Raw Review 12/10/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s TLC PPV. Before they meet for their big showdown on Sunday is Dean Ambrose finally in the head of Seth Rollins? What condition will Finn Balor be in after being taken out by Drew Mcintyre last week? Also, what revenge will Natalya be able to get on The Riott Squad this week after they attacked her last week? Plus, what will happen when Alexa Bliss hosts the Pre-TLC press conference? Finally, how will Heath Slater take to his new role as a referee?

Raw comes to us from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego.

Raw kicks off with us with Seth Rollins.

In Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Rollins says burn it down, that is gonna be his rallying cry this Sunday at TLC when he puts the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Dean Ambrose. He says, more importantly, that will be the theme for tonight in San Diego. He says he isn’t out here to call out Ambrose but instead to give some truth on what’s ailing Monday Night Raw. He talks about Baron Corbin and invites him to the ring to hear some things and get a little dose of reality.  
Outcomes Baron Corbin. Corbin tells Rollins if he wants to have a conversation they can do it in private. Corbin tells him the door to his office is always open to a superstar of his caliber. Rollins tells him that he and the people don’t wanna hear it so shut up and listen. He says he has been wrapped up in Ambrose and hasn’t been able to tell him how he thinks he’s done as Monday Night Raw. Rollins tells Corbin that Raw has sucked and it’s sucked because of Corbin. He tells Corbin he makes everything about him and overuses his power and ends people’s careers. Rollins says what he has been doing as General Manager elect is not okay, it’s not right, and it is wrong. Corbin says he gets he’s frustrated but he’s allowing him to vent and he should watch how he talks to him. Rollins questions what Corbin will do and he tells him that this roster back there is one of the greatest rosters and he doesn’t know how to use it. He uses The Revival as an example being in Lucha House Party rules matches as a bad choice. He says every decision Corbin has made is to mask his insecurities. He then asks Corbin about Braun Strowman. Rollins tells Corbin the problem with Brock Lesnar is he never wants to show up. Rollins asks Corbin if he knows the last time Lesnar wrestled on Raw and that was in 2002. He tells Corbin this has been a failure. Rollins says talent moral, fans support, and ratings are at an all-time low because of Corbin. Corbin tells Rollins he doesn’t give a damn. He says he doesn’t care what Rollins thinks, the locker room thinks, or what the fans think. He says it’s his show and it’s gonna be his show for a long time. He tells Rollins it’s only gonna get worse for him. Rollins says it can’t get worse. Corbin tells Rollins Ambrose is gonna beat him and then he is gonna beat Strowman in a TLC match by forfeit. He says after he wins he will be introduced as the new permanent General Manager of Monday Night Raw. He says starting the next night until the day Rollins quits he is gonna put him through hell. Rollins questions this and tells him to start tonight. Rollins then challenges him to a match. Corbin says this Sunday he will be permanent General Manager. Rollins then offers Corbin to have a TLC match with him. Corbin asks Rollins if he understands what he would do to him, he says it would be the end of him. Rollins says no it sounds more like a tune-up. Corbin tells Rollins this will cost him everything and he will make an example out of him and show everyone what happens when you disrespect him. He then says his answer is still no. Rollins calls him a coward. He continues to call him a coward as Corbin tries to give excuses. Corbin tells him to shut his mouth and if he wants a TLC match tonight he’s got it but it will be for the Intercontinental Championship.
My Opinion:
What an announcement, a TLC match on Raw sounds awesome to me! Rollins spoke a lot of truth of what many fans were thinking and I think this was a good day to go about it. It only makes people hate Corbin even more and it helps Rollins look like the hero and the top guy of Raw. I hope Rollins and Corbin really go and do well tonight. Raw needs this and hopefully, it gets people hyped for this Sunday as well!

Backstage Segment:
Rollins is asked if he regrets calling out Baron Corbin. He says it may not have been the smartest move but he can’t let Corbin get away with this and if he wants to be a leader he has to take a stand. He says if he wants to be a true champion he has to take a stand and if he doesn’t then he doesn’t even deserve to wear the title.

Match 1: AOP (Akam & Rezar & Drake Maverick) (c) vs  Chad Gable & Bobby Roode
2 on 3 Handicap Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships
Gable tries a dropkick but Akam swats him down. Rezar gets the tag and they double team Gable. Rezar gets him on the ropes and hammers with forearms. Rezar takes a cheap shot on Roode and goes back to Roode hitting him with a big right. Rezar tags in Maverick who takes a quick shot on Gable and tags Rezar back in. Rezar takes his shot but Roode and Gable get back into it sending AOP to the floor. They then pull Maverick into the ring and then threw him to the outside taking out both Akam and Rezar as Raw goes to break
As Raw returns, Rezar takes it to Gable. Maverick comes in and lands a big shot to the gut of Gable. Maverick lands another shot but Gable comes to. Maverick gets to the corner and Rezar tags in and flattens Gable. Akam comes in and they double team Gable. Akam gets Gable into the corner and then whips him into the other. Gable side steps and tags in Roode. Roode takes it to Akam. Roode lands raid fire strikes and builds momentum. Roode is caught flying off the top rope and is laid out. Rezar comes in and hits Rode with a knee but Gable breaks the cover. Akam and Rezar pick up Gable and Roode and hit the Super Collider. Gable is able to counter but then runs into a boot. Gable is hit with a neck breaker powerbomb and then Maverick tags in. Roode is able to reverse and rolls up Maverick. Roode and Gable get the 1 2 3.
Winners: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode: New Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
Wow, I did not expect that. First, big congrats to Roode and Gable for winning the titles. I’m a little surprised they won as I feel AOP should have had a much more memorable run and should have been able to show more of what they can do but they allowed Drake Maverick to get in the way of that. This did give a huge shock though so it helps to shake things up. We’ll see how long this run lasts but I think Gable and Roode will do well as champs.

Backstage Segment:
Chary congratulates Roode and Gable and asks how they became champions. Roode says they told each other if they put in the work then one day they would stand as the Raw Tag Team Champions. Gable and Roode say they would have called you crazy if you said they would win tonight. Gable says he has one word to describe tonight and that is Glorious.

In Ring Segment: Natalya
Natalya says she usually comes out with a smile because she wears her heart on her sleeve but she has something to get off her chest. She tells that Ruby Riott doesn’t respect a thing or a person in this business. She says Ruby made it personal when she broke her father’s sunglasses and spit on his legacy. Natalya says she had to overcome so much to get her. She brings up the Montreal screwjob and says she had to overcome that and more to get to the WWE. she says she is damn proud to be a Hart and she is damn proud to represent her family in WWE. She says at TLC she is gonna dedicate her match to her father Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. She says she is gonna take every tear and emotion and everything she has and drive Ruby’s ass through a table. Outcomes The Ruby Riott.
Ruby tells Natalya all she does is walk around the locker room feeling sorry for herself. She tells Natalya she doesn’t need respect she needs a counselor. She tells Natalya she doesn’t represent her family she disgraces it. Ruby, then tells Natalya she decided to give her a little gift. She tells Natalya this is the gift that keeps on giving. It is a cutout of Jim Neidhart plastered on a table. Ruby says this Sunday when she puts her through this table her and her daddy will be closer than ever.
My Opinion:
Ruby continues to push the edge with what she says to Natalya. If Natalya needed anymore more motivation she sure got it tonight. Natalya better focus in though because even though Ruby came out alone tonight she definitely won’t be on Sunday. Natalya needs this win more than anything Sunday to represent her family and show she has what it takes to get the job done. She has to put aside her feelings and lock in this Sunday. Time to tune out the noise and get the job done.

Match 2: Drew Mcintyre vs Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler comes out hot but runs into Mcintyre and falls flat. Mcintyre lands a huge strike and then a big chop and another to follow. Ziggler comes back with big rights but Mcintyre lands a huge throw. Mcintyre comes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre lands a huge chop as Ziggler sits on the top rope. Mcintyre meets him up there and continues to hammer with rights. Ziggler tries to fight back but Mcintyre hammers on his back. Mcintyre puts Ziggler on his back and jumps slamming Ziggler to the mat. Mcintyre goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out of the cover. Ziggler is brought to the floor and Mcintyre meets him out there lifting him up. Ziggler fights off and sends Mcintyre into the post. Mcintyre is able to beat the ten count barely. Ziggler goes for a superkick but he collapses. Mcintyre then toys with him. Ziggler lands a big kick to the leg of Mcintyre and then hits the Zig Zag. Ziggler goes for the cover but Mcintyre kicks out at two. Ziggler gets to his feet and runs at Mcintyre but is hit with the Claymore Kick. Mcintyre goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Mcintyre then sends Ziggler into the ring post shoulder first. Mcintyre then hammers with right hands. Mcintyre then looks to slam Ziggler On the steps but is pulled off. Mcintyre then lands another kick to Ziggler.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
My Opinion:
Good win for Mcintyre to get back on track after last week’s loss. Mcintyre looked strong and really did a lot of damage to Ziggler. Although Ziggler got some moves in Mcintyre was pretty much in control the whole time. Mcintyre doesn’t care who he hurts he just wants to make a statement and that statement was made. Finn Balor is in for a fight on Sunday and he better be ready or Mcintyre could seriously hurt him.

Match 3: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks vs  Alicia Fox w/ Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brother’s
Bayley and Alicia lock up and Bayley backs her into the corner. Alicia fights back and now takes it to Bayley. Bayley fights back with an elbow to the jaw and tries a cover but Alicia kicks out. Alicia fights back and uses Bayley’s hair t pull her down. Alicia tries a cover but Bayley kicks out. Alicia works a chin lock and keeps Bayley grounded on the mat. Bayley gets to her feet and backs Alicia to the corner. Alicia fights back but Bayley hits her with big forearms. Bayley then lands a big back suplex. Bayley slams into Alicia in the corner and then hangs her up. Bayley gets distracted and hit with a huge boot. Outcomes Apollo Crews. Crews takes it to The Singh Brother’s and Mahal. Banks also helps in the fight. Bayley is able to move out of the way of Alicia in the corner. Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
Bayley proved tonight she can get the job done and even though it’s last minute it definitely looks like Apollo Crews is ready and has Bayley’s back. Tomorrow is high stakes so you have to believe both teams are ready to go. Bayley though just gave her and Crews the momentum so we’ll see what they can do with it!

Backstage Segment:
Charly tries to get Ambrose comments and Ambrose interrupts and says you want my comments on the architect but that’s just a name Rollins gave himself to get the spotlight. He says Rollins is a madman and questions his actions tonight. He then says Rollins has a big fat ego. He says Rollins is a piece of but stops himself. Ambrose says if Rollins is still champ after tonight then he’s gonna take that title and tells him what he thinks of him to his face. She then asks Ambrose how he thinks Reigns would react. He says Roman, who cares? Charly then brings up a video package of what has transpired since Reigns announcement. Ambrose walks away after. .

In Ring Segment: Elias
Elias brings up Bobby Lashley and says how he said if he could he would take every sports team in this city and move it to a cool city like LA. Elias then jokes about last week and says hitting children with his guitar isn’t on the top of his list but last week was an exception. He says he needs to teach Lio a lesson like he should’ve done a long time ago. Elias sings his song but gets interrupted by Lashley and Rush.
My Opinion:
Elias continues to poke at Lashley and Rush but hopefully, he is ready for Sunday. Lashley will be looking for revenge so the time for talk will be over for Elias. Tonight he gets a shot at Lio rush which I see this as a much win if he wants to continue to try to get any advantage for Sunday. If I’m Elias I would try to take out Rush and limit the distraction for Sunday.

Match 4: Elias vs Lio Rush w/ Bobby Lashley
***Before the match Heath Slater comes out as the official.
Rush uses his quickness to get away from Elias. Elias tires to flip him but Rush lands on his feet. Elias then slams Rush. Elias works his arm and then tries to sam him again but Rush hangs on. Elias grabs Rush and throws him. Elias gets him in the corner and lands a big chop. Elias then throws Rush to the outside. Elias brings him back into the ring and Lashley gets involved but Elias hits him with a right hand. Rush gets in control and hits Elias with a kick. Back in the ring Rush lands another kick. Elias grabs Rush and lands a sit down powerbomb. Elias goes for the cover but Lashley attacks him. Slater doesn’t call for the bell. Lashley then lays out Elias. Rush grabs Elias’s guitar and gives it to Lashley. Lashley slams it over the back of Elias. Lashley tells Slater to count. Slater counts the 1 2 3.
Winner: Lio Rush
My Opinion:
Elias loses tonight due to unfairness throughout this match. This turned into a 2 on 1 and Elias just couldn’t keep up. For Lashley, he shows his dominance and for Elias, these are odds I don’t know if he can overcome. Elias is really gonna have to dig deep to walk away with a win a Sunday. Lashey though looks very relaxed and in control right now.

