WWE RAW Results (12/29/14) – New Champions Crowned!

Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, December 29th, 2014 (USA Network)
Location: The Verizon Center in Washington, DC
Results by Matt Boone

“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…”

Edge, Christian. Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman & John Cena Open Up RAW

This week’s show opens up with a video package that begins with a look back at the 2011 retirement speech of Edge. Let’s not forget, Daniel Bryan has a major announcement for tonight. Could the two be related? We’ll find out on tonight’s RAW, the final edition of the show of 2014, live from Washington, D.C.

After the video package, Edge and Christian are introduced and this week’s guest hosts make their way out to the ring.

Their music dies down and Christian begins, explaining that he’s excited to be here hosting the final 2014 edition of RAW. He says they should do tonight’s show “E&C Style.” He says tonight there will be a very special “Peep Show.” As he goes to announcement his guest, Edge cuts him off and says it shouldn’t be the “Peep Show,” it should be the “Cutting Edge.”

Edge says tonight they’ll do the first ever, “Cutting Edge Peep Show.” Christian asks the audience what they think. They cheer. Edge says the first guest will be the self-proclaimed future of the WWE, Seth Rollins. Edge says Rollins will go one-on-one with Roman Reigns tonight. The crowd cheers. Christian then makes a match between Rusev and Dolph Ziggler will go one-on-one in a champion versus champion match. Christian mentions that Daniel Bryan will be here tonight. The fans break out in an enormous “Yes!” chant. Very big one. Edge says he will be out here later to address the WWE Universe on his future. Edge and Christian give Washington, D.C. a very special five-second pose. He says for the benefit of those with flash-photography.

Before they can do their pose, however, Brock Lesnar’s music hits and out comes the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, alongside his advocate, Paul Heyman. The two make their way down to the ring to confront Edge and Christian.

Lesnar music cuts and Heyman begins by introducing himself. He questions why a man with a broken neck and another man with far too many concussions would swim in the shark-infested waters that are inhabited by the biggest, most unmerciful predator in the WWE Universe, the reigning and defending WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar. Heyman tells them, “go ahead, make a move.” He says they know they can’t because one wrong move and they could end up in a wheel chair. Heyman says he wants to make it clear. Lesnar does not want to end the career of two men whose careers are already over. He says his client wants to conquer the virgin neck of everyone’s hero, John Cena. He talks about the final chapter and how at the Royal Rumble, it will be the last time Lesnar faces Cena.

Before he can continue, John Cena’s theme music hits and out he comes to a huge mixed reaction. Cena’s music cuts and he and Lesnar stare at each other. Lesnar smirks. The fans break out into a dueling “let’s go Cena” and “Cena sucks” chant. Lesnar smirks again. Cena says the only reason he’s not gonna knock Lesnar into 2015 is because he doesn’t want him limping into Royal Rumble with an excuse. Cena promises to take the title at Rumble. He says he has a gift for Heyman. He goes to attack Heyman but Lesnar comes after him. Cena notices, however, and quickly hoists him up for an Attitude Adjustment. Lesnar escapes out the back door and he and Heyman spill out to the floor and back off. Cena takes his shirt off and stares them down from inside the ring. On that note, Cena’s music hits, Lesnar and Heyman make their way to the back and we head to our first commercial break of the evening. Up next is our champ vs. champ match.

Champion vs. Champion Match
– Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Rusev (c)

We return from the break and Lilian Garcia introduces Dolph Ziggler. The WWE Intercontinental Champion makes his way to the ring. Out next is the WWE United States Champion Rusev, who makes his way to the ring with Lana.

I’m assuming this is not a title unification match, because they aren’t selling it as that, but they do keep referring to this as a “champion vs. champion” match, assuming that means just what it says, two champions are competing against each other in a match.

Either way, the bell rings and here we go with our first match of the evening. The fans immediately break out into a “U.S.A.” chant.

