This episode of Monday Night RAW which emanated live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, was set to be an interesting one. With Jey Uso set for his first singles title match, the tag team titles are on the line, and much more, the crowd was set to get their money’s worth. After an explosive RAW last week with CM Punk addressing the crowd, fans were excited for this week. Here is all that happened.
Monday Night RAW 4/12/2023 Recap
Drew McIntyre opened the show with much fan approval. He took the ring and continued his issues with Jey Uso while throwing digs at Punk and Seth Rollins. In this episode of RAW, McIntyre was set to face off against Sami Zayn, who is quick to come out. After a bit of back and forth, McIntyre called for a referee for their match to start.
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Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn
Winner: Drew McIntyre picked up the win after a Claymore to Zayn. In the match that can be compared to David vs Goliath, Zayn put his all in despite hurting his ankle during the match. However, nothing Zayn did could stop the raw power of McIntyre, who decimated him. This match was a great way to start the show, with the fans going wild for two of the biggest stars on RAW.
My oh my! Everyone is taking potshots at CM Punk these days… #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/C9KYvNoePg
— ES Wrestling (@ESwrestling) December 5, 2023
Backstage segment: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark were seen talking to Byron Saxton backstage. Baszler reminded Saxton that she put Nia Jax on the shelf two years ago and planned to do the same.
Hype promo: WWE played the story of Jey Uso leaving The Bloodline to hype up the main event match.
Backstage segment: We saw Jackie Redmond waiting to interview Zayn post his match. However, while medical staff was tending to Zayn, McIntyre attacked Zayn, injuring him even more.
Backstage segment: Saxton tried to interview Becky Lynch, which was interrupted by Nia Jax. After telling Jax she had a receipt for her, Jax headed for her match.
Nia Jax vs. Shayna Baszler
Winner: Nia Jax won after hitting Baszler with The Annihilator. Despite her best efforts to use her MMA background on Jax, including the Kirifuda Clutch, Jax was too strong for Baszler.
Post-match: After the match ended, Lynch’s music played, and The Man made her way to the ring. In what looked like a brawl that was about to start, Jax quickly left the ring.
Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in a best-of-three falls match
First-round winners: Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci won the first round after a roll-up pin by Kaiser on Ciampa. The first round was short and swift.
Second-round winners: Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa won the second round. This came after the Gargano rolled up Vinci for the pin. The second round was much longer, with the ending similar to the first.
Third-round winners: Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa won the third round. This made them the winners of the entire match. The duo hit Kaiser with their finisher for the pin.
DIY with their first major win on the main roster… Let's hope they keep this momentum going and help the tag team division as a whole.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/dyNhJd6CsK
— ES Wrestling (@ESwrestling) December 5, 2023
Backstage segment: We get to see Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods with Alpha Academy. This was a fun segment with no effect on any of the main storylines.
Backstage segment: We see the Judgment Day in their clubhouse with R-Truth. Since his return at Survivor Series, Truth has been annoying the Judgment Day, this time hassling JD McDonagh.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Tegan Nox and Natalya
Winner: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance picked up the win, with Chance pinning Natalya. The match was very short, and the crowd had little to no reaction.
Backstage segment: We see Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring.
In-ring segment: Rhodes took the ring to address last week’s attack on him by Shinsuke Nakamura. A video package aired where Nakamura explained his actions. He claimed that he wasn’t able to finish his story, so he’ll finish Rhodes’. He also drew multiple parallels between the two of them.
Shinsuke Nakamura is acting like a villain from 90s movies lol…😂😂😂#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/hHJMGEw7dR
— ES Wrestling (@ESwrestling) December 5, 2023
Backstage segment: Adam Pearce was seen talking to Jey Uso regarding his upcoming WWE World Heavyweight title match. After leaving, Gunther walked in.
Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh
Winners: Julius Creed and Brutus Creed won the match after a Brutus Ball on McDonagh. The Babyfaces picking up the win over the much-hated Dominik Mysterios was a great booking and gave the fans something to cheer for before the main event.
Backstage segment: As Seth Rollins got ready to defend his title in the main event match, Pearce approached. He said that he asked Punk to join the RAW roaster. Rollins claimed he didn’t care and that Pearce should stay out of Rollins’ way.
Seth Rollins vs. Jey Uso, Main Event for the WWE World Heavyweight Title
Winner: Seth Rollins won after a Curb Stomp to Jey. Despite Jey giving it his all in his first singles title match, he came up short much to his dismay. The crowd chanted for CM Punk to annoy Rollins during the match. The match was dedicated to Umaga, who was Jey’s uncle, who passed away on this day 14 years ago. The match was filled with a ton of near-falls that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
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1… 2… Kickout!!! This match is firing on all cylinders!!!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/M64IRHDd1q
— ES Wrestling (@ESwrestling) December 5, 2023
Post match: McIntyre attacked both men, hitting Jey with a Claymore after the match. While fans were expecting an interference during the match, it came after the match was over. He issued a chilling warning to the fallen Uso as he remarked “The truth shall set you free” hinting at more sinister things to come.
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A scintillating episode of the flagship edition of WWE’s weekly programming came to a close with that segment. We will have to wait and watch to see how the main storylines develop further in the coming weeks.
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