WWE Raw: Day 1 Results
January 1, 2024
San Diego, California (Pechanga Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Raw video plays, and we go live into the Pechanga Arena. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are in the ring. Cole welcomes the crowd to the show and puts over the World Heavyweight Championship match. Seth “Freakin” Rollins hasn’t been pinned in a one-on-one match in a year. Can Drew McIntyre get it done? Wade Barrett promotes the Women’s World Championship match with Rhea Ripley and Ivy Nile. They talk about the Tweet from Triple H that led to speculation. Cole confirms a former WWE Champion will be returning tonight. Barrett says we’ll also hear from “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
Video Package: Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax
“The Man” Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax
The bell rings, and Jax shoves Lynch back. Lynch snaps back and slaps her. A loud “Becky” chant picks up. Lynch goes for a Manhandle Slam, but Jax easily swats her to the corner. Lynch elbows her and springboards off the ropes, but Jax catches her. Jax goes for a Samoan Drop, but Lynch slides off and connects with an enzuigiri. Lynch charges, but Jax scoops her up and slams her down. Lynch pulls herself up in the corner, and Jax charges to flatten her with an avalanche. Lynch falls to the mat. Jax looks pleased with herself and hits the ropes for an elbow drop. Jax taunts Lynch and says Lynch has been waiting five years for this match. Lynch fights back with a jawbreaker and boots her back. Lynch sidesteps an avalanche and peppers her with punches. Lynch gets an open window and unloads with some strikes. Lynch hits the ropes and avoids a clothesline, but Jax scoops her up for a bear hug. Lynch wiggles out and goes for a sunset flip, but Jax doesn’t go down. Jax tries to counter with a leg drop, but Lynch avoids it. Lynch connects with a rolling neck snapper and covers, but Jax emphatically kicks out at one.
Lynch hits a running forearm in the corner and sets up for a Bexploder, but Jax easily elbows out of that. Jax bounces her off the turnbuckle, but Lynch quickly boots her in the jaw. Lynch climbs to the second rope and hits Jax with Diamond Dust. Jax doesn’t leave her feet, so Lynch dropkicks her into the corner. Lynch charges, but Jax puts her on the apron. Lynch forearms her back and climbs to the top rope to finally take Jax off her feet with a missile dropkick. Lynch covers for a two-count.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Lynch gets to her feet and kicks Jax in the ribs. Jax steps on her as she walks to the corner. Lynch goes to the top rope and jumps, but she lands on her feet when Jax moves. Jax catches Lynch on the rebound with a Samoan Drop to pick up a two-count. Jax is upset that she didn’t put Lynch away. Jax lifts her onto her shoulders and climbs to the second rope, perhaps setting up for a super Samoan Drop. Lynch slides off and hits a sunset flip powerbomb on Jax for a near fall! The kick-out sends the back of Lynch’s head into the turnbuckles. Both women are down. Lynch punches away at Jax as she gets to her feet. Lynch hits the ropes, but Jax avalanches her down. Jax drops a leg and covers for a two-count. Lynch rolls to the apron to recover. Jax goes after her, but Lynch pulls her through the middle rope and knees away at her. Lynch connects with a kick to the head and goes to the top rope, but Jax cuts her off.
Back from the break, Lynch knocks Jax back and hits a Molly-Go-Round for a near fall. Lynch gets fired up and approaches Jax, but Jax pulls her throat-first into the middle rope. Jax goes to the apron and tries for a guillotine leg drop, but Lynch moves. Jax grabs her posterior in pain. Lynch connects with a baseball slide and jumps off the apron, but Jax punches her in the midsection out of mid-air. Jax sets up for a right hand to the face, but Lynch moves, and Jax hits the ring post instead. Jax swats Lynch back and goes for a cannonball into the barricade, but Lynch moves. Lynch gets in the ring and looks for a count-out, but Jax gets in at nine!
Lynch comes off the top rope with a diving leg drop for a two-count. Lynch quickly transitions into a Dis-Arm-Her. Jax screams in pain, but she manages to roll her over for a two-count. Lynch applies a cross-arm breaker, but Jax powers her up for a sit-out powerbomb. 1… 2… Lynch kicks out! Jax is furious.
