Raw Review 11/18/2019

RAW REVIEW 11/18/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition before this Sunday’s Survivor Series PPV!!! Tonight a huge match is set as Andrade takes on Seth Rollins. Can Andrade keep his winning ways and knock off Rollins to earn himself a spot on Team Raw? Plus, what will happen when Charlotte Flair teams up with Becky Lynch ahead of both of their huge Survivor Series Matches? Rey Mysterio has one of the biggest matches of his career on Sunday but what will he have to say ahead of his WWE Championship Match against Brock Lesnar? Finally, can Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins beat The Viking Raiders for the Raw Tag Team Championships?
Raw comes to us from the TD Garden in Boston, Ma.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Jerry “The King” Lawler and Vic Joseph

In-Ring Segment: Becky Lynch
Becky calls out Bayley and Shayna Baszler and tells them to come out here if they are in the building. She says she doesn’t give a bullock about brand supremacy and tells them if they want to fight they can end this tonight. She says what better place for an Irish woman to fight than right here in Boston.
Billie Kay says she is sorry to interrupt. Peyton Royce says when they heard her talk about Survivor Series they weren’t just gonna be quiet. They then tell how they have been left off the Raw Women’s Survivor Series Team. Kay says they are the future. Lynch says she knows she is supposed to tag with Charlotte tonight but a better future would be her taking them on right here right now because she said she wanted to fight so let’s fight. Out comes Charlotte.
Charlotte tells Lynch she doesn’t want to tag with her either but the forces want her together. She tells Lynch she doesn’t get to be the only one to talk about her match at Survivor Series because she has one too. She tells about how she is leading Team Raw in the first Women’s Triple Threat Survivor Series Match. She then asks Lynch, shall we? Out comes Samoa Joe as Raw goes to break to join commentary.

Match 1: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. The IIconics
The Iconics go on the attack of Lynch and Charlotte. Charlotte gets back in control and is able to hit Royce with a huge elbow. Royce fights back and lands a huge kick. Kay tries a cover but Charlotte kicks out. Royce tags back in and the two double team Charlotte. Charlotte fights back and is able to knock down Kay. she then knocks Royce off the apron. Kay tries a cover but Charlotte kicks out. Charlotte gets her in the Figure 8 and Lynch hits a Becksploder on Royce. Kay taps out.
*** After the Match Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir come out and attack The Iconics. Lynch and Flair come back in but they too are taken out. Baszler, Duke, and Shafir then exit through the crowd. Lynch and Flair get out of the ring and come in the crowd but they are backed down by security. Lynch then hits a security guard with a big right hand.
Winners: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch
My Opinion:
A big win for Lynch and Flair ahead of both of their big matches this Sunday. Flair showed her dominance and definitely is going to be the biggest factor for the Raw team. Lynch seems fired up but there’s no doubt NXT is getting the best of everyone. Right now they all seem so calm and collective and Raw and SmackDown are on the defensive which isn’t going to fair to well because that’s how mistakes happen. I can’t wait to see it all unfold but Baszler, Duke, and Shafir got one up tonight.

Backstage Segment: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
Charly welcomes Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins and asks how prepared they are for their Raw Tag Team Championship Match. Ryder says these opportunities don’t happen often and they have prepared their whole career for this. Hawkins begins to talk but stops as AOP comes up and attacks them.

