Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 27, 2021

RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Matt Riddle) head to the ring to start tonight's show. Riddle produces a Christmas card before welcome everyone to tonight's show, then says that if the crowd loves what they did in 2021, they will love what they do in 2022. Riddle says that he did some self-reflecting as well as some "self-Vipering," and as he says that he was transforming into a snake, Orton tells him to go see a doctor before showing what happened last week. Riddle, not knowing what a production truck is, asks how Orton got footage to show up on the TitanTron before Riddle says Otis may be "un-RKO-able" due to his supposed lack of a neck. As Orton says that Otis can be a powerhouse, Chad Gable shows up with Otis and praises Otis' neck before asking how a "nitwit" like Orton got so far ahead of the curve. Gable says that everyone will learn that there is no more dangerous a man or a threat than Otis, as he has taught him everything he knows. He then talks about how he earned his Master's degree with a 4.0 GPA before mocking the crowd for "booing education." He then says he may be too advance for a talent like this, and that maybe even "the mindless morons" of Detroit, Michigan can comprehend the fact that Orton is no match for Otis. Gable then says that Otis will send Orton limping into Day 1 and that it will not be long before he and Otis are champions, but Riddle says that he and Orton are a product of "higher education," and asks what the curriculum of Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) is. Riddle also says that he may have some stuff to teach Randy when he takes Gable on tonight, and Gable says Riddle is what he likes to call "an ignoramus" for wanting to challenge an elite athlete like him days before a big match. Gable then says that if he wants to give him and Otis a chance to take out RK-Bro before their big day, he accepts, and Riddle says that he will have a surprise for Orton after they both win tonight.

Matt Riddle beats Chad Gable. After the match, Otis pounces on Riddle and knocks him out of the ring.

Randy Orton beats Otis after avoiding a Vader Bomb and hitting the RKO out of the corner. After the match, Riddle congratulates Orton for hitting the RKO on Otis, then announces that it is time for Randy's present. He says there is only one present big enough and good enough for Orton: a hug. Orton is reluctant, but he eventually gives Riddle a hug before teasing hitting Riddle with an RKO.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Kevin Owens. We see a video message from Big E, who says that he has spent the last few months talking about his opponents and their motivations, but in the end, it is all about him and making all of the sacrifices and tribulations he has lived through worth it. He says this is about him walking out of Day 1 still as WWE Champion. Owens says Big E is wrong, and that while his story is about him and overcoming the odds, it won't happen this week as he is saying it from his house. Owens says only his story matters, and that while he and Seth Rollins took out Bobby Lashley, it is about him becoming champion.

We see another vignette for Veer Mahaan, who is still coming soon to Raw.

Dana Brooke and Reggie beat Tamina and R-Truth. After the match, R-Truth tells Tamina she should be listening to him. Tamina punches at R-Truth, but R-Truth ducks, and Dana and Reggie get the better of Tamina.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Nikki A.S.H. Nikki says that Rhea Ripley was victorious without her help, as Rhea did not need. She says she has been inspirational to Rhea despite her being down on her luck, and while Queen Zelina and Carmella are trying to get in their heads, it only makes them stronger. She then tells Zelina and Carmella to put their money where their mouths are as she challenges them to a Women's Tag Team title rematch.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Rey and Dominik Mysterio to win the RK-Bro-Nament and a shot at the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships.

Backstage, The Miz makes it clear to a backstage worker that he only wants the best roses for the renewal of his wedding vows, and also mentions that he has even called in Eric Bischoff to officiate the ceremony. Bischoff shows up and says that he could not turn down the opportunity, and says that the renewal of the vows will be must-see.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles heads to the ring. Styles talks about how Omos will have him in a match the next time he sees him, then says he is here in the ring and wants to know where Omos is. Styles thinks that Omos is not showing up because he is scared he will not reach his full potential, then says he was that way as well before saying he was not selfish and ungrateful. He says Omos will pay his dues and he will make sure he pays them. He then tells Omos that when they have their match, he will kick his teeth in, as he has over twenty years of experience over him and that while he has seen giants come and go, there is only one AJ Styles. Suddenly, Grayson Waller shows up and mocks Styles, and after Styles gives him attention, says he also has yet to pay his dues and calls him "not yet a Superstar," Styles lets him in the ring. Styles introduces Grayson Waller to the rest of the world, and Grayson says that since Styles came to his house, he says he might as well come to his. As for the subject of paying his dues, all he had to do with get under Styles' skin. He says that Monday nights feels right, and that they will feel better when Omos is done with Styles and he takes Styles' spot. Styles says this is where stars are made and that Grayson is not even close to one. Styles also offers to show Grayson around before showing him the lights on the way out, then Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez show up. Apollo says he and Styles are similar, yet Styles' giant has left him while he and Azeez are a united front, and while Omos is not here, Azeez is. Azeez says that if Styles is interested in slaying giants, he will face him right now. Styles accepts Azeez's challenge.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Carmella. Carmella says she and Queen Zelina have accepted Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley have accepted their tag team title rematch to put them back in their place, as nobody compares to her and Zelina despite her appreciation for Rhea Ripley's fashion sense. She says that since the challenge is for a tag team match, Nikki A.S.H. will eventually have to tag in, as Nikki A.S.H. is not even close to a superhero and "almost second-best," and "almost" doesn't count.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Apollo Crews. After the match, Styles gets away from Commander Azeez. As Azeez helps Apollo up, Styles hits him with the Phenomenal Forearm and successfully fends him off.

