WWE RAW Results
January 7, 2019
Orlando, Florida
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Renee Young
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
In memory of Gene Okerlund: 1942 – 2019.
We go backstage to see Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley brawling. RAW superstars are trying to break them up, but to no avail. They fight through Gorilla Position and out onto the stage. Rollins knocks Lashley off the stage and dives onto him. They continue to brawl until Lashley throws Rollins onto the stage. The fight is finally broken up, and they’re brought to the back.
John Cena’s music hits, and the WWE legend makes his way to the ring for the first episode of RAW in 2019. Cena stands in the ring and gets his traditional mixed reaction. Cena welcomes everyone around the world to Orlando, Florida, Monday Night RAW, and the Road to WrestleMania. That’s why Seth Rollins is fighting for his life. Everyone knows at WrestleMania you either step up or get left out. Cena says he’ll be damned if he’s getting left out again this year. Cena will step up, and he’ll do it right now. On the Road to WrestleMania, there is one match that will give you a golden ticket to WrestleMania. That match is the Royal Rumble. In life, nothing is given away or handed to you. You work hard and earn every inch. Cena plans on earning his golden ticket. Cena is officially entering himself into this year’s Royal Rumble match.
Drew McIntyre’s music hits, and he comes out to the stage. McIntyre has been waiting for this moment for years. Unlike everyone else, he doesn’t care who Cena shares his bed with or his haircut. What McIntyre cares about is Cena’s 16 World Championships. McIntyre cares that Cena has main evented multiple WrestleManias. McIntyre cares that Vince McMahon called Cena the greatest of all time. McIntyre agrees with McMahon in that Cena is the greatest of all time. Cena asks what his point is. McIntyre says he has a reputation for taking out the greats. Maybe Cena can check out The Shield. Oh wait, McIntyre dismantled them. Maybe Cena could check with Dolph Ziggler. No, McIntyre destroyed him in a Cage Match last week. Maybe Cena could call Kurt Angle and ask how destructive McIntyre is. McIntyre submitted Angle with his own ankle lock. McIntyre says he is the most dangerous man in WWE. McIntyre is coming for Cena now.
Cena says he was feeling pretty good at the beginning of the show, but now there’s this. Now Cena is sad. What’s sad about this is that Cena has heard the same thing every week from practically every single superstar. Cena had to leave so they’d shut their mouths and think of a different promo. Cena asks what makes McIntyre any different from anyone else. A loud “Cena” chant picks up. McIntyre says he’ll keep it simple. They were all talk. McIntyre will show him. McIntyre takes off his jacket, so Cena removes his shirt.
Lio Rush comes out to the stage with Bobby Lashley. Rush says they have a situation. Seth Rollins has lost his mind. Rollins attacked Lashley with a chair last week and blindsided them this week. Rush says they’ll get a lawyer if something isn’t done about Rollins. Rush says the show is officially canceled. All of a sudden, Rollins attacks Lashley from behind. They brawl until Dean Ambrose runs out. Cena runs over to make the save, so McIntyre attacks him. Finn Balor’s music hits, and he runs down. Balor takes McIntyre out with a Sling Blade and clotheslines him out of the ring. Balor then wipes everyone out with a summersault senton.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena, Seth Rollins, and Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Dean Ambrose
We join the match in progress. Cena leapfrogs Lashley and clotheslines him before tagging in Finn Balor. Balor comes off the top rope with a sledge to the arm. Lashley quickly takes him down and hits a scoop slam. Dean Ambrose tags in, but Balor quickly takes him down with a pair of arm drags. Ambrose has a whip reversed, but he tries for a sunset flip. Balor rolls through and dropkicks him in the face. Ambrose quickly powers him to the corner, and McIntyre tags in. McIntyre punches Balor down and applies a front facelock. McIntyre then hits an impressive vertical suplex for a two count. McIntyre talks a little trash, so Balor fights back. McIntyre quickly floors him and stomps away at him before taunting Cena. Lashley tags in and punches Balor in the ribs. Lashley applies a chin lock, but Balor fights up. Lashley quickly elbows him in the neck to take him down. Balor quickly fights out of a move, but Lashley stops him from making a tag. Lashley sends Balor to the corner, but Balor boots him back and fights off the heel side. Lashley quickly stops the tag and powers him to the corner for some shoulder thrusts. Ambrose tags in and wildly stomps away at Balor. Balor boots Ambrose back and hits an overhead kick.
Cena tags in and hits a pair of flying shoulder tackles and a back suplex powerbomb. Cena does the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and goes for an Attitude Adjustment on Ambrose. McIntyre blind tags in. Cena hits the AA on Ambrose and turns into a Glasgow Kiss from McIntyre. McIntyre picks up a two count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Cena elbow Lashley and hit Ambrose with a dropkick. McIntyre tags in, and he punches away at Cena. Cena fights back and hits the ropes, but McIntyre counters with a spinebuster and a jackknife pin for a two count. Lashley tags in and takes Cena down for a near fall. Lashley starts posing before blindsiding Rollins. Cena then floors Lashley with an AA. Both men are down. Ambrose manages to tag in, and he applies a sleeper hold to Cena. Ambrose takes him down and cinches in the hold. Cena soon fights up, but Ambrose knees him in the midsection to take him down. Ambrose drops an elbow, and Cena rolls out of the ring to recover. Ambrose follows him outside and sends him into the ring steps.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ambrose hit a snapmare on Cena and pick up a two count. Ambrose applies another sleeper hold, but Cena fights up. Ambrose is on his back, and Cena is walking to his corner. Ambrose quickly rakes the eyes and knocks Rollins off the apron. Ambrose and Cena then take one another out with a double clothesline.
Balor tags in, and he takes Ambrose down before knocking McIntyre off the apron. Balor takes Ambrose down and hits Lashley with a Sling Blade. Balor counters Dirty Deed with a leg sweep and a double stomp. Balor dropkicks Ambrose into the corner and hits the Coup de Grace. Balor then turns into a Claymore Kick from McIntyre! Balor is out, but he soon comes to.
Rollins and McIntyre are tagged in. Rollins hits a springboard clothesline and knocks Lashley off the apron. Rollins hits a step-up enzuigiri on McIntyre. McIntyre quickly drops him on the apron, so Rollins hits Lashley and Ambrose with an Asai Moonsault. Rollins goes for a springboard, but McIntyre moves. Rollins avoids a move from McIntyre and hits a falcon arrow for a near fall. The crowd is chanting, “Burn it down.” Rollins starts stomping the mat. Rollins kicks McIntyre in the midsection and hits the ropes, but McIntyre soon takes him out. McIntyre goes for an inverted Alabama Slam, but Cena comes in and hits him with an AA. Lashley then spears Cena out of nowhere. Rollins superkicks Lashley and goes outside to put McIntyre back in the ring. Rollins superkicks McIntyre and goes for a frog splash, but McIntyre moves. Ambrose tags in and goes for Dirty Deeds, but Rollins counters out and hits the Stomp for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: John Cena, Seth Rollins, and Finn Balor
Triple H is shown on the titantron talking to Bayley and Sasha Banks. Rollins is irate that he wasn’t watching the match and storms backstage. Rollins finds him and slaps the coffee cup out of his hand. Rollins says he wants Dean Ambrose tonight. Triple H grants him the match, but it’s Falls Count Anywhere. Triple H welcomes Rollins back and walks off.
Hulk Hogan is walking backstage with a shirt that says “Mean Gene-O-Mania.” Hogan will celebrate the life of “Mean” Gene Okerlund, next.
-Commercial Break-
Tributes to “Mean” Gene Okerlund from Twitter are shown.
They have a 10 bell salute for “Mean” Gene Okerlund. You could hear a pin drop throughout it.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits, and the WWE Hall of Famer and legend makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation. Hogan does his trademark poses in the ring before throwing the boas aside. A loud “Hogan” chant picks up. Hogan says, “Well let me tell you something, brother…” Hogan lifts up his sunglasses and says he came out wide open in character because that’s exactly the way “Mean” Gene would have wanted it. “Mean” Gene loved entertaining and loved entertaining everyone here in the WWE Universe. We’re going to take a look at some of his greatest moments.
Video Package: The life and career of “Mean” Gene Okerlund
The crowd is chanting, “Mean Gene.” Hogan says Okerlund was one of a kind. Hogan can speak for the WWE Universe, the superstars, and anyone that’s ever watched him: “Mean Gene, I love you brother.” Being in the ring without “Mean” Gene is odd, but he’s not far away. Hogan says, “I love you, Mean Gene. I miss you.” A “Thank you, Mean Gene” chant picks up. Hogan goes into a trademark promo talking to “Mean” Gene about having the angels singing Tutti Frutti. Okerlund is probably putting a tag match together with “Macho Man” Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior versus “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Mr. Perfect with André The Giant as the guest referee. Okerlund is also probably breaking up a fight between Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Hogan hears the weights clanging and banging, but he doesn’t need to get so swole. He’s only got Mae Young and Moolah to choose from. Hogan has one question to ask all the maniacs in heaven: “What’cha gonna do when Mean Gene-O-Mania runs wild on you, brother?” Hogan drops the mic and poses in the ring.
-Commercial Break-
The Lumberjacks at ringside are Heath Slater and Rhyno, The B-Team, The Ascension, and Lucha House Party.
RAW Tag Team Championships – Lumberjack Match
Bobby Roode and Chad Gable (c’s) vs. The Revival
On the Christmas Eve edition of RAW, The Ascension were beat in a Tag Team Championship match, but the legal man wasn’t pinned.
Bobby Roode will start against Dash Wilder. They lock up, and Wilder shoulder blocks him down for a one count. They trade holds before Roode applies a side headlock. Wilder whips him off, but Roode catches him with a Glorious DDT attempt. Wilder gets out and leaves the ring, but Slater and Rhyno put him back in the ring. Scott Dawson tags in, but Roode takes him down. Chad Gable tags in, but Dawson hits a stiff elbow to take him down. Gable gets out of a suplex and rolls him up for a two count. Gable quickly leaps to the second rope and dives off with a cross-body block for a two count. Wilder tags in while Gable hits Dawson with a move. Roode and Gable knock The Revival out of the ring. The lumberjacks get The Revival back in the ring, so Roode and Gable knock them out of the ring again. Roode then gives Gable a back body drop out of the ring onto The Revival. Roode and Gable get them in the ring, but The Revival soon gets the advantage. Dawson gives Gable a vicious front suplex onto the top rope, sending him out of the ring. Dawson gets him in the ring for a two count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Gable take Wilder down with an arm drag. Roode tags in and hits a pair of clotheslines on Wilder. Dawson blind tags in while Roode hits Wilder with a back body drop. Roode hits Dawson with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex and slams Wilder. Roode wildly takes The Revival out. Roode hits Dawson with a spinebuster for a near fall. Roode and Gable go for the neckbreaker/moonsault combo, but Dawson gets out. Gable hits a moonsault and lifts Dawson. They hit a German Suplex/Blockbuster combo, but Wilder (just barely) breaks it up. Gable hits a rolling German Suplex on Dawson, but Wilder tags in. Wilder comes off the top rope and splashes Gable for a near fall. Dawson tags in and rolls up Gable for a two count. Gable and Dawson trade pins until Roode rolls Gable over. Dawson’s foot is on the bottom rope, but the referee doesn’t see it. The referee counts the pin.
Winners and still RAW Tag Team Champions: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable
The Revival are furious and plead their case to the referee.
Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman go face-to-face later tonight. We’ll also see Dean Ambrose defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Seth Rollins in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Coming up next, Baron Corbin takes on Elias.
-Commercial Break-
Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans, Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross, and EC3 are coming to the main roster soon.
“Ladies and gentlemen… Elias.”
Elias strums a chord and greets the crowd. Elias plays a riff and talks about his 2018. Elias started weeping uncontrollably thinking about the level of stardom he reached. Elias dropped a debut album and sold out Madison Square Garden. Elias has sold out places all around the world. It has all brought him here tonight to Orlando. There is a universal truth that follows him around everywhere. WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says that fires him up. If you thought 2018 was great, it’s nothing compared to what he’s got lined up for 2019. On January 27, he’ll walk into Chase Field, enter and win the Royal Rumble.
Elias has enjoyed his own successes, but has also enjoyed the failures… of Baron Corbin. It wasn’t long ago that this guy was on top of the world. Now look at him: his life is a joke. Elias hasn’t forgotten all the times Corbin has wronged him. In fact, he wrote a song about it…
…but Baron Corbin comes out to the stage to cut him off. The crowd loudly boos him. Corbin says they can’t handle another mind numbing performance. The people have no idea what it’s like to have a job as respected and high stress as being the General Manager of Monday Night RAW. After everything he did, he should have everyone’s respect and admiration. They don’t understand, so they disrespect him. Corbin is sure they’d like him to go away, but he won’t. Corbin is entering the Royal Rumble and will win. Elias tells Corbin to do everyone a favor and shut his mouth.
