With RAW emanating from Buffalo, NY, it was a night that began with surprises, twists, turns to go along with crashes and burns. With Team Cena and Team Authority still in the process of building their team, which superstars are in consideration for Survivor Series spots? Which superstars are building momentum heading towards the big event? Which returning power decided to shake things up? Let's take a look!




Vince McMahon & The Authority Opening Segment:- To a huge surprise, Vince McMahon's music hits as he makes his way down the ramp with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in tow. The crowd seemed genuinely happy to see the boss. Mr. McMahon plugs the WWE Network and the offer of a free month of November for new subscribers. Vince then mentions some of his victories against the likes of the US government and WCW. The Authority vs. Team Cena match at Survivor Series match gets a stipulation added. If The Authority loses, The Authority is no longer in charge. With that announcement, Vince and company leave the ring as Dean Ambrose music hits to a huge ovation.

Ambrose meets Mr. McMahon by the ring as the two shake hands and we go to commercial

Stephanie, Triple H and Vince are backstage as Vince is gearing to enter his limo and leave for the night. A very uncomfortable and awkward exchange between the three as we head back to the ring.

Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro:- Technically, this match took place for the 3rd time in a week. In reality, their match this past week on RAW didn't happen as Ambrose assaulted Cesaro and then defeated him on SmackDown. Tonight was the rubber match and it was a damn good one. During the middle of the match, Cesaro got his head cut open pretty badly. Oh, and Bray Wyatt watched the match from ringside. Ambrose wins after countering the backslide into the Dirty Deeds DDT.
Winner:- Dean Ambrose

Bray disappears

Triple H and Stephanie backstage, Stephanie tells Triple H that they need to assemble the strongest Survivor Series team ever, Triple H gets his phone to call Orton. Stephanie questions Triple H who says that it must be done.

Jimmy Uso w/Jey Uso vs. The Miz w/Damien MizDow:- The best part about this match wasn't the action inside the ring, it was Jey Uso and Damien MizDow imitating their partners moves on the outside of the ring. Jimmy had control over The Miz for most of the match but a MizDow distraction enabled the Miz to hit a skull crashing finale for the win.
Winner:- The Miz

Sheamus vs. Tyson Kidd w/Natalya:- The crowd was very dead during this match, almost no reaction to anything either man was doing. That made the match appear as if it was going on forever, but in reality, it wasn't that long of a match. Kidd picks up the victory via countout when both men end up on the outside for a while and Kidd uses Natalya as a shield and prevents Sheamus from getting back in the ring on time.
Winner:- Tyson Kidd via countout

Sheamus brogue kicks Kidd after the match.

Dolph Ziggler and The Authority Segment:- Dolph Ziggler is questioned and persuaded by The Authority. Their main sales pitch is that being a member of John Cena's team will gain him nothing if the teams wins and all the heat if the team loses. Triple H tells Ziggler to side with the Authority that he can have anything he wants. Ziggler ponders and says that he wants The Authority out of power. A visibly disturbed Triple H makes Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title, next!

Intercontinental Championship- Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins:- A very lengthy and athletic match between WWE's 2 best overall athletes. Continuous back and forth action ruled the match as Ziggler and Rollins traded their heavy duty blows. It seemed that Rollins was close to following the footsteps of Rob Van Dam and become the 2nd person ever to hold the Intercontinental Championship and Money in the Bank briefcase at the same time. However, Randy Orton had other plans as he interfered and hit an RKO outta nowhere on Rollins, ending his quest for gold.
Winner:- Seth Rollins via DQ

Kane comes out to check on Rollins along with Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury

Randy Orton walks in on Stephanie and Triple H arguing backstage and begs and pleads for a match against Seth Rollins tonight and threatens to go fight for Team Cena if he doesn't get what he wants.

Titus O'Neil is out and says that at Survivor Series, winning will be spelled T-I-T-U-S and that hes assured The Authority he will fight anybody as Ryback's music hits.

Titus O'Neil vs Ryback:- Titus actually gets a decent amount of offense in on Ryback, including an inverted backbreaker out of a dominator position. However, Ryback regains control and defeats Titus after a meathook clothesline and a Shellshock.
Winner:- Ryback

Big Show is interviewed by Renee Young. Show says he'd be honored to be a part of Team Cena. Nevertheless, Show says that hes so hurt and upset by Henry's actions. Henry, who has been to his house, ate in his kitchen and been his friend. He says that one part of him misses his friend but a bigger part wants to knock him the hell out of his life.

Mark Henry vs. Big Show:- The match was all Big Show from the onset. Henry could not muster any offense as Big Show neutralized Henry with elbows to the back, overpowering Henry at every point and coasting along. It wasn't until Big Show tried to climb to the top rope when Henry took control. After tossing Show off the top, Henry couldn't beat Show after a worlds strongest slam and resorted to using the steel steps on the outside for the disqualification.
Winner:- Big Show via DQ

   Henry assaults Big Show after the match and hits the worlds strongest slam on Big Show on the steel steps.

 Triple H, Stephanie and Kane are backstage and talk up Mark Henry as a member of Team Authority. Triple H tells Kane to go ask Mark Henry if he wants to be a part of the team and then reassures Stephanie.

    Renee Young interviews Brie Bella until Nikki steps in and cancels the interview. The camera turns to Erick Rowan. He touches Renee's hair and takes off the sheep mask to say "Pretty."

Nikki Bella w/Brie Bella vs. Emma:- With AJ Lee on commentary,Nikki Bella defeats Emma wih the Rack Attack in a short match.
Winner:- Nikki Bella

    After the match, Nikki orders Brie to go slap AJ, which she does. AJ knocks Brie down and chases Nikki who runs away.

Zack Ryder vs. Rusev:- What do you think? Rusev crushed Ryder.
Winner:- Rusev

 Rusev talks about defeating Sheamus for the title, which brings out Sheamus who tells Rusev he is delusional.

    Stephanie McMahon stops Rusev and Lana backstage and offers him a spot on Team Authority.

Stardust vs. Fernando:- Fernando wins with a backstabber with distractions from El Torito, Goldust and The Miz and MizDow who were doing commentary.
Winner:- Fernando

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins:- The match went much longer than anybody in the Authority would have liked. Orton was seemingly trying his hardest to be a team player and not completely eviscerate Rollins and Rollins was doing his best to counter everything. The dichotomy between these two is just superb and should make for a great program at a later date. One problem however, after this hard match in which both men risked everything, Rollins defeated Orton with a backslide.
Winner:- Seth Rollins

          After the match, Orton is visibly frustrated and starts shouting at Triple H. But, with a few moments to regain his mental stability, Orton shakes hands with the entire Authority in the ring. That is until Orton got to Rollins, shook hands and hit an RKO on Rollins!

           Orton clears the entire ring and seems intent on punting Rollins until Triple H, being the voice of reason calms Orton down, momentarily. Orton strikes Triple H and continues to brawl with the rest of the Authority. It continues to the outside where Orton assaults Rollins, hits Mercury with an RKO but the numbers game catches up to Orton.

             The Authority takes control of Orton and Rollins hits a curb stomp on the announce table, busting Randy wide open. Triple H struggles with the idea of whether or not to continue the abuse on Orton but he gives in and tells the Authority to finish it.

             Rollins curb stomps Orton onto the steel steps as RAW goes off the air.

             This was in all honesty a very entertaining RAW. The focus that they are putting on this big Team Cena vs Team Authority match is refreshing. It is making the match feel important and must watch. And despite Orton being written off of television for a while, he looked dominant and like his old self in his valiant effort. That is all you can really ask for. It's going to make his superstar that much bigger when he returns soon.

Rating:- 8/10