The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 12/30/24 Review
It’s WWE Raw featuring CM Punk and Seth Rollins in a confrontation, plus Damian Priest teaming with the War Raiders against The Judgment Day.
This is the final Raw episode on USA Network for those of you in the US. For me in Canada, it’s the last Raw on Sportsnet 360. Many of us around the world are anticipating next week’s Raw starting the new era where Netflix will be the home of Monday Night Raw for at least the next five years and possibly longer than that. It’s also likely the last two-hour episode of Raw for a very long time because the Netflix era will likely be a return to three-hour Raw. We know Smackdown is going to be three hours starting this Friday as well.
In case you missed it, I posted my massive WWE Johnny Awards column on Christmas Day, so check that out if you have yet to see my thoughts on the year that was in WWE.
The year 2025 is just two days so before I begin, I wanted to say Happy New Year, my friends. I have no plans on slowing down in the new year ahead. Bring it on.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1649 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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.
They showed Seth “Freakin” Rollins and CM Punk walking around backstage separately since they will have a face-to-face later in the night.
The Raw commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the show. They said there will be limited commercial interruptions and the first 30 minutes will be commercial-free.
Let’s Hear from The New Day…and Jey Uso
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods walked out into the arena and the fans were booing them loudly. Kofi tried to speak, but the fans were booing them and when Woods tried to speak, they booed him a lot too. New Day got into the ring as the fans chanted “New Day sucks” at them. Kofi said they had a limited time and there was more booing. Woods tried to speak, but there was more booing. There were loud “New Day sucks” chants again.
Jey Uso made his entrance in the back part of the arena where he joined the crowd in some arm swinging for his theme song. This took a few minutes for Jey to get down to the ring and the fans were fired up to see him.
Woods tried to speak, so Jey told Houston to quiet down so we could hear what he had to say. Woods spoke to Jey saying that they go way back and he wondered if Jey could talk to the fans. Jey said they do go way back so he only had one thing to say to them…New Day sucks.
Woods got in Jey’s face, but Kofi held Woods back to avoid a confrontation.
Analysis: I thought this might lead to The New Day attacking Jey Uso leading to Jimmy Uso making the save to set up a New Day/Usos match on Raw next week. It’s something they could do soon since New Day was likely mad that Jey interrupted them. Anyway, that was a lot of heat for The New Day guys, which is great.
Jey Uso did a promo saying that Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline will be handled by the “OTC” Roman Reigns. Jey called out Drew McIntyre so he could give him a Yeetdown.
Solo Sikoa interrupted the promo with a video promo on the screen. Solo said that they took care of Sami Zayn. Solo said that The Usos made a big mistake by siding with Roman Reigns because they should have sided with Solo. Solo said he’ll destroy Roman in the Tribal Combat Match next Monday and keep the Ula Fala. Solo said he’ll remain your Tribal Chief while everybody will acknowledge him. Jey said he didn’t believe that.
Analysis: I think Roman Reigns will beat Solo Sikoa next week and regain the Ula Fala.
Drew McIntyre made his way into the ring behind Jey and Drew nailed Jey with a forearm to the back of the head. Drew said that you called Drew out so what did you think was going to happen? Drew beat up Jey with punches along with some head slamming into the mat. Drew charged, but Jey was back up with a superkick to block that. Drew got back up leading to a Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Drew wanted to do more, but WWE officials and producers showed up to break it up. Drew walked nearly all the way to the back, but then Drew went down to the ring and hit Jey with a Claymore Kick. An angry Drew told Jey he was next.
Analysis: That obviously sets up a Drew match against Jey. I have liked how Drew has been booked since returning to television. Drew won my WWE Johnny Award for best male wrestler in 2024 and I hope his 2025 goes even better for him.
Chad Gable and American Made was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Gable said that Otis would get his final lesson and that he’d be the master forever. The Creeds and Nile said that they were just born here and raised here, they were made there.
