Wednesday 6 January 2021

AEW Dynamite New Years Smash Full Show Live 2021 AEW Dynamite Live New Years Smash Highlights 2021

 

AEW Dynamite Live New Years SMASH Night 1 1/6/21



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AEW Dynamite New Year's Smash Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Sana Ejaz Khan

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    For AEW world and women's champions Kenny Omega and Hikaru Shida, the dawn of a new year brought with it grueling challenges and the very real possibility they would not make it past the first Dynamite of 2021 with their reigns intact.

    Would Omega successfully retain against the high-flying Rey Fenix? Could Shida weather the storm presented by the haunting Abadon?

    Find out who emerged from those two blockbuster championship clashes with their titles intact and what else went down Wednesday night with this recap of AEW's New Year's Smash, night one.

Match Card

1 OF 8

    Announced for Wednesday's blockbuster episode are:

       

    • AEW World Championship Match: Rey Fenix vs. Kenny Omega
    • AEW Women's Championship Match: Hikaru Shida vs. Abadon
    • Cody rahodes vs. Matt Sydal
    • Jake Hager vs. Wardlow
    • The Young Bucks and SCU vs. The Acclaimed and The Hybrid 2
    • Jon Moxley returns
    • Chris Jericho on commentary

       

    Coverage begins at 8:00 PM.

The Young Bucks and SCU vs. The Acclaimed and The Hybrid 2

2 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    Tag team action kicked off the first Dynamite of 2021 as The Young Bucks Matt and Nick Jackson teamed with SCU's Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian to battle The Hybrid 2's Jack Evans and Angelico and The Acclaimed's Anthony Bowens and Max Caster.

    Wild, chaotic action defined the opening moments of the match, leading to the heels isolating Daniels from his partners. The Fallen Angel fought from underneath and finally managed to tag Kazarian into the match. Arguably the most underrated wrestler in the company, the former tag team champion exploded into the match and scored a near-fall on Evans.

    Matt Jackson entered the match and wiped out Angelico and Caster before joining Nick for Risky Business on Bowens. 

    The action continued to cut a frenetic pace until Daniels managed to score the pinfall victory for his team.

    After the match, Kazarian revealed that the next match he and his partner lose as a team will be their last as partners. Daniels went on to confirm that they want to challenge the Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Championships.

        

    Result

    The Bucks and SCU defeated The Acclaimed and The Hybrid 2

        

    Grade

    B

        

    Analysis

    This was a nonstop, action-packed match that perfectly set the tone for the rest of the show.

    The Acclaimed continued to show why they are a bright part of AEW's tag team division while the Bucks starred.

    The biggest development was the revelation that SCU could very well be finished by the time 2021 wraps up, not to mention the tease of a match with the Bucks. Given the history between the teams and their influence on AEW from its inception, it would certainly be a suitable conclusion to Daniels and Kazarian's run as a tandem.

Jon Moxley Returns

3 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    Jon Moxley returned to Dynamite for the first time since losing the AEW World Championship.

    Vowing to dig in and stand his ground in the face of adversity, he addressed new champion Kenny Omega. He promised not to interfere in tonight’s main event because that would be robbing Rey Fenix of an opportunity he has worked long and hard to obtain.

    But Omega...he’s not safe. He never will be. “I’m in your blind spot, Kenny,” he warned.

    Moxley tossed the mic down and stood tall to close out the segment.

        

    Grade

    A

       

    Analysis

    Moxley was spectacular here.

    You can tell when a performer is feeling it; when he is completely invested and believes in what his character is saying. It’s spoken with conviction. That was the case here as he issued warnings, paid respect to Fenix, and vowed that Omega’s life would continue to be a living hell as long as he was around.

    It was great stuff from a guy who has absolutely found himself as a talker in AEW after years spent regurgitating characterless drivel elsewhere.

Wardlow vs. Jake Hager

4 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    The Inner Circle settled an internal dispute Wednesday night when the monstrous Jake Hager and Wardlow did battle.

    What started innocently enough with a collar-and-elbow tie-up escalated into a brawl between the big men and a double clothesline on the arena floor heading into the break.

    During the break, Hager controlled the action, leaving the lesser-experienced Wardlow to fight his way back into the match. And he did. Hager attempted a Hager Bomb, as well as an ankle lock, but Wardlow escaped and delivered swanton bomb.

    Hager countered the pinfall into a triangle choke, but Wardlow forced the break by draping his foot over the bottom rope. 

    The battle headed up top, where Hager applied the triangle choke. Wardlow dropped down, hanging the Oklahoman up on the top rope. He followed up with the F-10 for the pinfall victory.

    After the match, The Inner Circle hit the ring to check on their teammates and encourage a sign of respect between the competitors. Hager shook his peer’s hand as their differences appeared to be settled. At least for now. 

        

    Result

    Wardlow defeated Hager

        

    Grade

    B+

        

    Analysis

    This was infinitely better than it had any right to be.

    This was a good, old-fashioned hoss fight between two big guys who didn’t waste movement or energy. They went a clubbin’ and the result was a physical war that ended with the right guy going over.

    Wardlow has a ton of upside and really impressed here, against a former world champion in Hager. To his credit, Hager made his opponent look like a million bucks, especially with the selling of his F-10 finisher.

    The sign of respect was a nice touch as Inner Circle appears to be gelling for the first time since MJF and Wardlow came on board. We will see if that continues moving forward or if this was a one-and-done thing.

    For now, Wardlow and Hager may very well have had the match of the night on a show that still has Omega vs. Fenix to come.

Darby Allin and Brian Cage Weigh-in

5 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    Ahead of their TNT Championship Match on night two of New Year’s Smash next week, Darby Allin and Bryan Cage (accompanied by Team Taz) hit the ring for their official weigh-in. Predictably, Cage held a 100-pound advantage over the champion, to which Allin showed little emotion.

    Instead, he suggested they skip the pleasantries and get to the fun part. Before a brawl could break out, Sting appeared, again making the save for Allin as their relationship continues to grow and evolve.

    The face-painted vigilantes of AEW stared down Team Taz. 

        

    Grade

    C+

        

    Analysis

    AEW used the weigh-in gimmick to really sell the difference in size between Allin and Cage, thus highlighting the seemingly insurmountable odds the champion will have to overcome to retain his title. It was a great booking decision and one that helps build intrigue for next week’s show. 

    Sting making the save for Allin is still cool but it’s wearing thin as we await The Stinger to do something, anything that explains his interest in the TNT champion.

    Hopefully, we get it the next time the legend and his fellow face-painted enigma share the ring.



Cody Rhodes vs. Matt Sydal

6 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    In a giant ad for The Go-Big Show, Snoop Dogg accompanied co-judge Cody Rhodes to the ring for The American Nightmare’s match against Matt Sydal.

    At one point, Sydal appeared to be injured as the fight headed to the arena floor. A shot by Cody to Serpentico at ringside was followed by a Texas Cloverleaf by the former TNT champion as he worked the knee of his opponent.

    Sydal stunned Rhodes for a near-fall but Cody resumed control, delivering a jarring inverted suplex from the top. Sydal recovered and sought the Shooting Star Press but Cody got the knees up. He dropped Sydal with an inverted DDT for two.

    Sydal applied a submission but Cody fought out and delivered a clothesline that sent both men to the floor.

    Back in the ring, Rhodes delivered a Disaster Kick for two. A last-gasp jumping knee attempt by Sydal missed and Rhodes delivered consecutive Cross Rhodes for the win.

    After the match, Serpentico and his Chaos Project teammate Luther hit the ring to attack Cody and Sydal. The babyfaces fought them off and Snoop Dogg delivered a splash from the top rope to Serpentico for the mainstream media spot and game show sell job.

        

    Result

    Rhodes defeated Sydal

        

    Grade

    B

        

    Analysis

    Cody has hit that hot streak of his career where he can have an above-average match against any wrestler that stands across the ring from him. From Sonny Kiss to MJF to Chris Jericho, he meshes almost seamlessly with all of them and this was no different.

    He had worked with Sydal before in WWE and they came together to create a really solid, competitive match that gave Rhodes a win but also provided the underutilized Sydal a showcase for himself. There were a few rough spots, sure, but they worked through them and delivered a strong finished product.

    The Snoop spot after the match was a great bit of business, too, in that it should earn AEW some mainstream attention while simultaneously hyping The Go-Big Show ahead of Thursday’s debut.

AEW Women's Championship Match: Hikaru Shida vs. Abadon

7 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    Abadon wasted little time in trying to attack Hikaru Shida Wednesday night as she challenged for the AEW Women’s Championship. Shida, ready for her undead opponent, cracked her with a kendo stick. Abandon no-sold it, sitting up and stalking after her opponent.

    She would bite the thigh of Shida before dragging her under the ring and emerging with blood all over her mouth, the insinuation being that she again bit the neck of the champion.

    Abandon dominated throughout the picture-in-picture commercial break but Shida fought back and delivered her Tamashii finisher for the successful title defense.

        

    Result

    Shida defeated Abadon

       

    Grade

    C

       

    Analysis

    Abadon deserved so much more than that in her first championship opportunity.

    After being presented as this terrifying threat to Shida’s title, leading up to it and during it, she was put down with a knee strike shortly after a commercial break in the middle of a major championship match.

    Yes, other matches are interrupted by and subject to the picture-in-picture gimmick, but few are so shortchanged as the women’s matches on Dynamite. They typically wrap-up shortly after the show returns, the majority of the match subjected to the commercial break.

    That this was never really allowed to get into any real flow, or tell much of story, only hurt its overall quality.

    A major disappointment given the build and the momentum Abadon had established in recent weeks. 

AEW World Championship Match: Rey Fenix vs. Kenny Omega

8 OF 8

    Credit: All Elite Wrestling

    AEW world champion Kenny Omega weathered the early storm of challenger Rey Fenix in the main event of Wednesday’s broadcast, delivering a snapdragon suplex on the arena floor and dropping him spine-first across the guardrail as he sought to successfully retain his title.

    Fenix answered moments later, delivering a double springboard dropkick and following with the damndest tope con hilo on the arena floor. Back inside, Fenix delivered a springboard into a German suplex that folded Omega up but only earned a two-count.

    During the break, Omega unleashed a series of open-hand strikes across the chest and back of the challenger but Fenix answered with hard right hands to the torso. Omega dropped him with consecutive powerbombs but Fenix kicked out. The challenger reversed the One-Winged Angel into a reverse rana, followed moments later with an inside-out cutter and looked for a frog splash.

    Omega got the knees up, answered with an impressive Tiger Driver and scored the win with the One-Winged Angel. Omega stood tall, his title in-hand, while Don Callis grabbed a microphone. He threw to the back, where Eddie Kingston, Butcher and Blade beatdown Pac and Penta El Zero M.

    Callis encouraged Omega to finish Fenix and put an end to his career. Instead, Jon Moxley hit the ring with the barbed wire baseball bat and drove it into the midsection of his rival. As Moxley threatened further damage, Impact Wrestling tag team champions Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson hit the ring and beat down the former world titleholder. 

    They delivered The Magic Killer to Moxley stood alongside Omega and Callis. The AEW world champion added repeated shots to the back with the baseball bat before Brian Pillman and Griff Garrison hit the ring to try and make the save. No one proved effective, though, as they were all stymied amid the dominance of the heels. 

    The Young Bucks finally hit the ring to try and talk reason with their longtime friends and former Bullet Club cohorts. “Where do they stand?!” the commentary team asked. Matt and Nick added their signature “too sweet” hand gesture to Omega and The Good Brothers, seemingly reuniting with their friends as the show went off the air.

         

    Result

    Omega defeated Fenix

        

    Grade

    A

        

    Analysis

    There is so much to unpack about this main event and its aftermath.

    Omega and Fenix did exactly what everyone expected them to, tearing the house down in a pay-per-view quality main event that had the commentary team exclaiming they had never seen some of the moves or sequences before.

    Fenix looked every bit Omega’s equal and came within seconds of winning the AEW title. His passion and intensity matched his ability to do things between the ropes few could only ever dream of. He looked the part of a main event competitor and very easily could headline a pay-per-view for this company if they so chose to book him in one.

    He’s that good and he has proven it at every turn.

    The post-match angle with Anderson and Gallows, and the confusion surrounding Matt and Nick Jackson’s place in all of it, was exactly the type of red-hot cliffhanger you would see back in the days of the Monday Night Wars. It was unpredictable, energetic, and fun.

    It wasn’t overbooked, overproduced or cringeworthy. It worked because fans knew of the relationship between the Young Bucks, Gallows, Anderson and Omega and genuinely cared about the possibility that they would reunite.

    While it appears they did, it will be interesting to see if that is the case or just perception. 

    Regardless of the answer, the audience now wants to tune in next week to see what is going on, the definition of an effective angle.

WWE NXT New Years Evil Full Show Live WWE NXT New Years Evil Highlights 2021

 



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WWE NXT New Year's Evil Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Sana Ejaz Khan

    Credit: WWE.com

    NXT was not afraid to start off the new year with a bang. NXT New Year's Evil had all the makings of an NXT TakeOver including multiple intense grudge matches and several important title matches along the way.

    Presented without commercial interruption, Finn Balor would fight Kyle O'Reilly one more time for the NXT Championship. The last time these two fought, The Prince was put on the shelf for months with a broken jaw but still won. This time, O'Reilly might need to do even more to capture the gold.

    Two men who could be considered the No. 1 contenders to the NXT Championship after New Year's Evil, Damian Priest had put himself in the cross-hairs of Karrion Kross. Doomsday has returned to WWE, but The Archer of Infamy planned to stop him before he could do any more damage.

    Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez were once friends. Now, they have become bitter rivals. In a Last Woman Standing match, these two fought to prove who was truly the biggest giant of the women's division.

    Santos Escobar has ruined the chances of so many young stars as NXT cruiserweight champion, but Gran Metalik was not afraid of him or Legado del Fantasma. The Monday Night Raw star was happy for this opportunity to finally add gold to his legacy in WWE.

    Finally, Xia Li and Boa were set to return to the ring, molded by an absolutely barbaric training regimen from a mysterious teacher and the even-more mysterious woman behind him. No one knew what to expect of this returning group of changed performers.

