'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAf/2gAIAQEAAAAAg7P/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAABf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAfEAACAgIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEERIAExYhMWH/2gAIAQEAAT8AoWnu2RNaSKRY1d+noNTpGRjH3OedoI3lLrqp9Axg45//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMEMv/aAAgBAgEBPwCxKyZP/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMAASL/2gAIAQMBAT8ASoTrU//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
RAW kicked off with the Dirt Sheet and The Miz was sitting in a dark ring and was reading us a bedtime story about the TLC match between Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles. As Miz revealed the characters, we saw that AJ and John Morrison were already in the ring and Morrison was playing a terrible version of Drew McIntyre.
AJ defeated Drew as the story went on and the story revealed a turn as the Miz talked about cashing in the Money in the Bank contract and then beating AJ to become the new WWE Champion.
Sheamus walked out to face Styles and they headed for a singles match as RAW continued after a break.
AJ Styles vs. Sheamus on RAW
Sheamus started off strong and Omos, AJ Styles' bodyguard, was at ringside watching over Styles. AJ managed to toss Sheamus outside the ring and catch a breather before catching the Irishman on the ropes. Sheamus got back in control for a bit and tossed AJ around the ring before AJ hit a dropkick.
Outside the ring, Sheamus caught AJ and was about to hit a powerbomb on the announce desk but Omos got in his way and saved Styles. Styles focused on Sheamus' knee and the Celtic warrior was showing signs of wear.
AJ locked in the calf crusher but Sheamus managed to find the ropes. Sheamus climbed up to the middle rope with AJ on his back for the Avalanche White Noise, but AJ slipped off and rolled him up for the win on RAW.
Result: AJ Styles def. Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus tried to attack AJ but Omos stepped in again and Sheamus was left hanging upside down with his feet caught in the ropes before AJ took a steel chair to him on RAW.
Match rating: B+
Backstage on RAW, The Hurt Business was seen bullying a crew member before they made fun of Riddle, Jeff Hardy, and the New Day.
Still backstage, The New Day and Jeff Hardy were joined by Riddle who offered to be in their corner for the match with the Hurt Business.
The Hurt Business vs. The New Day & Jeff Hardy on RAW
Woods and Lashley started off the match and Lashley went straight for the Hurt Lock but Woods got out of it. Kofi was in next and Alexander tagged himself in. Benjamin was in soon after Cedric took a beating; Kofi was setting up for the Trouble in Paradise but Lashley tossed him outside from the apron before Cedric came back in.
Kofi was being isolated in the corner by Cedric and Benjamin but managed to hit a stomp and tag Hardy in who took Benjamin out. Cedric was back in and Woods and Kofi hit huge dives but while Kofi took Benjamin down, Lashley caught Woods and tossed him away.
Hardy was legal and Lashley caught him in the Hurt Lock, making him tap out on RAW.
Result: The Hurt Business def. The New Day & Jeff Hardy
Match rating: B
Lana vs. Nia Jax on RAW
Lana was tossed aside right off the bat before making a splash in the corner from Jax as Asuka watched from backstage on RAW. Lana hit a 'Rana and took Jax down before Nia missed a Samoan Drop from the ropes and Lana took advantage by dropping Jax and picking up the win on RAW.
Result: Lana def. Nia
Baszler took out Asuka backstage while Nia attacked Lana in the ring after the match. Baszler then headed to the ring and the tag champs destroyed Lana.
Asuka finally came out and took down Nia and Baszler before saving Lana from the torment.
Match rating: C
Elias was back on RAW and Jaxson Ryker was with him in the ring as he told us that he nearly died in his last match when he was electrocuted and was 'baptized in lightning'.
He said he saw a vision of Ryker before starting to play a song. R-Truth interrupted him and eventually, the locker room came after him and the 24/7 title, ruining Elias' concert, again.
Miz and Morrison ran into Keith Lee backstage on RAW who played some mind games on the duo before their match.
Miz & Morrison vs. Keith Lee - Handicap match on RAW
Lee was tossing Morrison around right off the bat and Miz tagged in to get some advantage before Morrison came back in for a knee strike. Lee sent Morrison outside with a huge tackle and took down Miz in the process before we headed for commercials on RAW.
After a few more minutes of being tossed around the ring, Miz & Morrison tried to suplex Lee together but instead took a double suplex. The duo managed to get the upper hand with some kicks in the corner before piling up on Lee to get the questionable pin on RAW.
Result: Miz & Morrison def. Keith Lee
Match rating: B
Bray Wyatt was out in a Christmas sweater and his Funhouse characters were seen in the arena. He started off with a semi-real apology to Randy Orton for the Fiend interrupting their match last week, saying that he can't control himself sometimes.
Wyatt said that there will be no fun at TLC, only pain, before reading some jokes he had prepared on RAW. Orton came on the Titantron and said that after he hit Wyatt with the RKO, he brought out the Fiend.
Randy proposed a game of hide-and-seek and Wyatt was ecstatic that Orton was participating in mind games.
Ricochet vs. Mace on RAW
Mace got a near fall off a kick early on before taking a missile dropkick. Slapjack and T-Bar tried to interrupt but was taken out from the apron. Mace tried to capitalize on the distraction with a chokeslam but Ricochet kicked out.
Mace hit a huge slam and picked up the win before Ali and his cronies went after Ricochet in order to punish him.
Result: Mace def. Ricochet
Match rating: C
Bray Wyatt was backstage looking for Orton when he came across Riddle on RAW who tried to sell him on the concept of Bro-nouns. Wyatt said it was neat before walking away but Ramblin' Rabbit showed up soon after and Riddle called him Baby Bro-da because he reminded him of Baby Yoda. He then got him to sign a carrot for his own pet rabbit, Skipper.
Shayna Baszler vs. Dana Brooke on RAW
We learned that Lana was injured after the attack earlier and had to be taken to a medical facility. The RAW commentators announced that she will not compete at TLC. Baszler was trying to do the same to Brooke but Dana fought her off and got some hits in.
Brooke was about to hit a top rope move but Jax interfered and took her out before they cornered her in the ring. Mandy Rose returned to RAW and tried to rescue her tag team partner but she too was taken down by the champs.
Asuka rushed the ring and the trio finally managed to overpower Jax and Baszler, making them retreat. The announcers told us that Lana would be missing TLC due to her injures and Asuka would have a new teammate on Sunday.
Result: Dana Brooke def. Shayna Baszler via DQ
Match rating: C
R-Truth was backstage on RAW and mistook Huskus The Pig as Bray Wyatt's son. After a break, Wyatt walked into a dark room with a rocking chair and sat on it, clearly a trap laid by Orton.
Randy attacked Wyatt from behind on RAW and a huge brawl broke out but the room was awfully dark. Randy beat Wyatt up and locked him in a wooden chest before going for a can of gasoline that he poured on the box.
Randy got a lighter and set the thing ablaze. The Fiend appeared from within while I was pondering on the safety issues with an indoor gasoline fire and took out Randy with the Mandible Claw.
MVP vs. Riddle on RAW
Riddle and MVP were brawling in the corner with MVP getting the early advantage in the match on RAW. Riddle hit the Final Flash knee strike and the Floating Bro for an easy win. Lashley ran into the ring after the match but Riddle ran away.
Result: Riddle def. MVP
Match rating: C
Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles were out for the title ascension ceremony before TLC on RAW. AJ took shots at Drew, talking about how it took him 19 years to win the title. McIntyre fired back by saying that he thrives under pressure and led WWE through these tough times. He promised to do whatever it takes to remain the champion at TLC before handing off his title.
Miz and Morrison attacked Drew out of nowhere and sent a ladder into him on RAW. Drew recovered and hit Claymores on Miz & Morrison before Omos tossed the steel steps in the ring. Catching Drew off-guard, Styles took him down and hit him with a ladder a few times before using a steel chair.
Omos then sent a table into the ring and AJ set up a ladder in the ring. Styles climbed the ladder after setting up Drew on the table and put the champ through the table. AJ then climbed up the ladder and reached for the title while Drew was struggling to get on his feet but the show cut out before AJ could grab the title.
Episode rating: A
We got some great matches, a great backstage segment from the Fiend, and the return of Mandy Rose to RAW. Lana got a big win but also was sent to the hospital while Asuka is set to have a new partner for TLC. The final moments were worthy of a go-home episode of RAW as we head into TLC this Sunday.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