Otis (w/Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri) vs. Chad Gable (w/Brutus Creed, Julius Creed & Ivy Nile)
The powerhouse ran over Gable with a shoulder tackle. Otis did a gorilla press slam to toss Gable down to the mat. Gable left the ring, so Otis sent Gable face first into the hood of the commentary table. Otis sent Gable into the ring post. Otis sent Gable into the turnbuckle where Chad took the bump sternum first into the buckle. Otis nailed Gable with a clothesline. Gable avoided a charge, which led to Otis going into the steel ring post with his shoulder. Gable hit a dragon screw leg whip on the left leg. Gable worked on the left knee a bit. Gable hit a dropkick, Otis went for a splash and Gable moved out of the way. Gable went up top and jumped off with a headbutt, but Otis rolled out of the way. Otis tossed Gable across the ring followed by two clotheslines and a back elbow. Otis hit a lefty lariat to knock Gable down. Otis hit a running body attack by the ropes. Otis did the Caterpillar routine leading to an elbow drop for two because the Creed Brothers put Gable’s foot on the bottom rope. Tozawa tried to fight the Creed Brothers, but The Creeds knocked him down. Otis beat up the Creeds on the floor. Dupri tackled Nile followed by punches. Gable applied an ankle lock on the left leg and Otis managed to kick Gable out of the ring to the floor. Otis tossed both Creed brothers into the ring and Otis splashed them. Otis hit an overhead suplex on Gable into the Creeds. Otis did a body slam followed by his own version of an Ankle Lock submission. The fans were really behind Otis while Gable tried to break free. Gable sent Otis face first into the turnbuckle and Gable hit an impressive dead-lift German Suplex. Gable jumped off the top and Otis hit him with a back elbow. Nile held onto Otis’ foot, the referee saw it and didn’t eject her. Gable trapped Otis in an Ankle Lock again and Gable applied a heel hook on the mat. Otis was in the middle of the ring, so Otis tapped out to give Gable the win. It went about nine minutes.
Winner by submission: Chad Gable
Analysis: ***1/4 That was a fun match that is a testament to how great Gable is because he’s able to have a good match with anybody. Otis isn’t a guy who is known for having that many big singles matches, but Otis did a nice job in this match and Barrett put him over in a big way. Gable winning is the right move because he needs to get a solid push in the new year and winning a match like this helps put over his Ankle Lock as a credible finish.
A video package aired about Rhea Ripley talking about how 2024 was supposed to be her year. Ripley said she walked in and out of WrestleMania as your Women’s World Champion, but she took her eye off the ball and she’s paid for it ever since. Ripley said that after all the backstabbing and all the games, this has to end. Liv Morgan said she promised to take everything from Rhea Ripley, which is what she did. Liv mentioned it was the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour. Liv summarized everything she did. Rhea said she’s going to regain the Women’s World Championship while reminding us that she never truly lost it. Liv spoke about how she’s the one who ended up on top. Rhea said that this time, Judgment Day can’t save Liv, Raquel can’t save Liv and Dominik can’t save Liv. Both women said that this has to end next Monday on Raw.
Analysis: That match should be great match next week and it might actually end the Rhea-Liv feud. I think Rhea might win the Women’s World Title in that match.
The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, JD McDonagh, and Raquel Rodriguez were backstage talking. Finn said that Liv Morgan has a plan for everything. Finn reminded us that when they listen to Finn, they win. The guys were fired up. Finn told Raquel he wished Liv the very best of luck next Monday. Raquel didn’t say anything other than making a face.
CM Punk was shown backstage talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce. We couldn’t hear what they were saying.
R-Truth made his entrance while doing his rap and he said “Butch” during his rap. That led to Pete Dunne attacking Truth in the aisle. Referees showed up to break it up. Dunne said: “I’m nobody’s Butch.” The announcers tried to say it was a scheduled match, but obviously, it wasn’t happening.
