Posted in Raw

WWE Raw Results – January 1, 2018

   January 1, 2018

WWE RAW
January 1, 2018
American Airlines Arena
Miami, Florida

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

Alexa Bliss & Kurt Angle Backstage Segment:

Why is Alexa Bliss fighting Asuka tonight? Angle was thinking about having a WrestleMania quality match to kickoff the new year. Why is Asuka being rewarded for what she did last week? Asuka would win the Royal Rumble Match and face her at WrestleMania. Bliss should be happy that the title is not on the line, yet.

Kurt Angle, The Bar, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins In-Ring Segment: 

Happy New Year. Welcome to Monday Night Raw. 2017 was one of the greatest years of his career, especially becoming the Raw General Manager. 2018 will be even greater. In three weeks, Raw celebrates its 25th anniversary and then there’s the Royal Rumble PPV. Free Agent, John Cena, has declared that he’s entering the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. What’s good for the men is good for the women. That means there will be 30 Women in the Royal Rumble. The winner gets a match at WrestleMania. Just like men, the ladies are eliminated by going over the top rope and both feet hitting the floor. Angle expects Raw to win both Rumble Matches.

The Bar comes out to interrupt Angle. Let’s talk about the travesty that happened last week. The Bar was robbed. Cesaro doesn’t like favoritism. Angle gave hisr son a tag title match and made Seth Rollins his partner. What you did after the match was too much? Seeing Angle celebrating with his son makes Sheamus sick in his stomach. That was nothing but favoritism. Jordan didn’t deserve an opportunity at the tag titles. The Bar wants their rematch, tonight. Angle tells The Bar that they will get their rematch when he says so.

Jason Jordan joins the conversation.  If Jordan didn’t deserve a shot at the tag titles, why is he out here with the title around his waist? His fathers knows nothing about favoritism. Cesaro will earn another trip to the dentist if he continues to run his mouth. Angle wants Cesaro and Jordan to settle their differences in the ring. Seth Rollins comes out on the stage. Jordan has a lot to learn about being a teammate. First, that pale Irish idiot with the mohawk. Jordan came out puffing his chest without realizing that he was going to be outnumbered. Jordan needs to think about his health and safety. Rollins tells Jordan to stop being so self-absorbed.

First Match: Jason Jordan w/Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro w/Sheamus 

Sheamus attacks Jordan from behind before the bell rings. Cesaro uppercuts Jordan. Jordan dives over Cesaro. Cesaro goes for a BodySlam, but Jordan lands back on his feet. Jordan leapfrogs over Cesaro. Jordan connects with a dropkick for a one count. Jordan is ramming his shoulders into the midsection of Cesaro. Cesaro kicks Jordan in the gut. Cesaro is wearing Jordan down with multiple uppercuts. Following a snap mare takeover, Cesaro applies a rear chin lock. Jordan gets back to a vertical base. Jordan ducks a clothesline from Cesaro. Cesaro goes for a SpringBoard European Uppercut, but Jordan catches him in mid-air. Jordan repeatedly drives Cesaro back first into the turnbuckles.

Sheamus hops on the ring apron to distract Jordan. Cesaro sends Jordan shoulder first to the steel ring post. Cesaro ChopBlocks Jordan. Cesaro with a running dropkick to the injured knee of Jordan. Cesaro rams Jordan’s knee across the ring apron. Cesaro applies a Modified Single Leg Boston Crab. Cesaro uppercuts the back of Jordan’s knee. Cesaro is grounding Jordan in the center of the ring. Cesaro and Jordan are trading back and forth shots. Jordan clotheslines Cesaro. Jordan with a Back Body Drop that sends Cesaro to the apron. Cesaro runs into a stiff forearm smash from Jordan. Cesaro responds with a Knee Smash on the apron. Jordan is regaining his composure on the outside.

