WWE Raw: Carmelo Hayes Joins 946, Gable Clinics Fenix, and Cass Booking Draws Fire

Key points

• Carmelo Hayes returned to WWE programming, joining the faction 946 to help defeat The Bloodline in a chaotic main event six-man tag team match.
• Chad Gable successfully defended the Men's Intercontinental Championship against Rey Fenix in a highly praised match that showcased their lucha libre styles.
• Oba Femi rejected Paul Heyman's offer to become his manager, asserting his independence in a storyline segment praised for its logical in-ring psychology.
• Big Cass faced another loss to Rey Mysterio, with critics noting that his recent booking and commentary treatment have made him a 'laughingstock' and a 'bore' for WWE.
• Chelsea Green lost to Roxanne Perez in a match that was criticized for undermining Green's status as Women's World Champion ahead of her Crown Jewel match against Liv Morgan.
• Sami Zayn was announced as a challenger for Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel, a booking decision that was criticized for lacking proper build-up and ignoring the personal history between the two.

Background

This episode of WWE Raw took place in Bossier City, Louisiana, serving as the first step in the four-week build to the Crown Jewel pay-per-view. It followed the recent Money in the Bank event, where Penta el Zero Miedo and Tiffany Stratton won the briefcases. The show also continued storylines from previous weeks, including Oba Femi's feud with The Vision and the ongoing rivalry between The Bloodline and 946.

Why it matters

The episode highlights WWE's ongoing struggles with booking certain talent, particularly Big Cass, while also showing successful efforts to re-engage fans with returning stars like Carmelo Hayes and well-matched competitors like Chad Gable and Rey Fenix. The decisions made regarding title defenses and future match announcements, such as Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns, will directly impact the narrative and stakes leading up to the Crown Jewel event.

What to watch

WWE will continue the build to Crown Jewel, with Chelsea Green set to defend her Women's World Championship against Roxanne Perez. Sami Zayn is scheduled to face Roman Reigns for the World Championship. The 946 and The Bloodline will likely continue their rivalry, potentially leading up to Survivor Series: WarGames. Big Cass may face Rey Fenix in a future match, continuing his current booking cycle.