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KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
NOVEMBER 26, 2018
MILWAUKEE, WISC.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
Tonight after WWE Raw, join me live with guest cohost Zack Heydorn to break down the show with live callers, mailbag, and an on-site correspondent from Milwaukee, Wisc.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 2 or 3 MINUTES AFTER RAW
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER RAW
[HOUR ONE]
-Baron Corbin stood mid-ring with Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Lio Rush. He said he’s sure the fans stuffed their faces with mashed potato and gravy, pumpkin pies, and dinner rolls – “all disgusting carbs.” He said they don’t eat that garbage and they treat their bodies like temples to maintain peak physical performance. He said that’s why they’re standing in the ring and they’re in the crowd. He said they’re thankful for the job he’s been doing as acting general manager. Graves said a lot of them are thankful for that. Lashley said he’s thankful that he wakes up every morning and takes what he wants. Drew said he’s thankful for the brutal, savage, extended, well-deserved beating they gave last week to Braun Strowman. Corbin said that’s a moment in time they’ll never forget. Corbin threw to a replay of what they did to Braun Strowman last week to injure his elbow.
Back live, Corbin said they won’t see Braun’s face on Raw for a long, long, long time. He said he did send a camera to Birmingham, Ala. where he was prepping for surgery. Braun sat on a hospital bed and said he was getting ready to have surgery on his elbow. It was bruised up. He said he’d much rather be in Milwaukee to deliver some payback. He said his doctor isn’t even sure if he can get in there and figure out how to fix the injury, but he said he’ll eventually be back at 100 percent. He said what his elbow is going through will seem like paper cuts compared to what he does to them for revenge. He said they’d all “get these hands.”
Back live fans chanted “Get these hands!” Corbin mocked the threat. Lashley said his hands might not even work after surgery. Corbin said there’s no way Braun will be medically cleared to wrestle at TLC. Corbin said he will win by forfeit and will become the new permanent general manager of Monday Night Raw. He said all of the Raw wrestlers need to decide whether they want to be on the right or wrong side of history. He said at his inauguration he will remember who stood by him and who stood against him. The lights went dark. Corbin yelled for the lights to comeback on or else some would end up fired. Elias strummed. Renee yelled, “Yes!”
Elias sat on the stage and introduced himself. Elias said literally everyone would be better as permanent G.M. than Corbin, including Rush, “which would violate all kinds of child labor laws.” He said Drake Maverick “pissed himself and he would do a better job.” He said he sometimes refers to Bobby Lashley as Bobby Trashley. He said he wrote a song about him. The chorus was “Bobby Lashley sucks!” over and over. Cole said Lashley vs. Elias was up next. [c]
-A commercial aired for Total Divas featuring Natalya Neidhart learning that her dad Jim Neidhart died.
(1) BOBBY LASHLEY (w/Lio Rush, Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin) vs. ELIAS
Graves said Corbin should be referred to as “General Manager Elect.” Elias wrecking ball kicked Lashley at ringside as he tried to regroup with his cohorts on the floor. Drew yelled for Lashley to get in the ring and beat his ass. Lashley dropped Elias over the top rope when he re-entered the ring. A couple minutes later Drew got in Elias’s face at ringside. Lashley then shoved Elias back-first into the ringpost. He dropped to the floor and they cut to a break. [c]
Elias was in control after the break, landing a running high knee. He climbed to the top rope and leaped off with a flying elbow drop for a two count. Rush yanked the ref out of the ring before he could land the third count. The ref DQ’d him, but Corbin overruled the ref. He said he is making the match a no DQ match. Lashley attacked Elias from behind as the match was restarted. Cole called it ridiculous. Renee said it’s official misconduct and “embarrassing to the institution of Monday Night Raw.” As Drew and Rush went after Elias, he fought back and threw Drew into the ringpost. He brought his guitar into the ring and was going to hit Lashley with it, but Corbin hit him from behind. Fans chanted “Corbin sucks!” Lashley smashed the guitar with his feet and kicked it out of the ring. Corbin then bashed Elias across his back with a chair, knocking Elias to the floor where Drew beat him up. Lashley then threw him hard into the security barricade. Corbin whipped Elias into a Claymore Kick. Drew then mounted Elias and punched away at him. Drew catapulted Elias over his shoulders and onto the ringside steps. Corbin dedicated the beating to Braun. Lashley did a lap around the ring like Braun and speared Elias at ringside.
Back in the ring Lashley gator rolled Elias to the middle of the ring and then began posing. He kneeled over Elias and scored the three count.
WINNER: Lashley in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t think it’s great for Drew being in a spot that looks like he’s a sidekick to Corbin. This was Booking 101 in the sense that fans who like Elias will be eager to see him positioned to get a fair shot at revenge one-on-one with each of them. The question is, with a totally corrupt G.M., how is that something that feels like it’s even a possibility.)
-Cole hyped Corbin vs. Balor. Renee plugged the Authors of Pain vs. Chad Gable & Bobby Roode. Graves plugged the IC Title Open Challenge. Cole said a video would be presented with Dean from his personal physician. He said it’s disturbing. [c]
-Corbin fired a producer backstage for dimming lights for Elias before he was finished talking. Alexa Bliss said that guy he just fired was deadweight because he kept Face Timing his kids while at work. She offered to help him anytime. Corbin said he had a ton on his plate, and because she was such an effective captain at Survivor Series, it’d be great if she oversaw the entire Women’s Division. “You look good, I look good, it’s that simple,” he said. They shook hands.
-Renee said it’s absolutely ridiculous. She said Bliss is active member of the roster, so putting her in charge is nonsense. Graves said Bliss wants to be on the “right side of history.”
-A video package aired on the Seth-Dean stuff last week.
-A video aired of Ambrose at a doctor’s office. He asked if they really thought he’d show up in the toxic dump that is Milwaukee. He said he knows Seth is relieved because he’d never otherwise issue an open challenge for his IC Title. He promised that next week he’d be there. He said it’s flu season, and he doesn’t want to risk catching something. He said they’re vermin and the stench of their breath and B.O. and greasy hands pawing at him is revolting. He then got a rabies shot for Houston next week. He stood and got a shot in his hip. He told Seth there is no medicine for him that can cure the sickness that is in his soul. He said he’s a lost cause so next week he will put Seth out of his misery.
(Keller’s Analysis: Dean was both entertaining and also mean and nasty. Two segments in a doctor’s office, though, seems one too many for one hour of Raw.)
-Graves asked Renee what’s going on with Dean. She said she lives with him, but she doesn’t usually know what’s in his head. She said he’s difficult to figure out and she’s sorry she can’t give them more answers.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m kind of ready for them to announce that Renee won’t comment on her husband anymore.)
-Lucha House Party made their ring entrance. [c]
(2) LUCHA HOUSE PARTY (Gran Metalik & Kalisto & Lince Dorado) vs. THE REVIVAL (Dash & Dawson)
The Revival told LHP that they don’t respect the etiquette of tag team wrestling. Dawson complained about their “Lucha! Lucha!” chanting. He said they demanded a rematch because if they can’t respect their tradition, they don’t belong in their division. Jo Jo said the match will be under Lucha House Rules, which means three-on-two. This puts sympathy on the heels, right? Graves complained that the Lucha House Party didn’t even have to tag each other according to Lucha House Party Rules. It was non-stop athletic spots leading to LHP scoring the pin on Dawson.
WINNERS: LHP in 3:00.
-They went to the announcers on camera who discussed Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax scheduled for TLC next month. A clip aired of Jax “breaking Becky’s face.”
-A commercial aired for Cyber Monday on WWE’s website with Bayley and Rey Mysterio. [c]
-Cole said they were in “biter cold Milwaukee” as they showed the exterior of the new arena. Graves threw to a video package on Lars Sullivan, whom he said is known as “The Freak.” The video showed Lars in NXT yelling and slamming people around. Then they showed him breaking a cinder block by throwing it onto the ground. It said he’s arriving soon. Renee said she hopes he comes to Raw.
[HOUR TWO]
-Nia Jax and Tamina walked out to Nia’s music. Nia said she vows to take the Raw Women’s Title from Rousey. She said Ronda arrived at Raw on top of the world, but her career has gone downhill since she stepped foot in the ring with her. They showed Nia delivering power moves against Rousey at Money in the Bank last June. She said Ronda’s downfall began after that beating. Then they showed Charlotte beating down Ronda at Survivor Series. Nia winced and said Ronda took a beating like a champion. She got into “Ronda Mode” and mocked her listing what it takes to be a true champion. Jax said while Ronda hasn’t been the same since their match, she’s been on a roll, including winning the battle royal at Evolution, and breaking Becky’s face “which you all seem mad about,” plus she was the sole survivor at Survivor Series. She said the top of the mountain belongs to her. She said she wants to go back to get her title. She was interrupted by Rousey.
Out walked Rousey with her title belt over her shoulder. She smiled as she pointed at the fans and then slapped hands with fans on her way to the ring. Fans chanted “Ronda Rousey!” She told the fans she appreciates them. She said it wasn’t luck she earned that opportunity. “You are lucky you are a from a Warrior Culture where one punch from you can be heard around the world,” she said. She said it made her the #FaceBreaker. She said that’s where her luck has run out because she stands guard on top of the Raw mountain, and at TLC she’ll rip her arm off and slap Charlotte Flair across the face with it. Yikes. She got scary-intense there briefly.
Ronda said since Nia is so eager to fight tonight, “and you know I was born ready,” she asked if she wants a shot at her “right here, right now.” She said, “Unless you and the monolithic mute have a double-date tonight.” Jax stared at Rousey, then looked away at fans chanted “Yes!” Nia said they’re not going to do it that way. Jax said that she could beat her right now, but she just got done washing Becky’s crusted blood from her knuckles and they do have a double-date planned. As Tamina and Jax surrounded Rousey, Natalya ran out. The Riott Squad suddenly attacked Natalya as she charged toward the ring. “Where did the Riott Squad come from?” asked Graves. Good question! Rousey chased them off quickly. Nia and Tamina stood in the ring and looked down at Ronda and Natalya, laughing. Riott Squad regrouped on the stage. Rousey’s music played.
-Cole narrated a replay of Drake Maverick peeing his pants, and then Drake being bullied in catering last week. Then a promo aired with AOP and Drake. Drake said 99 percent of the fans have never experienced real fear where your life flashes before your eyes. He said he was grabbed by the throat and lifted into the air and stared at by a seven foot giant, but if they were, they’d lose control of their bodily functions, too. He said fear makes cowards of everyone. He said he’ll make sure Roode & Gable experience that feeling tonight against AOP. Rezar said, “Laugh now, cry later.”
-Renee said the Raw Tag Team Title match was up next. [c]
-Charlie Caruso interviewed Chad Gable and Bobby Roode backstage. Gable said he loves a good laugh as much as anybody, but this opportunity is why he asked Roode to team with him in the first place. Roode said the time for jokes are over. He said they became a team for two reasons – to become the Raw Team Champions and to make the tag team division glorious. They were low-key with “glorious” this week. Gable soaked in the words with a deep cleansing breath as Roode whispered it.
(3) AUTHORS OF PAIN (w/Drake Maverick) vs. BOBBY ROODE & CHAD GABLE – WWE Raw Tag Team Title match
Roode was shown dropping his robe into the arms of a worker at ringside. Drake took it from the guy and draped it over his shoulder. Graves said Roode and Gable have to stay focused if they have any hope of victory. Renee said it’s hard to be focused when Drake has his hands on the 10K robe. Gable went for an armbar on Rezar over the ropes a minute in. Rezar countered a double-team suplex by reversing Roode and Gable. Drake walked to the stage while wearing Roode’s robe and he did Roode’s mannerisms and then ran backstage. Roode was distracted because, of course, his robe is more important than becoming tag team champion. [c]
Back from the break, AOP were in control of Gable. Gable DDT’d Rezar. They cut to Drake who was looking at himself admiringly in the mirror. Renee said if Roode wins the tag team titles, he can buy a whole lot more robes. Roode tagged in and rallied. When he went for a Blockbuster, Akam countered with a fallaway slam. Roode avoided a charging Rezar and tagged in Gable. Drake appeared on the big screen and threatened to put the robe in a toilet. He draped it over the toilet and then stomped on it. Then he unzipped and peed on it as he whistled Roode’s theme song. Roode stood and watched in distress. Drake zipped up and said, “Glorious!” Then the toilet flushed. Rezar shoved Roode into Gable, then tagged in Akam. They double-teamed Roode and scored the pin.
WINNERS: AOP in 9:00 to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: Fighting a competitive match or the tag team titles isn’t enough to hold the audience’s attention? They need that low-brow cringe-inducing bathroom humor, not to mention a babyface acting like a complete idiot with tag titles on the line?)
-Bliss chatted up Bayley and Sasha Banks. She said they need to get to know each other better. Sasha said she knows enough and told her to “oversee herself out of there.” Bliss told Sasha she doesn’t have to be mean always. Bliss invited them to partake in an Open Forum in the ring. Bayley said if it’s a “This is Your Life” segment, count her out. Bliss said she wouldn’t do that to her.
-Ember Moon made her ring entrance.
-A Smackdown commercial said A.J. Styles would respond to “the new Daniel Bryan” and Becky Lynch would appear for the first time since Survivor Series. [c]
-A Finn Balor selfie promo aired where he talked about Corbin asking if Raw wrestlers want to stand on the right side or wrong side of history. He said after seeing the rule changes mid-match earlier that cost Elias, it’s clear you have to stand with Corbin or face consequences. He said tonight he’s going to stand up and fight for what he believes is the right side of history.
(4) EMBER MOON (w/Curt Hawkins) vs. ALICIA FOX (w/Jinder Mahal, The Singh Brothers)
Graves said Hawkins, who has been assigned Moon’s replacement partner with Braun out of the tournament, is “due to win.” Cole said tonight the women wrestle, but tomorrow night on Mixed Match Challenge on Facebook Watch, the playoffs begin. Fox went to work early. Graves said Fox has “taken out more people than romaine lettuce.” (Because people dying from e-coli poisoning is funny.) Moon came back a minute later and finished Fox with an Eclipse. Hawkins celebrated at ringside.
WINNER: Moon in 2:00.
-No Way Jose came out with his conga line. Hawkins joined in the dance. Cole said Moon “looks thoroughly disgusted.” Graves said there are “less” women in the conga line than at Tom Phillips’ wedding.
(5) NO WAY JOSE vs. JINDER MAHAL (w/The Singh Brothers)
Jinder dominated for a couple of minutes. Jose made a comeback. Jinder cut if off quickly and landed the Khallas for the win.
WINNER: Mahal in 5:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Few matches under five minutes feel so long.) [c]
-Seth made his ring entrance. He said it’s time for him to get back to doing what he does best, which is being a fighting IC Champion. He’s done chasing Dean for answers. He said no number of bogus immunizations is going to save Dean from him. He said he hopes Dean shows up next week as he promised. He said Dean said he’s not there tonight, but Dean is a liar and coward so he’s probably lurking around somewhere. He said he doesn’t care because he’s Seth “Freakin'” Rollins. Fans chanted “Burn it down!” Graves said wrestlers were probably climbing over each other to get the opportunity.
Tonight after WWE Raw, join me live with guest cohost Zack Heydorn to break down the show with live callers, mailbag, and an on-site correspondent from Milwaukee, Wisc.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 2 or 3 MINUTES AFTER RAW
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER RAW
[HOUR THREE]
-Dolph Ziggler walked out. He said Seth’s head and heart hasn’t been into it since Dean stabbed him in the back. He said if he’s going back to being Seth “Freakin'” Rollins, he has to go back to losing to him because he’s the best in the world and, after this match, he’ll be IC Champion again.
(4) SETH ROLLINS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER – Intercontinental Title match
Cole talked about their matches earlier this year. Jo Jo entered the ring and did formal ring introductions. Renee said the IC Title is known as the work horse title on Raw. Seth knocked Ziggler to the floor. They cut to a break. [c]
Ziggler took over during the break. Renee said Drew helped rebuild Ziggler’s confidence. Ziggler backdropped a charging Seth over the top rope and they cut to another break at 12:00. [c]
Ziggler avoided a top rope splash and then landed a Fameasser for a near fall. Rollins blocked a Zig Zag. Ziggler rolled up Seth for a near fall, then applied a sleeper mid-ring. Seth escaped by dropping backwards and then kicked Ziggler. Both were slow to get up. Seth stomped the mat and the crowd chanted “Burn it down!” Then he kicked Ziggler. Ziggler avoided the Stomp twice and then surprised Seth with a Zig Zag for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Ziggler stomped the mat and signaled for a superkick. Seth collapsed as he tried to stand. Ziggler got in Seth’s face and slapped him and said he doesn’t have it anymore. Seth surprised Ziggler for a near fall. Ziggler followed up with a DDT. Then he went to the top rope. Seth met him up there and did a sudden superplex. He rolled through with a Falcon Arrow for the three count.
WINNER: Rollins in 21:00 to retain the IC Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good match, as you’d expect from these two.)
-Graves plugged Balor vs. Corbin.
-They went backstage to Bliss who was chatting with an intern in a suit backstage. Renee plugged the Bayley/Sasha segment next. [c]
-Bliss walked out in a suit jacket. She said it’s time to get to know Bayley and Bliss better. She said all questions are fair game. Bayley and Sasha came out and sat in the ring. Bliss insulted some fans, then let a girl ask a question. The girl asked what they would change about the Women’s Division. Bayley said she’s really proud of the Women’s Division and she just hopes they continue to be given opportunities. Bliss said that was a good answer. Sasha said she’d change one thing: “I’d ship your ass back to Smackdown.” Bliss said that’s quite a way to talk to the boss. Bliss said Bayley is bringing Sasha down, not her. She asked what it’s like going from champion to just teaming with your best friend. Bliss stirred trouble between them. Bayley said she disagrees with Sasha, because she wouldn’t ship Bliss back to Smackdown, she’d ship her “back to hell where you came from.” Graves said it’s a third grade burn, at best. Mickie James, Alicia Fox, and Dana Brooke attacked Bayley and Sasha, and not a second too soon. Cole said this had to be a set-up.
-Selfie soundbites aired for Mixed Match Challenge with Balor and Bayley first (with WORDS ON THE SCREEN) and then Mickie, Lashley, and Lio. [c]
(5) FINN BALOR vs. BARON CORBIN (& DREW MCINTYRE)
Ring introductions took place with 18 minutes left in the show. The announcers spent most of commentary debating whether it’s wise to side with Corbin or risk the consequences. [c]
Corbin drove Balor into the ringside barricade after the break repeatedly. He stomped away at Balor in the ring. He knocked Balor out of mid-air with a punch and continued to dominate in the ring, scoring near falls along the way. When Balor made a comeback, Corbin made the match two-on-one with Drew McIntyre. Balor flip dove onto Drew at ringside and then charged at Corbin with a running dropkick. Drew hit Balor from behind as Balor celebrated. He lifted and dropped Balor onto the ringside barricade. In the ring, Drew delivered a Claymore Kick for the three count.
WINNERS: Drew & Corbin in 13:00.
-After the match, Lashley came out with Lio and joined in the beatdown of Balor. Drew told Balor he’s nothing more than a boy in a man’s world. Lashley and Corbin beat up Balor, and then Drew delivered a Claymore Kick.
(Keller’s Analysis: Man, Raw’s babyface depth might be worse than when the NWO were dominating WCW with no sense of hope. With Braun and Roman gone, and Lashley and Dean turned heel, there’s almost nothing opposing the heels. Add a heel G.M. abusing his power, and it’s almost a hopeless downer of a situation.)
For another perspective, check out Zack Heydorn’s alternative RAW REPORT right here at PWTorch.
Now they can’t joke about romaine lettuce? Be more soft, you can’t.
Another horrible show. Bring on the excuses for low ratings.
Until they shake up the Raw roster and make some serious creative changes… I’m not sure how anyone can keep watching it at this point. WWE’s flagship show is its worst, while plenty of great talent is still in Orlando.