Monday episode of WWE Raw Set the stage for Survivor Series: WarGames with high-stakes matches, including a War Games advantage match between Bianca Belair and Nia Jax. Bron Breakker defended his Intercontinental Championship against Ludwig Kaiser and The LWO faced The Creed Brothers. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston lost their temper and Bayley made a pitch to enter the War Games match.
The go-home show was full of action and a few surprises. Here are your winners and losers from this crucial episode of Raw.
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Give us your predictions for WWE Survivor Series
This year's Survivor Series makes for a somewhat unpredictable show. Given that there have been two War Games games in the series with numerous twists and turns, it can be difficult to make predictions. What do you think will happen in the three matches announced so far: Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, And The Usos vs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga In A WarGames Match Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill (on Smackdown injured, status for the match is up in the air), Naomi and Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae, Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton in one WarGames match between Gunther and Damian Priest for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Winner/Loser: Gunther and Damian Priest Brawl
Günther is no longer a dominant force
Monday Night Raw opened with World Heavyweight Champion Guenther in the ring for a promo along with interviewer Jackie Redmond. She wanted to hear Gunther's thoughts on the last week, but Damian Priest assumed he would come to the ring and join in the conversation. A heated exchange escalated into a fight in which Günther hit Priest with a microphone. However, Priest recovered and delivered a devastating Razor's Edge through the announce table, leaving Gunther on the floor.
The fans loved Priest and the brawl was fun, but there is an unfortunate truth in Priest's assertion that Gunther is no longer the fearsome and dominant force he once was. Yes, The Ring General is still the champion, but he seems to be either backing down or coming to the end in most matches he's been a part of. He needs a dominant win to reclaim some of what made him so special.
Winner: The Creed Brothers
Rey can't win if he can't see
It may not be the first time a wrestler has flipped a luchador's mask to obscure his vision, but it's a rare sight that this writer can't recall seeing before. This creative spot added even more excitement to an already entertaining match between two strong tag teams. The Creed Brothers continue to impress in the ring and their growing personalities position them as a top team of the future. While the referee's distraction was a bit contrived, Chad Gable's clever move to turn Rey Mysterio's mask backwards, leaving him vulnerable to Julius Creed, who secured the rolling pin, was undeniably effective.
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser vs. Bron Breakker
Triple Threat Match added to Survivor Series
Although he didn't like the fact that the match was stopped due to Sheamus' interference, this match was an example of how one move can make the whole thing entertaining. That's not to say the game itself was bad. But when Breakker went for a running spear from the outside and missed, slamming sternum first into the commentary table, it took the building's breath away. It was one of the worst places in recent memory. It legitimately looked like it should have hurt him.
When they came back from commercial, all three, Kaiser, Breakker and Sheamus, were still fighting. Adam Pearce grabbed the mic and yelled that there would be a triple threat match for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series if everyone wanted to fight that hard.
Loser: Judgment Day defends title against the War Raiders
Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh defeated the War Raiders and defended the World Tag Team Championships, but this wasn't a match worthy of the build-up to get there. While a hot day made for some entertaining action, there was never really any danger that the War Raiders would win here. When Dominik interfered and caused a distraction, McDonagh was able to secure the victory for the successful defense of his title.
Winner: New Day finally loses it
Next week will be interesting
Fans can cancel the terrible match where Akira Tozawa pinned Xavier Woods in seconds. The match had very little to do with the segment, but was intended to result in Woods and Kofi Kingston finally breaking down and taking out their frustrations on each other in a heated verbal exchange.
As the two men walked to the back, cameras followed. They understood every word and when Woods and Kingston stopped right on the other side of Gorilla, things got bad. Woods said Kofi didn't trust him and Kofi replied there was a reason. He claimed that Woods was too reckless and took too many risks, which is why he was never a champion. Woods then claimed that Kofi only became world champion because Woods made it possible for him.
The two men walked away saying they would see each other again next week at the 10th anniversary celebration. Big E will be there when things either finally blow up or they both work things out.
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Winner: Bayley helps Bianca Belair win Advantage Match
Is Bayley the fifth member of Team Ripley?
The main event was Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax. The winner gave his War Games team the advantage at Survivor Series. After it was announced that Jade Cargill would not be cleared to compete due to medical reasons, Belair and the rest of the team discussed who the fifth member could be. Ripley didn't care and Naomi proposed to Bayley, which Belair declined due to her history.
But in the final seconds of their match, Bayley came down and threw Jax off the middle rope. That was enough to allow Belair to hit a 450 splash and secure the win.
