Raw Review 12/23/2019

RAW REVIEW 12/23/2019

Tonight is a Holiday Edition of Monday Night Raw! First, can Seth Rollins defeat Rey Mysterio and become the new United States Champion? Plus, in a huge 6 man tag match will it be The O.C. (AJ Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) or Randy Orton and The Viking Raiders who pull off the big victory? Finally, after ticking Kevin Owens off last week how will Mojo Rawley fair when he faces KO in a Christmas Street Fight?
Raw comes to us from the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Jerry “The King” Lawler, Samoa Joe, and Vic Joseph

In-Ring Segment: Kevin Owens
Owens says there is a lot on his mind and he has a lot to say about a lot of people. He says first of all… but is then cut off and out comes Mojo Rawley. Rawley says the first thing out of Owens mouth better be an explanation for his actions with the steel pipe. Owens says he wasn’t even going to talk about it at all. Mojo says he needs a reality check and asks if he wants to know what his problem is. Owens says he has about 7 but if he wants to explain he can. He then tells how he and Mojo have a no DQ Match. Mojo says it will be a no DQ Match but for Owens, it won’t be a Merry Christmas for him and his wife and kids. Owens says if you’re done talking let’s get to it.

Match 1: Kevin Owens vs Mojo Rawley: Street Fight
Owens goes right after Mojo and unloads on him in the corner. Mojo is sent to the outside and Owens goes right after him. He sends him into the barricade and then grabs a chair that he throws in the ring. He continues pulling chairs out from under the ring and then grabs a table. Owens sets up the table in the ring but from behind Mojo hits him with a chair. He continues to beat on Owens and now Mojo sends the table to the outside. Owens catches Mojo but Mojo comes right back and plants Owens on the chairs. He pins him but Owens kicks out. Mojo sets up two chairs and then hits Owens with a third. He sets up more chairs before hitting Owens again. Owens is placed up top and Mojo meets him up there. Mojo looks for the suplex but Owens continues to fight. He rakes the eyes and Mojo drops to a knee. Mojo finally wins the battle and sends Owens off the chairs. He pins him but again Owens kicks out. Owens is set up in the corner but Owens comes back with a huge superkick. Owens lands the senton and goes for the cover but he can’t put Mojo away. Owens grabs a chair but throws it down and goes back to the table. Mojo gets up and puts Owens on his shoulders. Owens fights off and hits Mojo with the Stunner. Owens now powerbombs Mojo through the table and gets the 1 2 3 for the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens

In-Ring Segment: Kevin Owens
Owens grabs a mic after the match and says Mojo has him in a fighting mood and then calls out Seth Rollins. Owens says he knows calling him out is a bad decision but he thinks making bad decisions is part of his charm. He says he isn’t leaving until Rollins does. Rollins and AOP are watching in the back and head for the ring.
Rollins and AOP come out. Rollins gets in the ring and tries to reason with Owens. He preachers him to come to his side and not listen to the crowd. Rollins extends his hand and says Kev, you, me, and the boys will run this place. He swears to Owens it’s done. Owens goes over to the ropes and then hits Rollins with a superkick. AOP jumps him and takes him down. Rollins joins in and stomps away on the beaten up Owens. Owens comes back and attacks Rollins. AOP grabs him and beats him down again. Rollins directs traffic and asks Owens what his problem is. He adds that it doesn’t have to be this way. Rollins then hits him with a stomp. Owens is bloody and has trouble walking as he exits the ring.
My Opinion:
Mojo definitely gave Owens a fight but Owens stayed with it and made it clear he is out for a fight. He obviously has a lot of retribution he is out for but he is outnumbered at this point. Owens will need to keep fighting and eventually he’ll get the upper hand. I don’t know where it will lead for Owens but the crowd is behind him and like I said he has to keep the Fight Owens Fight spirit up. Right now though Rollins and AOP are running the place.

*** We then see a video of R-Truth in NYC this past weekend. During the video, Truth is pinned by Akira Tozawa who is now the new 24/7 Champion.

Match 2: Bobby Lashley vs Cedric Alexander
*** Next week will be the wedding of Lana & Bobby Lashley
Lashley works the arm of Alexander to start the match. Alexander works out of it but Lashley grabs him again and slams him to the mat. Lashley hits him with a right and then hammers on him in the corner. Alexander is sent into the opposite corner but he fights out. Alexander works a huge elbow and then lands a takedown. Alexander hits a dropkick and sends Lashley to the outside. Alexander goes over the ropes and then connects with a moonsault off the apron. Lana grabs a mic and comes in the ring. She asks Cedric who the hell he thinks he is. She says next week is the most important day of her life and her hot soon to be husband’s most important day of the week. She says she can’t have him showing up bruised. She says she is getting married next week on Monday Night Raw Live. she then says they should have a classic Greco Roman Match. She says you all love me and I love myself but no one loves me as much as her soon to be husband Bobby Lashley. Raw then goes to break.
As Raw returns, Alexander takes it to Lashley and hits him in the corner. Alexander lands a kick and sends Lashley to the outside again. Alexander lands a kick on the apron and then brings Lashley into the ring. Lashley comes back with a big right but Alexander now hits a dropkick. Alexander flies back in the ring but is caught. Lashley then turns him inside out. Lashley works him on the mat and then throws him into the corner before hitting a spear. He goes for the cover but Alexander kicks out. Lashley now wears him down and works a chin lock. Alexander tries to fight to his feet and does. He works away from Lashley but is caught again and dropped to the mat. Lashley covers but again Alexander kicks out. Lashley looks for a slam and connects. Alexander jumps up and hits a dropkick that drops Lashley to the mat. Alexander lands a kick and then hits a clothesline off the ropes. Lashley goes to the outside and Alexander takes him out with a suicide dive. He then goes back into the ring to fly over the ropes once more to take out Lashley. In the ring, he tries another cover but Lashley is able to kick out. Alexander tries to keep up the pace but once again he is caught and slammed to the mat. Lashley looks for a spear but Alexander counters. Alexander hits a dropkick in the corner. Alexander flies off the ropes but has to roll through. Lashley comes back and hits a chokeslam. Lashley then hits the spear and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
This match really made me miss seeing Cedric more in the ring because wow he is awesome. He really did well in this one and gave Lashley all he had but Lashley is so powerful that he is always one move away from finishing a match. Lashley gets the victory and rolls onto his wedding next week and we will see where he goes after that. For Cedric, I really do hope we will see him in the ring more.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & AOP
Charly stops Seth Rollins and AOP. she asks him what he is trying to accomplish with acts of brutality. He says he went out and extend an olive branch and Owens did what he did. He says go ask Owens what he is trying to accomplish with constantly fighting him.

*** We then see a video of Akira Tozawa in NYC now as the 24/7 Champion as R-Truth tries to get his title back.

Match 3: Drew McIntyre vs Zack Ryder w/ Curt Hawkins
Mcintyre pushes Ryder into the corner and then slaps him repeatedly. He then hits Ryder and takes him down, Ryder comes back and sends Mcintyre to the outside. He then hits him with a dropkick but can’t take him down. Mcintyre then hits him with a clothesline before tossing him around. Back in the ring, Mcintyre throws Ryder and works slowly against him. Ryder creates separation but Mcintyre stays right on him. Ryder gets caught and is hit with a huge powerbomb. Mcintyre looks for the Claymore Kick and connects with it. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** after the match Mcintyre sends Hawkins to the outside. He then hits Ryder with the Future Shock DDT. Hawkins tries to fight back but is hit with a Claymore Kick. Mcintyre says that was fun and asks Zack and Curt if they are having fun. He says he will speak on their behalf and says yeah we are having fun and you’re a big inspiration to us. You’re as wise as you are jacked and you an incredible wrestler. Mcintyre says you just saw my definition of fun. He says 2020 belongs to Drew Mcintyre.
Winner: Drew Mcintyre
My Opinion:
Another solid win for Mcintyre as he continues to try to ascend the ladder to the top on Raw. Mcintyre is one of the best on Raw and in the whole WWE so I hope going into the new year he finds his way into the title picture. 2020 should be his year because in the ring and on the mic he gets it done and I know he would run with the opportunity of being the face of Raw.

