WWE Monday Night RAW LIVE Results For 12/29/14: Daniel Bryan Has An Announcement

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It’s the final RAW of 2014. Daniel Bryan created some buzz about an hour ago with a tweet talking about being at a crossroads and having an announcement tonight. Edge and Christian are also hosting the show. With half the roster also doing a house show, it will be interesting to see what tonight’s show looks like.

It’s Smackdown 2003 All Over Again!

Edge and Christian came out to start the show. Edge was wearing a Sami Zayn t-shirt. Christian said tonight they will have a very special Peep Show. Edge said it should be the Cutting Edge. Edge said the Peep Show sounds like something a 1920s pervert would watch. Edge said they should do the first ever Cutting Edge Peep Show, with the first guest being Seth Rollins. Edge said tonight Seth Rollins would go one-on-one with Roman Reigns. Christian said Rusev will go one-on-one with Dolph Ziggler. Christian then asked would like to see Daniel Bryan here tonight. Edge said Bryan will be out here to talk about his future. They were ready to do a 5 second pose but Brock Lesnar came out with Paul Heyman.

Paul Heyman asked why a man with a broken neck and one with so many concussions that they can never wrestler again would swim in the waters of the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Heyman dared them to make a move, but he knew that one wrong move would put them in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. Heyman started talking about Lesnar’s match with Cena at the Rumble when Cena came out. Cena said the only reason he doesn’t knock him clean into 2015 was so he doesn’t walk into the Rumble with an excuse. Cena said he had a gift and resolution. His resolution was to take the WWE Title off the waste of Brock Lesnar. His gift was for Heyman. He grabbed Heyman. Lesnar came at Cena but Cena lifted him for an AA, but Lesnar escaped and bailed.

Champ vs Champ: Don’t Expect A Clean Finish

Dolph Ziggler vs Rusev. Rusev took control early and landed some kicks in the corner. Ziggler started fighting back with some punches but Rusev caught him with an elbow. Ziggler escaped a headlock with a jawbreaker. He went for the DDT but Rusev threw him away. Ziggler slid under Rusev and hit a dropkick, then finally took Rusev down with a DDT.

Back from break Rusev was back in control. Ziggler fought out of another headlock and dropped Rusev on the ropes. Ziggler went for a crossbody but Rusev caught him. He tossed Ziggler over his shoulders but Dolph landed on his feet and hit an elbow then a missile dropkick off the top. Ziggler then connected on a Fameasser for two. Ziggler went for a superkick but Rusev threw Ziggler away. Ziggler moved out of the way of a splash and connected on a superkick this time for two. Rusev blocked a ZigZag attempt then landed a kick to the right knee of Ziggler and tossed Ziggler into the ringpost. Rusev landed a barrage of kicks in the corner and didn’t stop at the ref’s five count, causing a DQ.

WINNER via DQ: Dolph Ziggler

After the match Rusev locked in the Accolade with Ziggler in the ropes. Ryback came out and hit the Meathook Clothesline and Rusev bailed.

All That’s Missing Is A “My Sacrifice” Video

Back from break, Ryback had the mic. Ryback said that ever since he debuted there has been a little bit of a disconnect between himself and the WWE Universe. Ryback talked about being a guest time keeper at the age of 12. He then talked about getting eliminated from the $1,000,000 Tough Enough challenge. He talked about working 12 hour shifts at a BBQ place and being depressed and hating his life. But he worked harder than ever before and got a job with the WWE, then made his debut with the Nexus. He then talked about breaking his leg and coming back to the WWE as Ryback. He said this isn’t a USA vs Russia thing, it’s one big guy kicking another big guy’s ass. He said he takes all of the negatives people say about him and uses it to drive him everyday and to feed him more.

Nikki Bella defeated Natalya with the Rack Attack. Nikki was knocked off the apron and Tyson Kidd caught her. Brie then came over and confronted Kidd. The distraction allowed Nikki to pick up the win.