Jax pulls Lynch to the corner and sets up for an Annihilator. Lynch cuts her off and attacks the knees. Lynch climbs to the second rope and goes for a Super Manhandle Slam, but Jax fights it. Jax gets Lynch on her shoulders and hits a Super Samoan Drop! 1… 2… Lynch barely kicks out! Jax is stunned. Jax angrily grabs The Man by her hair and smashes her face onto the mat. Jax steps on the midsection and climbs to the second rope for an Annihilator. Lynch pops up and shoves Jax down onto the apron. Lynch has Jax tied up in the ropes and unloads on her with strike after strike. Lynch goes to the second rope and goes for a diving leg drop, but Jax flattens her with a right hand to the face out of mid-air! Jax climbs to the second rope and hits the Annihilator for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Nia Jax
Becky Lynch has blood coming out of her mouth after the match. Nia Jax celebrates her win in the ring.
Replay: Two weeks ago on Raw, Shinsuke Nakamura read “The American Nightmare Before Christmas.” Nakamura denigrated Cody Rhodes and his late father. Rhodes viciously attacked Nakamura and fought him into the arena. Security pulled Nakamura away before Rhodes could hit a Cross Rhodes through the commentary table.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes is walking backstage. He looks focused. We will hear from him next.
-Commercial Break-
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes appears for the first time in 2024
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes makes his entrance to a big ovation from the San Diego crowd. The crowd is absolutely pumped up to see him. A LOUD “Cody” chant picks up. Rhodes looks fired up and poses for the crowd. Rhodes ponders momentarily and asks, “So, San Diego, whattaya wanna talk about?” Rhodes says he has the privilege of being the first Superstar to come to this ring and officially welcome you to the Day 1 episode of Money Night Raw.
It’s a new year. People like to talk about their goals for 2024, but Rhodes is a little stuck. What he’s gotten stuck on is Shinsuke Nakamura. The crowd loudly boos Nakamura’s name. Rhodes says Nakamura is a force to be reckoned with in the ring. Still, with his rendition of “The American Nightmare Before Christmas,” he was expecting something a little more sophisticated. He’s not stuck on Nakamura because of the things he said about Rhodes’s family. That comes with the territory. He’s not stuck on Nakamura because he tried to blind him with Poison Mist. Rhodes has fought blind and fought just fine. Rhodes is stuck on Shinsuke Nakamura simply because this should be over. Another “Cody” chant fires up. Rhodes says this should be over. Rhodes is going to give Nakamura the opportunity to finish it tonight. Nakamura can bring his Poison Mist and words. This ends right now.
Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the titantron, saying Rhodes’s name in singsong. Nakamura never thought it would be so easy to get into Rhodes’s mind and become the author of his final chapter. Nakamura whispered the plot into Rhodes’s ear and pushed his character to the brink page-by-page. Nakamura blinded him, so he cannot see the ending. The story does not end tonight. Nakamura wants to give the American Nightmare one more week to dream. Nakamura will become what Rhodes could never be. Nakamura will finish Rhodes’s story and close his book. Nakamura spits Poison Mist into the camera.
Rhodes puts his head down in anger before turning around, waiting to be blindsided by Nakamura. Nakamura is not there.
Replay: Jey Uso saved Kofi Claus from a beating two weeks ago on Raw at the hands of Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Jey would then go on to defeat Kaiser after Kofi Claus took out Vinci.
Kofi Kingston makes his entrance. He’s soon followed by “Main Event” Jey Uso. Jey gets the crowd thumping. They’ll face Imperium next.
-Commercial Break-
CM Punk will return to WWE Raw next week.
