WWE Raw Review – December 11, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Raw with Jey Uso welcomes fans to Raw then says he got yeet back and he’s excited about it. He says he’s also excited about CM Punk being in the building and addresses what happened to Sami Zayn last week. He says if you ask him Drew McIntyre isn’t trying to be honest and he’ll settle his business with him tonight.
Drew McIntyre’s music hits and he saunters down to the ring. He tells Jey to stop trying to gain popularity in the locker room then says Nick Aldis can sign Punk to Smackdown because no one in the Raw locker room wants him there. He says he’s traveled the world with Punk and knows him well then has a message for Sami Zayn. He admits to having a little to do with why he’s at home right now and says while he left him with a good leg he’s sorry. He tells Jey that’s what an apology looks like and he owes one from him. He tells fans to imagine someone hurting one of their family members and asks if they would want revenge. He asks if they would act to take revenge and Jey suggests that they begin their match.
Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso
Match starts off with Jey Uso clotheslines Drew McIntyre out of the ring as we go to a break.
After the break Jey delivers a right hand to McIntyre’s jaw. McIntyre responds with a right hand across Jey’s spine but Jey fires back with an enzuigiri and a crossbody off the top rope. McIntyre whips Jey into the corner before firing off right hands and elbow strikes.
He follows it up with a vertical suplex and stomps on him repeatedly but Jey delivers a pair of open palm strikes before McIntyre catches him with a back elbow and a chop in the corner then looks for a Claymore on the outside.
Jey ducks out of the way and McIntyre is sent crashing on the top of the announce table then delivers a tope suicida to level him as we go to a another break.
After the 2nd break Jey & McIntyre teeter on the top rope before Jey drapes McIntyre off it but McIntyre manages to pull him down and frees himself. McIntyre then delivers a forearm from the apron and ascends to the top rope.
He looks to fly but Jey catches him with a kick to his midsection and a Samoan Drop then charges at him in the corner but McIntyre moves out of the way and lands a neckbreaker.
He kips up and sets up for Claymore but Jey hits him with a pair of superkicks and ascends to the top rope & looks for an Uso Splash but McIntyre gets his knees up and lands a Future Shock DDT.
While the referee is checking on Jey McIntyre exposes the top turnbuckle before he sets up for another Claymore. Jey hits a Spear and goes for a pin but McIntyre kicks out.
The referee takes note of the exposed turnbuckle & that opens the door for McIntyre to rake Jey’s eyes and connect with Claymore for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
A video package recaps CM Punk’s appearances on Smackdown and NXT Deadline.
A Shinsuke Nakamura subtitled video package aired. He said he watched Cody Rhodes talk week after week about finishing his story and yet he’s no closer to actually doing it. He said that as good as Cody is he’s not good enough to do it and never will be. Nakamura recalled Cody saying that he doesn’t respect him.
Nakamura said Cody’s weakness is that he strives for the admiration of others. Nakamura said he freed himself from that burden long ago and now draws his own destiny. He said he’s been reborn and will bring Cody’s story to an end. Nakamura said he is the real nightmare and told Cody to remember that he asked for this.
Inside Judgment Day’s clubhouse Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Finn Balor scolded JD McDonagh for the wheels falling off around here while he & Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley were gone for a week. Rhea Ripley took issue with R Truth breaking into their locker room. Ripley also recalls McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio losing to Creed Brothers and shows sympathy for Mysterio losing the NXT North American Title.
Damian Priest said it sucked that Mysterio lost his title and then said people not showing up for Raw sucks which made Ripley squirm. Priest said that he & Balor would not take Creed Brothers lightly. Ripley told Priest that saying you’re a leader is easier than actually being a leader. Priest tried respond but Ripley interrupted him and said she was talking to the family. Ripley said she was sick of the disrespect and it was time to remind people that they run Raw. She said she would make an example out of Maxxine Dupri.
Creed Brothers & Ivy Nile were shown talking with Alpha Academy. Ivy Nile said she would be with Maxxine Dupri just in case before R Truth shows up with Christmas lights and said they were for Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Chad Gable told Truth that Judgment Day is dangerous and he doesn’t think Truth is really in the group. Truth said he’s in the group and the Judgment Day is just misunderstood. Truth wished them all a happy Thanksgiving before making his exit.
Non Title Match
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Maxxine Dupri
Maxxine Dupri slaps Rhea Ripley then Ripley catches her with a pair of clotheslines and a right hand to her spine but Dupri counters into a hurricanrana and a dropkick into the corner. Ripley catches her with a boot and Riptide then locks in Prism Trap & Dupri taps out.
Winner By Submission: Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley
After the match Ivy Nile hops into the ring and stares down Ripley as Ripley holds up her Women’s World Title.
A video package aired on Kayden Carter & Katana Chance. Cole described them as the life of the party. They were shown at a concert and at other locations. Carter said if you think you’ve seen everything they can do you haven’t seen anything yet.
We then head backstage and see Adam Pearce head into the locker room of CM Punk.
Adam Pearce held up the Raw contract folder and said the time for the sales pitch was over. He said that after knowing the man he was about to introduce for 25 years he’s sure that he would make the right decision then introduces CM Punk and he makes his way down to the ring.
Punk says he thought he was in a sullen mood until he came out to the ring and says he has a major decision to make. He expresses his admiration for the fans and says he debuted in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with Mickie James by his side. He said it went so well that he was sent to OVW and says he learned to be uncomfortable in WWE. He says he later returned to the same building as World Heavyweight Champion before he was stripped of the title. He says he’s focused on the now and the future and he doesn’t regret anything or look back. He says he understands the feeling of disappointment when a wrestler walks out and apologizes for doing so then says Nick Aldis, Shawn Michaels & Adam Pearce both put together substantial offers for him. He says his mind was already made up when he saw Cleveland on the calendar and says he wants to write a few wrongs. He says his future starts now and almost 10 years to the date, he walked out of the same building. He says he walked right back in and announces that he will be signing with Raw. He walks over to Pearce and signs the contract that he’s holding in his hand.
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He stares down Punk before he grabs a mic and welcomes fans to Monday Night Rollins. He tells Punk that he’s incredibly fortunate to be standing in the ring but tells him not to call this place his home. He says Punk abandoned WWE and says it’s not his home because it’s his. He says he will do everything in his power to protect it from people like Punk and says he doesn’t want there to be any confusion. He tells Punk he hates him but if he’s going to be part of WWE then he wants him on Raw. Rollins says the truth always comes out and says it’s Punk’s last chance. He says Punk will either self destruct or he’ll stand across the ring from him in a World Heavyweight Title match. He says he’ll expose Punk for the fraud he is and says he’ll let him understand what it means to be The Best In The World.
Punk says he’s never asked for anything to be handed to him and says he’s here to do things stubbornly. He calls Pearce back into the ring and declares himself as an entrant in the Royal Rumble match. He says when he wins he’ll be coming after Rollins.
A video package aired with Ivar & Valhalla talking about Ivar having another match with Bronson Reed. Reed also spoke about their match that ended in a double count out. He said the security guards were out there to save Ivar from him. Reed said no one would save Ivar this time around.
Bronson Reed vs. Ivar
Bronson Reed & Ivar exchange right hands with one another before Reed delivers a kick to his chest then delivers a spinebuster.
Ivar knocks him out of the ring and ascends to the top rope then delivers a senton off the top rope.
They get back inside the ring and end up back on the top rope before Reed lands a superplex for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
CM Punk was walking backstage when he came across Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh. Hey guys where’s Rhea? Punk asked. Priest laughs and calls him a funny guy. Priest welcomed Punk to our show. Priest said he hopes that Punk is the guy who finishes his story.
Priest held up the Money In The Bank briefcase and said that if Punk does he’ll be the one waiting. Priest told a smiling Punk to have a good night then walks away with his allies before they made their entrance.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest says he can’t help but feel the need to remind everyone who Judgment Day is. He demands everyone rise for them and Balor demands that everyone rise for the only 2x Undisputed Tag Team Champions. Priest says they have a simple message for every Superstar. He says it doesn’t matter if you’ve been dealt with by them, a returning talent or a new talent. He puts everyone on notice including Creed Brothers.
