Raw 15.01.2024

Whoo-hoo! The RadiantGame Team is now in our city - North Rock, Arkansas! Tonight's lineup promises some exciting matches, and the prospect of less Cody Rhodes on screen is already a plus in my book. Jinder Mahal is set to face off against Seth Rollins, The Ring General makes his return to Raw, and we even get to see an Awesome Truth reunion to take on Judgment Day. With such a lineup, I have high hopes for tonight's show. Let's dive in and enjoy the action!

Cody once againe attracts someone's attention

After his furious victory against Shinsuke, Cody decided to kick off tonight's show. As usual, he delved into his favorite topics of unfinished stories and legacy. Thankfully, we had someone in the house who knows a thing or two about compelling narratives: the Scottish Warrior himself, Drew McIntyre. Drew praised Cody for his hard work and pursuit of his dreams, even reminiscing about their last match before Drew's return to WWE. This sparked a nostalgic smile on Cody's face. However, Drew wasn't about to let bygones be bygones. He expressed his belief that we've never truly seen the real Cody, accusing him of hiding behind masks and catering to the crowd's whims.

Raw 15.01.2024: Cody reminds Drew how their last match ended.

Cody countered with a direct response: "If you want to settle this at the Royal Rumble, I'll give you another thing to complain about. And, by the way, do you remember who won our last match before your return, Drew?" Amidst the tension, Cody made sure to express gratitude for every second chance and opportunity he's received since his return to WWE. For once, I found myself intrigued by Cody's words, and there was a distinct lack of negative emotions toward him. Perhaps we'll see these two clash in the ring sooner rather than later? Why not indeed.

Biznesmen R-Truth

Backstage, R-Truth is busy selling Judgment Day merchandise when he has a brief chat with Damian Priest. Priest expresses that he holds no ill will toward Ron, and he requests not to be tagged in during their tag team match later, wanting to avoid causing harm to a potential member of Judgment Day. R-Truth seems content with how things are going.

DIY strikes Judgment Day once againe

A thrilling match unfolded between the protagonists and antagonists. In a fair fight, Dominic and JD would have been at a disadvantage, but their mastery of various underhanded tactics proved pivotal tonight. For an extended period, members of Judgment Day prevented Tommaso from making a tag. The entire stadium erupted in chants of "This is Awesome!"

Raw 15,01,2024: Ciampa knows how to fly.

I found myself thoroughly entertained by the performances of both teams. In the climax, Dominic's attempted 619 was thwarted by Johnny, who then hurled him out of the ring. Alone, JD couldn't fend off Tommaso, who executed a devastating DDT before DIY sealed the victory with their "meeting in the middle" move. With this win, Johnny and Ciampa have paved their way to contention for the tag team titles..

Raw 15.01.2024: Meeting in the middle for JD.

Chelsea and Piper on a losing strick

The former champions' losing streak persists, and it's becoming increasingly clear that they need to part ways to find success individually. It's baffling how they managed to hold onto the tag team titles for so long given their current struggles. Tonight, they faced Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae, who, frankly, aren't the strongest team compared to others. Despite this, they still couldn't secure a victory. Piper's performance was riddled with mistakes, as she missed all her finishing moves, leaving herself vulnerable to attacks from Indi and Candice, who capitalized on the opportunity to pummel her and throw her out of the ring. Green found herself alone and overwhelmed, ultimately succumbing to a moonsault and the subsequent pin. The losing streak continues unabated.

Raw 15.01.2024: Piper misses with her finisher again.

Ring General makes his return

One of the most anticipated events for me - the return of Gunther! Confident and bold, General and Ludwig stand in the ring. Gunther wastes no time in announcing his participation in the Royal Rumble. He also reflects on last year, highlighting how he lasted the longest in the match, setting a WWE record. This year, he boldly declares that the Intercontinental Champion will win the Rumble and headline WrestleMania.

Raw 15.01.2024: Awaited return of Gunther.

Then, Gunther addresses Kaiser's aggression and his recent actions against Kofi. Surprisingly, he seems pleased and even allows Kaiser to share a hug. However, the festive atmosphere is abruptly interrupted by Kofi's friend, Xavier Woods. It's clear that Woods is not pleased with Ludwig's actions. In response, the General approves Woods' challenge and gives Ludwig the opportunity to prove himself once again.

Raw 15.01.2024: Celebration spoiled by Woods.

Woods and Kaiser brawling till DQ

This match was incredibly personal and intense. Xavier sought revenge for his fallen friend, determined to make Kaiser pay for his actions. Both athletes exchanged vicious blows and executed impressive moves throughout the match. However, things took a brutal turn when Woods was busted open after a powerful punch from Kaiser.

Raw 15.01.2024:Unsuccessful attempt to injure Xavier with a chair.

Despite the setback, Woods refused to back down, fueled by his emotions and the desire for retribution. In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a chair, seeking to inflict the same punishment that Ludwig had unleashed last week. However, Kaiser proved resilient, fighting back and ultimately gaining the upper hand.

Raw 15.01.2024: Beautiful counter attack by Kaiser.

Just when it seemed like Kaiser would deliver another devastating blow, Woods found a weapon of his own in the form of steel steps. Armed with newfound determination, Woods forced Kaiser to retreat, ending the match in a dramatic turn of events. This intense encounter sets the stage for what could be an epic rivalry in the coming weeks.

No revenge after the match

After the match, Woods was still fired up and ready to address the audience. However, Kaiser attacked him from behind before he could speak. Just as Ludwig seemed about to continue the assault, Jey Uso appeared. Uso's presence alone caused Ludwig to step back for a moment. It was another instance of Uso intervening in Imperium's affairs, hinting at deeper tensions between the two factions.

Akira makes a sensation

The Alpha Academy's rivalry with the Vikings continued this week. For the second time in two weeks, Ivar faced Akira Tozawa and Otis was on the receiving end of a beating. It was puzzling why Akira challenged Ivar again after their previous encounter where he was easily defeated. However, this time, Akira had Maxxine at ringside. Her presence caused a distraction just as Ivar was poised for a big move, allowing Akira to capitalize with a Sunset Flip Bomb. It was a shocking upset and a significant victory for the Alpha Academy. Unfortunately, the celebration was short-lived as Ivar and Otis unleashed their fury on Maxxine and Akira after the match. While Ivar may have lost the match, mentally, he scored another victory.

Raw 15.01.2024: Rolling powerslam always looks spectacular.

Alpha Academy backstage plans

After the match, Ivy Nile declared that she would take on Valhalla next week and seek revenge for Maxxine. Master Gable praised his student and promised that they would teach Ivar a lesson in the upcoming week.

Rhea sends massege to Nia Jax but gets The Man

Unhappy and feeling the mounting pressure from Nia Jax's looming threat to her title reign, Rhea took center stage in the ring. From my personal perspective, I felt a sense of urgency to assert her dominance, sending a clear message to Jax that as long as the title belonged to Ripley, the division belonged to her, not Jax. But then, Becky Lynch's music interrupted, signaling her entrance. As a fan, I couldn't help but feel intrigued by Lynch's unexpected appearance. Despite Ripley's accomplishments, Lynch expressed her fear that the champion might surpass her. From my viewpoint, Lynch set a personal goal to win the Royal Rumble and challenge Ripley at WrestleMania to prove herself as the best. Ripley responded with a confident smile, welcoming the challenge and expressing her readiness to face Lynch on the grandest stage. While it remains unclear why Lynch believes she's first in line after her loss to Nia, I'm eager to see how this personal storyline unfolds.

Raw 15.01.2024: Rhea and Becky give promise to meet on Wrestlemania.

Seth fired up for Jinder

In a brief backstage interview, Seth "Freaking" Rollins expressed anticipation for tonight's match against Jinder Mahal, stating that he expects to face the best version of Mahal, a version he respects. Rollins conveyed his eagerness to compete against Mahal in the ring tonight.

Awesome Truth faced Judgment Day

The match I was eagerly anticipating even more than the main event finally arrived. How would R-Truth fare against his former allies, the beloved Judgment Day, and what role would Damian play? Miz arrived alone, while Finn and JD appeared with Dom, with Ron following closely behind. Mike announced that R-Truth was his tag team partner, and then R-Truth shared some money, giving some to Finn and Dominic, who accepted it gladly.

Raw 15.01.2024: R-Truth shares money with his brothers from Judgment day.

JD demanded his share, but R-Truth shut him down with a firm reminder: "You are not in Judgment Day!" The match unfolded as a blend of drama and comedy. Damian, alias Priest, had asked Truth earlier not to tag in, so Truth decided to start the match. He found himself facing Finn for the most part. Initially, he tried to dodge Finn's attacks, but eventually, he got serious and even managed to deliver a scissors kick to Balor. He also attempted to attack Priest, but Damian intervened, trying to convince Truth that it wasn't the right approach. At that moment Ron lost his confidence what allowed unleashed the South of Heaven by Damian, leading to a victorious pinfall. Miz couldn't assist his partner, and the victory belonged to Judgment Day. Finn, JD, and Dom celebrated their win with some trash talk aimed at R-Truth. Damian, on the other hand, seemed conflicted, showing no sense of triumph. Perhaps he truly desires Ron to join Judgment Day as his protege, but clearly not today.

Raw 15.01.2024: Final South of Heaven. 

Shinsuke is still hunting Cody

In a succinct move, Nakamura sends a clear message to Rhodes: their conflict will only end when Shinsuke decides it's over. Now, he's entering the Royal Rumble, eager to get his hands on Nightmare once again.

Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler butchering their opponents

It's a familiar sight, isn't it? Natalya and Tegan facing off against Zoey and Shayna once again. And once again, the outcome is predictable. Despite a few fleeting opportunities early on, courtesy of Stark's underestimation, the result remains the same: a devastating superkick followed by the Kirifuda Clutch, sealing their fate. It's time to stop this repetitive cycle. Natalya should consider pursuing other avenues, perhaps in OnlyFans, while Nox needs to undergo a significant transformation in mindset, attire, and approach to find success in this industry.

Raw 15.01.2024: Predictable end for Natalya and Tegan.

The Visionary vs Modern Day Maharaja

The match Jinder has been waiting for, for 7 long years, has finally arrived. Bringing Indus Sher along to bolster his chances, Jinder faces Seth alone, as he always has. Seth had previously dashed Jinder's dreams by winning his first NXT title, but now, Jinder has a shot at redemption. Personally, I wasn't expecting much from this match, knowing that Indus Sher would likely intervene, as they did several times. The pressure increased when Damian entered the ring, but at least he provided some backup for Seth. Drew also made an appearance, taking Priest out of the equation to brawl elsewhere.

Raw 15.01.2024: Jinger showcase of strength.

With the Money in the Bank briefcase left near the ring, Veer seized the opportunity to deliver a devastating blow to Seth's skull. Jinder capitalized with the Colossus, coming agonizingly close to victory. My heart nearly stopped in that moment, but Seth managed to recover quickly after the near-fall. Despite Jinder's disbelief and lengthy argument with the referee, Seth seized the opportunity, countering Jinder's next move and delivering the decisive Stomp for the victory.

Raw 15.01.2024: Senior Money in the Bank watching the match closely.

It was a somewhat unusual main event, and while Jinder couldn't secure the win, there was a moment where it seemed he might just pull it off. Nevertheless, I'm relieved that Seth remains champion, continuing his reign at the top.

Raw 15.01.2024: Stomp without mercy.

Ranking and Opinion

Tonight's show featured several unexpected match results, the return of Gunther, and compelling drama between R-Truth and Judgment Day. It was refreshing to see Jinder back in action after a prolonged absence from TV screens. Overall, I found the episode quite satisfying, and I'd rate it a solid 7 out of 10. Looking forward to seeing General in action next week, along with exciting clashes between Gable and Ivar, Ivy and Valhalla, and possibly Drew and Demian in the main event. Stay tuned and don't miss it!