10/28 WWE Raw Results: Powell’s review of WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins vs. Erick Rowan in a falls count anywhere match, Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Kairi Sane, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan’s final push for Crown Jewel, Drew McIntyre vs. Ricochet 

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live on October 28, 2019 from St. Louis, Missouri at Enterprise Center

[Hour One] The Raw opening video aired… Pyro shot off on the stage and then the broadcast team of Vic Joseph, Dio Maddin, and Jerry Lawler checked in while being shown on camera. They hyped Crown Jewel and some previously advertised matches and segments…

Paige’s music played and she was introduced by ring announcer Mike Rome. Paige walked onto the stage and welcomed viewers to Raw. She said she’s been advising a special tag team and is proud to be even a small part of their success. Paige introduced “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane.

The trio headed to the ring while footage was shown of Asuka spraying green mist into the face of Becky Lynch. Paige recalled introducing fans to Asuka and Sane six months ago. She listed some of the credentials of both women. She said putting them together could have backfired, but now they stand in front of the fans as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Asuka ripped the mic out of the hand of Paige and spoke in Japanese. Paige looked surprised and book the mic back only to have Sane take it away from her. Sane spoke in Japanese and laughed and then the mic fell when Paige tried to pick it up. Paige went to get the mic, but Asuka sprayed green mist at Paige’s face.

Becky Lynch ran out and chased the heels to ringside. Lynch wore a shirt that read, “I don’t care about your stupid feelings.” Amen, Becky. The Kabuki Warriors attacked Lynch at ringside, but she quickly rallied and got the better of both women. Lynch rolled Sane inside the ring. Sane rolled out the other side of the ring heading into the first commercial break… [C]

Powell’s POV: With that green mist on Paige’s face, someone who tuned into Raw late may have assume that she was dressing up as the Wicked Witch of the West for Halloween. Obviously, WWE has opted to pull her from the Kabuki Warriors’ act as their mouthpiece. I didn’t think they were a great fit, but I’m surprised that creative apparently no longer feels the team needs a mouthpiece. It will be interesting to see if Paige aligns with another team or if she plays some other role on WWE television beyond her appearances on the WWE Backstage studio show.

1. Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Kairi Sane in a non-title match. Sane begged off to start the match and then tried to cheap shot Lynch, who saw it coming. Sane rolled to ringside and hugged Asuka. A short time later, Lynch went for her finisher, but Sane avoided it and rolled to the floor again. Lynch went to ringside. Sane leapt off the ring steps, but Lynch caught her with a clothesline. Lynch bickered with Asuka. Lynch grabbed the legs of Sane, who kicked her into the ring steps and post. [C]

Lynch hit an exploder suplex for a near fall shortly after the break. Sane rallied with a cool leg submission hold. Lynch countered into a pin for another near fall. Sane caught Lynch with a nice DDT that led to a good near fall. Sane went up top for her finisher, but Lynch cut her off and eventually slammed her from the ropes to the mat. Lynch performed a legdrop from the middle rope for another two count. Lynch showed frustration over not getting the pin.

Lynch caught Sane with a couple of kicks and then leapt off the apron to punch Asuka. Lynch returned to the ring where she was tagged with a spinning back fist that gave Sane another two count. Sane screamed out of frustration. Lynch applied her Disarmer finisher and got the submission win.

Becky Lynch defeated Kairi Sane in 14:50 in a non-title match.

After the match, Lynch reached down to offer Sane a handshake. Sane kicked her feet in the air, then Lynch gave her a dismissive hand gesture…

Powell’s POV: A very pleasant surprise. It’s not that I’m surprised the match was good because of who was involved, it’s that I’m surprised they were given so much time and had a good, competitive match. I didn’t think that would be the plan when Lynch got the better of Sane and Asuka when they fought at ringside before the match.

