This week in pro wrestling we have Raw in the U.K. AEW’s Full Gear fallout and a debut. Another debut in NXT, during a fantastic Ladder Match. A redesign for the WWE Universal Championship. A throw down between SmackDown and NXT women! Find out all you need to know right here!
RAW:
Manchester, England hosted this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw on 11/11/19. To quote classic WCW, this show was taped, it’s in the can! Having said that, it was a quality episode of Raw with some great surprises and tremendous in-ring competition.
Distractions
“The Man” Becky Lynch hyped up the crowd before she and Charlotte teamed up against The Kabuki Warriors. Charlotte stepped in for Natalya, who couldn’t be there due to a family obligation. Shayna Baszler, the NXT Women’s Champion, provided an ample distraction again this week as a distracted Lynch ate a roll-up from Asuka and the Kabuki Warriors, once again upset the apple cart. It’s great to see them getting quality wins, and we have further hype for the triple threat title match at Survivor Series.
We had a backstage segment which would lead to a match later in the show involving Ricochet, the OC, Randy Orton and Humberto Carrillo. It’ll be the OC against Randy Orton, Ricochet and Carrillo later. You read that right.
Drew McIntyre had his way with Sin Cara, beating him in record time with a Claymore Kick. Sin Cara apparently has asked for his release and perhaps he’ll see success elsewhere as he hasn’t had anything more than a “cup of coffee” in the realm of success in WWE.
Erick Rowan interrupted a 24/7 Title segment featuring the Singh Brothers and current champion, R-Truth.
Imperium
Seth Rollins recapped his recent run-ins with not only the NXT roster and Adam Cole, but with Triple H himself. He laid down the gauntlet for a challenge tonight and holy crap, this brought out NXT UK Champion, the imposing Walter, leader of Imperium. They would interrupt a match with the two, causing a DQ and this led to The Street Profits and Kevin Owens coming out for the save and setting up an eight man tag.
The faces would win the match after a stunner from Owens on Marcel Barthel and Rollins got the victory following a Blackout Stomp on Fabian Aichner. This was a solid bout and the crowd rallied behind it. All eight men involved got a good look and the crowd enjoyed it thoroughly.
Andrade got a quick victory over Cedric Alexander following a Hammerlock DDT. Alexander seems stuck in competitive limbo and as talented as he is, hopefully he’ll get a fresh story sooner, rather than later.
Bun In The Oven?
Lana, Rusev and “Bob” Lashley had a segment and mercy, was it a whole thing. Lana says she was pregnant, and it was Rusev’s, and then we’d find out she wasn’t, and it led to Lashley decimating Rusev again this week. Look, I’m not going to beat this over the head, because it’s a story and they are making the best of it. It’s something different, and at times, entertaining. They are the centerpiece of the show and I guess that’s something.
Erick Rowan destroyed a local talent with his iron claw chokeslam maneuver in a squash match. Rowan could be a challenger for a major singles title on Raw if they want to pull the trigger. He’s got to stay healthy too, it was an issue that he had for years prior to this.
The Viking Raiders defeated NXT UK’s Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews with the Viking Experience. This didn’t go all that long, but it was entertaining and the crowd was very happy to see Webster and Andrews featured against the champions.
The Viper Strikes
The main event saw the “faces” defeat the OC and it was rather shocking. Ricochet and Carrillo ran hard as did the OC, but it came down to what orton would do and he surprised everyone by executing the dreaded RKO on AJ Styles for a pinfall victory. You can never trust a viper, but this could be leading to a feud for the US Title which would be something great as it involves two storied veterans.
That ended the show this week and it was pretty great as far as the in-ring action went. The NXT “Invasion” is really giving us some fine contests.-Joel R
AEW Dynamite:
This week on Dynamite follows up from a great and violent PPV, Full Gear. Will Jon Moxley show any ill effects from his ultra violent match with Kenny Omega? Can Darby Allin and Nyla Rose rise in the rankings? Le Champion speaks! Pac vs Page part 3. Chris Jericho, AEW’s first Double Champion? Find out all the answers you wanted, because this is Dynamite!
Moxley is immortal. The big Dino makes a save. Huge 3-way match.
Jon Moxley vs Michael Nakazawa. Moxley wins via Paradigm Shift pin fall.
So, Moxley is fighting in a match just days from one the most brutal matches I have in awhile, and with no ill effects. Ok, this man is part machine, has super soldier serum, or is just plain nuts. This was actually a squash match just to prove that Moxley can win a snactioned match. As Jon got on the mic afterwards and asks “This one counts, right?”. Another great promo from Moxley is follwed as he drops the mic after making a his point.
Dark Order vs Jurassic Express. Dark ORder wins via Fatality pin fall.
The match seemed to be for two things.. displaying Dark Order’s move set and the grit of Jurassic Express’s grit. For what it’s worth it did the job. Marko Stunt filling in for the injured Luchasaurus did his thing by taking nasty bumps, but never giving up. Jungle Boy provided the hot tag moments that were reserved for the bigger guys, but Stunt is really small.
After the pin fall by Dark Order, Evil Uno tries to recruit Marko. The resilient fighter declines and the Dark Order’s Creepers are about to attack. Only for Luchasaurus return and demolish the crew to a huge pop from the crowd! The crowd losses it and all three of Jurassic Express hug it out. Fantastic!
Darby Allin vs Shawn Spears vs Peter Avalon, 3-Way match. Allin wins via Coffin Drop pin fall.
This was just a great display of talent in the ring. The young risk taker Allin, the violent Spears, the veteran and Librarian had a hot match. The crowd was nuts for Darby as they chanted his name early on. Avalon provided his need for comedy and Spears set up a path for feud. As Joey Janela ran in to the no disqualification match and took it to Spears. With it being one on one, Darby hits the Librarian Avalon with a Stunner and Coffin Drop for the win. Afterwards, Allin grabs a mic and accepts Moxley’s challange. Boy O Boy, Darby has a death wish!
Honestly this match again did it what it needed to do. Give some ranking power to Darby, make Spears look good and a new feud, and Avalon providing comedy. Was it a must see match? Nope, but did what it set out to do what it needed to do.
Nyla squashes. Le Champion speaks. Pac Vs Page part 3.
Nyla Rose vs Dani Jordan. Nyla wins via Beast Bomb pin fall.
Squash match? Yup. A new face in the AEW’s women’s division? Again, yup. However, this squash seemed needed. With the crowd turn on Nyla when she fought for the AEW’s Women’s Championship against Riho, it looked primed for a reboot. This was simple and aggressive, with Nyla padding her win/loss record.
Afterwards, Allie was being interviewed by Tony Schiavone before Awesome Kong attacked. With Bradi Rhodes by her side, Kong decimated Alli and cuts a lock of her hair. I said before, and many are saying this, but WTF IS GOING ON HERE?! None of the Kong/Brandi angle is making any sense. I guess AEW is still experimenting, I hope they have a solid plan for it or it needs to stop.
Jericho met his match on the mic?
The Le Champion, Chris Jericho comes out to speak. The master of re-inventing calls Cody Rhodes a “Millennial B*%*h!”. Which in turns, has the American Nightmare’s music play. However, it is MJF coming out and mocking Cody’s entrance. MJF then cuts a promo that is vicious, claiming that a 2nd gen wrestler, like Cody only cares about themselves. After much great banter between Jericho and MJF, Jericho invites MJF to the Inner Circle. MJF scoffs at the idea, then cracks jokes on Jericho’s age.
Then the American Nightmare arrives and unloads on the duo. Yet. it was short lived, as Wardlow arrives and chokes out Cody with his own necktie over the ropes. Cementing the new monster is in league with MJF. Superb use of TV time, not only MJF shined on the mic with Jericho. Cody received some redemption, only to be cut short from a new monster, Wardlow.
PAC vs Adam Hangman Page. PAC wins via stoppage from referee.
Ok, we have all seen this in what seems like many times. However, the chemistry between the duo will always be great. With that being said, this wasn’t up to the level of a match we have seen these two have done. Big aerial moves by PAC, Page finds a way to counter, Adam hits big slobber knockers, repeat.
Only this time the ref stops the fight. Ok, how does this tie into the win/loss record. It may be simple as a loss, but complicated as that Page never gave up. Wacky pro wrestling. I feel this feud needs a break immediately. Despite the great work with the duo, they need to feud with others before returning against each other.
Proud and Powerful attack. Chris Jericho, double Le Champion?
Santana/Ortiz attack Young Bucks.
Proud and Powerful brawled with the Young Bucks which spilled from backstage to the arena. The duo of Santana/Ortiz teed off on the Young Bucks with a sock full of baseballs. Then in old NWO style, Proud and Powerful produced a spray paint can to tag the Young Bucks. However, Brandon Culter and Private Party makes the save. This was what was needed for feud between the two factions. Young Bucks has been seemingly putting over younger talent, they do not need to do so for Santana/Ortiz. That team needs no push, they are deadly and known for it. This felt like a great Civil War happening.
SCU vs Chris Jericho/Sammy Guevara for the AEW Tag Team Championship. SCU retains via cradle pin fall.
Um, wow.. really wow. The most deadliest move in AEW arrives again. In a great n=match that featured SCU and the Inner Circle, Chris Jericho receives his first defeat in AEW. The action was great, the in ring storytelling was on par. The only thing was AEW’s obsession of the roll up pinfall. Not only the AEW’s Women’s champion, Riho has won this many times. The AEW’s Tag Team Champions has won in the same style. I get the shock factor of style of winning, but we just need a clean win more so. Jericho loses it after gaining his first loss. Tossing ring side equipment and pouting.
Was it a good match? Of course it was, Scorpio Sky shined like always, Jericho provides great spots, Sammy proves he is a superstar, Frankie proves that he is overlooked. Great match for the main event, but still lacking due tho the ending. –David G.
NXT:
The build to both Wargames and Survivor Series continued this week with teams both gaining and losing members. The under-card of Wargames also became a little clearer.
205 Action
The night kicked off with a Lio Rush defending his Cruiserweight Title against rising 3rd generation star Angel Garza. Garza became #1 contender by defeating former champ Tony Nese recently, and has had strong showings against a number of opponents. Midway through the match, both men had earned enough respect from the Full Sail crowd for a split cheer. However, Rush lost that support after an unclear finish in which Garza’s foot may have been on or under the rope during the pin. My guess is that this was just the beginning of a longer feud that may continue at TakeOver.
Women Under Attack
Throughout the night we were shown scenes of fallen women outside of the arena. First it was Rhea Ripley and Tegan Nox. Later it was Marina Shafir, Jessamyn Duke, and Candice LeRae with HHH giving orders to his team to tighten security. With both Team Ripley and Team Baszler being targets, it must be someone from Raw or Smackdown perpetrating these attacks. We found out in the closing moments of the night that it was in fact Smackdown Champion Bayley. She completed her onslaught with a chair attack upon Baszler, whom she’ll meet as part of the Women’s Champion Triple Threat at Survivor Series.
Women’s Wargames Teams Set?
Io Shirai and Mia Yim were set to meet in the main event ladder match to determine which team would have the advantage entering Wargames. In a prematch interview Dakota Kai told Yim that there were no hard feelings regarding her selection as the final member of Team Ripley. Kai also vowed to have Yim’s back should anything shady go down during the match.
It was a fairly standard ladder match until Shirai dropkicked the ladder into Yim’s face and busted her open the hard way. While refs tended to Mia, Io did what she could to stall by slowly setting up the ladder and pausing before attempting to climb. You could also see referee Jessika Carr relaying instructions to her from time to time. Thankfully, Yim was able to recover and continue the match.
Dakota Kai was out to check on Yim, and I think many of us were expecting a heel turn here. Instead she and Mia were both hit with a moonsault from Shirai. Kai was quick to get up and attack Shirai before helping Yim back into the ring for the potential win. Instead both were taken out by the surprise appearance of UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray who went on to assist Shirai and seemingly complete Team Baszler.
Surprise!
KLR is a surprising choice for that 4th spot on Team Baszler, but she definitely fits the attitude of the team and will hopefully get a chance to impress folks who may not have seen her work in NXT UK thus far. Meanwhile, rather than turning heel, it now appears Dakota Kai will get into Wargames by replacing an injured member of team Ripley. Yim has already made social media posts that may or may not be kayfabe stating she suffered a nasal fracture and possible rib fractures in the ladder match.
Roster Depth
Mia Yim wasn’t the only woman to suffer a bloody face Wednesday night at Full Sail. Aliyah also bled during her loss to Xia Li. Li is definitely still green, but has a lot of potential and a unique character relying on her Chinese heritage. Meanwhile Aliyah inexplicably keeps losing even though she has Vanessa Borne on the sidelines with her and the potential for that to be a heel advantage.
We also saw Isaiah Swerve Scott take on Bronson Reed in a pretty good mix of styles. It’s a little unclear why they would book this match when both men could really use a string of wins to build momentum. Instead, they win one week and lose the next as they wait to be given larger opportunities. This week it was Swerve’s turn to win, and they did do a respectful handshake post match to ease some of the sting of Reed losing. Swerve could potentially get his big moment sooner rather than later if other events of the night go his way.
Tensions between Pete Dunne, Killian Dain and Damian Priest also continued to intensify. I fully expect the inevitable triple threat to be announced next week to fill out the TakeOver card.
Overlapping Tales
One particular long segment of the night successfully weaved together multiple ongoing stories for the top stars of the black and gold brand. It all began with Finn Balor in the ring showing the same fire that has regularly excited me since his heel turn. With Johnny Gargano unable to compete at TakeOver, Balor has shifted his focus to Matt Riddle, who responded by attacking the cocky Irishman. Riddle was then attacked by Undisputed Era who were then stopped in their tracks by Tomasso Ciampa and Keith Lee.
Lee wanted to fight Cole, but Roderick Strong offered up himself instead. This led to yet another fantastic match of conflicting styles between the two. Lee was victorious, but of course things inevitably broke down into a melee between the two Wargames teams. Balor even returned to get some payback on Riddle and the heels had a clear 5 on 3 advantage. Dominik Dijakovic hit the scene and cleaned house before offering his services to Team Ciampa. Handshakes with both Ciampa and Lee seemed to make it official.
Team Ciampa was finally complete, but not for long. We later found out that Riddle would no longer be participating in Wargames. He will instead be fighting Finn Balor at TakeOver in a match that could potentially steal the show. As for the final member of Team Ciampa, that remains a big question mark. Does someone like Swerve get a big opportunity on a big stage? Do they bring in someone else from UK? Where’s Kushida been the last few weeks? It’s a real shame that Gargano and Velveteen Dream are both injured currently, but this could be a big opportunity for someone else. ~Jason M.
NXT UK
This week in the UK we saw a tale of 3 very different, but quite solid matches…
Nontitle Match
The show started with plucky underdog favorite Xia Brookside taking on UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray in a nontitle match. It was a solid showing for young Brookside, and she will eventually get her time with the title I’m sure. These two could even deliver a much longer program against one another down the line. However, for now, I think the champ is heading towards a clash with fellow Scot Piper Niven. They continued building Niven via another video package this week, and they clearly have big plans for her since Rhea Ripley essentially passed her the torch not so long ago.
Rematch Woes
The 1st time Ligero and Travis Banks fought the match ended in a double pin that satisfied neither man. Here in round two they both increased the aggression a bit while still delivering a quality match. Alas, even though Banks officially won the match this time, it was a tainted victory. Joseph Conners showed up and interfered by attacking Ligero without Banks or the ref noticing. After the match, Conners went on to assault both men before cutting an angry promo about all of the opportunities he SHOULD have gotten but hasn’t. He vows that until he gets those opportunities the rest of the roster will continue to suffer.
Masterclass
Inaugural WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate and “Wrestling Genius” Kassius Ohno were given the entire second half of the show to put on a 30 minute masterpiece. I’m not even sure what to say about this one. It simply must be seen. After nearly 30 full minutes of back and forth, the “big strong boy” Bate succeeded in hitting the Tyler Driver 97 on his larger adversary for the win. Bate has already accomplished so much at such a young age that I can’t wait to see what else wrestling has in store for him.
Next Week
Ridge Holland, who has had a couple of video teases recently, makes his debut next week. He looks impressive in those videos, so hopefully this isn’t another case of NXT UK hyping someone who turns out to be a dud upon arrival.
We also saw footage this week of William Regal paying a visit to the UK PC and chatting with UK GM Johnny Saint and his assistant Sid Scala. The men were interrupted by Imperium’s Alexander Wolfe who pleaded to get a match against Ilja Dragunov as soon as possible. Saint granted that request, and the match will happen next week. ~Jason M.
Friday Night SmackDown:
This week on Friday Night SmackDown, King Corbin calls out Roman Reigns. Shorty G and Ali fight to be on Team SmackDown. New Day defends the SmackDown Tag Team titles. SmackDown vs NXT women’s rumble! Daniel Bryan answers Bray Wyatt and his Fun House! Find out you need to know for SmackDown, right here!
The Kingdom vs The Yard. The Monster hates power points. New Day defends title.
The start and match. Chad Gable/Mustafa Ali vs Dolph Ziggler/Bobby Roode for spot in Team SmackDown. Ali wins via 450 Splash pin fall.
King Corbin is carried out by a legion of men, like royalty. After bantering with the aid of Ziggler/Roode. Roman Reign’s music hits, only to be dubbed over by high pitched yappy dog. Shorty G and Ali arrive to put an end to it. Thus making a match on the winners will be on Team SnmackDown.
The match was pretty good, albeit a tad too long. Both Roman and Corbin were at ringside cheering and stuff on. Things went into fury pace near the end, with Ziggler almost stealing the win with a roll up. However, Gable manged to tag in Ali and the high flyer hits the 450 splash to retain his and Gable’s spot on Team SmackDown. I would give this a “B+” match. It did what it needed to do, but went on a tad too long.
Drew Gulak is a genius, The Monster hates power points.
Drew Gulak has another power point presentation, this time with The B-Team at his side. Braun sat for bit and watched, but then it was enough. The B-Team attack Strowman as Drew quickly escapes, leaving The Monster to obliterate The B-Team. I do love me some Gulak promos and Strowman destroying people. However, this was just… something that added nothing. Hopefully we will get the true technical Drew vs a monster hitting Braun. I doubt that though.
New Day vs The Revival. New Day retain title via disqualification.
A superb match with a great mid match twist. It is hard to find an awful match from New Day. Whether it is Big E/Kofi, Woods/Big E, Kofi/Big E, Kofi/Woods, etc. Team that up with the overlooked and classical Revival, you know this will be a classic match. This time with Xavier Woods out, it is up to Kofi/Big E to retain.
The match was a clinic on how to do Tag Team 101, the advance class. The action swayed to the advantage of both teams. Then it happened, The Undisputed Era attacked! Causing a DQ win for New Day. After a beating from UE, the lower mid card of SmackDown workers and Heavy Machinery make the save.
Heavy Machinery squashes. Nikki Cross takes on Bayley. SmackDown ladies brawl with NXT ladies.
Heavy Machinery vs local talent, Kip Stevens/Kevin Timms. Heavy Machinery wins via Compactor pin fall.
After making the save for New Day, Otis and Tucker squash local talent. This is WWE spinning it’s wheels yet again. I get it, they.. we all love Heavy Machinery. Yet do not have a story or feud for them. So let’s have them squash people! Umm, yeah no thanks. The charismatic duo deserves better, even the titles. Give it to them WWE.
Nikki Cross vs Bayley… No Contest.
Ok, this was weird, but with every second passing it turned out to be awesome. Backstage Sasha Banks said she will not be ringside so Bayley can beat Nikki in a very awkward segment. So the two clash, but as as soon Shana Bayzler arrives. This sent Bayley packing only to run into the NXT Survivor Series team in the audience. The Blue brand women’s locker room emerge, Carmella, Dana Brooks, and Sasha Banks. It was a brawl until NXT’s team decided to leave, Sasha wasn’t having any of it and issued a challenge SmackDown vs NXT.. RIGHT NOW!
Team SmackDown, Sasha Banks/Nikki Cross/Dana Brooks/Carmella vs Team NXT, Rhea Ripley/Dakota Kai/Mia Yim/Teagen Nox. Cross wins via The Purge pin fall.
WOWIE YOWIE Rhea Ripley shined so much in this match, that I had to wear three pair of sunglasses during this match! Early on Carmella was the sacrificial lamb, then it became Sasha vs Rhea and it was ON! Rhea not only put the Boss in her place but even power rolled out of the Bank Statement, like a savage crocodile! Afterwards the whole match broke down into a free for all. With Nikki hitting the Purge on Dakota Kia for the pin.
Let me rewind for a bit. All the ladies did great, however Rhea was on another level. If you never seen Rhea in NXT or NXT UK, she is like a very intimating Cesaro. That alone scares the stuffing out of me and I’m not even fighting her! This was Rhea’s spotlight and she not only took it. Ripley ran with it so hard it became a super nova.
The Fiend, Daniel Bryan, and Miz walk into an arena… and new Universal Championship.
It is time for Miz TV to close out the show. With special guest, Daniel Bryan. Quick recap of the segments leading up to this. A Firefly Fun House aired earlier with Wyatt becoming a magician and transforming the Universal belt into a beautiful blue belt. No seriously, no sarcasm it looks great! Then Bray states that “HE” will be watching Miz TV.
Backstage, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura asks, then almost pleads for Bryan to join them. The Yes Movement Leader and Planet’s Champion declines, which sends Sami into a fury while trashin Braun Strowman. The Monster was behind Sami the whole time, Oopps!
Miz TV.
Now on Miz TV, The Miz asks valid questions, only to be ignored by Bryan. So The Miz answered his own questions, and states that Daniel Bryan is not the man 10yrs ago. Bryan responded, agreeing with Miz. Leading on a “soul searching promo”, only to be interrupted by Wyatt. Bray then taunts Daniel with his old “YES!” chants, but in a disturbing way. That ended the show and it was golden. All three men held their own in the promo segments and made people wanting more. In an on the par show, this had gold material all over it. – David G
NEWS
- Sin Cara has requested his release from WWE. He just signed a new deal in March and should be under contract with WWE until around 2022. It’s unlikely that his release will be granted given the current climate and competition between companies.
- Stone Cold Steve Austin has a new monthly show debuting on the WWE Network immediately following Survivor Series on November 24th. It’s just been revealed that his guest on that first episode will be the Undertaker. Taker almost never makes appearances like this, so it should be pretty exciting to see what he and Austin end up chatting about.
- Johnny Wrestling will not be battling Finn Balor at TakeOver OR joining Team Ciampa inside Wargames. Gargano is currently not medically cleared due to a neck injury of some sort, and will not be ready to go next week.
- The Miz and Paige are the latest stars to sign new, multi-year contracts with WWE.
- After months of off and on rumors and negotiations, CM Punk shocked the world by showing up at the end of WWE Backstage on FS1 this week. His contract is with Fox, not WWE, and he’s currently only set to work on Backstage. That doesn’t mean the door hasn’t been opened, at least a little bit, for him to return to a WWE ring in the future.
- NXT Breakout Star Jordan Myles has quit the WWE, according to his profanity laced social media video. Now going as “ACH”, he states that he will “Never work for that racist company again.” This a very sticky situation for both parties, steaming from a very questionable t-shirt for Myles.The t-shirt can easily offend anyone that gazed upon it. Yet anyone can quit any promotion, however, what was said in the contract the talent signed is another thing.
Current PPV Cards:
NXT TakeOver Wargames: Saturday November 23
- Men’s Wargames Match: Undisputed Era vs Tomasso Ciampa, Dominik Dijakovic, Keith Lee & ?
- Women’s Wargames Match: Rhea Ripley, Tegan Nox, Candice LeRae & Mia Yim vs Shayna Baszler, Io Shirai, Bianca Belair & Kay Lee Ray
- Finn Balor vs Matt Riddle
Survivor Series: Sunday November 24
- WWE Championship: Brock lesnar© vs Rey Mysterio
- Raw Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch vs Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley vs NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler
- Raw Tag Champions Viking raiders vs Smackdown Tag Champions The New Day vs NXT Tag Champions Undisputed Era
- United States Champion AJ Styles vs Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong
- Men’s Survivor Series Match: Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Ricochet, Kevin Owens & Drew McIntyre) vs Team Smackdown (Roman Reigns, King Corbin, Mustapha Ali, Shorty G, & Braun Strowman) vs Team NXT
- Women’s Survivor Series Match: Team Raw vs Team Smackdown (Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke, Carmella, Lacey Evans) vs Team NXT
