9/12 WWE RAW TV RESULTS: Doucette’s “alt perspective” report on Edge-Dominik, tag title match, Gargano in-ring return

Full results and analysis of WWE Raw

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WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
PORTLAND, ORE. AT MODA CENTER
AIRED ON USA
REPORT BY DANNY DOUCETTE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves, & Byron Saxton

Ring Announcer: Mike Rome

[HOUR ONE]

The show began with the Raw intro. The camera cut to the inside of the arena where pyro blasted at the top of the stage. Seth Rollins music then hit and Rollins made his entrance to the ring wearing a purple suit. The fans sung along with his theme song as Rollins made conducting motions in the ring. Rollins welcomed the fans and reveled in the fans’ reaction. Rollins asked if the fans believed in karma, in which good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. Rollins bragged about stomping and pinning Matt Riddle with the fans singing his song. Rollins said he is living free in Riddle’s head since Riddle requested a rematch. Rollins said he’s not interested. The fans booed. Rollins said everyone is wondering what’s next for him. A “rematch” chant rang out from the crowd. Rollins snapped at the fans and reminded them he is not interested. Rollins said it has been too long since he held championship gold. Rollins was then cut off by Riddle’s music.

Riddle walked down to the ring with a microphone. Riddle simply said “bro” and ran into the ring. Riddle and Rollins began brawling and spilled out onto the ringside floor. The brawl continued and Rollins escaped through the crowd. Riddle caught up to him and laid in more punches. Rollins raked Riddle’s eyes and ran away. Riddle chased after him, but the sound of The Judgment Day’s music stopped Riddle in his tracks halfway up the entranceway.

Damian Priest and Finn Balor appeared on the stage. Priest and Balor walked down to the ring. Balor told Riddle to chill and they are not here to attack him. Priest reiterated Balor’s point and mentioned that he, Balor, and Rhea Ripley go way back. Balor and Priest offered him a spot in The Judgment Day as Priest claimed someone always gets in the way of their ascent in WWE. Balor mentioned Dominik joining them and how it has helped him. As the fans chanted “bro”, Priest said the fans were telling Riddle to join them. Riddle said he and Priest do go way back, but the answer is no. Balor said since the laws are more relaxed in Portland, his brain must be a little cloudy. Balor said that either Riddle stands with them or stands in their way. Riddle nodded and hit Balor in the face with a jumping knee. Priest charged, but Riddle clotheslined him over the top rope. Riddle was fired up and played to the fans in the ring as Balor and Priest regrouped. [c]

(Doucette’s Analysis: It was a bit weird how Rollins was almost playing babyface at first then quickly snapped at the fans. Otherwise, a good promo and an Extreme Rules match between Riddle and Rollins is the logical option. It’s pretty cool to see the Judgment Day stuff connect to their past with Riddle.)

(1) MATT RIDDLE vs. FINN BALOR (w/Damian Priest)

Balor controlled most of the match in the early going. A couple of comeback attempts by Riddle were cut off each time. Riddle was able to land some kicks to Balor on the apron and picked him up into a fireman’s carry. Balor elbowed out and hit a reverse elbow drop onto the apron. [c]

Back from the commercial, Riddle hit a fisherman’s suplex out of nowhere on Balor. Balor recovered quickly to charge at Riddle, but Riddle hit him with slaps to the chest. Riddle hit more strikes and a T-Bone suplex out of the corner. Riddle hit Balor with a running kick from the apron, then pounced on both Priest and Balor with a springboard corkscrew moonsault to the ringside floor. Priest cut off a Floating Bro attempt by Riddle with a distraction and Balor rolled him up for a two count. Balor hit another reverse elbow drop, putting both competitors out. Rey Mysterio jumped out of the crowd and attacked Priest. Mysterio and Priest brawled from the crowd to the back. Riddle hit a Go To Sleep on Balor followed by a German Suplex for a near fall.  Riddle tried another Floating Bro, but Balor got his knees up. Balor hit Riddle with a dropkick and went up for the Coup de Gras. Riddle moved and landed a draping DDT. Riddle signaled for the R.K.O., but Rollins jumped onto the apron. Riddle went to attack him. Balor grabbed Riddle from behind and hit him with 1916. Balor nailed a successful Coup de Gras for the win.

