Raw Review 11/30/2020

RAW REVIEW 11/30/2020

Tonight we will see a Sudden Death Triple Threat Match between AJ Styles, Keith Lee, and Riddle to determine the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship at TLC! Speaking of the WWE Champion we will hear from Drew McIntyre tonight! Also, we will see McIntyre in action as he teams up with Sheamus to take on The Miz and John Morrison! Plus, What will happen when Randy Orton returns to be a guest on A Moment Of Bliss? Finally, who will win as Jeff Hardy and Elias go one on one in a Symphony Of Destruction Match?

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

Raw kicks off with us being introduced by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe.

In-Ring Segment: A Moment Of Bliss
w/ Host: Alexa Bliss & Guest: Randy Orton
Bliss says her guest tonight needs no introduction but she is going to give him one anyway, she then introduces the Legend Killer, the Viper, the 14-Time World Champion, and her favorite WWE Superstar Randy Orton. Here comes Orton. Alexa jokes that
Randy is in a foul mood. She tells him she gets it because she would be too if this happened to her. We then see the mind-games from The Fiend last week that cost Orton his match against AJ Styles last week. Alexa tells Orton she can not believe he did that to him. She then asks Orton if he has ever asked himself why. Orton talks about his past history with Wyatt and talks about how years ago he had to find his weakness and vulnerabilities. He then says he knows he has to now find The Fiend’s weakness and vulnerability. He then says he thinks he has found it. Bliss questions him if that is what the voices are telling him. She asks him who is manipulating who. The lights then start to go out. Orton says see what I mean. They go out more and Bliss says see what I mean. Finally, we see the appearance of The Fiend. Orton is now seen holding Bliss. The Fiend reaches out his arms for Bliss and begs for her. The Fiend now takes her back from Orton. Orton then gets out of the ring. Orton asks him who’s laughing now?
My Opinion:
I’m really excited to see where this goes between Orton and The Fiend. I loved their past rivalry against each other and I think right now both better than they were then especially psychologically. Orton is the most locked-in I have seen him and The Fiend is a transcending character. The possibilities will be endless for this one and it will be a rivalry where it’s just about getting even. Right now, it seems Orton has found that weakness of The Fiend but you have to imagine now The Fiend is angrier than ever.

Match 1: Elias vs Jeff Hardy:
Symphony Of Destruction Match
Elias and Hardy trade strikes as the match begins. Elias is able to get the early advantage but Hardy fights back. On the floor, Hardy flies off the steps but he is met with a huge knee. Elias now bounces him off the apron and stays in control. Elias now opens the grand piano and R-Truth is hiding inside. A rush of superstars now run to ringside to chase down Truth. Elias now takes out his frustrations on Drew Gulak, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado. Elias is in control and standing tall as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Hardy fights back and is able to get Elias down. Elias gets up and gets back in control. Elias now uses guitar picks to scrape away at the head of Hardy. Elias and Hardy now go to the floor. Hardy uses the drum kit to beat down Hardy. Hardy is then run into the post. Hardy fights back and runs Elias into the gong. Hardy now takes Elias and throws him into the drum kit. In the ring, Hardy fights off Elias. Elias grabs a guitar but Hardy fights back. Hardy now flies off the top and he is hit with the guitar. Elias covers Hardy but he kicks out. Elias tries again but Hardy won’t stay down. Elias now goes to hit Hardy with a piece of a guitar but instead, it goes into an amp and it electrocutes Elias. Hardy now hits Elias with a bass. Hardy now puts little string instruments on Elias. He then comes off the ring post and hits the Swanton on Elias and through the table. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
My Opinion:
That looked like a brutal match between these two as it’s always tough when weapons or in this case instruments are involved. The biggest thing coming out of this is that I hope Jeff Hardy is okay. That looked nasty at the end but hopefully, his head is alright. I still would have liked to see Elias win this match. I’m not sure what this rivalry is doing for either of these guys besides giving them something to do. It just feels like it needs something more but we will see if this is over or will continue on.

Backstage Segment: Riddle & Keith Lee
Riddle comes up to Keith Lee and asks him how excited he is for tonight’s Sudden Death Triple Threat. Riddle tells how he is nervous and bets Lee is nervous. He asks Lee if he could imagine if one of them became WWE Champion. Riddle tells how he hasn’t faced McIntyre yet but he wants to. He continues on but Lee loses interest and walks away from him.

Backstage Segment: Retribution
Ali asks Ricochet why he can’t see what he sees. He asks him why he can’t see he is pushing the same boulder up the same hill just to be knocked back down. He tells that everyone in Retribution has gone through this. He says their dreams have turned into nightmares. He asked Ricochet why he can’t see he should be standing next to them. Slapjack then talks about how Ali took him in and what Retribution has come to mean to him. Ali then claims that Slapjack will make Ricochet see when they go one on one.

Match 2: Slapjack w/ Retribution vs Ricochet
Ricochet takes it to Slapjack early. He then gets him in the corner and continues to beat him down. He now throws him in the opposite corner and looks to stay in control. Slapjack takes over and now stays in control as Ricochet gets distracted by Ali. Slapjack now works the neck of Ricochet. Ricochet fights back and finally gets Slapjack down. He now hits a standing shooting star but Slapjack kicks out. Ricochet now fights back against the help Slapjack received from Retribution. Ricochet flies over the top rope and takes down Slapjack, Mace, and T-Bar. Dana Brooke comes out and slaps Ali asking where his girl is at. Slapjack tries to steal one but Ricochet kicks out. Slapjack stays with it as the odds mount from Ricochet. Slapjack lays him out and covers for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Slapjack
My Opinion:
This wasn’t the craziest match ever but I do think Ricochet and Slapjack showed that they could have a really good match if given the time. In this short match, they both showed some very impressive offensive moves and showed their great speed in the ring. Slapjack obviously had the numbers advantage and Ricochet was just too distracted. Ricochet probably would be better off joining forces with Retribution and he seems like he would be the perfect fit but we will see if it happens. Ricochet and Ali going on and winning the tag titles would be huge and could be a great way to help get the group more respect.

In-Ring Segment: Miz TV w/ The Miz & John Morrison
Miz welcomes everyone to Miz TV. He tells how he is the face of USA Network and after making a few phone calls he was able to get an interview with one of their opponents tonight, Sheamus. Here he comes! Miz welcomes Sheamus and they joke with him about Thanksgiving. Sheamus tells them to get to the point. They continue to joke and Sheamus asks them if they are done wasting his time because he has a match to prepare for. Miz tells how they want to talk about Drew McIntyre. Sheamus asks what they want to know. Miz asks Sheamus what he got in return for returning Drew’s family chest. Miz asks John why Sheamus didn’t get a gift in return.
John says, maybe Drew had something else to do or didn’t want Sheamus to be jealous of him being WWE Champion. Sheamus tells that the stuff belonged to Drew and they are like brothers. Miz says Drew has something he wants and what they all want. John then says if Drew was Sheamus’s friend he would have gotten a title shot. Miz tells Sheamus he should take out his anger on Drew so he can cash in on him. Sheamus laughs at him. Miz brings up how Sheamus hasn’t been champion in five years and only had it for about 2 months. Miz tells Sheamus his career is a joke. Sheamus tells Miz the difference between them is that Miz likes to talk about what he will do and he instead, likes to talk with his hands. Sheamus now attacks both of them. Miz comes from behind and hits Sheamus. They are able to layout Sheamus now ahead of their big tag team match later tonight!
My Opinion:
Miz and Morrison continue to do their best to get under the skin of not only McIntyre but also his friends. I think Miz and Morrison made a statement but if they can lay out Sheamus like this then why not do the same to Drew? The answer seems to be staring Miz and Morrison in the face but we will see if they ever take matters into their own hands instead of trying to rely on others to help them. At this rate, it seems they could have the briefcase until it expires.

Backstage Segment: Asuka & Lana
Asuka talks with Lana and tells her this is how we will beat Baszler and Jax. Lana cheers with her. Sara asks Lana what they just discussed. Lana tells her she wouldn’t understand.

Backstage Segment: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Jax goes on how last week was a fluke and that Lana and Asuka got lucky last week. Baszler jumps in and says she was doing her part taking on Lana while Nia was busy trying to put Lana through a table. Jax reminds Baszler she is the one who got pinned. Baszler says losing to Asuka is one thing but losing to Lana, are you serious? Baszler says they need to bring Asuka to her knees and put Lana through a table.

