WWE RAW PRIMER 12/25: Cena returns, Women’s Royal Rumble follow-up, Ambrose injury ramifications, Strowman

RAW PREVIEW
DECEMBER 25, 2017
CHICAGO, ILL. AT ALLSTATE ARENA
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTorch contributor

ANNOUNCED BY WWE.COM

• John Cena returns.
• The women are about to make history again, but what happens before?
• Can the Shield stop Samoa Joe & The Bar?
• More action from Braun Strowman and Kane ahead of their showdown with the Beast.

“A HOLIDAY TREAT”

Shows in Chicago always have an added layer of excitement considering the history of the Rosemont Arena (now Allstate). It was the location of so many historic once-in-a-lifetime moments and it seems the WWE always steps up their game to the delight of the Chi-town crowd and the rest of the wrestle-universe. One of those aforementioned fantastic moments was the debut of the franchise John Cena, who makes his return to the red-brand this evening still rocking the free agent card. What he will be doing is a mystery, but more than likely we’ll see him take the spot of an injured Dean Ambrose to team with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns to thwart the newly formed alliance between the tag-team champions and a crazy Samoan named Joe. There’s also a possibility we see Big Match John answer the Big Dawg’s open Intercontinental Championship challenge that has been thrilling us from week to week. Or both. Either way, don’t expect too much of story advancement for this holiday special seems to serve as a fun night of wrestling to send the crowd home happy.

“SEARCH AND DESTROY”

Universal Champion Brock Lesnar may not be gracing us with his presence tonight, but his title challengers at the Royal Rumble certainly will be. The intense rivalry that has grown between Kane and Braun Strowman has been a hit-and-miss scenario, but certainly much better than anyone could have anticipated, and judging my the numbers their YouTube segments have been getting people are quite interested in seeing the two behemoths rip each other apart. Add in the Beast Incarnate who last week took down both men and we may have a pretty intense hoss fight come January 28^th. Until then, the Big Red Machine and the Monster Among Men will continue to jockey for momentum.

“HISTORY. ALL OF THE HISTORY. THE BEST HISTORY.”

WWE has continued to grow with the times, and their treatment of the female division is certainly a massive step forward. This year the women main evented more than ever before, broke barriers when they had the first ladies MITB match (Ellsworth aside), and even attempted to shift a culture when Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss performed in Abu Dhabi marking the first time ever female WWE superstars have competed in India. So the shocking announcement by Stephanie McMahon regarding the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match was yet another notch on a historic 2017 year for the ladies.

Angle-wise is a different story, particularly for Monday nights. Champion Alexa Bliss has taken a backseat to a recently returned Paige, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear direction for anyone except maybe Asuka and they aren’t handling that too well. Personally, I’m prepared for nothing to change until we get to Philadelphia and history is made once again.

“WE WISH YOU A…”

-Bray Wyatt has created a new snakeskin belt and Matt Hardy is over here playing chess with a goldfish. The Great War is upon us. Choose your side. #teamWOKE

-Finn Balor teamed with Hideo Itami last Monday to defeat the Miztourage (Minus the A-lister) but with Hideo on 205 Finn is once again fighting solo. What will happen for the demon-king on this Christmas day?

-Elias is not only getting fans to “walk with him” but he is also the only man to officially enter the Royal Rumble…for now.

-The love in Enzo Amore’s heart is full. He’s so smitten with Nia Jax that he’s tarnishing a friendship with the very underrated Drew Gulak. He probably also isn’t very prepared for his next challenger Cedric Alexander, whose destiny to become Cruiserweight Champion is just at his fingertips.

-SAYYYYY YEAHHHHH. The Revival is back and they haven’t lost a step easily disposing of Rhyno and Heath Slater just seven days ago. With Ambrose gone and a lack of babyfaces in the tag-division, could we possibly see Dash & Dawson collide with Cesaro and Sheamus? SIGN…ME…UP.

Merry Christmas Torchers! Drink some egg-nog, open some presents, and sit yourselves in front of your T.V.’s for a very special Xmas edition of Monday Night Raw!

NOW REVIEW WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK ON RAW: KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT 12/18: Lesnar & Heyman address Strowman-Kane situation, Cedric vs. Gulak for Cruiserweight Title shot