The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 11/18/24 Review

It’s WWE Raw featuring Seth Rollins in action against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker’s Intercontinental Title defense against Sheamus.

This episode was taped after last week’s Raw episode. I was on vacation this week, so I’m writing this about four days after Raw aired.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1643 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was video shown of Seth Rollins walking around backstage earlier in the day along with Bronson Reed also walking around. Sheamus was walking backstage with a shillelagh and they also showed Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker walking around.

Let’s Hear from Liv Morgan, Nia Jax And Others

Liv Morgan made her entrance as the Women’s World Champion joined by her friend Raquel Rodriguez. Liv was wearing those short jean shorts that would endear her to some fans rather than make fans boo her. There were clips shown of Raw and Smackdown last week because the women’s division has been chaotic of late.

Liv welcomed us to Monday Night Morgan. Liv said that she knew Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair didn’t come alone, so neither did Liv. That led to WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae making their entrance.

Nia Jax told Raquel Rodriguez that she doesn’t like her or dislike her and said she doesn’t think of Raquel at all. Nia said that she’s had her business with Liv, she doesn’t like her, she doesn’t dislike her and she doesn’t think of her at all. Jax mentioned Jade, Bianca & Naomi, so here they come.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill arrived with Naomi. Belair said that they didn’t come alone. They had Raw’s Iyo Sky with them. Sky is the number one contender for Morgan’s Women’s World Title. Those four women went into the ring to confront the five heels.

Liv pointed out that there were five people on her side while the other side had four of them. Liv said she knows what is about to happen, so who wants to throw the first punch?

Here comes Rhea Ripley making her shocking return after being attacked and left bloody by Liv & Raquel at NXT a few weeks ago. Ripley had a protective mask on her face. Ripley shouted “WarGames” and headbutted Liv out of the ring. Ripley beat up Morgan around ringside until Morgan managed to get away from ringside. Iyo Sky hit a moonsault off the top onto four of the heels on the floor.

The five-woman team of Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Iyo Sky & Naomi celebrated in the ring together while their rivals were on the floor.

Analysis: It was an effective way to set up the Women’s WarGames match by having Rhea Ripley make her shocking return. I don’t think most fans expected her back so soon after the orbital bone injury, but apparently, she’ll be okay to be in the WarGames match. There are a lot of stories involving these ten women, so it should be a good match when it happens at WarGames. I don’t think the story is as strong as the Men’s WarGames match, but I think the women could put on a memorable match that could be better than what the guys do.

A video package aired from Smackdown last week when the Original Bloodline led by Roman Reigns fought the new Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa. Solo’s team got an assist from Bronson Reed, who helped Solo and the team destroy the babyfaces, especially Reigns. That attack by Reed meant that he was the fifth man on Solo’s team.

They showed a Tale of the Tape graphic for the Seth Rollins-Bronson Reed match.

Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega of the LWO entered for tag team action.

(Commercial)

A video was shown of WWE CCO Triple H presenting Travis Scott with a WWE Hardcore Title. Triple H also announced Raw’s debut on Netflix will be on January 6th in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome. Popular rapper Travis Scott will be there too.

American Made – Chad Gable & Ivy Nile vs. LWO – Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega

Rey hit a running hurricanrana on Gable. After a distraction by Nile, Gable tripped up Rey while on the turnbuckle. Gable and Nile stomped on Rey while the referee was dealing with Vega trying to get into the ring. Gable sent Rey hard into the turnbuckle for a sternum bump by Rey. Gable had Rey on his shoulders, so Rey used his legs to send Gable out of the ring. Vega tagged in so that meant Nile was legal as well with Vega hitting a kick to the head along with a running double knee attack. Nile blocked a Vega move and Nile hit a lefty clothesline to take control.

