Credit: WINC
We go right to the ring and out come the RAW Tag Team Champions – Randy Orton and Riddle. The champs head to the ring as the announcers hype up tonight’s RAW line-up.
Riddle gets more pyro as he flies in and kicks his flip-flops off. Orton takes the mic and the crowd goes wild. Riddle has a Christmas card but Orton isn’t interested in reading it. Riddle speaks up and welcomes Detroit to the final RAW of 2021, and says if you liked what RK-Bro did in 2021, you will love what they do in 2022. Riddle tries some comedy but Orton says the only way he’s going to have a Happy New Year if he defeats Otis tonight, and the only way they will have a Happy New Year together is if they retain their titles at WWE Day 1 over The Mysterios or The Street Profits G
Riddle talks about how he did some self-reflecting last week while he was off. Orton has the production truck show how he defeated Chad Gable but then had the RKO blocked three times by Otis. Riddle rants on and wonders if Otis is un-RKO-able. Orton admits Otis is a powerhouse but after last week… the music interrupts and out comes Alpha Academy – Otis and Gable. Gable praises Otis as being the most dangerous man in WWE, and his protege. Fans boo. Gable brings up how he recently achieved his Master’s Degree with a 4.0 GPA, and then knocks the mindless morons of Detroit. Gable talks about how Otis will send Orton limping into WWE Day 1 tonight and then it’s a matter of time before Alpha Academy has the titles.
Riddle interrupts and offers to fight Gable tonight. Riddle and Gable trade shots on the mic now, and a match is made for tonight. Gable accepts with the idea that Alpha Academy will take out both champions before their title defense this week. Riddle says he will win and when he does, he has a surprise for Orton, and he knows Orton will love it.
Riddle vs. Chad Gable
Gable goes for a big German but Riddle slides out and nails a step-up knee. Riddle goes to the top for the Floating Bro and he hits it for the pin to win out of nowhere.
Winner: Riddle
After the match, Riddle stands tall as the music hits but Otis immediately rushes the ring and levels Riddle, sending him out of the ring at Orton’s feet. Orton seethes and fans chant his name as we go to commercial.
Randy Orton vs. Otis
Otis stands tall over Orton as fans boo him. Otis goes to the second turnbuckle for a Vader Bomb but Orton moves. Orton comes right back with the RKO for the pin to win.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Orton and Riddle stand tall to celebrate as the music hits. Riddle is so proud of Orton for hitting the RKO on Otis. Riddle says it’s time for Orton’s present now. There’s only one present big and good enough for his friend Orton, and that’s a big, beautiful hug, bro. Riddle gets a “Randy!” chant going but Orton hesitates. Riddle goes on about how nobody else will know. Orton gives in and they hug in the middle of the ring. Orton fakes Riddle out with a quick RKO attempt but they have a laugh and go back to celebrating.
– Still to come, The Miz and Maryse renew their vows with a very special officiant.
We see Kevin Owens backstage with Kevin Patrick. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see how Bobby Lashley and WWE Champion Big E defeated Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins last week, and how they destroyed Big E and Lashley after the bout. Kevin Patrick is backstage with Kevin Owens now. Patrick shows us a video message we just received from the WWE Champion. Big E goes on about how this is about his story, showing up every week and knowing he’s worth more, walking out of WWE Day 1 with the title and oh, you’ve got to feel that, sucka. Owens says he heard all that but Big E is wrong. Owens says Big E is at home this week while Owens is here. Owens takes credit for taking out Lashley and Big E last week, despite Rollins being there, and the next part of his plan involves him taking the WWE Title at Day 1. Owens storms off.
Dana Brooke and Reggie vs. Tamina Snuka and R-Truth
Tamina levels Dana mid-move and then shows off some to hush the boos. Truth tags himself in and Tamina isn’t happy. Dana escapes and in comes Reggie. Reggie takes Truth down face-first into the mat and holds it for the pin to win.
Winners: Reggie and Dana Brooke
After the match, Dana and Reggie retreat while Truth and Tamina have words in the middle of the ring. Truth ducks an attack by Tamina and she’s not happy. She goes for Dana in the corner but Dana counters and shows her up, rocking her against the turnbuckles. Dana and Reggie head up the ramp as Tamina seethes in the ring.
– We see how Rhea Ripley defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega last week. Megan Morant is backstage with Nikki A.S.H. now. Nikki is asked if WWE management made the right decision in banning her from ringside last week. Nikki talks about how Ripley didn’t need her help to win, and how she has been down on her luck as of late. She goes on and says the current tag team champions have tried to get in their heads, but it’s only made them stronger. Nikki officially challenges Carmella and Queen Zelina to a rematch for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
The Mysterios vs. Street Profits
Street Profits win when they hit an elevator blockbuster on Dominik.
Winners: Street Profits
After the match, Ford and Dawkins stand tall and celebrate as the music hits. Orton and Riddle look on from backstage as the announcers confirm the title match for WWE Day 1.
– We get a video package on what has happened between AJ Styles and Omos.
AJ Styles vs. Apollo Crews
Crews yells out in frustration now as fans rally for AJ. Crews takes AJ to the top but AJ slides down and out. They tangle some more and Crews nails an enziguri. AJ counters a powerbomb with a hurricanrana. They trade more counters and AJ nails the Styles Clash in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.
Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, AJ sits up and recovers as his music hits. Azeez tries to attack but AJ exits just in time, and heads up the ramp. Azeez is trying to help Crews back to his feet when AJ flies back into the ring with a Phenomenal Forearm for a big pop. AJ beats Azeez up some more to end the segment.
Kevin Owens vs. Cedric Alexander
Cedric fights back in and drops Owens face-first into the mat for another 2 count. Alexander with uppercuts. Owens comes right back with a big clothesline and a powerbomb in the middle of the ring. Owens yells at Alexander and follows up with a Stunner in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
After the match, Owens stands tall as the music hits. Shelton confronts him and turns back around to ask for a microphone. Benjamin turns back to face Owens but Owens drops him with a Stunner as MVP looks on.
– We see what happened between Damian Priest and The Dirty Dawgs last week.
Damian Priest (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler – United States Championship
Priest snaps and unloads with rights and lefts, then a big kick. Priest goes on and drops Ziggler in the corner. Priest keeps pounding on Ziggler while he’s down in the corner as the referee tries to get him to stop. The referee keeps counting and has to call the match.
Winner by DQ: Dolph Ziggler
After the bell, Priest retains the title but loses the match by disqualification. Priest takes Ziggler to ringside and sends him into the barrier, then nails The Reckoning.
– It’s time for The Miz and Maryse to renew their wedding vows. We go back to the ring and out comes WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff to officiate the ceremony. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and there’s a standard wedding setup in the ring. Bischoff says it’s great to be back in a WWE ring, especially for something this special. He talks about how we respect the sanctity of marriage here. He goes on and introduces The Miz and out he comes. Bischoff introduces Maryse next and she comes out in her wedding dress. Miz talks about how they’ve had the upperhand on WWE Hall of Famer Edge and how he will lose at WWE Day 1 this Saturday, and in honor of that, they wanted to give us something special tonight – the renewal of their vows. Miz knocks Detroit but tells Maryse it’s not where you’re at, it’s who you’re with, and he’s with Maryse. Miz thanks Bischoff for officiating the ceremony and Bischoff is just as thankful. Maryse goes first with her vows but the boos almost drown her out. She goes on about how much she loves Miz, and how at WWE Day 1 he will prove he’s a better husband, father, lover and WWE Superstar than Edge. If loving Miz is wrong, she doesn’t want to be right.
