The Vince McMahon Era of WWE has come to an end.
WWE Raw marked the end of a couple of eras.
First, tonight’s Raw is the end of the annual pre-football era. Monday night marked the return of Monday Night Football with a star-studded premiere featuring Aaron Rodgers and the new-look New York Jets vs. perennial contender Buffalo Bills. After a bounce back year for Raw ratings, Raw’s viewership will need to hold on for dear life.
Raw also marks the final broadcast under the Vince McMahon era as we know it. WWE’s merger with Endeavor is expected to finalize tomorrow, giving way to a new era where WWE and UFC will exist under the same umbrella as TKO Group Holdings. McMahon will still oversee WWE as its Chairman. Earlier this year, Endeavor acquired WWE as part of a blockbuster $21 billion deal.
Matt Riddle knows something about working with both WWE and UFC, and the troubled Raw star once again finds himself mired in controversy. Riddle was reportedly pulled from tonight’s Raw after an incident at the JFK airport where the former United States and tag team champion claimed he was sexually assaulted by a Port Authority police officer. The claim triggered an investigation, and Riddle—who recently returned to WWE following a stint in rehab—will likely be off WWE television for the time being.
The Raw main event saw the return of Nia Jax, who helped Rhea Ripley retain the WWE Women’s World Championship. Jax also attacked Ripley for good measure.
Last week’s broadcast of Raw garnered 1.7 million viewers.
Jey Uso has new theme music, where he sings the lyrics, but it’s very similar to the Usos’ old theme music.
Main Event Jey received a hero’s welcome with fans waving their hands up and down, vibing to his music and entrance. LA Knight is the hottest star in the business right now, but Main Event Jey is the People’s Champion.
Dominik Mysterio was booed out of Norfolk, and when he gave the mic back to Damian Priest, they finally settled down.
In the latest version of “Can they co-exist,” Kevin Owens and Jey Uso teamed together in a (long) match against the Judgment Day. They did not, in fact, co-exist as Jey accidentally super kicked Owens, leading to a loss.
Staunch LA Knight supporter Wade Barrett described Miz as being in the throes of a manic episode.
This was the rare Miz squash match, with Miz commanding all of the offense, including three Skull Crushing Finales.
IMPERIUM all had black suits, with GUNTHER going for the Men in Black look. GUNTHER received a podium and pyro as well.
Chad Gable received a loud pop when he interrupted GUNTHER. Hopefully WWE can make a new star in Chad Gable by having him dethrone GUNTHER, unlike how AEW returned to the status quo when Jon Moxley beat Orange Cassidy.
The segment ended with Chad Gable vowing to have his daughter leave with a smile on her face, only for IMPERIUM to maul Gable. Thankfully, Otis made the save. Surprisingly, Tommaso Ciampa evened the odds.
This was a soft launch of Drew McIntyre’s heel turn, though he did work the match as a babyface.
Drew McIntyre’s chop game is underappreciated. He had a series of loud chops on poor Woods.
After McIntyre’s inevitable win, Heel Drew milked the celebration by waiting extra long before the referee raised his hand.
Cody Rhodes opened his promo by saying he was going to talk about Main Event Jey Uso, only to be interrupted by Dominik Mysterio.
Mysterio was accompanied by Judgment Day member (?) JD McDonagh.
Even though this was the second time Dominik Mysterio appeared on WWE TV, fans maintained the same energy as the first segment while booing him to smitheens.
Nobody was happier to see Dominik Mysterio take Cross Rhodes than Michael Cole.
This was exactly what you thought it would be based on Shayna Baszler’s dominant character and Chelsea Green’s chicken heel character. Baszler ran through Chelsea Green.
Baszler’s new finisher is called the “Exterminatus,” (the Piper’s Pit) which is an ode to Ronda Rousey.
Zoey Stark came to Baszler’s aid, and that tag team just makes sense.
Seth Rollins said he used to not know whom he was. Now, he argues—while wearing a Randy Savage Halloween costume—he gets to be himself.
As Rollins waited for Nakamura, Shinsuke attacked Ricochet backstage.
Even though Chad Gable wanting another shot at GUNTHER, I would still be shocked if this was the spot where GUNTHER suffered his first pinfall or submission loss.
Tis whole match built to a hot tag to Otis, and the Norfolk crowd went nuts for it.
Gable was an ankle lock machine when he reentered the ring, finally winning the match by submitting Giovanni Vinci. Gable has to win that title.
There was a backstage contract signing between Becky Lynch and NXT
This early goings of this match reminded me of Ripley’s highly physical match against Natalya this past July.
As good as this match was, I don’t know how many people will see it because it was going head-to-head with the climactic ending to a competitive Bills-Jets game.
Nia Jax returned, costing Raquel Rodriguez the Women’s World Championship and also attacking Rhea Ripley afterward.