Footage aired of last week’s weird restaurant angle involving Rusev, Lana, and Bobby Lashley. The broadcast team hyped Rusev and Lana appearing on The King’s Court, which is labeled “The Divorce Court” this week. They also hyped other previously advertised matches…

R-Truth made his “What’s Up” entrance. A graphic hyped R-Truth vs. Buddy Murphy for after the break… [C] A Crown Jewel ad aired and focused on the Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt match…

R-Truth stood in the ring and was interviewed by Charly Caruso, who noted that he would be facing Buddy Murphy. Truth said Murphy isn’t his buddy, he doesn’t even know the guy. She brought up Sunil Singh beat Truth to win the WWE 24/7 Championship with help from his brother Samir Singh last week. Truth said he knew he needed another set of eyes to watch his back. Truth pulled out a pair of glasses and said LensCrafters was having a sale on bifocals. Truth said he will pin “Ranjin Singh” and become a 52-time champion.

Buddy Murphy’s generic music interrupted Truth and he made his entrance. Murphy said Truth is so focused on the 24/7 Championship that he might not know who he is yet, but he added that Truth won’t forget him after their match…

2. R-Truth vs. Buddy Murphy. The broadcast team noted that Truth was actually a 20-time 24/7 Champion. Truth picked up a couple of near falls on Murphy. The Singh Brothers ran around the ring and a lot of the usual suspects followed. Truth left the ring to join the chase. Once Truth returned to the ring, Murphy hit him with a knee to the head and pinned him…

Buddy Murphy beat R-Truth in 2:30.

An ad for Smackdown hyped Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin, and Bray Wyatt appearing on Miz TV… [C]

Powell’s POV: Murphy boasting that Truth would never forget him had me hopeful that he would go over strong, not win because Truth was distracted by the 24/7 Title silliness. It didn’t help that despite taking the knee to the head, Truth rolled to ringside and went back to running after the title. By the way, an AEW Dynamite ad aired on DirecTV for the first time in a couple of weeks on Raw, and an NXT ad followed moments later.

The AOP sat in front of a black backdrop and spoke in their native tongues. They said they will own the division and concluded by saying that’s all you get to know about them this week…

The Street Profits made their entrance from the stage and went into the crowd before heading to the ring. Angelo Dawkins handed a microphone to Montez Ford and then they hugged. They paused to let a “we want the smoke” chant develop. Ford said they showed up and showed out when they won their debut last week.

Dawkins said you always remember your first. He also gave a shout out to Kevin Owens for his assist. Ford recalled that he kissed a baby. Dawkins said he was an afterparty and kissed on a honey, but he forgot her name. They got another “we want the smoke” chant. Their music played and they exited through the crowd while saying, “We want the smoke” repeatedly…

Split screen shots aired of Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan with Jimmy Hart… Another NXT ad aired and played up the Finn Balor turn… [C]

Powell’s POV: It’s encouraging to hear the live crowd getting behind the Street Profits. They have a fun act that feels fresh even on a show filled with a lot of new acts. I was actually surprised that WWE didn’t make them part of their preview for tonight’s show.

Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and Jimmy Hart were in the ring coming out of the break. Hogan’s music played while he and Flair bickered. Ricochet made his entrance followed by Drew McIntyre for what was labeled a preview of the Team Flair vs. Team Hogan match for Crown Jewel.

3. Drew McIntyre (w/Ric Flair) vs. Ricochet (w/Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart). Joseph played up that Ricochet is a real life superhero (make it stop). McIntyre made it to ringside when Ricochet hit him with a suicide dive. Ricochet rolled McIntyre inside the ring and the referee called for the bell to start the match. Ricochet dumped McIntyre to the floor and performed another dive, but this time he sold rib pain. The broadcast team pointed out that he was wearing tape on his ribs and assumed it was due to an injury suffered when McIntyre beat him last week.

[Hour Two] McIntyre went on the offensive and suplexed Ricochet at ringside. Inside the ring, the referee checked on Ricochet. McIntyre gave Ricochet a leg drop and then rolled to ringside and got in Hogan’s face. Back in the ring, McIntyre performed an abdominal stretch and drove his elbow into Ricochet’s ribs. McIntyre continued to dominate the match and taunt Hogan. McIntyre performed a crucifix buckle bomb and then posed in Hogan style. Back inside the ring, McIntyre remained in control going into a break. [C]

McIntyre went for another crucifix buckle bomb, but Ricochet countered into a huracanrana that drove McIntyre into the corner instead. Ricochet performed a springboard clothesline and a springboard moonsault for a near fall. McIntyre rallied and slammed Ricochet face first into the mat and covered him for another near fall. Hogan shouted that it was now or never for Ricochet. McIntyre turned Ricochet inside out with a clothesline and got another two count.

A short time later, McIntyre went for a Claymore Kick, but Ricochet beat him to it with a superkick. Ricochet went up top and went for a 450 Splash. McIntyre rolled out of the way and Ricochet rolled back to his feet only for Randy Orton to put Ricochet down with an RKO for the DQ finish.

Ricochet defeated Drew McIntyre by DQ in 17:00.

After the match, they cut to a shot of a little girl who was giddy over Orton appearing. McIntyre did the Hogan point at Hogan. Orton’s music played…

Powell’s POV: A very good match and I’ll take the DQ finish over the parity booking that Ricochet pinning McIntyre would have been. I just hope that McIntyre taunting Hogan isn’t being done to set up McIntyre to get roughed up by Hogan to take the fall for his team on Thursday. Then again, Randy Orton beat Triple H at the last Saudi show and that’s basically been forgotten, so maybe it doesn’t even matter. Speaking of Orton, it’s odd that he is a heel and yet WWE doesn’t seem to mind him being cheered. In fact, they even replayed the shot of the young girl freaking out over him after the match.

The broadcast team hyped the Rusev and Lana segment and the falls count anywhere match…

Humberto Carrillo was standing backstage while The OC trio glared at him. AJ Styles said he was impressed by Carrillo’s performance. He said it wasn’t that many moons ago when he was a rookie and now he’s an inspiration. Styles said it was cool that Carrillo debuted against Rollins. “But amigo, if you’re looking to prove yourself against a top champion then you picked the wrong one,” Styles said. He told Carrillo that if he wants to prove himself against a real champion then he should step inside the ring with him tonight…

An ad touted WrestleMania tickets gong on sale… [C] St. Louis imagery was shown…

4. Raw Tag Champions “The Viking Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Rizzo and Bryant in a non-title match. Rizzo and Bryant were two independent wrestlers who dressed up in Chicago Cubs gear to get a heel reaction from the crowd. The Viking Raiders won the squash match using the Viking Experience finisher…

The Viking Raiders beat Rizzo and Bryant in a non-title match in 2:00.

Joseph hyped Styles vs. Carrillo for later in the show… Lana was shown looking upset while sitting on a chair with Bobby Lashley, who had his arm around her… [C]

Powell’s POV: The wrestlers were named after Cubs’ players Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. It was corny to see wrestlers dressed entirely in baseball gear (yes, I remember the awful Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz gimmick). And the bit fell flat, presumably in part because the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs in the NLCS, and the Cubs didn’t even make the playoffs (sorry, Brian Fritz).

Andrade and Zelina Vega made their entrance. Backstage, Charly Caruso interviewed Sin Cara, who introduced a masked woman named Catalina to have his back. She spoke in Spanish and then they made their entrance for the match…

5. Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) vs. Sin Cara (w/Catalina). Andrade knocked Sin Cara off the ropes. With Sin Cara down, Zelina laid down and struck a pose while smiling on the mat next to him. Later, Vega stood on the apron and bickered with the referee. Catalina tried to pull her down, but Vega kicked her aside. Vega went for a huracanrana on Catalina, who caught her and then flung her into the barricade. A distracted Sin Cara was rolled up and pinned by Andrade, who had his feet on the ropes for leverage…

Andrade beat Sin Cara in 3:10.

Charlotte Flair and Natalya were shown walking backstage together. Joseph said they would be teaming up after the break… [C] Another ad aired for WWE Crown Jewel and focused on Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship…

Powell’s POV: That was Catalina Garcia, who was in the August 2019 class of WWE Performance Center recruits. With Sin Cara losing again, it’s hard to say whether she’s going to be a regular part of his act or if this was just a one off. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if she sticks around and we get some mixed tag matches.

6. Charlotte Flair and Natalya vs. “The IIconics” Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. The ring entrances were televised, but the IIconics did not get their usual mic time while walking to the ring. Natalya was isolated for a stretch. Flair cleared Royce from the ring. Kay walked over and set up to take a swing at Flair, then stopped halfway through and delivered the rest of it in slow motion. Ouch. Natalya put Kay in the Sharpshooter for the win…

Charlotte Flair and Natalya beat The IIconics in 4:20.

Powell’s POV: Oh, Billie Kay. Aside from making sure Charlotte and Andrade were on the same brand due to their real life relationship, I still have no clue why they put Flair and Becky Lynch on the same brand.

Seth Rollins was interviewed on the backstage set by Caruso. Rollins received a mixed reaction when she introduced him. Rollins mentioned the host city to get an easy pop. He spoke about his match with Erick Rowan and said he fights to prove himself. He mentioned taking it to another level like when he burned down the Firefly Funhouse. He said he’s not stupid and knew it wouldn’t stay gone forever. Rollins said the only way to end The Fiend is to beat The Fiend to keep him away from his title… [C]

7. WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins vs. Erick Rowan in a non-title falls count anywhere match. The broadcast team played up Rowan’s history with Bray Wyatt.

[Hour Three] Rollins and Rowan fought into the crowd and then up the stairs and into the concourse area. Rowan threw Rollins over a table and into a t-shirt display, then picked him up and gave him a uranage through a merch table. [C]

The wrestlers were back at ringside coming out of the break. Rowan performed a flying body press on Rollins and got a two count on the floor. Rowan picked up Rollins and threw him back first into the ring post and covered him for another two count. Rowan took Rollins to the stage and barked that it’s his first time on Raw and Rollins was trying to embarrass him.

Rowan cleared the broadcast table and tried to slam Rollins through it, but Rollins landed on his feet and hit a Stomp on the table. Rollins covered Rowan for another two count. Maddin referred to the move as a Curb Stomp (and probably got an earful). Rollins hit Rowan with a chair and followed him into a backstage area. Rowan threw Rollins into some pipes were were just leaning against some production crates.

Rowan picked up a road case and threw it at Rollins, who moved and then hit Rowan twice with a small ladder. Rollins delivered a Stomp onto the ladder. Rollins rolled Rowan under a forklift and then barked at the operator to turn it on. Rollins lowered the forklift onto Rowan and then stood on the pallet while the referee counted the pin. Rollins returned to the arena and celebrated with the title belt…

Seth Rollins beat Erick Rowan in 15:20 in a non-title falls count anywhere match.

Powell’s POV: I’m shocked that they didn’t blow off the brand split rules to have Bray Wyatt get involved in this somehow. I’m not complaining, I’m just surprised. I guess the forklift finish was meant to protect Rowan. If Rollins wins at Crown Jewel, then I expect something even more over the top, as it would be a big mistake to have him pin The Fiend clean.

Lashley was shown telling Lana that he’d go to the ring with her if she wanted him to. Lana said she would do it alone. They kissed… [C] An ad aired for Crown Jewel and focused on Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury…

Aleister Black spoke in front of a backdrop and said the next time he walks to the ring one of two things will happen. He said he will make sure whoever he faces will have an intimate relationship with fear right before he takes his head off, or they will come running to pick a fight with him…

The broadcast team spoke about WWE Crown Jewel and set up footage of Brock Lesnar attacking Cain Velasquez, Rey Mysterio, and Dominick Mysterio on Smackdown. They ran through the card and noted that the battle royal for a shot at the U.S. Title would occur on the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show (good lord)… The OC made their entrance… [C]

8. U.S. Champion AJ Styles (w/Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson) vs. Humberto Carrillo in a non-title match. Styles performed a tornado DDT off the ringside barricade going into an early break. [C] Carrillo picked up a couple of near falls coming out of the break. Carrillo went for a moonsault, but Styles moved. Carrillo landed on his feet, but Styles put him down with a reverse DDT for a two count.

Carrillo came back and hit a moonsault for a near fall. Carrillo overshot the moonsault slightly and the broadcast team used that to explain why Styles was able to kick out of the move. Carrillo went back to the ropes and leapt at Styles, who appeared to shoulderblock his his knee on the way down. Styles applied a Calf Crusher and Carrillo quickly tapped out.

AJ Styles defeated Humberto Carrillo in 9:25 in a non-title match.

After the match, Styles told Gallows and Anderson that he was going to shake Carrillo’s hand. Carrillo got back to his feet and Styles offered him a handshake. Carrillo went to accept, but Styles pulled his hand back. Carrillo punched Styles, who kicked his bad leg out from under him and then performed a Styles Clash. Styles called for Gallows and Anderson. The Street Profits ran out. Styles ducked to ringside and then the Street Profits cleared Gallows and Anderson from the ring…

A video package recapped the Rusev, Lana, and Bobby Lashley saga… [C] Another Smackdown ad aired…

Powell’s POV: A good match between Styles and Carrillo, but not as hot as last week’s Rollins vs. Carrillo match. I assume the angle with the Street Profits will set up a six-man tag match for next week. Meanwhile, I can’t believe they are closing the show with the Divorce Court segment. Let’s see what they got.

Jerry Lawler stood in the ring for The King’s Court and said they may as well call it The Divorce Court. He said they would find out if divorce is the best option for Rusev and Lana. Lawler introduced Rusev, who came out and slapped hands with fans on his way to the ring. Lawler introduced Lana, whom he noted was still legally the wife of Rusev. Lana walked to the ring wearing a blue dress. Rusev smiled as she approached the ring.

Lana walked past Rusev and grabbed a mic, then held up her arms while the fans booed. Lawler noted that Rusev was wearing his wedding band in hopes that they could reconcile. Lana said she didn’t want to air their dirty laundry or embarrass Rusev, but she has to put up with fans hating on her, saying mean things about her, and bullying to her face and behind her back. A Rusev Day chant broke out.

Lana said the truth is their marriage was only about what Rusev wanted and that was sex. “Well, can you blame me?” Rusev asked. Lana said Rusev wanted sex in the morning, afternoon, and evening. She said Rusev wanted sex in the kitchen, the arena, the doctor’s office, and the locker room at WrestleMania. Lana said Rusev is a sex addict. Fans cheered.

Lana said Rusev only wanted to put a baby insider her. She said he knew more about her monthly cycle than she did. Rusev said he never intended to have a child with her, then said he wanted to grow a family with her (huh?). Lana said she has a modeling career. She said she makes money by being the most ravishing woman in the world, not being Mama Rusev.

Lawler asked if everything that happened between her and Rusev was because he wanted a baby. Lana said it’s because Rusev cheated on her. Rusev acted shocked. Lana told him that Lashley told her that Rusev cheated. Rusev continued to deny the accusation.

Powell’s POV: It’s true, Lana, and here’s my phone number. Er, um, never mind.

Lashley made his entrance in his wrestling gear. Once Lashley to the ring, Rusev kicked him and then worked him over at ringside while another “Rusev Day” chant broke out. Lashley fought back and set up for a spear in the ring, but Rusev rallied. Rusev removed his wedding ring and yelled, “Is this what you want?” at Lana. Rusev turned back to Lashley and shoved the ring in his mouth.

Lana entered the ring and hit Rusev with a kendo stick several times, but he no-sold it. Rusev asked why she was doing this and said he loved her. Lashley low-blowed Rusev and then Lana slapped him. Lashley kicked Rusev in the balls. Lashley and Lana made out in the ring while standing above the fallen Rusev to close the show…

Powell’s POV: Rusev is over enough that the live crowd had some fun with this. It doesn’t change the fact that the storyline is hokey, but at least it didn’t die a thousand deaths in front of the live crowd. Overall, Raw continued to spotlight the younger talent and that’s encouraging, but hopefully we’ll get some good storyline developments soon because there really isn’t much going on in that regard aside from the love triangle. I will have more to say about this show in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members. Let me know what you think of the show by voting in our weekly post show poll that is available in a separate post on the main page.