Posted on 11/25/125 by Bob Magee
Show Recap —
Ozzy Osbourne’s “War Pigs” welcomed us to Raw in Oklahoma
City as they displayed footage of the WarGames cages being
built at Petco Park in San Diego for Saturday’s Survivor
Series.
The Vision (with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre), Penta,
Carmelo Hayes, and Becky Lynch were shown arriving at Paycom
Center.
Roman Reigns kicks off Monday Night Raw
Reigns entered and was greeted with chants of “OTC,” so he
greeted them with, “OKC. Acknowledge me.” They did. That’s
all he could say before Cody Rhodes interrupted.
Rhodes did his full entrance, and it was 8:14 pm by the time
they got going. Rhodes wanted to acknowledge that Reigns was
a man of his word, but the last time Reigns gave him his
word, it was for a match. This time, it was for war. Rhodes
wondered what was in it for Reigns.
Reigns said he’s been involved in this war, whereas Rhodes
was just joining now. Reigns said they didn’t know each
other well, but they did know something about each other,
and that’s that they didn’t play around when it came to
family. Half of this team was his family. He’s been invested
in The Usos for a long time, and he was there to see that
investment through.
Rhodes was content with that and stated, “Welcome to my
team,” before offering a handshake. Reigns didn’t shake his
hand, and they were interrupted by CM Punk.
Punk looked directly in Reigns’ face before starting with
his usual line. He then said, “OKC. Acknowledge us.” Punk
admitted he was stealing Reigns’ best stuff, but it was for
good reason. This was an all-star WarGames.
Punk didn’t need Reigns’ word because he saved his life at
last year’s event. Reigns quickly said Punk ruined his life
just four months later. Punk knew that gave Reigns a reason
to stab him in the back, but Punk wasn’t worried because
that meant Reigns would be stabbing his own family in the
back.
Punk sarcastically stated that Reigns would never be mean to
his own family, or put them between a “rock” and a hard
place.
Rhodes tried to settle things down, but Punk asked Rhodes
why he referred to them as his (Rhodes’) team. Punk reminded
him that this was his show. Reigns quipped that Punk and
Rhodes should just whip ‘em out now and start measuring.
Reigns didn’t care whose team it was. He hated Paul Heyman
and hated The Vision. Punk could count on the fact that
Reigns hated them more than he hated him.
Reigns left the ring, but not before stating that the title
belt would look better on his shoulder. Punk asked which of
them they were referring to. Reigns answered off-mic by
saying they could figure it out themselves.
(Punk was good here, but I’m not sure how much intrigue this
really added to WarGames. If Punk and Rhodes are concerned
with who the team leader is, they may be the only ones.)
********
The Vision met backstage. Heyman wanted Drew McIntyre to
behave tonight. He was only allowed on Raw because Heyman
picked him for the advantage match—which is now a tag team
match.
Logan Paul suggested they pick Brock Lesnar to be McIntyre’s
partner tonight. Heyman said that wasn’t a good idea and
warned Logan not to utter his name. Logan did so anyway, and
Heyman said Lesnar was coming to Raw to go after Reigns.
Logan suggested that Bron Breakker or Bronson Reed team with
McIntyre, but Heyman said it would be him. This was not what
Logan wanted, but he made it seem he was on board.
********
The Last Time is Now tournament quarterfinal: Gunther vs.
Carmelo Hayes
Gunther held control through a break and cut off Hayes’
comeback when they returned. There was a smattering of
chants for Hayes as Gunther looked into the camera and
questioned why he even had to face Hayes.
Hayes ducked a chop, which was easy given their height
difference. Gunther cut him off again and went for a
powerbomb, but Hayes countered into a DDT. This led to a
second commercial break, and Gunther took over quickly
again.
Hayes ducked another chop on the apron, and Gunther’s arm
hit the ring post. Hayes tried a slingshot DDT onto the
apron, but they basically fell straight to the outside.
Hayes followed with a flip dive and backdropped Gunther into
the timekeeper’s area.
Gunther wasn’t about to let Hayes attempt a count-out win,
so he dumped Hayes into the timekeeper’s area next. Hayes
quickly reemerged on top of the barricade and dropped
Gunther with a leaping DDT before scampering back in the
ring.
Hayes almost won by count-out, but Gunther slipped back in
just in time. The crowd really got into it here, remembering
that Hayes won by count-out on SmackDown.
Hayes went for Nothing But Net, but Gunther dodged it and
clobbered him with a clothesline and powerbomb for a
nearfall. Gunther applied a sleeper, but Hayes fought to his
feet. It wasn’t enough, and Gunther dropped him with another
powerbomb for the pinfall win.
Match result: Gunther defeated Carmelo Hayes to advance in
The Last Time is Now tournament (17:20)
The first part was kind of dull, but this wound up being
pretty good, particularly once they returned from the last
break.
********
Jey and Jimmy Uso approached Reigns, Rhodes, and Punk. Jey
said they should be focusing on what was actually important
tonight, and that was the advantage match. Jimmy and Jey
said they were on the same page and their partners could
count on them. Yeet.
After the Usos left, Reigns asked Punk and Rhodes who the
team leader was. He told them to fix this, and he left.
(It’s possible he was just egging them on, but it seemed
like, suddenly, he sincerely wanted them to pick a team
leader.)
********
Dominik Mysterio segment
Dom entered. He was booed. He said he would embarrass John
Cena in his hometown. He would take back his
Intercontinental Championship, and he would continue to be
the greatest Mysterio of all time. Dom said it didn’t matter
if the fans cheered for Cena or not, because he wasn’t even
here tonight.
Cena’s music hit, and the crowd exploded. It was a swerve. A
long time passed with no Cena. Finally, a little person
dressed as Cena entered. (Along with a little person dressed
as Stu the cameraman.) He had trouble leaping into the ring
like Cena, so he ran around and entered using the steps.
Dom talked to him like he was the real John Cena and
threatened to drop him at Survivor Series. The fake Cena
called him the worst Mysterio of all time. Dom was caught
off guard and whispered something in his ear. The fake Cena
told Dom that if he wouldn’t fight him tonight, he could
come get some at Survivor Series.
Dom booted fake Cena to the ground and hit him with a five
knuckle shuffle, 619 and a frog splash.
Rey Mysterio ran out to his music, so Dom bailed. Rey
checked on the guy as Dom left up the aisle, where he was
greeted by his Judgment Day teammates.
(This angle was a mistake. Dom was getting plenty of heat
before they did any of the stuff with the Cena impersonator,
and the crowd quickly died when he came out, like they were
disappointed to be watching this on their modern WWE
product. It probably doesn’t help that, deep down, the fans
like Dom and didn’t want him doing this even as a heel.)
********
Rey Mysterio vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Finn Bálor)
McDonagh applied an abdominal stretch during the break, and
Bálor held his arm back for leverage from outside the ring.
The referee caught him, but instead of kicking him out, just
yelled at him. Rey made his comeback and went for a 619, but
McDonagh caught him with a Spanish Fly for two. Rey
responded with a Code Red for two.
Rey went for a 619 but was tripped by Bálor, who was still
out there because of the stupid referee. Rey went after
Bálor as the ref yelled at him some more. McDonagh tried a
cheap shot, but Rey dropped him into Bálor, knocking him off
the apron. Rey followed with a 619 and a springboard splash
for the pinfall win.
Bálor tried attacking Rey after the match, but Rey avoided
and left the ring.
Match result: Rey Mysterio defeated JD McDonagh (12:44)
********
Timothée Chalamet will be a guest on Rhodes’ podcast.
Raquel Rodriguez spoke to Adam Pearce backstage. She was
pissed that Nikki Bella got involved in her title match, and
was now getting a title match herself. Pearce, who made the
title match, claimed that he agreed with Rodriguez. He
promised that she would be in the title mix after Survivor
Series. She was content with this.
New Day and Grayson Waller approached Pearce next, and I had
to double-check that this wasn’t happening in a commercial
break. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were being annoying,
so he told them to shut up. He let them know that AJ Styles
and Dragon Lee wanted to defend their tag titles against New
Day next week.
Woods and Kingston were initially upset because they assumed
it would be anyone but them in the title match, but they
were surprised and happy upon learning it was them. They
left. Waller put a wig on Pearce’s head before leaving too.
Pearce screamed at him to get out.
********
Brock Lesnar arrived and entered a room with Heyman.
Women’s WarGames segment
Becky Lynch entered and was joined by Nia Jax, Lash Legend,
Asuka and Kairi Sane. Lynch called last week’s result an
injustice, and she had the best lawyers in the world working
to overturn it. She was advised not to talk about it, but
did want to say that she followed the rules, unlike Maxxine
Dupri and referee Jessika Carr. The result would be
overturned, and the company would be better off.
The company would also be better off when she got rid of AJ
Lee once and for all. Lee made a mistake by coming back to
cost her the IC title, but the biggest mistake she’ll ever
make is entering WarGames with her.
Lynch admitted she had her differences with her teammates.
She put her arms around Asuka, who wasn’t thrilled with
this. Lynch called Jax very powerful. Not powerful like her,
but powerful enough to break her face. Jax was the only
person ever to damage her face, but at least she didn’t need
a mask like Rhea Ripley. Lynch called Legend her new friend
and a fine specimen of a woman whom Lynch would make into a
star.
Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and AJ Lee
all entered the stage individually to their music before
walking down to the ring together.
Lee said the old her would have run to the ring and torn
Lynch’s face off, but therapy worked. Lee knew Lynch was
just feeling insecure and afraid. Lee didn’t need to run her
mouth to lift herself up, because she knew who the hell she
was. She didn’t need to bark like an angry chihuahua. She
doesn’t bark—she bites.
Lee said Lynch poured gasoline on the fire, and now she was
locking herself in a cage with her. Lee would be free to do
whatever she wanted, and she wasn’t alone in wanting to see
Lynch get knocked off her pedestal.
Lee asked Ripley if she agreed. Ripley took the mic and
smashed it into Jax’s face. That led to a brawl, and the
babyfaces stood tall. Sky wiped out a few heels with a
moonsault as Lynch backed up the aisle with a look of regret
on her face.
********
The Last Time is Now tournament quarterfinal: Solo Sikoa (w/
Talla Tonga) vs. Penta
Penta was injured.
Sikoa chucked Penta over the barricade and into the crowd,
but he reemerged on the barricade and brought Sikoa down
with a hurricanrana.
Penta landed right on his shoulder, and medical staff
checked on him throughout a planned commercial break. When
they returned from break, the referee called for the bell,
and it was announced that Penta could no longer compete.
Sikoa was announced the winner.
Penta slammed his hand against the barricade in frustration
as he was followed to the back by medical staff.
Sikoa advances and will face Gunther in the semifinals.
Match result: Solo Sikoa defeated Penta via medical stoppage
to advance in The Last Time is Now tournament (4:20)
********
Backstage, Pearce told Maxxine Dupri that more women have
called him about taking the belt off her than any title he
can remember. Pearce advised her to focus and work hard.
Dupri said she would. She wanted to be the type of champion
people could be proud of. She told Pearce she wanted to call
Natalya, and Pearce left.
Ivy Nile accosted Dupri and told her the title was hers.
After Nile left, Dupri turned around and bumped into Roxanne
Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Perez said she could take the
title any time. Pearce got between them, so Perez left with
Rodriguez. Pearce told Dupri she might want to call Natalya
now.
********
There was a good Stephanie Vaquer pre-taped promo. Vaquer
said Nikki Bella was clever, but she wasn’t as smart as she
thought. Vaquer knew all about Bella’s history, but Bella
didn’t know about hers. If Bella were as smart as she
pretended to be, she would know who she was messing with.
Vaquer stated, “Are you sure you want to get in the ring
with me?”
Survivor Series begins at 7 pm ET. The pre-show is at 5 pm
ET.
Survivor Series card:
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella for the Women’s World
Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental
Championship
Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair,
Alexa Bliss & AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend,
Asuka & Kairi Sane
Men’s WarGames: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso
& Jimmy Uso vs. Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul,
Drew McIntyre & Brock Lesnar
********
Men’s WarGames advantage match: Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso vs. Drew
McIntyre & Logan Paul
As has been the pattern, not much happened before they went
to break about 80 seconds into the match. The heels worked
over Jey Uso, and Logan knocked Jimmy off the apron before
he could make a hot tag. McIntyre chucked Jey over the
announce desk, leading to a second break. (McIntyre posed,
so Jimmy chucked a Prime bottle at him.)
Logan and McIntyre held up Jey in a delayed vertical suplex,
and they flexed with opposite arms while doing so. Jey
booted McIntyre and finally made the hot tag to Jimmy, who
hit Logan with an enzuguri before superkicking McIntyre off
the apron. Jimmy hit some sort of dive off the top for two,
and Logan responded with a blockbuster for two.
Jimmy ducked a punch and followed with a superkick, spear
and an Uso splash, but McIntyre broke up the cover. Jey and
McIntyre brawled outside the ring as Bron and Bronson
entered to check on Logan.
Punk and Rhodes ran out next to take out the Brons. As
everyone brawled, Jey wiped them out with a big dive. Jimmy
was too busy celebrating, so Logan caught him in a schoolboy
for the pinfall win.
The heels gain the WarGames advantage thanks to a win in a
mostly nothing match.
— Punk immediately attacked Logan, and the brawl continued.
Reigns entered (to his music) and greeted Bron and Bronson
in the aisle with Superman punches. Reigns went to the ring
and handed out Superman punches to Paul and McIntyre, too.
The babyfaces stood tall, and the trademark graphic aired to
make you think the show was over, but you knew it wasn’t if
you were paying attention.
Lesnar entered with Heyman. Fireworks went off for Lesnar as
he did his little pose, and he actually tripped and fell
backwards. It would have been an embarrassing moment for
some, but he popped right up laughing at himself.
Lesnar marched down to the ring and joined his new teammates
on the apron. The two teams faced off one final time and
brawled as the show came to a predictable close.
Match result: Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre defeated The Usos
to earn the advantage in WarGames (17:02)