WWE Raw TV Results
November 18, 2013 - Episode #1,068
Live in Nashville, Tenn.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Tonight: The Authority returns to Raw. And, it's "Raw Country" from Nashville. Live in the arena, Michael Cole introduced the show and plugged Florida Georgia Line performing live tonight. Also tonight, Curtis Axel re-defends the IC Title against Big E. Langston. And, in the main event, a big 12-man tag match featuring all of the wrestlers featured at the end of last week's Raw.

After a pause, Triple H's music played to bring out The Authority returning from a one-week "vacation." As Hunter and Stephanie McMahon marched to the ring, the announcers stressed The Authority not bothering to put anyone in charge of the show last week, creating chaos. Once in the ring, Hunter said last week proved how much The Authority is needed because there was too much chaos and the people who have been avoiding them all day - Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero (no mention of Kane) - will be dealt with tonight.

But, Stephanie said, they are incredibly well-rested and they are back. Before Stephanie could hype Survivor Series, WWE champion Randy Orton's music interrupted. Orton marched to the ring with purpose and stepped right up to The Authority. He said they can blame everyone else for last week, but they're the ones who didn't spell out who should be in charge while they were gone. And they're the ones who caved in and gave Big Show a title shot he doesn't deserve. And they're the ones who let Big Show chokeslam him through a table. And they should be protecting their most-valuable asset - not C.M. Punk, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, or Big Show - better than they are right now.

"You're probably right," Stephanie said, angering Orton even more. Orton said he's too injured to beat Big Show by himself on Sunday, so what are they going to do about it. Orton and Hunter got face-to-face in a tense moment, then Stephanie calmed them down that there was some "confusion" last week.

Suddenly, a feeble "Excuse Me" was heard from Vickie Guerrero. Brad Maddox walked out with her and said he would like to take responsibility for his actions. "And last week was all Vickie's fault," he said, drawing cheers. Hunter said it doesn't matter whose fault it is because they're going to pay. Stephanie added that since they booked so many handicap matches last week, they will be competing in individual matches.

Notably, Vickie versus Divas champion A.J. Lee. And, for Brad, even though it was all Vickie's fault, he will have a match tonight. Actually, right now and dressed in a suit. Hunter booked him in a match against this man - Randy Orton. Oh, and Brad, just to make it fair, it will be No DQ. Orton, now calmed down after being hot at Hunter, liked the sound of that. Brad started to leave, but DOO Kane showed up to forcefully guide Brad down to the ring for the opening match as Hunter's music played.

Leading to break, Cole plugged the IC Title match still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break at 8:12]

[Q2]

1 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. Raw GM BRAD MADDOX -- non-title No DQ match

Back from break, Brad had removed his suit jacket and was now competing in a lavender dress shirt and work pants. Brad slipped out of the ring once the bell sounded, making Orton wait. Brad then slowly re-entered the ring, untucked his dress shirt, and bailed to the outside. Brad grabbed a mic from the announce table and said they don't have to do this, but Orton chased him down. Orton tried to attack Brad, but Brad desperately popped Orton in the face with the mic. Brad posted Orton, then slipped into the ring to DDT Orton. Brad covered, but Orton kicked out in time.

Orton, now incensed, took Brad to the outside and destroyed him in front of the announce table. Orton followed with a snap DDT off the barricade into the padded floor. Orton then dragged Brad across the ringside area before grabbing the mic that Brad used as a weapon. Now in the ring, the ref checked Brad for a shoulder injury, but Orton pushed the ref away and bashed Brad in the head over and over with the mic. The ref then called for the bell, sensing Brad could no longer defend himself.

Post-match: Orton demanded his WWE Title belt and paced the ring as his music played. Cole used the finish to hype Orton being ready for Big Show on Sunday.

WINNER: Orton via ref stoppage at 3:58. Too many mixed signals with a heel authority figure getting beat up when WWE needed to be clear on Orton heading into Survivor Series.

Still to come: Big Show gets Ryback in a Survivor Series tune-up match.

Backstage: IC champion Curtis Axel was shown strutting down the hallway preparing to defend the IC Title. WWE cut to a shot of Big E. Langston also walking down the hallway.

Video Clip: Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban singing from their "We Were Us" music video. No word on whether they're appearing on Raw tonight.

[Commercial Break at 8:21]

Survivor Series hype: Cole announced Bret Hart, Booker T, and Mick Foley on the Survivor Series pre-game show panel. The All-Star Panel has become the bigger selling point than the yet-to-be-announced pre-show match, apparently.

During the Break: Brad Maddox was stretchered out of the ring.

Backstage: Brad was now being loaded into an ambulance. Waiting with a nervous look was Vickie Guerrero, who has to face A.J. Lee later in the show.

In-ring: A remixed version of Big E. Langston's music played to bring out the challenger for the Intercontinental Title match. Next out was Curtis Axel to make his latest title defense sans Paul Heyman. To try to give the match added importance, Justin Roberts handled rare formal ring introductions for a mid-card title match.

2 -- IC champion CURTIS AXEL vs. BIG E. LANGSTON -- Intercontinental Title match

On commentary, Jerry Lawler said he's sure Paul Heyman is watching this somewhere, but Cole said Axel and Ryback are no longer Paul Heyman Guys. Cole relayed further information that Axel says he was only using Heyman to get an IC Title shot.

[Q3] Langston targeted Axel's mid-section early on, drawing loud groans from Axel. Axel then slowly rolled to the ring apron to avoid Langston, but drew in Langston to be yanked throat-first across the top rope. Axel then pounded Big E. across the back for a one count. Axel in control heading to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:31]

Back from break, Axel was working on an exciting side headlock. Langston then powered to his feet and swung Axel onto his back before landing a corner attack. But, Axel fired off a dropkick to stop Langston's momentum for a two count. As Axel slowed the pace again, Cole recapped Axel no longer associating with Heyman. Or, is it Heyman no longer associating with Axel? JBL asked. Lawler met in the middle that it was a mutual dumping.

Langston made a comeback at 8:00 before delivering a big running splash for a two count. Langston wanted the Big Ending, but Axel escaped, teased his finisher, but Langston fought off and hit a big bodysplash. Langston then dropped the straps a la Jerry Lawler in Tennessee, then nailed the Big Ending. It was good for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Langston sold this being a big moment for his career as the announcers hyped it as the biggest win of Langston's career by getting his first singles title in WWE. WWE replayed the finish, then cut back to Langston taking a victory lap on the way out of the ring.

WINNER: Langston at 8:50 to capture the IC Title. Okay match before the title change, which WWE hopes will inject some life into the IC Title division and give Langston a big jumpstart on his singles face run. WWE presented this as a big moment, so the start is there, but follow-up will be key, as always.

Backstage: Randy Orton, in a sweatshirt, was shown watching the title change with The Shield. Orton spoke about the business at-hand: The Shield will have his back, per The Authority. Roman Reigns spoke that if they have Orton's back, then Orton has to have their backs. Orton slowly nodded in agreement.

Video Clip: Florida Georgia Line.

[Commercial Break at 8:40]

Back from break, the entire Divas roster was in the ring. Cole said this is Divas musical chairs. Jerry Lawler was also in the ring to emcee this contest, setting it up as "Total Divas" against Divas who did not make the show. Lawler said the theme music will be "Cruise" from Florida Georgia Line, then cued the music.

[Q4] "Cruise" played and poor Natalya was the first Diva eliminated. Natalya frowned and left the ring. Alicia Fox was eliminated next as JBL called this the dumbest thing ever. This broke down only two eliminations in, then JBL offered an obligatory Andy Kaufman reference 45 minutes in. The refs demanded the game resume, but the Total Divas music played instead of more from Florida Georgia Line. Suddenly, Natalya was back in the ring, prompting JBL to request a ruling since she was eliminated first. Cole: "It's over, John," then Cole moved on to hyping the 12-man tag main event later on and Big Show vs. Ryback up next.

[ JC's Reax: Coming to Season 2 of "Total Divas" - WWE tries to explain this segment with talking heads and Talent Relations screaming at everyone. ]

[Commercial Break at 8:47]

Video Clip: "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker featuring the cast of Duck Dynasty. Back from break, WWE showed Downtown Nashville. No sign of the TNA crew hanging out.

In-ring: Big Show was introduced for the next match. Show, super-fired-up, marched to the ring as the announcers hyped Show challenging Randy Orton for the WWE Title at Survivor Series on Sunday. Once in the ring, Show bounced up and down to warm up for Ryback, who was introduced next sans Paul Heyman.

3 -- BIG SHOW vs. RYBACK -- non-Musical Chairs match

"Goldberg" chants early on. Show and Ryback locked up, then Show opened up his frying pan-like chest to plant on Ryback's chest. Show ran over Ryback with a shoulder tackle, which sent Ryback to the floor as Cole called this as a first-time-ever match-up. Ryback paced the outside trying to recover as Show just stood there and watched him work himself up.

Ryback re-entered the ring and landed right hand blows to Show, who absorbed before landing another chop to the chest. Ryback sold the effects, but then found an opening chopping down Show at the knees. Cole said Show cannot afford an injury six nights away form Survivor Series. Ryback followed with a big running splash for a two count, then he grounded Show and audibly called some spots.

At 4:00, Show fought to his feet, but Ryback kicked Show at the knee to score with a DDT for a two count. Ryback resumed a mat-based attack to continue wearing down Show, prompting the crowd to pick up a rally chant. Show used it to reach his feet and side-suplex Ryback to escape.

Reset at 5:30. Show ran over Ryback with a clothesline. Then another. Show with a corner butt bomb, but he bounced the ropes and ran right into a big spinebuster from Ryback for a two count. Ryback then stood up and called for the Meathook Clothesline, but Show intercepted with a hand around the throat. Show called for Ryback to block, so Ryback did. Ryback then ran over Show with a not-quite-Meathook clothesline.

[Q5 -- second hour] Ryback scooped up Show to try Shell Shock, and he managed to get Big Show onto his shoulders, wowing the crowd. Ryback delivered, but Show kicked out of a pin attempt, surprising Ryback and the crowd. Ryback then tried to pick up Show's dead weight for another Shell Shock, but Show shoved him off and delivered a big KO Punch center-ring. Show slowly put himself on top of Ryback and it was good for the win. Cole said that means Show is ready for Randy Orton on Sunday.

Post-match: Speaking of Orton, the WWE champion tried to ambush a worn-out Big Show, but Show saw it coming and smashed Orton with a mid-ring spear. Orton quickly rolled out of the ring to recover as Show stood tall in the ring. Back-and-forth camera shots concluded the segment.

WINNER: Big Show at 7:59. They really needed that post-match after Show was presented as slow, out-of-shape, and vulnerable during the match, which seemed to be designed to get over Ryback before Show landed a lucky KO Punch.

Backstage: Zack Ryder was shown talking to Florida Georga Line. 3MB then walked in. Slater, who looks just like Tyler Hubbard, talked up himself, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre. They vowed to show up FGL, who wished them good luck.

Still to come: John Cena's Survivor Series update after Alberto Del Rio took him out on Smackdown.

Going to break, WWE ran a DVD plug for "The History of WWE," out tomorrow.

[Commercial Break at 9:06]

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