WWE Raw opened this week with Rhea Ripley coming to the ring, fresh off her pinfall victory over Liv Morgan in their mixed tag match at Bash in Berlin. She would call out Liv for a title shot, only for Dominik Mysterio to appear to a chorus of boos. Dominik would state that Liv is at home recovering but will accept her challenge. Liv would, in fact, not be home and would blindside Rhea Ripley. Damian Priest would come to the rescue and untie her from the ropes that Liv and Dominik left her wrapped up in.
To quote @ArcherOfInfamy…
"WEPA!"#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/g3ygCgMff5— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
The next match would feature a six-person mixed tag team match between rivals American Made and Alpha Academy. The match was fairly average and resulted in Chad Gable assisting his faction by distracting Maxxine Dupri, allowing Ivy Nile to lock in the submission for the victory. After the match, Chad Gable would address the Wyatt Sicks and challenge them to a Street Fight. Uncle Howdy would appear on the stage and accept the challenge.
Be CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/0ehQiOvfeY
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
Zelina Vega would take on Shayna Baszler in the next match. Vega would get some offense in, but Baszler would win the relatively short match. The Pure Fusion Collective would win the brawl after the match and put the roster on notice.
What does the future hold for PURE FUSION COLLECTIVE?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/umWY7WzK4P
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
CM Punk would come out next for a promo and to hype up the crowd. He would state that now that he is done resolving his personal issues with Drew McIntyre, it’s time to get back to business. Punk would go on to address Gunther and his desire to take his championship. Punk would be exiting the ring only to be blindsided by Drew McIntyre. McIntyre would get very violent with Punk, including multiple Claymores and taking off the famous bracelet and shoving it down his throat.
The bracelet is DESTROYED and this is NOT over!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/yQphMDif7e
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
Next up, we would see Dragon Lee, Ilya Dragunov, and Dominik Mysterio in a triple threat match to see who advances in the WWE Intercontinental #1 contenders tournament. They would get off to a fast and entertaining start before Carlito would attack Dragon Lee. Damian Priest would rush out to neutralize that threat before chasing down Dominik, who simply ran away, apparently ditching the match in fear of Priest. Dragon Lee and Ilya Dragunov would go one-on-one, having a fast-paced segment with nice reversals. Dragunov would secure the pinfall to advance in the tournament.
Welp…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/m1iy4XvaIy
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
With the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at ringside, Damage CTRL and The Unholy Union would have a #1 contender’s match. The match was fairly average, with The Unholy Union becoming the number one contenders.
It's CHAOS over here!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ee7SGDL7x0
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
Gunther would come to the ring next for a promo segment. After gloating over his victory, he would be interrupted by the last person to pin him, Sami Zayn. Gunther would decline Zayn’s request for a championship opportunity and simply walk out. Zayn would get on the mic as Gunther walked away, asking him why he is running away from a challenge. He would then say it’s because he’s the only guy in WWE to defeat him. Nothing is set in stone, but a match between Gunther and Zayn appears to be in the picture.
From #ICTitle to World Heavyweight Championship challenge?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7Qx5yMsdfD
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
Next, we would get another triple threat in the WWE Intercontinental #1 contender’s tournament featuring Braun Strowman, Ludwig Kaiser, and Sheamus. This was a hard-hitting match from the start and all throughout. Pete Dunne would blindside Sheamus mid-match, essentially taking him out of it. Strowman would take advantage, hitting Kaiser with a powerslam to secure the pinfall.
NEXT MONDAY on #WWERaw
USO vs. DUNNE vs. DRAGUNOV vs. STROWMAN pic.twitter.com/tOUuaULfb6
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
Damian Priest and Jey Uso would take on The Judgment Day. They would have a solid match before Liv Morgan would pull on Uso’s leg as he went for a splash. The Judgment Day would try to take advantage, only for Priest to break up the pinfall. The injured Rhea Ripley would try to come and take care of Liv, who was on her injured leg. Priest and Uso would not let that opportunity go to waste and would pick up the pinfall victory.
Rhea Ripley Revenge Tour#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/2H36h9w9Wd
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2024
That wraps up WWE Raw for this week. Stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles.
Howe Fresh
for Greenville Sports Media
and check out my weekly opinionated podcast “The Wrasslin Corner”