EC3 made his WWE Raw in-ring debut this week against an opponent who looks to be on his way out of the company.
In his first televised match on the main roster, EC3 defeated Dean Ambrose on tonight’s episode of Raw. The finish was EC3 winning with a jackknife cradle. It was pushed as an upset on commentary, with Michael Cole saying EC3 beat a former WWE Champion.
EC3 vs. Ambrose was set up during a “Moment of Bliss” segment right before the match. EC3 was Alexa Bliss’ guest. Bliss said EC3 has everything going for him, called him young and good looking, and said she’s heard he has a very large bank account. EC3 didn’t speak on the microphone during the episode.
Bliss wanted to find out whether EC3 would be on Raw or SmackDown, but they were interrupted by Nia Jax and Tamina. Ambrose then came out and interrupted them.
WWE confirmed last week that Ambrose won’t be renewing his contract when it expires in April. Ambrose’s contract status wasn’t brought up on Raw.
– Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode & Chad Gable defeated The Revival to retain their titles
Great opener with tons of false finishes. Roode & Gable retained.
– Nikki Cross defeated Tamina
Incredibly short match, ending with Cross rolling up Tamina for the win.
– Apollo Crews defeated Elias
Elias did a heel promo. The match was very deliberate and most of the action came from Crews. He won with a superkick and standing moonsault.
– Braun Strowman defeated Baron Corbin
Corbin fully embraced the cowardly heel style, though he impressively managed to give Strowman a Deep Six of sorts. Strowman won with a running powerslam.
– Heath Slater, Rhyno & Titus O’Neil defeated The Ascension & Rezar
Drake Maverick did a good job drawing heat for an otherwise lackluster match. Rhyno was still really over in Saskatoon and picked up the win with a Gore.
– Bayley & Natalya defeated The Riott Squad
Natalya was really over in her home country. She and Bayley won with a double and regular Sharpshooter on the entire Riott Squad.
– Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley defeated Dean Ambrose, Finn Balor, and Drew McIntyre in a fatal four-way match to retain his title
The crowd was somewhat split on Ambrose when he made his entrance, but I’d say they were more positive than not as the match went on despite WWE confirming that he’ll be leaving when his contract expires in April.
Lashley retained by stealing the pin after McIntyre hit the Claymore Kick on Ambrose. Balor then stood tall after the match.
Seth Rollins was advertised for the show but didn’t appear.
For the second straight year, WWE went with two fan-pleasing choices as their Royal Rumble winners. WWE followed up on Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka’s wins from last year by having Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch win their respective Rumble matches on Sunday night. The results were entirely predictable, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t the right choices. While there are other stories that WWE can tell, top babyfaces beginning their road to WrestleMania by winning the Royal Rumble will pretty much always work.
A quick note that the format of this issue is different due to the fact I messed up my left hand in a bicycle crash on 1/24 making typing extremely difficult.
This issue has complete Royal Rumble and NXT results with eliminations, stats, and facts, plus Dave’s comments. It also includes star ratings, NXT awards, and notes on the post show angle.
Roman Reigns is going to be in the Rock’s new movie. There were some photos of Roman Reigns last week from where he’s been filming the new sequel of the Fast and the Furious franchise, which had been kept kind of quiet. Reigns is playing Rock’s character Hobbs’ brother…
AEW released a short video with Cody Rhodes talking about signing Jungle Boy and the announcement that on February 7th, there is a Ticket Announcement Party at the MGM from Las Vegas. Brandi teased announcing more women at that event. There is a lot of talent expected at that event. CIMA is likely going to be there…
NJPW is very confident that it will not be an issue by the time the MSG G1 Supercard show comes up, with it being several months away…
From reports of the Dallas, TX Road to G1 Supercard show, Shibata’s students, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, and Alex Coughlin are all seemed as really good in the technical aspect, with all their basics down, as they’re being trained with the Japanese New Japan Dojo mentality. Shibata, who is the lead trainer in the US Dojo, has interpreters with him at all time during training…
Matt Sydal’s contract with Impact Wrestling ended January 1st. He should be ready in a couple of months from a minor knee surgery he got last week…
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose
WWE
PWInsider reported that Dean Ambrose is on the road with WWE this weekend and is scheduled for tonight’s Raw-brand house show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The report also stated that Ambrose is scheduled for “upcoming TV tapings.”
Kevin Owens indicated that he was training with Adam Cole at the Performance Center today: “I just wrestled @AdamColePro for the first time in 4 and a half years. There was exactly one spectator. He gave it 51.25 stars.”
The trailer for “Hobbs & Shaw,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Statham and features Roman Reigns as one of The Rock’s brothers, has been released.
Today is Ronda Rousey’s 32nd birthday. WWE uploaded a video looking back at moments from her first year with the company.
There’s also a video on her YouTube channel taking a look at her Royal Rumble weekend.
Impact Wrestling tonight on Pursuit and Twitch features Psycho Clown vs. Fallah Bahh, Rascalz vs. Eddie Edwards and Eli Drake, Lucha Bros. and Taurus vs. LAX and Daga and the team of Killer Kross and Moose against Brian Cage and Johnny Impact.
The Giant Baba Memorial show, which is headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yoshitatsu vs. Kento Miyahara and Daisuke Sekimoto, will air live on Samurai TV on 2/19.
Eddie Edwards is heading back to NOAH to team with Atsushi Kotoge against new GHC tag champions Mohammed Yone and Quiet Storm at their next event on 3/10.
Naomichi Marufuji also made his return on this morning’s card after suffering a shoulder injury. He challenged GHC Heavyweight champion Kaito Kiyomiya to a title match, also on 3/10.
Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks have teased that they’ll be appearing at tonight’s McAloon Productions show in Atlanta.
UFC/MMA
There was some sort of altercation at the UFC 235 presser yesterday. Ben Askren says that Kamaru Usman threatened him backstage. Usman said that they did meet each other backstage, but all they did was exchange words and that there was no threat. The two have been exchanging words over social media since December when Askren started lobbying for a interim welterweight title fight that never materialized for the now-cancelled UFC 233.
Georges St. Pierre said that Khabib Nurmagomedov was interested in facing him at one, and so was he, but the UFC wasn’t so interested in the match-up.
Holly Holm said she was unaware of the UFC cancelling her fight against Aspen Ladd until after the news was announced.
Sara Frota missed making weight by seven pounds ahead of tomorrow’s UFC event in Fortaleza, Brazil. Her strawweight fight against Livia Renata Souza is still on, but Frota will give up 40 percent of her purse.
Two new promotions are heading to UFC Fight Pass: World Extreme Cagefighting, which will have a weekly Wednesday event, and Glory Kickboxing, which will air Glory 63 tonight on the service.
Cezar Ferreira says he is out of his match against Tom Breese at UFC London due to an injury to his right knee.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
WWE has confirmed that Dean Ambrose won’t be renewing his contract when it expires in April.
The company issued a statement today: “Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good) will not be renewing his contract with WWE when it expires in April. We are grateful and appreciative of all that Dean has given to WWE and our fans. We wish him well and hope that one day Dean will return to WWE.”
Pro Wrestling Torch had reported that Ambrose gave WWE notice that he would be finishing up with the company when his contract expires. The report stated that Ambrose told WWE management the news over the weekend after being offered a new contract with a raise weeks ago.
PWTorch wrote about why Ambrose isn’t renewing his deal: “Sources tell PWTorch that Ambrose has been long frustrated with the creative direction of his character and reached a breaking point recently. He’s indicated to WWE management this weekend he’s not interested in negotiating further and made it clear this isn’t about trying to get more money.”
Ambrose took part in the opening segment of last night’s Raw and lost a match to Seth Rollins on the show. After the match, there was an angle where Ambrose sat in a chair in the ring and was going to speak on the microphone. Nia Jax and Tamina came out for the next match, Jax went face-to-face with Ambrose, and Jax struck Ambrose and sent him out of the ring when he turned away from her.
One of the most prominent members of the WWE roster over the last several years could be on his way out of the company.
Pro Wrestling Torch reported overnight that Dean Ambrose has given notice to WWE that he will be finishing up with the company when his contract expires at the end of April. The report noted that Ambrose broke the news to management over the weekend after being offered a new contract and a raise weeks ago.
The report stated that Ambrose is expected to finish up shortly after WrestleMania, but it’s possible that WWE could write him out of storylines sooner than that.
PWTorch’s report went on to say: “Sources tell PWTorch that Ambrose has been long frustrated with the creative direction of his character and reached a breaking point recently. He’s indicated to WWE management this weekend he’s not interested in negotiating further and made it clear this isn’t about trying to get more money.”
Ambrose was eliminated by Aleister Black in Sunday’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Ambrose appeared on last night’s Raw, interrupting Triple H and Seth Rollins in the opening segment before losing a match against Rollins.
After Ambrose’s match with Rollins on Raw, there was a post-match angle where Ambrose sat in a chair in the ring and was going to speak on the microphone. Nia Jax and Tamina came out for their Elimination Chamber qualifying match, Jax went face-to-face with Ambrose, and Jax struck Ambrose and sent him out of the ring when he turned away from her.
WWE uploaded a post-Raw video where Ambrose said he was going to assume that Jax tripped and fell into him and wasn’t trying to start a physical altercation.
Date: January 14, 2019 Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN
The Big Takeaway —
Finn Bálor pinned John Cena in a fatal four way match to become number one contender for the Universal title. Bálor will face Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Bálor worked double duty, beating Jinder Mahal earlier in the show to retain his spot in the four way. The story is that Vince McMahon doesn’t believe a guy like Bálor can beat Lesnar.
McMahon stripped Braun Strowman of his opportunity at the beginning of the show after Strowman damaged his limousine.
Bobby Lashley is the new Intercontinental champion after beating Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins in a triple threat. Also, the new Women’s tag titles will be decided inside Elimination Chamber next month, with teams from Raw and Smackdown competing.
Finally, Nikki Cross, EC3, Lacey Evans and Heavy Machinery all “debuted” tonight. They’ll all be competing on Raw and Smackdown until they are eventually signed to either brand. With the exception of Cross, they each debuted in the most hamfisted manner possible. See more below.
Show Recap —
Vince McMahon was shown arriving at the building in a limousine. McMahon rolled his eyes at his driver, then made him wipe off a smudge from the car.
Braun Strowman came out to start the show. The crowd chanted “get these hands.” Strowman said Brock Lesnar has always been afraid of him. He claimed Lesnar was always looking over his shoulder when he was Mr. Money in the Bank, interfered in his Universal title shot, and had Baron Corbin attack him before their previous match together.
Strowman warned Lesnar that he was all healed up and Corbin was no longer in the picture. Strowman said he would win the title at Chase Field and Lesnar would get these hands. Corbin interrupted. Strowman led the crowd in a “you got fired” chant.
Corbin said he would take as long as he wanted, and if it took him five minutes, that would be longer than Strowman lasted against Lesnar. Corbin said everyone knew that Strowman couldn’t beat Lesnar. Corbin said he would win the Rumble and go on to main event WrestleMania, something Strowman would never do. Strowman chased after him into the backstage area.
He ran into the Singh brothers who couldn’t agree on where Corbin went, so Strowman tossed Sunil over a table where people were eating. Strowman saw McMahon’s limo, then stormed off in the other direction. Elias happened to be nearby and began singing, basically about how he knew where Corbin was. The crowd was amused. Elias said Corbin was hiding in the limo.
Strowman was listening to Elias, so he marched toward the limo and kicked the side mirror off, then yanked the driver out of the car. The rear door wouldn’t open, so he smashed the window with a pipe. Corbin was, in fact, in the limo, pleading for his life. Corbin escaped the limo and Strowman told him to run, so he did.
Strowman turned around and McMahon was right there, visibly pissed about the limo. McMahon sized up the damage as they went to commercial.
After the break, Strowman tried picking up the car door and putting it back in place, which was funny. McMahon called Strowman an animal, a human wrecking ball, and a danger zone. He fined Strowman $100,000. Strowman said the piece of crap limo wasn’t worth that much. McMahon didn’t appreciate him raising his voice, so he cancelled Strowman’s match with Lesnar at the Rumble.
After McMahon left, Strowman huffed and puffed and flipped the limo over, then roared and walked off.
They cut to the announcers who said flipping the limo wouldn’t help his case, then Corey Graves wondered who Strowman’s replacement would be.
After a commercial break, Strowman was shown being escorted from the building. Corbin laughed and Renee Young put the blame for all of this on him.
Banks and Jax worked together first, which did not look good. Banks tagged in Rousey, who almost got Tamina in an armbar but Jax pulled her out of the ring. They did a lot of stalling until Banks took out Jax with double knees off the apron (which happened as they were showing a replay), then went to break.
Jax had Banks in a bearhug, then countered a hurricanrana into a powerbomb. Jax applied a rest hold, then they did an inset commercial for a movie. It was already about the fourth time the movie has been mentioned and we’re only 30 minutes into the show.
Banks fought back and used a side Russian legsweep into a crossface on Tamina for the submission win. So Rousey never got a hot tag. I actually wished they did this more often. Cole reminded us that Banks has a dangerous submission just like Rousey.
Charly Caruso interviewed them afterwards. Rousey was looking forward to facing Banks and beating her would be right up there with her greatest accomplishments. Banks was offended that Rousey has already pegged her as an accomplishment. Rousey said she didn’t mean anything by it, but reiterated that she would tap-out Banks.
Banks said she wasn’t the only one with a submission, just ask Jax and Tamina. Rousey said Banks could keep the title of being the world’s classiest loser. Banks said she would make Rousey tap-out at the Rumble. Banks began leaving up the ramp, then Rousey chased after her to reason with her. Banks didn’t want to hear it and left.
Heath Slater, Rhyno, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Curt Hawkins and Apollo Crews were shown waiting outside McMahon’s office. The announcers speculated that they all wanted a match with Lesnar. Dasha Fuentes was also there with a microphone. Jerry Lawler came out of the office and got a pop here in Memphis. No Way Jose and his friends then danced by.
Elsewhere, Banks and Rousey argued as Natalya and Bayley trying to calm them down. Rousey and Banks left, then Natalya and Bayley argued on behalf of their friends. The Riott Squad showed up. Ruby said they were happy to take a bad situation and make it worse, so she challenged them to a six-woman tag, assuming they could find a partner. Natalya accepted.
The Revival defeated Kalisto & Gran Metalik (w/Lince Dorado) (4:11)
Before the match, Revival said Lucha House Party would pay for doing nothing last week when they just stood by and watched as they got screwed in their title match. During the match, they did a split screen and cut to Fuentes who interviewed various wrestlers who wanted to face Lesnar.
Crews made his case, then Hawkins made his. Hawkins said it could be the Beast Incarnate vs. The Streak. He asked Fuentes, “you feel me?” She responded, “not really.” EC3 then showed up, smiled and nodded at Fuentes, then just left without saying anything. That was his Raw debut. A few others made their cases, then they went back to the match.
Scott Dawson gave Metalik a DDT and went for a cover. Metalik got his foot on the rope, but Dash Wilder pushed it off and the referee counted to three. Revival won.
Backstage, Fuentes stuck the microphone in McMahon’s face and didn’t actually ask him a question. He mocked her, then said he would make his announcement in the ring.
Vince McMahon’s announcement
McMahon came to the ring. Before he could say anything, John Cena came out. He said we all knew why McMahon was out there and wanted to save him the time. Cena wouldn’t a chance. He recalled a long time ago when everyone left McMahon — Austin left, Rock left, Lesnar left. Cena said McMahon looked at a roster of rejects and misfits and wanted someone to step up.
Cena said he got in McMahon’s face back then and stepped up. He’s missed birthdays, weddings, and funerals, but he wasn’t complaining, because he loved what he did. He asked McMahon for another chance because, unlike everyone else, he had ruthless aggression.
Drew McIntyre interrupted. He didn’t care if Cena wanted to talk about his movies or whatever book he’s writing but asked Cena how he could dare say he has ruthless aggression and told McMahon that he is what ruthless aggression looked like. He said Cena’s time was up and his time was now, and just like Austin, Rock and Lesnar, Cena can leave.
Corbin interrupted. He hinted at possibly threatening legal action because of what happened earlier, and said it would be best for everyone if he was given the match.
Finn Bálor came out and said he was tired of being left out of these conversations. Bálor reminded everyone that he was the only one out there who has actually been Universal champion. McMahon said maybe he would be again one day, but “there’s a lot of beef out here.” McMahon put over Bálor as a great competitor, but wasn’t convinced.
Bálor said we know McMahon hasn’t always believed in him but the fans did. They cheered. Bálor said he would show McMahon, then attacked Corbin. He took out Corbin, then McIntyre took out Cena. McIntyre then wiped Bálor with a Claymore kick. McMahon liked what he saw and made a fatal four way with the winner facing Lesnar.
After a break, Jinder Mahal approached McMahon and complimented his suit. He said he would’ve come out the ring to make his case but he was busy tending to Sunil Singh. He also noted that we were robbed of Mahal vs. Lesnar last year.
McMahon said he could face one of the four men in the fatal four way, and if he won, he would take their place. (Actually, he said Mahal would take their place at the Rumble, but I assume he meant take their place tonight.) Mahal picked Bálor.
Six-woman tag match: Bayley, Natalya & Nikki Cross defeated The Riott Squad (11:32)
Cole said that the incoming NXT wrestlers would be competing on Raw and Smackdown in the coming weeks before officially signing to either brand.
Nikki Cross paced around on the apron before tagging in to start the match. She then tried to take on all three Riott Squad members, which didn’t work out well. Natalya and Bayley saved her with baseball slides on the heels. Cross had crawled under the ring, then reappeared to grab Ruby by the leg, then dragged her between the ring and the skirt and clubbed away at her.
After a break, the heels had the heat on Bayley. After a while, Natalya tagged in and hit Sarah Logan with a dropkick, German suplex, discus clothesline and facebuster, but Ruby broke up the cover. Bayley then took out Ruby. Liv Morgan tagged in and gave Natalya a hurricanrana but Cross broke up the cover.
Cross tagged in and did a Hart Attack with Natalya. Eventually, she used an elevated swinging neckbreaker on Morgan and tagged in Bayley who hit a flying elbow drop for the win. They tried to do too much near the end of the match and the crowd was quiet.
Bálor walked backstage and walked by Lacey Evans who was speaking with Dana Brooke and Mickie James.
Dean Ambrose said tonight was the old story of right vs. wrong. Ambrose said he was right all the time about everything and it was wrong that he had to defend his title against two guys. He thought it was especially wrong he had to defend his title in Memphis. He said nobody, especially Rollins, would take his championship.
Finn Bálor defeated Jinder Mahal (w/Samir Singh) (9:28)
Mahal attacked Bálor during his entrance. Mahal demanded the referee start the match with Bálor down. The ref checked on Bálor who slowly got to his feet and told him to start the match. The match started and Mahal immediately caught him with a kick for a two count. Mahal controlled the match through a break.
Mahal had Bálor in a chinlock as the crowd chanted “let’s go Bálor.” Bálor came back using forearm strikes and double foot stomp. He dropkicked Samir off the apron, tossed Mahal to the outside, and wiped out both guys with a flip dive. Bálor followed with a sling blade, running dropkick and Coup de Grace for the win. Bálor keeps his spot in the fatal four way.
During the match, Cole said Bálor has been working for two years or so to get another match for the Universal title. Of course, Bálor lost to Roman Reigns in a title match on Raw back in August last year.
Lio Rush said it was time for others to suffer, and that includes Ambrose and Rollins. He said Bobby Lashley was the champion we needed, because he was a fighter, and he would become IC champion whether we like it or not.
Triple Threat match: Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) defeated Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to win the Intercontinental Championship (13:10)
Before the match, Rollins told Caruso that his brother Roman Reigns had the courage to tell the world about his battle with leukemia and he and Ambrose embraced him, telling him he didn’t have to fight it alone. But Ambrose betrayed that embrace later that night and destroyed six years of friendship (except for all that time they weren’t friends). He said some other stuff and went to the ring.
Also prior to the match, Young complained about Lashley being added to this match. There was a funny moment later where Cole read an ad for a new sponsor, Golden Crisp cereal, and the ad included verbiage about their Sugar Bear mascot. Graves then asked if (Renee’s) sugar bear could retain his title tonight and chuckled.
Ambrose and Rollins both wore black pants again, which looks weird. Ambrose wanted to work with Rollins at the start. Rollins pretended to oblige, then tossed Ambrose from the ring. Ambrose then formed a union with Lashley. Rollins fought them off, but Lashley killed him with a spinebuster and Ambrose kicked Lashley out of the ring before he could go for a cover.
Rollins later nailed both men with a suicide dive. Rush interfered, so Rollins chased after him but ate another spinebuster from Lashley, this time on the outside.
After a break, Rollins and Ambrose worked together to take out Lashley. Initially, they seemed to be operating independently, then they teamed up to clothesline up out the ring. They then grabbed the steel steps and knocked down Lashley.
Back in the ring, Ambrose and Rollins went at it, trading fists and chops. Rollins hit a falcon arrow but Rush broke up the cover. Rollins chased after Rush, then Ambrose inadvertently knocked Rush out of the ring. Rollins superkicked Ambrose, then Lashley tossed Rollins from the ring and covered Ambrose for a near fall.
Ambrose poked Lashley in the eye, then Rollins took out Ambrose and followed with a frog splash on Lashley. Ambrose tossed Rollins from the ring and covered Lashley for a near fall.
Rollins went to the top, but Lashley got him on his shoulders. Ambrose clotheslined Rollins, but Rollins landed on his feet and hit superkicks to both men. However, Rush dropped the top rope on Rollins who fell out of the ring. Lashley then speared Ambrose for the pinfall win. For the first time, Lashley is the Intercontinental champion. Lashley was pumped.
A stagehand knocked on Alexa Bliss’ locker room door and let her know he had her latte. She didn’t answer, so he knocked again. Still no answer. He thought this meant it was a good idea to go in, so he opened the door and let her know he was entering. Of course, she was standing there topless (holding a shirt over her breasts). He closed his eyes and started stammering. She told him to leave.
A Moment of Bliss with guest Paul Heyman
Bliss announced that the new Women’s tag team champions would be decided inside Elimination Chamber next month in Houston, with three teams from Raw and three from Smackdown. She unveiled the title belts, which had gold and silver plates on a white strap.
She then introduced Heyman. Heyman ran down Lesnar’s potential opponents. He said Suplex City was built on the carcass of hustle, loyalty and respect. He put over McIntyre and said he would be Universal champion one day, just not yet. He began talking about Corbin when Otis Dozovic wandered out onto the stage.
Bliss told him this wasn’t “A Moment of Otis.” He rambled incoherently until Tucker Knight ran out to grab him and apologize to Bliss. The segment just sort of ended after that with Heyman and Bliss looking confused. Heyman never got to Bálor.
Fatal Four Way match: Finn Bálor defeated John Cena, Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre to become number one contender for the Universal Championship (18:39)
Corbin gave Bálor a backbreaker and they went to commercial 40 seconds into the match.
Cena gave McIntyre an AA but Corbin barely broke up the cover. Bálor and Cena then gave Corbin a suplex. With Corbin sitting on the top, Cena and Bálor were going to double team him again, but McIntyre powerbombed them both off the ropes. McIntyre then flipped Corbin off the top. McIntyre set up for the Claymore kick and… they went to commercial.
Back from break, it turns out the match didn’t end with a Claymore kick. Corbin gave Bálor an End of Days but McIntyre broke up the cover. Cena came off the turnbuckle but McIntyre caught him with a powerbomb. McIntyre worked over Cena and Corbin worked over Bálor. The babyfaces each made comebacks at the same time.
Bálor went after Cena, hit a dropkick and went to the top, but Cena fought him off and gave him an AA off the middle rope. Corbin shoved Cena out of the ring and went for a cover but Bálor kicked out. Corbin grabbed a steel chair and nailed both Cena and McIntyre on the outside. Corbin then attacked Bálor with the chair and went for a cover but Cena broke it up.
Cena dodged a chair shot and hit Corbin with an AA. McIntyre took out Cena with a Claymore kick, then Bálor took out McIntyre with a DDT. Bálor then Cana with Coup de Grace for the pinfall win.
After the match, Cena grabbed the mic. He said McMahon may not believe in Bálor but the people did and “you got one more person that believes in you.” He told Bálor to give Lesnar hell at the Rumble and shook his hand. They hugged and Cena raised his hand. Bálor celebrated as the show ended.
WWE has announced that Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose will defend his title against Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match on Monday’s show, which is taking place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey will also team with her Royal Rumble challenger, with Rousey & Sasha Banks set to face Nia Jax & Tamina on the episode.
Ambrose retained against Rollins in a falls count anywhere match in the main event of this week’s Raw. Lashley attacking Rollins led to Ambrose winning. In a post-match angle, Lashley put Rollins through a table.
Rollins and Lashley’s feud also included them brawling to start this Monday’s Raw and Rollins, John Cena & Finn Balor then defeating Lashley, Ambrose & Drew McIntyre.
Banks defeated Jax in a number one contender’s match this week and will challenge for Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 27. Banks defeated Jax after their number one contender’s match was set up during Rousey’s appearance on Alexa Bliss’ “Moment of Bliss” talk show segment.
A falls count anywhere match for the Intercontinental Championship headlined the first Raw of 2019.
Dean Ambrose defeated Seth Rollins to retain his title, with Ambrose winning after Bobby Lashley attacked Rollins. The show had opened with a brawl between Rollins and Lashley, which ended up leading into a six-man tag where Rollins, John Cena & Finn Balor defeated Lashley, Ambrose & Drew McIntyre.
Cena returned to Raw and announced that he’ll be an entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble. Brock Lesnar also returned to build up his Universal Championship defense against Braun Strowman at the Royal Rumble, and Hulk Hogan appeared as WWE paid tribute to “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
Sasha Banks was set up as Ronda Rousey’s challenger for the Royal Rumble, defeating Nia Jax in a Raw Women’s Championship number one contender’s match.
The program between Bobby Roode & Chad Gable and The Revival for the Raw Tag Team titles doesn’t appear to be over. The Revival challenged for Roode & Gable’s titles in a lumberjack match and lost when Scott Dawson was pinned despite having his foot on the bottom rope.
Heading into this week’s television, WWE has confirmed 11 entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble match and announced 10 entrants for the women’s Royal Rumble.
Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose, Samoa Joe, and Bobby Lashley were added to the list of entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble on Sunday night. They were announced via videos that WWE uploaded from Sunday’s house shows.
Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Jeff Hardy, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville were also confirmed as Royal Rumble entrants this weekend.
Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Here’s the updated list of entrants for both Rumble matches:
Men’s Royal Rumble —
R-Truth (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
Drew McIntyre
Big E
Kofi Kingston
Xavier Woods
Finn Balor
Seth Rollins
Jeff Hardy
Dean Ambrose
Samoa Joe
Bobby Lashley
Women’s Royal Rumble —
Carmella (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
Here are results from tonight’s Raw tapings in Detroit, Michigan ahead of New Year’s Eve this coming Monday.
Main Event:
– Titus O’Neil defeated Curt Hawkins.
– The Revival defeated Tyler Breeze and Zack Ryder.
Raw:
– Drew McIntyre defeated Dolph Ziggler in a steel cage match
McIntyre destroyed Ziggler, hitting two claymore kicks. He then exited the ring and grabbed a chair. He delivered a third claymore kick between the cage and the chair, then finished Ziggler off with a fourth.
Seth Rollins came out talking about fresh starts. He wanted a rematch against Dean Ambrose for the IC title. Triple H came out and said there are no more automatic title rematches, so instead he will face Bobby Lashley.
– Apollo Crews won a battle royal
The winner of the battle royal was to face Ambrose for the title later on in the show. Participants included the Lucha House Party, Finn Balor, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, The B-Team, The Ascension, Titus O’Neil, Baron Corbin, No Way Jose and Mojo Rawley. Crews last eliminated Corbin to win.
Backstage, Nia Jax attacked Natalya. She recovered and said she will be in the Royal Rumble.
Corbin was on the mic after the battle royal, mad that he lost. Elias came out and sang. They wind up brawling through the crowd.
– Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon defeated the Riott Squad.
– Bobby Lashley defeated Seth Rollins by DQ.
Seth used a chair on Lashley, leading to the disqualification. He continued attacking Lashley with the chair after the match.
– Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers defeated Rhyno and Heath Slater
Rhyno took the pinfall.
– Dean Ambrose defeated Apollo Crews to retain the Intercontinental title.
Alexa Bliss announced that her new talk show, A Moment of Bliss, will debut next week. The first guest will be Ronda Rousey.
– Ronda Rousey and Natalya defeated Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka.
Raw’s go-home show for TLC takes place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California tonight.
WWE has announced a segment where Seth Rollins will address Dean Ambrose and “the current state of Monday Night Raw” under Baron Corbin for tonight. Rollins will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Ambrose at TLC on Sunday.
Last week’s Raw included an angle where Ambrose came out with a “personal SWAT team.” Rollins ambushed Ambrose, attacked the SWAT team members, and brawled with Ambrose. Ambrose hit Rollins with a gas mask and laid him out with Dirty Deeds on the outside and in the ring.
Corbin has a tables, ladders, and chairs match with Braun Strowman scheduled for TLC (if Strowman is able to wrestle after having elbow surgery). The stipulation is that if Corbin wins, he’ll become the permanent general manager of Raw. He’ll lose all of his GM power if he loses to Strowman. If Strowman wins, he’ll challenge for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. In storyline, Corbin has said he’s going to defeat Strowman by forfeit.
Alexa Bliss hosting a “press conference” ahead of Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax’s Raw Women’s Championship match at TLC has also been announced for tonight’s Raw.
McIntyre won with a Claymore Kick after an eye rake. He was very over and got a very good reaction. McIntyre cut a promo in English telling the fans they probably didn’t understand any of what he was saying. He told them they smelled and asked Dasha Fuentes to translate all of it, which made the crowd turn on him. Ziggler came out to a good reaction and got the crowd fully behind him.
There were lots of soccer chants, mostly directed at the heels, throughout the show, and lots of “ole, ole” chants for the mid-to-uppercard babyfaces.
This was a good back and forth match that went about 10 minutes and got a “This is awesome” chant.
– Natalya came out to a decent reaction. She cut a promo saying she loved the crowd and called out The Riott Squad who “disrespecto mi familia.” The Riott Squad came out to attack her and brought out a table to promote Natalya and Riott’s upcoming tables match at TLC. That got a “we want tables” chant from the crowd.
Bayley and Ember Moon ran in for the save, then Dana Brooke and Mickie James attacked them from behind — but the faces fought them off. The Riott Squad then tried to put Natalya through the table, but Bayley and Moon knocked them out of the ring and Natalya powerbombed Liv Morgan through the table.
The faces then posed with the broken table and the Argentinian flag, which the crowd liked.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defeated Gran Metalik to retain his title
Murphy retained with Murphy’s Law. Metalik came out to a next to nothing reaction, while Murphy got a decent reaction and a few chants at the start of the match. Murphy stalled for about three minutes at the beginning and told the crowd to shush multiple times to lots of heat.
Metalik was able to get over with his high flying and even got a “This is awesome/lucha” chant. This was a very good match that also went about 10 minutes.
After the match, Andrade “Cien” Almas came out with Zelina Vega to a good reaction and attacked Metalik on his way to the ring. Almas then cut a promo in Spanish telling the crowd he wasn’t happy to be here and that he was “El Idolo” to lots of boos.
– Rey Mysterio defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/ Zelina Vega)
Mysterio won after a 619 and a frog splash. He was super over when he came out and got probably the biggest reaction of the night. He posed like Eddie Guerrero and got an “Eddie” chant. Almas also did the Three Amigos at one point, which got somewhat of a good reaction.
This was a very good match, again going about 10 minutes, and was probably the match of the night considering all the action, storytelling, and crowd heat involved.
The crowd was totally behind Mysterio. He cut a promo in Spanish saying he was very happy when he learned that he was coming to Argentina for the first time when he was announced for the tour. He thanked the crowd and dedicated the match to Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio posed with the flag. The audience loved him.
– Elias defeated Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley in a no DQ handicap match
Elias entered and was very over as well. He played the intro of a famous song by Argentine band Soda Stereo and the crowd sang along with all of it. He did mess up on some chords, though. He cut his usual promo until Corbin interrupted to announce a singles match between them. The crowd booed him and chanted “F*** you Corbin” and “pelado,” which means baldie in Spanish.
In the middle of Elias’ comeback, Corbin called for timeout and announced the match was now a three-on-one no DQ handicap match, with his partners being McIntyre and Lashley. Lashley came out without Lio Rush and got some “Lashley” chants. They mauled Elias and took a selfie with him while he was in a chinlock.
McIntyre then accidentally Claymore Kicked Corbin, and Ziggler and Apollo Crews came out for the save. They hit their finishers on Corbin — and Elias pinned him after a diving elbow. This match was short and sweet thankfully.
– No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil, Heath Slater & Apollo Crews defeated The Revival, Rhyno & Jinder Mahal (w/ Sunil Singh)
Rhyno was on the heel side here. He got lots of “ECW” chants throughout the match and beat on Slater without acknowledging anything about Monday’s Raw. Slater wasn’t working as a referee either.
This was the comedy match. The fans liked Jose’s dancing, O’Neil’s barking, and Slater’s goofing around, and chanted “NXT” lightly at The Revival. Crews got the pin for his team after a crossbody.
– Apollo Crews defeated Curt Hawkins
Hawkins came out after the eight-man tag and issued a challenge to Crews, who then proceeded to beat him with a military press and a standing moonsault in less than a minute. The crowd liked Crews’ athleticism even though they didn’t react to him at all when he was tagged in during the tag match. The faces danced in the ring after.
– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax (w/ Tamina) by DQ
Jax got booed as much as Corbin, and the crowd chanted for Becky Lynch. Rousey got a very good reaction and was very over, although she did get some “Becky” chants as well.
Rousey retained via DQ after Tamina attacked her four minutes into the match. The match was actually entertaining until then. After fighting them off, Rousey issued the match to be restarted as a handicap match.
– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax & Tamina in a handicap match
This wasn’t very good, as Rousey sold for most of the match and looked a bit green here and there. Tamina and Jax didn’t look good either. As clunky as it was, Rousey’s comeback got a good reaction. She tapped Tamina out with the armbar. She then celebrated with the fans. This was probably the worst match of the show.
Before the main event, the crowd chanted for Finn Balor. He was heavily advertised for this show but wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Fuentes then thanked the crowd.
– Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose by DQ
Both got very loud reactions and were super over like Mysterio. There was a bit of comedy during the match involving the crowd. Rollins sold his left knee even though Ambrose barely worked on it.
At one point, Ambrose wanted to do the Shield fist bump to no avail, before Rollins accidentally pushed him onto the ref. Ambrose then hit a low blow for a slow two count, which caused him to bring out a chair and hit Rollins with it, causing the disqualification.
While Ambrose was setting up two chairs for a powerbomb, the crowd chanted again for Balor. Rollins was able to fend Ambrose off and hit him with a chair. He then cut a promo saying he wasn’t done with Ambrose and wanted to finish him off on Friday’s show. Rollins then swung around the belt along with the flag, which the crowd loved. He celebrated with the fans at ringside.
This was a good match with a lousy finish to hype up their match for the next night. It went about 15 minutes. Overall, this was a good, fun show and many people described it as better than last year’s.
As if they would start Raw with a wrestling match. With all four wrestlers in the ring ready to go, the Riott Squad’s music hit and they marched down the ramp with a table. As they did, Jax and Tamina attacked Rousey and Natalya. Jax and Tamina took care of Rousey, while the Riott Squad took out Natalya.
Rousey tried to fight back but was taken out with a leg drop by Jax. Ruby Riott then superkicked Natalya off the apron into a double powerbomb by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan through a table outside the ring. Rousey and officials checked on Natalya as the crowd booed and the heels backed away.
They went to commercial and this was all within the first 8 minutes into the show. In a vacuum, this was a perfectly good beat-down segment.
Backstage, Rousey helped Natalya walk through the back. All the officials just left? Rousey called for help and a couple of trainers showed up immediately to assist Natalya.
Open Forum with Sasha Banks and Bayley
Alexa Bliss came out and wanted to try to open forum again because last weeks didn’t go according to plan. She introduced Banks and Bayley as Michael Cole and Renee Young accused Bliss of setting up the attack last week.
Bayley asked Bliss how long it would take for them to get attacked again. Bliss said she had no idea that was going to happen and has already reprimanded Alicia Fox, Mickie James and Dana Brooke. A fan asked the first question, asking what they thought of rumours that Banks was just using Bayley. They brushed this off and said they’ll be partners forever.
The next fan asked who their dream opponents would be and they answered Trish and Lita (at WrestleMania) at the same time. The next fan asked what their superpower would be, and Bayley said she would make Bliss disappear.
Another fan asked what changes they would bring to the division. Bayley said they want to be the first-ever women’s tag team champions, which got a modest pop. Fox, James and Brooke ran out, presumably to attack, but Banks saw them coming and Bliss demanded they stop. Instead, Bliss put them in a tag match.
Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alicia Fox & Mickie James (w/Dana Brooke)
Banks gave James a backstabber and Bayley followed with Bayley-to-belly for the fairly quick win. The match was under five minutes.
Tonight is Drew McIntyre appreciation night.
Rousey confronted Bliss backstage and said the Riott Squad crossed the line. Bliss said she sent them home and would address their actions next week. Rousey wanted Jax and Tamina tonight. Bliss offered to find her a new partner, but Rousey said Bliss didn’t have a conscience and would find her own partner.
A Corbin propaganda video package aired. They cut backstage to Corbin who was approached by Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, who wanted a rematch with AOP.
Corbin said they lost, so they’re owed nothing. However, they could get that match of Roode could beat Drave Maverick tonight. Roode chuckled and wondered what the catch was. Corbin said there was no catch, but Gable and AOP were banned from ringside.
3-on-1 handicap match: Lucha House Party defeated Scott Dawson (w/Dash Wilder) (2:37)
Dawson cut a promo before the match, similar to last week, and said he would teach Lucha House Party a lesson in singles action. JoJo then announced the match would take place under Lucha House rules. Dawson and Wilder were again surprised to hear this.
Kalisto gave Dawson a Salida Del Sol and Gran Metalik won with a springboard senton. Corey Graves yelled about how ridiculous this was throughout the match as Cole tried to justify it.
Smackdown tomorrow has a Women’s title contract signing and MizTV with Daniel Bryan.
Drew McIntyre Appreciation Night
Graves plugged TLC, saying we’ll get to see Braun Strowman forfeit a match, and Cole plugged it like that’s completely normal and let us know it was in two weeks.
Corbin was in the ring and put over his journey to the top. The crowd booed and chanted “you suck.” He mentioned some bumps in the road along the way, like dealing with the Shield, Finn Balor, Kurt Angle and Braun Strowman, but things have been pain-free lately. He credited Drew McIntyre and played a video package for him.
McIntyre came out and Corbin had a gift for him. It was a gold medal. The “gold medal of excellence” to be exact. McIntyre said he did what no one else could. He wanted to eradicate complacency in the locker room. When he arrived a few months ago, guys were in the back playing video games, replying to fans on social media.
McIntyre wanted to reform Raw in his image, for those who were strong and mighty. McIntyre said Finn Balor likes to think of himself as a voice for the people, but he was a boy in a man’s world.
As he spoke about what he would do to Balor at TLC, Dolph Ziggler interrupted. Ziggler wondered if McIntyre had a memory problem. He didn’t see himself in McIntyre’s video package. He said they dominated together and wondered if maybe his invitation was lost in the mail. McIntyre said, “the truth is, you were never invited.”
McIntyre said Ziggler didn’t meet the height requirement. McIntyre said Ziggler was never the brains. McIntyre himself was the brawn and the brains, he was the whole damn package. He said Ziggler’s only role was to get him into a prominent position, then added, “you succeeded for once in your life.”
McIntyre sarcastically thanked him and told him to leave. McIntyre said he’s the reason Ziggler was relevant for the first time in ten years. Ziggler attacked and gave him a Zig-Zag. He was about to leave, so Corbin put them in a match… up next.
Dolph Ziggler defeated Drew McIntyre
The match started during a break and McIntyre was in control when they came back. Ziggler tried a leaping DDT but McIntyre turned it into a suplex. McIntyre grabbed a mic and said that maybe he did still have a soft spot for Ziggler, so he would treat him like he was someone he didn’t like and pretend that he was Finn Balor.
McIntyre drove him into the side of the ring and barricade. Balor walked out onto the stage and they went to break. After the break, Ziggler was fighting back, but McIntyre cut him off and hit a reverse Alabama slam (which was missed by the director because the camera was on Balor).
Ziggler managed to hit a leaping DDT and then sent McIntyre to the outside. The crowd actually got behind him a bit and chanted “let’s go Ziggler.” McIntyre cut him off with a headbutt and crotched him on the barricade as the referee watched.
McIntyre slid Ziggler into the ring and Ziggler collided with the referee. With the ref temporarily distracted, Balor dropkicked McIntyre into the barricade. McIntyre just barely beat the ten count, but upon entering the ring, Ziggler caught him with a superkick for the pinfall win. McIntyre lost.
Cole said he thought that was McIntyre’s first pinfall or submission loss since returning to WWE. The crowd did cheer for Ziggler’s win, but this didn’t come across like that of a big a deal.
Backstage, Caruso asked McIntyre if it was smart to ditch his friend Ziggler when other superstars were after him. McIntyre was pissed and said Ziggler was never his friend, he was a means to an end.
McIntyre called the win tainted and said Ziggler has been living off potential for ten years. Ziggler’s been trying to reach the top of the mountain, but McIntyre was the mountain and he would come crashing down on Ziggler. He also said Balor was a marked man.
Elias was in the ring and cut his usual promo. He said he was looking for Bobby Lashley so he could wrap a guitar around his head. He was about to play a song but was interrupted by Lio Rush and Lashley on the stage. Rush directed Lashley to pose, so he did, including the one where he bends down so we can see his ass.
Elias saw enough, so he went after Lashley. Elias drove Lashley into the video board then chased Rush away. He chased after Lashley who crawled to the back and Elias had to pretend he wasn’t fast enough to catch him.
Elias came back out where he found Rush, who was pushed back onto the stage by Balor. Elias smashed the guitar over Rush’s back as Balor looked on smiling.
Backstage, Jinder Mahal told Corbin he could take out Balor for him tonight. Corbin liked the idea. After Mahal left, Corbin was then joined by Heath Slater and Rhyno. Corbin said he’s been punching the numbers and there was only enough room for one of them on Raw.
Corbin said one of them could quit and make it easy. Slater didn’t want to quit because he has kids (the crowd laughed) and Rhyno said he worked hard to get where he is. Corbin put them in a match with their jobs on the line.
3-on-2 handicap match: AOP & Drave Maverick defeated Chad Gable & Bobby Roode (3:32)
It started as Roode vs. Maverick, but quickly into the match, AOP were shown on the big screen beating up Gable backstage. Corbin showed up and announced it was actually a 3-on-2 handicap match and it was already underway. AOP left.
Roode gave Maverick a Glorious DDT and frantically went for a cover, but AOP ran in and broke it up. AOP worked him over for a bit until Gable gingerly walked to the ring. AOP cut him off and gave them a supercollider. They tagged in Maverick so he could pin Roode.
They congratulated John Cena on winning the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
Dean Ambrose promo
Sirens went off and red and blue lights flashed. Six guys wearing tactical vests and gas masks marched out. Dean Ambrose’s music hit and he came out, also wearing a gas mask. (The sirens kept going off alongside Ambrose’s music.)
Ambrose spoke with the gas mask on. He also wore a brown leather jacket, not unlike the jacket Bane wore in Dark Knight Rises. Ambrose made a crack about Houston, then took off the mask. Ambrose said it was easy to get Seth Rollins riled up. He called Rollins needy and emotional, just like the fans.
Ambrose said he used to be proud of the Shield, but after a while, all Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns cared about was being a role model for the fans. The crowd chanted for Rollins. Ambrose said he’s the only one who hasn’t changed, he has remained constant.
Ambrose called himself the moral compass of WWE. Ambrose said the fans probably didn’t know what that meant because the schools in Houston aren’t too good. He said that Rollins would lose control at TLC, but not to worry, because the IC title would fall into his hands.
Rollins’ music hit and some of the fake swat guys matched up the ramp. Rollins appeared from behind and took out a few of the swat guys. He then powerbombed one guy out of the ring onto four other guys. Rollins then went after Ambrose in the crowd.
Rollins was all over him until Ambrose clocked him with the (plastic) gas mask. Ambrose hammered away at him then gave him on a Dirty Deeds on the black mats. Renee Young said, “we’ve seen Dean Ambrose come unhinged before, but what we’re getting from him now is next level.”
The swat guys shoved Rollins back in the ring so Ambrose could give him another Dirty Deeds. A child wanted a high five from Ambrose. He didn’t get it.
After a break, Graves pestered Young to tell us more about Ambrose and stopped short of telling her to “do your job.” It ended with Young telling him, “Listen, no one is entitled to know what goes on behind closed doors between husband and wife. How dare you.”
After taking a powerbomb through a table onto the floor, they announced Natalya had an injured… arm. Backstage, Caruso informed Jax and Tamina that Rousey’s partner tonight would be Ember Moon. Jax and Tamina tried to intimidate Caruso and said Caruso being Rousey’s partner would be just as ridiculous as Moon.
Jax said the only reason they attacked Rousey from behind was so they didn’t have to see her face. Jax said they would have to see her face tonight, so they would rearrange it, just like she did to Becky Lynch. Jax then screamed into the mic, which surely blew out a few speakers. Jax said she would regain her title at TLC.
Heath Slater defeated Rhyno (1:06)
Cole thought it was ridiculous that Graves was crunching numbers during the show. I guess Cole has never had a real job. Slater and Rhyno came out together and argued on their way down.
As soon as the match started, Rhyno clocked Slater as the crowd chanted “he’s got kids.” As Rhyno worked him over, Slater suddenly hit a neckbreaker for the pinfall win. Rhyno was stunned. Slater looked on in concern for his friend.
Backstage, Corbin congratulated Slater on the win and said he was glad to have him on Raw. Slater was grateful, but wanted to know what he could do for Rhyno. Corbin didn’t care about Rhyno and told Slater to get into uniform. Slater didn’t know what he was talking about, then Corbin presented him with a referee shirt. Corbin said he could have a long career as a referee. The crowd gasped when they saw the shirt.
Finn Balor defeated Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) (7:26)
After a few chin locks and a commercial break, Balor came back with a double foot stomp, enziguri, slingblade and running dropkick. Sunil distracted the referee, so Samir pushed Balor off the top. Apollo Crews ran out to take out the Singhs. Cole said, “look who’s here, Apollo Crews!” and Graves responded, “why!?”
Mahal kicked Crews to save his friends, then Balor wiped him out with a flip dive. Balor followed with a dropkick and Coup de Grace for the win.
Caruso was about to interview Balor backstage, but McIntyre attacked him from behind. He beat the hell out of Balor until referees stepped in. McIntyre backed off, then continued the beating until more officials jumped in.
Rousey marched out with a stern demeanor. Jax and Tamina attacked Rousey before Moon’s entrance, then Moon sprinted out to make the save. Moon hit Tamina with a crossbody, then gave Jax a Codebreaker and Rousey knocked Jax out of the ring. Moon gave Tamina sliding kick and Rousey knocked down Jax with a forearm strike off the apron.
With ten minutes left in the show, they went to commercial. After the break, the heels were in control but Moon fought back on Tamina. Jax distracted the referee allowing Tamina to hit a superkick. Moon went for a tag but Jax knocked Rousey off the apron.
Moon dodged a charge and Tamina knocked Jax off the apron. Rousey made the hot tag and hit three consecutive clotheslines. Rousey kicked Tamina into the corner and told Jax to tag in. Tamina tagged out, but Jax tagged her right back in, which brought some booing.
Rousey used strikes on Tamina. She went for a step up enziguri (I think) but completely missed and Tamina sold it anyway. Rousey kicked Jax out of the ring, Moon gave Tamina an Eclipse and Rousey applied the armbar for the submission win. This wasn’t good. Moon stuck out as being the best of the bunch.
Date: November 26, 2018 Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI
The Big Takeaway —
Raw sucked.
Show Recap —
Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush were all in the ring to start the show. Lashley wore a leather vest to go with his shades and headband.
Corbin ripped on the crowd for stuffing their faces over Thanksgiving. He said guys like them didn’t do that because they took care of their bodies to maintained peak physical performance. McIntyre was thankful for the beating they gave Braun Strowman last week and Corbin had a replay shown. Corbin said the “maimed monster” wouldn’t be around for a long time.
They showed a video of Strowman in Birmingham, Alabama awaiting surgery on his elbow. Strowman said he’d rather be in Milwaukee right now and said what happened to him would be nothing compared to what he’d do to the three spineless cowards who would “get these hands.”
Corbin said his match with Strowman at TLC is still scheduled, but Strowman wouldn’t be able to compete, and he would thus be named permanent GM. He advised everyone in the locker room to choose their sides wisely and be on the right side of history. The lights went out and they were interrupted by Elias. Renee Young yelled, “Yes!” when he appeared.
Elias said he was tired of hearing Corbin’s voice. He said Rush would be a better GM than Corbin, even though that would violate child labour laws. Even Drake Maverick, who “pissed himself” would be better. He also had a song for Bobby “Trashley.” Elias had the crowd singing along to “Bobby Lashley sucks” before heading to the ring for their match.
Bobby Lashley (w/Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre and Lio Rush) defeated Elias
A distraction from McIntyre allowed Lashley to ram Elias into the post heading into a break. After the break, Elias was in comeback mode. He hit a high knee and diving elbow and seemed to have the match won but Rush pulled the referee out of the ring. The referee called for a DQ, but Corbin announced that the match was actually no DQ and had it restarted.
Lashley took control but Elias fought back until he was dragged out of the ring by Corbin. Elias fought him off and grabbed his guitar, but before he could use it on Lashley, Corbin attacked him from behind. Lashley destroyed the guitar as the crowd chanted “Corbin sucks.”
Corbin hit Elias with the steel chair a few times, then they ganged up on him, leading to a Claymore kick by McIntyre. McIntyre then gave Elias a reverse Alabama Slam onto the steel steps, which looked great. Lashley then did a lap around the ring and speared Elias, which they said was an attempt to mock Strowman.
They tossed Elias back in the ring and Lashley did a nonchalant cover for the pinfall win. Rush announced Lashley the winner. The heels posed in victory. Corbin faces Finn Balor later tonight.
The initial match time (before the DQ) was 9:22. The match altogether was 13:47.
Backstage, Corbin fired a stagehand, presumably for allowing Elias to interrupt his segment. Alexa Bliss showed up and said he made the right call. She offered her help with anything. Corbin took her up on the offer and put her in charge of the entire women’s division. Bliss accepted and they shook hands. Young admonished this decision given that Bliss is still an active member of the division.
They showed a video from earlier today of Dean Ambrose in a doctor’s office. Ambrose said he didn’t plan on exposing himself to a dump like Milwaukee and worried about being around the fans during flu season. Ambrose had a doctor give him different shots for dysentery, typhoid and distemper. He also didn’t want to show up in Houston next week without a rabies shot.
Ambrose promised to do the merciful thing at TLC and put Rollins out of his misery for good. Corey Graves asked Young about Ambrose. She responded, “You know just as well as I do that he’s a complicated guy. It’s hard trying to get inside the head of him. I live with the guy, I don’t always know what he’s thinking about. So, sorry, I don’t always have an answer for you guys.”
3-on-2 handicap match: Lucha House Party defeated The Revival (2:32)
Before the match, the Revival said they were caught off guard last week when they heard the new rules. They said Lucha House Party don’t respect the rules and tag wrestling, which has a certain etiquette–like golf. He said an occasional golf clap was acceptable, but not chanting “Lucha” at the top of your lungs, which led to the quietest chant ever.
JoJo announced the match would compete under Lucha House Rules, which again caught Revival by surprise. Graves said he spoke to Corbin who said he didn’t approve of these rules. After some brief offense by the Revival, Lucha House Party went to town on them and traded finishers on Scott Dawson until Lince Dorado finished him off with a shooting star press for the win.
They played a video for Lars Sullivan. Michael Cole called Sullivan the most sought-after free agent in WWE history. He said both Stephanie and Shane McMahon were bidding over his services.
Nia Jax promo
Nia Jax and Tamina came to the ring. Earlier, they showed a replay of Jax punching Becky Lynch. Jax said the Raw roster was thankful for her, for leading team Raw to victory. She was thankful for breaking Lynch’s face, then bragged about giving her a concussion. She moved on to Ronda Rousey as a very light “you can’t wrestle” chant started.
Jax claimed that Rousey’s career has taken a downhill fall since Rousey fought her at Money in the Bank. She showed replays of their match, then what happened to Rousey at the hands of Charlotte Flair at Survivor Series (which was five months after MITB). Jax then did a mocking promo doing an impression of Rousey. She said Rousey hasn’t had her worst day yet.
Jax said she herself was on all roll, winning the Evolution battle royal, leading Raw to victory and breaking Lynch’s face. She said the top of the mountain belonged to her. Mercifully, Rousey interrupted. Rousey began talking but paused to let the crowd chant for her.
Rousey said it wasn’t luck that Jax earned a title shot, but it was lucky that her punch just so happened to hit the right person. (I’m paraphrasing. Her phrasing was a lot more clunky than that.) Rousey said she would rip off Jax’s arm and slap Charlotte across the face with it. Rousey said she was always ready to fight and challenged Jax right now.
Jax said no and that she wasn’t done washing Lynch’s blood off her hand. Jax said she wasn’t making excuses, she was just stalling for time. Tamina stood behind Rousey and they got ready to attack, but Natalya’s music hit and she ran out. She was cut off by the Riott Squad, but Rousey made the save and sent them packing. Rousey helped up Natalya. This was no good.
Backstage, Drake Maverick said the fans have never faced real fear, like he did when he went face-to-face with a 7-foot giant. He said fear makes cowards out of everyone and wanted Chad Gable and Bobby Roode to experience that tonight. Akam and Rezar added, “laugh now, cry later.”
AOP (w/Drake Maverick) defeated Chad Gable & Bobby Roode to retain the Tag Team Championships (8:26)
As soon as the match started, Roode was distracted by Maverick focusing on his robe on the outside so AOP took control. Later, Maverick left wearing the robe, which also distracted Roode. After a break, AOP was in control of Gable. They cut to a shot of Maverick backstage, posing in the robe in front of a mirror.
Roode tagged back in and managed to take control, but Maverick appeared on the big screen. Maverick shoved Roode’s rob into the toilet, then pissed on it. A loud flushing noise played as Roode looked on in fury. AOP attacked him from behind and hit a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo for the win. This was awful.
Backstage, Bliss tried to make good with Sasha Banks and Bayley, but they blew her off. Bliss acted sincerely and said she wanted them to go to the ring and do an open forum, answering questions from the WWE Universe. Bayley said she wanted nothing to do with another “This is your life” thing. Bliss said it wasn’t that, she just wanted the fans to get to know them better.
Becky Lynch returns to Smackdown tomorrow, and AJ Styles responds to Daniel Bryan.
Balor did a selfie promo. He understood that there would be consequences if he didn’t side with Corbin. He knew people thought he was jeopardizing his career by standing up to a megalomaniacal, self-obsessed, blow-hard, but the way he saw it, he would be jeopardizing his career if he didn’t. He said he would stand up and fight for what he believes is the right side of history.
Ember Moon (w/Curt Hawkins) defeated Alicia Fox (w/Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers) (1:53)
Hawkins is Moon’s new partner in the Mixed Match Challenge. Graves said Corbin was punishing her for aligning herself with Strowman. Fox took most of the match, but Moon still won with the Eclipse. Hawkins celebrated like he won the match. Afterwards, No Way Jose danced out with his conga line and they threatened us with No Way Jose vs. Mahal up next.
Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers) defeated No Way Jose (4:23)
This was basically a squash with Mahal winning after a Khallas. This was No Way Jose’s first Raw match since July.
There was a sponsored video package of Booker T and Goldust, which was the highlight of Raw so far.
Seth Rollins came to the ring welcomed everyone to Monday Night Rollins. He said he hasn’t been himself lately but it was time to do what he does best and be a fighting champion. He was done chasing around Ambrose, and no amount of vaccinations would make him immune to Rollins.
Despite what Ambrose said earlier, Rollins knew that he was probably lurking around the building somewhere, but he didn’t care and issued the open challenge. Dolph Ziggler came out. Ziggler said Rollins would go back to doing what he does best — losing to him. Ziggler said he was the best in the world and would once again be IC champion.
Seth Rollins defeated Dolph Ziggler to retain the Intercontinental Championship (20:40)
Rollins was in control before a break, Ziggler was in control after it and controlled all the way through until the next break. Back from break, 13 minutes into the match, both men were down after Rollins hit a clothesline during commercial.
Rollins followed with a slingblade, boot, enziguri, and springboard clothesline for two. Rollins fought Ziggler off the top rope but missed a frog splash and Ziggler followed with a fameasser for two. Ziggler applied a sleeper but Rollins fell back on him and followed with a superkick for two. Rollins missed twice with a curb stomp and Ziggler followed with a Zig-Zag for a nearfall.
Ziggler set up for a superkick but Rollins wouldn’t get up. Ziggler taunted him and smacked him, so Rollins rolled up Ziggler for a close near fall. Ziggler followed immediately with a spike DDT. Ziggler went to the top, then Rollins sprang up and nailed a superplex into a falcon arrow for the pinfall win. Rollins celebrated by swinging the title around.
Nothing happened for the first 13-14 minutes, but the action was good after that. I liked that Rollins won with the superplex/falcon arrow spot.
Open Forum with Sasha Banks and Bayley
Alexa Bliss came out and introduced Bayley and Sasha Banks for the open forum. Bliss pointed at fans and mocked a couple of them before they finally asked someone a question. A girl wearing a Rousey t-shirt asked them how they would change the women’s division. Bayley wasn’t sure she’d change anything. She just wanted everyone to be given an opportunity.
Banks said she would change one thing and told Bliss, “I would ship your little butt back to Smackdown.” Bliss wondered if she didn’t really want Bayley shipped off since she’s bringing her down. Bayley said she disagreed with Banks. She wouldn’t send Bliss to Smackdown, she’d send her back to hell where she’s from.
As Bayley laughed at her own joke, Mickie James, Alicia Fox and Dana Brooke jumped her and Banks from behind. Bayley and Banks fought them off as Bliss left. Another poor segment. The crowd turned on it quickly.
Corbin came out alone. Less than 40 seconds into the match, Corbin had Balor down and in his head and arm lock. Balor slipped out and hit a dropkick, chop and stomps. Balor followed with a kick to the face, sending Corbin out of the ring as they went to commercial 2 minutes into the match. Back from break, Corbin was in control, sending Balor into the barricade repeatedly.
Balor eventually fought out of some sort of headlock and hit a double foot stomp, fists, flying forearm, chop and slingblade, then ran right into a Deep Six for a two count. Balor came back with a DDT and running dropkick but missed Coup de Grace. Corbin escaped the ring and grabbed a mic, announcing that the match was now a 2-on-1 handicap match.
McIntyre came out, so Balor wiped him out with a flip dive, then gave Corbin a running dropkick into the barricade. However, McIntyre leveled Balor from behind, pushed him back in the ring and hit the Claymore kick for the win.
Immediately afterwards, Lashley came out and gave Balor a Dominator, Corbin gave him End of Days, and McIntyre finished him off with another Claymore kick. The heels posed to end the show.
The first match is official for next month’s TLC pay-per-view.
During Survivor Series, it was announced that Seth Rollins will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose at TLC. They’ve been feuding since Ambrose turned against Rollins and beat him down on the October 22 episode of Raw.
The IC title match was announced during a backstage interview segment with Rollins, who had defeated United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a non-title champion vs. champion match earlier in the night at Survivor Series.
Rollins and Ambrose had won the Raw Tag Team titles from Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre right before the angle where Ambrose turned heel. Rollins wrestled on his own and lost the titles to AOP earlier this month, and there was a segment on Raw’s go-home show for Survivor Series where Ambrose burned his Shield vest.
TLC is taking place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California on December 16.
