Gunther Addresses Damian Priest
In the aftermath of his loss to Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther opened the show to address his new challenger, Damian Priest. Before Gunther could fully articulate his thoughts, Priest interrupted, calling out the champion’s self-doubt and telling him that the once-dominant Ring General was a shadow of his former self.
The segment built tension between the two ahead of their Survivor Series showdown, and set up a later match between Priest and Ludwig Kaiser. The back-and-forth between the two showcased Priest's growing confidence, while Gunther's hesitation suggested internal conflict following his recent defeat.
Grade: B+
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Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective
Dakota Kai made her return to the ring, joining Damage CTRL teammates IYO SKY and Kairi Sane to take on Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark.
Despite being dominated for most of the match, Sane’s resilience led to Kai tagging in for a fiery comeback, ultimately ending with SKY’s Over the Moonsault for the win. The match not only built momentum for SKY’s upcoming title shot but also re-established Kai's presence in the group.
Result: Damage CTRL defeated Pure Fusion Collective
Grade: C+
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Kofi Kingston vs. Pete Dunne
Kofi Kingston faced Pete Dunne in a match born out of a backstage confrontation. Despite an initially strong showing from Kingston, interference from Xavier Woods backfired, allowing Dunne to hit the Bitter End for the victory. Tension between Kingston and Woods escalated, hinting at a potential New Day split, with the possibility of Kingston turning heel.
Result: Dunne defeated Kingston
**Grade: B**
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Bronson Reed Promo
Bronson Reed took the mic to call out Seth Rollins, leading to a heated brawl at ringside. The segment delivered intensity but suggested that their feud may be nearing its conclusion. Reed, in particular, has gained significant momentum through this rivalry, but the feeling of it having run its course was evident.
Grade: B
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Damian Priest vs. Ludwig Kaiser
Priest continued his rise as a top contender, taking on Ludwig Kaiser in a competitive match. Kaiser put up a strong fight, but Priest’s dominance ultimately led to a victory via South of Heaven. The match further solidified Priest’s status as a legitimate threat to Gunther’s title, while the tension between Gunther and his ally Kaiser subtly built in the background.
Result: Priest defeated Kaiser
Grade: B
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Karrion Kross Threatens The Miz
Karrion Kross and The Final Testament confronted The Miz, demanding answers about The Wyatt Sicks. The segment culminated in a chaotic brawl, with Miz seemingly aligning with Kross in a ruse to ambush The Wyatt Sicks. However, the twist saw Uncle Howdy laugh off the attack, raising intrigue about the next step in the story.
Grade: C+
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Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
Despite interference from Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton, champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill retained their titles in a short but intense match. Naomi’s timely intervention helped the champions fend off the challengers, and the post-match brawl hinted at an upcoming War Games match. Though the match was brief, the aftermath set the stage for future conflict.
Result: Belair and Cargill retained*
Grade: C+
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Overall Grade: B
Monday Night Raw continued building towards Survivor Series with some solid matches and intriguing storylines. Gunther’s self-doubt and tension with Damian Priest took center stage, while the ongoing drama within New Day and The Judgment Day kept fans engaged.
The Wyatt Sicks segment offered some mystery, and the women’s tag team division set up for War Games. A good show that pushed several key narratives forward, though it felt a bit rushed due to its double-taping format.