Raw Review 11/07/2016
RAW REVIEW 11/07/2016
Monday means it’s time for the longest episodic running television show Monday Night Raw. Raw comes to us tonight from Glasgow, Scotland at the SSE Hydro. Tonight will reveal who the final member of team Raw will be at Survivor Series. As Raw went off the air last week we saw Seth Rollins helping out Roman Reigns. Does this mean we see a mini Shield reunion tonight? Plus who will be the next challenger for the queen Charlotte. We also will see Survivor Series shaped even more as more matches are expected to be announced. All of this and more on Raw!
Raw is live tonight from Glasgow, Scotland at the SSE Hydro.
Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton.
In Ring Segment:
The show starts off with Stephanie McMahon. She says Raw is in the fight of its life against SmackDown and that they will dominate. She mentions how we will also see Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar. Steph then introduces the five members of team Raw starting with Kevin Owens, then to Jericho, next comes Reigns, followed by Strowman. Stephanie then announces the fifth member of team Raw is Seth Rollins!
Owens says this is a joke, he can’t be on our team. Rollins says that Steph knows that she needs the man on this team. Rollins says he has been given certain assurances just to be on the team and nothing is finished between them. Steph says she knows there is no love lost but this is SmackDown’s best. Stephanie then calls out each man and why they need to prove they are the best. She says the men need to fight like their jobs depend on it because they do.
Owens says that she is right and that they need to get on the same page. Owens says that him and Jericho have made enemies and made mistakes but they are man enough to say sorry. Jericho tells Reigns and Rollins they need to put feelings aside for the sake of team Raw. Owens says they all have to listen to the co-captains him and Jericho. Jericho says listen to what they say and they will be victorious. Jericho and Owens then rip on The Shield and how they always turned on each other. Jericho says to keep your mouths shut and eyes open and they will win at Survivor Series. Rollins says he digs and goes after Jericho. Reigns goes after Owens and Strowman goes after Rollins and Jericho.
Stephanie comes out and says tonight it will be every man for themselves with Reigns vs Rollins vs Strowman vs Jericho vs Owens in a fatal five way match.
My Opinion:
It was a good fire up segment. All men have a reason to fight at Survivor Series and it was a good way to reiterate that. I like them putting Strowman in. it is what they have always done and I think this is a good way to get Braun out there. I didn’t like that Stephanie called out each men and threatened their jobs. They are the top guys you can’t just do that. It doesn’t draw heat it just leaves you confused.
Match 1: Rich Swann & Sin Cara vs The Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar
Dar starts off against Swann. Swann throws Dar into the corner but Dar meets him with an elbow. Dar drops Swann to his knees but it isn’t enough for the pin. Sin Cara comes in and knocks Dar out to the floor. Kendrick takes out Sin Cara on the outside as the referee is distracted. We return and Kendrick has Sin Cara in a headlock. Kendrick stays on Sin Cara and tags in Dar. Dar locks in a chin lock on Sin Cara but Sin Cara is able to get out. Sin Cara slams down Dar and both men are able to get a tag. Swann lands a nice clothesline and a big stomp to Kendrick’s back. Swann sends Kendrick flying with a hurricanrana. Sin Cara lands a senton onto Dar on the outside. In the ring Swann is able to roll up Kendrick for the win.
After the match Kendrick comes in and says he didn’t lose the match Dar did. He says Dar is a loser and has no talent or heart. Kendrick then says Dar failed to recognize that he is the best Cruiserweight in the world. He says Dar is like Perkins who Fails when it matters the most. He says Dar is a disrespectful and then hits Dar. He stomps on Dar bt dar fights back. Dar sends Kendrick flying out of the ring.
