WWE Monday Night RAW Results 12/25/23
WWE Headquarters
Stamford, Connecticut
You can follow me on Twitter @TheHootsPodcast
Commentators: (Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond)
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
Transcription by Josh Lopez
The Miz Monologue
This is it? Really? I expected more glamor. This is The Miz we’re talking about. I expected more production value. Now, that’s more like it. Let’s make this more must see. Now, this is a set fitting of a night filled with spectacle. Ladies and gentlemen, on this very special episode of Monday Night Raw, we relive all the monumental moments that defined 2023, a year like any other in WWE history. And who better to start off this evening than the A-Lister, himself. The most must see WWE Superstar of all time. The man that ignored the Oscars because he was too busy hosting this year’s WrestleMania. It’s my intro, I can say whatever I want. None other than yours truly, The Miz. I’ve seen every blockbuster known to man, but this year in WWE, it eclipsed it all. We’re talking about every genre you can choose from. Drama, edge of your seat action, like when Cody Rhodes fought Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. We saw a gripping revenge tale as Rhea Ripley met Charlotte Flair on the grandest stage of them all. Logan Paul and Ricochet took to the skies in an earth-shattering showdown.
A timeless classic was reborn as Becky Lynch battled Trish Stratus. We charged on the battlefield. We even saw a crossover event that stole the show. Who’s running the show back there? That moment wasn’t approved, I was talking about Bad Bunny starring in his breakthrough role. Our hero’s shine, our villains reign, and our emotions surged. Make sure to stick around to the end, because even we can hit you with a post credit scene, Pipe Bomb. This isn’t some forgettable sequel that you can skip. Tonight, we relieve 52 weeks, 365 epic days of heart pounding action that only WWE can deliver. So, go ahead, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to witness WWE at its absolute best. This is Raw, the absolute best of 2023, and it is awesome.
INTRO
Jackie Redmond: Well, Merry Christmas everybody, and welcome to Raw: The Absolute Best Of 2023. We are so excited to spend Christmas day with you. I’m Jackie Redmond alongside my good friend, the one and only, Peter Rosenberg. Peter, what a way to kick off the show. I felt like Miz was Santa Claus, just delivering present after present with everything that he’s promised on the show.
Peter Rosenberg: I know, and our stockings are indeed full. We got gifts for everybody. In addition to everything The Miz promised, we have a sleigh ride of guests. A slew of interviews with Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Becky Lynch, the list goes on and on.
Jackie Redmond: I’m so excited for all of it. In a short while, we’ll have our first guest of the evening. You can say he’s kind of a big deal, I mean, he’s only the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Freakin’ Rollins.
Peter Rosenberg: But before we talk to the champion, let’s turn back the clock to May of this year. WWE Night Of Champions. A battle between two of the best in the business. Seth Rollins and AJ Styles, as they vie to become the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.
First Match: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles In The Finals Of The World Heavyweight Championship Tournament (WWE Night Of Champions 2023)
Rollins is playing mind games with Styles. Styles dropkicks Rollins. Styles clotheslines Rollins over the top rope. Rollins scurries back into the ring. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Rollins applies a side headlock. Styles whips Rollis across the ring. Styles leapfrogs over Rollins. Styles drops down on the canvas. We have a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Rollins ducks a clothesline from Styles. Rollins with The SlingBlade. Rollins with a Flying Knee Strike off the ring apron. Rollins rolls Styles back into the ring. Rollins goes for a Running Knee Strike, but Styles ducks out of the way. Rollins with a back heel kick for a two count. Rollins with clubbing blows to Styles back. Styles drives Rollins back first into the turnbuckles. Styles with clubbing shoulder blocks. Following a snap mare takeover, Styles with a knee drop. Styles kicks Rollins in the back. Styles applies a rear chin lock. Rollins reverses out of the irish whip from Styles. Styles dives over Rollins.
Styles with three knife edge chops. Rollins catches Styles in mid-air. Rollins with a Flatliner into the middle turnbuckle pad. Rollins drives Styles face first into another turnbuckle pad. Rollins with The BuckleBomb. Rollins with The Frog Splash for a two count. Forearm Exchange. Styles delivers The Phenomenal Blitz. Rollins thrust kicks the midsection of Styles. Rollins with Kawada Kicks. Styles fires back with repeated headbutts. Rollins ducks a clothesline from Styles. Rollins with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Rollins avoids The Pele Kick. Rollins SuperKicks Styles. Rollins stomps on the right hand of Styles. Rollins blocks The Styles Clash. Styles with The Pele Kick. Styles drops Rollins with The Pedigree for a two count. Styles rocks Rollins with a forearm smash. Styles goes for The Phenomenal Forearm, but Rollins counters with a SuperKick. Rollins left knee gives out. Styles goes for The Calf Crusher, but Rollins counters with The Pedigree. Rollins connects with The Curb Stomp to pickup the victory.
Winner: New World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins via Pinfall
Seth Rollins Interview
Jackie Redmond: Seth, first of all, we want to wish you, Becky, and Roux a merry Christmas. I would imagine that Roux is at the age now where she really understands what’s going on and gets hyped.
Seth Rollins: Oh, she loves it. She loves Christmas, Santa, Frosty, Rudolph. The whole deal, she digs it, man. It’s fantastic to be here, watch her open her gifts, and get into the magic of Christmas.
Peter Rosenberg: I reference that World Heavyweight Championship around your waist, it’s currently over your shoulder, of course. What did it mean to be the first ever World Heavyweight Champion?
Seth Rollins: It’s been the honor of my career to be the first World Heavyweight Champion. To bring a championship to Raw, and to give people opportunities to guys who were stuck under that glass ceiling for a long time, because that’s what it’s about, that’s how you grow. If you don’t have anything to aim for in this business, if you can’t have a goal to set, you’re going to stagnate, and I’m not just here for the business of Seth Rollins, I’m in the business of making this place to be as good as it possibly can be. That’s why I wanted this title. That’s why I’m proud to be a champion. And that’s why I’m proud to give those opportunities to guys like Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, hell, even Bron Breakker, Damian Priest, you name it, I’ve done it, I fought them all, and I can’t wait to keep defending the title.
Peter Rosenberg: Well, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, Seth, but one of the bigger stories in WWE this past year was the return of CM Punk. It has become clear that you’re not a huge fan of CM Punk. I got to ask you, I’ve been wanting to ask this since it happened, at that moment during Survivor Series, when you heard CM Punk’s music, what ran through your head?
Seth Rollins: Oh, man, it was such a mixture of emotions. Rage, disappointment, but also like you kind of knew it was coming. When you hear it, was almost like a bit of disbelief, like you have seen a ghost, you know, but a ghost you want to punch in the mouth.
Jackie Redmond: My follow up question is, you know, what would it take for CM Punk to earn your respect or is that impossible at this point? Is there no getting there?
Seth Rollins: I don’t know, man, we’ve got a long road to get to that point. It’s been ten years of him doing the opposite of earning my respect. I had a lot of respect for that guy. I put him on a pedestal in a lot of ways. And for me, he was the epitome of never meet your heroes, that old saying, because they will always disappoint you. That’s what it’s been for me for the last ten years. It’s just a series of disappointments, over and over again. I’ve known the guys for two decades. It’s been a while twenty years for him to get to a point where he can earn my respect again. I don’t want to say it’s Mount Everest, because I don’t think that it would be doing it justice, to be honest with you. It’s going to be a long road for me to get there.
Jackie Redmond: I’m sure you’re already tired of talking about CM Punk, so let me ask you about Drew McIntyre. What is his problem, because you got a big match coming up with him?
Seth Rollins: So, here’s the thing about Drew, a lot of what he has been saying is not wrong. And I understand where he’s coming from, I understand his approach, I understand what he wants out of the deal, but the problem is that he’s got to beat me for the World Heavyweight Championship. Right now, I dare say, I’m operating at a level that’s simply untouchable. So, I don’t care what version of Drew McIntyre we got at Day 1. It really doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is that he’s got to get in the ring, he’s got to find a way to beat me if he wants to get what he wants, and I just don’t think that he could do it. I’m feeling like I can’t be beat. I’m feeling untouchable. So, Drew, I hope you bring the best out of me, you always do. I’ll bring the best out of you, and still, even though you are a jerk, no Merry Christmas to you. I hope the best man wins.
– There was a brief conversation about the arrival of Jade Cargill. Rosenberg says that Cargill shines bright like a diamond.
