Raw 20.11.2023

Whoo-Hoo! The RadiantGame Team is now in your city - Michigan's Van Andel Arena. Tonight promises to be a heated one as we witness the clash between Judgment Day and Team Cody, Gunther face to face with The MIz, Xia and Becky fight and much more. 

Drew Reveals His Intentions

Tonight's opener features Drew McIntyre, who left us with a burning question. Why did he attack Jey? The answer is straightforward. Drew hasn't forgiven Uso for the Clash of the Castle, where he could have defeated Roman Reigns and become the Undisputed Champion. He made it clear that he is not joining Judgment Day, but he will be part of their team for WarGames. Jey and his allies also entered the ring, with Judgment Day members standing behind Drew. He requested them not to get involved, emphasizing that it's a personal matter between him and Jey.

Adam Pearce played a role in the situation, forbidding any member from taking hands on each other. Additionally, Cody and his allies were given the task of finding a fifth member for their team by the end of the night. The main event is set to feature one member from each team fighting for the advantage in WarGames. The tension is building, and the stage is set for an intense battle. Let the showdown begin!

Nia Jax vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Last week, these two women had a conflict, and tonight they are set to determine who is the most dominant. Raquel came into the match with immense energy, showcasing different moves and launching relentless attacks on Jax. Nia, on her part, absorbed all the damage that Rodriguez inflicted upon her, and twice her mass helped her overcome Raquel.

In a critical moment, Rodriguez attempted to lift Nia, but the back suffered from a Samoan Drop, refusing to cooperate. Seizing the opportunity, Jax immediately splashed her opponent three times and secured the victory. Like a tank, Jax walked through Raquel, asserting her dominance in the match.

Becky Lynch vs Xia Li

In a surprising turn of events, we witnessed a remarkably solid match between Becky Lynch and Xia Li. The performance by these ladies reached a level that can be equated to a Pay-Per-View standard, if not surpassing it. Xia showcased herself brightly, competing on the same level as The Man.

The match was filled with several "OMG" moments, and Xia Li came dangerously close to securing the victory. However, Becky Lynch, being the exceptional talent she is, simply couldn't allow herself to lose. A decisive Manhandle Slam later, and the WarGames team member emerged victorious. The encounter showcased the skill and determination of both competitors in a match that exceeded expectations.

Damage CTRL tried to attack Becky but...

Following the intense match between Becky Lynch and Xia Li, members of Damage CTRL made a sudden appearance, attempting to launch an attack on Lynch. However, Lynch's team members swiftly entered the scene, turning the arena into a chaotic battleground.

The ensuing chaos forced Adam Pearce to rush to the ring once again, desperately trying to prevent a full-blown brawl. In the end, it was Bianca's team that stood tall in the ring, signaling a brief but intense skirmish between the rival factions. 

Ludwig Kaiser vs Johnny Gargano

In a backstage segment, Ludwig Kaiser made it clear to Giovanni Vinci that he wanted to face Johnny Gargano on his own this time, asking Vinci not to intervene. The match kicked off well for the German athlete, displaying a considerable amount of skill and the potential to secure a victory on his own.

For the majority of the match, Kaiser successfully thwarted every attack from Gargano and seemed on the verge of claiming a win. However, the story took a turn when Vinci unexpectedly appeared, leaving Kaiser both angry and disappointed. This distraction proved costly, as Kaiser missed Gargano's Insegiri, allowing Gargano to capitalize with the One Final Beat, concluding the match.

Vinci, throwing up his hands and wearing a tragic expression, left ringside. Ludwig Kaiser was left livid, raising questions about how The General would react to the actions of his associates

Fatal 4-Way Match for the Women's Tag Team Championship

Backstage, Chelsea Green once again annoyed Adam Pearce, prompting the intervention of Tegan Nox & Natalya, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, and Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile. All these women expressed their interest in competing for the Women's Tag Team titles, leading Adam Pearce to arrange a Fatal 4-Way Match.

My personal favorites were Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile, as the other teams didn't capture my interest. The match unfolded, and while I must give credit to Ivy and Maxxine for their impressive performance, the crowd's reaction seemed divided. However, to my disappointment, the victory was captured by Tegan and Natalya, leaving me unsatisfied with what seemed like a meaningless win for what I consider less captivating superstars.

Gunther promotes Vinci

Backstage, tensions rose as Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci engaged in a heated argument about Vinci's recent actions. In a surprising turn of events, the Ring General himself, Gunther, passed by and intervened. Gunther not only encouraged Vinci but also expressed pride in his actions. Gunther went a step further by appointing Vinci in charge of Ludwig Kaiser. This backstage development marked the second week in a row of compelling Imperium segments, adding depth to the ongoing storyline within the faction.

Gunther and Miz Face-to-Face

In the ring, The Miz and Gunther faced off. Mike delivered a speech about respect for his opponents, although it's hard to recall when Miz actually paid respect to someone. Gunther countered by stating that he has no respect for Miz, emphasizing that this realm is for real athletes, not entertainers and clowns. Gunther pointed out that Miz always aspired to be like heroes from the past, yet he remains humiliated by everyone.

Miz, excited about his upcoming fight with Gunther, doubted that the General could stand up after losing his title. He questioned what would happen when Gunther falls and has to start everything from the beginning. Gunther saw zero threat in Miz, asserting that he would prove Miz has no place in this sport, and his place is outside the ring with other viewers.

To demonstrate his dominance, Gunther initiated physical interference, inviting Miz to show what he's got. Miz, seizing the opportunity, delivered a Low Blow to the Ring General and followed it up with a Skull-Crushing Finale, leaving Gunther knocked out. Tonight, Mike stood tall, but despite this victory, it seems Miz faces an uphill battle in the confrontation with Gunther.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Chad Gable

The Artist continues his crusade against the Alpha Academy, and tonight, he faces the final boss, Chad Gable. The mystery of Shinsuke's messages persists, leaving fans wondering about his intentions. The match proved to be a tough battle for Nakamura, as Gable showcased a level of skill that set him apart from the other Alpha Academy members.

In a long and intense encounter, Gable came close to making Nakamura submit, even executing a flying Headbutt that nearly secured a pin. At one point, Shinsuke strategically removed the turnbuckle pad, and this decision played a significant role in the match's outcome. Using clever maneuvers, Nakamura pushed Gable into the exposed turnbuckle and executed a final roll-up for the victory. Another chapter in Shinsuke's campaign against the Alpha Academy unfolds with this hard-fought win.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso: WarGames Advantage Match

In a principal confrontation between two exceptional wrestlers, it's challenging to envision how one could secure victory over the other. Both Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso are currently performing at a superlative level. The match unfolded as a classic confrontation, with Drew's raw power pitted against Uso's technical finesse and speed.

As a fan of Jey, my personal inclination is towards him, but objectively, my brain acknowledges that Drew had better odds of winning tonight. The match featured numerous impressive spots and moments. Surprisingly, the match concluded with a Future Shock DDT, without the expected Claymore, Spear, or Samoan Splash. Both competitors inflicted considerable damage using various moves, keeping the outcome unpredictable. In the end, the Judgment Day secured the advantage for WarGames.

Cody Reveals Fifth Team Member

After the match Judgment Day, Drew tried to take Jey out of the game. However, Cody and his allies, armed with steel chairs, came to the Uso's aid, forcing their opponents to retreat. Following this turn of events, Cody grabbed the microphone.

Rhodes made a thrilling announcement, declaring that the last member of their WarGames team has been discovered. The man who hears voices in his head, the Apex predator, Randy Orton, will be joining Team Cody in the upcoming WarGames match! This revelation adds a formidable force to Cody's team and sets the stage for an even more intense and unpredictable showdown.

As always, let's rank this episode. Well, Raw has been holding the lead over SmackDown in recent weeks. We've seen matches of intent, and the final stages of many storylines leading up to Survior Series. I think 7/10 would be a fair rating. See you soon on Smack n Down. Do not miss :)