(Commercial)

Nile was in control of Vega with a gutwrench suplex. Vega gave Nile a belly-to-back suplex. Vega hit a Tornado DDT on Nile and Gable went into the ring to stop a tag, so Vega kicked Gable. Rey made the tag meaning Gable was legal as Rey hit a spinning headscissors. Rey hit a jumping kick to Gable along with a seated senton off the top and a cradle by Rey for two. Gable caught a leaping Rey on his shoulders and Gable hit a spinning slam onto Rey’s stomach for a two count. Rey launched Vega onto Gable on the top rope and Vega took down Gable with a top rope hurricanrana. Vega sent a charging Nile out of the ring. Rey hit a springboard moonsault for a two count. Rey sent Gable into the ropes leading to the 619 kick followed by a slingshot splash by Rey for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: LWO – Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega

Analysis: *** It was good for a midcard tag team match. The American Made group loses too often, so it was more of the same for them. I’d like to see Gable and Rey get 15 minutes in a singles match, but that doesn’t happen often. The girls did fine in the match with Vega even hitting a move on Gable.

After the match, American Made’s The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile tried to help Gable. Gable yelled about not being a loser. That led to Gable slapping Julius Creed, so then Julius and his brother Brutus Creed shoved eachother. Gable said that’s what he’s been looking for. They posed together.

Analysis: It’s nice to show some team unity. I hope this leads to American Made getting more wins.

The Judgment Day was shown in their dressing room area. Finn Balor talked to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Liv was holding her head while Finn said he could take the wheel tonight. Liv was cool with that. Balor said that Dominik Mysterio “single-handedly” beat Damian Priest, so tonight Dominik and Carlito can face off against the War Raiders. Finn told them to go after their necks. JD McDonagh said he needed to talk to Finn, so they left.

Analysis: In the three-hour Raw days there were so many backstage scenes with The Judgment Day. We see less of those segments now, but it’s fine to do them occasionally to advance those stories.

(Commercial)

The Miz was featured in a video talking about how it has been an emotional few weeks. The Miz said he can honestly say that he had a performance of a lifetime. Miz said it was a masterclass of acting by convincing those freaks that they could change him. Karrion Kross said that The Wyatts are just a bunch of wounded people abusing others to make themselves feel better and they are not invincible. The Miz said that this is what The Marine 7 needed. Kross said he’s not afraid of Uncle Howdy and they will continue to play the game that he controls…tick tock.

Analysis: I like The Miz and Karrion Kross as heel allies. It’s another stable war going on in WWE, which is happening a lot in this company because Triple H likes booking stable wars.

Ludwig Kaiser was approached by the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. Gunther told Kaiser not to speak for him and he should speak for himself. Gunther told Kaiser to stand as his own man from now on. Gunther said that Damian Priest does not get under his skin and told Kaiser to get out there for himself while he deals with Damian Priest.

Gunther saw Damian Priest at a table signing merchandise, so Gunther tried to choke out Priest, but Priest broke free. Gunther tried to hit Priest with a steel pipe and that didn’t work because Priest hit him with a kick or knee to the ribs. Priest said that in the ring, Gunther is a general, but on the streets, Priest is a king. Raw GM Adam Pearce approached and Priest said I think he needs some ice. Priest laughed as he walked away.

Analysis: They have booked this Gunther-Priest story in a way that makes it seem like Priest has the advantage because he’s confident on the microphone and he got the advantage here as well. With that said, I think Gunther will beat Priest at Survivor Series.

Sheamus made his entrance for singles action.

(Commercial)

Intercontinental Champion: Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus

Sheamus has never been Intercontinental Champion, but he has won all the other titles in WWE. This is Bron’s first title defense for this reign that started 28 days earlier. Sheamus has the experience advantage since he’s about 20 years older than Bron.

The fight spilled to the outside quickly and then they exchanged strikes. Back in the ring, Bron ran the ropes quickly leading to a running clothesline. Sheamus hit a backbreaker. Bron used his power leading to an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Bron sent Sheamus into the ring post while he was on the apron. Bron jumped off the apron with a clothesline that sent both guys over the commentary table to the floor. Great spot leading to a break.

