Raw 1/4/2021: McIntyre vs. Lee for the WWE Championship plus a MAJOR CONFRONTATION AFTER!
Here's what's on tap for tonight's Raw:
Legends Night featuring appearances by: Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Big Show, Torrie Wilson, Booker T, Mark Henry, and more!
What's next for Randy Orton and Alexa Bliss?
WWE Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Drew McIntyre (champ)
This is the first Raw of 2021 and it's Legends Night! We're in the ThunderDome at Tropicana Field kicking the show off with a picture of a H phone in a HULKAMANIA CASE!! HOGAN IS HERE TO HYPE LEGENDS NIGHT!
We're starting things off with The Miz and John Morrison on Miz TV!! We are welcomed and Miz says this is Legends Night Miz TV!! He hypes the WWE Championship match. He says Jeff Hardy will face Randy Orton plus lots of legends tonight including Ric Flair, Torrie Wilson, Booker T, Hulk Hogan, and of course The Miz!! The crowd boos! Miz says it's the first Raw of 2021 and he's optimistic since he has the Money in the Bank briefcase back. His first guest of the new year is THE NEW DAY!! They make their way to the ring. Miz welcomes them and the New Day thank Miz and Morrison for being on their show. It's New Day Talks. Miz asks what they're doing? Kofi says he is the host and Xavier is the band leader. Miz isn't thrilled. Kofi says this is like a cookout but Miz and Morrison aren't invited. They mock Miz and Morrison. Miz asks if they're done? More mockery. Xavier is also the bailiff. Miz says this isn't Judge Judy. Kofi asks them if they have any New Year's resolutions. Morrison starts talking about his and Miz tells him he isn't happy. Kofi asks which legend would they like to go out to dinner with. Morrison says Tatanka haha. Miz is pissed now. Kofi says this is now the cooking portion of the show and Woods is the chef. Miz says ENOUGH! Miz is tired of them making a joke of his show. HERE COMES TEDDY LONG!! IT MUST BE TAG MATCH TIME PLAYA!!! NEVER MIND!! HE SAYS THEY WILL FACE THE UNDERTAKER!!! Pearce is out to say that can't happen!! NOW IT'S A TAG MATCH!! GREAT STUFF!! Teddy really saved this opening segment because it was going South quick.
The Miz (2020 Money in the Bank) & John Morrison vs. The New Day
Woods and Morrison start it off. Woods gets the upper hand and takes Morrison to there corner where he hits a pair of chops. Kofi tags in and takes down Morrison for a near fall. A kick by Kofi and Woods makes a blind tag. Double team by the New Day gets a near fall. Morrison fights back and hits a kick before tagging Miz. Miz delivers knees to Woods but misses a kick allowing Woods to roll him up. Woods takes Miz to the corner and Kofi tags in and hits a flying clothesline for a near fall. Kofi takes Miz to the mat with a head lock. Miz escapes with an elbow and follows with a shoulder block. Leap frog by Kofi and he avoids a Skull Crushing finale. Miz avoids Trouble in Paradise but Kofi takes him down with a cross body for a near fall. Woods back in as he isolates Miz. Morrison blind tags. A drop kick by Woods to Miz. Morrison takes Woods down but misses a standing shooting star. Kofi is back in now. Morrison monkey flips him but Kofi lands on his feet and taunts Morrison. Kofi hits Morrison with a kick before monkey flipping him. Miz comes in but is sent out of the ring. KOFI DIVES OVER THE TOP TO TAKE THEM OUT!! Woods gets the trombone to play us a tune as we go to a commercial.
Back from the break, Kofi takes down Morrison with a clothesline. Strikes by Kofi ending with a head butt. Morison counters and lands a couple kicks. Miz tags in and adds a kick of his own. Miz chokes Kofi across the middle rope and Morrison cheap shots him with the ref's back turned. Morrison tags back in and they double team Kofi for a near fall. Morrison grounds Kofi before taking him to the heel corner. Miz tags in and gets a near fall. Miz grounds Kofi again and works a submission. Kofi fights to his feet and turns the submission on Miz. Miz is able to keep Kofi from tagging. Kofi avoids the Figure Four and HITS SOS!! Woods and Morrison both tag in. Woods is on fire!! He cleans house. Morrison catches Woods with a forearm to the face. Woods answers with one of his own and Morrison falls on the middle rope. Kofi takes out Miz on the outside. Morrison counters Wood's tornado DDT! Miz tries a cheap pin but Kofi stops it. WOODS HITS MORRISON WITH A SHINING WIZARD FOR THE WIN!! Good back and forth here. Miz continues to look weak as a money in the bank holder.
W: The New Day via pin @ 13:14
Commentary hypes Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton for later tonight. We're shown highlights of what happened at the end of Raw last week when Orton was in the Firefly Funhouse and in Alexa's Playground.
Charly Caruso is backstage with Randy Orton. He says while holding the match last week, the voice were telling him to do it and set Bliss on fire. He says he couldn't do it. It's because when you face The Fiend, you change. Therefore, he showed Bliss compassion and he hates himself for it. Orton says there are no boundaries and he is capable of any and everything. Orton says you can imagine if he directs that hate towards someone else. Charly asks if The Fiend is coming back. He doesn't care about The Fiend. He wants to take a walk to find some legends to talk and remind them why he's the Legend Killer.
Commentary shows us how Angel Garza defeated R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship. Angel Garza is backstage talking to Alicia Fox!! Then he runs into Tatanka, Mickie James, and Sgt. Slaughter. Slaughter calls Garza a puke! Garza offers Mickie his rose but Slaughter takes his rose and calls Garza a maggot before giving the rose to Mickie.
HERE COMES AJ STYLES who declared for the Royal Rumble earlier today. He's in action next!
AJ Styles w/ Omos vs. Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker
Why are we having this match again? Anyways, Elias charges but Styles takes him to the mat. Elias gets to his feet and back suplexes but Styles counters back into a head lock. Elias to his feet and shoots Styles into the ropes. Elias turns the tide and beats down Styles in the corner. Styles is sent to the opposite corner before Elias hits a clothesline for a near fall. Styles counters in the corner and lands some elbows. Elias eats a kick but then drops Styles across the top with a stun gun. Elias press slams Styles and throws him into the turnbuckle before sending Styles out to the floor as we go to a break. You don't see a gorilla press into the top turnbuckle everyday.
We're back and Elias is punching Styles who is on the top turnbuckle. Both men trade blows and Elias goes up top with him. Styles escapes and drops Elias face first on the top turnbuckle. Elias fights back with a kick and they trade more shots. Elias wins the exchange with a choke slam!! 1...2...NO!! Knee drop by Elias and more stomps. Elias goes to the top again but Styles rolls to the other side of the ring. Styles catches Elias walking in. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm but ELIAS COUTNERS WITH A KNEE TO THE FACE!! 1...2...NO!! Elias gets Styles in an electric chair but Styles counters with a rana! Brain buster by Styles! STYLES HITS THE STYLES CLASH TO WIN IT!! Post match, Ryker comes in the ring with a guitar to attack Styles but OMOS KICKS THE GUITAR AND BREAKS IT!! A shocked Ryker bails with Elias. Better than their match last week.
W: AJ Styles via pin @ 9:42
Commentary talks about Charlotte Flair declaring her entry to the women's Royal Rumble earlier today. She plans to defy the odds again. I wouldn't say the odds were really stacked against her. Anyways....
Riddle and Big Show are backstage. Riddle pitches an idea to be the Big Bro. Riddle leaves to prepare for a match against Bobby Lashley. RANDY ORTON IS HERE! Orton talks about punting Big Show the last time they were in a ring together. Big Show says he could go right now. Orton taunts him and tells him to do something. Show backs down as Orton says he doesn't have the guts to do anything.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Charlotte Flair & Asuka (WWE Raw Women's Champion) (WWE Women's Tag Team Champions) w/ Ric Flair vs. Peyton Royce & Lacey Evans
Lacey has a hat that says "Lacey the Legend". Flair and Royce start the match. Flair knocks down Royce and Evans tags in. Flairs takes Evans to the mat but Evans fights back with an uppercut. Flair takes her down again and looks for a Figure Four but Evans gets to the ropes and bails. Royce tags herself in unbeknownst to Flair. Royce attacks and takes control. Flair is sent to the corner and Royce catches her with a kick to the face. A right hand by Royce to Asuka draws her in so the heels can double team Flair. Evans is back in but Flair fights her off and tags Asuka. Missile drop kick from Asuka. Royce tags back in. Asuka has the upper hand and hits a Hip Attack! Near fall on Royce. Asuka goes to the corner but Royce knocks her to the floor. EVANS TRIES FLIRTING WITH RIC FLAIR ON THE OUTSIDE! THIS PISSES OFF CHARLOTTE AND THEY BRAWL ON THE OUTSIDE AS WE GO TO A COMMERCIAL.
