Original Air Date: November 20, 2017
Event Date: November 20, 2017 (aired live)
City: Houston, TX
Venue: Toyota Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Intro Video
“Enemies” by Shinedown
Ring Area
Stephanie McMahon heads to the ring. She seems very happy. She talks about RAW winning last night and says that Kurt Angle’s job is secure. She then introduces the man who led Team RAW to victory, Triple H.
Triple H heads to the ring, but before he can speak, Kurt Angle comes out and heads to the ring as well. Angle does not seem happy. Angle gets in Triple H’s face and tells him that if he ever attacks him from behind again, Angle will come for him. Steph appreciates his intensity, but she warns him not to put his job in jeopardy. Jason Jordan comes down to the ring next. He wants a match with Triple H. Steph tells Angle he doesn’t have the authority to make that match. Jordan asks Triple H if he’s a coward, but Steph just laughs. She says her husband isn’t afraid of Jordan or anyone in the RAW locker room. Braun Strowman then heads to the ring.
Strowman gets right in Triple H’s face. He’s so close their beards are touching. Triple H slowly backs away and leaves the ring with his wife. As they head towards the ramp, Steph announces that Jordan will face Strowman tonight.
Match 1
Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Samoa Joe wins via KO with the Coquina Clutch
Time: 8:32 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was just a straightforward match, and it was very well done. Both men fought fairly evenly and each had advantages throughout the match. Even up until the end it wasn’t clear who would win, but the eventual winner was quite emphatic with his victory. This was good for both guys, though it seems unclear if this is a feud that will continue beyond this, or if it’s just a step towards something different for both of them.
Backstage Commercial
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows show stuff from the merch table.
Video
Last night, AJ Styles fought valiantly against Brock Lesnar.
Backstage
Jordan asks Ange if he’s going to let his match with Strowman happen. Jordan says he’s hurt. Frustrated, Angle says he can’t cancel the match. Since he has no choice, Jordan tries to pump himself up for the match.
Match 2
Asuka vs Dana Brooke
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Asuka wins via pinfall after a Buzzsaw Kick
Time: 2:34
Match Thoughts
Asuka is a pleasure to watch, and seeing her take Dana Brooke apart was a ton of fun. Brooke got a few strikes in, but this match was almost all Asuka. Asuka looked great technically, completely shutting down Brooke’s takedown attempts with some nice counters. She was also brutal, repeatedly striking and kicking Brooke throughout the match. This was ultimately kind of a squash, but it also seemed like the first step towards Asuka taking on people other than local talent.
Ring Area
The Miz and Miztourage are already in the ring for “Miz TV.” Miz congratulates Baron Corbin on the biggest victory in his career. He quickly moves on, saying he has more important things to attend to. He then introduces Roman Reigns. No music plays, and no one comes out. Miz gets upset, but The Shield’s music eventually starts to play and the entire Shield heads to the ring through the crowd.
Miz points out that his guest tonight is only Reigns, not the entire Shield. Ambrose and Rollins say they haven’t missed a step and they’re unstoppable. Miz thinks that’s cute. He wants a “thank you” though. He says the only reason The Shield is back together is because of The Miz. Back at “The Mizzies” was when Rollins and Ambrose started to make amends. The crowd thanks The Miz. Miz appreciates that, but he also kind of wants some money from The Shield’s merch sales.
Reigns points out that The Shield won last night, but The Miz lost. Miz points out that he’s currently a champ and none of The Shield members are. Rollins says he and Ambrose will get back the tag titles. Reigns doesn’t want to be left out, so he asks Miz if he’s up for a title defense tonight.
Bo Dallas shuts things down. He tells Reigns that he has to go through the Miztourage before getting to The Miz. Reigns punches Dallas, and Miz escapes up the ramp. Axel is left alone with The Shield, and even though he’s still wearing a neck brace, The Shield attacks him. Dallas is back up, but The Shield puts him back down with a triple-team powerbomb.
** This was a fun segment. It kind of stalled at one point, but it was because the guys in the ring were listening to the crowd and interacting with them. **
Backstage
Charly Caruso welcomes Braun Strowman. Strowman likes that Jordan isn’t afraid of him. That makes him different from Triple H.
Match 3
Dean Ambrose w/ Seth Rollins vs Sheamus w/ Cesaro (RAW Tag Champs)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Dean Ambrose wins via pinfall after Dirty Deeds
Time: 8:45 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I think Ambrose’s match against Cesaro a while back was better, but this was still good. Sheamus had some nice moves and transitions in this one, and Ambrose was Ambrose. It was a good power versus brawler match.
Backstage
Jason Jordan asks Matt Hardy for advice when facing Braun Strowman. Hardy says there’s nothing you can do again Strowman. “Sometimes, it’s just not you night.”
