Match Ratings For WWE Raw 12/16/19 From Sean Ross Sapp

SETH ROLLINS & AOP.

• Seth Rollins comes out and brings out AOP.
• He says he was the future, then he was the guy, just like everyone says he was, and he still is.
• He’s forcing everyone to go along for the ride with him into 2020, and says he’ll drag everyone kicking and screaming if he has to.
• Rollins says he has a score to settle, and the audience probably isn’t going to like it. He says he’s sorry for what he has to do.
• We have some audio issues after this segment, and it seems like a time killer.

The OC defeated Viking Raiders

• So….we’re running this one back again? This is the ninth or tenth time they’ve faced each other since the summer.
• I am so beyond caring about this match. If they wanted to make this competitive or make me care, it would have been better to do that before four months and a half dozen OC losses.
• There’s a nice hanging suplex and a strike to stop a dive.
• Some of the Ivar spots are really forced, and he doesn’t need that. He also doesn’t need a Bronco Buster.
• A double dive leads us through the second commercial break. Yep, there are definitely two television tapings tonight.
• Ivar misses a moonsault and eats a Magic Killler. So The OC have beaten them twice, but no titles.
• Samoa Joe thinks this is for the title. It’s not.

Erick Rowan squashes Jobber
SQUASH

• Jobber gets mowed down outside trying to run from Rowan.
• Multiple Claw slams. The crowd is starting to chant “one more time” at him.
• I really do wanna know what’s in the crate.

Backstage Crappenings

• Zelina says Humberto beating Andrade was the best and worst thing to happen.
• Liv Morgan vignette. She says she was reflecting on who she was. She’s shown getting into the tub and saying she needs to destroy herself.

Proposal

• Lashley and Lana come out to kill time.
• Lashley ask Lana to marry him, after Lana asks him to.
• They had rehearsed this, and Lana fakes excitement.

Top Contender (U.S. Title) Gauntlet Match
Andrade (w/ Zelina) wins, I think
6/10

• I hope they haven’t suspended the 24/7 rule and every single one of these falls is for the title.
• Truth points to the WrestleMania sign that isn’t there.
• He’s facing Tozawa, and gets posted. A cannonball and a pin eliminates R-Truth.
• The 24/7 dorks give chase.
• Ricochet is out next.
• This is actually all Tozawa early on with a dive, Octopus hold and a German suplex.
• Tozawa takes a NASTY bump on the Recoil and is eliminated.
• Matt Hardy is next.
• Side Effect early.
• Total pro move on Matt Hardy’s side when Ricochet takes a nasty bump off the back body drop — immediate pin attempt. Gives him the chance to get out of there if he needs to.
• Seated crucifix bomb by Matt Hardy! Awesome!
• Matt Hardy and Ricochet stealing the show on Raw. Hardy catches Ricochet mid-air with a Side Effect.
• Hardy misses a moonsault, and Ricochet lands a standing star press.
• Twist of Fate counter into a roll-up for the pin.
• Carrillo is out next, and almost gets small packaged.
• HIs offense doesn’t hit — shocker.
• Ricochet gets a good looking Samoan Driver.
• Zelina makes her way out.
• I know it seems like I’m picking on Carrillo, but I can’t be arsed to care about anything he does.
• He was supposed to hit the ropes, but turned and waited on Ricochet to clothesline him over instead.
• Ricochet gets a superplex and a Northern Lights suplex, to no avail.
• Ricochet lands on his feet on a reverse rana.
• There’s a terribly dangerous looking running Destroyer that sets up the moonsault finish.
• Andrade comes out and hits a Hammerlock DDT on the concrete. That’s it. Carrillo is DED.
• Rey comes out to help

Rollins and Rey

• While Carrillo is being stretchered out, Seth Rolllins and AOP come out.
• Rey attacks and AOP beat him down.
• This is good continuity with Rollins returning the weapon Mysterio gave Owens.
• They end up attacking Rey.
• Rollins challenges Rey to a title match next week. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahah that entire gauntlet match was pointless, my god.

Asuka defeated Deonna Purrazzo
5.5/10

• Did Deonna Purrazzo get a manager’s license? She’s an NXT wrestler, with an NXT label on Raw.
• The brand split does not matter. Purrazzo, who I adore in the ring, got a video package before Humberto.
• Deonna kicks Asuka before the commercial, and applies an armbar after.
• Deonna gets out of an ankle lock and hits a reverse STO.
• Asuka Lock wins it.

Becky Lynch

• Becky Lynch thought that the company was trying to bury her, but they’re trying to protect her.
• She’s the golden goose, and WWE doesn’t think she can beat Asuka.
• I love everything about that Becky Lynch promo. It made sense of the situation, it was good, it added a new wrinkle, it pulled from history. Excellent!

Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles
6/10

• Samoa Joe is STOKED about these leg locks and I’m all for it.
• The Calf Crusher was held for a while
• Orton gets his leg worked over big time, then busts out a powerslam.
• A lot more leg work, then Orton counters a Styles clash and hits his DDT.
• RKO off a Phenomenal Forearm attempt for the win.
• This is the first overrun WWE Raw has had since last year.
• OC and Viking Raiders come out. Magic Killer on Viking Raiders.
• OC stand tall, because it’s all 50/50

Rating guide

10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor

Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a “star rating,” which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive “TV match” lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.

These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don’t take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!