Second Match: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley For The SmackDown Women’s Championship (WrestleMania 39: Night One)
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Charlotte applies a wrist lock. Charlotte toys around with Ripley. Charlotte applies a side headlock. Ripley whips Charlotte across the ring. Charlotte runs into Ripley. Ripley drops Charlotte with a shoulder tackle. Charlotte drops down on the canvas. Charlotte goes for a Hip Toss, but Ripley blocks it. Charlotte ducks a clothesline from Ripley. Charlotte clotheslines Ripley over the top rope. Ripley regroups on the outside. That leads us to a quick shoving contest. Charlotte with a knife edge chop. Ripley drives Charlotte back first into the turnbuckles. Ripley with clubbing shoulder blocks. Charlotte with forearm shivers. Ripley reverses out of the irish whip from Charlotte. Charlotte kicks Ripley in the face. Charlotte with a Flying Crossbody Block.
Back Elbow Exchange. Charlotte with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Ripley catches Charlotte in mid-air. Ripley dumps Charlotte face first on the top turnbuckle pad. Ripley applies a waist lock. Charlotte with three sharp elbow strikes. Charlotte drops Ripley with The Big Boot for a two count. Charlotte blasts Ripley off the ring apron. Charlotte lands The Orihara MoonSault. Charlotte rolls Ripley back into the ring. Charlotte with a double leg takedown. Ripley blocks The Figure Eight. Ripley avoids The Spear. Ripley HeadButts Charlotte. Ripley hits The Rip Tide for a two count. Ripley applies The Prism Trap. Charlotte grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Charlotte Spears Ripley for a two count. Ripley blocks The SuperPlex. Charlotte with a blistering chop. Ripley slams Charlotte’s head on the top of the steel ring post. Ripley connects with The Avalanche Rip Tide to pickup the victory.
Winner: New WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley via Pinfall
– Logan Paul Video Package.
Rhea Ripley Promo
2023, the year Rhea Ripley and The Judgment Day took over Monday Night Raw. Anyone who tried to step in my path found themselves eradicated. As the calendar flips to 2024, and we head to Day 1, another fool thinks that they can step up to me. Ivy Nile, you’re going to discover what every other woman on this roster already knows. This is my division, and you are nothing in my world.
Third Match: Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest In A San Juan Street Fight (WWE Backlash 2023)
Priest shoves down Bunny. Priest poses for the crowd. Priest backs Bunny into the turnbuckles. Priest is playing mind games with Bunny. Bunny slaps Priest in the face. Bunny ducks a clothesline from Priest. Bunny drops Priest with The Michinoku Driver for a one count. Bunny scurries out of the ring. Bunny grabs two kendo sticks. Priest with a gut punch. Priest breaks the kendo stick in half. Priest rocks Bunny with a forearm smash. Priest bodyslams Bunny. Priest kicks Bunny in the face. Priest applies a wrist lock. Bunny is throwing haymakers at Priest. Priest hammers down on the left shoulder of Bunny. Bunny rakes the eyes of Priest. Bunny with rapid fire haymakers. Priest drives his knee into the midsection of Bunny.
Bunny decks Priest with a JawBreaker. Bunny transitions into a corner mount. Bunny with The Sunset Flip for a one count. Priest answers with two elbow strikes. Priest follows that with The South Of Heaven Chokeslam for a two count. Priest and Bunny are brawling in the crowd. Haymaker Exchange. Priest with The Broken Arrow through a production table. Priest brings Bunny back to the ringside area. Priest with clubbing mid-kicks. Priest accidentally kicks the steel ring post. Bunny attacks Priest with the kendo stick. Bunny blocks a boot from Priest. Bunny hyperextends the left knee of Priest. Bunny grabs a steel chair. The Judgment Day gangs up on Bunny. Rey Mysterio and Carlito storm into the ring to make the save. Savio Vega tees off on Dominik Mysterio. Bunny delivers multiple chair shots. Bunny connects with The Bunny Destroyer to pickup the victory.
Winner: Bad Bunny via Pinfall
– The New Day talked about the biggest meat slapping competitors of 2023.
Fourth Match: GUNTHER (c) vs. Chad Gable For The WWE Intercontinental Championship (RAW, September 4, 2023)
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Gunther flings Gable to the corner. Side Headlock Takeover/Headscissors Escape. Gable grabs the left ankle of Gunther. Gable avoids the knife edge chop. Gable fires off a chop of his own. Gunther runs after Gable. Gable repeatedly dropkicks Gunther off the ring apron. Gunther regroups on the outside. Gunther with a side headlock takedown. Gunther goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Gable lands back on his feet. Gable with two side headlock takeovers. Gunther viciously brings Gable down to the mat. Gunther applies The Boston Crab. Gable grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Gunther repeatedly kicks Gable in the chest. Chop Exchange. Gunther uppercuts Gable. Gable with forearm shivers. Gunther bodyslams Gable. Gunther kicks Gable in the back. Gunther stomps on Gable’s face. Gable heads to the outside. Gable with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on the middle rope. Gable applies a Hanging Knee Bar.
Gable with a chop block. Gunther drops Gable with The Big Boot for a two count. Gable with heavy bodyshots. Gunther answers with a blistering chop. Gunther talks smack to Gable. Gunther fish hooks Gable. Gunther with an elbow smash. Second Chop Exchange. Gable is pissed. Gable is lighting up Gunther’s chest. Gunther drives Gable back first into the top turnbuckle pad. Gunther with an overhand chop. Gunther is choking Gable with his boot. Gable spills to the floor. Gable is throwing haymakers at Gunther. Gable with a knife edge chop. Gunther answers with a Belly to Back Suplex on the ringside barricade. Gunther rolls Gable back into the ring. Gunther goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Gable lands back on his feet. Gable goes for a German Suplex, but Gunther blocks it. Gunther floors Gable with another chop. Gunther is choking Gable with his knee. Third Chop Exchange. Gable with a forearm smash. Gable with a double throat thrust. Gunther holds onto the ropes. Gunther applies a guillotine choke. Gable walks into another chop. Gunther with The Big Boot.
Gunther goes for a PowerBomb, but Gable lands back on his feet. Gunther is raining down palm strikes. Gunther goes for a PowerBomb, but Gable counters with a Headscissors Takeover to the floor. Gable ducks a clothesline from Gunther. Gable with a German Suplex on the floor. Gable rolls Gunther back into the ring. Gunther PowerBombs Gable for a two count. Gable puts Gunther on the top turnbuckle. Gable with forearm shivers. Gunther answers with an overhand chop. Gable with The SuperPlex. Gable lands The Diving HeadButt for a two count. Gable applies The Ankle Lock. Gunther uses his feet to create separation. Gunther blocks The Chaos Theory. Gable blocks The PowerBomb. Gable with a Saito Suplex. Gable connects with The Chaos Theory for a two count. Gunther blocks The MoonSault. Gable reapplies The Ankle Lock. Gunther repeatedly kicks Gable in the face. Gunther applies The Sleeper Hold. Gable rolls Gunther over for a two count. Gunther with The Sleeper Suplex. Gunther PowerBombs Gable. Gunther plants Gable with The Lariat to pickup the victory.
Winner: Still WWE Intercontinental Champion, GUNTHER via Pinfall
Paul Heyman Promo
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And in this holiday season of tradition and celebration, let us all take a moment to properly acknowledge, Roman Reigns. In his 1,212th day as the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, following unmatched dominance across both 2021 and 2022, it’s now a three peat for your Tribal Chief with yet another full calendar year, standing alone a top of WWE in 2023. And looking back, what a monumental 365 days the leader of The Bloodline had. Royally solving The KO Problem. Eliminating Montreal’s hometown hero. Crushing the dream, the Hollywood ending to the story of The American Nightmare. Outshining a self-proclaim megastar, and showing the world who the real crown jewel is. Engaging in Tribal Combat against his miserable, rotten, ungrateful, former right-hand man, proving he, Roman Reigns, is the one, the only one that sits at the head of the table.
Everyone who stepped up to challenge Roman Reigns and his Bloodline fell in 2023, including a 16-time world champion at the hands of the Tribal Heir, Solo Sikoa. And as Special Counsel to your Tribal Chief, I offer not predictions, but spoilers for the next twelve months. There will be no challengers unseating the true goat of sports entertainment. And I don’t care if you’re phenomenal or a legend killer or someone who just can’t stop saying the word yeah. But before I go, The Wise Man will bestow some wisdom upon on you. And I would like to present each and every single one of you this holiday season, an important reminder that 2024 is a leap year, which means the gift of one extra day to acknowledge your reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns.
Cody Rhodes Interview
Cody Rhodes: Merry Christmas to the both of you guys. Happy Holidays. As you mentioned, the 2024 Royal Rumble is coming up. I’m looking to go back-to-back, Peter.
Jackie Redmond: I want to ask you about Christmas. You’re taking time away from your family to do this interview with us, how into the festive spirit do you and the family get?
