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On the Wednesday after Christmas, the Monday Night Raw roster travelled to Long Island, New York. Though it is the home of the Broski Zack Ryder, he's on the SmackDown brand, so there was no cameo from him on this night.
Though Long Island didn't get to see their hometown hero, they were entertained to a stacked card of eight matches (and one concert) with some great contests among them. There were three championship matches, including a colossal main event for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Currently, the Raw roster is looking towards the Royal Rumble. Some are looking to protect their championships; while others are looking to take them. The rest are focused on trying to outlast 29 other WWE Superstars in the Royal Rumble Match for a chance to main event WrestleMania in New Orleans for 2018.
Continue on to find out how the night played out in Long Island, starting with a BROKEN feud...
(Thanks to Wrestling Inc. for the results)
Match #1 - WOKEN Matt Hardy v. Bray Wyatt
The moment the WWE Universe was waiting for ever since Matt and Jeff Hardy returned to the WWE in April finally happened earlier this month. Matt became BROKEN or shall we say WOKEN (to enable Matt to trademark broken for himself later in his post-WWE career).
After weeks of alternating promos on Monday Night Raw, the time for talk was over. When Bray Wyatt entered the arena on Monday night, he was attacked by the Woken One. Clearly, the attack stunned Wyatt as he fell prey to Matt Hardy in Long Island as well.
Result - WOKEN Matt Hardy d. Bray Wyatt
Elias is joined by Anderson & Gallows for a concert
After the first match of the evening, Elias came out to ask Long Island who wants to walk with him. Elias wasn't alone though, the Good Brothers of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows joined him in the ring for a special concert for the WWE Universe in Long Island.
Typically Elias is interrupted before he can finish his song, but according to the reports, there was not an interruption.
Match #2 - Bayley, Mickie James, & Sasha Banks v. Absolution
Next up was a six-woman tag match between Absolution and three women they have been tormenting in Bayley, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks.
Unfortunately, the match ended after Paige was injured. Reports were that she suffered a stinger from a kick by Sasha Banks, but that was not confirmed. She was taken to a local hospital, but word is she was released shortly after as she was spotted at the hotel later in the evening.
As a precaution, the WWE has pulled Paige from WWE Live events for the rest of the week.
Result - No contest due to injury stoppage
Match #3 - The Miztourage, The Revival, & Curt Hawkins v. Titus Worldwide, Goldust, Heath Slater & Rhyno - 10 Man Tag
I've said it in previous WWE Live reports, why would anyone want to tag with Curt Hawkins (who is now approaching 150 straight losses)? Maybe his teammates think he's due, but that is what The Miztourage and The Revival decided to take on when they tagged with Hawkins to take on Titus Worldwide, Goldust, Heath Slater, and Rhyno in 10-man tag team action.
Unfortunately, Hawkins wasn't due for the streak to end in Long Island, and the good guys got the victory.
Result - Titus Worldwide, Goldust, Heath Slater & Rhyno d. The Miztourage, The Revival, & Curt Hawkins
Match #4 - Enzo Amore (c) v. Kalisto for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
One of the newest members of the Cruiserweight Division, Kalisto, received another chance to recapture the WWE Cruiserweight Championship from Enzo Amore on Wednesday evening.
Over the past couple of months, Amore has had the benefit of The Zo Train by his side, but the "business arrangement" is starting to show its cracks. Noam Dar is sidelined for a few months due to injury, and it appears Tony Nese could be turning babyface after the vicious "tough love" attack from a couple weeks ago.
On this night, Enzo was able to retain his title, but his days could be numbered.
Result - Enzo Amore d. Kalisto to retain his WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Match #5 - Samoa Joe v. Finn Balor
A previous NXT Championship feud is rekindled on the main roster as "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe took on "the extraordinary man who can do extraordinary things" Finn Balor.
Currently, in the WWE, Samoa Joe has all of the momenta as he is trying to take the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Roman Reigns, and he continued that momentum on Wednesday night in Long Island.
Result - Samoa Joe d. Finn Balor
Match #6 - Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) v. The Bar for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships
On this week's edition of Monday Night Raw, the unlikely (and unwilling) duo of Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins teamed up to take on The Bar for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. This pairing is the result of the injury to Dean Ambrose that could leave him on the shelf for several months.
To everyone's surprise, Raw closed with Jordan and Rollins holding the titles in the victory. Two nights later in Long Island, The Bar would try to get the championships back.
On this night, The Bar was not victorious in trying to capture the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships for a fourth time this year, but they will probably get another chance at the Royal Rumble.
Result - Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins d. The Bar to retain the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships
Match #7 - Kane v. Braun Strowman
No one or nothing is safe when they're in the path of this ongoing feud between Braun Strowman and Kane. When it comes to this feud, a clear-cut winner cannot be determined, so Raw General Manager put them both in the WWE Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
The WWE Universe in Long Island were treated to another clash between Raw's two monsters. As has been the case lately with Strowman and Kane, a disqualification ended this one.
Result - Braun Strowman d. Kane by disqualification
Match #8 - Roman Reigns (c) v. John Cena for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
The main event of the evening was a rematch from September's No Mercy pay per view where John Cena and Roman Reigns clashed for the first time ever in one-on-one competition. Three months later they would meet again, but this time it was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
At No Mercy, Reigns was able to defeat Cena in an amazing 22-minute match. On this night in Long Island, "The Big Dog" was able to hold onto his title, but he cannot rest easy as Samoa Joe isn't too far behind.
Result - Roman Reigns d. John Cena to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
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