two count. Corbin chokeslammed Gable and got another two count while the broadcast team raved over Gable staying alive.

[Hour Three] Gable rallied and hit a moonsault for a good near fall that got a rise out of the crowd. Corbin went for End of Days, but Corbin avoided it and applied an ankle lock. Corbin grabbed his scepter and hit Gable with it for the DQ.

Chad Gable beat King Corbin by DQ in 14:55.

After the match, Corbin hit Gable with the scepter a couple more times, then stood him up and hit him from behind with it. Corbin went to the corner and put his crown and cape on…

Powell’s POV: Just when I was starting to enjoy Baron Corbin again, they turned him into a Game of Thrones cosplayer. By the way, I wish WWE had a character written even a quarter as well as Tyrion Lannister was during the HBO run. Yes, I know the books are better (they always are according to every book reader ever), so at least spare me the emails until George RR Martin finally gets around to finishing the damn job.

Another “Who Is AOP” video aired. They sat in front of a black backdrop and said they exposed how soft the rest of the teams are. They said they would show people who AOP is. The duo stood up and left the room where their sit-down segment was being filmed. They walked into the hallway and attacked a couple of people. The cameras cut out. They picked up again with AOP sitting back in the room and dusting off their suits. They said no you know why no one will fight AOP…

Rey Mysterio made his entrance for the main event… A Connor’s Cure video aired and spotlighted a young fan who boasted that he took down cancer. He asked if that was good. Roman Reigns was shown working the camera and said he couldn’t have done it better himself… [C] Another NXT on USA Network ad aired…

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviewed Ricochet, who said there comes a time in everyone’s life when they have a chance to soar and defy the odds. He said the match would prove that superheroes can be real and that his time has come. The remainder of the entrances took place…

Powell’s POV: Ricochet is a grown ass man who wants to be a superhero. If I told my family that I want to be a superhero they would rightfully have me committed.

6. AJ Styles vs. Ricochet vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Sami Zayn) vs. Robert Roode in a five-way elimination match for a shot at the WWE Universal Championship. Roode ducked to ringside once the bell rang while the other four men fought inside the ring. Mysterio performed an Asai moonsault onto Styles, then Ricochet dove onto Nakamura heading into an early break. [C]

Styles and Roode had a moment, which led to a few TNA chants. They worked together and then Roode went after Styles, who ducked him and drilled him with a Pele Kick for a two count. Later, Ricochet hit the Recoil on Roode, then stood up and took a Kinshasa from Nakamura, who pinned him. [C]

Ricochet was eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura.

Powell’s POV: Superhero, my ass.

Styles and Nakamura exchanged strikes. Nakamura got the better of it and covered Styles for a two count. A short time later, Mysterio hit a 619 on Nakamura and was setting up for another move when Styles took him out and then dropped him on the apron with a brainbuster. Styles hit Nakamura with a Phenomenal Forearm and pinned him.

Shinsuke Nakamura was eliminated by AJ Styles in 17:50.

Moments later, Roode performed a Glorious DDT on Styles and pinned him.

AJ Styles was eliminated by Robert Roode in 18:00.

The match came down to Mysterio and Roode. Roode set up for his finisher, but Mysterio avoided it. Mysterio went for a 619, but Roode caught him with a spinebuster for a near fall. Mysterio went for a springboard senton, but Roode caught him and set up for his finsiher, but Mysterio countered into a 619 and followed with a frogsplash for the win…

Rey Mysterio defeated Robert Roode, AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Ricochet in a five-way elimination match in 20:25 to earn a WWE Universal Championship match.

Powell’s POV: An entertaining five-way. WWE just can’t help themselves when it comes to foreshadowing. The outcome would have been a real mystery for me had they just avoided having Rey dedicate the match to his son.

Seth Rollins was shown warming up backstage when Caruso approached him and asked him about facing Mysterio for the title next week. Rollins congratulated Mysterio on a hell of a fight and said he earned his opportunity. Rollins said it’s a dream match for him. He said he’s not looking past that match, but either way he has to go into HIAC with The Fiend. Rollins said everybody is gunning for you when you are champion. Rollins said he would beat Strowman, Mysterio, and then survive, prevail, and burn it down inside HIAC… [C] Another NXT on USA Network ad aired…

The broadcast team hyped Brock Lesnar appearing on next week’s season premiere, plus Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss, and Miz TV with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair…

7. WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman in a non-title match. Strowman clubbed Rollins’ chest, causing Rollins to roll to ringside heading into a break at 1:40. [C] The same Smackdown ad from earlier in the show as repeated. Rollins worked over Strowman and went for a cover, but Strowman kicked out immediately. Rollins put a sleeper on Strowman, who backed into the corner to break the hold. Rollins caught a charing Strowman with a kick and then executed a blockbuster that resulted in a two count.

Rollins went up top again and performed a frogsplash. Rollins went up again and hit the move a second time, which resulted in a two count. Rollins signaled for the Stomp, but Strowman hoisted him up for a powerslam only to have Rollins slip away and send him to ringside. Rollins hit a pair of suicide dives. Rollins went for a third suicide dive and stumbled, but he was able to make it through the ropes. Strowman caught him and chokeslammed him into the apron. Strowman performed his running shoulder block.

Strowman powerslammed Rollins and then threw him back inside the ring. Strowman set up for his finisher, but “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s lighting sequence occurred. When the lights turned on, The Fiend had the Mandible Claw applied on Strowman. The Fiend released the hold once Strowman was down and then turned his attention to Rollins, who was cowering in the corner and screaming.

Seth Rollins fought Braun Strowman to an apparent no-contest.

The Fiend turned back to Strowman, who was crawling, and went face to face with him. The Fiend put Strowman in the Mandible Claw again while laughing maniacally. A “holy shit” chant broke out amongst a few fans. The Fiend looked down at Strowman while Rollins continued to cower in the corner. The lights went out and Wyatt’s laughter played to close the show…

Powell’s POV: I guess this means we can probably rule out any association between Wyatt and Strowman. It was understandable to see Rollins frozen in the corner given that he’d been beaten up by five men before The Fiend arrived. This week he had a match and was on the verge of taking Strowman’s finisher, but he wasn’t beaten so badly that he should have been frozen, so this week it came off more like fear than simply being too beaten down to do anything. The Fiend continues to be the hottest act in the company and it’s going to be hard for fans over age 12 to justify cheering for the cowering babyface champion at the rate they are going. I will have more to say about this angle and the overall show in my weekly Dot Net Members’ exclusive Raw audio review coming up shortly. Thanks for watching along with me.

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