The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 12/22/14

It's the Christmas edition of Raw. Before I begin, my apologies for not getting my WWE Johnny Awards done yet. I'm going to push it back to next Monday December 29. I just didn't have the time to finish it. Normally it's an 8,000 word column so it takes a while to write it. It will be ready for next week.

Live from Minneapolis, Minnesota this is the Raw Deal for episode #1125. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport.

The announce team of Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL welcomed us to the show with shots of the Raw set looking all festive. Coming up on the show are Roddy Piper hosting Rusev/Lana on Piper's Pit, Roman Reigns vs. Big Show and Dean Ambrose.

Hulk Hogan was introduced as the host of the show and was officially announced as "Ho Ho Hogan." He was dressed like Santa Claus with sunglasses. There's probably a joke about his daughter there. The announcers were shown with Lawler wearing an ugly sweater while the other two were in suits.

"Ho Ho Ho brother" were the first words by Hogan as the crowd did a "Hogan" chant. Hogan told the crowd to chant "Ho Ho Hogan" instead. He went over the matches that he set up for the show, which were already mentioned. John Cena's music started up and he made his way down to the ring.

Cena said if one man is as iconic as Santa Claus it is "Ho Ho Hogan" and then the crowd chanted that again. Cena joked that he wanted some playset from Frozen and then started singing the song "Let it Go" from Frozen until this happened...and that led to the video of Cena losing to Rollins last week thanks to Lesnar. The fans were chanting Lesnar. Cena said he wanted Lesnar too. He admitted he lost to Rollins "fair and square" even though it really wasn't fair, which he didn't say. I give him credit for not making excuses. Cena wanted a match with Rollins and he asked Ho Ho Hogan to set it up.

Seth Rollins interrupted along with J&J Security as they stood on the ramp for a promo. Rollins said he gave Cena a Curb Stomp, which is why Cena can't see what happened here. Rollins told Cena that nobody wants to hear his stupid voice anymore. Rollins called Cena & Hogan legends, but Cena's time is up and Seth's time is now. He said he's the future of WWE. Fans chanted "you sold out" at him. Rollins complained that Hogan was running Raw when it should be The Authority. "Screw that guy, he's an imposter - he's a farce." More "Ho Ho Hogan" chants from the fans. Rollins complained about no Triple H and Stephanie McMahon there. He mentioned Survivor Series when the "Vigilante" Sting helped Cena's team. They always throw that "vigilante" word out there for Sting. Rollins said his Christmas wish is for Cena to bring The Authority back.

Cena told Rollins to shut up because he's putting the crowd to sleep. He called Rollins a scumbag that turned on his fans. Cena told Rollins that if he comes down to the ring then Cena will shove neon green (his shoes) up his ass. Cena said he's not going to bring The Authority back.

Hogan made a match for Raw: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins and it's the first match on Raw tonight.

Analysis: It's a typical Raw opening segment where they spend 15 minutes setting up matches for the show. In this case, it's the first match on the show rather than the main event, which is a bit of a surprise. They do have some other big matches lined up for later, so it's understandable that they would do this one earlier. Rollins' promo was the same stuff he says every week. I think he's improved a lot on the microphone, but it has become very repetitive with him. Cena showed good fire in telling him he'll shove his shoes up Seth's ass, so at least he wasn't out there making poop jokes. Hogan did fine in the role and the crowd was supportive of him. He also didn't screw up his promo at all, so that's a plus.

(Commercial)

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

The match started right after the break. The dueling "Let's Go Cena/Cena Sucks" chants began right away. Rollins hit a nice flipping neckbreaker off the middle rope for two. Hard whip into the corner by Rollins and then Cena came back with a dropkick. Rollins was able to ground Cena by going after his knee and then a forearm shot in the corner. They did a double clothesline spot to knock down both guys, which looked a bit awkward. Noble threw in the briefcase, the ref went over there and Mercury punched Cena in the face (ref didn't see it) for a two count for Rollins. The show went to break there.