Match 2: Karl Anderson w/ AJ Styles & Luke Gallows vs Humberto Carrillo
*** Before the match Styles says he would love to defend his U.S. title tonight against Humberto but he disrespected him last week. Gallows says when you disrespect one member of The O.C. you disrespect every member. Styles says that’s why Anderson is going to beat the crap out of you. Anderson tells that Humberto is going to be taught a lesson tonight.
Anderson beats down Carrillo to start the match. He throws him in the corner but Carrillo pops out and takes it to Anderson. He is able to come off the ropes and fly to layout Anderson. Carrillo brings Anderson to the corner and goes up top but Anderson is pulled out of the ring. Out comes The Street Profits. The O.C. gets distracted and this allows Carrillo to fly over the ropes and lays out all three members of The O.C. as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Carrillo is backed into the corner by Anderson. Anderson wipes him into the other corner and he continues the offensive. Anderson slams Carillo down to the mat and goes for the cover but Carrillo kicks out. Anderson works a headlock but Carrillo is able to fight out. Anderson knocks him down and goes for another cover and Carrillo kicks out. Anderson then switches to a chin lock on the mat. Carrillo tries to create separation but he is driven down to the mat. Anderson now goes back to the chin lock. Carrillo is able to fight out and pushes Anderson down. He then lands a huge dropkick. Carrillo takes down Anderson and lands a huge strike to the face of Anderson. Carrillo lands a standing moonsault and goes for the cover but Anderson kicks out. Carrillo is shoved to the outside but he lands a big slap and goes up top to land a high crossbody. The cover and another kicks out from Anderson. Carrillo comes off the ropes but he is caught and hit with a spinebuster. Anderson covers but Carrillo kicks out again. Anderson lifts but Carrillo and looks to slam him in the corner but Carrillo counters and Anderson hits hard in the corner. Carrillo lays out Anderson once again and he goes to go up top but Gallows hangs him up. Anderson rolls him up but Ford shifts the momentum and Carrillo now gets the pin for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Humberto Carrillo
My Opinion:
Carrillo picks up a huge win tonight with a little help but hey all is fair when The O.C. started it. Carrillo is making a case for himself to get another title shot, he continues to impress and win and he has all the momentum in the world. He is becoming a key player in WWE and honestly with him and The Street Profits they are a group that if they stick together could help each other to get to the top. Styles and The O.C. need to regroup after this one and realize the war is greater than just one battle but we will see how they bounce back.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins
Charly asks Rollins what compelled him to accept Andrade’s offer and put his spot on the line. Rollins asks what option he had. He says he doesn’t back down from a challenge. He says he considers himself a leader and Boston knows a thing or two about leaders. He says he is a leader and he leads by example. He says he admires Andrade and everything he has done but it’s not Monday Night Andrade, not yet. It’s Monday Night Rollins and he is going to prove that once again when he goes out there and burns it down. Charly then notes that we have breaking news coming up that you have to see to believe.

Match 3: Bobby Lashley w/ Lana vs No Way Jose
*** Before the match Lana says today is the happiest day of her life because this morning she filed for divorce. Lana says all of you will not see her soon to be ex-husband. Lana tells how Rusev was handed a temporary restraining order. She says this means Rusev can not come within 90 miles. She then corrects herself and says 90 feet. She says she and Bobby will be together forever.
The match begins and Lashley works the arm of Jose. He gets a headlock and is bounced off the ropes but Lashley grabs his hair. Jose lands a series of strikes and continues on the offensive. Jose works a headlock but Lashley is able to slam him down. Lashley runs him over and then picks him up and drives him down to the mat. Lashley works a full nelson and Jose passes out.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
The saga continues even though Lana couldn’t get her words together. This continues to be a story that is dragging on and on with no clear ending point in sight. The plus side we got to see Lashley back in action but this definitely wasn’t a big high profiled match that we’d like to see him in. Hopefully, Lashley will be able to put in more matches soon and be back to being who he was but right now he is getting dragged through the mud with this one.

