Welcome to our coverage of Monday Night Raw for December 4th!
Tonight’s show features a huge rematch between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, and Sheamus and Cesaro. Last week Seth Rollins defeated Sheamus in a great match, then invoked he and Ambrose’s rematch clause. Tonight the two teams do battle for the gold once again, in what should be a barn-burner of a match. The Shield’s third member, Roman Reigns celebrated his first title defense last week, only to be beaten-down by Samoa Joe quickly thereafter. Reigns is likely to seek revenge tonight.
Since returning to WWE and Monday Night Raw, Paige and her cronies have run roughshod over the women’s division. Tonight Paige looks to score her first singles win since returning, when she faces Sasha Banks. The two former women’s Champion’s will go head-to-head in a very interesting match-up, but will it play out cleanly, or will Absolution interfere and help Paige win?
Elsewhere on tonight’s Raw, Braun Strowman and Kane have a score to settle. Two weeks ago on Raw, Kane bashed Strowman’s throat in, then last week Braun returned the favour. It’s been a game of one-ups-manship between these two monsters, but surely the feud can’t keep running until Royal Rumble in January, we need to have a blow-off match before then, because we wan’t to see Braun go nuts in the Rumble match!
That’s the preview for tonight’s show. There’s lots more happening tonight, including Elias, Kurt Angle, Finn Balor, and more. Let us know what you’re excited for on the Ringside Talk app, and enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with a look back at last week’s main event, when Roman Reigns defeated Elias, but was then beaten down by Samoa Joe.
Live in the arena, General Manager makes his way to the ring to a loud “YOU SUCK” chant. Angle welcomes us to the show, then tells us about the huge Tag Team Championship main event. But that’s not the only Championship match tonight; we’re also going to see Roman Reigns defend his Intercontinental Championship against…
Angle is interrupted by his son, JJ, before he can make an announcement. Jordan grabs a mic and tells Kurt to hold on a second. He gets booed loud. Jordan says he wants Reigns tonight, to which Angle tells him he can’t be serious, his knee is still taped-up. JJ says ever since he debuted he’s been in the ring with the very best there is and he’s held his own with them all. He says since Reigns won the title he issued an open challenge, and he’s ready to step-up and beat Roman Reigns. “I just need a chance Dad”.
Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he comes out to a very good reception. The WWE Intercontinental Champion gets in the ring, and the boos pick up now. Reigns says he’s a fighting champion, so he’s going to tell Angle who he’s fighting. It’s not going to be his son. He wants Samoa Joe. The crowd pops big for that. Reigns gives advice to Jordan: if he wants an opportunity, don’t run to daddy. Step up and be a man. Jordan says Reigns is the poster boy for everything the WWE management wants. Reigns says he’s right about one thing: he’s been on a lot of posters and chairs because he’s main evented a lot of shows. Reigns says he earned it and worked hard for seven years straight. If Jordan wants something, he’s not just going to get it. Jordan can step up and take it.
Samoa Joe’s music hits, and he comes out to a huge reaction from the Staples Centre. Joe stands on the stage and says as much as he’d love to sit in the back and watch them talk tough, his patience has worn thin. If Reigns is done patronizing the kid, he accepts his challenge. At times he’s merciful. Joe will give him a reprieve and give him five seconds to rescind the challenge because Reigns knows he can’t beat him. Joe counts down and gets to zero.
Jordan says he doesn’t have to try to talk tough. Unlike Joe, he actually is tough because he doesn’t have to go out and attack people from behind. Jordan issued a challenge to Reigns’ face and is going to challenge Joe right now. Angle orders Jordan to stay in the ring. Reigns says the five seconds are done… and Jordan turns him around to give him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex! Angle holds Jordan back and gets him out of the ring. Reigns angrily gets to his feet and says it’s not going down like this. Joe can wait for later tonight. Jordan can get it right now. Reigns tells Angle to make the match! Angle calls for a referee to come out. I like this side of Jordan.
*Commercial Break*
Intercontinental Championship Match
(C) Roman Reigns Vs. Jason Jordan
We return just in time for the bell to ring. The two men circle each other before Jordan hooks a waistlock, but Reigns elbows him in the face before punching him to the corner. Reigns punches and kicks him down in the corner before being backed up by the referee. Samoa Joe is sitting in a chair on the stage watching.
Reigns continues punching Jordan before giving him a hard Irish whip to the corner. Reigns throws Jordan out of the ring and follows him out. Reigns slams his face off the mat before sending him into the barricade. Reigns sends him into the ring steps before putting him back in the ring. Jordan answers back with a pair of right hangs, but Reigns kicks and punches him back before clotheslining him over the top rope.
Reigns goes outside and gives him a Drive By Dropkick for a near fall. Reigns applies a chin lock, and a light “We want Joe” chant picks up. Jordan fights up and pushes him to the corner before driving some shoulders into him. Jordan then scoops him up and slams him into the corner. Jordan picks him up and runs across the ring to slam him into the corner. Jordan does it three more times before getting pumped up. Jordan goes for a running shoulder thrust, but Reigns moves. Reigns goes for a running shoulder, but Jordan sidesteps him. Reigns hits the ring post shoulder first.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Reigns trapped in an armbar. Reigns fights up, but Jordan keeps him grounded. Reigns finally fights up and punches out before flattening him with a pair of clotheslines. Jordan reverses a whip, but Reigns takes him down with a jumping clothesline. Reigns clubs away at him in the corner ten times before crushing him with a big boot. Reigns shakes his arm to get some feeling back in it before covering for a near fall. Reigns punches the mat and charges, but Jordan dropkicks him down for a near fall. Jordan lifts him up, but Reigns elbows out and punches him out of the ring.
Reigns exits the ring and leaps off the steps, but Jordan catches him out of mid-air! Jordan then slams him into the ring steps before shouldering him back into it. Jordan gets him in the ring for a near fall. Jordan goes for a move, but Reigns fights it. Reigns hits the ropes, but Jordan counters into a back suplex for a two count.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Reigns hit a DDT and JJ kicks out. Reigns stalls for a second before applying a single leg Boston crab to the bad knee of Jordan. Reigns yells as he applies the hold but Jordan drags himself towards the rope, only for Reigns to drag him back! Reigns holds the submission but again Jordan crawls to the bottom rope, Roman attempts to drag him back again but Jordan rolls him up and gets a near-fall!
Reigns and Jordan separate, then the Champ lands a Superman Punch for another near-fall! The fans are into this one, and on Reigns’ side. Roman takes to the corner and roars for the Spear, then runs, only to be kicked in the head, then hit with a Northern Lights Suplex, rolls through and lands another for a pin attempt to no avail. Great little thing from Jordan, when he was pinning Reigns he lifted his bad leg from the mat to convey the pain. Jordan pulls himself up using the ropes, then limps over to Reigns. Jordan lifts Reigns but gets reversed, then caught with another Superman Punch and a Spear for the 123!
Winner: Roman Reigns
A really good match, the fans don’t like him but I’ve said since his NXT days that JJ was destined for greatness. Samoa Joe grabs the mic after the match and says that Roman looks a little tired,a little weary, so he’s coming down to finish the job. Joe runs and slides into the ring, beats on Reigns, then applies the Coquina Clutch. Jason Jordan returns and hits Joe with a back body drop and the Samoan Submission Machine rolls from the ring. Jordan taunts Joe to come back into the ring but the referee holds Joe back. Reigns runs and hits Jordan with another Superman Punch that sends him flying from the ring. Payback for Jordan attacking him earlier. Joe throws the chair he was sat on before walking to the back.
Later tonight, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose face The Bar for the Tag Team Titles. Up next, Sasha Banks Vs. Paige and a look at the debut of Absolution.
*Commercial Break*
Kurt Angle is talking on the phone in his office, and says he knows things got out of hand. It’s Stephanie McMahon. Angle says he’ll get it under control. Jordan comes in and says he has to give him a rematch since he almost beat Reigns tonight. Jordan wants the rematch next week, but tonight he wants Samoa Joe. Angle says he can’t just come in demanding matches. People will think he’s playing favorites. Angle says he’ll take the Samoa Joe match under advisement. Joe then slams Jordan into the wall! Jordan hit hard head-first! Joe yells at him and threatens Angle before walking off.
We get a video package of Paige’s return, and the formation of her group, Absolution. Paige and the girls make their way to the ring for a big match.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Sasha Banks, flanked by Bayley and Mickie James. Alexa Bliss has joined the commentary team for this one.
Paige, W/Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville Vs. Sasha Banks, W/Bayley & Mickie James
The bell rings, and Paige gets on the attack right away. She extends her arm and waits. They lock up, and Banks powers her into the ropes. They give a rough break. Paige slaps her, so Banks slaps her back. Paige kicks her before giving her a head-butt. Paige hits the ropes, but Banks counters with a Thesz Press and some punches. Banks then throws her by the hair twice. Banks punches her in the corner, but Paige soon makes a comeback for a two count.
Paige applies a chin lock, but Banks fights up. Paige sends her to the corner, but Banks puts the brakes on. Banks kicks her, but Paige takes her down and stomps her in the corner. Paige chokes her on the ropes before clipping the leg and applying a modified bow and arrow stretch. Banks fights up, but Paige slams her down and picks up a two count. Paige is angry with the referee’s count. Paige applies a chin lock, but Banks fights up and rolls her up for a two count. Paige clotheslines her down before punching her down in the corner. Paige kicks away at her in the corner, but Banks blocks a kick before kicking her in the face. Banks hits a head-scissor takeover before Paige drops her on the apron.
Banks punches her back and hits a cross-body block for a two count. Banks knees her in the back a few times before applying a modified straight-jacket submission. Paige eventually gets a foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Paige puts herself through the ropes to keep Banks back. Paige then surprises her with a spear before punching away at her. Banks rolls her over and punches. They roll around punching each other before Banks throws her off. Banks then takes her down. Paige makes a comeback and goes for a slam, but Banks counters into a Bank Statement attempt but Paige escapes. They tackle each other out of the ring and take a hard spill as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Paige take Banks down with a front facelock. Paige puts her on the middle rope and chokes her. During the break, Paige slammed her off the top rope. Paige head-butts Banks and chokes her on the top rope. Paige sends her to the corner, but Banks kicks her square in the back. Banks hits a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. Banks hits a double knee before Paige sidesteps a second attempt. Paige knees her in the face before throwing her down.
Paige goes to the top rope, but Banks cuts her off. Paige then connects with a mistimed sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall. They both get up and start trading forearms. Banks goes for a Bank Statement, but Paige runs her into the ropes. Paige goes for a Ram-Paige, but Banks counters into a Bank Statement. Paige crawls her way to the bottom rope and gets a foot on it. Paige then rolls out of the ring. Rose and Deville check on her, but Bayley and Mickie James show up to make sure nothing happens.
Banks gets Paige in the ring. Absolution then gets into a brawl with Bayley and James at ringside before laying them out. Banks watches from inside the ring, leaving herself wide open. Paige then takes advantage of the distraction with a Ram-Paige for the win.
Winner: Paige
Rose and Deville get in the ring and beat on Sasha as Paige watches on. Rose lifts Sasha up by the arms and drops her suplex-style onto Deville’s knee. Absolution leave and pose on the ramp.
Kurt Angle is backstage texting when Elias walks in strumming his guitar. Angle says, “Oh, god!” Elias tells him to silence his cell phone and put it away. Angle asks what he wants. Elias says he wants another opportunity for the Intercontinental Championship, but he gave that opportunity to his son. That’s blatant favoritism. The WWE Universe wants to walk with Elias. Now all they’ll get is a music performance. Elias says Angle’s bias toward his “bastard son” will be his undoing. Angle reconsiders and says he’ll find Elias a worthy opponent.
Later tonight, we will see The Bar defend the RAW Tag Team Championships against Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. Up next, we take a look at Braun Strowman and Kane’s rivalry.
*Commercial Break*
We get a lengthy video package of the Kane/Strowman rivalry.
Enzo Amore is backstage with Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, and Noam Dar. Enzo tells them to get the job done tonight. Enzo turns around and sees Nia Jax. Jax is smiling and says, “How you doin?” in a very flirty fashion before walking off. Enzo looks bewildered.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back and it’s time for some cruiserweight action. The winner will face Rich Swann next week to determine who will face Enzo Amore for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
Fatal 4-Way Match
Tony Nese Vs. Drew Gulak Vs. Mustafa Ali Vs. Cedric Alexander
The bell rings, and a brawl breaks out immediately. Gulak concentrates on Alexander while Nese goes for Ali. Ali dropkicks Nese out of the ring while Alexander gets Gulak to the floor. Alexander and Ali face off and do some spots and fancy counters. Gulak and Nese pull Ali out of the ring, but they’re wiped out by Alexander with a summersault plancha.
Alexander gets Gulak in the ring for a two count. Gulak powers him to the corner, and Nese comes in to help with a double-team on Alexander. They put him in the tree of woe and Nese kicks him while doing crunches. Nese goes to the top rope, but Gulak reminds him that this is a “No Fly Zone.” Ali then goes to the top rope for a cross-body block for a two count. Nese powers him to the corner, and Gulak joins in for a double-team stomping.
Ali makes a comeback, but Gulak chops him. Alexander comes in and clotheslines him twice before hitting Gulak with a dropkick in the corner. Alexander hits Gulak with a springboard reverse STO, but Nese breaks it up. Nese gets him out of the ring. Ali hits Nese with a sit-out face-buster. They then all hit a move. All four are down as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
During the break, all four men were involved in a huge tower of doom spot. Gulak is stretching Alexander out. Alexander fights out and hits a handspring springboard kick. Ali breaks up the pin.
Alexander and Ali double superkick Nese before turning on one another. Ali eventually hits Alexander with a Spanish Fly, but Gulak breaks it up. Alexander soon hits Nese with a Lumbar Check before hitting one on Ali. Gulak knees Alexander away and picks up the win.
Winner: Drew Gulak
After the match Charly Caruso comes into the ring for an interview. She asks him how he feels that he might have to face Enzo Amore for the Championship, is he conflicted? Gulak says that that’s a very hard-hitting question, and it deserves a hard-hitting answer. And something that hard-hitting can only be done with a PowerPoint presentation! Gulak points to the screen but instead we see Elias making his way to the ring, next!
*Commercial Break*
We return and Elias is in the ring to give the fine folk of L.A a performance. Elias starts and disrespects the people of Los Angeles, but it doesn’t last long…
Braun Strowman’s music hits, and Elias is terrified! Strowman gets in the ring, and Elias leaves. Elias attacks him from behind, but Strowman overtakes him and gets him out of the ring. Elias boots him back and sends him into the ring post before smashing his guitar on his back. Strowman doesn’t feel it and chases him before clotheslining him on the floor. Strowman gets him in the ring and gives him a Running Powerslam. Strowman takes apart the stairs and throws them in the ring.
Kane’s music hits, and he appears on the screen. Kane says Strowman has been a Monster Among Men for so long that maybe he’s forgotten what it’s like to be a Monster Among Monsters. Kane says he delights in horror and looks forward to facing him next week. They’ll descend into the abyss, but only one monster will emerge. Kane laughs before walking off.
We see The Shield backstage. Roman gives Ambrose and Rollins a pep talk and tells them that all three of them could be leaving here with gold tonight. They bump fists before leaving.
After the break, Asuka will be in action!
*Commercial Break*
The Empress of Tomorrow comes to the ring, followed by her opponent. Alicia Fox has gone from captain of Team Raw to dinner for Asuka. We get a split-screen promo from Alicia on her way to the ring.
Asuka Vs. Alicia Fox
The bell rings, and Fox immediately attacks her before throwing her across the ring. Asuka gets fired up and doesn’t go down on some shoulder tackles. Asuka hits a running hip attack before throwing her by the hair. Fox boots her back and big boots her down for a two count. Fox knees her in the back before applying a surfboard stretch.
Fox then starts slapping Asuka in the face. Asuka hits some quick strikes and a kick before dropkicking her down. Fox elbows her back and goes for a Scissor Kick, but Asuka moves. Asuka lays her out with some vicious kicks before applying an arm bar for the win.
Winner: Asuka
Paige’s music hits, and she comes out to the ring with Absolution. Asuka walks by them smiling. Paige gets in the ring and says she loves Alicia Fox, but Sonya and Mandy don’t feel the same. They then attack Fox and viciously lay her out. Paige stands back smiling. Paige then raises their arms up.
Finn Balor is in action, next.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes the first-ever WWE Universal Champion, Finn Balor. Balor’s opponent, Bo Dallas makes his way to the ring, accompanied by Curtis Axel.
Finn Balor Vs. Curtis Axel
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. They lock up, and Dallas punches Balor before applying a side headlock. Balor whips him off, but Dallas shoulder blocks him down for a one count.
They circle the ring again and lock up. Balor clubs him in the back and puts him in the corner before punching him. Balor hits a snapmare and kicks him in the spine for a two count. Dallas quickly knees him in the midsection and goes for a sunset flip, but Balor rolls through and dropkicks him in the face for a two count. Balor applies an arm bar, but Dallas puts him in the corner. Balor goes to the apron for a kick, but Dallas blocks it. Balor then takes him down. Balor goes to the top rope, and Curtis Axel distracts him. Dallas sweeps the feet and knees him in the face a few times.
Dallas then punches him in the midsection. Dallas kicks him in the ribs and hits a gut-buster for a near fall. Dallas then starts working the arm. Balor fights up and clotheslines him twice before sweeping the feet and hitting a double stomp. Balor chops the chest, but he has a whip to the corner reversed. Dallas rolls him up with the tights for a near fall. Dallas puts him in the corner, but Balor comes back with a Sling Blade. Balor dropkicks him to the corner before hitting a Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the match Finn celebrates before leaving.
We see replays of last month, when SmackDown invaded Raw, allowing The Bar to regain the Tag Team Championship’s from Ambrose and Rollins. That rematch is later tonight.
Up next however, “Matt Hardy Awakening?”
*Commercial Break*
Footage is shown of Matt Hardy flipping out last week on RAW. They show his bizarre tweets and talk about an awakening.
Bray Wyatt is shown on the screen. Wyatt asks who Matt Hardy is. The universe knows, but Matt doesn’t. Matt Hardy cuts him off. Hardy says his soul has wandered through space and time. Not all who wander are lost. Wyatt cuts back onto the screen. Hardy knows nothing of what is actually real. Hardy cuts in again and says he’s studied at the Library of Alexandria, fought alongside Ghengis Khan, and held symposiums with Plato. Wyatt says the ramblings of madman shouldn’t be listened to. Hardy cuts in and says he was dwelling in a vessel called Matthew Hardy, but he has been WOKEN! Wyatt has left him with no choice. Hardy sentences him to DELETION! They get into a laughing war and Hardy’s his hilarious. A LOUD “DELETE” chant kicks off. Wow.
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose make their way to the ring for a huge Championship match!
*Commercial Break*
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The Bar Vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose
Cesaro and Ambrose start the match with a lock-up. Ambrose applies a side headlock, but Cesaro shoves him off, only for Ambrose to shoulder block him down. Ambrose connects with a pair of arm drags and applies an arm bar. Cesaro fights up and tags in Sheamus. Ambrose puts him in the corner and stomps him down. Ambrose looks to make a tag but Cesaro pulls Rollins from the apron.
The Bar gets the advantage on Ambrose, tagging in and out to attack Ambrose. Sheamus boots Ambrose down and chokes him. Sheamus applies an overhead wristlock. Ambrose fights out and tags in Rollins. Rollins hits a springboard clothesline and knocks Cesaro off the apron. Rollins boots Sheamus back. Rollins hits a blockbuster and a Sling Blade. Sheamus puts him on the apron, but Rollins avoids a shoulder and knees him in the head. Rollins goes for a plancha, but Cesaro pushes Sheamus out of the way. Rollins punches Cesaro, and Sheamus shoves Rollins into the ring post as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Rollins fight out of a hold from Cesaro, but Sheamus is tagged in. They hit Rollins with a double-team clothesline. Cesaro tags in and attacks. Roman Reigns is watching backstage. Sheamus is tagged in, and he hits Rollins with a top rope diving sledge. Sheamus applies an overhead wristlock. Rollins fights up and knocks Cesaro off the apron. Rollins counters an Irish Curse Backbreaker by flipping through it and DDTing him. Rollins goes for a tag, but Cesaro stops him from doing so. Cesaro works on the arm, but Rollins fights up and tries to brute force his way over. Cesaro shoves him and big boots Ambrose off the apron.
Rollins hits a back body drop and goes for a tag, but Ambrose is on the floor. Sheamus shoulders him in the corner and puts him on his shoulders before sending him into an uppercut from Cesaro for a near fall. Sheamus reapplies the overhead wristlock. Rollins fights up, but Sheamus gets him on his shoulders. Rollins slides off and superkicks him out of the ring.
Ambrose makes the tag, and Cesaro is in the ring. Ambrose hits a pair of clotheslines before lowering his head and eating a kick. Ambrose then back body drops him over the top rope. Ambrose charges Sheamus and knocks him off the apron. Ambrose goes for a suicide dive, but Cesaro feeds him a European uppercut. Cesaro hits a cross-body block, but Ambrose rolls through for a two count. Cesaro avoids a missile dropkick and goes for a Cesaro Swing, but Ambrose counters into a roll-up for a two count. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds but releases to avoid a Brogue Kick. Ambrose clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope, and Cesaro rolls him up for a two count.
Sheamus knees Dean in the face, and Cesaro picks up another near fall. The Bar goes for a double-team, but Ambrose counters out and sends Cesaro to the corner. Rollins tags in and hits Sheamus with a superplex before rolling through for a falcon arrow, but Cesaro breaks up the pin! The crowd is enjoying the match. Cesaro tags in and goes for a Gotch Neutralizer, but Rollins gets out and forearms him. Cesaro uppercuts him and goes for a Neutralizer, but Rollins rolls up and hits a Ripcord Knee, but Sheamus breaks it up. Sheamus then punches away at Rollins until getting disqualified.
Winners Via Disqualification: Ambrose & Rollins
Sheamus and Cesaro retain the RAW Tag Team Championships because titles cannot change hands by disqualification.
Kurt Angle comes out and says he’s going to give them a chance to prove they really do set the bar. This match will be restarted as a No Disqualification match!
No Disqualification Match
WWE Tag Team Championship’s
(C) The Bar Vs. Ambrose & Rollins
Ambrose and Rollins immediately hit The Bar with stereo suicide dives. They send Cesaro into the barricade and Sheamus into the steps. Ambrose hits Cesaro with a Lunatic Lariat in the ring, and Rollins follows up with a frog splash for a near fall! Samoa Joe hits the ring and attacks Rollins and Ambrose! Roman Reigns runs down to a big reception. Joe runs off. Reigns hits Cesaro with a Superman Punch and chases Joe. Sheamus immediately hits Ambrose with a Brogue Kick and puts Cesaro on him for the win!
Winners: The Bar
Sheamus and Cesaro high-tail it out of the ring and escape through the crowd with Samoa Joe. The Shield sits in the ring, lamenting their loss.
That’s it for this week’s Raw! Let us know what you thought and I will see you back here next week for more Monday Night Raw! Until then, safe travels!
