Raw Review 12/16/2019

RAW REVIEW 12/16/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw following last night’s TLC PPV! First, what will be next for the Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors after defeating Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a grueling TLC Match? Also, in a major showdown who will win when AJ Styles takes on Randy Orton? Last week it was revealed that in fact, Seth Rollins has joined forces with the AOP so can this powerhouse trio be stopped? Finally, what’s next for Bobby Lashey and Lana after Lashley defeated Rusev in a Tables Match last night?
Raw comes to us from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Raw kicks off with a look back at Seth Rollins actions from last week.

In-Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Rollins says let me introduce to you the first two men who have chosen to live on the right side of history, Akem and Rezar the AOP. Here comes AOP. Rollins tells that when he debuted for NXT the entire world was saying Seth Rollins is the future. He tells they said the same thing when he showed up on the main roster and they did that all the way up to this year when he beat Brock Lesnar twice. He says that was everyone from fans, critics, people in the back, ownership, everyone. He tells how all of a sudden the mood changed and people started to question his leadership as if he had done something wrong. He says being a leader is not about being cool or making the popular decisions, it’s about making the decisions for the sake of progress. He tells how Kevin Owens resisted and became an example. He tells that he always tells the truth and that won’t change. He says that he is a leader and bigger than that he is a visionary. He says he is going to be the man who leads this brand and this industry into the next decade and beyond. He says you are coming with me by hook or crook and he will drag you kicking and screaming and he will impose his will. He tells that if you resist the AOP will enforce his will. He then tells how he has a score to settle and one way or another it will be settled but you guys won’t like it. He says for what they have to do tonight he is sorry.
My Opinion:
That was a great way to start the night and an awesome promo from Rollins. You felt the emotion he was pouring out and this Seth Rollins is absolutely his best version. There is so much they can do with these three guys together and I think Raw is their brand to run now. I love how Rollins kept it very cryptic and now we have to wait and see what’s next. This is what makes things exciting when we can watch things unfold and build anticipation throughout the night.

Match 1: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Gallows works a headlock on Ivar. Ivar breaks free but Gallows is able to land a big boot off the ropes and then hit a big uppercut. Anderson tags in but Ivar takes over and sends Anderson into the corner. Ivar tags in Erik and Erik takes over with big strikes. Erik hits Anderson with a big knee and continues to pound on him. Ivar comes in and crushes Anderson. Ivar stays on him and works his arm. Erik tags in and delivers a devastating right hand. Erik then lifts Anderson and hold him before dropping him for a huge suplex. Gallows is able to tag in after a thumb to the eye. Gallows tries to get momentum but Erik hits him with a big shot sending him to the outside. Gallows then hits him with an uppercut as Erik tries to fly. Gallows hits a big fallaway slam on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Anderson is able to plant Erik with a big-time spinebuster. Anderson covers but Erik is able to kick out. Gallows tags in and stays on Erik. Gallows goes to the corner and throws some big rights and lefts. Gallows drops Erik and covers but again Erik kicks out. Gallows now uses elbow strikes to wear down Erik. He works a chin lock and keeps him grounded on the mat. Erik works to a vertical base and tries to break free but he is dropped again by Gallows. Anderson tags in and keeps the pressure on. Erik is able to land a forearm. He is dropped by a boot but Erik comes right back and continues to fight. Anderson looks to slam him but Erik is able to fight off and tag Ivar. Ivar takes out Anderson and lands a splash on the mat. He then hits Gallows and then goes back to work on Anderson. Anderson is able to get away from him and tag Gallows. Gallows beats down Ivar and then tags in Anderson. They send Ivar off the ropes but Ivar takes both of them down with back elbows. Erik gets back to his feet and he and Ivar fly through the ropes to take out Gallows and Anderson on the outside as Raw goes to the outside.
As Raw returns, Ivar hits Gallows with a big right but Gallows comes back with a big kick. Andrson comes in and they double team Ivar. Anderson goes for the cover but Ivar kicks out. Anderson looks to hit him in the corner but Ivar is able to get the big boot up. Ivar fights away and tags Erik. Erik comes in takes it to Gallows. He slams him to the mat and then hits Anderson with a huge knee. Ivar tags in and crushes Gallows in the corner. Erik follows up with a big kick. Ivar is then driven into Gallows by Erik. Ivar covers but Gallows is able to kick out. Gallows comes to and fights off both Ivar and Erik. Anderson tags in and hits Erik with a huge uppercut. Anderson comes at him in the corner but he is caught and flatten with a modified spinebuster, Ivar goes up top and has to knocks Gallows to the floor. Ivar flies from the top but Anderson is pulled to safety. Erik is taken out and then they hit the Magic Killer on Ivar. Gallows pins Ivar and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
Wow, that was an awesome tag match between these two teams. Talk about giving your opponents everything you have because these teams did it. This is a huge win for Gallows and Anderson but unfortunately, tonight wasn’t for the titles. This sets them up for a championship match no doubt but now they have to go and beat The Viking Raiders when it counts. They’ve done it twice but they have to come up with a third victory to dethrone the dominant Raw Tag Team Champions.

Backstage Segment: Erick Rowan
Erick asks Sarah if she has a family, someone she cares about. She says yes. He then gives her some advice about asking him what’s in the cage and says mind your business.

Backstage Segment: The O.C.
Styles hypes up Gallows and Anderson for their win tonight. He then tells how he is going to take out Randy Orton tonight. He says he is going to do it on his own and he is going to end Randy Orton’s career tonight. He tells Gallows and Anderson he will see them in the winner’s circle.

Match 2: Erick Rowan vs Deton Leon
Leon immediately goes to the outside. He walks around the ring but Rowan meets him out there. Leon goes under the ring and goes out on the other side. He goes to the cage and now Rowan chases after him. Leon falls and gets back up. He comes to the barricade and gets caught. Rowan then tackles him to the floor. He throws him into the ring and meets him in there. Rowan then slams Leon down to the mat. Rowan plants him once more and covers him for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Erick Rowan
My Opinion:
Another dominating and quick victory for Rowan. I think this is actually getting very intriguing because Rowan is playing this up so well. Like I’ve said I really do hope there is some interesting payoff to this because it’s definitely becoming an intriguing part the night. Of course, I’d love to see Rowan wrestling guys on the main roster and dominating but like I said, hopefully, this leads to something big for him.

Backstage Segment: Andrade & Zelina Vega
Charly introduces Andrade. She tells how Andrade would be the favorite in this gauntlet match tonight except there’s a guy who has beaten him twice in there tonight, Humberto Carrillo. Andrade talks in Spanish. Zelina Vega takes over and tells that losing to Humberto Carrillo was the best thing to happen to him because now they take him seriously. She says this time she will wear high heels so he can hear her footsteps on the concrete so he has time to repent.

*** This week we get a vignette for the returning Liv Morgan!

In-Ring Segment: Lana & Bobby Lashley
Lana plugs her Instagram and then tells how her hot hot boyfriend crushed and destroyed and devoured his opponent at TLC. she says let me officially announce the winner is her hot hot boyfriend Bobby Lashley. Lana tells him he is so wonderful and so beautiful and he gives her the butterflies everyday. Lana tells the crowd to be quiet as they chant Rusev Day. She tells that the reality and very bad news is that Rusev Day is dead. Lashley then asks for a little bit of respect as they continue to chant for Rusev. Lana tells Lashley she wants the world to know how much he loves her. She tells him she wants him to ask her to marry him. She then hands him a ring. Lashley says he doesn’t like it when anybody tells me what to do, except you. He gets on a knee and tells Lana she is the most gorgeous woman in the entire world and she the best female wrestler in the WWE. He says he knows they will be the best power couple in the WWE and then asks her to marry him. She says oh my god Bobby you are so romantic. She says it is just like she had him rehearse. She says it will be the best day ever on Lana day.
My Opinion:
That was interesting, to say the least as it seems Lana is now forcing Lashley into marrying her and he doesn’t seem to be thrilled about this. Lana seems a little delusion through all of this and to me it seems like a matter of time before this goes wrong. Also, hopefully now when Rusev returns he will be out for revenge and will continue to build his popularity as he has the past few weeks.

Match 3: Gauntlet Match: Winner is the #1 Contender for the United States Championship
The 24/7 Champion R-Truth and Akira Tozawa start the match. The two locks up and Tozawa works a side headlock. Truth sends him to the ropes but Tozawa hangs on. The two lock up again and this time Truth gets the advantage. Tozawa fights it off and the two go back to a standstill after Truth hangs on to the ropes this time. Tozawa is able to send Truth into the ring post and Truth crashes to the outside. Tozawa then flies off the apron to take out Truth on the floor. Back in the ring, Tozawa lands a missile dropkick and goes for the cover but Truth kicks out. Truth fights back but Truth misses on the scissors kick. Tozawa is able to work a pin and gets the 1 2 3. As Truth is eliminated he is chased through the crowd by a flurry of superstars coming for the 24/7 Championship. Out next is Ricochet as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ricochet is able to get the early advantage and send Tozawa to the outside. Tozawa comes back and lands a big kick sending Ricochet to the floor. He flies and hits Ricochet hard. He does it one more time and takes him out on the floor. Back in the ring, Tozawa looks to fly but is hit with a huge dropkick as he does. Ricochet hits him in the corner and continues to wear him down. Ricochet works on the arm and neck of Tozawa. Ricochet tries a cover but Tozawa kicks out. Ricochet hits him in the ribs and then goes back to work on the arm, He works a submission and stretches Tozawa on his back. He plants him and tries a cover but Tozawa kicks out. Ricochet is hit in the ribs and Tozawa continues to try to fight off. He works an octopus stretch and wrenches on the right shoulder of Ricochet. Ricochet powers out and lands a big kick. Tozawa lands a kick but misses on the second. He misses on suplex but stays on Ricochet and finally lands the snap German. The cover and a kick out by Ricochet. Tozawa gets behind Ricochet and tries to lift him. Ricochet hits him with a chop. To the apron Ricochet hangs on then lands a huge kick. He flies off the top and lands a huge clothesline. Tozawa comes back with big knees to the gut. He lands a big kick and then goes up top. Tozawa flies but Ricochet moves out of the way. Ricochet hits a superkick and follows with the recoil. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. Next out is Matt Hardy as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Hardy hits the side effect and goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Hardy beats down ricochet in the corner. He picks him up and then heaves him into the opposite corner. Hardy then bounces Ricochet off the turnbuckle. Hardy tries another cover but again Ricochet kicks out. Hardy gets Ricochet on the mat and hammers on him. Hardy hammers on Ricochet in the corner but Ricochet fights back. Hardy is able to hit a powerbomb and goes for the cover but again Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet lands a big dropkick and takes down Hardy. Ricochet hits him with a right and the two trade shots. Ricochet hits him in the midsection. Hardy fights back and hits another side effect and Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet fights back and lands a standing shooting star but it isn’t enough to put away Hardy. Hardy looks for the Twist of Fate but Ricochet counters and gets the 1 2 3. Next out is Humberto Carrillo.
As Raw returns, ricochet tries a cover but Carrillo kicks out. Carillo tries pin but Ricochet kicks out. Carrillo continues to fight off Ricochet and lands a takedown sending Ricochet to the floor. Carrillo flies over the ropes and takes out Ricochet on the floor. In the ring, Carrillo brings Ricochet to the center of the ring and hits a knee. Carrillo tries a cover but Ricochet kicks out. Carrillo now works on the arm of Ricochet. Ricochet gets to his feet and tries to fight him off but he is thrown back down to the mat and continues to work on the arm of Ricochet. Ricochet works to his feet again and tries to create separation. The two throw shots at each other but Carrillo gets the advantage and hits him with a huge shot to the arm. The cover and another kick out by Ricochet. Carrillo stays on the arm of Ricochet. He lands an armdrag and goes back to the armbar. Carrillo stays on Ricochet. Ricochet fights off and sends him to the corner. On the apron Ricochet fights him off and tries a cover but Carillo kicks out. Ricochet plants him and covers again but Carillo won’t stay down. Zelina Vega comes out to the stage as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Vega continues to look on. Ricochet brings him to the corner and hits him with a chop. Carillo counters and hits him with chops of his own. Ricochet fights out and hits him on the apron. He comes off the ropes and takes down Carrillo. He now hits the standing shooting star and covers but Carrillo kicks out. Carrillo comes back and hits an elbow to the face. Carillo lands a kick and lands a kick to the back of the neck. Another cover and another kick by Ricochet. Carrillo goes up top and looks for the moonsault but Ricochet moves. Carillo comes back with a kick but Ricochet answers with one of his own. Ricochet then lands a crossbody and the two crash to the floor. Both men make it back in the ring at 9. Ricochet comes at Carrillo in the corner but gets caught with two big boots. Carrillo goes up top but is hit with a big slap to the face. The two trade shots as Ricochet meets him up top. Ricochet hits him with forearms and looks for the suplex, Ricochet connects. He covers but Carillo is able to just barely kick out. Ricochet throws a right and Carrillo answers Carrillo continues to try to fight him off but instead it stays with a trading of strikes. Ricochet is able to hit another suplex. He lands one more and covers but Carrillo kicks out. Ricochet is able to land on his feet after Carrillo tried to take him out. Carrillo finally takes him down and goes up top. He hits the moonsault and finally puts Ricochet away with the 1 2 3. Out now is the final competitor Andrade.
Andrade attacks him from behind and beats him down. Andrade hits double knees in the corner and then does it once more. Andrade then tosses him to the outside. Andrade goes to the outside and exposes the concrete floor. He goes to Carrillo and slaps him Andrade then sends him into the barricade. Carrillo then hits Carrillo with a DDT on the concrete. Rey Mysterio then comes out to check on Carrillo. Andrade and Zelina walk out through the crowd.
Winner: Ends in a No Contest
My Opinion:
Well, I absolutely loved this gauntlet match. I mean we had some amazing contest in there and it was one of those things where time just flew and you just wanted more and more. It sucks this ends without a winner but I’m sure we will find out soon who will face Mysterio in the future. The bigger story here is that Andrade is back with a vengeance and this could be huge for him. He showed a sense of urgency tonight and a need to make a point. This is huge for him because when you become complacent and always win you forget what it’s like to have to truly fight back to the top. Now he knows he has to have a mean streak and boy does he ever. I can’t wait to see where this leads him!

In-Ring Segment: Seth Rollins & AOP
As Raw returns, Humberto Carrillo is being stretchered out. Seth Rollins and AOP then come out and Rollins is carrying that steel pipe that Mysterio gave Owens last week. AOP rush the ring and Mysterio tries to fight them off but the numbers game catches up to him. Rollins says they didn’t come out to fight, they just found something that belonged to him and they wanted to give it back. He hands it to Mysterio but Mysterio is halted from grabbing it. AOP then lay him out. Rollins says it didn’t have to be like this but this is the pipe you gave to Owens to use on him and the AOP. Rollins says an eye for an eye right, but then says he is a merciful leader. He says tonight is your lucky night and that Rey owes him one. Rollins goes to walk out but Rollins comes back and hits Mysterio with a stomp.
My Opinion:
It is too bad Rey had to be the example but I love this for Rollins and AOP. they are showing little by little that they are taking over and they don’t care who they have to take out on their way to the top. Rollins is doing so good on the mic and I love him leading this group. It is the highlight of Raw and I cannot wait to see what comes next for this new power group.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins
Charly asks Rollins if he cares to comment on why he attacked Rey Mysterio. He says he is a leader and leads by example. He tells he had a score to settle and he settled it. He says the question is, why didn’t he put him in a hospital bed. He says well because Rey couldn’t answer this challenge. She asks what challenge and he says he is challenging Rey Mysterio to a one on one match for the United States Champion next week.

Randy Orton:
Orton says SmackDown may have been the house that AJ Styles built but this is Monday Night Raw. He tells that if Styles has forgotten who he is he will remind him with the three most devastating letters in sports entertainment, R K O.

Match 4: Asuka vs Deonna Purrazzo
Before the match begins Purrazzo hits Asuka with a pump kick that sends her to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Asuka goes right after Purrazzo and hammers on her. She then hits her with huge kicks and has her down. Asuka then hits her with the rearview. Purrazzo in the corner now is hit again with the rearview. Purrazzo is able to now counter her and work to the mat for an armbar. Asuka rolls through and works a cover but Purrazzo kicks out. Now Asuka looks for an armbar. Purrazzo tries to hold on. Now Asuka turns to the kneebar. Asuka now goes to a chin lock. Asuka grabs her arm and goes back to a modified armbar. Purrazzo tries to fight to the ropes but Asuka keeps hold. Purrazzo hits an elbow and then is able to plant Asuka. She covers but Asuka kicks out. Purrazzo hits her with a kick and then looks for another but she is caught. Asuka hits her with strikes and then a big knee. Asuka unloads with kicks and finishes with a kick to the ear. Asuka is able to lock in the Asuka Lock and Purrazzo taps out.
Winner: Asuka
My Opinion:
First, it was awesome to see Deonna on Raw, she was so good in Ring Of Honor and I’m glad she got this opportunity. Asuka though was too much and she seemed like she went out there with a major chip on her shoulder. It seems Asuka is back to the dominating force she once was and that is dangerous for everyone around.

Becky Lynch: Exclusive Interview
Charly thanks Becky for being her. She brings up last night and talks about how Becky again had the opportunity to be Becky Two Belts but the Kabuki Warriors were able to beat them. She asks her how she is handling that loss. Becky says the last few months she hasn’t been herself. She says she was taken out of singles competition and put into tag team competition. She says she thought she was being buried but instead she figured out she was being protected. She says she is the golden goose and they don’t want to lose it. She says she doesn’t think she can beat Asuka. She says she is handling this loss by looking at it honestly. Charly asks what Becky would say to those who think Asuka should be champion. Becky says she needs Asuka because she needs to prove something to herself.

Backstage Segment: Rey Mysterio
Rey says it seems like he has a lot of bad people coming after his U.S. title. He says he has no problem facing Andrade at any time. He says but Andrade tried to end the career fo the Latin upstart Humberto Carrillo. He says then Seth Rollins he didn’t settle a score, he started a fight. He says he showed why they don’t respect him. He tells that he has never had a one on one with Rollins but next that will change because he accepts Rollins challenge.

Match 5: Randy Orton vs AJ Styles
Orton gets to styles in the corner. He stays right on him and continues to him with little shots to the body. Styles hits him in the midsection. He gets the upper hand for a moment. Orton fights him off and looks for an RKO but Styles pushes him off and takes a breather on the outside. Styles lands a cheap shot and goes back on the outside. Orton grabs him and drops him spine first on the apron. Orton brings him in the ring and grabs the leg of Styles. He stomps on the ankle and picks apart Styles. Styles tries a Phenomenal Forearm but he is prevented. Styles works on Orton and gets the calf crusher locked in. Orton crawls to the ropes but Styles continues to pull him away. Styles brings him to the middle of the ring and keeps the calf crusher locked in. Orton continues to crawl and finally gets to the bottom rope. Styles takes out Orton on the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Styles is still in control. He hits Orton with a kick and taunts him. Orton fights back with two big right hands. Styles though drops him with a kick to the knee. Styles grabs his leg but Orton fights him off with a thumb to the eye. Orton then is able to drop Styles on the top turnbuckle. Orton fires with a right hand and continues to hammer on Styles. Styles comes right back and Orton is wobbly. Styles hits him with a kick to the knee and Orton goes down. Orton is able to come back with a power slam but he is just as hurt as Styles. Styles grabs his knee again and goes to the corner. Orton tries to fight free and eventually does. He hits the inverted backbreaker but still Orton is down just as much as Styles. Orton tries a cover but Styles kicks out. Styles is brought to the top turnbuckle and hit with a right hand. Orton meets him up there and looks for the suplex. Styles fights off and pulls Orton down. Now Styles chops down Orton at the knee. Styles connects with the moonsault and goes for the cover but Orton is able to get the shoulder up. Styles looks for the Styles Clash but Orton counters and sends him to the apron. Orton hits him with a right and then hits a DDT off the ropes. Orton looks for the RKO but Styles counters into the calf crusher. Orton fights off and sends Styles to the apron. He blocks Styles. Styles tries to Phenomenal Forearm again and Orton counters with the RKO. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. The O.C. then jump the ring and attack Orton. The Viking Raiders come out and even the odds. The O.C. is able to fight them off. They then hit Erik with the Magic Killer. The O.C. stands tall as Raw goes off the air.
Winner: Randy Orton
My Opinion:
Styles looked really good tonight because he absolutely beat down Orton but you have to give Orton all the credit in the world for hanging in there. He fought as hard as he could and showed the will in himself to go out there and win. He waited for his perfect spot and was to strike out of nowhere as he does. The O.C. may have stood tall but now they have three guys coming after them. This should be very interesting to see if this leads to a 6 man tag match. I know Styles and Orton is a match I’d love to see again but add The Viking Raiders and Gallows and Anderson into the mix and you will have an amazing match!

Final Thoughts:
A very solid night for Raw, first off, I love everything about Seth Rollins and AOP. they are absolutely taking over and they made that loud and clear tonight. This is something to be very excited about and I cannot wait to see what this dominating trio does next, it should be something great with Rollins challenging Mysterio for the U.S. title! Also, the gauntlet match was amazing. There were many good matches mixed in there and even though we didn’t get a winner we did get a very dangerous Andrade. I think he feels the pressure now but it will be best for him because urgency will bring out your best performances. I loved The O.C. and The Viking Raiders match, it was hard-hitting and they gave all they had. The O.C. got that huge win but now they have to get one more if they want to get to those titles. Asuka looked great tonight as well, she had her mean streak going and now it seems like she is back to the Asuka we use to know. Lynch seems ready to fight her so this could be a huge showdown for the Raw Women’s Championship in the near future! We ended the night with a dominating performance from AJ Styles but in the end Orton got the win and proved exactly how hard he is to beat. The O.C. stood tall but as I said I’d love to see The Viking Raiders and Orton come and get some good old fashioned revenge! Overall it was an awesome night on Raw and we have so many amazing things to look forward to and I cannot wait for it all!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10