Match 3: Asuka & Lana vs Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Baszler toys with Lana and pushes her around as the match begins. Lana tries to steal a pin but Baszler kicks out and now continues to push Lana around. The two make a tag and now it is Asuka and Jax. Jax goes to the floor and she and Baszler grab Lana and Asuka. They then throw them into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Jax is in control of Lana and uses the ropes to wear her down after hitting Lana with a forearm to the throat. Jax gets her in the corner and now lands a big splash. Baszler tags in and now works the ankle of Lana. Baszler now snaps down the ankle of Lana and leaves her in pain. Baszler picks her up now and throws her to the floor. Jax tags in and grabs Lana on the floor throwing her into the barricade. Jax puts her on her shoulders now but Lana fights off and shoves Jax into the ring post. Asuka now gets the tag and takes it to both Jax and Baszler. Baszler and Asuka now both hit each other with a shining wizard. Lana goes up top and hits a crossbody. Baszler rolls through and works a Kirifuda Clutch. Jax tries to clear the ring now. Asuka gets back up and helps out Lana. Lana now works a pin after the hold is broken. Lana gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Asuka & Lana
My Opinion:
Wow, another upset win for Asuka and Lana, and with this win they certainly have to be in line for a title shot. I know they’re not the most conventional team but right now lighting is striking with them and they have to run with it. For Jax and Baszler, they just don’t seem like they are as focused right now and it seems that both of them are ready to go back to being singles competitors but we will see when that happens.

Backstage Segment: Sheamus & Drew McIntyre
Drew asks Sheamus if he is alright. Sheamus asks if this is funny to him. Drew says it was kind of funny and they gave him quite a beating. He says it was must-see tv. Sheamus says he would have come out and helped him if the roles were reversed. Drew and Sheamus seem to be on the same page heading into tonight but there is certainly tension mounting.

Match 4: Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston vs. Cedric Alexander w/ The Hurt Business
Before the match, we see Kofi and Woods in the ring. Kofi pumps up Woods for being a host on the revived G4 Network. Woods goes on to tell the history of them taking on The Hurt Business and how they have been able to beat them again and again. The Hurt Business comes out and MVP corrects them saying they are tied up. Benjamin says they will take the titles and hurt them. Alexander tells Woods it was pure luck last week but tonight he will hurt him. He tells Woods tonight will be his nightmare. Alexander then attacks Woods and has him down before the match as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, the match is underway and Woods beats on Alexander in the corner. Woods stays on him and now works his arm. Off the ropes goes Alexander and he is knocked down by a back elbow. Alexander goes to the floor but he is knocked down by Woods. Alexander gets back in the ring and is able to plant Woods. Alexander now throws his shirt in the face of Woods as takes control. Woods fights back now as both men are down. Woods now hits Alexander with a series of chops. Woods avoids Alexander now and hits him with a big forearm. Woods takes him down and kicks him in the face. Woods throws Alexander now the ropes and now hangs him up as he goes through and to the floor. Woods now hits the honor roll. He covers but Alexander kicks out. Alexander now fights back and counters a powerbomb to hit a brainbuster. He covers but Woods is able to kick out. Alexander now beats on the back of Woods with big kicks. Woods and Alexander now both look for a suplex. Alexander hits him in the ribs and sends him down to the floor. Alexander flies to the floor and looks to hit Woods but Woods is able to throw Alexander into the barricade. Back in the ring, Alexander hits the Lumbar Check out of nowhere. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
My Opinion:
A huge win for Cedric not only for his aspirations to win the tag titles with Shelton but also just in general. Cedric went out there and did exactly what he said he would and to see the confidence and then the delivery was awesome. Woods no doubt took it to him but he seemed to not want it as bad as Cedric. I have been a big fan of the rivalry between The New Day and Hurt Business and I think with another shot at the titles Shelton and Cedric could get the huge win and take the titles. Although going into tonight it didn’t seem like they earned another shot yet I do think they have now with that definitive win.

Backstage Segment: Riddle & AJ Styles w/ Omos
Riddle comes up to Styles and Styles asks what he wants. Styles says it is a Sudden Death Triple Threat Match and it is serious. Riddle tells Styles that he knows he won it but then lost it. Riddle tells Styles to get out of the way but he is getting the carrot tonight. Riddle then goes on how Styles is like his rabbit Skipper. Styles then slaps Riddle. Riddle tells him he will get him back.

