Monday Night RAW was in San Antonio, Texas, to kick off the New Year. RAW opened with a recap of The Mcmahons' gift to the WWE Universe John Cena, returning, followed by a promo on Dolph Ziggler and Nikki Bella, which led to a brawling break out between John Cena, The McMahons, Dolph Ziggler, and Nikki Bella. Sabrina McMahon Cena was making her return as well.
After the video, the RAW intro happened, followed by a live shot inside the AT&T Center as the pyros went off; then Michael Cole welcomed the fans who were watching the USA Network. JBL and Byron Saxton on commentary join him. Stephanie McMahon's music hits, and she makes her way out to the stage and then heads down the ramp to the aisle way to ringside over to the steel steps. Stephanie climbs the steel steps to the ring's apron and steps through the ropes into the ring. Stephanie is handed a mic and looks at the WWE Universe, who is cheering her. Before Stephanie could even speak, Nikki Bella's music interrupted her. Nikki Bella comes out to a chorus boo from the rafts; as she enters, she hits the ring and gets a mic.
Nikki says, "Where is your twit of your sister."
Stephanie looked at Nikki and said, "Watch your mouth, Nicole; my sister is no twit; that would be you."
The WWE Universe cheers and chants, "Stephanie!"
Nikki says, "I am no twit, Stephanie; that would be your baby sister."
The WWE Universe chants "Twit" at Nikki Bella now.
Stephanie says, "WWE Universe is calling you a Twit, Nicole."
Stephanie says, "As for my sister Sabrina is not here yet."
The WWE Universe cheers and woohoo!" Stephanie chuckles.
Stephanie tells Nikki you will have to get used to disappointment because my sister will be busy tonight.
Nikki went after Stephanie when Nattie came out to make the save out of nowhere and began brawling with Nikki. Nattie and Nikki end up outside the ring and continue to brawl when Nikki gets the upper hand; out of nowhere, Brie runs down and nails Nikki with a forearm to the face.
WWE Tweet
BRIE BELLA IS BACK!
Fans tweet
Holy Moy, Brie Bella nails her twin sister with vicious forearm #WWERAW
Welcome back, Brie Bella! #WWERAW
Why did Brie nail her twin sister Nikki #WWERAW
"We will probably find out soon #WWERAW
"Why did Brie Bella nail her twin sister Nikki," Michael Cole inquired
"Got me, Michael," JBL said.
Stephanie exited the ring, went over to Nattie to help her, and then Stephanie, Nattie, and Brie left together.
"Brie Bella is leaving Stephanie and Nattie," Byron points out.
WWE Tweet
Something happens between Brie and Nikki #WWERAW
"Something is going on with Brie, but leaving Stephanie and Nattie means one thing, Brie is now a part of Authority." Michael Cole said.
"You have wondered how her husband Daniel Bryan feels about that, knowing what the Authority did to him back in 2013 through 2014?" Byron Saxton's question.
"You two are accusing Stephanie McMahon, our boss, of manipulation Brie Bella into joining the Authority."
"Yes," Boron and Michael said simultaneously.
"Okay, do not be surprised if the both of you are reprimanded by the bosses," JBL said.
A replay shows Neville quickly beating Kevin Owens last week on RAW. Owens immediately attacked him after the match and wouldn't let up. When Dean Ambrose ran out for the save, Owens went for an apron powerbomb. They brawled until Owens retreated. Later in the night, Owens blindsided Ambrose and gave him a powerbomb through the commentary table.
Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring. Next, he'll be on commentary as Kevin Owens takes on Neville in a rematch. RAW went to commercials. When RAW return from the break, Brock Lesnar returns to RAW next week. Back to the ring, Neville's ribs are all taped up. Neville enters the ring as Owens attacks the referee and quickly signals for the bell. Neville fights back and knocks Owns out of the ring with a dropkick. Neville immediately takes him out with a running corkscrew moonsault plancha. The WWE Universe cheers as Neville get up. Neville began kicking Owens several times before taking him down again, with a running summersault senton on the floor as the WWE Universe roars.
