Raw Review 10/19/2020

RAW REVIEW 10/19/2020

Tonight is the Season Premier and the Go-Home Edition Of Monday Night Raw with Hell In A Cell this Sunday! With the WWE Draft now concluded how will the new members of Raw make a name for themselves? Speaking of a new member to Raw what will “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt have in store tonight? Then, another new member of the Raw roster Braun Strowman will do battle with Keith Lee! The first time these two locked up the Exhibition Match was short but the fight after had everyone talking, what will these two do tonight? Plus, can Lana pull off the biggest victory of her career as she takes on Asuka for the Raw Women’s Champion? Also, Elias will be performing a concert for the WWE Universe and Jeff Hardy. Is Elias biting off more than he can chew poking at the “Charismatic Enigma”, or does Elias have Hardy right where he wants him? Finally, what will happen between Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre just days before Hell In A Cell?

Raw comes to us from the Amway Center inside the WWE Thunderdome!

Raw kicks off with us being introduced by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe.

In-Ring Segment: Alexa Bliss & “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
Bliss says “Monday Night Raw, he’s here. Let him in”. Here comes “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Wyatt gets in the ring and holds out his hand. Bliss then holds his hand. Now we see Retribution appear and hit the ringside area guided by Mustafa Ali. Retribution then enters the ring and surrounds Bliss and The Fiend. Ali holds up his hand but the lights go out. Ali says get him but then asks where they went. The Fiend and Bliss are gone. Now, here comes The Hurt Business! They hit the ring and the fight is on! The Hurt Business clears the ring. Cedric Alexander then flies over the ropes and takes out all of Retribution as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
This was a very interesting start to Raw. I would have loved to hear more from Wyatt and Bliss. I think both will continue to play a big role now that they’re on Raw and I could definitely see Wyatt and Bliss finding their way into title pictures and main storylines on Raw very soon. As for Retribution they definitely don’t have any fear but I want to see more from them. I don’t if it’s just the names but I’m just not sold on them yet. The Hurt Business though is still amazing and I hope they will continue to be a highlight here on Raw even with all these new faces and names.

***As Raw returns we see a promo package for one of Raw’s newest Superstars, Matt Riddle.

Match 1: The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander) vs Retribution (Mustafa Ali & T-Bar & Slapjack & Mace)
Lashley goes right after T-Bar and is able to take him down to the mat after many strikes to the head. He gets him in the corner and continues the beatdown. Lashley now runs at him but T-Bar is able to hit him with a big kick. Lashley fights back and hits a flat liner. T-Bar fights back and gets the tag. Lashley isn’t phased and hits a stalling suplex on Slapjack. Alexander now gets the tag and goes right after Slapjack. Slapjack fights back but Alexander gets the upper hand. He covers but can’t get the three. MVP now tags in and takes over. MVP stays in control and works Slapjack in the corner.
Alexander now tags in and hits a big kick in the corner. Mace and T-Bar now get angry on the outside. Alexander goes up top but he gets distracted by Mace and T-Bar. Alexander is now taken down and Slapjack works a tag. Ali now comes in and works the arm of Alexander. Ali has him down on the mat, he covers but Alexander kicks out. Alexander fights back with a big right hand. Ali sends him to the apron but Alexander fights him off with a forearm. Ali then knocks down Alexander and he hits the turnbuckle hard. Ali now bounces the neck of Alexander off the top of the barricade. The Fiend’s music then hits as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mace and Benjamin trade shots in the middle of the ring. Mace grabs Benjamin by the throat and backs him into the corner. Benjamin now avoids him and sends him crashing into the turnbuckles. Benjamin lands a German suplex and then a huge knee. He covers but Mace kicks out. Benjamin now works a chin lock on Mace. Benjamin backs him into the corner and tags Lashley. Mace is able to land a kick but Lashley fights back and sends him to the outside. He then takes out the other members of Retribution. He takes out Mace and then takes out T-Bar. T-Bar grabs Lashley now off the distraction from Ali. Lashley now turns it around and is able to work the Hurt Lock. T-Bar taps out.
***After the match the lights go out and “The Fiend is on the apron next to Ali. he takes out Ali. he hits Slapjack of Retribution with Sister Abigail. He then bounces Mace off the table. He then tries the mandible claw on T-Bar. T-Bar fights back but The
Fiend now hits him with Sister Abigail. The Hurt Business now looks now. We then see Bliss on the screen and here the famous Let Me In.
Winners: The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
My Opinion:
That was a very hard-hitting match between these two teams. Although I don’t really like the names of the members of Retribution they all can go and they can be a very dominant group in the ring. The Hurt Business did seem way more experience though and looked like they were in control for most of this match. While I love The Hurt Business being on top I do think Retribution could have used a big win to start off their time on Raw. This now makes it look like this very dominant group can’t get the job done. We will see what happens next but being that they lost and got taken out single-handedly by The Fiend things aren’t looking great for Retribution right now.

In-Ring Segment: AJ Styles
Before his match, we see Styles make his way to the ring with the bouncer from Raw Underground (Jordan Omogbehin) by his side. Styles says he has to give credit to the powers that be on Monday Night Raw. He says they finally drafted a true leader in him. Styles brings up Seth Rollins and how he spewed his Messiah stuff last week. He then tells how Jeff Hardy strolled out here but the big thing for Raw was him coming to Raw. He then tells how he beat both Rollins and Hardy. He says after beats Riddle he will shepherd into the future. He says it is a new era that belongs to the face that runs the place.

Match 2: AJ Styles vs Matt Riddle
The match begins but Styles bodyguard won’t leave the ring. The ref says he will disqualify him if he doesn’t leave. Styles tells the ref to make him leave. He starts to count but Styles bodyguard grabs his hand. The ref then begs him to leave until after the match. Finally, he does. Riddle now goes after Styles and works him to the mat. He stays on him as Styles does his best to stay by the ropes. Riddle grabs Styles and slams him over and over. Riddle now sends Styles to the floor. Riddle goes to the apron but Styles moves and Riddle falls as Styles bodyguard stares him down. Raw then goes to break.
As Raw returns, both Styles and Riddle are down. Riddle hits a forearm in the corner and takes down Styles. He hits a kick and then locks for the Broton but Style stops him with knees to the back. Riddle now hits Styles with strikes to the body, Styles fights back but he is then hit with the final flash. Riddle now hits the German suplex on Styles. Styles fights back with a knee to the neck. He covers but Riddle kicks out. Riddle now hits him with a fisherman suplex. He covers but Styles kicks out. Riddle now goes up top but Styles is able to knock him down. Styles now meets him up there. Riddle fights him off and knocks him to the mat. Styles is back up and hits him with a right hand. Styles and Riddle are both up there now. They hit each other and Styles lands hard in the ring while Riddle lands hard on the floor. Styles bodyguard then stares down Riddle and holds out a fist. Riddle gets back in the ring but he is hit by Styles and then hits with the Styles Clash. Styles covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: AJ Styles
My Opinion:
What a match for Styles and Riddle to kick off their debut on Raw. The striking in this match was amazing. These two hit each other with all they had. Riddle really looked impressive and it seemed he had this match in control. Styles though, the veteran that he is always pulled things back in his favor when Riddle was pulling away with the match. The big turning point was Styles having his new bodyguard. I’m not sure what he will go by now but he was known as Jordan Omogbehin. No matter his name he is not to be messed with and Styles with as good as he is could be almost unstoppable with him by his side.

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre
Charly Introduces the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. She brings up this Sunday and how this is Drew’s first Hell In A Cell Match but this is Randy’s been in multiple. Drew takes over the interview and says he knew Randy was the most evil, selfish, and entitled member of WWE. he brings up how Orton took out Flair, HBK, Big Show, and Christian. He says he thought Orton did this and it was calculated so Randy could get another match with him. McIntyre says Orton thrives in the environment of Hell In A Cell. He tells that Orton has been in multiple but he has been in none. He says that against any other Superstar this would favor Orton but not with him. He tells Orton life experience matters too. He says he has been through hell and he will put Orton through hell. He then says people ask him why he is wearing all black, is he going to a funeral? McIntyre says maybe he is. He says that Orton has an interview later tonight and he will see him there.

Match 3: Asuka (c) vs Lana:
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Asuka quickly takes down Lana and gets control. She looks for the Asuka Lock but Lana is able to get to the bottom rope. Lana now kicks Asuka. She takes her off her feet and works a cover but Asuka kicks out. Lana tries to put her away again but Asuka won’t stay down. Asuka now hits her with an elbow. She comes at her with more kicks and gets in control. Asuka now works a series of forearms. Lana tries to fight out. She tries to gain control but Asuka won’t let her. She works the Asuka Lock and Lana taps out.
***After the match, Asuka is knocked down by Nia Jax. Shayna now grabs Lana and then Nia grabs Lana and puts her through the announce table for the 5th time. Baszler now tries to grab Asuka but she fights back and is able to get away before they do any damage to her.
Winner: Asuka: Still Raw Women’s Champion
My Opinion:
A quick night for Asuka tonight as she once again shows exactly how good she is. Lana did show some fight but she has a long way to go to be ready for Asuka. I’m waiting for someone to really step up and challenge Asuka but I could see Asuka hanging on to the title for a while because no one seems to be on her level just yet but there are certainly stars in the making. For Nia and Shayna they made another statement tonight. Of course, they would have loved to beat down Asuka but nonetheless, they have made it known they will do whatever they want whenever they want. They are the most dominant Women’s Tag Team Champions we have seen thus far.

In-ring Segment: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Nia talks about how people say they aren’t a real team. Nia says they have teamwork. Shayna says she would have used a better word like dominance. Shayna and Nia then argue over what word to use. Shayna says week after week they come out to her and dominate. She says they own the tag titles and that means they own the SmackDown and Raw Women’s Divisions. Nia says if anyone refutes that she dares them to come out and do something about it. Here comes Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose. We then see the arrival of Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce. Finally, we see the arrival of The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott) who were drafted to SmackDown but are allowed to compete here tonight.

Match 4: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax vs Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose vs The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott) vs Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce
The match gets underway but the match quickly breaks down as all these teams go out at it. There is a fight on the floor and Peyton Royce takes everyone out as she flies to the food. Lacey Evans then does the same. Riott and Morgan then both jump and take down everyone again as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Riott and Morgan have taken control. Riott is taken down and has to roll to the apron. Rose now tries to take it Jax and she does hold her own. Brooke now comes in and they try a double team. Nia reverses this and hits them both with a suplex. Brooke is able to avoid Jax and sends her crashing into the ring post. Things now turn as Royce comes in and takes everyone down. Evans now helps out with a Women’s Right. Morgan now comes in and unloads on Jax. she hits with a dropkick but Jax is still standing. Evans tags in but she is taken down by Morgan. Evans is hit with double knees and then the Riott Kick. Riott covers but Baszler breaks it up. Baszler now puts Riott in the Kirifuda Clutch. She then throws her in the ring. Jax tags in and then hits Evans with the Samoan Drop. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
My Opinion:
That was a very entertaining match between these four teams. I love the effort that everyone brought in and they showed how exciting this division can be. I hope we continue to see teams step up because that really was awesome. Each of these teams looked like they could be threats to the tag titles at some point. Being threats though doesn’t mean they will for sure win and it’s hard to say anyone could beat Shayna and Nia as they continue to take out everyone in their way. The only thing that can slow these two down is themselves and the only time I see them losing is if they were to lose focus.

Backstage Segment: Elias
Elias talks with his band ahead of his concert!

Elias’s Live Concert:
Elias asks everyone who wants to walk with Elias. He talks about wanting to give everyone a concert tonight and they tell how his new album Universal Truth drops next Monday. He says everyone knows the universal truth that WWE stands for (Walk With Elias). He then plays his first melody Amen. He says he hopes Jeff Hardy is listening. Elias finishes his song and thanks, everyone. He says his new Album, next Monday, Universal Truth. He finishes by saying I love none of you. Elias comes out and says he will be doing an encore. Someone is now in a hood and playing guitar instead. Elias says hey big shot this is my concert hand the guitar over. Hardy goes to hit him but hits the mic stand instead. He then tells Elias “I didn’t hit you with the car man”.
My Opinion:
Honestly, that was a heck of a performance from Elias and not a bad song at all, I can’t wait to hear more of his songs. I can’t wait to see these two go at it and I think they can really work magic together and I’m excited to see what they will do when we see their match against each other. This could be something really awesome and something that again could push Elias to that next level. I’m very excited to see where this will go!

Backstage Segment: The Miz & John Morrison
Miz and Morrison o go over last week and how Morrison was attacked by Lars Sullivan. They then bring up how Miz saved Mandy and now she is in a strong tag team with Dana. He then says he will also win the lawsuit against Otis. Tucker comes up and tells Miz and Morrison they are trying to ruin Otis’s life. He says even if they are on different brands he will stick to defending Otis. Tucker then challenges them to a tag team match. Miz and Morrison then laugh at Tucker at the thought of him finding a tag partner.

Backstage Segment: Elias
Charly asks Elias about Jeff Hardy’s interruption. Elias says that wasn’t what he had in mind. He says he thought in his downtime people would stop doing this to him. He then says next Monday he will be celebrating dropping his new album and dropping Jeff Hardy because he is challenging him to a match at Hell In A Cell.

In-Ring Segment: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Kofi tells how this is the first time in 4 years that the New Day is back on Monday Night Raw. Woods tells how a year ago he tore his Achilles and then this year has been a dumpster fire. He tells that he then came back and they were drafted away from SmackDown and Big E. Kofi then calms him down. Sheamus comes out and tells Kofi and Woods they are only two-thirds of The New Day. He tells them how they are divided now. Kofi says they aren’t divided and are still together. He says they will hold it down on Raw and E will hold it down on the blue brand. They then poke fun at Sheamus and Kofi and Woods finish by saying New Day Rocks.

Match 5: Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods vs Sheamus
Sheamus gets the early advantage in this one as he overpowers Kofi in the early going. Kofi fights back with shots of his own but he again is taken down. Kofi now hits him with a kick to the shoulder. Kofi now is able to send Sheamus to the outside. Kofi then flies to the outside but Sheamus catches him and dumps him as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sheamus continues to beatdown Kofi. he gets him tied up in the ropes and beats on his chest. Sheamus is able to stay on him and take him down to the mat. He tries a cover after crushing him but Kofi kicks out. Kofi now hits a stomp on Sheamus. Kofi stays on Sheamus and keeps him on the mat. He then hits the boom drop. Kofi now looks for Trouble In Paradise but Sheamus avoids. Kofi goes up top and hits the crossbody. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Kofi avoids Sheamus in the corner. He then lands a kick.
Kofi goes up top but Sheamus catches him and slams him into the mat. He covers but Kofi kicks out. Sheamus drops him again to the mat and locks him in the cloverleaf. Kofi fights out and counters the hold. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Kofi misses on Trouble In Paradise. Sheamus now works an Alabama Slam. He covers but Kofi kicks out. Sheamus now grabs Kofi and puts him on his shoulders. Sheamus now brings Kofi up to the top. Kofi fights out. He now meets Sheamus up there. Kofi now heaves both of them to the mat. Kofi covers but Sheamus kicks out. Kofi again tries to put away Sheamus but is unable to do so. He stays on him and hits Trouble In Paradise. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
My Opinion:
What a match between these two. I absolutely loved the battle they had and how back and forth this one was. Kofi reminded everyone again just how good he is as a singles competitor and exactly why he was WWE Champion. I know he is the tag champ right now but that really made me want to see another run for Kofi. I’m certainly good to have him and Woods on Raw and I hope we see more of these matches from Kofi and Woods as well. For Sheamus, this is a tough loss but he will bounce back as he always does.

Backstage Segment: Retribution
Ali says The Fiend and The Hurt Business made a big mistake tonight thinking his only strength was strength in numbers. Ali says his strength is also in creating chaos. He says all he needs is a laptop, a cell phone, and a secret. He tells how he was at home watching this show learning everyone’s secrets. He then reveals he was the hacker. He says this sick place is full of greed. He tells that talented individuals are being forgotten and their dreams are left to die. He says if it’s The Fiend, The Hurt Business, or anyone else if they try to stop them they will shut you down.

Backstage Segment: The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander) & Titus O’Neil
Titus O’Neil tells the Hurt Business he should be with them. He says he dresses the part and acts the part. He then tells he could take them big places with his connections. MVP with Ricochet on the outs they will talk about. MVP then turns to them and turns back around and says they have talked about it. MVP says we’re in business. Titus gets excited. Lashley then says no we’re in business. Cedric Alexander then throws the first punch and then all the members of The Hurt Business team up to beat down Titus.

In-Ring Segment: The Miz & John Morrison
Miz asks Tucker where his opponent is. Tucker brings out his opponent El Gran Gordo which is Otis in a mask. Tucker and Otis try to play this off. Miz goes off on Otis and says he is making a joke of the Money In The Bank contract. He tells Otis when he makes a fool of himself he spits on everyone who has won this. He then says everyone in the virtual world put their thumbs down for him but cheer for Otis because he is the underdog. He then tells Otis the underdog means they feel sorry for you. Miz tells Otis he separated Mandy and him and he separated him and Tucker and now he will separate him and the MITB. Miz then says a big can wear a mask but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig. Otis and Tucker then hit the ring and attack Miz and Morrison as Raw goes to break.

Match 6: The Miz & John Morrison vs Tucker & El Gran Gordo
Tucker takes control early but he can’t finish Morrison. Miz helps Morrison with a cheap shot and they get Tucker down. Miz tags in and takes advantage with stiff shots to Tucker. Morrison now comes in and stays on Tucker with a big corkscrew. He covers but Tucker kicks out. Morrison stays in control and now drives his knee into the back of Tucker. Tucker fights back but Miz is now in to slow him down. Tucker fights them off and in comes El Gran Gordo. Gordo takes down Miz. He then sends Morrison to the outside. He then turns his attention to Miz and takes him down. He hits him with a power slam and covers but Morrison breaks it up. Tucker now comes in and takes care of Morrison. Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale but he is distracted as Truth runs through the ring with the 24/7 Championship. More Superstars now chase Truth. Gordo now lands a splash on Miz. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Tucker & El Gran Gordo
My Opinion:
This was a fun-spirited match as Tucker and Otis got some revenge on Miz and Morrison. I’m curious though how things will go for Otis and Tucker now that they are on separate brands. Hopefully, both find their footing because they continue to entertain and show a lot of skill in the ring. Especially with Tucker, there is something special there and I hope he gets the chance to show that. For Miz and Morrison, you know they won’t take this lightly and they will be back for revenge.

Backstage Segment: Ramblin’ Rabbit
We see Ramblin’ Rabbit as a new episode of the Firefly Fun House is next!

Backstage Segment: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) & Tucker & El Gran Gordo
Kofi and Woods celebrate with Tucker and El Gran Gordo. Mandy Rose then comes up and brings El Gran Gordo a ham as the celebration continues.

Firefly Fun House:
This episode starts with Wyatt taking different props out of a box. Wyatt says it makes him sad to leave all his friends on SmackDown but he cannot wait to make some new friends on Raw. He then sees visions of Retribution. The puppets in the fun house then start talking to Bray. Wyatt apologizes to Ramblin Rabbit for not asking if he had a wife. Wyatt then promises to him to be a better friend. Wyatt says the past is in our heads but the future is in our hands. Ramblin says it means so much to him and all he wanted was a fresh start. He is then attacked by Mercy the Buzzard. Wyatt then answers the door and it is Alexa Bliss. Wyatt says he saved the best surprise for last. Bliss says our fun is just getting started.