Cody Rhodes: It’s Christmas pretty much all of November and December. We’re very into all of the things. No procrastination. We had our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Brandi has taken Liberty to Santa, not once, not twice, but now three times, and the magic of spoiling, it’s big in our house.
Peter Rosenberg: Cody, me and thousands of others will see you tomorrow at MSG for the WWE Holiday Tour, and it got me thinking about your dad. What do you remember about Christmas as a kid, and how often was Dusty around during Christmas?
Cody Rhodes: So, it was explained to me early on in my household that Christmas was not only the day that, you know, Santa would come delivers gifts, but it was a huge show day. And now, with the Holiday Tour that the WWE has, it’s just changed, just slightly. It’s the day after Christmas. You mentioned Madison Square Garden, where we’re going to be tomorrow night. The Mecca. Can’t beat it.
Jackie Redmond: I want to ask you about Shinsuke Nakamura, because he had a gift for you, a few weeks ago on Monday Night Raw when he spit in your face. Where do you stand with Shinsuke, right now?
Cody Rhodes: Prior to this, I had the highest regard for Shinsuke Nakamura, but I think the respect has been altered, a bit, considering how he’s been approaching this. And there’s this fun psychological element to all of this because I was terrified of The Great Muta and the mist when I was a little kid. But I felt the mist, and he’s received a receipt or two at this point. If anything, the respect is still there, but it’s become a bit more personal than you would like a match during the holiday’s to be, but that’s okay. If it’s personal, then it’s personal. We’ll be able to settle this no matter how long this takes.
Peter Rosenberg: This is not the first time, Cody, that someone who you really didn’t have a problem with, all of sudden have a problem with you. Let’s go back to right after WrestleMania, when all of a sudden, you’re in the middle in a place that nobody wants to be. How did you feel about your unplanned trip to Suplex City? And what did you learn from going through the trenches with Brock Lesnar?
Cody Rhodes: I would say is that what I learned from a trip to Suplex City is that I never want to go back. I enjoyed my time, because I was able to do something that was surreal in the fact that I was able to beat Brock Lesnar, not once, but twice. And to win that rubber match at SummerSlam in Ford Field. But you said it, Peter, I had one thing one my mind since I came back, and everybody has something else in mind to be a bit of a curveball, to be a little bit detour on what I would assume be a straight road.
Jackie Redmond: Did you have a favorite moment from the last year that kind of stands out to you?
Cody Rhodes: I’ve had a lot of unbelievable memories in this last year. Winning the 2023 Royal Rumble, as far as professionally, an amazing memory the Rumble was. I would say that another top moment from me this year was the post-match press conference at Fastlane with Jey Uso. I love it because it was really unexpected. I always try to be polished and ready and straight forward when I do those press conferences, but it was so much fun. I’m glad we were able to have that moment.
Fifth Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (WWE SummerSlam 2023)
Rhodes with a flurry of strikes after the bell rings. Lesnar with a German Suplex. Rhodes slams Lesnar’s head on the top rope. Rhodes kicks Lesnar in the gut. Rhodes with a drop down uppercut. Rhodes with Two Disaster Kicks. Lesnar swats Rhodes out of mid-air. Lesnar drives Rhodes back first into the turnbuckles. Lesnar with clubbing shoulder blocks. Rhodes sends Lesnar shoulder first into the steel ring post. Rhodes lands The Suicide Dive. Rhodes with a forearm smash. Rhodes punches Lesnar in the back. Lesnar drives Rhodes back first into the steel ring post. Lesnar punches Rhodes in the back. Lesnar rolls Rhodes back into the ring. Lesnar with a double leg takedown. Lesnar pulls Rhodes out of the ring. Lesnar delivers The F5 on the floor. Rhodes gets back in the ring at the count of eight. Lesnar tells Rhodes to bring it. Rhodes with rapid fire haymakers. Lesnar answers with a German Suplex. Lesnar with The F5 through the announce table.
Rhodes avoids the referee’s ten count. Rhodes struggles to get back on his feet. Lesnar tells Rhodes to stay down. Rhodes with heavy bodyshots. Lesnar with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Rhodes removes the top turnbuckle pad. Lesnar with a Release German Suplex. The action spills to the outside. Rhodes blocks The F5. Rhodes repeatedly drives Lesnar shoulder first into the ring post. Rhodes attacks Lesnar with the steel ring steps. Rhodes with The Disaster Kick. Rhodes hits The Cody Cutter. Rhodes drops Lesnar with The Super Cody Cutter for a two count. Rhodes goes for The CrossRhodes, but Lesnar counters with The Kimura Lock. Rhodes refuses to quit. Lesnar goes for The F5, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Rhodes drives Lesnar face first into the exposed steel. Rhodes applies The Kimura Lock. Lesnar transitions into a ground and pound attack. Lesnar goes for The F5, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Rhodes connects with Three CrossRhodes to pickup the victory. After the match, Rhodes shakes hands with Lesnar.