Winners: Rich Swann & Sin Cara
My Opinion:
A competitive match between the teams. Dar had a huge ovation from the hometown crowd and it was a good way to introduce him. Swann looked great as always and seems to be ready for a push soon. Sin Cara does well helping these Cruiserweights get their feet on the ground. People like Swann and now Dar really benefit from Sin Cara. Kendrick kept his anything goes attitude which is great. We use to see this from Cruiserweights in the past and Kendrick is bringing it back. Dar shouldn’t have taken down Kendrick like that. Kendrick needs to stay the top dog and Dar is new and may not even be around long. They shouldn’t put Kendrick in the light like that.
Backstage Segment:
Stephanie is on the phone and says she can’t make it SmackDown this week but she extends the invitation to Shane and Daniel to come to Raw next week. Sami Zayn comes in her office and Steph says she doesn’t like Zayn’s presence. She claims that the match against Ziggler at Survivor Series should belong to Rusev not to Zayn. She says that Zayn will fight Rusev tonight for that spot. She states that whoever faces Ziggler better bring the the Intercontinental Title back home.
In Ring Segment:
In the ring we have the Raw tag teams. Big Cass & Enzo, The Golden Truth (Goldust & R-Truth), Sheamus and Cesaro, The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson), and The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E & Xavier Woods). These five teams will battle SmackDown’s 5 tag teams at survivor Series. Sheamus gets on the mic and says so since the captains haven’t bothered to show up he would like to take a moment to say how great of a Celtic country Ireland is. Sheamus continues to rip on Scotland. Then he proclaims he is the captain. Cesaro butts in and says he is the captain. Cass and Enzo say that Sheamus shouldn’t be worried about being the captain and then they rip on Sheamus. Sheamus says that’s funny and calls out Gallows. Gallows says to shut up or they will smash Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro sarcastically says that’s funny but you should have made fun of Sheamus it’s easier. Sheamus says count me out but before he can exit the ring out comes The New Day.
The New Day says Sheamus where are you going? Sheamus says shame on me, shame on all of you. Sheamus proclaims he is leaving. Xavier says The New Day likes to have a good time and they are the captains. Xavier says that he sees a group of teams that will fight valiantly for the love of team Raw. The Club says they are out too because with The New Day as captains they will lose. Big E then quotes Brave Heart. Enzo jumps in and says he likes it and that at Survivor Series SmackDown is going down. Goldust says Big E has such a brave heart and that him and Truth will fight with them. Cesaro says on behalf of him and Sheamus they are in. Sheamus says you don’t speak for me I am the captain but we are in. Anderson says no one is in charge of them and the first opportunity they get they will stab each team in the back. Gallows says they will handle SmackDown easily because the teams are joke just like The New Day. Xavier says if they are jokes what does it make The Club. Kofi says that tonight they are granted a special match here tonight against The Club. Big E says that at Survivor Series they will show the world that team Raw rocks!
My Opinion:
It was an entertaining segment. It played to the crowd well and got them into it. I like that each team came together and for the most part put differences to the side to all team up. The Club was great with being honest that they will stab everyone in the back given the chance. The Club needs this because they need to stay as heel as possible. Even in the match when they need to work with everyone not just together they need to stay heel.
Match 2: The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) vs The Club (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson)
Kofi is in the ring with Anderson. He takes down Anderson with some knees and tags in Big E. Big E stomps on Anderson in the corner and tags back in Kofi. Kofi works on Anderson’s neck and tags back in Big E. Big E catches Anderson with a high elbow. Big E looks for the splash but is sent through the second rope. He hits Anderson with an Elbow and takes down Gallows. Gallows quickly recovers and lands a big kick to Big E. Anderson takes it to Big E and in comes Gallows. Gallows lands shots to Big E and tags back in Anderson. Anderson lands punches to Big E and tags back in Gallows. Gallows lands a couple of shots of his own and tags back in Anderson. The two double team Big E. Anderson takes out Big E’s knee and Gallows gets the tag. Gallows lands another nice kick and then a big elbow. Gallows gets Big E in a chinlock but Big E fights out. Gallows misses with the elbow as Big E moves out-of-the-way. Kofi gets the tag and comes in hot. He takes down Anderson and lands a nice dropkick. He follows up with a Boom Drop. He looks for Trouble in Paradise but anderson ducts. Kofi is able to land a crossbody from the top and Big E gets the tag. Big E is taken out and Kofi comes in. Kofi gets hit with a spinebuster. Big E comes in and is hit with the Magic Killer. Big E is pinned 1 2 3.
Winners: The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
I like that the Club won. The match was mostly dominated by The Club but they need these kind of wins. These matches don’t matter to the value of The New Day. The New Day is still the top team win or lose. The Club though slowly falls if they lose matches like this. They need these wins to keep them in our minds and make us see that they could be the tag champs in the near future. Plus heading into Survivor Series The Club need to show they can hang with the best of them to save them from looking weak. Raw needs a tough team like them, as every other team is just a comedy act.
Backstage Segment:
Owens and Jericho say they need to go give Braun a piece of their mind. Owens says that maybe they need to get Braun on their side so they can use him all the time. Jericho says I have a bone to pick with you Strowman. Owens says we are a team. Strowman says what are you gonna do put me on that list again. Owens says they are glad to have Strowman on the team and that they think that team Kevin, Chris, and Braun sounds pretty great. Jericho reluctantly agrees. They ask if he is in and Strowman says he is on team Braun.
Match 3: The Golden Truth ( Goldust & R-Truth) vs The Shining Stars ( Primo and Epico) (The Winning team gets the final spot at Survivor series on team Raw)
Primo takes it to the back of Truth’s neck and lands a nice senton. They double team Truth but it is not enough for the win. Primo gets the tag and lands a snapmare. He has Truth in a nice headlock but Truth battles back. The shining Stars land another nice double team move on Truth. Epico stomps on Truth and gets him into a chinlock. Goldust gets the tag and takes it to the Shining stars. Truth gets involved and it is enough for Primo to get the roll up. Primo holds the ropes to gain an advantage and pins Goldust. For the win. The Shining Stars will be the final team to represent team Raw.
Winners: The Shining Stars ( Primo & Epico) (Will be the final team on team Raw at Survivor series)
My Opinion:
No matter who won the winning team was going to be looked at as the weak link of team Raw. I think people would have liked to see Goldust and R Truth win for the novelty of them but you can discredit The Shining Stars. They have been doing well in their matches as of late and have been proving they can hang. Overall this match wasn’t very entertaining but it did its job. Goldust and R Truth are fine since they lost the spot really for a comical reason and The Shining Stars really do need this spot. Just like The Club they will fall deeper and deeper out of the picture with losses like this. Goldust and R Truth don’t need the win to stay relevant but The Shining Stars did need this.
In Ring Segment:
Michael Cole introduces Charlotte the captain of Raw’s women’s team. Cole congratulates Charlotte. Charlotte says she’s was born a leader and that she will be all of them on team SmackDown. Cole then introduces Nia Jax. Cole says Nia showed how dominant she was last week. Nia says that Charlotte might be the leader but she doesn’t work for her. Cole then introduces Alicia Fox. Cole asks Alicia if she can be civil as Survivor Series. Alicia says she thinks she can but the name of the game is survival and Raw is a Survivor. Cole then introduces Bayley. Bayley hugs Cole and takes the mic. She says that she will prove that she is not the weak link. Bayley says that the crowd is amazing and that she is so excited to be apart of team Raw. Bayley says that you never know what will happen but if team Raw is going to dominate, they will have to work together. Cole says there is one more member. Charlotte says allow me the honors. Charlotte announces Dana Brooke as the fifth member. Cole says no disrespect to Dana but she is not the fifth member, the fifth member is this woman. Out comes Sasha Banks. Charlotte says that she thought Sasha wouldn’t make it to Survivor Series. Sasha says she doesn’t need an alternate because it will take a lot more than a couple of tables. Sasha says that Charlotte knows she needs the boss on team Raw to win. Charlotte says she has proven she is the best. Charlotte tells Sasha to ask Nia if she is her boss as Raw goes to commercial.
My Opinion:
Interesting as the crowd completely hijacked the segment. It was nice though that Bayley got that response. She needs it. It shows how important she is. It was tough for her to talk though. Charlotte did her best to get heat but the crowd made it tough. Sasha did well and was able to quiet down the crowd.
Match 4: Sasha Banks & Bayley & Alicia Fox vs Charlotte & Dana Brooke & Nia Jax
Bayley and Nia Start off the match and Nia knocks down Bayley. She knocks down Bayley again and in comes Alicia. Alicia jumps on Nia’s back but is thrown off. Charlotte comes in and goes for a cover but Alicia kicks out. Alicia lands a nice suplex on Charlotte but it is not enough to keep her down. Sasha gets the tag and Charlotte quickly tags in Dana. Sasha lands a nice kick and then a nice drop kick on Dana. Dana is taken out of the ring by a dropkick. They try a triple baseball slide to Nia but she is not fazed. Sasha locks in some armbars on Dana. Dana is able to back Sasha into the corner and Nia gets the tag. Nia runs through Sasha as we go to break. We are back and Dana is in control. Nia gets the tag and throws down Sasha. Charlotte gets the tag and takes it to Sasha. Charlotte slams down Sasha and lands a cheap shot to Bayley. Charlotte locks in a nice submission on Sasha. Sasha tries to get a tag but she holds on to Sasha. Sasha sends Charlotte into Dana. Sasha is able to tag in Bayley. Bayley lands a crossbody and plants Charlotte. She lands two nice elbows on Charlotte but the pin is broken up by Dana. Nia comes in and takes out Alicia. Sasha then takes it to Nia. Sasha ducks and Charlotte takes out Nia. Bayley hits a Bayley to Belly for the win.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley & Alicia Fox
My Opinion:
The match was good. Nia did well and looked dominate. Alicia was very good tonight, her selling was perfect and was all around great in there. It was nice seeing Bayley go over and get that big win. Bayley needs to be in the spotlight more. Charlotte did her thing again and same with Sasha. Dana was kinda just there but that’s all it was meant to be. Dana needs to work on some in ring moves though. Dana is having problems with dropping people in there and she also stepped on Bayley’s face. Dana is working unsafe as of late. They all looked very good and Raw’s team looks in my opinion better than SmackDown’s team.
Backstage Segment:
Seth is backstage and is asked by Charley why he joined team Raw. Seth says he joined team Raw because he was promised future opportunities if he did. Braun steps in and says you might not have any future opportunities when I am done because I have never liked you and I am going to snap you like a twig. Seth says another person who doesn’t like me, sounds like a party.
Match 5: Sami Zayn vs Rusev ( Winner faces Dolph Ziggler at Survivor series for the Intercontinental Championship)
Rusev goes after Zayn right away. He lands nice shots on Zayn in the corner. He then lands some nice elbows. He uses the ropes for leverage to choke Zayn. Rusev goes for a cover but Zayn kicks out. Rusev tosses Zayn over the ropes but Zayn lands on the apron. Zayn lands a shoulder to Rusevs gut and then is able to come in and hit a dropkick. Rusev retreats as we go to break. As Raw returns Rusev is in control. Zayn fights out of the headlock but Rusev is unfazed by Zayn. Rusev lands shoulders to Zayn’s gut in the corner. Zayn slaps Rusevs chest but Rusev just gets angry. Zayn is able to send Rusev over the ropes. Zayn capitalizes and flies over the top rope to take out Rusev. Zayn hits a crossbody on Rusev. Rusev is able to lock in a side headlock. He then lands a devastating kick to Zayn but Zayn kicks out. Zayn ducks out-of-the-way of Rusev. Zayn looks for the Helluva kick but misses and is hit by a kick from Rusev. Rusev goes to top but Zayn catches Rusev with a Helluva kick and Rusev falls. Zayn capitalizes and pins Rusev for the win. Zayn is on to Survivor Series.
Winner: Sami Zayn ( Zayn will face Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series )
My Opinion:
Rusev dominated a lot of the match but Zayn capitalized when it mattered. Sami deserves the spot against Ziggler as that will be a very entertaining match but my problem is what does this mean for Rusev. Rusev absolutely deserves to be apart of Survivor Series. I think Zayn should have kept the shot but not at the expense of Rusev. It just looks bad for Rusev and what happens to him now. Now he loses to Zayn and we might not see him at Survivor series. It feels almost like there is no room for him and that is a shame. Overall I enjoyed the match and congrats to Sami. Hopefully he brings the title home to team red!
Match 6: Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho vs Braun Strowman vs Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns
Jericho and Owens go right after Rollins. They take Rollins to the outside as Roman and Braun are in the ring. Jericho comes in and Braun takes him out. Roman lands right hands on Braun but Braun takes him down. Rollins grabs a kendo stick and takes it to Braun. Braun from behind takes down Rollins. Roman lands some rights to Braun but Braun takes him down. Braun then takes out Jericho. Owens goes after Braun but Braun lands a huge clothesline. The four men then go after Braun. Braun explodes taking out all four men. A couple kicks, a shot off the top rope, and a Superman Punch to take down Braun. Rollins lands the Slingblade on Owens. Rollins and Reigns are in the ring together. They turn their attention to Braun. Roman hits a Superman punch and Rollins hits a suicide dive. Rollins and Roman take it Braun on the outside. Jericho and Owens break up Rollins and Roman’s attack. Roman lands another Superman Punch on Braun. Jericho drives Roman into the barricade and kick Roman. Jericho and owens send Roman into the steps. Owens lands a huge Cannon Ball to Roman. Owens tries one on Rollins but Rollins moves. Rollins powerbombs Jericho threw Braun and threw the table. Rollins hits a knee to Owens face. Rollins hits a kick on Owens. Rollins misses a frog splash. Owens misses a Pop Up Powerbomb and Rollins hits a Pedigree. The pin is broken up by Jericho. Rollins is able to hit another suicide dive. Rollins counters out of the walls. He lands a Pedigree on Jericho. Owens connects to Rollins and Roman hits Owens with a Superman Punch. Owens falls on Jericho and the ref counts the 1 2 3.
Winner: Kevin Owens
My Opinion:
A very competitive match between these five men. It was awesome to see a table used for a spot as we normally don’t see this anymore on Raw. Braun looked dominating which is what they need heading into Survivor series. He needs to look like that wild card for Raw that we are waiting on to break out. I loved the finish because it continues the controversy between Owens and Jericho while still keeping them together. I think they have done a great job in doing this with these two. Rollins and Reigns did well. They both it their spots and proved they are a huge part of team Raw. Compared to the SmackDown team, team Raw looks very ready to take on team blue. I think they way they have shown Braun is a lot better than what they are doing on SmackDown with Corbin. Overall it was a unique match we don’t get to see very often and a great main event for Raw.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t a bad Raw. It was very fluid and everything moved right along. The show was slowed when the crowd hijacked the show a little bit during the women’s segment but you have to appreciate how alive the foreign crowd is. They only get televised Raw’s and Smackdowns every once in a while and this was the first time in Glasgow. Survivor Series shaped up more and had questions answered with the teams filling up. I was excited that we will see Ziggler vs Zayn. It was an awesome addition to the women’s team having Sasha join. The 5 man Raw team looks very strong as well. The main event of Raw was very good. They laid it all on the line and we saw some big spots. It was a good lead way into next week’s go home show. There were no live appearances from Goldeberg or Lesnar but they will both be on Raw next week. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are scheduled for Raw next week as well.
Overall Rating: 7/10