We're back with the heels double teaming Asuka in their corner. Evans works the arm of Asuka and tags Royce in who lands a kick. Asuka is sent into a corner. Then Royce throws Asuka across the ring and then back to the heel corner. Evans tags back in and locks in a chicken wing. Evans pounces Asuka's face off the mat repeatedly. Royce back in and prevents Asuka from tagging. Asuka takes out Evans on the apron before taking Royce down. Flair and Evans both tag in! Flair gives big boots to Evans and Royce! Flairs goes after the knee of Evans. Now chops by Flair. Evans avoids a slam and Royce makes a blind tag. Flair suplexes Royce as well as Evans. Asuka tags in but FLAIR HITS A MOONSAULT ON BOTH ROYCE AND EVANS!! Asuka gets a near fall on Royce. Flair tags herself back in. Asuka hits double knees to Royce and FLAIR HITS NATURAL SELECTION! Evans breaks up the pin. Evans sends Asuka to the outside and GRABS RIC BY THE TIE!! CHARLOTTE IS PISSED!! Back in the ring, Royce misses a kick but RIC TRIPS CHARLOTTE!! ROYCE CRUIFIX PINS CHARLOTTE FOR THE WIN!! Lacey kisses Flair on the cheek afterwards! Commentary says it was a miscue. CHARLOTTE GETS IN RIC'S FACE AND SAYS GET OUT OF MY BUSINESS!! CHARLOTTE TELLS RIC TO GET OUT!! Interesting twist here.
W: Peyton Royce and Lacey Evans via pin @ 12:32
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is warming up when Sheamus approaches him and asks if he's ready. JIMMY HART AND HULK HOGAN ARE HERE!! Hogan is excited about tonight's match. Hogan was going to wish him luck and is proud of McIntyre for carrying the company in trying times. Hogan says McIntyre reminds him of him. McIntyre then says how Sheamus reminds them of Hart. Sheamus says they can all get drinks later. Sheamus and Hart leave. Hogan asks what Keith Lee will do when McIntyre runs wild on him?
Non-Title Match
Riddle vs. Bobby Lashley (WWE United States Champion) w/ MVP
Riddle attacks Lashley before the bell!! The ref pulls them apart and now we officially start. Lashley is pissed. Lashley slams Riddle hard before throwing Riddle into the corner. Lashley pounds on Riddle in the corner until Riddle dumps Lashley to the floor with a triangle. They fight on the floor and Lashley lifts Riddle in a fireman's carry before running him into the ring post as we go to a commercial.
Back from the break, Lashley pounds Riddle on the mat. Commentary says Lashley has controlled throughout the break. Riddle lands a kick but Lashley hits him with a back elbow and drops him with a clothesline. Chin lock by Lashley as the crowd chants "bro". Riddle gets to his feet but Lashley sends him to the corner. They trade blows and Lashley wins the exchange. Riddle is sent to the opposite corner but avoids a Lashley charge. Lashley stays in control though. Riddle lands an overhead kick and now a series of forearms by Riddle in the corner. Lashley catches him but Riddle escapes a Dominator! BROTON BY RIDDLE!! Lashley kicks out at 1. Flash knee by Riddle but Lashley kicks out at 1 again. Riddle goes to the top but Lashley stops him. DOMINATOR BY LASHLEY!! LASHLEY LOCKS IN THE HURT LOCK!! Lashley breaks the hold because he thought Riddle tapped. RIDDLE DID TAP. However, the ref didn't see it. Lashley and MVP start to celebrate and RIDDLE ROLLS UP LASHLEY FOR THE WIN!! Riddle gets the win that should give him a title shot.
W: Riddle via pin @ 9:06
Mark Henry is backstage talking to Ricochet. Henry has a bad leg and is using a scooter to get around. He vouches for Ricochet and Ricochet thanks him. Ricochet leaves and RANDY ORTON IS HERE! Orton says he is entering the rumble and asks if Henry is but it's obvious that Henry isn't. Orton asks how fast Henry can go and Henry says hopefully fast enough to avoid Orton. Orton says he is giving Henry a pass and tells him to scoot on out of Orton's arena.
Commercial hypes NXT New Year's Evil.
We see highlights of what happened in the Riddle vs. Lashley match. Lashley is heated backstage. Charly tries to get a word with Lashley and MVP. MVP says it was a travesty. Lashley vows to punish Riddle.
Mandy Rose makes her way to the ring for a match WHEN SHAYNA BASZLER ATTACKS!! Shayna throws Mandy into the barricade multiple times. DANA BROOKE IS HERE TO CHECK ON MANDY. Dana wants an impropmtu match now!