Winner: Cody Rhodes via Pinfall
Becky Lynch Interview
Jackie Redmond: Becky, Merry Christmas.
Becky Lynch: Merry Christmas to you guys, I hope you’re having a good one.
Jackie Redmond: Becky, we were speaking to Seth earlier, and he was telling us how festive your household has gotten with Roux now at the age of 3. How exciting has it been, and more importantly, who does the bulk of the Christmas work in your house?
Becky Lynch: Yeah, he didn’t try to take credit for that, did he? It’s such teamwork because I’m the buyer, the shopper, the one that goes out and does everything, but he’s the put together, and I’m constantly getting things that need to be put together. He’s got the instructions, and I’m doing a million of other things, he’s very good at that.
Peter Rosenberg: Becky, let’s talk about some things you did in the ring this year. Let’s look back at that NXT Women’s Championship victory. What did it mean to go back to NXT, and do that, as well as the mission you had to give other women on the roster opportunities?
Becky Lynch: I think that’s what it was about more than anything, because it’s one of those things where you want to redeem yourself, you know, from the years previous. People never thought you were going to be a champion, then you go back, and you’re the man, and you’re winning championships. You win the NXT Women’s Championship, and you’re able to gratify your younger self. But really what it was about was seeing what the future holds, and going down there, and giving other women a chance, so that other people you don’t normally get to see, they got an opportunity to showcase what they have. Tegan Nox has been on TV a lot. You saw what Xia Li can do. Indi Hartwell. And there was other people I wanted to step in the ring with, and I didn’t get a chance to. But there’s more time, there’s all of 2024.
Jackie Redmond: In the immediate future you got Nia Jax at Day 1 next week. This is a rivalry that fans wanted to see get reignited for five years.
Becky Lynch: Yeah, it’s been five years in the making. Now, finally, we’re going to step into the ring with each other. She’s going to see that she just can’t keep me down. I’m going to keep getting back up, and that’s what this is all about. That’s what my broken face resembled. It wasn’t just about me bleeding all over the place, it looked cool, I often look cool, but it was about what that symbolized and that you don’t let anything keep you down. You keep getting back up and you fight like hell.
Peter Rosenberg: I got to ask you, another memorable part of 2023 for Becky Lynch was you and Trish Stratus, that rivalry over the summer, which to me, led to the match of the year in a Steel Cage. It was absolutely amazing. Beyond Trish, and everything that she said, what would it mean to a younger Becky Lynch to know that you were going to have that sort of rivalry with Trish Stratus?
Becky Lynch: I think my head would have exploded. I think if you look at the entire year, like, a young me, who idolized Lita, got to win the tag team championships with Lita, and then fight one of the greatest of all time, Trish Stratus. It would’ve made my 15-year-old brain explode.
– Adam Pearce made a special video package to honor the year that Chelsea Green had. It also featured her losing the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Chelsea is completely livid and she’s going to complain to management.
Jey Uso Interview
Jey Uso: Hey, what it do, uce.
Peter Rosenberg: It’s obviously been a crazy year for you. You leave The Bloodline, you come to Raw. The first thing I have to ask, how has Christmas been for Jey Uso?
Jey Uso: How’s Christmas been this year, I mean, it hasn’t been the same like every other year, uce, you know what I’m saying? Got a family feud going on. It’s getting a little bit weird. But we’ll get there.
Jackie Redmond: What was it that Cody Rhodes said that made you want to come back as a member of the Raw roster?
Jey Uso: I mean, just a new start, right. You saw how The Bloodline was each and every single week. Me fighting my own family. Fighting my brothers, fighting my cousin, each and every single week. It just got to me, so I had to dip, man, and then I got a call from Cody Rhodes, right. I was a little bit hesitant to come back, but he convinced me that Cody Rhodes was a day one, too. Knowing him for over 15 years, I mean, I trust Cody. And if it wasn’t for him, I would’ve been chilling on the island somewhere.
Peter Rosenberg: Now, Jey, obviously some people in the Raw locker room was less than receptive to you joining the red brand. You already spoke about Cody, tell me the part that Sami Zayn played in helping you transition to Raw.
Jey Uso: Yeah, Sami made it really easy for me to transition to Raw, uce. I mean, that’s my dog, too. Everyone knows that I didn’t like, I really didn’t like Sami, but it’s really a love and hate relationship. Even now I’m the one who’s texting him all the time. I’m like, where are we going to eat, uce? He loves coffee. I don’t see my dog here if that was the case.
Jackie Redmond: You’re creating your own legacy now. You’re on your own. What lies ahead of you for 2024?
Jey Uso: Man, what lies ahead for Jey Uso in 2024? I mean, I’m reaching for the stars right here. Obviously, I got to handle this Drew McIntyre problem, right. I have some unfinished business with my brothers in The Bloodline. I just want to be me, uce. 2024, I’m just knocking at the door. I just want to be Main Event Jey Uso, have a good year, and I’m just excited.
Sixth Match: The Judgment Day vs. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn In The Men’s WarGames Match (WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023)
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor will start things off. Rollins with a Suicide Dive. Ground and Pound Exchange. Rollins with a chop/haymaker combination. Balor drives his knee into the midsection of Rollins. Rollins repeatedly throws Balor into the cage. Balor begs for mercy. Rollins blocks a boot from Balor. Rollins kicks Balor in the gut. Rollins goes for The BuckleBomb, but Balor lands back on his feet. Balor clotheslines Rollins. Balor repeatedly whips Rollins into the cage. Balor with a knife edge chop. Balor drives Rollins face first into the cage. Balor with The SlingBlade. Balor goes for a Shotgun Dropkick, but Rollins counters with The SuperKick. Rollins goes for The Pedigree, but Balor counters with a Back Body Drop onto the steel grate. Rollins avoids The Coupe De Grace. Rollins with a SlingBlade of his own. Rollins is throwing haymakers at Balor. Rollins with forearm shivers in the corner. Rollins whips Balor into the turnbuckles. Rollins with a running forearm smash. Rollins with a BackBreaker. Rollins follows that with a Running Knee Strike. JD McDonagh is the next entrant.
Rollins kicks McDonagh in the face. Balor with clubbing shoulder blocks. Rollins with a reverse hammer throw into the turnbuckles. McDonagh clocks Rollins with the kendo stick. Balor and McDonagh viciously attack Rollins with the kendo sticks. Rollins kicks Balor in the gut. Rollins decks Balor with a back elbow smash. McDonagh buries his shoulder into the midsection of Rollins. McDonagh with The Quebrada. McDonagh with a knee lift. Double Irish Whip. Judgment Day clotheslines Rollins with the kendo stick. Balor with a flying kendo stick shot across the back of Rollins. Balor is choking Rollins with the kendo stick. Double Suplex to Rollins. Jey Uso is the next entrant. Jey with multiple chair shots to Balor and McDonagh. Jey is throwing haymakers at McDonagh. Jey uppercuts McDonagh. Jey tees off on Balor. McDonagh blocks a boot from Jey. Jey with Two Enzuigiri’s. Jey with a Running Hip Attack to Balor. McDonagh responds with The Standing Spanish Fly. Judgment Day goes for a Double Suplex, but Rollins gets in the way. Stereo SuperKicks. Rollins helps Jey get back on his feet. Jey slams McDonagh’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Rollins transitions into a corner mount. Rollins with a Springboard Double Axe Handle Strike. Jey is choking McDonagh with his boot. Damian Priest is the next entrant.
Priest tells McIntyre to stick to the plan. Priest with clubbing blows to Jey’s back. Rollins drives the chair into Priest’ ribs. A slugfest breaks out in the first ring. Priest attacks Rollins and Jey with a steel baton. Priest with two leping back elbow smashes. Priest with The Broken Arrow. Priest follows that with a Flatliner to Rollins. Priest with a Flying Corkscrew Senton off the top turnbuckle. Priest rocks Rollins with a forearm smash. McDonagh repeatedly stomps on Jey’s chest. Priest is putting the boots to Rollins in the other ring. Balor with clubbing chair shots across Jey’s back. Sami Zayn is the next entrant. Zayn cracks McDonagh with the kendo stick. Zayn slams the cage door into Balor’s face. Zayn rolls a table into the ring. Priest with a forearm smash to Jey. Zayn clotheslines Priest over the top rope. Zayn repeatedly stomps on Priest’s chest. Zayn is fired up. Zayn drops McDonagh with The Blue Thunder Bomb. Zayn climbs up the cage. McDonagh attacks Zayn from behind. McDonagh gets crotched on the top rope. Zayn attacks Judgment Day with a steel pipe. Zayn kicks Balor in the gut. Zayn with rapid fire haymakers. Jey transitions into a ground and pound attack. Rollins and Zayn gangs up on McDonagh. Zayn whips Balor with the kendo stick. Rollins drives Balor face first into the chair. Drew McIntyre is the next entrant.
McIntyre dumps Rollins back first into the canvas. McIntyre drives Zayn back first into the turnbuckles. McIntyre with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. McIntyre with a running back elbow smash to Rollins. McIntyre follows that with The Reverse Alabama Slam into Zayn. McIntyre walks towards the other ring. McIntyre and Jey are trading back and forth shots. McIntyre kicks Jey in the gut. Jey blocks The Future Shock DDT. Jey thrust kicks the midsection of McIntyre. Jey with a Drop Down Uppercut. McIntyre ducks a clothesline from Jey. McIntyre with a NeckBreaker. McIntyre pops back on his feet. McIntyre tosses Jey around the cage. Judgment Day is mauling Zayn in the corner. Jey SuperKicks McIntyre. Jey and Zayn nails McIntyre with The 1D. Priest attacks Jey from behind. Cody Rhodes is the next entrant. Rhodes kicks Priest in the gut. Rhodes with a drop down uppercut. Rhodes repeatedly throws Priest into the cage. Rhodes is throwing haymakers at McDonagh. Rhodes reverses out of the irish whip from McDonagh. Rhodes clotheslines McDonagh. Rhodes dives over McDonagh. Rhodes with a Back Body Drop. Rhodes kicks Balor in the gut. Rhodes with a Goudbuster into McDonagh. Rhodes brings a bull rope into the ring. Rollins grabs the other end of the rope.
Rhodes and Rollins uses the bull rope as a weapon. Rollins wants to know whether Orton is coming here or not. Rhodes repeatedly stomps on Priest’s chest. Zayn is choking Balor with his boot. Balor blocks The Exploder Suplex. Dominik Mysterio is the next entrant. Mysterio attacks Rhodes from behind. Judgment Day regains the number advantage. Mysterio is moving around like a hyena. Mysterio goes for The Three Amigos, but Team Cody gets in the way. Team Cody gangs up on Mysterio. The action spills into the other ring. Rhodes throws Mysterio into the cage. Rollins goes for The BuckleBomb, but McIntyre gets in the way. A pier six brawl ensues in the second ring. Balor is choking Rhodes with the middle rope. McIntyre and Priest with a Triple Chokeslam. McDonagh with The MoonSault. Balor with The Coupe De Grace. Mysterio follows that with The Frog Splash. Priest delivers The Razor’s Edge through the table. Rhea Ripley comes down to the ring with the MITB Briefcase. Randy Orton finally shows up, before the referee can make the match official.
The War Games have commenced. Orton with two clotheslines to Mysterio. Orton with Two Powerslams. Orton throws Mysterio and McDonagh into the cage. Orton kicks Balor in the gut. Orton drops Balor with The Draping DDT. Orton has a standoff with McIntyre and Priest. Priest attacks Orton from behind. Judgment Day gangs up on Orton. Team Cody comes to the aid of Orton. All hell is breaking loose in Chicago. Five Way Draping DDT. Orton prepares for The RKO. Orton starts looking at Jey. Jey SuperKicks Priest. Orton hits The RKO on Mysterio. Rollins with The Curb Stomp to Priest. Rhodes with The Cody Cutter. Zayn delivers The Helluva Kick. Jey lands The USO Splash. McDonagh is trying to escape the cage. Rollins and Zayn tees off on McDonagh. Rollins and Zayn throws McDonagh off the top of the cage into an RKO. Rhodes connects with The Cross Rhodes to pickup the victory. After the match, CM Punk appears on the stage to a massive reception. Punk celebrates with the Chicago crowd as the show goes off the air.
Winner: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and Jey Uso via Pinfall
– The show concluded with a spotlight on CM Punk and plugging the upcoming matches at the Day 1 edition of Raw.
Checkout Episode 392 of The Hoots Podcast