The last Raw of 2018 promises to end with a bang as The Show-Off and Scottish Terminator fight inside a Steel Cage! Who escapes into the New Year a winner?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Steel Cage Match: Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
• Fresh Start Battle Royal: Apollo Crews wins and earns a WWE Intercontinental Championship match against Dean Ambrose.
• Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon, Sasha Banks & Bayley VS The Riott Squad; Moon, Banks & Bayley win.
• Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush; Lashley wins, by disqualification.
• 3 on 2 Handicap: Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers VS Heath Slater & Rhyno; Mahal & The Singh Brothers win.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose VS Apollo Crews; Ambrose wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
• Natalya & Ronda Rousey VS Nia Jax & Tamina; Rousey & Natty win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The cage descends!

Raw begins its 2018 finale with steel and pain!

Steel Cage Match: Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre!

Once a dynamic and dominant duo, The Show-Off and Scottish Terminator have had a roller coaster 2018. Things would then fall apart as McIntyre would turn on Ziggler for being the dead weight dragging him down. Who closes out the year proving to the other who was really the weak link in the team?

The bell rings and the two men stare down. Then they rush each other! ZIggler hits McIntyre, then climbs over him to head for the top. McIntyre pulls Ziggler down but Ziggler fights him off. Ziggler climbs another wall but McIntyre yanks him right off. McIntyre CHOPS Ziggler off his feet! McIntyre drags Ziggler up for a deadlift suplex! But McIntyre doesn’t cover nor climb, he grins and CHOPS Ziggler again. McIntyre taunts Ziggler that he wanted this match. Ziggler fires haymakers but McIntyre puts him in a corner for more chops. McIntyre puts Ziggler on the top rope then chops him again! McIntyre continues to egg Ziggler on, but ZIggler slaps him away! Ziggler boots then leaps, for the satellite DDT!

Both men are down, but Ziggler slowly sits up. McIntyre follows but Ziggler is on him with chops of his own. McIntyre throws haymakers but Ziggler throws body shots. Ziggler throws more hands, then kicks, but runs into the Glasgow Kiss! Both men are down again but McIntyre drags himself up. McIntyre starts to climb, but Ziggler hurries up after! Ziggler anchors a foot, and he drags McIntyre back in. The two brawl on the top rope with chops and haymakers. Ziggler bounces McIntyre’s face off the steel again and again and again! McIntyre kicks a leg out and Ziggler crotches on the rope. But then Ziggler shakes the ropes and McIntyre crotches, too! Both men fall down and we go to break.

Raw returns and McIntyre is again egging Ziggler on. McIntyre SLAPS Ziggler back down, then taunts him with the ropes. Finn Balor watches backstage as Ziggler slaps back! Ziggler fires off hands, but runs into a tilt-o-whirl. Ziggler lands on his feet and rebounds from ropes to hit a Famouser! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but both men are down again. Ziggler checks his jaw and ears while McIntyre clutches his head. Both men slowly stand as fans build to a rally. Ziggler goes to kick but is blocked into the inverted Alabama Slam, but he turns it into a victory roll! TWO, and McIntyre runs in. Ziggler sends him into steel! Ziggler throws McIntyre into more steel and McIntyre falls. He drags McIntyre up again for another throw into steel, and then a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!

Both men are down but roll to opposite ends of the cage. Fans build to another rally, and Ziggler wants the door! He drags himself to the doorway but McIntyre drags him back in! McIntyre gives another Glasgow Kiss but both men go down from the impact. Ziggler crawls again and wants the door to open. The referee obliges and Ziggler hurries, but McIntyre gets him again! McIntyre clubs away, but Ziggler slams the door on McIntyre’s head! Both men are down again, but McIntyre is in Ziggler’s way this time. Ziggler rolls away while McIntyre crawls. They both stand, and Ziggler hits another Famouser! Cover, TWO! McIntyre still lives and we go to another break.

Raw returns and Ziggler has made it to the top of the cage! But McIntyre leaps up to stop him! McIntyre climbs and clubs, then drags Ziggler back in with a SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down from the insane impact and fans declare “This is Awesome!” McIntyre drags himself to ropes and actually laughs. He’s amused by how far Ziggler has pushed him in this match. McIntyre looms over Ziggler as he dares him to “Rise! Show me what you’ve got!” Ziggler drags himself up, and McIntyre scoops him to long dart him at the steel cage! McIntyre won’t end it here, “I told you there wasn’t enough room here for both of us.” He suplexes Ziggler into the steel! McIntyre says Ziggler begged for this, so this is what he gets. “I refuse to let it be over.”

Ziggler gets up as McIntyre eggs him on, and Ziggler gets the ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but Ziggler is ready for more. Ziggler eggs McIntyre now, but gets a CLAYMORE outta nowhere! McIntyre grins, but then goes back to coldly staring down at Ziggler. McIntyre slithers to a corner as he applauds Ziggler. Fans rally up as McIntyre prepares another shot. Ziggler stirs, CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

The Scottish Terminator finally ends the match, and now he moves past Ziggler into 2019. With McIntyre in the Royal Rumble, will anyone else have a chance of earning that Wrestlemania championship match?

