Drew McIntyre starts the show by hyping Survivor Series on Sunday ( we will review it live).
He asks who wants to see him Claymore WWE Champ Randy Orton tonight to a cheap pop. He also speaks about Universal Champion Roman Reigns and says he should fret about McIntyre and not Randy as he will be champion after tonight.
Predictably, Randy Orton interrupts from the big screen.
Randy is thankful for being a Champion. He says the fine for putting his hands on WWE Producer Adam Pearce didn’t even embarrass him because he’s been suspended and fined more than anyone else over the years. He is still here on top because he is the best ever and will prove that tonight when he leaves still a Champion. The boos from the crowd get louder. Drew goes on about how he will win the title tonight as fans start cheers He drops the mic and exits the ring, but the music interrupts as John Morrison and The Miz come out.
Miz indicates that they will be at ringside for tonight’s Title match and teases a Money In the Bank cash-in. He also says “The Fiend” hid out in the Firefly Fun House last week because he’s scared of Miz and Morrison. Miz goes on about how change is coming, and McIntyre can do nothing about it. Drew threatens them, and they retreat to the floor, still talking trash to McIntyre. Miz says whether he wins or loses tonight, he will be the one smiling to the bank. He raises the briefcase in the air and teases Drew, laughing at him as he stares back from the ring. Drew dares Miz to pull something tonight to end the long 15-minute segment.
Asuka, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke Vs. Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler & Lana – Six-Woman Tag Team Match
After weeks of ridicule, Lana stepped up and demanded the chance to put her skills on fireworks ahead of the Survivor Series. The match drove a wedge even considerably into the chemistry of Team Raw as the Women’s Tag Team Champions refused to tag in Ravishing Lana and targeted Team Raw members Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose. Nia and Baszler recklessly struck their teammates, as both Rose & Brooke left with injuries. The final punishment was reserved for Lana after she tapped out from an Asuka Lock to lose the match. Nia kept her wicked streak alive with another Samoan Drop of Lana through the table for a final outcry point before Survivor Series.
Winners: Mandy Rose, Asuka, and Dana Brooke in seven minutes
Match Review: 1/5. It seemed more like a story and not a match. I am tired of seeing poor Lana being put on the announcer’s table for probably the 8th-9th time already. Give her a break.
The New Day Vs. The Hurt Business’ Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin – Raw Tag Team Title Match
The Hurt Business have set their eyes on a red brand takeover, but The New Day has no plans to agree to that proposal. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston had a word for the “Jerk Business” before that fight, but Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander had the first word in the ring with a series of near pin-falls. The Raw Tag Team Champions persisted through The Hurt Business’ hostile takeover effort, as Kingston overwhelmed a Brainbuster and Angle Slam to set up Woods for the win. With the win, The New Day kept their confrontation with The Street Profits at Survivor Series unimpaired, but what will the Raw Tag Team Champions have left?
Winners: The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in 17 minutes
Match Review: 4/5. WOW! The chemistry was flawless. This was a perfect match between four experienced pro-wrestlers who showed why they’re the best when given a chance to shine. I didn’t feel bored for even a minute, and the match kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire 17 minutes.
RETRIBUTION Vs. Riddle, Keith Lee, Sheamus and Braun Strowman – Eight-Man Tag Team Match
Team Raw put their dangerous partnership to the test in an extensive Eight-Man Tag Team Match against RETRIBUTION. As the team’s captain, A.J. Styles tried to focus Team Raw on a joint enemy, but RETRIBUTION first found its coveted target. MACE, T-BAR & SLAPJACK all took their rounds, hitting Riddle inside the ring, while Braun Strowman and Sheamus nearly brawled outside it. Just as Team Raw appeared headed for discovery, a debate broke up between all four contestants, and Ali swooped in to pick up the pieces to steal a win for RETRIBUTION.
Winners: Retribution (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace and Slapjack) in 12 minutes
Match Review: 2/5/5 The match was more about the story that pushes the Survivor Series Showdown between an absurd team. ‘Who is the captain of the team’ storyline is getting stale, and I am waiting for the Survivor Series to end so that we can see AJ Styles back as a singles’ Wrestler.
Bray Wyatt Vs. The Miz
The Miz begged for Bray Wyatt to rethink their match, but The A-Lister should have known there is no argumentation with “The Firefly Funhouse” host. Wyatt wore a vicious smile early on, as he took attacks from The Miz before going on the attack. As John Morrison tried to help out his partner, Alexa Bliss came rushing into the picture to tap him over the barricade. Wyatt would turn back to the ring and crush The Miz with a Sister Abigail to command the win.
Winner: Bray Wyatt in 5 minutes.
Match Review: 2/5. Bray Wyatt shows a strong showing who is on a winning-streak, unlike The Miz, who is getting buried again.
Drew McIntyre Vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship Match
Drew McIntyre had exhausted his quest to reclaim the WWE Championship since his loss to Randy Orton at WWE Hell in a Cell. The Scottish Sword brought his Sword to a wrestling match, and The Viper was caught off guard when the match started. As Orton looked content to take a count-out loss to retain his title, Adam Pearce announced the fight would continue with no disqualifications.
After an exhausting back-and-forth, McIntyre’s crash of The Legend Killer through a table appeared to tricky the match’s dynamic. Orton would evade three separate Claymore Kick attempts, but the final one wouldn’t fumble as McIntyre connected to reclaim the WWE Title and set a collision with Roman Reigns for WWE Survivor Series this Sunday.
Winner: Drew McIntyre in 24 minutes
Match Review: 4/5. WOW! The night’s best match goes to this incredible Raw main-event featuring two of the roster’s most talented wrestlers. I liked the narrative of McIntyre trying Claymore Kick and failing three times before finally hitting it on the fourth attempt and winning the match in 24 long minutes of unbelievable storytelling.
NYK Rating of WWE Raw November 16, 2020: 7.75/10.
Three Stars of the show.
- Drew McIntyre
- Randy Orton
- New Day/Hurt Business
