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HEYDORN’S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 7, 2019
BAKERSFIELD, CA
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Vic Joseph, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Dio Madden
[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with a highlight package that detailed the events from last week’s show between Rusev and Lana.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Telling. WWE habitually beats the PPV recap packages to death coming out of those shows. Not here.
-When the highlight package ended, the opening theme for Raw played and then the show immediatley cut to Rusev getting attacked in the ring by Baron Corbin and Randy Orton. Rusev stopped the attack, but was then confronted by Bobby Lashley on the big screen. Lashley told Rusev he wasn’t looking good and then talked about the robe he was wearing. He said it was Rusev’s robe and that he was at Rusev’s out. From there, Lashley got into Rusev’s comfortable bed and wondered what else was missing. He said the one thing that was missing was something that Rusev was missing a lot. Lana then appeared and climbed into bed. There, she addressed Rusev and said that she now owned everything in the house. She said they no longer had joint checking accounts to which Lashley responded and said that Rusev should have spent all of his money on Lana instead of sending it home to his family in Bulgaria. At that point, Lana removed her top and hugged Lashley in bed as the lights went out.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Once again, that was awkward and strange to watch. Lana and Lashley were effective enough were their delivery, but the stuff about owning everything in the house and the joint checking accounts just seemed out of the blue. Because THAT’S what Rusev is concerned about right?
-Back in the ring, Orton and Corbin laughed at Rusev. In response, Rusev grew angry and attacked both Corbin and Orton. The audience popped big for the physicality and Rusev continued to beat up both men around the ringside area. He used the steel steps on Corbin and then suplexed Orton into the guardrail. After, Rusev smashed Orton into the ring post while yelling “are you laughing at me.” From there, he hit super kicks on both Orton and Corbin before throwing the steps around and walking up the ramp.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Well, that worked. I didn’t think it would, but it did. The audience responded and Rusev finally reacted in a authentic way that people can sympathize with and understand.
-When the segment ended, the announce team discussed wanting to help Rusev before running through the rest of the key portions of the show including the appearance from Tyson Fury and Miz TV. When they finished, the show went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: Ok then … still no mention of Hell In A Cell.
-After the break, Evans wrapped up her entrance before the announcers cued up a highlight video that detailed the match from Hell In A Cell between Evans and Nattie. When the video ended, Evans spoke and said that they were at the end of the road. She said the trash would be taken out and that there was only one place left to go – a last lady standing match. Evans said she would be the last one standing and that she would take Nattie out like the piece of trash that she is. Once Evans finished, Nattie made her entrance and briskly walked to the ring. Once she got there, the bell rang, and the match began.
(1) LACEY EVANS vs. NATALYA – Last Lady Standing Match
Natalya took control of the match early and smashed Evans into the guardrail. After, she back dropped Lacey on the outside mats before lifting her to her feet and slapping her in the face. From there, she hit Evans with a snap vertical suplex on the outside before stomping her in the midsection. Eventually, Nattie rolled Evans into the ring and clocked her with the discus clothesline. With Evans down, Nattie locked the Sharpshooter in to do big damage on the leg of Evans. Once Nattie broke the hold, she kept control by smashing Lacey’s face into the mat.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Smart commentary there. Without it, Nattie’s move is foolish as she can’t win the match via submission. However, the announcers framed the move as means to incapacitate an opponent. Spot on and helpful in telling the story of the match.
Finally, Evans took control of the match for a quick second after Nattie taunted her, but the momentum was short-lived as Nattie quickly battled back. Both women fought toe to toe until Evans hit Nattie with a swing into the guardrail. With Nattie down, the referee started the count. As he did, Evans went for a table, but then put it back to get some heat from the crowd.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Decent heel work there on the part of Evans. Instead of taking the table out, she listened and reacted to the audience’s positive reaction for the table by not going through with her original plan to bring it out. The heat followed. If they are smart, Nattie will get that table out to capitalize on the pop from the crowd.
From there, Nattie broke the count of ten, but was slammed into the steel steps as the show went to commercial break. (c)
Out of the break, the battle continued. Evans crushed Nattie with a kendo stick shot and then demanded that the referee count begin. Each time, the Natalya broke the count. From there, Evans trapped Nattie in a chair with the kendo stick, but eventually, Nattie broke out to end the count. After, Evans hit Nattie two more times with the stick, but the third swing was countered. Nattie then tried to hit Evans with it, but Lacey countered. She hit Nattie with a neckbreaker on the floor and then demanded that the referee count beg again. Again, Nattie beat the count, but was then knocked to the ground with a garbage can. After, Evans hit Nattie with a moonsault off of the guardrail which prompted the count to start again. The count reached nine, but Nattie got to her feet. In response, Evans hit her with a vertical suplex on the ramp before tossing her into the LED board. Evans then tossed Nattie into the announcer table which prompted the referee count. Nattie beat the count and after, her and Evans both climbed to the top of said table. There, Evans hit Natalya with a vertical suplex on the table and posed afterward as the count ensued. From there, Evans slammed Nattie into the LED board for a second time and tried for a second suplex, but got it countered by a Nattie suplex. Natalya then power bombed Evans off of the stage to a big reaction from the crowd. The referee counted to ten which gave Natalya the victory.
WINNER: Natalya via last lady standing rules
Heydorn’s Analysis: Good action start to finish and a proper big spot to cap the match off that played nicely into the last lady standing gimmick. That said, the entire thing seemed to go on longer than it should have.
-Tyson Fury was shown backstage as the show went to commercial break. (c)
-After the break, Aleister Black cut a pre-taped promo. He said Raw was a place of competition, tradition, and battle. He said he needed battle because beneath his calm demeanor is an unforgiving fire. He said he was forever restless and hoped that someone would knock on his door to pick a fight with him.
Heydorn’s Analysis: More of the same from Black. I respect the time given to him to connect and engage with the audience, but his words are mindless and directionless at this point.
-The Street Profits were shown backstage and discussed that they were getting ready for the draft that starts up this week. From there, they did their own scouting reports for Apollo Crews, Buddy Murphy, and Drake Maverick.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Does either brand actually want those guys? What kind of scouting report is that? Sure, it was a comedy bit, but the draft draws ratings. Just not if guys like Crews, Murphy, and Maverick are the focus.
-When the scouting report was finished, the Street Profits discussed Tyson Fury and hyped his appearance before playing clips from the events between him and Braun Strowman from Smackdown. After, Fury was interviewed backstage. He said he wasn’t provoking Strowman on SmackDown, but that he wanted an apology from Strowman. He said if he didn’t get one, Strowman would “get these hands.” Fury then left the shot and the Viking Raiders made their entrance as the show went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: So far so good for Fury. The audience feels primed for Strowman though. He’s their guy and Fury could be on the receiving end of a heel reaction when he gets in front of the live crowd.
-Out of the break, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode made their entrance. Once they got to the ring, the bell rang, and the match began.
(2) THE VIKING RAIDERS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE
Erick and Ziggler started the match off and tied up in the middle of the ring. The chain wrestled back and forth until the referee made them break. After Erick and Ivar took control, Ziggler made the tag to Roode. Roode slowly entered the match and attempted a takedown on Ivar, but failed. Ivar slammed him instead and lifted him for a second slam, but Roode countered. After, Roode hit Ivar with a series of strikes. Eventually, Ivar countered the strikes and tagged Erick back into the match. They hit Roode with a double team and then battled both Ziggler and Roode on the outside of the ring together. From there, the action spilled back into the ring where Erick controlled Roode with a standing arm submission. Roode broke free and chopped Erick, but couldn’t control the match due to a knee to the face from Erick. The knee sent Roode out of the ring. Ziggler checked on him and delayed until Roode crawled back in. There, Erick connected with suplex before clotheslining him out of the ring once again. Then, the show went to commercial break.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Someone got that commercial break wrong. For a second, the Raiders paused and stared at Roode and Ziggler in an awkward way that typically means “commercial.” Then after a few seconds of action, the same situation occurred and the break happened. Messy, messy, messy.
After the commercial break, Ziggler and Roode were back in control of the match.
[HOUR TWO]
Ziggler locked in a chinlock on Erick who furiously attempted to tag Ivar. For his troubles, Ziggler hit him with a neckbreaker and covered, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, Ziggler tagged Roode into the match and Roode put Erick in a sleeper submission. Eventually, Erick countered the Roode/Ziggler offense with a slingshot to Ziggler. He tried to make the tag again and this time was successful. Ivar hit the ring with fire and hit Roode with a running cross body and a clothesline. From there, Ziggler hit him with the Famous-er and covered, but only got a two count. The audience clapped for Ivar who countered Ziggler’s superkick with his own. After, the Raiders hit more combo offense on Ziggler. They hit it and covered, but Roode broke up the count. Out of the pin, Erick went for a running knee strike, but he missed and was covered for a two count pin. Out of that pin, Ziggler and Roode hit their finisher combination, but Erick kicked out again. After, Roode went for the Glorious DDT, but it was countered. Ziggler made a blind tag into the match which made him the legal man. Erick tagged Ivar as well and both men hit Ziggler with the Viking Experience. Ivar then made the cover for the 1,2,3 win.
WINNER: Viking Raiders via pinfall
Heydorn’s Analysis: A fine match, but longer than it needed to be given the story told. Presumably, the Viking Raiders will be the number one contenders to the tag titles, but just had a full competitive match with the champions. Where is the intrigue there? If this match was kept shorter, they’d have a place to go for the title match.
-After the match, Aleister Black was shown on the video screen. He said he would head to the ring and see if anyone wanted to pick a fight with him. The show then went to commercial break. (c)
-Out of the break, the Singh Brothers were in the ring dancing. They said called themselves the best tag team on 205 Live and said they should be the top draft picks for Raw or SmackDown. At that point, Aleister Black made his entrance. Black got a good reaction and slowly walked to the ring as the announcers talked him up. Once he got to the ring, his match with the Singh Brothers began.
(3) ALEISTER BLACK vs. THE SINGH BROTHERS
Out of the age, Black crushed both opponents with a series of kicks and knee strikes. In the end, Black connected with Black Mass and then applied a submission to get the quick victory.
WINNER: Black via submission
Heydorn’s Analysis: A proper time for a squash match and one that frames Black as a major deal and a potential major draft pick. The announcers hyped Black strong which foreshadows him being a significant “get” for Raw or SmackDown. Well done.
-After the match, the announce team cued up highlights from WWE’s debut on Fox. When the highlights ended, Braun Strowman was shown backstage as the show went to commercial break. (c)
-Out of the break, Braun Strowman was interviewed backstage. Strowman said he was only having fun with Fury on SmackDown. He said that if Fury wanted to make things serious, Strowman would be happy to. Strowman said that Fury may get an apology, but if he doesn’t ask nicely, he’d “get these hands.”
Heydorn’s Analysis: Braun Strowman may apologize? WWE should have gone for a different tone there. Intense Strowman is the best Strowman. Period.
-When the interview ended, the announce team cued up highlights from SmackDown regarding Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez. When the highlights ended, Rey Mysterio was interviewed backstage. He said that Dominic was brutalized by Brock, but that he was proud of him for taking the attack like a man. Mysterio said that he was home recovering and that his physical scars would heel quicker than his emotional ones would. From there, Mysterio talked about being a parent and said he felt helpless while Lesnar beat up his son. He said he let his son and family down. From there, Mysterio talked about Cain Velasquez and said that Cain was the only man that Brock Lesnar fears. He said that if there was one man to avenge his family, it would be Cain. Mysterio then left the shot as the OC made their entrance to the ring. As they walked down the ramp, the show went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: While I can do without the “he took it like a man” stuff, that worked. Mysterio sold the attack emotionally and tied those emotions back to what Cain Velasquez would do to Lesnar for him and his family. Well done.
-After the commercial break, a pre-taped promo aired from Authors Of Pain.
Heydorn’s Analysis: These continue to be very well done top to bottom.
-When the promo ended, the Lucha House Party made their entrance. Once they got to the ring, the bell rang, and the match began.
(4) THE O.C. vs. THE LUCHA HOUSE PARTY
The LHP owned the match out of the gate with Kalisto stealing control from Karl Anderson. Dorado tagged in and kept momentum after taking Anderson down with an arm drag that he followed with a submission. Dorado connected with a springboard hurricanrana and then tagged Gran Metalik into the match. Metalik hit Anderson with a falling splash off of Dorado’s shoulders and covered, but only got a two count. Eventually, the LHP cleared the ring and then hit tandem moonsaults on the OC as the show went to commercial break. (c)
After the break, the action continued with smooth back and forth pace between both teams. Eventually, Styles countered the SDS by Kalisto and connected with the Styles Clash for the 1,2,3 win.
WINNER: O.C. via pinfall
-After the match, the O.C. attacked Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado. The attack included a Styles Clash off of the top rope on Dorado. From there, Styles, Anderson, and Gallows celebrated in the ring. As the celebration happened, the announce team recapped Banks vs. Lynch from Hell In A Cell. The show then went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: Good action throughout the match. Kalisto and Styles seemed to have some chemistry together too. As for the angle, it seems as if they’re working to present the O.C as a threat. Enter upper mid-card trio somewhere.
-After the break, the Miz made his way to the ring for Miz TV. Once Miz got to the ring, he welcomed the audience to Miz TV and hyped WWE’s successful week. He talked about the celebrities who came out for the shows including The Rock, Tyson Fury, and Cain Velasquez. From there, Miz introduced Becky Lynch. Becky got a big reaction and walked to the ring with the steam pyro behind her. Once she got to the ring, the audience chanted for her and she responded by saying “hello Bakersfield.” The audience cheered that too. Miz then introduced Charlotte Flair.
[HOUR THREE]
When Charlotte got to the ring, she sat in her chair opposite Becky as the crowd “wooed.” From there, Miz congratulated both women on their wins at Hell In A Cell. Miz then talked about Lynch main eventing WrestleMania, being on the 2K video game cover and the ESPN Magazine cover. As Miz ran down her accomplishments, the audience cheered. In response, Lynch said that those accomplishments were great, but that at Hell In A Cell Sasha Banks beat her up and she had never been as beat up as she was. Even still, Lynch said that she kicked Sasha Banks’ ass also. The audience erupted in cheers.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Great work by Becky Lynch. Not only did she sell her own victory, but her choice in words kept Sasha Banks over too. That’s one smart babyface. Good stuff.
From there, Miz talked to Charlotte and recapped her victory to become champion for the tenth time. Charlotte said that it was good to be the queen. Miz proceeded to talk about the upcoming draft. He said that they could be on different shows or on the same show. Miz said they could be the top women’s acts in WWE to which Charlotte responded by saying “top acts in all of WWE.” At that point, Miz brought up their upcoming match together against the Kabuki Warriors. In response, Becky Lynch talked about needing to right a wrong against Asuka. She said that the last time they faced off, she lost and that she wanted to get that victory back. From there, Lynch and Charlotte jawed back and forth about who was the better champion. Lynch said that she made Charlotte’s belt famous and Charlotte said that Lynch was only a one time champion compared to her ten times.
Heydorn’s Analysis: I like the storyline consistency between Charlotte and Lynch and Lynch and Asuka. Charlotte and Becky teaming without any comment on their history would have been unrealistic. This back and forth connected those dots. Same thing for Lynch’s loss to Asuka. It gives fans a reason to remember matches and gives all match outcomes impact on potential future events.
When the oneupmanship stopped, the Kabuki Warriors made their entrance. They cut a promo in Japanese until Lynch interuppted and told Asuka to run down and face her. Asuka obliged and the brawl was on. Both teams fought each other until order was controlled by officials as the show went to break. (c)
(5) THE KABUKI WARRIORS vs. BECKY LYNCH & CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Asuka and Sane took over early in the match on Becky Lynch. Lynch hit Sane with a running heel kick and then tagged Charlotte into the match. Charlotte kept up the momentum and hit offense on both Sane and Asuka culminating with a Natural Selection on Asuka that caused her to roll out of the ring. Seeing this, Flair climbed to the top rope and connected with a moonsault on both Asuka and Sane. After the move, Charlotte attempted to put the Figure Eight on Asuka, but Sane interfered. She got a suplex for her troubles. The move caused her to roll out of the ring and and as Charlotte followed, Asuka stiffed her with an uppercut. The show then went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: The audience is into this. I’ll keep saying it – Charlotte doesn’t need the moonsault. Heel or babyface, it doesn’t matter.
After the break, Charlotte and Becky regained control of the match. Lynch and Sane battle on the top rope until Lynch slammed her from the second rope. After, Lynch connected with a second rope leg drop and tried for a cover, but only got a two count due to Asuka’s involvement. Out of the pin, Asuka and Charlotte battled on the outside while Lynch battled with Sane inside. From there, Lynch put Sane in the Disarmer, but Asuka broke it up with the Green Mist. With Becky blinded, Sane rolled her up for the 1,2,3 win.
WINNER: Sane and Asuka via pinfall
-After the match, Sane and Asuka beat up Charlotte and Becky who was blinded. This prompted Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross to hit the ring for the save. They got a good reaction and ran off the heels. The show then went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: Had the Green Mist been sold properly by the announcers last night, this finish would have been more impactful. The announcers sold Lynch being blinded tonight, but the lack of context out of its initial return last night hindered the effect tonight.
-Out of the break, the announce team recapped the events that started the show between Rusev, Lana, and Bobby Lashley. From there, Apollo Crews was interviewed backstage. He addressed his opponent Ricochet and said that he respects him and the history they have together. Crews said that he’s stayed fresh and is ready for his showcase. He told Ricochet that it wasn’t personal, but that tonight was about him. After, the Viking Raiders cut a promo and said that Robert Roode and Ziggler joined the ranks of the fallen. They said they would win the tag titles next week. Finally, Ricochet was interviewed. He said that if tonight was his last night on Raw, he was honored to share the ring with Crews. From there, he addressed the draft and said that whether it was on Raw or SmackDown he would prove that superheroes can exist. When he finished, he made his entrance for the match as the show went to break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: Once again, Ricochet featured a nice cadence and flow to his promo. Is this Paul Heyman advice being put to good use? Maybe? Something is working though. He wants to prove superheroes exist? How about wants to win a championship instead?
-Out of the break, Apollo Crews finished his entrance and the match with Ricochet began.
(6) RICOCHET vs. APOLLO CREWS
To start, both Crews and Ricochet one-upped each other with flipping counters in the middle of the ring. They exchanged moonsault attempts and other moves until Ricochet took over the momentum with a springboard clothesline which he followed with a standing moonsault. He attempted a pin, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, he tried for his 680, but Crews rolled out of the way to counter. With Ricochet down, Crews connected with his own standing moonsault and covered, but only got a two count. Out of that pin, Ricochet connected with his knee to the face finisher for the 1,2,3 win.
WINNER: Ricochet via pinfall
Heydorn’s Analysis: Oh what could have been. A squash more than anything else and match that did absolutley nothing for both men involved.
-After the match, a video recap of the Rollins/Fiend Hell In A Cell match aired.
Heydorn’s Analysis: Two hours and 44 minutes into the show.
-Tyson Fury was shown walking backstage as the show went to break. (c)
-After the break, Jerry Lawler welcomed Tyson Fury to the ring. The crowd reaction was lukewarm and the announcers talked up Fury’s antics throughout the years as he walked into the ring. Once he got there, Lawler welcomed him to Monday Night Raw and to Bakersfield. Fury mentioned Bakersfield to a big pop before saying that Braun Strowman made him look like a fool. He said he demanded an apology which brought out Strowman himself. Strowman received a good reaction including a loud roar from the crowd. Once Braun got to the ring, he grabbed a microphone and stared at Fury as the audience chanted “get these hands.” From there, Strowman told Fury he was just having a little fun on SmackDown until he saw the way he was looking at him. Strowman told Fury that he was yelling “let him go” as he was being carried away by security on Friday night. Strowman said that he would eat him for lunch to which Fury responded by saying he would knock him out. Strowman taunted Fury about losing to Wilder and Fury taunted back by making fun of Braun for having not won a world title yet. From there, they got face to face with each other. Fury proceeded to push Strowman and the brawl was on. Security tried to stop them, but couldn’t get the job done. Fury and Strowman destroyed them which led to the Raw locker room running out to break up the fight. They were successful here and there with Fury and Strowman each charging at each other at various points. Finally, Strowman left the ring and cut a promo on Fury backstage. He called Fury tough, but said he wouldn’t give him an apology because he came into his house and disrespected him. Strowman then ran out and attacked Fury again as the show went to commercial break. (c)
Heydorn’s Analysis: Paint by numbers for the most part, but one of the better segments involving a celebrity. Have to assume a match is coming, but it couldn’t be a the event that shall not be named could it? It could and that’s an awful fact.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: HEYDORN’S WWE RAW REPORT 9/30: Alt Perspective coverage of the live show including the beginning of Raw’s new era, Rollins vs. Mysterio for the Universal Championship, the return of Hulk Hogan, and more
I’m guessing negative fall-out from the main event led to excising the PPV clips.
I mean, I get what I think WWE is going for: Unstoppable Fiend, whovis like the nightmare that will never go away. I still think that the best way to end this is simply to have a decisive winner and move on, either with Fiend winning the title or Seth finally putting this Fred Rogers wannabe to rest forever and taking Bray’s mask and ripping it off.
Well, we get a long-awaited return of Rusev, only to find him placed in another silly gimmick. This appears to be a rehashed continuation of the Dolph Ziggler – Lana public affair, with Rusev looking silly no matter what the results are in the ring (or who is the intruder – this time Lashley). I still have no idea whose list he got on, but Rusev sure deserves a lot better than soap opera nonsense.
Vince loves to humiliate talent. This could be punishment to Rusev for mentioning he was unhappy with his character in the past. Lana was so great in the past and look at her now. Bobby Lashley deserves better then this horrible skit.