– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens live from the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York as Jimmy Smith welcomes us. This is WWE’s debut at the new venue. Smith is joined at ringside by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Seth Rollins to mostly boos. Rollins laughs and dances around on his way to the ring as Mike Rome does the introduction. The announcers hype tonight’s show.
Rollins says we might think he’d be in a bad mood after last week but he’s Seth freakin’ Rollins and no one can keep him down, not Kevin Owens, WWE Champion Big E or Finn Balor, or anyone else. Rollins is in a good mood tonight because he’s got a secret, he’s got some breaking news. He asks for a drum roll and he gets one. Rollins announces that he will challenge Big E for the WWE Title at the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view on New Year’s Day. Rollins goes on about how this will be the first day of a new year, and the first day of his next WWE Title reign, one that will be defining. He goes on but the music interrupts and out comes Balor to a pop.
Balor rushes the ring and they start brawling. They go to the floor and Balor takes it over the barrier into the timekeeper’s area. Balor brings Rollins back over and tosses him over the announce table. Balor brings it back into the ring but Rollins knocks him off the apron tot he floor. Rollins nails a suicide dive to the floor. Balor gets back up and drops Rollins at ringside with a Slingblade. Balor grabs half of the steel ring steps and smashes Rollins in the face. Balor brings Rollins back in the ring as the referee tries to restore order. Rollins calls for the bell.
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
The bell rings and Finn Balor nails a dropkick to send Seth Rollins into the corner. Balor goes to capitalize but Rollins rolls to the floor to regroup. Balor runs the ropes and leaps out, taking Rollins back down on the floor. Balor stands tall and we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Balor drops Rollins for another 2 count. Balor with more offense until he goes to the top and Rollins cuts him off. Rollins climbs up for a superplex but Balor resists and shoves him to the mat. Rollins leaps back up and nails the superplex. Rollins holds and follows-up with a Falcon Arrow for a close 2 count. Rollins goes back to the top for the Frogsplash but Balor gets his knees up. Rollins kicks out at 2.
Balor comes back with a double stomp in the middle of the ring but Rollins hangs on. Balor waits in the corner but Rollins blocks a Slingblade. Rollins comes back with a Slingblade of his own, then a superkick to the face for a 2 count. Rollins mounts Balor and pounds on the back of his head now. Rollins plays to the crowd for boos as he waits for Balor to recover. Rollins charges for a Stomp but Balor blocks it with a Slingblade. Balor drops Rollins and goes for the Coup de Grace but Rollins moves.
Rollins misses the Stomp again and Balor rolls him for a 2 count. They both collide with clotheslines and are down now as the referee counts. They get up and trade strikes in the middle of the ring as fans do dueling chants. Rollins drops Balor but Balor nails him and comes back, only to take an enziguri.
Balor with an elbow to the heart but Rollins comes back with another kick to the face. Rollins with a big rolling elbow to the head, and the Stomp for the pin to win.
Winner: Seth Rollins
– After the match, Rollins stands tall as the music hits. The replay shows how Rollins delivered a thumb to the eye at the end of the match. Rollins celebrates and makes his exit.
– We see how Liv Morgan snapped on Becky Lynch and decked her backstage last week as the RAW Women’s Champion was taunting her challenger.
– We go back to the ring and out comes RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch for a contract signing with Liv Morgan.
Back from the break and Austin Theory knocks on the office of WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, then enters and has a seat. Theory asks Vince how he’s doing, but Vince makes it known how he hates it when people ask how he’s doing and they really do not care. Vince mentions how he has an earache and an ingrown toenail, that’s how he’s really doing. Vince says that’s phony crap, but what wasn’t phony was last week’s match with WWE Champion Big E. We take a brief look back at last week’s show and the angle with Cleopatra’s $100 million golden egg. Vince says tonight Theory will sit in his office with him to watch the entire show, and they will see if there are any surprises, and take a look to see if anyone expects the unexpected and if they do how will they respond. Vince says if Theory ever steals anything from him again, he will kill Theory. We go back to the ring and Sonya Deville is with Lynch. There’s a table set up for a contract signing. Deville introduces Lynch and then brings out the #1 contender, Morgan.
Morgan takes a seat. Becky says she’s welcome for having her first contract signing. Lynch says she’s also welcome for last week’s cheap shot and seeing some fire from her for the first time in a while. Becky says last week she wanted to see if she could get Liv fired up, but then she did nothing after that cheap shot. Lynch goes on about how it will take more than one punch. Lynch wonders if Liv will prove her wrong, but only Liv knows that answer. Becky says she’s already signed the contract and has nothing else to do. Deville says the title match will take place next week.
Lynch taunts the Long Island fans for not getting the title match tonight, then takes a shot at the NY Islanders not winning a NHL game in their new venue. Becky goes on but Liv tells her to shut up for once. Liv signs the contract. She says if Becky doesn’t want her to hold back, she won’t and here’s Liv not holding back. She admits she got upset last week but controlled her emotions with her fist instead of becoming a big, blubbering mess, kind of like Lynch did after her Survivor Series match with SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Liv shows us footage of how Lynch cried during her post-match interview following the win over Flair. Liv says who knew Big Time Becks cries like a little baby. Liv says Becky is the reason her own friend is gone, like Becky’s big bloated contract is the reason Liv’s friends are gone from WWE. Liv says Becky is nothing but a big bully, the same thing she once despised. Liv goes on and says she’s learned from Becky’s past mistakes. Becky isn’t the same person she once admired, and Liv isn’t the same person Becky thinks she left behind.
Liv says she will not be Becky’s #2, and has learned from h er past mistakes, and if last week’s punch didn’t teach Becky anything, then maybe this one will. Liv goes to punch Lynch but Deville prevents the chaos. Becky defends her post-match emotions and goes on about how Liv thinks she has what it takes to lead this division, revealing she pitched a 10-woman match to Deville and Adam Pearce. Deville shows us a graphic on the big screen and the teams will be Lynch, Doudrop, Tamina Snuka and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina Vega and Carmella vs. Liv, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H. and WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke. Liv says Becky is way too selfish to ever be a real leader, so consider the challenge accepted. Liv tosses the mic as her music hits. Becky and Liv yell at each other while Deville stands in between them.
– We see what happened with R-K-Bro last week. Riddle and Randy Orton are backstage now. Riddle is ranting about channeling his Inner Viper last week to defeat Dolph Ziggler, but he noticed how Orton hit the Bro Derek on Robert Roode, and figured Orton would be dressed like him this week, or at least ride his scooter to the ring. Orton says they are about to go to the ring for a title defense, so if Riddle thinks he will ride his scooter to the ring, bare foot, then Riddle is even more brain dead than originally thought. Orton appreciates what Riddle is trying to do but they don’t need to dress up like each other to keep the titles, they just need to be more ruthless than anyone else, and they need to be 10 steps ahead of the competition. Riddle understands but asks Orton to close his eyes… Orton does and Riddle puts a wig on him. Orton opens his eyes and looks in the mirror. Orton gives Riddle two seconds to take the wig from his head, and he quickly does. Orton tells Riddle to never do that again, and Riddle apologizes. The champs head to the ring.
RAW Tag Team Titles Match: Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs. Randy Orton and Riddle
We go back to the ring and out come RAW Tag Team Champions Randy Orton and Riddle, who is walking his scooter to the ring. They hit the ring as the pyro goes off. R-K-Bro poses in the middle of the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and we get formal ring introductions as Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode stand tall in their corner. The announcers say The Dirty Dawgs earned this title shot by defeating The Street Profits several weeks back in a Championship Contender’s match. The bell rings and Ziggler attacks to catch Riddle off guard. Ziggler unloads on Riddle and brings him to their corner for a double team suplex as Roode tags in. Roode covers for 2.
Roode knocks Orton off the apron and stomps Riddle. Roode and Ziggler with another quick tag and an assisted DDT. Riddle kicks out just in time. Ziggler with more offense on Riddle. Riddle fights up and out but Orton can’t make the tag, and Ziggler decks Riddle again. Ziggler unloads on Riddle in the corner but misses a big flying splash, smashing into the top turnbuckle. Riddle crawls for the tag but Ziggler stops him. Riddle kicks Ziggler away and in comes Orton for a pop. Orton unloads on Ziggler, then knocks Roode off the apron.
Orton with a powerslam to Ziggler for a pop. Orton grabs Ziggler for the second rope draping DDT but Roode pulls Ziggler to the floor to safety. Ziggler pulls Orton to the floor but Orton fights both challengers off. Orton slams Ziggler face-first into the announce table.
Orton goes to slam Ziggler into the announce table but Ziggler slides out and superkicks Orton in front of the announcers. Riddle runs over but Roode rocks him, then slams him on top of the announce table. The Dirty Dawgs stand tall at ringside and taunt the champions, then pose as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and the challengers double team Orton in the middle of the ring. Roode with a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Roode talks some trash and shows off with push-ups while Orton is down. Roode grounds Orton with a headlock as fans chant “Orton!” now. Orton tries to fight up and out but Roode muscles him back to the mat. Orton finally counters a suplex and nails one of his own to Roode.
Riddle and Ziggler tag in at the same time. Riddle then drops Roode with a kick. Riddle with a running right hand to Ziggler in the corner, then a big suplex out of the corner. Riddle with the same two moves to Roode. Riddle with a Bro-ton to Roode, then one to Ziggler. Ziggler eats a punt kick. Riddle with a second rope draping DDT to Roode as Orton looks on. Orton tags in and the champs play to he crowd for a big pop.
Riddle and Orton both drop down to the mat and pound fists, calling for the RKOs. Roode counters Riddle’s RKO, sending him to the floor with a clothesline. Ziggler blocks the RKO from Orton and they tangle. Ziggler nails the Zig Zag in the middle of the ring for a close 2 count. Ziggler gets up first as fans chant for Orton. Ziggler goes for a superkick but it’s caught. Orton rolls Ziggler up but Ziggler rolls through. Orton comes right back with the RKO for the pin to retain.
Winners: Randy Orton and Riddle
– After the match, Orton and Riddle stand tall with the straps as the music hits.
– Seth Rollins is walking backstage when Kevin Owens approaches, all smiles. Owens brings up Rollins’ big news from earlier and says he’s not the only one with big news. Owens says Adam Pearce has told him that if he can beat WWE Champion Big E in the non-title match tonight, then he will be added to the title match at WWE Day 1. They both laugh and Rollins asks if he has any more jokes. Rollins can’t believe that Owens could be added to his WWE Title match at Day 1. Owens tells Rollins to go ask Pearce, and Rollins says he will because Owens is a liar.
– We go back to the ring and out comes WWE Hall of Famer Edge to a big pop, making his red brand return. The Rated R Superstar marches to the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Seth Rollins approaches Adam Pearce in the back. Rollins asks about Kevin Owens being added to the WWE Title match between Rollins and Big E at the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, if he can beat Big E in tonight’s non-title main event. Pearce says this isn’t true, he hasn’t even seen Owens today. Rollins thanks him and tells him to have a good RAW, and Pearce also sends well wishes. Sonya Deville walks up and asks what that was about. Pearce mentions the lie Owens told Rollins and Deville says it’s not a bad idea. We go back to the ring and Edge is wrapping up his entrance to a big pop. Edge says this is the best job in the world and he missed everyone. Edge says he’s back, and we last saw him beating Seth Rollins in Hell In a Cell at WWE Crown Jewel, and now Rollins is the #1 contender to the WWE Title. Edge says believe it or not Rollins deserves it because he’s operating on another level right now.
Edge says he is back on RAW and there’s a whole new set of opponents to sink his teeth into, like AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, WWE United States Champion Damian Priest, WWE Champion Big E… it’s really exciting because everything is wide open. The music interrupts and out comes The Miz to make his return, along with his wife Maryse. We get a video package with highlights from The Miz’s recent run on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. Miz cant’ believe WWE gave Edge the big return treatment with a press release. Miz says Edge’s career now amounts to living for big comebacks, getting injured and coming back, meanwhile, Miz has been representing WWE on one of the biggest TV shows. Miz goes on about how he still works injured, and is always promoting WWE, but doesn’t get the big return or pyro display or fan pops when he returns. But what really irks him and pisses him off is that one of the biggest female Superstars, his wife Maryse, is back, but he had to listen to Edge and how Miz isn’t even on his radar of potential opponents.
Edge pokes fun at Miz for his DWTS dancing. Maryse says while Edge was busy chopping wood, her husband was being the most charismatic and entertaining on the show. Edge pokes fun at Miz for his placement on the DWTS show. Miz says he placed where he did because the WWE fans forgot to vote for him. Miz goes on and says while he was dancing with stars, Edge was dancing with a body full of injuries. Edge believes Miz came out to interrupt him because that immediately puts him into the main event picture. Edge could take the easy route and get the fans to chant “Miz sucks!”, and he does that anyway, which upsets Maryse. Miz asks how dare Edge and the fans. Miz says he is an era-defining Superstar and deserves respect. He says 6 months ago he was WWE Champion, so when was the last time Edge held a title? Miz goes on with trash talking, and says Edge was great in the ring and had a career most dream of, but Miz surpassed him a long time ago and in his opinion, Edge should’ve stayed home for good. Edge says Miz is right, he can’t do this for much longer and his window is small, but he fought with every fiber in his being to get this window back.
Edge says every guy in the locker room wants to stand across from him to test themselves, and there is mutual respect there, something Miz knows nothing about, and could’ve had and could still have, but he comes out here and bitches and moans about what he don’t have. Edge says Little Mizzy must need a pat on the back. Edge says he will give Miz a pat on the back. Edge goes on about how Miz made it here in the ring with him, coming from Tough Enough, worked the WrestleMania main event against John Cena with The Rock as special enforcer, and won. Edge goes on and on with praise and props for Miz, saying he made it further and higher than anyone thought he could or would, except Miz himself as he thought it, believed it and made it happen. Edge says the big difference between them is Edge fought with every fiber of his being to get this small window back while Miz uses this to get notoriety for his next endeavor, reality show or dance competition while leaving his partners to get fired. Edge says Miz expects respect, while Edge earns it. Miz takes his shades off and they stare each other down. Edge dares Miz to jump so they can do this right now. Edge drops the mic and squares up. Miz asks fans if they want to see he and Edge dance. Miz says, “No!” and drops the mic. Fans boo as Miz and Maryse exit the ring while Edge looks on. Edge’s music starts back up.
– We see how The Street Profits got the upperhand on Omos with a fire extinguisher last week. Sarah Schreiber approaches Omos and AJ Styles backstage now, asking if AJ has any insight into why The Profits used the extinguisher. AJ, wearing sunglasses, asks if this is some kind of cruel joke, did she just ask about insight? AJ says they used the fire extinguisher because they cannot defeat he and Omos. AJ is wearing glasses because he can’t see, and couldn’t see his own reflection in the mirror this morning. This isn’t funny, Omos even had to trim AJ’s beard. AJ says doctors aren’t sure if AJ will regain his vision. AJ says The Street Profits sprayed all kinds of chemicals into his eyes, literally giving him the smoke, but that’s OK because where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and he promises The Profits are going to get burned. AJ and Omos walk off.
The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy
We go back to the ring and out comes The Street Profits – Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Ford is wearing sunglasses to mock AJ Styles. Ford and Dawkins hit the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Alpha Academy’s Otis and Chad Gable are out. The music interrupts and out comes AJ and Omos. Omos has to guide AJ to the announce table as he’s still having trouble with his eyes. Otis and Ford go at it to start. Otis goes to work on Ford and drops him over the top rope. Gable tags in and launches ford out of the corner with a monkey flip. Alpha Academy double teams Ford for another 2 count. Gable with a surfboard submission now. Ford kicks out of another pin attempt. Ford mounts offense and launches in from the apron but Gable catches him in mid-air with a Northern Lights suplex for a 2 count.