(Commercial)

Bron was in control with a knee to the gut after Sheamus was running the ropes. They battled on the floor where Sheamus hit some forearms, but Bron hit him with a jumping knee. Bron went up top and hit a diving attack onto Sheamus on the floor. Bron landed hard on his back on the floor and he was fine as they went back into the ring. Bron slapped Sheamus a few times, so Sheamus fired up and Sheamus hit a powerslam. Sheamus hit two running forearms along with a knee lift to the jaw. Sheamus trapped Bron against the ropes leading to Sheamus doing the ten forearms to the chest with the fans counting along. Sheamus decked Bron with a clothesline. Sheamus jumped off the top turnbuckle with a knee drop for two. Bron picked up Sheamus leading to the double knees to the lower back for two. They battled by the turnbuckle again leading to Sheamus hitting a White Noise slam off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Sheamus was seated on the top turnbuckle, Bron jumped up to the top as if it was easy and Bron hit a Frankensteiner off the top. Bron charged for more, but Sheamus hit a knee to the jaw for a two count. Great nearfall there. Sheamus set up for a Brogue Kick, but Bron countered it with a Spear…which led to Sheamus rolling out of the ring to the floor. Bron went out of the ring leading to Kaiser clotheslining Bron on the floor so it’s a DQ finish. It went 14 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Bron Breakker

Analysis: ***3/4 It was an excellent match that was on its way to reaching that four-star level, but the DQ finish knocks it down a peg. The Sheamus rivalry with Ludwig Kaiser was a thing for a few months, then it went away and now it’s back with Bron Breakker also in the mix. I liked how they did a lot of big moves for nearfalls throughout the match. A lot of fans are going to want to see the rematch. Hopefully, we get that soon.

After the match, Kaiser sent Bron into the ring post. Kaiser gave Bron a DDT on the floor. Kaiser hit a running dropkick on Sheamus into the steel steps. Kaiser told Sheamus he won’t stop until he’s gone for good. The fans chanted “you suck” at Kaiser.

Analysis: That probably sets up a Breakker-Kaiser-Sheamus triple threat match possibly at Survivor Series, maybe on Saturday Night’s Main Event, or simply on Raw. Kaiser should probably have to win a match to earn a title shot, but I can see Breakker giving it to him due to wanting revenge.

Seth Rollins was approached backstage by Sami Zayn and The Usos. Jey Uso said they all had differences with the Tribal Chief and differences between them. Jey wanted to put differences aside just one time. Zayn said just last year, Seth stood side by side with him and Jey in WarGames. Zayn said that Rollins put his bad blood with Cody Rhodes to the side last year so he wanted Seth to do it again. Rollins said he would stand side by side with Zayn, Jey & Jimmy but he will never, under any circumstances stand side by side with that tyrant Roman Reigns. Rollins said that he will not do it and it hurts him in his heart for a lot of reasons. Rollins said he’d love to get his hands on Bronson Reed in the steel cage and he’s not worth it if Reigns was in power again. Rollins said that it’s not worth it to him. Rollins said that Bronson Reed isn’t going to make it to WarGames. Rollins said what happens at WarGames, that’s on them. Rollins: “So good luck…I’m out.” Jimmy: “No yeet.” Jey and Zayn were silent.

Analysis: There was a good point made by Zayn since Rollins put aside his differences with Cody last year so why not put aside the differences with Roman this year? Rollins has a long history with Roman going back to their time together in The Shield over a decade ago. Just because Rollins says no now doesn’t mean it will still be a “no” in the future. We’ll see how that’s followed up on in the future.

The Judgment Day’s Carlito & Dominik Mysterio entered for tag team action.

(Commercial)

A video aired about Dakota Kai talking about how she was out of action for the past four months due to a knee injury. Kai said she’s never wanted this more and never loved this more, so she’s ready to show us why she’s ready to be a champion.

Analysis: I think if they introduce a Women’s Intercontinental Title on Raw then it would be cool to put it on somebody like Kai, who has yet to win singles gold on the main roster.