Match 4: Seth Rollins vs Andrade w/ Zelina Vega: If Andrade wins he takes Rollins spot on Team Raw at Survivor Series
Andrade works the arm of Rollins. Rollins turns it around and is able to get on the offensive. Andrade fights him off and takes a breather. Andrade is able to land a knee and then works a headlock. Rollins turns it around on the mat works a head scissors. Back to a vertical base, the two get to a stalemate once again. Rollins works a headlock but can’t gain much offense. Andrade tries to battle back but Rollins is able to take him down to the ground. Andrade gets to his feet and backs him to the ropes. Andrade turns it around and works a headlock of his own. Rollins and Andrade trade moves and Rollins lands back to back arm drags to get in control. Andrade comes back with a huge dropkick. A cover and a kick out from Rollins. Andrade hits Rollins in the corner but Rollins is able to turn it around after a missed dropkick and hits one of his own. A cover and a kick out from Andrade. Rollins grabs Andrade and throws him in the corner. Rollins goes to the apron but is able to land a forearm. Vega provides a distraction and Andrade knocks him to the ground. Vega tries a hurricanranna but Rollins stops her. Vega is then sent to the back by the ref. Andrade uses the distraction to fly to the ground and take down Rollins as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins lifts Andrade but fights off. Rollin stays with it and lands a spinebuster. Rollins flies to the outside and drives Andrade to the floor. Rollins brings him in the ring and lands a huge knee off the ropes. He covers but Andrade kicks out at 2. Rollins lands a kick to the midsection. He looks for a buckle bomb but Andrade counters. He gets Rollins in the corner and lands double knees. Andrade covers but Rollins kicks out at 2. Andrade looks for the hammerlock DDT but Rollins counters. He lands the buckle bomb and then the big kick. The cover and the kick-out by Andrade! Rollins and Andrade trade strikes. Rollins lands rapid-fire strikes but Andrade comes back with a HUGE strike. Andrade lands the three amigos and covers but Rollins just kicks out! The two go up top but Andrade is able to knock Rollins down. Andrade misses on the double knees. Rollins misses off the ropes. Rollins comes back with the superkick and then the Falcon Arrow. The cover and another kick out from Andrade! Rollins goes up top but he is jumped by the Lucha House Party.
*** After the match Lucha House gets in the ring and Andrade is angry. Lucha House Party attacks him but Rollins comes into even the odds and sends them to the outside. Rollins tells Andrade one more time down the road if you want it, pal.
Winner: Seth Rollins: Via DQ
My Opinion:
What a match between these two! The ending wasn’t shocking since both have so much momentum right now and neither could afford that loss but really what we saw in that match is these guys are two of the best in WWE today. Andrade has so much talent and he shined out there against Rollins. Andrade should already be on Team Raw because he is the future if they use him right. Rollins said they can do this again and I can’t wait for that. Of course, SmackDown made a little statement but really Rollins and Andrade stood tall and showed they are two of the “top guys” on Raw.

Backstage Segment: Buddy Murphy
Buddy Murphy walks up to Aleister Black’s door and tells Black he is here to pick a fight from him. Murphy says nothing really, just what I thought all talk. Murphy walks away and Black then comes out and looks around.

Backstage Segment: Triple H
Three SUVs pull up in the back. Triple H gets out and gives the signal to wai to the other two SUVs.

Match 5: Akira Tozawa vs Buddy Murphy
Murphy locks up the arm of Tozawa. He takes him to the mat and continues to stay in control. Back on a vertical base, Tozawa tries to fight him off but Murphy maintains control of the arm. Tozawa fights out and is able to land a chop in the corner. Tpozawa counters Murphy and stays on him. Murphy fights back but Tozawa lands a hurricanrana. Tozawa keeps Murphy on the outside and then flies but he is caught. Murphy turns it into a suplex and regains control. Back in the ring, Murphy goes for the cover but Tozawa kicks out. Murphy locks in an abdominal stretch but Tozawa continues to try to fight out. Murphy is hit with a shot to the midsection and then sent to the outside. Tozawa then lands a huge kick in the ring and Murphy is down. Murphy fights back but Tozawa stays in this. He lays out Murphy and tries a cover but Murphy kicks out. Tozawa drags Murphy to the corner and goes up top. He looks to fly but Murphy moves out of the way and catches Tozawa. Murphy goes up top but Tozawa lands a huge kick. He meets Murphy up there but is shoved off. Murphy catches him but Tozawa comes back with a huge kick. Tozawa lands an inverted hurricanranna. He then flies to the outside. He brings Murphy in the ring and then goes up top. Tozawa lands a kick and Murphy is hung up on the ropes. Tozawa lands a senton and covers but Murphy kicks out. Tozawa then lands big strikes but Murphy comes back and lands Murphy’s Law.
Winner: Buddy Murphy
My Opinion:
This match lasted a lot longer than I expected but wow, in that time Tozawa showed something in himself. He hit Murphy with all he had and definitely brought the competition. Murphy really couldn’t find much offense in that match but he did show he has that winning mentality and all he needed was one move to end this one. He continues to get done in the ring but he is going to have to really regroup because if Tozawa brought this fight to him then Aleister Black is going to run through him.

Backstage Segment: Erick Rowan
Erick Rowan continues to baby talk his animal in the cage and tells it, it’s so much bigger than last week.
Backstage Segment: Buddy Murphy
Murphy calls for Aleister again and now Black is here to meet him face to face. The two have a staredown.

Match 6: Erick Rowan vs Local Competitor
*** Before the match The Singh Brothers are chased around the ring by R-Truth. Rowan takes out the Singh Brother’s and Truth then runs away.
Rowan lifts up his opponent and then throws him to the outside to take out The Singh Brothers again. He then goes to the outside and runs them all over. He lifts his opponent and throws him in the ring. He lifts him with one hand and plants him to the mat. He goes for the cover and gets 1 2 3.
Winner: Erick Rowan
My Opinion:
Rowan continues to manhandle his opponents and layout anyone in his path. He is dominant, he is a force to be reckoned with and he is here to for destruction. I’m not sure what is in that cage but it obviously giving him strength and power and I’m sure eventually we will see what he loves so much. I hope for Rowan this leads to something big because what he does in the ring is impressive and when they gave him a big storyline he did well with it.

Backstage Segment: Randy Orton
Charly asks Randy Orton if he can put aside his differences to compete as a team and focus on the task at hand at Survivor Series. He says for 18 years he hasn’t played well with others unless it benefits him. He says he has been the greatest superstar at Survivor Series and that benefits him. He then tells her to tell the Viking Raiders that if they are looking for a fight he will be in the ring with a partner of his choosing that benefits him.
*** Superstars from Raw and NXT will be at SmackDown this Friday!!!

