WWE Raw 9/16 Breakdown: Tag Team Title Match, CM Punk Steals the Show

Live coverage of the September 16, 2024 episode of “WWE Raw,” broadcasting from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, is here, courtesy of Wrestling Inc. After blindsiding CM Punk with a brutal attack two weeks ago and escalating the tension last week, Drew McIntyre voiced his frustrations with Wade Barrett for interfering during their recent scuffle.

McIntyre was then informed by “Raw” General Manager Adam Pearce that he will face Punk inside Hell In A Cell at WWE Bad Blood. Tonight, Punk is set to address the WWE Universe regarding this upcoming showdown.

 

Finn Balor and JD McDonagh are scheduled to defend their WWE World Tag Team Championships tonight against New Day members Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.

This marks Balor and McDonagh’s first televised defense since they captured the titles from Awesome Truth during the June 24 episode of “Raw.” Another key match for the night features Judgment Day member Dominik Mysterio as he takes on Damian Priest.

Tensions boiled over when Priest and his partner Rhea Ripley were dragged into a physical altercation with Dominik and the rest of Judgment Day following a verbal exchange between Dominik and Finn Balor. This tension is expected to culminate in a match between Priest and Dominik at Bad Blood.

Zoey Stark returns to singles action tonight as she faces off against Natalya. The two were last in the ring together just a week ago when Natalya, making her “Raw” return, joined Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria to defeat Stark and her Pure Fusion Collective teammates, Sonya Deville and Shayna Baszler.

Tonight’s card also features Bronson Reed going head-to-head with Braun Strowman in a rematch from their August 26 encounter. Their previous match ended with no definitive winner after Reed hit a Tsunami on Strowman in the parking lot of the Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Pete Dunne, who recently missed out on becoming the Intercontinental Championship’s top contender and suffered a Last Man Standing loss to Trick Williams on “WWE NXT,” looks to finally get a win tonight against Sheamus.

The former Brawling Brutes allies have seen their tension escalate rapidly, with last week’s drama peaking when Sheamus attacked Dunne backstage following a heated exchange between Dunne and Bron Breakker.

The show begins as Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore welcome fans, leading into CM Punk’s entrance. Punk starts by reflecting on his career, stating that he’s often asked how many matches he has left. He reiterates that his return to WWE wasn’t about making friends, but notes that he didn’t intend to make an enemy like Drew McIntyre.

Punk admits he was naive to think their rivalry had ended after the Strap Match at WWE Bash In Berlin. Despite loved ones advising him against competing in Hell In A Cell, Punk declares that McIntyre has pushed him to the point of becoming “the Devil.” He vows to make McIntyre bleed and win at Bad Blood, even if this match marks the end of his career, before exiting the ring.