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The RAW after Survivor Series kicked off with the men's Survivor Series team in the ring while Adam Pearce tried to figure out which one of them deserved a shot at the WWE championship. The five were bickering while Braun Strowman was annoyed to be the last one to be asked and shoved Pearce, dropping him in the ring while the others crowded around.
Back after a break on RAW, we saw footage of The Hurt Business asking The New Day for a title shot later in the night. Cedric got in Woods' face and he agreed to face them, even on their day off.
The New Day (c) vs. The Hurt Business - RAW Tag Team Championship match
Woods and Benjamin kicked off the match and Woods was in trouble early on. Benjamin tossed him around and kicked Kofi off the apron before we headed for commercials. Back on RAW, Shelton was still in control, but Kofi came in off a rapid tag with a big elbow drop and turned things around.
The two went outside where the referee counted them both out and handed the win to The Hurt Business on a technicality and New Day would keep their RAW Tag Team Championship. MVP got in the ring and mocked The New Day for running away and tricked them into restarting the title match.
Back after commercials, Kofi was tossed outside the ring before Benjamin and Cedric traded tags, isolating Kingston in the ring. They were focusing on Kofi's injured knee before he was able to make the tag to Woods.
Alexander hit the DDT on Woods and Shelton hit the Olympic Slam for a near-fall but Kofi broke it up. Kofi took out Alexander on the outside while Woods got a sudden roll-up pin for the win on Shelton.
Result: The New Day def. The Hurt Business
Match rating: A
Adam Pearce was backstage on RAW and said that Braun was kicked out of the arena for attacking an official. He was about to say what his plans were for the WWE Championship when Bobby Lashley came in and reminded him that he was the only champ that won last night. They two started talking when we headed for a break.
We returned to RAW to see that Randy Orton was with Pearce and he also wanted a possible title shot.
Lana was backstage on RAW to talk about her win last night at Survivor Series before we went back to Adam Pearce. He said that there would be three matches and the winners will face off in a triple threat match to decide who will face McIntyre. The first of these matches was next.
Riddle vs. Sheamus on RAW
Sheamus started off strong and caught Riddle in a headlock and then the Headscissors Armbar early on. Sheamus was working on submission holds but got an Irish Curse Backbreaker in. Riddle managed to kick out of it before he was hit with an Alabama Slam.
Riddle vs. Sheamus on RAW (contd...)
Back after another break on RAW, Riddle was caught in a submission but managed to fight out before hitting the Final Flash knee strike. Riddle went up top, but Sheamus met him up there and hit a White Noise from the second rope before Riddle kicked out again!
Sheamus lined up for the Brogue Kick, but Riddle fell before he could hit it. Sheamus dragged him up, but Riddle hit a sudden headbutt and a high kick. Sheamus picked him up and locked in the Cloverleaf before Riddle countered it with a roll-up for the win.
Result: Matt Riddle def. Sheamus
Match rating: A+
Lana was backstage and Asuka asked her if she wanted a match for the RAW Women's Championship. Lana said she mentioned it before but only as a possibility in the future. Asuka said she was fond of challenges and invited her to a title match anyway.
Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss were at the FireFly Fun House to talk about 'friendship'. Wyatt said friends were no good but 'Friendship Frog' appeared to state otherwise. Wyatt whispered something in Alexa's ears before she lost her mind and squashed 'Friendship Frog'. Both Bliss and Wyatt have a good laugh about it.
Asuka (c) vs. Lana - RAW Women's Championship match
The RAW Women's Championship match was about to begin when Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler came out at ringside. Lana was actually dominating at the start and almost got a rollup pin while Jax said that she couldn't be bothered to care.
Asuka went outside and the tag champs taunted her before she splashed a bottle of water on them. Jax and Baszler attacked Asuka and caused a DQ finish before trying to send Asuka through the announce table. Lana made the save and Jax challenged them to a tag match.
Result: DNF
Match rating: C
R-Truth was in a Christmas promo when Drew Gulak tried to pin him for the 24/7 title, but Tozawa appeared dressed as The Fiend and they ran away.
Asuka & Lana vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler on RAW
Lana and Baszler were in the ring when we returned to RAW and Lana seemed to have taken a wrestling masterclass between last night and now. Nia tagged in and took Lana down, as they tried to keep her from tagging Asuka in.
Asuka & Lana vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler on RAW (contd...)
Lana was in serious trouble as Nia and Baszler were destroying her in the ring, punishing her for taking the win last night. Lana tried to fight back before she finally managed to tag in the RAW Women's Champion. Asuka took out Nia from the apron right away and faced Baszler, who was in the ring.
Jax ran at Lana on the outside, and Lana ducked, sending Jax over the announce table. Baszler was trying to knock her out from the apron, but Asuka rolled her up from behind and picked up the win.
Result: Asuka & Lana def. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Match rating: B
Riddle was backstage on RAW and wanted to wish Lashley luck before his match. He also had some questionable business ideas for MVP and Lashley but got veiled threats in return.
Keith Lee vs. Bobby Lashley on RAW
Lee held his ground and blocked a suplex early on while Lashley resorted to a headlock to get control of the match. Lee was just too big for Lashley to toss around.
Keith Lee vs. Bobby Lashley on RAW (contd...)
Lee got some thunderous chops in the corner before Lashley hit a flatliner for a near fall. Lashley failed to get The Hurt Lock and was tossed over the ropes. MVP distracted Lee and allowed Lashley to send him into the barricades. Lashley picked Lee up and sent him into the ring post before heading for a break on RAW.
Back to the match, Lashley was bleeding from his head, and Lee hit a crossbody on the outside before MVP sent him into the ring post.
Lashley tried for the Hurt Lock, but Lee was too strong. Lashley tried to get a sleeper hold, but Lee took him down. MVP rushed the ring and attacked Lee, disqualifying Lashley.
Result: Keith Lee def. Bobby Lashley via DQ
Match rating: B+
Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross on RAW
Before the match, Cross said in a backstage interview on RAW that she will beat 'The Fiend out of Alexa'. Alexa was playing with Nikki as the match began and wanted Cross to chase her.
Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross on RAW (contd...)
Nikki caught her and took her out on the outside before bringing her back to the ring for a beating. Alexa was laughing while Nikki punished her on RAW and managed to kick out before Nikki hit a dive in the corner.
Bliss was now crying, not sure what was happening, and for a moment, she seemed to back to her old self. Alexa turned out to be faking it, as she took Nikki down with Sister Abigail after Nikki came in for a hug.
Alexa picked up the win on RAW and immediately went back to laughing maniacally.
Result: Alexa Bliss def. Nikki Cross
Match rating: B-
Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles on RAW
AJ Styles went for an early pin, but Randy wasn't going to go down easy. AJ dropped Randy on the announce table before taking him back to the ring to focus on his legs. Orton rolled out of the calf crusher, but his knee was damaged already.
AJ was dropped on the ropes before he tried to lift Orton but took a neckbreaker instead. Orton went for a draping DDT, but AJ rolled it up into the calf crusher again. Orton recovered and caught Styles in a powerslam for a nearfall.
Outside, Randy was in control when the lights went red and The Fiend's music hit only for a second. Orton fled to the ring and was setting up for the RKO, but the lights went out one by one and The Fiend's music hit again.
The Fiend appeared beside Randy and stunned him before the lights went back to normal and AJ used the distraction to pick up the win off the Phenomenal Forearm.
Result: AJ Styles def. Randy Orton
Match rating: A+
Episode rating: B+
We got quite a few surprises tonight on the RAW after Survivor Series, including two title matches, an unlikely alliance between Lana and Asuka, as well a WrestleMania worthy main event.
