Welcome to the Raw review for November 19, 2018. For this and Smackdown, I will go over the talking points and pick the match of the night.
Stakes
I love when a match has some high stakes. Not just for one person, as it makes the outcome much more predictable. Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin will meet at TLC in a TLC match. If Corbin wins, he becomes the permanent GM of Raw, if he loses he loses everything. Strowman loses, he does not get his shot at Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. The question is will Strowman be able to make it after a three on one attack led by Corbin led to a shattered elbow
Worst Day
Everyone was curious to how Rhonda Rousey would be received after her match with Charlotte. Rousey handled it like a pro, letting the crowd cheer for Becky Lynch before she went into how she would beat Nia Jax and then Charlotte. She sounded a hell of a lot more like a veteran then a rookie who has only had sixteen matches. By the time Corbin came out, she had the crowd back on her side. The question is how will she get revenge with Lynch and Charlotte on Smackdown?
Hide and Seek
Dean Ambrose was playing mind games with Seth Rollins all night. Appearing it various backstage areas, he mocked Rollins while saying that this is what the Shield had coming. He also mentioned the Reigns getting sick was punishment as well, a remark that was out of line but not out of story line. Two things about these segment. the first being that Ambrose channeled his inner Michael Myers by appearing in the back while Rollins was getting interviewed. The second was Michael Cole directly asking Renee Young what was Ambrose thinking. You don’t have to make it part of the story line, but the acknowledgment that Young and Ambrose are married was a nice touch.
Match of the Night
Natalya vs. Ruby Riott (Natalya wins by pinfall)
Sometimes you just want to see the bad guy lose. The buildup with Riott and Natalya has been pretty quick, but with mentions of Natalya’s deceased father, it felt personal. The crowd was roaring for Natalya to get her revenge. Some people might not understand the match and give it low marks, but any time you can get a post pay per view crowd yelling at a match that was set up with two segments, you are doing something right.
Conclusion
Lucha House Party beat The Revival. Nia Jax and Tamina beat down Bayley and Sasha Banks. Rousey beat Mickie James. Roode and Gable upset AOP
