Kemo
08-23-2023, 07:05 PM
:raw:
The Aug. 21 episode of WWE: Monday Night Raw featuring an Intercontinental Championship match averaged 1.501 million viewership and did a 0.50 rating (P18-49).
This is down from the previous week (1.757 million viewers, 0.55 rating), as the company went against an NFL Preseason matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens. This is the first episode of Raw that drew less than 1.6 million viewers since June 12 (1.595 million).
Raw featured Intercontinental Champion Gunther defended his title against Chad Gable. The match was made after Gable won a Fatal Four Way match against Matt Riddle, Ricochet, and Tommaso Ciampa to become the number one contender on the Aug. 7 episode of WWE: Monday Night Raw. To build toward the match, Gunther defeated Gable's tag team partner Otis on the Aug. 14 episode of the Raw brand, providing more motivation for the title challenger to want to get revenge.
Gable showed his talent in the ring and his potential as a singles champion. The title challenger won the match by count-out, which resulted in Gunther retaining his title. Gable landed a German Suplex on the champion over the barricade outside the ring, which resulted in Gunther being unable to stop the referee count.
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Although he didn't win the title, Gable was the first person on the main roster to defeat Gunther in a singles match. WWE has protected Gunther for over a year, with him getting wins over top main roster talents like Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Sheamus. The victory gives Gable bragging rights over the champion and likely sets up a rematch with the Intercontinental Championship on the line again.
WWE has their upcoming premium live event, WWE: Payback, on Sep. 2. A rematch between Gunther and Gable could occur on the card, as fans hope to see another great matchup.
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The Aug. 21 episode progressed storylines heading into the PLE next month. Two matches were announced on the show, with hints of what other bouts could be added to WWE: Payback.
It was announced that World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins would defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura at the PLE. Nakamura revealed to WWE fans that Rollins has been dealing with a severe back injury and plans to use his weakness against him. The champion acknowledged that he is indeed working with a back injury and challenged Nakamura to show up next week to meet him in the ring.
Another match was announced for WWE: Payback for Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley to defend her title against Raquel Rodriguez. Ripley defeated Candice LeRae on the Aug. 21 episode. After the match, Rodriguez appeared with a crutch to pretend like she was still injured after the attacks she faced from the champion. However, the title challenger eliminated the crutch and gave Ripley a beatdown. The champion escaped Rodriguez's wrath but was told she would challenge for the title at WWE: Payback.
The next WWE: Monday Night Raw episode looks to be a crucial show as the company fills out the rest of the upcoming PLE card.
-vQzjBow-s8
The Aug. 21 episode of WWE: Monday Night Raw featuring an Intercontinental Championship match averaged 1.501 million viewership and did a 0.50 rating (P18-49).
This is down from the previous week (1.757 million viewers, 0.55 rating), as the company went against an NFL Preseason matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens. This is the first episode of Raw that drew less than 1.6 million viewers since June 12 (1.595 million).
Raw featured Intercontinental Champion Gunther defended his title against Chad Gable. The match was made after Gable won a Fatal Four Way match against Matt Riddle, Ricochet, and Tommaso Ciampa to become the number one contender on the Aug. 7 episode of WWE: Monday Night Raw. To build toward the match, Gunther defeated Gable's tag team partner Otis on the Aug. 14 episode of the Raw brand, providing more motivation for the title challenger to want to get revenge.
Gable showed his talent in the ring and his potential as a singles champion. The title challenger won the match by count-out, which resulted in Gunther retaining his title. Gable landed a German Suplex on the champion over the barricade outside the ring, which resulted in Gunther being unable to stop the referee count.
XFCLRjBbTtk
Although he didn't win the title, Gable was the first person on the main roster to defeat Gunther in a singles match. WWE has protected Gunther for over a year, with him getting wins over top main roster talents like Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Sheamus. The victory gives Gable bragging rights over the champion and likely sets up a rematch with the Intercontinental Championship on the line again.
WWE has their upcoming premium live event, WWE: Payback, on Sep. 2. A rematch between Gunther and Gable could occur on the card, as fans hope to see another great matchup.
tFivqqQQweg
The Aug. 21 episode progressed storylines heading into the PLE next month. Two matches were announced on the show, with hints of what other bouts could be added to WWE: Payback.
It was announced that World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins would defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura at the PLE. Nakamura revealed to WWE fans that Rollins has been dealing with a severe back injury and plans to use his weakness against him. The champion acknowledged that he is indeed working with a back injury and challenged Nakamura to show up next week to meet him in the ring.
Another match was announced for WWE: Payback for Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley to defend her title against Raquel Rodriguez. Ripley defeated Candice LeRae on the Aug. 21 episode. After the match, Rodriguez appeared with a crutch to pretend like she was still injured after the attacks she faced from the champion. However, the title challenger eliminated the crutch and gave Ripley a beatdown. The champion escaped Rodriguez's wrath but was told she would challenge for the title at WWE: Payback.
The next WWE: Monday Night Raw episode looks to be a crucial show as the company fills out the rest of the upcoming PLE card.
-vQzjBow-s8