Tag Team Match
Kofi Kingston and “Main Event” Jey Uso vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci)
Kofi Kingston will start against Giovanni Vinci. Vinci quickly applies a hammerlock before wrenching the arm. Kingston twists out and takes him down before connecting with a big splash for a two-count. Vinci quickly knees him, but he has a whip into the ropes reversed on him. Vinci ducks a clothesline and absolutely clobbers Kingston with a running cross-body block. Vinci forearms Kingston’s chest in the corner and tags in Ludwig Kaiser. Kingston fights out of the corner, but Kaiser knees him in the midsection to keep him down. Kaiser whips Kingston to the corner, but Kingston knocks Vinci off the apron. Kingston tries to boot Kaiser, but Kaiser blocks it and attacks him. Kaiser taunts the crowd and stomps Kingston in the corner. Kaiser sends him to the opposite corner, but Kingston springboards off the middle turnbuckle with a twisting missile dropkick. Kaiser quickly rolls out of the ring to recover. Kingston hits the ropes for a dive, but Vinci sweeps the feet. Kaiser sends Kingston shoulder-first into the ring post. Vinci tags in. Imperium sandwiches Kingston in the corner with dual dropkicks.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Vinci whips Kingston into the barricade and gets him into the ring. Kingston fights back, but Vinci shoves him into the ropes for a big spinebuster. Kaiser tags in and hits the ropes for a penalty kick. Kaiser uses his boots to rake the eyes. Kaiser taunts Jey Uso, who is watching on helplessly from the apron. Kaiser avalanches Kingston in the corner and hits a head-and-arm suplex. Kaiser dances around the ring and peppers Kingston with strikes. Kingston starts to punch back and reaches for a tag, but Kaiser holds him back. Kaiser pulls Kingston back and taunts Jey. Vinci tags in and connects with a guillotine catapult into the bottom rope for a two-count.
Back from the break, Vinci hits a few quick kicks to Kingston. Kingston fights back and reverses a whip to the corner. Vinci scales the ropes and dives for a cross-body, but Kingston dropkicks him out of mid-air. The “YEET” chants are picking up. Kingston crawls over and reaches to make the tag to Jey Uso!
Jey hits the ring, but the referee steps up to him. The bell rings to end the match!
Winners by Referee Stoppage: Kofi Kingston and “Main Event” Jey Uso
A WWE doctor is in the ring and is checking on Giovanni Vinci, who is down in the ring. Jey does not look happy. Everyone is walking around the ring, not sure what to do. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett put over the health and well-being of the WWE Superstars.
The great news is Giovanni Vinci was able to walk off under his own power. He was holding the back of his head. Replays of the dropkick out of mid-air show a boot connecting to Vinci’s jaw and a rough landing.
Video: The highly successful WWE Holiday Tour that closed out 2023.
The Miz makes his entrance. He’ll have the Judgment Day on Miz TV next.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Women’s World Championship
Rhea Ripley will defend the Women’s World Championship against Ivy Nile later tonight.
Backstage Segment
Ivy Nile is warming up backstage along with Alpha Academy and The Creed Brothers.
Miz TV with special guests The Judgment Day
The Miz welcomes everyone to the most must-see WWE talk show in history. Miz says this is the first-ever Day 1 edition of Miz TV, so it’s going to be good. There are rumors about a former WWE Champion showing up. Miz has his speculations, but he has to get to his guests since they’re begging to be on his show. His guests are the self-proclaimed most dominant faction in WWE, the Judgment Day.
The Judgment Day’s music hits… only to cut into R-Truth’s theme song! R-Truth is wearing his Judgment Day shirt with his name duct-taped onto the bottom. R-Truth greets San Diego and asks, “What’s up?” Miz says this is the most likable member of Judgment Day. Miz asks where everyone else is. R-Truth thought they were just behind him. Miz asks if he’s seeing invisible people again. R-Truth asks if Little Jimmy is here. Miz says he’s not here. R-Truth says he’s been waiting all year to say this: “All rise for the Judgment Day!” The crowd comes to their feet. Miz says that works better than when Damian Priest says it.
Miz asks what R-Truth’s role is in Judgment Day. R-Truth says that’s a great question and calls Miz, “Renee.” R-Truth says he has a lot of jobs. Right now, it’s PR. Yesterday, it was executive work. He wants to make Judgment Day likable to everyone.
