WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 22, 2014

The Immortal Hulk Hogan made his return to Monday Night Raw this week, helping World Wrestling Entertainment celebrate the holidays as only he can.

Could the Hulkster maintain law and order with so many feuds running wild, though? 

Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt continue to unleash chaos and havoc as they attempt to emerge from their bitter rivalry the victor. What would they have in store for the WWE Universe on the penultimate Raw of 2014?

Speaking of former Shield members, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns figure to be key in the build to January's Royal Rumble. What would happen when they shared the same arena, just eight days after the latter delivered a Superman Punch that doomed Mr. Money in the Bank at TLC's Tables Match?

Dolph Ziggler is in the midst of a monumental roll, one that has cemented his status as a dark-horse candidate for the huge upcoming 30-man over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble match. What did the Intercontinental champion do in an attempt to ensure that his year ends on a high note?

Fans got all the answers to their questions Monday night as WWE rolled into the Target Center in Minneapolis for this week's broadcast.

Hulk Hogan, John Cena and Seth Rollins Kick Off the Show

Hulk Hogan, complete in Santa suit, kicked off this week's show.

He was interrupted shortly into his greeting by John Cena, who cut a brief Christmas-themed promo of his own.

Rollins became the second Superstar to interrupt the proceedings, playing The Grinch to the two babyfaces. He threatened Hogan's well-being before a match between him and Cena was set up to jump-start the evening's in-ring festivities.

Highlights and Quotes

"I did Curb Stomp his head into the mat. Maybe that's why he can't see how ridiculous this is."—Rollins on Cena.

"As you like to say, you're time is up and my time is now."—Rollins.

Grade

D

Analysis

Take every in-ring promo featuring Cena and Rollins from the last two months, throw in Hogan and a few Christmas puns and you have this segment.

At 16 minutes, it was way too long and really did nothing but set up a match that could have helped with the ratings for Monday night's show had it been announced in advance.

That Rollins and Cena were fairly generic on the mic did nothing to enhance the ordeal.

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

In the night's opening match, Cena and Rollins did battle in what could have been a big pay-per-view main event if promoted correctly.

Rollins worked over Cena throughout the middle portion of the match, setting up Cena's trademark comeback.

Mr. Money in the Bank, knowing his opponent well, escaped the Attitude Adjustment. He could not, however, escape the STF, leading to a near-submission.

Rollins delivered a Buckle Bomb for two.

That was the end of Rollins' chances of winning as J&J Security failed to distract Cena, who was able to duck a Money in the Bank briefcase shot, deliver the Attitude Adjustment and pick up the pinfall win.

Result

John Cena pinned Seth Rollins.

Highlights and Quotes

"He's talented, but he's not as dominant as he says he is."—Jerry Lawler on Rollins.

"This match was granted as a Christmas wish to John Cena."—Michael Cole.

Grade

B-

Analysis

It was interesting to see this match kick off the show as it was a pay-per-view-quality headliner in terms of storyline and star power.

Cena and Rollins, despite being two extremely talented individuals, struggled to find that chemistry with each other that developed into one truly great match. They came very close last week in the steel-cage match but here, like their Tables Match at TLC, it felt like something was missing.

Anyone thinking that Rollins would gain anything by beating the franchise player last week had their hopes and dreams dashed this week as Cena not only got his win back but also did so in clean and convincing fashion, setting him up for his showdown with Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble.

Jack Swagger vs. Fandango

Credit: WWE.com

The "new and improved" Fandango continued to put audiences asleep with his darker edge and more serious tone Monday night before squaring off with former World Heavyweight champion Jack Swagger.

Swagger tried for the Patriot Lock and failed. A Swagger Bomb nearly netted him the victory, but Fandango got his foot on the rope. 

A few kicks from Fandango and the top-rope leg drop secured him the victory.

Result

Fandango defeated Jack Swagger.

Highlights and Quotes

None

No...really.

Grade

F 

Analysis

Can anyone explain why this match took place on Raw?

Anyone?

Neither man had any beef with the other, and Fandango has not necessarily been booked strongly since returning. That has left many wondering why the former No. 1 contender to the United States Championship was just needlessly sacrificed to put more heat on a character that has been dead-on-arrival since debuting his updated persona.

Ugh...

R-Truth vs. Adam Rose

Credit: WWE.com

Weeks after R-Truth proved to be the instigator behind the schism between Adam Rose and The Bunny, he battled Rose in singles competition. 

After teasing a dance-off, Truth rolled up Rose and pinned him in mere seconds.

Rose assaulted The Bunny after the match, sending him into the steel steps.

Result

R-Truth pinned Adam Rose.

Highlights and Quotes

"I don't care! Beat them all up!"—JBL on the Rosebuds.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Well...at least there was some sort of angle advancement regarding the stupid Bunny this week.

As if there was any doubt, Rose is officially a full-fledged heel, and it could not have happened at a better time.

The fact of the matter is that the Rose character died an unpleasant death the minute it debuted to the sound of crickets last April and has been on life support since. It desperately needed the shift in mood, and it got it Monday night.

The only way this ultimately means anything is if The Bunny is unmasked, and the man under the costume vows revenge for his treatment at the hands of Rose. Otherwise, this has been a gigantic waste of time that will only be justified if Rose moves onto something more interesting or credible.

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show

Credit: WWE.com

After last week's episode of Raw, in which Roman Reigns delivered a hard Superman Punch to Big Show, the two big men battled on this week's show.

Big Show dominated the early portion of the match, tossing Reigns around like a rag doll and seemingly targeting the upper body of his opponent.

Reigns mounted his comeback, using three clotheslines to put the World's Largest Athlete down. An impressive Samoan Drop followed.

A Superman Punch at ringside and a well-timed return to the ring allowed Reigns to score the countout victory over his newfound rival.

Result

Roman Reigns defeated Big Show. 

Highlights and Quotes

"I have a feeling Roman is going to be leaving Christmas black and blue."—JBL.

Grade

C

Analysis

While there will be many complaints or harsh criticisms of this match based on the polarizing individuals involved, all things considered, it was a fairly entertaining battle of the big men.

The finish, on the other hand, was awful but necessary in order to maintain the heat of the program, not to mention the performers, and give the two another reason to continue their rivalry.

Natalya vs. Brie Bella

Last week, Natalya was involved in tag team action that saw husband Tyson Kidd check on an injured Nikki Bella at ringside.

Monday night, the third-generation Diva was again in battle, this time in singles competition against the Divas champion's sister, Brie, when Tyson again figured into the story.

Brie blew kisses in his direction, stalling for a brief moment in what was a fairly spirited and entertaining bout.

Mrs. Daniel Bryan showed off some quality submission work, much to the surprise of many, but Nattie fought her way out of the holds, proving that her years of expertise were far more impressive than anything Brie has learned in the last few weeks.

Natalya tried to use the Sharpshooter, but Brie rolled through. The former Divas champion countered that rollup with one of her own for the win.

After the match, the victor knocked Nikki Bella off the apron and posed with the Divas title.

Result

Natalya pinned Brie Bella.

Highlights and Quotes

"If you're a gentleman, what would you do?"—JBL on Tyson Kidd checking on Nikki Bella. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match was actually quite good while it lasted, showcasing both Natalya's immense talent and her opponent's underrated skill.

As a story, however, it is incredibly flawed.

Anyone unlucky enough to tune into Total Divas knows about the Bella Twins' relationships with Cena and Daniel Bryan, respectively. So why would Natalya think for a second that they would be interested in her husband?

As a veteran, should she not know that the Bellas are playing mind games with her? Why would she let that affect her?

Then again, if WWE Creative has taught us anything, it is that Divas are either mindless or insane so make of it what you will.

Los Matadores and El Torito vs. Gold and Stardust

El Torito, dressed in reindeer attire, joined Diego and Fernando for a 3-on-2 Handicap Match against Gold and Stardust.

The heels isolated Diego, working him over before a hot tag to Fernando picked up the pace. Unfortunately for Goldust, it was a tag to El Torito that led to the finish as Fernando delivered a Backstabber that allowed the mini to score a laughable pinfall victory. 

Result

Los Matadores and El Torito defeated Gold and Stardust.

Highlights and Quotes

"Yes, I said it's two-and-a-half versus two."—JBL.

Grade

F

Analysis

If you did not know you were watching a Christmas episode of Raw before now, you most certainly did by the time the reindeer attired El Torito pinned Goldust.

Sure, WWE likes to produce family-friendly entertainment, especially during the holidays, but to see a respected veteran such as Goldust pinned by a laughable sideshow like El Torito is disheartening, especially for fans hoping that the Rhodes brothers would somehow recover from their second-half slump in 2014.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper

Just over a week after a brutal and violent Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship, Ziggler defended against a Luke Harper invoking his rematch clause.

