Randy Orton in Action, CM Punk Pipebomb, Cody Rhodes Finds New Foe & More:WWE Raw (November 13, 2023) Recap & Results

Set to deal with the fallout of WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, this episode of Monday Night RAW had high expectations. With CM Punk and Randy Orton’s return, the #1 contenders match for the Tag Team titles, and much more on the line, fans were excited. Coming live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, this was set to be an action-packed episode and here is what all happened.

Monday Night RAW 27-11-2023 recap

Opening segment: Randy Orton opened the show to thunderous applause from the audience. This would be the first time Orton addressed the WWE Universe after 18 months of being benched due to injury. The fans cheered him and issued chants of “Welcome back” as the WWE legend took to the mic. After explaining that The Bloodline is the reason why he returned, Rhea Ripley came out to confront The Viper. After getting ambushed by Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh, Orton announced he wanted a singles match with Mysterio.

Backstage segment: Ahead of the #1 contender match for the Tag Team titles, we get The Alpha Academy and The New Day. While discussing their match, Maxxine Dupri and Ivy Nile introduced singer Jelly Nile.

#1 Contender Tag Team tournament match

First Match: Alpha Academy’s Akira Tozawa and Otis vs. DIY’s Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa

Winner: Gargano and Ciampa picked up the win after pinning Tozawa. This moved DIY to the next round of the match. Otis and Tozawa put a valiant effort but could not stand against Ciampa and Gargano.

Second Match: DIY’s Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Indus Sher’s Veer Mahaan and Sanga

Winner: Gargano and Ciampa picked up another win in the second round, pinning Mahaan. This led the team to the third round of the match. The second round was much less entertaining than the first.

Third Match: DIY’s Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. The Creed Brothers Julius Creed and Brutus Creed

Winner: The Creed Brothers won after an impressive 10-minute-long match. Brutus hit Gargano with the Brutus Ball. This led The Creed Brothers to the next match against The New Day.

Fourth Match: The Creed Brothers Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods

Winner: The Creed Brothers picked up their second win in the tournament after a Brutus Ballon on Kingston before pinning him. The New Day didn’t seem to take the match too seriously, leading to their downfall.

Fifth Match: The Creed Brothers Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. The Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci

Winner: Continuing their winning streak, The Creed Brothers won the tournament after a Brutus Bomb on Vinci. Despite the tension between Kaiser and Vinci, the two put their best foot forward. However, they did not pick up the victory. This meant The Creed Brothers would face Finn Balor and Damian Priest for the Tag Team titles.

Backstage segment: We got a backstage segment of the Judgment Day. Damian Priest was upset about losing their WarGames match, as he was the leader. However, every member was supportive, with Ripley reminding him that they were a family. With no hard feelings, Priest and Balor went to check on McDonagh.

In-ring segment: Cody Rhodes addressed the fans after his team picked up the win at WarGames. After thanking his teammates, he talked about the 2024 Royal Rumble. He announced his participation in the 2024 Royal Rumble. The celebration was cut short due to a promo by Shinsuke Nakamura. It was revealed that the mystery opponent Nakamura had been talking about all these weeks was Rhodes. Nakamura attacked Rhodes inside the ring and left him on the mat.

Bronson Reed vs. Ivar 

Winner: The match ended in a double count-out as both men wrestled outside the ring past the referee’s ten count. It ended with Reed giving Ivar a Death Valley Driver into the barricade outside the ring while the bell sounded. However, the brawl continued, with Adam Pearce and security breaking up both men.

Backstage segment: We got Shayna Baszler telling Zoey Stark she gave Rhea Ripley a good fight at Survivor Series. Despite losing the chance to win the title, Stark was still hyped for a fight. Nia Jax interrupted the two, and Stark stopped Baszler from getting between them. Stark challenged Jax to a match set to take place immediately.

Backstage segment: Priest, and Balor returned to their clubhouse with McDonagh only to find R-Truth. Truth was enjoying a massive plate of Jelly Rolls. He claimed he wanted to be their fifth team member for WarGames. Priest cleared the air, saying that WarGames was over and Truth left.

Nia Jax vs Zoey Stark

Winner: Nia Jax picked up the win after multiple near-falls by Stark. Despite the size difference, Strak put on a splendid match with Jax. After a Samoan Drop, Senton bomb, and the Enilator, Jax won the match.

Backstage segment: Kaiser and Vinci show the tension between them is still there as they argue backstage. Gunther broke it up before running into The Miz. At Survivor Series, Gunther was able to retrain his title, and The Miz wanted a rematch. While Gunther showed respect to The Miz, he claimed Miz was not the right opponent.

In-ring segment: Seth Rollins made his way to the ring to address the fans about his future as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. After firing shots at CM Punk, Drew McIntyre interrupted Rollins. After a bit of back and forth, Rollins revealed he would be in a title defense match next week against Jey Uso. This triggers McIntyre into a violent frenzy, leading to Rollins being beaten down in the ring. Jey came to his rescue and squared off with McIntyre.

Backstage Segment: As McIntyre made his way backstage, he met Sami Zayn. Despite facing off at WarGames, Zayn tried to console McIntyre. However, McIntyre was not set to listen and said the two would meet inside the ring next week.

Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs. Tegan Nox and Natalya for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles

Winner: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven retained their title after Niven hit both women with a cannonball outside the ring. In the ring, Niven hit a crossbody on Nox for the win. Despite having control over most of the match, Nox and Natalya could not win the titles, thanks to the cunningness of the champions.

Backstage segment: Ahead of his match, Orton was approached by Jey Uso. Jey and Orton have history and wanted to put it all in the past. Orton claimed he had unfinished business with The Bloodline during the opening segment. Jey cleared the air that he was out of The Bloodline, and Orton claimed that the two were cool.

READ MORE: “We Would Really Like to Help You Out”: Tony Khan Reveals How AEW Is Aiding Taylor Swift With Her Show at Wembley Around All in Season

Randy Orton vs. Dominik Mysterio

Winner: Randy Orton picked up the win with an RKO on Dominik. Despite Dom having McDonagh by his side, The Viper was able to pick up the victory. With a small interaction with Jelly Roll on the outside, Orton kept the match short, yet interesting.

CM Punk addresses the WWE Universe

After nine years away from the WWE, Punk returned at the end of Survivor Series: WarGames. This resulted in the highest social media numbers the WWE has seen in a long time. Throughout the show, Punk’s address to the fans was hyped by Michael Cole.

Punk began by thanking the fans and Cody Rhodes, acknowledging that he’s a changed person. He touched up his absence from the WWE and his love for the fans. He claimed that he was the best in the business, and he’s back in the WWE to set the bar as high as possible.

Watch This Story: CM Punk Makes Triumphant Return to WWE at Survivor Series WarGames 2023 After 9-Year Hiatus