Match 7: Braun Strowman vs Keith Lee
Strowman and Lee lock up. Strowman backs him into the corner and has to be blacked off. Strowman stays on him and continues the beatdown. They now go to the floor and Strowman drives him into the apron. Lee now fights back and gets in control in the ring. He now hits a splash on Strowman. Lee now drives his shoulder into Strowman. Lee works the arm of Strowman and looks to throw him but Strowman stops him with big right hands. Lee now knocks Strowman off his feet. Strowman hits Lee in the groin. Strowman lands a big boot and covers. Strowman gets the 1 2 3.
***After the match, Lee hits Strowman with a low blow and tells Strowman not to test him. He tells Strowman he has tangled with the wrong one.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
This was shorter and less intense than I expected but we can see that this rivalry is far from over. I like that Keith Lee stood up for himself and showed Strowman he is nothing to mess with. I’m shocked that they would have Strowman go to a low blow in order to win but nonetheless, we will see what happens next and I hope we get to see them really go at it.

In-Ring Segment: Randy Orton
Orton enters Hell In A Cell as the structure now surrounds the ring. Randy tells how he wanted to come out here and remember. He says he always heard that anyone who entered this match left a piece of themselves in the cell. Randy tells how he understood himself better every time he walked out of Hell In A Cell and understood everything he was capable of. He then goes over some of the people he has faced in these matches. He tells how he remembers facing The Deadman and earning his respect. He says everyone he mentioned are people who will be in the Hall Of Fame someday.
He says the one word that comes to mind with this is legend. He tells that legend gets thrown around loosely nowadays. He says there are legends and legendary moments. He tells Drew that it was a legendary moment when he beat Brock Lesnar. Drew McIntyre’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. McIntyre comes up to the cell door which is locked and Orton taunts him telling him he can’t break in and he will have to wait until Sunday. Orton tells him to come get him. McIntyre says he will come and get him. McIntyre then pulls out bolt cutters. Orton grabs a chair and waits in the ring. McIntyre tells Orton “your ass belongs to me” they stare down as Raw goes off the air.
My Opinion:
Orton made a lot of good points as he obviously has a ton of experience in these matches. However, if there is anyone who can walk into this match and be prepared without any experience it would be Drew McIntyre. I didn’t really expect too many fireworks so this abrupt ending wasn’t a shock. These two have gone after each other and now it was time for that last visual of Orton and McIntyre inside the cell and now we wait until Sunday to see them finally lock up. This is going to be a brutal match for both guys but whoever wins this will truly be the better man as there is nowhere to run in Hell In A Cell.

Final Thoughts:
A solid night for Raw as we head into Hell In A Cell. First, I loved everything that we saw from The Fiend. I think he and Alexa are great additions to Raw and they will certainly be focal points each week. I’m excited to see what their relationship turns into and they will be key players on Raw for a long time to come. Also, Retribution didn’t look too good tonight but let’s hope things will pick up for them after so much hype. Ali is a greater voice for them but we need to see more results in the ring. Then, I continue to love everything with The Hurt Business. They are becoming staples of Raw and always deliver. Some matches I really loved were Kofi and Sheamus and the four-way tag match between the women’s tag teams.
For Kofi’s, it was awesome to see him back in the ring on his own and he really shined in this one. It certainly made me miss him being champion. For the women, they put on a heck of a match and showed how good they can be in these tag team matches. The other match I really loved was AJ Styles and Matt Riddle’s. They beat each other down and they really put on a competitive match. I’m very curious now to see where things will go with his new bodyguard. Finally, we got our last hype for Orton and McIntyre. McIntyre seems more ready than he has ever been but Orton seems more confident than he has ever been. It’s time to see what happens on Sunday as we witness one brutal match for the WWE Championship! As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy and enjoys NXT, SmackDown, and Hell In A Cell this Sunday!!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10