As the week begins, it’s time for WWE’s enduring flagship program: WWE Monday Night Raw. Following the annual Crown Jewel event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, WWE Raw returns to the United States, stopping at none other than the nation’s capital. The Capital One Center in Washington, DC.
A very notable venue for pro wrestling. Formerly known as the Verizon Center but far more known in the 90s as the MCI Center. This was the home of four of the 12 Starrcade events produced by the NWA and WCW. Tying the other notable home of the recognized event the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was also the home of the debut episode of AEW Dynamite.
The landmark event that saw them defeat NXT with an impressive 1.4 million television viewers and saw the debut of the Inner Circle. As well as the start of a journey that would transform the entire landscape of the wrestling industry.
With all that history in mind, let us preview what’s to come tonight on WWE Raw.
TOMORROW NIGHT on #WWERaw
Who will be next to challenge Intercontinental Champion @Gunther_AUT? @KingRicochet vs. @mikethemiz vs. @BRONSONISHERE vs. @Ivar_WWE @TozawaAkira vs. @ShinsukeN
And much more!
8/7c @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/2I21tRhRWa
— WWE (@WWE) November 6, 2023
Gunther’s Next Challenger
With Crown Jewel just two days ago, only a little is announced for tonight. However, Gunther defending the Intercontinental Championship exclusively on the weekly WWE Raw is no coincidence, as he’s forced to remain stateside to secure his residency. With most of WWE’s premium live events taking place outside the continental US, this limits him.
Tonight, we seek his next challenger as he continues his now titanic, record-setting reign. Bronson Reed, The Miz, Ivar of The Viking Raiders, and Ricochet face off in a Fatal Four Way match to determine the next challenger.
The Miz has already had a brush with ‘The Ring General’ and has, at least according to WWE, turned babyface. Meanwhile, Ricochet happens to be the man Gunther defeated to start this historic reign and has tried several times over to turn back that tide. Bronson Reed just challenged for the title three weeks ago and wants a second crack.
And finally, Ivar is echoing his Ring Of Honor run. Where he spent some time having to work as a singles wrestler due to Erik (then Raymond Rowe) suffering grave injuries following a motorcycle crash that sidelined him for over a year. In that time, Ivar, then Warbeard Hanson, would challenge the likes of Tommaso Ciampa and Jay Lethal for both the ROH World Television and Heavyweight Championships. Who will secure the next title shot? Let’s see.
The Scottish Warrior Falls
Drew McIntyre tried his best. But he came up short in his challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship. Right after, Rhea Ripley seemed to either mock or acknowledge Drew McIntyre’s feelings of frustration. What does it mean? Is her offer of him joining The Judgment Day still available? Or was she just rubbing salt on the wound that his choice to deny her cost him his chance to win the title?
Read on about how WWE is handling The Judgment Day.
Speaking Of Rhea
“The Nightmare” was successful in retaining the World Women’s Championship. Defeating Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Raquel Rodriguez. With four challengers all conquered at once, what exactly is next for The Judgment Day’s seeming acting leader? Who else still stands? Perhaps Becky Lynch may finally come to the forefront. However, at the 5 Way match, only Shayna Baszler was pinned. Leaving room for the other three to maybe try and get a more direct opportunity at gold.
Read more about the dominance of the current WWE World Women’s Champion.
War Against The Judgment Day
At Crown Jewel, Sami Zayn stopped one-half of the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions and ‘Señor’ Money In The Bank from cashing in Money In The Bank briefcase after defeating JD McDonagh. Right after, Cody Rhodes defeated him in the one one-on-one match.
There are also lingering animosities on behalf of Jey Uso as well as the two other members of The Judgment Day that didn’t make the trip in the second half of the Tag Team Champions, Finn Balor and NXT’s North-American Champion ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio. The confirmation has been made. The next WWE premium live event isn’t just Survivor Series. It’s Survivor Series: WarGames. We need a WarGames match fulfilled. We will likely see these parties involved. We just have to figure out how.
All that and more, tonight on WWE Monday Night Raw.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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