Episode #12 (January 22, 2021):
Raw Card:
Show Opener: One Nation opens the show. Ciampa says that last week, a message was sent to the entire locker room. That no matter what division you enter, we will take it over. So you have two options, you either get out of our way or we put you on the shelf. Speaking of, Aleister Black, you believed that you could come after my United States Championship, well the problem is, you aren't the one the gets that shot. My US Championship was taken from me by a referee with no training, and we will not stand for that. So we did our job. Now there is a match that needs to be filled at the Royal Rumble and with no Aleister Black, I am challenging Ricochet to get back what was wrongfully taken from me. Suddenly, Chad Gable and Daniel Bryan walkout. Bryan grabs the mic and says that Ciampa is forgetting about who else was in that match. My pupil, Chad Gable earned that spot last week and as the #2 Contender, he's next in line to challenge for the United States Championship. You will not take his spot and if you want it to come and get it. As tensions boil, Ricochet comes on the screen. Ricochet says that last week was one of the greatest matches he's seen in a while and he was excited to fight Aleister Black at the Rumble. But because of y'alls nonsense, that aint's happening. Gable and I are talking to only you man, you lost last week, and trust me it's fine to lose the match, use that as motivation please, don't listen to Bryan. And Ciampa, you are someone who just attacks people for no reason other than his own greed. Why the hell should I give you a shot at, let me see. Ricochet holds up his US Title looking at the nameplate, yeah that says Ricochet, meaning this is my United States Championship. Why shot you get a shot at this for what you've done? So here's what we're going to do. Not only can I not cancel the match at the Rumble, I don't want to. I want to be a defending champion. Which means that without Black, I'm without a challenger, and there is no way in hell either of you deserves this shot. So this is what we're going to do. Both of you need to prove yourself as a rightful challenger. So we will have two beat the clock matches tonight. Whoever has the best time will face me at the Royal Rumble. Oh and neither of you can have your people at your matches, no extra help, prove yourself only. And one last thing, to ensure no-nonsense happens at the Rumble, the United States Championship match will now be a Steel Cage match.
Match #1: Ali & Alexander vs. Randy Orton - Handicap Match
RESULTS: ALI & ALEXANDER WIN
WATCH THE MATCH HERE!!!
Segment: Bayley is backstage pulling her number for the Royal Rumble. Charly asks about her loss last week. Bayley asks yeah what was that Charly. I had that match in the bag and then she comes out of nowhere with that kick. Screw here Charly, I can't wait to eliminate from the Rumble cause guess who's got #18. Charly says that Royce still has the chance to change her number with her match later tonight, so you might actually not see Royce at all. Bayley after a beat, says Oh yeah I knew that, duh-doh. Come on Charly, you know better that. And then Bayley leaves
Match #2: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Erik w/ Ivar - Beat the Clock Challenge Match
RESULTS: TOMMASO CIAMPA WINS
-Wins after about 10 minutes
Video Package: Video with Dijakovic explaining why he turned on his friend Keith Lee. He says that he and Lee were big friends on the indie scene, which is not something you can say about a lot of different people. We had great matches in plenty of places but when we finally got to NXT, things changed. Keith got signed before I did, he was getting more opportunities despite the pedigree bring to the ring. I have everything in my arsenal. And then who gets drafted first to the main roster, he is. And when I finally get drafted to Raw, who's there as champion, Keith Lee, just rubbing in it my face. I am just as good as he is if not better. Yet he got everything first. I deserve those opportunities more. Then he insults me by throwing me a pity title match. He thought he would beat that he wasn't even worried about putting his title on the line against me. Me. His friend. Screw that guy. I don't need a handout. I am Dijakovic. I am a 5-tool athlete. I took my fate into my own hands and now I earned my own WWE Championship match. At the Rumble, I will win the WWE Championship and show Keith Lee who is better. Me.
Match #3: Peyton Royce vs. Candice LeRae - Change Your Luck Match: If Royce wins, she gains two spots in the Rumble. If not, she loses two spots.
RESULTS: PEYTON ROYCE WINS
Segment: Backstage Interview with Reed & Ruas. They are asked since they arrived at Raw, they are picking up a little bit of run, are they looking to challenge the RAW Tag Team Championships. Reed tells Charly that of course, that's what they are looking towards but right now it looks like there are people who think they can cut us off from that path. And I'll tell you this Charly, One Nation may think they have this division on lock, but they've never met The Collasal Bronson Reed and The Brazillian Brawler Arutro Ruas.
Match #4: Chad Gable vs. Drew Gulak - Beat the Clock Challenge Match
-During the match, Crews and Tozawa come down to the ring from the ramp, causing refs to run out and stop them and people from getting distracted. This allows Ciampa to come out of nowhere and attack Gable. Later in the match, because of all the distractions, Gable is unable to win the match in time.
RESULTS: DRAW
Main Event: Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke vs. Nia Jax & Tamina - Women's Tag Team Championship Match
-Before the match starts, Jax grabs the mic and tells Rose & Brooke that they weren't the ones that destroyed your locker room, but whoever did it, that was a great idea.
RESULTS: NIA JAX & TAMINA WINS
-After the match, Mickie James and Chelsea Green attack Rose & Brooke
Segment: Contract Signing between Keith Lee & Dijakovic. Dijakovic grabs the contract first and the mic and tells Keith Lee that I have been waiting for this moment for years now Keith. After opportunity, after opportunity lost to you, I finally get what should have been mine all along. Dijakoivc signs the contract. Keith grabs the mic and tells Dijakovic that he has no idea what he is talking about. I know you deserve opportunities, Dom. Why do you think I gave you a title shot? Why did I look to see if we can draft you here to Raw? You think these are just some pity handouts, what are you talking about? If you felt this way, why didn't you say anything? Dijakovic responds by saying that you wouldn't care, cause you never have. You are a selfish prick that only cares about himself. You take advantage of people like me to feed your own needs. I hate you, Keith, you are not my friend. Suddenly, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman come out. Roman says that he doesn't care about this sob story between you two. He cares about his own story and his shot at the WWE Championship. Speaking of opportunities, Dijakovic wouldn't even have this shot if it wasn't for me. So i don't care who wins at the Royal Rumble, I coming for what's mine. Suddenly, out of nowhere, McIntyre tackles Reigns. The two brawl on the ramp and Dijakovic takes this time to attack Lee. Everyone is fighting. McIntyre sends Roman through a table on the side of the ramp, while Keith Lee sends Dijakovic through the table in the ring. Keith Lee signs the contract and raises his title, while McIntyre is gloating over Reigns.
Smackdown Card:
Show Opener: The Usos open up Smackdown and come to the ring. "Let's just cut right to the chase, Morrison, Andrade, you want another shot at these?" They hold up the tag belts. "You said you'd get your shot if you had to beat every team here on Smackdown right? Well, what about just one. us. you think you got what it takes to be champions why don't you take us on in a match tonight, if you win, you get us for the titles at Royal Rumble." Morrison and Andrade come to the ramp and Morrison grabs a mic and says "Jimmy, Jey, I appreciate the offer but the only problem is that when we beat you tonight, you won't even be able to make it to the Rumble to defend those titles!" Morrison and Andrade walk down the ramp while Morrison says this and they get in the ring and are face to face with the Usos. "But, that doesn't mean we don't accept." Morrison bashes the mic over Jimmy's head and the teams begin to brawl. They beat each other down until The Usos eventually get the upper hand back and M&A retreat.
Match #1: Bianca Belair vs. Nikki Cross
-Sasha Banks watches from the back.
RESULTS: BIANCA BELAIR WINS
Segment: After the match, an interviewer finds Sasha backstage watching Belair's match. They ask how she feels going into Royal Rumble after Belair's impressive victory. Sasha says "I'm not impressed. She can beat as many women as she wants on this roster but none of them is the champion. She has no idea that going against me in that ring is a completely new level of competition she has never seen before. At Royal Rumble, I'll prove why this title is on my shoulder and shut down this flash in a pan."
Match #2: Carmella vs. Lana
RESULTS: CARMELLA WINS
Video Package: Braun Strowman sits in front of a mirror. "For weeks I've been watching that clip of me and Kross going off that stage. Watching it over, and over, and over, made me realize something. That day, that moment, it wasn't the man Braun Strowman who powerslammed Kross through that mess, it was just the monster. It was terrifying to let that side of me roam free and take over like that, but it also felt cathartic. It felt like a side of me I've locked away finally got a chance to breathe again and I LOVED it!" Braun stands up and he punches the mirror and it cracks. "If I want to beat the devil, I need to play his game. Kross, the Braun Strowman you knew before is gone, and the monster inside has taken over. Not even the Devil is going to be ready for the hell I have in mind." Braun looks into the fractured mirror with an evil smile on his face.
Match #3: King Corbin vs. Elias
-During the match the referee gets taken out. While the referee is down Corbin grabs Elias's guitar but Elias fights it from his hands. Then Carmella runs to the ring and grabs the guitar while Corbin and Elias fight. Carmella slides in the ring and smashes it over Elias's head and tells Corbin to go for the cover. She wakes up the ref and Corbin gets the 3 count. Carmella raises Corbin's hand. The two leave the ring together.
RESULTS: KING CORBIN WINS
Segment: There is a line outside GM Paige's door with everyone waiting to get their numbers for the Royal Rumble. We go inside the office to see Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy pulling their numbers. Murphy pulls something very good by the look on his face, but Seth doesn't. Seth looks at Murphy and opens his hand and says "You know what must be done." Murphy sighs and swaps his number with Seth. Seth and Murphy go to leave but Paige stops them before they get the chance and says "Don't think you two are getting off without any consequences after last week. I'm not going to keep standing by while you two bully Mastiff. If he's in fighting shape next week then you two are going to face him, and a partner of his choice in a tag team match."
Match #4: Piper Niven & Toni Storm vs. Charlotte Flair & Natalya
RESULTS: PIPER NIVEN & TONI STORM WINS
Segment: Backstage Interview with Storm and Niven after the match about their victory tonight. Niven says "It feels great, they've been a thorn in our side for weeks now and it's good that we got the job done tonight." Storm chimes in and says "But now that we've proven we're more than a force to be reckoned with here on Smackdown, we want a shot at the Women's Tag Team Titles. So Jax, Tamina, you better watch your backs."
Main Event: The Usos vs. Morrison & Andrade
RESULTS: MORRISON & ANDRADE WINS