Neville grabs Owens and tosses him back inside the ring, slides in behind him, and then proceeds to kick Owens in his head. Neville takes him down again with a springboard dropkick, and then Owen rolls out of the ring to recover and regroup. Neville goes to the top rope and takes him out with a shooting star press to the floor that gets the WWE Universe out of their seats, was Neville is all fired up for this match.
Neville puts Owens into the ring and goes to the top rope again. Owens gets up. Neville goes to the apron and shoulders him. Neville slingshot into the ring, but Owens kicks him in the injured ribs. Neville doubles over in pain. Owens continues to target the injured ribs before hanging him on the top rope for nasty DDT. Owens turns Neville over, but Neville continues to get out of the ring. Owens goes outside and throws him into the barricade as RAW returns to commercials. RAW returns from the break to see Owens is looking out for a count-out victory, but Neville gets back in the ring, only to have Owens throw him out again, then send Neville into the barricade again.
They show what happened during the break when Owens ripped off the tape on Neville's ribs. Owens tries to shove Neville into the ringpost, but Neville moves out of the way and then shoves Owens into the ringpost. Neville gets on the apron and dropkicks Owens in the head. Neville gets on the apron and connects with 450 splashes on the floor. Neville recovers and then rolls Owens into the ring covering him for a near fall. Neville kicks him in the corner and props him up on the top rope. Neville climbs up for a super hurricanrana, but Owens pushes him off. Neville tries again, but Owens hangs him up in the tree of woe. Owens crushes him with a cannonball. Owens then sends him into the ropes for a Pop-up powerbomb and the win.
After the match, Owens celebrates his win before attacking Neville outside the ring. Ambrose gets off commentary and takes him out with a suicide dive. Ambrose throws Owens to the ring, but Owens rolls out on the other side. Owens kicks him in the ribs and takes the top off the commentary table, but Ambrose sends Owens into the steel steps. Ambrose then lays him on the table and stands on the barricade. Ambrose hits an elbow drop through the table. Ambrose held Owens' head and said, "He knows where it finds him if he wants a shot." Ambrose then celebrates with WWE Intercontinental Championship.
A long black limousine is shown driving into the parking garage. The chauffeur steps out of the limo, closes the door, then walks to the back and opens the door, outsteps John Cena to cheer, and then helps out his wife, Sabrina Cena. The WWE Universe cheers. John kissed her.
"Thank you," John and Sabrina said together.
"You're welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Cena," The chauffeur said with a smile.
WWE Tweet
Mr. and Mrs. Cena have arrived #WWERAW
Fans tweet
Sabrina looked beautiful tonight #CenationQueen #WWERAW
"When doesn't Sabrina look beautiful? I bet she looks gorgeous in a pair of Jean #CenationQueen #WWERAW
They walked away from the limo, and Michael Cole said, "What is going happens now that John and Sabrina Cena are in the building," as RAW went back to commercials.
When RAW returns from the break and Stardust and Titus O'Neil are in the ring, the bell sounds, and the action begins with a nonstop pace; Stardust controls the action until O'Neil connects with a clothesline, followed by a pair of clothesline-built momentum in his favor until Stardust kick Titus in the face. Stardust hits the rope, but O'Neil hits a big boot to the face of Stardust. O'Neil hits the avalanches in the corner and connects with Clash of Titus for the win. The commentators talk about the WWE Network and how first-time subscribers can watch the Royal Rumble for free.
Becky Lynch is seemed warming up backstage when Charlotte comes up to her. Charlotte asks if she asked for the match between the two of them tonight.
Becky says, "She did."
Charlotte looks annoyed that Becky asked the Authority for a rematch before walking off. RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break, replays are shown of Charlotte beating Becky Lynch on RAW two months ago following a distraction from Ric Flair. Charlotte and Becky circle one another, and then the nonstop action begins and continues until Ric Flair grabs Becky's leg. Charlotte takes advantage of Becky being distracted, rolling Becky up and grabbing the tights for the win. Charlotte rolls out of the ring and celebrates with Ric as Becky looks devastated. Vince McMahon is talking to Vincent Jr. when Sheamus walks in and asks when his rematch is.
Both McMahon's men look at him, and Vince replies, "Well, Vincent and I know what kind of Champion Roman Reigns is, so your rematch is tonight's main event, but there are stipulations for your rematch, no interference, foreign objects, and low blows." Sheamus doesn't like the stipulations. McMahons men smirk and say, "May the luck of the Irish be with you." Vince and Vincent walk off together.
Roman Reigns will defend WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus. Then, RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break, Big Show and Ryback are already in the ring; as the bell sounds, Big Show goes to work on Ryback.
The action continues until the Wyatt Family logo flashes on the screen and lights go out. When the lights come back on, the Wyatt family is surrounding Ryback. The Wyatt family assault Ryback before Braun Strowman puts him to sleep with a head and arm choke. The referee disappeared, and no bell has sounded. The Wyatt Family surrounds the ring and gets on the apron. Big Show looks ready to fight. Big Show attacks them and is face to face with Strowman. The Wyatts attack Big Show from behind before anything happens. Wyatt taunts the crowd as his family triple teams, Big Show. The Wyatt family then walks off. Wyatt screams that they are war and famine. At the Royal Rumble, they will rise, and the rest will fall. Wyatt kneels and says, "Follow the buzzards!" RAW goes back to commercials.
When RAW return from the break and Rusev and Alberto Del Rio takes on The Usos, the nonstop action has begun until Jimmy and Del Rio tagged in. Jimmy hits a pair of clotheslines and kicks his midsection before delivering an uppercut. Jimmy then takes him out with a running hip attack to the face and covers him for a near fall. Jimmy goes to pick him up, but Del Rio takes him down with an arm breaker. Del Rio goes for a kick, but Jimmy avoids it. Jimmy goes to the top rope, but Del Rio knocks him down. Del Rio kicks him in the back and goes to the top rope for his double stomp, but Jimmy avoids it. Jey superkicks Del Rio, and Jimmy hits a splash, but Rusev breaks up the pin. Jimmy clotheslines Rusev out of the ring and goes for a plancha. Del Roc sends Jey shoulder first into the ringpost and takes him out with a big stomp off the second rope for the win. RAW goes back to commercials
When RAW returns from the break Dolph Ziggler take on Heath Slater, Ziggler and Slater lock up, and Ziggler wrenches the arm and takes him down for two counts. Ziggler sends Slater into the ropes for a superkick, but Slater holds the ropes. Ziggler removes his shirt, and the WWE Universe boos him. Slater applies a waistlock, but Ziggler gets out and puts on a sloppy bow and arrow lock. Slater lifts him, but Ziggler counters into an inside cradle for a two count.
Ziggler dropkicks Slater down and avalanches him. Ziggler connects with a snapmare and then drops an elbow covering him for two counts. Ziggler applies a chinlock, and Slater fights up and backs Ziggler into the corner. The referee began counting as Ziggler lets go, and Slater punched him in the midsection and then began to unload on Ziggler in the corner. Ziggler fights out of the corner and connects with a neckbreaker, but Slater avoids an avalanche, splashes in the corner, then attacks him and applies a chinlock. Slater takes him down, but he misses an elbows drop.
Ziggler connects with DDT and sets up for the superkick, but Adam Rose gets on the apron, distracting Ziggler. Slater rolls up him, but Ziggler rolls through. Bo Dallas distracts, Ziggler next, and Slater rolls him up for the win. Ziggler is pissed, gets a mic, begins ranting and raving, and blames John Cena for his recent losses.
Fans tweet
Wow, Ziggler is pathetic, blaming John Cena for his losses #CryBabyZiggler
"Blaming John Cena for his loses is pathetic if you ask me," JBL said.
"Cena, I know you are here because everyone saw you arrived here with your slut of a wife," Ziggler said spitefully.
Fans tweet
Ziggler needs to show Mrs. Cena some respect #CenationQueen #WWERAW
Cena will destroy Ziggler for disrespecting Sabrina #CenationQueen #WWERAW
"Ziggler better watches his mouth that his boss he just calls a derogatory name," Michael said.
"You've got that right, Michael. Ziggler will pay," Byron said.
John Cena popped up on the TitanTron and said, "Who the hell are you to call my gorgeous wife a slut, you asshole."
The WWE Universe cheers and chants, "Sabrina is gorgeous!"
Ziggler yelled at the fans to shut up and said, "Why don't you come out had to do something about it."
"Ziggler, I have better things to do," John said as the camera pulled back to see Sabrina sitting beside her husband and his hand on her thigh.
Behind them were Randy and Nattie Orton, Miz, Vince McMahon, Stephanie, and her husband Jack to John's left, and on the side were Vincent and Kathleen McMahon.
WWE Tweet
Nice family portrait! #WWERAW
Fans tweet
Family sticks together #WWERAW
A few family members are missing, namely Vince's wife Linda, Miz's wife Maryse, Shane and his wife Marissa #WWERAW
"That the better things you have to do sit there with your wife and her family."
"Ziggler, you should be grateful to my wife because she is holding my leash; if she lets go, I will destroy you."
Fans tweet
Leash lol #WWERAW #Cenation
It must be an invisible leash, lol #WWERAW #Cenation
"And as for family, Nattie is my sister, Randy is my brother-in-law, and Miz is my brother. So family sticks together unlike yours."
"Keep my family out of your mouth Cena," Ziggler said.
John chuckles and says, "Oooh, I hit a nerve, huh, Ziggler? So now you know how I feel when people like you drag my wife and kids into a war of words with me. Last year, my father-in-law punched you in the mouth when you disrespected my mother-in-law. So that's what husbands do, defend their wives; oh wait, you're not a husband. Why is that?"
"Shut up, Cena"
"I know why you are not a husband because that slut of your girlfriend won't accept your marriage proposal. It was funny, though, because Vince, Miz, Randy, Jack, Vincent, and myself only had to pop the question once and was accepted immediately, but you have popped the question several times, and Nikki turned you down, yet you are still with her."
"Cena, shut up and stop talking about my personal life."
"Dolph, the WWE Universe knows because it has been on Total Divas how Nikki has turned you down, and it is because you do not have the bank account that Nikki wants. Nikki doesn't love you, Dolph; she is a gold digger."
Fans tweet
Cena has a valid point; it has been on Total Divas on how Nikki Bella says no to Ziggler's marriage proposal #TotalDivas.
"That's enough, Cena; I want a match with you!" Ziggler yell.
"You're on but at the Royal Rumble, Ziggler. I will destroy you," Cena said.
"Oh my god! John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler at the Royal Rumble," Michael Cole said.
WWE Tweet
Cena takes on Heel Ziggler at Royal Rumble #RoyalRumble
Fans tweet
Wow, that match is going to steal the show #RoyalRumble
I smell a beating down come for Ziggler #RoyalRumble
RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break, Dean Ambrose will defend WWE Intercontinental Championship against Kevin Owens on SmackDown, and Natalya will also defend WWE Divas Championship against Becky Lynch. Then, SmackDown moves to the USA Network this Thursday. Roman Reigns is in his locker room when Vince McMahon walks in. Vince tells him about the title match, and Reigns says, "No problem, I will beat Sheamus again."
Vince smirks, saying, "There will be no interference, foreign object, or low blows." Reigns smiles. Vince walks off
Back to the ring, we go, as The New Day makes their way to the ring. Big E says, "2016 will be the most magical year of their lives. It all starts tonight when they break Kalisto, and those dirty, disgusting Dudley Boyz, faster than Mike Tyson, broke his booty on the hoverboard. For those without internet, they'll recreate it," They impersonate Tyson falling off his hoverboard. They then laugh and impersonate him falling.
Kofi Kingston mentions that he's a WWE Hall of Famer… but he did fall pretty hard. They say they have a New Year's gift and start a countdown, but it turns into Chris Jericho's countdown. Chris Jericho comes out to the stage, and the crowd chants "Y2J."
Jericho says, "Welcome to RAW is, Jericho!"
Jericho talks about he are the party host and one of the most charismatic showmen in WWE history.
Chris says, "All hail the ayatollah of rock and roll-a!"
He goes on to say that he has returned to save the WWE.
Xavier Woods asks if he watched WWE at all in 2015. They already saved WWE with the power of positivity.
Jericho says, "The only thing he's positive of is he's looking at three unicorn horn-wearing jackasses. One minute of Y2J is already more entertaining than the rest of RAW. Network subscriptions, television ratings, and live event attendance all need a shot in the arm and a boost. They need Y2J.
The WWE Universe cheers and chants "Y2J."
Jericho smiles and says, "He missed all the Jerichooholics."
Jericho apologizes for having the crowd sit through the New Day and their "rooty, tooty, booty, gyrations."
Jericho starts a "rooty, tooty, booty" chant; Jericho ten announces he will be in the Royal Rumble on January 24. During that match, he will throw out 29 other superstars, including the three of them. He'll win that match and go on to the main event of WrestleMania for the second time. He's a six-time World Champion, including being the first undisputed Champion. He's also the best in the world at what he does. Everyone working in the company and watching him right now will never be the same… again.
RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break, a replay shows Sin Cara dislocating his shoulder last Monday on RAW. Six-man action between Dudley Boyz and Kalisto takes on the New Day, and there was nonstop action throughout the match until the match breaks down and New Day connects with Midnight Hour for the win.
Michael Cole announced that the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns, will defend against the former Champion Sheamus as RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break and Lilian Garcia give the introductions in the ring, Reigns stares Sheamus down. Reigns hold the title up to mixed reaction, handing the title to the referee as Sheamus blindsides Reigns as the referee quickly calls for the bell. Sheamus clubs away at Reigns and hits a tilt-a-whirl powerslam for two counts. Sheamus hits a short-arm clothesline and then covers him for two counts.
Sheamus takes Reigns to the corner and knees Reigns in the face. Sheamus punches away at him before Reigns rips off the top rope. Reigns stomps away at Sheamus in the corner before having a whip to the opposite corner reversed on him. They show Authority watching backstage as Sheamus gets another two counts on Reigns. Reigns fought back with punches and then clotheslined Sheamus. Reigns go for a Samoan Drop, but Sheamus fights out. Reigns take Sheamus to the corner and unload on him, Sheamus tries to clothesline but Reigns ducks and clothesline Sheamus over the top rope going over with Sheamus. The referee began counting as Sheamus sent Reigns into the steel steps. Sheamus tosses Reigns back inside the ring as RAW goes back to commercials. When RAW returns from the break, Reigns is trapped in a chinlock, and he fights back up and shoves Sheamus into the ropes, and Sheamus knees Reigns in the midsection. Sheamus ties him up for the 10 Beats of the Bodhran, but Sheamus instead clubs him in the back a few times.
Sheamus hits a rolling senton and covers Reigns for two counts. Reigns fight back, but Sheamus applies a sleeper hold. Reigns quickly counter out with a back suplex. The referee counts as Sheamus and Reigns get back up and begin exchanging punches before Sheamus catches Reigns with a side headlock. Reigns shove him off and catch him with a pair of clotheslines before taking him down with a leaping clothesline, Sheamus comes right back, dropping Reigns on the apron, but Reigns snap him off the top rope.
Reigns then catch Sheamus with Drive by Dropkick and cover him for two and a half counts. Sheamus snaps Reigns off the ropes and knees him in the face. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Reigns gets out and rolls him up before picking Sheamus up for powerbomb for a two-and-a-half count again. Sheamus rolls him up for two counts. Sheamus fights back and hits the ropes, but Reigns hits a superman punch. Reigns set up for the spear. Sheamus gets up, and Reigns connects with the spear to cover him for the win.