(Commercial)

Rollins was still in control after the break. Cena was sent outside the ring, so Rollins took him out with a dive between the top/middle rope. Back in the ring, Rollins hit a standing side kick for two. Cena went for the AA, Rollins fought out and Cena hit his spinning suplex and then after a nice exchange, Rollins hit a kick to the head. Rollins ran the ropes, but Cena caught him in the air and hit a Powerbomb. Don't see that from Cena very often, but I liked it. Cena hit the suplex, then the Five Knuckle Shuffle and J&J jumped on the apron. Cena did a back body drop to Rollins over the top rope to take out J&J. Back in the ring, Cena hit the top rope leg drop to the back of the head for two. Rollins came back with a Powerbomb into the turnbuckle for two. Cena grabbed the STF submission and J&J interfered again. Cena hit the double AA on Noble & Mercury. Rollins went for a briefcase shot, Cena ducked, hit the AA on Rollins and got the win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: John Cena

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match from two guys that have worked dozens of times in the last few months on house shows and television. I liked last week's cage match better. Rollins is one of the best in-ring performers while Cena has proven that he can have good matches if he's given a lot of time with a good worker. Cena getting the clean win is no surprise because he's number one contender to the WWE Title and getting a shot at WWE Champ Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, so he's probably not going to lose before that. Plus, Cena lost last week to Rollins in the cage match (even though it was cheap) so this is Cena getting that win back. This is also the feel good Christmas show where babyfaces typically win.

They reminded us about what's to come.

(Commercial)

There was a shot of a wreath backstage. Kane walked into the screen, then said "bahumbug" and that was it.

Jack Swagger vs. Fandango (w/Rosa Mendez)

Swagger tried for the Patriot Lock early, but Fandango escaped to the floor. Swagger hit a clothesline and then a Swagger Bomb for two. The crowd is dead for this. Fandango hit three kicks to the face to knock down Swagger. To the top, Fandango hit a top rope leg drop for the win as Cole reminded us he was "new and improved" throughout the match. The match went two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Fandango

Analysis: * Just a short match to fill a few minutes of the show. Fandango is on more of an upswing, so that's why he got the win.

Dolph Ziggler was interviewed by Tom Phillips and Dolph said the TLC match he had with Luke Harper was one of the most physical matches of his career. Ziggler said there will be no Christmas miracle and that he's going to steal the show. He said "It's too bad Harper because I'm just too good."

Analysis: Ziggler with a lot of confidence is the best kind of Ziggler even when he's a face.

(Commercial)

There was a video package for The New Day with Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods singing in front of the choir. They're strong (Big E), smart (Xavier) and they fly (Kofi). They all started dancing together.

Analysis: I really have my doubts about this gimmick working. They're trying too hard to shove it down our throats, which might mean they turn heel soon.

R-Truth vs. Adam Rose

They started doing a dance competition during the match. R-Truth got the win after the dreaded ROLLUP OF DEATH in a match that went one minute.

Winner by pinfall: R-Truth

Post match, The Bunny checked on Rose and Rose gave the Bunny a Spinebuster. Outside the ring, Rose hit a running knee to the head of the Bunny. Rose left angrily.

Analysis: It wasn't much of a match. This angle is so bad and a big reason why people are down on WWE programming right now.

Piper's Pit with Rusev as his guest is coming up.

Next Monday on Raw the hosts are Edge & Christian. It was known online a couple of weeks ago, but it's official now. That's good. Two of my favorites.

(Commercial)

Hulk Hogan is running Smackdown this week. It was taped on Sunday, so WWE superstars could have the next few days off.

Big Show entered for a match. In a pre-tape, Show said he's not a big fan of Christmas and said he was going to knock out Reigns. Roman Reigns did a pre-tape too talking trash.

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show

Show had control with a shoulderblock early. Show continued the aggressiveness with a big elbow drop for two. Show applied a chinlock with some fans chanting "boring" although it didn't pick up too much. Reigns hit three clotheslines and then a Samoan Drop to take control. Show blocked a Superman Punch, then Reigns hit a dropkick to the knee an the running dropkick on the apron by Reigns sent Show out of the ring. Outside the ring, Reigns hit a Superman Punch that knocked Show over the announce table, so the ref counted him out while Reigns was back in the ring. The match went five minutes.

Winner by countout: Roman Reigns

Analysis: * I'm surprised it was a countout win instead of a pinfall, but they'll probably do it again next week or soon after. It was boring in the early part, but I was impressed by the Superman Punch that Reigns hit as a way to end the match. Show sold it well.

Dean Ambrose was interviewed by Renee Young. He said he was a good boy all year and that he told Santa all he wanted for Christmas was Bray Wyatt. Dean said every time the a bell rings, Bray gets a beating. Dean wished her Happy Holidays and she just smiled back.

Analysis: They have been dating for a while, so there's a little "wink wink, nudge nudge" moment there.

(Commercial)

The announcers plugged Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella as a power couple of the sports world on some list on MSN. I miss Daniel Bryan. Does he care that his wife is a heel? I guess it doesn't matter.

Brie Bella (w/Nikki Bella) vs. Natalya (w/Tyson Kidd)

Oh no, that awful "Brie Mode" song is back. It's so bad. The great Kidd was out there in a "Fact" shirt and wearing a Nikki Bella "Fearless" hat along with gloves. Brie was aggressive as she yanked Natalya off the turnbuckle and then Brie hit the running knee a couple of times. Chinlock by Brie. Lawler made one of his mistletoe jokes that he does every year that aren't funny. Natalya made a comeback looking for a Sharpshooter. Brie countered into an inside cradle. Natalya countered that into a cradle of her own for the win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Natalya

Post match, Tyson hugged his wife Natalya. Nikki went onto the apron, so Natalya gave her a running knee to knock her onto the floor with Nikki grabbing her leg. Natalya held the Divas Title in the air.

Analysis: * It was an average match that was too short to be anything worthwhile. Hopefully this means Natalya is the top contender for Nikki's Divas Title although I doubt that means a title change.

Another reminder of Piper talking to Rusev and Lana.

(Commercial)

There was a video package for The Ascension talking about a lethal dose of destruction. They look like Legion of Doom knockoffs, but I think they'll do well on the main roster.

Los Matadores and El Torito vs. Goldust & Stardust

Torito had antlers on his head so he was a reindeer. Nobody cared, especially me. One of Los Matadores hit a Back Stabber and then Torito pinned Goldust in a match that went about three minutes.

Winners: Los Matadores and El Torito

Analysis: 1/2* The fact that Goldust lost to Torito is pretty bad. Not like it matters.

Luke Harper did a promo backstage said this time of year people like to give, but he likes to take things away and he's going to take the Intercontinental Championship.

Dolph Ziggler made his entrance for an IC Title match against Harper.

(Commercial)

This week on Main Event it's Big E vs. Stardust. They promote Main Event on WWE Network, which is a weak show, yet completely ignore NXT on WWE Network. I'll never understand this company for things like that.

They did the in-ring intros pre-match for Ziggler/Harper with no city announced for Harper. Ziggler is back from Hollywood, Florida instead of Cleveland like he was at TLC. Harper attacked before the bell started with a boot to the face and then a dive outside the ring. Sidewalk Slam by Harper on the floor. Back in the ring, the ref checked on Ziggler, who said he was okay to start the match even though he was in pain.

Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper

Harper has a huge bruise on his left arm, which is from the TLC match eight days earlier. His shirt is really dirty too. Harper hit a superkick and powerbomb for two. Harper was really aggressive as he drove Ziggler throat first into the middle ropes. Ziggler rolled to the floor for the vintage floor to commercial break.

(Commercial)

Back from break, Harper hit a dropkick to knock Ziggler out to the floor again. Harper slammed Ziggler face first onto the announce table and when they went back into the ring, Harper grabbed a chinlock to slow it down. Ziggler made a comeback with a dropkick, but he missed a corner splash leading to a two count by Harper. There's a pumphandle slam by Harper for two. Harper hit a Michinoku Driver for two as Cole even called it by the right name. Wow. Cole called a move by a name. Crazy. Should happen more often. Ziggler hit a sunset flip for a nearfall, but Harper came back with a boot to the face. Superkick by Ziggler out of nowhere and Harper was still able to hit a spinning clothesline for two. That was a great sequence. Ziggler with a facebuster and then a Fameasser for two. Harper went for a Powerbomb, but Ziggler fought out of it. Ziggler with a superkick, Harper bounced off the ropes, Ziggler hit another superkick and then a Zig Zag for the win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Dolph Ziggler

Analysis: *** That was a really good, decisive finish to give Ziggler a strong win over a bigger guy. I like their matches a lot. This one was a little bit different because Harper was in control for about 80% of it with Ziggler only hitting a few moves before that flurry to end it. It was a very entertaining ten minute match. I won't ever tire of watching these two because they have really developed that awesome big man/little man chemistry.

Post match, Ziggler was interviewed by Lawler in the ring. Ziggler said he won because of the fans and that he's found a way to get where he is, so he'll be damned if somebody takes that IC Title from him. Cole asked JBL if Ziggler can become the man in WWE. JBL said that Ziggler can be the man.

Analysis: WWE is really building up Ziggler well. I hope it leads to something significant for him, but I have my concerns just because of other babyfaces on the roster like Cena, Reigns, the returning Orton and Daniel Bryan whenever he comes back. Ziggler deserves more than the IC Title, so I'm going to try to be optimistic about it.

Piper is up next.

(Commercial)

Piper's Pit With Rusev And Lana

Roddy Piper made his entrance for Piper's Pit. The fans gave him a great ovation. He looked to be in pretty good shape for a 60 year old man. Fans chanted "Roddy" and he said he loved them too. Piper said there are two people that have a special Christmas message for all Americans. He brought out Lana and Rusev although it sounded like he said "Rusov" instead of Rusev. Oh well. Old people can get away with anything.

Rusev and the lovely Lana entered the ring with Lana holding the US Title. When they got into the ring, Rusev held the title while she had the microphone.

Lana cut off Piper before he could talk and she said Christmas in America is a joke. Lana mentioned that people put on their fake smiles and they believe in the bloated old man that gives presents to your ungrateful children. She means Santa. Piper yelled at her saying this is America and they believe in what they want to. He's actually Canadian, but has lived in the US for most of his life. Lana told him to believe in this and that led to a video of Rusev attacking Ryback on Smackdown last week.

Rusev asked Piper if he believed that Rusev could crush Ryback and that he could crush Piper. Roddy said he was full of Christmas joy while telling them not to become communist scrooges. Roddy said that he got them a Christmas gift and he put a bow on it.

Here's Ryback. He had a bow on. He took the bow off, then marched down to the ring to confront him. Ryback drove Rusev into the barricade at ringside. In the ring, spinebuster by Ryback. He wanted the Meat Hook Clothesline, but Rusev bailed to the floor. Ryback stopped his attack because in WWE people want to fight except when somebody bails to the floor. Piper raised Ryback's hands and then joined in the "Feed Me More" chants.

Analysis: This was pretty much the same segment they did last week with Jericho hosting Rusev & Lana in the Highlight Reel instead of Piper in that role. This feud has been built up well. Whether it leads to a match soon or simply building to a Royal Rumble showdown, the crowd seems interested in it. Ryback has the support of the fans as long as he's not in a boring match.

The announcers bragged about USA Network leading all of cable in viewers for the ninth year in a row. Last week's Raw had the worst ratings of the year, so this is their way of kissing ass.

There was a replay of Cena's win over Rollins from earlier.

(Commercial)

The announcers plugged something on the website Popsugar about voting for Total Divas for best reality show. I don't care.

Alicia Fox, Emma & Naomi vs. Cameron, Summer Rae & Paige

Hey it's Cameron. She still works there? Don't think I forgot about her trying to pin Naomi's back earlier in the year. Remember when Alicia was an entertaining heel? Now she's a boring babyface. All the women were in red outfits except Paige in her usual black. Fans gave Paige a good reaction while everybody else barely got a reaction. Did Cameron just hit a Codebreaker-like move? Don't do that. Paige worked over Emma in their corner. They did a double clothesline spot. Naomi tagged in against Cameron. Naomi hit a jumping kick that Cameron sold poorly by falling down before being hit. Naomi nearfall broken up by Summer. Paige hit a headbutt on Naomi and then Paige tossed Emma out of the ring, but then Emma dragged Paige out. Fox got the hot tag to no reaction, then slammed Cameron's head into the mat for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Alicia Fox, Emma & Naomi

Analysis: * A boring match to fill time on a show that is too long. Paige was clearly the biggest star in this match, but this is a show where the babyfaces get most of the victories.

Ambrose vs. Wyatt is later.

(Commercial)

The Ascension did another promo saying that next week you've got a date with destruction because The Ascension is coming. That means they're starting on the main roster next week, which is fine with me.

During a pre-match promo, The Miz was going to let Mizdow sing a Christmas song, but Miz cut him off saying they had no time.

The Miz (w/Damien Mizdow) vs. Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso)

All of these guys had Slammys with them. Other people must have stopped caring about the Slammys. Miz was upset about Mizdow getting cheered. The fans were chanting that Mizdow was awesome as Miz hit a shoulder tackle. Jey tossed Miz over the top and then hit a dive over the top to take him out with Mizdow also falling down. Back in the ring, Miz hit a knee to the ribs to get control. Jey hit a Samoan Drop. They did an exchange of falls, Miz rolled through and grabbed the tights for the pinfall win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: The Miz

Analysis: *1/4 This feud continues with Miz getting the cheap win and they'll probably have a tag team title match soon. That's a heel win on a show with mostly faces winning, which is fine. These teams have traded wins for weeks.

The announcers plugged the Monday Night War documentary on WWE Network with a focus on Mick Foley. I've seen a lot of those episodes and it's a good show, but WWE needs more new content.

(Commercial)

The guy from A Christmas Story movie that had his tongue stuck to the pole (name was Flick) was at ringside. That's a bit of a stretch for a celebrity, so they didn't even talk to the guy. It was just Lawler acknowledging him at ringside. There was another plug for Edge & Christian hosting Raw next week. They're also hosting Smackdown.

Bray Wyatt made his entrance with the arena in darkness except for the people holding their cell phones up as well as the Christmas trees around the ring.

Wyatt entered the ring to say it's the most wonderful time of the year. Wyatt said people surround themselves with their loved ones because it makes them feel safe and he asked the crowd if they feel safe. The crowd just chanted "what" at him. Wyatt told the fans that if they look outside their winder there's a real world with no Santa Claus and sugar plums. In the "real world" there's only pain, suffering and sorrow. He said that it's his world. "In the real world, I Bray Wyatt am king." He told us that we can enjoy the moment with him by looking to the sky and follow the buzzards.

Analysis: That was a really good promo by one of the best talkers in WWE. Wyatt impresses me every time he speaks.

Dean Ambrose made his entrance for the main event. There were boxes of presents around the ringside area.

(Commercial)

Miracle on 34th Street Fight: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt

It's a street fight with a Christmas theme. The crowd chanted "Merry Christmas" as Ambrose hit a dropkick to knock Wyatt outside the ring. Ambrose threw Wyatt into a tree at ringside and then he threw the tree onto Wyatt. Ambrose attacked with another three. Ambrose opened a box with a TV monitor, but Ambrose put it back because the last time he had one it blew up in his face. I guess that counts as storyline continuity haha. Dean brought out a table with a bow on it, but Wyatt stopped it and put it under the ring to the boos of the crowd. Ambrose hit a dive onto Wyatt, who went crashing into the stacked presents. Ambrose set up Wyatt on a table, but Wyatt walked off of it to avoid an attack. At the top of the ramp, Ambrose unwrapped a present that was a steel chair with a bow on it. Wyatt sent Ambrose flying off the ramp and through a table beside the ramp. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Wyatt had Ambrose in a chinlock as the show returned from break as a guy in the crowd had a "Sting is 55" and "Quit Adding Fake Noise To Smackdown" sign. Both are good signs, but the Smackdown thing isn't going to change after 15 years. They ran the ropes with Wyatt hitting a running cross body attack to knock down Ambrose. Wyatt threw Ambrose into a tree and the crowd chanted "one more tree" so Wyatt tossed Ambrose into that fourth tree that was standing. Heels should ignore fans. Wyatt brought some chairs into the ring and then Wyatt had a candy cane kendo stick. Wyatt attacked with the kendo stick, Ambrose tried a comeback and then Wyatt nailed Ambrose with a huge clothesline for two. Ambrose tossed Wyatt into a chair that was wedged against the turnbuckle. Bulldog by Ambrose and then he got another candy cane kendo stick. Wyatt knocked that out of his hand, so Ambrose nailed Wyatt with a clothesline. Ambrose attacked with the kendo stick shot to the back repeatedly. Ambrose got a nearfall and then brought a ladder into the ring. Wyatt did his crab walk and then gave Ambrose a uranage (one armed slam) onto the side of the ladder for a two count. Ambrose tossed Wyatt into the ladder and got a two count out of it. Ambrose climbed the ladder by the turnbuckle and hit flying elbow shot to the head for two. Ambrose climbed up the ladder again, Wyatt tossed chairs into Ambrose's face and then tossed Ambrose face first into a kendo stick in the corner of the ring, so Ambrose's face went into the edge of it. Wyatt covered for the win. The match went 22 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Bray Wyatt

Analysis: *** It started out as a good street fight, but it was a bit of a comedy match. It also felt like it dragged on a bit too much. Wyatt getting the win was a bit of a surprise since it's a babyface show. However, WWE is trying to re-establish Wyatt as a great heel so it's important that he wins this feud and moves up from here especially if he's against Undertaker at WrestleMania. Just because a match gets 20 minutes or more doesn't mean it was great. This one was just too silly and dragged on too much. It was still a good effort by both guys, so worthy of the three stars out of five.

Post match, Ambrose sprayed a fire extinguisher in Wyatt's face. Ambrose put Wyatt onto the table and then Ambrose hit an elbow drop through the table. They both laid on the ground with the fans chanting "yes" while Ambrose smiled. That's how Raw ended.

Analysis: That's the way to end the show on a happy note although it doesn't say a lot for selling. Ambrose barely sold the idea that he got sent face first into the kendo stick. He was able to bounce back quickly with that attack. The win for Wyatt didn't matter because that post match attack was so quick.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Dolph Ziggler

2. Seth Rollins

3. John Cena

The Scoreboard

6 out of 10

Last week: 5.5

2014 Average: 5.83

2014 High: 9 (April 7 & June 30)

2014 Low: 3 (September 1)

Last 5 Weeks: 5.5, 4.5, 5, 3.5, 4.5

Final Thoughts

It gets a 6 out of 10.

That's the highest rated score in the last five weeks although a 6 out of 10 isn't that great. It's just slightly above the yearly average.

The reason it got a better score than the last month is because three matches got more than ten minutes and all of them were pretty good. The results didn't bother me too much at all. All were clean endings too, as opposed to the screwy finishes WWE usually does.

When some of the best performers in the company like Ziggler, Rollins and Ambrose are in long matches that's something I'm going to enjoy. We need more of that. Giving three matches 12 minutes or more should happen every week.

There wasn't that much in the way of storyline development although the Rusev/Ryback feud was furthered.

Hogan was only on the show in that first segment, which is fine with me. I don't need to see the GM of the show a lot.

Next week's show should be more storyline driven. Brock Lesnar's also expected to be there, so that gives it more of a big time feel too. The Royal Rumble is on January 25, so WWE has plenty of time to build it up.

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That's all for this week.

The 6th annual WWE Johnny Awards will be posted next Monday December 29. Sorry for the delay. It will be ready.

Check out my feature column archive that's exclusive to WhatCulture. I've got some new columns on there like when I ranked the top divas of the year and also looking at ten things WWE wants you to forget about this year.

Merry Christmas to all of those celebrating it. My family has a big get together for it. I enjoy it a lot. I'm going to use the rest of the week to chill from writing for a bit after a year of doing it nonstop pretty much. I still have to finish the Johnny Awards, but that won't be too bad. Thanks for reading.

John Canton - mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport

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