The last Raw of 2013 is here and it could be an eventful one, with talents missing due to a house show scheduled for Toronto as well tonight, and a big name return if the rumors and spoilers from Smackdown's tapings are to be believed. Already set is Fandango to take on Big E. Langston for the Intercontinental title after Fandango's victory in the Xmas present on a pole match, and HHH and Stephanie are set to make some major announcements. Make sure you stick around here for all the action from Richmond, VA.
We begin with 'Cult Of Personality' and CM Punk makes his way out to the ring. He says that 2013 has been a mixed bag of a year, he was WWE Champion, took on the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, suffered at the hands of the Heyman Family and tokk on the might of The Shield. He's calling The Shield out as he knew they were present, and Shield's music hits and The Shield make their way through the crowd. Dean Ambrose wants him to continue his thoughts and says they're the best. CM Punk says that individually he's the best and wants to go one-on-one with the best of The Shield. Dean says challenge accepted but Punk cuts him off saying he's beaten him multiple times, he wants to face either Rollins or Reigns.
Ambrose is clearly pissed and Roman holds him back, but Punk wants Roman's attentions, he wants to find the strong link in their chain. Rollins steps in and says he's the strong link, which understandably Reigns takes exception too. Brad Maddox comes out and sets up CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins to happen right now, and asks for a referee.
Match 1 - CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (w/Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns)
Great match to open. The other Shield members distract the referee allowing Rollins to hit Sliced Bread #1 but Punk kicked out. Ambrose and Reigns got taken out and Punk managed to hit the GTS for the win.
WINNER - CM Punk
Brad Maddox talking backstage wanting to make sure that tonight goes smoothly. Triple H and Stephanie show up, having had a great week off, but Daniel Bryan comes in demanding a one-on-one match with Bray Wyatt. Brad instead proposes a Wyatt Family gauntlet match, with Bryan having to face Luke Harper, followed by Erick Rowan before having his match with Bray Wyatt. Bryan leaves and Stephanie McMahon has to head off to make a major Royal Rumble announcement.
Stephanie is on the stage and doing a video montage celebrating the career of the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Randy Orton. As ever, a good vid package from WWE. Stephanie announces that as Randy is a fighting champ, he'll be facing John Cena for the belt in a traditional match at the 2014 Royal Rumble, with a victory only achieved by pinfall or submission, no count-outs or disqualifications it seems.
They recap the Wyatt Family attacking Bryan a few months ago. The Gauntlet match is later tonight. Also later is the Intercontinental Title between Fandango and Big E. Langston.
January 20th... Batista returns.
Stephanie walking backstage and gets to Triple H and they're both happy with there being one true fighting champion with no arguments after the Royal Rumble. Triple H then says that even though that was a big announcement, he can't wait to reveal the other big one later on.
Curtis Axel is in the ring for our next match. He'll be facing Dolph Ziggler.
Match 2 - Curtis Axel vs. Dolph Ziggler
Pretty quick match. Dolph Ziggler seemingly hits a ZigZag from out of nowhere for the victory.
WINNER - Dolph Ziggler
WWE App info, with the vote being on who Damian Sandow will face, the choices being Kofi Kingston, The Great Khali & The Miz.
Fandango and Langston are backstage, their Intercontinental Title match is next.
Next week, Raw goes Old School.
Big E Langston is making his way out first, followed by Fandango and Summer Rae.
Match 3 - Intercontinental Championship - Big E. Langston (c) vs. Fandango (w/Summer Rae)
Good match here. Langston retains after hitting the Big Ending.
WINNER - Big E. Langston
A recap of Bryan being kidnapped by the Wyatt's last month. The Gauntlet match is up later on.
Next week, for Old School Raw, CM Punk will face Roman Reigns.
Booker T is out now with members of the locker room, celebrating 2013. He wants them to give the fans a memory of the year, a NEW YEAR SPINAROONIE!!! ... until Bad News Barrett shows up on a platform on a cherry picker. His bad news is that 2014 will bring everyone one step closer to the apocalypse... really? Ugh...
Damian Sandow backstage being interviewed by Renee Young, wait for the announcement of his opponent tonight, but Sandow says he doesn't care. He says that after being disrespected by everyone last week, if he isn't victorious tonight, he'll quit. His match is next.
Twitter stuff with LeBron wanting a WWE Title for his birthday, and Cena and Rock helping out.
Damian Sandow is making his way to the ring now. And with 39% of the vote, Damian Sandow is facing... The Great Khali... wow.
Match 4 - Damian Sandow vs. The Great Khali
OK match. Sandow wins after a roll-up. Khali feels his shoulder was off the mat, which the replay confirms.
WINNER - Damian Sandow
More of the recap of the feud between Bryan and the Wyatts. His Gauntlet match is later.
R-Truth backstage with Xavier Woods, Naomi & Cameron. Truth will be facing Brodus next.
Back from break and Truth and Clay are in the ring ready for action. Xavier Woods is on commentary.
Match 5 - Brodus Clay vs. R-Truth (w/Xavier Woods)
OK Match. Xavier causes a distraction by bringing out The Funkadactyls. Truth hits his finisher for the victory.
WINNER - R-Truth
Truth, Woods and The Funkadactyls celebrate with a dance afterwards.
10 Diva Tag Team match is up later on.
Triple H will be making his big announcement next.
Raw Old School reminder for next week.
Triple H is coming out to the ring now to make his announcement. He says that 2013 was an epic year, but 2014 will be even more incredible. He invites out the returning... BROCK LESNAR! accompanied by Paul Heyman. Despite all their issues, Lesnar and HHH shake hands and Triple H departs. Paul Heyman proclaims that the Beast is Back! He says that Lesnar is not here for grudges or revenge for what's happened to Heyman over the last few months. Lesnar is here to become the WWE World Heavyweight champion and the winner of the title match at the Rumble will then have to face Brock Lesnar next. Lesnar then himself says that no-one can stop him. He dares anybody to come out and stop him. Heyman closes saying Brock will be champion next.
Mark Henry's music hits and stands on the stage for a bit before heading to the ring. As Henry climbs into the ring, Lesnar stops him and proceeds to beat him down and even puts him through the ringside barrier. Lesnar then proceeds to lift Henry up and give him the F-5 onto the ringside floor. Henry is out as Lesnar & Heyman both head out of the arena.
They recap Lesnar's beatdown on Henry.
The Divas are now coming out for the next match. Eva Marie, The Funkadactyls and The Bellas are coming out, with Kaitlyn, Aksana, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendez and Summer Rae.
Match 6 - Eva Marie, The Funkadactyls (Naomi & Cameron) & The Bellas (Brie & Nikki Bella) vs. Kaitlyn, Aksana, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendez & Summer Rae
Standard Divas match here. Aksana getting the win for her team, pinning Nikki Bella.
WINNER - Kaitlyn, Aksana, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendez & Summer Rae
Another recap of the Wyatt/BRyan feud. The gauntlet match is coming up later.
Tribute To The Troops video package now.
Brad Maddox apologizes for the referee's mistake earlier tonight. Triple H and Steph aren't too fussed but they're more interested as to what surprises he has set for Old School Raw next week. Maddox keeps WOOOO'ing so there's a big hint.
A final recap of the Bryan/Wyatt feud is shown and Daniel Bryan makes his way out for his gauntlet match, which is up next.
Back from break and set for Smackdown, Harper & Rowan will face Cody Rhodes and Goldust for the Tag Belts.
Daniel Bryan is in the ring waiting for the Wyatts to cut in which they do and they make their way to the ring.
Match 7 - Match 1 of the Gauntlet - Daniel Bryan vs. Luke Harper
Very good match here. Bryan gets the running knee for the victory.
WINNER - Daniel Bryan
Bryan celebrates for a few seconds, but Erick Rowan then comes in and beats down on Bryan. The referee pulls him away to give Bryan the chance to get up.
Match 8 - Match 2 of the Gauntlet - Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan
Before they cut to break, Rowan throws Bryan to the outside and into the barricade behind the commentators over the announce table. We they return, the match closes with a small package for Bryan.
WINNER - Daniel Bryan
After that, Harper & Rowan beat down on Bryan, only for Bray to give the signal and Harper pulls Rowan away. Bray gets in the ring prepping for action.
Match 9 - Match 3 of the Gauntlet - Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt
Practically as soon as it begins, Harper & Rowan attack bryan causing the DQ.
WINNER by DQ - Daniel Bryan
The Wyatt Family continue their beatdown on Daniel Bryan, it's getting close to being a massacre from the Family. Bray says that it's the end and it's over as he can't see the true path. Bryan then says 'You're Right' and Bray asks him to repeat it, which he does. Bryan says no matter how many matches he won or how behind him the fans were, the machine wouldn't let him win. He finishes by saying... 'I'm yours... let me join the Family'... the crowd is endlessly chanting 'NO!'. Bryan is made to crawl to Wyatt and Wyatt finishes him off with Sister Abigail. Daniel Bryan is dragged out of the ring and carried up the ramp by Harper & Rowan. They stop on the stage and Bryan turns to the crowd, who chant for him. For a split second he seemingly reacts to them, but eventually he turns to leave with the Wyatt Family and Raw cuts to black with the Wyatt shout.
Well, that was an unexpected twist to the end of 2013, what will be the repercussions for everything? Then make sure that you're back here next week for the first Raw of 2014. Until then, have a Happy New Year and... ASHLEY OUT!!!