WWE RAW Live Coverage - December 11th, 2023
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Will CM Punk sign with Raw?
CM Punk returns to Monday Night Raw with a question needing to be answered: With which brand will The Voice of the Voiceless sign? This past week on Raw, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce informed World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins that he intended to sign CM Punk to Raw after missing out on fellow free agent Randy Orton, who opted to sign with SmackDown. Punk’s return has completely unglued the WWE Universe and upended the entire landscape of WWE, so where will he sign?
:raw:
Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
We start off with a look back at Drew McIntyre's comments from last week's Raw and all of the ancillary actions as a result of the promo.
Before our opening match, Jey Uso has something to say.
He welcomes everyone to Raw. He says he got Yeet back and he is excited about that. He says he is excited about Punk being in the building. He decides if he wants to sign with Raw or not. He asks the crowd if they want to see Punk sign with Raw. Jey says he lost one of his dogs last week when Sami Zayn got hurt and he tells him to get well soon. Jey says it was at the hands of Drew McIntyre. He came after Sami, and then him and Seth after their match. Drew isn't trying to be honest. He says Drew is two faced and tonight they go face to face in the ring.
Drew's music interrupts and he comes out but he does not have his sword, he has a microphone.
Drew says enough of the arse kissing Jey. Isn't the locker room in enough of a state with you in it. He tells Adam Pearce to let him go. He tells Nick Aldis to take CM Punk because he will destroy the locker room from the inside out. He has traveled with Punk and he knows how it will end. Drew says Seth got what he deserved because he made it personal. Drew says he might have had a little to do with why Sami is home. You did talk about his family a bit too much. Drew says Sami has one good leg left. Drew tells Jey that is what an apology sounds like.
Drew says he is not wrong. Drew asks if someone hurt a family member, would you want revenge? What if they never apologized. He wants to know who would want to get revenge on him Drew says for a few of you, the truth will set you free. Drew mentions a fan and calls him a coward. You come out here with your fake arse apology, use a fake word, and then do some gesture.
Jey Uso vs Drew McIntyre
The bell rings and Jey with punches and then he clotheslines Drew over the top rope to the floor. Drew takes out his frustration on his jacket.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jey with punches but Drew with an Irish whip. Jey with a punch and Drew with a punch and kick. Drew sends Jey into the turnbuckles but Jey with a kick from the apron and goes up top for a cross body and he gets a near fall. Drew with a hard Irish whip and the referee checks on Jey while Drew punches Jey. Drew with hammer fists to the back of the head. Drew waits for Jey to get up and then Drew sets for a suplex and Jey tries to block it but Drew hits the move. Drew with kicks while Jey is barely able to get to his feet. Jey with punches but he falls to a knee after the punches. Jey with a chop and Drew with a back elbow. Drew with a chop. Drew with a punch to Jey in the ropes. Jey rolls to the floor and gingerly walks around ringside. Drew goes for a Claymore but Jey moves and lands on the announce table.
Jey with a suicide dive.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Drew stops a superplex attempt and he punches Drew and puts him in the tree of woe. Drew pulls himself up and pulls Jey to the mat. We see footage during the break of Drew catapulting Jey's throat into the frame of the ring. Jey with punches but Drew with a head butt. Jey sends Drew to the apron and Drew goes up top but misses when Jey moves. Jey with a super kick and a punch. Jey with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Jey sets for a running hip but Drew is able to move and Jey hits the turnbuckles. Drew with a neck breaker. Drew gets back to his feet and stares down Jey to set up for a Claymore. Drew runs into a super kick and a second one. Jey goes up top and lands on Drew's knees on a splash. Drew with Future Shock for a near fall. Drew pulls off the top turnbuckle pad in one of the corners.
Drew ses for a Claymore but Jey with a spear for a near fall. The referee puts the turnbuckle pad back on and Drew rakes the eye and hits a Claymore for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
We take a look back at CM Punk's appearance on Smackdown.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look at Shinsuke Nakamura's comments.
He says he has watched Cody week after week and he talks about finishing his story. You are no closer. You are a dog chasing a car. As great as you are, you are not enough. And you never will be. Cody says he doesn't respect him and that is Cody's weakness. You strive for the admiration of others. Nakamura says he freed himself of that burden a while ago and he draw his own destiny and tell hsi own story He says will bring Cody's story to an end. He is the real nightmare. He tells Cody that he asked for this.
Backstage:
We go to THE Clubhouse and Finn yells at JD and Dom for the problems after not being there last week. Rhea mentions Truth getting in the clubhouse. They talk about locking the door. JD and Dom lost to the Creeds and Dom lost his title. Priest says they are not going ot take the Creeds lightly. They are going to handle this Judgment Day style. Rhea tells Priest it doesn't take much to say you are a leader, but to be the leader. Rhea says she is talking to all of them. She says she is going to show why they are the most dominant.
Backstage:
Ivy Nile and The Creeds show up to motivate Maxxine for her match. R Truth shows up and he has some lights for THE Judgment Day Clubhouse to decorate. Chad tells Truth to be careful with THE Judgment Day. He tells Truth he doesn't think Truth is in the group. Truth says he is in the group and they are misunderstood. He wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Women's World Championship
Rhea Ripley vs Maxxine Dupri (w/ Ivy Nile)
Maxxine avoids Rhea a few times and she slaps Rhea. Rhea with short arm clotheslines and she sets for a power bomb but Dupri blocks it. Maxxine blocks another power bomb attempt with a rana. Maxxine with a drop kick and she starts to pose but sees that Rhea is pissed. Maxxine tries for an O'Connor Roll but Rhea holds on to the ropes and connects with a boot and then Rhea with RipTide and she tells Dupri she is nothing. Rhea with the Prism Trap and Maxxine taps out.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
After the match:
Ivy Nile gets in Rhea's face and Rhea has some words for Ivy
We take a look at Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Chance says if they accepted no, they wouldn't be where there are today. Carter says for every door that closes, they rip it off its hinges. Chance says they are set their sights on the tag titles so it is only a matter of time.
Backstage:
Adam Pearce walks int he back with his contract and he stops at Punk's door and knocks on it. He enters the room.
We go to commercial.
Adam Pearce is in the center of the ring with a contract.
He says the time for the sales pitch is over. After talking to Nick Aldis on Smackdown and Shawn Michaels at NXT, he does not need an introduction, but he will need to make a decision.
He brings out CM Punk.
Adam hands Punk the mic.
Punk says he thought he was in a bit of a sullen mood but he comes out and sees the people and the signs. He says he has a huge decision to make and they have a huge decision to make. Punk says he loves you guys. The truth is this town and this building hasn't been historically good to him. He walked back here through the hallways and there are a lot of ghosts. He is trying to face them head on. Punk says he debuted in this building. He says he had Mickie James on his arm. They walked into the ring and it was so good that they told him that he was going to Louisville and OVW. Punk says he embraced being uncomfortable. Punk says he learned to love it. Punk says he returned as the World Champion, ready to put on a show. Then Randy Orton kicks him in the head and he wakes up being told he was stripped of the title because he couldn't compete.
Punk asks the people if they were here ten years ago. That is in the rearview mirror and in the past. He says he had to take himself off the hamster wheel and he does not regret it. Punk says he walked out on the people who paid to see him. Punk says he talked to Indi in the back and she felt betrayed. Punk says he felt the same way when Roddy Piper appeared in WCW. If you are disappointed in him walking out on WWE, he apologized. Punk says he listened to what Nick Aldis had to say. He received a nice offer. Punk says he went to NXT to talk to Shawn Michaels and Shawn made an offer to mold the future. Punk says the offer from Adam Pearce is head and shoulders above them both.
Punk says his mind was probably made when he saw Cleveland on the calendar. He is here to bury some ghosts and right some wrongs. Punk says his future is now. You can't write a better television show. Almost ten years to the day he walks out, Punk walks right back in. If you are happy about it, mad about it, you better learn to love it because Punk says he is the newest Raw Superstar.
Punk takes the contract and he signs it.
Punk poses on the turnbuckles and . . .
Seth Rollins' music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Seth gets in Punk's face and they stare each other down.
Seth walks past Punk and takes a mic.
Seth addresses Punk and he welcomes him to Monday Night Rollins. He tells Punk to realize how fortunate you are to stand in this ring. He tells Punk never to call this place his home. You abandoned this place ten years ago. Not only did you abandon it. You tried to tear it down. You spent ten years slandering him and every person in the locker room. You want to come back and call this place your home. Seth says this is his home. Seth says he has been here and everyone in the back are his brothers and sisters. Everyone watching at home is his family. This is their home. He will do everything to protect this place from people like you.
Seth says he wants to make it clear so there is no confusion. He says he is going to say it plainly with every fiber in his being. Seth says he hates Punk. If you are going to be a part of WWE again, he wants Punk on Raw. Seth cackles and says the truth always comes out. He says everyone knows that this is your last chance. One of two things is going to happen. You are going to expose yourself and self destruct like you always do. Seth says he will be the first to slam the door shut on your legacy. Or, by some miracle, you have changed and you have any gas left in that old tank. Maybe one day you will be lucky enough to stand across the ring from him in a World Championship match. Seth says he will expose Punk for the fraud he is. There are levels to this and he will wrestle circles around Punk. He will let Punk know, in real time, what it means to be the best in the world.
Punk gets a mic and he asks Seth if he is done. He says that is your one pass to stand in here and talk to him disrespectfully without coming after him. Punk says he has never asked for things and he has done things stubbornly. Punk tells Pearce if they are going to make things official, he is going to be in the Royal Rumble. Punk says when he wins, maybe he is coming after Seth.
We go to Valhalla and Ivar. S
She says that Reed is the sacrificial lamb to the Gods. Ivar says the referees stopped him from destroying Reed the last time. Tonight, he puts him down in agonizing defeat.
Reed says you weren't sent by the Gods. The security was not sent to stop both of them, but to protect Ivar. Tonight is your Viking funeral.
We go to commercial.
Ivar (w/ Valhalla) vs Bronson Reed
They charge into each other. Ivar with a kick and then he follows with lawnmower elbows in the corner. Reed with a running body block and an elbow drop. Reed with punches. Reed with a chop and a hard Irish whip and Ivar does the Michaels Flip. Ivar with a punch and Reed punches back. They continue the exchange and Reed gets Ivar up but Ivar gets to his feet. Both men with clotheslines at the same time and they both go down. Ivar rolls to the floor and so does Reed, on the other side of the ring. They stare at each other and they charge at each other on the floor and both with cross body presses and both go down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ivar and Reed exchange punches and forearms. Reed with a thrust kick and Ivar with a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Ivar misses a cannonball into the corner and hits the turnbuckles. Reed goes up top but Ivar stops Reed and punches him. Ivar with a clothesline to Reed to knock him off the apron. Ivar goes up top and hits a cannonball onto Reed. Reed stops Ivar on the turnbuckles and Reed goes up top. Ivar and Reed exchange punches on the turnbuckles. Reed with a head butt and he sets for a superplex and hits it. Reed rolls to get his arm on Ivar for the three count.
Winner: Bronson Reed
Backstage:
CM Punk walks in the back and he sees THE Judgment Day and asks where is Rhea. Priest welcomes Punk to Raw. He says he hopes Punk finishes his story because he will be the one waiting. The Judgment Day make their way to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Priest says he can't but feel the need to remind you who they are. He wants everyone to rise for THE Judgment Day. Finn tells everyone to rise for the only two time Undisputed tag champions. He tells people to step up to get put down. Priest says they have a simple message to everyone. It doesn't matter you have been dealt with by THE Judgment Day, are coming back to WWE, or are new like the Creeds. You are all being put on notice.
R Truth comes out and he says he went by THE Clubhouse to do some decorating and they got a lock for the front and back door.
JD says this isn't about holiday parties. And if it was, you wouldn’t be invited. Priest tells JD he wants to hear what Truth has to say.
Truth says he has a lot of ideas to share. He says they need to kick JD out because nobody likes him. He tells Priest he has to stop calling himself the boss. He likes Priest being the boss and then Mami gets mad.
Priest says Truth is a funny guy and he knows why the locker room likes him.
Finn says he likes Truth.
Priest says everyone in the building loves R Truth.
Priest says everyone loves R Truth . . . except him.
Priest with a clothesline and then the rest of THE Judgment Day attack Truth.
The music for The Creeds play and they come to the ring and they are stopped by THE Judgment Day. Julius is sent to the floor and JD and Dom try to Irish whip him but Julius with a double Northern Lights Suplex Finn is sent to the apron and Brutus with a drop kick to send him to the floor. Priest sets for a double choke slam but Brutus and Julius stop him and hit a double spinebuster.
Backstage:
CM Punk continues to walk in the back and he sees Drew and Pearce. Drew says he doesn't care about Punk or Cody finishing their stories, but Drew says he is going to finish his story. Pearce says Drew gets a title match on the Day One episode of Raw. Kofi Kingston shows up and Punk says hello. Chad Gable and Ricochet are with Kofi and Adam wants to talk to him about the Intercontinental Championship.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter vs Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae.
Indi and Carter start and Indi with a shoulder tackle and she mocks Carter's dance moves. Carter walks over Indi. Chance tags in and she trips Indi and then Carter with a kick followed by a slingshot senton from Chance for a near fall. Indi avoids a sunset flip and then Chance with a Silly String head scissors take down. Candice comes in and she takes Carter to the mat with a leg pick and hits a back senton for a near fall.
We see Natalya and Tegan Nox watching in BACK on MONITOR.
Indi with a gutbuster and Candice with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Indi misses a boot but she does not miss a spinebuster. Candice tags in and Candice is dropped onto Carter but Carter gets her knees up. Carter with a kick to Indi and then Chance tags in and they hit After Party for the three count.
Winners: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
Backstage:
Johnny Gargano is in the back with Tommaso Ciampa and he talks about being in his home town. Ciampa asks Gargano if they can trust him. Kaiser and Vinci show up and ask who would team up with Gargano and Ciampa. Ciampa says they shouldn't worry about their partner and worry about disappointing Gunther again. Gunther says he doubts they will find anyone who would want to associate with two weirdos like them.
Backstage:
Becky Lynch walks in the back and we see Nikki Cross in the background.
We go to commercial.
Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring.
She says she has come here to call out Nia Jax. They have never gone one on one in this ring but they have been linked together for one reason.
We see footage of 'THE punch' from 2018.
Becky says it may seem petty to bring this up, but she is petty. Everyone she has fought has tried to use this against her, she wants to get to the root of the problem. They have kept missing each other. Becky says she went to the main event of Wrestlemania while Nia had double ACL surgery. Then she had a child while NIa got fired. It is 2023 and they are both here . . .
Nia Jax's music interrupts and she makes her way to the ring.
Nia says she is not fired any more and she is right here, in front of you, better than ever. That punch you showed was a lucky swing. One that almost ended your career. I didn't even get all of it. If I punched you with all of my force, you wouldn't get up. This is a contact sport so what else did you expect.
Becky says she doesn't hold it against Nia because you are the most dangerous person in the ring. You have injured people and almost ended people's career.
Nia says that people blame her for almost ending careers, but you have to thank her for making Becky's.
Becky says if it was more than about a broken face, it would have passed as soon as the blood dried. This is about being the Man and getting back up and fighting like hell. Becky says that is what she has done her whole life. You and your minions have been saying that Becky is not a main event star but Becky says she proved them wrong. Now you are saying that she is a main event star because of Nia. Becky says she needs to end NIa.
Nia says Becky needs her to prove she is more than that one moment and that your career is an accident due to you breaking your face. Nia says she will be known as making the man.
Becky tells Nia to shut up. She came here looking for a fight.
Becky tells Nia to hit her again and Nia looks around and she tells Becky that she needs this more than Nia does.
Nia leaves the ring.
Backstage:
Jackie Redmond is with Cody Rhodes and she asks about Punk joining Raw. Cody says it is good for Adam to get it done. He is happy for Raw and for Punk. Jackie asks about tonight's match against Nakamura. Cody says he would have been a lot happier about this match if he wasn't spit in the face with the mist. He is happy that Nakamura is vicious. What better place to finish this than in Cleveland, the place where Stardust debuted.
We go to commercial.
Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci vs Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Miz
Johnny and Vinci start things off Gunther decides to start instead. Miz wants to face Gunther so Miz wants to tag in but Gunther punches Gargano and chops him. Kaiser tags in and he sends Gargano into the turnbuckles. Kaiser slaps Gargano in the corner. He tags in Vinci and they have some words before Gunther says something. Gargano with punches and he avoids a slam but Vinci with a forearm. Ciampa tags in and he connects with a forearm and a clothesline forearm combination. CIampa goes to the floor when Kaiser pulls the ropes open. Gunther with a running boot to the head.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kaiser chops Ciampa and Ciampa chops back. Gunther tags in and kicks Miz off the apron. Ciampa with forearms to Gunther but Gunther stops him from making a tag. Gunther with a knee and Vinci tags in and hits a cross body. Vinci kicks Ciampa in the corner but misses an elbow. Gargano and Kaiser tag in and Gargano with a slingshot kick. Gargano with an enzuigiri to Kaiser and a forearm to Vinci. Gargano with a bulldog and clothesline combination. Gargano with a slingshot spear to Kaiser for a near fall. Vinci misses a knee in the corner and goes over the to rope to the floor. Kaiser get Gargano up but Gargano gets to his feet and he hits a super kick. Gargano thinks about it and tags in Miz and Gunther tags in. Miz with punches to Gunther and then Miz with an Awesome Clothesline. Miz with a round kick and hits a cross body. Miz with a bot to the head. Miz with kicks in the corner but Gunther blocks a kick and chops Miz and applies a Boston Crab.
Ciampa breaks up the hold with a knee. Kaiser and Vinci stop Ciampa. Miz and Gargano with stereo tornado DDTs. Gunther with a boot to Gargano and Miz with a dragon screw and he applies the figure four leg lock. Gargano with La Mistica to Kaiser and he applies GargaNo Escape. Vinci tags in and he hits an elbow drop to Miz. Vinci goes for a power bomb but Miz escapes and hits Skull Crushing FInale for the three count.
Winners: Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and Miz
Next week, the Creeds will face THE Judgment Day for the men's tag titles. The Women's tag titles will be defended by Piper Niven and Chelsea Green against Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.
We go to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cody Rhodes
They lock up and Cody with a side head lock. Cody with a take down and Nakamura with a head scissors and Cody escapes. They go to a test of strength but Nakamura with a kick to the leg and a wrist lock. Cody backs Nakamura into the ropes and Cody with a clean break. Cody pushes Nakamura and mises the drop down uppercut. Nakamura misses a round kick. Cody with a drop kick and he goes to the turnbuckles and punches Nakamura. Cody with a biel and he goes up top. Nakamura kicks Cody and he falls onto the turnbuckle. Nakamura with a running knee.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nakamura chokes Cody in the corner. Nakamura with a cravate and knee followed by a snap mare and kick. Cody with punches and Nakamura with a running kick. Nakamura with a side head lock. Cody with elbows and Nakamura goes for a reverse exploder but Cody lands on his feet and he hits an elbow. Nakamura catches Cody on a CodyCutter attempt and tries for an arm bar. Cody with a rollup. Nakamura with a cross arm breaker. Cody gets to the ropes to force a break. Nakamura puts Cody in the ropes and hits the sliding German suplex. Nakamura goes to the turnbuckles and hits a knee for a near fall. Nakamura sets for Kinshasa but Cody with a drop kick to the knee. Cody with a dragon screw and Nakamura rolls to the apron. Cody with a dragon screw in the ropes. Cody brings Nakamura into the ring and hits a gourdbuster. Cody with a single leg crab.
Nakamura gets to the ropes to force a break. Nakamura goes to the floor and Cody with a suicide dive.
We go to commercial.
We are back and both men are down in the center of the ring after both hit clotheslines at the same time. Nakamura with a forearm and Cody fires back. They continue the exchange. Nakamura with a series of forearms and Cody with a flying forearm and he floats over and hits a power slam. Nakamura counters a figure four attempt into a sleeper and body scissors on Cody. Cody gets to his feet and he has Nakamrua on his back. Cody drops back and escapes. Cody with Beautiful Disaster for a near fall. Cody with jabs and then he sets for son of Bionic Elbow. Cody with a CodyCutter and he sets for CrossRhodes. Nakamura spits mist in Cody's face and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Cody Rhodes (by disqualification)
After the match:
Nakamura with knees to Cody. Nakamura pushes Cody into the corner and Cody with a punch. Nakamura hits Cody from behind and hits Kinshasa to the back of the head.
Nakamura gets a chair and brings it into the ring.
Referees hold out their arms to stop Nakamura.
The Creeds make their way to the ring and Nakamura leaves.
Cody is helped up the aisle and Nakamura with a running knee to Cody.
End of show.
