Raw is War

Des Moines, Iowa
December 19, 2022
  Results from wrestleview.com

The show opens with a shot of Paul Heyman holding the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Heyman introduces himself, and then Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns says Monday Night Raw is the home of Kevin Owens. Reigns says Owens will need more than John Cena to take him out. Owens will need the entire locker room. The Bloodline is not going anywhere. They’ll make his life a living hell until he understands that everyone in the back and in the audience acknowledges him.

We go backstage to see Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn beating on two guys. One is revealed to be Mustafa Ali, who receives a Samoan Spike from Sikoa.

A holiday-themed Raw video plays, and we go into the Wells Fargo Arena to see a big pyrotechnics display. The stage is decorated with Christmas trees and big gift boxes.

Tonight’s show will see Becky Lynch battle Bayley. The Miz will also battle Dexter Lumis in a Winner Takes All Ladder Match.

Tag Team Match
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) w/ Akira Tozawa vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) w/ Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley
Montez Ford starts against Damian Priest. They lock up, and Priest quickly wrenches the arm. Ford gets out and leaps over Priest. Ford sidesteps a kick and chops away at Priest before punching away at him. Priest shoves him off, so Ford hits a dropkick. Ford hits the ropes, but Priest floors him with an uppercut. Priest throws Ford into the corner and stomps him down. Finn Bálor tags in and shoulders away at Ford.

We cut backstage to see The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn beating on two stagehands. The Usos give Sikoa a guitar, and he smashes it on the back of one of them.

Back to in-ring action, Bálor fights off The Street Profits and tags Priest in. Priest attacks Ford and pounces him over the top rope.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Ford hit Bálor with a DDT. Dawkins tags in and runs wild on Bálor. Priest runs in, but Dawkins hits him with a spinebuster. Dawkins splashes Bálor in the corner and hits a step-up enzuigiri. Dawkins hits the ropes, but Priest runs in and hits South of Heaven. Ford then CRUSHES Priest with a frog splash! Bálor hits La Magistral on Ford for a near fall. Ford fights back, but he’s soon distracted. Ford flips through a back suplex, but Bálor comes back with a wild Sling Blade. Bálor hits a Woo dropkick in the corner.

At ringside, Akira Tozawa approaches Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio with a red solo cup. Tozawa throws the liquid in Mysterio’s face after Ripley ducks. Mysterio, who was misted last week by Asuka, holds his eyes in pain. Bálor is furious. Ford rolls Bálor up for the victory.

Winners by Pinfall: The Street Profits
A furious Rhea Ripley marches up the ramp and slaps Tozawa down before challenging him to a match! Tozawa looks confused.

-Commercial Break-

The Street Profits are at ringside hyping up Tozawa. Tozawa looks conflicted, but he eventually takes his shirt off. The bell rings!

Akira Tozawa w/ The Street Profits vs. Rhea Ripley w/ The Judgment Day
Tozawa slides into the ring and takes a kick from Ripley. Tozawa flips through a back suplex but won’t punch Ripley. She challenges him to punch her. Tozawa gets a waistlock applied, but she gets out, hits the ropes, and big boots him inside out for a near fall! Ripley stomps him down in the corner before taunting the crowd. Ripley whips him hard to the opposite corner. Ripley punches and forearms away at him. Ripley hooks a front facelock and goes for a suplex, but Tozawa blocks it. Ripley gets out of a suplex and hits a textbook vertical suplex for a two-count. Ripley applies a rear chin lock. Tozawa fights up, but Ripley pulls him down by the hair. Ripley whips him to the opposite corner, but Tozawa (sort of) slingshots over her. Tozawa hits the ropes, but Ripley catches him. Tozawa counters into a roll-up, but she kicks out at two. Ripley brute forces him up for a powerbomb, but Tozawa counters into a hurricanrana that sends her out of the ring! Tozawa sets up for a dive, but Finn Bálor sweeps his feet! Bálor celebrates, but The Street Profits wipe him and Damian Priest out with dives!

In the ring, Tozawa gets out of the Riptide and sends Ripley into the ring post shoulder-first. Tozawa then boots Dominik Mysterio off the apron. Tozawa goes to the top rope for a diving senton splash, but Ripley moves! Ripley hits Tozawa with a Riptide for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Rhea Ripley

Video Package: Adam Pearce fired Bobby Lashley last week on WWE Raw

WWE Official Adam Pearce is backstage leaving an angry voicemail on Paul Heyman’s phone. Cathy Kelley asks him about his confrontation with Bobby Lashley. Pearce says they will meet at WWE Headquarters and discuss it like men later in the week. Lashley will return to work. MVP walks up to him, but another official runs up and says there’s a situation. Pearce runs off.

The O.C. makes their way to the ring.

-Commercial Break-

We go backstage to see Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander down on the ground. Ziggler gets to his feet and says The Bloodline did this. WWE Official Adam Pearce tries to get more information.

Tag Team Match
The O.C. (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) w/ AJ Styles and “Michin” Mia Yim vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis)
Karl Anderson starts against Chad Gable. They lock up, and Gable takes him down with a snapmare. Gable rolls him around the mat a few times and covers for a one-count. Gable applies a side headlock and hits a takeover. Anderson fights up and applies a side headlock. Gable whips him off, but Anderson shoulder tackles him before hitting a hip toss. Gable comes back with an arm drag, but Anderson answers with one as well. Luke Gallows tags in, and The Good Brothers hit a double-team shoulder tackle. Gallows punches away at Gable in the corner. Anderson tags in, but Gable fights back. Anderson quickly gets control and tags Gallows. A “We want Otis” chant picks up, so Gable shooshes them. Gallows shouts that he’s a nerd. Otis tags in, and Gallows stuns him with a strike. Gallows takes him down with a running back elbow that sends him out of the ring. Anderson then gives Gable a back body drop over the top rope.

-Commercial Break-

We return from the break to see Gable take Anderson down and apply a spinning toe hold. Andeson kicks him away and sends him to the corner. Gable leaps at him and takes him down for an ankle lock. Anderson rolls through and kicks him away. Gallows tags in and runs over Gable before attacking Otis. Gallows big boots Gable and sends him into the ropes. Otis blind tags in. Gallows hits Gable with a back body drop. Otis then levels Gallows with a clothesline. Otis avalanches him before lifting him. Gable tags in and jumps onto Otis, who gives Gallows a Compactor. Anderson breaks it up. Anderson and Otis clear out of the ring. Gable lands on his feet as he goes for a moonsault. Anderson quickly tags in, and The Good Brothers hit the Magic Killer for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The O.C.
The O.C. celebrate in the ring before The Bloodline runs in and attacks them! Anderson receives a 1D from The Usos. Gallows meets the same fate.

WWE Official Adam Pearce makes his way to the ring with a bunch of producers.

-Commercial Break-

WWE Official Adam Pearce and the rest of the producers and security are at ringside. The Usos get on the microphone and shout that they run this business. Solo Sikoa is not in the ring with them. Sami Zayn says the people have no problem with them. They have no problem with Sami Uso and the Usologists. Zayn doesn’t appreciate Pearce rushing his dawgs. They’re here to deliver a message. What they’ve seen tonight is a small example of what will happen to John Cena and Kevin Owens when they face Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns. Security gets on the apron, but Zayn says they’re done. Jey Uso says everyone in the locker room is the twos, and they’re the ones. The Bloodline leaves without further incident…

…until AJ Styles blindsides them with an attack on the ramp. The officials pull them apart.

Replays show Alexa Bliss winning a #1 Contender’s Match last week on Raw. After the match, Bray Wyatt’s logo flashed, causing Bliss to attempt Sister Abigail on Bianca Belair before coming to her senses.

A furious AJ Styles is blowing off steam backstage. WWE Official Adam Pearce says he’ll take on Sami Zayn later tonight.

Byron Saxton is backstage with Alexa Bliss and Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. Belair says she doesn’t trust Bliss. Bliss says she can’t speak to what happened last week but can speak to what got her here. Bray Wyatt abducted her and turned her into an evil version of herself. Then he left her. She was broken and went to therapy and has become a shell of her former self. Being friends with Asuka and Belair caused her to realize she’s stronger, but she wants to keep building up and take the Raw Women’s Championship. Belair says she’s seen what Wyatt can do, but Bliss cuts her off. Bliss says this isn’t about him. Wyatt isn’t a threat to Belair, but she is. Saxton wraps up the interview. Wyatt’s logo flashes on the screen. As Belair walks away, Bliss smashes a flower vase over her head!

Alexa Bliss will battle Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship in two weeks.

A large bag of money is shown being raised above the ring. The Miz makes his way to the ring. The Winner Takes All Ladder Match is next.

