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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 11.20.17
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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 11.20.17
OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor @ 12:10 via submission [***]
– Asuka defeated Dana Brooke @ 2:40 via pin [NR]
– Dean Ambrose defeated Sheamus @ 11:49 via pin [***]
– Bayley vs. Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox vs. Sasha Banks went to a no contest @ 4:20 [NR]
– Braun Strowman defeated Jason Jordan @ 1:45 via DQ [NR]
– Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, and Cedric Alexander defeated Drew Gulak. Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and Noam Dar @ 4:25 via pin [*]
– IC Title Match: Roman Reigns defeated Champion The Miz @ 16:25 via pin [**½]
– Follow all of my reviews at this link.
– My WWE Survivor Series review at this link.
– My NXT Takeover: WarGames review at this link.
– My NXT Takeover: WarGames takeaways at this link.
Oh Joy, Stephanie is Here: Stephanie arrives and gloats about Raw winning at Survivor Series. She says Kurt Angle’s job is safe, but the status of his mummified leg is undetermined; Stephanie brings out Triple H. Kurt Angle arrives, uninvited. Stephanie and the Hs aren’t happy. Angle tells Triple H if he attacks him again, he can shove the job up his ass, because he will come for him. Jason Jordan arrives and wants to face Triple H tonight. Stephanie says Angle can’t make the match, Jordan asks if Triple H is a coward. Stephanie tells Jordan that Triple H would kill him, and isn’t afraid of anyone. BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUN arrives. He goes beard to nose with Triple H, and Triple H backs out of the ring. He’s scuuuuuuured. The crowd chants “you’re a coward,” so Stephanie books Jordan vs. Braun. Jason Jordan was 29. While I hate that we’re basically back to the Authority Era, this worked as a good follow up to Survivor Series angle, and the crowd was really into it.
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor: Joe attacks at the bell with strikes and just beats Balor down. Balor fires back, but Joe immediately cuts him off and grounds the action. Joe heads up top but Balor kicks him to the floor. Balor follows with a big tope. Post break, Joe is back in control and picks up a near fall. Balor hits a desperation PELE, and follows with a series of kicks, and takes Joe to the floor. Jo counters the apron PK, and Joe hits the elbow suicida to take control back. Back in the ring and Joe hits an STO, covering for 2. Balor hits sling blade, but Joe avoids the dropkick and hits the senton, covering for 2. Joe goes for the clutch, but Balor counters out and hits a standing double stomp and shotgun dropkick. Balor up top and Joe crotches him and pulls Balor back in, locks in the clutch and the ref calls for the bell as Balor is out. Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor @ 12:10 via submission [***] This was a good back and forth match, and a nice way to kick off the show wrestling wise. I will assume that this feud will continue.
– We look back at Styles vs. Lesnar from Survivor Series.
– Jordan now claims he’s hurt as he talks to Kurt. Kurt says he thought he was 100%, but Jordan only said he was 100% because Triple H was out there. Jordan says he can beat Strowman and when he’s done, Strowman will tell horror stories about him. Jason Jordan was 29.
Asuka vs. Dana Brooke: This is fallout from last week, when Asuka checked on Brooke, Brooke took issue with that and ended up getting her face kicked off. Brooke wants to end Asuka’s streak. Asuka lays in kicks, takes Brooke down and continues to kick away at her. Asuka ties up Brooke in the ropes, works her over and sends Brooke to the floor with as ass attack. Asuka mocks Brooke, Brooke rushes back in and the ass kicking continues. Brooke tries to fire back, pats Asuka on the head and she slaps Asuka. Asuka lights Brooke up with strikes and kicks; the head kick finishes things, Dana Brooke was 28. Asuka defeated Dana Brooke @ 2:40 via pin [NR] Nobody is ready for Asuka.
