WWE Raw notes: Randy Orton returning at War Games

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Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/11/21/wwe-raw-notes-randy-orton-returning-at-war-games/

Randy Orton will return at the Survivor Series this Saturday in Chicago after eighteen months on the sidelines.

The announcement was made by Cody Rhodes in the final moments of the episode as his team revealed its fifth member to oppose Judgment Day in the War Games Match. With the audience in Grand Rapids chanting, “Randy”, Rhodes stated they weren’t hearing “voices in their head” and that the people were right.

He's baaaaaaaaaack! 🐍#SurvivorSeries #WarGames pic.twitter.com/eHEypOng8j

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2023

Orton has not wrestled since May 20, 2022, during an episode of SmackDown (also in Grand Rapids) where The Usos beats Orton & Matt Riddle for the Raw & SmackDown tag titles and Orton was taken out by The Bloodline.

Orton has been out of action due to a severe back injury.

The announcement of Orton came after Drew McIntyre defeated Jey Uso with a Future Shock DDT to gain the advantage at War Games.

Earlier in the night, McIntyre clarified that he has not joined Judgment Day but will team with them in War Games in order to get Jey Uso inside a steel cage.

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Natalya & Tegan Nox will receive the next shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Titles after winning a fatal four-way match on Monday against Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae, and Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile.

Maxxine attempted a high cross to Nox, who reversed and landed on top for the pin.

It sets up Natalya & Nox challenging Chelsea Green & Piper Niven in the future.

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Next week’s episode in Nashville, Tennessee will include a Tag Team Turmoil Match involving DIY, Alpha Academy, New Day, Indus Sher, Imperium, and The Creed to determine who will get a shot at the Undisputed Tag Titles – currently held by Finn Balor & Damian Priest.

Bronson Reed will also face Ivar next week.

Tag Team Turmoil is BACK!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/nH1zAWthnM

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2023

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Updated card for WWE Survivor Series this Saturday at the Allstate Arena:
*War Games Match: Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & Randy Orton vs. Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh & Drew McIntyre
*War Games Match: IYO SKY, Bayley, Kairi Sane & Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Shotzi & Becky Lynch
*Intercontinental Championship: Gunther © vs. The Miz
*Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley © vs. Zoey Stark
*Carlito vs. Santos Escobar

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Wow this PPV looks absolutely shocking.

2 pointless war games matches which mean nothing.

The Mizzzzzzzzzzzzz… :sleeping:

And a Carlitos match. WTF. This reminds me of a Judgement day PPV from 2010 or something.

Having the Bloodline even without Roman would have made more sense than this random men’s match.

The Miz shouldn’t be challenging for any title on a PPV these days.

I really don’t understand why WWE can’t do a classic SS match any longer.
Team Belair Vs Team Charlotte or whatever would be better than this and could lead to a new feud.

I know John and Wai aren’t keen but I just think it’s poor booking that means these matches don’t work any longer. Anything would be better than this…

Sorry I haven’t ranted about WWE for a while so thought I was due one

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This is easily one of the most meaningless PPVs of all time. The Miz in a title match in 2023. Stark in a title match.

Good thing we have AEW. I sure hope they pick it up by the stumble

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The problem they always had with Survivor Series (even in the 80s/90s, when fewer people talked about wrestling this way) was the amount of guys who had to eat a pin… or more accurately, the amount of guys that they felt couldn’t/shouldn’t/wouldn’t eat a pin. Your stars end up surrounded by job guys and taking a bunch of countouts and DQ finishes.

I think doing WarGames is a solid concept, they just fumbled this one. Despite the men’s 5v5 being mostly made up of legit guys, a main event match without the Bloodline is NOT a main event match in WWE right now.

I will watch it (at some point) and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it, but not a standout card. The match I’m most interested in is Gunther/Miz, which is mostly just curiosity. Overall, it feels like they’re mostly just treading water until the Rumble… which probably isn’t a good sign for the next six weeks or so of TV.

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Yeah this card is boring. But man that Gunther/Miz promo on Raw was money. Almost made me want to watch the match. Gunther has improved so much on the mic

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At least none of you have paid $200+ for a ticket like I did. :joy::sob:

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I understand not wanting to see the Miz in a PLE match, but what was your issue with the Miz/Gunther promo from Raw? I thought they did an absolute excellent job.

I’m not going to disagree that SS has been a little underwhelming, especially compared to last year, but I wouldn’t call the men’s match “pointless”. Judgement Day and Cody/Jey/Sami/Seth have been feuding for months, feels like a natural match given the story being told with Jey coming to Raw. Then throw in the Drew story, and I think it makes sense. Again, not saying its great, I even understand saying its a bit boring, but I think you are being a little unnecessarily harsh.

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Do it for all us weirdos….that promo was nothing special.
I wanna win it for the 9th time…it’s meaningless. I hope they learn going forward and don’t have 15 times champions. Who can care about that. If he was fighting for a championship he won to start his career than it may matter.

I probably am being harsh in the same way you’re being lenient on the product.

Sure the show will be fine on Saturday it just sucks on paper.

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What exactly is the point of the women’s war games match?

The men’s match has a backstory sure but without the bloodline it’s not an A level feud.

Roman isn’t even on the card.

The Miz on a PLE for a title match is a joke.

It just feels leagues behind Full Gear in terms of a show.

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Again, I agreed that the card is nothing special, and I can understand why some are bored. To answer your question, the woman’s war games in my opinion is not about the match, but rather the eventual implosion of Damage Control. Do I think the storytelling between these two factions of women could be stronger? 100%, it feels like Damage control drama vs 4 random singles wrestler and that is a testament to poor booking in regards to making the baby face team feel like an actual team, something I feel has been done well in the men’s match.

I’m not arguing this card is great, I just don’t feel like it’s as garbage as some are making it out it be.

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To be honest, you’re the first person I’ve seen be so negative on it. Did you actually watch the promo or are you basing this opinion on a recap you read? I’m not asking to insult you you, but because if you read a recap I can see how it sounds weird. However IMO the delivery from both was excellent and this is what Gunther needs to keep evolving on the mic which he’s doing great at.

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This would be a B show if it wasn’t called Survivor Series, and it’s a passable B show.

Now personally, I don’t think you should have a Wargames match on a B show, but maybe that’s just me.

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I watched it in full. I can’t take anything The MIz says serious. He’s not a threat…hes an entertainer (as he says) and not a very good one IMO.

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I agree he doesn’t feel like a threat, but it’s been good tv, and I feel the match will be good because all Gunther matches are good, so I’m fine with it. I’m also a bigger Miz fan then most going back to his days on the challenge in like 2003.

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Is anything of interest gonna happen at this PPv?

Does anyone expect a Cash in or maybe even a debut of CM Punk??

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Dropped today. A hint, or a publicist who deserves a raise?

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on Black Friday too. :joy: