The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 11/15/21 Review
This week’s Raw was the last episode of Raw before Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.
I’m going to go for a different, more condensed format of a review this week where I don’t go play by play for all of the matches or detailed summaries of the promos. I’ll still have the star ratings and analysis, but some of the other stuff will be shorter. It’s just my way of trying something different to end up writing a bit less in this review.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1485 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
Raw began with highlights from last week’s Raw when Kevin Owens lost to Seth Rollins by countout when Owens bumped into Big E on his way back into the ring. After the match, Owens attacked Big E in a cheap manner leading to Owens becoming a heel again.
Let’s Hear from Big E
Big E made his entrance as the WWE Champion, who was there to deliver a promo while in his ring gear. Big E faces Roman Reigns at Survivor Series on Sunday. The Raw announce team of Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton were on hand to call the action.
Big E said as WWE Champion, a lot of people have eyes on him. Big E mentioned the matter at hand and he spoke about Roman Reigns. Big E said that it was supposed to be brand vs. brand, champion vs. champions, but Roman and his cousins took it to a place that they can never come back from since they put their hands on his family, so Big E has to beat his ass like he stole something. Big E said he has to take a piece of Roman that he will never get back. Big E mentioned Kevin Owens, who was booed, so Big E wanted KO to bring his lying carcass out there so they can talk some business.
Kevin Owens was booed while he stood on the stage. Owens said that Big E cost Owens his match, so it was KO’s third straight loss in three weeks on Raw. Owens claimed he was never lying, so now Big E has everybody judging Owens and every person that judged him can go to hell including Big E. Owens said he’s going to be the bad guy that everybody wants him to be and Owens said he’s about to be worse. Owens told Big E that he deserves it, so because of Big E, everything that happens from here on out is Big E’s fault. Big E wanted a fight, so Owens went to the back.
Analysis: Good heel promo from Owens warning Big E that everything that Owens does in the future is Big E’s fault. I look forward to this version of Owens because he’s great. I liked Big E’s confidence shown in his promo too.
Big E walked towards the backstage area, but he was attacked by The Usos, who are the Smackdown Tag Team Champions. The Usos beat up Big E and sent him into the ring. The Usos stomped on Big E and punched him repeatedly. Jey said that Roman Reigns sends his regards while saying that RK-Bro can get this work bro while adding they run Friday and Monday night. Riddle made the save, so Big E recovered and the two faces fought together against The Usos. So many camera cuts. The camera cuts are annoying.
Sonya Deville, the WWE Official, told everybody to get in the ring because they’re having a tag team match right now. Seth Rollins appeared in his ring gear to watch the match.
Analysis: It’s a typical way for WWE to set up a match after a break. They didn’t try to explain why Smackdown’s The Usos were allowed to be on Raw. Sometimes they shout out about how it’s allowed sometimes, but there was no attempt to do that here.
(Commercial)
Big E & Riddle vs. The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso
Seth Rollins was on commentary. Big E overpowered Jimmy to start the match. Riddle tagged in, but The Usos did some tag team work and hit a double elbow drop. Riddle knocked Jey down with a kick. Big E tagged in with belly to belly suplexes on both Usos. Big E threw Jimmy towards Rollins, who moved and then Big E decked Rollins with a forearm. Rollins into the ring to hit Riddle, so it was a DQ about three minutes into this.
Winners by disqualification: Big E & Riddle
Analysis: * A quick match to set up another match after the break. It’s typical WWE booking where it’s a tag team match and it seems obvious that a six-man tag was coming.
After the match, Rollins and The Usos attacked some more, so Randy Orton ran out for the save. Orton dropped Jey with an RKO in the ring.
(Commercial)
Randy Orton, Big E & Riddle vs. Seth Rollins & The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso
Riddle did an assisted splash on Rollins for two count. Rollins got control after punching Riddle a few times, so Jey tagged in with a body slam. Big E tagged in, he was on fire with the belly to belly suplexes along with a splash. Big E got a two count on Jimmy with a uranage slam. Big E connected with the running splash on the apron that he loves to do.