Backstage Segment:
Corbin asks Slater what’s the matter with him and tells him he did a good job. He asks about Rhyno and tells him he has to get over it. Slater tells him he’s going home but Corbin tells him he has another match to ref tonight.

In Ring Segment: Nia Jax & Ronda Rousey & Alexa Bliss
Nia tells Bliss before she starts asking she is gonna make a statement. She says this Sunday she will become the Raw Women’s Champion at the direct expense of Ronda Rousey. She says if Ronda had half a brain left she would walk out her tonight and lay the title at her feet to avoid the beating and humiliation at TLC. she says she understands Ronda comes from the world where you have to talk trash to hype a match but she doesn’t talk trash. She calls herself the embodiment of the anti-Ronda Rousey. She then says her fist broke little Becky Lynch’s face. She says this Sunday she is gonna punch Ronda in the face over and over again until she taps out just to stop her. Nia says she is not just the most imposing force in WWE women’s history but she is a strategist. She says if Ronda avoids her knockout punch and grabs her arm she is gonna open this fist and pry her hand off her arm and break her face. She says this hand is gonna hold her title over her head when she erases the myth of Ronda Rousey at TLC. Outcomes Ronda Rousey.
Rousey says she didn’t come here to hit her poses to talk about her fighting, she came here to fight. Rouse storms the ring but Nia and Tamina head to the outside. They surround the ring but out comes Ember Moon.
My Opinion:
Nia is getting old to me, she talks about her fist like its a weapon and granted it is but in reality Nia was just unsafe in the ring that night and that’s nothing to be proud of. Her wrestling is mediocre and she is not good on the mic. I don’t buy into the things she says and it’s getting old to me. I hope Ronda comes with the same attitude as tonight on Sunday and destroys Nia and puts her in the back of the line where she belongs at this point.

Match 5: Ember Moon w/ Ronda Rousey vs Tamina w/ Nia Jax
As Raw returns, Tamina is in control and hits Moon with a headbutt. Moon fights back and Tamina hits the bottom rope hard. Nia saves her. Rousey stares down Nia and backs her off. Moon tries a roll-up but Tamina kicks out. Tamina lands a huge kick that sends Moon to the outside. Tamina tries a cover but Moon kicks out at two. Tamina takes it to Moon in one corner and then throws her into the other. Tamina tries a cover again but gets a near fall. Tamina locks in a chinlock and keeps Moon grounded on the mat. Moon hits Tamina in the mid-section and fights out but Tamina hits her with a huge right. Moon is able to escape in the corner and fights off Tamina. Moon lands a hurricanrana and then comes alive with kicks. Moon lands a leg sweep and then plants Tamina. Moon tries a cover but Tamina kicks out. Tamina comes back with a huge power slam. Tamina tries another cover but Moon kicks out. Moon is able to land double knees to the face and then goes to the top. Rousey pulls Nia off the apron and then throws her over the barricade. Moon comes off the top rope after hanging up Tamina and hits The Eclipse.
Winner: Ember Moon
My Opinion:
Big win for Moon tonight, even though Tamina was in control for a lot of this match Moon never gave up and picked her spots. Rousey did well in fending off Nia and for Rousey she better hope to have Moon repay the favor this Sunday so she doesn’t have to deal with the 2 on 1.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Corbin if he thinks this match is a little bit of an abuse of power. Corbin says he doesn’t think so and all he did was accept the challenge. He says he’s gonna beat Strowman by forfeit which deprive the fans from seeing him swings chairs, jump off ladders and put people through tables, Charly asks what if strowman shows up. Corbin says that’s just rumors. He says tonight Rollins will get only a little taste of what will come when he is General Manager. He says everyone will be saying all hail Baron Corbin.
B

Match 6: Seth Rollins vs Baron Corbin
TLC Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Rollins backs him in the corner with rights and lefts. He then stomps out Corbin in the corner. Corbin lands a hip check and tries a suplex but Rollins fights off and drives Corbin to the outside. Rollins meets him out there and continues with the right hands. Back in the ring Rollins hits him with a shoulder to the gut but is then knocked out of mid-air and he hits the floor. Rollins flies off the ropes and knocks down Corbin sending him to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin hits Rollins in the back with a chair. Corbin hits him once more and taunts Rollins. Corbin then drives the chair into the mid-section of Corbin. Corbin hits him in the back again after taunting him more. Rollins rolls to the outside and Corbin meets him out there. Corbin throws him into the barricade and then does it once more. Corbin taunts Rollins more and grabs a ladder. Corbin tries to bring the ladder into the ring but Rollins hits him with a dropkick and knocks Corbin down on the floor. Corbin gets back in the ring and sets the ladder up in the corner. Corbin then suplexes Rollins on it. Corbin sets up a chair in the corner and tries to throw Rollins into it but Rollins counters. Corbin is able to avoid the chair and slides outside and then back in to hit Rollins with a clothesline. Corbin lifts Rollins and tries to slam him into a table but Rollins fights off. Corbin once again sends Rollins to the floor. Corbin sets up the ladder and starts to climb. Rollins gets back into the ring and meets him up there. Rollins fights him off but Corbin grabs Rollins and pulls him to the mat. Rollins hits a kick and tries the stomp but Corbin avoids it and sends him into the ladder. Corbin lays out Rollins on the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin hits Deep 6. Corbin makes it to his feet and hits Rollins with a straight right and another to follow. Corbin hits another right and one more for good measure. Corbin tries one more but Rollins stops him and hits him with rights of his own. Corbin lands a knee but then misses on a clothesline which allows Rollins to hit a big kick. Rollins then sends Corbin into the chair set up in the corner. Rollins grabs the chair and unloads on Corbin with it. Rollins then hits a suicide dive and then one more to follow driving Corbin to the floor on the outside. Rollins tries a third but Corbin grabs him and puts him through a table. Corbin gets back in the ring and starts to climb the ladder. Rollins comes back in and hits Corbin with a chair. Corbin avoids Rollins again and Rollins hits Slater with a chair. Rollins sends Corbin into the steps and then sets Corbin up on a table. Rollins goes to the top rope and flies sending Corbin through the table. Rollins climbs the ladder and gets to the top but Slater grabs the ladder and tips it over. Slater then puts Corbin back in the ring. Slater lifts Corbin and helps him climb the ladder. Corbin gets to the top but Rollins gets to his feet and takes out Slater. Rollins then puts Corbin through a table with a buckle bomb. Rollins gets to his feet and takes out Slater with a superkick. Rollins then hits Corbin with a stomp. Rollins climbs to the top and grabs the title. Rollins wins.
Winners: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
That was an awesome main event! Rollins and Corbin out each other through so much and they made this a very entertaining TLC match. Rollins escapes with the title and shows that no matter what he gets the job done. Rollins put himself through a lot tonight but I think he’ll be ready for Sunday. It doesn’t matter if he’s still hurting because Sunday Rollins is fighting with emotion which will carry you through so much.

Final Thoughts:
Tonight was a pretty good Raw with some good signs of unpredictability and a lot of action. I loved how it started with Rollins hitting with the reality of how Raw hasn’t been the best as of late. I really love Rollins being the guy on Raw so having him step up and call out Corbin was awesome. I loved the fire Ronda Rousey had tonight, she had no fear of Nia and helped out Ember in a big way. Ronda better hope Ember does the same on Sunday because you know Tamina will get involved if Nia gets in trouble. I also enjoyed the surprise factor of Gable and Roode winning the Raw Tag Team Championships. That’s the kind of things Raw needs because there has to be that unpredictability. I think AOP should have had a longer run but this seems like a rivalry that will continue on. I also really liked Drew Mcintyre tonight, he came to throw down and he is ready for a fight on Sunday. Finally, Rollins and Corbin tore it up in the main event. They gave each other all they had and showed what a TLC match looks like. Rollins retained the title and stood up to Corbin but now he has to focus on Ambrose. I really think they did well in hyping the event and it really helped to have a TLC match to close the night to get people excited. I’m Ready for this Sunday and I can’t wait to see some scores settled!
Overall Rating: 6/10