Raw Review 11/27/2017

Tonight Roman Reigns plans to make his first title defense as the Intercontinental Championship as he plans to issue an open challenge. Also last week we saw the return of Paige and the doubts of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, what will happen as the three take on Bayley, Sasha Banks and Mickie James? Plus as Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins look to recapture the Raw Tag-Team Championships Rollins is set to take on Cesaro. Kane came back last week and attacked Braun Strowman but how will Strowman respond this week? Finally what will the superstars of 205 Live do as Enzo Amore continues with his new faction the ZO Train, who will step up to derail it?

Raw is live tonight from the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Booker T.

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns
Reigns says last week was a big week for him, he tells how The Shield reunited, they beat The New Day and then he won the Intercontinental Championship. He says that Miz didn’t like him winning and shows a video of Miz talking last week after Raw went off the air and The Shield coming out and putting him through the announcer’s table. Reigns tells that you won’t see the Miz for awhile but you’ll see a lot of him. Reigns says the title is prestigious and as long as he has it it’ll stay that way, it’s his yard and his title. He tells the locker room if they want it all they have to do is step up and take it. Out comes the Miztourage.
Dallas tells Reigns how dare he disrespect the most must see Intercontinental Champion of all time. Axel says the only pain worse then his neck is seeing Reigns with Miz’s title. He tells that he and Dallas can avenge Miz because of The Shield but says they know someone who can. Out comes Elias.
Elias says Miz is a good guy and tells how when he saw Dallas and Axel abandoned he knew he g=could guide them and show them the way and ignite the fire that once burned in their heart. He tells Reigns tonight he’s gonna take the Intercontinental Championship. Reigns says it sounds like Elias wants to walk with the Big Dog. He says Elias has the match but tells him to look at Axel and says he hopes he can sing with a neck brace because after tonight he might have to wear one.
My Opinion:
I like the idea of Reigns defending his title like this, when Cena did it with the U.S. title it was always exciting. I also like that Elias gets a shot tonight, I really think he deserves the opportunity to be in the spotlight and I hope he steps up and shows what he can do. With the Universal Title not being on Raw every week it’s a great idea to bring a ton of excitement to the IC belt.

Match 1: Seth Rollins vs Cesaro
Rollins and Cesaro lock up but Rollins quickly works behind him. Cesaro works the wrist of Rollins but Rollins stays on him working his arm. Cesaro reverses and goes back to the wrist of Rollins. Rollins breaks the hold and goes back to the arm or Cesaro. Cesaro is able to break the hold and pounds on Rollins. Rollins comes off the ropes and hits a big cross body. Rollins stomps on Cesaro in the corner and follows with big chops. Cesaro backs him to the ropes but Rollins reverses and hits him with a big right. Cesaro reverses and uses the ropes to hang up Rollins as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Cesaro has an abdominal stretch locked in on Rollins. Cesaro hits a big knee to the gut and goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Cesaro connects with a spear in the corner and brings Rollins to the top turnbuckle. Cesaro looks for the gutwrench form the second rope but Rollins is able to fight out with an elbow and a right hand. Rollins flies but is caught and Cesaro slams him spine first across his knee. Cesaro goes for another cover but gets another two count. Rollins works to his feet and hits Cesaro with back elbows. Cesaro stays the course and slams Rollins and follows with a big elbow. Cesaro headbutts Rollins and stays on him. Rollins fights back and is able to hit the Blockbuster. Rollins hits Cesaro with big rights and more chops. Rollins hits a big leg drop sending Cesaro to the floor. Rollins hits a suicide dive and drives Cesaro into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins hits the Falcon Arrow and goes for the cover but only gets a two count. Cesaro pushes Rollins and takes a cheap shot with a thumb to the eye. Cesaro locks in the sharpshooter and outs the pressure on the injured back of Rollins. Rollins is able to pull himself to the ropes and force the break. Cesaro looks for the Neutralizer but Rollins counters and hits him with a huge kick but only gets a two count on the cover. Cesaro hits Rollins with a series of uppercuts, he looks for one more but Rollins counters with a back slide. Cesaro kicks out of the pin and goes for the springboard uppercut. Rollins is able to counter with a huge kick and follows with a knee to the head. Rollins goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Charly asks Rollins if the members of The shield are going in different directions. Rollins says hell no and says he’s only riding solo cause Ambrose is on his honeymoon. Rollins jokes and says he should check on him cause he hasn’t heard from him. He tells that Reigns title reign is only gonna make them closer and inspire them. He says Dean will be back next week and Sheamus will too so it sounds about right for him and Ambrose to invoke their rematch clause. He says they will burn The Bar down and they will all be champions, Believe That!
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
What a match these two hard. That was so hard hitting and exciting once the pace picked up. Cesaro was very impressive with the strength he showed but Rollins proved he’s a fighter and you can’t stop him. I can’t wait for next week’s match and I really hope Rollins and Ambrose can bring the titles home to The Shield. One things for sure this tag team match next week is gonna be epic. These two teams have tested each other so much and I can’t imagine what they’ll do next.