-Commercial Break-

Winner Takes All Ladder Match
The Miz vs. Dexter Lumis w/ Johnny Gargano
The bell rings, and The Miz quickly gets out of the ring for a ladder. Lumis crawls out of the ring and attacks Miz. Lumis gets Miz in the ring and grabs a ladder. Lumis puts it on the apron, so Miz hits a baseball slide into it to take Lumis down. Miz pulls the ladder into the ring and sets up a spot before waiting for Lumis. Lumis bounces the ladder into his face, which misses by a mile. They get into a tug-of-war for the ladder. Lumis drives the ladder into Miz in the corner to break it up. Lumis uppercuts Miz down and grabs the ladder. Lumis puts the ladder in the corner on the ropes and drives Miz’s face into it. Lumis wedges Miz in the corner between the ladder and attacks him. Lumis then pulls him to the top rope and uses the ladder as a bridge to hit a superplex. Lumis sets a ladder up in the middle of the ring. Miz is seated in the corner. Lumis knocks the ladder over, but it doesn’t hit Miz. Miz smiles, so Lumis dropkicks the ladder into Miz’s crotch.

Lumis puts another ladder in the ring. Lumis begins to climb, but Miz climbs up on the other side. Miz attacks him and grabs for the money. Lumis cuts him off and punches him down. Lumis grabs at the cash, but Miz cuts him off. Lumis stares at Miz. Miz punches him, but Lumis hooks the head and the arm. They then wiggle until the ladder knocks off. They fall into the ropes.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Miz grabbing for the money on the ladder. Lumis cuts him off and rakes his face on top of the ladder. Miz fights back and grabs for the money. Lumis punches away at the midsection and knocks him down. Lumis reaches for the money, but Miz knocks the ladder over. Miz sets the ladder up and quickly climbs up. Miz reaches for the money, but Lumis grabs him. Lumis pulls him down and goes for a vice. Miz pulls him to the apron and hits a neckbreaker.

Miz attacks Lumis at ringside with the ladder and sandwiches him in it. Miz knocks another ladder over onto him and throws chairs onto him. Miz goes under the ring and throws more chairs onto him. The crowd wants tables, so Miz pulls one out before putting it back to loud boos. Johnny Gargano yells at Miz, so Miz shoves him. Gargano goes for an attack, but Miz takes him down and punches away at him. Miz then sends Gargano into the LED barricade before driving a ladder into him. Gargano is knocked over the barricade. Miz poses in victory. Miz goes back to Lumis, but Lumis slams him onto a ladder.

A loud tables chant picks up. Lumis clears the commentary table to loud applause. Lumis climbs a ladder and goes for a flying leg drop, but Miz moves! Lumis explodes through the table! Miz pulls himself into the ring and sets up a ladder. Miz is hobbling around. Miz pulls himself up the ladder on one leg, but Lumis gets in the ring. Lumis punches Miz down and bounces his face off the top of the ladder. Lumis shoves him down to the canvas.

All of a sudden, Bronson Reed pulls Lumis down and avalanches him! Reed sets Lumis up and goes to the top rope. Reed hits a HUGE tsunami off the top rope. Reed sets the ladder up in the middle of the ring and pulls Miz inside. Reed helps Miz up the ladder. Miz grabs the money to win the match.

Winner: The Miz

Seth “Freakin” Rollins is doing his thing backstage.

Later tonight, Becky Lynch will battle Bayley.

Replays are shown of The Bloodline attacking The O.C. AJ Styles would get even by attacking them.

AJ Styles makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Sami Zayn next.

-Commercial Break-

AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
AJ Styles furiously attacks Sami Zayn at the sound of the bell. Styles hits a backbreaker and knocks him out of the ring. Styles hits a forearm plancha and sets up for a Phenomenal Forearm. Zayn rolls away. Styles gets in the ring, and Zayn hits a flapjack into the top rope. Zayn whips him hard into the corner and sizes him up. Zayn attacks and chokes him on the ropes. Styles fights back with a pendulum backbreaker and a neckbreaker. Zayn gets out of the ring, so Styles crushes him with a sliding knee, followed by a moonsault off the apron into a reverse DDT on the floor! Styles gets Zayn in the ring for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Zayn shakes the ropes. Styles falls to the floor.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Zayn attacking Styles on the top rope. Styles counters into a torture rack bomb for a near fall. Styles sets up for a Styles Clash, but Zayn gets out. Zayn elbows out and throws off a tornado DDT. Zayn boots him and hits a nasty brainbuster for a near fall! Zayn punches away at Styles, but Styles takes him out with an overhead kick.

Styles elbows Zayn back and goes for a moonsault into a DDT, but Zayn counters into an exploder into the turnbuckles. Zayn sets up for Styles, but Styles counters the Helluva Kick into a Calf Crusher! Zayn gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring through the crowd. Styles attacks him as he comes over the barricade. Zayn attacks Styles. Styles bounces Zayn off the steps and the commentary table. Styles gets Zayn in the ring. The referee checks on Zayn. Sikoa hits Styles with a Samoan Spike. Zayn connects with the Blue Thunder Bomb for the victory.

