Raw Review 11/14/2016

The wait is over because it is Monday! Tonight we see the go home edition of Monday Night Raw, as this Sunday is Survivor Series. The question everyone wants to know will be answered tonight as Goldberg and Brock Lesnar step in a ring together for the first time since Wrestlemania 20. Plus what will happen when Daniel Bryan and Shane Mcmahon come to the red brand. Plus will everyone on team Red be able to bring it together as a unit as they head into the battle with the Blue brand. How does Sami Zayn feel after solidifying his Intercontinental Championship match last week. Also will tonight be the last night we see the Cruiserweights on Raw as the brand and the title is up for grabs this Sunday as The Brian Kendrick takes on Smackdowns Kalisto. All this and more on Raw!

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Raw is live tonight from Buffalo, New York at the KeyBank Center.

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

In Ring Segment:
Stephanie and Mick call out all the members representing Raw this Sunday’s Survivor Series matches. They claim it is about everyone proving something this Sunday. Mick and Stephanie tell the RAW stars that they need to work together for the better of the show, or else they will make some serious changes. Stephanie and Mick announce big matches for tonight, including a six-man tag between the team of Seth Rollins, Chris Jericho, & Braun Strowman, versus the New Day. Enzo and Big Cass teaming up with The Club versus The Golden Truth and The Shining Stars.Up next, Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns will be teaming up for a tag match against Sheamus and Cesaro.
My Opinion:
The segment was what it was. I don’t like how Stephanie continues to threaten them like they are little kids. I feel it makes them lose their credibility some. It was safe for me as they just did the same everyone needs to get along. I think instead of just focusing on relationships in the brand they should have focused more on shots toward the other brand and build the brand rivalry towards this Sunday.

Match 1: Kevin Owens & Roman Reigns vs Cesaro & Sheamus
Reigns and Cesaro start off the match. Reigns locks in a headlock and takes Cesaro down with a shoulder tackle. Cesaro though is able to stun Reigns with a drop kick. Roman gets back on the offensive with a clothesline. Reigns is distracted as Owens refuses to take the tag. Cesaro lands an uppercut and in comes Sheamus. Sheamus lands a couple of shots before Cesaro comes back in. Cesaro continues to pound with the uppercuts. Sheamus then tags himself in and lands calculated punches to Reigns. Reigns regains control and sends Sheamus over the top rope. Cesaro gets the tag and tries to lock in the Sharpshooter. He sends Reigns over the top rope. Owens and Reigns get in an argument on the outside. As the two argue Cesaro launches himself over the top rope onto the two. Owens is in and in control as we return from break. Owens runs into an uppercut but he lands a ddt on Cesaro. Owens hits Cesaro with a Cannon Ball but it is not enough to keep Cesaro down. Owens locks Cesaro into a tight headlock but Cesaro fights out and takes down Owens. Sheamus gets the tag and lands a couple of clotheslines and finishes with a shoulder to Owens gut. Sheamus hits the 10 beats of the brodhen. Reigns gets the tag and goes after Sheamus on the outside. Reigns throws Sheamus back in and lands big shots to him. Reigns connects with the Superman Punch but Cesaro breaks up the pin. Owens lands a big kick to Cesaro and Reigns hits a Superman Punch on Cesaro as well. Owens get the tag but another argument between him and Reigns leads to Sheamus hitting Owens with a Brogue Kick. Reigns hits a spear on Sheamus and throws Owens on top of Sheamus for the 1 2 3 for the win.
Winners: Kevin Owens & Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
A highly competitive match between the teams. Despite issues Owens and Reigns although not pretty did get the win. They need to get on the same page for this Sunday. Sheamus and Cesaro looked good as a team tonight. They can continue to grow as a team.

Backstage Segment:
Jericho asks Strowman and Rollins why they are glaring at each other because their team members just won. Jericho says he will ensure they and that he will lead them to victory. Jericho states the past is the past and gives Strowman and Rollins scarfs as gifts. Rollins says he is not a scarf guy and says he will see them later tonight. Strowman tells Jericho he wants the scarf he is wearing. Jericho gives it to him and tells him to try it on. Strowman proceeds to rip the scarf and claims he doesn’t like scarfs and he doesn’t like Jericho.