Backstage Segment:
Angle asks Swann, alexander, Tozawa and Ali what’s going on. Swann says the ZO Train has gone off the tracks and says Enzo thinks he can do whatever with people having his back. Ali says they want a shot. Angle admits he’s let the Cruiserweight Division get out of control but reminds that Enzo doesn’t call the shots. Angle says this week they will have a Fatal Four way match and next week they will do the same, the two winners will then face each other in three weeks and the winner will be the new #1 Contender for the Cruiserweight Championship.

Match 2: Titus O’Neil vs Samoa Joe
Titus backs Joe in the corner and hits him with big right hands. Joe hits him with a headbutt and looks for the Coquina Clutch. Titus back him into the corner and continues with the huge rights. Joe reverse and hits him with the STO. Joe hits him with jabs and lands a huge open hand strike. Titus comes back with one of his own but Joe doesn’t give him any space. Titus comes back and backs him in the corner and connects with huge strikes. Titus hits a big boot but Joe kicks out of the cover. Titus keeps on Joe in the corner but Joe hits him with a right hand. Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch and Titus taps.
*** Apollo Crews comes in and hits Joe with big rights but Joe takes him right to the ground and locks in the Coquina Clutch.
Winner: Samoa Joe
My Opinion:
Titus showed a lot of fight tonight and I was very impressed.Titus definitely knows how to fight but Joe proved to be too much. I love that Samoa Joe just needs that one moment and it’s all over. Joe’s on a path of destruction and I have no doubt big things are in his future.

In Ring Segment:
Sasha comes out for the scheduled 6 women tag team match. Mickie and baylye don’t appear but out comes Paige, Mandy and Sonya.
Paige asks Sasha where her friends are. She asks Mandy and Sonya what happened to them. Paige goes to the titantron and shows Mickie and Bayley beat up backstage. Paige says I guess this now is a handicap match. Paige tells that this past week she has been hounded to explain her actions. She tells that a year ago she was the women and single handedly erased the word Diva from the WWE dictionary. She says that last week she making a statement to prove who she is and says she’s back. Paige introduces Sonya and Mandy and says they’re called absolution. Mandy says before there was a boss and before there was the Four Horsewomen and before there was a Goddess or an Empress there was Paige. Sonya says every women has pushed the competition and raised the game but says none of that would have happened if it wasn’t for Paige and that’s why they pledge their allegiance to Page. She tells that Absolution will push the the evolution. Paige asks Sasha if she will end up like her friends or pledge her allegiance to them. Paige says you’re either with us or against us. Sasha knocks Paige off the apron and then gets attacked by Mandy and Sonya. Paige comes back and assists. Sasha tries to fight back but the numbers are too much. Sonya hits Sasha with a huge kick and Mandy follows slamming Sasha to the mat. Paige finishes it with the Rampaige.
My Opinion:
Absolution is definitely making an impact. I like that they brought Rose and Deville up to be with Paige. That to me really helps out Paige’s point and will help lead her back to the title. It’ll be interesting to see how they work the three women back into the division and where they will stand and for that matter who will step up and fight back against them or join them.

In Ring Segment: Bray Wyatt
Wyatt says he never had a childhood, he never celebrated holidays but he never cared. He tells how everyone else cares and celebrates just like they want you to. He says your entire world exists in the confines of a cardboard box. He says they tell you who to love and who to be and it’s pathetic. He says he tries but they never listened when he tried to show the way. He says the ignorance fuels him and the suffering brings him joy. He says his eyes are wide open and he can finally see you for who you are. He says none of us are alive and that we’re all dead.

Match 3: Bray Wyatt vs Matt Hardy
As Raw returns, Wyatt is in control of Hardy. Wyatt hits him with a big right and launches himself off the ropes to lay out Hardy. Wyatt gets him in the corner and hits him with a huge right. Wyatt then crushes Hardy in the corner. Wyatt goes for the senton but Hardy rolls out of the way. Hardy comes at Wyatt with huge right hands. He’s able to sidestep Wyatt in the corner and hits him with a huge clothesline. He follows with a big bulldog. Hardy tries to fly but Wyatt blocks him. Hardy reverses Wyatt and is able to hit the Side Effect. Wyatt reverses the Twist of Fate but Hardy catches him with an elbow. Hardy knocks him to the mat and goes for the moonsault but Wyatt moves out of the way. Wyatt hits Sister Abigail on Hardy and gets the win.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
My Opinion:
I really wish this match could’ve been longer. These two facing each other was a dream match at one point and not a quick match on Raw. I really hope they are planting the seeds for the Broken gimmick and we will see this match once more. Matt’s not losing it he’s just Broken!

Backstage Segment:
Jordan tells Angle that what Kane did to Strowman was bad. He says he was looking forward to his rematch with Braun. Angle asks if his knee is even okay. Jordan says he’s fine and asks what he has to do take out Kane? Jordan tells that if he could beat him it’d silence the doubters. Angle tells him he’s got it.

Match 4: Rich Swann vs Akira Tozawa vs Ariya Daivari vs Noam Dar:
Winner will advance to the #1 Contender’s match for the Cruiserweight Championship
Daivari and Dar take control of Swann and Tozawa. Daivari and Dar double team Swann. Tozawa tries to fight back but gets double teamed as well. Tozawa is able to send Daivari out of the ring and Swann does the same to Dar. Swann and Tozawa trade reversals and pinfalls. Swann tries for another cover but Tozawa kicks out. Tozawa hits Dar with a big kick but is pulled off the apron by Daivari. Swann flies and lays out all three men on the outside. Swann takes it to Dar on the outside with huge chops. Swann brings him back in the ring and stomps on him in the corner. Dar fights back and lands a big strike of his own. Swann is able to land a big dropkick planting Dar. Daivari comes in and intercepts Swann landing a big spinebuster. Dar and Daivari go back to the double team on Tozawa. Daivari knocks Swann of the apron and goes to the outside. Daivari pounds on Swann and he and Dar suplex Swann on the floor as raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Dar and Daivari stay on Tozawa. Tozawa fights back with a big kick to Daivari. Dar tries to stop him but Tozawa fights him off and lands a senton on Daivari. Tozawa knocks Dar off the second turnbuckle and does the same to Daivari. Dar goes back up and so does Daivari. The two try for a suplex but Swann comes in and powerbombs all three men. Swann goes for the cover on Tozawa but he kicks out. Swann lands a big shot on Daivari and Swann goes to the top but Dar knocks him down. Tozawa comes in and sends Dar to the floor. Ozawa then hits a big suicide dive. In the ring, Daivari hits a big frog splash on Swann but can’t get the three. Tozawa comes in and hits the Shining Wizard on Daivari. Tozawa goes to the top and flies and connects. Dar takes out Tozawa and goes for the pin but can’t get the three. Dar catches Tozawa with a huge dropkick. Swann pulls Tozawa out of the ring and hits Dar with a huge kick on the apron. Swann hits the Phoenix Splash and pins Dar for the win.
Winner: Rich Swann:
will be in the #1 Contender’s match in 2 weeks
My Opinion:
A pretty good match here. I think it’s a good way to bring excitement to the division having this fatal four way and one next week. I like Swann winning because he hasn’t had a shot in a long time. It’ll be interesting to see who wins next week but I hope its Cedric Alexander because I feel him and Swann can have a classic match.

Match 5: Roman Reigns (c) vs Elias:
Intercontinental Championship Match
Reigns and Elias lock up. Reigns gets him in a side headlock. Elias sends him off the ropes but Reigns hits him with a shoulder tackle. Elias gets him in the corner and goes to work. Elias is able to send him to the mat and gets back on Reigns. Elias is able to send Reigns into the ring post but can’t get the three on the pin. Elias gets a chin lock on Reigns and works him on the mat. Reigns battles back with right hands but Elias sends him back to the mat with a big clothesline. Elias goes back to the chinlock and gives Reigns no space. Reigns is able to back him into the corner but Elias keeps a side headlock on. Reigns comes back and hits a clothesline. Reigns takes him to the mat once more. Reigns takes out Dallas and goes for Axel. Elias takes advantage and hits a huge clothesline. Elias goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out at two as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias has Reigns on the mat with a chinlock on him. Reigns comes back with a big elbow and kick. Reigns throws Elias over the ropes and buys himself some time. Reigns goes to the outside and hits the drive by. Reigns brings him back in the ring. Reigns takes out Dallas with a Superman Punch and Axel with a spear. Elias comes from behind and sends him into the barricade. Elias goes to the top and connects with an elbow on Reigns. He goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Reigns reverse Elias but Elias pushes him into the corner. Elias lifts Reigns on his shoulder and delivers the sit down powerbomb. Reigns is able to kick out at two on the pin. Elias tries for a suplex but Reigns counter with an inside cradle. Elias kicks out of the cover but Reigns connects with a Superman Punch. Reigns gets a two count on the cover. Reigns and gets to his feet tries for a spear but runs into a knee. Reigns stays the course and is able to hit the spear. 1 2 3 Reigns is still champion.
*** After the match Samoa Joe gets Reigns in the Coquina Clutch on the stage. Joe is pulled off but continues his attack and finally is escorted to the back.
Winner: Roman Reigns:
Still Intercontinental Champion
My Opinion:
Wow what a match, I think it’s safe to say Elias has arrived. One thing I liked was how they were able to get the crowd on reigns side, that was very creative of them to get that to happen. Elias went out and fought his heart out. Tonight wasn’t his night but big things are in his future. I really hope they let Elias stay on this level and don’t ruin this push. Reigns has lost his edge a little though, he definitely wasn’t in control most of this match. Props to Reigns though for putting himself to the side and allowing Elias to shine.

Match 6: Asuka vs Dana Brooke
Dana goes after Asuka right away but Asuka is able to get her in the Asuka lock and Dana taps out.
*** After the match Absolution comes out and stares Asuka down.
Winner: Asuka
My Opinion:
That was a very impressive win. Crazy how quickly Asuka can strike, I’m very impressed by what she did tonight. I like that Absolution didn’t attack her because Asuka has to keep that mystic to her. It’ll be interesting though to see if they ever do strike at Asuka.

Match 8: Jason Jordan vs Kane
*** Before the match Jordan says he knows his body and last week he had to stop. He says that he feels like his knee is back to 100 percent and he’s out here to do what Strowman couldn’t do and that’s shut down the Big Red Machine.
Jordan goes for Kane’s knee but is thrown off. Jordan goes for a suplex but Kane catches him with an elbow. Jordan picks up Kane and drives him into the corner. He is able to do it once more and hits him with a spear. Kane is able to block Jordan and throws him out of the ring. Jordan screams in pain on the outside. Jordan gets counted out.
***After the match Kane hits him with a big boot and throws him out of the ring again. Kane then hits him with a big boot. Jordan is brought back into the ring and Kane again goes for his knee. Kane stomps on Jordan and continues the assault on his knee. Out comes Finn Balor.
Winner: Kane: Via Countout
My Opinion:
I’m confused on if Jordan’s new gimmick is being hurt. Jordan definitely has a lot to offer so I hope they don’t ruin him like this. I didn’t mind the match but I don’t look at Kane the same anymore and it’s cool to have him back but at the same time, he’s not exactly the monster he use to be.

Match 9: Finn Balor vs Kane
Kane tries for a chokeslam but Balor fights out and hits a dropkick to the knee. Kane quickly takes Balor back down to the mat. Kane stays on Balor and hits him with a big kick and right. Balor gets backed into the corner and Kane lands a big chop. Kane lands a splash in the corner and follows with a side slam. Kane stays on Balor and once again gets him in the corner. Balor catches him with a boot and drives Kane out to the floor. Balor flies over the top rope and drives Kane into the barricade. Balor again drives Kane into the barricade. Kane grabs a chair and hits Balor.
*** After the match Kane attacks Balor with the chair. He brings Balor into the ring and continues the assault. Kane outs the chair around Balor’s neck and goes to jump but out comes Braun Strowman. Kane hits him with the chair but Strowman isn’t fazed. Strowman steps to Kane and lands a big kick. Strowman hits him with a headbutt and flattens him in the corner. Strowman goes to the outside and grabs the steps. Strowman crushes Kane with the steps. Strowman brings him back into the ring and cracks him with the chair. Strowman then powerslams Kane on the steps. He then uses the chair and jams it into the throat of Kane and does it again for good measure.
Winner: Finn Balor: Via DQ
My Opinion:
Balor had a lot of fight in him during the match which I love seeing. Kane again shows that he can manhandle people but also that he’s here for destruction. I loved Strowman coming back tonight and showing that he’s the real monster. It’s about time him and Kane really get it on, maybe in a last man standing match.

Final Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw tonight. I really liked the match with Reigns and Elias. Elias definitely has arrived and finally, he got the shot I wanted him to get for so long now. Pus they were finally able to get reigns over so that was a plus. Rollins and Cesaro put on an excellent match and I can’t wait for the tag title match next week because they’ll put on a clinic. Titus O’Neil was really impressive with the fight he gave Joe. Joe though is just too much and showed that tonight not only in the match but when he attacked Reigns. I liked Paige’s new group Absolution, I think her Rose and Deville could take the division by storm and it’ll be interesting to see who they go after next but I’m glad they stayed away from Asuka because that really puts over her character of being untouchable basically. Another thing I loved is it looks like Matt Hardy is getting Broken so I really hope that’ll happen sometime soon. The ending wasn’t bad either. Kane vs Jordan wasn’t what I was expecting. I really hope they don’t give up on Jordan and let him get back to wrestling full matches. I liked the effort Balor gave but obviously, Kane is here for destruction and not for wins. Strowman was the real winner of the night he showed that he’s the monster around there and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the rivalry between him and Kane.
Overall Rating: 6.8/10