WWE RAW Results
December 11, 2017
Cleveland, Ohio
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with a video package highlighting last week’s show featuring Samoa Joe attacking Roman Reigns and then helping Sheamus and Cesaro to retain the RAW Tag Team Championships over Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
We go live to Cleveland. Michael Cole welcomes us to WWE Week on the USA Network.
Samoa Joe is already in the ring with a mic in hand. He talks about The Shield being one of the most powerful forces in WWE history. Joe isn’t impressed by them. He brings up not being impressed by Seth Rollins, whose knee he snapped during his debut on RAW. Joe isn’t impressed by that “human cockroach” Dean Ambrose. He also says he isn’t impressed by “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns, who he has put to sleep many times. Joe talks about having a match with Ambrose later tonight, but right now he wants to finish things with Reigns. He just wants Reigns to come out and not his “two lap dogs.”
Backstage, we see Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose watching on a screen. Rollins tells Ambrose to go get Reigns. We return to Joe running down Reigns on the mic. He says he punked Reigns out and says if he has a problem he will come out here right now. Joe says he doesn’t need Sheamus or Cesaro to bring the fight. He says Reigns is nothing without The Shield. Joe is waiting for Reigns to come down to the ring and prove him wrong.
We go backstage again and see Reigns standing with Rollins and Ambrose. “I got this boys,” says Reigns who walks off and heads to the arena. Reigns hits the ring and starts going after Joe throwing rights and kicks backing Joe to the corner. Sheamus and Cesaro jump into the ringside area. Reigns cleans house on them. Joe gets the upperhand and starts choking out Reigns as Sheamus and Cesaro jump in throwing boots.
Rollins and Ambrose run down and start brawling with Sheamus and Cesaro. They clean house on Sheamus and Cesaro. Joe lets go of the choke. Ambrose is in to attack Joe. Sheamus, Cesaro and Joe eventually overwhelm The Shield. Sheamus with a White Noise and Cesaro comes off the top rope on Rollins. Ambrose is beatdown next. Joe plants Ambrose. Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro stand tall over The Shield.
Pretty average opener with Samoa Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro getting the better of The Shield, the crowd just didn't seem like they cared, Joe is usually pretty good on the mic but his promo just felt like it got way too much time #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
-Commercial Break-
Bayley and Mickie James w/ Sasha Banks vs. Paige and Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville
Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville cut a promo before the match. They take turns insulting Bayley, Mickie James and Sasha Banks.
Yeesh, this Paige/Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville promo was not written well, delivery is definitely still a work in progress for Rose and Deville #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
We start with Mandy Rose and Bayley. Rose quickly tags out to Paige. Bayley backs Paige up to the corner and Mickie James gets the tag. They attempt a double suplex, but Rose jumps in and breaks it up. Bayley takes out Rose jumping off the ring apron, while James jumps off the ring apron taking out Paige as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Bayley throws an elbow to the back of Rose and follows it with an elbow drop. Rose throws a jumping knee to the face of Bayley for a two count. Rose with kicks to Bayley in the corner and tag to Paige. Paige with her knees to the chest of Bayley. Paige with a quick knee to the face of Bayley. Paige with a high running knee to Bayley in the corner. Bayley drops Paige face first off the ring apron. Bayley tags in Rose. Hot tag to James who drops Rose with repeated clotheslines. James with a spin kick and jumping elbow that drops Rose. James with a top rope takedown on Rose and Paige breaks it up. Bayley tackles and goes after Paige in the corner. Paige with a kick to the head of James with the referee distracted by Bayley. Rose pins James to pick up the pinfall.
Winners: Paige and Mandy Rose
Crowd was not into the women's tag match tonight, Mandy Rose might need some work on the mic, but she's actually got some great offense in the ring, Paige working as a heel is going to take some getting used to, some definite ring rust #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T plug Clash of Champions this Sunday.