R Truth makes his way down to the ring and says he went by the lounge to do some decorating. He asks where his invitation is for their holiday party and McDonagh says it isn’t a holiday party. He says even if it was one, he wouldn’t be invited. Truth gets in the ring and says he has a lot of ideas to share with them. Balor tells him to list them off and R Truth says they need to kick McDonagh out because no one likes him. He suggests that Priest needs to stop calling himself the boss. He says he likes Priest being in charge but it makes Ripley angry. Priest says R Truth is a funny guy that is beloved by many except for him. Priest then clotheslines him and the rest of Judgment Day joins in but Creed Brothers come to R Truth’s aid. Judgment Day overpowers him but Julius Creed takes out Mysterio & McDonagh on the outside with a double northern lights suplex then they hit Priest with a spinebuster.
Backstage CM Punk crossed paths with Drew McIntyre as he was talking with Adam Pearce. McIntyre said he doesn’t care about Punk’s story or Cody Rhodes’s story, he cares about finishing his own story. McIntyre said he & Pearce figured that out already. McIntyre made his exit.
Pearce told Punk that McIntyre would get a shot at the World Heavyweight Title on the Day 1 edition of Raw. Kofi Kingston shows up & Punk hugs him then shook hands with Chad Gable & Ricochet. Punk said he heard Ricochet is awful at video games. Punk said he had to use the bathroom and would catch up with them. Pearce told Kingston, Gable & Ricochet that he had an idea about the Intercontienetal Title that he wanted to run by them.
Tag Team Match
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Indi Hartwell delivers a shoulder tackle to Kayden Carter before Katana Chance tags in and delivers a senton to Hartwell and follows it up with a hurricanrana.
Candice LeRae & Carter tag in and LeRae beats down Carter before Hartwell tags back in and lands a spinebuster.
LeRae tags back in and Hartwell looks to plant her on top of Carter but Carter gets her knees up and delivers a kick to Hartwell.
Chance tags in and ascends to the top before her & Chance hits The Afterparty for the win.
Winners: Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
Johnny Gargano had a Cleveland Browns Title draped over his shoulder when he played up being in his hometown while talking to Tommaso Ciampa before Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci shows up. Kaiser said he’s heard people talking about them having a mystery partner. Ciampa said he shouldn’t worry about that he should be worried about what Gunther does once they disappoint him again.
Intercontienetal Champion Gunther shows up and said DIY were very confident. Gunther wishes them luck and said he doubted they could find anyone who would want to team with two weirdos like them.
Becky Lynch was shown walking backstage while Nikki Cross could be seen standing in the background.
Becky Lynch said she was there to call out Nia Jax. She said they’ve never gone one-on-one in the ring, but they’ve been linked together. Lynch had the footage of Jax breaking her nose during a November 2018 brawl on Raw.
Lynch said everyone she’s faced over the last 5 years has tried to use it as a burn against her and now it’s time to get to the root of the problem. Lynch said she went on to main event WrestleMania while Jax had double ACL surgery because she’s so unlikable that her own knees won’t stand up for her.
Jax’s entrance theme interrupted Lynch & Jax heads to the ring and Jax said she’s not fired anymore. I’m right here in front of you better than ever Jax said. She added that the punch that Lynch had shown was just a lucky swing and she didn’t even get all of it. Jax plays up what would happen if she hit Lynch with her full force.
Jax said it’s a full contact sport and asked what Lynch expected. Lynch said she would expect nothing less. She said Jax has broken bones and perhaps even ended some careers. Jax said that it’s ironic that Lynch has her to thank for her career.
Backstage Jackie Redmond interviews Cody Rhodes and asked him about CM Punk signing with Raw. Rhodes said good for Adam Pearce for making it happen. He said he’s happy for the fans and Punk but the Royal Rumble is right around the corner. He said you can’t finish 2 stories at once and both he & Punk are very aware of that.
Redmond turned the focus to Rhodes’ match against Shinsuke Nakamura. Rhodes said he’d be a lot more excited about the 1st time match had Nakamura not sprayed him with mist. Rhodes recalls Nakamura claiming that he asked for this. You’re damn right I did Rhodes said to end the segment.
6 Man Tag Team Match
Imperium (Intercontienetal Champion Gunther, Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser) vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) & The Miz
Gunther connects with a right hand on Johnny Gargano then Ludwig Kaiser tags in and hits an open palm strike then tags Giovanni Vinci in.
Gargano fires off a few right hands but Vinci overpowers him then Gunther hits a boot to Ciampa on the outside as we go to a break.
After the break Gunther tags in and delivers a knee to Ciampa’s midsection then Vinci tags in and levels Vinci then tags in Gargano. Kaiser tags in and gets caught with an enzuigiri but Kaiser sends him onto the apron.
Gargano delivers a Spear through the middle rope and goes for a pin but Vinci breaks the fall then looks to fly off the middle rope but Kaiser catches him with an uppercut.
Gargano connects with a superkick before Miz & Gunther tags in & Miz fires off right hands on Gunther then delivers a clothesline into the corner and hits a kick to his head.
He lands a crossbody off the top rope and fires off more right hands but Gunther hits him and locks in a Boston Crab but Ciampa breaks the move but Kaiser & Vinci take him down.
Gargano & Miz hit double DDTs on them but Gunther hits Gargano with a boot then Miz locks in a Figure 4 on Gunther as Gargano locks in a Gargano Escape on Kaiser.
Gunther manages to tag in Vinci but Miz catches him with a Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Winners: DIY & The Miz
Highlights aired of the CM Punk & Seth Rollins exchange along with the announcements of Punk signing with Raw and entering the Royal Rumble Match.
Backstage Gunther scolded Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci when Gunther turned around Miz was there and told him he wants an Intercontinental Title match. Gunther said he would give it to him on the condition that if Gunther wins Miz can’t challenge for the Intercontienetal Title again as long as Gunther is champion & Miz accepts.
Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Match starts off with a lock up then they go back & forth with submission holds before Cody Rhodes lands a dropkick and fires off right hands on Shinsuke Nakamura in the corner.
He ascends to the top rope but Nakamura trips him and delivers a knee to his midsection then sends him crashing out of the ring as we go to a break.
After the break Nakamura delivers a knee to Rhodes’ jaw then follows it up with a running knee but Rhodes fires back with an open palm strike and looks for a Cody Cutter.
Nakamura counters into an armbar but Rhodes makes his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Nakamura then hits a sliding release German suplex and ascends to the top rope then delivers a knee strike.
He sets up for Kinshasa but Rhodes counters into a dropkick and plants Nakamura face first.
He locks in a single leg Boston Crab but Nakamura makes his way to the bottom rope to break the hold then Rhodes hits a tope suicida to him on the outside as we go to a 2nd break.
After the 2nd break Rhodes & Nakamura exchange forearms with one another before Rhodes delivers a shoulder tackle and a powerslam but Nakamura locks in a Sleeper on him.
Rhodes makes his way to his feet and plants Nakamura to break the hold then connects with Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter.
He sets up for Cross Rhodes but Nakamura sprays Rhodes with the red mist causing the disqualification.
Winner By DQ: Cody Rhodes
After the match Nakamura continues to beat down Rhodes then grabs a chair as referees run down to the ring to prevent him from doing anything further before the Creed Brothers run down to check on Rhodes and provide him with a hand as Nakamura saunters to the back. Creed Brothers and referees look to help Rhodes but Nakamura reemerges and catch Rhodes with Kinshasa then Nakamura is escorted to the back as we to close out this week’s Raw.
Next Week’s Raw
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles Match
Judgement Day (Mr Money In The Bank Damian Priest & Finn Balor) (c) vs. Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus)
Women’s Tag Team Titles Match
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven (c) vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
