It’s the Raw Before Christmas, and all in one night, we get the Raw Women’s title, the Raw Tag Titles, AND a Christmas Street Fight!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Miracle on 34th Street Fight: Elias VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush; Elias wins.
• Raw Tag Team Championships: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Revival; Roode & Gable win and retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.
• Triple Threat: Finn Balor VS Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre; Finn wins.
• Six Woman Tag: Mickie James, Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke VS Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon; Banks, Bayley & Moon win.
• Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Natalya; Rousey wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
• Heath Slater VS Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers; Slater wins, by disqualification.
• Seth Rollins VS Baron Corbin; Rollins wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.

The Drifter is here and in the holiday spirit. He gets the fans into the mood with his guitar playing, too. Elias’ eyes are lit with fire and has a question for us: “Who Wants to Walk With Elias?!” Fans sure do. Elias feels this is a fitting opening for tonight. There are three truths that follow: peace on Earth; goodwill towards man; and that WWE means “Walk With Elias!” Now Elias truly knows it’s better to give than receive, and he will give us all what we’ve wanted: beating and humiliating Bobby Lashley. But first, he has the greatest gift and that is an Elias Christmas Song. It will surely be an instant classic. So gather around, put your hands up, silence phones, and let the power of Elias fill your soul.

“Children can be so annoying~. Especially this time of year. But nothing is more annoying than Lio Rush, especially when he’s pointing at Lashley’s rear. Under the mistletoe~, beautiful women Elias will be kissin’. But my Christmas wish is that Bobby Lashley goes missin’.” Christmas with Elias, blessings to all of you, but when times get tough, just ask “What Would Elias Do?” He hopes the New Year brings you all good luck. But if it doesn’t, just remember, you could be Bobby Lashley, and Bobby Lashley Sucks! Fans sing along with the chorus, but Lashley & Lio appear!

Miracle on 34th Street Fight: Elias VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush!

Elias may sing songs and make the occasional joke, but for a Merry Christmas, Lashley & Lio hope they leave Elias broke. Will it be a holly jolly or a blue Christmas for The Drifter this year?

The bell rings and Lashley goes right at Elias with a spinebuster! Lashley throws hands and then puts Elias in a corner. He clubs away but Elias fights back, only for Lashley to get back at him. Lashley drags Elias out for a neckbreaker! Fans boo while Lashley brings Elias up to bump him off buckles. Fans repeat “Lashley Sucks!” while Lashley rams his shoulder into Elias. Lashley clubs Elias and then stomps a mudhole in. He grinds his boot into Elias, then brings Elias up to whip him corner to corner. Elias goes up but Lashley catches him. Lashley puts Elias on the apron to punch down to the floor. Lashley then goes out to bring the tray of cookies around. But Elias gets Lashley with the tree! Elias body slams the tree onto Lashley over and over, then CHOPS him around the way.

Elias chops Lashley towards the presents, and clotheslines him down. Fans fire up with Elias as he prepares a special present: a kendo candy cane! But Lio snatches it away! Lio is a bit of a Grinch, but Elias still sees Lashley run in, and drop toeholds him into steps! The Rocky Mountain Machine is down while we go to break.

Raw returns and Elias throws hands and chops on Lashley. Elias rocks Lashley with a European Uppercut but runs into a complete shot! Both men are down and Lio rallies up Lashley while fans rally for Elias. But since Street Fights are No Disqualification, Lio climbs up and aims at Elias. Lashley gives him the green light, but the Final Hour flies onto knees! Elias gets up but Lashley is on him. Lashley suplexes but Elias slips out to roll Lashley up! TWO, and Lashley hits another spinebuster! Lashley catches his breath before stomping Elias, then clubbing him down. Lashley throws Elias out and stands on him against the barriers! He even flexes double guns. Lashley rams Elias into barriers, then picks up a couple presents. He arranges them nicely, to scoop slam Elias on them! Hopefully those weren’t for anyone special…

Lashley drags Elias up and into the ring, then stalks him to a corner. He elbows Elias in the head, then again. Lashley backs off corner to corner to run back in, but into boots! Elias runs out, but into an overhead belly2belly! Lashley adjusts his headband while Lio fetches him a very big present. Lashley opens it up to reveal LEGOs! Fans know what’s coming now as Lashley drags Elias over. Lashley hoists Elias up high then climbs up to join him. Lashley clubs away on Elias, but Elias fights back! Fans chant “We Want Legos!” while Lio coaches Lashley on. But Elias gets an edge, and Lashley falls on the legos! Some pieces get stuck in Lashley’s back! But Lashley still gets up and goes over to Elias, to get a fire extinguisher blast!

Elias keeps blasting Lashley, then whips him into Lio! Lio falls through the buffet table! Elias hits Lashley with a big knee, then with the side of the extinguisher! He stomps a mudhole into Lashley, then fetches one of the presents. And he pulls out a bowling ball! Elias lines it up, bowls the ball, and gets a STRIKE! Lashley writhes from the pain but Elias isn’t done with him yet. Because he opens up another gift, to bring out a cello! Elias remembers how Braun Strowman once “played” this on his back, so he does the same to Lashley! SMASH goes the cello! Cover, Elias wins!

Winner: Elias, by pinfall

The Drifter gives Lashley the gift of defeat, and then gives Lio a Christmas treat. Elias forces Lio to eat Christmas cookies, then gives him a big bowl of eggnog to “wash that down with”! Elias gives us all some holiday cheer, but will he get something even better in the New Year?

Heath Slater’s got kids.

And having kids means lots of presents! But not to worry, his family just wants one thing this year: Uncle Rhyno getting his job back. Slater hopes that wish comes true, too. He’d love to have his best friend back. Will Santa hear Slater’s wish and make it happen?

Raw Tag Team Championships: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Revival!

Their win over the Authors of Pain was GLORIOUS, but Roode & Gable won’t have to worry about a rematch with them because of the “fresh start” The McMahon Family gave all of the WWE’s main roster. Last week saw a #1 contenders Fatal 4 Way tag happen, and in the end, Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder picked up the win. Will Dash & Dawson finally #SayYeah to tag titles on Raw? Or will Christmas Eve be Absolutely… GLORIOUS!?

The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and we begin with Roode and Dash. They circle but Dawson swipes at Roode. Dash rolls Roode, ONE, and the two back off. Roode talks strategy with Gable while The Revival does the same. Dash and Roode go again and Roode gets a waistlock. Dash gets a switch to the armlock, and tag to Dawson. Dawson kicks low but Roode kicks back. Roode chops Dawson in a corner then tags to Gable. Roode chops Dawson again, then the champs double whip Dawson corner to corner. Gable whips Roode in for a clothesline, then step stool to a monkey flip! Cover, TWO! Gable keeps on Dawson with an armlock. Dawson gets up but Gable drags him back down. Dawson gets up and pulls hair to put Gable in a corner. He back off only to forearm and chop Gable back!

Dawson whips corner to corner but Gable goes up and over. Dawson clotheslines Gable and things speed up. Gable dodges and arm-drags on the run! Then  flying headscissors! Dash runs in but into Roode’s punch and Gable’s arm-drag! The ref goes after Roode to back him off, The Revival flapjack and hotshot! Cover, TWO! The champs are in trouble now while we go to break.

Raw returns Dash grinds Gable in a headlock. Gable powers his way up as fans rally. He pushes towards his corner but Dash throws Gable. Gable sunset flips but Dawson tags in. Dawson throws Gable to the apron and then kicks and clubs him. He backs off but Dash clotheslines Gable back in! Dawson hits a Northern Lights and bridges, TWO! Dawson tags Dash and the #TopGuys combine for the assisted leg drop. Cover, TWO! Dash taunts Gable then rocks him with a EuroUpper. Dash hauls Gable up to the top then CHOPS him. Fans boo and jeer but Gable catches Dash into a hanging armbar! Gable lets go at 4, and Dawson quickly gets Dash back in. Dash tags to Dawson and Dawson intercepts Gable. Gable slips around to back suplex Dawson!

Fans rally up as Gable and Dawson crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Dash, and to Roode! Roode rallies and whips Dash into a big back drop! He hits Dawson for good measure, then throws Dash with an exploder! Roode throws Dawson, too, then flips Dash onto Dawson! Fans fire up as Roode rams into Dash. Roode clotheslines Dawson out then gives Dash a spinebuster! Cover, TWO! Roode keeps focus and Gable climbs back up. Tag and Gable climbs to the top. Roode brings Dash around but Dash throws Roode to the post! Gable leaps over Dash and rolls him for Chaos Theory!! Cover, but Dawson breaks it! Dawson tags in, then whips Gable. Gable goes up and around for a sunset flip! TWO! Roll up but Dawson sits on it, TWO!

Gable trips and jackknife covers, but Dawson bridges up! He tries a backslide but Dash tags in. Gable reverses the backslide but gets a EuroUpper German! Dash jackknifes, but Roode breaks it! Fans are loving this as Dawson throws Roode out. Dash lifts Gable and hands him off to Dawson, but then Roode tackles Dash out of the ring! Gable small packages, Gable & Roode win!!

Winners: Roode & Gable, Chad Gable pinning; still Raw Tag Team Champions

What a close fought match! But in the end, the champions are still GLORIOUS as Roode & Gable find just the right opening. The Revival protest, Dash was the legal one. Will The McMahons hear their pleas and give them another chance? Or will they have to earn that second chance first?

The B-Team sing carols.

Three felt pens, two boxing gloves, and a B-Team t-shirt for free~! Sorry, but Apollo Crews already did his Christmas Shopping. But thanks for the offer. Okay then, next year? Make sure to put it on the wishlist! On the fourth day of Christmas~…

Superstars share their Christmas wishes.

Lucha House Party wants a Feliz Navida, but Lince Dorado is still working on their list to Lucha Claus! They need a muy grande pinata, and some candy to put in it. From your three amigos, the Lucha House Party!

Curt Hawkins would love some cane wax, a hoverboard, a pet giraffe, some dress socks… Oh, right, and a win! That’s the most important one.

No Way Jose knows Santa always asks everyone what they want, but he wants to know what Santa wants! How about everyone gives him a gift? Jose needs boots, sweaters, polar bear repellent and some hot chocolate. That way Jose and the WWE superstars can bring the conga line to the North Pole!

Dolph Ziggler speaks.

“It’s quite a year I’ve had. I don’t exactly know if I’ve made the Naughty or Nice List, but I can think of a few things I deserve this Christmas.” The Show-Off wants Shane McMahon to hand him that Best in the World trophy. Then maybe, just maybe, “DZ & Friends” gets a Netflix special. And then tonight, when he beats Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre, he gets what he most deserves: proof that he IS just that damn good. Will Ziggler get all he wants and more this Christmas? Or is he just going to get coal in his stocking?

Triple Threat: Finn Balor VS Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre!

The Show-Off said his part, but he’ll have to put up or shut up against both the Extraordinary Man and the Scottish Terminator tonight. Who will have a much more Merry Christmas after ruining the holidays for the other two?

Raw returns as Charly Caruso interviews McIntyre in the ring. The issues between these three men have escalated, but is he worried Ziggler and Finn will work together against him? “Does a mountain lion worry when it spots two deer in the wild?” No, it smiles because it gets extra food. The truth is, Ziggler and Finn should try that, because it’s what McIntyre would do. But it won’t matter when those “boys” are going up against a Scottish Psycho. And if by some miracle they get the upper-hand, their egos will get in the way and McIntyre will kick them both down. Now this is the best part so shut up and listen: McIntyre will go on to win the Royal Rumble! Then McIntyre fulfills destiny when he main events Wrestlemania! McIntyre then demands his opponents appear, and they do, so that this match can begin.

The bell rings and McIntyre keeps his eyes on both Ziggler and Finn. He then hits them each in turn, and gives them clubbing forearms and stiff chops. McIntyre puts Ziggler in one corner for a chop, but runs into Finn’s boots. Ziggler elbows McIntyre back, and Finn hits a forearm. McIntyre staggers and Finn hits him with another. Finn and Ziggler do decide to work together, to clothesline McIntyre out! Ziggler rolls Finn, TWO! Ziggler rocks Finn with an uppercut, then throws haymakers. He grinds Finn’s face on ropes, then throws more hands. Finn hits back but Ziggler dropkicks him down! Cover, ONE! Ziggler eggs Finn on ad whips but Finn reverses. Ziggler sunset flips but Finn rolls through to dropkick!

Finn clotheslines Ziggler out, then builds speed, but McIntyre trips him up! McIntyre throws Finn into barriers, but Ziggler comes around to attack! McIntyre scoops and slams Ziggler on the apron! The Terminator grins while we go to break.

Raw returns and McIntyre has Finn in an armlock while kicking Ziggler out of the ring! McIntyre pulls back deep on Finn, and even grinds in his forearm across Finn’s face. Fans rally up and Finn gets up. Finn pries his way out but McIntyre throws Finn into Ziggler! McIntyre then drags Ziggler up for a deadlift suplex and slam! Cover, TWO! McIntyre rains rights down on Ziggler, then goes after the hand to stomp it! Now McIntyre puts Ziggler in that armlock and chinbar and pulls back. Fans rally for Ziggler and Ziggler gets up. Ziggler hits back with body shots but McIntyre throws Ziggler at Finn. Finn dodges that to hit McIntyre back! Finn slingshots and sunset flips, TWO! McIntyre runs Finn over, covers, TWO!

McIntyre keeps his cool while fans rally for Finn. He stomps Finn’s face, then his legs. McIntyre eggs Finn on, so Finn forearms and kicks in return! McIntyre shoves Finn at the returning Ziggler but now Ziggler dodges. Ziggler hits McIntyre while Finn hits buckles. Ziggler kicks a leg out but gets a Glasgow Kiss headbutt! He slumps out of the ring and McIntyre kicks Finn. McIntyre lifts Finn but Finn fights back. Finn back drops and double stomps McIntyre! McIntyre stands but Finn blasts him into the corner! Finn climbs up while McIntyre is down, Coup de Grace misses! ZIGZAG HITS! Cover, TWO!! Finn lives and Ziggler can’t believe it!

Ziggler takes aim at Finn, but his superkick is blocked! Ziggler kicks out a leg to hit a Famouser! But McIntyre stops Ziggler, and gets him around for an inverted Alabama Slam, onto Finn! McIntyre covers Finn, TWO!! Finn continues to survive but McIntyre just grimaces. McIntyre wants Finn to stand so he can knock him back down. Finn does stand, but he slingblades McIntyre first! Finn dodges and kicks McIntyre down, and fans fire up as Finn climbs up! But Ziggler trips FInn up, to jump at McIntyre. The Satellite is denied, but Ziggler uppercuts and SUPERKICKS! McIntyre’s down again, Ziggler covers. COUP DE GRACE! Fans fire up with Finn as he clotheslines McIntyre out. Finn blasts Ziggler with a dropkick then heads up top! Another Coup de Grace!! Cover, Finn wins!!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Finn wins on the Raw Before Christmas, and it is truly #TooSweet! With such a big win this close to the Royal Rumble, will Finn have earned himself a very special gift from the McMahons?

However, McIntyre turns his attention to Ziggler. McIntyre says Ziggler is the one screwing up! McIntyre is trying to SAVE Raw. There’s not enough room for both of them, and McIntyre will prove it. But then the referee reprimands McIntyre, and Ziggler uses that opening for a ZIGZAG! The Showoff shuts McIntyre up, but who will prove themselves worthy of Raw as the year comes to an end?

WWE and Raw share footage from Tribute to the Troops.

The superstars of Raw and SmackDown all thank the men and women of the American Armed Forces around the world, and gave Fort Hood, Texas a special visit to tell them all that personally. What America’s soldiers do for the people is more appreciated than anyone could ever express. God Bless, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our men and women fighting the real fight.

The B-Team continue singing.

Wait what was their eight? They gotta start over! Dang it! Bo shoves a tree over?! That’s not very Christmasy, Bo. Right, right, sorry. Bo starts over, but Axel is clearly worried the stress of the holidays is getting to him. Will Bo make it to Christmas Day?

Santa McMahon has a message from the North Pole!

Well, okay not really. But he still has presents for all! Namely that the greatest of all time, JOHN CENA, will be back on both Raw and SmackDown! Plus, the WWE will get those Women’s Tag Team Championships the superstars and fans have been asking for! And on top of all that, the New Year’s Eve Raw will have a Steel Cage match: Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre! Merry Christmas! Vince is all sweaty in the beard. Anyone here seen Bad Santa?

Six Woman Tag: Mickie James, Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke VS Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon!

Well since Santa McMahon said it, it must be true! A Women’s Tag Team Division and titles are on their way, so it’s time to see if female superstars can work together! The Boss & Hug Connection already want to be part of that, but will they be able to stay afloat against Dana and Raw’s resident Mean Girls?

The bell rings and we start with Ember and Mickie. They circle and tie up, and Ember rolls Mickie quick. TWO, but Ember grins as she circles with Mickie again. Mickie gets a wristlock, but Ember handsprings through to reverse the hold. Mickie forearms out but Ember spins her around for a back kick. Ember keeps kicking but misses the enziguri. Mickie runs and boots Ember down, then covers. ONE, and Ember headscissors Mickie down. Mickie scrambles to the corner while Dana distracts Ember. Alicia tags in but Ember is ready with a SUEPRKICK! Ember runs, to DIVE on Mickie with a low-pe! She puts Mickie back in but Alicia boots her down! “Captain” Foxy takes control while we go to break.

Raw returns as Dana has Ember in a chinlock. Fans rally and Ember gets up but Dana throws her down. Dana soaks up the heat and puts another chinlock on. She bumps Ember on buckles then tags in Mickie. Mickie kicks Ember then throws her face to the mat. Mickie covers, TWO! She tries again, TWO! Mickie tries yet again, TWO! Mickie grows frustrated so she stomps and drags Ember around. Tag to Alicia, then tag to Dana. Alicia and Mickie cross Ember’s arms into a neckbreaker, then Dana handspring splashes! Cover, TWO! Dana wraps on a chinlock, fans rally up, and Dana fights out. Ember arm-drags Dana then heads for her corner, but Dana hits Sasha first!Dana puts Ember in a corner but misses a handspring back elbow! Hot tag to Bayley!

Bayley rallies on Dana and kicks her down. She hits a big back suplex, then hits Alicia and Mickie! Bayley runs to tackle Dana, then goes wacky waving only to get a clothelsine! Both women are down, Dana tags Mickie. Mickie runs but Bayley flapjacks her for snake eyes! Tag to Sasha and Bayley comes back with a knee wash! Sasha climbs while Bayley hits Alicia. Sasha hits swinging knees, then climbs up again. She leaps for Meteora! Cover, but Alicia breaks it! ECLIPSE from Ember! Sasha gets up to give Mickie a backstabber but Mickie bucks her off. Bayley tags in, backstabber to Bayley2Belly! Cover, Bayley and team win!

Winners: Ember Moon, Sasha Banks & Bayley, Bayley pinning

But the Riott Squad ruin the celebration as they attack! They throw Ember, Sasha and Bayley out in turn, taking the ring for their own. Those titles are coming, and they want them! Will the Squad reign over Raw’s Women’s Division in 2019?

Paul Heyman is here!

“Silent night~! Strowman must fight~! All’s not calm, all’s not right.” The Advocate sings that Brock will conquer Strowman’s title plans, “because Lesnar will NOT Get Those Hands~.” Heyman gives himself a proper introduction as the Advocate for the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion, BROCK, LESNAR!” And in case you haven’t heard, The Royal Rumble will see Brock Lesnar VS Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship. Now Heyman looked up Strowman’s file, and it seems that when Strowman was only a “little” 6’2″ child, he prayed that Santa Claus would bring him a replica title belt. And years later, a full grown adult Monster, but he doesn’t want a replica. He wants the real deal, at the expense of The Beast.

Heyman shoots from the hip: Santa isn’t delivering that title at the expense of Lesnar; Rudolph won’t light a path to the Universal Championship at the expense of Lesnar; all Strowman will get this year is “one big lump of coal”. But here comes Strowman himself! And Strowman’s arm looks much better than it did at TLC. Fans hope Heyman will “Get These Hands!” Heyman says he’s just an advocate! Strowman gives Heyman a red nose and antlers. Strowman wants everyone to see the “Red Nose Advocate.” And he wants Heyman to take a message back to Lesnar. “At the Royal Rumble, I will be healed up. And Brock Lesnar is gonna Get These Hands!” The Monster Among Men leaves it at that, and prepares for a rematch with The Beast. With it being a fair fight this time, will The Beast finally be the one conquered?

Backstage interview with Natalya.

She’s going to face Ronda Rousey up next, but how will it feel to compete against a friend and training partner? Natty expects nothing but the best from Ronda, and vice-versa. But there’s no one who knows Ronda’s style better than her, her trainer. What would it mean to bring that title home for the holidays? 2018 ended up being one of the most difficult years in Natty’s life, but she’s focused and ready. Bringing that title home would be an amazing gift, and she plans to do just that.

More superstars share Christmas wishes.

Alexa Bliss doesn’t need anything, because she’s perfect. But she’ll ask for things on behalf of others. Bayley needs a personality, Sasha needs humility, and Natty… Nah, she’s a lost cause. And lastly, Ronda needs good make-up. Merry Blissmas!

Tyler Breeze wants Fandango to make a speedy recover, and would love some Ariana Grande tickets. Well if he had to choose just one? The tickets.

Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Natalya!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet wanted an Open Challenge last week, but Stephanie McMahon decided she should get the best the Division has to offer. Therefore, a Women’s Gauntlet was held, and The Queen of Harts would win out! Now two good friends must fight for the title, will they still be friends no matter the outcome?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we begin! Ronda and Natty circle and tie up and Natty headlock takeovers quick. Ronda headscissors but Natty pops out to get the headlock back. Natty grinds but Ronda gets up and out. The two friends stand off and Natty grins. They circle again and now Ronda gets a takedown! Natty rolls her over, ONE, and they separate. Fans applaud the stalemate as the two circle again. They tie up and Natty gets the arm. Ronda spins through to reverse the wristlock. Natty rolls and spins and handsprings, then reverses to a hammerlock. She throws Ronda and gets another headlock. Fans duel while Ronda gets up and powers out. Ronda runs Natty over to cover, TWO!

The two stand and circle again. Natty gets a waistlock and takedown then floats to a facelock. Ronda spins and reverses to a hammerlock. Natty endures while fans duel. Natty works her way up but Ronda throws her back down. Ronda makes it a cover, TWO! Ronda keeps on Natty and floats over to a takedown! She wants the armbar but Natty knows it! Natty sits up but Ronda tries a triangle. Natty endures as Ronda hooks it on, and she pops out to a waistlock. Ronda stands and works out to another throw! Then roll through to a cover, TWO! They both stand again and circle. Natty gets a leg and hooks on a deathlock! Natty butterflies the legs but Ronda endures. Fans duel while Ronda sits up to prevent a cover. Ronda picks a leg and gets a cover, TWO!

The tension grows as the friends stay evenly matched. Natty lunges in for another takedown but Ronda counters with a body scissor. Ronda still has to sit up to prevent a cover, but she squeezes Natty tight. Natty endures and works against the hold, but Ronda wraps on a guillotine. Natty powers up and pops out to throw Ronda! She quickly gets Ronda’s legs, and wants a Sharpshooter! Ronda shoves Natty back and that sends Natty tumbling to the floor! Ronda is worried for her friend but has to remember she’s a competitor, too. The referee checks on Natty while we go to break.

Raw returns and Natty throws Ronda into a post! She drags Ronda back out to roll her up, TWO! Natty keeps her cool as she puts Ronda in a body scissor now. Ronda endures the squeeze while fans rally and duel. Natty clubs Ronda, but Ronda elbows back. Both women throw politeness aside finally as Natty grabs Ronda in a chinlock and throws in knees. Natty snap suplexes Ronda down, then covers, TWO! Natty drags Ronda up and around into another chinlock. Fans rally and Ronda feeds off the energy. Ronda arm-drags Natty off but Natty runs her over with a lariat! Cover, TWO! Natty gets nasty now as she clubs Ronda in the back. Natty steps through to put Ronda in an abdominal stretch. Ronda endures as Natty grabs a leg and pulls it back!

Ronda endures while fans duel. She refuses to quit, even with all her limbs stuck. Ronda slips a leg out and throws Natty away! But Natty dropkicks her back down! Cover, TWO! Natty drags Ronda into a facelock, and then hits a stalling suplex this time! Natty slaps Ronda’s stomach before covering, TWO! Ronda crawls to a corner while Natty soaks up the cheers and jeers. Natty runs in but Ronda dodges. Ronda clotheslines Natty down, and finally shows fire. Ronda throws those hands, then throws Natty over her shoulder. Natty gets up but gets the step-up knee! Cover, TWO! Ronda is torn between frustration and friendship. She goes for another knee but Natty rolls her up! TWO, and Natty dares Ronda to fight. Ronda stands, to get the discus clothesline! Cover, TWO!

Both women are slow to standing up, but fans rally. Natty grabs legs and wants the Sharpshooter, but Ronda pushes her away again. Ronda picks Natty up, for Piper’s Pit! Ronda doesn’t want to, but she knows she has to. She grabs an arm, but Natty rolls her up! Then drags her out, for a Sharpshooter!! Ronda’s in the legendary leg lock! Natty sits down but Ronda crawls! Ronda reaches but Natty drags her away! Natty sits down again, and feels so close. But Ronda still scratches and claws. Natty turns Ronda but Ronda turns it around, to an ARMBAR!! Natty flails, but taps! Ronda wins!!

Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission; still Raw Women’s Champion

Ronda let go fast, too, because she didn’t want to hurt her friend longer than she had to.  The title is still hers, and she’s still Natty’s friend. Ronda comforts Natty, and the two celebrate together. What awaits the Baddest Woman and the Queen of Harts in 2019?

Dean Ambrose speaks.

Since the Lunatic is in such a “festive mood”, he wishes Rollins luck in his match tonight. But not really. Rollins will get what he deserves. Rollins probably believes in Santa Claus, but he won’t get what he wants. Ambrose got what he wanted and what he deserved, though. He got the Intercontinental Championship. Just imagine the lousy Christmas Rollins will have after losing. Ambrose can. And it’s what Rollins deserves.

Heath Slater VS Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers!

The One Man Band is back in action, but he’s more worried about Rhyno. Meanwhile, The Modern Day Maharaja wants to spread Shanti to the world. Who will have the better holidays after this?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and Mahal gets an arm. Mahal shifts to a wristlock but Slater rolls through to get a hammerlock. Mahal elbows out then rocks Slater with a right. He whips and elbows Slater down, then suplexes Slater down. Cover, TWO! Mahal rams a knee into Slater then puts on a half nelson. Slater endures while fans rally up. Slater stands but Mahal wrangles him down with a chinlock. Wait, Santa Claus appears?! And he’s handing out merchandise! Mahal shouts at this mystery Santa to stop, but Slater hits him with a heel kick! Cover, but then the Singh Brothers attack him!

Winner: Heath Slater, by disqualification

Slater is being beat down by Mahal and his henchmen, but here comes Santa to make the save! Santa gets them to calm down, because this is Christmas. Mahal says Shanti, but Santa runs him over! Santa and Slater throw the Singh Brothers out, then aim at Mahal. Mahal stands as Santa says “GORE! GORE!” Because yes, Santa RHYNO Gores Mahal! Yes, Rhyno is back! It’s a Christmas Miracle for Slater! Does this mean they’re getting a second chance in the New Year?

The B-Team is running out of steam.

They can’t remember their 12 Days and they can’t move anymore. Will either of them make it to Christmas at this rate?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

How is he able to focus with Dean Ambrose lurking? Rollins will put Corbin out of the way tonight for a Merry Christmas, and then he’ll worry about the Lunatic. Ambrose may have taken his title, but he can’t take Rollins’ heart.

Seth Rollins VS Baron Corbin!

The Architect may have lost his Intercontinental Championship to Dean Ambrose, but his issues with the Lunatic are far from over. But first, he has to worry about The Lone Wolf and the grudge he holds over Rollins being the one costing Corbin his job as GM. Will Rollins #BurnItDown on the Raw before Christmas? Or will Corbin prove to be the biggest Scrooge of all?

Raw returns once more and Corbin makes his entrance. The Lone Wolf sneers as fans boo and jeer, but he enters the ring and we finally begin. Rollins dropkicks Corbin right down! Rollins throws hands and puts Corbin in a corner. Corbin shoves him away but Rollins is back. Corbin knees low then whips Rollins, but Rollins kicks him away. Rollins clotheslines Corbin out then DIVES onto him! Fans fire up with Rollins as he drags Corbin back up for haymakers. Rollins pursues Corbin around the ring and CHOPS him. He bumps Corbin off the apron but Corbin rams him into the apron back. Corbin throws Rollins into the ring but Rollins mule kicks him. Corbin avoids the stomp but Rollins DIVES on him again!

Rollins keeps on Corbin by throwing him into barriers. He puts Corbin in the ring, then throws haymakers. Rollins throws hands but the ref backs him down. Corbin puts Rollins on the apron but Rollins hits him away. Rollins climbs up but Corbin sends him down with a right hand! The Architect is down while we go to one last break.

Raw returns one last time, and Corbin has Rollins in a half nelson. Fans rally up and Rollins fights out. Rollins throws body shots but Corbin knees low. Corbin whips Rollins to a corner but misses. Corbin slides out then in and clobbers Rollins down! Cover, TWO! Corbin keeps his cool, and drags Rollins up by his hair. He throws down heavy rights, then roars in frustration. Fans boo and jeer, but Corbin drives elbows into Rollins’ shoulder. Corbin drags Rollins up in another chinlock half nelson. Corbin thrashes Rollins around but fans rally up again. Rollins gets up and fights back again. Rollins whips but Corbin reverses. Corbin slides out again, but Rollins ducks to boot him back! Rollins hops up, for a blockbuster!

Fans fire up while both men slowly stir on the mat. Rollins fires himself up and stands, and counter punches Corbin. Rollins chops and punches then whips. Corbin reverses and Rollins dodges to slingblade! Rollins tries a suplex but Corbin reverses. Rollins fights out, then boots him back again. Corbin ducks under Rollins and pops him up, but Rollins gets the Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO! Rollins keeps his cool, and then fires back up. Fans fire up with him, and Rollins stomps “Burn It Down!” Rollins aims, mule kicks, but misses the stomp! DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated, but he forces himself back up. He drags Rollins to a corner and up to the top rope. Corbin throws hands then climbs up to join him.

Rollins resists the superplex, fights back, but Corbin rocks him off the top! Rollins kicks back! Springboard, but into a choke slam backbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Rollins lives and Corbin is furious. Corbin stalks Rollins and reels him in, but Rollisn rolls through to inside cradle! TWO!! Corbin runs into a post! SUPERKICK! And Curb Stomp!! Cover, Rollins wins!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

The Architect wins it out for a Merry Christmas! Now he rolls on to focus solely on The Lunatic. Will Rollins continue to #BurnItDown in the New Year? Or will Ambrose continue to frustrate him for all time?

My Thoughts:

A fairly good episode of Raw for being a holiday and pre-recorded. The fact they recorded the in-ring action right after last week’s Raw explains a lot of the flow. Sadly, it’s also why the third hour dragged on a little.

Elias opens up with his song, and we get a rather fun Street Fight. Being the holidays, fans get to feel good with a Face win, and hopefully we move on from this feud so that Elias can perhaps get an Intercontinental Championship chance in the New Year. Meanwhile, Lashley will need to be salvaged from this booty pose before he can really be more than a giant jobber to the stars. And Lio Rush should be allowed to focus on his own Cruiserweight Championship aspirations. If anything, perhaps a role reversal where Lashley joins him on 205 Live to be Lio’s muscle could help.

The Raw Tag Team Championship match was the proper level of competitiveness for Roode, Gable and The Revival. All four men had great matches in NXT, it’s about time we got to see that on Raw. Roode & Gable retain but with some minor controversy, so we can continue this feud into 2019, which I am all for if we get an even better match out of it. The Triple Threat was also great, and it is even greater that Finn won. Finn Balor is another superstar that needs some better support from booking in 2019 but I’m thinking he’ll be just fine with the Royal Rumble and call-ups coming. Just don’t feed him to Lars Sullivan.

The Six Woman Tag, and for that matter the Slater VS Mahal match, were filler that were moderately good. It’s mostly just in-ring filler so fans understand two things: the Women’s Tag Titles will be real, and Rhyno won’t be gone just yet. I’m glad on that tag title point, this was where I thought Bayley & Sasha were going to be by Evolution, but perhaps it will become their Wrestlemania story now. I really enjoyed the Raw Women’s Championship match, Ronda really nailed her character’s conflict of fighting a good friend. She’s been fighting enemies with such aggression, wanting to rip them apart, but she really conveyed her reluctance to hurt Natty. Obviously Ronda wins, and I’m surprised Natty didn’t turn Heel. Maybe she gets a rematch at the Rumble and that’s her Heel turn.

Though I am a little disappointed the women didn’t main event over Rollins VS Corbin. Rollins VS Corbin was really good, though, and obviously Rollins wins. I’m surprised Ambrose didn’t try something but perhaps that would be too predictable and formulaic for them. The New Year will give us their rematch, and more than likely for the title, but I doubt it ends their story. Those two could probably go all the way to Wrestlemania, and they probably will. The build, namely Ambrose’s inconsistent motivation, has not been what this feud has deserved, but perhaps what these two do in 2019 will be what this feud needs. And I did the Batman reference intentionally here, Rollins should consider mocking “Bane Ambrose” by putting on a cowl and cape.

My Score: 7.9/10