As the wrestling universe converged on the Capital One Arena in Washington DC for WWE RAW on November 13, 2023, fans witnessed a night filled with intense action and surprising alliance shifts which shook the foundations of WWE’s storyline dynamics.
The commentary duo of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett navigated us through the evening, which kicked off with an alliance forming victory as Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn dispatched JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio by disqualification. The tumultuous encounter set the tone for a RAW that would be anything but ordinary.
In singles competition, Shinsuke Nakamura’s striking prowess proved too much for Otis, as Nakamura secured a decisive victory with a Kinshasa. Meanwhile, Tegan Nox showcased her technical acumen, overcoming Piper Niven through a well-executed Crucifix Pin, while Ludwig Kaiser and The Miz found success with crafty roll-up pins against Tommaso Ciampa and Ivar, respectively.
However, it was the main event that captured the audience’s attention—the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship clash ominously loomed as Judgement Day’s Finn Balor & Damian Priest faced off against the team of Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes. The result was a controversial retention of the titles by Judgement Day, but more on that in a moment.
The evening also hit a crescendo with the revelation of Judgement Day’s decision to officially induct JD McDonagh into their ranks. McDonagh’s dedication and his act of valor—taking a spear meant for Priest from Uso—earned him not just a spot within the group but also a coveted Judgement Day-style jacket, symbolizing his acceptance. This shift came despite Priest’s past opposition and cemented the collective as a more daunting force within WWE’s faction landscape.
Rhea Ripley, playing the mediator, ensured Priest understood the significance of their collective power and how, despite his earlier assertion of leadership, they were one unit under the guise of WarGames strategy. Priest’s eventual agreement illustrated Judgement Day’s formidable solidarity as they look towards future battlegrounds.
Speaking of future events, WWE released a teaser of what fans can expect on the next episode of RAW slated for November 20th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The lineup promises a fiery set of encounters with matches like Becky Lynch vs. Xia Li and Raquel Rodriguez squaring off against Nia Jax, in addition to a Men’s Survivor Series WarGames Advantage match yet to reveal its combatants.
A moment that left fans reeling was the shocking alignment of Drew McIntyre with Judgement Day—a move no one anticipated. Following the main event’s climax, McIntyre’s surprise interference, delivering a Claymore Kick to Uso, enabled Judgement Day to retain their Tag Team titles. Then, a silent pact made manifest when Rhea Ripley appeared, offering a handshake to the towering McIntyre—a vivid declaration of a new Judgement Day ally.
With backroom dealings and in-ring prowess on display, Monday’s RAW not only showcased the athletes’ physical talents but also unraveled complex narrative threads that have set the stage for explosive confrontations to come. As the chessboard of WWE’s fierce rivalries and alliances continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the world of professional wrestling never fails to deliver surprises that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
