WWE Raw live results: CM Punk returns


Date: November 27, 2023
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

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Show Recap —
There was a recap of the Survivor Series main event and the return of CM Punk.
There’s a new Raw theme song. Michael Cole said this may be the most anticipated episode of Raw ever. Wade Barrett announced that the first hour tonight is commercial-free. Cole said the polarizing and controversial CM Punk will have a live mic tonight.
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Randy Orton entered to start the show. (He wore a black t-shirt and black pants.)
Orton posed around the ring and really soaked in the moment. He even signed a toy figurine of himself for a young fan in the front row as he entered.
Orton said it sounded like a few people missed him and there was a loud “Welcome back” chant. Orton had plenty of time to think about his accomplishments while he was gone, but he had never done one particular thing and that was to compete at WarGames. When his dear friend Cody Rhodes called him, he said “of course” he was in.
Orton said WarGames was invented by Dusty Rhodes (the crowd cheered) and to be part of that match was to be part of “professional wrestling” history.
Orton also came back because he had unfinished business with the Bloodline. Orton admitted he made a name for himself by putting people on the shelf so he could forgive — but he could not forget. He had receipts for every single member of the Bloodline. And he meant every member. Orton said the receipts would come in the form of an RKO.
Rhea Ripley entered. (She wore all black with a black trench coat.) She noted Orton teamed with someone who tried to end his career and had his big return upstaged. She did think Orton looked more dangerous than ever and that shouldn’t be wasted. The Bloodline has fallen and Judgment Day has risen.
She called WarGames a bump in the road because they were all dripping in gold. That included Damian Priest and Finn Bálor holding the same tag titles that Orton almost gave his career to. If it wasn’t for Orton, Priest would also be the world champion. They could make life hell for Orton and put him out permanently. The crowd chanted “RKO.”
Orton said he’s been paying attention to the show while he was gone and there was a lot of talk about Mami, but guess what — “Daddy’s back.” The crowd enjoyed that. Orton knew things had changed while he was gone but one thing that would never change is that nobody told him what to do.
Ripley laughed. She said she tried to give him an out but he was their enemy now. Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh (wearing a soft neck brace) attacked him from behind. Orton fought them off and planted McDonagh with an RKO.
Orton told Dom not to go too far because he was going to find Adam Pearce and get Dom in a match tonight.
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There was a segment backstage with Alpha Academy, New Day and Creed Brothers. Chad Gable said Otis and Akira Tozawa would represent Alpha Academy tonight. Maxxine Dupri and Ivy Nile showed up and introduced musician Jelly Roll who was excited to be there. R-Truth showed up because he was hungry upon hearing “Jelly Roll.” Tozawa did his dance.
The Creed Brothers won Tag Team Turmoil (25:56)
This was a fairly typical WWE gauntlet match where the individual matches were short so everyone was losing easier/quicker than usual. That said, the Creed Brothers came across very well beating the three top teams in the match in a row.
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Otis & Akira Tozawa (w/Chad Gable & Maxxine Dupri) (3:12)
Tozawa set up for a dive off of Otis’ shoulders but Gargano kicked Otis’ leg out of his leg and Ciampa caught Tozawa with a knee strike. DIY hit Tozawa with Meet in the Middle for the pinfall elimination.
(The remaining turmoil match times include brief entrances.)
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Indus Sher (2:24)
Indus Sher attacked DIY outside the ring and dominated for a bit but Gargano stacked up Veer in a cradle for the pinfall elimination. The crowd was dead for this portion.
The Creed Brothers defeated Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa (4:44)
The crowd woke up a bit and there were light chants for DIY. They tried Meet in the Middle but Brutus tackled Ciampa. Julius powerbombed Garagno and the Creeds hit the Brutus Bomb for the pinfall elimination.
The Creed Brothers (w/Ivy Nile) vs. Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (7:15)
New Day entered wearing Nashville Predators jerseys. This was a back-and-forth match and the Creed Brothers came out on top. Julius rolled through on a Kingston high cross and hit a fallaway slam before Brutus wiped out Woods with a moonsault off the apron. The Creeds hit Brutus Bomb for the pinfall elimination.
The Creed Brothers (w/Ivy Nile) defeated Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci (8:21)
The crowd was quiet for this until Julius hit both members of Imperium with a double Northern Lights suplex. They set up for Brutus Bomb but Kaiser raked the eyes of Julius while Vinci shoved Brutus off the top. Imperium set up for something but Julius leaped over Vinci and hit Kaiser with a superplex. (This was technically a botched spot because Julius tried to leap off of Vinci’s back and he slipped, but he recovered and was able to hit a nice superplex anyway.)
The Creeds hit Vinci with the Brutus Bomb for the final elimination. Julius and Brutus earn a title shot.
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Bálor approached Priest in Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Bálor put over the Creed Brothers and said they needed to be ready. Priest was feeling insecure and for sure thought that they were all going to blame him for their loss at Survivor Series.
Bálor, Ripley and Dom assured him everything was fine and they were all family. Priest was relieved. He asked how McDonagh was doing. Bálor said he was in medical and they should go check on him. (Ripley smirked in Priest’s direction after he left.)
They went to break for the first time about 54 minutes into the show.
[SECOND HOUR]
Cody Rhodes promo
Rhodes came out to a big reception. He wanted to thank his teammates after their win at WarGames and he mentioned each one individually. (The crowd yelled “Yeet” for Jey Uso and sang Seth Rollins’ song.)
Rhodes said Orton was a mentor to him early in his career and is still a mentor now. Orton gave him a lot of memories and gave him another one in WarGames. Orton handed Priest to him so he could hit Cross Rhodes and get the win, not just in any match, but his dad’s match. The crowd chanted for Dusty.
The other story Rhodes wanted to talk about was the return of CM Punk. The crowd chanted for Punk. Nobody knew that was going to happen and nobody knew what was going to happen next. That’s why everyone would tune in to see him speak tonight. Rhodes just wanted to say to Punk: “Welcome back.”
Rhodes said one fisherman always spots the other fisherman from afar and there were a lot of stories happening right now, so Rhodes had an announcement. The fans knew him by now and knew there was only one destination for him. Rhodes announced that he would be the first to declare himself for the 2024 Royal Rumble match.
The lights dimmed and Shinsuke Nakamura appeared on the screen. Nakamura said Rhodes needed to continue his story but Nakamura needed Rhodes to awaken him and set him free. Nakamura was patient for weeks but he was tired of waiting. “I will bring chaos to you.”
Fans started shrieking because Nakamura appeared behind Rhodes. Rhodes turned around and Nakamura sprayed red mist in his face.
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The announcers thanked Living Colour for “Cult of Personality.” Cole called Punk’s return “the most-watched social moment in WWE history.”
Bronson Reed vs. Ivar (w/Valhalla) went to a double count-out (8:41)
Reed hit a vertical suplex early on but Ivar caught him with a spin kick outside the ring (thanks to a Valhalla distraction) and squished him into the ring’s video board. Reed was back on offence after a break and hit machine gun chops in the corner. Ivar responded with repeated back elbows but Reed followed with a senton. Ivar came back with a powerslam for two.
Valhalla told Ivar to go to the top so he tried a moonsault but Reed moved. Reed went to the top and the crowd buzzed but he stopped what he was doing because Valhalla jumped on the apron and threatened to hit him. The ref tossed her out.
They battled in the timekeeper’s area which led to Reed giving Ivar a DVD into the side of the barricade — and they were counted out. This could’ve been better.
— Ivar popped up quickly and hit Reed with a chair. They battled through the crowd which led to a WWE employee getting squished by Reed. Reed also used a security guard as a lawn dart. Ivar hit a cannonball off an equipment box and the crowd chanted “Holy sh*t.” Officials and security finally separated them.
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Nia Jax approached Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler in the back (earlier tonight). Jax sarcastically congratulated Stark on her effort against Ripley. Baszler told Jax to shut up or else. Stark stood up for herself and challenged Jax to a match tonight. Jax agreed.
They showed a bunch of social media videos of people reacting to Punk’s return.
Priest, Bálor and McDonagh returned to their clubhouse only to find Truth with a plate full of desserts on their couch and sugar spilled everywhere. They were pissed and asked what he was doing there. Truth offered to be their partner at WarGames. Priest said the match already happened and Truth asked how they did. They kicked him out. McDonagh said he would take care of Truth.
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Nia Jax defeated Zoey Stark (9:04)
Stark hit a springboard clothesline off the top to the outside but Jax was in control after a break. Stark avoided a charge and Jax went into the ring post. Stark hit a corkscrew senton onto the leg of Jax. Jax set up for Annihilator but Stark kicked her leg and tried a cradle for two. Stark followed with a springboard dropkick for two.
Stark went to the top but Jax tripped her and followed with a Samoan Drop, senton and Annihilator for the pinfall win.
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Gunther approached Imperium in the back. He wanted them to go to Pearce and sort out the DIY issue. Vinci was about to make a promise but Kaiser cut him off and said he promised to get it done.
Miz approached Gunther. Miz saw Gunther’s press conference and noted Gunther wanted his next opponent to challenge him to his face. Miz challenged him. Gunther asked if he was sure about that. Miz knew he could take the title off his shoulder and said Gunther knew it too. Gunther said Miz was no threat to his legendary title reign. He did give Miz credit for bringing the fight and said he did belong in the ring, just not with him.
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Seth Rollins entered.
[THIRD HOUR]
The announcers said Saturday was the most watched Survivor Series ever.
Seth Rollins/Drew McIntyre segment
This started like every Rollins promo where he did his catchphrases and the crowd sang until he held up the mic and a portion of the crowd chanted for CM Punk instead of singing his song. Rollins removed his shades and invited the Punk fans to keep going. He didn’t want to spend one more ounce of energy on that hypocrite.
Rollins instead wanted to talk about the championship he’s made the most important in the industry. Rollins admitted he wasn’t feeling too good days removed from WarGames but he was starting to get the itch to be a fighting champion again.
Drew McIntyre interrupted. McIntyre said it’s been a crazy 48 hours. People were talking about the two of them and things that happened outside the ring. McIntyre wanted to shake Rollins’ hand and congratulate him on the victory. Rollins shook his hand.
McIntyre said Judgment Day had a grand plan but it appears their plan was to lose. He also thought he needed to put Jey Uso on the back burner and focus on the world title. McIntyre admitted that Rollins was right when he said he could only blame himself for losing at Crown Jewel.
McIntyre had a moment of hesitation while feeling sympathy when he saw Rollins down during the match. McIntyre thought about Rollins’ daughter in the moment and told him to stay down but Rollins slapped him in the face. McIntyre said Rollins was right so slap him in the face. McIntyre was done with sympathy and he wanted a damn rematch.
Rollins thought McIntyre did deserve a rematch but there were a couple of people who deserved it a bit more. Rollins announced that he would be defending the title on Raw next week. McIntyre asked who the opponent was.
Rollins said it was Jey Uso. The crowd said Yeet. Rollins was about to reason with McIntyre but McIntyre immediately headbutted him (which drew a splash of blood on McIntyre’s forehead). McIntyre suplexed Rollins and told him he just beat Jey two weeks ago.
Jey Uso entered and hammered away at McIntyre as the crowd said Yeet. Jey and Rollins superkicked him out of the ring.
Jey picked up the belt and deliberately handed it to Rollins.
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Sami Zayn confronted McIntyre in the back about headbutting Rollins. McIntyre said Zayn couldn’t understand what he was going through but Zayn said he knew exactly what he was going through. Every disappointment McIntyre has had in his career, Zayn has had it ten times over. But he kept moving forward because he knew the end game for him was to win the world title.
Zayn said McIntyre was already a two-time champion, 6’6” and full of muscle but he was acting like a spoiled brat. Zayn said, “You’re better than that.” McIntyre acted sincere for a moment before telling Zayn he’d go to Pearce and request a match next week against him.
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Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defeated Natalya & Tegan Nox to retain the Tag Team Championships (8:42)
After an early commercial, Natalya hit Green with a sit-out powerbomb for two. Nox tagged in and hit Green with a Molly-go-round but Niven broke up the cover. Natalya and Nox suplexed Green into the barricade but Niven knocked them both down with a cannonball off the apron. Niven hit Nox with a running crossbody in the ring for the pinfall win. Green was ecstatic to learn they retained the titles. The crowd was quiet for this too.
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Jey approached Orton in the back. He wanted to find Orton before Orton found him. Jey thanked him for having his back at WarGames. He heard what Orton said earlier about receipts but what happened back in the day was in the past. Rhodes trusted him and brought him and was trying to do what was right. Orton was good with Jey — as long as he was out of the Bloodline. Jey said he was out. They shook hands.
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Next week on Raw:
- Seth Rollins vs. Jey Uso for the World Championship
- Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
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Jackie Redmond (whose outfit looked like Rollins’ outfit) interviewed Becky Lynch. Lynch felt like she went to war in an epic battle on Saturday — and looked like it (she pointed at scars on her face). It also felt like a night of making amends but there was a thin line between love and hate. Lynch said she had a couple of fights on the horizon and one was more pressing than the other.
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Cole said Orton has been training differently since his surgery and is focusing on cardio and reps using lighter weights and feels better than he has in years. Cole also suggested Dom get in the gym with Orton (which is certainly an interesting comment).
Randy Orton defeated NXT North American Championship Dominik Mysterio (w/JD McDonagh) in a non-title match (9:23)
After a break, Orton tried a backdrop onto the announce table but Dom landed on his feet and shoved him into the steel steps. Orton sold this great before fighting back with clotheslines, a powerslam and draping DDT.
Orton set up for an RKO but McDonagh pulled Dom out of the ring. Jelly Roll (the musician from earlier) shoved McDonagh. Dom got in his face so Jelly Roll shoved him too. Orton grabbed Dom and launched him way up in the air to hit a backdrop onto the announce desk. The crowd chanted “one more time” so Orton hit another. (All of these things should have been disqualifications.)
Orton dropped McDonagh with a draping DDT but that allowed Dom to hit a dropkick and 619. Dom missed a frog splash and Orton hit an RKO for the pinfall win.
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CM Punk’s locker room door was shown as they went to break. There will be about 8 minutes left in the show when they come back for the final segment.
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CM Punk promo
Punk entered wearing his new black WWE-issued t-shirt and black jeans. The crowd chanted his name as he entered.
Punk started with “looks like hell froze over” (which is how Bret Hart started his return promo). Punk said hell froze over because he was standing in a WWE ring with a live mic, not because he was a Blackhawks fan being cheered in the Predators building. He laughed and said he had to be himself.
He’s been thinking of the language to express how he feels. He thought of two words and was afraid of how corny it would sound. Punk said he’s changed and an American Dream once taught him that as long as you speak from the heart you cannot go wrong because it was the truth. The truth was: “I’m home.” The crowd cheered.
Punk didn’t know how he’d react but he knew this was home. He’s been gone for 10 years but in that time, the fans never forgot him even when he maybe wanted to forget himself. People all over the world never stopped chanting his name. The crowd chanted his name.
The voiceless found their voice and he couldn’t be more proud of them. He was back because he loved the fans. He wished he could say that he never had to leave. Once upon a time, a wise man said he’d have to leave and come back. He hated to admit the wise man was right.
Saturday night was an amazing moment. Monday night was an amazing moment. Everybody in the back was happy to see him. It’s been all hugs and even a few kisses on the cheek. People have been asking about AJ and he said she’s doing great. The crowd cheered.
It’s been open arms from everyone. Well, almost everyone. He knew that everyone here competed to be the best in the world but the best in the world hasn’t been there in 10 years.
Punk understood being afraid. They’re afraid that he set the bar too high and the brass ring was in his back pocket. They’re afraid because the most dangerous man just walked into the front door and there’s nothing they can do about it.
Some people will wake up and realize their efforts to be the best in the world in the ring, on this microphone and even commentary was false. Because the best in the world was back in the middle of the ring and his name was CM Punk. Punk dropped the mic as the fans said his name.
Punk looked into the camera and, off mic, said he wasn’t here to make friends and was here to make money.
(They quickly went off the air about 2 minutes after the top of the hour.)