WWE Raw Results – December 18, 2023

Written by John Canton • Published 19th December 2023

WWE Raw Happy Holidays Christmas episode

This week on WWE Raw saw three title matches take place including The Judgment Day facing The Creed Brothers for the WWE Tag Team Titles.

It’s the final Raw episode of the year because the Christmas Day episode will be a “best of” show. In two weeks it is the “Day 1 Raw” on New Year’s Day.

Raw took place at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary. There were Christmas trees and presents around the entrance area.

The Judgment Day’s group of five did an in-ring promo talking about Damian Priest & Finn Balor facing The Creeds later in the show. Rhea Ripley issued a threat to Ivy Nile. R-Truth interrupted claiming he was in The Judgment Day. Truth argued with JD McDonagh and that led to their match that was already advertised. Truth also claimed that the winner is in The Judgment Day and Damian Priest seemed to accept it, but it may not have been official.

Match #1: Miracle on 34th Street Fight – R-Truth defeated JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio) by pinfall. Truth got the win when JD tried a move off the middle turnnbuckle and Truth landed on top of JD to put them both through the table. Truth was on top of JD so the referee counted the pin. It came across as a fluky victory.

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax did a promo exchange with Lynch in the ring while Jax was on the floor. Jax announced she’s in the Royal Rumble and Lynch said nobody cares. Lynch said that she came here looking for a fight. Jax claimed Lynch is the money maker in the company and that would end if Jax had a match with her. Lynch said she is the money maker because she will fight anybody anywhere and at any time. Lynch suggested Jax fights Lynch right here and right now.

Nia Jax called for a referee to come out there right now, but Jax backed away from the match. Jax said that it is going to happen on her terms and in her hometown of San Diego in two weeks on Raw Day 1. Jax said that when she puts Lynch in the hospital, Lynch’s daughter will ask why Lynch is uglier than usual. Jax turned her back, so Lynch jumped on Jax’s back. Security broke it up, so Jax punched Lynch in the back and Lynch was down selling to end it.

Match #2:GUNTHER defeated The Miz by pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther chopped the ring post (when Miz moved out of the way) so he was selling a right hand injury. The Miz got a nearfall with a Skull Crushing Finale. When Miz hit Skull Crushing Finale off the middle ropes, Gunther rolled out of the ring to avoid being pinned. Gunther hit a Powerbomb, lefty clothesline and Powerbomb for the pin. Gunther’s Intercontinental Title reigns continues at 556 days. Since The Miz lost, he can no longer challenge Gunther for the title. This was a three-segment match that was outstanding.

Backstage after a break, GUNTHER told his Imperium buddies Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci that he was going to take a break for a few weeks. GUNTHER wants them to work hard and impress him. Kofi Kingston dressed as Kofi (Santa) Claus gave Kaiser some coal.

Shinsuke Nakamura was backstage reading his “The American Nightmare Before Christmas” story. After a couple of minutes, Cody Rhodes attacked Nakamura. They went brawling out to the arena. Cody wanted to put Nakamura through the commentary table, but security broke it up and Nakamura escaped. Cody shouted: “We’re not done!”

Match #3: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven by pinfall to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships. There were some nearfalls for both teams. Carter & Chance won with the After Party double team move, which is Chance doing a 450 Splash off the top while Carter did a neckbreaker. Carter pinned Green to win.

Match #4: Ivar (w/Valhalla) defeated Akira Tozawa (w/Maxxine Dupri) by pinfall. Ivar won with a World’s Strongest Slam powerslam off the middle turnbuckle for the pinfall win.

A video aired recapping the CM Punk-Seth Rollins confrontation from last week’s Raw. CM Punk was not on Raw this week.

Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, and Drew McIntyre did a promo exchange in the ring. Drew talked about the sacrifices he’s made to be in WWE and to make it to the top. Drew said he needed to beat Seth at Day 1 Raw to justify all the time spent away from his family. Rollins said he didn’t hate Drew, but Rollins said he pities him. Rollins went to leave, Drew did a cheap attack and Rollins superkicked Drew out of the ring. Drew fought back with a headbutt. Drew gave Rollins a reverse Alabama Slam into the steel steps. Rollins was selling a left arm injury.

Kofi Kingston was dressed as Santa Claus aka Kofi Claus tossing out gifts to the fans. Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci attacked Kofi at ringside. Jey Uso saved Kofi and that set up a match after the break.

Match #5: Jey Uso defeated Ludwig Kaiser (w/Giovanni Vinci) by pinfall. Vinci interfered a few times so Kofi Kingston showed up and hit a Trouble in Paradise kick to take out Vinci. Jey hit a Spear and top rope Uso Splash for the victory.

The Judgment Day had a backstage segment confirming that JD McDonagh is still in the group. Rhea Ripley also said she’ll defend her Women’s World Title against Ivy Nile on Day 1 Raw in two weeks.

Match #6: The Judgment Day – Finn Balor & Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed (w/Ivy Nile) by pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships. The Creeds got multiple nearfalls with the Brutus Ball double team move, but the J-Day guys made saves. Priest hit a South of Heaven Chokeslam on Julius to win.