(Commercial)
Rollins was in control of Orton with a jumping kick to the head for a two count. Orton was the face in peril that created some space with a belly to back suplex on Jey. Riddle tagged in against Rollins with Riddle getting a lot of offense with suplexes, knees, senton splash and a kick to Rollins for two. Big E clotheslined Jey out o the ring, Jimmy kicked Big E, Orton with an uppercut on Jimmy and Rollins tossed Orton out of the ring. Rollins with a forearm to Riddle face and Riddle’s back leading to Rollins applying the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! to win in about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Seth Rollins & The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso
Analysis: *** A pretty good tag team match with Rollins continuing his positive momentum by picking up another win. It was the dreaded ROLLUP OF DEATH~! to win for Rollins, but it came after two forearms to the head so Riddle was weakened a bit before Rollins put him away. I’m not surprised that Big E was protected by not pinning him in this match. It’s weird not seeing finishers win a match, but that’s okay once in a while.
After the match, The Usos tried a double team move on Riddle, but Orton saved Riddle and hit an RKO on Jey.
Analysis: That made fans happy. It was simple and it worked to build the Orton/Riddle vs. Usos match at Survivor Series.
Big E went to a fallen Jey to tell “daddy Roman” that he received the message loud and clear, but Big E has a return message. Big E hit a Big Ending on Jey and said this is for Roman.
Analysis: Nice job by Big E showing intensity. I think Big E vs. Reigns will be a great match with Reigns likely winning although I don’t know if it will be clean.
Bianca Belair was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell, who is usually on NXT. Bianca spoke about her problems with Doudrop sticking her nose in her business. Tamina walked up to Belair said tonight you are her business. Bianca said she was hoping for Doudrop, but Tamina will do.
Bianca Belair entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
Kevin Owens was shown walking backstage with Sarah Schreiber trying to interview him. Owens said he was lying by saying he would meet Big E in the ring, so then he said he was lying and then maybe he is a man of his word. Finn Balor walked up to Owens said he doesn’t trust him one bit. Balor noted he has a match with Owens tonight. Owens said it’s too bad for Finn and that’s no lie.
Bianca Belair vs. Tamina
Belair used her athleticism early, but then Tamina hit a running clothesline to take control. Doudrop was shown watching on a TV since she doesn’t like Belair. Tamina hit a few more clotheslines followed by multiple chinlocks to slow it down. Belair made the comeback with a spinebuster. Tamina came back with a superkick. Tamina went up top, took way too long and Belair slammed Tamina off the top. Belair avoided a Samoan Drop attempt and Belair hit the Kiss of Death (KOD) slam for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bianca Belair
Analysis: *3/4 A decent match with Belair getting the win as expected since she’s part of Survivor Series while Tamina is not. Belair is such a talented athlete while Tamina definitely knows her role as a power wrestler. That KOD looked impressive by Belair on Tamina, who is bigger than most women in WWE.
Doudrop appeared in the arena saying after Survivor Series this Sunday, she will be looking for Belair.
Becky Lynch, the Raw Women’s Champion, made her entrance for a promo after a break. Lynch faces Charlotte Flair at Survivor Series.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Becky Lynch
Lynch cued up a video showing her Survivor Series opponent Charlotte Flair running down Becky’s nicknames saying there was nothing natural about Becky and said Becky was a fabricated champion. Lynch reminded us that she used to be Charlotte’s best friend, that rode everywhere with her and was so happy for Charlotte while also having a shoulder to cry on when Charlotte needed it. Lynch said that she slapped Charlotte so hard across the face that it sent Becky into a different stratosphere. Lynch spoke about tearing herself apart and recreate herself so she can be the biggest star in this industry. Lynch said her success has made Charlotte miserable and bitter so much that Charlotte doesn’t like herself anymore. Lynch said she’ll make Charlotte face her insecure demons. Lynch said that this is about personal legacy and Charlotte doesn’t know who Becky is, she is the person that will “beat the ever loving piss out of you.”
Analysis: Awesome promo by Becky! The thing about Becky promos is sometimes she comes across as a heel while other times she’s a face and this time it felt like a face mainly because Charlotte is more of a pure heel. With that said, Becky’s promo here was much better than Charlotte’s on Smackdown and I loved the confidence as well as the intensity of Lynch as usual. She’s so great.
Liv Morgan did a promo saying she’s sorry for interrupting. Liv said that last week, Becky walked away from her and Liv can’t let her do that again especially after Liv won the opportunity to take that Raw Women’s Championship. Liv said she used to admire Becky the most. Lynch said she was once Liv’s biggest fan. Lynch cued up a video from Talking Smack for four months ago with Liv telling the story that Becky thought Liv would be a champion when Becky came back. Liv said she will prove Becky right and she would love to take the title off Lynch.
Lynch ripped on Morgan saying she had no idea she was going to underperform so badly. Lynch said some people have it while other people don’t. Lynch talked about leaving for a year and a half, winning the title in 26 seconds and killing the game ever since. Lynch said now that she is back, Morgan is not getting her grubby hands on this title. Liv said that “Big Time Becks is really just a big time bitch.” Lynch went for the Manhandle Slam, but Morgan countered it and Lynch baled to the floor. Morgan held up the title while Lynch was on the floor until she gave the title back to Lynch.
Analysis: Lynch was in full heel mode there while interacting with Morgan, which is the right way to do it because it makes the fans support Morgan even more. That was well done. Becky had a really good night here. I don’t expect Morgan to beat Lynch for the title when they have their match whether that’s on Raw or if they can drag it out to the Day 1 PPV on January 1, but I do think Morgan is a good candidate to beat Lynch for the title early next year at some point.
Randy Orton was shown backstage with Riddle with Orton yelling at Riddle about interjecting himself in things that he doesn’t have to do. Riddle thought it was good strategy to help Big E against The Usos. Orton said that the only thing that matters and the only thing that he cares about is this team and these titles. Riddle smiled saying so I guess that means cares about him. The Street Profits walked up to talk to Riddle with the Profits about to do their catchphrase, then Riddle said it and the Profits left. Riddle thought they were so awesome.
Analysis: Randy Orton continues to be frustrated by Riddle. The split is probably coming early next year leading to a possible WrestleMania match as long as WWE can wait that long.
The Street Profits entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis)
These teams met a lot on Smackdown earlier this year, so now they are matching up on Smackdown. Dawkins used his power to suplex Gable across the ring. Ford hit an impressive dropkick on Gable. The Profits did some tag team moves leading to Dawkins hitting a splash on Gable for two. Otis hit Dawkins with power moves and then knocked Ford off the apron. Gable saved Otis from a charging attack, so Ford hit a somersault dive over the top on Gable on the floor. Otis took out Ford and Dawkins on the floor.
(Commercial)
Gable was working over Dawkins as the face in peril with Gable applying a half crab submission. Owens hit a splash on the knee of Dawkins. Gable with an impressive suplex. Gable went up top, took too long and missed a moonsault when Dawkins moved. Ford tagged in against Otis with Ford hitting chops, a kick and then Otis hit a popup powerslam for two. Otis with a spinning elbow on Dawkins. When Dawkins sent Otis out of the ring, Otis charged and Dawkins sent him into the barricade. Gable off the top into a cross body block with Ford turning it over for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
Analysis: *** It was the usual good match between them although with no story going into it, I find it tough to get that excited about it. It is nice to see Gable featured in longer matches nearly every week, but at some point, he needs to pick up some wins. Of course they didn’t have Otis take the loss since he is pushed like a monster heel. The Profits winning is fine.
There was a video from earlier in the day with WWE Official Adam Pearce telling Rey Mysterio he was facing Bobby Lashley later in the show.
Nikki A.S.H. entered for singles action. Nikki is one of the Women’s Tag Team Champions with Rhea Ripley, who also made her entrance.
(Commercial)
A video aired about Veer Mahaan coming to Raw. The Veer Era, pal.
Nikki A.S.H. vs. Queen Zelina Vega
Nikki was in control early, but Vega made a comeback with a running knee. Nikki hit a couple of dropkicks to take control. Nikki hit a sitout slam off the shoulders for a two count. Nikki up top, distraction by Carmella and Vega knocked Nikki off the top. Vega with a Code Red slam off the ropes for the pinfall win after about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Queen Zelina Vega
Analysis: * They put over Vega, who is on the Survivor Series team while Nikki is not. The fans didn’t care about this much at all.