We hear from Seth Rollins, who says Kevin Owens is trying to take all the credit for what they did to Bobby Lashley before saying he is in the giving mood for the holidays and will give him all the credit before he takes what is rightfully his: the WWE Championship.

Kevin Owens heads to the ring. Owens says he is in a festive mood tonight after having a great Christmas with his family and main eventing in Madison Square Garden, and says the world will rejoice when he becomes WWE Champion at Day 1. He says being the only person in the WWE Championship match here tonight makes him smarter than everyone else in the match, and says that it is important to be in "a dump like Detroit, Michigan" as the fans will get a WWE Champion they can be proud of. He says the odds may be against him due to who he is up against, then mentions that Seth Rollins took out Bobby Lashley last week, how Lashley is dealing with "MVP's crap", and how he and Rollins are friends and how his plans will make him WWE Champion. MVP shows up and says Owens could not be more wrong about his Day 1 predictions before giving him credit for his month-long plan to get things to go his way before stating that Lashley has not forgotten about him. He says that according to Lashley, it takes more than The Stomp or a ring apron powerbomb to take Lashley, and that Lashley will wreak absolute havoc on Seth Rollins before, according to a text message, he rips Owens' "wet, noodle-like arms off his endomorphic body." Lashley also states in the text message that it does not matter who he beats, as everyone is back in "The Almighty Era." Kevin says he still feels good about his odds and his chances of winning, then The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin) show up. Cedric says Kevin Owens is right about how one man cannot beat three, and Shelton says even Lashley cannot take on the whole world. Cedric says Lashley was at his best in The Hurt Business, but MVP says Lashley needs no one. MVP then says that they can do business, however, and Owens cuts to the chase and says Cedric wants to face him in the ring and win in order to get The Hurt Business back together as a four-man faction. MVP agrees on this, and Cedric vs. Owens begins.

MVP guests on commentary for the next match.

Kevin Owens beats Cedric Alexander. After the match, Shelton Benjamin wants Kevin Owens in the ring, and as he goes for the microphone, Owens hits Shelton with the Stunner.

We see a video package chronicling the feud between Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Priest says everyone has a darkness and that he keeps his at bay, but last week, his came out. He says that if he is disrespected, his darkness will take over and there is nothing anyone can do about it. He says that Dolph Ziggler may have won just about every title there is and can steal the show, if Ziggler triggers his rage, it will be a big mistake for him, and it will ensure that the United States title will stay with him where it belongs.

Dolph Ziggler beats Damian Priest by disqualification after Damian Priest refuses to listen to the referee's five count in the corner as he beats up Ziggler in a blind rage. Damian Priest retains the WWE United States Championship. After the match, Damian Priest throws Dolph Ziggler into the barricade before hitting the Reckoning on the outside.

Eric Bischoff heads to the ring to officiate the renewal of The Miz and Maryse's wedding vows. Bischoff says he is glad to be back in a WWE ring, especially for a cherished moment. He then introduces The Miz first, followed by Maryse. Miz trips on the steps on the way to the ring. Miz talks about the year that he has hard so far, and says that at Day 1, he will dominate against Edge. He then says that in honor of Day 1, he and Maryse will bring the fans something uplifting by renewing their wedding vows. After Miz mocks Detroit, Michigan and thanks Eric Bischoff, Maryse renews her vows first and gets viciously booed before saying that Miz will prove he is a better father, husband and Superstar than Edge at Day 1. Miz mocks Detroit, Michigan again, saying the fans' opinions don't matter because they root for the Detroit Lions. He then renews part of his vows in French before going into Spanish before going into English. Miz and Maryse renew their vows, then Bischoff asks if anyone has any objections before he says "Hell, we all know how this is gonna turn out!" and Edge shows up. Edge carefully walks up the steps to spite Miz, and says he is not here to wreck anything or insult Miz because he finally has a match against Miz and he is going to beat his ass. Miz says he and Maryse knew he would show up to ruin things and gave him a front row seat to what true love looks like, then Edge admits they embarrassed him for weeks before saying what goes around comes around. After Edge says he will embarrass them, Miz and Maryse frantically look around before saying he was messing with them. Edge then asks "You didn't want this to be a white wedding, did you?" before walking away. The arena lights glow red, Gangrel's music hits, then dark brown colored goop drops onto Miz and Maryse to end the show.

This week on Raw Talk: Eric Bischoff! MVP! The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)!

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