Raw Review 11/12/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Survivor Series PPV! Tonight, the Commissioner of Monday Night Raw Stephanie McMahon is back to address her brother Shane McMahon. What will the Commissioner have to say? Also, what will happen when Universal Champion comes to Raw? Plus, after avoiding Braun Strowman last week can Baron Corbin continue to stay out of the way of The Monster Among Men? Finally, who will round out both the men’s and women’s Raw Survivor Series teams?

Raw comes to us from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young

Match 1: Tag Team Battle Royal:
Winning Team Captains Raw’s Tag Team Survivor Series Team
The teams start off the match going at each other. The teams continue to fight it out but hee comes Braun Strowman. Strowman takes out Konnor and continues down the ramp. He takes out Lucha House Party and then Bobby Roode. In the ring, the teams try to gang up on him but Strowman takes them all out. Strowman pretty much clears the ring of the teams. He goes to the outside and runs over Curtis Axel and then Chad Gable. He then runs and takes out Scott Dawson. Braun grabs a chair and Slater and Roode retreat from the ring.
Winners: No Winner
My Opinion:
This could have been a good battle royal but ultimately this was about the dominance of Braun Strowman. It’ll be interesting to see how they decide the Raw team now.

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman
Braun grabs a mic and says tonights Monday Night Raw episode is brought to you by The Monster Among Men. Braun says he’s done chasing Baron Corbin around. He says he is not leaving the ring until Corbin gets these hands! Out comes Stephanie McMahon.
Stephanie tells Braun she understands he is upset and he has every right to be but he can not hold Raw hostage. She tells him he needs to channel his rage and save it for what is important Survivor Series. She asks Braun if he is gonna let Shane disrespect Raw. Braun says he doesn’t give him a damn about Shane or representing her at Survivor Series. She tells him he better give a damn and everyone else on this roster better give a damn too. Braun says he realizes when someone is trying to manipulate him and tells her to get her lap dog out here. Stephanie tells him that team Raw has defeated team Smackdown two years in a row and if he leads them to victory on Sunday night he can have whatever he wants. Braun says he wants another Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar. Stephanie says done. He says before that he wants Barn Corbin. She says done. He says he wants to pick the stipulations. She says done. Braun tells her to have him sign a waiver so he isn’t responsible. She says she can get it done. She tells him not to touch Baron Corbin until after Survivor Series to prove he is a tea player. He says he better or he will destroy the whole WWE headquarters. Stephanie says she is her to motivate the whole roster. Outcomes Ronda Rousey.
Rousey tells her to save the pep talk. She says she is already motivated enough and says she has been waiting for a challenge like Lynch. She says she can’t wait to show the man how it’s done. Ronda then says maybe she doesn’t have to wait. Outcomes Baron Corbin.
Corbin says they need to focus on SmackDown and like Stephanie, he is here to motivate talent. He says they can’t afford to get embarrassed and it is a must-win situation. He tells Ronda they can’t get overconfident. Ronda then flips Corbin. Bruan sizes up Corbin and Stephanie gets in the middle. Braun tells Corbin after Survivor Series he’s gonna neuter him.
My Opinion:
Smart move by Braun here to not touch Corbin. Stephanie is offering him so much and if Braun goes and gets this win for Raw he’s got so much waiting for him. This is a good way to Braun back in the title picture and at Survivor Series you can expect him to be extra motivated. I liked the panic in Stephanie, it really seels how much this means for the Raw brand and it’s what makes Survivor Series special. I also liked Rousey tonight, she has an edge to her right now and no doubt her and Becky will be a fight!

Match 2: Ember Moon vs Tamina w/ Nia Jax
Tamina goes right after Moon as she gets distracted looking at Nia. Tamina takes it to her but Moon is able to avoid her in the corner. Moon tries a backslide but Tamina hangs on. Moon gets to her feet and hits Tamina with rights and lefts. Moon hits her with an enziguri and takes her down. Moon tries a cover but Tamina kicks out. Tamina lifts Moon but she fights off and hits Tamina with a big kick. Moon slams Tamina face first and meets her on the outside. On the apron, Moon lands a big kick. Nia provides the distraction and Tamina knocks Moon to the ground with a clothesline as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Tamina is still in control. Tamina gets Moon in a chin lock and keeps her grounded on the mat. Tamina hits Moon and then tries a cover but it’s not enough. Moon hits a big kick and fights back. Moon lands big kicks but Tamina fights back with a big right. Moon hits a suicide dive but Nia doesn’t move. Moon hits a kick on Tamina and then a lateral press but can’t put Tamina away. Moon goes to the top but gets distracted by Nia. Tamina lands a superkick to knock her down. Tamina goes to the top and hits the splash. Tamina gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** After the match Nia takes it to Nia and then hits a leg drop.
Winner: Tamina
My Opinion:
Tamina since coming back has been so dominating. It’s awesome to see Tamina get this chance to show what she can because she really is great in the ring. Tamina and Nia together are a destructive force and I don’t think anyone can stop them. If they’re on the Raw Women’s Team that team could be unstoppable!

In Ring Segment: Exclusive Interview: Corey Graves w/ Seth Rollins
Graves asks Rollins where he is at mentally heading into Survivor Series. Rollins says yes for the first time ever this will happen and it will be a fight but right now he doesn’t give a damn about him. Graves tell him if his head isn’t in the game Shinsuke will take it clean off. He says Sunday he will be focused but this is now and he wants to know why Dean Ambrose did what he did. Graves says they have known Dean for a long time and he isn’t good with words he’s better with actions. Rollins says he knows exactly why he did what he did but he’s not man enough to come to say it. Ambrose comes on the titantron and says he is man enough to come in that arena and beat Rollins. He says he’s not going to because these people don’t deserve it. He says everyone comes up and asks why. Ambrose says Mr. Architecture doesn’t have all the answers. Ambrose questions Rollins and says maybe he’s realizing Dean Ambrose has been this same guy the whole time he was just too selfish and self-absorbed to see what was going around him. Ambrose says he used to think The Shield was stronger together but the truth is The shield made him weak. Ambrose says every day is a new day and a chance to be reborn. He then burns his Shield vest.
My Opinion:
Wow, Ambrose really just put the nail in the coffin that is The Shield. I like the back and forth with Rollins and Ambrose. The more personal they can make it without letting them fight the better the pay off will be. By the time these two get to each other, they will have a straight up fight. I can not wait to see it but until then I can’t wait to see how their war of words continues to play out.

In Ring Segment: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre
Mcintyre says he told everyone he was gonna take over and asks if they believe him now. He says first he broke The Shield and now he’s broken, Kurt Angle. He says when he was finished last week he was an embarrassment. Mcintyre says last week he says his will to win fade. Mcintyre tells how Angle started crying last week. He says he has never been more disgusted in his entire life. He says he’s worked for 18 years for this moment. He says Raw is his show now, it belongs to him and he will mold it in his image. He says there is no more room for weakness and he will let no more nostalgia acts on his show. Outcomes Finn Balor.
Mcintyre tells Balor he has a lot of guts coming out here considering what he did to him last week. Balor says that’s true but what he was saying was too much to listen to. He tells Mcintyre last week he crossed the line. Mcintyre tells Balor dignity is not a right reserved for all. He says he could’ve done so much worse. He then tells Balor he’s just upset he kicked his head off. He tells Balor he is what is wrong with this place. He tells Balor to turn around and walk up that aisle and cry to the Balor Club. Balor then challenges Mcintyre to a match. Mcintyre tells him if he wants a match he’s got one but not with him, with Dolph Ziggler. Mcintyre says if Balor can defeat someone like Dolph he might consider lowing himself to his level. Mcintyre then hits him with a headbutt.
My Opinion:
This was a really good segment for Mcintyre. Tonight he got to sound off and get himself over more as a top heel on Raw. Mcintyre has what it takes to be the man running the show and I hope this is all leading to him getting the Universal title. He’s worked so hard and if they keep him with this attitude the sky is the limit for him. Having Mcintyre just destroyed the top babyfaces is the way to get him to the top.

Match 3: Finn Balor vs Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew Mcintyre
Ziggler tees off on Balor with huge right hands in the corner. Ziggler then uses the ropes on Balor. Ziggler hits an elbow drop but Balor kicks out of the cover. Ziggler then goes to the chin lock. He then turns it into a modified camel clutch but Balor gets to the ropes. Ziggler lands a huge kick but can’t put Balor away. Ziggler then goes to a body lock. Balor tries to fight back but Ziggler takes a shot to Balor’s knee. Balor hits a forearm but Ziggler comes back with another kick. Balor rolls through and hits a basement dropkick. Ziggler tries a cover but Balor kicks out. Balor lands a huge kick and goes up top but Ziggler gets to his feet and knocks him off as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ziggler is still in control but Balor fights back. Balor lands a big chop but Ziggler fights back with an elbow. Balor comes back with an overhead kick and both men are down. Balor lands another big shot but Ziggler comes back with another elbow. Balor lands a kick in the corner and then lands a takedown. Balor tries a cover but Ziggler kicks out. Balor hits a sling blade but Ziggler comes back and hits a huge DDT but he can’t put Balor away. Ziggler kicks Balor in the knee and then hits the famouser. Ziggler goes for the cover but again Balor kicks out. Balor goes to the top but has to move out of the way. Ziggler is sent to the outside and then sent back out as he reenters. Balor flies and takes out Ziggler. Balor goes up top but misses on the Coupe de Grace. Balor reverses the pin attempt by Ziggler and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Good to see Balor pick up a much needed big win. Balor has been through so many ups and downs but I hope they give him a chance to prove what he can do. This is a guy who was the first Universal Champion and he needs to be treated like it. I hope Balor gets his fight with Mcintyre and we’ll see what these two can do.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie congratulates Balor on the win and for standing up for himself. Stephanie then tells Balor she wants him for the Survivor Series team. McIntyre comes up and Stephanie has to calm him down. She tells him to not do anything to his teammates. She tells Mcintyre and Ziggler to hurt her brother. She tells them they have to respect each other and have to go get the win but after they can feel free to tear each other apart.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Ronda how she responds to the words Becky said. Ronda says she is the man, she says she wasn’t trying to disrespect her she was just trying to say hows ridiculous her threats were. She calls Becky hypersensitive and calls her a millennium man. She says she is not Charlotte Flair and Raw is not SmackDown. She says her fans have seen her give it all she got. Nia comes up and tells Ronda good luck at Survivor Series and to go get em champ.

Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan vs Natalya
Ruby gets on the mic and says how she feels sorry for what she did last week but then laughs it off. She says she wanted Natalya to feel emotion last week. She tells that Jim wore those sunglasses cause he was embarrassed of his daughter. Natalya then attacks Ruby from behind but The Riott Squad quickly gangs up on her. They then hit the heart attack on Natalya.
My Opinion:
Ruby was cold-hearted tonight but to make it to the top you can’t be here to make friends. Riott has all the back up she needs and I think The Riott Squad really could be unstoppable. Riott and The Riott Squad could definitely make their name by beating down Natalya. It may not be a popular decision but it can take them to the top and that’s what matters.

Match 4: Tag Team Battle Royal:
Winning Team Captains Raw’s Tag Team Survivor Series Team
The teams all go at it as the battle royal gets underway. Slatter takes it to Wilder but then gets caught u on the top rope and is thrown to the floor. Slater and Rhyno are gone. Luch Hose party go at it with The Revival. Dawson gets hit with a kick and sent to the floor. The Revival is eliminated. Konnor and Viktor try to take over but the teams gang up on them. Kalisto gets eliminated by the Ascension and Luch House Party is gone. Gable and Roode double team Vikor as they and The Ascension are the last two left. Gable locks in an armbar and Roode comes from behind and knocks Konnor to the floor. Gable and Roode will captain the Raw team!
Winners: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode
My Opinion:
This is huge for Gable and Roode! They are a new team but now they are captains for Raw and this is their chance to get over. They can lead Raw to a big win and if they do this could put them up top. I’m not saying they have what it takes to beat AOP but in terms of being a respected tag team, this is a great way to do that.

In Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Heyman says no one deserves congratulations more than The Beast Incarnate himself. Heyman congratulates Braun for proving he is truly almost an unbeatable monster expect when you get hit with 5 F5’s form Brock Lesnar. He then congratulates Braun for worming his way back into the Universal Championship picture. He then congratulates the SmackDown roster for avoiding the beatdown that will be handed to the WWE Champion this Sunday. He then congratulates AJ Styles, the crowd chants for AJ and says they chant for him because they think he has a chance because of last year but this Sunday he is gonna go to Suplex City and take the beating that is coming his way. He tells Styles based on how close he came to beating Lesnar last year there is no one who Brock Lesnar wants to get his hands on and take to Suplex City more than AJ Styles. He says there is no one who Brock Lesnar wants F5 more and no one Brock Lesnar wants to beat this Sunda more than AJ Styles at Survivor Series. He says this Sunday Suplex City, F5, 1 2 3. Your winner the champion of champions Brock Lesnar and that not just a prediction that’s a, but Heyman is cut off and out comes Jinder Mahal.
Mahal tells Heyman to not underestimate AJ Styles. He says last year he was focused on the dream match with Brock and that gave AJ the chance to steal that match. He then offers his mantra to The Beast. Mahal tells Brock he can help him. Brock tells Mahal to come on in. Mahal tells Brock to center his energy and breath in. Brock laughs and then lays out Mahal and The Singh Brother’s.
My Opinion:
Lesnar showed tonight he is The Beast and he will take out anyone. AJ and he had an incredible match last year and this year I see it being no different. I don’t see AJ winning but he could definitely put up a fight. Lesnar though looks focused and if he wants a quick match I think that could happen.

Match 5: Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush vs Elias:
The winner is the final member of the Raw Men’s Survivor Series Team
As Raw returns, Lashley has Elias in a chin lock. Lashley then stomps on Elias. Lashley hits Elias with big right hands but Elias comes back with a kick. Elias takes down Lashley and then stomps on him in the corner. Elias teaks out Rush but Lashley takes advantage and rolls him up. Elias kicks out. Elias fights back and sends Lashley to the outside. He then hits him with a big knee. On the outside, Elias sends Lashley into the post. Lashley comes back and sends Elias into the steps. Rush grabs the leg of Elias and prevents him from getting into the ring giving Lashey the win.
*** After the match Elias grabs Lio Rush and throws him through the second rope into Bobby Lashley.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
This was a cheap win for Lashley but he’s going to Survivor Series. I haven’t enjoyed what they’ve been doing with him but nonetheless, he still is the powerhouse and can be a big asset to Raw’s team. Elias had the momentum but couldn’t beat the numbers game here. Elias will have his day eventually.

In Ring Segment:
My Opinion: Alexa Bliss
Bliss says Sunday is about proving Raw will always be the A show and SmackDown will be the B show. She says she has put together the most dominant team in history. She says a key member of her team Natalya has had an emotional night so she told her to take time off. She introduces the other members. First, Mickie James. Next, Nia Jax and then Tamina. She says you can see her team is one member short but she needed someone who would risk anything to win even friendship. She says her and Corbin made this decision and the winner of the next match will determine who goes. It will be Sasha Banks facing Bayley.
My Opinion:
It really sucks Bliss can’t compete right now because she should be on the team and would be a big help but I’m glad they’re letting her still be apart of this. Bliss has put together a good team and I like the idea of having Banks and Bayley battle for the final spot. This will show which one wants it more and it keeps Bliss in true heel form with this decision.

Match 6: Sasha Banks vs Bayley:
Winner will be the final member of the Raw Women’s Survivor Series Team
Bayley works the arm of banks but Banks reverses. Banks lands an arm drag. Bayley tries a roll-up but Banks kicks out. Bayley tries another cover but still can’t keep her down. Bayley lands a sliding clothesline but still, it’s not enough to keep Banks down. Banks lands a huge knee and then hits a baseball slide. On the outside, Bayley gets back in control and brings Banks into the ring. Banks bring sit back to the outside knocking Bayley down. In the ring Banks hits the Meteora but Bayley doesn’t stay down. Bayley lands a back elbow and sends Banks to the floor. Bayley misses on the dropkick and Banks slams her legs into the ring post. Banks slams Bayley into the post once again. Banks tries a knee but Bayley moves and Banks hits hard into the post. Bayley tries a cover but Banks kicks out. Banks is hung up on the second rope and both women are down. Banks hits her with a huge knee but Bayley comes back with a Bayley to Belly on the apron as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bayley flies but Banks gets her knees up to stop her. Banks and Bayley are both down and Mickie and Tamina attack both of them. Bliss says well Bayley didn’t win the match and Bayley didn’t win the match so allow me to introduce my fifth member Ruby Riott!
Winner: Double DQ
My Opinion:
This was a great match between Bayley and Sasha but obviously, Bliss had other plans. I like Riott being the last member as Riott really has earned it and it’s time she starts getting opportunities like this. This was also awesome for Bliss to keep even more heat on her.

Backstage/ In-Ring Segment:
Backstage Becky has Ronda in the Disarm her! Becky then comes out to the ring and she has back up! The SmackDown women’s division comes to the ring and attacks Raw’s team! The Raw Women and the SmackDown Women go at it! Here comes Ronda Rousey but Becky retreats. Ronda takes it to the Women of SmackDown but her arm is hurt. Becky comes in with a chair and takes down Ronda. SmackDown stands tall.
My Opinion:
This was an awesome way to end the night! I love the invasion angles during this time of year! Beck Lynch made a statement tonight and really showed she is the man. Even Rousey wasn’t enough and Lynch is definitely in her head. The SmackDown Women were not playing and they made a huge impact. Raw was just put on notice!

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie tells Corbin didn’t he watch what’s going on. Corbin says he doesn’t know how they got in the building. She says this can’t happen Sunday. She asks Corbin how he’s gonna fix it.

Final Thoughts:
This was a good Raw, I wouldn’t say it was as good as last years Go-Home Editon, but it still worked. I loved the way Raw ended tonight! It was so awesome and I love the invasion stuff when they happen. The SmackDown Women came to play and like I said they put Raw on notice. Becky Lynch made a statement and her and Rousey are gonna go at this Sunday! I hope tomorrow night Ronda goes and gets revenge because right now she and Lynch have one of the most entertaining feuds this year! As of now The Raw teams look go heading into Sunday. I like the additions of Balor and Lashley to the men’s team and I like the picks Bliss made. SmackDown has so much to gain and Raw really will have to battle to stay the top brand on Sunday. Lesnar looks ready, you know AOP will be ready but one person I’m worried about is Seth Rollins. His mind is set on Ambrose and I I feel Shinsuke will take advantage of that. We’ll see if Raw gets revenge tomorrow but one thing is for sure I can’t wait for Sunday!!!
Overall Rating: 6.8/10