Live from Tulsa, Oklahoma this is the Raw Deal for episode #1123. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport.
There was a video package that focused on the key events from last week’s show when members of the losing Team Authority had a bad night.
Raw began with notifications from the Anonymous Raw GM, which led to Michael Cole reading an email. The Anon GM said he’s back and he’s not happy, but that WWE needs him. He announced the following things, but then John Cena’s music cut him off.
Cena told us that the Anonymous Raw GM is running the show and he didn’t like it. He said he’s got something in common with Brock Lesnar, who shows up once per year. Faces lie? I guess so. Cena mentioned Team Authority isn’t there anymore and brought up that Big Show turned on his team. Cena kept on ranting, but then he was cut off by the notification sound. The notification sound on the laptop kept going off, so Cena walked over to it and closed it. He was cut off by Seth Rollins.
Rollins entered the arena along with the J&J Security team. He did a promo in the ring while Cena stayed by the laptop. Rollins mentioned things that Cena was good at and said Cena was actually good at getting half the crowd to tell him how bad he was (reference to the “Cena Sucks” chant). The fans chanted “you sold out” at Rollins. He told Cena that Cena didn’t win anything at Survivor Series and that Rollins eliminated Cena. Rollins added that he would have been the sole survivor if it wasn’t for one man: Sting. Cena mentioned that they had one man left and that this man eliminated three men by himself. Cena added that his name is Dolph Ziggler and he mentioned that Ziggler beat Rollins too.
That discussion led to Rollins asking if WWE was better off without The Authority. The fans chanted “yes” to that. Rollins wondered if it’s better having an Anonymous Raw GM, last week was Daniel Bryan and what if we had JBL do it. JBL seemed excited about it. Rollins mentioned somebody like Batista could do it, but that he’d be terrible at it like wrestling and acting. Rollins even said Eric Bischoff could do it. Rollins said that every week it can change. He said what’s best for Cena and the fans is also what’s best for business. Rollins told Cena that he’s the only one with power, so he has to bring back The Authority. Cena said The Authority is not coming back.
Cena walked into the ring to confront Rollins. He told Rollins that he has to earn everything. Cena mocked him for wearing too much latex and he had two mall security cops with him. Cena told Rollins to ask him nicely. The dueling “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” chants started up. They missed their cue earlier. Rollins begrudgingly asked Cena to please bring back The Authority. Cena wanted Rollins to ask again.
There was a notification from the Anonymous Raw GM. Cole read an email saying that it will be Cena vs. Rollins in a Tables Match in a TLC Match. If Cena loses at TLC, then he won’t be the #1 Contender for the WWE Title. Rollins attacked as Cole tried to read more.
Kane rolled into the ring and gave Cena a Chokeslam in the middle of the ring. Ryback made the save by attacking Kane, J&J Security and then he gave a powerslam to Rollins. Kane attacked Ryback with a chair since they are having a Chairs Match. Erick Rowan marched down to the ring. He nailed Kane with a boot to the face. Rowan cleaned house by giving Rollins repeated headbutts. Big Show went into the ring to attack Rowan and then Show tossed Rowan out of the ring. Show picked up the steel steps and he hit Rowan in the face with them. Dolph Ziggler made the save. He brought out a ladder. Luke Harper attacked Ziggler by shoving him into the side of the ring. Rollins set up a table. Cena wanted to put Rollins through a table, but that didn’t work. Harper saved Rollins and then Show knocked out Cena with a KO Punch. After J&J picked up Cena, Rollins gave Cena a Powerbomb through the table. JBL was saying it was like Shield 2.0. They went to break there.
Analysis: That was 22 minutes before the break. The only significant announcement was a match between Cena and Rollins. I thought the promo work by Cena and Rollins was just average. I know some people don, ‘t like Rollins as a talker. I think he’s fine at it, but not like he’s the best in the company either. A Tables Match really doesn’t excite me very much, but they need to have stipulations on all the matches so that’s what they get. All of the attacks and saves were predictable. The heels getting the advantage makes sense just because it’s an obvious way to set up some matches for later in the show. I’m getting tired of long opening segments.
(Commercial)
The announce team of Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler & John Bradshaw Layfield announced the match made by the Anonymous Raw GM. We’re getting Big Show vs. Erick Rowan and Cena, Ziggler & Ryback vs. Rollins, Harper & Kane in a six man tag match.
Goldust and Stardust made their entrance for the Tag Team Turmoil match. The show went to break there.
Analysis: That’s what happens when you go 22 minutes without a break. They went 22 minutes, were back on the air for a few minutes and then went to another commercial.
(Commercial)
It’s time for Tag Team Turmoil. Here are the teams involved: The New Day vs. Adam Rose & The Bunny vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Goldust & Stardust vs. The Uso Brothers. Two teams start. If you lose you’re out and go to the back. Last team to survive gets a Tag Team Title shot at TLC in two weeks.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) vs. Stardust & Goldust
Xavier Woods was at ringside for The New Day team. It was a short match. For the finish, Big E did the Big Ending and then Kingston jumped off the top and helped to slam Stardust into the mat. It’s a double team slam that plants the guy face first into the mat. The match was over in about three minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Kofi Kingston & Big E
Analysis: * Just a short match to put over the new team over the former tag champs. Simple booking.
The team of Cesaro and Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) entered to continue the turmoil match.
(Commercial)
Kofi Kingston & Big E vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya)
The heels were in control working over Kingston in their corner. After about one minute, Kingston made the tag to Big E, who hit a Belly to Belly suplex on Kidd. Big E hit a splash on Kidd. Cesaro saved his partner. Big E ended up knocking them both to the floor while they were on the apron. Kofi tagged in, ran the ropes and Big E sent him over the top to take out both guys. Kingston hit a forearm smash on Kidd. Goldust & Stardust showed up to interfere. Kidd rolled up Kingston with the ROLLUP OF DEATH (with the tights) to win the match after about three minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
Analysis: *1/2 That result surprised me a bit. I figured The New Day would get the win to put them over as a new group. I don’t mind the team of Kidd & Cesaro earning the victory, though.
The Usos are the next team in the turmoil match.
The Usos vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
The Usos were in control at the very beginning of the match. Kidd was able to make a comeback so their team got the advantage. One of the Usos (I think Jimmy) sent Kidd to the floor. He was going for a dive over the top, but Kidd put Natalya in front of him. Great heel move! The camera missed it, but Cole told us. Cesaro did a blind tag, so he nailed the Uso with a German Suplex leading to another break.
(Commercial)
They replayed the highlight of Kidd pulling Natalya in front of him. Cesaro hit a Powerbomb. Kidd tagged in, but Jey hit a slam to knock him down. Jimmy received the hot tag and hit a nice Samoan Drop for two thanks to a save by Cesaro. Jey hit a clothesline to send Cesaro to the floor. Kidd held Natalya’s hand to help him. Kidd nailed Jimmy with a kick. He went for a dropkick, but went right into a superkick. One of The Usos tagged in and hit a Superfly Splash on Kidd for the win. That went about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Usos
Analysis: **1/2 That’s a match that should have lasted longer. It was the best match in the Tag Team Turmoil although the break interrupted it and robbed us of some of the action. I liked some of the nearfalls and the finish was well done. Hopefully that Kidd/Cesaro team is together again in the future.
The last team arrived in tag team turmoil: Adam Rose & The Bunny.
The Usos vs. Adam Rose & The Bunny
They showed Naomi watching backstage and Cole mentioned she’s married to Jimmy Uso. It took nearly two years to acknowledge that on television. Way to go, WWE. The Bunny hit a top rope Sunset Flip on Jimmy for a two count. Rose tagged himself in. Rose was arguing with the bunny. Jimmy hit a Superkick on Rose, who went into the Bunny to knock him out of the ring. Jey tagged in and hit a Superfly Splash on Rose for the win after two minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Usos
Analysis: * The right team went over in the end. The Usos are still very popular with the fans and they are back in the spot as the top contenders for the tag titles, which are held by The Miz and Damien Mizdow. I’m sick of the story with Rose and The Bunny. Just do The Bunny reveal. I don’t even care who it is. Just get to it.
After the match, The Miz and Damien Mizdow showed up to talk to Naomi. Miz said he voted for Noami to be her partner with AJ Lee. He was impressed with Naomi’s twerking in her video that nobody has watched. Miz gave her a business card of somebody he knows in Hollywood. Then Mizdow pretended to give her a card, which he didn’t have. That was funny.
Analysis: It’s nice to see WWE acknowledge that Naomi is married to Jimmy. Took them long enough. I’m not sure if that means there will be a storyline for them, but it’s possible. It’s good to involve the women with the men like they have done with Natalya.
There was a long black limousine that arrived for Raw. It’s WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
(Commercial)
Next week on Raw it’s the Slammy Awards with actor Seth Green as the host. He was actually pretty good as a guest host about five years ago. I don’t mind it because he’s actually a fan of the product.
There were highlights of earlier incidents in the show.
Erick Rowan was being interviewed by Tom Phillips. Rowan was playing with a rubix cube. Phillips said he did research saying Rowan had a high IQ, he played guitar and he was a wine maker. When Phillips asked why he goes after Big Show, Rowan just said: “He’s a bully.” Then he handed Phillips the Rubix Cube, which he had completed perfectly.
Analysis: I guess that’s our backstory on Erick Rowan.
Big Show entered for a promo saying it’s right that he is a bully. The fans chanted “You Sold Out” at him and Show said that the people sold him out. Show said all he cares about is hurting people, so send out Rowan so he can hurt him.
Big Show vs. Erick Rowan
Rowan has new theme music and it played earlier in the show too. Rowan was aggressive early, so Show went to the floor. Back in the ring, Show nailed him with a shoulder tackle and then pounded him to take control. Clothesline by Show as JBL called Rowan “Big Red” repeatedly. Rollins made a big comeback by nailing Show and knocking out over the top to the floor. The announcers were going crazy about how physical their forearm shots and clotheslines were. Show tossed Rowan into the steel steps. He picked up the steps and hit Rowan in the back. The ref disqualified him after four minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Erick Rowan
Show walked away looking proud of his work.
Analysis: * That was an angle more than a match. They’re obviously going to have a match at TLC. I don’t mind the rivalry. It’s a veteran performer for Rowan to feud with. They had a hard hitting match for the time given.
In the backstage area, Vince McMahon walked up to some guys in weird costumes. He said nothing. Renee Young talked to him. Vince said he was happy he could whistle, but he didn’t learn how to whistle. He was excited about being on Steve Austin’s podcast after Raw on WWE Network. Renee asked about The Authority and Vince said he couldn’t bring them back. He said he was excited about being on the podcast after Raw on WWE Network.
Analysis: Vince looked energized. That’s nice to see.
The announcers talked about Brie Bella beating AJ Lee on Raw last week. You can vote on AJ’s partner for later on Raw: Natalya, Naomi or Alicia Fox.
(Commercial)
Fandango made his entrance. Rosa was in the ring dancing while he ran into the ring to greet her.
The music of Jack Swagger started up, but there was no sign of him or Zeb Colter. The camera showed up backstage with Zeb on the ground complaining about his leg. Swagger was asking about his leg. Colter didn’t answer him.
Rosa grabbed the microphone to say Fandango’s name, so that was her way of announcing Fandango as the winner. The ref raised Fandango’s hand.
Analysis: That booking of Fandango was weird. He needs wins to establish him as a threat again. That really didn’t help him much.
Rusev showed up with Lana, who was holding the US Title while he was holding the Russian flag. Lawler wondered if he had anything to do with the attack on Colter. The show went to break there.
Analysis: Last week they teased another Rusev/Swagger rivalry, so it looks like that is where things are headed for them.
(Commercial)
Rusev was in the ring with Lana. She started doing a promo as the crowd chanted “USA” at her. She complained about how Rusev was ordered to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. She mentioned that he refused, but then he was forced to enter in a 20 man battle royal on Smackdown, which he won. She said he’s the greatest US Champion that we’ve ever seen. Rusev said for those that challenge him, they will be crushed. He said for those that don’t listen, like Zeb Colter, will be broken. Lana demands that the crowd stands and respects a true Pledge of Allegiance. She changed the words to the Pledge of the Allegiance for Russia as a Vladimir Putin picture showed up on the screen.
Swagger went down to the ring to go after Rusev. Fans chanted “USA” for him as he battled Rusev in the ring. They went outside the ring and Swagger tossed him into the barricade a few times. Refs showed up to break it up. Swagger broke free and attacked some more. Rusev escaped with Lana.
Analysis: This feud has returned even though Rusev beat him a bunch of times. Have they already ran out of opponents for him? It wasn’t a bad segment by any means. It’s just that we’ve seen it before and it didn’t feel fresh at all. This is another feud that will likely lead to a match at the TLC PPV, which should mean another win for Rusev.
There was another poll vote reminder for AJ Lee’s partner: Natalya, Naomi or Alicia Fox.
(Commercial)
The Miz and Damien Mizdow entered for a match. It’s Damien Mizdow in a match, so Miz walked out with him. This match was set up on the WWE App.
Damien Mizdow vs. Fernando (w/El Torito)
The Miz joined the commentary team. The fans were chanting for Mizdow as Fernando hit a dropkick on him. Mizdow got a backslide, but Fernando came back with a clothesline and then an armbar. Comeback by Mizdow with some clotheslines, then the neckbreaker/backbreaker combo and a kip up. Mizdow escaped a hold from Fernando and applied the Figure Four Leglock. Fernando tapped out for the loss after three minutes.
Winner by submission: Damien Mizdow
Analysis: * It was a short match to give Mizdow an easy win. Nobody believed in Fernando when he was on offense while Mizdow had the crowd support and looked good.
Post match, Jimmy Uso walked up to The Miz. He slapped him in the face. Jimmy yelled at Miz and told him to stay away from his wife. That’s a reference to the segment with Miz and Naomi earlier. Mizdow sat down beside Miz selling the pain. JBL was saying that Miz had a wife although he didn’t say Maryse’s name.
Analysis: That’s a good continuation from earlier. Jimmy should be mad that Miz talked to Noami although it’s not like Miz hit on her. I’m hoping this leads to Maryse coming back because that’s a rumor, but it’s not a sure thing at this point.
Bray Wyatt was shown lighting his lamp and saying that he was here. The show went to break.
(Commercial)
They plugged the Slammy Awards pre-show next Monday at 7:30pmET on WWE Network where some awards will be handed out.
The Miz will take on Jimmy Uso on Main Event this Tuesday.
Bray Wyatt vs. R-Truth
Wyatt was dominant in the match. He did a whip into the corner with Truth bouncing off the turnbuckle hard. Truth made a brief comeback with a side kick, a corner splash and then a spinning forearm smash. Wyatt caught him for the one armed slam. Wyatt hit a DDT like move on the apron. Back in the ring, Wyatt did his upside down pose, crab walk and then he hit the Sister Abigail neckbreaker for the win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bray Wyatt
Analysis: *1/4 It was obvious from the moment the match was announced. Truth is at the point in his career where he’s just a jobber to the stars and Wyatt was the dominant star in the match. The crowd barely reacted to anything that Truth did because they knew he had no chance.
Post match, Wyatt tossed a bunch of chairs into the ring. The ref helped R-Truth to the back. He was yelling that he wanted Ambrose. Wyatt brought a ladder into the ring. The show went to break.
Analysis: It’s near the end of hour two, so they’re teasing an Ambrose appearance after the break.
(Commercial)
Bray Wyatt filled the ring with TLC objects. He did a promo about a boy named Jacob that had a dream about a ladder that was special. He said it was a ladder to heaven. It was a ladder to Jacob’s maker. Wyatt dreamed of a ladder of his dreams. In his dreams, he ascends a ladder to embrace no one. He wanted to look down on simple minded insects like Dean Ambrose. In his dream he sees tables, ladders and chairs (he said that three times). He said it didn’t have to be this way.
Dean Ambrose showed up for a fight. Ambrose brawled with Wyatt around the ringside area. Clothesline by Ambrose. Wyatt was attacked on the table. Ambrose brought out a ladder and went to attack, but referees showed up to attack. Ambrose tossed Wyatt into the steel ring post a few times. Wyatt went to escape up the ramp. Ambrose saw the rocking chair in the ring and told Wyatt he was going to take everything from him. Ambrose broke the rocking chair.
Analysis: A good brawl was needed by them, but they didn’t go that far with it. The refs came up to break it up too soon. A really hot segment by them would have really helped the feud. Instead, the feud has been pretty average. There were several segments throughout the show with the refs breaking things up, so WWE will say things were chaotic even though none of the brawls were that wild.
There was a replay of Cena fighting with Rollins, which led to all the other guys coming out to set up the six man tag for later: Cena, Ziggler & Ryback vs. Kane, Rollins & Harper.
The divas tag match is up next with AJ Lee and a partner against The Bella Twins. Nikki and Brie Bella made their entrance together. In case you aren’t aware, Brie is a heel along with Nikki now.
Analysis: Brie’s heel turn was so poorly done that they don’t even try to explain it. They just say “blood is thicker than water” and apparently that’s enough. I think management just realized the girls are better together. At least it means we don’t have to hear that awful “Brie Mode” song again!
(Commercial)
AJ Lee made her entrance. Naomi won the poll with 48% of the vote, Natalya had 32% of the vote and Alicia had 20% of the vote. There was barely a reaction for Naomi.
Nikki & Brie Bella vs. AJ Lee & Naomi
Suplex by Nikki early on and then she grounded Naomi in their corner. The Bellas isolated Naomi in the middle of the ring with Nikki yanking Naomi down by pulling her hair. There was a very quiet AJ Lee chant. The crowd was quiet during the match, so it’s not like it was a lot of people. Naomi tagged in AJ for the hot tag after two minutes. Neckbreaker by AJ on Nikki and then knocking Brie to the floor. Tornado DDT by AJ for two. Brie made the save, which led to Naomi hitting a dropkick on Brie. Naomi and Brie got sent to the floor. AJ hit the Shining Wizard on Nikki and then the Black Widow submission for the submission win after three minutes.
Winners by submission: AJ Lee & Naomi
Analysis: * It was just a way to put over AJ in a fair tag match with a tag team partner at her side. It’s not like Naomi did anything. They kept saying Cyber Monday as a way to suggest it might be a theme of the night with fan polls, but that was the only fan vote of the night.
There was a backstage segment with Santa Claus, which was Mick Foley. He was shilling WWEShop merchandise with his daughter Noelle Foley at his side. I believe that’s her first time on Raw as an adult at least. He ended it by saying “Have A Nice Day” with the thumbs up.
There was another reminder of the six man main event tag match to come.
(Commercial)
Paul Heyman did a promo from WWE headquarters talking about how Brock Lesnar is like Christmas and WrestleMania. If you did those things all the time they wouldn’t be special, so that’s why Lesnar’s appearances are special. He wondered who might be the #1 Contender if Cena lost to Rollins. He mentioned the names of Undertaker saying that nobody has seen him since WrestleMania and Sting won’t have to bill it as a retirement match because Lesnar would finish. He didn’t care who faced Lesnar because he could beat everybody. Heyman also said he didn’t accept Rollins’ apology for the Curb Stomp on Lesnar. He ended it by saying he was the advocate for the Heavyweight Championship of the World…Brock Lesnar.
Analysis: I like Heyman a lot, but this really didn’t accomplish much. I guess they did it just because we haven’t seen Heyman very often and Lesnar hasn’t been on TV in nearly three months. Lesnar was scheduled for Raw next Monday although according to Dave Meltzer, that may not be the case now. Lesnar vs. Cena for the WWE Title is expected for the Royal Rumble, but that hasn’t been made official yet. WWE will likely wait until after TLC to announce it.
John Cena made his entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
Following the break, the others entered for the match. It was Ziggler then Ryback joining Cena. For the heels it was Seth Rollins (with J&J Security), Kane and Luke Harper.
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler & Ryback vs. Seth Rollins, Kane & Luke Harper
Cena was on fire on Harper right away. There were some quick tags leading to Kane facing off with Ryback. Harper got the tag for his side and Ryback nailed him with a clothesline. After getting worked over for a bit, Ryback hit a delayed suplex although it didn’t hit before the break. The show went to break there. What an awkward spot for a break.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Ryback was still in there with Harper. Kane tagged in to face off with Ziggler, who unleashed on Kane with some punches. Ziggler went for an attack off the middle rope, so Kane punched him in the throat to slow down Ziggler. The heels made a lot of quick tags as they did the portion of the match where they focus on Ziggler as the babyface in peril. Rollins whipped him hard into the turnbuckle multiple times. Ziggler finally broke free and made the hot tag to Cena.
That tag led to Cena hitting his shoulder tackles, spinning suplex and Five Knuckle Shuffle on Rollins. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Harper. Ryback double teamed Kane by hitting a suplex on him with Cena’s help. Cena went for Rollins, but the ref was busy getting Ryback out of the ring and that led to J&J hitting Cena. Rollins got a two count as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Harper was working on Cena. Rollins spent a few minutes in there with Cena. Rollins ended up tagging in Harper while Ziggler received the hot tag for his team. Ziggler was on fire against Harper as he hit a Fameasser for a two count after a Rollins save. Five guys were brawling, so Cena hit a dive off the top to take out everybody. Kane boot to Cena. Ryback powerslam to Kane. Rollins flying knee to Ryback. Ziggler DDT to Rollins. Harper hit a spinning side slam for two on Ziggler. Harper went for a Powerbomb, but Ziggler slipped through into a sunset flip for the pinfall win on Harper after 25 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: John Cena, Dolph Ziggler & Ryback
Analysis: ***1/4 That was a main event match. It wasn’t an amazing match that’s going to blow you away or that you have to see it if you missed it, but it followed the tag team wrestling formula perfectly. There were multiple instances where there were babyfaces in peril. I actually thought it was going to be Ryback that got the final hot tag and the win for his team. Instead, it was Ziggler. I’m not complaining about it. I like Ziggler a lot more. It’s just that I thought Ryback could have used some momentum. Ziggler getting the pin on Harper is a good way to build up their storyline.
Post match, Harper attacked Ziggler. All six guys started brawling in the ring. Big Show entered the fray to make it 4 on 3 for the heels. He cleaned house with headbutts for everybody. Erick Rowan entered with steel steps for Harper and then Kane. Ziggler threw Rollins into the steel steps held by Rowan. The announcers kept calling him “Big Red” to get over that name. Ziggler with a superkick on Show, Ryback with the Meat Hook clothesline and then Cena with the Attitude Adjustment on Show. Rowan picked up the steel steps and the others threw Show into the steps.
The show ended with the four babyfaces celebrating their domination as Rowan stood over Big Show. Cena shook his hand. Rowan just stood over Show, who was still out.
Analysis: It was revenge by the four babyfaces on Big Show, who turned on them at Survivor Series. The announcers put over Rowan as a big deal.
There was a shot of Steve Austin seated somewhere backstage as his podcast with Vince McMahon was set to begin on WWE Network.
Analysis: Good way to plug the podcast and the WWE Network after the show. I’m not going to write a review of it, but I will be watching.
Three Stars of the Show
1. Dolph Ziggler
2. Bray Wyatt
3. John Cena
The Scoreboard
5 out of 10
Last week: 3.5
2014 Average: 5.86
2014 High: 9 (April 7 & June 30)
2014 Low: 3 (September 1)
Last 5 Weeks: 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 7, 5
Final Thoughts
It gets a 5 out of 10. Maybe that score is too nice. I don’t think anything was that bad. Last week was worse, that’s for sure.
There really wasn’t anything on this show that blew me away, but I will give WWE credit for at least booking the show so that they’ve got a lineup set up for TLC. The TLC lineup looks like this.
Cena vs. Rollins in a Tables Match – I’d be shocked if Cena lost that match.
Ambrose vs. Wyatt in a TLC Match – It should be a great brawl. I don’t care who wins, but I hope it’s Wyatt since they need strong heels badly.
Ryback vs. Kane in a Chairs Match – I’m not excited about this one. They should keep it short. Ryback rarely has good matches.
Tag Team Titles: Miz & Mizdow vs. The Usos – I don’t expect Miz/Mizdow to have a really long reign, but they should be able to hold onto the titles in this match.
Divas Title: Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee – I think Nikki will hold onto it. The build has been average.
Big Show vs. Erick Rowan – This isn’t official yet. They had a match on Raw that ended in a DQ, so they will have another match at TLC most likely.
IC Title: Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler – There isn’t a Ladder Match on the show yet, so this might be it. They could put the IC Title back on Ziggler although I’m fine with Harper retaining it.
That’s seven matches. They could add one or more to it, but it looks like a full lineup. It’s a solid show.
The problem with Raw is it doesn’t feel like a must show and that was the case this week too.
If you’re wondering, yes I saw the “Can someone check my staph infection” sign. I chuckled.
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That’s all for this week.
Check out my feature column archive that’s exclusive to WhatCulture. I wrote about the CM Punk podcast with Colt Cabana, so be sure to check that one out as well as all the others.
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John Canton – [email protected]
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