Miz TV w/Roman Reigns: Miz, Axel and Dallas make their way to the ring. Miz says he made baron Corbin more relevant at Survivor Series, but he has more important things to deal with, like his guest tonight, Roman Reigns. Miz announces Reigns but he doesn’t come out. Finally on the third time, the Shield’s music hits and Miz gets Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns. Miz says he invited out Reigns, not the Shield. Ambrose says they feel good and that they haven’t missed a step. Rollins says they proved themselves last night and feel unstoppable. Miz sarcastically puts them over, and wants them to thank him because he got them back together. The crowd thanks Miz, but he wants thanks and some residuals for the new Shield merch. We get some jokes, Miz gets pissed and the lights go out and then come back on. Reigns says they aren’t ungrateful, because they win, unlike the Miz. Miz counters that by saying he is a champion, unlike them. Rollins says he and Ambrose will get the tag titles back, and Reigns says if they are going to have the tag titles, he doesn’t want left out. Rollins says Miz has a nice, shiny title. Reigns says he likes that title (that’s a nice title). Reigns challenges Miz, but Dallas cuts him off and says they to go through them. They beat down Dallas, Miz runs away and Curtis Axel’s neck brace wearing ass eats a ripcord knee and dirty deeds. The Shield kicks the shit out of Dallas, Shield bomb, and we’re out. This was fine, likely setting up Reigns vs. Miz for later tonight. I’d may have been upset before if Miz lost the title, but they haven’t done jack shit with him, so it really doesn’t matter at this point to me.
– Braun Strowman says he’s glad Jordan isn’t afraid of him.
– Miz vs. Reigns is official for tonight.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The #ICTitle will be on the line when The #ALister @mikethemiz collides with The #BigDog @WWERomanReigns TONIGHT! #RAW pic.twitter.com/R2FZdJ2Fkq
— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017
Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus: Rollins and Cesaro are at ringside. They lock up and work to the mat, Sheamus looks to over power Ambrose but Ambrose hits arm drags and takes Sheamus down. Sheamus quickly battles back, hits a knee drop and Ambrose stuns Sheamus off the ropes. Sheamus takes Ambrose to the floor. Post break, and Sheamus grounds Ambrose and works the stretch muffler. Sheamus then hits the sitout powerbomb and that gets 2. Sheamus follows with a dump suplex, covering for 2. Shamus continues the heat, slamming Ambrose around with ease. Ambrose finally counters and lays in strikes. Sheamus ends up posting himself, allowing Ambrose to fight back and send him to the floor. Sheamus cuts of the suicide dive, but Ambrose sends him back to the floor and hits the suicide dive. Cesaro attacks Rollins on the floor, Ambrose trips up Sheamus and heads up top. Cesaro distracts him and Sheamus heads up with Ambrose and hits the Finlay roll off the second rope for 2. Sheamus sets for the brogue kick, Rollins rushes in and dives onto Cesaro and they brawl; dirty deeds by Ambrose and Sheamus is done. Dean Ambrose defeated Sheamus @ 11:49 via pin [***] Good match as these guys continue to work well together in tags and singles matches; it also works as part of the set up for the tag title rematch.
– Matt Hardy meets with Jason Jordan, and asks for pointers for his match with Strowman. Matt says that Strowman is a monster among men, and he is inhuman. Good luck taking him off his feet. Matt says sometimes it’s just not your night.
– Alexa Bliss arrives. She’s not pleased about her loss from last night, she is sick about hearing that she came up short. Save your pity because she knows she’s great, and only had 5-days to prepare for Charlotte, and Charlotte got lucky. 2017 has been her year and she’s still the goddess of WWE. Mickie James arrives and says she’s sick and tired of hearing the same things from biscuit butt. James wants the title, and Bliss laughs her off. Bayley arrives now. Bayley says 2017 has been Bliss’ year, but it ain’t over yet. She’s not the same woman Bliss beat and wants her title back. Sasha Banks now arrives. She says raw needs a boss to represent the brand. Alicia Fox now arrives to continue the old revolving door promo. She says she should get the opportunity because she led team Raw to victory at Survivor Series. Bliss says none of them are worthy, but Kurt Angle arrives and says that Bliss will face the winner of a four-way between the four ladies in the ring. I am so sick and tired of these women’s multi-person matches.
Bayley vs. Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox vs. Sasha Banks: JIP as Bayley and Banks battle, Fox breaks it up and Banks locks in the banks statement but Bayley makes the save. James back in and cuts off Banks. They end up in a double down, Bayley and Fox are on the floor and Paige makes her return. She asks if they missed her, and says she’s sorry to interrupt but has something to say. “I’m baaaaack.” She didn’t come alone, and she heads to the ring but Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville arrive and attack James. They beat down Banks, Paige joins in and they take out Bayley. Fox runs away as Paige and friends clean house and stand tall. Bayley vs. Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox vs. Sasha Banks went to a no contest @ 4:20 [NR] There was really no match here, it was all about Paige & friends here. Paige, Mandy and Sonya add some new players into the mix, and it will be interesting to see how they are used moving forward. Fun note, Paige was a judge on Tough Enough the season Sonja and Mandy were on. With this move, can we expect the Iconic Duo and or say Liv Morgan (all rumored for call ups) on Smackdown tomorrow?
– After the break, Renee welcomes Paige back. Paige and friends meet with Alexa Bliss backstage. Bliss says they did well, making nice with them. They kick the shit out of Bliss.
Jason Jordan vs. Braun Strowman: Jordan slaps Strowman and then runs away. Back in and Strowman catches Jordan, Jordan tries to fight back but Strowman starts tossing him around and Jordan avoids the powerslam and rolls to the floor, favoring his knee. Kane arrives and attacks Strowman with chair shots. Braun Strowman defeated Jason Jordan @ 1:45 via DQ [NR] No real match, just an angle to keep Kane vs. Strowman going, unfortunately. I would have separated this segment from the Paige return/non-finish.
– Kane drives the chair into Strowman’s throat and the monster can’t breath but refuses medical attention.
– Enzo arrives with Drew Gulak. Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and Noam Dar, and gloats about still being the cruiserweight champion. He puts over the members of his “Zo Train,” but Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, and Cedric Alexander arrive. Alexander says they aren’t here to join them; they want a shot at the title and are willing to earn it. Enzo tells them to join him or get out of the way. They all brawl as Enzo runs away.
Drew Gulak. Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and Noam Dar vs. Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, and Cedric Alexander: JIP as we have right-man cruiserweight action. Gulak and Swann work back and forth. Enzo talks shit on the floor, gets chased into the ring and escapes as Gulak hits a charging knee on Swann for 2. Daivari tags in, continuing the heat on Swann. He keeps Swann isolated, but Swann starts sending guys to he floor and Swann gets back in and tags in Alexander. Tozawa hits a suicide dive, Alexander takes out Dar and hits Nese with the lumbar check. Ali hits the imploding 450 on Dar and picks up the win. Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, and Cedric Alexander defeated Drew Gulak. Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and Noam Dar @ 4:25 via pin [*] This was flat and too much about chasing Enzo around until the fun finish. But you can’t give eight guys this little amount of time and a shit layout and expect anything good.
– The Drifter plays us a tune. Matt Hardy arrives and brawls with the Drifter, but the Drifter bails before Matt can hit the twist of fate. Matt’s arm’s all wrapped up and he’s favoring it.
IC Title Match: Champion The Miz vs. Roman Reigns: Miz powders right away, stalling and hoping for a countout. Reigns chases, back in the ring and Reigns connects with a big right. Miz stuns Reigns off the ropes, but Reigns hits a sitout powerbomb for 2. Post break and they hit a double down off of a suplex. Reigns fires up with strikes, huts repeated clotheslines and a big boot. Miz bails to he floor, Reigns follows but Miz cuts him off and hits a DDT. Reigns beats the count but ends up eating another DDT, and Miz covers for 2. Reigns tries to fire back, but Miz cuts him off with a neck breaker. Miz keeps control, working over Reigns in the ropes. Miz now avoids a clothesline and hits the corner dropkicks. Reigns hits a boot, uppercuts and then Miz misses his corner clothesline. Reigns lays in more rights, but Miz hits a knee and lays in kicks. Reigns avoids the head kick, hits a Samoan drop and covers for 2. Reigns calls for the superman punch, Miz counters, but Reigns escapes and Miz trips him up again and covers for 2. Miz lays the boots to Reigns, hits his corner clothesline and heads up top. But Miz jumps into a superman punch but kicks out at 2. Reigns now looks for the spear, but Sheamus & Cesaro distract Reigns, Miz hits the skull crushing finale. Ambrose & Rollins arrive and attack the tag champs and take them out. Reigns hits the spear and wins. Roman Reigns defeated Champion The Miz @ 16:25 via pin [**½] This was 15-minutes of bland and lethargic work, with a few bright spots before the extras got involved. I had a really hard time getting into this, they did some nice counter stuff before everyone got involved, and continued to build to the tag title rematch, but as a main event, this felt really flat.
– End scene.
– Thanks for reading.
~GLORIOUS~
