SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…
WWE RAW TV REPORT
JANUARY 8, 2024
PORTLAND, ORE. AT MODA CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA
REPORT BY MAURICIO POMAREZ, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
Tonight after WWE Uncooked, be part of Wade Keller stay with visitor co-host Jeff Rush from PWTorch to interrupt down the present with stay callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
[HOUR ONE]
– Drew McIntyre stood in the midst of the ring to speak about his loss to Seth Rollins from final week. Drew stated that he has been serious about the consequence all week and possibly Rollins and Sami Zayn have been proper. He stated that if that have been the case, he must step away from WWE for some time. Drew moved on to concentrate on Damian Priest for screwing up his match and his cash-in. Drew listed a number of the stuff that has occurred lately, together with CM Punk’s return. He stated that possibly he ought to go away the corporate for 9 years and he would get a greater reception upon his return.
– CM Punk interrupted, instantly placing over how they’re in Piper nation. Punk known as Drew out for simply speaking earlier than telling Drew to say no matter he has to say to his face. Drew congratulated for nonetheless being with the corporate after one month, not crashing and burning. Drew stated that he has traveled the world with Punk and knew the true him. He talked about Punk calling himself a locker room chief again when he was champion, however Punk solely noticed him as a risk. Drew known as Punk a narcissist that had no demons as a result of he was a demon.
– Drew stated that he figured issues out and stepped up after returning and was now Punk’s chief. Punk informed Drew that when pushed, he’s Devil himself and that he was solely a pleasant man till it was time to not be one. Drew stated that his title win at WrestleMania was for the world when it was shut down, however this time he would remove Punk, win the Rumble and get the title for himself. Punk stated that the one individual on his means is himself and since he was a pleasant man, he would throw Drew out final.
(Pomares’s Evaluation: A robust opening section to the shot with two of the perfect promos on the roster. Punk may be greatest recognized for his mic work, but it surely was Drew who had the strongest strains and arguments. No matter who wins the Rumble, Drew vs. Punk looks like a future encounter for the Street to WrestleMania.)
[Commercial Break]
– Final Monday, R-Fact satisfied Finn Bálor to simply accept a singles match in opposition to Tommaso Ciampa.
(1) FINN BÁLOR (w/Damian Priest) vs. TOMMASO CIAMPA (w/Johnny Gargano)
Ciampa took management over Finn with a few chops to the chest, just for Finn to close him down with a basement dropkick. Ciampa put Finn down with a Thesz Press, forcing him to roll out of the ring. Priest distracted Ciampa, however he was nonetheless in a position to smash Finn’s head into the turnbuckle. Finn knocked Ciampa off the apron into the announce desk, as WWE Uncooked went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Ciampa knocked Finn down with a leaping clothesline, adopted by a reverse DDT. Finn blocked a powerbomb and stomped Ciampa’s chest. Ciampa caught Finn with a leaping knee, setting him up for Mission Ciampa and a two rely. Finn knocked Ciampa down with a sling blade and a shotgun dropkick, however missed the Coup de Grace. Priest acquired on the apron, however Gargano instantly pulled him down. Gargano blocked the Razor’s Edge, permitting Ciampa to hit him with a knee strike off the apron. Finn tried to suplex Ciampa
WINNER: Tommaso Ciampa at 8:16
(Pomares’s Evaluation: A advantageous encounter that by no means actually reached its full potential. With each Gargano and Priest concerned within the end, this may seemingly arrange the subsequent tag title match.)
– A recap of Nia Jax defeating Becky Lynch final week was proven.
– Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Becky Lynch about her loss to Nia Jax from final week. Lynch admitted that she misplaced, solely to stroll to the again and declare herself for the Royal Rumble. Lynch stated that she didn’t win, however Jax didn’t beat her both, so possibly they weren’t achieved.
– Kofi Kingston made his solution to the ring, forward of his match in opposition to Ludwig Kaiser.