After the match, Carmella trash talked Nikki and Ripley didn’t like that, so it was time for another match. It was already announced earlier.
(Commercial)
Rhea Ripley vs. Carmella
Ripley was on offense with a delayed suplex. Carmella kicked Ripley’s head into the ring post for a two count. Carmella got some of her offense going for a two count. Ripley with a headbutt and Riptide finished off Carmella easily. They got about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley
Analysis: *1/4 An easy win for Ripley getting the win while Carmella lost again like she usually does. Carmella got plenty of offense for a couple of minutes before Ripley was able to easily put her away.
Queen Zelina Vega did a promo with an accent that happened sometimes while other times she did not have an accent. Ripley called Nikki a loser with no friends and laughed about it.
Adam Pearce talked to Big E saying they want Big E to win the WWE Title vs. Universal Champion match. Pearce said he didn’t want Big E near Balor or Owens and in case Big E doesn’t think he is serious, Pearce mentioned “Brock Lesnar’ and Big E walked away.
Finn Balor made his entrance for a singles match.
(Commercial)
They showed some members of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts at ringside.
Seth Rollins was shown walking backstage with a guy rolling his luggage for him with Mckenzie Mitchell walking up for an interview. Seth told the guy to put it on the bus and “do not wake the baby.” Mitchell mentioned Rollins as a part of Team Raw at Survivor Series, but Rollins said he’s going to lead Raw to victory. Rollins said after Survivor Series, he’ll turn his attention to Big E and he’ll take the WWE Championship while leading Raw to the mountaintop. Rollins said he’s the visionary, revolutionary, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. That was it.
Analysis: Good job by Rollins with that heel promo. Seth and his wife Becky Lynch do travel on a bus with their baby daughter (she’s almost a year old now), so “do not wake the baby” was a funny line, but also true!
Kevin Owens entered to face Balor. They are both on Team Raw at Survivor Series.
Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor
I’ll go full play by play for this match. Owens decked Balor with a forearm to the head after they were locked up against the ropes. Owens taunted Balor with one of Finn’s poses and Owens hit a senton splash on Balor. Owens with a kick to the chest, then Balor rolled out of an Owens move and Balor hit a dropkick to the face. Owens with a necksnap against the top rope. Balor avoided an apron Powerbomb, but Owens managed to trip up Balor on the apron. Owens hit a spinning belly to back suplex for two. Owens with a hard chop, Balor got two feet to stop a charging Owens and Balor hit a running forearm. Balor with a trip into a double foot stomp. Owens to the floor, so Balor hit a somersault dive over the top onto Owens in the aisle.
(Commercial)
Balor was trying to do a move on Owens off the turnbuckle, but Owens turned it into a rolling senton off the middle rope! That got a two count. Balor came back with an elbow to the chest to drive Owens to the mat. Balor stomped on Owens a bit, Balor ran the ropes, Owens caught him on his back and turned it into a side slam for a two count. Balor came back with a Slingblade neckbreaker to take down Owens. Balor charged, but Owens was ready for him with a superkick for two. They went to the apron, Balor with a back body drop on the apron. Balor with a running dropkick into the barricade. Balor up top, he went for the Coup de Grace double foot stomp, but Owens moved out of the way to avoid it. Owens hit a Popup Powerbomb for two. That used to be KO’s finisher. Owens went up top, Senton Bomb right into the knees of Balor, who was ready for it. Balor with a running dropkick into the turnbuckle. Balor up top, Owens hit the ropes to knock him down, Owens brought Balor to the middle of the ring, kick to the gut by Owens and Owens hit a Stunner for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kevin Owens
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a very good match as expected by two of the best on Raw. They have wrestled a lot over the years, so they’ve always had chemistry. I think Owens needed the win after losing three times in a row on Raw, so the right guy won this match. Giving Owens some momentum as a heel is a smart move. Balor was really good as usual as the babyface that took a lot of punishment, came close to winning a few times and then Owens was able to finish him off. Both guys are on Team Raw at Survivor Series, so it will be interesting to see how they are booked in that match on Sunday.
A video aired about WrestleMania tickets going on sale last Wednesday with some WWE superstars including Big E, Street Profits and The Undertaker on hand to meet the fans.
AJ Styles and Omos were walking backstage with Sarah Schreiber talking about their past issues with the Dirty Dawgs. Styles complained about other tag teams while saying you don’t cross AJ or Omos. Styles talked about movies. Styles complained about Roode/Ziggler stealing a win from last week and Omos said tonight he will make them suffer.
Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode did a promo into the camera. They mentioned Styles/Omos while referencing the classic Schwarzenegger/DeVito movie Twins. They laughed.
AJ Styles and Omos entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the United States Champion Damian Priest. It’s Priest against Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura at Survivor Series. That’s a matchup between two faces.
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode vs. AJ Styles & Omos
It’s a match between two heel teams. Omos started for his team against the well-tanned Robert Roode. Omos crushed Roode with a clothesline along with a corner splash. Omos sent Roode into the turnbuckle by the opponent’s corner and Ziggler tagged in. Omos ran over Ziggler with a shoulder tackle. Omos pressed Ziggler over his head with Ziggler hitting the mat hard. Styles tagged in with a Phenomenal Forearm on Ziggler for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winners by pinfall: AJ Styles & Omos
Analysis: *1/2 It was another squash match on this show with Omos dominating his opponents. I’m not sure what the point of that was other than to continue to establish Styles & Omos as a dominant team. I hope the time comes soon where Styles can be a singles wrestler again although obviously, WWE has high hopes for Omos as a giant.
Bobby Lashley was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber backstage. Lashley said that Dominik never should have been on Team Raw at Survivor Series in the first place. Lashley said Rey doesn’t want any part of him and neither does anybody on Team Smackdown. Lashley said he’ll walk through all of Team Smackdown at Survivor Series and if anybody has a problem with that, they can come to see him since he’s not hard to find.
Rey Mysterio entered with his son Dominik for the main event match.
(Commercial)
It was announced that WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon this Wednesday night. That’s cool. I hope Roman is a good guest.
The Smackdown Breakdown video was showing highlights of last week’s Smackdown with Roman Reigns & The Usos destroying King Xavier Woods while Roman took Xavier’s crown.
There was a rundown of the WWE Survivor Series lineup this Sunday and they went in this order.
Raw WWE Champion Big E vs. Smackdown WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Women’s 5-on-5 Elimination Match: Team Raw – Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Queen Zelina Vega vs. Team Smackdown – Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya & a wrestler to be named
Raw United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Smackdown Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Men’s 5-on-5 Elimination Match: Team Raw – Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Rey Mysterio (that would change) vs. Team Smackdown – Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, King Xavier Woods, Happy Corbin & a wrestler to be named
Analysis: We will have a preview on TJRWrestling on Saturday morning since we have to wait until after Smackdown to find out the men’s and women’s final team members. I will review Survivor Series on TJRWrestling on Sunday night as well.
They showed highlights of last week’s Raw when Bobby Lashley easily defeated Dominik Mysterio to take his spot on Team Raw at Survivor Series.
The “All Mighty” Bobby Lashley made his entrance for the main event. There was no MVP with him this week even though MVP was with Lashley last week. That main event match was up next.
(Commercial)
The guests on Raw Talk on Peacock/WWE Network this week were Big E, Austin Theory and Liv Morgan.
Bobby Lashley vs. Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio)
I’ll go play by play for this main event as well. Rey tried to use his speed to attack, Lashley got a hold of him and Rey slipped out to the apron. Rey jumped off the top with a senton body attack, but Lashley stopped Rey’s momentum with a boot to the face. They showed Adam Pearce watching a TV backstage from a weird angle. Dominik on the apron to distract Lashley a bit, then Rey sent Lashley out of the ring. Rey slid to the floor, Lashley tried to catch him, there was a slip and then Rey did a headscissors into the ring post. Rey hit a unique kick by the ropes to knock Lashley down. Rey slid under the bottom rope to splash Lashley on the floor. Rey jumped over the top, Lashley caught Rey in his arms, so Lashley slammed Rey into the barricade.
(Commercial)
Lashley remained in control with a clothesline against the turnbuckle. Lashley charged, Rey with a boot up and Rey tried a moonsault, but Lashley caught him again. Lashley with a twisting slam off the shoulders for a two count. Lashley sent Rey under the bottom rope to the floor. Lashley had Rey on the shoulders leading to Lashley running Rey into the ring post with Rey’s hand taking the bump although the idea is that it was Rey’s head. Lashley with a running shoulder tackle on Rey against the turnbuckle followed by a delayed vertical suplex (with one arm) for a two count. Lashley went for a running attack against the turnbuckle, Rey moved out of the way and hit a kick to the ribs. Rey tripped Lashley into the ropes followed by the 619 kick against the ropes. Rey with a top rope splash. Lashley sat up with Rey in his arms, then put him in the Hurt Lock submission and Rey tapped out to the Hurt Lock. The match went about 11 minutes.
Winner by submission: Bobby Lashley
Analysis: **3/4 A pretty good match between two veterans in their mid-40s. I think most people expected a dominant win by Lashley, which is what we got, but at least Rey got some moments on offense to look like a believable challenger.
Post match, Lashley held onto the Hurt Lock for a few seconds longer. Lashley posed as the winner while Dominik checked on his father Rey.
Adam Pearce, the WWE Official, was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber asking if he had last minute thoughts about Survivor Series. Pearce took the microphone and walked into the arena by the entrance.
Adam Pearce said it’s his job to make sure we have the best competition possible at Survivor Series. That’s why Pearce announced for the well-being on Team Raw and the well-being of Rey Mysterio, he has no choice, but to remove Rey from the Raw Survivor Series team with a replacement to be named later. The fans booed. Dominik got up wondering what Pearce was doing, then Austin Theory attacked Dominik from behind and gave him the ATL slam where he drove Dominik’s face into Theory’s knee. Pearce said he liked Theory’s style, so the man replacing Rey on the Raw Survivor Series team is…Austin Theory. That led to Theory taking some selfies in the ring with the fallen Rey & Dominik Mysterio. That ended the show.
Analysis: They have been changing the teams a lot since the teams were announced a couple of weeks ago. Smackdown has two spots to fill and now both Mysterios have been removed. Raw’s team is now Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory. That means they have four heels along with one face in Balor. I don’t know why it’s so heel heavy, but that’s what they are going with.
Three Stars of the Show
- Becky Lynch – I liked her promo a lot as well as her interaction with Liv Morgan.
- Kevin Owens
- Bobby Lashley/Big E
The Scoreboard
6.25 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2021 Average: 6.13
Final Thoughts
It was just an average Raw with some good in-ring action preventing it from being a bad show. I just don’t think it’s an interesting or compelling show in terms of how they booked it. The first 40 minutes was a promo, then a tag match and then a six-man tag match just to stretch it out since Raw is a three-hour show, so people need to work more than once sometimes.
The Becky Lynch promo was my favorite thing about the show. I think her match with Charlotte Flair will be good although I want to see her against Liv Morgan even more because at least that’s a title match. That’s the thing about Survivor Series. With no titles on the line, why should we care that much? It’s just a bunch of matches without consequences or titles on the line.
Anyway, I liked how Kevin Owens was booked with his promo and getting a win over Finn Balor. Bobby Lashley continues to look like a big deal too, so that’s great. The same goes for Big E showing a lot of intensity. They did a decent job of promoting Survivor Series by having wrestlers on the same team face eachother, but there are other ways to make us care without doing that. Once again, be more creative. It just feels like lazy booking.
The next WWE pay-per-view is Survivor Series on Sunday, November 21 from Brooklyn. Here’s the lineup:
Raw WWE Champion Big E vs. Smackdown WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Men’s 5-on-5 Elimination Match:Team Raw – Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory vs. Team Smackdown – Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, King Xavier Woods, Happy Corbin & a wrestler to be named
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Women’s 5-on-5 Elimination Match: Team Raw – Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Queen Zelina Vega vs. Team Smackdown – Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya & a wrestler to be named
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Raw United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Smackdown Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Find out what happens at Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 21, streaming live at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport