By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live on November 25, 2019 from Chicago, Illinois at Allstate Arena
[Hour One] The Raw opening video aired and then pyro shot off on the stage… Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler were on commentary… A bunch of Raw wrestlers stood around the ring. Seth Rollins entered the ring in regular attire and was booed and taunted with CM Punk chants.
Rollins said he tried to get “him” here. “I’m sorry, he didn’t want to show up,” Rollins said. He said Punk wants to sit behind a desk in Los Angeles and talk about making a change he’s too afraid to make himself. Rollins said this is about everyone in the Raw locker room.
An “NXT” chant broke out. Rollins conceded that NXT mopped the floor with Raw. Rollins said he hates it because he’s been a fan of Raw his entire life. Rollins mentioned a bunch of legends and said it breaks his heart to see what it’s become. “Last night at Survivor Series, you all sucked,” Rollins told the wrestlers.
Rollins said they went from being the A show and they are now the C show and they need to make Raw great again (vomit). Rollins said that if any of the wrestlers wanted to speak up, this was the time. Rollins called out Randy Orton and said he was the weak link. Orton walked to the back. Rollins told him that he would keep being the leader of the brand and Orton could go away.
Rollins called out Charlotte Flair and said she wasn’t even the last one standing for Team Raw. “And you call yourself a Flair,” Rollins said. Charlotte walked to the back. Rollins told AOP that they could have used them the night before and they didn’t need them tonight either. AOP headed to the back.
Rollins asked Rey Mysterio if he had anything to say. Rollins said Mysterio let “all of us down.” The fans booed. Rollins said he beat Brock Lesnar twice this year, but Mysterio couldn’t even get the job done with a lead pipe and “your stupid kid” helping him out. An “asshole” chant broke out.
Mysterio headed up the ramp and the rest of the crew followed. Rollins said these were things that everyone was thinking and he was the only one with the guts to say it. Kevin Owens stayed behind and stood on the apron. A “Kevin Owens” chant broke out. Rollins referred to Owens as Mr. NXT and invited him to say what he had to say.
Owens entered the ring. Rollins said he knew Owens was going to say that he was making it about himself. Rollins said he loves Raw and all he does is think about how it could be better. Rollins said Owens just shows up and doesn’t do anything. “You will never be Seth Rollins,” Rollins said. “I didn’t mean it that way, look, I’m coming from a good place.” Owens kicked Rollins and gave him a Stunner, then left the ring…
Powell’s POV: I groaned when the town hall meeting was announced moments before Raw, but this was unexpected fun with Rollins playing into what the fan perception of him has become. It’s encouraging to see that WWE isn’t going to fight with the fans similar to the way they did for so long with the Roman Reigns’ babyface push. It will be interesting to see how they handle the Rollins and Becky Lynch relationship storyline. Granted, it’s faded into the background, but fans will expect her to have some type of reaction to this.
Backstage, Charly Caruso told Rollins that it didn’t look like things played out the way he hoped. Rollins said he wanted Owens in the ring later in the show…
Bobby Lashley and Lana made their entrance. Footage aired of Rusev at a hotel being served with a restraining order filed by Lana. Security told Rusev that they had to ask him to leave…
1. Bobby Lashley (w/Lana) vs. Titus O’Neil. O’Neil’s entrance was not televised. Rusev hopped the barricade in street clothes and attacked Lashley to end the match.
Bobby Lashley fought Titus O’Neil to an apparent no-contest in 1:00.
Rusev worked over Lashley with punches and ran him into the ring steps and the barricade at ringside. Lashley caught Rusev with a kick, then Rusev put him down with a clothesline. Rusev took Lashley to the stage and tore the broadcast table apart.
Rusev turned and barked at Lana. Before he could do more damage to Lashley, three police officers showed up and put him in handcuffs. Rusev broke away from the cops while handcuffed and shoulder blocked Lashley off the stage. Additional cops showed up, but Rusev kicked some scaffolding off the stage and near Lashley before being taken to the back…
Powell’s POV: WWE appeared to use actual cops rather than independent wrestlers in this segment. Anyway, this was pretty straight forward with Rusev getting some measure of revenge. As noted last week, Rusev vs. Lashley in a standard match is advertised in the Twin Cities for TLC. In fact, they just aired the same ad that also lists Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables match, and Asuka and Kairi Sane vs. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a TLC match for the WWE Women’s Tag Titles.
The broadcast team recapped the angle and then showed footage of Lashley being stretchered out of the building while Lana walked alongside him…
2. “AOP” Akam and Rezar vs. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. The entrance of Hawkins and Ryder was not televised. Both AOP members hoisted up their opponents and performed Death Valley Drivers into opposite corners. They hit the Super Collider, then performed The Last Chapter on Hawkins for the win…
AOP beat Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder in 1:25.
Joseph hyped the three advertised matches heading into a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good squash. Joseph asked Lawler when the last time he saw that type of destruction by a tag team. Lawler said the night before when NXT did a number on Raw. Shouldn’t the correct answer have been every Viking Raiders squash match since I assume they are working toward a showdown match between the two teams? For that matter, the Viking Raiders picked up Raw’s only win at Survivor Series.
Triple H was advertised for Tuesday’s WWE Backstage. There was no mention of CM Punk appearing…
3. Akira Tozawa vs. Andrade (w/Zelina Vega). Tozawa’s entrance was not televised. Andrade hit the double knees in the corner and followed up with a hammerlock DDT for the win…
Andrade defeated Akira Tozawa in 2:25.
Aleister Black delivered a backstage promo. He said Buddy Murphy knocked on his door and now he understands that he has a match tonight. Black said he is coming to collect what he is owed…
Matt Hardy made his entrance for a match heading into a break… [C] Buddy Murphy made his entrance as Hardy’s opponent…
4. Buddy Murphy vs. Matt Hardy. “Wily veteran” Hardy hit a Side Effect on Murphy. Hardy set up for the Twist of Fate moments later and led some Delete chants, but Murphy avoided it and hit Hardy with a knee to the head. Murphy followed up with two more knees to the head and scored the clean pin.
Buddy Murphy beat Matt Hardy in 2:55.
After the match, Murphy, who had a bloody nose, started to say he was there to pick a fight with Aleister Black, but he was interrupted at the end by Black’s entrance music. Black made his usual entrance and headed to the ring. Murphy looked a little fearful, then charged at Black, who worked him over and knocked him out of the ring with a knee to the head. Murphy stumbled at ringside to sell the knee. Murphy teased returning to the ring, but he stopped and backed up the ramp…
Powell’s POV: It’s nice to see Black do more than wait for someone to knock on his door. I hope the plan is to give these two a competitive feud rather than just make this a showcase for Black. Meanwhile, Hardy looked good physically and while I can live with him being used to elevate others, but it would be wise to give him some wins and save his losses for key times.
Charlotte Flair was interviewed by Caruso on the backstage interview set. Flair recalled ending Asuka’s unbeaten streak and took issue with her spraying mist into her face at Survivor Series. Flair said she would remind her why she’s a ten-time champion and the queen…
An ad for Smackdown hyped that Wyatt would reveal a new face in the Firefly Funhouse… [C] Chicago imagery was shown and then the broadcast team recapped the Rollins town hall segment and Owens dropping him with a Stunner… Rollins vs. Owens was hyped for later in the show…
[Hour Two] Ring entrances for the U.S. Title match took place. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson attacked Humberto Carrillo from behind while AJ Styles stood in the ring and applauded them. Styles told Chicago “you’re welcome.” Ricochet came out to check on Carrillo along with multiple referees.
Styles mocked the idea of Carrillo not being medically cleared for their match. Styles mocked Ricochet over the superhero billing. Ricochet asked if this is what has become of the great Styles. Ricochet challenged Styles to a U.S. Title match. Styles said he signed to face Carrillo and that wouldn’t happen because he was just carried to the back.
Randy Orton made his entrance with a mic in hand. Orton said Carrillo might not be able to compete, but he can. Orton said the people of Chicago would love nothing more than to see him RKO Styles through the canvas. Orton challenged Styles to a title match. Styles recalled beating Orton “in a bigger and better city” at WrestleMania. Styles said he had nothing to prove by beating two men he’d already beaten.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance with a mic in hand. McIntyre said he knew a guy that Styles had never faced and never had a title opportunity. McIntyre said he beat a Monster Among Men and Walter (the reference to beating Walter drew boos). McIntyre said Chicago doesn’t deserve the match, but he challenged Styles to a title match. Styles said he was a bit sore after Survivor Series.
Rey Mysterio made his entrance and said that he wasn’t complaining about being sore despite facing Brock Lesnar the night before. Mysterio said he wasn’t going to let Styles cheat the Chicago fans out of a title match and then challenged him to a title match.
Ricochet proposed a four-way between the potential challengers with the winner getting a title shot. Styles wasn’t happy about it, but even Gallows and Anderson endorsed the match. Styles told them to beat the crap out of each other and then he would pick the bones. Joseph said the four-way would happen next… [C] An ad aired for the one-hour Starrcade special that will air on WWE Network this weekend…
Powell’s POV: So none of the babyfaces came out to help Carrillo unless you count Ricochet checking on him after the Gallows and Anderson attack, but they were all right there to ask for a title match?
5. Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Ricochet in a four-way for a shot at the U.S. Championship. Orton and McIntyre worked together for a stretch. It didn’t last, as McIntyre tossed Orton and Mysterio from the ropes in a tower of doom spot. Styles, Gallows, and Anderson walked onto the stage heading into a break. [C]
Orton performed a hanging DDT on Ricochet and went for the pin, but McIntyre broke it up. McIntyre and Orton jawed at one another and then exchanged chops while their opponents were down at ringside. McIntyre got the better of it and told Orton to show him what type of man he is. Orton poked McIntyre in the eye. Orton surveyed the welts on his chest, then McIntyre dropped him with a headbutt.
Ricochet returned and cleared Orton from the ring and avoided the Alabama Slam by countering it into a rollup for a two count. McIntyre came right back by powerbombing Ricochet for a near fall. McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Orton hit him with an RKO.
Orton had the pin, but The OC pulled him to the ring and ran him into the barricade while Joseph noted that there were no disqualifications in a four-way. Mysterio performed a springboard moonsault onto Ricochet, who caught him, but Mysterio turned it into an inside cradle and scored the pin…
Rey Mysterio defeated Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, and Randy Orton in 14:30 in a four-way to earn a U.S. Title shot.
Powell’s POV: It’s another week of McIntyre being protected by not taking a loss and yet not being booked to gain any momentum either. I’m surprised Mysterio wasn’t left off the show to sell the loss to Lesnar, and even more surprised that he was booked to win this match. Will this be the feel good ending to his weekend after coming up short in the match with Lesnar?
Joseph said the U.S. Title match would take place after the break… [C]
6. AJ Styles (w/Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson) vs. Rey Mysterio for the U.S. Title. Mike Rome delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Lawler said repeatedly that Mysterio winning would be the real miracle. Styles dominated the early minutes of the match. Mysterio started to rally, but Anderson tripped him up as he was running the ropes. The referee ejected Anderson and Gallows heading into a break. [C]
Mysterio picked up a couple of near falls. Styles came back and went for a Styles Clash, but Mysterio avoided it and countered into a Canadian Destroyer for a good near fall. Mysterio hit the 619, but Styles ended up tumbling into the referee. REF BUMP!!! Mysterio made the visual pinfall, then Gallows and Anderson returned and attacked him.
Orton ran out and fought off Anderson and Gallows. Orton entered the ring. Mysterio hit a 619 and then Orton hit Styles with an RKO, Mysterio performed a frogsplash and scored the pin as the referee miraculously woke up to count the pin…
Rey Mysterio defeated AJ Styles in 15:30 to win the U.S. Championship.
After the match, Dominick ran out and celebrated with his father… [C]
Powell’s POV: A nice moment for Mysterio that I actually wish would have been for the big title at Survivor Series. Nevertheless, this was a nice way to wrap up the feel good story of Dominick talking his father into continuing his in-ring career.
An ad aired for the WWE TLC pay-per-view…
Charly Caruso stood on the backstage interview set and congratulated Mysterio on his U.S. Title win. She introduced Kevin Owens as her guest. Owens asked if he could have the mic. Caruso handed it over and left the set. Owens said he heard everything Rollins said earlier. Owens said he knew who he was from the start and never tried to be something he was not even when people tried to change him.
Owens said Rollins has tried to be everything he thinks the company needs and wants him to be, but all he’s accomplished is turning himself in an insufferable prick. Owens said the Stunner he gave “Mr. CrossFit” was nothing and the next one will turn Raw into the Kevin Owens Show…
Powell’s POV: A good promo from Owens, who summed up the Rollins, um, character nicely.
[Hour Three] 7. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane). Both wrestlers received televised entrances. Lawler said he had no doubt that Charlotte’s father was looking down on her when she lost at Survivor Series. Joseph said Flair isn’t dead. “Yeah, but he’s very condescending,” Lawler quipped. Sane interfered or caused distractions multiple times. Flair went to ringside and chased Sane into the crowd while Asuka was down at ringside. [C]
Flair performed a fallaway slam and then went up top for a moonsault. Asuka moved and Flair landed on her feet, then rolled onto Asuka and got a two count. Asuka came back with a Codebreaker that resulted in a two count. Flair came back and went for a Natural Selection, but Asuka countered into a triangle lock. Flair countered into a Boston crab. Asuka crawled to the ropes to break it.
Asuka caught Flair with a high kick, then Flair ran the ropes and speared her, which led to a two count. Flair set up for her finisher, but Sane returned to ringside. Flair ran after Sane, caught her, and ran her into the ring post. Sane tried to enter the ring and the referee stopped her. Meanwhile, Asuka sprayed mist into the eyes of Flair and then pinned her…
Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair in 17:20.
The Smackdown ad for the Firefly Funhouse aired again… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good match with a finish that made the referee look like a goof for counting the pin despite Flair looking like She-Hulk. The replay didn’t help matters, as Flair held her hair back, presumably so that the mist would cover as much of her face as possible and wouldn’t be blocked by her hair. All of that said, it’s nice to see Asuka having meaningful matches again.
Joseph touted WWE being named as best at producing live event spectacles by the Sports Business Journal…
8. Erick Rowan vs. Kyle Roberts. Another Rowan pre-tape aired from the perspective of his pet ferret (or whatever is in the cage). Roberts rolled to ringside and snuck a peek inside the cage, but Rowan attacked him and powerbombed him into the ring post. Back inside the ring, Rowan claw slammed Roberts twice and then stood on him while the referee counted the pin…
Erick Rowan beat Kyle Roberts in 1:25.
Powell’s POV: Give the enhancement wrestler some mic time by having Caruso ask him what’s in the cage.
The IIconics hosted a merch segment for Black Friday sales. R-Truth showed up and had them close their eyes, then took the WWE 24/7 Title belt that was on the merch table in front of them…
Split screen shots aired of Owens and Rollins while Joseph said the match was coming up next… [C]
Sarah Schreiber tried to get a comment from AJ Styles while Gallows and Anderson stood by. Styles fumed before finally saying Randy Orton’s name and then walking away…
Joseph and Lawler spoke about what a “crazy” night it had been. They recapped the Rusev, Lashley, and Lana drama. Lawler said Lashley was on his way to a medical facility and Rusev was on his way to jail thanks to his actions…
Powell’s POV: How far away are the hospital and jail from the building?
Lana was interviewed on the backstage interview set by Caruso. Lana said Rusev is obsessed with her and who can blame him. She said WWE should fire “that animal” and send him back to Bulgaria. She said that despite this very traumatic experience, she’s going to be okay…
Seth Rollins made his entrance… [C] Owens made his entrance…
9. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens. Rollins performed an early sling blade clothesline and then sent Owens to ringside. Rollins hit him with a pair of suicide dives and then rolled him back inside the ring. Rollins went for a springboard move that Owens ducked, then Owens delivered a superkick. Rollins picked up a chair. The referee stopped Rollins from bringing the chair into the ring while Joseph wondered what was going through Rollins’ mind. [C]
Owens went for a top rope senton, but Rollins put his knees up. Rollins went on the offensive until Owens cut him off with a DDT. Owens performed a cannonball in the corner and went up top, but Rollins rolled to ringside. Owens went to the apron and then performed a senton onto Rollins on the floor. Owens rolled Rollins back inside the ring, went up top, and frogsplashed him for a near fall.
Owens went for a Popup Powerbomb, but Rollins leapt over him. Rollins performed a Blockbuster and a falcon arrow for a near fall. Rollins got up and looked to the crowd and was booed. Rollins tuned up the band and got some “burn it down” chants. Owens avoided the Stomp twice and then performed a Popup Powerbomb for a near fall.
Rollins stuffed a Stunner and connected with a superkick. Owens fired back with a superkick of his own. Rollins caught Owens with two kicks, then ran the ropes, took a boot to the gut followed by a Stunner. Both men were down on the mat when AOP walked to the ring dressed in suits. They entered the ring and looked at both men. Owens slapped one of the AOP members, then they both attacked him for the apparent no-contest.
Kevin Owens fought Seth Rollins to an apparent no-contest in 14:00.
The AOP duo ran Owens through the ropes and into the ring post shoulder first several times. They lined him up and one of them AOP members kicked his head into the post. AOP left Owens lying. Rollins was still down in the other corner when the AOP duo turned their attention to him and removed their jackets. Rollins got to his feet and yelled “Come on.” Instead, AOP turned and left the ring while the fans booed to close the show.
Rollins looked at Owens and then gave him the Stomp, which drew more boos. Rollins jawed at Owens, then hit him with a second Stomp to close the show…
Powell’s POV: The live crowd wasn’t happy about the finish, but I really like where this seems to be going. Rollins is a heel and it looks like the AOP will be his new sidekicks. Perhaps that’s why they stopped dressing like Shield members? This was a newsworthy show thanks to the Rollins turn and the Mysterio title win. I will have a lot more to say about it in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members. Let me know what you thought of the show by giving it a letter grade in our usual post Raw poll available via the main page.
“Rollins said they went from being the A show and they are now the C show and they need to make Raw great again (vomit). ” Vomit is injecting your political bias into a wrestling review.
Did I write that Donald Trump is a sociopath and we’re a nation of star fuckers who will vote for an unqualified person and allow ourselves to be manipulated into cheering for one side or the other like it’s a team sport? No, but since you accused me, there you go.
Of course some MAGA CHUD would get offended. Fucking snowflakes…
Jason, this might be my favorite PWNet comment of all time
K, you probably go through life treating everything like you’re a customer and you’re always right. He can write his review as he sees fit and doesn’t have to pander. He’s not making your latte ffs.
I would like to hear from K.
Does Seth’s use of “Make Raw Great Again” make Seth a face?
Heel Rollins is a step in the right direction. Still a long way to go for Raw, but they got one of the obvious things right.
Someone needs to advise the ref of Mysterio vs. Styles to look for a new career. A man of roughly his size fell backwards into him and he was knocked out for 3 minutes 😀
I was kind of hoping and this was very far fetched that as Rusev was being arrested, he would manage to grab a gun from one of the cops and presumably blow off one of Bobby Lashley’s testicles. Then he could mockingly refer to Lashley as “old one nut” even though he would be the person who kayfabe maimed him.
Get this man a job in WWE Creative!