If this week’s RAW was just about Piper’s Pit and Hulk Hogan as Santa Claus, it would have been cool, but add in a deep card and plenty of moments that’ll play a huge part in the development of the Royal Rumble and this was a damn good episode of RAW.
Simply put, between the John Cena/Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler/Luke Harper match ups, the solid in-ring performances led the way. The Bray Wyatt.Dean Ambrose main event was no slouch either and the Piper’s Pit segment, coupled with Roman Reigns’ win over Big Show and Nattie Neidhart’s surprise win over Brie Bella made sure that the mid-card was developed for the future as well.
Matches:
Seth Rollins w/Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury: vs. John Cena: Rollins set the tone early with a Blockbuster and got plenty of help on the outside from Mercury and Noble, but couldn’t put Cena away. Although Cena attempted a comeback, Rollins kept the pressure on with a Suicide Dive and a nasty Super Kick while Cena was on his knees. After a failed Attitude Adjustment, Cena was unable to hit a Five-Knuckle Shuffle and Rollins countered with an Enzigieri. But after a sit-out Powerbomb, Cena began to mount his first legitimate comeback. After a Belly-to-Back Suplex, Cena hit the Five-Knuckle Shuffle and sent Rollins to the outside. After the Sicilian Slice, Cena got his first near-fall of the match. Rollins quickly answered back with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb, but couldn’t put Cena away either. After Rollins went for the Curb Stomp, Cena countered into the STFU and after Noble and Mercury interfered, Cena hit a Double AA on both Mercury and Noble and finished off Rollins with the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Fandango w/Rosa Mendez vs. Jack Swagger: “The Real American†was in control, but after a few kicks on the apron, Fandango was able to hit the stunned Swagger with the Top Rope Leg Drop for the win.
R-Truth vs. Adam Rose w/Bunny: After a dance-off gone wrong, Truth Rolled Up Rose for the win. After Bunny tried to calm down Rose, Rose nailed with the Spinebuster and an onslaught on the the outside.
The Big Show vs. Big Show: A Superman Punch on the outside sent Show over the announce table and caused Show to get a livid Show counted out to earn Reigns the victory.
Brie Bella w/Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Natalya Neidhart w/Tyson Kidd: Neidhart missed an opportunity with the Sharpshooter, but used the School Boy to get the win over Brie. After the match, Neidhart made sure Nikki couldn’t protect her sister, sending her flying off the apron with a knee.
Stardust and Goldust vs. El Torito, Diego and Fernando: A disaster. A travesty. Torito got the win with the Lionsault on Goldust.
Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper: Ziggler took a huge beating before the match, but even a Super Kick and Seated Powerbomb from Harper could put him away. Harper continued to dominate with various Suplexes and strikes and a Michinoku Driver, but Ziggler continued to kick out. Harper proved his moxie later completely fighting off a Super Kick and nearly winning with the Discus Clothesline. Ziggler fought back with a Fameasser to get a near-fall, but Harper wasn’t done yet either. Two Super Kicks and a Zig-Zag later though and Ziggler was the winner.
Santa’s Helper Six-Man Tag: Alicia Fox, Emma and Naomi vs. Cameron, Summer Rae and Paige: After some back and forth, Fox got the win with a version of The PlayMaker.
WWE Tag Team Champion The Miz w/Damien Sandow vs. Jey Uso w/Jimmy Uso: All Miz needed was a handful of tights to secure the win with a Rollup.
34th Street Street Fight: Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose: A hardcore epic that included Christmas trees, tables, TVs and Kendo sticks. The battle continued up the ramp where Wyatt sent Ambrose through a table after the Lunatic fringe missed with a chair. Once back in the ring, Ambrose got the advantage with a Bulldog, but quickly went back to the Kendo Stick. After a few strikes, Ambrose used the Steel Chair from the second rope for a near-fall. Ambrose then added the ladder into equation, but Wyatt spider-walked into Ambrose and hit the Urinage for a near-fall of his own. Ambrose fought back again and hit his Signature Standing Elbow Drop, but Wyatt kicked out and then slammed Ambrose’s face into the Kendo Stick propped out of the turnbuckle for the win. After the bell however, Ambrose sprayed Wyatt with a fire extinguisher and Elbow Dropped him through a table on the outside to end the show.
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