WWE Raw November 20 2023 provided a go home show built around putting the finishing touches on the Men’s War Games’ match. With Drew McIntyre revealing important takeaways regarding his role, in not joining the Judgment Day but taking the opportunity to have Jey Uso in a cage. Other storylines including the Intercontinental Championship story, the Inter-Imperium dynamics between the members and the Women's World Championship story all have necessary storyline advancement. The women's war games teams also had a brawl after Becky Lynch defeated Xia Li. The card also lacked fluff, which is a good thing. With some of the matches and segments that were done not being involved in the major storylines, these stories still had progression.
WWE Raw November 20 2023 is the go home show to Survivor Series War Games. With new developments, what does Drew McIntyre have to say after his actions against Jey Uso last week? Xia Li finally has to face Becky Lynch. Shinsuke Nakamura faces the head coach of the Alpha Academy in Chad Gable. And the War Games advantage match is scheduled as a singles match between one man from each team.
AMAZING Drew McIntyre Promo: WWE Raw November 20 2023 Opening Promo
Drew McIntyre opens the show in the ring, no theme playing. He was introduced by Samantha Irvin before he shut down the boos claiming he wasn’t Dominik Mysterio. Drew talks about how he hasn’t changed. He turns this talk about how Jey Uso never apologized for Clash At The Castle. When Jey’s family ruined Drew’s moment with his own family. Drew claims that he did not join the Judgment Day but that Rhea offered him the chance to have Jey Uso inside a cage. Jey Uso comes out and says that Drew is going to get a Yeet-down. The Judgment Day arrives and climbs onto the apron to back Drew. Sami, Seth and Cody come down before Adam Pearce halts the action. Pearce says if anyone not scheduled for the advantage match throws the first punch, they forfeit the advantage. And With Drew being in War Games, Cody and the others need to find a fifth man.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
The Judgment Day are located in their hangout, Damian approaches Rhea about Rhea’s choice to bring Drew in. Damian mentions being the leader of the War Games team and asks Rhea about where Drew was. Priest tries saying as the leader, he should be the guy in the singles match later. Rhea brings up that Damian just said the group should make decisions, so they have to wait for Drew.
GOOD Nia Jax Vs Raquel Rodriguez: WWE Raw November 20 2023 First Match
I was genuinely shocked that the crowd had gotten into this match at a level that was above the typical level. The crowd was invested in Raquel’s moves and her strength. In hand with the crowd, the story was elevated to a basic story done well. There were a number of moments of Nia stopping Raquel from getting the power move. The finish had, Raquel attempting to take Nia off of the corner with a powerbomb but Nia countered it with Rodriguez falling back. Nia then climbed the ropes and jumped off and connected with her version of the banzai drop, the AnNIAhilator.
Results: Nia Jax by Pinfall via The AnNIAhilator
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Drew McIntyre finally arrives in their hangout. Damian pitches being the one in the advantage match. McIntyre then pitches himself before its agreed that Drew is their representative.
Women’s War Games video package.
GREAT Becky Lynch Vs Xia Li:
This had to be Xia Li’s first main roster match where she really got the time to do a properly lengthed match. Xia delivered in working on Becky Lynch and the crowd got into the match once again. From Becky selling for Xia and Xia doing stuff we haven’t seen her do, this was an excellent television match. I do think the choice for Xia to lose before an NXT title shot is odd.
Results: Becky Lynch by Pinfall via Manhandle Slam
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
After the match, Becky Lynch is in the ring as Damage CTRL walk through the crowd as they get to the barricade. Charlotte, Belair and Shotzi attack them from behind. All 8 women engage in a brawl that security have to try to separate.
Ludwig Kaiser is confronted backstage by Giovanni Vinci as they talk about last week. Kaiser then demands since Vinci was meant to be under Ludwig’s control, Giovanni should stay backstage for the match.
GREAT Ludwig Kaiser Vs Johnny Gargano:
This has to be Johnny Gargano’s best match on a Raw since pre mania? Not only were the crowd firmly behind Mr. Johnny Wrestling. But, both men got to engage in a really solidly wrestled match here. Ludwig and Gargano got a good amount of time also and had solid counters and sequences within the match. Vinci had come down and to Imperium’s downfall, Kaiser was the one to get distracted. Gargano would get control and connect with the one final beat.