WINNER: Balor in 15:00.

(Doucette’s Analysis: Very good match and I didn’t mind the chaotic interference either. It helped further the storylines of the competitors involved.)

-After the match, Rollins stomped Riddle as he tried to get up and yelled at him to move on.

-Sarah Schreiber interview Damage Control backstage. Schreiber asked what the tag title rematch means to them. Bayley said Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai should’ve won in the first place and ranted about the loss. Kai calmed Bayley down and said it doesn’t matter about the past and tonight they will make things right. Sky said it is their division. Schreiber tried to ask Bayley what it meant to be the first to pin Bianca Belair in a year. Bayley told her the interview was over and she, Sky, and Kai walked away. [c]

-Dominik Mysterio was shown in a dark room. Dominik said he has only been known as the son of the legendary Rey. Dominik said for the first time, he felt alive at Clash at the Castle. He said he felt like his own person. Dominik continued saying he was done taking disrespect and simply bottling it up inside. Dominik said Edge got what he deserved. A clip was shown of Dominik kicking Edge in the groin. Dominik continued, saying that tonight he will finish what he started. Dominik then addressed Rey. Dominik said this is his life and told Rey to look in the mirror instead of being upset with him. Dominik accused Rey of not asking what he wanted for his career. Dominik said that even though Rey is a tiny man, he casts a big shadow. Dominik said he’s tired of living in it. Ripley could be sen whispering in Dominik’s ear. Dominik then said he is not his baby boy anymore, he is a man. Dominik got up and walked away as Ripley could be seen smirking.

(Doucette’s Analysis: This was very well done. I didn’t care for how Dominik was presented as a heel last week, but this was much better. It felt like the promo was real feelings from a frustrated person, but Ripley is exploiting it and pulling the strings.)

A promo package aired showing Johnny Gargano’s return a few weeks ago. Austin Theory was then shown introducing Gargano’s opponent. Theory said it won’t be him because he’s a busy man. Theory introduced Chad Gable as Gargano’s opponent. Gable appeared with Otis behind him. Gable chuckled at Gargano’s nickname “Johnny Wrestling” and said that after tonight he will be “Johnny Shooooosh”.

-A graphic was shown for the tag title match between Kai/Sky and Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah. [c]

-Damage Control made their entrance to the ring. A recap was shown of Raquel and Aliyah winning the titles a few weeks ago. Raquel and Aliyah made their entrance next.

(2) DAMAGE CONTROL (Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai) (w/Bayley) vs. RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ & ALIYAH – Tag title match

Raquel dominated Kai in the early going. Raquel press slammed Aliyah from the ring onto Kai and Sky on the floor. [c]

Back from the commercial, Aliyah and Sky were in the ring. Aliyah got some got offense in on Sky until she was tripped up by Kai. Kai and Sky double teamed Aliyah in their corner. Aliyah countered a double-team suplex attempted with a neckbreaker on Kai and Sky. Aliyah tagged in Raquel and she cleaned house. Aliyah got a near fall from a springboard facebuster on Kai after Bayley put Kai’s foot on the bottom rope. Aliyah dropkicked Bayley and Raquel went to attack her as well, but Sky hit a moonsault onto Raquel. Kai hit Aliyah with a flipping Backstabber for the win.

WINNERS: Kai and Sky in 12:00.

-Kai, Sky, and Bayley celebrated on the stage with the belts as pyro went off behind them. Raquel was seen consoling Aliyah at ringside.

(Doucette’s Analysis: Good decision to change the titles here. Damage Control has cooled off since they first formed, but hopefully this can heat them back up. Kai and Sky should have won the titles in the first place, though. I’m not sure what the point was of giving Raquel and Aliyah a two week reign. Especially since everyone has spent the whole time saying what a fluke it was and how Aliyah is such a loser. I am not going to argue with the assessment that Aliyah looks green out there. However, what does it say about your wrestlers if they lose to someone you’re actively saying is not very good?)

