Tonight, Raw puts Survivor Series behind it in order to look forward to the next big event, the Royal Rumble. While that is two months away, tonight’s show has plenty of highlights. Roman Reigns takes on The Miz in the main event, and we witness the return of former Divas Champion Paige.
Opening Segment
To kick off the show and to ruin everything fun, Stephanie McMahon comes to the ring. She brings out her husband, Triple H, to celebrate the Survivor Series main event victory before being interrupted by Kurt Angle. Jason Jordan then joins them to defend his father and demands a match against Triple H. Once McMahon says that The Game isn’t afraid of anything or anyone, Braun Strowman enters the ring and stares him down while he retreats.
Instead of making the match Jason Jordan wanted, Stephanie McMahon makes a match later tonight pitting him against Braun Strowman.
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
A couple weeks ago, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor competed in a match that ended in a double count-out because both men were brawling outside the ring. Kurt Angle used their aggression to help his Survivor Series team, but as expected, the tension between them forced both of them to be eliminated. After reluctantly teaming up last night, they resume their rivalry.
Joe prevents Balor from getting to the top rope for the Coup de Grace, then he drags him into the Coquina Clutch and forces the former Universal Champion to pass out. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
Asuka vs. Dana Brooke
Last week, Dana Brooke competed in a Triple Threat Match against Bayley and Mickie James to determine the last competitor of Team Raw. Asuka was at ringside with the rest of Team Raw, and Brooke hit her with a forearm before getting laid out by the Empress of Tomorrow. After being the sole survivor in the women’s elimination match last night, Asuka takes on the woman who made the mistake of angering her.
After Brooke slaps Asuka, the former NXT Women’s Champion makes quick work of Brooke, laying her out with a swift kick to the face. Winner: Asuka
Dean Ambrose (w/Seth Rollins) vs. Sheamus (w/Cesaro)
Two weeks ago, Sheamus and Cesaro captured the Raw Tag Team Championships thanks to a distraction from the New Day. The Bar would go on to Survivor Series to lose to the Usos, while The Shield defeated the New Day in the event’s opening bout.
Seth Rollins hits Cesaro with a suicide dive and it distracts Sheamus enough to help Dean Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds on the Celtic Warrior for the win. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley vs. Alicia Fox vs. Mickie James – #1 Contender’s Match (Raw Women’s Championship)
All four women in this match believe that they should be the next #1 Contender to Alexa Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship. Kurt Angle decided that the best way to solve this is to have them compete in a Fatal Cour-Way match.
While the match is still going on, Paige appears on the stage to announce her return. However, she hasn’t returned by herself. While she walks down to the ring, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose from NXT appear out of nowhere to attack the competitors. They lay out Sasha Banks and Mickie James before Paige hits Bayley with the Ram-Paige package DDT. They then run into Alexa Bliss backstage and attack her as well. Result: No Contest
Braun Strowman vs. Jason Jordan
Thanks to the opening events tonight, Jason Jordan now has to take on the Monster Among Men. However, none of the match matters because Kane almost immediately attacks Braun Strowman from behind. Kane uses a chair as an equalizer, slamming it into Strowman’s throat. Even though he is struggling to breathe, he refuses all medical attention.
The Miz (c) vs. Roman Reigns – Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins pushed for this match and Kurt Angle likes to have an exciting show, so he went through with making the main event. If Reigns wins, all of the Shield could be titleholders depending on how the Raw Tag Team Championship rematch goes. Unfortunately for the Miz, the Miztourage is nowhere to be found.
The Bar tries to help Miz by interfering, but Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose dispose of them. Reigns then hits The Miz with a spear to gain the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his career. The only title he has not held so far is the Universal Championship. Winner, and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Roman Reigns
