October 31, 2016
Episode 1223
(aired live)
#RAW
City: Hartford, CT
Venue: XL Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Ring Area
Goldberg’s music plays as he walks through the back and heads to the ring. As Goldberg begins to talk about Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman interrupts and comes out to the stage. Heyman informs the crowd that his client does not appreciate it when they chant “Goldberg.” Heyman tells Goldberg that he respects him and that he is no threat to him, so he is reasonably comfortable to step into the ring with him. Heyman also has significant backup, so he gets into the ring.
Heyman says that Lesnar is an “impatient beast.” He has decided not to wait until Survivor Series. Lesnar wants to fight Goldberg right here. Heyman introduces Lesnar, but no one comes out when the music plays. Heyman is proud of himself for his funny joke. Goldberg doesn’t appreciate the joke and stares down Heyman, but Rusev interrupts and heads down to the ring.
Rusev asks Goldberg who he thinks he is even though he knows his name. Rusev doesn’t think Goldberg has it anymore. He’s no superhero. He had two moves back in WCW, but he doesn’t even have that anymore. Rusev sees that Goldberg is scared and weak, so he strikes. Goldberg no-sells the punch, then hits Rusev with a jackhammer. He follows up with a spear to Paul Heyman.
Match 1
Trick or Street Fight
Luke Gallows w/ Karl Anderson vs Enzo Amore w/ Big Cass
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Enzo Amore wins via pinfall after a jumping DDT
Time: 4:30 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a fun comedy match. It was silly, but they did well for what it was.
Backstage
An ambulance leaves the arena, and we are told that Paul Heyman is on board.
Match 2
Cruiserweight Title Match
TJ Perkins vs The Brian Kendrick (Cruiserweight Champ)
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: TJ Perkins wins via countout, Kendrick retains the title
Time: 3:04 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match, but it worked well for the story. The biggest move here was when Perkins hit a top rope hurricanrana that took Kendrick and himself over the ropes and out to the floor.
Backstage
Braun Strowman approaches Mick Foley. Strowman wants to be on team RAW at Survivor Series. He also wants real competition. Foley informs Strowman that there is a battle royal tonight to determine a member of team RAW, so Strowman should go out there and earn his spot.
Ring Area
Mick Foley heads to the ring. Foley is proud of everyone that helped put on Hell in a Cell last night, everyone except for Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. Owens and Jericho interrupt and head to the ring.
Owens wonders what it is that Foley didn’t like about last night. Jericho points out that Team Chris and Kevin should be the anchor of the Survivor Series team. Foley agrees that he needs them on Team RAW. Owens gloats when he hears that, and tells Foley that he’s jealous of Owens’ winning record in Hell in a Cell. Foley gets in Owens’ face and says that he’s angry because Owens has the talent to be a legend, but he chose to make a mockery of the cell. Foley goes on to say that he needs both Jericho and Owens on Team RAW, but he also needs “The Guy.”
Roman Reigns heads to the ring. Reigns thanks Foley or the vote of confidence. Reigns makes some jokes, but Jericho doesn’t put him on the list because he’s not worthy. Jericho doesn’t know anything about the United States, but he knows he’d be a better US Champ than Reigns. He’d take the title from Reigns tonight, but he’s sure Reigns is too sore to compete. Reigns is beat up, but he wants to fight, so Foley makes the match.
Video
Clips from the Women’s Title Hell in a Cell match from last night.
Match 3
Battle Royal
Sami Zayn vs Curtis Axel vs Goldust vs Cesaro vs Neville vs Titus O’Neil vs Sheamus vs Bo Dallas vs Jinder Mahal vs R-Truth vs Darren Young w/ Bob Backlund vs Braun Strowman
(referee: Rod Zapata, John Cone, Shawn Bennett; special stipulation: winner gets a spot on Team RAW at Survivor Series)
Result: Braun Strowman wins
Time: 5:18 (1 break)
| Elimination Order | Wrestler | Eliminations | Eliminated By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R-Truth | 0 | Braun Strowman |
| 2 | Bo Dallas | 0 | Braun Strowman |
| 3 | Jinder Mahal | 0 | Cesaro |
| 4 | Darren Young | 0 | Sheamus |
| 5 | Curtis Axel | 0 | Braun Strowman |
| 6 | Titus O'Neil | 0 | Sami Zayn |
| 7 | Goldust | 0 | Cesaro |
| 8 | Sheamus | 1 | Cesaro |
| 9 | Cesaro | 3 | Braun Strowman |
| 10 | Neville | 0 | Braun Strowman |
| 11 | Sami Zayn | 1 | Braun Strowman |
| Winner | Braun Strowman | 6 | - |
Match Thoughts
This was a fine battle royal. No big surprises, and the ending felt inevitable. There wasn’t a lot of tension. I liked the interactions between Cesaro and Sheamus the most.
