Tag: Jey Uso

WWE Raw results 01/15/24: Jinder Mahal comes close but not quite against Seth Rollins

See how Jinder Mahal came within a hair of dethroning Seth Rollins on WWE Raw in Little Rock.

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With less than two weeks to go until the Royal Rumble in Florida, it’s time for some of the top talent on WWE Raw to get their current programs finished and turn their attention to securing a spot at WrestleMania.

Cody Rhodes might have the first half of that plan finally checked off after he defeated Shinsuke Nakamura again last week, so he can finally put all his effort on winning the Royal Rumble match. Or we think that’ll be the case anyway, since WWE says he’s kicking off the show tonight.

What if we’re wrong, though? Is it possible Rhodes has one more in a seemingly ceaseless string of hurdles placed in his way? TBD.

Seth Rollins knows he can’t worry about Royal Rumble just yet, as he has a World Heavyweight Championship defense to attend to this evening. Plus it’s against the man of the hour, Jinder Mahal, not something we expected to be typing as recently as two weeks ago.

There would seem to be little chance WWE would put this title on Mahal, especially given the time of year we’re in. Things need to be cemented, not chaotic. Right?

Normally, we’d say yes. But there’s that little matter of Elimination Chamber in Australia, where WWE will need to put on a big show next month. Roman Reigns probably won’t be there, and while the Chamber matches are attractions in their own right, a world title match doesn’t seem like too much to ask for.

So we’re just putting this out there: Maybe Mahal wins tonight and Rollins has to win it back from him at Elimination Chamber. Or a certain Straight Edge Superstar could snag it there and go into WrestleMania making Seth chase him.

Or, you know, Rollins could just win tonight and speed on down the Road to WrestleMania. That’s why we watch, which we’ll be doing starting right now.

WWE Raw results from Little Rock:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • A tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. starts the show
  • Are Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre more alike or different?
  • Damian Priest takes R-Truth to task for selling Judgment Day merchandise in the parking lot, but Truth is making a killing off the gear, and Priest relents while also telling him not to tag in during their tag team match tonight
  • #DIY def. The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh) by pinfall
  • Chelsea Green and Piper Niven interrupt a conversation between Adam Pearce and Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, which Pearce turns into a match between those two teams tonight
  • Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven by pinfall
  • Rhea Ripley sees a Nia Jax hype video and leaves to “address her division,” while the rest of The Judgment Day takes Priest to task about the R-Truth situation; Damian shows the money he’s been bringing in and suggests to McDonagh that he may not get a cut because “your name’s not on the shirt”
  • Gunther is back and offering rare praise for Ludwig Kaiser, who gets a challenge from a vengeful Xavier Woods
  • Ludwig Kaiser def. Xavier Woods by DQ after Woods uses a steel chair, though he ends up getting it kicked into his (already bloody) face afterward
  • Bronson Reed says there is a champ right now who is unaware his championship will soon belong to Reed … though he doesn’t name which champ he’s talking about
  • Byron Saxton tries to get a word with Woods, but Kaiser attacks him until Jey Uso puts a stop to it
  • A video package shows us how we got to a Seth Rollins-Jinder Mahal world title match
  • Akira Tozawa def. Ivar by pinfall, though after the bell, Valhalla assaults Maxxine Dupri after the bell and Ivar hits a moonsault on Tozawa
  • CM Punk and Rhodes will be face to face next week on Raw
  • Ivy Nile says she will look for Pearce to deal with Valhalla; Chad Gable says he will teach Ivar a lesson next week too
  • Rhea Ripley addresses her division and ends up in a showdown with Becky Lynch
  • Seth Rollins says the only way to head to WrestleMania is to continue to be a fighting champion, a workhorse champion, and he knows this is the best version of Jinder Mahal and he wouldn’t have it any other way
  • Damian Priest and Finn Balor def. The Miz and R-Truth by pinfall
  • Jinder Mahal says everyone is divided but his focus is singular, and everyone will be unified when he defeats Rollins to become World Heavyweight Champion
  • Apparently Shinsuke Nakamura isn’t done with Cody Rhodes, which is interesting
  • Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark def. Natalya and Tegan Nox by submission, with Baszler making Natalya tap out
  • Seth Rollins def. Jinder Mahal by pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
Image credit: WWE.com

Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre bicker over who will finish their story first

Rhodes asks Little Rock what they want to talk about, giving some options. He’s about to launch into his “I’m on my way to Royal Rumble” routine when he’s interrupted by the arrival of Drew McIntyre.

The Scottish Warrior turns Cody’s question around on him before reminiscing about how they came up the first time in WWE together. McIntyre says he’s proud of Rhodes as both a man and performer and also reminds him they were tag team champs together as The Dashing Ones.

Drew mentions that both of them had to leave WWE to find themselves and “become verbs.” He believes in Rhodes now too, saying he will finish the story … but not before Drew finishes his.

Rhodes says Drew could win the Rumble, but so could Jey Uso. So could CM Punk. You can’t count anybody out.

McIntyre tells Rhodes he should just be himself and doesn’t need to smile all the time and try so hard. Cody seems irritated by that, insisting that he smiles when he comes out because he is grateful for his second chance while Drew stands and complains about his.

Undeterred, McIntyre claims Rhodes is standing in his way, and at WrestleMania, the story belongs to him. But the American Nightmare says McIntyre is still blaming everyone but himself, and if he wants to keep bringing up the last time they wrestled, he has one question: Who won?

Image credit: WWE.com

#DIY closes in on a tag team title shot with a victory over the champs’ teammates

The framing here is that #DIY is stringing together wins to get closer to a tag team title shot, and this is a victory that would surely help considering it’s the other two Judgment Day men who hold the gold.

Tommaso Ciampa takes flight with a corkscrew plancha, and Johnny Gargano does the same to send McDonagh over the announce table. They do their sitting on the apron and clapping thing as commercials arrive.

With some timely rulebending and double teaming, Mysterio and McDonagh take charge after the break. Wade Barrett calls out Dom’s fuzzy boots, which are, in fact, incredible.

Gargano is isolated and taking a beating far from his own corner. He finally hits Dom with his slingshot spear, and he nearly dives for the tag before Ciampa gets hauled off the apron by McDonagh.

Ciampa is the legal man after a second commercial break so must have gotten himself back in position while we were away. Gargano prevents a double team and Ciampa nearly rolls up Mysterio for three.

McDonagh saves his partner from another close call seconds later. Big shots start flowing in every direction, eventually leaving all four men down. The fans approve, starting a “this is awesome” chant.

Also awesome: McDonagh’s standing Spanish fly and top rope moonsault, leaving Ciampa in need of a save from his partner. Mysterio’s attempted 619 is foiled and he gets sent to the floor by a hard knee shot.

McDonagh looks like he’s in trouble now, and he eats Meet in the Middle, leaving him helpless as Gargano covers for three.

Image credit: WWE.com

Gunther is … happy with Ludwig Kaiser? Xavier Woods definitely is not

Ludwig Kaiser does his usual ring intro for Gunther, who is back from IRL paternity leave. Giovanni Vinci is hurt, so this is all the Imperium we get.

The Ring General says he can smell the desperation this close to Royal Rumble, which he reminds us he was close to winning last year after a record-setting time in the ring. This year, he plans on winning and main eventing WrestleMania. As one does.

But for now, he wants to focus on Kaiser, reviewing what’s been happening while Gunther was gone. The champs likes the grit, confidence and courage Kaiser showed in his attack on Kofi Kingston and gives him a hug as a sign of his happiness.

Not as happy? Xavier Woods, who is here and hot for some payback. He challenges Kaiser to a match, taunting him for needing to ask his “daddy” for permission.

Kaiser accepts and says what he did to Kingston is nothing compared to what he’ll do to Woods, who comes right after Ludwig, leaping off the apron and hammering him on the floor until a ref finally calms him down.

Mami vs. The Man? Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch tease Mania showdown

Mami makes it simple: This is her division, which is why she is the champion. As such, she says the Royal Rumble winner will be wasting a WrestleMania opportunity if they choose her. It’s just going to go the way it did last year, because Mami is always on top.

Some familiar music hits as an answer, and Bekcy Lynch joins Ripley in the ring. The Man says they are two very different people but with two very similar journeys.

Lynch says they’re the two very best to do it, but the voice in her head keeps her awake asking if perhaps Ripley is better than she is. Becky says she needs to prove that Rhea is not, and to do that means taking the title, and to do that means winning the Royal Rumble match.

Ripley says she really does want Lynch to win the Rumble and will see her at WrestleMania.

Image credit: WWE.com

R-Truth gets some harsh truth from Damian Priest and Finn Balor

Truth is not only in The Judgment Day’s entrance video, he also walks out behind them despite being on the opposing team. He then proceeds to spill cash all over the ring before the bell. Miz is basically pleading with his partner to convince him they’re on the same team. Funny stuff.

Truth ignores Priest’s suggestion earlier in the show that he not tag in, earning him a beating from Balor as commercials arrive. Nothing has changed after the break, really. Priest tags in but is immediately outmaneuvered by Truth, who get Miz in for his first extended action.

Miz fights Balor to the floor and sends Priest over the announce table. The A-Lister is rolling, but only until Balor counters away from a Skull Crushing Finale, and Truth tags himself in for a scissor kick to Balor. Priest blasts Miz with a kick but manages to stop Truth, who ends up kicking Balor and then taking South of Heaven from Priest.

Balor crawls over and pins Truth for a chaotic win as boos rain down from the fans.

Image credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins overcomes chaos, retains against Jinder Mahal

Indus Sher accompanies Mahal to the ring, giving Rollins potentially one more thing to worry about. Seth has got plenty to worry about from Jinder himself in the opening minutes, though he connects on a flying knee off the apron to get a foothold in things. Damian Priest wanders out casually with his MITB case, and Rollins has a grim look on his face heading into commercials.

After we return, Mahal is treating Rollins to some pain inside the ring. Seth finally battles free of an abdominal stretch for the obligatory exchange of strikes, which the champ wins thanks to a healthy clothesline.

Rollins is tossed over the buckles, then comes flying back in with a cross body for a near fall. A second rope moonsault gives Rollins another near fall, though the announcers wonder if he tweaked a knee or ankle.

Both men want suplexes, but Rollins wins the day by pivoting to a Falcon Arrow. Seth is thinking Stomp but runs into some head kicks, though he perseveres for a Pedigree … sort of, as his knee gives out, and his cover is thwarted by Indus Sher’s timely assistance.

Rollins dives onto one of Mahal’s wingmen on the floor but misses a splash back into the ring. Priest is up on his feet as both combatants are down, but Drew McIntyre is there to throw hands with him.

While the ref is distracted by their brawl, Mahal follows a cheap shot by Indus Sher and comes darn close to stealing the world title. A chair is slid into Mahal, and dealing with that allows Indus Sher to get in a briefcase shot. Mahal hits the Khallas … but Rollins kicks out.

As Mahal tries for a second Khallas, Rollins evades it and hits a Stomp, closing the show by retaining his world title.

WWE Raw results 01/08/24: Cody might finally be done with Shinsuke

CM Punk also had a showdown with Drew McIntyre on WWE Raw from Portland.

While we all ponder where we might be watching Raw come this fall, we know where to catch it tonight: on USA, as per usual. The show comes to us from Portland, where one matchup has our attention.

That would be Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Everyone expects that Rhodes will be in position to “finish the story” later this spring, but he keeps getting roadblocks thrown in his way in the meantime. Nakamura has been an especially persistent one, showing his full sadistic side during this program.

Would defeating him again help end it? Probably couldn’t hurt, and with Rhodes looking forward to the Royal Rumble match later this spring, he really needs to put Shinsuke in the rear view mirror if at all possible.

Portland will also see CM Punk make an appearance, though it looks like it may just be to talk in the ring. That’s fine since he’s one of the best at that, but you figure that sooner or later, WWE will want him to actually wrestle on Raw. Probably.

We’re ready for these segments and everything else thrown our way tonight, so off we go.

WWE Raw results from Portland:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Cody Rhodes is all smiles as he enters the building ahead of tonight’s main event
  • Drew McIntyre has something to say, but so does CM Punk
  • Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano walk out toward the ring, and Ciampa calls this a “must win” match that will lead to #DIY becoming tag team champs in 2024
  • Tommaso Ciampa def. Finn Balor by pinfall
  • Becky Lynch says she thought about the bad things that could have happened in the match with Nia Jax, and she’s taking the positive view since she didn’t end up in the hospital, and that maybe this is just the beginning of a run for her
  • Kofi Kingston vs. Ludwig Kaiser goes to a double countout, much to the dismay of the fans; they decide to keep fighting even after the bell, and Kaiser throws one of the announcer’s chairs in Kingston’s face and then dropkicks his head into the steel steps
  • Asked backstage about his attack, Kaiser screams and says it’s Kofi’s fault he is carrying the weight of Imperium alone
  • Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley have a face to face confrontation and sling some barbs at each other
  • A replay of The Rock’s appearance on last week’s episode of Raw is shown
  • Shinsuke Nakamura assaults Cody Rhodes backstage while he’s trying to be interviewed, and Adam Pearce and officials have to hustle to pull them apart
  • Kayden Carter and Katana Chance def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven by pinfall to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
  • Due to their earlier brawl, the Rhodes-Nakamura main event is now a Street Fight
  • R-Truth explains why The Judgment Day is a “real family” now that he’s in and JD McDonagh is out, heh
  • The Judgment Day argues again about Truth, and Ripley tells McDonagh he needs to “handle” The Miz
  • The Miz def. JD McDonagh by pinfall, and R-Truth celebrates the win afterward, as confused as ever
  • Ripley goes to talk to Pearce about “our plans for next week,” and Balor and Priest agree that “this needs to end”
  • Seth Rollins is in the house, and he gets a visit from Jinder Mahal
  • Ivar def. Otis by pinfall
  • Jey Uso is asked if he has any plans for the new year, but Bronson Reed warns Jey not to get in his way
  • Cody Rhodes def. Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall in a Street Fight
Image credit: WWE.com

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk have a heated discussion about leadership

The Scottish Warrior says again that last Monday was all or nothing, and that he cost himself the match. He’s been thinking about it all week, and perhaps it is Drew McIntyre who is holding Drew McIntyre back.

If that’s the case, he needs to get his head screwed on straight and step away from WWE for a while. But … he didn’t lose straight up! It was because Damian Priest tried to cash in his MITB contract during the match, and due to that, he screwed McIntyre and himself.

Or maybe he can leave the company for nine years and get a hero’s reception when he returns. You know who did that? CM Punk, that’s who, and he does indeed get a great reception from the fans as he joins McIntyre in the ring.

Punk says it’s Piper Country and questions whether McIntyre is known for talking like Roddy was. If Drew has anything to say to CM, he can say it to his face, as he makes himself comfortable in the corner.

The Scottish Warrior mocks Punk for making it a month into his comeback while also suggesting he knows the “real” CM Punk. At one point in his career, McIntyre says he needed a leader to show him the way, but Punk was never that person and still isn’t. Indeed, Drew suggests he’s the one who is a leader now.

Punk retorts that he’s always led by example — including when he left the company, suggesting that gave McIntyre a blueprint to make himself better. He also disputes Drew’s assertion that he’s a demon, saying instead that he’s a nice guy but can be “Satan himself” when pushed too far.

McIntyre says what he did before, he did for the fans, but when he eliminates Punk from the Royal Rumble and heads to WrestleMania, it will be for him. Punk says the only person who can stop himself from accomplishing his goals is him, and not Drew, Seth Rollins or Cody Rhodes can prevent him from winning the Rumble. He claims he’ll throw McIntyre out last before he leaves the ring.

Image credit: WWE.com

Tommaso Ciampa outwits Finn Balor with a little help

Apparently R-Truth was responsible for this match, calling Balor a “scaredy-cat” and goading him into this matchup. There are high stakes too, since #DIY will get a title shot if Ciampa wins.

Both Damian Priest and Johnny Gargano are ringside to support their respective teammates, with Priest staring down Ciampa when they find themselves face to face outside the ring. Balor sends Tommaso crashing down into the announce table right before commercials.

Ciampa’s DDT right after the break gets him a near fall. A stomp to the chest is Finn’s answer, but he takes a running knee and Project Ciampa and has to kick out at two again.

Balor rallies but sees Ciampa roll away from the Coup de Grace, and then gets rolled up for another near fall. Priest is up on the apron, and Gargano nearly finds disaster when he gets involved.

Will Ciampa pay for halting to help his partner? He does not, as he’s able to capitalize on Gargano grabbing Balor’s foot after a suplex to get a quick three count. Turnabout is fair play, as they say.

Nia Jax has a Mami problem, or is it the other way around?

Michael Cole gets a word in the ring with Jax, who scoffs at the idea that it was “shocking” that she defeated Becky Lynch. But when she gets to the part about running through the Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley joins her.

Rhea says the people know what’s up and they know how Nia loves to talk a good game. She reminds Jax who threw her out of last year’s Rumble (it was Rhea) and warns Nia not to walk around like she owns the division, because she doesn’t.

Ripley says it’s best to keep Rhea’s name out of her mouth; Jax fires back that she’s too scared to face off one on one. But once she squashes everyone else in the Rumble, she plans on choosing Ripley. “See you soon, unstoppable champ.”

Image credit: WWE.com

Kayden Carter and Katana Chance retain after friendly fire downs the former champs

Wade Barrett suggests that even with the gold, Carter and Chance feel like underdogs coming into this title defense. Many other members of the women’s roster are shown watching backstage.

The champs go for some quick falls, trying to keep Green busy and isolated. Green finally sends Chance headfirst into the turnbuckles, and Niven tags in and treats her to a cannonball for a near fall.

After commercials, Carter gets her first chance for some extended offense, including a near fall on Green. A springboard legdrop is good for another. A top rope Frankensteiner by Chance forces Green to kick out yet again, but the champs are really rolling.

Green finally scores with a Roughrider on Carter and her own near fall. Niven tags back in, using a senton on Carter that means Chance has to save her partner. A uranage sends Carter down, but Chance pulls her partner out of the ring, and Niven hits a Vader Bomb on her own partner. Oh dear.

After getting Niven out of the ring, the Keg Stand on Green seals it up for the champs.

Image credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins fights off Jinder Mahal … no, really

The World Heavyweight Champion reminds Portland that Royal Rumble is close and after that, we are on the Road to WrestleMania. While Seth says his Mania record is pretty good, he says he’s never taken a world title into the event. He’s never been on the marquee, but he says that will change this year.

But the question is who he’s going to beat on the Grandest Stage of Them All? That starts a somewhat unorganized CM Punk chant, to which he responds by saying “in his dreams, maybe.” Instead, Jinder Mahal comes down the ramp.

Mahal suggests he was more of a Visionary in five minutes last week than Rollins has been his whole career. He also gripes that Seth is giving out opportunities to others less deserving than him, which … not sure that’s true but OK.

Seth says Jinder is right and that he’s been overlooked — but it’s been on purpose, until last week when he showed up “and The Rock put your balls in a vice.” He does admit that Mahal was able to rebound from that and show back up, but he’s not crazy about Jinder coming out and interrupting his segment.

The champ tells Jinder to take a swing, but he chooses to take a cheap shot instead. Rollins easily repulses his attack, however, and is the one standing tall in the ring.

Image credit: WWE.com

Cody Rhodes might finally be done with Shinsuke Nakamura after winning a Street Fight

It doesn’t take long for these two to fight up toward the stage, then back toward ringside where Rhodes is fully in charge. He bounces a water bottle off Shinsuke’s face as the crowd chants for tables.

Rhodes goes up top but sees his foe escape, then pop back up using a broom as a weapon. A kendo stick is next to be brought to bear, and Rhodes has to head for the floor for a respite.

Nakamura is bossing things after a commercial break, paintbrushing Rhodes and toying with him a bit. He kicks Rhodes in the face, then the back of the neck.

Shinsuke switches gears, looking for a half crab. More kicks land too, but Rhodes fires himself up with a forearm shot off the ropes and a powerslam. A Disaster Kick follows and earns a near fall.

Nakamura gets some nunchaku out and puts them to good use over by the announce table. But his attempt to spray his mist misses Rhodes and hits the timekeeper right in the face instead. While Cody asks for help, Shinsuke attacks him with a steel chair, and more ads arrive.

He’s still going to town with that chair when we return, though now both men are back in the ring. Rhodes is able to turn the tables with the fans urging him on, and he meets Shinsuke for an exchange of strikes that he wins with a pair of Bionic Elbows.

The American Nightmare sets up a table but is greeted by a headbutt. Rhodes ends up on the table and takes double knees to drive him through it. Nakamura covers but only gets a two count.

Shinsuke gets another table out from under the ring, smiling as he goes about setting it up. They battle into a corner, and Nakamura hits his sliding German suplex. Off the second rope comes Nakamura with a knee strike, yet Rhodes manages to kick out again.

In the middle of the ring, Rhodes delivers a Pedigree for his own near fall. A Cody Cutter is next, but it’s still not quite enough to end it.

Nakamura counters a Cross Rhodes attempt and looks for a Kinshasa, but Cody sends him into the corner table. Cross Rhodes doesn’t miss this time, and the American Nightmare is triumphant.

WWE Raw Day 1 results 01/01/24: Seth (barely) retains, The Rock returns

A former WWE Champion rumored for Raw Day 1 surely did make an appearance in San Diego.

With all due credit to The New Day, it’s a new year, yes it is. And what better way to kick it off than with a WWE Raw Day 1 show from San Diego, chock full of championship matches and other goodies? Nothing, that’s what.

WWE has every reason to put on the best possible show since it took a rare break from all live programming between Christmas and New Year’s. Both Raw and SmackDown were year in review episodes last week while the wrestlers and crew got a well deserved holiday break.

Now it’s time to come out with the pedal down, which is exactly what Day 1 is looking to do. Both the World Heavyweight Championship held by Seth Rollins and the Women’s World Championship held by Rhea Ripley will be on the line, in addition to a first time ever meeting between Becky Lynch and Nia Jax.

If that isn’t enough for you, Triple H has hinted that rumors of a former WWE champion appearing on Raw Day 1 may indeed be true. There’s been all kinds of speculation about everyone from Batista to The Rock, so that’s another big reason to be locked in to what goes down.

Alright 2024, what have you got for us?

WWE Raw Day 1 results from San Diego:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Michael Cole and Wade Barrett start the show in the ring hyping up the card, including a “former WWE champion” appearing on the show
  • A video package takes us through the buildup of the Becky Lynch-Nia Jax feud
  • Nia Jax def. Becky Lynch by pinfall
  • A replay is shown of Shinsuke Nakamura’s “An American Nightmare Before Christmas” and their ensuing brawl
  • Cody Rhodes wants to end things with Shinsuke Nakamura, but Nakamura wants him to squirm for one more week
  • Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso def. Imperium (Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser) by referee stoppage after Vinci appears to suffer a mid-match injury after taking a particularly stiff dropkick
  • A hype video is shown for the Rhea Ripley-Ivy Nile title match later tonight
  • Miz TV welcomes The Judgment Day, which turns into an argument between R-Truth on one side and JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio on the other, which in turn leads to a tag team match
  • The Miz and R-Truth def. Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh by pinfall
  • Chelsea Green and Piper Niven invade the club to threaten Kayden Carter and Katana Chance that they’re going to Adam Pearce to get a rematch, but not only do the champs not mind, they throw some beverages in the faces of the former champs
  • Rhea Ripley def. Ivy Nile by pinfall to retain the Women’s World Championship
  • After teasing fans by bringing out Jinder Mahal first, The Rock makes a triumphant return while also teasing a Roman Reigns showdown
  • Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark def. Natalya and Tegan Nox by pinfall
  • A video recap takes us back through the issues between Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins ahead of the main event
  • Seth Rollins def. Drew McIntyre by pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship despite Damian Priest’s ultimately thwarted plan to cash in his MITB briefcase during the match

Nia Jax beats, bloodies Becky Lynch in first ever meeting

After reminding us that this is the first time these two have ever wrestled one on one, the announcers frame this as a bout in which Lynch will have to keep her temper in check if she wants to win.

Jax is hitting all the early offense, talking to her prey while she does so. Lynch fights back with a jawbreaker and keeps moving between forearm shots. An uppercut and a kick to the midsection land too, and Lynch manages to evade a legdrop and score a cover that’s only good for a one count.

A dropkick drives Jax back into the corner, and a missile dropkick is also on target to earn a near fall. Jax scores with a Samoan Drop during picture-in-picture action and generally stays in control until the full broadcast returns, but it’s Lynch scoring a two count right after that.

Nia gets things going her way on the outside but misses both a right hand near the post and a cannonball into the apron. Lynch saved herself big time there, and she nearly wins by countout before Jax slides back into the ring. A top rope leg drop allows Becky to cover for another two.

The Disarm-Her is locked in, but Jax powers into a pinning combination for two. Lynch pivots back into an armbar but is lifted into a sitout powerbomb and just barely manages to kick out in time.

Jax drags her foe to the corner, but Lynch springs up and looks for a Manhandle Slam off the middle rope; Jax counters into an Avalanche Samoan Drop and can’t believe it when The Man kicks out again.

Becky is fired up now, but that’s not going to help when she gets caught flush with a right hand. Jax follows with the Annihilator and gets perhaps her biggest win ever.

Cody Rhodes is stuck on Shinsuke Nakamura whether he likes it or not

So, San Diego, what do you wanna talk about? Rhodes says he has the privilege of being the first superstar to officially welcome everyone to a Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw.

While people like to talk about their goals for the year, he’s a little stuck, and what he’s stuck on is Shinsuke Nakamura. Rhodes says he was expecting something more sophisticated from Shinsuke and thinks their issue should be over.

To that end, he gives Nakamura the chance to end this right now, which brings Shinsuke to the big screen. He says he never dreamed it would be so easy to get in Cody’s head, and while he plans to author the final chapter of Rhodes’ story, he wants to give the American Nightmare one more week to dream.

Shinsuke says he’ll “close your book” next Monday before spraying red mist all over the camera.

Miz TV welcomes The Judgment Day … sort of

The Miz is excited to welcome The Judgment Day to his show, but all he gets right away is R-Truth. He says he’s trying to make the group likeable to everybody, but JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio come out to play party pooper.

McDonagh says this all has to end tonight, while Dom gets shouted down and Truth has to point out his own hometown is booing him. Miz comes to Truth’s defense when he asserts that JD should be gone from the group after losing the Miracle on 34th Street Fight, and Dominik is unable to get in a rebuttal due to the crowd booing him mercilessly.

The Miz responds to what was apparently Dom ripping on him by admitting that 2023 wasn’t great for him. But he’s bounced back to be as relevant as he’s been for a long time, and he adds that his only memory of Dom last year was “getting spanked by your daddy.”

You see where this is headed: JD and Dom vs. The Miz and R-Truth.

Ivy Nile impressive even in defeat against Rhea Ripley

What a big spot for Nile, though it should be a good one for her. She tries to show off her power early on but gets dropkicked in the head for her trouble.

Nile is whipped into the corner but stays a step ahead of the champ to hit a cross body, though it only keeps Rhea down for one. Ripley starts smacking her challenger around while verbally berating her at the same time. A spinning headscissors and a followup slam halt Rhea’s momentum, and she takes a short breather on the outside during side-by-side commercials.

It’s pretty much all Ripley during the break, but Nile definitely isn’t backing off. She hits a beautiful suplex on the floor and a nice tilt-a-whirl DDT back in the ring and forces Rhea to kick out at two.

Ripley’s missile dropkick is an effective response and also good for a two count. A Riptide is countered by a head kick, and a gutwrench slam leads to another near fall for the challenger.

Nile’s face is driven into the champ’s knee, then the mat. Ripley covers but can only get two again.

With both women looking to go up top, it’s Nile who prevails, German suplexing the champ off the ropes but finding Ripley still has enough left to kick out. Ivy ascends to the top rope but her cross body is met with a stiff headbutt. A knee shot sets up the Eradicator, and Ripley is still Women’s World Champion.

Smell that former WWE champion returning? Yes, The Rock is back, teasing a showdown with Roman Reigns

To say the fans are disappointed when Jinder Mahal comes out to the ring would be a mild understatement. But the way Michael Cole is lampshading it and Mahal is referencing it makes it feel like they’re trying too hard to get us to buy into it.

Mahal starts in on a bilingual attack on America and how its people are divided. Is someone coming out to beat him up?

Yes … and it’s The Rock!

He and Jinder argue about whether he should be embarrassed to be The People’s Champ (spoiler: he’s not), and while channeling the spirit of the late Iron Sheik due to Mahal dropping his name earlier, The Rock calls him the “biggest a–hole watching God’s green Earth.”

After some self-deprecating “Baywatch” jokes, The Rock stands up for the U.S. as well and dubs Mahal the “Day 1 Douchebag,” a moniker the crowd enjoys. The Rock encourages it even more with a chant using both sides of the arena.

A new version of the national anthem that also disses Mahal makes Jinder snap, but his attack is quickly repulsed and ends with him receiving a spinebuster. The People’s Elbow is next, getting a huge pop.

And damn, does it look like The Rock is having a great time. After dispensing of Mahal, he says he’s going to grab something to eat later and wonders if he should sit … at the head of the table.

Well now.

Seth Rollins prevails over Drew McIntyre despite Damian Priest’s designs to cash in his MITB contract

The announcers tell us that this is a different McIntyre than the one Rollins defeated at Crown Jewel, but we’ll see if that is indeed the case. He’s taking it to the champ early, bouncing him off the announce table, though Rollins manages to grab the ropes to prevent an Alabama Slam on the floor … only to launch himself right into a belly-to-belly throw on the floor anyway. Welp.

After McIntyre stays in charge through most of a side-by-side commercial sequence, Rollins is able to smash McIntyre into the post, then deliver a tope con hilo. A counter tilt-a-whirl DDT also connects, as does a frog splash for a near fall.

They battle to the top rope, where Rollins hits a superplex only to have McIntyre roll through it for a Falcon Arrow and his own near fall. Michael Cole is really getting into this now.

After more ads, McIntyre has Rollins up top, and he doesn’t miss with White Noise off the middle rope. Rollins kicks out at two and both men are slow to rise.

An enzuigiri and some additional kicks have Rollins feeling like ending it. He misses a Stomp, however, and is planted by the Future Shock. McIntyre kips up and counts down … but Rollins counters a Claymore attempt with a sitout powerbomb for two.

Rollins’ corkscrew plancha misses, as does another Claymore, but the champ’s Pedigree does not. He covers but can only keep Drew down for two again.

Suddenly Damian Priest’s music hits, and he’s on his way down with his MITB briefcase. Dominik Mysterio is with him too, and Priest smashes Rollins with the case. However, McIntyre takes out Priest and Mysterio and hits the Claymore … only to see Rollins get his foot on the bottom rope.

With the match continuing, Rollins delivers a Pedigree on the announce table, somehow not breaking it. He follows with a Stomp in the ring and hears the three counted to keep him the champion against all odds.

[lawrence-related id=43384]

WWE Raw results 12/18/23: Challengers go 1-for-2 in tag team title matches

See which set of tag team title challengers broke through on WWE Raw from Des Moines.

We’re nearly out of days in 2023, and tonight’s WWE Raw from Des Moines, Iowa very well could be the last live televised show of the year. And with that being the case, why not finish strong?

It looks like we might have exactly that kind of card tonight, with three championships on the line. One is a rematch between Gunther and The Miz for the Ring General’s Intercontinental Championship. Miz has shown the drive and form to work himself back for a second shot, but as many have found out, standing up to Gunther and defeating him are two very different propositions.

Both the men’s and women’s tag team titles are also at stake in Des Moines. In both cases, there are up and coming teams looking to prove they’ve truly arrived — The Creed Brothers and Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Can one or both duos succeed and claim their first main roster gold?

Warm up your singing muscles, as we’ll see Seth Rollins get some microphone time tonight. The World Heavyweight Champion did some verbal jousting with CM Punk last week, but he’s got a (literally) bigger foe to worry about first in the form of a very focused Drew McIntyre. Rollins might not even make it past Jan. 1 with his title if he doesn’t keep his eye on the Scottish Warrior.

Last but not least, R-Truth has been an unexpectedly delightful monkey wrench thrown into The Judgment Day’s machine as of late. We’ll see if he can avoid taking a big ‘L’ in Iowa as he faces JD McDonagh in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.

We’re looking forward to taking in all the action and recapping it right here for you, so let’s get to it.

WWE Raw results from Des Moines:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • The Judgment Day is in the building … and so is R-Truth
  • R-Truth def. JD McDonagh by pinfall in a Miracle on 24th Street Fight
  • Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are feeling good ahead of their tag team title shot tonight
  • Becky Lynch can’t quite get Nia Jax to fight tonight but does get a taste of her power
  • Kofi Claus drops off a YEET shirt for #DIY, who give some props to The Miz before he gets a backstage interview to suggest he’s ready to finish what he started the first time he rattled Gunther
  • Gunther def. The Miz by pinfall to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship; according to the stipulation, Miz can’t challenge for this title again as long as Gunther holds it
  • The other members of Imperium congratulate Gunther, but he berates the whole year as a complete write-off for them, and says he expects them to grind and impress him for a few weeks while he takes a much deserved break; Kofi Claus also stops by to give Ludwig Kaiser some coal
  • Shinsuke Nakamura treats everyone to an atmospheric reading of “The American Nightmare Before Christmas,” but Cody Rhodes is unamused by the personal attacks it contains and attacks him, with their battle heading all the way from backstage to the ring before WWE officials can finally separate them
  • Chelsea Green and Piper Niven try to convince Adam Pearce to cancel their title match but fail; Bronson Reed stops by afterward to discuss Gunther’s next challenger
  • Kayden Carter and Katana Chance def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven by pinfall to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
  • Akira Tozawa surprises his Alpha Academy teammates by informing them he has a match with Ivar, and Chad Gable can only cringe at the thought
  • The new tag team champs get some props backstage before heading out to party, while some other tag teams (Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, and Natalya and Tegan Nox, specifically) discuss how Carter and Chance
  • Ivar def. Akira Tozawa by pinfall
  • CM Punk’s decision to sign with Raw and subsequent showdown with Seth Rollins is replayed
  • Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre speak their minds, but one person takes it to a physical level
  • The Creed Brothers geek out a bit after Cody Rhodes wishes them good luck and says he hopes they win tonight
  • Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci beat up Kofi Claus, but Jey Uso hands out some “season’s yeetings” as payback, and Uso makes it clear he wants Kaiser in the ring
  • Jey Uso def. Ludwig Kaiser by pinfall
  • The Judgment Day tries to console McDonagh, and he’s not kicked out of the group, and Ripley tells Priest and Balor to take care of business tonight
  • Damian Priest and Finn Balor def. The Creed Brothers by pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Image credit: WWE.com

The Judgment Day still can’t quite convince R-Truth he’s not in the group

After Damian Priest tells us to all rise, Finn Balor congratulates The Creed Brothers on getting to the No. 1 contenders spot. But where it’s the biggest night of their life, it’s just another night at the office for the tag team champs.

Rhea Ripley delivers a warning to Ivy Nile and promises The Judgment Day will continue to run things in 2024, but Dominik Mysterio is interrupted by R-Truth. He didn’t know they were opening the show and thinks the beatdown he got last week was his initiation into the group, even though it hurt him physically and emotionally.

Since everyone is looking for a fight, Truth needs someone to beat up on, and the fans suggest JD McDonagh. He suggests a Miracle on 34th Street Fight, to which JD tells him it’s already been booked and it’s happening right now. Truth says there’s an added stipulation: It’s a Loser Leaves Judgment Day match.

Priest likes that idea, and even though Ripley does not, McDonagh seems like he’s fine with it.

Image credit: WWE.com

JD McDonagh has a Blue Christmas at the hands of R-Truth

The announcers debate whether there really is a stipulation in effect saying McDonagh has to leave The Judgment Day if he loses. He has some assistance from Dirty Dom to try to avoid finding out.

Truth delights the crowd by getting out a table, but McDonagh plays Scrooge by dropkicking him in short order. Dom trips Truth but ends up driving Truth’s head into his teammate’s groin, and Christmas trees and a fire extinguisher also come into play.

A flurry of offense by R-Truth has JD down, and a Five Knuckle Shuffle pays homage to John Cena. McDonagh ends up atop a table, and even when he escapes, Truth ends up almost accidentally driving him through it for the pinfall. Michael Cole is excited that JD is out, but we’ll see if he really is.

Image credit: WWE.com

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax are going to fight … but not tonight

Becky Lynch interrupts Nia Jax before she can even say a word, unimpressed that she’s out to announce she’s entering the Royal Rumble.

In response, Jax suggests that the reason they’ve never had a singles match is because everyone is scared Nia would destroy the “moneymaker of the company.” The Man disagrees, saying that Jax is the one who is scared and that she’s the one whose existence is owed to others.

To prove her wrong, why not fight right there? Jax calls for a ref and Michael Cole is excited, as are the fans. But you know what’s coming — Jax backs off, saying this will happen on her terms, and in her hometown of San Diego in two weeks on the Day 1 episode of Raw.

Jax is laughing as she turns to leave, but not for long as Lynch goes firing up the ramp to attack her. That goes poorly for The Man, though, as one right hand sends Becky to the ground.

Image credit: WWE.com

No shame in defeat as The Miz pushes Gunther to the limit

If Miz loses this, he can’t challenge again for this title as long as Gunther holds it. Those are high stakes.

The champ tries to bully Miz early on, smiling after he chops the challenger down. But Miz briefly grabs an ankle lock, suggesting he’s very much up for this, and Gunther has to wiggle over for a couple of rope breaks.

After Miz misses a swinging kick to the floor, Gunther greets him with a chop and powerbombs him on the apron. It’s still the champ in control after a commercial break as the fans try to rally The Miz.

Gunther is playing to the crowd as he continues his methodical attack, and Miz’s chest is showing numerous welts. The challenger finally connects on a running clothesline, but Gunther kicks him out of midair and tortures him on the top turnbuckle.

Finally a potential break as Miz ducks a chop and Gunther’s hand smacks the post before we go for more ads. Miz breaks out of a sleeperhold when we return, trying to continue working Gunther’s hand.

The champ can’t get a Boston Crab applied but switches to a reverse crossface; Miz breaks free and hits a DDT. Miz looks confident now, executing a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count.

A missile dropkick leads to a powerbomb, and the champ has his own near fall. Gunther flips Miz right over into a Boston Crab, and the crowd comes alive again as Miz makes it to the ropes for a break.

As Gunther tries to hammer Miz on his knees, the challenger smiles and waves him in. Miz comes close to stealing a win, then switches to a Skull Crushing Finale and getting very close to the three.

Will that be as close as Miz gets? Gunther hits a big punch and heads up top, fighting off the challenger for a second. Miz kicks Gunther in the hand and nails the Skull Crushing Finale off the second rope. But they don’t call him the Ring General for nothing, and Gunther uses Miz’s brief delay to roll out of the ring.

When they return to the ring, it’s powerbomb/clothesline/powerbomb for Gunther, and he stacks up his foe to finally bring it to a close.

Image credit: WWE.com

Let the party commence: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are tag team champs

Niven has a serious power advantage against both of the challengers, so we’ll see if they can use their speed and teamwork to neutralize that. Piper manages to squash both of them with a corner bomb, but it’s only good for a near fall prior to commercials.

It’s Green taking the brunt of the punishment when the broadcast returns, especially when Niven accidentally lands on her. Carter nearly pins her and looks frazzled when it’s only two.

Carter and Green go to the top rope, but nothing huge ends up connecting and Chelsea ends up hitting a Famouser of sorts for two. Niven tags back in for a running senton on Carter, who is saved by Chance.

The challengers have Niven in some trouble with the Keg Stand, but Green saves her partner at the absolute last moment. Chelsea isn’t out of the woods, though, and she takes the Afterparty and can’t kick out. We’ve got new tag team champs, folks.

Image credit: WWE.com

Drew McIntyre doesn’t want any pity from Seth Rollins

Iowa’s own gets a warm welcome from the fans in Des Moines. Rollins says things are heating up around here, and that the little “confrontation” he had last week (with CM Punk) has him more motivated than ever. Seth says he’s planning for a big 2024, and that stars on Day 1 when he faces Drew McIntyre.

Speak of the devil … er, the Scottish Warrior. McIntyre joins Rollins in the ring but is warned to “tread lightly.” McIntyre says he isn’t there to fight but instead to say he’s proud of Rollins for standing up to Punk and telling him the truth. “And that, my friend, is a real leader.”

McIntyre says the last time he went home he wondered if the sacrifices he’s made were worth it, and that Rollins might understand it because his wife, Becky Lynch, is on the same journey far from home. Drew says he doesn’t want Seth’s title, he needs it so he can find out if all the sacrifices he’s made were worth it — and he’s willing to hurt Seth to get it.

Rollins says he wants to believe McIntyre but his actions and words haven’t lined up. He does respect Drew, however, because of the way he worked his way back into title contention after Crown Jewel. But what makes McIntyre think the outcome will be any different this time? Is it just the willingness to take shortcuts? Either way, Seth muses, Drew isn’t taking responsibility for his actions.

The champs says he pities McIntyre as a result, and that finally gets the Scottish Warrior to snap. A brief scuffle leads to Drew giving Seth an Alabama Slam on the steps, leaving Rollins grasping his left arm in pain.

Image credit: WWE.com

Damian Priest, Finn Balor squeak by The Creed Brothers to retain

The Creeds look bright to start, with Brutus in command after a quick commercial break. Balor is getting double teamed and not enjoying it, but Priest low bridges Julius and treats him to a clothesline.

Rhea Ripley is doing some distracting as well, but she gets dangerously close to getting taken out. The champs stay in control through another commercial break, so the question now is whether the Creeds have another rally in them.

Brutus makes it look like he does, showing off some impressive strength by suplexing Priest. Both sides make tags, but it’s Julius hurling Balor all over the place and following with a standing Shooting Star Press for two on Finn.

Is it Brutus Ball time? Priest says no as he intercepts. Julius and Balor both clothesline each other at once, and Ripley gets into it with Ivy Nile on the outside, paying for it by getting bounced off the apron.

Balor is in trouble again, taking the Brutus Ball, but Priest hustles to make the save. A dropkick prevents a South of Heaven, but Julius responds by flying to the floor to take out Priest.

All four men might figure into this finish; Priest takes the Brutus Ball, but Balor hits Julius with a Coup de Grace to the back as he covers. Amidst the commotion, Priest is able to hit Julius with a South of Heaven, covering to secure the win.

 

WWE Raw results 12/11/23: CM Punk makes his choice, Seth Rollins isn’t crazy about it

Also tonight on WWE Raw from Cleveland, CM Punk tells the world where he’s signing.

The funny thing about revenge is that it getting it might not make you feel all the way better about what got you upset in the first place. That’s worth keeping in mind for Drew McIntyre as he gets a one-on-one match with Jey Uso tonight on WWE Raw from Cleveland.

If you’ve been watching WWE programming over the past few months, you’re familiar with McIntyre’s grievances. Headed for one of the biggest victories of his career, in front of friends and family at Clash at the Castle in the fall of 2022, the Scottish Warrior instead tasted bitter defeat thanks to The Bloodline.

You may also recall that Jey Uso was a member of said Bloodline.

Jey has made amends with most people since becoming one of the top fan favorites on Raw, but McIntyre — who arguably had the biggest and most understandable gripe of all — couldn’t forgive or forget. That truth has shaped all of his actions as of late.

The question now is whether Drew will feel like that void inside would be filled even if he beats Jey. And the guess here is that no, it probably won’t. But that’s what makes McIntyre so compelling right now.

Oh, and there’s also something big going on with CM Punk tonight: He’s going to tell the world if he’s signing with Raw or SmackDown. Wonder if a certain World Heavyweight Champion might try to influence his decision one way or another …

We’re ready for all of this. We’re even ready to yeet again. Let’s do the thing.

WWE Raw results from Cleveland:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Jey Uso welcomes everyone to Raw, is excited about having yeet back and says get well to Sami Zayn before he takes on Drew McIntyre; The Scottish Warrior says he doesn’t want CM Punk on Raw and offers a semi-apology to Zayn before explaining again why he’s justified in seeking revenge against Jey
  • Drew McIntyre def. Jey Uso by pinfall after using a thumb to the eye to soften up Uso for a Claymore
  • CM Punk’s promo from SmackDown is replayed ahead of his big decision tonight
  • The Shinsuke Nakamura warning for Cody Rhode is played again too
  • There’s finger pointing in The Judgment Day clubhouse, and plenty of blame to go around, but Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley get into it more than anyone
  • Alpha Academy and The Creed Brothers fire up Maxxine Dupri, and Chad Gable warns R-Truth not to keep messing with The Judgment Day as he prepares to put holiday lights in their clubhouse
  • Rhea Ripley def. Maxxine Dupri by submission
  • A video promotes Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
  • Adam Pearce is shown entering CM Punk’s dressing room
  • CM Punk makes the choice to sign with Raw, setting off a passionate confrontation with Seth Rollins
  • Bronson Reed and Ivar talk some asynchronous trash to each other as they get ready to do battle
  • Bronson Reed def. Ivar by pinfall
  • The Judgment Day says hi to Punk, with Priest saying he hopes Punk is the one to finish a story around here, because if he does, Damian will be the one waiting for him
  • The Judgment Day tries to have some fun at the expense of R-Truth
  • McIntyre tells Punk he doesn’t care about anything but finishing his story and that he has that figured out, and he quickly says hi to Kofi Kingston, Chad Gable and Ricochet, who Pearce wants to talk to
  • Kayden Carter and Katana Chance def. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell by pinfall as Chelsea Green and Piper Niven watch on guest commentary
  • #DIY discuss their mystery partner, not revealing his identity to Ludwig Kaiser, and Gunther stops by to wish them luck and express his skepticism over anyone teaming with them
  • Becky Lynch wants to “end” the lie that Nia Jax made her career, but Jax is willing to make her wait
  • Cody Rhodes says he’d be a lot more excited about facing Nakamura if he hadn’t been misted in the face, but agrees with Shinsuke’s assertion that he asked for this
  • #DIY and The Miz def. Imperium by pinfall
  • Gunther berates his flunkies as per usual, then turn arounds and finds Miz demanding an Intercontinental Championship rematch; Gunther grants it, but says the condition is that if he wins, Miz can’t challenge for it again as long as he’s champion, and Miz accepts it
  • Cody Rhodes def. Shinsuke Nakamura by DQ after Nakamura uses the mist on Rhodes, and a post-match attack gets in some more punishment on Cody until The Creed Brothers can make the save … but Nakamura runs down for one more shot as Rhodes is being helped to the back
Image credit: WWE.com

Drew McIntyre continues further into the shadow realm, cheating to defeat Jey Uso

Spinning out of the opening segment, McIntyre doesn’t even get his jacket off before Uso sends him to the floor and the show to commercials. After the break, Jey gets a near fall with a cross body off the top.

McIntyre fires back to pummel Uso near the ropes, dropping right hands repeatedly. A vertical suplex follows, allowing the Scottish Warrior to continue his measured attack.

Jey takes some additional punishment in the corner and while strung through the ropes. Uso finally gets an opening, and he takes full advantage with a suicide dive before ads set in again.

We return to find McIntyre in the Tree of Woe, then quickly out as he sits up and hurls Uso off the top rope. He also used the bottom of the ring as a weapon during the commercials, which made for a pretty cool replay.

Uso fights back with right hands until a Glasgow Kiss halts him in his tracks. Drew goes up top but gets caught with a superkick to the gut when Jey rolls away. A Samoan Drop is next, but McIntyre kicks out at two.

McIntyre reaches back to execute a neckbreaker, then kips up. He heads to the corner opposite Uso but his Claymore attempt is countered with a superkick. An Uso Splash is next, but it catches nothing but knees, and Jey has to dig down to kick out at two following the Future Shock.

With Uso slow to rise, McIntyre removes the turnbuckle cover atop one corner. He rushes in again but no Claymore as a spear catches him first, and Uso earns another near fall.

As the ref looks at the turnbuckle, McIntyre thumbs Uso in the eye, following up with a Claymore to get the three count.

Image credit: WWE.com

Rhea Ripley has little trouble with Maxxine Dupri

This seems like a tough spot for Dupri, though at least she has Ivy Nile out there to support her. She slaps the champ in the face early on, which seems more brave than smart.

Dupri doesn’t really pull off flinging Ripley into the corner with her legs, then gets slammed down afterward. And again. She ends up twisting Dupri like a pretzel with her knee on Maxxine’s neck, and a tapout isn’t long to follow.

Nile confronts Ripley after the bell, which is interesting.

Image credit: WWE.com

CM Punk makes Adam Pearce happy, but Seth Rollins is not so thrilled

Adam Pearce says the man who’s coming out needs no introduction but does need to make a decision. Punk joins him in the ring and says he thought he was a bit sullen until he came out and saw the fans and the signs.

Punk says “we” have a decision to make and notes that Cleveland hasn’t always been kind to him. There are a lot of ghosts in these hallways, as he remembers his debut in this building and his return as world champion. The latter incident involved him getting kicked in the head backstage by Randy Orton and being stripped of his title.

Then 10 years ago, Punk had to make the hardest decision of his life, walking out in Cleveland. If you were disappointed when he did that, Punk apologizes.

He muses about how the deal that Pearce put together was better than the other brands, but he says that when he saw Cleveland was the location of tonight’s show, his mind was pretty much made up. Ten years ago he walked out, and tonight he’s walking right back in. Yep, Punk is home on Raw.

Punk signs for a happy Pearce, but someone is not: Seth Rollins. The World Heavyweight Champion heads straight to the ring to stare Punk down, then grabs a microphone. Rollins is offended by Punk calling WWE his home, though the fans chant for CM right after that.

Rollins accuses Punk of abandoning WWE and slandering the talent over the past 10 years. “This is not your home, this is my home!”

The champ calls the other talent and the fans his family and that he’ll do everything possible to protect it from people like Punk. Rollins says he wants to ensure that Punk understands something: “I hate you.” But if he’s going to be in WWE, Rollins wants him on Raw, because this is CM’s last chance, and either Punk will self destruct, or if he has changed and has any gas left in the tank, Seth can expose him as a fraud in a title match.

“I will wrestle circles around you, and I will make you understand in real time what it means to be the best in the world.”

Punk asks if Rollins is done and says this is Seth’s one pass to speak to him disrespectfully. He also confirms he’s entering the Royal Rumble and when he wins, maybe it’s Seth he’s coming after.

Image credit: WWE.com

Bronson Reed wins battle of big men with Ivar

Big E, this one is for you! Reed gets off to a fast start, punishing his foe until a double clothesline puts them both down. They both take each other down on the outside as well, leading to commercials.

There’s more craziness when we return, with Ivar hitting a cannonball off the apron onto Reed. But the retaliation is even more impressive as it takes the form of a massive superplex, allowing Reed to get the three count.

Image credit: WWE.com

The Judgment Day wants to remind everyone who they are, but The Creed Brothers aren’t listening

Trying to get some of their mojo back, the four men in The Judgment Day say they are putting everyone, old, new and returning alike, on notice. They’re about to specifically address The Creed Brothers when R-Truth joins them.

He’s confused about the locks on the clubhouse, getting him a tongue lashing from JD McDonagh. But Damian Priest invites him into the ring, saying he wants to hear what Truth has to say.

Alas, the first thing he has to say is that he thinks McDonagh should be kicked out. Second, Priest needs to quit calling himself the boss because it makes Mami mad.

Damian says everyone likes R-Truth … except him. Priest lays him out and the others join in, but The Creed Brothers come hustling to the rescue. They’re outnumbered, but that hardly matters as they manage to clear the ring anyway.

Image credit: WWE.com

Becky Lynch wants to fight, but Nia Jax is content to make her wait

Wasting no time, Lynch says she’s here to call out Jax. While they’ve never had a singles match, they’re linked forever by the right hand that smashed Lynch’s face five years ago in a Raw vs. SmackDown battle.

After Becky gets in some barbs on Nia, Jax has heard enough and heads down to the ring. Nia says she’s right there in front of her better than ever, and says the punch was just a lucky swing … and it still almost ended Lynch’s career. Just imagine what her full force would do.

Jax claims Lynch owes her career to Nia, which Becky takes offense to as she should. It wasn’t just about a broken face but getting back up and persevering. The Man says she needs to end the lie or end Jax, which amuses Nia since she figures Becky needs to prove it to herself.

Lynch says she came looking for a fight and offers Jax a free shot, but Nia says Becky needs this a lot more than I do and walks away.

Image credit: WWE.com

Cleveland’s finest: The Miz, #DIY join forces to defeat Imperium

Michael Cole reminds us how truly unlikely the team of Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa and The Miz are given the history between them. That feels like a lifetime ago now.

DIY shows off their usual excellent teamwork early, but a big boot from Gunther to Ciampa changes that in a hurry before a commercial break.

It’s Imperium’s turn to show off some teamwork now, even with the issues they’ve been having. Gargano geta a hot tag, however, and his flurry leads to a slingshot spear to Ludwig Kaiser that forces a save from Giovanni Vinci.

The Miz finally enters the fray, much to the delight of his hometown fans, hitting a cross body and some kicks on Gunther. More kicks force the IC champ back into the corner, but only until Gunther can catch one of them and lock in a Boston Crab.

Things break down as multiple men hit the ring, and Gargano and Miz both hit tornado DDTs at nearly the same time. Miz gets the Figure Four on Gunther while Gargano gets the Gargano Escape on Kaiser.

Alas, Gunther tags Vinci, who drops an elbow on Miz. But Miz gets Vinci in position for a Skull Crushing Finale, and he hits it to secure the victory.

Image credit: WWE.com

Shinsuke Nakamura proves it’s not about defeating Cody Rhodes

Is Nakamura more dangerous than he’s ever been? We’ll see here, but it is kind of crazy they’ve never wrestled a singles match before. Shinsuke is a step ahead of Cody early on, sending Rhodes to the floor with a sliding kick.

Rhodes is experiencing Good Vibrations when the broadcast returns, and his attempt to battle back is halted by another stiff kick. Shinsuke grabs a headlock as Cody shows to the ref he’s not fading.

A Cody Cutter is blocked, and Nakamura tries for an armbar, even countering out of a Cross Rhodes attempt to stay at it. Shinsuke hits his sliding release German suplex, smiling before a jumping knee off the top earns him a near fall.

A Kinshasa attempt is cut off by a low dropkick that chops out Nakamura’s legs. Rhodes hits a dragon screw with his foe trapped in the ropes, then drops him face first after lifting him in from the apron.

Rhodes administers a half crab, and Nakamura has to will himself to the ropes for a break. Both men go crashing to the outside as we break for ads one last time.

They’re back inside and slugging it out now. Nakamura wins that exchange, but Rhodes hits a flying forearm shot and a powerslam to regain the momentum. He has to fall backward, however, when Shinsuke hops on his back for a sleeper.

Both have slowed now, but Rhodes is able to catch his opponent with a Disaster Kick that’s good for a two count. Here come punches and a Bionic Elbow, and the Cody Cutter is on the mark too. Rhodes wants Cross Rhodes but gets the red mist to the face.

The ref calls for the bell, but Nakamura doesn’t care continuing his attack. A blinded Rhodes attempts to fight back, but Shinsuke drops him to his knees and hits the Kinshasa to the back of the head.

With Shinsuke wielding a chair, The Creed Brothers head down to prevent any more damage, and Nakamura decides to retreat since his job is done.

Except when Rhodes is being helped to the back, Nakamura comes running down and gets in one more shot. Thanks for nothing, Creeds.

Our long national nightmare is over: Jey Uso can ‘YEET’ again

Jey Uso and yeet were meant to be together, and now they can be again, apparently.

It was a tough week or so with Jey Uso unable to utter his beloved catchphrase and his popular shirts no longer on sale. But it appears our “yeet” crisis is over.

As flagged by PW Insider, Uso’s “YEET” shirts are back on sale on WWE Shop (a Fanatics experience, don’t you know). No word on why this is true, but the logical guess would be that WWE reached a deal with the indie wrestler who trademarked yeet for use in pro wrestling a few years ago.

And honestly, if WWE reached out and asked if they could pay you off so they could make more t-shirts, you’d likely agree to that as well.

Uso noticeably went without saying yeet at all last week on Raw, which was jarring since he relies on the multipurpose slang term so much. His shirts were also blurred out in a highlight package ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth Rollins.

Jey is scheduled to face Drew McIntyre tonight, who is on the record as saying yeet is fun in the most sarcastic possible way. We’d say the best possible outcome would be for Uso to yeet the heck out of the Scottish Warrior tonight.

It’s only right.

WWE Raw preview 12/11/23: Will CM Punk choose Raw over SmackDown?

Also on WWE Raw from Cleveland, Drew McIntyre clashes with Jey Uso, and Becky Lynch calls out Nia Jax.

It’s decision time tonight on WWE Raw from Cleveland. No, not for LeBron James, though that would be fitting given the setting, but for one of the two big names who recently returned to the company.

Will CM Punk be a permanent fixture on Monday nights?

If you watched SmackDown last Friday, you know that CM Punk did a more Punk-like promo than he did on Raw in his first appearance after his WWE return. Still, it feels like when he announces his choice between the two brands, he’s going to go with Raw.

Why? Well, SmackDown already got Randy Orton, so it’s only logical that WWE would want to balance things out by placing Punk here. But more than that, it’s expected that his first major feud will be with Seth Rollins, who is the champ on Mondays, so …

Maybe WWE throws us a curveball. Perhaps the plan is to have Punk on SmackDown for now and then win the Royal Rumble so he can challenge Rollins, as it wouldn’t matter what roster he’s on to do that. We should find out tonight.

Will battling Jey Uso help get Drew McIntyre some of the payback he desperately craves?

Drew McIntyre has well-explained reasons for his actions over the past month or two. And a big one is that Jey Uso was part of The Bloodline when McIntyre was hosed out of his moment of glory at Clash at the Castle last fall.

Conveniently, the Scottish Warrior gets Uso in the ring tonight in Cleveland. But would even beating Jey get him the closure he craves? Something tells us that no, no it would not.

Is calling out Nia Jax a good idea for The Man?

It’s clear that Becky Lynch doesn’t care much for Nia Jax and the way Nia has been running roughshod since she’s been back on Raw. With that in mind, it’s not surprising that Lynch would want to call Jax out on Raw.

But to what end? Does WWE feel confident enough in Jax to make this an ongoing program that would lead up through Royal Rumble or even to WrestleMania? It will be intriguing to see where this might lead.

Also on the docket for Raw tonight:

  • Cody Rhodes takes on Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Rhea Ripley faces Maxxine Dupri

Raw is ready to battle not one but two Monday Night Football games for your attention tonight, and we’ll be ready with live results (for wrestling, not football!) starting at 8 p.m. ET here on Wrestling Junkie.

The nuance behind Drew McIntyre’s story is giving 1997 Bret Hart vibes, and it’s been great

Far from a typical villain, Drew McIntyre has easily understandable grievances that have carried him to the dark side in WWE.

Pro wrestling is a lot of things.

It’s loud, it’s full of action, it’s emotional. But one thing it has rarely been is nuanced. 

There usually aren’t a whole lot of layers to a pro wrestling story. One person dislikes another person, they fight out their grievances, and we move on to the next chapter. Oh, and one of those entities is usually good and the other is typically evil.

That may sound elementary, but it has proven to be an effective formula for the industry for the last century or so. A promoter or booker’s job at the end of the day is to give the fans someone to root for and someone to root against. Pro wrestling can in fact be that simple.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room in for a more layered story. It’s just that we haven’t seen it very often. However, I think WWE is crafting one right now with Drew McIntyre.

Now you might ask, what’s so nuanced about a guy who’s clearly the villain in the story? The nuance is that the man’s got a point.

Through no fault of his own, McIntyre was embarrassed in his home country at Clash at the Castle in 2022. The fault falls squarely on The Bloodline, which everyone’s current favorite main event player, Jey Uso, was once a part of. Within the story, I understand why McIntyre would hold a little bit of a grudge against him and any other member of the group, current or former. That includes Sami Zayn. 

And in reality, it makes complete sense from WWE’s end to have The Bloodline’s actions toward McIntyre and others have a lingering effect at least in some way. Uso and Zayn, while mostly on everyone’s good side now, have committed way too many sins for them to go fully unpunished.

He’s also got a point when it comes to CM Punk, who was fired in disgrace from AEW only to be warmly embraced by WWE, essentially rewarding him for his past transgressions.

He’s not the only one that has been hesitant to embrace Punk or Uso for that matter. As soon as Randy Orton returned to Monday Night Raw, he had a chat with Uso to squash their past beef.

But where McIntyre becomes a villain is that he doesn’t not give them a second chance to show that they have turned over a new leaf, whereas Orton and others have forgiven, even if they don’t necessarily forget. McIntyre has clearly done neither.

Where McIntyre becomes a villain is when he lashes out against others for his misfortune rather than looking in the mirror. 

It is reminiscent in ways to Bret Hart in 1997, when the Canadian hero was cheered inside of his home country and abroad, but reviled within these United States.

But like McIntyre, Hart also had a point. Hart was also routinely getting the short end of the stick through no fault of his own. He was also appalled by the fact that a beer-drinking, foul-mouthed outlaw like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was gaining more and more traction as the everyman’s hero. In Hart’s eyes, that role belonged to him, a champion of integrity who spread a more wholesome message, and not Austin, who had children throwing up the double bird in his name.

In McIntyre’s mind, he’s done nothing wrong. He did everything he was supposed to do and still came up short, which is why he no longer has any sympathy or compassion for his colleagues. After all, they didn’t have any for him when he was being embarrassed in front of a stadium full of his people back in 2022. 

Unfortunately for Hart and wrestling fans, his story was cut short thanks to an infamous November night in Montreal. With McIntyre, however, we should be able to see this nuanced story through to its conclusion.

Farewell to Yeet: Why Jey Uso can’t use his signature expression on WWE TV

So long, yeet. You’ll live on in our hearts even if Jey Uso can’t mention you in WWE.

If you’re a parent or someone who has been around high schoolers, plus or minus a few years, you’ve probably come across the word “yeet” sometime this decade. Otherwise, your first exposure to it probably came when The Usos, and specifically Jey Uso, started using it more often on WWE programming.

Its prominence really kicked into high gear once Jey broke free from The Bloodline and migrated from SmackDown to Raw, where he quickly became one of the brand’s top babyfaces (albeit while not convincing everyone, like Drew McIntyre). Not only was the slang term on the air each week, but WWE even made “YEET” shirts for Uso and they appeared to be selling well.

Then this week on Raw, yeet was gone. Jey was wearing one of his other shirts, he didn’t say it once on the air, and it was even blurred out in a highlight package promoting his world championship opportunity against Seth Rollins.

What gives? According to WrestleVotes, WWE encountered trademark issues with using yeet in a wrestling context.

Wrestle Ops followed up with a suggestion on who, in fact, has the trademark on using the word within pro wrestling.

And yet, all may not be lost. While Jey’s blue “YEET” shirt is out of stock on WWE Shop, you can still order the white shirt (albeit only in 4X). It’s marked as unavailable for Christmas delivery, and yes, it could be WWE just clearing out its remaining stock.

Or perhaps WWE is planning on working out a deal with Mr. Huffman. If this is the end of yeet as we know it, however, at least this somewhat nonsensical multipurpose slang term went out with a bang.

WWE is taking its time with CM Punk, and that’s just fine

Were you left wanting more from CM Punk’s first few appearances back in WWE? That’s probably the point.

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I don’t think I am breaking news when I say that we live in a society that demands immediate satisfaction, or at the very least, immediate results.

The majority of our entertainment comes in the form of videos that are too long if they top 90 seconds, we get irrationally frustrated when a download isn’t complete within a few blinks of your eyelids, and we will pay exorbitant amounts of money to ensure a same-day delivery.

That intrinsically transfers over to how we consume professional wrestling. And when CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE back at Survivor Series, I, like the rest of wrestling fans, figured WWE would get the wheels in motion for what it had in store for Punk immediately.

When you’ve got the most controversial person in wrestling suddenly on your roster, you strike while that iron is piping hot. 

Instead, Punk cut a promo that didn’t last longer than 10 minutes, dropped a few hints as to what his future may hold, and didn’t say much else. Wrestling fans, yearning for the immediate satisfaction of Punk stirring the pot via a pipe bomb-esque promo, left that night wanting more.

We’d soon find out that Punk wouldn’t appear on television for more than a week, as he has been advertised to appear on the Tribute to the Troops edition of Smackown on Dec. 8. Raw general manager Adam Pearce also invited Punk to the Dec. 11 edition of Raw in an effort to have the latter sign an exclusive deal with the brand, which was news World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins was not too pleased to hear. 

Today’s conventional wisdom would be for WWE to quickly cash in on the attention Punk brought. It has chosen to be patient instead. And while that may not satisfy wrestling fans’ seemingly insatiable appetite, I don’t blame WWE for taking its time.

One of the side effects of our ever shrinking attention spans is that it can at times prevent us from seeing the larger picture. I, along with nearly every other human being on the planet, has been guilty of this at one time or another. In this case, that larger picture includes what WWE has planned for Punk at WrestleMania. 

WrestleMania 40 is four months away and there isn’t even a premium live event in the month of December. If there is a time for WWE to slow things down, chart out a quality path for Punk and execute it to precision in the coming months, it is now.

There is literally no reason to rush at the moment. There are plenty of weeks between now and even the Royal Rumble, which takes place in late January.

WWE’s patience with Punk isn’t necessarily outside of the norm for the promotion under its current regime, as it has done a masterful job of stretching out stories that in some cases last multiple years. Remember when Jey Uso openly defied Roman Reigns in October of 2022? That came two years after Uso was essentially forced to join The Bloodline by his older cousin.

WWE then waited all the way until June of 2023 to finally remove Uso from the group — eight months later. In the meantime, WWE managed to keep fans engaged with a story that had earned a main event spot at WrestleMania.

But alas, this is 2023 and society’s collective attention spans probably aren’t going to suddenly increase in 2024. So I understand if the slow burn style of storytelling isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea.

However, WWE has proven it can thread a story for an extended period of time. I’d be willing to bet that time WWE is taking is being put to good use by crafting a well thought out and fully fleshed out story, as opposed to one that is rushed together in a panic and includes gaping holes in logic.

So hang in there, wrestling fans. WWE still has plenty of time to deliver on the goods you all came to see. If recent history is any indication, it will be worth the wait.

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