The last NXT of 2024!

While the 2024 NXT Year End Awards will be handed out, someone will have to take an L when Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan throw hands!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kelani Jordan VS Lola Vice; Kelani wins.
• NXT 2024 Match of the Year: NXT North American Championship Triple Threat from Stand & Deliver.
• NXT 2024 Match of the Year: Joe Hendry’s debut in NXT.
• Ethan Page VS Cedric Alexander; Ethan wins.
• Triple Threat Tag: Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Lash & Jakara win.
• NXT 2024 Tag Team of the Year: Nathan Frazer & Axiom.
• Izzi Dame VS Sol Ruca; Izzi wins.
• NXT 2024 Female Superstar of the Year: Roxanne Perez.
• Six Man Tag: Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe VS Hank, Tank & Andre Chase; Wes, Tyson & Tyriek win.
• NXT 2024 Male Superstar of the Year: Oba Femi.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kelani Jordan VS Lola Vice!

The Standout wanted to stomp out Cora Jade for all the shade she’s been throwing, and to her credit, it was a touch hypocritical for Stephanie Vaquer & Lola Vice to stop her when they’ve had grudge matches of their own. But will Kelani really vent her frustrations out on a friend? Or can Lola quite literally knock some sense into Kelani?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Kelani powers Lola to ropes, Lola turns things around and she tells Kelani to calm down. Kelani shoves Lola and says you don’t tell her to come down! Kelani headlocks for a takeover, but Lola fights free and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Kelani gets up and shoves Lola again! Lola SOBATS, whips, but Kelani goes up and over. Kelani then ducks ‘n’ dodges to go up and CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Kelani DROPKICKS! Lola sits up, into a SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Kelani keeps on Lola with a whip and slingshot- NO, Lola stops the arm-drag to wrangle Kelani!

The fans rally while Lola says Kelani’s running too hot. Kelani fights up, pries free of the chinbar, but Lola wrenches. Kelani wrenches and wrangles Lola to a top wristlock! Lola fights up while the fans rally, but Kelani keeps Lola down. Lola fights around, stands up, and she wrangles Kelani into the armlock! Kelani fights up, Lola chinbars, but Kelani keeps fighting. Kelani pries free again, but Lola wrenches again. The fans continue to rally as Kelani rolls, handsprings, and wrenches, only for Lola to hit a fireman’s carry takeover! Lola keeps on the wristlock but Kelani fights around. Kelani BOOTS Lola away then goes to a corner.

Lola runs up but Kelani slips out to the apron! Lola hits buckles, Kelani ROUNDHOUSES her! Kelani climbs up and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Lola moves! SPIN KICK! SPIN KICK! Lola BOOTS Kelani into a corner! Lola says calm it down! The fans fire up as Lola reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola says she told Kelani she didn’t wanna do this, but she will take the fight to her, as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lola has Kelani in a facelock. Kelani fights up but Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola stands Kelani up for another suplex! Dos Amigas, and now Lola gives some Latina Heat and extra spice, but Kelani slips out of the suplex! Kelani gives some Standout Heat, LEG DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Lola survives but Kelani shrieks in frustration. Kelani hauls Lola up but Lola fires body shots and kicks! Lola whips, KICKS low, then whips again. Another KICK, and Lola tells Kelani this is what she wanted. But then Kelani wrenches and CALF KICKS! Both women are down and the fans fire up!

Kelani finds Lola first and fires a forearm! Lola fires back! Kelani fires another forearm, but Lola fires back! They stand, Kelani fires forearms and CHOPS, then KNEES low! Kelani whips and CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERs her! Handspring EL- NO, Lola catches Kelani into the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! The fans fire up as Kelani flails and reaches out! Kelani sees ropes, turns over, heads for them, but Lola has body scissors! Lola is a backpack as Kelani stands, and Kelani RAMS Lola into the buckles! Lola holds on tight, so Kelani tries again! Then BACKPACK SENTON! Both women are down again and the fans fire up!

The fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this match, but wait! Cora Jade shows up, and she has her kendo stick back! Cora taunts Kelani, but Lola runs up! Kelani sends Lola into Cora! O’Conner Roll, BRIDGE, KELANI WINS!

Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall

Cora SMACKS Kelani! And SMACKS her again! And again! But then Lola gets up, so Cora SMACKS away on her! The fans boo as the mean girl goes from spoiler to spoiled brat! But wait, here comes Vaquer! La Primera stares Cora down, then blocks the kendo stick strike! Lola storms up and Cora turns around to see her. Lola says this is what estupida gets! But then Cora ducks and the URAKEN hits Vaquer!! Lola apologizes to Vaquer and Cora acts like she had nothing to do with any of that. Cora blows Kelani a kiss, but will they settle their score soon enough?

NXT announces the 2024 Match of the Year!

Great nominees from these past 12 months, such as Ilja Dragunov VS Trick Williams for the NXT Championship, Kelani Jordan VS Sol Ruca for the NXT Women’s North American Championship, and even the 2024 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline. But in the end, the winner is… The NXT North American Championship Triple Threat from Stand & Deliver: Philadelphia! Josh Briggs says that winning 2024 MOTY is a cool one. NXT has had its biggest and best year here, and for Briggs to be a big part of that year, and to share in this award, that’s really special.

Briggs takes a second to thank those who voted for them, and everyone who was able to feast their eyes on that match. This means a lot to the three men in that match. Going into that weekend, they were told to make that match the match of the weekend, and they sure did try. 2024 was really good, but Briggs promises that in 2025, he and Inamura have something special for the NXT Tag Team Division. Oh, and there better be a trophy for this.

Giulia speaks.

“Next week, New Year’s Evil, the rematch I’ve been waiting for since October. Roxanne Perez has been a great women’s champion. She belongs in the conversation with all the great NXT Women’s Champions before her. But her time at the top of the division is coming to an end. it is time for the Beautiful Madness to take over. Time for me to live up to the hype, live up to the expectations the WWE Universe has for me, and I that have for myself. Rhea Ripley, Charlotte, Shayna, Asuka. I want to put my name in the conversation of women like these future Hall of Famers.

“When I first saw wrestling, it felt like electricity surged through my entire body. I knew this was my calling. Japanese Women’s Wrestling is a world of grudges and relentless determination. It’s all about trying to prove yourself. In my seven years in Japan, I fought incredible wrestlers, and had matches that fans will always remember. Their warrior spirit is telling me not to lose. Roxanne, this time, there is nothing you can throw at me I can’t overcome. No weapon, best friend, or anything else you can think of. At Deadline, I won the Iron Survivor Challenge for this chance. A chance to take what I traveled across the world for: the right to hold that women’s title in the air.

“Next week, we start the New Year with a NEW NXT Women’s Champion.” The Beautiful Madness is ready, will she make Roxie lose her mind and her title?

NXT announces the 2024 Moment of the Year!

This year was full of great matches but also of great moments! Carmelo turning on Trick, Tyrese Haliburton hating on the Orlando Magic, , Wes Lee turning on the Rascalz, Jaida Parker putting that brick in Lola Vice’s face, Ethan Page literally falling into the win at Heatwave, Jacy Jayne using a spicy calendar to #SaveChaseU, Trick Williams beating Ilja Dragunov to become NXT Champion, Giulia debuting in NXT, the All-Star 10 Woman Tag main eventing the 2300 Arena, NXT’s move to CW. But none of them compare to… Joe Hendry simply arriving in NXT!

Hendry himself tells us all thank you for voting his NXT debut as the Moment of the Year! It was a magical moment that he got to share with us all, and it was so special because of the reception both in the building and online. Before he goes, he does want to remind us that when he says, “Say his name and he appears,” that means anywhere, at anytime, on any show… Could it happen? Could Joe Hendry return to NXT in the New Year?

Backstage interview with Cedric Alexander.

Sarah Schreiber is with PRIMED Alexander, and notes that he is going 1v1 with Ethan Page, the man who broke Je’Von Evans’ jaw. What can he tell us about Je’Von’s status? Cedric says he has been in this business for 15 YEARS, and he has never seen anything like that. Je’Von’s jaw was shattered in several places, there is no timetable for a return. Cedric visited Je’Von in the hospital, and his jaw was wired shut. The only way they could communicate was to text. Cedric isn’t worried about Je’Von getting back in the ring, he’s worried about Je’Von ever eating solid foods again, his overall quality of life.

Ethan took that from Je’Von. But the last thing Je’Von said to Cedric, via text, was “Page, New Year’s Evil.” Cedric saw the look in Je’Von’s eyes… Cedric trails off as All Ego dares to step into frame. Ethan says look at them. Two best friends just texting back and forth. Ethan wishes one of those read, “Stay away from Ethan Page.” Because Cedric, Ethan’s gonna put you next to Je’Von. Cedric throws the first punch! They brawl through the backstage area, Cedric with the edge on Ethan. They end up in the wardrobe department and Cedric uses Ethan to knock over tables! Refs tell Cedric to stop but he just keeps going!

Cedric chases Ethan through a door and into a hall, and that leads to gorilla! The brawl continues on stage, and Ethan turns things around! More refs hurry out here, these two are supposed to have a match, but that was for later! Fans chant “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THE FIGHT!” Well, perhaps they will, as that match is now NEXT! Refs do their best to break the two up, but who breaks who when NXT returns from break?

Ethan Page VS Cedric Alexander!

NXT returns and the match has started, but it’s still a brawl as Cedric fires hands on Ethan! The fans fire up behind Uncle Ceddy as he fires hands in a corner! The ref counts, Cedric stomps away, but the ref backs him off. Cedric seethes, but Ethan storms up to ROCK him with a right! Cedric goes to a corner, Ethan fires body shots, but Cedric returns fire! Cedric CHOPS, CHOPS, and shoves, to then dropkick legs out! Then ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while Ethan goes to a corner, and Cedric runs corner to corner. Forearm SMASH, then a snapmare, for a basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Cedric stays focused, and he KICKS Ethan in the side! Cedric eggs Ethan on but Ethan CHOSP, then KNEE SMASH! Cedric goes to ropes but Ethan stands him up. Ethan CHOPS, whips, but Cedric goes up and over! Ethan tumbles out, Cedric keeps moving, and Cedric DIVES! Direct hit on Ethan and the fans fire up! The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” while Cedric puts Ethan in. Cedric steps in, but Ethan hits a CODE BREAKER to counter! Ethan covers, TWO! Cedric stays in this and Ethan is frustrated, but he ROCKS Cedric. Cedric goes to ropes, Ethan CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Ethan lets off at 4, and he brings Cedric in.

