The first Monday Night Raw of 2017 was just the same repetitive show with the authority figures starting with a promo. The same matches once again dominated Raw while Bill Goldberg and Roman Reigns ended the show with a spear to Braun Strowman.
First, here are the full results of the January 2 episode of WWE Raw, per WWE.com.
- Seth Rollins defeated Kevin Owens by disqualification after the Universal champion used the ring bell as a weapon. Owens is banned from ringside for the United States title match between Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns.
- Karl Anderson beats Cesaro in one-on-one action. Sheamus inadvertently caused the defeat when he pulled Luke Gallows off the apron. This might be Anderson's first ever singles match win on television.
- Braun Strowman put Sami Zayn down in the Last Man Standing Match. It was dominated by Strowman but Zayn kept coming back with a great crossbody spot off the stage. Strowman won after hitting two running powerslams on the floor.
- Xavier Woods defeated Titus O'Neil with a sunset flip. Titus tried to join The New Day but he got rejected.
- Drew Gulak beats Cedric Alexander in cruiserweight action. Alicia Fox and Tony Nese, who was at ringside, distracted Cedric to give Gulak the chance to roll Cedric up for the win.
- Roman Reigns retained the United States championship against Chris Jericho. Reigns hit the spear on Jericho for the win.
- TJ Perkins finally got a win when he defeated The Brian Kendrick. Perkins used the kneebar to submit Kendrick for the victory.
- Rusev and Jinder Mahal beat Big Cass in a Handicap Match. Rusev takes advantage of Jinder attacking Enzo to hit a side kick to Cass' head for the win.
- Bayley earned a title shot at Charlotte's women's championship with a big win over Nia Jax. Sasha Banks distracted Nia to help Bayley, who hit a top rope Bayley-to-Belly suplex for the win.
Besides the repetitive matches, there are some good moments from this week's episode. Here are the five biggest moments from the January 2 edition of Raw.
Mick Foley's New Look
Even though the first Raw of 2017 started off with the same segments once again, at least Mick Foley has a new look. The Santa Claus-look Foley had is gone as he got his hair cut and his beard trimmed. It's like the Attitude Era commissioner Foley was back but thinner and older.
The Last Man Standing Match
It's not the best Last Man Standing Match ever but it was entertaining. Braun Strowman dominated most of the match while Sami Zayn showed a lot of heart. The spot of the night was Sami's crossbody to Strowman off the Raw stage onto tables on the floor.
Strowman's attack after the match was done to get him more heat. Although a lot of fans are upset with Zayn losing, he actually looked good despite the loss. He took so much beating from a monster but he kept getting back up.
Jack Gallagher and The New Day!
Anytime Jack Gallagher is on Raw, it is a great moment and what made it greater was the appearance of The New Day. Gallagher taught the two-time tag team champs how to use an umbrella in a duel. Push Jack already.
Chris Jericho pays tribute to Eddie Guerrero
Although Roman Reigns retained the U.S. title against Chris Jericho, the highlight of the match was when Jericho paid tribute to Eddie Guerrero. He threw the U.S. title to Reigns and lay down before popping back up to hit the Codebreaker. It's a shame that Reigns retained the title since he's done nothing to make it matter.
Bill Goldberg and Roman Reigns Spears Braun Strowman
In the final segment of the night, Chris Jericho and Braun Strowman announced that they will be in the 2017 Royal Rumble Match. Roman Reigns also came out and had a staredown, teasing a possible matchup at WrestleMania 33. Jericho and Owens got out of the way as Reigns and Goldberg hit the spear on Strowman to end the show.
Check out the video below to see the highlights of the Last Man Standing Match. For more WWE news, rumors and updates, follow me on Twitter @johnnyrundown.