Shayna Baszler vs. Dana Brooke
Baszler with strikes early. Baszler talks trash and Brooke sends her to the outside. Shayna rushes back in and tries the Kirifuda Clutch but DANA TURNS IT INTO A PIN FOR THE WIN!! Baszler locks the Kirifuda Clutch back in but Mandy makes the save! Mandy and Dana double team Shayna to send her packing. Poor Shayna.
W: Dana Brooke via pin @ 0:38
Backstage, Ric Flair is with Molly Holly and I.R.S when Randy Orton approaches. Orton says it's been awhile. Orton asks Flair to walk him down the aisle tonight. Flair says he'll never walk the aisle with Orton again. Orton says Flair is the dirtiest player in the game but is only relevant now because his daughter is ten times the competitor than Ric is. This Ric Flair is not the man that taught Orton everything he knows. This Flair is a pathetic, old man.
Commentary talks and shows us how Keith Lee earned his championship match tonight. Lee is warming up backstage when Riddle shows up to give him a pep talk. Lee thanks him as he continues stretching.
Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
They lock up and go to the corner. They break and Orton thumbs Hardy in the eye. Orton takes control now with a snap mare. Stomps by Orton. Orton sends Hardy to the outside and bounces his face off the announce table multiple times. Orton back suplexes Hardy on the announce table and Orton breaks the count. Orton grabs the ear of Hardy and sends him back in the ring. Near fall for Orton. Orton works the left arm of Hardy. Hardy fights back with kicks but Orton cuts him off. Hardy is sent to the corner but comes out with a clothesline. Shoulder blocks by Hardy in the corner. Orton with a boot to stop Hardy. More Orton stomps followed by a chin lock. Hardy gets to his feet and looks for the Twist of Fate but hits a neck breaker. Hardy goes up to the top but Orton rolls out of the ring. Hardy comes down from the turnbuckle and dives off the apron to take out Orton on the outside as we go to a commercial.
We're back with Orton using the chin lock. Hardy fights out but Orton takes him down for a near fall. Back to the chin lock and THEN ORTON PULLS ON THE EAR GAUGES OF HARDY!! BOTH EARS!!! Damn!!! Orton stomps Hardy some more followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Orton continues to wear down Hardy. Hardy gets to the ropes forcing a break. Hardy fights back with a jaw breaker. Orton tries a hanging DDT but Hardy escapes. Inverted atomic drop by Hardy followed by a leg drop and basement drop kick!! An elbow follows and Hardy gets a near fall. Both men trade punches now. Orton sends Hardy into the ropes but Hardy hits a clothesline and another one in the corner to Orton. Orton sends Hardy into the opposite corner but runs into an elbow. WHISPER IN THE WIND BY HARDY!!! 1...2...NO!! Hardy hits a mule kick that sends Orton to the outside. Drop kick through the ropes by Hardy. Back in the ring, Hardy goes to the top. Orton rolls out of the way again. Orton hits a boot and a HANGING DDT!! Orton sets up for the RKO but Hardy counters and with a roll up 2! HARDY GOES FOR TWIST OF FATE BUT ORTON COUTNERS WITH A RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!! IT'S OVER!! Good match with the right guy winning.
W: Randy Orton via pin @ 14:10
Backstage, the Lucha House Party is on their way to the ring when they run into Melina. She knows the lucha chant! Their match is next!
Non-Title Match
The Hurt Business (WWE Raw Tag Team Champions) w/ MVP vs. Lucha House Party
MVP joins commentary. Metalik and Shelton start it off. Shelton goes on the offensive right away. Metalik catches Shelton with a boot before picking up the pace. Metalik tries his king of the ropes offense but jumps right into a power bomb from Shelton. Cedric tags in who takes down Metalik with a clothesline for a near fall. Metalik blocks the Lumbar Check. Dorado tags in and hits Cedric with a rana but Cedric quickly hits a Michinoku Driver. MVP calls Cedric his pitbull. Cedric goes on the aggressive with multiple punches. Dorado fires back and hits a spring board stunner! Shelton tags in and takes out Metalik on the apron. Cedric tags himself in to beat on Dorado. Shelton tags himself back in. They appear to NOT be on the same page as they begin arguing. Dorado back drops Cedric out of the ring and PINS SHELTON WITH A CRUCIFIX!! MVP is pissed as Shelton is shocked. Shelton and Cedric argue on the outside as MVP plays peacemaker. MVP says they win as a team. I don't like the arguing between them as the group has been one of the bright spots of Raw in recent months.
W: Lucha House Party via pin @ 2:53
Torrie Wilson and Nikki Cross talk backstage when 24/7 Champion Angel Garza approaches Torrie with a rose. Torrie isn't wild about it but she invited Garza to go see Cardi B down the hall and give the rose to her. Angel Garza goes to find her but runs into the Boogeyman!! This scares Garza and R-TRUTH SWOOPS IN TO WIN THE 24/7 CHAMIONSHIP!! Truth celebrates and leaves with Torrie and Nikki!! Ron Simmons is here to shake his head. DAMN!!!