Results: Johnny Gargano by Pinfall via One Final Beat
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler are found to be hanging out in the Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Stark criticizes Rhea for focusing on everything except for her again.
ABOVE AVERAGE Maxxine Dupri and Ivy Nile Vs The Way, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae Vs Katana Chance and Kayden Carter Vs Natalya and Tegan Nox – Number One Contendership Match:
While this match was timed fairly well, and wasn’t just pure chaos, there were plenty of moments of making sure things were lined up correctly. And a number of moves weren’t performed as smoothly as it could have been. Chelsea Green did very well on commentary interacting with Michael Cole. Maxxine Dupri was the most over in the match with her “thank you”s and her worm. The crowd did pop for some of the offense from Katana and Kayden as well.
Results: Tegan Nox by Pinfall via Crossbody Counter Onto a Pin On Maxxine Dupri
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
Gunther approaches Ludwig and Vinci as they are arguing in the back. He disapproves of Ludwig’s actions before claiming to put Vinci in charge now.
AMAZING Miz and Gunther Face to Face:
The Miz gets interrupted by Gunther’s entrance before he goes on about how he is a proud entertainer. Referring to the larger than life characters that have held the Intercontinental championship like Macho Man, Mr. Perfect and Bret Hart. Saying how he wanted to be the kid that got the Hitman’s glasses. Gunther would then talk about how Miz is just another one of the weirdo kids that got bullied for liking and idolizing those wrestlers. Going on about how Miz worked to get to the company and did but still got bullied by those backstage. Saying that Miz doesn’t belong in this sport. Gunther started to push Miz into the ropes a few times before Miz threw the first punch. Miz took a big boot from Gunther before Gunther picked him up. Miz succeeded in hitting a mule kick for a low blow to a loud pop. The Miz hit a skull crushing finale as he stood tall.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
Ivar and Valhalla send a message and a challenge to Bronson Reed.
GOOD Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Chad Gable:
Something wasn’t hitting in this match. Tonight’s crowd while giving pops for Gable and his catchphrases, the crowd felt slightly weaker for what we have seen the last few months. This was a good enough match between the two that had good sequences. There was some good technical wrestling between them but it was slightly underwhelming. Nakamura just barely gets the win as he countered Gable’s victory roll.
Results: Shinsuke Nakamura by Pinfall via Victory Roll Countered Roll Up.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
Bronson Reed says that Ivar needed Valhalla to fight his battles and accepts the challenge for next week.
Sami and Seth hype up Jey Uso for the main event before Jey goes to the ring. Cody approaches and asks Seth and Sami if they had luck for the fifth. Rhodes then reveals his guy is in. Camera fades as Seth is doing his laugh.
GREAT Jey Uso Vs Drew McIntyre – Men’s War Games Advantage Match: WWE Raw November 20 2023 Main Event
Jey Uso firmly had the crowd behind him, including the yeet chants. Drew still had some support throughout the match as he did his 3-2-1 count for the claymore. This was a solid main event that had a finish that kinda fell flat with the future shock DDT. A solid enough match but not anything special.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Future Shock DDT
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
After the match, Rhea Ripley told Drew to finish Jey off. Judgment Day runs out to try and help, while Cody, Seth and Sami make the safe with chairs. Team Cody stands ground in the ring as Cody makes a number of Randy-esque puns. Mentioning having a Legacy with this man, being the Apex predators and saying people have voices inside their head. Cody says the crowd is right before Raw finishes.
WWE Raw November 20 2023 Overall Summary…
WWE Raw November 20 2023 provided a go home show built around putting the finishing touches on the Men’s War Games’ match. With Drew McIntyre revealing important takeaways regarding his role, in not joining the Judgment Day but taking the opportunity to have Jey Uso in a cage. Other storylines including the Intercontinental Championship story, the Inter-Imperium dynamics between the members and the Women’s World Championship story all have necessary storyline advancement. The women’s war games teams also had a brawl after Becky Lynch defeated Xia Li. The card also lacked fluff, which is a good thing. With some of the matches and segments that were done not being involved in the major storylines, these stories still had progression.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.50/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – Nov 20 2023For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
