WWE is giving the team a little break for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Winter Solstice. For the Raw crew, that means next Monday off*. And that meant taping the Dec. 23 episode after they wrapped up the live episode that aired last night (Dec. 16) from TD Garden in Boston.
Here’s what the fans in Beantown saw, along with some details about what else went down, courtesy of SPOILERS from Ringside News — and folks at the Garden who posted on social media:
- Drew McIntyre opened the show with a promo about taking what he deserves. He mentioned Roman Reigns and CM Punk, and criticized fans for cheering them. Sami Zayn cut him off, and after a verbal exchange they brawl. When McIntyre gets the upper hand, Jey Uso makes the save.
- IYO SKY def. Natalya and Alba Fyre to advance in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament. SKY replaced Kairi Sane, who was written out by a Pure Fusion Collective attack/injury angle on the Dec. 16 episode.
- Alpha Academy and R-Truth have a segment backstage, which is joined by American Made and Pete Dunne. The Judgment Day also make an appearance.
- Chad Gable def. Akira Tozawa via submission. Gable refuses to break the hold after Tozawa taps out, but Otis shows up to chase him off.
- Damian Priest def. Dominik Mysterio. Priest also beat up JD McDonagh, who was dressed as Santa Claus but surely being more naughty than nice. The Judgment Day ends up giving Priest a beatdown.
- Dexter Lumis def. The Miz by disqualification when The Final Testament get involved. The Wyatt Sicks prevent (or stop? Reports vary on whether they were out for the who match or showed up after the DQ) a post-match beatdown of Lumis.
- Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were out for a promo, taking aim at announcers Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. They say Barrett is like Big E and “will never lace them up ever again”. Kingston points out his mother in the Boston crowd, calling her “the woman who gave birth to me”, much to Boston’s disapproval. Mama Kingston disavowed her boy, which the crowd loved.
- Drew McIntyre def. Sami Zayn. The New Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga) beat down Zayn and attacked Zayn & Jey Uso. Medical staff checked on Sami & Jey as the show ended. Some in attendance have referred to this as The New Bloodline “saving” McIntyre, but from the clip I was able to find it looks more like Drew just cedes the ring to Solo & crew so they can finish off the faces. We’ll find out for sure next Monday…
Sound like a good way to spend a couple hours on Christmas Eve Eve?
* Team SmackDown gets this Friday (Dec. 20) off, and they taped that episode after last Friday’s aired. Spoilers are here.