WWE Championship Match
Drew McIntyre (champ) vs. Keith Lee
All of the legends from tonight are on the stage to watch the match. I don't like McIntyre coming out first but oh well. They lock up and go to the ropes. Clean break. Lee powers McIntyre into the ropes but we get another clean break. McIntyre gets a hold of Lee's head and cranks the neck. Off the ropes they go and both men collide but neither budge. Off the ropes again and Lee botches a leap frog but recovers in order to take McIntyre off his feet with a shoulder block. They shove each other and McIntyre slaps Lee!! Kicks and punches by McIntyre takes Lee to the corner. McIntyre tries an Irish whip but Lee blocks. Lee hits a huge forearm that send McIntyre out of the ring! Lee waits for McIntyre who gets back in the ring. Lee wants a test of strength but McIntyre lands a kick taking Lee down to a knee. McIntyre grounds Lee and stomps. McIntyre chops Lee in the corner. Off the ropes they go and Lee clothesline McIntyre out of the ring! They trade blows and LEE POUNCES MCINTYRE OVER THE BARRICADE!! Commercial time.
We're back in the ring where Lee targets the ribs of McIntyre. Lee delivers some body shots in the corner. McIntyre tries to create some distance but Lee delivers shoulders to McIntyre's midsection. McIntyre tries to fight back with kicks but Lee floors with a big shot. Stomp by Lee for a near fall. Punches by McIntyre with no effect. Lee slams McIntyre for another near fall. Lee continues to dish out punishment with another slam for a near fall. The legends are still watching. Lee sends McIntyre to the corner but misses a charge. McIntyre blocks Grizzly Magnum and fires back with shots. McIntyre tries a belly to belly but Lee blocks. Another attempt by McIntyre is blocked and Lee picks him up. McIntyre sends him to the corner and THIS TIME HITS THE BELLY TO BELLY!! Neck breaker by McIntyre who kips up! McIntyre sets up for the Claymore but Lee moves. Lee goes to pick up McIntyre but McIntyre gets a crucifix pin for a near fall. McIntyre runs into a spine buster by Lee!! 1...2...NO!! McIntyre rolls to the outside. Lee follows. MCINTYRE PULLS LEE OFF THE APRON AND POWER BOMBS HIM INTO THE CORNER OF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!! Damn that looked like it hurt. Another commercial.
Back from the break, McIntyre goes to the top and clotheslines Lee from the top to get a near fall! Lee avoids a Future Shock DDT and hits Grizzly Magnum! Big clothesline from Lee. Near fall for Lee. Lee goes for a clothesline but McIntyre counters and tries a back slide. Lee won't allow it and flips McIntyre over. McIntyre HITS THE FUTURE SHOCK DDT!! 1...2...NO!! McIntyre goes to the top and Lee goes up to meet him with a head butt. They battle for position. SPANISH FLY BY LEE!! HOLY SHIT!! Lee appeared to land on his head! 1...2....NO!!! Lee sets up for a Spirit Bomb but McIntyre avoids it and hits a spine buster!! 1...2...NO!! McIntyre sets up for the Claymore but Lee catches his foot. Lee lifts McIntyre for a Spirit Bomb but McIntyre slides off his shoulders. MCINTYRE RUNS THE ROPES AND DUCKS A CLOTHESLINE!! CLAYMORE!!! IT'S OVER!! McIntyre retains!! Fantastic match!! Standing ovation from the legends!
W: Drew McIntyre via pin @ 21:14
Post match, McIntyre shows respect to Lee and they fist bump.
McIntyre grabs and mic and HERE COMES GOLDBERG!!! McIntyre offers a handshake but Goldberg calls for a mic. He says he was in the back and couldn't think of a better representative to be WWE Champion. He says McIntyre has size and speed but there is one thing McIntyre doesn't have. That's respect! Goldberg says McIntyre looks at the legends are washed up, tired old men and women. (Except McIntyre hadn't said anything yet) Goldberg says McIntyre thinks in his prime he is better than the legends in their prime. Goldberg claims McIntyre thinks none of the legends are a threat and that's where Goldberg steps in. GOLDBERG CHALLENGES MCINTYRE FOR A WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE. McIntyre says fighting Goldberg would be like fighting his dad, mate! McIntyre's music hits and GOLDBERG SHOVES MCINTYRE DOWN! End Show.
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