WWE Raw live results: CM Punk appears

Date: January 8, 2024
Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR 

Show Recap —

The show opened with a shot of Cody Rhodes entering through the arena. The announcers began plugging his match but were interrupted by Drew McIntyre, who was already in the ring. (His promo started way earlier than the in-ring stuff usually starts on Raw.)

McIntyre said last week was all or nothing for him against Seth Rollins and, as we can all see, he doesn’t have the title. He had it won but he cost himself the match with his overzealous pin allowing Rollins to get a rope break.

Maybe everyone was right in suggesting that he was holding himself back. He thought he might need to step away from WWE for a while to get his head straight and it wasn’t easy thinking this way.

However, he’s been replaying the match repeatedly in his head and realized he didn’t lose straight up, he was cost the match by Damian Priest. McIntyre wondered why Priest didn’t wait until after the match — after he’d won the title — to take advantage. Instead, Priest was an idiot and he cost them both.

McIntyre took a shot at CM Punk for being gone for nine years and being welcomed back with open arms and wondered if he should do the same.

Punk interrupted and got a big pop. Punk said, “We are in Piper country,” and was a little disappointed that McIntyre didn’t wear a kilt. Punk said Roddy Piper was known for talking and Punk was known for talking. McIntyre wasn’t known for talking but that’s all he’s done since Punk came back. If McIntyre had something to say to him he wanted to hear it in person.

McIntyre congratulated Punk on still being around after a month. A bunch of guys had a bet on how long he’d last and he was costing them money. McIntyre didn’t care what Punk said outside the company, he cared about what Punk did to him personally. McIntyre was one of the few people left who travelled with Punk and knew the real Punk.

McIntyre recalled when Punk was the champion and called himself a locker room leader. McIntyre needed a leader because he was in a dark place back then. But Punk saw him as a threat and he wasn’t there to help.

McIntyre spoke to Randy Orton who told him he (Orton) couldn’t help because he had his own demons. But Punk was straight edge and didn’t have any demons — he was the demon. McIntyre called Punk a succubus and said he didn’t need a leader anymore because he was the leader.

Punk said he’s called himself a lot of things but he never called himself a leader. He leads by example. Punk said McIntyre watched him walk away from the company just like he did. McIntyre came back and main-evented WrestleMania. Now Punk was back to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania too.

Punk said he wasn’t a demon. When pushed — he was Satan himself. Punk said, “I’m a real, real nice guy — until it’s time not to be.” Punk said he was not here to be a nice guy, he was here to win the Rumble and main-event WrestleMania.

McIntyre said he has already main event Mania while Punk hasn’t. McIntyre stepped up during the pandemic but if Punk were in his shoes he would have left because Punk leaves when the going gets tough. McIntyre said he would eliminate Punk to win the Rumble but this time he’d be doing it for himself, not the fans.

Punk said it was getting spicy so he would set an example by leaving instead of knocking McIntyre’s teeth down his throat. Punk said nobody would stop him from winning the Rumble, not McIntyre, not Rollins and not Cody. Punk finished with: “Because I’m such a nice guy, in the Royal Rumble, I’m gonna throw you out last.”

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Tommaso Ciampa cut a promo while walking through the back on his way to Gorilla position, another example of a small change in presentation. Ciampa called this a must-win and DIY had a resolution to win the tag titles in 2024.

Tommaso Ciampa (w/Johnny Gargano) defeated Tag Team Champion Finn Bálor (w/Damian Priest) (8:14)

Ciampa avoided a Coup de Grace and applied a crucifix pin for two. Ciampa set up for his finisher but was distracted when Priest hit the apron. Ciampa hit Priest with a forearm but it had no effect so Gargano went after him. Priest fought him off and went for a powerbomb on the table (which the crowd was very excited for) but Ciampa saved him.

As Ciampa re-entered the ring, Bálor kicked the middle rope into his crotch. Bálor went for a vertical suplex but Gargano tripped him and Ciampa landed on him and got the pinfall win.

Gargano was a little late on the spot but the crowd was into this and Ciampa’s win got a pop. Bálor acted shocked at the loss.

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Jackie Redmond interviewed Becky Lynch about her loss to Nia Jax. Before their match happened, Lynch knew that if Jax hit her as hard as she could, she could end up in hospital with broken bones.

However, Jax did hit her as hard as she could and while she did lose and get her mouth busted open, she dusted herself off, got up and declared herself for the Rumble. The last time she declared for the Rumble she main evented WrestleMania. Lynch didn’t end Jax the way she wanted to but Jax didn’t end her either. Maybe this wasn’t the end, but the beginning.

(They plugged Redmond’s NHL YouTube talk show as she will have Punk on as a guest this week.)

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They showed a replay of Kofi Kingston’s kick on Giovanni Vinci and said Vinci would be out for a few weeks.

Kofi Kingston vs. Ludwig Kaiser ended in a double count-out (8:47)

Kaiser deliberately struck Kingston as revenge but Kingston fired back before Kaiser dropped him over the top turnbuckle. Kingston fought back with a springboard crossbody but Kaiser blocked a suicide dive, drove Kingston into the barricade and hit a PK.

Kingston hit a trust fall dive after a break but Kaiser posted him moments later. Kaiser tried a running uppercut into the barricade but Kingston avoided it. Kingston tried making it back in the ring before a ten count but Kaiser stopped him and they were both counted out.

— After the match, Kingston hit a suicide dive but Kaiser responded by shoving his thumb in Kingston’s eye. Kingston fought back but was pulled off by officials as the crowd chanted, “Let them fight.” Kingston went after Kaiser who launched the wheel side of a big leather chair in Kingston’s face (which looked great).

Officials implored Kaiser to leave. He was about to leave but he ran around ringside and dropkicked Kingston’s head into the steel steps.

(The double count-out was whatever but the post-match was really good. The crowd liked Kingston so Kaiser got a lot of heat.)

******** 

Redmond caught up with a pissed-off Kaiser in the back. Kaiser said this was all Kingston’s fault. Because of Kingston, Kaiser was the only one there carrying the weight of Imperium. “He took Vinci’s head, so tonight, I took his.”

[SECOND HOUR] 

Nia Jax/Rhea Ripley segment

Michael Cole interviewed Nia Jax in the ring. He said she shocked the world last week when she beat Lynch. Jax said it wasn’t shocking. She threatened to break Cole’s face but said she was more focused on the Rumble and referenced both Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky.

Ripley interrupted. She got a big ovation. She said Jax liked to talk a big game and was acting like she already won the Rumble. Ripley reminded Jax that she threw her out of the Rumble last year. She said Jax did beat Becky Lynch but Lynch wasn’t Rhea bloody Ripley.

Ripley advised Jax to stop acting like she owned the division until she was ready to step to her. Ripley warned Jax that if she did win the Rumble, it would be best to keep her name out of her mouth.

Jax gave Ripley credit for being perhaps the most dominant champion in history but Jax also dropped her on her ass when she returned. Jax said she would win the Rumble and choose Ripley. “See you soon, unstoppable champ.”

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They showed clips of The Rock’s promo last week.

Redmond interviewed Cody Rhodes. Or at least she tried to. Nakamura immediately attacked him from behind and they brawled very briefly until they were separated by officials.

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Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships (9:55)

It seemed like the champs would run right through Green but Niven saved her and took control over Chance ahead of a break. Carter made a hot tag and hit a leg drop on Green for two. Carter had Green on her shoulders while sitting on the turnbuckle and Chance brought her down with a hurricanrana for a nearfall.

Carter blocked an Unprettier but Green followed with a Rough Ryder for two. The ref was late counting the fall because he was checking on Chance. Niven tagged in and hit a senton while Carter was draped over Green’s knees but Chance broke up the cover.

Niven sent up for a Vader Bomb but Chance pulled Carter out of the ring. Niven didn’t realize that they put Green in her place so she hit the Vader Bomb on her teammate by accident. Chance hit Niven with a lungblower and they finished off Green with Kegstand for the pinfall win.

(This wound up being better than expected and the crowd got into it.) 

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There was a comedy feature on R-Truth. He claimed that when he was a newborn he told the doctor that he would join Judgment Day one day. There were a lot of AI and Photoshopped pictures to show Truth alongside Judgment Day over the years, as well as being on a Judgment Day PPV poster from decades ago.

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Judgment Day spoke in the back. Priest admitted he was amused by the video but told Ripley that he would deal with Truth. Bálor was pissed about DIY and said they would need CPR and MRIs and EMTs. Priest calmed him down and said they should be going after McIntyre.

Ripley said McIntyre wasn’t their enemy. Priest called him a joke and asked Ripley if it was smart to make an enemy of Jax. Ripley said she would take care of Jax. Ripley turned to JD McDonagh who said he’d take care of Miz tonight.

********

The Miz defeated JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio) (12:05)

Truth showed up at ringside and the crowd was happy to see him. McDonagh took control before a break thanks to interference by Dom.

Miz targetted McDonagh’s leg and applied a figure four but McDonagh got a rope break. Miz dropkicked McDonagh into Dom and hit a Skull Crushing Finale for the pinfall win. Truth celebrated with Miz.

— The rest of Judgment Day wasn’t happy about this as they watched on in the back.

(This was somehow the longest match of the night so far.)

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They announced earlier that Rhodes vs. Nakamura will now be a street fight. 

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Seth Rollins segment 

Rollins said he’s had plenty of great moments at WrestleMania but one thing he has never done is take a world title into the show. He’s taken a title that didn’t exist a year ago and made it the most important one in the industry. He did it by doing what he said he would do and that’s be a fighting champion.

Rollins said the work was not done and he wondered who he would face at WrestleMania. There was a light chant for Punk and Rollins said, “In his dreams.”

Jinder Mahal interrupted.

[SECOND HOUR]

Mahal called himself the real revolutionary and said Rollins’ only role was to entertain the clowns. Mahal said Rollins was the champion but he instilled no change and spoke no truth. He sang and danced but he brought no value and threw temper tantrums after the show when things didn’t go his way. He prided himself on being a workhorse who offered opportunities — except to a former champion like Mahal.

Mahal said Rollins overlooked him — a man who beat Randy Orton, the greatest of all time. He’s known Rollins for a long time and saw through his charade. Mahal knew he had Rollins’ attention now for the first time in a long time.

Rollins said Mahal was right. They have been overlooking Mahal. Rollins said that wasn’t an accident. For years they’ve been trying to forget him until last week when Rock put his balls in a vice. Rollins gave him credit for showing up after Rock fried him last week. Rollins didn’t appreciate Mahal ruining his fun and getting in his face.

Rollins offered Mahal a free shot but Mahal didn’t take it. Rollins turned his back so Mahal decked him from behind. Rollins fought him off but Mahal escaped before Rollins could hit a stomp.

(It was a bit odd that the fighting champion Rollins didn’t seem concerned with defending his title at the Rumble.) 

******** 

There was a segment earlier today to set up this match. No Chad Gable tonight.

Ivar (w/Valhalla) defeated Otis (w/Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa) (3:46)

There was a great spot early on where Ivar tried a springboard crossbody but Otis caught him and hit a World’s Strongest Slam for two. Ivar followed with a sit-out powerbomb for two. Otis hit a discus clothesline and caterpillar elbow drop for two. Ivar hit a roundhouse kick and moonsault for the pinfall win.

— Tozawa confronted Ivar but Ivar shoved him out of the ring.

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Redmond interviewed Jey Uso and asked if he had any resolutions. Jey said yeet and that he would get his first singles championship. Bronson Reed interrupted and said he had the same goal. He warned Jey not to get in the way.

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Next week on Raw in Little Rock, AR:

• Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal for the world title
• Finn Bálor & Damian Priest vs. R-Truth & Miz
• DIY vs. Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh
• Gunther returns

******** 

There was a video package for the main event.

Street Fight: Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (23:54)

Nakamura started by smacking Rhodes’ chest (right on his Dream tattoo) so Rhodes took the fight to him. Rhodes attacked him around ringside and in the general vicinity of the announce desk so the crowd chanted, “We want tables.” Nakamura disappeared under the ring and reappeared with a broom. He hit Rhodes with the broom, chucked it aside and continued to attack with a kendo stick.

After a break, Nakamura missed a knee drop and Rhodes attacked him repeatedly with the kendo stick. Nakamura fought back with a series of knee strikes and kicks. Rhodes came back with a forearm, powerslam and Disaster kick for two. Rhodes grabbed a table and the crowd popped but Nakamura attacked him with nunchucks.

Rhodes grabbed a chair and Nakamura went to blow mist in his face but Rhodes ducked and Nakamura misted the timekeeper instead. Rhodes called for help but the distraction allowed Nakamura to attack him with the chair.

(Nakamura whipping Rhodes with the nunchucks led to Wade Barrett saying this wasn’t the first sickening beatdown Rhodes has taken in his career. I initially thought this might’ve been a reference to MJF and the strap but it could’ve just been a reference to his feud with Brock Lesnar.)

Nakamura was in control after a second break but Rhodes drove him into a chair wedged between the ropes, followed by jabs and two bionic elbows. Rhodes set up the table but Nakamura headbutted him and placed him on the table. Nakamura followed with a double knee drop off the top through the table for two.

Nakamura smiled as he pulled out another table (the crowd popped again) and placed it in the corner. Nakamura followed with a sliding German and flying knee strike for two. Nakamura went for Kinshasa but Rhodes hit a superkick and Pedigree for two, followed by a Cody Cutter for two.

Nakamura countered a Cross Rhodes into a cradle for two. Nakamura tried Kinshasa but Rhodes side-stepped and drove him into the corner table. Rhodes followed with Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win. Rhodes posed and the crowd was happy.