Match 2: Bo Dallas vs Sami Zayn
Bo gets Sami into an armlock but Sami is able to get out. Sami gets Bo into a wrist lock but Bo is able to back Sami into the corner. He pounds on sami and lands knees to Sami in the middle of the ring. Bo goes for the cover but Sami is out at 2. Bo gets a headlock locked in but Sami escapes with a nice roll. Sami hits an exploder suplex into the corner and then connects with a Helluva kick for the win.
After the match Byron interviews Sami. he reminds Sami that after tomorrow he will officially know who he will face at Survivor Series. Sami says it doesn’t matter because he is hell-bent on bringing the Intercontinental title back to Monday Night Raw.
Winner: Sami Zayn
My Opinion:
It was a good match for Sami to gain some momentum. Bo Dallas is not a bad wrestler even though the match was quick. For what it was the match wasn’t bad. They shared series of moves and Sami looks good heading into Sunday. The interview after the match I don’t think Sami should’ve done a comedy kind of thing. It is just not him and he should be doing more inspirational from the heart promos.

Backstage Segment:
The Cruiserweights are backstage. Kendrick comes in and says there is a lot on the line this Sunday. He says their future is in the balance. Kendrick claims that he is the savior of the division. Perkins says why should we believe in you? Swann jumps in and says I have two victories and one more he couldn’t handle me. Sin Cara jumps in and says at least kalisto would be a respectable champion and that Kendrick just wants to save himself. Kendrick then calls Sin Cara a traitor for leaving Kalisto.

Match 3: The New Day vs Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman & Seth Rollins
Jericho starts off with Kofi. Kofi quickly brings Jericho to the ground but jericho fights out. Jericho misses a couple of clotheslines to Kofi. Kofi goes for a couple pins but it is not enough to keep Jericho down. Rollins and Woods get the tags. Woods gets Rollins in a wrist lock but Rollins rolls out and reverses it into one of his own. Rollins gets a headlock on Woods and then connects with a shoulder tackle. Woods lands a nice leg sweep but Rollins gets the upper hand after landing the Slingblade. Jericho gets the tag and hits an ax handle from the top rope. He lands hands some hard chops to Woods in the corner but Woods fights back and hits the honor roll. Big E gets the tag and lands a big splash to Jericho. Kofi gets the tag and immediately goes for a cover. Jericho is able to kick out. Jericho blocks Kofi with a boot and Jericho proceeds to tag in Strowman. Kofi tries to take Strowman down but Strowman slams Kofi face first. Rollins gets Kofi in a headlock but Kofi fights out. That is until Rollins lands a big forearm. Kofi explodes out of the corner and lands double knees. Strowman gets the tag but is slowed as Kofi moves and Strowman rams his shoulder into the corner. Jericho tags himself in. Woods gets the tag as well. Woods goes for a ddt and then a cover but Strowman breaks it up. Strowman is sent over the top rope and lands a big slam to Kofi and then takes out Big E. Rollins comes in and is stunned by woods. Rollins goes for the Pedigree but Jericho makes the tag. Jericho goes for the walls but Woods gets him in a roll up. It is not enough and Strowman gets the tag. Strowman lands a running powerslam on Woods for the win.
*After the match Rollins lands a Pedigree on Jericho.
Winners: Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman & Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
Overall a good match. I feel the match was a time killer and just trying to lead into Survivor Series. The New Day lost again and now that is 3 weeks in a row and that’s not good for them. It starts to lose the credibility of them and the championships the more they lose. A week or two is okay but then it just gets old.The high note of the match was Strowman looking so strong. He dominated for the most part and did very well.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie and Mick are backstage and are interrupted by Paul Heyman. Heyman says he loves the McMahon competitive spirit. Stephanie asks how he is feeling after the spear. Heyman says he is sore when he breathes, but this Sunday Goldberg will be facing The Beast. Heyman adds in that the SmackDown live team is looking pretty good. Mick calls in to security to insure nothing occurs between Goldberg and Lesnar when they face off tonight.

Backstage Segment:
Sasha and Charlotte are in the locker room. Sasha says she’s isn’t the only person who dislikes Charlotte. Charlotte says Sasha has a big mouth. Sasha states that she has a rematch but it is about team Raw. Sasha proclaims that the title will come back to her. Charlotte says that tonight she will show Sasha how to win when the lights are on. Charlotte says she can’t help that all eyes are on her. Sasha says all eyes will be on her if they lose since she is the captain.

