This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from the Amerant Bank Arena in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida! The WWE Women’s Tag Championship are on the line. Ludwig Kaiser goes one-on-one with Randy Orton. CM Punk wants a strap match against Drew McIntyre. Odyssey Jones continues to roll with The New Day, and much more.
We break it all down in this week’s WWE Raw recap!
Randy Orton & Gunther Trade More Words
Randy Orton kicks off the show in the ring. Orton says the next time we see him, he will be the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Orton also says that Gunther made things personal last week when he made comments about his father and grandfather. At that point, Orton felt he had no choice but to nail Gunther with an RKO.
Gunther’s music hits. He says he needs Orton to shut up and listen to what he has to say. Gunther asks Orton what exactly he is celebrating tonight. Gunther asks if Orton is celebrating the RKO he hit on him last week, while his back was turned. Gunther says the only thing Orton achieved last week was making their rivalry very, very personal. Gunther tells Orton he will never hit him another RKO ever again. Gunther promises to leave Orton a bloody mess at Bash In Berlin, and also leave him with the legacy of being a one trick pony.
Orton reminds Gunther that they will be on an 8-hour flight together to Berlin and promises to shove his size 15 boot up Gunther’s butt. Ludwig Kaiser blindsides Orton from behind. Orton initially fends him off but Kaiser and Gunther double team him and take him down. Gunther stands tall with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne
Sheamus tries to Brogue Kick Dunne off the jump, but Dunne dodges it. Later, Dunne traps Sheamus’ hand in the corner turnbuckle and unloads a flurry of strikes and a kick to his hand. Sheamus then frees his hand from the turnbuckle and lands a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner: Sheamus
Backstage, Xavier Woods tells Kofi Kingston that he was a little upset that Kingston didn’t let him know about the plan of bringing Odyssey Jones into the New Day. Woods feels like Kingston is trying to replace Big E with Jones, but Kingston insists that Big E can’t be replaced, and that Woods has nothing to worry about. Kingston says he hopes to give Jones some guidance, as they are veterans.
Elsewhere, Chad Gable officially welcomes Ivy Nile into American Made. Nile says she gave Maxxine Dupri a chance to join American Made as well, but she refused. Nile says Dupri got what she deserved, referring to her attack on Dupri last week. Nile says Dupri was holding her back.
Ivy Nile vs. Maxxine Dupri
Dupri delivers a Fisherman suplex to Nile on the floor then sends her flying over the announce table. Nile returns to the ring and drops Dupri with a kick and series of forearm strikes.
The lights begin to dim, signaling the arrival of the Wyatt Sicks. Smoke begins to fill the ring as Nikki Cross emerges behind Nile. Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers appear alongside Nile, but the rest of the Wyatt Sicks surround the ring and take them down. A lone Chad Gable is then hit with a Sister Abigail from Uncle Howdy.
Winner: No Contest
Backstage, Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest deliver a promo hyping up their mixed tag team match at WWE Bash In Berlin, vowing to put Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan through the mat.
We Hear From CM Punk
Punk congrats the Florida Panthers on their NHL Stanley Cup victory. Punk says he has a story to tell. Punk recalls people at Fanatics Fest asking him why he thinks WWE and himself are on a hot streak. Punk says it’s because of the fans. Punk recalls some of his memorable fan interactions from Fanatics Fest, and says they really mean a lot to him. Punk says he’s excited to share his news and thanks the fans for continuing to support him.
Punk pivots to Drew McIntyre. Punk feels that McIntyre made their feud personal. Punk says his biggest hater (McIntyre) is his biggest fan. Punk confirms that he will face McIntyre in a Strap Match at WWE Bash In Berlin. Punk says he wanted a strap match so he can “whip this b*tch” and get his Larry/AJ Lee bracelet back.
McIntyre’s music hits. He accepts Punk’s challenge for a Strap Match. McIntyre teases a faceoff with Punk, if Punk drops the strap in his hand. Punk agrees, if McIntyre returns his bracelet back. McIntyre declines and calls Punk a liar. McIntyre tells Punk that AJ and Larry are happier at home with him.
In a backstage segment, Dominik Mysterio challenges Damian Priest to face him one-on-one later in the night.
Final Testament vs. New Day & Odyssey Jones
In the match’s closing moments, Jones hits Akam with a headbutt, and attempts a pinfall, which Karrion Kross breaks up. Kross looks to take down Jones, but finds himself hit with a Trouble in Paradise from Kofi Kingston. Akam takes down Xavier Woods with a slam, but is then slammed with Journey’s End from Jones.
Winners: The New Day & Odyssey Jones
Backstage, Damian Priest accepts Dominik Mysterio’s challenge for a match tonight.
WWE plays a tribute video in honor of the late Afa Anoa’i Sr., who passed away last week.
No Disqualification: Bronson Reed vs. The Miz
Before the bell rings, The Miz says he has to fight Reed in honor of his friend, R-Truth, who was taken out by six Tsunamis from Reed last week. The Miz and Reed utilize a variety of weapons, including steel chairs, a kendo stick, and steel trash can. Reed also sends The Miz through a table with a Death Valley Driver. In the end, Reed clutches the win with a Tsunami.
Winner: Bronson Reed
After the match, Reed looks to land another Tsunami on The Miz, but Braun Strowman appears and stares him down in the ring.
Backstage, Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker confirms that a tournament will begin next week, with the winner earning a future title shot against him. Breakker vows to spear the winner through the floor and give them the beating of a lifetime
Dominik Mysterio vs. Damian Priest Turns Into A Terror Twin Takedown
Before the match begins, Priest takes out the oncoming group of Carlito, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh. Rhea Ripley appears behind Dominik Mysterio, blows him a kiss, and headbutts him, while Priest then takes him down with a forearm. Ripley moves to the commentary table and prepares to send Mysterio through it with a Riptide, but Morgan hits her with a chair from behind.
Morgan sends Ripley shoulder first into the ring post and the steel chairs, while the new Judgment Day hold down Priest in between the ring ropes. Inside the ring, Balor delivers a Coup De Grace to Priest. Morgan then hits Ripley with an Oblivion. Dominik follows up with a frog splash to Priest.
Back from commercial break, Finn Balor says that beatdown was just a sample of what Priest and Ripley will see at Bash In Berlin. Liv Morgan vows to make Ripley her “b*tch.”
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Unholy Union (c) vs. Pure Fusion Collective vs. Damage CTRL
A competitive, hard-hitting effort from all three teams. In the match’s closing moments, Kairi Sane looks to take down Baszler with an Insane Elbow as Isla Dawn tags herself in. Shayna Baszler catches Sane and traps her with a Kirifuda Clutch. Dawn delivers a backstabber to Baszler, while Sane is still locked in the submission. Alba Fyre comes flying off the top rope with a swanton to pin Baszler for the win.
Winners (And Still): Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (Unholy Union)
Backstage, “Main Event” Jey Uso confirms his participation in the upcoming Intercontinental Championship tournament.
WWE announces more matches for next week, including Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed.
A video package for Pat McAfee is played, thanking him for his hosting and commentary services in WWE, before he heads over to ESPN’s College Game Day for the remainder of 2024.
Randy Orton vs. Ludwig Kaiser
With the aid of a distracting Gunther, Kaiser asserts brief control over Orton by suplexing him onto the commentary desk and whipping him into the steel ring steps. Later, Orton nails Kaiser with a clothesline on the outside and plants him back-first onto the announce table four times as Gunther looks on from ringside.
Orton returns to the ring to break the referee’s count then drags Kaiser back into the ring. Orton hits a powerslam on Kaiser. Kaiser responds with a kick and a pinfall attempt. Orton rises to his feet and lands a top rope superplex on Kaiser. Orton follows up with a DDT and looks for the RKO, but Kaiser counters with a roll-up. Orton kicks out and lands an RKO for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
Post-match, Orton and Gunther brawl in the ring, with Orton sending Gunther shoulder first into the ring post.