WWE RAW Results: January 2, 2017By Cassidy| January 3, 2017 WWE Raw Previous Page Detailed Results The first RAW of 2017 kicks off with RAW General Manager Mick Foley, who says his New Year’s resolutions were to show off his “bold new look” on RAW before reminding everyone of the stakes at the Royal Rumble when Kevin Owens defends the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns with Owens’ best friend Chris Jericho locked in a shark cage hanging high above the ring. The GM is then interrupted by WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and his best friend Chris Jericho, asking Foley if he thinks it’s funny to hang Jericho up in that shark cage like a “sexy piñata”. Jericho then accuses Foley of abusing his power as the RAW General Manager before Owens says that he has already defeated Roman Reigns. Jericho then says that Seth Rollins Pedigreed him on the roof of a car like a “barbarian” last month and Mick Foley gives Rollins “rewards” and, while he helped Owens retain the WWE Universal Title, Foley is punishing him by putting him in a shark cage. The champion then says that it’s a new year and they’re not going to “stand for it anymore”. Mick Foley says that they’ve heard a lot of talk about The Kevin Owens Show but he’s never actually seen it before informing the WWE Universal Champion that he is going to host his first ever edition of The Kevin Owens Show tonight and his guest will be none other than Goldberg! Owens and Jericho then say they have a lot of questions for Goldberg like where has he been for the past ten years with Owens asking who cares where Goldberg has been for the past ten years. Owens then has a question for the GM, asking what makes him think it’s okay to “abuse” his power as RAW General Manager. This brings out RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, who says that Foley had every right to make the title match at the Royal Rumble, but adds that she wishes that the GM had consulted her first. Foley responds by saying that he wishes that Stephanie would have consulted him about putting Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing match against Braun Strowman. Stephanie comments that she would have consulted Foley but he wanted to be home for the holidays. Owens impatiently interrupts, saying that he and Jericho are “national treasures”. Stephanie then says that she and Foley are on the “same page” and that is why the GM will agree with the match she is about to announce. With that, the Commissioner announces that, tonight on RAW, Roman Reigns will defend the United States Title against Chris Jericho and, to ensure there is a “decisive winner”, if Reigns is disqualified or counted out, he will lose the United States Title! Jericho says that he likes Stephanie’s idea, but brings up Seth Rollins before Owens adds that Rollins should be banned from ringside for the match. Foley says that he is sick of Owens and Jericho making a “mockery” of RAW, which raises the ire of Stephanie, expressing her disdain of the fact that SmackDown LIVE beat RAW in the ratings last week. The Commissioner then says that she is sick of SmackDown LIVE saying they’re the “land of opportunity”, saying that RAW is the true land of opportunity. Stephanie then announces that, if Kevin Owens wants Seth Rollins banned from ringside, then he will get the “opportunity” to do so when he goes one-on-one with Seth Rollins tonight with the stipulation being that the loser will be banned from ringside for the United States Title match! The Commissioner then tells Jericho to get ready for his match and tells Mick Foley to get his “act together” because they’ve got a ratings war to win before Stephanie tells the WWE Universal Champion that his match against Seth Rollins is taking place right now. Per the orders of Stephanie McMahon, the opening match of the night would see “The Architect” Seth Rollins square off with WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens in a non-title match with the loser being banned from ringside for the United States Title match later in the evening. During the match, the action would spill to the outside where Kevin Owens would look for the Cannonball to Seth Rollins into the barricade but Seth moves out of the way before both men are able to get back into the ring before the referee’s ten-count. The match would again find its way to the outside and this is when Kevin Owens would grab the ring bell, driving it into the mid-section of Seth Rollins, ending the match by disqualification, meaning that Kevin Owens will be banned from ringside for the United States Title match! Owens then tries to attack Rollins after the match, but Seth fights back, nearly hitting Owens with the Pedigree with the champion narrowly able to escape. With his tag team partner and fellow RAW Tag Team Champion Sheamus a guest on commentary, RAW would see RAW Tag Team Champion Cesaro go one-on-one with Karl Anderson, with Luke Gallows in his corner. After seeing Luke Gallows get illegally involved, Sheamus would decide to leave the commentary position in order to be in Cesaro’s corner. Later on in the match, Luke Gallows would get on the ring apron with Cesaro and Karl Anderson battling on the top rope. Sheamus would pull Gallows off of the ring apron, causing Cesaro to fall, crotching himself on the top rope. This would allow Karl Anderson to take advantage, hitting Cesaro with a neckbreaker off of the second rope, pinning the RAW Tag Team Champion for the win. After managing to survive ten minutes with Braun Strowman at Roadblock: End of the Line, Sami Zayn would have an even taller task ahead of him on RAW as “The Underdog from the Underground” would collide with “The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match, where the only way to win is by keeping your opponent down for a count of ten with no pinfalls, no submissions, no count-outs, and no disqualifications. Early on in the match, Sami Zayn would lure Braun Strowman to the outside as Sami grabs a kendo stick, using it to try and weaken Strowman. However, Braun would shake off the kendo stick shots before Sami to go for a moonsault off of the barricade only for Strowman to catch Zayn, dropping Sami face-first on the barricade. Zayn is able to get back to his feet, getting out of the way of a charging Braun Strowman, who collides with the ring post. After sending Braun into the ring post a second time, Sami would go for his tornado DDT, but Braun would catch Zayn with a hard forearm. Back in the ring, Braun Strowman would look to systematically dismantle Sami Zayn, continuing to knock Sami down before waiting for Zayn to get up only to knock him down again. At one point, Sami Zayn rolls to the outside to get back onto his feet with Braun Strowman not far behind. The battle then makes its way past the announce position by the stage before heading backstage. Sami is then able to grab a lead pipe, using it against Strowman, but Braun would not go down. Zayn then uses a steel chair, repeatedly delivering chair shots to the back of his monstrous opponent. Braun then grabs Sami, tossing Zayn onto the stage, keeping Zayn from the steel chair before sending Sami face-first into the LED display on the stage. Sami then gets his hands back on the steel chair, striking with a few more chair shots before diving at Braun, sending both men off of the stage through two tables to the concrete floor! Sami is the first to his feet, but Strowman is able to get back to his feet before the ten-count. Back at ringside, Braun Strowman would pick Sami Zayn up, squashing Zayn on the floor with the running powerslam! Sami Zayn would continue to get up and this would only enrage Braun Strowman, who would stop waiting for the referee to administer his count before picking Sami up and slamming him on the floor again. Braun Strowman then stands by as the referee counts to ten, bringing a merciful end to the Last Man Standing match as Braun Strowman is declared the winner. As Braun Strowman celebrates his victory, RAW General Manager Mick Foley accompanies the EMT’s on their way down to ringside as the EMT’s load Sami onto a stretcher. However, Braun Strowman would decide that he wasn’t through with Sami Zayn, knocking the stretcher over before picking Sami up and slinging Zayn into the ringside barricade! Braun then finally leaves the ringside area as Sami Zayn is left in a heap. Following a stellar 2016 where they became the longest reigning tag team champions of all-time, The New Day would appear on RAW to discuss their plans for 2017 with Big E making the announcement that the three of them are going to be a part of the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match! The New Day is then interrupted by Titus O’Neil, showing off his best dance moves before telling The New Day that, to achieve their goals in 2017, they need a “new member of The New Day”! Titus says that he’s got “rhythm” before making a reach for Xavier Woods’ trombone, but Xavier refuses. Titus then blows a whistle to the tune of “New Day rocks” before Big E stops Titus, saying that they all know that he “blows”. Titus then says his face would look great on a box of Booty O’s with Xavier responding by saying that no one would want to wake up and be looking at “that”! Titus fires back, calling Xavier the “weakest link” in The New Day and this prompts Xavier to challenge Titus to a match! Titus responds by dropping Xavier with a right hand, exiting the ring before accepting the challenge. After their confrontation moments earlier, RAW would see The New Day’s Xavier Woods, with Big E & Kofi Kingston in his corner, go one-on-one with Titus O’Neil. In the end, it was Xavier Woods catching Titus O’Neil with a roll-up, pinning Titus for the win. Backstage, Bayley confronts Stephanie McMahon over the RAW Commissioner’s decision to make Dana Brooke the special referee in her match against Charlotte Flair last week. This leads to Stephanie insulting Bayley, telling Bayley that she never wanted Bayley to be a part of RAW before calling Bayley “ordinary”. Bayley responds by saying that he may not have a “famous last name” or grew up in the business like Stephanie or Charlotte, but she “belongs” in WWE and nothing is going to stop her from achieving her dreams. Stephanie then puts Bayley in a #1 Contender’s match where the winner will challenge Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble before Stephanie informs Bayley that her opponent will be Nia Jax! The Cruiserweights were in action on RAW as Cedric Alexander, with Alicia Fox in his corner, would go one-on-one with Drew Gulak, with Tony Nese in his corner. During the match, Tony Nese would get on the ring apron and Alicia Fox would pull Nese off of the apron, sparking an argument between the two. This would distract Cedric Alexander long enough for Drew Gulak to take advantage, rolling Cedric up and illegally hooking the tights to pick up the win. The United States Championship would then be on the line on RAW as Roman Reigns would defend the United States Title against Chris Jericho with WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens banned from ringside and, if Roman Reigns gets disqualified or counted out, he will lose the United States Title. Early on in the match, Chris Jericho would look to take full advantage of the rules of the match, luring Roman Reigns to the outside before dodging the charging champion as Roman goes face-first into the ring post. Jericho then gets back into the ring, knowing that he could win the title by count-out but Reigns is just barely able to get back into the ring before the ten-count. Later on in the match, Chris Jericho would come off of the top rope but Roman Reigns would counter with the Superman Punch, but Jericho kicks out. After sending Roman Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post, Jericho takes the pad off of the top turnbuckle. This would distract the referee as Jericho leaves the ring to grab the United States Title belt and, in a move made famous by Eddie Guerrero, Jericho would toss the title belt to Roman Reigns before lying down in the ring to make it look as though Roman had used the title belt as a weapon! The referee then turns around to see Roman holding the United States Title belt before Reigns pleads his case to the referee, trying to explain Jericho’s ploy. Roman is able to convince the referee that he was innocent, but Jericho is quick to try and take advantage of the confusion, scoring with the Codebreaker, but Reigns kicks out! Reigns then battles back, sending the challenger face-first into the exposed steel turnbuckle and following it up with the Spear, pinning Jericho to successfully retain the United States Title. In Cruiserweight action, familiar rivals would square off as T.J. Perkins would go one-on-one with The Brian Kendrick on RAW. In the end, it was T.J. Perkins locking in the knee bar, making The Brian Kendrick tap out to pick up the win. With Enzo Amore still unable to compete thanks to Rusev & Jinder Mahal, Big Cass would be forced to go it alone on RAW as, with Enzo in his corner, Big Cass would face Rusev & Jinder Mahal, with Lana in their corner, in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. In the end, Big Cass would succumb to the numbers disadvantage as Jinder Mahal distracts Big Cass, allowing Rusev to score with the Bulgarian Boot to Big Cass as Rusev pins Big Cass for the win. RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair would then be a guest on commentary as Bayley would go one-on-one with the monstrous Nia Jax with the winner earning a shot at the RAW Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble. During the match, Nia Jax would get on the second rope, looking to finish Bayley, but this is when Sasha Banks would come out. The presence of “The Boss” would distract Nia Jax long enough for Bayley to take advantage as Bayley hits the Bayley-to-Belly off of the second rope, pinning Nia Jax to become the new #1 Contender for the RAW Women’s Title with a shot at the title at the Royal Rumble! Then it was time for the debut installment of The Kevin Owens Show on RAW as WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho would come out and have a seat at their table. Before bringing out their guest, Kevin Owens says that, despite the earlier setbacks, tonight is a “momentous night” because both he and Jericho are “main eventing RAW”. The champion then says that his guest needs no introduction, saying that his guest “redefined the term greatness” and all he needs to do is stand in the ring for the entire arena to chant his name before Owens introduces his best friend Chris Jericho. Jericho stands up to boos from the fans before asking if the fans want to see Goldberg, saying if they know what happens when they chant for Goldberg during The Kevin Owens Show before Jericho puts the entire Tampa crowd on the List of Jericho! As Kevin Owens is about to introduce his guest, Chris Jericho has a big announcement to make as Jericho announces that he will be one of the thirty participants in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match in four weeks, joining The New Day, Brock Lesnar, and Goldberg! Realizing that Jericho could potentially face him at WrestleMania for the WWE Universal Title, Kevin Owens brings this up to Jericho with Jericho saying the best friends face each other and, no matter who wins, they will be the WWE Universal Champion. Owens says that he doesn’t want to fight his best friend, but this is when the guest on The Kevin Owens Show had heard enough as two-time former World Champion Goldberg makes his return to RAW. Goldberg is quick to confront Chris Jericho, saying that, since Jericho is a part of the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match, that means that Jericho is “first”! Kevin Owens try to calm Goldberg down, asking Goldberg to have a seat, but Goldberg tosses the chair out of the ring. Jericho then asks Goldberg if he wants to know what happens when he crashes The Kevin Owens Show but Goldberg responds by saying what happens is Jericho gets the Spear and Owens gets the Jackhammer! The WWE Universal Champion then asks if he is supposed to be “intimidated” because Goldberg said the word jackhammer, took his coat off, and threw some furniture around. Owens then clears the ring of the rest of the furniture before Owens and Goldberg get in each other’s faces. However, the face off is interrupted by a familiar voice as Paul Heyman comes out to the stage on behalf of his client, Brock Lesnar. Heyman says he is there is to offer a “spoiler” for the Royal Rumble Match, saying Brock is going to “eliminate, repeat”. However, Goldberg cuts Heyman off, saying that he’s going to take care of Brock Lesnar in the Royal Rumble Match before turning his attention back to Kevin Owens, telling the WWE Universal Champion that, whether it’s Kevin Owens or Roman Reigns who’s the champion after the Royal Rumble, they’ve got a “date at WrestleMania”. This brings out Roman Reigns, who stares Paul Heyman down before entering the ring, telling Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho that they’re “delusional” if they think they are going to win anything at the Royal Rumble. Things then take an interesting turn once Roman sets his gaze on Goldberg as the two powerhouses go face-to-face in the center of the ring! Fresh off of his destruction of Sami Zayn earlier in the night, Braun Strowman marches down to ringside, declaring that, if anyone is winning the Royal Rumble Match, it’s going to be him! As Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho leave the ring, Braun Strowman gets into the ring, with Goldberg and Reigns coming to an understanding before both men level Strowman with a double Spear! Roman Reigns then nods at Goldberg before leaving the ring as Goldberg stands tall in the ring, ending the first RAW of 2017 having made a major statement heading into the Royal Rumble in four weeks. What did you think of the first RAW of 2017? 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