Raw Review 11/23/2020

RAW REVIEW 11/23/2020

Tonight is the Fall-Out Edition of Monday Night Raw following last night’s Survivor Series PPV! First, what will the morale of Raw be like after defeating SmackDown last night along with having a clean sweep from the Raw Men’s Survivor Series Team? Also, who will be the next challenger for the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre? On that same note, who will be next to challenge the Raw Women’s Champion Asuka? Finally, what will happen when Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross face off against each other?

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

Raw kicks off with a look back at last week’s WWE Championship Match between Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre where McIntyre once again became the WWE Champion.

In-Ring Segment: Raw Men’s Survivor Series Team & Adam Pearce
Pearce welcomes everyone to Raw and says that the past 7 days have been a hell of a ride. He tells how Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton last week. He then tells how last night we bid a farewell to The Undertaker and the superstars of Raw defeated the superstars of SmackDown. Pearce then asks them all to state their claim of why they should face the WWE Champion. We then see Styles question Sheamus when he says last night he was the most valuable player. Styles then says Sheamus is going to use the good old boy syndrome to get a title shot.
Keith Lee cuts in and tells Styles he saved him last night and pinned the captain from SmackDown. Riddle then tells how he beat King Corbin last night and he would like to be WWE Champion. Riddle says if he won the title he would get that dope sword and it would go along with his dope crown. Styles cuts in and calls Riddle’s nicknames stupid. Pearce then says last but not least Braun Strowman state your claim. Strowman questions him for saying this. He then grabs Pearce and hits him with a headbutt which drops him to the mat. Strowman is in a heap of rage as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
This Raw team was super impressive last night and I couldn’t believe the way they ran through Team SmackDown. I think all five could be good challengers but there are a few that seem to stand out most. First, Keith Lee has been dominating and I believe he is very deserving of this chance. He constantly shows that he can put on a show in the ring and be one of the best Superstars today. I also think Sheamus would have a great match with Drew because of their history. Then, AJ Styles would be another great choice. I believe Styles should get another run with the title at some point and especially having backup now he really could win the title again at some point.

Backstage Segment (Earlier Today): The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) & The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin)
MVP tells Kofi and Woods they embarrassed themselves and the entire Raw brand when they lost to the Street Profits last night. Shelton then challenges them to another title match. Woods questions this and brings up how they already beat them last week. Cedric jumps in and demands the title shot. Kofi says it’s their day off. Woods tells Cedric if they want a championship match then they got a championship match. Kofi questions this but agrees with Woods that they can’t be talked to like that.

Match 1: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP):
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Woods and Benjamin lock up and Benjamin quickly throws Woods into the corner. Benjamin and Woods now go back to a standoff. Benjamin now takedown Woods and hits him with big strikes. Benjamin now works Woods on the mat before hitting him with a knee to the shoulder. Benjamin now throws Woods across the ring. He then picks him up and hits a huge suplex. He covers but Woods kicks out. Benjamin tries another cover but Woods kicks out again. Woods fights back with big right hands. Benjamin comes right back knocking Woods to the mat. Kofi is then knocked off the apron with a huge knee strike as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Benjamin has Woods in a chin lock but here comes Woods fighting out of the hold. Woods gets past Benjamin and tags in Kofi. Kofi comes in hot and takes it to Benjamin as he knocks him down over and over. Kofi keeps Benjamin down with the boom drop. He misses on Trouble In Paradise. Kofi fights back but now the two find themselves on the second and top rope. Benjamin is knocked down but now Alexander interferes and drags Kofi off the top. Benjamin now meets him on the floor and lands a kick. Kofi and Benjamin now struggle to get back in the ring but Kofi cannot and The Hurt Business wins by count out. MVP grabs the mic and tells the ref to restart the match. He says they don’t want it to end like this and then questions Woods and Kofi for wanting to lose like this. He then asks if they are scared. Woods and Kofi agree and come back to the ring and the match will now be restarted.
Winners: The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin): Via Count Out

Match 2: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP):
Raw Tag Team Championship Match (Restarted)
As Raw returns, the match begins and Kofi lands a big kick quick. He then tees off on Benjamin as he backs him into the corner. Benjamin now sends Kofi to the floor as he fights back. Benjamin pulls Kofi back into the ring and keeps control. Alexander now tags in and lands an elbow drop. He covers but Kofi kicks out. He tries again but, the same result. Benjamin tags back in and now works the neck of Kofi. Benjamin now attacks the knee of Kofi as he keeps him down on the mat. Alexander now keeps the pressure on the knee of Kofi. Benjamin comes back in and continues to keep Kofi down. Benjamin keeps on the knee of Kofi with a kneebar. Benjamin now hits a clothesline. Benjamin gets Kofi in the corner and tags in Alexander. Alexander again attacks the knee. Alexander tries a couple of pin attempts and fails twice.
Benjamin comes in and hits Kofi with stiff right hands. Kofi now avoids Benjamin and now sends Alexander to the floor. Kofi looks for a tag but Alexander gets up and takes Alexander off the apron. Kofi is now in with Benjamin and he hits him with SOS. He covers but can’t put him away. Alexander comes back in and again wraps up the leg of Kofi as he wrenches on it. Kofi tries to get away but Alexander keeps control. Kofi fights back now and tags Woods. Woods takes down Alexander and then sends Benjamin to the floor. Woods hits Alexander in the ropes and then Benjamin on the floor. Woods tales down Alexander and covers but Alexander kicks out. Alexander now hits a big elbow. He then hits a DDT. Benjamin comes in and hits an Olympic Slam. He covers but Kofi breaks it up. Kofi now comes off the top and takes down Alexander. Woods now is able to hit a sunset flip and works Benjamin for the cover. Woods now gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The New Day: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
Tonight the Hurt Business looked very dominant and I was surprised by how much they were able to keep New Day down. It seems like Cedric and Shelton have everything it takes to win these titles but we will see if that ever happens. The New Day certainly are fantastic champions and they show exactly what the fighting spirit is all about. I think Kofi and Woods will elevate this division and I hope they continue to get the chance to defend these titles and show what they mean.

Backstage Segment: Adam Pearce
Charly asks Adam how he is doing. Adam says the doc told him to take it easy for a week. He says Bruan has been escorted out of the building and he doesn’t know what the repercussions would be but if it was up to him Braun would be fired and we would never hear from him again. Bobby Lashley comes up and tells him before he makes any decisions he wants to talk to him because he was the only champion to win last night. Adam agrees to hear him out as Raw goes to break.

As Raw returns, Charly asks Adam if there is any news regarding the WWE Championship. Adama says Bobby had a compelling case and had some information for him to consider. Randy Orton then comes up and asks Pearce to talk.

Backstage Segment: Lana
Sara asks Lana how she is feeling after being the sole survivor last night. Lana says she is shocked, surprised, and feeling amazing. She says it was the best moment of her career and she is on top of the world. Sara then brings up how the men’s team is looking for title shots so will she be looking for one with Asuka. Lana says she doesn’t wanna think about that right now and just wants to live in the moment.

Backstage Segment: Adam Pearce
Charly asks Adam if he has any update after talking to Bobby and Randy. Adam tells Charly that there will be three singles matches here tonight and the winner of those matches will go on to face off in a Triple Threat Match next week, the winner of that will be the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship.

Match 3: Riddle vs Sheamus:
Winner Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
Sheamus and Riddle share words as the match begins. Riddle can’t get much offensive as we get underway. Sheamus now gets on the offensive but Riddle tries to fight out. Sheamus throws him off and we go back to a standoff. Riddle is thrown again by Sheamus. Sheamus now goes to the mat and works a side headlock. Riddle fights out and now works the arm of Sheamus. Sheamus fights back and drops him in the corner. Sheamus now works the arm of Riddle on the mat. Riddle gets up and fights Sheamus into the corner. Riddle continues to hit him hard before being knocked down again by Sheamus. Sheamus now drives his knee into the face of Riddle. Sheamus takes down Riddle with a hammerlock. Sheamus now works a head scissors while working the arm of Riddle. Riddle now turns the hold around and works an armbar.
Sheamus now gets to the ropes. Sheamus comes in and hits a big kick. Riddle fights back but Sheamus stops him. Sheamus now hits him with a knee and covers but Riddle kicks out. Riddle kicks Sheamus. Sheamus fights right back and sends him to the floor. On the floor, Riddle takes control with an exploder suplex. Riddle now tosses Sheamus back in the ring. Riddle hits the broton. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Riddle now keeps the pressure on Sheamus as he chops down Sheamus with a series of round kicks. Sheamus comes back with a stiff right hand to the body. Sheamus now hits Ten Beats of the Bodhran. Sheamus catches Riddle now as Riddle tries to fight back out of the corner. Sheamus then hits the Irish Curse backbreaker. He covers but Riddle kicks out. Sheamus continues to wear Riddle down. Sheamus charges him but Riddle moves and Sheamus crashes into the turnbuckles. Sheamus fights back and drops Riddle as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sheamus is still in control. Sheamus lays out Riddle with a Brogue Kick. He covers but Riddle kicks out. Riddle now hits Sheamus with an overhead kick and sends Sheamus to the floor. Riddle now goes to the apron and hits Sheamus in the chest. Riddle then hits the floating bro. Back in the ring, Riddle looks for a crossbody but he is caught. Sheamus now dumps him into the mat. Sheamus covers but Riddle kicks out. Sheamus now wears down Riddle with kicks to the body. Sheamus now locks in the Cloverleaf. Riddle hangs in and gets to the ropes. Sheamus gets him on the apron but Riddle grabs the arm of Sheamus and uses the ropes to wrench on his arm. Riddle now hangs Sheamus up on the rope.
Riddle comes back in but Sheamus catches him again and works the heel hook. Riddle now fights back with kicks to the chest of Sheamus. Riddle covers but Sheamus kicks out. Riddle now connects with the final flash knee. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Riddle now grabs Sheamus to the corner. Riddle goes up top but Sheamus gets to his feet and slows him up. Sheamus now meets him up there but he is knocked down by Riddle. Sheamus again stops Riddle. Sheamus now goes up top and hits Riddle with big right hands. Sheamus now hits White Noise from the second rope. He covers but Riddle kicks out. Sheamus now looks for the Brogue Kick again but Riddle collapses. Sheamus picks up Riddle and Riddle hits him with a headbutt. Riddle now fights off Riddle. Sheamus again locks in the Cloverleaf. Riddle is able to fight out and work a cover. Riddle gets the 1 2 3 and advances to next week.
Winner: Riddle: Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
My Opinion:
Wow, what a match between these two! That one was amazing and honestly, this could have gone either way. I was shocked by how much Sheamus had to pull out of his arsenal and still not get a win but it does show the toughness of Riddle. This was a match I’d love to see again as both Riddle and Sheamus have been killing it lately. There is no doubt Riddle can go in the ring but he has a very tough task next week. I think if Riddle does win this he can have a match like this with Drew and it will be amazing. No matter what Riddle impressed tonight and every week you have to look forward to his matches.

Backstage Segment: Lana & Asuka
Asuka tells Lana she heard that she wants to challenge her for the championship. Lana says no she wasn’t even thinking about that and tells Asuka she is one of the best competitors in the world. Asuka says she accepts and she will see her in the ring. She then tells her she could go home as the Raw Women’s Champion. Lana smiles as Asuka walks away.

Backstage Segment: Inside The Firefly Fun House
Ramblin’ Rabbit is seen next to a picture of Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross that has Nikki’s face X’d out.

Firefly Fun House:
Wyatt welcomes everyone to the Funhouse. Bliss says tonight’s episode is about something evil. Wyatt later tells this episode is about friends. Wyatt goes on to tell how friends are no good. Wyatt tells Bliss it is just like her friend, Nikki Cross. The Friendship Frog now tells Bliss she can’t let Wyatt say this about her friend. This doesn’t sit well with Wyatt and he asks Bliss to show what she will do to Nikki tonight. Bliss then smashes the frog with a mallet. Wyatt tells her that is enough and asks for a moment of silence. Bliss says Friendship Frog with a fine amphibian. Wyatt says it’s a real shame he crocked. The two then laugh as the episode ends. Bliss says see you later Nikki, Wyatt says see you soon Nikki.
My Opinion:
Another wacky but interesting episode of the Funhouse. I really love what Bliss and Wyatt are doing together especially in these episodes. They continue to be weird and outlandish and each week you still never know what is going to come next. I’d love to see them continue to go to that dark side and really be the dark cloud over Raw. I really have enjoyed this story and the way Bliss continues to change over time as it keeps you guessing each week. She’s definitely fitting in well inside the Funhouse.

Match 4: Asuka (c) vs Lana:
Raw Women’s Championship Match
***Before the match Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler make their way to ringside to join the commentary team.
The match begins and Lana takes down Asuka. Asuka fights back as she shoots Lana off the ropes. Lana is able to work a cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka goes to the floor and now Jax taunts her. Lana is now attacked by Jax and Baszler. Jax now looks to put Asuka through a table but Lana saves her and they are able to get away. Jax now tells them to get back in the ring and finish what they started. Baszler joins in and says they are challenging them to a match.
Winner: Asuka: Via DQ: Still Raw Women’s Champion

Match 5: Asuka & Lana vs Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
As Raw returns, Lana takes it to Baszler but she is stopped in her tracks by Jax. Jax now grabs Lana and throws her across the ring. Jax gets her in the corner and then throws her again. Lana comes out of the corner and Jax hits her with a big clothesline. Jax now uses the ropes to choke Lana and wear her down. Jax now dumps Lana to the floor. Baszler makes the tag and now attacks Lana on the floor. Back in the ring, Bszler hammers on the back of Lana. She now works her neck and keeps her grounded on the mat. Jax tags in and grabs Lana keeping her down on the mat. Lana gets up and unloads on Jax with everything she has. She tries to make a tag but Jax grabs her and drives her into the corner. Baszler tags in and continues to beat her down.
Baszler now stretches the leg of Lana and puts pressure on her back. Baszler now wrenches on the ankle. Baszler keeps her down with a series of kicks. Lana moves out of the way of a baseball slide. This is Lana’s moment and she tags in Asuka. Asuka takes out Jax and goes after Baszler. Asuka hits double knees and hits a hip attack. Asuka hits a spinning back fist. She now hits a German suplex. She connects with the shining wizard and goes for the cover but Baszler kicks out. Baszler fights back with a big knee strike but Asuka kicks out. Jax now pulls Lana off the apron and continues to wear her down. Jax now tears apart the announce desk. Lana fights back before being pushed. Jax now charges Lana but Lana moves and Jax crashes over the announce table. Baszler now grabs Lana. this allows Asuka to work the cover and get the 1 2 3.
Winners: Asuka & Lana
My Opinion:
A major upset win for Asuka and Lana. they certainly weren’t the dominant team but they were the smart team. I’d assume with this win they’d have to be considered for a title shot. It’s been a while since the tag titles have been defended and who knows Asuka along with Lana could pull off that huge victory and win the titles.

Backstage Segment: MVP & Riddle
Riddle comes up to MVP and calls him Bro G. He tells MVP he wanted to wish Bobby good luck. Riddle tells MVP Bobby taking on Keith Lee will be a fight for the ages. Riddle then pitches Yogurt Pizza to MVP as a business investment. MVP questions him for thinking Bobby would listen to it. MVP tells him he is not his bro but he likes his entrepreneurial spirit. MVP tells him to come with his best ideas and come back in a couple of weeks to tell him. Riddle jokes it’s like Shark Tank. MVP tells him if they’re good they will do some business and if not, they will do some business.

