WWE Raw Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Sept. 16
The march to Bad Blood on Saturday, October 5 in Atlanta continued Monday night on WWE Raw, with a jam-packed card featuring red-hot rivalries, a championship clash, and the latest developments in the Judgment Day-Terror Twins saga.
What went down, how did each segment grade out, and what did it mean for the flagship show moving forward?
Find out with this recap from the September 16 show.
Match Card
1 of 11Announced in advance of Monday's show were:
- Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne
- Natalya vs. Zoey Stark
- Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio
- Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed
- World Tag Team Championship Match: New Day vs. Judgment Day
- CM Punk promo
CM Punk Promo
2 of 11
A gravely voiced CM Punk kicked off Monday's show and addressed the fans and his opponent on October 5 at Bad Blood, Drew McIntyre.
Punk said that, despite the best efforts of his family, he is going to war with his sworn enemy because the devil told him to. He admitted that he really cannot afford a Hell in a Cell match at this point in his career but if that match means the end of his career, so be it.
He ended the intense promo by promising to obliterate The Scottish Warrior at the premium live event.
This was a strong promo from Punk that was tonally different than what we have gotten out of him since his return. He was not happy to be back or simply happy to be there. Punk was angry, seething even, and hellbent to take McIntyre to hell in just under three weeks.
As he should be.
Promos like this are why you book Punk in a spot like this. Few can make people care like he can and this was another example of his mic mastery.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "I'm gonna make you bleed. I promise you are going to have to kill me," Punk said.
- "I've had a great career and if this is the end, so be it."
- "If you are prepared for this to be the end of Drew McIntyre, then I'll see you in hell," he said wrapping his promo up with an emphatic line.
Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne
3 of 11
Sheamus and Pete Dunne wrote the latest chapter in their increasingly intensifying rivalry Monday night, with The Bruiserweight getting the best of The Celtic Warrior.
In the closing moments of the grueling battle between former friends, Dunne introduced the shillelagh to the mix, providing a distraction. After resisting the urge to utilize the weapon, and with the referee distracted, Sheamus turned directly into a cricket bat to the face that allowed the Brit to score the tainted pinfall victory.
It felt too soon for this feud to be over so an outcome that extended it and allowed Dunne to build momentum and heat was due. That is exactly what we got and it worked, with fans who had chanted "Butch" at the antagonist earlier booing him and his chicanery by the match's end.
Result
Dunne defeated Sheamus
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Sheamus fired the crowd up during a backstage promo before his entrance, which is becoming a staple of his presentation.
- Backstage Xavier Woods asked Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Jey Uso to let him and Kofi Kingston handle business with The Judgment Day, to which The Archer of Infamy agreed.
Natalya vs. Zoey Stark
4 of 11
Natalya outwrestled Zoey Stark Monday night, catching her with a schoolboy rollup to secure a win and stick it to Pure Fusion Collective.
The match featured perfectly acceptable wrestling that was interrupted significantly by a commercial break that never allowed it to build momentum and reach its fullest potential.
The talent involved in this feud, also including Zelina Vega, Lyra Valkyria, Sonya Deville, and Shayna Baszler, is off the charts. Giving them more time and not hampering it with a commercial right in the middle of the heat portion of the match, is a great step toward ensuring it is not wasted.
Result
Natalya defeated Zoey Stark
Grade
C
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Why is Stark losing here? Why is she not making a star for herself right now? She is a star of the future and someone who has more to offer the division than she is currently allowed to, even as a member of Pure Fusion Collective who gets television time every week.
- During a backstage confrontation, Finn Bálor revealed to Rhea Ripley that he was "the devil on Dom's shoulder" who pushed him toward Liv Morgan. Jey Uso interrupted, continued making moves toward Mami, and headed to the ring for a promo.
- Uso has what the kids would call "rizz" in spades. He is a star.
Jey Uso and Bron Breakker Promo
5 of 11
Jey Uso made his way to the ring to a huge ovation and wasted little time focusing his attention on the Intercontinental Championship that has eluded him since he arrived on the red brand.
Current champion Bron Breakker interrupted and told Uso that he never needed his dad, nor his name, to achieve the success that he has in the first six months of his main roster career. He claimed to have done as much in such as short period as Uso has in his 14-year career.
Uso took a shot at the champ's short NFL career, dodged a spear, and delivered one of his own to close things out.
This was excellent. Breakker is great; so much better than his relative inexperience would suggest. Uso showed the fire here that we have not seen since his Bloodline run and the result was an engaging promo that made his match against Breakker even more eagerly anticipated.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "I didn't need my dad. I didn't need the name," Breakker told Uso, suggesting the new No. 1 contender did.
- "You are nothing without your family."
- "Next week, for the Intercontinental Championship, I'm gonna dog walk your ass!" Uso rebutted.
World Tag Team Championship Match: New Day vs. Judgment Day
6 of 11
The Judgment Day narrowly retained the World Tag Team Championship as Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh defeated New Day's Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.
The challengers were close to knocking off the champions and winning the gold but a ringside brawl between Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, and the LWO provided a distraction that diverted the referee's attention from Woods, who delivered a top-rope elbow drop that should have scored him and Kingston the titles.
Moments later, a recovered Bálor delivered a Coup de Grace for the victory.
The frustration on display from Woods was great as months of Karrion Kross manipulation, hints of Odyssey Jones joining the group, and losses have caused him to lash out.
That it continued backstage after the break, culminating with him yelling at Kingston and storming off, hints at the impending demise of the New Day as we know it.
If it leads to a sustained singles push for Woods, even as a heel, it is a breakup that may prove worthwhile.
Result
Judgment Day defeated New Day to retain
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Woods exploded into the ring off the hot tag, the crowd firmly behind New Day.
- "I'm tired of this. Something's gotta change, man," a clearly frustrated Woods told Kingston as he exited the ring.
- The latest video from The Wyatt Sicks aired, complete with a QR code. "You speak, we follow," the video warned.
Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed
7 of 11
Braun Strowman and "Big" Bronson Reed continued to unleash heel Monday night, waging war with each other in a chaotic brawl that saw ropes break, fans thrown, barriers torn down, and tables and walls broken backstage.
There was no official match, nor did there have to be. This was a wild brawl between two hosses that concluded with both crashing through a wall.
There will inevitably be a blowoff match between these two. What that is and where it takes place remains to be seen but one thing is for certain: this has been a ton of fun and has gone a long way in establishing Reed as a top-tier threat on Raw.
Result
No contest
Grade
A+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The top-rope snapped three seconds into the match, setting the tone for the chaos we would see unfold from there.
- "He just lawn-darted a person!" Joe Tessitore said on commentary.
- Eagerly anticipating the eleventy-billion-star rating this one gets.
Sami Zayn Promo
8 of 11
World Heavyweight champion Gunther continued to deny Sami Zayn's challenge for a title shot, working with Ludwig Kaiser to sucker him into a beatdown at their hand.
As The Ring General exited the squared circle, Zayn countered an attack by Kaiser, left him lying following the Helluva Kick, and stood tall to close out the segment.
We are clearly getting Zayn vs. Gunther, though maybe not at Bad Blood on October 5. Instead, it would not be surprising if the babyface gets the nod in time for November's Survivor Series in Vancouver.
Regardless of when or where the match happens, their WrestleMania encounter was an instant classic. Another opportunity to establish their in-ring chemistry and deliver an all-timer will likely motivate champion and challenger to attempt to steal the show.
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "At least have the balls to speak for yourself," Zayn told Kaiser after denouncing the idea that Gunther doesn't view him as a legitimate opponent.
- "Sami, regarding your challenge, my answer is, and will remain, 'no,'" Gunther told the Underdog from the Underground.
- Backstage, Priest told Morgan in a backstage confrontation that she has balls, something the rest of the Judgment Day does not, before vowing to beat Bálor at Bad Blood and Dominik Mysterio later tonight.
Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky
9 of 11
Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane was originally slated for Monday's show before Iyo Sky approached The EST backstage and a match between them was made.
What ensued was the best match of the night to this point, a back-and-forth battle that saw Sky answer Belair's power and raw athleticism with her elusiveness and speed.
Late in the match, Belair hoisted Sky onto her shoulders for the KOD but the former women's champion countered into a small package for the victory.
More of this, please! The chemistry between Belair and Sky was off the charts.
This was a fantastic match that gave Sky some much-needed momentum as Damage CTRL looks toward an inevitable Women's Tag Team Championship showdown with Belair and Jade Cargill.
Result
Sky pinned Belair
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Belair's shoulder to the midsection in the corner was tough.
- Tessitor revealed that Belair's only singles loss came to Nia Jax in the Queen of the Ring tournament. That is a hell of a stat and reflective of how strongly booked The EST has been in 2025.
- Sky's tope suicida to Belair on the outside of the ring was jaw-dropping.
- The finish was extraordinary. Excellent work and great timing by both Belair and Sky.
Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio
10 of 11
Damian Priest's victory over Dominik Mysterio was short-lived Monday nights s The Judgment Day immediately attacked, the numbers game proving to be too much for The Archer of Infamy and his best friend, Rhea Ripley.
The heels beat down the babyfaces for the second consecutive week as WWE Creative rehabbed their credibility following Mysterio and Morgan's loss at Bash at Berlin. The heels looked like a dominant force as they stood tall over the fallen bodies of Priest and Ripley, ready to reclaim their spot at the top of the Raw roster at the expense of the Terror Twins.
The match between Priest and Mysterio was a fun one, full of great spots and extracurricular activity before the crowd-pleasing finish gave way to the heels shining bright. Priest vs. Bálor and Ripley vs. Morgan at Bad Blood have the real potential to be a couple of showstealers as the fans continue to eat this storyline up.
Result
Priest defeated Mysterio
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Ripley took out Morgan, flying over the announce table and ensuring she would not have an impact on the outcome.
- Mysterio got some air on the South of Heaven that earned Priest the win. It was a great visual and emphatic finish.
- Breakker may have missed his cue by a second or two as Uso arrived to make the save, only to have to wait for a moment until the IC champion exploded from out of nowhere to wipe him out with a spear.
Overall Show
11 of 11This was an extraordinary episode of Raw, maybe the best in a year, at least.
Punk's promo at the top of the show set the tone for the night before giving way to a fantastic promo segment from Uso and Breakker, two great matches in the form of Sheamus vs. Dunne and Belair vs. Sky, and the latest chaos from Reed and Strowman.
Everything hit here and served a purpose as WWE approaches Bad Blood.
The fans in Portland did not hurt, delivering a top-five atmosphere.
Grade: A
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