Analysis: This storyline has been going on for a long time and at some point it will lead to a match. Truth saying “Butch” constantly to annoy Dunne is funny.
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky were backstage talking to Cathy Kelley. Kai said she can’t wait to knock Zoey Stark out of this tournament. Kai said it would be an honor to face Sky in the finals. Sky said if it’s them in the finals, it would be great. Sky said she respects Lyra Valkyria, but tonight is not her night because it’s about Damage CTRL. They left.
It was announced by Tessitore that this was the 44th TV sellout of the year and the 66th overall WWE event that has sold out this year.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinals: Zoey Stark vs. Dakota Kai
Kai was aggressive going after Stark with a kick. The fight went to the apron where Stark tried a lifting move, but Kai avoided it and Kai hit a kick to the head. Stark hit a springboard dropkick to knock Kai out of the ring. That led to the first commercial 43 minutes into the show.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Kai hitting two clotheslines. Stark went for a kick, but Kai blocked it. Kai hit a rolling back cracker move and Kai followed that with a running kick for two. Stark hit a half nelson suplex followed by a running knee with a hard leg slap for a two count. Stark went for a Powerbomb, but Kai flipped it over with a sunset flip for two. That nearfall was very close. Kai hit a rolling senton slam followed by a superkick for two. Stark was on the apron, she went for a springboard attack and Kai hit a superkick. Kai put Stark on her shoulders and hit a jumping kick to the body for the pinfall win. It went about eight minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Dakota Kai
Analysis: **3/4 A solid match with the babyface Kai picking up the big win. Stark was in control, but her leaping attack off the top rope was a mistake because Kai stopped that with a superkick. I like Kai getting the win and I think Kai might be the first Women’s IC Champion.
It was mentioned by Joe Tessitore that Raw has had over 1200 episodes on USA Network alone. It was on TNN/Spike TV for five years in the 2000s. Other than that, it’s been on USA Network every year since 1993.
A video package showed some memorable highlights of Monday Night Raw history on USA Network. It featured a lot of big names in WWE history like Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Mick Foley, Triple H, D-Generation X, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Chris Jericho, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Bray Wyatt, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, and so many others. The final clip was Steve Austin doing the beer bath to Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon and The Rock from 25 years ago. That’s an iconic clip.
Seth Rollins was shown backstage talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce.
A brief video aired promoting John Cena’s farewell tour starts next Monday on Raw on Netflix.
The Judgment Day made their entrance for six-man tag team action. I believe it’s a new theme song unless I’m wrong about that. I could be wrong. I don’t notice the songs sometimes.
(Commercial)
This Friday on WWE Smackdown is the beginning of the three-hour Smackdown era. That’s January 3rd in Phoenix.
Damian Priest and The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs. The Judgment Day – Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio (w/Carlito)
The War Raiders are the World Tag Team Champions that won those titles from Balor & McDonagh. Last week on Raw saw The War Raiders save Priest from an attack by The Judgment Day.
Priest started with Balor until Balor got out of there quickly. Priest worked over JD with an uppercut punch and Erik tagged in with a forearm. Erik hit body slams on JD, Dominik and Balor. Ivar tagged in, so Erik slammed Ivar onto JD. Erik worked over JD with punches followed by a hard whip into the turnbuckle that saw JD take a sternum bump into the turnbuckle. Ivar was back in, Balor saved JD from a move, so the Raiders knocked JD & Finn off the apron and sent them crashing into the commentary table.
