Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 16, 2024

CM Punk heads to the ring to start tonight's show. CM Punk heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Punk sarcastically warns everyone to be careful when chanting his name as some people hate him, then says that he is a little low and in a bad news following his recent confrontation with Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Punk says he is mad because Rollins is right, and that it is only a matter of time before they both face off in the ring. He also says that his time on the microphone will be overshadowed by Rollins' sudden entrance. He says wearing Elton John sunglasses does not make one Elton John and that lacing up a pair of wrestling boots like him does not make one CM Punk, and while he admits to "ghosting" Rollins, he also considers Rollins his failure. Punk then says he is willing to give Rollins the biggest wrestling lesson of his life for free, and wants to know if Rollins is tougher than Drew McIntyre, who he calls "the last person to fill [his] shoes." He says that the Boston crowd does not think so and that there will not be enough staples to put him back together, then brings up the CM Punk chants during the seven years he was gone. Rollins shows up in the crowd to lead a "CM Punk" chant, then says it is a matter of perspective and that being the crowd might give him a new perspective, but ultimately concludes that "Even from here, [he's] still an asshole." Punk compliments Rollins for not coming out to his music and says he belongs in the crowd with the rest of the fans, but Rollins says he will always be a fan and put WWE on his back and made it stronger while Punk was gone. He also says that he has more WrestleMania main events than Punk ever will, and this leads to the both of them meeting in the crowd and brawling. Officials show up at the barricade to break the brawl up. The brawl makes its way to the ring as officials try to keep both Punk and Rollins apart, and even with Rollins still at ringside and Punk in the crowd, Rollins still goes after Punk. Security has to get involved at this point, as does General Manager Adam Pearce.

Backstage, Finn Balor wants to know where the rest of The Judgment Day (JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Carlito, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez) was on Saturday Night's Main Event. Liv mentions have faith in Finn that night and also mentions being banned from ringside tonight, then tells Raquel and Dominik that she has something for them.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce confronts Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, who wants his match with CM Punk. Pearce tells Rollins to give it a rest with Punk so he can actually do his job, then Drew McIntyre shows up. McIntyre says that getting over something is not easy when it stares you in the face, then says the two of them are not fooled by Roman Reigns and his Bloodline ("Main Event" Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn). Rollins says that this does not make them friends, and that he had friends on Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. He says respect, not common interests, make friends, and says that the jury is still out on McIntyre. He then says he has to do something McIntyre could not: end CM Punk.

Bron Breakker retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Ludwig Kaiser despite Kaiser targeting his left arm and shoulder throughout the match.

Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) are met by Rey Mysterio, who tells them that the entire locker room is angry with them because they crossed the line with Big E and that they will have to change somewhere else. Woods is unfazed and says they didn't want to share a locker room, anyway.

We look back on WrestleMania 14, which also took place in Boston, Massachusetts.

It is revealed that after Saturday Night's Main Event went off the area, Kevin Owens hit "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes with a cheap shot followed by a package piledriver. Cody can is put on a stretcher and into an ambulance as Owens holds up the WWE Undisputed Championship.

It is announced that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is resting and recuperating at home following Saturday Night's Main Event.

We hear from The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik), who says that they go to war with The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) tonight and that more than the tag team titles are on the line. They say that nobody will tell you what it is like to have injuries that all but ended their careers, then say they are stronger than ever and that every match could be their last and that their moment has to be now.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager Adam Pearce. Pearce announces that on January 6, 2025, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins and CM Punk will finally have their one-on-one match.

Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio head to the ring. Liv Morgan gets on her megaphone and says she is the best Women's World Champion of all time after Dominik gets booed out of the building, and says that 2024 has been her year. She says that nobody is hotter, dominant and ready to lead WWE into the future than her, then Rhea Ripley shows up. Rhea tells Liv that General Manager Adam Pearce has made it official that she is the number one contender for the Women's World Championship and that Liv's title reign will end. Rhea says she will be Women's World Champion while Liv Morgan is left with her "chicken tender slut."

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins when Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre brawl in the background. Officials try to break the brawl almost immediately.

Backstage, The Miz tells Paul Ellering and The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) that he is proud of them, and when Karrion Kross and Scarlett show up, The Miz says they are done and they can go their separate ways. Kross says it is not over after all The Wyatt Sicks have done, and that The Miz will face Dexter Lumis in retaliation for kidnapping him next week. Ellering tells Miz that he saved him twice and that he owes them. Kross tells Miz to get with General Manager Adam Pearce to make the match, which Miz does. Rezar asks Kross if Miz can handle Lumis, and Kross says that when you make a deal with the devil, you don't run out on it.

Zoey Stark beats Kayden Carter and Raquel Rodriguez to advance in the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament after hitting Raquel with a missile drop kick as she goes for a Tejana Bomb on Kayden.

Backstage, R-Truth approves of Alpha Academy's (Otis, Akira Tozawa, Maxxine Dupri) recent commercial and credits them on changing his workout, calling Pete Dunne "Butch" in the process. Pete Dunne confronts R-Truth for calling him "Butch" again and threatens to break his jaw before Otis steps between them. Dunne leaves, saying this is R-Truth's last warning before walking off. R-Truth leaves, then American Made (Chad Gable, Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, Ivy Nile) confronts Alpha Academy for turning his former academy into a joke before calling them all "pathetic." Otis tells Gable to shut up, and Gable says "It's time to kill my darlings," and chooses to start with Tozawa.

We see a picture of a red slash going through the number zero.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), who still have yet to find a locker room, when it is revealed that Pure Fusion Collective (Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler) have smashed Kairi Sane's hand with a road crate. Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky run out to help Kairi after Pure Fusion Collective leave.

The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) beat The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) to become the World Tag Team Champions after Finn Balor grabs a metal folding chair only for Damian Priest - who is in disguise in the timekeeper's area - to keep him from taking it.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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