Lilian Garcia was giving the special introductions when Harper blasted Ziggler with a cheap big boot to the face and then tossed the champion to the arena floor.

Harper controlled the majority of the match, using high-impact maneuvers such as a powerbomb, a fallaway slam and even a rare Michinoku Driver for near-falls.

The ever-resilient Ziggler fought through it all, doing just enough to keep himself alive and in the fight before mounting a comeback.

Reversals reigned supreme late as Ziggler escaped a series of close calls to deliver excellent superkicks and the Zig Zag for the win. 

Highlights and Quotes

"Everything our champion has been through in the last past months...do you think its starting to catch up with him?"—Michael Cole on Dolph Ziggler's recent trials and tribulations.

"I found a way into WWE, and I'll be damned if someone is going to take it away from me."—Dolph Ziggler, in a brief post-match interview. 

Grade

A 

Analysis

Two outstanding wrestlers had a superb wrestling match, culminating with the crafty and resilient Ziggler hanging in there and coming through when the chips appeared to be down. 

Ziggler's renaissance here late in 2014 has been something to behold as, for the first time in his career, it really feels as though management is 100 percent behind him.

This push has been as rewarding for his longtime fans (this writer included) as it has been for the performer himself.

He and Harper have tremendous chemistry and showed again why the audience enjoys watching them do battle. The offense was stiff, the near-falls were fantastic and the finish was excellent.

It was, in many ways, a match that will rival the Ladder Match from TLC in terms of quality.

Piper's Pit with Rusev

WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper made his return to Raw Monday night, hosting a special edition of Piper's Pit with United States champion Rusev and Lana.

Rusev and Lana denounced America and its celebration of Christmas, referring to the people as fake and insincere.

This, of course, riled up ol' Hot Rod, who shot back with a response of his own. Rusev threatened to crush Piper, but the former WWE Intercontinental champion revealed that he had gotten the Bulgarian Brute a special Christmas gift, complete with a bow.

Ryback hit the ring, bow and all, and ran over Rusev. The U.S. champion bailed out of the ring, avoiding Shell Shocked to end the segment. 

Highlights and Quotes

"Rusev's never met anyone like Hot Rod."—JBL.

"Christmas is the one time where the Americans can be fake."—Lana.

"No need for you two to become Communist Scrooges."—Piper.

Grade

B

Analysis

The Ryback-Rusev feud has a lot of potential, especially as it pertains to legitimizing the United States title. Both guys are extremely over right now and are skilled enough to pull of an entertaining power match if called upon.

While the segment was effective in putting more heat on the program, one does have to question the use of Piper and his talk-show segment to do so. Hot Rod is a legend, a legend on par with some of the all-time greats.

Why waste his television appearances on unadvertised promo segments when Piper's Pit should be something special?

It feels like he was an also-ran on a show that hyped the return of Hulk Hogan to Raw nearly a week in advance.

Santa's Helper Six-Diva Tag Match

Naomi, Alicia Fox and Emma squared off with Paige, Cameron and Summer Rae in a Santa's Little Helper Match, a staple of holiday-themed episodes of Raw and SmackDown.

The crowd was incredibly hot for Paige throughout the match, cheering for her at the expense of every other Diva involved.

Like most Christmas-themed Divas matches adversely affected by time, the action was rushed, with all six ladies getting their spots in.

Alicia Fox caught Cameron with a head scissors DDT for the pinfall victory.

Result

Naomi, Alicia Fox and Emma defeated Paige, Cameron and Summer Rae.

Highlights and Quotes

"Paige is anti-everything."—JBL.

Grade

D

Analysis

If you have seen the Divas do battle in a match of this sort before, you have seen them all.

The contests are meaningless and used only as an excuse to get the women in short, skimpy-themed outfits and a few minutes on television.

Fans in Minneapolis, like so many across the Internet, have a very real appreciation for Paige and her skills but were left disappointed by WWE Creative team that appears to have lost interest in booking her to do anything remotely close to interesting.

It was a bit interesting that Fox was given the pinfall win rather than Naomi, who appeared to be heating up prior to last Tuesday's live episode of SmackDown.

Jey Uso vs. The Miz

Credit: WWE.com

The rivalry between The Usos, The Miz and Damien Mizdow continued this week as Jey Uso battled the former WWE champion...again.

Jey was a ball of energy early, blasting The Miz with a suicide dive before the Hollywood A-lister took control, working a cravat into the match and keeping his opponent grounded. 

A game of reversals unfolded late in the match, with The Miz rolling through Uso's rollup attempt, grabbing the tights and scoring a pinfall victory.

Result

The Miz pinned Jey Uso.

Highlights and Quotes

"Miz should pay attention to his own problems."—Jerry Lawler.

Grade

C

Analysis

Fans have seen The Usos battle The Miz and Damien Mizdow in both singles and tag team competition so much lately that it has definitely lessened the effect of the matches. They feel stale, tired and boring, even if both Jey and The Miz worked hard Monday night to deliver an entertaining match.

Unfortunately, with WWE Creative in cruise control courtesy of the holidays, fans were greeted to another meaningless singles match in a long line of them recently.

Miracle on 34th Street Fight: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt cut a promo prior to the Miracle on 34th Street Fight, and Dean Ambrose made his entrance as the show headed to break.

Ambrose controlled the majority of the early portion of the match, sending Wyatt into two Christmas trees and then picking one of them up and slamming it into him, despite a perfectly good kendo stick laying nearby.

Ambrose pulled a television monitor from under the ring but, rather than falling into that trap again, abandoned it and opted to pull a table out instead. A suicide dive through the ropes not only took out Wyatt but also a pile of gifts positioned at the end of the ramp.

The fight headed up the ramp, where Wyatt finally took over the match by tossing Ambrose off the stage and into a pile of packages on the arena floor.

Wyatt continued to control the bout after the break, dodging a missile dropkick and delivering a running senton for a two-count.

Proving that turnabout is fair play, Wyatt sent Ambrose crashing into the tree and then another, at the insistence of the WWE Universe.

Wyatt tossed several chairs into the squared circle and grabbed the kendo stick. He positioned it in the corner to the point that it stuck out. Ambrose dodged a face-first attempt into the weapon and then sent Wyatt into a steel chair positioned in the corner.

Ambrose mounted a comeback, firing off a flurry of rights and lefts. He teased a kendo stick shot, but Wyatt countered. Ambrose dodged a uranage attempt and delivered his rebounding clothesline. A series of shots about the body with the kendo stick ensued.

The Lunatic Fringe grabbed a ladder from underneath the ring and set it up. Wyatt did his spider-walk pose and delivered a uranage onto the ladder, picking up a two-count from the official.

Wyatt attempted Sister Abigail, but Ambrose punched out of it, sent him into the ladder and caught a rollup for two.

With Ambrose on top of the ladder, Wyatt tossed a chair at him, knocking him off. He then sent the former Shield member face-first into that kendo stick from earlier in the match and pinned him for the win.

After the match, Ambrose sprayed Wyatt with a fire extinguisher and then delivered an elbow drop to Wyatt, through the announce table to close out the show.

Result

Bray Wyatt pinned Dean Ambrose.

Highlights and Quotes

"I believe that people surround themselves with their loved ones because it makes them feel safe."—Bray Wyatt.

"Your safety is an illusion. It is a facade to shield you from the truth. The truth is, if you look outside your window, it is a different world out there. There is no Santa Claus; there are no sugar plums. This is the real world. There is only suffering and pain."—Wyatt.

"I have taken Dean Ambrose to my world once before, and tonight, I'll do it again."—Wyatt.

"To hell we go, friend, to hell we go."—Wyatt during the match. 

"That's how you celebrate Christmas."—JBL.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The main event of this week's show was yet another gimmick-filled, weapons-fueled match between Ambrose and Bray Wyatt.

Less than a week ago, the Superstars battled it out in a Boot Camp Match during the Tribute to the Troops special. That match was mediocre, at best, but Monday night, they more than made up for it with a wild and chaotic battle.

The use of the holiday-themed weapons did not necessarily fit the tone of the rivalry, but the performers brought great intensity and aggression to the bout, leading to a much more enjoyable contest than it otherwise may have been.

Wyatt going over clean, courtesy of a scenario set up earlier in the show, really established him as a cerebral wrestler who used Ambrose's wild nature against him. With that said, Ambrose putting his rival through a table to close out the show not only ended the show on a positive note but also suggests that the feud will continue.