WWE Monday Night RAW Results
December 21, 2015
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Report by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video recaps the events that took place last week on Monday Night RAW. Stephanie McMahon was furious with Roman Reigns for destroying Triple H at WWE TLC the night before and wildly slapped him a few times. She then said Vince McMahon was coming back to decide what to do with him. McMahon came back and was goaded into giving Reigns a match against Sheamus for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. McMahon said if Reigns didn’t win the title, he’d be fired. McMahon then kicked him in the groin. During the main event against Sheamus, McMahon interfered and tried to cost Reigns the match. The League of Nations interfered, but Reigns fought them off and gave McMahon a Superman Punch. Reigns then speared Sheamus to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
We go into the arena to see the stage set up for the Slammy Awards. There are also some Christmas trees set up on the stage. An announcer says this is the most prestigious awards show on television.
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and she comes out to a very lukewarm reception. Stephanie is smiling as she gets in the ring. Stephanie welcomes the crowd to Monday Night RAW and the 2015 Slammy Awards. We’ll find out the winners of all the categories they’ve been voting on all week like Match of the Year, Surprise Return of the Year, and Superstar of the Year. Many must be wondering how she can be so happy considering the brutal and cowardly attacks Roman Reigns made on her husband at WWE TLC or even Superman Punching her 70-year old father last week on RAW to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Stephanie says unlike all of the people, McMahons do not wallow in their own self-pity and rise to the occasion. Nothing will get her down because tonight is a night of celebration.
Roman Reigns’ music hits, and the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring through the crowd with a wide grin. Reigns’ reaction isn’t all that hot either. Reigns gets in the ring and looks around. Reigns says tonight seems like a good night. Stephanie is in a good mood, he’s in a good mood, and the crowd is in a good mood. We’re celebrating the Slammy’s and a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Looking at her face, this feels like a setup. The League of Nations could come out at any time and jump him. Maybe she’s trying to do what her father did last week and make him sweat. Reigns says he doesn’t sweat her, her daddy, or her husband, Triple H. Why would he? He hasn’t seen him since he laid him out at WWE TLC. When Stephanie sees him, give him the message that he’s here and not hard to find. He’s the guy that carries the shiny gold – the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Stephanie smirks and simply says, “Get out.” Stephanie demands he get out of her ring and leave through the crowd. She doesn’t get what’s so funny. The crowd is lightly chanting, “NO!” Stephanie screams for him to get out of her ring. Reigns laughs, and she gets more furious. Stephanie continues to scream at him to get out. Reigns says she sounds like a little kid, so she tells him to get out of the ring before she makes him get out. Reigns says he doesn’t want her to lose her temper, so he’ll leave… but they still don’t want him to leave. Stephanie says she owns the ring, the building, and Reigns. She wants him out of her ring. Reigns asks the crowd if they want to see her get really mad, then watch this. Reigns turns his back on her and laughs. Stephanie is furious. Reigns gets on the apron and mugs for the crowd. Stephanie tells him to get back in the ring and not disrespect her. Reigns then leaves through the crowd as she continues to scream. This is losing heat really quickly. Stephanie says he’s a coward and running.
Tonight, he’ll feel what it feels like to be in her shoes and watch his family be destroyed. He’ll have to watch as The Usos will take on The New Day in a 3-on-2 handicap match. Reigns doesn’t even acknowledge her. She then says his brother, Dean Ambrose, will face Sheamus in a Steel Cage Match. Reigns turns and just laughs at her. Reigns then leaves, and Stephanie says there will be hell to pay. She then leaves the ring.
Dolph Ziggler will present the nominees for Breakout Superstar of the Year. Ziggler comes out to absolutely no reaction whatsoever. Ziggler says breaking out comes in many different forms. One way to do it is to be the most handsome, charismatic, show-stealing superstar in WWE, but there is no blueprint. You don’t have to fit a mold – you just have to make an impact. These five superstars did just that. Here are the nominees: Kevin Owens, Neville, Charlotte, Tyler Breeze, and Braun Strowman.
You can vote on the WWE App right now. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
Breakout Superstar of the Year: Neville
Neville makes his way to the stage to a lukewarm reception and accepts is Slammy Award. Neville simply says, “Wow.” Neville says he honestly didn’t expect this. This comes as a huge shock to him. Neville thanks the WWE Universe. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.
Kevin Owens’ music hits to interrupt him. Owens saunters out to the stage and approaches him. Owens says it should come as a shock to Neville because it’s crap that he won. Owens says he should have won. Owens tells him to take his trophy and take a walk. Neville says, “Whatever, Kevin,” and actually walks off. Wow… just wow. Owens says he’s seen a lot of ridiculous things happen in WWE, but that takes the cake. He is the breakout star. He beat John Cena on his first night. The crowd gives him a nice pop. Owens asks Ziggler what’s so funny. Owens says what’s funny is the only way Ziggler would win a Slammy Award is if they had a Has-been of the Year Award. Ziggler and Owens then get into a pull-apart brawl. Referees run out to separate the men.
The Wyatt Family logo flashes on the screen, and they’re shown in the ring. Bray Wyatt is pacing in the ring. Kane’s music hits, and the Demon makes his way to the ring. Wyatt will face him in one-on-one action.
Bray Wyatt w/ The Wyatt Family vs. Kane
The bell rings, and Wyatt starts punching away at him. Wyatt hits the ropes, and Kane big boots him down. Kane puts him in the corner and punches away at him. Luke Harper distracts Kane, and Wyatt clotheslines him down before stomping him. Wyatt taunts the crowd before arching his back. Wyatt charges, but Kane grabs him by the throat. Erick Rowan gets on the apron, and Kane punches him off. Kane then goes outside to attack the rest of the Wyatt Family, but they overtake him. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Kane
Match Rating: 1/4 *
The Wyatt Family rolls Kane into the ring, and they team up against him. The Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreams run down to even the odds. They clear the ring of The Wyatt Family and challenge them to a fight.
-Commercial Break-
The Wyatt Family vs. Kane, Tommy Dreamer, and The Dudley Boyz
We join the match in progress to see Luke Harper beating Tommy Dreamer down. Harper punches him before tagging in Braun Strowman. Strowman body slams him down and steps on his face. Strowman clubs him before tagging Harper in. Harper rips at his face and does the gator roll. Harper keeps a side headlock applied, but Dreamer quickly fights up and gets out with a back suplex. Kane is tagged in, and he clotheslines Harper before knocking The Wyatt Family off the apron. Harper quickly kicks Kane before having a whip reversed. Kane delivers a back elbow before kicking him in the face. Bubba Ray Dudley is tagged in, and he delivers a back body drop before connecting with a one-armed slam. Wyatt and Rowan quickly break it up. D-Von Dudley and Dreamer clear the ring of them. Bubba takes Harper down with a body slam before tagging in D-Von. They do the “Whassup?” head-butt before Bubba tells D-Von to get the tables. Rowan runs in, and they give him a 3D. Strowman runs in and gives them a double clothesline. Kane then takes him out of the ring with a clothesline. Harper then takes D-Von out with a Discus Clothesline for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Wyatt Family
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Santino Marella is introduced to present the LOL Moment of the Year Award. Santino comes out to a nice reception. Santino says he got caught up. It’s been a long time. Christmas has come early because he’s back. Santino says it’s his distinct pleasure to present the LOL Moment of the Year Award. Sometimes people chuckle and sometimes they crack up. That’s what he’s talking about. Here are the nominees: The New Day having a trombone and kazoo battle against Edge and Christian, The Bushwhackers’ Hall of Fame acceptance speech, The Miz doing an erectile dysfunction commercial, The New Day dancing with The Authority, and R-Truth talking about Money in the Bank despite not being in the match.
Voting opens up on the WWE App right now. The winner will be announced next.
-Commercial Break-
LOL Moment of the Year Award: R-Truth thinking he’s in Money in the Bank
Santino Marella says R-Truth isn’t here, so he’ll accept the award because he never had a Slammy Award. It would look better on his mantle than R-Truth’s. R-Truth comes out angrily, so Santino makes him look the other way and runs off.
Mick Foley appears dressed as Santa Claus to wish the WWE Universe a Merry Christmas.
Paul Heyman is out to present the OMG Shocking Moment of the Year Award. Heyman says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman, and it is the Slammy’s honor to have him out here tonight presenting… you know, I’m sure that you will agree with me when I say that with the exception of the LOL and Diva of the Year, every single solitary Slammy tonight should be awarded – especially the Superstar of the Year, the Decade, the Millennium – to my client, the Beast, the Conqueror, Brock Lesnar!” Lesnar’s name gets a big pop in his home state. In the meantime, here are the nominees for the OMG Shocking Moment of the Year: Seth Rollins cashing in Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 31, Brock Lesnar destroying the commentators, Kalisto giving Jey Uso Salida del Sol through the ladder, The Wyatt Family attacking The Undertaker at WWE Hell in a Cell, and Sheamus cashing in Money in the Bank.
The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
OMG Shocking Moment of the Year Award: Kalisto
Kalisto accepts the award from Paul Heyman, who absolutely dwarfs him. Kalisto says moments like these motivate him to keep fighting and flying harder. Kalisto thanks the WWE Universe and stars a “Lucha” chant.
Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler
The bell rings, and they immediately start brawling. Owens stumbles him with a right hand and clubs him down. Ziggler quickly pushes him back and dropkicks him down. Ziggler punches away at him and jumps on him for a sleeper hold, but Owens elbows out and punches him down. Owens takes him down with a right hand and talks some trash. Ziggler ducks a short-arm clothesline and applies a sleeper hold. Owens backs him into the corner a few times to break the hold before doing a flat back bump with Ziggler on his back. Owens stomps away at the injured ribs before clubbing away at his face. Owens taunts the crowd and gets them to wake up. Ziggler fights back before hitting the ropes, but Owens takes him out with a back elbow. Owens screams that he’s the breakout star. Ziggler is knocked out of the ring. Owens follows him out and chops the chest before throwing him into the barricade. Owens gets in the ring and taunts the crowd some more. Owens goes outside and throws him back into the ring for a two count. Owens applies a chin lock as they show a replay of their brawl from earlier in the night. Ziggler eventually fights up and gets out with a jawbreaker. Ziggler hits the ropes, but Owens takes him down with a gut-buster. Owens follows up with a senton splash for a near fall. Owens kicks away at him before clubbing him in the face. Ziggler ducks a short-arm clothesline and rolls him up for a two count. Owens immediately clotheslines him down for a two count. Owens digs his elbow into Ziggler’s lower back and applies a chin lock. Ziggler fights up and backs him into the corner. Ziggler quickly follows up with an avalanche, but Owens immediately fires back with a clothesline. Owens then screams that he’s the breakout star. Ziggler then takes him down with a big spike DDT.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ziggler attempting a superplex, but Owens counters with a swinging fisherman superplex for a near fall. Owens can’t believe it. Owens gets Ziggler to his feet and goes for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Ziggler jumps over him and superkicks him out of the ring. Ziggler goes outside to retrieve him, but Owens counters with a flapjack onto the commentary table. Owens gets in the ring, but Ziggler catches him with a famouser as he gets in for a near fall. The usually misused, “This is awesome” chant comes up, and this time it’s completely misused. It’s not that loud though. Owens then takes Ziggler out with a Pop-up Powerbomb out of nowhere for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Kevin Owens
Match Rating: * 1/2
Stephanie McMahon is out to present the Superstar of the Year Award. Stephanie says she apologizes for losing her temper earlier in the night, but she’s regained her composure. This is the most prestigious award of the year. Talent, courage, and sacrifice are some of the characteristics it takes to become a WWE Superstar. For the first time in Slammy Award history, every single superstar on the roster was eligible. WWE fans were given the chance to vote all week on social media. Here are the nominees: Roman Reigns, Sheamus, John Cena, Kevin Owens, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, The New Day, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, Kane, Seth Rollins, and Sting. Well, those and the rest of the WWE roster. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
2015 Superstar of the Year: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he comes out to the stage on crutches. Rollins gets a really nice reception from the crowd. Rollins hugs Stephanie. The crowd chants, “Thank you Seth!” Rollins says a tiny part of him wants to say, “Thank you,” but was there really any other option for Superstar of the Year? Let’s look at the year he had: his performance at Royal Rumble was fantastic. He was the first man in history to hold the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE United States Championship at the same time. His crowd jewel was cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase in the main event of WrestleMania to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. As quickly as all that success came, one wrong landing caused it to disappear just like that. Rollins looks choked up and says he wants everyone to listen very closely to him. In 2016, he will redesign Seth Rollins, rebuild himself, and come back to reclaim the title that he never lost. The crowd cheers this. Whether it’s Roman Reigns or someone else, they better keep the title warm because he’s taking back what’s his.
Next Monday on RAW, John Cena will return to face Alberto Del Rio.
Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio
They lock up, and Swagger backs him to the corner before punching away at him. Swagger is backed up, but he quickly goes back to punching Del Rio. Del Rio turns him around and kicks away at him. Swagger gets out and takes him out with a clothesline for a one count. Rusev, Sheamus, and King Barrett are at ringside. Del Rio drops Swagger on the apron and snaps him off the top rope. Del Rio takes him down with a baseball slide before sending him into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Del Rio kick Swagger in the face before hitting a snapmare. Del Rio dropkicks him in the head for a two count. Del Rio sends him chest-first into the turnbuckle before clotheslining him. Del Rio connects with a second clothesline before hitting a DDT for a near fall. Swagger sidesteps a superkick and connects with a waistlock takedown. Swagger tries to get the crowd going before hitting a Swagger Bomb for a near fall. Swagger goes for a superplex, but Del Rio hangs him up in the ropes and connects with a double stomp for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Alberto Del Rio
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Alberto Del Rio celebrates in the ring with the League of Nations. Del Rio will face John Cena next week in Brooklyn. King Barrett and Rusev get Swagger on his feet for Sheamus to Brogue Kick him down.
Mark Henry is out to present The Hero In All of Us Award, presented by Coca Cola. Henry talks about how important it is to help others. Here are the nominees: Natalya, Roman Reigns, The Big Show, Titus O’Neil, and John Cena. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
The Hero In All Of Us Award: John Cena
The crowd gives John Cena’s name a big reception. Henry says Cena unfortunately isn’t here tonight, and the crowd loudly boos. Henry says they still have him. He’ll accept the award on behalf of Cena and talks about giving back.
On the RAW Pre-Show, the following Slammy Awards were given out: Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker was Rivalry of the Year, The Stone Cold Podcast was the best WWE Network Original Show, Double Cross of the Year went to Damien Mizdow, and Extreme Moment of the Year was Roman Reigns destroying Triple H.
Santa Claus will present the Surprise Return of the Year. A guy comes out in a cheap Santa suit and pretends to throw out gifts. It turns out to be Bo Dallas. Dallas says it’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time for presents and surprises because it’s him Bo Dallas. He’s the real Santa Claus, not that fat, smelly, old man at the mall. Santa is real. All you have to do is Bolieve. Here are the nominees for Surprise Return of the Year: The Dudley Boyz, Chris Jericho, Alberto Del Rio, Kane, and Sting. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
Surprise Return of the Year: Sting
Unfortunately Sting is not there. Wow. The crowd boos. Bo Dallas walks off with the award.
The New Day are in the ring. They do not look happy at all. Xavier Woods says Sting won a Slammy Award, but he didn’t think enough of the crowd to show up. Kofi Kingston complains about The Usos becoming Tag Team of the Year over them. They shout that the crowd should be ashamed. Big E says since they spoiled their Slammy night, he’ll spoil Star Wars. In Star Wars, Han Solo… Kofi Kingston cuts him off and says he hasn’t seen it yet. They then celebrate being the WWE Tag Team Champions.
The New Day vs. The Usos
Kofi Kingston will start the match against Jimmy Uso. Jimmy punches and chops Kingston before taking him down with a shoulder block. Jimmy counters a leapfrog into a back suplex. Jey Uso is tagged in, and he comes off the top rope with a shot to the arm. Jey hits Kingston with a shoulder block before Jimmy catches him with a forearm. Jimmy executes an arm drag and applies an arm bar. Kingston fights up and punches him before kicking him in the ribs. Kingston blocks a kick and spins him, but Jimmy connects with an enzuigiri. Jimmy goes for a hip attack, but The New Day pulls Kingston out of the ring. The Usos go for stereo splashes, but The New Day moves. They put the brakes on before doing the dives.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see The Usos hit Xavier Woods with a double-team back elbow/elbow drop combination for a two count. Jimmy applies a chin lock, but Woods fights up. Woods whips him off and runs into an uppercut. Kingston quickly punches Jimmy down as Big E distracts the referee. The New Day starts doing their unicorn stampede. Woods grabs his trombone and starts playing. Kingston dropkicks Jimmy in the face while Woods plays, “New Day rocks” on the trombone while Big E gyrates. Kingston picks up a two count. Big E is tagged in. He punches Jimmy in the midsection before applying an abdominal stretch. Jimmy fights out and head-butts him. Big E shoves him to the corner and connects with a shoulder thrust for a two count. Woods is tagged in, and he kicks Jimmy. Kingston is tagged in, and he kicks Jimmy. Big E tags in, and he hits a big splash for a two count. Big E clubs him in the small of the back before putting him on the top rope. Big E goes for a back superplex, but Jimmy elbows him off. Jimmy then connects with a corkscrew senton. Woods is tagged in, but Jimmy throws him over the top rope before kicking Kingston.
Jey is tagged in, and he clotheslines Woods a few times before kicking him in the midsection and giving him an uppercut. Woods counters a back suplex, but Jey splashes him to the corner. Jey connects with a running hip attack before giving Big E an enzuigiri. Jey sends Woods into the ropes for a Samoan Drop. Kingston breaks up the pin. Jimmy runs in and gives Kingston a back body drop. The Usos go for stereo dives, but Big E pulls Jimmy out of the ring. Jey superkicks Big E to the floor. Woods rolls Jey up, but Jey rolls through to pick up the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Usos
Match Rating: * 1/4
The New Day will defend the WWE Tag Team Championships against The Lucha Dragons tomorrow night on the live Smackdown.
R-Truth will present the nominees for Diva of the Year. R-Truth comes out with his Slammy Award. R-Truth apologizes for having to chase Santino, but he won the LOL Moment of the Year. He wants to speak the truth. 2015 has been the year of the diva. They got style, grace, and most importantly athleticism. R-Truth thinks some of them can beat him up. Here are the nominees for Diva of the Year: Nikki Bella, Naomi, Paige, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
R-Truth announces Paige as the winner. Paige says she doesn’t have a speech prepared because she didn’t think she’d win a Slammy Award. R-Truth whispers something in her ear and says he made a mistake. She’s the runner up. The real winner of the award is Nikki Bella.
Diva of the Year: Nikki Bella
Paige runs off, but Nikki says she wants her to stay. Nikki says she wants to thank the WWE Universe and the Bella Army for voting her as the Diva of the Year. It’s been quite the year. She’s the longest reigning Divas Champion in WWE history and Total Divas is a hit show, but she wants to share this award with the women who have shared a ring with her, all the women in NXT, and all the little girls who buy a ticket to cheer them on. She made sure to emphasize the word “women.” Nikki and Paige hug before walking off.
Neville vs. Rusev w/ The League of Nations
The Miz is on commentary for the next match.
The bell rings, and Neville circles around Rusev. Neville ducks a lock-up and kicks Rusev. Neville kicks away at him before Rusev runs him over with a clothesline. Rusev kicks away at Neville before throwing him to the corner. Rusev chokes him in the corner before punching him down. Rusev shouts at the crowd before body slamming him down. Rusev drops an elbow for a two count. Rusev then applies a chin lock, but Neville fights up. Rusev knees him in the midsection, but Neville gets out of a body slam. Neville kicks Rusev in the head before connecting with a pair of running forearms. Rusev quickly throws him to the apron, but Neville takes him down with a springboard missile dropkick. Rusev catches him attempting a plancha and rams him into the ring post. Rusev then takes the Breakout Superstar of the Year and gives him a belly-to-belly overhead suplex on the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rusev send Neville into the corner for an avalanche, but Neville sidesteps him. Rusev falls out of the ring. The League of Nations checks on him. Neville goes to the top rope and does a moonsault plancha to the floor. Neville gets Rusev in the ring and snaps him off the ropes. Neville does a springboard and jumps over Rusev. Neville avoids an attack and superkicks Rusev down. Neville goes to the top rope, but Rusev moves. Neville then inexplicably jumps into a superkick. Rusev applies the Accolade, and the Breakout Star of the Year taps out like a drummer.
Winner by Submission: Rusev
Match Rating: 3/4 *
King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio hold Neville up as Sheamus gives him a Brogue Kick to absolutely no reaction.
The Miz will present the award for the “This is Awesome” Moment of the Year. When he was asked to present, he was told to do the Oscars better than the Oscars. For a person who outshines all Hollywood stars, this will be so easy. Miz cannot believe he is not nominated for his own award. Here are the nominees: Brock Lesnar destroying the Cadillac, Randy Orton countering a Curb Stomp into an RKO, The Divas Revolution, The Shield mini-reunion at WWE Payback, and The Rock and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 31. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
“This is Awesome” Moment of the Year: The Rock and Ronda Rousey
Naturally, neither of the two are there to accept the award. The Miz then says “Santa’s Little Helper” is available on DVD and is better than Star Wars.
Brie Bella vs. Becky Lynch w/ Charlotte
They circle the ring, and Becky rolls her up for a one count. Becky tries again for the same result. Becky tries a third roll-up for a two count. Brie kicks Becky and puts her in the corner. Becky sidesteps an avalanche and kicks her in the face. Brie quickly snaps her arm off the top rope. Brie throws Becky into the ring and stretches the arm. Brie continues to work on the arm before applying an arm bar. Becky fights up, but Brie takes her down. Brie kicks away at her before kicking her in the chest a few times like Daniel Bryan. Brie then lays her out with a low dropkick. Brie connects with a running knee to the face for a two count. Brie applies a chin lock, but Becky fights up. Brie connects with a diving clothesline for a two count. Brie knees her in the arm before Becky rolls her up for a two count. Brie then dropkicks her in the face. Team B.A.D. are seen watching backstage. Brie then reapplies the arm bar. Becky fights up and connects with a pair of clotheslines followed by a back heel kick. Becky kicks her a few times before going for a suplex, but Brie fights out. Brie then hits a missile dropkick. Brie goes for a pin, but Becky counters into the Dis-Arm-Her for the win.
Winner by Submission: Becky Lynch
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Ric Flair is out to present the Match of the Year Award. Flair says a few “Woos” before mentioning this is the home of “The Nature Boy.” When you’ve been in the business for as long as he has, you’ve seen and done it all. He’s been in some of the greatest matches of all time. It’s his honor to present the Match of the Year Award. Here are the nominees: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, Sting vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 31, John Cena vs. Kevin Owens at Elimination Chamber, Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens vs. Alberto Del Rio on RAW, and Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell Match. The winner will be revealed next.
-Commercial Break-
2015 Match of the Year: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar – Hell in a Cell
Brock Lesnar’s music hits, and the crowd pops big for it. Paul Heyman instead comes out by himself and clutches the Slammy Award. A “We want Lesnar” chant breaks out. Heyman just stands and listens. Heyman says if they’d like him to shoot from the hip, he’ll give them this. Lesnar has no desire to accept awards. Lesnar wants to come for a fight. The crowd wants Brock Lesnar, but no one in that locker room is man enough to want Brock Lesnar. One man, one phenom stood up this year to pick a fight with the Beast and Conqueror, Brock Lesnar. Heyman congratulates The Undertaker for being man enough to take that beating inside Hell in a Cell from the only man to hold the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, the UFC Championship, and the NCAA Division I Championship. Heyman holds up the Slammy Award and walks off.
The Steel Cage is being lowered. Sheamus will face Dean Ambrose inside the cage.
We go backstage to see the League of Nations viciously assaulting The Usos. Alberto Del Rio locks Jey Uso in a Cross Arm Breaker while Rusev puts Jimmy Uso in the Accolade. Sheamus then wipes both Usos out with Brogue Kicks. Sheamus says, “Two down, one to go.” They walk off.
Sheamus makes his entrance with The League of Nations. He’ll face Dean Ambrose in a Steel Cage Match, next.
-Commercial Break-
Dean Ambrose will face Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens with the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line tomorrow night on Smackdown.
As Ambrose goes to get in the ring, Sheamus gives him a Brogue Kick that knocks him to the floor. Rusev and Del Rio start double-teaming him before sending him into the cage. Rusev and Del Rio throw Ambrose into the cage and close the door.
Steel Cage Match
Sheamus w/ The League of Nations vs. Dean Ambrose
The referee doesn’t even check on Ambrose. Instead, he just calls for the bell to start the match. Sheamus sends Ambrose into the cage wall a few times before giving him an uppercut. Sheamus connects with a release suplex for a two count. Sheamus ties Ambrose up in the ropes and rips his shirt off. Sheamus then starts the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán. Ambrose blocks a shot and head-butts him. Sheamus knees him in the face to stop his momentum. Sheamus climbs the cage, but Ambrose grabs his foot. Ambrose pulls him to the mat, but Sheamus quickly takes him down and talks some trash. The crowd starts chanting, “This is boring.” Not good. Sheamus stomps him and goes for a Brogue Kick, but Ambrose avoids it. Ambrose then gives him a back body drop into the cage. Ambrose comes back with some jabs and chops before hitting the ropes. Sheamus sends him into the cage, but he rebounds with a clothesline. Stephanie McMahon is seen watching backstage. She looks frustrated. Ambrose starts to slowly climb the cage, but Sheamus grabs him and pulls him down. Sheamus starts climbing, but Ambrose cuts him off. They fight on the top rope before Sheamus rams him into the cage. Sheamus then gives him White Noise off the top rope for a near fall! Well that move is definitely dead now. That shouldn’t just be another spot in a match. Jesus. Selling and not protecting finishes are a major issue in this company.
Sheamus starts climbing the cage, but Ambrose scales the cage and pulls him down as if nothing happened. Ambrose fights him, and Sheamus falls onto the top rope crotch first. Rusev and Del Rio climb the cage to prevent Ambrose from climbing out. Ambrose then takes Sheamus out with a flying elbow off the top of the cage, but Sheamus kicks out! Good god. Ambrose slowly claws over to the door, but Del Rio shoves it in his face. Roman Reigns runs in through the crowd and spears Del Rio on the floor. Reigns then attacks Rusev and hits him with a Superman Punch. Reigns then hits Rusev with a chair. King Barrett runs off. Sheamus starts to climb, but he stops when Reigns starts to climb the cage. Reigns tosses the chair into the ring. Ambrose cracks Sheamus in the back with the chair a bunch of times before giving him Dirty Deeds on it. Ambrose is bleeding from the back of his head. Instead of pinning Sheamus or going for the door, Ambrose starts climbing the cage. Sheamus follows him up. They sit on the top beam of the cage and exchange punches and head-butts. They start climbing over. Sheamus punches away at Ambrose, and Ambrose falls to the floor to win.
Winner by Escaping the Cage: Dean Ambrose
Match Rating: * 3/4
Sheamus is down on the floor soon after, and Reigns kills him with a spear. Reigns and Ambrose celebrate at ringside. Tom Philips approaches Stephanie backstage and asks for her reaction. She viciously unloads on him with some wild slaps and says that is her reaction. Reigns and Ambrose celebrate in front of the dead crowd to close the show.
———-
Quick Match Results
Kane def. Bray Wyatt via DQ
The Wyatt Family def. Kane, Tommy Dreamer, and The Dudley Boyz
Kevin Owens def. Dolph Ziggler
Alberto Del Rio def. Jack Swagger (non-title)
The Usos def. The New Day (non-title)
Rusev def. Neville via Submission
Becky Lynch def. Brie Bella via Submission
Dean Ambrose def. Sheamus in a Steel Cage Match (non-title)
2015 Slammy Award Winners
Breakout Superstar of the Year: Neville
LOL Moment of the Year: R-Truth thinking he’s in Money in the Bank
OMG Shocking Moment of the Year: Kalisto’s Salida del Sol through the ladder
2015 Superstar of the Year: Seth Rollins
The Hero In All Of Us Award: John Cena
Surprise Return of the Year: Sting
Diva of the Year: Nikki Bella
“This is Awesome” Moment of the Year: The Rock and Ronda Rousey
2015 Match of the Year: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar – Hell in a Cell
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
My thoughts on this episode of RAW will be up tomorrow exclusively on this site. Be sure to read it and share your feedback on this episode.
Did you miss last week’s episode of RAW? Check out the recap and thoughts section! Also check out the recap and review I did for WWE NXT TakeOver: London this past Wednesday!
I will be attending RAW next week live in Brooklyn, so I’d like to wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! See you in 2016! Thanks for reading!