Elias vs. Baron Corbin
Elias applies a waistlock, but Corbin powers him to the corner. Elias chops him back and hits a mule kick. Elias then clotheslines him out of the ring and hits a baseball slide. Elias goes to the top rope and dives off to the floor onto Corbin!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Corbin knock Elias out of the ring and pose. Corbin drives Elias into the barricade and puts him in the ring. Elias fights out of the corner and whips him, but Corbin does his out and in clothesline for a near fall. Corbin tells the referee that he sucks. Corbin beats Elias down while the crowd chants, “You got fired.” Corbin comes off the top rope, but Elias knees him in the face.
Elias hits a running forearm and punches him down. Corbin reverses a whip to the corner, but Elias explodes out with a clothesline. Elias wildly punches him down before trying for an electric chair. Corbin gets out, but Elias hits a neckbreaker. Elias goes to the top rope, but Corbin moves. Corbin sends Elias into the referee, but he puts the brakes on. Corbin sends Elias shoulder-first into the ring post and hits End of Days for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Baron Corbin
Dean Ambrose is angrily pacing backstage. Ambrose asks what the world is coming to. Ambrose never liked 6-man tags. Ambrose is the only man he trusts. He’s the moral compass and the last line of defense against Seth Rollins. Ambrose says he isn’t having fun or enjoying himself. It hurts him to hurt Seth. Ambrose did what he had to do to bring back balance to the WWE. Ambrose won’t let Rollins get the Intercontinental Championship back. It ends tonight. Ambrose will burn Rollins down.
Paul Heyman knocks on Brock Lesnar’s door. They’ll be out, next.
-Commercial Break-
Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring. Strowman takes a microphone, but then gives it back and tears his shirt off. Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar appear on the titantron. Heyman introduces himself and Brock Lesnar. A monster standing in the ring looking for a face-to-face confrontation… is that what this is? Heyman knows Strowman was brought up in his household as a monster, but he’ll give him an education. Heyman knows how much money they’ve spent to hype up Lesnar in the ring with his Royal Rumble victim. Heyman says they need to understand “Card Subject To Change.” That change is for Strowman’s benefit. If Lesnar came down to the ring to get those hands, he wouldn’t have a victim at the Royal Rumble. Strowman would be destroyed. No need to thank him or Lesnar. Lesnar smirks at the camera.
Strowman says, “Hey, Beastie Boy. I’m waiting. I’m standing in the ring waiting for you.” Lesnar and Heyman look unimpressed. Strowman challenges Lesnar to get in the ring. Heyman asks if that’s the best he’s got. Strowman asks if Heyman’s ass gets jealous of his mouth with all the crap that comes out of it. All he’s heard is Lesnar doesn’t want to go face-to-face with the Monster Among Men. Strowman says Lesnar is hiding like a coward. If Lesnar came down right now, he’s not making it to the Royal Rumble. Everyone knows what happens when you Get These Hands. Lesnar says he’s going to see what he’s got to say. Heyman starts to freak out.
Brock Lesnar’s music hits, and he comes out to the ringside area. Lesnar walks around the ring and then walks up the ramp. Strowman says he will be crowned the new Universal Champion at the Royal Rumble.
-Commercial Break-
Jinder Mahal, Alicia Fox, and The Singh Brothers are in the ring. Mahal talks trash to the crowd.
Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox w/ The Singh Brothers vs. Ember Moon and Apollo Crews
Crews dominates Mahal for a bit before knocking him out of the ring and hitting a plancha. Alicia Fox tags in, so Ember Moon comes in automatically. Moon takes Fox out and hits an Eclipse for the quick win.
Winners by Pinfall: Ember Moon and Apollo Crews
Alexa Bliss will debut her new talk show, next.
-Commercial Break-
Alexa Bliss comes out onto the stage for the debut episode of A Moment Of Bliss. Bliss says Orlando doesn’t have much going for the city, but they’ll always have her debut episode. Bliss then says her first guest has had quite the year.
Video Package: Ronda Rousey’s 2018
Ronda Rousey makes her entrance and doesn’t shake Bliss’ hand. Bliss asks what’s next. Rousey says she wants to be a champion everyone could be proud of. She wants to face Sasha Banks. Nia Jax comes out and says she has unfinished business with Rousey. Sasha Banks comes out and says she’d be happy to face Rousey for the title and teach her to lose with dignity. Jax steps in front and tells Banks to get in line. Banks says, “Bitch, what line?” Banks challenges her to a match with the winner facing Rousey.
-Commercial Break-
Nia Jax w/ Tamina vs. Sasha Banks w/ Bayley
We join the match in progress. Banks kicks Jax in the head at ringside and dropkicks her coming into the ring for a two count. Banks applies a guillotine choke, but Jax counters out with a suplex. Jax talks trash and knees her in the face to knock her out of the ring. Bayley attacks Tamina at ringside. Tamina quickly sends her into the barricade. Banks attacks her from behind. Jax grabs Banks and presses her up. Jax easily walks around with Banks over her head. Jax then slams her onto a crate. Jax gets in the ring and looks for a count-out. Banks barely beats the count. Jax hits her with a sit-out powerbomb for a two count… and we’re going to commercial on this match.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jax applying a torture rack. Banks fights out and kicks away at her before hitting a jawbreaker. Banks hits a bulldog and jumps on her for a two count. Banks hits a running knee for a two count. Banks whiffs on a meteora for another two count. Banks goes for a Bank Statement, but Jax powers out. Jax goes to punch her, but Banks moves. Jax counters Banks with a Samoan Drop. Jax covers, but Banks gets a foot on the bottom rope. Jax gets Banks on her shoulders and goes to the second rope. Banks slides off, but Jax kicks her away. Banks charges, but Jax gets her on the shoulders and drops her on the ropes. Jax gets her in the ring and picks up a near fall. Jax head-butts her down and goes for a leg drop, but Banks moves. Tamina goes for a cheap shot on Banks, but Bayley dropkicks her. Banks sends Jax into the ring post. They’re both on the apron, so naturally Banks tries to kill herself by botching a hurricanrana. Banks gets her in the ring and applies the Bank Statement for the win.
Winner by Submission: Sasha Banks
Ronda Rousey will defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks at the Royal Rumble match.
The Intercontinental Championship Falls Count Anywhere Match is next.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins attacks Dean Ambrose from behind while he’s making his entrance. Rollins sends him into the barricade and puts him into the ring. Rollins gets him in the ring, and the match officially begins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship – Falls Count Anywhere
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Seth Rollins
Ambrose quickly gets out of the ring, so Rollins takes him down and punches away at him. Rollins puts him in the ring and sends him out again before hitting a suicide dive. Rollins rolls him up for a two count. Rollins clotheslines him into the crowd. Rollins sends him into an equipment case. Ambrose fights him back and runs. They run backstage.
Rollins sends him into a ladder, but misses a ladder shot. Rollins sends him into some scaffolding backstage. Ambrose avoids Rollins and gets on top of some crates. Rollins clubs away at him and goes for a powerbomb, but Ambrose fights out. Ambrose slams Rollins onto the crates and covers for a two count. Ambrose slams a ladder onto Rollins and covers for another two count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see them back in the arena. Ambrose has Rollins down on the steps and is trying to dislocate his jaw. During the commercial, Rollins scoop slammed Ambrose through the commentary table. Rollins and Ambrose fight down the concrete steps of the arena amongst the fans. Rollins jumps off the barricade with a cross-body block on the concrete for a near fall. Ambrose begs Rollins off. Rollins sends Ambrose into the metal barricade and punches him directly in the face.
They fight back to the ringside area. Rollins sends him into the barricade, but Ambrose soon pushes him back. Ambrose hits him with a chair in the midsection before smacking it off his back for a near fall. The crowd chants, “We want tables.” Ambrose peels back the protective mats and exposes the hard floor. Ambrose wildly punches away at Rollins. Ambrose kisses him on the head and says it’s like old times. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds on the floor, but Rollins counters with a back body drop on the concrete. Rollins gets him in the ring, but Ambrose pokes him in the eyes. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but Rollins catches him with a superplex followed by a Buckle Bomb. Rollins connects with a superkick and hits the Stomp!
Bobby Lashley then pulls Rollins out of the ring and sends him into the barricade. Lashley hits a belly-to-belly overhead suplex on the floor and gets him in the ring. Lashley hits an over-the-shoulder slam before spearing him. Lashley stands over Rollins and talks trash. Ambrose feebly crawls over and covers Rollins for the win.
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dean Ambrose
Lio Rush goes under the ring and grabs a table. Lashley and Rush set it up in the ring. Lashley then sends Rollins through the table with a spinebuster. Lashley stands over Rollins and poses.