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WWE RAW TV REPORT
JANUARY 15, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. AT SIMMONS BANK ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a Martin Luther King Day tribute video, as they do every year.
-They opened with an exterior shot of the arena in North Little Rock, Ark. with a pile of snow in the foreground. Michael Cole said it was frigid and unusually cold and snowy for that area, but the fans have braved the weather to attend.
-They showed Seth Rollins arriving at the arena with his little daughter in his arms. Then they showed Jinder Mahal stepping out of a black SUV with snow on the hood. Cole and Wade Barrett hyped the Seth vs. Mahal main event with the WWE Title on the line.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. Cole hyped the Royal Rumble a week from Saturday and said it’s his favorite annual WWE event. He said Cody would be trying to become the second person to ever win it twice in a row. Cody stood center-ring and smiled. He asked, “So, Little Rock, what do you guys want to talk about?” (That didn’t get much of a cheer.) He gave a shout out to his wife whose favorite song is from a local artist. He said they could talk about Shinsuke Nakamura or “the thing I came back to WWE for.” He was interrupted by Drew McIntyre who made his way to the ring.
Drew entered the ring and asked Cody what he wanted to talk about. He said they haven’t had a chance to catch up. He said they’re the same age with similar career paths. He looked him in the eye and said he’s proud of him. Cody somewhat hesitantly accepted the compliment from Drew and nodded and thanked him. He said he thinks back when when they were in their early 20s, they were WWE Tag Team Champions. He said fans can Google it. He asked Cody if they remember their team name. Cody said, “The Dashing Ones.” Drew said sarcastically, “Man, I can’t believe we didn’t go to the top with that name.”
Drew said they didn’t go far because they saw themselves as singles wrestlers and didn’t embrace that opportunity. He said they had to leave WWE to get their heads screwed on straight. He said they redefined what it meant to be a wrestler outside of WWE. He said they are the reference points now for wrestlers who become so undeniable that WWE calls you back. He said his return match in WWE was against Cody. He said Cody told him afterward that he’d be a future world champion.
He told Cody he will be the first member of his family to raise the WWE championship over his head. “You are going to finish the story, but not before I finish mine,” he said. Cody said, “Is that so?” He said they’ve both declared for the Royal Rumble. He said it’s true that Drew could win, and so could Jey Uso or C.M. Punk. A “C.M. Punk!” started, but it was pretty clumsy and faded quickly. Cody said you can’t count anybody out in the Rumble.
Drew told Cody that he can just be himself and stop with the suits and the big words. “You’re not running for office,” he said. He said Cody doesn’t need to smile all the time, either. He said he did it, too. He said even when he was angry, frustrated, and sad, he had to be that beacon of light for the roster and be that leader. He told Cody to be the real Cody and if anyone has an issue with the new Cody, he can drop their arse.
Cody said since they’re talking about stepping up, he assured Drew that he is not putting on an act. He said he smiles because this is what he loves and he appreciates the opportunities he’s received because he earned them himself. He said he is grateful and relishes his second chance. “And you are just standing here complaining about yours,” he said.
Drew asked why he’d bring Jey to Raw knowing the trouble it’d cause. He said he knows what Punk is like and he asked if he’s okay endorsing Punk because it makes everyone else happy, but what about himself? He said he doesn’t like that Cody is a kiss-ass, but he does like Cody. He called Priest an idiot because he’d be standing there as champion if not for him. He said he’s operating at a different level right now. “I am this damn business and at WrestleMania the story belongs to Drew McIntyre,” he said.
Cody said all he can do is talk about Jey and Punk as “if’s.” He said he has grievances and he wants him to share those grievances, but that’s not him. He said he doesn’t look at Drew for inspiration. He said he looks at his heart and the fans. He said he can give him something else to complain about if they settle things in the Rumble. Cody asked Drew who won that match he just talked about. He then dropped the mic and left.
Cole said there are a lot of stories going into the Rumble match, but only one will be finished.
(Keller’s Analysis: Excellent segment. Cody continues to be a tremendous uncompromising, sincere top babyface. Drew continues to feel authentic in his perspective. This made the Rumble feel big, the WWE World Title feel big, and the moment Cody and Drew share the ring together a week from Saturday feel big.)
-Priest confronted R-Truth for selling merchandise of The Judgment Day in the parking lot. He said the crew isn’t happy about it and it’s embarrassing. “Enough is enough,” he said. “Stop. Look, enough is enough. At some point, we’ve got to get serious.” Truth handed Priest a wad of cash and said it’s his cut. Priest looked impressed. R-Truth then asked if Nick Mysterio is okay because he can’t find him on Facebook. Priest said he can keep selling the merch, but be quiet about it. Priest told Truth in the match tonight, don’t tag in. Truth winked and said he understands. He gave him a free t-shirt.
-As Dominik Mysterio and J.D. McDonagh made their entrance, Cole said he doesn’t know what to say anymore. [c]
(1) DOMINIK MYSTERIO & J.D. MCDONAGH vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
The bell rang 24 minutes into the hour. Cole noted the crowd is smaller than usual because of the winter storm, but he said the fans in attendance were being very vocal. He said DIY are focused on winning the tag team titles held by Finn Balor & Damian Priest. Barrett said no thought anyone could be more hated than Dom until McDonagh showed up. Ciampa slingshot himself over the top rope onto Dom at ringside. Gargano then dove through the ropes and knocked McDonagh over the announce desk. Gargano and Ciampa patted themselves on the shoulders as they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Back from the break, Gargano was in control of McDonagh. The heels took over for a while. Gargano hot-tagged Ciampa, but Dom distracted the ref who didn’t see the pin. Fans chanted, “Refs, you suck!” Ciampa encouraged Gargano to leap and tag him, but McDonagh yanked Ciampa off the ring apron just as Gargano reached for him. Mysterio scored a near fall on Gargano after a dropkick. They cut to another break at 12:00. [c]
Back from the break, Mysterio landed a slingshot senton on Ciampa. Barrett called him “the best luchador in the industry.” Cole said that was going too far. Ciampa came back and tagged in Gargano. McDonagh broke up Gargano’s cover on Mysterio. With all four down a minute later, fans chanted, “This is awesome!” McDonagh landed a Spanish fly on Ciampa followed by a top rope moonsault for a near fall, broken up by a Gargano side kick.
Dom entered and dropkicked Gargano and then went for a 619, but Gargano grabbed his legs. Ciampa landed a running knee. McDonagh rolled up Ciampa for a dramatic near fall. Ciampa came right back with a DDT. Gargano and Ciampa finished McDonagh with a Meet in the Middle double-team move. Gargano got the pin. Cole said this helps DIY on their quest for a tag team title match.
WINNERS: Gargano & Ciampa in 18:00.
-Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae were talking with Adam Pearce. Hartwell said 2024 is their year. Pearce, hilarious, said dryly, “I believe you believe that and I love your enthusiasm.” Chelsea Green and Piper Niven barged in. Green asked Pearce if he even watches his own show and complained about the “bum ref” last week in her match. Pearce said he doesn’t like her tone. He said they blew their rematch. He suggested a match between them to determine who gets the next chance. They all accepted. [c]
-A vignette aired with LeRae and Hartwell. Hartwell said they hear the doubters in the locker room. LeRae said they’re going to succeed their way.
(2) INDI HARTWELL & CANDICE LERAE vs. CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN
Niven and Green were in the ring after the break. LeRae and Hartwell’s entrance then took place. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Niven dominated Hartwell early, then tagged in Green. Hartwell avoided a splash by Niven and then tagged in LeRae. They showed Katana Chance & Kayden Carter watching backstage. Green broke up a cover at 3:00. Seconds later Niven slammed Hartwell, but Hartwell avoided her splash and kicked Niven to the floor. LeRae then landed a Lionsault as Hartwell had Green suspended on the second rope. Hartwell was confused and tried to cover Green as LeRae did, but then tried to get out of the way as the ref counted. Barrett said the end was chaotic and Green will be likely be upset with the refereeing again.
WINNER: LeRae & Hartwell in 3:30.
-They showed a smiling Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser walking backstage. [c]
-A Nia Jax vignette aired.
-Backstage, Dom asked Rhea Ripley “what she was talking about.” Ripley looked upset and said she had to go address “my division.” In walked Priest. Finn Balor asked where he’s been. Priest said he appears to be the only person concerned with Drew running his mouth, so he went to talk to Pearce. McDonagh complained about Truth. Priest said he shouldn’t be so focused on him. Balor asked if he’s defending him. Priest showed them his cut of merch money. He said they should go find theirs. Priest pointed out McDonagh doesn’t get a cut because his name isn’t on the t-shirt. Priest told Balor they have serious business so it’s time to focus on their match.
-Barrett hyped the tag title match later with Truth & Miz challenging Balor & Priest.
[HOUR TWO]
-Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser made their entrance. Barrett said the rest of the locker room is dreading that Gunther is back. When his music stopped, there was a mix of cheers and boos. Gunther said all anyone has been talking about is the Rumble. He said he lasted to the end last year and was one away from winning. Some fans chanted “Cody!” He said he lasted longer than any man in history. He said this year, he is going to win the Rumble and main event WrestleMania.
He turned to Kaiser and said he wanted to focus on him and what has happened since he was away. They aired a clip of Kaiser injuring Kofi Kingston last week. Gunther smiled and said he was proud of him. Kaiser smiled wide. “Well done,” he said. He said he showed grit and confidence. They hugged. New Day’s music interrupted. Xavier Woods walked out, looking serious.
He said he and Kaiser have a problem. He said he wants a pound of Kaiser’s flesh tonight. He asked if Kaiser needs to ask his daddy for permission before he accepts. Kaiser looked at Gunther for an indication, and Gunther said something to him off-mic. He then handed Kaiser the mic to answer the challenge. Kaiser asked if he is really daring to challenge him after what he did to Kofi last week. He said what he did to Kofi last week is nothing compared to what he’ll do to him tonight. “I will take your head as well,” he said. “I accept.”
Xavier began to enter the ring. Kaiser charged. Xavier backdropped him to the floor and then dove off the ring apron onto him. He pounded away at Kaiser at ringside. A ref pulled him off.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good set-up for that match, and good promo from Gunther before that to establish him as another top name declaring an intent to win the Rumble.) [c]
(3) LUDWIG KAISER vs. XAVIER WOODS
The match was joined in progress 14 minutes into the hour. Cole said Kofi might be out of action a couple of weeks. Kaiser dominated for several minutes. They cut to a break at 6:00. [c]
Woods made a comeback and knocked Kaiser over the ringside announce table at 11:00. Woods was bleeding from his mouth. Kaiser threw a chair at Woods, but Woods ducked and then punched away at Kaiser. Woods was so relentless that the ref DQ’d hm for smashing Kaiser with a chair.
WINNER: Kaiser via DQ in 13:00.
-Afterward, Kaiser kicked a chair that Xavier was holding into Woods’s own head. Woods went down and looked out of it. Fans chanted, “We want tables!” Kaiser placed Woods on the steps, but when he charged, Woods kicked him. Woods then picked up the top of the steps and charged at Kaiser. Kaiser ducked and then retreated into the crowd. New Day’s music then played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Woods is more compelling when he’s acting serious and determined. He was effective here seeking revenge for his tag partner. Kaiser continues to be a rising star on the WWE roster.)
-Bronson Reed cut a promo backstage who said there’s a man in WWE who holds a title and doesn’t realize that sooner or later, it’ll belong to him. [c]
-Byron Saxton interviewed Woods backstage. He asked where his emotions were out there. “Where do you think they were, Byron?” Woods said. Kaiser attacked Woods. Jey Uso showed up and stopped the attack, then checked on Woods.
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside. They hyped the main event title match and threw to a video package on the set-up including The Rock on Raw two weeks ago.
-Maxxine Dupree accompanied Akira Tozawa on his way to the ring. [c]
(4) IVAR (w/Valhalla) vs. AKIRA TOZAWA (w/Maxxine Dupri)
The bell rang 43 minutes into the hour. Tozawa rallied and tore off his t-shirt. Ivar recovered during that time and destroyed him with power moves. Ivar then set up his Doomsault off the top rope in the corner, but Maxxine pleaded with him not to do the move. As Ivar looked over at her, Tozawa got up and kicked him. He then landed a top rope sunset bomb for the upset win.
WINNER: Tozawa in 2:00.
-Valhala attacked a celebrating Maxxine for the distraction as Tozawa was celebrating with her at ringside. When Tozawa tried to help Maxxine, Ivar attacked him. Valhalla headbutted her out of the ring. Ivar then hit his Doomsault on Tozawa.
-A clip aired of the Drew and Cody exchange earlier.
-They showed on the screen C.M. Punk commenting on Instagram saying he is returning to Raw next week.
-They showed Ripley walking backstage. Cole said she wants to set things straight in the Women’s Division.
-Chad Gable and Otis were checking on Tozawa. Ivy Nile entered the picture and said she’d make Valhalla pay. Gable said he would teach Ivar the difference between being an alpha and a coward.
-Ripley made her ring entrance. Cole talked about her hour-plus Rumble showing last year. She said whoever wins the Rumble this year should choose someone else because “Mami is always on top.” Becky Lynch’s music played. Becky walked out. “There is Mami and there is The Man,” said Cole. She talked about their similar journeys going from afterthoughts at WrestleMania one year to being faces of the industry the next. She said the difference is one of them went on to main event WrestleMania and the other did not. She said one of them has a natural ability in the ring that is unmatched and a relentlessness that is also unmatched.
[HOUR THREE]
Becky said there’s a voice in her head that is saying to her, “I think you might be better than me, but I need to prove that you’re not.” Rhea soaked up the compliment. Becky said to do that, she needs to take the title from her, so to do that, she needs to win the Rumble and point to the sign and declare that it will be Mami vs. The Man. Ripley said there’s only one person who wants her to win the Rumble more than her, “and that’s me.” She said she’d see her at WrestleMania. Cole said they have a long way to go before they get there. He said the road to WrestleMania begins a week from Saturday at the Rumble.
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Seth Rollins backstage. Seth cackled. She asked why he asked for the match with Jinder. Said he’s been champion for over 200 days and with every title defense, he gets better. He said he will continue to be a fighting champion and a work horse champion. He said this isn’t the same Jinder he beat to become NXT Champion. He said he’s a former WWE Champion and it’s the best version of Jinder and an opportunity Jinder deserves. He said he wouldn’t have it any other way. He then went into his closing phrase about being a visionary, etc.
(Keller’s Analysis: Seth explained why he wanted to be a fighting champion, but his case for Jinder being someone who deserves a title shot was weak.)
-Miz made his ring entrance. [c]
(5) DAMIAN PRIEST & FINN BALOR vs. MIZ & R-TRUTH – WWE Tag Team Title match
Truth stood with Priest and Balor after they entered the ring. Miz was upset, but they hugged it out and Miz smiled. Cole said Awesome Truth were a team years ago. A wad of cash flew out of Truth’s hands. He frantically gathered it and shoved it into Balor’s ring jacket pocket, telling him it was his cut of merch. Cole said it’s one of the strangest things he’s witnessed. Truth gave Dom his cut. Dom smiled. McDonagh wanted his cut, but Truth said he has to be a member. Miz tried to get Truth refocused, yelling, “You’re on my team!” Truth calmed Miz down.
The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Cole said Priest told Truth not to tag in, but he didn’t tell him not to start the match. Balor asked Truth why he started the match. Truth said, “My bad.” Balor attacked him. Truth bailed out to ringside. Fans chanted, “Let’s go, Truth!” They cut to an early break. [c]
Balor stopped Truth from making a tag. Truth kicked Balor and was slow to get up. Truth then tagged in Miz at 6:00. Miz threw Priest over the announce desk and then threw Balor into the ring. Miz went after Balor in the ring and scored a two count after driving Balor onto his knees. Miz yelled, “Massive balls!”
Truth tagged himself in and went after Balor and landed his signature scissors kick. Dom was upset that Truth was attacking Balor and stood on the ring apron. Miz knocked Dom down. Truth then knocked McDonagh off the ring apron. Priest then kicked Miz, knocking him to the floor. Truth was going to hit Priest from behind, but hesitated. Priest turned around and asked if they’re on the same page. Truth then kicked Balor when Balor went after him. Priest gave Truth a South of Heaven. Balor crawled over for the three count. Priest looked upset that he had to hurt Truth.
WINNERS: Priest & Balor in 8:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd ate up Truth’s shenanigans.)
-They cut backstage to Jinder doing deep breathing before his title match. Redmond apologized for interrupting him, but asked about his match. Jinder said he’s become the no. 1 most talked about wrestler in 2024 and tonight he will become WWE Champion.
-Cole said he’s very focused. He asked if he could “do the unthinkable.”
-Shayna Baszler made her entrance. [c]
-A promo aired with Shinsuke Nakamura who said his focus and hunger now shifts to winning the Rumble. “A hungry Shinsuke is a dangerous Shinsuke,” he said. “Twenty-nine men, I will feast on their dreams.”
(6) SHAYNA BASZLER & IVY NILE vs. TEGAN NOX & NATALYA
As Nox made her entrance, they showed the two teams bickering backstage earlier in the day. The bell rang 32 minutes into the hour. Nox took a beating for a minute, but then tagged in Natalya. Baszler eventually applied a tight chinlock on Natalya leading to her tapping out.
WINNERS: Baszler & Nile in 5:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That went longer than I expected, especially without a commercial break breaking it up.)
-They went to Cole and Barrett who hyped Raw next week. They said Punk and Cody will go face to face next week. Also, Nile vs. Valhalla, Ivar vs. Gable, and Drew vs. Priest.
-Jinder made his ring entrance, accompanied by Indus Sher (Sanga & Veer). [c]
(7) SETH ROLLINS vs. JINDER MAHAL – WWE World Hvt. Title match
Cole said Jinder has been helping Indus Sher, but didn’t want people to forget about him. The bell rang 46 minutes into the hour. Cole noted that Nick Aldis sent out a message via social media saying Smackdown is the land of opportunity and he’s open to a conversation with Jinder. As Jinder took early control, Cole talked about his surprise WWE Title win back in 2017. After some ringside action, Seth yelled at Indus Sher at ringside and then threw Jinder into the ring. Priest walked out as they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Jinder was in control after the break with an abdominal stretch. He held on for a while. Seth escaped as fans chanted, “Let’s Go Rollins!” Seth made a comeback and landed a high crossbody off the top rope for a two count. Seth again paused to yell at Indus Sher at ringside, then springboarded onto Jinder with a senton and then a moonsault for a two count. Seth grabbed at his left knee in pain.
Seth set up a superkick, but his leg gave out. He set up a Pedigree instead, but his knee gave out and he didn’t get all of it. He was slow to make the cover. Sanga put Jinder’s leg on the bottom rope to stop the ref’s count. Seth leaped off the top rope onto Veer. He climbed back to the top rope and leaped toward Jinder, but Jinder moved. At 11:00 both were down and slow to get up.
Priest stood and assessed the situation. Cole said he was wondering if this was his time. Drew then stepped over the ringside barricade and approached Priest. Drew said, “If you keep running your mouth, what do you think is going to happen?” Priest hit Drew. They brawled at ringside. Veer took a cheap shot at Seth, which WWE missed showing. Jinder then hit the Khalas for a near fall.
Veer slid a chair into the ring. As the ref got rid of it, Sanga jabbed Seth with another chair. Jinder made the cover and scored a dramatic near fall. The ref sent Sanga and Veer to the back. Seth countered a Khalas and landed a Stomp for the win.
WINNER: Rollins in 14:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: What you’d expect. Seth always has good matches as a baseline and Jinder is pretty rudimentary so this was serviceable for a Raw main event head-to-head a big NFL playoff game.)
OR CHECK THIS OUT AT PROWRESTLING.NET: WWE Raw results (1/15): Powell’s live review of Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal for the World Heavyweight Championship
McGuire’s Mondays: Should retiring wrestlers win or lose on their way out?
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