WWE Raw Results
December 16, 2019
Des Moines, Iowa
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Samoa Joe
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show highlighting Seth Rollins joining forces with AOP to take out Kevin Owens. Rollins told the audience he was going to push back at them.
We go live into the arena to see a big pyrotechnics display.
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he comes out to a mixed reaction in his home state of Iowa. Rollins introduces the first two men that have chosen to live on the right side of history: Akam and Rezar, the AOP. AOP comes out. Rollins says when he debuted in NXT, the entire world said that he is the future. When he showed up on Raw, the entire world clamored that he is the future. They said that all the way up to this year when he did the unthinkable twice in beating Brock Lesnar. Everyone said he is the future. That’s not just one or two people. Fans and critics, management, ownership… everyone was saying it. Then all of a sudden the mood changed and people started to question his leadership. Being a leader isn’t about being cool or popular. It’s about making decisions for the sake of progress. Kevin Owens is a perfect example of that. What happened to Owens is a tragedy, but he did it to himself. Owens resisted and became an example.
Rollins says he’s told the truth the whole time. Rollins says he is a leader. Bigger than that, he is a visionary. Rollins will lead the brand and industry into the next decade and beyond. Whether they like it or not, they are coming with him by hook or by crook. Rollins will drag them into 2020 and impose his will. If they resist, the AOP will enforce his will.
Rollins has something to address tonight. It’s not going to be a popular decision, but he has a score to settle. By the end of the night, it will be settled. The crowd will not like it. Rollins wants to say it in advance: he’s sorry. Rollins and AOP walk off.
The commentators talk about who Seth Rollins was just mentioning.
Raw Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders make their way to the ring. Photos are shown of the Raiders slamming Karl Anderson of The O.C. through a KFC table last night at WWE TLC.
-Commercial Break-
The O.C. come out to the stage. Karl Anderson tells the crowd to shut up and listen. They will be the first to admit that The Viking Raiders are the most unstoppable tag team to hit the WWE in decades, but there’s only one tag team that holds a victory over them. Gallows and Anderson, repping the official, the only club that matters: The O.C. Last night, the Viking Raiders sacrificed themselves with dangerous dives out of the ring to make sure they didn’t lose twice to them. Gallows says the ugly sumbitches in the ring may be the Raw Tag Team Champions, but they’re the best tag team in the world.
The Viking Raiders vs. The O.C.
Luke Gallows starts against Ivar. Gallows kicks him and applies a side headlock. Ivar whips him off, but Gallows shoulder blocks him. Ivar shoulder blocks him back, so Gallows uppercuts him. Karl Anderson tags in, so Ivar picks him up and slams him into the corner. Erik tags in and viciously knees Anderson in the face. Erik knees Anderson in the midsection and crossfaces him. Ivar tags in, and he scoop slams Anderson. Erik then scoop slams Ivar onto Anderson. Ivar clubs Anderson in the face before clubbing the back. Ivar wrenches the arm and tags Erik back in. Erik takes Anderson down and hits a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Erik applies an arm bar, but Anderson rakes the eyes and tags Gallows in. Erik slingshots over Gallows, drops down, and forearms him in the face to knock him out of the ring. Erik hits the ropes for a suicide dive, but Gallows uppercuts him. Gallows then connects with a fallaway slam into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Anderson hit a spinebuster on Erik for a two count. Gallows tags in and clubs Erik down. Gallows punches away at Erik in the corner before taking him down for a chin lock. Erik soon fights up and elbows out. Gallows clubs the back and connects with a back suplex. Anderson tags in and rakes the face of Erik before shouting at the crowd. Erik quickly forearms Anderson, but Anderson fights back. Erik tries to flip through a back suplex and lands on his head!
Ivar tags in and hits Anderson with a big splash. Ivar takes Gallows down and goes to slam Anderson, but Anderson slides off. Ivar cartwheels around him and hits a clothesline. Ivar hits a big bronco buster in the corner, but Gallows breaks it up. Anderson comes back with a neckbreaker. Gallows tags in, and they double-team Ivar for a near fall. Ivar runs through a double clothesline and hits a handspring back elbow on both. Erik and Ivar then hit stereo suicide dives on Gallows and Anderson.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Erik overtake Anderson and viciously knee him in the face. Gallows tags in, as does Ivar. Gallows is taken down, and Erik slams Ivar into Gallows’ face for a near fall. Erik tags in and wipes out Gallows and Anderson. Ivar tags in as Erik slams Anderson. Ivar goes to the middle rope and punches Gallows off the apron. Ivar then goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but Gallows pulls Anderson out of the way. The O.C. hit Ivar with the Magic Killer for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: The O.C.
Footage is shown of Sarah Schreiber trying to find out what is in Erick Rowan’s cage. Rowan gives her a word of advice: “mind your business!”
Erick Rowan is shown walking backstage. He’ll be in action, next.
-Commercial Break-
Erick Rowan vs. Dante Leon
The bell rings, and Erick Rowan smiles at his prey. Leon gets out of the ring and tries to go for the cage, but Rowan gets in his way. Leon goes to the other direction, but Rowan cuts him off. Leon goes under the ring to escape. Leon comes out and goes near the cage. Rowan sees this and charges him. Leon falls while trying to escape. Rowan grabs him and viciously hits a running cross-body on the floor. Rowan then hits an Iron Claw Slam. Rowan hits another Iron Claw Slam and puts a foot on his chest to pin him.
Winner by Pinfall: Erick Rowan
Charly Caruso is backstage with Andrade, who will be in a Gauntlet Match for a United States Championship opportunity. Charly mentions Humberto Carrillo is also in the match. Andrade speaks Spanish and walks off. Zelina Vega says losing to Carrillo is the best thing to happen to Andrade. It forced Andrade to take Carrillo seriously, which is bad for Carrillo.
Bobby Lashley and Lana are out next.
-Commercial Break-
The makeover of Liv Morgan is happening.
Bobby Lashley and Lana make their way to the ring looking very pleased. Lana says last night her hot, hot boyfriend crushed and destroyed Rusev in a Tables Match. Lashley poses. A “Rusev Day” chant picks up. Lana tells them to be quiet. She says Lashley gives her the butterflies. Lana says they’re trying to move on and Rusev Day is dead.
Lana says she wants Lashley. She wants him to show the world how much he loves her. Lana wants Lashley to ask her to marry him. She even gives him the diamond ring. Lashley looks confused. Lashley says he doesn’t like when anyone tells him what to do… except her. Lashley gets down on one knee and says she is the most gorgeous woman in the entire world. She’s the most amazing female wrestler in WWE history. They will be the most amazing power couple this company has ever seen. Lashley asks Lana to marry him. The crowd boos. Lana exaggeratedly says this is just like they rehearsed. She will jumps up and down saying, “Yes.” It’ll be the most ravishing wedding, and it will happen on Lana Day. They walk off together with Lana showing off her ring.
Footage is shown of Seth Rollins saying he will settle a score by the end of the night along with AOP. Rollins apologized in advance.
Coming up next, Ricochet, Akira Tozawa, Humberto Carrillo, R-Truth, Matt Hardy, and Andrade will be in a Gauntlet Match with the winner getting a shot at the United States Championship.
-Commercial Break-
R-Truth makes his entrance rapping. R-Truth says he wouldn’t be in WWE without his childhood hero John Cena and his US Open Challenges every Saturday morning. R-Truth says he’ll be the first-ever United States Champion and 24/7 Champion. He’s taking both titles to WrestleMania. R-Truth points, but there’s no WrestleMania sign. He is confused.
Gauntlet Match
R-Truth vs. Akira Tozawa
They lock up, and Tozawa applies a side headlock. R-Truth gets out and shoulder blocks Tozawa down. R-Truth kicks him in the face and does a dance. Tozawa charges into a punch. R-Truth goes for a running shoulder, but he hits the ring post shoulder-first when Tozawa moves. Tozawa hits a summersault senton off the apron. Tozawa gets him in the ring and hits a missile dropkick for a two count.
United States Champion Rey Mysterio is shown watching on. Tozawa rolls R-Truth up for the win. R-Truth is chased off by all the 24/7 Championship hopefuls.
Akira Tozawa def. R-Truth in the Gauntlet Match
Ricochet will face Tozawa, next.
-Commercial Break-
Akira Tozawa vs. Ricochet
The match rings, and they go back and forth before Ricochet tries a head-scissor takeover. Tozawa lands on his feet, so Ricochet dropkicks him out of the ring. Tozawa quickly comes back with a kick to the head to knock Ricochet out of the ring. Tozawa connects with a suicide dive before getting in the ring and connecting with another one. Tozawa gets him in the ring and kicks him in the head. Ricochet quickly catches Tozawa in mid-air with a dropkick.
Rey Mysterio is watching backstage. Ricochet chops the chest and takes him down. Ricochet then applies a modified bow and arrow submission. Tozawa won’t tap out, so Ricochet slams him on his chest for a near fall. Ricochet forearms him down and chops the chest. Tozawa comes back with an octopus stretch. Ricochet gets out and goes for a back suplex, but Tozawa flips through. Ricochet lands on his feet to counter a German. Tozawa ducks an enzuigiri and hits a German Suplex with a bridge for a near fall.
Tozawa slowly gets up, and Ricochet chops him. Ricochet gets on the apron and bounces him off the turnbuckle. Ricochet knees him in the face and hits a springboard clothesline. Ricochet goes for a standing moonsault, but Tozawa gets the knees up for a two count. Tozawa takes Ricochet down and goes to the top rope. Ricochet moves and superkicks Tozawa. Ricochet follows up with a Recoil for the win.
Ricochet def. Akira Tozawa in the Gauntlet Match
-Commercial Break-
Ricochet vs. Matt Hardy
The bell rings, and Hardy immediately hits a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy smiles. Hardy forearms him down in the corner. Hardy sends him hard into the corner, and Ricochet collapses to the mat. Hardy bounces Ricochet off the turnbuckles a few times before posing. Hardy stretches him on the ropes and splashes him for a two count. Hardy hits a textbook suplex for a two count. Ricochet fights back and hits the ropes, but Hardy hits a back body drop for a two count. Hardy wrenches the neck with a vice. Ricochet fights out, but Hardy knocks him to the corner. Ricochet elbows him and climbs the ropes, but Hardy cuts him off. Hardy hits a splash mountain bomb, but Ricochet kicks out. Hardy probably hasn’t hit that move in WWE since 2003. Hardy drops a leg for another two count.
Ricochet soon boots him back and dropkicks him down. Ricochet fights back and hits a running shoulder. Ricochet knees him in the face and does a springboard, but Hardy counters into a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy goes for a moonsault, but Ricochet moves. Ricochet hits a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet goes to the top rope for a 630, but Hardy moves. Ricochet lands on his feet and gets out of a Twist of Fate. Ricochet rolls him up for the win.
Ricochet def. Matt Hardy in the Gauntlet Match
They just stand around awkwardly like that wasn’t the finish. There’s confusion and Hardy just leaves.
-Commercial Break-
Ricochet vs. Humberto Carrillo
The bell rings, and Carrillo shakes hands with Ricochet. Ricochet surprises him with an inside cradle for a two count. Ricochet rolls him up for another near fall. Carrillo quickly dropkicks him down for a two count. Ricochet forearms and chops Carrillo. Carrillo reverses a whip into the ropes and goes for a sunset flip. Carrillo then kicks him in the head to knock him out of the ring. Carrillo hits a rope climbing arm drag to get him out of the ring again. Carrillo then hits a standing moonsault plancha and lands on his feet. Carrillo gets him in the ring and kicks the arm. Carrillo then hits an arm breaker. Carrillo continues to work the arm. Ricochet tries to make a comeback, but Carrillo soon kicks him in the arm for a two count. Carrillo applies an arm bar. Ricochet fights out and soon rolls him up for a two count. Ricochet hits a sit-out falcon arrow for another two count.
Zelina Vega all of a sudden walks out to the stage.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ricochet knock Carrillo back and hit a springboard clothesline. Ricochet hits a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet shakes some feeling into his arm. Ricochet forearms Carrillo, but Carrillo takes him down. Carrillo avoids a big boot and ties him in the ropes. Carrillo hits a missile dropkick while Ricochet is in the ropes for a near fall. Carrillo goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but he lands on his feet when Ricochet moves. Ricochet kicks him back and connects with a dropkick. They then wipe each other out with a cross-body over the top rope.
Zelina Vega is shown smiling on the stage. Both men get in at the count of 9. Carrillo soon boots Ricochet down and goes to the top rope. Ricochet quickly cuts him off with a right hand. Ricochet chops the chest and climbs the ropes. Ricochet hits a huge superplex for a near fall. Carrillo just barely kicked out. They trade punches before Ricochet hits a northern lights suplex before rolling through into a regular suplex for a two count. Ricochet drags Carrillo over to the corner and goes to the top rope. Carrillo kicks him in the head to cut him off. Carrillo goes for a super-poisonrana, but Ricochet lands on his feet. Ricochet hits a pump kick, but Carrillo comes back with a kick. Carrillo hits a sunset flip piledriver followed by a huge moonsault for the win!
Humberto Carrillo def. Ricochet in the Gauntlet Match
Andrade attacks Carrillo from behind. Carrillo takes him down and throws his ring jacket at him. Andrade sends him out of the ring and pulls back the ringside mat, exposing the concrete floor. Andrade then sends him into the barricade. Andrade then hits a Hammerlock DDT on the exposed concrete!
Rey Mysterio runs down to help. Andrade and Zelina Vega back up. Mysterio checks on Carrillo, who looks completely unconscious. Mysterio signals for medical help.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Humberto Carrillo being taken out on a stretcher. There will be no end to the Gauntlet Match.
Seth Rollins and AOP come out to the ring. Rollins is holding Mysterio’s lead pipe. Mysterio attacks AOP, but they immediately overwhelm him. Rollins says they didn’t mean to fight. They found his pipe and just wanted to return it to him. Mysterio goes to grab the pipe, but AOP lays him out. Rollins says this pipe belongs to Mysterio. Rollins isn’t about “an eye for an eye.” He is a merciful leader. Tonight is Mysterio’s lucky night. Rollins tells him to remember this because Mysterio owes him one. Rollins and AOP leave the ring. Rollins then gets back in the ring and gives Mysterio a Stomp. Rollins and AOP now really leave the ring.
Samoa Joe calls Rollins a false Messiah with thugs backing him up. Referees help Mysterio up.
-Commercial Break-
Charly Caruso asks Seth Rollins why he attacked Rey Mysterio. Rollins says he is a leader that needed to settle a score. The reason he didn’t leave Mysterio in the hospital is he needs him to answer his challenge. Rollins challenges Mysterio for the United States Championship next week on Raw.
Randy Orton is shown backstage. If AJ Styles needs a reminder as to who he is, he’ll remind him with the three most destructive letters in sports-entertainment: R-K-O.
Highlights are shown from the Women’s Tag Team TLC Match last night. The Kabuki Warriors defeated Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to retain their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
The Kabuki Warriors make their way to the ring. Asuka will be in singles action against Deonna Purrazzo from NXT.
We’ll hear an exclusive interview with Becky Lynch later tonight.
Video Package: Deonna Purrazzo highlight reel
Asuka w/ Kairi Sane vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Before the match begins, Purrazzo hits Asuka with a pump kick to knock her out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
The bell rings, and Asuka forearms Purrazzo down before kicking away at her. Asuka then digs her boot into her neck. Asuka hits the ropes and hits a running hip attack. Asuka hits another hip attack in the corner before trying for a running cutter. Purrazzo pushes her off and takes her down for a Fujiwara Arm Bar. Asuka screams in pain, but she soon gets out. Asuka goes for an arm bar of her own, but Purrazzo holds her hand to prevent it from being applied. Asuka transitions to a knee bar before going to a chin lock. Purrazzo soon elbows her away, ducks a back fist, and hits a reverse STO for a two count. Asuka soon comes back with some big kicks to the face before applying the Asuka Lock for the win.
Winner by Submission: Asuka
Kairi Sane did not stay at ringside for this match. She went to the back after making the entrance.
Charly Caruso is backstage with Becky Lynch. She mentions that The Kabuki Warriors defeated her and Charlotte Flair. Charly asks how Lynch is handling the loss. Lynch says she’s been off for the last few months. She was taken out of singles competition and put in tag team competition. At first, she thought the powers-that-be were trying to bury her, but they were trying to protect her, which is worse. Lynch saw the merchandising and the advertising. They’re protecting her from Asuka because she’s the cash cow. This title proves she’s the best. Lynch is looking at things honestly.
Charly asks what she would say to the people who think Asuka should be champion. Lynch says her opponents usually need her, but she needs Asuka. Asuka is the one person she hasn’t been able to beat. She needs to face Asuka.
The Butler family are shown at ringside.
Randy Orton makes his entrance. He’ll face AJ Styles in the main event, next.
-Commercial Break-
Rey Mysterio says a lot of bad people are coming for him and his championship. Mysterio would face Andrade anytime, but he tried to end young rising star Humberto Carrillo’s career. As for Seth Rollins’ challenge, he’s never faced him one-on-one, but next week he will. Mysterio accepts the challenge.
Rey Mysterio will defend his WWE United States Championship against Seth Rollins next week on Monday Night Raw.
Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles
The bell rings, and Orton punches Styles to the corner. Orton punches him down before punching him in the corner. Styles puts himself through the ropes to keep Orton back. Styles clubs Orton and sends him to the corner. Orton sidesteps him and goes for an RKO, but Styles gets out of the ring. Orton goes outside to grab him, but Styles gets back in the ring. Styles kicks him as he gets in the ring. Styles goes outside to grab Orton, but Orton gives him a back suplex on the apron. Orton bounces him off the steel steps, and Styles gets in the ring. Orton stomps the legs before raking his boot on Styles’ face. Styles quickly comes back by snapping him off the top rope. Styles goes for a springboard, but Orton chops the leg. Orton goes for a draping DDT, but Styles counters into a Calf Crusher attempt. Styles applies it, and Orton shouts in pain. Orton claws to the bottom rope, but Styles drags him back to the center of the ring. Styles reapplies the Calf Crusher, but Orton manages to pull himself to the bottom rope to break the hold. Orton rolls out of the ring to recover. Styles goes outside and chop blocks him.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Orton writhing in pain. Orton fights back with some right hands, but Styles kicks him in the knee to quickly stop him. Orton quickly pokes him in the eye to get a moment to recover. Orton then drops Styles on the ropes.
Orton pulls himself to his feet and punches Styles back. Styles responds with a right hand that rocks Orton. Orton quickly kicks Styles back and hits an uppercut. Styles kicks Orton in the leg and hits the ropes, but Orton hits him with a snap powerslam. Orton soon hits his headlock backbreaker before taking some time to get some feeling in his leg. An “RKO” chant picks up. Orton puts Styles on the top rope and punches him. Styles is barely hanging on. Orton goes for a superplex, but Styles slides through and pulls him down. Styles then chop blocks the knee. Styles his a scary springboard moonsault for a two count. Styles sets up for a Styles Clash, but Orton drops him on the apron. Orton quickly hits a draping DDT and sets up for the end. We’re at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, but the show isn’t going off the air. Orton goes for an RKO, but Styles counters into a Calf Crusher. There is an overrun tonight apparently. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, and Orton signals for an RKO. Styles then goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton hits an RKO out of mid-air for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Randy Orton
The O.C. runs down and attacks Orton. The Viking Raiders make the save. The O.C. takes them all out and stands tall in the ring.