(Commercial)
Balor was in control of Erik with a reverse DDT. Balor had control of Erik with a front headlock, but Ivar managed to get the tag and hit a powerslam along with a cross body block. Ivar hit a seated senton onto Balor followed by a spinning kick on JD. Ivar went for a corner splash on Balor, but Balor avoided it perhaps because of Carlito getting involved. Priest got the tag, so Balor brought in Dominik and Priest worked over Dominik with punches. Priest beat up JD and hit a flatliner on Dominik. Priest hit a jumping shoulder tackle on Dom. Priest delivered a running clothesline on Dominik. Carlito provided a distraction, which led to Dom doing a chop block to Priest. Erik hit Carlito with an elbow, so JD hit a springboard moonsault onto Erik. Ivar hit a cross body block on JD on the floor. Dominik countered a Priest move with a hurricanrana. Priest hit a move that looked like a spinning South of Heaven for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Damian Priest and The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
Analysis: *** A pretty good match to put over the babyface trio. That result made sense since I figured it would be Priest beating Dom or JD to protect Balor. I liked some of the War Raiders moves as usual because they’re great to watch.
After the match, Balor attacked Priest from behind. Balor jumped on Priest’s left leg a few times. Carlito was holding Priest’s left leg, so The War Raiders made the save to prevent Balor from doing more damage. Balor said it’s not over yet.
Analysis: This Priest/Balor issue just keeps going. They’ve had several matches together in singles and tags, but it is still going. I don’t know if that’s a good thing because I’m ready for both guys to move on.
Jey Uso was shown walking backstage. Adam Pearce said that he knew Jey was looking for a fight, but he made sure Solo Sikoa was gone and he walked Drew McIntyre out of the building. Pearce told next week on Raw it’s Jey against Drew next week. Jey liked that. Pearce: “Yeet.”
Analysis: That’s another big match featuring some huge names. Drew against Jey is a nice addition to the Raw on Netflix debut lineup.
They showed CM Punk and Seth Rollins separately in their locker rooms.
A video aired featuring the number 0 with the line through it. There was also a mask design shown. We know it’s for the debuting Penta coming to WWE even though the company hasn’t officially promoted him yet.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Ludwig Kaiser
Ludwig Kaiser was in the ring doing a promo saying that he wanted them to show their gratitude for him. Kaiser said he deserves to be at the top of the food chain in WWE. Kaiser said he is European elegance. Kaiser wanted Bron Breakker to walk down the aisle right now with the Intercontinental Title…and here comes Sheamus.
Sheamus ran down to the ring in street clothes. He went after Kaiser with punches as revenge for Kaiser injuring his ribs at Survivor Series. Kaiser did an eye gouge followed by a shot to the ribs, but Sheamus came back with a knee to the jaw. Sheamus hit Kaiser with a Brogue Kick to knock Kaiser out of the ring.
Analysis: It was nice to see Kaiser get some promo time even though it was brief. Sheamus was off for the last month selling a rib injury, so this was some payback and it should lead to yet another match between these two guys. It’s another rivalry that keeps on going.
Rey Mysterio and the LWO spoke to Otis and Alpha Academy. Rey told Otis that next time, he knows Otis will whip Chad Gable’s ass. Otis and friends left. The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods confronted Rey, who told them to get their BS out of there. Rey said that part of being a leader is stepping up and shutting up any egos that need to be checked. Rey suggested that two of them in the LWO could kick New Day’s ass. New Day mocked Rey’s friends by calling them the other mask guy, hat guy, no hat guy and mocked Zelina Vega for wearing high boots. Woods said they accepted the challenge.
Analysis: The issues between The New Day and Rey have been teased for a few weeks, so it makes sense to put them in a match.
Iyo Sky made her entrance for singles action after the break.