Next Monday on Raw:

* Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax in a Survivor Series WarGames advantage match,

The War Raiders – Erik & Ivar vs. The Judgment Day – Carlito & “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio

Erik tripped up Dominik followed by a spinning slam, so Dom brought in Carlito against Ivar. Ivar ran over Carlito with a shoulder tackle followed by Erick body slamming Ivar onto Carlito. There was a shot to the throat by Carlito so J-Day took over with some cheating offense against the turnbuckle. Ivar fought out of the heel corner and brought in Erik, who hit some forearms on Carlito along with a headbutt. Erik hit an overhead suplex on Carlito across the ring. After a cheap shot by Dominik, Carlito knocked Erik out of the ring with a knee. Dominik hit a suicide dive onto Erik on the floor as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

Dominik was in control of Erik with a neck snap across the top rope followed by a senton splash. Erik nailed Carlito with a forearm smash so that brought in Ivar against Dominik. Ivar hit a back body drop, powerslam, and a running cross body block on Dom. Ivar did a seated senton on a charging Dom followed by Ivar clotheslining Carlito to knock him down. Ivar hit a running splash on Dom against the turnbuckle for a two count. Dominik came back with boots, Carlito tagged in and Ivar suplexed Dominik into Carlito, who made the tag. Ivar hit a powerslam on Dom. Erik was back in for a double team move called the War Machine (clothesline into a German Suplex) for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The War Raiders – Erik & Ivar

Analysis: **3/4 Easy win for The War Raiders to continue their positive momentum since they are getting a Tag Team Title match. The team of Carlito & Dom didn’t pose a threat at all.

After the match, the World Tag team Champions Finn Balor & JD McDonagh attacked the War Raiders from behind. Balor gave Ivar a neckbreaker with an elbow drop. JD gave Erik a neckbreaker. Balor went up top and hit the Coup de Grace double foot stomp on Erik’s ribs. That led to Finn & JD celebrating over their future challengers.

Analysis: The Raw tag team division isn’t hot right now, but at least they are trying to build up contenders for the champions.

A Wyatt Sicks video aired featuring a bearded Bo Dallas, who looks a lot like his late brother Bray Wyatt. Bo said they offered The Miz salvation and freedom. Bo said he tried to warn him. Bo said he was sorry for what happened next. Bo said “you chose this” while hands will be forever blood-stained because of your actions. Bo claimed he never wanted this. That was it.

Analysis: It’s early in the rivalry. I like it with the Wyatt Sicks group targeting The Miz, then they freed him, and then Miz outsmarted them by aligning with Karrion Kross. I saw a lot of people comment about how much Bo looks like his late brother Bray Wyatt. That’s not a surprise for siblings. It’s true that Bo looks a lot like Bray, especially with that beard.

(Commercial)

A video aired about Lyra Valkyria, who said she hit the ground running when she was drafted to Raw, and she thrived. Lyra said she’s coming for everyone.

The Alpha Academy walked up to Kofi Kingston saying they were excited about The New Day’s tenth anniversary. Xavier Woods interrupted saying it’s crazy how they were arguing for the last few months after nearly ten years of positivity. Woods said maybe Karrion Kross was right that The New Day was dead. Kofi argued with Woods about it. Otis spoke up, so Woods insulted Otis for trying to interrupt them. Woods mocked Otis and said that’s why Chad Gable left them. Woods said Alpha Academy can face The New Day next week so New Day can get back on track. Woods left while Kofi was shocked by his rudeness.

“Big” Bronson Reed vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins

The Bloodline’s Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa were at ringside at the start of the match. That led to Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn going to ringside. The babyface trio fought with the heels at ringside with both Usos superkicking Jacob over the barricade. Those six guys were gone from ringside.

Reed knocked down Rollins to take control. Reed charged at Rollins, who tossed Reed out of the ring. Rollins hit a suicide dive onto Reed by the commentary table.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Rollins running the ropes and Reed hit a running body attack to knock him down. Reed sent Rollins face first into the ring apron followed by Reed whipping Rollins hard into the barricade at ringside. Rollins hit a jawbreaker along with punches, but Reed came back with a knee to the ribs. Reed clotheslined Rollins over the top to the floor. Reed jumped off the apron with a shoulder tackle to knock down Rollins on the floor. Reed sent Rollins into the steel steps and Reed broke the referee’s count. Reed charged, Rollins got out of the way and Reed went crashing into the steel steps. Rollins rammed Reed’s head (more like hand) into the steps repeatedly. Rollins went for The Stomp on the steps, but Reed avoided it. Back in the ring, Rolins hit a springboard knee to the head. Rollins charged at Reed, who hit a sitout Powerbomb for two.

(Commercial)

They were battling by the turnbuckle where Rollins went to the apron to deliver a kick. Rollins gave Reed a Powerbomb off the middle turnbuckle. Rollins hit a springboard moonsault for one and got more height than Chris Jericho gets with that move. Rollins hit a springboard senton bomb for just a one count. Rollins tried a sunset flip, Reed tried to sit on him, Rollins avoided it and Rollins hit a superkick. Rollins went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Rollins charged, Reed nailed a clothesline and Reed hit a brainbuster for two. Reed went up for a Tsunami splash, but Rollins rolled away from it. Reed went for a running splash, Rollins avoided it and Reed tried a lift, but Rollins hit a superkick. Rollins hit a Pedigree for just two. Rollins was frustrated that he couldn’t put Reed away. The fans sang Seth’s song, so Rollins hit The Stomp. Rollins was on the top rope when Solo Sikoa showed up at the commentary table, so Rollins looked at him. Reed gave Rollins a Death Valley Driver and two senton splashes. Reed jumped off the top rope with a Tsunami splash for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.

Winner: Bronson Reed

Analysis: ***1/2 I enjoyed that match. Rollins is the perfect kind of opponent against a monster heel like Reed since Rollins moves so well around the ring and bumps so well. It also makes Reed look like he’s unbeatable by having him kick out of big moves at just one and when Rollins did other huge moves like a Pedigree, Reed still found ways to kick out. Solo Sikoa’s distraction cost Rollins the match because it led to Rollins pausing on the top rope, so Reed took advantage of that to get the win. The win by Reed also gives him a huge win over Rollins after Rollins beat Reed at Crown Jewel, so they are now 1-1 and it should lead to another match between them in the future.

After the match, Solo Sikoa went into the ring and raised Bronson Reed’s hand as the winner of the match. That was the end of Raw.

Analysis: We know that Seth Rollins isn’t interested in teaming up with Roman Reigns again, so he appears to be out of competing at WarGames. However, Solo Sikoa cost Rollins this match against Bronson Reed, so it could lead to Rollins wanting into that WarGames match not to help Reigns, but to get revenge. We’ll see how they follow up on it this week on Smackdown because obviously, they need to make the fifth team member on Roman’s team official soon. They could go with a mystery fifth guy and put CM Punk there on the day of the show, but I think Rollins makes more sense.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Bron Breakker & Sheamus
2. Bronson Reed
3. Seth Rollins

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The Scoreboard

7.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

2024 Average: 7.58

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

It felt like a great Raw to me. The two main matches delivered. I’m sure the DQ finish ending the Bron Breakker-Sheamus match will upset fans, but that’s also why it was done – to get heat on Ludwig Kaiser. It makes you want to see Breakker-Sheamus again as well because they had a nearly four-star match that was a lot of fun to watch.

That main event between Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins was also very good. Reed gets the win after Rollins beat him the last time, so we’ll likely see them again. It also furthers the WarGames story since Rollins said no to Sami Zayn and The Usos about joining their team because of the presence of Roman Reigns, so it makes the viewers wonder if Rollins will change his mind since Solo Sikoa cost him the match against Reed.

The women’s WarGames match has been built up solidly, but I wouldn’t say it’s great. They have mixed the Raw and Smackdown women rather than just going with one brand, so that makes it feel a bit stronger. I just don’t think the win or loss matters that much. There needs to be a reward for the winners whether it means title shots or prime spots in the Royal Rumble. I would try to make it more interesting by saying the winners get a reward. Overall, I liked this taped episode more than the show from the week before.

The next WWE PLE is Survivor Series on Saturday, November 30th in Vancouver. Here’s the lineup so far.

* Men’s WarGames Match: The Original Bloodline – Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & ??? vs. The Bloodline – Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed

* Women’s WarGames Match: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Naomi & Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton

* World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest

You can watch Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, November 30, streaming live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport