Welcome to the Raw review for November 12, 2018. For this and Smackdown, I will go over the talking points and pick the match of the night.
Hostage
Braun Strowman was in no mood for wrestling or Stephanie McMahon as Raw opened. The Monster wanted Baron Corbin and he would sit in the middle of the ring until he got. Stephanie tried to talk him down, but Strowman was having none of it. He told Stephanie that he would leave the ring only if he got a shot at Corbin and Brock Lesnar with stipulations that he would decide. Stephanie agreed, as long as Strowman fought for Raw at Surivior Series. The terms were agreed to and Strowman left peacefully. The Survivor match know has stakes and what type of matches would Strowman want?
Burn It Down
Seth Rollins was interviewed by Corey Graves in the middle of the ring. Rollins was not interested in his match at Survivor Series, his mind still focused on Dean Ambrose. Ambrose appeared on the big screen, outside sitting on a car next to a trashcan on fire. Ambrose went on to talk about how he did not have to give a reason for his betrayal because the WWE Universe and Rollins did not deserve one. He hinted that being in the Shield made him weak and that sometimes, you had to burn the past. He threw his Shield jacket into the fire and walked off. A more relaxed and menacing promo from the Lunatic.
Invasion
As Alexia Bliss announced the final members of her Survivor Series Team, Becky Lynch attacked Rhonda Rousey in the back. The Man then walked to the ring as the rest of the Smackdown Women joined her in a sneak attack. The Raw Women were taken down, but Rousey came to the ring in order to fight them all. Lynch took this moment to attack the Baddest Women on the Planet with a chair. She might have been brought down, but Rousey was starring daggers as Lynch left through the crowd. Lynch looked like she might have busted her noise for real.
Match of the Night
Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler (Balor wins by pinfall)
Finn Balor and Dolph Ziggler squared off with the winner getting a spot on the Raw team. The real story was not the match, which was fast paced and featured quite a few near falls. The story was that Balor and Dolph McIntyre seemed destined to meet in a high profile match down the line. Balor might not be in the position that he once was, but a feud with McIntyre would be fantastic given the push the Scotsman is currently getting.
Conclusion
Bobby Lashley knocked off Elias to get a spot on the Raw team. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable will be the captains for the Raw Tag Team. Natalya attacked Ruby Riott after the latter mocked her father. Tamina beat Ember Moon.
