By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,633)
Calgary, Alberta at Scotiabank Saddledome
Aired live September 9, 2024 on USA Network
[Hour One] A shot aired of the exterior of the host venue. A shot aired of Drew McIntyre walking in the empty venue earlier in the day while wearing a “I Walk The Line” t-shirt. Nice. Separate shots aired of Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair’s arrival, and a backstage shot of challengers Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. Bret Hart’s appearance was hyped…
The broadcast team Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from ringside and played up that it’s WWE Week on USA Network. Barrett played to the live crowd. Tessitore set up a video package that recapped the feud between The Wyatt Sicks and American Made…
Ring announcer Samantha Irvin delivered the introductions for the eight-person mixed tag team match while entrances for the match took place. Chad Gable brought an American flag out for extra heat in Canada. A rocking chair with a lantern on its seat was in the middle of the stage for the Wyatt Sicks entrance.
Uncle Howdy grabbed the lantern and carried it to the ring while walking with the other members of the group. Howdy took a seat on a rocking chair in the entrance aisle while the other men went to the ring.
1. “American Made” Chad Gable, Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, and Ivy Nile (w/Uncle Howdy) vs. “The Wyatt Sicks” Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross in an eight-person mixed tag Street Fight. Nile stepped forward for her team. Cross rushed from standing next to Howdy at ringside to entering the ring and tackling Nile to start the match.
Cross put a trashcan over Nile at ringside and then beat it with a kendo stick. Cross threw Nile into the barricade while the can was still over her. Cross dropkicked the trashcan. The crowd’s desire for tables was vocally expressed just 12 minutes into the show. The graphic listing the broadcast team was displayed.
Rowan got a pop for pulling a table out from underneath the ring. Rowan set up the table at ringside and then hoisted up Gable, who was saved by one of the Creeds. Nile sprayed a fire extinguisher at Rowan, and then the American Made men powerbombed Rowan through a table. The heels placed the table debris and chairs on top of Rowan.
In the ring, Gable tripped Lumis, who went face first onto a chair. Lumis came right back with a suplex and a jumping leg drop. Gacy did a handspring into the ropes and then put the Creeds down with a double clothesline. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Gable and the Creeds put a trashcan over Gacy and then beat him with kendo sticks inside the ring. Nile wanted to grab more weapons, but Cross emerged from underneath the ring and attacked her at ringside. Cross dove onto Nile and they both tumbled over the broadcast table.
Rowan came to life at ringside and used a piece of the barricade to batter his opponents. In the ring, Rowan performed a uranage slam on Brutus and had him beat, but Gable broke up the pin. Rowan was dumped the floor and then Brutus hit him with a Brutus Ball. Gacy and Lumis performed dives from the apron onto the heels.
In the ring, Gacy and Lumis performed a double chokeslam on two opponents. Another “this is awesome” chant broke out. Lumis went up top and used a leg drop to put Brutus through a table that was set up on the floor. Gacy put Gable on a table that was set up in the ring. Gacy went up top, but Gable jumped up and joined him before hitting an Angle Slam through the table, which led to a two count.
Gable put Gacy in an ankle lock. Nile hit Gacy with kendo stick shots until Cross pulled her to the floor. Cross entered the ring and gave Gable a German suplex. Cross went to the floor and executed a neckbreaker onto a couple of chairs that were lying on the ground.
Uncle Howdy stood up and glared at Gable. Rowan attacked Gable and gave him a claw slam onto the bottom piece of the ring steps. Rowan rolled Gable inside the ring. Howdy entered the ring and hit Sister Abigail. Lumis followed up with a top rope splash on Gable and then pinned him…
“The Wyatt Sicks” Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross defeated “American Made” Chad Gable, Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, and Ivy Nile in 16:55 in an eight-person mixed tag Street Fight.
Powell’s POV: A good WWE style brawl that the live crowd really seemed to enjoy. I guess Gable has the out that Uncle Howdy got involved at the end.
An ad, er, video package aired for WWE Week on USA Network…
Joe Tessitore spoke at ringside and said that Raw will go two hours starting October 7 and including the season finale on December 30. He said the show will run from 8-10ET…
Powell’s POV: Rejoice!!! I don’t know if that will last once the show moves to Netflix in January, but I’m all for the switch even if its only during the remaining time on USA Network. The current creative team does a really good job of filling the three hours, but I still think a three-hour pro wrestling show is too much. Of course, I just assume this means one of the competitors will run a show on Monday nights after Raw concludes in hopes of capturing the Raw audience.
The broadcast team announced Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship for the Bad Blood premium live event that will be held on Saturday, October 5 in Atlanta…
Finn Balor made his entrance and told Damian Priest that it didn’t have to be this way. Balor accused Priest of screwing him whenever he came close to winning a world championship. Balor called out Priest, saying he had something he wanted to say to his face.
Damian Priest made a quick entrance and joined Balor inside the ring. Priest said he’s been trying to get his hands on Balor ever since Balor broke up the original Judgment Day. Priest said he would hear what Balor had to say and then he would drop his ass.
Balor said he doesn’t listen to Priest’s orders anymore. He said Priest treated him like a sidekick and he’s no sidekick. Balor said he wanted to face Priest in a singles match at Bad Blood. Priest accepted and then indicated that it was time to get physical. Balor asked if he remembered the Judgment Day playbook, which Priest said he wrote.
The camera crew made a lousy cut to show JD McDonagh and Carlito jumping the barricade and missed Priest dropping Balor with a punch. Dominik Mysterio also arrived and the heels used their numbers advantage to put the boots to Priest.
Rhea Ripley came out using a crutch. Dom confronted Ripley at ringside. Liv Morgan ran out and tried to hit Ripley from behind, but Ripley saw her coming and jabbed her with the crutch. Ripley wound up to use the crutch. Dom stopped Ripley, who punched Dom and jabbed him with the crutch.
Ripley slammed the crutch over Dom’s back, but Morgan got up and chop blocked Ripley’s bad knee. Ripley ended up in the ring. Morgan batted Reipley with the crutch while the men worked over Priest, who covered Ripley. Morgan slammed the crutch over the back of Priest several times. Dom took the crutch and worked over Priest with it while Carlito and Dom held Priest down.
Jey Uso ran out with a chair, which caused the Judgment Day members to make a quick exit from the ring. Jey checked on Priest and Ripley while Judgment Day posed at ringside…
Tessitore and Barrett spoke at ringside and recapped Braun Strowman beating hit with a Bronson Reed Tsunami on a car two weeks ago, and then coming back to win a qualifying match for tonight’s four-way for a shot at the Intercontinental Title…
Jackie Redmond conducted a backstage interview with Braun Strowman, who said working last week’s match didn’t help with his injuries. He said a wounded monster is even more dangerous.
Bron Breakker arrived and said Strowman is a monster. Breakker said he would show the world that you don’t have to be Strowman’s size to be a monster. Breakker said the only reason Strowman was still standing is that he hasn’t been in the ring with him. Breakker said he hopes Strowman wins the four-way and said he would see him around…
Powell’s POV: Foreshadowing or a swerve? I guess we’ll find out later tonight.
Entrances for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match took place…
2. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Cargill slammed both opponents and then hit Fyre with a splash in the corner. Cargill went for an elbow in the corner on Dawn, who moved, and ran her into the corner. Fyre made a blind tag and clipped Cargill’s knee to go on the offensive.
Later, the challengers got the better of Belair. Cargill tagged in and dropped Fyre with a pump kick. Cargill grabbed her hamstring. Belair and Cargill hit their DDT and German suplex combo move on Fyre and then Cargill pinned her…
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defeated Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in 6:35 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: We’re back to where we started with the champions looking dominant while the rest of the women’s tag team division looks weak.
The broadcast team spoke at ringside. Tessitore said Damian Priest was taken to a local medical facility and was accompanied by Rhea Ripley…
Jackie Redmond interviewed “The LWO” Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde. Lee spoke about his match with Dominik Mysterio. The Judgment Day showed up and then Rey ended up bickering with Balor and Dom. Rey told Balor to stop hiding behind his son and face him in a match. Balor agreed to face Rey…
Bret Hart was shown walking through the backstage area heading into the first commercial break with just a couple minutes left in the first hour of the show… [C]
[Hour Two] Tessitore and Barrett stood inside the ring. Tessitore asked if viewers if they wanted to hear the venue roar and then introduced Bret Hart. The fans popped big while Bret made his entrance to his familiar theme song. Tessitore told the Calgary crowd that Bret was back. Tessitore worked in a plug for Survivor Series tickets going on sale this week for the show in Vancouver.
