WWE Raw Results 12/18 - Several Championships On The Line, Miracle On 34th Street Fight
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results for "WWE Raw" on December 18, 2023, coming to you live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa!
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven will be putting the Women's Tag Team Championship on the line against Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Despite coming up short in a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contenders Match, Chance and Carter have picked up wins over the past couple of weeks, defeating the likes of Tegan Nox and Natalya, and Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae.
Another set of tag team titles will also be on the line, as Finn Balor and Damian Priest defend the Undisputed Tag Team Championship against The Creed Brothers. Julius and Brutus became the Number One Contenders after defeating New Day, Indus Sher, Alpha Academy, #DIY, and Imperium in a Tag Team Turmoil Match on the November 27 edition of "Raw".
Balor and Priest's Judgment Day teammate, JD McDonagh, will be competing in a match of his own tonight as he collides with R-Truth in a Miracle On 34th Street Fight. Much to the chagrin of Judgment Day, Truth has been trying to become a member of the stable as of late and has appeared both at ringside during their matches and in their lounge on a handful of occasions.
For a number of weeks, The Miz has been vying for a rematch with GUNTHER for the Intercontinental Championship since coming up short against him in a title match at WWE Survivor Series. "The Ring General" agreed to grant him such last week, but under one condition: if "The A Lister" loses, then he will not be able to challenge again for the rest of his reign. Tonight, just that come to fruition.
Before he defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre at the "Raw" Day One special on January 1, Seth "Freakin" Rollins has something on his mind to share. Additionally, Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, and Cody Rhodes are slated to be in town tonight, per WWE's event page.
We are live! Michael Cole and Wade Barrett greet audiences at home as Judgment Day makes their way down to the ring.
We Hear From Judgment Day
Damian Priest welcomes fans to "Raw", then demands they rise for Judgment Day. Finn Balor congratulates The Creed Brothers on becoming the Number One Contenders for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships, then says it must be the biggest match and biggest night of their careers. He says for himself and Priest, it's just another night in the office. Rhea Ripley then puts Ivy Nile on notice and says that Judgment Day ran 2023 and plans on doing the same in 2024. Dominik Mysterio says Judgment Day runs all of WWE.
R-Truth's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He says Judgment Day didn't let him know they were opening the show, and McDonagh asks Truth what he's doing. Truth says he's in Judgment Day, and the beatdown last week was his initiation. He says he was hurt physically and emotionally, but he knows Priest didn't mean it when he said he didn't like him because he saw in his eyes that he did. McDonagh tells Truth to leave the ring if he's worried about getting hurt, and Truth suggests he and McDonagh squash their beef so they can all be a happy family in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight. McDonagh says that their match was already advertised, and their match is happening up next. He makes it clear to Truth that he's not in Judgment Day, and Truth suggests they make it a Loser Leaves Judgment Day match. McDonagh looks to decline the stipulation, but Priest says he likes the idea and McDonagh agrees.
JD McDonagh (w/ Dominik Mysterio) vs. R-Truth in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight
The bell rings and Truth fires off right hands on McDonagh. McDonagh responds with a shoulder tackle and is handed a Candy Cane Kendo Stick by Dominik. Truth wrestles it away from him and delivers a Scissor Kick, then whips him with his belt. The action spills out of the ring, and Truth sends McDonagh into a plate of cookies face first. He then delivers a boot to his face after tossing a present over to him and hugs Dominik. Dominik then sends him crashing into the ring post face first.
Back from the break, Truth delivers a right hand to McDonagh's jaw. He follows it up with a splash in the corner and sends him crashing into the mat, then grabs a table from under the ring and sides it into the ring. McDonagh catches him with a dropkick through the middle rope and dumps him back inside the ring. He delivers a kick to his midsection, then charges at him. Truth catches him with a boot, but Dominik trips him and looks to toss him into the ring steps. Truth reverses the momentum and sends Dominik crashing into them. He grabs a fire extinguisher from under the ring and sprays McDonagh with it, then sets the table up in the corner. He delivers a pair of shoulder tackles and a spinning back heel kick, then hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and dumps McDonagh out of the ring. He grabs a Christmas tree and hits McDonagh with it, then tosses him back in the ring and joins him. He sets McDonagh up on the table and ascends to the middle rope, but McDonagh joins him up there. Truth fights him off and sends him crashing through the table, then pins him for the win.
Winner: R-Truth
Nia Jax then makes her way down to the ring.
Nia Jax and Becky Lynch Come Face To Face
Before Jax can speak, Becky Lynch's music hits and she makes her way down to the ring. Jax slides out, but Lynch grabs a mic and asks Jax what she wanted to say. Jax says while she would love to break Lynch's face, she has more important things to deal with. She says she was going to announce that she was entering the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble, and Lynch says fans don't care. She says she came to Des Moines looking for a fight, and Jax says they've never fought because fans are afraid of what she can do to Lynch. She says Lynch's money making abilities would end of they went one-on-one, then says she would squash her. Lynch says she is a money maker becuase she will fight anyone at any time and any place. She says it's not fans that are scared, but Jax herself because her existence has been on the back of someone's name. She says she will go down in history as the greatest to ever do it while Jax's only claim to fame is breaking her nose. Lynch says all Jax has to do is fight her to prove her wrong, and Jax calls for a referee.
Jax marches back down the ramp and hops up on the apron, but hops back down and says Lynch won't get what she wants. She says things will happen on her terms, then declares that they fight at the Day One special in her hometown of San Diego, California. She brings up Lynch's daughter, and Lynch has heard enough. She jumps on Jax's back and fires off right hands on her. Jax clocks Lynch with a right hand, and officials run down to break the pair up.
The Miz then makes his way down to the ring. GUNTHER follows.
GUNTHER (c) vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship
The bell rings and the two lock up. They go back and forth, locking one another in submission holds. Miz fires off kicks on GUNTHER's leg, but GUNTHER flattens him with a chop. Miz catches him in a Figure Four Leg Lock, then fires off right hands whilst keeping the hold cinched in. GUNTHER makes his way to the bottom rope to break the hold, but Miz sends him crashing to the outside. He looks to fly, but GUNTHER levels him with a chop and a powerbomb onto the apron.
Back from the break, GUNTHER delivers a kick to Miz's chest and delivers an uppercut. Miz tires leveling GUNTHER, but GUNTHER stays standing on his feet and catches him with a chop as he runs the ropes. He delivers a boot to the side of his head and follows it up with a chop. He lands an uppercut and whips him into the corner, then delivers another chop. Miz lands a boot and a jumping clothesline in the corner, then looks to deliver a crossbody from the top. GUNTHER catches him and drapes him across the top turnbuckle, then delivers a pair of chops. The two men land on the outside and GUNTHER looks for yet another chop, but Miz ducks out of the way and GUNTHER's hand is sent colliding with the ring post.
Back from another break, Miz continues wearing down GUNTHER's hand. GUNTHER locks in a modified cravat, but Miz escapes and executes a pair of DDTs. He follows it up with a Tornado DDT and goes for a pin, but GUNTHER kicks out. Miz stomps on GUNTHER's injured hand, then uses the top rope to continue wearing it down. GUNTHER delivers a powerbomb and goes for a pin, but Miz kicks out. GUNTHER then transitions into a Boston Crab, but Miz crawls over to the bottom rope to break the hold.
GUNTHER fires off more chops, then locks in a Sleeper on Miz. Miz counters into a pinfall, but GUNTHER kicks out. Miz then delivers a Skull Crushing Finale and pins GUNTHER, but GUNTHER kicks out. Miz delivers a kick to GUNTHER's shoulder and runs the ropes, but GUNTHER catches him with a chop and ascends to the top. Miz meets him up there and delivers a Skull Crushing Finale off the middle rope. He looks to pin GUNTHER, but GUNTHER rolls out of the ring before he can. Miz follows him out there and dumps him back inside, but gets caught with a powerbomb when he joins him. GUNTHER then delivers a clothesline and a second powerbomb for the win.
Winner (and still): GUNTHER
Shinsuke Nakamura Reads The American Nightmare Before Christmas
Back from the break, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci congratulate GUNTHER on retaining the Intercontinental Championship. GUNTHER says neither of them has any reason to be jolly because this past year has been a write-off for them. He says he will be stepping away for a few weeks, and he expects them both to work hard and impress him in his absence. Kofi Kingston (dressed as Santa Claus) walks in after GUNTHER walks away and hands Kaiser a present. Kaiser opens it up to reveal a piece of coal.
We then head over to Shinsuke Nakamura, who reads the tale of "The American Nightmare" Before Christmas. Cody Rhodes attacks him, and the two brawl all around the backstage area. They spill out to ringside, and officials appear to separate the two men. Rhodes breaks free and clocks Nakamura from behind, but Nakamura jumps the barricade. Rhodes follows him and delivers a double ax handle off the barricade. He then clears the announce desk as officials help Nakamura. Rhodes levels everyone with a tope suicida, then sends Nakamura crashing into the announce desk face first. He looks to send him through it with a Cross-Rhodes, but officials pull Nakamura away before he can.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance then make their way down to the ring. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven follow.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven (c) vs. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance for the Women's Tag Team Championship
Carter and Green begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. Green steps over Carter and gloats before Carter does the same to her in response. She lands a dropkick, then tags in Chance. Chance delivers a senton over the top from the apron. Niven tags in and whips Chance into the corner, then delivers a shoulder tackle. Carter tags in and delivers a springboard kick, then tags Chance back in. Chance and Carter to double team, but Green provides Niven with a hand.
Back from the break, Green and Carter tag in. Carter levels Green, then delivers a thrust kick and sits Green on the top turnbuckle. Green pushes her off and looks to fly, but Carter ducks out of the way. Green lands a leg lariat and goes for a pin, but Carter kicks out. Niven tags in and looks to land a double suplex on Carter with Green, but Carter escapes and runs into a Codebreaker from Green. Green then holds her in place and Niven delivers a running senton. She goes for a pin, but Chance breaks the fall. She dumps Green out of the ring before Carter lands a kick on Niven's jaw. Carter tags in and delivers the Cakes Stand with Chance. Carter goes for a pin, but Green breaks things up and tags herself in. She looks for Unprettier, but Chance avoids it and delivers a Codebreaker before she tags Carter in. The pair then hit The Afterparty for the win.
Winners (and new): Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
Ivar and Valhalla then make their way down to the ring. Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri follow.
Ivar (w/ Valhalla) vs. Akira Tozawa (w/ Maxxine Dupri)
The bell rings and Tozawa wastes no time. Ivar dumps him out of the ring, but Tozawa slides back in and connects with an enzuigiri. He ascends to the middle and looks to fly, but Ivar catches him. Tozawa counters into a hurricanrana and looks to fly again, but Ivar catches him. Tozawa escapes, but gets planted by Ivar with a DDT. He charges at him, but Ivar levels him with a senton. He ascends to the top and looks for a splash, but Tozawa rolls out of the way and rips off his shirt. He climbs up to the top, but Valhalla captures his attention. Dupri pulls her down and sends her crashing into the barricade after Valhalla charges at her. Tozawa delivers a senton and goes for a pin, but Ivar kicks out. Ivar then connects with a spinning back heel kick and ascends to the top, but Tozawa pushes him down and lands an enzuigiri. He looks for an avalanche hurricanrana, but Ivar catches him and delivers a Worlds Strongest Slam for the win.
Winner: Ivar
Back from the break, Seth "Freakin" Rollins heads down.
We Hear From Seth Freakin Rollins
Rollins welcomes fans to Monday Night Rollins, then introduces himself and says he feels more motivated than ever to be the best World Champion in the wrestling industry. He says if fans thought 2023 was a great year for him, then just wait until 2024. He then addresses his Day One World Heavyweight Championship defense against Drew McIntyre.
Before Rollins can continue any further, McIntyre's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Rollins lays his title down in the center of the ring and says he hasn't forgotten that McIntyre delivered a headbutt to him a few weeks ago. McIntyre says he's not in the ring to fight, but rather to tell him that he's proud of him. He calls him a real leader for sticking up to CM Punk last week, then says it must feel good to spend the holidays as World Champion with his family. He says he saw things he didn't like and felt things a certain way when he went home not too long ago. He says he questioned if his career was worth it, then says his wife is in the same position that he is. He says Rollins has been part of those difficult conversations and their families tell them not to come home even though they want to until it's too late. He says he needs the World Heavyweight Championship for validation, and says he will do whatever it takes to dethrone Rollins as champion.
Rollins says he doesn't know how to feel about what McIntyre just said, then asks him what makes him think the outcome of their title match will be different. He asks McIntyre what he means when he says he isn't the same person anymore, then says McIntyre will continue to shift the blame on anyone but himself. He says if McIntyre wants to be a World Champion, he needs to recognize that he only has himself to blame and he's the only person preventing him from holding a World Championship. He says he doesn't hate McIntyre because he pities him, then wishes him a Merry Christmas.
McIntyre looks to attack Rollins as he leaves the ring, but Rollins sees him coming and delivers a superkick that sends him crashing out of the ring. He delivers a tope suicida, then fires off right hands on McIntyre. McIntyre sends Rollins colliding with the barricade, then fires off more right hands and catapults him into the ring steps with an Alabama Slam.
Kofi Kingston (still dressed as Santa Claus) then appears at ringside bearing gifts for fans. Imperium then attacks him, but Jey Uso runs down to the ring to provide Kingston with a hand. He goes flying over the top rope to level Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci on the outside. He then challenges Kaiser to a match.
Jey Uso vs. Ludwig Kaiser (w/ Giovanni Vinci)
Back from the break, the bell has rung and Kaiser delivers a shoulder tackle to Jey. Jey fires off right hands on Kaiser, but Kaiser responds with a clothesline and delivers a right hand to his spine. He then clotheslines Jey out of the ring and lands a running uppercut.
Back from the break, Kaiser delivers an uppercut to Jey in the ring. Jey connects with a series of right hands and a kick to Kaiser's midsection, then delivers an enzuigiri and a Hip Attack in the corner. He follows it up with a superkick and looks for a splash off the top, but Vinci pushes him down. Kaiser then delivers a kick and goes for a pin, but Jey kicks out. Kofi Kingston reemerges and delivers a Trouble In Paradise to Vinci, opening the door for Jey to hit a Spear and an Uso Splash off the top for the win.
Winner: Jey Uso
Back from the break, we see Judgment Day trying to give JD McDonagh some encouragement after losing to R-Truth. Rhea Ripley makes her frustrations clear, and Damian Priest says the match stipulation was clear. McDonagh begs not to be kicked out of the group, and Priest says he's obviously still in Judgment Day for now. Ripley then says that Ivy Nile will get the Women's World Championship match she wants at Day One, and Finn Balor says he and Priest will make an example of The Creed Brothers.
The Creed Brothers and Nile then make their way down to the ring. Judgment Day follow.
Judgment Day (w/ Rhea Ripley) (c) vs. The Creed Brothers (w/ Ivy Nile) for the Undisputed Tag Team Championship
Julius and Balor begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. They take turns locking one another in submission holds before Julius delivers an arm drag. He delivers one to an interfering Priest, and Brutus sends him out of the ring with a clothesline over the top rope to join Balor.
Back from the break, Brutus tags in and whips Balor into the corner. The Creeds double team on him, but Balor delivers a kick to Brutus' midsection and follows it up with a chop. Brutus responds with a knee and tags in Julius, who delivers a double gutbuster to Balor with Brutus. Priest makes the blind tag and low bridges Julius out of the ring, then levels a clothesline to him and sends him crashing into the ring steps. He dumps Julius back inside the ring. Balor tags in and fires off shoulders on Julius' midsection, then delivers a chop. Brutus tags in and sends Balor crashing into the mat, then executes the Brutus Smash and a Fallaway Slam. He then hits a splash in the corner and sends Balor crashing into the mat. Priest tags back in and Balor dumps Brutus out of the ring. Priest pushes him over the announce desk.
Back from another break, Priest fires forearms on Brutus. He sets up for a kick, but Brutus catches him and tags in Julius. Balor tags in and Julius delivers a belly-to-belly suplex. He catches an interfering Priest with one, then delivers a second one to Balor and follows it up with a moonsault. He gets Balor in an Electric Chair Position as Brutus ascends to the top, but Priest pushes Brutus off. Ripley clocks Nile from behind on the outside, but Nile gets her in an Electric Chair position and sends her crashing into the ring apron face first. Julius then gets Balor in an Electric Chair position and Brutus delivers the Brutus Ball off the top. The now legal Brutus goes for a pin, but Priest breaks the fall. Balor delivers a Sling Blade and a dropkick to Brutus, then ascends to the top. Julius meets him up there, but Priest tags in and gets Julius in an Electric Chair position. Brutus pushes Balor off and delivers the Brutus Ball off the top as Julius holds Priest in an Electric Chair position. Balor then ascends to the top and delivers the Coup De Grace to Julius as he pins Priest to break the fall. Priest then catches Julius with South of Heaven for the win.
Winners (and still): Judgment Day