In-Ring Segment: Becky Lynch
Lynch says she has had some things on her mind and some, she addressed last week. She says she has learned she does so much better when she takes things into her own hands. She says she has become the face of the company and the company is trying to save her and protect her but she doesn’t give a damn what this company wants. She says The Man versus Asuka needs to happen next and she is not taking no for an answer. She says she will go to some deep dark places to remind herself who she is. She says Asuka is the one woman who beat The Man fair and square. She tells that The Man has come around to collect one last debt. Out comes Asuka.
Asuka asks Becky if she remembers TLC and reminds her they are the champions. She then talks in Japanese. She says Asuka 2 Belts. Lynch says so it’s going to take putting this on the line to face you, well name the time and place. Lynch then talks in Japanese and says anytime, anywhere.
My Opinion:
I’m all for this match to take place. I think it will be a barn burner and right now I feel Asuka is really getting back into the stride she had when she was undefeated and doing so well. This will be a huge test for both of them but by the end of it, I feel like everyone will be reminded who both of them are and catapult the Raw Women’s Division at the start of the new year.

Match 4: Aleister Black vs Deonn Rusman
Black lands a big takedown and then connects with a jumping knee. Black lifts Rusman up with his foot and is able to hit Black Mass. He goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3. After the match out comes Buddy Murphy for a match.
Winner: Aleister Black

Match 5: Buddy Murphy vs Joeasa
Murphy hits a jumping knee and then lifts up Joeasa. He hits Murphy’s Law and gets the quick 1 2 3.
*** After the match Black comes down to the ring and has a staredown with Murphy. He extends his hand but Murphy walks by. Black then hits him with Black Mass.
Winner: Buddy Murphy
My Opinion:
I loved the one-upmanship between these two. Both of them were super impressive tonight and obviously won their matches very quickly. They both seem ready to go next week for what should be another classic match but tonight Black gets the last laugh. When they met at TLC I really felt like they stole the show and next week I see the same thing happening. Murphy though is going to have to get more serious if he is going to beat Black.

Backstage Segment: Rey Mysterio
Charly asks Rey how he is feeling ahead of his first time ever match against Seth Rollins knowing his title is on the line. He says he has been looking forward to this match and he still believes Rollins is one of the best superstars. He says this match will always have an asterisk on it because it isn’t just Rey versus Seth but instead Rey vs Seth and AOP. He says they run around and do whatever they want but they made a huge mistake not finishing him last week. He says he will hit the 619 and walk out still the United States Champion.

Match 6: Tony Nese vs Ricochet
Nese sends Ricochet into the corner but Ricochet bounces out and gets back on the upper hand with quick strikes. Ricochet lands the dropkick and goes for the cover but Nese kicks out. Nese fights back and is able to drop Ricochet off the top rope. He hits a springboard and goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Nese now goes to a body lock and works the abdomen of Ricochet. Ricochet is able to work out of it and he comes back with a huge hurricanranna. He lands a kick on the apron and looks to fly off the ropes but Nese hits him with a big open palm strike. Ricochet hits a big kick and then lands the recoil. He goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Ricochet
My Opinion:
This as a quicker paced match but Ricochet definitely made hits point here and beat the very game, Nese. Ricochet needed that win bad and needs to get back on a role. He has all the potential in the world but he has to continue his winning ways. For Nese, he continues to impress but he is going to have to do a lot more in there. He is a former champion and needs to find that drive once more.

*** We see a video of Akira Tozawa continuing to run away from R-Truth in NYC.

Match 7: Charlotte Flair vs Chelsea Green
The two lock up and Flair is able to reverse Green and put her in the corner. The two lock up again and this time neither get the advantage. Flair grabs her arm and works Green into the corner. Flair lands a slap and brings Green into the corner again. She unloads with big kicks but Green stays on her and lands a knee. She sends Flair off the turnbuckle face first and covers but Flair kicks out. Green lands a dropkick and then chokes Flair on the ropes. Green covers but again Flair kicks out. Green goes to a chinlock and keeps Flair grounded. Green stays in control as Flair tries to fight out. Flair comes back and hits a series of knife-edge chops. Green stays with it with an elbow. Flair though turns it around with a massive boot. Flair works a Figure 8 and Green taps out.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
My Opinion:
It was awesome seeing Green on Raw tonight she is awesome in the ring and I really hope she works her way onto tv more. She gave one heck of a fight and Flair really was tested for a minute there. Flair though is too good and once she found her opening that was the beginning of the end. It was a very important win for Flair though as it keeps her as one of the top competitors on Raw.

*** We see another video of Truth and Tozawa in NYC visiting with Santa. Tozawa is pinned by Santa Clause and he wins the 24/7 Championship.

*** We get another vignette for the returning Liv Morgan!

Match 8: Randy Orton & The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs The O.C. (AJ Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Anderson works a side headlock. Ivar sends him off the ropes but Anderson stays on him. Ivar is able to take him down and brings Anderson to the corner. Erik tags in and Erik takes down Anderson. He then lifts him and slams down. Erik throws him in the corner and tags Ivar. Ivar sends Anderson into Erik and Erik hits a huge knee. Ivar tries a cover but Anderson kicks out. Ivar lands a big elbow. Anderson comes back and tries to fight out of the corner but Ivar stays on him. Erik tags in and with Anderson down he slams Ivar onto him. Erik covers and Anderson kicks out. Erik now goes to work on the arm of Anderson while keeping him grounded on the mat. To a vertical base, Erik keeps control of the arm. Anderson fights and is able to land a chop to the throat. Gallows tags in and hits a big right hand. After a neck breaker, he comes in to hit a big kick. Styles then assist on the outside and takes a cheap shot. Erik gets back in the ring and tries to fight out but Gallows continues to hammer on him in the corner. Styles tags in and lands a series of kicks. He then turns around and taunts Orton. Erik tries to fight free but Styles stays on him and keeps him grounded. He then uses the ropes to choke him. In the corner Styles lands a chop. He hits a knee and covers but Erik kicks out at 2. Anderson tags in and lands a big kick. He then turns to a chin lock. Erik lands an elbow to the gut but Anderson comes back with a spine buster. He covers but Erik kicks out. Styles tags in and they try a double team but Erik fights them off. Orton finally gets the tag and he takes down Gallows and then Anderson. Gallows fights back and sends Orton to the outside. Styles and Anderson come over to him but Erik and Ivar watch his back as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Gallows stays on Orton. He hammers on him in the corner and then tags Styles. Styles goes after the knee and keeps on it. Orton finally is able to fight off Styles and tag in Erik. Erik takes out Gallows and Anderson. He picks up Anderson and throws him across the ring. He picks him up and tosses him again. Ivar now comes in and plants Gallows. He then takes him out once more. Styles is caught in the corner and Ivar is driven into Styles. Anderson is then hit with the Viking Experience but Gallows breaks up the cover. Styles fights back and hits the paylay kick. Orton tags in but Styles doesn’t see and stays on Erik hitting a dropkick. Styles fights off Orton but Orton is able to send him to the apron. Anderson and Gallows help out and soften up Orton. Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The O.C. (AJ Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
That was an awesome match between these two teams but what a huge win for The O.C. Orton was nowhere near 100 percent and it showed a lot tonight. He had a target on him the whole match and once the Viking Raiders were neutralized it was the beginning of the end for them. I think Styles is far from done with Orton but for now, he has one up on The Viper.

*** We see this time R-Truth continue to chase Santa and try to get the 24/7 title

*** We then see Rowan continue to talk to his assumed pet in the cage.

Backstage Segment: the Street Profits
Ford tells Dawkins they are one week away from the ceremony of Lana and Lashley. Dawkins says he doesn’t want to go to the wedding he just wants to go to the bachelor party. Ford then asks about the cage Rowan carries. Dawkins says you don’t wanna lift that up fam anything could be under there. They finish with We Want the Smoke.

Match 9: Erick Rowan vs Travis Horn
Horn starts the match by trying to give Rowan a candy cane. Horn then slips to the outside and backs away from the ring. He then pulls out more candy canes and brings them over to the cage. Rowan stops him and knocks him down from behind. Rowan sends him into the led board and then sends Horn off the apron face first. Rowan brings him in the ring and hits him with a back elbow. He then lays out Horn with a big slam. He then lifts him and hits one more big slam. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Erick Rowan
My Opinion:
Rowan continues to run through his opponents. We still don’t know what’s in the cage but obviously Rowan continues to protect it with his life. I’m sure this will continue on for a while but there are only so many more times they can do this. If this is going to lead to something and mean something then at some point where they are going to have to show what is in the cage or at least have someone steal it or something.

*** R-Truth pins Santa and wins back the 24/7 title. He and Tozawa then make peace with each other.

Match 10: Rusev vs No Way Jose
*** Before his match Rusev says he can’t believe it was snowing right on top of the ramp but second he has some mixed emotions. He says was he screwed over at TLC, yes he was. Is he upset about it, oh yes he is. But is he going to do anything about, you’re damn sure it will. He then asks if he is upset about Lana marrying Lashley well no because the best punishment he can give is Lana to Lashley. He says he may be single but he is not alone and even on her wedding day it will be on Rusev Day!
Jose fires up Rusev and Rusev gets angry. Rusev sends him off the ropes and then hits him with a devastating kick. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Rusev has fun and does a spinaroonie. He then hangs out with the conga line.
Winner: Rusev
My Opinion:
Rusev meant all business in the ring tonight and quickly laid out Jose. It was obvious Rusev was out there it get some anger out and he did that. Once he won the match he had some fun but there is no doubt he feels like he needs to prove himself. I’m sure he isn’t done with Lashley but I do hope for his sake he will win next time and continue re-establishing dominance.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins
Charly asks Rollins what his upcoming match means to him. He says right now, he is going to beat Rey Mysterio and win the United States title and we are going to establish dominance. He then grabs AOP and they head to the ring.

Match 11: Seth Rollins vs Rey Mysterio: United States Championship Match
Mysterio lands a kick and then hammers on Rollins. Rollins hits a kick of his own and then stomps on Mysterio in the corner. Mysterio counters him but Rollins hits a sling blade. He covers but Mysterio kicks out. Mysterio continues to fight back but Rollins knocks him down with a back elbow. Rollins hits him in the back and then bounces Mysterio off the turnbuckle. Rollins hits a right hand and then sends Mysterio off the ropes. Mysterio wraps up Rollins and works a pin but Rollins works out of it. Mysterio comes off the ropes and sends Rollins into the ropes. He looks for the 619 but Rollins moves out of the way. He turns things around and sends Mysterio into the ring post. Eh then sends Mysterio to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins sends Mysterio shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Rollins tries a cover but Mysterio kicks out. Rollins stays on him but Mysterio fights back. Mysterio is able to send Rollins to the outside. He then is able to hit a sunset flip and send Rollins into the barricade. In the ring, Mysterio takes down Rollins. He gets caught but is able to turn it into a DDT. Mysterio comes off the ropes but is caught and hit with a buckle bomb. Rollins then hits the superkick and goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out. Rollins misses on the stomp. Mysterio then sends him into the ropes and hits the 619. Mysterio goes up top but AOP attacks him. The match ends in a DQ.
*** After the match Mysterio is sent into the LEDs on the apron. They continue attacking him and Rollins says bring him up there and teach him a lesson. They bring him over to the announcer’s table and clear it off. They tell Joe to move but Joe says no I don’t move. Joe tells them if he gets up it’s not to move, it’s both your asses. Rollins gets in the middle of it and stops the altercation. Rollins tries to reason with Joe. Rollins then tells AOP to finish him. They attack Joe and beat him down. Rollins then hits Mysterio with the stomp. AOP grabs joe and plants him through the announcer’s table.
Winner: Rey Mysterio: Via DQ
My Opinion:
Although I wish this could have gone longer and had a decisive winner it was still an awesome contest between these two. Rollins and Mysterio are two of the best on Raw and I’d love to see this one again. I didn’t mind how it ended though because Rollins and AOP showed they are about showing how devastating they can. I think they crossed the wrong path with Samoa Joe and I’d love to see Joe come back and get some retribution with KO!

Final Thoughts:
Tonight was a solid one for Raw, there were a lot of matches but some were very quick but overall they were all really good. First, I’m super excited for Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy facing off next week. I think once again they will steal the show and they seem very ready to go once more. I liked The O.C. getting the huge win tonight, they went through a little losing streak but I love seeing them on top and I hope it continues for them. It was awesome seeing Chelsea Green on Raw, I like the NXT Superstars coming to Raw and getting some TV time because they always do great and it’s good exposure for them. Also, I was once again impressed by Drew Mcintyre. He continues to be as dominant as ever and I really hope 2020 is the year for him. I liked the opening tonight with Kevin Owens continuing to try and battle Rollins and AOP. Owens was outnumbered but after how Raw ended maybe some help will be on the way. Speaking of that tonight’s main event was awesome as well. I’m glad Mysterio retained because there is still a lot of matches I’d love to see him have while he is defending the title. Rollins and AOP continue to cause havoc and it’s awesome. They are taking over Raw and it seems like this will continue until a group of people steps up to them. This leads me to what I was saying and I really hope Samoa Joe will come and help KO now because those two with one more person would be a heck of a fight! Overall it was a solid night and I can’t wait for the final Raw of the decade!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10