Match 7: Drew Mcintyre vs Kevin Owens
Owens hits Mcintyre hard and backs him in the corner. Mcintyre turns it around and delivers huge strikes on Owens. Owens lands a big elbow and then a huge dropkick. Owens lands shoulders to the gut in the corner. Mcintyre turns it around and wipes him in the corner. Mcintyre lands a neck breaker and goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Mcintyre then stretches the arms of Owens while driving his knee into the back. Mcintyre lands big punches to Owens but Owens knocks him back. He then lands a huge cannonball into the corner. Owens looks for the Stunner but Mcintyre fights off and goes to the outside. Owens lands a punch on the outside. Mcintyre fights back but Owens lands a big boot. Mcintyre grabs Owens off the apron and throws him into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre is back with a body stretch. Owens fights out but Mcintyre continues to try and beat him down. Mcintyre hits a suplex and goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Mcintyre continues to work a submission hold on Owens. Owens fights back and lands a big kick. Mcintyre is sent to the outside and Owens takes him down on the floor with a senton. Owens brings him in the ring and goes up top but Mcintyre back to his feet goes to the apron. Owens meets him and Mcintyre hits a Glasgow Kiss. Owens fights back with a superkick. Owens is caught and Mcintyre lifts him to drive him onto the apron. Owens beats the 10 count but Mcintyre grabs him and hits a powerbomb. Another cover and again Owens kicks out. Mcintyre gets him in the corner and brings him up top. He looks for a suplex but Owens hangs on. Owens knocks Mcintyre to the ground and Owens then hits a frog splash. The cover and Mcintyre kicks out at 2. Owens misses with the Stunner but hits with the superkick. Mcintyre hits with a clothesline but Owens comes back with a pop-up powerbomb. The cover and a kick out from Mcintyre. Owens goes up top and looks for senton but Mcintyre gets his knees up to counter. Owens lands a superkick. He looks for the Stunner but Mcintyre counters with a Claymore Kick. He covers but Owens gets his foot on the rope. Owens comes back and counters into a cover but Mcintyre kicks out. Owens finally connects with the Stunner. He covers but now Mcintyre gets his foot on the rope. Mcintyre now hits a DDT but Owens kicks out. Mcintyre goes up top and flies but he has to catch himself. Owens hits the Stunner but takes time on the cover. Out comes Triple H as Raw goes to break!
As Raw returns, Triple H is on the mic with The Forgotten Suns, Damien Priest, and Donovan Dijakovic. Triple H tells Owens it was a hell of a match. Triple H tells how he was trained right down the road. He says magic happens in this building. He tells Owens tonight they can make magic. He tells he is here for the same reason he was for Rollins but it is different because he has a soft spot for Rollins. He tells how Owens came in and turned on his best friend to win the NXT title. He then came to Raw and beat John Cena and stood holding the NXT title up high with his foot on the U.S. title. He tells how Owens was taken by people who didn’t understand what they had. He tells how Owens was fired and was told he doesn’t belong here. Triple H tells him he knows where he belongs because he sees it in him when he looks in his eyes. He sees a guy who is every bit as good as he thinks he is and says he is. He says he sees a guy who doesn’t fit the damn mold and he loves it. He says you look at those guys and question why they’re here. He says they are here to ensure they can have that conversation and nothing more. He says it isn’t ironic these guys came all the way here so they could have this conversation. He says his teammates are in the back thinking these guys could attack but they aren’t coming out here to save him because they give a damn about him. Triple H says the other half they’re not here because they know if they walk down that ramp and they will get their asses handed to them. He says they will prove they are no longer the A brand. Raw comes out to take it to NXT but here comes more guys from NXT. Raw is able to back off NXT and stand tall.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
Well, what an incredible hard-hitting contest between those two. Owens and Mcintyre really went out there to prove something and they proved they are heavy hitters. They bring major power to the Raw team and showed they will do whatever it takes to be the guy. The best part of Raw is these guys want to one-up each other and be the best which may work in their favor as everyone will be giving all they have to win it for Raw. the NXT invasion was pretty awesome, there is a real shift in power. I wish though one of the guys from Raw would jump to NXT because that would be a huge deal.

Backstage Segment: Humberto Carrillo & Paul Heyman & Rey Mysterio
Charly tells that next week it will be AJ Styles defending his United States Championship against Humberto Carrillo. She congratulates him and he says he is very excited right now and this is a huge opportunity for him. She then turns it over to Paul Heyman.
Heyman talks about how we got to this match coming up at Survivor Series between Lesnar and Mysterio. Heyman says Brock is just fine and will be at 100 percent. He says there are a lot of rumors that Lesnar is injured and vulnerable to an upset. He says let’s make this interesting and make this a no holds barred match. He says this Sunday you will either see Mysterio pull off a miracle or you will see Brock Lesnar destroy Mysterio. He tells this match will be so bad it will be pulled from WWE. he says miracle or massacre we all find out together.
Charly takes it back and interviews Rey Mysterio. He brings in Humberto and says he is so happy for his success and he has no idea how proud he makes Latinos feel. He tells him he has what it takes to win the U.S. Title from AJ Styles. He then talks about the match and accepts the No Holds Barred stipulation. He says he has already shown Brock what he can do with a little help from his friend (led pipe). He says it will be with him this Sunday and then asks if this stipulation is in Brock’s advantage or his advantage. He tells him he is going to hunt him down and make him pay. He says the old him would ask for an apology but we know that’s not Brock’s style. He says on Sunday he isn’t coming for an apology he is coming for the WWE Championship. He then says this is for you, son.

Match 8: Asuka w/ Kairi Sane vs Natalya
Natalya works the arm of Asuka and is able to stay in control and bring Asuka to the mat. Asuka fights off and they have a standoff. Natalya lands a big kick but Asuka stays in control. The two then run into each other but neither give an inch. Asuka gets caught but she rolls through into a cover. Natalya kicks out. Asuka lands a big back fist and tries another cover but Natalya kicks out. Asuka works the arm of Natalya and is able to lock in an octopus stretch. Natalya tries to fight out and finally does. She is able to land a basement dropkick and creates separation. Asuka is hit with an elbow and then a big kick. Natalya lands a suplex and continues to beat down Asuka. Asuka comes back and works a headlock. Natalya fights back and lands a big German suplex. A huge clothesline and a cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka goes to the outside and Sane works a distraction. Natalya fights back and drives Asuka into the barricade. She brings her in the ring but takes too much time taunting Sane. Asuka lands a huge kick and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Asuka
My Opinion:
Natalya made one mistake in this one and that was it for her. She put up a good fight but with Sane on the outside, it’s hard for anyone to keep their focus when facing Asuka. Asuka landed that big kick and it was over. The good news for Raw is they have them on our side on Sunday so they can play as dirty as they need in order to beat NXT and SmackDown.

Match 9: The Viking Raiders vs Randy Orton & Ricochet
Eric takes it to Ricochet and is able to quickly take him down. He stares down Ricochet but Ricochet comes back. He flies over the ropes but he is caught. Orton comes up and breaks the hold. Ivar is taken out but Eric comes back hitting Ricochet with a knee. Backstage there is a brawl with Raw and SmackDown as Raw goes to break.
As Raw goes to break, Orton has Eric in a headlock. Orton goes to a vertical base and keeps the head lock. Eric breaks the hold with a forearm. Ricochet tags in and so does Ivar. Ricochet hits him with big strikes but Ivar stays in it. Ivar takes him down and is in control. Ivar then knocks Orton to the ground. Ivar flies through the ropes and takes out Orton and Ricochet on the floor. Orton gains control and hits the DDT with help from the ropes. Orton looks for the RKO but he comes the crew from SmackDown. They rush Orton and take him down. Hey beat down Orton and are in control. The Viking Raiders try to fight back but SmackDown remains in control. Now here comes NXT to take it to SmackDown. Orton, Ricochet, and The Viking Raiders tell NXT to get in the ring but here comes more guys from NXT. Orton lands an RKO. Ricochet hits a recoil and they brawl is on. Here comes Rollins and more guys from Raw. Raw, NXT, SmackDown are all going at it now!!!!! Triple H says this is the beginning of the end and at Survivor Series they will show they are the A Brand of the WWE. He says this Wednesday it’s an open door for Raw and SmackDown. The fight is still on as Raw goes off the air!
Winners: Randy Orton & Ricochet: Via DQ

Final Thoughts:
First big props to both the Seth Rollins Andrade match and the Kevin Owens and Drew Mcintyre match. In both those respective matches, they tore it down and proved they are the top guys on Raw. they were hard hitting, fast paced contests and I loved every second of it! I really loved the invasion by NXT and SmackDown, the war is on and this is amazing and wonderful to watch! It should only get better as the week goes on and this a very exciting thing right now, big props on WWE for this. I was really happy to see Humberto Carrillo gets his title match next week, he has been on a roll and I really think he could pull this one off, especially if he has The Street Profits to even the odds! I also liked that Mysterio and Lesnar will now be a No Holds Barred Match. I think with everything that has happened that is the onl;y way to do it because what they need is a fight to settle things. Finally, to end the night we had a good tag team match but the bigger story was the brawl between brands! As I said above I loved this and when it’s Survivor Series week this is what we want to see to close out the night! It was entertaining, exciting, and has brought an energy that we have been missing at times! I’m super excited for Backstage tomorrow, NXT on Wednesday, and SmackDown on Friday and Survivor Series on Sunday. This should continue to build and be an amazing week in WWE and I can’t wait to see all this unfold!!!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10