WWE Raw Results
January 15, 2024
North Little Rock, Arkansas (Simmons Bank Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
Video: WWE commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this celebratory day.
We see a giant snow pile out in front of the Simmons Bank Arena.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins is shown entering the arena earlier today, holding his daughter.
Elsewhere backstage, Jinder Mahal drove into the arena in a black SUV. Mahal will face Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship later tonight.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes addresses the crowd
“Wrestling has more than one royal family.”
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring. The crowd gives him a great ovation. The Raw set is dramatically different from normal. It looks almost like the WWE Live event setup they have.
“So, Little Rock, whattaya guys wanna talk about?” They can talk about music dedicated to Little Rock, or fighting and defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. They can talk about the thing he came back to WWE for. The Royal Rumble is right around the corner. Rhodes doesn’t plan on…
Drew McIntyre’s music cuts him off. The Scottish Warrior makes his way down the ramp. McIntyre smirks at Rhodes and asks him what he wants to talk about. Rhodes has been back, and they haven’t had a chance to catch up. They grew up together in WWE. They’re the same age and took similar career paths. McIntyre is proud of Rhodes. McIntyre is proud of the man Rhodes has become and the performer he is. They were WWE Tag Team Champions at one point. McIntyre asks if Rhodes remembers their tag team name. Rhodes answers, “The Dashing Ones.” McIntyre jokingly says he cannot believe they didn’t go to the top with that name. The reason they didn’t go far with the tag team is they saw themselves as singles competitors. They had to leave WWE to get their heads right and get perspective. They weren’t any ordinary wrestlers outside of WWE. They redefined what it meant to be a wrestler outside of WWE. They became verbs: “To do a Drew,” “To do a Cody.” To become so undeniable that WWE calls you back.
McIntyre asks if Rhodes remembers the last match he had before he returned to WWE. It was with Rhodes. Rhodes told McIntyre he would be a future World Champion. McIntyre has done it twice. McIntyre will tell Rhodes in front of the entire world. He’s heard what people are saying. He’s seen the GIFs and the jokes. If Rhodes keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll be the first member of his family to raise that championship. Rhodes will finish the story. Rhodes looks choked up. McIntyre says Rhodes won’t finish the story until he finishes his.
Rhodes asks, “Is that so?” McIntyre has declared for the Royal Rumble. So has Rhodes. McIntyre could win. Jey Uso could win. A man who wants to solidify his legacy, CM Punk, could win. A choppy “CM Punk” chant picks up. Rhodes says he doesn’t plan on letting that happen. They’ve both won the Royal Rumble. You can’t count anyone out. McIntyre says this is about the two of them. Since Rhodes is following McIntyre’s footsteps, he’ll give him some advice. McIntyre tells Rhodes to be himself. He doesn’t have to wear suits, use big words, and smile all the time. McIntyre did all that. Even when he was angry, he thought he had to be that beacon of hope for the roster. Be the real Cody. If anyone has an issue with the real Cody, they can step up for Rhodes to drop them on their arse.
Rhodes says since they’re talking about stepping up, he assures McIntyre that this is not an act. Rhodes smiles when he comes out here because this is what he loves. Rhodes appreciates the opportunities he’s received because he made them for himself. McIntyre is right. They have similar career paths, but Rhodes is thankful and relishes his second chance. McIntyre is just standing here and complaining about his second chance. McIntyre says if this is the real Cody, why did he bring Jey Uso to Raw knowing the trouble it would cause? Is this a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? Why did he endorse CM Punk? Rhodes knows exactly what Punk is like. McIntyre doesn’t like that Rhodes is a kiss-arse, but he does like him. McIntyre wishes this conversation wasn’t happening. If Damian Priest wasn’t an idiot and tried to cash in, he’d be the champion right now. Rhodes is standing in his way. Like Punk learned last week, McIntyre will eat you alive when you’re in his way. McIntyre is what’s best for business. At WrestleMania, the story belongs to Drew McIntyre.
Rhodes mentions that McIntyre says “if” a lot. McIntyre is living with grievances. McIntyre wants that for Rhodes. When Rhodes wonders and speculates if he’ll finish the story, he doesn’t look to McIntyre. He looks in his heart and the crowd. If McIntyre wants to settle this in the Royal Rumble, he’ll give McIntyre something to complain about. McIntyre keeps talking about their last match together. Who won it? Rhodes walks off. McIntyre turns and sneers at him.
Backstage Segment
R-Truth is counting money backstage. Damian Priest walks up to him. Priest thinks he’s a funny guy, but he’s selling Judgment Day merchandise in the parking lot. They don’t like that. R-Truth hands him a big wad of cash. Priest looks impressed. R-Truth says he made some merch for Tom and Nick Mysterio. R-Truth wonders if Nick is ok since he cannot find him on Facebook. Priest says R-Truth needs to keep quiet about the bootleg shirts. Priest tells R-Truth not to tag into the match tonight. R-Truth winks and says he gets it, but it’s clear that he doesn’t. Priest walks off, but not before R-Truth gives him a bootleg shirt.
“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day make their way to the ring. They’ll face #DIY next.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
The Judgment Day (“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)
JD McDonagh starts the match against Johnny Gargano. Michael Cole mentions that they have a light crowd because of the big winter storm that hit the area. McDonagh wrenches the arm, but Gargano twists through and takes him down. McDonagh quickly backs away and picks the ankle. McDonagh applies a front facelock, but Gargano turns it on him. Gargano pins him down for a two-count. They go for a test of strength, but McDonagh takes him down with a wristlock instead. Gargano soon kips up, but McDonagh whips him to the corner. Gargano slingshots over him and soon hits a running hurricanrana. McDonagh rolls out of the ring to recover. Gargano hits the ropes, but “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio pulls the middle rope down to knock him out of the ring. Tommaso Ciampa attacks Mysterio and hits a corkscrew plancha. McDonagh runs over to help, but Gargano takes him out with a suicide dive. #DIY poses on the apron.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ciampa and McDonagh collide in the middle of the ring. Both are down and dazed in the center of the ring. They soon get up and exchange forearms. Gargano blind tags in, and they hit a double-team lariat that turns McDonagh inside out. Gargano knocks McDonagh back, but he’s soon taken out by a cheap shot from Mysterio. Mysterio tags in and punches away at Gargano. Mysterio mocks Ciampa and knocks Gargano to the corner. The crowd loudly chants, “You suck!” McDonagh tags in and punches Gargano down. McDonagh springs off the bottom rope and hits a double stomp. Mysterio tags back in and clubs Gargano’s face before applying a rear chin lock. Gargano fights up and knocks Mysterio and McDonagh back. Gargano wipes Mysterio out with a rolling kick to the face. Gargano tags Ciampa, but the referee is distracted by McDonagh and doesn’t allow the tag! The Judgment Day double-teams Gargano with stomps. Gargano soon kicks Mysterio and sends McDonagh out of the ring. Gargano then takes Mysterio out with a slingshot spear!
Gargano crawls to his corner and reaches for a tag, but McDonagh pulls Ciampa off the apron! Mysterio dropkicks Gargano down and covers. 1… 2… Gargano kicks out!
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Ciampa runs over McDonagh and Mysterio with clotheslines. Ciampa goes back and forth hitting them with corner clotheslines. Ciampa ducks a pair of clotheslines from Mysterio and hits McDonagh and Mysterio with a diving double clothesline. Ciampa hits McDonagh with a big back body drop before slamming him down with a reverse DDT for a near fall. Ciampa sets up for a Fairy Tale Ending, but McDonagh gets out and tags Mysterio in. McDonagh takes Ciampa down, and Mysterio hits a slingshot senton bomb. The Judgment Day goes for a double-team suplex on Ciampa, but Gargano spears McDonagh away. Ciampa rolls Mysterio up for a near fall.
Ciampa crushes Mysterio with a short-arm forearm. Gargano tags in, and they hit a double-team back suplex bomb. 1… 2… McDonagh barely breaks up the pin. Ciampa and McDonagh exchange punches in the center of the ring. Ciampa knees him, and McDonagh responds with a vicious head-butt. Gargano superkicks McDonagh, and Mysterio superkicks Gargano. Gargano rebounds and turns Mysterio inside out with a clothesline. Everyone is down.
The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Ciampa and McDonagh tag in. Ciampa ducks a pair of clotheslines, but McDonagh stuns him with a standing Spanish Fly. McDonagh connects with a beautiful moonsault off the top rope. 1… 2… Gargano superkicks McDonagh to break up the pin. Mysterio attacks Gargano and dropkicks him into the ropes. Mysterio goes for a 619, but Gargano blocks it. Ciampa sends Mysterio out of the ring with a knee to the head. McDonagh shoves Ciampa into Gargano and rolls him up for a two-count. Ciampa connects with a spike DDT on McDonagh to take him down. Gargano tags in. #DIY hit Meet in the Middle on McDonagh for the victory!
Winners by Pinfall: #DIY
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce’s Office
Earlier today, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell were telling Raw General Manager Adam Pearce that 2024 is their year. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven barge in. Green says she had Kayden Carter pinned, but the referee was a slow counter. They’ll take a rematch to be fair. Pearce tells her to respect the referee. They want a rematch, but they blew it. Indi and Candice are looking for an opportunity, so this can be a match. They accept.
In the arena, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their entrance. They’ll face Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell next.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell are tired of waiting. In 2024, they will be WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. In NXT, they were champions. It’s been a different story on Raw. You can keep sleeping on them, but this year they’re doing it their way.
Tag Team Match
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
Eddie Orengo, the referee Chelsea Green accused of slow counting her last week, is the official for this match. Piper Niven takes it to Indi Hartwell. Chelsea Green tags in and picks up a one-count. Green clubs Hartwell and puts her on the apron. Green uppercuts her and goes for a big boot, but Hartwell avoids it. Hartwell takes her down on the apron and kicks her in the face. Niven tags back in and head-butts Hartwell. Niven takes her down and climbs to the second rope for a Vader Bomb, but Hartwell moves.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are watching this match backstage. Candice LeRae tags in and hits Niven with an enzuigiri before hitting a pair of step-up sentons. LeRae then hits Green with a Codebreaker and lands on Niven with another senton. Hartwell tags in and slams LeRae onto Niven. 1… 2… Green breaks it up. Green superkicks LeRae down. Hartwell hits Green with a spinebuster. Niven grabs Hartwell and hits a scoop slam. Niven hits the ropes and goes for a basement cross-body block, but Hartwell moves. Green blind tagged in before Niven missed. Hartwell dropkicks Niven off the apron. Green goes for the Un-Pretty-Her on Hartwell, but LeRae attacks her. LeRae has tagged in. Hartwell holds Green up, and LeRae hits a Lionsault for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther is walking backstage with Ludwig Kaiser. We’ll hear from Gunther for the first time in 2024 next.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Nia Jax’s squashing of the WWE Raw Women’s Roster. Jax says no one will beat her at the Royal Rumble.
The Judgment Day’s Clubhouse
Finn Bálor, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley are backstage watching the Nia Jax video. Ripley walks off and says she has to address her division. Damian Priest walks in, and Ripley stares at him before leaving. Bálor asks where Priest has been. Priest says he’s the only one who has an issue with Drew McIntyre running his mouth, so he addressed it with Adam Pearce. JD McDonagh asks when they can beat up R-Truth. Priest tells McDonagh to worry less about R-Truth and worry about not letting what happened tonight happen again. Bálor asks if he’s really defending R-Truth. Priest says that R-Truth earns for the crew. They should go get their cut, but McDonagh shouldn’t count on one. Priest says he and Bálor have serious business and need to focus on their match.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and Damian Priest will battle The Miz and R-Truth later tonight in a non-title match.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther returns to Raw
Ludwig Kaiser is on the stage with a spotlight on him. Kaiser says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I demand all your gratitude for the return of the longest-reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in history, ‘The Ring General’ Gunther!”
“Prepare To Fight” plays on the speakers, and WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther makes his entrance. Today is Day 584 in Gunther’s record-breaking reign. Gunther stands in the ring alongside Ludwig Kaiser. They are not pleased that the crowd is booing.
Gunther says they’re two weeks away from the Royal Rumble, and he can feel the desperation in this place. Gunther can smell it. Since they’re in Arkansas, he can smell excrement too. While he was away and observing what unfolded over the past few weeks, he saw his fellow WWE Superstars desperately arguing over who would win the Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania. Last year, Gunther entered the Royal Rumble at No. 1 and made it all the way to the end. He was one elimination away from winning the Royal Rumble. A “Cody” chant picks up. Gunther lasted longer in the Royal Rumble match than any man in history. This year, “The Ring General,” the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time will win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania.
Gunther now wants to talk to Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther wants to review what happened while he was away.
Replay: Ludwig Kaiser viciously attacked Kofi Kingston last week on Raw, getting revenge for Kingston injuring Giovanni Vinci.
Gunther says he loved to see that. Kaiser showed a side that Gunther has always wanted to see. Kaiser showed grit, confidence, and courage. Gunther says, “Well done.” Gunther opens his arms, and Kaiser embraces him. Kaiser looks pleased.
Xavier Woods makes his way out to the stage. Woods looks very serious. Woods says he has a problem with Ludwig Kaiser. Kaiser took it ten steps too far when he dropkicked Kofi Kingston’s head into the stairs. Kaiser is the reason Kingston is not here tonight. Unfortunately for Kaiser, Woods is here. Woods is here to extract his pound of flesh from Kaiser. This is what is going to happen tonight: they’re going to have a match tonight. Kaiser can accept the challenge, or does he have to ask his daddy for permission? A “Who’s your Daddy” chant picks up. Gunther laughs and walks off.
Kaiser cannot believe that Woods is daring to challenge him after what he did to Kingston last week. What he did to Kingston last week was nothing compared to what he’ll do to Woods tonight. Kaiser will take Woods’ head as well. Kaiser accepts.
Ludwig Kaiser goes to attack Xavier Woods as he gets in the ring, but Woods shoulders him. Woods back drops him out of the ring and hits a diving clothesline off the apron. Woods punches away at Kaiser. A referee runs down to restore order. Woods gets in the ring and is prepared to fight.
-Commercial Break-
Ludwig Kaiser vs. Xavier Woods
We join this match in progress. Woods chops away at Kaiser’s chest. Woods punches away at him in the corner. Kaiser kicks him back and nearly decapitates him with a lariat. Kaiser punches away at Woods and sneers at the crowd. Kaiser grabs Woods and bounces him off the top turnbuckle. Kaiser punches Woods, but Woods fires back with some punches and shoulders to the midsection. Woods chops the chest, but Kaiser answers back with a chop. Kaiser stomps and punches Woods down in the corner. Kaiser knocks Woods loopy with some punches to the skull. Kaiser shoves him into the ropes, but Woods takes him down with a running cross-body block for a two-count. Kaiser answers back with a running uppercut for a two-count. Kaiser punches Woods in the back of the head and kicks him in the spine. Kaiser takes it to Woods and lays in some vicious strikes, including a nasty running kick to the chest, for a two-count. Woods fights back with some chops, but Kaiser kicks him and sends him into the ropes. Woods rebounds with a flying forearm to take him down. Woods chops him to the corner and whips him to the opposite corner. Woods charges, but Kaiser drops him on the apron. Woods kicks Kaiser back, but Kaiser answers with a right hand and a clothesline. Kaiser grabs Woods by the hair and sends him into the ring post shoulder-first. Kaiser dropkicks Woods to the floor.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Woods is down on the apron with a bloody mouth. Kaiser says he’s coming for Woods’ head. Woods snaps him off the top rope and kicks him back. Woods hits a swinging DDT and gets fired up. Kaiser and Woods exchange chops to the chest. Woods comes out on top of the exchange with some lightning-quick strikes and stomps him down. Woods clotheslines Kaiser over the top rope and hits the ropes for a diving dropkick that sends Kaiser over the commentary table.
Woods avoids a thrown chair and attacks Kaiser. Woods slams Kaiser on the table and punches away at him. Kaiser thumbs the eyes, so Woods kicks him in the midsection. Woods picks up the office chair and slams it onto Kaiser in full view of the referee. The referee has no choice but to call for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Ludwig Kaiser
Woods is irate and grabs a steel chair. Kaiser dropkicks the chair into Woods’ face before he can do anything. Kaiser takes the unconscious Woods and lays him on the steel ring steps. Kaiser backs up and charges, but Woods leaps off the steps and double-stomps him down. Woods picks up the steel steps and throws them, but Kaiser avoids it. Kaiser escapes through the crowd. Woods, bleeding from the mouth, looks incensed as Kaiser scurries away.
Backstage Segment
“Big” Bronson Reed says there is a man right now who holds a championship in WWE who doesn’t realize that sooner or later it will belong to him.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Byron Saxton asks Xavier Woods where his emotions are. As Woods begins to answer, Ludwig Kaiser attacks him from behind. Kaiser keeps punching away at Woods until he sees “Main Event” Jey Uso standing there. Kaiser backs off. Jey checks on Woods.
Replay: Last week on Raw, Jinder Mahal says Seth “Freakin” Rollins has overlooked him. Mahal attacked him before Rollins knocked him out of the ring.
Tonight’s main event will see Seth “Freakin” Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal.
“SHOOSH!”
Akira Tozawa makes his way to the ring alongside Maxxine Dupri. Coming up next, he’ll face Ivar.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Akira Tozawa getting in Ivar’s face after Ivar defeated Otis last week on Raw.
Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivar w/ Valhalla
The bell rings, and Tozawa immediately charges. Ivar turns him inside out with a big boot. Ivar shouts that Tozawa is a little man. Ivar stands Tozawa up in the corner and shoves his face a few times. Tozawa answers with a slap. Ivar is furious. Tozawa kicks at him and crawls between his legs to avoid some strikes. Ivar quickly pops Tozawa up in the air, but Tozawa counters with a DDT. Tozawa has some trouble tearing his shirt off, but he’s ultimately successful. Ivar takes Tozawa down with a spinning slam and a basement cross-body block. Ivar heads to the top rope, but he’s distracted by Maxxine Dupri. Tozawa quickly grabs Ivar and hits a sunset flip powerbomb off the second rope for the victory! Tozawa wins!
Winner by Pinfall: Akira Tozawa
Valhalla immediately attacks Maxxine and knocks her into Tozawa. Valhalla gets Maxxine in the ring and rips at her face. Ivar takes Tozawa out as he tries to help. Valhalla head-butts Maxxine and kicks her out of the ring. Ivar goes to the top rope and crushes Tozawa with a Doomsault. Ivar and Valhalla pose.
Video: Replays are shown of Drew McIntyre verbally confronting Cody Rhodes earlier tonight. Rhodes says he would give McIntyre something to complain about in the Royal Rumble.
CM Punk said on Instagram that he wanted to talk about Cody Rhodes face-to-face next week on Raw.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will address the Women’s Division next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Chad Gable, Otis, and The Creed Brothers are checking on Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri. Ivy Nile comes up and says she just spoke to Adam Pearce. Valhalla will pay next week. Gable says he’s also going to teach Ivar the difference between a coward and an Alpha.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley addresses the Women’s Division
“THIS IS MY BRUTALITY!”
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley makes her entrance. She looks extremely serious as she heads to the ring. A LOUD “Mami” chant picks up. Ripley looks unimpressed. Ripley says she is so sick and tired of people like Nia Jax running their mouths and claiming that this is their division. This is Rhea Ripley’s division. That’s why this is her championship. The crowd gives her a great ovation. Ripley warns whoever wins the Royal Rumble Match. If they decide to waste their WrestleMania, then she advises them to choose her. If they don’t want to waste that opportunity, they can choose someone else. It’ll end up like last year because Mami is always on top.
Becky Lynch’s music hits! The crowd is absolutely buzzing as Mami and The Man stand in the ring. Lynch says, “So here we stand… two very different people with two very similar journies.” They’re two women from foreign lands who came here to be the very best to ever do it. Both spent years meandering and being afterthoughts at WrestleMania to being the face of the industry at the next one. There’s a difference: one of them went to win the Main Event of WrestleMania. The other did not. There’s another difference. One of them has a natural ability in the ring and finesse that is unmatched with the strength of a bear. The other has a relentlessness and determination that is unmatched. They’re the two very best to do it. There’s this thought and voice in Lynch’s head that keeps her awake. It’s saying to her that Ripley might be better than Lynch. Lynch needs to prove that Ripley is not. To do that, she needs to take that title from her. To do that, she needs to win the Royal Rumble. Lynch needs to point to the sign. She needs to declare at WrestleMania it will be Mami versus The Man.
Ripley says only one person wants Lynch to win the Royal Rumble more than Lynch, and that is Rhea Ripley. Ripley says, “I’ll see you at WrestleMania.” Ripley walks off.
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Rollins says it’s freezing cold, but he’s going to welcome them to Monday Night Rollins. Rollins says he’s a fighting, workhorse champion. This isn’t his first dance with Jinder Mahal. This is not the same Jinder Mahal he beat to become the first NXT Champion. This Jinder Mahal is a former WWE Champion. This is the best version of Jinder Mahal. This is a deserving Jinder Mahal. Rollins wouldn’t have it any other way because he is a visionary and a revolutionary. He is Seth “Freakin” Rollins!
Seth “Freakin” Rollins puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Jinder Mahal in tonight’s main event.
The Miz makes his entrance. Awesome Truth will reunite to face The Judgment Day next.
-Commercial Break-
As Judgment Day makes its entrance, R-Truth, who is teaming with The Miz against Judgment Day, is sheepishly following behind them. R-Truth thinks he’s part of the Judgment Day. Earlier tonight, Damian Priest warned R-Truth not to tag into this match.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest) w/ “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh
R-Truth pulls out a wad of cash to give Finn Bálor his cut, but he drops it all over the mat. Bálor looks impressed as he shoves the money into his pockets. The Miz looks utterly confused as to why his tag team partner is helping out their opponents. R-Truth gives “Dirty” Dom some money as well. JD McDonagh looks for his cut, but R-Truth shouts that he has to be a member.
The bell rings, and R-Truth is in the match against Finn Bálor. Bálor clotheslines R-Truth and puts him in the corner. R-Truth avoids some strikes and punches Bálor down. R-Truth looks confused and apologizes to Bálor. Bálor sweeps R-Truth’s feet and double-stomps him. Bálor kicks R-Truth out of the ring. R-Truth shouts to Priest and winks at him. The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Truth!”
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Bálor applies a side headlock to R-Truth. R-Truth fights up, but Bálor stops him and tags in Damian Priest. Priest looks a little upset. R-Truth hits Priest with a jawbreaker. Bálor tags back in, and R-Truth hits him with an enzuigiri.
The Miz tags in and clotheslines Bálor twice before clotheslining Priest over the top rope. Miz knocks Bálor off the apron and sends Priest over the commentary table. Miz puts Bálor in the ring and avoids an attack from Mysterio and McDonagh. Miz kicks Bálor and hits a vicious lung blower for a near fall. Miz sets up for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Bálor gets out. Miz hits his patented corner clothesline. R-Truth tags in and hits Bálor with a Scissor Kick. R-Truth looks conflicted and apologizes to the Judgment Day. Miz knocks Mysterio off the apron. R-Truth punches McDonagh down. Priest gets in the ring and spin kicks Miz down. R-Truth sizes up Priest, but Priest stops him. Priest asks if he’s going to join them or not. Bálor rolls R-Truth up, but R-Truth rolls through and hits a heel kick. Priest then crushes R-Truth with South of Heaven. Bálor covers R-Truth for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Judgment Day
The Judgment Day stands tall in the ring.
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond asks Jinder Mahal about his thoughts going into the World Heavyweight Championship match. Mahal says he’s been going through a seven-year drought. The whispers are creeping in, and he is the most talked-about Superstar of 2024. Tonight, everyone will be unified when he beats Seth “Freakin” Rollins to become the World Heavyweight Champion.
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark make their entrance. They’ll be in action next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Shinsuke Nakamura says last week, he could not cause the damage he desired, which made him angry. It has left him hungry. Cody Rhodes should keep an eye open because their story doesn’t end until Nakamura says so. For now, his hunger turns to the Royal Rumble. A hungry Shinsuke is a dangerous Shinsuke. Twenty-nine other men are hoping to make it to the top. Nakamura will feast on their dreams.
Tag Team Match
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. Tegan Nox and Natalya
The bell rings, and Zoey Stark and Tegan Nox immediately mistime a superkick. Stark slams Nox into the corner and tags in Shayna Baszler. Baszler slams Nox and chokes her on the bottom rope. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance and Kayden Carter are shown watching backstage. Nox fights back and fights out of a superplex from Baszler. Natalya and Stark soon tag in. Natalya hits a snap suplex on Stark and spikes her on her tailbone before hitting a basement dropkick. Natalya hits a German Suplex and poses. Stark elbows Natalya in the head and goes for a Z-360, but Natalya blocks it. Natalya goes for a Sharpshooter, but Stark gets out. Baszler blind tags in. Natalya and Nox try to clothesline Stark over the top rope, but she doesn’t go over. They go for a Hart Attack, but Stark pulls Nox out of the ring. Natalya knocks Stark off the apron. Baszler applies a Kirifuda Clutch and avoids a pin before making Natalya submit.
Winners by Submission: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Next week on Raw, CM Punk and “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will be face-to-face in the ring. Ivy Nile will battle Valhalla. Chad Gable will take on Ivar. Drew McIntyre will also finally go one-on-one with Damian Priest. That will be the final Raw before the Royal Rumble!
“The Modern Day” Maharaja Jinder Mahal makes his entrance alongside Veer and Sanga of Indus Sher. Mahal will battle Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship next.
-Commercial Break-
World Heavyweight Championship
Jinder Mahal w/ Indus Sher (Veer and Sanga) vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c)
The bell rings, and Sanga quickly gets on the apron to distract Rollins. Mahal attacks Rollins from behind and connects with a scoop slam. Mahal lifts him, but Rollins elbows off. Mahal sets up for a Khallas, but Rollins fights out. Rollins goes for a Stomp, but Mahal moves. Rollins tries instead for a Pedigree, but Mahal manages to avoid it with a back body drop over the top rope. Rollins lands in between Veer and Sanga. Mahal kicks Rollins in the back of the head. Rollins answers back with some chops, but Mahal quickly cuts him off. Mahal scoops Rollins up, but Rollins slides off and sends him into the LED ring post. Rollins hits a flying knee off the apron and gets in Veer’s face. Rollins shouts at Indus Sher before looking up the ramp to see “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest walking out to the stage. Rollins looks shocked.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Mahal is applying an abdominal stretch to Rollins. Damian Priest is seated at ringside, clutching his Money in the Bank contract. Rollins tries to elbow out of the abdominal stretch, but Mahal takes him down. Mahal stomps away at Rollins. Mahal kicks him in the midsection and goes back to the abdominal stretch. Rollins elbows him in the quadriceps muscle and hits a clothesline, but Mahal absorbs it. Rollins tries again, but Mahal shoves him off. Rollins and Mahal exchange forearms in the center of the ring with Rollins coming out on top. Rollins floors him with a discus forearm.
Rollins gets fired up and sizes up Mahal in the corner. Rollins charges, but Mahal drops him on the apron. Rollins knocks him back and hits a diving cross-body block for a two-count. Rollins superkicks Mahal and steps to the apron near Indus Sher. Rollins paused for a moment and looked at them. Rollins hits a springboard senton bomb before hitting a Lionsault for a near fall. Rollins grabs his knee in pain. Rollins goes for a suplex, but Mahal counters it. Rollins fights out and hits a falcon arrow. Rollins sets up for a Stomp, but Mahal knocks him back. Rollins kicks him and hits a Pedigree. Rollins grabs his injured knee before covering Mahal. Veer puts Mahal’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin.
Rollins climbs to the top rope and dives onto Veer. Sanga checks on his fallen teammate. Rollins goes to the top rope and dives, but Mahal moves. Both men are down. Damian Priest rises from his seat, teasing a cash-in, but Drew McIntyre emerges at ringside through the crowd. They talk a little trash to each other before getting into a brawl! Priest sends McIntyre into the LED ring post. They fight up the ramp.
Sanga soon hits Rollins with a punch as the referee is distracted. The camera didn’t catch it. Mahal hits Rollins with a massive gutbuster and covers. 1… 2… Rollins kicks out! Mahal cannot believe it. Veer is on the apron arguing with the referee. Sanga throws a chair into the ring. The referee sees this and throws the chair out. As the referee handles that, Veer hits Rollins with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Mahal follows up with a Khallas and covers! 1… 2… Rollins barely kicks out! Indus Sher is on the apron flipping out. The referee ejects them from ringside.
Mahal grabs Rollins and goes for the Khallas again. Rollins gets out of it and takes him down before hitting the Stomp! 1… 2… 3. Rollins retains!
Winner by Pinfall and still World Heavyweight Champion: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Quick Match Results
— #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) def. The Judgment Day (“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh) in a Tag Team Match
— Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven in a Tag Team Match
— Ludwig Kaiser def. Xavier Woods via DQ
— Akira Tozawa def. Ivar
— Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest) def. Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) in a Tag Team Match (non-title)
— Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark def. Tegan Nox and Natalya via Submission in a Tag Team Match
— Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Jinder Mahal to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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