Raw Review 12/24/2018

Tonight on this special Holiday Edition of Monday Night Raw can Ronda Rousey retain her championship as she defends against her best friend Natalya? The other championship match set for tonight is Chad Gable and Bobby Roode defending against The Revival, can Roode and Gable retain or will The Revival finally pull off the big victory? Plus, what will happen when Elias takes on Bobby Lashley in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight? Also, set for tonight is a huge Triple Threat Match as Dolph Ziggler, Drew Mcintyre, and Finn Balor all collide! Baron Corbin blamed Seth Rollins for him losing his job, but can Corbin get retribution as he takes on Rollins one on one? Finally, tonight we will see an appearance from Paul Heyman, what will Heyman have to say to the WWE Universe?

Raw comes to us from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

Raw kicks off with being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young

In Ring Segment: Elias
Elias says it’s fitting he is opening the Christmas Eve Edition of Raw he gives to universal truths and says the third is that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. He says it is better to give than to receive and soon he will give the gift of beating and humiliating Bobby Lashley. He then says before that he has an Elias Christmas Song for everyone. Elias sings his song that pokes fun at Lashley and Rush. Lashley and Rush interrupt.  
My Opinion:
I liked Raw starting off with Elias in the ring. Elias is one of those guys who has all the talent in the world and it’s good he got the chance to be the face to start the show. Elias can be a big-time payer especially since he is so over with the crowd.

Match 1: Elias vs Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush:
Miracle on 34th Street Fight
Lashley knocks down Elias and hits him with right hands. Lashley gets him in the corner and his him with ore body blows. Lashley then hits a neck breaker. Lashley gets Elias in the corner again and buries his shoulder into him. Lashley then uses his boot to wrench on the neck of Elias. Elias is able to get to the apron but Lashley hits him with a right hand and sends him to the floor. On the floor, Elias gets in control by hitting Lashley with a Christmas tree. Elias continues to stay on him on the outside. Elias opens one of the gifts and it’s a kendo stick. Rush comes and steals it from him. Elias is able to evade Lashley and Lashley bounces off the steps as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias its Lashley with an uppercut but Lashley comes right back running into him and knocking him to the mat. Rush tries to get involved and fly from the top rope but Elias gets his knees up. Elias is able to try a pin but Lashley kicks out. Lashley then plants Elias on the mat. Lashley continues to toy with Elias knocking him to the mat. Back on the outside, Lashley uses the barricade as leverage to drive his weight onto Elias. Lashley then slams Elias on the presents. Lashley brings Elias back in the ring and continues to hammer on Elias in the corner with big elbows to the ear. Elias is able to land a boot but Lashley comes back with a big throw sends Elias crashing to the mat on the back of his neck. Rush then gives Lashley one of the gifts and its a bunch of legos. Lashley brings Elias to the top rope and hammers with rights hands. Lashley looks to suplex him but Elias continues to fight him off. Elias hits him with a right hand and Lashley crashes onto the legos. Elias then grabs a fire extinguisher and blows it in the face of Lashley. Lashley then missteps and sends Rush into a table. Elias hits him with big kicks in the corner and then goes to the outside grabbing a bowling ball. Elias then rolls the bowling ball into the groin of Lashley. Elias then goes to the outside again and grabs a cello. He then breaks it over the back of Lashley. Elias goes for the cover an gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Rush gets Egg Nog dumped on him.
Winner: Elias
My Opinion:
Big win for Elias tonight. Although this was more of a gimmick match than anything it still gets Elias over and puts him in a good light with the fans. Like I said Elias is one of the guys who could be at the top but he has to put together wins and build a good in-ring reputation. We will see if this feud continues on or if Elias has finally rid himself of Lashley and Rush

Match 2: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode (c) vs The Revival:
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Wilder and Roode start the match and Wilder tries a quick pin off the distraction but Roode kicks out. Wilder works the arm of Roode and tags Dawson. Roode gets Dawson in the corner and tags Gable. Gable flips Dawson and then works his arm. Dawson continues to fight to his feet and backs Gable in the corner. Dawson hits him with a big right hand and then hits a shoulder tackle. Gable comes off the ropes and hit a beautiful arm drag. Gable then sends Dawson across the ring. Dawson gets back in control and tries a cover but Gable kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Wilder has Gable in a headlock. Gable works out of the old but Wilder is able to make a tag. Dawson comes in and hammers on Gable on the apron. Wilder comes back in and they double team Gable. Wider tries a cover but Gable kicks out. In the corner, Wilder lands a huge chop but Gable is able to work an armbar over the ropes. Dawson comes back and cuts off the ring. Gable fights out and both Wilder and Roode get the tags. Roode lands a big back body drop and then hits a suplex. Roode then plants Wilder. Roode buries his shoulder into Dawson and hen hit a spine buster on Wilder. Gable gets the tag and they try a double team but Wilder evades it. Gable then hits a huge German suplex but Dawson breaks up the count. Dawson then gets the tag and stays on Gable. Wilder gets the tag and they hit an uppercut into a German suplex. Roode comes in to break up the pin. Gable is able to roll up Dawson and gets the 1 2 3 but Wilder was the legal man.
Winners: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
Gable and Roode narrowly escape tonight but when you’re the champion surviving is all that counts. The Revival looked so good tonight but ultimately got screwed by a mistake by the ref. I have a feeling this won’t be the last we see of The Revival getting a shot at the titles.

Backstage Segment:
The B Teams sings a Christmas song to Apollo Crews and tells him to buy a B Team shirt for his kids. Crews say he already did his shopping but wishes them a Merry Christmas.

Match 3: Dolph Ziggler vs Finn Balor vs Drew Mcintyre
Mcintyre takes it to both Balor and Ziggler right away, he stays on Ziggler and then works Balor in the corner. Balor is able to fight off Mcintyre and Ziggler sends him to the outside. Ziggler tries a cover but Balor kicks out. Ziggler tries to throw a right hand but Balor prevents. Ziggler comes right back and hits a dropkick. Balor throws Ziggler off the ropes and after a roll through hits basement dropkick. Ziggler is sent to the outside. On the outside Mcintyre takes control taking out both Balor and Ziggler as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre works the arm of Balor and wrenches on his neck. Mcintyre stays in control sending Balor to the floor while also hurting Ziggler. Mcintyre hammers on Ziggler with huge right hands. Mcintyre then stomps on the hand of Ziggler. Mcintyre works the arm of Ziggler but Ziggler is able to fight to his feet. Mcintyre then sends him to the outside. Balor comes over the top and tries a cover but McIntyre kicks out. Mcintyre gets back into control and tries a cover but Balor kicks out. Ziggler tries to hit Mcintyre with right hands but Mcintyre lands a huge Glasgow kick. Balor comes back and hits a big stomp. Mcintyre crashes into the corner and Balor tries the Coupe de Grace but he has to roll threw. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag and goes for the cover but Balor is able to kick out. Ziggler hits the famouser but Mcintyre comes in and stops his momentum. Mcintyre then lifts Ziggler and slams him on Balor. Mcintyre pins Balor but Balor kicks out. Balor is able to counter Mcintyre with a sling blade. Balor is able to hit a Coupe de Grace. Balor sends Ziggler into the corner and then down to the mat. Balor hits one more Coupe de Grace and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Mcintyre screams at Ziggler. Ziggler gets up and hits him with a Zig Zag from behind.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Huge win for Balor tonight! The rumors are that Balor is gonna start getting a push and I really hope this is true! Balor deserves it, Balor is over, Balor is loved, and Balor is one of the best. If they give him a chance he will prove everyone who supports him right. This win tonight signifies Balor can get the job done. Against all odds, Balor steps up and does what he has to in order to win.

Match 4: Sasha Banks & Bayley & Ember Moon vs Mickie James & Dana Brooke & Alicia Fox
James works the arm of Moon but Moon is able to fight out and lands a huge kick to James. James comes back and lands a kick of her own. James stays on Moon as they go to the outside. Fox assists and takes it to Moon as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Brooke takes it to Moon. James gets the tag and lands a huge kick. James then slams Moon to the mat. James tries a cover but Moon kicks out. James then lands a kick to the back of Moon. Brooke gets the tag and works Moon. she then tries a cover but Moon kicks out. Brooke then goes to a headlock. Moon works out and is able to tag Bayley. Bayley comes in hot and lands a huge back suplex. Bayley lands a shoulder to the gut on Brooke. Brooke is able to knock down Bayley and tag James. Bayley fights back and lands a huge knee. Banks gets the tag and lands knees of her own. Banks lands the Meteora but the pin is broken up. Moon comes in to help and lands an Eclipse. After an assist from Moon and banks Bayley is able to get the 1 2 3 and the win for the team.
*** The Riott Squad then storms the ring and cleans house.
Winners:  Sasha Banks & Bayley & Ember Moon
My Opinion:
This was a pretty good match between these teams. Bayley pucked up the huge win but it definitely wasn’t easy. This was a true battle and a hard-fought victory. You look at Bayley and Sasha and those two could head a Women’s tag division.

In Ring Segment: Paul Heyman
Heyman comes out and does a rendition of Silent Night. Heyman says he’s had access to Braun Strowman’s file and tells a story of how Strowman wanted Santa Clause to bring him a WWE title. He tells that now Strowman wants the real thing at the expense of Brock Lesnar. Heyman says all Strowman will get from Santa Clause is one big lump of coal. Out comes Braun Strowman.
Heyman offers Strowman well holiday wishes and tells him he’s just an advocate, Strowman then puts reindeer antlers and a red nose on Heyman. Strowman promises Heyman he is gonna beat Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
My Opinion:
This was a funny segment with these two. Strowman doesn’t seem like he is sweating Lesnar but obviously, this will get more intense as we get closer to the rumble. Strowman seems ready but who is really ready for Lesnar? Strowman got screwed in his last match for the title so hopefully, it won’t happen again.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Natalya about her match tonight. Natalya says she expects the best from Ronda and Ronda expects the best from her but she trained Ronda so she knows her very well. Charly asks what the win would mean to her. Natalya says it would mean everything to bring the title home to her family.

Match 5: Ronda Rousey (c) vs Natalya:
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Natalya is able to flip Ronda and works a chin lock on the mat. Ronda is able to get to her feet and they go to a lockup. Ronda is able to and a huge takedown and works Natalya. Natalya tries a cover but Ronda kicks out very quickly. Ronda then goes to the wrist of Natalya. Natalya is able to fight out and flips Ronda. Ronda is able to get back in control and works the arm of Natalya. Natalya tries to fight off Ronda but Ronda continues to stay right on her. Ronda uses her legs to wrench on Natalya. Natalya works the leg of Ronda but Ronda fights out and the two go back to a stalemate. Ronda is able to lock her legs around Natalya and applies the hold hard. Natalya uses her power to lift and plant Ronda on the mat. Ronda drives Natalya to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ronda is thrown into the ring post. Natalya tries a cover but Ronda kicks out. Natalya then goes to a body scissors. Natalya lets go of the hold and starts working her on the mat. Natalya then lands a huge suplex. Natalya tries a cover but Ronda kicks out. Natalya then goes to a chin lock. Natalya continues to work the body of Ronda and gets her in another submission hold. Ronda is able to counter but Natalya again knocks her down. Natalya tries a cover but Ronda once again kicks out. Natalya then hits another verticle suplex. Natalya then slaps the stomach of Ronda and goes for a cover but still can’t get the 3. Ronda gets in control and hits Natalya with huge strikes in the corner. Ronda then hits a running knee but it’s not enough to win the match. Natalya catches her and rolls her up but Ronda kicks out. Ronda takes control of the match and tries an armbar but Natalya gets right out of it after hesitation and locks in the sharpshooter. Ronda is able to roll through and gets the armbar locked in right away. Natalya taps out.
Winner: Ronda Rousey: Still Raw Women’s Champion
My Opinion:
Natalya brought her A game tonight but Rousey gets the job done. Rousey seemed very hesitant to do anything in this match but ultimately she had to do what she had to do to win. Natalya tested her and gave it her all but Ronda is one of those superstars that it only takes one move to change the match and win.

Backstage Segment:
Ambrose tells Rollins he wishes him good luck but then says not really. Ambrose says he knows Rolins is gullible but he won’t be getting what he asked for this year. He said he got what he deserved and that is the Intercontinental Championship. He tells Rollins he will have a lousy Christmas if he loses tonight.

Match 6: Heath Slater vs Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers
Mahal works the arm of Slater but Slater is able to reverse. Mahal then knocks Slater to the mat. Mahal sams Slater and tries a cover but he kicks out. Mahal then goes to a half nelson and works Slater. Mahal gets distracted by Santa Clause in the crowd and Slater lands a heel kick. The Singh Brothers then get involved. Santa then gets in the ring and hits a huge clothesline and big right hands. He then hits a gore on Mahal.
Winner: Heath Slater: Via DQ
My Opinion:
This was a quick match but I’m glad to see Mahal and Slater getting the opportunity to have a match. It was awesome to see Rhyno back and hopefully, he and Slater can get back as a tag team and make a run in the division.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks how Rollins is gonna focus with Ambrose lurking. He says he has to stay focused tonight and he will. He wishes everyone happy holidays and says Ambrose cannot take his heart.

Match 7: Seth Rollins vs Baron Corbin
Rollins gets Corbin in the corner and hammers with right and lefts to the gut of Corbin. Corbin gets out of the cover but Rollins lands a big kick. Corbin is sent to the outside and Rollins hits him with a suicide dive. Rollins follows up with another suicide dive. On the outside, Rollins takes it to Corbin. Back in the ring, Corbin is able to sidestep Rollins but Rollins fights him off. Corbin doesn’t give and hits him with a right sending Rollins to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin is in control and hammers on Rollins head with big right hands. Corbin hits Rollins with a forearm and toys with him. Corbin gets Rollins into the corner but Rollins fights out and is able to land a blockbuster. Rollins counters Corbin and hits with a couple of rights followed by chops. Rollins hits a sling blade and then has to fight off Corbin even more. Rollins stays the course and is able to land a falcon arrow but it’s not enough for the win. Rollins looks for the stomp but Corbin is able to avoid it and hits Deep 6. Corbin goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Corbin lifts Rollins and puts him on the top rope. Corbin meets him up there. Rollins hangs on and hits Corbin with shots to the body. Rollins knocks him off and then flies off the ropes. Corbin catches him and hits a chokeslam backbreaker. Rollins a lands a big kick o the face and then hits the stomp. Rollins goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
Big win for Rollins to end the night. Rollins definitely needed that win with how tough things have been for him as of late. Rollins needs to keep winning and showing he still is the guy, he’s in a slump but he can fight out of it. It’ll be interesting to see how he continues to handle Ambrose as we look ahead to 2019.

Final Thoughts:
This was a really good Raw tonight, I thought it was very festive for the holidays and it really had a good flow to it. I loved the announcement tonight that we will have Women’s tag team championships, that’ll be an amazing addition to WWE. Tonight, I loved Natalya and Ronda’s match. Natala impresses me so much and honestly, she had a great shot to beat Ronda but just couldn’t close. I was also impressed by The Revival, they showed they are one of the best teams in WWE but they just can’t get over that hill to the tag titles. I also liked the main event tonight, Rollins needed that win badly as he has to be very down as of late. Rollins just has to keep fighting, not everything will go perfect but it’s about how you rise in the face of adversity that defines you. Overall this was a good show and I hope everyone enjoyed and has a happy holiday!!!
Overall Rating: 6.5/10