Match 5: Keith Lee vs Riddle vs AJ Styles w/ Omos:
WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match
Riddle and Styles take it to each other and end up on the floor. Riddle tries to get back in the ring but Lee knocks him down. The three make their way back in the ring and Lee is beaten down. Styles and Riddle now go at it with Styles getting the better of the advantage. Lee now grabs Styles. Riddle gets back into it. He and Styles try to take it to Lee but he avoids. Lee now avoids them. Riddle then lands a big kick to Styles. Lee fights back and gets Riddle in the corner. He then lands a big back body drop to Styles. Lee keeps up the fight and is able to knock down Riddle on the apron. Styles now jumps in and takes it to Lee. Omos now helps Styles. Riddle lands a big knee. He comes off the middle rope and takes both of them down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Riddle is on fire but he is slowed down Riddle looks to land on Styles but instead is kicked across the ring. Lee now grabs Riddle and throws him across the ring after Styles is taken care of. Lee lifts Riddle but Riddle fights off and looks for a submission hold. Styles comes back in but he is knocked down as Lee uses Riddle as a weapon. Riddle fights off and lands a kick to the neck. Riddle grabs Styles and hits the exploder suplex. Lee now gets on the offensive throwing Riddle to the mat. Lee covers but Riddle kicks out. Styles fights off Lee with a spinning back fist. He now takes him down to the knee.
Styles hits a big forearm now. Styles goes up top and looks to fly but he is knocked down by a headbutt from Lee. Lee now meets him up there and looks for a suplex. Riddle stays with it and now looks to slam both but can’t. Lee tosses Riddle. Styles pins Lee but he kicks out and now Styles pins Riddle but he kicks out. Styles looks for the Styles Clash but it is prevented. Riddle now hits Lee with a kick. Riddle then hits Styles and lands a big suplex into the bridge cover. Styles kicks out. Lee and Riddle now trade strikes. Riddle hits two big knees and takes down Lee. Styles now hits the Phenomenal Forearm and covers for the 1 2 3.
Winner: #1 Contender for the WWE Championship
My Opinion:
A great match between these three where any of them could have walked away with this victory. Styles certainly deserves this as it has been a while since he has gone for the title. There is no doubt he and Drew will have an amazing match and it should be one of the highlights of TLC. For Riddle and Lee, they both have been doing amazing in the ring. They easily could have gotten this opportunity and ran with it and I think they will eventually. They keep proving themselves in the ring and now it’s just a matter of them being believed in before we see them with the big title shots.

Backstage Segment: The Miz & John Morrison
Charly says she has a couple of questions to ask them but before let’s take a look at what happened earlier on Miz TV. After they show the clip Charly tells them it looks like their plan to stir the pot between Drew and Sheamus backfired. Miz says their strategy worked, he goes on about how Drew has a new opponent to worry about now, a template he cannot trust, and they have the MITB. Charly tells Miz it doesn’t seem like he is throwing out a real plan. Morrison tells Miz he has an idea and tells him to follow.

Match 6: Dana Brooke vs Reckoning
Brooke starts off the match well as she gets on the offense easily and works Reckoning down to the mat. She tries to put her away but Reckoning stays in this one. Reckoning fights back and gets Brooke in the corner continuing to wear her down. Reckoning has Brooke down on the mat and gets her in a chin lock. Brooke is able to fight back and take down Reckoning with a big clothesline. Brooke now goes after Ali who gets on the apron. Reckoning tries to take advantage but misses on a big kick. Brooke works a cover and gets the 1 2 3. Ali then yells at Reckoning and tells her there is no failure in Retribution.
Winner: Dana Brooke
My Opinion:
This was a definite victory for Dana as she shows not only that she can stand on her own but that she won’t be bullied around. Although Reckoning is amazing in the ring she just couldn’t get it going tonight. Ali certainly was tough on her but Reckoning is too good to be held down. Right now, Retribution as a whole really needs to figure things out. It just seems the group is very inconsistent and their game plans are failing but of course, it could all change with just a few wins.

Backstage Segment: The Miz & John Morrison & AJ Styles w/ Omos
Miz and Morrison come up to Styles and congratulate him on his win. Styles tells them to cut the crap and says he knows they want his help to beat Drew McIntyre. Styles says he’ll do it, he’ll help. Miz asks why he is willing to help. Styles tells Miz it would be easier to beat him than Drew McIntyre. Morrison says that’s true. Styles tells them he will see them out there. He then takes the pie they brought him. Omos tells him that’s not a pie, that’s a cupcake.

Backstage Segment: Riddle & MVP
MVP asks Riddle what happened out there. Riddle then says at least he was out there, unlike Bobby Lashley. Riddle goes on to pitch ideas to MVP but MVP tells him he thinks his ideas are dumb, ridiculous, and he is glad he lost. Lashley now comes from behind and gets Riddle in the Hurt Lock laying him out.

Backstage Segment: Keith Lee & Sheamus
Lee comes up to Sheamus and tells him some of the fellas feel he is going to turn on his tag team partner. Sheamus tells him it’s none of his business and then sarcastically says if he’ll excuse him he is going to go out there and turn on his tag partner.

In-Ring Segment: Drew McIntyre
Charly asks Drew to walk us through the past couple of weeks. Drew says it feels damn good to stand here as WWE Champion again. Drew says he told Randy he would Claymore his head off and regain his WWE Championship and that’s what he did because he is a man of his word. He then says he told Roman Reigns he would humble him and bring him back down to earth and he did. He says during their match Roman turned to confusion and frustration and then fear because he knew he was like nothing he had faced before. He then tells how Jay Uso interfered and it helped Roman win the battle. Drew tells him their paths will cross again and he will win the war, believe that. Charly asks him about AJ Styles. Drew says that match will be phenomenal. He then says Miz is only relevant because of the MITB. he tells him not to cash in or he is going to have to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. “Get it, got it, good, let’s have ourselves a tag match”.

Match 7: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs The Miz & John Morrison:
AJ Styles w/ Omos on Commentary
Sheamus starts off the match hot and takes it to Miz beating him into the corner. Morrison tags in and Sheamus doesn’t slow down at all as he takes him down now. McIntyre tags in and stays in control. McIntyre now hits a massive shoulder tackle and sends Morrison crashing down. Sheamus now comes in and hits Morrison with a huge knee. Sheamus then hits Ten Beats on Morrison and then Miz. As things progress Sheamus trades strikes with Styles on the floor. Sheamus is then sent into the announce desk as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sheamus tries to slow up Morrison but Morrison is able to keep him down. Miz comes in and hits Sheamus. He looks for the win but Sheamus kicks out of the cover. Miz stays on Sheamus and continues to wear him down. Miz and Morrison work together to keep Sheamus down. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Sheamus fights back and lays it in on Morrison. McIntyre now takes it to Miz and lays him out. Sheamus looks for the tag but Morrison pulls him off the apron and lays him out. Styles now gets involved and hits McIntyre with the Phenomenal Forearm. The ref then calls for the bell.
Styles tells Miz to cash in. Morrison then hits starship pain. Miz then hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz continues to argue why he should cash in. He then decides he is going to. McIntyre though comes to and takes out Miz and Morrison. Omos then grabs Styles and pulls him out of the ring. Styles tells McIntyre he is lucky he is taking him away, he tells him he is a lucky man and he is lucky to see another day. They continue to taunt each other and McIntyre tells Styles he doesn’t give a damn about jackass and the beanstalk. They continue to taunt one another as Raw goes off the air.
Winners: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus: VIA DQ
My Opinion:
This was a good match to end the night because it showed not only the toughness of McIntyre but the one thing I really thought about was how great a rivalry would be between Sheamus and McIntyre. I think it would be amazing if those two face off in the future and it could be exactly what Sheamus needs to get back on track to being the main event Superstar he is. The story right now though is McIntyre and Styles and what should be an awesome match. I don’t know if this will be a long rivalry but for the time being, we have two of the best in WWE right now and this is going to be a showdown. Styles is no joke and he will certainly test McIntyre. Also, Miz and Morrison continue to loom but they have to act quickly if they are ever going to cash in.

Final Thoughts:
A decent Raw as we get closer to the TLC PPV, first, I loved the way Raw started with the rivalry between Orton and The Fiend. This is obviously a mental mind game and a slow build but I believe when these two finally face off it will be awesome. They’ve both come so much farther in the past 3.5 years and I know they will have something to remember. Also, I thought we saw some big wins this week from Cedric Alexander, Dana Brooke, and Slapjack. All respectively seemed to need these wins, now for each, it is for different reasons but nonetheless, the wins were needed and I was very impressed especially by Cedric Alexander. Cedric is so smooth in the ring and he proved tonight why he is in The Hurt Business.
Then, I loved the Triple Threat match we saw between Riddle, Keith Lee, and AJ Styles. All three of them wanted that match and they gave us a hard-fought battle. It showed exactly how much the WWE Championship means. Styles gets this huge win and now I think he could give McIntyre a run for the title. I don’t know if Styles can beat him but I do think it will be closer than McIntyre would hope for. Finally, the main event was really solid and it did a lot of good. We see what I hope is seeds planted for Sheamus and McIntyre which I am all for if it ever does happen. Styles and McIntyre’s rivalry is now off the ground which is great and Miz and Morrison will continue to be a thorn in the side of McIntyre but he isn’t phased. As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy and enjoys NXT, and SmackDown this week! Also, enjoy NXT: War Games and Tribute To The Troops!!!
Overall Rating: 5/10