Rusev starts off strong, charging right at Ziggler and immediately over-powering him. The fans start chanting “let’s go Ziggler” so he starts firing away with punches. Rusev cuts his offensive momentum short, however, and knocks him down to the mat with a big clothesline. He follows that up with several quick standing-elbow drops to the chest of Ziggler.

Rusev puts Ziggler in a lengthy choke-hold, but Ziggler uses the top of his head as a jawbreaker to break the hold. Ziggler hits a big DDT on Rusev and is now taking over control of the match. Lana freaks out on the outside of the ring as Michael Cole takes us to a mid-match commercial break.

When we return from the break, we see Rusev taking it to Ziggler in the ring as Lana smiles at ringside in approval. We see highlights of Rusev beating on Ziggler during the break via the WWE App, all-the-while Rusev continues his attack in the ring.

Rusev catches Ziggler coming off the top with a splash attempt, but Ziggler slides out the back door befoee Rusev can slam him down. Ziggler heads back up to the top rope and comes off with a missile dropkick, taking Rusev out in the process. Moments later, he nails him with his FameAsser finisher. He covers him, but Rusev manages to kick out at two. Both guys are down now as the referee begins his count.

Ziggler goes for the Zig-Zag, but Rusev avoids it. Ziggler goes for the super kick, but Rusev avoids that as well. Ziggler goes for the super kick again, and this time he hits it. He covers Rusev, but Rusev again kicks out at two. Both guys are down now and are slowly making their way back to their feet.

Ziggler comes charging at Rusev but Rusev takes him out by kicking at his injured knee. The rams him shoulder-first into the ring post from inside the ring. He begins stomping away at Ziggler. The ref tries to break them, but he won’t stop. He continues stomping Ziggler and won’t stop, so the ref calls for the bell. Rusev is being disqualified and the fans are boo’ing.

Winner via DQ: Dolph Ziggler

After The Match: Ryback To The Rescue

After the match, Rusev screams out and goes after Ziggler. He’s got Ziggler in the Accolate while Ziggler’s throat and arms are caught on the bottom rope. Several refs come out to try and break Rusev off of him, but they can’t.

Finally, Ryback’s music hits. Ryback hits the ring and nails Rusev with a Meat Hook Clothesline. He knocks him out of the ring. He’s all fired up and he and the fans both do a big “Feed Me More” chant as his music plays and Rusev and Lana retreat to the back. We head to commercial.

Ryback In-Ring Promo

We’re back from the break and we see Ryback still in the ring with his music playing. His music stops and he takes to the mic. He says he’d like to talk to the WWE Universe for a few minutes. He talks about his journey from the beginning of his career until now.

He shows a clip of himself losing in the Tough Enough competition several years ago. He says he let everyone down. He got a job at a local bar and he was depressed. He talks about coming across a book called “The Secret” about the laws of attraction. He says his life changed. He returned to wrestling and got re-signed by the WWE.

He says shortly after he made his debut with a group called The Nexus. He shows the video of the night The Nexus attacked John Cena and destroyed the RAW set. He says everything was going good and then he broke his ankle. He shows off a big scar on his leg. He says it’s a reminder of how lucky he is to be in a WWE ring today.

He says he had two bad surgeries and three doctors telling him he’d never wrestle again, Ryback was born and he was able to return to the WWE. He shows off a video clip highlighting the Ryback version of his career.

After the video ends, he says here he stands today. He says that brings him to Rusev. He says this ain’t a U.S.A. vs. Russia thing, it’s gonna be a one big guy kicking another big guys’ ass. He says he eats people. He puts them all in his stomach and turns them to positives. He says he looks at Rusev and he thinks to himself, “Feed Me More.” He drops the mic and leads the fans in a “Feed Me More” chant. His music plays to end the segment.

Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) vs. Natalya (with Tyson Kidd)

We return from commercial to The Bella Twins making their way to the ring. Natalya is out there as well and the bell rings for a Divas match.

Natalya immediately goes after Nikki. We see Tyson Kidd watching on as well. Nattie knocks Nikki off the apron and Tyson catches her and holds her. He sets her down and Nattie baseball slide kicks Nikki on the floor.

Over comes Brie who confronts Tyson as Nikki drops Nattie in the ring with a big right hand. Nikki picks Nattie up and hits her with the Rack Attack. She covers her and gets the 1-2-3 as Tyson is shown looking disappointed from the floor.

Winner: Nikki Bella

Backstage: The Miz, Damien Mizdow & Naomi

Backstage we see The Miz gloating as Damien Mizdow mimics him. In walks Naomi who gives Miz a big hug and thanks him. She asks to talk to him alone. Miz asks Mizdow to leave. Naomi talks about how Miz’s producer wants to work with her. She’s all happy. Naomi says she just wanted to thank him and wish him good luck tonight in his title match. Miz and Mizdow vs. The Usos for the WWE Tag-Team Championships is next. We head to commercial.

WWE Tag-Team Championship
– The Usos vs. The Miz & Damien Mizdow (c)

When we return from commercial, The Usos make their way to the ring. Out next are the WWE Tag-Team Champions The Miz and Damien Mizdow. The fans explode when they see Mizdow. The announcer does the long, dramatic introduction for this, a WWE Tag-Team title match.

The bell rings and here we go. Miz takes an early lead over Uso, as we see Naomi watched on from a monitor backstage. Uso establishes control over Miz and then tags in his brother, Jey Uso. Uso picks up with his brother left off, taking it to Miz in the center of the ring.

The Usos continue to utilize back-and-forth tags to keep a fresh man on Miz, as both guys continue to deliver punishment to one-half of the WWE Tag-Team Champions. The fans chant “we want Mizdow,” but Miz continues to take a beating all by himself. Sandow does some funny mimicking of Miz’s moves during this point. Miz starts fighting back as we head to a mid-match commercial.

We return from the break and see Miz still in control of Uso. He slaps the Figure Four Leg Lock on him and Uso suffers in the hold for a long time, struggling to finally make it to the ropes. After that, all of the guys get involved and all of the guys hit their finishers, finishing with Miz hitting the Skull Crushing Finale for a close near fall. The fans chant “this is awesome” as both guys struggle to get back to their feet. Uso’s hit dueling super-kicks on Miz and then Uso hits the splash off the top-rope for the 1-2-3. We have new WWE Tag-Team Champions.

Winners and NEW WWE Tag-Team Champions: The Usos

Cesaro vs. Bad News Barrett

We return from commercial and we see Cesaro sitting in the corner of the ring on the ground with a towel on his head staring at a mic. He cuts a lengthy promo talking about how 2014 should have been his year. He talks about Vince McMahon saying he doesn’t connect with the fans. He says he doesn’t care about connecting with the fans. He issues a challenge.

From there, Bad News Barrett’s theme music hits and out he comes. He cuts a “Bad News” promo on his way to the ring.

The bell sounds and here we go with an impromptu match. Cesaro takes it to Barrett from the sound of the bell, but Barrett quickly turns the tables and takes over the offense.

The fans chant “B-N-B” as Barrett continues his attack on Cesaro in the ring. The action spills to the floor where Cesaro takes over. Back in the ring and Cesaro nails Barrett with a double-axe-handle off the top-rope. He pummels him with forearms on the ground over and over again.

Cesaro locks Barrett in an armbar. He lets go and begins pounding away at Barrett until Barrett catches him with a boot to the gut and a follow-up to the dome. Barrett hits a pump-handle slam, but Cesaro reverses it and gets him with the Cesaro Swing. He swings him about five times only and then swings him right into a boston crab type of hold. Barrett makes it to the ropes to break the hold.

Barrett rakes the eyes of Cesaro, pulls up the arm pad and hits him with a Bull Hammer Elbow. 1-2-3. Barrett wins.

Winner: Bad News Barrett

Backstage: Luke Harper

We see Luke Harper in a dark room, Bray Wyatt-style, backstage. He talks about how people cast him away like trash. He says he’s a product of our environment. A nightmare come to life. He turns and looks at the camera with his wild eyes. He says “sweet dreams” as the camera pulls in closer and closer on his crazy eyes. We head to commercial.

Jack Swagger vs. Luke Harper

When we return from the break we see a quick “The Ascension Comes Tonight” vignette, followed by “The Real American” theme song and Jack Swagge rmaking his way to the ring. Out next is Luke Harper. It’s Swagger vs. Harper, one-on-one, now on RAW.

The ref calls for the bell and Swagger charges at Harper. The two lock up and Swagger headlocks him. Harper throws him off and pounds his chest. Swagger charges back at him and they lock up again. Swagger takes his back but Harper elbows his way out and pushes Swagger. He chops him. He knocks him down with a punch and begins to go to work on him.

Harper continues to dominate until Swagger finally knocks him out of the ring and follows up with a huge running clothesline on the floor. He does the “We the People” chant and we head to a mid-match commercial with Swagger in control of the offense.

When we return from commercial, we see Harper controlling Swagger in the ring with a chin-lock. We see some of the action from the commercial break via the WWE App, which shows Harper smashing Swagger into the ring steps. Back live, Swagger is fighting out of the Harper chin lock, but walks into a big boot to the face from Harper for a near fall.

The two fight back and forth a bit until Swagger goes for the Patriot Lock. Harper gets out, but Swagger clotheslines him down. He goes for the running Swagger Bomb off the middle rope, but lands on two big boots from Harper. Harper gets up and hits his turning clothesline. 1-2-3. Harper wins.

Winner: Luke Harper

Backstage: Edge, Christian & John Cena

Backstage, we see John Cena talking to Edge and Christian. Cena talks about when Edge cashed in the MITB briefcase on him. He talks about benig thrown in the lake. They talk about more and more of their history until Christian mentions Edge beating up Cena’s dad in his house. Christian notices the tension after saying that and leaves. Cena and Edge go face to face and they talk about their history and how they both succeeded and proved themselves to be two of the best. He thanks Edge for everything he did for him. He says Edge earned his respect. He says he’s also one of the few people in this business who is a legitimate decent person. He hugs him and tells him to be careful out there. He leaves.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (with Joey Mercury & Jamie Noble)

From there, Roman Reigns’ music hits and he makes his way to the ring through the crowd. Reigns poses in the ring as we head to a commercial. Reigns vs. Seth Rollins is next on the final RAW of 2014.

When we return from the break, Big Show comes to the ring. The announcers talk about how Reigns is set to face Rollins but Big Show is coming out. Big Show joins them on commentary for this match as Reigns watches on. From there, Seth Rollins’ theme hits and out he comes with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble.

The music stops, the smoke clears and the bell rings. It’s time for Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, one-on-one, here on RAW. The two lock up and Rollins hits the ropes. He runs into a big shoulder block from Reigns that knocks him out to the floor. Big Show complains about Reigns on commentary.

The action resumes in the ring and Reigns is in clear control of the offense now. Big Show continues to bitch about him on commentary.

Reigns and Rollins battle out to the floor again. Reigns delivers some punishment to Rollins and the action returns in the ring. Rollins catches Reigns coming in the ring with some stomps and then clotheslines him down. He stomps away at him some more and is clearly in control of the offense now.

Big Show sucks up to Rollins, calling him a star on commentary and saying Reigns just wants to be a star. Rollins gets caught by Reigns finally, with Reigns scooping him up off the mat and in one motion, picking him up and slamming him back down. Rollins rolls out to the floor but Reigns comes out and gets him.

Finally, Rollins’ securitty team, Mercury and Noble, distract Reigns, allowing Rollins to knock him out to the floor. Reigns is down now as we head to a mid-match commercial break.

We’re back from the break and we see Rollins holding Reigns in a headlock on the mat. Reigns fights his way out but Rollins remains in control of the match. Big Show continues to kiss his butt on commentary.

Rollins continues to dominate for quite a while, with Reigns getting in an occasional hope spot, but Rollins ultimately cutting his attempts short and remaining in control. Rollins goes for the Curb Stomp but Reigns avoids it and hits the Superman Punch. He waits for Rollins to get up to hit him with a spear, but Big Show leaves the commentary table and nails Reigns from behind. The slams him into the announce table on the floor.

Rollins leaves with Mercury and Noble and Big Show leaves as well, all the while Reigns is still down and out in the broken mess of the announce table. The doctors are now checking on Reigns. The replays show Big Show slamming Reigns into the announce table and then dumping the announce table completely upside down on top of Reigns. The doctors are checking on Reigns as we fade into a commercial break.

Winner via DQ: Roman Reigns

Backstage: Seth Rollins Hypes Cutting Edge Peep Show

When we return from the break, we see replays of Big Show’s attack of Roman Reigns from moments ago. The announcers continue to sell it as a serious health issue for Reigns. They show that during the commercial break, the doctors had to slowly help him to his feet.

From there, we shoot backstage where Rollins is bragging with Big Show, Mercury and Noble. He tells Mercury and Noble to spread the word that on tonight’s Cutting Edge Peep Show he’s going to propose a toast and he’s going to invite John Cena. He tells them to go tell the world.

Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose Hype

A very lengthy, well-produced vignette airs showing the history of the Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose feud and how it has become personal with Wyatt talking about Ambrose’s family and his past.

From there, we shoot backstage where we see Bray Wyatt sitting in an ambulance cutting a promo after a graphic airs that reveals an ambulance match between Wyatt and Ambrose for next week’s RAW.

Daniel Bryan’s Announcement

Backstage, we see a bunch of the wrestlers hugging Daniel Bryan as we head to commercial and we see him heading towards the ring to talk about his crossroads announcement.

He makes his way to the ring to a big “Yes!” chant and is clearly emotional. He talks about how he defied the odds and headlined WrestleMania and won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He talks about having the best week of his life and then his father died. He talks about other big moments and then talks about some big moments he couldn’t be around for because of his health.

He continues talking about his injury and how he talked to other guys who have had similar career-ending type injuries. He says you get to a point where you have to make a decision and the fans start chanting “No! No! No!” Bryan continues, saying you get to a point where you have to decide if all of this is worth it or not. He says, “Is my career over?” The fans chant “No! No! No!” Bryan says “No.”

He says that is not the announxcement he is here to make. He says the announcement he is here to make is that he will be competing in the 2015 Royal Rumble. He leads the fans in an ENORMOUS “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant. We head to commercial.

The Miz & Damien Mizdow vs. The Ascension

We return from commercial to a match made by Edge and Christian in backstage segment prior to the break.

Already in the ring are The Miz and Damien Mizdow, awaiting to find out who their opponents are. Out comes The Ascension.

In a match that lasted all of two minutes, The Ascension squashed Miz and Mizdown, pinning Mizdow as Miz watched from the floor.

Winners: The Ascension

Backstage: Seth Rollins Invites Brock Lesnar

Renee Young catches up with Seth Rollins, who is with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble backstage. He’s heading to the ring for the Cutting Edge Peep Show with Edge and Christian. She asks if he really invited John Cena. He said yes and he said he’s feeling so confident he’d also like to invite Brock Lesnar. He heads to the ring and we head to commercial.

Cutting Edge Peep Show with Seth Rollins, John Cena, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman

We return from the break and Edge’s theme music is playing as we see he and Christian in the ring, which is set up for the Cutting Edge Peep Show talk show segment. The music fades and Edge begins talking.

Edge asks Christian if he smells something. Christian says he does and it’s this show. He says it totally reaks. Edge agrees, and they both say “of awesomeness.” They go on to mock their guest with fake nicknames, Seth Rollins.

With that said, Rollins’ music hits and out he comes with Mercury and Noble. They all sit down. Edge and Christian poke little jokes at Rollins. Rollins goes on to tell them that they were his hero as a kid. He talks about their matches with the Hardys and Dudleys. Edge and Christian say they don’t believe Rollins. Rollins pretends to be insulted. He talks about destroying The Shield and becoming Mr. Money in the Bank and the recognized future of the WWE.

Rollins talks about how next year he’s going to be different. He does a big build up for someone he wants to bring out, which ends up being Big Show. Big Show’s music hits and he comes out to the ring.

Rollins says he wants to bring out one more person. He calls out John Cena. Nothing happens, no one comes out. He says let’s try that again. He says let’s give it up for John Cena. Nothing happens again. No one comes out. Edge and Rollins trade insults and then Rollins says he didn’t want him to come out to toast 2015, he says he wants something from him. He demands him to get out here. Nothing happes again. He says if he doesn’t come out here, he’s forcing his hand and leaves him no choice but to force yours.

With that said, out of nowhere he attacks Christian with the briefcase. Edge pushes him. Big Show, Mercury and Noble close in on Edge and now he’s surrounded by all of them. Nothing happens. Big Show grabs him by the throat. Nothing happens. They lay Edge’s head on the Money in the Bank briefcase and threaten to Curb Stomp it. Rollins says if Cena’s half the man he claims to be he’ll get out here or he will stomp on Edge’s head and paralyze him.

Finally, Cena comes running out, but to no music. Rollins yells for him to stop right there. He says if he doesn’t give him what he wants, he will break Edge’s neck. Cena takes his hat off and stares at him from the floor. Rollins tells him not to do it. He tells him don’t take the chance. If he cares about Edge he’ll stay right there. Cena runs towards the ring but Rollins threatens more seriously to stomp Edge’s head, so Cena stops. Rollins reminds Edge that this is a husband and a father. He says Edge has a little kid at home and if he wants him to ever play with that child again, you’re gonna give him what he wants. Rollins yells at Cena to give him what he wants. The announcers talk about how what Rollins wants is The Authority back. Rollins talks about how Cena grants wishes year-round. He says he bets Edge is wishing he’d come and save him right now. Rollins finally outright tells Cena he wants him to bring The Authority back. He says if he doesn’t, he will paralyze Edge and it’ll be on his conscious for the rest of his life. Rollins continues to threaten to do it and Cena starts telling him to stop and is saying okay. Rollins asks him what he said. He tells Mercury to bring a mic to him, he wants the whole world to hear it. He tells Cena to say it again into the mic. He threatens Edge again. Cena says it in the mic. Rollins tells him to say it again. Cena loses his control and yells, “I said I’ll bring back The Authority!” Rollins yells out in celebration, “Wooo!!”

He thanks Cena, but says he should know him better than that. He says thank you, but he’s gonna kill him either way. He runs and hits the ropes, looking to Curb Stomp Edge face-first onto the briefcase, but Cena hits the ring and manages to spear Rollins just in time. Cena ends up turning into a Knockout Punch from Big Show and then a Curb Stomp from Rollins.

Rollins and Big Show celebrate as Rollins’ theme hits as the announcers remind us that The Authority is officially back in power. Rollins, Big Show, Mercury and Noble leave as the announcers question what The Authority being back will mean for 2015.

As the guys walk to the back, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman come out to the top of the stage. Heyman shakes Rollins’ hand. Lesnar and Heyman walk out on the ramp as the other four guys turn around and pose. With that being said, Triple H’s “King of Kings” plays. Out walks Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rollins freaks out with happiness. HHH and Steph are both holding glasses of champagne as their music plays and they hug Rollins and pose with the guys. JBL wishes us a happy new year and the show goes off the air with The Authority back.

What Happened *AFTER* RAW Ended – HUGE SEGMENT w/ Ex-WWE Star – You’ll NEVER Believe Who It Was!! An **ABSOLUTE SHOCKER**!!!! + Report: Vince McMahon *IRATE* At RAW This Week ….