WWE RAW Results: 11-17-14
Hey...it's been awhile so let's try this for old time's sake. Results courtesy of
PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete result). Mostly in-ring stuff plus the final segment that sets up the this Sunday's Survivor Series not-so-pay-per-view.
1 -- IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. LUKE HARPER -- non-title match
Mr. MITB Seth Rollins was ringside on commentary. Suddenly, Lilian Garcia announced this as an Intercontinental Title match, per information she received during the break.
1b -- IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. LUKE HARPER -- Intercontinental Title match
After Lilian announced the title match and before the bell sounded, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble hit the ring to attack Ziggler. Rollins KO'ed Ziggler with the MITB briefcase, then the ref checked on Ziggler to see if he could compete. Ziggler struggled to get to his feet, then told the ref to call for the bell. The ref hesitated as he approached the timekeeper, then checked on Ziggler again. Ziggler demanded the bell and the ref reluctantly called for it.
Harper immediately hit a big boot on Ziggler, but Ziggler kicked out. Harper hit a powerbomb, but Ziggler kicked out again. On commentary, Rollins was stunned by Harper not winning after those two moves. Ziggler then low-bridged Harper, sending him crashing to the floor heading to a mid-match break.
Back from break, Harper punished Ziggler, who continued selling the effects of the pre-match attack. Harper gator-rolled Ziggler, then put him in a chinlock. Harper tried to follow with a corner attack, but Ziggler avoided and hit the Fameasser for a two count. Harper came back with a powerbomb attempt, Ziggler slipped out, and Harper responded with a big discus clothesline. Harper covered Ziggler and it was good for the win when everyone seemed to be expecting a kick out.
Post-match, Rollins tried to end Ziggler with a Curb Stomp before celebrating with Harper. After Rollins left, Harper hung around in the ring to pose with the IC Title belt over a fallen Ziggler.
WINNER: Harper at 8:28 to capture the IC Title. Harper's big singles run has officially begun ... except that he's holding the albatross that is the IC Title.
2 -- ADAM ROSE vs. TYSON KIDD (w/Natalya)
Kidd completed his ring entrance back from break. Before the bell sounded, WWE replayed Kidd submitting Rose last week on Raw. Once the bell sounded, Rose demanded The Bunny stand ringside. Meanwhile, Cole and JBL brought up the deal from Smackdown commentary acknowledging The Bunny as a man inside a costume. Lawler then noted he would like to see some puppies on Raw next week. (Because of the cat and the bunny... yeah.)
Rose's entourage tried to distract Kidd by humming Rose's theme song, then The Bunny hopped over toward Natalya. Rose stopped wrestling to reprimand The Bunny. Rose then turned around to take the Sharpshooter from Kidd. Rose called for help from The Bunny, but the mascoted individual was too focused on dancing for Natalya.
Post-match, The Bunny entered the ring and tried to act sorry for Rose's loss. Rose went for an attack, but The Bunny ducked and out-wrestled Rose before dry-humping him from behind and leaving the ring. The Bunny did a dance move on the stage, now looking to show up Rose instead of being subservient.
WINNER: Rose at 1:53.
3 -- RYBACK vs. CESARO
Cesaro was already in the ring back from break. Ryback controlled early on before Cesaro responded with a t-bone suplex. WWE then cut backstage to show John Cena for the first time on Raw. Cena was watching the match on a monitor. Back in the ring, Cesaro double-stomped Ryback in the gut for a two count, then settled into a headlock. Cesaro followed with a big powerslam, then he clotheslined Ryback over the top rope to the floor. They're making Ryback look weak so early in his return.
Back from break, Cesaro was still in control, now in the ring. Cesaro uppercut Ryback, then clotheslined him to the mat. WWE cut to another shot of John Cena watching the match on a backstage monitor. Back to the match, where Cesaro missed with a top-rope move. Ryback then made a comeback before delivering a powerbomb out of the corner. But, Cesaro came back with a big German suplex. Cesaro tried another, but Ryback elbowed out. Another German from Cesaro, then a second. And a third for a two count. Cesaro then came off the top with a big elbow drop to the chest, looking like a babyface executing a cool-looking move. Ryback kicked out, though.
Cesaro tried to follow up, but Ryback tossed Cesaro into the air for a big powerslam. Ryback then got the crowd involved teasing the Meathook Clothesline, but Cesaro blocked and hit an uppercut for a two count. Cesaro then teased The Neutralizer, but Ryback blocked. Meathook clothesline, then Ryback hit Shell-Shock to a light reaction. Ryback covered Cesaro for the win.
WINNER: Ryback at 14:12. On paper, this sounds like a pretty big match, but WWE gave the audience no time to anticipate or appreciate the match-up. That, plus the surprising length of the match, contributed to the quiet response throughout. And Ryback was curiously booked to highlight his weaknesses before eventually getting in his signature offense for the win. Cesaro got the spotlight, though. This was just odd if WWE is still in the Ryback Business.
4 -- U.S. champion RUSEV (w/Lana) vs. HEATH SLATER -- non-title match
Rusev waited for the bell, then superkicked Slater in the mouth. Rusev smirked, then slapped on The Accolade for a quick submission win.
WINNER: Rusev via submission at 0:31.
5 -- BIG SHOW vs. SHEAMUS
WWE's counter-programming for Halftime of the NFL game started with Show and Sheamus slapping hands to show respect. Respect quickly went on the window when tempers flared between the teammates. Show knocked Sheamus out of the ring heading to break.
Back from break, Sheamus and Big Show continued battling. Sheamus wanted a bodyslam, but Big Show easily blocked and scoopslammed Sheamus. Show dropped an elbow to Sheamus's chest for a two count, then slapped on his modified Indian Deathlock submission. Sheamus grabbed the bottom rope, though.
Sheamus rallied with forearms to the face, then a knee to the gut and a kneelift. Sheamus wanted a top-rope move, but Show intercepted with a mid-air spear. It was only good for a two count. Show wanted a chokeslam, but Sheamus slipped out and hit White Noise for a two count. Sheamus followed up with an electric chair out of the corner.
As both men remained on the mat, Rusev and Mark Henry marched down to the ring to join the fight. Rusev booted Sheamus in the gut, causing the bell sound. Henry then tore up the announce table before putting Sheamus through the table with World's Strongest Slam. Meanwhile, Rusev put Show in The Accolade back in the ring. Show faded out as Rusev kept the hold locked on. The crowd sat quietly processing the events, then picked up a "Cena, Cena" chant. No sign of the team captain, who was apparently not watching this match on a backstage monitor. Show and Sheamus were shown KO'ed as Cole stacked the deck against Team Cena at Survivor Series when Cena is the only man standing.
WINNER: No Contest at 11:14. Clumsy set-up for the match, which was apparently supposed to be Show and Sheamus being convinced to fight each other for the dangling carrot of a title shot, but that was not stressed during the match, nor did it resonate with the audience. The booking just sucks the life out of these characters.
6 -- NIKKI BELLA vs. BRIE "A.J. LEE" BELLA -- Exhibition match
Before the bell sounded, Lilian Garcia announced this as an "exhibition match." The crowd sat quietly not moved by the announcement. A.J. Lee's music played again for the real Divas champion to join the announcers for commentary. "C-M Punk" chant once the bell sounded. Nikki quickly controlled her sister dressed as her PPV opponent, and Brie went along with playing a tackling dummy as part of her 30 days of service punishment. But, A.J. stood up ringside and distracted Nikki, allowing Brie to surprise Nikki for the win.
Post-match, Nikki tried to beat up her sister, but A.J. jumped into the ring and knocked down Nikki. A.J. and Brie celebrated in the ring, but A.J. wanted the spotlight for herself, so she dropped Brie and posed with the Divas Title belt.
WINNER: Brie/Fake A.J. at 2:05. If the booking holds up with A.J. standing tall here, then Nikki wins on Sunday.
7 -- THE USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) & LOS MATADORES (DIEGO & FERNANDO w/El Torito) vs. WWE tag champs RHODES BROS. (GOLDUST & "STARDUST" CODY RHODES) & THE MIZ & DAMIEN SANDOW -- eight-man tag match
As the bell sounded, Cole noted the Rhodes Bros. got into with former German goalkeeper Tim Wiese on the European Tour over the weekend. Los Matadores took control, did their pose, and Sandow suddenly entered the ring, took a bump on air, and rolled out of the ring to sell the effects of punishment taken by Miz. Bodies flew to the outside and the faces stood tall heading to break.
Back from break, Goldust posted un Matador. On commentary, Cole relayed "breaking news" that they will have an update on Team Cena after the match. Meanwhile, the crowd came to life chanting for Damien Sandow to enter the match. Instead, Miz worked on un Matador. Goldust tagged in, then teased tagging in Sandow, but Cody stole the tag. Sandow eventually took the tag, but Miz tagged himself in. Sandow took his medicine and returned to the ring apron.
Hot tag to un Uso at 10:30. Bodies flew out of the ring, then Cody found himself alone in the ring with the legal Uso. Cody managed to hit Dark Matter, and it was good for the pin and the win. Cody and Goldust stood tall in the ring, then Miz and Sandow mean-mugged since they're on their own in the Tag Title match on Sunday.
WINNERS: Rhodes Bros. & Miz & Sandow at 11:35.
Arena: Triple H's music played to bring out Triple H, Stephanie, and all of Team Authority on the stage. Earlier Tonight: Dolph Ziggler lost the IC Title and was taken out by The Authority. Then, Mark Henry and Rusev took out Sheamus and Big Show.
Back live, The Authority was in the ring standing on one side of a contract table. Hunter talked about history being made on Sunday. He said The Authority will stand tall. He lost his words and acted like something was wrong. He almost seemed to be doing a health scare angle. Hunter then collected himself and talked about how important WWE is to the McMahon Family. He said "this" is the air they breathe. Hunter looked into Steph's eyes to tell her that they will not lose. Steph agreed.
Hunter addressed his troops, saying they will not lose. "We cannot lose," Hunter said. He shouted toward the back that this is the last chance for every member of Team Cena to back out. He said if they don't back out now, they will wish that they had. Steph said sometimes it takes more courage to back down from a fight than to start one. She said her father challenged them to become better leaders, and they assembled a monstrous team for Survivor Series.
Steph then introduced what's left of Team Cena. Out came John Cena selling concern having no one to stand with him. Cena then smiled and stomped down to the ring, not afraid of the deck being stacked against him. Cena stood on one side of the table as Hunter noted he can't see the rest of Cena's team. Cena said Hunter has jokes, but the jokes stop on Sunday.
Cena said everyone will be watching on Sunday when they see Hunter's team lose. And then they will be out of power. Stephanie sarcastically asked what team will beat them when Sheamus has already been taken to the hospital. Steph said Cena is the only one who will throw his career away facing them. Cena shouted back at Steph that she won't be yelling at anyone after Sunday.
Cena said Team Authority thinks they have it all figured out. But, they come out here every week putting these people to sleep, then do what's best for themselves, not what's best for business. Cena said he'll even pick four people out of the crowd for Sunday. "Is there anyone here who wants to kick the crap out of The Authority?" Cena asked. Cena then left the ring to get some audience participation to wake up the crowd. Cena high-fived some fans in the crowd, then said all of his team members have passion for WWE, while their team is a bunch of suck-ups and sell-outs.
Cena said he's even going to give people a preview of Sunday. He said the King and Queen will saunter down to the ring with noses up. They will take their ringside seats watching as the man in the yellow shirt is destroyed. But, one by one, they will fall. Kane will be the first to go. Why? He's a butt-kissing, bootleg Jim Carrey. And then Luke Harper will fail. And then Rusev. He said that's when things get serious. Cena said Hunter will get hungry after Steph throws up from nervousness, so he has no problem feeding him Sexual Chocolate (Mark Henry).
And that leaves just one, Seth Rollins. Cena said he's the bleach-blonde brunette with a fetish for latex. And when he gets his attitude adjusted, Hunter and Steph will have to watch the ref count one, two, three. Cena said Hunter's life will flash before his eyes seeing all of the lives and careers ruined before he's relegated to scrubbing toilets. Steph slapped Cena, so Cena cleared the announce table. Cena told her to get out of the ring because it's go time.
Cena and Hunter squared off, then Dolph Ziggler's music played to bring out Ziggler to join Cena. Ziggler was holding his neck to sell pain. After a pause, Big Show's music played. Out came Show shaking off The Accolade to stand with Cena and Ziggler.
Hunter counted how many team members he has, then Erick Rowan's music played. Out came Rowan down to the ring, shooting Luke Harper's eyes out of his head. Rowan stomped down to the ring and pointed at Harper as Hunter sold concern. Steph said that's a big surprise, okay, but it's still only four. Steph told Cena he's still one man short and facing career suicide on Sunday.
Steph gave all of them one more chance to reconsider. Suddenly, Cesaro's music played. Cesaro jogged down to the ring and stood opposite The Authority. Then, he faked out Cena and stood with The Authority. Steph said the look on Cena's face was awesome. Steph cackled and asked if there are any more surprises. Suddenly, Ryback's music played.
Ryback marched down to the ring looking for a seat at the big table. The fight was on and Cena teased an AA on Cena, but Hunter blasted Cena. Hunter wanted a Pedigree on Cena, but Ryback hit the ring to stare down Hunter. Cena then stood up in the background, whipped Hunter around, and sent Hunter through the table with an AA. Steph freaked out as Rowan, Show, Ryback, Cena, and Ziggler stood tall in the ring. Steph then slipped into the ring to check on her husband. JBL called this career suicide for Team Cena. Meanwhile, Hunter talked to Steph under his breath. Cena acted stunned that he finally formed a team, let it sink in, and did another curtain call as Cole did big hype claiming that WWE changes on Sunday. Raw signed off 13 minutes past the top of the hour.
THE NEWS: It's Cena, Ryback, Rowan, Show, and Ziggler against Rollins, Kane, Henry, Rusev, and Harper in the PPV main event.