AJ knocks Dawkins off the apron and goes back to work on Ford. Otis tags in and goes to work on Ford. Ford fights back out of the corner but Gable tags back in and stops Ford from tagging. Dawkins finally gets the tag and unloads on Gable, then knocks Otis down on the apron. Dawkins with a big overhead suplex on Gable. Otis runs in but Dawkins sends him to the floor. Dawkins with a double underhook suplex to Gable, then a big splash into the corner and a Spinebuster. Ford tags in and goes to the top but Alpha Academy pulls Dawkins to the floor, launching him into the barrier.
Ford leaps to the floor and takes both opponents down. Ford goes to the top but AJ, suddenly able to see, leaps to the apron for a distraction. Ford kicks AJ away but this allows Gable to leap up onto the top turnbuckle with Ford. Ford counters and knocks Gable to the mat, then hits the big Frogsplash for the pin to win.
Winners: The Street Profits
– After the match, The Profits stand tall as the music hits. Omos stands over AJ at ringside and checks on him as we go to replays.
– Vince McMahon and Austin Theory are backstage in Vince’s office now. Vince asks Theory what he thought of AJ Styles’ surprise. Theory says it was pretty good but Vince thinks it was horrible, you could see it coming from a mile away. Vince says The Profits probably saw that coming from a mile away. Vince tells Theory to be more attentive, and to look at him when Vince is talking to him.
– We see how Dana Brooke won the WWE 24/7 Title last week. Brooke is backstage talking with Reggie now.
WWE United States Title Match: Apollo Crews vs. Damian Priest
We go back to the ring and out comes WWE United States Champion Damian Priest for a title defense. Priest hits the ring and poses as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Seth Rollins approaches Kevin Owens backstage, calling him a liar and teasing him over what Adam Pearce said earlier about the WWE Day 1 main event. Owens insists he’s not lying, and he will be added to the WWE Title match if he wins tonight. Rollins taunts him some more and Owens walks off. We go back to the ring and Priest waits as Apollo Crews makes his way out with Commander Azeez. The bell rings and they go at it.
Crews shows Priest up and taunts him. They go at it again and Priest grounds Crews by his arm. Crews fights back and retreats to the floor for a breather. Priest follows but Azeez gets in his way. Crews takes advantage of the distraction and leaps off the apron with a flying knee to the face to take Priest down at ringside. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Crews is in control. Crews with a big modified powerbomb and a standing moonsault for a close 2 count. Priest fights back from his knees now but Crews keeps throwing strikes. Priest stuns Crews and barely connects with a kick to the head. Priest with a springboard knee to the face for a 2 count.
Azeez shows some frustration at ringside now. Crews fights back and hits an enziguri to the side of the head. Priest comes right back and levels Crews with a big strike. Priest with a Cliffhanger DDT for another close 2 count. Crews goes to the floor for a breather. Priest runs the ropes to leap out but he puts the brakes on when Azeez pulls Crews out of the way. Priest re-groups and leaps back to the floor, taking Crews out.
Priest brings Crews back in but Azeez takes Priest’s legs out while the referee isn’t looking. The referee actually saw something fishy, and ejects Azeez from ringside. Crews and Azeez argue with the referee now. Priest is seething as he’s snapped now. He hulks up, rushes back into the ring and unloads on Crews in the corner. Priest knocks Crews to the apron and nails the South of Heaven from the apron back into the ring. Priest follows up with The Reckoning for the pin to retain.
Winner: Damian Priest
– After the match, Priest stands tall as the music hits.
– Seth Rollins approaches Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce backstage, telling them how Kevin Owens is still going around lying about WWE Day 1. Rollins thinks it’s a bad look for RAW and they should do something about it. Pearce brings up how Deville thought Owens’ lie was a good idea, and he agrees. Rollins is furious now. Rollins rants about how the Day 1 title shot is his match, and Pearce lied to him. Rollins seethes and walks off.
Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio vs. Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
We go back to the ring and out comes Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio for tag team action. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander are out as The Mysterios wait in the ring. Shelton and Dominik go at it now, tangling as Cedric and Rey cheer them on. Dominik with a big takedown from the corner. Shelton man-handles Dominik some and puts him down. Cedric tags in as Shelton hits a suplex on Dominik.
Cedric launches himself in from the apron with a senton for a 2 count. Cedric goes for a suplex but Dominik counters for a 2 count. Cedric with a big clothesline in response. Cedric with a suplex for a 1 count. Shelton tags back in and kicks Dominik as Cedric holds his arm. Shelton taunts Rey and goes for a back suplex but Dominik counters and rocks him. Rey tags in and unloads on Shelton, coming in from the top. Rey with a hurricanrana. Rey gets taken to the corner with an elbow to the gut.
Cedric tags in for the double team but Rey fights back and nails a dropkick for a 2 count. Rey counters Cedric again and launches him into the ropes for a 619. Rey tags in Dominik and he charges but Shelton gets in the way.
Dominik sends Shelton into the ropes next to Cedric and The Mysterios hit a double 619. Dominik goes to the top while Rey takes Shelton down at ringside with a senton. Dominik nails the Frogsplash to Cedric for the pin to win.
Winners: The Mysterios
– After the match, father and son embrace in the middle of the ring as the music hits. We go to replays.
– We see what happened earlier between Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch. The 10-woman match is coming up.
RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Doudrop, Tamina Snuka, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina Vega and Carmella vs. Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H. and WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke
We go back to the ring and out comes Liv Morgan, new WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. They head to the ring together as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and we get the SmackDown Breakdown video with a recap from last Friday’s SmackDown on FOX. We go back to the ring and out comes RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Doudrop, Tamina Snuka, and the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions – Queen Zelina Vega and Carmella. The two teams talk things over and it will be Becky starting off with Liv. Carmella has her assistants put her protective face mask on. Becky approaches but Liv rocks her in the face. Becky swings and misses, then Liv dropkicks her.
Liv with a high knee in the corner to keep control. Liv drops Becky again but misses a Hip Attack in the corner. Becky unloads and beats Liv down in the corner now. More back and forth now. Carmella comes in but Liv unloads. Carmella drops Liv and shows off some, dancing around. Ripley tags in and chases Carmella to the corner. Queen Zelina tags in. Vega and Ripley go at it now. Carmella tags back in but now the heels all enter to surround Ripley. Ripley gets beat down as her partners watch from the apron.
Ripley fights back from the mat and is now along with Tamina. Tamina drops her and then levels her again with a headbutt. Tamina grounds Ripley with a headlock in the middle of the ring now. Ripley fights up and out but Tamina goes for the Samoan Drop. Ripley slides out and rocks Tamina with a big clothesline. Nikki tags in, and she tags in Dana, who tags in Liv. Belair also comes in.
The babyfaces surround Tamina now. Tamina swings but Belair ducks and grabs her for the KOD. The heels rush in to pull Tamina off Belair’s shoulders. Fans boo as the heels bring Tamina to the floor. Team Becky regroups at ringside as Team Liv talks trash from the ring. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Doudrop slams Nikki in the middle of the ring, then grounds her. Nikki fights to her feet and elbows out but Doudrop pulls her into a big clothesline. Nikki keeps swinging but Doudrop drops her with ease again. Doudrop sends Nikki into the turnbuckles. Becky tags in but Doudrop slams Nikki before she takes over. Becky taunts her opponents, then drops a leg and then an elbow onto Nikki. Becky misses a shot as Nikki moves. Carmella tags in and quickly rushes to stop Nikki from tagging out. Carmella takes Nikki to the corner and unloads with back elbows as Liv seethes on the apron.
Nikki fights out of the corner but Carmella keeps pounding on her. Nikki kicks out just in time. Carmella grounds Nikki with another headlock as Team Liv begins to rally on the apron. Nikki with a jawbreaker to Carmella. Ripley tags in and levels Carmella with a clothesline. Carmella goes down and sells a face injury as the referee checks on her. Ripley isn’t buying it. Becky comes in and Ripley drops her with a headbutt. Doudrop gets knocked out of the ring by Ripley. Ripley grabs Carmella again and takes her down but misses the basement dropkick. Carmella counters with a drop toe hold and the Code of Silence submission to Ripley but Brooke makes the save.
Brooke hits Carmella but Vega takes her out. Nikki takes out Vega with a swinging neckbreaker. Tamina with a Samoan Drop to Nikki. Belair attacks Tamina but Doudrop slams her, then misses the splash. This leads to Becky dropping Liv from behind with a modified DDT. Ripley attacks and sends Becky to the floor, then goes for the Riptide on Carmella but Carmella escapes and superkicks her for a close 2 count. Carmella sits up in frustration as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Dana is fighting off Tamina, then some of her other opponents from the corner. Dana escapes Tamina and in comes Liv. Liv unloads and knocks some opponents off the apron. Liv unloads on Tamina but flies in for a crossbody and is smacked out of the air. Liv with a Codebreaker for a close 2 count to Tamina as Becky makes the save. Nikki takes out Becky to the floor with a crossbody.
Doudrop levels Nikki at ringside with a big clothesline. Doudrop scoops Nikki at ringside but Ripley makes the save and beats her down. Dana and Vega are on the top rope now. Carmella comes up to help Vega but Ripley tries to help Dana and gets knocked to the floor. Brooke ends up knocked to the floor onto a small group of Superstars at ringside. Liv briefly goes at it with Carmella and Vega.
Liv knocks Becky off the apron but turns around to a big superkick from Tamina. Liv kicks out just in time and Tamina can’t believe it. Liv blocks a Samoan Drop and drives the knee into Tamina’s back, then catches her with Ob-Livion for the pin to win.
Winners: Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Bianca Belair and Dana Brooke
– After the bell, Becky immediately rushes the ring and unloads on Liv. Doudrop attacks Belair in the ring. Carmella takes out Ripley, sending her into the barrier. Belair with a big Spinebuster to Doudrop in the middle of the ring. The chaos continues in and out of the ring. Liv blocks the Man-Handle Slam and drops the champ with Ob-Livion in the middle of the ring. Liv kicks Becky to the floor and then stands tall in the middle of the ring with Brooke, Ripley, Nikki and Belair. Becky rants at ringside, wondering where her title is at.
– Vince McMahon and Austin Theory are backstage. Vince asks Theory if he thinks Becky Lynch’s team expected what happened, and he didn’t. Vince says you have to expect the unexpected. Vince goes on about surprises, and how you can get screwed if a real surprise is coming your way, and Theory understands. Theory is looking to the door of the room it appears, and Vince snaps at him to stop looking that way.
– Big E is backstage with Kevin Patrick getting ready for tonight’s main event. We go back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get another “coming soon” vignette for Veer Mahaan to RAW.
– The announcers lead us to a lengthy video package on Bobby Lashley and his dominance.
– Kevin Patrick is backstage with WWE Champion Big E. Patrick asks if there’s any added pressure over Kevin Owens possibly being added to the WWE Day 1 title defense with Seth Rollins. Big E simply says no and walks off, but comes right back and says he fears no man, and fears no Kevin. He understands it would be harder to retain if there are two challengers, but once he beats Owens tonight and rids himself of this duplicitous scourge, it will be he and Rollins, man vs. man at WWE Day 1, and best believe he plans to kick off 2022 with a bang by retaining his WWE Title. Big E walks off.
WWE Champion Big E vs. Kevin Owens
We go back to the ring for tonight’s non-title main event as Kevin Owens makes his way out. If Owens wins this bout, he will be added to the WWE Title match at the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view on New Year’s Day. Owens hits the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and announced for RAW Talk are Liv Morgan, The Mysterios and WWE United States Champion Damian Priest. We go back to Vince McMahon’s office, where the WWE Chairman is with Austin Theory. Vince asks Theory if he’s enjoyed himself and Theory has, adding that he’s had a great time being in Vince’s office. What has Theory learned? Theory says he’s learned to expect the unexpected and be prepared for surprises. They get up to say goodbye and goodnight but Vince connects with a big slap to the face, putting Theory right back down in his seat. Vince also sits back down and says Theory has a lot to learn. We go back to the ring and out comes WWE Champion Big E to a pop. The music interrupts before the match can begin and out comes Seth Rollins to join the announcers for commentary.