Barrett asked Bret how great it felt to beat home in Calgary. Bret spoke about being a champion and also being a Canadian champion. Hart said Canadian champions would take on anyone because they had to prove themselves, just as he did for over twenty years to be the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther made his entrance. Gunther was booed loudly and greeted with “you suck” chants once he entered the ring. Gunther called Hart a legend and said he was about to pour his heart out to his childhood hero.
Gunther mentioned Bret’s catchphrase. Gunther said it felt like a passing of the torch moment because Bret is the best there was, but Gunther is the best there is and ever will be. Gunther told Bret that he will always be a close second to his all-time favorite wrestler Bill Goldberg. Hilarious.
Sami Zayn made his entrance wearing a Calgary Flames jersey. Zayn’s jersey was No. 13 and had the late Johnny Gaudreau’s name on it. Zayn took issue with Gunther making a joke at Bret’s expense in Calgary and said he’s a hero to the city, a generation of wrestlers, and a hero to him personally.
Zayn said if Gunther thinks he’s the best, then he should prove it by giving him a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Gunther told Bret “with all due respect” that he’s not in his league. Gunther said Zayn isn’t in Bret’s league and therefore his answer remains no. Gunther dropped the mic and left the ring.
Bret said Gunther didn’t look like a champion, he looked like a gutless yellow coward. Gunther removed his jacket. Zayn went to ringside and jawed with Gunther for wanting to get in the ring with Bret. Zayn blocked a punch, then ran Gunther into the ring post and worked him over until two referees pulled him off…
Powell’s POV: A nice angle and good use of Bret without asking him to do too much. For those who don’t know the story, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were recently killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes on the morning of their sister’s wedding.
Backstage, Bron Breakker was about to say he didn’t know what to think of Pete Dunne when he was called Butch, but Dunne stopped him. Dunne said he would beat Trick Williams and then win the NXT Title, and then become a double champion by beating Breakker for the Intercontinental Title. Breakker dropped a line about the dogs barking loudly in Canada and then wished Dunne good luck. Sheamus showed up and attacked Dunne until security intervened just long enough for Dunne to get away…
The Judgment Day made their entrance for Dom’s match… [C] The male members of the LWO made their entrance…
3. Dominik Mysterio (w/Liv Morgan, Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Carlito) vs. Dragon Lee (w/Rey Mysterio, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro). Dom dumped Lee to ringside heading into an opening minute picture-in-picture break. [C]
Lee caught Dom in a tree of woe and then hit him with a double stomp from the ropes. Lee made the cover and had the pin, but McDonagh put Dom’s foot on the bottom rope. Rey punched McDonagh and then a brawl broke out amongst all of the wrestlers at ringside. Morgan entered the ring and clipped the knee of Lee while the referee was distracted. Dom hit a 619 and a top rope frog splash before getting the pin.
Dominik Mysterio defeated Dragon Lee in 8:10.
Powell’s POV: A solid heat building cheap win for Dom. That said, Lee just can’t seem to get out of first gear in WWE.
The broadcast team spoke at ringside about the death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Jackie Redmond stood outside the venue where a massive number of items were on the lawn and steps in front of the venue. Redmond noted that the Gaudreau brothers were laid to rest earlier today. Redmond said Gaudreau was magical to watch and a pleasure to interview. Redmond said WWE wants to send its deepest condolences to the wives of the Gaudreau brothers and their entire family. A memorial graphic appeared on the screen for the Gaudreau brothers…
Powell’s POV: Just when it seemed like the story couldn’t get more sad, Johnny’s widow Meredith announced today at the double funeral that she is pregnant with the couple’s third child. My heart goes out to her and the entire family. I’m happy that WWE acknowledged the situation and paid their respects. Redmond does terrific NHL broadcast work, so she was definitely the right person to deliver the message.
“Pure Fusion Collective” Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark stood in the ring coming out of the break. Zelina Vega made her entrance. Lyra Valkyria started to make her entrance, but it was interrupted by Deville, who mocked the idea of a mystery tag team partner changing the luck of the babyface. Deville told the mystery person to shoot her shot. In a surprise to no one, Natalya made her entrance as the mystery partner…
4. Natalya, Zelina Vega, and Lyra Valkyria vs. “Pure Fusion Collective” Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark. Deville held the middle rope down and caused Vega to tumble to the floor. Stark dove from the ring onto Vega at ringside heading into an early PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Natalya put Stark in the Sharpshooter. Deville and Baszler ran in to help, but Vega and Valkyria took them down and put them in the Sharpshooter until Stark tapped out…
Natalya, Zelina Vega, and Lyra Valkyria defeated “Pure Fusion Collective” Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark in 6:50.
Powell’s POV: The obvious finish with Natalya winning with the Sharpshooter her return match in Calgary with her uncle in the house. Let me guess, it will be PFC’s turn to win next week?
Drew McIntyre was shown walking backstage. He came across Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri, who were admiring a Calgary Flames replica title belt… [C]
An ad aired for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames tickets going on sale on Friday. “Survivor” was listed as a pre-sale password for Thursday’s pre-sale…
Natalya was talking backstage with Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria when Bret Hart entered the picture and hugged his niece…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance wearing a leather vest and kilt. McIntyre laughed at a fan who had his hands taped like CM Punk.
[Hour Three] McIntyre encouraged the fans to continue chanting Punk’s name. McIntyre said it no longer bothers him because “it’s simply in memory of” when they chant Punk’s name now. McIntyre recalled Punk boasting that he beat him in a strap match and thought he would get a world title match.
McIntyre said Punk screwed him out of the title three times. McIntyre added that he pinned him at SummerSlam. McIntyre said just because Punk’s the best at touching four corners doesn’t mean they’re finished. McIntyre said he made Punk a bigger star, but he can live with it because he’s the one who ended Punk’s career.
McIntyre shifted the focus to his first movie “The Killer’s Game” starring Batista coming out. McIntyre said he had some bad news regarding Wade Barrett. McIntyre looked at Barrett and spoke about their history together. McIntyre said Barrett was the only logical voice who fought his case while Michael Cole lied to everyone about Punk.
McIntyre questioned why Barrett stood in his way when it wanted to end Punk. McIntyre said he wasn’t angry with Barrett, just disappointed. McIntyre exited the ring and approached Barrett. “But if you do it again, I’m not going to be disappointed, I’m going to be angry, and I’m going to do something about it,” McIntyre said. Barrett removed his headset and stood up.
Raw general manager Adam Pearce came out and asked if McIntyre has lost the plot in life so badly that he wants to fight his friend. Pearce climbed on the apron and said he didn’t think they wanted to fight. Pearce asked McIntyre to join him in the ring because he had some news he would want to hear.
McIntyre called Pearce a corporate suit and joined him in the ring. Pearce said he spoke with Punk and he’s not done with McIntyre. The fans chanted Punk’s name while McIntyre smiled. McIntyre said he didn’t believe Pearce. McIntyre asked the crowd if they wanted to see him fight Punk again. Pearce said it has to end.
Pearce announced Punk vs. McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match for the Bad Blood event. Pearce dropped the mic and exited the ring while McIntyre looked unhappy…
Powell’s POV: Good performances from McIntyre and Pearce. You could see the HIAC match announcement coming a mile away, but it’s not a bad thing in this case.
Backstage, Karrion Kross spoke with The Miz and offered to help him out of his rut. Xavier Woods showed up and asked Kross what his angle was. Kross said they were just having a conversation and wished Woods luck with the Kofi Kingston situation.
After Kross left, Miz told Woods that he invented the game that Kross was trying to play. Miz conceded that he was in a rut. After Miz left, Kingston showed up and informed Woods that he got them a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles. Woods put on Bret Hart’s shades and said they would walk into their tenth anniversary in November as the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be…
Rey Mysterio made his entrance… [C] Tessitore recalled that Rey beat Austin Theory to win the U.S. Championship when WWE was in Calgary in August 2023. Finn Balor made his entrance…
5. Finn Balor vs. Rey Mysterio. Rey dove over the top rope and hit Balor with a crossbody block on the floor heading into a break a couple minutes into the match. [C] Balor blocked a 619 and then catapulted Rey’s throat into the top rope. Balor applied a half crap through the ropes. Balor ignored the referee’s five count and was disqualified.
Rey Mysterio defeated Finn Balor by DQ in roughly 9:00.
After the match, Balor dropkicked Rey into the ring post. Balor told the referee to shut up. Additional referees came out and told Balor to leave the ringside area. Balor teased leaving, then ran back and dropkicked Rey into the LED board on the apron. Balor told Rey that there’s more where that came from and then headed to the back…
Powell’s POV: You don’t see the five-count DQ finish very often. They are clearly trying to give Balor more of an edge going into his match with Damian Priest.
Ilja Dragunov was interviewed in the backstage area by Jackie Redmond. Dragunov credited Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley for giving him a fair shot in his qualifying match because they fought off Judgment Day. Dragunov brought up having unfinished business with Bron Breakker, who showed up and said they don’t have unfinished business because he already beat him. Breakker said he could beat him again.
Jey Uso walked into the picture and glared at Breakker. Jey walked away and spoke into the camera about being “in your city” and then called for his music to play before he added “yeet.” Jey made his entrance. Tessitore held up a “CalgarYeet” fan sign while Barrett acted annoyed… [C]
Powell’s POV: I like that Breakker had a moment with every potential challenger as opposed to simply spending time with one. They teased Breakker vs. Jey Uso pretty heavily before tonight’s show, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough whether that’s the match they intend to go with.
A Judgment Day video promo aired. Finn Balor spoke while the other members stood behind him. Balor said he hopes everyone was watching tonight because they got a message from Judgment Day. The other members spoke briefly…
Barrett announced Nathan Frazer and Axiom vs. “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins for the NXT Tag Team Titles for Tuesday’s show. He did not acknowledge that the Profits are replacing The Rascalz…
The following matches and events were announced for next week’s Raw in Portland: Finn Balor and JD McDonagh vs. “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for the WWE Tag Team Titles, and the return of CM Punk…
Ilja Dragunov, Pete Dunne, and Braun Strowman made their entrances for the main event…
6. Jey Uso vs. Pete Dunne vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Braun Strowman in a four-way for a shot at the Intercontinental Title. Breakker shrugged off Dunne’s joint manipulation attempt and then tossed him onto Uso and Dragunov at ringside heading into a PIP break. [C]
Uso dodged a charging Strowman, who went through the ropes in the corner and tumbled to ringside. A short time later, Dragunov leapt from the top rope into a superkick from Uso, who covered him for a near fall. Dragunov sold his nose and mouth going into another PIP break. [C]
Strowman did his Freight Train bit at ringside and then tossed Dunne into the barricade. Strowman cleared the broadcast table and then played to the crowd. When Strowman turned around, Bronson Reed jumped from the barricade and splashed him through the broadcast table, which drew a censored “holy shit” chant.
Uso and Dragunov were in the ring when Reed made his exit. “Yeet” chants broke out before both men traded punches. Uso ducked a big boot and then speared Dragunov. Dunne tossed Uso out of the ring and tried to steal the pin, but Dragunov kicked out at the last moment. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Dunne stepped on Dragunov’s fingers and then stomped them. Dunne drilled Dragunov with a few kicks. Dunne mounted Dragunov and threw forearm strikes at him. Dragunov stuffed the Bitter End. Dragunov put Dunne down and hit the H-Bomb. Uso returned and kicked Dragunov, then hit the Uso Splash on Dunne before pinning him…
Jey Uso defeated Ilja Dragunov, Pete Dunne, and Braun Strowman in 19:40 in a four-way to earn a shot at the Intercontinental Title.
Bron Breakker entered the ring while Uso was celebrating. Uso turned around, spotted Breakker, and smiled before the show went off the air…
Powell’s POV: They saved the best match for last. The live crowd was hot for Uso throughout the match and popped big when he pinned Dunne. The show ending felt a bit abrupt and left me wondering if they’ll release a clip of Breakker and Uso on social media.
Overall, a solid show that was made somewhat newsworthy with all of the Bad Blood match announcements. It was also nice to see Bret Hart back in Calgary, and I enjoyed the arrogant antics of Gunther. I will have more to say about Raw during my weekly same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Hmmm..I think I’ll prefer a third hour of Raw to a potential Rampage type AEW show.
12 years of Raw being 3 hours and the seldom took advantage of that extra time.it feels like they could’ve had more specialty matches or more feuds that culminated on raw.
I hope Gunther said BILL Goldberg and not just Goldberg.
Yeah he said Bill just in case Bret didn’t know which Goldberg Gunther was referring too..
Wellll.Atleast he didn’t say Hogan.
Gunther just won the year with that Goldberg comment
Well, tessitore and barrett talked up the “massive response” of the crowd during the 6 woman tag; *looked* and sounded like the crowd was flat. i feel bad for these women who are working hard without the crowd investment. i hope creative gets it together…
I mentioned on this website a few weeks ago that one of my favorite Kevin Sullivan moments was when he wrestled a jobber, but lost because he would not listen to the 5 count, in favor of punishing the man. Nice homage from WWE and Balor tonight.