Who makes the most of this golden opportunity?

Between The Last Time Is Now and the WWE World Tag Team Championships, Monday Night Raw is going big for the WarGames Fallout!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• The Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: LA Knight VS Jey Uso; Knight wins and advances to the finals.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS The New Day; Styles & Dragon win and retain the titles.
• The Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: GUNTHER VS Solo Sikoa; Gunther wins and advances to the finals.
• Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Vision arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman leads the way for Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and even Logan Paul. They won WarGames alongside Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar, but what will The Vision have to say later tonight?

Judgment Day also arrives.

And rolling in style, Dominik Mysterio drives the low rider, Liv Morgan by his side. WWE’s Bonnie & Clyde step out, hug it out with the gang, but Liv is a bit cold to Roxanne Perez & Finn Balor. Is everything fine now that Dirty Dom has two belts? Or do the cracks in the foundation run deeper than gold can fill?

Iyo Sky is here!

Glendale, Arizona fires up for The Genius, and then they get even more fired up because RHEA RIPLEY is here, too! It was a great victory for them and their team in WarGames, and these two go to the ring together. They get mics, and Rhea starts, “Glendale…! Welcome to Monday Night Rhe-yo~!” Rhea says her face is still a little sore. And Iyo’s arm is a bit banged up. But at the end of the day, their team won the war! The fans cheer that! And Rhea says it might’ve taken time, but their team got on the same page, and they came out victorious. And yet the fight is not over. See, the Kabuki Warriors decided they wanted to betray Rhea’s best friend.

So Rhea doesn’t care how sore she is, how banged up she is, or how broken her nose still is! She and Iyo want revenge! The fans cheer that! Rhea says it starts by taking those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships off the Kabuki Warriors! The fans cheer that, too! Iyo tells Asuka, “No one is ready for RHE-YO~!” Then why don’t Asuka & Kairi make their way out- Oh, wait, that’s Charlotte Flair instead. The Queen struts out on stage in all denim, and is followed by none other than Alexa Bliss! The fans cheer as #Charlexa is here, and they head to the ring to join Rhea & Iyo. The fans cheer and “WOO~!” while they grab mics.

Alexa says she couldn’t help but overhear the talk about tag titles. Alexa is happy they all put things aside for WarGames. But when it comes to the titles, pump your brakes. Charlotte says if anyone understands standing up for best friends, they do. But these best friends were the former tag team champions, and they’ve never gotten their rematch. IT’s fine Rhea & Iyo get their revenge, just after the tag title match. Wow, damn, Rhea didn’t think they’d be butting heads less than 48 hours after the win. And like Rhea said, she respects them all. But respectfully, they couldn’t beat The Kabuki Warriors, get to the back of the line.

Charlotte tells Rhea that if it’s one thing we know about her, Charlotte doesn’t step aside for anyone. And if Rhea wants to stand there and act like she’s better, than prove it! Alexa says she was thinking the exact same thing. How about Rhe-Yo VS Charlexa tonight? The fans like that idea! “YES! YES! YES!” Iyo says, “You’re on!” The fans cheer, but which dynamic duo will get the first shot at Asuka & Kairi?

Adam Pearce

He says it is official! Rhea & Iyo VS Charlotte & Alexa, the main event! But Ivy Nile storms over. She tells him he knows damn well that she deserves the first shot at Maxxine Dupri’s title. Maxxine has never beaten Ivy, so Ivy wants the match. Pearce says Ivy doesn’t have to tell him that, but Maxxine is still off training with Nattie. And Ivy doesn’t have to be so forceful. Just give him some time, he’ll finalize the details, and Ivy will get the first match for the title. Good. And tell Maxxine that she can train with whoever, wherever, and for however long she wants, but it won’t save her. Uh, sure. Ivy leaves, and Pearce looks over to see The Vision.

Heyman says, “Hi, how’re you doing?” Pearce says he doesn’t recall arranging a meeting with either Heyman or Bron Breakker, but Heyman says he wasn’t gonna wait. Yeah, he can tell. But unless we’re talking about whoever Heyman put under a mask to interfere with WarGames, there’s nothing to talk about here. Heyman asks why, under Pearce, Heyman is always guilty until proven innocent? Is Heyman saying he’s not guilty? Oh, no, Heyman admits to being guilty of everything but that. He has no idea who the masked man was. Then what are we even talking about?

Heyman points out that Bron Breakker pinned the World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. That means they have a lot to talk about. Pearce welcomes them into his office, and it’s time to get down to business. But when and where will the Badass get his future World Heavyweight Championship match?

Jey Uso is in the concourse!

And the fans are already fired up as he asks they please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET! We’re now in YEETDALE, AZ as Jey makes his way to the ring! But will Main Event Jey be one step closer to another Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or will LA be the one going to DC?

The Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: LA Knight VS Jey Uso!

Raw returns and The Mega Star makes his entrance. The bell rings, Jey runs up, but Knight dodges the Spear! Jey hits buckles, Knighyt kicks low, B F- NO! Jey powers out and avoids the BFT. The fans fire up as the two reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Knight puts Jey in a corner, but the ref counts. Knight lets off, but Jey dodges the haymaker to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer again, and Jey whips. Knight reverses, Jey goes up and over, but Knight ducks the haymaker to stomp away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops to run corner to corner, but Jey dodges! Knight hits buckles, Jey back body blocks and PELES!

The fans fire up and “YEET!” with Jey as he goes corner to corner. Knight dodges and Jey crashes into buckles! Jey slumps down, Knight storms up to JAB! JAB! JAB! Knight winds up but Jey ducks the shot to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Knight dodges! Only for Jey to DUMP Knight out! The fans fire up and Jey builds speed, to then DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and both men are down! Glendale fires up, “This is Awesome!” as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Jey fights off the superplex! Jey fires hands, the fans “YEET! YEET!” but Knight fires back! “YEET! YEAH! YEET! YEAH!” They are fast and furious, the fans can’t keep up but they love it! Then they DOUBLE HAYAMKER! They both fall to the apron and then the floor! The fans fire up again and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 4 of 10, rise up at 6, stand at 8, and then drag themselves in at 9! But Jey goes back out to the apron, as does Knight. They go up the corner, and Jey GAMANGIRIS! Knight falls back into the ring, and Jey goes up top! USO SPLASH but Knight moves!

Jey rolls through, but Knight avoids the kick! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! The fans are fired up with how close that was! “This is Awesome!” Knight rises, Jey goes to the other side, and Knight ROCKS him! Knight whips Jey but Jey escapes the scoop! Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! The fans cannot believe it but Knight survives! The fans rally even harder as Jey and Knight stir again. Jey goes to the apron, goes back up the corner, but Knight springs back up after him! Not the cleanest but Knight gets there, and he hits the MEGA PLEX!! Knight crawls after Jey to cover, TWO!!

Knight is beside himself but the fans are thunderous again! Knight rises first, he looks around and stands back up. The fans fire up even more as Knight says time to try one more time! Kick and- NO, Jey rolls Knight up, TWO!! Knight escapes, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Jey runs, SPEAR!! And then Jey hurries back up top! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?! GHOST PIN!! KNIGHT WINS!!!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Snatching victory from defeat, we all know whose game it is now! YEAH! LA Knight defies wild card after wild card, and even overcomes Main Event Jey to head for the finals this Friday Night SmackDown! But who will he face? We find out later tonight when Would-Be Tribal Chief faces Der Ring General! As for Jey, if this is not his time, what must he do to reach the mountaintop again? Even Jey himself seems at a loss for words as he takes his time exiting the ring. And then he explodes! He THROWS the Hydration Station, CHUCKS steel steps, then chucks the Hydration Station again! Is the frustration inside going to get the better of Jey?

Bayley & Lyra Valkyria talk with Adam Pearce.

They of course heard about this whole tag team situation, and they were just wondering… They didn’t get into WarGames, that’s fine, but they’re here now, and they are just asking how they could get into the tag title picture, please, sir. Pearce understands, but is Bayley really in the right headspace to deal with Asuka & Kairi again? Lyra smooths that over and says yes, of course they’re good! Well, okay, most of the time, they’re good. But right here tonight, they are good, so can they please have a tag team match? Okay, okay, listen. After tonight’s main event, the title picture will clear up, and they’re both in consideration, they have his word.

U-Under consideration? Wow… He assures them that’s true, and he excuses himself. But then Asuka shouts at Bayley! She and Kairi storm over, and Asuka tells Bayley she is the reason they lost WarGames! If Bayley had just joined them, they could’ve won! IDIOT! BAKAYAROU! Oh, she’s the idiot for not joining their team? Maybe they should look in the mirror and see that THEY are the reason they lost! Kairi is an idiot, Asuka’s the bigger idiot, none of this is on Bayley. Asuka says she is at least a champion. What is Bayley, huh?! NOTHING! Tonight, who is in the main event? Charlotte Flair~! Not Bayley.

Asuka leaves, Kairi gives Bayley her green chain as a consolation to the titles, and then Asuka shouts, “KAIRI~!” Kairi at least keeps her smile as she leaves to follow after. Lyra tries to smile through this herself, but will the Morrigan & The Role Model go berserk on their rivals over this?

The Judgment Day heads to the ring!

Glendale is torn as Dirty Dominik leads the way out, showing off that the John Cena side plates are still on the Intercontinental Championship! But what will “The King of the Luchadores” have to say about the master plan he used to rob Cena of the title? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Dom has the mic to introduce himself first in Spanish, and the fans are torn. Dom says in English, “John Cena is the best? The Greatest Of All Time? But I just beat the Greatest Of All Time, so that makes me the greatest Mysterio of all time! That makes me the greatest luchador of all time! The King of the Luchadores! And once again, the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time!” The fans boo, but Dom admits, he couldn’t have done it alone. Not without his boys, JD & Finn Balor. Not without the ladies, Roxanne & Raquel. Thank you all. But there is one person in particular he could not have done this without.

So please, welcome back his Werita, Liv Morgan! The fans do cheer as Liv makes her way out to the ring, and Dom even holds the ropes open for her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek before Dom passes the mic to her. Liv smiles and laughs as she says, “I’m baaaaaack~!” Liv says she bet no one saw her coming, did they? No, they did not. Guess who else couldn’t see her? John Cena! WOO~! The fans boo but Dom says no more of that. Dom says they knew John Cena was going to figure out the Judgment Day’s plan. But once that failed, they played the ace up their sleeve, and Dom got back his two favorite things in the world: The Intercontinental title, and his amore!

Liv says she missed Dom so much, and she missed the gang so much! It has been way too long, Raquel! And JD, Finn, Roxie, she’s so happy to be back. But… Since she’s been gone, she’s been hearing some things about the Judgment Day. Hearing that the Judgment Day is weak. That the Judgment Day has lost gold. That the Judgment Day is falling apart! But all of that changes now, because Liv Morgan is back! And the Judgment Day is back, and that means they’re coming for everything that is theirs! So as of right now, the Judgment Day once again officially runs Monday Night Raw!

The fans boo but Liv says, “Oh, and Dominik. One more thing.” A SLAP, and then a nuzzle?! Guess Liv & Dom play like that. But will they show they play hard and work hard as they and their amigos begin the comeback?

Maxxine Dupri goes through the Hart Dungeon.

Natalya tells her, “Again.” Maxxine says, “I can’t.” Nattie says, “Again.” Maxxine has no choice but to get up and keep fighting! And fighting! And fighting! Maxxine comes out on top, but Nattie says to try that against her now. Iron sharpens iron as Nattie HAMMERS Maxxine and forces her to push past her limits! SHARPSHOOTER! Maxxine taps, but Nattie SLAPS her across the face! Nattie tells her to get out, but now Maxxine is the one to say, “Again!” Nattie smiles, because now she’s starting to get it. Will Ivy Nile find she’s facing a much different Maxxine Dupri?

Adam Pearce talks with referee Eddie Orengo.

The Raw GM thanks Eddie for talking with him. Pearce knows he’s calling this next match, but he needs a quick favor, and it needs to be done discretely. Pearce talked with Heyman, and Pearce didn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. Heyman is full of it, and they all know it. Pearce wants to figure out what’s true: There was word Rollins was in San Diego without a sling, but medical says Rollins was not medically cleared, no way could he have climbed a cage. But that’s the same Rollins who faked the leg injury for months, so they can’t trust him, either. Pearce knows someone knows something, but they won’t talk to “the suit.”

So Pearce needs Eddie to just take a little survey of the roster, keep his ear to the ground, and report back later. Eddie says he’s on it, and Pearce thanks him. They shake hands, Eddie heads out, but will we get to the bottom of the “Whodunnit” soon enough?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS The New Day!

The Phenomenal One & The Boy Wonder still haven’t settled on a team name, but all that really matters is that they win! Will Styles & Dragon still be golden through Glendale? Or will Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston thank GAWD when they are once again W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~?

Raw returns as The New Day makes their entrance, Waller by their side. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who feels the POWAH~!

The teams sort out and Woods just CLOBBERS Dragon! Kofi attacks Styles, New Day mugs him, and they put Styles in the corner. Woods fires hands, tags Kofi, and Kofi climbs up for more mugging! The fans boo but Kofi fires off more hands. Tag to Woods, he headlocks Styles, then tags Kofi. Woods bumps Styles off Kofi’s boot, then wrenches him. Kofi goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Kofi says hush, then he runs up in the corner! Kofi jump up, MONKEY FLIP! Styles flies, Kofi covers, ONE!! Styles survives this fast start but Kofi winds up. Kofi runs, but Styles dodges in the corner! Styles RAMS Kofi to the corner, tags Lee, SWINGING DROPKICK!

The fans fire up as Dragon fires hands, then whips. Kofi reverses, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Kofi tumbles out, Waller is there to help him up, but Lee says bet. FLYING RANA and Woods is sent onto Kofi & Waller! The fans fire up again while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Kofi and Lee are down, and they both crawl! Hot tags to Woods and Styles! The fans fire up as Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT, then SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Styles and he runs up on Woods, LARIAT in the corner! Fireman’s carry, but Kofi tags in! Woods slips free, shoves Styles and wheelbarrows, for Kofi to SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives the new combo move, the fans chant “New Day Sucks!” but Kofi runs! “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Styles snatches Kofi into the CALF CRUSHER! Kofi endures, flails, reaches out, but Woods CLOBBERS Styles!

Dragon runs in but Woods TOSSES him first! But Styles KICKS Woods and TOSSES him out! Kofi O’Conner Rolls Styles, with tights! TWO, Kofi comes back, but Styles reaches up to RANA! Kofi tumbles, Styles crawls, hot tag to Dragon! Dragon & Styles double whip Kofi, scoop, pass, and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives a unique combo move, but Dragon throws off the elbow pad! DRAGON0 NO, Kofi RAMS low! And SOBATS! Tag to Woods! Woods dodges, CHOPS, and BODY BLOWS! Woods whips Dragon, Dragon BLASTS Kofi! Then he BOOTS Woods! And then sunset flip! Woods rolls through just to mule kick Styles!

Dragon runs up, but Woods HIP TOSSES him into the Tree of Woe! Woods runs, tags Kofi, and then Woods DIVES onto Styles! Kofi runs up on Dragon, DROPKICK! Dragon falls out of the Tree, Kofi covers, TWO!! Dragon survives and the fans fire up! Waller is frustrated on behalf of Woods & Kofi while Kofi rises up. Woods whips styles, Styles reverses, and Woods hits steel steps! Dragon ducks Trouble In Paradise! DRAGON BLADE!! Then tag to Styles! Styles hauls Kofi up, hoists him onto the ropes, and Dragon GUILOOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS to send Kofi into the clinch! Dragon then DIVES onto Woods while Styles hits a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles & Dragon win!!

Winners: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)

The Phenomenal One & Boy Wonder looked like a million bucks right there, and they are still on top of the Raw Tag Division! If not even the New Day can stop them, will any team ever dethrone Styles & Dragon?

Backstage interview with Stephanie Vaquer.

Jackie Redmond is with La Primera and congratulates her on the successful defense against Nikki Bella. What message does Vaquer feel that win sent? Vaquer says she got to show that when you betray her, you get burned. And she is now ready for whatever her next challenger brings. Jackie says that should be interesting to see, but then in steps Liv Morgan. Jackie steps aside, and Liv tells Vaquer that she’s back. Congrats, by the way. Liv leaves, her target obvious. But will not even Liv be able to survive a battle with the Dark Angel?

The Vision heads to the ring.

The fans boo as The Oracle accompanies the Badass, The Colossal Aussie, and The Maverick down the ramp. They’re finally ready to speak on their WarGames victory, but just what will they have to say?

Raw returns and Heyman begins his usual introductions. “You’re gonna have to indulge me tonight with a few shoutouts. Shoutout to BRRROCK! LESNAR! You, sir, are still like no other human on the face of the planet. You are the Beast! Shoutout to Drew McIntyre! It was a pleasure doing business with you, sir. Shoutout to BIG! BRRRONSON! REED! This man Tsunami’d everyone on the other side to the point where none of them were ever going to come back with victory. Shoutout to the biggest mainstream star on the face of the planet today, who now fits in perfectly with Paul Heyman’s vision of the future of the WWE, The Maverick, Logan Paul!”

The fans boo about as loud as they have all night, but Heyman continues with, “Shoutout to WWE itself for listening to your Wise Man. For on Monday night, January 5th, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on the first-anniversary of Raw on Netflix, YOUR Heavyweight Champion of the World, C M Punk… will defend the title live on Netflix, and LOSE the title live on Netflix to the uncrowned Heavyweight Champion of the World, BRRRON! BRRREAKKER!” The fans bark as the mic is handed over to Bron himself. But then fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!”

Bron puts his sunglasses away to say, “I’m a little bit upset tonight, and it’s not because of where we are. It’s not because of the hooded guy, Batman, or whoever the hell that was who jumped the cage and tried to ruin my moment. I’m upset, almost disappointed really, how easy it was to pin CM Punk. Because I thought i was gonna have to reach into my bag and find this courage, this different level of athleticism, this different place that I’ve never been before, to face the guy that I grew up watching, that I heard about, that I heard all the stories, the greatness of CM Punk… Only for me to stand across from him and realize that CM Punk is nothing but a soft ass b*tch!”

The fans boo and bark while Heyman covers his mouth laughing. Bron says Punk is no different than any other veteran wrestler living off of past glory. He’s no different than Seth Rollins being a narcissistic piece of garbage atop the mountain, holding everyone else down, when he should be worried about the war going on in his own home as his wife becomes a bigger star than him! The fans do end up chanting, “A J LEE!” along with “C M PUNK!” Bron continues, “On January 5th… It’s gonna be a fight, but it’s gonna be a different kind of fight, CM Punk, I promise you.

“Because on Saturday, you tried to break my neck. You tried to ruin my life. You tried to ruin my dream, everything I’ve ever worked for in my entire life! You tried to take that way from me, so I’m…” Bron throws off his jacket and shouts, “Listen to me, Punk! I’m gonna ruin your life! I’m coming for your career! I’m coming for every good memory these people remember you for! I’m coming for it all! And I didn’t forget. This is for you, by the way, I hope you’re watching at home. Remember last year at WrestleMania when we were backstage and you came up to me in the hallway, and you said, ‘Well, congratulations on all the success, kid. Let’s see if you can cut a promo with the big dogs now.

“Well, la-di-da! Consider the promo freakin’ cut! January 5th, when you’re on your ass looking at the lights, and I’m standing over you, and they announce ME as the new Heavyweight Champion of the World, you will look into my eyes with your beady, stupid face, and realize you are not even close to the badass, Bron Breakker, the REAL best in the world!” Bron SLAMS the mic down and Logan adds a “DAMN!” The fans are fired up, too! Is this dog about to turn Punk into a chew toy?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Jackie Redmond finds Jey as he returns backstage, and she asks how he feels after tonight’s loss. Jey says he doesn’t. Jackie wants at least his thoughts on that mystery man. Jey mumbles on and on, she brings up how Bron was just named #1 contender to the world title. Jey says he don’t give no damn about Bron, about The Vision, or anything. A lot of people are in his head, they need to get out. The only person to blame is the man in the mirror. That’s all he knows. But y’know what? Matter o’ fact, Roman said it best. The titles look best on HIS shoulders! Just not Jey’s. Jey storms off into the night, what will help Jey get his mind right?

The Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: GUNTHER VS Solo Sikoa!

And now, we witness the other half of this once-in-a-lifetime tournament’s final match! The Mega Star awaits, but will he have to prepare for Der Ring General or the Would-be Tribal Chief?

Raw returns and Solo makes his entrance, Talla Tonga accompanying him on behalf of MFT. The bell rings and the two stare down. The fans rally up as Gunther and Solo circle, and the two feel things out. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go back and forth. They end up on ropes, Solo turns things around on Gunther, but the ref counts. Gunther shoves Solo, then dodges the lariat! Solo says okay, that was good. The two reset, Gunther keeping an eye on Talla. They tie up again, Gunther headlocks, and Solo endures the grind. Solo powers up but he can’t power out as Gunther holds tight! Gunther grinds Solo down while the fans rally.

Solo powers up and out this time, but Gunther RAMS him! They both stay up and the fans cheer. Solo headlocks now, but Gunther powers up and out. They RAM shoulders again, and the fans rally up again. Solo eggs Gunther on, Gunther pie faces Solo, and Solo fires a forearm! They go back and forth, Gunther kicks low, then Gunther runs to RAM Solo! Solo rebounds to RAM Gunther! Gunther RAMS Solo, Solo breaks through the chop to RUN Gunther over! The fans fire up and Solo snarls, but Solo stands over Gunther. Solo stands Gunther up, whips, but Gunther reverses. Gunther drops down, hurdles, and BOOTS Solo down!

The fans fire up, Solo bails out to the floor, and Talla checks on him while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Solo drags Gunther up to CLUB him. Solo clamps onto the shoulder claws, Gunther endures, and Gunther bends Solo’s fingers! The fans fire up, Gunther CHOPS, and he CHOPS again! Gunther whips corner to corner, Solo reverses, and Gunther hits buckles hard! Solo scoops and SLAMS, the fans fire up, and Solo drops back to the corner to catch his breath. The ref checks Gunther, he’s still in this, so Solo rises up and RIDGE HANDS Gunther! And RIDGE HANDS! And then he HEADBUTTS Gunther in the side! Gunther goes to a corner, Solo storms up, but Gunther kicks low! And then CHOPS!

Gunther CHOPS Solo again, then goes to scoop, but Solo tries to scoop first! They fight for control, Gunther fires body shots, and then Gunther scoops! But he falls over under Solo’s weight! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Solo stands back up. Solo puts Gunther in the drop zone before he goes to the corner. The fans rally as Solo climbs, but Gunther is up! Gunther ROCKS Solo, climbs up, but Solo HEADBUTTS him down! Solo adjusts, but Gunther stands to CHOP! Gunther climbs up and reels Solo in. Solo resists, but Gunther powers through to SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Gunther and Solo stir, “This is Awesome!” as they go to corners. Gunther rises, Solo sits up, and Gunther huffs ‘n’ puffs! Gunther runs in, he and Solo RAM shoulders! Gunther CHOPS, Solo CHOPS, then they fire forearms! CHOP and HAYMAKER and CHOP again! Solo fires back with CHOPS and HAYMAKERS of his own! But Gunther BOOTS! Solo SUPERKICKS! Gunther and Solo DOUBLE LARIAT! Solo rebounds to LARIAT!! Both men are down, Glendale fires up, and Raw goes back to break!

Raw returns again and again both men are down. Solo manages to stand while Gunther goes to the corner. HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while Gunther sputters, and Solo just lines up another shot! Solo runs again, but into a LARIAT!! Gunther hits first, then he hauls Solo up! But Solo BACKDROPS free of the bomb! But Gunther’s right back up?!? LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther is shocked and the fans are stunned as Solo survives! Gunther drags Solo up, reels him in, but Solo fights the lift! Solo fireman’s carries Gunther! But Gunther BENDS the thumb! Solo still fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!!

Solo is frustrated but the fans rally up as he stands again. Solo powers up the thumb, he drags Gunther up, and SAMOAN- CHOP!! Solo sputters, but Gunther CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Gunther CHOPS Solo to the corner, then just MACHINEGUN CHOPS away! The fans fire up as Gunther runs, but into a clinch! URENAGE! Solo has Gunther down, he climbs up the corner, and FLYING SOLO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Solo rises, Gunther following. Solo has Gunther by the neck and tells him to just give up! But Gunther ducks the spike! SLEEPER!!

Solo reaches out, Gunther SLAPS the hands down, and he has the SLEEPER! Solo goes to the corner for the ROPEBREAK! Gunther shifts to a waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! But the buckle pad goes with Solo! The fans rally, the ref does what he can about the buckle pad, but TALLA gets on the apron! The fans boo, but Gunther BLASTS Talla first! Then he goes out, but Talla BOOTS Gunther!! The fans are torn but Talla calls to Solo! Solo goes out there, but the ref sees Solo and Talla! He stops them, Gunther BOOTS Solo and LOW BLOWS Talla! Gunther then wrangles Solo to SMASH the thumb on the apron!

Gunther gets in, the ref reprimands Talla, but Talla is already suffering for what he did. Gunther LOW BLOWS SOLO!! And he POWERBOMBS Solo!! Cover, GUNTHER WINS!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Turnabout is fair play, so long as the ref doesn’t see you do it! Gunther now puts his name down as the other finalist in this tournament! And speaking of, LA Knight makes his way back out here! Knight says he doesn’t care what Gunther does tonight or next week, he just promises that we won’t be hearing Gunther’s theme song again. Knight still wishes Gunther the best, see  you soon, YEAH. It will be Ring General VS Mega Star this Friday Night SmackDown, but who will have their moment as John Cena’s final opponent?

Pearce regroups with Eddie Orengo.

It seems no one knows anything about the Masked Man, they didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, except for seeing Seth Rollins around. Yeah, Pearce heard all the same. Well, just keep him posted. Eddie heads out, and AJ Styles steps in with Dragon Lee. Styles brings up the talk of Rollins without a sling and Pearce confirms, that’s what he heard, too. But they’re clearly not here to talk Seth. Nope. Styles & Dragon defended their titles, they wanna do it again. When? Next week. Pearce loves it! But Styles does want to make sure it is a deserving team. Pearce is all ears. Styles suggests a team that hasn’t gotten a rematch.

Dragon knows just what Styles is getting at. They want the War Raiders! That’s right, they never got a rematch! Then next week, Styles & Dragon VS Erik & Ivar for the titles! It’s official! Dragon says Pearce is the best! Pearce says no, they’re the best. Styles also likes the shirt. Pearce says thanks, and he likes having fighting champions. Styles & Dragon head out, but will they make it through Ragnarök? Or will the raid once again strike gold?

Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.

Jackie Redmond is now with the WWE Hall of Famer, THE King of Lucha, and she says it is officially set for next week: Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor, live on Raw! Where is his head out ahead of that? Rey says we all know the main issue here is with his “bastard son,” Dominik. But as long as Dom keeps hiding behind the Judgment Day, Rey has no problem going through them one at a time. Fair enough, but with Dom reclaiming the Intercontinental Championship, she’d be remised if she didn’t ask if there was a hint of Rey wanting another run at said title. Rey says yes, that hasn’t been ruled out, so there’s a big possibility-

But then Logan Paul has to interrupt… The IC title… Not to interrupt, but he was just on his way to his private jet, and it seems he’s stumbled upon some crazy talk. Rey says, “Well if it isn’t the one guy who might be more of an ass than my own son.” Logan says stop it, he’s 6’3″ while Rey is just 3’6″. Logan’s a great father, Rey’s a deadbeat. And if Mr. Outta Touch hasn’t heard, the IC title is soon to be The Vision’s, the most dominant force on Raw. Actually, Logan is glad he stopped by, because Rey can consider this a warning: Rey needs to step down. Or else what? Who’s gonna stop him? You, pend*jo? Oh, Logan won’t just stop Rey, he’ll RETIRE him!

Rey SLAPS Logan! Security and producers step in as Logan says Rey will pay for that! Logan shouts about how Rey’s broke and Logan’s rich, but will Rey getting the better of Logan’s arrogance be priceless?

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!

While this isn’t an outright #1 contenders match, both sides feel winning here will send them right at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. But will it be #RheYo or #Charlexa that get their combination championship and grudge match?

The teams sort out and Iyo starts against Alexa. The fans rally as these two circle, tie up, and Alexa knees low! Alexa tags Charlotte already and Charlotte gives Alexa the boost to DROPKICK! Charlotte hurries to haul Iyo back up and back suplex! Iyo lands out, Rhea rushes over to help, but Charlotte BOOTS Rhea! Charlotte apologizes, says that wasn’t personal, but then Iyo wheelbarrows and victory rolls, STOMP 182! The fans fire up while Charlotte sputters, then Iyo checks on Rhea. Rhea is okay despite the fall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Rhea storms up on Alexa. Rhea taunts Charlotte, Charlotte gives a “WOO~” in return, then Charlotte rallies the fans behind Alexa. Rhea grabs Alexa’s legs, for the PRISM TRAP! Alexa endures, reaches out, but Rhea lifts her off the mat! The fans rally harder as Alexa fights, swings, but she sends Rhea into Charlotte! Another accident but Rhea just shrugs hers off. Alexa fires body shots, Rhea CLUBS Alexa down, then she tags Iyo. Rhea GERMAN SUPLEXES Alexa, Iyo hits a 619 to the back! Rhea adds a SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives and the fans rally up again!

Iyo runs at the corner, but Alexa dodges the Bullet Train! But Iyo blocks Alexa off from Charlotte! And ROCKS her! Iyo runs, but Alexa ROCKS her! Alexa runs, Iyo FLAPJACKS her, and the fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo and Alexa crawl, reach out, hot tags to Charlotte and Rhea! The fans fire up as Queen and Mami now meet directly! The two run up, Charlotte dodges, Rhea dodges, and the fans cheer the standoff. They both say how close that was, and they go again. Charlotte waistlocks, Rhea switches, but Charlotte ELBOWS free! Rhea ROCKS Charlotte in return! They go forearm for forearm as the fans fire up!

Rhea and Charlotte throw forearm after forearm, faster and faster, then Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Charlotte is feeling it now as she CHOPS again and again! Rhea dodges one to HEADBUTT! Charlotte goes to a corner, Rhea runs up, but she’s caught into the BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Then Charlotte shoves Rhea down, runs up, but Rhea CAPOERIA KICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up again, and Raw goes to break once more!

Raw returns once more as Iyo SHOTEIS Charlotte! Iyo whips Charlotte to the corner, but Charlotte tumbles up and out! She BOOTS Iyo, DECKS Rhea, then slingshots in so she can roll Iyo up! Iyo rolls through to POINT-BLANK SHINKANSEN! The fans fire up and Rhea rises! Rhea shouts for the tag, so Iyo tags her in! The fans fire up again as Rhea reels Charlotte in. Iyo goes up, Rhea lifts, but Charlotte fights against the Canadian rack! They fall over for a moment but Rhea drags Charlotte right back up. RAZOR’S EDGE! MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and the fans fire up!

Rhea seethes and rises again. She drags Charlotte up, pump handles, but Charlotte turns the Riptide into a DDT!! Hot tag to Alexa and they coordinate! SUPERKICK into DDT! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives the sudden turnaround but Alexa goes to the corner. Alexa climbs up, TWISTED BLISS gets KNEES! Alexa manages to tag Charlotte, Rhea tags Iyo! Iyo leaps over Charlotte, comes back, but into a YAKUZA KICK! Tag back to Alexa before the NATURAL SELECTION! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, RHEA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Charlotte storms back in! Rhea dodges the boot, Charlotte ends up on the apron!

Rhea LARIATS Charlotte down, the fans fire up again, and Rhea drags Iyo to safety! Rhea tags in, but Alexa fires off forearms! Rhea kicks low, reels Alexa in, Canadian rack for- NO, Alexa slips free, runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Rhea stops the rest! But Alexa still clinches! TWISTED- NO, Rhea powers out to HEADBUTT! And then the pump handle! RIPTIDE!! Tag to Iyo and she goes right up and OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, but Charlotte TACKLES Rhea onto it!! The fans are thunderous as all four women are down! “This is Awesome!” But then The Kabuki Warriors just attack them all! The fans boo as this amazing main event is now ruined!

No Contest

The Kabuki Warriors POST Charlotte, then they POST Rhea! But Iyo fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI! But then Asuka SOBATS, Kairi AX KICKS, and they DOUBLE KICK Iyo down! Then they aim at Alexa! SLIDING KICK! Kairi sits Iyo back up for Asuka to take aim with the belt! But here come Bayley & Lyra! They won’t let Asuka & Kairi bully the division! CROSSBODY on Kairi, LARIAT on Asuka! Kairi tumbles away, Bayley beats up on Asuka, Lyra WRECKS Kairi with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra gets up on the desk, aims at Kairi, but LIV trips her up?! And she THROWS Kairi into the steel stpes!

Raquel & Roxie rush Asuka and Bayley! THESZ PRESS on Asuka, BOOT on Bayley! Then a KNEE and TEXANA BOMB on Asuka!! Roxie SOBATS Bayley, hops on, and hits POP ROX!! Judgment Day picks at the scraps of the other four teams, and then they pick up the tag titles. Roxie hesitates and she hands that belt to Liv, but Liv says no, this is Roxie’s now. Liv raises Roxie’s & Raquel’s hands, Judgment Day might indeed be stronger than ever! Will they truly turn this show into Judgment Day Raw?

My Thoughts:

After a Survivor Series that started strong but ended a bit dull, this Raw was a great way to turn things back around. HHH hyped it up as it would be “epic,” not sure about that, but this was still great. The Vision winning on Saturday giving us Bron Breakker VS CM Punk for the New Year Raw on January 5th is some good stuff. Bron had a great, fiery promo to call out Punk, and I’m sure Punk will have a good response, but this “Masked Man” mystery will certainly play a part in the build and even the title match. They keep wanting us to question if Rollins is injured or not, but c’mon, it’s gotta be Austin Theory. There was talk he was to be part of this story before Rollins’ legit injury, and they could make good on bringing him in now.

Also, great detail that Eddie Orengo, one of their top refs, got to be involved by being Pearce’s eyes and ears on the show. I wonder who specifically he eavesdropped to gather that intel. Ivy being proactive and demanding a title match was good, and that vignette from Maxxine & Nattie was very good. If this not only gives us a very tough, very serious Maxxine and then “Bloodsport Nattie” on Raw, I’m all for it, and we’re gonna get some great stuff from “The Dungeon Dolls.”

Great World Tag title match from Styles & Dragon VS New Day, and a great win for Styles & Dragon. Them facing War Raiders next is fine by me, that’ll be another great match, and there’s a touch of continuity as to why they’re doing it. I’m sure Styles & Dragon still retain then, too, it feels like we’re gonna circle back to the Judgment Day now that Judgment Day is all juiced up. Very good promo from Dom & Liv to do just that, and from everything else we saw tonight, the group is at least acting like it’s all good, despite the months of Roxie clearly flirting with Dom the same way Liv did back when she “stole” Dom from Rhea.

As such, great interweaving of story with the Women’s Championship and Women’s Tag Team Championship. Vaquer had a good promo to move past Nikki, and clearly Liv wants that world title back, they’ll have a really good build towards their title match. Then we are getting something BIG with the Women’s Tag titles, not just 2v2. Very good promo from Rhea, Iyo, Charlotte & Alexa, and a pretty good promo from Bayley & Lyra wanting their spot, then being confronted by Kabuki Warriors. #RheYo VS #Charlexa was a great main event, but I had a feeling we’d get Kabuki Warriors interfering to then bring out #BayLyra. Liv launching that second attack was a surprise, but seeing all of Judgment Day going for gold on New Year’s Raw could be a great card.

And of course, great stuff in The Last Time is Now Tournament, they certainly stepped up the quality for the semifinals. I did NOT think LA Knight was winning over Jey, that was great all on its own. And then Jey is clearly about to be Crash Out Jey Uso, he is fed up more with himself than anything, and it’d be oddly refreshing to see a Face turn Heel over disliking himself rather than blaming the fans or another person. Then an equally great match from Gunther VS Solo, and I also like how Gunther resorted to the low blow since it was to cheat the cheaters. Knight VS Gunther is going to be great, too, but it feels like the rumors are going to be true, it’d be a lot for Knight to overcome Gunther. Though, if they really wanted to blow the roof off the place on Friday…

My Score: 8.9/10