RAW was interesting, to say the least. We were setting up for the final special of the year, Saturday Night Main Event in New York.
The Royal Rumble is listed for February 1st, which is interesting, especially to see who might return and who is making an appearance. Elimination Chamber is the final PLE before Wrestlemania.
CM Punk opened the show tonight, talking about the Survivor Series and the possible favours he has in hand. Seth Rollins came out with the set-up for a feud between the two. I’m not sure how long this will last, but if you remember, Seth was not happy when Punk returned at the 2024 Survivor Series. Jey and Sami came out to break things up, creating a match between Sami and Seth for the Main Event.
Damage Control faced Liv Morgan/Raquel who got the win but with Live/Raquel starting a beatdown on Iyo and Kari, Rhea came out to help but Liv/Raquel went after Rhea. Next week on RAW, Raquel will have a match with Rhea.
Gunther had a chat with Kathy Kelly when Finn showed up demanding a title shot. Claiming that he helped Gunther keep his belt. Later on, Dom had a match with Gunther but lost in the end. Finn got his title match for Saturday Night’s Masin Event but Adam Pearce told Finn that there needs to be a discussion on the Tag Team Titles. (Chatter is that Damien Preist will return with Bad Bunny for a tag team run, take the Tag Titles from Finn and J.D.)
Dakota Kai wins the qualifying match for the Intercontentional Ladies Title.
It was supposed to be a special celebration of The New Day 10 years together but it fell flat as they kicked out Big E because he would not work through the injury he has. There is still no word if E can return or how this storyline might play out. Time will tell how things will go.
Sami and Seth Met for the Main Event of the night, Seth eventually got the win but Sami got taken out after Seth left the ring. To everyone’s surprise, it was the return of Drew McIntyre. I’m not sure how this will play out or why Sami. Is it still all about CM Punk? Only time will tell at this point.
**SMACKDOWN
The show opened with a recap of what happened at Survivor Series.
Cody is on his way to the ring. Talking about his match against Kevin Owens on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Chad Gable with American Made. Chad runs his mouth, getting his way for a match later in the evening.
Triple threat match for the right to compete in the Semi-final of the Women’s United States Championship Title match. Elektra Lopez and Naomi join Tiffany Stratton. The semi-finals will see Bayley facing Chelsea Green and Michin versus Tiffany Stratton.
Street Profits attacked taking them out of the Title match for the Smackdown Men’s Tag Belts. DIY will take on Motor City Machine Guns later in the show. I am not sure why the title changed but it happened. DIY are your new Smackdown Men’s Tag Champions.
Bianca Belair faced Piper Niven. Chelsea Green was at ringside to help but Bianca held her own for the win. I have no clue how but she pulled it off. Chelsea stuck her nose in, working on Bianca while Piper had the Ref occupied. (There is chatter that it was Charlotte who attacked Jade Cargill)
Michael Cole had to go out to Kevin Owen’s car to conduct an interview.
The main event was Cody Rhodes taking on Chad Gable. American Made tried to interfere but the ref tossed them from ringside. Chad did a real number on Cody’s ankle but it was Cody who found some reserve to overpower Chad for the win. Kevin Owens did show up, going after the ankle that Chad had worked on most of the match, trying to injure Cody even more before their match on the 14th at Saturday Night Main Event
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