As the week begins, WWE Monday Night Raw comes to us live from one of the biggest indoor arenas in the United States. That being the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Despite the nearly 20,000-seat capacity, WWE Raw is set up for 12,063 seats according to WrestleTix with a mere 1,000 estimated tickets remaining to sell at press time.
This venue has been home to many WWE events. However, one peculiar event stands out. It is a New Japan Pro Wrestling show. Moreover, this event would be the very first time a G-1 Climax event took place in the United States. On July 6, 2019, NJPW presented the opening night of the G-1 Climax 29, focusing on their A Block of that year. And its headlining match would be none other than Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada.
TOMORROW NIGHT on #WWERaw
The NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions kick off the show! pic.twitter.com/lwq5gQ63Gy
— WWE (@WWE) October 22, 2023
A Judgment Day Celebration
Last week saw The Judgment Day configuration of Damian Priest and Finn Balor win back the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships, defeating the unlikely tandem of Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes thanks to an unexpected appearance by Jimmy Uso.
Now back on top, the quartet looks to open up Monday night by celebrating their return to the top. Though, they may not want to be too joyous. Damian Priest himself is set to face off against one of the men he and Balor dethroned in Jey Uso. Who was screwed once again by his twin brother, and attacked him on SmackDown.
Leading to a fine by new SmackDown general manager, ‘The National Treasure’ (if WWE chooses to use that nickname) Nick Aldis. There are a lot of moving parts going about here. As The Judgment Day continues their conflict with the former Champions, while also seeming working together with SmackDown’s The Bloodline. How will things pan out throughout the night? What’s it all leading to?
Open Challenge Becky
Who says only AEW can have their secondary Champions in constant open challenges? Similarities aside, it seems the entire goal of this Becky Lynch NXT Championship run is to give whatever woman has literally nothing to do something.
We’ve seen Natalya and Tegan Nox both be set into stories following their challenges for the title. It seems they’re trying to do something similar for Xia Li who is constantly asking for a shot…… Only to respond with the bordering-on cliche “I’ll accept….. On my time” deal. However, for tonight, it’s Indi Hartwell challenging for the title.
Indi Hartwell won the NXT Women’s Championship all the way back at NXT Stand & Deliver this year during WrestleMania Weekend. However, she ultimately had to vacate the Championship following a foot injury amid a title match she tried to finish on NXT TV back on May 2nd.
She would be drafted to WWE Raw, but unable to do much nursing the injury as well as dealing with just not being given anything to do. Again, the seeming theme of this Becky Lynch title reign. Can Indi pull off the upset?
Tag Team Action
The New Day is back together after some time off for Xavier Woods due to an injury. They take on another standout team in Alpha Academy. Despite seeming to have his eyes on eventually challenging Gunther again for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, it seems Chad Gable for now is stepping back into a full tag team role. Hopefully, that doesn’t stop him from being such an MVP every Monday night.
A Warrior vs. A Leader
A clash of morality seems to be one of the top matches for WWE Raw tonight as Drew McIntyre is set to face Sami Zayn after the two had a trade of words last week. Drew, the current #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, was about to praise Sami Zayn for stepping as a leader backstage.
However, he took it all back to criticize how Sami so easily forgave one of the men responsible for his horrible beating at the Royal Rumble and for using him for months. Drew McIntyre is simply not willing to give up his hatred for The Bloodline. Sami cannot understand why. However, as Drew pointed out, Sami wouldn’t get it. He’s never been a World Champion. Much less the World Champion throughout the pandemic.
All that and more tonight on WWE Monday Night Raw.
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