The September 23, 2019, episode of WWE Raw featured an explosive Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match to determine the #1 contender for Seth Rollins’ Universal Championship. The participants—Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Robert Roode—delivered a fast-paced, hard-hitting contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Opening Chaos
As the bell rang, the ring descended into mayhem. Each competitor brought a unique style to the match: Mysterio’s high-flying lucha libre, Ricochet’s breathtaking athleticism, Styles’ technical precision, Nakamura’s strong style, and Roode’s methodical offense. Early alliances quickly dissolved as the desire for a title shot took precedence.
Nakamura Strikes First
The first elimination came when Shinsuke Nakamura, with the aid of Sami Zayn at ringside, hit a devastating Kinshasa on Ricochet. However, before Nakamura could celebrate, AJ Styles swooped in and rolled him up for a surprise elimination, taking the King of Strong Style out of the match.
Roode’s Ruthlessness
Robert Roode capitalized on the chaos, methodically targeting AJ Styles. Despite Styles’ resilience, Roode hit a perfectly executed Glorious DDT to secure the elimination, leaving only Roode, Mysterio, and Ricochet.
Rey’s Moment of Magic
The remaining competitors turned their attention to each other, with Rey Mysterio showcasing his veteran instincts. A stunning sequence saw Ricochet attempt a 630 Splash on Roode, only for Mysterio to counter with a hurricanrana. Moments later, Mysterio delivered the 619 to Ricochet, followed by a top-rope splash to eliminate him.
The Final Showdown
The match came down to Mysterio and Roode. Roode used his strength advantage to wear down Mysterio, but the lucha libre legend refused to quit. In the closing moments, Mysterio dodged a Glorious DDT and connected with another 619, followed by a second top-rope splash to pin Roode and win the match.
Aftermath
Rey Mysterio celebrated his hard-fought victory, earning a shot at Seth Rollins’ Universal Championship. The match highlighted Mysterio’s enduring legacy and set the stage for an epic encounter the following week.
