WWE RAW SPOILERS: John Cena and Brock Lesnar return dates revealed, Ronda Rousey in action
RAW’s scheduled New Year’s Eve episode was taped on Friday night at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and Express Sport bring you all the SPOILERS from the episode that won’t air until Monday.
John Cena returns to WWE after Bumblebee premiere
Drew McIntyre def. Dolph Ziggler (Steel Cage Match)
Former partners Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler opened the show with an intense Steel Cage Match.
Ziggler got a lot of support from the fans but couldn’t overcome McIntyre who took him out with two vicious Claymore kicks in a row.
The Scottish Terminator wasn’t done with The Showoff after the match as he placed his fallen foe’s head between a steel chair and the cage and delivered another Claymore.
The British megastar then hit his finisher for a fourth time and declared himself for the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.
Seth Rollins and Triple H promo
Seth Rollins cut a promo talking about having a fresh start in 2019 and challenged Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose for a rematch.
However, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Triple H came out and announced he won’t be getting the chance to reclaim the title against Ambrose.
The WWE legend stated that he wants to see Rollins’ old tenacity back and booked him in a match against Bobby Lashley.
WWE have hinted a character switch for The Kingslayer that could play a big part in the road to WrestleMania.
New No1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship
WWE put together a battle royal to determine the No1 Contender for Dean Ambrose’s Intercontinental Championship.
Apollo Crews, Finn Balor, Zack Ryder, Titus O'Neil, Curt Hawkins, Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik, Mojo Rawley, Konnor, Viktor, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, No Way Jose and Baron Corbin competed in the bout.
Apollo picked up the victory after eliminating Corbin and was promised a title match against Ambrose later on in the night.
Baron Corbin and Elias brawl
Baron Corbin complained after his loss claiming that the battle royal was unfair.
But Corbin was then interrupted by Elias who kicked off the New Year's Rockin' Eve with Elias.
The Drifter sang a song about The Lone Wolf losing his job as the acting General Manager of RAW and that sparked a brawl between the two heavyweights.
The former NXT stars started fighting among the crowd until Corbin retreated.
Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon def. The Riott Squad
Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon beat Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan of The Riott Squad in a Six Woman Tag Team Match.
This came a week after WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon announced that the promotion will soon be introducing the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Bayley picked up the win with a Flying Elbow.
Bobby Lashley def. Seth Rollins via DQ
Seth Rollins showed glimpses of his old aggression as he battled Bobby Lashley in an intense match.
Rollins got himself intentionally disqualified after he bludgeoned Lashley with a steel chair.
The ex-WWE Champion then whacked The Dominator’s manager Lio Rush with the foreign object and proceeded with a Curb Stomp on the 205 Live star.
Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers def. Rhyno and Heath Slater
Rhyno returned to RAW a few weeks after getting fired by former acting RAW General Manager Baron Corbin.
Heath Slater reformed their tag team following his short stint as a WWE referee.
The ex-ECW Champion saved his partner from a 3-on-2 attack from Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers last week on RAW when he came back dressed as Santa Clause.
However, the first ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions couldn’t emerge victorious from their 3-on-2 Handicap Match.
Dean Ambrose def. Apollo Crews
Dean Ambrose retained the Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews.
Apollo of course won a No1 Contender’s battle royal earlier on that night.
Ambrose picked up the victory with a vicious Dirty Deeds following a promo where he insisted he doesn’t need a new start in 2019.
HUGE announcements
Alexa Bliss announced that she will hold an edition of her Moment of Bliss talk show next week and her guest will be RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.
WWE also revealed that WWE legend John Cena will be returning to RAW on January 7 at the Amway Center in Orlando.
Cena will be joined by other returning superstars like Braun Strowman and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar as well as his advocate Paul Heyman.
RAW Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable are also scheduled to battle Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder of The Revival once more.
Ronda Rousey and Natalya def. Nia Jax and Tamina
RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Natalya had an intense encounter last week on RAW for the title.
Rousey picked up the win with the Armbar but her friendship with The Queen of Harts remained intact.
‘Rowdy’ and the two-time women’s champion cleared the ring early on.
Tamina then tried to hit a Superfly Splash but it backfired and Rousey made her tap out to the Armbar.