[HOUR TWO]

-Dominik was seen warming up backstage. He was wearing a Judgment Day t-shirt. Rey approached him and told Dominik he saw what he said earlier and apologized. Rey attempted to talk him out of facing Edge and mend things between them. Dominik wouldn’t even look at Rey. Rey continued trying to convince Dominik and said Edge won’t hold back and he’s dangerous when backed into a corner. Ripley appeared said Edge is not the only one who is dangerous. Ripley said Papi knows best and Papi knows that Dominik is all man now. Ripley led Dominik away as Rey looked concerned.

-Gable made his entrance with Otis by his side. A graphic was shown for Gargano versus Gable.

(3) CHAD GABLE (w/Otis) vs. JOHNNY GARGANO

Garagno and Gable stared with some chain wrestling. Gable and Gargano traded waistlocks, but Gargano countered into a kick to Gable’s chest. Gable bailed outside, but Gargano hit him with another kick. Gargano then hit Gable with a senton from the ring to the floor. [c]

(Doucette’s Analysis: An interesting note – A Sunday Night Football commercial for a Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers matchup aired during the break. It centered around Aaron Rodgers being labeled eccentric and misunderstood by the public (I perceive him as entitled and aloof myself) while “Cult of Personality” played in the background. Obviously the commercial has nothing to do with C.M. Punk or AEW, but I thought it was kind of funny.)

Gable worked on Gargano’s knee, but Gargano made a comeback with some strikes and a launching spear through the middle rope. That got a near fall. Gable got Gargano in an ankle lock. Gargano kicked his way out, but Gable flipped him into a crucifix and converted it into a DDT. Gable missed a moonsault and the competitors traded strikes. Gargano tried a cradle, but Gable lifted him into a German Suplex. Gable tried a diving headbutt, but Gargano caught him in a crossface submission. Gable got out and got another ankle lock, but Gargano launched him into the middle turnbuckle. Gargano tossed Gable out onto Otis and then hit both with a suicide dive. Gargano hit Gable with a kick and a jumping DDT for the win.

WINNER: Gargano in 14:00.

(Doucette’s Analysis: Excellent match! It was obvious this was going to be a (sigh) banger after Gable was announced as Gargano’s opponent. Great stuff.)

-After the match Otis tried to attack Gargano, but Gargano hit him with two superkicks. Otis brushed off the kicks and Gargano did a crotch chop, and bailed towards the entranceway. Theory hit Gargano from behind with the Money in the Bank briefcase and took a selfie. A “you suck” chant rang out. Theory then showed the selfies to Gable and Otis who were still in the ring. [c]

Theory was still in the ring after the commercial. Theory mocked Gargano saying he disappointed the fans. Theory said Gargano is a bottom feeding fish at the bottom of the food chain. Theory yelled at the fans for chanting “what”at him. Kevin Owens music interrupted and Owens made his way out to the stage. A “K.O.” chant started. Owens began to speak and Theory told him to shut up. Theory said he is tired of idiots like him and Tyson Fury spoiling his moments. Theory said he will take over the entire industry. Owens said Theory tried to say all that last week, but he had an issue with his jaw. Owens said Theory brags about how young he is and how he looks. Owens said Theory was the hand-picked future, but it doesn’t work like that anymore. Owens said guys like him and Gargano don’t look like him. Theory said Owens is right because he and the fans could never look like him. Theory said Owens is jealous because he’s done more in five months than Owens has done in five years. Owens said statements like that prove his is a delusional jackass. Owens brought up Theory’s opportunities being handed to him. Owens mentioned he had an opportunity handed to him when he won the Universal title. Owens said that is where the similarities end and he couldn’t be prouder. Owens said that hundreds of guys like Theory, young and chiseled, have fizzled out. Owens said guys like him and Gargano are one in a million. The fans cheered.