Coming out of the commercial break, Cesaro kicks Jordan out of the ring. Cesaro goes back to the Single Leg Boston Crab. Jordan fights out of the Cesaro Swing. Cesaro with two rapid fire uppercuts to Jordan. Jordan kicks Cesaro in the jaw. Jordan lands two Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex’s. Jordan with the lateral press for a two count. Jordan delivers a Corner Spear. Jordan hits the Roll Through Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Jordan backs Cesaro into the ropes. Sheamus attacks Jordan behind the referee’s back. Cesaro rolls Jordan over for a two count. Cesaro gets Jordan trapped in the full Boston Crab. Jordan crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Rollins is putting the boots to Sheamus on the outside. Jordan plants Cesaro with The Elevated NeckBreaker to pickup the victory.

Winner: Jason Jordan via Pinfall 

Roman Reigns Backstage Interview: 

Second Match: Bray Wyatt vs. Apollo Crews w/Titus O’Neil & Dana Brooke 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Bray backs Crews into the turnbuckles. Crews ducks a clothesline from Bray. Crews is caught off guard by Bray’s Spider Walk Pose. Crews applies a side headlock. Bray stomps on Crews foot. Bray delivers multiple uppercuts. Crews decks Bray with a Leaping Enzuigiri. Crews with a SlingShot Senton to Bray. Crews follows that with a Standing Elbow Drop. Crews goes back to the side headlock.

Crews ducks a clothesline from Bray. Bray drops Crews with a HeadButt. Bray is mauling Crews in the corner. Crews leapfrogs over Bray. Crews dropkicks Bray for a two count. Crews applies a wrist lock. Bray launches Crews to the ring apron. Crews ascends to the top turnbuckle. Bray connects with a Draping JawBreaker. Bray starts staring at Dana Brooke.

Coming out of the commercial break, Bray has Crews in a rear chin lock. Crews gets back to a vertical base. Bray runs through Crews with a Running Shoulder Block for a two count. Bray is ramming Crews face across the top rope. Crews regains momentum with a Basement Dropkick. Crews follows that with a Leaping Clothesline. Crews lands a Standing MoonSault for a two count. Crews delivers another MoonSault off the ring apron. Crews rolls Bray back into the ring. Bray hits The Inside Out Lariat. Dana Brooke is trying to distract Bray. Crews goes for a Spinning SitOut PowerBomb, but Bray counters with The Sister Abigail to pickup the victory.

Winner: Bray Wyatt via Pinfall 

#WOKEN Matt Hardy Promo: 

Third Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka 

Bliss dodges a leg lariat from Asuka. Asuka applies a wrist lock. Asuka goes for a Spinning Back Fist, but Bliss ducks out of the way. Bliss applies a Waist Lock. Asuka transitions into a Wrist Lock. Bliss reverses the hold. Bliss and Asuka are trading back and forth hammer locks. Asuka floats over into a front facelock. Asuka gets Bliss trapped in the Knee Bar. Bliss quickly escapes. Asuka applies a side headlock. Bliss drives Asuka head to the canvas. Bliss backs herself in between the ropes.

Asuka drops Bliss with a Running Shoulder Tackle. Asuka tells Bliss to the bring it. Asuka connects with a Running Hip Attack. Bliss is regaining her composure on the outside. Following a snap mare takeover, Asuka kicks Bliss in the back. Asuka follows that with another Hip Attack. Bliss kicks Asuka in the gut. Bliss refuses to get back in the ring. Coming out of the commercial break, Bliss has Asuka trapped in a Body Scissors Hold. Bliss sends Asuka ribs first into the steel ring post.

Bliss transitions into a ground and pound attack. Bliss with the lateral press for a two count. Asuka fires up with multiple bodyshots. Asuka rolls Bliss over for a two count. Bliss connects with a Back Breaker. Bliss delivers a series of forearm smashes. Bliss goes back to the Body Scissors Hold. Bliss transitions into a Modified Guillotine Choke. Asuka responds with a Kimura Lock. Bliss heads to the top rope to create separation. Bliss repeatedly stomps on Asuka chest in the corner.

Bliss slaps Asuka in the face. Asuka responds accordingly with three dropkicks. Asuka decks Bliss with a Hip Attack. Bliss with a Back Elbow Strike across the jaw of Asuka. Asuka dishes out a nasty knee strike. Asuka turns a sunset flip into a Victory Roll for a two count. Bliss with a Basement Dropkick which sends Asuka crashing to the outside. Asuka creates distance with a Leg Lariat. Asuka connects with a Spinning RoundHouse Kick. Asuka locks in the Cross ArmBreaker which forces Bliss to tap out.

Winner: Asuka via Submission 

Samoa Joe Backstage Interview: 

Fourth Match: Braun Strowman vs. Rhyno & Heath Slater 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Strowman shoves Rhyno to the corner. Strowman continues to show off his power. Slater is trying to pump Rhyno up. Rhyno applies a side headlock. Strowman drops Rhyno with a Shoulder Tackle. Strowman follows that with a Big Boot. Heath Slater hops on the ring apron to distract Strowman. Strowman tells Slater that he has two options.

Leave or get these hands like your partner. Rhyno and Slater are trying to double team Strowman. Strowman delivers two Body Avalanches. Strowman plants Rhyno with The Running PowerSlam to pickup the victory. After the match Slater goes for a Leg Lariat, but Strowman blocks it. Strowman drops Slater and Rhyno with five consecutive Running PowerSlams.

Winner: Braun Strowman via Pinfall 

Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Kurt Angle Backstage Segment: 

Fifth Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Samoa Joe For The WWE Intercontinental Championship. If Roman Gets Disqualified, He Loses The Title 

Joe ducks a clothesline from Reigns. Joe delivers a series of left jabs. Joe drives his elbow to the back of Reigns. Joe is mauling Reigns in the corner. Reigns dishes out two clubbing haymakers. Reigns repeatedly stomps on Joe’s chest. Referee John Cone informs Reigns about the five count. Joe with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Joe follows that with a Snap Vertical Suplex. Reigns rolls himself out of the ring. Joe applies a rear chin lock. Reigns decks Joe with a Back Elbow Strike. Joe responds with a Running Shoulder Block for a two count. Joe with a Jab/Chop Combination to Reigns.

Reigns connects with a Vertical Suplex. Joe sends Reigns shoulder first to the steel ring post. Joe with the lateral press for a two count. Joe kicks Reigns in the back. Joe applies an arm-bar. Reigns creates distance with multiple forearm smashes. Reigns clotheslines Joe. Joe staggers Reigns with a Wrap Around Enzuigiri for a two count. Joe sits on Reigns back. Joe is teeing off on Reigns in the corner. Joe whips Reigns back first across the turnbuckles. Joe is talking smack to Reigns. Following a snap mare takeover, Joe applies a Modified Straight Jacket Hold.

Joe drives his knee into the midsection of Reigns. Reigns explodes out of the corner with a Running Lariat.  Reigns connects with The Never Ending Story. Reigns lands a Big Boot which sends Joe crashing to the outside. Reigns follows that with The Drive By. Reigns rolls Joe back into the ring. Reigns with the cover for a two count. Once again John Cone gets in Reigns way. Joe with a Running Body Avalanche that knocks Reigns off the ring apron. Joe delivers a Suicide Dive.

Coming out of the commercial break, Joe slaps Reigns in the face. Joe HeadButts Reigns. Reigns connects with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Reigns sets up for The SuperMan Punch. Joe rolls himself out of the ring. Reigns goes for a Flying SuperMan Punch, but Joe counters with a Palm Strike. Joe bounces Reigns head on the steel ring steps. Joe breaks up the referee’s ten count. Reigns launches Joe shoulder first to the ring steps. Joe wants Reigns to hit him with the ring steps.

