Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 25, 2017

John Cena returns to Raw to start tonight's show. It is announced that the entire first hour of Raw is commercial-free. (This announcement only applies to USA Network in America; commercials are awkwardly placed during the second and third matches of the night, especially in the UK.) John Cena gives a fan in orange Cena gear the hat and shirt off his back. He also thanks the Chicago, Illinois crowd for the "Merry Christmas" chant. Cena says WWE is his home, and the fans his family. He gives cheers for the good times, the bad times, and for a day like today when everybody in the crowd can be together. As he speaks, Elias shows up with his guitar. Elias tells Cena that WWE stands for "Walk with Elias," and asks who wants to walk with him. Cena says he will walk with him. Elias says he is tired of the constant interruptions, and says he might as well interrupt him as the crowd chants "CM Punk." Elias then says he is sure CM Punk will not interrupt him, either. Cena asks the crowd to let Elias have some fun for once. Elias says he will perform tonight as the crowd continues to chant "CM Punk," regardless of how often they chant "CM Punk." Cena tries to give Elias advice, but Elias won't let him. Cena then simply lays a stool in the ring, and Elias sits down on it as the lights are reduced to a single spotlight. The crowd chants "CM Punk" again, and Elias blames it on Cena. Elias begins to mock Chicago, and Cena immediately stops him. He says he was willing to give him a chance and wanted to warn him not to do this, and says Chicago isn't a bad place to spend the holidays. He then calls Elias out for playing okay, but calling the crowd jerks whenever he does. He then tells the crowd is not jerks; Elias is. Elias says he never thought of it that way, and says Cena is right and maybe he is a jerk. He says he would love to do that song again if the Chicago crowd is willing to give him a second chance. Cena warns him that Chicago is a tough city, but it is Christmas, and gives him the second chance. Elias plays the song again, much to the happiness of Cena. Cena picks up the singing where Elias left off, and Elias punches him in the face when he turns around. Elias then says he does not play for Cena, and that both Christmas and Chicago are overrated. As John Cena gets up, Elias takes the boots to him, then says Santa didn't visit him this morning and he is giving himself the gift of challenging Cena right now. He then asks for a referee. Referee John Cone shows up, and the match is official and it starts right now.

John Cena beats Elias.

Backstage, General Manager Kurt Angle is decorating a Christmas tree when Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins show up. Rollins wants Samoa Joe, but so does Jordan. Angle tells them that when they get close to Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro get in the way. Rollins doesn't like the idea, and Jordan calls this "a step back" as he wants to be a singles star. Angle tells them they had better find a way to work together, as they will be facing Sheamus and Cesaro for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Roman Reigns then shows up. Angle tells Roman that Joe is all his, and that the Intercontinental title is on the line.

Charly Caruso interviews The Brian Kendrick and "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher. Kendrick says he and Gallagher want to find out firsthand if Hideo Itami belongs in the Cruiserweight Division.

Hideo Itami beats The Brian Kendrick.

Sasha Banks, Bayley and Mickie James meet Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel backstage as they spread some "Mizmas cheer" through "Mizmas carols." Sasha, Bayley and Mickie awkwardly leave.

Absolution (Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville) beat Bayley, Sasha Banks and Mickie James.

It is announced that Dean Ambrose has suffered an army injury and that Ambrose may be out of action for up to nine months.

Renee Young interviews Samoa Joe. Joe has no remorse for what he did to Dean Ambrose last week, and says Dean can now spend time with his loved ones during the holidays. His actions have also given him an Intercontinental title shot. He says that Roman Reigns will not waltz into the ring thinking he will retain the Intercontinental Championship, as he will put Roman to sleep and take the title away from him.

The first hour of SmackDown Live will also be commercial-free.

We see a video package of the creation of the Triple Threat Match for the WWE Universal Championship between Kane, Braun Strowman, and Brock Lesnar from last week.

Kane beats Heath Slater in a match that is Rhyno's way of toughening Slater up. After the match, Rhyno checks on Slater, and nearly gets choke slammed. Rhyno fights back, however, but when he goes for the Gore, he gets choke slammed nonetheless.

Before the next match, Curt Hawkins says he would usually tell the fans to face the fact, but he needs to tell himself that as this year has not been kind to his win-loss record. But 2017 is not over yet, and he feels a Christmas miracle tonight. He issues an open challenge, hoping his 146-match losing streak will come to an end. That challenge is answered by Finn Balor.

Finn Balor beats Curt Hawkins, bringing Curt Hawkins' losing streak to 147 matches.

Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel deliver "Mizmas cheer" to Goldust with a Mizmas carol, and give him a copy of Santa's Little Helper. When Titus Worldwide (Titus O'Neil, Apollo Crews, Dana Brooke) shows up, Goldust hands the movie to Titus, then scares the crap out of him.

Bray Wyatt is on the TitanTron. He says Sister Abigail always hated Christmas and how it gave everyone something to believe in, and how it currently reminds her of Matt Hardy, who he says is using the people for his personal gain. He tells the "woken warriors" to look around and realize they are surrounded by fireflies and by Sister Abigail. He then announces that he is here. When Bray Wyatt gets in the ring and the lights come back on, Bray is suddenly attacked by Matt Hardy, and quickly gets out of there. Matt Hardy then laughs maniacally in the center of the ring.

Sheamus and Cesaro are backstage, unhappy about the fact that they have to defend the Raw tag titles tonight. Sheamus gives Cesaro, appreciating him for being his tag team partner, even if General Manager Kurt Angle does not appreciate what they have done for him all year. A card is attached. As for the package itself, a Dean Ambrose action figure with a missing arm is inside. Cesaro returns the favor by giving Sheamus a gift. Inside Sheamus' present is a Seth Rollins figure. Sheamus plans to break it like he will the real Rollins. Cesaro says that is not all, and inside is also a Jason Jordan figurine. Sheamus doesn't want it, but Cesaro says neither Seth or Angle want him, either.
br /> The ring is set up for a Miracle on 34th Street Fight featuring wrestlers from the Cruiserweight Division, coming up next.

Before the next match, Enzo Amore - dressed as Santa Claus - says he is here from the North Pole with his elves Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari to spread some Christmas cheer. He then says Cedric Alexander got coal instead of the Cruiserweight title this morning. Before the next match, Enzo Amore - dressed as Santa Claus - says he is here from the North Pole with his elves Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari to spread some Christmas cheer. He then says Cedric Alexander got coal instead of the Cruiserweight title this morning. It is then announced that Cedric Alexander will face Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship next week on Raw.

Cedric Alexander, Akira Tozawa and Musrafa Ali beat The 'Zo Train (Enzo Amore, Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari) in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.

Backstage, Enzo Amore runs into Nia Jax. They wish each other a merry Christmas, then they notice they are under mistletoe. They zoom in for a kiss, then Alexa Bliss rushes in and says she needs to talk to Nia Jax about the Women's Royal Rumble Match. Nia hesitantly walks away. Enzo is annoyed.

Renee Young interviews Roman Reigns. He could care less about what Samoa Joe has to say, as he is Intercontinental Champion and he is walking away with the title. Tonight is about Dean Ambrose, and he will send a message to Joe: if he hurts one of his brothers, they will hurt him.

Samoa Joe beats Roman Reigns by disqualification after Roman Reigns shoves referee John Cone away as he takes the boots to Samoa Joe in the corner. After the match, Roman hits Joe with a Superman Punch, then fights him at ringside. Referees rush out as Roman is about to hit Joe with the steel steps, but Roman does it anyway. Roman then grabs a steel chair and aims for Joe's arm, but Joe runs away just in time.

Backstage, Seth Rollins is seen watching from backstage when Jason Jordan. He admits they have differences, but he does not care about them. He also tells Jason Jordan that everyone is top competition in the WWE. Jordan has no problems with tagging with Rollins, but when he says he makes a pretty good replacement for Dean Ambrose, Seth tells him he will never be Dean Ambrose. Jordan says that's okay, as he will be better.

Before the next match, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel announce that they have a Secret Santa match, and they will not know who their opponents are until they show up. Bo asks the crowd to join them in a Mizmas carol. The opponent ends up being Braun Strowman.

Braun Strowman beats The Miztourage (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) in a Secret Santa Match. After the match, Curtis Axel falls victim to a running powerslam just like Bo Dallas did. Bo and Axel then both eat another running powerslam each.

We look back to The 1-2-3 Kid's surprise win against Razor Ramon from May 17, 1993.

Alexa Bliss is in the ring. She wishes everyone a "merry Blissmas," then says she is giving everyone a Christmas gift: the gift of a goddess. She then takes the time to reflect, and says 2017 has been her year. She started it as SmackDown Women's Champion and plans to end it as Raw Women's Champion, and she has triumphed against every obstacle in her path. She punched through the glass ceiling, and says last week's Women's Royal Rumble Match announcement was moment of the year. She then tells all the women in the locker room as well as the fans "You're welcome," as everything leading up to the match is because of her, as she is the gift that keeps on giving and she will be watching to see who will win. Suddenly, Asuka shows up. Asuka tells Alexa Bliss she is entering the Women's Royal Rumble Match, and that she will win because nobody is ready for her. She then kicks Alexa Bliss in the face after a brief staredown.

Brock Lesnar returns to Raw next week!

Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan beat Sheamus and Cesaro to become the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions!

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!