Winner by Pinfall: Sami Zayn
WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out and kicks Zayn and Sikoa out of the arena.

We’ll hear from Seth “Freakin” Rollins next.

Next week will be a Best of 2022 episode of WWE Raw.

-Commercial Break-

In two weeks, Seth “Freakin” Rollins will take on Austin Theory for the United States Championship.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his way to the ring in his home state. Rollins welcomes them to Monday Night Rollins. The Bloodline has attacked everyone but him. Monday nights don’t belong to Roman Reigns. They belong to Rollins.

United States Champion Austin Theory makes his way to the ring. Theory gets in the ring, and the crowd chants that he sucks. Rollins wants to be clear that Theory sucks. The crowd agrees. Theory says nothing belongs to Rollins. Theory says Rollins said the United States Championship is THE title on Raw, so the Champ is here! The Austin Theory Era is forever. This is just the beginning. Whether Rollins likes it or not, he’s going to pass the torch to Theory. He’ll take it from his cold legendary fingers if he doesn’t.

Rollins sarcastically wishes Theory a Merry Christmas. Rollins tells him to take it easy, or he’ll wind up like Bobby Lashley. Theory says the only reason Rollins is standing here is that Lashley took his frustrations out on officials rather than him. Just like for his whole career, Rollins just got lucky. Rollins asks why he’s so angry. Rollins puts him over a bit before saying he sucks. The crowd chants it. Rollins says Theory has grown up. He’s not Mr. Selfie or Daddy’s Little Boy. Theory is the United States Champion, but he’ll never be Rollins. Theory says Rollins has had the ball and fumbled it many times, just like the Bears. Theory isn’t going for the Rollins mountain. He’s going for Everest. Maybe one day, Rollins will realize that he’s the third most successful member of The Shield. Rollins says he has been to the mountaintop, but Theory has it wrong. Rollins is the damn mountaintop. Rollins is Everest. The title doesn’t make the man. The man makes the title. Let’s find out what kind of man Theory is right here and now.

Rollins notices The Usos at ringside and says he’ll finish with Theory later. Theory stands by Rollins and prepares to fight The Usos. Theory then grabs his title and leaves Rollins with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Rollins attacks The Usos, but they quickly overwhelm him. Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he charges down to the ring. Jimmy Uso meets him at the foot of the ramp, but Owens sends him into the barricade. Jey Uso attacks Owens getting in the ring, but Rollins joins in and knocks Jey out of the ring. Rollins and Owens knock Jimmy away and stand tall in the ring. WWE Official Adam Pearce and the security team run down to kick The Usos out.

Rollins grabs a microphone and says it’s nice to see Owens. Owens says everyone wants to see him and Rollins kick their asses.

Becky Lynch is backstage. Lynch says Bayley has been sending her lackeys to attack her and she attacks them. Lynch wants the best version of Bayley, which is Bayley on her own. They both have careers to be proud of and have done some things they’re not proud of. What bothers Lynch about Bayley taking her out for 4 months is that she didn’t do it on her own. If you’re going to stab someone in the back, at least hold the knife. What will it be? 1-on-1 or 3-on-1? Lynch will fall on her sword. Will Bayley?

Bayley makes her way to the ring alongside WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai and IYO SKY.

-Commercial Break-

Bayley w/ Damage CTRL vs. Becky Lynch
They lock up, and Lynch applies a waistlock. Bayley fights out, but Lynch wrenches the arm, bringing Bayley to her knees. Bayley quickly gets to the apron and wraps Lynch’s arm around the middle rope. Bayley clubs the back and whips her off. Bayley runs over Lynch with a shoulder tackle. They circle the ring, and Bayley kicks Lynch in the midsection. Lynch crawls in between the legs and rolls her up for a one-count. Lynch then shoves her. Bayley isn’t happy. Bayley hits the ropes, but Lynch hits an arm drag. Lynch kicks her and hits a diving shoulder tackle. Lynch connects with a clothesline before sending her into the ropes for a big boot. Bayley rolls out of the ring. Lynch comes off the apron with an ax handle and poses. Lynch gets on the apron and goes for a Manhandle Slam. Bayley counters and pulls her into the turnbuckles.

-Commercial Break-

We return from the break to see Bayley take Lynch down for a two-count. Lynch fights back and boots her down. They get to their feet and start trading strikes. Lynch comes out on top and uses the ropes to hit a big kick. Lynch connects with a Bexploder and sends Bayley into the corner. Lynch kicks her and takes her down. Lynch goes to the ropes and hits a slingshot leg drop for a near fall. Bayley fights back and hits a sliding lariat. Lynch quickly comes back with a reverse DDT for a near fall.

Lynch attacks Bayley and hangs her on the ropes, but Bayley soon moves. Lynch pulls her back in the ring, but Bayley hits Bayley-to-Belly for a near fall. Bayley is furious. Bayley talks trash, so Lynch slaps her. Bayley goes for the Rose Plant, but Lynch counters into an Angle Slam. Lynch goes to the ropes, but Bayley cuts her off. Lynch counters back with Diamond Dust for a near fall. Lynch grabs Bayley, but Bayley rolls her up with her feet on the ropes. The referee catches her before the three-count. Damage CTRL pulls Bayley out of the ring. Lynch hits a baseball slide and threatens them. The referee ejects Damage CTRL from ringside!

Damage CTRL makes a big stink and argues with the referee. While the referee is distracted, Bayley hits Lynch in the back of the head with a TV monitor from the commentary table. Bayley hits a Rose Plant for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Bayley

The Usos are preparing backstage.

-Commercial Break-

Replays are shown of Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Kevin Owens teaming up to take out The Usos.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins is preparing backstage when Kevin Owens walks up. Rollins says it’s good to get back together. Owens says Rollins tried to steal his WrestleMania spot the last time they teamed. Rollins denies this, but Owens says Rollins was wearing a nice bright suit. Rollins says it was nice, which reveals he remembered. Owens says it’s behind them now. Now it’s about taking out The Usos.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos make their way to the ring. The main event is next.

-Commercial Break-

One week from Friday, John Cena returns to in-ring action teaming with Kevin Owens to take on Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.

Next week, Raw will be a Best of 2022 clip show.

Tag Team Match – Non-Title Match
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Kevin Owens and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Before the bell rings, a brawl breaks out. Kevin Owens fights Jimmy Uso at ringside. Rollins attacks Jey Uso in the ring and bounces him off the turnbuckles. Before the order is restored, the referee rings the bell to start the match. Rollins punches away at Jey in the corner. Jey quickly hooks a side headlock, but Jey whips him off and hits a back elbow. Kevin Owens tags in and punches Jey. Owens hits an inverted atomic drop and hits a stiff clothesline. Jimmy Uso distracts Owens but is unsuccessful. Owens punches Jey in the face and takes him down. Owens talks a little trash. Jey sends him into the ropes, but Owens holds on and boots him back. Jimmy gets a cheap shot in. Jey then punches Rollins off the apron.

-Commercial Break-

Back from the final break of 2022 on a live WWE Raw, Jimmy is taking it to Owens. Owens sidesteps an avalanche and hits a DDT.

Rollins and Jey tag in. Rollins runs over Jey with some clotheslines and a Sling Blade. Rollins avalanches him with a running forearm. Rollins hits a back suplex into a backbreaker for a two-count. Rollins goes for a Stomp, but Jey moves and uppercuts him. Jimmy tags in, but Rollins superkicks him. Jey drops Rollins on the apron, but Rollins knocks him back. Rollins goes to the top rope and hits a diving cross-body block on The Usos. Owens tags in, and he goes to the top rope. At ringside, Jey hits Rollins with a superkick. In the ring, Owens hits Jimmy with a frog splash for a near fall. Owens returns to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb, but Jimmy gets the knees up.

Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring, but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson attack them. Jey Uso wipes them out with a plancha. Rollins takes out Jey and Sikoa with a somersault senton. Sikoa gets up, but Rollins sends him into the ring post and hits Jey with a Stomp on the floor!

In the ring, Jimmy has Owens on the top rope for a superplex. All of a sudden, at ringside, Austin Theory wipes out Rollins with a shot from the United States Championship. Owens knocks Jimmy away and runs into a superkick. Jimmy covers for a near fall. Jimmy goes to the top rope for a splash but lands on his feet when Owens moves. Jimmy gets out of a Stunner and goes for a superkick, but Owens blocks it and superkicks him. Owens goes for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Jimmy gets away. Jimmy cannot avoid the second attempt at the Pop-up Powerbomb, which is successful, and Owens covers for the victory!

Winners by Pinfall: Kevin Owens and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Kevin Owens celebrates in the ring before turning to see Sami Zayn. Zayn stares at his former friend. Owens takes off his wrist tape. Zayn smiles and leaves the ring. The crowd boos him. Owens stares at him as the show comes to an end.

One week from Friday, on SmackDown, John Cena and Kevin Owens will face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.

In two weeks, on the first Raw of 2023, Austin Theory will defend the United States Championship against Seth “Freakin” Rollins.