Owens said the fans need people like him and Gargano because they are the heart and soul of the business. Owens called Theory the appendix of the business, completely disposable. Owens said he hopes Theory will become everything he says he is. Owens said because of how Theory carries himself, he doesn’t think he has what it takes. Theory went to speak and a fired up Owens cut him off. Owens told Theory to stop thinking about the moments he was handed and start making his own moments. Owens told Theory to check his ego and let his passion drive him to get better. Owens said by leaving everything in the ring is how you prove him wrong and become the face of WWE. The fans chanted for Owens again. Theory looked down but then flexed his bicep and said Owens will never be like him. Owens said talking sense into Theory didn’t work, but maybe this will. Owens slapped him and the two began brawling. Referees came out to break up the fight. Theory got the upper hand, but Owens kicked him and fought back. More officials came out and pulled Theory from the ring. Owens broke loose and attacked Theory further. Back in the ring, Theory tried to hit Owens with the briefcase, but Owens fought out. Owens tried a Stunner, but Theory bailed and backed away from the ring. Theory was busted open and Owens told him a broke nose was just the beginning.

(Doucette’s Analysis: Awesome promo by Owens here. He is just on another level since the Triple H regime has begun. Theory honestly looked outclassed on a promo level, but his response of doubling down on his cockiness was perfect. I don’t know if it was intentional, but bloodying Theory’s face after he was bragging about how great he looks also added to the story.)

-Belair was shown walking backstage toward the ring as a graphic promoted that she will be holding an open challenge for the Raw title. [c]

-Belair made her entrance to the ring. Belair said she always has a target on her back as the champion and she has to stay ready. Belair said that she’s holding an open challenge to prove she is the E.S.T. of WWE. Belair invited any challenger to come out to face her. Sonya Deville came out to the stage. Deville questioned if Belair thought she forgot what she did to her. Deville accused Belair of causing her to lose her job as a WWE official. Belair cut her off and told her to shut up. Belair said this is an open challenge, not an open mic and to get this thing started. [c]

(4) BIANCA BELAIR vs. SONYA DEVILLE – Raw Title match

Deville got some offense in early, but Belair began to take over. Belair got a nearfall with a backflip splash. Deville bailed to the outside. Belair tried a moonsault, but Deville moved and hit Belair with a clothesline. [c]

(HOUR THREE)

Deville hit Belair with a dropkick for a near fall. Belair used the ropes to reverse a Deville suplex attempt and hit a K.O.D. for the win.

WINNER: Belair in 10:00.

-Bayley came out after the match and mockingly congratulated Belair. Bayley asked if Belair was motivated by Kai and Sky’s win earlier. Bayley said tonight was just the beginning of their takeover. Bayley said Belair’s win tonight fed her big, fat ego. Bayley said Belair won’t be able to sleep at night until they have a match. Bayley said she didn’t wrestle for a year and still pinned Belair. Sky and Kai appeared and all three slowly entered the ring. Belair tried to fight them off, but Damage Control overwhelmed her. Asuka and Alexa Bliss ran down to take out Kai and Sky. This left Bayley alone surrounded by Bliss, Asuka, and Belair. Belair then hit Bayley with a spinebuster. Bayley retreated with Sky and Kai as Bliss, Belair, and Asuka celebrated.

-Omos and M.V.P. were shown walking backstage. [c]

Omos was making his entrance and there were some brief technical difficulties. They were quickly resolved as Omos entered the ring opposite of two jobbers.

(5) OMOS (w/M.V.P.) vs. RYAN TOOMBS & KASH MARAZI

Omos floored Toombs and Marazi with big boots. Omos then hit them each with two handed chokeslams. M.V.P. instructed Omos to stack and pin them, which he did, for the win.

WINNER: Omos in 2:00.

-Edge was shown pacing backstage. Rey begged Edge to not go through with the match. Edge said he gets it as a dad, but Dominik said he’s a man and has to pay for what he did. Edge reasoned that it’s better for him out of anyone to fight Dominik. Edge apologized in advance as Rey looked distraught.

-A recap was shown of the Riddle-Balor match and Rollins post-match attack on Riddle.

-Kevin Patrick caught up with Rollins for an interview backstage. Patrick asked Rollins what he was going to say earlier before he was interrupted. Rollins said that Riddle ruined the moment. Rollins said you can’t miss when you go after the face of Monday Night Raw. Off-camera, Lashley could be heard asking Rollins if he was the face of Raw. Lashley appeared on-camera and told Rollins whoever has the gold is the face of Raw. Rollins said he wasn’t talking about the U.S. title when he was talking about the gold, but he’ll take it off Lashley’s shoulder. Rollins challenged him to a match for the U.S. title next week. Lashley accepted and walked away as Rollins looked nervous.

-A pre-taped interview with The Miz aired. Miz looked happy and showed off his piano and harp. When the camera cut to the piano, Dexter Lumis could be seen in the window. Miz’s daughters started playing with the piano and Maryse showed up. Maryse said they have a premiere to go to. Miz asked Maryse if he was comfortable leaving. Maryse asked if it was about “that freak”. Maryse said they have guards security, gates, alarms, and more guards. Miz gushed about Maryse and sat down for the interview. The interviewer asked about Lumis. Miz told the interviewer not to mention his name. Miz said he had to have security escort him to the arena last week and Lumis still got in. Miz said he didn’t want to talk about Lumis further and told the camera crew to get out. Miz and Maryse left the house and got into their car. Miz told the crew not to be there when he gets back. Miz drove off and the camera panned back to Miz’s window with Lumis holding up a drawing of Miz, Maryse, and their kids.

-Graves pleaded for someone to get police to Miz’s home as Saxton told him to calm down.

(Doucette’s Analysis: I’d say Graves’ reaction is pretty reasonable for the circumstances.) 

-Dominik and Ripley were shown walking backstage towards the ring. [c]

-A graphic for next week’s Lashley-Rollins U.S. title match was shown.

-A recap of Theory and Owens confrontation earlier was also shown. A match between Theory and Owens was announced for next week.

-Edge’s music hit as he made his way out to a nice ovation. Dominik entered to his own entrance theme. He was still wearing ring gear with designs similar to Rey’s.

(6) EDGE vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO (w/Rhea Ripley)

Edge pushed Dominik hard into the turnbuckle as soon as the match began. Edge landed punches on Dominik and clotheslined him. Dominik tried to evade some of Edge’s offense by rolling out of the way, but Edge hit him with another clothesline. Dominik left the ring to consult with Ripley, who tried to motivate him. Dominik went back into the ring and Edge hit him with another clothesline. Edge pounded on Dominik on the outside of the ring. Edge threw Dominik into the ring, but Ripley clipped Edge’s knee. Dominik then shoved Edge knee-first into the ring stairs. [c]

Dominik had Edge in a leg lock as the show returned from commercial. Dominik hit the Three Amigos suplexes and went up for a Frog Splash but Edge tripped him up. Edge tried to superplex Dominik, but Ripley held Dominik’s leg and Edge fell backward. Dominik hit the Frog Splash (doing Eddie Guerrero’s dance beforehand), but it only got a nearfall. Edge recovered with an Impaler DDT, but Edge’s knee prevented him from capitalizing. Edge signaled for the Spear, but Dominik countered it into a half-Boston Crab. Edge countered the Crab into a roll up for a two count. Edge tied Dominik up in the ropes and punched him in the face several times. Edge slapped him and kept punching him more. Graves said Dominik was getting a painful lesson in respect from his Uncle Adam. Rey ran out to stop Edge and pleaded with him. Rey grabbed Edge to stop him, but Priest pulled him out of the ring. Priest presumably threw Rey into the announcer’s desk as he was seen in Smith’s lap. Ripley freed Dominik from the ropes and Balor attacked Edge’s knee causing a disqualification.

WINNER: Edge by DQ in 15:00.

-Edge started to fight off Balor, but Ripley attacked from behind with a chair. Ripley handed the chair to Dominik, who attacked Edge’s knee. Ripley, Priest, and Dominik held down Edge with his knee elevated on the opened chair. Balor hit Edge’s knee with a Coup de Gras as The Judgment Day posed to end the show.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The main event was okay, but I was just waiting the entire time for the shenanigans because I knew there wouldn’t be a clean finish. The Judgment Day has been better lately, but I don’t think it should be a centerpiece of the show like it was tonight. Dominik was much better tonight and looked comfortable as a heel. The Gargano-Gable match and the K.O. promo were the highlights of the night. Mediocre show overall, though.

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