Bray Wyatt appears on screen and says he is here. “WOKEN” hits the screen and Matt Hardy appears. “I am woken!” Hardy smiles as the screen breaks.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Bray Wyatt is back on screen. “This is nothing new. It has always been darkness versus light. The morning versus the night. Good versus evil.” Matt Hardy shows up on screen and how the battlefield will continue in the land of “WWEEEEEE yaaaaaaaaas.” He adds his Woken Wisdom and Broken Brilliance will illuminate the masses. Wyatt calls him a liar. “His words mean nothing,” adds Wyatt. Hardy cuts in talking about Sister Abigail and how she now has a vessel known as Bray Wyatt. Wyatt tells everyone to choose their side wisely. “Only one of us can survive,” adds Wyatt. Hardy says the Woken Warriors are prepared and are ready to DELETE. We get laughing between Wyatt and Hardy.
Welp, wrestling fans can't say they aren't allowing #WOKEN Matt Hardy to take this thing full bore on #WWE television right now #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Video is shown of a smiling Nia Jax confronting Enzo Amore last week and asking how he was doing. Backstage, we see Enzo looking in his WWE Cruiserweight Championship when we see Drew Gulak. He reveals WWE has revoked Rich Swann’s right to face him tonight as a new match will take place tonight to earn a shot against him and the winner of that challenges Enzo for the title. Enzo wants to be prepared for whoever it is and mentions Nia Jax. Drew stops him and says she isn’t even on 205 Live. He gets what Enzo is doing and saying he needs to be prepared for anything, including Jax. Enzo reluctantly agrees.
Finn Balor heads to the ring. He’s in action next.
-Commercial Break-
Finn Balor vs. Curtis Axel w/ Bo Dallas
Before the match, Curtis Axel removes his neckbrace and starts attacking Finn Balor with help from Bo Dallas. Dallas leaves the ring and Axel continues the attack.
The referee checks on Balor in the corner and Balor says he is fine to continue.
The bell rings and Axel charges in with rights and kicks. Axel with a snapmare into a blockbuster for a two count. Axel with a headlock keeping Balor grounded. Balor with a chop and sling blade takedown. Balor launches Axel into the corner with a big dropkick. Axel is grabbing his neck. Balor off the top connecting with Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
Fun and quick match between Finn Balor and Curtis Axel, interesting touch to have Michael Cole mention Balor was the first ever #WWE Universal Champion during his entrance, even I sort of forgot about that #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Kane talks about his match with Braun Strowman tonight. He says while they share a lot in common as monsters in WWE, he will be the one to walk out and compete with Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble to become the new Universal Champion.
Now that Braun Strowman vs. Kane is a No. 1 Contendership match on tonight's #RAW, who do you think should win and face Brock Lesnar at the #RoyaRumble for the #WWE Universal Championship?
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 11, 2017
Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus
Rollins with right hands and chops early to Sheamus. Rollins launches Sheamus over the top rope, hits the ropes and catches Sheamus with a suicide dive. Sheamus cuts off Rollins with an axe handle on the way back inside the ring. Sheamus stands on the mouth of Rollins and connects with a backbreaker over his knee for a one count. Rollins catches Sheamus with a kick to the back of the neck off the corner. Rollins with rights and chops. Rollins catches Sheamus with a sling blade off the ropes, goes up top and connects with a blockbuster off the corner! Rollins clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope. Rollins launches himself over, Sheamus moves, Rollins lands on his feet and Sheamus connects with a knee.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Sheamus has Rollins down in a headlock. Sheamus with a modified Alabama One Leg Slam on Rollins from the corner as Rollins clutches his knee. Sheamus works over the knee of Rollins and locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. Rollins reverses into a small package for a two count. Rollins with a counter and plants Sheamus with a DDT. Rollins catches Sheamus with a kick to the jaw and gets a close two count. Rollins cuts off Sheamus who is sitting up on the top turnbuckle. Rollins pulls Sheamus off the top rope connecting with a superplex, rolls through, picks up Sheamus and connects with the Falcon Arrow. Sheamus kicks out after two. Sheamus with a rolling senton on Rollins. Rollins avoids a Brogue Kick, hits a superkick and then connects with a jumping knee to Sheamus to pick up the pinfall.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Really good match between Rollins and Sheamus tonight, they told a great story from beginning to end, crowd in Cleveland really woke up for this one #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Backstage, Dean Ambrose talks about what he needs to avoid against Samoa Joe tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Cruiserweight Division
“Second Chance” Fatal Four Way Match
Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Tony Nese vs. Ariya Daivari
Drew Gulak is on commentary tonight with Cole, Graves and Booker T.
Alexander goes after Nese, while Daivari goes after Ali. Ali dropkicks Daivari away. Alexander with a head scissors snap takedown. Ali with a series of pinfall attempts on Alexander. Ali with chops to Alexander. Alexander is dumped out by Nese. Ali comes off the top rope taking out Nese and Alexander. Alexander with a shoulder shot to Daivari. Nese breaks up a pinfall attempt and launches Alexander face first into the second turnbuckle. Ali with chops to Nese. Nese levels Ali. Daivair takes out Nese by accident. Alexander with a back elbow to Daivari. Ali plants Alexander with a big DDT.
It's so uncomfortable to watch the #Cruiserweight Division guys setup spots that require seconds worth of pausing #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Daivari has Ali down in a headlock. Daivari plants Ali with a spinebuster. Ali with a big facebuster on Daivari for a two count. Ali gets an elbow up on Nese and a knee to Daivari. Nese with a jumping right hand to Ali in the corner. Ali connects with his inverted 450 splash in the corner over Nese that gets broken up. Ali with big elbows to Alexander. Alexander with a float through slam into a knee breaker. Alexander pulls Daivari out when he tosses Alexander out of the ring. Nese jumps over the top rope taking out Alexander and Daivari. Nese tosses Alexander back inside. Nese with his corner knee to Alexander, hooks the leg and Ali breaks it up. Nese is sent out by Ali. Alexander catches Ali with a clothesline. Alexander catches Ali with a kick and knee to Nese. Alexander with his jumping knees to the lower back of Daivari and picks up the pinfall victory.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
Alexander will now face Drew Gulak next week in a No. 1 Contendership match. The winner will face Enzo Amore for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
Decent Fatal Four Way with the #Cruiserweight guys tonight, Drew Gulak was very entertaining on commentary tonight, took the crowd some time to get into the match, but as it went along they got some good reactions #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Drew Gulak talks with Enzo Amore and how they know it’s going to be Cedric Alexander next week. He predicts he’ll beat Alexander and then go on to become Cruiserweight Champion. Enzo cuts him off saying he works for him. He starts to rundown Gulak’s PowerPoint presentations when Nia Jax walks up smiling again. Nia likes Drew’s PowerPoint presentations. She wants to talk when he “isn’t busy.”
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro
We get ring introductions for the challenger Cesaro and champion Roman Reigns.
The bell rings and Reigns throws an uppercut at Cesaro quickly. Reigns with kicks to Cesaro in the corner and Cesaro bails. Reigns follows and Cesaro cuts him off with stomps. Back inside, Cesaro throws uppercuts. Reigns with clotheslines. Reigns catches Cesaro with a big boot and then tosses him over the top rope as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
During the break, we see Cesaro launched the body of Reigns into the ring barricade. Back live, Cesaro is working over the right arm of Reigns inside the ring. Cesaro keeps Reigns grounded and works over the elbow of Reigns. Cesaro misses a splash in the corner and Reigns rolls him up for a two count. Cesaro with a modified armbar that again keeps Reigns grounded. Reigns with headbutts to Cesaro and regroups on the outside of the ring. Cesaro is laying over the bottom rope and Reigns connects with his drive by dropkick for a two count. Cesaro blocks a Superman hitting Reigns’ bad arm and pulls him down into another armbar. Cesaro floats over into a Crossface. Reigns breaks free. Cesaro launches Reigns shoulder first into the steel ring post. Reigns with a boot when Cesaro charges in. Reigns with a Superman to Cesaro jumping off the steel steps. Reigns tosses Cesaro back inside the ring, hooks the leg and Cesaro gets a shoulder up. Cesaro with a knee and catches Reigns with an uppercut for a close two count. Cesaro goes right back to the Crossface. Cesaro goes for a Cesaro Swing. Reigns counters and one arm sitdown powerbombs Cesaro down for another close two count. Cesaro with a small package for a close two. Cesaro with uppercuts to Reigns in the corner. Reigns counters a Neutralizer attempt. Reigns catches Cesaro with a spear. Reigns hooks the leg and picks up the victory.
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Roman Reigns
Hell of a match between Roman Reigns and Cesaro tonight, they had fun avoiding the cliche finishes and told a good story with Cesaro working away at Reigns' arm, so far The Shield singles matches have held up great tonight #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Backstage, Braun Strowman warns Kane about their match tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Asuka heads to the ring. Alicia Fox’s music hits, but she doesn’t walk out.
Here comes Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Paige wonders where Fox is. We see up on the screen that Fox is clutching her elbow and the referee says she can’t wrestle.
Paige walks down the ramp with Rose and Deville saying they “heard” about Asuka. She says no one can stop Absolution, not even Asuka. Paige suggests Asuka move out of the way or they make her move out of the way. Asuka smiles and shakes her head. They begin to surround the ring as Paige gets up on the ring apron. Paige thinks it is time Asuka gets an introduction from Absolution. Asuka fights off Deville quickly and gets Paige in an armbar when Rose breaks it up. Rose and Deville beat down Asuka. Paige grabs Asuka and yells this is her house when Sasha Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax, Mickie James, Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox run down. They all go after Paige, Rose and Deville inside the ring. The entire RAW Women’s Division clears house with Jax leveling Rose on the way out.
Pretty interesting to see Nia Jax take center stage attacking the Absolution group tonight #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Backstage, Jason Jordan walks in Kurt Angle’s office and hugs Kurt. Jordan apologizes for making demands last week and that his emotions or “intensity” got the best of him. Angle reminds him of his responsibility as General Manager of RAW. He doesn’t think Jordan is ready to have a rematch with Samoa Joe. Jordan leaves saying, “Okay Kurt.”
Dean Ambrose heads to the ring. He faces Samoa Joe next.
-Commercial Break-
Dean Ambrose vs. Samoa Joe
The bell rings and we see Jason Jordan walk out on the ramp and sit down on a chair.
Ambrose tries to take advantage of the distraction, but Joe ends of dropping Ambrose quickly. Joe with jabs to Ambrose and Ambrose kicks out the knee of Joe. Ambrose with a quick dragon screw on Joe and Joe bails out of the ring to regroup. Ambrose runs out and cuts off Joe at ringside. Ambrose sends Joe into the barricade. Back inside, Joe with an elbow and high kick to the face to Ambrose in the corner as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Ambrose is throwing chops to Joe. Joe fires back with an elbow that drops Ambrose, goes for a running senton and Ambrose moves. Joe with more jabs to Ambrose. Ambrose with clotheslines to Joe. Joe lands a right elbow, but Ambrose fires back with his clothesline after holding on to the ropes. Joe with an overhead suplex to Ambrose and mocks Jordan doing a Kurt Angle taunt. Joe yells at Jordan to walk down the ramp. Jordan starts walking down. Ambrose with a knee and roll up for a two count. Joe has Ambrose up in a powerbomb, but Ambrose pulls himself over the top rope with Joe. Jordan tosses Ambrose inside the ring. Joe applies a rear naked choke to Jordan. Ambrose with a suicide dive taking out both Joe and Jordan through the ropes. Jordan is back up on the apron as Ambrose takes out Joe with a flying elbow. Ambrose had Joe beat, but the distraction by Jordan prevented it. Ambrose looks over at Jordan upset and leaves the ring. Ambrose gets in Jordan’s face. Joe with a suicide dive taking Jordan and Ambrose out. Joe with a senton splash over Joe and tosses Ambrose in. Joe applies the rear naked choke. Ambrose is out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Another solid match to round out The Shield in singles action tonight, loved the distraction by Jason Jordan tonight with Samoa Joe #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Backstage, Dana Brooke is welcomed into Titus Worldwide. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows walk up and calls those who work at Titus Worldwide “nerds.” Braun Strowman walks up screaming loudly and they all back out of the way.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, we see WWE’s crew reinforcing the ring for tonight’s main event.
A video package runs hyping Kane vs. Braun Strowman tonight.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar returns to RAW next week.
They've actually done a really good job of building up this Strowman vs. Kane main event, even doing subtle things like "reinforcing" the ring and showing different video packages #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
No. 1 Contendership Match
Braun Strowman vs. Kane
The bell rings and Braun Strowman goes after Kane in the corner right away. Strowman with a quick headbutt to Kane. Strowman throws body shots to Kane in the corner. Strowman splashes Kane in the corner and then follows it up with a dropkick. On the outside, Strowman drives Kane shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Back inside, Kane is trying to get Strowman to back off. Strowman with rights and another headbutt to Kane. Kane connects with a chokeslam to Strowman. Strowman gets a shoulder up. Kane with a second chokeslam and Strowman again kicks out. Kane is frustrated. Strowman with a chokeslam to Kane. Kane kicks out. Kane rolls out and regroups against the barricade. Kane catches Strowman with a right hand when he comes out. They brawl into the crowd as Kane throws a quick boot to the face. Strowman with a charge and levels Kane breaking the ring barricade. The referee was counting the whole time and reaches 10.
Winner: No Contest
Both men have been counted out.
Strowman and Kane continue to brawl at ringside. Strowman with an axe handle to the back of Kane and tosses him over the steel steps. Strowman grabs the top part of the steel steps. Kane has steel steps as well in hand. They stop and stare at each other. Strowman and Kane both collide with the steel steps. It looks like Strowman got the better of Kane with that exchange. Strowman goes under the ring and pulls out a board with wheels trying to drop Kane’s throat over it. Kane avoids it. The crowd calls for tables. Strowman pulls out a table and puts it inside the ring. Kane grabs a steel chair and catches Strowman in the leg with it. Kane gets inside and starts swinging away at Strowman with the chair. Kane grabs the table and sets it up. Kane and Strowman hit each other with a double clothesline. Both men are down. Kane is the first to sit up. Strowman sits up and looks at Kane. Kane backs up to the corner. Strowman charges. Kane grabs Strowman by the throat. Strowman has Kane up and powerslams him through the table!
The show comes to a close with Corey Graves saying we still have an unresolved situation regarding the WWE Universal Championship and the Royal Rumble PPV.
Build up was very fun for Strowman vs. Kane tonight, guess we shouldn't be totally surprised we didn't get a new No. 1 Contender tonight so far out from the #RoyalRumble in January #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Pretty decent effort from #WWE tonight, all three of The Shield singles matches were very solid, Nia Jax is really starting to get some more TV attention between Enzo and the Absolution stuff, they better resolve more next week because no one's watching on Christmas #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
What did you think of tonight's #RAW in Cleveland?
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 12, 2017
Thanks for joining us tonight!
Quick Match Results:
* Paige and Mandy Rose def. Bayley and Mickie James
* Finn Balor def. Curtis Axel
* Seth Rollins def. Sheamus
* Cedric Alexander def. Mustafa Ali, Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari
* Roman Reigns def. Cesaro to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
* Samoa Joe def. Dean Ambrose
* Braun Strowman vs. Kane ended in a Double Count Out