Raw Quick Takes 12/7/20

Orton call out Bray Wyatt

The Viper starts tonight’s show and he talks about how badass he is and that he is not scared of Bray. I think that Orton is far more evil than the Fiend and Bray. Think about all the evil Orton has committed just this year. Bray Wyatt speaks to Orton from the Fun House and goes into full game show mode…literally. The shirt Bray was wearing was really cool though, an actual shirt that isn’t just text, a silly catchphrase. Orton gets his wish and Bray accepts Orton’s challenge to a match.

Asuka [c] vs Baszler [c]

Not a bad match but far from anything we would see on NXT. A wasted match, something given away for free that should have been a very big deal. Sloppy and predictable finish. Shayna loses because Nia got beat up by Lana on the outside. Next week Lana takes on Nia Jax one on one.

Dana Brooke & Ricochet vs Reckoning & Slapjack

Pre match promo from Dana and Ricochet was a little better than they usually deliver but still underwhelming. The match was aight. Dana Brooke pins Reckoning again, Mustafa Ali is pissed. Not much to this story really, it’s boring and just not a big deal. I’m not sure how Retribution is going to become a big deal and I feel as if they are keeping them contained while they move more story and pieces into place but right now the group is just a bunch of jobbers.

MizTV

AJ Styles is the guest on this episode, discussing his upcoming match with McIntyre for the WWE title. Miz and Morrison imitate Drew and Sheamus while Styles compliments their impressions.

Drew and Sheamus join the show and clear the ring while AJ and his bodyguard look on

Drew chucks the MITB briefcase to the stage and takes out a portion of the tron. Great segment, great ending.

Kofi Kingston [c] vs Shelton Benjamin

Decent match, quick, good story. The real story was Cedrick Alexander calling out Kofi right after the match. The new found aggressiveness from Cedrick Alexander is so refreshing for his character. Alexander avenges the loss over Shelton Benjamin. I feel like there will be some changes in the Hurt Business but hard to tell because it’s still very early in the development of this angle.

3 on 2 handicap

Sheamus & Drew McIntyre [c] vs AJ Styles, Miz & Morrison

Keith Lee confronts Sheamus about turning on Drew…eventually. Sheamus assures him that wont happen. Morrison was the whipping boy as he usually is. Miscommunication leads to Sheamus Brogue kicking Drew and Styles capitalizing with a Phenomenal Forearm.

Drew and Sheamus brawl backstage and it’s pretty cool. The two put an official through the catering table. Another A+ segment with the champ and Sheamus.

Bobby Lashley [c] vs Jeff Hardy

Hard to believe they never faced each other in WWE. An excellent match and feud for Lashley, a crafty veteran who has held gold many times before is a real threat to his United States title reign. Riddle evens the odds when MVP starts to interfere. This match was really good, it really picked up midway through with Hardy getting in a ton of offense. Lashley is an underrated seller.

Lashley wins and keeps the hold on Hardy

Great stuff all around. This story can branch off in a few different directions and all of them good.

Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton

Great match, those complaining about Randy Orton’s style are wrong and just negative Nancys. Orton RKO’s Bray as the lights go out and when they come back on Bray is the Fiend and he chokes out the Viper. Great ending, certainly one you can’t pull off in front of a live crowd. Cool way to take advantage of the current times and situation.

Honorable mentions

1. Pat Patterson tribute.

2. Tozawa and Nikki Cross in catering for a segment.

Final take

It’s nice to see something other than the main title main event the show, this means that there are other hot angles that can close the show. When Retribution gets hot and they are main eventing Raw it will be the best show on television(that’s gonna take a lot of work on Retribution and creatives part).

#Asuka #BobbyLashley #CedrickAlexander #DrewMcIntyre #lana