WWE RAW 10/14/2024: 3 Things We Hated And 3 Things We Loved
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.’s weekly breakdown of WWE Raw, where the unexpected happens—even though the show was pre-taped! This episode saw the return of The War Raiders, reclaiming their old NXT identity, which left us scratching our heads but ultimately feeling satisfied. We’ve got plenty to say about that comeback, along with thoughts on the Cody Rhodes/GUNTHER promo, the evolving women’s championship picture, and Jey Uso’s confrontation with his brother.
While Raw is now just two hours long, we’re not here to cover the entire show. Instead, this article focuses on standout segments and moments that either delighted or frustrated us. Here are three things we loved and three things we hated from the 10/14/24 episode of WWE Raw.
Loved: Raw Bookended by Women
It was refreshing to see Raw open and close with women’s segments, offering two meaningful matches—something that hasn’t always been a priority on WWE programming. This episode prominently featured Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez, continuing an angle that began on SmackDown.
The night kicked off with a compelling segment involving these four women, followed by a women’s tag title match pitting Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill against IYO SKY and Kairi Sane. Notably, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson were seated at ringside, teasing future involvement in the women’s tag division.
The main event saw Ripley and Stratton reluctantly team up against Morgan and Rodriguez. The match ended in chaos when Nia Jax attacked from behind, causing a no-contest. A near cash-in attempt by Stratton added tension to the storyline, forcing Dominik Mysterio to rescue Morgan.
Despite Mysterio’s presence complicating things, this was a great night for the women’s division. It demonstrated how multiple storylines can unfold simultaneously, advancing characters like Jax and Stratton and building intrigue for Crown Jewel.
Hated: Too Many Video Segments
Even with a reduced runtime, Raw somehow managed to pack in more video packages than ever. These segments felt like unnecessary filler, taking time away from matches and meaningful storytelling.
The most frustrating of these videos involved Bron Breakker explaining why he turned on Jey Uso. The promo added little to the story since Breakker’s betrayal already made sense from his in-ring reaction.
To make matters worse, this was immediately followed by another video for American Made—a team that already had a match later that night. The back-to-back promos disrupted the flow of the show, and the repetition became tedious.
The worst offender was a random video for Dragon Lee, who didn’t even appear on the episode. Without any indication of when or how Lee will return, the segment felt pointless. WWE needs to rethink the pacing of these videos if they want to keep the show engaging.
Loved: The Return of an Old Gimmick
The War Raiders have undergone several character changes since their NXT days, but they finally returned to their original gimmick. This change was a much-needed reset for Erik and Ivar, who had struggled to find success with their Viking personas.
After Erik’s injury left Ivar spinning his wheels in the singles division, the duo reunited with a dominant win over Alpha Academy. Reverting to their previous gimmick was a smart move, making them look strong and restoring some of the magic from their NXT run.
Hated: Lazy Writing or Brock Lesnar Tease?
During Seth Rollins’ backstage promo, he mentioned “slaying beasts,” clearly alluding to Brock Lesnar without naming him. At first, it seemed like an innocent reference—until Cody Rhodes repeated the same line in his promo with GUNTHER later in the show.
This repetition raises questions. Was it intentional foreshadowing for Lesnar’s return, or just lazy writing? If Lesnar does come back, it would be a baffling decision considering WWE’s current momentum and the controversies surrounding him.
On the other hand, if the repetition was accidental, it’s a glaring oversight. WWE has no reason to reintroduce Lesnar, especially with Crown Jewel on the horizon and no clear spot for him in current storylines. Either way, this was a frustrating moment that felt unnecessary.
Loved: Jey Uso Rejects The Bloodline
One of the highlights of the night was Jey Uso firmly rejecting his brother Jimmy’s attempt to patch things up. This confrontation followed their emotional clash at WrestleMania, where Jey emerged victorious and began his singles journey as Intercontinental Champion.
Jey’s decision to stay away from the family drama felt logical and well-earned. He has carved out his own path on the red brand, and getting tangled up in Bloodline politics would only hinder his success.
The nuanced storytelling here continues to build anticipation for a future showdown between the brothers, while also teasing a potential reunion down the road. For now, though, Jey is focused on his singles career, and this development added meaningful depth to the ongoing saga.
