WWE RAW Notes: Gunther’s Undefeated Singles Streak Snapped, Two New Matches Announced for Payback 2023

Aug 21, 2023

Chad Gable Breaks Gunther’s Undefeated Singles Streak at Monday’s RAW Show

Monday’s WWE RAW show in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada featured an Intercontinental Championship match between Chad Gable and champion Gunther.

The finish to this match involved Gunther attacking Gable on the outside with his patented stiff chops only for Gable to dodge out of the way when Gunther tried to chop him on the post. This led to Gunther withering in pain while Gable ran into the ring to beat the ten count to win the match but not the Intercontinental title as a result.

😲😲😲😲😲😲@WWEGable is an absolute MACHINE!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/e5B71gu9wk
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2023

RAW commemorator Michael Cole stated that this was Gunther’s first ever singles loss in WWE since his joining the main roster.

Two New Matches Announced for WWE Payback 2023

Monday’s RAW show in Quebec City also featured two new matches officially announced for the card of WWE Payback 2023, which takes place on September 2nd at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The first new match announced is a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match of Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins (c).

This match was initially setup during last week’s RAW show involving Nakamura explaining why he had recently attacked Rollins, an angry Rollins granting him a title shot, and Nakamura whispering something to Rollins ear that shocked him before being hit with a Kinshasa.

During Monday’s RAW show, Nakamura gave a video promo explaining that what he whispered to Rollins was that he knew about his deep secret of his back being his biggest weakness due to the issues he has had with it over the years. Nakamura claimed that Rollins lives in pain every day over it and his worst fears are coming true of someone being able to take away his WWE World title. After some more words, Nakamura stated that he will not be satisfied until he breaks Rollins once and for all. Following the segment, it was officially announced that Nakamura and Rollins will be facing off for the WWE World Heavyweight title at Payback 2023.

What DID @ShinsukeN whisper to @WWERollins? Find out NOW!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/IXVV0FnrSV
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2023

The second new match announced is a WWE Women’s World Championship match of Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley (c).

This match was setup following Ripley’s quick submission victory over Candice LeRae on the show. Before Ripley could celebrate, Rodriguez’s music played and she came out on a crutch. Ripley confronted Rodriguez who hobbled towards her but this turned out to just be a ruse and Rodriguez revealed her knee had healed and started to attack Ripley. Following her extended attack on Ripley, Rodriguez stated that she was recently medically cleared and her promised title shot against Ripley for her Women’s World title would be taking place at Payback 2023.