Match 6: Keith Lee vs Bobby Lashley:
Winner Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
Lashley pushes Lee and then gets a waist lock. Lee now backs him into the corner. Lashley fights back and looks for a suplex but Lee turns it into a headlock. Lashley looks to keep control and goes back to the side headlock. Lee looks to fire him off the ropes but Lashley hangs on. Lee now sends him off the ropes and then Lashley looks for a shoulder tackle but Lee stands still. Lee gets Lashley in the corner and wears him down. He now looks for a splash but misses. Lashley stays on the offensive and hits a flatliner but Lee kicks out quickly on the cover. Lashley now looks for the Hurt Lock but cannot lock it in. Lee now drops Lashley. Lee then sends Lashley over the top and onto the floor. Lee goes to the floor after MVP taunts him. Lashley now comes around and hits Lee as he is distracted. Lashley now sends Lee into the barricade. He gets in the ring to break the count. Lashley goes back to the floor and lifts up Lee on his shoulders. He then drives him into the ring post as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lashley works the shoulder of Lee. Lee keeps his grip to avoid Lashley overextending the arm. Lee now looks to power out but Lashley hangs on and now hits him with knee strikes. Lashley fights back and hits a big neck breaker. Lashley now goes back to a chin lock as he continues to wear down Lee. Lee gets to his feet and is able to stop Lashley with a forearm to the face. Lashley now catches Lee and knocks him down. Lashley now hits the huge suplex on Lee. Lashley now looks for the Hurt Lock. Lee fights him off and tosses him into the corner. Lee now avoids Lashley and Lashley crashes into the ring post. Lee now hits him in the ribs and then the face. Lee then sends him to the floor. Lee goes to the floor and hits a huge crossbody. Lee sends Lashley into the ring but now MVP bounces Lee off the ring post. Lee finally makes his way into the ring but this is an opening for Lashley. Lashley goes for the Hurt Lock but Lee is able to fight out. Lee now has Lashley on his back and he slams him off. MVP now gets in the ring and attacks Lee.
Winner: Keith Lee: Via DQ:
Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
My Opinion:
Obviously, it would have been nice to have a definitive finish but it’s clear that Kieth Lee was in control of this one. This match was as hard-hitting as it gets. I love watching both of these guys because there is nothing weak about what they do. They go hard every week and whoever they are facing is in for a long night. I loved that Lashley did get to show how talented he is. He for sure showed that could be a dominant force but ultimately Keith Lee was too much. This is a big opportunity for Lee and I really like his chances next week.

Backstage Segment: Nikki Cross
Nikki cuts off Sara and says she knows she said friends don’t give up on friends but Alexa gave up on her. She says that she tried and she is done trying. She says Alexa made it clear she doesn’t want her or her help, she only wants The Fiend. Cross vows to beat the Fiend out of her tonight.

Match 7: Nikki Cross vs Alexa Bliss
Cross pushes Bliss and tries to get her to listen to her. Bliss toys with Cross. She takes her down and now makes Cross chase her around the ring. Cross drags Bliss out of the ring and now takes her down on the floor. Cross gets her in the corner and stomps on her. Cross now hits a big clothesline. Bliss laughs at her but she is hit with another clothesline. Cross gets on Bliss and tees off with rights and lefts. Cross now bashes Bliss off the mat. Cross covers but Bliss kicks out. Cross now hits a crossbody in the corner. She then hits her with big rights. Cross rolls her out of the corner. Bliss now cries and pleads with Cross. She asks what’s going on and cries for Nikki. She asks her for help and tells her she doesn’t know what’s going on. The two then hug but only for a moment as Bliss plants Cross to the mat. Bliss covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
My Opinion:
Bliss got the better of Cross with the mind games but for a short time, I was really impressed with Cross and the way she was handling her business in there. Cross got fooled but I’m sure if she gets the chance again she won’t fall for it. However each week Bliss seems like she is getting stronger and continuing to learn more tricks from The Fiend. There is no telling what Bliss will be up to next week and much like The Fiend has done to people Cross could be forever changed by Alexa if she keeps trying to fix her.

***We then see the tribute to The Undertaker, Thank You, Taker!!!

Match 8: Randy Orton vs AJ Styles:
Winner Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
The match starts fast but it’s very much a feeling out process. Orton gets on the offensive and is able to land a vicious uppercut. He then hits a boot to the face. Styles fights back, burying his shoulder into the midsection of Orton. Styles now hits a dropkick and goes for the cover but Orton kicks out. Orton now grabs Styles and throws him to the floor. Orton hits an uppercut again and then throws Styles but Styles is caught and placed back on the apron by Almos. Styles now kicks Orton. Styles grabs Orton and now lands a back body drop onto the announcer’s table as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Orton hits Styles with big right hands on the apron. Orton now grabs Styles and brings him up to the top ropes. Styles fights off and trips up Orton. Styles now hits a huge chop block. Styles now continues to attack the knee of Orton. Styles keeps the pressure on the knee as Orton tries to fight out. Styles now twists and bends the knee of Orton. Orton fights back with heavy strikes. Styles gets up and stays on the leg of Orton. Styles fights him off with a big right hand. Orton now drops Styles with a big right. Orton now drops Styles on the top rope. Orton covers but Styles kicks out. Orton looks for a suplex but Styles fights off and now hits another chop block.
Orton counters Styles and hits a neck breaker. Orton covers but Styles kicks out. Orton now gets Styles on the ropes. Styles fights out and goes back after the leg of Orton with the calf crusher. Orton struggles but stays with it and makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Orton now hits a big power slam. Orton covers but Styles kicks out. Orton looks for the RKO but Styles fights it off. Styles now hits a big enziguri. Orton gets out of the ring to avoid a cover. Orton catches Styles on the apron. The Fiend’s music then hits. Orton is distracted for a moment. The music then stops. Back in the ring, Styles misses the Phenomenal Forearm. Orton now hits the DDT. The lights now go out and The Fiend’s music plays again. The Fiend is now behind Orton but disappears. Orton looks around for him but this allows Styles to hit the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles covers and get the 1 2 3. We then hear the laughter of The Fiend as Raw goes off the air.
Winner: AJ Styles: Advances to the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match Next Week
My Opinion:
A fantastic match to close out the night. Obviously, Orton and Styles are two of the best in the whole world and when they meet in the ring it’s magic. I loved the way Styles was able to go after and target the leg of Orton. Orton also was awesome in being able to goat Styles and pick his spots as well. The Fiend was the turning point in this one but I’m excited to see another round of Wyatt and Orton. I think what they did before was awesome and now with Wyatt this much more special it really will be something amazing. For Styles, he moves on to next week and he clearly has the experience advantage. We will see if experience matters or if Lee or Riddle will get their Raw careers off to a huge start!

Final Thoughts:
First, I love what we are seeing from The Fiend and Alexa. As I’ve been saying they are working well as a pair and they keep things interesting each week. I think it’s time for them to speed things up a little bit because right now these two are in control and are doing really great things. Also, again, I enjoyed The New Day taking on Cedric and Shelton. Cedric and Shelton dominated this one tonight but The New Day found a way to retain the titles. With The New Day on Raw, the titles will continue to mean more and I’m excited to see these teams continue to step up.
Finally, I loved the three matches we had tonight to determine the competitors in the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match. First, Sheamus and Riddle tore the roof off of the Thunderdome. This was an amazing wrestling match, from the counters to the hard-hitting action, to the desperation to win. It was awesome to watch and it was a well-deserved win for Riddle. With Keith Lee and Lashley, it was a very hard-hitting match and one I’d love to see again with a definitive ending. I think if Lee doesn’t win next week it would be very intriguing to see him go after the United States Championship. Finally, Styles and Orton had a solid match to end the night. We see now that Orton will go on to do something with The Fiend but this will be something special for sure! For Styles, he won and now we will see what happens next week. This will be a huge Triple Threat Match and I’m sure Drew McIntyre will be keeping a close eye on this and will pay someone a visit next week! As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy this week and enjoys NXT and SmackDown!
Overall Rating: 6/10