Joe rakes the eyes of Reigns. Reigns clocks Joe with The Flying SuperMan Punch. Reigns follows that with another SuperMan Punch in the ring for a two count. Reigns goes for a Spear, but Joe counters with a Big Boot. Joe shoves Reigns into the referee. Reigns side steps Joe into the turnbuckles. Reigns for a third SuperMan Punch, but Joe counters with a Uranage Slam for a two count. Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch. Reigns breaks out the hold with a deep arm drag. Reigns Spears Joe to pickup the victory.

Winner: Still WWE Intercontinental Champion, Roman Reigns via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Cedric Alexander & Goldust vs. Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari 

Alexander and Daivari will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Daivari applies a wrist lock. Alexander connects with a Wrist Lock TakeDown. Alexander follows that with a Leg Scissors TakeOver. Alexander dropkicks Daivari. Alexander is distracted by Gulak. Daivari drives Alexander face first to the middle turnbuckle. Daivari applies a rear chin lock. Alexander gets back to a vertical base. Daivari drops Alexander with a straight right hand. Alexander responds with a vicious back elbow strike.

Alexander tags in Goldust. Goldust clotheslines Gulak. Goldust with a Running BullDog. Goldust knocks Daivari off the ring apron. Goldust is mauling Gulak in the corner. Goldust connects with a PowerSlam for a two count. Goldust with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Daivari. Goldust lands a Double Crossbody Block. Goldust tags in Alexander. Alexander delivers a Double SpringBoard Clothesline. Goldust tosses Daivari out of the ring. Goldust with a Drop Down Uppercut to Gulak. Alexander plants Gulak with a Lumbar Check to pickup the victory.

Winner: Cedric Alexander & Goldust via Pinfall 

Seventh Match: Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Elias and The MizTourage 

Axel and Balor will start things off. Axel applies a side headlock. Axel drives Balor back first into the turnbuckles. Axel is ramming his shoulders into the midsection of Balor. Following a snap mare takeover, Axel connects with a Running Neck Snap. Axel tags in Elias. Elias repeatedly stomps on Balor’s chest. Balor clocks Elias with a straight right hand. Elias applies an arm-bar. Balor with a Double Leg TakeDown to Elias.

Balor lands a Standing Double Stomp. Balor tags in Gallows. Gallows clotheslines Dallas. Gallows knocks Axel off the ring apron. Gallows connects with a Body Avalanche. Gallows follows that with a Big Boot. Gallows with a Running Splash for a two count. Gallows SuperKicks Dallas. Gallows uppercuts Axel. The Club delivers The Magic Killer. Balor makes the blind tag. Anderson takes Axel with a SlingShot Crossbody Block on the outside. Balor with The Coupe De Grace to pickup the victory.

Winner: Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson via Pinfall 

Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and Kane In-Ring Segment:

It appears that the New Year’s Resolution for the WWE is to stack the deck against his client. How else would you explain once again Brock Lesnar has to defend his title against challengers, plural. It used to be challenger, singular. That is not how it happens any more. It’s The Beast versus The Monster versus The Machine. You know this trick. Braun beats Kane. Brock Lesnar loses the Universal Championship. If Kane beats Braun Strowman, Brock loses the Universal Championship.

Spoiler alert, Brock will successfully defend the title at the Royal Rumble. The announcers talk about the odds when it is three people. Brock could beat all thirty men in the Royal Rumble Match individually. Brock Lesnar fears no challenge. Brock fears no challenger. Brock fears no challengers. Brock does not believe in monsters. Brock does not believe that Kane is the devil’s favorite.

Heyman had a talk with the man downstairs and his favorite is Brock Lesnar. Kane comes down tot he ring. Kane ChokeSlams Brock. Kane is talking smack to Paul Heyman. Brock sits up and mocks Kane. Brock clotheslines Kane over the top rope. The Locker Room comes out to separate both men to end the show. 

Check out Episode 86 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast

Author: Josh Lopez