The bell rings and they start swinging. Big E beats Owens down in the corner until the referee backs him off. Owens mounts offense now, beating Big E down and kicking him in the head. They run the ropes and Big E levels Owens with an uppercut for a 2 count. Big E takes it back to the corner and beats Owens down some more. Big E counters and shoves Owens out to the floor. Big E follows and sends Owens into the barrier, then face-first into the announce table as Rollins cheers Big E on.
Big E brings the fight back into the ring, beating down his opponent. Big E with a quick roll-up for 2. Owens fights back and kicks Big E in the gut, then takes out the leg with a chop block from behind. Owens talks some trash and yells out for a mixed reaction. Owens drops an elbow into Big E’s hurt knee and works him over, keeping him grounded and working on the knee. Owens talks some trash while on the mat but Big E starts to fight free. Owens gets up and hits a senton into the hurt knee. Big E hangs in there but Owens keeps him down with more strikes. Big E gets up and rocks Owens into the corner but Owens kicks him, then levels him with a clothesline for 2. Owens continues to focus on the hurt leg. Big E blocks a Figure Four and kicks Owens out of the ring. Rollins chants for Big E and taunts Owens. Owens slaps Rollins in the face, sending his headset flying. Owens returns to the ring and taunts Rollins as he comes to the apron but the referee stops him. Owens talks trash to Rollins while Rollins seethes and goes back to the announce table. Owens turns back around and blocks Big E with a clothesline.
Owens goes to the top but Big E jumps up and cuts him off. Big E slams Owens head-first into the turnbuckle, then clotheslines him on the apron. Big E beats on Owens while he’s flat on the apron. Big E runs the apron and delivers the big apron splash for a pop. Big E returns to the ring to capitalize but Owens sweeps his leg out. Big E is briefly distracted with Rollins at ringside, which leads to Owens dropping him into the steps with a DDT. We go back to commercial with Owens in control of the champ.
Back from the break and Owens has Big E grounded in the middle of the ring with a headlock. Big E fights up and out with strikes to the gut. Owens rocks him and charges but Big E turns him inside out. Big E approaches but Owens sends him face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Owens with a big chop in the corner, and another. Owens takes Big E to the top for a superplex but Big E resists. Owens keeps fighting and delivers the superplex. Big E kicks out just in time.
Owens grounds Big E in the middle of the ring now. Big E fights to his feet, fighting out of the hold. Owens rocks him and taunts him. Owens charges but Big E catches him in a big belly-to-belly suplex, and another. Big E with a third straight suplex as fans cheer him on. Big E runs the ropes and hits the big splash in the middle of the ring but Owens gets his knees up. Owens with a senton but Big E gets his knees up. Big E runs the ropes once again and hits time nails the splash. Owens kicks out at 2.
Fans rally for Big E now. He grabs Owens but gets rocked. They trade strikes. Big E goes for the Spear to the apron but runs into a knee from Owens. Owens sends Big E to the corner and hits the cannonball for another close 2 count. They trade big strikes in the middle of the ring now. Owens superkicks Big E for another close pin attempt. Owens charges but Big E catches him with the Uranage for another close call. Big E goes for the Big Ending but it’s blocked and Owens rolls him up for a 2 count. Owens comes right back with the sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count. Owens is frustrated now. Owens goes to the top for the Frogsplash but h e changes his mind and runs over to the announce table to attack Rollins.
Owens unloads on Rollins and beats him up in his chair. Owens comes back to the apron and fights Big E off. Big E blocks the Stunner but Owens superkicks him. Big E comes right back with a clothesline to drop Owens. Rollins suddenly hits the ring and attacks Owens for the disqualification.
Winner by DQ: Kevin Owens
– After the bell, Rollins continues stomping and pounding on Owens. Owens goes to the floor as Big E gets back up. Rollins then superkicks Big E and follows up with a Stomp in the middle of the ring. Rollins stands tall and looks out but it’s announced that Owens wins by DQ, and is added to the WWE Title match at Day 1. Owens celebrates on the ramp as Rollins snaps and seethes in the ring. Owens taunts Rollins from the stage as RAW goes off the air.
Follow Marc on Twitter at @this_is_marc. Send any news, tips or corrections to us by clicking here.