WWE Raw live results: TLC go-home show
Date: December 14, 2020
Location: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL
The Big Takeaway —
Miz and Morrison pinned Keith Lee, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt played hide-and-seek, and Lana pinned Nia Jax. Lana was injured by Jax and Shayna Baszler so Asuka will need a new partner on Sunday.
AJ Styles laid out Drew McIntyre to close another bad Raw show.
Show Recap —
The announcers ran down tonight’s card, including an “ascension ceremony” with Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles where the WWE title belt will be suspended above the ring.
The Nightmare Before TLC
Miz was in the ring to read the story of “The Nightmare Before TLC.” He had a picture book with Styles on the cover. It was apparently written by Styles as well. The lights were off and the spotlight was on Miz. He snapped his fingers and a spotlight revealed Styles was standing in the ring the entire time.
Styles was very happy but reminded Miz to introduce Omos (a spotlight turned on to reveal Omos outside the ring). Miz said he didn’t forget, he left him out to save time. Miz snapped his fingers and the lights went out on Omos.
Miz continued to read the story and snapped his fingers again to reveal John Morrison dressed as Drew McIntyre (or a Scottish stereotype). Morrison said a line with a Scottish accent and Miz told him to stick to the script.
Styles and Morrison began acting out a fight as Miz narrated. Styles “stabbed” Morrison with a sword and climbed the ladder in victory. Miz said the story wasn’t over there and went on to say that he would cash in on Styles to win the WWE Championship.
Styles was pissed and told him that wasn’t in the script. They argued until Sheamus interrupted. Sheamus was ready to fight Styles now. Syles told him their match wasn’t until later. Styles chucked a Christmas tree at Sheamus so Sheamus responded by throwing a gift box at his head.
This will probably be a divisive segment. I thought everyone was good in it but this probably isn’t the best way to build a world title match.
AJ Styles (w/Omos) defeated Sheamus (15:55)
About five minutes into the match, Sheamus grabbed Styles and set up for a powerbomb on the outside but Omos just grabbed Styles away from him. The referee just stood and watched this happen. A staredown between Sheamus and Omos led to break.
Styles targetted the knee but Sheamus came back with a backbreaker, fallaway slam and pump knee strike for two. Sheamus clubbed Styles in the chest before hitting a flying clothesline for two. Styles managed to apply the calf crusher but Sheamus got a rope break. Sheamus came right back with a White Noise for a nearfall.
Sheamus limped as he placed Styles on his shoulders and began climbing the turnbuckle. However, Styles slipped out, hit a chop block and applied a rollup for the pinfall win.
Styles bragged after the match so Sheamus grabbed him. Omos made the save and tied Sheamus upside down with his feet between the ropes. Styles kicked away at Sheamus’s chest before grabbing a steel chair and hitting him repeatedly. Styles’ music played as if the segment was over but he grabbed the chair and hit Sheamus again. This was good.
The Hurt Business bullied a stagehand who was eating a “bronut” while wearing an Original Bro hat. Bobby Lashley dumped an entire box of milk on him.
Sarah Schreiber was nearby presumably for an interview but it looked like she wanted to leave after she saw the milk incident. They invited her back in for the interview. She asked MVP about his match against Riddle, who she said was focused on Lashley. MVP thought it was amusing that Riddle could be focused on anything. MVP put over his team.
Elsewhere, Riddle approached New Day and Jeff Hardy. He said they all missed Big E so he suggested accompanying them to ringside as “Bro E.” Kofi Kingston liked the idea. Hardy also told him he liked the “Hardy Bros” idea. Riddle was delighted.
Six-man tag match: US Champion Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) defeated Jeff Hardy & Raw Tag Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (w/Riddle) (15:53)
[Second hour]
Kingston was in control over Benjamin after a break but Lashley tossed him out of the ring, behind the referee’s back, to allow Hurt Business to take over. They had the heat on Kingston forever until he eventually hit a foot stomp before tagging in Hardy. Hardy was on offense until Alexander blind-tagged in and nailed him with a knee strike.
Everyone got in the ring to trade moves which led to Kingston wiping out Benjamin with a dive. Woods tried a dive but Lashley caught him and tossed him into the barricade. Lashley also knocked down Kingston. Hardy knocked down Lashley with a baseball slide.
Hardy and Alexander traded rollups. Lashley blind-tagged in as Hardy gave Alexander a Twist of Fate. Lashley went after Hardy who managed to fight back. He went to the top but Alexander knocked him down and Lashley applied the Hurt Lock for the submission win.
Alexander celebrated like crazy again as his teammates looked on in confusion. He eventually joined them in celebration.
In the back, Lana admitted to Asuka that she was scared to death to face Nia Jax. Asuka said she was still going out there to face Jax which made her the bravest person she knew. Asuka was proud to be her partner.
Lana defeated Tag Team Champion Nia Jax (1:45)
Jax tried a press slam but Lana countered into hurricanrana. They fought for position on the turnbuckles and Lana managed to drop Jax before hitting a double foot stomp. Lana then cradled her for the pinfall win. Jax acted stunned.
As Lana celebrated, they cut to the back where Shayna Baszler laid out Asuka. Baszler went to the ring as Jax attacked Lana and laid her out with a leg drop. Baszler did the arm break stomp before stomping away at Lana’s leg. Baszler bent Lana’s leg as Jax leg-dropped it.
Asuka ran out and cleared the ring before checking on Lana.
Elias segment (with Jaxson Ryker)
Elias was in the ring with Jaxson Ryker. Elias spoke about being electrocuted in his match a few weeks ago. Doctors told him that it would have ended any other man but he was no ordinary man. He called it being baptized by lightning.
Ryker said Elias’ music has changed him and the days of Elias being interrupted were over. Elias began playing a song dedicated to Lana when R-Truth slipped in the ring. Truth wanted to apologize for interrupting him before. Elias told him he was interrupting him right now. Truth decided to stop interrupting.
Elias began playing until the 24/7 losers ran down to the ring. Ryker beat them up which allowed Truth to escape. This was dumb.
Miz and Morrison discussed strategy in the back. Keith Lee approached them with an idea. He had a coin and told them to call it. Miz called heads. Lee flipped the coin and said they both won — and it was the only thing they were winning tonight.
2-on-1 handicap match: The Miz & John Morrison defeated Keith Lee (10:00)
Lee knocked Morrison out of the ring with a pounce, which was supposed to knock down Miz but he was too far away and sold it anyway. This led to a break less than two minutes into the match.
Lee was still in control after a break but Miz and Morrison mounted a comeback. They had him in a double submission but I guess he was too big so they just let go. They tried a double suplex but Lee instead suplexed them both.
Lee went for the Spirit Bomb but Morrison slipped out. Morrison and Miz each hit a series of kicks and piled on top of him at the same time for the pinfall win.
For some reason, Tom Phillips said that the referee’s decision was final as if there was some sort of controversy around the finish, but there wasn’t. He opened the match by saying Miz and Morrison would have to tag in and out but that was never the case. They were both wrestling the entire time. This segment was a thumbs down.
[Third hour]
Bray Wyatt segment
Wyatt entered wearing a Fiend Christmas sweater. Phillips said this had to be one of the strangest things ever on Raw. Nothing has happened yet. The puppets watched from behind the barricade.
Wyatt was happy to be there but wanted to apologize to Randy Orton. He called what happened in their match a misunderstanding. Wyatt said “he” has a deranged mind of his own. Wyatt wished he and Orton could have settled things but it’ll be too late once Orton faces “him” on Sunday.
Wyatt said there would be no fun and games at TLC. Since TLC won’t be any fun, tonight will be. Wyatt prepared some jokes for Orton. He read corny jokes and laughed uproariously, as did the puppets.
Orton appeared on the screen. Orton admitted to being outmaneuvered by the Fiend a few weeks ago but that wasn’t going to happen again. Orton suggested Wyatt extend his field trip. Orton wanted to play a game of hide and seek. Wyatt chuckled and accepted.
Mace (w/Retribution) defeated Ricochet (2:57)
Mustafa Ali joined commentary, flanked by the rest of Retribution. There was a pre-taped promo where Mace said he’s been stepped over by people like Ricochet but Ricochet would get stepped on tonight. There was a moment on commentary where Ali noted that Samoa Joe was sitting in a seat once held by Mace.
During the match, Ali sent Slapjack to the ring but Ricochet fought him off the apron. Ricochet also knocked T-Bar off the apron. The referee just watched this all happen. Mace gave Ricochet a sit-out powerbomb for a close nearfall. Ali stood up and told Mace to put him down. Mace hit a swinging slam for the pinfall win. Ali told Ricochet this will only end once he joins them.
Wyatt ran into Riddle in the back. Riddle had an idea for him: a segment on the Funhouse about bro-nouns. Wyatt said he was a little busy and left. The rabbit puppet showed up behind Riddle. Riddle spoke to it like it was real. Riddle wanted an autograph for his pet rabbit. He had a carrot in his pocket and handed it to the rabbit with a Sharpie. The rabbit attempted to sign the carrot. This all really happened.
Dana Brooke defeated Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler (w/Nia Jax) via DQ (1:29)
They announced that Lana was taken to a local medical facility with devastating injuries and she would be unable to team with Asuka on Sunday. That means Asuka needs a new partner.
This was over quickly by DQ when Jax shoved Brooke off the top rope. Saxton whined, “do rules matter anymore?”
They were going to beat up Brooke but Mandy Rose ran out with a kendo stick. She attempted to make the save but they knocked her down. Asuka showed up to help and was able to clean house with Rose.
Truth spoke to the pig puppet in the back. Wyatt showed up. Truth thought the pig was Wyatt’s son. Wyatt left.
Conclusion of Hide and Seek
Wyatt was still looking for Orton after a break. He found a rocking chair in a dark room, which was rocking on its own. Wyatt sat down in the chair. Orton appeared from behind and attacked him. (That was his plan?)
Orton shoved Wyatt into a box and closed it. Orton doused the box with gas and set it on fire. Orton was pleased with himself until the Fiend popped out of the box. The Fiend put Orton down with the mandible claw.
Riddle defeated MVP (0:51)
Riddle won quickly with the Floating Bro. Lashley ran down afterwards but Riddle bailed. Riddle ate a donut to celebrate.
WWE Championship Ascension Ceremony
McIntyre coming out with his sword and sticking into the stage now appears to be a regular part of his entrance.
McIntyre entered wearing his title belt. Phillips explained that his belt would be ascended high above the ring, but before that, they’d have one more chance to address each other. (He explained this in the most matter-of-fact manner as if this is something they do all the time.)
Styles was baffled that someone the size of McIntyre took 19 years to win the WWE title and thought it was because he couldn’t handle the pressure. Styles noted it was their first singles match and it was McIntyre’s first TLC match.
Styles thought McIntyre was making a mistake taking this match and noted that he himself successfully defended the title in a TLC match (over Dean Ambrose) once before. Styles told him to kiss the belt goodbye.
McIntyre knew that people wanted to see him and Styles wrestle and reiterated that he’s never been in a TLC match. McIntyre wasn’t just the champion — he knew what it took to stay on top. McIntyre called himself the champion who led WWE through uncharted waters in 2020, one who could handle the pressure, and one who would destroy Styles.
McIntyre was willing to do whatever it took to retain the title. McIntyre placed his belt on the apparatus which raised above the ring as some dramatic music randomly played.
Styles warned McIntyre that he wasn’t the only one that McIntyre would have to face. Miz and Morrison jumped in the ring and they all attacked McIntyre. McIntyre fought back and sent Miz and Styles from the ring before Claymore kicking a ladder into Morrison.
McIntyre set up Styles for the Claymore but was distracted when Omos chucked the steel steps in the ring. He turned his back on Styles for some reason so Styles hit a chop block and Phenomenal forearm. Styles also attacked with a ladder and chair.
Styles placed McIntyre on a table and hit a diving elbow drop off a ladder. Styles climbed the ladder again to grab the title belt as they went off the air.
This segment was mostly fine (I guess) but I can’t imagine too many people stuck around to watch it. This was a bad show that got worse as it went.