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This week, Raw comes to us live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Il. Last week, we saw Braun Strowman go on a rampage. It's the last Raw of the year! What's in store this week?
Segment with Stephanie Mcmahon, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns
We see a video package showing us a recap of Braun Strowman on a rampage backstage, confronting Mick Foley, destroying Sin Cara and Titus O' Neil, and interfering in the main event last week to begin the show.
Michael Cole welcomes us to the Holiday edition of Monday Night Raw, as Stephanie McMahon's music hits. She wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and says Mick Foley is on a break. As she is drowned in CM Punk chants, she shuts the vocal crowd by saying that if they can keep it up for more than 2.15 seconds, they'd last 1 second longer than CM Punk did.
Seth Rollins' music hits. He asks Stephanie how Christmas with the family was. He tells her that she's a loving wife. But then asks her if she gave Triple H his manhood back?
Stephanie retorts saying that her husband is more of a champ than Seth will ever be. Seth says he came to Chicago for a fight. He asks for Braun Strowman. Roman Reigns' music hits. He wants Strowman too. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns decide to go backstage and tear it up Shield style.
Stephanie McMahon gets worked up and looks like she wants to be a part of The Shield. They tease a Shield reunion as Smackdown is in the same arena. There's a swerve and Stephanie tells them it won't happen, and adds that the Chicago crowd is too easy to trick.
Stephanie McMahon makes a Rollins vs. Strowman match and a US title match with Roman vs. opponent of Stephanie's choosing. And we have a tag team championship rematch to kickstart the show.
Sheamus/Cesaro vs. The New Day (RAW tag team Championship Match)
New Day is on fire, as they take the offensive to Sheamus. In rapid-fire strikes, they are totally dominant. Cesaro is tagged in but falls victim to The Unicorn Stampede. Constant chops by Xavier Woods are accompanied by 'Woo' chants, but a forearm takes him down. We go into a commercial break with Cesaro and Sheamus in control.
We come back from the break to see Cesaro and Sheamus deliver a deadly looking Irish Curse and a big knee. Xavier Woods barely kicks out. Woods gives a deadly looking DDT on the outside to Cesaro, in really fast moving action.
Sheamus pushes Cesaro back in, just in the nick of time. Kofi is tagged in and destroys Sheamus in a rapid-fire flurry of offence There's a top rope dive into Cesaro thereafter followed by an SOS to Sheamus. Near fall on Sheamus by Kofi. Great double team work.
Xavier Woods delivers a huge elbow across the ring. Cesaro saves the match just in time by breaking the pin. Cesaro gains control and delivers the Cesaro Swing soon after. Big E interferes and constant fast paced action follows. Cesaro catches the Trouble in Paradise. A roll up by Xavier Woods almost costs Cesaro/Sheamus their match.
But a Brogue kick wins Cesaro/Sheamus their match who retain the title.
CESARO/SHEAMUS def. THE NEW DAY
We come back from commentary and the announcers say we know two men in the Royal Rumble match- Brock Lesnar and Goldberg. This is followed by a video package. It is announced that Goldberg returns next week and the crowd is ecstatic.
Braun Strowman is seen backstage, everyone runs away but Kevin Owens and Jericho face him. Kevin Owens says he decked the halls last week. Jericho brings up the list of Strowman (squash ‘em in man!!!).
Owens says that once he beats Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble, Strowman is next in line. Both of them try to work Braun up by saying things like he's not very big, he's a one-hit wonder, he's the Gangnam Style of WWE and that he's a stupid idiot.
But they clarify that these are not their words, but that of Reigns and Rollins. Strowman retorts by saying rumours are crap, but so are JeriKO. JeriKO agree and say, Who needs rumours? Nobody's got time for rumours.
We then see the Golden Truth. Bayley comes to meet them, and gives Goldust a Bayley Bear with Dusty Rhodes Polka Dots, thanking Dusty Rhodes for all his guidance. The Club confronts them and tears up the Bayley Bear, after calling the Golden Truth 'nerds'.
Nia Jax vs. local enhancement talent (Scarlett)
We relive the action from the Nia Jax/Sasha Banks encounter last week, and we see a tweet from Sasha saying she can be knocked down, but not knocked out. Scarlett, the local enhancement talent is in a Sasha Banks tee. Nia Banks squashes her from the word go.
At one point, she flung Scarlett halfway across the ring. A Samoan Drop destroys Scarlett. The 3 count follows.
NIA JAX DEFEATS SCARLETT
When the match ends, Jax tells the jobber to choose a better role model next time! She ends the segment with a leg drop.
We go into another commercial break as we see the new Number 1 contender for Charlotte's championship, Bayley!
We come back from commercial break. Charlotte is initially seen shaking hands with Stephanie McMahon in her office. JeriKO comes in to lodge a complaint against Foley for booking a rematch between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens and putting Jericho in a Shark Cage.
Jericho mentions his phobias including a fear of heights and spiders. He uses hyperbole and says he will be suspended 200 feet in the air. Jericho asks for a Roman Reigns US Title match. McMahon makes a Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns match instead. Kevin Owens consoles his buddy and says it's fine. Jericho seems convinced.
The segment with Bayley and Charlotte Flair
Bayley's music hits and she comes to the ring. She says she loves Chicago and hopes everyone got what they wanted. Christmas came early for her and she became the number 1 contender.
Charlotte's music hits and she tells Bayley that the Huggable one didn't really win. Bayley says when the referee raises your hand you win. Charlotte Flair calls Bayley a child. She says that she spoke to her lawyer, expunged from record books.
So basically, her victory never happened. Charlotte says she'll give Bayley a second chance. But in the settlement, the referee was decided to be Dana Brooke. We go into a rematch to crown the number 1 contender.
Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair begins with chops in the corner, each accompanied by a 'woo' chant. Bayley retaliates with some shots of her own, but Dana Brooke breaks up her offense. Exasperated, Bayley gives Dana a Bayley to Belly Suplex.
An actual referee comes to the ringside area. This is followed by a head shot into the turnbuckle. Bayley delivers a crossbody and Charlotte kicks out. Charlotte gives a deadly backbreaker to Bayley. But the Huggable One delivers a Bayley to Belly to Charlotte.
Before the three count, the referee is pulled out by Dana Brooke. Charlotte pins Bayley, with her feet on the rope and a fast count from Dana.
CHARLOTTE DEF. BAYLEY
Stephanie McMahon stops Braun Strowman from destroying a man in the back, who didn't point him to Sami Zayn fast enough. He asks Stephanie for a Last Man standing match. Stephanie agrees and in return, wants him to obliterate Seth Rollins.
Neville vs. TJ Perkins
Austin Aires says that Neville's newfound attitude is an upgrade much like him replacing Saxton. The two of them have a good match, with a fast-paced flurry from TJ to begin things. An impressive looking corkscrew to the outside from TJP puts things in his favor.
Even with a cross body lateral press from TJP, he's unable to get the 3 count. Neville takes over with a kick and drives TJP into the barricade on the outside. Neville delivers elbow after elbow but is countered by a Gutbuster from TJP. Even that cannot pin Neville.
A bunch of fast, pretty looking moves follow, concluding with a Detonation Kick from TJP. But Neville picks up the win with a pull of the tights.
NEVILLE DEF. TJ PERKINS
Charly Caruso asks Neville what's next? Neville tells Americans that it's their ignorance and arrogance that has prevented them from appreciating him. They made fun of his accent and thought his personality was too bland. Tomorrow, he shall defeat Rich Swann on 205 Live for the Cruiserweight Championship!
A segment with Enzo & Cass, and Rusev and Jinder Mahal
The segment begins with Enzo in a wheelchair, being wheeled in by Big Cass. Enzo says he doesn't need certification as he's already a certified G. He goes on to cut a typical promo about Rusev and Jinder Mahal, and well, Haterade! Cass calls Rusev to ringside with a pretty bad promo.
Rusev and Jinder then come to the ring. Jinder messes with Enzo in the wheelchair. But, Enzo swerves them by getting up and attacking Jinder. This time Enzo and Big Cass laid the trap. A big kick lays out Rusev, as Enzo and Cass stand tall in the ring. The babyfaces win for once!
Shining Stars vs. Darren Young and Bo Dallas
The match gets underway and Braun Strowman interferes, destroying everything in his path. Epico hits him with a chair. As expected, Strowman no-sells the move. He throws Darren Young into Bob Backlund on the outside, who takes a bump!
Strowman destroys everything and everyone. The crowd chants 'thank You Strowman'. Braun Strowman then throws the steel stairs into contenders in this match, who immediately collapse.
NO CONTEST
Strowman stands tall in the ring, looking malicious. We go into a break.
SETH ROLLINS VS. BRAUN STROWMAN
Seth Rollins comes to ringside. Strowman flings Rollins halfway across the ring, to start proceedings. Rollins pulls off a brilliant suicide dive is no sold also by Strowman. Strowman is completely in control.
That is until he runs into the ring post. Flying knees from Rollins are then driven into Strowman. Seth mounts an offence, and the Blockbuster takes Braun down. But, Strowman almost decimates Rollins thereafter. Thankfully Sami Zayn's music hit and he attacks Strowman from behind.
Strowman follows a retreating Zayn through the audience, to build up their Last Man Standing match next week. Jericho comes to the ring and takes Rollins out with a Codebreaker. When referees come and break it up, Jericho hits another Codebreaker, completely taking out Rollins.
WINNER BY DQ: BRAUN STROWMAN
Charly Caruso is ringside with Kevin Owens, and he is hilarious as always. Owens says because Jericho took out Rollins, there's no doubt JeriKO will be Universal and United States Champions together. Both of them leave ringside together, and Jericho calls Charly Chuck!
The Club vs. Golden Truth
Why is this match even happening?
R-Truth raps his entrance theme live, and asks Chicago What’s Up? Golden Truth takes the offense early on Karl Anderson. But Gallows is tagged in, and The Club is in control. A flying kick from Anderson takes down R-Truth for a near fall.
Hot tags happen and Goldust is in control. He’s all fired up and actually looks impressive But Gallows and Anderson pick up the win with a roll-up pin.
THE CLUB DEF. THE GOLDEN TRUTH
So, The Club can’t get a decisive win over The Golden Truth either? Wow! We go into the break with Rich Swann coming to ringside.
Ariya Daivari vs. Rich Swann
Daivari barely shakes Swann’s hand. An initial flurry of offense by Swann, but a neck breaker from Daivari stops him. Daivari goes to the top rope and Swann delivers a double stomp to Daivari’s back. A spin kick gets him the win.
RICH SWANN DEF. ARIYA DAIVARI
As Rich Swann was cutting a promo with Charly Caruso on the ramp, Neville blindsided him from behind and dragged him to ringside. The Red Arrow that followed was a thing of beauty. A broken Swann lay in the middle of the ring!
Ariya Daivari is cutting a promo in which he calls Jack Gallagher a scoundrel. Gallagher interferes and challenges Daivari to a duel, before whacking him across the face with an extraordinary kerchief.
Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (US TITLE MATCH)
It’s time for the main event. We go into a break, as Kevin Owens comes to ringside.
The match builds up slowly with a vocal crowd. The two men go back and forth with punches, kicks, and clotheslines. And suddenly, Chris Jericho is at ringside. A DDT follows but Owens cannot pick up the win. We go into another break with Owens in control.
We come back with Owens trash talking to Roman Reigns. Roman regains control but Owens reverses the offence, with an Oooaaa and a cannonball!
Owens puts Roman in a chin lock. Jericho plays cheerleader at ringside. It’s one lock chin lock. Roman fights back and Owens dumps him out of the ring. Owens tosses Reigns into the barricade. Reigns retaliates with a Drive By.
A Samoan Drop afterwards, almost costs Kevin Owens the match.Owens retaliates with the Back Stabber. Owens tries a Pump Up Power Bomb, but it never happens. Roman hits Owens wit a Sit down power bomb.
Even a Superman Punch (which Reigns missed initially, but which connected later), could not put Kevin Owens away. Jericho interfered but Owens couldn’t pick up the win. Seth Rollins took out Jericho on the outside and delivered a Pedigree. Roman Reigns survived a Codebreaker and delivered a Spear to pick up the win.
ROMAN REIGNS DEF. KEVIN OWENS
Seth Rollins took out Owens with a Pedigree, and Roman Reigns took out Chris Jericho with a Spear, standing tall at the end.
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