CM Punk and Rey Mysterio VS…?

After the shocking reveal that AUSTIN THEORY was helping The Vision, will he help them take over Raw and take out CM Punk & Rey Mysterio?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley VS Asuka w/ Kairi Sane; Asuka wins.
• Je’Von Evans VS Rayo Americano w/ Los Americanos; Je’Von wins.
• Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Roxanne Perez w/ Liv Morgan; Bayley wins.
• CM Punk & Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Theory & Bronson win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Vision arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed spot someone off camera, and The Oracle assures them to go on, get warm inside, he’ll handle this. Heyman then walks over to Austin Theory. “What the hell are you doing?” Theory says he wanted Heyman to know why he was wearing a mask. Theory wants everyone to know the reasons for his actions before they saw his face. And Theory made some bad decisions, he got comfortable, and he got injured. But then he saw The Vision. They didn’t wait, they just took. And that’s Theory now. Really? Really. Theory takes? Yeah. And Theory knows The Vision has that tag match tonight. Theory would love to take that opportunity and help out.

Really? Really. Heyman says that’s interesting. Very interesting. Heyman leaves, but will he take Theory up on that offer?

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky talk backstage.

Mami says The Genius is not medically cleared tonight, and Rhea can’t protect her from Asuka & Kairi while having the match. So Rhea asks Iyo stays backstage. Iyo asks if she’s sure, and Rhea says yeah, she’s got this. They hug, and Rhea goes to gorilla. Will Rhea have plenty of brutality for the both of them? Or will she still not be ready for the Kabuki Warriors?

Rhea Ripley VS Asuka w/ Kairi Sane!

The bell rings and Rhea DORPKICKS Asuka right away! Rhea fires shots, CLUBS away on Asuka, but the ref has her back off in the corner. Rhea TOSSES Asuka across the way, goes after Asuka again, “This is for Iyo!” Rhea TOSSES Asuka, storms up, and avoids a kick! Rhea trips Asuka, HAMMERS away, but Asuka pushes free. Asuka storms up but Rhea fires body shots! And a HEADBUTT! Rhea then drags Asuka up, pump handles, and RIP- NO, Asuka slips free! Asuka bails out, the fans boo, but Rhea pursues! Rhea gets Asuka at the steps to THROW her into barriers! And again! The fans fire up as Rhea CHOPS Asuka!

Kairi shouts at Rhea, Rhea snarls, and then Rhea puts Asuka in the ring. Kairi keeps barking at Rhea, Rhea tells her to go away, but Asuka HIP ATTACKS Rhea down! Asuka then THROWS Rhea hard into barriers! Rhea falls, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Asuka CHOKES Rhea on the ropes! The ref counts, Asuka stops at 4, and the fans boo. Asuka puts Rhea in a corner, smothers her, then backs off to run up, BACK ELBOW! Asuka fires palm strikes and a SOBAT! The fans chant, “YOU SUCK!” Asuka headlocks, Rhea powers out, but she runs into a POP-UP KNEE! Cover, ONE!! Rhea toughs it out but Asuka drags her around. Asuka drags Rhea around, then fires Kawada Kicks! The fans boo and Rhea can only guard her face, but Asuka SWITCH KICKS! Asuka then drags Rhea around, but Rhea fires body shots! The fans cheer and Rhea kicks low! Rhea KNEE SMASHES, but Asuka catches her ot a backslide, TWO!

Rhea ducks a kick, Asuka dodges a kick! Asuka ROCKS Rhea, Rhea ELBOWS Asuka! Both women wobble, Rhea runs, but Kairi TRIPS Rhea up! The fans boo but Asuka SLIDING KICKS! The Kabuki Warriors get away with one, and Asuka sits Rhea up. Asuka KICKS Rhea, and KICKS, and KICKS! Asuka KICKS Rhea again and again, but Rhea blocks! Rhea rises and the fans fire up! Rhea SLAPS Asuka, then eggs her on! Rhea dodges to wrench and short arm LARIAT! LARIAT! And then ripcord to HOOK KICK and atomic FACEBSUTER! Then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Rhea runs, and she DROPKICKS Asuka down! Cover, TWO!

Asuka survives but the fans rally behind Rhea. Rhea drags Asuka around, stands her up, and pump handle for the RIP- NO, Asuka makes it a cradle! TWO!! Rhea escapes in time, blocks another kick, but Asuka URAKENS! SOBATS! FRONT KICKS! HAYMAKERS! SUPERKICK! Asuka runs, but Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Kairi coaches Asuka, Grand Rapids is behind Rhea, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and the two throw hands as they rise up! The fans cheer Rhea, boo Asuka, and repeat! Asuka fires a flurry of strikes, but Rhea blocks the roundhouse! Rhea trips Asuka, ties up the legs, PRISM LOCK! Asuka endures, rolls, and drags Rhea down! ANKLE LOCK! Rhea endures, fights up, but Asuka reels her in! LEG CAPTURE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then a SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives, Asuka is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Asuka has a wily smile on her face as she rises again, with a wristlock. Asuka wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rhea fights the Asuka Lock! Rhea THROWS Asuka away!

Rhea goes to a corner, Asuka runs up, but Rhea BOOTS her away! Rhea then goes up the corner, but Asuka ROCKS her! Asuka goes up, but Rhea CLUBS and HAMMERS Asuka! Rhea slips down, tucks Asuka in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then she Electric Chair Lifts Asuka for a SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and the fans fire up again! Kairi is certainly worried, and Rhea is growing frustrated. But Grand Rapids agrees, “This is Awesome!” rhea drags Asuka up, reels her in, and vows to end this! Canadian Rack and RAZOR’S- NO, Asuka sunset flips through it! TWO!! Rhea escapes, runs up, but Asuka dodges the boot!

Rhea is stuck, Asuka DUMPS her out, and then Asuka runs to HIP- NO, Rhea blocks the hip attack with a waistlock! Rhea drags Asuka to the apron, Asuka switches with her, APRON GERMAN SUPLEX!! Asuka gets Rhea back in, then goes to a corner. The fans boo as Asuka climbs, and she leaps, into a SUEPRKICK from Rhea!! SLIDING KNEE! Asuka tumbles out, Rhea goes to the apron, and Rhea CANNONBALLS! Down goes Asuka and the fans fire up again! Rhea drags Asuka up, puts her in, and she hurries to a corner. Asuka distracts the ref with talks of a hurt arm, and Kairi trips Rhea up! The fans boo as Rhea flops off the corner!

But here comes Iyo! Iyo has seen enough! She dodges Kairi to SHOTEI! Iyo argues with the ref about things, but that lets Kairi TRIP Iyo up! That bad back hits the apron hard! Kairi shouts at Iyo about her betrayal, and then Asuka rolls Rhea up with tights! Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall

Iyo tried to help Rhea, but it didn’t matter with how savagely savvy Asuka & Kairi are! Will #RheYo stand a chance at taking the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships in the New Year?

Bron & Bronson talk in the private suite.

This all feels weird to them, but then Heyman steps in, sipping his coffee. Bron asks if Heyman could fill them in on what all this is, and Bronson asks, “Theory? Really?” Yeah, Theory! But hey, with all due respect, where was Bronson about 18 months ago? Who was he fumbling around with then? And now, Bronson is main-eventing in Australia, and he beat Roman Reigns! Bron Breakker a year ago, was he calling shots? Last Heyman checked, it was Bron who made the choice to take out Rollins. And now Bron is main-eventing the Netflix Anniversary for the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk!

And who made all this happen? Someone had a vision for the two of them, and that was him, Paul Heyman. And Heyman doesn’t pimp that out easily. He is selective. He has a vision for Theory, too. So tonight, Bronson teams with Theory against CM Punk & Rey Mysterio. And either Theory carries their vision, or Bron & Bronson can make sure they carry Theory’s ass out of the WWE. Bron says Bronson doesn’t have to do this, but Bronson says he’s got this. Bron says he’ll have Bronson’s back out there, not Theory’s. They fist bump on it, but will Theory actually carry his weight? Or will he not just be crushed by his failure, but crushed for his failure?

Becky Lynch is here!

Grand Rapids is surprised but also fired up to see Big Time Becks back on Raw! Becky grabs a mic to say, “No, no, no, no! Absolutely not! NO, this will NOT be a celebration for ‘Moody Maxxine,’ okay?! She is NOT the legitimate Intercontinental Champion! There was a corrupt referee, there was illegal interference. Therefore, therefore, visa vi the following, I am the REAL Intercontinental Champion, okay?! I know, you are very upset about all of this corruption, but don’t worry. I am tired of this facade, and if Petty Pearce won’t do anything about it, I got you. I know some very powerful people that will, okay?

“I have the most powerful lawyers in the country. And actually, I went to my good friends at Netflix, the big wigs, the biggest wigs, and they said to me, ‘Rebecca, you know what you need to do? You need to go to Miserable Michigan…” The fans boo but she says those were the executive’s words, not hers. But they told her to come here to Grand Rapids- The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Becky says that’s for Maxxine. But Becky hasn’t seen any rapids, that is a very misleading name. They told Becky to take matters into her own hands, which is what she’s gonna do, because she is the greatest female wrestler of all time! And that’s not just her saying it, other people say it!

But then here comes Maxxine! The fans cheer as the Women’s Intercontinental Champion goes to the ring, mic in hand, and she tells Becky, “I hear you. I think we’ve all heard you, okay? Listen, I will admit, Sports Illustrated was right. You are the greatest of all time, and I am just a rookie, and we know that, okay? I get it. But let’s not forget that this rookie BEAT the greatest of all time!” The fans cheer and Becky is livid, but Maxxine asks if it was just one time. “NO!” Was it just twice? “NO!” Oh, that’s right, it was THREE times! Becky of course wants her shot, and she can have it. Any time, any place.

But Maxxine will warn Becky, she’ll stop at nothing to beat her again! Maxxine will train until her blood, sweat and tears are on this mat! She is not only THEIR Intercontinental Champion, Becky, she is YOUR Intercontinental Champion! And all Maxxine wants is for Becky to admit it. Becky can just take it on the chin like The Man she is, but she won’t, will she? No, she’s too busy complaining! But Maxxine’s gotta tell ya, Becky doesn’t really look like the greatest of all time. Here’s what she looks like: Someone afraid that their best years are behind them. Becky DECKS Maxxine! The fans boo but Becky HAMMERS Maxxine, then SMACKS her off the mat!

Becky holds up the title and shouts at Maxxine, “This is MINE! I own this!” The fans boo more, but Becky just HAMMERS Maxxine more! Becky dribbles Maxxine off the mat, but Maxxine gets a leg! ANKLE LOCK! The fans fire up while Becky flounders around! Maxxine tells Becky to say it! Say Maxxine is the champ! GRAPEVINE on the leg! Becky flails, claws around, but she TAPS! The fans cheer, Maxxine lets go, and Becky scrambles away. Maxxine holds up the belt, will she do this to Becky again when they finally have it out?

Je’Von Evans meets with Adam Pearce.

The Young OG gets a Santa hat from the Raw GM, he tries it on, and it fits just right. Pearce says two things: good luck against Rayo Americano tonight; and afterward, if it’s alright with Je’Von, they can talk about the future. Je’Von says say less! See you in a bit! Je’Von shakes Pearce’s hand then heads to gorilla. Pearce then turns around to see Stephanie Vaquer. La Primera says buenas noches, and Pearce say’s hello. Now, he’s been thinking on it, and he wants to pick her brain, but how can we resolve the issue between her, Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez? Vaquer says there’s nothing to resolve, just give her both of them!

Wait, en serio? Si, a Triple Threat. Well, he does have to say, he loves a fighting champion. Since she wants it, next week for the final Raw of 2025, Vaquer will defend against Nikki and Raquel! Perfecta. Pearce heads out and Vaquer is ready to go double or nothing! Will she still be La Primera after such a massive title match? Or will there be a new champion for the New Year?

The Usos speak.

Jey starts off, “The Usos are now in your citaaay~! Yes, sir!” Jimmy adds, “And the Usos are now back in the Tag Team Division! And last week, it was another classic: The Usos VS The New Day! And guess who came back on top, Uce?” Jey says the Usos are going for gold, doing what they do! Dragon Lee, AJ Styles, you have their respect, but you have those titles, so that’s just a target on your backs, and The Usos are gonna run that back! The greatest tag team of all time! Not just the one time, not just a five time, or even a ten time! The GREATEST of all time! Four letters, one word, UH UH… USOS!

And they get their shot next Monday! Will the last Raw of 2025 be the last Raw Styles & Dragon are golden?

Je’Von Evans VS Rayo Americano w/ Los Americanos!

The Young OG is ready to get BOUNCY~! But with how much work he has put in lately, will he still have gas in the tank after this? Or will the red member of Los Americanos ruin Je’Von’s Christmas?

The bell rings, the two feel things out, and they tie up. Rayo headlocks, Je’Von powers up and out, but Rayo RAMS Je’Von! Je’Von rebounds to CLOBBER Rayo! Things speed up, Je’Von slides under the hurdle and then kips up! The fans cheer as Je’Von then DROPKICKS Rayo down! Je’Von does a tiger stance before he goes to Rayo for a headlock. Rayo powers up and out, then he CLOBBERS Je’Von! Rayo struts, flexes, but the fans boo. Rayo stalks Je’Von to a corner, wrenches him, and grinds the arm. Rayo KNEE DROPS the arm, puts Je’Von in a corner, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Rayo then drags Je’Von around to grind the arm.

The fans rally for Je’Von as he endures and fights to his feet. Je’Von kicks low, then runs up to BOUNCY~ RANA! The fans fire up again while Rayo tumbles to the ropes. Je’Von whips Rayo, Rayo goes Spider-Man, but Je’Von runs up! Rayo DUMPS Je’Von out! Rayo PLANCHAS, but Je’Von dodges! Je’Von FLIES and down goes Rayo! The fans fire up with Je’Von as he stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Je’Von is on the apron. He blocks a shot to GAMANGIRI! Rayo staggers, Je’Von climbs, but Rayo springs up there to SUPER ARM-DRAG! Je’Von flounders, the fans boo, but El Grande says to cheer Rayo. Rayo stomps Je’Von! Rayo rains down forearms, then stomps Je’Von! Rayo huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Je’Von into a chinbar and half nelson. The fans rally as Je’Von endures, and Je’Von rises up to fire hands! Rayo ROCKS Je’Von! Je’Von ROCKS Rayo! They go back and forth, the fans cheer Je’Von as he fires a flurry of haymakers! Je’Von has Rayo on the ropes, the ref counts, but then Rayo ROCKS Je’Von on return!

The fans boo that sucker punch, but Rayo runs, only for Je’Von to dodge and KAMEN RIDER KICK! The fans fire up as Je’Von throws off the shirt! Je’Von CLOBBERS Rayo! And then wrenches to kick and suplex! Je’Von kips right up and goes right to a corner! Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Rayo survives, the fans boo, but Je’Von shakes it off. Grande gets on the apron, the ref stops him, but Bravo is there! He stops the Bouncy Rana to HOTSHOT Je’Von down low! Rayo LARIATS Je’Von down! The fans boo but Rayo scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives and the fans cheer!

Rayo is frustrated and he tells fans to hush. Rayo drags Je’Von up for Kawada Kicks! The fans boo, Rayo stands Je’Von up, and he SLAPS Je’Von! Je’Von frowns, and he SUPERKICKS back! Rayo rebounds, and he ENZIGIRIS! And BUZZSAW! HEEL KICK! Rayo whips, Je’Von handsprings, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO!! Rayo survives but Je’Von just waits for him to get up. Je’Von springboards, OG- FOREARM! Rayo takes Je’Von outta the sky, then goes up the corner! MOONSAULT, but he rolls through! Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER OG CUTTER! Cover, Je’Von wins!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

But here come Bravo & Grande! Je’Von dodges them, slips out of the ring, and stands tall! Will he get even bigger wins once he’s full-time on main roster?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles & Dragon Lee.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE World Tag Team Champions, and she says they’ve had quite a bit of success given how recently they were teamed together. Next week, they have a massive title defense against one of the most decorated teams in WWE history, The Usos. How do they feel they’ll fare? Styles says they beat Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, who were considered the best. Dragon says they beat New Day and The War Raiders, two great teams. But no matter what happens, they are going to have a classic. Dragon & Styles will do what they always do, and that’s bring the fire!

Styles adds that so long as they have these titles, they’re better than the best, and that’s exactly what The Usos will get next week. Styles & Dragon head out, will they be able to ring in the New Year with gold? Or will they be put in The Uso Penitentiary?

Bron Breakker speaks.

“Now that I finally got the real CM Punk to show up to work, after your little spiel last week, I went down tot he ring, I cut you in half, I took your championship away from you and I held it up high. And it was everything that I thought it would be, and that was easy. You think now we have some sort of personal vendetta because I threw out a couple of BS lines about your family when the reality is, you don’t care about your wife. You never cared about anybody in your entire life except yourself, you self-centered piece of trash. But I’m gonna do you a solid. I’m gonna stroke your ego for a second and make this all about you.

“Because what kind of CM Punk is gonna show up on January 5th? Is it gonna be this watered down 2025 version? Or is it gonna be the Best in the World? But either way, on January 5th, the results will be the same: I am inevitable! I am the mountain you cannot climb, I am the dog you cannot outrun! And in the wise words of you, I’m only here to make money. Well, I hope you saved all your money and cashed all your checks, because after the match is over on January 5th and I’m y our NEW Heavyweight Champion of the World, you won’t be worth a dollar to anyone.” The Badass has spoken, but will Bron break Punk once and for all?

Nikki Bella is here!

And she interrupts outta nowhere by saying everyone needs to shut up, because the most important person just walked into the building. The fans boo but Nikki says she has something to say. First of all, Michigan, it seems like everyone has forgotten who she is! Nikki gets up on the desk in her four inch heel boots and says she IS Nikki Bella! A legend! A Hall of Famer! A former champion! And this is what champions look like, you got that?! But what would Michigan know about that? They root for the Lions! The fans boo, but Nikki says c’mon, let’s be honest! The Lions wish they were the Eagles!

Oh, better yet, maybe just as good as Ohio State! But you’re looking at THE star of the Women’s Division, and there is a reason she is back! Last week, she destroyed Raquel Rodriguez’s face! And next week, she’ll destroy Stephanie Vaquer’s reign! The fans boo but Nikki says she gets it. Stephanie is a big deal in the ring, but Nikki is a big deal EVERYWHERE! And it is about time that the Women’s World Championship is around the waist of a true global superstar, and that is the living legend, the one and only, NIKKI BELLA! Nikki storms off again, but did her mouth just write a check her body can’t cash when she’s facing two opponents, not just one?

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Roxanne Perez w/ Liv Morgan!

Speaking of a great former Women’s Champion, The Role Model wants to get rid of that “former,” if she could only get a fair shot at the Women’s Tag Team titles. Will Bayley beat the brakes off of Roxie to clear the path for her and Lyra? Or will The Prodigy help The Judgment Day get back on top?

Raw returns as Roxie makes her entrance, Liv by her side. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, Roxie dodges Bayley, and then she grins as she leans on the ropes. Bayley and Roxie reset, tie up, and Roxie pulls hair to put Bayley on the ropes. The ref counts, Roxie stops, and she shoves Bayley. Roxie taunts Bayley, eggs her on, but Bayley clinches to BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Roxie bails out, Bayley says it was that close, and Liv fans Roxie off. Liv tells the ref to relax, and she helps Roxie up. Roxie slips into the ring while Bayley slides out! Roxie DIVES, but Bayley catches her! And then fireman’s carries, only for Roxie to fight free!

Roxie CHOP BLOCKS Bayley’s leg! Roxie snarls, gets Bayley up and HAMMERS away! Roxie wh8pis, Bayley reverses to put her in the ring, and Liv talks up Roxie to commentary. Roxie DROPKICKS Bayley’s leg! Roxie then stomps away on the leg, then KNEE DROPS it! Bayley goes to the corner, Roxie soaks up cheers and jeers, then runs up. Bayley FLAPJACKS Roxie off buckles! Bayley has Roxie in the ropes, but Roxie trips her! Roxie drags Bayley over to the corner, ROCKS Bayley, then SLAMS the leg against the POST! Bayley writhes, Liv cheers Roxie on, and Roxie SLAMS the leg again before Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Roxie has Bayley in another corner and she pulls the leg against ropes! The ref counts, but Roxie BOOTS the leg! Bayley clutches the knee, but Roxie storms up. Bayley SHOVES Roxie away, but Roxie returns to UPPERCUT! Roxie wrenches and clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this but Roxie gets the leg. Roxie kicks the leg, steps through, and pushes on the toehold! The fans rally as Bayley endures, and Bayley kicks at Roxie with the free leg! Roxie catches that leg, but Bayley uses it to drop toehold Roxie! Roxie flounders, Bayley rises, and the fans rally up!

Bayley swings, Roxie blocks, but then Bayley blocks to KNEE Roxie! Roxie wobbles, Bayley LARIATS! And LARIATS! Bayley runs to THESZ PRESS! Bayley rains down fast hands, but Roxie pushes her away. The fans rally, and now Raquel is here to further reinforce Roxie. Bayley fireman’s carries Roxie, swings, and SIDE SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives, Raquel creeps up to the apron, but Lyra storms over there! Lyra YANKS Raquel down to BOOT Roxie! The fans cheer, but Liv THROWS Lyra over the desk! The fans fire up, Roxie runs up, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! Then the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up but Roxie is furious! Roxie drags Bayley around by her leg, Bayley kicks and flails, and Bayley sends Roxie into the corner! Bayley hurries, SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and the fans rally up again. Bayley hobbles her way over, then runs the ropes, but Liv TRIPS her! The fans boo, but then Liv distracts the ref! The ref tells Liv to back off, but this lets Roxie undo a buckle pad! Bayley runs up, but is sent into the bare steel!! Roxie covers, but Raquel is furious about Lyra?! Roxie could’ve won, and Liv YANKS Raquel down!? Liv explains to Raquel what’s going on, this all distracts Roxie, and LYRA IS BACK!

Lyra CROSSBODIES Liv & Raquel! The fans fire up, and Bayley clinches Roxie! BIG back suplex, and Lyra says get going, Bayley! Bring out the anger! SLAP!! Lyra activates Berserk Bayley! Bayley KNEES Roxie int he head! And SMACKS her off buckles! Bayley HAMMERS Roxie again and again! The ref counts, but Bayley hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to The Boss, and Bayley puts Roxie in the drop zone! Bayley goes up, up, and MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, BAYLEY WINS!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

The fans fire up and Lyra loves it! Will Role Model & Morrigan now head for those tag titles? Is Judgment Day still (not) okay after this dysfunctional self-destruction?

Austin Theory talks with Bronson Reed.

Theory asks Bronson about the plan. Bronson says Theory is rolling with The Vision now, this is the big leagues. Tonight, when they get out there, just follow his lead, “kid.” Theory says first of all, he’s not a kid. And second, try it this way: Theory will start, and Bronson will follow HIS lead. There’s already dysfunction in this one, but will it all fall apart? Or will Bronson be able to see Theory’s vision tonight?

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

Dominik and Finn are playing WWE 2K when the ladies argue their way in. Finn and Dom want them all the chill! What is all this? Roxie says she and Liv had it handled until Raquel decided to come out! What was that about? Raquel says she was trying to help! Something they should’ve done for her when Nikki interrupted Raquel’s match! Liv says they were doing what Raquel asked them to do. But Liv agrees, Raquel was just trying to help. It’s what they’re all trying to do, because that is what families do, and Judgment Day is a family. And it’s Christmas! Let’s just get back on the same page!

Roxie would love to, if she knew what everyone was doing. Raquel says she doesn’t need this, she has to prepare for her title match. Good luck! Ricky Desperado storms off, will the holidays be a bit more tense this year?

GUNTHER is here!

Grand Rapids is NOT happy seeing Der Ring General, but he’s still all smiles. Gunther grabs a mic, and he revels in the booing and insults. The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” and give thumbs down, but Gunther is just amused by it. Gunther lets the fans go on and on, and even has a little laugh before he goes outside to stand on the desk. Gunther soaks up the heat as the boos rain down, and then he hops down, so he can go back to the ring. The booing gets even stronger, amusing Gunther even more. “You really shouldn’t be mad at me. But you should be mad at the guy that tapped out like a little b*tch!”

Gunther drops the mic, but CM PUNK is here! The fans erupt with cheers as THE WWE World Heavyweight Champion storms to the ring, gets in Gunther’s face, and the fans sing along with Cult of Personality. Punk and Gunther stare down while the fans chant for Punk as loud as they can. Gunther again laughs, further amused by all this. Gunther takes his leave, and he does the “You Can’t See Me!” as he goes! But then Rey Mysterio makes his entrance! Rey and Gunther meet at the ramp, and there’s another stare down. Gunther laughs Rey off, too, but that only adds to Rey’s ire.

Rey joins Punk in the ring and they fist bump. Will the champ and the King of Lucha take out their frustrations on the team that’s the real problem around here? Or will Theory & Bronson make it about The Vision all day?

Gunther returns backstage.

He is again amused seeing who is waiting for him. Gunther stares AJ Styles down, and Styles says, “You just don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Gunther says, “Guess I don’t.” Gunther laughs his way out of the building, but will Styles make sure Gunther’s 2026 is anything but phenomenal?

CM Punk & Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!

Raw returns as The Vision makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Rey starts against Theory. The bell rings and Rey is right on Theory with fast hands! The fans fire up, but Theory RAMS Rey into a corner. Theory LARIAT, then whips corner to corner to LARIAT again! Theory talks trash, scoops Rey, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Theory glares at Punk, then drags Rey up to whip to ropes. Rey KICKS Theory, runs, and Punk tags in. Rey slides under, Punk CLOBBERS Theory, and then they mug Theory in a corner! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands, but Punk stomps a mudhole into Theory!

Punk stops at 4, he whips Theory corner to corner, but Theory comes back to ELBOW Punk down! Theory sits Punk up to HAMMER away, but the fans rally behind “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Theory tells Bronson, “See that?” But Punk fireman’s carries! Theory fights free, BLASTS Rey, then drop toeholds Punk into buckles! Theory goes out, somersault and SHOTGUN! The fans boo but Heyman is impressed, and even Bronson likes what he sees while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bronson whips Punk to the corner. Bronson storms up to stand Punk up, whip him corner to corner hard, and Punk falls back! Bronson SPLASHES Punk’s hand! Bronson then drags Punk up and over, tag to Theory. They mug Punk while the fans boo, but Theory snapmares to STOMP Punk down! Theory stomps Punk’s hand to keep him from reaching out, and then he ELBOWS Punk again and again. Theory clamps on a chinlock, but the fans rally for Punk as he endures. Punk rises, but Theory hits a takeover! Theory grinds Punk down, Punk claws at Theory, but Theory rains down fists!

Heyman is pleased as Punk continues to suffer. The fans chant, “THEORY SUCKS! THEORY SUCKS!” Punk rolls and makes it a cover, TWO! Theory LARIATS Rey down! Theory drags Rey around, tags Bronson in, and Bronson drops an ELBOW! Bronson drags Theory up, snapmares him, then clamps on with a neck wrench. Punk endures, the fans rally, and Punk fights up again. Punk JAWBREAKERS free! But Bronson HEADBUTTS Punk in return! Bronson frowns, covers, and rains down fists! The fans boo, Bronson stops to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Bronson clamps back onto Punk but the fans rally up again.

Punk fights to his feet, and he throws haymakers! Bronson KNEES low, CLUBS Punk, then BOOTS Punk down! Punk goes to the ropes, but Bronson stands on him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and the fans continue to rally. Bronson drags Punk up, HEADBUTTS Punk down, and he drags Punk up. The fans rally again, Punk fires hands, but Bronson DECKS him! Bronson scoops Punk to POWERSLAM! Bronson gives last rites before the SENTON FLOPS! Punk avoids disaster and the fans fire up! Punk crawls, as does Bronson, hot tag to Rey! Rey dodges Bronson to BLAST Theory! Then he ROCKS Bronson!

Rey runs, ROCKS Bronson again, then runs. But Bronson catches Rey to a fireman’s carry! Rey sunset flips, but he avoids the hip drop! SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Bronson sputters, but he SHOVES Rey away. Rey dodges, Theory tags Bronson! Rey tilt-o-whirls to RANA Theory outta the ring! Rey goes to the apron, SEATED SENTON to the floor! The fans fire up for Rey as Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns one more time, and Theory has Rey down! The fans boo but Theory stalks Rey to the ropes. Theory CHOKES Rey, the ref counts, but Theory stops at 4. Theory taunts Punk, the ref keeps Punk back, but this lets Theory & Bronson mug Rey! The fans boo more but the ref misses that. Theory turns Rey over to ROPE GUILLOTINE! Rey sputters and falls to the floor, but Theory goes out to SMACK Rey off the desk! Theory puts Rey in the ring, dares him to reach for Punk, then he STOMPS Rey down! Theory tags Bronson, they mug Rey, but the fans rally up. Bronson stays between Rey and Punk, then drags Rey up.

Bronson scoops Rey, POWERSLAMS, and this time he SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, Punk breaks it! The ref counts, Punk backs off, but Bronson hauls Rey up. Bronson suplexes, Punk rallies the fans, but Bronson holds Rey up! Rey kicks and flails, but Bronson still SLAMS him down! Bronson drags Rey over, tags Theory, and Theory stomps Rey. Theory stomps Rey again and again, but the ref counts as Rey is in the ropes. Theory backs off at 4, the fans rally for Rey, and Theory YANKS Rey up, just so he can rain down fists! Theory gets a leg, but Rey ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Rey and Theory crawl, but Theory anchors Rey’s foot! Theory YANKS Rey back, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Rey toughs it out but Theory stays focused. The fans rally as hard as they can, but Theory stalks Rey to the ropes. Theory drags Rey up, scoops him, but Rey pops free! Rey BLASTS Bronson, wheelbarrows Theory, BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Rey crawls for the corner! Hot tag to Punk! Punk fires hands on Theory! Punk DECKS Theory again and again, then whips him for the CALF KICK! Theory staggers, comes back, but Punk gets him with the SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Punk SHINING WIZARDS in the corner!

Punk whips Theory to the other corner, another SHINING WIZARD! Then the BULLDOG! The fans fire up while Punk glares at Heyman. Heyman is frustrated, but Punk says night-night! Punk fireman’s carries Theory, but Theory fights free! Theory staggers, Bronson tags in! But Punk LARIATS! Bronson stays up, Punk LARIATS again! And again! Bronson just fires up! Punk LARIATS again, then winds up to run again. Bronson grabs Punk, TOSSES him to a corner, but Punk BOOTS him back! Punk goes up, up, and FLYING LARIATS! Punk BLASTS Theory, covers Bronson, TWO! Auszilla is still in this but Punk stays focused.

Punk coordinates with Rey, feed to a headscissors, SHINING WIZARD! Rey then victory rolls Bronson onto ropes! But Theory sneaks a tag as Rey dials it up! Theory LARIATS Rey and BLASTS Punk! Theory then lifts Rey right up, but Rey RANAS Theory! Rey redials, 619 on Theory! Then DROP THE DIME! Cover, Bronson YANKS Rey outta the ring! The fans boo, but then Bronson SENTONS Rey on the floor! But Punk DIVES onto Bronson, sending him into the desk! Punk fires hands on Bronson, then LARIATS him into the timekeeper’s are! Theory rises, Rey drags himself into the ring, and Theory storms his way over.

Rey RAMS Theory! And ROCKS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Theory falls, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs the corner! But Theory hits the ropes to trip Rey! The fans boo but Heyman says that’s not illegal. CURB STOMP!! Cover, Theory & Bronson win!!

Winners: Austin Theory & Bronson Reed, by pinfall

But Punk is right after Theory! Theory bails out, the mission already accomplished. Punk seethes, but BRON is here! Punk senses it and fires hands first! But Theory gets in! Punk fires hands on Theory, ROCKS him and LARIATS him up and out! But then Bron reloads! SPEAR!! The fans boo but Bron promises Punk that Punk is gonna go night-night! Will the New Year truly see a NEW World Heavyweight Champion crowned? Or will Punk look to break Bron for this?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, especially for prerecorded and shorter by about an hour. Good stuff with The Vision, but it was all pretty much standard formula: Theory wants into the group but they aren’t sure if they trust him, so he proves himself in tonight’s tag main event, and now they trust him. They of course stand tall now, but this could still lead to Theory being Seth Rollins’ spy. I also liked Rey and Punk having Hart inspired pink ‘n’ black ring gear, though. Good promos from The Usos and Dragon-Styles to hype up the tag title match now set for next week, and I feel like if anything, that is where The Usos lose and Jey loses it on Jimmy.

Great stuff from Je’Von VS Pete Dun- er, Rayo Americano. But I feel like Michael Cole gave away something big saying Je’Von was gonna be a free agent soon. Am I right to fantasy book Ricky Saints VS Je’Von Evans, Loser Leaves NXT? Is Je’Von going to lose to Ricky to then move to Raw? Great promo from Becky and Maxxine to also brawl and clearly give us one more Women’s Intercontinental Championship match between them. If that isn’t on next week’s Raw, I bet it’ll be part of the Netflix Anniversary show to up the star power. Now, unfortunately for Maxxine, Becky might win the belt back, so that she and AJ Lee can finally fight over something more than just their grudge.

Very good stuff in the Women’s Division, even Nikki’s promo she “interrupted” the show with. It’s just more of her typical Heel bad attitude, but now that we’re getting that Triple Threat, it’s also just all the more reason she should take the loss. Bayley VS Roxie was great, especially with Lyra getting us back to Berserker Bayley with that slap. The Judgment Day dysfunction also worked out here, but I hope they don’t interfere with the Triple Threat. I mean, obviously Judgment Day could/would do that, that’s the kind of Heels they are, but sometimes a straight-up Triple Threat finish is all anyone needs.

Rhea VS Asuka was great stuff, even with Iyo and Kairi overbooking it and affecting the outcome. We’re still set to have the women’s tag title match for the Netflix Anniversary, but I’m still hoping they decide to escalate and add more teams to it. Probably not, though, as they will probably want things like Charlotte & Alexa VS Nia & Lash for the first three-hour SmackDown, or the second one as that makes for a big week from January 5th through 9th. Ironically, they might save the big match of three or more teams for Royal Rumble Arabia.

My Score: 8.8/10