WWE Raw Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From November 18
WWE Raw Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From November 180 of 7
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Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed wrote the latest chapter in their rivalry Monday night when they squared off in the marquee bout of this week’s WWE Raw.
The contest headlined a broadcast that also featured the first defense in Bron Breakker’s second Intercontinental Championship reign as he faced Sheamus.
Was Breakker able to retain the title? Did Rollins settle his differences with Reed?
What else went down on this road to Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30?
Find out with this recap of the latest episode of Raw.
Match Card1 of 7
Announced in advance of the November 18 show:
Seth Rollins vs. Bronson ReedIntercontinental Championship: Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker (c)Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega vs. Chad Gable and Ivy NileThe War Raiders vs. Dominik Mysterio and CarlitoWomen’s WarGames is Official2 of 7
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Women’s world champion Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez kicked off the show with an in-ring promo that quickly descended into a brawl featuring the women’s division.
After Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton and Candice LeRae joined the heels in the squared circle, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Iyo Sky and Naomi interrupted.
This then led to the return of Rhea Ripley, who outlined her plans for the women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series with a headbutt to Morgan.
WWE @WWEMAMI’S HOME 😈 pic.twitter.com/yYYftpQ7cY
A brawl ensued and the babyfaces stood tall to close things out.
This was a short-but-sweet segment that accomplished something that could have been announced on social media but at least featured the unexpected return of The Eradicator.
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
There may be Ripley vs. Morgan fatigue, but there is no denying both are legitimate stars. And the fact that Triple H trusted them to bookend this segment and lead their respective teams into battle on November 30 is proof of it.It’s great to see Naomi still involved despite losing her championship match against Jax on Friday’s SmackDown. Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega vs. Chad Gable and Ivy Nile3 of 7
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The rivalry between LWO and American Made continued Monday when Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega battled Chad Gable and Ivy Nile in a mixed tag team match.
Nile dominated the action for her team and worked over Vega throughout the commercial break. When the underdog babyface mounted a comeback, Gable attempted to prevent her from making a tag to her partner.
He failed, and Mysterio exploded into the match and took the fight to the Olympian. Some great teamwork and a frog splash later, and LWO scored a big victory.
WWE @WWEMaster Gable demands GREATNESS!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/X5TVc9v0bK
After the match, Gable fired up the Creed Brothers, slapping and berating them for his own loss. The siblings teed off on one another, as if the loss and motivational tactics of their leader fueled them.
Result
Mysterio and Vega def. Gable and Nile
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
Mysterio launched Vega into the air and the former Queen of the Ring delivered a headscissors from the top rope, bringing Gable crashing to the mat below. A great showcase spot for Vega, who needs to be more consistently featured as an in-ring competitor.Backstage, the tension between Finn Bálor and Dominik Mysterio continued to build, with the former seemingly trying to manipulate his younger teammate ahead of Dom’s tag team match with Carlito against The War Raiders. There’s definitely another split about to happen in The Judgment Day as the faction continues to evolve. Intercontinental Championship: Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker4 of 7
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Sheamus continued his pursuit of the one title that has eluded him throughout his WWE career, the Intercontinental Championship, as he challenged Bron Breakker Monday night.
In a grueling and hard-hitting showdown that saw the champion throw his body around the ring with reckless abandon, The Celtic Warrior had several opportunities to achieve his final goal in professional wrestling.
A knee strike to the face of a charging Breakker resulted in a close two-count. Breakker answered with a Spear but was unable to take advantage of it.
Ludwig Kaiser interrupted the match with a clothesline to Breakker and sent Sheamus into the steel steps, drawing a disqualification and bringing the contest to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
WWE @WWEFOR REAL?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/oxmi2XoLoC
“I told you, I won’t stop until you’re gone for good,” Kaiser told Sheamus as he stood over him.
This was an excellent match that deserved a better finish. With that said, it put emphasis on Kaiser and if the goal is to introduce him to the IC title picture and let him work consistently with Sheamus and Breakker, nothing about that sounds like a bad idea.
Result
No-contest
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
An ominous video from Karrion Kross, also featuring The Miz, recapped the recent issues between Final Testament and The Wyatt Sicks.WWE @WWEWho knows about CINEMA more than The Miz?! 😎#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/EBbmNrUbp3
Kaiser questioned Gunther for abandoning him last week. The world champion told his Imperium teammate to be his own man. The moment Kaiser stands up for himself and fights against The Ring General is going to make a star out of the second-generation wrestler.WWE @WWEWe’ve got a situation here!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/AS1aFbfuza
“You might be a general in the ring but on the streets, I’m a king,” Damian Priest told a downed Gunther after thwarting a sneak attack backstage.Breakker launched himself off the top rope and at his opponent. He didn’t quite get all of it, but the champion is a freakish athlete who doesn’t hesitate to show off his ability.Backstage, The Usos and Sami Zayn again tried to talk Seth Rollins into joining The OG Bloodline for the men’s WarGames match, but to no avail. The War Raiders vs. Dominik Mysterio and Carlito5 of 7
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The War Raiders continued their run of dominance Monday night with a come-from-behind victory over The Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio and Carlito.
Finding themselves on the defensive, Erik and Ivar fought from underneath, leading to a hot tag to the latter from the former that sparked their turnaround.
The War Raiders bowled over Mysterio and Carlito, leading to a victory by way of War Machine.
WWE @WWEDon’t underestimate the tag champs!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/uqz526zmWh
After the match, Balor and JD McDonagh attacked the victors, leaving them lying in an attempt to build heat for a match that will likely be excellent but does not have the anticipation surrounding it that one would hope for.
Triple H and Co. have done everything right with The War Raiders, but it has been a struggle to get fans invested, and it showed in a match that was perfectly acceptable but failed to win over the crowd.
Result
The War Raiders defeated Mysterio and Carlito
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
A video package highlighting Dakota Kai and her push to become a champion amid her return from injury aired.WrestlePurists @WrestlePurists”I’ve never wanted this more. I’ve never loved this more, and I’m ready to show everyone why Dakota Kai is a champion.”#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/Uvzo7i6WTy
Ivar suplexed Dom into Carlito, sparking the comeback for the No. 1 contenders. In another cryptic Wyatt Sicks video, Bo Dallas warned The Miz that his hands will be stained blood-red thanks to his actions. “I never wanted this,” he said.Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed6 of 7
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Bronson Reed evened the score with Seth Rollins in the main event of Monday’s Raw, though not without a massive assist from Solo Sikoa.
Late in the match, Rollins appeared to be en route to a second consecutive victory over his opponent when Sikoa appeared on the announce table, distracting The Visionary long enough for Reed to recover, deliver a Death Valley Driver and two sentons before finishing him with the Tsunami.
WWE @WWEHe’s BACK!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Jj6Rf4Dffo
The match was another strong effort from both competitors. The big, nasty, unstoppable force versus the faster, more technically sound and fiery babyface is a formula that always works.
Reed looked like a world-beater while Rollins was relentless in his pursuit of victory, and the result was a roller-coaster ride fans could invest in all the way to the finish.
Hopefully, this does not lead to Rollins going back on his word and joining Roman Reigns’ team at Survivor Series.
The feud with Reed, as great as it has been, is not enough to get a guy who sacrificed as much as The Visionary has, to set aside his differences with The Tribal Chief to join him.
Result
Reed pinned Rollins
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
A backstage confrontation between Alpha Academy, Kofi Kingston and an edgy Xavier Woods led to the latter calling a match between the two teams for next week.A brawl The Usos and Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline kicked the match off, undoubtedly playing into Rollins’ refusal to stand alongside Roman Reigns.It took four superkicks to knock Jacob Fatu over the guardrail and out of the arena as booking continues, rightly so, to protect the dominant force of this new Bloodline.Rollins and Reed have superb in-ring chemistry. Everything fits extremely well. The timing is good and the sequences are strong. Hopefully, this isn’t the last time we see them dance on WWE TV.Overall Grade7 of 7
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For a taped episode of Raw, this was a good show that focused heavily on Survivor Series in the opening and closing segments and included a great Intercontinental Championship match along the way.
Sheamus is one of the most underrated workers in WWE history and he delivered once again against Breakker while Rollins and Reed provided fans another strong match in the main event.
Solid booking across the board, with some great pre-taped work from The Miz, Karrion Kross, Bo Dallas and Dakota Kai to boot, this was everything it needed to be as WWE approaches its final major premium live event of the year.
WWE @WWEhe never wanted this 📼 pic.twitter.com/jaSnOqz5uT
A solid thumbs up, even if it lacked the surprise of a live show.
Grade: B