But wait, Ziggler shouts “Is that all you’ve got?!” McIntyre won’t let Ziggler get away with such defiance! He grabs a chair and then rains down rights on Ziggler! McIntyre wedges chair to trap Ziggler against the steel, and dropkicks it! Ziggler writhes and rolls from the steel sandwich, but McIntyre grins and laughs. McIntyre “In case you didn’t know already, my name is Drew McIntyre, and I am the king of the Raw jungle.” McIntyre tells Ziggler he could’ve walked away, but Ziggler kept sniffing around for scraps. Ziggler is nothing but dead weight, and does not deserve McIntyre’s leftovers.

But now McIntyre ends that chapter, and he focuses on what really matters. He’ll go from being the king of Raw to the king of WWE, because he vows to win The Royal Rumble and finally fulfill destiny by becoming Universal Champion! Wait, Ziggler stands back up, and eggs McIntyre on again!? So McIntyre goes in for a third Claymore! McIntyre leaves Ziggler for dead, will he do the same to whoever he meets in the Royal Rumble match?

A limousine arrives.

And riding inside, is Shane O’Mac! And Triple H! The brothers-in-law of the Authority walk–and shuffle–into the arena. What will they have to say on the last Raw of 2018?

Superstars share New Year’s Resolutions!

Finn Balor knows that any time his name’s brought up, it’s about being the inaugural Universal Champion. Finn is proud of that accomplishment, but he wants to soon be the new Universal Champion.

Ember Moon says 2019 is the year she proves the nickname #Shenom is more than just a name. She vows to do this by winning the Women’s Royal Rumble match and going on to Wrestlemania!

The Ascension want to bring back Fashion Files 2019! No, no, no! It’s to be the Tag Team Champions. Oh, that’s much better actually.

Lucha House Party will make 2019 their year with even more “Lucha! Lucha!”

Will any of these resolutions come true? Or will they sadly be dropped and forgotten?

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

The Architect always managed to #BurnItDown in 2018, but he still has lingering issues with the Lunatic Fringe. Detroit is happy to see Rollins, and he’s happy to see them all fired up. But to be honest, Rollins isn’t big on New Year’s Resolutions. Life moves too fast for that, especially in the WWE. Every week and every day is a fresh start. And Rollins isn’t waiting for the ball to drop, he wants to start a party right now! Rollins has a rematch coming for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and he wants it now! Fans want to see that, too, but instead it’s Triple H who come out! The Game goes to the ring and stands face to face with Rollins.

These two have history, but HHH heard what Rollins said. That “fresh start” at life to do anything you want. Nothing is truer than that for WWE. But that means there are no more automatic rematch clauses. So Rollins’ match with Ambrose is not happening. And to be honest, HHH isn’t sure Rollins deserves such a rematch. HHH takes no pleasure in telling Rollins that, because he was always his most vocal supporter. Cut the crap, Hunter! You only believed when Rollins was a puppet. Is that what Rollins thinks? HHH defends that Rollins made him believe in Rollins. When Rollins told everyone he was going to be the face of Raw, HHH was made to believe that. When Rollins said he was going to be The Man, HHH was made to believe that. Rollins took what he wanted and made HHH believe in him,

And for a moment when HHH didn’t believe, that was when Rollins took him to Wrestlemania and in front of the entire world, he kicked HHH’s ass until he believed again! SO where is that Seth Rollins? Because all HHH sees is a “shell” asking for stuff. Rollins isn’t asking! Has HHH not been watching? Rollins has been carrying Raw for the last year! When Lesnar was wherever doing what whatever Lesnar does, Rollins was churning out classics with Balor, Ziggler and even Mojo Rawley. Yet HHH thinks Rollins is asking? Well fine, Rollins is glad there’s no more handouts, because he’s going to earn this shot. Does HHH want to see the “ruthless bastard” again!? “Yes.”

And HHH wants it to start tonight, #BurnItALLDown against Bobby Lashley! Rollins will burn Bobby, and then he’ll burn Ambrose! And anyone else who gets in his way, even Brock Lesnar or the McMahon Family!! Shane McMahon comes out now to defuse the situation between HHH and Rollins. Shane wants HHH to not amp Rollins up to the point of burning this place down. And Shane tells Rollins to get ready for that match with Bobby Lashley. And Dean Ambrose will be facing someone tonight, and it’ll be the winner of the #FreshStart Battle Royal, which starts next! The first one out for that is FINN BALOR! Will Balor Club get its #FreshStart at the end of 2018?

Fresh Start Battle Royal!

The Extraordinary Man is joined by No Way Jose, The Ascension, the Lucha House Party and even Baron Corbin, all with an equal chance of winning a shot at the Lunatic Fringe’s Intercontinental Championship. The Lone Wolf is in the foulest mood of everyone in the ring, but will that help him win his way back to prominence?

The bell rings and everyone brawls! Corbin goes after Finn but Titus O’Neil helps Finn haul Corbin up. The B-Team go after Curt Hawkins, who is still the man with the worst losing streak. The Ascension and the Lucha House Party brawl while Corbin turns things around on Finn. The Ascension go after Corbin and that saves Finn. Jose gives Viktor an airplane spin! Both men end up dizzy, and Apollo Crews lifts Jose! Apollo throws Jose out, and then throws Viktor out, Apollo ELIMINATES them both. The B-Team goes after Apollo but he puts them both on the apron! Apollo boots Konnor away then handsprings over him to dropkick him down! Ambrose watches this backstage as Apollo rallies.

The B-Team go after Finn while Zack Ryder fights off former friend, Mojo Rawley. Finn fights The B-Team off while Lucha House Party pick on Hawkins. Corbin works together with The B-Team to bully Balor while Ryder actually gets Konnor up. Hawkins holds on for dear life while Finn rallies on Corbin and The B-Team. Corbin knees Finn down and grinds his boot in. Ryder headbutts Hawkins and works together with Apollo and Corbin. Titus fights off all three Lucha House Party members, and then throws Kalisto to the apron. Metalik and Lince help Kalisto, and they drag Titus out! Lucha House Party ELIMINATES Titus, and we go to break!

Raw returns and Finn fights off Lucha House Party. Kalisto wheelbarrows but Finn throws him into Lince. Finn turns around into Metalik’s kick, then Metalik climbs up. Metalik walks the rope, but Finn shoves him out, Finn ELIMINATES Metalik! Finn then dumps Kalisto to the apron, and dumps Lince out beside him. Finn goes for their fingers but the luchadores help each other stay up. But Finn boots and ELIMINATES Kalisto, then throws Lince out onto his amigos! Finn ELIMINATES Lucha House Party all by himself! But now Baron Corbin goes after him again! The two brawl, while Ryder works on the B-Team. Corbin clotheslines Finn over and over, but then Finn sends him into the post!

The B-Team brawl with Apollo, and Apollo lifts Bo Dallas. Curt Axel saves BO to throw Apollo tot he apron. But Apollo shovels The B-Team up and out and ELIMINATES them both! Konnor runs at Apollo but Apollo SUPERKICKS and ELIMINATES him! Mojo Rawley runs into a knee, and Apollo throws him out to ELIMINATE Mojo! Apollo has six eliminations all to himself! Curt Hawkins and Ryder get run over, and Apollo lifts Tyler Breeze. Breeze slips out and enziguris, but misses. Apollo lifts and throws Breeze out onto the pile, Apollo ELIMINATES Breeze! That’s seven!

The Final Five are Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Zack Ryder, Finn Balor and somehow, Curt Hawkins. Corbin grabs Apollo for the choke slam! Finn slingblades Corbin! Finn chops Hawkins and dropkicks Corbin. Hawkins swings but runs into an elbow drop DDT! Ryder runs into a takedown and stomps! But Corbin throws Finn out and ELIMINATES him!! Corbin gets revenge on Finn, but then runs into Ryder’s boots. Ryder hits a missile dropkick! Ryder hits a forearm smash then throws more forearms in the corner. Fans are fired up and “WOO WOO WOO!” Broksi– ELIMINATION! Corbin, Apollo and Hawkins are the Final Three! And Corbin grins at Mr. Losing Streak. Hawkins throws hands and fans fire up! Corbin knees low and throws Hawkins to the apron, but Hawkins holds on!

Hawkins shoulders back in, then drags Corbin over the top rope! Fans fire up for Hawkins, but Corbin drags himself back in. Corbin throws and ELIMINATES Hawkins! But Apollo is right on Corbin! Corbin fights him off and throws Apollo tot he apron. Apollo hits back then climbs up. Apollo leaps in, rolls through, but Corbin grabs him. Corbin lifts but Apollo slips through the choke slam to send Corbin at the corner. Corblin slides out under the bottom rope then back in, but into an enziguri! Another enziguri ELIMINATES Corbin! Apollo Crews wins!!

Winner: Apollo Crews; will face Dean Ambrose for the WWE Intercontinental Championship later tonight

Is this it?! Is this the night the rising star finally reaches a mountain peak?! Apollo Crews will test himself again against the Lunatic Fringe, will his New Year be golden?

In-ring interview with Apollo Crews!

The title match is set, what’s going through his head? This is what Apollo has been wanting for so long. It took 364 days, but the moment is here! And Apollo can’t think of a better way to end 2018 than becoming the new Intercontinental Champion! Will his New Year’s Resolution come true before 2019 even starts?

Backstage interview with Natalya.

The Queen of Harts reviews footage of her match with friend and Raw Women’s Champion, Ronda Rousey. Natty got Ronda to get serious and fight her like a real opponent. As such, Ronda got the better of Natty with the armbar. What does Natty plan for 2019? She isn’t sure. 2018 was so powerful, but full of such great things, too. Natty’s match with Ronda really pushed them both and it was just magical. She would love another chance at Wrestlemania, so Natty enters the Women’s Royal Rumble! But then Nia Jax comes over to mock the BFF’s. What if Ronda isn’t champion then? What if something derails her plans? Tamina attacks from the other end! And then they both throw Natty into a trunk!

Security gets Nia and Tamina to stop, and they taunt “Where’s your best friend now, Natty?” Will the Samoan Dynasty regret attacking Ronda’s friend while she’s away? Or are they the obstacle neither Natty nor Ronda can get past on the Road to Wrestlemania?

Baron Corbin is still in the ring.

And he complains that the battle royal wasn’t fair. He is more deserving of a fresh start than anyone else. But that’s the problem. He tried to please the fans as GM and all fans did was boo! Baron had to deal with egos and the pressures from the administration. Corbin deserves an award. But instead, Elias appears and plays Auld Lang Syne for the New Year. “Brothers and sisters, I’ve got one question for everybody here tonight: Who Wants to Walk With Elias?!” Detroit does! And Corbin’s time is up, because the New Year’s Rocking Eve with Elias is now. Elias doesn’t invite losers to his party so Corbin has to go. Fans tell Corbin “You’re a Loser!”

Corbin says the fans are the losers, but Elias goes into detail. When Corbin was GM, it was his plan to never bring Raw to “a depraved and rundown city like Detroit.” But Elias talked with Kid Rock, and they both agree: Corbin running his mouth ain’t no way to bring in the new year. And Detroit is making a comeback! Elias will resurrect Detroit like never before. Because everyone knows WWE really means “Walk With Elias!” Now obviously Elias has a song to sing, so if Corbin isn’t going to leave, just please silence phone, hold applause and most importantly shut your mouth!

Elias begins, “Baron Corbin be forgot, please just go away~! You ruined Raw, now Elias will save Mondays.” He hears Corbin speak and gets in a bad mood. Whoever said Corbin’s entertaining should be sued. Corbin lost his job, such a pity. But Elias doesn’t really care, because we’re in Detroit Rock City! Sing, “Detroit Rock City~!” Corbin gets out of the ring, and we have a brawl! Corbin throws Elias into the barriers, then over into the crowd. Elias gets up and Corbin pursues, only to get kicks. They brawl more, and Corbin throws Elias into the front row! Elias throws a drink back! Elias brings the fight back to Corbin and they brawl right in front of the fans. Corbin gets away, but Elias sees Corbin coming from the timekeeper’s area and clobbers him! Then he uses a spare trunk to squish Corbin against the barriers!

Elias climbs on the trunk to club away on Corbin! Fans are fired up with Elias as he stands above Corbin. Corbin retreats but Elias pursues to throw him back to ringside. Corbin continues his retreat and gets away from Elias. Will this grudge continue into the new year? Who else will #WalkWithElias in 2019?

More superstars share their New Year’s Resolutions!

Drake Maverick vows that The Authors of Pain will make every other tag team on Raw feel the pain, until they again become the Raw Tag Team Champions!

The Riott Squad says they don’t need to change. All they need to do is apply some pressure and break the rest of the Raw Women’s Division.

Zack Ryder wants more matches on TV! And to collect all the new WWE Action Figures.

No Way Jose only worries about 2019 when it’s 2019. For now, enjoy the present with a party~!

Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon, Sasha Banks & Bayley VS The Riott Squad!

The War Goddess and the #LegitHuggable duo won a match against Dana Brooke, Mickie James & Alicia Fox, but Ruby, Sarah & Liv had to ruin the fun. These six will now settle the score before 2018 is done, who gets a leg up towards the promised Women’s Tag Team Championships?

The teams sort out and Bayley starts with Liv Morgan. Bayley hits a Thesz Press at the bell, but Liv gets up. The two brawl and Liv throws Bayley down by her hair. Liv tags in Sarah, and the two mug Bayley. Bayley fights back, tags Sasha and double crossbodies! Sasha comes in to Meteora Sarah! Cover, TWO! Sasha bumps Sarah on buckles and stomps in a mudhole. She grinds a boot into Sarah’s face, then brings her over. Sarah forearms Sasha back, then whips her into a corner. Sarah misses and Sasha bumps her back. Sasha bumps Sarah in her corner, and Bayley tags as Sasha hits swinging knees! Bayley drags Sarah out and drops an elbow! Cover, ONE, but Bayley keeps on Sarah with a facelock.

Bayley tags Ember but Sarah gets away to tag Ruby. Ruby runs into Ember’s roll up, ONE! Ember tries again, ONE! Ruby dodges Ember but Ember lands out of the hip toss to arm-drag Ruby down! Ember dropkicks Ruby then covers, TWO! Ember puts on a headlock, but Ruby powers out. She holds rope and Ruby misses, but Liv tags in. Ember rolls Ruby but Liv boots her down! Cover, ONE! The Squad grows frustrated but they keep on Ember with a mudhole stomp. Liv shrieks when the ref reprimands her, then tags to Sarah. The mudhole stomps continue, tag to Ruby. Tag to Liv and then tag to Sarah, and then tag to Ruby. The entire Squad stomps away on Ember, so Bayley & Sasha drag out Liv and Sarah! The brawl gets chaotic and we go to break!

Raw returns and things speed up between Bayley and Ruby. Bayley ducks, dodges and arm-drags Ruby into an armlock! Ruby fights her way back up and pulls Bayley’s ponytail. She whips but Bayley goes up and over. Bayley goes for a hip toss but Ruby blocks it for her own. Ruby goes after the legs but Bayley shoves her away. Liv tags in but runs into Bayley’s arm-drag! Bayley whips Liv to her corner and tags in Sasha. Sasha tags in Ember, and the BFF’s whip Liv to the corner. Ember hits a back elbow, then rolls Liv, TWO! Ember tags back to Sasha and feeds Liv to a roll up, TWO! Sasha keeps on Liv with a whip tot he corner. Liv elbows Sasha away but her boots are deflected. Sarah distracts the ref so that Ruby can save Liv from the knees!

Liv climbs back up and in to stomp Sasha down! Cover, TWO! The Squad is frustrated but Liv drags Sasha away. Ruby tags in and she double kicks with Liv. Cover, TWO! Sasha goes for her corner but Ruby keeps her back. Ruby puts on a full nelson and thrashes Sasha around, but fans rally up. Sasha feeds off the energy, but Ruby whips her. Sasha gets around for a crucifix takedown, TWO! Ruby elbows Sasha down, covers, TWO! Ruby tags Sarah, and they work together for the human weapon senton! Cover, TWO! Sarah goes to boot but misses, and Sasha gets to a corner. Sasha goes up but Sarah throws her down, to hit a sliding knee! Cover, TWO! Sarah pushes Sasha to her corner, tag to Liv. Sarah feeds Sasha to Liv’s knees, Liv hits a flying bulldog! Cover, TWO! Liv tires again, TWO! Again, TWO!

Liv is furious, but she puts on a chinlock. Fans rally for Sasha, and Sasha fights back. Liv whips Sasha but Sasha counters to a backslide. TWO, but Sasha knees Liv in the face! Both women crawl for their corners as fans rally up. Tag to Sarah and she drags Sasha away. Sasha slips out of the back suplex, but into a pop-up headbutt! Sarah hits Ember for good measure, and taunts Bayley. The ref has to hold Bayley back, which only allows The Squad to hit Sasha with a Double STO! Sarah covers, but Ember narrowly breaks it! Sarah dropkicks Bayley while Ember FLIES onto Ruby and Liv! Sasha rolls Sarah up, TWO! But there’s no one to tag! Sasha tilt-o-whirls and wants a takedown but Sarah pushes out. Bayley tags in, backstabber to Macho Elbow! Cover, Bayley and team wins!

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

The Boss & Hug Connection pull it off with help from the Shenom! Will 2019 mean big things for all three of them?

WWE and Raw take a look back at The Monster Among Men’s 2018.

“Somebody is gonna get these hands!” From manhandling the Big Red Machine to making Kevin Owen’s life a demolition derby, Braun Strowman has done what he wants, when he wants, to who he wants. “Hell, I even played a cello.” However, it wasn’t all fun and destruction for Strowman, as circumstances beyond his control would prevent him from getting the WWE Universal Championship from The Beast, Brock Lesnar. But Strowman has his next shot at the Royal Rumble. Will The Monster conquer the Beast and finally have the gold he wants?

Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush!

The Game dared The Architect to be that “ruthless bastard” he was before, and burn down anyone in his way. Rollins looks to take up that challenge against the Rocky Mountain Machine to close out the year. Will Rollins still #BurnItDown and blaze a path back to the WWE Intercontinental Championship?

Lio Rush says “If there was any man hungrier for a fresh start in 2019, it’s the Almighty Bobby Lashley.” This man was handpicked by HHH. Why? Because Lashley isn’t here to pose, he’s here to fight! “The world must’ve forgotten exactly who Bobby Lashley is. But luckily for you, Seth, you get to find out firsthand.” And after being dominated, Rollins will see Lashley’s favorite pose, as will the entire worthless city of Detroit! Lio tells Lashley to go in there and dominate, and Lashley plans to do just that. Will this fresh start bring this duo of might and mouth bigger and better things?

The bell rings and Rollins goes right at Lashley with a dropkick! Rollins throws hands in the corner, but the ref backs him off. Lashley gets around to waistlock slam Rollins, and he glares down at Rollins. Lashley puts Rollins in a corner for haymakers of his own. The ref warns Lashley but Lashley keeps throwing hands. Lashley runs side to side to ram his shoulder into Rollins. Fans jeer as Lashley throws Rollins around again. Lashley drags Rollins up but Rollins slips out of the suplex. Rollins chops and haymakers, then whips. Lashley reverses but Rollins dodges to Pele! Rollins runs to dropkick Lashley out of the ring! Then Rollins slingshots out to take Lashley down! Lio distracts Rollins on the apron, but Rollins ignores him to springboard, but into a complete shot from Lashley! Cover, TWO!

Lashley drives elbows into Rollins as fans rally up. Lashley clamps on a nerve hold but Rollins fires up. Rollins fights back and jawbreakers free. Rollins runs but Lashley follows to run him over! Lashley drags Rollins up to throw him out. Fans boo and jeer but Lio gets away with a headscissor to throw Rollins into a post! Rollins is in trouble as we go to break.

Raw returns and Lashley grinds Rollins down in a cobra clutch. Fans rally for Rollins while Lio coaches Lashley on. Lashley shifts to yank Rollins’ arm. Lashley flexes while fans boo and jeer. Rollins fights back with chops! He whips Lashley corner to corner but Lashley reverses! Rollins tumbles into the buckles, then back down. Lashley covers, TWO! Lashley drags Rollins up to slap him around. Fans rally for Rollins even as Lashley knocks him back down. Rollins grits his teeth as he pushes himself back up. Lashley drags Rollins up for the Vertigo Suplex! But Rollins fights out! Rollins boots Lashley from a corner, then chops him again and again. He runs, but Lashley follows. Rollins dodges, to slingblade! Rollins clotheslines Lashley out, then fires up. He builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit sends Lashley into barriers!

But Rollins keeps going, to DIVE again! Fans are fired up while Lio is panicked. Rollins puts Lashley in, springboard clothesline! Rollins stomps as fans chant “Burn It Down!” Lio shouts to Lashley, but Rollins mule kicks and runs. Lio swipes at Rollins, and then Lashley hits Rollins with a HUGE Spinebuster! Cover, TWO!! Lashley and Lio grow frustrated, but Lio tells Lashley to end it. Lashley lifts Rollins but Rollins slips out. Rollins leaps over Lashley to send him into buckles, then rolls him up. TWO, and Rollins mule kicks Lashley! Rollins climbs up top, but Lio distracts on the apron. Rollins hops down and the chase is on! Lio goes around, under and out, but Rollins pursues. Lio escapes to the barriers, then back the other way! Only for Rollins to boot him down!

Rollins drags Lio up to snake eyes on barriers! But Lashley attacks Rollins from behind! Lashley takes the time to taunt, but Rollins hits him with a chair!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by disqualification

The Architect gives Lashley the win, but that look in his eyes says it doesn’t matter. Rollins SMACKS Lashley again! They end up back in the ring, and Rollins jabs Lashley before giving him another SMACK! And another SMACK! Lio leaps in but gets a chair shot, too! Rollins SMACKS Lashley then SMACKS Lio, then back again! If this is the Rollins HHH wanted to see, then he got what he wanted. Rollins aims at Lio, to give him the CURB STOMP! Rollins has unleashed his ruthless aggression, but will it bring him back around to Dean Ambrose?

Raw takes another look at the coming new faces.

Lars Sullivan says he’s “not here to fit in or make friends. I don’t care about being loved and adored.” The Leviathan was put on this planet to instill fear. He vows to make everyone suffer!

Lacey Evans vows to use her Woman’s Right to clear out and clean up the Women’s Division, while maintaining her manners.

They’re COMIIIN’! Heavy Machinery will use the power of #SteaksAndWeights to bring the good times and the big fights to the Tag Team Division.

“You wanna play? Play with Nikki!” The Loony Lass has no fear, there’s only chaos. Nikki Cross is on her way, who wants to play?

And of course, last but certainly not least is the #TopOnePercent. The Best Here, the Best There, the Best Everywhere is prepared to rack up #VictoryAfterVictory no matter where he ends up.

3 on 2 Handicap: Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers VS Heath Slater & Rhyno!

Santa Manbeast helped The One Man Band against the Modern Day Maharaja and his Bollywood Boys for Christmas, but now the New Year will see one side get the upper hand. Who will have a good start to 2019?

The bell rings and Mahal starts with Slater. Mahal powers Slater to a corner, but Slater turns it around. Slater honors the ropebreak, but Mahal tries a sucker punch. Slater’s ready for it and throws hands of his own. The Singh Brothers distract and Mahal runs Slater over! Mahal rams his knee into Slater’s back, then puts Slater in the corner. He rams his shoulder in, and Samir tags in. Samir stomps a mudhole then tags in Sunil. The Bollywood Boys stomp a mudhole as they tag back and forth. They double suplex Slater and cover, TWO! Samir drops elbows then does a Bollywood dance before running into Slater’s leg lariat! Mahal is furious and demands a tag. Hot tags to Rhyno and Sunil!

Rhyno rallies and Detroit fires up! Rhyno clubs Samir and whips him corner to corner, to ram his shoulder in! He baits Sunil in and throws him into Samir. Rhyno sandwiches the Singhs, then throws them both overhead! Mahal tags in, but Rhyno is ready with a headbutt and spinebuster! Fans fire up and Rhyno revs it up. Sunil distracts and Samir swipes at Rhyno. Slater flies off the apron onto Samir, but Mahal boots Rhyno! KALLAS! Cover, Mahal & the Singh Brothers win!

Winners: Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers, Mahal pinning

The reunion didn’t work out like Slater & Rhyno wanted, but 2019 is a new year. Will they get back on track in the Tag Team Division? Or is their fresh start already ending?

Dean Ambrose speaks.

“Fresh starts. Everybody seems to be talking about this ‘fresh start’ from the McMahon Family.” But the Lunatic doesn’t need a fresh start. Seth Rollins needs one, though. Did you see how angry he was? He doesn’t look well. Ambrose feels a little sorry for him. But as the Moral Compass of Raw, it is still his obligation to burn down what Rollins holds dear. And fans think this is Apollo Crews’ feel good moment, huh? Ambrose hates those kinds of moments. He will make it his duty to make sure Apollo’s fresh start has a rotten end.

More superstars share their New Year’s Resolutions.

The GLORIOUS Duo couldn’t think of a better way than to shut up The Revival in a tag title defense next week. They will continue to make Raw #AbsolutelyGLORIOUS! The Revival, meanwhile, vow to bring credibility back to tag team wrestling as the new champions. Who will keep this resolution in the first Raw of 2019?

The #LegitHuggable friends want to be THE inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions together. 2019 will be the Year of Boss & Hug. #BankOnIt.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose VS Apollo Crews!

The Lunatic Fringe vows to guide the WWE down the right path, but he himself seems to be going down the wrong one. However, he won’t have to worry about Seth Rollins cashing in a rematch clause in this “fresh start” era. But that also means he can’t use one himself, so he needs to be careful against Apollo Crews. Will Apollo get a major upset to close out the year? Or will he only be upset after Ambrose gets through with him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Apollo dropkicks Ambrose right down and throws hands in a corner! The ref counts and Apollo backs off. Apollo whips but Ambrose reverses, only for Apollo to handspring up and over! Ambrose runs, but things speed up and Apollo hits a back elbow. Apollo walks into a boot, then Ambrose chops. Ambrose whips but Apollo jumps over for a sunset flip! TWO, and Apollo rolls Ambrose, TWO! Ambrose runs but Apollo clotheslines him out! Apollo then asai moonsaults Ambrose down fast! He puts Ambrose in the ring but Ambrose scrambles right out. Ambrose is on the defensive while we go to break.

Raw returns to Ambrose stomping away on Apollo at the ropes. He drags Apollo up and reels him in for a lariat. Cover, TWO! Ambrose keeps his cool as he puts a chinlock on Apollo. Ambrose shifts it into a straitjacket stretch, but fans rally up. Apollo endures the knee in his back and powers his way up out of the hold. Ambrose kicks low then suplexes, but Apollo slips out to dump Ambrose out. Ambrose is annoyed, but he runs into a cradle! TWO, and they both run for double clotheslines! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re okay to continue, and fans rally up. Apollo sits up first but Ambrose follows. Ambrose runs into an enziguri! Apollo mule kicks and boots, then hits a leaping lariat! Apollo kips up and fires up! He scoops and Samoan Drops Ambrose, covers, TWO!

Ambrose wants a breather but Apollo doesn’t give him one. Apollo lifts but Ambrose fights out. Ambrose gives an elbow but gets an elbow, and Apollo climbs. Apollo leaps for a big crossbody, TWO, standing Shooting Star! Cover, TWO! Ambrose survives being surprised by Apollo’s athleticism, but fans are still on Apollo’s side. Apollo runs in but into a boot. Ambrose runs into an overhead belly2belly! Apollo hits a big corner splash, then another trophy lift like the battle royal! Ambrose rakes the eyes, but Apollo enziguris! Apollo lifts, Crews Control bomb!! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Ambrose survives again, and rolls out of the ring. Apollo sees him, builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit, and Apollo puts Ambrose back in. Apollo hurries up top, leaps, frog splash FLOPS!

Ambrose gets up, grabs Apollo, Dirty Deeds! He crawls to the cover, Ambrose wins!

Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion

The Lunatic survives by the skin of his teeth, but he took advantage of Apollo’s misstep to keep the title. Ambrose clutches tight to the belt, but will someone come along to snatch it away in 2019?

Alexa Bliss speaks.

“We’ve seen a lot of changes on Monday Night Raw, between the announcement of the Women’s Tag Titles, brand new talent on the way, and of course, the return of The McMahon Family.” The Goddess will miss running the Women’s Division, but in her short term, she made history. And thanks to the McMahons, she’ll make even more history. Next week will be the premiere of her own talk show, A Moment of Bliss! And the first ever woman talk show host will have her very first guest: Ronda Rousey! Alexa knows Ronda loves Roddy Piper, but make sure you dress appropriate. This isn’t just any show, this is Alexa’s show. Ronda will be in “the presence of a Goddess, not slumming it in some pit.”

Natalya & Ronda Rousey VS Nia Jax & Tamina!

The Queen of Harts had a run-in with the Samoan Dynasty, but now numbers will be even with The Baddest Woman on the Planet by her side. With WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the way, will this match have major implications on top of the Raw Women’s Championship hunt?

The moment Ronda and Natty hit the ring, they hit Nia and Tamina! Nia gets away so Ronda goes after Tamina with Natty. The referee restores order as the Samoan Dynasty regroups. Nia tells Tamina it’s fine. Ronda starts against Tamina and throws her right down! Ronda throws knee after knee then dares Nia to tag in. Nia does, and she runs, only to be taken down! Ronda wants the arm already, but Nia stays up. Nia gets free but Ronda is right after her with body shots. Nia puts Ronda in a corner then throws Ronda across the way. Ronda’s right up but gets squashed in the corner. Nia scoops Ronda to slam her down. Nia runs but misses the senton! Ronda tags to Natty while Nia tags Tamina.

Natty shoulders into Tamina then dropkicks her down! Natty snap suplexes Tamina around, then covers. TWO, but Natty puts Tamina in a corner. Natty throws in her shoulder then stomps a mudhole. The ref counts and Natty stops at 4. Detroit fires up as Natty swipes at Nia. Tamina runs in but misses, and Natty scoop slams Tamina! Cover, TWO! Natty goes for the legs but Tamina scrambles to the ropes. Nia drags Tamina out and the cousins regroup. Natty baseball slides them both, then tags Ronda. Ronda climbs, and LEAPS onto them both! Ronda and Natty are in control while we go to break.

Raw returns once more, and Nia tags in. Both Nia and Tamina run Natty over, then taunt Ronda. Ronda coaches Natty but Nia drags Natty up for a headbutt. Nia chokes Natty at the ropes, but stops at 4. Nia drags Natty up again to bump her off buckles. Tag to Tamina, and Tamina stomps a mudhole into Natty again. Tag back to Nia, and fans rally up. Natty fights back with haymakers, but Nia scoops and slams Natty again. Nia continues to taunt Ronda, then throws Natty into a post. Nia drags Natty up to throw her down, then covers. TWO, but Nia keeps her cool. Nia drags Natty up for a cobra clutch, but fans rally up again. Nia thrashes Natty around but Natty endures. Natty jawbreakers out of the hold!

Natty crawls but Nia is in her way. Nia powers her to the corner and tags in Tamina. Tamina throws forearms, then snapmares Natty down. Tamina wraps on a chinlock now, but Natty gets right up. Natty fights back and runs, but into Tamina’s fireman’s carry. Natty slips out and they collide with crossbodies! Both women crawl, but Tamina keeps Natty away from Ronda. Natty shoves Tamina away, hot tags to Nia and Ronda! Ronda fires off on Nia with fast hands! Nia manages to cover up but Ronda throws her, shining wizard! Judo throw! Cover, TWO! Ronda keeps the fire going as she dares Nia to stand again. SUPER WOMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Ronda while Nia’s on the apron. Nia returns, picks Ronda right up, and trophy lifts for a slam! Cover, TWO!

Ronda survives but Nia keeps her cool. Nia drags Ronda back up, for another fireman’s carry. Nia climbs high, but Ronda fights back. Tamina tags in as Ronda goes to bomb Nia! Nia fights her off, Tamina SUPERKICKS Ronda down! Cover, TWO!! Tamina and Nia are shocked, but Tamina keeps going. She drags Ronda up, and headbutts her down. She runs to dive but misses the headbutt! Ronda gets Tamina into the armbar! Tamina holds on and Nia drops the leg! But Natty goes after Nia with the discus! SUPERKICK from Tamina! Tamina goes back to Ronda, covers, TWO!! Ronda still lives! Tamina drags Ronda to a drop zone and climbs up high. The Daughter of the Superfly leaps, but her Superfly gets boots! ARMBAR!! Tamina taps, Ronda & Natty win!

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Natalya, Rousey by submission

Another great win for the Baddest Woman on the Planet, and alongside her good friend to boot! With 2018 ending strong, will 2019 be the same for Ronda? Or are her toughest challenges still to come?

My Thoughts:

A really good Raw to finish the year. This “fresh start” seems to be showing more of itself now. First, I was really surprised to see them start with the Steel Cage Match, but I suppose it made sense in a lot of ways. It has the most time to breathe if it starts the show, which allowed it to be a great match, and then there was time for McIntyre to brutalize Ziggler afterward, which really added to everything. McIntyre wants to win the Royal Rumble, as anyone would, but expect Ziggler to put his name in the match and at the very least make sure McIntyre doesn’t win. Rollins has a great promo with HHH and Shane, and it is now official that there are no rematch clauses ever again.

The Battle Royal was great, and I guess it’s fine that Finn didn’t win. Apollo got a great push right here, but sadly it was clear he wasn’t going to win. Rollins has a great match with Lashley, and that includes the cat ‘n’ mouse with Lio, and I liked Rollins going off. This isn’t a Heel turn, this is him getting a new edge that he might need to either get back at Ambrose or get past Lesnar. Ambrose and Apollo had a great match, but again it was clear Apollo wasn’t going to get the win. Fresh start or not, the story dictates Rollins and Ambrose get their blow-off before anyone else takes that title. When that title goes to someone else, that is when the fresh start will truly lock in.

However, the fresh start hasn’t changed everything yet. We still got a silly filler match in Slater-Rhyno VS Mahal & Singhs. It seems Raw wants the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions to struggle even into 2019. With Roode-Gable VS The Revival next week for the titles, things could shake up in the Tag Division real quick. If The Revival win and no rematch clauses, I hope Slater & Rhyno get another “I’ve got kids!” type push so that they at least get a match for the titles. Then in the Women’s Division on Raw, we got another Six Woman Tag, but at least it was really good. Clearly Sasha & Bayley are on the rise towards the Women’s Tag Titles, but I kinda hope it’s a swerve so that a SmackDown team gets it to start. I still want my ridiculous contender system to pan out, too, but that’s wishful thinking.

Ronda & Natty VS Nia & Tamina in the main event was pretty good. For one, it’s women closing Raw, so that’s great. Naturally Ronda & Natty win, it sends everyone home for the New Year’s happy. Nia & Tamina are still strong contenders from Raw’s side for those Women’s Tag Titles. The Raw Women’s Championship is still in question, but this can still be steered towards Ronda VS Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania. Ronda will likely address the issue of her challenger during the premiere of Alexa’s new talk show. I, for one, look forward to seeing the sassy Goddess make this transition in the event she’s not coming back to in-ring action.

My Score: 8.1/10