WWE RAW Results: 12-15-14
Results courtesy of
PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here like the can of milk in the supermarket.
23 minutes of Jericho, Heyman, Rollins and Cena. Need I say more? They said plenty...
1 -- IC champion CHRIS JERICHO & ERICK ROWAN vs. BIG SHOW & LUKE HARPER
The wrestlers sported a few bandages and athletic tape to serve as "selling the effects" of TLC matches last night. Cole relayed Ziggler's same speech after previous IC Title wins that he is determined to make the title mean something. Ziggler started the match, but Show knocked him out of the ring with a big shoulder tackle. On the floor, Show drove Ziggler into a barricade to continue taking advantage of Jericho being hurt from TLC. Jericho made it back into the ring just before a ten count, then Cole sent the show to commercial.
Back from break, Harper was working on Ziggler. Enter Big Show to drop an elbow for a nearfall. As Show slowed the pace, WWE went to a split-screen photo gallery from Ziggler vs. Luke Harper in the IC Title ladder match last night. Ziggler finally broke free on Harper and tagged in Rowan, who ran over his former Wyatt teammate. Rowan hit a Full Nelson Slam on Rowan, then the action broke down.
Ziggler and Harper fought to the floor, then Ziggler clotheslined Harper over the announce table. Back in the ring, Show waited for Rowan to turn around, then he promptly dropped him with the KO Punch. Show pinned Rowan for the win as everyone recovered on the floor.
WINNERS: Show & Harper at 9:59. Well, Big Show is being kept strong for Roman Reigns and Rowan is apparently expendable right now. For a character that has a 143 IQ, he's not very bright with his match strategy against Show. And, oh yeah, there was Dolph Ziggler quickly moved to after-thought status.
2 -- BELLA TWINS (Divas champion NIKKI BELLA & BRIE BELLA) vs. ALICIA FOX & NATALYA (w/Tyson Kidd)
Back from break, Natalya and Alicia Fox were in the ring and the bell sounded. Nikki quickly smashed Natalya off the ring apron right in front of Kidd, then Fox tried to fight back on behalf of Natalya. Brie and Natalya tagged in, so Natalya shoved Brie into Nikki on the ring apron. Nattie followed with the Sharpshooter on Brie for a tap out.
Post-match, Kidd was ringside checking on Nikki, then Natalya spotted Kidd tending to Nikki ringside. Kidd got caught, so he quickly scampered back into the ring to over-hype Natalya as the winner.
WINNERS: Natalya & Fox at 2:06.
Highlight Reel with Jericho starring Rusev and Ryback.
3 -- NEW DAY (BIG E. & XAVIER WOODS w/Kofi Kingston) vs. RHODES BROS. (GOLDUST & "STARDUST" CODY RHODES)
Xavier had the assignment tonight, sending Kofi to the announce table to address JBL's cynical questions about them hiding something being too happy. Kofi said they are all about positivity and having a good time in the ring. Kofi flipped it on JBL, asking why he's so mad when he lives in Bermuda. In the ring, Cody flew into Big E.'s arms for a power move. Xavier tagged in to continue working on Cody as the focus was on Big E. sweating a lot. Cole acted serious asking Kofi if he's talked to Big E. about the problem. New Day cleared the Rhodes Bros. to the floor, which sent Raw to break.
Back from break, Cole said they're "having a blast" at ringside with Kofi. In the ring, Big E. was selling and taking a beating from the Rhodes Brothers. Kofi kept the focus on the match, where Big E. prepared to make a comeback, but he walked into a spinebuster from Goldust for a two count. Back to the Rhodes Bros. working over Big. Kofi tried to make the TV audience care about Big E. making a comeback, but the live crowd was disinvested, chanting for C.M. Punk. Then, "NXT." JBL embraced the chant by noting Big E. is a former NXT champion.
Big E. finally broke free and smashed Cody with a clothesline. "Yes!" Kofi exclaimed. "C'mon, baby!" Big E. crawled across the ring and tagged in Xavier after Goldust tagged in for Cody. Xavier delivered offense to boos, then scored with a rolling clothesline. But, Cody provided a distraction that allowed Goldust to powerslam Xavier to a crowd pop and a nearfall. The vocal portion of the audience has turned on the face team after turning on the match.
After the Rhodes Bros. found themselves on the floor, Xavier flew over the top rope with a splash to both brothers. Back in the ring, Big E. tagged in to combine with Xavier for their combination Midnight Hour. Kofi excitedly said they got this as Big E. scored the win. JBL said that made him sick. He said they're hiding something.
WINNERS: New Day at 13:31. I took this more as the crowd rejecting WWE's mid-card than the New Day act, itself. Although, an argument could be made that the vocal males turned on New Day because it's a one-dimensional act on the road to being nauseating.
