WWE RAW Notes: Joe Tessitore RAW Commentary Debut, Ripley Wants Women’s World Title, CM Punk Calls Out Gunther, McIntyre Breaks Punk’s Bracelet, Dragunov & Strowman Advance in IC Title #1 Contender Tourn., Unholy Union Wins Tag Titles Shot

Joe Tessitore Makes WWE Commentary Debut at Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show in Denver, Colorado featured former ESPN broadcaster Joe Tessitore making his official WWE commentary debut.

At the start of the show, Wade Barrett in the ring and introduced Tessitore who joined Barrett in the ring. Tessitore gave his first speech as the newest member of WWE’s commentary team and talked about WWE’s Bash In Berlin this past weekend.


Rhea Ripley Challenges Liv Morgan for WWE Women’s World Title & Morgan Accepts

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured a WWE Women’s World Championship match of Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan being set for a future date.

During the show, Ripley came out to the ring and talked about the Terror Twins victory over Judgement Day’s Morgan and Dominik Mysterio at Bash In Berlin. Ripley stated that at Bash In Berlin she pinned the Women’s World Champion, so she thinks it’s time to get back the one thing she never actually lost.

This lead to Dominik Mysterio’s music interrupting and made his way out to the ring sporting a black eye. Mysterio attempted to speak only for the crowd to quickly loudly boo him in return every time leading to Ripley responding that no one wants to hear Mysterio’s voice. Ripley told Mysterio to go in the back and get his girlfriend before she gives him another black eye. Mysterio attempted to respond only to be booed by the crowd again. Mysterio was finally able to get a full sentence in stating that Morgan is still recovering from what Ripley did to her at Bash in Berlin. Mysterio stated that they were jet-lagged and didn’t get any sleep for multiple reasons. Mysterio then stated that he is here to let Ripley know that Morgan will accept her challenge and just because she is a little banged up, she is not afraid of Ripley. Mysterio stated that Morgan has beaten Ripley before and she will do it again and claimed that he will win the Intercontinental Championship Contender’s tournament and become the new champion.

After some insults in response, Ripley stated that she wants Mysterio to relay him this message of that she will face Morgan anytime and in any place. This led to Morgan running out to the ring and a brawl breaking out resulting in Ripley being shoved into the ropes and tumbled out with her foot stuck on the ropes. Morgan continued her attack on Ripley leading to Damian Priest running out to save Ripley causing Morgan and Mysterio to run away through the crowd. priest then helped Ripley out of the ropes and Ripley was in a lot of pain as she sate on the apron.


CM Punk Calls Out Gunther for WWE World Title & Gets Beaten Up and Bracelet Smashed by Drew McIntyre in Response

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured CM Punk calling out Gunther for a potential future WWE World Heavyweight Championship match.

During the show, Punk came out to the ring and talked about never being sick of the “CM Punk” chants he gets, his family, and the Strap match he had in Berlin. Punk stated that he is on the other side of a big ugly issue and now that the personal issue is out of the way, its time to get down to business. Punk talked about him being a businessman and when he came back to WWE, he famously said he was not there to make friends. Punk stated that he is here to make money and he will take the money any way he can get it, either in cold hard cash, love from the crowd, direct deposit, or gold.

Punk then turned his attention towards Gunther and talked about Gunther’s victory over Randy Orton and him still being the champ. Punk stated that nothing can replace the chip on his shoulder other than the belt and since he put Drew McIntyre to sleep, its time CM Punk woke up as champion. Punk then called out Gunther and told him to enjoy it because he will enjoy taking it off of him and his goal is gold and the target is Gunther.

After he finished, Punk left the ring and posed on the commentary table leading to a mysterious hooded person attacking Punk. This mystery person pulled down their hood revealing himself to be McIntyre. McIntyre continued his attack on Punk leading to Wade Barrett pulling McIntyre away and confronted him over what he just did. After some words by Barrett, McIntyre sidestepped him and laid out Punk with a Claymore Kick on the outside before tossing him back into the ring. McIntyre continued his attack as WWE officials rushed out trying to stop McIntyre to no avail. McIntyre continued his attack on Punk and grabbed Punk’s bracelet and broke it apart and shoved the beads into Punk’s mouth. McIntyre then hit another Claymore Kick to Punk and continued pummeling Punk until finally being pulled off of him. McIntyre left the ring as medics came out with a stretcher for Punk.

In a follow-up segment, Punk was seen being stretchered backstage but before medics were able to reach the ambulance, McIntyre showed up and continued his attack on Punk. McIntyre tried to gouge out Punk’s eyes before being pulled off and leaving Punk with a bloody mouth.


Ilja Dragunov & Braun Strowman Advances in Intercontinental Title #1 Contender Tournament

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured two more First Round matches for the #1 Contender’s tournament for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

The first tournament match was Ilja Dragunov defeating Dragon Lee and Dominik Mysterio.

The second tournament match was Braun Strowman defeated Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus.

As a result of their victories, Dragunov and Braun Strowman join Jey Uso and Pete Dunne in the Fatal Four-way Finals of the Intercontinental title #1 Contender tournament, which takes place on the September 9th RAW show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


Unholy Union Wins Shot at WWE Women’s Tag Titles on Monday’s RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) defeating Damage CTRL (Kairi Sane & IYO SKY) in a #1 Contender’s match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.

As a result of their victory, Unholy Union will officially challenge Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Tag titles at next week’s WWE RAW show on September 9th in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.