[Commercial Break]
(2) KOFI KINGSTON vs. LUDWIG KAISER
Kaiser shortly shut Kofi down with a again elbow and a clothesline. Kaiser blasted Kofi with a chop to the chest, just for Kofi to reply with chops of his personal. Kofi pummeled Kaiser atop the turnbuckle, however Kaiser instantly dropped him face-first onto the turnbuckle pad. Kaiser nailed Kofi with a basement dropkick earlier than receiving an enzuigiri and a excessive crossbody. Kaiser averted Bother in Paradise and a suicide dive with an uppercut. At ringside, Kaiser cracked Kofi with a Penalty Kick, as WWE Uncooked went to an advert break.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Kofi caught Kaiser with boots to the face, setting him up for a thrust fall at ringside. Kofi knocked Kaiser off his ft with a leaping clothesline earlier than receiving a shot into the ring submit. Kaiser missed an uppercut into the barricade, however neither man was in a position to return to the ring in time.
WINNER: Draw by way of Double Rely Out at 8:45
– After the match, Kofi Kingston hit Ludwig Kaiser with a thrust kick and a suicide dive. Kaiser gouged Kofi’s eyes, just for Kofi to drop him with a again physique drop onto the announce desk. Kaiser tossed an workplace chair into Kofi’s head and laid his physique on the metal steps. Referees tried to take Kaiser away, however he was in a position to get away and nail Kofi with a dropkick to the top into the metal steps.
(Pomares’s Evaluation: The match itself was respectable, however is clearly not the principle speaking level after the non-finish. The post-match assault was well-executed and was in all probability essentially the most critical Ludwig Kaiser has regarded since becoming a member of the principle roster. It form of got here out-of-nowhere, however a minimum of completed its purpose of constructing Kaiser look vicious.)
[Commercial Break]
[HOUR TWO]
– Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Ludwig Kaiser about his assault on Kofi Kingston. Kaiser yelled that he was the one one in Imperium carrying issues right here due to Kofi. Kaiser informed Kofi that he took Giovanni Vinci final week, so he did the identical to him.
– Nia Jax made her solution to the ring for an in-ring interview with Michael Cole. Jax stated that individuals shouldn’t be shocked that she broke Becky Lynch’s face. Jax stated that there was nobody that might cease her from profitable the Royal Rumble. Rhea Ripley interrupted to remind Jax that she threw her out of the Rumble final yr. Ripley informed Jax to cease strolling like she owns the division as a result of she doesn’t. Ripley informed Jax to maintain her title out of her mouth if she gained the Rumble. Jax informed Ripley that the one purpose she doesn’t have the title is as a result of Ripley is petrified of going through her one-on-one.
(Pomares’s Evaluation: Simply an alright section to remind the followers that the followers that we’ll ultimately see Nia Jax vs. Rhea Ripley in some unspecified time in the future. Not unhealthy, however not memorable both.)
– Chelsea Inexperienced & Piper Niven made their solution to the ring, forward of their title rematch.
[Commercial Break]
– Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Cody Rhodes about his match in opposition to Shinsuke Nakamura, just for Nakamura to assault him from behind. Adam Pearce and different brokers confirmed as much as break them aside.
(3) KATANA CHANCE & KAYDEN CARTER vs. CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN – WWE Ladies’s Tag Crew Championship
Carter caught Inexperienced with a dropkick and a forearm strike, setting her up for a double knee drop from Probability. Carter blasted Inexperienced with a thrust kick and tripped Niven throat-first into the ropes. Niven pulled Carter out of the ring whereas Inexperienced hit Probability with a flatliner into the nook. Niven crushed Probability with a cannonball into the nook, however she kicked out at two.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Niven missed a cannonball into the nook, forcing Inexperienced to tag in. Probability kicked Inexperienced away, reaching Carter for the recent tag. Carter knocked Niven off the apron and blasted Inexperienced with a pair of thrust kicks for a two rely. Carter blasted Inexperienced with a operating boot to the face, adopted by a springboard leg drop. Probability knocked Niven off the apron whereas Carter clocked Inexperienced with an uppercut atop the turnbuckle. Probability launched Inexperienced away with an avalanche hurracarrana for a nearfall.
Inexperienced blocked a splash from Probability along with her knees, however couldn’t observe up with the Unprettier. Inexperienced dropped Carter with a leaping leg drop for a detailed two rely. Niven and Inexperienced put Carter down with a Lung Blower and senton mixture for a detailed nearfall. Carter kicked Inexperienced out of the ring and blasted Niven with a thrust kick. Niven laid Carter out with a uranage whereas Inexperienced tagged herself in. Niven unintentionally hit Inexperienced with a Vader Bomb earlier than receiving a Codebreaker from Probability. Carter dropped Probability on high of Inexperienced with an assisted splash for the victory.
WINNERS: Katana Probability & Kayden Carter at 9:49 (Nonetheless WWE Ladies’s Tag Crew Champions)
(Pomares’s Evaluation: A reasonably good tag match to begin this division’s 2024 on the correct foot. Kayden & Katana are arguably the strongest staff within the division and I totally count on them to succeed in WrestleMania as champions.)
– It was introduced that Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura would now face one another in a Road Struggle.
– R-Fact had a video package deal the place he talked about being with The Judgment Day all through each main second. Quite a few edited video clips and photographs of Fact with the Judgment Day have been proven, ending with the message ‘Dwell, Snicker, Love’ from Fact.
– Backstage, The Judgment Day mentioned R-Fact’s video package deal. Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest argued about their points with Nia Jax and DIY. Ripley informed JD McDonagh to cope with The Miz.
– The Miz made his solution to the ring, forward of his match in opposition to JD McDonagh.
[Commercial Break]
(4) THE MIZ vs. JD MCDONAGH (w/Dominik Mysterio)
R-Fact instantly confirmed as much as be part of Dominik Mysterio, distracting JD within the course of. Miz took JD down with a hip toss, forcing him to roll out of the ring earlier than a Penalty kick. Miz blasted JD with a barrage of kicks to the chest, however missed a nook clothesline. JD blocked the Determine 4, just for Miz to drop him with a neckbreaker. JD caught Miz with a rising kick earlier than receiving a again physique drop. Miz nailed JD with a boot to the face, however Dominik shut him down with a strike behind the referee’s again, as WWE Uncooked went to commercials.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Miz clocked JD with a again elbow and a jawbreaker to dam a sleeper maintain. JD swept Miz off his ft, setting him up for a slingshot Tornillo for a two rely. JD nailed Miz with an enzuigiri and a snap suplex, however he kicked out at two. Miz pummeled JD with quite a few proper fingers earlier than crushing him with a nook clothesline.
Miz blasted JD with a barrage of kicks to the chest and put him down with a knee drop to the knee.JD tried to rise up, however Miz turned him inside out with a pair of kicks to the legs. Miz put JD within the Determine 4, till he was in a position to attain the ropes. JD pulled Miz’s head into the ropes, however acquired distracted with Fact at ringside. Miz knocked JD and Dominik down with a dropkick by way of the ropes earlier than ending JD with the Cranium Crushing Finale.
WINNER: The Miz at 12:02
(Pomares’s Evaluation: There was nothing notably mistaken with the in-ring work and the R-Fact story may be very over, however this didn’t have to go 12 complete minutes to get its level throughout.)
– Backstage, The Judgment Day agreed that they needed to cope with their scenario subsequent week.
[Commercial Break]
– Seth Rollins made his solution to the ring to speak concerning the begin of the Street to WrestleMania. Rollins stated that he has by no means taken a world title into WrestleMania, however now he was actually shut. Rollins put over how he put the arduous work and was a workhorse champion like he promised. He requested the group who he would beat on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Earlier than Rollins may proceed speaking concerning the roster, Jinder Mahal interrupted him. Mahal known as Rollins out for merely entertaining the clowns within the crowd and feeding their degeneracy.
– Mahal stated that he was missed and that he noticed by way of Rollins’ facade. Rollins agreed that they’ve been overlooking Mahal, but it surely was on function. Rollins dared Mahal to take a swing at him, just for Mahal to assault him from behind. Mahal took Rollins down with a clothesline, however Rollins knocked him down with a thrust kick. Mahal evaded a Curb Stomp and retreated.
(Pomares’s Evaluation: With practically each main star within the Rumble, somebody like Jinder Mahal is sensible as a throwaway opponent for Seth Rollins. Having stated that, I’m not inquisitive about a Rollins vs. Mahal program even whether it is short-term. )
– Otis made his solution to the ring, forward of his match in opposition to Ivar.
[Commercial Break]
[HOUR THREE]
– Earlier at the moment, Otis protected Akira Tozawa from Ivar to arrange a single match.
(5) OTIS (w/Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri) vs. IVAR (w/Valhalla)
Otis knocked Ivar down with a physique block and a clothesline, however Ivar shut him down with a seated senton. Otis countered a springboard crossbody with a powerslam for a detailed two rely. Ivar managed to plant Otis with a sitout powerbomb, however he kicked out at two. Otis took Ivar down with a lariat, setting him up for the Caterpillar and a nearfall. Ivar knocked Otis down with a leg lariat earlier than knocking him out with a moonsault.
WINNER: Ivar at 3:46
(Pomares’s Evaluation: Enjoyable whereas it lasted, giving each Otis and Ivar a few great-looking spots. I may see Ivar getting a little bit of a singles push, but it surely doesn’t really feel like there are any clear plans for the whole Alpha Academy.)
– After the match, Ivar shoved Akira Tozawa out of the ring.
– Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Jey Uso about his resolutions for 2024. Jey stated that he deliberate to win singles gold this yr earlier than being interrupted by Bronson Reed. Reed merely suggested Jey to not get in on his means.
[Commercial Break]
– It was introduced that Seth Rollins would tackle Jinder Mahal in a world title match, R-Fact & The Miz would face Finn Bálor & Damian Priest, DIY would battle Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh and that Gunther would return.
– A video package deal recapping the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura was proven.
– Shinsuke Nakamura made his solution to the ring, forward of his match in opposition to Cody Rhodes.
[Commercial Break]
(6) CODY RHODES vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – Road Struggle
Cody clocked Nakamura with a drop-down punch, forcing him to roll out of the ring. Cody nailed Nakamura with a sliding dropkick earlier than ramming him into the barricades. Earlier than Nakamura may react, Cody whacked him with a water bottle. Nakamura shocked Cody with a brush shot, setting him up for a sequence of kendo stick pictures to the again, as WWE Uncooked went to an advert break.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Nakamura hit Cody with a rising knee strike to the stomach. Nakamura maintained management over Cody with an axe kick, setting him up for a half Boston Crab. Cody blocked a kick to the chest, just for Nakamura to clock him with an enzuigiri. Cody managed to place Nakamura down with a leaping forearm strike and a snap powerslam, setting him up for a Catastrophe Kick and a two rely.
Nakamura stopped Cody from organising a desk by clobbering him with a pair of nunchucks. Nakamura clotheslined Cody over the barricade, however Cody caught him mid-air with a strike to the stomach. Nakamura unintentionally blinded the timekeeper with purple mist. Cody tried to examine on the timekeeper, till Nakamura attacked him with chair pictures to the again, as WWE Uncooked went to its remaining business break.
[Commercial Break]
Again from break, Cody pummeled Nakamura with a sequence of chair pictures to the again, just for Cody to smash his head right into a chair within the nook. They began exchanging forearm strikes, till Cody caught Nakamura with two elbows to the top. Cody arrange a desk, however Nakamura shut him down with a headbutt. Nakamura put Cody by way of the desk with a diving double knee drop for a two rely. Nakamura laid a desk on the nook earlier than catching Cody with an enzuigiri and a sliding German suplex.
Earlier than Cody may react, Nakamura cracked him with a diving knee strike for a nearfall. Cody caught Nakamura with a thrust kick and a Pedigree for a detailed two rely. Cody hit Nakamura with the Cody Cutter, however he managed to kick out at two. Nakamura blocked the Cross Rhodes and hit Cody with an enzuigiri. Cody evaded one other Kinshasa and drove Nakamura by way of the desk within the nook, setting him up for Cross Rhodes and the win.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes at 24:04
(Pomares’s Evaluation: That was a bog-standard TV important occasion Road Struggle. It was well-executed and the group have been very popular for many of it, but it surely felt very very similar to a small diversion for Cody between Survivor Sequence and the Rumble.)
Tonight after WWE Uncooked, be part of Wade Keller stay with visitor co-host Jeff Rush from PWTorch to interrupt down the present with stay callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.