WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Dec. 1
The Dec. 1 edition of WWE Raw provided a clearer picture of what to expect at TLC.
Big Show continued to collide with Erick Rowan. The Usos earned the right to face The Miz and Damien Mizdow. A computer announced John Cena's opponent at the pay-per-view.
Monday's Raw was utilitarian in a way, building the upcoming event's card, but not doing it in particularly memorable fashion. Stories moved along, but not with a great amount of spark.
There was no must-see match on Monday's show. Instead, fans got to see a range of talent from The Bunny to Bray Wyatt do solid-but-unremarkable work in the ring.
Anarchy to Open the Night
1 of 10
By way of Michael Cole, the anonymous Raw general manager said it was not happy. Cole didn't make it all the way through the email before John Cena entered.
Cena recounted the Survivor Series main event. The computer began to beep. Cena said he wouldn't let a computer take over Raw.
Just as the former world champ closed the computer, Seth Rollins and his security team walked out to the ring. Rollins said that Cena didn't actually win at Survivor Series; Sting was the real reason for Team Cena's victory.
Mr. Money in the Bank wondered about the stability of Raw without The Authority. He told Cena that he had to bring the recently ousted faction back to power.
Cena asked Rollins to ask nicely and then get on his knees. Cole interrupted, announcing that Cena vs. Rollins in a Tables match at TLC with that stipulation that Cena's No. 1 contendership would be on the line.
Kane and Rollins ambushed Kane, the latter pulling out a table. Ryback cut off the attack, flattening all the heels. Chaos soon erupted; Erick Rowan, Big Show, Dolph Ziggler and Luke Harper all charged in, each man attacking his rivalry.
When things died down, Rollins and his security powerbombed Cena through a table.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"You know what I love about the anonymous general manager? Nothing."—Cena.
"You got bad jokes for days, man."—Rollins.
"Your trump card is gone."—Cena to Rollins.
Grade
B-
Analysis
The talking portion of the segment went on for a long time. It didn't help that Rollins and Cena didn't have good chemistry. The script WWE handed them dragged them down as well.
Cena telling Rollins to ask him nicely was an awkward, uninteresting moment.
Once the fight broke out, things got more interesting. Although the scene favored chaos over clarity, it helped boost all the feuds involving all those Superstars.
Rollins vs. Cena is an excellent idea; making it a Tables match is less so. Harper is a good opponent for Ziggler for now, but WWE has to eventually make more use of his accomplishment at Survivor Series. If he doesn't slide up the card some, his victory will have been wasted.
Tag Team Turmoil Match (No. 1 Contender Status on the Line)
2 of 10Goldust and Stardust battled Kofi Kingston and Big E of The New Day to begin the bout.
Stardust went on the offensive first, but he soon succumbed to Kingston and Big E. The powerhouse held Stardust over his shoulder, setting up a double-team move version of Big Ending where Kingston came flying in from the top rope. It was enough to keep Stardust down for three.
Cesaro and Tyson Kidd entered next.
The heels grounded Kingston. Kidd strutted too early, though, allowing Kingston to tag in Big E. The big man went on a flurry, including a double clothesline that sent his foes flying off the apron.
Kidd managed to take advantage of a distraction from Goldust and Stardust soon after. He pinned Kingston for the three-count.
The Usos were up next.
The King of Swing made Jey Uso his victim early on. He suplexed him onto the mat and pounded him with uppercuts.
It took Jimmy Uso coming in to reverse the brothers' fortune. Jimmy knocked Kidd out with a kick to the chin, allowing Jey to finish him off with a splash.
The final team, The Bunny and Adam Rose, took its place in the ring. Tension between them ruined their chances. While they bickered in the corner, Jimmy swooped in with a superkick. A splash from Jey completed the victory.
Result
The Usos win the Tag Team Turmoil match.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Kingston lands on his feet after Stardust monkey-flips him.
Big E hurls Kingston out of the ring onto Kidd and Cesaro.
Jimmy Uso superkicks Kidd in midair.
Grade
B-
Analysis
The Tag Team Turmoil format created a number of mini-matches, none of which were anything memorable. It looked to be a showcase for The New Day early on, but instead it served as the starting point for a feud against Goldust and Stardust.
That's a promising feud as is the one between The Usos and the tag champs.
JBL hurt the drama of this bout as he didn't know how many teams there were in total. He claimed The Usos winners before Rose and The Bunny came out.
Cesaro and Kidd look good as a team. That's definitely an option worth revisiting.
Big Show vs. Erick Rowan
3 of 10
Backstage, Tom Phillips interviewed Erick Rowan. He noted that he had done some research and found out that Rowan is a borderline genius, a guitar virtuoso and an award-winning winemaker.
Rowan soon found himself suffering at the end of Big Show's boots. The World's Largest Athlete pounded on Rowan, clotheslining him to the mat and wrenching his arm.
Fighting back, Rowan tossed Big Show out of the ring. He nailed a forearm shot that thundered through the arena. His advantage didn't last long, though.
Big Show smashed Rowan with the ring steps, leaving his foe writing on the floor. The giant walked away smirking.
Result
Rowan wins via disqualification.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"I'll show him what kind of mean nasty giant I am."—Big Show.
Grade
B+
Analysis
Consider this just the sampling of what to expect between these two bruisers. Rowan and Big Show's future battles won't be technical clinics, but fans can count on intensity and brute force.
They displayed good chemistry together here. Surprisingly, Rowan as a babyface is working. He generated some empathy when he was on the defensive.
Should they get an official bout at TLC, which looks inevitable at this point, they'll have an excellent shot of stealing the show.
Fandango vs. Jack Swagger
4 of 10
After a sultry dance with Rosa Mendes, Fandango waited for Jack Swagger to enter. The patriot never did.
Swagger attended to Zeb Colter backstage, the manager clearly suffering from an attack.
Result
Fandango wins by forfeit.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
None
Grade
Incomplete
Analysis
This was only a setup for the continued issues between Swagger and Rusev. Fandango does get something to brag about, but he gets used here as just a prop.
Even with the gimmick tweak, the ballroom dancer is struggling to be relevant.
Feuding with Swagger is a sideways move for Rusev, but as good as their previous clashes were, revisiting their rivalry will be fun.
Rusev Boasts
5 of 10
Lana angrily addressed the crowd. She called Rusev brave for refusing to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag and dubbed him the best U.S. champ America has ever seen.
Rusev hinted that he was the one to attack Swagger.
With a smile stretched across her face, Lana pledged allegiance to the Russian flag and to Vladimir Putin. Swagger charged in, taking Rusev down.
The fight pulled both men out of the ring where Swagger sent Rusev crashing into the security barricade. A cluster of referees tried to pull off the enraged American.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"For those who don't listen, like Zeb Colter, have been broken."—Rusev.
Grade
A-
Analysis
WWE is still clicking with Rusev. Even with an old opponent opposite him, a buzzing energy surrounds him.
His and Lana's shtick is often the same note, but it's an effective one.
It's easy to get riled up hearing those two speak. Adding a personal element to the Rusev vs. Swagger feud certainly adds to it, but it's not as thrilling as seeing him take on new opposition.
Damien Mizdow vs. Fernando
6 of 10
The Miz sat in on commentary as Damien Mizdow and Fernando clashed.
Mizdow evaded the bullfighter's high-flying moves. He then flung him to the ground and slapped on the figure-four leglock. That was too much for one-half of Los Matadores.
After the match, Jimmy Uso hurried out and slapped The Miz off his feet.
Result
Mizdow wins via submission.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"No one can take my spotlight. Look at me, I'm filled with gold."—The Miz.
"The figure-four, the move I made famous."—The Miz.
Grade
C
Analysis
The Miz nailed it on commentary. He was by far the biggest highlight, both during the match and afterward when he took a nasty slap to "the moneymaker." Mizdow aping The Miz post-slap was fun as well.
It's the match itself that was harder to enjoy.
It felt like it was just filler before the moment that followed it. There was little that wowed in the short contest.
The Miz and Mizdow's collisions with The Usos will have far more electricity.
R-Truth vs. Bray Wyatt
7 of 10Bray Wyatt dominated. He ran over R-Truth and then clamped his arm around his head, all while grinning.
The speedy R-Truth stormed back, but after a just a handful of offensive moves, Wyatt regained control. He planted R-Truth on the canvas.
After prowling around him, Wyatt finished R-Truth with Sister Abigail.
The Eater of Worlds wasn't done, though. He tossed steel chairs into the ring, screaming for Dean Ambrose.
Wyatt set up a ladder and then spoke amid darkness. He talked about the ladder and dreams. Ambrose soon interrupted him, the two slugging it outside the ring.
Ambrose smashed Wyatt atop the announce table and then climbed a ladder. Referees stopped him at first, but The Lunatic Fringe flew at his enemy.
When Wyatt retreated, Ambrose broke apart the cult leader's rocking chair. Wyatt looked hurt by the act, showing signs of vulnerability.
Result
Wyatt wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"This guy is the stuff nightmares are made of."—Jerry Lawler on Wyatt.
"I look down at his world, and I foolishly laugh at all the vile creatures that he has created."—Wyatt.
"Can you imagine when there's not a herd of referees to stop Dean Ambrose."—JBL.
Grade
C+ (match); A- (aftermath)
Analysis
Wyatt's manhandling of R-Truth was expected and works to give him momentum before TLC. The real intrigue occurred after the bell.
There is still not enough focus regarding what Wyatt is after. Still, he remains a mystifying force on the mic, and his feud with Ambrose is bettered by the escalation of intensity. If Wyatt's chair is indeed his weakness, this is something WWE needs to explore more.
Much like Undertaker's urn, it could be a talisman of power and a way to open up WWE's narrative options.
The Bella Twins vs. AJ Lee and Naomi
8 of 10
Fans voted on the WWE App for Naomi to team with AJ Lee.
The former Funkadactyl took the bulk of the punishment early. Brie Bella ran into her. Nikki Bella yanked her head backward.
Naomi slipped away long enough to make a tag. AJ then steamrolled over the sisters, capping off a flurry with a tornado DDT.
The match soon unraveled, each Diva getting involved. When the ring cleared, AJ forced Nikki to tap out with the Black Widow.
Result
AJ and Naomi win via submission.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Nikki and Brie briefly show a crack in their alliance, the former shouting at the latter.
Grade
C-
Analysis
It's still not clear why Brie forgave her sister for abusing her for the last month. That is hurting this story. Minimal ring time and little added to the rivalry doesn't help either.
There needs to be more focus on how much losing the title means to AJ. Nikki needs more heel moments. Her viciousness has slowed after she and Brie joined forces.
Paul Heyman via Satellite
9 of 10
Paul Heyman spoke from WWE headquarters about Brock Lesnar, Cena and TLC. He said how special a Lesnar appearance was and why his client's limited schedule was a good thing.
He promised Cena a beating was coming to him if he defeated Rollins to retain his right to face Lesnar. If Cena lost, it would be unclear who could next challenge The Beast Incarnate.
Heyman threw out reasons Undertaker and Sting wouldn't work.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"Why not do Christmas 365 days? That's stupid."—Heyman.
"If Sting ever stepped into the ring with Brock Lesnar, it would be a Retirement match."—Heyman.
Grade
A-
Analysis
This is what WWE should have had Heyman doing earlier. He made sense of Lesnar not being around, selling the unpopular idea like only he can.
Even with Lesnar not booked for TLC, the world title gets put into focus. Lesnar remains a lurking presence, rather than the forgotten one he has become with Heyman not around.
Kane, Seth Rollins and Luke Harper vs. John Cena, Ryback and Dolph Ziggler
10 of 10
Cena pummeled Luke Harper early on, right hands blurring as he attacked. Dolph Ziggler had his turn next, stunning Harper and then Kane.
Once Ryback entered, he hit Kane with a series of fiery shots. The heels soon took over, though. Harper and Rollins blasting Ryback.
The Showoff made his mark with a sleeper hold, leaving Kane woozy with the move. Kane's punching power and Harper's brute force halted Ziggler's momentum. Rollins stomped on his fingers to exacerbate the situation.
Cena finally came in, delivering his signature moves to each of his foes. A cheapshot from Rollins' security team gave the bad guys control again.
Rollins and company punished Cena before he and Ziggler traded places. Ziggler fired up the crowd with a Fameasser that nearly got the win.
The referee lost the handle on the match from this point. Everyone involved brawled at once. In the midst of it all, Ziggler pinned Harper for the win.
The fight continued, Big Show stepping in to join the fray. Erick Rowan brought ring steps to ringside. He knocked Harper and Rollins with them before a freshly superkicked Big Show felt the sting of the steel.
Standing in a row, the babyfaces celebrated over the fallen giant.
Result
Cena, Ziggler and Ryback win via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Cena and Ziggler hit dropkicks in stereo on Harper.
"He call himself 'stupid?'"—JBL on Ryback.
Kane nails Ziggler with a right hand in midair.
Cena and Ryback hit a double suplex on Kane.
Cena dives onto everyone in the center of the ring.
Grade
B+
Analysis
A solid match served as a means to further stir up all the individual rivalries that have emerged from Team Cena vs. Team Authority. The main event didn't offer any huge moments or shifts in storylines.
Instead, angry men got angrier with each other.
Kane and Ryback showed off some good chemistry in their time together in the ring. Overall, all the foes lined up for battles at TLC work well together.
It will be up to WWE to build on that with good storytelling. Just having a series of brawls isn't enough.
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