WWE RAW Notes: Women’s World Title, Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest, McIntyre vs. CM Punk Hell in a Cell Matches Set for Bad Blood 2024, Bret Hart Appears, Natayla Surprise Return, Jey Uso Wins Shot at IC Title, 9/16 Show Card

Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan for WWE Women’s World Title Set for WWE Bad Blood 2024

Monday’s WWE RAW season premiere show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada featured the first of three new matches announced for the card of WWE Bad Blood 2024.

The first new match announced was a WWE Women’s World Championship match of Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan (c).

This match was initially setup in recent weeks over Ripley’s bad blood issues with Morgan and Ripley issuing a challenge last week that Dominik Mysterio accepted on Morgan’s behalf.

During tonight’s show, it was announced that this match was made official for Bad Blood following a video package that aired recapping last week’s show.


Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest Set for WWE Bad Blood 2024

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured the second of three new matches announced for the card of WWE Bad Blood 2024.

This new match announced was a singles match of Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest.

This match was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving Balor and Priest that ended in a big brawl between Judgement Day and Terror Twins & Jey Uso. During the show, Balor came out to the ring and grabbed a microphone. Balir stated that it didn’t have to be this way with Priest. Balor stated that Priest thinks Balor screwed him but Priest screwed Judgement Day. Balor talked about when he joined the group, he reached down and tried to help Priest up but the more he helped Priest up, the more Priest tried to hold him down. Balor stated that Priest held him down, his friend and brother. Balor then stated that he should have been World Heavyweight Champion a long time aho but Priest was lurking behind his back with the Money in the Bank briefcase every chance he could. Balor stated that every time he got close to the title, Priest screwed him. Balor then called out Priest to come out because he has some things he wants to say to his face.

This led to Priest’s music playing and him charging down to the ring. Priest grabbed a microphone and stated that ever since Balor broke up the real Judgement Day, he’s tried to get his hands on him but Balor has run. Priest then stated that he will let Balor say what he has to say and then he is dropping his ass. Balor responded stating Priest can not tell him what to do anymore after being turned into Priest’s sidekick. After some more words, Balor issued a challenge to Priest for a one-on-one match at WWE Bad Blood. Priest responded accepting the challenge and after some more words by Priest, Balor interrupted him asking him if he’s forgotten the old Judgement Day playbook. Priest responded stating that he wrote the playbook.

This led to a brawl breaking out between Priest, Balor, and the rest of Judgement Day who ran out to the ring. This led to Ripley running out trying to save Priest only to get taken out by Liv Morgan. Judgement Day continued their attack on Priest and Ripley leading to Uso running out to save them and chased Judgement Day out of the ring.


Bret Hart Makes Appearance on Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart making a special appearance.

During the show, WWE RAW announcers Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett introduced Hart who came out to the ring. Tessitore stated that they have an announcement with Hart because something special is happening in Calgary. Tessitore stated that when WWE comes back to Canada at the end of November, it will be for Survivor Series in Vancouver.

Barrett asked Hart how good it feels to be back home on Monday Night RAW in the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Hart responded stating that this is the place to be and no one took more price than Hart did in being a champion. Hart proceeded to talk about being a Canadian champion and Canadian champions will take on anybody and never duck a challenge. After some more words, Hart stated that he is the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be.

This led to Gunther’s music interrupting Hart and he came out to the ring. Gunther proceeded to praise Hart and stated that this is a passing of the torch moment. Gunther stated that Hart is the best there was but he is looking at the best there is and the best there ever will be. Gunther then gave more praise to Hart for being a childhood hero to him only to then give a backhanded insult stating that Hart will always be a close second to his actual favorite. Gunther then revealed that his all-time favorite is Bill Goldberg, which led to Hart scoffing in reaction.

Before anything else could happen, Sami Zayn’s music played and he came out to the ring. Zayn grabbed a microphone and stated that Gunther has a lot of nerve standing in this ring in this city and talking to this man the way he just did. After some words of praise to Hart for what he meant as a Canadian Hero and to every person in this city and as a hero to en entire generation of wrestlers in the back who still study Hart’s matches to this day. After some more words, Zayn issued another challenge to Gunther for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which Gunther refused for the second week in a row. Gunther then left the ring and started to head to the back before being stopped after Hart proceeded to call him a “dirty, yellow coward.” This led to Gunther being upset over Hart’s insult and took off his jacket and started walking back to the ring only to be stopped by Zayn. This led to a brawl breaking out ending with Zayn standing tall in the end and a furious Gunther leaving. Zayn then went back into the ring and celebrated with Hart.


Natayla Makes Surprise Return on Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured Natayla making her surprise return to WWE.

During the show, Pure Fusion Collective came out first for their Six-Women Tag Team match. They were followed by Zelina Vega and then Lyra Valkyria but before Valkyria could finish her entrance routine, Sonya Deville interrupted and mocked them stating that whoever they managed to find for a tag team partner would just suffer the same fate as them.

This led to Natalya’s music playing revealing herself as Vega and Valkyria’s mystery partner.

This was Natalya’s first appearance in WWE since this past June.


Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk Hell in a Cell Match Announced for WWE Bad Blood 2024

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured the third of three new matches announced for the card of WWE Bad Blood 2024, which takes place on October 5th at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

This new match announced was a Hell in a Cell match of Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk.

This mach was setup following a promo segment between McIntyre and RAW General Manager Adam Pearce. During the show, McIntyre came out to the ring and sarcastically joined in on the loud “CM Punk” chants by the crowd. McIntyre insulted Punk stated that they were chanting in memory of him. McIntyre asked everyone if they heard what Punk said last week about he won the strap match and was moving on for the World title. McIntyre stated that Punk cost him the World title three times and he beat him at SummerSlam and if he thought he was moving on after touching four corners, he was wrong. McIntyre stated that he is the one who ended Punk’s career. McIntyre then stated that they are moving on to what maters the most and proceeded to talk about his upcoming new movie.

McIntyre then turned his attention towards Wade Barrett who was seated at the commentary table. McIntyre stated that he has one more loose end to tie up and turned towards Barrett. McIntyre talked about his longtime friendship with Barrett and how Barrett was the voice of reason when Michael Cole was lying about Punk. McIntyre stated that Barrett stepped in when he was going to finish Punk and he’s not angry but if Wade gets involved again, he’s not going to be angry and is going to do something about it. This led to Barrett taking off his headset and standing up.

Before anything else could happen, RAW GM Pearce came out and asked McIntyre if he has lost the plot and wants to fight his friend. Pearce then told McIntyre to step into the ring because he has something to say. After McIntyre got into the ring, Pearce stated that he spoke to Punk earlier today and Punk is not done. After some more words, Pearce stated that McIntyre will be facing off against Punk at Bad Blood in a Hell in a Cell match. Pearce then left the ring as McIntyre looked on angrily over Pearce’s announcement.

Current card for WWE Bad Blood 2024:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan (c)
  • Hell in a Cell match – Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
  • Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Jey Uso Wins Shot at Intercontinental Title on Monday’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured Jey Uso earning a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

Uso defeated Pete Dunne, Ilja Dragunov, and Braun Strowman in a Four-way match for the Finals of the Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender tournament.

As a result of his victory, Uso will officially challenge Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental title at a future show.


Current Card for Next Week’s WWE RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show also featured one new match announced for the card of next week’s RAW show on September 16th in Portland, Oregon.

These matches were all setup following promos segments and match card graphics throughout the show.

Current card for September 16th WWE RAW show:

  • WWE World Tag Team Championship – New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs. Judgement Day (JD McDonagh & Finn Balor)
  • CM Punk to return