(Commercial)
Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Semifinals: Iyo Sky vs. Lyra Valkyria
The two women exchanged holds and pin attempts. Lyra went for a kick, Sky avoided it and got a rollup. Lyra hit a dropkick to the left knee. Dakota Kai was shown sitting in a private box watching the match. Sky trapped Lyra’s legs and applied a submission move. Lyra hit a running kick to knock down Sky on the floor. Back in the ring, Sky went to the turnbuckle, but Lyra grabbed the leg to pull Sky off the turnbuckle. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
It was Sky in control with a missile dropkick. Sky went up top, but Lyra stopped her there with a forearm to the back. Lyra did a backflip off the turnbuckle followed by a dropkick into the turnbuckle. Lyra hit a Tornado DDT followed by a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Sky came back with a German Suplex for two. Lyra avoided a move leading to spinning kick to the head. Lyra hit a neckbreaker for a two count. They went to the turnbuckle where they did a sunset flip off the turnbuckle and Sky pinned Lyra for a two count. Lyra left the ring, so Sky hit a moonsault off the top onto Lyra on the floor. Sky hit a double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Sky went up top for the moonsault, Lyra avoided it and Sky managed to trap Sky for a pin attempt. Lyra did a bridging pick backward to keep Sky down for the pinfall win after 12 minutes. Joe called it an upset.
Winner by pinfall: Lyra Valkyria
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great match. They had plenty of time, lots of counters by both women, Sky did a good job of selling the knee injury throughout the match and Lyra managed to apply a creative pin attempt move for the win. Sky might be the best in-ring performer in WWE’s women’s division because every time she’s in a match over 10 minutes you know it’s going to be great. Lyra is very technically sound, so it’s just a matter of finding some storylines for her to see her develop more as a character.
That win by Lyra Valkyria means she will face Dakota Kai in the Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Finals. That match is in two weeks on Raw rather than next week.
Analysis: I’m going with Dakota Kai to win the Women’s IC Title there.
A video package aired about Roman Reigns facing Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match on Raw next Monday on Netflix.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance for the main event promo segment. The fans were singing Seth’s song as usual.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired promoting the big matches on Raw next Monday: Reigns vs. Sikoa, Ripley vs. Morgan, and Rollins vs. Punk.
Face to Face: Seth Rollins and CM Punk
Seth Rollins was in the ring doing his catchphrases. Rollins said we should go out with a bang on the last Raw of 2024 and last Raw on USA Network. Rollins said that one week tonight is a fight ten years in the making. Rollins went over their nicknames saying Punk was the self-proclaimed Best in the World while Rollins was the real Best in the World because it’s Punk against Rollins. Rollins said that after next week, you know where you can find him because Rollins said he’ll be here every week fighting in this ring because that’s what he does. Rollins said if things don’t go CM Punk’s way, maybe he’ll cry about it, whine about it, take another ten years off, pick up his ball and go home. That led to CM Punk’s music. CM Punk made his entrance wearing one of his shirts along with jeans and sneakers. Punk went down to the ring to join Rollins for a chat.
CM Punk said that the line about taking your ball to go home is an industry plant, cliche bootlicker line, and wondered what paragon of virtue came up with that. Punk wondered if Steve Austin took his ball and went home. Punk said he hasn’t seen “The Man” (Becky Lynch) so did she take her ball and go home? Punk wondered was it just him who did it? Punk said that you want to say Punk abandoned them while in reality, Rollins just wants to cry because Punk abandoned him. Punk said that he was sick and tired, so he left and he had no regrets. Punk said he doesn’t want to talk about the last ten years, so let’s talk about the last ten months. Punk asked Rollins how’s his neck, his knee, and his insides since Bronson Reed splashed him with six Tsunamis. Punk said that Rollins barely got revenge while Punk broke Reed’s leg in WarGames. Rollins pointed out that was due to Reed jumping off a cage. Punk said that he’s best in the world because he believes in himself and Rollins is right to call himself a martyr. Punk said that next week he gets to make money making Rollins the victim he wants to be while calling Seth a little brother.
Rollins said that other people took a break while saying that his wife Lynch is home taking care of their kid while Punk doesn’t know what that is like. Rollins mentioned Steve Austin called it the biggest mistake of his life and he understands about change. Rollins claimed that Punk wanted this place to die with the echoes of the CM Punk chants. Rollins talked about how Punk went on a podcast to try to tear this place down. When that didn’t work, Punk tried to take more shots to tear this place down. Rollins said that Punk took a chunk of change to join the competition, so how did that work out? The fans chanted “oooohhhh” there. Rollins said Punk wanted to call him a martyr, but Rollins said he fought and he fought. Rollins said that he was here fighting. Rollins said that Punk wants to be here to raise the flag with them, but no way. Rollins said that you can’t “big brother” Rollins because Rollins is the big brother now. Rollins said that Punk will take ten years off because Rollins will be the reason why Punk takes ten years off.
Punk said that you can recognize the pioneers because of the arrows in their backs. Punk said he was the first one through the wall and he got bloodied for it. Punk claimed that Rollins wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Punk. Punk said that he loved the place he worked, but he hated the guy in charge and that guy loved Rollins. Punk said that Rollins shot arrows in Punk’s back. Punk said that when Punk left, Rollins stabbed Roman Reigns in the back and now Rollins is dressed like an idiot while playing victim in a situation that he created. Punk said that arrows kill weak people, but greats march forward. Punk said that he got far enough away to where he pulled those arrows out of his back. Punk said for seven years, mostly during Seth’s TV time, they chanted his name. “CM Punk” chants followed that. Punk said that he should be dead and he’s not. Punk said the arrow throwers are mad. Punk said that next week those same arrows he carries to this day. Punk said he’s walking into LA on Netflix with a fistful of arrows and he’s going to jam them down Seth’s corporate throat. There were “CM Punk” chants.
Rollins said he’s never said this to Punk’s face. Rollins said maybe once upon a time, Punk may have been a pioneer, but what he has become is a cancer. Rollins told Punk he’s a cancer to the locker room, in Seth’s brain and a cancer to this business. Rollins said that the only way to defeat it is to cut it out. Rollins told Punk to bring his fistful of arrows, Rollins said he’ll bring his eyes of fire and his heart full of hate and rage and he will burn Punk to the ground. Seth’s music played while Rollins and Punk had a staredown. That was the end of Raw.
Analysis: Great promos from both guys. I liked the line that Rollins said about Punk going to work for the competition (that’s AEW) and asked how that worked out, which is a reference to Punk getting fired. The crowd knew all about it, so they had an “ooohhh” reaction that was perfect for that line. Rollins continues to put himself over for having a big heart and taking shots at Punk walking away. Punk tried to make the point that sometimes people need to take a break. Punk also used this promo to say he didn’t like working for Vince McMahon without actually saying Vince’s name, so that was well played by him too. They obviously spent some time working on these promos and it was a very entertaining ten minutes. It definitely got me even more excited for the Rollins-Punk match next week.
As for a prediction next week, I think CM Punk is going to beat Seth Rollins. It wouldn’t surprise me if Punk beat Gunther for the World Heavyweight Title before WrestleMania and went into WrestleMania as the World Champion. Perhaps they do a title change at the Royal Rumble. I’m just throwing it out there.
Who won that war of words on the microphone tonight on #WWERaw?! pic.twitter.com/QXBggOziLg
— WWE (@WWE) December 31, 2024
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Three Stars of the Show
- CM Punk and Seth Rollins
- Lyra Valkyria/IYO Sky
- Chad Gable, Damian Priest and The War Raiders
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The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2024 Average: 7.56
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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw
I liked the show. I think the Seth Rollins-CM Punk segment was the best part. They are both great talkers and there’s a lot of history there, so it was nice to see them make the most of the ten minutes they were given.
The matches were pretty good most of the night. I thought the Lyra/Sky was the best. I enjoyed the Chad Gable match with Otis while the six-man tag was fun and I’m happy that Dakota Kai won.
They did a nice job of building to next week’s Raw on Netflix premiere. Bring it on next week. I’m so ready for the new era of Raw to begin. Yes, this year’s Raw had an average score of 7.56, which is very good, but I think it will be even better in 2025. I’m excited about it.
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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