Raw Review 10/21/2019
RAW REVIEW 10/21/2019
Tonight what will Seth Rollins have to say when he discusses burning down the Firefly Fun House? Plus, who will “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair name as the final member of Team Flair for Crown Jewel next week? Also, after being attacked backstage by The O.C. last week, but who will The Street Profits have in their corner this week as they take on The O.C.? Plus, after a heated Twitter exchange with Zelina Vega Sin Cara returns to action on Raw against Andrade but can he get a big win against him or will Andrade continue his hot streak? Finally, we will see Rey Mysterio returning to Raw tonight and appearing Live!
Raw comes to us from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH.
Raw kicks off with a look back at the rivalry between Rollins and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Rollins actions last week burning down the Firefly Fun House.
In-Ring Segment: Ric Flair
Flair talks about Crown Jewel and says Team Flair is going to beat the hell out of Team Hogan. He talks about Hogan and his team he announced and says Hogan’s team has great athletes and wrestler’s but they’re nothing like his team. Flair introduces the fifth person on his team.. Drew Mcintyre!
Flair tells Mcintyre they’re waiting for Ricochet to come down here and have him put him in the same column as the Cleveland Browns. Mcintyre tells Flair his favor has been granted. He tells him to grab himself a seat and get a front-row view because things are going to get uncomfortable and he is going to give a preview of what he is going to do to Team Hogan at Crown Jewel.
My Opinion:
This is a huge pick up for Team Flair! Mcintyre is a guy who goes out there and destroys and for him, this is a great way to get back in the mix and recement himself as a dominant part of this roster. With Team Hogan being somewhat on the smaller side this should be easy pickings for Mcintyre and really allow him to shine. Team Flair is definitely shaping up to be a very destructive force!
Match 1: Drew Mcintyre vs Ricochet w/ Ric Flair at Ringside
Mcintyre grabs Ricochet out of the air and throws him in the corner. A big strike from Mcintyre and he is in control. Ricochet fights back with forearms but quickly is thrown to the outside. Mcintyre meets him out there and heaves him into the barricade. Back in the ring Mcintyre lands another big shot and drops Ricochet. Ricochet is bounced off the turnbuckle in the corner and Mcintyre continues on the offensive. Ricochet is once again knocked down and Mcintyre stays in the control. Now here comes Ricochet with chops but he is laid out again by a huge forearm. Mcintyre lifts him and drops him to the mat. A cover and a kick out by Ricochet. Mcintyre now goes to an arm lock on the mat. Back to a vertical base is Ricochet and he tries to fight out but again he is put down by Mcintyre. Another cover but another kick out. Mcintyre then uses the ropes to wrench on the face and neck of Ricochet. A huge chop in the corner from Mcintyre and he then picks up Ricochet and tosses him across the ring. Mcintyre stomps on his hand and then goes to an abdominal stretch. Ricochet hits him with big rights but is backed down by a big chop. Mcintyre lifts him but Ricochet counters and uses his speed to fight away. A springboard and Ricochet is caught. Ricochet fights off and is able to land a kick in the corner. Mcintyre then drops him to the floor with an elbow. Here comes Ricochet with a dropkick. He then flies through the ropes to take out Mcintyre on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre controls Ricochet on the mat. Ricochet fights out and hits Mcintyre with chops. Mcintyre backs him off and then throws him hard into the corner. Mcintyre covers but again gets a two count. (Sarah Shreiber asks Flair if he has any comments for Hogan. Flair tells Hogan to be there on Friday night on SmackDown because they have things to talk about. He tells him to watch this because they are going to send Ricochet into orbit). Back to the in-ring action Ricochet is able to gain control of a huge counter. Ricochet hits Mcintyre in the corner and then connects with a springboard clothesline. He hits a standing shooting star and goes for the cover but Mcintyre quickly counts out at 1. Ricochet lands a big kick and then flies off the ropes to land a moonsault on Mcintyre. He goes for another cover but again Mcintyre kicks out. Ricochet lands a kick on the apron after being backed off the turnbuckles but Mcintyre fights back and swats him out of the air. He then hits a buckle bomb. Mcintyre hits a huge powerbomb and goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out again! Ricochet fights back again and is able to drop Mcintyre. He tries to lift Mcintyre but can’t. Ricochet stays with it and finally plants Mcintyre. Ricochet goes up top and hits the shooting star press. He goes for the cover but just barely Mcintyre kicks out! Ricochet goes up top again but this time he has to roll through as Mcintyre moves. Ricochet looks for the recoil but he is caught and thrown to the outside. Ricochet is then sent shoulder first into the ring post. Mcintyre measures him and hits the Claymore Kick. the cover and the 1 2 3 for Mcintyre.
*** After the match Mcintyre sends Ricochet into the ring post and then plants him. Mcintyre brings him to the ropes and then grabs him and slams Ricochet on the steps. Flair then raises Mcintyre’s hand.
Winner: Drew Mcintyre
My Opinion:
Wow, what a fight Ricochet put up but Mcintyre was just too much tonight. He continued to battle back and never was down for long. Ricochet just couldn’t do enough and Mcintyre was able to stay in control even when he was down. Then after the match, Mcintyre really made a statement and if that doesn’t show Team Hogan he is dangerous then I don’t know what will. Mcintyre is going to be the X factor for Team Flair and Flair seems like he knows it. It was a big momentum gainer for Team Flair and Team Hogan is on notice.
*** XFL Quarterback Cardale Jones is in attendance tonight!
*** We then see a look back at The O.C. beating up The Street Profits last week.
Backstage Segment: The O.C.
Charly asks them what their strategy is heading into their match tonight. Anderson says they are one of the most decorated teams in history and The Street Profits are rookies. He says that they need to earn their keep and given this platform. Styles says getting that smoke is illegal here in Cleveland. Gallows says Cleveland doesn’t rock, Cleveland sucks. Styles says Gallows and Anderson have been doing this for a long time and when the bell rings The Street Profits are going to get the beating of their life. They then throw up a 2 Sweet!
*** We are then shown a highlight reel of some of the new faces on Raw including Andrade, Aleister Black, and Buddy Murphy. Followed by a look at the Raw Roster.
Aleister Black:
Black says he would like to think there is a reason for his madness. He would like to think that all this would lead him to an answer as to why but at the same time this side of him provides him with this hellfire like rage and it is beyond redemption. He says it is clawing at him as we speak like a mad man dancing in the moonlight and boy is it ready to pick a fight.
Match 2: Aleister Black vs Jason Reynolds
Black works a headlock but Reynolds is able to back him into the corner and work him for a moment. Black fights back and trips up Reynolds. Black lands a big strike and Reynolds is down. In the corner. Reynolds turns it around and lands big kicks. Black fights back with big strikes to the body and face. Black then lands a huge knee. A big Black Mass and Reynolds is down. The cover and the win for Black.
Winner: Aleister Black
My Opinion:
Black definitely didn’t seem phased by any offense that Reynolds offered. Black got that win pretty easily and continues to show his dominance. His striking ability to second to none and he shows every time he is in there that he can get the job done. I think Black is one big opportunity away from cementing himself on top of this Raw roster and being the guy who can lead the charge. I really hope they see what they have in him and he gets the run that he deserves.
Backstage Segment:
Rusev heads to the ring for The King’s Court.
*** We see a new vignette by the newest Raw Tag Team AOP!
In-Ring Segment: The King’s Court (Hosted by Jerry “The King” Lawler)
w/ Special Guest: Rusev
King tells how over the past few weeks we have seen a lot of Lana and Bobby Lashley. He tells how everyone has been talking except for one man Lana’s husband Rusev but he is going to talk tonight. He then introduces Rusev and here he comes. King says this is tough to talk about. He says what goes on inside a marriage should stay inside a marriage but in this case, you are all public figures so they have made everything public. He tells Rusev he doesn’t know how he has withstood what we have seen so far. He then goes over how Lana said Rusev sent to much money to his family, interfered with her modeling contracts, and even cut back on the money she could spend. He then asks for his response and what he is thinking when he sees this. Rusev says Lashley has poisoned Lana’s brain and for that, he will be crushed. He says as for Lana he may be a fool but he still wears his wedding band because every day he hopes they pass through this and end up happily ever after. Bobby Lashley comes on the titantron and tells Rusev he can’t be there because his woman has needs. He says Lana has needs and he is going to be one hundred percent make sure he takes care of them. Lana tells Rusev he would probably recognize the restaurant they are at but won’t because he would never take her there. She tells him that Lashley fulfills all her needs. Lashley says out with the old and in with the new. King asks for a response. Rusev says he would like to deliver his message personally because he knows exactly where they are. Rusev then runs up the ramp!
My Opinion:
This wasn’t as odd of a segment as we’ve seen the past couple weeks but I still don’t like that Rusev has to go through a story like this one. I think he is worth so much more but if they are running with this I hope this has a big pay off for him. Hopefully, he does go find Lashley and puts him in his place and Rusev can come out as the sympathetic hero.
Backstage Segment:
Zelina Vega and Andrade talk over strategy for his match with Sin Cara, Next!
Match 3: Andrade w/ Zelina Vega vs Sin Cara
Sin Cara gets around on Andrade but Andrade is able to hit him with a chop. Sin Cara comes back with a dropkick and sends him to the outside. He then flies to take him out on the floor. In the ring Sin Cara tries a cover but Andrade kicks out. Andrade tries to fight back but is hit with a forearm. Vega holds his leg and this allows Andrade to get back into it stomping Sin Cara out. Andrade uses the rope to land a big neck breaker and tries a cover but Sin Cara kicks out. Andrade stays on him but Sin Cara battles back with big fists to the gut. Sin Cara takes him down and goes up top and lands a moonsault off the top rope to take Andrade down on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sin Cara lands a back elbow and tries to fight off Andrade. Sin Cara knocks him down in the corner and is able to mount some offense. Sin Cara hits a springboard and then a moonsault off the ropes. Sin Cara covers but can’t get the 3. Sin Cara gets to his feet and so does Andrade. The two trade strikes but Andrade is able to create space with big knee strikes. Sin Cara fights back and takes down Andrade. Sin Cara goes up top and flies but Andrade moves out of the way. Sin Cara is then sent face-first into the turnbuckle. Andrade plants Andrade and goes for the cover but again Sin Cara kicks out. Andrade brings Sin Cara to a vertical base and hits a suplex. He goes for the three amigos and hits. Another cover and another kick out. Andrade goes up top and looks to fly but Sin Cara stops him up top. Andrade fights back now as the two are on the second turnbuckle. Sin Cara looks for a suplex but Andrade knocks him down. Sin Cara comes back with a forearm and goes up top to hit a big sitdown powerbomb from the top. A cover but Andrade kicks out. Sin Cara goes up top but is knocked down. Andrade hits a big running knee and tries a cover again but Sin Cara won’t stay down. Andrade hits him with strikes and then runs off the ropes at him but he is launched to the outside. Sin Cara comes over the ropes and is able to hit a hurricanranna. Vega provides another distraction and Andrade takes a cheap shot. Vega then lays out Sin Cara on the floor with a hurricanranna of her own. In the ring, Andrade hits a hammerlock DDT and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Andrade
My Opinion:
Another big win for Andrade tonight and this match shows exactly what makes him dangerous and that is Zelina Vega. no doubt Andrade can get it done on his own but with her, at ringside it puts him over the edge. He is poised to become a champion with her by his side and their partnership makes him a huge threat to whoever he faces. For Sin Cara, this was a good return match and it was awesome to see him back. With the new members of the Raw roster, there are a lot of amazing matches for Sin Cara to have and I can’t wait to see what he does going forward.
Backstage Segment: Humberto Carrillo
Humberto Carrillo watches backstage. Charly welcomes him to Raw and asks for his reaction. He tells the respect he has for Sin Cara and Andrade. He tells that when you face Andrade you have to face him and Veg at the same time. He says Andrade is a future Universal Champion unless he beats him to it. He says he knows he has a lot to prove but thinks he can be a great champion but not going to play with fire like Seth Rollins.
Backstage Segment: The Street Profits
Ford asks Dawkins if he heard the O.C. earlier tonight. Ford says they are all full of jealousy. They joke about The O.C. for a moment and then tell how they are main eventing Raw tonight. Dawkins says they didn’t come alone. Ford asks who but Dawkins says it is a surprise. Ford tries to guess but Dawkins tells him to chill and says all you need to know is this guy doesn’t like AJ Styles and he is just like us. Ford says we want the smoke.
Backstage Segment: 24/7 Title
R-Truth is carefully walking around making sure no one is around him. He runs into Samri Singh and Singh tells him how he is a huge Bollywood star. Sunil comes out of nowhere and pins R-Truth to win the title. Truth says either I’m seeing double or there were two of them.
Backstage Segment: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
Sarah asks Hawkins and Ryder how confident they are going into this match where some would call them underdogs. Ryder says no need for labels. This is a huge opportunity. Hawkins says just like Crown Jewel is a huge opportunity and they are going to string together big victories. They then ask if they will get some pyro tonight.
Match 4: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
Erik starts the match and tosses around Hawkins and Ryder. Ivar comes in and continues the offense. He is then driven into Ryder in the corner. Erik comes in and Ryder fights back with double knees and then a dropkick. Hawkins comes in and the two double team Erik. A cover by Hawkins and a kick out by Erik. they maintain control and Hawkins works Erik to the ground. Hawkins drives him into the corner and Ryder tags in. Erik fights him off and var and Hawkins get the tags. He takes it to Hawkins and drops him on the mat. Hawkins avoids him in the corner but he is hit with a huge strike and then a clothesline. Erik gets the tag and the two then double team, Hawkins. Ryder comes in to break up the pin, Erik hits Hawkins with a knee and Ivar then gets the tag. Ivar and Erik hit the Viking Experience and Ivar gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
My Opinion:
The champs looked dominate tonight and continue to roll on. The Viking Raiders are something special and I don’t know what team out there besides AOP will be able to stop them. They build momentum to Crown Jewel and they definitely are the favorites to win the tag team world cup. It’ll be interesting to see what the teams will do to try to game plan against them but right now they look unstoppable.
Lana & Bobby Lashley:
A waiter asks Lashley and Lana to leave because he has heard her husband may be coming here and he doesn’t want any trouble. Lashley says he doesn’t have the balls to come here and do anything. Lashley tells Lana if he comes they will deal with it.
Backstage Segment:
Rey Mysterio heads to the ring, next!
Lana & Bobby Lashley:
Rusev comes into the restaurant and attacks Lashley. The cops come to break it up and separate the two. Rusev tells him he will get him. They take Rusev away and Lana tells him to have fun in jail.
In-Ring Segment: Rey Mysterio
Mysterio goes over how Cain Velasquez will challenge for the WWE title at Crown Jewel. He says he wanted to take a minute out of their training to tell everyone live and at home thank you. He says the outpouring of love that he and his family have experienced even before Brock Lesnar attacked him and his son. He says the outpouring of love he has seen has humbled him. He says you guys are my family. He says that is why we will all celebrate together when Cain Velasquez wins the WWE title and puts another scar on the face of that bastard, Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman comes on the titantron. Heyman asks Rey if he would really speak these words if Brock Lesnar were live in Cleveland this weekend. He says, of course, you wouldn’t because Lesnar can’t be live on Raw because he was drafted on SmackDown. He says he is just an advocate so he can go anywhere and he is here to deliver a message. He says the man who Rey has picked is his son’s godfather Cain Velasquez, the same guy who beat Brock Lesnar for the UFC title and beat and victimized Lesnar. He says it is not going to happen at Crown Jewel because when Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror he sees the scar Cain left. He says every day for those 9 years he has been salivating like a Beast lusting for revenge. He says that revenge comes at Crown Jewel when he serves up Cain Velasquez on a platter like a dinner for his Beast. Rey tells him to get this through his head. Shelton Benjamin then comes out and says let me get this straight Cain comes in to defend you because you can’t defend yourself and he gets a championship opportunity just like that. Rey says it is a family thing. Shelton says he has a buddy to and his buddy is Brock Lesnar. He tells how he trained Lesnar at Minnesota and roomed with him. He says Brock Lesnar is his family and aside from Paul Heyman there is no one who knows Brock Lesnar better than him. Shelton then says he is going to test this theory and starts pushing Rey around asking if this will get him title opportunities. Shelton asks where his buddy is now. Out comes Cain Velasquez!!!!!!
Velasquez takes down Shelton and gets him in a submission. Shelton quickly taps out. Rey then taunts Shelton who is down on the outside.
My Opinion:
That was awesome! I’m a huge fan of Velasquez and I love that he is here in WWE and I love everything he is doing. He made a statement tonight and that will be heard loud and clear by Brock Lesnar. Cain looks ready and ready for a fight at that. This could be a huge night for him and Mysterio for that matter. Before we get to Crown Jewel I can’t wait to continue to see this build up because I have loved it. This is going to be one heck of a fight next Thursday!
Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes Seth Rollins and tells him it seems like The Fiend has gotten inside his head. He says maybe he has but maybe he has gotten inside his head. He says he did find his way inside the Firefly Fun House. He says The Fiend is different and once you have stepped in the ring with him you are changed forever. Rollins then says hold on one second. He comes up to Humberto and says he heard what he said and tells him what he did last week was something needed to do. He says sometimes you have to make decisions that are right as a champion. He says he admires he wants to be champion and welcomes him to Raw. he then asks if he wants his first match on Raw against the Universal Champion tonight, right now.
Match 5: Seth Rollins vs Humberto Carrillo
Carrillo is able to take down Rollins and land a big arm drag. The two then are at a standoff. Rollins gets around him and works a takedown. Rollins works a chin lock and Carrillo has to get to the bottom rope. The two lock up again and Carrillo works the arm of Rollins. Carrillo again has to get to the ropes as Rollins works his leg. Carrillo works a side headlock and then tries a shoulder tackle but can’t hit. Carrillo comes off the ropes and hits another deep arm drag. He then lands a high cross body and goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Rollins throws him to the outside and Rollins hits a suicide dive on the outside. He then hits a huge suplex on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins works the arm of Carrillo and has him down on the mat. He lands a kick to the arm and taunts him. Rollins lands a chop and drops him to the mat. Rollins throws him to the ropes and this allows Carrillo to land a kick. Rollins hits him in the back but Carrillo comes back and creates separation. Carrillo lands a big kick and then takes down Rollins. Carrillo flies over the ropes and takes out Rollins on the floor. Carrillo tries to fly off the ropes but Rollins plants him. He hits the falcon arrow and goes for the cover but Carrillo kicks out. Rollins flies off the ropes and hits a jumping knee. He goes for the cover but again Carrillo kicks out. Rollins lands a big strike and then connects with a buckle bomb. Rollins lands a superkick and tries another cover but again Carrillo kicks out. Rollins looks for the Stomp but he is countered. Carrillo tries a cover but Rollins kicks out. Carrillo connects with big kicks and then hits a DDT. Carrillo goes up top and hits a moonsault. He goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Carrillo goes up again but this time Rollins counters. Rollins hits the Stomp and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** Rollins gets back in the ring after the match and shakes the hand of Carrillo.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
I’m super glad Carrillo got this opportunity tonight and he did well with it. He really is good in the ring and he impressed on 205 Live for sure. I think they played it smart and didn’t allow Carrillo to build too much offensive but just enough to show you who he is and a small dose of what he can in there. Rollins, of course, had control of this match but I loved the sign of respect and would love to see Rollins give more opportunities to guys like this. Carrillo has a bright future and I hope he continues to get the chance to shine!
Backstage Segment:
The O.C. heads to the ring for their match, next!
Backstage Segment: 24/7 Title
R-Truth walks with a ref and comes up on Samir Singh and pins him but the ref informs him it’s the wrong guy. Sunil then comes up and the two runoff. Truth says so there are two of them.
Match 6: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson w/ AJ Styles)
*** Styles ask the Street Profits where this third person is. Styles asks if he is invisible or imaginary. He says or is the truth you couldn’t find someone to watch their back after what they did to them last week. The video is then shown of their attack. The O.C. head to the ring for the match as Raw goes to break.
As raw returns, the match is underway and there is no one there yet for The Street Profits. Ford gets off to a great start and is able to take down Anderson. Anderson is brought back into the ring after a dropkick and as he enters he is hit with another one. Dawkins is in now he and Ford double team Anderson. Gallows comes in now and lands a kick to Dawkins. Dawkins takes down Gallows and then fires away with big rights and lefts in the corner. Gallows hits him with a big elbow and then a boot. Gallows takes it Dawkins in the corner. He then works him on the mat and wrenches on his arm. Dawkins lands two big forearms but Gallows shuts him down. Anderson tags in but he is taken down by the newly tagged Ford. Anderson throws Ford to the outside and Gallows then hits him with a boot. Anderson lays out Anderson on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Gallows works the arm of Ford. Ford tries to fight him off but Gallows stays on him. Ford tries to make the tag but can’t get there. Gallows lifts him and lands a huge slam. Gallows lands a big boot and then tags Anderson. Anderson goes for the cover but Ford kicks out. Anderson now goes to a chin lock and controls him on the mat. Ford continues to try to battle back but Gallows and Anderson keep the ring cut in half. Ford and Gallows then both hit clotheslines and they’re both down. Anderson tags in but Ford comes alive. He lands a forearm to Gallows and then sidesteps Anderson. Ford goes and makes the tag. Dawkins comes in on the hot tag and takes down Anderson and then Gallows with a dropkick. He plants Anderson and then lands a splash. Dawkins tags in Ford but Gallows gets involved and saves Anderson. Dawkins fights off Gallows and sends him to the outside. Styles provides a little help on the outside and Anderson hits a spinebuster. He goes for the cover but Ford kicks out. Styles again tries to get involved and now he is sent to the back. Out comes Kevin Owens. Owens comes out and hits Styles with a Stunner. Dawkins comes in and plants Anderson. Ford goes up top and lands a frog splash. Ford goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
My Opinion:
A huge win for The Street Profits as the debut in the ring on Raw! Although this match wasn’t this big 6 man tag, The Street Profits did have someone who had their back and KO made a huge impact. Ford and Dawkins fought hard in this match and showed what they are made of. For KO, he is putting himself in line for a big-time feud with Styles and I personally would love to see KO as the U.S. Champ once again. This was an exciting way to end the night and I’m glad The Street Profits are here on RAW!!!
Final Thoughts:
Another solid night for the Raw brand! First off, you can’t go wrong with kicking the night off with The Nature Boy. it was a huge announcement that Drew Mcintyre will now be the final member of Team Flair. Mcintyre proved himself to be a huge threat tonight and put every member of Team Hogan on notice. Next, it was awesome seeing Cain Velasquez on Raw and he sent a huge message to Lesnar tonight. This rivalry is back and I can’t wait to keep seeing this unfold! I thought Sin Cara and Andrade had a great match tonight, it was very back and forth but once again Andrade and Zelina prevail and Andrade’s future looks very bright with her by his side. I loved that Humberto Carrillo got an opportunity tonight. Although he couldn’t do a whole ton he definitely showed some of what he is capable of and I hope to see more guys getting shots like this! Also, although I’m not a fan of this Rusev and Lana angle I was glad to see him get some revenge on Lashley and I can’t wait for him to fully be able to go at it with him. To end the night I was super happy to see The Street Profits pick up the huge win and glad to see KO in the mix on Raw. This was an exciting way to end the night and like I said I’m glad we have The Street Profits and KO for that matter on Raw. Overall this was a good show and the only knock would be none of the Women Superstars appeared in a match. But, I’m super excited about what’s coming up and can’t wait to see SmackDown on Friday!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10
