Raw 01.01.2024: Day 1

Whoo-hoo! The RadiantGame Team is now in our city- San Diego, California! The anticipation for the first show of 2024 is high, and with good reason! We've got some exciting matches lined up: Rhea Ripley taking on Ivy Nile, Seth Rollins defending his title against Drew McIntyre, and Becky Lynch finally going head-to-head with Nia Jax. With such matchups on the card, I'm expecting some thrilling action and perhaps even some surprising comebacks or unexpected twists. Let's dive right in!

Becky Lynch vs Nia Jax: fall of the Man

It's a showdown that's been brewing for a while now. Becky Lynch and Nia Jax have been trading barbs for weeks, and now they'll finally settle their differences in the ring. While I've been skeptical about Becky's chances, anything can happen in wrestling. The match unfolds much as expected, with Nia absorbing a barrage of punishment from Becky.

Raw 01.01.2024: Flying Backy with the Drop Kick to Nia Jax.

Lynch is fueled by fury over Nia's disparaging remarks about her and her family. Although Jax manages to mount a few counterattacks, they lack the speed and effectiveness needed to turn the tide. The question lingers in my mind: how will Becky execute her signature Manhandle Slam on someone as imposing as Nia? In a shocking turn, Lynch's attempt to launch the move from the ropes is thwarted by a devastating punch from Jax, who follows up with the Anihilator. Bloodied and beaten, Becky suffers a crushing defeat at the hands of Nia Jax. It seems Nia's path to Rhea Ripley is now wide open.

Raw 01.01.2024: The second before disaster.

Once again Cody speaks something

I understand where you're coming from regarding Cody Rhodes. While he's undoubtedly talented, I personally find it difficult to see him as a champion or top contender. His impassioned speech directed at Shinsuke Nakamura was certainly fiery, expressing his desire for an immediate showdown. It's widely assumed that Cody would emerge victorious in a fair fight, given his skillset. However, Nakamura opted to postpone the confrontation, citing the need for more time. This predictable delay in their feud may be wearing thin, and I'm hoping for a resolution sooner rather than later.

Raw 01.01.2024: One of the haapiest persons in WWE Cody Rhodes.

Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso smashed Imperium

It seems Imperium's attempt to impress their Ring General didn't go as planned. Their assault on Santa Kofi was swiftly met with resistance, particularly from Jey Uso, who has a soft spot for the festive figure. In a subsequent match, Ludwig and Vinci faced off in a tag team bout, but their efforts were cut short when Kingston delivered a powerful dropkick to Giovanni's head, forcing him out of the competition. Unfortunately for Imperium, this defeat may not earn them the approval they sought from Gunther, who might take matters into his own hands regarding Jey. It's frustrating to watch them struggle to gain Gunther's favor, especially after their direct orders.

Miz TV once again becomes a battleground

After Mike's defeat to Gunther, he found himself at a crossroads. Seeking a new direction, he entertained the idea of recruiting The Judgment Day, a formidable faction. However, complications arose due to the presence of R-Truth, an unauthorized member. It seemed unlikely that the established members of Judgment Day would align with Miz's proposition. Prior to the scheduled meeting, Mike engaged in a tense exchange with R-Truth, still nursing wounds from a previous encounter.

Raw 01.01.2024: Dirty Dominik mocking Eddie Guerrero.

Tensions escalated, culminating in a tag team showdown. Amidst conflicting loyalties and internal struggles, Truth faced coercion from Judgment Day. The ensuing match was a whirlwind of action, with Mike's partner showcasing an impressive array of maneuvers. Surprisingly, Truth betrayed Miz at the climax, allowing Mike to secure victory with his signature Skull Crushing Finale. The aftermath promises further intrigue, as the dynamics between Judgment Day, R-Truth, and Miz remain uncertain.

Raw 01.01.2024: Do we have a new tag team Amazing Truth?

Green and Piper came to Champion party

Our new Women's Tag Team Champions, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, were basking in their victory, celebrating in their element - party time! However, amidst the jubilant atmosphere, uninvited guests emerged from the crowd: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Determined to reclaim their titles, these formidable women wasted no time in voicing their desire for an opportunity to compete. The situation seems straightforward, but the outcome remains uncertain. While I'm skeptical about their chances of regaining the titles, it's likely that we'll witness the first title defense by the new champions next week.

Women championship match: Rhea Ripley vs Ivy Nile

The conflict that began at the end of last year culminated in a title match at the beginning of 2024. Two formidable competitors posed a significant challenge for the champion. Ivy, though smaller in stature, proved to be a remarkably strong individual, making it clear that this wouldn't be an easy match for Rhea.

Raw 01.01.2024: Demonstration of strength by Ivy Nile.

Throughout the bout, Nile showcased her knowledge and ring skills, repeatedly surprising the champion. Ripley, who hadn't faced a formidable opponent in a while, was forced to take Nile seriously. It was rare to see anyone besides Charlotte Flair pin Rhea multiple times in a single match, highlighting Ivy's tenacity. At one point, it seemed Ivy was on the brink of becoming the champion, especially after slamming Ripley's face against the turnbuckle and executing a German Suplex from the second rope. In a critical moment, she countered Nile's attack with a devastating headbutt before finishing her off with the Riptide. While Ivy may have fallen short this time, I'm certain she'll make waves in the women's division in the future. Congratulations to the champion.

Raw 01.01.2024: and stiiiil Women Champion Rhea Ripley!

Modern Day Maharaja face the Great One

Just before Raw started, Triple H announced that a former WWE champion would be in the house tonight. The moment arrived, and fans were on their feet. I thought it could be a great comeback for Sheamus or maybe Dean Ambrose? A taste of frustration lingered in my mouth when I heard Jinder Mahal's music. Well, I couldn't argue that he is a former WWE champion. A long time ago, he beat Randy Orton for this title. But he wasn't the champion people were waiting for.

Raw 01.01.2024: Maharaja Jinder Mahal.

The modern-day Maharaja started his monologue, speaking about the USA, American people, how pathetic and ignorant they are, and so on. Nothing really interesting. He also mentioned that he should be their savior, adding something in an Indian language and... Finally, the patiently awaited champion arrived! 'Do you smeeeeeeeeeel what the Rock is cooking!?' Yes, the People's Champion is here! It was a great moment, and a lot of feelings surged through me. As an American hero, he strode into the ring and made some strong statements in his old-school style.

Raw 01.01.2024: The Great One is back to WWE!

'If you smell what The Rock is cooking?' 'You know these people boo you just because you're a piece of monkey crap and you absolutely suck.' 'Hey, do you ever watch Baywatch?' 'No, I...' 'It doesn't matter if you watched Baywatch!' 'You are no more Maharaja; you are Day One Douchebag.' After that, the whole stadium echoed with this new catchphrase. The final blow was a little song from the Great One. He used the American anthem and added his own sentences, promising to kick Mahal's candy ass.

Raw 01.01.2024: the most electrifying move in all of entretaiment.

Mahal couldn't stand it anymore and attacked The Rock, a huge mistake. After a good counterattack, Dwayne performed a People's Elbow, sending Jinder away. In a short and fiery speech, Rock wondered if he should sit at the head of the table. What a great allusion from the former WWF champion. One major threat for the Universal championship.

Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark faced Natalya and Tegan Nox

Once again, we witnessed Natalya and Tegan striving to prove themselves as worthy contenders for the tag team championships. You're probably familiar with my stance on these women. On the flip side, we have the formidable duo of Zoey and Shayna, both skilled and determined fighters with championship aspirations. There's not much to say about this match. While Tegan made some attempts, Zoey swiftly executed the Z360 and brought an end to this encounter. I believe this team has the potential to enter the title race in the near future.

Raw 01.01.2024: Z-360 delivered to Nox.

Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship

The Scottish Warrior earned another title shot, and now everything will depend on him. No excuses, as the champion said before the match. It was a very personal match with a lot of emotions, sharp words, and devastating moves. Many times, the wrestlers found themselves outside the ring, utilizing tables, steps, and barricades. Watching the match, it was evident that the wrestlers knew each other very well. Seth or Drew would often counter their opponent's signature moves with beautiful reversal attacks.

Raw 01.01.2024: Drew sending Damian to the back of the line.

During the most intense moments, we saw some interference from Damian Priest and Dominik. Punisher decided to cash in his contract, but McIntyre countered with a Claymore Kick. Immediately after that, he delivered another Claymore to the champion. However, while pinning him for the win, he inadvertently placed Rollins' leg on the rope - a mistake that could be chalked up to the pressure of facing such a tough opponent like Seth and the anticipation of a potential cash-in from Mr. Money in the Bank. As a result, the champion was able to execute a Pedigree on the commentary table and end the match with a destructive Stomp.

Raw 01.01.2024: Turning point of the match Pedigree on the table.

Once again, Seth retained the championship with almost zero questions. Whom will Drew blame now? I guess Judgment Day will have a lot of problems to deal with.

Ranking and Opinion

So, the first show of this year has passed. I can tell it was electrifying and engaging. We saw two title defenses with a good portion of drama. The Rock made his comeback and pointed to the Head of the table, and Ring General will have some problems to handle. I'd give Day One a solid 7/10. Next, we will see SmackDown Revolution, and I just can't wait to see this show. See you soon, and stay safe :)