Match 4: The Brian Kendrick vs Sin Cara
Kendrick attacks Sin Cara before the bell. Kendrick throws Sin Cara out of the ring and taunts him. Sin Cara rolls back in and the match gets under way. Kendrick stays on the attack and stomps on Sin Cara. Kendrick gets Sin Cara in a headlock but Sin Cara gets out with punches to the gut. Kendrick goes for a ddt but Sin Cara blocks and goes for a pin but Kendrick kicks out. Sin Cara sends Kendrick over the top rope and Sin Cara lands a suicide dive. The two get back in the ring and Sin Cara sends Kendrick out of the ring again with a big clothesline. Sin Cara goes for another dive but Kendrick swats him out-of-the-way as we go to break. As we return Kendrick is taking it to Sin Cara. As Sin Cara is hung up in the corner Kendrick lands a big spear to him. Sin Cara is able to land a crossbody on Kendrick but it is not enough to put Kendrick away. Sin Cara lands a hard sit down powerbomb but again Kendrick kicks out. Sin Cara backs Kendrick into the corner and lands hard chops to him. The two collide heads and are both down. Kendrick locks in the Captain’s Hook and Sin Cara taps out.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
My Opinion:
It wasn’t anything special. It was a normal match and didn’t feel like a Cruiserweight match. Sin Cara is a bigger guy compared to the rest of the divison as it is. Neither one did anything to flashy and I don’t think it helped Kendrick really in any way heading into this Sunday. The Cruiserweights seem to be slowly fading

Backstage Segment:
Enzo and Big Cass are interrupted by The Club. The Club asks how are they doing? The Club says that as long as Enzo and Cass remember what they did to them at Hell In A Cell they will be just fine. The Club tells the duo to lay off the comedy and let them do what they do. Cass says if they stab them in the back on Sunday they are going to lose. Cass says if they think they would ever trust them they are dumber than they look.

In Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar and Goldberg Face Off
Heyman says ladies and gentelman my name is and Goldberg interrupts him. Goldberg says it has nothing to do with Heyman, it is about him and Brock. Heyman says he employs Goldberg to consider his opinion. Goldberg claims that he thinks Heyman should shut up and get the rental cops out of the ring so the real men can get it on. Heyman tries to start over and Goldberg tells him to shut up again. Heyman says they are not rental cops and that they are here for Goldbergs protection. Heyman tries to start over again, this time he gets it out and states that Lesnar is the only thing that should be on Goldberg’s mind. Goldberg tells Heyman to shut his mouth and that he isn’t on the list of people who Brock has conquered. Goldberg says Lesnar can take his list of conquered people and shove it. Heyman says that Goldberg needs to have the false respect for his wife and his kids. Goldberg states that the next time Heyman mentions his family he will rip off his head and feed it to Lesnar. Heyman apologizes for raising his voice and asks if Goldberg has read the promotion for Survivor Series. Heyman proclaims that Goldberg is fantasy and Brock is real. Heyman tells the crowd that they are pissing off Lesnar. Heyman tells goldberg to buy his son a gift card to the WWE Network. Heyman claims to Goldberg that he is being a little too aggressive in front of Lesnar. Heyman proclaims that Goldberg will be beaten, victimized, and conquered by Lesnar. Heyman says that Goldberg’s son will be calling Lesnar daddy. Goldberg then starts taking out the security guards. Goldbergs calls Brock into the ring. Brock says on his time.
My Opinion:
The talking was a little redundant. The point was there and I get it but it was all the same in terms of the talking. Goldberg still looked great and the hype was there. The crowd was very into it and it gave it that big fight feel. It helped the match and now it is onward and upward to Sunday.

Match 5: Charlotte & Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax & Alicia Fox
Charlotte starts with Alicia but Alicia tags in Nia. Charlotte goes to tag Sasha but Sasha steps down and tells her to face Nia. Nia throws Charlotte and Sasha gets the tag in. Sasha tries to take Nia down but she is unmovable. Nia shows her power again and knocks down Sasha. As we return Charlotte is in control of Alicia. Charlotte isolates Alicia and tags in Sasha. Shas hits a big drop kick and Charlotte comes back in. Sasha and Charlotte start going at each other. Nia comes in and lays out Charlotte with a clothesline. Sasha sets up Nia for Charlotte’s boot. Nia tags in Alicia. Alicia hits a double crossbody. Sasha is quickly able to recover and lock in the Banks Statement for the win.
Winners: Charlotte & Sasha Banks
My Opinion:
Good match. It was interesting seeing this combination. It was different seeing Sasha and Charlotte on the same page for once. Nia looked good and she needs that factor going into Sunday. It was a safe match and nothing crazy happened but it wrapped it all up and leads us into Sunday.

Backstage Segment:
Foley is backstage with team Raw. He says they proved you don’t have to be friends to win. Foley thanks the whole team and says if they can do that this Sunday they will make him one happy general manager. Foley says he would like them to all stick around for the fireworks.