Video
Emmalina is premiering soon.
Backstage
Big E is dressed like a Nation of Domination member and is joined by Xavier Woods who is dressed as Papa Shango. They are joined by Kofi Kingston dressed as The Godfather. Kofi says they had a rough night last night, including the loss of Francesca II. But now, they should look towards the future. Specifically, New Day has been named the captain of the RAW Tag Survivor Series team. New Day talks about all the teams they know they will be facing so far.
Match 4
Rich Swann & Lince Dorado & Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese & Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Rich Swann pins Tony Nese after a spin kick
Time: 5:31
Match Thoughts
This was a fun match. Fast paced and some good action. Everyone had a decent role in the match, so everyone looked good.
Ring Area
Charlotte heads to the ring. She says that she single-handedly made history last night by walking into Hell in a Cell and walking out as champion. She goes on to say that she will lead her team to victory at Survivor Series. She talks directly to the members of the SmackDown Live team before calling Bayley to the ring.
Bayley heads to the ring. Bayley congratulates Charlotte on her performance at Hell in a Cell and for winning the RAW Women’s Title. She also calls Charlotte a big jerk. Charlotte wonders if Bayley is going to be the weak link on the team, so she puts Bayley in a match with their teammate. Bayley thinks Charlotte is talking about Dana Brooke, but she’s actually talking about Nia Jax.
Match 5
Bayley vs Nia Jax
(referee: Shawn Bennett; guest commentary: Charlotte w/ Dana Brooke)
Result: Nia Jax wins via pinfall after a Samoan Drop
Time: 5:53
Match Thoughts
A good match. Bayley looked good and helped make Nia Jax interesting. The finish wasn’t surprising, but it was well done (except for Nia awkwardly going for a pin then realizing she’s facing away from the main camera so she switched sides).
Match 6
Sheamus & Cesaro vs Shining Stars
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Sheamus makes Epico submit to a Texas Cloverleaf
Time: 4:05
Match Thoughts
Good match. Cesaro got isolated for much of the match, but he and Sheamus were able to work well as a team when it counted. I like the dynamic they have going. It’s a lot of fun.
Away From the Venue
Earlier today, Golden Truth visited a haunted house. Neither one of them seemed to have a good time.
Backstage
Chris Jericho lists some of his championships. He’s looking forward to getting the only title he’s never had before, the US Title. Kevin Owens says that they should take the title back to Canada and make it the Canadian title after they win… it.
Match 7
US Title Match
Chris Jericho w/ Kevin Owens (Universal Champ) vs Roman Reigns (US Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Roman Reigns wins via DQ when Kevin Owens breaks up a pin attempt by Reigns
Time: 12:18 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
The ending was entirely a surprise, but Jericho and Reigns put on a good match. Owens didn’t play much of a factor, but he did get involved on a few occasions.
Ring Area
Owens and Jericho attack Reigns after the match. Together they hit Reigns with a pop-up Code Breaker. Seth Rollins then heads to the ring. He attacks both Owens and Jericho. Rollins goes for a Pedigree on Jericho, but Owens pulls Jericho out of the ring and the two of them retreat up the ramp. Reigns and Rollins then stare at each other in the ring as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This was a pretty good show. It had two title matches and a battle royal, so that’s a good thing. The best stuff was everything with Owens and Jericho and the interactions between Sheamus and Cesaro. There weren’t many surprises on this show, but I thought it was entertaining regardless.
Match of the Night
Chris Jericho vs Roman Reigns
The only other match that came close to this one was the cruiserweight 6-man tag. Even with the ending though, the main event was still a better match.