Four matches, one championship change, an unexpected alliance, and a final betrayal that made an already complicated championship rivalry considerably more personal. WWE Monday Night Raw arrived at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on November 2 for its final stop before Crown Jewel, and the company clearly wasn't interested in sending audiences into Saturday with everything neatly resolved.
Ethan Page captured the Intercontinental Championship, Liv Morgan gained an important psychological advantage over Chelsea Green, The Vision continued its winning momentum, and The 946 introduced another dangerous member. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn reminded everyone that some rivalries are simply too personal to remain professional.
And apparently, Roman's evening wasn't sufficiently miserable until Sami delivered the final insult.
Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn Exchange Personal Accusations:
Raw opened with World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns addressing Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn ahead of their champion-versus-champion encounter at Crown Jewel.
Reigns questioned Zayn's accomplishments and suggested that his former Honorary Uce owed much of his success to his involvement with The Bloodline. Zayn, understandably unimpressed, argued that his achievements belonged to him and refused to accept Reigns' attempts to diminish his championship reign.
The confrontation became increasingly personal, with both competitors referencing their complicated history and WrestleMania moments.
What makes this rivalry interesting is that neither man is entirely capable of separating the past from the present. Reigns views himself as someone who helped elevate Zayn, while Zayn sees a former ally who continues to demand gratitude rather than offer respect.
As someone who has experienced the politics and personal relationships that exist behind professional wrestling's curtain, I find this kind of conflict particularly compelling. Sometimes the most difficult opponent isn't someone who wants your championship. It's someone who believes they deserve credit for your success.
Ethan Page Defeats Chad Gable to Win the Intercontinental Championship:
The evening's opening contest delivered its biggest championship development when Ethan Page defeated Chad Gable to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
Gable entered with his neck and shoulder already compromised following Page's attack the previous week, but the defending champion demonstrated exactly why his technical ability remains among his greatest assets.
Gable targeted Page's knee, utilizing a Dragon Screw and Ankle Lock to weaken the challenger. He also delivered an Angle Slam onto the announce table and connected with Chaos Theory, although his injured neck prevented him from maintaining the bridge needed to secure the pinfall.
Page recognized the opportunity.
After sending Gable into an exposed turnbuckle, Page connected with the Ego-Plex and secured the three-count.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Ethan Page.
From a wrestler's perspective, the finish made sense because it incorporated an established injury into the match's conclusion. Page didn't suddenly discover a weakness. He had already helped create it.
Was it honorable? Absolutely not. But professional wrestling has never guaranteed that the most technically gifted competitor will be the one leaving with the championship.
My one constructive criticism is that I hope Gable's reign isn't simply remembered as the stepping stone for Page's championship victory. Gable has demonstrated that he can carry compelling matches, and his eventual response deserves meaningful attention.
As for Page, the championship provides an opportunity to establish himself beyond being an opportunistic challenger. Winning the title creates momentum. Defending it consistently is what builds a legacy.
Judgment Day Defeats Chelsea Green, IYO SKY and Tiffany Stratton:
Women's six-person tag team action featured Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez representing Judgment Day against WWE Women's Champion Chelsea Green, IYO SKY and Tiffany Stratton.
The contest brought together several distinct wrestling styles, from Rodriguez's physical dominance to SKY's athleticism and Stratton's explosive offense.
Green appeared capable of gaining an advantage, but her attention shifted toward Perez at a crucial moment. Morgan capitalized, connecting with Oblivion and pinning Green to secure the victory.
Winners: Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez.
The significance extends beyond another victory for Judgment Day.
Morgan pinned the woman she will face in Saturday's champion-versus-champion match at Crown Jewel.
That's an important psychological advantage, particularly because Green now enters their singles encounter having already experienced a decisive defeat.
However, I wouldn't automatically interpret Monday's outcome as an indication of Saturday's result. Six-person tag matches introduce additional variables, distractions and opportunities that don't necessarily exist in singles competition.
Green has an opportunity to prove that Morgan's victory was circumstantial rather than definitive.
And if there's one thing professional wrestling has taught me, it's that confidence can become a liability when it turns into complacency.
John Cena Announces the John Cena Classic:
John Cena returned to Raw with three major announcements concerning the upcoming John Cena Classic.
The competition is scheduled for December 14 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Cena also unveiled a championship belt inspired by his familiar spinner championship design and announced Cody Rhodes as the first participant.
Cena indicated that he intends to recruit additional competitors across WWE programming, including NXT and SmackDown.
The concept offers an interesting opportunity to showcase competitors across different divisions and stages of their careers, although its long-term significance will depend on the tournament's execution.
A championship trophy or specially designed belt can make an event visually distinctive, but the competitors and their stories ultimately determine whether audiences become emotionally invested.
And with Cody Rhodes already involved, the tournament certainly has an established name to build around.
Randy Orton Makes Things Personal With Cody Rhodes:
Cena's announcement transitioned into another confrontation when Randy Orton interrupted Cody Rhodes ahead of their Last Man Standing match at Crown Jewel.
Orton invoked his history with Cody's father, Dusty Rhodes, reminding Cody of their past and suggesting that he intended to deliver another devastating outcome on Saturday.
Orton understands psychological warfare exceptionally well. He doesn't necessarily need to shout or threaten someone physically to make a confrontation uncomfortable.
Sometimes a carefully selected reference to someone's family accomplishes considerably more.
The question is whether Rhodes can remain focused on winning or whether Orton has successfully introduced enough personal resentment to influence his judgment.
In a Last Man Standing match, emotional discipline can be just as valuable as physical endurance.
Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab Target Bayley:
Backstage, Bayley was discussing her future with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce when Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab interrupted.
The confrontation escalated, and later in the evening, the trio attacked Bayley backstage before security intervened.
This development introduces another complication for Bayley, who had been attempting to regain momentum following her recent victory over Lyra Valkyria.
While surprise attacks can effectively establish aggression, they become considerably more interesting when they produce meaningful consequences.
Will Bayley seek revenge? Will the conflict draw additional competitors into the situation? And how will WWE address competitors from another brand creating chaos backstage?
Those are the questions that should drive the next chapter.
The Vision Defeats Penta, Je'Von Evans and Dragon Lee:
Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory represented The Vision against Penta, Je'Von Evans and Dragon Lee in a six-person tag team match.
The contest provided another preview of the developing championship rivalry involving Breakker, Reed, Penta and Evans.
The athleticism of Evans and Dragon Lee created several exciting moments, while Penta demonstrated his ability to counter the physical advantage of his opponents.
Logan Paul attempted to interfere, but Penta prevented him from influencing the match.
Unfortunately, stopping one threat doesn't eliminate the others.
Reed delivered a devastating Death Valley Driver to Dragon Lee, and although Evans responded with impressive aerial offense, Breakker intercepted him with a Spear in midair to secure the victory.
Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory.
Breakker's finishing sequence was particularly effective because it emphasized the danger of explosive offense.
As a wrestler, you can prepare for an opponent's strength, speed and tendencies, but there are certain moments when timing changes everything.
Evans' athleticism is extraordinary, yet his commitment to an aerial attack also created the opening Breakker needed.
With Crown Jewel approaching, Penta and Evans must find a way to neutralize The Vision's physical advantages without sacrificing the speed and creativity that make them dangerous.
That's considerably easier to discuss than execute.
Solo Sikoa vs. Royce Keys Ends in a No-Contest:
The main event featured Solo Sikoa facing Royce Keys in another chapter of The Bloodline's escalating conflict with The 946.
Keys utilized his striking ability and physical presence to challenge Sikoa, while the former Bloodline adversaries exchanged increasingly aggressive offense.
Sikoa eventually established momentum with a hip attack, but the contest deteriorated when Bronco Nima, Lucien Price and Carmelo Hayes entered the ring and attacked him.
The interference brought Roman Reigns and The Usos into the confrontation, resulting in another chaotic brawl between the factions.
Official Result: No-contest.
The distinction matters because neither Sikoa nor Keys secured a legitimate victory. The match was effectively abandoned as the larger faction conflict took precedence.
From a storytelling standpoint, the decision reinforced that this rivalry has moved beyond ordinary singles competition.
Unfortunately, it also means another advertised match ended without a definitive winner.
Non-finishes can be useful when they advance a larger story, but they lose effectiveness when audiences begin expecting interference rather than meaningful conclusions.
In this instance, what followed was significant enough to justify the escalation.
Cruz Montana Aligns With The 946:
As The Bloodline attempted to regain control of the confrontation, NXT's Cruz Montana made a surprise appearance and attacked Roman Reigns.
Montana's involvement revealed an apparent new alliance with The 946, strengthening the faction's numerical advantage and leaving The Bloodline increasingly vulnerable.
The addition is significant because it introduces another competitor into an already volatile rivalry.
The 946 has demonstrated its willingness to use coordinated attacks and overwhelming numbers to dismantle its opposition. Montana's arrival suggests the group has no intention of allowing The Bloodline to regain control easily.
But adding members creates another challenge.
A faction must establish distinct identities and meaningful roles for its competitors. Otherwise, additional members risk becoming interchangeable bodies rather than individuals audiences have reasons to care about.
Montana's arrival was impactful. What WWE does with him next will determine whether it becomes a genuinely career-defining opportunity.
Sami Zayn Delivers the Final Blow to Roman Reigns:
Following The 946's assault, Roman Reigns was left vulnerable inside the ring.
Then Sami Zayn appeared.
After spending the opening segment defending his accomplishments and demanding respect, the Undisputed WWE Champion delivered a Helluva Kick to the already weakened World Heavyweight Champion.
Raw concluded with Zayn standing over Reigns.
It was a striking final image before Crown Jewel.
Zayn's decision wasn't simply about gaining momentum ahead of Saturday. It reflected the resentment that has continued to develop throughout his complicated relationship with Reigns.
For years, their story has involved loyalty, betrayal, acceptance and the desire for recognition.
Now, Zayn holds one of WWE's most prestigious championships, yet Reigns continues to speak to him as though his accomplishments require someone else's approval.
Perhaps Zayn believes the attack was justified.
Perhaps he simply wanted Reigns to experience the humiliation he has endured.
Or perhaps both men have become so consumed by their shared history that neither can recognize how much their rivalry has changed.
Whatever the motivation, Zayn ensured that the final Raw before Crown Jewel ended on his terms.
TAELER'S TAKE: Consequences Make Wrestling Matter:
What stood out about this episode was that several important developments produced actual consequences.
Ethan Page didn't simply threaten Chad Gable's championship reign. He ended it.
Liv Morgan didn't merely exchange insults with Chelsea Green. She pinned her upcoming opponent.
The Vision didn't simply promise another victory. Bron Breakker delivered one.
And The 946 didn't just issue another warning to Roman Reigns. They introduced Cruz Montana and overwhelmed The Bloodline.
That's the difference between reminding audiences that a storyline exists and genuinely moving that storyline forward.
However, the most compelling development remains Sami Zayn's attack on Reigns.
Professional wrestling works best when physical confrontations carry emotional meaning. A punch is a punch, a kick is a kick, but the history behind those actions determines whether audiences remember them.
Zayn's Helluva Kick mattered because of everything these two competitors have experienced together.
My biggest concern heading into Crown Jewel is whether WWE can deliver satisfying conclusions without relying too heavily on interference and outside involvement.
Faction warfare creates excitement, but championship matches deserve room to breathe. Audiences need opportunities to appreciate the competitors themselves, not simply anticipate which ally will arrive next.
And with several major rivalries approaching their next chapters, WWE has an opportunity to balance spectacle with meaningful in-ring storytelling.
Ethan Page now has a championship to defend. Chelsea Green has something to prove. The Vision has momentum to maintain. The Bloodline has another enemy to contend with.
And Sami Zayn?
He has a world champion to defeat and a complicated history he seems determined to rewrite.
The question isn't simply whether Zayn can beat Roman Reigns. It's whether defeating him will finally provide the respect he's been demanding—or whether some rivalries are too deeply rooted to be resolved by a championship victory...
Wrestling Written By A Wrestler | Only on TaelerHendrix.com