The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 12/16/24 Review

It’s WWE Raw featuring Finn Balor & JD McDonagh defending Tag Team Titles against War Raiders, words from CM Punk & Seth Rollins, and more.

This week’s Raw follows the Saturday Night’s Main Event special that aired on NBC. As far as Raw talent goes, GUNTHER retained his World Heavyweight Title over Finn Balor & Damian Priest, Liv Morgan retained her Women’s World Title over IYO SKY and Drew McIntyre beat Sami Zayn.

The new WWE Monday Night Raw logo was unveiled by Triple H in a video. It will be the new logo for Raw’s new era starting on January 6th on Netflix. I think it looks great and it was certainly time for a change.

It’s a double taping of Raw for the fans in Boston tonight since WWE is also recording the December 23rd episode. It gives talent some time off before Christmas and there’s also a week- post-Christmas live event tour from December 26th to 30th for the WWE crew, so it’s a busy time coming up.

Speaking of Christmas, I plan on posting my 16th annual WWE Johnny Awards column on Christmas Day, which is a Wednesday, so I’ll be working on that over the next week. The 2023 WWE Johnny Awards are here in case you need a reminder about what they are all about. It’s my favorite thing to write every year and I figured getting it posted on Christmas is my gift to you, loyal TJR reader.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1647 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.

There was some backstage walking shown earlier in the day including The Judgment Day, Bron Breakker and Ludwig Kaiser. A medical update on Cody Rhodes is coming as well.

Let’s Hear from CM Punk

CM Punk made his entrance to a big ovation. There was a “CM Punk” chant from the crowd. Punk told the crowd careful saying somebody might get mad at you for doing that. Punk pointed out a fan in the crowd in a New York jersey in Boston, which does take some balls as Punk said. Punk admitted he’s feeling a little low and in a bit of a bad mood. Punk talked about how he told Seth Rollins that he doesn’t think about him at all and over the course of the last two weeks, he thought about him from time to time. Punk said that Seth is right because whatever this thing is between them, it’s only a matter of time before they lock up in this ring. Punk said that he knows that at some point during his promo in the ring, the stupid music is going to hit (the fans sang Seth’s song) and he’s going to come out here dressed like Liberace. Punk said that calling him Liberace is not an insult because Liberace is cool as well. Punk said that just because you wear Elton John’s sunglasses does not make you Elton Jon. Punk said just because you grew up idolizing Punk, it doesn’t make you Punk just because you put on wrestling boots.

Punk said he’s not here to litigate the past because he’s looking forward to the future. Punk said it seems like he’s bit of a collision course with Rollins. Punk admitted maybe he’s the bad guy while asking the fans if they’ve ever been a bad guy. Punk said he’s the bad guy because Seth Rollins is Punk’s failure. Punk said if Seth wants to interrupt him, Punk is willing to give Seth the wrestling lesson that he asked for and do it for free. Punk mentioned the last guy that stood up to him and he wants Seth to ask himself if he’s tougher than Drew McIntyre. Punk said that there aren’t enough staples in the world to put Rollins back together. Punk led the crowd chanting “CM Punk” so that led to Rollins’ voice and he was chanting “CM Punk” too.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins appeared in the crowd with a microphone. Rollins said that if he saw Punk the way these fans saw him then it might make Rollins feel differently about who Punk is. Rollins said even from way up here, Punk is still an “a**hole.” The swear word was muted. Punk said that he was glad Rollins was there without his stupid music and Punk said Rollins belongs with the fans. Rollins said it doesn’t bother him to be with the fans. Rollins said when Punk left this place, Rollins put it on his back and made it bigger than ever. Rollins said that this “fan” has more WrestleMania main events than you ever will. Rollins said: “That’s a fact, Phil” so he used Punk’s real name Phil Brooks.

CM Punk jumped the barricade at ringside and Seth Rollins met him there, so they exchanged punches while they were around the crowd. A group of WWE Officials, referees, and Raw GM Adam Pearce showed up to try to break up the fight. Rollins and Punk went into the ring where they exchanged punches. The officials put Punk into the crowd and made him go back while Rollins was at ringside. Rollins jumped the barricade, then he ran around the crowd and Rollins and Punk met in the back-end of the floor where they exchanged punches again! That was great. The fans chanted “let them fight” as Punk was finally pulled to the back while the fans cheered.

Analysis: That turned into a great opening segment. I’m a big fan of the chaotic brawls like that and these guys did an excellent job of bringing the intensity. Punk and Rollins both had some good lines in their promos to infuriate the other guy, so it made sense that it would end up in a fight. We know it’s going to lead to Punk-Rollins on the Netflix Raw premiere on January 6th since that has been reported previously, so it’s just a matter of making it official. I’m excited for the match when it happens.

The Judgment Day clubhouse was shown. Finn Balor said he was wondering when the group wasn’t there for him in his World Title match. Liv Morgan said that they thought Finn didn’t need them. Morgan wished Finn & JD good luck for their match and mentioned Raquel Rodriguez was going to win tonight too. The girls left with Dominik while Balor had an angry look on his face.

Ludwig Kaiser entered for singles action.

(Commercial)

The video aired where Triple H introduced us to the new WWE Monday Night Raw logo. It’s real, rebellious and Raw. I posted it at the top of this review. Raw on Netflix begins on January 6th.

There’s a Raw on Netflix Kickoff this Wednesday at 2p ET from WWE HQ in Stamford, CT and it’s on YouTube, as well as other social media platforms.

Seth Rollins was shown walking backstage looking angry. Raw GM Adam Pearce wanted Rollins to listen to him. Rollins said that he wants the world to see it because the whole world wants to see it. Pearce said if you two stopped fighting he might get something done. Pearce told him to let him do his job. Pearce left.

Drew McIntyre walked up to Rollins saying you used to tell Drew not to be obsessed with Roman Reigns. Drew said that everybody enabling Reigns needs to be taken out so that includes Jey, Jimmy and Sami. Rollins said he took out Roman at WrestleMania saying that Jey and Sami were by his side because they are his friends. Rollins said that Drew is not his friend. Rollins said he respects Sami and Jey, but the jury is out with Drew. Rollins said he’s going to do something that Drew couldn’t do and that is end CM Punk. Rollins left while Drew said “Okay” to end it.

Analysis: Good stuff to keep the focus on the Seth Rollins-CM Punk story after their segment in the arena. Drew McIntyre spoke some truth as usual, but Rollins doesn’t see him as an ally and that makes sense for Seth’s character.

Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser

They are both heels usually, but Bron is more like a tweener and gets cheered against heels. Bron was in control early by sending Kaiser into the turnbuckle followed by an overhead suplex. Kaiser blocked a kick and slapped Bron in the face, which was a mistake leading to Bron tackling him with punches. Bron ran the ropes leading to a clothesline, so the fans did some dog barking to support Bron.

(Commercial)

It was mentioned by Joe that it was the 11th IC Title match on Raw in 2024, which is a good amount of IC Title matches on TV. Bron was in control with another clothesline followed by the ten punch combo and a powerslam for two. Kaiser kicked the left shoulder and went for an armbar, but Bron countered it with a body slam. Kaiser came back with a kick to the left arm that was against the middle rope. Bron countered Kaiser leading to a vertical suplex. Kaiser was against the commentary table, so Bron did the spot where he clotheslined Kaiser over the commentary table. It’s a great spot that always gets a reaction. They were back in the ring where Kaiser did an eye gouge followed by Kaiser wrenching on the left shoulder to send Bron to the mat. Kaiser stomped on Bron’s left shoulder repeatedly. Kaiser wrenched on the left arm again. Kaiser trapped the left arm against the ropes leading to Kaiser hitting a dropkick to the left arm against the turnbuckle. Kaiser was in control as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Kaiser continuing to work on the left arm with a knee attack to the arm and a kick to the left arm. Bron went for an attack off the ropes, but Kaiser did a single arm takedown for a two count. After Kaiser did an armbar, he charged and Bron hit a jumping knee to the head to knock Kaiser down. The fans were cheering to support Bron, who worked over Kaiser with a jumping back elbow. Bron set up Kaiser up top, Kaiser tried to fight him off, but Bron jumped off the top with a top rope Frankensteiner for a two count. That’s so impressive when Bron does it. Bron was selling the left arm injury very well. Bron charged and Kaiser did a Kaiser Roll slam for a two count. Kaiser applied an armbar, Bron sent him into the turnbuckle and Bron charged, but Kaiser moved, so Bron hit the turnbuckle with his left shoulder. Kaiser kicked Bron to the floor. Kaiser ran around the ring leading to a running dropkick attempt into the steps, but Bron avoided it and Bron hit a jumping shoulder attack with his left shoulder on the floor. Kaiser hit an uppercut to the jaw, but Bron came back with a double knee attack to the ribs. Bron ran the ropes leading to a Spear and a slow cover for the pinfall win after about 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Bron Breakker

Analysis: ***3/4 That was an excellent match that was given nearly 20 minutes. Kaiser worked over Bron’s left arm throughout the match, Bron sold it very well during the entire match and then Bron managed to hit the Spear for the win because nobody kicks out of that against him. I didn’t think Kaiser was going to win, but I liked that Kaiser got plenty of offense.

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were backstage wondering why people didn’t like them. The New Day tried to go into the locker room, but Rey Mysterio was there. Kofi and Woods wondered what was going on because Rey didn’t let them in the room due to their actions toward Big E. Kofi said the guys don’t want them in the locker room after 10 years and said Rey is a locker room leader, so he should do something about it. Rey said he thinks it’s best if they find somewhere else to change. Woods replied saying The New Day didn’t want to share a locker room with them anyway, so New Day left.

Analysis: Locker room heat. I like it because that puts over the realistic idea that other wrestlers would be pissed at The New Day for treating Big E with disrespect. Quick segments like that go a long way in terms of progressing the story.

(Commercial)

There was a video package about Cody Rhodes beating Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event to retain the WWE Title. Cody had the Winged Eagle WWE Title for one night only. Owens had the match won, but the referee was bumped. Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Owens on the steel chair (the referee didn’t see it was on the chair) and got the pin. After the show, Kevin Owens attacked Cody with a Package Piledriver. Owens also took the Winged Eagle WWE Title while Cody was carted off on a stretcher.

It was mentioned by the announcers that the Kevin Owens post match attack on Cody Rhodes got over 45 million social media views. Joe also went over the fake injury diagnosis for Cody, who has no fractures and he is back home.

Analysis: I thought the match between Cody & Kevin was good while the post show angle was excellent. I think it would have been better if it was at the end of the TV broadcast instead of doing it only on social media after the show.

The War Raiders duo of Erik & Ivar were featured in a video package. They both spoke about overcoming major injuries. Erik said that nobody can describe the guilt when the strength hasn’t returned to your arms and you can’t pick up his son. Ivar spoke about wondering if the nerve pain would go away. What happened to them should have ended their careers, but they didn’t. Erik said two weeks ago he held his newborn son. The War Raiders said that The Judgment Day cheated them out of the titles once, but they are stronger than ever. Every match can be their last. Erik said his sons have to know that all the pain and damage was worth it. Erik said that the way they can prove that is by bringing them the World Tag Team Championships.

Analysis: I liked that as a way to tell the fans more about the War Raiders talking about all that they have overcome to get this shot at the World Tag Team Titles. Well done.

(Commercial)

The first match announced for Raw on Netflix on January 6 is Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match.

Raw GM Adam Pearce was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Pearce made it official by announcing CM Punk will face Seth “Freakin” Rollins on Raw on January 6th in Los Angeles. The fans cheered.

Analysis: There’s the official announcement for the Punk-Rollins match on Raw’s Netflix debut. That will be awesome.

Let’s Hear from Liv Morgan And Friends

Liv Morgan made her entrance as the Women’s World Champion joined by Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio. Raquel had a bullhorn with her. Wade put over Liv as his choice for WWE Superstar of the Year. I don’t agree with that, but maybe the best woman performer. You’ll find out in my WWE Johnny Awards column next week.

Dominik introduced Liv, which drew massive boos from the fans. Liv used the bullhorn to announce that she was the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time. That drew more boos from the fans. Liv said that 2024 was the year of Monday Night Morgan. Liv said that she was just getting started. Liv said that there are a lot of historic changes happening in WWE next year and nobody is better to lead this company in the future than her. Liv said just wait until next year.

Rhea Ripley interrupted the promo and got in Morgan’s face. The fans popped for Ripley as usual. Ripley said that it’s time to settle this once and for all. Ripley said that Adam Pearce made it official that Ripley is the number one contender for the Women’s World Championship. Ripley said that the only thing that Liv can get excited about is the end of her title reign because Ripley will be the new Women’s World Champion. Ripley told Liv that all she’ll be left with is her little “chicken tender slut” referring to Dominik. Liv backed away as Ripley smiled about it.

Analysis: Rhea Ripley challenging Liv Morgan makes sense in the storyline because Rhea pinned Liv in the Women’s WarGames match. I would have had Rhea mention that in this promo to say that she has earned the title shot. Anyway, I think Ripley is probably going to beat Liv when it happens.

Seth Rollins was about to be interviewed by Jackie Redmond, who tried to ask Rollins about his match with CM Punk. Sami Zayn was in the background and he attacked Drew McIntyre. They exchanged punches and were separated by officials.

Analysis: It was more chaotic brawling on this show that has had a lot of that. We also didn’t get to hear from Rollins.

Zoey Stark made her entrance for the Women’s IC Title tournament up next.

(Commercial)

The Miz was backstage with AOP and Paul Ellering. The Miz said he was proud to team with them and said that they don’t need him or anybody since they handled the Wyatt Sicks. Karrion Kross walked in with Scarlett. Kross said that what they (Wyatt Sicks) did to Ellering and to Scarlett means that this isn’t over until he says it’s over. Kross mentioned when Dexter Lumis kidnapped Miz, so Kross said that Miz had to face him next week. Miz seemed apprehensive about it. Ellering mentioned Miz owes them. Kross told Miz to talk to Pearce to get it done. Kross mentioned that he’s won 22 titles in his career, so he can do this. Miz left. Kross told Ellering that Miz would realize that when you make a deal with the devil, you don’t run out on it.

Analysis: The Miz plays his role well as a chickenshit heel while Kross and AOP aren’t ready to be done with the Wyatt Sicks yet.

Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Quarterfinals: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Zoey Stark vs. Kayden Carter

It’s an interesting trio because Stark and Carter are not on Raw that much while Raquel does get TV time. Carter is the only face in the match. Carter did a headscissors to send Raquel out of the ring. Stark superkicked Carter for a two count. The three women were on the apron where Raquel kicked Stark after Carter moved. Carter knocked Raquel down. Carter ran the ropes leading to a spinning attack through the ropes onto both opponents on the floor. They went to break there.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Carter doing a leg lock submission on Raquel and then Carter hit a neckbreaker on Stark as well. Carter hit a running kick on Stark along with a springboard leg drop, but Raquel was there to break up the pin. Carter sent Raquel into the ring apron. Stark hit an impressive springboard cross body block onto both opponents on the floor. Back in the ring, Raquel launched a charging Stark over the top to the floor. Carter hit a springboard dropkick on Raquel for two. Carter went for a move on Raquel, but Stark was there with a German Suplex on Carter. Raquel hit a lefty clothesline on Stark for two. Raquel got a hold of Carter leading to a fallaway slam across the ring. Raquel hit a spinning elbow off the ropes. Raquel went for her finish, but Stark hit a missile dropkick. Raquel bumped out of the ring to the floor. Stark hit a superkick on Carter and Stark hit a Z360 knee on Carter for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Zoey Stark

Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid match with a crowd was that quiet for some of it because it was lacking in terms of strong personalities. A win for Raquel would have been nice to see, but going with Zoey was fine because they had her pin Carter, which protects Raquel, who should kept strong. Carter got plenty of offense although it was obvious she wasn’t going to win.

Zoey Stark’s win puts her in the semifinals against Dakota Kai while Lyra Valkyria is the other woman in the semifinals. There will a triple threat next week between Natalya, Kairi Sane and Alba Fyre to find the next semi-finalist.

The Alpha Academy group (Otis, Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri) was backstage talking to R-Truth about a recent commercial they did. R-Truth kept talking about Butch, so Pete Dunne walked up to them and complained about it. Dunne left. Chad Gable and American Made trashed Alpha Academy for ruining what he created. Gable insulted Otis. Gable said it’s time to kill his darlings and he’s starting with Akira Tozawa. Gable left.

Analysis: At least Gable might win some matches since Alpha Academy isn’t featured much.

A quick video aired about Finn Balor and JD McDonagh as the World Tag Team Champions. They spoke about how they’ve been friends for 22 years chasing this. They said those titles are never leaving The Judgment Day. Their title match was in the main event.

(Commercial)

There was a video showing a red circle and then an arrow was put through it. I don’t know what it means, but I’m sure we’ll find it soon.

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were about to be interviewed backstage, but there was commotion backstage. Kairi Sane’s hand was trapped in an equipment case, so Sane was screaming. The Pure Fusion Collective trio of Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark left the scene while officials checked on Sane.

Analysis: The New Day was disrespected backstage and during this interview. We never got to hear much of them. That will lead to New Day becoming more bitter. Sane getting attacked was just a way to get heat on the PFC group since Sane was going to be in a match in the Women’s IC Title tournament.

It was main event time with The War Raiders up first against The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & JD McDonagh defending the World Tag Team Titles. Joe mocked Finn & JD for not defending the titles a lot as the champions.

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Judgment Day – Finn Balor & JD McDonagh vs. The War Raiders – Erik & Ivar

The rest of The Judgment Day was banned from ringside.

Ivar knocked JD out of the ring. Balor went into the ring, JD was back in the ring and Ivar slammed Finn onto JD. Erik tagged in, so he bodyslammed Ivar onto JD. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

The challengers were in control as Erik hit a knee smash to JD’s face. Ivar was legal, JD kicked him and Balor tagged in, so there was a ref distraction leading to a JD neckbreaker cheapshot. Balor hit a neckbreaker on Ivar. JD was back in, Ivar broke free between the two guys followed by Ivar hitting a cartwheel into the ropes leading to a double back elbow. Erik was back in with an overhead suplex. Erik hit a spinning back suplex on JD and a uranage for Balor. Erik avoided JD leading to a running forearm. Erik tossed JD over the top to the floor. Erik teased a dive onto JD, but Finn tripped Erik and JD hit a knee to Erik’s back. Balor and JD sent Erik into the steel steps. They sent Erik into the steel steps again. That led to another break.

(Commercial)

The champions were in control with Balor stomping on Erik and then JD hit a spinning moonsault off the top onto Erik for two. JD went for an elbow drop off the turnbuckle, but he took too long and Erik avoided it. Ivar got the tag against Balor with a shoulder tackle and a sidewalk slam. Ivar hit a running cross body block. Ivar did a cartwheel kick and a spin kick on JD. Ivar hit a running Bronco Buster splash on Balor against the turnbuckle. Ivar went up top, but Balor tripped him up. JD tagged in, Ivar got a hold of him on the middle turnbuckle and Ivar hit a powerslam for two. Erik was back in for a popup powerslam for two because Balor broke up the pin at two. Ivar and Erik made quick tags leading to Balor pulling Ivar out of the ring. JD rolled up Erik for two. JD headbutted Erik and brought in Balor as the legal man. Erik hit some forearms followed by a knee to the back. Balor hit Slingblade on Erik. Balor hit the running shotgun dropkick. JD tagged in leading to a top rope moonsault. Balor tagged back in and hit the Coup de Grace double foot stomp for two because Ivar broke up the pin. The fans popped for that. JD brought a chair into the ring, Balor tried getting a chair, but Damian Priest was at ringside to stop Finn from using that. Priest pulled the chair, so Balor’s ribs hit the barricade. The referee never saw it. Balor was the legal man, so Erik held him up and Ivar jumped off the ropes for the War Machine clothesline into a German Suplex combo. Ivar covered Balor for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions: The War Raiders – Erik & Ivar

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a fun tag team match with the babyface challengers picking up the win thanks to Damian Priest helping them out by preventing Balor from using a chair. It made storyline sense since Balor has screwed Priest out of the World Title multiple times. This also felt like the right time for a title change with The War Raiders picking up the win after a long journey back from injury. I like how Balor nearly won after hitting big moves with JD, but Ivar broke up the pin. The fans really got into the match in the final few minutes, so that’s great to see.

The War Raiders celebrated with the World Tag Team Titles. There was some pyro by the entrance area. That was the end of Raw.

===

Three Stars of the Show

1. CM Punk & Seth Rollins
2. The War Raiders
3. Bron Breakker & Ludwig Kaiser

===

The Scoreboard

7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2024 Average: 7.58

===

Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

It was mostly a good show with the first hour being a lot better than the second hour in my opinion. There were only three matches, which is less than the usual four matches that we usually get. That led to a lot of talking and backstage segments throughout the broadcast.

That first hour was on fire with the great CM Punk-Seth Rollins segment and the Bron Breakker-Ludwig Kaiser match was a lot of fun as well. Bron was tremendous in that match selling the left arm and then winning with a Spear.

I’m happy for The War Raiders as the new World Tag Team Champions because Finn & JD really didn’t defend the titles much. Now the titles are on an actual team that the fans like, so I’m glad there was a title change here.

===

Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport