WWE Raw Results
January 8, 2024
Portland, Oregon (Moda Center)
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.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes is shown entering the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. In tonight’s main event, he will battle Shinsuke Nakamura.
Drew McIntyre addresses last week’s World Title loss
Drew McIntyre is in the ring and says he’s seen enough of that graphic. Last week, his match against Seth “Freakin” Rollins was all or nothing for him. McIntyre didn’t want the title. He needed the title. As the people can see, he doesn’t have the title. McIntyre has been replaying the match over in his head. He had it won when he Claymored Rollins and pinned him, but he was so overzealous that he put Rollins’ foot on the rope. McIntyre cost himself the match.
McIntyre has been thinking about this all week. Maybe Rollins and Sami Zayn have been right. Maybe the one person holding Drew McIntyre back is Drew McIntyre. If that’s the case, he needs to get himself right. McIntyre has to step away from WWE for a while. The crowd is shocked. McIntyre says he’s been thinking about this. It wasn’t easy to start feeling this way. This has been a lifelong dream. It occurred to him that it wasn’t true. He didn’t lose straight up. The better man didn’t win. Damian Priest cashed in during the match and cost McIntyre the match. Why would Damian Priest cash in during the match? Why didn’t he wait until McIntyre won? Priest didn’t just screw himself. He screwed McIntyre, too. Between Priest, Rollins, Zayn, and Jey Uso being moved to Raw because of Cody Rhodes’s magical political power, and CM Punk making his return to wide-open arms… McIntyre should revisit this leaving the company thing. Maybe he should leave for nine years. Then he’ll get a hero’s reception on his return.
CM Punk’s music hits to a huge reaction! A huge “CM Punk” chant fires up. Punk says they’re in Piper Country. Punk is disappointed that McIntyre didn’t wear his kilt. That might be too easy because people might actually cheer for McIntyre. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is a legend. Piper was known for talking. CM Punk was known for talking. Is Drew McIntyre known for talking? Since Punk has been back, it seems like that’s all McIntyre has done. It might seem weird coming from a guy who talks probably too much, but he thought since he heard his name, he might as well come out. If McIntyre has anything to say, he can say it to his face. Punk will just stand right here. Another “CM Punk” chant fires up.
McIntyre smiles and says the floor is his. Punk lays across the top turnbuckle to listen. McIntyre wants to congratulate Punk. We’re going on just over a month, and Punk is still here. Some of the guys have a bet going on in the back that Punk is going to crash and burn. The longer Punk stays around, the more he’s costing people money. Punk chuckles and says that’s good. McIntyre says his big, bad words have offended Punk. McIntyre doesn’t care about what Punk said outside the company. That’s irrelevant. He was bitter and not getting attention. McIntyre gets it. What McIntyre cares about is what Punk does to him personally. McIntyre is one of the few people left on the roster who traveled the world with Punk for years. He knows the real CM Punk. McIntyre asks if Punk remembers when he was champion and thought he was a locker room leader. Years ago, McIntyre needed a leader. He was in a dark place. McIntyre doesn’t need one now. He’s got it, but he didn’t have it back then. He was just a kid with personal issues going on. His career was in a tailspin. He could have used a real leader to tell him it would be ok and help him navigate this place. Punk saw McIntyre as a threat, so that would never happen. McIntyre has spoken to Randy Orton about this before. Orton couldn’t help him because of his own demons. Punk is straight edge and doesn’t have demons. Punk IS a demon… a self-serving, narcissistic succubus. McIntyre didn’t need anyone to help him become a leader. Once he got fired, he stepped up and became the man he is today. After nine years, McIntyre is Punk’s leader.
Punk smirks and puts his head down. McIntyre goes to the corner and lies across the top turnbuckle. Punk says he’s called himself a lot of things in life and in his WWE career. A leader was never one of them. Punk always led by example. Punk called himself a savior. If McIntyre wants a leader, he can take the pledge to the Straight Edge Society and shave his head. McIntyre wants to talk about demons. If Punk isn’t a leader, who walked out of this company? Who did Punk watch walk back in and become bigger, faster, and stronger? McIntyre went on to win the Royal Rumble and main evented WrestleMania. McIntyre followed his lead on the way out. Punk has no problem saying he’s following McIntyre’s lead on the way back in. Punk is bigger, faster, and stronger. Punk will win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. McIntyre has a problem like that, just like Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Punk isn’t a demon. When he’s pushed, he’s Satan himself. If McIntyre was one of the people who saw that side of CM Punk, that says more about McIntyre and his dark places. Punk is a real nice guy until it’s time not to be. It looks like it’s getting to be that time. Punk is not here to be a nice guy. He’s not here to make friends. He’s here to win the Royal Rumble and win WrestleMania.
McIntyre says they’ve got themselves a problem. He has won the Royal Rumble and main evented WrestleMania, something Punk has never done. Those title wins were for the whole world when the world shut down. If Punk had been here when that happened, he’d have probably walked away during that time. When the going gets tough, Punk gets going. McIntyre will be in the Royal Rumble. If he sees Punk, he’ll exercise that demon and eliminate him. McIntyre will go back to WrestleMania and win the title in front of live fans. This time, it will be for McIntyre.
Punk steps up to McIntyre and says it’s getting spicy in here. Punk will lead by example and walk away before he knocks McIntyre’s teeth down his throat. There’s one person who can stop Punk from accomplishing his goals, and it’s CM Punk. Punk is getting out of his way. McIntyre, Seth, and Cody Rhodes cannot stop him from winning the Royal Rumble. Speaking leader to leader, because he’s such a nice guy, at the Royal Rumble, he’ll throw McIntyre out last. Punk walks off. McIntyre smirks and callously stares at Punk as he walks off.
We’ll take a look back at The Rock’s return to Monday Night Raw last week. We’ll also see Kayden Carter and Katana Chance defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against former champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of The Judgment Day make their way to the ring. Bálor will face Tommaso Ciampa next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Tommaso Ciampa is walking with his #DIY teammate Johnny Gargano backstage. Ciampa says this is the 19th anniversary of his wrestling debut. It’s been a long road for guys like them. They have heart and perseverance. What they want is the WWE Tag Team Titles. This isn’t about can’t lose. This is a must-win. 2024… if you want a New Year’s Resolution, the new Tag Team Champions will be #DIY.
Replays are shown of R-Truth accusing Finn Bálor of being a “scaredy-cat” last week about facing Tommaso Ciampa. Bálor was incredulous and agreed to the match.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Finn Bálor w/ Damian Priest vs. Tommaso Ciampa w/ Johnny Gargano
The bell rings, and they lock up. Bálor backs Ciampa to the corner and shoulders away at the midsection. Bálor taunts the crowd and punches Ciampa in the head. Bálor applies a side headlock. Ciampa backs him into the ropes and whips him off before hitting a back elbow. Ciampa chops the chest, but he has a whip reversed on him. Ciampa goes for a sunset flip, but Bálor rolls through and dropkicks him for a two-count. Bálor continues to attack Ciampa and again taunts the crowd. Bálor hits the ropes, but Ciampa takes him down with a Thesz Press and punches away at him. Bálor quickly gets out of the ring and runs away from Ciampa. Ciampa goes after him, but he stops when Damian Priest steps in his way. Ciampa avoids an attack from Bálor as he gets in the ring. Ciampa knocks Bálor back. Priest gets on the apron, so Ciampa scares him back. Bálor then knocks Ciampa off the apron and into the commentary table.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ciampa punching back at Bálor. Bálor reverses a whip, but Ciampa ducks a clothesline and connects with a clothesline of his own. Ciampa hits a corner clothesline on the Tag Champion. Ciampa charges, but Bálor catches him with a falling elbow drop attempt. Ciampa reverses into a reverse DDT for a two-count. Johnny Gargano gets the crowd going at ringside. Bálor soon takes Ciampa down and double stomps the chest. Bálor sets up for a Woo Dropkick, but Ciampa knees him in the head. Ciampa connects with Project Ciampa for a near fall. Ciampa cannot believe Bálor kicked out.
The referee checks on Bálor, but he is ok. Ciampa sizes Bálor up and charges, but Bálor counters him with a Sling Blade. Bálor hits a Woo Dropkick and goes to the top rope for a Coup de Grâce. Ciampa moves and rolls him up for a two-count. Ciampa stuns him with a right hand and sets up for the Fairy Tale Ending. Damian Priest gets on the apron, so Ciampa punches him. Priest absorbs the punch. Gargano pulls Priest off the apron. An irate Priest attacks Gargano and lifts him for a Razor’s Edge. Gargano wiggles away, and Ciampa stuns Priest with a flying knee. Ciampa gets on the apron, but Bálor hooks his head. Bálor goes to suplex Ciampa back into the ring, but Gargano pulls on Bálor’s foot. Ciampa lands on top of Bálor and covers him for the win! Bálor is stunned!
Winner by Pinfall: Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa and Gargano retreat up the ramp. Priest charges the ring and is furious.
Replays are shown of Nia Jax defeating Becky Lynch last week on Raw: Day 1. Jax hit Lynch with an uppercut and busted her open.
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with “The Man” Becky Lynch. Redmond asks Lynch about her loss to Nia Jax. Lynch says before the match, Jax told her to imagine if she put her full weight behind that punch. Lynch tried to imagine that, thinking maybe she’d bust her orbital socket, bust her nose, or put her into the hospital. Last week, Lynch took a full-force punch and was able to walk to the back. Lynch then declared herself for the Royal Rumble. The last time Jax punched her, she went on to win the main event of WrestleMania. Maybe Jax is getting weaker, and Lynch is getting stronger. Jax didn’t end Lynch, and she didn’t stop Jax. Maybe this is just the beginning.
In the arena, Kofi Kingston makes his entrance. He’ll face Ludwig Kaiser next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Money in the Bank is coming to Toronto in July.
Backstage Segment
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are shown warming up backstage and practicing some wheelbarrow moves. Elsewhere backstage, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven are firing themselves up.
Kofi Kingston vs. Ludwig Kaiser
Replays are shown of Kofi Kingston dropkicking Giovanni Vinci last week on Raw. It was Kingston and Jey Uso taking on Imperium. The referee stopped the match. Michael Cole announces that Vinci will be out of action for a few weeks.
The bell rings, and Kaiser quickly takes Kingston down with a clothesline. Kaiser punches away at Kingston and is taking some aggression out over his fallen tag team partner. Kaiser hits another stiff lariat to Kingston. Kaiser punches away at Kingston’s head. Kingston kicks Kaiser in the head and punches at him. Kaiser knees Kingston and punches him to the corner. Kaiser chops Kingston’s chest and punches him down. Kingston fights back, but Kaiser chops the chest again. Kingston fights back with some chops and gets the better of Kaiser. Kingston gets him in the corner for the 10 punches, but Kaiser counters with a flapjack into the top turnbuckle. A “Kofi” chant picks up. Kaiser sends Kingston into the ring post shoulder-first. Kaiser kicks away at Kingston and hits a dropkick as Kingston is hung upside down.
Kaiser shouts, “You took Vinci’s head. I’ll take YOUR head!” Kingston knocks Kaiser back and kicks him in the head. Kingston hits a springboard cross-body block and punches away at him. Kaiser ducks Trouble in Paradise and sends him into the ropes. Kingston holds onto the ropes and hits Kaiser with a back body drop over the top rope. Kingston goes for a suicide dive, but Kaiser punches Kingston in the face. Kaiser viciously sends Kingston into the barricade and kicks him in the face. Kaiser talks trash as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, we see Kaiser choking Kingston with his boot. Kaiser springs off the bottom rope and hits some big stomps to the chest. Kaiser goes to the second rope and jumps, but Kingston gets his boots up. A stunned Kaiser falls out of the ring. Kingston goes to the top rope and connects with a big trust fall to ringside. Kingston pulls Kaiser up. Kaiser reverses a whip into the steel steps, but Kingston jumps over. Kingston then jumps off the steps and tackles Kaiser. Kaiser soon sends Kingston into the ring post. Kaiser goes for a running uppercut, but he hits the barricade when Kingston moves. Kingston hears the referee counting and tries to get in the ring, but Kaiser stops him. Both men are counted out.
Double Count-Out
Kingston kicks Kaiser away and gets in the ring to argue with the referee. Kingston is not happy and hits Kaiser with a suicide dive into the commentary table. Kingston punches away at him, but Kaiser digs into his eyes. Kaiser backs up and charges, but Kingston hits a back body drop onto the commentary table. WWE officials and producers run down to help maintain order. Kingston breaks away at them, but Kaiser lawn darts the bottom part of one of the big commentary chairs into his forehead! Kingston is out cold! Officials try to keep Kaiser away, but he grabs Kingston and lays him on the steel steps. Before he can do any more damage, the officials make Kaiser back up and go up the ramp. Kaiser sidesteps them, runs around ringside, and dropkicks Kingston’s head into the steel steps! Kaiser finally goes away as the crowd loudly boos him.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of the vicious beating Ludwig Kaiser gave Kofi Kingston after their match ended in a Double Count-Out.
Backstage Segment
Jackie Redmond is backstage and is looking for an update on Kofi Kingston. Ludwig Kaiser walks up to her. She asks about his flipping this switch and becoming a different person. Kaiser asks what she would expect. Kaiser is carrying the whole world of Imperium because of Kofi Kingston. Kingston took Giovanni Vinci’s head, so he took Kingston’s head.
Michael Cole interviews Nia Jax
Michael Cole is in the ring. This woman beat Becky Lynch last week and is a favorite to win the Royal Rumble. Cole introduces “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax.
Nia Jax makes her way to the ring. Cole says she shocked the world when she dominated Becky Lynch to pick up the victory last week on Raw. Jax is incredulous that Cole said it was shocking. Jax wasn’t shocked. She’s a different Nia Jax. She’s more focused. Is Cole like these people here who didn’t think she’d break Becky Lynch’s face again? What would be shocking is if she broke Cole’s face. Jax says she’s more focused on the Royal Rumble. Soon, she’ll run through 29 other women and earn her main event spot at WrestleMania. Whether it be Rhea Ripley or IYO SKY, there’s not a man or woman who can stop her.
“THIS IS MY BRUTALITY!”
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring to a huge reaction. Ripley gets in the ring and laughs. A LOUD “Mami” chant fires up. Ripley says these people know what’s up. They also know that Jax likes to talk a big game. Jax is walking around out here like she’s already won the Royal Rumble. Does Jax remember what happened last year because Ripley does. She threw Jax out. Last week, she might have beaten Becky Lynch, which is a fine achievement. The fact remains that Becky Lynch isn’t Rhea “Bloody” Ripley. Until Jax wants to step up to her, she advises her to stop walking around like she owns this division because she doesn’t. If Jax manages to win the Royal Rumble, it’s best to keep Ripley’s name out of her mouth.
Jax says she gives Ripley all the credit. The crowd loudly boos Jax. Ripley might be the most dominant champion in this division’s history, but she put Ripley on her ass when she came back. The only reason she’s not holding that title is because Ripley is too scared to face her one-on-one. At the Royal Rumble when she squashes 29 other women and wins, she’s going to choose Ripley. Ripley will have no excuse and no choice but to face her. Jax says, “See you soon, unstoppable champ.” Jax walks off.
Replay: The Rock returned last week on WWE Raw: Day 1 to attack Jinder Mahal and call out Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their entrance. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship will be defended next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
Jackie Redmond is backstage with “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. She asks about facing Shinsuke Nakamura. Rhodes says this should be over. All of a sudden, Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Rhodes from behind! Rhodes fights back and sends Nakamura into a road case. WWE officials quickly break things up. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce runs up and screams at them to maintain order.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance (c’s) vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Samantha Irvin does the announcements as everyone is in the ring. The Women’s Locker Room is shown backstage watching this match on TV.
Kayden Carter starts against Chelsea Green. Piper Niven quickly distracts Carter, and Green dropkicks her out of the ring. Carter avoids a baseball slide and runs into the ring. Carter catches Green with a springboard dropkick. Carter lays Green on the middle turnbuckle. Katana Chance tags in and jumps onto Green. Carter tags back in and superkicks Green. Niven runs in, but Carter hits a drop-toe-hold into the middle rope. Chance tags in. They set up for a double-team, but Niven breaks it up. Chance is knocked into the corner, and Niven flattens her with a cannonball.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Niven miss a cannonball on Chance. Green quickly tags in and goes after Carter, but she misses. Chance kicks Green away and tags Carter in. Carter runs wild on Green and Niven. Carter kicks Green down for a two-count. Carter yells to get the crowd fired up. Carter hits a running boot to Green’s face before hitting a springboard leg drop for a two-count. Carter puts Green in the corner and punches away at her. Carter puts Green on the top rope. Chance gets on the apron and kicks Niven down. Carter gets Green in the electric chair on the second rope! Chance tags in and hits a WILD super hurricanrana! 1… 2… Green kicks out!
Carter flips Chance onto Green, but Green gets the knees up. Green sets up for an Un-Pretty-Her, but Carter gets out. Green hits a Rough Ryder for a near fall. Green is irate. The referee was getting Chance out of the ring and was delayed on the count. Niven tags in and hits a senton on Carter. 1… 2… Chance breaks up the pin. Green quickly big boots Chance out of the ring. Carter kicks Green out of the ring. Niven lifts Carter, but Carter slides off and kicks her. Carter charges, but Niven hits a uranage. Green throws Carter down, but Chance pulls Carter out of the ring and knocks Green down. Niven accidentally hits Green with a Vader Bomb!
Chance comes off the top rope and hits a flying lungblower on Niven. Carter tags Chance in. Chance and Carter hit the Keg Stand for the victory.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
Michael Cole has some breaking news. Due to the attack backstage, the main event with Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura will be a Street Fight.
Video: R-Truth is shown talking about being born in Charlotte, North Carolina on a cold January morning. That day, he told the doctor that he would be in the Judgment Day. That dream came true. They’ve been through a lot together. Money in the Bank, the Women’s Royal Rumble, The Judgment Day: In Your House… the Judgment Day is an unbreakable bond. Photoshopped and AI generated images are shown of R-Truth with Judgment Day. Replays are shown of R-Truth beating JD McDonagh in a match that was jokingly set for the winner being out of Judgment Day. R-Truth loves all the members, even Dom and Nick Mysterio, even though he hasn’t met Nick. Live, laugh, love.
The Miz will face JD McDonagh later tonight.
The Judgment Day’s Clubhouse
Damian Priest is shown laughing at what he just watched, but JD McDonagh is not happy. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley asks when they’re going to handle the R-Truth joke. Priest says when the time comes, they’ll handle it. Ripley says Priest and Finn Bálor have a lot to handle with #DIY. Bálor flips out about them, so Priest calms him down. Priest says Drew McIntyre is too much of a joke to be his enemy. Speaking of enemies, did Ripley think it was a good idea to make one of Nia Jax? Ripley tells McDonagh to take care of The Miz. McDonagh is confident he will.
The Miz makes his entrance.
-Commercial Break-
The Miz vs. JD McDonagh w/ “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
The bell rings, and we quickly get some distraction at ringside when R-Truth appears and puts his arm around Mysterio. The crowd chants for R-Truth. Miz takes McDonagh down with a shoulder tackle. Miz turns him inside out with a kitchen sink knee to the midsection. Miz goes for a running kick, but McDonagh gets out of the ring. Miz gets the crowd going and cheering for R-Truth. Miz kicks away at McDonagh in the corner. Miz backs up and goes for his patented corner clothesline, but McDonagh moves. McDonagh starts the IT Kicks on Miz. Miz blocks one and takes him down before going for a Figure Four Leglock. McDonagh kicks him away, but Miz connects with a Reality Check for a two-count. Miz chops the chest and talks trash to Mysterio. Miz sends McDonagh into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. McDonagh charges, but Miz hits a back body drop. Miz sets up for a Skull Crushing Finale, but McDonagh counters out. The referee checks on McDonagh. Mysterio attacks Miz from behind, and McDonagh takes Miz down. McDonagh and Mysterio pose, as does R-Truth from the opposite side of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, McDonagh is applying a chin lock to the Miz. Miz fights up and elbows him. McDonagh quickly clubs him in the neck and goes for a back suplex, but Miz flips through. Miz charges, but McDonagh applies a sleeper hold. Miz hits a jawbreaker to get out. McDonagh avoids an avalanche and takes him down. McDonagh hits a slingshot corkscrew splash for a two-count.
Miz fights back and hits a clothesline. McDonagh quickly floors him with a step-up enzuigiri. McDonagh hits a suplex for a two-count. R-Truth shouts that he’s cheering for McDonagh. McDonagh punches Miz. A “JD sucks” chant picks up. Miz punches back and knocks him to the corner. Miz hits his patented corner clothesline and rolls him up for a two-count. Miz kicks McDonagh in the midsection and starts up the IT Kicks. McDonagh ducks a big kick and rolls Miz up for a two-count. Miz’s kick-out knocks McDonagh into the turnbuckles. Miz attacks the knees and applies a Figure Four Leglock. McDonagh screams in pain and lies down. McDonagh sits up when the referee counts the shoulders for a two-count. McDonagh eventually gets the bottom rope to break it up. McDonagh snaps Miz off the top rope to knock him back.
At ringside, Mysterio checks on McDonagh. Miz wipes them out with a baseball slide. Miz gets McDonagh in the ring for a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz covers for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: The Miz
The Judgment Day’s Clubhouse
Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley are not happy with this result. Bálor says this cannot keep happening. Ripley says she’s going to talk to Raw General Manager Adam Pearce about their plans for next week. Priest says they’ll tell the boys when they get back.
Backstage Segment
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins is walking backstage. We’ll hear from him next.
-Commercial Break-
The Rock’s return last week on Raw broke all WWE Social Media records with 171 million views and counting.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins addresses what’s next for him
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his entrance to a big ovation. The crowd loudly sings his song. Rollins greets the crowd in Portland, Oregon, and welcomes them to Monday Night Rollins. He is a visionary and a revolutionary. He is the World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. We are in the homestretch with the Royal Rumble just a few weeks away. After that, we are on the Road to WrestleMania. His WrestleMania track record is pretty good. He won a few titles and had a cash-in. There’s one thing he’s never done – he’s never taken a World Title into WrestleMania. He’s never been the headline or on the marquee. That changes this year because this is the year of Seth “Freakin” Rollins. He’s worked too hard and too long. Rollins took a title that didn’t even exist a year ago and turned it into the most important prize in this industry. He did it the way he said he would. He was going to be a fighting champion and a workhorse champion.
The work is not done. Rollins has one little question: who am I going to beat at the Grandest Stage of Them All? A light “CM Punk” chant picks up, and Rollins says, “In his dreams.”
Jinder Mahal’s music hits, and the former WWE Champion makes his way to the ring, fresh off a SmackDown from “The People’s Champion” The Rock. Rollins looks confused. Mahal says Rollins is singing his own praises. How is it that last week within five minutes he was more of a revolutionary than Rollins was in five years? Rollins is pushing an agenda of degeneracy. Mahal tells Portland to look at their city. There is degeneracy in every street corner. The World Heavyweight Champion, the man with the platform, instills no change and speaks no truth. Rollins dresses up but puts no value. Rollins throws temper tantrums when things don’t go his way after the show goes off the air. Rollins thinks he’s a workhorse and provides opportunities, except to a former WWE Champion like Mahal. Rollins has the audacity to overlook the Modern Day Maharaja. Mahal beat Randy Orton, the greatest of all time, and he did it with ease, yet Rollins disrespects him and overlooks him. This disrespect will not be tolerated. Mahal has known Rollins for a long time and sees through it. Mahal tells Rollins for the first time he has his attention.
Rollins looks unimpressed. Rollins says he’ll say something that might surprise Mahal, but he’s right. Mahal has been overlooked. That wasn’t an accident. They’ve been doing it on purpose. They’ve been trying to forget him until last week when The Rock put his balls in a vice. Rollins admires the fact that Mahal showed up after The Rock fried him. What Rollins doesn’t respect is Mahal ruining the party and getting in his face. Rollins dares Mahal to take a swing. Mahal doesn’t oblige. Rollins says it’s the same old Jinder.
Rollins turns his back on Mahal, and Mahal attacks him from behind. Rollins fights back, but Mahal clotheslines him down. Mahal sets up for a Khallas, but Rollins gets out and superkicks him. Rollins goes for a Stomp, but Mahal moves. Mahal retreats up the ramp and is irate.
Backstage Segment
Shinsuke Nakamura is shown warming up backstage. Nakamura will battle “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight.
“SHOOSH!”
Otis makes his way to the ring alongside Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa. He’ll battle Ivar next.
-Commercial Break-
Earlier today, Ivar and Valhalla were bullying Akira Tozawa backstage. Otis stood up for him and challenged Ivar to this match.
Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa vs. Ivar w/ Valhalla
They lock up, but Otis pushes him off. Otis gyrates, so Ivar kicks him. Otis ducks a clothesline, and they collide in the center of the ring. Otis quickly takes Ivar down with a back elbow. Otis charges him in the corner, but Ivar hits a seated senton. Ivar rips at the face. Ivar attacks Otis and punches away at him. Otis starts to absorb the punches and wiggle around. Ivar knees him in the midsection and goes for a springboard, but Otis catches him out of midair and hits the World’s Strongest Slam for a near fall! Otis climbs to the second rope, but Ivar attacks him from behind. Ivar lifts Otis and hits a sit-out powerbomb for a two-count. Otis rolls under a spin kick and hits a discus clothesline. Otis rips his shirt off and gyrates. Otis connects with a Caterpillar Elbow Drop for a near fall. Otis waits for him to get up and goozles him. Ivar fights out, cartwheels around a clothesline, and hits a spinning heel kick. Ivar goes to the top rope and hits a Doomsault for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Ivar
Akira Tozawa gets in the ring and steps up to Ivar. Ivar easily swats him away and shouts at him. Ivar looks like he has a bloody nose.
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with “Main Event” Jey Uso. She wishes him a Happy New Year. 2024 is a new vibe for him. This is the first time he’s going into a New Year solo. Jey says he’s going to get his first-ever WWE singles championship in 2024. The YEET Master is in the game. “Big” Bronson Reed walks up to him. Jey isn’t the only one with plans to become a champion in 2024. Reed warns him to not get in his way. Reed walks off, and Jey doesn’t look happy.
Coming up next, Cody Rhodes will battle Shinsuke Nakamura in a Street Fight.
-Commercial Break-
Next week on Raw, Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal. R-Truth and The Miz will battle Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and Damian Priest in a non-title match. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh will battle #DIY. WWE Intercontinental Champion “The Ring General” Gunther will also return to Raw.
Video Package: “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura makes his entrance. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Street Fight
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes
The bell rings, and this Street Fight begins. A “Cody” chant fires up, and it is loud. Nakamura takes his time and talks a little trash. Nakamura slowly walks up to him and chops the chest. Rhodes drops down and uppercuts him. Rhodes punches and sends him into the ropes, but Nakamura holds on and pulls himself out of the ring. Rhodes connects with a baseball slide on Nakamura. Rhodes fights him up the ramp and off to the side of the stage. Rhodes sends him sternum-first into the steel barricade and then into the LED barricade. Rhodes punches him back to ringside. Nakamura fights back with some knees to the midsection. Rhodes kicks and clubs Nakamura before bouncing him off the commentary table. Rhodes bounces Nakamura off the steel steps and puts him back in the ring. A “We want tables” chant fires up. Rhodes goes to the top rope, but Nakamura rolls out of the ring.
Rhodes gets down and looks for Nakamura, who is crawling around ringside out of his sightline. Rhodes pokes his head out, and Nakamura hits him in the head with a broom. Nakamura brings in a kendo stick and viciously lays some shots into Rhodes. Rhodes rolls out of the ring to recover.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Nakamura kneeing Rhodes. Nakamura hits a snapmare and goes for a knee drop, but Rhodes moves. Rhodes grabs the kendo stick and viciously unloads on Nakamura. Nakamura ducks a swing and knees Rhodes before laying him on the top rope. Nakamura backs up and hits a running knee to the ribs. Nakamura picks up a two-count. Nakamura lays in some big knees to the ribs. Nakamura viciously kicks Rhodes in the ribs and peppers him with some slaps. Nakamura knees him in the head, but Rhodes soon comes back with a jawbreaker. Nakamura quickly takes him down and hits a big kick to the back of the head. Nakamura applies a single-leg crab at a nasty angle. Rhodes fights out, but Nakamura comes back with some kicks to the ribs. Rhodes blocks a kick and stands up, but Nakamura floors him with an enzuigiri. Nakamura hits the ropes, but Rhodes follows him in and clotheslines him down. Rhodes connects with a snap powerslam and gets fired up.
Rhodes sizes Nakamura up and connects with a Disaster Kick. 1… 2… Nakamura kicks out. Rhodes goes to ringside and lifts the ring apron. Rhodes pulls out a table to a huge ovation and puts it in the ring. Nakamura then attacks Rhodes’s ribs with nunchucks! Nakamura knocks him into the timekeeper’s area. Nakamura stands on top of the barricade and jumps, but Rhodes punches him out of midair. Rhodes looks like he has a busted lower lip.
Rhodes grabs a steel chair, but he ducks down when he sees Nakamura touching his throat for the Poison Mist. Rhodes avoids it, and the timekeeper takes the Poison Mist in his face! Rhodes knocks Nakamura away and calls for help. Nakamura then viciously attacks Rhodes with the steel chair.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Nakamura is still beating Rhodes with the steel chair. Nakamura wedges the chair in between the turnbuckles in the corner. Rhodes reverses a whip into the chair, and Nakamura hits it full force.
Rhodes gets to his feet, and the crowd is getting pumped up. They trade punches in the center of the ring. Rhodes lays in some left jabs and sets up for a Bionic Elbow, but Nakamura cuts him off. Rhodes knocks him back and hits a Bionic Elbow. Rhodes hits a second Bionic Elbow to take him down. The Bionic Elbow is, of course, the well-known finisher of his father, the late, great “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes sets the table up near the corner of the ring. Rhodes pulls Nakamura up, but Nakamura head-butts him. Nakamura lays Rhodes on the table and goes to the second rope. Nakamura leaps and hits flying double knees through the table for a near fall.
Rhodes is gasping for breath. Nakamura goes under the ring and pulls out another table. The crowd cheers loudly. Nakamura laughs as he gets back in the ring. Nakamura leans the table in the corner. Nakamura grabs Rhodes and goes for a back suplex, but Rhodes flips through. Nakamura backs Rhodes into the corner. The steel chair was still there. Nakamura puts Rhodes on the second rope and hits a sliding German Suplex. Nakamura quickly goes to the second rope and hits a diving kick to the chest for a near fall.
Nakamura is fired up and sets up for a Kinshasa. Rhodes cuts him off with a superkick and hits a Pedigree. 1… 2… Nakamura barely kicks out! Rhodes gets the crowd fired up. Rhodes hits the ropes for a Cody Cutter, but Nakamura barely kicks out once again at two. Rhodes gets to his feet and gets the crowd absolutely fired up. Rhodes lets out a big scream. Rhodes goes for Cross Rhodes, but Nakamura rolls him up for a two-count. Rhodes ducks a spin kick, but Nakamura catches him on the rebound with another kick. Rhodes avoids a Kinshasa and sends Nakamura through the table in the corner. Rhodes connects with the Cross Rhodes for the victory!
Winner by Pinfall: “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes celebrates this big victory with the crowd as WWE Raw comes to an end.