Match 6: Enzo & Big Cass & The Club ( Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs The Golden Truth ( Goldust & R-Truth) & The Shining Stars ( Primo & Epico)
Enzo starts off with Epico and takes him down. Cass comes in and tosses Epico out of the ring. Enzo send Primo through the second rope. The teams are at a standoff as we go to break. As we return R-Truth lands a nice hip toss to Anderson. Anderson is able to hit R-Truth from behind. Gallows gets the tag and hit a nice suplex and then an elbow to R-Truth. He backs truth into the corner and lands big punches to his face and gut. Anderson gets the tag and gets Truth in a headlock. Truth gets to the vertical base but gets knocked back down. Truth is able to hit a spin kick to create separation. Primo gets the tag and so does Cass. Cass hits a big fall away slam and then a big boot. That is followed up with the Empire Elbow. Cass hits a big slash and sends him to Anderson for a spinebuster. Anderson and Gallows hit the Magic Killer. They tell Enzo to go to the top but gallows instead goes for the cover for win.
Winners: Enzo & Big Cass & The Club ( Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
Another match that was what it was. The main teams got their spots in and they made their points. It was another time filler match and it is time for Survivor Series to get here so these meaningless tag matches can get out of here and we can get back on track to rivalries and meaningful matches.

In Ring Segment: Survivor Series Summit
Shane says they didn’t come here to promote the 900th episode of SmackDown tomorrow night. Daniel adds they didn’t come out here to talk about having Edge tomorrow night. Shane says they came out here to talk about survivor series. Stephanie says they are going to prove they are the dominate brand. Shane says they drafted better than them and that it is a better show. Shane adds that nothing has changed around here. Shane says they reward opportunity and that this Sunday is to show they are the dominate brand. Stephanie says that Shane is a hypocrite and that people pander to him. Stephanie says that SmackDown will lose this Sunday because of Shane. Daniel states he put Shane on team SmackDown because he is a real leader. Daniel adds that he thanks Mick for putting up the Cruiserweight division. Mick says he did it because he believes. Mick says they deliver with what they do. Daniel claims maybe he was wrong but maybe he was right. Stephanie says they will see this Sunday when Raw dominates. Stephanie says that it is all about Shane’s ego. Stephanie said her and Mick are leading by example. Stephanie then welcomes out team Raw. As team Raw is in the ring Daniel ask do you guys think we came alone? From the crowd comes team SmackDown.
Owens says look who showed up, welcome to the Kevin Owens show. Owens tells AJ that his title means nothing. AJ says that from where he is from Owens title means nothing more than a paper champion. Owens says that his title is more important because he is the guy holding it. AJ pokes fun at Jericho and Owens. Owens says that he is a better person and a better friend than AJ. Jericho calls AJ a stupid idiot and puts him on the list along with his hair. Jericho then asks what the hell is that and points at Ellsworth. Jericho then puts Ellsworth on the list. Bray grabs the mic and says Braun I gave you the keys to the kingdom and this is how you repay me? He says that this Sunday they will destroy the monster they created. Rollins says that they have no idea what him and Roman are capable of when they are on the same page. The teams start going at. Strowman destroys Shane in the corner. Strowman tosses ambrose down and then crushes Shane in the corner. Ambrose and Styles wear down Strowman and Shane sends Strowman over the top rope. The former Shield members collide. Jericho sends Styles over the top rope. Orton hits the RKO on Jericho. Roman hits a couple Superman Punches and is then intercepted by Styles. Rollins hits a Pedigree on Styles and then Roman and Rollins throw Styles over the top onto team SmackDown.
My Opinion:
I liked it a lot. It was fresh. Even though we have seen a lot of these guys go at it before it felt new. Daniel and Shane did well in the talking part. Stephanie was repetitive but the face off was good as a whole. I liked Bray going after Bray because it solidifies why Bray is on team SmackDown. It felt liked this match meant something and the crowd was very into it. I just wish there was more at stake so it had more of a specialty feeling to it.

Final Thoughts:
Not a bad show, it was just a safe show. A lot of pushing throughout the show how everyone needs to get along. I liked the freshness with the last segment seeing both brands going at it. I liked how strong Strowman looked tonight. I also liked how good Reigns and Rollins looked. Goldberg and Lesnar did well with their hype and the crowd was really into it. The Cruiserweights have seen to die out on this episode. Nothing was to exciting because a lot of it is just over done and the whole brand thing is still so fresh it is hard to buy into. I think everything was wrapped up well and we have a nice segway into Survivor series and we should see a highly entertaining show.
Overall Rating: 7/10