Backstage, Naomi thanked Miz for hooking her up with his talent agent.

Get Ready For More USO CRAZY References

Miz and Mizdow vs The Usos for the Tag Titles. Miz landed some early kicks to Jimmy. Jimmy came back with an upper cut and bodyslam. Miz hit a shoulder tackle but Jimmy came back with an elbow. Jey came in and hit an elbow in the corner. Jey was tossed into the corner but hopped over Miz and got him with an uppercut again. The Usos hit a double atomic drop with Mizdow came in and mimicked, then tossed himself to the outside as well. Jey went for a dive through the ropes but Miz caught him with an elbow.

Back from break Miz teased a tag to Mizdow but didn’t do it. Jimmy eventually got the hot tag and hit a few clotheslines and followed it up with Samaon Drop. Jimmy hit an enziguri then a dive over the top. Miz got out of the way of a dive off the top and hit a DDT for two. Miz went for a Figure Four but Jimmy escaped and hit a Whisper in the Wind off the top. Both men recovered and Miz applied the Figure Four. Jimmy eventually got to the bottom rope. Jimmy applied a half boston crab but Mizdow broke it up. Miz put Mizdow in the way of a superkick and Jimmy then knocked out Miz. Jey got the tag and went for the splash but Miz got his knees up. Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale but Jey kicked out at two. Jimmy came in and hit a double superkick on Miz. Jimmy then hit a splash on Miz to pick up the win and regain the Tag Titles.

WINNERS and NEW Tag Team Champions: The Usos

The Usos were interviewed after the match. They said they were all on the same page and it feels damn good.

RAW Is Character Development

Cesaro was in the ring with a mic. He said 2014 should have been his year. He won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. He said but now WWE decision makers say he doesn’t connect. But he connects every time he is out there. He said there is no one in the WWE who can do what he does in between those four ropes (he meant sides). He dared anyone to come out and challenge him. Bad News Barrett came out. He said the only thing connecting tonight will be the Bullhammer Elbow with his bald head.

Barrett took control early and hit a backbreaker then knocked Cesaro off the apron with a boot. Cesaro recovered and dropped Barrett on the barricade then hit an axe handle off the top in the ring. Cesaro continued to dominate and then did the Swing. Barrett caught Cesaro with a punch to the face then hit the Bullhammer for the win.

WINNER: Bad News Barrett

Please Don’t Push Harper As The Smelly Giant

Luke Harper vs Jack Swagger. Harper landed some early shots in the corner then caught Swagger with an uppercut. Harper tossed Swagger into the corner but he bounced back with a clothesline. Harper came right back with a dropkick. Swagger escaped a headlock then tossed Harper over the rope and hit a clothesline on the outside. Harper had control back from break and connected with a boot to the face. Swagger escaped the Gator roll and started a comeback. He hit a dropkick to the knee then a pump handle slam for two. Swagger tried for the Patriot Lock but Harper escaped and connected on a Superkick for two. Swagger recovered and applied the Patriot Lock again but Harper got to the ropes. Swagger went for the Swagger Bomb but Harper got his feet up and hit his finishing clothesline for the win.

WINNER: Luke Harper

Backstage Edge and John Cena talked about what they did to each other over their careers. Christian brought up Edge hitting Cena’s father and then awkwardly left. Cena talked about all they did over their careers and how much respect he had for him. They hugged it out.

What’s With All This Good Wrestling?

Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins with Big Show on commentary. Reigns knocked Rollins out of the ring early. Rollins came back with a few shots and an elbow but Reigns came back with one of his own. Reigns tossed Rollins into the corner but Rollins caught him with a boot. Rollins worked over Reigns for a bit. Reigns escaped a headlock and went for a rollup and then lifted him up and dropped him on the mat. Reigns connected on his apron dropkick. J & J Security distracted Reigns, allowing Rollins to recover and knock Reigns off the apron.

Back from break Rollins hit a dropkick to the back of the leg of Reigns then one to the face for two. Rollins applied an extended headlock but Reigns broke it by backing Rollins into a corner. Reigns charged at Rollins but Rollins dropped him in the corner. Rollins hit a splash in the corner but Reigns came back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Reigns hit a clothesline then a powerslam for two. Rollins went for a boot but Reigns caught it and shoved him down. Reigns went to drop Rollins from the ropes but Rollins landed on his feet and hit an enziguri followed by a superkick for two. Reigns escaped a Curb Stomp and the Flying Knee off the top and connected on the Superman Punch. Big Show then interfered and pulled Reigns out from the ring. Big Show tossed Reigns over the announce table then dumped the table on top of Reigns.

WINNER via DQ: Roman Reigns

Bray Wyatt cut a promo in an ambulance saying that he already had Dean Ambrose’s soul. They will have an ambulance match next week.

FOOL YOU!!!

Daniel Bryan came out. He said its an honor to be in the ring every single time. Who would have thought an average guy like him would main event Wrestlemania and win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He said that opportunity was given to him by the WWE Universe and he can never fully thank them for that. Then he married Brie. But a week later his dad died and then he had a career changing injury. And all he could do was sit and watch and it hurt not being there for months. He said he loved watching Dolph Ziggler end the reign of the Authority at Survivor Series. He said he talked to his friends and said he knew he had to make a decision about whether or not this was all for it. He asked if his career is over. He said No. He said is he going to be in the Royal Rumble? YES!

Backstage Edge and Christian were playing the kazoos. Miz and Mizdow came in and demanded a rematch for their Titles. He said they don’t get that, but they get a match, and its next.

The Ascension defeated Miz and Mizdow. Very quick match which the Ascension dominated and ended with the Fall of Man.

And Back To Our Regularly Scheduled HHH Promos

Cutting Edge Peep Show. Seth Rollins said that they were his heroes. They both said it was condescending. He said who had a better year than Seth Rollins. Seth said it has been a difficult month for him since Survivor Series. He’s been a party pooper but in 2015 that Seth Rollins is gone. He said he couldn’t have this celebration without his good friend the Big Show. Rollins then called out John Cena but he didn’t come out. Edge said Rollins had no charisma and Rollins shot back saying he’s better than him. Rollins said he wanted Cena out there because he wants something from him. Rollins said he is going to have to force Cena’s hand. He hit Christian with the MITB briefcase. Edge shoved him but was immediately surrounded by everyone. Rollins threatened to Curb Stomp Edge. Cena eventually came out.

Rollins said that Cena knows what he wants. He said Edge is a father and a husband. Rollins asked if Cena was a phony or the real deal. Rollins demanded the Authority be brought back. He said if he doesn’t he will paralyze Edge. Cena agreed to bring back the Authority. Rollins went to Curb Stomp Edge anyways but Cena intervened. Cena was eventually caught by a Big Show KO Punch, then ate a Curb Stomp from Rollins. On the ramp Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman showed up. Heyman shook Rollins hand. The Authority then came out with champagne and closed the show celebrating.

OVERALL

That was certainly a newsworthy RAW to end 2014. We had the return of the Authority, which I’m surprised at. I didn’t think we would see them until after the Rumble. Daniel Bryan is coming back, which puts the WWE in an interesting predicament. Are they really going to take the chance of putting Bryan in the Rumble and not winning, and risk Roman Reigns getting booed if he does? I don’t know about that. There was also some good wrestling on the show with Ziggler/Rusev, Rollins/Reigns and the Tag Title match. Hell even Ryback’s little trip through time wasn’t terrible. This show didn’t feel like three hours. It had a good flow to it and it didn’t drag. I found it weird that the Ascension debuted as faces. This was definitely a newsworthy show to bring RAW into 2015. I liked it and am going to give the show a 7. The Bryan announcement definitely bumped the score up a point.

Until Next Time,

Justin C

Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka