8 Ups & 7 Downs From Last Night's WWE Raw (Nov 5)

4. Elias Plays Manchester Like A Fiddle

Elias WWE Raw
WWE.com

Turning Elias babyface was a great decision. A master of crowd control, he still had plenty of juice as a heel, but it was time to see his character in a different light, and he was on fire last night, conducting Manchester like a master orchestra leader.

'The Drifter' interrupted Dolph Ziggler's post-Crown Jewel promo, and was soon strumming along with the crowd's 'Seven Nation Army' rendition. Almost everything he did got a response, whether it was referencing the Gallagher brothers, or acknowledging his turn, or hosing Ziggler in a brand new song, and it was bloody marvellous.

Though the ensuing match wasn't great, it was perfectly functional. Elias came away with the victory when Dolph decided moaning to the referee was more important than his opponent, allowing 'The Drifter' to seize the advance, and nail his finisher. Michael Cole immediately popped for this "major win," which isn't entirely convincing when Ziggler just lost to Shane McMahon. Still, the match and segment worked.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.