WWE Raw 11/13/17: The Game is Afoot
About Last Night is a quick reflection on the matches and segments, or random observations, from a wrestling show that sticks out to us the morning after we watch them. If you would like to get your comments featured, chime in below in our comments section or tweet us. You can also help support us on Patreon.
About “The Original Shield”…
I thought I was going to lose my mind with how many times the phrase “Original Shield” was said on the broadcast last night. Seriously, what else would they be? Kurt Angle teamed up with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose ONCE in an emergency situation, and all the stuff on the European house shows are non-canon treats for the live audience. The fact they had to insist on say “Original Shield” nearly every single time came off like they were talking down to the audience for no reason.
Aside from that, Raw this week was the delayed return of The Shield in the ring where they beat three champions for some reason. I get that The Shield are a big deal and overpowered, but sacrificing three people in big Champion vs. Champion matches on Sunday while also giving away The Shield’s big spots on free television didn’t make sense to me. Fortunately The New Day can tout they’re the longest reigning tag champions in recent history and they’re actually extremely talented, so it makes sense they’ll have an exciting and competitive match.
About The Women’s Survivor Series Team…
The fifth member of the women’s Raw Survivor Series team was determined in a Triple Threat match, and despite everyone (myself included) hoping Paige would return and make it a Fatal 4-Way, it didn’t happen. In fact, she was backstage yet wasn’t used at all on the show. Perhaps they decided to save her for next week, but it still isn’t nice to tease us with Instagram photos.
Bayley ended up winning the spot on the team, and the reaction was… whatever? There could have been some subtle animosity between Sasha Banks and Bayley, but instead she just hugged her and acted excited. Meanwhile Asuka did get a fun spot during the match of murdering Dana Brooke, but she ended up just locking arms with the rest of time becoming like everyone else. I don’t have high hopes for her, including the possibility of being eliminated on Sunday.
About Drew Gulak…
I don’t know if you know this, but I am a huge fan of Philadelphia’s own Drew Gulak. It’s not just because he is from Philadelphia or names some of his moves after the city, but because he is super talented in the ring and especially on the microphone. Last night he got me to actually pay attention to a Cruiserweight segment AND an Enzo Amore promo. His response to Enzo’s “How You Doin’?” had me laughing out loud, and his reaction when his time to talk got immediately cut off was brilliant. I’m happy to see him getting more time on Raw instead of just on 205 Live. I really hope he gets to do a lot on Survivor Series’ TWO HOUR Kickoff Show. Let him do his damn PowerPoint!
About Paul Heyman…
I have another shocking revelation about my taste in wrestling… Paul Heyman is one of the best managers and promos of all time. He had to spend weeks with the impossible task of building up Brock Lesnar vs. Jinder Mahal and did the best he could with it, but now he can finally have an opponent he can sink his teeth into with AJ Styles (not literally, you weirdo). Paul Heyman was able to paint AJ Styles as a hyper-talented underdog a la Rocky, but reminded him that this isn’t a movie and Brock Lesnar is a terrifying beast that will maul him. I didn’t need this segment to be excited for this match, but it sure didn’t hurt.
Heyman also showed off his mastery of the mic when he wasn’t only thrown off for a second when the crowd chanted “She Said Yes” after a marriage proposal in the crowd and immediately turned it around to be about Brock Lesnar. Goddamn.
About Biker Dad Out-Dadding Olympic Dad…
The men’s Survivor Series teams were set heading into Raw, with Team Red seeming to have one weak link – Kurt Angle’s “son” Jason Jordan. They seemed to correct that as Stephanie McMahon spent a good part of the episode doing what she does best – berating the general manager to no one’s benefit. This caused Angle to book the members of his team in matches to prepare for Sunday, including Jordan facing returning non-threat Bray Wyatt (we’re apparently ignoring the Sister Abigail stuff). Because he’s not a threat, Jason Jordan beat him in the match but for some reason Wyatt attacked his leg after the match. No real real rhyme or reason to it besides “we need to get him off the team”.
This led to a segment where Kurt came out to announce his replacement but was interrupted by Jordan pleading that he can still go. This was lame, but thankfully Triple H returned to name himself the replacement and Pedigree Jordan to hell. This is good because it adds more starpower to counter John Cena and, if they actually do it, gives Jordan a path to head toward a heel turn where he turns on his father and becomes The Authority’s new pet. But maybe I’m being too hopeful on that.
What did you think of this week’s Raw? Let us know in the comments!