Ring Area
Alexa Bliss heads to the ring. Bliss doesn’t need anyone’s pity. She only had five days to prepare, but she still pushed Charlotte to her limit. Also, Charlotte got lucky. Bliss is still the goddess of WWE. As Bliss speaks, Mickie James interrupts and heads to the ring.
Mickie says Survivor Series is over, and she wants Bliss’ title. Bayley comes out next and says Bliss’ title is hers. Sasha Banks is next, saying that RAW needs a “legit boss” as champ. Alicia Fox joins the group, saying that the boss of the RAW women’s team deserves a title shot. Bliss thanks everyone for wasting her time and walks away.
Bliss tries to leave, but Angle stops her. He announces that she will put her title on the line against the winner of the next match.
** I think the sole survivor of the women’s team deserves a title shot, but I understand why they don’t want to make that match yet. It’s better for Asuka to chase for a while. I also think it’s interesting that Nia Jax isn’t part of this. I mean, she didn’t get pinned or submitted at Survivor Series, unlike the three women competing next who were actually on the PPV. Mickie didn’t even qualify. This is why we need rankings in WWE. **
Match 4
Fatal Four Way RAW Women’s Title Number One Contender Match
Mickie James vs Bayley vs Sasha Banks vs Alicia Fox
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest when Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville attack
Time: 4:31 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match. It was just a way to get a bunch of the RAW women together in one place so they could be interrupted.
Ring Area
During the match, Paige returns to RAW! She didn’t come alone though. As Paige heads towards the ring, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville run into the ring from the crowd and attack Mickie, Sasha, and Bayley.
** This was pretty fun and unexpected, though the RAW women’s division is getting fairly crowded. I feel like Asuka’s rise to the top of the division is going to be postponed. **
Backstage
Renee Young asks Paige what happened. Paige starts to speak, but Alexa Bliss walks up and says Paige doesn’t have to explain herself. Paige condescendingly thanks Alexa, then introduces Alexa to Mandy and Sonya. Mandy and Sonya don’t speak. After a few seconds of silence, Paige begins an attack on Alexa.
Match 5
Braun Strowman vs Jason Jordan
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Braun Strowman wins via DQ when Kane attacks
Time: 1:45
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match either. Jordan started to try to show his strength, but he quickly started selling his injured leg. Strowman started to dominate, but Kane attacked Strowman before the match could really get going.
Ring Area
Kane attacks Strowman with a chair, hitting him repeatedly and slamming his throat into the edge. Strowman struggles to breath as he walks away up the ramp.
Ring Area
Enzo Amore heads to the ring with Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari, and Noam Dar. He gloats about still being champ and tells everyone what each member of “The ‘Zo Train” is thankful for. He hands the mic to Gulak when Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, and Akira Tozawa interrupt and head to the ring.
Enzo says that if they want to join The ‘Zo Train, they have to prove themselves. Cedric says they don’t want to join, they just want to earn a title opportunity. Enzo tells them to join or get out of his way. Swann says Enzo is nothing more than “a catchphrase and a t-shirt.” That starts a brawl. Enzo avoids the fight.
Match 6
Tony Nese & Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari & Noam Dar w/ Enzo Amore (Cruiserweight Champ) vs Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali & Akira Tozawa
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Mustafa Ali pins Noam Dar after an inverted 450 splash
Time: 4:19 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. It seemed to take a little while to really get going, but the finish was fast and fun. Nothing special here, but not bad.
Backstage
Renee Young asks Angle for an update on Strowman. Angle says Strowman left the building without medical attention. Angle then goes to check on Jordan who is in a lot of pain. Miz walks up and wants Angle to cancel the IC Title match tonight, but Angle just yells at him and tells Miz to leave.
Ring Area
Already in the ring, Elias and plays a song that sounds like success. He sings about defeating Matt Hardy on the Kickoff show last night. Matt Hardy, naturally, interrupts. Matt heads to the ring and a brawl begins. Elias eventually rolls out of the ring and backs away.
Match 7
Intercontinental Title Match
Roman Reigns vs The Miz (IC Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Roman Reigns pins The Miz after a spear and becomes the new IC Champ
Time: 12:54 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I’ll admit that I didn’t really care how this ended, but I think the ending was fine. The rest of the match was fine too. There were some good near falls before the actual finish, and the shenanigans at ringside helped make the final segment of the match interesting.
Show Impressions
I liked this show. It seems like the matches on RAW are generally more straightforward (and often better) early in the night and get more story-based as the show goes along. This show was the same. The first three matches tonight were a lot of fun to watch, then it felt like the matches became secondary to setting up new plot lines.
I do like most of what happened tonight. Paige returning was great, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they fit into the women’s division on RAW. I did think Nia Jax was conspicuous by her absence though. Especially since she wasn’t even mentioned by the commentators.
I continue to not care about Braun Strowman, and I’m fairly indifferent about Reigns taking the IC Title.
Match of the Night
Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe
A good battle between two great guys. This had the best action. I was tempted to pick Asuka’s match, but it was basically a squash.