4 -- KANE vs. ADAM ROSE (w/The Rosebuds)
Rose held control early on, but Kane cut him off and the crowd somewhat cheered. Kane wanted a chokeslam on Rose, but The Bunny hopped into the ring, so Kane delivered a double chokeslam. The vile heel, Kane, pinned Rose as Lawler chuckled on commentary. That about captured the tone of this. Kane wasn't done, though, as he grabbed The Bunny and gave the mascot a Tombstone to "Yes!" chants. Kane took off, then Rose rolled back into the ring to check on The Bunny. Ringside, the announcers laughed it up.
WINNER: Kane at 1:27. Seriously, what tone does WWE want for this? Just happy fun time where it doesn't matter if the audience is supposed to like Rose and dislike Kane, or vice versa? Hard for Kane to benefit anyone as a monster to be conquered if he's positioned as the likable figure in a joke match.
5 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. PAUL HEYMAN -- Street Fight
Heyman accepted his fate, then said he'll prove he's not the guy they portray him as on TV. After all, he doesn't understand why Jericho wants to get in a fight with ... Brock Lesnar. After a pause, Lesnar's music played to bring out the WWE World Hvt. champion returning to Raw with eyes on Jericho. Heyman confidently looked toward the ring entrance as Lesnar made his way down to the ring before circling the ring. No sign of the title belt, by the way, which was kind of fitting.
Lesnar circled all the way around the ring, then bounced up and down ringside. Lesnar, dressed in track pants and a new sleeveless t-shirt, hopped into the ring before going face-to-face with Jericho. No sign of Cena. Jericho tried to strike first, but Lesnar shook him off, shook off a Codebreaker attempt, and dropped Jericho with an F5. Lesnar proudly stood over Jericho with Heyman by his side, then the pro-Cena fans picked up a "Cena, Cena" chant. Instead, Lesnar's music played and he bailed with Heyman following close behind.
WINNER: No match. It's going to be odd to see Cena later in the show when he had a chance to run out during this segment to get his hands on Lesnar and save a fellow babyface. Same with Roman Reigns last week disappearing after winning his Slammy when top heels and faces fought one segment later to end the show. Either WWE recognizes they cannot explain the Disappearing Top Star Phenomenon as the heels get the upperhand or they believe it's not worth drawing attention to it in favor of focusing on who's in the ring.
Fandango mocks Jericho, Reigns comes in and punches him, Big Show appears and tries to intervene.
5 -- JIMMY USO (w/Jey Uso) vs. WWE tag champion THE MIZ (w/WWE tag champ Damien Sandow)
Once the bell sounded, Miz bailed from the ring and the crowd chanted for Sandow. Miz bailed again and the crowd continued to chant for Sandow. Miz then re-entered the ring and acted tough, but he bailed for a third time. Jimmy finally got his hands on Miz with a scoopslam, but the crowd was still more into Sandow. Backstage, Naomi was watching the match on a monitor.
Miz bailed to the outside again, and this time he caught Jimmy on the floor. Sandow kind of moved around the ringside area and bumped into Miz, who lightly shoved him and shot him a look. Sandow calmed down and went back to mimicking Miz, including bridging himself on the floor as Miz went for a bridge submission in the ring.
Miz took a moment to pose, so Jimmy clotheslined him to the floor. Sandow tumbled to the ground, too, then Jimmy rolled Miz back into the ring to pin him for a two count. Jimmy followed with a Samoan Drop, then Sandow entered the ring, looked at the situation, and threw himself down to the mat. The referee tried to restore order, so Jey kicked Miz in the gut from the outside. The crowd didn't like that, then Jimmy took advantage by coming off the top with a Superfly Splash to Miz for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Jimmy at 6:14. WWE tried to set up justification for a babyface, Jey, cheating from the outside with Miz going after Jimmy's wife and Miz & Sandow getting themselves DQ'ed in the Tag Title match last night. But, the booking is so inconsistent and the crowd cares more about Sandow than the Usos that WWE can't pull it off effectively where the audience says, "Yeah, stick it to Miz!" Instead, they were more amused by Sandow and more disappointed that he didn't wrestle tonight.
6 -- JOHN CENA vs. SETH ROLLINS (w/Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble) -- Steel Cage match
As the bell sounded, Cole emphasized the "through the door" method of escaping the cage. As soon as the bell sounded, Rollins tried to run up the cage wall and escape, but Cena pulled him down to begin the match. A dueling "Let's Go Cena / Cena Sucks" chant rang out in the arena as Rollins took control. Credit JBL for putting a reason why this match is in a cage - to keep J&J Security out of the match after they interfered throughout the Tables match last night. But, because that's too 'rasslin, WWE has not emphasized that aspect of why they're having a cage match in favor of just adding something to a match-up that was on PPV last night.
Rollins tried to escape through the cage door two minutes in, but Cena tried to pull him back inside the cage. Rollins got his hand on the steel steps, but Cena pulled him back inside and the cage door was shut closed. Rollins maintained control of the match heading to break.
Back live, Cena and Rollins were selling the effects of the match thus far. Rollins stood up first to stand over Cena as Cole drew attention to their physical tables match last night. On cue, Cena did his customary comeback, but took a kick to the face when he leaned over for You Can't See Me. Cena finished it moments later with a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena followed with an AA in the middle of the ring after bumping Mercury off the side of the cage, but Rollins kicked out. A graphic flashed on the screen reminding viewers of Smackdown live tomorrow night on USA Network.
Cena then tried to crawl out of the cage door, but Noble stood on the ring steps to block the cage door from being opened. Cena smiled, then walked over to the door and bumped Noble down to the ground. But, Rollins grabbed Cena from behind and set him up for a superplex. Cena blocked, then nailed a guillotine leg drop, but Rollins kicked out again. Lawler offered logic that Cena could have just turned around and walked out the door, but Cole said the ref had already re-locked the cage door. Is there a limit on the number of times the door can be opened?
Cena tried to climb a cage wall, but Rollins pulled him down to the mat. Cena wanted another AA, but Rollins blocked. Rollins then came off the cage wall with a knee to the face for a two count. Rollins shouted down at Cena that this is what he asked for, then he threw Cena face-first into a cage wall. Rollins continued to talk down to Cena, telling him he's going to pay. Rollins chucked Cena into the cage wall again, then the crowd picked up a dueling chant of "Let's Go Rollins / Let's Go Cena."
Rollins tried to end Cena with a third cage toss, but Cena reversed and Seth ate the cage wall. Both men on the mat selling the effects. Cena tried to crawl across the ring to escape through the door, but Mercury showed up to slam the cage door near Cena's face. Cena fell backwards and Seth covered him for a two count, only. Ringside, Mercury sold frustration while also bleeding from the eyebrow.
Reset at 15:00 with Cena surprising Seth with the STF, but Seth crawled toward the cage door. J&J tried to yank Seth out of the ring, but Cena pulled him back into the ring on the tug-of-war spot. Before the door was closed, J&J tossed Rollins's MITB briefcase inside the cage. Seth picked it up and measured Cena for a case shot, but Cena ducked and clotheslined Seth hard to the mat. Both men sold on the mat.
Reset at 17:00 with the two men trading bombs. Cena wanted an AA, but Rollins flipped onto his feet and smashed Cena in the mouth with the briefcase, but Cena kicked out of a pin. Rollins freaked out after being unable to finish Cena, then he decided to use his energy reserve to climb over the cage wall. Seth got halfway over, but Cena got up and grabbed him. Noble and Mercury were helpless at ringside as Cena dragged Seth back inside the cage, put him on his shoulders standing on the top turnbuckle, and delivered a super AA. Cena could not make a cover, though, after the move took everything out of him.
After a few replays of the super AA, Brock Lesnar's music played. J&J decided to take off, then Lesnar showed up with Heyman and ... the WWE World Title belt. Cole said both Cena and Seth are dead meat inside the cage. Lesnar promptly entered the cage and took out Cena with German Suplexes. Then, an F5. Heyman returned the title belt to Lesnar, then extended his hand to Rollins, who forced a smile and received the shake. Cole stammered a question about whether they're all in cahoots, while Lawler wondered if Seth has just sold out to form another alliance.
Once Lesnar and Heyman took off, the match continued with Seth measuring Cena for a Curb Stomp. Seth delivered it, then kind of hobbled toward the MITB briefcase. (Cena protected from taking a pinfall.) Seth picked up the case, then walked toward the cage door. "You can do it, Seth!" Noble shouted. Seth put one foot in front of the other, walked slowly down the ring steps, and hit the floor to win the match. Lawler declared that Seth Rollins has defeated John Cena in a steel cage match.
Post-match, JBL wondered if it's a master plan. Cole wondered if Heyman came up with the plan on the fly, or if Seth figured this all out. Lawler said whether it was pre-meditated or happened on the fly, it happened. Back inside the cage, Cena woke up and sold the effects of the match. On the stage, Seth was hoisted in the air by J&J as Raw signed off 10 minutes past the top of the hour.
WINNER: Rollins at 23:30. Pretty good cage match until they compromised the purpose of a cage match, which seems to be the case in most WWE cage matches. It's difficult for anyone to get excited about a cage match when the expectation is something screwy instead of settling/resolving an issue. But, they did reinforce Seth as a top heel to make up for not being in the Rumble main event. Trying to trace back through the Creative of Heyman/Shield/Rollins over the last two years will make your head explode trying to determine if they're going for long-term collusion here, so it's best to just assume the association was on the fly and formed out of convenience until further notice.