Ethan whips to then DROPKICK Cedric down! Cover, TWO! Ethan seethes more while he looms over Cedric. Ethan stomps Cedric right on the face! The fans rally but Ethan clamps on a chinlock. Ethan thrashes Cedric around, leans on him, but Cedric endures. Cedric fights while fans actually duel. Cedric fires body shots, then he ROCKS Ethan! Both men stagger back, but Ethan runs up! Cedric BOOTS Ethan, then ENZIGIRIS! Cedric fires up and he CLOBBERS Ethan! And CLOBBERS him again! Then he blocks a kick to fireman’s carry! But Ethan hits a KNEE ELBOW COMBO to get free!

Cedric clutches his jaw, Ethan Canadian Racks! Cedric slips free, shoves, and scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives and Cedric is shocked! Ethan crawls to a corner, Cedric runs in, but Ethan BOOTS first! Ethan then stands Cedric up for a CUTTER! Cover, Ethan wins!!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

Ethan isn’t done, though, as he rains down fists on Cedric! Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Ethan drags Cedric up. Ethan TOSSES Cedric out, and he sends Cedric into steel steps! The fans boo but Ethan soaks up the heat. Ethan vowed to hospitalize Cedric, and he brings out all sorts of things out from under the ring! Fire extinguisher, chair, a steel pipe, but those aren’t good enough. Ethan grabs the toolbox, pops it open, and he puts Cedric’s hand inside! The fans boo as Ethan SLAMS the lid closed!! The ref shouts for medical while Cedric writhes and Ethan just smiles. Je’Von’s jaw, Cedric’s hand, will Ethan look to take the heart of NXT as compensation for his failures?

Hank ‘n’ Tank argue things out with Ty & Ty.

Walker & Ledger just don’t understand why Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe did what they did last week during Christmas Chaos. Hank ‘n’ Tank thought things were cool, but they end up brawling all over Lowell? Tyriek says he and Tyson weren’t in the Fatal 4 Way but Hank ‘n’ Tank were, so sorry not sorry, this business is about checks ‘n’ championships. Tyson says they are cool now, but Hank ‘n’ Tank says not really. Tyson understands they’re upset, but his boy, Tyriek, always has Tyson’s best interests at heart. In steps Shawn Spears and he says there are some “misguided individuals” who just need some direction in their lives.

Hear him out, gentlemen, but- Wes Lee interrupts The Chair Man and says Ty & Ty aren’t lost. They have a voice of their own, and they don’t need directions. At least, not from someone like Shawn Spears. Oh, well, Spears doesn’t need this. He has what he needs already. Spears heads out, what does he mean by that? Tank can’t believe Ty & Ty are going to listen to Wes after everything he’s done. Tyson shrugs, Tyriek nods, and Wes says Hank ‘n’ Tank are short a man for this fight. Hank says no worries, they can find someone. Tank says they always do. Maybe even two or three. Wes wishes them luck, then leads Ty & Ty away.

Tank turns to Hank and asks who they’re gonna find to tag with tonight, on New Year’s Eve?! Hank doesn’t know, but he knows they’ll find one. Will the Christmas Chaos hangover really ruin this final hurrah? Or will someone be willing to HONK HONK with the big guys?

Triple Threat Tag: Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart w/ Tatum Paxley VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The NXT Women’s Division is so hot and so strong that everyone from all brands wants to be a part of it! But will Hell’s Favorite Harlot & The Wild Child turn NXT into “the freak show?” Will the Meta Girls slam on the brakes? Or will KC Squared help us party into the New Year? We find out, after the break.

NXT returns and the party girls make their entrance, even bringing back the smoke blasters. That leaves the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson to enter last. The teams sort out and in this Triple Threat, only two teams are legal at a time. Kayden starts against Gigi and the fans rally up. Kayden and Gigi tie up, Kayden waistlocks, then trips Gigi. Kayden walks all over Gigi, shimmies ‘n’ shakes, then she kicks. Gigi ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Gigi flounders, Lash tags in, and she picks Gigi up to put her outside! Now Kayden jumps onto Lash for a SLEEPER! Lash stays up, pries free, and she FLINGS Kayden away!

Kayden staggers up but Lash scoops her, carries her around, then SLAMS her down! Lash SPLASH, cover, TWO! Lash knuckle locks Kayden to straight arm lever! The fans cheer as Lash carries Kayden around, then drops her., But Kayden shoves Lash, ducks ‘n’ dodges then DROPKICSK! Lash wobbles but Kayden tags Katana. Lash throws them both away, but Kayden whips Katana back at Lash! Katana trips Lash up, Kayden SUPERKICKS, and Katana slingshot SENTONS! Cover, ONE!! And with some power! Shotzi tags in off Katana to reel Lash in, but Lash throws her back! Shotzi comes back to CODE BREAKER!

Jakara tags in and gets around Shotzi, ripcord and fast hands! Jakara underhooks to BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, ONE!! Shotzi stays in this but Jakara brings her up. Shotzi JAWBREAKERS, JAWBREAKERS again, then sends Jakara to the corner. Shotzi runs up to back body block! Tag to Gigi, she brings Jakara out, then runs, and she hooks Jakara’s arm to send her at the ropes! Gigi BLASTS Lash, traps Jakara, and tags in Shotzi! Gigi rubs it in before Shotzi jumps into the BALLPIT! Gigi adds a DROPKICK and Jakara dangles out of the ring! The fans fire up while Shotzi drags Jakara in, ties the legs up, and has a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!

Jakara endures while Shotzi sits on the hold! The fans rally, Jakara claws her way to ropes, but Shotzi hurries to turn her back over! Jakara KICKS Shotzi away, Kayden tags in! Kayden puts Shotzi on ropes then runs, for a BOOT WASH! Now Shotzi dangles out of the ring! Gigi runs up, Kayden dodges to DECK her! Kayden has Katana get moving, and Katana CROSSBODIES Gigi & Shotzi down! But Lash storms in to whip Kayden! Kayden reveres, Katana RANAS Lash out! The fans fire up with the party girls, and they both run to DOUBLE TOPE TORNILLO!! Down goes everyone else, the fans are thunderous as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Gigi fires forearms and kicks on Lash! Gigi kicks then BUZZSAWS! And SWITCH KICK! Gigi brings Lash up, but Lash wrenches out to ROCK Gigi! Gigi flops to a corner, Kayden tags in! Kayden runs to go up the ropes, wheelbarrow and victory roll! Roll through, basement SUPERKICK! Kayden pushes Lash down, tags Katana, and “This is Awesome!” as Katana goes up. KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover while Kayden plays defense, but everyone else breaks it! All six women are down and the fans are thunderous! Tatum coaches her friends while the teams slowly regroup.

Lash crawls, she tags Jakara in. Jakara goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Direct hit on Katana and the fans fire up! But then Katana BOOTS back, and Kayden tags in! HEEL KICK and TABLE TOP, then a wheelbarrow back suplex SPLASH onto knees! Jakara saves herself, then she dodges Kayden to DROPKICK! Shotzi tags in off Kayden, then she tags Gigi. Shotzi BLASTS Lash, Gigi ENZIGIRIS Jakara, Shotzi runs while Gigi lifts! BLUE THUNDER NECKBREAKER!! Cover, Katana breaks it! The fans fire up but Shotzi puts Katana on the apron. Katana ROCKS Shotzi but Gigi BLASTS Katana!

Gigi holds the way open for Shotzi to DIVE, but a ROUGH landing for her and Katana! Gigi hurries to DECK Katana while the ref checks Shotzi. Gigi DECKS Kayden, too, but Jakara runs up to SLINGBLADE! Hot tag to Lash and Meta Four combines! Jakara climbs onto Lash’s shoulders so she can SUPER CROSSBODY onto everyone else!! But Gigi’s up to wrench Lash! Step over and hook, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Lash survives and the fans fire up again! Gigi hurries to a corner, but wait, the Fatal Influence is here! Jazmyn Nyx & Fallon Henley distract the ref so that Jacy Jayne can SHOVE Gigi down!

Lash hurries up to PUMP KICK THE BRAKES on Gigi! Jakara’s back, she tags in, and Meta Four gets Gigi in a wheelbarrow for the  META CUTTER! Cover, Meta Four wins!

Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, by pinfall

The Fatal Influence gets payback for last week, but this might juts be fuel on the fire. Will the NXT Mean Girls have to face “the freaks” themselves if they want to put an end to this?

And wait, while Meta Four celebrates, we get applause from the tron. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn say that was impressive. But a little birdy told them that Lash & Jakara are looking for a Women’s Tag title match. The funny thing is, so are Alba & Isla! So let’s remind you that the last time the four of them met, it was Alba & Isla with their hands raised in victory. They will have no problem running through Meta Four again to get back to their titles. New Year, Same Unholy Union! Then will things be very evil for New Year’s Evil? Or will Lash & Jakara pump the brakes on the spooky bus?

Lola Vice tries to talk with Stephanie Vaquer.

Lola says she didn’t meant to heat Vaquer but Vaquer doesn’t wanna hear it. Kelani walks over to say, “Wow, look at that.” Lola says this is Kelani’s fault! Kelani says no it’s not. And it’s funny how the tables turn, right? What were they telling her? “Tranquila, calm down.” Lola & Vaquer are both upset with Cora, but Vaquer’s also upset with Lola. Kelani says these two deserved it. That gets them on the same page and they start going after Kelani! Refs rush over to stop this, and the real criminal in all this watches from afar. Cora chuckles, but then Ava Raine walks in. She asks what Cora’s doing. Cora says, “Just enjoying the drama.” Oh, nice.

That aside, Ava needs a woman to step up and challenge Fallon for the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Oh, well, it’s Cora, obviously. Yeah, Ava knew Cora would say that. Cora will get a chance to earn her opportunity next week. Really? Who’s her opponent? Let’s see… Lola. And Kelani. And Vaquer. #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way at New Year’s Evil. Cora says right… Ava heads out but Cora says it’ll be fine. Does she mean that? Or is she trying to convince of that?

Ava Raine meets with Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King & William Regal.

NXT returns as the NXT General Manager now meets with the former and current Heritage Cup Champions, as well as the former NXT GM to address last week’s Heritage Cup match. Lexis says he “doesn’t mean” to cut her off, but he wants to say it is so great to finally hold this Heritage Cup, and to know he won it with integrity and honor. Yes, but… he did win by disqualification. Y-yeah, that was the ref’s decision. Ava wants Lexis to understand, she looked into the rules of the Heritage Cup Division. Yes, a match can end in a disqualification, but it is a grey area if the Cup can change hands under those circumstances.

But he was declared the winner. Yes, we know that. But since it was a debatable DQ, she has decided next week, New Year’s Evil, we will have a rematch: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey, for the Heritage Cup, BUT sudden death, so standard first fall to a finish. Dempsey is fine with that, as he’s proven he can beat Lexis. They can’t say the same for Lexis over Dempsey, now can we? B-But Lexis won! Yes, and Lexis can prove it without a doubt next week. As for Mr. Regal… He already knows, he’ll have nothing to do with it. Regal takes his leave, and Ava asks for the Cup. Lexis pleads with Ava but she asks that he please hand it over.

Lexis gives in and Ava takes the Cup. She hands it to Dempsey, and he thanks her. Dempsey leaves with the Cup while Lexis says he did everything right. She knows. But for now, Dempsey is the Heritage Cup Champion again. Will Dempsey hold onto the Cup through New Year’s Evil? Or will Lexis finally and definitively, without a doubt, be THE Heritage Cup Champion?

NXT announces the 2024 Tag Team of the Year!

Both the Men’s and Women’s Tag Divisions in NXT are stacked, from Chase U to Meta Four to Hank ‘n’ Tank, but the only team that can be considered THE TEAM of 2024 is #Fraxiom! Sarah Schreiber is with Nathan Frazer & Axiom, the NXT Tag Team Champions, as they receive their golden ring bells. Frazer & Axiom are honored. They went from being rivals to being a team. Last year, they created magic against each other. Now this year, they created magic with each other. They joined forces in the Dusty Cup, but they could never have imagined what this would turn into. And since then, they never slowed down!

It has been quite the journey. They’ve won the tag titles, kicked each other multiple times, even lost the titles at one point, but they got them right back! And for all the ups and downs, they wouldn’t have it any other way. It is one thing to puff your chest out and say you’re the best, but it is another for the fans to be the ones to say you’re the best. That is freakin’ cool! But in steps OTM. Bronco Nima says Fraxiom may’ve accomplished some great things in 2024, but in 2025, this all ends. OTM is gonna hit you with something different. Lucien Price says hold onto those belts while you can, because OTM is coming for everything Fraxiom’s earned.

OTM heads out, but Frazer & Axiom don’t sweat it. Will Fraxiom in 2025 be the same as in 2024? Or will they fail to get #OutTheMud?

Sol Ruca & Zaria watch the awards presentation.

Guess they won’t have to worry about being Tag Team of the Year in 2025. Zaria says okay, it wasn’t that bad. Yeah, but it wasn’t that good, either. But hey, Sol’s gotta go, her match is next. Zaria nods, will the Surfer Girl snatch the It Girl’s soul? Or will she ride the waves right into a spike?

Izzi Dame VS Sol Ruca!

NXT returns as Izzi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Izzi powers Sol to ropes. Sol turns things around but Izzi turns them back, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts but Sol goes up the corner to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Sol taunts Izzi, Izzi runs up, but Solo drop toeholds! Sol floats to a headlock but Izzi fights up. Sol pops the hips for an inside takeover, but Izzi pushes Sol towards a headscissors. Sol fights that off, grinds the headlock, but Izzi fights up to her feet. Sol hits a standard takeover and the fans rally. Izzi endures, fights up, but Izzi pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Izzi powers up and out!

Sol rebounds to RAM Izzi, Izzi rebounds but Sol goes Matrix! Then she kips up to SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up while Izzi flounders to a corner. Sol whips, Izzi reverses, but then Sol goes up and over! Izzi POSTS herself, and Sol climbs up to stand on her! Sol surfs on Izzi, then hops down to KNEE Izzi in! Sol then springboards, but Izzi SPIKES Sol! Izzi rains down fists, then stands Sol up to whip and CLOBBER her! Cover, TWO! Sol stays in this but Izzi stalks her to ropes. Izzi CHOKES Sol, thrashes her around, but stops as the ref counts. Izzi fireman’s carries Sol, but Sol slips free to O’Conner Roll! TWO!

Sol keeps moving, she ROCKS Izzi, and we see Shawn Spears watching from the perch. Sol runs up, Izzo dodges in the corner, but Sol goes up! But then Izzi YANKS Sol down! Sol clips buckles, Izzi reels her in! Back suplex CUTTER! Wait, Zaria is making her way out here? She coaches Sol while Izzi covers, TWO! Sol survives and Izzi is furious! The fans rally while Iziz throws a fit! Zaria coaches Sol more but Izzi bumps Sol off buckles! And off more buckles! And then more buckles! Izzi grins as she’s back in control, but Sol stops her from completing the lap! Sol ELBOWS Izzi, bumps her off buckles, and then mule kicks!

Sol CLUBS Izzi, DECKS her, and then springboards to FLYING SHOULDER! And then CROSSBODY! Sol whips Izzi to a corner, then runs, but Izzi puts her on the apron! Sol ROUNDHOUSES Izzi and Izzi falls! Sol then springboards to SPLASH, but onto knees! Izzi saves herself, then she hauls Sol up to whip. POP-UP- FACEBUSTER! Sol counters Izzi and Izzi flops out of the ring! The ref has Zaria stay back, but Sol goes up! But Izzi pulls Zaria into the ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Sol panics, she didn’t mean to do that! But Izzi BOOTS Sol, she did mean to do that! Izzi puts Sol in, then reels her in, for the I-DRIVE! Cover, Izzi wins!

Winner: Izzi Dame, by pinfall

Izzi got the kill on that one, and she may have proven herself right: friends are a liability. But then, what about a business partnership with The Chair Man?

Hank ‘n’ Tank talk with…?

The big belly boys know this guy’s been through a lot in 2024, but the more they thought about it, he’s the only guy who can help them. So, they’re asking for just one time, one match. What does he say? Put on a helmet to end 2024 with a bang? They’re asking Mr. Chase?! Andre Chase seems really conflicted, what will be his answer?

NXT announces the 2024 Female Superstar of the Year!

This is the best Women’s Division in WWE, and perhaps even the world! Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, Jaida Parker, just to name a few, but Sarah Schreiber presents the golden bell to none other than Roxanne Perez. The NXT Women’s Champion says it is only fitting that the TWO-TIME champion is also Female Superstar of the Year. Let’s take a look back at 2024, when she “finally came to her senses” and realized that no one here is on her level. She reclaimed what was rightfully hers, dominated ANY superstar on NXT or even main roster that tried to stop her, and she thinks her favorite moment was when she dropped a pipe bomb on Mr. Pipe Bomb himself, CM Punk.

She has attracted the top women from around the globe, including Jordynne Grace, Zaria, Stephanie Vaquer, and Giulia. Roxie made NXT hers in 2024, and yet the people think Giulia’s gonna be the one to change that? Sure, Giulia is an international sensation, a mega star even, and everyone thinks she’s the one to take this title. But unfortunately for them all, the 2024 Female Superstar of the Year is THE ONE, THE Prodigy, and the only. See you at New Year’s Evil. Roxie takes her leave with both prizes in hand, but will she be leaving Los Angeles with only the ring bell after Giulia gets through with her?

Six Man Tag: Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe VS Hank, Tank & ???

It is the moment of truth! Ty & Ty have joined the #WesSide tonight, and that change in attitude comes in time for the New Year. However, did the big belly boys convince Mr. Chase to join in? They did! Though, Mr. Chase looks rather uncertain and uninterested… But will this match be just the thing to help Chase heal after the fall of Chase U? Or will there be NO #TeachableMoment tonight?

WHOA, Wes gets a cheap shot SUPERKICK on Chase! And then Ty & Ty go after Hank ‘n’ Tank! The bell rings, Tank fights back but Tyson DECKS him! The fans boo but Tyson SPLASHES Tank in the corner! Tag to Tyriek, and Tyson feeds Tank to a LARIAT! Tyriek drags Tank up to whip him to an open corner hard! Tank slumps down, Tyriek storms up, and Tyriek whips corner to corner. Hank takes the bump for Tank and Tank LARIATS Tyriek! The fans fire up, Tank brings Tyriek around and Chase tags in. Chase tags Hank, Tank whips Tyrike to a corner. Tank SPLASHES Tyriek, Chase forearm SMASHES!

Chase feeds Tyriek to Hank’s POLISH HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Hank keeps on Tyriek with a wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Hank then backs Tyriek up, Tank tags in, and Hank says hut, hut, HIKE! Tank runs up to SPLASH Tyriek in the corner! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Tank keeps Tyriek from his corner, wrenches, but Tyriek ROCKS Tank! Tyriek whips Tank back into an open corner, then runs up to SPLASH! Tyriek stomps a mudhole into Tank, fires hands, but the ref counts. Tyriek lets off to KNEE Tank low. The fans rally up for Tank but Tyriek snarls. But then Tank kicks low, and he fires off hands!

The fans rally harder but Tyriek kick sand whips. Tank hits buckles, falls over, then tag to Wes. The fans boo but Tank SPINEBUSTERS Wes! Tank crawls, but Ty & Ty get in! Chase & Hank run up and hit them first! Chase & Hank send Ty & Ty into each other! Then they TOSS Ty & Ty and the fans fire up! Chase is feeling it as he climbs up! “HONK HONK U~!” BIG BELLY SANDWICH on Wes! And Chase SUPER CANNONBALLS Ty & Ty! The fans are thunderous as Chase stands tall with the big belly boys, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Hank reaches out for his corner, but Tyriek keeps him back! Hank fires hands, reaches out, repeat! Tyriek reels Hank in, then DROPKICKS him into the corner! Tag to Tyson and then tag to Wes. Tyriek feeds Hank to Tyson’s POP-UP POWERSLAM! Wes covers, TWO! Wes taunts Tank, stomps away on Hank, then KICKS Hank! Wes and Chase talk smack, but the ref has to keep Chase back. Wes fires hands but Hank fires them back! Wes fires more shots, but so does Hank! Both men wobble but the haymakers keep going! Hank gets the edge but Wes SOBATS! Wes CLUBS Hank, then sucker punches Chase!

Wes also swings on Tank but Tank gets back. The ref reprimands, but then Hank scoops Wes! Wes tries to DDT but Hank blocks it! Wes makes it a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Hank drops to his knees, but the fans rally up and Tank stomps those steps! Hank fights up, and he NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Hank almost has it, but Wes basement DROPKICKS him for it! Wes drags Hank over, tags in Tyriek, and then tag to Tyson. Tag back to Wes before Ty & Ty DOUBLE RIPCORD DOUBLE STOMP!! Wes grins, then he sucker punches Chase again! But Hank scoops, blocks the tilt-o-whirl again, and he suplexes high and hard!

Hank and Wes crawl, the fans fire up, hot tags to Tyriek and Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on Ty & Ty with big elbows and shoulders! Tank dodges Tyriek to SNAP FALL WAY SLAM! Tyson gets up but Tank dodges him, goes up and out, then ROCKS him! HIP TOSS and Tyson is in the ring! Tank gets the fans behind him for the SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Tank then cartwheels to dodge Tyriek, and he CLOBBERS Tyriek! Tag to Chase and the fans fire up! They get Tyriek up and Chase runs, but Tyriek BOOTS Chase! Tyriek ELBOWS Tank and Wes DUMPS Tank out! Then Wes SUPERKICKS Tank!

Tank stays up so Wes DROPKICKS him into barriers! Tyriek has Chase but Chase blocks the kick! Chase spins Tyriek to fire haymakers! Chase whips, Tyriek reverses but Chase reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans are thunderous because it’s time to spell it out! Wait, he suddenly stops! Chase realizes that without Chase U, what does he really stand for? Hank and the fans want him to keep going, but Chase tags out?! Hank is confused as Chase sulks his way to the back! Tyriek runs up, Hank RAMS him, and Hank goes up to FLYING- NO, Tyriek dodges! Tyriek runs up but Hank BOOTS him away!

Wes storms up but Hank ELBOWS him down! Hank rolls Tyriek up, TWO! Wes GAMANGIRIS Hank! Tyriek scoops for the STUNNER! Cover, Wes Side wins!

Winners: Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe, by pinfall

Chase’s stages of grief aren’t out of his system yet, and that cost Hank ‘n’ Tank. And now that Ty & Ty are on the Wes Side, will nothing stop them from getting those checks ‘n’ championships like they want?

Ashante THEE Adonis is on the phone.

He’s calling Karmen Petrovic, but she sends him straight to voicemail. Damn, she cold… He leaves a message anyway, wanting her to know that she’s the one. Always has been. He’d love to spend New Year’s Eve with her. And if not, then he’ll just spend it alone. He misses her. Call him back. But then Nikkita Lyons walks in and congratulates him on the big win last week. And about that New Year’s Eve party. Is he trying to come through or what? Look, Nikkita, if Adonis can’t spend tonight with Karmen, he’ll just spend it alone, sorry. Oh, too bad. Thought he was a player. Nikkita leaves, and Adonis realizes, maybe he’s not. Is there hope for this love story yet?

Meanwhile, Shawn Spears finds Izzi Dame backstage and applauds the win. “Arguably the biggest win of your career.” Izzi sighs but Spears says a few more of those and she’ll be in title contention. Izzi tells Spears, “For the 50th time, leave me alone!” But he’s just saying that- The D’Angelo Family walks over, and Tony D tells Spears that he heard the lady, leave her alone. Why does someone have to constantly tell him that? Izzi says hey look, a man who listens! That’s new. Izzi heads out, and Spears says yes, he listens. Because last week, Spears was listening to Santa Ridge’s beatdown on The Don.

Spears smirks and leaves, but Tony’s mood just soured. He tells Stacks & Luca to “take care” of Ridge. Will the D’Angelo Family be able to find a pair of cement shoes that fit Ridge The Fridge? Or will Tony have to handle Yorkshire Grit himself?

Andre Chase returns backstage.

One of his former students, Kale Dixon, walks over and asks when the next semester starts. Chase asks if Kale hadn’t heard. Chase U… is dead. What? Chase leaves, perhaps even more depressed than before. Is Chase just going to let things stay like this? Or can students like Kale bring Chase U out of the ashes?

NXT announces the 2024 Male Superstar of the Year!

Speaking of The Don, he’s on this list, alongside Ethan Page, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams. Current and former champions each and every one, but Mike Rome announces that the award goes to… Wait, Oba Femi is here? The Ruler heads right to the ring, mic in hand, and he stares Mike right down. Oba is the rightful winner of this award, and he takes the golden ring bell from Mike to look it over. The fans cheer as Oba says, “You see, you guys and your awards. Don’t you guys understand? It doesn’t matter who wins the Male Superstar of the Year. All this is, really, is a prop for a popularity contest.

“Honestly, I think it’s laughable that you guys think that you can dictate the narrative here in NXT because you can voice your opinions on social media.” The fans boo but Oba says it doesn’t matter if they boo, cheer, go “HOOT!” or not. Oba’s performance remains the same! It is inconsequential! You think you get to control something? You control NOTHING! The only person in this building, in this company, that controls anything is OBA. Oba is The Ruler! He is the one who directs the narrative! He is the one that steers the ship! He is the captain now! The fans cheer that reference. Oba says tune in for New Year’s Evil and witness him become NXT Champion!

But speaking of, Trick Williams makes his way out here now! The fans fire up with “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and Booker T gets his lines in. Trick goes to the ring, a mic in his hand, as well. Trick asks Oba why he has to tell these people all kinds of lies. Correct Trick if he’s wrong, but he sees no problem with getting love from the fans. The fans cheer that. Trick says he has been rather fortunate since coming to NXT. The people showed him love and he appreciates that. But don’t get it twisted, Oba. We all know what it is next week: Triple Threat, Eddy Thorpe VS Oba Femi VS Trick Williams.

To win this, Trick has to dig deep. He has to do something different, he has to be be ruthless. In fact, he might need that old Trick back. That Trick Curry, that Tricky McGrady, that Michael Trick, that TRICK JAMES! The Trick Williams that gets the job done! And Oba has some nicknames himself. Oba Da Ruler, HOOT! Oba the Destroyer! The King! Thanos Jr! But here’s another nickname for him: Ol’ Beatable Oba! That’s right! Oba IS beatable! How do we know that? Because if he wasn’t, we wouldn’t even have a Triple Threat! It’d be Title VS Title! Trick has his NXT Championship, but where’s Oba’s title at?

Let’s talk about facts! And Trick isn’t chasing Oba, Oba is chasing Trick as the top man in NXT! And if we’re talking facts, when Oba got beat at Halloween Havoc, he was gone for a few weeks. Now, we all wanna know… How long is Oba gonna disappear for when Trick beats him at New Year’s Evil? The mics drop, but then EDDY ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Eddy sends Oba into Trick, then he grabs the golden ring bell! Eddy CLOBBERS Oba with it!! The bell flies off the plaque, and then Eddy picks up the belt! Will the Alpha Wolf put an underline under “alpha” next week? Or is he just going to get the beating he deserves from both Oba and Trick?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, even with combining “awards show episode” with “go-home episode.” It is a great honor that Briggs, Oba & Dijak got 2024 Match of the Year for NXT, and that it was still included as a nominee given WWE let Dijak go. I suppose that was WWE’s way of making things up to Dijak, but I feel like they should just get him back. That aside, Briggs had a good acceptance speech, and I like that he also teased him and Inamura still wanting the tag titles. Fraxiom is of course NXT Tag Team of 2024, and they had a very good acceptance speech that also had OTM joining in so they could call them out. Their tag match will be awesome, who knows how it goes.

Giulia and Roxie had great final promos ahead of next week, and Roxie was of course named Female Superstar of 2024. However, I still think New Year’s Evil is where Giulia starts her reign and starts her own path to Female Superstar of 2025. Moment of the Year being Joe Hendry showing up in NXT is great, and his tease that he’ll return is also great, can’t wait for 2025 to be the Year of Joe Hendry. And while that was a stacked four, Trick not being Male Superstar of 2024 was a touch surprising. At the same time, Oba’s awesome, it makes sense he’d win.

However, Oba burying the Year End Awards was a pretty obvious attempt at making him Heel and trying to get fans to turn on him. However, when he says “I’m the captain now,” that undoes all the work of the Heel promo. At the same time, Oba winning and running down the awards show was also a good way to get Trick out there, and Trick had a great promo in throwing Tony D beating Oba in Oba’s face. And then of course, Eddy attacked and found a way to stand tall because duh, he’s not winning next week. Eddy is eating that pin, I bet it’s Oba who wins, Trick can immediately go to SmackDown the following Friday as part of a call-up.

Good stuff from Ethan and Cedric tonight, and Je’Von wanting to get after Ethan as soon as next week, that’s pretty wild. Je’Von’s too young to have that Super Cena healing factor, but maybe Je’Von isn’t worried about a match so much as he is about beating up Ethan. Ethan smashing Cedric’s hand is good for heat, maybe Je’Von brings out that very edge Wes Lee was talking about. Good stuff with Wes, Tyriek & Tyson VS Hank ‘n’ Tank ‘n’ Chase. Chase having the sudden breakdown over Chase U being gone was a fitting way to finish that Six Man Tag, and it gave the Heels a solid win in their first Six Man Tag.

Kale Dixon being used to suggest some “students” still want Chase U to continue is some good stuff. There could be a really good story where Kale, some former LVL UP superstars (as LVL UP is being dropped, I believe), and even some WWE ID stars can convince Chase to try again. Though, I feel like they’d have to go with a Chase State or Chase Tech so as to get around Ridge’s stipulation that Chase U is done. Speaking of, Spears throwing Ridge’s actions in Tony’s face was some good stuff. But I feel like Stacks & Luca going after Ridge should backfire so as to motivate Tony giving Ridge a title match.

Spears keeps trying to recruit Izzi, he keeps failing, I have no idea where this is going if she keeps turning him down. Though speaking of, same could be said of Adonis and Karmen. It’s good that we got him openly saying that Karmen’s his true love, and for Lyons to apparently get the message. Also, Karmen has been off TV because she ended up getting a very nasty flu. She tweeted herself that she had a 120 fever, and that she perhaps just worked herself to the bone. Well wishes for Karmen so that she can return for New Year’s Evil for the next part of this story. It’d make sense to me if she ignored his voicemail, and has to be told by someone who watched the show what he said, and then she goes to him for their big romcom hug ‘n’ kiss moment.

Great opening match from Kelani and Lola, but of course Cora and Vaquer got involved for there to be mishap after mishap. And smart move from Ava to make a Fatal 4 Way #1 contender’s match. Given Fallon Henley is Heel, it is NOT Cora who wins, and probably because Kelani makes sure she doesn’t. Vaquer would be a good choice, and she could parallel Giulia as Giulia goes for the top title. And speaking of Fallon, of course she and Fatal Influence had to influence that Triple Threat Tag. It was a great match but obviously with Gigi, Shotzi & Tatum feuding with The Influence, they weren’t winning. Great win for Lash & Jakara, and they’ll have a great match against Alba & Isla.

One moment that almost kinda hurt was Ava taking the Heritage Cup from Lexis. Lexis had a point that he did nothing wrong, but I guess whatever kayfabe rules are around the Cup are clear that it must actually be the opponent’s fault. That said, a regular style match for the Heritage Cup is an interesting twist. I suppose this means they can go for as long as they want now, and I sure hope Lexis wins so that he can “truly” be the Heritage Cup Champion.

My Score: 8.9/10

So long, farewell…

It’s Raw’s last hurrah in 2024 AND the last one on USA Network. Netflix awaits, who will make it to the Women’s Intercontinental Championship finals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Chad Gable w/ American Made VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
• Pete Dunne VS R-Truth; No Contest.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal: Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark; Kai wins and advances to the finals.
• Six Man Tag: Damian Priest & The War Raiders VS Judgment Day; Priest & The War Raiders win.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal: Lyra Valkyria VS Iyo Sky; Lyra wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Raw has a COMMERCIAL FREE first 30 minutes!

Plus, limited commercial interruption throughout the night to maximize the action!

The New Day is here!

But they don’t want their song? They cut the song off and now we just hear Houston, Texas booing at them. Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods frown as they continue to the ring, and the fans even chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS! NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Kofi & Woods continue to be confused as to what they did wrong, and Kofi wants them to understand. They have a very limited amount of time tonight, so if you don’t let them speak… The fans continue to boo, and Woods grows frustrated. Kofi repeats that if the fans don’t let them speak- “USOOO~!” The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down from the top of the bleachers!

The fans bounce and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey, then he high-fives fans as he makes his way towards ground level. New Day is even more upset than they were before as Jey hops the barriers and climbs up on a corner. The bouncing continues as fans sing along, “It’s just me, Uce! Day One Ish!” “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Woods says the fans like Jey Uso, huh? Well, Jey, they all go way back. The fans boo! Wow, Woods can’t even talk to Jey? Then Jey, talk to the fans. Jey asks Houston to quiet down, “and let’s see what this chumps has to say.” “YEET!” Woods repeats that they go way back. The fans boo again.

Woods sighs and Kofi wants Jey to tell the fans how far back they all go. The “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” returns but Jey says hey, they do go way back. So Woods, Kofi, he only has one thing to say. “New. Day Sucks.” The fans cheer that! New Day frowns, and Woods says if that’s how it’s gonna be… Kofi has Woods back down, and New Day takes their leave. Jey claps it out, “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Jey now takes over and says H-Town, we ain’t even here for that. There’s other problems to address. “YEET!” They got Solo and hsi new Bloodline> “YEET!” OTC will handle that, though. “YEET!”

Jey’s got Drew McIntyre. “YEET!” Still messing with him and his brothers! “YEET!” And he’ll handle that!” “YEET!” Matter of fact, Drew should get his ass out here so Jey can give him a YEET DOWN! But then on the tron, it is Solo Sikoa! He tells Jey to look at him, Jacob & Tama. Don’t worry about them, they made their mark. That right there is the beginning of the end. Sami Zayn got a little too close and look what happened on Friday. They dropped his ass, too! Solo did what he had to do to get Roman’s attention. And then Jey & Jimmy went and made a very big mistake by going back to Roman after everything Roman did, instead of choosing the REAL Bloodline.

This ula fala, the one around Solo’s neck, is going nowhere! It stays on his neck FOREVER! Solo will destroy Roman next Monday in Tribal Combat to REMAIN Your Tribal Chief. Then Jey and everyone else will ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. Wait, McIntyre is storming out here from the crowd! He CLOBBERS Jey!! The fans boo as the Scottish Terminator strikes! McIntyre grins as he throws off his jacket and asks what’d Jey think would happen! McIntyre rains down fists, then DRIBBLES Jey off the mat! The fans boo while McIntyre stands over Jey, and he goes to a corner. McIntyre gives us the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!”

SUPERKICK from Jey!! And then a TACKLE, and Jey rains down fists! The fans fire up but McIntyre gets to his feet. GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Jey is dazed, but McIntyre wants him to get back up! McIntyre reloads, but here come referees and producers. They tell McIntyre to stop, but Houston wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” McIntyre backs down, knowing he has Jey right where he wants him. But then McIntyre jukes the refs to run right into the ring! CLAYMORE for Jey!! McIntyre wants Jey to understand, Jey doesn’t “got next,” Jey is next! McIntyre leaves for real now, but when and where will he terminate Main Event Jey?

Backstage interview with American Made.

Cathy Kelley is with Chad Gable and his team, and asks how he feels knowing he finally faces his former protege, Otis? Gable says he feels SICK! Sick of all the talk about himself! How he “can’t win a championship,” “he has trouble with luchadores,” “he’s been ducking Otis!” Are you kidding? Tonight, Gable checks stuff off the bucket list, and that starts with The Alpha Academy. Time to kill his “darlings,” and Otis is the final nail in the coffin. Gable taught Otis everything he knows, and tonight, he gets his final lesson: The Master remains the Master, forever.

Julius Creed adds that they weren’t just born here, and Brutus adds they weren’t just raised here. Ivy Nile adds… “We were  MADE here!” American Made heads out, but will they stand tall over the tree trunk that is Otis?

Chad Gable w/ American Made VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy!

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as they tie up, and Gable waistlocks to CLUB Otis. Otis just gets mad! The fans fire up as Gable CHOPS, but Otis just takes it! Gable CHOPS, then headlocks, but Otis powers up and out. Otis CLOBBERS Gable and the fans fire up! Gable goes to a corner, Otis fires hammers from all sides! Otis lets off as the ref counts, then storms back up to gorilla press Gable! The fans fire up and Otis THROWS Gable down! Gable flounders out while Otis shouts, “OHH YEAH~!” Gable gets mad at Tozawa & Maxxine just for being there, but Otis goes out to SMACK Gable off the desk!

Otis refreshes the ring count, then he sends Gable into the steel steps! Gable drops but Otis drags him up to POST him! Otis says, “I loved you!” and he puts Gable in the ring. But Gable attacks while Otis is int he ropes! The fans rally for Otis while Gable fires hands. Gable whips corner ot corner but Otis reverses! Gable hits buckles hard and falls back! The fans fire up as Otis looms over Gable. Otis stands on Gable’s hand, pulls him up by his ear, but Gable gets free to throat chop! Gable runs, Otis rolls under! Otis comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Otis storms up on Gable. Otis whips Gable corner to corner, runs up, but Gable POSTS him!

The fans boo and the Academy worries for Otis, but Gable drags Otis in, to waistlock and lift! But Otis is too much to suplex! Gable lets go, and he puts one leg in the ropes to then DRAGON SCREW the other! Otis falls in the corner but Gable stomps away on those legs! The ref counts, Gable drags Otis from the corner, and steps through for a KNEE JAMMER! Otis clutches his leg but he is still in this. Gable hooks the leg in a standing leglock! The fans rally for Otis while American Made cheers Gable. Tozawa & Maxxine get the fans to be louder, and Otis kicks at Gable from below! Otis BOOTS Gable away!

Gable flounders but comes back, and he DROPKICKS! Otis rebounds, but Gable avoids the splash! Otis is down and Gable goes up! Gable aims to DIVING HEADBUTT but it FLOPS as Otis moves! Both men are down and everyone else coaches them up. The fans rally for Otis and he stirs. Otis rises up, but so does Gable. Gable runs for it, but Otis keeps him in the ring! Otis TOSSES Gable across the away, CLOBBERS him, then CLOBBERS him again! Otis shoves Gable to a corner for an ELBOW! Then the TURNAROUND LARIAT! Gable sputters and Otis powers up! The fans fire up as Otis runs, BATTERING RAM HEADBUTT!

The fans fire up while Gable grabs ropes. Otis backs up to get the CATERPILLAR going! ELBOW DROP! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Gable survives by a literal foot, but Tozawa says the Creeds had something to do with it! The Creeds mug Tozawa and SLAM him! So Otis goes out to POST Julius, and he TOSSES Brutus! Then he TOSSES Julius! Maxxine says good work, but then she TACKLES Ivy! The fans fire up with Maxxine while Otis goes back to the ring. But Gable dropkicks legs out! Gable has the ANKLE LOCK!! Otis endures, reaches out, but Gable leans on that leg! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Otis turns over!

Otis BOOTS Gable, but Gable holds on! Gable rolls and has the ANKLE LOCK even tighter! Otis fights around, turns over again, and he BOOTS Gable outta the ring! The fans rally but the Creeds return! Otis TOSSES Julius, SLAPS Brutus, and then he TOSSES Brutus! The fans fire up as Otis SPLASHES the Creeds int he corner! Then he catches Gable, EXPLODER into the Creeds! The fans are thunderous as Otis tears the shirt! Otis catches Gable again, scoop and SLAM, then an ANKLE LOCK!! Otis uses that against Gable and the fans are loving it! Gable flails, reaches out, but rolls over! Gable kicks and kicks and SLAPS and SLAPS!

Otis roars at Gable, then turns him right back over! ANKLE LOCK!! Gable rolls to HOTSHOT Otis! And then GERMAN SUPLEX?!? The fans can’t believe it, but Gable has Otis down! Gable climbs a corner, takes aim again, but Otis rises! Gable still leaps, but into the WRECKER ELBOW!! Otis roars and the fans are loving it, but Ivy anchors Otis’s foot! Well, not really as Otis steps in and drags Ivy along! Ivy apologizes, scurries away, but Gable trips Otis! ANKLE LOCK!! Otis is caught in the GRAPEVINE!! Otis crawls, and he drags Gable along with him! But that’s still a long way to the ropes! Otis TAPS, Gable wins!

Winner: Chad Gable, by submission

Team American Made celebrates with their leader, that was truly a team effort to take down Otis. But with numbers and tactics like that, will nothing stop Gable from making 2025 American Made?

We hear from both Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan.

“2024 was supposed to be Mami’s Year. After a year long reign, I walked into and I walked out of WrestleMania as your Women’s World Champion. But I took my eyes off the ball and I have paid for it ever since. So as we approach the New Year, one thing has become perfectly clear to me. After all the betrayal, after all the backstabbing, after all the games, Liv Morgan… This hast to end!” Liv laughs as she says 2024 “was the year of the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour. Everything you did to me, Rhea, I did right back to you, only better. You took my arm? So I took yours. Then I took your Women’s World Championship, your place in Judgment Day, and your man, my Dirty Dom.

“I’ve been having so much fun that it makes me sad to say, but this has to end.” Rhea says part of her actually has to thank Liv. Liv cleared the dead weight holding Rhea down. So now to return the favor and unburden Liv of the title. RHEA’s title, the one thing she never truly lost. Liv has always been step ahead. Every time Rhea had Liv cornered, it wasn’t Mami on top, ti was Liv. It won’t be different. Except Liv is outta moves! Judgment Day can’t save her, Raquel can’t save her, pathetic little Dom can’t save her! Monday Night Raw on Netflix, this has to end!

Judgment Day meets in the clubhouse.

JD McDonagh, Carlito & Dominik talk about Liv’s plan for Rhea. Dom says Liv always has a plan. Don’t you dare doubt his girl. Speaking of, Raquel walks in. Dom asks Raquel if Liv has something up her sleeve. Raquel doesn’t know! She’s been so busy preparing that they haven’t talked. Finn Balor says surely “Lady Liv” knows how to deal with Rhea. Because Liv has got a plan for everything, right? Just like Finn does for how to deal with The War Raiders & Damian Priest! Carlito says that’s cool! Yeah it is! And y’know what else is cool? When you listen to Finn, you win! Raquel rolls her eyes, but JD is fired up!

JD, Carlito & Dom head out, ready for Finn’s plan. But Finn has Raquel hang back. She needs to tell Liv from Finn, that from the bottom of his heart, he wishes her the very best of luck next Monday. Finn leaves, but will the Judgment Day even survive the New Year?

Pete Dunne VS R-Truth!

The Bruiserweight has had all he can stand and he can’t stands no more! No more butching and moaning, no more “Life’s a Butch!” Dunne wants to be DONE with that name and the goofy antics of one Ron “R-Truth” Killings! Will this be the end of all this Butch crap?

OH NO, Dunne doesn’t even wait for his entrance, he attacks during Truth’s! The fans boo as Dunne pulls a Butch move! Dunne stomps away, throws down hammer fists, and this has refs and producers rush out here. They pull Dunne off Truth, and Dunne says he is nobody’s Butch! NOBODY’S! The fans boo more but the refs have Dunne back off. So is this match not even happening tonight?

Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.

Cathy Kelley finds Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai preparing backstage for their tournament matches, it is a BIG night for them. Bittersweet, though, with Kairi Sane being taken out and Iyo replacing her. Have either of them considered the possibility of DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL in the finals? Dakota says when it comes to PFC attacking Kairi, it shows how worried they were in taking on DMG CTRL. That’s why they resort to dirty tactics. That is why Dakota cannot wait to take Zoey Stark outta this tournament personally! As for those finals, it would be an honor to face Iyo. But as long as a member of DMG CTRL is the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion, that’s all that matters.

Iyo says yes, if it is her and Dakota int he finals, that’d be so great. She faces Lyra Valkyria, who she’s already faced in some high profile matches. How does she feel about her chances tonight? Iyo says Lyla has her respect. One day, Lyra will be a champion, just not tonight. Tonight belongs to DMG CTRL! They high-five and fist bump! The Evil Genius & #CobraKai are ready, will one, both or neither of them make it to the finals?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal: Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark!

Well first up, Dakota looks to make good on that promise! Will Captain Kick kick Zoey to the curb? Or will it be a no scope Z360 that punches Zoey’s ticket to the finals?

The bell rings and the two run up! Dakota BOOTS Zoey down, CLUBS away on her, and puts her in a corner, Dakota whips corner to corner but Zoey reverses, then RAMS into Dakota! Zoey RAMS, whips, but Dakota reverses. Dakota runs up again, MONKEY FLIPS, but Zoey lands out of it! Zoey brushes herself off, but Dakota LAIRATS! Zoey gets up but Dakota runs to slide and trip her! Then she spins Zoey to BOOT her! Dakota hops up onto the apron, but Zoey fights off the suplex! HEEL KICK, then a waistlock! Dakota fights the suplex and throws elbows! Zoey kicks low, fireman’s carries, but Dakota fights free!

Dakota GAMANGIRIS from inside the ring, then she runs side to side! But Zoey springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Down goes Dakota and Zoey says that title is HERS! The fans boo but Raw goes picture in picture.

Zoey paces around while Dakota crawls, but then she goes out to AX HANDLE her down! Zoey drags Dakota up, smacks her off the apron, then brings her around to show her the belt. Zoey again says that’s hers, then THROWS Dakota down! Zoey refreshes the ring count, pushes Dakota into the ring, but Dakota fires forearms! Zoey YANKS Dakota into ropes, then stands on her! The ref counts while Zoey CHOKES Dakota, but Zoey lets off at 4. Dakota sputters to a corner but Zoey whips her corner to corner hard! Dakota falls, but Zoey storms over to stand on her some more! The ref counts but Zoey steps off at 4.

Zoey drags Dakota up, reels her in, and suplexes, but Dakota cradle counters! TWO! Zoey escapes, then LARIATS Dakota down! Cover, TWO! Dakota stays in this and Zoey is annoyed. Zoey clamps on with a cravat and neck wrench. Zoey talks trash that she’s winning that title, but Dakota endures. Dakota fights up, fires body shots, but Zoey throws her down! Zoey then sits Dakota up and clamps on with a chinlock. Dakota endures, even as Zoey leans on the hold. Zoey talks trash to Houston, then grinds Dakota to the mat. Zoey shifts to grab an arm, and she drops knees on it! Dakota clutches the wrist but Zoey clamps on another chinlock.

Dakota endures again while Zoey leans on her. Dakota fights up, pries the hold open, but Zoey clamps it back on! Raw returns to single picture as Zoey throws Dakota down again! The fans boo but Zoey stalks Dakota. Zoey scuffs Dakota, talks trash on her, then stands Dakota up. Zoey winds up but Dakota counter punches! And again! And again! Dakota fires a flurry of forearms, but Zoey shoves back! Dakota ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Dakota blocks a kick, THROWS Zoey down, then she runs to KAI-ROPRACTOR! Zoey flounders away to a corner but Dakota goes Around the World! KAI KICK!

Dakota runs side to side, BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO!! Zoey survives that onslaught but Dakota won’t let off! Dakota fireman’s carries, but Zoey fights free! Zoey half nelsons, HALF ‘N’ HALF PLEX! Then a kip up and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Zoey is furious! Zoey hauls Dakota up, reels her in, and lifts, but Dakota pops free to a SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO?!? Zoey escapes by nanoseconds and Houston can’t believe it! Dakota reaches out, stands up, but Zoey fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious again but she rains down fists!

The fans rally for Dakota but Zoey roars. The fans boo Zoey but she whips Dakota. Dakota reverses to put Zoey in the ropes! But Zoey avoids the stomp to bump Dakota off buckles! Springboards, but into a THRUST KICK! Zoey staggers, Dakota reels her into the fireman’s carry! DETONATION KICK!! Cover, DAKOTA WINS!

Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

And with that, we’re halfway to the finals! #CobraKai is set, but will Iyo Sky make it through to join her? Or will The Morrigan be the one battling for gold?

Six Man Tag: Damian Priest & The War Raiders VS Judgment Day!

The grudge that never ends seems to now escalate! The Punisher joins Erik & Ivar against their common enemies, ready to show Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Carlito how to fight with honor! Will the war finally end here? And who will be standing tall when the smoke clears?

Raw returns as #TeamHonor makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Finn starts against Priest. The fans rally as the two circle, feel things out, but then Priest’s Spidey Senses tingle! He turns around and BLASTS Dom, right as Dom stepped into the ring! Finn goes after Priest, but Priest TOSSES Finn to a corner! Priest swings, Finn dodges, tag to JD! JD runs up but Priest BOOTS him! Priest snarls at Finn, then he TOSSES JD to the corner! Priest ROCKS JD, tags Erik, and Priest feeds JD to Erik’s forearm! Erik deadlifts JD, but JD elbows free! JD runs, Erik blows past him, then catches JD for an UREANGE!

Dom gets back in but Erik scoops and SLAMS him! Finn runs in, Erik scoops and SLAMS Finn! Tag to Ivar, and Erik scoops JD to SLAM him again! Then they say “UP!” Erik scoops and SLAMS Ivar onto JD! The fans fire up while JD sputters. Ivar stalks JD, puts him in a corner, and Ivar fires body shots! Ivar UPPERCUTS JD, backs off, and he tags Erik back in. They whip JD for a KNEE, then Erik ROCKS JD with a forearm! JD goes to a corner and Erik fires off! The ref counts, Erik whips corner to corner hard and JD falls back! JD sputters, Erik tags Ivar, and then Ivar tags Erik back in. JD is sent into the POP-UP, but Finn drags JD to safety!

The fans boo, but then the War Raiders BLAST Finn & JD off the apron! JD & Finn hit the desk, the fans fire up, and Raw goes picture in picture.

Finn & JD sputter and slump down, Dom & Carlito check them. Carlito tells the ref to back Erik up, but Erik goes out to fetch JD. Erik glares at Carlito to back him up, but then he has to ELBOW Dom away. JD runs up, Erik RAMS into him, but Finn YANKS Erik down! Erik hits the apron and wobbles before falling over. Finn seethes, Dom tags in, and Dom hurries after Erik. Dom puts Erik in, hurries to stomp away on him, then drags Erik up for some Latino Heat. Dom snap suplexes for Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! Then some more Latino Heat before Erik blocks Three Amigos! Dom CLUBS Erik, then RAMS him into the corner!

Tag to Finn and the Judgment Day mugs Erik. Finn tags JD, they mug Erik some more, then snapmare and tag to Finn. Slingshot STOMP! Finn tags Dom, slingshot SENTON! Tag to JD, and he slingshot ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Cover, TWO! JD is annoyed but he tags Finn back in. They mug Erik, put him in the corner, then stomp away! The ref reprimands, Raw returns to single picture. but Finn RAMS into Erik again and again. Finn ROCKS Erik, but Erik ROKS Finn! Erik ELBOWS Dom, BLASTS JD, then ROCKS Finn again and again! Finn dodges to ELBOW DROP DDT! Priest storms in but Finns tares him down.

The ref has Priest go back to his corner, and Finn clamps on a chinlock. Erik endures, the fans rally up, but Finn holds on tight. Erik fights to his feet, powers Finn back, but Finn throws a knee! Finn then sucker punches Priest! The fans boo and Priest scowls, but then Finn DROPKICKS Priest down! Erik RAMS Finn into the corner, hot tag to Ivar! Ivar BACKDROPS JD, BLASTS Dom, then scoops Finn for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs, SPLASH DOWN! The fans fire up while Finn goes to a corner. Ivar runs up, Finn dodges, but Ivar hits a SEATED SENTON! Ivar cartwheels to dodge JD, and he HEEL KICKS JD down!

The fans fire up with Ivar, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar goes corner to corner, but Finn avoids the Bronco Buster! Ivar bounces off the ropes, the fans claim Carlito had something to do with it! Ivar and Finn crawl, but then Finn anchors Ivar’s leg! Ivar hops up on one leg, and hot tags Priest! Finn tags out to Dom! So Priest THRWOS Dom, DECKS him, then he DECKS JD! Priest DECKS Dom, FLAPJACKS JD, then FLATLINERS Dom! The fans fire up for Priest as he ELBOWS Dom in a corner, keeps moving, and LEPIANG LARIATS! Priest BLASTS Finn off the apron, and the fans fire up! Priest powers up his arm and he waits on Dom.

Dom stands, Priest runs, LARIAT! Priest then clamps on a choke grip, but Carlito gets on the apron! priest storms up but Carlito runs away! Dom CHOP BLOCKS Priest! Erik BLASTS Carlito, the apple bits go flying! JD PENALTY KICKS Erik! Then he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Erik, but Ivar SPLASHES JD against the barriers! Priest kicks Dom, reels him in, and Canadian Rack! RAZOR’S- RANA! Dom puts Priest on the ropes then dials it up! But Priest is up for a SWINGING SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest & Raiders win!

Winners: Damian Priest & The War Raiders, by pinfall

But then Finn attacks Priest while he celebrates! The fans boo as Finn stomps away, and Carlito drags Priest onto ropes! Finn HIP DROPS the knee again and again and again! Carlito keeps Priest anchored, but the Raiders run back in! Finn & Judgment Day regroup to retreat, but did Finn do enough damage to Priest’s leg? Or has he only put fuel on the fire that is Priest’s hate for him?

Adam Pearce finds Jey Uso backstage.

The Raw General Manager knows Jey is after McIntyre, but it won’t happen tonight. Pearce already escorted McIntyre out of the building. But Jey wants the fight, right? Then next week, Raw on Netflix, Jey VS Drew 1v1. Jey says YEET, and Pearce gives the bounce. Will things finally come to a head between Main Event Jey and the Scottish Terminator?

A zero, a pentagram, and now…

A ninja star with a skull smile. Does Raw have room for zero fear?

Ludwig Kaiser is in the ring.

Raw returns as The Impeccable German has the mic to say, “Ladiiiies and gentlemeeeen… I demand all your gratituuude…! For Ludwig Kaiser! That’s right. I know it! Each and every one of you peasants know it! The entire WWE Universe knows that Ludwig Kaiser belongs at the absolute top of the food chain in the WWE! Because Ludwig Kaiser is A+ everything! Ludwig Kaiser IS European Elegance! And Ludwig Kaiser demands that Bron Breakker walks down that aisle, brings that Intercontinental Championship-” Wait, that’s not Bron. That’s SHEAMUS! And the Fella goes right to the ring to fight Kaiser!

The fans fire up as these two brawl, and Sheamus CLOBBERS Kaiser! Sheamus rains down more fists, then he throws off the jacket! Houston fires up as Sheamus CLAWS at Kaiser’s face! Kaiser CLAWS at Sheamus’ face! And then he hits the bad ribs! But Sheamus hits Kaiser with a KNEECAPPER! The fans fire up as Sheamus goes to a corner, beats his chest, and takes aim. BROGUE!! Kaiser goes down and the fans fire up with The Celtic Warrior! Will Sheamus make sure he and Kaiser settle things once and for all?

The LWO talks with the Alpha Academy.

Rey Mysterio tells Otis that it takes a lot of huevos to stand up to a former mentor like he did. Otis will get another chance, and we all know Otis will whoop Gable’s ass. Otis nods and heads out. But in walk The New Day to mockingly applaud. Rey Mysterio, locker room leader, giving advice. A shoulder to cry on, is that it? Rey says this isn’t happening here, not like this. Kofi & Woods should just back off and take that BS somewhere else. Wow, BS? Or what? The LWO will jump them? Is that what a locker room leader would do? What’s he gonna do? Rey will teach them some manners!

Part of being a leader is stepping up and shutting up the egos that need to be checked. If New Day is feeling froggy and wanna jump, then Rey and team will step up to give them a match. Oh, a match, huh? Well, alright, Rey will be in it, but what? He’s gonna choose one of his “cosplaying cronies” here? We’ve got Mask Guy, Hat Guy, No Hat Guy, or maybe even this little kid with the 12 inch boots on. Zelina says they best shut up. Woods says fine, challenge accepted. See you soon. Hasta luego. The LWO is not liking the New Day’s new attitude, will the King of Lucha Libre shut them up no matter who he teams with?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal: Lyra Valkyria VS Iyo Sky!

The Morrigan and Evil Genius met in the Queen of the Ring Tournament just earlier this year, and it was on that night that Lyra advanced to the tournament finals. Will she make history repeat itself before the year is over? Or will Iyo redeem herself from all her near misses to have one more big moment?

Raw returns and Lyra makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally as these two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and go around. Lyra wrenches and wrangles Iyo, drops an elbow on the arm, then double wristlocks. Iyo fights up, Lyra hits a headlock takeover but Iyo headscissors. Lyra kips free, Iyo turns things around with her own headlock takeover, but now Lyra headscissors. Iyo rolls free, the fans duel, but Lyra trips Iyo to a cover. ONE, Iyo trips Lyra to a cover, ONE! Iyo kicks low, wrenches and whips, but Lyra stops from hitting buckles,. Lyra then goes up and over, but Iyo avoids a leg sweep and a heel kick!

Lyra avoids Iyo’s handspring, then victory rolls, TWO! Iyo rolls but Lyra sits on the cover, TWO!! Iyo sunset flips, Lyra rolls out and stands Iyo up to headlock! The fans fire up for this exchange while Iyo powers up and out. We get a shot of Dakota watching from the skybox, Lyra avoids the hurdle to dropkick the legs out! Iyo clutches her knee, but Lyra stomps that leg. Lyra then hooks Iyo up in a Mexican Surfboard! Dakota is worried while Iyo endures being swung around! Lyra drops Iyo, hooks the legs up, and then she STMOPS the knees! Iyo scrambles out of the ring but Lyra builds speed! Lyra WRECKS Iyo with a dropkick!

The fans are torn while Lyra hops down to fetch Iyo. Lyra puts Iyo in the ring, stands her up, but Iyo fights the lift! Iyo CLUBS Lyra, goes to a corner, but Lyra runs up. Iyo BOOTS Lyra, goes up the corner, but Lyra stops her! SUPER DRAGON SCREW! Lyra clearly has a game plan, and she drops an elbow on the knee! Iyo endures while Raw goes picture in picture.

Lyra YANKS Iyo’s leg, and Iyo scrambles away to ropes. Lyra drags her from the ropes, and she YANKS the leg again! Iyo hobbles, but Lyra stalks her. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Iyo fights with elbows! Iyo is free but Lyra trips her! Lyra has the toehold, but Iyo fights back with a chinlock! Lyra fights that off but Iyo clamps on again. Lyra pulls on the leg, Iyo lets go, but then Iyo BOOTS Lyra away. Iyo rolls Lyra up, TWO! Lyra stands to LARIAT! Lyra covers, TWO! Lyra keeps on Iyo but Iyo fires body shots! Iyo hits a headlock takeover, but Lyra rolls through to get a leg! HALF CRAB, almost a half Liontamer!

Lyra adds on to her innovation by twisting Iyo’s foot! Lyra then stomps the bad leg, but Iyo grabs Lyra’s other leg! Lyra kicks free, rolls Iyo to her feet, and then reels her in for a SHIN BREAKER! Iyo hobbles and falls, but Lyra kicks at her. Iyo kicks and CHOPS in return! Then Iyo hobbles up to ROCK Lyra! Iyo fires forearms even on her knees, and she gets the edge on Lyra! Iyo kicks, but Lyra blocks and reels Iyo in! LEG TRAP GER- NO, Iyo fights free! Lyra BOOTS Iyo, runs, but DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The ref checks both women, they’re okay to continue, and they each crawl away to a corner.

Raw returns to single picture as the fans duel. Lyra and Iyo catch their breath, Dakota coaches Iyo from afar, and the tow run up! Iyo dodges to SHOTEI! SHOTEI! And then DROPKICK! Lyra staggers to a corner, Iyo runs up, ELBOW! Iyo then pushes Lyra down, fires up, and the fans are with her! Iyo climbs the corner, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS Lyra down! Cover, TWO! Lyra stays in this but Iyo shakes out the bad leg. Iyo drags Lyra around, steps on her, and goes to the corner. Iyo goes up, up, but Lyra CLUBS her first! The fans duel as Lyra climbs, and Lyra CLUBS away on Iyo more. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Iyo shifts! SUPER SUNSET FLIP-

NO, Lyra backflips free to then SHOTGUN Iyo down! The fans fire up as Lyra hauls Iyo up, TORNADO DDT! Then a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives and Lyra is beside herself! Dakota is also worried but the fans rally up for Iyo. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Iyo fights free again! Iyo waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls and deadlifts for CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!! Lyra escapes and the fans can’t believe it! Iyo is beside herself, but she drags Lyra back up. Iyo reels Lyra in, underhooks, but the bad leg won’t let her lift! Lyra wrenches out to HEEL KICK! And then she reels Iyo in, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up while Iyo survives again! Lyra rises, she drags Iyo to a drop zone, and she goes up the corner. But Iyo hurries to get closer! Iyo SHOTEIS from below! Iyo climbs, “This is Awesome!” as Iyo SHOTEIS again! Iyo stands on the corner, then SUPER VICTORY ROLLS!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra escapes and shocks everyone! Iyo hurries to shake off the shock and she goes to the apron. Lyra is outside, Iyo climbs the corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit and Iyo hurries to put Lyra in! Iyo fires herself up, the fans are with her! All aboard the SHINKANSEN! And then Lyra is in the drop zone! Iyo steps on Lyra to go up!

OVER THE MOONSAULT!! But Lyra moves! Iyo lands, her leg jams, but she still waistlocks. Lyra switches Iyo switches, repeat! Iyo O’Conner Rolls, TWO, and Lyra has a BRIDGE! LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

So close and yet so far again for Iyo Sky, and now Lyra is moving on to the finals! In two weeks, in San Jose, we will see Lyra and Dakota battle to be THE Women’s Intercontinental Champion! Who will be hungry enough to tear down the other in the New Year?

Seth Rollins is here!

The Visionary heads to the ring, ready for one last face-to-face with CM Punk before their main event match next week! Will things stay civil this close to Raw on Netflix? Or will they #BurnItDown on the last episode of Raw’s USA Network run?

Raw returns, and while fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” Rollins gets the mic to tell Houston, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins! I am your host, I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I AM!” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” And yes, this is the last episode of Raw for 2024! Last episode of Raw on USA Network! So why not go out with a bang?! The fans like the sound of that! Rollins says just one week from tonight, the biggest fight in this sport, ten YEARSE in the making! The Voice of the Voiceless VS The Visionary! The Second City Saint VS The Monday Night Messiah! Self-proclaimed Best int he World VS THE REAL Best tin the World! CM PUNK 1V1 WITH SETH ROLLINS!!

But here’s the deal. After next week, you know where you’ll find Rollins. He’ll be on Monday night, the Monday after that and the Monday after that, fighting in this ring because that’s what he does! But if things go CM Punk, we can’t say the same. What’s he gonna do? Cry about it? Whine about it? Take another ten years off, pick up his ball, go home… But wait, here comes Punk! Houston fires up as Punk goes right to the ring, and Punk stares Rollins down while he has a mic of his own. “Took his ball and went home? The most industry plant, cliche, bootlicker line I’ve ever heard in my entire life!

“What paragon of virtue did you get that from, huh? Who originally said that, that wanted to turn the people against the boys when he got told ‘No,’ or he got told, ‘You’re wrong!’ Did Stone Cold Steve Austin take his ball and go home? You know, I haven’t seen The Man around these parts in some time. Did she take her ball and go home, too? Or is it just me, Seth?” Rollins wants to tell these people that Punk turned his back on them? He wants to tell 15 THOUSAND in Houston that Punk abandoned them?! Or in reality, does Rollins wanna cry because Punk abandoned him?

Punk got sick and tired of WWE, he left, but Rollins stayed, and Rollins hated it. They both made their choices, they both chose their paths. Punk has NO regrets! NONE! Let’s not talk about the last ten years, let’s talk the last ten MONTHS! How is Rollins’ neck? Or how about the knee? Or the inside? We saw Bronson Reed hit SIX Tsunamis! How is Rollins’ pride feeling? Because Rollins didn’t get a modicum of revenge on Bronson but we all saw Punk take him on in WarGames! Self-proclaimed best in the world? Yeah, because Punk believes in himself! Self-professed martyr? DAMN RIGHT!

Punk came back, he didn’t wanna make friends, he wanted money. And oh does he get to make a boatload of money when he puts “little brother” Rollins in his place! Rollins laughs but says cut the crap, that doesn’t work anymore. The difference between Punk and everyone else who left here is, those other people actually left! Becky’s raising a kid, not that Punk knows what that’s like. Stone Cold said that it was the biggest mistake he ever made. Austin understands about change. Punk left, he wanted WWE to DIE with the echoes of those chants. Punk went on his friend’s podcast trying to tear this place down.

When that didn’t work, Punk tried everything he could to kill WWE, and he still couldn’t do it! But then Punk took “a big chunk of change” to go help the competition, how’d that work out for him? If you know you know… Punk wants to call Rollins a martyr? Nah, Rollins never felt bad, felt ashamed, he fought and stayed, because that is how revolutions are made! They’re made in the trenches! Not by cowards who abandoned their families! Rollins and WWE won the war, but now Punk wants to wave the flag with them? Punk can’t “big brother” Rollins now, ROLLINS is the big brother!

So yeah, Punk will take another ten years off. But it won’t be because Punk chooses to, it’ll be because Rollins makes him! Punk says, “You can recognize the pioneers because of the arrows in their backs. I was the first one through the wall and I got bloodied for it. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me! I loved the place I worked, I just hated the guy in charged, and he loved you! And in situations where you should’ve had my back, all you did was shoot arrows in it.” Punk leaves, lo and behold, Rollins shows his true colors! He stabs Roman Reigns in the back, dresses like an idiot, and plays a victim in a situation that he created!

“Those arrows kill weak people. The greats, above all odds, find a way to march forward. And I left because I had to. And I got far enough away until those arrows couldn’t reach me. And after a few years, I started to be able to pull ’em out. And after a few more years, I pulled ’em all out. And I came back because for SEVEN YEARS, they chanted, mostly during your television time, MY NAME.” The fans chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Punk says he should be dead, but he isn’t, and aren’t the arrow throwers mad? Next week, those same arrows that were supposed to do Punk in, he carries them with him.

And in LA, Netflix, live and in living color, a fistful of arrows, Punk jams them down Rollins’ corporate throat! The fans are torn, but we get plenty of “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” chants. Rollins says he never said this to Punk’s face, but maybe once upon a time, Punk was a pioneer. What he has become is a cancer. Punk is a cancer to the locker room, in Rollins’ brain, and to this business. Cancer does not cure itself. The only way to defeat it is to cut it OUT! So in one week, Punk can bring that fist full of arrows, while Rollins brings his eyes of fire and heart full of rage to BURN PUNK TO THE GROUND!!

The fans are all fired up as the mics are dropped! The final stare down has tension on another level! Who survives this main event grudge match when Netflix gets Raw?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, though maybe not quite as epic as the final Raw of 2024 or of their 32 YEAR cable TV run (18 or so being on USA Network) would entail. I will say, this still did great as a go-home to next week’s Raw Netflix debut, which is bordering on PLE/PPV levels of stuff. I’m a little surprised we’re not getting the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on there, given it will be three hours of a show, but maybe with the matches we’re getting, they just want there to be room for those and not rush anything. That said, great matches for the semifinals, especially Lyra VS Iyo. Dakota winning over Zoey was the right call, but I’m very surprised Iyo didn’t win her match.

At the same time, DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL probably wasn’t how this was going, even when Kairi was healthy. Dakota and Lyra are both examples of superstars who have been doing great work for a long who deserve something. Granted, Dakota’s been in the WWE for longer, so perhaps she’ll be the one to win the title. Very good promo from Rhea and Liv to top off the build to their match, which I am sure will be the end of this one way or another. And it was also used as a good lead into the Judgment Day promo. The passive aggressive tension continues, and just in time for a new theme song that’ll probably be for whatever half of the team joins Finn.

Speaking of teams, very good Six Man Tag but not much too it, other than that great swing into the choke slam. Great win for the Faces but of course Finn goes after Priest. Finn VS Priest 1v1 once and for all needs to happen, and with this talk of “Transfer Window,” they really could/should go with Loser Leaves Raw. As such, Finn can find a way to win so that Priest is sent to SmackDown so that they both get fresh starts. Very good bit from Dunne and Truth in that they don’t even have a match, Dunne just beats Truth up. Maybe they sneak this onto the Netflix debut, or at least go with the San Jose Raw, so that Dunne and Truth can have a proper match.

Great stuff with Gable VS Otis, but naturally, with the numbers in Gable’s advantage, the outside interference tips things in his favor and he wins. Depending on what midcard titles end up where, I feel like this should lead to Gable getting his shot at the Intercontinental Championship, and we could get a great match out of Gable and Breakker. Kaiser sure thinks he’s getting another shot at Bron, but of course Sheamus goes out there instead. That feud is apparently never-ending in its own right, but they could also make use of the Transfer Window to put Sheamus wherever the Intercontinental Championship is, and Kaiser on the other brand.

Great stuff with New Day tonight, mostly because they again just let the fans hurl boos and chants at them. Jey confronting them was great, and it was a great segue to McIntyre going after Jey for their feud. They’ll have an awesome match next week, too, and it could go either way, really. Great bit with New Day and LWO, too, and New Day VS Rey & Lee is surely the combo we’re getting. That’ll be a great match, and hopefully it both helps New Day rise back towards the titles and helps Dragon Lee get going again. That latter part is something I thought they were doing to do by now, but I guess not.

And of course, an excellent closer with Rollins and Punk having their final promo before their match. Great use of continuity, making subtle yet still pretty clear references to ROH, AEW, Vince McMahon, HHH, The Pipebomb, and everything both men have done the past decade or more. They made this match the main event because it certainly will be the best match of the night, even with it being under standard 1v1 rules, and while I’m leaning towards Punk winning, that’s like a 51-49 split at best. Punk brought up the Road to WrestleMania weeks ago, so between the Royal Rumble AND Elimination Chamber, there are still ways for one of these two men to become World Heavyweight Champion before WrestleMania and the other to become the challenger to then escalate things.

My Score: 8.9/10