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WWE RAW TV REPORT
DECEMBER 11, 2023
CLEVELAND, OHIO AT ROCKET MORTGAGE ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
-The show opened with a recap of Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn last week, plus Drew attacking Jey Uso after he lost to Seth Rollins.
-The Raw opening theme aired. (I expect C.M. Punk to be in this prominently by next week’s episode. He’s not it in yet.)
-They went live to the arena stage as pyro blasted. Michael Cole introduced the show and said Drew McIntyre’s anger has been boiling over lately and he’ll be kicking off the show against Jey Uso.
-Jey made his ring entrance first. Cole said Punk is “one of the most sought-after free agents in history” and he’s expected to decide where he’ll land tonight. Wade Barrett hyped the Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match. Lots of “Yeet!” chants. Jey welcomed everyone to Monday Night Raw. He said he got “yeet” back and he’s excited about that. He said he’s also excited to have Punk back. He asked fans to say “yeet” if they want Punk to sign with Raw. He shifted to talking about what Drew did to him last week. He said Drew isn’t trying to be honest. He said he’s two-faced. He said tonight he’s going face-to-face to settle their differences. Drew’s music then played and Drew made his way out, mic in hand.
Drew asked Adam Pearce to hear him and trust him. He said they don’t want Punk in that locker room. “He will destroy this place from the inside out,” he said. Drew said he’s traveled the world with him and he knows what he’s like and thus he knows how this story ends. A loud “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out. He said Sami Zayn is at home and he had something to do with that. He said Sami ran his mouth too much and crossed a line by bringing up his family. He said he left him with one good leg, “but I’m sorry.” He told Jey that’s what an apology sounds like. He said it wasn’t perfect, but it’s more than Jey is capable of. He told Cleveland to imagine if somebody hurt a family member and asked if they’d want revenge, especially if they never apologized. He asked fans to raise their arms. Only a few raised their arms. Drew found a fan in the crowd who didn’t raise his arm. He asked his name. He said he’s a coward who won’t stand up for his family.
Drew entered the ring and made fun of Jey doing his arm motion. Jey mocked Drew’s imitation of it and said he obviously can’t dance. Drew threw the mic down and the ref called for the bell.
(1) JEY USO vs. DREW MCINTYRE
The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. Jey won the initial exchange and sent Drew over the top rope with a clothesline. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Cole said Drew’s “revenge tour” continued. Cole said Sami is out indefinitely with a partially torn meniscus in his knee. Cole said Jey doesn’t have anything to apologize for. Drew methodically beat down Jey for several minutes. When Jey side-stepped a Claymore at ringside, Drew landed on the announce desk. Jey dove through the ropes at Drew and knocked him down. Cole said, “Jey Uso’s got a chance!” [c]
Back from the break, they replayed Drew yanking Jey off the top rope and then catapulting him under the ring, with the impact being on the collarbone and throat. “This is a McIntyre I do not recognize!” he said. Back live, Jey and Drew were exchanging strikes mid-ring. Drew took Jey down with a Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Drew climbed to the top rope and leaped off. Jey moved and then kicked Drew in the gut. He followed with a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Jey charged toward the corner, but Drew moved and then hit a neckbreaker at 15:00. Both were down. Drew kipped up and waited for Jey to stand. When he charged, Jey caught him with a superkick and then went for a top rope splash. Drew lifted his knees and hit a Future Shock DDT for a convincing near fall.
Jey speared Drew a minute later and scored a near fall that popped the crowd. Drew thumbed Jey in the eye as the ref was replacing a turnbuckle pad. Cole called it out as “disgraceful” tactic. Drew then gave a blinded Jey a Claymore for the win. “This is not the Drew McIntyre I’ve known for the past couple of years,” Cole said. Barrett said Drew has gone over the deep end because of actions from people like Jey.
WINNER: McIntyre in 18:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Drew’s heel turn is going really well. The journey he’s gone on has felt really believable. Cole and Barrett continue to do a really good job discussing his transformation.)
-They went Cole and Barrett at ringside who threw to a video recap of C.M. Punk appearing on Smackdown and NXT Deadline this past weekend. [c]
-A Shinsuke Nakamura vignette aired where he talked about Cody Rhodes. He said Cody’s weakness is striving for the acceptance of others. He said he freed himself of that burden a long time ago. He said he now draws his own destiny and has been reborn. He said he will bring Cody’s story to an end. “I am the real nightmare,” he said. “Always remember, you asked for this.”
-Backstage, Finn Balor told J.D. McDonagh that he and Rhea leave for one week and the wheels are falling off. J.D. sheepishly said the wheels aren’t falling off. Ripley said Truth keeps break into their clubhouse and they lost against the Creed Brothers. Rhea said Dom lost his NXT North American Title. Damian Priest said that sucks that Dom lost, but people not showing up to Raw also sucks. Priest said as far as the Creeds go, they’re not going to take them lightly and handle business Judgment Day style. Ripley said saying you’re a leader is easier than being a leader. Priest began to yell at her, but she cut him off and said it’s not just him. She said she’s tired of the disrespect and she wants to remind everyone that she runs Raw.
-Elsewhere, Chad Gable, Otis, and Akira Tozawa were giving Maxxine a pep talk. The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile walked in. Ivy said she’d be out there for Maxxine “just in case.” R-Truth walked in with a string of Christmas lights. He said he was going to decorate the Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Gable told him to be careful because Judgment Day are dangerous. He said he didn’t want to break his heart, but he told Truth that he’s not sure he’s in the group. Truth said he is in the group and they misunderstood.
-Ripley made her ring entrance. [c]
(2) RHEA RIPLEY vs. MAXXINE DUPRI (w/Ivy Nile)
Maxxine came out with Nile. Barrett said Maxxine has had just one singles match and now she’s going against the most dangerous version of Ripley they’ve ever seen. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Maxxine opened with a slap. Cole said he’s not sure how smart that was. Ripley took Maxxine down with three short-arm clotheslines. Ripley set up a powerbomb type move, but Maxxine slipped out of her grip as she tried to counter her. Maxxine then sent Ripley into the corner with a head scissors, which was a make-good spot that was equally clumsy. Ripley didn’t even make it all the way to the corner where she intended to hit her head on the turnbuckle. Cole said it was a bit unorthodox.
When Ripley stood and turned around, Maxxine dropkicked her. Maxxine ducked a Ripley big boot, but Ripley tried again and hit the target. Barrett said Maxxine has lasted longer than he expected. Ripley gave Maxxine a Rip Tide, although Maxxine barely went up for her. Ripley got on the mat and said this isn’t funny and she’s nothing. The ref told her to finish it. Ripley then put Maxxine in her Prism Lock for the tapout win.
Ivy Nile entered the ring afterward and eyed Ripley.
WINNER: Ripley in 2:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was two minutes of evidence that Maxxine doesn’t belong in a wrestling ring actually wrestling on live TV yet. Not even close. No shame on her, she’s just green and needs a lot more seasoning.)
-A video package aired on Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. They said they’ve set their sights on the tag titles. They said the fans haven’t seen all they can do. They showed clips of them in a ring and also a background of a music festival at night.
-Barrett plugged their tag match scheduled for later.
-Adam Pearce walked up to Punk’s locker room and knocked. He had the Raw contract folder in his hand. He knocked and Punk, off-camera, welcomed him to come in. [c]
-Cole plugged tickets going on sale for WrestleMania weekend events in Philadelphia.
-Pearce stood mid-ring and said the time for talking is over. He said he’s sure the man he’s about to introduce will make the right decision. He introduced him as “the man that calls himself the best in the world.” Punk came out to his music.
[HOUR TWO]
Punk entered the ring to a loud “C.M. Punk!” chant. He said he thought he was in a bit of sullen mood, but then he saw all those signs and heard all the people. He said he has a huge decision to make. He said he’s consumed and worried about it “because I love you guys.” He said the truth is, the arena hasn’t always historically been kind to him. He said there are a lot of ghosts back there. He said he debuted in that building. He said he had Mickie James on his arm. He said it was so good, he went to the back and was told they were sending him to Louisville, Ky. to be in OVW. He said he didn’t want go, but he embraced being uncomfortable and learned to love it.
He said he embraced being uncomfortable in WWE, too, and learned to love it. He said a lot of what has happened is in the rear view mirror now, but ten years ago he had to get off the hamster wheel and had to make the hardest decision of his life. He said he doesn’t regret it, but he felt bad that he didn’t show up for fans who paid to see him. He said he met someone who said they felt betrayed. He said when he saw Roddy Piper appear on WCW TV when he was young, he felt the same way and understands. He said if they’re disappointed he walked out, he understands “and I apologize.”
He said he listened to what Nick Aldis said. He said Aldis put together a substantial offer. He said he met with Shawn Michaels and got an offer to join NXT “and help mold” the next generation. He said Pearce has put together an offer that’s head and shoulders above those other offers. He said his mind was probably already made up when he looked at the calendar and saw Cleveland. He said he’s there to bury some ghosts and right some wrongs. “My future starts now,” he said. He said it was ten years almost to the day he walked out and now he walks right back in. He said if you’re happy about it or mad about it, learn to love it. He told Pearce he’s decided on Raw. He said he is home. He shook hands with Pearce and signed the contract as fans chanted his name. Punk stood in the corner and pounded his chest. Seth Rollins’ music then played.
Seth walked out in a purple suit with the World Title belt around his waist. They showed Punk staring back at him. Seth had a dead serious look as he walked to the ring. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” as they stared at each other. Fans sang Seth’s song as the staredown continued for a while. Seth broke the stare and asked for the mic.
He welcomed Punk to “Monday Night Rollins.” He said he hopes he knows how incredibly fortunate he is to be in that ring. He asked him for “one thing please.” He said, “Don’t you dare call this place your home.” Fans oooh’d. A loud “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out briefly. Seth said he abandoned this place ten years ago “and you actively tried to tear it down.” He said he spent ten years slandering him and everyone in the locker room. “And then you want to walk back here and call this place your home? This is not your home. This is my home!” Fans cheered and began singing his song again. Punk listened patiently.
Seth said everyone in the back are his brothers and sisters. He said he will do everything in his power to protect his home from people like him. He said, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I don’t want there to be any confusion. I know I’m a bit worked up. I want everyone to understand what I’m going to say it plainly with every fiber of my being – I hate you.” He said if he’s going to be a part of WWE again, then he wants him on Raw. He said the truth always comes out. He said everyone knows this is his last chance.
He said either he’s going to expose himself and self-destruct like he always does – and, if that’s the case, he said he’d be the first person in the back to slam the door shut on his legacy – or, if by some miracle he has actually has changed and he’s got any gas left in that tank, maybe one day he’ll be lucky enough to stand across the ring from him and fight him for the World Hvt. Title “and then I will exposed you for the fraud that you are.” He said he’ll show him there are levels to this and he’ll wrestle circles around him and show him in real time what it means to be the best in the world. A “C.M. Punk!” chant rang out.
Punk stepped back and then forward. “Are you done?” he asked. “That’s your one pass to stand here and speak to me disrespectfully without me coming after you.” He said he has never asked for anything to be handed to him, and he’s always insisted stubbornly on doing things the hard way. He asked where Pearce went. He said he wanted to make it official that he’s entering the Royal Rumble. He said when he wins it, maybe it’ll be Seth he’ll be going after. He dropped the mic and left.
(Keller’s Analysis: Punk was great there. That’s what makes him so popular, more than his wrestling in the ring. He doesn’t flinch and connects in a way where he’s both supremely confident and vulnerable or open. They really incorporated Punk’s WWE story well and provided “both sides.” I’m curious if Punk apologizing was his idea and if that was the toughest part of that promo, even though it’s a work to sell tickets? Seth spoke truth too and addressed the paths Punk might take, including the very real possibility that Punk will self-destruct. This story is set up in a way where if Punk does self-destruct, or at least if that’s the perception, it’s built into the story and it can be a big “I told you so” to his fans and those who defended him. It puts public pressure on Punk to not go that direction, even if at some point he does grow frustrated with things.)
-Cole threw to a video package on the Bronson Reed vs. Ivar feud with soundbites from both. Bronson said, “Tonight it’s your Viking funeral.”
-Reed made his ring entrance. [c]
(3) BRONSON REED vs. VIKING RAIDER IVAR (w/Valhala)
The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Barrett said big guys don’t like other big guys “because it makes them feel normal.” They collided at ringside and both went down. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Cole said they were beating the hell out of each other during the commercial break. Ivar landed a spinebuster for a near fall. Reed avoided a corner splash, but Ivar clotheslined him off the ring apron. Ivar then climbed to the top rope and leaped off with a somersault onto Reed at ringside. Reed knocked Ivar off balance on the top rope and headbutted him. Then he superplexed Ivar to the mat and scored a three count.
WINNER: Bronson Reed at 8:00.
-Backstage, Punk approached The Judgment Day. He asked, “Where’s Rhea?” Priest welcomed him to their show. He said he hopes he’s the guy who finishes his story around there because he’ll be waiting with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
-The Judgment Day’s Priest, Balor, Dom, and McDonagh made their ring entrance. [c]
-Priest stood in the ring and asked everyone to rise for The Judgment Day. He said they need to remind everyone who they are. Balor he told people to step up and get put down. Priest said it doesn’t matter who you are including a returning Superstar or a new Superstar, you’re officially put on notice. He said that includes The Creed Brothers. When Dom began to speak, boos drowned him out.
R-Truth walked out with the Christmas lights. He asked why he wasn’t invited to their holiday party. McDonagh said they’re not having a holiday party, but if they were, he wouldn’t be invited. Priest told McDonagh to calm down. Priest told Truth to enter the ring because he wanted to know what he had to say.
Truth said, “First of all, I think we need to kick J.D. out.” Fans laughed as McDonagh lunged at Truth. Dom held him back. Truth said nobody likes him. Truth told Priest to stop calling himself the boss. He said he likes that, but it makes Ripley angry. Priest said he understands why the people and the locker room likes him. Priest smiled and said, “Everybody loves R-Truth… except me!” He attacked Truth. They all stomped away at him. The Creed Brothers charged out for the save. Julius Creed overhead suplexed both Dom and McDonagh at ringside. He then dropkicked Balor off the ring apron. Priest set up South of Heaven on both Creeds, but they broke free and slammed him. Priest retreated.
-Backstage, Drew told Punk he doesn’t care about his story or Cody’s story. Pearce was standing there and he told him they need to figure out how to finish his story. Drew left. Punk asked what he did. Pearce said he thought he’d be happy since he granted him a title match against Seth at the Day One edition of Raw. Kofi Kingston walked up to him, all smiles. Chad Gable and Ricochet were with him. Punk said he hears he’s awful at video games, but he had to run to the bathroom so he’d catch up with them later. Pearce told them that he has an idea for them, so step into his office. He said it involves the Intercontinental Title.
-Katana Chance & Kayden Carter made their ring entrance. [c]
(4) KATANA CHANCE & KAYDEN CARTER vs. INDI HARTWELL & CANDICE LERAE
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven joined in on commentary at ringside. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Cole noted that the winner might be in line for a tag title match. Cole told Niven and Green they’ll have to defend their titles again some time. They showed Natalya and Tegan Nox backstage watching the match on a monitor. Carter and Chance won with their Afterparty finisher.
WINNERS: Chance & Carter in 3:00.
-Tommaso Ciampa asked Johnny Gargano if they can “trust him.” Gargano said he isn’t sure, but he wants the match really bad. In walked Ludwig Kaiser and Giovani Vinci. They asked who their mystery partner is. Gunther walked in and smiled and said he doubts they’ll find anyone who wants to associate with them.
-They showed Becky Lynch backstage. Nikki Kross was standing in the background staring at her. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
-Clips aired of the interaction with Nia Jax and Becky Lynch.
-Becky stood mid-ring and said she and Jax have never fought one-on-one before. They replayed the Nov. 12, 2018 incident where Jax broke Becky’s nose with a punch. Becky said she’s petty. She said for five years, she and Nia keep missing each other. Becky said Jax needed double ACL surgery because she’s so unlikable, even her own knees wouldn’t stand up for her. Nia’s music played and she made her way out. Jax entered the ring and smiled and said, “I’m not fired anymore, Becky.” She said the punch she just showed was a lucky swing that almost ended her career. She said she didn’t even land it full on. She told Becky to imagine if she had. She said people are upset with what she did to her, but it’s a contact sport. Becky said everybody knows Jax is the most dangerous woman in WWE. She said everyone ends up hurt and sometimes hospitalized.
Becky said she dusted herself off and fought like hell since. She said that’s what she’s done her entire life. She said Jax’s minions went around saying she isn’t a main event star, but she’s proven that wrong. She said Jax credits herself with Becky being a main event star, but that’s not true and she’ll beat her to prove it. Jax said Becky needs her and she needs to prove her career wasn’t just an accident after she broke her face. “Otherwise, I’ll always be the woman who made The Man.”
Becky said she needs her to shut up. She said she came to Cleveland looking for a fight. She offered Jax a free punch at her chin. Fans chanted, “Becky! Becky!” Jax told Becky that she needs it a lot more than she does. She dropped the mic and left the ring. Becky’s music played. Cole said Jax is playing mind games by making Becky wait.
-Backstage Jackie Redmond asked for Cody’s reaction to signing Punk to Raw. Cody congratulated Pearce for getting it done. He said he’s happy for the fans and for Punk. He said you can’t finish two stories at once and both he and Punk are aware of it. He said what he’s discovered about Nakamura, a legend from Japan, is that he’s vicious. Cody said Stardust debuted in that arena. “Talk about going from undesirable to undeniable.”
-Imperium made their ring entrance. [c]
(5) IMPERIUM (Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) vs. JOHNNY GARGANO & TOMMASO CIAMPA & THE MIZ
Lots of chants for “Miz” from his hometown crowd. There were also “Johnny Wrestling” chants for Gargano, also from Cleveland. They cut to a break after Gunther connected with a big boot to Ciampa’s face. [c]
Miz eventually finished Vinci with a Skull Crushing Finale.
WINNER: Miz & Gargano & Ciampa in 11:00.
-Cole and Barrett hyped next week’s matches: Carter & Chance challenging Niven & Green for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles and Priest & Balor vs. The Creeds for the WWE Men’s Tag Team Titles.
-Shinsuke Nakamura made his ring entrance. [c]
-Postcard shots aired of Cleveland.
-Highlights aired of Punk and Seth from earlier.
-Backstage, Gunther was upset with Kaiser and Vinci. Miz showed up and told Gunther he wants another IC Title match. Gunther agreed as long as Miz agreed he wouldn’t get another shot as long as he was champion if he lost. Miz said, “Done.”
-Cody made his ring entrance. [c]
(6) CODY RHODES vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. Cody went on early offense until Nakamura made a comeback and landed a running knee. Nakamura landed a slidekick to knock Cody off the ring apron to the floor. [c]
They fought back and forth. Nakamura landed the slide-under released German suplex. Cody dropkicked Nakamura’s knees as he set up a Kinshasa. Cody applied a half Boston crab. Nakamura reached the bottom rope and then rolled to the floor. Cody landed a dive through the ropes and knocked Nakamura into the barricade. Cody went down hard, too. They cut to a break. [c]
Nakamura applied a sleeper mid-ring. Cody leaped backwards to break the hold. Cody hit a Bionic Elbow and then played to the crowd. Cody landed a Cody Cutter next. He played to the crowd and then went for Crossroads. Nakamura sprayed Cody in the face with red mist. The ref DQ’d Nakamura.
WINNER: Cody via DQ in 18:00.
-Nakamura kicked away at Cody. Cody tried to fight back, but couldn’t see. Nakamura gave him a Kinshasa to the back of his neck. The Creed Brothers eventually ran out for the save. Cole called it a pathetic display by Nakamura. Cody was helped up the ramp, but Nakamura returned and gave him a running knee to the chest. He backed away as officials yelled at him. Cole called it a cowardly assault.
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