    Hosted by Dexter Lumis, New Year's Evil promised to be a special night. Top talent stepped into the ring for the first time or the last time, heralding a new year with some early potential match of the year contenders.

Damian Priest vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett)

1 OF 6

    Credit: WWE.com

    Damian Priest smiled in the face of the early destruction of Karrion Kross. He rocked The Doomsday Deviant with a series of right hands and kicks. However, the ribs of The Archer of Infamy slowed him too much to keep control in this fight.

    Kross trapped Priest in the tree of woe and targeted the rips with stomps and an unpadded knee strike. He tried to turn this into a Saito superplex, but The Archer of Infamy escaped and planted The Doomsday Deviant with the Razor's Edge.

    Suffering through each move, Priest still managed to hit a running springboard somersault plancha into a spinning heel kick and the South of Heaven for a nearfall. Kross responded with a release German suplex and powerbomb for a nearfall.

    Outside, the two fought through the pain where Kross finally took the unstoppable edge. He slammed The Archer of Infamy's ribs into the steel stage then his back onto the steel steps. A Saito suplex and a running forearm to the back of the neck ended it.

              

    Result

    Kross def. Priest by pinfall.

               

    Grade

    B-

                

    Analysis

    A match will never suffer for lacking commercial breaks, but this contest did not quite earn that honor over the better contests to come. After time away, The Doomsday Deviant was off his game. He and Priest struggled to find consistent chemistry in a hard-hitting fight.

    The two did manage to tell a strong story throughout. Priest was clearly coming in injured, and Kross was glad to take advantage. The Archer of Infamy sold his injuries well and smiled in the face of his own doom. If the two were fighting at their best, this could have been special.

    Kross was the only man that could win here. He is still completely undefeated in NXT, and the man that beats him needs to do so on a major stage. These two could have a rematch down the line, but Priest is not the right one to stop The Doomsday Deviant.

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar vs. Gran Metalik

2 OF 6

    Credit: WWE.com

    Gran Metalik made Santos Escobar pay for his early arrogance, flying around the ring with ease. The NXT cruiserweight champion caught him on a headscissors takedown, turning the move into a powerbomb on the barricade. Escobar wore his opponent down with a surfboard until Metalik turned it into a pin attempt.

    Metalik got moving again and planted the champion with a springboard running plancha. Escobar answer with a vicious suicide dive. With no respect for lucha libre, Escobar almost ripped off Metalik's mask. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde almost got involved, but Lince Dorado made the save.

    The champion took advantage of the chaos, surviving a Frankensteiner and planting his challenger with Legado followed by the Phantom Driver for the three count.

              

    Result

    Escobar def. Metalik by pinfall to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

               

    Grade

    C+

                

    Analysis

    The fast build to this match may have let down the action as it was hard to get truly invested. It was obvious that Metalik had no chance no matter how good he looked, and there was little drama throughout to sell that potential ending.

    However, this was never meant to be about drama. It was a solidly fun action-heavy lucha libre battle. Metalik got to show what he can do at his best. Escobar proved he's a talent that can translate to any roster. It was a good win for the champion.

Xia Li (w/ Boa) vs. Katrina Cortez

3 OF 6

    As the mysterious woman watched from her throne on the stage, Xia Li dominated Katrina Cortez. She seemed unaffected by any pain, more interested in showing respect to the woman watching. Li sealed the victory after a series of kicks thanks to a leaping spin kick.

    William Regal announced earlier in the day that Timothy Thatcher was injured and would not be able to compete at New Year's Evil against Tommaso Ciampa. In an interview, Bronson Reed made a declaration that he would fight anyone and everyone in NXT in 2021.

              

    Result

    Li def. Cortez by pinfall.

               

    Grade

    B+

                

    Analysis

    What a reintroduction for Li and Boa. These two wrestlers barely made an impression before they were taken out of the ring for their intense training montage. Now, Li especially feels like a star, who could challenge just about anyone.

    The presentation of the entrance coupled with the dangerous presence at the top of the ramp make this instantly one of the most intriguing acts in NXT. While this was just a squash match to start, Li looked as in tune as she ever has.

Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez

4 OF 6

    Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez headed straight to the outside to fight. The Nightmare handcuffed her opponent to the chain-link fence only for Gonzalez to break off the chain. Gonzalez blasted Ripley with the ring bell then attempted to bury her under the announce table and chairs.

    The brutality from Gonzalez continued. She booted Ripley down the steps into the backstage area. The Nightmare responded by shattering a glass door with her opponent's back. Ripley followed up with a senton bomb off a locker through a table on her rival.

    Dakota Kai ran in to save her friend only to get brutalized in a locker by The Nightmare before Ripley trapped her. The Nightmare trapped Gonzalez in the Prism Trap, adding in a steel chair. When Gonzalez worked her way out of it, she and Ripley ran hard into the LED board on the stage.

    Neither woman looked ready to stop until Gonzalez grabbed Ripley and single-arm powerbombed The Nightmare through the stage. The heel was the only one to be able to stand back up.

              

    Result

    Gonzalez def. Ripley by ten count.

               

    Grade

    A+

                

    Analysis

    The bar for great matches in 2021 was set early by this insane and physical Last Woman Standing match. Ripley and Gonzalez had already proved their chemistry in the ring, but this match only extenuated what they do so well together.

    Brutal destruction was the name of the game, finding new innovative ways to hurt each other. The pacing never falters in spite of the match type inherently setting up wrestlers to slow down. These two knew what they needed to do and delivered.

    If WarGames had not been enough, Gonzalez has been made. This win has to put her at the top of the heap in terms of challengers to Io Shirai. She is the first woman in months to feel like she is ready to dethrone The Genius of the Sky.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae vs. Kushida and Shotzi Blackheart

5 OF 6

    Earlier in the night, Adam Cole and Roderick Strong talked about the Dusty Rhodes Classic, facing Breezango in the first round. Cole made clear Undisputed Era would win all the gold again starting with Kyle O'Reilly.

    William Regal would announce 2021 would see the first-ever women's Dusty Rhodes Classic for later in the year.

    Johnny Gargano made an impressive entrance with The Way, celebrating the end of The Curse. Candice LeRae gave her husband a plaque for ending The Curse. Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell presented a special picture for The Way. Gargano then announced he and Theory would compete in the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

    Shotzi Blackheart ruined the celebration, joined by Kushida, and Dexter Lumis rang the bell for an impromptu mixed tag team match.

    Kushida rolled through on the NXT North American champion and nearly made him tap out to a cross armbreaker. LeRae tried to make the save, and Kushida and Blackheart proved they had tag team chemistry by knocking the married couple out of the ring.

    Hartwell took out Blackheart, and Theory attacked Kushida. Both young members of The Way could not do enough though to save Gargano from a surprise roll-up by the Japanese Superstar for three.

              

    Result

    Kushida and Blackheart def. Gargano and LeRae by pinfall.

               

    Grade

    B+

                

    Analysis

    The Way's segments can be hit and miss, but this week worked especially well. It was funny and continued to develop key rivalries. Blackheart got a measure of revenge on The Poison Pixie. Kushida continues to put himself in position for a future title opportunity against Gargano.

    Now that The Curse is broken, The Rebel Heart could lose at any time. While he deserves a sizable reign as champion, Kushida is well built as the man to dethrone the NXT North American champion. He has the momentum and needs one big win to put him over.

NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly

6 OF 6

    Kyle O'Reilly went right after the jaw of Finn Balor that he broke in their last fight. The Prince responded by trapping KOR in an abdominal stretch, forcing O'Reilly to break the hold with his teeth on the ropes. This allowed Balor to smash KOR's jaw into the hard ropes, causing serious damage to O'Reilly's jaw.

    This revealed The Prince's true game plan as he looked to break his challenger's jaw. He trapped KOR in a crossface that the challenger barely escaped. O'Reilly fought back desperately with kicks. The NXT champion fired back with a pele kick that sent his opponent to the floor.

    O'Reilly transitioned through a series of submissions broken by The Prince punching his rival in the jaw. Balor landed the 1916 and went right into a crossface rather than the pinfall. KOR barely broke it up by hitting the right hand of The Prince that had been worn out through the match.

    The NXT champion fired back with a Slingblade, standing double stomp and corner dropkick, but O'Reilly stood back up to stop the Coup de Grace. KOR hit a superplex into a brainbuster that he transitioned into an armbar.

    Despite the pain he had faced though, Balor was in much better shape than KOR. He fought through and locked O'Reilly in an abdominal stretch where he yanked at the jaw until the challenger was forced to tap out.

              

    Result

    Balor def. O'Reilly by submission to retain the NXT Championship.

               

    Grade

    A+

                

    Analysis

    This match needed to be shown without a single commercial break, and it benefited immensely. The two tried to outshine their first battle, and they nearly did just that. This was brutal, bloody and all-out violence. The two men were technically excellent throughout in their focused attacks.

    The jaw injury played so well to their history together where Balor was able to make a statement by forcing O'Reilly to tap out due to an injured jaw. The two men have incredible chemistry and told another excellent story together.

    Balor needed to win as he has only truly begun his reign. He had a pair of great matches with KOR, and it is time for him to move onto more great opponents. Pete Dunne was watching at ringside, which would be the perfect next challenger to The Prince.

Monday 4 January 2021

WWE Raw Full Show Live Streaming 4 January 2021 WWE Raw Highlights 04 January 2021 HD

 

WWE Raw 1/4/2021





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WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Legends Night

Sana Ejaz Khan

    Credit: WWE.com

    Monday brought with it the first WWE Raw of 2021, a jam-packed show that featured a world title defense and a parade of legends who previously held said title.

    With appearances from Hogan and Flair, among others, the show promised a few strolls down memory lane.

    The question, though, was whether the stars of today could steal the show out from underneath icons of yesterday.

    Find out the answer to that and more with this recap of the January 4 episode.

Match Card

1 OF 10

    Announced ahead of Monday's show:

    • WWE Championship match: Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee
    • What's next for Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton?

'Miz TV' with The New Day

2 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    A ridiculously unfunny vignette featuring Hulk Hogan kicked off the show. Ugh.

    Miz and John Morrison followed with the latest edition of "Miz TV," running down the card for the night and some of the legends who would make special appearances throughout the broadcast before welcoming their first guests of 2021: The New Day.

    Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods took over the show, renaming it "New Day Talks," with the arrogant heels as their first guests.

    The segment dragged on until Miz's anger boiled over and Mr. Money in the Bank erupted. Teddy Long cut him off, though. "Miz and Morrison...you're going to take on The Undertaker!" Kingston and Woods playfully ran around the ring, selling the announcement, before Long corrected himself and booked the predictable tag team match instead.

        

    Grade

    D

        

    Analysis

    Last week's show ended with Randy Orton threatening to light Alexa Bliss on fire in a, for better or worse, effective cliffhanger.

    How did this week's show start? Not with the resolution of said cliffhanger but, instead, Hulk Hogan in a horrifically bad vignette and a promo segment that gave way to a tag team match.

    This frickin' company.

    Kingston and Woods tried, but there was no making up for bad creative and a predictable outcome, the likes of which you'd expect out of the fourth segment on a forgettable 2017 episode of SmackDown.

    This is going to be a long night.

The New Day vs. Miz and Morrison

3 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    Back-and-forth action dominated the opening moments of The New Day's battle with Miz and Morrison that kicked off the in-ring portion of Monday's show. Every time the heels threatened to take control, the babyfaces frustrated them.

    Kingston sailed over the ropes and wiped Miz and Morrison out heading into another break.

    The heels finally grounded Kingston coming out of the commercial and cut him off from Woods. Kingston fought back and made the tag to his trumpet-playing teammate. Woods exploded into the match and drove Miz to the floor, survived a big forearm from Morrison and answered with one of his own.

    Woods fired off a shining wizard and scored the pinfall on Morrison. Miz appeared despondent following yet another loss.

         

    Result

    New Day defeated Miz and Morrison

        

    Grade

    C

        

    Analysis

    The work was solid, the effort was there, but it is difficult to get invested or care about a match like this between guys who have been on a booking treadmill of sorts for the last year. They have worked each other countless times, neither team ascending or descending. They're merely there, and that is one of the most frustrating aspects of WWE television.

    No one ever really benefits. They're just on TV, wrestling the same matches against the same guys because Vinnie Mac doesn't know how to elevate talent through his so-called creative genius.

    So the result is a solid wrestling match, between guys who know each other well and are really too talented to be stuck in this same spot, 365 days later.

    Such is life in the E, though.

AJ Styles vs. Elias

4 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    Angel Garza attempted to wow legends Alicia Fox and Mickie James, to little avail, before the focus turned to the squared circle and AJ Styles' latest showdown with Elias.

    A desperate Elias attacked from the opening bell, surviving an early headlock to seize control of The Phenomenal One. The sinister songster of WWE dominated coming out of the commercial as Omos watched from the floor, towering over the proceedings like a New York skyscraper.

    Elias delivered a sit-out chokeslam, scoring a near-fall. He caught Styles mid-flight, blocking the Phenomenal Forearm with a jumping knee for yet another two-count.

    Styles countered an electric chair with a hurricanrana. Moments later, he delivered the Styles Clash and scored the win.

    After the match, Jaxson Ryker botched a guitar shot as badly as his tweet game, smashing it into the waiting boot of Omos before bailing to the floor and escaping with Elias.

        

    Result

    Styles defeated Elias

        

    Grade

    C

        

    Analysis

    Add this to the list of matches we never have to see again.

    First, Styles is inexplicably a babyface after spending well over a year as one of the company's top heels. On top of that, he has a massive heel bodyguard who Vinnie Mac obviously sees dollar signs in but knows cannot possibly hold up his end in the mat game. Nothing about that screams "good guy."

    Add to it a feud with Elias that came from out of nowhere and has done nothing for anyone, except earning Ryker television time that no one asked for, and you have an entire segment that left fans scratching their heads rather than being excited for anything involving any of these guys as Royal Rumble approaches.

    But hey, at least AJ declared for the pay-per-view's namesake match, as if his involvement was ever really in question.

Charlotte Flair and Asuka vs. Peyton Royce and Lacey Evans

5 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    Women's Tag Team champions Charlotte Flair and Asuka returned to action this week, battling the team of Peyton Royce and Lacey Evans in nontitle action as the legendary “Nature Boy" Ric Flair watched his daughter from ringside.

    Some early, improving chemistry from Royce and Evans was on full display as they worked over Flair. A tag to Asuka looked to have the champs rolling, but Royce opportunistically shoved The Empress off the ropes while Flair and Evans brawled on the floor.

    The heels dominated coming out of the break, stomping Asuka in the corner, thus keeping her on the opposite side of the ring from her partner.

    Flair finally tagged in and unleashed a flurry of chops to the chest of Evans. She launched Royce with a suplex and delivered a moonsault to both opponents. Asuka tagged herself in and scored a big kick to the face of Royce.

    An ugly Natural Selection from Flair to Royce earned two as Evans broke up the pin just in time. Again, The Sassy Southern Belle came on to The Nature Boy, earning the wrath of his daughter.

    Late, Ric (inadvertently?) tripped up Charlotte, allowing Royce to score the win with a crucifix roll-up.

    After the match, Charlotte belittled her father, sending him away as she fumed over her loss.

         

    Result

    Royce and Evans defeated Flair and Asuka

        

    Grade

    C+

        

    Analysis

    This was a solid little match with no real build or reason for occurring, but it did provide Evans and Royce rare wins, so that was a nice change of pace.

    What was not, though, was Charlotte's belittling and berating of her father. Ric is one of the most beloved wrestlers in the history of the business and the biggest babyface in any room he enters. Why, if we are supposed to accept The Queen as a babyface, would WWE Creative even book that finish and everything that followed it?

    For someone this company so desperately wants us to get behind in Charlotte, it sure does book her to be this wholly unlikable character at times. Chalk this up to one of those times.

Riddle vs. Bobby Lashley

6 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    The typically fun-loving Riddle wasted little time taking the fight to United States champion Bobby Lashley in their match, striking with rapidity. Lashley weathered the storm and dealt the fight back to Riddle heading into the break.

    Lashley dominated coming out of the timeout, rocking Riddle and leaving him with a dazed and confused look on his face. Riddle fought back, delivered a straight kick to the face and followed with a Bro-ton for two. A Final Flash knee to the face earned another count of two.

    Lashley recovered, stunned Riddle on the top rope and brought him down with the Dominator. He followed with the Hurt Lock, but Riddle springboarded off the ropes. He tapped out, forcing Lashley to break the hold. The referee did not see it, ordered the match to continue and Riddle scored the roll-up win.

        

    Result

    Riddle defeated Lashley

        

    Grade

    C

        

    Analysis

    Does Riddle really need such a weak-ass finish to beat Lashley? The booking behind the former mixed martial artist on Raw has been so...interesting, to say the least. He is legit between the ropes, with the sort of personality that will win him casual fans, but WWE has yet to allow him to build much in the way of credibility.

    His win over Lashley should set him up for a United States Championship match. Whether he is the chosen one to unseat The All Mighty remains to be seen, but this win would seem to suggest those in management are at least comfortable enough to hint at such a booking decision.

Dana Brooke vs. Shayna Baszler

7 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    Mandy Rose made her way to the ring for a match with Shayna Baszler after The Queen of Spades left both her and tag team partner Dana Brooke lying a week ago.

    Baszler attacked Rose from out of nowhere, though, leaving the match in doubt.

    Brooke hit the ring and demanded a match with Baszler. A brief scuffle gave way to Baszler trapping Brooke in the clutch. Dana countered into a roll-up for the stunning win.

    After the match, Rose broke up the clutch that Baszler never released and joined her partner in a double flapjack to the heel.

        

    Result

    Brooke defeated Baszler

        

    Grade

    D

        

    Analysis

    Was this a make-good for last week's horrific booking? Did someone with sway point out how damning Baszler demolishing Brooke and Rose all by herself might be to the tag team's credibility and get Vince McMahon to book this to make it up?

    That would make more sense than any of this storyline has to this point.

    If you would have suggested a year ago that Baszler would lose to Dana Brooke less than a year after dominating NXT as its most badass champion of all time, I would have totally believed you because Vince McMahon seems to hate anything that comes from the black-and-yellow brand.

    On a positive note, Dana Brooke has busted her ass to get an opportunity to star on Raw or SmackDown and absolutely earned a win of this caliber. Good for her.

Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton

8 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    After a convoluted explanation for not burning Alexa Bliss alive that he attributed to self-hatred and turning it against his enemies or something like that, Randy Orton stalked toward the ring for a scheduled matchup against Jeff Hardy.

    The Viper attacked Hardy early and often, methodically picking him apart while commentator Tom Phillips discussed the rich history between them. Hardy fought back with an intended Twist of Fate that more closely resembled a swinging neckbreaker.

    Regardless of what it actually was, it was for naught. Orton regained control as The Charismatic Enigma crashed on the arena floor.

    Back from the break, a sadistic Orton targeted the earlobe of Hardy, twisting it and contorting it in a call back to their Hell in a Cell match from 2018. Hardy finally mounted a comeback, rocking his opponent with a corner clothesline. He followed with Whisper in the Wind for a near-fall.

    Hardy looked poised to put Orton away with the Swanton Bomb, but Orton rolled out of the way and then dropped the consummate babyface with the draping DDT.

    Hardy tried for a Twist of Fate, but Orton caught him with an RKO for the win.

        

    Result

    Orton defeated Hardy

        

    Grade

    C+

        

    Analysis

    The Twist of Fate into the RKO is always a great finish and one these two have worked to perfection numerous times over the years.

    The chemistry is still there, though Hardy is a step or three slower than he used to be. He is still a great, sympathetic babyface you want to see overcome Orton's relentless onslaught to score the win.

    He didn't here, though, as the yearlong push for one of the best heels in the industry continued.

    Love or hate some of the creative choices WWE is making with him, including on this very show, one cannot deny how superb he has been over the last 365 days. One of the greats, relishing his return to the main event.

The Lucha House Party vs. The Hurt Business

9 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    Moments after a brief encounter with former Divas champion Melina, Lucha House Party's Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado hit the ring for a showdown with Raw tag team champions Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander of The Hurt Business. MVP watched from the commentary table.

    The heels established dominance, but overconfidence led to Dorado rocking Alexander with a jawbreaker. A big knee from Benjamin stopped him from making a tag before tension and dissension between the Raw tag champions proved costly.

    After a superkick to Benjamin, Dorado scored a win with a crucifix roll-up.

    Following the match, an infuriated MVP berated his teammates, demanding Benjamin and Alexander settle their differences and get on the same page. An irate Alexander walked off while MVP held Benjamin back.

        

    Result

    Lucha House Party defeated The Hurt Business

        

    Grade

    B-

        

    Analysis

    MVP finally addressed the mounting issues within his own team, calling Benjamin and Alexander out for their inability to set personal differences aside. Alexander has been extraordinarily cocky, expressing the confidence that he lacked earlier in his WWE run. He's done so at the expense of Benjamin, though, and we saw it really boil over for the first time here as Alexander tried to do too much, leading to the distraction that allowed Metalik to score the win.

    It was a nice bit of booking, even if the match itself was mostly forgettable.

    More importantly, it makes the viewer want to see what will happen next between the reigning Raw tag team champions, a rarity when it comes to the red brand creatively.

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee

10 OF 10

    Credit: WWE.com

    The legends on hand for the night's proceedings watched from the stage as Keith Lee made his way to the ring for his WWE Championship opportunity against Drew McIntyre, adding credibility and a sense of significance to this television main event.

    The determined McIntyre worked over Lee early, but as the fight spilled to the floor, the challenger leveled the champion with a pounce that sent him over the guardrail and onto the arena floor.

    Lee worked over the ribs and midsection coming out of the break, prepared to exploit that injury in the name of winning the WWE Championship. McIntyre fought back, launching Lee across the ring. Lee answered with a spinebuster. The champion delivered a powerbomb from the ring apron, driving Lee through the announce table ahead of the final break of the night.

    The Limitless One fought through the effects of the table and scored a near-fall following the break. McIntyre looked for a backslide, but Lee powered out. McIntyre countered and delivered a Future Shock DDT for two.

    Lee slowed his opponent's momentum, again targeting the ribs. The competitors scaled the ropes, from which Lee delivered a super Spanish Fly that looked hella dangerous but netted the challenger a two-count.

    Lee countered a Claymore and tried for the Spirit Bomb. McIntyre escaped and delivered the Claymore for the successful title defense.

    Goldberg made his way to the ring after the match and challenged McIntyre to a match at Royal Rumble, to which the champion suggested such a match would be like him wrestling his dad. The show abruptly left the air before anything could happen, a victim of time.

        

    Result

    McIntyre defeated Lee

       

    Grade

    A

       

    Analysis

    This was a hell of a championship match between two hugely talented heavyweights.

    McIntyre sold the hell out of his ribs and core, really putting over Lee's work in that area of his body. Conversely, Lee was presented as a total badass and looked like he belonged in the ring with the top star on the brand.

    The Goldberg stuff was...as expected this time of the year. WWE leans on its legends, books them into the ground until you could not possibly want to see them ever lace a pair of boots again. Everything that made Goldberg the legendary icon he was has been stripped away by overexposure.

    McIntyre saying wrestling him would be akin to wrestling his father is apropos and really highlights the sentiments of fans watching the show.

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