The December 16th, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA. Here are 5 takeaways from the show:
Lana Gave Lashley Permission To Marry Her
Bobby Lashley and Lana came down to the ring with smiles on their faces. Lana interfered in the match last night and it allows Lashley to slam Rusev through a table for the victory.
Lana promoted her Instagram and rolled footage from last night’s match. Lana announced Lashley as last night’s winner and said that nobody in the crowd will ever be as good as him.
Lana told Lashley that he was beautiful and a “Rusev Day!” chant broke out. She claimed that Rusev Day is dead and the crowd started chanting “we want Rusev!”. Lana told the crowd that they suck and pulled out an engagement ring.
She asked Bobby to ask her to marry him. Lashley said that he doesn’t like when anyone tells him what to do, except her and then got on his knee. Lashley called Lana the most beautiful girl in the world and the most amazing female wrestler in history. Bobby then proposed and Lana accepted. Lana added that it is going to be the most amazing wedding ever and it will happen on Lana Day.
Andrade Brutally Attacked Humberto Carrillo
Akira Tozawa, R-Truth, Ricochet, Andrade, Matt Hardy, and Humberto Carrillo battled in a Gauntlet Match. The winner of the match earned a shot at the United States Championship. Akira Tozawa quickly rolled up R-Truth and then faced Ricochet.
Ricochet eliminated Tozawa after connecting with the Recoil to advance in the Gauntlet Match. Matt Hardy was the next superstar and made his way to the ring as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Matt Hardy was in control and bounced Ricochet’s face off the turnbuckle several times as United States Champion Rey Mysterio looked on from backstage. Matt planted Ricochet with a Powerbomb and went for a cover but Ricochet was able to kick out at the last moment.
Hardy connected with the Side Effect for another two count and made his way up to the top rope. Matt went for a Moonsault but Ricochet got out of the way and Hardy crashed to the canvas. Ricochet hit a Shooting Star Press for a near fall and then made his way to the top rope. Hardy got out of the way and went for Twist of Fate but Ricochet rolled him up for the elimination.
Humberto Carrillo was the next superstar in the match. Carrillo dominated early but Ricochet battled back and rolled up Humberto for a two count. Zelina Vega came down to the entrance ramp as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Ricochet was beating Humberto down in the corner as Zelina watched from the ramp.
Ricochet connected with a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Ricochet followed it up with an Enziguri and a Crossbody that knocked both superstars out of the ring. Back in the ring, Ricochet planted Humberto with a Superplex and both superstars were down on the canvas.
Carrillo connected with an Enziguri and perched Ricochet up on the top turnbuckle. Humberto went for a reverse Hurricanrana but Ricochet landed on his feet. Carrillo slammed Ricochet to the mat and hit a Moonsault for the victory. Humberto then battled Andrade in the final bout of the Gauntlet Match.
Andrade attacked Humberto from behind and stomped on him as Vega made her way to the ring. Andrade hit Double Knees and then ripped up the padding on the floor outside the ring to expose the concrete. Andrade planted Carrillo with a DDT on the concrete and retreated through the crowd as Rey came to check on Humberto.
Rollins & AOP Beat Mysterio Down
Seth Rollins and AOP kicked off this week’s episode of RAW. Rollins claimed that he was a leader and that he is a visionary. Seth stated that he is going to be the man that leads this company into the next decade and beyond. Rollins vowed to impose his will and if anyone resists, the AOP will enforce his will. Rollins added that he has to settle a score tonight and the crowd is not going to like it. Seth apologized for what he had to do tonight before exiting the ring.
After the Gauntlet Match, AOP and Rollins came down to the ring with the steel pipe. Akam and Rezar beat Mysterio down and Rollins placed the pipe next to Rey. Mysterio tried to grab the steel pipe but AOP blocked him and punched him in the face.
Seth told Mysterio that it didn’t have to be this way but Rey gave the steel pipe to Kevin Owens last week. Rollins said that he is a merciful leader and that tonight is his lucky night. Seth told Rey that he owed him one and made it seem like he was going to leave the ring. Seth planted Rey with the Curb Stomp before leaving the ring.
Seth Rollins was interviewed backstage and said that he settle score tonight. Rollins added that it was time to establish dominance and challenged Mysterio to a match for the United States Championship next week on RAW. Rey Mysterio accepted the challenge during a backstage promo later on the show.
I enjoyed the Gauntlet Match but it sucked that we didn’t get a finish to the match. Rollins and AOP have become the most interesting part of RAW and the United States Championship Match next week should be great. It is only a matter of time before Kevin Owens returns to get his revenge.
Becky Lynch Challenged Asuka
Asuka faced NXT superstar Deonna Purrazzo tonight on RAW. Deonna hit Asuka with a boot to the face before the bell rang. Asuka dominated the match early and beat Deonna down in the corner of the ring.
Asuka hit the Hip Attack but Deonna battled back and locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Asuka countered into an Arm Bar of her own and then transitioned to the a Knee Bar in the center of the ring.
Asuka started taunting the crowd and it allowed Deonna to escape. Purrazzo hit an elbow to the face and slammed Asuka to the mat for a near fall. Asuka battled back with a flurry of kicks and applied the Asuka Lock for the submission victory.
Becky Lynch was then interviewed backstage. Lynch claimed that she hasn’t been herself the last few months after she was placed in tag team competition. Becky said that WWE is trying to protect her because they don’t think that she can beat Asuka. Lynch pointed out that Asuka defeated her in the past and is the best in the world right now. Becky leaned into the camera and spoke directly to Asuka. Becky said she needs to face Asuka and beat her to prove something to herself.
Becky’s promo was great tonight and felt real. This feud has the potential to be great and it hopefully it culminates in an awesome match at Royal Rumble next month.
Randy Orton Picked Up A Win Over AJ Styles
Randy Orton battled AJ Styles in the main event of this week’s RAW. Styles started out in control and hit Orton with a couple of chops in the corner. Orton went for the RKO but AJ was able to escape and rolled out of the ring to regroup. AJ rolled back into the ring and booted Orton to the outside.
AJ followed Orton and Randy capitalized with a slam onto the ring apron. Back in the ring, Orton stomped on AJ’s ankle several times. Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm but Orton tripped him up. Orton went for the DDT but Styles escaped and tried to lock in the Calf Crusher.
Orton blocked it initially but AJ rolled through and locked in the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. Randy screamed in pain but was able to battle through and reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Orton rolled out of the ring and AJ leveled him with a chop block as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Styles was still in control and continued targeting Orton’s knee. Randy poked AJ in the eye and retreated to the corner of the ring. Orton bounced AJ’s face off the top turnbuckle and bought himself some more time to regroup.
Randy hit a punch to the face but Styles caught him with another boot to the knee. Orton planted Styles with a Powerslam and both superstars fell to the canvas. Orton connected with a Backbreaker and went for the cover but Styles kicked out at one. Randy took a bit to apply the cover as he was selling a knee injury.
The crowd chanted “RKO!” as Randy battled to his feet. Orton slapped his knee a couple times and perched AJ on the top turnbuckle. AJ escaped and smashed Orton’s head into the turnbuckle. Styles once again hit Orton with a chop block and he collapsed to the mat.
Styles hit a Moonsault and went for the cover but Orton was able to kick out at the last second. Orton caught AJ in the ropes and planted him with the DDT. Orton geared up for the RKO but Styles dodged it and locked in the Calf Crusher once again. Orton booted AJ away and sent him to the apron. AJ went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Orton countered into the RKO for the pinfall victory. After the match, The OC attacked Orton but the Viking Raiders made the save. The OC beat them down and planted Erik on the mat. The OC then posed in the ring to end the show.
This week’s RAW was a mixed bag. The Gauntlet Match was solid but the lack of a finish to the match made it feel like a waste of time. The main event, Becky’s promo, and the segments with Rollins & AOP were the highlights of the show.