Spoilers For Tonight's Episode Of WWE Monday Night Raw
The New Year's Eve episode was taped in advance.
WWE have been extra kind to their long-suffering employees this holiday season, giving them both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off by getting their shows in the can in advance.
Tonight's episode of Monday Night Raw, emanating from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, was recorded this past Friday. Thanks to the magic of people attending the taping and then telling people about it, we have a full list of all the relevant happenings, courtesy of The Wrestling Observer - but keep in mind WWE could spring some pre-taped surprises as they did over Christmas.
At the top of the show, Drew McIntyre dispatched former pal Dolph Ziggler in a steel cage match following a couple of Claymore kicks. Like a terrible winner, he went back for seconds after the bell, slamming Dolph's head between the cage and a chair.
Seth Rollins was up next, to cut a supposedly superb promo with regards to Dean Ambrose's Intercontinental title. Triple H interrupted to tell his former protégé he didn't deserve another shot, a thought supplemented by Authority Figure #2 Shane McMahon announcing a 'Fresh Start Battle Royal' for a go at the strap - minus Seth. He'd take on Bobby Lashley instead.
2019 might be a decent year for Apollo Crews, as he last eliminated Baron Corbin to triumph in Shane's impromptu stramash. For the 900th time this year, Finn Bálor locked horns with the former Raw Sherrif during this contest.
Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon bested The Riott Squad in a near-repeat of their October clash at WWE Evolution. This was nothing more than a bit of filler.
A truly fed up Seth Rollins belted Bobby Lashley and his batman Lio Rush with a series of chairshots to end their match via a disqualification. It seems Rollins is unearthing the necessary intensity to take on the febrile Dean Ambrose once again. Lord knows he needs it after their tepid TLC encounter.
Rhyno's retirement didn't last long, as he was back tagging with Heath Slater in a defeat to Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers. As you might expect, the hometown favourite received a pretty strong reaction from his local fans.
2019 might not be a decent year for Apollo Crews after all; his Intercontinental title opportunity came, rather unfairly, the very same night, and not surprisingly he fell to the champ in short order. Better luck next time, kid.
Apparently Alexa Bliss will get her own talk show next week, This Is You... no, sorry, 'A Moment of Bliss'. It's unclear whether this will become a semi-permanent fixture until she's ready to return to the ring.
Things concluded with Ronda Rousey & Natalya overcoming Nia Jax & Tamina in a bog standard match. This feud will never end!
Fans in attendance were told that next week's show - live, and expected to see a big bounce in ratings - will feature some heavyweight attractions in the form of Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Brawn Strowman. Sounds like a corker, that.