Raw Review 12/07/2020

RAW REVIEW 12/07/2020

Tonight can Sheamus and Drew McIntyre overcome the odds as they take on AJ Styles, The Miz, and John Morrison in a 3 On 2 Handicap Match. Also, what will happen when Randy Orton pays a visit to the Firefly Fun House ahead of his clash with The Fiend at TLC? Finally, will we see Jeff Hardy take on the United States Champion Bobby Lashley in a Non-Title Match.

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

Raw kicks off with a moment of silence and a Ten-Bell Salute for Pat Patterson.

In-Ring Segment: Randy Orton
Orton says any ordinary man would tremble at the mere thought of facing The Fiend but he is no ordinary man. He says he smashed his moral compass years ago and there is no line he won’t cross. He says he doesn’t need a mask to let the darkness out. He says when his time comes he will stare the devil in the eyes and let him know that the evilest son of a bitch on planet earth has come home. He says in the meantime he will be knocking on the Fun House door waiting and wondering exactly who is going to let him in.
Wyatt now comes on the screen in the Fun House. Wyatt says it’s nice of Randy to join him. He says Alexa would have joined but since Randy was mean to her it’s only him tonight. Orton tells him he is the last person you want to play games with. Wyatt says, games? He then goes into this game show sequence where he plays a game show host. He shows a variety of items and then asks Mercy the Buzzard, Huskus, and Ramblin Rabbit how Randy Orton should be punished at TLC. after they don’t answer correctly why tells Orton that unfortunately for him, he always has the right answer. Orton tells him if he wants to play games he wants a match tonight but not with The Fiend because he will see him at TLC. He says he wants a match with Bray Wyatt. Wyatt says “Yowie Wowie, I Accept”.
My Opinion:
Another great back and forth between Orton and The Fiend. This rivalry has moved slowly but there is such a great story to it that in due time it will show how great it really is. I like this match for later tonight, I think it again helps separate Wyatt from The Fiend. I also think Randy Orton is the perfect guy to get the best out of Wyatt and help him show all he can do in the ring and on the mic. I’m very excited to see what happens next and I hope we get this rivalry for a while because there is so much they could do together.

***Lana and Asuka will challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at TLC!

Backstage Segment: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Nia tells Shayna that Lana didn’t beat her, she got lucky. She tells her that Asuka is dangerous but she is The Queen Of Spades. She reminds Shayna how great she is and tells her that when she goes through the curtain she needs to focus on tearing Asuka limb from limb. Nia then says that’s too good for Lana and says they are going to disfigure and contort her body. Nia jokes that Lana will have boobs on her back.

Match 1: Asuka w/ Lana vs Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax
The two go to a collar and elbow tie-up. No one gets the advantage and they push each other off. Asuka gets around on Baszler after trying for an ankle lock but Baszler fights out. Baszler now goes for an Achilles hold but Asuka locks in one of her own. Baszler fights back and gets a heel hook. Asuka now counters and gets a kneebar locked in on Baszler. On the floor, Lana now checks on Asuka. Jax and Baszler now meet them out there. Jax takes out Lana and Shayna shoves Asuka into the announcer’s desk as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Baszler picks Asuka apart in the middle of the ring. Baszler now focuses her attack on the arm of Asuka. Asuka counters into a cover but Baszler kicks out. Asuka gets on the offensive and keeps Baszler on the mat. Asuka gets her in a submission. Baszler now fights out. Asuka fights off Baszler. Asuka gets distracted as Jax takes out Lana. Jax now picks up Lana but fights off and sends her into the steps. Jax grabs her again and Lana now sends her into the announce table. Baszler now gets distracted by Lana leaving ringside and Asuka steals the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Asuka
My Opinion:
Another momentum-building win. Asuka and Lana really look like they could win the titles at TLC. It won’t be an easy task but they seem to have their number. For some reason, Nia and Shayna seem to be focused on destruction and humiliation rather than getting a win. At TLC the team that wins is the one who really wants the titles more. Shayna and Nia can’t go into it thinking that they can win easily because as we’ve seen that is not the case. They aren’t owed anything and it’s time they remember what it’s like to earn things or Lana and Asuka will be your new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions!

Backstage Segment: The Hurt Business (MVP & Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley)
Cedric yells at a backstage hand and tells him excuse me we’re walking. The guy goes to move and the MVP tells him wrong way. The guy scurries away and The Hurt Business laughs.

Backstage Segment: Ricochet & Dana Brooke
Ricochet and Dana talk about their issues with Retribution. Riddle comes up and asks them if they have seen Bobby Lashley. Ricochet tells him they were talking strategy. Riddle says that’s right you have that big mixed-tag match. Riddle then offers them bro-nuts. Riddle tells them to let him know if they see him. Sara asks Ricochet about joining forces with Dana Brooke. Ricochet goes on to say they show Retribution what they are about. Dana echoes the sentiments and says she owes Reckoning one tonight for her black eye.

Match 2: Ricochet & Dana Brooke vs Reckoning & Slapjack w/ Ali
Brooke slaps Reckoning. Reckoning fires back. Brooke now takes her down and the two trade shots on the mat. Back on their feet, Reckoning takes control and hits Brooke with a big boot in the corner. Brooke fights back and tags in Ricochet. Ricochet hits a hurricanranna on Slapjack and then flies to the outside to take him down again. Back in the ring, Slapjack is able to work a modified falcon arrow. He covers but Ricochet kicks out. Slapjack now misses on a cannonball in the corner. Reckoning tags in and so does Brooke. Reckoning seems to get distracted and it allows Brooke to land the big power slam. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
After the match, Ali then gets in the ring and yells at Reckoning for embarrassing him again. He then yells at Slapjack as well. He questions them for their loss and asks them if this is how they repay him?
Winners: Ricochet & Dana Brooke
My Opinion:
A big win for Dana and Ricochet as they once again are able to get under the skin of Retribution. I’m not shocked that Retribution hasn’t been doing well but I really wish they could have gotten this win. The problem is superstars are showing they are fine without being in this group which then diminishes whatever power Retribution does have. Hopefully, things turn around or Retribution may be over faster than it started.

Backstage Segment: Sheamus & Keith Lee
Keith Lee tells Sheamus that no one buys this good guy routine and everyone knows it’s only a matter of time before you turn on your best friend and stab him in the back. Sheamus says as he said last week excuse me while I turn on the champion and beat the hell out of him.

In-Ring Segment: Miz TV w/ Guest: AJ Styles w/Omos
Miz welcomes everyone to Miz TV. he tells John Morrison that he has been bus and tells how yesterday he had Tribute To The Troops and this Thursday he has a new episode of Miz and Mrs. He then says their guest tonight has also been busy. He then introduces the new #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, the self-proclaimed Phenomenal 1, AJ Styles. Here comes Styles and Omos.
Miz apologies for not having a chair big enough for Omos. Styles says that big tree likes to stand. They then ask AJ Style how he is going to stop Drew McIntyre in such a brutal match like TLC. Styles says this is the first time they have faced each other but what he is going to do is take a steel chair and wrap it around Drew McIntyre’s back. He then says he is going to try and put him through every table he sees. He then says Drew’s heart and passion won’t mean anything when he knocks him out cold and climbs the ladder to grab the title and become the new WWE Champion. Morrison loves this and says that is if Drew McIntyre makes it to TLC. Miz says they have the opportunity to annihilate the WWE Champion and his best friend. Miz and Drew then mock Sheamus and Drew doing Irish and Scottish accents.
Sheamus comes out and says that was entertaining but he is sick of people saying he is going to betray his best friend Drew. Sheamus tells them if he heard them say this in a pub in Dublin he would nail their faces to the bar and kick their face and throw them in the gutter. Miz asks John how many friends Sheamus has and he says zero. Miz asks how many of them are there, he says 3. Sheamus tells them they’re not exactly right. The odds are more even as Drew McIntyre now makes his way to the ring. Drew and Sheamus now get back in the ring. Drew tells AJ he doesn’t make threats, he makes promises. He tells AJ that at TLC he may have the upper hand, especially with his big man over there he might have the upper hand. Drew then tells how he was able to get through Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar and he will get through jackass and the beanstalk. Drew then tells how people in the locker room have said that Miz has no guts or balls. Drew says he watched Miz and Mrs and he knows Maryse keeps his balls in his purse. He says that Miz replaced his balls with Morrison’s when Miz made Morrison his personal sidekick bitch. Styles then chimes in and says it’s actually four on two. Drew and Sheamus don’t flinch and they take it to Miz and Morrison and send them out of the ring. Drew then takes the MITB and throws it all the way up the stage.
My Opinion:
Another funny encounter between Drew and Miz and Morrison. I know not everyone loves humor in wrestling but I think these guys do it in good taste and also, McIntyre can back his up. McIntyre showed again that he doesn’t play games and is ready for anyone that steps to him. Styles seemed very confident tonight and I think he does have a good shot at winning the title but the more he threatens Drew the less of a chance he has. Drew has been at his most vulnerable when he isn’t fired up but Styles is certainly lighting that fire.

Match 3: Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods vs Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business (MVP & Cedric Alexander)
Benjamin gets the best of Kingston and beats on his back. Benjamin stays in control and slams Kingston down. He then hits him with a huge knee. Benjamin tries to put him away but Kingston kicks out. Benjamin grabs Kingston but now pushes him off the ropes. Benjamin gets him in the corner and now throws him to the opposite one. Kingston comes out of the corner and takes down Benjamin. Kingston takes him down with big elbow shots. Benjamin comes back with a kick. Kingston now comes off the top rope but can’t do anything with it. Benjamin now hits the gut-wrench powerbomb. He covers but Kingston kicks out. Benjamin now works an ankle lock. Kingston gets to the bottom rope to break the hold. Benjamin grabs Kingston and now throws him to the floor. Kingston is able to avoid Benjamin and send him into the barricade. Benjamin gets up and makes it back in the ring. Kingston hits him with Trouble In Paradise as he enters. Kingston covers and gets the 1 2 3.
***After the match, Cedric grabs the mic and tells Kofi to run that back. Cedric tells them he is sick of them slipping through their fingers. He tells him to get back in this ring because he will wipe the floor with him.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
My Opinion:
Although he didn’t get the win this was such a dominating showing from Benjamin and the aggression was awesome. You see it every time he is in the ring that Benjamin is one of the best but he never gets to show it like this. Tonight, I reminded everyone who Shelton Benjamin, and I wish we could see more of this. However, Kofi got the win and showed that it’s not how you start but how you end.

Match 4: Cedric Alexander w/ The Hurt Business (MVP & Shelton Benjamin) vs Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods
Alexander takes the early control and keeps Kingston down. Kingston tries to come back but Alexander stays on him. Alexander now works the ankle of Kofi and tries to keep him grounded on the mat. Kingston is able to gain control and wear down Alexander. Alexander gets to his feet but he is shoved down by Kingston. Kingston is able to work a cover but Alexander kicks out. Kingston hits SOS but again Alexander kicks out. Kingston counters Alexander again but he can’t get the three on the cover. Alexander kicks Kingston now and hits a spinning brainbuster. He covers but Kingston is able to kick out. Kingston beats on the back of Alexander and fights him off. Kingston now is up top and Alexander meets him. Kingston is able to fight off Alexander and send him crashing to the mat. Kingston now misses from the top. This allows Alexander to hit the Lumbar Check. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
My Opinion:
Maybe not the smartest match for Kofi to take but nonetheless he did and Cedric was able to beat him and get another huge win. Just as last week was this was a huge win for Cedric. Cedric is showing exactly what he is made of and that he actually has a lot of fire and aggression inside. He actually fits in better with The Hurt Business than I ever thought he would. I’m very curious to see what happens next because right now Cedric is starting to build momentum.

***We then see the video package celebrating the life of Pat Patterson.

Match 5: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs
The Miz & John Morrison & AJ Styles w/ Omos
Morrison hits McIntyre with a big forearm. McIntyre fires back with one of his own and dorps Morrison. Morrison now gets to his feet and he is hit with a Glasgow Kiss. Sheamus comes and works a headlock takeover. Morrison fights out and now works Sheamus on the mat. Morrison keeps the headlock wrenched in. Sheamus fights out for a moment. Morrison relocks the hold. He then comes off the ropes and lands a huge kick. Sheamus fights back and now hits Styles with a knee. He then knocks Miz off the apron. Morrison is able to get away and Sheamus goes to the floor. Morrison looks to fly but he is caught by Sheamus and McIntyre. They then throw him over the announcer’s desk as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sheamus has Miz down and he hits him with a knee from the top. He covers but Miz is able to kick out. McIntyre comes in now and works Miz in the corner with big strikes. Sheamus tags in and he and Sheamus toss Miz across the ring. Sheamus now kicks Miz. Sheamus continues to wear down Miz in the corner. Sheamus tags in McIntyre. McIntyre keeps Miz down. McIntyre continues to beat up Miz. Miz fights back and gets McIntyre in the corner. Styles tags in and takes it to McIntyre. Morrison now tags in and keeps up the attack on McIntyre. Miz is now back in and he continues to beat down McIntyre. McIntyre fights out of the corner and now tags Sheamus. Sheamus now sends Miz through the ropes. Sheamus now hits Ten Beats of Bodhran. Sheamus now lifts Miz and hits the rolling senton. Miz rakes Shemus’s eyes and then hits a chop block. Miz now gets him in the ropes and wears him down more. Morrison now takes a cheap shot. Morrison and Miz now slam down Sheamus.
Morrison covers but Sheamus kicks out. Morrison stays on him and continues to hit him with strikes. He covers but Sheamus kicks out. Sheamus fights back now but Morrison snatches him up and stops his momentum. Styles tags in and now hits Sheamus with continued strikes in the corner. Styles grabs Sheamus in a headlock. Sheamus lifts him but Styles comes right back and locks in the calf crusher. Styles grabs Sheamus but Sheamus counters him and hits white noise. Sheamus tags McIntyre and Morrison also gets the tag. McIntyre knocks him down over and over. He now throws him out of the corner. McIntyre stops Miz and now he throws both Miz and Morrison across the ring. Morrison fights back but instead, he is hit with a big back body drop. McIntyre now looks for the Claymore Kick but Miz pulls him out of the way. Styles now hits McIntyre from behind. Sheamus tags in hitting Styles with the Irish Curse. He then hits Miz with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus then accidentally hits McIntyre with one. Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: The Miz & John Morrison & AJ Styles
My Opinion:
What a match between all these competitors. This one was so good with so much back and forth and high paced action. Also in this match, we saw a lot of great mat wrestling which was fantastic to see. The big story is obviously Sheamus hitting McIntyre in which seemed to be an accident. For McIntyre, he has to shake this off. Again, he has AJ Styles in two weeks plus Miz and Morrison to worry about. Hopefully, McIntyre can regroup before Styles, Miz, and Morrison outsmart him as well.

Backstage Segment: Lana & Asuka
Lana tells Asuka she can’t fight Nia Jax in the ring alone because she will get slaughtered. She tells Asuka together she thinks they could win the titles because they are a good team but next week she cannot face Nia Jax alone. Asuka tells her to say I believe in myself, Lana says it. She then says I can beat Nia Jax, Lana echoes this. Asuka then says we can become tag team champions, Lana then repeats this. Lana keeps saying she can be Nia Jax over and over. Nia comes from behind and shakes her head at her.

Backstage Segment: Sheamus & Drew McIntyre
Charly asks Sheaums about what happened in the ring. Sheamus says he knows Drew McIntyre is going to come back here and try to kick his ass and he is going to try and kick his ass as well. Charly asks if it was intentional. Drew says no, he knows exactly what’s about to happen with him.
As Raw returns, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre are going at it. They continue to beat on each other as Pat Buck tries to break it up. Sheamus and Drew then beat up Pat Buck and put him through the table. Drew and Sheamus then smile at each other and Sheamus tells him he is buying tonight.

Backstage Segment: Riddle & Jeff Hardy
Riddle comes up to Hardy and tells him he has an idea for him. He tells him he has been thinking a lot about tag-teaming. He says he understands the business part of the Hurt Business but he didn’t understand the hurt part until he was attacked by Bobby Lashley last week. He then says how it hurt his heart. He tells Hardy that he has the idea that they team up and become the Hardy Bro’s Hardy laughs and says he likes it. Riddle then tells him they can do the Broetry in motion. Hardy again says he likes it but heads out for his match. Riddle tells him he didn’t get a bro-nut but says more for him.

Match 6: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP vs Jeff Hardy
Lashley gets on the offensive and doesn’t give it up as the match gets underway. MVP gives him advice from the outside about Jeff Hardy’s back. Lashley keeps on him in the corner as he continues to wear him down with strikes. Lashley then hits a big splash in the corner. Lashley now drives his knuckle into the eye of Jeff Hardy. Hardy fights back with a kick. He tries to use his speed to work away. He fights out of the gut wrench and hits a leg drop. Hardy looks for the Twist Of Fate but Lashley stops him. MVP works a distraction and it allows Lashley to take advantage. Riddle now stops MVP. Hardy now sends Lashley to the floor and then dropkick him. Hardy takes him down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lashley is in control now after Lashley sent Hardy off the ring post during the break. On the floor, Lashley drives Hardy into the barricade. Lashley brings him back in the ring and now wrenches at Hardy’s face. Lashley lifts Hardy and hangs him up in the corner. He now stomps on Hardy wearing him down. Lashley now hits a big suplex. He covers but Hardy kicks out. Hardy fights back as Lashley looks for the Hurt Lock. Lashley now gets a sleeper hold locked on Hardy. Hardy gets to his knees and finally to his feet. Hardy hangs up Lashley with the jawbreaker. Hardy now hits Lashley with big right hands. Hardy hits the inverted atomic drop. Hardy hits the low dropkick and then a splash. He covers but Lashley kicks out. Hardy kicks Lashley in the chest. Hardy goes up top and hits the Whisper In The Wind. He covers but Lashley kicks out. Lashley now drops Hardy on the ropes. Lashley hits the flatliner. He covers but Hardy kicks out. Lashley now grabs Hardy but Hardy fights out and hits the Twist Of Fate. Hardy goes up top but Lashley moves and Hardy stumbles. Lashley now hits him with a spear. Lashley now locks in the Hurt Lock and Hardy taps.
***After the match, Lashley won’t let go so Riddle tries to stop him but instead Lashley throws Hardy into Riddle. Riddle checks on Hardy as MVP and Lashley celebrate.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
What a fight by Hardy but ultimately Lashley was just too much. Lashley has been on a tear and one way or another he continues to dominate. I’m very curious to see if Riddle can step up and actually stop him. They both are amazing wrestlers with basically the same background. Of course, Riddle is smaller but that doesn’t mean he can’t hang. We need this match because this will be a fight!!!

Backstage Segment: Randy Orton
Orton hears a knock at his door but when he goes to answer no one is there. We then see Ramblin Rabbit who tells Orton that Bray Wyatt can’t wait to see him in the ring, it’s gonna be so much fun.

Match 7: Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt
The early going is a feeling-out process between the two. Orton lands a kick and gets the upper hand. Orton hits an uppercut and sends Wyatt to the floor. Orton now looks for a back body drop on the announcer’s desk but instead, Wyatt hits one of his own. He takes a headset and says Yowie Wowie we’ll be right back.
As Raw returns, Orton stomps on Wyatt as the two are now back in the ring. Orton now drives his boot into the chin of Wyatt and he has to be backed out of the corner. Wyatt now hits him in the throat. Orton fights him off and knocks him down. Orton now hits a knee to the face. Orton now goes to a chin lock and keeps Orton grounded on the mat. Wyatt powers out but Orton grabs him again and drives him down to the mat. Orton covers but Wyatt kicks out. Orton again goes to the chin lock. Wyatt gets to his feet and is able to hit him in the gut to fight out. Wyatt now hits a huge clothesline. Wyatt hits a big right hand and another to follow. Wyatt hits the inverted atomic drop. He crushes Orton in the corner and then hits a crossbody off the ropes.
Wyatt hits the DDT and covers but Orton kicks out. Orton fights back and hits a big neck breaker. He covers but Wyatt kicks out. Orton now stomps on the mid-section of Wyatt. Orton grabs him on the apron and hits a headbutt knocking him to the floor. Orton grabs Wyatt and now bounces him off the announce desk. Back in the ring, Wyatt catches Orton but Orton reverses with a thumb to the eye. Orton gets him on the apron and continues to wear him down. Orton now hits the draping DDT. the lights begin to go out but it doesn’t distract Orton as he hits the RKO. Orton covers as the lights go out. He sees he is now covering The Fiend. The Fiend gets up and puts the Mandible Claw on Orton. Wyatt lays out Orton as Raw goes off the air.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
A great match to end the night between two of the best. Orton and Wyatt both got some good shots in on each other. I was very impressed with how easily Wyatt took control but then by how dominating Orton was while keeping control. Orton proved to be poised even with the mind games but finally, The Fiend was just too much and got in Orton’s head. It’s not often Orton goes down like that but I think with that being said this will motivate him to fight back and conquer. It seems the best mind games next week will be the person who gains the advantage going into TLC. It’s time for Orton to introduce The Fiend to The Viper.

Final Thoughts:
I love the continued build for Styles and McIntyre. With Miz, Morrison, and Sheamus added to the mix it really has been entertaining and we have seen some great matches. Tonight’s especially was quite the treat. This match was a memorable one not just for its hard-hitting moments but also for it’s very smart and thought out mat wrestling moments. I can’t wait to see what happens next and especially for Styles and McIntyre to keep building this rivalry. I also loved the performance we saw from Shelton Benjamin. Although he wasn’t victorious he looked amazing and I loved seeing it. On the other hand, Cedric Alexander picked up another huge win which I was glad to see. He’s looked great since joining The Hurt Business and he is really proving himself. We have to give big props to Kofi Kingston though for wrestling two matches. That was a tall task but he was certainly up for it.
Another thing coming out of tonight is the budding rivalry between Riddle and Lashley. I think these two would have an awesome match and like I said it’d be more like a fight. I think this would really test Riddle but would help him get to that next level here on Raw! Finally, the main event was awesome between Orton and Wyatt. There is no telling who is going to win between these two at TLC but mentally The Fiend won this round. It looks like these mind games will continue next week but we will see if Orton can come back from this or if this will change him like many before. As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy this week. Enjoy NXT and SmackDown!!!
Overall Rating: 5.5/10