LIVE REVIEW: WWE Monday Night RAW at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI on December 12, 2022
WWE Monday Night RAW returned to the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI with seven great matches.
Number One Contender Match – Baylee vs Alexa Bliss: The show kicked off with a number one contender match between Baylee and Alexa Bliss. Before the match could even get underway, Becky Lynch attacked Dakota Kai and Iyo Skye, chasing them from the ringside area to make this a true one-on-one match. Alexa Bliss was victorious in the match making her the number on contender for Bianca Belair’s championship. After the match, Belair entered the ring to congratulate Bliss. As the pair were about to hug, Bray Wyatt’s logo flashed on the screen and Bliss put Belair into the Mother Abigail finishing move but did not follow through. Both left the ring looking distraught and confused.
Six Man Tag Match – Street Profits with Akira Tozawa vs The Judgement Day: A lot of high-flying action in this one with The Judgement Day emerging victorious after some interference from Rhea Ripley.
A.J. Styles vs Chad Gable: After a video package show on screen with The OC teasing Chad Gable and Otis about getting hosed down with milk the previous week, Gable challenged A.J. Styles to a match. Styles was joined by fellow OC teammates Luke Gallows and Mia Yim, while Gable was joined by Otis. Another match with some high-flying action mixed with a tradeoff of submission moves. In the end, Styles hit Gable with the Styles Clash for the win.
Johnny Gargano, Dexter, and The Miz: A video package shows Johnny Gargano and Dexter trying to decide how to spend some of the money Dexter was paid by The Miz. They go to the souvenir stand and buy a bunch of WWE Merchandise. As we come back from the break, Gargano and Dexter enter the arena throwing merchandise to the fans. As they make their way to the announce table, they are attacked by someone dressed in all black while trying to give a t-shirt to Cory Graves. The person in black grabs the bag of money and jumps in the ring. As it turns out, it is The Miz trying to steal his money back. As he tries to leave the ring he is stopped by Adam Pearce who makes him go back to give the money back to Dexter. After some back and forth between Gargano and The Miz, Gargano challenges The Miz to put up another bag of money and the following week there would be a ladder match between Dexter and The Miz with the winner getting both bags of money. Reluctantly The Miz accepts.
IYO Skye vs Candace LeRae: Of late, Candace LaRae has been on a winning streak, defeating both Baylee and Dakota Kai of Damage Control. The match started out a little slow and awkward, but as the pace picked up, both wrestlers hit some fantastic moves. In the end, LaRae couldn’t keep the streak alive, losing to Skye.
Rhea Ripley vs Asuka: Ripley enters the arena with Dominic Mysterio. She whispers something in his ear as they approach the ring, which you had to assume was some kind of instruction to interfere in the match at some point. The crowd jumps to their feet as Asuka’s music hits. She enters with one of her trademark masks on and dances to the ring. But, when she takes the mask off, you notice that she doesn’t have any of her usual makeup on and look on her face is very serious. The majority of the match was dominated by Ripley, until finally towards the end of the match Asuka gains some offense. As Asuka hits full stride, Dominic jumps up on the ring apron stopping Asuka in her tracks. She spits her “green mist” in his face and he falls to the ground in extreme pain. But it is too late. Ripley grabs Asuka from behind and hits her with the “Riptide” for the win.
Main Event – Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs Bobby Lashley: This match will determine who gets a shot at Austin Theory and the United States Championship. In previous weeks, Lashley has been warned about losing his temper and “accidentally” injuring WWE officials. The match begins with Lashley totally dominating Rollins both inside and outside the ring. Eventually Rollins gets some offense going, but Lashley soon gets the upper hand back. As Lashely puts Rollins in the “Hurt Lock”, the referee is knocked out of the ring. Lashley hits Rollins with a spear, but the referee is just getting back in the ring and by the time he can start the count, Rollins kicks out. Lashley goes for another spear, but Rollins reverses it into a “Pedigree” and gets the win. After the match Lashley backs the referee into a corner and begins to yell at him for blowing the match. Another referee enters the ring to try and calm Lashley down. But as Lashley tries to push him away, he hits the referee, knocking him out. As Lashley tries to leave the arena, Adam Pearce meets him halfway and admonishes him for what he did. Lashley finally shoves Pearce out of the way which infuriates Pearce. He gets back in Lashley’s face and informs him is FIRED as the show comes to an end.