JD McDonagh comes out alongside “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. McDonagh says this has to end tonight. R-Truth is not the AV guy or anything for Judgment Day. Mysterio goes to speak, but the crowd absolutely boos him out of the building. Mysterio shouts that they are the most dominant faction in WWE. R-Truth says this is what he’s talking about. Dominik Mysterio is getting booed in his own hometown. R-Truth says McDonagh isn’t even in the Judgment Day. He lost the Loser Leaves Judgment Day match. Miz asks what McDonagh is even doing out here.
Mysterio goes to speak, but the crowd crushes him with boos. Mysterio tries to shout that Miz spent 2023 on his back losing to Gunther. Miz says 2023 wasn’t great for him, but he’s more relevant than ever. Miz fought through adversity and is a main event caliber performer. It’s funny. The only moment Miz has of Mysterio is him getting spanked by his Daddy. A “619” chant picks up. Mysterio was also dragged around by his Mommy. Mysterio also got whooped around the country on the WWE Holiday Tour by CM Punk. Mysterio tries to speak, but the crowd drowns him out with boos. Mysterio is going to continue Miz’s losing streak into 2024 with him and JD facing Miz and R-Truth right now. Miz asks if the people want to see it. They do. Miz says this is a year of comebacks. It’ll be Judgment Day versus a reunited Awesome Truth. R-Truth is confused and asks if he’s teaming with Mysterio or McDonagh. Miz explains it to him, so R-Truth thinks it is a Strange Bedfellows Match. R-Truth says he’ll follow Mysterio’s lead and winks at him.
McDonagh has had enough and charges, but R-Truth ducks. Miz then clotheslines McDonagh over the top rope. Mysterio watches from the ring. R-Truth puts an arm around him, but Mysterio immediately gets out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. The Judgment Day (“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh)
We join this match in progress. Miz hooks Mysterio’s head and goes for a tag in his corner, but R-Truth is standing in the neutral corner. The referee doesn’t accept the tag since R-Truth isn’t holding the tag rope. JD McDonagh tags in and takes Miz down for a two-count. Miz flips through a back suplex and hits the ropes for a running hurricanrana. Miz hooks McDonagh’s head and points to R-Truth, who is in the correct corner. R-Truth tags in and takes McDonagh down before dropping a leg. McDonagh reverses a whip to the corner, but R-Truth elbows him back. R-Truth hits the ropes and hits a corkscrew cross-body block. R-Truth does a split and avalanches McDonagh in the corner for a two-count. R-Truth goes for a tag to Mysterio and looks confused as to why he won’t tag him. Miz looks confused in his corner. McDonagh takes R-Truth down and chokes him on the middle rope. Mysterio tags in and hits R-Truth with a 619.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Mysterio stomps R-Truth at ringside and gets him in the ring. Mysterio shimmies a la the late, great Eddie Guerrero and hits a slingshot senton bomb. McDonagh tags in and hits a snap suplex before floating into a cover for a two-count. McDonagh puts R-Truth in the corner, sweeps the feet, and chokes him with his boot. R-Truth tries to fight back, but McDonagh elbows him in the back of the neck. McDonagh applies a rear chin lock. R-Truth fights up, but McDonagh slams him back down. McDonagh goes back to the rear chin lock. R-Truth soon fights up and elbows him. McDonagh sends him into the ropes, but R-Truth fights through and applies a sleeper hold to McDonagh. McDonagh fights out. Miz tags in and runs wild on McDonagh.
Back from the break, Miz hits McDonagh with his patented corner clothesline. Miz big boots Mysterio on the apron. Miz knocks McDonagh back and hits a springboard cross-body block for a two-count. R-Truth is in the Judgment Day’s corner. Mysterio tells R-Truth to go away. Miz hits a springboard bulldog and covers, but Mysterio breaks up the pin. Miz gets Mysterio out of the ring and turns into a vicious head-butt from McDonagh. R-Truth blind tags in on McDonagh, still thinking he’s in Judgment Day. McDonagh plays along and holds Miz up for R-Truth to strike. R-Truth apologizes to Miz and winds up. Miz moves, and R-Truth punches McDonagh. R-Truth helps McDonagh up before shoving him into Miz, who gives McDonagh a Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Awesome Truth
Replay: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter defeated Chelsea Green and Piper Niven two weeks ago on Raw to become the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Video: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walk into a club and step into the VIP area to confront Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Carter tells them not to kill their vibe. Chance says they’re going to be fighting champs, but tonight it’s all about them.
Ivy Nile comes out alongside the Creed Brothers. They wish her luck before heading to the back. Nile will face Rhea Ripley with the Women’s World Championship on the line next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley says 2023 was the year she and the Judgment Day took over Monday Night Raw. Anyone who dared to step in her path was Eradicated. As the calendar flips to 2024, another fool thinks they can step up to her. Ivy Nile will discover what every other woman on the roster knows: this is Ripley’s division. Nile is nothing in her world.
Women’s World Championship
Ivy Nile vs. Rhea Ripley (c)
Samantha Irvin handles the in-ring introductions once both competitors are in the ring.
The bell rings, and they lock up. They tussle before Ripley powers Nile down onto her face. Ripley taunts her, so Nile lifts her onto her shoulders. Ripley quickly elbows her and slides off before kicking her in the back of the knee to take her down. Ripley hits a basement dropkick in the head. Ripley powers her up and sends her to the corner. Nile goes for a slingshot over Ripley, but she doesn’t get much air and lands on Ripley. Nile blocks a boot and punches her. Ripley reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but Nile boots her back. Ripley quickly puts her on the apron, but Nile forearms her back. Nile goes to the top rope for a cross-body block for a one-count. Ripley quickly pops up and boots her down.
Ripley talks trash to Nile and clubs the back. Ripley talks trash and sends Nile into the ropes, but Nile takes her out with a running hurricanrana. Ripley goes for a kick, but Nile blocks it and slams Ripley down. Ripley gets out of the ring to recover.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Ripley is absolutely irate at ringside and takes her time getting back in. Ripley finally does and charges, but Nile pulls the top rope down to send her right back outside. Nile hits a baseball slide and bounces her off the apron. Ripley quickly kicks her, but Nile fights back. Ripley cuts her off and hits an electric chair facebuster on the ring apron. Ripley gets her in the ring and sends her into the ropes before clubbing her in the small of the back. Ripley repeats the move, and Nile is in a lot of pain. Ripley signals that this match is getting easy for her. Ripley again attacks the lower back. Ripley grabs Nile, but Nile hits a jawbreaker. This simply angers Ripley, who attacks Nile and picks up a two-count. Ripley stands over Nile and punches away at her. Ripley then applies a seated abdominal stretch.
Back from the break, Ripley is digging an elbow into the ribs of Nile as she cinches in the seated abdominal stretch. Nile fights up and punches her, but Ripley easily dropkicks her out of the ring. Ripley checks her mouth for cuts before going outside. Ripley goes for an electric chair facebuster onto the apron again, but Nile gets out. Nile grabs her in a waistlock, and Ripley shouts, “Oh, s**t,” before taking a German Suplex on the floor!
Nile kicks Ripley as she gets in the ring and hits a spin kick to the face. Nile connects with a head-scissor takeover, and the crowd is getting behind her. Nile kicks Ripley in the corner and hits a leg lariat for a two-count. Nile hooks a front facelock, but Ripley fights out. Nile fights back with a satellite DDT for a near fall. Nile pulls Ripley up and sets up for a move, but Ripley fights out. Nile flips through a back suplex, but she doesn’t stick the landing. Ripley soon head-butts Nile down and goes to the top rope for a vicious missile dropkick. 1… 2… Nile kicks out. Ripley is getting frustrated.
Ripley sets up for a Riptide, but Nile slides through and kicks her in the ear. Nile hits a snap fireman’s carry slam for a near fall. Nile pulls her up, but Ripley fights back and smashes her face on her knee. Ripley crushes her with a lariat. Ripley powers her up and slams her down onto her face for a near fall. Ripley grabs her by the hair and shoves her to the corner. Ripley shoulders away at her in the corner and puts her on the top rope. Ripley punches her in the face and sets up for a superplex. Nile fights back and goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Ripley hangs on. Nile bounces Ripley’s head off the turnbuckle and hits a German Suplex off the second rope for a near fall! That was nasty!
Nile kicks away at Ripley. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Nile takes Ripley down after a flurry of kicks to the chest. Nile goes to the top rope and dives, but Ripley head-butts her out of mid-air! Ripley knees her and connects with a decisive Riptide for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and still Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley
Backstage Segment
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins is warming up backstage. He’ll face Drew McIntyre with the title on the line later tonight.
A former WWE Champion will be appearing next! The speculation will be over!
-Commercial Break-
A former WWE Champion returns
Samantha Irvin says it is time for a former WWE Champion to return. The crowd waits…
Jinder Mahal walks out! The crowd is not happy. Mahal says they have some audacity being upset about the Modern Day Maharaja making his return. Thousands have competed in this ring. Only 50 have been WWE Champions, and he’s one of them. Mahal says he’s a past and future WWE Champion. The only thing disappointing is what has become of the once great nation of the United States of America. Mahal says it’s disgusting. United… is this unity? The people have never been more divided. Their politics and social media are all the same with ignorance and misinformation. A “USA” chant lightly picks up. Mahal tells them to shut their mouths. This country was once a superpower. Now, it’s a joke. Mahal will unify and unite them. Mahal speaks in his native tongue. Finally, they’re united on one thing… they booed their National Anthem in Punjabi. They boo him because he looks and speaks differently. Unlike the Iron Shiek and other WWE Superstars that have exposed America, he is intelligent. He speaks the truth. Mahal will speak in Punjabi and tell them what the entire world thinks of them.
“IF YA SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN’!”
San Diego absolutely comes UNGLUED as The Rock walks out onto the stage. Rock shows off his goosebumps. The Rock gets in the ring and poses on the turnbuckles. A thunderous “Rocky” chant picks up. Rock stands in the ring across from Mahal and smiles. Another “Rocky” chant fires up. The Rock points at Mahal and says, “Aww you are in trouble tonight!” Mahal was right about one thing. Mahal is not the Iron Shiek because The Rock knew and loved the Iron Shiek. Everyone loved the Iron Shiek. If the Iron Shiek were here right now, he’d say, “Oh, Rock, Bubba, who is this no good, dirty, son of a bitch jabroni bastard?”
Mahal says it’s fitting The Rock is here since he appears anytime the WWE Universe is insulted. He’s the People’s Champion… the champion of these jingoistic people. Mahal says he’d be ashamed to represent these people. The Rock says he’s not ashamed. He’s damn proud to be the People’s Champion. The Rock is damn proud to be an American. The Rock is especially damn proud to say, “Finally, The Rock has come back to San Diego!” The crowd roars in approval. Mahal can run his mouth about the truth. They don’t boo Mahal because of how he looks, talks, and speaks Punjabi. They boo him… Rock stops to talk to Iron Shiek in heaven. They boo Mahal because he’s “the biggest asshole walking God’s green earth.” That was completely uncensored. The crowd loves it and chants, “Rocky.”
Mahal angrily stares at The Rock. The Rock says he’s familiar with Mahal’s “resting bitch face,” but really, it’s a “raging asshole face.” Rock says Mahal is angry because no one likes him and he’s not funny. If Mahal were one of The Rock’s movies, he’d be “Baywatch.” Mahal says he’s never seen it. The Rock asks if that’s true. Mahal goes to answer, but “IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU DIDN’T SEE BAYWATCH!” The only thing that matters is Mahal has the gall to actually say America is a joke. The crowd boos. It isn’t a joke to The Rock or the people here and at home. A massive “USA” chant picks up. It’s not a joke that Mahal can come out and run the country down. It’s freedom of speech, but you can’t do it free of consequence from The Rock. Mahal shouts that he’s the Modern Day Maharaja. The Rock knows he’s the Modern Day Maharaja, but from this day forward, he’ll be “The Day 1 Douchebag!” A “Day 1 Douchebag” chant picks up.
The Rock says the people just gave him an idea. Mahal thinks he’s the only man to unify the people. The Rock is the People’s Champion and will show in 15 seconds what unity really looks like. One side of the arena will chant, “Day 1,” and the other side will chant, “Douchebag.” The crowd gets into a dueling chant shouting the new moniker for the former Modern Day Maharaja. The Rock lets this go on for quite a while. The Rock says they have a special gift for Mahal. Since he loves the National Anthem, he’ll sing him a verse. The Rock sings, “And the rockets red glare, San Diego is aware that you are jacked as hell, but your balls still aren’t there.” Mahal is not impressed. Rock continues singing, “You’re an angry, toxic douchebag who clearly has no class, so you’ve left The Rock no choice… but to whoop your candy ass!”
Mahal cuts The Rock off and punches him to the corner before stomping away at him! The crowd loudly boos him. The Rock pops out of the corner and punches away at Mahal. Rock connects with a spinebuster and stands at his shoulders! The Rock connects with The People’s Elbow! A loud “Rocky” chant picks up. As Mahal rolls out of the ring, Rock takes off his belt and whips him.
The Rock grabs the microphone and says, “San Diego, I love you, and Happy New Year.” Tonight, after all this ass-kicking, he’s going out in San Diego. He’s a little hungry. The Rock is going to get something to eat. When he goes out to eat in San Diego, should The Rock sit in a booth, the bar, or should The Rock sit at the Head of the Table? The crowd goes ballistic since that is the well-established moniker for Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. The Rock loves San Diego. “IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN’!” The Rock poses as he walks up the ramp.
Backstage Segment
Drew McIntyre is pacing backstage. He will battle Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship later tonight in the main event.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of the epic return of The Rock to Monday Night Raw to verbally and physically beat down Jinder Mahal.
Tag Team Match
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. Tegan Nox and Natalya
Natalya will start against Zoey Stark. Natalya quickly takes her down and spikes her on her tailbone. Tegan Nox tags in and attacks Stark. Natalya is tagged back in. Stark sweeps the legs, and Shayna Baszler blind tags in. Baszler takes Natalya down for a two-count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Natalya tag Nox in. Nox clotheslines Baszler and knocks Stark off the apron. Nox hits Baszler with a pair of clotheslines and hits a running uppercut on Stark. Nox head-butts Baszler and hits a front suplex.
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell are watching backstage.
Nox hits an avalanche cannonball in the corner. Nox goes to the top rope and hits Baszler with the second Molly-Go-Round we’ve seen tonight for a two-count. Baszler avoids a running kick. Baszler kicks Nox in the back and covers, but Natalya breaks up the pin before it’s even executed. Natalya is knocked out of the ring. Stark tags in. Baszler hits Nox with a German Suplex, and Stark follows up with the Z-360 for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Video Package: World Heavyweight Championship
Drew McIntyre makes his entrance. He’ll challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship next.
-Commercial Break-
Scheduled for next week’s Raw:
— “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
— WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance (c’s) vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
— CM Punk returns to WWE Raw
Replays are shown of Drew McIntyre viciously beating Sami Zayn last month on Raw. Zayn has not been seen since.
World Heavyweight Championship
Drew McIntyre vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c)
The bell rings, and Rollins quickly stuns him with a big boot. Rollins punches away at him and backs up. McIntyre kicks him in the midsection and punches away at the champion. McIntyre sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. An angry McIntyre charges, but Rollins sends him over the top rope. Rollins jumps off the ring steps with a flying forearm. McIntyre quickly fights back by bouncing Rollins off the commentary table and then slamming him onto it. McIntyre goes for an inverted Alabama Slam at ringside, but Rollins fights it. Rollins grabs the ropes and knocks McIntyre away. Rollins skins the cat into the ring and goes for a suicide dive, but McIntyre catches him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor!
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: McIntyre gets Rollins in the ring and connects with a chop so devastating that it brings Rollins to his knees. Rollins fights back with some chops, but McIntyre soon reverses a whip and connects with a back elbow for a two-count. McIntyre stomps him before pulling him to his feet. McIntyre ties him up in the ropes and hits the 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Rollins is down and gasping for breath. McIntyre sandwiches Rollins’s head into the ring post with his boot. McIntyre saunters around. Rollins punches back at him, but McIntyre knocks him back for a two-count.
We come back from the break to see Rollins and McIntyre exchanging chops. McIntyre manages to take Rollins down and punches away at him. McIntyre is fired up. Rollins gets to his feet and punches back at McIntyre. McIntyre reverses a whip and connects with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two-count. McIntyre gets Rollins in position for White Noise and climbs to the second rope. Rollins fights out and sets up for a Buckle Bomb, but his back gives out. McIntyre sets up for a powerbomb, but Rollins counters with a hurricanrana. McIntyre charges, but Rollins directs him shoulder-first into the ring post. McIntyre falls out of the ring and lands at ringside. Rollins hits the ropes and hits a somersault senton on McIntyre.
Rollins gets McIntyre in the ring and goes for a suplex. McIntyre blocks it and tries for one, but Rollins gets out. Rollins counters a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a satellite DDT. Rollins immediately heads to the top rope and hits a Frog Splash! 1… 2… McIntyre kicks out! Rollins cannot believe it. Rollins goes for a Lionsault, but he lands on his feet when McIntyre moves. McIntyre charges, but Rollins puts him on the apron. McIntyre punches him back and goes to the top rope. Rollins scales the ropes and hits a superplex. Rollins rolls through, but McIntyre counters him with a falcon arrow for a two-count!
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: McIntyre punches at Rollins and lifts him, but Rollins elbows out. Rollins hits the ropes, but McIntyre follows him in and elbows him in the face. McIntyre connects with an inverted Alabama Slam in the middle of the ring. Could Rollins’s title reign come to an end during the commercial break? 1… 2… No! McIntyre puts Rollins in the corner and chops him. McIntyre puts Rollins on the top rope and chops him again. McIntyre goes for a superplex, but Rollins wildly fights out and claws at the back! McIntyre falls to the mat in pain, but he quickly rebounds with a Glasgow Kiss!
Back from the final break of the evening, McIntyre connects with the Super White Noise off the second rope for a near fall!
Both men get to their feet and exchange chops. Rollins kicks him in the knee and superkicks him. Rollins goes for a Stomp, but McIntyre moves. McIntyre connects with a Future Shock DDT and kips up. McIntyre counts down and charges for a Claymore Kick, but Rollins counters with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall! Rollins positions McIntyre and climbs to the top rope for a Phoenix Splash, but McIntyre moves. Rollins avoids a Claymore Kick and superkicks him. Rollins connects with a Pedigree! 1… 2… McIntyre kicks out!
Damian Priest makes his way to the ring! A referee and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio accompany him. As Mysterio gesticulates at ringside, Priest hits Rollins with the briefcase! Priest goes to hand the briefcase over, but McIntyre takes him out with a Claymore Kick at ringside! McIntyre then hits Mysterio with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor! McIntyre gets in the ring and hits Rollins with a Claymore Kick! 1… 2… McIntyre overpulls on the leg, and Rollins’s foot touches the bottom rope to break up the pin!
McIntyre is absolutely irate. McIntyre throws Rollins throat-first into the ropes. McIntyre clears the commentary table and grabs Rollins. Rollins is out. McIntyre gets Rollins on the table, but Rollins fights him. Rollins hits a Pedigree on the commentary table! Rollins quickly gets McIntyre in the ring and hits him with the Stomp! Rollins crawls over and covers. 1… 2… 3!
Winner by Pinfall and still World Heavyweight Champion: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Seth “Freakin” Rollins celebrates in the center of the ring. Drew McIntyre is in disbelief at ringside. Priest and Mysterio seethe in fury elsewhere at ringside. Rollins holds the World Heavyweight Championship up as the first Raw of 2024 comes to an end.