RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion - November 23, 2015

WWE RAW Results (November 23, 2015)
From Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee


The Authority, Sheamus, Roman Reigns & Rusev Kick Off RAW

The post-Survivor Series edition of WWE RAW kicks off with highlights of Roman Reigns winning the finals of the WWE Title Tournament only to lose the title moments later when Sheamus cashed in on him. From there, we head inside the Bridgestone Arena where “King of Kings” plays and The Authority, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, make their way to the ring.

Stephanie welcomes us to the show and then talks about Roman Reigns coming up short because he didn’t take the opportunity they gave him. Triple H talks about Reigns turning down his offer heading into Survivor Series.

Triple H introduced Sheamus, who made his entrance wearing the title belt around his waist. Once in the ring, Sheamus boasted: “What a moment. It just doesn’t get better than this, right?” Sheamus praised The Authority for the “top class” introduction. The fans chanted “you look stupid.” Sheamus said there’s nothing the fans can say that will ruin his moment. He told them to keep it coming and wear themselves out because he won’t let them stand in his way.

Sheamus said Reigns made it to the top of the mountain and then he Brogue Kicked him off. He said the Roman Empire lasted five minutes and 15 seconds. He recalled telling fans he was one Brogue Kick away from becoming champion when he won the Money in the Bank contract and last night he proved it.

Sheamus said he had a question for the fans. He held up the title and asked, “Who looks stupid now?” a few times. Hunter told Sheamus he doesn’t look stupid, he looks like the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Sheamus hugged Hunter and then Stephanie.

Roman Reigns made his entrance through the crowd. He bumped fists with fans while making his way through the crowd. Sheamus said speaking of stupid, it’s the former WWE Champion. Sheamus asked Reigns how that pride thing is working out for him. Reigns congratulated the champ and then informed him that he wants his rematch tonight.

Stephanie started to speak, but she stopped as a brief “yes” chant broke out. Stephanie asked Reigns how it feels to want. She said his ability to make demands was lost when she speared her husband. Stephanie told him back up and get the hell out of her ring. Reigns asked Hunter if he’s standing behind Stephanie because he’s afraid of him. Stephanie stepped aside.

Reigns and Hunter glared at one another without saying a word and the fans chanted “Roman.”

Rusev hit the ring and kicked Reigns in the face, as Hunter and Stephanie left the ring. Sheamus followed up with a Brogue Kick to the head of Reigns. Sheamus and Rusev stood over Reigns and jawed at him, then left the ring and joined Triple H and Stephanie on the stage. Hunter said that pride is a bitch. Hunter said Reigns will get his rematch at TLC in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Stephanie announced Reigns vs. Rusev with Sheamus in the corner of Rusev for later tonight…

The broadcast team spoke about Undertaker’s anniversary at Survivor Series and still shots were shown… Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper vs. The Dudley Boyz was announced for after the break…

The Dudley Boyz vs. Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper

When we return from the first commercial break of the evening, The Dudley Boyz make their way to the ring for our first match of the evening. Their opponents for this tag-team contest, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper, make their way to the ring while a pre-taped split-screen interview is shown.

The Dudleys got the better of Harper and set him up for 3D, but Wyatt pulled Harper to the floor, as we quickly head to a mid-match commercial break.

Bubba got the better of Harper late in the match and slammed him down with a uranage. Bubba called for Wyatt to enter. Wyatt pointed to ringside. Rowan climbed onto the apron and Bubba knocked him down, then turned into a discus clothesline from Harper, who pinned him. After the match, Rowan and Strowman attacked the Dudleys. Wyatt hit Sister Abigail on D-Von and the Wyatt Family left the Dudleys lying.

Winners: Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper

A Look At 25 Years Of The Undertaker

The broadcast team set up a video package on Undertaker’s 25 years. It featured footage of Taker from over the years and comments from the JBL interviews that aired on WWE Network… Team BAD made their entrance. Cole hyped Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch for after the break…

Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch

The bell rings, and they circle the ring. They lock up, and Becky takes her down. Sasha just stares at her. They lock up again, and Sasha powers her down. Sasha punches away at her before attacking the lower back. Becky punches back at her before Sasha takes her out with a double knee to the midsection for a two count. Sasha argues the count with the referee.

Sasha chokes her on the rope before kneeing her in the face and taunting the crowd. Sasha stomps her down in the corner before choking her on the ropes again. Sasha distracts the referee as Tamina slaps Becky. Sasha picks up a near fall. Sasha knees her in the back a few times before applying a surfboard stretch. Becky fights out and kicks her in the face before rolling her up for a one count. Becky drops her into the ropes before giving her some uppercuts. Becky connects with a pair of clotheslines followed by a jumping calf kick. Becky catches her with an arm and leg suplex, but Sasha soon takes her down with a boot.

Becky catches her with the Dis-Arm-Her, but Naomi pulls Sasha under the rope as Tamina distracts the referee. Becky yells at Naomi before Sasha rolls her up with a handful of tights for the win.

Winner: Sasha Banks

Cole said Sasha may have become No. 1 contender by winning the match, and JBL said he'd like to see her challenge Charlotte. Paige appeared on the screen and took exception. She complained that Charlotte cheated at Survivor Series. Paige claimed Charlotte's arms were underneath the ropes when she beat her with the Figure Eight. Paige said Charlotte is just like her father - a dirty player. Paige said she will prove that Charlotte is an embarrassment just like her father...

The broadcast team hyped New Day's Country Music Jamboree and open challenge...

New Day made their entrance with pink stick horses. Big E had a small cowboy hat and a bandanna covering his face, and Kingston had his hair pushed forward to look like a unicorn horn. Kofi noted that it's the official one year anniversary of New Day.

Woods complained that they are forced to spend their anniversary in the capital of country music. They acted disgusted by country music. "Country music sucks," Kingston said. It drew boos from the previously quiet crowd. They mocked country lyrics and Woods played his trombone. Woods sang "Don't let your babies grow up to be booty." Kingston said it was him saying and not his character that country music sucks.

The Lucha Dragons made their entrance (the great defenders of country music). They said New Day doesn't rock, they run. They tried to lead the crowd in chanting it. The Dragons said they want to take the open challenge. The Uso Brothers made their entrance because they want the open title shot too. New Day cancelled the open challenge. The babyface teams took turns beating them up. The Uso Brothers theme played to end the segment...

Cole hyped Reigns vs. Rusev with Sheamus in his corner, and Charlotte vs. Paige for the Divas Championship, and comments from Charlotte after the break...

Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Charlotte, who said Paige can politic all she wants but she will be facing her tonight.

Mark Henry vs. Neville.

Henry was dominant early. He caught Neville leaping off the ropes. The Miz was shown watching the match on a backstage monitor. Neville came back with a kick, then went up top and performed the Red Arrow for the win with Henry kicking out at what I'll label as the 3.1 mark. Afterward, Henry shook Neville's hand and told him he's going to be good...

Winner: Neville

A backstage Stardust promo aired. Titus O'Neil showed up on Stardust's set and said he must have taken a wrong turn. Titus told him he has a beautiful place as they acted like they were looking at stars. Titus told him he saw a Florida Gator head. As Stardust was looking for it, Titus did his seal bark... The broadcast team hyped Goldust and The Prime Time Players vs. Stardust and The Ascension...

Goldust and The Prime Time Players vs. Stardust and The Ascension.

Cole noted that it's Raw episode No. 1,174.

Darren Young took a beatdown for awhile. The babyfaces came back when Titus hit his finisher on Konnor and pinned him. Goldust did the Millions of Dollars dance afterward...

Winners: Goldust and The Prime Time Players

The broadcast team hyped the State of Mex-America Address featuring Zeb Colter and Alberto Del Rio for after the break...

Alberto Del Rio and Zeb Colter make their entrance.

Colter parked his scooter in front of the broadcast table and delivered his promo from there. He said Del Rio's loss doesn't mean Mex-America is in trouble because a lot of new nations have growing pains. Colter said the people took to social media and became haters over Mex-America. Del Rio spoke in Spanish. Zeb said the borders of Mex-America are closed.

Jack Swagger made his entrance and got a USA chant. Swagger stood on the stage and said he can't believe what he's hearing. He said Colter used to put his hand over his heart and stand for something. He said he and people looked up to that.

Swagger said Colter is turning his back on his people. Del Rio told him not to talk to Colter like that and refereed to Swagger as a stupid American. The moron fans actually chanted USA again. Wow. Swagger said he promised to defend the country against all enemies both foreign and domestic, and said Del Rio should do something about it if he doesn't like what he's saying.

Swagger headed to the ring and had a stare down with Del Rio, who then backed out of the ring and left with Colter. Swagger stopped Colter and then had the fans join him in saying We The People...

Cole hyped Charlotte vs. Paige...

Charlotte vs. Paige for the Divas Championship

Paige gained offensive control and worked over Charlotte by suplexing her legs onto the ropes and targeting her knee. Paige performed the suplex into the ropes again. Charlotte fired back with elbows and tackled Paige, who rolled her over and punched her.

Saxton said this isn't about winning the championship, it's about hurting Charlotte. Cole and JBL quickly shut him down and said it is about winning the title. Paige continued to wrench on Charlotte's knee and then applied a chin lock. Both women threw simultaneous kicks and were down heading into the break.

After the break, Charlotte speared Paige and both women tumbled to the floor. Charlotte tried to get back inside the ring, but Paige grabbed her and shoved her into the barricade. They were both counted out. Afterward, Paige whipped Charlotte into the ring steps and then put her on the broadcast team's table and applied the PTO...

Charlotte fought Paige to a double count-out

A replay of the opening segment with Rusev's return aired, then Cole hyped Reigns vs. Rusev with Sheamus in the corner of Rusev...

Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio was announced for Thursday's Smackdown television show...

Heath Slater stood in the ring with a mic on a mic stand and his guitar. Slater said there's way too much country going around these parts. He said the one man band brought a little rock-n-roll with him so they could hear what good music sounds like it. He ran through some of the modern country names and said he wasn't talking about them or even Johnny Cash.

Just as Slater was about to perform, Ryback made his entrance. Cole said he heard Ryback is a Luke Bryant fan. Slater ended up smashing his guitar over Ryback's back. Ryback didn't flinch. Take that, Jeff Jarrett! Ryback destroyed Slater and finished him off with Shellshocked...

Cole hyped Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze...

Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze (w/Summer Rae)

Dolph toned down his ode to HBK and Motley Crue look from the night before and wrestled in his t-shirt for some reason. Breeze blasted Ziggler with a great kick to the head, then Owens tagged in.

Ziggler caught Owens with a dropkick and eventually made a diving tag. Ambrose worked over Breeze and clotheslined him to the floor, then followed up with a suicide dive. Owens took a shot at Ambrose, but Ziggler superkicked him to the floor. At ringside, Owens sent Ziggler into the barricade. Inside the ring, Ambrose came back with Dirty Deeds on Breeze for the win. Owens was shown watching the pin from ringside rather than attempting to break up the pin...

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose

An ad for Breaking Ground aired, then the broadcast team plugged it. Cole said he thought he heard JBL was on a diet. He set up footage from earlier in the day of JBL and El Torito disagreeing on whether to order Tex or Mex food. Mark Henry had dream of El Torito making JBL's entrance, then Henry woke up and ate a Hardee's/Carl's Jr. hamburger.

The still shots of Sheamus winning the title at Survivor Series were shown... The broadcast team hyped Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns in a TLC match for TLC as some seizure inducing graphic was shown...

The Rusev and Sheamus ring entrances for the main event took place. They showed a tweet from Notre Dame's football coach Brian Kelly congratulating Sheamus on his title win. Cole said Sheamus would be on SportsCenter with bastion of pro wrestling journalism excellence Jonathan Coachman on Tuesday.

Roman Reigns made his entrance through the crowd...

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Sheamus)

Sheamus sat next to the broadcast team at ringside and jawed with Reigns heading into the break.

Rusev worked over the back of Reigns as Sheamus applauded from ringside.

[Overrun] Reigns threw punches at Rusev, who cut him off. Rusev was running the ropes when Sheamus tried to trip Reigns, allowing Rusev to regain control. The referee ejected Sheamus from ringside. You know, because the referee doesn't answer to The Authority or something.

Reigns threw ten clotheslines in the corner, but Rusev came right back with a spinning heel kick for a two count. They ended up fighting on the ropes, but Rusev knocked Reigns down and then performed a top rope headbutt that resulted in another two count. Rusev went for the Accolade, but Reigns fought free. Rusev stomped him a few times. Rusev to the corner and set up to charge Reigns and ran right into a Superman Punch. Reigns got a two count.

They went to ringside and Reigns ran into a kick from Rusev. Reigns came back with a Superman Punch that knocked Rusev off the ring apron. Reigns ran to ringside and performed a running kick on Rusev. King Barrett showed up and attacked Reigns at ringside for the DQ.

Winner: Roman Reigns by DQ

After the match, Reigns fought off Barrett, but Rusev recovered and hit Reigns, who quickly got the better of him and then slammed a chair over his back repeatedly. Sheamus ran out to help, but he also took a chair shot. Reigns and his new best friend the chair stood tall while there was no sign or mention of Dean Ambrose...