WWE RAW Results 1st January 2018, Latest Monday Night Raw winners and video highlights

RAW kicked off with RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss backstage protesting a Kurt Angle over her match with Asuka later. Angle called it a WrestleMania worthy match up. Angle then told Alexa that she was lucky it wasn't a title match...yet.

Kurt Angle kicks off the New Year

Enter — The Bar had quite the accusation to make against Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle wished the WWE Universe a happy new year and started talking about the upcoming year, looking ahead to the Royal Rumble. He mentioned that the women's Royal Rumble will have the same rules as the men.

He was interrupted by The Bar, who called the prior week and their tag title loss a travesty. They accused Angle of favouritism and demanded a rematch. Jason Jordan interrupted and said that he got the tag title shot because of his track record and not DNA. He even threatened to send Cesaro back to the dentist.

Kurt Angle made the match between Jordan and Cesaro. As the referee came out, Rollins came out and told Jordan that he has a lot to learn. He taught the inexperienced Jordan a lesson about The Bar outnumbering him and how they need to work together as a unit. Cesaro jumped Jordan right before the bell rang and Rollins had a "told you so" moment with Jordan.

Jason Jordan vs Cesaro

The match started off with Jordan hitting a dropkick on Cesaro. He even matched Cesaro's power but a distraction from Sheamus caused a shift in momentum. Cesaro worked on Jordan's legs right after this.

After the break, Cesaro had Jordan locked in a sharpshooter. Despite selling the leg, Jordan still landed a great northern lights suplex. An eye poke by Sheamus almost saw Jordan get pinned, but Rollins took out The Celtic Warrior.

A distracted Cesaro ended up getting hit with Jordan's finisher and pinned.

Jason Jordan defeated Cesaro

After the match, Jordan acknowledged Rollins help but still seemed too self-absorbed. Rollins tried to get Jordan to notice how self-absorbed he was, but he didn't notice.

Backstage, Roman Reigns said that Samoa Joe talks like a punk, walks like a punk and is a punk. He said he'd try to stay within the rules, emphasizing the words "I hope".

Bray Wyatt vs Apollo Crews

Bray Wyatt intimidated newest Titus Worldwide recruit Dana Brooke

Dana Brooke accompanied Titus Worldwide to the ring for the first time. Apollo Crews looked great in the early going of the match. Apollo wasn't able to figure out Bray.

Dana Brooke caused a distraction when she was encouraging Apollo, but Wyatt scared her off, resulting in her falling on Titus. Apollo tried to take advantage of a distracted Wyatt but got caught in a Sister Abigail instead.

Bray Wyatt defeated Apollo Crews

After the match, Matt Hardy appeared on the screen and told him that he couldn't escape his "Woken" wisdom.

Backstage, Nia Jax had a box of food in hand and Alexa panicked and told Nia that she needed her in her corner. Nia said that Enzo had the flu and couldn't defend the Cruiserweight title. While Alexa was surprised Nia was into Enzo, she said she needed her more.

Alexa even gave her a choice "Enzo or her". Nia said the soup was getting cold and left.

Alexa Bliss vs Asuka

Enter captio — Is Asuka as RAW Women's Champion an inevitability at this point?

Alexa looked legitimately frightened. She evaded the early onslaught of Asuka but The Empress Of Tomorrow kept taking it to the RAW Women's Champion. Alexa continued to find ways to evade The Empress outside the ring.

After the break, the champion Alexa Bliss had the advantage. Bliss even had a modified guillotine on Asuka but the undefeated Empress countered with a submission of her own. Asuka hit a vicious knee.

Asuka ended up submitting Alexa Bliss with an armbar for the win. Seems like she's next in line for a title shot against Bliss.

Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss

Braun Strowman vs Rhyno(with Heath Slater)

As tough as Rhyno was, The Monster Among Men took it to him. Shoulder tackles were enough to get the former ECW champion down. Heath Slater caused some distraction when he cheered Rhyno on. A visibly angsty Strowman took the mic and told Slater that he either stand ringside and shut up or get in the ring and have the same fate as Rhyno.

The tag team partners then both attacked Strowman but The Monster Among Men wrapped business up quickly as he hit Rhyno with the running powerslam.

Braun Strowman defeated Rhyno

After the match, Strowman powerslammed Rhyno and Slater twice. He stood tall and decided that he wanted more chaos, powerslamming the tag team a third time.

Backstage, Seth Rollins checked in on Roman Reigns, who had quite the temper on him. Roman was still incensed over the fact that he took out Dean Ambrose. Jason Jordan swooped in between Reigns and Rollins and said that if The Bar would interfere later in the night, he and Rollins would take them out.

Jordan then left and Reigns and Rollins gave a reaction which was nothing short of hilarious.

Backstage, Kane told Braun Strowman that they should take out Brock Lesnar together. The Monster Among Men showed no interest, saying he'll do it himself.

Finn Balor was backstage with Kurt Angle and declared entry to the Royal Rumble match. Kurt Angle asked if he found two partners for his match against Elias and The Miztourage, and he introduced none other than Gallows & Anderson. What a moment.

Roman Reigns(c) vs Samoa Joe - Intercontinental Championship

If Roman got disqualified, he would lose the title. The two rivals started off as aggressive as they could. The two had a back and forth exchange, with Joe dominating much of the early going. He began picking the champion apart.

The two had quite the exchange outside and after Joe hit a suicide dive, both competitors made it back to the ring on the count of 9. The bitter rivals were at a stalemate.

Joe lured Reigns outside the ring and started his assaulting him, all while trash talking. Roan was closed to losing his cool as he had steel steps in his hands. Joe told Reigns to do it so he could win the title. Reigns instead hit him with the superman punch and followed it up with another inside the ring.

Reigns attempt at a spear was countered and Joe shoved Reigns into the referee. The referee was close to DQ'ing Reigns but he didn't. Joe hit a urinage on Reigns for a two and a half count.

Roman Reigns hit a spear out of nowhere and finally defeated Samoa Joe for the first time ever in a singles match.

Roman Reigns defeated Samoa Joe to retain the Intercontinental Championship

Backstage, Paul Heyman was talking to Kurt Angle and said that if Strowman and Kane were to attack Lesnar, he would be pro-active and not rea

Cedric Alexander & Goldust vs Ariya Daivari & Drew Gulak

Cedric Alexander interrupted Gulak & Daivari, who were speaking on behalf of Enzo Amore. They changed things up to a tag team match and Goldust debuted in the Cruiserweight division.

The two gelled well together and Goldust even showed some aerial skills of his. Cedric and Goldust naturally won the match when Cedric hit the lumbar check on Gulak.

It appears that Goldust is a face again.

Cedric Alexander & Goldust defeated Ariya Daivari & Drew Gulak

Finn Balor and Gallows & Anderson vs Elias & The Miztourage

Finn Balor got the help that we all wanted!

Elias was doing his usual schtick. The Miztourage announced that The Miz will be back next week.

Finn Balor started the action with Curtis Axel, who soon tagged in Elias. Luke Gallows finally tagged in and booted Bo Dallas before his pin was broken up by Elias.

Gallows & Anderson hit the magic killer on Dallas and Balor hit the coup-de-grace for the win! Seems like Gallows & Anderson have turned face as well.

Finn Balor and Gallows & Anderson defeated Elias & The Miztourage

Brock Lesnar gets confronted by Kane

Paul Heyman cut his usual promo and got ready to leave with Lesnar until Kane interrupted. He came in the ring and chokeslammed Lesnar. As Kane got ready to leave, Lesnar did the sit-up, imitating Undertaker and The Big Red Monster himself.

The two brawled but the locker room separated the two in what was a very disappointing end to RAW.

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